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[orli-bum.livejournal.com]

A Life Known
Chapter 20
Gathering Courage
Beta: No sorry
Disclaimer: See previous
Rating:R Angst
Feedback; yes of course with Orli on top please!



Chapter 20

Sean left a stunned Peter, Fran and Philippa discussing this new bit of information. He would have almost laughed at Peter’s reaction, if it were any other situation, but not one as serious as this. He thought the man was going to have heart failure right then and there.

He had briefly filled the two ladies in on the latest news and both were very sympathetic to the problem’s which had arisen. He excused himself after the delicate points were made and headed back to Elijah’s.

He knocked on the door quietly and waited. A minute passed before the door slowly opened and Orlando poked his head out.

“Hi Beanie,” he smiled when he realized it wasn’t Viggo. He opened the door wider and let the older man in.

“How are you feeling Orli?” he asked looking back at the youth as he shut the door behind him softly.

“Good, good,” he said quietly as he hugged himself. “Do you want to sit?” he asked, and motioned to the chair.

“Sure,” he replied and sat down in the same chair he had sat in earlier that day.

Orlando sat across from him and gave him an odd look. He cocked his head to the side , and then looked the other way. He squirmed a little in his seat before he finally said what was on his mind. “Beanie, why do you have a fat lip? Was that there earlier today and I didn’t notice?”

Sean snorted at the thought and smiled, “No Orlando, that was not there earlier today. I got this little beauty when I went to see Viggo.”

Orlando’s eyes widened in surprise, “Viggo…my Viggo did that to you? Why?”

Sean grimaced a little as he touched the offending lip. “I may have said some things that I shouldn’t of said to him is all.” He replied softly.

“You didn’t tell him did you?” he asked suddenly and very worried that Sean had.

“No I didn’t Orli, I told you I wouldn’t and I kept my promise to ya.”

Orlando let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good, thanks Beanie.”

“But I did tell him you to needed to talk about some serious issues, and I mean you need to talk soon.”

Orlando’s head dropped back between his shoulders in tension immediately.

“I told him you wanted to talk to him Orli, he wants to know what’s’ going on, he needs to know.” He paused for a moment. “I didn’t give him the letter,” he said as he reached into his pocket and handed it back to him. “You need to return it to him, and with it tell him the truth, all of it.”

Orlando’s eyes were wet when he looked back into Sean’s eyes. “I know, “ he whispered softly. “I know I need too do this, it’s just going to be so hard, and I’m not sure if I can handle the rejection.”

“I know lad, but it’s got to be done.”

Orlando sniffed and nodded his head in agreement. “I’ll call him tonight Beanie, I promise.” He said sadly.

“Good, now where is Elijah?” he asked looking around the room.

“He had to go to the store for something, he hasn’t been gone long.”

“Are you okay by yourself? Do you want me to stay?”

“I’ll be okay Sean, thanks for the offer though.”

Sean nodded his head and stood to go. “I’m going to go see if I can make my lips feel better,” he mumbled.

“I’m sorry he did that Sean, I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”

“I know Orli, he wasn’t very happy with me for a while.”

“What did you say,” he asked shyly.

He let out a deep sigh. “It…was about Christine and you, and I sorted compared the two of you.”

Orlando’s eyes widened.

“I asked if you resembled her and then he hit me. Pretty good hit too I might add.’ He laughed as he rubbed his jaw.

“Oh Beanie, you shouldn’t have,” he said exasperated.

“It was all part of the line of questioning. How he felt about the recipient and such.”

“How did he respond to that?” he asked interested now.

“He said he didn’t hate the recipient any more,” he paused as Orlando bit his lip.

“So he did hate me at one time then?” he asked sadly.

“Orli he didn’t even know you then, it was just the idea behind it, the reasoning at the time.”

Orlando nodded that he understood, and thought he understood all to well. He will hate him when he finds out.

“Orli,” he continued. “I also talked to Peter, Fran and Philippa. They needed to know what was going on.”

“Oh shit,” he whispered as he rubbed his hands through his mass of curls. “How did they take it?”

Sean snickered. “Well Peter about had heart failure when I told him, you should have heard him holler for Fran and Philippa.”

‘So he knows about Viggo and I then?” he asked nervously shifting back and forth.

“Yeah lad, I told him.”

“Did he take it well? Was he mad?’

No, I think he was okay with the idea of you two together; it was when I told him the connection.he well…flipped a little.’

“Okay, well….I guess that’s enough for one day then.” He said with a small smile.

“I’ve had all I can handle,” Sean said as he turned the knob on the door. “Don’t worry so much Orlando, I’m sure things will be just fine.”

“Thanks Beanie, and like I said, I will call Viggo tonight and meet to talk with him.”

“Do you want me there?” he asked before he headed out.

“Yes I do, but I need to do this on my own, I need to grow some balls I guess.”

“Well let me know what happens okay?”

