Chapter 9 of Swimming Upstream
This is a multi-part story featuring the pairing of Sean/Viggo with multiple OTC’s and other actors. It is set in near future RL.
Rating: Very adult (NC-17) for the most part so beware if you don’t like slash or porn
Chapter 9: Entry Fees
Pairing this chapter: Viggo/Sean
Summary: Viggo gets a script written by someone from his childhood that brings back a few memories and sets a course of action in place. This chapter - The cost of seeking privacy in this life are sometimes high.
Huge, ginormous thanks to my beta, the amazing and talented Jess aka darknight999
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8
Annabelle’s refusal to be direct with him was starting to make Sean angry. For the last half hour, she’d been mucking around throwing out veiled statements that might mean something but then wouldn’t follow up on them. He had selected her years ago based on their familiar backgrounds and her willingness to lay into him for his own good.
Bored and wanting to head out to pick up Evie for a visit to the zoo, he finally interrupted her rambles to rudely ask. “Whatcha goin’ on about, Annie? Cut line or quit pulling on me goolies.” Her narrowed tight expression had more to do with his calling her Annie than the crudeness but at least it freed her tongue.
“Fine then Sean. So, you want me to schedule your official ‘closet’ party so we can just end the rumors and admit you’re a pouf?”
He almost got up and left, the anger riding him hard and fierce, but their long-term friendship and business dealings tempered his reaction. Too casually, he lifted a brow and simply replied. “No need for a party or a statement.”
Embarrassed at her failure to stay professional, Annabelle finally made real eye contact. She leant in to murmur softy. “Ah Sean! I’m sorry luv. I’ve just had my titties twisted every time I’m out and about setting up press for you. I know Viggo Mortensen’s your mate..." She wouldn't say it but her face told him what she really believed. "But luv if you’re hanging around him right now, you’re going to be painted with the big fat rainbow brush. I know Aleen’s warned Orlando of the same.”
Sean responded to her contrition by patting her hand gently. “I can handle that.”
“Look luv, whatever happened to your last chickie? That lass with the great big bosoms? Be seen chatting her up a few times around town and the goss will change to how you’re just supporting Viggo, not serving as his bitch.”
The anger and distaste was sitting in the back of Sean’s throat but he couldn’t afford to let it spew at her. She was doing exactly what a good publicist does, make the client aware and suggest a corrective course, exactly what he paid her to do even if her current comments were inciting him to rip her head off and throw it across the room for good measure. “I’ll give it a think.”
He could tell his answer hadn’t satisfied her but at least they’d started the discussion. Annabelle could be a right pit bull when she got a plan on. Sean knew he owed her for forcing him to cut back on his smoking - “the crow’s have added beaks to their feet” - his drinking - “giving you that fat Brit face, luv” - and for allowing the press to see him with the girls - “explodes the bloody ovaries Seanie, and the girls love it so it’s a win all around”.
The rest of the lunch meeting was awkward but at least they got through the work issues. She made a camera mime at him and left with an ominous “I’ll be looking for it soon”. Driving to pick up Evie at her school, Sean managed to swallow the headache tablets even though they threatened to come right back up. Hoping the drive would change his mood; Sean tuned in to classical and forced his thoughts into a boxed corner of his mind for later inspection.
Hours later, he nursed a small scotch in his darkened library, the smoky taste of it reminding him of Viggo’s mouth. The house was quiet, the hall clock whirring and clicking it’s familiar routine as he eyed his cell display again. Viggo had called.
Setting the phone down, he lay back against the cool leather. The simplest and obvious answer was to cool things off. They had been seeing more than a lot of each other lately and been caught by the paps a few times. Of course none of the photos were very revealing but Sean wasn’t naïve or stupid - Annie wasn’t off in her comment that with the rumors flying around Viggo especially since he wouldn’t address the speculation, anyone seen with him was going to become part of gossip.
Sean admitted to himself that he had been hoping that his own publicly hetero image would make the assumption obvious - simply that they were friends and Sean not some big girl’s blouse homophobe unable to enjoy ‘platonic’ time with a friend who buttered his bread on the other side. The thought made him uncomfortable but less so than the first time he’d had this debate in his own head. Having to face his own aversions to being lumped into some ignorant definition of gay or bi had definitely been an eye-opening not to mention ego busting trip. While he wasn’t ready to go marching in a parade, Sean felt more at peace about inevitable conclusions people would draw whether they were accurate or not. Still the idea of exposing their lives and relationship to the jagged teeth of the vampire press was not his idea of brilliant for anyone.
