| Title: Consorted Authors: Jo & Brenda Series: Claimed, part 3 Pairings: Karl Urban/Orlando Bloom/Harry Sinclair/David Wenham; (Sean Bean/Dominic Monaghan; Viggo Mortensen/??) Rating: NC17 Summary: New vamps, new pets...and, yeah. All of the old fave vamps & pets, too. Plus, Elijah goes on a date. *grins* Disclaimer: Vampires still don't exist. And we doubt any of these things ever happened. But, you never know. Author's Notes: As ever, you guys all rock. We are humbled & thankful that so many of you love these guys as much as we do. We hope this last part entertains. *mwah*
"Nothing really. Just talked to Karl earlier during a break." Dave smiled, his hand reaching out to brush back a strand of hair that had fallen across Harry's forehead. He'd been dying to do that for ages, it seemed. "It was...not quite what I expected." "What happened?" "We were civil if you can believe that." Dave grinned at Harry's expression. "We called a truce." "I'm glad to hear it." Harry placed a soft kiss on Dave's lips, wrapped Dave's fingers in his own. "Now, what else happened?" Damn. Dave realized he was going to have to get better at hiding things if he didn't want Harry to know about them. "He kissed me." "How did you feel about that?" One shoulder moved in what might have been a shrug. "I don't know. It was the last thing I expected him to do." Harry brushed his mouth across Dave's knuckles, eyes never leaving Dave's face. "Wasn't my question." Dave looked at Harry, was ensnared again by those amazing eyes. "I don't...it was nice, I guess. He's not you, but I think I can get used to him." Harry nodded, seemed content with that answer, because he just pulled Dave with him into the house, to Karl's library. "Were the two of you planning on standing out on the front steps all night?" Karl asked, grinning as he walked up, gave Harry a thorough kiss. And, Dave got the wind knocked out of him again when Karl kissed him again. That same slight touch of lips, but this time they lingered for a second longer. "Welcome to my home," Karl said, acting as if Dave had never stepped foot in the place before. Guess this was a bit different. "Thanks." Dave barely had time to get the word out before a streak of red crossed his vision and launched itself at Harry. He blinked, looked again. The red resolved itself into a shirt that was so bright it made his eyes hurt. And the shirt was on Orlando, who was currently wrapped, arms and legs, around Harry and placing tiny kisses all over the vampire's face. "Took you long enough," Orlando said as he unwrapped himself and dropped to the floor. "You talking to me or him?" Harry asked, only reluctantly pulling his one hand from Orlando's lower back. The other remained firmly entwined with Dave's. Orlando arched an eyebrow and looked at Harry and Dave's joined hands. "Both of you." He grinned again at Dave's choked snort of laughter. "Yes, well, believe it or not, little one, I like to take my time about things," Harry answered, pulling Dave to the sofa and sitting him down. "You want a drink?" "Sure," Dave replied. He sat there, unsure of what to do or say. So he contented himself watching Orlando trail after Harry to the bar. "You like to take your time about things?" Orlando asked, sounding as he didn't quite believe he'd head that correctly. "Since when? I don't seem to recall it taking you much time to...well...you know." "That was you," Harry said, dropping a kiss on Orlando's nose as he moved behind the bar. "And we took centuries to find you." "I love how he's acting like he was at the club now," Karl remarked, rolling his eyes as he seated himself in the chair across from Dave. "He was dead set against Orli at first," he told Dave in a conspiratorial whisper. "I was not," Harry argued, pressing a glass into Dave's hands. "Just thought I should meet him first, and I was right about that." Dave took a sip of his drink and watched the exchange with fascinated eyes. He'd never seen this side of the other two vampires. "First time you met me, you threw me up against the wall out there," Orlando pointed out, leaning against the back of Karl's chair, fingers dropping down to play in his hair. "It was the second time you met me that you realized you were enthralled by my considerable charms." "I was enthralled?" Harry didn't even bother to