| Title: Cherished Authors: Jo & Brenda Series: Claimed Pairings: Karl Urban/Orlando Bloom/Harry Sinclair Rating: NC17 Summary: Vampires and pets and sex, oh my. Yeah, it's an AU. Disclaimer: As far as we know, vampires don't exist. Cha. Author's Notes: *Brenda points to Jo* It was all her fault. I just went along with it. *Jo points back at Brenda* Her Karl had designs on my Orli. She liked the idea so we let them play. This is what happened. *mwah* *Brenda & Jo look around, then whisper* But it's really *all* Harry's fault and if he says otherwise, it's a lie! For the other 1/2 of the Quartet. *mwah*
Karl heard the question clearly, even over the loud thumping of the techno-beat spilling from the speakers. "Viggo..." he started, then looked up, smiling, as Harry walked up to the table. "Sorry I'm late," Harry said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. Karl motioned for Harry to sit, and Harry slid into the booth beside him, heavily muscled body barely fitting in the small space. "Why do you have to choose these god awful niteclubs?" he grumbled, nodding to Sean, Dom and Viggo, who were seated across from them. "I like the music." Karl leaned over, gave Harry a slow, soft kiss, twining his fingers with Harry's on top of the table. "Better than trolling around dorm rooms looking for fresh-faced college girls." Harry grinned, his smile wicked and knowing. "I like 'em young." Dom rolled his eyes. "And stupid." "Less fuss." "Can we get back to the subject?" Viggo asked, gazing at Karl. "We're talking about your pet. Tell me how things are progressing." "Yes, tell me about my competition for your affections," Harry teased, grazed Karl's knuckles with his teeth. Karl smiled back, the gesture as intimate as a kiss. "Harry, you know as well as I do that there isn't any. He's been in my life for four days, you've been in it for how long now?" "857 years this July." "Funny, you don't look a day over 30," Karl stated softly, brushing a lock of dark brown hair out of Harry's eyes. "Good skin care products," Harry replied, eyes softening with love. "God, the two of you are so fucking frightening when you've been away from each other for a few days," Sean observed. Harry snorted, gestured at Dom, who was practically curled up on Sean's lap. Dom just winked at Harry, who shook his head. "The way all of you are all over each other gives me a goddamn headache." Viggo's statement was met with raucous laughter. "Poor Viggo," Dom cooed, leaning forward to brush soft lips against Viggo's cheek. "Having to put up with all this tweeness." "Suck it up, Gramps," Harry winked. Viggo gave Harry an amused look. "You're lucky I love you." "Karl, you were telling us how things were progressing with the young Orlando?" Sean said. "Yeah, I was. Very well, so far," Karl said, toying with his glass. "He's highly adaptable, which is a plus. Quick on his feet, sharp brain, good eye. Asks a lot of questions." "Yeah, I liked him," Dom said. "He was smart, seemed to have a good head on his shoulders." Viggo nodded, lifted his glass to his lips. "All useful things." "What about his skills in bed?" Sean asked, green eyes twinkling. Karl should have known that question would be next. "Sean..." "Oh, come now. Don't be shy." Sean's voice dropped, but it still cut through the loud bass of the music. "We're all friends here." "Some of us don't wish to be that friendly," Viggo shuddered. "Vig, you need to get laid," Harry drawled, tracing lazy circles on Karl's hand with blunt fingers. "Been there, done that." Viggo waved off sex with the boredom of only the very ancient. Sean smirked. "You know what we really need?" "To get Viggo a pet," Dom finished, grey eyes impish, nose wrinkling with mirth. "Christ, spare me the horror of having to live with someone." Viggo shuddered, drained his glass of cognac. "I've got enough to deal with looking after these two." He gestured to Harry and Karl, who merely smiled back at him. Sean tapped a finger on the table. "So? Orlando? Bed? All that or no?" Karl's eyes went soft. "Oh, he's beyond all that. Willing to please, open to everything, body made for sin. And his mouth..." He stopped, sighed, and grinned when everyone laughed. "Ah, knows how to use his tongue," Sean grinned. "Good for him." Viggo lounged back, tracing patterns on the chrome table with elegant fingers as he sipped his drink. "So, when do we get to meet him again?" "Friday." "Friday?" Dom sputtered the word, choking on his pint. "Things progressing that well, hmm?" Sean asked, slapping Dom on the back. "Karl just wants to fuck him through the mattress as soon as possible," Harry said. Karl closed his eyes, sighed deeply. "Christ, puppy, you'll understand when you meet him. If I don't get inside that body soon, I will fucking explode." Harry's laughter was rich, belly-deep. "I don't know if I should be pissed or flattered." "Why?" Karl blinked, looked at Harry with a bit of puzzlement on perfect features. "Karl, I'm the only person who's ever made you lose that damned control of yours." "Well, be flattered, then." Karl sipped his drink, eyeing Harry over the rim. "I told you he was like you." Harry smiled, shook his head in defeat. "Well, for God's sake, don't do anything before the ceremony. You'll kill the child before I get the chance to meet him." "I am waiting. But it's killing me." "And him as well, I'll warrant." "Harry's just jealous that no one wants to put up with him long enough to be claimed," Dom joked. Harry let out a booming laugh, and Karl grinned. "I've always liked you, young Dominic," Harry said. "Your cheek is one of your more admirable qualities." "Watch how you use the word cheek when you're talking about my pet." "Harry barely puts up with me some days." Karl lifted his and Harry's joined hands, kissed them. "True. Well, time to get going," Sean stated, scooting out of the booth. Dom followed, stretching. They looked down at Harry and Karl. "You two coming?" They made no move to get up. "In a minute," Harry said. Viggo shifted his lean, toned body out of the booth. "Catch up with us when you're done." Karl nodded, and the others left, swiftly cutting through the crowd. Harry drained his drink, tightened his grip on Karl's hand, tawny eyes searching, even in the low light. //Are you absolutely sure about this?// Karl would have been annoyed at the question, had it been anyone else. But this was Harry, his closest friend, most cherished confidant, lover of eight centuries, partner in all things. //Positive. He's perfect for me, perfect for us.// "So, it's like that, then." Harry stated, slumping back, pulling Karl with him into a loose embrace. "You've fallen in love with the child." "You will, as well, Harry, I promise." "I've no doubt he is beyond beautiful. And charming." Harry waved aside these reasons as if they were nothing. "You wouldn't allow anything less. But this is such a big step. For the both of us. We've only talked about this in vague terms, and you're getting ready to make it a reality. I want you to think about what you're doing." "Harry..." "I say this out of love, you know this." Harry's voice was now soft, yet no less intent. "It's just been the two of us for so long. Are you certain you're ready to let someone else into our circle?" Karl turned, brushed Harry's cheek with his free hand, placed the softest of kisses on Harry's lips. "Harry, I'm sure. I love him." The other vampire nodded, dark hair swaying across his wide forehead. "Well, I can't wait to meet him. I'll do my best to be there. But Lauren just took a turn for the worse and..." he let his voice trail off. Karl understood the rest of the unspoken sentence. "I know." "Alright, enough of this fucking male bonding. I'm thirsty and not for more of these god-awful watered down concoctions this over-priced trendy club calls a drink. Shall we?" He shifted his body out of the booth, stood, looked down at his lover with smiling eyes. Karl could only laugh as he allowed himself to be pulled up. "After you." |