The Mechanics of Love, Part Two: Karl/Eric fic
Title: The Mechanics of Love, Part Two
Characters: Eric Bana/Karl Urban
Rating: PG-13 for this part
Beta: The always generous kitty_trio
Word Count: 2356 words this part
Disclaimer: Never happened; I make no money from this story
Summary: This is an AU set in NZ, with Eric aged about 25 and Karl about 21. They are both mechanics, working for a small outfit in West Auckland.
Author's Notes: I know this has been a long time coming, considering when I started it. I'm sorry for the delay in getting part two of this story to light, but rest assured, I am working on the rest of it. Two more parts should follow in the next couple of weeks, and I hope to have the rest of it ready before too long.
Dedication: This is for lookingglassf1, who has been most patient. Happy Birthday, G! *hugs and kisses*
Part One can be found here
If anything, it was raining harder in the morning, and Eric had no desire to go anywhere near Karl after what he'd told himself yesterday, but he knew he'd be letting the guy down if he didn't at least give him the lift to work that he'd offered.
Cursing himself for his stupidity, Eric dashed out to his car and climbed in, wiping rain off his face. He went over what he was going to say to Karl as he started up the vehicle.
"Look, Karl, about Friday… I forgot; I'm meeting some mates…"
No, that wouldn't do. Karl would wonder why he couldn't just take him along.
"I have to have dinner with my auntie and uncle…"
Christ! That sounded even worse! Finally, he settled on being dragged off to a concert with his flatmates, and there weren't any extra tickets. He hoped to hell Karl didn't ask who was playing or where, or the lie would just get worse.
It was still pouring heavily when he pulled up outside Karl's place and tooted the horn.
Nothing happened for some minutes, so he tooted again, frowning at the thought of having to get out and seek his passenger. The front door finally opened and Karl gave him a wave, then turned to yell something back inside. There was obviously some kind of argument as Karl's handsome face screwed into a frown and he stepped back inside for a moment, and then rapidly he was moving; slamming the door and heading for the car at a run.
"Sorry, mate," he apologised, shaking the rain off his hair and shutting the car door, "My dad wanted me to stop for something on the way home, but I told him I couldn't…"
"Don't worry about it," Eric told him, swallowing carefully and trying not to think about how good Karl looked with damp hair and water droplets rolling under his collar. "We could stop on the way home if you want? No big deal."
"Uh… no, just… no, don't worry about it. He can get it himself later."
Karl bowed his head and Eric thought a slight flush crept over his cheeks as he turned towards the window and stared out. He didn't seem inclined to talk, and Eric wondered what his father wanted.
"Hey, umm, Karl?" he asked nervously.
"Yeah?"
"About Friday… I…"
The look on Karl's face as he turned back was much brighter, like he was really looking forward to their date that was so not a date.
"I…" Eric wavered, looking back out the windscreen and concentrating on the wet road, "I'll pick you up at seven, then."
Shit!
~//~//~
How he got through the rest of the week, Eric wasn't sure. He didn't say anything to anyone else at work about the upcoming get-together with Karl, and going by the usual banter not varying at all, he presumed Karl hadn't said anything either.
He kept his head down and worked for the most part, trying not to pay any more attention to Karl than normal; which of course meant the usual looking at him and immediately looking away again when he realised what he was doing, trying not to notice how Karl's muscles moved when he was straining with some job, and the perpetual trying not to be too close to him at any moment of the day.
And the rain kept up all week, so he felt obliged to keep offering Karl a ride. Not that it was a long trip to make, or that they spoke much on the journey. He wasn't quite sure what he should be saying to Karl, in any case. Since they didn't talk a lot at work, Karl didn't seem to expect much, which was a relief.
Eric did wonder several times what they'd find to talk about at the pub, but he decided to cross that bridge when he got to it; besides, the beer might make it easier.
Friday dawned with sun peeking through the clouds, and if he was honest, Eric could have said it was some kind of sign. The morning just seemed to get brighter as Eric got ready for work, and without stopping to think whether Karl would need the lift if it wasn't raining, he headed his car to the run-down house where Karl lived, stopping and tooting the horn eagerly.
