FIC: Recovery - 2/2, PG13 (Orlando Bloom, Harry Sinclair, Karl Urban, Katie McGrath)
Title: "Recovery" 2/2
Authors: Brenda & Jo (azewewish & idiosyncratic)
Featuring: Orlando Bloom, Harry Sinclair, Karl Urban, Katie McGrath
Rating: PG-13
Click here for full disclaimers and notes.
Back to Part One
"Well, yes, I mean..." Orlando trailed off as what he'd said finally struck home. "Oh. Oh Lord." He was never going to learn to think before he spoke.
"You know, that blush really is delightful," Karl remarked, tracing Orlando's cheek with his finger.
"Shut up."
"To answer your real question, I'd never met anyone like her," Harry said, with that same far-away look he got when her name came up. "Karl and I'd had our share of lovers by that point, but this was something different. She was different, from the very start."
"Love at first sight," Karl supplied, then laughed when Harry shook his head. "Don't act like you're surprised I knew. Even if we weren't bonded, it was obvious what you two had was something more than just an itch to be scratched."
"I've never even met her and I could tell you that," Orlando snorted. "Harry gets all soft and gooey when he talks about her."
Harry's eyebrows shot up. "Gooey?"
"Gooey," Karl reiterated. Orlando could feel the shudder of suppressed laughter ripple through him.
"You could give marshmallows lessons," Orlando continued, with a wide grin. "I mean, you go from being this big and bad medieval warrior god to being, well, gooey."
Harry opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Orlando asked, "So why didn't you ever, I dunno, develop something more permanent with her?"
"You mean like the iunctum ceremony?" Harry asked, sounding puzzled.
"Yeah, that. Whatever it is that Dave and Lawrence have. The vampire marriage or whatever."
"You are joking," Harry stated, then frowned again when Orlando just sat there. "You're not joking."
"I never joke about marriage," Orlando replied primly, hoping he didn't sound completely ridiculous.
"Because in every sense of the word, I already am married. And have been for centuries." His gaze flickered to Karl, then back to Orlando. "Which is also why, if and when you and I are ready to take that step to become Sire and fledgling and you're a vampire again, I wouldn't go through the iunctum ceremony with you, either."
//He says if we become Sire and fledgling like it's not already a done deal.//
Karl choked out a laugh, and Harry gave him a puzzled look. Orlando just smiled, pleased that he'd been able to focus enough for Harry to not overhear his remark to Karl. Then he pushed himself to a sitting position and studied Harry. "What makes you think I'd want to go through the iunctum ceremony with you? For that matter, what makes you think I want to get married to anyone? Besides, if I married you, my Nan would have a heart attack, and she's far too old and frail for me to do that to her. See, this is a phase I'm going through."
"Becoming a vampire or being pet to me and Harry?" Karl asked, looking amused and affronted at once.
"Both."
"I always did love your Nan," Karl replied, then fixed Harry with one of his serious looks that Orlando knew meant Harry wouldn't like whatever it was Karl was going to say (but he'd listen). "Puppy, I love you, you know this. But if the only reason you never went through the ceremony with Monica was for my benefit..."
"No, that's not it." Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, then let out a slow breath. "It's not the only reason. I love her. I always will. What we have is...unique and I cherish it. But I don't want to go through the ceremony. And if I had ever wanted to, it would have been with you, not anyone else."
"Fair enough," Karl said, sounding like whatever it was that Harry said a) wasn't a shock, and b) pleased him in some way. "You know I've only ever wanted you to be happy."
"I know." Harry smiled softly. "And I am, I promise."
"Thank goodness we got that settled," Orlando stated, with more than a hint of sarcasm. "Though don't even think you're kicking me to the curb if the two of you ever do decide to get married or do the iunctum thing or whatever."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Karl smiled, pulling Orlando close again.
"Good." For a moment, Orlando debated asking Harry to come sit with them. He decided against it when he realized it would be much harder to gauge Harry's reactions and expressions if he wasn't facing them. "So riddle me this...if you love her, why do you go so long without seeing her?"
Once again, Orlando had the feeling that Harry didn't want to answer. But, after what looked like a silent conversation with Karl (Orlando could always tell when they were having one), Harry offered, "I don't normally go more than a few months without a visit."
"I see." Orlando drawled out the word. "And she's been alright with you neglecting her to see to my recovery?"
"She does have a life," Harry said, sounding a little more like himself. "It's not like she locks herself into a tower and pines for me whenever I'm not around."
Karl let out an amused chuckle. "I'd like to see anyone try to suggest that she should, to be honest."
"Right," Orlando muttered, with a grimace. "Brazen hussy. I remember."
Karl brushed a kiss to Orlando's curls. "She really is a lovely woman, you know. There's no need to be afraid of her."
"Of course she's lovely," Orlando said, almost wincing at how quick the words came out. "I mean, Harry wouldn't have been with her this long if she wasn't. And I'm not, y'know, afraid of her. Not really. Intimidated is a better word."
"Whatever the word," Karl laughed, "there's no need. She won't eat you alive, and trust me when I say she's going to like you for the same reason you like her."
Right, he knew that. He made Harry happy in ways that Monica (and Karl, really) couldn't. Made sense. Still though, as Lawrence had gleefully informed Orlando, Monica was apparently a hell of a lot of woman. And Orlando didn't have to meet her to figure out that she probably intimidated a lot of men.
Rather like Katie, when he thought about it. He pondered that idea for a moment, then slid a look at Harry.
"What?" Harry asked, wary as he eyed Orlando in return.
"Oh, nothing, really," Orlando said, and smiled his most charming smile. "Just wondering why, since the two of you are so in love with each other and have been since practically that first meeting, well...why did the idea of having a child together never come up?"
His bond with Harry went instantly cold as Harry's face shuttered. The only sign of emotion was a slight twitch along his jawline. Even his voice was frigid. "That's none of your business."
Karl shook his head minutely when Orlando opened his mouth to speak. //Let me.// "Puppy," Karl started, but Harry shook his head.
"No." He bit out the word. "I won't discuss this."
