Face The Fire

Face The Fire

Posted: September 2004
Title: Face the Fire
Author: Bwitched83uk
Type: RPS
Characters: Orlando/Viggo
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This story is complete lies. This never happened. I do not know these men, nor claim to. This is a work of complete fiction for your enjoyment, I make no money from it.
Beta: Cassie (The Converted) *Big Cuddles*

Summary: Viggo and Orlando's friends fix it so that they are alone in a cabin for a weekend. Will Orlando finally work up the courage to confess how he feels?

*****

The Initial Spark

Viggo couldn't help the huge grin that spread over his face as he glanced over at Orlando. The two friends were driving in Viggo's car, on their way to a cabin just outside of Wellington, where they would be spending the weekend. Of course when Viggo had arranged this little trip, there had been more of them involved. Sean Bean and John Rhys Davies were supposed to have been coming along too. Instead Bean had come around that morning and told him that he and John had remembered they had already made plans that they couldn't possibly cancel. Viggo had looked at him suspiciously, but told him not to worry none the less.

The reason Viggo was currently grinning was because his young British friend, who was currently squirming in the passenger seat, was singing at the top of his lungs. He had his Queen's Greatest Hits tape blearing from Viggo's cassette player, mumbling through any of the words he didn't know.

Viggo kept stealing glances at him, trying desperately not to laugh. Orlando's voice wasn ' t exactly the best, but he made up for it with enthusiasm. Orlando nodded his head to the beat and tapped on his knee with his hand, whilst practically shouting the words over the loud music and the roar of the wind as they drove.

He turned to look at the older man, who was biting his lip, so as not to show his amusement too much. Seeing how entertaining his singing was for Viggo, Orlando decided to put more effort in to it. He turned in his seat to face Viggo and began singing the words to him. He began playing imaginary drums and closed his eyes tight to add extra feeling.

" Burning through the sky, two hundred degrees, that's why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit. I'm traveling at the speed of light. I wanna make a super sonic man out of you." Orlando pointed at Viggo, causing the older man to burst out laughing. The laughter came rumbling from his throat, a deep, rich sound that make Orlando shiver slightly.

" Oh, oh, guitar solo. Ready for it? " Orlando dropped his imaginary drumsticks and began playing air guitar. He bit his lower lip as he concentrated on getting the chords right; shaking his head to the music, getting lost in the sound that was uniquely Queen.

Viggo couldn ' t help but get swept up in the infectious, easygoing play. He began to nod his head and tap on the steering wheel lightly. When the song was coming to an end, Orlando dropped all instruments and clutched his hand in front of his mouth, as though he were holding an invisible microphone.

" Don't stop me know, cos I'm having a good time. Don't stop me know, cos I'm having a good time. I don't wanna stop at all."

Once he had drawn out the words, he kissed his fingers and waved to his imaginary audience. " Thank you, " he said, turning to face the front once more. Viggo was no longer laughing, but sporting a massive grin, as though laughter was just under the surface.

"So I take it at Guildhall you only studied acting, and not music?" Viggo raised his eyebrow as he glanced at the younger man, who was looking rather proud of himself.

"What ever ranger," he spat out the word as insult, but it only made Viggo smile more. "I happen to think I have a nice voice."

Viggo shook his head, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "What on God's earth would make you think that."

"My mum told me so." He fiddled with the tape player, trying to find the song he wanted.

"Your mum also told you that Santa Claus was real."

Orlando's head whipped round to look at Viggo in horror. "What are you talking about? He is real man, and just for saying that, your only getting coal this Christmas."

Viggo chuckled in disbelief. He was still amazed by the sometimes child-like part of Orlando. Although he knew Orlando didn't really still believe in Santa, at least he hoped he didn't, Orlando was always running around, doling out affection as freely as a child. Viggo envied that impulsive side of him that always came so easily.

Orlando turned to look out of the side window, at the endless amount of trees they were passing. He smiled slightly as he remembered the phone call he had gotten late last night from Bean. Although Bean hadn't confessed his plan to Orlando, he knew that Bean had somehow talked John out of going, so that his two friends could have some time alone. When Orli had realised his feelings for Viggo were something more than just friendship and hero worship, he had struggled with it, having never felt this way for another man before. Apparently he wasn't as good an actor as he thought, as the entire Fellowship had came to him individually and confessed that they had guessed about his feelings for the Dane. It seemed that everyone knew... All except for Viggo, at least Orlando hoped.

Last night, whilst Orlando was packing his bag, ready for the morning, there was a knock at his door. Ian stood smiling, holding a brown paper bag in his hands. "Just in case. Better to be safe then sorry."

Orlando had taken the bag without question, smiling even. However, once he had looked inside the bag the smile left and was replaced with a look of utter horror. Inside the bag was a tube of lubricant, glaring up at him.

