Work Text:
March 1972.
Hillary and Bill were studying in the law library. They were at a table books spread in front of them had been a current occurrence in the last week as they finals were approaching. Hillary was very studious and always wanted to be prepared as much as she could. Bill was a bit less but still did his best to have the necessary information in his mind however his focus could easily go sideways when he was studying. They had been together for a year now, they had moved in together last August and were getting closer and closer everyday. The relationship had come out of left field for both of them but it had been the best thing so far. They had been partners in no time it wasn't just about sex or love it was everything all together. Hillary felt she had found someone who was her equal in every way who would never ask her to be less for him. Bill had found the person that would be the his equal in addition to being his solid ground something he had never had before in his life.
Hillary had her head on a low book as she took notes of the information in front of her when she heard Bill – who had been quiet for a long time studying – speak.
“You know this remind me of this old guy from Arkansas who got put in jail because he had stolen food to feed his family and as a result his two children died of starvation while he was in prison. The judges had no empathy if he had those children wouldn't have died.” Bill said as he was studying one of the cases in a law book.
“Are you sure it's a man in Arkansas and not Jean Valjean from the Misérables?” Hillary said.
“Well yeah it's a similar story but that's not about Jean Valjean. It's actual case and this part of the law reminds me of it.” He showed her the book with law article was written.
“Okay! How does that fit into you study for your Corporate law exams exactly?”
“It does I just thought it was an interesting cas...” Hillary had put her finger on his lips. 7
“Billy tomorrow morning we have to sit an exam we need to study. So focus back on the topic.” She went forward and kissed his lips, a good kiss.
Bill was surprised but really enjoyed it he was so in love with her and each passing moment with her made him fall in love even harder. Hillary really wanted to study but seeing his handsome face looking all cute with his love for life showing in his words she had to kiss him. The love she had for him was so strong she was very much besotted.
“I'm not sure that's gonna make me want to go back to studying.” Bill said when the kiss broke.
“Well take this as a preview of what you will get if you go back to studying.” Bill laughed at her words.
“I love you!” Hillary blushed as he said it a bit loud and people in the library looked at them.
“Me too!” She whispered. “Now let's get back to the books please. I don't want to flunk this exam not do I want to be the reason you fail.”
“There is no way I'll fail because of you. You're always finding way to improve me.” Bill kissed her cheek and went back to the books.
For the next two hours they kept on studying exchanging ideas, notes and stealing some touches along the way as a reminder of what they wanted to do afterward. It was almost midnight when the librarian came to tell them the library was about to leave. They put away their books and went toward the exit. Bill turned around to look at the library just before getting out.
“What? Did you forget something?” Hillary asked him when she saw him looking back in.
“No I was just reminded of something.” Hillary looked at him confused as Bill took her hand and they walked out.
“What were you reminded of?”
“As we were near the door I saw myself there half listening to Jeff trying to convince me to join the Law Journal when I spotted you. I think today we were at the same table we were that day.” Bill smiled at her as they walked hand in hand in the still cold March night.
“You always notice the small things.”
“When it's important and it's been a year now since we met in a few days it will be the anniversary of our first date.” Hillary laughed.
“I've you something special planned?”
“Not really. We've been busy with the finals coming so I didn't have time to think of it yet. However I'd like to mark the occasion. I've been having the best time with you this last year I'd like it to last longer.”
“Me too. Now let's go home we need to get some sleep so we don't flunk out last exam. Tomorrow we will be free to do whatever we want.”
“I thought you promise me something more … along the lines of sex.” He whispered in her ear his breath making her shiver a bit.
“Mmm. I really think we should rest.”
“If we don't scratch the itch I won't be able to think about anything than you naked in my arms all along the exam.” Bill teased her and she laughed.
“I think you won't be able to focus either if we do it. Thinking about what I did to you.” Hillary teased back.
“God! You're gonna be the death of me.” Bill took her in his arms and kissed her, more like making out in the middle of street.
“Tell you what once the exams are over we can do whatever you want but I really want to get a good night sleep. I need to be alert tomorrow.” Bill smiled at her.
“Alright. Let's go to bed then.” They started walking again and started talking about the exam again still trying to see if they had retained enough information.
Once they were at home they made themselves a few sandwiches and went to bed. Hillary laid under the cover while Bill read his book, he could never go to sleep without reading first. As she tried to fall asleep she wondered about their relationship the fact that Bill had talked about the anniversary of their first date had got her to think about it. It had been something so unexpected she was still in a relationship with her first love David but their relationship was coming to an end without neither of them ready to call it quit until Hillary met Bill and in span of a week he had capture her heart and mind he was so interesting and charismatic. For Bill it was as surprising and he even tried not to start something because he just came out of what he thought was a serious relationship but Hillary was too fascinating to stop himself from knowing her. A year later here they were living together in a committed relationship far more serious than the one Bill was previously in and Hillary was far more in love than she had been with David.
“Billy!” Hillary said making him jump a bit as he thought she was asleep.
“Yeah?” He looked down at her.
“Is it important for you to celebrate our first year together?” Hillary asked.