Karl appeared more quickly this time, like the lack of rain meant he could be ready quicker. The bright smile on his face reflected the day's glow and Eric couldn't help returning the grin as his workmate got in the car.
~//~//~
Seven came around far too quickly, and suddenly Eric was nervous. He'd gotten changed a couple of times, which really wasn't like him. What did it matter what Karl thought about his clothes? Finally, he felt ready, even though his heart was thumping anxiously.
Karl was already on the step waiting, looking freshly scrubbed and immaculate in tight black jeans and a soft-looking denim shirt. Shiny black boots peeked out from under the hem of the jeans, and he smiled nervously as he clomped down the steps and made his way along the path to Eric's car.
"Hi," he announced as he opened the door; the low tone hitting something deep inside Eric.
He had to take a deep breath before he could speak, and even then he thought he must sound odd. "Hey. You look different out of overalls… uh… in normal clothes." Christ! How stupid was he?
Karl slanted a grin at him and replied, "You do too. You look pretty good, actually. We're gonna have to beat the girls off with a stick."
Eric blinked as he started the car up. He couldn't mean anything by that, could he? No, this was just your average straight Kiwi joker, winding him up about women. It had to be.
"Ha-bloody-ha, mate," he muttered gruffly.
Karl raised his eyebrows and grinned harder, like he was pleased to have embarrassed Eric so easily. If only he knew.
At the pub, they found an empty pool table and promptly claimed it. Karl went for beer while Eric racked up the balls. The first game was an amiable round of piss-taking at each other's ability, interspersed with drinking and subtle admiring of incredible muscle-form as his partner leaned over the table - the latter on Eric's part anyway; he couldn't vouch for Karl's thoughts.
The beer helped relax him, and Eric found they'd worked their way through a few glasses before they'd played too many games. Karl, as it turned out, wasn't that hard to talk to when he was drinking, and the few women watching them seemed to agree. Karl hadn't been so wrong about beating them off with a stick, then.
Eric tried not to feel annoyed at the easy way Karl had with the girls. His flirting seemed natural enough, and from what Eric could work out, it wouldn't take much for Karl to leave with one of them instead of him. The thought made him feel vaguely sick, but he couldn't let that show. He put on his usual 'straight' façade, chatting amiably with the one girl who seemed more interested in him than Karl, and offering what he could in conversation to the group flocking around Karl.
Unable to drink too heavily because he was driving, Eric found himself smoking too many cigarettes, and when their combined interest in pool started to wane, he found himself stuck in a corner booth with his new female friend while Karl and his 'harem' propped up the bar looking for more beer.
"He's quite the Romeo," the girl, Janice, offered. "Can see why you'd hang out with him."
"Yeah, girls love him, that's for sure," Eric replied carefully, trying to keep his eyes off his 'mate' and tune into the pretty girl with him.
"He likes them too, I'd say. Not so sure about you, though."
"What?" Eric squinted at Janice, his heart beginning to thud.
"Oh, you're the heartbreaker type, I can tell," she grinned, licking along one ruby lip, and running one long crimson fingernail down his arm.
Eric huffed, relieved. "Yeah, that's me. One date only. Doesn't seem to be putting you off, though."
"One date, eh? That doesn't mean we couldn't have some fun on that 'one date', you know."
"Look, Janice, you seem like a nice person, but y'know, I'm not looking for anything right now."
"Oh, neither am I," she purred, shifting closer, "but that doesn't have to mean we finish the night this early, does it?"
Eric's heart started thudding again, and he glanced at Karl, who for the first time in a couple of hours met his eyes. Whether he looked like he needed saving, Eric wasn't sure, but Karl whispered something to the girl next to him and heaved himself off his stool.
"Night, ladies," Karl's low tones reached Eric's ears, "Early start at overtime tomorrow. Hate to cut things short, but I really need to drag that big lunk away from the girl practically in his lap," he indicated Eric over his shoulder, "or he'll be good for nothing at work in the morning. It's been fun. See you all again soon, I hope."
