Chapter Nine - Glasgow
Title: Play the game
Author: Greenleaf
Pairing: Orlando Bloom/Sean Bean
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: violence, later on mpreg
Beta: the awesome jackieville
Disclaimer: Never happened, not mine. I’m making no money with it and remain a poor girl who only wants to write. I don’t know Sheffield United, nor how their firm is called. The B.L.E is completely made up by me. "The Old Tiger’s head" is a pub in Greenwich and I only borrowed its name.
Summary: Orlando and Sean meet under the most unusual circumstances and their lives change dramatically. Sean has to make a choice.
Feedback: Makes my day that much sweeter
Previous Chapters
Chapter Nine - Glasgow
Morgan had arrived at the scene way earlier than Orlando. He had stoically ignored the speed limit as adrenaline burned through his veins. Never before had his heart been beating so fast and violently. It almost hurt, as if it was trying to free itself from his chest. It felt good. It gave Morgan the reassurance that after all the things he had done in his life his heart was still there. He still had a heart and it was still beating. It was no icy lump. Maybe it had been until flames had melted it, and now it was beating furiously to celebrate its return to the world.
Everything had become a blur from the moment he started to car to the moment the screams and noises of a fight washed over him, swapping him away and making him part of this dark ocean. The blows to his body finally pulled him out of his reverie. It was like emerging from water. Breaking the barrier between a blurred world and sharp shapes, lungs filling with air again. The blur around him became clearer and he could finally make out the people surrounding him. Sean wasn't far away and Morgan fought his way through the crowd. When he grabbed Sean's arm the man whirled around, his fist already raised.
"Wait. I need ta tell ya something!" Morgan screamed hastily, trying to drown out the noises around them. Before Sean could reply he quickly went on.
"That boy o' yers, he's comin'."
"What?!"
At that moment Jack appeared on Sean's side, breathing fast.
"Too late. He's here already."
Sean's eyes followed Jack's gaze and every strength seemed to leave his body when he spotted Orlando standing some metres away. He felt as if his heart stopped beating for seconds when he saw Arnold and Bov making heading for his boy. The world around him seemed to stand still for seconds, until it started to move again with rapid speed, making Sean dizzy. He made a step forward and swayed, cursing under his breath.
"Bean..."
"Go and help him, for fucks sake!"
Morgan looked at Sean for a few seconds before he looked up and met Jack's gaze. They both nodded curtly before making their way through the crowd as fast as possible.
Sean closed his eyes and willed the dizziness away. He had nearly made it through the crowd when something hit his leg hard and he went down with a cry of agony.
~*~*~
Orlando took a few steps back, biting his bottom lip hard. What should he do? His thoughts were racing. If only he could grab Sean and run away with him, leave this nightmare behind. His breathing hitched when two guys separated from the crowd and ran towards him. Just when he was about to turn around he heard a scream and turned around again, spotting Sean lying on the ground, holding his leg. He stopped dead on his tracks. He couldn't leave.
"'ello lad."
Orlando took another step back. The man who had spoken was tall with close cropped hair. He looked rather ordinary except for the pure look of malice on his face. It made Orlando's blood turn cold. The second man was shorter but broader. Although there was no menace in his face his muscles and cold eyes made him just as frightening.
"Wonderin' what a pretty boy such as ye is doin' here..." The man grabbed his throat roughly, causing Orlando to gasp for air.
"Ye're Bean's boytoy, ain't ye? One might call it destiny than tha' the two o' us meet. I still 'ave a debt to settle with Bean." His fingers tightened and Orlando closed his eyes when his vision got blurry, his lungs screaming for air.
"Messed me up quite a few times, tha' boyfriend o' yers."
Orlando gasped and his lungs filled with the air he so desperately needed when the man finally released his throat. Only seconds later his fist collided with the side of Orlando's head.
However, before he could land a second blow the man was pulled back roughly and groaned when he was kicked in the stomach.
Orlando held the side of his head, looking at the two men who had just arrived, confusion shining in his eyes. Who were they?
"Fuckin' bastard," One of the muttered.
"Jack, keep 'em at bay."
The brown haired one nodded while the other one ran up to Orlando and grabbed his arm, dragging him from the scene.
"Listen, kiddo. Here are the keys for me car. Ye drive home and wait there. Don't leave the house again!"
Orlando nearly dropped the keys that were pushed into his hand.
"But...but I can't leave. Not without Sean," He protested fiercely and struggled to free himself from the man's grasp.
