Sean had reorganised the books on the recommended fiction display twice within 
the space of as many hours when he found himself beginning to move the nearest 
title yet again. He quickly pulled his hand back and shoved it in his trouser 
pocket as if the rapid action could deny its intent. He stood and stared at the
neat display then grimaced at his sudden and unfamiliar need to find pointless 
‘busy work’. This was not his way … yes, he could be methodical, but he always
had goals, some sort of end product. He couldn’t settle and what was worse, had
no idea why he felt so restless.

As the day progressed Sean could feel the little ball of anxiety building in his
stomach and Orlando had decided very quickly to give him a wide berth. It was
nearly lunchtime when Sean looked up at the familiar tinkle of the doorbell. 
Sean watched Viggo carefully close the door and was surprised when the knot in
his gut began unravelling, shocked that he was relieved to see Viggo! It was 
then he realised that he was smiling at Viggo and his hand was motioning a half
wave. Suddenly embarrassed Sean quickly dropped his hand, but Viggo gave him a 
half smile back before lowering his face and moving to his safe spot at the rear
of the shop.

Orlando poked his head out of the back room and asked, “Was that Vig?”

Sean was flustered, caught off guard, but managed to grumble, “Yeah.”

“Cool, here’s your tea and can you take this one for Viggo? I made him a coffee
cos it was cold last night.”

Sean hesitated, damn it, he knew Orlando was doing this on purpose trying to 
make it harder for Sean to throw Viggo out. He wanted to say no he was busy, but
Orlando’s look seemed to be daring him to do just that. Sean took hold of both 
mugs and shot Orlando a withering look back. He stormed up to the back of the 
shop spilling more than the odd drop of tea and coffee. He really didn’t want to
do this, but couldn’t pinpoint why Viggo made him feel so uncomfortable. 

Viggo had already removed his boots and was settling cross-legged with a book in
his hand. Sean was staring at the red bookmark when Viggo lifted his head and 
gave him a questioning look. Sean indicated to the mug with a nod of his head 
and said, “ Orlando made you coffee.”

Viggo took the drink quietly and wrapped his fingers around the warm mug. Sean 
started to move away, but changed his mind and sat in the chair next to Viggo 
instead.

“Um… can I ask what was going on last night when we pulled up?” Sean queried 
with some hesitation. Viggo was unsure about talking to Sean and just looked at
him for a long while. Sean started to think there wasn’t going to be an answer 
when Viggo answered so quietly that Sean had to strain to make out all the 
words, “They were just a couple of kids who had drunk too much, that’s all.”

Sean noticed Viggo’s reluctance, but continued anyway, “Were they giving you a 
hard time?”

“It happens.” Viggo shrugged.

Sean wanted to ask more, but thought better of it, instead he said, “ Orlando’s
a good kid, he was just about hanging out the car window looking for you last 
night.”

Viggo smiled, “Maggie and Orlando have been good to me, I’ll miss her.”

This was the first time during their conversation that Viggo had made eye 
contact with Sean. He was so taken aback by the intensity of the pale blue eyes
that he couldn’t hold the contact and looked down at his fingers clenched 
tightly around his own mug of tea. “Yeah,” he murmured. “You told Orlando you
were going to the shelter last night, but I saw you later on.”

Viggo narrowed his eyes slightly wondering what Sean was trying to say, “I did
go, but there are very few beds free in winter and there was no room.”

Sean shifted uncomfortably in his seat and asked in gentle voice, “So what 
happens when it’s full?”

“Depends on the weather I guess, sometimes the park is okay, but shop doorways 
are a good option in winter. Cuts the wind a bit and keeps you dry.”

“But they don’t let you stay there…”

Viggo cocked his head slightly and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, “Why
is this man listening to me?” he wondered, waiting for Sean to continue.

“Is that what happened last night?” Sean looked away from his hands and again 
met Viggo’s eyes.

Viggo just shrugged again and whispered, “Obstruction of a public sidewalk.”

Sean wasn’t sure how to respond to this, so he just shook his head slowly and 
sipped his tea. He was aware that Viggo was looking at him with curiosity, but
knew his gaze would drop if Sean met it. 

Sean heard the phone ring and a moment later Orlando called for him. As he stood
up he smiled at Viggo and felt unexpectedly warmed when the smile was returned.

The rest of the afternoon passed with surprising ease although Sean couldn’t 
fail to notice that Orlando seemed to take great delight in introducing Sean to
the ‘regular’ customers. Some were civil and polite while others wanted to know
every detail about his life both past and present. He lost track of how many 
people assumed that Sean must be related to Orlando and Maggie because they are
all English, “It is a very small country after all.” Sean even survived a 
quizzing from the local aged pensioners book group.