“Yes, at least it's important to acknowledge it. To me this relationship is different from the ones I had before. I've never made it this far, I've never felt anything close to what I feel for you for anyone else.” Bill said as he smiled and passed his hand on her hair.
“Okay! We'll do something special then.” She answered and closed her eyes again.
Bill got scared when she didn't say anything else and a million questions popped into his head. Does she really love me? Did she love David more? Is this relationship not special enough for her? And many questions like those. He worried Hillary wasn't on the same page as he was in their relationship and wondered if he would get his heart broken if she decided to leave him. Soon Hillary was fully asleep and it took Bill a long time to fall asleep as he thought of Hillary's lack of interest for their first anniversary and the exam they had to take the next day.
The next day Bill woke up after just three hours of sleep he was cranky and not in the right state of mind to take an exam. Hillary noticed his mood when he came into the living room of their small apartment.
“Good morning Billy!” She smiled at him tenderly, she was eating her breakfast while looking at her notes never feeling like she was ready enough.
“Morning.” Bill sat down on the chair and grabbed the toasts Hillary had made for them.
Hillary looked at him waiting for a look from him or a word that would help her figure out how he was doing. But Bill didn't look at her he just ate in silence, brooding. After fifteen minutes of total silence Hillary decided it was time to get him out of his shell, they had to leave in thirty minutes and she didn't want them to be late. It was one of their only class together and they had studied hard for it they couldn't flunk it.
“I'm gonna take a quick shower you need to get ready.” Hillary said as she was behind him her hands on his shoulders.
“Yeah!” Bill said in a very dry tone.
“Are you alright?” Hillary worried it was unlike him to be like this towards her.
“Yes! We'll talk about it later we don't have time now.”
“Okay!” Hillary was confused, what did he want to talk about?
Last night they were fine and now it seems there was a wall between them. Hillary worried and raked her brain to find what could have gone wrong. She replayed in her head everything that had happened last night from her saying no to sex to the last words she told him before falling asleep. The only thing that she saw as an issue was them not having sex, Bill was probably frustrated because he really wanted her and she had said no. So when she was ready and joined him – who was also ready in the living room – and ask him.
“Are you mad at me because I said I didn't want to have sex last night?” Bill turned around shocked by her question.
“No!” He was sincere.
“They why are you mad at me?” Hillary said as she grabbed her coat to leave.
“I'm not mad at you. I'm … I'm worried we're not on the same page regarding our relationship.” Bill would have wanted to wait to talk about but seeing her worried too he had to talk about it.
“What do you mean?”
“I think I'm more anxious for our relationship to work than you are.” Bill said looking down as they walked towards the campus.
Suddenly it hit Hillary it wasn't about sex it was about her not being as enthusiastic about celebrating their first year together than he was. Hillary understood he needed her to be more forwards with her feeling.
“Oh Bill. Is that because I'm not as enthusiastic about celebrating our first year together?”
“Yes!”
“Then you don't have to worry. Celebrations like these aren't as important to me.” She took both of his hands to face him and force him to look at her. “I love you. I've decided to stay one more year at Yale for you. I'm not quitting on our relationship.”
“I'm sorry I got worried for nothing.” Bill took her in his arms and kissed her head before they started to walk again they needed to go or they would be late.
“I hope I didn't force you to stay another year. I hate to have stopped you from doing something you wanted.”
“You didn't I don't know what to do with my life. I'm not like you who already know what you want. The only thing I am sure to want right now is to be with you that's why I decided to stay longer.”
“I love you Hillary!”
“I love you too.”
After two hours of exam they were finally free from exam and had all the time in the world to do what they wanted. Both happy of the work they had done they went for a walk and some lunch before going to the first post exam party. It was a tradition and a happy and relaxing time for all students.
Three days later Bill and Hillary had just arrived at the fifth post exams party. This time it was some of Hillary's friends who were completely finished with Yale and were leaving this place for good. It was a bittersweet moment. Hillary was saying goodbye to a lot of people who had been with her for the last two years. Bill had seen how emotional Hillary was just before they went to the party.
At one point during the party Bill was talking to some people when he spotted Hillary all alone looking out the window. It was strange so he excused himself and went towards his girlfriend. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her reflection in the window.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes I'm just sad I won't see them next years. It's the end of an era.”
“I'm sorry! I know you will be able to keep in touch with them. You always do.” Bill told her with a big smile.
“Thank you for being there for me and so thoughtful. I thought I had hidden my sorrow but not from you apparently.” Hillary felt a bit bad to have worry him and that he had caught her.
“In the last year you've been my favorite subject. I love to know you and I learn something about you everyday. The more I know you the more I love you.” Hillary blushed, smiled and kissed him he was so charming.
Bill got quickly into the kiss and wrapped his arms around her. They hadn't really had the time in the last few days to spend time just the two of them and their teasing from the last time they were in the library had long been forgotten and discarded. It was a very busy time between exams and parties and packing (because a lot of friends had asked for their help to get ready to leave) and spending time with friends. Suddenly the desire had came back, Bill's words had made Hillary feel loved and wanted and Hillary's state of mind made Bill want to protect her and make her feel good again. Their kissed morphed into a big bear hug that lasted a few minutes, they were in their own bubble even if the room was filled with people chatting, laughing and drinking.
