Title: Chapter and Verse
Author: Widdershin (widdershin@connexus.net.au)
Type: RPS
Pairing: Sean Bean/Viggo
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is 100% fiction. The author doesn't know these people. 
These events never happened. Unfortunately.
Warnings: AU, Angst (a bit)
Beta: Owlgrey – bestest buddy and pal.
Summary: Viggo finds it difficult coming to terms with staying at Sean’s.
Author's Notes: This is the sequel to “A Note in the Margin”. You really need to
read that series first. This begins after chapter 11, but before the Epilogue.

*****

Perhaps it was the shift in the weighting of the mattress or the cool air on his
back where there had been a warm body, but Sean woke up knowing that Viggo was
no longer next to him. He could feel Viggo sitting quietly on the edge of the 
bed. Sean wanted to ask … but waited silently. The bed moved fractionally when
Viggo carefully stood up and Sean heard the soft pad of his bare feet crossing 
the bedroom floor. When the door closed Sean turned over and looked at the empty
space on the other side of the bed. He’s not gone, Sean reasoned and sat up; he
rubbed a hand wearily over his face. He leaned over the edge of the bed, peered 
into the gloom beyond the mattress and gave a relieved sigh; his clothes are 
still there …

The thought had just passed when Sean heard the toilet flush; he quickly lay back
down facing Viggo’s side of the bed and feigned sleep. Through his eyelashes, 
Sean could just make out the bedroom door slowly open. Viggo stepped in and 
stopped in the doorway; Sean had changed position. He waited and listened, hoping
he hadn’t woken Sean up. 

Viggo walked quietly to the bed, carefully sat down and slowly slid his legs 
under the covers. He settled on his side near the edge of the bed. 

Sean could barely make him out in the shadows of the bed, but knew Viggo was 
watching him. He let his eyes close and tried to lie still … a near impossible 
task while being watched. After a couple of minutes Sean faked a sleepy stretch 
to cover the twitches starting in his legs and, with a slight groan, turned onto
his other side. He knew he could have just admitted he was awake, but when he 
felt Viggo follow him across the bed and tentatively settle against his back Sean
knew he’d been right.

~*~

The grey light was all ready creeping through the partially open curtains when 
Sean reached over and turned off the alarm clock before it reached the set time.
He rubbed the heel of his palm sleepily across his eyes. 

“It’s almost Spring,” Viggo said quietly. Sean blinked a couple of times and 
turned towards the voice. Viggo faced the window, “Spring’s a kinder season.”

Sean almost said he didn’t want him to worry about that anymore, but simply 
nodded and commented, “The mornings are getting lighter.”

Viggo’s gaze shifted from the window to Sean, unsure of what to say now. Sean 
simply gave him a gentle smile and asked, “You sleep okay?” 

When Viggo nodded and returned the smile something tightened in Sean’s chest and,
before he even realised it was happening, his fingers lifted and traced the 
curve of Viggo’s mouth lingering briefly on the scarred lip. Viggo closed his 
eyes allowing the touch to turn into a caress.

Sean watched his fingers drag over Viggo’s bottom lip, pulling his mouth slightly
open. He leaned in, their mouths near but not quite meeting as his fingers slid 
down the rough stubble to rest lightly on Viggo’s throat. Soft lips had only just
touched his when Viggo’s stomach gave a loud grumble.

Viggo let out a small embarrassed laugh, but Sean leaned back and asked quietly,
“When did you last eat?”

Embarrassment deepened to shame at the question and Viggo tried to shrug it off,
“With Orlando.”

“Shit Viggo that was half a bloody sandwich the day before yesterday.” Sean’s 
anger wasn’t directed at Viggo, but he quickly softened his voice when he saw the
stricken expression on the other man’s face, “Come on Vig, we both need 
breakfast.”

~*~

The scene in the kitchen made Viggo smile. Sean never stopped talking while 
busying himself frying bacon and eggs, buttering toast and filling the coffee 
maker. It was as if Viggo left too many gaps in the conversation and Sean felt 
the need to fill them. Even though he wanted to ask if he could help, Sean had 
told him to sit at the table so Viggo contented himself with watching Sean fuss 
over the preparations.

“How do you like your eggs?” Sean asked peering over his shoulder.

“I don’t know, anyway I get them.” Viggo replied quietly.

The answer sobered Sean and he paused, his hand hovered over the fry pan as he 
watched the white become opaque over the yolk. He carefully slid the egg onto the
plate next to the crisp bacon strips and carried it over to the table.

The smell of the bacon cooking had set Viggo’s stomach grumbling and twisting, 
but he waited until Sean sat down.

