Confessions - Part 11
Title: Confessions
Written by: viggorlibean3 & okinay AKA Gayla & Gwen
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Viggo/Orlando
Disclaimer: No harm, no foul
Warning: No disrespect intended to the clergy
Note: Co-writing exercise fueled by prompt ‘hands and knees’
Note2: The previous chapters have been locked. You'll need to join texas_slash to read the entire series as we post it.
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3| Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 |
Confessions - Part 11
Orlando relished the weight of Viggo atop him and was content to lie there and hold him for the rest of the night. The way they fit together, their bodies in perfect alignment, Viggo’s warm breath drifting across Orlando’s shoulder, all of it absolute heaven. He had never felt this peaceful after a round of sex, like everything was as it should be. But then again, he had never been with Viggo before, either.
Long minutes passed as their breathing finally slowed, Orlando’s fingers trailing up and down Viggo’s back, the touch relaxing. Viggo felt himself softening inside of Orlando’s body and recalling what Orlando had done earlier, reached between them and held the condom in place, pulling out slowly. Orlando grabbed his shirt from the floor and gave himself a quick wipe down, thinking that he’d shower later. After disposing the condom, Viggo returned to Orlando’s open arms.
He was emotionally raw, his thoughts and feelings nearly overwhelming him. He felt the stinging behind his eyes, tried to stop the tears that fell softly onto Orlando’s chest.
“Viggo?” Orlando asked. When Viggo remained silent, Orlando became worried. “Love? What’s wrong?” He slid a finger beneath Viggo’s chin and tilted the blond head up, hoping to gain some insight as to what the problem might be.
Looking into the eyes of the man that was his salvation, Viggo tried to give voice to the emotions that were running rampant inside of him. Surprise, wonder, joy, and hope, yet underlying it all, fear.
It was the fear that Orlando responded to. Eyes filled with sadness, he pressed a chaste kiss to Viggo’s forehead. “I’m so sorry. We shouldn’t have done this. Please don’t hate me.”
Viggo leaned up and pressed his lips against Orlando’s, his fingers carding through sweat-soaked curls. “No, Lan. I could never hate you. And please don’t say this was a mistake. It wasn’t. It’s just… this whole experience was more than I ever dreamed possible. After so many years of denying my true self, to find someone as caring and compassionate as you are - and have been - I have to have faith that this was meant to be. Thank you. For everything.”
Orlando’s throat tightened with emotion. “It was my pleasure, in more ways than one. Thank you for allowing me to be your first. I’m hoping that there will be more firsts that we share. Unless I’m being too presumptuous?”
“There’s no one else I’d rather share them with,” Viggo admitted quietly. “You are the person I’ve had to fight my feelings for, the one temptation that I tried to resist.”
A small smile pulled at the corners of Orlando’s lips. “And failed spectacularly, I might add.”
“So it would seem,” Viggo offered with a shy smile as he settled back on Orlando’s chest, enjoying the simple task of just lying together.
= = =
Orlando was the first to stir. At first he thought he’d been dreaming the past few hours, but when he shifted, he felt a warm presence pressed against him. He felt tremendous relief knowing that Viggo was still there. Not only was he still around, but from the sound of things, Viggo had fallen asleep, as well.
Orlando smiled fondly at the man in his arms. Viggo was laying on his stomach, half on the bed and half on top of Orlando, his head nestled into the crook of Orlando’s arm. Orlando shifted a bit so he could kiss the side of Viggo’s head, offering up a silent prayer of thanks for the gift he was given.
Looking over the shaggy blond head, the digital alarm clock on his nightstand read ten-fifteen. They’d only been asleep for around half an hour. Orlando couldn’t hold back another sigh of pleasure he felt at having Viggo in his bed, sleeping next to him.
He could tell the moment Viggo started to wake, so he scooted down the bed so that they were face to face. The moment the soft blue eyes opened, Orlando leaned forward and captured Viggo’s lips with his own. He kept the kiss chaste, occasionally sliding his tongue around and sucking on Viggo’s lower lip. Viggo moaned his approval and returned the kiss, encouraging Orlando to open his lips so he could delve deeper into the warm cavern.
When the kiss finally slowed to gentle nibbles and suckling, Orlando pulled away and ran his fingers through sleep tousled blond hair. He was still a bit stunned that he and Viggo had shared so much in so little time. It truly was a miracle.
“You’re awake.” Viggo’s soft, sleepy voice drew Orlando away from his internal musings. “Did I miss anything?”
Orlando giggled, causing Viggo to smile while he rubbed his stubbly face on Orlando’s chest, generating more laughter from the younger man. “No, you didn’t miss anything. Except for...”
“Except, what?” The smile slid from Viggo’s face as he lifted up from his perch on Orlando’s chest. He still expected things to go wrong and wasn’t surprised when he felt his chest begin to constrict a bit.
Orlando noticed the change in Viggo immediately. “Hey, no frowning. Not tonight.” He leaned forward and kissed Viggo quickly. “What I was going to say was ‘except for’ the fact we forgot about the fortune cookies that came with our meal.” Chuckling, Orlando scrambled out of the bed, stopping just inside the bedroom door to turn back to look at Viggo.
“Do NOT go anywhere!” He pointed a finger at Viggo.
