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fellowshippers2006-08-06 03:13 pm
arabia764.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2006-08-06 03:13 pm
Fic: Us Against The World -- Damaged story 5 Elijah/Orli N17 10/10
Sorry this was a week late but thank you for understanding.
I really think that this is it, the last of the big Damaged stories. There might be more but I doubt it, although there will be at least one little snippet.
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback for all five of the stories, I can’t find the words to express just how much it has meant to me. Lets just say you’ve kept me going when times have been hard, built my self-confidence when it’s hit rock bottom and made me feel as though I can do something right for a change.
Title: Us Against The World – Damaged story 5
Chapter: Ten
Author: Arabia
Pairing: Elijah/Orli
Rating N17
Disclaimer: Total fiction
Feedback: Is always very much appreciated.
The first four stories can be found in my memories.
Thank you to my darling otp![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
grievous_angel for the wonderful beta and all the support, and to annwyn55 for making the beautiful icon that goes with the fic.
This story is for Pum. She knows why and it is perfect.
Us Against The World
Chapter Ten
The television talked away to itself in the corner, lights flickering, characters arguing in the middle of the street in the way that only happens in a soap opera, but no one was taking any notice. Orli lay on his back on the sofa, same position he’d been in for the last thirty minutes, Elijah between his legs, chests squashed together. Lips lazily kissing.
Well, most of the time it was lazy. Every now and again Elijah would up the intensity, pressing just that bit harder, reaching just that bit deeper. But more often than not he was quite happy to lie there, body relaxed and still, and let the kiss take its own time till their lips weren’t so much swollen, as gently tingling.
And Orli was every bit as happy to let him. More than happy.
So what if he should have been at a leaving party at work? So what if the girl that was going was a long time friend? Parties came and went. The girl was only leaving, not moving to Australia. There’d be other parties, other times to meet up, but times like these were to be savoured.
He knew they still had problems, still had one huge thing hanging over their heads, but so what? He and his dad would go back to ignoring things just like they always had, Elijah would make sure things were smoothed over between him and his mother and, most important of all, Elijah seemed calm again. More than that, Elijah seemed relaxed, happy. Their underlying happiness was still intact. Life didn’t get any better than that. Unless you counted Elijah happy and in this mood.
Orli had recognised the mood that morning, as they were getting ready for work. The thought of it had stayed with him all day until, at the last minute, he’d cried off the party and come home instead. He could have taken Elijah along with him but this was so much better. He’d made the right decision, damn, but he had the best instincts in the world.
He caught Elijah’s bottom lip, pulling it out then pressing his tongue against the front of Elijah’s teeth. Wetness slipping and sliding in such a perfect way.
It was daft but he really liked the way their mouths seemed to fit together, like now. Like when Elijah did that, just angling his head every so slightly and they fitted, his nose pressed against Elijah’s, his lips vaguely dominant, his mouth opening wider. Then it changed and Elijah’s lips led the dance, but it was always in time. They always fitted together. Slowly eating at each other’s mouths, Orli couldn’t think of a better way to describe it, exploring, connecting, reaffirming. When he licked over the roof of Elijah’s mouth he got a murmur of approval as a reward and he sighed in pleasure. Yep, he could lie here, like this, forever and a day.
Who needed other people?
+
The phone call came two days later when they were just going out to meet Rose and Stuart for a drink. This time Elijah’s sixth sense hadn’t kicked in and he had no inclination of who it was before he picked it up.
“Yeah?” he giggled as Orli made get-a-move-on faces at him. Then he heard the voice: that man, that voice that set his teeth on edge.
“I want my money.”
Elijah stayed quiet, his eyes going to Orli.
“You know now that I’ll send those fucking photos to whoever I have to, so you might as well pay now before anymore damage is done.”
Elijah simply put the phone back in its cradle.
+
There were more calls after that, they didn’t bother counting how many. Each time Elijah or Orli would just hang up, look at each other for a moment, and then carry on with whatever they were doing. There was no point talking about it anymore, there was nothing left to say.
That was until the call that came at half past three in the morning when they were fast asleep. Orli stuck his hand out, found the phone and barked a snappy, “This had better be important.”
Elijah pulled his head out from under Orli’s arm and heard the sound of a raised voice from the other end, and then Orli had had enough. “Fuck off you fucking fucker. It’s late, we’re asleep. Fuck off.”
He leant over Orli and took the phone. The man was babbling obscenities and threats and he sounded drunk. Elijah waited for a pause. “Understand,” he said at last. “I’m not hiding or running. I am what I am and I know what I was, you’ve got nothing to threaten me with. Do whatever you want, I don’t care. Now get lost.”
He hung up, then pushed at Orli till he was draped over him, snuggled into his body. He yawned, licking at Orli’s shoulder as he stretched his mouth wide. “Fuck off you fucking fucker? The five year olds in my class have a wider vocabulary than you do.”
“It’s the middle of the night, my brain doesn’t work.”
“Something else does though,” Elijah briefly flicked at Orli’s erection.
“Yeah,” Orli smiled the word, lazy and sinful, as he rolled Elijah onto his back and slid down his body, licking a wet trail.
