It’s time … a shared thought as all three men checked clocks and watches from various parts of the shop. Without saying anything, Viggo pulled the card with the phone number out of his pocket and walked through to the kitchen. The others didn’t follow. Instead they pretended to go about their daily duties ignoring the fact that the numbers in the ledger didn’t make sense or that authors’ names seemed to have disappeared from conscious memory. “I’m sorry Mr Mortensen; I don’t have your results here. The doctor has put a note on your file asking you to come in to the clinic,” the voice on the other end of the line said with quiet efficiency. Viggo said thank you and hung up. He stood very still, his hand resting on the receiver in its cradle. When Sean appeared in the doorway Viggo said in an expressionless voice, “I have to go to the clinic Sean.” Without any hesitation Sean grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair and stated, “Come on, I’ll take you.” Viggo didn’t argue and let Sean lead him through the shop to the car. “Is your friend okay love? It looks like he had some bad news,” an elderly customer asked gently. Orlando’s stomach lurched as he watched them go. ~*~ The drive to the clinic was silent. When Sean finally switched off the ignition in the car park, he just sat and stared at the dense graffiti on the opposite wall. The jarring colours seemed to make more sense than the blur of scenarios and emotions vying for attention in his mind. He couldn’t move. The terror that suddenly enveloped him was only broken when a gentle hand covered his own still gripping the steering-wheel. “It’s okay Sean,” Viggo said softly, “I can go in.” Not sure if it was the touch or calm voice … maybe a combination of both … but Sean was able to drop his eyes and take a deep breath. He smiled, shook his head and reaffirmed his stance of the night before, “Together Vig. We’ll be alright.” He pulled out the keys, unclipped his seatbelt with more bravado than he actually felt and said, “Let’s get this done.” The waiting-room was as busy as it had been several days earlier, but instead of having Barbara there to organise his appointment Viggo walked up to the receptionist, gave his name and that of the doctor. He explained quietly why he was here and then sat in the same plastic chair as his last visit … only this time Sean was beside him. Dr Coulson eyed the two men with vague curiosity when they entered his room. He pulled out the required file and keyed the code into the computer. No-one spoke while he scrolled through a few screens to remind himself why they were here. Eventually he stood up, opened a filing cabinet drawer, pulled out a few pamphlets and said to both of them … still unsure exactly who the patient was but guessing it was Viggo, “It’s good you came down today so we can get treatment underway immediately.” Viggo nodded and resisted the urge to look at Sean whose chair was placed beside but slightly behind his. “Now first of all, here is some information on your condition and how we can treat it.” He handed Viggo a glossy piece of paper with the deep red heading ‘What is Anaemia?’ The doctor continued speaking about the causes of anaemia while he pulled a few more sheets out of the drawer not noticing the look of utter confusion on Viggo’s face. He tried to take in what was written the sheet, not understanding what was going on. Sean put his hand on Viggo’s shoulder and said with barely concealed anger, “Stop … what are you saying? What exactly are you telling us?” The hand in the filing cabinet paused and Doctor Coulson turned and gave Sean an irritated glare. “I am trying to discuss your friend’s treatment.” Viggo could feel Sean start to rise from his seat; he held his hand out, but spoke directly to the doctor, “My blood test results … they wouldn’t give them to me on the phone.” Coulson frowned at the question and returned to the computer screen, “According to your file you are anaemic and have a mild parasitic infestation; both of which we’ll treat. HIV negative, Hepatitis B & C both negative.” Negative … Sean’s eyes drifted from the doctor to Viggo who was sitting staring as if he couldn’t quite comprehend what he’d just been told. He gently rubbed Viggo’s back and tried to listen to what the doctor was saying, but all he could do was grin and keep his hand moving. ~*~ Lunchtime had come and gone and Orlando hadn’t closed the shop to go and buy the usual sandwiches … it felt wrong without Viggo there to share. Instead he hovered over the kettle waiting for it boil more for something to do rather than actually needing a cup of tea. It had been a couple of hours since the others left for the clinic and thankfully Orlando had been kept busy, but the lull of early afternoon let him think and worry. His head shot up when the doorbell tinkled and he quickly stepped into the shop to see Sean and Viggo walking towards him; both were smiling. He knew straight away that Viggo was okay, but rather than returning the smiles Orlando stood with his arms wrapped around himself. His voice was very quiet as he said, “I was so scared Vig.” Without any hesitation Viggo left Sean’s side and enveloped Orlando in a tight embrace. He whispered softly, “I’m know … but it’s all gonna be all right.” He gently stroked his hand over Orlando’s hair and added with a little smile, “I’ve been wormed and given my shots.” Orlando slipped his arms around Viggo’s waist and let out a shaky laugh, “So I guess that means we can keep you.” Sean stood and watched Viggo comfort his young friend and understood for the first time the effect all of this had had on Orlando. He’d known Viggo … helped Maggie bring him into the shop and slowly won his trust. Become his friend. Hell, if Orlando hadn’t persisted I would have thrown Viggo out that first morning, Sean realised and felt a little ashamed that he’d not once considered Orlando as part of this. Sean quietly left Viggo and Orlando and went into the kitchen. The last few days hit him. He slumped against the wall, pinched the bridge of his nose and let the tears fall silently. ~*~ “Leave them ‘til morning Vig,” Sean smiled as he looked at the greasy cardboard containers, bowls and chopsticks strewn about the coffee table. The debris of a celebration of sorts that could be left for another day; he shook his head amazed that he could even contemplate such a thing … everything has a correct place and life must have routine.Where did that Sean go because he certainly doesn’t live here anymore? He looked up at Viggo