A Birthday Kiss and Unwelcome News.
Elijah: *after a day filled with lots of presents, lots of laughter and way too much cake, I am finally, finally getting to see Orlando. I've been wanting to see him ever since this morning but because of his schedule I've been unable to come until this evening, which is annoying because I bet I won't be able to stay all that long. It's started to snow too so I hope I don't have too much trouble getting home. I arrive at the centre to be told that for once Orlando isn't in his room but in the rec room, as I've never been in there before a nurse shows me the way and I enter alone to find Orlando sprawled on one of the many couches, the television on low. I glance around the room briefly to find the place filled with magazines, games and a football table and it's relatively quiet, infact Orlando is the only person in here* Well this makes a change from being in your room. *I say softly but loud enough for him to hear*
Orlando: *I look up and grin at the sound of the familiar voice. I wasn't sure he'd make it today, especially with the weather, but I'm glad he did. Letting my magazine fall shut I push myself up to sitting, facing him in the doorway* Yeah, it's okay wh-when it's not busy. And everyone else is at movie night so....* spread my arms out indicating my sole ownership of the room* And there are big windows. I can see the garden.
Elijah: *moving out of the door I walk further into the room, hands stuffed deep into my jacket pockets because I'm still trying to warm up and let my gaze move from him over to the large windows and garden that's getting covered in snow* Much better then those white walls with the peeling paint, that's for sure.
Orlando: Oh my r-rooms not so bad. Someone got me these great posters. *I nod toward the window* And everything out there will be white soon, too. It's funny...*I trail off, shaking my head and deciding not to go on down that line of thought, standing up myself, hands twisted in my sleeves* So, as there's no one else here, do I get to give you a birthday kiss?
Elijah: *I smile when he mentions the posters, I'm glad he likes them. My focus turns away from the falling snow and back on him as he trails off and I wonder what he was going to say. It's funny... the last time it snowed Orlando had been rushed into hospital because of an overdose. That was well over a month ago, I'm surprised the time has gone so quickly. When he mentions giving me a birthday kiss, I glance towards the door* What if someone walks in? *I ask, but I'm already making my way slowly towards him because I'm finding that I don't quite care*
Orlando: Told you, everyone's upstairs watching movies....*I catch his hand as he approaches me, twisting my fingers into the gaps between his as I look at him* So, you're an old man now....did you have a g-good day?
Elijah: Not everyone. *I murmur as my free hand catches the end of his shirt between my fingers* Old man says the guy four years older then me. *I smile a little and nod* I had a good day. *except for not being able to spend it with him, that was the only thing missing*
Orlando: And...*I tip my head forward so my forehead brushes his, curls falling down and tickling my nose - I must get a cut when I'm done here* Get any presents?
Elijah: Hmm. *My lips press together as I pretend to think about it* Maybe. A couple. *fingers uncurling from his shirt I reach up to brush the curls from his forehead so that I can see his eyes better* Got this fucking awesome pinball machine from some guy.
Orlando: Yeah? *My voice is casual but my smile touches my eyes as I look back at him* I guess that's pretty cool. The fingers of my free hand strokes up and down his arm lightly and I press just the lightest of kisses to his lips* Happy birthday, then. *I kiss him again, deeper this time, and the entire staff of the center could come in for all I care*
Elijah: *and I don't get the chance to respond or to say a thankyou with words so maybe my thankyou can be told through other ways, like a kiss. His mouth on mine sends a warmth through me, a warmth I'm only able to reach when he touches me. My free hand slides through his hair, coming to rest lightly on his shoulder, my lips parting slightly as the kiss deepens, tongue sliding out to press, lick against his lips, wanting to taste, feel more*
Orlando: *It's still half pleasure half relief that he doesn't pull away from me, that he's not afraid to touch anymore. I kiss him with a mouth full of unspoken I love yous, slow, my eyelashes brush hischeek as I turn my head slightly to one side, then pull back just a little, smiling* Sarah d-did good, then.
Elijah: *as he pulls back I find myself leaning forwards, trying to chase his lips with mine, not wanting the kiss to end so soon but then he speaks and my eyes blink open* Sarah.... *rocking back on my heels, confusion flickers across my face for a moment until it clicks as to what he's talking about* Oh. Yeah. She did good. *I smile* Thank you for my gifts. I loved every single one of them.