“I don’t plan on it.”
Viggo lay back on the bed, watching with fascination as Orlando’s lean and muscular ass disappeared from view. He knew Orlando was only in the next room, but that didn’t stop him from wanting Orlando back in bed with him as soon as possible.
Orlando returned to the bedroom, climbing back onto the bed with their fortune cookies in hand. He crawled over Viggo, making him lay back on the pillows, capturing his lips in a fiery kiss before settling next to him so that they could see what fortunes their cookies held for them.
“Choose one,” Orlando said as he held the plastic-wrapped treats in his open hand.
Viggo lifted his hand and waived it over the cookies a few times, as if he were ‘reading’ them, causing Orlando to giggle. “Hmm, which one? Which one holds my fortune? This one? Or is it this one?” Several times Viggo did this, and by the time he had finally chosen one, Orlando was nearly in tears from laughing so hard.
“Mad bugger,” Orlando said as he leaned over and brushed his lips against Viggo’s.
After opening the wrapper, Viggo carefully removed the cookie and then broke it apart, pulling the rectangular piece of paper from the baked confection.
A thing of beauty shall bring you great happiness, it read.
Viggo’s eyes met Orlando’s and he felt his whole world shift. He wanted this man, not just for tonight, and not just for the pleasure Orlando had shared with him. He wanted Orlando in his life, in his home, in his bed. He wanted Orlando’s face to be the last thing he saw before falling asleep each night and the first thing he laid his eyes on when he woke in the morning.
His newfound elation plummeted as he realized that he had no home - or bed - to share with Orlando. The church was his home, his life. In order to be with Orlando, he would have to give up life as he knew it. He would have to find not only a job of some type, but housing, as well. He had a little bit of money in savings, putting away the majority of his monthly stipend the church paid him, but not enough to get by on for very long.
Orlando watched as Viggo’s whole demeanor changed before his very eyes. The brightness shining in the blue eyes darkened to a dull gray, as if something had leeched all the happiness from the other man.
Fucking hell, not again, Orlando thought as he eyed the tiny piece of paper Viggo was holding. If that fucking fortune had anything to do with the lost look on Viggo’s face, Orlando was going to… he didn’t know what he would do, but damn it! Would it always be like this? One minute Viggo is fine with everything, and then something happens, causing Viggo to freak the fuck out.
Dropping his own unopened cookie to the bed, he snatched the paper from Viggo’s fingers and read the fortune. “A thing of beauty shall bring you great happiness.” Orlando’s eyes met Viggo’s. “You sure as fuck don’t look happy.”
The anger in Orlando’s voice surprised Viggo. The few times that Viggo had withdrawn into himself, Orlando had been soft-spoken and caring, slowly coaxing Viggo back with soothing words and gentle touches. Now, though… he wasn’t sure what to make of this turn of events.
Orlando slid from the bed. “I have done everything I can think of to make this good for you, to make sure that you were comfortable with everything we were doing, and then something happens that blows it all to hell.” Orlando grabbed his boxers from the floor and slid into them as he rambled. “For every step we take together, we end up taking three steps back. Is this what it’s always going to be like?” Hs steps followed the edge of the bed and back. “I know we just found one another, but I don't want this to end, and I don't think you do either. It just scares me when you go from one extreme to another,” he admitted softly as he collapsed on the end of the bed, shoulders slumped, as if all his energy had been zapped from him with that short outburst.
Viggo watched helplessly as Orlando stalked around the bed, the words falling from the young man’s mouth piercing his heart. His stomach clenched with fear that the past several hours would be all that he would have with Orlando, and that’s not what he wanted. His nerves eased a bit when Orlando said he didn’t want this to end, because Viggo didn’t either. He wanted to reach out to Orlando and assure him that things would work out between them, but held back, not wanting to promise things he himself wasn’t sure of. After quickly donning his own boxer-briefs, Viggo slowly slid to the end of the bed and positioned himself so that Orlando was sitting in the open vee of his legs. He wrapped his arms around Orlando’s torso, his chin resting on a slumped shoulder.
“I don't know that I can promise not to worry about things,” he said softly. “I've never been in a relationship before; this is so far out of my comfort zone that I feel like I’m flying without a net. I do know I never want to hurt you, and seeing how upset you just became over my reaction…” Viggo paused and placed a kiss to the soft skin. “I don't want you to feel that way because of me. We just need to learn to talk things through, which is ironic since talking isn't really my strong suit. I'm more of a listener. So if you talk, I will listen to you and I'll do my best to say what's on my mind instead of letting you try to interpret what I'm thinking.”
Viggo’s chest was warm against Orlando’s back, the heat soothing his frayed nerves. He gently took Viggo’s hands in his, twining their fingers together and resting them in his lap. There was nothing sexual about it, just a feeling of relief that he hadn’t fucked things up between them with his outburst.
“I’m sorry,” Orlando said as he gave Viggo’s hands a quick squeeze. “I didn’t mean to go off like that. It’s just…” Orlando leaned his head to the side and letting is rest against Viggo’s. “I was worried that something spooked you and you were going to run again.”
Viggo turned his head and pressed his lips to Orlando’s temple. “Oh Lan, I just found you. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not letting you go, either.” He wanted a relationship - in every sense of the word - with the beautiful young man who had so brazenly called Viggo out and then gave him a taste of the life that he had set aside all those years ago, but there were several issues that had to be resolved before that could truly happen.
