It was getting to be very late at night. Turning off the bathroom light, Viggo walked barefooted over to the bed. Outside the sky had cleared after the thunderstorm, allowing the moonlight to coat the bedroom in a silverish hue. Climbing into the bed, Viggo reached out to let his arms encircle the warm, sleepy body next to him.
“Sleeping yet, pet?”
“Mm, not yet.” The answer was muffled as Sean snuggled closer to the larger man. With a content sigh he laced one arm around Viggo’s waist, and rested his head on the darkhaired man’s shoulder. “Did you leave the light on, in the bathroom?”
“No,” Viggo replied, momentarily distracted by the soft feel of Sean’s short hair against his cheek. “Why would you want the light on? You afraid of the dark now?”
A small squirm followed. “Well, there might be more of them... I don’t want to step on one of them or something in the dark...”
Amused, Viggo pressed a kiss into the blonde locks. “Sweetheart, you are not still worrying about that little spider in the shower?”
“It wasn’t that little!” Sean protested, sounding a bit miffed. “It was as big as my hand, I swear. And hairy... I don’t like spiders, they’re creepy.”
Viggo hugged him. “Don’t worry, dearest. I’ll protect you from the bad spiders.” The younger man moved a little until he was comfortably cuddled up against Viggo again.
“Not funny, Viggo.”
“I’m just teasing you,” the other fondly replied. “Actually I think it’s rather cute that you are afraid of spiders.”
“I’m not afraid of them,”the immediate reply came. “I don’t like them. There’s a difference.”
“If you say so, pet. Now, we have tomorrow off. What do you want to do?”
Satisfied with the change of subject, Sean ran a fingertip down Viggo’s arm. “I don’t know, you decide.”
Taking Sean’s hand to place a kiss over the slender fingers, Viggo twined their hands together. “I think we need some time alone, you and me, Sean. Away from here. What do you say that we get a car and then drive up along the coast for a while, find a nice, quiet place to have dinner...”
“Sounds great,” Sean agreed. Time away from the set, more importantly the people on the set, may be just what they needed. Without any interruptions or people trying to split them up, things would be much better between Viggo and him, Sean was certain of it. He fell asleep feeling better than he had done in days.
Wondering how he had let himself be talked into spending the day at the beach, Ian went rummaging through his closet for some shorts. Holding up a shortsleeved, light beige shirt, he nodded to himself. A day off was no excuse for not being well dressed. Some of Peter’s flowery Hawaiian shirts had nearly rendered him blind for days. And the T-shirts and jeans the younger ones were wearing at all times... All very nice, but every once in a while he had to suppress the urge to strip them bare and dress them in something just a little more elegant.
After having placed some sun screen lotion, a bottle of water, his discman and several books in a small bag, Ian stepped into his sandals. “Right,” he sighed internally. “Off we go.”
The beach was mayhem. The small, sandy curve in the seaside was only a few minutes away from where most of the actors lived, the secluded place given them much appreciated privacy. On the far side of the beach the cliffs edged into the water, making it a favoured spot for the surfers among them. Ian could easily spot the hobbits along with Orlando out in the water.
The bright and warm weather had most of them migrating towards the beach and the water. John and Ian Holms had found a shadier spot underneath the scattered trees and waved Ian over.
“Gentlemen,” Ian greeted them. “How is this fine day treating you?”
Ian Holms, affectionately nicknamed ‘Grumpy’ by the younger actors as well as his own grandchildren, smiled. “Very well indeed, my old friend. John and I here have decided to keep a safe distance to those maniacs out there. How they keep insisting on attempting to drown themselves is beyond me...”
“I used to do some surfing,” John commented.
“Really?” Ian asked. “Not anymore then?”
The large, heavyset Welsh man stared at him, then started laughing.
Liv walked by, a short sun dress over her bathing suit, accompagnied by Cate. The two of them were deep in conversation.
Sitting down, Ian looked around himself. “Seems like all of us are down here today...”
“Almost,” Ian Holms replied, leaning back in the lounge chair. “There were some that went into town and I did spot Sean and Viggo taking off together earlier.”
“Together?” Ian couldn’t help the word from slipping out.
