Heaven in Your Eyes

Chap: 17

"I came over Saturday night."

"Did you?" He sounded disbelieving. "Why would you do that Vig? I told ya I was goin out."

"You didn't answer the door."

He shifted uncomfortably under the accusing glare. "Maybe I wasn't home yet."
Was all he admitted. He wasn't going to give Viggo the satisfaction of knowing what he'd witnessed in the bar, had driven him to have one too many and pass out like a weeping idiot on Lij's sofa.

"Did you all go somewhere else after the bar?"

Eyes widened briefly before the blond head shook no. 'Please God, tell me he didn't see me make a fool of myself.' It was bad enough Viggo hadn't called him yesterday, his thoughts torturing him all day as to why. Putting aside the possibility he'd been with someone else, he hoped just as much the man hadn't witnessed his slight tantrum in the bar.

"Well, I saw Elijah. I know he left long before we did." He took a step closer, arms still crossed over his midsection, steel eyes drilling holes through Orlando. "Your jeep wasn't in the drive."

He had to fight from flinching under that weighty gaze, but his voice still slipped in response.
"I..I left it at..I mean I stayed at Lij's..had just enough to drink it wouldn't have been safe..ya know."
Viggo's eyes closed over a long pause, seeming colder, then saddening when they reopened to slide over the slender form. "Yes, Orlando, he agreed in a lifeless tone, I know now."

"Vig?" He tried stopping him with a hand to his arm but he walked on, brushing it off without looking back.

"Something wrong honey?"
"I don't know?" He tore his eyes from Viggo's retreating form. "Wow! he let out a low whistle; You look amazing Liv!"
She giggled, twirling once for effect. "It is a beautiful gown isn't it."
"Your beauty makes the costume come to life luv."
"Charmer." She admonished. "I don't even have my hair or makeup done."
"Yeah, why is that? If these are just dressed run throughs why do I have to wear the wig and this damn thing?" His finger rubbed under the metal band itching his forehead.

"So you will remember to hold your head high..and be the stunning noble Prince you are!" She curtsied dramatically making him chuckle.
"More like Princess in this getup!" His own words made him wince.
Liv remained oblivious and hooked his arm with hers guiding them towards the set.
They both stopped, mouths agape at the transformation of it for the King's coronation. "It's almost over." The sad hitch in her sigh drew his eyes from his King and he patted the arm still linked with his.
"We'll still see each other luv. Promotions, premiers, you know there'll be numerous re-shoots. It's not the end."

Her smile was affectionate as she stroked the back of an index finger along his cheek. "I have a feeling it's just the beginning for you honey."

"Well, of course..first real movie."

She nudged him with her hip, "Stop that, it's not what I meant and you know it. Don't beat yourself up sweetie, don't ever deny your talent." Her arm slipped free so she could face him. Studying him long enough to make his brow raise questioningly. "You really don't realize how incredibly beautiful you are."

"Thanks luv, that made me feel less like a princess, and no, I'm not."
She grinned at the pink tinged cheeks, "It wasn't a question..it was an answer."

"Huh?"

"It's what draws people to you, she stroked his cheek once more; This gorgeous face. What keeps them there is simply that. You don\hinkhink so. Combine your natural charm, magnetic personality..and a sincere heart. People can't help but want to be next to you. Just keep yourself humble sweetie and your eyes *wide* open, she warned; You'll do quite well I think."
"I..uh.." He stammered, clearly embarrassed by her praise.
"Go on now, it's your turn. Pay me a compliment!"

He shook his head, smiling his relief and wrapped her in a warm embrace.
"I'm gonna miss you luv."

She hugged him tight then drew back to see his face, "That's the nicest compliment you could have paid me my Prince."
She glanced over his shoulder then started to release him. "We'd better stop hugging now, our King looks pissed." Her smile showed her to be teasing and he went along. Throwing an arm across her shoulders he walked them onto the set, forcing himself not to look his majesty's way.
"If he gets to marry you, I can at least hug you."
"I don't think that's the problem honey, her grin widened; He looked ticked off that I was hugging you."
"Bloody hell Liv." He muttered looking around. He couldn't help it, even though he knew it to be irrational, he just couldn't get comfortable with people talking about them in the open like that.
"You two having a problem?"
Shrug.
"We can talk later if you want."
"Nothin to talk about I know of."

'Yeah, she sighed, Lij was right. Clenched jaw, tense shoulder set. He wasn't talking.'
"I'm not doing anything tonight if you change your mind."
Tight lipped smile, small nod, "Sure Liv." She knew he wasn't coming.