"Bean will be fine."
"No he won't! He's hurt! I saw it. I won't leave him!"
The man stilled.
"Ye saw what?"
Orlando's breathing was harsh, his whole body trembling.
"I saw that he was lying on the ground. Please, you have to help him."
The man's face paled a bit.
"Get into the car, kid, and lock it. I'll bring Bean." With that he ran off and Orlando was left on his own, the side of his face burning hotly. He didn't care. The hurt inside him was bigger. With shaking hands he opened the door of the car and got it, staring straight ahead and waiting.
~*~*~
Morgan ran as fast as he could, pushing everyone blocking his way away. There was Bean. He would've nearly sighed in relief, but the man was lying on the ground, blood on his face and on his clothes and his face unusually pale. He rolled over and tried to crawl away, but he was too slow and a foot connected with his side. Morgan tripped, but he didn't care. He jumped over Sean and yanked the bastard who had kicked him away, kneeing him in the stomach. Morgan let go off him and quickly pulled Bean to his feet, ignoring his groan of pain.
"Come on, mate."
"Lando...where's Lando?" Sean's eyes scanned the area frantically.
"He's in me car. And that's where I am bringing ye as well. Come on, we don't have any time."
Sean's foot was hurt and he leaned heavily against Morgan. They tried to make their way to the car as fast as possible, but they were not fast enough. Arnold and Bov soon spotted them. Jack was already bruised and at the end of his strength after fighting both of them, so it was easy for them to shove him to the ground and run. After seeing what direction Morgan and Bean were heading, it was obvious what they wanted to do.
~*~*~
Orlando's heart started to beat faster when two figures ran around the corner and towards the car. After a few seconds of relief he realised that it wasn't Sean, but the men who had attacked him earlier. He frantically locked the door of the car, not knowing what else to do. He was trapped. Orlando flinched when they started hammering against the windows, trying to open the door by force. He covered his ears and looked down, praying that it would all be over soon.
"Fuck!" Morgan and Sean had just rounded the corner only to discover that someone had been faster to get here. Sean was out of breath already, but seeing Orlando so frightened in the car caused adrenaline to rush through his body, giving him new energy.
"Ye bastards!"
"Bean, are ye crazy?" Morgan hissed. Bean was in no condition to fight, how were they ever going to make it to the car?
Arnold and Bov turned around and stormed towards the two men. Orlando looked up when the car stopped shaking, tears running down his cheeks. There was Sean, his Seanie, looking as if he was about to break down. Orlando took a deep breath and started the engine of the car with shaky hands.
Morgan did his best to keep them away from Bean, but there were only so many blows he could give and receive in a minute. Bean was dangerously swaying already. His attention was drawn to the car when it halted with screeching wheels next to them. Realising why Orlando had stopped Morgan used the confusion to yank the door open and push Sean inside.
"Drive!"
Orlando gripped the stirring wheel so tightly that his knuckles stood out white. As soon as the door was closed he stepped on the gas, wanting nothing more than to escape this dreadful place.
For minutes the car was only filled with the sound of Sean's raspy breathing. Silent tears ran over Orlando's cheeks. He had no idea where he was driving to; he just wanted to get away. Twenty minutes later he finally stopped the car and melted back into the seat, closing his eyes. His heart was still beating rapidly. Sean looked up, his heart clenching painfully when he saw the tears and bruised skin on the face of his love. He sat up carefully, biting back a moan of pain, and gently took Orlando's hand.
"Baby..."
"Don't baby me," Orlando hissed, although he clung to Sean's hand.
"You stupid bastard. You fucking idiot!" Orlando pushed Sean away forcefully. A look of guilt crossed his face when his lover collided with the door of the car and winced. He already had enough injuries.
"I deserved tha'," Sean mumbled, taking a shaky breath.
"I...I know it won't make things alright again but I'm so sorry, luv. I...I never wanted ye ta get involved in this."
Orlando closed his eyes and sat in silence for a minute before he slowly opened his eyes again.
"I can't do this anymore, Seanie. You...you have to decide what you want. Me or this...this hooligan shit."
"I'd always choose ye, ye know tha'."
Orlando sighed in relief. He had been afraid that Sean would hesitate.
"Than...than you need to stop all of this. Now. Not some when in summer. Right now."
Sean nodded and looked down, feeling ashamed.
"I know."
They both sat in silence for minutes.
"I'm still angry with you."
"I know."
