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fellowshippers2005-12-30 09:29 pm
saklani2.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2005-12-30 09:29 pm
New: Will You Remember? 6/? (LOTRps Viggo/Elijah) [NC-17]
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: 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?
Elijah visibly relaxed when the door closed, shutting the night out. "Um... Do you mind if I get a shower before I cook? I have leaves and stuff all over me and don't think they would go with dinner."
"Whatever you want, but you better borrow my robe or you'll catch a cold. I'll go get it for you." He headed into the darkened hallway. A moment later, he remerged with a large, plaid, fuzzy robe. "Here you are. I'll go see to the fire."
Elijah gave Viggo a big, happy smile. "Thank you." He gathered his things from the bedroom and then headed for the bathroom and a long hot shower.
Kneeling by the grate, Viggo arranged another careful pile of wood. He struck a long match and lit the dry ends until a comfortable blaze filled the room with soft light. Instead of hopping into one of his chairs, he stretched out on the woolly rug in front of the fireplace to watch the flame instead, losing himself in the quiet crackling and orange glow.
About twenty minutes later, Elijah came into the living room. His cheeks flamed pink from his long hot shower, scrubbed clean from head to toe, Viggo's robe over his PJs, and a large smile on his face. Bright eyes landed on Viggo and did not look away as Elijah walked over to the fire. "That was soooooooooooo good. But... um... I may have used up all the hot water."
Yawning, Viggo patted the rug in front of him. "No matter, I shall not be moving for quite some time. Here, join me, its really lovely right now."
"I'll get dinner cooking first... cause it's going to take an hour and while its cooking, you can tell me stories by the fire, if- if you want to."
"Do you want any help?" Viggo said, putting his arm under him to push himself into a sitting position. " And I am happy to tell you stories, if I can think of any to tell."
"I don't need help, but company is always welcome. It only takes about ten minuets to prepare, so if you don't want to get up, it's all right." Elijah gave Viggo a hopeful smile,wanting his companionship.
"Oh, I think I can pry myself away from this fire for ten minutes," Viggo grunted, hoisting himself up. "Show me how to make your famous chicken."
They walked into the kitchen together. Elijah headed to the fridge to get the bird, and Viggo put on a kettle, before opening the cupboard to get out the hot chocolate.
"Want marshmallows or is that a stupid question?" Viggo asked, pulling out the bag and waving it around.
"Can we save them for later? And um... toast them in the fire?" Elijah gave Viggo his very best appealing look. His hands continued rubbing spices into the chicken skin, before prepping the pan.
"How about we make Smores with them?" Viggo asked. He dropped a few into his cup anyway, loving the extra sugary goodness. "I have some crackers and chocolate around here."
"Sounds like the perfect plan." Elijah licked his lips, smiling, He slid the completed chicken into the oven.
The water began to boil noisily, and Viggo poured the hot water into their mugs. He handed Elijah his cup and then took his own, before leading his guest back out into the living room.
"This is cozy... that's the word, cozy!" Elijah declared.
Agreeing silently with a warm smile, Viggo curled back up on the shag rug, releasing the smaller hand as he did. He patted the rug in invitation again, before resting his head back on one arm to watch the flames. "Stories, you said."
Joining Viggo on the rug, Elijah arranged himself with his head resting on Viggo's thigh, so he could see Viggo's face. "Yes, tell me about... the wildest moment of your life."
Unconsciously, Viggo lifted a hand to touch the scar on his lips. "There were a lot of them, when I was younger. I used to drink a lot and pull wild, stupid stunts that I only half remembered the next day. Once, I woke up in the hospital with ten stitches in my lip and a tetanus shot in my ass."
"Ouch!" Elijah reached up to touch the scar as well, shaking his head. "But... umm... that wasn't what I meant. I mean... the thing that you look back at and realize your heart never beat that fast before or since."
Viggo pressed a tiny kiss to the small fingers. "When I saw Henry born," Viggo said without hesitation. "Knowing that I was part of the creation of that tiny spark of life... I felt like I was going to faint, I felt like running up to the rooftop and yelling to the world... I felt like my heart was too big to fit in my chest anymore and might burst out."
"Wow..." Elijah's eyes reflected the light of the fire back up at Viggo. "That- that sounds amazing. I- I wish I could know what it feels like."
"Love is like that, too," Viggo said, "though it often sneaks up on you, instead of hitting you all at once like that. Your heart swells slowly, so you barely notice, until one day, you wake up with this sweet ache that feels like nothing else." He smiled into the flames. "And then you know."
"Love sound so dangerous. It- It's so powerful... so all controlling and insane. I- I wonder sometimes if we wouldn't be better without it. But... when it's going well... I'm told there is nothing like it."
"What would life be worth without it?" Viggo asked. His face twisted a little, wry in expression. "I could waste your time with sentimental postcard sayings and trite poetry, but the truth is- love hurts, and its worth it. I'm glad I experienced love, even though it didn't work out in the end. I hope you find somebody to love you, too."
"Not a lot of people can love a whore, Viggo... but, thank you." There was a little bitterness in Elijah's voice, but there was more sorrow and loneliness.
Viggo rubbed his side, trying to ease the loneliness with a friendly touch. "Most of the time, I don't even remember you are one,."
Elijah patted Viggo's hand, smiling slightly, but not saying anything.
"I don't think my first attempt at storytelling worked out too well," Viggo said finally in a deeper tone than normal. He wrapped his fingers around one of the small hands of his model and asked, "Do you want me to try again?"
Elijah shifted his hand slightly so he could twine his fingers with Viggo's. "I liked the story, Viggo. I'd love another one- tell me something about Henry growing up?"
Viggo paused for a brief moment and then smiled. "I nearly panicked the first time he announced he liked a girl. It was fifth grade, and he came home with his homework and his little green backpack and told me very calmly that there was this girl in his class named Becky and she had very pretty blonde hair, and I remember thinking that it might be best if the world opened up beneath me and swallowed me whole right then and there."
"Why?" Elijah smiled, eyes drifting closed as he tried to picture it- a younger looking Viggo, a little boy who looked, probably too much, like his father, carrying a green back pack and telling him about Becky.
"As a parent, you always figure you have a bit longer before your child starts thinking about the other gender... or the same gender, in that way. It makes you feel old, not to mention clueless about how to actually broach the subject. I told him all about sex and at the end, he patted my leg and said, 'Dad, they teach that now in school.'"
Elijah burst into highly amused laughter, his while body shaking with the force. "P-p-p-poor-r V-v-v-Viggy."
"That's right, laugh at me," Viggo said with a mock frown. "After all my preparation to tell him about life, it turns out they do it for parents now in school. We have it easy," He set a hand on his model's flat stomach, gentle and unassuming.
Elijah gave a soft moan of pleasure at the soft touch, visibly relaxing into the rug, his head getting heavier on Viggo's leg.
"You going to fall asleep before dinner?" Viggo asked with a smile. "Am I that boring?"
"No... just relaxing..." He sighed again in pleasure before trying to explain, "Being touched on my stomach... it relaxes me... unless... well, sometimes it doesn't, but mostly it relaxes me."
"So you don't mind," Viggo said happily. "I'm glad. More stories, or are you ready for a nap?"
"Mind? No, I don't mind at all. If you really want to make me purr, rub softly... and please more stories. Tell me- tell me about your childhood?"
"My childhood," Viggo said, his fingers curling and uncurling to gently stimulate the skin on a flat abdomen, "was wonderful. We moved around a lot when I was little, so I spent a great deal of my childhood in South America, which is where I learned Spanish. We were like little gauchos, running around wild and riding horses. My parents were not big on discipline, so I grew up a bit rowdy, too."
"A bit?" Elijah let out a sleepy, contented laugh. "I bet you were a hell raiser!" He then sighed softly, making little soft noises of contentment.
"Yes, I could be, especially when I got drunk," Viggo said. "Though I held off 'til my teenage years for that stuff. Still, I turned out better than I deserved." He pushed up the material to actually stroke skin, feeling a bit emboldened by the happy responses.
Elijah moaned, a deep sound of pleasure at the touch, going completely boneless on the rug and Viggo. "I did not, you know... I was a good boy... all my life... played by all the rules, was respectful to my elders and all that shit... and look where I ended up... I think you did well."
Viggo shut his eyes, surprised by the sudden stab of pain in the irises that was tears and anger and shame at himself for speaking without thought. His fingers continued their gentle circling, even as he struggled to find an answer. Finally, he spoke in quiet dismay; "I don't have an answer for you, Monkey. I wish I did. I can only hope this may be the start of something better for you. You could be a model, you know."
