Title: Catalyst: Part Forty-Six Authors: Brenda & Jo Disclaimer: Never happened. Josh bounced lightly on the balls of his feet as he waited in the spacious foyer of Orlando's office. He approved of the colors – ivory and coffee on the walls – even if he couldn't say the same for the furniture. Didn't seem to suit Orlando at all. It was a little too old world and stuffy. Lots of brocades and ornate threading on the cushions. Very French. He turned when the office door opened, and thought to himself that Orlando really did know how to wear a suit. "Hey." He lifted a hand in greeting. Orlando stepped forward to take Josh's hand in a firm, friendly grip. "Did we have an appointment?" "Nope. I was just in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by to see if you could do me a favor." Orlando's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Let me guess. Avoiding the relatives?" "You'd think they were the ones getting bonded tonight," Josh groaned, with a shake of his head. "I'm not sure who's worse, my mother or Aunt Kate." "I'd go with the vampire," Orlando said. His quick smile showed a tiny flash of fang, and Josh couldn't help returning it. "Probably a good idea." Nodding, Josh looked around again, eyes moving over the framed artwork. He had no doubt that each one was an original. "Nice office. Your design?" "Mostly," Orlando said, hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. "Not all of the furniture, but I'm working on replacing it." "Glad to hear it. So, um," Josh said, rubbing the back of his neck and sneaking another quick look at Orlando. "About that favor..." "Yeah?" "I was, uh, wondering. If you'd maybe want to stand up with me. Be my witness?" "What, for real?" Josh couldn't say he was surprised at Orlando's shocked tone. "Yeah, dude. For real. And, before you ask, Karl didn't put me up to this. He doesn't even know I'm here. In fact, I haven't seen him since yesterday." "Aww," Orlando crooned, and his grin made Josh more than a little wary. "This is like being the best man at your wedding!" "Uh, sure," Josh said. He barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Orlando's goofiness. "Only, y'know, not." "Promise me something." "What's that?" "That you won't leave me alone with your great aunt. I've heard stories about her." Josh blinked, then swallowed a laugh. Only Orlando, man. "She's not that bad, but alright." "Deal," Orlando said, and Josh just knew he was suppressing a sigh of relief. "I mean, I can't say what'll happen after Karl drags me off, but I'll do what I can until then. Although she'll probably just take the opportunity to hit on Harry." Orlando blinked. "Y'think?" "I can all but guarantee it. He left quite an impression on her when they last met." "I see." "You jealous?" "Of your great aunt?" There was the slightest pause. "Is she pretty?" "Pretty enough," Josh admitted, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He could see just enough of Orlando's expression from the corner of his eye to know that Orlando was trying to decide if he should be jealous. "I see." "I mean," Josh said, unable to resist, "she's not as pretty as you." "Who is?" Orlando asked, with a shrug. "Karl?" Josh replied, and danced out of the way of Orlando's half-hearted swipe. "I'm just sayin'." "Hush, you." Orlando pointed a finger at Josh. "Seriously, is she his type?" "If by type, you mean, is she a tall brunette with great legs and a nice enough set on her and a killer smile, then, yeah? Probably? I mean, it's not like I've ever seen Harry with a chick, so I wouldn't know what he finds attractive in one." "You know," Orlando said, slowly, the oddest look crossing his face, "neither have I." "What?" Josh stared at Orlando, all thoughts of teasing gone. "Not even once?" "No," Orlando replied. A tiny frown wrinkled his forehead and made him look much younger. "Not once in ten years." "Whoa. Seriously?" Orlando nodded, and Josh tried to work that out in his head. "Seriously?" "Yeah." "Huh." Josh couldn't fathom that there was a part of Harry's life that Orlando didn't know anything about. "Why do you think that is?" "Dunno." Orlando chewed on his bottom lip. "We had a discussion on our first real date about me being gay and him being bi, but..." "You think that's it, maybe? That he knows you're not interested in that part of his life?" Orlando dropped into the nearest chair, the edge of his thumb tucking between his teeth as Josh watched. "Maybe?" "I'd say it's a good possibility," Josh said. He shifted a chair around until it was facing Orlando and then sat in it, legs stretched out in front of him. "Sounds like he might be...well, not hiding it from you, but not flaunting it when he knows you don't appreciate it like he does." "Maybe," Orlando said, and blinked as he pulled his thumb from his mouth and stared at it. "It's just...ten years is a long time." Yes, it was. Long enough, Josh thought, for Orlando to maybe start rethinking certain things. "True," he said, simply. "If I were you, I'd talk to him about it. That's just me, though." "Yeah, I think I will." Poor Orlando, Josh thought. He looked totally shell-shocked. "He might even be flattered you're interested." "He...he did seem pretty pleased that I wanted to meet Monica," Orlando replied, as though the thought had just occurred to him. "There you go, then. I'd be willing to bet Karl's fortune that he hasn't brought you around any of his female lovers because he's respecting your preferences." Orlando nodded, the movement slow and a little jerky. Then his eyes darted to Josh's. "I don't...he...I never wanted him to think he had to hide it –" "I'm sure he didn't," Josh cut in before Orlando could really get rolling with that line of thinking. "It's a respect thing. You weren't interested before, so he respected that." "I...yeah," Orlando muttered, the stricken look fading from his eyes. "You're right. I should...I definitely need to talk to him." "And pay attention to how he acts around Aunt Kate," Josh added. "It might give you a good conversational opening." "Good idea." Orlando offered Josh a small smile. "Thanks." "Consider it my thanks for you standing up with me. And speaking of..." Josh put his hands on his knees, pushed himself to a standing position. "I should get going and get ready or whatever it is I'm supposed to do." Orlando stood as well. "Did Trivinia set you up with a new suit?" "Oh, yeah," Josh laughed. "It's sweet, I'll say that much, but I'd have been comfortable doing this in jeans and flops." For a second, Orlando just looked at Josh. Then he burst out laughing. "I can just imagine the look on Karl's face," he said, clearly trying to control the mirth. "If you...oh, God." "It's not that funny," Josh said, making a face. Orlando just laughed harder. "Alright, maybe it is, but I don't need all those clothes." Orlando linked his arm through Josh's and grinned. "That's what you think. Now, c'mon. I'll cut out early and help you get ready." "You just want to laugh at me some more." "Bloody right I do, mate." Onto Part Forty-Seven main Catalyst page If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!