Viggo’s reassuring words were a balm to Orlando’s tender heart. Releasing Viggo’s hands, Orlando turned in the circle of the man’s arms and lifted his hand to the stubbly cheek. “That’s good to hear, because the same goes for me, as well,” he said before pressing his lips gently against Viggo’s. “So, care to tell me what put the scared look on your face earlier?”
Letting his forehead rest against Orlando’s, Viggo took a calming breath. “It was the fortune, or rather, where my mind went after reading it. I couldn’t agree more with the fortune itself. You have brought me happiness,” he said with a small smile. “More than I ever thought possible.”
“So what about after? What were you thinking about?”
Viggo slowly pulled away, not far, just far enough to see Orlando’s face properly. “Before I get into that, there’s something I want you to know.” He took Orlando’s hands in his. “I love you, Orlando. What I feel for you goes beyond the amazing few hours we just spent together. For years I thought my destiny lay with the church, but that was before you came barreling into my life. Now my heart is telling me something different… that this is right, that what we've started is meant to be,” he said before leaning forward and kissing Orlando softly on the lips.
Orlando’s eyes widened with surprise at Viggo’s declaration of love. But they… today… how had that happened? By the time he had regained at least a portion of his faculties, Viggo had already pulled away.
A bit disappointed that Orlando had not returned his kiss, Viggo began to worry that he had seriously stepped over some unseen boundary. “Orlando? Hey, you okay?”
“I… umm…”
Viggo quickly gathered the young man in his arms. “Hey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have sprung that on you. It’s just… I know what’s in my heart and wanted you to know. You don’t have to return the sentiment. I’m sure that love is probably the furthest thing on your mind right now.”
Orlando slid his arms around Viggo’s waist and melted into the embrace. Viggo loved him. He wanted to ask why, but experience had taught him that the heart loves who it loves, regardless of the circumstances, so questioning it would be a fruitless endeavor. He could, however, reassure the man that his admission wasn’t wasted.
“I’m the one who should be apologizing,” Orlando said as he lifted his head from the juncture of Viggo’s neck and shoulder. “It’s… I’m a bit shocked that you feel that way about me. I’ve never had anyone genuinely care about me, much less love me. I’m usually the one who falls hard and once I say those three little words, it’s like I’ve jinxed the relationship. I’m glad you said it first because if I had, it would make this seem like all the rest, like what we have between us isn’t real.”
Cradling Orlando’s face in his hands, Viggo looked deep into the brown eyes. “It’s real, I promise. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t,” he said as he placed a gentle kiss on the enticing lips. “I want to fall asleep in your arms every night and wake up with you in mine.”
“Starting tonight?” Orlando whispered.
“Starting tonight,” Viggo agreed as he lowered Orlando to the bed, covering the lithe body with his own.
Orlando’s fingers burrowed into the blond locks. “As much as I hate to be a killjoy here, what about… do you need to check in or something? I mean, isn’t Father Ian going to wonder why you’re not there?”
“I’m sure Ian has figured out where I am.” Viggo said before placing a kiss to the left corner of Orlando’s mouth. “And what I’m doing.” A kiss to the right corner. “And who I’m doing it with.” He gently sucked Orlando’s lower lip into his mouth.
Orlando grasped Viggo’s head and pushed it back a fraction, causing Viggo to release his lower lip. “He knows about us?”
Viggo sighed and braced his weight on his forearms and elbows before nodding. “Yes, he knows. I talked to him today, after I left here earlier.” Viggo chuckled. “Actually, he’s known about my feelings for you for quite some time now. Of course, up until today I had assured him that nothing would ever happen, that I would never act on my feelings.”
Dark eyebrows lifted in surprise. “And now?”
“And now things are different. Better. Because now I have a new purpose in my life. You have changed my life, Orlando. For the better. When I talked to Ian earlier, I told him about coming here this morning. And before you ask, no, I didn't tell him everything, but he knows that we kissed and touched... and that I wanted to do more. He’s sad that I'm considering leaving the church, but he understands.”
Orlando's jaw dropped. “Wait, back up a minute. You're considering leaving the church? For me? Viggo, no,” he whispered.
“Well, it’s not just for you, but yes, I've been thinking about leaving for awhile now. I've not been as devoted as I used to be, and then you blew into my life like a breath of fresh air, freeing me from a life that I no longer fit into.” Viggo smiled down at the young man. “No, you’re more like a hurricane, though I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.”
“I am a force to be reckoned with,” Orlando said with a quick laugh. “I bet Father Ian hates me for luring you away from your calling,” he quietly added.
“No, he doesn't hate you. That word isn't even in Ian's vocabulary. He's known for some time that I've had questions regarding my commitment to the church. He has always told me to follow what my heart tells me. It wasn't a big stretch for Ian to figure out that you were where my heart was leading me.”
Viggo and Orlando's faces were inches apart while they talked, their lips occasionally brushing when one or the other felt the need to connect with the other. “Do you think you would be comfortable sitting down and talking to Father Ian with me sometime?” Viggo was nervous asking Orlando that question, but he knew that in order for his transition from clergy to public life to be successful, he would need the help of the two most important people in his life.
