The Sweetest Thing 2/?
Title: The Sweetest Thing 2/?
Author: Kat katlinn
Pairing: Vig/Orli
Rating: NC-17 eventually
Beta: None. All mistakes are my own. Please feel free to let me know if you see something that needs fixed!
Disclaimer: Don't know them, not true, you know the drill.
Warnings: Umm...all I can say is trust your author. Anything more would give away any plot I might have. The only thing I can give away is a probable angst warning. And maybe a bit of schmoop ;)
Summery: AU. The sweetest things hit you at the most unexpected of times
A/N: I've taken many liberties with dates and places in Viggo and Orlando's pasts. Just remember...this is AU :)
Viggo left the painting in his car as he locked it and walked to the café. Entering, he immediately looked for Orlando, but was disappointed when he didn’t see him. Without waiting for Sharon to come to his table, he walked over to her at the counter. “Sharon?”
“Hey sweetie!”
“Hi” Viggo smiled at her. “Orlando’s not here?”
Sharon’s smile fell. “No, he hasn’t been in today. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about him.”
“Me too” Viggo murmured. “Don’t worry about my order today, Sharon. I’m going to go make sure he’s okay,” Viggo said suddenly. He had the address on the painting, and he needed to deliver it anyway.
“Let me know he’s okay!” Sharon called after him, and Viggo waved a hand at her in response as he exited the café.
He went back to his car and checked the address on the painting. It was just around the corner, so he pulled the canvas out and locked the car back up before quickly walking to Orlando’s apartment. It was a secure building, requiring him to buzz up to the apartment to be allowed entry. He found Orlando’s name, pressed the button and waited. And waited. With a worried frown, he pressed the button again, tapping his foot against the pavement.
“Yeah?”
Viggo sighed in relief. “Delivery” was all he said. For some reason he didn’t want to give away who it was just yet. Hoped Orlando wouldn’t recognize his voice.
The door buzzed and Viggo quickly pushed it open, taking the stairs two at a time as he made his way to Orlando’s third floor apartment. He softly knocked on the door, holding the painting up to hide himself from the peephole.
The door opened slowly. “Wasn’t expecting this so early.”
Viggo lowered the painting and smiled. “Surprise.”
“Viggo! I definitely wasn’t expecting you!” Orlando exclaimed.
Viggo looked at him worriedly. “Are you alright?”
“Uhh...” Orlando said, running his hand through his tousled hair. “Not really, mate. Come on in” he said, standing out of the way.
“What’s wrong?” Viggo asked, getting more worried by the second. The young man didn’t look good at all. Pale and unsteady, he was dressed in a t-shirt and boxers with an old robe thrown over the top.
“Been sick all night...just a touch of the flu,” Orlando said, sitting down on the couch and pulling his knees up to his chest. “Just set that anywhere.”
Viggo carefully leaned the canvas against the wall and walked over to the couch, sitting down next to Orlando carefully. “Is there anything I can do?” he asked softly.
Orlando gave him a wan smile and shook his head. “Na, it’ll pass.”
“You should be in bed,” Viggo scolded.
“That’s where I was until you came ringing the bell, mate” Orlando replied, smiling a little more.
“I’m sorry,” Viggo said. “I was just worried about you. Come on...lets get you back in there.” The fact that Orlando didn’t argue...just nodded weakly and stood, showed Viggo just how sick the young man was. “This time I get to take care of you.”
Orlando shook his head as he dropped the robe from his shoulders and climbed back into the rumpled bed. “You need to get back to work, Vig. Not stay here and babysit me.”
“What if I want to stay here and babysit you?” Viggo asked quietly as he pulled the blankets up over Orlando and settled gently on the edge of the bed. “I’ll go if you want me to.”
“No, I’d love for you to stay, to be honest” Orlando said in a small voice as he snuggled down into the pillow and closed his eyes. “I’m not exactly the best company right now though.”
Viggo reached out and brushed back a strand of hair from Orlando’s face. “I consider any time I can spend with you good” he said softly. “Now...have you been able to eat?”
