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fellowshippers2005-12-15 01:21 am
saklani2.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2005-12-15 01:21 am
NEW: Will You Remember? 3/? (LOTRps Viggo/Elijah) [NC-17]
Hi everyone!
Well, we finally finished the added scene that we decided to write. It only took about five hundred years longer than we planned. Sorry for the delay! However, the rest of the fic is written, and I shall be betaing frantically now. I promise to have the end up in time for Christmas!
For now, we hope you enjoy this next installment of Will You Remember!
Saklani
Title: Will You Remember
Author: Saklani (saklani@wildmail.com) and Wushu
Codes: Viggo/Elijah
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Wymsie *covers her with kisses*
Disclaimer:We do not own these men, or anything else mentioned here. We are not looking to make money from this... God forbid. And We are NOT them nor is what we put down here real.
Summary: An artist and photographer strikes up an unlikely partnership with a prostitute.
Author's Notes: A new series from Wushu and myself with a lovely beta by the dear Wymsie. This storyis finished, I am just not sure how many parts its going to end up being! This story was inspired by a line in one of Curthose's lovely Viggo/Elijah fictions. I would tell you which line, but that would give away a lot of plot, so I'm holding out on everyone. This is definitely an AU with large liberties taken with both men. Please forgive us our trespasses. I hope you enjoy!
Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweetheart,
Though our paths may sever,
To life's last faint ember,
Will you remember?
Viggo arrived punctually in front of the Starbucks on Thursday. He climbed out of his truck and smiled as he spotted Jordan in front of the coffee shop. Out of his working clothes, his model looked like any other young person, except more beautiful. "Hi, Monkey," he greeted him with a warm smile.
"I'm pretty sure I said if you used that name in public, it would be death to your kneecaps." Elijah managed to sound threatening.
Viggo looked at the people talking quietly at the other tables or sipping coffee and reading. "I really don't think anyone is listening," he said gently.
Elijah stuck his tongue out at Viggo and finished his drink. He already had another one on the table beside him, but he asked, "Do you want to get something before we go?"
Viggo imitated the gesture, letting the full length of his tongue stick out. "Nah, I'm not much for coffee, though I have a terrible weakness for hot chocolate and hot white chocolate."
Elijah waved his mug under Viggo's nose and the smell of chocolate wafted up to him. "Never had hot white chocolate... what's it like?"
"Sinful, like you," Viggo teased. He took the mug out of Jordan's hand and sipped happily.
Elijah shook his head before getting up and ordering another hot chocolate before coming back. "Sinful? I think I should hire you to do my advertising... you seem to think highly of me." He took a swallow of the rich sweet liquid. "So are we going?"
"What, you can't drink out of the one I've sipped from? I may have a high opinion of you, but you seem to have a low opinion of me." Viggo imitated his model's pouty expression.
"I thought you'd want it! I was giving it to you, long tongue."
"Come on, Monkey," he said with a little laugh and led Jordan toward his car. "We have a bit of a drive ahead of us.
Elijah shouldered his back pack and followed Viggo. His manner of walking lacked the deliberate strut and invitation of his working mode.
Viggo resisted the urge to tell Jordan how good he looked in regular clothes as he opened the door for him. "Want to know where you're going?"
"Love to know." Elijah slipped into the truck, giving Viggo a bright smile of thanks.
Viggo turned over the engine and pulled out. "It's a lovely little playground in the upper west side of town. I want some pictures of you acting like a kid. A bit of contrast for the other pictures."
"You want me to play?" Elijah's voice was full of amused incredulousness. "I haven't play- been in a playground since I can't remember when."
"And that's a good reason to do so now. Actually, I might have trouble sticking to business. I love swings." His smile turned goofy as he thought about reaching for the clouds from the top of a swing.
Elijah looked at Viggo thoughtfully before saying, "I liked merry-go-rounds."
"Those are also fun," Viggo agreed. "You see the world in a different way after a few rounds. I painted a picture that way once. Went round and round as fast as I could, painted a little and repeated. It took me a few weeks, and I lost several pounds."
Elijah gave Viggo a long look, before he let himself comment, "I don't think you have pounds to lose." He giggled, before adding, "I used to go round and around until I was sick and couldn't eat dinner."
Viggo glanced down at himself and looked pleased. "Thank you for saying so." They entered into an obviously high rent part of town, where house stood on large lots, set back behind tall fences. "Look at these homes... who can possibly afford to live here?"
"Actors? Politicians? Crooks? I don't know. No one I know."
"No one I know either," Viggo said with a rueful shake of his head. "Do you think it would be nice to live here, in one of these ivory towers?"
"I think it would have its ups and downs just like any other kind of living." Elijah looked thoughtfully at the passing houses. "Knowing you didn't have to worry about money, that would be nice I think. I bet it complicates the world, too."
"Nothing comes without a cost." He parked the car beside the playground. "Here we are. I'll be taking pictures with a smaller, portable camera this time, so feel free to do whatever strikes your fancy." He paused and considered his model with a wry grin. "Though we should try to be proper."
"Proper? Sorry, wrong monkey here!" Shooting Viggo a grin, Elijah bounced out of the car and made his way to the middle of the park. "They have a merry-go-round!"
Viggo laughed and scrambled out in time to catch a shot of Elijah mid-bounce. "Hey, give a poor person a chance to get his camera ready!"
"Why?" Elijah smirked at Viggo before heading over to, not the merry-go-around, but the slide. He climbed the top, the highest point of the equipment, and looked around with a smile.
Viggo stopped at the bottom and snapped a picture of his model looking around at everything. "It's being polite! I thought you said you were polite!" He put the camera strap over his neck and climbed up the slide.
"I've had too much sugar to remember my manners." Elijah slid down the slide, giggling the whole way.
Viggo snapped a couple pictures and then swung himself neatly on the slide, flying right into Jordan. "Gotcha!"
"Oof! You're heavy!!" Elijah jumped up and scrambled up the ladder again, taking the slide downward with a grin.
The camera snapped a few times, before Viggo nearly got knocked over by his model. "Attack Monkey!"
"Turn about is fair play." He bounced up and headed for the swings. "Think I can touch the clouds?"
"I bet you can. Want some help getting there?" Viggo skipped after Jordan and snagged him playfully around the waist, swinging him around.
Elijah giggled and let himself be swung around. When Viggo set him down, he said seriously, "I'll take all the help I can get reaching for heaven. Its the only way I'll get in, you know."
A furrow marred Viggo's brow, and he shook his head. "I don't believe that, but I'll give you a hand anyway." He tucked the camera securely over a shoulder and prepared to push Jordan on the swings.
Elijah gave Viggo a slight smirk over his shoulder. "You're welcome to give me a hand anytime, Viggo."
Viggo responded to that by snagging the bottom of the swing and pulling all the way back. He then ran all the way forward and under Jordan, releasing him at the top of his arc.
Elijah started moving his legs and body to keep climbing, swinging more and more and laughing as he got higher. "This is great!"
Viggo snapped a picture of Jordan laughing with the clouds and blue sky above him. Setting the camera aside again, he swung Jordan even higher. "The flying Monkey!"
"The AMAZING flying Monkey!" Elijah laughed, swinging himself as high a he could.
"Sorry, yes, the AMAZING flying Monkey!" His camera whirred in quick rhythm as he got shot after shot of the delighted man. "Look at you go! Can you feel the clouds!?"
"Almost." Elijah let go of one of the support chains and reached out when his swing was at its highest point. "Almost!"
The picture of Jordan reaching for the clouds would be one of his favorites; Viggo knew that the moment he snapped the shot. "Be careful, Monkey. I wouldn't want you to fall instead."
Elijah went silent for a few moments, letting the swing go down, before he asked softly, "Would you catch me?"
"I'd try, Monkey." Viggo stopped the swing and grinned. "How about I twist the chain up and let you unwind?"
Elijah smiled at Viggo- "I thought I was like the only person who did that" -and nodded his consent.
"Hold on tight, Monkey!" He grabbed the chain and began to run in a circle, winding the chain up tightly. Letting go, he jumped out of the way as Jordan began to twirl. He grabbed his camera and caught a snap of the blur.
Elijah laughed joyfully, the sound of a child, not a hardened street walker. He tucked his body up to move faster and then shot his legs out to slow himself down.
"Very clever," Viggo said, laughing and shaking his head. He did not shake for long, unwilling to lose a single shot. When the spinning stopped, he ran forward to check on his model. "Enjoy yourself?"
Elijah beamed at Viggo and asked eagerly, "Again? Please? Wind me up!" He curled into a small ball again, grinning at Viggo hopefully.
Unable to help himself, Viggo fluffed Jordan's hair. "Silly Monkey." He ran in circles, twirling Elijah around until the chain wrapped all the way up. "Here we go!"
Elijah giggled and wriggled like an impatient child, wanting to spin round and round again as soon as possible. "Come on! Go, go, GO!"
Releasing the chain and leaping out of the way, Viggo watched Jordan fly in circles. "Go, Monkey, go!" He enjoyed the scene and his model's expression of childlike joy.
Elijah kept his body tucked in tightly this time, spinning madly as the chain unwound. "Wooohoooo!"
Setting his camera out of harm's way, Viggo sat on the free swing. He kicked his legs out and began to work his way up to the height of the chain's reach. "Bet you can't get as high as I am, Monkey!"
"Bet I can!" Elijah never turned down a challenge. A moment later, he started to swing himself, getting higher with each motion of his body.
Viggo laughed and let his long legs swing him even higher. "You're falling behind!"
"I'll catch up I will!!" And he started moving his body with more force, making up for his lack of height that way.
"You'll never catch me, Amazing Monkey! I am invincible!" Viggo reached the top of the arc, the swing bouncing under him as the chains rattled.
"Nope... you're the gingerbread man... and I'ma gobble you all up!" Elijah kept swinging until he evened up with Viggo and laughed. "See!?"