"I did not say that to make you feel bad, Viggo! I- I was just commenting on how strangely things can work out sometimes... I did not mean to upset you." Elijah lifted his head to look up at Viggo, his expression earnest. "As for- for better things? I- I don't know, but its nice to dream about."
"You don't upset me, Monkey. You make me happy. Its life that upsets me sometimes." He maneuvered himself forward to rub his model's soft cheek with one, long, calloused finger. "I did not mean to ruin your relaxed mood either. And dreams are good, worth having and holding on to. Want to know what I dream?"
Elijah nuzzled the finger a little as he nodded. "Please!"
"I dream that someday, maybe long after I'm gone, some big art museum will have a show of my work," Viggo said with a very slight flush. "I'd like for just one moment to be shown in a place where Picasso or Ansel Adams or anybody whose work has been influential and meaningful once hung on display."
"I think that is a beautiful thing to dream, much more honorable than mine." Elijah sighed, moving without thought to swing around, laying his head on Viggo's shoulder. Their bodies pressed together full length, and Elijah let out a little hum of pleasure. "Want to know mine? It's not as nice..."
"Yes, I do," Viggo said, adjusting easily to conform to the shift in position. He wrapped his larger frame protectively around the smaller man and slid a hand back to caress his stomach.
"Making enough money so that I can buy my parent's house and kick them out." There was a distinctly bitter edge to Elijah's voice. "After all, my father always said turn about is fair play."
Viggo's eyebrows lifted, and he cast about for something to say. "They hurt you very badly, my poor Monkey." He leaned down and kissed his brow. "I don't blame you for being angry."
"I don't blame me either, even if I don't really like the emotions they bring out in me." He sighed, pressing into Viggo tighter, soaking in the comforting feeling. "Thank you, though. Its not really the nicest side of me, and I wouldn't blame you for reacting very differently."
Viggo wrapped both arms around the small frame in a tight hug, settling them both comfortably. "Everyone has a dark edge to them sometimes. I know I do, especially when I was younger. Having a child helped soothe most of that away." He rested his chin in soft hair and noted how very comfortable and right it felt to be holding the other man this way. The thought hit him unexpectedly, but caused nothing only a mild puzzlement mixed with a feeling of contentment.
Snuggling into Viggo, Elijah thought about Viggo's words much more than he needed to, using them to push away his questions about their wonderfully comfortable embrace. "Most people don't like realizing they have a dark streak, and hide it, pushing their fears away."
"Its futile," Viggo said. "Might as well acknowledge that we are less than perfect and try to deal with our demons. They come out to haunt us at some point... This is a very serious discussion for what was supposed to be a relaxing evening by the fire."
"It's ok... I don't get a whole lot of serious discussion. I mean... johns ain't hiring me for my conversation." He grinned with his face tucked into Viggo's shoulder. "But you are right, too serious. Tell me something else... anything you want."
"I've enjoyed the time I have spent with you these past few weeks more than I have enjoyed any art experience in a long, long time," Viggo said. He did not plan to say that, but when he opened his mouth, the words naturally emerged. "I want to know everything about you."
Elijah lifted his head, needing to look into Viggo's eyes and see that the other man meant it. Finding confirmation in Viggo's expression, Elijah beamed. "Thank you. I..." Shaking his head slightly to express his inability to find words, Elijah pressed a kiss to Viggo's cheek.
Sneaking his head to the right, Viggo pressed a soft kiss to even softer lips, as he had wanted to do that afternoon. He smiled in return. "Thank you, too."
"Your welcome... but for what?" Elijah licked his lips quickly, enjoying the faintest taste of Viggo he found on them.
"For being you," Viggo said with a soft huff of laughter. "Can I be any mushier?"
"I don't know... can you?" He giggled again, pressing his nose against Viggo's cheek. "I don't mind, if that was worrying you."
"Good," Viggo said, just as the timer rang. "Now, we have to move." He lifted his head and sniffed a little. "Though I think I detect a smell worth moving for."
"I need to make the rice... the chicken will be about twenty minutes..." Grinning at Viggo he semi- boasted, "And the smell is only going to get better." Brushing a kiss to Viggo's lips, Elijah got up out of Viggo's embrace (trying not to whimper at the loss), and headed for the kitchen.
Rolling up behind him, Viggo went to put on a CD. The sounds of sixties bluegrass soon filled the air softly, and Viggo started to set the table. He sang along with each song, obviously knowing them all. " What do we drink with your chicken?"
"Um... my parents always had wine,. but I don't really like it. What do you have?" He bustled around cooking the rice.
"We can stick with soda, if you like," Viggo said, setting out utensils. "Or milk."
"I'd recommend soda or juice... I don't think milk would work well with this." Once the rice was cooking without needing supervision, Elijah turned the light on in the oven and checked on the chicken. "Looks good."
"Soda then, since we have no juice." Viggo grabbed some Coke out of the fridge for each of them, setting it by their plates. "Anything else I can do to help?"
"Nope... another ten minutes at the very most, and you an attempt to choke down my cooking." Elijah's tone was completely teasing; it was clear he had no fears about his ability to cook this meal.
"Maybe I better break out the hard liquor then," Viggo teased back. He sat down and looked out the window at the darkness. "Feels like we're the last people in the world."
"The only people at least," Elijah agreed softly, walking over the table behind Viggo, draping his hands over Viggo's neck and leaning against him just lightly. "It's- it's not a bad feeling."
Reaching up, Viggo took one of those small hands into his own. "It just adds to the cozy feeling, I think. The sense that nobody is going to interrupt this moment, this feeling. "
"I'm all yours- what ya gonna do with me?" Elijah giggled softly, knowing that Viggo would not do what most would, what he was wished more and more Viggo would do. For the first time, he confessed to himself that he had fallen in lust... perhaps something more.
Viggo glanced up at him and smiled sweetly. "I was thinking I might just enjoy your company and your chicken, before curling back up with you in front of a fire and falling asleep there."
Elijah sighed: Viggo's kindness complicated Elijah's feelings. He treated Elijah better than anyone he knew before. A sudden gust of wind drowned out his soft sigh, and Elijah replied, "Sounds lovely." He patted Viggo's chest with his free hand, the fingers of the other curling around Viggo's.
"Good." Viggo's fingers squeezed against the smaller ones again and then he grinned. "Oh, and I will subject you to Wagner."
"Wagner? What's- who's that?" Elijah leaned over just a little more, resting his chin on Viggo's head.
"A composer. You've never heard any Wagner?" He shook his head, gently so as not to disturb the chin resting in his hair. "This must and shall be remedied. Comfortable up there, by the way?"
"Um... no, I don't think I have. Is it classical music? I don't often listen to classical... and yes, thank you, quite comfortable." Elijah smiled, patting Viggo's chest before straightening and heading to the oven when the timer rang.
"I feel like an old husband again," Viggo said, swinging around to watch the other man cook. "This is a very domestic scene, after all. And yes, Wagner is classical. You'll probably recognize some of the music once I put it on. I plan to start with the hour long love theme from Tristan and Isolde. It' the epitome of the expression of longing, and they only find their happiness in death."
"How depressing!" Elijah shook his head, taking the cooked chicken out of the oven, moving it into the serving dish he'd found before, pouring the juices over the top and carrying it to the table. He then returned to do the same with the rice, smiling at Viggo as he sat down. "Do you want to serve?"
"No, its your meal, I think you should do the honors," Viggo said. "Besides, I might drool all over it." He licked his lips playfully at the sight and smell of the chicken. "And it's not depressing, its beautiful. Their love lasts forever- death cannot change that. And in death, they can be together as they never can in life."
"I think being together in life would be much better honestly!" Elijah stood again and started serving them both. "White or dark meat Vig?"
"White, please," Viggo said. "I cannot wait to try it."
Viggo was served breast meat, while Elijah went for a leg and thigh. Handing Viggo his plate, Elijah sat again, and watched Viggo, waiting for his reaction.
Viggo made a big show of cutting himself a piece, chewing it slowly and looking thoughtful, before he grinned and said, "You're hired. You can make this for me anytime. Its damned good, Monkey."
Elijah's grin could have lit up the whole cabin. "Monkey did good!" He giggled at himself before continuing, "I'm really glad you like it, Vig." He took his first mouthful, giving a happy little moan.
"Monkey did good," Viggo agreed, favoring him with the brightest, most caring smile in his repertoire.
Elijah could not seem to stop smiling, even while he was chewing. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it... and I'll cook it for you any time you like."
"You shouldn't say things like that," Viggo said. "I might take you up on the offer."
"I don't say things I don't mean."
"Then you're welcome to come over anytime and cook dinner for me... or share dinner with me," Viggo said. He dug into his chicken in earnest.
"I might- I might take you up on the offer, I hope you know that."
