vigorli

Title: All I Want For Christmas...
Author:

soar38
Pairing(s): Viggo/Orlando
Rating: NC-17
Beta:

thalassatx during the

vo_xmas 2006 Secret Santa challenge.
Request: 1: I want Vig's Idaho home with lots of snow and horses,
or
2: I want Canterbury Christmas and a surprise visit from Vig!
Warnings: None
Diclaimer: I do not own either man nor claim to have any secret knowledge of their private lives.

As Orlando exited the airport terminal and stepped into the snow filled air outside, he shivered violently at the sudden change in temperature and sent a grateful thought to Viggo, who had advised him to pack warmly.

Orlando frowned slightly at the thought of the older man. Viggo had said that he’d be here to collect Orlando. It was, after all, on Viggo’s invitation that Orlando was even here. He had called a few weeks ago and explained that, since Henry and Exene already had their own Thanksgiving plans, and he was going to be up at the ranch alone, did Orlando want to come and join him for the holiday?

Orlando had never needed to be asked twice when it came to Viggo. His unrequited love for the older man had been a constant companion since they’d met in New Zealand. On many occasions, Orlando had thought that he sensed something from Viggo that indicated a return of his own affections, but Viggo had said nothing, and whenever Orlando tried to subtly lead the man into confessing his love, Viggo had seemed oblivious.

He sighed heavily, hunching himself into his heavy winter coat as a cold gust blew around him, making the snow swirl in an agitated fashion before it settled into its gentle descent once more. The usual noise of the busy airport was dulled by the snowfall, which was now becoming heavy enough to cause potential delays and cancellations to anyone considering travelling today.

Orlando was distracted from his thoughts as a pick-up truck pulled to a halt in front of him and he grinned as Viggo hurriedly exited the truck and strode around to greet him.

“Hey, elf boy,” Viggo said, pulling Orlando into a quick hug.

“Filthy human,” Orlando acknowledged, allowing himself a quick intake of breath that brought with it Viggo’s unique scent. His cock gave a happy little greeting twitch of its own, but it was too cold to think about anything further, and for that, Orlando was grateful.

“Sorry I’m late, got held up by traffic heading into the airport. We should leave now before the snow gets any worse. We don’t want to get stuck on the road and we’ve a couple hours drive ahead of us,” Viggo explained as he took Orlando's small case from him, opened the passenger door and pushed the case in, gesturing for Orlando to follow it.

Orlando was quick to obey, wanting to get out of the cold breeze. He pulled his belt on as Viggo shut the door and strode back around to his own side. Viggo had left the engine running, and glorious warmth flowed out in streams from the heaters, making Orlando’s cheeks flush and his nose begin to water at the abrupt change. He sniffed loudly and fumbled in his pocket for a tissue. Locating it, he quickly blew his nose, not worried about grossing out his companion as he would have in any other company.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon,” Viggo said with an amused grin. “Then we’ll get your skinny self in front of the fire.”

“Can’t wait,” Orlando commented, fidgeting a bit to get himself comfortable for the ride.

He missed much of it though, as the combination of the flight and the comfortable warmth lulled him to sleep. Viggo looked away from the road momentarily, smiling at the younger man whose head was snuggled as far down into his thick goat at he could get it, all the lines that had formed over the past couple of years smoothing away into nothingness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando woke to a gentle shaking and a soft voice calling his name. He snuffled softly, trying to immerse himself back into the comfortable warmth, but the cold wouldn’t allow it, and with a small frown of confusion and annoyance, Orlando opened his eyes. As his vision cleared he saw Viggo’s face leaning into his own, and a silly grin immediately formed on his face.

“Hi,” he said, still grinning.

Viggo chuckled. “Hey there, sleeping beauty. We’re home.”

Orlando blinked and looked through the windscreen to the house beyond. He smiled again, because its rustic simplicity seemed to suit Viggo. “Great,” he said and pushed himself up, Viggo stepping away to allow him to exit the truck. He then retrieved Orlando's case and shut the door before joining Orlando on the front porch, his hand already clutching his keys.