"Gingerbread man?" Viggo asked, his face scrunched up with laughter. He kicked off his boots one by one and then winked at Jordan. "You'll never catch me, Amazing Monkey! BONZAI!" He leaped off the swing at the top of its arc.
Elijah watched him in shock, shaking his head. "You're insane !"
Viggo landed with a thud, but on his feet. "Woohoo! I haven't done that in years!"
Elijah looked down at Viggo and shook his head. "I've never done it and don't think I'm going to start. I'll break my neck; I'm that type."
"Yet, you move so gracefully," Viggo said, watching him with a smile. He went and retrieved his camera and took another picture of Jordan at the top of his wing. He also reluctantly put back on his boots.
Elijah kept the swing going at full height for a while before finally letting it fade.
When the swing stopped, Viggo headed over and stood right over his model. "What shall we do next?"
Elijah looked around thoughtfully before proclaiming,, "I think I would like to" -he jumped up and headed for the merry-go-round- "make the world disappear!!"
"Disappear?" Viggo raced after him, pacing him without passing.
"When you're on a merry-go-round the rest of the world isn't real, didn't you know that?"
"So, you want me to disappear?" Viggo asked him softly. He gave him his most appealing look, though he knew it could never match Jordan's.
"I never said that!!" Elijah's voice was scolding, "and no, I don't, so get on with me!" Elijah jumped onto the merry-go-round, grinning at Viggo.
"I'll give us a whirl," Viggo said and grabbed one of the handles.
Elijah gripped a rail as he sat down and then rolled over to lie on his back. "Ready when you are, Viggo."
"Charge!" Viggo began to run as fast as he could without falling. He eventually leaped on the whirling platform and clung for dear life.
Elijah let the force of gravity slide him against Viggo, giggling at the feeling. "Always feel like it's trying to throw me off, back into the world, and I just cling harder."
The merry-go-round slowed down with each rotation. Eventually, Viggo let go with one hand and held Jordan with the free arm. "I'll help hold you on."
"I don't think you can. I don't think anyone can help with that, not truly."
"Hey, don't say that," Viggo said, letting go of the handle as the merry-go-round stopped.
"But it's true, Viggo. We all have to hold on to ourselves. We can't hold on to others, at least, not for long. We're all alone in the end."
"That's not true. My son, my parents, my siblings, my friends, even my ex-wife, when they need someone to hold on to, I'm happy to be that person. And when I need that extra bit of help, I know they're available, too. What good are we on this earth together, if we live always as strangers?"
Instead of comforting him, the words made Elijah sadder. "Maybe it's just me then."
"Maybe you just haven't found the right person to cling to yet. Or maybe you have and don't even know it."
Elijah looked at Viggo, his eyes full of emotions he dare not name, before he got up suddenly and gripping the merry-go-round, started running as if the hounds of hell where behind him.
Unprepared for the sudden motion, Viggo went sliding all the way across the merry-go-round, before he caught himself. "Monkey! Warn a person before you try to fling him to his death!"
"Sorry." Elijah panted the word as he kept running,
"Get up here before you fall down!" Viggo yelled, holding on for dear life and hoping Jordan did not fly away.
Elijah did not stop running until his side ached and then threw himself down beside Viggo. He clung to one of the supports and laughed insanely at the blurred world, calling out, "Either you're not real or I'm not!"
Ice water flooded Viggo's veins at the almost inhuman yell. He risked letting go of the handle long enough to snag hold of his model's arm, just to prove his reality.
Elijah turned toward Viggo, looking at him as if he had forgotten the other man was there. "Oh... hi? Sorry... I can get a little carried away."
"You do this often?" Viggo asked, keeping his eyes on Jordan's face so as not to be further dizzied by the slowly refocusing world.
"Yell at the world?" Elijah asked softly, kind of hoping that was the question. "Sometimes."
"I guess we all do that sometimes..." Viggo sighed as the merry-go-round stopped and then looked sheepish. "I didn't take any pictures."
"That's ok... I don't think you want a picture of me yelling stupid things." He blushed a little and tilted his head to look up at Viggo appealingly.
Viggo raised his brows in question. "Yes?"
"Can I take a picture of you?"
Viggo held out the camera and grinned. "I guess that's only fair. How shall I be posed?"
"I don't want you to pose. Just... be Viggo." He took the camera and carefully put the strap around his neck.
"I doubt that anything could prevent my being Viggo." Without warning, he hopped up and ran for the bars. He grabbed the taller of the two and swung himself up to sit on top. For a split second, he remained still and then teetered over backwards to hang upside-down.
Elijah laughed softly. "You are rather athletic. Are you like this in all things?" He took a few shots of the upside-down Viggo.
"All things?" Viggo grinned back and then swung up to sit on the bar. "I've always enjoyed being outdoors and wandering around. I've never been much good at team sports, but I like watching soccer." He jumped down and strolled toward Jordan with a sly smile.
For some reason, that smile made him a little nervous, and he started backing away, matching Viggo step for step. "Soccer?"
"It was the sport everyone played and loved in Argentina," Viggo said, still advancing toward Jordan.
Elijah started backing away faster. "I've heard of it... not a lot of Americans are into it... that I know anyway."
"I'm not strictly an American, remember?" The smile widened, showing off two rows of neat, white teeth. He did not speed up, but widened his stride to close the gap between them.
"What are you doing?" Elijah knew he was running out of space.
"Am I doing something?" Viggo asked, raising his left eyebrow and still approaching.
Elijah's breath huffed out of his lungs as he backed into the side of the slide. Trapped, huge, blue eyes stared up at Viggo. "Yes," he whispered.
"Might want to set down the camera and flee," Viggo said, his smile now splitting his face.
Elijah was distinctively torn-- he wanted to say he did not flee from anything, but the smile made him more and more nervous. He rocked on his feet as the impulses for fight or flight warred for dominance.
The right eyebrow rose, as Viggo took yet another step closer. "Better make up your mind, Monkey."
Elijah looked up at Viggo, his eyes huge, and blurted out, "I don't flee!"
"Oh really," Viggo asked, his hands now reaching out. "Do you find that usually works for you?"
"I-" And now that he wanted to flee Viggo was too close. "Um... What- what are you doing!?" He watched Viggo's hands intently, a hint of fear spicing the air between them.
"Tickling!" Viggo exclaimed and attacked the vulnerable ribs and sides.
Elijah froze for several moments in shock, before he squealed and started squirming. The giggling took a moment and all out laughter soon followed. Elijah took a step closer to Viggo so he could reach Viggo's sides.
Viggo laughed too, though he kept tickling away. Through the laughter, he said, "You'll never win, Amazing Monkey. Surrender now!"
He giggled and squirmed, even as he searched for Viggo's most ticklish spots. "I shall overcome!"
"Never! I shall triumph over you, Amazing Monkey!" Viggo laughed even louder as Jordan found a spot just below his ribs that tickled.
Elijah's eyes brightened, and he tickled that spot more and more, hoping to break Viggo's concentration on tickling back.
Noting the brightening on Jordan's face, Viggo decided he might be in danger of losing after all. So, he grabbed his model and pulled him into a hug to prevent any more tickling. "Ha! Got ya!"
"Hey!" Elijah giggled into Viggo's shoulder. "That's against the rules! I'm sure it is! Where's the rule book?" He started patting Viggo down, searching for the "rule book."
"Rulebook? We don't need no stinkin' rule book," Viggo said in his best movie impersonation voice.
Elijah snickered and shook his head- "Cheater" -but he did not move from the embrace.
His arms tightened again around Jordan and then let go. He picked up his camera and began to climb to the top of the wooden structure. "Come on, let's go down the curlicue slide."
"If you want." Elijah ginned at him and followed Viggo upward, resisting the desire to do a Leo at the top.
"Me first, and you right after!" Viggo sat down backward on the slide and pushed himself down, snapping a picture of Jordan as he started his descent.
Elijah laughed as he followed Viggo down the slide, sure that they were going to end up in a tangle at the bottom. A part of him rather liked the idea of getting into a tangle with Viggo.
Viggo managed a few more pictures before he flew off the end of the slide and ended up in a heap on the rubber mat beneath. He set aside the camera just as Jordan came sailing into him. "Ooof!"
It was not a tangle as much as a sandwich with their clothes as the only fillers. Elijah's hands fell onto Viggo's shoulder's. He pressed his upper body back some, staring down into Viggo's eyes for a lifetime, until his eyes where drawn to Viggo's lips.
Viggo noted the distraction and suddenly razzed Jordan. "Get off me, you Monkey! You're not as light as you look!"
Elijah expression turned into a deliberate glower, and he rolled away. "I am not fat! Take that back! I'm no where near as heavy as you are!"
"Well, I would hope not. I have several feet advantage on you upward." Viggo grinned and readied himself for the attack he thought must follow.
Elijah snorted and replied, "You're just bragging about your height in feet because you can't compare to my length in inches." He scrambled away, climbing up the slide again.
Viggo howled in laughter and leaped lightly to his feet. He grabbed his camera and chased after his model, eager to finish off the roll.
Elijah's giggles never quite ended as he led Viggo on a merry chase all over the park, circling around, climbing over all the play equipment and generally having a wonderful time.
"Whew." Viggo eventually collapsed into a swing and set his warm-from-use camera down. "You really are a Monkey after all. All this running around... not to mention climbing, jumping and sliding... I happily proclaim you Amazing Monkey!"
Elijah sighed and flopped into the other swing, his legs setting him to swaying back and forward a little. "Thank you. I'm so proud."
"Well, you should be. Its not every man I would grace with such an honored title." Viggo let himself swing idly, not really up to putting any energy into the movement.
Elijah shook his head. "Most wouldn't find it an honor, so it works perfectly." He leaned against the chain and looked at Viggo. "I'm exhausted now."
"I may actually have to sleep tonight before developing the pictures." Viggo smiled lazily and happily at Jordan. "We really are a ridiculous duo."
"We're having fun, so what does it matter?" He yawned at Viggo hugely, his hand coming up a little late to cover his mouth.