Orlando was hesitant with his answer. First and foremost, he wanted to support his lover with whatever Viggo needed to do. On the other hand, he felt a tad bit guilty for putting Viggo in the position he was in, even though he said that Orlando wasn’t the reason he wanted to leave the church. If Orlando had not have taunted the man like he had, Viggo might have worked through his feelings for Orlando and went on about his business.
"I can see the wheels turning inside your head, Lan. Talk to me, please." Viggo wasn't above begging, but wanted to wait and see what Orlando wanted to do. “If you don't want to talk to Ian, I understand. I've pretty much flung all this on you at once."
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to. I want to support you with whatever it is you decide to do. I guess I’m just afraid.”
"It's late... maybe I should go after all. We're both tired and emotional right now." Viggo started to get off the bed. When he heard Orlando say he was afraid, he stopped in his tracks.
"You don't have to be afraid alone. I'm completely terrified, but not for the reasons you may think." Viggo slid back down onto the bed next to Orlando. "I’m so afraid of never knowing what it's like to be so completely in love with someone and not having to worry about what anyone else thinks. I'm afraid that I'll wake up one day and you won’t be there; that this was all some dream that my mind cooked up after thinking of you so much over these past several months. I'm afraid that..." Viggo's words were cut off by eager lips pressing against his own.
“Oh, love, I’m so sorry,” Orlando said when he finally came up for air. “Yes, I’ll go. I’ll do whatever you need me to do. Just tell me when.”
Viggo chuckled. "Well, we don't have to decide anything right this moment. Will tomorrow be okay with you? Because right now all I want to think about is spending the rest of this evening loving you and making up for lost time."
One dark eyebrow lifted. “Oh really?” Orlando taunted. “Then why are you still dressed?”
“I could ask you the same question,” Viggo shot back. Before he could count to ten, Orlando had pushed Viggo aside and wiggled out of his boxers.
“Well?” Orlando asked as he eyed the navy blue boxer-briefs Viggo was still wearing. In a matter of moments, they joined Orlando’s shorts on the floor. “Much better,” he said as he scooted to the head of the bed with Viggo following like a large cat on the prowl. His hand brushed something plastic, the crinkling noise catching his attention. Looking back, he saw the fortune cookie he had dropped earlier. “My cookie!” he said with a smile as he reached for it.
Viggo had one thing on his mind and it wasn’t cookies. “Later,” he said as he tried to snatch it out of Orlando’s hand, but Orlando quickly rolled to his side, keeping it out of Viggo’s reach. This presented Viggo with a spectacular view of Orlando’s backside, as well as a new set of options. He pressed himself against Orlando’s back, his rapidly filling cock nestled in the crease of Orlando’s ass, and began to nibble on the broad shoulders.
Orlando smiled when he felt Viggo move in behind him, glad that the other man was taking the initiative in their lovemaking. Well, he would be once Orlando got the blasted cookie open and his fortune read. Quickly splitting the plastic open, he pulled the cookie out and broke it apart, trying to ignore the teasing nips and bites Viggo was currently administering. His cock, on the other hand, had certainly noticed and heartily approved of what the man was doing.
The slip of paper read: You will soon embark on a business venture.
All thoughts of fortunes and cookies flew out the window when Viggo’s hand slid beneath him and squeezed his cock. Dropping his treat to the floor, he pressed his ass back against Viggo’s groin.
“Much better,” Viggo said as he bit at the juncture where Orlando’s shoulder and neck met. “Can we…” Viggo took a deep breath, assuring himself that it was okay to ask for what he wanted. No more hesitations. “Can we do it like this?” he asked, glad that Orlando was facing away and could not see the flush of embarrassment he knew was flooding his cheeks. “Are you too sore from earlier?”
Orlando turned his head and kissed Viggo’s cheek. “Yes, we can do it like this, and no, I’m not too sore from earlier. Would you like to prep me, or should I do it?”
“I want to,” Viggo said as he looked around for the bottle of lubricant. “How many condoms do you have left?”
“Feeling adventurous, are we?”
Viggo laughed. “Like I said, making up for lost time.” He reluctantly rolled away, looking over the side of the bed for the plastic bottle. “There you are,” he said before grabbing it.
“I only found three in my nightstand. We have one left,” Orlando offered as he rolled onto his back, only to be rolled over onto his front again when Viggo found what he was looking for.
“Guess I’d better make this one count,” he said as he popped the lid and coated his fingers.
= = =
Silver moonlight spilled through the windows of the sanctuary, its soft beams caressing the weathered features of the man sitting alone in the third row. A sense of restlessness had stolen over Ian as he went about his duties for the day, Viggo’s absence weighing heavily on his mind. Several times he found himself searching out the other man, only to realize that Viggo had not yet returned.
Ian had counseled Viggo to the best of his ability, knowing that in the end, Viggo would follow his heart, which no longer belonged to God and the church. No, Orlando owned that part of Viggo now. He could only pray that the young man took great care of the precious possession he now held.
Rising from his seat, Ian shuffled over to the window nearest him, his eyes staring unseeing into the darkness.
“May you find the happiness you’ve been searching for, my Son,” he whispered before leaving the sanctuary in search of his bed.