“I will, see ya Sean.” He said and waved a final goodbye before he closed the door with a soft thud.

Orlando leaned against the door after it closed. He closed his eyes and thought back to how he would tell Viggo, none of the options seemed viable right now; They all ended badly, with Viggo walking out and saying he never wanted to see Orlando again.

He jumped slightly when he felt the door jerk open behind him and almost fell out.

“Fuck Lij, you scared the shit out of me!” he yelled as he tried to regain his balance.

“Sorry Orli, I didn’t know you were there, why where you there anyway.”

“Sean just left a bit ago, I was contemplating how I would tell Viggo.”

“So you are then? What did San say about Viggo?” he asked as he walked into the kitchen.

Orlando gave him a brief rundown of what had happened.

“He actually hit him! He must have been so pissed off to do that,” he said with disbelief.

“Yeah, I guess he must of Beanie had a big ol fat lip.”

“So you’re going to call tonight, right?”

He nodded, that’s the plan, and how well it comes out, well that’s another story.”

“Try not to be so negative Orli, it may turn out in your favor, you never know.”

“I suppose,” he said as he sat down on the couch again.

“I’m going to fix dinner, you call and set a time okay?” he said as he leaned on the door jam.

Orlando picked up the phone and stared at it for several minutes.

Elijah watched him for a while and knew this was going to be very hard on him, but he left him alone and went to start dinner.

He sat there nervously chewing on his nail again. They were pretty much chewed down as far as they would go. He kept staring at the phone wishing it would go away or not work. But the chances of that were not likely.

He took a couple deep breaths and exhaled slowly trying to relax his body. He slowly pressed the numbers on the phone one by one and as slow as he could go. He waited to push the last one, but finally resisted the urge to hang up, and pushed the last number. He held the hot instrument to his ear and listened to the phone ring. One, two, three, he started getting nervous, 4, 5, 6.

“Hello!”

Orlando swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly very dry. “Vig?” he squeaked out.

“Orlando? Is that you?” he asked. “I can hardly hear you.”

Orlando wet his lips with his tongue. “Yeah its me, I guess we need to talk Vig, about the other night and stuff.” He said as quickly and quietly as he could.

“I want to talk to you to Orlando, really, I hate how things are with us right now.”

“Me to,” he said with a small smile.

Viggo could here the smile in his voice and felt a little better about things. “I missed you today at work.” He said hoping it wasn’t too much to say.

“I missed you too, “ he answered quietly.

“When can we talk?” he asked next.

“I’m ready whenever you are.” He said with no hesitation. If he only knew Orlando thought.

“It’s Friday Orli, we don’t have anything tomorrow. So I can talk tonight if that’s not a problem?’

“Tonight?” he felt his heart racing. “I…”

“Or tomorrow Orli I don’t want to rush you.” He said as he sensed the nervousness back.

“Um…yeah tomorrow would be better for me, if that’s okay with you?” he asked.

“Yeah sure, that fine, how about I make us dinner and then we can talk after okay?”

Orlando nodded his head even thoughViggo couldn’t see.” Yeah okay, what time then?”

“How about six is that okay” he asked hoping he would say yes.

“Six is good,” he said after he thought for a minute. What did it matter? six, eight.... disaster would soon follow.

“Okay then six it is then Orlando. I know there’s some issues we need to talk about I’m just not sure what all they are.” He said trying to keep the conversation light, but trying to find out some information.

“I know and I don’t want to talk about it over the phone Viggo. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow then okay? Is that alright Vig?” he asked trying to keep his hands away from his mouth.

“Yeah, it’s fine Orli, whatever is best for you.”

Thanks Vig, I appreciate it.”

Viggo smiled as he felt like the phone conversation was actually getting somewhere. “Okay then I’ll see you at six, bye Orli.”

“Bye Vig, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He pushed end on the phone and laid his head back on the couch and groaned as he tossed the phone to the side.

Elijah came out of the room when he heard the conversation end. “How did it go?” he asked as he dried his hands on the towel he was holding.

“Good I guess,” he said as he looked at his friend.

“So six tomorrow huh.”

“Yep, six tomorrow, then I’m doomed.” He groaned.

“Come on Orli, come eat dinner, you’ll feel better.”

“Is it burnt?” he asked with a smile.

“Almost, but not quite, it’s edible.” He grinned back. “


Viggo disconnected the line and sat back and smiled. That had gone better then he thought. But then he thought it had gone to well. Shit! Was it a good sign or bad sign?
He stood and walked into the kitchen wondering what he was going to make for Orlando.
He decided after looking through everything that going to the store would be the best option.

He sat back down and decided to wait till the morning to go. He looked at the phone and picked it up again to dial Sean.

“Lo,” came the answer on the other end.

“Hey Sean, it’s Viggo,”

“Hey mate, what’s up?”

