The next time Sean woke up, the world was a dark, confusing place as the bad dreams chased the tail ends of his thoughts into the light.
"Ssh, it's okay," a quiet voice soothed him as a warm hand was placed against the side of his face. "It's okay, everything's going to be okay..."
Never opening his eyes, Sean simply trusted the voice, nuzzled slightly into the hand and then fell back into the arms of sleep again.
Frozen to the floor Ian blinked at Peter.
"It's...it's kind of complicated. Oh, bloody hell..."
"Indeed." The director lifted an eyebrow. "You know I do care for all of you, Ian. But I am making a movie here. Is there something I should know about?"
"Just let me sit down." Ian made his way to a chair. He really felt like a nice and strong cup of coffee, but couldn't find the energy to move. "So," he began. "I guess you know of the relationship between Sean and Viggo? They haven't really been all that discreete about it lately."
"I know," Peter nodded, leaning back in his chair. "As long as it doesn't interfere with their work, I don't mind. The same goes for all of you."
"Well..." Then Ian got up from his seat. "I'm making coffee. You want some?"
"That bad, huh. Yeah, I'll have a cup."
Ian busied himself with preparing the coffee. "It's bad," he sighed. "The blood? It's Sean's. He's at the hospital." He suddenly remembered that noone had told the director about the true nature of Orlando's injuries. It wasn't the first time the action-loving young man had shown up with bruises, but it had never been to this extent. Debating whether he should bring it up or not, Ian pressed the button on the coffee maker. The familiar sound put him more at ease.
"Is he alright? What happened?"
"He had an accident of sorts... He put his hand through a glass door."
Peter looked around. Every glass surface in the house was still whole and glimmered dimly in the artificial light.
"It didn't happen here," Ian stated somewhat unnecessarily. "It was at Viggo's place. He came here because..."
"I know Sean has a temper," Peter thoughtfully stated. "But it's not about that, is it?"
"No."
Ian wondered why he had such trouble telling Peter the truth, and he hadn't even began to try and explain his own role in it. The coffee maker beeped, startling both men.
"It's not really about Sean's injury at all," he revealed as he stood up. "That was just some kind of catalyst. Things haven't been, actually they've never been quite right between them."
"In what way?" Peter was watching him intently.
Choosing two navy blue mugs, Ian poured the coffee. Thick steam rolled off the darl liquid.
"Viggo gets abusive at times. The rest of the time he's just a mean, sick son-of-a-bitch. Cream or sugar?"
"Cream." Peter digested the information. "But he didn't hurt Sean tonight?"
"Not if you mean Sean putting his hand through the door, no. But otherwise, I will have to say yes. Something happened over there," Ian sipped his coffee. "I'm the last person Sean would go to, unless there was noone else. And Viggo..."
Peter placed the cup down on the coffee table. He leaned foward and stared at Ian. "What exactly are we talking about here, Ian? They're both grown men. Fights sometimes come to blows, or...are we talking worse?"
"Oh, we're talking worse." Ian met the stare head-on. "Much worse."
"And Sean's the one getting hurt."
"Yes. As far as I know he has never raised a finger towards Viggo. I don't believe he could either. He has convinced himself that he loves Viggo."
"That's an odd way to put it."
"Maybe he does love him then. And maybe Viggo loves him back. But it has to be the absolutely most fucked up relationship I've ever seen."
He was quiet for a second, then Peter asked: "Is this a matter for the police?"
Ian shook his head. "Sean'll deny everything and you don't need that kind of publicity."
"I was hoping you'd tell me that it wasn't that bad." Peter smiled slightly. "What do you suggest I do? I really don't want to fire Viggo. We had enough trouble finding a decent Aragorn."
"If Viggo leaves, Sean will go with him. It's better to keep them here where we can keep an eye on them. Seriously, Pete," Ian turned the coffee mug over in his hand. "Something happened between them tonight and I'll be damned if I know what."
Blinking his eyes open, he was met by the white ceiling. Sean frowned, piecing the events of the previous night back together. He exhaled softly. It was all a mess, but to be truthful he didn't know who had messed up the most between Viggo and him. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
"Hey."
The voice spooked him. Turning his head Sean found Viggo looking back at him.
"Viggo!" Sean made an effort to sit up in the bed. Immediately, the other man stopped him.
"Keep still. The doctor said you lost a lot of blood."
Sean lifted his arm, eyeing the white bandage. "Well, look at that," he slowly stated. Too caught up in watching his newest addition to an already impressive list of movie mishaps, he nearly didn't hear Viggo's next words.
"Why did you do it, Sean?"
Resting his arm on his stomach, Sean almost smiled.
"You know why I did it, Viggo. I was angry. Is...it going to be alright again?" He turned his head to see Viggo nod.
"Yes. You can't use it for some time, of course, but... "He stopped. "You could have killed yourself. How could you be so stupid?"
Defiantly aiming his sight back to the ceiling, Sean kept his mouth shut and pretended that the stinging sensation in his eyes wasn't caused by the beginnings of tears.
"Sean..." Viggo placed his fingers on Sean's chin and turned the younger man's face to him.
"You scared me. For a moment there I thought I had lost you. I didn't like that feeling."
"I'm still here." Sean reached out his hand, fingers tightening around Viggo's. "I'm not going anywhere."
Viggo smiled, moving his free hand to stroke Sean's short hair. "No, you're not." The Dane studied him for a long minute.
"I'm sorry, pet. I made a mistake. Will you forgive me?"
Green eyes grew rounder. Surprise was clearly written all over Sean's face.
"I..." His voice became stronger. "I forgive you. But nobody else, never again."
Viggo shook his head, dark locks of hair falling into his face.
"No, never again. From now on, it's just going to be you and me, never anybody else." He smiled carefully, almost shyly.
"Of course I forgive you." The corners of Sean's mouth lifted upwards. "You know I'd be lost without you."
Brushing a kiss over Sean's forehead, Viggo felt inclined to agree.
"I'll never let you go. You're mine. I..." He paused, eyes closed, lips a hair's breadth from Sean's.
"What?" Sean whispered.
"Nothing..." Viggo kissed him. "Now you just rest. I'll be here when you wake up again."
Obediently Sean closed his eyes, making himself comfortable in the bed. His hand stayed in Viggo's hand.
"I should apologize to you too," he murmured, already feeling sleep tugging at his mind. "I said some things to you back there...I didn't mean them. I just..."
"Don't you think about that," Viggo's voice crooned at him. "I'll let you make that up to me later. Now you have to rest and get better. Tomorrow we're going home."