Every man had his limits. And Ian feared that he was fast approaching his. For the last hour he had made sure to keep himself immersed in several bottles of beers. By now he could probably duplicate the label on the bottle, in full detail, even in his sleep. All so he wouldn't have to look up. After having tried to talk to Sean one last time, he had looked defeat in the eye and gave up.
Deep in thoughts, he still couldn't help himself one last time. Lifting his head, Ian scanned the room. They weren't hard to find, standing next to the pool table, watching Orlando and Dave play.
Viggo was standing behind Sean, arms possessively fastened around the smaller man. One hand was partially covered by Sean's shirt as it was resting on his naked stomach. The blond was leaning comfortably against Viggo's more compact body, temple against the taller man's cheek, arms covering his lover's arms. They were the perfect picture of love and happiness. Gently Viggo brushed his lips against Sean's temple, whispering something in his ear. The words caused Sean to smile up at him, allowing Viggo to touch his lips to Sean's in a quick, stolen kiss. In the back of the pub they were shielded from most curious eyes, the ones surrounding them already aware of their relationship. Or what it was supposed to be called. Ian could think of a few things, none of them good.
As if he could hear what Ian was thinking, Viggo looked up. A knowing smile showed on his face as he hugged Sean closer to him, stealing another quick kiss, this time on the side of the blond's neck. All the time Viggo kept his eyes on Ian, giving him a playful wink as Sean laced his fingers with Viggo's. The look in the green gaze was one of utter worship, and it flowed into Sean's eyes every time he watched Viggo.
Fighting a sudden feeling of nausea, Ian pushed his chair back, looking away from Viggo.
"I need some air," he gruffly stated, ignoring the surprised look on Dominick's face and the worried one on Billy's. The young Scot had decided not to tell his boyfriend anything about what Ian had told him. Billy had explained his decision to Ian, telling him that he wasn't sure the younger man would be able to handle it. It was more than obvious that Dom adored both the older actors, especially the blond, fellow Brit.
Now Billy turned and spotted Viggo and Sean. Realisation dawned on his face, then he nodded. "Ok, Ian. I'll see you later."
Nodding back, Ian left. Shrugging on his coat, he pushed the door open, not turning to see it close.
He didn't feel like going back to his own house, but he sure as hell wasn't staying in the bar either. Outside, Ian stopped, looking around indecisively. The pub was located in a small forest area, the woods strectcing out behind the small house. The corners of the backyard provided lots of shadow and shelter that would keep him away from the eyes of passer-byers and costumers of the bar. It would do nicely, Ian decided, walking the few steps needed. The silence and cool nightly air was heaven to his troubled mind. The tenseness in his body left a little by little.
Only to slam back in as he heard a set of very familiar voices close by. Freezing in place, he squeezed his eyes shut in near agony.
There was no way he could get past them. Melting back into the shadows, Ian felt like laughing. Carefully he peeked around the corner again.
"This is too much," he thought, not believing in what he saw. Still a bit stunned he kept watching the two men only a few feet away.
They were beautiful, he would be the first to admit that. Sean had his back to the wall, his slender frame almost completely covered by Viggo's body. His arms were hooked around the darker man's neck, hands covered by the long hair. Viggo's hands were currently on Sean's sides, slowly sliding upwards. Even in the lack of light, Ian could see glimpses of bare skin. The distinct sound of kisses drifted through the air towards him, sprinkled with faint moans and whispered words.
"Well, isn't this ironic," Ian thought. "Viggo would be killing himself laughing did he know I was here watching him with Sean... And just maybe he is a...little...bit...right...." His body was giving unmistakable reactions to the sight he was treated to, telling him in all wishable clearity that it wouldn't mind trading places with the darkhaired man.
The moonlight coating the backyard had everything tinted with silver, giving naked skin a luminous glow. Sean's hands had slipped from Viggo's hair to the front of his shirt, using the collar to bring the taller man closer to him. Viggo catched the slender hands in his, pinning them to the wall over their heads. Then he covered the blond's lips in the most ferocious kiss Ian had ever had the sinful pleasure of witnessing. Pressing Sean's lithe form into the wall, Viggo made sure every inch of their bodies were touching, grinding himself slowly and methodically into the other.
