Catalyst: Part Thirty-Seven

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Title: Catalyst: Part Thirty-Seven
Authors: Brenda & Jo
Disclaimer: Never happened.


Karl leaned against the door of the movie room, waited until Harry stopped beside him. "They're sort of like puppies, aren't they?" he asked, careful to keep his voice quiet.

"Exactly what I was going to say," Harry replied, and Karl could hear the affection in his voice as they looked at the tableau before them. Josh and Orlando were sprawled on the sofa, fast asleep, with Orlando plastered against Josh's side. Dom was snoring softly, splayed out on one of the chairs, and Elijah was curled up on the blanket that was spread on the floor. Bowls of popcorn and open bags of M&Ms were scattered on the coffee table.

//Should we wake them?//

Harry shook his head. //They're fine.//

//Love you.//

Karl turned upon hearing the sleepy mental voice. Orlando had cracked one eye to peer at him and Harry, then gave them a drowsy smile before shifting more firmly into the tight circle of Josh's arms. From the looks of things, he had no intention of going anywhere unless they carried him. Karl simply stepped into the room on silent feet and brushed a kiss across Orlando's forehead, then one across Josh's. //Think we should get them some blankets?//

//Good idea.//

Karl waited until Harry returned to the room, blankets in tow, and they spent the next few minutes draping them over the sleeping men. Karl waited while Harry pressed his own light kiss to Orlando's forehead, then they headed up to their bedroom.

"It looks like the talk with Josh and Orlando went well," Harry observed, immediately reaching for his tie to yank it off.

"It would appear so." Sighing, Karl stepped forward and batted Harry's hands out of the way. "Honestly, puppy, that's no way to treat silk."

"This from the man who's ruined more of my shirts than can be counted because he's too impatient to deal with buttons," Harry said, eyes twinkling with amusement.

"That's different," Karl said as he deftly unfastened the tie and slid it from Harry's neck. It didn't take a psychic (or centuries of being what they were) to know what Harry's next question would be. And Karl wasn't disappointed.

"How so?"

Without waiting for Karl's answer, Harry started to unbutton his shirt. And for a moment, Karl went completely speechless at the sight of Harry's bare chest. One of these days, he really would get used to it. But hopefully not for a very long time. He gave himself a mental shake and undid his own tie. "It just is."

"Of course, that explains everything," Harry replied, in a mild voice. He paused in the act of unzipping his pants and looked up. "Don't tell me I'm doing this wrong."

"Oh no, you're doing that exactly right," Karl stated, not even bothering to hide the fact that he was completely ogling Harry's body. "Although if you wanted to take your time about it and put on a show, I wouldn't mind."

Harry huffed out a laugh as he stepped out of the pants. "When have you ever known me to make a production of getting naked?"

"True," Karl sighed and shook his head. "Pity, though. You could take a few lessons from Orlando."

He grinned when Harry snorted. It took Karl less time to strip out of his clothes than Harry, but Karl ignored the soft chuckles coming from the bed. "So," he said, stretching out beside Harry and propping up on one elbow, "Josh tells me you helped out on the house the last few days. Enjoy the rest of your free time?"

"I did." Karl sighed in contentment as Harry ran a hand along his side. "And you're about as subtle as Orlando."

"I'm just glad you were able to relax," Karl protested. If it came out a little breathless, well, he could just blame that on Harry's assured touches. "The next few months will be difficult, so it's important to take the time when we can."

"I agree," Harry replied, and leaned in to nip at Karl's lower lip. "But stop trying to pretend you're not curious."

"I'm desperately curious, since I know it wasn't Monica. But I know it's a waste of time since you won't tell me," Karl added, scooting closer. Maybe they could just stay in bed for the next few days. Weeks. Take a few years off and simply feast on each other.

Harry paused, hand on Karl's thigh. "How do you know it wasn't Monica?"

For a long moment, Karl didn't say anything. He just looked at Harry from beneath his lashes, studying the beloved lines and angles of his face. Even now, he still managed to find something different and beautiful every time he looked at Harry. "You're different after you've been with her for more than a day or two," he finally answered. "Not softer, just...not as wound up as usual."

"And I don't seem as relaxed now?"

"No, you seem very relaxed. But it's more the sort of relaxed that you get when you've been with a new lover rather than someone you've been with before."

"You do know me," Harry conceded, with a light kiss. "I had no idea I was so transparent where Monica was concerned."

"Only to those who know and love you." Karl cupped Harry's cheek, rubbed a thumb across the bristles. "And I will always be grateful to Monica for what she's brought to your life. She makes you happy, and you know that's all I've ever wanted."

"You make me happy," Harry pointed out, fingers tracing Karl's spine.

"Not like she does." And part of Karl would forever love Monica for everything she gave Harry that he could not.

"No, not like she does," Harry agreed, with a kiss. "Orlando wants to meet her, by the way."

"Good Lord." Karl thought about Orlando in the same room with Monica, and couldn't stop the chuckle. "I hope you warned him about her."

Harry's grin was wolfish. "I tried, but he's a stubborn sort. Your influence, I expect."

"More yours than mine." Karl couldn't help thinking that Monica would have Orlando for dessert. And that Orlando, in spite of his leanings, would thoroughly enjoy it, and probably come back for more. Karl knew from experience Monica was an impossible woman to resist, especially if she put any effort at all into it. "You know I'll expect a full accounting of that meeting, right?"

"Already planning on it," Harry replied and bent his head for a slow, lazy kiss.

Karl's eyes drifted closed, body pressing tighter to Harry's. "I swear, sometimes you're as devious as Orlando."

"Possibly, but I bet Josh'll be worse as time goes on."

Karl shuddered, not entirely with pleasure. "Bite your tongue. One of them's bad enough."

Harry raked his teeth along Karl's jaw. //You're the one that claimed both of them.//

//Not...my...fault...// Christ, Harry's hands should be illegal.

//I beg to differ.//

//You always do.// Gentle hands and a firm body shifted, twisted, and Karl found himself pressed into the mattress, Harry's weight pinning him in place. There was no struggle, only acceptance. He was exactly where he wanted to be. He reached up to pull Harry even closer as he fisted a hand in heavy hair.

//Keeps your ego in check.//

The words were so startling that Karl laughed into the kiss. "Is that what we're calling it?" he asked when Harry lifted his head. Harry just grinned, fangs flashing in the dim light. "And here I thought you were just being contrary all these years."

"I prefer to think of it as strategic verbal maneuvering," Harry winked, and then bent his head to lick a heated path down Karl's throat. For a half-second, Karl thought about making some witty comeback, but then Harry's tongue fluttered along his pulse and whatever he meant to say was forgotten. He had Harry naked in his arms. He didn't need anything else.

Onto Part Thirty-Eight
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