Fic: No Distance Left To Run (VM/SB, PG)

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Title: No Distance Left To Run
Author: clocks
Pairing: Viggo/Sean
Rating: PG
Warning: Angst, man.
Disclaimer: Don't know them, this is all fiction.
Feedback: Would be salivated upon like Homer over a box of donuts
Summary: Sean just wants Viggo to be happy.
Archiving: Rugbytackling, others please ask, thanks!
Notes: I'm supposed to be working on 'Transatlanticism 2' but this fic hijacked my brain. Inspired by the song 'You Could Be Happy' by Snow Patrol. There are two more parts coming up, but this one can be read as a standalone. I'll link everything up once it's done.



NO DISTANCE LEFT TO RUN



Sean is in Idaho. Viggo doesn't know, and for the first time, Sean wants it to stay that way. Besides, Viggo might not even be in town. It doesn't matter that he's driven by Viggo's ranch three times, or that he's stopped by the tiny art store in Boise where Viggo bought him his first painting. Sean remembers it well. A painting of an Idaho cornfield, identical to the very same one a few days before where they were running and laughing in before they collapsed somewhere to kiss, then made love and watched the sunset together.

Sean has to stop by the roadside because the tears are blurring his vision.

The good memories are easy to recall, the bad ones even more so. The days before the break-up were pregnant with silences, tension, heartache. Viggo's last words to him - "But you can't love someone you don't know anymore," - were almost inaudible as he walked out the door with the potted plant - Bernard - a duffel bag and plane tickets back to LA.

Were they really that different, that distant? Did one entire year pass before Sean realised he'd met up with Viggo only six times?

He doesn't know what Viggo is up to now, although Orli keeps tabs and updates him every now and then with a phone call. He likes to think that Viggo is maybe happier, free from heartbreak. It hurts to think that someone could be happier if you weren't in their life, but it's something Sean wants for Viggo. Right now, it is the only thing Sean can give him.

It doesn't matter that Sean was the happiest he had ever been when Viggo was in close proximity, both of them cackling over some daft joke only they could understand, or debating the merits of English versus South American footie. It doesn't matter now, because he isn't holding Viggo back, and Viggo can maybe find someone who loves him the way he deserves, who doesn't chide him for not screwing the toothpaste cap back on and leaving the remote control in its right place.

Sean starts the car again and wipes his damp eyes with shaking hands. The sun is setting, and maybe tomorrow when Sean heads back to London, he might feel better, and perhaps move the cornfield painting from his bedroom to his attic. It probably won't help in the slightest, but at least it will make it easier for Sean to lie to himself.


THE END

Comments

[makamu]

I love the writing style in this piece. Because your choice of imagery and words underlines Sean's regret so very well. What is worst for me, in terms of reader response, is that there is no fault in his logic that I can see.

Except the fact he knows he is lying to himself, which makes me hope the painting stays where it is because I firmly believe there might still be hope... Yes, I am an uncurable optimist :)

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the kind words, I was a bit nervous about posting this because I've seen so many other writers in this comm handle angst so well, so I wasn't sure if people were going to raise their eyebrow at mine.

I'm an incurable optimist too, I must always have a happy VigBean ending! There are actually two more parts coming up, one is already written and it's in Viggo's POV, and the other one will probably be full of mush and schmoop and such. We'll see!

Thanks again for taking the time to leave feedback!

[jubeth-00.livejournal.com]

This was so sad but so beautiful. It fits well with my mood as I am in the mood to read something angsty and painful. Thanks for posting.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting, this was my first time writing something angsty, but I'm glad you thought it was alright. Thanks again!

[ribby.livejournal.com]

Oh, ouch! Poor Sean! And now I have this urge to thwap Viggo... which may not be quite fair. *grin*

But your writing here is gorgeous, so full of missed opportunities and pain at the little things... and Sean's not fooling anyone but himself (and probably not that, either). Lovely... but can I hope for a happy ending?

~Kris

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Hehe, it's so great to hear from you! And yes, I wanted to thwap Viggo too but then he insisted on having his side of the story told, so the other two parts got written, so yes, you can expect a happy ending :)

Thank you so much for reading, and for the lovely comments!

[painted-horse.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, but oh - that hurts! Poor Sean! And yet, sometimes it is that way in relationships that you see no other chance but an "out". And sometims it's a chance for a new "in". I love your style, I read it and I'm there. Thank you!

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the kind words! And yes, hopefully for Sean and Viggo, it will turn itself into a new "in" because they love each other so much. Thanks for reading!

[caras-galadhon.livejournal.com]

NoooOOOOooooo! Ack. Poor Sean. This is very, very sad, and so final, too. *sigh* I'm curious what happened, and so sad that Sean believes he held Viggo back. Aaargh. Well done.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

There will be about 2 more parts coming up which will sort of explain things more from Viggo's end. In the meantime, thank you SO much for reading and commenting, I was worried as to whether I would be able to pull off angst and I'm glad it was okay. Thanks again!

[illiadri.livejournal.com]

I was actually sitting here listening to the Snow Patrol album when this showed up on my flist. It's so an album packed with writing triggers, but also personal triggers too, or maybe that's just me?! It's a great angsty soundtrack to life though.

I loved this. I've done the 'visit the scene of the crime and pray not to be caught while praying to be caught at the same time after a relationship' thing before now. Nope, it doesn't help.