Orlando’s brow rose in surprise. “I’m surprised, old man. I was under the impression that you liked the simple life, you know, leaving all your doors unlocked when you leave the house, trust in your neighbours and all that shit.”

Viggo laughed. “Come on, elf boy, I may be a bit flaky, but I’m not stupid. Leaving my doors unlocked would be an open invitation to any fan girls who managed to find this place.”

Orlando grinned in response, and quickly darted past Viggo, into the hallway, as Viggo unlocked the door.

“First room on the right,” Viggo said as he followed Orlando.

Orlando grinned in delight as he opened the door into a room that seemed to welcome him with warmth. The stone fireplace held the smouldering embers of the fire Viggo had abandoned in order to come in fetch him, but the older man quickly strode over and worked towards building the heat back up again. Orlando quickly shrugged off his heavy coat, leaving him with his scarf and thick sweater and he happily threw the coat over the back of the sofa before settling into its inviting softness.

“Hmmm, could get used to this,” he remarked idly, eyes, closing and a small smile playing around his mouth.

Viggo laughed. “Don’t get too cosy, elf boy. There are still chores to do.”

Orlando’s eyes opened quickly. “But, Vig,” he spluttered. “I’m on holiday. I’m a guest, you invited me here for a holiday.”

Viggo shook his head, still laughing. “I invited you as a friend, which means, as a friend, you’ll be more than willing to help me get the work done so we can relax a lot sooner.”

Orlando scowled, but only in jest. “Fine, fine,” he said finally. “But just so you know, I’m not doing any of the cooking, and I’m not washing your undies, man.”

“Deal,” Viggo agreed with a grin. “Now, come with me and I’ll show you the rest of the place, including where you’ll be sleeping.”

Orlando sighed loudly, but got up and followed Viggo out of the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although not huge, Orlando had been impressed with the homeliness of Viggo’s home. Everything seemed to have been designed for both practicality and comfort, very much like the man himself, Orlando mused, although, one large room had been set aside as a studio, the only concession to Viggo’s artistic nature.

Before too long, Orlando found himself bundled up in his winter coat and ushered out to the barn to help take care of the horses. It was slightly warmer in the barn, the building having been insulated by Viggo to ensure the horses were kept comfortable during Idaho’s cold winters. Viggo directed him towards the sacks of feed piled in the corner and Orlando set to work, bringing a sack over and filling up the horses’ food sacks, absently petting curious noses as he did.

He laughed as TJ in particular sniffed at his coat, searching for treats. “Sorry, boy,” he said with an apologetic smile, and a quick nose rub. “Nothing in these pockets except lint and used tissues.”

“You’ll have to come out here one summer,” Viggo said suddenly, surprising Orlando. “We could take the horses out riding.”

Orlando nodded and smiled. “I’d really like that, Vig.”

Viggo smiled, but quickly turned away again, confusing Orlando, who thought he’d sensed something more in their exchange. The young man sighed softly to himself and carried out the rest of his chores in silence.

When they got back to the house, Orlando was quick to get out of his coat, squatting in front of the fire, which now crackled and popped healthily as the large flames bled heat out into the room. He found himself mesmerised by the dancing flames, unable to look away, until a heavy hand landed on his shoulder, startling him.

"You okay?" Viggo asked with a small smile.

Orlando grinned. "Yeah, I'm good, now what's for dinner?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanksgiving saw them awaking to a world that had finally stopped snowing, but the still fresh whiteness of the outdoors was beautiful and it cleansed a part of Orlando's soul that had started to become jaded. As they carried out the daily chores, Orlando took a moment to stop and breathe in the clean, fresh air, until a sudden icy impact forced him from his reverie. He looked over at a laughing Viggo in shock, before he knelt and scooped a handful of snow, forming a large ball before hurling it at Viggo. The older man attempted to dodge, but failed to escape entirely, and from there, the afternoon degenerated into a snow-filled war, neither man able to claim victory at the end.