“That's why I'm staying it would be too hard to have to say goodbye to you.” Hillary said after a while.
“Right back at you Hi'ry.” Bill said kissing her again.
They untangled each other and went back to talking to their friends but this time each of them kept looking for the other very often. The desire had been revived and they were looking forward to some time alone. After three night of late parties than left them exhausted for doing anything else than sleep. They glanced at each other for a long moment until Bill made his way towards the bathroom. Hillary saw him leave and decided to follow him. She waited behind the bathroom door for him to get out.
“Hey you wanted to go to the bathroom?” Bill asked when he got out.
“No I wanted to see you … alone.” Hillary said as her hands went for his waist.
Bill bit his bottom lip. “Darling I want you too but there are lots of people in the next room.”
“And that never stopped us before?” Hillary was clearly teasing him and Bill was struggling he grabbed the handle of the bedroom door and looked inside, there was all the coats and bags of everyone it wasn't the right place.
“Bathroom but quick!” Bill said his brain going crazy with want for her.
The door closed and locked behind them and in no time they shaded the necessary clothes and had quick but efficient love making. They tried to be discreet so no one would hear them and do it quickly just in case someone wanted to go to the bathroom. It was daring and exciting, not a first time for them but clearly still a fun experience. As quickly as they had shaded their clothes they put them back on checked their appearance for any signs of what had transpired between them and they got out, first Bill making sure the hall was clear for Hillary to get out.
They made their way back into the living room both trying to look normal but they were still felt the effect of their little interlude. It hadn't been enough they knew it would have to happen again later tonight in the sanctity of their apartment. Hillary decided to go talk to some friends to get away from Bill so she wouldn't get too tempted to leave this place right now and get her way with him, her senses still full of desire.
“Where were you?” Nancy Gertner one of her friend asked with a big smile sensing something had happened.
“Nowhere!” Hillary said with a smile.
“Yeah right. We saw you follow Bill into the hall and you guys didn't came back or a while.” Carolyn, another friend added.
“Oh my gosh!” Hillary put her head in her hands embarrassed.
“Don't feel bad we've all been there. Plus the two of you have been glued to each other since I don't know... how long have you guys been together?” Nancy Bekavac added knowing it wasn't something to be ashamed of.
“A year … today actually!” Hillary said shyly remembering it was the anniversary of their first date.
“And what the hell are you doing here exactly? You should go celebrate … more! Away from all of us?”
“Come on you guys are leaving and I wanted to spend time with you! Bill can wait.” Hillary told them she had her priority and Bill knew it was the right choice too, friends were more important than their first year together.
“Well apparently you couldn't!” They all laughed.
“On a more serious note since you and Bill started dating he talks less about Arkansas and more about you.” Carolyn said.
“Really? Because seriously he keeps getting distracted talking about Arkansas when we were studying or preparing for the Barristers' Union I had to make him come back to the books so often.” Hillary said thinking he couldn't talk as much about her than he did about Arkansas.
“He speaks about you to others not to your face but the guys has the hearts for you.” One friend teased as Bill and Hillary relationship was a bit of a mystery for a lot of people, but all agreed they had chemistry and were intellectual equals. “And your all smitten too.”
“Besotted!” Hillary said not wanting to say in love even if it's what she felt.
“Don't let him change you Hillary! Or any guy!”
“I won't and the same goes for you. Let's keep in touch too.”
“Yes! What about we have lunch tomorrow. Girls only?” Nancy Gertner asked.
“Good idea!”
The party continued for a few more hours, as it died down Bill an Hillary were on the couch – Hillary had her legs on Bill's lap while he had his arm around her shoulder – there were only a few people left and the music was playing in the background. The two of them were whispering to each other being very cozy and relaxed.
“You guys should go home. It would be more comfortable than the bathroom.” Nancy Bekavac told them seeing how they were being very cozy.
“What?” Bill said looking at Hillary because he didn't know that they had all figure it out.
“They saw me following you down the hall and figured it out.” Hillary said still embarrassed while Bill had turned beet red.
“Don't worry we didn't break anything!” Bill said as an apology as it was Nancy's apartment.
“I wasn't worried!”
“Okay let's go!” Hillary said getting up from the couch. “I'll see you tomorrow for lunch before you guys leave?”
“Yeah. I'll try not to be too late if I can wake up.”
“Bye!”
Bill and Hillary left hand in hand. They were tired but very happy in the mist of people around them going away because they had finished school, breaking up to avoid long distance relationship and starting a knew life they felt lucky to still be together and were looking forward to another year together.
“Thank you!” Bill said as they were almost home.
“For what?”
“For staying with me, seeing everyone leave is sad.”
“Yes! You're welcome. I used to break up with my boyfriends at the end of the semester so I wouldn't get distracted for the exams or because I was changing school. I didn't want to do that with you, you're too important for me.”
“Good! I promise to try not to distract you while studying too much, again.” They both laughed.
They got home finished to celebrate their first year together and got to sleep. In the next few weeks they would have to prepare for their first campaign together making memories and new friends for the rest of their lives together.