He was surprised that people didn’t seem worried by Viggo’s presence in the 
second hand book section, although it was obvious that many people ignored or 
avoided him. Viggo just seemed to take it all and keep his head buried in his 
book or his well-used sketchpad. Sean felt guilty when he realised that he was
one of the people who would look away and pretend that the dirty man in tatty 
clothes wasn’t really there. It was wrong that Viggo was invisible to these 
people … had been to him.

When the last customer walked out the door Sean clasped his hands behind his 
neck and stretched his tired muscles. He was tired, but had to admit that he 
felt good. He grinned broadly at Orlando and said, “I think I’m getting the hang
of this.”

Orlando gave him an amused look, “Definitely improving Bean, but a long way to 
go ‘til you reach my standard!”

“ Cheeky bugger!” Sean laughed as he swiped at Orlando, who easily jumped out of
his reach, “Hey, want to join me for dinner?”

“ This the ‘rain check’ huh?” Orlando teased.

“Could be? Any idea where to eat around here?” 

“Oh yeah, I know just the place” Orlando enthused almost bouncing on the spot.

Sean was laughing at Orlando’s seemingly boundless energy at the end of a long 
day when he saw Viggo walk past and nod goodnight.

Orlando instantly turned his attention to Viggo and said, “Night Vig, the 
weather report says it’s gonna be mild tonight, so that’s good, yeah?”

Viggo paused and smiled at Orlando, “Yeah, that’s good Orli.”

“Um, listen,” Sean said looking from Orlando to Viggo, “I’m shouting Orlando 
dinner … want to join us?”

Orlando was visibly surprised by Sean’s offer, but not when Viggo quietly 
thanked him, refused the offer and walked out the door.

“What’s his problem?” Sean muttered and turned to Orlando, “I thought he was 
okay with me now, I mean he … Shite, I don’t know?”

Orlando stood and looked at Sean for a moment trying to get his wording clear in
his head. Finally he said in a subdued voice, “I guess he’s embarrassed Sean.”

“Embarrassed? How do you mean?” 

“ Viggo’s not dumb, he knows most places won’t let him in, fuck, even McDonalds
moves them on”

Sean felt a tinge of shame over his insensitivity, “I didn’t think Orlando.”

Orlando nodded slightly, but said, “Hey, at least you’re trying. Now … come on 
boss, you owe me dinner!”

~~ * ~~


Sean laughed when he saw Orlando’s perfect spot. “I can’t believe you found an 
English pub!”

“You better believe it,” Orlando grinned over his shoulder at Sean, “they even 
serve that fuck awful black pudding from your end of the world.”

“Don’t knock the puddin’ mate!” Sean chuckled as they pushed the door open and 
walked into the noisy bar. “Fuck! Ale on tap and football on the telly … I’ve 
died and gone to heaven!”

“Or died and gone to Sheffield! I knew that posh accent was put on!”

“You have no idea how much work it took to leave the ‘lad’ in Sheffield.”

Orlando was about to reply but spotted a table being vacated near the fireplace.
“Yes! Come on,” he shouted excitedly and dragged Sean through the crush of 
bodies until they reached the table. “Great spot this! Warm fire and good view
of the match.”

The dinner was a near perfect attempt at English fish and chips and they settled
comfortably to watch the football match. However, it wasn’t even halftime when
Orlando turned to Sean and asked, “So, do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?”

Sean nearly choked on his beer as he managed to gasp, “Shit! You don’t bandy 
your words do you?”

Orlando just laughed and drained his glass, “Well you never find stuff out if 
you don’t ask … so, do you?”

Sean shook his head and let the smile slip from his face, “I have a girlfriend,
of sorts.”

“What does that mean … of sorts?” Orlando queried.

Sean sighed, “Marion and I have been ‘going out’ for a few years, but I suppose
it is just convenient for both of us … we’re useful to each other.”

“ Useful? That sounds fucked Sean!” Orlando exclaimed.

“Well I never said it was true love.” Sean said with a grimace before emptying 
his glass, “I also never said we were exclusive.”

Orlando stared at him for a moment before breaking into laughter, “Come on then,
the match is boring anyway.” Orlando jumped to his feet, grabbed his coat and 
headed for the door.

Sean happily acknowledged the pleasant buzz of the alcohol as they left the 
warmth of the pub and huddled together against the biting cold of the night 
outside.

“Fuck it’s bloody freezing tonight,” Orlando cursed as he broke away from Sean 
and ran to the car, “come on man, let me in the car before me bits drop off!”