Orlando helped Viggo to prepare the dinner, having had much experience in assisting his mother with Christmas dinner, which wasn't entirely disimilar. The food was good and both men ate their fill before retiring to sit in front of the fire, a plate of pumpkin pie each and a fresh bottle of whiskey between them. Orlando scooped up the last piece of pumpkin pie and brought it to his mouth, making small appreciative sounds, his tongue creeping out to lick the remains from his fork, is eyes closed.

When he opened them again he noticed that Viggo was watching him, a strange expression in his eyes. Orlando raised a quizzical eyebrow and Viggo seemed to shake himself free of whatever had kept his attention fixed before. "More whiskey?" he offered and Orlando nodded, not worried about making an arse of himself when he got pissed.

As more of the whiskey was imbibed they seemed to move closer to one another. Orlando's shoulder brushing Viggo's as he leant forward, his tongue starting to have trouble with articulating. A long clump of hair flopped forward into his face, and Orlando tried to blow upwards to move it from his face. His continued efforts only seemed to dislodge more hair and eventually Viggo reached forward, taking the errant hair and pushing it back from Orlando's foreheard, his hand absently stroking Orlando's face and ear as he tucked the hair away.

"Careful, old man," Orlando slurred. "A girl could get the wrong impression." Orlando frowned, knowing something about that statment had come out wrong, but too sloshed to figure out exactly what.

Viggo giggled, the alcohol having removed most of the distance at which the man usually held himself, even with friends. "Or the right impression," he said.

"You gonna tell me how pretty my eyes look in the firelight now?" Orlando asked, looking at Viggo coquettishly.

Viggo leant forward. "Maybe, or maybe I'd rather tell you how beautiful your skin looks, how it glows, how the heat flushes your cheeks making them rosy, and how your lips look darker and fuller in the firelight."

Orlando giggled. "You're so romantic," he said, clutching his heart dramatically.

"Baby, I'd say just about anything to get into your pants," Viggo declared with a roguish grin.

They both dissolved in giggles and Viggo poured them both another glass of whiskey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando tossed restlessly beneath the covers. His blood felt fevered and his skin too tight for his body. The whiskey he'd drunk earlier was still singing in his veins and in his mind's eye, all he could see was Viggo leaning forward, that teasing glint in the older man's eyes, hair falling forward to frame his face and an upwards tilt of that inviting mouth.

Without thought, his hand slid beneath the covers and pushed his shorts down, his hips raising to allow them to slide over his arse, his legs sliding against one another as his shorts slithered down his body and became entangled with the rest of the quilt. His other hand pulled his t-shirt up over his body, allowing his fingers to slide across peaked nipples, making him moan breathlessly.

The hand beneath the covers slowly circled his semi-hard shaft, teasingly brushing the smooth skin of his cock before sliding up and around the lolling muscle. He closed his eyes, allowing his mind to replay the earlier conversation, taking note of the way that fire had highlighted the golden strands of Viggo's hair. He'd watched Viggo's big, strong hands wave around in a controlled fashion as the older man made a point, but at the time Orlando had only wanted to feel those hands on his body. He imagined them now, long, artistic fingers taking a firm grip on his cock, squeezing the base before sliding almost idly along the length, allowing the thumb to circle the head, smearing the pre-cum that was beginning to leak.

He wanted more though. Orlando's other hand stole up to his mouth and he slid two fingers in, laving them generously, allowing his tongue to twist sinuously around them, imagining they were Viggo's fingers, or perhaps his cock. When they were good and wet he brought them down, parting his legs to allow them to slip behind his balls, first circling the tight entrance to his body before they teasingly began to dip forward. This was not the first time Orlando had brought himself off to thoughts of Viggo, but never had his heart's desire been so close and he could quickly feel himself beginning to spiral out of control as his fingers made themselves acquainted with his body, carefully avoiding his prostrate, wanting to draw out the pleasure. He groaned loudly, his orgasm hovering just out of reach.