After what seemed like an eternity Viggo lifted his head again, allowing Sean to fold his arms around his neck again. Grinning at the dazed face of the blond he bent to whisper something in Sean's ear. A small voice inside Ian's mind desperatedly wanted proper sound with this erotic image, but he quickly quenched the little voice. Considering plugging his ears with his fingers and closing his eyes until they were done, he made sure he was well covered by the dark.
Noises made him look up again, finding that the position was reversed. A unbidden, slow warmth spread through him, mixed with just a hint of dread.
It was taken right out of some erotic art magazine; the moonlight, two beautiful men, the nightly, mellow darkness... Somebody up in the heavens had to have it in for him. Ian directed his look upwards. "You're not upset over tearing those pages out of the bibles for real, are you? It's not like anyone ever reads them. I don't think most people even know that there is a bible in the nightstand drawer when they're in a hotel room anymore..."
Sighing he turned back to the couple. Sean was facing the wall, hands braced against the facade. Viggo was draped over his back, hands eagerly claiming the other's smaller body. Hotly caressing Sean's neck with his lips, one hand was trailing a demin clad thigh, lustfully slow and teasing. The white T-shirt Sean had on was pushed up, giving way for Viggo's demanding touch, the blond head rested back on a broad shoulder. Leaving his left hand where it was, he reached up to cup the back of Viggo's darker head, curling his fingers in the shiny, darkbrown locks. Their lips met in another, just as intense kiss.
Ian had by now realised that he wouldn't have any trouble slipping past them, they were too occupied with each other. Problem was that now he wasn't so sure that he really wanted to leave. Which embarrassed him to no end.
The rustling of clothes actually made him close his eyes for a little while.
But he couldn't help himself from watching. As he expected Viggo took the lead, molding Sean's form to his. But the smaller blond did not at all remain passive in the larger man's arms. The sheer, hot intensity they radiated made Ian blush. Viggo had a habit of calling Sean his angel and Ian had to admit he'd also had a similar vision of the shy, blond man. He was about to find out that his angel certainly had a pair of not quite white wings.
Watching them was both as addictively intoxicating as it was pure hell. Forcing the jealousy back, Ian let his gaze travel over Viggo. He couldn't deny that he wanted what the younger man had. Shamefully he also had to admit that that was part of the reason he was so hellbent on getting Sean away from the brunet.
He wasn't sure if he should be worried by thinking that the two of them helping each other with the clothes inbetween kisses and caresses was inexplicably cute. Properly dressed again, they shared a slow, leisurely kiss. Then they left, hand in hand. Only then did Ian allow himself a deep exhalation, sagging against the support of the wall. "Good God!" he weakly stated out loud. "I really didn't need to see that."
Shaking his head to clear out the unwanted, but quite persistent images, he made his way around the corner. Aiming for the entrance of the bar, he was in need of a drink. A large one.
"'Evening, Ian."
The sultry voice made him jump a mile high. Turning around Ian was met by the half-shadowed form of Viggo Mortensen. The brunet was leaning against the wall, enjoying a cigarette. Finding that strangely suiting, Ian was wondering how he was going to face the younger man, after what he had witnessed only minutes earlier.
"What do you want, Viggo?" The question was short, clipped.
"Well..." Viggo lifted the cigarette to his lips and deeply inhaled. Breathing slowly out again, he was studying the night-clad mountains. "This is what I don't get... I specifically tell you to stay away from my Shawn, and what do you do? You go right ahead and make a scene in front of everybody." He took another drag of the cigarette. "You see, you're not only bothering me anymore, you're starting to bother my angel as well. With your pathetic, persistent attempts on," the cigarette between his lips, Viggo made quotation marks in the air with his fingers. "Trying to "save" him... And I sure don't want my baby to feel bothered."
"Is there a point to this?" Ian sighed. "You are boring me, Viggo. At least give me the respect of not quoting b-rated gangster movie-lines at me."