"I hope you do," Viggo said with a warm smile. He paused for a moment and then added, "You're welcome anytime, Monkey. For whatever reason."
Elijah drew in a ragged breath, looking at Viggo with eyes darkened with emotion. "Don't say that, even if it's true, Viggo. You- you've been very good to me."
"Why can't I say it then?" Viggo asked, his head tilted slightly to the left in puzzlement. "I trust you."
"You shouldn't... not this much! I'm not as good a person as you seem to think... and some of the people I know... I work with, they are very bad people. You don't need that kind of thing in your life, Viggo!"
"And would you bring them into my life, Monkey? Would you want them there?" Viggo asked, spearing another piece of chicken.
"Never! I would never bring them near you. I just... they- they don't always take no for an answer. Hell, they don't always ask." He looked more than a little lost.
"Then maybe you need me," Viggo said, hoping he did not sound arrogant. "At least, a place to go when you need to get away from people who won't take no for an answer. Your secret... ours."
"I- I just don't want to bring something bad down on you, Viggo. I'd never be able to live with myself if you got hurt 'cause of me."
"I may not know a lot about your life, Monkey, but I'm not a child, nor am I helpless. You're worth the risk to me," Viggo said, setting down his fork so he could gesture with his hands better.
"The really frightening thing is, I think you believe that, Viggo, I really do..." Elijah shook his head, "You-" His voice broke a little, and he cleared his throat before starting again, "You are a very good man, Viggo."
Viggo let the conversation lapse, as they ate, feeling somehow warmer for it all. He polished off three helpings of chicken, another way of proving his love for the cooking. Eventually, he stood, taking his plate and carrying it to the sink. On the way, he paused to press a kiss to the top of unruly black hair. "That was yummy. Thank you for sharing."
"Your very welcome..." Elijah finished off his last mouthful and stood as well, taking his plate to the sink and then returning to the table to clear it off. "Do you have any Tupperware to put the leftovers, what little there are, into?"
"Yes, I feel ashamed, but I do have Tupperware in my cupboard. There should be one big enough for the rest of the bird." He pointed, as he began to do the dishes by hand, humming under his breath.
Elijah found what he needed, putting the leftovers in the fridge before turning to watch Viggo. Elijah frowned, trying to work out why Viggo looked so odd washing the dishes before realizing there was a dishwasher. "Viggo? Why are you doing that... there's a dishwasher right? Oh... is it broken?"
"No, I just wanted to feel the suds on my hands right now," Viggo said with a chuckle. "I know that sounds odd, but I'm a very tactile person." He placed dishes in the rack as he washed them one by one.
"You never had dishes as your punishment chore at home, did you?" Elijah picked up a dishcloth and started drying the clean dishes.
"No, not really. Mucking out stalls was more my parent's idea of punishment. Funny thing, I rather like doing that, too." He shook his head at himself and kept washing.
"It sounds smelly... I hated dishes before it became a punishment, and once it was, I just loathed it. Still do to be honest."
"As I wash my dishes, I'll be following a plan, 'til I see the brightness in every pot and pan. I am sure this point of view will ease the daily grind, so I keep repeating in my mind... look for the silver lining," Viggo sang and then stopped with a slightly silly look. "Stop me when I start to go off like that."
Elijah listened with an amused expression. "Don't stop! It's funny! And you have a very nice voice, better than mine by far. Sing something else? Please?" Elijah gave Viggo a hopeful look.
"Funny?" Viggo looked at him with a slight pout. "Its not supposed to be a funny song."
"Not the song... you... the way you think, the way your mind works... its amusing to me."
"Oh..." Viggo thought that over and then nodded. "It's very strange up here in my head, but I'm used to it." He took a few more seconds of silently washing dishes before he sang again, "You are the promised kiss of springtime that makes the lonely winter seem long. You are the breathless hush of evening that trembled on the brink of a lovely song. You are the angel glow that lights the star, the dearest things that I know are what you are. Someday, my happy arms will hold you and someday, I'll know that moment divine, when all the things you are, are mine."
Elijah watched Viggo and imagining that Viggo sang to him, for him... that Viggo felt the same way about him He sighed deeply, a mixed sound of pleasure and longing. "You really do have a nice voice, Viggo."
Viggo smiled and gave a small shrug, the barest lift of his shoulders. "Thank you, Monkey. I like to sing, but more often I enjoy goofing with the lyrics and sounds, until a song is more like a cacophony than a song. But right now, I feel like giving a song its due and just... letting it be."
"A cacophony huh? You are a man of strange twists I'll give you that..." Elijah grinned before he started drying and putting away the dishes again. "Do you have a favorite song?"
"No, I'm never able to settle on one," Viggo said, drying off his hands. "I keep listening to new songs and every month, I decide upon a new favorite. I must have hundreds of favorites by now. How about you, Monkey?"
"More, probably thousands of favorites... although, I do like several groups or artist more than others." Putting the last dish away, Elijah asked almost shyly, "The rug?"
"I'll stoke the fire up a bit more, too," Viggo said, wondering at the sudden shy expression. He turned off the kitchen light, leaving only the glow from the fire to light the cabin. For a moment, he paused by the switch, staring with glittering eyes at the form of his model, flickering in the soft glow.
Elijah followed Viggo out of the kitchen and walked over to the rug, saying softly, "Don't turn the light on, please. The- the fire is so pretty."
"I agree," Viggo whispered. He added some sticks to the flame, poking it back into full, rich flame. Finally satisfied, he stretched out on the rug and waited.
Elijah hesitated for a bare moment before he lay down, stretching along Viggo's side, not quite touching, but clearly seeking the embrace they shared before dinner.
Wondering a little again at the sudden timidity of his model, Viggo wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close to lie pressed chest to chest. "All right?" he asked in his softest voice, feeling like he was soothing a nervous animal.
Elijah snuggled into Viggo right away, dispelling any concerns Viggo might have that Elijah was not right were he wanted to be. "Perfect... thank you."
"It is nice to have somebody to cuddle with on a cold night," Viggo said. "I'd almost forgotten."
"Well that's just not allowed!" Elijah snuggled even closer, Viggo's words helping to restore his confidence. "II rather like it myself." The last few words were spoken into Viggo's shoulder.
"Good," Viggo said and then chuckled. "In the rush to get resettled, I forgot the Wagner. I must be getting old."
"I think you wanted to listen to a different music, the music of the fire... the sounds and smells of flame."
"Poetic, my Monkey," Viggo said with a smile. "It is nice to listen to the sounds of the fire and our breathing. Enthralling, even."
Elijah could think of other noises he would not mind hearing, like Viggo moaning in the pleasure he gave him, but he dared not say anything, sure he would fuck everything up. "I have my moments."
As if to let it sink into them fully, Viggo fell silent for several moments, just listening. Eventually, he said, "Are you going to continue my interrogation?"
Elijah laughed at the question, his breath brushing against Viggo's skin. "Seeing you put it that way... what's your favorite flavor?"
"Hot and sour soup," Viggo replied without a moment's pause. "There's something about how the flavor explodes on your taste buds and then burns there for several moments afterward." He nuzzled soft hair without thinking.
Elijah had to fight the desire, the need, to press a kiss to the tanned skin so close to his lips, closing his eyes to help fight off the temptation. Keeping them closed, he asked, "Favorite color?"
"The blue of your eyes," Viggo said and then shivered slightly at the response. "It used to be forest green..."
Elijah felt his face flame and hid it, pressing into the curve of Viggo's neck. His cheek flushed against Viggo's skin, almost burning it. His mouth moved, but the words were too muffled for Viggo to understand.
Feeling the evidence of a blush warming his skin, Viggo said, "They're hypnotic. I look into them and feel like I could fall in there and be happily lost forever. There's so much going on in those eyes..." He tightened his arms in a brief hug. "And I could not hear what you just said."
Elijah shook his head, burrowing as deeply into Viggo as he could. His blush managed to increase at the complimentary words. He could not answer for blushing so much, but inside, under the embarrassment, existed an intense feeling of pleasure.
Cradling him, Viggo rubbed his back and side with firm fingers, trying to ease the small shivers he felt there. "Does my answer displease you?"
"No!" It was perhaps the one question sure to break through Elijah's embarrassment. "Not at all! I like it a lot... just makes me a little blushy. Sorry."
"I like you blushy," Viggo said. Impulsively, he moved their heads so he could rub his nose against his model's. "Anything more you want to know?"
"I want to know everything." Elijah rubbed his nose back against Viggo's, enjoying the thought that he was giving Viggo kisses of some kind. "Anything you want to tell me?"