Orlando had never actually needed lube before, this was all new to him, and now suddenly holding it in his hands was making him incredibly nervous.

"Now I assumed you had condoms, if all the rumours of your antics with the Hobbits are anything to go by." Ian looked at Orlando waiting for an answer. All he got was an embarrassed shake of the head. "I haven't really had much time to meet people, and well then I realised that... Well, you know... with Viggo, so um, I-"

"Never mind little Elf, you can pick some up at one of the highway convenience stores."

Orlando had packed the lube, just in case, but he really couldn't see himself using it. Even if Viggo felt the same way, and it was a big if, Orlando wasn't ready to actually have full on sex with Viggo. In fact, the thought of it still made him feel a little queasy.

"You okay over there?" Viggo's soft drawl drifted in to Orlando's ears. "You left me for a minute there. Where were you? Off doing unspeakable things with Claudia Shiffer?"

Orlando laughed a little and shook his head. "Nah mate, she's not my type." He let his eyes move over Viggo's form slowly, careful not to get caught.

They stopped just a few miles later, outside a convenience store not far from the cabin. Orlando had wanted to get some condoms, just in case, so he suggested they split up to do there own shopping. As he walked down the isle, he let his eyes wonder over the many brands, shapes, sizes, colours, and flavours. He decided to play it safe and go for the ones in the most discreet looking box. He looked over to where Viggo was stocking up on bottles of water, and decided to browse a little more. He walked through the fruit and vegetable section, feeling his stomach rumble slightly. He scanned the fruit to see what looked good for a mid morning snack, and settled on a banana.

As he waited in the checkout cue, he noticed the little stuffed teddy bears sitting on a display unit. They had lots of different ones dressed as different characters. There was a ballerina bear, a policeman bear and, oh how cute is that? Orlando picked up the fisherman bear, deciding it looked slightly like Viggo. He smiled as he placed his items on the counter, wondering how he was going to give it to Viggo. Did mates give each other stuffed bears?

He paid the woman and quickly stuffed his things in to a brown paper bag. He walked out of the store and waited for Viggo by the door.

When Viggo finally came out carrying enough water to fill a swimming pool, the two men made their way back to the car.

"So you were a little thirsty, yeah?" Orlando grinned, not before the bottom of his bag ripped, thus spilling the contents on to the floor. "Bollocks!"

Viggo placed his bags on the ground and bent down to pick up the items, handing them back over to Orlando one by one, who could do nothing but stand and watch in horror.

"A teddy bear." He handed it to Orlando, who took it with shaking hands. "A banana." Viggo made a show of inspecting it before handing it over. "And condoms."

Viggo's amused smile turned in to a massive grin. "I can't even imagine what that check out girl thought you were going to do to that poor bear." He gave the pack of condoms to his friend and unlocked the car.

"Those are for when we get back, you know for when I go out on the pull with the Hobbits," Orlando tried to act cool as he buckled his seat belt.

Orlando then went in to a long ramble about the women of Wellington, but didn't mention anyone specific. Viggo thought it was endearing how Orlando's cheeks flushed softly, and smiled. Orlando was clearly seeing someone, a local girl so it seemed, maybe someone on set. He couldn't help feeling slightly hurt that the younger man hadn't confided in him, they were extremely close, and Viggo had confided plenty in him.

One night, as they walked home from the pub, Viggo had confessed to Orlando that he had slept with other men before, only two or three mind you. He didn't make a habit of it, but if he found someone beautiful then they were just that, beautiful. Viggo didn't see people as they were physically, but as they were inside. A persons gender, race, age didn't matter to him; if something inside a person touched him then that was all that mattered.

He had never been in a relationship with a man though. The rare occasions he had spent the night with a man, they had both known what it was and what they wanted. Viggo wasn't usually in to one night stands, but as long as you both knew where you stood, he didn't see the harm in it.

It was that night that Orlando went home and thought about Viggo in a different way, for the very first time. He had imagined what it would be like to kiss him, to feel him moving against him. It was then that Orlando realised he was falling in love with the Dane. That it wasn't just hero worship, as he had always thought, it went deeper than that, much deeper. It had taken him weeks to come to terms with what that meant, that he wasn't quite as straight as he had always thought he was. He still liked women, it just seemed that with Viggo, all rules were out. The amazing and beautiful grace of the man transcended gender, he was just him. Just Viggo.

Viggo was everything to him, and he wanted him to be even more. He just didn't know if he could be in a full on relationship with another man, no matter how much he loved him. Would it work? Would people accept them? He wanted to be with Viggo in everyway possible, he just didn't know if he was ready.