TBC
Part 12
Written by: viggorlibean3 & okinay AKA Gayla & Gwen
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Viggo/Orlando
Disclaimer: No harm, no foul
Warning: No disrespect intended to the clergy
Note: Co-writing exercise fueled by prompt ‘hands and knees’
Note2: The previous chapters have been locked. You'll need to join texas_slash to read the entire series as we post it.
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3| Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 |
Confessions - Part 11
Orlando relished the weight of Viggo atop him and was content to lie there and hold him for the rest of the night. The way they fit together, their bodies in perfect alignment, Viggo’s warm breath drifting across Orlando’s shoulder, all of it absolute heaven. He had never felt this peaceful after a round of sex, like everything was as it should be. But then again, he had never been with Viggo before, either.
Long minutes passed as their breathing finally slowed, Orlando’s fingers trailing up and down Viggo’s back, the touch relaxing. Viggo felt himself softening inside of Orlando’s body and recalling what Orlando had done earlier, reached between them and held the condom in place, pulling out slowly. Orlando grabbed his shirt from the floor and gave himself a quick wipe down, thinking that he’d shower later. After disposing the condom, Viggo returned to Orlando’s open arms.
He was emotionally raw, his thoughts and feelings nearly overwhelming him. He felt the stinging behind his eyes, tried to stop the tears that fell softly onto Orlando’s chest.
“Viggo?” Orlando asked. When Viggo remained silent, Orlando became worried. “Love? What’s wrong?” He slid a finger beneath Viggo’s chin and tilted the blond head up, hoping to gain some insight as to what the problem might be.
Looking into the eyes of the man that was his salvation, Viggo tried to give voice to the emotions that were running rampant inside of him. Surprise, wonder, joy, and hope, yet underlying it all, fear.
It was the fear that Orlando responded to. Eyes filled with sadness, he pressed a chaste kiss to Viggo’s forehead. “I’m so sorry. We shouldn’t have done this. Please don’t hate me.”
Viggo leaned up and pressed his lips against Orlando’s, his fingers carding through sweat-soaked curls. “No, Lan. I could never hate you. And please don’t say this was a mistake. It wasn’t. It’s just… this whole experience was more than I ever dreamed possible. After so many years of denying my true self, to find someone as caring and compassionate as you are - and have been - I have to have faith that this was meant to be. Thank you. For everything.”
Orlando’s throat tightened with emotion. “It was my pleasure, in more ways than one. Thank you for allowing me to be your first. I’m hoping that there will be more firsts that we share. Unless I’m being too presumptuous?”
“There’s no one else I’d rather share them with,” Viggo admitted quietly. “You are the person I’ve had to fight my feelings for, the one temptation that I tried to resist.”
A small smile pulled at the corners of Orlando’s lips. “And failed spectacularly, I might add.”
“So it would seem,” Viggo offered with a shy smile as he settled back on Orlando’s chest, enjoying the simple task of just lying together.
= = =
Orlando was the first to stir. At first he thought he’d been dreaming the past few hours, but when he shifted, he felt a warm presence pressed against him. He felt tremendous relief knowing that Viggo was still there. Not only was he still around, but from the sound of things, Viggo had fallen asleep, as well.
Orlando smiled fondly at the man in his arms. Viggo was laying on his stomach, half on the bed and half on top of Orlando, his head nestled into the crook of Orlando’s arm. Orlando shifted a bit so he could kiss the side of Viggo’s head, offering up a silent prayer of thanks for the gift he was given.
Looking over the shaggy blond head, the digital alarm clock on his nightstand read ten-fifteen. They’d only been asleep for around half an hour. Orlando couldn’t hold back another sigh of pleasure he felt at having Viggo in his bed, sleeping next to him.
He could tell the moment Viggo started to wake, so he scooted down the bed so that they were face to face. The moment the soft blue eyes opened, Orlando leaned forward and captured Viggo’s lips with his own. He kept the kiss chaste, occasionally sliding his tongue around and sucking on Viggo’s lower lip. Viggo moaned his approval and returned the kiss, encouraging Orlando to open his lips so he could delve deeper into the warm cavern.
When the kiss finally slowed to gentle nibbles and suckling, Orlando pulled away and ran his fingers through sleep tousled blond hair. He was still a bit stunned that he and Viggo had shared so much in so little time. It truly was a miracle.
“You’re awake.” Viggo’s soft, sleepy voice drew Orlando away from his internal musings. “Did I miss anything?”
Orlando giggled, causing Viggo to smile while he rubbed his stubbly face on Orlando’s chest, generating more laughter from the younger man. “No, you didn’t miss anything. Except for...”
“Except, what?” The smile slid from Viggo’s face as he lifted up from his perch on Orlando’s chest. He still expected things to go wrong and wasn’t surprised when he felt his chest begin to constrict a bit.
Orlando noticed the change in Viggo immediately. “Hey, no frowning. Not tonight.” He leaned forward and kissed Viggo quickly. “What I was going to say was ‘except for’ the fact we forgot about the fortune cookies that came with our meal.” Chuckling, Orlando scrambled out of the bed, stopping just inside the bedroom door to turn back to look at Viggo.
“Do NOT go anywhere!” He pointed a finger at Viggo.
“I don’t plan on it.”