The idea of not seeing Viggo tore at his gut though. He knew Viggo would understand; maybe even encourage the distance if he thought it might hurt Sean’s life. While Viggo had long gone down the acceptance path of assuming his openly bi past was eventually going to surface, he knew Sean’s experiences had been much more minimal and likely never to surface for mutual reasons between Sean and his equally closeted former partners.
But as much as the separation would be difficult, hell really excruciating, Sean knew he would prefer it to the gossip and forced change in his life and his work. He hated the intrusion of the press into his personal life, the damage it had caused in the past between him and the girls - hated it more than he hated the idea of a temporary separation. He and Viggo were smarter than a bunch of pushy bastards that would move onto the next hot gossip in time. They just needed to weather this bit and things would be golden again.
Nodding to himself, pleased with the plan, he rang up Viggo only to get his voicemail. “Bloody hell, you’ll never check this so I’m sure I’ll have to ring you up again later. But just in case, you actually remember how to check messages then yes, I will meet you in LA in two weeks. I’ll bring some decent port over to your house. Ta Vig.”
By the time, Sean was settled onto Viggo’s couch to enjoy the port, he’d rehashed his plan six ways to Sunday. Misgivings aside, he knew they couldn’t go on the way they had been. He’d actually noticed a pap perched outside Viggo’s house when he’d arrived and so had driven around for a bit. Using Viggo’s old trick of pretending to be an elderly man worried about a burglar, Sean had called the local police station to complain and sure enough, the pap was forced to leave. Still Sean had hurried rather resentfully into the house, wishing yet again that the press would just move on to the next celebrity.
With a contented sigh, Viggo settled in next to him. He started to massage Sean’s neck as he murmured. “Fuck you are so tense today. I thought that pre dinner mutual head bob would shake your mood but it’s back again.” His strong fingers were finding every kink and Sean’s pleased groan made him chuckle. “Oi, just getting all worked up again about that bloody pap stalking you.”
Viggo’s fingers stilled for brief moment, then he began again after pressing a quick kiss to Sean’s nape. “Yeh, me and my shadow. Gave him a beer yesterday.”
“What?! Why in hell?” Sean’s sputter dissolved into a warm hmm as Viggo’s fingers moved to scrape into his scalp.
“He looked hot and bored.” Viggo chuckled as he added. “Plus, he then got a nice ticket for an open alcohol container when the cops came to check out the mysterious car.” They both snickered softly but Sean forced himself to start the inevitable conversation.
“Hey Viggo? I’ve been thinking that maybe it’s time to retreat. Let the movie come out, deal with the press then… you know… let you and your ‘mysterious and reclusive life’ cool off. Soon enough Clooney will be stirring the pot on something or maybe the next hotsnot singer in his first movie.” Viggo’s fingers slowed with each word until finally they just cupped Sean’s skull gently.
Sean waited, his stomach starting to hurt, knowing he needed to turn and look at Viggo; knowing he needed to make sure Viggo was on board with this plan. The quiet “okay” tore at him and he was able to shift then to see Viggo’s sad acceptance.
“Really okay? Not just saying that? But yes Sean this is a good plan - the best plan?” Anxious, he waited to hear, to see, the answer. Trying to smile, Viggo nodded but his expression was gnawing at Sean. “Sure Sean. It is a good idea - they always get bored and move on.”
Not completely sold, Sean offered more support. “Yeh, they always do. And we’ll both be busy with the next projects anyway. Hell, you’ve got the usual round-the-world press junket going on for this movie so it was going to be near impossible to manage time alone.” Viggo nodded to each point, yet his expression stayed so neutral that Sean’s worries grew.
“Vig? C’mon talk to me here? Am I being a total cunt and asking this of you?”