Biting back several answers to that question, Viggo said finally, "I got the idea to photograph a prostitute a long time ago. No matter how often I dismissed the notion, it kept returning, until it became a compulsion, something I had to do. And then I went and looked over the women first, but none of them seemed right to me. Eventually, I went to where I first met you... and its funny, what I felt when I first saw you standing there under those streetlights... I knew you were beautiful and captivating and perfect for everything I had in mind, but it was more than that... there was some part of me that said, 'there you are.' Does that make any sense?"
Lifting his head so he could study Viggo's expression, Elijah nodded somberly. "Yes, it makes a lot of sense. Its like I know you, even though I don't." He thought for a long time, before saying softly, "We've known each other before."
"That's an interesting idea," Viggo said, smoothing back a soft wisps of hair from around a blue eye. "Does it frighten you?"
"Maybe it should, but no, it doesn't... 'Cause we're going to meet again, after this life."
"After this life?" Viggo asked. "What about during this life?"
"We- we take whatever joy we can find and savor the moments, for they can never come again." Intense blue eyes bored into Viggo, as if looking into his very soul.
Viggo gazed back at him, wondering what the other man saw in his eyes. He tried to gauge the emotions that swirled through the blue eyes in front of him. Something jolted through his system, brief and shocking, like an electric cattle prod suddenly applied to his spine. Gasping once in surprise, he leaned forward to press his forehead tight to his model's. "I am. Promise."
"And so am I. I will treasure every moment here with you, for they are moments that I have no equal to in my memories." Elijah's words were a vow, not a statement.
"I'm glad I could give you such memories," Viggo said with equal earnestly. He bit back a smile, feeling silly and a bit vulnerable. Unsure what to do, he pressed a kiss to the small mouth before his.
Elijah sighed almost blissfully, rubbing his lips lightly against Viggo, soft skin caressing lightly for long moments.
The fire snapped suddenly, and Viggo started, pulling his mouth away. "Oh. What time is it anyway?" He glanced up at the wall clock and sighed. "It's getting late."
"Is it? I didn't notice..." Elijah looked away, not wanting to show the desire in his eyes or the pang he felt when Viggo pulled away. "Are you tired?"
"No, not really, but we have a long drive back tomorrow." The instant Viggo spoke the words, they seemed to thud dully in his ears. He did not want to take his Monkey back to his job, walking the streets for johns. Everything in him screamed against the idea. "Of course, we could postpone going back..."
Elijah's smile returned at Viggo's suggestion, and he looked back at Viggo. "Don't you have things you need to do?"
"I do not have a formal sitting until the middle of the week, thankfully," Viggo said with a sigh. "They may bring in the money, but they drain an artist's soul, too."
"Is a formal sitting anything like when I was sitting on the dolphin?" Elijah asked with a thread of laughter in his voice.
"No, it's all very well thought out in advance with all the props set up. Its usually a wedding photo or a holiday photo or some other rather stolid and boring affair." Viggo nuzzled the laughter, encouraging more.
Elijah gave Viggo a mock offended look. "Are you saying you did not plan my pictures out ahead of time? I'm insulted!"
"I had notions of what I wanted, but I let you dictate how they would work," Viggo said softly, responding to the question with all seriousness. "I did not need a formal pose, a certain angle, the exact props... it always comes down to you."
"To me?" Elijah tilted his head to the side and looked curious. "You mean that, don't you?"
"Yes, of course I do," Viggo said, surprised by the surprise of his model.
Elijah did not respond directly to Viggo's answer, just said softly, "I- I would like to stay longer, if you want to."
"Then we will," Viggo said with a deep inner sigh of relief. "We can go see the waterfalls tomorrow, if you like. They are lovely this time of year, gushing over with water."
"Sounds lovely. Um... Can I do some washing tomorrow 'cause I only brought two clean sets of clothes." He looked questioningly at Viggo, even though he was sure it would be fine.
"Of course, or you can borrow some of my son's pants and one of my shirts. I am sure they would fit you fine, though my shirt may be a little big." He teasingly wrapped a hand around a smaller arm as if to prove the difference in size.
"Well, not all of us are oversized... anyone ever tell you that good things come in small packages?"
"I suppose that makes me one of the not so good things," Viggo said sadly, considering his size with a small frown. He sighed deeply, as if heart sore.
"Maybe you're one of the exceptions that prove the rule?" Elijah gave Viggo a very encouraging smile.
"No, I fear I'm just one of the big oafs of the world," Viggo said resignedly.
"Monkey does not agree. Monkey says Viggo is a good thing. So it is spoken, so it shall be."
Viggo laughed a little and bowed his head in deference. "All hail the great and wise Monkey."
"You had better believe it!" Elijah gave a solemn nod. "The Monkey will accept your thanks between three pm and two seconds after three pm tomorrow.
"What is appropriate thanks for the great Monkey?" Viggo asked, sounding worshipful. "Especially given my short time span to express my deep gratitude."
"I think some of that cocoa you served me this morning. I believe the Monkey would like that just as much." Elijah did his best to fight of his giggles, managing to keep his voice fairly serious.
"Shall I dump it down Monkey's throat in my two seconds of prayer time?" Viggo asked, his voice beginning to fill with delight at this ridiculous conversation.
"No, you may offer it to the Monkey's vessel in this world." Elijah's eyes danced, showing the amusement he kept off his face and out of his voice.
"With or without marshmallows?" Viggo asked. "I want to get this right for the Monkey who finds me good the way I am despite being a large oaf."
At Viggo's last comment, Elijah's control was hard pressed, but he managed to keep himself together. "The Monkey is truly great... and marshmallows are perfectly acceptable!"
"Marshmallows shall be added for the deity. Does the Monkey prefer the blue mug or the green one? And shall I carry this mug on a silver platter or a silk cushion?" Viggo kept going, wanting to see the other man dissolve in laughter.
Viggo's second question helped Elijah control himself as he responded to just that, saying, "Your hands are all that are needed. Their use shows more caring than any platter in existence.
Viggo let go to lift his hands and regard them. "Perhaps I should anoint them in some special oils."
Elijah shook his head,, capturing Viggo's wrist and bending until he could press a kiss to each of Viggo's palms, but his words returned to the teasing, "Only Monkey-juice or your own life essence will do."
Two eyebrows attempted to jump off Viggo's forehead and make a dash for freedom. "I better time myself carefully then, if I'm going to get my essence and the hot chocolate ready at the same time..."
Elijah burst into laughter, falling against Viggo.
Relaxing happily, Viggo laughed with him, his body's shaking rocking them both. "Monkey juice?" he gasped between laughs. "That was not fair play!"
"Who said I had to play fair? There are no rules about that!"
"Brat." Viggo grinned and shook his head, about to say more, but the clock began to strike. When the twelve bells faded away, Viggo said, "Time for all Monkeys, Oafs and otherwise to head to bed."
"Awwwwwww... fun's over?" Elijah looked very sadly down at Viggo.
"'Til later today," Viggo said, "when we get to start the fun all over again."
"More fun for monkey? Okay.. That's okay..." He stood slowly, reluctant to put distance between their bodies. "Thank you for tonight's fun, Viggo."
"Shall I tuck you into bed?" Viggo asked, only half teasing. He closed the grate on the fireplace, allowing it to burn out slowly.
"You can if you want to, Viggo, but I think I'll survive if you don't." Elijah smiled and offered Viggo his hand. When Viggo took it, he started walking slowly toward their bedrooms.
"I wanted to," Viggo said, sounding a little melancholy about the reply, "but whatever makes you happy."
"If you want to, I'd like you too." Elijah led Viggo to his room, undressing down to his boxers before pulling the covers on the bed back and getting into it.
Viggo offered him his pajamas, which lay near the pillow. "You will need these; its still very cold."
Elijah took them and glanced at Viggo before turning away, not sure whose modesty he was trying to protect, as he slipped out of his boxers and into the pjs.
Viggo smoothed the covers until the other man settled beneath them, now clad in his pajamas. "Good night, my Monkey." He tucked the covers firmly into the bed frame, before leaning over to kiss a soft cheek. "Call me if you need me. I had a lovely day with you."
"I will, and so did I... a very good day." Elijah turned onto his side, so he could watch Viggo leave. "Good night."
Viggo trailed off into the darkness with a little wave. He dug out his own sleep wear, crawled into them and then dove into the bed with a thump. Into the still night, he called out, "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are," and then shut his eyes to sleep.
**********
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: 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?
Elijah visibly relaxed when the door closed, shutting the night out. "Um... Do you mind if I get a shower before I cook? I have leaves and stuff all over me and don't think they would go with dinner."
"Whatever you want, but you better borrow my robe or you'll catch a cold. I'll go get it for you." He headed into the darkened hallway. A moment later, he remerged with a large, plaid, fuzzy robe. "Here you are. I'll go see to the fire."
