20: Future Perfect

[vbmods.livejournal.com]

Title: 20: Future Perfect
Author: Galadriel (caras_galadhon)
Rating: G
Warnings: None.
Beta: savageseraph and empy
Prompt(s): #10: A picture of a pub
Disclaimer: Absolutely did not happen. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Summary: When Sean arrives at the pub, he'll find Viggo is late again.
Author's Note: This story is the third of three interconnected ficlets written for wordsontongue's 2009 Flash Fiction Roulette. The first story is 0: Simple Past, and the second, 10: Present Progressive. While linked and spaced over ten year increments, each ficlet can be comfortably read as a standalone narrative as well.



When Sean arrives at the pub, tugs open the door, a wave of warmth will roll over him, the heat only partially from the candles that are kept lit almost all day, and mostly from the warmth of memories he's made there.

Viggo will be late, as usual, or "Early for tomorrow," as he prefers, and so Sean will sit down in their corner, absently noting the creaking joints of his chair, wondering for the thousandth time whether he should offer to fix it once and for all, or appreciate it for its age, the way it's lasted this long. He will open his mouth to order himself a pot of good old English tea, and one of Viggo's maté -- a strange concession made by the pub owners to a good customer -- but will never quite get the chance to get the words fully out before the waitress makes her way over, tray already full with the requisite items.

And there Sean will sit, breathing in the atmosphere, old wood and fresh flowers, and maybe he'll pull out his sketchbook and glasses and spend a little time considering changing their garden layout, or tweaking the specs for his next metalwork sculpture, or simply doodling tiny pianos in the margins. No matter what he does, however, he will lift his head a moment before the door opens, as if already certain who is on the other side, and maybe he is, because Viggo will wander in, arms full of books or papers or plans or nothing at all, making a beeline for their table, and plopping himself down across from Sean.

They'll grin at each other for a long moment, Sean nudging the maté closer to Viggo's hands, and Viggo deliberately ignoring his drink in favour of reaching out and brushing his fingertips across the back of Sean's hand. Viggo's stomach will growl, and Sean will chuckle and ask him when he ate last, and Viggo will shake his head and protest that he doesn't remember.

And despite the fact that he already knows the short menu by heart, that they almost always place the very same order, Sean will don the glasses he put aside at Viggo's entrance, pick up the sheet of specials and peruse it, holding it slightly at a distance to keep it in focus; at least until Viggo plucks it out of his fingers and reminds him that the specials are never any good anyway.

"I ran into Gina today," Sean will say, after they've placed their order, and at Viggo's raised eyebrow, he'll smile and add, "She's finally married that producer bloke of hers, now that they've two little ones. She seemed good. Happy. And she told me to tell you hello."

Viggo will nod. "Good. It's about time she made him an honest man." And then he will chuckle and pat Sean's hand, tracing his knuckles even as he pulls back. "Just like I've made you one."

Sean will shake his head and grin, sliding his foot across the floor between them, bridging the space, resting instep against instep, and their conversation will fall into an easy rhythm, joy undulled by familiarity, interest undiminished by the passage of time.

They'll pass the last hours of the afternoon this way, soft words punctuated by softer touches, lost to all but their own world. And maybe a few other patrons -- new to the area, or just passing through -- will eye their table and whisper just loud enough for Sean to hear them wonder if the men sitting close in the corner, a few more lines on their faces, more silver in stubble and hair, are really who they seem to have once been.

When the light has lengthened, the candles flickering upward to take up the dying sun's slack, and when the plates and glasses are empty, but their bellies are full, Sean will pay the cheque, tossing a few bills on the table, letting them fan out messily. Viggo will get up, pushing his chair back so it scrapes gently across the floor, and he'll straighten his shirt, smooth back his hair, and offer Sean a hand up like the perfect gentleman he isn't.

Once Sean's on his feet and set to rights, he'll chuckle fondly, reaching out for Viggo's books or papers or plans or simply his hands, and with a quiet, "Goodnight," to their waitress, the barman, and a few other regulars, they'll wander out into the deepening night. Viggo will break from Sean only long enough to retrieve his bicycle, and while Sean unlocks the car, finding a place for books, papers, and plans, Viggo will load his bike in the back, slide into his seat, and buckle himself in firmly. The motor will purr to life, covering Sean's own purr as Viggo leans over, gifting him with a kiss.

And tomorrow, when the sun is back in the sky, they'll do it all over again.

Comments

[mooms.livejournal.com]

I love the way you have used the prompts and written these three linked fics, each of which stands alone and holds its own, because they are all equally strong and yet fits together perfectly with the other two in chronicling a relationship.

From Sean's insecurity and loneliness amid other people in the first one, until he skims stones with Viggo, through his determination to seize the opportunity in the middle one, when they are reunited at the Empire Awards to this final one, full of warmth and peace, I enjoyed every word.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Exquisite. They all stood alone beautifully, but together they alchemized into such a complete picture. I loved the peace and quietude of this, the feeling of contentment and the simple joy of a routine. I don't know what to say but thank you. You really made my morning.

[alex-quine.livejournal.com]

A perfect future can be about the small and certain, things that come to be loved because they are shared. This is truly a fitting homecoming for your characters. thanks for posting.
think that's a better icon.

[govi20.livejournal.com]

So domestic and it's perfect ending of your lovely 'threesome'. Written beautifully and great use iof the prompts. Thank you so much for sharing.

[savageseraph.livejournal.com]

I already told you this, but I'll tell you again. ^_^

I love the "Early for tomorrow" bit and will have to use that myself at some point. I also adore the quiet and ease of this fic, how the details and actions are small, common, but communicate so much.

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

i just love every word, every syllable. so wonderful how you paint such tiny little pictures that add up to a whole. this is perfection.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Bliss!

"And there Sean will sit, breathing in the atmosphere, old wood and fresh flowers..." I'm sure that's Sean's local, The Holly Bush, for I've been there and that's exactly what is smells like . . .

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=197

Had to smile at this - "...to hear them wonder if the men sitting close in the corner, a few more lines on their faces, more silver in stubble and hair, are really who they seem to have once been."

But oh the continuity and the peace they've found together was so well described - this was their whole relationship in a nutshell,familiar and comforting.

Thank you very much for an insight into the "maybe" of their future.

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

This is full of comfort and love and romance and warmth and I could just go on and on. It's a beautiful future for these beautiful men, a perfect way to find them after everything started while skipping stones on a beach. This is an absolutely lovely series.

[kittylass.livejournal.com]

Just gorgeous. I love how you set this in future tense, which is of course the point, but still. I do so love the idea of uncomplicated happiness, where things from the past are just part of who you are and that you can accept (though it would be something to strive for instead of something that's natural, for me *g*).
Really wonderful, thank you.

[stormatdusk.livejournal.com]

joy undulled by familiarity, interest undiminished by the passage of time

oh, the happy. what a wonderful wish, for them and for all of us. ♥

[peersrogue.livejournal.com]

Perfect from start to finish, I love a happy ending, wihs life could be this perfect. Left me with a happy smile for which I thank you.

Present progressive

[peersrogue.livejournal.com]

Wonderful description of a safe harbour reached after so many turbulent years. A wonderful and heart warming fairy tale.

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

what a glorious series - sorry I missed it first time round, but these have been a sheer delight to read. The images you have created of their life together will stay with me for some time to come.