"Here we are, this is it. You ready to do some fishing Elf-boy?" Viggo stopped the car in front of the cabin and smiled over at his friend.

Orlando looked at Viggo carefully, thinking about everything the older man meant to him. His blondish hair was falling in his eyes slightly, and his golden skin was glimmering in the midday sun. He slowly returned the smile and nodded. "I'm ready."

*****

Burn Baby Burn

The sun was low and golden in the sky, slowly tucking itself in to bed behind the mountains in the distance. Orlando, who was sat silently in a deck chair beside the lake, watched as Viggo cast his rod in to the cool evening waters. He had yet to have a go at fishing himself, stating that it would probably be best if he just watched for a bit. He admired the toned body in front of him carefully. As Viggo cast again, his muscles moved under his shirt, his strong back rippling as he moved.

Orlando smiled to himself, thinking that no matter how beautiful Viggo was on the outside, it was nothing to how brilliant and amazing he was on the inside. Viggo turned to grin at his friend. "You gonna sit there all evening, or are you gonna get of your ass and give this a go?"

"But I'm enjoying watching you." Orlando knitted his brow, did he just say that out loud?

Viggo chuckled softly. "Yeah I bet you are. Sitting there all comfy, watching me do all the work while I catch your dinner."

Viggo nodded his head toward the lake. "Come 'ere."

Orlando gave a theatrical sigh and went to stand beside Viggo. He couldn't resist the cheeky urge inside of him, as he reached over to Viggo's head and removed the man's cowboy hat, placing it on his own head with a wink. "Come on then Ranger, show me how it's done."

Viggo handed the rod over to Orlando, coming to stand behind him and placing his arms around the young body. Orlando swallowed hard and stiffened his entire frame. A delicious shudder wracked his body as he felt Viggo's chest press against his back. He prayed to every deity he knew of that Viggo hadn't felt it.

"All right." His mouth next to Orlando's ear, making shivers go through him. He had to fight not to close his eyes and lean back against the older man.

"Now pull it back like this." He pulled Orlando's arms back. "And flick it forward."

Orlando did as he was told and let out a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding.

"Good, good. Now you can stand here and catch my dinner, while I go and sit down."

Viggo walked over to the chair and sat back, his whole body feeling utterly relaxed. This was where he felt at home, this was how he wished he could live his life, simple and free.

"Whoa man, something's pulling."

Viggo looked up and shook his head. "Then reel it in."

Orlando stood still as stone, his conscience battling with his need for Viggo's approval. He took so long thinking about it that whatever was on the line managed to get itself free.

Viggo came to stand beside him, not looking at all impressed. "What the hell did you let it go for? It sounded like a big one."

Orlando wound in the reel and handed the rod to Viggo. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't do it. I mean, what did that fish ever do to us? He was probably swimming along, on his way home to see his family and then BAM, he has a hook through his lip and he's on his way to be our dinner. I'm sorry Viggo, I just couldn't do it."

Viggo knew he should be annoyed, he knew he should give Orlando a disapproving look and ask why the hell he agreed to come on a fishing trip in the first place, but as he looked in to the deep chocolate eyes he couldn't help the smile that crept across his face. Despite the fact he had been looking forward to a fish supper, he couldn't be mad at Orlando, not when he was looking so incredibly innocent and embarrassed.

"You're right, that fish did nothing to us." He smiled amusedly as Orlando's eye lit up once he realised he wasn't going to be told off. "Come on lets go in. Good thing I bought some food from home."

Orlando stood there for a few seconds, watching Viggo walk back to the cabin. He smiled and felt his heart flutter wildly.

Compassionate.

That was another new word he could now add to the list of reasons why he loved Viggo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner hadn't been much, and as Orlando didn't like the look of what Viggo was eating, out of a tin no less, he had made himself a sandwich. Of course, now that they had worked their way through a six pack of beer, and were now starting on the next one, he wished he had eaten more then a stingy sandwich.

He knew that he was drunk, he wasn't one of those people who refused to admit when they were drunk, wanting to seem like a man, thus able to drink until your liver curled up and died. Orlando was a lightweight, who was in no way used to drinking. The beer had been cold and it had been handed to him by Viggo, so how could he say no to that?

It wasn't until Orlando laid back against the pile of cushions on the floor, beside the lit fire, and began to speak to Viggo in what he assured him was Elvish, but clearly wasn't anything even resembling it, that Viggo realised his young friend had probably had one to many.

"You alright there kid?" Viggo placed his can on the floor and moved closer to Orlando.

" Mmm, I'm fine, I'm having a great time. Thank you so much for inviting me."

Viggo chuckled softly. "Your welcome, it's nice to have the company. Besides, where would Aragorn be with out his trusty, loyal Elf?"