“Yes,” Holms absentmindly replied. “Looks like the two of them have gotten really close lately.”
Keeping quiet, Ian knew he looked worried. Schooling his face into a more relaxed expression he caught a glance of Billy paddling towards the beach. The younger man pushed his surfboard up onto dry land and was heading for the towels. Slowly Ian got up and walked towards him.
“’Morning, Ian,” the Scot said, pausing to wipe his face dry. “What’s up?”
“We need to talk, Billy,” Ian said, the latest days’thoughts knitting together in a plan. “ Do you have a minute?”
“Sure,” the shorter man looked curious. “Something wrong, you look worried.”
So much for his control of his facial expressions, Ian urged Billy on downwards the beach, where they could have more privacy. “I need to talk to you about Sean and Viggo.” He didn’t miss the quick glance Billy sent him.
“You too? I was wondering if it was just me... Even Orli seems thrilled that they got together.”
Ian had stopped. “Just how many people know about this really?”
Billy shrugged. “Not that many. I know there are some rumours going though, because of how Sean’s been doing lately and the fact that Viggo is never far from his side anymore.”
“And what do you think about it?” Ian was walking again, keeping his voice neutral.
“If they care for each other, I think it’s great. But... I can’t help but think that something doesn’t seem right about all of it.”
Hearing those words, Ian relaxed a little. “You’re quite right, Billy.” He turned to face the other. “Something’s definetely not right. Viggo tends to get...how do I put this...rather abusive at times.”
There was a thoughtful look on Billy’s face. “Then I was right,” the reply came quietly in the end. “That bruise on Sean’s face...”
“Was put there deliberatedly, by Viggo,” Ian nodded. “And that’s not the worst, not by far...” He proceeded to tell Billy the rest of what he had discovered, watching the young Scot’s face pale.
“Jesus,” Billy stated in the end, disbelief in his voice. “We have to get Sean away from him, Ian. I had no idea it was this bad... How come Sean puts up with it?”
“Because he has convinced himself that he is in love with Viggo, and probably,” Ian sighed, “by now he believes that he is the one to make Viggo do this. Trust me, I know our dear Mr. Mortensen by now. I find it hard to believe that anything is beneath him when it comes to getting what he want.”
Billy was looking like he was going to be sick. “And I sent Sean right into his arms with that stupid stunt at the pub... It’s a small wonder he didn’t send me a thank you-note.”
“You couldn’t have known. None of us did. Don’t blame yourself, Billy. Blame the one who deserves it.” Ian’s eyes glaced over, steelhard determination creeping in. “Blame Viggo.”
Billy was quiet for a minute. Then he met Ian’s eyes. “What do we do now?”
“We put a stop to it. Before anyone gets seriously hurt.”
The night brought soft shadows tumbling down the mountain sides. The sun was gone, only a shimmer of redtoned light left in the air. But it was still warm, the moist air holding a faint threat of more thunder.
The parking lot was quiet, allowing the two men leaning to a jeep the freedom of going unnoticed.
“I had a good time today,” Sean said, leaning into Viggo’s embrace.
“Me too,” the contented reply came. “We have to do it again sometime soon.”
The shorter man didn’t reply, just letting himself be molded against the slightly larger body, hiding his face against Viggo’s neck. Standing like this felt safe and warm, and he didn’t want to go back to deal with what he knew was waiting, not yet.
The sound of voices made them pull apart, reluctantly. Viggo let him go with a small pat on the behind. “I’ll be waiting for you back at the house, dear. Don’t be long.”
“I won’t,” Sean promised, the intimate caress still made him blush slightly.
Watching Viggo leave, he got the car keys, locking up the car. The evening brought with it a slightly chilled wind, in spite of the temperature. Just as he was about to follow the darker man, a voice startled him.
“We need to talk.”
Carefully Sean turned around to find Ian looking calmly back.
“I don’t think we have anything to talk about, Ian.”
“I think we do.” The older man crossed his arms over his chest. The nervous look in the other man’s green eyes didn’t go unnoticed.
“I told Viggo I’d be right there, I have to go...”
“And whatever command he makes, you follow, right?”
