Bean and Viggo try on their wedding robes


Sean: *It's been raining all morning so it's a great day to wake up late in bed, then snuggle in our most comfy PJs. Viggo is still asleep so I give him a kiss on the cheek and get up first, thinking of what I can prepare for breakfast. I switch on some soft music in the background and whistle as I potter about in the kitchen, starting a batter mix for pancake and toasting some bread. However, the doorbell rings in the middle of my breakfast-making and I'm surprised to see a drenched deliveryman there, and he has two waterproof suit covers with him. I realise it's our wedding outfits and I almost jump for joy as I sign for them, bringing them into the living room. I take a peek at Viggo's sherwani, liking it immediately and imagining how good he'll look in it. I decide to open it when he's awake, and move on to my outfit, admiring the glittering green and white robes.*

Viggo: *I'm starting to wake up so I'm a little disappointed when I roll over to flop on Sean only to find an empty space. I lift up my sleepy head and look around confused. But then a smile spreads on my face as I smell toast. I think I made a good choice picking an elf. They don't need as much sleep so I often get breakfast in bed. I yawn and scratch my head, rolling onto my back and kicking at the sheets. I can't remember if Sean's busy today but I'm going to take the day off from going down to my gallery. An artist should never work too hard.* I'll have some freshly squeezed orange juice please!

Sean: *I chuckle when I hear Viggo demanding orange juice in bed.* Just a minute, luv! *I pick up our outfits and admire them one last time before I bring them into the bedroom, smiling at the sight of you huddled under the sheets.* Look what just arrived! They got here sooner than I thought. And they're so much prettier than their pictures. *I hold up the two suits for you, before laying them out on the bed and going to sit beside you.* Your sherwani turned out a million times prettier than the picture the tailor showed us. And my robes look different too. *I turn to stroke your hair off your face.* Do you want breakfast in bed, you lazy hippy? I could bring it later if you're afraid we might spill something on the outfits.

Viggo: Well we wouldn't spill anything on them if you don't put the outfits on the bed! *I push myself up. My hair flopping everywhere apart from where it's meant to sit. The robes do look even more beautiful than I imagined they would.* Can we try them on? Or is that bad luck? *Before you get the chance to answer, I slip it on over my head and stand up on the bed to sort it out. When it has settled over my legs I do a little twirl, ending up falling over onto your lap and grinning at you.* Do I look like an angel dressed in white? *I hope you're not mad about me trying it on. I'm just getting more and more excited about this wedding.*

Sean: *I want to reply to your question, but when you tumbled into my lap, my breath is taken away by how beautiful you look in my lap. Dressed in your white wedding sherwani, you really look like an angel that just fell from the sky right into my arms. I try to find my voice as I brush your hair back.* Sure you look like an angel, but you seem to have these odd horns sprouting from your head. *I pretend to rub two spots on your head to indicate where the 'horns' are.* They're holding up your halo. You really are a strange angel. *I adjust your sherwani as you lie in my lap, thinking about our wedding night when I'll be taking them off.*

Viggo: *I continue smiling as I lean back against you. I feel very comfortable in this. I might have to buy a cheaper one for hanging around the flat in.* I'm an angel with bed-hair! It's not horns you're seeing. It's my hair sticking up. *I look down at my sherwani and realise that I'm probably creasing it. I should take it off in a minute. It's making the wedding seem more real though and I can even feel butterflies in my stomach. It's one thing saying yes to marrying someone. It's quite another actually doing it.* I don't know why I got the white one. If anybody's going to spill food down their wedding outfit it'll be me! I guess it's because I'm the virgin, right? *I flutter my eyelashes at you.*

Sean: *I roll my eyes at you* You? A virgin? Yeah, right! *I chuckle as I remember all the adventurous things and sexual positions we've tried out in bed, all of which you taught me. One advantage of being with a hippy, I guess. I look down at you where you're fluttering your eyelashes at me, and I'm suddenly tempted to lay you down on the bed, then crawl on top of you. But then I'd crease your beautiful wedding outfit. I can't help thinking of the wedding day itself, finally committing myself to a lifelong relationship.* I never thought I'd ever settle down and get married to someone. But I'm so glad it's you. *I lean over, careful not to wrinkle your outfit as I press a chaste kiss to your lips, before letting you go.* Now go change out of it so you can keep it nice and pretty for the wedding. *My head spins a little...receiving and wearing our wedding outfits makes it seem so much more real.*

Viggo: And I can have my breakfast! *I crawl off your lap and start pulling my outfit off as carefully as I can. I adjust my boxers before leaning over the bed and placing our sherwani's on the carpet.* They'll look good when we dance and twirl together after the wedding. Now get me my breakfast, husband-to-be! *I pat your leg before crawling back under the bed covers which are still nice and warm. My brain won't start working for another hour or so yet. I can't help reaching up over the duvet and placing my hand on your knee. Just to remind myself that you're always there.*

Sean: *I try not to chuckle as I salute you.* Yes, sir! Your breakfast will be brought quickly in a minute. *I glance down at your hand on my knee, feeling warm at the sight of it. I've never been in love like this before, where a single touch can make me unable to move. I take a deep breath and cover your hand with me, stroking the finger which is wearing the ring.* Love you. *I bring your hand to my lips and kiss it before I reluctantly let go, getting up and going to the kitchen. As I arrange the toast, pancakes and milk on the tray, I can't help wondering what we're going to be serving at the wedding. Elvish food? Sometimes it is a bit too bland for humans. I could always ask you, you've travelled everywhere and tasted all kinds of cuisines. I bring your tray into the bedroom, setting it above you on the bed.* Vig, what kind of food do you think we could serve at our wedding?