who had been standing near the armchair watching him, a slightly bemused look on his face. Sean chuckled, “Just lost in thought for a moment … thinking about the Sean I used to be and how he would have gotten up in the middle of the night to clean this away rather than let it sit.” He shrugged, more than a little embarrassed at the admission. Viggo simply nodded, but his smile was warm and open. “Come on, it’s been a tough day,” Sean laughed, turned his back on the mess and walked through to the bedroom. The entire time they were undressing Sean chatted about anything and everything; even when his head touched the pillow he was laughing about Orlando’s eating habits. He felt high as a kite and couldn’t seem to contain suddenly boundless energy. Viggo lay beside him smiling at his obvious joy, but when it looked like Sean was about to launch into another tale, Viggo lifted his hand and gently placed it over Sean’s mouth. He could feel the curve of Sean’s lips under his palm as he was silenced. Viggo slowly removed his hand and leant forward to kiss the still curled lips breaking into a broad smile himself. The attempted kiss became a giggling embrace as they held each, neither able to fully comprehend there was now a real possibility of a future for them. As the laughter subsided, it was replaced by gentle touching; that same happy disbelief being expressed through fingers and lips. Sean’s mouth moved over Viggo’s skin not quite kissing, more like sampling and exploring. There was nothing of his usual sense of urgency because he knew he now had time to take it slow. When his tongue took a languid swipe at an already peaked nipple he glanced up to see Viggo’s reaction. Sean paused briefly at the sight of Viggo watching him through narrowed eyes. As their gaze met, Sean felt Viggo’s fingers rest lightly on his head before threading through his hair. Sean smiled a little wickedly and let the tip of his tongue trail slowly down, stopping now and then to plant an open mouth kiss on random selections of skin. Extra attention paid to the little crescent moon tattoo previously noticed, but never really acknowledged. Viggo shifted his hips under Sean’s touch suddenly far too aware of his very obvious erection. Sean eased back and rested on his elbow. He gently stopped the hand that reached for the edge of the sheet with a quiet, “Let me look at you Viggo, please?” Viggo hesitated, but released the material to fall back to the mattress leaving him exposed in the warm light of the bedside lamp. At that moment Sean’s heart felt too big for his chest and he lifted Viggo’s hand briefly to his lips before placing it back on the sheet. He leant forward and softly kissed the inked moon and spread his fingers through the dark hair beside it. Close, but not yet ready to touch Sean looked up and said with a slight blush, “You know, I’ve never actually paid any attention to another man’s … um penis before.” Viggo didn’t answer, but raised his eyebrows and chuckled when Sean added, “I know my own well enough, but never seemed important to, ah … get to know anyone else’s.” Despite his heart hammering in his chest, Viggo gave a little shrug and slowly moved Sean’s hand closer. Sean gently, almost tentatively, ran the flat of his fingers along the silky skin of Viggo’s shaft; paying close attention to the ripples and veins. The bead of pre-come grew and trickled down near Sean’s fingers. He watched its path and gently curled the tip of his tongue to taste the fluid … taste Viggo. Sean looked up to see Viggo watching him intently, a slightly confused expression on his face. The act had taken on a whole different meaning for Viggo and he found it difficult to understand the pleasure Sean was taking from this. Sean smiled a bit embarrassed and asked, “You okay with this? I need you to tell me Vig?” Viggo gave a small nod and watched Sean crawl between his legs to settle in the cradle of his thighs. He wasn’t ready for the sensation of Sean’s lips closing over the head of his cock and let out an involuntary moan. Is this what it feels like to them … with me on my knees on the concrete? The thought passed through his head and he almost made Sean stop; it was wrong to let him do this … wrong for it to feel so good. But when he looked down at the fair head bobbing slowly … not forced or retching, he allowed himself to stop thinking. Sean’s mouth gradually took more of him in and began to increase the pace. He had no idea if what he was doing was right, but tried to mimic what he liked. It was a little more difficult that he thought it would be fighting his own gag reflex and he wished he could use his tongue more against the press of Viggo’s cock. Stop trying so hard, he told himself and eased back to enjoy the experience. Sean’s fingers wrapped around the base of Viggo’s cock and began a careful squeeze and release matching the rhythm of his mouth. He could feel Viggo moving with him and heard his soft grunting breaths. Sean’s own cock began pulsing at the sound and he pushed his hips hard against the bed trying to get some friction. His legs were over the edge of the bed and the position was awkward, but he didn’t care … this wasn’t about him. Viggo’s hand tensed in Sean’s hair; his fingers tightened and pulled hard. “Close Sean,” he groaned and tried again to pull Sean off afraid to come in his mouth. Reassuring fingers stroked along his hip and belly and when Viggo looked down he met Sean’s eyes. It was all he saw before the force of his orgasm closed his eyes. Sean stilled both hand and lips while he concentrated on swallowing until he felt the spasms ease to a gentle shudder. With a last gentle lick he released the softening cock and rested his face against Viggo’s thigh. Breathing in the scent of sweat and come he reached down and gripped his own aching cock. It only took a couple of hard strokes before he came. It took a few gulped breaths before Sean felt Viggo’s hand still in his hair moving in slow caresses. He looked up and didn’t know what to say; instead he straightened enough to rest his cheek against Viggo’s belly. He could feel the strong beat of Viggo’s heart through the warm skin and hear the quiet gurgles … Sean smiled sleepily at how right this all seemed and kissed him lightly before letting himself drift. Looking down at Sean, Viggo desperately wanted to tell him how much he loved him. He closed his eyes against the need because he knew something this perfect wouldn’t last. Eventually it would be taken away from him … but for now, tonight he had Sean.