| 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*
"Harry, darling, look at you. The picture of barely restrained violence, as always." Harry tilted his head back, counted to twenty -- twice -- before turning to face Viggo's personal assistant. And the fucking bane of his fucking life. Laughing blue eyes in a strikingly pretty face topped by spiky strawberry-blond hair looked back at him. "Dave." Harry inclined his head in one smooth motion. David Wenham grinned, showing the tips of sharp canines. "Harry," he replied, name rolling off the young vampire's tongue like honey. And even Harry could admit the child's athletic build, shown to perfection in a dark blue three-piece suit, was stunning. Pity about that annoying personality, though. Ah well, whoever it was that said looks weren't everything was spot on. "I mean, who knew you'd clean up so well," Dave continued, feasting on the almonds resting in one palm. "A suit. Italian, no less. Forest green is very you." "Funny, Sean would disagree with you," Harry muttered. "Come again?" "Nothing." Harry straightened, ignored the slight tug at the sight of rumpled hair and bedroom eyes. The boy annoyed him on an hourly basis. "Look, I'm already in a bad mood, child. So, save the barbs for tomorrow." Harry turned to leave, was stopped by the sound of pure, rich laughter. He turned back, saw Dave shaking his head. "Honestly, you need to pop out into the real world every once in awhile. Stop chasing every war you can, get in touch with your inner politeness. You're at a party. People make small talk. Engage in meaningless conversation." "Precisely why I hate the fucking things." Another cheeky grin had Harry gritting his teeth in frustration. Dave stepped closer. "I could take care of your attitude problem." Harry was almost afraid to ask. "How?" Dave's look was slow, unhurried. "How do you think?" God, the child was baiting him again...just like always. Harry took a deep breath, opened his mouth to make a scathing retort. And shut it just as quickly. Who in the world was that wrapped around Karl's new pet like a monkey? Kissing Karl's new pet like a lover? And it was love. Even from over here, Harry could sense it. "Dave, who is that?" "Who?" "That." Harry cocked his head in the direction of the corner, where Orlando and this whomever were still wrapped around each other. Dave peered more closely, shrugged. "I have no idea. Quite cozy though, aren't they?" Harry nodded, his mind not really on Dave. He watched with narrowed eyes as Orlando and this person finally let go of each other. And his eyes grew considerably darker when Orlando wrapped his hand in that of the other man and dragged him off toward the stairs. What the fuck...? Anger, grief, love, uncertainty, fear...it all came bubbling up to the surface so fast Harry felt dizzy. No. It wasn't, couldn't be, Karl wouldn't choose a pet who was that stupid...but God, it had all happened so fast. Less than a week. If Orlando hadn't truly meant his oath...Harry didn't even want to think about it. A vampire was incredibly vulnerable to a pet. That's why the claiming of one was so rare. A quick glance around showed Karl was nowhere in sight. Alright then, Harry would get to the bottom of this himself. He would find out where this new pet's loyalties were. Harry had spent his entire long life protecting Karl, and if the eternal idiot hadn't thought to ask the proper questions -- and Harry had no doubt that he probably hadn't been thinking very much at all when it came to Orlando -- then Harry was going to ask them for him. He stalked off after Orlando, leaving a confused and concerned Dave behind. + + + "Come with me." Orlando blinked and meekly followed as Elijah grabbed his arm and pulled him into a quiet corner. There, Elijah turned and wide blue eyes full of concern studied Orlando intently for a long moment. "Okay," Elijah finally said. "What's wrong?" "Just tired," Orlando murmured, exhaustion seeping into his voice. "Bullshit." Elijah frowned, hands on his hips. "I know you. Now what's wrong?" Orlando sighed, rubbed his eyes with one hand. "I really am tired. And all this --" he gestured vaguely "-- it's all been a bit much." "You're not still worried about screwing up, are you? From what I can tell, everyone's been absolutely enchanted with you. Just like I said they would be." "Yeah, I guess." "Orli, we've been friends for years." Elijah