Orlando couldn’t take it anymore. This wasn’t enough. He rose out of his bed, shivering a little as the cool air hit his overheated skin. He walked quickly to the door and opened it, pausing for a moment to listen to the stillness of the house. He then walked forward, shuffling quietly along the hallway as he made his way to Viggo’s room. He breathed deeply before placing a firm hand on the handle and opening the door, the well-oiled hinges making no sound.

He paused for a moment, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room, until he could finally see the bed and the large shape huddled on the far side. The alcohol still coursing through his veins gave him the courage to move forward and lift the bedcovers before he quickly climbed into the bed.

Viggo startled with an obvious jolt as he felt his bed being invaded, but Orlando paid no heed, instead moving forward and wrapping himself around the older man, groaning softly as the flaming heat and hardness of his cock made contact with Viggo’s pyjama bottoms.

“Orlando?” Viggo queried, his voice soft, confused and still slightly slurred from the whiskey he’d been imbibing earlier.

“Viggo,” Orlando moaned, his hips pushing forward, trying to rub his aching flesh against the source of his desire.

Orlando felt Viggo begin to turn towards him and he waited for the man to face him before he cut off the muffled exclamation of his name with his lips. He felt everything that he was being poured into that kiss, his long years of waiting, and the frustration he’d felt in Viggo’s company, all transferred to Viggo through the connection made by their lips, and he felt a small thrill of triumph run through him as Viggo began to respond to the kiss.

He pulled away for air, but was forced to use his lips once more as Viggo tried to speak. Orlando didn’t want to hear anything but Viggo’s moans of passion tonight. He didn’t want reason or sense; he wanted to fulfil his only real desire. His fingers began to wander, slipping beneath Viggo’s old t-shirt and making contact with the furry chest. He groaned into Viggo’s mouth at the sensation of wiry hairs brushing against his sensitive fingertips, and when he encountered a stiffening nub of flesh, Viggo groaned loudly, his own hips pushing forward to meet Orlando’s, the proof of his awakening desire hardening against the younger man’s belly.

One of Orlando’s hands slipped down between their bodies, finding the waistband of Viggo’s pants and sneaking beneath. He immediately felt hard flesh against his palm, the engorged cock twitching against his curious fingers and swelling even further against Orlando’s stroking ministrations.

Viggo suddenly pulled his mouth away from Orlando’s. “You’re playing with fire,” he warned before his mouth surged forward again.

This time, Viggo’s mouth took over the kiss, his tongue thrusting into Orlando’s mouth and stroking the younger man from within. Desire now had them both in its grip, aided by the drinks from earlier. Orlando squirmed against Viggo as the older man moved over him, his more solid weight pressing Orlando into the mattress beneath him, and then younger man moaned and wantonly spread his legs, allowing Viggo to settle between them.

Viggo’s own hands became engaged as they swept down a long, lean torso, briefly teasing hardened nipples before continuing lower, circling briefly across Orlando’s tattoo, tickling along his treasure trail before tangling his fingertips in coarse, wiry hair that surrounded a cock made hard by Orlando’s desire.

Orlando almost screamed as Viggo’s fingers made contact with his cock, the fingers delicately tracing the large vein on the underside before taking him in a firm grip. His earlier masturbation had aroused him, but Viggo’s flesh on his was the goal he’d aimed for. He stiffened and jerkily thrust into Viggo’s hands as his orgasm overcame him, his body being helplessly caught up in the tide of his release, pearly strings of cum jetting from his body and covering both Viggo and himself.

He was only coming back to himself when he heard Viggo groan loudly and fumble with his pants, pulling them down low enough to free his hard cock and heavy balls. He was vaguely aware of fingers searching out the opening to his body and finding it already prepared, those same fingers taking the pooled cum from his belly and coating a hard cock. Orlando’s legs were pushed apart to allow Viggo more access to his body and Orlando shifted, bonelessly accommodating the older man. There was a nudge at his ass from Viggo’s dick, and then suddenly, Orlando was buried in sensation once more as Viggo thrust forward, the initial spring of his hips burying the older man half way into Orlando’s passage.

