FIC: "Iunctum" 1/2 (Orlando Bloom, Karl Urban, Harry Sinclair, Josh Hartnett, Liv Tyler)

[azewewish]

Title: "Iunctum" 1/2
Authors: Brenda & Jo (azewewish & idiosyncratic)
Featuring: Harry Sinclair, Josh Hartnett, Karl Urban, Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Vampires still don't exist. And Harry and Karl aren't married to each other.
Summary: Harry and Karl have a long overdue ceremony.
Takes place about six months after It's A Date.



The pile of paperwork on the table beside Orlando didn't look any smaller than it had when he started. He'd curled up in the overstuffed chair in the library with the intention of slogging his way through every report and spreadsheet, but so far, it had been very slow going, emphasis on slow. Reaching out, he lifted the top report and skimmed over it before letting his head fall back.

"Bloody stubborn vampires and their love of doing things traditionally," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "We're transferring all this shite to computer if it's the last bloody thing I do, and they can stuff their outdated way of it up their collective noses."

"Do you always talk to yourself in here?"

Twisting to peep over the back of the chair, Orlando glanced at Josh. Finally, a reprieve. "Only when I have enough paperwork to keep me busy into the next decade."

"Can't be that bad," Josh said, dropping onto the sofa, then letting out a whistle when he got a look at the stack of papers. "I stand corrected. Guess they still haven't learned to go green, huh?"

"That's one way of putting it."

//Orlando, Josh, would the two of you come out to the garage, please?//

"What'd you do this time?" Josh asked, after they'd both told Karl they'd be out in a minute.

"Oi, why's it always about me?"

"Because even when it's not about you, you try to make it about you?" Josh grinned and sidestepped Orlando's half-hearted swipe. "Come on, let's see what His Majesty wants."

"I don't make everything about me, just so you know," Orlando protested, as they headed outside.

"Sure you do, it's kinda part of your charm," Josh easily replied, falling in step beside him. "What do you think he wants? Because if it's another threesome in the garage, we should really make him work for this one."

"Oh, he'll work for it alright," Orlando said, grinning. In fact, given his residual resentment over the paperwork still waiting for him, he half-hoped that a threesome was exactly what Karl wanted.

"You've got something in mind," Josh said, with his own grin. "Share."

"Well, it's like this..." He trailed off as they stepped into the garage and caught sight of Karl leaning against the wall watching Harry work beneath the hood of one of the cars.

"Guess the threesome's a no-go," Josh cheerfully said, nudging Orlando, who just stood there staring at Harry's ass, which was lovingly encased in a very snug pair of faded jeans.

"Um." It was all Orlando could manage.

"When you're done admiring," Karl said, clearly amused, "- not that I blame you, of course - perhaps you could join us over here?"

"Uh, sure."

"You are one cruel man, Karl," Josh laughed, stepping closer to brush a kiss across his lips. "Leading the poor guy on and presenting him with temptation like that. That's just not right."

Harry straightened and let the hood drop with a clang. "Is everyone done leering at me?"

"You could give us a little show." Karl twirled his finger around. "I mean, it is a very nice ass, after all."

"Remind me why we're doing this again?"

"Doing, uh, what?" Orlando forcibly moved his gaze up to Harry's face. Not exactly the easiest task ever. He wondered if he could get a medal for his sacrifice. "What's going on?"

Harry glanced at Karl and nodded. "It's time."

Josh and Orlando exchanged an inquisitive look at Karl, who simply smiled at them both. "Harry and I were hoping to talk to you both about our iunctum ceremony."

Orlando frowned. "What's there to talk about?"

"I believe we told you that we wouldn't go through with it if both of you weren't on board," Harry said, and their bond spiked before going still and calm.

"And I told you that I was happy for you," Orlando said, slowly, forehead wrinkling as he looked from Harry to Karl and back. "That hasn't changed."

Josh leaned against the fender of the car, arms crossed over his chest. "Do we have to give you our formal blessing or something? Because if we do, then I do. Give it, I mean."

"Harry," Orlando quietly said, giving Karl a long look before stepping close enough to take Harry's hand. "Did you think I was lying when I said that?"

"I don't think you were lying. But I do think you were in shock."

"Maybe I was, but I've gotten over it." He squeezed Harry's hand. "I love you and I love Karl and I know that you both love me. It's enough, I swear. So stop worrying about me."

"What he said," Josh added, jerking his thumb in Orlando's direction. "Well, except for the part about Harry, because I love you, dude, but not like that."

Harry chuckled. "Duly noted."

"Alright then." Josh slapped his thighs and straightened up. "You two crazy kids do your marriage thing, have a hot honeymoon, do whatever it is vampire newlyweds do. Although I would like to be invited to the ceremony, if that's cool"

Harry and Karl shared a long look. Then Harry shrugged.

"Actually," Karl said, with a small smile, "we were thinking about doing it tomorrow. Liv's flying in tonight for Council business, so we thought we'd talk it over with the two of you and then talk to her to make sure it won't interfere with the pet bonds."

Josh looked as surprised as Orlando felt. "Nothing like moving forward, full steam ahead, huh?"

"She doesn't come to L.A. often," Harry said. He moved to lean against a work bench, pulling Orlando with him, his hands coming up to gently knead Orlando's shoulders. "We couldn't see any reason to wait as long as neither of you had an issue."

"Considering how long you two've waited already, I guess that makes sense."

Karl tugged Josh to him to pull him into a hug. "Thank you," Orlando heard him whisper, but didn't catch Josh's reply, if he even had one.

"You think we should leave those two alone?" he whispered to Harry, once the hug turned into a rather prolonged kiss.

"You're saying you don't like watching anymore?" Harry teased, dropping a quick kiss to Orlando's neck.

"Besides, we're not doing anything," Karl stated, once he let Josh up for air. Josh, it should be noted, looked well-satisfied. "Unless you just wanted a kiss of your own."

Orlando snorted. "That's a horrible attempt at reverse psychology, love," he said, but he leaned in for a slow kiss when Karl stepped forward. When they parted, Karl was smiling. "What?"

"Horrible attempt or not, it worked."

Orlando just rolled his eyes as Josh and Harry laughed. "Don't encourage him."

"Not that I'm against teasing the hell out of Orlando," Josh said, "but are you planning on talking to Liv tonight? And do we need to be there?"

"We were," Karl nodded. "She...prefers it when Harry and I are the ones to greet her at the airport."