Viggo’s response was a warm, loving kiss that ended all too soon and left Sean’s lips swollen and hungry for more. “Not being a cunt. Doing the wise thing.” Viggo leaned to kiss him again, tongue pressing inside for Sean to suck on. When they parted, Viggo whispered. “C’mon, I need to get naked with you.” He stood up and held a hand down to Sean.
Their skin was slick with sweat as Viggo slowed down yet again. Sean couldn’t hold back the whimpergrowl of need as he tried to clench his muscles to hold Viggo deep inside. For what seemed like hours Viggo had been tormenting both of them, bringing himself and Sean so close to the brink only to back off that Sean felt like his balls were just going to break wide open when Viggo finally let them both come. Sean pulled at Viggo’s ass and choked out a “please Vig, oh fuck, please, need it, need it now.”
Watching him intently, Viggo slowed down the pace even more, holding himself just inside Sean, little hip nudges teasing at every nerve ending as he wound Sean higher. “Viggo! Ah fuck, fuck, deeper… deeper.” He tried to flip them over so he could force the issue, riding Viggo’s cock as hard and fast as he needed, but steely arms held him down mercilessly.
“God you’re beautiful.” Viggo’s voice stilled him, Sean’s eyes flying up to see the love shining back at him. “Want to always remember you like this… just like this… just this.” Sean thought he might just come from that look or cry or both and he trembled, waiting and breathless. Viggo’s next thrust in wrung a gasp from both of them, stroke out to torture him, then deep inside to send frissons of pure electricity up Sean’s spine.
He knew the sounds he was making might normally embarrass him in the cold light but he couldn’t stop them, wanting Viggo to hear them and know he was the cause. The fire gleaming from Viggo’s eyes showed he knew very well what Sean was feeling and he pressed hard and deep again, mouth curling back in fierce grin. Sean arched his back at Viggo’s next thrust, sending him even deeper. His own grin grew wild at the helpless cry he pulled from Viggo before their bodies took control. Crazy fast and hard, Viggo rocked until his back stiffened and his low howl sent Sean over the edge, his own body clamping down as he yelled his near painful release.
Shaken by the intensity, Sean held onto Viggo as both of their bodies shuddered into the aftermath, each of Viggo’s spasms setting off a reciprocal one in Sean. Exhausted, they lay; skin stuck together, moist panting breath filling the now silent room. For once, Sean didn’t want to clean them up, willing to bear the discomfort and inevitable itch of drying semen sure to follow. Viggo grunted softly as he dealt with the used condom but then snuggled in close again, resting his spent prick against Sean’s.
Sean woke to Viggo’s hand once again stroking his hair. Sleepily, he turned into Viggo’s dressed body. “Hey…” Viggo chuckled at his surprise and dropped a quick kiss on Sean’s ear. “Wanted to let you escape before shithead arrives back. He’s got a routine since he knows I like to bike in the morning.”
For a moment, Sean was speechless instead choosing to push his face into Viggo’s sport jersey. “Sssh, shush.” Viggo crooned softly to him, fingers soothing along Sean’s taut back. He pressed another quick kiss then whispered “c’mon lazy. Just enough time to shower.” He forced the issue by getting up and heading back down the stairs, leaving Sean with stinging eyes and empty arms.
Everything was happening too fast, Sean feeling off kilter with the whirl of it. Every attempt to stop and connect with Viggo was met with firm distance, like a parent getting a child out of the house for the school bus. Nearly out the door, he pushed back and grabbed Viggo, pulling him in so tightly that even though Viggo struggled and tried to maintain that distance, he couldn’t. Sean whispered to him. “It’s just for a while. Just a while. Just until…”
Viggo had stopped moving now yet his voice was so small, Sean could barely hear it. “You’ll still call me every day right?” Sean pulled back and forced Viggo to meet his eyes. Sean’s breath caught at how tightly Viggo was reining in his emotions, so much so that a stranger would likely not suspect any problem at all. “Every chance I get. Won’t get rid of me that easily.” Sean tried to jest but he couldn’t pretend anymore - his simple ‘solution’ was near to killing them both and he knew it.
“I promise I’ll figure out how to check my voicemail.” Viggo’s heartbreaking smile was a mirror of his own.
With one last brush of his fingers along Viggo’s lips, Sean left quickly, not looking back for fear of changing his mind. By the time, he had started the car and pulled away, Viggo was already powering his bike up the street, going his own way on his own terms.