“Now?” Elijah thought about questioning it. “I’ve got to get up for work in a couple of hours.”
“Won’t take long, you just lie back and go to sleep,” Orli slipped his lips over Elijah’s fast hardening cock.
For a minute Elijah considered doing just that then he pulled at Orli, a hand reaching for his hip. If he could just get Orli to swing round so that he could reach without moving – he really couldn’t be bothered to move – yeah, that was it. He caught hold of Orli’s cock, pulling it out towards himself, offering it to his lips. Sixty nine. Twice the pleasure, half the time.
+
“If we can’t afford proper wood flooring, why don’t we sand the floorboards down in the hall?” Elijah asked as he put his jacket on and followed Orli out of the flat. DIY shopping again, he’d almost had enough now. Especially after a hard day at work. Whoever had invented late night opening should be shot. “A bit of polish on them and they’ll be all right. Anything would be better than now, at least we could clear up the mess.”
“The gaps between them are too big,” Orli said as they headed down their quiet side street, aiming for the main road. “I can live with everything dropping down between them but there always seems to be a draught coming up straight from the arctic. Lets see how much the flooring is reduced in the sale, we can always stick it on the credit card.”
“Or not eat?” Elijah suggested.
“We could save money by staying in bed all day,” Orli goosed Elijah, walking backwards so he could grin at him. “Save on the heating and wear and tear on our clothes.”
“We’d be naked then?” Elijah arched an eyebrow.
“Course we would, naked and sweaty.”
“I like the way your brain works.”
“And I like the way your... shit!” Orli exclaimed as a hand on his back unexpectedly shoved him towards the wall. Elijah took a quick step closer, Orli turned and they were hip to hip: facing the man from the photographs.
Only he didn’t look quite the same. It took barely a moment to register, but the man looked older, a lot older. More than the intervening years would account for. He might once have had hair like Elijah’s but he was almost bald now, his face deeply lined and bloated, broken veins like a map spread over his nose and cheeks. He was also thinner, less bulldog-like than in the photos.
But even so, it was definitely him.
Orli tried to step in front of Elijah but there was little room. The man lunged at Elijah, trying to grab the front of his jacket, but Orli stuck his hand out and held him off.
“What do you want?” Elijah asked, his voice stronger and surer than he expected.
“My money, you little bastard. I want my money.” His hand shook, and this time when Orli took a step back it was in revulsion. There was an all pervading smell of urine and sour alcohol.
“Piss off,” Orli snarled. “We’ve told you enough times, you’ll get nothing from us.”
“You shut your fucking mouth,” the man turned to Orli, invading his space, his face thrust into Orli’s. “Or I’ll kick your head in.” His hand went to Orli’s throat and for a moment he was pinned against the wall. But then Orli pushed back, knocking the hand away. There might have been a knot of something in his belly, but he stood firm.
“Get your stinking hands off us.”
“I’m not interested in you, it’s him I’ve come to see,” again the man snatched at Elijah, only just missing.
“I’ve got nothing else to say to you,” Elijah stated.
“Who wants to talk? I’ve had your arse, I only want money now. You were my investment for the future, well it’s time to pay up sonny boy.”
“Is that it?” Elijah laughed incredulously and without humour. “Is that why you made her have me? So I’d keep you in your old age. You have to be joking.”
“You listen here, I...” Again he thrust forward.
“No, you listen,” Elijah pushed past Orli and stared up at the man, waves of anger coming from every pore. “You are not my father, never have been, never will be. You won’t get a single penny from me, not even if I’m dead. I am not a fucking pension fund. Now piss off back to the hole you crawled out of.”
“You little whore,” this time he lunged for Elijah in earnest, his fingers closing into a fist as his hand shot out. Orli pushed at him, shoving him off balance, but it wasn’t necessary. Elijah simply side stepped out of his grasp with an easy grace that told of years of experience.
“Fucking bastard,” Orli shoved again, two hands at the man’s shoulder, and Elijah was almost amused to see him bare his teeth. “I’ll fucking kill you if you...”
The man looked from one to the other, both such skinny little bits of nothing. But both daring to stand up to him. Daring to fight back even.
“Leave it Orlando,” Elijah’s hand was on Orli’s arm. “He isn’t worth it. Look at him,” he threw the man a glance full of contempt and derision. “He might have been a hard man once but he’s nothing now. A washed up, broken, has-been. Don’t waste your breath on him.”
“I’ll fucking kill you,” the man turned back to Elijah, his head and neck an angry bloodshot red. But again, faced with them standing firmly shoulder to shoulder, he wavered. “We’re family,” he tried a different angle, swiping at the sweat above his upper lip, the shake in his hand more noticeable. “Family always look out for each other.”
“No, family is about loving not blood,” Elijah spat out the words. “I’ve got nothing but hatred for what you did to mum and contempt for what you’re trying to do to me, and none of it has anything to do with ‘family.’” Elijah sneered the word through his teeth. He jerked a finger at Orli. “He’s family, so is mum. You and me are nothing.”
“You piece of shit,” the man reared up again, looming over Elijah, trying to use the full force of his menace to intimidate and terrorise. There was an aura of bullyboy power, of evilness surrounding him and all of a sudden he seemed larger, taller. “You’ll do what I want because I said so,” his voice had dropped, low and deadly.