A couple of the women murmured sounds of disappointment, but they all seemed to accept his decision to abandon them. Eric couldn't have been more pleased, even though the story about overtime was a lie.
Eric managed to disentangle himself from Janice as he smiled at her. "Sorry; Karl's right. We have an early start. Maybe some other time."
She raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief, but nodded, saying, "Sure. See you 'round." With that, she was gone, like she'd easily find better fish to fry.
Outside, Eric heaved a sigh of relief as Karl shoved hands in his pockets and looked up at him from under almost shyly lowered brows.
"You looked trapped," Karl offered.
"Yeah, thanks. I was feeling a bit that way. It didn't ruin your chances with anyone, did it?"
Karl looked away, kicking at a stone as they wandered towards Eric's car. "Nah; didn't fancy any of them anyway."
"You sure?"
"Yeah; I said so, didn't I?" Karl frowned back at him, circling around the car to the passenger side.
Eric gulped, confused by his friend's sudden change of mood. "Okay."
They got into the car and Eric started it up, glancing at the dashboard clock as he backed the car out. It was only a little after ten; still early by anyone's standards.
"You wanna do something else?" Eric asked as he headed the car west.
"Like what?" Karl asked, sounding petulant.
"You ever been out to Piha at this time of night?"
Karl snorted and gave him a look which turned Eric's insides to jelly. Fuck! If he could do that with just a look…
"So, you up for it? We don't have to get out if it's too windy, but man… the beach looks amazing in the moonlight, and the surf…" Eric trailed off, hoping he didn't sound too bloody stupid.
It was one thing to take a 'date' out there for a 'romantic' walk, but another guy - a friend who he definitely should not be having romantic thoughts about - could just make him seem like the big queer he was.
"Sure," Karl agreed, nodding, and gazed thoughtfully out the window.
~//~//~
The surf roared comfortingly as Karl and Eric wandered along the dark sand, scuffing their feet and not speaking. They'd walked for about five minutes when Karl suddenly stopped. Eric kept on going for a few paces, but when Karl didn't immediately rejoin him, he whirled in the darkness to frown behind him.
"Let's go back, eh?" Karl's disembodied voice floated out.
"Okay; if you want," Eric replied, squinting.
Karl's dark form materialised as he began to move away from Eric, back in the direction they'd come from. Eric shook his head, wondering, then quickly moved to join Karl before he could no longer see him.
"Too cold?" Eric queried, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. It was pretty windy out here.
"Yeah," Karl muttered and said no more.
"Karl?"
"Yeah?"
"You really didn't mind leaving the pub early, did you?"
"No! Honestly, you don't have to fuss. Those women… they were getting to me; that's all. I didn't want a bloody catfight on my hands, ya know?"
Eric huffed. "Most guys like the idea."
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not worth fighting over."
Eric felt a shiver of something odd go through him and he chewed at his lip for a moment, unsure if this line of thought was worth pursuing. He took a breath.
"I'd say you are."
Karl stopped again and turned to face Eric as he halted himself. Eric swallowed, hearing his pulse thud in his ears even over the sound of the crashing surf.
"Yeah? What the fuck would you know, Eric? How many times have you been bloody rejected? Never, I bet."
The vehemence and pain in Karl's voice shocked Eric and he wasn't sure what to say for a moment. He found it hard to believe that Karl could be rejected by anyone. He was tall, dark and handsome; any woman's - not to mention guy's - dream date, but Eric couldn't tell him that.
They stared at each other in the dim light for a few pregnant moments; then Karl turned on his heel with a sound of scorn, and strode off across the sand ahead of Eric.
"Karl!" Eric yelled, "I'm sorry." He ran to catch up with Karl, grabbing at his arm.
Karl tried to pull away at first, but Eric didn't give up, unsure why this mattered so much suddenly. Karl wasn't gay; he wasn't likely to want any of the things Eric wished for.
"Just forget it, Eric," Karl said, "It doesn't matter. I just... look, I didn't want any of those bloody girls because I'm the biggest queer this side of the black stump, and I'd rather be with you."
Eric almost fell over in shock.