Orlando sighed and drove home, his hands still covered in cold sweat and shaking a little. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts, the streets passing by in a blur. They seemed dark and dangerous and held no comfort.
~*~*~
Orlando helped Sean inside without saying anything. At the moment his emotions were still in turmoil and he didn't feel any pity for Sean's injuries. Sean's own stubbornness had led to it, after all.
"Go and get a shower," Orlando mumbled once they were inside, thinking that he couldn't bear the sight of all the blood a second longer. Sean nodded lightly and went to the bathroom, limping a little. Orlando sighed and collapsed on the couch, closing his eyes. He just wanted to sleep and wake up to find everything was alright again. He felt sick and exhausted. Biting back another flood of tears Orlando wrapped his arms around his stomach in an attempt to gain some comfort, hoping that their child wasn't aware of the things going on.
Orlando had no idea how much time had passed when Sean sat down next to him, showered and dressed in clean things. The blood was gone, the bruises remained. Orlando took a deep breath, still not opening his eyes.
"Are you okay?" He mumbled.
"Yes," Sean answered, feeling awkward. His whole body ached and throbbed with pain, but he knew that it would go away and that his injuries were not serious. He had had enough of them in his life already to know.
"Are you okay?" Sean finally asked, looking worriedly at Orlando.
"You and little one?" He added, almost shyly placing his hand on Orlando's still mostly flat stomach.
Orlando said nothing for a while before he nodded.
"I think so."
They sat next to each other on the couch for minutes, neither knowing what to say or what to do. The flat seemed so cold and unfamiliar all of a sudden. Alien. Neither said it, but both of them knew that they didn't belong here anymore.
"What are we going to do?" Orlando finally asked.
"I...I have some relatives in Glasgow," Sean mumbled. He knew that they couldn't stay here. One didn't simply leave a firm and be done with it.
"Glasgow sounds nice," Orlando nodded slowly. He had grown attached to Sheffield, but he didn't want to live in fear for the rest of his life. He wanted their child to grow up somewhere where they weren't in danger. Somewhere where people wouldn't know what happened. Somewhere where they could start all over again. He took Sean's hand with new determination and held it firmly, leaning over and pressing a kiss to his lover's swollen lips.
"Yes, Glasgow sounds nice."
~End~
Epilogue to come tomorrow
Author: Greenleaf
Pairing: Orlando Bloom/Sean Bean
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: violence, later on mpreg
Beta: the awesome jackieville
Disclaimer: Never happened, not mine. I’m making no money with it and remain a poor girl who only wants to write. I don’t know Sheffield United, nor how their firm is called. The B.L.E is completely made up by me. "The Old Tiger’s head" is a pub in Greenwich and I only borrowed its name.
Summary: Orlando and Sean meet under the most unusual circumstances and their lives change dramatically. Sean has to make a choice.
Feedback: Makes my day that much sweeter
Previous Chapters
Chapter Nine - Glasgow
Morgan had arrived at the scene way earlier than Orlando. He had stoically ignored the speed limit as adrenaline burned through his veins. Never before had his heart been beating so fast and violently. It almost hurt, as if it was trying to free itself from his chest. It felt good. It gave Morgan the reassurance that after all the things he had done in his life his heart was still there. He still had a heart and it was still beating. It was no icy lump. Maybe it had been until flames had melted it, and now it was beating furiously to celebrate its return to the world.
Everything had become a blur from the moment he started to car to the moment the screams and noises of a fight washed over him, swapping him away and making him part of this dark ocean. The blows to his body finally pulled him out of his reverie. It was like emerging from water. Breaking the barrier between a blurred world and sharp shapes, lungs filling with air again. The blur around him became clearer and he could finally make out the people surrounding him. Sean wasn't far away and Morgan fought his way through the crowd. When he grabbed Sean's arm the man whirled around, his fist already raised.
"Wait. I need ta tell ya something!" Morgan screamed hastily, trying to drown out the noises around them. Before Sean could reply he quickly went on.
"That boy o' yers, he's comin'."
"What?!"
At that moment Jack appeared on Sean's side, breathing fast.
"Too late. He's here already."
Sean's eyes followed Jack's gaze and every strength seemed to leave his body when he spotted Orlando standing some metres away. He felt as if his heart stopped beating for seconds when he saw Arnold and Bov making heading for his boy. The world around him seemed to stand still for seconds, until it started to move again with rapid speed, making Sean dizzy. He made a step forward and swayed, cursing under his breath.
"Bean..."
