Title: Captivated: Part Seven Authors: Brenda & Jo Disclaimer: Never happened. "I'm yearning I'm burning I feel love's wheels turning" -- Depeche Mode Orlando woke up slowly, stretching tired muscles. God, he felt fabulous, felt great, felt fucking incredible, felt...Fuck. Nerves zapped into screaming awareness at the feel of wet heat surrounding his cock. He glanced down to see Harry sucking his erection back in his throat, hollowing his cheeks. Orlando bucked up under him, fingers lacing through Harry's hair, wrapping around the strands to hold his head in place. The mouth on him was voracious, wild, with teeth that nipped and a tongue that soothed. Harry's hand gripped the base, doing some wrist flick thing that had Orlando choking, then gasping, coming in seconds, back arching off the cushions of the sofa, body taut, then pliant. Harry crawled back up his shuddering body, and full lips claimed his in a kiss that had Orlando forgetting to even moan. Harry tasted of sin and sex; copper and chocolate, bittersweet and so goddamn rich that Orlando's head swam with it. "Boneless yet?" The question was asked against his lips, and Orlando opened his eyes to see Harry smiling down at him. Orlando smiled, blinked, tried to move, found his bones had indeed dissolved. "I'll let you know as soon as I find my brain. Jesus." "So, I take it you're not ready to go another round, then?" Harry teased, pressing against Orlando, eyes molten. "Because I was thinking we could move this to the bed." "Bed is good." Orlando slid his hands down Harry's back, cupped his ass. "I can still feel my toes." "Yes, but could you feel them five minutes ago?" Harry stood and walked Orlando up the stairs, stopping frequently to nibble on Orlando's lips, his ear, laughing at Orlando's every shudder, until they reached Harry's bedroomm and the over-sized bed that took up most of the room. Looked like that was something else Harry had in common with Karl. They both liked their little luxuries. Orlando smiled inwardly at that, appreciating the irony. Karl... Orlando wondered if he should be there, be with Harry while Karl was elsewhere. He started to reach out across the mental link between them, but barely had time to focus his thoughts before Harry tossed him on the cotton sheets. Harry covered him with his body, smiling when Orlando's erection pressed against his thigh. "Youth is definitely a blessing. How do you want it this time? Slow? I could suck on that ring of yours again, that was fun. Or I could just suck that beautiful cock again until you come in my mouth. Whatever you want, little one." Each word had Orlando shifting restlessly under Harry. Jesus...just thinking about the possibilities was too much. And damned if he didn't want to try each and every one. "Surprise me." He reached up, cupped Harry's jaw with his hands, pulled him down for a soft, slow kiss that had his body humming again. "Harry...why do you call me little one?" Orlando asked, thumb brushing Harry's bottom lip. "That's..." "That was my pet name for my daughter," Harry interrupted, smiling. "Karl stole it, the thief." His smile slipped on the last word. Shouldn't have mentioned it. Orlando chewed his bottom lip, shifting, wanting to erase the coldness in Harry's eyes. This wasn't the time or place to get into what had happened earlier. Time enough to discuss everything later, when they'd all had a chance to calm down and think. If he thought about it now, he'd leave, and there were still things they needed to discuss. He curved one hand around the back of Harry's neck, kneading tense muscles. "I'm honored, then. Thank you." "She was a lot like you. Fearless and fun." Harry paused, and smiled wickedly. "Not that I think of you like a son," he said, hands moving to cup Orlando's balls, kneading the soft flesh. Orlando sucked in his breath, tilting his hips into the touch, fingers tightening on the back of Harry's neck. Okay...they could talk in a minute. Or two. "God, I sure as fuck hope not." They took their time this time; drawing out each sigh, playing a game to see who could get who to moan the loudest. Orlando lost, of course -- not that he cared. Losing to Harry still meant that he had another mind-blowing orgasm. He had a vague thought that it really was a good thing Harry hadn't seen him in that club and claimed him, because he doubted he'd ever spend any of his time outside of the bed. Not that that was a bad thing. In fact, it had its merits. A lot of them. Harry settled beside him, propped his hand up on his elbow, traced patterns on Orlando's chest and stomach with his free hand. His fingers returned to the sun tattoo and the ring again and again, Orlando shifting against the light touches. He sighed, curled into Harry's body, wondered if he could just stay here all day. He lifted a hand to stroke Harry's chest, eyes following the path his fingers took as they traced over old scars. So many wounds from so many battles... "Which one is the one that almost killed you?" he asked. Harry gave him an appraising look, then took his hand, and placed it over the one shaped like a star just under his left lung. "This one. Barbed arrow. Who told you?" Orlando traced the outline with soft fingers, then leaned over and placed a gentle kiss over damaged skin. Such a small scar to have been so deadly -- no bigger than the center of his palm. "Viggo did. He was trying to explain the, um, your bond to me. Before he called me a doormat." Harry laughed. "Remind me to give him a case of that infernal French brandy he likes as a thank you gift. He knew just what buttons to push with you, didn't he?" Orlando traced another scar with his forefinger. So many of