"He has every right to hear it," Karl argued, and with a silent apology to Orlando, gently moved Orlando off of him so he could cross the room back to Harry. He slid to his knees in front of Harry and cupped his chin, ignoring Harry's unnatural stillness. "I know you don't want to go through that loss again. I don't either," he murmured, but loud enough that Orlando could hear every word. "But you can't blame him for being curious."
"Don't, Karl."
"Harry -"
"I'm sorry," Orlando said, hugging a pillow to his chest as he looked at Harry. "I didn't...I know you said you didn't want to again, but I meant before, y'know...when Lauren was still alive or before she was born, even. I just...I'm sorry." He stopped and looked down for a moment, trying not to think of how the bond felt just then. "Do you know I've never even seen a picture of her?"
Karl turned to give Orlando a puzzled glance. "Lauren?"
"Yeah." Orlando cleared his throat, half wishing the floor would open up and swallow him whole. "I mean...I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Karl squeezed Harry's hands, and leaned in to give him a soft kiss. "You don't have to stay."
Harry's mouth tightened, but he didn't move. "I'll be alright."
"Wait here," Karl instructed Orlando (like Orlando was going to run off, seriously), then walked out of the room. A tense, uncomfortable silence reigned - Orlando was afraid to actually look at Harry - before Karl returned and dropped a photograph on Orlando's lap before returning to Harry's sofa to sit next to him.
Orlando didn't move at first. Then he reached down and slowly picked up the photo. It was an old picture, showing a slender woman in what looked to be her fifties or early sixties. She had Harry's eyes and the same dark hair flowing in loose waves around her shoulders. And she was laughing.
"She was beautiful," Orlando said, quietly, eyes glued to the photo. He set it back in his lap, but didn't look up. There were so many things he wanted to ask, to know, but he remained silent. He'd made such a mess of the conversation so far that he was sure Harry would kill him if he said anything else.
"Orlando?"
Looking up, Orlando found Karl watching him. Harry was looking in his direction, but Orlando wasn't entirely sure if Harry was looking at him. So he just smiled a little and tried to reach through the bond. "I'm okay, just...thank you. For showing me this."
"I'm just sorry you never had the chance to meet her," Karl replied softly. "She would have adored you."
"You think?" Somehow Orlando didn't think Lauren would have appreciated anyone who put that wounded look in her father's eyes.
"Absolutely." Then Karl nudged Harry's shoulder. "Harry, why don't you go out with Dom and Sean tonight so I can get some quality time in with Orlando?"
"Hmm?" Harry gave Karl a blank look, like he wasn't sure what Karl said or even where he was. "Go out with Dom and Sean?"
"Excellent idea, I'm glad you thought of it," Karl smiled, and Orlando had to appreciate the cleverness in Karl's ruse. "I'll join you later, after I've got Orlando settled."
"Alright." Harry stood, still looking a little lost, and kissed Karl goodbye before crossing the room to Orlando. "Enjoy your evening," he said. The kiss he bestowed on Orlando was soft, gentle.
When Harry went to turn away, Orlando reached out and caught his wrist. "I love you," he said, trying to convey everything he felt through their bond. It must have worked, because the look in Harry's eyes faded a little. "Have fun tonight."
Harry nodded. "I picked up those books you wanted," he said, dragging a fingertip along Orlando's jaw. "Make sure Karl gives them to you." He was out the door a moment later.
For a long time, Orlando stared after Harry in silence. Then he slowly looked at Karl. "Is this where you carry me upstairs, tuck me in, and tell me what a prat I just was?"
"No. This is where I come sit beside you and you ask me all of the questions I know you've been dying to ask," Karl said, and reclaimed his spot next to Orlando on the sofa. "I know you didn't mean to upset him, love. And he knows it, too."
"He's never going to open up about her, is he?" Orlando asked sadly, picking at a loose thread on his blanket.
"When prodded, he will. A little bit. The trick is knowing how to ask and when to ask. You'll learn," Karl added, placing his hand on top of Orlando's.
"So how do I when to ask? And what to ask?" Orlando twisted his hand to lace their fingers together. "Y'know, he told me once that I reminded him of her, but every time I try to get him to talk about her..."
"He freezes up."
"Pretty much, yeah." Orlando sighed, then tipped over to rest his head on Karl's shoulder as he picked up the photo again. Lauren really had been lovely. "I wasn't trying to piss him off by asking about a baby. It just doesn't make sense to me that they've been together however long they have and feel the way they do about each other and the subject never came up."
"That's because Monica's always known not to ask," Karl replied. "Born vampires are rare, and conceiving them isn't without risk."
"And Harry didn't want to risk losing her?" Orlando guessed.
"Harry's never dealt well with losing people he cares about." Karl's face shuttered for just a moment, then it cleared. Orlando wondered who he was thinking about. "Monica's adopted over the centuries, raised children a dozen times over, and Harry's always been involved in their lives, but it's not the same. Not for them."
"No, I don't suppose it would be." Orlando kept studying the picture, searching for...he didn't know. A clue, maybe, some sort of sign about how he needed to approach Harry, to get him to talk. "It's not healthy, y'know, the way he keeps everything bottled up inside like he does."
"I know."
"I bet Lauren would have hated that he does it," he whispered. "I know I do. He doesn't always have to be the strong one. I mean...well...it's all tied up with that weird code of honor knight thing he has or is or whatever, isn't it?"
"Partially," Karl said, so seriously that Orlando put the picture down again to give him a sharp look.
"What's the other part?"
"I..." For a brief moment, it looked as though Karl would say whatever was on his mind. But the moment passed, and Karl shook his head. "I can't," he finally said. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Orlando shrugged, even though he was disappointed. "I know you two have your secrets, and that's fine." Mostly, he added to himself. "I just wish I knew how to get him to open up about her. Lauren, I mean."
"He seems to do alright when asked specific questions about her," Karl said, seemingly relieved at the change of subject. "But it's not like he opens up on a whim about her, not even to me."
"So how do you suggest I get him to open up to me? Because he's only ever talked about her once with me, and that was the night you left me on his doorstep ten years ago."
"Well, you could -"
"And don't give me that crap about asking him specific questions," Orlando said, focused and barely hearing Karl's voice. "He's never even shown me her picture, even though I've asked if she looked like him."