Viggo echoed Jordan's yawn before answering, "I don't care. Never did. Want to go get something to eat before I take you home?"
"Food? Food would be good." He stood up, yawning, stretching and wondering how much he had made that afternoon and if he had enough to take the evening off.
Viggo eyed his belly with mischievous intent and a bit of desire as well. He hazarded a little poke right above the navel.
Elijah meeped and danced backward, looking at Viggo in surprise. "No more tickling, please?"
"Awww, ever?" Viggo looked up at him with a hangdog expression.
Elijah looked at the expression and felt himself smiling. "Not ever, just not now. I'm a little sore. I almost got a cramp from laughing before."
"Still, that's the best way to feel sore, isn't it?" Viggo asked. He rose to his feet and slung his camera over one shoulder. His hand reached out of its own accord for his model's.
Elijah took Viggo's hand and smiled up at him. "So, what are we having to eat?" Elijah swung their hands as they walked, smiling happily.
"Any requests? There is a lovely little Mexican restaurant a few blocks away that we could walk to. Or there are some cafes and sandwich shops." Viggo exaggerated the swing of their arms.
"Ohhh... fiesta platte, please." He looked up at Viggo appealingly. "I haven't had Mexican for ages!"
"My pleasure." He steered them down a street planted with large elms. "Look at these trees-- they've been here longer than this neighborhood and will be here long after we're gone, too."
"That's a rather depressing thought. I'd rather think that in their long life, they chose to grow somewhere that we could see them and admire their beauty for our days."
"I don't see why my thought has to be depressing, but I like both our thoughts." Viggo turned down a quiet residential street with large mansions. "Another set of houses that are rather too large for my taste."
"They are big, aren't they?" Elijah looked at several of them before giving his opinion, "I think I like some of them... the older ones. They have interesting quirks and corners, but they are too big for one person. You would echo."
They rounded yet another corner, and a small row of shops appeared in front of them.
"Aha. Lafayette, we have arrived!" Viggo announced in a cute French accent.
"Well I always wanted to arrive in high society, and Lafayette sounds like as good a start as anywhere else."
Laughing, Viggo gave Jordan a quick arm hug. "That's an old saying, silly. It means-- here we are. And this neighborhood is called Godfrey's End, though I have no idea why." He led Jordan to a small restaurant with lovely odors wafting through the open door. "Welcome to Rosita's Cocina."
Elijah took a deep breath. "Oh Mama! I'll die happy!" He walked into the restaurant. "I'm home!"
Viggo snickered and followed him in, waving to a pretty waitress. She, in turn beamed at him and gave Jordan an appreciative once over. "Here, we can sit anywhere. Choose a table."
Elijah grinned and took another deep breath, almost swooning as he chose a quiet table in a corner.
The waitress sashayed over and grinned at them both. "Hello, Viggo. Who's your friend?" She winked at Jordan and continued, "The usual for you, Viggo? Rosita is already mixing up the mole sauce."
Viggo laughed and nodded. "This is... Jordan. And how could I come here and not have the special cheese enchiladas with sweet mole sauce? I also want an extra large helping of nachos with freshly melted cheese."
Elijah cocked his head to the side, considering what Viggo had ordered. "Um... what he ordered, except, could I have lots and lots of tacos instead of the nachos?"
"Lots and lots," Viggo said with a little nod. "He's a very hungry boy."
She laughed and nodded. "Cokes to drink, per usual, or do you have another preference, Jordan?"
"Coke would be wonderful, but could I also have some water?" He gave her the blue eye treatment, smiling sweetly up at her. "Please?"
She lifted a saucy eyebrow at him. "I like this one, Viggo. Maybe you keep him, eh?" She headed off with their order.
Viggo snickered and winked at Jordan. "Don't mind Esmeralda, Monkey," he whispered so nobody could hear, "she said the same thing about my mother." He rolled his eyes.
Elijah looked at him in disbelief. "She told you to keep your mother?" Elijah giggled and shook his head. "I think I like her, too." When she came back with their drinks, he gave her his very best smile.
She smiled back and wiggled her hips a little at him. "Viggo, you really do need to visit us more often. You always bring the nicest people... outside of yourself." She set down their drinks, some chips and two kinds of dip.
"Gee, thanks," Viggo said with a little frown at her.
Esmeralda just snickered and sashayed back across the restaurant.
"The insults I must endure," Viggo mumbled. He moodily munched on a chip.
"You could tell her that being nice is overrated and you can think of much more interesting things to be. Tell her to let you know when she's ready to come play on the not-so-nice side of the street."
Viggo made a face at him and shook his head. "What did you just say?"
Elijah giggled before repeating, "Tell her that being nice is overrated and that you can think of much more interesting things to be." He smiled and took some chips and dip, eating hungrily.
"You think I should initiate a naughty relationship with her?" Viggo asked, dragging the chips away from Jordan before he ate them all. "Hey, leave a few for me, you greedy little primate."
"A naughty relationship? Viggo, my friend, how old are you?" He started laughing, shaking his head.
Viggo not-so-subtly kicked him under the table, though not hard enough to hurt.
Elijah looked at Viggo sadly. "Abuse! Assault and abuse!"
"Brat." Viggo slid the chips back into his model's reach and sipped his Coke. "I think I've eaten at every restaurant in this town, but I only love a few."
"I don't eat at restaurants much, but the places you've taken me or gotten food from-- wonderful!" He made the universal gesture for okay.
A plate of nachos and about six different tacos appeared in front of them. Esmeralda just winked at Viggo this time and gave Jordan a sideways look, before scooting off again.
"Actually, I think she prefers you to me," Viggo said sadly. He lifted a nacho, licked off a stray bit of cheese and then ate the whole chip with obvious enjoyment.
Elijah just laughed and started eating his tacos, happily licking his fingers as they got smeared and greasy. "This is wonderful!!"
"Well, Rosita will have no complaints about how much you like her food," Viggo said. He held out a nacho to Jordan. "Eat."
Elijah leaned forward and sucked the corn chip from Viggo's fingers as provocatively as he could. He looked up at Viggo through his lashes and smiled as he chewed the tasty mouthful. "Lovely."
Viggo then sucked on the same fingers himself. He picked up another chip, but held it near his mouth without biting. Finally, he set it back down. "Do you have a couple of days free in the next week or so?"
Elijah blinked. "Err... probably... I don't have a lot of set appointments."
"How about coming up and spending a few days with me in my cabin in the woods?"
He nibbled his lip before nodding. "I- I have a regular on Wednesday, but apart from that, I'm free."
"What time does your appointment end on Wednesday?" Viggo asked and then paused as two large platters of enchiladas were placed in front of them. "Thank you, Esmeralda."
She giggled a little and refilled their drinks, before skipping off again.
Viggo turned his eyes back to Jordan. "Anyway, Wednesday..."
Elijah's eyes widened slightly as he thought about it. He normally finished by five, but he needed time to change. "Um... I should be done by six. Do you want me to meet you somewhere?"
"I have a sitting all day, but I should be done in time to pick you up. Can you pack some things for a few days and take them with you?"
Elijah frowned slightly, mentally going though his clothes trying to work out what would be best. "What will the weather be like?"
"Chilly, especially during the night. I recommend the heaviest jacket you have, some boots and warm PJs."
Elijah looked thoughtful. "I think I can manage it. So where do you want to meet?"
"I'll pick you up at six. Where will you be?" Viggo cut himself a neat little piece of enchilada and ate it happily.
"Um... I'll- I'll be at the- the Ritz?"
"Is that a question or an answer?" Viggo asked with an amused smile. He took another huge bite of enchilada and chewed slowly, savoring the mole sauce on his taste buds. "This is the nearest thing to a perfect food."
"I'll be out the front." He blushed a little, before taking a bite of enchilada. "Yes, its wonderful. Just don't ask what's in it right?"
"Chocolate," Viggo answered, smiling sweetly at Jordan. "So, Wednesday in front of the Ritz at six. I can do that."
"I was joking,but some of the shabbier places... you really don't want to ask about. This is way too upscale to worry about things like that." He giggled suddenly and started singing, "Food beyond compare! Food beyond belief. Mix it in a mincer and pretend it's beef. Kidney of a horse, liver of a cat. Filling up the sausages with this and that."
Esmeralda came over in the middle of the song and frowned at Jordan. "Just what is your friend implying?" she asked Viggo.
Viggo smiled at her sweetly and rolled his eyes toward Jordan. "He's just not used to being out in public."
Elijah turned to her with an almost stricken expression, "Oh no!! I wasn't implying anything about your food!! It's wonderful! I- I was saying how some of the places I have been to are like that. I'm so sorry!"
Esmeralda hmphed slightly and refilled both glasses, before flouncing off toward the kitchen.
Viggo smiled reassuringly at Jordan. "Don't worry about it, Monkey, she's just very proud of her grandmother's cooking."
Elijah looked at Viggo sadly. "Whoops? I'm sorry." He sighed, before taking a huge bite off his plate. "Wid ood re'son."
"Indeed. Rosita is a fine lady, and I wouldn't be surprised if she comes out here herself to see who doesn't like her food," Viggo said, flashing his teeth at Jordan teasingly. "You might want to be on your guard."
"I will apologize profusely and show her my empty plate as proof of her wonderful cooking!" Elijah grinned at Viggo as he ate the last bites of his taco and started polishing off the rest.
As if on cue, a well-built matronly woman of about sixty strode over to their table. She fixed a glare on Jordan for a moment, before turning to Viggo and speaking at him in rapid and slightly agitated Spanish.
He smiled at her gently and reassured her in equally fluent Spanish, his tone sweet as honey.
The longer he spoke, the less agitated and more motherly she appeared. Eventually, she turned to Jordan and pinched his right cheek gently. With that, she whisked away their empty plates and headed back to the kitchen.
"Don't be surprised if you end up with a rather large plate filled of dessert to end the meal," Viggo said with a very devilish and satisfied smile.
"Did you apologize to her for me?" Elijah's ears perked up, and he smiled hopefully. "Dessert?"