“Dig in Vig,” Sean said trying not to be bothered by Viggo’s need for permission,
“I’m not the best cook, but I can manage a bloody good fry up.”

“And soup.” Viggo added giving Sean a slight smile before taking a mouthful of
bacon.

A faint blush crept across Sean’s face that Viggo remembered this, but it was the
delighted grin that was most evident as he echoed Viggo’s words, “and soup.”

~*~

The sensation of being clean and well fed was still unfamiliar. After Sean had 
gone downstairs to open the shop Viggo had showered and pulled on the sweat pants
Sean gave him. He didn’t know what else to do, this was out of his usual routine.
He had spent time in the small apartment before, but it seemed different now. 
Sean was just trying to help, Viggo reasoned, but last night … he brought me 
back …  He shook his head at the turn his thoughts had taken and the fears they 
stirred. 

After several minutes standing at the bathroom door, Viggo ventured over to the 
heavy bookcase that almost filled the main wall of the lounge room. Glancing 
along the titles it was obvious that most, if not all, the volumes belonged to 
the Bloom’s. There was nothing of Sean until he came to the end of the row. Viggo
paused at two small plain silver frames, each housing an old photograph. He 
carefully picked one up; the black and white picture showed a young woman with 
fair hair tied up in what looked like a heavily lacquered beehive. She was 
sitting on an old wooden swing, one hand on the weathered rope, the other 
supporting the little boy on her knee. The child looked barely more than two 
years old; both were caught mid laugh. Viggo ran a fingertip over the happy 
child. The other photograph was newer, colour, but still had the faded pinkish 
tint of a print from the seventies. Sunday best, Viggo smiled at a teenage Sean 
in a crisp white shirt and tie. He stood with an elderly couple, obviously 
uncomfortable having his photo taken. He loved them very much, Viggo mused 
noticing that Sean was holding on tight to his Grandmother’s hand. He suddenly 
felt like he was invading Sean’s privacy and put the picture down.

His hand had just let go of the frame when he was startled by a knock on the 
door. Viggo’s heart began to race and he instinctively took a step backwards away
from the bookcase. This is wrong … I shouldn’t be here.

The knock was repeated a little more firmly. 

“Hey Vig, it’s me man … um me, Orlando.”

Viggo felt some of the tension drain from his shoulders; he quickly unlocked and
opened the door.

Orlando gave Viggo a beaming smile and pulled him into a hug, “Oh man, it’s good
to see you. Fuck Vig, you scared us.” He let Viggo escape his grip and said with
a grin, “Well you look alright,” but immediately regretted the flippant comment 
when he saw Viggo’s discomfort and shame at being seen in only his sweatpants.

Orlando grabbed his hand and led him to the couch, “How are you really Vig?”

“I’m okay,” he replied not quite able to meet Orlando’s eyes. Orlando didn’t 
answer. He knew to sit and wait Viggo out on this one. Eventually Viggo sighed 
and mumbled, “I don’t know … confused I guess.”

“Confused about what exactly?” Orlando asked gently.

Viggo shrugged and indicated vaguely around the room with a wave of his hand. 
When the hand came to rest, Orlando enclosed it in both of his and said quietly,
“Sean was really upset when you left. Okay I haven’t known him long, but it was 
bloody obvious he wanted you back. He wants you here.”

Viggo frowned, wanting but not willing to accept what Orlando was trying to tell
him. Orlando squeezed his hand and asked, “Are you going to stay?”

“I don’t know … I want to,” Viggo sat and looked at Orlando’s hands holding his,
“I’ll try.”

“Try hard Vig, please.”

Try hard, Viggo closed his eyes at those words, of course he would try if it 
meant being with Sean, but he knew that ultimately trying wouldn’t be enough. His
stomach clenched and he shook his head, “I don’t know how to do this anymore 
Orlando?”

“What do you mean Vig? What can’t you do?”

Viggo shook his head again and rubbed his free hand compulsively on his neck; he
couldn’t explain. 

Orlando watched Viggo struggle …fuck; he has to know that Sean loves him by now?
“You need to trust him Vig, take the risk. Although, to be honest, I don’t think
it’s much of a risk.”

Viggo didn’t answer; Orlando couldn’t understand how much he was asking. It had 
taken a lot of physical and emotional bruises before the ‘walls’ were in place 
and loving Sean would leave him vulnerable again.   He could all ready feel it 
happening … and it terrified him. On the streets he had his routine, he ate and 
slept when he could, escaped into the books as often as possible and saw Henry … 
although that always came at a cost.

Orlando sat up and gave an encouraging smile, “You’ll be okay Vig. Better get 
back before the boss notices I’m gone. See you down stairs, put on your new 
clothes yeah?”