"Go and help him, for fucks sake!"
Morgan looked at Sean for a few seconds before he looked up and met Jack's gaze. They both nodded curtly before making their way through the crowd as fast as possible.
Sean closed his eyes and willed the dizziness away. He had nearly made it through the crowd when something hit his leg hard and he went down with a cry of agony.
~*~*~
Orlando took a few steps back, biting his bottom lip hard. What should he do? His thoughts were racing. If only he could grab Sean and run away with him, leave this nightmare behind. His breathing hitched when two guys separated from the crowd and ran towards him. Just when he was about to turn around he heard a scream and turned around again, spotting Sean lying on the ground, holding his leg. He stopped dead on his tracks. He couldn't leave.
"'ello lad."
Orlando took another step back. The man who had spoken was tall with close cropped hair. He looked rather ordinary except for the pure look of malice on his face. It made Orlando's blood turn cold. The second man was shorter but broader. Although there was no menace in his face his muscles and cold eyes made him just as frightening.
"Wonderin' what a pretty boy such as ye is doin' here..." The man grabbed his throat roughly, causing Orlando to gasp for air.
"Ye're Bean's boytoy, ain't ye? One might call it destiny than tha' the two o' us meet. I still 'ave a debt to settle with Bean." His fingers tightened and Orlando closed his eyes when his vision got blurry, his lungs screaming for air.
"Messed me up quite a few times, tha' boyfriend o' yers."
Orlando gasped and his lungs filled with the air he so desperately needed when the man finally released his throat. Only seconds later his fist collided with the side of Orlando's head.
However, before he could land a second blow the man was pulled back roughly and groaned when he was kicked in the stomach.
Orlando held the side of his head, looking at the two men who had just arrived, confusion shining in his eyes. Who were they?
"Fuckin' bastard," One of the muttered.
"Jack, keep 'em at bay."
The brown haired one nodded while the other one ran up to Orlando and grabbed his arm, dragging him from the scene.
"Listen, kiddo. Here are the keys for me car. Ye drive home and wait there. Don't leave the house again!"
Orlando nearly dropped the keys that were pushed into his hand.
"But...but I can't leave. Not without Sean," He protested fiercely and struggled to free himself from the man's grasp.
"Bean will be fine."
"No he won't! He's hurt! I saw it. I won't leave him!"
The man stilled.
"Ye saw what?"
Orlando's breathing was harsh, his whole body trembling.
"I saw that he was lying on the ground. Please, you have to help him."
The man's face paled a bit.
"Get into the car, kid, and lock it. I'll bring Bean." With that he ran off and Orlando was left on his own, the side of his face burning hotly. He didn't care. The hurt inside him was bigger. With shaking hands he opened the door of the car and got it, staring straight ahead and waiting.
~*~*~
Morgan ran as fast as he could, pushing everyone blocking his way away. There was Bean. He would've nearly sighed in relief, but the man was lying on the ground, blood on his face and on his clothes and his face unusually pale. He rolled over and tried to crawl away, but he was too slow and a foot connected with his side. Morgan tripped, but he didn't care. He jumped over Sean and yanked the bastard who had kicked him away, kneeing him in the stomach. Morgan let go off him and quickly pulled Bean to his feet, ignoring his groan of pain.
"Come on, mate."
"Lando...where's Lando?" Sean's eyes scanned the area frantically.
"He's in me car. And that's where I am bringing ye as well. Come on, we don't have any time."
Sean's foot was hurt and he leaned heavily against Morgan. They tried to make their way to the car as fast as possible, but they were not fast enough. Arnold and Bov soon spotted them. Jack was already bruised and at the end of his strength after fighting both of them, so it was easy for them to shove him to the ground and run. After seeing what direction Morgan and Bean were heading, it was obvious what they wanted to do.
~*~*~
Orlando's heart started to beat faster when two figures ran around the corner and towards the car. After a few seconds of relief he realised that it wasn't Sean, but the men who had attacked him earlier. He frantically locked the door of the car, not knowing what else to do. He was trapped. Orlando flinched when they started hammering against the windows, trying to open the door by force. He covered his ears and looked down, praying that it would all be over soon.
"Fuck!" Morgan and Sean had just rounded the corner only to discover that someone had been faster to get here. Sean was out of breath already, but seeing Orlando so frightened in the car caused adrenaline to rush through his body, giving him new energy.
"Ye bastards!"
"Bean, are ye crazy?" Morgan hissed. Bean was in no condition to fight, how were they ever going to make it to the car?