“Piss off,” Elijah said it quietly, emphatically.
“You weren’t even a good fuck,” he had nothing else to use.
“Admit it,” Elijah’s lip curled in revolted contempt. “I was the best you’ve ever had, I bet you even believed I liked it.”
Again the hesitation as he looked from one to the other. “I’m not finished with you,” it was his turn to spit the words out but they had a hollow ring to them. He knew this time his bluff had been called.
“Well, I’m finished with you. What are you going to do? Try and ruin my life, bring me down to your level? Go fuck yourself, I’m not playing.”
Again the man tried to intimidate with old fashioned plain thuggery, threatening muscles and curled fists.
Elijah had to tip his head back to look up at him but he didn’t move a muscle, standing his ground. His face was impassive, his voice composed as he radiated control and determination. “Are you going to hit me?” he cocked an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t be the first but it won’t get you anywhere. If I see those photos again or you touch any of us, me, him or mum, I’ll go to the police and tell them what a repulsive child abuser you really are. And remember, you gave me the evidence,” He coolly, deliberately spat at the man’s feet and shook his head. “You’re not half the man I am, you never were.”
And at that moment, as much as the man blustered, you could see in his eyes that he knew he was beaten.
+
Back in the flat Orli wanted to take Elijah in his arms and just hold him for ever and ever. Only Elijah didn’t want that. Instead he smiled at Orli, patted his arm and went for the phone. Standing looking into the distance, he waited for it to be answered.
“Mum,” he said after a few minutes. “I’ve seen him, he came here.” He relaxed, each muscle giving just a little. “He’s nothing mum, just a broken old man. You don’t have to be frightened anymore, he can’t hurt us.” His voice changed, becoming softer. “I’ll see you soon,” and he put the phone gently down.
“Are you all right?” Orli asked.
“Yeah,” Elijah’s face brightened, even if he didn’t quite manage a smile. “I am. The fear of him was worse than the reality.”
+
Thursday morning saw Elijah sitting crossed legged on his chair in the carpet area, handing out carrots to his class. Sinem looked at it as if it were something from another planet. He bit the end of it and chewed. “You eat it, it tastes nice. Honest.” She didn’t look convinced but she took one anyway, if Mr Wood could eat it, she’d give it a try. Elijah applauded the government’s efforts to improve the children’s diets by giving away free fruit and vegetables to the underprivileged. Especially as nine times out of ten there was enough left over so he got some as well.
“Okay guys,” he called out in his best teacher’s voice. “Collect your carrots then come and sit down on the carpet. We can just about squeeze in a story before playtime if you’re quick.” He liked reading to them, considered it one of the real highlights of the job. But only now he had them under complete control. This lot had been a really difficult bunch.
They settled easily and Elijah held the book up as he read, pointing to the pictures with the half eaten end of his carrot. The Avocado Baby was just throwing the bullies in the pond when there was a knock on the door and the head teacher popped her head round. Twenty nine sets of big, round eyes turned to look at her.
“I don’t want to interrupt Mr Wood, I can see you’re all very busy but I...” she came to a halt. Elijah registered the way she wouldn’t meet his eye and her cheeks pinked and reconciled himself yet again.
“Yes?” he prompted.
“I wanted a word with you, maybe at lunch time?” she seemed both hesitant and embarrassed. Neither was normal for her.
Elijah threw a quick glance at his class and they quieted down once more. “Why?” he asked softly. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, no, nothing like that,” again the head teacher fidgeted. “It’s just that I got some photographs in the post today and I...”
“Of me?” Elijah interrupted.
“Yes, I’m rather afraid they are,” he face was closed, her lips pressed tight together.
“Is this going to cause me problems?” he asked, although he felt confident about her response.
“I can’t see why,” her face cleared. “I do hate being pushed to do something and I rather suspect that’s what’s happening here,” she even managed a small smile. “After all we do have an anti-bullying policy in this school, but perhaps we should discuss what to do about them?”
“Okay,” Elijah said with confidence. He turned back to the children. “But can we make it after school? I’m going to bring someone with me. It’s about time you met him, everyone here should.”
He left it till lunchtime to ring Orli, and then explained briskly what had happened.
“You think he sent them right after we saw him?” Orli asked.
“He might have done it before, I mean they got here really quickly.”
“How you doing?”
Elijah thought about it, but only for a minute. “Fine. Maybe it’s surprising but I really am fine. It’s like, after actually seeing him the worry has gone. This is it now, he’s done everything he threatened me with, he can’t get at me anymore. It’s over.”
“What about your head teacher?”
“Oh I’m not worried about her, she’s stressed but fair. She’ll support me. Anyway, I reckon between us we can have her eating out of our hands in no time.”
Orli couldn’t help but laugh, it was good to hear Elijah talking like that. “You sure you want me to come? All the rest of the staff will still be there and you know how you like to keep your private life private at school.”
“About time I changed that,” Elijah said. “I’ll take you into the staff room and introduce you once we’ve talked to the head. Lucy Singh, the science co-ordinator, is going to be really disappointed when I introduce you as my boyfriend, you’re just her type.”