"She prefers it when you greet her at the airport. You simply insist on my company most of the time."

A dark flicker passed over Karl's face, but he quickly smoothed his features. "You know she still considers you a brother."

Orlando felt Harry go still behind him. "I know."

Josh cleared his throat and gave Orlando a meaningful look that he couldn't quite interpret, but was pretty sure he got all the same. Time to change the subject. "So, that's a yes or no to us being there for the meeting?" he asked, twisting to look at Harry.

"That's up to you and Josh."

"Well, if it's not a bother," Orlando said, searching Harry's face, "and if you don't mind, I'd like to go. I'd like to thank her for everything she did to help me through the unmaking."

"She'd like that," Karl quietly said, brushing the back of his fingers along Orlando's jaw before he turned to Josh. "And you?"

"I wouldn't mind coming along for a while. We can take two cars, and Orlando and I can bug out before it gets late, maybe catch up with Dom, leave you two to visit with Liv."

An indecipherable look flashed across Harry's face, then Orlando felt Harry's body slowly untense.
"Why don't you take one of the bikes. If you're still not comfortable driving it back here, Josh could always -"

"Fuck you if think I'm riding bitch for him," Orlando interrupted, digging an elbow into Harry's ribs.

"Man, I could make so many jokes right about now," Josh grinned.

Karl simply chuckled. "There's a lot of fun in riding bitch sometimes."

"Please," Orlando scoffed, "even when you're on bottom, you're pushy as hell."

"I kinda like it when he gets all feisty," Josh said. "Makes it more fun when he surrenders."

Harry nodded. "Shutting him up does have its entertainment value."

"And I still get spectacularly laid, so I'm still not seeing the downside to being, what was it, pushy as hell."

"You wouldn't," Orlando said, but only half-heartedly. "So, uh, when should we head out to meet Liv? Or do you want me and Josh to meet you guys at her hotel?"

"I think the hotel would work," Harry said. "She's staying at the Peninsula again. Karl and I will make sure you're on the list of approved visitors."

Extra security for the Elder. Right. Although it still tripped him out to think about it. "Thanks," he smiled, then cocked an eyebrow at Josh, hoping Josh would get his hint. "I hope you're not planning on wearing that to meet her."

"Aww, are you offering your expert advice on clothing coordination, kitten?" Josh replied, with a quick wink to show he understood.

Orlando made a rude sound, then looked at Karl. "And you say I dressed bad when we first met. You've had that one for two years now and he still dresses like a bag lady half the time."

"At least his clothing doesn't enter the room before he does."

//You know you love me, old man// and Orlando couldn't help grinning at Harry's muffled snort of laughter.

Karl's eyebrow slowly arched, and he shifted his gaze from Orlando to Harry. "I can see that I'm going to have to make an effort to spend just a little more time with our pet."

"I don't even want to know what you said," Josh commented, hooking his arm through Orlando's and pulling him away from Harry.

"Cheeky child," Karl said, fondly, brushing a kiss along Orlando's jaw and then another along Josh's.
"Try to stay out of trouble for the next few hours."

"I never try to get in it. It just finds me."

"Famous last words," Karl said.

"He sounds like you," Harry grinned, white teeth flashing.

"Come on, before they drag us in the middle again," Josh commented, and steered Orlando out the door. Once they were outside and on the path that led to Josh's house, Josh let out a relieved breath. "Whatever it was you said to them, good job on diffusing the tension. I was getting worried."

"Me too," Orlando admitted quietly. "You, uh, think that was about Joaquin?"

"Yeah, I mean, if Harry and Joaquin were blood brothers, then Liv would be Harry's sister-in-law, sorta, right? It makes as much sense as anything."

"And since they're still bound by the iunctum, she still is," Orlando said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Some days, I wish we'd never heard Joaquin's name."

"I hear ya," Josh replied. He led the way into the carriage house, Orlando right on his heels. "You think he'll ever come back?"

"He's been gone this long, I kinda doubt it." Orlando stopped in the doorway of Josh's bedroom and looked around. "Oi, mate, the fuck happened in here?"

Josh glanced around, then looked at Orlando forehead wrinkled. "Huh?"

"Never mind," Orlando chuckled, knowing full well that Josh didn't let the maid step foot inside the front door. Or the back one. Then he gave Josh a critical once over and shook his head. "Change those for a pair of the black Armani jeans while I find you a shirt."

"Really?"

"Be glad I'm letting you go in jeans, mate. If Karl was here, you'd be in slacks. So as you're so fond of telling me, suck it up, buttercup. This is the Elder, and you can't just show up looking like you rolled off the stage at the Viper Room."

"I know that," Josh said, rolling his eyes. "I'm not some green freakin' kid off the farm, and even they would probably know to dress nice when meeting the Elder. Stop acting like I don't know how to dress nice just because I don't like to."

Orlando frowned. "Why'd you ask for my help, then?"

Josh shook his head. "And you call me dim. To give Karl and Harry a minute to sort their shit about Liv without us around. Although, since you're here, I may as well let you rummage through my closet."

"Hmph," Orlando sniffed, but walked up the steps to Josh's bedroom. He didn't know why he bothered, really.

Josh strolled in behind him, casually stripping off his jeans and t-shirt and flip-flops. "Just make sure you and I aren't too matchy-matchy. We might both belong to Karl, but I refuse to start wearing coordinating suits like we're some weird version of twins or something."

Orlando snorted, but didn't stop sorting through the clothes on the hangers. Josh seriously needed someone to come in and organize the entire closet. He finally emerged with a pale green and white pinstriped Hugo Boss.

"Well, at least it's not silk," Josh deadpanned, laughing when Orlando turned back to the closet. "Don't even. I refused to let Karl buy any of them. You going like that?"

"Nope," Orlando said, flopping on the bed as he waited for Josh to finish changing. "We can swing back through the house and I'll change, then give Dom a call, see what he's up to later."

"You're not wearing green, are you?" Josh asked, pausing with the shirt half on, giving Orlando a suspicious look.

"I could," Orlando grinned, thinking of the nice emerald John Varvatos he'd picked up the week before, but he decided to take pity on Josh. "I was thinking more along the lines of the crimson silk shirt and my black leather trousers."

"Black leather," Josh shook his head. "Only you, man."

"Shut it," Orlando mock growled. "If Dom's involved, there will be clubbing."