They moaned as one, breath mingling as their heat was shared, both pausing to adjust to their joining, but Viggo couldn’t hold back for long, and soon he was allowing instinct to take over as he thrust forward once more, needing to feel his cock completely encased by hot flesh. Orlando wailed beneath him, his body arching in reaction to the new impalement, his cock twitching helplessly with renewed vigour.

Viggo’s eyes glittered down at him in a feral, predatory fashion, and some of the alcoholic haze was burned away as a touch of fear invaded his heart at the sight of his powerful lover. Orlando knew he’d be helpless against Viggo’s passion, now roused by lust. He whimpered and tilted his neck back, offering his throat in an age old sign of submission and Viggo accepted this change in the dynamics of their coupling, his own tongue coming down to sweep across salty skin, laving it roughly, kissing is gently, and biting hard enough to leave a mark, branding the younger man.

Orlando yelped in pain, but the pain shot straight to his cock, hardening it further. He moaned as Viggo began to move again, hips thrusting forward with all the power they could muster, invading Orlando again and again, almost paining the young man with the pleasure he was giving.

The heavy silence of the room was broken only by Orlando’s almost continuous moaning, Viggo’s growls and the wet slap of flesh meeting flesh and sliding together. Although caught up in his own passion, Viggo was not so far gone as to forget his partner’s pleasure, and as he felt himself nearing his own climax, his hand reached down to take Orlando’s cock. He felt Orlando’s ass muscles reflexively tense around him as his calloused skin began to stoke the sensitive skin enfolding hard flesh, Orlando’s pre-cum already dripping and making it easier for Viggo to stroke without causing pain.

Orlando suddenly bucked beneath him as his orgasm hit, the young man’s body shuddering as cum burst from his cock, covering Viggo’s hand and belly and spattering Orlando’s chest. He groaned, long and low, as his he felt the contractions of Orlando’s ass around his cock, the pressure almost killing him with its delirious deliciousness and then, he felt his own orgasm being ripped from him. His cock literally exploded with cum, filling Orlando’s ass, branding him on the inside as Viggo had already done on the outside.

He panted breathlessly and sunk onto Orlando. He could feel his cock softening as it still lay within Orlando’s body, the warm trickling of fluid as his cum leaked out of the well used hole. He felt exhaustion leaching the remaining energy from his body and he groaned as he pulled himself free, absently registering a faint hiss from Orlando, then he flung himself onto his back, helpless to stop sleep from claiming him once more.

Orlando’s gaze flickered tiredly over to Viggo, taking in the boneless way the other man had spread himself across the bed. He shivered, suddenly feeling cold, his ass still leaking and leaving an unpleasant wet patch beneath him. The alcohol that had fuelled his bravado earlier had now left him, and he felt strangely sad. With a muffled exclamation of frustration, Orlando told himself to stop being such a twat. He pushed the covers aside and clambered from the bed, intending to make his way back to his own, but not before cleaning the sticky evidence of their joining from his body.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando woke slowly, his eyes raising cautiously, allowing only the smallest amount of light in before deciding that he would definitely prefer to be asleep, at least until his body had slept off the remainder of the alcohol in his body. He sighed and tried to snuggle further under the heavy quilt before becoming aware of the fact that he was naked. His mind flew back to the events of last night, the bottle of whiskey he and Viggo had polished off between them and the light, flirting banter which had flowed between them. He groaned as he recalled what had happened after they'd both gone to their separate beds, and as he shifted restlessly under the heavy quilting, his body reminded him of the vigorous activities of the previous night.

He had half a mind to stay in bed for the rest of his stay at Viggo's ranch, neatly avoiding the older man and the consequences of last night, but another part of him, an inner voice that seemed to be getting louder, urged him to get up, to confront Viggo and confess his love for the older man, and hopefully, after last night, hear that confession echoed. He smiled to himself as he thought about what would happen next, how they'd gently embrace, kissing each thoroughly, and maybe, sneak in a quick mutual wank before they went out to look after the horses, eating a quick lunch before heading back up to bed. His mind happily made up, he threw the quilt back, and rose from the bed, absently scratching himself as he grabbed a t-shirt and sweat pants and headed to the bathroom.