“Your boyfriend?” Orli smiled, strong and wide, even though only he could see it. “Wow, you’re being open all of a sudden.”
“Yeah well, I’ve got something special to shout about. I’m going to show you off and watch them all go green with envy.”
“And I always thought you were ashamed of me,” Orli joked.
“Not ashamed, just private. But now I’m simply proud and I don’t want anymore secrets.”
“I’m proud of you too,” Orli said softly. “Very, very proud.”
+
The children were just putting on their coats and lining up at the door to go home when Orli arrived in the classroom. Elijah had to smile, he looked so out of place in his formal black suit amongst the paint pots and tiny chairs. The smile grew bigger as his gaze wandered over Orli. The hated tie was pulled loose, the top two shirt button undone, a hint of amazing skin just snowing at his neck. Hair tumbling and messy; Elijah could just picture Orli running his hands through it distractedly on the bus.
He was beautiful and he was Elijah’s. Elijah felt a swelling of pride or love or something in his belly. This man loved him and would stick with him through everything. And here he was, in Elijah’s domain, his ‘other’ world. “Hey kids,” he called impulsively. “This is Mr Bloom, he’s my best friend.”
The children all stopped and turned to look. Only small children don’t just look, they stare intently, completely open about what they are doing. “You like him?” Kamal asked.
“Yep,” Elijah nodded.
“Then we like him too,” and they crowded around him, pulling at Orli’s trousers and sleeves.
“Be nice to him, he’s scared of children,” Elijah laughed. For a few minutes there was chaos as the children pulled and poked at Orli, asking funny questions that he did his best to answer, a couple trying to sit on his lap. Then Elijah decided to take pity on him and called them off.
Once more they lined up at the door and then were released to their parents, with much waving and shouts of goodbye to Orli. One little girl even blew him a kiss. Elijah ignored the parents’ curious glances, and shooed them away with practiced ease. When they were all gone he turned his attention back to Orli, who stood, stunned, in the middle of the room. “Hello you,” he twined his arms around Orli’s neck. “You’re early.”
“I didn’t want to miss anything. You want me to go?” Orli pulled Elijah in, his hands resting on the small of his back.
“No,” Elijah drew out the word. “I like you being here, in my world. You look cute. Bewildered but cute.” He kissed the tip of Orli’s nose.
“I don’t know how you do it, they’re so... small.”
“You should hear the noise they can make,” Elijah laughed.
“I’d rather not,” Orli kissed him, soft at first but Elijah started to deepen it. “Should we be doing this here?” Orli asked. “I already got a sackful of curious looks as I came in and asked for your classroom.”
“Big woman in the front office with weird hair extensions?”
Orli nodded.
“That’ll be Dominica, the whole school will know about you by now. She’s better than a PA system.”
“And you don’t mind?”
“Nope,” Elijah kissed him again. “I love you, everyone should know it.”
“Are you really going to introduce me as your boyfriend?” Orli grinned, knowing how they both disliked the word.
For a moment Elijah frowned but then his face brightened. “How about I call you my other half? That works, it feels right.”
“Other half,” Orli tested out the phrase and then his eyes shone, matching Elijah’s. “I like it. You’re my other half.”
For a few long minutes they stood, pressed together, slowly kissing. Elijah was aware of people stopping outside the open door and looking, aware of scurrying feet as they went to get others to see the show, but what did he care? This was perfect.
Eventually he pulled away and simply smiled up at Orli.
“I love you too,” Orli said softly, brushing a strand of hair from Elijah’s face. And there was a sigh of appreciation from the group of watching women.
Elijah’s smile turned into a huge grin. “Shall we go and get this sorted so I can show you off properly?”
Orli smiled back, took Elijah’s hand and followed him out of the classroom.
+
They stood outside the head teacher’s office and looked at the closed door. Elijah took a deep breath, raised his fist to knock, and turned to Orli, “Ready?”
Orli took Elijah’s other hand in his and smiled. “It might be us against the world ‘Lijah, but we won. We definitely won.”
Elijah nodded. They really were attached at the hip.
He linked their fingers together and they went in.
~~ * ~~
I really think that this is it, the last of the big Damaged stories. There might be more but I doubt it, although there will be at least one little snippet.
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback for all five of the stories, I can’t find the words to express just how much it has meant to me. Lets just say you’ve kept me going when times have been hard, built my self-confidence when it’s hit rock bottom and made me feel as though I can do something right for a change.
Title: Us Against The World – Damaged story 5
Chapter: Ten
Author: Arabia
Pairing: Elijah/Orli
Rating N17
Disclaimer: Total fiction
Feedback: Is always very much appreciated.
The first four stories can be found in my memories.
Thank you to my darling otp
grievous_angel for the wonderful beta and all the support, and to annwyn55 for making the beautiful icon that goes with the fic.This story is for Pum. She knows why and it is perfect.
Us Against The World
Chapter Ten
The television talked away to itself in the corner, lights flickering, characters arguing in the middle of the street in the way that only happens in a soap opera, but no one was taking any notice. Orli lay on his back on the sofa, same position he’d been in for the last thirty minutes, Elijah between his legs, chests squashed together. Lips lazily kissing.