"Orlando, that -"
"I suppose I could ask Sean if you don't have any ideas. He's given me good advice recently where Harry's concerned."
"ORLANDO."
"What?!" Orlando snapped, then froze when he got a good look at Karl. "Oh, um. Sorry."
"You've never asked me about her."
"Well, no, I mean, she's not your..." His voice trailed in horrified silence as what he'd been about to say hit him. He wouldn't have blamed Karl in that moment if Karl had walked out of the room and left him. "Karl, I'm...I'm so sorry. I know, I mean, I know she was your daughter, too." He couldn't believe he'd been about to say something so callous, even unconsciously.
"It's alright." Karl squeezed his fingers again. Thankfully, he didn't look upset. "But if you're more comfortable talking about how to bring up Lauren to Harry with Sean, I'll understand."
"No, I..." Orlando stopped, mortified as he felt a flush sweep across his face. Even though Karl had never asked about the night he'd spent with Sean, the last thing Orlando wanted was for Karl to think he preferred to talk to Sean, especially about such a personal matter. "I don't. I'd rather talk to you."
"Alright then," Karl said, and Orlando had the distinctly uncomfortable feeling that Karl was laughing at him.
Orlando took a deep breath. "So, um, tell me what I should do. Because the last thing I want is for him to go all Ice King on me like he did just now. That was bloody scary."
"Scary?"
"Don't tell me you haven't felt it."
Karl wrapped an arm around him to hold him close. "He really scares you?"
"Well, yeah, I mean, he just...shuts down," Orlando shrugged, but snuggled into Karl's warmth. "It's like he's not there."
"In some ways, he's not. But you have to keep pushing him. Allow him his space at first, but push later on. You know that."
"I know. But how soon is too soon to push? And how long is too long? Because he does this every time I bring up Lauren. And the baby issue..."
"Would it help to know that Lauren wasn't planned?"
Taking note that Karl didn't answer the main question, Orlando looked at him again. "She wasn't? But I thought..."
"No, she was an accident," Karl smiled. "A beautiful, joyous, well-loved one, but still an accident. Frankly, I'm not sure Harry's ever wanted to bring a child into this world."
"So why do you think that is? Because I didn't have to see them together to know he was an amazing father." An elbow found Karl's ribs, shoving none too gently. "And answer the other question."
"He's grieved long enough. We both have," Karl added, softly. "Now's the perfect time to ask about her."
"It is?" Orlando asked, more than a little confused.
"Right now, he would deny you nothing. Use that to your advantage."
It sounded as though Karl was encouraging him to hit below the belt, so to speak. "Isn't that playing dirty?"
Karl just grinned. "Since when do you fight fair, love? All of those charming smiles and eyelash fluttering and cozying up to either of us or Dave when you want something? What would you call that?"
"That?" Orlando waved his hand in a lazy gesture. "That's just me following Viggo's advice."
"Viggo's..." Karl burst out laughing, and the vibration of it rippled through Orlando, making him smile. "That's right, he did tell you that years ago, didn't he?"
Orlando just gave him a smug look. "And you say I never take anyone's advice."
"I stand corrected."
Taking Karl's hand again, Orlando turned it over and traced the palm with his forefinger. "So why haven't you ever talked to me about her?"
"Because you've never asked me, remember," Karl said quietly.
"I -" Fuck. Orlando briefly wished for the sofa to swallow him whole, then bit his lip and met Karl's gaze. "I'm sorry, you're right. Will you tell me about her?"
He knew he'd said the right thing when Karl simply asked, "What would you like to know?"
"Everything."
"Tall order."
"I've waited a long time. I have a lot of questions."
"She was lovely," Karl said, and his voice got a faraway sound to it. "From the moment Harry and I found out Diane was expecting, we knew that the child would be the most important person in our lives. We'd made so many arrangements, changed our lives so we could settle in Spain to be near Diane, and when she died..." He let out a mirthless sound. "There we were, two vampires without a clue on how to raise a baby, and only Harry's promise to Diane on her deathbed to go on. I was terrified every day that I'd hurt Lauren by accident, that something would happen... But she'd always look at me with those big, beautiful eyes that held so much trust, so much love... I knew I'd give up anything just to keep her safe and happy."
"I know how she must have felt," Orlando murmured. Then, in a normal tone: "So tell me about her childhood. Did she take after Harry, or Diane?"
"A bit of both, actually." Twisting, Karl sprawled back on the sofa and pulled Orlando on top of him. Much better. Orlando stretched out, tangled their legs together as Karl rubbed his back. "Even as a small child, she was incredibly stubborn. If she didn't want to do it, God himself couldn't make her."
Orlando snorted with laughter, pressing his face against Karl's chest to muffle it. "Sounds familiar."
"I thought it might," Karl chuckled. "And she was fiercely loyal. Once she gave you her love, it was yours for life. Unless, of course, she felt you'd betrayed her."
"Again, familiar."
"Exactly." A soft kiss was pressed to the top of Orlando's head. "Stubborn, loyal, a keen mind and sharp wit, she got all of that from Harry. From Diane, well..."
Pushing up a little, Orlando looked down at Karl. "What?"
"It was more in the way she moved. The way she spoke. An innate sense of grace and poise coupled with this sort of careless generosity...Diane was very much the same way. I like to think she would have been proud of the life Lauren led, of the job Harry and I did raising her."
"I'm sure she would have," Orlando replied, leaning up to nuzzle the hollow of Karl's throat. "Did she ever fall in love?"
"Oh, several times," Karl chuckled, then grew slightly wistful. "But, much like Harry, she only bound herself to one man. She and Colin were married 53 years, and when he died, she never married again. Of course, by then, she had children and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to dote on."
Orlando popped up so fast that he made himself woozy. Only Karl's grip on his arm kept him from falling off the sofa. "Harry has grandchildren?"
"And great-grandchildren," Karl laughed. "There are several greats in there, actually. A whole brood of them."
Stunned, Orlando stared, unable to think of anything to say. "He's never mentioned them," he finally managed.
"No, he wouldn't. Mentioning them would mean talking about Lauren."