"I did indeed and pointed out that you had eaten all your food. I may also have done a little sweet talking on your behalf." He wiggled his eyebrows at Jordan a few times. "And yes, dessert. Ever had any Mexican desserts?"
"Um... no... Not really." He looked suddenly just a little worried. "What should I expect?"
"Do you like crispy desserts? Cause I have to say, Rosita's baked crickets covered in home made chocolate are very good. They crunch and crunch and crunch and crunch."
"Crunch? I don't mind crispy... just as long as it's sweet, but um... they have stopped moving haven't they?" He looked a little queasy at the idea of a moving dessert.
Amusement spread across Viggo's face, and he shook his head a few times. "I'm joking, Monkey. We'll be having flan, biscochitos, bunuelos, churros and maybe some sopaipillas."
"And those would be?" Elijah asked softly, grinning at Viggo.
"You'll find out, Monkey," Viggo said and indicated Rosita heading toward them with a platter full of treats. They included cookies, specially wrapped tortillas with vanilla ice cream inside, custard topped with caramel and deep-fried bread sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. "Gracias, Rosita."
She smiled at them and pinched Viggo's cheek this time. After a last pat on his head and a quick wink to Jordan, she wandered back to the kitchen.
"Thank-" Elijah hesitated before changing it to, "Gracias!" He gave her one of his best smiles, "This looks wonderful!"
Viggo picked up a churro and munched on it happily, licking the loose sugar off with his long tongue. "Oh... these are the best. Try one, Monkey. I'm sure you'll love it."
Elijah followed Viggo's lead and took one. He carefully took a small bite, chewing until he was sure he liked the flavor. "Mmmmm... This is good!" He grabbed another even as he crammed the rest of the first one into his mouth in several large bites.
"Take it easy, Monkey. You're going to make yourself sick." He continued to chew slowly, savoring the flavor of his churro. When he finally finished, he picked up one of the small bowls of flan and carefully cut himself a small piece.
Elijah just smiled and started eating the second one, much slower than before, but clearly enjoying it just as much. "This was an excellent idea, Vig. I'm glad you thought of this place."
"I'm full of good ideas," Viggo said, puffing out his chest proudly. He pointed to the other flan. "For instance, I think it would be a good idea for you to eat that before I steal it from you."
"Shall I add food thief to your profession?" He picked up the flan and tried it curiously.
"Well, I have rather been known for having nimble fingers." Viggo managed to look both proud and mischievous at the same time, his eyes gleaming in amusement. "I can't decide which of these dishes I love best. Just when I think I know, another one steals my fickle heart and stomach away."
"Why do you have one that you love best? It's not like you're dating one of them. You can love them all. That's why they're desserts, not boys."
Viggo polished off his flan, arching one eyebrow at Jordan as he did. "How do you know my heart is not fickle when it comes to lovers as well?"
Elijah looked over at Viggo, studying him for a long, long time before saying clearly, "I know."
If possible, Viggo brightened further and rewarded Jordan by dishing him out a large portion of sopaipillas. He also snagged some cookies for himself and munched contentedly. "You're right, of course. I've never been good at playing around."
"I'm glad to hear that." He did not know why, but the thought pleased him a great deal.
"Ahh, I'm stuffed. No way I can eat another bite." He slumped back in his booth and sighed deeply. "Now, I need a siesta. Maybe we could take a nap in the park before I drive you home."
"Unless you plan on carrying me back to the park, we're not going anywhere for a little while... cause I don't think I'm gonna be able to walk with all this extra weight." Elijah groaned for dramatic effect.
"I'm not sure we should just curl up in Rosita's booth and go to sleep. Can you manage to walk a little way up the street? There's a bookseller I know just a few stores up. He has the most comfortable couches for reading books on."
"If you'd rather I fall asleep there,that works for me." Elijah looked under the table. "Legs? Can you do it?"
Viggo peeked under the table with him. "Well, what do they say?"
"They aren't at all sure about that, but are willing to try a trip to the bathroom first and see how we go from there. Where is the bathroom?"
"In the back corner on the left side. I will pay the check and gather my stuff so we can go. Also, I need to say a special thanks to Rosita." He rose from the booth and offered Jordan a hand.
Elijah accepted it to help him to his feet and staggered his way to the bathroom, after asking Viggo to convey his own thanks and appreciation.
Viggo laughed softly as he watched Jordan stagger away. Leaning into the kitchen, he spoke to Rosita in warm, familiar tones. She tried to wave away the check, but he made sure to pay her with some extra for the lovely food. Noticing Jordan emerge from the bathroom, he pressed a kiss to Rosita's cheek, a saucy kiss on Esmeralda's mouth and then went to join his model.
Elijah shook his head, "You are a flirt." He smiled at the two ladies and took their hands, pressing a kiss to each before giving them both his best smile. "Thank you for a wonderful meal!"
"A flirt?" Viggo looked askance at Jordan, one eyebrow lifted. "They're just good friends of mine. I have a lot of good friends. In fact, I even made friends with a monkey. Now what do you think about that?"
"A monkey?" Elijah looked left and then right, "Really? Where? Can you introduce me? I've always liked wild animals... must be why I like you."
Viggo threw a companionable arm over Jordan's shoulders. "Right here, silly. And what kind of wild animal am I?"
Elijah snuggled into Viggo happily as he thought about it, "That's a good question. A seal-- playful and happy, but get you into your own environment, beautiful and graceful... and very intelligent."
"Well, that's a new one on me," Viggo said with a little grin. "Still... thank you, Monkey." He squeezed Jordan to him and then released.
Elijah bit his lip as Viggo let go, feeling suddenly cold and empty. "Your welcome." He shrugged a little and wrapped his arms around himself.
Viggo led them inside the bookstore and greeted the owner with a cordial wave. "Check out anything you want, Monkey, or just flop on a sofa, if you prefer."
Spotting the newest book in a series he could not afford to buy, but tried to keep up with when he could, Elijah picked it up and found a seat. In a moment, he was lost in a world of wizards, magic and danger.
Viggo noticed how quickly Jordan lost himself in his book and went to speak to the owner. He gestured to Jordan and grinned, before walking out of sight with the man into the poetry section. After about a half hour, he wandered back and flopped right next to Jordan.
Without thinking about it, Elijah snuggled into Viggo's side with a happy sigh and purred as he continued to read.
The owner shook his head at Viggo in amusement, even as his friend tossed an arm over the shoulders of the smaller man and opened his own book to read.
Although Elijah wanted, more than just about anything, to continue reading, his contented comfort was too much for him to fight. Eventually, he fell asleep against Viggo's shoulder, book resting on his face.
Chuckling, Viggo removed the book from Jordan's face. He held it out to the owner, nodding with a little smile and also indicated his desire to buy the poetry book in his hand.
The owner nodded and rang them up. "I'm going to step out for a few. Watch after the place for me?"
"Sure." Viggo waved him away and then draped his arm back around Jordan. He began to read his book again, muttering the lines aloud now and then.
Deep in sleep by now, Elijah snuggled into Viggo more, pressing his face into Viggo's neck with a soft snuffly snore. He did not hear Viggo on any conscious level, but the occasional sound of his voice drove away his bad dreams and let him rest peacefully.
By the time the owner returned,. Viggo had managed to successfully complete four book sales without disturbing Jordan. He waved the money triumphantly at his friend and then gently nudged Jordan. "Wake up, sleepyhead."
Elijah made a snorting sound before pressing his face even deeper into Viggo's neck, muttering, "Five more minutes, Gran?"
Shooting a quick glare at the bookstore owner when he snorted a laugh, Viggo shook Jordan again. "Hey there, little Monkey, I'm not your grandmother, and if you don't get up, I'll tickle you."
"No tickle," Elijah grumbled. His eyes fluttered open, and he pouted a Viggo. It took him a moment to realize just how close they were and he sat up, looking a little flustered. "Er- sorry."
"Don't worry about it. You obviously needed the rest." Viggo scooted back a little, took out his camera and snapped a quick shot of the sleepy and disheveled Jordan. "Lovely."
Elijah just shook his head and looked over at the shop owner. "I'm sorry for falling asleep in your shop. I hope I didn't frighten any customers away."
"On the contrary," the other man said drolly, "you and especially dear Viggo seem to have attracted more customers than I can with my poor books alone."
Viggo beamed at him and then at Jordan, before neatly climbing to his feet. "Well, it's nice to have been of some use."
Elijah's lips quirked upward. "I'm good at attracting business."
Viggo handed him the bag and then hugged his friend goodbye. "I'll drop by again soon." He took Jordan by the hand and led him out the door.
Elijah looked at the bag in confusion, following Viggo as they walked down the street. "What's in the bag, mad man?"
"Your book, of course. And I think something similar that George thought you might enjoy." Viggo walked easily, enjoying the early evening air.
"You bought the book for me?" Elijah stopped walking in surprise, and repeated the question almost shyly, "You really bought me a book?"
"You seemed so deep into the story and well, it's never the wrong thing to encourage people to read." Viggo inclined his head at Jordan and smiled slightly uncertainly. "Right?"
"I agree. Thank you very, very, very much!" He went to his toes to kiss Viggo's cheek.
The skin under Jordan's lips flamed as Viggo blushed every so slightly. "Well... the reward was worth the small expense."
Elijah just grinned at him as they started walking again, swinging their joined hands. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Viggo said as they turned the corner. "Anytime."
There was an extra bounce to Elijah's stride as they walked down the street, and a happy smile reached his eyes. In that moment, Elijah felt truly content.
Well, we finally finished the added scene that we decided to write. It only took about five hundred years longer than we planned. Sorry for the delay! However, the rest of the fic is written, and I shall be betaing frantically now. I promise to have the end up in time for Christmas!
For now, we hope you enjoy this next installment of Will You Remember!