The Brit snorted. "You make me sound like a bloody dog."

Viggo grinned back at him. "Hey, you said it." He ducked his head as a cushion came flying at him.

When Orlando's eyes closed, Viggo thought that maybe now would be a good time to bring up this mystery woman of his. He was sure he was bound to get more out of him when he was off his face.

"So Orli, you go out a lot at the weekends with the Hobbits huh?"

" Mmm." Orlando's eyes were closed and he was snuggling down in to the pillows.

"Is it just you and the Hobbits, or do others come along sometimes?"

" Mmm." Orlando's breathing had become shallower, telling Viggo that he was probably minutes away from drifting off.

Viggo didn't think of Orlando as being the kind of person who would sleep around. He couldn't believe that is was girls, plural. He wondered why the younger man hadn't come to him and told him about this mystery woman. He knew that Orlando looked up to him a great deal, perhaps more then he should. He knew that Orlando respected his opinion, so perhaps he was embarrassed about it, ashamed even. But why would he be? If any girl was able to capture Orlando's pure heart, then she must be something very special indeed.

" Orlando, who are you seeing? What's her name? Do I know her?"

Orlando rolled over slightly, burry his head down deeper. "Not seeing, not yet. Hope we will be soon." He mumbled, not really awake but not quite asleep.

Viggo smiled almost sadly, deciding to let it go for tonight and let Orlando sleep. He reached over for a blanket and covered his friend, tucking it under his body slightly.

"Love."

Viggo's eyebrows shot up. He looked at Orlando's face, who was seconds from falling in to a deep sleep. He thought that he was finally going to get a name, he was going to find out who Orlando's mystery woman was.

"Love him."

Viggo's eyes shot to his face once more. He felt a sudden rush of blood go straight through him. He didn't even know that Orlando liked men, let alone enough to fall in love with one. Again he was angry and hurt that Orlando felt he couldn't tell him. He felt cold as he reached over to stroke the hair out of his friend's face, his heart beating a little faster as his mouth went suddenly dry. "Who do you love Orlando?"

" Viggo. I love Viggo."

Viggo sat still, simply watching Orlando for what seemed like hours. He kept playing the words over and over in his head, trying to make some sense of all this. He felt his heart sink and his pulse quicken. He couldn't deny that he found the younger man attractive, beautiful even, and he was perhaps the sweetest person he had ever known. However, Viggo had never been with a man who meant more to him then just a one night stand before. Not to mention the fact that he and Orlando were friends and colleagues. He wouldn't want to ruin their friendship by starting something that would one day have to stop.

Viggo studied the Brit's face. So young, so innocent, so beautiful. Orlando was a good eighteen years younger then he was, what on earth did he want to go and fall in love with an old man like him for? He lay down beside Orlando and thought desperately for what he would say to him the next morning, and the best way to let him down gently.

Unbeknownst to Viggo, his lying down had alerted a dozing Orlando of movement, thus causing him to wake up. He suddenly remembered everything he had just said, and who he had said it to. He kept his eyes closed and refused to open them. Whatever the morning brought, rejection, pity, an eternity of sorrow, he would deal with it then. Now, it was all he could do to keep breathing.

*****

Ash and Bone

Orlando could hear the birds singing outside, he could hear the gentle babbling of the river, he could hear the soft breathing of the man lying next to him. Sounds that would usually sooth him, had him closing his eyes tighter and wishing he had something to throw at them. The young man groaned as he turned on to his side, the throbbing in his head suddenly feeling all too real. Slowly, very slowly, he opened his eyes and squinted at the delicious sight before him.

Viggo was lying on his back, his head tilted slightly to the side, his mouth partially open. Orlando found himself studying the faint scar on Viggo's top lip, wishing he could just run his tongue over it, just once without Viggo noticing. He contemplated doing just this for a full second before his head cleared a little and he realised how stupid that would be. As he watched the older man he felt his heart sink, he felt his palms get sweaty. Last night he had accidentally confessed his love for the man.

He couldn't believe he had been so stupid, to just let it come out like that. This morning he felt like a condemned man on death row, waiting for his executioner to wake up and either rip out his beating heart, or pardon him and love him back.

When Viggo's eyes fluttered open, they met deep chocolate, gazing at him with love and fear.

"Morning," Orlando offered weakly.

"Morning." Viggo sat up coldly and pulled on his shirt. He stood up and began putting things in to his bag. Orlando simply watched him, his heartbeat practically in his throat.

"You got a hangover?" Viggo didn't even turn to face Orlando as he spoke. Shouting at him, talking to him, being disgusted by his admission, all these things would be better, Orlando thought, then pretending that nothing happened. "A little one."