Viggo: *You forgot my orange juice so I pout for a while before realising I have to sit up if I want my pancakes. I rearrange my pillows before getting up again and placing the tray on my lap. I pick up the fork and start tucking into the pancakes, talking with my mouth full.* Well I think we should have pancakes at our wedding! But maybe something a little more exciting might be a good idea. I think we should have….*I wave my fork around as I think.*…..French wine to drink. For starters they can pick either Callaloo soup, which is from the Caribbean. Or chicken noodle soup. Then, for the main course, it should be either pizza or pasta. Because I love Italian. *I take another mouth-full of pancake as I think harder.* For dessert they can choose between butterscotch pudding, trifle or apple crumble and custard. *I grown as I think of all these lovely dishes.* Although maybe that isn't such a good idea because I'd eat so much I'd explode. Then you'd have the shortest marriage in history.

Sean: *I chuckle as I imagine you exploding at the wedding.* And I'll be the most famous elf widower. I could go on talk shows and give interviews about how my husband ate himself to death. *I'm still giggling, you really are a crazy hippy. Just one of the many things I love about you. I lean in and kiss the side of your head, leaving you to continue your breakfast as I ponder the dishes you suggested.* I think out of all your suggestions, I've only tried one or two of them. I would love butterscotch pudding at our wedding, and so would our other Elven guests. We Elves like sweet things. *At the mention of Elvish guests, I remember my father is going to be there and I can't help frowning a little, hoping he won't make any fuss at the wedding.*

Viggo: Is that why you like me? Because I'm sweet? *I give you a big grin but it fades when I notice the frown on your face. Talking about this wedding is making me happy so I wonder why you don't seem very excited anymore. Maybe you've just gone back to your old moody self. I sigh and finish off my pancakes, sipping the milk and leaving a sexy white moustache on my top lip. I try to lick it off with my tongue but it's not really long enough. So I give up and use the back of my hand instead.* We don't have to talk about our wedding anymore if you're not in the mood.

Sean: *I'm so lost in my thoughts and worries about my father that I almost miss what you're saying, but I manage to catch the last few words and I give you a distracted smile.* Oh no, I didn't mean to put a damper on things, luv. It's just...I've been thinking about my Da. *I take your hand and start playing with your fingers distractedly, stroking your warm, tanned skin.* I just feel that he's been getting along better with you, and he might even be more accepting of our marriage now. I just don't know how he's going to react when I tell him I want to give up my immortality. I don't think he will understand that this is something I absolutely want to do. And I don't want his temper ruining our wedding. It should be the greatest, most meaningful event in our lives, in my life.

Viggo: *I stay quiet for a while as I munch on my toast. I've sometimes said the wrong thing about your Father and upset you. So this time I want to think properly before I offer my opinion. I do like him but I'm the complete opposite to your Dad. I don't understand the things he says and does sometimes.* Then don't tell him. We'll get married with everyone there. Then we'll do the immortality service a couple of weeks later in private. Just you, me and the Elvish elders. By the time your Father finds out it'll be too late because you would have done it already. That way he won't ruin our wedding. He can rant and rave at us until he's blue in the face, but it won't change anything.

Sean: *I ponder over your words...it -is- an idea worth considering, even though I'd feel like I was hiding something from my father. But I've already been hiding the truth from him for so long, a few more weeks wouldn't make much difference. Most importantly, the wedding wouldn't be affected and I would still get to give up my immortality like I wanted. I smile as I slip an arm around your waist, watching you eat your toast.* We could consider that idea. I wouldn't feel comfortable hiding it from my dad, but I'd much prefer that to having our wedding possibly ruined. *I realise I should stop talking about such unhappy prospects, trying to focus instead on something else.* What about your family, Viggo? I'd love to invite them, except that I'm not sure how they might get to Bordertown. *I chuckle as my fingers stroke the top of your hip.*

Viggo: *I shrug a little as I finish off my toast and milk.* I will send them an invitation. But, like you said, it's quite a way for them to travel so I'll understand if they can't make it. They do seem very keen on meeting you though. Maybe if they don't come to the wedding we can pop by to see them after our honeymoon. *I place the tray on the bedside table before snuggling up against you.* We need to find Richard a nice bow-tie to wear if he's going to be your best-man.

Sean: *I can't help laughing out loud at the thought of Richard wearing a bow-tie and meowing as he carries the rings to the altar.* That would be a sight to see. Although I think Richard will be too busy licking himself and playing with bugs to be the best man. *I wrap my arms tightly around you as you snuggle into my arms, pressing a kiss to your dark blond hair.* I really wanna meet your folks, though. Want to tell them they did a fine job in raising someone so unique and amazing like you. *I get a little distracted as I wonder whether I should write something like that in my wedding vows. I've been trying to write them every night and I'm hoping I'll get it right.* Where do you think we should go for our honeymoon?

