As Viggo came out of Ian’s house, he found Sean waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. Taking his time the darkhaired man strolled down the flight of stairs, holding the gaze of the other man. Not saying a word he walked over to Sean, then he opened his arms wide. Sean didn’t hesitate as much as a second before stepping into the embrace.
Gently Viggo lifted his fingers to run through Sean’s short hair. “Don’t worry,” he murmured. “It’s not you that I’m mad at. It’s Ian.” Drawing back so he could watch Sean’s face, he added: “Stay away from the old man. He’s no good for you.” He pressed a soft, sweet kiss to the shorter man’s lips. “He wants to take you away from me, pet. You don’t want that, do you?”
Looking up into the older man’s eyes, Sean shook his head. “No.”
Viggo took Sean’s hand, lifting it to his lips to place a kiss on the warm palm. “I’m not going to let him take you away either. Now, let’s get out of here.” Walking away from the house, Sean’s hand remained in Viggo’s, neither wanting to let go.
The night went by peacefully. By this hour everyone was tired and kept mostly to themselves. The conversations that existed, were quiet. Towards the end of the shoot a light fall of rain started to obscure the view of the cameras and dimmed the lights. Just as Peter yelled that they would call it a night, Viggo got to his feet. Eyes shining, he reached for Sean’s hand and pulled the smaller man to his feet as well.
Both still in full costume, it was easy for Viggo to hide their locked hands between them. “Change quickly,” he whispered into Sean’s ear. “We’re going for a walk in the woods.”
The low words made a shiver rush down Sean’s spine. Running his fingers over the back of Sean’s hand, Viggo smiled slightly and let go. In the misty light his blue eyes were dark, glimmering like wolf’s eyes. The rain made dark strands of long hair frame his face, making Sean unable to resist touching a slick, damp lock. Nervously biting his lower lip, he glanced around, wondering if anyone had seen it. Catching the gaze of Ian, he hurried to turn away.
He took a step back from Viggo, turning to find his way to the costume trailer. And walked straight into Dominick.
The bluegrey eyes that stared up at him from under soaking wet golden curls were most indignant. Of all the hobbit actors Dom was the one who actually could display a small complex over his height. Which in turn made Sean apologize at once, not wanting to deal with a tired, cranky hobbit. Viggo was gone, most of the cast leaving for their houses as the crew were packing down for the night.
“It’s ok,” Dom replied to Sean’s apology. “I wasn’t watching where I was going either. I was looking for Bill, but I think he left with ‘Lijah.” There was a slightly lost expression on the younger man’s face that didn’t escape Sean. It was a common opinion on the set that Billy and Dom shared more than friendship, but no declarations had ever been made. But seeing the face of his shorter friend, Sean was more than sure that it was true.
“He’s probably waiting for you back at the trailer, or at makeup,” Sean said in the end. The rain was getting heavier, black clouds drawing together in the sky, obscuring the tops of the mountains. “It’s really pouring down now.”
Dom was walking next to him. “You think so? Probably, we were supposed to go out tonight, but I’m too tired.”
“Know the feeling,” Sean sighed. “Thank God we got tomorrow off.” He got a smile from Dom.
“I think I’ll go down to the beach tomorrow...go surfing. Wanna come?”
“Me on a surfboard?” Sean thought about it. “Might not be safe. Besides if I got back looking like Viggo did the last time you dragged him along, Peter would skin me alive and feed me to his goldfishes.”
Now Dom was laughing. “I heard that was what he did to the sound guy that kept screwing up the recordings.”
The costume ward was in sight, and they both sped up, eager to get out of the rain. Billy was in fact waiting for Dom inside, instantly fussing over the other’s wet clothes and hair. Leaving them, Sean made his way out of the many layers of his own costume, perfectly content to be back in his own jeans and T-shirt. The night was warm, the promise of thunder solid in the heavy air. Slipping back outside, he immedeately noticed the tall figure waiting for him.
Viggo smiled when he saw the other. “There you are, sweetheart. Can you feel the storm coming?” He looked up at the sky, eyes expectant and eager. “It’s close.”
The forest seemed different now, quiet and deserted. The only sound came from the wind sweeping through the branches, most of the animals and birds having found shelter from the rain somewhere. They had reached a small clearing before the first lightning tore the air in shreds over them. The roaring sound of thunder was soon to follow.
“You know,” Viggo had stopped, pulling Sean into his arms. “According to Norse mythology, this was caused by the god Tor, throwing his war hammer, Mjølner. The same one that once caught the serpent of Midgard and bound the Fenris wolf...” Cupping the younger man’s face in his hand, Viggo met Sean’s eyes. “They say he was tall, strong and fairhaired...just like you, my dear. Maybe you have it in you to be a wolf tamer too?”
Looking back, nearly becoming lost in the intensity of Viggo’s eyes, Sean softly replied: “What if I don’t want the wolf to be tamed?”
The taller man didn’t say anything, just kept studying Sean’s face as if he was searching for something. Apparently pleased with what he saw, he caught the greeneyed man’s mouth in a ferocious kiss, bringing them both down to the wet forest ground.