Viggo nodded his head and turned to roll up his sleeping bag. "Should be a smooth drive home, just ask me to stop of I you think you're gonna be sick." With that, Viggo walked out of the cabin and began loading his car up.

The road home was like hell on earth for both men. The first couple of miles had been filled with small talk: weather, family, work, all the things you lightly discuss with someone you hardly know, or secretly want to get away from. Orlando turned his head and studied Viggo momentarily. This was Viggo, his friend, the man he loved, not some stranger he had met at a party. Not someone he had nothing in common with.

Orlando hadn't really planned what he would say to Viggo, how he would confess his true feelings. Viggo didn't even know that Orlando was bisexual, at least he didn't know, until last night. The thing is, Orlando himself didn't know he liked men, not until Viggo.

It was after a full half-hour of complete silence that Viggo turned the tape player on. Orlando's Queen tape was still in there from the ride up. Every so often they would exchange words, never the words that needed to be said, and never did the words come from their hearts.

"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," Viggo said as he pulled up outside Orlando's house. Orlando got out of the car, retrieving his bag from the back seat.

"Thanks again for letting me tag along Viggo." Orlando held the older man's gaze, just for a moment, his eyes silently begging him to ask him to get back in the car so that they could talk.

"No problem, see you." Viggo pulled away and on to the road, leaving a heartbroken Orlando behind him. The second he was round the corner he slammed both his hands down on to the steering wheel. "Fuck."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando went straight in to the house, threw his bag on to the chair and laid face down on the couch. Tears fell silently as he buried his head in the cushions.

" Orlando?"

Orlando sat up quickly and whipped his head round to see who was in his house.

"Sean, what are you doing here?" Orlando looked at his fellow Englishmen with confusion.

"I wanted to see how your trip went, how Viggo took the news. Only by the state of your boat race I'd say it didn't go as well as you'd hoped." He sat bedside the younger man and pulled him to his side, gently stroking his back.

Orlando took a shuddering breath and shook his head. "No, it really didn't go as well as I'd hoped."

"Do you want to talk about it? ' Cos if you don't, that's fine," Sean said in his soft Yorkshire accent. Orlando just shook his head again and buried his face in Sean's neck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viggo sat at his kitchen table, a half-drunk bottle of red wine and an open notebook of poetry, his poetry, his only companions. He finished another glass and filled it again.

"Fuck."

He ran his hand over his face, as though he were trying to rub himself away. He felt like an asshole, he loathed himself right now.

"You're a fucking coward," he whispered to himself, pushing the notebook across the table, away from him.

He couldn't quite remember when he had fallen for Orlando, when the pretence of friend had become a cross for him to bare. He knew that he would never let himself be burnt again, so very early on he had quelled his feelings and become the boy's best friend. Orlando was full of life, he lived it to the full. Viggo on the other hand, he was an observer, he saw life through his camera lens and expressed his feelings, not in words of truth, but through poems. He was a fucking coward. When he had heard Orlando's words, that he loved him, he had never felt so torn inside.

If he were true to himself, he already knew how Orlando felt, at least he knew it was a crush, but love, that changed things. Viggo had been in love three times before. The first had been a girl at school, older then he was, she had never even looked at him. The second was in college, the biggest heartbreak he had suffered to date. And then there was Exene, his ex wife. Theirs had perhaps been the friendliest divorce in the history of man. The truth was, they made better friends then they did lovers, they always had really.

And now here was this kind, gentle, vibrant, beautiful young man, and he wanted Viggo. What did he want? Did he want Viggo to come to him, scoop him up in his arms and tell him that he would take care of everything? That he would make things better? Viggo wasn't strong enough to take care of himself, not emotionally. As far as he knew, Orlando had never even been with a man, and Viggo didn't want to be his first. He didn't want to be the one the Orlando put all his trust in, he didn't want to be the anchor or the glue that kept Orlando safe and grounded.

Love is a fire. It starts off as a spark, which ignites and burns gently. What was a warming flicker soon becomes a full-blown fire. Burning, heating. A fire that bright can never last, sooner or later it has to burn itself out, usually when it has no more fuel. And what's left at the end of all this? Ash. Blackened bone and a scarred heart.

In truth he had loved watching Orlando, be it with his secret eyes or his camera. It had been prefect, he could look and touch whenever he wanted, but he never got in too deep, he never let the fire engulf him. Until now. Such simple word, but words of love, that Orlando had spoken. Those words changed everything, it could never be the way it was. So now Viggo had a choice to make. He could either be the coward he had always been and turn away from Orlando, assess the damage of the fire that had already begun. Or he could embrace the fire, give it his full permission to burn him, scar him, and let himself love Orlando in the way that he disserved.