"Stubborn bastard," Orlando muttered.
"There is a part of him that wants to talk about her." Gentle fingers caught Orlando's chin. "Give him a little space for now. And when he's back from seeing Monica..." He drifted off, but the meaning was clear.
"What about you? Why did you never have any children of your own?"
"You mean, other than the fact that I'm a selfish bastard?" Karl grinned.
Orlando balled his fist and hit Karl lightly on the arm. "I'm being serious."
"So am I. I'm very selfish." Karl caught Orlando's fist when he balled it again. "But the other reason is that, other than possibly Liv, I've never been tempted to start a family with any of the women I've known over the centuries."
"And what about Liv?"
Once again, Karl's face shuttered for a brief moment, so fast as to be almost undetectable. "There was never discussion of it. Neither of us ever wanted that sort of bond between us."
"There's something you're not telling me."
"Clever child," Karl smiled, the expression faintly wistful, "there's always something I'm not telling you. But this time, I can't. Perhaps one day."
Part of Orlando wanted to argue, to try to tease it out of Karl. But he just settled back down against Karl, refusing to give in to the impulse. He felt rather proud of himself. "So tell me about Monica."
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything," Orlando immediately replied.
"I don't know why I asked. Alright, is there anything specific?"
"Well..." Orlando bit his bottom lip and thought. Like with Lauren, he had so many questions, but didn't know where to start. "Well, Harry's shown me how he sees her. Tell me how you see her."
"You don't like the easy questions, do you?"
"Nope."
Karl took his time answering. Orlando didn't press - even if they hadn't had a bond between them, he knew Karl would want to choose his words carefully. "Well, obviously, she's very beautiful," Karl finally said. "And I don't mean in the classical sense, I mean, she's the sort of woman that stops traffic. But I honestly don't think Harry would have cared what she looked like. The second they laid eyes on each other at that party, I knew. I could feel it. Here was the woman Harry had been searching for, the one he was destined to find."
There was no trace of jealousy in Karl's voice - Orlando knew better than to expect it. But there was still...something. "Did that bother you?" he asked, quietly. "That she completed him in a way you couldn't?"
"Only in the sense that I knew he could be at ease with her in a way he never could around me. At least, not until recently," Karl amended. "I do sometimes wonder what our lives would have been like had I been born a woman. How our bond would have been different. But no, it never truly bothered me. Monica and I have always understood each other. And I will always love her for the way she loves Harry."
Orlando snorted. "If you'd been a woman, I doubt there would have been anyone else. And I'd most likely still be looking for a vampire of my own."
"Oh, he'd have still found you. When it's meant to be, it happens. I doubt you'd have looked at me, though."
"I might have," Orlando said, hiding his smile against Karl's shoulder. "A couple centuries down the road, once I wanted to do some of that 'exploring my options' thing you and Sean are always going on about."
Karl kissed the top of his head, and Orlando could feel his amusement in the bond. "Cheeky."
"Always." There was a long moment of silence as Orlando sorted out his thoughts, going over what Karl had said. "You know, I think the same thing a lot. About how things would have been different if I'd been a woman. Karl..."
Karl waited, then he lightly nudged Orlando. "Finish."
Orlando knew he should be quiet, knew what he was going to say would reveal more than he was probably going to like, but he also knew he couldn't back down now. "When I meet her...is she going to like me? And will she like me for me or because I'm Harry's?"
To Orlando's relief, Karl didn't dismiss his fears or laugh. "At first, she'll like you because you're Harry's. She knows of you, of course, but I don't know how much Harry's told her or when. Their relationship is...well, let's just say they don't let the outside world in much when they have time together."
"Too busy having sex?" Orlando joked, but Karl didn't rise to the bait.
"Too busy rediscovering each other," he corrected. "But to answer your question, I don't know if she'll like you for you. I'd like to think she would, since I think she'll see many of the same qualities in you that Harry and I see, but your relationship with her will be for the two of you to work out. Just go into it with an open mind and remember that you already have one important thing in common."
"I can do that. But I don't think the fact that we're both sleeping with Harry is going to give us much to talk about."
"Oh, I think you'd be surprised," Karl said, with a low laugh. "There are a lot of similarities in the relationship the two of you have with him."
"There are?" Orlando couldn't see it, but he was willing to concede that Karl probably knew more than he did.
"And I'm sure she's just as curious about you as you are about her, with one difference."
"What's that?" While he doubted she was all that curious about him, Orlando wasn't going to argue the point.
"She knows when to ask Harry about you," Karl pointed out. "And she's patient about getting the answers."
"I'm patient," Orlando said, ignoring Karl's muffled snort of laughter. He was patient. Well, at least, he was learning to be patient, and that was the important thing. He smothered a yawn and tried to crawl inside Karl's shirt. "I want to meet her."
"Well, that's something you need to tell Harry, not me," Karl told him. "Unless, you want me there when you meet her, and not Harry."
"Can I get back to you on that?" Orlando asked, only half-joking. He yawned again, inwardly cursing how weak he still was.
"Take your time," Karl replied, stroking his hand along Orlando's back, the touch soothing. "You'll probably want most of your strength back and your wits about you the first time you meet her."
"Probably," Orlando mumbled. He snuggled closer, letting his eyes drift closed. "Otherwise she'll eat me."
"I doubt that'll happen." With a quick, smooth movement, Karl stood with Orlando in his arms. "Now, though, I think it's time you went back to bed."
"You just wanna go out with Sean and Dom and Harry," Orlando said, words starting to slur. He wrapped his arms around Karl's neck, letting the easy motion relax him. "Should have them over for dinner. Y'gonna leave me by myself?"
"Is that your delightful way of asking me to stay with you?"
"Sorry." Orlando wasn't even sure he'd said it out loud. Talking was too much effort, anyway. //Stay. Please.//
//Alright.// A moment later, he felt the give of the mattress beneath him, and Karl's lips against his cheek. //Go to sleep, little one. I'm not going anywhere.//
//Love you.// He burrowed under the blankets, felt the mattress dip again as Karl settled beside him, and finally let himself drift to sleep, safe and secure, in Karl's arms. The rest of his questions (and he had a million) could wait until tomorrow.
