ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <Title>His Space was Growing Inwards</title> <STYLE TYPE="text/css"> <!-- BODY { font-family:verdana; font-size:9pt; } Table { font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt; color:6600cc } --> </style> </head> <BODY link="#0000ff" bgcolor="#6699ff" bgproperties="fixed" background="http://www.shapefive.com/matan4il/background.png" text="#663399" alink="#ff99ff" vlink="#cc99ff" > <br> <P> <center> <table width="760" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td width="760" height="430" bgcolor="#A192FC" align="center" valign="middle"> <img src="http://www.shapefive.com/matan4il/fics/images/hisspace.jpg"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="760" bgcolor="#ccffff" align="left" valign="top" style="font-family:verdana; font-size:9pt"><font color="# C97DDF"> <b>Pairing:</b> Le Viggorli<br> <b>Summary:</b> AU in which Orlando doesn't recover right away from falling off the roof.<br> <b>Genre:</b> A fic of fragments. I hope you'll trust me.<br> <b>Disclaimer:</b> Definitely didn't happen. Check out the hospital records and you'll see.<br> <b>Rating:</b> Overall, NC-17 because I'm greedy, even when I'm writing.<br> <b>Warnings:</b> Well, a man fell off a roof. You can expect some form of angst or another.<br> <b>Beta:</b> I get to thank and adore the most wonderful Soar38, who gives me love and calls me petal!<br> <b>Banner:</b> Is the generosity and patience of my lovely, smoochable CJ!<br> <b>This chapter is dedicated:</b> To Dazzamre, an honorary Delishoon and a wonderful friend, to Wizzy, because I missed her that much while she was away and to Rawiyaparand, because she rocked my world and had this dedication coming even before the nomination!<p> 78<br> He watches, fascinated by Viggo's soft and vulnerable member, as soft as a secret confided only in him, mesmerized by the way the cycle of blood rushes in and out of it to the rhythm of Viggo's lungs. It's cradled against his lover's thigh and almost parallels his own.<p> He kisses Viggo's temple, the folds where laughter has left its marks and licks the cautious light that pours out through the wrinkles.<p> He'll do his best to never take this sight for granted, he promises this to himself no less than to the Delishoons, who nod slowly, mount their sheep friends and leave.<p> 79<br> Orlando tells Viggo about the Delishoons having left over the breakfast that he wakes up to in bed. It's white as bread, yellow as butter, red as strawberry jam, warm as chocolate milk and sweet as Viggo's lips.<p> 80<br> Orlando shows Viggo the book that he and Safi have been writing.<br> Pages are turned and not a word said.<br> Then Viggo cackles.<br> That same free, near-maniacal cackle that Orlando now knows he's been missing since the man left.<p> 81<br> Monday, and Orlando is telling Safi that he met up with Viggo.<br> "He loved the book," he grins and further details the conversation with an American publisher over the possibility to publicize <I>Safi and the Delishoons</I>.<br> Her eyes are round, her gaze wanders around the room and her face is the definition of concentration, but when he finishes, she nods and asks him what they should play today. "Draw some more, maybe?"<p> 82<br> When he exits her room, he goes by Dr. Peter's office.<br> "Orlando," the man says and adds nothing that may serve as indication as to what he meant by it.<br> "Dr. Peter," he nods. "You received my letter?"<br> "I did."<br> "Good." Orlando nodded a moment too long, casting his look down to the fidgeting of his digits.<p> "How's Safi progressing?"<p> 83<br> He goes to see Chris. She's always busy when he comes by, but today he has to tell her. When he finds her in the nurses' kitchen, he thinks she knows already. She hugs him and smiles widely.<p> "We're all so proud of you," she says and doesn't enquire about a thing. "No one can tell a thing from looking at you walk."<p> He finds himself wanting to tell her all about the hesitations between acting and physiotherapy. She slices some cheesecake, a piece for him and a piece for her, and motions towards the table. They each grab a cup of tea, walk over and sit down. She looks up at him. Nothing matters, he realizes, she knows that he's well off and will be, whatever choice he makes.<p> 84<br> Making dinner for Sonia and Viggo's son, Henry, who's visiting from the states, they hover over their respective creations of food. Safi and her family are invited over as well, though her real surprise party is planned for a week from Sunday, when she'll be discharged from the rehab centre.<p> Outside is clear and beautiful. Two dragons, one a fire-breather and one a water-breather, are playing in the yard, passing breaths between them like a ball of play.<p> Orlando fondly touches the tip of Viggo's nose and it's as loud and deep a truth as any.<p> <b>Tthe end.</b><br> <center>~ <a href="hisspace11.htm">Chapter eleven</a> ~</center><br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="760" bgcolor="#ccffff" align="center" valign="top" style="font-family:verdana; font-size:9pt"><font color="# C97DDF"> <a href="http://www.shapefive.com/matan4il/feedback/hisspace12/hisspace12.htm">This fic's feedback page</a><br> </td> </tr> </table> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-3647019-1"; urchinTracker(); </script> </body></html>