Viggo: *I think about everything my adoptive parents did for me. How patient and kind they were when I wouldn't even speak. I was never that close to them but their love for me really got me through my young life. It would mean a lot if they were at my wedding but seeing them afterwards would be special as well. I could show Sean all the places where I grew up.* Honeymoon? Didn't we decide already? I'd love to go in a log cabin in the snow somewhere. We could snuggle up in front of a fire and go snow-boarding every morning. What do you think? Or would you prefer a warm honeymoon?

Sean: *I close my eyes and imagine both of us at a ski resort.* Mmmm, a log cabin would be great. Somewhere in the mountains, like the Alps. I hope they're as beautiful as when I saw them fifty years ago. Or maybe a warm honeymoon would be nice too. We could go to a sunny beach like Tahiti, or the Cayman Islands. That would be really grand. I could see us sitting together in a hammock and swinging in the sea breeze. *Talking about honeymoons makes me wish we were there right now.* How about we stay in a log cabin for a week or so for half of our honeymoon, then go stay at a beach for the other half? That way, we'd both be happy. *I try to remember how much we have in our savings, we should be able to afford it.*

Viggo: Maybe we should go to an island nearer America. So we can go visit my folks on the way home if they don't manage to come to our wedding. Hawaii, Bermuda, something like that. I'll go down the travel agents later and pick up some information. Although that would mean getting out of bed. *I yawn and snuggle up to you even closer. You smell really sexy and your skin is nice and warm against my cheek.* I think you should close your shop for a couple of days and just stay with me. I need a nude model for my next painting.

Sean: *I smile broadly at your suggestion, cuddling you tighter in my arms as you snuggle up closer to me.* Sounds like a brilliant idea, Vig. Although I have the feeling that there won't be much painting done. Not that either of us will mind. *I'm already looking forward to the next few days of modelling for you and staying in and being lazy and having lots and lots of sex.* It's fun being your muse, though. But I have a feeling this nude painting won't be going for sale in your gallery. I really liked the one that Astin sold for you, though. The one with me sleeping and those bubbles around me as my dreams. *I kiss the top of your head. My creative, artistic, talented hippy. All mine.*

Viggo: Well I had an idea for a painting. I was going to make it be of a female, but a male would work as well. It does mean you'll have to stand in front of a window naked for a few hours. *I suddenly shiver slightly. So I reach for the duvet and pull it up to my neck. I could easily sleep for another couple of hours. I don't know how you put up with me being so lazy. But then it's your own fault for being so damn comfortable to lean against.* You know it's strange. I never thought I'd settle down. I always had itchy feet. Could never stay in the same place for long, or with the same person. You changed all that. I was always running, although I never knew why. But now I guess I've found what I was looking for all that time.

Sean: *I'm in the middle of arranging the duvet more comfortably around you when I hear your last few sentences, and my hands stop. I feel so touched and so moved that I'm speechless for a while, remaining quiet while I look down at your dark blonde head.* Really? I...I'm glad I changed all that. *I hold you in my arms even more tightly, remembering everything we've been through, like the kidnapping and the arguments and my father returning to us, and I've never been more grateful.* You're so good for me. I've been alive for more than a hundred years but I've never felt truly happy until now. *I play with strands of your hair, brushing it behind your ear.* Remember when we first met, and I offered to take you on that tour of Bordertown? And I ended up scaring that old lady in the wrong hotel room? That was hilarious!

Viggo: *My chest shakes as I chuckle quietly. That was funny.* You scared the living daylights out of her. Then we went on your bike. You took me to the park for the first time and we had our first kiss. I remember all that like it was yesterday, even though it was months ago. The moment I think about more than any other though, was when you rescued me from those nasty men. They made me believe that you were dead and I felt ripped to pieces because we never got to do so many things that I wanted to do with you. But then you were there. My knight in shining armour. I'll never forget how you took care of me as I healed physically and mentally. *My eyes close.* You're amazing, Sean Bean.

Sean: *I listen quietly to your voice, feeling you getting a bit heavier in my arms. I look down at you, your eyes closed as you cling tightly to me, but I know you can hear me.* You make me this way, Vig. You brought out everything that is good in me. You make me a better person. *I'm surprised as my eyes suddenly fill with tears, and I realise it's because I'm remembering how much pain you went through during the Gathering. I silently wipe them away, not wanting you to know that I'm crying. Besides, you seem to be drifting off to sleep already.* You're my pillar of strength, Viggo Mortensen. *I kiss the top of your head, then very slowly lay you down on the bed so that you're huddled comfortably in the soft, giant pillows and under the duvet, then I get up slowly and start clearing the breakfast tray and putting it back in the kitchen. When I come back to the bedroom, I have to stop in the doorway, staring at you in bed and smiling at how cute you look, all huddled up. Finally I slip under the covers too, spooning behind you and wrapping my arms around you.*