Elijah gave Viggo a big, happy smile. "Thank you." He gathered his things from the bedroom and then headed for the bathroom and a long hot shower.
Kneeling by the grate, Viggo arranged another careful pile of wood. He struck a long match and lit the dry ends until a comfortable blaze filled the room with soft light. Instead of hopping into one of his chairs, he stretched out on the woolly rug in front of the fireplace to watch the flame instead, losing himself in the quiet crackling and orange glow.
About twenty minutes later, Elijah came into the living room. His cheeks flamed pink from his long hot shower, scrubbed clean from head to toe, Viggo's robe over his PJs, and a large smile on his face. Bright eyes landed on Viggo and did not look away as Elijah walked over to the fire. "That was soooooooooooo good. But... um... I may have used up all the hot water."
Yawning, Viggo patted the rug in front of him. "No matter, I shall not be moving for quite some time. Here, join me, its really lovely right now."
"I'll get dinner cooking first... cause it's going to take an hour and while its cooking, you can tell me stories by the fire, if- if you want to."
"Do you want any help?" Viggo said, putting his arm under him to push himself into a sitting position. " And I am happy to tell you stories, if I can think of any to tell."
"I don't need help, but company is always welcome. It only takes about ten minuets to prepare, so if you don't want to get up, it's all right." Elijah gave Viggo a hopeful smile,wanting his companionship.
"Oh, I think I can pry myself away from this fire for ten minutes," Viggo grunted, hoisting himself up. "Show me how to make your famous chicken."
They walked into the kitchen together. Elijah headed to the fridge to get the bird, and Viggo put on a kettle, before opening the cupboard to get out the hot chocolate.
"Want marshmallows or is that a stupid question?" Viggo asked, pulling out the bag and waving it around.
"Can we save them for later? And um... toast them in the fire?" Elijah gave Viggo his very best appealing look. His hands continued rubbing spices into the chicken skin, before prepping the pan.
"How about we make Smores with them?" Viggo asked. He dropped a few into his cup anyway, loving the extra sugary goodness. "I have some crackers and chocolate around here."
"Sounds like the perfect plan." Elijah licked his lips, smiling, He slid the completed chicken into the oven.
The water began to boil noisily, and Viggo poured the hot water into their mugs. He handed Elijah his cup and then took his own, before leading his guest back out into the living room.
"This is cozy... that's the word, cozy!" Elijah declared.
Agreeing silently with a warm smile, Viggo curled back up on the shag rug, releasing the smaller hand as he did. He patted the rug in invitation again, before resting his head back on one arm to watch the flames. "Stories, you said."
Joining Viggo on the rug, Elijah arranged himself with his head resting on Viggo's thigh, so he could see Viggo's face. "Yes, tell me about... the wildest moment of your life."
Unconsciously, Viggo lifted a hand to touch the scar on his lips. "There were a lot of them, when I was younger. I used to drink a lot and pull wild, stupid stunts that I only half remembered the next day. Once, I woke up in the hospital with ten stitches in my lip and a tetanus shot in my ass."
"Ouch!" Elijah reached up to touch the scar as well, shaking his head. "But... umm... that wasn't what I meant. I mean... the thing that you look back at and realize your heart never beat that fast before or since."
Viggo pressed a tiny kiss to the small fingers. "When I saw Henry born," Viggo said without hesitation. "Knowing that I was part of the creation of that tiny spark of life... I felt like I was going to faint, I felt like running up to the rooftop and yelling to the world... I felt like my heart was too big to fit in my chest anymore and might burst out."
"Wow..." Elijah's eyes reflected the light of the fire back up at Viggo. "That- that sounds amazing. I- I wish I could know what it feels like."
"Love is like that, too," Viggo said, "though it often sneaks up on you, instead of hitting you all at once like that. Your heart swells slowly, so you barely notice, until one day, you wake up with this sweet ache that feels like nothing else." He smiled into the flames. "And then you know."
"Love sound so dangerous. It- It's so powerful... so all controlling and insane. I- I wonder sometimes if we wouldn't be better without it. But... when it's going well... I'm told there is nothing like it."
"What would life be worth without it?" Viggo asked. His face twisted a little, wry in expression. "I could waste your time with sentimental postcard sayings and trite poetry, but the truth is- love hurts, and its worth it. I'm glad I experienced love, even though it didn't work out in the end. I hope you find somebody to love you, too."
"Not a lot of people can love a whore, Viggo... but, thank you." There was a little bitterness in Elijah's voice, but there was more sorrow and loneliness.
Viggo rubbed his side, trying to ease the loneliness with a friendly touch. "Most of the time, I don't even remember you are one,."
Elijah patted Viggo's hand, smiling slightly, but not saying anything.
"I don't think my first attempt at storytelling worked out too well," Viggo said finally in a deeper tone than normal. He wrapped his fingers around one of the small hands of his model and asked, "Do you want me to try again?"
Elijah shifted his hand slightly so he could twine his fingers with Viggo's. "I liked the story, Viggo. I'd love another one- tell me something about Henry growing up?"
Viggo paused for a brief moment and then smiled. "I nearly panicked the first time he announced he liked a girl. It was fifth grade, and he came home with his homework and his little green backpack and told me very calmly that there was this girl in his class named Becky and she had very pretty blonde hair, and I remember thinking that it might be best if the world opened up beneath me and swallowed me whole right then and there."
"Why?" Elijah smiled, eyes drifting closed as he tried to picture it- a younger looking Viggo, a little boy who looked, probably too much, like his father, carrying a green back pack and telling him about Becky.
"As a parent, you always figure you have a bit longer before your child starts thinking about the other gender... or the same gender, in that way. It makes you feel old, not to mention clueless about how to actually broach the subject. I told him all about sex and at the end, he patted my leg and said, 'Dad, they teach that now in school.'"
Elijah burst into highly amused laughter, his while body shaking with the force. "P-p-p-poor-r V-v-v-Viggy."
"That's right, laugh at me," Viggo said with a mock frown. "After all my preparation to tell him about life, it turns out they do it for parents now in school. We have it easy," He set a hand on his model's flat stomach, gentle and unassuming.
Elijah gave a soft moan of pleasure at the soft touch, visibly relaxing into the rug, his head getting heavier on Viggo's leg.
"You going to fall asleep before dinner?" Viggo asked with a smile. "Am I that boring?"
"No... just relaxing..." He sighed again in pleasure before trying to explain, "Being touched on my stomach... it relaxes me... unless... well, sometimes it doesn't, but mostly it relaxes me."
"So you don't mind," Viggo said happily. "I'm glad. More stories, or are you ready for a nap?"
"Mind? No, I don't mind at all. If you really want to make me purr, rub softly... and please more stories. Tell me- tell me about your childhood?"
"My childhood," Viggo said, his fingers curling and uncurling to gently stimulate the skin on a flat abdomen, "was wonderful. We moved around a lot when I was little, so I spent a great deal of my childhood in South America, which is where I learned Spanish. We were like little gauchos, running around wild and riding horses. My parents were not big on discipline, so I grew up a bit rowdy, too."
"A bit?" Elijah let out a sleepy, contented laugh. "I bet you were a hell raiser!" He then sighed softly, making little soft noises of contentment.
"Yes, I could be, especially when I got drunk," Viggo said. "Though I held off 'til my teenage years for that stuff. Still, I turned out better than I deserved." He pushed up the material to actually stroke skin, feeling a bit emboldened by the happy responses.
Elijah moaned, a deep sound of pleasure at the touch, going completely boneless on the rug and Viggo. "I did not, you know... I was a good boy... all my life... played by all the rules, was respectful to my elders and all that shit... and look where I ended up... I think you did well."
Viggo shut his eyes, surprised by the sudden stab of pain in the irises that was tears and anger and shame at himself for speaking without thought. His fingers continued their gentle circling, even as he struggled to find an answer. Finally, he spoke in quiet dismay; "I don't have an answer for you, Monkey. I wish I did. I can only hope this may be the start of something better for you. You could be a model, you know."
"I did not say that to make you feel bad, Viggo! I- I was just commenting on how strangely things can work out sometimes... I did not mean to upset you." Elijah lifted his head to look up at Viggo, his expression earnest. "As for- for better things? I- I don't know, but its nice to dream about."
"You don't upset me, Monkey. You make me happy. Its life that upsets me sometimes." He maneuvered himself forward to rub his model's soft cheek with one, long, calloused finger. "I did not mean to ruin your relaxed mood either. And dreams are good, worth having and holding on to. Want to know what I dream?"
Elijah nuzzled the finger a little as he nodded. "Please!"
"I dream that someday, maybe long after I'm gone, some big art museum will have a show of my work," Viggo said with a very slight flush. "I'd like for just one moment to be shown in a place where Picasso or Ansel Adams or anybody whose work has been influential and meaningful once hung on display."