~//~//~
Part Three
Fine Jewelry Shopping
Characters: Eric Bana/Karl Urban
Rating: PG-13 for this part
Beta: The always generous kitty_trio
Word Count: 2356 words this part
Disclaimer: Never happened; I make no money from this story
Summary: This is an AU set in NZ, with Eric aged about 25 and Karl about 21. They are both mechanics, working for a small outfit in West Auckland.
Author's Notes: I know this has been a long time coming, considering when I started it. I'm sorry for the delay in getting part two of this story to light, but rest assured, I am working on the rest of it. Two more parts should follow in the next couple of weeks, and I hope to have the rest of it ready before too long.
Dedication: This is for lookingglassf1, who has been most patient. Happy Birthday, G! *hugs and kisses*
Part One can be found here
If anything, it was raining harder in the morning, and Eric had no desire to go anywhere near Karl after what he'd told himself yesterday, but he knew he'd be letting the guy down if he didn't at least give him the lift to work that he'd offered.
Cursing himself for his stupidity, Eric dashed out to his car and climbed in, wiping rain off his face. He went over what he was going to say to Karl as he started up the vehicle.
"Look, Karl, about Friday… I forgot; I'm meeting some mates…"
No, that wouldn't do. Karl would wonder why he couldn't just take him along.
"I have to have dinner with my auntie and uncle…"
Christ! That sounded even worse! Finally, he settled on being dragged off to a concert with his flatmates, and there weren't any extra tickets. He hoped to hell Karl didn't ask who was playing or where, or the lie would just get worse.
It was still pouring heavily when he pulled up outside Karl's place and tooted the horn.
Nothing happened for some minutes, so he tooted again, frowning at the thought of having to get out and seek his passenger. The front door finally opened and Karl gave him a wave, then turned to yell something back inside. There was obviously some kind of argument as Karl's handsome face screwed into a frown and he stepped back inside for a moment, and then rapidly he was moving; slamming the door and heading for the car at a run.
"Sorry, mate," he apologised, shaking the rain off his hair and shutting the car door, "My dad wanted me to stop for something on the way home, but I told him I couldn't…"
"Don't worry about it," Eric told him, swallowing carefully and trying not to think about how good Karl looked with damp hair and water droplets rolling under his collar. "We could stop on the way home if you want? No big deal."
"Uh… no, just… no, don't worry about it. He can get it himself later."
Karl bowed his head and Eric thought a slight flush crept over his cheeks as he turned towards the window and stared out. He didn't seem inclined to talk, and Eric wondered what his father wanted.
"Hey, umm, Karl?" he asked nervously.
"Yeah?"
"About Friday… I…"
The look on Karl's face as he turned back was much brighter, like he was really looking forward to their date that was so not a date.
"I…" Eric wavered, looking back out the windscreen and concentrating on the wet road, "I'll pick you up at seven, then."
Shit!
~//~//~
How he got through the rest of the week, Eric wasn't sure. He didn't say anything to anyone else at work about the upcoming get-together with Karl, and going by the usual banter not varying at all, he presumed Karl hadn't said anything either.
He kept his head down and worked for the most part, trying not to pay any more attention to Karl than normal; which of course meant the usual looking at him and immediately looking away again when he realised what he was doing, trying not to notice how Karl's muscles moved when he was straining with some job, and the perpetual trying not to be too close to him at any moment of the day.
And the rain kept up all week, so he felt obliged to keep offering Karl a ride. Not that it was a long trip to make, or that they spoke much on the journey. He wasn't quite sure what he should be saying to Karl, in any case. Since they didn't talk a lot at work, Karl didn't seem to expect much, which was a relief.
Eric did wonder several times what they'd find to talk about at the pub, but he decided to cross that bridge when he got to it; besides, the beer might make it easier.
Friday dawned with sun peeking through the clouds, and if he was honest, Eric could have said it was some kind of sign. The morning just seemed to get brighter as Eric got ready for work, and without stopping to think whether Karl would need the lift if it wasn't raining, he headed his car to the run-down house where Karl lived, stopping and tooting the horn eagerly.