"And it's easier to pick up chicks when your junk's all snug in black leather, is that it?"

"It's a wonder you ever get laid with pickup lines like that."

Josh huffed out a laugh and went searching for a pair of socks. "Please, I'd never say anything like that in front of anyone I was trying to bang. But you don't go out clubbing in black leather pants without expecting someone to check out your shit. Ergo, you're looking to get some tonight."

"I might not be entirely opposed to getting my dance on with the right girl," Orlando said, unwilling to concede any more.

"Get your dance on, huh?" Josh flashed a quick grin as he fished in his closet for his Brunoris. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

"You, my friend," Orlando said, in the haughtiest tone he could manage, "have a filthy mind."

"Well, yeah." Josh didn't look at all repentant or ashamed, which wasn't exactly a surprise. Then Josh reached into the night stand and tossed something Orlando's way.

Without even thinking about it, Orlando reached out and snagged the items out of the air. Then he looked at the condom packets in his hand before giving Josh a dark look. "Really?"

Josh shrugged. "Hey, I know it's a lot harder for us to catch anything from some random chick, but you're mortal right now, so there's always the chance of knocking her up, even if she says she's on the Pill. I don't think you want to deal with that."

"Well, no," Orlando conceded, shifting a little, then tucking the condoms into his pocket. It couldn't hurt, right? He'd just conveniently neglect to mention it to Dom. No way he was opening himself to that much abuse.

"Alright, then," Josh nodded. "Better safe than sorry and all that yada yada. I mean, I'm sure Karl would probably love it if we had babies for him to bounce off his knee, but I'm definitely not ready for fatherhood yet."

"You really want kids?" Orlando asked, curious now.

"Totally." Josh finished fastening the strap of his watch to his wrist. "I'm just not in any rush. And it's gotta be with the right girl, y'know? Someone who's not gonna mind my crazy circumstances and Karl and Harry and you and my aunt Kate."

"That does seem like a lot for anyone to handle," Orlando agreed, following Josh back down the steps and out the door towards the main house.

"What about you? I know you're obsessed with Harry and Monica having one, but what about kids of your own?"

"I love kids," Orlando replied, with a shrug. "But can you really see me as a father?"

He was five steps closer to the house before he realized that Josh was no longer by his side. Stopping, Orlando turned to find Josh staring at him. "Are you serious?" Josh asked, disbelief clear in his voice. "You'd be an amazing dad! Man, I've seen you with kids at those charity things Karl's always taking us to. They love you."

"Be serious," Orlando said, glad it was dark out because his face was crimson.

"I'm dead serious," Josh said. "I mean, I know you're still new to the whole sleeping with chicks thing, but you've got a lot of time to figure it out and find someone who'll put up with all this."

"Yeah, maybe," Orlando said as they started towards the house again. He'd never really thought of himself as a father. Then Josh bumped against his shoulder.

"And it would be someone who'd be all yours, y'know. Like the bond you have with your mom."

"Yeah, I guess so. Seems like a selfish reason to have a kid, though."

"I think everyone has kids for one selfish reason or another," Josh shrugged. "I mean, the world's got plenty of people in it already. But it's sort of a biological imperative to continue the race and pass on your genes, which is, y'know, selfish. Besides, you have a great support system of people to help you out if you run into any trouble."

"Yeah, God knows Harry and Karl would be experts, considering all the great-great-whatever grandkids they've got running around."

"And all of Monica's kids they've helped raise over the centuries."

"True." Orlando and Josh stepped into the main house. "And that is an idea, too. I mean, adopting. Nothing says I've got to do things the old-fashioned way, right?"

"With the way you feel about tradition?" Josh grinned. "I'm surprised you haven't already adopted half a dozen."

Orlando stopped with one foot on the stairs and looked over his shoulder, suddenly suspicious. "Are you trying to talk me into having kids?"

"Now why would I do that?" Josh asked, pulling off an expression of such innocence that Orlando's suspicions rocketed into orbit. "I mean seriously, dude, do I look like I want a bunch of curtain climbers running around the castle, busting in on people's privacy, leaving Legos and sticky fingerprints all over the place?"

"You," Orlando said, continuing up the stairs, Josh right on his heels, "are a shite liar. You really need to work on that."

"Why, you'll always be a much worse liar than me. Compared to you, I'm an expert."

"Whatever," Orlando grumbled, refusing to admit that Josh had a point, and turned the corner into the bedroom instead.

"I think maybe you should come out with me some day and spend time with the kids I sponsor," Josh said, sitting cross-legged on the bed. "It might do you some good."

Orlando paused in the act of pulling off his shirt. "You sponsor kids?"

"Yeah, with the local Boys & Girls Club. I also work with Aviva over on the South Side, mentoring and such. Mostly, we play hoops and I try to help them with their homework."

"Huh." Orlando finished undressing and strolled, naked, into the closet to grab his shirt and the leather pants. "I don't know how to play basketball, though."

Josh laughed. "Dude, the kids don't care. They like football and soccer, too, and there are board games," he said, grinning when Orlando re-emerged. "And the little ones love to be read to, plus there's all sorts of arts and crafts you can do with them."

"Yeah?" Orlando pulled on the trousers and considered it. The idea held more than a little appeal. "Maybe I'll do that."

"Maybe?" Josh grinned, like he knew something Orlando didn't. Or knew that the "maybe" was far closer to a "definitely" than Orlando was planning on admitting just yet.

"Maybe," Orlando repeated, shrugging his shirt on and buttoning it before going in search of the right pair of shoes.

***

Karl sighed as the garage door closed behind Orlando and Josh. "Sooner or later, you know you and Liv are going to have to come to some sort of terms with each other."

"We do have terms," Harry replied, after a beat. "I will always have love in my heart for her. But relationships change."

"Or they're forced to change," Karl argued. He knew he was dancing a fine line, but he was tired of paying penance for something that had happened centuries ago. Damn Joaquin and the entire mess he'd left behind. "You two used to be close."

"And now she has you." Harry picked up a rag and started cleaning off the oil and grime. "You agreed to my price when you two started your affair. It's far too late to renegotiate."

"Harry..." Karl took a deep breath, then shook his head. It was an old argument and one he knew he had no chance of winning. And continuing it would only piss Harry off to the point where he might refuse to go to the airport. Time to change the subject. "Would you like to change first?"

