Natural Progression by Zarah (R)

[kraken-wakes.livejournal.com]

Fandom: Lotrips
Author: Zarah
Author website: What This Is
Author on lj: zarah5
Pairing: Orlando/ Viggo
Rating: R

Why this must be read:

This pairing really suffers from bad fic, I mean really suffers. The fact that Zarah's summary for Natural Progression should give you a good idea of what the majority of fic in this pairing is concerned with: Wherein you'll find prissy elves and filthy humans. Or, alternatively: Wherein no one cries, dies, takes drugs, attempts suicide, is raped or injured in a bad car accident. Fortunately, this is one of the little gems which helps to leaven the dross.

Anyway. This story is partly told in the present - just before Orlando went to film PoTC - and interwoven are flashbacks to the filming and little episodes between Viggo and Orlando which show how their relationship has progressed naturally (hence the title) without the need for a life-altering event. (although some - ie the cast in various interviews - would argue that the making of the film was enough of a life-changing event. I think what sets Zarah aside is that she recognises that life-changing events aren't always bad experiences.) The flashbacks begin with the day they meet and continue through some of the events reported by the cast such as the hellishness of filming Helm's Deep and when Sean Bean and Viggo kidnapped Orlando.

This is a lovely story. I've must have read it dozens of times since I came across it and each time it feels fresh. It's entertaining and funny and sympathetic and the kind of love story that doesn't necessarily make it into the soap operas or made-for-tv-movies but the kind of love story that people actually experience. Zarah also doesn't revert to using stereotypes - there's not one single mention of Orlando's love for extreme sports or Viggo's art.

It's not true - but if it was, it should have happened like this.



Turning his head, Orlando freezes for a tenth of a second, relishes the familiar tug. Viggo's eyes meet his, brighten, the immediate smile soft and fond. Their routine. Orlando knows it by heart, wonders, sometimes, if it's a special Viggo-Orlando-thing, or if it's simply Viggo.

He crosses the distance, polished parquet beneath his shoes, shining and reflecting yellowish light. Then his hands are in Viggo's hair, and the wrinkles surrounding Viggo's eyes deepen.

A close-up of blue. Bright, clear, almost a little green from this close.

Their foreheads touch.

"Still not king?" Orlando asks.

Viggo's chuckle is warm, quiet, soft. Utterly Viggo. "Unfortunately, no. And what kind of trashcan did *you *spend the night in?"

"Why, want me to make some room for you?" Orlando winks, releases Viggo's hair to turn them both into the flash of cameras. Rough cloth, the warmth of Viggo's skin seeping through his suit and transferring to Orlando's palms, first-hand contact only where Orlando's fingers are touching Viggo's neck. "Also, don't insult the hair. At least it's washed."

"Was that an invitation?"

Their eyes meet, lock. Similar grins spread.

The possibility's always been there, a distant knowledge that Orlando didn't dare examine too closely.

[Link goes to Zarah's website; the story can be found under Lord of the Rings and her fic is archived alphabetically]

Natural Progression by Zarah