Sean pressed the button on his key ring and laughed at Orlando’s inelegant dive
into the passenger seat. As usual he rifled through the cds until he found one
vaguely acceptable and slid it into the player. By the time Sean was out of the
parking spot Orlando had settled against the headrest with his eyes closed and 
was singing at the top of his lungs.

Orlando was still singing along to the cd when Sean pulled on the handbrake 
outside Orlando’s apartment. Sean gave a quiet laugh as Orlando finished the 
song and turned his head slightly to look at Sean and grin.

Sean matched his pose and asked, “Am I invited in tonight?”

Orlando ’s grin widened and he wiggled his eyebrows at Sean before cracking up 
and laughing, “Oh shit! I can’t pull off sexy looks when I’m drunk”

Sean was about to argue, but ran his fingers down Orlando’s neck instead and 
leaned in until his tongue followed the path of his fingertips. Unfortunately 
Sean had only begun when Orlando erupted in a round of drunken giggles. 

“Sorry, sorry.” Orlando said trying desperately to suppress his mirth as he 
buried his face in the crook of Sean’s neck. Sean was slightly bewildered by 
Orlando’s reaction, but grinned into his hair and said, “Time to get you 
upstairs I think!”

The journey up the stairs took slightly longer than anticipated. Orlando managed
to locate his key and open the door, but as soon as they were inside the foyer
he rounded on Sean, pushed him against the small bank of letterboxes and leaned
full length against him. Sean ran his fingers through Orlando’s hair and asked
with a slight smirk, “Got something in mind? Or am I just a convenient resting 
place before you tackle the stairs?”

Orlando pushed his hips invitingly against Sean wishing they weren’t in such 
thick overcoats and giggled, “I have a lot on my mind, if I can just figure out
how to get up the bloody stairs!”

Sean cupped his hands on either side of Orlando’s face and shook his head before
laughing and turning him around to face the stairs, “Lead on Orlando.”

With a lot of laughing and drunken fumbling they managed to navigate both the 
stairs and the front door. Once inside the apartment Orlando began to unfasten
the buttons on Sean’s overcoat, “Fuck, my fingers won’t work…” Orlando laughed 
when he couldn’t get a grip on one of the buttons.

Sean quickly rid himself of his coat and dragged Orlando’s off his shoulders 
throwing it on a nearby chair. He slid his arm firmly around Orlando’s waist and
growled, “Coats are gone now.”

Orlando grinned and resumed his position leaning against Sean, “Much better.” He
stretched his body full length against Sean. Revelling in his warmth, he moaned
lightly and pushed his hand inside Sean’s shirt. Orlando had argued with himself
earlier that this might not be a good idea, sleeping with the new boss, but 
Sean … there was a sadness to Sean that Orlando couldn’t quite pin down. There
was something about him that said he needed this tonight, “Besides,” Orlando 
reasoned, “A few drinks and those green eyes …”

Sean moaned when Orlando’s fingers worked their way up his chest and lightly 
dragged his nails across Sean’s nipple, “Fuck lad, I think you better show me 
your bedroom!”

Orlando backed off just enough to pull Sean through the front room and into his
bedroom, however, the dynamics quickly changed once they were inside. Sean’s
hands encircled Orlando’s arms and spun him round until he was pressed against 
the now closed door. Orlando barely had time to catch his breath before Sean had
hauled his shirt over his head and was currently removing his own with the same
urgency. Orlando’s head fell back against the wooden door as Sean’s mouth 
lightly bit the side of his neck. He could feel hands working on his fly, his 
own fingers blindly grasping at Sean’s hair. Although trapped between Sean and 
the door, Orlando was able to move his hips and legs enough to allow his pants 
to fall to the floor and try pull Sean in for a kiss. Sean quickly pushed him 
back against the hard wood of the door while he used his free hand to extricate
himself from the last of his own clothes.

“Shit,” Orlando moaned pulling Sean’s hair to make him back off a bit, “I’m 
getting fucking splinters in my arse here.”

Sean chuckled, stepped out of his fallen clothes, and ran his hands all the way
down the silken skin of Orlando’s sides until they reached the gentle crease at
the top of his thighs. Sean firmly pulled one leg up and wrapped it over his hip
steadying himself before he was able to lift the other leg. Orlando moaned and 
crossed his legs behind Sean squirming slightly until he was safely cradled in 
Sean’s hands so Sean could turn towards the bed. 

With some effort Sean managed to get his knees onto the bed where he could 
safely lower Orlando to the mattress. He lay still for a moment both to catch
his breath, to give him a chance to think and gain some semblance of control. It
was difficult with Orlando’s mouth on his throat and hips rolling rhythmically 
against his cock. “Oh God! Orlando if you keep doing that this is going to be 
over before it begins!”