Harry looked down at himself, seeming to make a critical study of his clothes. Then he shrugged as he moved to the sink to wash his hands.

"A different shirt," he said. "I hardly think this one is appropriate."

"Oh, I don't know," Karl smiled, contemplating the "Bite me!" written across Harry's chest. "She might appreciate the humor in it. Is that one new?"

"It is," Harry said, as he shut off the taps. He grabbed another clean towel, and looked down at the shirt again, a smile flitting across his face. "I'm beginning to think Orlando has a box of them hidden somewhere in the castle, because every time it gets worn out or grease stained, it vanishes and a new one shows up in the drawer."

"It wouldn't surprise me. I think he likes seeing you wear it."

"I think he likes the irony."

"Perhaps he just likes seeing the proof that you have a sense of humor about being a vampire," Karl grinned. "You do tend to take it far too seriously."

"And you not at all," Harry countered, but lifted Karl's chin to give him a quick kiss. "When one is born into something, they tend to take it for granted in ways that one who wasn't doesn't."

"Sean's not as serious about it as you," Karl argued mildly. "Although, unlike you, he actually wanted the Gift."

"And all I wanted was you. If this life was the price I had to pay to get it, I'd do it a thousand more times, and gladly."

Karl smiled, touched at both the words and the sentiment behind it. As uneasy as Harry'd always been with being a vampire and all it entailed, knowing he thought it was worth it meant a lot. "Careful, or I'll start to expect such flowery speeches from you."

"Don't get used to it," Harry grinned. "Special occasions only." Then he gestured at his chest. "So, change the shirt or not?"

"Keep it. Liv will love it."

"I'll defer to you on the subject. Which car are we taking?"

"The Bentley." Karl didn't even need to think of the answer. "I enjoy watching you handle it."

"It's an easy handle," Harry said, giving Karl a look that let him know he wasn't fooled. "Why don't you just say you want to be chauffeured tonight?"

"I thought I just did."

"I'm not wearing a uniform for you, so you can get that thought out of your head."

"But you look so nice in a suit," Karl protested, allowing a few of his mental images to slip through their bond.

Harry snagged the keys to the Bentley from the board. "Yes, but as you've been telling me all night, you also think I fill out jeans and a t-shirt just fine."

"True," Karl conceded, lingering over said body. "It's your own fault for being in such ridiculous shape."

Harry quirked an eyebrow as he opened the driver's side door. "You're in rare form tonight, even for you."

Karl climbed in the front seat and settled against the leather seat. "Perhaps I'm simply happy."

"Well, you've got a lot to be happy about," Harry says, after pulling out of the garage and starting down the drive. "You've wanted this for centuries."

"I have," Karl agreed, refusing to feel anything but happy over it. "I was just waiting for you to realize it was a good idea."

"You're as bad as Orlando and Dave. Do you even hear yourself, old man?"

"It was your idea this time."

"So you decided that I had decided it was a good idea?"

"You wouldn't have suggested it otherwise," Karl replied, with a smug smile. Harry could use every argument he had, but Karl wasn't going to budge.

"Maybe I simply decided I was tired of living in sin."

"After 800 years?"

"I didn't say it was likely."

Karl relaxed against the cushions. Truly, Harry would have made an excellent chauffeur, if he'd wanted. There wasn't a single vehicle he couldn't operate like he'd been born to do it. "You're not allowed to change your mind, you know."

"I would have never asked if I was planning on changing my mind."

"You still haven't officially asked, you know."

"I'm waiting for the right moment," Harry said, lips curving into a smile.

"Now who's as bad as Orlando?"

"The child has his charms."

"Harry," Karl said, smile fading a little. "What if Liv says it will change things?"

"Change things how?"

"Well," Karl continued, glancing out the window at the passing scenery, "no other bonded pair that I know of has had a pet. Let alone two. What if she says the reason that is is because the iunctum changes the pet bond?"

"Then we figure out how it changes it and to what extent, and we go from there," Harry replied, and squeezed Karl's hand before putting both hands back on the wheel. "You and I both know we're in a very unique position, and I won't jeopardize either what you and I have, or what we have with Orlando and what you have with Josh."

"I want to do this," Karl said softly, studying Harry's profile as they merged with the other traffic heading south on the 405. "I've wanted this as long as you've had the Gift, but..."

"I know, you don't want to do it if it irreparably harms the pet bonds. And if it does, we won't. As you said, we've lived over 800 years together without this. We'll be fine, if it comes down to it."

The calm reassurance and love in their bond eased Karl's fears as nothing else could have done. "You do realize that Sean and Viggo are both likely to die of shock if we are actually able to go through with this."

"Well, we do have a knack for the unexpected," Harry replied. "I'd blame it all on your bad influence, but you'd just take it as a compliment."

"Well, it would be," Karl said. He was in too good of a mood to even pretend indignation. "Besides, someone has to keep you from taking the rules too seriously."

Slowing down as traffic started to get heavier around them, Harry looked at Karl. And Karl knew that look. "You do realize that that's why there are rules, right? To be taken seriously."

Karl made a rude noise. "There's a difference between taking something seriously and taking it too seriously," he pointed out. "Nothing should be taken too seriously."

"I feel certain this is why I was put on this earth, simply to make sure you survived the centuries with your head intact. Your irreverence would have been your undoing several times over if not for me."

"And perhaps I was put on this earth to ensure that you loosened up and laughed every once in awhile," Karl replied. "You were so stern and serious when you first came to foster with me."

"I was terrified. Being stern and serious was the only way I knew to keep myself under control and not run screaming back home."

"You certainly never acted terrified. Even as a youth, you exuded attitude and arrogance." And, from the beginning, he'd fascinated and ensnared Karl's attention like no one had ever done before or since.

"Trust me, it was all a front," Harry replied, a faraway smile on his face.

"I'm not so sure," Karl said, fascinated by that smile. "I think you believe it was, but I also think it was the beginning of the man you grew to be."

"That doesn't mean it wasn't a front at first. But after a few years of being around you, the arrogance came easily."

"I did notice that it seemed to come easier to you as you grew up," Karl admitted, as he remembered the subtle ways that Harry had changed in the first years of their acquaintance. "It's still amazing how you had all a vampire's arrogance long before you ever had the fangs."

"I'm also blaming that on you."

"Of course you do. But I still think that was more your father and...other factors," Karl finished. He'd almost slipped and said Joaquin's name, and the familiar feeling of helpless anger and frustration, even after all these centuries, coursed through him.

