| 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*
He grinned, realizing that the first chance he'd get would be in just a few hours after the party was over and he was curled up in bed with Karl. What was that Dom had said? Oh, yeah. Just catch him after sex and he'll listen. "So where are we going?" "To the basement," Orlando replied, almost laughing at Elijah's expression. "I thought I'd show it to you real quick since Karl's awake. Plus it's quiet down there and I...I think I need that for a few minutes." "Okay, if --" "Orlando, I'd like to talk to you." Both men froze at the soft, steely voice that came from just behind them. Elijah's eyes were wide, and his hand gripped Orlando's tightly. Slowly, afraid he recognized that voice, Orlando turned. And his eyes went wide as he swallowed and took a step back. "Harry." Orlando swallowed again, hard, at the smile he received from the vampire. "Um, of course. What was it that you needed?" "To talk to you. Privately." Eyes like chips of dark amber glittered in the light coming from the end of the hallway. They seemed to glow with an inner fire. Beautiful, yet deadly. And so very fucking captivating. Orlando found himself staring into those eyes, unable to think, unable to breathe, unable to move. "Orli?" Elijah's voice sounded faint, far away. Without taking his eyes from Harry, Orlando gently disengaged his hand from Elijah's and gave him a gentle push. "It's okay. Let me talk to Harry, and then I'll show you the basement." Good. He sounded calm, confident. It was a shame he didn't feel that way. "Go on, mate. This'll just take a...a minute, I'm sure." Harry smiled again. That smile had Orlando fighting the urge to back up. He vaguely heard Elijah's footsteps moving down the hall. Fuck. Shouldn't have done that. Shouldn't have sent Elijah away. Now Orlando was alone, in a shadowed hallway, with a vampire who didn't seem intent on reassuring him that this was just a friendly, get to know you chat. "So, um...what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Orlando was proud of how calm his voice sounded. It didn't shake a bit. Well, not really. Just the very faintest tremble when he first started to speak. Those dark eyes watched him, narrowed slightly, and that large body loomed over him. "Tell me about the ceremony," Harry said. His voice was soft, silky...and so controlled that Orlando shivered involuntarily. Harry noticed and smiled again, the smile never once touching his eyes. "The...what?" "The ceremony. Surely you still remember it." Oh, God. No, don't back up. He's just trying to intimidate you. And fuck if it's not working. "I do," Orlando said, his voice soft and unsteady. His tongue slid along his bottom lip, his eyes remained locked with Harry's. "I'll never forget it." "So tell me about it." Harry took another step forward, his body effectively blocking Orlando from returning to the party. "Was it normal?" "N-normal? I-I suppose it was," Orlando stammered. Fuck, fuck, fuck. He'd been right. Harry did not like him. He was positive of it. And he had no clue what he had done wrong. Or maybe he hadn't did anything wrong. Maybe Harry just didn't like him -- would never like him -- because he simply wasn't good enough for Karl. "You suppose?" One dark eyebrow lifted, but Orlando didn't get the impression that Harry was amused. "You don't know?" "No, I...Karl didn't say it wasn't normal." Another step forward for Harry, another step back for Orlando. Shit. He should have never sent Elijah away. No, that was wrong. Elijah would be completely defenseless against Harry. He knew that. He, at least, had some protection against the other vampire just by being Karl's claimed pet. "You couldn't judge for yourself?" Harry asked, his low voice wrapping around Orlando's brain, sending tremors up his spine. "N-no. I...I didn't know what to expect when Karl claimed me. I didn't know anything about what would happen." Orlando licked his lips, stepped to the side. Felt dismay when Harry side-stepped with him, keeping that large, heavily muscled body between Orlando and the only escape route in sight. "You let a vampire claim you, and you didn't know what would happen?" Orlando shook his head, barely registering Harry's blink at the admission. "Are you stupid, child?" Harry studied Orlando's eyes intently, then shook his head. "No, you're not stupid. Karl wouldn't have claimed you if you were stupid. So why'd you do it?" Orlando took another step back, freezing when his back touched the wall. Trapped. "I...." He paused, took a deep breath. Just relax. Harry won't do anything to hurt you. Karl won't let him. "Because I...I wanted it." "You wanted it?" Harry blinked again, frowned, eyes narrowed as they scrutinized Orlando closely. "You didn't know what to expect, but you wanted it?" "Yes." "I take it back. You're not stupid, you're insane." Harry braced one hand against the wall by Orlando's head in a casual move. "Do you know that if you'd pulled that shit on me, you'd be dead now?" "I didn't --" "Why Karl?" Harry was relentless. Orlando's eyes darted around, searching for some way to escape. "Why did you pick him? Was it the power? The wealth? What made you choose Karl?" "What?" Confusion clouded Orlando's eyes, and he stared up at Harry, unable to follow the conversation. He had the overwhelming urge to flee, knew he had to get away right now. Right the fuck now. "Karl picked me. I didn't --" "You can tell me." Harry leaned closer, so close Orlando could feel the intense heat radiating