Karl appeared more quickly this time, like the lack of rain meant he could be ready quicker. The bright smile on his face reflected the day's glow and Eric couldn't help returning the grin as his workmate got in the car.
~//~//~
Seven came around far too quickly, and suddenly Eric was nervous. He'd gotten changed a couple of times, which really wasn't like him. What did it matter what Karl thought about his clothes? Finally, he felt ready, even though his heart was thumping anxiously.
Karl was already on the step waiting, looking freshly scrubbed and immaculate in tight black jeans and a soft-looking denim shirt. Shiny black boots peeked out from under the hem of the jeans, and he smiled nervously as he clomped down the steps and made his way along the path to Eric's car.
"Hi," he announced as he opened the door; the low tone hitting something deep inside Eric.
He had to take a deep breath before he could speak, and even then he thought he must sound odd. "Hey. You look different out of overalls… uh… in normal clothes." Christ! How stupid was he?
Karl slanted a grin at him and replied, "You do too. You look pretty good, actually. We're gonna have to beat the girls off with a stick."
Eric blinked as he started the car up. He couldn't mean anything by that, could he? No, this was just your average straight Kiwi joker, winding him up about women. It had to be.
"Ha-bloody-ha, mate," he muttered gruffly.
Karl raised his eyebrows and grinned harder, like he was pleased to have embarrassed Eric so easily. If only he knew.
At the pub, they found an empty pool table and promptly claimed it. Karl went for beer while Eric racked up the balls. The first game was an amiable round of piss-taking at each other's ability, interspersed with drinking and subtle admiring of incredible muscle-form as his partner leaned over the table - the latter on Eric's part anyway; he couldn't vouch for Karl's thoughts.
The beer helped relax him, and Eric found they'd worked their way through a few glasses before they'd played too many games. Karl, as it turned out, wasn't that hard to talk to when he was drinking, and the few women watching them seemed to agree. Karl hadn't been so wrong about beating them off with a stick, then.
Eric tried not to feel annoyed at the easy way Karl had with the girls. His flirting seemed natural enough, and from what Eric could work out, it wouldn't take much for Karl to leave with one of them instead of him. The thought made him feel vaguely sick, but he couldn't let that show. He put on his usual 'straight' façade, chatting amiably with the one girl who seemed more interested in him than Karl, and offering what he could in conversation to the group flocking around Karl.
Unable to drink too heavily because he was driving, Eric found himself smoking too many cigarettes, and when their combined interest in pool started to wane, he found himself stuck in a corner booth with his new female friend while Karl and his 'harem' propped up the bar looking for more beer.
"He's quite the Romeo," the girl, Janice, offered. "Can see why you'd hang out with him."
"Yeah, girls love him, that's for sure," Eric replied carefully, trying to keep his eyes off his 'mate' and tune into the pretty girl with him.
"He likes them too, I'd say. Not so sure about you, though."
"What?" Eric squinted at Janice, his heart beginning to thud.
"Oh, you're the heartbreaker type, I can tell," she grinned, licking along one ruby lip, and running one long crimson fingernail down his arm.
Eric huffed, relieved. "Yeah, that's me. One date only. Doesn't seem to be putting you off, though."
"One date, eh? That doesn't mean we couldn't have some fun on that 'one date', you know."
"Look, Janice, you seem like a nice person, but y'know, I'm not looking for anything right now."
"Oh, neither am I," she purred, shifting closer, "but that doesn't have to mean we finish the night this early, does it?"
Eric's heart started thudding again, and he glanced at Karl, who for the first time in a couple of hours met his eyes. Whether he looked like he needed saving, Eric wasn't sure, but Karl whispered something to the girl next to him and heaved himself off his stool.
"Night, ladies," Karl's low tones reached Eric's ears, "Early start at overtime tomorrow. Hate to cut things short, but I really need to drag that big lunk away from the girl practically in his lap," he indicated Eric over his shoulder, "or he'll be good for nothing at work in the morning. It's been fun. See you all again soon, I hope."