Thankfully, Harry either didn't notice the near slip, or had chosen to ignore it. "My father taught me to show no fear, but you were the one I blame for the arrogance."

"I suppose I can live with that. Besides, arrogance suits you." Karl studied Harry's profile - his strong features and stubborn tilt to his chin, and thought he'd be content to simply do nothing except this for the next several decades. "You were born to lead."

"As were you," Harry replied, glancing at Karl as he took the LAX exit and turned right onto Century. "I think you forget sometimes just how much you taught me in those early years."

"I merely gave you the tools to be great. You could have been King of England if you'd ever chosen to stage a coup, puppy. It was simply your strong sense of loyalty that prevented it."

"Then I suppose it was a good thing for Bessie that I have such a strong sense of loyalty."

Bessie. Karl could still remember the day, very early in Queen Elizabeth II's reign, when Harry had not-so-accidentally slipped and called her that. "You were also lucky she was half in love with you, otherwise things would have been very awkward between her and Viggo."

"Well, she did threaten to banish me more than once, if you remember," Harry grinned. "I believe I was, in her words, uncouth and ill-suited to court."

"An act you cultivated on purpose simply so you wouldn't have to be at court," Karl reminded him. "You do realize she saw right through that ruse."

"Yes, and she got her revenge by calling you to court and away from my side so I'd have to follow you back to London," Harry replied, and pulled onto the tarmac lot and shut off the engine. "I always thought it was a pity she never asked Viggo for the Gift. She would have made a formidable Council member."

"She would have." Karl allowed himself a moment of 'what if' before smiling. "I think she truly wanted to dedicate her entire life to bettering England after the war and keeping the Commonwealth together."

"Not to mention Charles wasn't nearly old enough to rule at the time," Harry added, and Karl nodded. If Elizabeth had taken the Gift, she'd have been forced to abdicate the throne in favor of the then very young prince. There was a reason why the Council kept itself completely separate from mortal governments. By the time he was, she was far more taken with the idea of being able to flirt with men who appeared so much younger.

"And there's the fact that Phillip would have probably called for all our heads," Karl said, climbing from the car as Harry did, then facing him over the roof.

"He unbent soon enough," Harry said, falling into step with Karl as they started across the pavement.

"Only because Richard kept refilling his coffers every time he bankrupted Spain," Karl said, speaking of one of their other fellow Council members.

"And a waste of money every time, too, but then, Richard never had a head for military affairs."

"You know he's making noises about retiring again."

"He does this once a decade," Harry scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Marcus will never let him leave. He relies on Richard voting with him far too much, and there's no one in the under-Council who's ready to step in and take Richard's place."

Karl stepped inside the waiting area, and sank onto one of the plush, leather seats. "Dana's ready."

"She's even more blunt than I am," Harry said, but the fondness in his voice spoke volumes. "I doubt Viggo would want the headache of having two of us, and you know Marcus would do his best to block her nomination."

"I still wonder what on earth those two ever saw in each other to begin with," Karl mused, shaking his head. "Or why they ever thought an iunctum was a good idea." Their breakup had been very messy and extremely brutal, and no one had ever managed to ferret out what had happened or why they'd broken their bond.

"Perhaps one day you'll find out," Harry said, a smile playing around his mouth. When Karl gave him a suspicious look, Harry shook his head. "And before you ask, no, I don't know the answers. Frankly, I've never been quite brave enough to ask her."

"We could always set Orlando on her," Karl joked, keeping an eye on Harry to see how he took the mild teasing. "If anyone could find out, he could."

Harry snorted. "Are you trying to turn the child off women for good?" he asked, and Karl wasn't entirely sure that he wasn't completely serious. "Let Dana keep her secrets for a few more decades. Or centuries."

"Who's keeping secrets?"

They both turned and then stood as Liv strolled into the waiting area, followed closely by her retinue of young men. Only four this time, Karl noted, which meant this was a short trip.

"We were talking about Dana," he told her, then leaned in to brush a light kiss across her cheeks. As always, her scent, exotic and mysterious, soothed him.

"Ah." She smiled, full-lipped and wide. "Has she been keeping new secrets?"

"One never knows where she's concerned," Harry said, and even though he bent his head to place a kiss to the back of Liv's hand, Karl still noted the stiffness in the act. One day, he vowed, he would force the two of them to deal with each other, even though he knew he was partially to blame for the distance between them.

Before Harry could step back, Liv placed her palm against his cheek and looked up at him. "You look much better," she said. "The pet bond is settling into you nicely. How is that beautiful child?"

"Please don't say that in his hearing," Harry said, managing a smile that only looked a tiny bit strained. "His ego is getting quite big enough. And he's good, but you'll get to see for yourself."

"He and Josh are meeting us at the hotel," Karl supplied when Liv arched an eyebrow. He studied her young men for a moment, noting that two of them, new to him, were exceptionally attractive and well-muscled. Then he stepped forward and offered his arm. "Though I think that perhaps we'll keep him away from your attendants this trip."

"You should be more concerned about his reaction to her now," Harry said, and how he managed such an innocent look was beyond Karl.

"Oh?" Liv refused to move, looking from one to the other, clearly awaiting an explanation.

"Let's just say that Orlando's...expanded his horizons."

"I'd wondered how long it would take him," Liv replied, as Harry took her other arm.

"As were we all," Karl said. They headed out of the building and stopped at the sleek black limousine that was now parked next to the Bentley. "And even though he's mortal now and a full pet, he'll still definitely notice your charms in a different way."

"I look forward to seeing it." She paused as the chauffeur opened the door and gave them both a patient look. "Ride with me. Etienne and the others can follow us in the Bentley."

Karl found himself holding his breath as Harry returned her look, then let it out, relieved, when Harry nodded. "As you will," Harry said, and tossed the keys to Etienne, who caught them with a slight bow for both Harry and Liv.

She waited until they were settled into the vehicle and moving before looking at Karl. "And how have you been?"

"The same as usual." He shared a quick look with Harry and smiled. "Better, actually."

Her eyebrow went up again. There was a pause of perhaps a half a heart beat before she spoke. "And are you planning on sharing the reason?"

"At the hotel once we're all together."

Liv watched him for a long moment with shrewd eyes. As the silence stretched out, Karl could feel the tension ramping up inside the limo. Thank God that he and Harry had both had plenty of experience keeping their expressions neutral.

