vigorli

author: zebraljb
rating: up to nc17
disclaimer: this is an au but I don't know them or their preferences, no matter WHAT
note: written for the vo_xmas challenge. The requestor asked for an AU where Orli is the top, with a Christmas theme, and perhaps even a bit of angst.

“That will be all, gentlemen, thank you.” Viggo Mortensen closed the portfolio in front of him and stood. Everyone at the conference table stood as well, packing up their briefcases.

“Viggo, a minute of your time before you run out?” A good-looking man of Viggo’s age, speaking with a British accent, put a hand on Viggo’s arm.

“Of course, Mr. Bean. Why don’t you wait in my office? Angelina will let you in.” Viggo turned away from the man to smile at the man on his other side. “Ian.”

“Happy holidays, my boy. Your father would be proud.” He shook Viggo’s hand.

“Thank you, Ian. That’s the best compliment I can ever hope to hear.”

Viggo shook hands around the room, giving and receiving holiday greetings. He was the last one out of the conference room, turning off the lights and throwing away empty coffee cups. “Victoria, why don’t you go home?” He stopped by the secretary’s desk. “It looks like snow out there.”

The pretty young receptionist leaned back to look out the window. A ray of sunlight illuminated her face as she smiled. “Yes, Mr. Mortensen. Have a nice holiday.”

“You, too. I don’t want to see your face in here before Wednesday,” he ordered with a smile. It was three days before Christmas, and everyone in the office was off for five days.

“Mr. Mortensen, your brother called,” his personal secretary announced as soon as he got to the outer part of his personal office suite. “Your mother called. Ms. Bello called. Ms. Lane called. Ms. Tyler called. Mr. Bean is in your office.”

Viggo sighed as he took the pile of messages she handed to him. “I was only in the meeting for two hours,” he muttered, shuffling through the pink pieces of paper. “Please return the calls to my family and let them know I’ll be out the rest of today and tonight, and I’ll call them back.”

“And the others?”

Viggo smiled, a smile that turned his face even more handsome than usual. “Angelina, why do you think they called?”

The beautiful woman behind the desk smiled, tapping her finger on her chin. “Oh, I’m thinking because they want you to escort them to various functions and Christmas parties.”

“And THAT is why you are my right hand woman, and why I trust you to do all my thinking for me. Toss their messages in the garbage.” He started for his office. “No, wait. That will make them think you haven’t done your job. Tell them I’m serving in a soup kitchen over the holiday. Not only will they believe it, but they’ll think it could possibly rub off on them, so they’ll leave me alone until at least the second week in January.”

“Yes, sir,” Angelina said with a laugh.

“And get out of here! Go home.”

“I have a few more things…”

“Angelina,” Viggo said in a warning tone.

“I have a few more things to do here, and then I’ll go,” she promised.

“Say hello to Brad for me, and kiss the little ones,” Viggo said over his shoulder, entering the office and shutting the door. “Sean. Thanks for waiting.” He walked over to the tiny bar along the wall. “Bourbon?”

“Please,” Sean Bean said, loosening his tie. “Vig, I’ve gotta tell you…I don’t know if it’s wise to go through with this.”

“This firm’s been in my family for over a hundred years, Sean.” Viggo handed Sean a glass. “If I go public, it will destroy everything my father worked so hard to keep.”

“It’s the smartest thing to do,” Sean continued.

“Are we struggling?”

“No.”

“Anywhere close to bankruptcy?”

“We’re flying high and you know it. But these days…”

“Maybe I don’t like these days. Maybe I like old days, when a man’s word and his handshake were enough to seal a deal,” Viggo interrupted. He sighed, sitting on the edge of his desk. “I’m sorry, Sean. It’s not your fault.”

“Maybe you need to get laid,” Sean said carefully. He and Viggo were good friends, roommates from college, but Viggo was still his boss.

He was rewarded with Viggo’s laughter. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you, Beanie? I know I need that. Hell, it’s been so long since I had sex that I’m wondering if they’ve changed it. But a man in my position…I can’t just go pick someone up. I’d be on the front page of every rag in town.”

“I told you, my sister has a lot of gay friends. I could…”

“No, thank you,” Viggo said quietly. “Appreciate the thought, though.” He finished his own drink. “I’m going to work for a bit, then grab a bite to eat.”

“The offer for Christmas is still open. Cate and I would love to have you.”

“Maybe I’ll stop by after dinner,” Viggo said. “To say hello.”

“And spoil my children,” Sean added. Viggo smiled innocently. Sean finished his drink and came over to hug his old friend. “Happy Christmas, Viggo.”