He pulled the notebook to him again and read over the words he had written the morning before leaving for the cabin:

We've left shore somehow,
Become the friends of early theory,
Close enough to speak.
Desire and pain of absence,
Of mistakes we'd make given the chance.
Each smile returned
makes harder avoiding dreams
That see us lying in early evening.
Curtain shadows, skin safe against skin.
Bloom of compassion,
Respect for moments.
Eyes lock, turns forever into one more
Veil that falls away

Viggo sighed and tossed the notebook across the room. He looked over at his phone, his phone that hadn't rung, the one he had wanted to ring, Orlando's voice caressing his ear, and telling him it would be ok, because he would be Viggo's glue. He would be Viggo's anchor.

Viggo had never been in a relationship with another man, how the hell would that even work? As he sat there, half drunk on the red wine, he imagined how it would be. Waking up with Orlando, cooking dinner with Orlando, arguing over what to watch on TV, making love to Orlando, going to sleep with Orlando in his arms. Only to do it all again the next day.

He pushed back his chair, which scraped along the wooden floor, and walked over to where the notebook had landed. He crouched down beside it and picked it up lovingly. "I'll be your glue, if you'll be mine," he whispered as he tenderly stroked his hand over the words.

*****

Embracing the Fire

Orlando sat at his make-up station, Beanie right beside him. He had stayed over the night before, holding Orlando until he finally gave in and fell asleep. When the door opened, Orlando instantly knew it was Viggo, always the last in. He held his breath as he turned to smile at the older man. "Morning."

Viggo took all of Orlando in. He had made his decision, the decision to embrace the fire and let it warm his chilled heart. "How are you feeling this morning? You over that hangover yet?"

Orlando couldn't help but smile as Viggo sat next to him and begun talking to him as he usually did. "I don't get hangovers. But thanks for asking," Orlando said, his voice etched with adoration.

Viggo offered him a warm smile as he turned to his make-up artist.

Viggo waited until everyone had gone, until it was just he and Orlando. The tension in the small trailer could have chocked them both had they let it. As Orlando was about to walk out the door, Viggo reached out to grab his hand. He hadn't even meant to do it, it had been his body's instinctive reaction at the thought of Orlando leaving him. And now, with Orlando's warm hand in his, he knew that the fire had only just begun.

Orlando was a little shocked when he felt Viggo's hand touch his but the shock was soon covered by contentment.

"Will you come over tonight, so that we can talk?"

Orlando swallowed and tried to think of a reason why he couldn't go. Viggo had ignored him and now he wanted to talk, that could only mean that he was going to give Orlando the speech. The, we're-friends-and-that's-all-we-can-ever-be speech. A faint knock at the door, followed by a shout of 'Peter's waiting' made Viggo get to his feet. "So I'll see you at eight, okay." He let go of Orlando's trembling hand and walked out of the trailer.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Viggo ran his hand through his hair, and looked over the living room. He had set the table, opened the wine and lit the candles. The only thing to do now was check on dinner and go over in his head what he was going to say to Orlando. He heard a car pull up in his driveway. Looking down at his watch he couldn't help a smile.

"Well that's a first, Orlando Bloom early for something."

He walked to the front door and opened it, before running to the kitchen to check on the food that smelt suspiciously like it may be burning a little. He lifted the pan off of the stove, cursing as he burnt his hand. He was more worried about the food then he was his hand. He stirred it with a wooden spoon but it was too late, the sauce now had black bits floating in it.

"Time of death, 19:46."

He heard a knock on the doorframe as he poured the ruined sauce down the sink.

"Come in, I'm in the kitchen." Viggo was sure that Orlando wouldn't mind if they ordered take out, after all he was here to see him right, not to eat.

"What's that smell?"

Viggo turned round sharply at the sound of Miranda's voice.

"Miranda, what are you doing here?" he said, his voice trying to hide his disappointment.

"We've got that scene in a couple of days and I wanted to go over it with you. I thought you might have time now but seeing what you've done in the living room, I think its best I come back tomorrow." She winked at him. "So who's the lucky lady?"

She walked in to the living room and bent over the table to smell the rose that Viggo had placed in a small vase. Viggo came to stand behind her, he really didn't want to tell her that he was waiting for Orlando, he didn't want anyone to know until they knew what was going on themselves.

Miranda straightened up and turned to face him. He began to talk about the scene they were doing and that they could have lunch on Sunday if she wanted, and go over the scene then. Miranda wasn't looking at him anymore, she was looking past him to a hurt looking Orlando. Viggo turned and smiled as his 'date' walked in the open door.

"Hey, I'm glad you came." He turned nervously to Miranda, about to ask her to leave without sounding rude, but Orlando interrupted him.