A couple of the women murmured sounds of disappointment, but they all seemed to accept his decision to abandon them. Eric couldn't have been more pleased, even though the story about overtime was a lie.
Eric managed to disentangle himself from Janice as he smiled at her. "Sorry; Karl's right. We have an early start. Maybe some other time."
She raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief, but nodded, saying, "Sure. See you 'round." With that, she was gone, like she'd easily find better fish to fry.
Outside, Eric heaved a sigh of relief as Karl shoved hands in his pockets and looked up at him from under almost shyly lowered brows.
"You looked trapped," Karl offered.
"Yeah, thanks. I was feeling a bit that way. It didn't ruin your chances with anyone, did it?"
Karl looked away, kicking at a stone as they wandered towards Eric's car. "Nah; didn't fancy any of them anyway."
"You sure?"
"Yeah; I said so, didn't I?" Karl frowned back at him, circling around the car to the passenger side.
Eric gulped, confused by his friend's sudden change of mood. "Okay."
They got into the car and Eric started it up, glancing at the dashboard clock as he backed the car out. It was only a little after ten; still early by anyone's standards.
"You wanna do something else?" Eric asked as he headed the car west.
"Like what?" Karl asked, sounding petulant.
"You ever been out to Piha at this time of night?"
Karl snorted and gave him a look which turned Eric's insides to jelly. Fuck! If he could do that with just a look…
"So, you up for it? We don't have to get out if it's too windy, but man… the beach looks amazing in the moonlight, and the surf…" Eric trailed off, hoping he didn't sound too bloody stupid.
It was one thing to take a 'date' out there for a 'romantic' walk, but another guy - a friend who he definitely should not be having romantic thoughts about - could just make him seem like the big queer he was.
"Sure," Karl agreed, nodding, and gazed thoughtfully out the window.
~//~//~
The surf roared comfortingly as Karl and Eric wandered along the dark sand, scuffing their feet and not speaking. They'd walked for about five minutes when Karl suddenly stopped. Eric kept on going for a few paces, but when Karl didn't immediately rejoin him, he whirled in the darkness to frown behind him.
"Let's go back, eh?" Karl's disembodied voice floated out.
"Okay; if you want," Eric replied, squinting.
Karl's dark form materialised as he began to move away from Eric, back in the direction they'd come from. Eric shook his head, wondering, then quickly moved to join Karl before he could no longer see him.
"Too cold?" Eric queried, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. It was pretty windy out here.
"Yeah," Karl muttered and said no more.
"Karl?"
"Yeah?"
"You really didn't mind leaving the pub early, did you?"
"No! Honestly, you don't have to fuss. Those women… they were getting to me; that's all. I didn't want a bloody catfight on my hands, ya know?"
Eric huffed. "Most guys like the idea."
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not worth fighting over."
Eric felt a shiver of something odd go through him and he chewed at his lip for a moment, unsure if this line of thought was worth pursuing. He took a breath.
"I'd say you are."
Karl stopped again and turned to face Eric as he halted himself. Eric swallowed, hearing his pulse thud in his ears even over the sound of the crashing surf.
"Yeah? What the fuck would you know, Eric? How many times have you been bloody rejected? Never, I bet."
The vehemence and pain in Karl's voice shocked Eric and he wasn't sure what to say for a moment. He found it hard to believe that Karl could be rejected by anyone. He was tall, dark and handsome; any woman's - not to mention guy's - dream date, but Eric couldn't tell him that.
They stared at each other in the dim light for a few pregnant moments; then Karl turned on his heel with a sound of scorn, and strode off across the sand ahead of Eric.
"Karl!" Eric yelled, "I'm sorry." He ran to catch up with Karl, grabbing at his arm.
Karl tried to pull away at first, but Eric didn't give up, unsure why this mattered so much suddenly. Karl wasn't gay; he wasn't likely to want any of the things Eric wished for.
"Just forget it, Eric," Karl said, "It doesn't matter. I just... look, I didn't want any of those bloody girls because I'm the biggest queer this side of the black stump, and I'd rather be with you."
Eric almost fell over in shock.
~//~//~
Part Three
Fine Jewelry Shopping