Orlando shook his head. “Nothing stays down.”
“How about some tea or something? You need to keep yourself hydrated as much as possible.”
Orlando opened his eyes and smiled up at Viggo weakly. “Tea sounds lovely, actually. Just haven’t had the energy to get up and make it.”
“Well allow me, then” Viggo said, standing up. “Just close your eyes and rest. I’ll go ransack your kitchen.”
Viggo pulled his cell phone out of his pocket as he left the bedroom and made his way to the kitchen, dialing while he casually observed Orlando’s apartment. Larger than it would seem from the outside, it was one of only three in the building. Tastefully decorated, it was very clear that Sean was right. Apartments like this didn’t come cheap. The more he learned of his young friend, the more curious he became.
“Hey Sean” he said into the phone as he walked through swinging doors and into the kitchen. “Think you can handle things without me today?”
“Oh my god...Viggo Mortensen is calling off work?” Sean exclaimed. “Are you sick?”
“No” Viggo said as he dug through the cabinets. God he was going to get so much shit for this, he knew. “But Orlando is. I’m at his place right now.”
“Is he alright?” Sean asked. “He did look somewhat tired last night.”
“He said it’s just a touch of the flu” Viggo replied as he found the tea and set it on the counter before resuming his hunt for cups. “But he needs someone to look out for him. He doesn’t have anyone else.”
“Viggo Mortensen playing nursemaid...god now I’ve heard it all” Sean chuckled.
“Shut up.”
Sean laughed louder. “Okay, I’ll leave you alone. For now. Tomorrow is a different story.”
“Yeah, bite me” Viggo grumbled as he poured water into the tea kettle and set it on the stove to boil. “Call me if you need me. Other than that, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You got it,” Sean said, still chuckling. “Take care of the lad, Vig,” he said and the line went dead.
Viggo shook his head as he went on another search for crackers. Sean would tease him mercilessly, but underneath he knew his friend would do the exact same thing in his place.
He finally got the tea made and loaded a tray he’d found with it, some sugar cubes and a bowl of oyster crackers. He carried it all carefully back to the bedroom, stopping in the doorway to observe his charge.
Orlando was curled up on his side, knees pulled up and hugging a pillow to his chest. He seemed to be asleep. He looked so vulnerable, so small, and Viggo’s heart went out to him even more.
“You gonna watch me all day or actually bring me that tea?” Orlando said, his mouth turning up at the corners as he opened his eyes.
“Thought you were asleep” Viggo said softly as he entered the room. “Seemed a shame to wake you.”
“Now wouldn’t it be the shame if you went through all the trouble to make me some tea and then I didn’t drink it?” Orlando asked as he rolled over and pushed himself up, groaning a little as he did.
“I wouldn’t have minded if it meant you got some rest,” Viggo said softly, setting the tray on the table. “I thought some crackers might be good too, help settle your stomach. And oyster crackers are better for the bed” he said, winking at Orlando.
“You are entirely too good to me” Orlando murmured as he dropped a couple sugar cubes into his tea. “Now stop standing there looking so uncomfortable, and come sit next to me,” he said, patting the bed beside him as he settled back against his pillows with his tea.
“I don’t want to...” Viggo stammered.
“I swear I don’t bite, and I’ll try not to make you sick,” Orlando said, smiling at him. “Come on...keep me company. Please?”
“Those puppy dog eyes are evil,” Viggo grumbled as he walked around the bed. He kicked off his shoes and gently settled on the bed, careful not to jostle Orlando and his tea.
“Yes, but they are effective and relatively painless” Orlando grinned tiredly. “Thank you, by the way” he said softly. “For coming here...for making the tea and all.”
“You’re welcome,” Viggo told him. “Thank you for buying my painting. Was a surprise.”
Orlando shrugged as he chewed a handful of crackers and took another sip of tea. “I liked it. A lot.” He nodded towards the wall opposite his bed. “Gonna hang it there.”
“I’m flattered,” Viggo said softly. “I’ll hang it for you today, if you’d like.”