When he finally left the bedroom, fully dressed, and made his way to the kitchen, his stomach rumbling loudly at the wonderful smells permeating the air, he was feeling quite happy. He smiled widely as he walked in.

"Morning," he said, announcing his presence.

Strangely, Viggo said nothing, keeping his back to Orlando, his attention focussed on the window in front of him.

"Viggo?" Orlando tried again, a hint of hesitance entering his voice. "Feeling a bit the worse for wear?" he tried again.

Again, silence.

Feeling a small trace of fear trickle through his belly he walked slowly forwards until he reached Viggo's tense body. He reached forward and placed a trembling hand on Viggo's arm.

"Is something wrong?" Orlando asked.

He was startled as Viggo turned suddenly, shaking off his hand and throwing a furious glare in Orlando's direction.

Orlando was truly alarmed now, nothing was going as he'd envisaged. "Viggo?"

"What the hell were you thinking?" Viggo suddenly spat out.

Orlando took a startled step backwards. "What?"

"What on earth gave you the impression that I wanted you to sneak into my bedroom last night, violating both my hospitality and my privacy?" Orlando didn't think he'd ever seen anyone so furious.

"I... after yesterday evening... and the whiskey... we were flirting. I thought..." Orlando trailed off.

“What did you think, Orlando?” Viggo asked harshly, causing the younger man to blanch in response. “That we’d have sex, admit our long denied feelings of true love for one another, and then live happily ever after?”

“I don’t know,” Orlando whispered, eyes wide.

“Christ! You’re young enough to be Henry’s boyfriend, not mine, even if I did feel that way,” Viggo continued, his hand waving angrily in the air before threading itself in wild hair and tugging in frustration.

“Do you have any feelings for me, Viggo?” Orlando asked with a quiet dignity that silenced Viggo’s rant.

The older man looked up and met Orlando’s eyes for the first time since they’d gotten up. He couldn’t hold the honest, brown gaze though, and his eyes dropped as he sighed in frustration and regret. “You’re my friend Orlando. Perhaps, one of the closest I have, and I think last night may have ruined that.”

Orlando nodded, but couldn’t speak past the lump in his throat. Viggo sighed again. He knew he was handling the situation badly, but he couldn’t find any words to make it all better. Instead, he strode over to the door, pulling his large coat on as he went. “I’ll be back in a while,” he said as he left the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando hadn’t waited for Viggo to return. Instead, he'd quickly packing his small case and left, heading for the airport to catch the next available flight to anywhere, glad that the snow had eased up and that air travel had recommenced. He’d reached New York and checked himself into the hotel nearest the airport before calling home.

“Mom?” Orlando queried as the phone was answered.

“Orlando?” Sonia Bloom replied. “Where are you, love?”

“New York.” He paused. “Mom, I’ve done something really, really stupid.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone before him mom spoke again. “Come home, Orlando,” she said simply.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orlando stared morosely at the Christmas cards hanging from the line his mom had stretched across the wall. There were too many cards on the line, a testament to his mother's popularity in the local community, but Orlando wasn't really thinking about them. He kept remembering Thanksgiving and his disastrous trip to Viggo's ranch in Idaho, where he'd made a complete ass of himself and probably lost the best friend he'd ever had.

He sighed.

He'd quickly fled from Viggo's house after their confrontation and had called his mom, relying on her to be the voice of reason he sometimes lacked within himself. Her solution was usually always to come home. She couldn't fix what was broken until she'd at least held him once. Orlando remembered arriving on his mother's doorstep and being embraced wholeheartedly, his mother's unconditional love for him flowing from her and into his own form, and he'd struggled with sudden tears.

Sensing her son's emotional distress, Sonia Bloom had pulled the young man into the house, quickly putting on the kettle and producing a cup of good English tea, just the way Orlando liked it. A cure for any ill, and Orlando had smiled his gratitude.