“That’s not true, Ian, and you know it.” The emerald green glare was directed full force at the older man. “Viggo was right, you’re just trying to break us up.”
“Sean, he is just using you.” Ian’s voice had grown softer and he took a step towards the blonde. “I’m worried about you, I don’t want to see you get hurt. More hurt than what has happened already.”
“I won’t get hurt. As long as you stay away. Don’t you get it, Ian? I don’t want your help. I don’t need your help. All I need is for you to stay away from both Viggo and me.” Sean turned around and walked away, leaving Ian standing in the middle of the parking lot, wondering why it was that he couldn’t keep his feelings in check around the younger man.
“He’s pretty, isn’t he?” a voice whispered into his ear, and he nearly jumped right out of his skin. Ian recognized Viggo’s voice, the calm, smooth tone sending an unpleasant chill down his spine.
He kept silent, waiting for the darkhaired man to continue.
“So pretty....and so easy to fall in love with. I know, there is something about him that makes you crave him, makes you feel like you will die if you can’t have him, possess, own him...”
“You will never own him.” Ian couldn’t resist the challenge, couldn’t help letting his frustrations and guilty conscience take form as words.
A light chuckle flowed easily through the air. “Oh but I already do, my friend. That’s the beauty of it, no? I can do what I like to him, even destroy him if I want to. He’s mine, Ian, he belongs to me. Never forget that.” Feeling the other man’s obvious emotional distress, Viggo couldn’t help another delighted chuckle. “Now I will have to ask you to excuse me,” he commented, “I have someone waiting for me. I couldn’t possibly disappoint him by being late.”
For the second time Ian was left alone in the parking lot, slowly trying to uncurl his fists, nails drawing blood inside his palms.
Strolling over the parking lot, Viggo took the short cut to the house, finding the front door slightly open. The house seemed quiet, none of the lights were turned on.
“Sean?” he called. “Pet, where are you?”
“Out here.” The voice came from the back of the house, from the large porch.
“Now what are you doing out there?” Viggo wondered, continuing through the spacious livingroom until he reached the veranda door. “You ok?”
He got a light shrug in return. “I guess.”
Viggo walked over, embracing the other from the behind. “Did Ian say something to upset you?” When he felt Sean tense up in his arms, he hurried to add: “Yeah, I heard. You did good, sweetheart. He is just jealous, he wants you for himself.”
Relaxing again, Sean placed his arms on top of Viggo’s. “I wish he could let it go. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“True,” Viggo moved to kiss his neck. “But you will indulge me the pleasure to take care of you every once in a while, right?” Sean reached up and patted his cheek.
“Of course. I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Strong hands found their way up to his shoulders and he was turned around so he was facing Viggo.
“Me neither. And I’ll take care of Ian, don’t you worry about that. Nobody gets to take you away from me, you know that, don’t you, dear? Nobody.”
Deep blue eyes were burning with emotions, the sight nearly made Sean feel dizzy. His own eyes fluttered shut as warm lips covered his, claiming his mouth in a slow, seductive kiss. “We still have a few hours left of the day,” Viggo’s voice whispered in his ear. “And I have every intention of spending them in bed...”
Sean knew it probably wasn’t a good idea, but he just couldn’t help himself. “Poor Viggo,” he replied, placing his hand against the brunet’s cheek. “It’s not easy getting old, is it? You need your rest.”
He was treated to the sight of Viggo utterly speechless. Then a slow smile spread over the taller man’s face. “Old man, you say? I’ll show you old, you little...” Before Sean could do anything but laugh, he was unceremoniously picked up, carried inside and dumped down in the middle of the bed. Viggo was over him in an instant, their lips melting together in a kiss that had them both breathless.
Letting his lips trail a path of featherlight kisses over Sean’s cheek, Viggo whispered a soft ‘mine’ in the smaller man’s ear before kissing him on the lips again, the passion in the small word making Sean shiver.
“How did it go?” Billy asked seeing Ian come through the door to the small bar.
“Well,” Ian took a seat next to him, ordering a scotch. “He got mad allright. Only problem is that he didn’t get mad at Viggo...he got mad at me...”
“Oh. That’s not good.”
“No.” Ian drained the whiskey in one swallow. “That’s not good.”