"I think that is a beautiful thing to dream, much more honorable than mine." Elijah sighed, moving without thought to swing around, laying his head on Viggo's shoulder. Their bodies pressed together full length, and Elijah let out a little hum of pleasure. "Want to know mine? It's not as nice..."
"Yes, I do," Viggo said, adjusting easily to conform to the shift in position. He wrapped his larger frame protectively around the smaller man and slid a hand back to caress his stomach.
"Making enough money so that I can buy my parent's house and kick them out." There was a distinctly bitter edge to Elijah's voice. "After all, my father always said turn about is fair play."
Viggo's eyebrows lifted, and he cast about for something to say. "They hurt you very badly, my poor Monkey." He leaned down and kissed his brow. "I don't blame you for being angry."
"I don't blame me either, even if I don't really like the emotions they bring out in me." He sighed, pressing into Viggo tighter, soaking in the comforting feeling. "Thank you, though. Its not really the nicest side of me, and I wouldn't blame you for reacting very differently."
Viggo wrapped both arms around the small frame in a tight hug, settling them both comfortably. "Everyone has a dark edge to them sometimes. I know I do, especially when I was younger. Having a child helped soothe most of that away." He rested his chin in soft hair and noted how very comfortable and right it felt to be holding the other man this way. The thought hit him unexpectedly, but caused nothing only a mild puzzlement mixed with a feeling of contentment.
Snuggling into Viggo, Elijah thought about Viggo's words much more than he needed to, using them to push away his questions about their wonderfully comfortable embrace. "Most people don't like realizing they have a dark streak, and hide it, pushing their fears away."
"Its futile," Viggo said. "Might as well acknowledge that we are less than perfect and try to deal with our demons. They come out to haunt us at some point... This is a very serious discussion for what was supposed to be a relaxing evening by the fire."
"It's ok... I don't get a whole lot of serious discussion. I mean... johns ain't hiring me for my conversation." He grinned with his face tucked into Viggo's shoulder. "But you are right, too serious. Tell me something else... anything you want."
"I've enjoyed the time I have spent with you these past few weeks more than I have enjoyed any art experience in a long, long time," Viggo said. He did not plan to say that, but when he opened his mouth, the words naturally emerged. "I want to know everything about you."
Elijah lifted his head, needing to look into Viggo's eyes and see that the other man meant it. Finding confirmation in Viggo's expression, Elijah beamed. "Thank you. I..." Shaking his head slightly to express his inability to find words, Elijah pressed a kiss to Viggo's cheek.
Sneaking his head to the right, Viggo pressed a soft kiss to even softer lips, as he had wanted to do that afternoon. He smiled in return. "Thank you, too."
"Your welcome... but for what?" Elijah licked his lips quickly, enjoying the faintest taste of Viggo he found on them.
"For being you," Viggo said with a soft huff of laughter. "Can I be any mushier?"
"I don't know... can you?" He giggled again, pressing his nose against Viggo's cheek. "I don't mind, if that was worrying you."
"Good," Viggo said, just as the timer rang. "Now, we have to move." He lifted his head and sniffed a little. "Though I think I detect a smell worth moving for."
"I need to make the rice... the chicken will be about twenty minutes..." Grinning at Viggo he semi- boasted, "And the smell is only going to get better." Brushing a kiss to Viggo's lips, Elijah got up out of Viggo's embrace (trying not to whimper at the loss), and headed for the kitchen.
Rolling up behind him, Viggo went to put on a CD. The sounds of sixties bluegrass soon filled the air softly, and Viggo started to set the table. He sang along with each song, obviously knowing them all. " What do we drink with your chicken?"
"Um... my parents always had wine,. but I don't really like it. What do you have?" He bustled around cooking the rice.
"We can stick with soda, if you like," Viggo said, setting out utensils. "Or milk."
"I'd recommend soda or juice... I don't think milk would work well with this." Once the rice was cooking without needing supervision, Elijah turned the light on in the oven and checked on the chicken. "Looks good."
"Soda then, since we have no juice." Viggo grabbed some Coke out of the fridge for each of them, setting it by their plates. "Anything else I can do to help?"
"Nope... another ten minutes at the very most, and you an attempt to choke down my cooking." Elijah's tone was completely teasing; it was clear he had no fears about his ability to cook this meal.
"Maybe I better break out the hard liquor then," Viggo teased back. He sat down and looked out the window at the darkness. "Feels like we're the last people in the world."
"The only people at least," Elijah agreed softly, walking over the table behind Viggo, draping his hands over Viggo's neck and leaning against him just lightly. "It's- it's not a bad feeling."
Reaching up, Viggo took one of those small hands into his own. "It just adds to the cozy feeling, I think. The sense that nobody is going to interrupt this moment, this feeling. "
"I'm all yours- what ya gonna do with me?" Elijah giggled softly, knowing that Viggo would not do what most would, what he was wished more and more Viggo would do. For the first time, he confessed to himself that he had fallen in lust... perhaps something more.
Viggo glanced up at him and smiled sweetly. "I was thinking I might just enjoy your company and your chicken, before curling back up with you in front of a fire and falling asleep there."
Elijah sighed: Viggo's kindness complicated Elijah's feelings. He treated Elijah better than anyone he knew before. A sudden gust of wind drowned out his soft sigh, and Elijah replied, "Sounds lovely." He patted Viggo's chest with his free hand, the fingers of the other curling around Viggo's.
"Good." Viggo's fingers squeezed against the smaller ones again and then he grinned. "Oh, and I will subject you to Wagner."
"Wagner? What's- who's that?" Elijah leaned over just a little more, resting his chin on Viggo's head.
"A composer. You've never heard any Wagner?" He shook his head, gently so as not to disturb the chin resting in his hair. "This must and shall be remedied. Comfortable up there, by the way?"
"Um... no, I don't think I have. Is it classical music? I don't often listen to classical... and yes, thank you, quite comfortable." Elijah smiled, patting Viggo's chest before straightening and heading to the oven when the timer rang.
"I feel like an old husband again," Viggo said, swinging around to watch the other man cook. "This is a very domestic scene, after all. And yes, Wagner is classical. You'll probably recognize some of the music once I put it on. I plan to start with the hour long love theme from Tristan and Isolde. It' the epitome of the expression of longing, and they only find their happiness in death."
"How depressing!" Elijah shook his head, taking the cooked chicken out of the oven, moving it into the serving dish he'd found before, pouring the juices over the top and carrying it to the table. He then returned to do the same with the rice, smiling at Viggo as he sat down. "Do you want to serve?"
"No, its your meal, I think you should do the honors," Viggo said. "Besides, I might drool all over it." He licked his lips playfully at the sight and smell of the chicken. "And it's not depressing, its beautiful. Their love lasts forever- death cannot change that. And in death, they can be together as they never can in life."
"I think being together in life would be much better honestly!" Elijah stood again and started serving them both. "White or dark meat Vig?"
"White, please," Viggo said. "I cannot wait to try it."
Viggo was served breast meat, while Elijah went for a leg and thigh. Handing Viggo his plate, Elijah sat again, and watched Viggo, waiting for his reaction.
Viggo made a big show of cutting himself a piece, chewing it slowly and looking thoughtful, before he grinned and said, "You're hired. You can make this for me anytime. Its damned good, Monkey."
Elijah's grin could have lit up the whole cabin. "Monkey did good!" He giggled at himself before continuing, "I'm really glad you like it, Vig." He took his first mouthful, giving a happy little moan.
"Monkey did good," Viggo agreed, favoring him with the brightest, most caring smile in his repertoire.
Elijah could not seem to stop smiling, even while he was chewing. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it... and I'll cook it for you any time you like."
"You shouldn't say things like that," Viggo said. "I might take you up on the offer."
"I don't say things I don't mean."
"Then you're welcome to come over anytime and cook dinner for me... or share dinner with me," Viggo said. He dug into his chicken in earnest.
"I might- I might take you up on the offer, I hope you know that."
"I hope you do," Viggo said with a warm smile. He paused for a moment and then added, "You're welcome anytime, Monkey. For whatever reason."
Elijah drew in a ragged breath, looking at Viggo with eyes darkened with emotion. "Don't say that, even if it's true, Viggo. You- you've been very good to me."
"Why can't I say it then?" Viggo asked, his head tilted slightly to the left in puzzlement. "I trust you."
"You shouldn't... not this much! I'm not as good a person as you seem to think... and some of the people I know... I work with, they are very bad people. You don't need that kind of thing in your life, Viggo!"
"And would you bring them into my life, Monkey? Would you want them there?" Viggo asked, spearing another piece of chicken.
