| 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 turned from the glittering view of the city below, faced his friends. He'd known as soon as he left his house that they would be here, waiting for him. Word of his very public claiming would have no doubt reached them, and he owed them answers. "Go ahead, Vig. I know you're dying to say something." All eyes turned to the sofa and the vampire who sat there. Viggo Mortensen was not only the Head of the Council and one of the eldest among their kind, he was also a cherished friend to them all. Even if he was an interfering ass most of the time - although he'd claim that was a privilege of being who he was. "I'm just wondering if you're sure about this," Viggo said, ice blue eyes looking straight at Karl. "You're how old now?" "928," Karl answered, even though he knew the question was rhetorical. "And now you want a pet?" "I've always wanted one, you know that." "Well, I think it's fabulous," Sean said, from his seated position in the chair next to Viggo. His slow, sexy smile transformed his already handsome face into something more beautiful "Give my Dominic here someone to talk to." "Someone to bitch with, you mean," Dom smiled, comfortable on the arm of Sean's chair. Sean simply curled a hand around his pet, squeezed. "Why him? Why now?" "You haven't seen him." Karl shrugged, the movement unconsciously elegant. "He's so fearlessly perfect. Dark eyed, dark skin, dark hair...but with such purity in his soul. When you meet him, you'll understand. He's so much like Harry..." "And what's his name again?" Sean asked. "Orlando." "Unusual name," Sean mused, shifting his lean body a bit to better accommodate Dom's weight as his pet slid onto his lap. "Wait a minute..." Dom's grey eyes widened a bit. "Lean, graceful, mop of black hair, sun tattoo on his hip?" It was Karl's turn to look puzzled. "How did you know?" "I know him. He's the manager of Throb. It's the shop on Melrose where I buy your shirts," he told Sean. "Ah yes, I believe you've mentioned him." Sean kissed the top of Dom's head, the gesture automatic and loving. "What did you think?" "I like him. He seems nice." "Karl, what are you going to tell Harry?" It was the uppermost question on everybody's mind. Trust Viggo to be the one to bring him up. "What about him?" Karl asked, tapping the stem of his wine glass with delicate fingers. Viggo tilted his head, studied Karl. "You do realize this will change things, yes?" "I don't see why they should have to. Harry knows his place in my life," Karl stated. "He could have chosen this, you know that." "Yes, but you love him more because he didn't," Viggo stressed. "True." It was Harry's stubborn independence that had captivated Karl from the very beginning. Precisely why Orlando was different -- he wanted this in a way that Harry never could. "Harry knew this was a possibility. We've talked about it." "Talking and doing are two different things," Sean pointed out, running his hands down Dom's arms. "What would you say if he came back from Hong Kong with a pet and you'd never even met him?" "I'd trust his judgment." Karl's words chipped like ice. "Harry would never choose anyone that I couldn't love. Harry will love Orlando." "Yes, but what about Orlando?" Dom asked. "What will he say when he finds out?" "Orlando will find out when the time is right," Karl answered. "I'm not going to dump the knowledge on him just yet. He needs time to adjust to his role in my life first before I go introducing him to Harry." "You should tell him now, while he still has the chance to back out," Sean stated. "Backing out isn't an option. You know that." "In any case, it's a moot point," Viggo stated, shrugging a sinewy shoulder. "Karl's made his claim, made it very publicly." He stood, stretching his lissome body. He brushed blond strands of hair from his face, locked gazes with Karl. //You're going to have to tell Harry something.// Karl's answering thought was immediate. //I know that. I'll tell him later tonight.// Viggo smiled. "Good enough," he said aloud. With that statement, Viggo vanished like mist out the back door. Karl made a move to follow him, stopped. "Dom, can I ask you a favor?" "Anything, you know that." "Could you look in on Orlando tomorrow? If you've the time?" Dom looked up at Sean, who nodded. "Of course I will," Dom promised. "He'll be wanting a friend, I'm thinking. Someone who's been there." "Thank you." Karl looked at both Sean and Dom as he said it, saw Sean look back in understanding. "I'll see you in a bit, Sean?" The other vampire nodded, and Karl swept out of the room in silence. Sean and Dom made no move to leave the chair. Dom just snuggled in closer, listened to the slow, steady heartbeat under his ear. "Explain a few things to me." "Of course." One of Sean's hands moved up to stroke Dom's spiky blond hair. "What the hell is going on?" "Vig's just looking out for the two of them, as usual," Sean answered. "That's not what I meant." Dom played with the buttons of Sean's shirt almost absently as he looked into the face of his lover. "Why is Karl doing this, choosing Orlando as a pet?" "I don't know." Sean leaned his head back, pulled Dom with him. "This Orlando must be extraordinary. Karl and Harry have rarely gone outside their relationship the entire time I've known them." "But, Orlando hasn't been claimed. Karl could change his mind if Harry objects, right?" Sean shook his head. "He hasn't gone through the ceremony, no. But Karl claimed him in front of many witnesses at that club. Other Council members were there. And Karl made the first move, let everyone know he wasn't being coerced, that this was his choice. No going back, unless this Orlando changes his mind. Which, I'm gathering, he won't. Harry is just going to have to deal with it." Dom snorted. "You try telling him that, then." "I just hope I'm there when Karl tries to explain things to him." Both of them smiled at the thought. Harry and Karl were two of the most stubbornly entertaining people. "Someone really should explain things to Orlando," Dom said, gazing at Sean with a serious expression. "He needs to know." "But you're not going to be the one to tell him." Sean's eyes were stern. "It's not your place." "Fuck my place, Sean..." "Dominic." The tone was absolute. "He's Karl's responsibility. The eternal idiot can't be that oblivious that he won't talk to Orlando about all of this." "Why doesn't Karl just go ahead with the ceremony now, then?" Dom asked. "Harry can't rightly yell if Orlando's already Karl's pet." "I'm sure you've realized by now that Karl is a man who likes to take his time over things." Dom nodded. Sean continued, still playing with the ends of Dom's hair. "Orlando is going to have to want to be claimed, regardless of how long it takes." "You didn't take your time with me," Dom pointed out. He had been claimed and had gone through the ceremony within hours of meeting Sean. Neither one had ever looked back. "I didn't need to." Sean smiled when Dom slapped his arm. "You have such an ego. I don't know why I put up with it." "Because you love me." Sean smiled down into loving grey eyes and returned the look with one of his own. He moved his other hand up to briefly stroke the silver charm on Dom's neck -- a symbol of Sean's claim and love. "Most vampires do use a bit of enthrallment, though, in the beginning. Karl won't. So, it will take time to build the trust that is needed for the ceremony." "I will never get all of these little rules you guys have," Dom stated, shaking his head. "That's why you have me, pet." Sean pulled Dom back into his embrace, held him tightly. "I know just how Karl feels. I remember how I felt. 600 years old and I had never felt anything like I felt when I first saw you." Dom smiled in memory, impish features softening. "I was lost the moment you looked at me. Honestly, your eyes should be declared illegal on the open market." Sean laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "After 80 years, you'd think I'd know how your mind works." Dom rolled grey eyes. "Whatever. If I was predictable, you wouldn't have chosen me." "No, probably not." And Sean's eyes darkened. His smile got a bit of an edge and fangs peeked out from his lips. "Now, come here and show me how happy you are with me." Dom's answering smile was mischievous as he raised his lips to Sean's. "With pleasure." |