Well, most of the time it was lazy. Every now and again Elijah would up the intensity, pressing just that bit harder, reaching just that bit deeper. But more often than not he was quite happy to lie there, body relaxed and still, and let the kiss take its own time till their lips weren’t so much swollen, as gently tingling.
And Orli was every bit as happy to let him. More than happy.
So what if he should have been at a leaving party at work? So what if the girl that was going was a long time friend? Parties came and went. The girl was only leaving, not moving to Australia. There’d be other parties, other times to meet up, but times like these were to be savoured.
He knew they still had problems, still had one huge thing hanging over their heads, but so what? He and his dad would go back to ignoring things just like they always had, Elijah would make sure things were smoothed over between him and his mother and, most important of all, Elijah seemed calm again. More than that, Elijah seemed relaxed, happy. Their underlying happiness was still intact. Life didn’t get any better than that. Unless you counted Elijah happy and in this mood.
Orli had recognised the mood that morning, as they were getting ready for work. The thought of it had stayed with him all day until, at the last minute, he’d cried off the party and come home instead. He could have taken Elijah along with him but this was so much better. He’d made the right decision, damn, but he had the best instincts in the world.
He caught Elijah’s bottom lip, pulling it out then pressing his tongue against the front of Elijah’s teeth. Wetness slipping and sliding in such a perfect way.
It was daft but he really liked the way their mouths seemed to fit together, like now. Like when Elijah did that, just angling his head every so slightly and they fitted, his nose pressed against Elijah’s, his lips vaguely dominant, his mouth opening wider. Then it changed and Elijah’s lips led the dance, but it was always in time. They always fitted together. Slowly eating at each other’s mouths, Orli couldn’t think of a better way to describe it, exploring, connecting, reaffirming. When he licked over the roof of Elijah’s mouth he got a murmur of approval as a reward and he sighed in pleasure. Yep, he could lie here, like this, forever and a day.
Who needed other people?
+
The phone call came two days later when they were just going out to meet Rose and Stuart for a drink. This time Elijah’s sixth sense hadn’t kicked in and he had no inclination of who it was before he picked it up.
“Yeah?” he giggled as Orli made get-a-move-on faces at him. Then he heard the voice: that man, that voice that set his teeth on edge.
“I want my money.”
Elijah stayed quiet, his eyes going to Orli.
“You know now that I’ll send those fucking photos to whoever I have to, so you might as well pay now before anymore damage is done.”
Elijah simply put the phone back in its cradle.
+
There were more calls after that, they didn’t bother counting how many. Each time Elijah or Orli would just hang up, look at each other for a moment, and then carry on with whatever they were doing. There was no point talking about it anymore, there was nothing left to say.
That was until the call that came at half past three in the morning when they were fast asleep. Orli stuck his hand out, found the phone and barked a snappy, “This had better be important.”
Elijah pulled his head out from under Orli’s arm and heard the sound of a raised voice from the other end, and then Orli had had enough. “Fuck off you fucking fucker. It’s late, we’re asleep. Fuck off.”
He leant over Orli and took the phone. The man was babbling obscenities and threats and he sounded drunk. Elijah waited for a pause. “Understand,” he said at last. “I’m not hiding or running. I am what I am and I know what I was, you’ve got nothing to threaten me with. Do whatever you want, I don’t care. Now get lost.”
He hung up, then pushed at Orli till he was draped over him, snuggled into his body. He yawned, licking at Orli’s shoulder as he stretched his mouth wide. “Fuck off you fucking fucker? The five year olds in my class have a wider vocabulary than you do.”
“It’s the middle of the night, my brain doesn’t work.”
“Something else does though,” Elijah briefly flicked at Orli’s erection.
“Yeah,” Orli smiled the word, lazy and sinful, as he rolled Elijah onto his back and slid down his body, licking a wet trail.
“Now?” Elijah thought about questioning it. “I’ve got to get up for work in a couple of hours.”
“Won’t take long, you just lie back and go to sleep,” Orli slipped his lips over Elijah’s fast hardening cock.
For a minute Elijah considered doing just that then he pulled at Orli, a hand reaching for his hip. If he could just get Orli to swing round so that he could reach without moving – he really couldn’t be bothered to move – yeah, that was it. He caught hold of Orli’s cock, pulling it out towards himself, offering it to his lips. Sixty nine. Twice the pleasure, half the time.
+
“If we can’t afford proper wood flooring, why don’t we sand the floorboards down in the hall?” Elijah asked as he put his jacket on and followed Orli out of the flat. DIY shopping again, he’d almost had enough now. Especially after a hard day at work. Whoever had invented late night opening should be shot. “A bit of polish on them and they’ll be all right. Anything would be better than now, at least we could clear up the mess.”
“The gaps between them are too big,” Orli said as they headed down their quiet side street, aiming for the main road. “I can live with everything dropping down between them but there always seems to be a draught coming up straight from the arctic. Lets see how much the flooring is reduced in the sale, we can always stick it on the credit card.”
“Or not eat?” Elijah suggested.