"Are you about to turn the world on its head again?" she asked, watching him closely.

"Nothing quite so dramatic, no," he answered, and softened his smile. "But I do hope to avail myself of your expert advice while you're here."

Liv slid her gaze to Harry. "I assume that you at least approve of whatever it is he's planning."

For the first time in decades that Karl could remember, Harry gave Liv a genuine, warm smile. "It was my idea."

Karl watched with his heart in his throat as a pleased look came over Liv's face. "Now that does surprise me. Normally, I rely on you to keep him in check."

"You and I both know that he's impossible to contain."

Liv's sigh was overly dramatic. "He does tend to be rather more trouble than he's worth at times."

"Oh, he's always worth it," Harry said. "But we don't tell him that."

"Well, no," she agreed, and Karl watched her visibly relax back against the seat. "Like your pet, his ego is quite big enough."

"I am right here," Karl said, amused when they gave him nearly identical looks. But he held his smile back and waved a hand. "But just keep pretending that I'm not."

"Feeling neglected, old man?"

"Perhaps a little," Karl replied. He managed a mournful expression (or at least he hoped he did).

"A little neglect is good for you, my love."

Harry let out an inelegant sound. "I keep telling him suffering builds character, but he assures me he's got enough already."

"I have exceptional character."

"You are an exceptional character," Harry corrected. "There's a difference."

Liv cupped her chin in her hand and smiled at both of them. "I do miss the two of you bickering. It's always so refreshing."

"Stick around and I'm sure you'll see more of it," Karl said. "We haven't even warmed up yet."

"Tell me the gossip I've missed," Liv said, kicking off her heels and swinging her legs under her. The fact that the motion moved her closer to Harry didn't go unnoticed by Karl, either. And Harry, to his surprise, simply put an arm around her shoulders so she could relax against him. He wondered if Harry was doing all of this for his benefit, then decided he didn't care. The reasons didn't matter.

"I don't know that there's much gossip to tell you," Karl replied. "Doesn't Gerry keep you pretty up to date?"

"Please, he's a terrible son, never tells his mother anything," she scoffed. "Viggo tells me more than Gerry does about what's going on in Council."

"And I assume you'd like to know personal matters instead of business ones," Harry commented.

"I know all the business matters. Besides, the personal ones are more fun," she replied, giving Harry a winsome smile.

"You could come out of the fortress more, you know, observe for yourself."

"Now why would I want to do that?"

"To get your own gossip?" Harry suggested, and Karl hid his smile at the look of (almost) fond exasperation that crossed Harry's face.

"That's what I have the two of you for," she said, leaning up a little kiss his cheek. "And my young men, of course. They're wonders at ferreting out the most amazing tidbits."

"Are you planning on sharing any of those tidbits?" Karl asked, unable to resist.

She slanted him a glance through her lashes. "I will if you will."

"I think the most interesting thing I've heard is that Sung and Gina are giving it another shot," Karl said, shrugging when Harry shook his head. "Just because you won't gossip doesn't mean I'm so constrained."

"Ignore Harry," Liv smiled, but snuggled back into his embrace. "Didn't they try getting back together a few decades ago?"

"They claim they've learned their lesson," Karl said. "Whatever that means."

"It means we should expect them to be fighting again in meetings in the next few months when Gina ends it again," Harry commented. "They'll never make a true run of it as long as Sung's still on the Council."

"I thought Richard was the one grumbling about retirement, not Sung," Liv said.

"Richard's always grumbling about retiring so he can get back to his ranch. Which is why we might move headquarters to Melbourne sooner or later, just to shut him up."

"Or he really will retire," Liv said.

"Not likely," Harry replied. "Not without Marcus knowing about it first, and you know he'll move heaven and earth to keep Richard from leaving and Dana from taking his spot. Besides, Marcus could never keep a secret that big."

"My money's still on Melbourne," Karl grinned. "Or Sydney. It's been a long time since we've spent any significant amount of time in the Southern Hemisphere."

"I'm surprised you're not in favor of Sao Paolo or Rio," Liv commented with a wry grin.

"Don't give him ideas," Harry said. "Besides, South America is still too far from Richard's ranch. We'd never hear the end of it."

"I bet it wouldn't take much to talk Sean or Marcus into setting up shop in Brazil," Karl said.

"Gramps would never go for it."

"You still call him that?" Liv asked, making a tsking noise. "No wonder your pet has so little respect for Viggo's position."

"I think he's learned a lot more respect since he's been Viggo's aide," Karl pointed out, before Harry could. "His eyes have definitely been opened on how hard the job is."

"Although he still does his fair share of bitching about our antiquated methods," Harry added. "In that way, he and Dave are very similar."

"Well, the methods are antiquated," Liv said, giving Karl a serene look. "And don't look at me like that. You know I'm right. It would be so much easier if all of you were equipped with iPads for the meetings. And imagine how nice it would be to carry all your files with you instead of having to hunt for just the right report. And there are plenty of vampires who are capable of setting up an impenetrable computer network or intranet for the Council - including one right under Viggo's nose, if he would unbend enough to apologize for angering her all those years ago."

Harry made a low sound while Karl shook his head. "You know he'll never go for it."

"Does he know she's working for Lawrence now?"

"Ah," Karl said, shooting Harry a look, not at all surprised when Harry just arched a brow and shrugged. "You'd have to ask him."

"Is that a challenge?" she asked, clearly delighted with just the idea.

"You know if you even bring up Salma's name, it won't end well," Karl told her. Although, if anyone could bring Viggo around, it would be Liv.

"It would be nice if they both just learned to move past it," Harry added.

"Please," Karl scoffed, "no one can hold a grudge like Viggo. Except maybe Salma."

"Sadly true," Liv said, as the limo rolled to a stop in front of the Peninsula. "Although she'd be the first to say that she learned all she knows of stubbornness from him."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure she had a lot of it before she met Viggo."

Harry chuckled. "I'd have to agree. I remember the first time we met her, when she was still a companion."

"Was that the time she threw the plate at my head?" Karl asked.

"You did deserve it," Liv commented, with an innocent smile.

"It did teach him not to assume that anyone was the hired help again."

"No, it didn't," Karl said, deciding to roll with it because he knew there was no stopping them. He slid from the car and held out a hand for Liv. "Remember...oh, what was her name? That one Chinese girl Marcus was with?"