TBC
Rating: Very adult (NC-17) for the most part so beware if you don’t like slash or porn
Chapter 9: Entry Fees
Pairing this chapter: Viggo/Sean
Summary: Viggo gets a script written by someone from his childhood that brings back a few memories and sets a course of action in place. This chapter - The cost of seeking privacy in this life are sometimes high.
Huge, ginormous thanks to my beta, the amazing and talented Jess aka darknight999
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8
Annabelle’s refusal to be direct with him was starting to make Sean angry. For the last half hour, she’d been mucking around throwing out veiled statements that might mean something but then wouldn’t follow up on them. He had selected her years ago based on their familiar backgrounds and her willingness to lay into him for his own good.
Bored and wanting to head out to pick up Evie for a visit to the zoo, he finally interrupted her rambles to rudely ask. “Whatcha goin’ on about, Annie? Cut line or quit pulling on me goolies.” Her narrowed tight expression had more to do with his calling her Annie than the crudeness but at least it freed her tongue.
“Fine then Sean. So, you want me to schedule your official ‘closet’ party so we can just end the rumors and admit you’re a pouf?”
He almost got up and left, the anger riding him hard and fierce, but their long-term friendship and business dealings tempered his reaction. Too casually, he lifted a brow and simply replied. “No need for a party or a statement.”
Embarrassed at her failure to stay professional, Annabelle finally made real eye contact. She leant in to murmur softy. “Ah Sean! I’m sorry luv. I’ve just had my titties twisted every time I’m out and about setting up press for you. I know Viggo Mortensen’s your mate..." She wouldn't say it but her face told him what she really believed. "But luv if you’re hanging around him right now, you’re going to be painted with the big fat rainbow brush. I know Aleen’s warned Orlando of the same.”
Sean responded to her contrition by patting her hand gently. “I can handle that.”
“Look luv, whatever happened to your last chickie? That lass with the great big bosoms? Be seen chatting her up a few times around town and the goss will change to how you’re just supporting Viggo, not serving as his bitch.”
The anger and distaste was sitting in the back of Sean’s throat but he couldn’t afford to let it spew at her. She was doing exactly what a good publicist does, make the client aware and suggest a corrective course, exactly what he paid her to do even if her current comments were inciting him to rip her head off and throw it across the room for good measure. “I’ll give it a think.”
He could tell his answer hadn’t satisfied her but at least they’d started the discussion. Annabelle could be a right pit bull when she got a plan on. Sean knew he owed her for forcing him to cut back on his smoking - “the crow’s have added beaks to their feet” - his drinking - “giving you that fat Brit face, luv” - and for allowing the press to see him with the girls - “explodes the bloody ovaries Seanie, and the girls love it so it’s a win all around”.
The rest of the lunch meeting was awkward but at least they got through the work issues. She made a camera mime at him and left with an ominous “I’ll be looking for it soon”. Driving to pick up Evie at her school, Sean managed to swallow the headache tablets even though they threatened to come right back up. Hoping the drive would change his mood; Sean tuned in to classical and forced his thoughts into a boxed corner of his mind for later inspection.
Hours later, he nursed a small scotch in his darkened library, the smoky taste of it reminding him of Viggo’s mouth. The house was quiet, the hall clock whirring and clicking it’s familiar routine as he eyed his cell display again. Viggo had called.
Setting the phone down, he lay back against the cool leather. The simplest and obvious answer was to cool things off. They had been seeing more than a lot of each other lately and been caught by the paps a few times. Of course none of the photos were very revealing but Sean wasn’t naïve or stupid - Annie wasn’t off in her comment that with the rumors flying around Viggo especially since he wouldn’t address the speculation, anyone seen with him was going to become part of gossip.
Sean admitted to himself that he had been hoping that his own publicly hetero image would make the assumption obvious - simply that they were friends and Sean not some big girl’s blouse homophobe unable to enjoy ‘platonic’ time with a friend who buttered his bread on the other side. The thought made him uncomfortable but less so than the first time he’d had this debate in his own head. Having to face his own aversions to being lumped into some ignorant definition of gay or bi had definitely been an eye-opening not to mention ego busting trip. While he wasn’t ready to go marching in a parade, Sean felt more at peace about inevitable conclusions people would draw whether they were accurate or not. Still the idea of exposing their lives and relationship to the jagged teeth of the vampire press was not his idea of brilliant for anyone.