"Never! I would never bring them near you. I just... they- they don't always take no for an answer. Hell, they don't always ask." He looked more than a little lost.
"Then maybe you need me," Viggo said, hoping he did not sound arrogant. "At least, a place to go when you need to get away from people who won't take no for an answer. Your secret... ours."
"I- I just don't want to bring something bad down on you, Viggo. I'd never be able to live with myself if you got hurt 'cause of me."
"I may not know a lot about your life, Monkey, but I'm not a child, nor am I helpless. You're worth the risk to me," Viggo said, setting down his fork so he could gesture with his hands better.
"The really frightening thing is, I think you believe that, Viggo, I really do..." Elijah shook his head, "You-" His voice broke a little, and he cleared his throat before starting again, "You are a very good man, Viggo."
Viggo let the conversation lapse, as they ate, feeling somehow warmer for it all. He polished off three helpings of chicken, another way of proving his love for the cooking. Eventually, he stood, taking his plate and carrying it to the sink. On the way, he paused to press a kiss to the top of unruly black hair. "That was yummy. Thank you for sharing."
"Your very welcome..." Elijah finished off his last mouthful and stood as well, taking his plate to the sink and then returning to the table to clear it off. "Do you have any Tupperware to put the leftovers, what little there are, into?"
"Yes, I feel ashamed, but I do have Tupperware in my cupboard. There should be one big enough for the rest of the bird." He pointed, as he began to do the dishes by hand, humming under his breath.
Elijah found what he needed, putting the leftovers in the fridge before turning to watch Viggo. Elijah frowned, trying to work out why Viggo looked so odd washing the dishes before realizing there was a dishwasher. "Viggo? Why are you doing that... there's a dishwasher right? Oh... is it broken?"
"No, I just wanted to feel the suds on my hands right now," Viggo said with a chuckle. "I know that sounds odd, but I'm a very tactile person." He placed dishes in the rack as he washed them one by one.
"You never had dishes as your punishment chore at home, did you?" Elijah picked up a dishcloth and started drying the clean dishes.
"No, not really. Mucking out stalls was more my parent's idea of punishment. Funny thing, I rather like doing that, too." He shook his head at himself and kept washing.
"It sounds smelly... I hated dishes before it became a punishment, and once it was, I just loathed it. Still do to be honest."
"As I wash my dishes, I'll be following a plan, 'til I see the brightness in every pot and pan. I am sure this point of view will ease the daily grind, so I keep repeating in my mind... look for the silver lining," Viggo sang and then stopped with a slightly silly look. "Stop me when I start to go off like that."
Elijah listened with an amused expression. "Don't stop! It's funny! And you have a very nice voice, better than mine by far. Sing something else? Please?" Elijah gave Viggo a hopeful look.
"Funny?" Viggo looked at him with a slight pout. "Its not supposed to be a funny song."
"Not the song... you... the way you think, the way your mind works... its amusing to me."
"Oh..." Viggo thought that over and then nodded. "It's very strange up here in my head, but I'm used to it." He took a few more seconds of silently washing dishes before he sang again, "You are the promised kiss of springtime that makes the lonely winter seem long. You are the breathless hush of evening that trembled on the brink of a lovely song. You are the angel glow that lights the star, the dearest things that I know are what you are. Someday, my happy arms will hold you and someday, I'll know that moment divine, when all the things you are, are mine."
Elijah watched Viggo and imagining that Viggo sang to him, for him... that Viggo felt the same way about him He sighed deeply, a mixed sound of pleasure and longing. "You really do have a nice voice, Viggo."
Viggo smiled and gave a small shrug, the barest lift of his shoulders. "Thank you, Monkey. I like to sing, but more often I enjoy goofing with the lyrics and sounds, until a song is more like a cacophony than a song. But right now, I feel like giving a song its due and just... letting it be."
"A cacophony huh? You are a man of strange twists I'll give you that..." Elijah grinned before he started drying and putting away the dishes again. "Do you have a favorite song?"
"No, I'm never able to settle on one," Viggo said, drying off his hands. "I keep listening to new songs and every month, I decide upon a new favorite. I must have hundreds of favorites by now. How about you, Monkey?"
"More, probably thousands of favorites... although, I do like several groups or artist more than others." Putting the last dish away, Elijah asked almost shyly, "The rug?"
"I'll stoke the fire up a bit more, too," Viggo said, wondering at the sudden shy expression. He turned off the kitchen light, leaving only the glow from the fire to light the cabin. For a moment, he paused by the switch, staring with glittering eyes at the form of his model, flickering in the soft glow.
Elijah followed Viggo out of the kitchen and walked over to the rug, saying softly, "Don't turn the light on, please. The- the fire is so pretty."
"I agree," Viggo whispered. He added some sticks to the flame, poking it back into full, rich flame. Finally satisfied, he stretched out on the rug and waited.
Elijah hesitated for a bare moment before he lay down, stretching along Viggo's side, not quite touching, but clearly seeking the embrace they shared before dinner.
Wondering a little again at the sudden timidity of his model, Viggo wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close to lie pressed chest to chest. "All right?" he asked in his softest voice, feeling like he was soothing a nervous animal.
Elijah snuggled into Viggo right away, dispelling any concerns Viggo might have that Elijah was not right were he wanted to be. "Perfect... thank you."
"It is nice to have somebody to cuddle with on a cold night," Viggo said. "I'd almost forgotten."
"Well that's just not allowed!" Elijah snuggled even closer, Viggo's words helping to restore his confidence. "II rather like it myself." The last few words were spoken into Viggo's shoulder.
"Good," Viggo said and then chuckled. "In the rush to get resettled, I forgot the Wagner. I must be getting old."
"I think you wanted to listen to a different music, the music of the fire... the sounds and smells of flame."
"Poetic, my Monkey," Viggo said with a smile. "It is nice to listen to the sounds of the fire and our breathing. Enthralling, even."
Elijah could think of other noises he would not mind hearing, like Viggo moaning in the pleasure he gave him, but he dared not say anything, sure he would fuck everything up. "I have my moments."
As if to let it sink into them fully, Viggo fell silent for several moments, just listening. Eventually, he said, "Are you going to continue my interrogation?"
Elijah laughed at the question, his breath brushing against Viggo's skin. "Seeing you put it that way... what's your favorite flavor?"
"Hot and sour soup," Viggo replied without a moment's pause. "There's something about how the flavor explodes on your taste buds and then burns there for several moments afterward." He nuzzled soft hair without thinking.
Elijah had to fight the desire, the need, to press a kiss to the tanned skin so close to his lips, closing his eyes to help fight off the temptation. Keeping them closed, he asked, "Favorite color?"
"The blue of your eyes," Viggo said and then shivered slightly at the response. "It used to be forest green..."
Elijah felt his face flame and hid it, pressing into the curve of Viggo's neck. His cheek flushed against Viggo's skin, almost burning it. His mouth moved, but the words were too muffled for Viggo to understand.
Feeling the evidence of a blush warming his skin, Viggo said, "They're hypnotic. I look into them and feel like I could fall in there and be happily lost forever. There's so much going on in those eyes..." He tightened his arms in a brief hug. "And I could not hear what you just said."
Elijah shook his head, burrowing as deeply into Viggo as he could. His blush managed to increase at the complimentary words. He could not answer for blushing so much, but inside, under the embarrassment, existed an intense feeling of pleasure.
Cradling him, Viggo rubbed his back and side with firm fingers, trying to ease the small shivers he felt there. "Does my answer displease you?"
"No!" It was perhaps the one question sure to break through Elijah's embarrassment. "Not at all! I like it a lot... just makes me a little blushy. Sorry."
"I like you blushy," Viggo said. Impulsively, he moved their heads so he could rub his nose against his model's. "Anything more you want to know?"
"I want to know everything." Elijah rubbed his nose back against Viggo's, enjoying the thought that he was giving Viggo kisses of some kind. "Anything you want to tell me?"
Biting back several answers to that question, Viggo said finally, "I got the idea to photograph a prostitute a long time ago. No matter how often I dismissed the notion, it kept returning, until it became a compulsion, something I had to do. And then I went and looked over the women first, but none of them seemed right to me. Eventually, I went to where I first met you... and its funny, what I felt when I first saw you standing there under those streetlights... I knew you were beautiful and captivating and perfect for everything I had in mind, but it was more than that... there was some part of me that said, 'there you are.' Does that make any sense?"
Lifting his head so he could study Viggo's expression, Elijah nodded somberly. "Yes, it makes a lot of sense. Its like I know you, even though I don't." He thought for a long time, before saying softly, "We've known each other before."
"That's an interesting idea," Viggo said, smoothing back a soft wisps of hair from around a blue eye. "Does it frighten you?"
"Maybe it should, but no, it doesn't... 'Cause we're going to meet again, after this life."