Right now, it is the only thing Sean can give him.
*loves the big strong (dumb) manly man*

I read in the comments there's more to come? I'm all for the schmoopy third chapter. I love angst, but with a happy ending most of all!

[clocks.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you, the album is completely packed with writing triggers! It seems like there's a story waiting to burst out of every song. Are you going to write something based on 'Eyes Open' as well? :)

Thank you SO much for reading and leaving feedback in depth, I'm always so happy when someone 'gets it', especially when it's based on a song and they've heard it too.

And yes, there definitely will be two more companion pieces coming up with Viggo's POV, and then a reunion. I agree, angst is always best served with a happy ending and hopefully a lot of smut ;)

Thanks again!

[msdavidwenham.livejournal.com]

*TEARS* poor Sean and Viggo.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Yes, poor them! Hopefully they will be reunited soon :) Thanks for reading!

[alex-quine.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that there are other parts to come and a chance for these characters to be reconciled. Particularly strong sense of a detailed backstory conveyed in a very few words.
Thanks for posting.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you for the kind comments. I was wondering if I would be able to pull this off because I don't really write angst, so I was very happy when I read your feedback. Yes, there will be a reconciliation at some point because I'm a schmoopy VigBean girl at heart and I need my happy endings ;)

Thanks again for reading!

[seleneheart]

Beautiful piece, although a heartbreaking look at the aftermath of a love affair and the ways we try to move on.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

It's so good to hear from you! And yes, it's always hard after a relationship when you're looking at all the debris and wondering how to start moving on, or if you even want to.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting (and yes, I agree with your icon!)

[govi20.livejournal.com]

Powerful, beautiful and very sad. You've done a wonderful job in saying a lot in not too many words. I am glad there will be a happy ending though...

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting :) And I'm an absolute sucker for happy endings, so yes, there will be one....*hides*

[lab-jazz.livejournal.com]

A beautiful sad story..poor men and their inability to communicate. I feel sorry for Sean, but sometimes we just have to move on. But I'm glad that you have implied that there will be a happy ending :)

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, there definitely will be a happy ending ;) And yes, I do agree that sometimes men just bottle it all up and refuse to talk openly about painful stuff. Men! *sigh*

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment :)

[rotpunkt.livejournal.com]

Oh... I can so feel his sadness. Beautifully written.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

*drools at your icon* Wow, my brain melted at the sight of that....

Thank you for reading and commenting! :)

[mooms.livejournal.com]

When I read this, before reading your comments, I saw it as a stand-alone piece and thought that you had pitched it just perfectly. It is so sad, but seems to hold a lot of truth about the nature of relationships and break-downs in communication. I am a sucker for a happy ending, though and admit that I am pleased we will hear Vig'a POV and that there will be a reconciliation.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

It was actually meant to be a standalone piece, but of course the little Viggo muse inside my head was all indignant and going "Hey, what about my side of my story, man?" so his POV popped up, then I caved in to my weakness for happy endings...*facepalm*

Still, I was absolutely happy and thrilled to read what you had to say, it really does mean a lot to me :) Thank you so much for the kind words!

[brigantine.livejournal.com]

The irony is painful - obviously Sean cares deeply about what's best for Viggo, which is why he's staying away, even though *he's* happier when Vig's around. Argh!

This part is fine just left on its own, but I confess I'm glad there are a couple of other parts coming along. Loves us a (hopefully) happy ending, we does. ;)

[clocks.livejournal.com]

Yes, sometimes I feel like knocking some sense into them! Men can be so stubborn sometimes with that whole pride and ego thing.

But yes, I'm giving in to my weakness for happy endings and I'm probably going to end up with a mountain of schmoop ;) But thanks for reading and commenting! It's always good to hear from you.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

"The good memories are easy to recall, the bad ones even more so."

A lovely sad, sort of Autumn-time piece of writing . . . it came over very well.

I love the idea that they all keep tabs on each other, so no one of them will ever escape the care of the others . . . but it made me yearn for happier times for them.

Just lovely.

[clocks.livejournal.com]

It never occured to me that this could be set in Autumn (I live in a country with virtually no seasons ;) but once you said it seemed like an autumn piece, it seemed soooo fitting. Thank you so much for suggesting that.

Also, thank you for reading and commenting, it's always great to hear from you!

[nanathecat.livejournal.com]

It's a very suggestive fic, I enjoyed assuming what made them break up: Sean may let of go Viggo for his future, or Viggo may hate to be with Sean anymore, or their circumstances had them choose this ending up... I do love the fic and can't but hope you'll write the sequel of it, maybe in Viggo's POV or in the happy-ending, though the fic is already perfect by itself!

[clocks.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you liked the ambiguity of it all, because it's never really stated exactly why they broke up, and it's usually better left to the imagination. There are definitely at least two more parts coming up, if you are interested. Thank you SO much for reading and leaving such nice feedback!

[moldava.livejournal.com]

Ouch, good to know you're not leaving them like this, even if it means that Transatlanticism stays on the back burner. They belong together.. *see icon*
Jokes apart, this hurts but in a brilliantly written, full of feeling way.
And I love Bernard the potted plant ;)

[clocks.livejournal.com]

YES yes they belong together! *claps hands together like an excited seal* And you still have my icon, yay!

Thank you SO much for your wonderful comments, it makes my day. And which also reminds me, I need to post Viggo's POV!

Hehe, I'm happy someone noticed the plant. He makes another cameo in Part 2!

Thanks thanks thanks again for reading!