“We could save money by staying in bed all day,” Orli goosed Elijah, walking backwards so he could grin at him. “Save on the heating and wear and tear on our clothes.”
“We’d be naked then?” Elijah arched an eyebrow.
“Course we would, naked and sweaty.”
“I like the way your brain works.”
“And I like the way your... shit!” Orli exclaimed as a hand on his back unexpectedly shoved him towards the wall. Elijah took a quick step closer, Orli turned and they were hip to hip: facing the man from the photographs.
Only he didn’t look quite the same. It took barely a moment to register, but the man looked older, a lot older. More than the intervening years would account for. He might once have had hair like Elijah’s but he was almost bald now, his face deeply lined and bloated, broken veins like a map spread over his nose and cheeks. He was also thinner, less bulldog-like than in the photos.
But even so, it was definitely him.
Orli tried to step in front of Elijah but there was little room. The man lunged at Elijah, trying to grab the front of his jacket, but Orli stuck his hand out and held him off.
“What do you want?” Elijah asked, his voice stronger and surer than he expected.
“My money, you little bastard. I want my money.” His hand shook, and this time when Orli took a step back it was in revulsion. There was an all pervading smell of urine and sour alcohol.
“Piss off,” Orli snarled. “We’ve told you enough times, you’ll get nothing from us.”
“You shut your fucking mouth,” the man turned to Orli, invading his space, his face thrust into Orli’s. “Or I’ll kick your head in.” His hand went to Orli’s throat and for a moment he was pinned against the wall. But then Orli pushed back, knocking the hand away. There might have been a knot of something in his belly, but he stood firm.
“Get your stinking hands off us.”
“I’m not interested in you, it’s him I’ve come to see,” again the man snatched at Elijah, only just missing.
“I’ve got nothing else to say to you,” Elijah stated.
“Who wants to talk? I’ve had your arse, I only want money now. You were my investment for the future, well it’s time to pay up sonny boy.”
“Is that it?” Elijah laughed incredulously and without humour. “Is that why you made her have me? So I’d keep you in your old age. You have to be joking.”
“You listen here, I...” Again he thrust forward.
“No, you listen,” Elijah pushed past Orli and stared up at the man, waves of anger coming from every pore. “You are not my father, never have been, never will be. You won’t get a single penny from me, not even if I’m dead. I am not a fucking pension fund. Now piss off back to the hole you crawled out of.”
“You little whore,” this time he lunged for Elijah in earnest, his fingers closing into a fist as his hand shot out. Orli pushed at him, shoving him off balance, but it wasn’t necessary. Elijah simply side stepped out of his grasp with an easy grace that told of years of experience.
“Fucking bastard,” Orli shoved again, two hands at the man’s shoulder, and Elijah was almost amused to see him bare his teeth. “I’ll fucking kill you if you...”
The man looked from one to the other, both such skinny little bits of nothing. But both daring to stand up to him. Daring to fight back even.
“Leave it Orlando,” Elijah’s hand was on Orli’s arm. “He isn’t worth it. Look at him,” he threw the man a glance full of contempt and derision. “He might have been a hard man once but he’s nothing now. A washed up, broken, has-been. Don’t waste your breath on him.”
“I’ll fucking kill you,” the man turned back to Elijah, his head and neck an angry bloodshot red. But again, faced with them standing firmly shoulder to shoulder, he wavered. “We’re family,” he tried a different angle, swiping at the sweat above his upper lip, the shake in his hand more noticeable. “Family always look out for each other.”
“No, family is about loving not blood,” Elijah spat out the words. “I’ve got nothing but hatred for what you did to mum and contempt for what you’re trying to do to me, and none of it has anything to do with ‘family.’” Elijah sneered the word through his teeth. He jerked a finger at Orli. “He’s family, so is mum. You and me are nothing.”
“You piece of shit,” the man reared up again, looming over Elijah, trying to use the full force of his menace to intimidate and terrorise. There was an aura of bullyboy power, of evilness surrounding him and all of a sudden he seemed larger, taller. “You’ll do what I want because I said so,” his voice had dropped, low and deadly.
“Piss off,” Elijah said it quietly, emphatically.
“You weren’t even a good fuck,” he had nothing else to use.
“Admit it,” Elijah’s lip curled in revolted contempt. “I was the best you’ve ever had, I bet you even believed I liked it.”
Again the hesitation as he looked from one to the other. “I’m not finished with you,” it was his turn to spit the words out but they had a hollow ring to them. He knew this time his bluff had been called.
“Well, I’m finished with you. What are you going to do? Try and ruin my life, bring me down to your level? Go fuck yourself, I’m not playing.”
Again the man tried to intimidate with old fashioned plain thuggery, threatening muscles and curled fists.
Elijah had to tip his head back to look up at him but he didn’t move a muscle, standing his ground. His face was impassive, his voice composed as he radiated control and determination. “Are you going to hit me?” he cocked an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t be the first but it won’t get you anywhere. If I see those photos again or you touch any of us, me, him or mum, I’ll go to the police and tell them what a repulsive child abuser you really are. And remember, you gave me the evidence,” He coolly, deliberately spat at the man’s feet and shook his head. “You’re not half the man I am, you never were.”
