| 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*
Orlando thought there must be with all the pacing he had indulged in. But he wasn't nervous. Of course not. No reason to be nervous. He was only just about to bind himself to a vampire. And not just any vampire, either, but a Lord. And not just any Lord, but one of the three most powerful. A soft, only faintly hysterical laugh escaped him as he thought this must be how a bride felt on her wedding day. A quiet tap on the door preceded Dom's entry into the room. "How're you holding up?" "Like I just swallowed a whole flock of butterflies and they're all trying to do somersaults in my stomach at the same time," Orlando groaned. Dom grinned and watched him sink into a chair. "Nervous, mate?" "No, not at all. Whatever gave you that idea?" Dom just laughed. "Yep, definitely nervous." He seated himself on the arm of Orlando's chair, wondered if Karl was amusing Sean as much. And wondered if Sean was having as much fun. "Are they here yet?" Slim hands covered Orlando's face as he slumped. Dom didn't need to ask who 'they' were. He let his fingers stroke Orli's dark curls, noting how the other man leaned against him. "Sean is, of course. Vig got here about ten minutes ago. And I think your friend had just arrived when I came in here." "So we're waiting on...what's his name? Harry?" Unable to sit still, Orlando threw himself from the chair and resumed pacing. "Harry's not coming," Dom told him quietly. "What?" Startled, Orlando whirled to face the other man. "But Karl -- oh, God, he doesn't think Karl should do this, does he?" "No, no, no." Dom stood in front of Orlando and grasped tense shoulders firmly, lending him a bit of calmness. "This is something personal. Everyone expected it and knew Harry might not make it tonight. It's nothing to do with you." "Oh." Orlando's voice was soft, eyes bright with what Dom suspected were unshed tears. And he trembled. Not just his hands, but his whole body. Dom slid his hands up to cup Orlando's face, marveled at the breath-taking beauty. Grey eyes looked deep into brown ones. Apparently Karl hadn't seen fit to tell Orlando about him and Harry yet. Cocksucking...with a soft mental sigh, Dom schooled his features. The last thing Orlando needed right now was more stress. But Karl needed to tell Orlando about Harry soon. Otherwise Dom would do it. "I'll be honest, Orli," he said softly, gently. "The situation between Harry and Karl is complicated, at best. Harry is very protective of Karl's happiness. But once he sees you, sees how much you love Karl...he'll be okay with it, and he'll love you, too." Then he lifted up, almost on tiptoe, and placed his lips on Orlando's. There was nothing passionate about the kiss. It was soft and sweet and warm, friendly, soothing. Pulling back, he watched as one fat tear slowly rolled down Orlando's cheek. "Here now, none of that. Karl will beat me if you show up all puffy eyed." Another tear. Without saying anything else, he drew Orlando into his arms, holding him tightly as he cried, the tears gradually giving way to sniffles. "Sorry," Orlando mumbled against his shoulder. "Don't worry about it." Dom drew back. "Feel better now?" Orlando nodded and ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks." Dom studied him with a critical eye. A splash of cold water would take care of the tear tracks on his cheeks, and a brush would handle the mussed curls. Dom's hands reached out, straightening the silvery grey shirt, unbuttoning the top two buttons so soft skin showed. "Perfect," he approved, stepping back to get a good look. "I'm going to be sick." "No, you're not. It's just nerves." Dom took Orlando's hand and led him towards the bathroom. Cold water and a brush erased all but the very faintest traces of the crying jag. Satisfied, Dom pulled Orlando towards the door. "Wait." Desperation colored Orlando's voice. "What now?" "I have to go." "Go?" Dom blinked, confused. "You know." Orlando gestured vaguely and received a blank look in return. "I have to piss." Another blink and then Dom cracked up. "No, you don't. It's nerves, trust me." He pushed Orlando out the door. "Now come on. Karl's waiting to bite you." + + + Karl was not nervous. Vampires were not nervous. They were immortal, graceful, ageless, poised, calm, controlled beings. And he'd been one his whole life. He wasn't nervous. "Karl, sit down." Sean's richly accented voice washed over him like a balm, slowed his pacing. He took a deep breath, smiled back at only faintly amused green eyes. "God, I wish Harry were here." Sean continued to sit, elbows on knees, watched Karl with a cat-like gaze. "You know he'd be here if he could." "He needs to meet Orlando." Karl turned when he got to the wall, started in the opposite direction. "He'll meet him tomorrow." Karl continued pacing, crossed his arms in front of him. "He shouldn't be going through this alone." "It's the way he wants it. We've talked about this before." "I know." Karl stopped, looked at his friend. Knew that Sean was letting him babble about Harry to take his mind off of the ceremony, but was too grateful to care. "But we should be there." "Maybe. But we'll be here when he gets back." Sean was silent for a minute. "He's can't be happy he's missing this." "He's not. He should be here." Karl dropped to the chair next to Sean, buried his head in his hands. "God, I'm nervous. You weren't nervous." "I didn't have time to be," Sean laughed, clapping his friend on the back. "True. I've still never heard of a binding taking place so fast after claiming." Green eyes softened with love, and Sean's smile was a thing of beauty. "Dominic didn't hesitate, though." "I know." Karl moved Sean's hand to his, laced their fingers together, squeezed. "Karl?" He lifted his head at the sound. Sean just leaned over, kissed Karl on the cheek. And smiled again. "Orlando won't either." |