The idea of not seeing Viggo tore at his gut though. He knew Viggo would understand; maybe even encourage the distance if he thought it might hurt Sean’s life. While Viggo had long gone down the acceptance path of assuming his openly bi past was eventually going to surface, he knew Sean’s experiences had been much more minimal and likely never to surface for mutual reasons between Sean and his equally closeted former partners.
But as much as the separation would be difficult, hell really excruciating, Sean knew he would prefer it to the gossip and forced change in his life and his work. He hated the intrusion of the press into his personal life, the damage it had caused in the past between him and the girls - hated it more than he hated the idea of a temporary separation. He and Viggo were smarter than a bunch of pushy bastards that would move onto the next hot gossip in time. They just needed to weather this bit and things would be golden again.
Nodding to himself, pleased with the plan, he rang up Viggo only to get his voicemail. “Bloody hell, you’ll never check this so I’m sure I’ll have to ring you up again later. But just in case, you actually remember how to check messages then yes, I will meet you in LA in two weeks. I’ll bring some decent port over to your house. Ta Vig.”
By the time, Sean was settled onto Viggo’s couch to enjoy the port, he’d rehashed his plan six ways to Sunday. Misgivings aside, he knew they couldn’t go on the way they had been. He’d actually noticed a pap perched outside Viggo’s house when he’d arrived and so had driven around for a bit. Using Viggo’s old trick of pretending to be an elderly man worried about a burglar, Sean had called the local police station to complain and sure enough, the pap was forced to leave. Still Sean had hurried rather resentfully into the house, wishing yet again that the press would just move on to the next celebrity.
With a contented sigh, Viggo settled in next to him. He started to massage Sean’s neck as he murmured. “Fuck you are so tense today. I thought that pre dinner mutual head bob would shake your mood but it’s back again.” His strong fingers were finding every kink and Sean’s pleased groan made him chuckle. “Oi, just getting all worked up again about that bloody pap stalking you.”
Viggo’s fingers stilled for brief moment, then he began again after pressing a quick kiss to Sean’s nape. “Yeh, me and my shadow. Gave him a beer yesterday.”
“What?! Why in hell?” Sean’s sputter dissolved into a warm hmm as Viggo’s fingers moved to scrape into his scalp.
“He looked hot and bored.” Viggo chuckled as he added. “Plus, he then got a nice ticket for an open alcohol container when the cops came to check out the mysterious car.” They both snickered softly but Sean forced himself to start the inevitable conversation.
“Hey Viggo? I’ve been thinking that maybe it’s time to retreat. Let the movie come out, deal with the press then… you know… let you and your ‘mysterious and reclusive life’ cool off. Soon enough Clooney will be stirring the pot on something or maybe the next hotsnot singer in his first movie.” Viggo’s fingers slowed with each word until finally they just cupped Sean’s skull gently.
Sean waited, his stomach starting to hurt, knowing he needed to turn and look at Viggo; knowing he needed to make sure Viggo was on board with this plan. The quiet “okay” tore at him and he was able to shift then to see Viggo’s sad acceptance.
“Really okay? Not just saying that? But yes Sean this is a good plan - the best plan?” Anxious, he waited to hear, to see, the answer. Trying to smile, Viggo nodded but his expression was gnawing at Sean. “Sure Sean. It is a good idea - they always get bored and move on.”
Not completely sold, Sean offered more support. “Yeh, they always do. And we’ll both be busy with the next projects anyway. Hell, you’ve got the usual round-the-world press junket going on for this movie so it was going to be near impossible to manage time alone.” Viggo nodded to each point, yet his expression stayed so neutral that Sean’s worries grew.
“Vig? C’mon talk to me here? Am I being a total cunt and asking this of you?”
Viggo’s response was a warm, loving kiss that ended all too soon and left Sean’s lips swollen and hungry for more. “Not being a cunt. Doing the wise thing.” Viggo leaned to kiss him again, tongue pressing inside for Sean to suck on. When they parted, Viggo whispered. “C’mon, I need to get naked with you.” He stood up and held a hand down to Sean.
