When Craigsie met Daisy ~ a Green Glass Interlude
by
Bluespirit

Fandom: Lord of the Rings RPS
Pairing: Craig/Dave (pre-Sean/Orlando)
Rating: PG
Summary: It had to be you….
Word count: 2 139
Series: The Green Glass Universe

Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction. The author is not making any claims as to the real life sexualities or preferences of the people portrayed here. This is purely for entertainment, not profit.

Notes:
1. This interlude is set within my Green Glass universe and happens approximately one year before the events of 'Green Glass'.
2. Love and thanks to Marialayne for invaluable Aussie help!

Orlando left the bustle of the tube station and stepped into the late afternoon sunshine. It was September but the whole country was experiencing a glorious Indian summer with balmy temperatures and cloudless skies. London was alive with the sense that these precious moments of stolen sunshine should be savoured - the good weather lifting spirits and raising smiles.

Covent Garden was busy, as usual, and Orlando strolled along the cobblestones towards the branch of 'Paul Smith' that Craig managed. He smiled at the antics of the street entertainers as they played to the happy throng of tourists and locals alike - all enjoying these last few summer days before the turning leaves began to fall and autumn took its misty, mellow hold.

Orlando pushed open the door and stepped into the stylish boutique, waving at the assistant behind the counter.

"Hi, Denise. How are you?"

"Great, thanks Orli," the young woman grinned. "The *Boss* is just in the back, he'll be out in a tick - I think he's plotting world domination via expensive clothing and the use of good hair products…something like that," she added with a wink.

At that a curtain parted and Craig swept in, looking as stunning as ever in hip hugging denim and a thoroughly over the top, riotous purple shirt. On someone else it may have looked kitsch but on Craig it looked simply fabulous. "Hey, I heard that, cheeky! You know that every evil genius should have at least some Versace in his wardrobe, if he truly means to rule the world in style!" He laughed, wagging a finger at Denise and then beaming in delight as he saw Orlando. "Sweet pea!"

"Hey, Craigsie," Orlando laughed, stepping into Craig's open arms for a hug.

"So - how was college? Learn loads, my little Olivier?" Craig asked.

"Amazing! I was a lizard!" Orlando said proudly. They'd been given the task of conveying the essence of an allotted animal and he'd worked hard on his performance.

"And I bet you were the best lizard that Guildhall has ever seen," Craig exclaimed affectionately, draping an arm around Orlando's shoulders.

"Well, my tutor seemed pretty impressed by my 'inner calm and stillness'," Orlando said.

"That is impressive - considering you're normally as fidgety as a bag of frogs!" Craig winked.

"Craigsie!" Orlando whined, a grin turning his lips upward.

"But you're my bag of frogs and I love you," Craig smiled, brushing a quick kiss to Orlando's cheek.

"You should have seen Dommie though," Orlando giggled. "He was supposed to be a meerkat and it was just hilarious, man - he kept popping up from behind stuff all through the class, you know, how they just like, keep a look out and then duck down? He kept doing it even after his turn was over - said he was 'thoroughly inhabiting his character' and 'becoming one with his inner mammal'!"

"I can imagine," Craig rolled his eyes and laughed. "That boy's never right, I keep telling you! Anyway, come and have a look at this - I've found the most adorable shirt that's just perfect for you and I happen to know that it's going to be in the sale next week."

They walked over to a display near the window and Craig held up a beautiful white linen shirt. It had an intricate design embroidered very subtly with pale yellow silk and fashionably wide cuffs edged in the same way.

"Oh, man - that's gorgeous!" Orlando said excitedly. "I love it - but do you think you'll have any left for the sale, like, in my size?"

Craig smiled slyly and winked. "Just you let me worry about that, sweet pea - perks of being the manager, eh?"

Orlando beamed at his friend and hugged him tightly. "Thanks, Craigsie. What would I do without you?"

"Probably wander around looking like a traumatised fashion victim - just like when I met you!" Craig grinned cheekily at Orlando's look of mock outrage.

"Remind me why I put up with you?" Orlando laughed.

"'Cus I'm your best friend in the whole world and you love me, sweet pea."

Orlando smiled fondly. "Yeah, that's it…my big brother."

They carried on chatting as Craig showed Orlando various other shirts and tops. They discussed Orlando's day at Guildhall and the classes that he was taking. It was his final year before graduating - and hopefully stepping into the wider world of the theatre - and the work was demanding but Orlando loved every moment. He was standing patiently as Craig held yet another shirt up against him when the door opened and a man entered the shop.

"Have I died, sweet pea?" Craig whispered dramatically. "Because I must be in heaven - look at that angel! Talk about a bod to die for!" He grinned, nodding his head in the direction of the newcomer who was now looking casually through a selection of jeans on a stand near the door.

Orlando laughed quietly at his friend's usual outrageousness and glanced over at the man. He appeared to be about Craig's age but a little taller and broader, with a shock of strawberry blond hair. He wasn't what you'd call classically handsome but he was certainly attractive and had lovely blue eyes.

"So what do you think?" Orlando asked with a nudge as Craig stared. "He looks pretty straight to me."

"I know what you mean, sweet pea. He looks all ruggedly tanned and sporty - but you know how finely honed my gaydar is," Craig winked, "and there are sirens going off loud and clear, I can tell you. I think that boy may just be mine…."