Viggo watched Orlando leave and huffed out a shaky breath. He went through to the
bedroom and looked at the white paper bag still full of the neatly folded
clothes. They smell clean, Viggo decided as he carefully lifted them out. He 
smiled at the sight of the simple white underwear. 

~*~

The bell on the shop door jingled causing both Sean and Orlando to look up. Viggo
entered looking very sheepish. He was dressed in the new jeans and a black long 
sleeved t-shirt; it was only his tatty old boots that spoiled the picture.

“ Hiya Vig! Love the new wardrobe,” Orlando beamed, “Looks great … doesn’t he 
Sean?” Orlando turned to Sean and groaned, “Oh Fuck … googly eyes! You two are 
gonna be painful aren’t you!”

Embarrassed, Sean shot Orlando a withering look that was totally lost on him as 
he grabbed Viggo’s arm and dragged him to help rummage through a large cardboard
box of second hand novels.

The day passed easily and quickly although Sean seemed to find a lot of reasons 
to go to the back of the shop. His tried very hard to give Viggo his space and 
didn’t interfere with Orlando and Viggo’s lunch routine even though he took every
opportunity to glance in Viggo’s direction. By mid afternoon Sean had become 
quite disgusted with his need to see Viggo … just to make sure he was all right,
he told himself … and focussed his energy and thoughts towards reconciling the 
accounts.

He was barely aware of Orlando ushering the last of the evening’s customers out
the door and was startled when a jubilant voice broke his concentration, “Home 
time!”

“ Shite Orlando! Stop sneaking up on me, you are being a total pain in the arse 
today.”

Orlando gave a cheeky grin and replied, “Suffer old man, I’m happy.”

Sean stood up and took some delight in Orlando’s rapid step backwards. He walked
past him into the shop and growled, “Don’t push it Orlando, I’m still your boss.”
But Sean’s frown quickly disappeared when he saw Viggo standing at the front 
desk. Viggo gave him a little half smile. Although he was waiting for Sean he 
still didn’t taking anything for granted; he was ready to say goodnight and leave
if he read any doubt in Sean’s face.

Orlando followed Sean through the door and held his hand out, “Give me the keys 
Sean, you two head upstairs and I’ll lock up.” He gave Sean a look that could 
only be interpreted as take him home Sean.

Sean thanked him and turned to Viggo, “Come on Vig how about I shout you dinner 
out?”

Viggo looked slightly panicked until Orlando butted in with, “You have the books
to finish boss and Viggo looks knackered … I made him sort all those books this 
afternoon.”

Sean started to answer but remembered an earlier time he had suggested a meal out
and said quietly, “Yeah you’re right. I’m pretty tired myself. Night Orlando.”

Viggo gave Orlando a gentle smile as they walked past him and out of the shop.

~*~

Dinner was quiet with just the two men, fish and chips and very little 
conversation.   When they finished Sean cleared the table and said, “I’m sorry 
Vig I really have to finish the accounts, but the TV is there, or grab a book
from the shelf.” Viggo nodded and started scanning the bookshelf.

Sean settled to work his eyes flicking between the neatly written figures and his
old calculator. Viggo had picked up a hardback novel and sat, legs tucked under 
him, at one end of the couch where all he had to do was look up to see Sean at 
the table. It was a luxury to be able to read a hardback, but Viggo soon 
regretted his choice when he was overcome by his weariness and the book became 
too heavy to hold. He desperately fought sleep, wanting to go to bed, but needing
to wait for Sean.

By the time Sean looked up Viggo’s eyes had drifted closed and the book lay open
on his lap. Sean watched him for a while and realised how tired he always seemed
even though he frequently dozed in his chair in the shop. When Viggo’s hand 
slipped off the edge of the book Sean said gently, “You look tired Vig, head off
to bed, I’ll be through in a minute.”

Viggo’s head came up and he looked a little embarrassed at having fallen asleep,
but he nodded, closed the book and slowly made his way to the bedroom.

Sean fiddled with some of the paper work, but couldn’t seem to take in the 
figures. Eventually he had to admit that there was no use to continuing; his mind
was elsewhere. Sean closed the ledger and switched off the light.

The bedside lamp was all ready off when Sean entered the bedroom and Viggo was
snuggled down under the quilt. Sean undressed as quietly as he could and slid 
into his side of the bed. The sheets were cold on his bare skin and he scooted 
closer to Viggo immediately feeling the heat radiating from his body. Sean 
stopped short of actual contact and lay for a while listening to the steady 
breathing of the other man.

When Viggo gave a gentle sigh, Sean leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly 
against the back of Viggo’s neck. He felt Viggo tense a little so he whispered, 
“It’s just me,” and slipped an arm over him. Sleep safely Vig.   

*****