A Thorny Black Rose

Viggo sank to his knees at Sean’s side and clasped his hand. Sean’s eyes sought out his gaze as he stuttered “I would have followed you, my liege… my king.” Viggo pretended to close his friend’s eyes and then gently pressed a chaste kiss on his forehead. “Cut!” yelled Peter. “That was better than the last time but Viggo, please try to kiss Sean with more feeling, okay?” Viggo nodded, still staring at Sean and trying to read the emotion he saw in the blond’s eyes. “Okay.” They repeated the scene three more times before Peter was satisfied and allowed them to take a short lunch break. At once Viggo headed for the catering tent.
“Viggo! Viggo! Wait up!” Viggo sighed and slowed down till Sean had caught up with him. “Are you going to eat something, too?! Sean asked hopefully. For a moment Viggo thought of negating but his stomach decided to betray his thoughts by emitting a loud rumble. “Great!”
Sean smiled. “We can talk ovunchunch then.” “Talk?” “Yes Viggo, talk. To each other.
What civilized people do to exchange information, you know?”
//Great.// Viggo thought //I’ll spend my lunch with a grinning, talkative and unnerving Bean.
What will he start next? Bouncing when excited?// He mentally shook himself and refocused his attention on his best friend. “..and then we’ll go for a walk, okay?” Beanie asked.
//Walk. You’ll be alone with him then. A chance to talk to him. About the roses.// “Yes, I’d like that. But lunch’s first. I had no breakfast today.” “No breakfast?” Sean knotted his eyebrows in disgust at the thought “why?” “Not my day.” Sighed Viggo “the cornflakes decided they’d rather end p on the kitchen floor than in my stomach.”

“Are you going to eat that?” asked Viggo, eying Sean’s last few potatoes and the rest of his fish-filet lovingly. “Sean shook his head. “No, you’re welcome. Help yourself.”
“Thanks. I will.” Grinned Viggo and picked a potato from Sean’s plate. “It’s better to ask before taking… especially in such an intimate setting…” he continued, observing Sean’s reaction carefully. //Will he take the hint?//
“Intimate?” Sean seemed confused. Are you alright? You seem a little bit… off today.” Viggo sighed. “No, I’m alright, really. Just didn’t get enough sleep I think. So,” he said finally emptying Sean’s plate “how about taking that walk you mentioned Some fresh air is just what I need.” He got up and exited the tent, counting on Sean to follow him.

Sean fell into step with Viggo and together they headed for the forest, walking in silence.
//He was so talkative he almost burst during filming. Why isn’t he saying anything now?// Viggo stole another quick glance at Sean waiting for him to say something.
Suddenly Beanie stopped and looked at Viggo nervously, clearing his throat before he started to speak. “I.. fuck!... I don’t know how to say this…” he finally stuttered looking to Viggo for encouragement. “You’re my best friend here at the set… like a brother… maybe even closer and…” he trailed off again. Viggo settled himself on the grass and motioned for Sean to do the same. “I’ll listen to whatever you have to say, Sean.” He assured his friend. “Thanks…
I… appreciate that. I’ve been trying to get you alone but… well… somehow I never quite managed to…” he stopped again. //It must be him.// thought Viggo //The way he has been
acting lately.., the way he’s - is that a blush?// “Viggo?” Sean interrupted his thoughts.
“Yes?” “What is it like?” Viggo was utterly confused. “What is what like, Sean?”
“What is it like to be , you know, gay? How do you know you’ve fallen for a man?
And what does it feel like?” Viggo stared at Sean, eyes wide and mouth agape.
“You’re… I didn’t offend you, did I?” Sean stuttered. Viggo stared.
“It’s just that… well… I think I’m in love with a man but…” Viggo stared some more.
//He didn’t just ask me what… being gay feels like, did he?// was all he seemed capable of thinking.
“You’re not angry, are you?” asked Sean anxiously, his eyes pleading. Eventually Viggo closed his mouth. “No, I’m not angry. I’m just… surprised.” “Surprised?” repeated Sean.
“But you must have noticed!” “Yes, yes I noticed.” Said Viggo more to himself than to Sean. “It’s well… I think it’s almost the same as falling for a woman.” Sean looked even more confused. //Oh fuck it all! I have to know for sure!// decided Viggo and pulled Sean into a kiss. Their lips met but just as Viggo was about to deepen the kiss a flutter of movement caught his eye. He pulled back, turned and blushed fiercely.
“Karl!” Beanie gasped embarrassed and jumped up, turning a deeper shade of red.
“It was not… I mean… we weren’t…” He broke off and stared at the floor.
“Peter’s waiting for you.” Karl said, his voice cool and controlled as always.
“He wants to continue filming. I was sent to search for you.”
“We’re coming.” Viggo stated curtly and left the clearing. //Why?// he kept asking himself
//Why had Karl to show up exactly at that moment? Of all the arrogant, self-assured idiots
to find us! He’s been bad enough but now…// He shook his head and sighed as they reached the set. //And I still don’t know what exactly Sean feels for me// he thought, stealing a quick glance at his co-actor //or how I feel about him…//

Filming was awkward for the rest of the day. Viggo and Sean kept dancing around each other, trying to avoid contact whenever possible. And Sean was clearly as mortified as Viggo that Karl had been the one to find them. Viggo could barely remember being more grateful when Peter finally declared the day’s work done. He looked for Sean but to his disappointment could not find him anywhere.