Sonia had never pushed Orlando for an explanation of what had happened to upset him so much, but Orlando had eventually relaxed enough to tell her some of it. He'd never sensed any judgement or condemnation from his mother, and Orlando was relieved. Instead, Sonia had roped Orlando into helping her prepare for Christmas. He'd had a few days of leave left before he had to rush back to the States to fulfil a few contractual obligations, but he'd made certain he was on a plane back to England a couple of days before Christmas, and was happily ensconced in his mother's home by Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning had brought with it a new day, blue skies and a layer of snow covering the ground. It was picture perfect and Orlando had felt grateful that he was with his family, to share this special time with them. His sister, Sam, had come back from London as well, and was staying in her old room, and Orlando's father Colin would be round later to share Christmas dinner with them.

The doorbell ringing startled him.

Thinking that perhaps Colin had arrived early, Orlando went to answer the door.

"Hi, Colin..." he began, but halted abruptly when he realised that the person standing on his mother's doorstep was not his father. "Viggo!"

"Hi," Viggo said, shifting uncomfortably under Orlando's shocked gaze.

"Orlando?" His mother's voice echoed down the hallway, coming closer as Sonia came to see who was at the door. "Viggo," she acknowledged with a smile. "So glad you could make it. Please, come in."

Orlando was firmly pushed to the side to allow Viggo to cross the threshold, Orlando's mother guiding the older man into the living room and divesting him of his heavy coat.

"Orlando, shut the door please. You're letting all the cold air in," Sonia called out, and in a daze, Orlando obeyed, his feet then taking him into the living room. The scene felt so completely wrong. The gorgeous Hollywood renaissance man, ensconced in the chair by the fire, being waited on by his mother, smiling at Sonia's easy charm whilst Orlando looked on, feeling like an outsider.

"Orlando, don't just stand there, go and put the kettle on," Sonia demanded, and Orlando obeyed, happy to find a reason to leave the room.

He stayed in the kitchen, waiting for the kettle to boil, and his hands automatically found a mug for both Viggo and his mom, unconsciously making tea for them both, exactly the way they liked it.

"Is the tea done?" Sonia asked as she stepped into the kitchen, and smiled as she saw the two steaming mugs on the side. "Good, you are a good boy, Orlando," she said affectionately.

"Mom..."Orlando began, intending to question her about Viggo's presence, but Sonia brushed past him, retrieving the two mugs of tea and leaving the room, Orlando left to trail behind her. He took a seat in the corner of the room and tried to avoid looking at Viggo, although he couldn't help but sneak a few glances, his gaze immediately falling away when he saw Viggo was looking back at him. Sonia was quick to fill any silences with small talk, being an accomplished hostess, and she soon had Viggo regaling her with stories from the sets of some of his more recent movies, their shared laughter filling the decorated room. They were joined shortly after by Sam and Orlando's grandmother, who was also staying with them for Christmas, and the newcomers were soon drawn into the happy group by the fire, and Orlando was grateful when Colin arrived, his dad wanting to speak to his son and hear all about what had been happening in the past few weeks since he'd seen him last.

Dinner was an organised event. The turkey crown had been cooked the night before, Sonia and Sam fighting over the streaky bacon when his mother retrieved the meat from the oven. Orlando had helped the night before to chop and prepare the vegetables, ready to just place on the hob and cook for the dinner. His mother had set out the large dining table, with the embroidered Christmas table cloth adorning its length and carefully folded napkins at each place setting. Viggo tried to help Sonia in the kitchen, but she'd laughingly chased him out, and instead relegated him back to his chair, protesting that a guest shouldn't have to do anything but enjoy themselves, and Orlando watched Viggo surreptitiously as he laid the table ready for dinner.

It was with almost military precision that the food was cooked and brought to the dining table, the contrasting smells making everyone hungry and smack their lips appreciatively. Somehow, Orlando found himself seated next to Viggo on one side of the table, his mother and Colin at the ends of the table, and Orlando's sister and grandmother opposite.