Saklani
Title: Will You Remember
Author: Saklani (saklani@wildmail.com) and Wushu
Codes: Viggo/Elijah
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Wymsie *covers her with kisses*
Disclaimer:We do not own these men, or anything else mentioned here. We are not looking to make money from this... God forbid. And We are NOT them nor is what we put down here real.
Summary: An artist and photographer strikes up an unlikely partnership with a prostitute.
Author's Notes: A new series from Wushu and myself with a lovely beta by the dear Wymsie. This storyis finished, I am just not sure how many parts its going to end up being! This story was inspired by a line in one of Curthose's lovely Viggo/Elijah fictions. I would tell you which line, but that would give away a lot of plot, so I'm holding out on everyone. This is definitely an AU with large liberties taken with both men. Please forgive us our trespasses. I hope you enjoy!
Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweetheart,
Though our paths may sever,
To life's last faint ember,
Will you remember?
Viggo arrived punctually in front of the Starbucks on Thursday. He climbed out of his truck and smiled as he spotted Jordan in front of the coffee shop. Out of his working clothes, his model looked like any other young person, except more beautiful. "Hi, Monkey," he greeted him with a warm smile.
"I'm pretty sure I said if you used that name in public, it would be death to your kneecaps." Elijah managed to sound threatening.
Viggo looked at the people talking quietly at the other tables or sipping coffee and reading. "I really don't think anyone is listening," he said gently.
Elijah stuck his tongue out at Viggo and finished his drink. He already had another one on the table beside him, but he asked, "Do you want to get something before we go?"
Viggo imitated the gesture, letting the full length of his tongue stick out. "Nah, I'm not much for coffee, though I have a terrible weakness for hot chocolate and hot white chocolate."
Elijah waved his mug under Viggo's nose and the smell of chocolate wafted up to him. "Never had hot white chocolate... what's it like?"
"Sinful, like you," Viggo teased. He took the mug out of Jordan's hand and sipped happily.
Elijah shook his head before getting up and ordering another hot chocolate before coming back. "Sinful? I think I should hire you to do my advertising... you seem to think highly of me." He took a swallow of the rich sweet liquid. "So are we going?"
"What, you can't drink out of the one I've sipped from? I may have a high opinion of you, but you seem to have a low opinion of me." Viggo imitated his model's pouty expression.
"I thought you'd want it! I was giving it to you, long tongue."
"Come on, Monkey," he said with a little laugh and led Jordan toward his car. "We have a bit of a drive ahead of us.
Elijah shouldered his back pack and followed Viggo. His manner of walking lacked the deliberate strut and invitation of his working mode.
Viggo resisted the urge to tell Jordan how good he looked in regular clothes as he opened the door for him. "Want to know where you're going?"
"Love to know." Elijah slipped into the truck, giving Viggo a bright smile of thanks.
Viggo turned over the engine and pulled out. "It's a lovely little playground in the upper west side of town. I want some pictures of you acting like a kid. A bit of contrast for the other pictures."
"You want me to play?" Elijah's voice was full of amused incredulousness. "I haven't play- been in a playground since I can't remember when."
"And that's a good reason to do so now. Actually, I might have trouble sticking to business. I love swings." His smile turned goofy as he thought about reaching for the clouds from the top of a swing.
Elijah looked at Viggo thoughtfully before saying, "I liked merry-go-rounds."
"Those are also fun," Viggo agreed. "You see the world in a different way after a few rounds. I painted a picture that way once. Went round and round as fast as I could, painted a little and repeated. It took me a few weeks, and I lost several pounds."
Elijah gave Viggo a long look, before he let himself comment, "I don't think you have pounds to lose." He giggled, before adding, "I used to go round and around until I was sick and couldn't eat dinner."
Viggo glanced down at himself and looked pleased. "Thank you for saying so." They entered into an obviously high rent part of town, where house stood on large lots, set back behind tall fences. "Look at these homes... who can possibly afford to live here?"
"Actors? Politicians? Crooks? I don't know. No one I know."
"No one I know either," Viggo said with a rueful shake of his head. "Do you think it would be nice to live here, in one of these ivory towers?"
"I think it would have its ups and downs just like any other kind of living." Elijah looked thoughtfully at the passing houses. "Knowing you didn't have to worry about money, that would be nice I think. I bet it complicates the world, too."
"Nothing comes without a cost." He parked the car beside the playground. "Here we are. I'll be taking pictures with a smaller, portable camera this time, so feel free to do whatever strikes your fancy." He paused and considered his model with a wry grin. "Though we should try to be proper."
"Proper? Sorry, wrong monkey here!" Shooting Viggo a grin, Elijah bounced out of the car and made his way to the middle of the park. "They have a merry-go-round!"
Viggo laughed and scrambled out in time to catch a shot of Elijah mid-bounce. "Hey, give a poor person a chance to get his camera ready!"
"Why?" Elijah smirked at Viggo before heading over to, not the merry-go-around, but the slide. He climbed the top, the highest point of the equipment, and looked around with a smile.
Viggo stopped at the bottom and snapped a picture of his model looking around at everything. "It's being polite! I thought you said you were polite!" He put the camera strap over his neck and climbed up the slide.
"I've had too much sugar to remember my manners." Elijah slid down the slide, giggling the whole way.
Viggo snapped a couple pictures and then swung himself neatly on the slide, flying right into Jordan. "Gotcha!"
"Oof! You're heavy!!" Elijah jumped up and scrambled up the ladder again, taking the slide downward with a grin.
The camera snapped a few times, before Viggo nearly got knocked over by his model. "Attack Monkey!"
"Turn about is fair play." He bounced up and headed for the swings. "Think I can touch the clouds?"
"I bet you can. Want some help getting there?" Viggo skipped after Jordan and snagged him playfully around the waist, swinging him around.
Elijah giggled and let himself be swung around. When Viggo set him down, he said seriously, "I'll take all the help I can get reaching for heaven. Its the only way I'll get in, you know."
A furrow marred Viggo's brow, and he shook his head. "I don't believe that, but I'll give you a hand anyway." He tucked the camera securely over a shoulder and prepared to push Jordan on the swings.
Elijah gave Viggo a slight smirk over his shoulder. "You're welcome to give me a hand anytime, Viggo."
Viggo responded to that by snagging the bottom of the swing and pulling all the way back. He then ran all the way forward and under Jordan, releasing him at the top of his arc.
Elijah started moving his legs and body to keep climbing, swinging more and more and laughing as he got higher. "This is great!"
Viggo snapped a picture of Jordan laughing with the clouds and blue sky above him. Setting the camera aside again, he swung Jordan even higher. "The flying Monkey!"
"The AMAZING flying Monkey!" Elijah laughed, swinging himself as high a he could.
"Sorry, yes, the AMAZING flying Monkey!" His camera whirred in quick rhythm as he got shot after shot of the delighted man. "Look at you go! Can you feel the clouds!?"
"Almost." Elijah let go of one of the support chains and reached out when his swing was at its highest point. "Almost!"
The picture of Jordan reaching for the clouds would be one of his favorites; Viggo knew that the moment he snapped the shot. "Be careful, Monkey. I wouldn't want you to fall instead."
Elijah went silent for a few moments, letting the swing go down, before he asked softly, "Would you catch me?"
"I'd try, Monkey." Viggo stopped the swing and grinned. "How about I twist the chain up and let you unwind?"
Elijah smiled at Viggo- "I thought I was like the only person who did that" -and nodded his consent.
"Hold on tight, Monkey!" He grabbed the chain and began to run in a circle, winding the chain up tightly. Letting go, he jumped out of the way as Jordan began to twirl. He grabbed his camera and caught a snap of the blur.
Elijah laughed joyfully, the sound of a child, not a hardened street walker. He tucked his body up to move faster and then shot his legs out to slow himself down.
"Very clever," Viggo said, laughing and shaking his head. He did not shake for long, unwilling to lose a single shot. When the spinning stopped, he ran forward to check on his model. "Enjoy yourself?"
Elijah beamed at Viggo and asked eagerly, "Again? Please? Wind me up!" He curled into a small ball again, grinning at Viggo hopefully.
Unable to help himself, Viggo fluffed Jordan's hair. "Silly Monkey." He ran in circles, twirling Elijah around until the chain wrapped all the way up. "Here we go!"
Elijah giggled and wriggled like an impatient child, wanting to spin round and round again as soon as possible. "Come on! Go, go, GO!"
Releasing the chain and leaping out of the way, Viggo watched Jordan fly in circles. "Go, Monkey, go!" He enjoyed the scene and his model's expression of childlike joy.
Elijah kept his body tucked in tightly this time, spinning madly as the chain unwound. "Wooohoooo!"
Setting his camera out of harm's way, Viggo sat on the free swing. He kicked his legs out and began to work his way up to the height of the chain's reach. "Bet you can't get as high as I am, Monkey!"
"Bet I can!" Elijah never turned down a challenge. A moment later, he started to swing himself, getting higher with each motion of his body.
Viggo laughed and let his long legs swing him even higher. "You're falling behind!"
"I'll catch up I will!!" And he started moving his body with more force, making up for his lack of height that way.
"You'll never catch me, Amazing Monkey! I am invincible!" Viggo reached the top of the arc, the swing bouncing under him as the chains rattled.
"Nope... you're the gingerbread man... and I'ma gobble you all up!" Elijah kept swinging until he evened up with Viggo and laughed. "See!?"
"Gingerbread man?" Viggo asked, his face scrunched up with laughter. He kicked off his boots one by one and then winked at Jordan. "You'll never catch me, Amazing Monkey! BONZAI!" He leaped off the swing at the top of its arc.
Elijah watched him in shock, shaking his head. "You're insane !"
Viggo landed with a thud, but on his feet. "Woohoo! I haven't done that in years!"
Elijah looked down at Viggo and shook his head. "I've never done it and don't think I'm going to start. I'll break my neck; I'm that type."
"Yet, you move so gracefully," Viggo said, watching him with a smile. He went and retrieved his camera and took another picture of Jordan at the top of his wing. He also reluctantly put back on his boots.
Elijah kept the swing going at full height for a while before finally letting it fade.