//I have to talk to him as soon as possible.// he thought as he finally left his trailer, once more out of his Aragorn-costume and back to his normal self. At least in his outward appearance.
Deeply in thought he entered the car park, happy that Orlando had found someone else to drive home with. He wouldn’t have wanted to face him right now. It would have been too much for one day. Angrily he rubbed his temples. It seemed that his headache had decided to pay him another visit. He groaned as he remembered something else. //The cornflakes!
Holy fucking Christ! They’re still scattered on the floor!// He wanted to unlock his car but to his surprise the door was already open. //What?!?// He bent down and inspected the lock closer. There were scratches all over it. Viggo stared unbelievingly at the evidence in front of his eyes. //Someone picked the lock! He broke into my car! But why didn’t he steal it?//
He opened the door and as the lights went on his gaze was immediately captured by the item on the driver seat. A black rose. This one was different, though. The petals had been plucked off and were scattered over the seat. //Great! Now I’ll have to clean the car, too. Just bloody fucking great!// Viggo quickly made sure that his car radio and all the other electronics were still where they were supposed to be and then headed home. //I must have the lock changed.//
He sighed and put it on his ever-growing list of things to do.

He carefully checked the lock at his front door but it was just as he had left it. Locked.
Relieved he stepped inside debating what to do. Sleeping would be impossible right now he decided. He was still too upset. //Shower? Nah… maybe a film…yeah, a nice film to calm down…// He had just stepped into the living room when someone switched off the light and grabbed him from behind. “What..” he started to say but was silenced as rough lips claimed his in a possessive kiss. Viggo groaned into the intruder’s mouth and at once the man deepened the kiss, teasing and sucking Viggo’s tongue till they were both panting and gasping for breath. “Never forget, Ranger, to search for the rose!” The attacker growled and Viggo once more felt himself be dragged to the sofa. He knew the attacker’s voice but was unable to put a face to it.

“Do you want me?” The stranger whispered roaming his hands over Viggo’s chest.
“Gods yes!” Moaned Viggo. “Then you shall have me, Ranger.” The attacker kissed Viggo again , not as possessive and demanding as before but slow and sweetly. Viggo arched into the other man’s touch, loving the way he made him feel. Slowly they undressed each other till they stood naked in the darkness. Viggo gulped. “Bed?” he asked finally feeling nervous all of a sudden. “No light:” the stranger demanded. “Okay.” Whispered Viggo and took the stranger’s hand. Together they made their way to the bedroom.
Viggo felt for the bed, pulling the stranger on top of him and kissing him thoroughly.
The man was a bit taller than him and a little broader he noticed as his hands explored the man’s chest in teasing circles and nudged gently against hardened nipples. The stranger broke their kiss and started to roam his hands over Viggo’s body and after what seemed like an eternity started to stroke the actor’s hardened member while trailing kisses over his chest and neck. Viggo arched his back, savouring the other’s scent and the feel of velvet skin and muscle against his own body. “Please…” he begged, his voice hoarse with desire. Once again the stranger captured his lips in a slow, tantalizing kiss.
Do you still want me, Ranger?” “Yes.. yes I do!” groaned Viggo. “Then take me!” hissed the man an pulled Viggo on top of him. Viggo stroked the other’s thighs, his fingers tingling where Goosebumps blossomed on the sensitive flesh, spreading the man’s legs wide and caressing his buttocks. Carefully he slid a finger into him and chuckled with delight at the wanton moan he evoked. Viggo kissed the stranger, slowly moving his finger in and out and then adding another, testing and stretching carefully. The stranger arched back, impaling himself on Viggo’s fingers. “No more stretching” pleaded he “take me! Please!” “But…”
“No `buts`!” groaned the stranger. “Take me… fuck me… rape me if you must…
but fucking do it already!”
Viggo positioned himself at the stranger’s entrance and then slowly pushed in, trying to bring his lover as little discomfort as possible. When he was fully sheathed he stopped for a moment. “Move, please!” The stranger moaned and Viggo obeyed. Soon they had set a frantic rhythm and only increasing moans and groans were heard.
Viggo screamed with pleasure as his lover came. The contracting of the stranger’s passage sent him over the edge and he saw stars exploding before his eyes as waves of pleasure cursed through him. Panting he collapsed on top of his lover.
“Viggo?” The stranger finally whispered “You’re getting heavy.” Reluctantly Viggo pulled out and rolled onto his side, drawing the other into a tight embrace. “Stay..” he whispered sleepily. The stranger didn’t respond, simply resting his head on Viggo’s chest and returning the embrace instead. Soon both of them had drifted into sleep content to hold the other.

He awoke at the crack of dawn, just as he always did. Viggo was still asleep in his arms. Smiling sadly he gazed don at his beloved and tenderly brushed a wayward lock of hair out of his lover’s face, //I love you.// he thought //if only you would see me for what I truly am…
I hate to leave but I cannot be here when you wake. // Carefully he disentangled himself from Viggo and got out of the bed. He went into the living room, gathered his clothes, dressed and left as quietly as he had come the evening before.

Tbc…