Another day.

Another day

Author: Gabriel Pierce.
Fandom: LotR actors RPS.
Pairing: Orli/Lij.
Warnings: Angst. RPS. Slash (guy/guy pairing).
Disclaimer: The author is in no way suggesting this happened, and is not attempting to make any comment of the sexual orientation of the actors portrayed. No money is made from this and no harm is intended.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Any and all welcome at sexyreindeer@hotmail.com

Another day

Part One

He’s sorry, logically I know that. Even as I lean into the warmth of his body, exhausted from the latest round of publicity. Feel him carefully stroke my side where his hand was resting just moments ago for the photo, he’s unsure if the comfort is welcome. For my part I just lean closer and rest my cheek against his shoulder. Camera’s and media be damned.
“No more.” Hear him murmur at the photographer.
Didn’t even realize I’d shut my eyes.
Logically I know he made a mistake and was very sorry for it, what I don’t understand is why he didn’t tell me. Why? He should have told me. Everything that happened as a consequence of his mistake aside, he should have told me. It was worse to find out from her. Bragging about the night they’d spent. Feel my chest ache, if he loved me so much why couldn’t he tell me?
“Lij?” his voice so unsure.
“I’m alright, I’m just tired.”
“Do you want me to find the others?”
What he really means is see me safe then leave me again. And I don’t know if I can do that.
“No, no can we…do you think we could talk?”
Feel him tense.
“Sure, I mean…if you…if you want to.”
“I k wek we should talk.” Confirm.
“I’ll go tell…”
“Not now, not tonight. We can’t leave yet it’s too early, but in the morning?”
“I can do that.”
“Could we meet in Sean’s room?”
“Sean’s room?” clearly confused.
“I just…I think it’d be best.”
“Alright…if you think so.” Puzzled.
“Thankyou.” Barely a whisper.
Feel him continue to stroke my back and just know he’s shielding me from the media at the same time.

It’s an effort to pull away; I’m so tired of pushing him away, denying how I feel for him I still love him. Despite all the pain between us I love him. Open my eyes to see Dom making his way over. He doesn’t look happy, probably thinks Orlando’s trying it on me. Try to smile but I’m just too tired. Feel Orli step back, his hands dropping away and suddenly it’s hard to stand.
“Lij?”
Try to wave him off and he lunges froward, catches me as my knees buckle.
“It’s just a headache.” Muttering but I don’t think he’s listening, neither is Orlando, can feel him pressed close against my back.
Shielding, both of them. Rub a heavy hand over my eyes.
“Guys I’m fine, just tired, just…”
Darkness.

Come to laying down, softness underneath me.
“Is he alright?” that’s Billy, couldn’t miss that accent anywhere.
“The doctor said its just exhaustion, he’ll be alright after some rest.” Sean, ever-faithful Sean.
Frodo’s Sam. Smile.
“I think he’s coming round.”
Blink. That’s Orlando. They’re all in the same room together? Must have been something special for that to happen.
“Lij? Lij how you feeling?” Dominic, he seems to be on the bed beside me, crouched near my head, look straight up into his face. Must have been pretty damn special to get Dom and Orli in the same room again.
“Special.” Garble the word then frown, I didn’t mean to say that, but Dom’s grinning.
“Yes you are, but are you alright?” worried.
Try to sit up and groan, not moving far.
“No, no just lay still.”
Frown. Why?
“Why?”
“Do you remember the party?” Sean hovering close by, Orlando next to him.
Frown and shake my head.
“No.”
Watch Orlando’s face slide into neutral. He always does that when he’s hurting. But why would he be…oh…oh now I remember.
“I still want to talk.” The words spilling out before I recall we have company.
His mask doesn’t shift but I know he heard me. He knows I didn’t forget him, our conversation, all he did to help me before…before I…OH SHIT the media. Feel my eyes go wide.
“The media….what happened? What did they say?”
“It’s alright they won’t run any nasty stories. You collapsed, we told them you’d been ill.”
Dom soothing, stroking, calming. Turn into his hands and let my eyes close. Let his calm infuse me.
“I have to get going.” Orlando’s voice harsh and abrupt.
Open my eyes in time to see his mask shift a little, anger, jealousy, hurt. For a moment I think he’s just going to stalk out but he doesn’t. Watch as he slides round Sean and kneels to press a soft, chaste kiss to my forehead.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” So soft, quiet.
Watch him pause, unsure.
“Maybe we should make it lunch.”
He nods, still kneeling.
“I’ll bring you Starbucks.” His hand finding mine hidden where no one else can see it. His fingers caressing softly then squeezing tight.
“Thanks.”
Tight little smile then he’s gone turns his back and slides across the room and out he door, leaving silence in his wake.

After the door closes Sean clears his throat.
“The doctor said you should stay in bed a few days, get some rest and decent meals.” Long pause. “ I doubt coffee will help.”
And we all know who, not what he’s referring to. Sigh heavily.
“Just let me handle it okay?” pleading with him not to go after Orlando and scare him off.
Watch his deep fatherly frown of disapproval. Heaven help the men who marry his daughters. He doesn’t bother responding but I know he won’t interfere.
“We should go, let you get some rest.” Billy, ever the diplomat. “Come on Father Sam.” Taking Sean’s arm. “We’ll see you later Lij.”
Smiling as he drags an unhappy Sean out of the room.
“He has a point.” Dom’s quiet voice on the bed nest to me, laying against my side now.
Turn to see him propped up on one elbow, head in the palm of his hand.
“We can’t go on like this Dom, it’s destroying the both of us.”
“He seemed fine to me.”
“Fine? Since when has he been quiet and broody?”
No reply.
“I have to do this Dom, I still love him, despiveryverything, I just can’t keep doing this alone.”
“You have me.”
Smile at him softly and reach out and touch his chest.
“I know but…”
“I know.” He sighs, grimaces. “You love him, you don’t love me.”
He just stares at me resigned.
“I’m sorry Dom. You’re my best friend and I wouldn’t lose you for all the world.”
“And if I made you choose?”
Feel my heart wrench.
“I’d stay with you.”
And it’s the truth. He loves me, takes care of me when everything becomes too much, and Orlando’s hurt me so much and there’s still no guarantee we can fix things. Watch his shock and surprise then feel his fingers trace over my cheek.
“If he so much as makes you cry…” growling out the words.
“Thankyou.”
Frowning, shocked again.
“For what?”
“For not making me choose.”
He gathers me up like a doll.
“I’d never do that to you.” So soft as I slide heavy arms around him.
“Will you stay?”
“If you want.”
“Please?”
“Alright.” Lets me go to turn ohe lhe light and strip off.
Feel him slide back into the bed beside me.
“Ie hee he makes you happy.”

tbc...