***
Authors: Brenda & Jo (azewewish & idiosyncratic)
Featuring: Orlando Bloom, Harry Sinclair, Karl Urban, Katie McGrath
Rating: PG-13
Click here for full disclaimers and notes.
Back to Part One
"Well, yes, I mean..." Orlando trailed off as what he'd said finally struck home. "Oh. Oh Lord." He was never going to learn to think before he spoke.
"You know, that blush really is delightful," Karl remarked, tracing Orlando's cheek with his finger.
"Shut up."
"To answer your real question, I'd never met anyone like her," Harry said, with that same far-away look he got when her name came up. "Karl and I'd had our share of lovers by that point, but this was something different. She was different, from the very start."
"Love at first sight," Karl supplied, then laughed when Harry shook his head. "Don't act like you're surprised I knew. Even if we weren't bonded, it was obvious what you two had was something more than just an itch to be scratched."
"I've never even met her and I could tell you that," Orlando snorted. "Harry gets all soft and gooey when he talks about her."
Harry's eyebrows shot up. "Gooey?"
"Gooey," Karl reiterated. Orlando could feel the shudder of suppressed laughter ripple through him.
"You could give marshmallows lessons," Orlando continued, with a wide grin. "I mean, you go from being this big and bad medieval warrior god to being, well, gooey."
Harry opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Orlando asked, "So why didn't you ever, I dunno, develop something more permanent with her?"
"You mean like the iunctum ceremony?" Harry asked, sounding puzzled.
"Yeah, that. Whatever it is that Dave and Lawrence have. The vampire marriage or whatever."
"You are joking," Harry stated, then frowned again when Orlando just sat there. "You're not joking."
"I never joke about marriage," Orlando replied primly, hoping he didn't sound completely ridiculous.
"Because in every sense of the word, I already am married. And have been for centuries." His gaze flickered to Karl, then back to Orlando. "Which is also why, if and when you and I are ready to take that step to become Sire and fledgling and you're a vampire again, I wouldn't go through the iunctum ceremony with you, either."
//He says if we become Sire and fledgling like it's not already a done deal.//
Karl choked out a laugh, and Harry gave him a puzzled look. Orlando just smiled, pleased that he'd been able to focus enough for Harry to not overhear his remark to Karl. Then he pushed himself to a sitting position and studied Harry. "What makes you think I'd want to go through the iunctum ceremony with you? For that matter, what makes you think I want to get married to anyone? Besides, if I married you, my Nan would have a heart attack, and she's far too old and frail for me to do that to her. See, this is a phase I'm going through."
"Becoming a vampire or being pet to me and Harry?" Karl asked, looking amused and affronted at once.
"Both."
"I always did love your Nan," Karl replied, then fixed Harry with one of his serious looks that Orlando knew meant Harry wouldn't like whatever it was Karl was going to say (but he'd listen). "Puppy, I love you, you know this. But if the only reason you never went through the ceremony with Monica was for my benefit..."
"No, that's not it." Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, then let out a slow breath. "It's not the only reason. I love her. I always will. What we have is...unique and I cherish it. But I don't want to go through the ceremony. And if I had ever wanted to, it would have been with you, not anyone else."
"Fair enough," Karl said, sounding like whatever it was that Harry said a) wasn't a shock, and b) pleased him in some way. "You know I've only ever wanted you to be happy."
"I know." Harry smiled softly. "And I am, I promise."
"Thank goodness we got that settled," Orlando stated, with more than a hint of sarcasm. "Though don't even think you're kicking me to the curb if the two of you ever do decide to get married or do the iunctum thing or whatever."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Karl smiled, pulling Orlando close again.
"Good." For a moment, Orlando debated asking Harry to come sit with them. He decided against it when he realized it would be much harder to gauge Harry's reactions and expressions if he wasn't facing them. "So riddle me this...if you love her, why do you go so long without seeing her?"
Once again, Orlando had the feeling that Harry didn't want to answer. But, after what looked like a silent conversation with Karl (Orlando could always tell when they were having one), Harry offered, "I don't normally go more than a few months without a visit."
"I see." Orlando drawled out the word. "And she's been alright with you neglecting her to see to my recovery?"
"She does have a life," Harry said, sounding a little more like himself. "It's not like she locks herself into a tower and pines for me whenever I'm not around."
Karl let out an amused chuckle. "I'd like to see anyone try to suggest that she should, to be honest."
"Right," Orlando muttered, with a grimace. "Brazen hussy. I remember."
Karl brushed a kiss to Orlando's curls. "She really is a lovely woman, you know. There's no need to be afraid of her."
"Of course she's lovely," Orlando said, almost wincing at how quick the words came out. "I mean, Harry wouldn't have been with her this long if she wasn't. And I'm not, y'know, afraid of her. Not really. Intimidated is a better word."
"Whatever the word," Karl laughed, "there's no need. She won't eat you alive, and trust me when I say she's going to like you for the same reason you like her."
Right, he knew that. He made Harry happy in ways that Monica (and Karl, really) couldn't. Made sense. Still though, as Lawrence had gleefully informed Orlando, Monica was apparently a hell of a lot of woman. And Orlando didn't have to meet her to figure out that she probably intimidated a lot of men.
Rather like Katie, when he thought about it. He pondered that idea for a moment, then slid a look at Harry.
"What?" Harry asked, wary as he eyed Orlando in return.
"Oh, nothing, really," Orlando said, and smiled his most charming smile. "Just wondering why, since the two of you are so in love with each other and have been since practically that first meeting, well...why did the idea of having a child together never come up?"
His bond with Harry went instantly cold as Harry's face shuttered. The only sign of emotion was a slight twitch along his jawline. Even his voice was frigid. "That's none of your business."
Karl shook his head minutely when Orlando opened his mouth to speak. //Let me.// "Puppy," Karl started, but Harry shook his head.
"No." He bit out the word. "I won't discuss this."