And at that moment, as much as the man blustered, you could see in his eyes that he knew he was beaten.
+
Back in the flat Orli wanted to take Elijah in his arms and just hold him for ever and ever. Only Elijah didn’t want that. Instead he smiled at Orli, patted his arm and went for the phone. Standing looking into the distance, he waited for it to be answered.
“Mum,” he said after a few minutes. “I’ve seen him, he came here.” He relaxed, each muscle giving just a little. “He’s nothing mum, just a broken old man. You don’t have to be frightened anymore, he can’t hurt us.” His voice changed, becoming softer. “I’ll see you soon,” and he put the phone gently down.
“Are you all right?” Orli asked.
“Yeah,” Elijah’s face brightened, even if he didn’t quite manage a smile. “I am. The fear of him was worse than the reality.”
+
Thursday morning saw Elijah sitting crossed legged on his chair in the carpet area, handing out carrots to his class. Sinem looked at it as if it were something from another planet. He bit the end of it and chewed. “You eat it, it tastes nice. Honest.” She didn’t look convinced but she took one anyway, if Mr Wood could eat it, she’d give it a try. Elijah applauded the government’s efforts to improve the children’s diets by giving away free fruit and vegetables to the underprivileged. Especially as nine times out of ten there was enough left over so he got some as well.
“Okay guys,” he called out in his best teacher’s voice. “Collect your carrots then come and sit down on the carpet. We can just about squeeze in a story before playtime if you’re quick.” He liked reading to them, considered it one of the real highlights of the job. But only now he had them under complete control. This lot had been a really difficult bunch.
They settled easily and Elijah held the book up as he read, pointing to the pictures with the half eaten end of his carrot. The Avocado Baby was just throwing the bullies in the pond when there was a knock on the door and the head teacher popped her head round. Twenty nine sets of big, round eyes turned to look at her.
“I don’t want to interrupt Mr Wood, I can see you’re all very busy but I...” she came to a halt. Elijah registered the way she wouldn’t meet his eye and her cheeks pinked and reconciled himself yet again.
“Yes?” he prompted.
“I wanted a word with you, maybe at lunch time?” she seemed both hesitant and embarrassed. Neither was normal for her.
Elijah threw a quick glance at his class and they quieted down once more. “Why?” he asked softly. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, no, nothing like that,” again the head teacher fidgeted. “It’s just that I got some photographs in the post today and I...”
“Of me?” Elijah interrupted.
“Yes, I’m rather afraid they are,” he face was closed, her lips pressed tight together.
“Is this going to cause me problems?” he asked, although he felt confident about her response.
“I can’t see why,” her face cleared. “I do hate being pushed to do something and I rather suspect that’s what’s happening here,” she even managed a small smile. “After all we do have an anti-bullying policy in this school, but perhaps we should discuss what to do about them?”
“Okay,” Elijah said with confidence. He turned back to the children. “But can we make it after school? I’m going to bring someone with me. It’s about time you met him, everyone here should.”
He left it till lunchtime to ring Orli, and then explained briskly what had happened.
“You think he sent them right after we saw him?” Orli asked.
“He might have done it before, I mean they got here really quickly.”
“How you doing?”
Elijah thought about it, but only for a minute. “Fine. Maybe it’s surprising but I really am fine. It’s like, after actually seeing him the worry has gone. This is it now, he’s done everything he threatened me with, he can’t get at me anymore. It’s over.”
“What about your head teacher?”
“Oh I’m not worried about her, she’s stressed but fair. She’ll support me. Anyway, I reckon between us we can have her eating out of our hands in no time.”
Orli couldn’t help but laugh, it was good to hear Elijah talking like that. “You sure you want me to come? All the rest of the staff will still be there and you know how you like to keep your private life private at school.”
“About time I changed that,” Elijah said. “I’ll take you into the staff room and introduce you once we’ve talked to the head. Lucy Singh, the science co-ordinator, is going to be really disappointed when I introduce you as my boyfriend, you’re just her type.”
“Your boyfriend?” Orli smiled, strong and wide, even though only he could see it. “Wow, you’re being open all of a sudden.”
“Yeah well, I’ve got something special to shout about. I’m going to show you off and watch them all go green with envy.”
“And I always thought you were ashamed of me,” Orli joked.
“Not ashamed, just private. But now I’m simply proud and I don’t want anymore secrets.”
“I’m proud of you too,” Orli said softly. “Very, very proud.”
+
The children were just putting on their coats and lining up at the door to go home when Orli arrived in the classroom. Elijah had to smile, he looked so out of place in his formal black suit amongst the paint pots and tiny chairs. The smile grew bigger as his gaze wandered over Orli. The hated tie was pulled loose, the top two shirt button undone, a hint of amazing skin just snowing at his neck. Hair tumbling and messy; Elijah could just picture Orli running his hands through it distractedly on the bus.
He was beautiful and he was Elijah’s. Elijah felt a swelling of pride or love or something in his belly. This man loved him and would stick with him through everything. And here he was, in Elijah’s domain, his ‘other’ world. “Hey kids,” he called impulsively. “This is Mr Bloom, he’s my best friend.”