“Well…first I would like to apologize for hitting you today.” He said.’ And second I just got off the phone with Orlando and we’re having dinner tomorrow at six.”

“So he did call you then? Good that good, I wasn’t sure if he would or not.”

“How did he seem Sean?” he asked.

“Nervous, but that’s understandable given what has happened.”

“You mean with the issues before or now?”

Sean shook his head, “Both Viggo, he’s been through a lot and he’s being very brave by meeting with you tomorrow.”

“Brave? You make it sound as if I beat him Sean?”

“No I didn’t mean it like that. He just has some things that need to be said and are not the easiest things to talk about. You’ll understand when he gets there and tells you.”

“Can you even tell me what its about Sean?” he asked pleading for some kind of answer.

“Not really Vig, its just something that he had done in his past that’s a sensitive issue with people.”

“Oh, and that’s not vague?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Vig, take my advice, get some rest, and make Orlando a wonderful dinner and listen, just listen to what he had to say and to keep an open mind, yeah?”

“I guess, I really don’t have much choice do I?” he asked.

Sean laughed, “Not really Vig.”

“Thanks, you have been most cooperative.”

“Anytime my good man,” he grinned. “Now go to bed and get rested up for tomorrow.”

“Fine, be that way, I’ll let you know how things go.”

“Oh I’m counting on it mate.”

“Later Sean.”


Bye Vig.”

Viggo hung up the phone and decided that was a wasted phone call, a lot of good Sean did him. He was worried about Orlando. What could make him so afraid of him? He was so cocky before and so passionate and then all of a sudden bam, like he found out he had the plague or something. He shook his head in frustration. Well at least tomorrow he would find out. He had a big day ahead, and he did take Seans advice and went to bed early, but he really didn’t rest easy. He spent most the night wondering what it was Orli was to tell him and just how bad was it going to be?


************************************************8

Orlando threw off the third shirt he had tried on. He had decided he wanted to look casual but not to casual. But nothing was looking right. He was growing frustrated at his attempt to get ready for his dinner.

Elijah walked in as he threw his forth shirt on his bed. He had brought him back home in the afternoon to get ready for his dinner and Orlando had been tense ever since they had
gotten there.

“Nothing feels right,” he groaned and stood there with just his boxers on.

“Orlando, you’re getting way to extreme about this, it’s just dinner.”

He laughed, “His dinner and my last supper.”

“Orli!” he scowled.

“God, why did I agree to this? This has to be the most stupid thing I have ever agreed to, and I’ve agreed to a lot of crazy things.”

“Orlando for one, its not stupid. It’s not stupid because it’s important, to you and Viggo. And you have agreed to a lot more stupid things in your life, believe me I know, even with the short amount of time I’ve known you. This is a smart thing.”

“Oh shut it!” he moaned as he looked in his closet again.

“Just wear something normal, just some nice jeans and a simple shirt.”

“If its so easy Lij you pick it out,” he spat as he sat on the bed and crossed his arms over his naked chest.

“Fine, I will,” he answered back and marched over to his closet and moved some of the clothes around. He found a pair of black jeans and simple burgundy shirt.

“Nooooo Lij,” he moaned as he looked at the items. “That’s all wrong.”

He got up and shoved his friend to the side and rifled through his closet again and found some faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt.

“Oh, well, that’s impressive!” Elijah scowled.

“It will have to do,” he said with a sigh. “I am totally out of options.”

He took the tee and pulled it over his head and grabbed the jeans and slid them up his slender legs. He looked in the mirror again and messed with his hair.

“You look fine Orli,” Elijah said quietly from the bed.

“I don’t feel fine,” he said as he turned to face his friend. “I feel like the world is about ready to crash all around me.”

Elijah stood and walked to his friend and gave him a big hug. “You’ll do just fine Orli,” he whispered. “Just be yourself and tell the truth.” He patted him on the back and pulled away. “Okay?” he asked.

Orlando nodded, “Yeah okay.” He reached over and grabbed his keys and stuck them in his pocket. “Guess it’s time to go eh?”

“Yeah, good luck Orli, if you need anything after…I’ll be home.”

“Okay,’ he said as he took a deep breath again.

They walked outside together to Orlando’s car. Orlando slid in and started the engine as Elijah shut the door behind him and gave him a thumbs up. He smiled slightly and put the car in drive and slowly pulled out.

“Oh Orli, I hope I’m not all talk,” he said softly as he watched his friend drive away. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number quickly. It rang several times before it was answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

“Is he on his way yet?”

“Yeah, just left a few minutes ago.”

“Good,”

“I’m worried about him.”

“Why?”

“I just have a feeling it’s not going to go well.” He said at last.

“We just have to hope that Viggo can look beyond this and learn to love Orli as he is, with the knowledge of what’s inside of him.”

Elijah shook his head, “I hope you’re right Sean….I sure hope you’re right.”

“I do too lad, believe me, I do too.”

Tbc…..