Viggo lay back on the bed, watching with fascination as Orlando’s lean and muscular ass disappeared from view. He knew Orlando was only in the next room, but that didn’t stop him from wanting Orlando back in bed with him as soon as possible.
Orlando returned to the bedroom, climbing back onto the bed with their fortune cookies in hand. He crawled over Viggo, making him lay back on the pillows, capturing his lips in a fiery kiss before settling next to him so that they could see what fortunes their cookies held for them.
“Choose one,” Orlando said as he held the plastic-wrapped treats in his open hand.
Viggo lifted his hand and waived it over the cookies a few times, as if he were ‘reading’ them, causing Orlando to giggle. “Hmm, which one? Which one holds my fortune? This one? Or is it this one?” Several times Viggo did this, and by the time he had finally chosen one, Orlando was nearly in tears from laughing so hard.
“Mad bugger,” Orlando said as he leaned over and brushed his lips against Viggo’s.
After opening the wrapper, Viggo carefully removed the cookie and then broke it apart, pulling the rectangular piece of paper from the baked confection.
A thing of beauty shall bring you great happiness, it read.
Viggo’s eyes met Orlando’s and he felt his whole world shift. He wanted this man, not just for tonight, and not just for the pleasure Orlando had shared with him. He wanted Orlando in his life, in his home, in his bed. He wanted Orlando’s face to be the last thing he saw before falling asleep each night and the first thing he laid his eyes on when he woke in the morning.
His newfound elation plummeted as he realized that he had no home - or bed - to share with Orlando. The church was his home, his life. In order to be with Orlando, he would have to give up life as he knew it. He would have to find not only a job of some type, but housing, as well. He had a little bit of money in savings, putting away the majority of his monthly stipend the church paid him, but not enough to get by on for very long.
Orlando watched as Viggo’s whole demeanor changed before his very eyes. The brightness shining in the blue eyes darkened to a dull gray, as if something had leeched all the happiness from the other man.
Fucking hell, not again, Orlando thought as he eyed the tiny piece of paper Viggo was holding. If that fucking fortune had anything to do with the lost look on Viggo’s face, Orlando was going to… he didn’t know what he would do, but damn it! Would it always be like this? One minute Viggo is fine with everything, and then something happens, causing Viggo to freak the fuck out.
Dropping his own unopened cookie to the bed, he snatched the paper from Viggo’s fingers and read the fortune. “A thing of beauty shall bring you great happiness.” Orlando’s eyes met Viggo’s. “You sure as fuck don’t look happy.”
The anger in Orlando’s voice surprised Viggo. The few times that Viggo had withdrawn into himself, Orlando had been soft-spoken and caring, slowly coaxing Viggo back with soothing words and gentle touches. Now, though… he wasn’t sure what to make of this turn of events.
Orlando slid from the bed. “I have done everything I can think of to make this good for you, to make sure that you were comfortable with everything we were doing, and then something happens that blows it all to hell.” Orlando grabbed his boxers from the floor and slid into them as he rambled. “For every step we take together, we end up taking three steps back. Is this what it’s always going to be like?” Hs steps followed the edge of the bed and back. “I know we just found one another, but I don't want this to end, and I don't think you do either. It just scares me when you go from one extreme to another,” he admitted softly as he collapsed on the end of the bed, shoulders slumped, as if all his energy had been zapped from him with that short outburst.
Viggo watched helplessly as Orlando stalked around the bed, the words falling from the young man’s mouth piercing his heart. His stomach clenched with fear that the past several hours would be all that he would have with Orlando, and that’s not what he wanted. His nerves eased a bit when Orlando said he didn’t want this to end, because Viggo didn’t either. He wanted to reach out to Orlando and assure him that things would work out between them, but held back, not wanting to promise things he himself wasn’t sure of. After quickly donning his own boxer-briefs, Viggo slowly slid to the end of the bed and positioned himself so that Orlando was sitting in the open vee of his legs. He wrapped his arms around Orlando’s torso, his chin resting on a slumped shoulder.
“I don't know that I can promise not to worry about things,” he said softly. “I've never been in a relationship before; this is so far out of my comfort zone that I feel like I’m flying without a net. I do know I never want to hurt you, and seeing how upset you just became over my reaction…” Viggo paused and placed a kiss to the soft skin. “I don't want you to feel that way because of me. We just need to learn to talk things through, which is ironic since talking isn't really my strong suit. I'm more of a listener. So if you talk, I will listen to you and I'll do my best to say what's on my mind instead of letting you try to interpret what I'm thinking.”
Viggo’s chest was warm against Orlando’s back, the heat soothing his frayed nerves. He gently took Viggo’s hands in his, twining their fingers together and resting them in his lap. There was nothing sexual about it, just a feeling of relief that he hadn’t fucked things up between them with his outburst.
“I’m sorry,” Orlando said as he gave Viggo’s hands a quick squeeze. “I didn’t mean to go off like that. It’s just…” Orlando leaned his head to the side and letting is rest against Viggo’s. “I was worried that something spooked you and you were going to run again.”
Viggo turned his head and pressed his lips to Orlando’s temple. “Oh Lan, I just found you. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not letting you go, either.” He wanted a relationship - in every sense of the word - with the beautiful young man who had so brazenly called Viggo out and then gave him a taste of the life that he had set aside all those years ago, but there were several issues that had to be resolved before that could truly happen.