Orlando smiled as he set his almost empty cup on the nightstand and settled back down on the bed. “I’d like that. Later though. Now I want you right here next to me.” He sighed as he closed his eyes. “Talk to me, Vig. Tell me about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?” Viggo asked.
Orlando shrugged tiredly but didn’t open his eyes. “Everything. Anything. Whatever you’re willing to tell me. You said you were married...how long? Any kids? What happened?”
Viggo smiled at Orlando’s directness. “Okay. I’ll talk, but you’ve gotta promise me to just lay there with your eyes closed and rest, okay?”
Orlando smiled as he snuggled into his pillow more. “I promise. Like the sound of your voice.”
Christ, this kid would melt him if he let him. “Okay” he said, clearing his throat. “I was married for about ten years. Which is a long time in this day and age, but we did the usual and stayed together for the kid. And I guess that answers that question, huh? I have one son, who’s sixteen now. Anyway, we divorced when Henry was ten because we both decided it wasn’t fair to anyone for us to be staying together. We’re still friends though. It wasn’t a hate/hate thing...we both still care about each other a great deal. We just couldn’t be married. We’re much better off as friends.”
“Still sad” Orlando murmured. “Endings are always sad, even if it’s for the best.”
Viggo sighed. “Yeah. But I try not to dwell on it.”
“So do you still see Henry?”
“He and his mom live in California. I moved up here about five years ago or so. But yeah, he comes and visits when he is able, and he stays with me every summer. He’s even talking college up here.”
“That’s good,” Orlando said, still not opening his eyes. “Good that you’re still his dad.”
“I don’t give up the people I love, Orlando,” Viggo said quietly. “I fight for them no matter what the circumstances.”
“You’re a good person,” Orlando murmured. “So tell me more. Why did you move here?”
“Needed a change” Viggo replied. “Needed a new start. So I moved up here, sold a few paintings, made enough to open my own place. It wasn’t much at first, but it’s grown considerably in the few years I’ve had it.”
“It’s a lovely place,” Orlando said softly, his voice growing weaker. “I really liked it.”
“Thank you” Viggo said, smiling. “How are you feeling?”
“Stomach feels better” Orlando replied. “Really tired though.”
Viggo ventured a touch, lightly rubbing Orlando’s side. “I’m going to go then, and let you get some sleep.”
“Stay?” Orlando said, finally opening his eyes and looking up at Viggo. “You’re welcome to take a nap with me, or you can watch the telly or something, but...I really want you here when I wake up. Please? I know I don’t have any right to ask that of you, but...you make me feel better,” he whispered. “Selfish, I know,” he said, closing his eyes again. “I’m sorry.”
And in that single moment, Viggo knew he was lost. “I’ll stay,” he said roughly. “I want to be here if you need me.”
“Need you,” Orlando mumbled, already mostly asleep. “Already need you.”
“Then I shall stay as long as you’ll let me” Viggo replied hoarsely. “Sleep, Orlando. I’ll be right here when you wake up. I promise.” He slid down in the bed until his head rested on the pillow, and closed his eyes. He was tired, and it wouldn’t hurt to doze while Orlando slept. He’d know when the young man woke up. He left his hand resting on his side, just in case.
***
Orlando leaving the bed awoke Viggo instantly, and he opened his eyes as he watched the young man pad quietly out of the room. He listened intently, trying to hear if Orlando was sick again, but only heard the sound of someone using the bathroom for what it was intended.
As the young man walked quietly back into the room, he noticed Viggo awake, “Sorry” he whispered. “Didn’t mean to wake you.” He climbed back into the bed and snuggled under the covers.
“Don’t be” Viggo said, stretching in the bed. “How are you?”
“Much better” Orlando said. “Feeling much better now.”
“Good” Viggo said, smiling at his friend. “I was really worried about you.”
“Don’t be” Orlando said, reaching out to lay a hand on Viggo’s arm. “Just the flu. Nothing more. And I’m feeling much better, and tired of being in this bed. I was thinking of moving into the other room and throwing a movie in. Care to join me?”