from his body. His voice softened, became seductive, compelling. Orlando shook his head, trying to rid himself of the dizziness that swept over him. "I want to be your friend, Orlando. Be honest with me...tell me why you picked Karl." "I...he picked me," Orlando whispered, mouth dry. "I don't know why he did. I just...I didn't ask him to, he just did...in the club. He came up and he...he...and I saw him and wanted him, and...and it was like he was the other half of my s-soul." "Did you really want him, Orlando?" Warm breath wafted across Orlando's cheek, made him shiver again. He closed his eyes, wanting to be anywhere but here. Anywhere but trapped between Harry and the wall. He was sure the wall would move before Harry did. "Or did you want what he could give you?" Harry continued. "Was it the money? You can tell me, child. We're going to be great friends, you and I. Was it the power?" "It wasn't any of those," Orlando murmured, his eyes opening again only to find Harry still watching, still studying. "It was Karl." "Just Karl? Tell me, little one." Orlando flinched at hearing the familiar nickname fall from Harry's lips. "Is it the gift you want?" "G-gift?" "Do you crave what he gave me all those centuries ago? The strength, the immortality, the control? Tell me. Is that why you picked Karl?" "I...I just want Karl." Orlando bit his lip to keep from whimpering. "That's all. Just Karl. I...I need to get back to the party." Orlando made to duck under Harry's arm, desperate to get away from the sheer overwhelming force of the vampire. "No, no, stay here a minute. Let's get to know each other, shall we?" Quickly, so quickly Orlando had no time to react, Harry pinned him against the wall with his body. It was like being trapped against velvet-coated steel. Fear and exhaustion made him weak at the knees. Don't panic. He's Karl's best friend. Don't panic. "You really are exceptionally beautiful," Harry said, dark eyes studying him much like Orlando would imagine one would study a painting. "Are you truly so beautiful all over, I wonder?" "What..." Orlando licked his lips nervously, tried to back into the unyielding wall. "What do you mean?" "Has Karl told you about us?" Harry murmured, running his hand over Orlando's jaw. He tried not to shiver, tried not to shake, tried desperately not to think of those hands running over him. "Has he told you that we share..." Harry's voice dropped, became a seductive purr in Orlando's ear "...everything?" Orlando shook his head, mute. Was Karl really planning on sharing him with this...warrior vampire? Oh God. Dom had most assuredly never fucking mentioned this might be a possibility. "Perhaps we could invite your pretty friend to join us." "Friend?" Orlando was honestly surprised he was able to get the word out of his throat. "The fresh-faced sprite with the big blue eyes." "Lij?" Fresh terror swamped him at the thought of his friend at the mercy of the huge hands still running gently over his jaw and throat. "What is he to you? A lover, perhaps? Former boyfriend? Partner in crime?" What was Harry talking about? He swallowed, held captive by sinful eyes and hands stroking slowly over his throat. "He's...he's just a friend. My old roommate." Harry leaned in further, pressed so close against him that Orlando could feel every one of the muscles in Harry's chest, smell the rich, earthy scent of him. "Is that what they're calling it these days?" "Calling what?" Christ, Harry's eyes were like a hawk's. He was captive, he was prey. He was trapped. Help. God, someone help him. "I saw you embrace him. Love, Orlando..." Harry bent to Orlando's neck, sniffed the flesh there. "I can smell it on you." Don't panic, don't panic. "I...he's my friend." "Do you think your friend might like to join us?" "Please..." Harry lips were now right up against Orlando's ear. "Please what?" he whispered, voice raspy. "Please don't hurt him." Harry's eyes registered confusion for a brief moment. And then Harry's weight was off of him and he was across the hallway, with Karl's hand on his throat, looking like a very murderous knight in shining armor. Orlando slumped down the wall, legs giving out. "Karl!" Viggo rushed in, Sean right behind him. They both just stopped, sighing, as they watched Karl throw Harry up against the opposite wall. Interrupting them at this point would just mean more bloodshed. Dom and Elijah raced in, hot on Viggo and Sean's heels, but they barely spared Harry and Karl a glance. Instead, they ran over to Orlando, dropped beside him, and Orlando turned into Elijah's lap, shaking from sheer overwhelming exhaustion and relief. Karl had come. The second Karl's hand closed around him, Harry yanked it off, shoved Karl away from him. Karl shoved back, fangs bared, and it was all the invitation Harry needed. With a growl, he sent Karl sprawling to the floor with a tackle. Karl's fist connected with his ribs, and Harry reciprocated with a hard punch to Karl's solar plexus. He jumped up, eyes and stance murderous as he waited for Karl to make his next move. "I hope nothing is breakable nearby," Dave stated, strolling up, hands in his pockets. "Well, it wouldn't be the first time they've destroyed this house fighting," Sean remarked, not taking his eyes from his two friends. Viggo ran his fingers through his hair, sighed. "Of course, it usually ends up in sex." "I don't think that's going to happen tonight, Vig," Dave replied, watching the two vampires with fascination. Neither Harry nor Karl paid them any attention. |