"You know what Viggo, a simple 'I don't like you in that way' would have done the job. You didn't have to go to so much trouble to make me get the picture." Orlando looked at Miranda, then Viggo and then finally the table. "Enjoy your dinner." With that Orlando turned and headed for the door.

" Orlando, stop right there," Viggo's usually soft voice boomed.

Miranda gathered up her bag and passed Orlando on her way to the door. "I think I'll leave you to it."

Once alone Orlando began pacing the living room, ranting. "We both know you heard what I said to you that night at the cabin. We both know that I meant it. And now I guess we both know where we stand."

Viggo could hear the sadness in Orlando's voice. He just wanted to walk over to him, kiss him and tell him that everything was ok, there was no need for him to get so upset.

"So you figured you would ask Miranda out, to what? To show me that you don't do relationships with men? Don't you think it would have been easier for me if you-"

" Orlando, sit down." Viggo's soft voice was back.

"-just sat me down and told me you didn't feel the same? Don't you think it would have hurt a little less if I hadn't walked in here at saw you about to have dinner with Miranda?" Orlando's voice was getting louder, more aggressive. "You know what Viggo, I'm done with this, I've hurt too much already because I couldn't have you, and you go and rub my face in it."

"Sit down!" Viggo said again, his voice raising.

"Why?" Orlando shouted at him

"Because I fucking love you." Viggo shouted back.

Almost instantly Orlando walked over to the couch and sat down as he was told, his eyes wide and never leaving Viggo.

Viggo sat down beside the younger man and took his hand in his. "I didn't invite Miranda over for dinner, I invited you. All this," he gestured to the table. "Is for you. Miranda just came over to ask if I had time to go over our scene, but she saw the table and guessed I was expecting company. She was about to leave when you showed up."

Viggo could see Orlando visibly cringe. He stroked his thumb over the back of the soft hand, feeling a slight tremor as he did.

"I'm sorry," Orlando all but whispered in a small voice.

"No. It's me who's sorry. That night in the cabin, I should have talked to you then."

"Why didn't you?" Orlando was becoming quickly distracted by the roughened thumb drawing patterns on his hand.

Viggo shook his head and offered Orlando a weak smile. "Because I was afraid. I was afraid of getting hurt, of hurting you. I've been burnt before, I guess I was trying to protect myself. But by doing that, you ended up getting hurt anyway. I'm sorry."

"You think I'm not afraid? Until you, I never had these kind of feeling for a guy. I'm terrified," he said, letting out a weak, breathy laugh. "But with you holding my hand like that, the fear seems to go."

Viggo smiled brightly and brought his other hand up to stroke through Orlando's curls. "How about we face those fears together," he whispered, leaning forward and brushing his lips gently over Orlando's. Orlando's eyes closed in anticipation, Viggo's warm breath ghosting across his face. The young man's heart was pounding in his chest, and his breathing became deeper.

The kiss was soft, almost torturously so. Viggo's lips parted only slightly and pressed firmly against Orlando's, who threaded his fingers in Viggo's hair and parted his lips to give Viggo's tongue entrance. When tongue met tongue, both men moaned softly, the kiss deepening and sending a jolt of pleasure to their groins. Viggo placed his hands on Orlando's back and pulled his body even closer, so that they could feel each other's hearts beating. The warm spicy, fresh smell of Orlando's hair flooded his senses and he gave in to the kiss completely.

" Viggo." Orlando broke the kiss to look in to the older man's eyes. "Tell me again."

Viggo smiled and nuzzled his nose against Orlando's. "I love you."

The Brit felt as though his heart were about to catch fire. Combust with love. He pressed his mouth against Viggo's and whispered, in a wanton voice. "Then show me."

There was no mistaking what it was Orlando was asking for.

"I don't want to hurt you." Viggo's voice was strained with unfulfilled desire. "I don't ever want to hurt you."

Orlando smiled reassuringly. "Then don't," he said, as though it were that simple. "Just love me." He placed his hand on Viggo's chest and let it slid over the muscles beneath his shirt. Orlando stood up and took Viggo's hand, pulling him to his feet.

When the reached the bedroom, Orlando began to remove his shirt. The blue silk slid easily off his smooth skin, exposing it to Viggo's heated gaze. His brown taught nipples were begging to be tasted, so that's just what Viggo did. He strode forward and wrapped his arms around Orlando's back, dipping to lick his silky tongue over the hard flesh. He sucked gently, nipping every so often. Orlando's hands pulled at Viggo's hair in encouragement.

All traces of nerves were now well and truly gone. Viggo moved higher, placing kisses all over his chest, before sucking on his collarbone. The Dane moved round Orlando, so that he was facing his back. He rubbed his stubbled chin over the soft shoulders, smelling every inch of exposed skin. He was amazed by the way the skin there prickled with goose bumps.