hide his amusement. He dropped next to Dave, automatically grabbing his hand again. "Old man, are you even listening to this?" "I'm thinking he needs another lesson is who's enthralling whom here," Karl smiled, hooking an arm around Orlando to bring him to his lap. Orlando curled up, resting his head on Karl's shoulder. "Promises, promises." He waved a hand towards the sofa. "Even Dave could see it. He told me I had you both wrapped around my pretty little fingers." Dave's jaw dropped. "I did not." "You did." Orlando nodded and grinned. "In your office the day I dropped the papers off for Vig." "Shit." Dave quickly lifted his glass to his lips, trying to hide behind it as two sets of amused eyes settled on him. It shouldn't have surprised him that Orlando would remember that comment. "Did you really now?" Harry asked, running his thumb across the back of Dave's hand. "What I really said was he 'could' have you both wrapped around his finger," Dave explained, unsure why he was even bothering. "I think you've got it a bit backwards there, love," Karl stated. Orlando hooted with soft laughter. "I let them think that," he said to Dave. "It makes it easier to deal with them." "Does it now?" Dave grinned as Karl rolled his eyes. His grin turned to a full-blown smirk when Harry's gaze moved back to Orlando. "Did you tell them that?" "And give away all my secrets?" Orlando sniffed haughtily. "I think not!" "Orli, you have no secrets," Karl reminded him with a soft kiss. "If you were any more transparent, you'd be invisible." Orlando snuggled against Karl and stuck his tongue out at Harry, who just laughed. "You could at least pretend to be wrapped around my finger once in a while, you know. Save me from looking like an idiot every time I open my mouth." "Nah, you just look like an idiot every other time you open your mouth," Dave shot back, grinning when Orlando's head jerked up and his mouth fell open. Karl closed it with a soft click, grinned. "Harry, I'm beginning to see Dave's appeal." "I'm thinking Dave wouldn't be so quick to malign that mouth if he'd ever had it." Harry threw his head back and laughed at Dave's dumbfounded expression. Orlando's raised eyebrows were the only sign that he'd heard Harry's comment. "Why do I put up with you people?" He asked no one in particular, then looked at Dave. "And you were supposed to be my friend." "I am." Dave shrugged, tried to look contrite. He knew he'd failed drastically when Karl laughed. "Doesn't mean I'm going to help them stroke your ego, though. Thought we had that sorted out already." "Now I'm positive I love you," Karl stated, with another laugh, nuzzling the side of Orlando's neck. "Honestly, Karl, you think I would claim anyone you wouldn't love?" Harry asked. Orlando pouted a little, remaining quiet for the moment as he laced his fingers with Karl's. "I seem to recall someone doubting that they'd love the one I'd claimed," Karl said in amusement. Dave looked back and forth, one eyebrow arched. Harry hadn't mentioned that. Of course, Harry hadn't really told Dave much about his relationship with Orlando. "The two of you are so much alike that I can't believe either of you would doubt the...other's..." He trailed off as he realized what he was saying. "I was wondering when you'd finally notice that," Harry said, wrapping an arm around Dave's waist, pulling him close. Karl watched the two of them calmly. "I tried to explain it to him earlier today." Orlando chuckled, stretched, and rearranged himself on Karl's lap. "Took you less time than it did me." He grinned at the looks he received. "Relatively speaking, of course." "Yeah, I guess." Dave leaned against Harry, his body a little stiff. He'd been witness enough times to the casual familiarity that Harry and Karl had with each other, but it was still a new experience to have any of it directed at him. "It's true though. Vig's been saying that for years. That you two are alike, I mean." "Smart guy, Vig." Harry grinned when everyone laughed. "You'd have to expect us to be alike, cariad," he told Dave. "We've been around each other a long time." "Oh, God," Orlando groaned and ducked his head to hide his smile. "You mean that's what I have to look forward to?" "Horrible thought," Dave murmured, biting his lip to keep from grinning when he caught Orlando's