Viggo’s reassuring words were a balm to Orlando’s tender heart. Releasing Viggo’s hands, Orlando turned in the circle of the man’s arms and lifted his hand to the stubbly cheek. “That’s good to hear, because the same goes for me, as well,” he said before pressing his lips gently against Viggo’s. “So, care to tell me what put the scared look on your face earlier?”
Letting his forehead rest against Orlando’s, Viggo took a calming breath. “It was the fortune, or rather, where my mind went after reading it. I couldn’t agree more with the fortune itself. You have brought me happiness,” he said with a small smile. “More than I ever thought possible.”
“So what about after? What were you thinking about?”
Viggo slowly pulled away, not far, just far enough to see Orlando’s face properly. “Before I get into that, there’s something I want you to know.” He took Orlando’s hands in his. “I love you, Orlando. What I feel for you goes beyond the amazing few hours we just spent together. For years I thought my destiny lay with the church, but that was before you came barreling into my life. Now my heart is telling me something different… that this is right, that what we've started is meant to be,” he said before leaning forward and kissing Orlando softly on the lips.
Orlando’s eyes widened with surprise at Viggo’s declaration of love. But they… today… how had that happened? By the time he had regained at least a portion of his faculties, Viggo had already pulled away.
A bit disappointed that Orlando had not returned his kiss, Viggo began to worry that he had seriously stepped over some unseen boundary. “Orlando? Hey, you okay?”
“I… umm…”
Viggo quickly gathered the young man in his arms. “Hey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have sprung that on you. It’s just… I know what’s in my heart and wanted you to know. You don’t have to return the sentiment. I’m sure that love is probably the furthest thing on your mind right now.”
Orlando slid his arms around Viggo’s waist and melted into the embrace. Viggo loved him. He wanted to ask why, but experience had taught him that the heart loves who it loves, regardless of the circumstances, so questioning it would be a fruitless endeavor. He could, however, reassure the man that his admission wasn’t wasted.
“I’m the one who should be apologizing,” Orlando said as he lifted his head from the juncture of Viggo’s neck and shoulder. “It’s… I’m a bit shocked that you feel that way about me. I’ve never had anyone genuinely care about me, much less love me. I’m usually the one who falls hard and once I say those three little words, it’s like I’ve jinxed the relationship. I’m glad you said it first because if I had, it would make this seem like all the rest, like what we have between us isn’t real.”
Cradling Orlando’s face in his hands, Viggo looked deep into the brown eyes. “It’s real, I promise. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t,” he said as he placed a gentle kiss on the enticing lips. “I want to fall asleep in your arms every night and wake up with you in mine.”
“Starting tonight?” Orlando whispered.
“Starting tonight,” Viggo agreed as he lowered Orlando to the bed, covering the lithe body with his own.
Orlando’s fingers burrowed into the blond locks. “As much as I hate to be a killjoy here, what about… do you need to check in or something? I mean, isn’t Father Ian going to wonder why you’re not there?”
“I’m sure Ian has figured out where I am.” Viggo said before placing a kiss to the left corner of Orlando’s mouth. “And what I’m doing.” A kiss to the right corner. “And who I’m doing it with.” He gently sucked Orlando’s lower lip into his mouth.
Orlando grasped Viggo’s head and pushed it back a fraction, causing Viggo to release his lower lip. “He knows about us?”
Viggo sighed and braced his weight on his forearms and elbows before nodding. “Yes, he knows. I talked to him today, after I left here earlier.” Viggo chuckled. “Actually, he’s known about my feelings for you for quite some time now. Of course, up until today I had assured him that nothing would ever happen, that I would never act on my feelings.”
Dark eyebrows lifted in surprise. “And now?”
“And now things are different. Better. Because now I have a new purpose in my life. You have changed my life, Orlando. For the better. When I talked to Ian earlier, I told him about coming here this morning. And before you ask, no, I didn't tell him everything, but he knows that we kissed and touched... and that I wanted to do more. He’s sad that I'm considering leaving the church, but he understands.”
Orlando's jaw dropped. “Wait, back up a minute. You're considering leaving the church? For me? Viggo, no,” he whispered.
“Well, it’s not just for you, but yes, I've been thinking about leaving for awhile now. I've not been as devoted as I used to be, and then you blew into my life like a breath of fresh air, freeing me from a life that I no longer fit into.” Viggo smiled down at the young man. “No, you’re more like a hurricane, though I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.”
“I am a force to be reckoned with,” Orlando said with a quick laugh. “I bet Father Ian hates me for luring you away from your calling,” he quietly added.
“No, he doesn't hate you. That word isn't even in Ian's vocabulary. He's known for some time that I've had questions regarding my commitment to the church. He has always told me to follow what my heart tells me. It wasn't a big stretch for Ian to figure out that you were where my heart was leading me.”
Viggo and Orlando's faces were inches apart while they talked, their lips occasionally brushing when one or the other felt the need to connect with the other. “Do you think you would be comfortable sitting down and talking to Father Ian with me sometime?” Viggo was nervous asking Orlando that question, but he knew that in order for his transition from clergy to public life to be successful, he would need the help of the two most important people in his life.