Viggo nodded. “Sounds good.” He glanced at the clock and saw that it was after one. They’d both slept for several hours and he was shocked that he let himself go for that long. “Christ, had no idea it was so late already!”
“You don’t have to be anywhere do you?” Orlando asked, a slight frown on his face. “I mean I understand if you do...”
“No” Viggo quickly assured him. “Nowhere at all. Was just surprised is all. Been a while since I slept that long uninterrupted.”
Orlando smiled. “See, I knew I was good for something!”
Viggo chuckled. “That you are. You put me to sleep,” he said, winking at the young man. “Now...it’s after lunch...how does your stomach feel?”
Orlando considered the question for a moment. “Like it could probably handle some food as long as it wasn’t too heavy,” he said seriously. “Though I’m not sure there’s a lot around here that would fit that bill.”
“Tell you what,” Viggo said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “I’ll run down to the café and get us some food while you find us something to watch. Maybe take a shower if it’ll make you feel better.”
“Are you saying I stink, old man?” Orlando asked from his spot on the bed, his nose crinkling up at Viggo.
“Not at all” Viggo said, leaning down on impulse and kissing Orlando’s nose. “Just want you to feel better.”
Orlando sighed as he watched Viggo stand and grab his shoes. “You’re the best, you know that?” he said seriously. “Not sure what I did to find you, but I won’t question it.”
Viggo stopped for a moment, taken back by Orlando’s words. “No, I’m the one that’s lucky” he said after a moment. “Now...what do you want to eat? What do you like?”
Orlando shrugged. “Don’t know,” he said. “Haven’t eaten since yesterday, so I’m not sure what’ll agree with me. A sandwich maybe? Nothing heavy. Oh, and grab my keys from the table in the living room so you can get back in.”
Viggo nodded. “Okay, I’ll figure something out.” He walked to the doorway before turning back to Orlando. “I really am the lucky one, you know?” he said softly. “I have yet to figure out why you took an interest in this old man, but I’m not about to question it too far.” Before Orlando could reply, he left the room, grabbing said keys as he walked by the table.
As he reached the front door, he heard Orlando’s voice call out one more time. “You’re only as old as I let you feel, Vig. Don’t forget that!” Viggo was smiling as the door closed behind him.
***
“Hey Sharon” Viggo said as he walked up to the counter of the café.
The waitress spun around and smiled brightly. “Viggo! Well this is a surprise! What are you doing in here this time of day?”
“I came to pick up some lunch for me and Orlando,” he told her.
Sharon turned more serious. “How is he?”
Viggo shrugged as he slid onto a stool. “Looks like he picked up the flu from somewhere. I thought he didn’t look too well last night.”
“The flu...” Sharon paused for a moment, and Viggo wondered about the expression she wore. “Poor baby” she said quietly.
“He’s feeling better now. Well enough to try and eat something. What do you recommend for someone who hasn’t been able to hold down any food for a while?”
“Well chicken noodle soup, of course!” she said with a laugh. “With maybe a turkey sandwich to go along with it, if he’s feeling up to that much.”
Viggo nodded. “That sounds perfect. Think I could get two orders of that to go?”
“Well of course, sweetie!” Unexpectedly, she leaned over and kissed Viggo’s cheek. “You are a wonderful friend, Viggo.”
Viggo blushed as he shrugged. “Not doing anything special,” he mumbled.
“Pffft! Now you sit right there...I’ll get you a cup of coffee while you wait, and I’ll have your order up in a couple of minutes.”
A few minutes later, Viggo was paying for a bag filled with soup and sandwiches and he was surprised when Sharon came around the counter and actually gave him a hug.
“Take care of him Viggo,” she whispered softly. “He really doesn’t have anyone else.”
Viggo nodded as he hugged her back. “I’ll do my best. I promise.” He pulled back and smiled at her. “I’ll tell him you are thinking about him. Hopefully we’ll both see you in the morning.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek before walking out of the café.