When the swing stopped, Viggo headed over and stood right over his model. "What shall we do next?"
Elijah looked around thoughtfully before proclaiming,, "I think I would like to" -he jumped up and headed for the merry-go-round- "make the world disappear!!"
"Disappear?" Viggo raced after him, pacing him without passing.
"When you're on a merry-go-round the rest of the world isn't real, didn't you know that?"
"So, you want me to disappear?" Viggo asked him softly. He gave him his most appealing look, though he knew it could never match Jordan's.
"I never said that!!" Elijah's voice was scolding, "and no, I don't, so get on with me!" Elijah jumped onto the merry-go-round, grinning at Viggo.
"I'll give us a whirl," Viggo said and grabbed one of the handles.
Elijah gripped a rail as he sat down and then rolled over to lie on his back. "Ready when you are, Viggo."
"Charge!" Viggo began to run as fast as he could without falling. He eventually leaped on the whirling platform and clung for dear life.
Elijah let the force of gravity slide him against Viggo, giggling at the feeling. "Always feel like it's trying to throw me off, back into the world, and I just cling harder."
The merry-go-round slowed down with each rotation. Eventually, Viggo let go with one hand and held Jordan with the free arm. "I'll help hold you on."
"I don't think you can. I don't think anyone can help with that, not truly."
"Hey, don't say that," Viggo said, letting go of the handle as the merry-go-round stopped.
"But it's true, Viggo. We all have to hold on to ourselves. We can't hold on to others, at least, not for long. We're all alone in the end."
"That's not true. My son, my parents, my siblings, my friends, even my ex-wife, when they need someone to hold on to, I'm happy to be that person. And when I need that extra bit of help, I know they're available, too. What good are we on this earth together, if we live always as strangers?"
Instead of comforting him, the words made Elijah sadder. "Maybe it's just me then."
"Maybe you just haven't found the right person to cling to yet. Or maybe you have and don't even know it."
Elijah looked at Viggo, his eyes full of emotions he dare not name, before he got up suddenly and gripping the merry-go-round, started running as if the hounds of hell where behind him.
Unprepared for the sudden motion, Viggo went sliding all the way across the merry-go-round, before he caught himself. "Monkey! Warn a person before you try to fling him to his death!"
"Sorry." Elijah panted the word as he kept running,
"Get up here before you fall down!" Viggo yelled, holding on for dear life and hoping Jordan did not fly away.
Elijah did not stop running until his side ached and then threw himself down beside Viggo. He clung to one of the supports and laughed insanely at the blurred world, calling out, "Either you're not real or I'm not!"
Ice water flooded Viggo's veins at the almost inhuman yell. He risked letting go of the handle long enough to snag hold of his model's arm, just to prove his reality.
Elijah turned toward Viggo, looking at him as if he had forgotten the other man was there. "Oh... hi? Sorry... I can get a little carried away."
"You do this often?" Viggo asked, keeping his eyes on Jordan's face so as not to be further dizzied by the slowly refocusing world.
"Yell at the world?" Elijah asked softly, kind of hoping that was the question. "Sometimes."
"I guess we all do that sometimes..." Viggo sighed as the merry-go-round stopped and then looked sheepish. "I didn't take any pictures."
"That's ok... I don't think you want a picture of me yelling stupid things." He blushed a little and tilted his head to look up at Viggo appealingly.
Viggo raised his brows in question. "Yes?"
"Can I take a picture of you?"
Viggo held out the camera and grinned. "I guess that's only fair. How shall I be posed?"
"I don't want you to pose. Just... be Viggo." He took the camera and carefully put the strap around his neck.
"I doubt that anything could prevent my being Viggo." Without warning, he hopped up and ran for the bars. He grabbed the taller of the two and swung himself up to sit on top. For a split second, he remained still and then teetered over backwards to hang upside-down.
Elijah laughed softly. "You are rather athletic. Are you like this in all things?" He took a few shots of the upside-down Viggo.
"All things?" Viggo grinned back and then swung up to sit on the bar. "I've always enjoyed being outdoors and wandering around. I've never been much good at team sports, but I like watching soccer." He jumped down and strolled toward Jordan with a sly smile.
For some reason, that smile made him a little nervous, and he started backing away, matching Viggo step for step. "Soccer?"
"It was the sport everyone played and loved in Argentina," Viggo said, still advancing toward Jordan.
Elijah started backing away faster. "I've heard of it... not a lot of Americans are into it... that I know anyway."
"I'm not strictly an American, remember?" The smile widened, showing off two rows of neat, white teeth. He did not speed up, but widened his stride to close the gap between them.
"What are you doing?" Elijah knew he was running out of space.
"Am I doing something?" Viggo asked, raising his left eyebrow and still approaching.
Elijah's breath huffed out of his lungs as he backed into the side of the slide. Trapped, huge, blue eyes stared up at Viggo. "Yes," he whispered.
"Might want to set down the camera and flee," Viggo said, his smile now splitting his face.
Elijah was distinctively torn-- he wanted to say he did not flee from anything, but the smile made him more and more nervous. He rocked on his feet as the impulses for fight or flight warred for dominance.
The right eyebrow rose, as Viggo took yet another step closer. "Better make up your mind, Monkey."
Elijah looked up at Viggo, his eyes huge, and blurted out, "I don't flee!"
"Oh really," Viggo asked, his hands now reaching out. "Do you find that usually works for you?"
"I-" And now that he wanted to flee Viggo was too close. "Um... What- what are you doing!?" He watched Viggo's hands intently, a hint of fear spicing the air between them.
"Tickling!" Viggo exclaimed and attacked the vulnerable ribs and sides.
Elijah froze for several moments in shock, before he squealed and started squirming. The giggling took a moment and all out laughter soon followed. Elijah took a step closer to Viggo so he could reach Viggo's sides.
Viggo laughed too, though he kept tickling away. Through the laughter, he said, "You'll never win, Amazing Monkey. Surrender now!"
He giggled and squirmed, even as he searched for Viggo's most ticklish spots. "I shall overcome!"
"Never! I shall triumph over you, Amazing Monkey!" Viggo laughed even louder as Jordan found a spot just below his ribs that tickled.
Elijah's eyes brightened, and he tickled that spot more and more, hoping to break Viggo's concentration on tickling back.
Noting the brightening on Jordan's face, Viggo decided he might be in danger of losing after all. So, he grabbed his model and pulled him into a hug to prevent any more tickling. "Ha! Got ya!"
"Hey!" Elijah giggled into Viggo's shoulder. "That's against the rules! I'm sure it is! Where's the rule book?" He started patting Viggo down, searching for the "rule book."
"Rulebook? We don't need no stinkin' rule book," Viggo said in his best movie impersonation voice.
Elijah snickered and shook his head- "Cheater" -but he did not move from the embrace.
His arms tightened again around Jordan and then let go. He picked up his camera and began to climb to the top of the wooden structure. "Come on, let's go down the curlicue slide."
"If you want." Elijah ginned at him and followed Viggo upward, resisting the desire to do a Leo at the top.
"Me first, and you right after!" Viggo sat down backward on the slide and pushed himself down, snapping a picture of Jordan as he started his descent.
Elijah laughed as he followed Viggo down the slide, sure that they were going to end up in a tangle at the bottom. A part of him rather liked the idea of getting into a tangle with Viggo.
Viggo managed a few more pictures before he flew off the end of the slide and ended up in a heap on the rubber mat beneath. He set aside the camera just as Jordan came sailing into him. "Ooof!"
It was not a tangle as much as a sandwich with their clothes as the only fillers. Elijah's hands fell onto Viggo's shoulder's. He pressed his upper body back some, staring down into Viggo's eyes for a lifetime, until his eyes where drawn to Viggo's lips.
Viggo noted the distraction and suddenly razzed Jordan. "Get off me, you Monkey! You're not as light as you look!"
Elijah expression turned into a deliberate glower, and he rolled away. "I am not fat! Take that back! I'm no where near as heavy as you are!"
"Well, I would hope not. I have several feet advantage on you upward." Viggo grinned and readied himself for the attack he thought must follow.
Elijah snorted and replied, "You're just bragging about your height in feet because you can't compare to my length in inches." He scrambled away, climbing up the slide again.
Viggo howled in laughter and leaped lightly to his feet. He grabbed his camera and chased after his model, eager to finish off the roll.
Elijah's giggles never quite ended as he led Viggo on a merry chase all over the park, circling around, climbing over all the play equipment and generally having a wonderful time.
"Whew." Viggo eventually collapsed into a swing and set his warm-from-use camera down. "You really are a Monkey after all. All this running around... not to mention climbing, jumping and sliding... I happily proclaim you Amazing Monkey!"
Elijah sighed and flopped into the other swing, his legs setting him to swaying back and forward a little. "Thank you. I'm so proud."
"Well, you should be. Its not every man I would grace with such an honored title." Viggo let himself swing idly, not really up to putting any energy into the movement.
Elijah shook his head. "Most wouldn't find it an honor, so it works perfectly." He leaned against the chain and looked at Viggo. "I'm exhausted now."
"I may actually have to sleep tonight before developing the pictures." Viggo smiled lazily and happily at Jordan. "We really are a ridiculous duo."
"We're having fun, so what does it matter?" He yawned at Viggo hugely, his hand coming up a little late to cover his mouth.
Viggo echoed Jordan's yawn before answering, "I don't care. Never did. Want to go get something to eat before I take you home?"
"Food? Food would be good." He stood up, yawning, stretching and wondering how much he had made that afternoon and if he had enough to take the evening off.
Viggo eyed his belly with mischievous intent and a bit of desire as well. He hazarded a little poke right above the navel.
Elijah meeped and danced backward, looking at Viggo in surprise. "No more tickling, please?"
"Awww, ever?" Viggo looked up at him with a hangdog expression.
Elijah looked at the expression and felt himself smiling. "Not ever, just not now. I'm a little sore. I almost got a cramp from laughing before."