"He has every right to hear it," Karl argued, and with a silent apology to Orlando, gently moved Orlando off of him so he could cross the room back to Harry. He slid to his knees in front of Harry and cupped his chin, ignoring Harry's unnatural stillness. "I know you don't want to go through that loss again. I don't either," he murmured, but loud enough that Orlando could hear every word. "But you can't blame him for being curious."
"Don't, Karl."
"Harry -"
"I'm sorry," Orlando said, hugging a pillow to his chest as he looked at Harry. "I didn't...I know you said you didn't want to again, but I meant before, y'know...when Lauren was still alive or before she was born, even. I just...I'm sorry." He stopped and looked down for a moment, trying not to think of how the bond felt just then. "Do you know I've never even seen a picture of her?"
Karl turned to give Orlando a puzzled glance. "Lauren?"
"Yeah." Orlando cleared his throat, half wishing the floor would open up and swallow him whole. "I mean...I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Karl squeezed Harry's hands, and leaned in to give him a soft kiss. "You don't have to stay."
Harry's mouth tightened, but he didn't move. "I'll be alright."
"Wait here," Karl instructed Orlando (like Orlando was going to run off, seriously), then walked out of the room. A tense, uncomfortable silence reigned - Orlando was afraid to actually look at Harry - before Karl returned and dropped a photograph on Orlando's lap before returning to Harry's sofa to sit next to him.
Orlando didn't move at first. Then he reached down and slowly picked up the photo. It was an old picture, showing a slender woman in what looked to be her fifties or early sixties. She had Harry's eyes and the same dark hair flowing in loose waves around her shoulders. And she was laughing.
"She was beautiful," Orlando said, quietly, eyes glued to the photo. He set it back in his lap, but didn't look up. There were so many things he wanted to ask, to know, but he remained silent. He'd made such a mess of the conversation so far that he was sure Harry would kill him if he said anything else.
"Orlando?"
Looking up, Orlando found Karl watching him. Harry was looking in his direction, but Orlando wasn't entirely sure if Harry was looking at him. So he just smiled a little and tried to reach through the bond. "I'm okay, just...thank you. For showing me this."
"I'm just sorry you never had the chance to meet her," Karl replied softly. "She would have adored you."
"You think?" Somehow Orlando didn't think Lauren would have appreciated anyone who put that wounded look in her father's eyes.
"Absolutely." Then Karl nudged Harry's shoulder. "Harry, why don't you go out with Dom and Sean tonight so I can get some quality time in with Orlando?"
"Hmm?" Harry gave Karl a blank look, like he wasn't sure what Karl said or even where he was. "Go out with Dom and Sean?"
"Excellent idea, I'm glad you thought of it," Karl smiled, and Orlando had to appreciate the cleverness in Karl's ruse. "I'll join you later, after I've got Orlando settled."
"Alright." Harry stood, still looking a little lost, and kissed Karl goodbye before crossing the room to Orlando. "Enjoy your evening," he said. The kiss he bestowed on Orlando was soft, gentle.
When Harry went to turn away, Orlando reached out and caught his wrist. "I love you," he said, trying to convey everything he felt through their bond. It must have worked, because the look in Harry's eyes faded a little. "Have fun tonight."
Harry nodded. "I picked up those books you wanted," he said, dragging a fingertip along Orlando's jaw. "Make sure Karl gives them to you." He was out the door a moment later.
For a long time, Orlando stared after Harry in silence. Then he slowly looked at Karl. "Is this where you carry me upstairs, tuck me in, and tell me what a prat I just was?"
"No. This is where I come sit beside you and you ask me all of the questions I know you've been dying to ask," Karl said, and reclaimed his spot next to Orlando on the sofa. "I know you didn't mean to upset him, love. And he knows it, too."
"He's never going to open up about her, is he?" Orlando asked sadly, picking at a loose thread on his blanket.
"When prodded, he will. A little bit. The trick is knowing how to ask and when to ask. You'll learn," Karl added, placing his hand on top of Orlando's.
"So how do I when to ask? And what to ask?" Orlando twisted his hand to lace their fingers together. "Y'know, he told me once that I reminded him of her, but every time I try to get him to talk about her..."
"He freezes up."
"Pretty much, yeah." Orlando sighed, then tipped over to rest his head on Karl's shoulder as he picked up the photo again. Lauren really had been lovely. "I wasn't trying to piss him off by asking about a baby. It just doesn't make sense to me that they've been together however long they have and feel the way they do about each other and the subject never came up."
"That's because Monica's always known not to ask," Karl replied. "Born vampires are rare, and conceiving them isn't without risk."
"And Harry didn't want to risk losing her?" Orlando guessed.
"Harry's never dealt well with losing people he cares about." Karl's face shuttered for just a moment, then it cleared. Orlando wondered who he was thinking about. "Monica's adopted over the centuries, raised children a dozen times over, and Harry's always been involved in their lives, but it's not the same. Not for them."
"No, I don't suppose it would be." Orlando kept studying the picture, searching for...he didn't know. A clue, maybe, some sort of sign about how he needed to approach Harry, to get him to talk. "It's not healthy, y'know, the way he keeps everything bottled up inside like he does."
"I know."
"I bet Lauren would have hated that he does it," he whispered. "I know I do. He doesn't always have to be the strong one. I mean...well...it's all tied up with that weird code of honor knight thing he has or is or whatever, isn't it?"
"Partially," Karl said, so seriously that Orlando put the picture down again to give him a sharp look.
"What's the other part?"
"I..." For a brief moment, it looked as though Karl would say whatever was on his mind. But the moment passed, and Karl shook his head. "I can't," he finally said. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Orlando shrugged, even though he was disappointed. "I know you two have your secrets, and that's fine." Mostly, he added to himself. "I just wish I knew how to get him to open up about her. Lauren, I mean."
"He seems to do alright when asked specific questions about her," Karl said, seemingly relieved at the change of subject. "But it's not like he opens up on a whim about her, not even to me."
"So how do you suggest I get him to open up to me? Because he's only ever talked about her once with me, and that was the night you left me on his doorstep ten years ago."
"Well, you could -"
"And don't give me that crap about asking him specific questions," Orlando said, focused and barely hearing Karl's voice. "He's never even shown me her picture, even though I've asked if she looked like him."
