"Hope you don't plan on sleeping there," Sean grumbled a few minutes later when he stumbled into the room and dropped into a chair. His hair was spiked in a hundred different directions, and his eyes were barely half-open. His pajama pants were riding indecently low around his hips. Harry was half-tempted to haul him to one of the unused bedrooms to properly wake him up. He and Sean definitely needed to find some time for each other soon. "The children keep you up too late?" From the looks of things, they'd not only kept him up too late, but they'd tried to involve him in whatever shenanigans they'd been indulging in. A small, sly smile crossed Sean's face. "You could say that." "Do tell." Harry tugged on Sean's hand until Sean was snuggled against him on the sofa. "You've the look of a man who's had a very nice evening," he observed, brushing a kiss to Sean's hair. Sean sighed happily, and tilted his head back to look at Harry. "Let's just say your pet was in need of a little special comfort last night." "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" "Partially. He was a little nervous at first. Thought you or Karl might be upset with him. He got over it rather fast." Knowing Sean's prowess in bed, Harry knew that Orlando had probably gotten over his reticence about two seconds into it. "I know that smile," Harry chuckled. "Do I want to know what you did to him?" "Nothing he didn't want or enjoy." Sean pressed a light kiss to Harry's lips, then took his time with the next one, both of them making small noises of approval as the kiss deepened. Definitely, it had been too long. "I've no doubt of that," Harry said, when they parted. Then he cocked his head and studied Sean's face. "You said partially." "I did." Sean was silent a moment. "He's...he seems to think that you're ashamed of him in some way because he hasn't been around you when you've been with any women." It took a full minute for the words to fully connect in Harry's brain. But they still didn't make any sense. "He doesn't like women. Why would I place him in a situation where he would be uncomfortable?" "I know that," Sean said, cupping Harry's cheek. "But you know how insecure he is when it comes to you." "I do," Harry admitted quietly. "I'm hoping that when the bond is fully connected between us, it will ease some of that insecurity." "Ah, speaking of the bond..." "Go on." "Well...it seems that Orlando was already aware that your bond isn't nearly as strong as his with Karl." "He knows?" "He didn't. Not about the two of you not being fully bonded, anyway. I sort of told him last night." "Sort of told him?" Harry asked, arching an eyebrow. "Alright, fine, I fully told him," Sean replied, sounding sheepish and very unlike Sean. "He was so worried about losing you. I just wanted to ease his fears. But it's you he really needs." "Alright." It was no wonder Orlando had gone home with Sean and Dom. Harry knew Orlando well enough to know he was most likely (and not very quietly) having a panic attack over what this all might mean for them. An evening with men who loved him and would happily distract him from his thoughts was just what he'd needed. Before Sean could say anything else, Dom slouched into the room, rubbing his eyes, and dropped to curl by Sean's side. "H'lo, Harry," he mumbled, burying his face in the curve of Sean's neck. "Orli's still in bed." "Asleep?" Harry eyed Dom with fondness as Sean shifted to wrap an arm around Dom's shoulders. "Mostly." That sounded about right. If Harry were to guess, he'd say that Dom had tried to wake Orlando, and Orlando had simply grumbled and burrowed deeper under the blankets. "Should I go wake him fully?" "He'd probably appreciate that." Harry placed a kiss to Dom's forehead, then Sean's, and stood. //Thank you for watching over him.// Sean's wink was for Harry alone. //It was my pleasure.// Harry was still chuckling as he made his way up the stairs and into Sean and Dom's spacious bedroom. As expected, Orlando was nestled under the covers, dark curls barely peeking from the comforter. Harry quietly toed off his shoes and crawled in next to him. Almost immediately, Orlando rolled towards Harry and snuggled against him. //C'mon, love, time to wake up.// //No.// Harry smiled, bending his head to nip gently at Orlando's ear. Orlando was nothing if not predictable. He pulled his head back just far enough to see Orlando's face. //We could always talk about how you spent your evening.// Orlando's forehead wrinkled in a frown. //You're not upset, are you?// "Of course not," Harry replied, and tipped Orlando's chin up so he could kiss him properly. "I'm glad you were with people who love you." "He said you wouldn't be." "Was there a reason why you chose to spend the evening here?" Harry knew Orlando wouldn't tell him unless prodded, but he wanted to give him the chance, just in case. "Not that you need one, but this is a little out of the norm for you." "They offered," Orlando said, quietly, looking down to toy with the collar of Harry's shirt. "And I just...I needed to be with someone last night, and...I was jealous and miserable...and I didn't want to be alone after Sean told me that we're not actually bonded." "Orlando –" "All this time, I've only been Karl's pet, and you've just been borrowing me. We should probably take care of that," Orlando continued, sounding more like himself. "Or is it proper procedure for the pet to do the asking?" "I don't think there's a procedure invented that we couldn't break." Hell, he owed his entire existence to Karl breaking every rule there was to break just so they could be together. He was pleased when Orlando laughed. "I'm beginning to believe it." "What're you doing tonight?" "Well, that depends on what you're doing," Orlando said, flashing a cheeky grin that Harry returned. "Does it?" Orlando nodded. "See, I was planning on getting myself bonded tonight, but if you're busy..." Harry instantly sobered, giving Orlando his most serious expression. "You've got someone in mind, then?" Orlando shoved at his side, mumbled, "Fuck off," before twisting so he could straddle Harry's lap. I'll talk to Viggo. Anyone you want to stand up with you?" "Sean." "Sean?" Definitely not the answer Harry had been expecting. He'd been sure that Orlando was going to say Elijah, or maybe Dom. Orlando just nodded, leaning in the nibble along Harry's jaw. "I don't want a big production," he said, tongue flicking over Harry's skin, "and