***
Viggo quietly let himself back into the apartment, careful to not make noise in case Orlando had gone back to sleep. When he heard the shower running, he smiled a little and carried the food into the kitchen. He grabbed plates and bowls from the cabinet and moved the food from it’s containers to the real dishes, humming a nameless tune under his breath as he did so. Just as he was putting more water on to boil for tea, Orlando came padding into the kitchen, freshly showered.
“Smells good,” he said as he settled into a chair. “What did you get?”
“Sharon suggested chicken soup and turkey sandwiches.” He turned and smiled at the young man, taking in his appearance. “You look like you feel a little better.”
Orlando nodded. “I do.” He looked down at the table for a moment. “I wanted...ummm...I wanted to thank you. For checking up on me, and for staying and all. You didn’t have to, which makes it mean all the more,” he said quietly.
“Orlando” Viggo said softly, walking over to kneel down in front of him. “I know we barely know each other. But you’ve already come to mean something to me. I was worried about you, so I came. I stayed because you needed someone to look out for you. Besides” he said, a smile on his face. “I’m selfish and wanted more time with you. Even if you are sick.”
“That’s okay,” Orlando said, raising his head and meeting Viggo’s smile with one of his own. “My goal was to get you to relax a little. Getting sick wasn’t part of the plan, but it did get you to take a day off!”
Viggo laughed and stood up, patting Orlando on the knee. “Are you trying to tell me I work too much?” he asked as he went about making tea.
“That I am!” Orlando replied. “All you ever do is work! Even when you claim to be relaxing!”
“I do not!” Viggo said. “I relax!”
“Yeah right” Orlando scoffed. “Talking business on your phone while you eat your so-called breakfast isn’t relaxing!”
Viggo chuckled as he finished up the tea. “Okay...so I relax sometimes. What can I say...it’s what I do...I can’t ignore my business.”
“You don’t have to ignore it,” Orlando said quietly. “Just forget about it once in a while.”
Viggo sighed as he leaned on the counter. “Not always that easy, you know?” He turned and looked at his friend. “Eat in here or in front of the television?”
Orlando thought for a moment. “Telly. I want to snuggle on the couch,” he said, winking as he stood with his lunch in his hands. He didn’t wait for Viggo to reply, just walked through the swinging doors.
Viggo watched him go with a shake of his head. He’d never met anyone like Orlando. The kid was one of a kind, that’s for sure! “You’d better pick something I like!” Viggo yelled after him as he gathered his own food and the tea. It was a struggle to get it all, but he managed to push through the doors and make it to the coffee table without dropping anything.
“Casablanca?” Orlando asked as he flipped through the channels on the tv, already settled into the corner of the couch.
“God I haven’t seen that in years,” Viggo said as he sat beside his friend. “I’ll watch it as long as you promise to try and eat something.”
Orlando nodded his agreement. “Not sure how much I’ll be able to, but I’ll do my best” he said as he picked up his bowl of soup. He settled back against the cushions and looked over at Viggo. “But if you start crying during the movie, you get your own Kleenex!”
***
Afternoon turned into evening and it found the two men still on the couch, quietly talking.
“You’re looking like you’re not feeling too well again,” Viggo said worriedly.
Orlando shook his head. “Stomach isn’t feeling too hot again,” he said as he slouched down more. “But it’s not as bad as it was.”
“You really should go to the doctor tomorrow,” Viggo told him.
“Na, I’m sure I’ll be better by morning” Orlando replied. “Just the flu...nothing they can do. Besides, I’m not dehydrated or anything, so it’s fine.” He looked over at Viggo. “Stop worrying so much.”
“Can’t help it” Viggo told him. “Do you want to go to bed? I know I’ve probably overstayed my welcome by a few hours at least.”
“Don’t leave yet? I’ve really liked you being here,” Orlando said quietly.
“Alright” Viggo agreed. “I’ll stay a little longer, but I at least want you to lay down out here, okay?”
Orlando nodded in agreement and laid back on the couch, keeping his knees bent and out of Viggo’s way. But Viggo was having none of it and gently picked up Orlando’s feet and laid them across his lap. “There.”
Orlando smiled at him tiredly. “You’re too good to me, Vig,” he said.