Nursing a bottle of beer, Ian wondered for the hundreth time what had possessed him to go ahead and kiss Sean like that. Oh he knew the answer, that wasn’t the problem. But that he had actually done it, the impulse of the moment taking control him like that...he didn’t like it. What was worse was that the simple kiss somehow had become etched into his mind, seeping through every last thought.
“I’m too old for this,” Ian sternly told himself, starting to peel away the paper label of the bottle. “I’m too old to get crushes on my co-stars like this...”
“You know what they say about people who do that, don’t you?” The voice came from behind Ian, but with the broad Scottish accent the owner of the voice was already identified.
“Actually I don’t, Billy,” Ian replied, turning around just to find the younger man at his side by now. He was rewarded by a wide, teasing grin.
“They’re lousy in bed.”
“Why Billy... Is that a challenge?” Ian didn’t bother to hide his laughter when Billy’s cheeks deepened in colour, just a touch.
“Dommie would murder me if it was,” Billy said in the end, climbing onto the bar stool.
Looking around, Ian quirked an eyebrow. “Speaking of dear Merry, where is your partner in crime?”
“Back at our place.” Billy was signalling to get the attention of the bartender. “I’m just getting some beers. We decided to stay in tonight, just watch some TV and stuff...”
“And stuff...” Ian replied, innocently taking another drink of his own beer. “Things are getting serious between you and Dom?”
“Oh aye!” Billy breathed, smile ever present. “He’s just about the cutest thing in two shoes and I’ll be damned if I’m letting him go. Ever.” Paying for the beer, he gathered the bottles in his arms. “Going back to my man now. See ya, Ian.”
“See ya,” Ian replied, seeing him well off. Thinking through Billy’s words one more time, he chuckled a little. Cute. They were both too cute. A glance at the clock told him it was getting really late. Trying to figure out the time difference to determine if it was too late to call home, another young man took a seat next to him.
“Orlando,” Ian greeted him. “What are you doing inside? I thought you’d be out running naked through the forest celebrating the forces of nature or something?”
The brunet made a face at him. “And become known as the human lightning rod, instead of Leggy? Nah. Besides...I think someone already beat me to it...” Dark brown eyes were dancing with mischief. “You’re not going to believe who I just saw coming out of the forest, looking like two contestants in a mud wrestling competition.” Dark eyebrows lifted. “You don’t end up looking like that just by walking, if you know what I mean.”
He continued before Ian could say anything. “Our very own Viggo and Sean... Human one, not the hobbit one. And...they were holding hands.” Orli looked thoughtful. “I never thought they’d hook up for real, but they look good together.”
“Indeed.” Ian couldn’t help the venom in his voice.
“I think so. I heard about the prank you guys played on Vig. Guess it wasn’t too far from the truth after all.”
“No,” Ian gestured for another beer, feeling a strong urge to get very drunk. “Guess it wasn’t.”
“I think we brought most of the forest home with us,” Sean remarked, holding up Viggo’s T-shirt. The owner of the T-shirt was currently in the bathtub, looking at him through halfclosed eyes.
“We still had fun though.” The darkhaired man’s voice was warm and lazy. “And what are you doing all over there when you should be naked and in here with me?”
Pulling his own T-shirt over his head, Sean got rid of the rest of his clothes before stepping into the tub. Sitting down, he let Viggo arrange them so he was leaning against the larger man’s chest.
“Viggo?” Sean felt the other nuzzle his neck, arms tightening comfortably around him. “Please don’t get mad, but I have to ask you something...” A nervous feeling made his voice shiver just a little, he asked the question before he could lose his nerve.
“About Ian... It was a mistake, it wasn’t what it looked like...”
“Yes? Go on.” Viggo’s voice was calm, something that didn’t make it easier for Sean. The darker man was like the storm that was passing now. Always calmest just before the explosion.
“I just wanted to make sure that you’re not... Not going to do anything about it, just let it go, ok?”
Viggo was quiet for a second, then he leaned down to kiss Sean’s bare shoulder, just above the small burn mark. “I must be starting to become bad of hearing, precious. I could have swore you just told me what to do. Now you wouldn’t be that stupid, would you?” The kiss turned into a bite, moving up a few inches to the sensitive skin on Sean’s neck.
“If you are so concerned about the old man, why don’t I let him have you for the night? Just to soothe your worries. If I am to share you with him, then I can’t be really mad at him, can I?”
“You wouldn’t do that.” Sean’s voice was a lot more secure than the rest of him.
“Wouldn’t I?”
Hesitating, wondering how far Viggo was going to take this, Sean whispered out a ‘no’ in the end.
“You’re right.” A small chuckle told Sean that Viggo had felt his deep, relieved breath of air. “I’m not sharing you with anybody. You belong to me. And don’t worry your pretty, little head with Ian. I’ll deal with him.”
“But...”
“Discussion closed, pet. There are better things to do with that sweet mouth of yours. Kiss me.”
Obediently Sean turned around, hooking his arms around Viggo’s neck. Meeting the deep, blue gaze, the tingle was back creeping down his spine. Leaning forward he pressed his lips to Viggo’s, letting the older man take the lead.
“That’s a good boy,” Viggo murmured, running his hand down Sean’s back. “Now you just relax and let me take care of you, sweetheart...” Closing his eyes, Sean shut out every thought except for the here and now and the man holding him in his arms. It would do for now. He’d find a way to deal with the rest later.