~~*~*~*~*~

He paraded himself towards Viggo six times before PJ was happy with angles, lighting, the placement of loyal subjects. In between everything else, it was midday before he was given leave to go. Snatching first thing, the Dom dubbed 'tiara' from his head, yanking angrily when it refused to give.
"Damn bloody piece of.."
"Hey, yo..virgin ears here!"
"Maybe you you were *two* hobbit."
"Probably not even then!" Lij laughed, falling into silent stride beside his friend til he thought he might burst.
"You and Vig still arguing?" Not expecting and surprised that he received an answer he stopped.

"I don't know what's goin on mate." He halted, rubbing at the spot on his forehead again, more out of thought than actual itching. "We're not arguing, we're not really anything right now. He..he's been actin strange since right after his birthday."

"What kinda strange..and how can ya tell, this is Viggo we're talkin bout."
His gratification came in the form of a muffled chuckle. Now if he could just keep him talking.

Lij! He's not strange."

"Will ya settle for quirky then? Okay, kay I got it. The reliable fall back, *unique* hmm?"

"Yeah.., his voice softened to match the dreaminess that hazed his eyes; He is isn't he."

Fingers snapping in his face brought him back. "You in there? We were on strange.." He motioned for Orlando to continue.

"It's..like..with one hand he's pushin me away and the other he's pullin me back. You know what I mean...does that make sense?"

'Unfortunately, he thought. It sounded like a case of cold feet, or a changed mind.'
"I think I know what ya mean."

He was watching his boot retrace the half moon it drew in the dirt. "I know we never talked about..beyond the movie. I know I'm partially to blame. He's just so..intense, so hard to read at times, I'm never sure what he's thinkin. I'm just a big fat chicken." His shrug, a simplistic gesture of self mocking. "I was actually gonna try..then, he changed. This mornin I *think* he was even trying to accuse me of sleepin around on him."

Saucered eyes widened further as icy fingers traced up Elijah's spine.
"What'd ya mean..tried."

He scuffed at the half moon, distorting it before his gaze rose, brow crinkled in confusion. "He was goin on about this weekend, said he came over, why wasn't I there. I told him I stayed with you..then he weirded out. Made some strange comment about *knowing*. Now I've been gettin cold shouldered all day long. I just got the distinct impression there was an accusation there ya know.
And that's fucking bullshit too! Even with all Karl's hints and innuendoes I've never accused him. I never had proof!"

"I.., his guilt ridden voice squeaked; Let's get outta these and go get some dinner."
'That's it, he thought, public place, no brain bashing.'
"I've um, there's somethin important I need to tell ya."

~~*~*~*~*~

"Why are you laughin..it's not funny!"
can\can't believe you did that, but, your right. It's not funny." His smiling features transformed to Legolas' fierceness. "And your going to fix it. Today! Am I right?"

"This is too fucking embarrassing."

"You should learn not to meddle."

"I know, I know, it just pissed me off."

"I don't need a protector Lijs vos voice softened with affection; Just a mate. Okay?"

He nodded, wondering how he was ever going to face Viggo. *Viggo*
"Oh, that reminds me." he pulled a crumpled slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Orlando.
"Is this..do I wanna know?" He pocketed the paper when Lij smirked.
"Later, he deadpanned; Right now you've somewhere to go."

"Yeah, I'm goin already. He's probably not home yet ya know. He always works late."

"You'll *wait* at my place then, it will ensure flying arrows don't come searching for you."
Blue eyes saucered again and he started backing towards his car. By Orli's blank stare, he wasn't exactly sure he was teasing. "Um, sure, your place. See ya there if he ain't home."

Snicker..

~~*~*~*~*~
"Lo. Hey Lij. You talk to him?"

"Yeah, it's over with. Fucking hell Orli! I never felt like such a little kid, he's so... everything was, mhm or I see, and he studied me like I was an alien bug or somethin!"

Snicker..

"Go ahead an laugh, I deserve it, purge yourself!"

Pause.......

"You through now?'

"Sorry Li cou could just picture it. Go on, what'd he say?"

"I told ya that already, he had the vocabulary of a two year old. I just kinda explained how
things went down, left you out of it. Told him I had a little to much to drink, made me bold and pissed me off knowin Karl liked him an all. Basically made a fool of myself! Happy now?"

"We'll see."

"Am I gonna be dodgin arrows?"

"You did your part. The rest is up to him."

"You looked at the paper yet?"

"No."
He traced it's presence through his jeans. "Might not be any need for me to know."

"I think you should look."

"I'll think about it."

"See ya tomorrow?"

"No, I m not on the call list til Wednesday."

"Maybe I'll see ya after then."

"Maybe..gotta go Lij. Someone's knockin."

"Good luck."

"Thanks mate."


TBC