Viggo shook his head. “Everyone should be taken care of when they’re sick. And I’ve enjoyed the company immensely. Now...you’ve gotten to hear something about me...it’s your turn.”
Orlando laughed a little. “Not a whole lot to tell, really. Grew up just outside of London with my mom and my sister. My dad died when I was little. Didn’t do a whole lot with my life...wrote a little, acted a little. Nothing big. Moved in with my partner when I was twenty-six, and then he was transferred here a year later. We stayed together another year, but things didn’t work out and he went home. No big fight, no horrible break-up. It was a mutual thing...we just decided we didn’t belong together. Anyway, I really liked it here, so I stayed” he shrugged.
“A writer and an actor, huh? I’m impressed,” Viggo said.
Orlando chuckled. “Nothing big. I’ve had a few stories published, and of course working on the ‘one big novel of the century” he grinned. “It keeps me busy.”
“So you don’t do much acting anymore?”
Orlando shook his head. “Not since I moved here.”
“Didn’t like it anymore?”
“Just too much trouble” Orlando replied. “It was just something fun to do. Turn it into work and the fun goes away.”
Viggo chuckled. “That it does. Believe me; I had no idea what I was getting into when I opened the gallery!”
“You just work too hard” Orlando scolded him. “You should let Sean take more of the responsibility.”
“No. Sean does enough as it is.”
“And he’d be willing to do more!” Orlando insisted. “Remember, Vig. I talked to the man last night,” he said with a grin.
Viggo raised an eyebrow. “You guys talked about me?”
Orlando smiled and rubbed his foot against Viggo’s leg a little. “Don’t worry...only good things.”
“Pfft...the bastard was probably telling you all my most embarrassing secrets!”
Orlando laughed. “Na...we’re saving that discussion for the next time!”
“You’re both evil,” Viggo grumbled.
“Awww...we’ve gotta have some fun!” Orlando said with a grin before he yawned hugely.
“Alright you, I think it’s time for bed,” Viggo said gently. “Sleep is the best thing for the flu.”
“Yeah” Orlando agreed, even as he frowned.
“Come on. Let’s get you to bed,” Viggo said, gently removing Orlando’s feet from his lap and patting him on the leg.
“Gotta take care of business first, and then I’ll go” Orlando said, standing with a soft groan. “Don’t leave yet, okay?”
“I won’t” Viggo smiled at him. “Oh...got a hammer and a nail anywhere?”
Orlando smile lit the room. “You’re gonna hang my painting for me?”
“I told you I would.”
“Bottom drawer in the kitchen” Orlando said as he slowly walked to the bathroom.
While Orlando got ready for bed, Viggo collected what he needed. By the time the young man was through, Viggo had the painting unwrapped and was putting the nail in the wall. He smiled at Orlando before lifting the frame, and he carefully hung it on the wall.
“There. How’s that?”
“Perfect” Orlando said from his spot on the bed. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you for buying it” Viggo said as he walked over to his friend and sat down beside him on the edge. “Can I get you anything else before I go?”
Orlando shook his head. “No, I’m good. Viggo...thank you. Despite being sick, I had a really nice day today,” he said softly. “It’s been a while since I really had a friend, and...” his voice trailed off as he played with a string on the blanket.
“Well you’ve got one now” Viggo said as he leaned down and kissed Orlando on the forehead gently. “Now you get some rest, okay?” He stood and pulled his wallet from his pocket. Taking out a business card, he picked up a pen from the nightstand and scribbled something on the back. “That’s my cell number. Call me in the morning when you get up, okay? I’ll worry if you don’t.”
Orlando took the card and nodded. “Okay, but now you’ve done it,” he said with a grin. “I’ve got your phone number now and I’ll bug you mercilessly.”
Viggo smiled at him. “I’m counting on it. Now...sleep! I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He turned and headed for the door. “I’ll lock up on my way out.”
“Good night, Viggo” Orlando said sleepily.
“Good night, Orlando. Sweet dreams.” He turned and looked at the young man one more time and then clicked off the light on his way out of the room.