Orlando grinned at the effect he was having on Sean and gave one more cheeky 
thrust before unlacing his legs and reaching over to the bedside drawer to pull
out a condom and lube. He tore open the packet and reached down to stroke Sean’s
already aching cock.

“No you don’t,” Sean groaned putting his hand over Orlando’s to still its 
action, “Turn over.”

Orlando slid over onto his belly moaning at the delicious friction of the heavy
quilt stitching against his already leaking cock. He was tempted to rub over it
again, but Sean wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled his hips off the bed.
Orlando arched back into Sean’s touch as he felt slightly cold finger’s slide 
into his cleft. Sean paused, taking in the beautiful man pushing back against 
his hand … not sure if he should do this, but the desperate ache in his body 
quickly negated any doubts. He teased two fingers slowly around Orlando’s 
opening before exerting enough pressure to thrust them in .

“Fuck,” Orlando grunted trying to rise off the bed as Sean fingers set up a 
steady rhythm. Sean’s tongue flicked slowly over his bottom lip as he watched 
Orlando’s hips undulate in time with his fingers, he knew he couldn’t wait … it
had been too long. He slid his fingers out and rolled on the condom, cursing as
the lube caused it to slip in his haste.

Orlando braced his head on his forearms when he felt Sean grip his hips and 
start to push in, he wasn’t usually this passive, but knew it was what Sean 
wanted… needed. 

Sean held his breath and buried himself deep in Orlando. He paused briefly to 
exhale and steady his breathing; Orlando was hot and tight around him and he was
already so close…

His fingers tightened their grip on Orlando. Sean made a near desperate growl as
he slowly pulled out and snapped hips hard, thrusting in a lot faster than 
Orlando expected.

“Oh fuck Sean!” Orlando gasped into his arms pushing back urging Sean on as he
matched the thrust with a second and a third. He could hear Sean grunting with 
the effort and knew neither of them was going to last at this rate. Between 
thrusts Orlando managed get one of his arms under his own body and move it down
to grasp his cock. He moaned as he started to pump his hand in time with Sean’s
increasingly erratic rhythm. 

“Oh God Orlando … almost there … almost …” Sean panted breathlessly.

Orlando wanted to answer, but was too close to formulate words; he was just 
making continuous incoherent noises as he felt the tension building in his body.
He rocked back feeling Sean’s sweat slicking his thighs, vaguely conscious of 
the slapping sound they made. His hand twisted firmly on his cock as his orgasm
hit. He was only barely aware of Sean cry out and slump forward on to his back.

“Fucking Hell Orlando, I think you killed me.” Sean gasped into Orlando’s ear.

“Well you are squishing me Sean,” Orlando chuckled breathlessly.

Sean sat back on his heels and peeled off the condom, “Sorry, um, where can I 
put this?”

“Bin next to the bed.” Orlando pointed as he eased himself over to watch Sean.

“So tell me Orlando, do you always fuck your boss?” Sean grinned, leaned back 
against the headboard and lit a cigarette. 

Orlando sat up and twisted around until he was cross-legged facing Sean, he 
pulled a face and said, “ Eew … think about what you just said Sean!” 

Sean looked blankly at Orlando and then realised who Orlando had worked for 
previously, “Oh fuck, I’m sorry.” He blurted out embarrassed before Orlando 
cracked up laughing. 

“It’s okay Sean… So when does your girlfriend get back?” Orlando asked as he 
reached over and took the cigarette from Sean. 

“Not sure, soon I think,” he said quietly before adding, “she is not going to 
like my new apartment. Speaking of which, it is time I headed home.”

With that Sean got off the bed and started to dress. Orlando raised his eyebrows
at Sean’s decision to leave so quickly, but made no move to follow and lay back
propped against the pillows watching him. He took a long draw of the cigarette
before stubbing it out in the ashtray. “You know, you shouldn’t stay with 
someone you don’t love Sean.”

Sean stopped buttoning his shirt and looked at Orlando, “Meaning?”

“Just that Sean,” Orlando said quietly.

“What makes you think I don’t love her?”

“Well the fact you just fucked me through the mattress is a dead giveaway!”

Sean gave a short laugh and finished dressing without answering the question. 

Driving home he did give some thought to Orlando’s words, he knew he wasn’t in
love with Marion and she didn’t love him … they were both okay with that because
neither had time for the distraction of a ‘real’ relationship.

By the time he was nearly home, Sean realised he was subconsciously scanning the
street looking for Viggo and had been since he left Orlando’s.

*****