"Orlando, that -"
"I suppose I could ask Sean if you don't have any ideas. He's given me good advice recently where Harry's concerned."
"ORLANDO."
"What?!" Orlando snapped, then froze when he got a good look at Karl. "Oh, um. Sorry."
"You've never asked me about her."
"Well, no, I mean, she's not your..." His voice trailed in horrified silence as what he'd been about to say hit him. He wouldn't have blamed Karl in that moment if Karl had walked out of the room and left him. "Karl, I'm...I'm so sorry. I know, I mean, I know she was your daughter, too." He couldn't believe he'd been about to say something so callous, even unconsciously.
"It's alright." Karl squeezed his fingers again. Thankfully, he didn't look upset. "But if you're more comfortable talking about how to bring up Lauren to Harry with Sean, I'll understand."
"No, I..." Orlando stopped, mortified as he felt a flush sweep across his face. Even though Karl had never asked about the night he'd spent with Sean, the last thing Orlando wanted was for Karl to think he preferred to talk to Sean, especially about such a personal matter. "I don't. I'd rather talk to you."
"Alright then," Karl said, and Orlando had the distinctly uncomfortable feeling that Karl was laughing at him.
Orlando took a deep breath. "So, um, tell me what I should do. Because the last thing I want is for him to go all Ice King on me like he did just now. That was bloody scary."
"Scary?"
"Don't tell me you haven't felt it."
Karl wrapped an arm around him to hold him close. "He really scares you?"
"Well, yeah, I mean, he just...shuts down," Orlando shrugged, but snuggled into Karl's warmth. "It's like he's not there."
"In some ways, he's not. But you have to keep pushing him. Allow him his space at first, but push later on. You know that."
"I know. But how soon is too soon to push? And how long is too long? Because he does this every time I bring up Lauren. And the baby issue..."
"Would it help to know that Lauren wasn't planned?"
Taking note that Karl didn't answer the main question, Orlando looked at him again. "She wasn't? But I thought..."
"No, she was an accident," Karl smiled. "A beautiful, joyous, well-loved one, but still an accident. Frankly, I'm not sure Harry's ever wanted to bring a child into this world."
"So why do you think that is? Because I didn't have to see them together to know he was an amazing father." An elbow found Karl's ribs, shoving none too gently. "And answer the other question."
"He's grieved long enough. We both have," Karl added, softly. "Now's the perfect time to ask about her."
"It is?" Orlando asked, more than a little confused.
"Right now, he would deny you nothing. Use that to your advantage."
It sounded as though Karl was encouraging him to hit below the belt, so to speak. "Isn't that playing dirty?"
Karl just grinned. "Since when do you fight fair, love? All of those charming smiles and eyelash fluttering and cozying up to either of us or Dave when you want something? What would you call that?"
"That?" Orlando waved his hand in a lazy gesture. "That's just me following Viggo's advice."
"Viggo's..." Karl burst out laughing, and the vibration of it rippled through Orlando, making him smile. "That's right, he did tell you that years ago, didn't he?"
Orlando just gave him a smug look. "And you say I never take anyone's advice."
"I stand corrected."
Taking Karl's hand again, Orlando turned it over and traced the palm with his forefinger. "So why haven't you ever talked to me about her?"
"Because you've never asked me, remember," Karl said quietly.
"I -" Fuck. Orlando briefly wished for the sofa to swallow him whole, then bit his lip and met Karl's gaze. "I'm sorry, you're right. Will you tell me about her?"
He knew he'd said the right thing when Karl simply asked, "What would you like to know?"
"Everything."
"Tall order."
"I've waited a long time. I have a lot of questions."
"She was lovely," Karl said, and his voice got a faraway sound to it. "From the moment Harry and I found out Diane was expecting, we knew that the child would be the most important person in our lives. We'd made so many arrangements, changed our lives so we could settle in Spain to be near Diane, and when she died..." He let out a mirthless sound. "There we were, two vampires without a clue on how to raise a baby, and only Harry's promise to Diane on her deathbed to go on. I was terrified every day that I'd hurt Lauren by accident, that something would happen... But she'd always look at me with those big, beautiful eyes that held so much trust, so much love... I knew I'd give up anything just to keep her safe and happy."
"I know how she must have felt," Orlando murmured. Then, in a normal tone: "So tell me about her childhood. Did she take after Harry, or Diane?"
"A bit of both, actually." Twisting, Karl sprawled back on the sofa and pulled Orlando on top of him. Much better. Orlando stretched out, tangled their legs together as Karl rubbed his back. "Even as a small child, she was incredibly stubborn. If she didn't want to do it, God himself couldn't make her."
Orlando snorted with laughter, pressing his face against Karl's chest to muffle it. "Sounds familiar."
"I thought it might," Karl chuckled. "And she was fiercely loyal. Once she gave you her love, it was yours for life. Unless, of course, she felt you'd betrayed her."
"Again, familiar."
"Exactly." A soft kiss was pressed to the top of Orlando's head. "Stubborn, loyal, a keen mind and sharp wit, she got all of that from Harry. From Diane, well..."
Pushing up a little, Orlando looked down at Karl. "What?"
"It was more in the way she moved. The way she spoke. An innate sense of grace and poise coupled with this sort of careless generosity...Diane was very much the same way. I like to think she would have been proud of the life Lauren led, of the job Harry and I did raising her."
"I'm sure she would have," Orlando replied, leaning up to nuzzle the hollow of Karl's throat. "Did she ever fall in love?"
"Oh, several times," Karl chuckled, then grew slightly wistful. "But, much like Harry, she only bound herself to one man. She and Colin were married 53 years, and when he died, she never married again. Of course, by then, she had children and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to dote on."
Orlando popped up so fast that he made himself woozy. Only Karl's grip on his arm kept him from falling off the sofa. "Harry has grandchildren?"
"And great-grandchildren," Karl laughed. "There are several greats in there, actually. A whole brood of them."
Stunned, Orlando stared, unable to think of anything to say. "He's never mentioned them," he finally managed.
"No, he wouldn't. Mentioning them would mean talking about Lauren."
"Stubborn bastard," Orlando muttered.