Orlando was hesitant with his answer. First and foremost, he wanted to support his lover with whatever Viggo needed to do. On the other hand, he felt a tad bit guilty for putting Viggo in the position he was in, even though he said that Orlando wasn’t the reason he wanted to leave the church. If Orlando had not have taunted the man like he had, Viggo might have worked through his feelings for Orlando and went on about his business.
"I can see the wheels turning inside your head, Lan. Talk to me, please." Viggo wasn't above begging, but wanted to wait and see what Orlando wanted to do. “If you don't want to talk to Ian, I understand. I've pretty much flung all this on you at once."
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to. I want to support you with whatever it is you decide to do. I guess I’m just afraid.”
"It's late... maybe I should go after all. We're both tired and emotional right now." Viggo started to get off the bed. When he heard Orlando say he was afraid, he stopped in his tracks.
"You don't have to be afraid alone. I'm completely terrified, but not for the reasons you may think." Viggo slid back down onto the bed next to Orlando. "I’m so afraid of never knowing what it's like to be so completely in love with someone and not having to worry about what anyone else thinks. I'm afraid that I'll wake up one day and you won’t be there; that this was all some dream that my mind cooked up after thinking of you so much over these past several months. I'm afraid that..." Viggo's words were cut off by eager lips pressing against his own.
“Oh, love, I’m so sorry,” Orlando said when he finally came up for air. “Yes, I’ll go. I’ll do whatever you need me to do. Just tell me when.”
Viggo chuckled. "Well, we don't have to decide anything right this moment. Will tomorrow be okay with you? Because right now all I want to think about is spending the rest of this evening loving you and making up for lost time."
One dark eyebrow lifted. “Oh really?” Orlando taunted. “Then why are you still dressed?”
“I could ask you the same question,” Viggo shot back. Before he could count to ten, Orlando had pushed Viggo aside and wiggled out of his boxers.
“Well?” Orlando asked as he eyed the navy blue boxer-briefs Viggo was still wearing. In a matter of moments, they joined Orlando’s shorts on the floor. “Much better,” he said as he scooted to the head of the bed with Viggo following like a large cat on the prowl. His hand brushed something plastic, the crinkling noise catching his attention. Looking back, he saw the fortune cookie he had dropped earlier. “My cookie!” he said with a smile as he reached for it.
Viggo had one thing on his mind and it wasn’t cookies. “Later,” he said as he tried to snatch it out of Orlando’s hand, but Orlando quickly rolled to his side, keeping it out of Viggo’s reach. This presented Viggo with a spectacular view of Orlando’s backside, as well as a new set of options. He pressed himself against Orlando’s back, his rapidly filling cock nestled in the crease of Orlando’s ass, and began to nibble on the broad shoulders.
Orlando smiled when he felt Viggo move in behind him, glad that the other man was taking the initiative in their lovemaking. Well, he would be once Orlando got the blasted cookie open and his fortune read. Quickly splitting the plastic open, he pulled the cookie out and broke it apart, trying to ignore the teasing nips and bites Viggo was currently administering. His cock, on the other hand, had certainly noticed and heartily approved of what the man was doing.
The slip of paper read: You will soon embark on a business venture.
All thoughts of fortunes and cookies flew out the window when Viggo’s hand slid beneath him and squeezed his cock. Dropping his treat to the floor, he pressed his ass back against Viggo’s groin.
“Much better,” Viggo said as he bit at the juncture where Orlando’s shoulder and neck met. “Can we…” Viggo took a deep breath, assuring himself that it was okay to ask for what he wanted. No more hesitations. “Can we do it like this?” he asked, glad that Orlando was facing away and could not see the flush of embarrassment he knew was flooding his cheeks. “Are you too sore from earlier?”
Orlando turned his head and kissed Viggo’s cheek. “Yes, we can do it like this, and no, I’m not too sore from earlier. Would you like to prep me, or should I do it?”
“I want to,” Viggo said as he looked around for the bottle of lubricant. “How many condoms do you have left?”
“Feeling adventurous, are we?”
Viggo laughed. “Like I said, making up for lost time.” He reluctantly rolled away, looking over the side of the bed for the plastic bottle. “There you are,” he said before grabbing it.
“I only found three in my nightstand. We have one left,” Orlando offered as he rolled onto his back, only to be rolled over onto his front again when Viggo found what he was looking for.
“Guess I’d better make this one count,” he said as he popped the lid and coated his fingers.
= = =
Silver moonlight spilled through the windows of the sanctuary, its soft beams caressing the weathered features of the man sitting alone in the third row. A sense of restlessness had stolen over Ian as he went about his duties for the day, Viggo’s absence weighing heavily on his mind. Several times he found himself searching out the other man, only to realize that Viggo had not yet returned.
Ian had counseled Viggo to the best of his ability, knowing that in the end, Viggo would follow his heart, which no longer belonged to God and the church. No, Orlando owned that part of Viggo now. He could only pray that the young man took great care of the precious possession he now held.
Rising from his seat, Ian shuffled over to the window nearest him, his eyes staring unseeing into the darkness.
“May you find the happiness you’ve been searching for, my Son,” he whispered before leaving the sanctuary in search of his bed.
TBC
Part 12