wink. He relaxed into Harry, felt warm fingers stroke his hip lightly. "I only doubted you because you claimed him without consulting me," Harry told Karl, returning to their previous conversation. "I never doubted I could love him after I met him." Karl shook his head sadly. "The faith you have in me never fails to astound me." "I'd tell you to blow me, but you probably would, and I'd rather not scandalize Dave just yet, if you don't mind," Harry replied, moving his hand down to Dave's thigh and squeezing lightly. "I think it's too late for that," Orlando said with a quiet snicker. "Actually, I'd probably be more scandalized if you blew him," Dave said before he could stop himself. He wondered if his face was as red as he thought while Orlando howled with laughter and Karl grinned broadly. "I could arrange that, if you like," Harry told him, brushing lips across his hair. "I wouldn't mind at all," Karl commented, ignored the slight slap Orlando gave his thigh. "Is he blushing?" Orlando leaned forward, almost tumbled off Karl's lap to the floor. He was saved only by Karl's quick arm around his waist. Wide blue eyes shifted to Harry. "You could..." Dave shook his head. No, he wasn't going to follow that thought to its conclusion. "And I'm not blushing." "Yes, you are." Harry gave him another kiss. //And very delightfully too, I might add.// "I knew it." Orlando gave Dave a smug smile as he leaned back, draping his legs over the arm of the chair. "Don't feel bad. They do it to me all the time." "Thanks. I think," Dave mumbled. Great, just what he wanted...to blush like a schoolgirl around Harry. He had the feeling that it wouldn't be the last time that would happen. //We can leave, if you're uncomfortable, have this conversation another time.// Harry moved his hand to rub the back of Dave's neck, and Dave almost purred in contentment. Christ, Harry's hands were just... //No, it's okay.// Dave twisted just enough to bring his body fully into alignment with Harry's as they sat there, side by side. //Have to get used to this sooner or later, right?// "So, does anybody in this room have any idea how the fuck this is going to work?" Karl asked, looking around at everyone. "Because, Harry and I don't mind admitting we're a bit lost here." "If you're lost, imagine how I feel," Dave said, sounding a little subdued. "We could all get naked. That was a joke, Harry," Orlando said. "So stop glaring at me." He paused, glanced at Karl. "This possibility never occurred to either of you, did it?" "I never wanted a pet," Harry explained gently. "Never wanted to be one, never wanted to have one." "Neither one of us was looking," Karl reminded him. "But," he shrugged, "things obviously change." "Well, now you have one," Orlando told Harry. "And you're getting another." His teeth worried his bottom lip as he sat there. "You never wanted one, but the pact you made with Karl...maybe you did but just didn't realize it." "This is all completely new to me," Dave said. "Until last night, I didn't even think a vampire could be a pet." Harry's hands moved to Dave's back, easing the tension in tight muscles. "I want you as my pet, but if you're not comfortable with them, then we don't have to do it. I'll take you as my companion." Karl absently played with Orlando's curls. "You have a choice, Dave." Orlando pushed his head back, bumping insistently at Karl's hand. Dark eyes watched Dave calmly. "Being a pet's really not that bad, Dave." He paused, clearly trying to decide if he should say what was on his mind. "It could be worse...Harry could be like Vig." Dave laughed at that, needing the small joke to calm himself a little. He watched Karl and Orlando for a moment, studied the way they seemed to anticipate the other's movements. The longer he watched them, the more convinced he was that the sometimes brazen, sometimes shy young mortal was perfect for Karl...and the more convinced he was that Karl loved Orlando deeply. And Dave wanted that, wanted that closeness. Wanted the permanence of the pet bond...wanted that mental connection, wanted the vows, the blood oath, wanted it all. The companion bond was so fragile, so brief, meant for mortals just for sex...but, maybe...? He glanced at Harry. "Be honest." His voice was quiet, calm. "Would you be happy with me as just your companion?" |