Orlando: I've had a lot of time to think of perfect things. *I look down and smile, then grab his hand and pull him over to the windowseat, low and wide with padded cushions making it a perfect, bright little nest* So my agent called yesterday. I have an offer.
Elijah: *blinking as I'm pulled over to the window seat, I glance briefly out at the falling snow then drop down onto the cushions giving him a questioning look* An offer? Okay. And?
Orlando: Its Ridley Scott, its in um, Sp-spain....swords and medieval stuff but I'd like to do it, you know, work with Ridley again and not just as a quick kill off...*I fidget as I talk, wringing my hands together, and glance away* Might have to leave here a little early, though...
Elijah: *I'm about to say that, that's wonderful news and that it'll give him something else to look forward to for when he comes out of rehab but I'm startled when he says he may have to leave here early and just end up shaking my head, like I'm not hearing him correctly* Sorry... excuse me?
Orlando: Well filming starts before...*I start, then hesitate, adding quickly* And it's not like Troy where th-there were other leads, I'd be like, the title part, so I'd have to be there. Like, my first top credit role and everything. *I chew on my lip and watch him* Not that early...
Elijah: Filming starts before? When does filming... wait. *I shake my head, remembering something that he'd said minutes before* Is this the film Marton's in? Because he and Sarah are leaving for Spain on the 30th and if you're the lead....
Orlando: Marton? I don't know what film Marton is in but that sounds about right. I mean, principal photography isn't till mid February though...
Elijah: It's the end of January already, though. The middle of February is only two weeks away, give or take a few days. *this is unbelievable. I seriously don't know what to say to this*
Orlando: *I push my hands back through my hair and stare downward. Shouldnt have told him today* It's not like I can ask them to fix their schedule, I m-mean they already know they'll be shooting retakes every time I fuck up a line....but these things often run late, you know?
Elijah: No, I don't know. *I sigh, moving to sit on my hands so that I don't start fidgeting* You could have said no to the offer, Orlando. You could have just said no. What do they say in here... I mean what does your therapist say?
Orlando: Well I havn't said yes but...*I hug myself a little* I don't know. I know too much work fucked me up, but this is a lead, a title part...I havn't t-told them here yet. I guess I could see a counsellor in Spain?
Elijah: *I don't think that anything I say will make him change his mind on this, he wants to do it and I don't. I personally don't think he's ready but what the fuck am I supposed to do?* You do what you want to do. It's up to you at the end of the day. It's your life.
Orlando: *I shake my head* But I want to share it with you. *I nudge his foot lightly with mine and look at him* I've got a b-bit of thinking space, I havn't said yes, we can both think about it and decide later, yeah? I shouldnt have even mentioned it today.
Elijah: It's not my decision to make. *I murmur, turning to look out the window, pressing a palm up against the cold glass, watching the snow fall from the sky* The snow is getting heavier.
Orlando: Its your decision to share...*I look out of the window too, not sure if thats just an observation or a way of saying he should go before he gets stuck* Did you drive yourself here?
Elijah: *I shake my head, still watching the snow* I don't own a car here, Orlando. I have to cab it if I want to go anywhere that's not in walking distance. I'm sure the snow will ease up. *Maybe. God, I hope so. I don't really want to get stuck here*
Orlando: You want to go back to my room for a bit, then? ...Til it eases? *I tilt my head to one side,w atching him. I meant it about sharing the decision, I won't go without him or without his approval. I don't want this to be all about me, it's been all about me for too long and i cant take that focus any longer*
Elijah: Sure. If you want to, I don't mind. *I remove my hand from the glass and reach for his hand, long before I drag my eyes away from the window and the falling snow*
Orlando: *I take his hand but stay where I am for the moment* It could be like starting again. Somewhere else. No memories to deal with from familliar places, people. Warm sun, sandy beaches...
Elijah: *the memories will always be there and they're going to have to be dealt with at some point* It sounds nice. *I just didn't want to be doing it so soon. I'm not sure he's ready. I'm not sure -I'm- ready*
Orlando: We'll see. *I reach for his other hand as I get up and tug him up with me, walking backwards a little* If I don't take it, something else will come up. And we'll get our sunny, sandy b-beach either way.