"Still, that's the best way to feel sore, isn't it?" Viggo asked. He rose to his feet and slung his camera over one shoulder. His hand reached out of its own accord for his model's.
Elijah took Viggo's hand and smiled up at him. "So, what are we having to eat?" Elijah swung their hands as they walked, smiling happily.
"Any requests? There is a lovely little Mexican restaurant a few blocks away that we could walk to. Or there are some cafes and sandwich shops." Viggo exaggerated the swing of their arms.
"Ohhh... fiesta platte, please." He looked up at Viggo appealingly. "I haven't had Mexican for ages!"
"My pleasure." He steered them down a street planted with large elms. "Look at these trees-- they've been here longer than this neighborhood and will be here long after we're gone, too."
"That's a rather depressing thought. I'd rather think that in their long life, they chose to grow somewhere that we could see them and admire their beauty for our days."
"I don't see why my thought has to be depressing, but I like both our thoughts." Viggo turned down a quiet residential street with large mansions. "Another set of houses that are rather too large for my taste."
"They are big, aren't they?" Elijah looked at several of them before giving his opinion, "I think I like some of them... the older ones. They have interesting quirks and corners, but they are too big for one person. You would echo."
They rounded yet another corner, and a small row of shops appeared in front of them.
"Aha. Lafayette, we have arrived!" Viggo announced in a cute French accent.
"Well I always wanted to arrive in high society, and Lafayette sounds like as good a start as anywhere else."
Laughing, Viggo gave Jordan a quick arm hug. "That's an old saying, silly. It means-- here we are. And this neighborhood is called Godfrey's End, though I have no idea why." He led Jordan to a small restaurant with lovely odors wafting through the open door. "Welcome to Rosita's Cocina."
Elijah took a deep breath. "Oh Mama! I'll die happy!" He walked into the restaurant. "I'm home!"
Viggo snickered and followed him in, waving to a pretty waitress. She, in turn beamed at him and gave Jordan an appreciative once over. "Here, we can sit anywhere. Choose a table."
Elijah grinned and took another deep breath, almost swooning as he chose a quiet table in a corner.
The waitress sashayed over and grinned at them both. "Hello, Viggo. Who's your friend?" She winked at Jordan and continued, "The usual for you, Viggo? Rosita is already mixing up the mole sauce."
Viggo laughed and nodded. "This is... Jordan. And how could I come here and not have the special cheese enchiladas with sweet mole sauce? I also want an extra large helping of nachos with freshly melted cheese."
Elijah cocked his head to the side, considering what Viggo had ordered. "Um... what he ordered, except, could I have lots and lots of tacos instead of the nachos?"
"Lots and lots," Viggo said with a little nod. "He's a very hungry boy."
She laughed and nodded. "Cokes to drink, per usual, or do you have another preference, Jordan?"
"Coke would be wonderful, but could I also have some water?" He gave her the blue eye treatment, smiling sweetly up at her. "Please?"
She lifted a saucy eyebrow at him. "I like this one, Viggo. Maybe you keep him, eh?" She headed off with their order.
Viggo snickered and winked at Jordan. "Don't mind Esmeralda, Monkey," he whispered so nobody could hear, "she said the same thing about my mother." He rolled his eyes.
Elijah looked at him in disbelief. "She told you to keep your mother?" Elijah giggled and shook his head. "I think I like her, too." When she came back with their drinks, he gave her his very best smile.
She smiled back and wiggled her hips a little at him. "Viggo, you really do need to visit us more often. You always bring the nicest people... outside of yourself." She set down their drinks, some chips and two kinds of dip.
"Gee, thanks," Viggo said with a little frown at her.
Esmeralda just snickered and sashayed back across the restaurant.
"The insults I must endure," Viggo mumbled. He moodily munched on a chip.
"You could tell her that being nice is overrated and you can think of much more interesting things to be. Tell her to let you know when she's ready to come play on the not-so-nice side of the street."
Viggo made a face at him and shook his head. "What did you just say?"
Elijah giggled before repeating, "Tell her that being nice is overrated and that you can think of much more interesting things to be." He smiled and took some chips and dip, eating hungrily.
"You think I should initiate a naughty relationship with her?" Viggo asked, dragging the chips away from Jordan before he ate them all. "Hey, leave a few for me, you greedy little primate."
"A naughty relationship? Viggo, my friend, how old are you?" He started laughing, shaking his head.
Viggo not-so-subtly kicked him under the table, though not hard enough to hurt.
Elijah looked at Viggo sadly. "Abuse! Assault and abuse!"
"Brat." Viggo slid the chips back into his model's reach and sipped his Coke. "I think I've eaten at every restaurant in this town, but I only love a few."
"I don't eat at restaurants much, but the places you've taken me or gotten food from-- wonderful!" He made the universal gesture for okay.
A plate of nachos and about six different tacos appeared in front of them. Esmeralda just winked at Viggo this time and gave Jordan a sideways look, before scooting off again.
"Actually, I think she prefers you to me," Viggo said sadly. He lifted a nacho, licked off a stray bit of cheese and then ate the whole chip with obvious enjoyment.
Elijah just laughed and started eating his tacos, happily licking his fingers as they got smeared and greasy. "This is wonderful!!"
"Well, Rosita will have no complaints about how much you like her food," Viggo said. He held out a nacho to Jordan. "Eat."
Elijah leaned forward and sucked the corn chip from Viggo's fingers as provocatively as he could. He looked up at Viggo through his lashes and smiled as he chewed the tasty mouthful. "Lovely."
Viggo then sucked on the same fingers himself. He picked up another chip, but held it near his mouth without biting. Finally, he set it back down. "Do you have a couple of days free in the next week or so?"
Elijah blinked. "Err... probably... I don't have a lot of set appointments."
"How about coming up and spending a few days with me in my cabin in the woods?"
He nibbled his lip before nodding. "I- I have a regular on Wednesday, but apart from that, I'm free."
"What time does your appointment end on Wednesday?" Viggo asked and then paused as two large platters of enchiladas were placed in front of them. "Thank you, Esmeralda."
She giggled a little and refilled their drinks, before skipping off again.
Viggo turned his eyes back to Jordan. "Anyway, Wednesday..."
Elijah's eyes widened slightly as he thought about it. He normally finished by five, but he needed time to change. "Um... I should be done by six. Do you want me to meet you somewhere?"
"I have a sitting all day, but I should be done in time to pick you up. Can you pack some things for a few days and take them with you?"
Elijah frowned slightly, mentally going though his clothes trying to work out what would be best. "What will the weather be like?"
"Chilly, especially during the night. I recommend the heaviest jacket you have, some boots and warm PJs."
Elijah looked thoughtful. "I think I can manage it. So where do you want to meet?"
"I'll pick you up at six. Where will you be?" Viggo cut himself a neat little piece of enchilada and ate it happily.
"Um... I'll- I'll be at the- the Ritz?"
"Is that a question or an answer?" Viggo asked with an amused smile. He took another huge bite of enchilada and chewed slowly, savoring the mole sauce on his taste buds. "This is the nearest thing to a perfect food."
"I'll be out the front." He blushed a little, before taking a bite of enchilada. "Yes, its wonderful. Just don't ask what's in it right?"
"Chocolate," Viggo answered, smiling sweetly at Jordan. "So, Wednesday in front of the Ritz at six. I can do that."
"I was joking,but some of the shabbier places... you really don't want to ask about. This is way too upscale to worry about things like that." He giggled suddenly and started singing, "Food beyond compare! Food beyond belief. Mix it in a mincer and pretend it's beef. Kidney of a horse, liver of a cat. Filling up the sausages with this and that."
Esmeralda came over in the middle of the song and frowned at Jordan. "Just what is your friend implying?" she asked Viggo.
Viggo smiled at her sweetly and rolled his eyes toward Jordan. "He's just not used to being out in public."
Elijah turned to her with an almost stricken expression, "Oh no!! I wasn't implying anything about your food!! It's wonderful! I- I was saying how some of the places I have been to are like that. I'm so sorry!"
Esmeralda hmphed slightly and refilled both glasses, before flouncing off toward the kitchen.
Viggo smiled reassuringly at Jordan. "Don't worry about it, Monkey, she's just very proud of her grandmother's cooking."
Elijah looked at Viggo sadly. "Whoops? I'm sorry." He sighed, before taking a huge bite off his plate. "Wid ood re'son."
"Indeed. Rosita is a fine lady, and I wouldn't be surprised if she comes out here herself to see who doesn't like her food," Viggo said, flashing his teeth at Jordan teasingly. "You might want to be on your guard."
"I will apologize profusely and show her my empty plate as proof of her wonderful cooking!" Elijah grinned at Viggo as he ate the last bites of his taco and started polishing off the rest.
As if on cue, a well-built matronly woman of about sixty strode over to their table. She fixed a glare on Jordan for a moment, before turning to Viggo and speaking at him in rapid and slightly agitated Spanish.
He smiled at her gently and reassured her in equally fluent Spanish, his tone sweet as honey.
The longer he spoke, the less agitated and more motherly she appeared. Eventually, she turned to Jordan and pinched his right cheek gently. With that, she whisked away their empty plates and headed back to the kitchen.
"Don't be surprised if you end up with a rather large plate filled of dessert to end the meal," Viggo said with a very devilish and satisfied smile.
"Did you apologize to her for me?" Elijah's ears perked up, and he smiled hopefully. "Dessert?"
"I did indeed and pointed out that you had eaten all your food. I may also have done a little sweet talking on your behalf." He wiggled his eyebrows at Jordan a few times. "And yes, dessert. Ever had any Mexican desserts?"
"Um... no... Not really." He looked suddenly just a little worried. "What should I expect?"
"Do you like crispy desserts? Cause I have to say, Rosita's baked crickets covered in home made chocolate are very good. They crunch and crunch and crunch and crunch."
"Crunch? I don't mind crispy... just as long as it's sweet, but um... they have stopped moving haven't they?" He looked a little queasy at the idea of a moving dessert.