"After this life?" Viggo asked. "What about during this life?"
"We- we take whatever joy we can find and savor the moments, for they can never come again." Intense blue eyes bored into Viggo, as if looking into his very soul.
Viggo gazed back at him, wondering what the other man saw in his eyes. He tried to gauge the emotions that swirled through the blue eyes in front of him. Something jolted through his system, brief and shocking, like an electric cattle prod suddenly applied to his spine. Gasping once in surprise, he leaned forward to press his forehead tight to his model's. "I am. Promise."
"And so am I. I will treasure every moment here with you, for they are moments that I have no equal to in my memories." Elijah's words were a vow, not a statement.
"I'm glad I could give you such memories," Viggo said with equal earnestly. He bit back a smile, feeling silly and a bit vulnerable. Unsure what to do, he pressed a kiss to the small mouth before his.
Elijah sighed almost blissfully, rubbing his lips lightly against Viggo, soft skin caressing lightly for long moments.
The fire snapped suddenly, and Viggo started, pulling his mouth away. "Oh. What time is it anyway?" He glanced up at the wall clock and sighed. "It's getting late."
"Is it? I didn't notice..." Elijah looked away, not wanting to show the desire in his eyes or the pang he felt when Viggo pulled away. "Are you tired?"
"No, not really, but we have a long drive back tomorrow." The instant Viggo spoke the words, they seemed to thud dully in his ears. He did not want to take his Monkey back to his job, walking the streets for johns. Everything in him screamed against the idea. "Of course, we could postpone going back..."
Elijah's smile returned at Viggo's suggestion, and he looked back at Viggo. "Don't you have things you need to do?"
"I do not have a formal sitting until the middle of the week, thankfully," Viggo said with a sigh. "They may bring in the money, but they drain an artist's soul, too."
"Is a formal sitting anything like when I was sitting on the dolphin?" Elijah asked with a thread of laughter in his voice.
"No, it's all very well thought out in advance with all the props set up. Its usually a wedding photo or a holiday photo or some other rather stolid and boring affair." Viggo nuzzled the laughter, encouraging more.
Elijah gave Viggo a mock offended look. "Are you saying you did not plan my pictures out ahead of time? I'm insulted!"
"I had notions of what I wanted, but I let you dictate how they would work," Viggo said softly, responding to the question with all seriousness. "I did not need a formal pose, a certain angle, the exact props... it always comes down to you."
"To me?" Elijah tilted his head to the side and looked curious. "You mean that, don't you?"
"Yes, of course I do," Viggo said, surprised by the surprise of his model.
Elijah did not respond directly to Viggo's answer, just said softly, "I- I would like to stay longer, if you want to."
"Then we will," Viggo said with a deep inner sigh of relief. "We can go see the waterfalls tomorrow, if you like. They are lovely this time of year, gushing over with water."
"Sounds lovely. Um... Can I do some washing tomorrow 'cause I only brought two clean sets of clothes." He looked questioningly at Viggo, even though he was sure it would be fine.
"Of course, or you can borrow some of my son's pants and one of my shirts. I am sure they would fit you fine, though my shirt may be a little big." He teasingly wrapped a hand around a smaller arm as if to prove the difference in size.
"Well, not all of us are oversized... anyone ever tell you that good things come in small packages?"
"I suppose that makes me one of the not so good things," Viggo said sadly, considering his size with a small frown. He sighed deeply, as if heart sore.
"Maybe you're one of the exceptions that prove the rule?" Elijah gave Viggo a very encouraging smile.
"No, I fear I'm just one of the big oafs of the world," Viggo said resignedly.
"Monkey does not agree. Monkey says Viggo is a good thing. So it is spoken, so it shall be."
Viggo laughed a little and bowed his head in deference. "All hail the great and wise Monkey."
"You had better believe it!" Elijah gave a solemn nod. "The Monkey will accept your thanks between three pm and two seconds after three pm tomorrow.
"What is appropriate thanks for the great Monkey?" Viggo asked, sounding worshipful. "Especially given my short time span to express my deep gratitude."
"I think some of that cocoa you served me this morning. I believe the Monkey would like that just as much." Elijah did his best to fight of his giggles, managing to keep his voice fairly serious.
"Shall I dump it down Monkey's throat in my two seconds of prayer time?" Viggo asked, his voice beginning to fill with delight at this ridiculous conversation.
"No, you may offer it to the Monkey's vessel in this world." Elijah's eyes danced, showing the amusement he kept off his face and out of his voice.
"With or without marshmallows?" Viggo asked. "I want to get this right for the Monkey who finds me good the way I am despite being a large oaf."
At Viggo's last comment, Elijah's control was hard pressed, but he managed to keep himself together. "The Monkey is truly great... and marshmallows are perfectly acceptable!"
"Marshmallows shall be added for the deity. Does the Monkey prefer the blue mug or the green one? And shall I carry this mug on a silver platter or a silk cushion?" Viggo kept going, wanting to see the other man dissolve in laughter.
Viggo's second question helped Elijah control himself as he responded to just that, saying, "Your hands are all that are needed. Their use shows more caring than any platter in existence.
Viggo let go to lift his hands and regard them. "Perhaps I should anoint them in some special oils."
Elijah shook his head,, capturing Viggo's wrist and bending until he could press a kiss to each of Viggo's palms, but his words returned to the teasing, "Only Monkey-juice or your own life essence will do."
Two eyebrows attempted to jump off Viggo's forehead and make a dash for freedom. "I better time myself carefully then, if I'm going to get my essence and the hot chocolate ready at the same time..."
Elijah burst into laughter, falling against Viggo.
Relaxing happily, Viggo laughed with him, his body's shaking rocking them both. "Monkey juice?" he gasped between laughs. "That was not fair play!"
"Who said I had to play fair? There are no rules about that!"
"Brat." Viggo grinned and shook his head, about to say more, but the clock began to strike. When the twelve bells faded away, Viggo said, "Time for all Monkeys, Oafs and otherwise to head to bed."
"Awwwwwww... fun's over?" Elijah looked very sadly down at Viggo.
"'Til later today," Viggo said, "when we get to start the fun all over again."
"More fun for monkey? Okay.. That's okay..." He stood slowly, reluctant to put distance between their bodies. "Thank you for tonight's fun, Viggo."
"Shall I tuck you into bed?" Viggo asked, only half teasing. He closed the grate on the fireplace, allowing it to burn out slowly.
"You can if you want to, Viggo, but I think I'll survive if you don't." Elijah smiled and offered Viggo his hand. When Viggo took it, he started walking slowly toward their bedrooms.
"I wanted to," Viggo said, sounding a little melancholy about the reply, "but whatever makes you happy."
"If you want to, I'd like you too." Elijah led Viggo to his room, undressing down to his boxers before pulling the covers on the bed back and getting into it.
Viggo offered him his pajamas, which lay near the pillow. "You will need these; its still very cold."
Elijah took them and glanced at Viggo before turning away, not sure whose modesty he was trying to protect, as he slipped out of his boxers and into the pjs.
Viggo smoothed the covers until the other man settled beneath them, now clad in his pajamas. "Good night, my Monkey." He tucked the covers firmly into the bed frame, before leaning over to kiss a soft cheek. "Call me if you need me. I had a lovely day with you."
"I will, and so did I... a very good day." Elijah turned onto his side, so he could watch Viggo leave. "Good night."
Viggo trailed off into the darkness with a little wave. He dug out his own sleep wear, crawled into them and then dove into the bed with a thump. Into the still night, he called out, "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are," and then shut his eyes to sleep.
**********
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Thank your for reading and leaving FB!
Saklani
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However, I've been trying to locate the first two chapters of it and can't find them. I dislike starting stories in the middle, and it’s driving me nuts! Would you be kind enough to point me towards them?
And again, your work is wonderful..
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Better late than never, love! We are glad you found this story and are enjoying it!
The best place to find the whole story is-
http://www.livejournal.com/community/wonderandwild/
That is our own personal sotry journal, so everything we have ever written together is there.
And thank you so much for the FB!
Saklani
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It also makes you ache when you continually hear of his feelings of such low self worth and that he is a bad person underneath that could "infect" Viggo badly.
I look forward to the waterfalls and when they finally come together. I will be wondering how Elijah will be able to return to his "job" after all this closeness, friendship, and love.
Great story and thank you for the double chapter in the holiday...was a holiday treat for me. :P Happy New Year!
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Thanks for the long and lovely FB!
Happy NEw Year to you, too!
Saklani
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The end of WYR is up! I hope you do like what we did.
Saklani
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I love your SN! They are indeed getting very, very close. And the next chapter shall reveal just how close! More soon!
Thanks for the FB!
Saklani