"Li," Harry supplied, stepping to Liv's other side as they made their way into the spacious lobby. "If I remember correctly, you tried to convince her to go home with us."

"She was exceptionally beautiful," Karl said, defending himself more out of habit than anything else.

"And also, if memory serves, she tried to geld you for your impertinence," Harry said. He held the elevator doors open for Liv and Karl to step through, and joined them.

"Which would have been unfortunate," Liv commented drily. "I'm surprise Marcus ever forgave you for the error."

"He got his own back later by trying to steal one of my companions from me," Karl told her.

"What Karl isn't telling you," Harry said, "is that this has been going on for a few decades."

Liv looked at Karl, who just shrugged. Again. "I suppose we might stop one day," he said, but doubted it. "The ladies don't complain, though."

"They wouldn't."

"There are rules to the contest," Karl protested. He knew it was a lost cause, but he also knew Liv expected it. "Unspoken ones."

"Of course there are," she said. Then the elevator doors opened, and they followed her out into the penthouse suite.

"So I noticed you have two new young men with you this time," Karl said, trying to change the subject and wondering if she'd let him. He figured he had a 50-50 chance. "Where did you find them?"

She opened her mouth, no doubt with a scathing remark on the tip of her tongue, then closed it and offered Karl a smile instead. "You should ask your pets about them instead. They're currently huddled together in the other room."

"Conspiring to overthrow the Council, no doubt," Harry remarked.

"Although, I'm not surprised they beat us here," Karl said, and opened the double doors into the main room to reveal Josh and Orlando, both seated at the piano, chatting with the aforementioned new young men of Liv's, both of whom turned in unison and bowed at Liv when she entered the room.

//Are you children behaving yourselves?//

Josh smiled without saying anything as Orlando ran his fingers over the piano keys in a quick little melody. It was, Karl knew, the extent of Orlando's musical ability. Then they stood in unison and moved towards Liv. As Karl watched (feeling Harry's amusement through their bond), they each took one of her hands, bowed slightly, and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"Still just as charming as before," Liv said, clearly pleased and amused. Before Orlando could move away, she caught his chin in one hand, tilting his head one way, then the other. "You look much better than you did the last I saw you. Fully recovered?"

"I am," Orlando said, flashing that sweet smile that Karl loved so much. "And I want to thank you for everything you did to help me through it."

"It was my pleasure," she said, brushing a kiss across his cheek before gesturing Karl and Harry closer. "And since the two of you were so interested, let me introduce you to my newest companions. This is Dayo." She linked arms with a young man with skin the color of the richest, darkest chocolate. He nodded to Harry and Karl as Liv held her hand out to the other young man, whose dark eyes took in everything as his warm, honeyed skin caught the light. "And this is Kerem. I found him practically in my backyard."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Karl said. He definitely approved, but then, Liv had always had exquisite taste.

"The pleasure and privilege is ours, my Lord," Dayo replied, his English impeccable. Kerem simply smiled, but Karl could tell he was more than slightly amused at Dayo's formality.

Liv patted them both on the cheek, then turned to Josh, and cupped both hands under his jaw. "You're looking very well," she pronounced. "Has Karl been giving you everything you need?"

Josh grinned, wide and wicked. "No complaints so far, but if I do, I know who to call."

"See that you do," Liv said, returning the smile with her own, and bestowing a light kiss to his forehead. Then she turned back to Karl and Harry. "And now that we're all gathered here, am I ever going to learn why you wished to speak with me?"

Karl took a deep breath and offered her a smile. "We wanted to talk to you about the iunctum."

"What about it?"

Karl shared a look with Harry, but Harry kept silent. "Does it affect a pet bond?"

"Interesting." She settled gracefully into a chair. For a long moment she studied them in silence. "The answer to your question is no. An iunctum won't affect a pet bond."

"Well, there you go," Josh smiled, and Karl thought maybe he and Orlando could actually feel his relief through the bond, it was so great. "Now Harry has to make an honest man out of you."

Orlando let out a laugh. "After all these centuries of trying, you really think he's got a shot?"

Liv's brows furrowed, then smoothed. "Ah, I understand. This is about the two of you."

Harry simply took Karl's hand in his, and looked at Liv. "We just thought it was past time that we actually went through with the bond and made it formal."

To Karl's surprise, Liv threw her head back and laughed, the sound musical and richly amused. "Oh, my beautiful, beautiful boys, how you delight me," she said. "In all the centuries you two have been together, did it never occur to you that you're already bound by the iunctum?"

"But we're not," Harry said, slowly. "We've never had the ceremony."

She cupped her chin in her hands and regarded them with such warmth that Karl felt like he'd been caught in full sunlight. "What did you think the source of your inexplicable bond with each other actually was?"

"I..." Karl's teeth clicked shut. He turned helplessly to Harry, who looked shell-shocked. "I suppose we never thought about it."

"So...they managed to bind themselves to each other without realizing it?" Josh asked, forehead wrinkling. "Is that what you're getting at here?"

Liv nodded. "No one knows how it happened, of course, since you were mortal at the time, Harry, and there was never a formal ceremony, but yes, the two of you have been bound by the iunctum since the moment you laid eyes on each other."

"That's not possible," Harry said, dropping heavily into a chair.

Liv arched an eyebrow. "You, of all people, say that?"

Harry just stared at her, and Karl knew exactly how he felt. Just the idea was more than a little overwhelming. "I don't..." he finally managed, then paused in an effort to gather his thoughts. "Who knew?"

"I believe Viggo suspected if he didn't outright know. Craig knew, but he's always kept his own counsel. Marton, of course. And..." The pause was telling, as was the way her face went carefully blank. "One or two others, perhaps. Everyone thought you were aware of it."

Which meant Joaquin had known. And had never told either of them. "We knew we had a bond no one could explain, but not the source of it," he finally said.

"As I said, no one can explain it," Liv restated. "Harry was mortal when you first met - you shouldn't have had any sort of mental or soul-deep connection to him at all, let alone one as strong as the one you had. There's never been anything like it before or since."

"I always thought it was a weird pet bond," Orlando piped up, moving to stand behind Harry and putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Harry still looked like he'd been hit by a particularly brutal punch, and their bond was swirling with emotion.

Liv gave Orlando a considering look for a long moment that stretched out in silence. Then she focused on Harry. "Perhaps you're right, child," she said, then shifted her gaze to Karl. "I never knew Harry while he was mortal, but, by all accounts, he fought his connection to Karl with everything he had."