them... So many small reminders of when Harry was mortal, when Harry could die. "Apparently. I'm glad he did though." He looked back at the star-shaped mark. "And I'm glad this didn't kill you." "Well, it would have." Harry's eyes dropped to Orlando's fingers. "What exactly did he tell you?" "Just enough to make me curious." Orlando flattened his palm over the scar, hiding it from sight. "He told me that Karl wanted to make you his pet, and you refused. And that Karl had made a vow to you, and used that to get you to take the Gift when you were dying." Harry removed Orlando's hand. "Don't wish it away. I wouldn't be here with you without it." He dropped a kiss to Orlando's waiting lips. "That's the very short version. I...um...this is going to sound stupid, especially considering what we've just been doing, but I prefer women. And I fought my attraction for Karl with everything in me. He...ah...I don't suppose anyone's told you about the...the duel, have they?" Orlando smiled, twisted his hand in Harry's to lace their fingers. "Would that be the duel that Karl fought blindfolded so you'd have a somewhat fair shot at winning?" Harry rolled over, thumping his head back on the pillows with a groan. "That would be the one. Fucker swore to me he'd never tell a soul exactly what happened that day. Ah well, should have known he'd tell you eventually." He pulled Orlando up to him, resting their clasped hands on his chest. "Did he tell you that I wounded him, that I could have won if I'd pressed my blade in a little deeper?" Harry could have won? "No, he didn't. He made it sound like...well, you know how he is." He'd have to ask Karl about that later. Harry's eyes twinkled with unholy glee. "Ask him again sometime about that scar he has right here." He placed his hand just below Orlando's collarbone, stroking the skin. Oh yes...he was definitely going to talk to Karl. "But anyway, I didn't press my advantage," Harry continued, "because, secretly, I wanted him to win. I wanted to know what he would be like as a lover. It was only supposed to be one night. Just to satisfy my curiosity, to satisfy his. What we had surprised us both." Orlando couldn't help the sigh that coursed through him at the love in Harry's voice. They had so much he'd never have, had a bond that he'd never fully understand, a love that he could barely scratch the surface of. It was a daunting thing. One he wasn't really sure he was ready to deal with, wasn't sure he'd ever be ready to deal with all of it. He turned when Harry's grip on his hand tightened. "We don't have to talk about this," Harry said, eyes gentle. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Karl may not know what it's like to be mortal, with a mortal's jealousy, but I do remember." Add perceptiveness to Harry's considerable attributes. No wonder Karl was so in love with him. Orlando sighed, rested his head on Harry's shoulder, leg draped across his thigh. "Kinda stupid to be jealous, though, isn't it? And I'm not. Not really." He rubbed his thumb across Harry's fingers, felt the calluses. "Maybe a little, because I'm never going to have what you have with him, but...I think I'm okay with that." "No, you won't," Harry replied genially. "But you have something I'll never have with him. Works both ways." "But you could have had it -- had the pet bond." And Orlando had spent days trying to figure out why Harry had turned it down, especially considering how much he loved Karl. Each time, he'd come up to a dead end, unable to puzzle it out. And he wanted to know, wanted to know why Harry had said no. "And I'm trying to make him happy. He's just so...frustrating at times." "You're too goddamn polite," Harry snorted. "He's an ass. Most of the time I only know what's going on in his head because I'm there, prying it out of him. I never wanted to be his pet." Tawny eyes swept down, captured Orlando's eyes for a long moment that stretched into an eternity. "But you're perfect for him..and it's not because you're a doormat, so don't go on about that. He needs what you can give him." "Karl needs a brain, that's what he needs." The second the words were out of Orlando's mouth he flushed, eyes wide, realizing exactly what he'd said. "Oh shit...I think you're a bad influence on me." "Good. Somebody needs to be." Harry rolled him over, lips fastening over the hollow of Orlando's throat, sucking hard, hands dancing, rousing Orlando to a fever pitch in seconds. "Now listen up." Listen? Was Harry kidding? Orlando struggled through the heavy desire suffocating him to focus on Harry's words. Wasn't easy. "Remember you have an option," Harry said. "Bound does not mean slave. You're not his bitch, you're his partner. Never forget that. And if he starts to give you shit, go to Sean. Or Vig. Hell, Dom loves taking him down." Orlando studied Harry for a moment, trying to figure out his thoughts, figure out what Harry was trying to tell him. He thought he knew, but he didn't like the picture the words painted. "So...in other words, I should let someone else fight my battles for me." "You know that's not what I meant." Blunt, gentle fingers traced Orlando's face. "You're not alone anymore. You didn't just bind yourself to him." "I'm beginning to see that." Orlando continued to study Harry. "Would you have done it?" "Done what?" "If it had been you in the club that night, instead of Karl. Would you have sought me out?" "Yes." The answer was softly delivered. "Why?" "Because I see in you the same things he did. Things worth having. Things worth cultivating. Your curiosity, your thirst for knowledge, your fearlessness, your openness and sensuality. I would have wanted to show you the world, show you all of its wonders." To think that Harry thought he, Orlando, was fearless.... Orlando smiled, brushed his thumb across Harry's mouth, slid it between Harry's lips to graze a sharp point. "Does it hurt you? Karl said it hurts him briefly each time." Harry nodded, biting softly on the pad. "It only lasts an instant." Orlando chewed his bottom lip. "What, um...what's it like?" "What...being turned?" "Karl couldn't tell me." His eyes widened as he realized that it was probably a very personal question. Fuck...he couldn't keep his mouth shut to save his life. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to." "Of course Karl couldn't tell you. Moron was born one." Harry kissed Orlando again, and Orlando snuggled into him, happy that Harry hadn't taken offense. "Truth be told," Harry continued, "I don't remember much of it. I was already dizzy from blood loss, already starting to feel weightless. I remember drinking from him, remember him drinking from me, remember going into convulsions, remember a lot of pain, thinking I really was going to die anyway, and then I remember waking up and Karl was there. And I just felt...different. Stronger in mind and body. I can't really explain it." He smiled an apology, ran his hands down Orlando's ribcage. Orlando sighed, let his eyes close. Well, fuck... Figured that Harry wouldn't know. Just his luck. A vampire that would talk to him, and he didn't know the answers to all of his questions. "S'okay. I'll find someone who can tell me sooner or later." He linked his hands behind Harry's neck, toyed with his hair, loving the soft glide of the silky strands over his fingers. "I think I would have loved it just as much if it had been you instead of Karl. You're so much like him it's scary." "Yes, we are a lot alike. But the difference is I talk to people." "He doesn't talk much. But then, I guess I haven't done much talking either. I should have told him." "Told him what?" "That I was coming over here. But I had to do this by myself." Orlando needed to know that Harry understood, that he knew the reason. It was way past time that they all started talking to each other. "And he told me I could trust you." "Yeah, well, it's apparent what he says and what he really thinks are two fucking different things," Harry replied, tone bitter. But the hands that framed Orlando's face were gentle. "You can always trust me. I will never hurt you. Ever." "I believe you." Orlando's fingers touched Harry's cheek, drifted along his jaw. "I just wanted to work things out with you. I didn't want to come between you and Karl." "You didn't." Harry placed a light kiss on Orlando's fingers. "He did. If you don't trust me, that's one thing. You don't know me, you don't know how I am. He knows me. He knows me better than anyone else, knows me better than I know myself sometimes. And yet he thought I could hurt you." Harry shook his head. "No, it wasn't you. This was long before you." "He was mad that I wouldn't leave with him. I can't imagine how he's going to react when he finds out that I...we..." "Won't bother him at all." Harry's tone was reassuring. "He's going to be annoyed that he wasn't here to share, but that will be it." He caught Orlando's finger in his mouth, sucking on it briefly. And just that brief act had sparks skittering through Orlando's body. "He could've joined in too, if he hadn't been such an idiot." He kissed Orlando again, running his tongue over Orlando's lips. "You're going to have to go home and at least talk to him, you know." "I know." Orlando kissed Harry's chin, let his lips whisper down Harry's throat. He knew he had to talk to Karl. Soon. Without thinking, he reached out, felt a reassuring pulse echo back across their bond. "We're probably going to fight, though. Did he tell you that we fought after you left the party?" "No. We...ah...haven't spend too much time talking lately, although I keep trying." Harry rolled Orlando on top of him and bit his shoulder, teeth leaving a faint mark. "Karl does love a good fight. Bet the sex afterwards was fantastic, wasn't it?" Yeah, this could be fun. Someone who knew the dirt on Karl and wasn't afraid to spill. Orlando grinned, propped himself up on Harry's chest, settling between his thighs. "Does the handjob during the fight count? He got really pissed when I tried to leave." He blushed at the memory, kissed the hollow of Harry's throat to hide his flaming cheeks. "After the party, I, um...I fell asleep first." Harry laughed, arching his back. He grabbed Orlando's hand, placing it on his cock. "Bet it was great when you woke up," he said, moving his hand over Orlando's. "We done talking yet?" Orlando smiled, slowly stroking the firm length under his fingers, bending his head to tease a nipple with his tongue. Guess the conversation was over. But he couldn't resist the chance to tease Harry just a little bit more. "Why? Is there something else you'd like to do?" Harry ran his free hand through Orlando's hair, gripped the curls tightly. "Little one, if you don't use that pretty mouth of yours for something other than conversation in about thirty seconds, I will make you beg before I walk away." Yes, Harry was definitely a lot like Karl. "Well, since I can't have what I want right now..." He slid down Harry's body, mouth tasting and teasing, fingers touching and rubbing. "I guess I'll just have to do as I'm told. I mean...I am the perfect pet, right?" He ran his tongue up the full length of Harry's cock, swirled it around the head, his eyes on Harry's face. "Yes. Perfect." The word ended on a groan. Onto Part Eight main Captivated page If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!