The children all stopped and turned to look. Only small children don’t just look, they stare intently, completely open about what they are doing. “You like him?” Kamal asked.
“Yep,” Elijah nodded.
“Then we like him too,” and they crowded around him, pulling at Orli’s trousers and sleeves.
“Be nice to him, he’s scared of children,” Elijah laughed. For a few minutes there was chaos as the children pulled and poked at Orli, asking funny questions that he did his best to answer, a couple trying to sit on his lap. Then Elijah decided to take pity on him and called them off.
Once more they lined up at the door and then were released to their parents, with much waving and shouts of goodbye to Orli. One little girl even blew him a kiss. Elijah ignored the parents’ curious glances, and shooed them away with practiced ease. When they were all gone he turned his attention back to Orli, who stood, stunned, in the middle of the room. “Hello you,” he twined his arms around Orli’s neck. “You’re early.”
“I didn’t want to miss anything. You want me to go?” Orli pulled Elijah in, his hands resting on the small of his back.
“No,” Elijah drew out the word. “I like you being here, in my world. You look cute. Bewildered but cute.” He kissed the tip of Orli’s nose.
“I don’t know how you do it, they’re so... small.”
“You should hear the noise they can make,” Elijah laughed.
“I’d rather not,” Orli kissed him, soft at first but Elijah started to deepen it. “Should we be doing this here?” Orli asked. “I already got a sackful of curious looks as I came in and asked for your classroom.”
“Big woman in the front office with weird hair extensions?”
Orli nodded.
“That’ll be Dominica, the whole school will know about you by now. She’s better than a PA system.”
“And you don’t mind?”
“Nope,” Elijah kissed him again. “I love you, everyone should know it.”
“Are you really going to introduce me as your boyfriend?” Orli grinned, knowing how they both disliked the word.
For a moment Elijah frowned but then his face brightened. “How about I call you my other half? That works, it feels right.”
“Other half,” Orli tested out the phrase and then his eyes shone, matching Elijah’s. “I like it. You’re my other half.”
For a few long minutes they stood, pressed together, slowly kissing. Elijah was aware of people stopping outside the open door and looking, aware of scurrying feet as they went to get others to see the show, but what did he care? This was perfect.
Eventually he pulled away and simply smiled up at Orli.
“I love you too,” Orli said softly, brushing a strand of hair from Elijah’s face. And there was a sigh of appreciation from the group of watching women.
Elijah’s smile turned into a huge grin. “Shall we go and get this sorted so I can show you off properly?”
Orli smiled back, took Elijah’s hand and followed him out of the classroom.
+
They stood outside the head teacher’s office and looked at the closed door. Elijah took a deep breath, raised his fist to knock, and turned to Orli, “Ready?”
Orli took Elijah’s other hand in his and smiled. “It might be us against the world ‘Lijah, but we won. We definitely won.”
Elijah nodded. They really were attached at the hip.
He linked their fingers together and they went in.
~~ * ~~
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*goes to read anyway*
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Bereft but... happy for them.
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This was just perfect. I don't have much more to say than that. The whole damaged series is one of the best Orlijah's ever written. It is a classic. I am so proud of you, and so happy to have had the chance to read this.
*gushes*
Thank you.
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If I'd known how long this was going to be at the beginning I don't think I'd have had the nerve to ever start. It was easier to take it one bit at a time, but even thinking about the scope of book 1 nearly put me off.
To hear you call it a classic has truly made my day.
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Question..any chance I could friend you? I would love to read anything that you write...
Thanks again..*squishes*
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Thank you so much for all the kind words over all five stories. That kind of loyalty and feedback has meant so much, you really are a gem.
Of course you can friend me, all are welcome although I'm not terribly interesting.
There are a few Damaged snippets that I have only posted on my lj that you might like.
Thanks again.
:-)
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When I've invested so much time and feeling into someone's creation, I'm always a little wary near the end when it could all fall down and I feel a little bitter that I 'wasted' so much on something that ended so poorly. I am so glad to say that all the hours I've spent reading about the world you created for these two boys, both in bad times and good has been a joy and I know it will be a place I come back to time and time again.
Thank you
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I worried endlessly over the ending, I didn't want it to be a let down. But all that really mattered to me was that they were happy and I knew they'd stay that way. I'm glad that worked for you as well.
I am so glad to say that all the hours I've spent reading about the world you created for these two boys, both in bad times and good has been a joy and I know it will be a place I come back to time and time again.
I couldn't have hoped for nicer words.
Thank you again.
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You can include ME in that group, darling! ♥
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:-)
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Butch and Sundance, great film, great moment, and pretty neat to be compared to it!
I really enjoyed writing this, although it was hard going and almost took over my life at times. I will miss it so much. Their world became real to me, which is why all the other characters became so important. I rather liked writing Elijah's mum, so complicated, so challenging.
It means a lot to know that you want to reread, thanks a million.
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Amazingly written, with an involving plot, great characterization and powerful dialogue.
Perfect
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I am so glad you enjoyed it. This fic has meant so much to me that I'm glad it has meant something to others as well.
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Thank you so much.