Viggo chuckled. "Touché. But you're missing the point here, my friend. I don't care what you think of me, or how much respect you think you're entitled to..." Throwing the last of the cigarette to the ground, he snuffed it out with the heel of his boot. "Just stay the hell away from Sean. I am not in the mood to warn you twice." His movements were slow and leisurely calculated.
"And if I don't?"
At first Viggo didn't answer. Then he smiled.
"It's not that I can't see why you're so fascinated with him. And I'm usually not the jealous type..." He chuckled, running a selfconscious hand through his hair. "Actually, I am... But this obsession with what's clearly not yours...it's not healthy. You wanna know what I think?"
"Not particulary, no."
"Well, I'm going to tell you anyway."
"I was afraid of that."
"I think you are a tired, old man, Ian." By the look on Viggo's face they might as well be having a conversation about the weather. "You see in Sean what you used to be like, and you want to have that again. And it's killing you to know I got there first." He gave a naughty smile, like a small boy misbehaving. "Snatching the prize out from right under your nose, so to speak."
"Well thank you, Dr. Mortensen." Ian folded his arms over his chest. "Let me just say, coming from a two-bit actor on his lucky break...it surely makes an impression." The supressed anger was flaring up, and out of control. "If I were you, I'd get down on my knees every night to thank God that Peter didn't find Stuart right for the role. Because that is the only reason you are here. The last chance to actually get somewhere in your career. Ah yes," Ian tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You did that flick with Michael Douglas... A very fine actor, that man. Although it must have really bugged you that the only reason anyone remembered you was because of the rumours of your fling with that blonde swizzlestick of a woman." Ian paused, aiming a bright smile at Viggo. "You do like them blonde and frail, don't you... Though it seems that your taste runs more towards the masculine version of the kind."
A nearly hidden glimmer of anger passed quickly over Viggo's face. Then the frown disappeared into a smile. The sound of slow, steady applause startled Ian.
"Bravo. Very nice. But we're still not reaching a solution here."
"Of course. I am to stay away from your playtoy."
"Yeah," Viggo grinned. "That's pretty much it."
"And what if I don't?" Ian stood still, holding his ground. "What are you going to do then, Viggo?"
The blue eyes glaced over in the matter of a second. The other man's hand shot out, nailing Ian to the wall. Keeping him pressed into the wall, Viggo wolfishly grinned.
"You really want to go there, my friend?"
Fighting the pained groan back, Ian did his best to overlook the growing sense of alarm.
"You will stay away from Sean." Viggo was looking at him with almost disinterest. "Or else..." A hand curved around Ian's neck, momentarily cutting off his air supply. Then the pressure was gone.
"Or I may just have to kill you."
Billy did find it odd that Sean returned without Viggo. The blond was approached at once by Orlando who dragged him away to the bar, excitedly chatting away about something. They disappeared in the crowd and Billy didn't think too much about it.
It was getting late, and he had just started to think about getting back to the house he shared with Elijah and Dominick, the latter nearly asleep on his shoulder. But before he could do anything, he spotted Ian by the bar as well, ordering a vodka, straight up. Watching the older man down the drink in one swallow, Billy curiosly studied Ian's face. The man looked upset about something. Carefully Billy made his way out from the table, letting Dom lean onto Astin who accepted the weight of the sleepy hobbit with great ease.
"I'm just going to talk to Ian about something," he murmured. "Be back in a bit."
"It's ok," Astin assured him. "But if he wakes up and thinks I'm you," he smiled to show he was joking, "you get to explain this to Christine."
Billy resisted sticking his tongue out at the American, but just barely. Returning the smile, he then turned, slipping through the people in front of the bar until he was standing next to Ian.
"Billy." The calm mention of his name was the only sign that Ian had seen him.
The Scot watched Ian order another vodka, then voiced his worry. "Ian, you ok? Anything happen out there?" When the older man didn't answer, he followed his look and found Viggo and Sean. The darkhaired man had returned and was now standing close to Sean who seemed to be examining the darker man's hand with a sweetly worried look.
"Sure." Ian's voice was dry as ever. "I'm perfectly ok. The insane fucker just threatened to kill me, then he nearly punched a hole in the wall next to my head to prove his point." He studied the empty glass with a frown.
"Oh yes, I'm just dandy."