Title: "...As Perfection Does" (College AU - Part Two) Pairing: Karl Urban/Orlando Bloom Rating: PG-13 Summary: The future is a frightening concept. Disclaimer: Never happened. Notes: Written for the Comment_Fic Angst post - my prompts were 'left behind' and Karl/Orlando. The days were tick-tick-ticking away, each passing minute a reminder that college was nearing its end. This – his life for the past four years – was ending. Graduation was closing in on them, bringing with it the future. The rest of Orlando's life. He didn't even know what that meant, except that it scared the shit out of him. He busied himself by studying Karl's perfect profile – the curve of his nose, the set of his eyes, the strong jut of his chin – and counting the freckles sprinkled across Karl's cheeks. They were up on the roof of their dorm building, sharing a beer and a smoke (well, Orlando was smoking; Karl, of course, didn't smoke, couldn't fuck with that perfect body). Sometimes there were other kids up here, studying or smoking a bowl or something, but tonight, it was just him and Karl and the million stars overhead. Each one representing a wish. Each one representing a different path. He bet Karl wasn't scared as hell at the idea of graduation. Of the future. Of the blank canvas that was the rest of their lives, just waiting for a steady hand to paint it in. Of course, Karl'd aced all of their stupid art classes, just like he aced everything else. "Stop brooding, man, you're ruining my buzz," Karl said, without turning. The warm May breeze ruffled his hair, but it only added to the picture. When he raised the beer bottle to his lips, Orlando's breath caught at the slight flash of tongue. "Please, like you get drunk," Orlando scoffed, and took a deep drag from his cigarette. The tip glowed bright and hot before flaring down. "What's got you down?" "Nothin'." Trust Karl to read his mind. Orlando kicked idly at the loose gravel surrounding them. He and Karl were both barefoot. "Everything. Fuck, man, I dunno." "Need to relax, man." When Karl turned to smile at him, it was all teeth and assurance and warmth. "We'll be okay." "Easy for you to say, you've got your pick of places to go after grad." Of people to be with. Orlando knew Karl would be fine. Of course he would. Man could be a CEO or the President or anything in the world. He didn't need...what Orlando needed. Karl shoved playfully at Orlando's shoulder. "Maybe, but I'm not going anywhere without you, so stop it." Orlando took another drag of his cigarette. He wished it was something stronger. He couldn't look at Karl. "Pretty words." "Truthful words," Karl replied, quietly, all teasing gone. "You and me, man. What's a pilot without his wingman?" "A pilot." "A pilot without direction." When Orlando glanced up, Karl was in his space, all serious eyes and that perfect, perfect mouth forming words that pierced right to Orlando's soul. "You never get lost," Orlando pointed out, voice hitching. He was afraid to move. "Because I've always had you." Karl smiled, and brushed his lips over Orlando's. More assurance, desperately needed and freely given. "We're gonna make this work. Trust me." Orlando nodded. How could he not? Karl never lied. Onto Tuesday Main College AU page If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!