Amusement spread across Viggo's face, and he shook his head a few times. "I'm joking, Monkey. We'll be having flan, biscochitos, bunuelos, churros and maybe some sopaipillas."
"And those would be?" Elijah asked softly, grinning at Viggo.
"You'll find out, Monkey," Viggo said and indicated Rosita heading toward them with a platter full of treats. They included cookies, specially wrapped tortillas with vanilla ice cream inside, custard topped with caramel and deep-fried bread sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. "Gracias, Rosita."
She smiled at them and pinched Viggo's cheek this time. After a last pat on his head and a quick wink to Jordan, she wandered back to the kitchen.
"Thank-" Elijah hesitated before changing it to, "Gracias!" He gave her one of his best smiles, "This looks wonderful!"
Viggo picked up a churro and munched on it happily, licking the loose sugar off with his long tongue. "Oh... these are the best. Try one, Monkey. I'm sure you'll love it."
Elijah followed Viggo's lead and took one. He carefully took a small bite, chewing until he was sure he liked the flavor. "Mmmmm... This is good!" He grabbed another even as he crammed the rest of the first one into his mouth in several large bites.
"Take it easy, Monkey. You're going to make yourself sick." He continued to chew slowly, savoring the flavor of his churro. When he finally finished, he picked up one of the small bowls of flan and carefully cut himself a small piece.
Elijah just smiled and started eating the second one, much slower than before, but clearly enjoying it just as much. "This was an excellent idea, Vig. I'm glad you thought of this place."
"I'm full of good ideas," Viggo said, puffing out his chest proudly. He pointed to the other flan. "For instance, I think it would be a good idea for you to eat that before I steal it from you."
"Shall I add food thief to your profession?" He picked up the flan and tried it curiously.
"Well, I have rather been known for having nimble fingers." Viggo managed to look both proud and mischievous at the same time, his eyes gleaming in amusement. "I can't decide which of these dishes I love best. Just when I think I know, another one steals my fickle heart and stomach away."
"Why do you have one that you love best? It's not like you're dating one of them. You can love them all. That's why they're desserts, not boys."
Viggo polished off his flan, arching one eyebrow at Jordan as he did. "How do you know my heart is not fickle when it comes to lovers as well?"
Elijah looked over at Viggo, studying him for a long, long time before saying clearly, "I know."
If possible, Viggo brightened further and rewarded Jordan by dishing him out a large portion of sopaipillas. He also snagged some cookies for himself and munched contentedly. "You're right, of course. I've never been good at playing around."
"I'm glad to hear that." He did not know why, but the thought pleased him a great deal.
"Ahh, I'm stuffed. No way I can eat another bite." He slumped back in his booth and sighed deeply. "Now, I need a siesta. Maybe we could take a nap in the park before I drive you home."
"Unless you plan on carrying me back to the park, we're not going anywhere for a little while... cause I don't think I'm gonna be able to walk with all this extra weight." Elijah groaned for dramatic effect.
"I'm not sure we should just curl up in Rosita's booth and go to sleep. Can you manage to walk a little way up the street? There's a bookseller I know just a few stores up. He has the most comfortable couches for reading books on."
"If you'd rather I fall asleep there,that works for me." Elijah looked under the table. "Legs? Can you do it?"
Viggo peeked under the table with him. "Well, what do they say?"
"They aren't at all sure about that, but are willing to try a trip to the bathroom first and see how we go from there. Where is the bathroom?"
"In the back corner on the left side. I will pay the check and gather my stuff so we can go. Also, I need to say a special thanks to Rosita." He rose from the booth and offered Jordan a hand.
Elijah accepted it to help him to his feet and staggered his way to the bathroom, after asking Viggo to convey his own thanks and appreciation.
Viggo laughed softly as he watched Jordan stagger away. Leaning into the kitchen, he spoke to Rosita in warm, familiar tones. She tried to wave away the check, but he made sure to pay her with some extra for the lovely food. Noticing Jordan emerge from the bathroom, he pressed a kiss to Rosita's cheek, a saucy kiss on Esmeralda's mouth and then went to join his model.
Elijah shook his head, "You are a flirt." He smiled at the two ladies and took their hands, pressing a kiss to each before giving them both his best smile. "Thank you for a wonderful meal!"
"A flirt?" Viggo looked askance at Jordan, one eyebrow lifted. "They're just good friends of mine. I have a lot of good friends. In fact, I even made friends with a monkey. Now what do you think about that?"
"A monkey?" Elijah looked left and then right, "Really? Where? Can you introduce me? I've always liked wild animals... must be why I like you."
Viggo threw a companionable arm over Jordan's shoulders. "Right here, silly. And what kind of wild animal am I?"
Elijah snuggled into Viggo happily as he thought about it, "That's a good question. A seal-- playful and happy, but get you into your own environment, beautiful and graceful... and very intelligent."
"Well, that's a new one on me," Viggo said with a little grin. "Still... thank you, Monkey." He squeezed Jordan to him and then released.
Elijah bit his lip as Viggo let go, feeling suddenly cold and empty. "Your welcome." He shrugged a little and wrapped his arms around himself.
Viggo led them inside the bookstore and greeted the owner with a cordial wave. "Check out anything you want, Monkey, or just flop on a sofa, if you prefer."
Spotting the newest book in a series he could not afford to buy, but tried to keep up with when he could, Elijah picked it up and found a seat. In a moment, he was lost in a world of wizards, magic and danger.
Viggo noticed how quickly Jordan lost himself in his book and went to speak to the owner. He gestured to Jordan and grinned, before walking out of sight with the man into the poetry section. After about a half hour, he wandered back and flopped right next to Jordan.
Without thinking about it, Elijah snuggled into Viggo's side with a happy sigh and purred as he continued to read.
The owner shook his head at Viggo in amusement, even as his friend tossed an arm over the shoulders of the smaller man and opened his own book to read.
Although Elijah wanted, more than just about anything, to continue reading, his contented comfort was too much for him to fight. Eventually, he fell asleep against Viggo's shoulder, book resting on his face.
Chuckling, Viggo removed the book from Jordan's face. He held it out to the owner, nodding with a little smile and also indicated his desire to buy the poetry book in his hand.
The owner nodded and rang them up. "I'm going to step out for a few. Watch after the place for me?"
"Sure." Viggo waved him away and then draped his arm back around Jordan. He began to read his book again, muttering the lines aloud now and then.
Deep in sleep by now, Elijah snuggled into Viggo more, pressing his face into Viggo's neck with a soft snuffly snore. He did not hear Viggo on any conscious level, but the occasional sound of his voice drove away his bad dreams and let him rest peacefully.
By the time the owner returned,. Viggo had managed to successfully complete four book sales without disturbing Jordan. He waved the money triumphantly at his friend and then gently nudged Jordan. "Wake up, sleepyhead."
Elijah made a snorting sound before pressing his face even deeper into Viggo's neck, muttering, "Five more minutes, Gran?"
Shooting a quick glare at the bookstore owner when he snorted a laugh, Viggo shook Jordan again. "Hey there, little Monkey, I'm not your grandmother, and if you don't get up, I'll tickle you."
"No tickle," Elijah grumbled. His eyes fluttered open, and he pouted a Viggo. It took him a moment to realize just how close they were and he sat up, looking a little flustered. "Er- sorry."
"Don't worry about it. You obviously needed the rest." Viggo scooted back a little, took out his camera and snapped a quick shot of the sleepy and disheveled Jordan. "Lovely."
Elijah just shook his head and looked over at the shop owner. "I'm sorry for falling asleep in your shop. I hope I didn't frighten any customers away."
"On the contrary," the other man said drolly, "you and especially dear Viggo seem to have attracted more customers than I can with my poor books alone."
Viggo beamed at him and then at Jordan, before neatly climbing to his feet. "Well, it's nice to have been of some use."
Elijah's lips quirked upward. "I'm good at attracting business."
Viggo handed him the bag and then hugged his friend goodbye. "I'll drop by again soon." He took Jordan by the hand and led him out the door.
Elijah looked at the bag in confusion, following Viggo as they walked down the street. "What's in the bag, mad man?"
"Your book, of course. And I think something similar that George thought you might enjoy." Viggo walked easily, enjoying the early evening air.
"You bought the book for me?" Elijah stopped walking in surprise, and repeated the question almost shyly, "You really bought me a book?"
"You seemed so deep into the story and well, it's never the wrong thing to encourage people to read." Viggo inclined his head at Jordan and smiled slightly uncertainly. "Right?"
"I agree. Thank you very, very, very much!" He went to his toes to kiss Viggo's cheek.
The skin under Jordan's lips flamed as Viggo blushed every so slightly. "Well... the reward was worth the small expense."
Elijah just grinned at him as they started walking again, swinging their joined hands. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Viggo said as they turned the corner. "Anytime."
There was an extra bounce to Elijah's stride as they walked down the street, and a happy smile reached his eyes. In that moment, Elijah felt truly content.
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Saklani
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And I am glad to hear you were excited. We added this scene to help build up the relationship, so I am glad ti accomplished its goal.
Thank you!
Saklani
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This was AMAZING well worth the wait! I love th playful flirting between the two, the friendship that is developing. They really are friends, which is something I would imagine Elijah has very few of. They have that ability to just make each other happy, and that is very rare and beautifully displayed here. I am just enamoured with the two, I really am!
And, I can't wait to see them at the cabin. Taking pictures in the snow, maybe? Snuggling in front of a fire, sipping hot chocolate...
*glee*
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And the cabin bit is coming up! In fact, there is a lot of cabin upcoming!
HEE HEE HEE
Saklani
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I can't wait for the next part! :)
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Saklani
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I'm glad to see you've continued with this.
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Thanks for the FB!
Saklani
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At the end, after the soft sleep in the bookstore and feeling of contentidness, I felt kinda teary for him. Viggo definitly needs to be careful of Elijah's heart.
:*}
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May you continue to be enamoured of these characters, who are indeed my favs of all we have written so far.
Saki loves ya!