Title: Lining Up The Shot
Author: Jo
Series: Hedonism, part 2
Pairing: Karl Urban/Lawrence Makoare
Rating: PG
Summary: Karl watches and wants, but not really
Disclaimer: This never happened. Of course, it might have, but they didn't see fit to tell me about it. Which is a shame really, because the image is quite lovely.
Author's Notes: Written for the contrelamontre "show-don't-tell, jealousy" challenge. Mega thanks to sarcasticchick for giving me this bunny. *mwah* Written in 17 minutes.


"No, no, Orli. Like this."

Karl leaned against the bar, only faintly amused as he watched Lawrence attempt to teach Orlando how to play billiards. Long fingers tightened around his beer bottle, but the rest of him stayed perfectly still as he watched. Watched Orlando mess up yet another shot. Watched Lawrence stand behind him in an effort to get Orlando positioned correctly.

He refused to notice how good they looked together, like mocha and honey. He'd seen better. The bottle of beer dangled, forgotten in his hand, condensation dripping to the floor, and Karl refused to notice that as well. He also wasn't noticing the way Lawrence's body curved around Orlando's as he helped him line up the shot. Nope, definitely not noticing that.

Hazel eyes narrowed just a little as Lawrence shifted, bent forward, chest pressed against Orlando's back, arms around Orlando. All he was doing was showing the kid how to hold the cue correctly. That was all. Really. Quite innocent, in fact.

Karl snorted softly in disgust. He wasn't sure who he was trying to convince, but it certainly wasn't himself. After all, he didn't need convincing. Not at all. Didn't need to tell himself that Lawrence wasn't pressed as tightly to Orlando as it appeared. Didn't need to tell himself that Lawrence's hands lingered just a second too long on Orlando's before Lawrence stepped back. Didn't need to tell himself that Orlando's smile was just a shade too bright as he sank the ball and turned to leap on Lawrence, arms and legs wrapping around the much larger frame as Orlando hugged him.

And Karl certainly didn't need to tell himself that he wanted Lawrence's hands, Lawrence's body, on him as he watched the tall Maori help Orlando with another shot. Cause he didn't. Want Lawrence's hands on him. Nope. Not him. Seriously.

He smiled when Lawrence glanced over and grinned at him. Told himself once again that it was innocent. Of course it was. He knew that. Right. Another full body hug from Orlando had Karl looking away, pretending not to notice. But he wasn't pretending. Of course not. He didn't pretend.

"Kid'll be a decent player with a little practice," Lawrence said, voice a deep rumble in Karl's ear. Karl ignored the arm that brushed his as Lawrence reached for his beer. He also ignored the way his body reacted to that light touch. Except he wasn't ignoring it. His body hadn't jerked just a little when Lawrence touched him. It hadn't. And it certainly wasn't tingling from that touch. Nope, definitely not. It wasn't.

"Hey." Lawrence's voice was closer. Karl didn't turn his head, pretended not to hear. Only he wasn't pretending. Not him. He didn't do that. But he was surprised when gentle fingers grasped his chin, pulled his head around so dark, liquid eyes could look into his.

Karl didn't say anything. He just stood there, looking at Lawrence. And Lawrence was frowning. Just a little, but enough.

"Who am I going home with?"

"Me," Karl replied to the softly whispered question.

Then, Lawrence smiled, brushed a light kiss across Karl's lips. "Exactly. So stop."

"I wasn't...." Karl's voice trailed off when those dark eyes pinned him in place. He wasn't...hadn't...okay. So maybe he had. Just a little. Right.


~fin~