vigorli

Title: Shadows of life - Chapter 13
Author:

obvmluver
Beta: The wonderful

littlegreenleaf.
Rating: NC-17 in the end.
Pairing: Viggo/Karl, eventually Viggo/Orlando
Summary: When everything seems to spiral downwards, is a human being able to rise from the ashes?
Warnings: Violence, if you look closely enough.
Disclaimer: I wish I knew the boys but I don't. I also don't make any profit with this. And I'm truly making things up here.

Crossposted to a lot of places... Please don't nail me for that.

A note: I truly want to thank my beta reader

littlegreenleaf for she's so fast. There really are no words for me to express my gratitude.

Banner made by a good friend,

pale80.

CHAPTER INDEX

13

When the New Year came, Peter Jackson invited them to the annual get-together dinner with other actors and staff members from when they were still filming. Orlando had gotten his strength back under Viggo’s gentle wing. That’s why he was ready to fly over the Pacific to meet with friends and Pete. He was actually looking forward to it. He hadn’t seen the hobbits in months, not after the wedding where he was in absolutely bad state. His hair had started growing back. A fine mop of baby soft, short dark curls covered his scalp now. He was healthier as well.

Viggo had commitments in the States, so he arrived in New Zealand one day after Orlando, on New Year’s Eve. Checking into the same hotel as Orlando, he headed to his room, took a quick shower, changed his clothes and took a taxi to Peter’s place.

Orlando was on the couch happily chatting with the hobbits, a glass of water in his hand. Smiling, Viggo went to search for Pete. Finding him at the backyard barbequing steaks, he pulled him in a hug. Then there was Fran next and Philippa.

“You haven’t aged a day...” a rather booming voice came from behind his back and Viggo spun around only to be pulled into a tight hug by Ian.

“So sorry I missed your birthday.”

“Oh, it’s fine. It was just a day among others, after all.”

“Good thing you’re back with our elf,” Ian added with a wink.

“Who told you?” Viggo asked, clearly startled.

“Beanie spilled his beans,” Ian said laughing. Viggo had to chuckle as well.

“The fucker can’t keep his mouth shut,” Viggo said fondly.

“And we’re not together as such. Not yet anyway. We’re more like catching up, you know, doing a lot of apologising and talking. But, I’m beginning to remember why I fell in love with him in the first place,” Viggo admitted warmly.

“And before you ask, I don’t know what the hell I saw in Karl or why I married him. Maybe I thought with time I’d really learn to be happy and love him like I used to love Orlando. And I did, in a way, but maybe the love never managed to reach my soul, Karl didn’t reach it.” Viggo shrugged and Ian nodded.

“You wouldn’t allow anyone to take his place,” Ian said.

“I guess. I’m glad he still wants me after everything.”

“You both hurt each other, you both are to blame, and yet you aren’t responsible for anything.”

“That’s what he’s told me.”

“Believe the lad and stop blaming yourself.”

Viggo nodded.

Only a minute until midnight, Orlando joined them, quietly linking his fingers with Viggo and casually leaning against him.

“I thought you’d miss the fireworks,” Viggo whispered and felt Orlando shaking his head.

“I wouldn’t miss them for the world,” Orlando whispered back so close to Viggo’s ear the warm breath made him shudder. Ian had walked to the backyard lawn and sent the first round of fireworks in the air.

“Happy New Year, Vig.”

“Happy New Year, sunshine.”

The shudders weren’t missed by the pair of eyes lurking in the corner. The linked fingers made the blood boil. The kiss pressed on the stubbled cheek angered him. The nickname Viggo called Orlando made Karl seethe in fury. He had never been given a nickname from Viggo, ever. The little shit was there, standing where he should be standing, Karl realized, and he cursed silently. He felt for the object hidden inside his jacket. The vial was securely inside his breast pocket wrapped into a napkin. Good thing he was prepared. An evil grin on his face Karl slipped back into the shadows.

TBC...