"There is a part of him that wants to talk about her." Gentle fingers caught Orlando's chin. "Give him a little space for now. And when he's back from seeing Monica..." He drifted off, but the meaning was clear.
"What about you? Why did you never have any children of your own?"
"You mean, other than the fact that I'm a selfish bastard?" Karl grinned.
Orlando balled his fist and hit Karl lightly on the arm. "I'm being serious."
"So am I. I'm very selfish." Karl caught Orlando's fist when he balled it again. "But the other reason is that, other than possibly Liv, I've never been tempted to start a family with any of the women I've known over the centuries."
"And what about Liv?"
Once again, Karl's face shuttered for a brief moment, so fast as to be almost undetectable. "There was never discussion of it. Neither of us ever wanted that sort of bond between us."
"There's something you're not telling me."
"Clever child," Karl smiled, the expression faintly wistful, "there's always something I'm not telling you. But this time, I can't. Perhaps one day."
Part of Orlando wanted to argue, to try to tease it out of Karl. But he just settled back down against Karl, refusing to give in to the impulse. He felt rather proud of himself. "So tell me about Monica."
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything," Orlando immediately replied.
"I don't know why I asked. Alright, is there anything specific?"
"Well..." Orlando bit his bottom lip and thought. Like with Lauren, he had so many questions, but didn't know where to start. "Well, Harry's shown me how he sees her. Tell me how you see her."
"You don't like the easy questions, do you?"
"Nope."
Karl took his time answering. Orlando didn't press - even if they hadn't had a bond between them, he knew Karl would want to choose his words carefully. "Well, obviously, she's very beautiful," Karl finally said. "And I don't mean in the classical sense, I mean, she's the sort of woman that stops traffic. But I honestly don't think Harry would have cared what she looked like. The second they laid eyes on each other at that party, I knew. I could feel it. Here was the woman Harry had been searching for, the one he was destined to find."
There was no trace of jealousy in Karl's voice - Orlando knew better than to expect it. But there was still...something. "Did that bother you?" he asked, quietly. "That she completed him in a way you couldn't?"
"Only in the sense that I knew he could be at ease with her in a way he never could around me. At least, not until recently," Karl amended. "I do sometimes wonder what our lives would have been like had I been born a woman. How our bond would have been different. But no, it never truly bothered me. Monica and I have always understood each other. And I will always love her for the way she loves Harry."
Orlando snorted. "If you'd been a woman, I doubt there would have been anyone else. And I'd most likely still be looking for a vampire of my own."
"Oh, he'd have still found you. When it's meant to be, it happens. I doubt you'd have looked at me, though."
"I might have," Orlando said, hiding his smile against Karl's shoulder. "A couple centuries down the road, once I wanted to do some of that 'exploring my options' thing you and Sean are always going on about."
Karl kissed the top of his head, and Orlando could feel his amusement in the bond. "Cheeky."
"Always." There was a long moment of silence as Orlando sorted out his thoughts, going over what Karl had said. "You know, I think the same thing a lot. About how things would have been different if I'd been a woman. Karl..."
Karl waited, then he lightly nudged Orlando. "Finish."
Orlando knew he should be quiet, knew what he was going to say would reveal more than he was probably going to like, but he also knew he couldn't back down now. "When I meet her...is she going to like me? And will she like me for me or because I'm Harry's?"
To Orlando's relief, Karl didn't dismiss his fears or laugh. "At first, she'll like you because you're Harry's. She knows of you, of course, but I don't know how much Harry's told her or when. Their relationship is...well, let's just say they don't let the outside world in much when they have time together."
"Too busy having sex?" Orlando joked, but Karl didn't rise to the bait.
"Too busy rediscovering each other," he corrected. "But to answer your question, I don't know if she'll like you for you. I'd like to think she would, since I think she'll see many of the same qualities in you that Harry and I see, but your relationship with her will be for the two of you to work out. Just go into it with an open mind and remember that you already have one important thing in common."
"I can do that. But I don't think the fact that we're both sleeping with Harry is going to give us much to talk about."
"Oh, I think you'd be surprised," Karl said, with a low laugh. "There are a lot of similarities in the relationship the two of you have with him."
"There are?" Orlando couldn't see it, but he was willing to concede that Karl probably knew more than he did.
"And I'm sure she's just as curious about you as you are about her, with one difference."
"What's that?" While he doubted she was all that curious about him, Orlando wasn't going to argue the point.
"She knows when to ask Harry about you," Karl pointed out. "And she's patient about getting the answers."
"I'm patient," Orlando said, ignoring Karl's muffled snort of laughter. He was patient. Well, at least, he was learning to be patient, and that was the important thing. He smothered a yawn and tried to crawl inside Karl's shirt. "I want to meet her."
"Well, that's something you need to tell Harry, not me," Karl told him. "Unless, you want me there when you meet her, and not Harry."
"Can I get back to you on that?" Orlando asked, only half-joking. He yawned again, inwardly cursing how weak he still was.
"Take your time," Karl replied, stroking his hand along Orlando's back, the touch soothing. "You'll probably want most of your strength back and your wits about you the first time you meet her."
"Probably," Orlando mumbled. He snuggled closer, letting his eyes drift closed. "Otherwise she'll eat me."
"I doubt that'll happen." With a quick, smooth movement, Karl stood with Orlando in his arms. "Now, though, I think it's time you went back to bed."
"You just wanna go out with Sean and Dom and Harry," Orlando said, words starting to slur. He wrapped his arms around Karl's neck, letting the easy motion relax him. "Should have them over for dinner. Y'gonna leave me by myself?"
"Is that your delightful way of asking me to stay with you?"
"Sorry." Orlando wasn't even sure he'd said it out loud. Talking was too much effort, anyway. //Stay. Please.//
//Alright.// A moment later, he felt the give of the mattress beneath him, and Karl's lips against his cheek. //Go to sleep, little one. I'm not going anywhere.//
//Love you.// He burrowed under the blankets, felt the mattress dip again as Karl settled beside him, and finally let himself drift to sleep, safe and secure, in Karl's arms. The rest of his questions (and he had a million) could wait until tomorrow.
***