Arnold and Bov turned around and stormed towards the two men. Orlando looked up when the car stopped shaking, tears running down his cheeks. There was Sean, his Seanie, looking as if he was about to break down. Orlando took a deep breath and started the engine of the car with shaky hands.
Morgan did his best to keep them away from Bean, but there were only so many blows he could give and receive in a minute. Bean was dangerously swaying already. His attention was drawn to the car when it halted with screeching wheels next to them. Realising why Orlando had stopped Morgan used the confusion to yank the door open and push Sean inside.
"Drive!"
Orlando gripped the stirring wheel so tightly that his knuckles stood out white. As soon as the door was closed he stepped on the gas, wanting nothing more than to escape this dreadful place.
For minutes the car was only filled with the sound of Sean's raspy breathing. Silent tears ran over Orlando's cheeks. He had no idea where he was driving to; he just wanted to get away. Twenty minutes later he finally stopped the car and melted back into the seat, closing his eyes. His heart was still beating rapidly. Sean looked up, his heart clenching painfully when he saw the tears and bruised skin on the face of his love. He sat up carefully, biting back a moan of pain, and gently took Orlando's hand.
"Baby..."
"Don't baby me," Orlando hissed, although he clung to Sean's hand.
"You stupid bastard. You fucking idiot!" Orlando pushed Sean away forcefully. A look of guilt crossed his face when his lover collided with the door of the car and winced. He already had enough injuries.
"I deserved tha'," Sean mumbled, taking a shaky breath.
"I...I know it won't make things alright again but I'm so sorry, luv. I...I never wanted ye ta get involved in this."
Orlando closed his eyes and sat in silence for a minute before he slowly opened his eyes again.
"I can't do this anymore, Seanie. You...you have to decide what you want. Me or this...this hooligan shit."
"I'd always choose ye, ye know tha'."
Orlando sighed in relief. He had been afraid that Sean would hesitate.
"Than...than you need to stop all of this. Now. Not some when in summer. Right now."
Sean nodded and looked down, feeling ashamed.
"I know."
They both sat in silence for minutes.
"I'm still angry with you."
"I know."
Orlando sighed and drove home, his hands still covered in cold sweat and shaking a little. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts, the streets passing by in a blur. They seemed dark and dangerous and held no comfort.
~*~*~
Orlando helped Sean inside without saying anything. At the moment his emotions were still in turmoil and he didn't feel any pity for Sean's injuries. Sean's own stubbornness had led to it, after all.
"Go and get a shower," Orlando mumbled once they were inside, thinking that he couldn't bear the sight of all the blood a second longer. Sean nodded lightly and went to the bathroom, limping a little. Orlando sighed and collapsed on the couch, closing his eyes. He just wanted to sleep and wake up to find everything was alright again. He felt sick and exhausted. Biting back another flood of tears Orlando wrapped his arms around his stomach in an attempt to gain some comfort, hoping that their child wasn't aware of the things going on.
Orlando had no idea how much time had passed when Sean sat down next to him, showered and dressed in clean things. The blood was gone, the bruises remained. Orlando took a deep breath, still not opening his eyes.
"Are you okay?" He mumbled.
"Yes," Sean answered, feeling awkward. His whole body ached and throbbed with pain, but he knew that it would go away and that his injuries were not serious. He had had enough of them in his life already to know.
"Are you okay?" Sean finally asked, looking worriedly at Orlando.
"You and little one?" He added, almost shyly placing his hand on Orlando's still mostly flat stomach.
Orlando said nothing for a while before he nodded.
"I think so."
They sat next to each other on the couch for minutes, neither knowing what to say or what to do. The flat seemed so cold and unfamiliar all of a sudden. Alien. Neither said it, but both of them knew that they didn't belong here anymore.
"What are we going to do?" Orlando finally asked.
"I...I have some relatives in Glasgow," Sean mumbled. He knew that they couldn't stay here. One didn't simply leave a firm and be done with it.
"Glasgow sounds nice," Orlando nodded slowly. He had grown attached to Sheffield, but he didn't want to live in fear for the rest of his life. He wanted their child to grow up somewhere where they weren't in danger. Somewhere where people wouldn't know what happened. Somewhere where they could start all over again. He took Sean's hand with new determination and held it firmly, leaning over and pressing a kiss to his lover's swollen lips.
"Yes, Glasgow sounds nice."
~End~
Epilogue to come tomorrow