More or Less by Shrinetolust (NC-17)

[denyce.livejournal.com]

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Viggo/Bean
Author on LJ: shrinetolust
Author Website: NA
Why this must be read: Painful beautiful angst; the reason why I love Shrine's writing, her characters are real, with open wounds and a rawness that just makes you ache. More or Less, have all of this and more. Note there is a sequel to More or Less, Balance (Viggo/Orlando with Bean/Viggo implied) for those interested--at Shrinetolust’s LJ in memories.

The wine was chilling in ice, the bucket surrounded by delicate petals that had floated away from the sweet-smelling bouquet. If it hadn't been the completely wrong time for it, he would have gone looking for his camera to photograph it.

Trying to pretend like it didn't mean anything, Viggo grabbed the neck of the bottle and lifted it. "Some wine, Sean?"

He could hear Sean's sigh, could feel that moment of near normalcy slipping away. "Viggo."

"Yes?" He turned around, trying not to cringe at the dark look in the other man's eyes.

"We've been through this, Viggo. Please don't start again."

Viggo's jaw tightened, and he was surprised at the flash of nerve that suddenly possessed him. He grabbed hold of the corkscrew and started twisting it in, his stare focused intently on Sean. "You were my friend once, you know? So can you just pretend for five minutes, shut the fuck up, and have some damn wine?" The cork sprung free of the bottle, punctuating his words with a loud pop.

There was a moment of silence, then to his surprise, Sean smiled. "All right, you stupid bastard. Fill 'er right up, then."

More or Less