Their skin was slick with sweat as Viggo slowed down yet again. Sean couldn’t hold back the whimpergrowl of need as he tried to clench his muscles to hold Viggo deep inside. For what seemed like hours Viggo had been tormenting both of them, bringing himself and Sean so close to the brink only to back off that Sean felt like his balls were just going to break wide open when Viggo finally let them both come. Sean pulled at Viggo’s ass and choked out a “please Vig, oh fuck, please, need it, need it now.”
Watching him intently, Viggo slowed down the pace even more, holding himself just inside Sean, little hip nudges teasing at every nerve ending as he wound Sean higher. “Viggo! Ah fuck, fuck, deeper… deeper.” He tried to flip them over so he could force the issue, riding Viggo’s cock as hard and fast as he needed, but steely arms held him down mercilessly.
“God you’re beautiful.” Viggo’s voice stilled him, Sean’s eyes flying up to see the love shining back at him. “Want to always remember you like this… just like this… just this.” Sean thought he might just come from that look or cry or both and he trembled, waiting and breathless. Viggo’s next thrust in wrung a gasp from both of them, stroke out to torture him, then deep inside to send frissons of pure electricity up Sean’s spine.
He knew the sounds he was making might normally embarrass him in the cold light but he couldn’t stop them, wanting Viggo to hear them and know he was the cause. The fire gleaming from Viggo’s eyes showed he knew very well what Sean was feeling and he pressed hard and deep again, mouth curling back in fierce grin. Sean arched his back at Viggo’s next thrust, sending him even deeper. His own grin grew wild at the helpless cry he pulled from Viggo before their bodies took control. Crazy fast and hard, Viggo rocked until his back stiffened and his low howl sent Sean over the edge, his own body clamping down as he yelled his near painful release.
Shaken by the intensity, Sean held onto Viggo as both of their bodies shuddered into the aftermath, each of Viggo’s spasms setting off a reciprocal one in Sean. Exhausted, they lay; skin stuck together, moist panting breath filling the now silent room. For once, Sean didn’t want to clean them up, willing to bear the discomfort and inevitable itch of drying semen sure to follow. Viggo grunted softly as he dealt with the used condom but then snuggled in close again, resting his spent prick against Sean’s.
Sean woke to Viggo’s hand once again stroking his hair. Sleepily, he turned into Viggo’s dressed body. “Hey…” Viggo chuckled at his surprise and dropped a quick kiss on Sean’s ear. “Wanted to let you escape before shithead arrives back. He’s got a routine since he knows I like to bike in the morning.”
For a moment, Sean was speechless instead choosing to push his face into Viggo’s sport jersey. “Sssh, shush.” Viggo crooned softly to him, fingers soothing along Sean’s taut back. He pressed another quick kiss then whispered “c’mon lazy. Just enough time to shower.” He forced the issue by getting up and heading back down the stairs, leaving Sean with stinging eyes and empty arms.
Everything was happening too fast, Sean feeling off kilter with the whirl of it. Every attempt to stop and connect with Viggo was met with firm distance, like a parent getting a child out of the house for the school bus. Nearly out the door, he pushed back and grabbed Viggo, pulling him in so tightly that even though Viggo struggled and tried to maintain that distance, he couldn’t. Sean whispered to him. “It’s just for a while. Just a while. Just until…”
Viggo had stopped moving now yet his voice was so small, Sean could barely hear it. “You’ll still call me every day right?” Sean pulled back and forced Viggo to meet his eyes. Sean’s breath caught at how tightly Viggo was reining in his emotions, so much so that a stranger would likely not suspect any problem at all. “Every chance I get. Won’t get rid of me that easily.” Sean tried to jest but he couldn’t pretend anymore - his simple ‘solution’ was near to killing them both and he knew it.
“I promise I’ll figure out how to check my voicemail.” Viggo’s heartbreaking smile was a mirror of his own.
With one last brush of his fingers along Viggo’s lips, Sean left quickly, not looking back for fear of changing his mind. By the time, he had started the car and pulled away, Viggo was already powering his bike up the street, going his own way on his own terms.
TBC