"You can say that again," Karl murmured, memories of their first few years together washing over him.

"And while there's no proof that anyone's ever been able to successfully do it, if anyone could fight off a pet bond, my money would be on him," Liv said.

"So, you're saying...what?" Josh perched himself on the edge of the piano bench. "That they had a pet bond, but Harry was too stubborn to accept it, so it changed somehow?"

Liv's shoulders lifted in a delicate shrug. "Like I said, there's no proof that that's what it was. But a true pet bond cannot be denied, not for long. And we don't know what could happen if one party had the mental will to successfully subvert it, because no one's ever been strong enough to do so -- not even Marton, and he tried his best to resist his bond with Billy in the beginning. Perhaps it was a pet bond that molded itself into what was needed. However it started, there's no denying what it is now, or that the two of them were meant to be bonded to each other."

Orlando held up his hand like he was a student at a lecture. "I'm sorry, did you just say that Marton tried to resist his pet bond with Billy?"

It was Harry who answered, thankfully looking a little more like himself. "Times were very different back when Marton was head of the Council," he said quietly. "There were many more dangers."

"And Marton was ever careful of his position and of the vulnerability of anyone who was close to him," Liv continued, and Karl could hear the echo of grief in her voice. "A pet - as rare and cherished as they are - was unthinkable for someone like him, so when he met Billy, he resisted the bond as long as he could."

"And drove the rest of us insane as a result," Karl finished. "Those few months before he finally caved were some of the worst I've ever had as a Council member, and as his friend." Not even Joaquin had been able to break through to Marton and lessen the emotional toll that resisting the bond had taken on him. "It wasn't until he found out how greatly resisting the bond was affecting Billy that he finally came to his senses."

"So how does it affect the mortal?"

"The closest thing to describe it is a deep depression," Liv said. She looked uncomfortable, and Karl couldn't help wondering if she was remembering Joaquin. "It won't kill the pet, not on its own, but it can render them unable to function normally."

"Before Marton accepted the bond and claimed him, Billy had stopped eating properly and refused to leave his rooms at Viggo's keep," Karl said. "Gerard and Viggo were taking care of him, but there was only so much they could do. Pets were even more rare then than they are now, mostly because the population was much smaller and it was harder to travel. So Billy had no clue what was happening to him, other than he was drawn to Marton with every fiber of his being."

Harry's short laugh interrupted Karl's words. "And let's be honest," he said, not looking at anyone, but relaxing visibly as Orlando's hand slid to the back of his neck, "I'm not certain Marton didn't have the right way of it in the end."

"What do you mean?" Josh asked, and Karl held his breath. He knew how close he and Liv and Harry were to skating onto very dangerous territory.

"In the end, it was Marton and Billy's relationship that killed both of them," Harry said, sad and soft. "Once Billy was taken from him, there was no reasoning with Marton. He went off after Billy without backup or a plan, and they both died as a result."

"The entire course of our race was changed that day," Liv said, and Karl, almost without thinking, slid his hand under hers so she could grab onto it and hold on. "So many lives changed in an instant..."

As Karl watched, Josh and Orlando exchanged a meaningful, long look, but he couldn't discern the reason for it. He was tempted to dip into his bonds with them to try to solve the mystery, but decided against it. They were entitled to their secrets.

"Times have changed, though," Orlando finally said, and dropped a kiss to the crown of Harry's head. "We're not nearly as vulnerable now."

"Besides, I'd rather have a few decades of happiness and having the bond than to go through the rest of my life with an ache that never goes away," Josh said, with a shrug. "I obviously didn't know Marton or Billy, but if they had anything like what I've got with Karl, I think they probably would have considered the risks and consequences worth it."

Karl looked at Josh, let Josh know through their bond that he was loved and cherished every bit as much as Marton loved and cherished Billy, then did the same with Orlando. "I think you're right," Liv said, smiling at Josh. "They were very happy together."

"Marton never regretted it," Harry said, shocking Karl again. Neither of them had ever talked about those final moments with Marton, when they'd arrived far too late to do anything other than to watch helplessly as he'd died in their arms, Billy's broken body beside him.

Karl and Harry gave each other a brief, private smile, then Karl stated, feeling the truth in it down to his very bones: "Love like that is always worth it, in the end."

"Well said, old man."

Orlando crouched beside Harry's chair and took one of his hands. "From everything you and Karl and Gerard have told me, there was nothing you could have done. Put me in Billy's place and you in Marton's, and tell me who could have stopped you."

"He's right, you know," Liv said, her expression once more open and calm. "No one could have stopped Marton from going, and no one could have prevented what happened. The plan to execute him had been too well thought out. But you made them pay."

She gave Karl's fingers a gentle squeeze, then settled back in her chair. "The iunctum bond isn't nearly as overwhelming, but it can be just as bad," she said, giving Karl a pointed look. "You've seen enough bonded pairs in your life to recognize one when you see it."

"Clearly not, or I would have known what Harry and I had."

"Although we should have figured it out, as much as we went off chasing after the other," Harry said.

"I suppose this means we don't have to worry about a ceremony now," Karl mused, and frowned when Harry shook his head. "We do?"

"I still want to have it. We may have always had that bond, but it's never been formalized." In one smooth motion, Harry rose from the chair, then dropped to a knee in front of Karl and took one unresisting hand in both of his. "I'm asking, here and now, with our loved ones as witness, if you would do me the honor of joining with me in the iunctum?"

Karl blinked rapidly, forcing back the sudden moisture in his eyes. He sank to his knees as well, cupped Harry's cheek with his free palm, and smiled. He thought maybe he might still be smiling in another century. "The honor would be mine," he managed to whisper, then covered Harry's lips with his own.

"Well, it's about time," Orlando said, as he dropped into Harry's vacated seat.

"I better get an invitation to the ceremony," Liv said.

"Actually," Karl said, looking at Harry and exhaling when Harry nodded, "we want you to perform it."

"I would be thrilled," she said, flashing that bright, sunny smile once more. "I'll even make another trip when you decide on a date."

"Tonight," Harry said, his eyes never leaving Karl. "We have the witnesses necessary, so there's no need to wait."

"Wait, tonight tonight?!" Orlando yelped.

Harry finally looked at Orlando. "Is there a reason we should wait?"

Continued in Part Two