gentled his voice. The last thing he wanted was to upset Orlando. "Talk to me." Talk to him. Talk to Elijah, his best mate. It was, without a doubt, a damn good idea. Orlando leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. His thoughts were so scattered that it took him several minutes to figure out where to start. He knew in his heart that, out of everyone there, Elijah was the one person who would really listen to him. And there would be no judgments, no reprisals, for anything he said. "I really am tired." Orlando opened bloodshot eyes, and looked out at the crowded room. "I haven't gotten much sleep this week, and tonight has just been a bit much. Trying to remember who everyone is and what company they're with -- my brain feels like cheesecloth right now." "Maybe you're just trying too hard." Elijah continued to study Orlando with a critical eye. Orlando knew if he looked half as bad as he felt, then Elijah was right to look as concerned as he was. "Maybe if you relax it'll be easier to deal with. You just need a good night's sleep." "Maybe," Orlando mumbled. He didn't sound convincing. "I don't know. Maybe I --" "Have you talked to Karl about any of this?" Elijah frowned when Orlando shook his head. "Why not?" "I can't. I have to be perfect for Karl." No. Remain calm. This isn't the time to lose control, damn it. Not with so many people still here. "Fuck that," Elijah snapped. "You're not perfect, and I can't believe Karl expects you to be perfect. And if he does, he's a fucking asshole and I'll damn well tell him so." "Lij, please." Orlando knew he was dangerously close to tears. And he was determined not to cry again. "Karl thinks I'm perfect, so I have to be perfect." "Maybe he thinks you're perfect like you are." Elijah looked frustrated. Orlando just gave him a blank look. Muttering under his breath, Elijah started again. "You're such a dork. Think for a minute, would you? You were the manager of a damn clothing store when he picked you. He knows you're not a business tycoon, for crying out loud! I'm sure he doesn't expect you to know everything in a week. You told me he thinks you're perfect, right?" Orlando nodded, not trusting himself to speak. "Okay, so he thinks you're perfect now. Just like you are. If you change, become something you're not...how can you still be perfect?" "Maybe." "You know I'm right." Elijah rested his hands on Orlando's shoulders, stepped closer. "Now tell me what's really bothering you." Startled, Orlando looked down. He managed a weak smile that quickly faded. "I don't think Harry likes me." "Harry? Karl's friend?" Elijah looked around. "He's here?" "Yeah, Karl introduced us a little while ago." "So why do you think he doesn't like you?" Orlando shrugged, eyes dancing away. "Just a feeling. He was...cool, distant. And him and Karl were all over each other before they bothered to tell me who he was." "You're jealous," Elijah said in sudden understanding. "You've never been jealous before, not about anyone." "I've never been in love before either," Orlando pointed out, uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken. "You didn't see Harry. He's everything I'm not -- strong, confident, powerful, handsome. And I think Karl loves him." The last was delivered in a whisper. "God, Orli...so what if Karl does love him? Karl picked you. He claimed you and made you his pet. Not Harry. Think about it. If he wanted Harry, why the hell did he pick you and not him?" "I don't know," Orlando mumbled and, to his horror, felt a tear slide down his cheek. "Oh, man...come here." Elijah stepped closer and pulled Orlando into his arms, hugging him tightly. Orlando clung to Elijah, arms curled around Elijah's smaller body, face turned to press against the smooth skin of Elijah's neck. He cried softly, biting his lip in an effort to keep from sobbing. It felt good to cry, to be held, to be wrapped in the strength of true friendship. "Come on now," Elijah said softly and stepped back. Gentle fingers wiped Orlando's cheeks before cupping Elijah cupped Orlando's face with his hands. "Feel better?" Orlando nodded, his hands on Elijah's waist. "A little." "Good." Elijah kissed his cheek, hugged him again, wrapped his body tightly around Orlando's. "I love you, you know that." "I love you, too," Orlando mumbled. "Thanks." "Anytime, dork." Neither of them noticed the tawny eyes that watched them closely. |