Orlando giggled. Craig was incorrigible - an out and out flirt but with a romantic side too. Despite his flamboyance and party-boy image, Orlando knew that his friend was actually very particular when it came to his love life. They were similar in that respect, though Craig was a lot more experienced and had had boyfriends in the past whilst Orlando was still resolutely waiting for 'the one' - his white knight - the man that he was going to fall in love with.

"So? Are you going to talk to him?" Orlando asked.

Before Craig could answer, the phone rang and Denise beckoned Craig over with a whispered, "It's for you - head office."

"Won't be a minute, sweet pea," Craig smiled and went to take the call.

Orlando amused himself by looking through the racks of designer clothes, all of it much too expensive for his poor student's budget but luckily Craig had a way of finding him end of line bargains at mega knock-down prices. He was so lucky to have such a good friend. As he continued to browse another man came into the shop, banging the door loudly as he did. He was dressed rather flashily and was talking loudly into a mobile phone that appeared to be welded to his ear.

"…yeah, well just fuck off, all right!" He shouted abruptly, snapping the phone shut and clipping it to his belt. He looked and sounded thoroughly unpleasant.

Orlando saw Craig look up sharply and heard him begin to wind up his telephone call as Denise approached the man.

"Is there anything that I can help you with, sir?" Denise asked politely.

"Yes, you fuckin' can!" The man snapped, holding up a shirt. "You can get me this in a bigger size."

"I'm very sorry but that's the largest size that we have in that style but if - "

"What kind of a fuckin' shop is this?" The man interrupted, throwing the shirt back on the display. He'd seemed annoyed and irritated when he walked in but was now becoming downright threatening and obnoxious.

"Is there a problem, Denise?" Craig asked smoothly, after quickly finishing his call and moving to the young woman's side.

"Yes, there fuckin' is!" The man interrupted again, his expression angry. Orlando was beginning to get worried - the man looked drunk and seemed ready to fly off the handle at any moment.

"If you could just calm down, sir," Craig said quietly, ushering Denise away to the safety of the counter.

"I'll do what I fuckin' well want," the man shouted, clearly getting more and more aggressive. "And I don't need some fuckin' nancy boy queer telling me to do anything," he sneered, taking a step forward into Craig's personal space and poking him hard in the chest.

Just as Orlando began to get really scared that the man was going to hit Craig, he saw a flash of movement and suddenly the man was being hauled backwards, one arm twisted behind his back. It was Craig's 'angel' - he had the man in an arm lock.

"I don't think there's any need for any of that, now is there, mate?" He was saying as he calmly propelled the now spluttering man towards the door. "Why don't you just go and sleep it off and not bother these nice people anymore, right?"

The man was struggling but was clearly out-matched as he was 'escorted' to the street. With a final sullen shrug he sloped away, muttering under his breath.

Orlando had been rooted to the spot during the flurry of activity but now rushed over to Craig. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, sweet pea," Craig said, hugging Orlando. "But I think that I have someone to thank," he added, smiling into kind blue eyes as the first man came back into the shop.

"No worries, glad to help," the man replied, his voice warm and strongly accented. Orlando thought that he sounded Australian, maybe. "That bloke was a right bloody galah, no mistake! He didn't hurt you, did he?" He sounded concerned and was looking at Craig with an almost tender expression.

Craig shook his head. "No, I really am fine - honestly. Thank you again."

"He won't come back, will he?" Orlando interjected worriedly.

"No, that kind's all mouth and trousers - just a big bully," the man smiled reassuringly, before his eyes returned to Craig once more. "Oh, my name's Dave by the way." He added, holding out his hand.

"Well, I really am grateful, Dave, " Craig said, taking the offered hand and holding onto it. "I'm Craig and this is my friend Orli. That was so kind of you, coming to my rescue like that - I'm sure that I don't know how to thank you properly…my avenging angel." He smiled sweetly, looking up a little flirtatiously through dark lashes before squeezing Dave's hand once more and letting go.

Orlando hid a grin and busied himself looking at some belts on a nearby rack as he saw Dave blush slightly - he appeared momentarily flustered before returning Craig's smile. "Um, well, I was wondering if you might like to go for a drink with me, maybe tomorrow night?" He asked. "Do you like the footie 'cus they've got a live match showing at 'Walkabout'…?"

"I hate football," Craig said before grinning and linking his arm through Dave's. "And I'd love to watch the match with you…say about eight?"

Orlando smiled as Craig and Dave moved away, chatting easily. It looked like Craigsie and his hypersensitive gaydar had been right after all - Dave was all his ….

Orlando sighed quietly, thoroughly pleased for his friend but feeling just a little heart sick. When would he find his hero, a white knight of his own? He was out there, he was certain, and when they met Orlando would just know and that would be it - happily ever after….

Orlando looked over at Craig and Dave as they stood together laughing over something that Dave was saying - their mutual attraction and chemistry was as obvious as the smiles lighting their faces.

Orlando smiled softly. Yeah, he'd have that someday - share that kind of bond. His white knight was out there too…somewhere….

The end


Note:
A galah is the name of an Australian bird and is used as a derogatory term like fool.

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