"Crackers," Sam announced and held up her own to illustrate. She reached across the table towards her brother, and with the first grin of the day, Orlando took hold of the other end and pulled. The cracker exploded with a small bang and a small plastic toy came flying out to land on Orlando's plate. He picked up the small spinning top and twisted it, watching it rotate quickly before it lost its momentum and fell to the side. Sam passed him the paper hat and the joke and Orlando obligingly placed the hat on his head, the fullness of his curly hair holding it in place. He felt Viggo's eyes on him but he ignored the other man, instead watching the rest of his family as their crackers were pulled. Finally, only Viggo was left.

"Orlando," Viggo said softly, and Orlando was forced to turn and acknowledge the other man.

Viggo held his own cracker out towards Orlando, and the younger man took hold of the other end, his gaze darting up to meet Viggo's unreadable expression before dropping again. He pulled and felt Viggo exerting his strength on the other end, and the cracker split, the small bang and smell of sulphur filling the air. Orlando couldn't help but watch as Viggo sat at his family's table and pulled a purple paper hat on his head, smiling widely to the people around him, and Orlando was struck with an almost physical pain as he remembered another paper hat on the other side of the world. He was grateful when his mother interrupted his thoughts.

"Well, tuck in, everyone," Sonia said with a gracious smile, allowing everyone to fill their plates before seeing to her own dinner.

As Orlando reached forward for the roast potatoes, his hand brushed Viggo's, which was also headed for the same goal. With a speed that was almost too quick to see, and a mumbled apology, Orlando withdrew, waiting for the older man to finish before reaching forward again. He ate his meal in silence, absorbing the idle chatter surrounding him, and smiling when his grandmother made approving sounds at his mother for the well-cooked meal.

When everyone had eaten their fill, both Sonia and Sam cleared the table, loading the dishwasher and quickly rejoining the rest of the family in the living room, where everyone sat around the tree. It was a tradition in their family that Orlando and Sam would hand out the presents, the responsibility heightening their excitement when they'd been children. Gifts of varying sizes and coloured packaging were handed out, but Orlando couldn't help a stab of guilt hitting him when he saw that Viggo had no presents, the older man instead holding out a small package to him.

With his family watching closely, Orlando accepted the gift from the older man. "I'm sorry, I don't have anything for you, Viggo. I didn't know you were coming..." Orlando trailed off miserably.

Viggo smiled, but the smile was strange, almost hesitant, Orlando thought. "It's okay, Orlando. I know my being here is a surprise, but, to be honest, there's really only one thing I want for Christmas this year."

When Viggo didn't elaborate, Orlando frowned a little and instead turned his attention to the small package. He carefully removed the outer wrapping, to reveal a small jewellers case beneath. With his heart suddenly racing, and his mouth dry, Orlando opened the case. Inside was a ring, plain gold except for the letters V and O entwined and engraved on the delicate metal.

Orlando looked up and met Viggo's hopeful gaze. "I don't understand," he began. "Why?"

Viggo smiled wryly. "Because I love you. Because I was a stupid fool before. Because I was scared to love you, but terrified of losing you, and then I realised how easy that could be, how I almost drove you away with my fear. Because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Because all I want for Christmas is you."

Orlando was aware of his sister's startled exclamation and his mother's indrawn breath, but he could not move his eyes away from Viggo, unable to say anything or move as shock froze him to the spot. He watched helplessly as the hope in Viggo's eyes began to die, and his own fear of losing Viggo again freed his limbs. He couldn't find the words that would make Viggo understand what he wanted, so instead he surged forward and captured the older man's lips with his own.

He felt Viggo stiffen for a moment, in surprise, and then the older man's hands snaked down and around him, pulling him closer as their mouths opened and tongues entwined. When they surfaced for air they were both smiling, their lips stretched almost painfully as they tried to express the joy they had found in one another.

"To wherever it may lead?" Viggo asked quietly.

Orlando shook his head. "To forever."

The End