Viggo removed his arms from around Orlando and discarded his own shirt. Orli turned to watch as the golden, toned skin was revealed. He unconsciously licked his lips, which made Viggo's hardness throb almost painfully against his jeans. Viggo's fingers reached out and undid the top button of Orlando's own jeans, before pulling down the zipper. He fell to his knees before Orlando, pulling the denim down over his creamy olive thighs. Orlando obliged and stepped out of the jeans, which were tossed in to the corner of the room.

Chocolate eyes met bluish grey and locked. So much loved passed through that look that Orlando felt breathless from it. Viggo broke it to look at the hardness pressing against Orlando's boxers. He leant forward and ran his cheek over it gently, nuzzling it lovingly.

Orlando swallowed hard as pure ecstasy flooded his lower limbs. He closed his eyes briefly to try and regain his senses. When he looked at Viggo once more, the older man stared up at him in adoration, silent worship in his eyes. Finally the intensity of the look became too much for Orlando, he held out his arms for Viggo. The older man stood up reluctantly, not before pressing a kiss to the clothed erection, and wrapped his arms around Orlando.

"Tell me again," Orlando whispered, as he bit gently on Viggo's ear lobe. Viggo chuckled and moved to rest his forehead against Orlando's.

"I love you."

Orlando's smile was brilliant as he traced the scar on Viggo's top lip with his finger. "I love you too."

Viggo sighed as he felt his love's fingers undoing his jeans. Both jeans and underwear fell to the floor, exposing all of him to Orlando's loving eyes. Orlando removed his own boxers, and pressed his hardness against Viggo's. Both men moaned aloud at the exquisite feeling.

"Make love to me," Orlando quietly begged.

Viggo laid over Orlando on the bed, after having placed condoms and lube beside the pillow. He kissed him with more passion then Orlando had ever known thrusting his tongue in and out of his mouth, as his cock thrust gently against his. The soft whimpering sounds spilling from Orlando's mouth were driving Viggo wild. He reached next to the pillow and squeezed a generous amount of lube on to his fingers.

When Orlando felt the slick finger circling his entrance he tensed, before forcing himself to relax. The initial probe, as the finger entered him, made him squirm slightly. Viggo added a second finger and began moving inside, stretching his lover. He curled his fingers slightly and brushed over Orlando's prostate gland. The young man's hips bucked under Viggo, and he cried out deliciously. Orlando couldn't take much more, he needed to feel Viggo, he needed to be loved.

Viggo rolled on the condom and slathered his cock with lube. Placing himself at Orlando's entrance, Viggo kissed his lover again. "I love you, God I love you."

Orlando wasn't able to say it back to him, as he felt the head of Viggo's cock breech him. The tight heat that surrounded Viggo made him close his eyes and bite down on his lip. Once all the way in he stayed still, allowing Orlando to adjust to him. To help him, Viggo began to stroke Orlando's erection gently, succeeding in distracting him.

Viggo slid almost all the way out before pushing back in. Once they found a rhythm, Viggo was able to hit the spot inside Orlando, which made him cry out, again and again.

Their eyes were locked the entire time, love and trust flowing from them. Tremors of pleasure wracked Orlando's body time and time again, as he began moaning consistently. Viggo's thrusts were a little more forceful now, as Orlando began meeting everyone. Pushing himself down on to Viggo, then up in to his hand. Viggo fisted Orlando's cock with vigour now, feeling the young man begin to contract around him.

He was close to coming now, they both were. Orlando continued to look in to Viggo's eyes and refused to look away, even when he experienced the most intense orgasm of his life. He cried out Viggo's name, an almost painful sound, as his orgasm was ripped from his body. Orlando's tight heat squeezed around Viggo, causing him to thrust harder and harder until he was coming with a force he had never known.

Orlando had fallen asleep soon after their lovemaking, content in Viggo's strong arms. Viggo held him almost possessively, placing gentle kisses to the soft hair well in to the next morning. The sun was about to rise when Viggo reached over to his drawer, beside the bed, and removed a small notebook. He read over the poem he had written a few days ago, describing his relationship with Orlando and the feelings he had for the young man. He read over the words and felt a certain sadness. It didn't last long, because things were different now. Orlando belonged to him, and Viggo would make sure he always would. He gently rolled Orlando away from him and reached for a pen. He looked at his sleeping lover and smiled, writing down what came to him, as it came to him:

This after seeing you last night,
First time smelling you with permission:
Shoulders to openly wonder at
As carefully kissed,
As those arms waited impossibly on
They've held me now,
And your breath down my back
Sent away night air
That had me shaking
In the unlit Anglican doorway.
You ordered me off my knees
Into your arms
wasn't to beg that I knelt;
Only to see you once from below.

*****

THE END

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