since Sean already knows, there's no need to explain anything." "Alright, Sean for you and Karl for me. Now, about this jealousy thing..." He tilted Orlando's chin up, mourning the loss of touch even as he looked deep into Orlando's eyes. "You know there's no need, right? What I have with you is beyond your gender or mine." "I know," Orlando said, and Harry had to give him credit. He didn't attempt to look away. "I try not to be, but last night...I've never seen you with a woman before, not like that. And I just... I'd never really thought about that before, so I guess I never thought to ask why." "Well, it's not because I'm ashamed of you or of them." Harry chose his next words carefully, knowing exactly how important they were. "I don't think it's a secret to anyone that I greatly enjoy the company of women. But you've never seemed comfortable with that part of my life, so I never brought it up to you. I never meant to make you feel unwelcome or unwanted." "You haven't, not really," Orlando said, as he pushed himself up, putting a little distance between them. Harry knew it was just so Orlando could focus on the conversation. "I just... I want to know about all parts of your life, not just the parts that won't make me uncomfortable." It took Harry a moment to find his voice. He poured everything he was feeling into their bond, hoping it would convey all he couldn't say. "My life has been yours to command since the day we met." Orlando swallowed, nodded, then launched himself at Harry, holding him in a painfully tight grip. "Love you," Orlando mumbled, pressing his face against Harry's shoulder. "I love you, too. Achos byth." Orlando lifted his head, frown lines marring his forehead. "What's that mean?" "For eternity," Harry told him. "And I would be honored and pleased to share this part of my life with you. But only if it's something you truly want." "Well," Orlando said, flashing a wan smile, "it might turn out that I don't like it, but I won't know until I actually try it, right? At least this way, Dave and Lij won't be able to tease me of being scared of girls." Harry laughed. "No, they won't," he said, cupping the back of Orlando's neck and pulling him until their foreheads pressed together. "Thank you." Orlando peered at him, eyes crossing slightly from the closeness. "For?" "Opening yourself up to this. I know it can't be easy for you." "I guess, maybe. But, y'know, Dave keeps pointing out I'm going to be around a really long time. And Sean seems to think that there's probably at least one woman or type of woman who can, y'know, get me..." "Excited?" Harry finished, when Orlando fell silent. Orlando's sheepishness and blush were, and there was no other word for it, endearing. "Yes," Orlando said, squirming a little as the blush deepened. "That." "We'll just have to find her then. Even if it takes centuries. You don't have to rush into anything." "Well, I haven't found her yet." "You were a lot younger the first time you looked," Harry pointed out, proud of the way that Orlando was meeting the conversation head on. "I bet most of the girls you were around then were young as well." "Maybe. Yeah, okay, they were." "Then we start from there and move forward. Have you and Karl talked about this yet?" "No?" Orlando gave Harry a confused look. "Why would we?" "You haven't been with Karl when he's been with any women, either?" "No. It's never come up." "So...you want to share that part of my life with me, but not with Karl?" Not that Harry would dream of interfering with what Karl and Orlando had, but it did seem odd to him that Orlando was so interested in exploring this with himself, but not Karl. "Oh, no, I learned my lesson on that one," Orlando said, emphatically. "I never said I didn't want to share...whatever...y'know, with Karl. It's just...I've never heard him mention being with a woman that didn't involve you." "We don't share all our women." "He's never mentioned those times," Orlando said. "Everyone's always said the three of us are equals, and I want to share this with both of you. I just don't think I can handle all of us sharing at the same time." Harry hid his smile. "Well, we have time for that." "Good. Because I think that one'll be a very long time down the road." "Of course." Christ, but Orlando was a treasure. Harry rubbed a kiss across Orlando's lips. "But, for now, unless you'd like to stay here and let Sean and Dom take care of you some more, I'd suggest getting dressed." "That your way of offering to take care of me instead?" Orlando asked, as he untangled himself from Harry and slid off the bed. "You did mention something about a full bond." Harry laced his fingers behind his head and unashamedly watched Orlando gather his clothes. "If you've changed your mind already..." "Fuck off," Orlando said, kneeling to pull his shoes from beneath the bed. "You're not getting rid of me that easy." Harry rolled to his feet and tugged Orlando into his arms with one smooth motion. "Good," he said, bending his head to catch Orlando's lips in a blistering kiss. He was pleased to see the dazed look in Orlando's eyes when he finally lifted his head. "Now finish getting dressed so you can ask Sean to be your witness tonight." "I, uh, yeah. Right. Dressed." With a smack to Orlando's ass, Harry walked back down the stairs to wait for Orlando. //Gramps, I hope you don't have any plans until later.// //Talked to Orlando about the bond, did you?// Harry smiled. //In a manner of speaking. Just meet us at the castle later tonight. Orlando wants simple, so it'll just be us and Karl and Sean.// //Sean's standing up for Orlando?// Viggo sounded shocked, which was enough of a rarity that Harry's smile turned into an outright laugh. //Apparently they've grown quite close.// //So I see. I'll be there.// //See you then.// Harry walked into the library, found Sean still sprawled on the sofa, but now with a cup of coffee in hand, reading glasses perched on his nose as he flipped through a report. "Where's your better half?" Harry asked. "Shower," Sean answered, then glanced up. "Where's Orlando?" "Getting dressed." Just then, Orlando came in, shirt only half buttoned, jacket in hand. "Sleep well?" Sean's smile was soft and warm, for Orlando alone. "I did." Orlando took a deep breath, glanced at Harry, then looked back to Sean. "Sean, I...I'd like you to stand up with me. Tonight. When I fully bond to Harry." Sean stared at Orlando for a full minute, whether in shock or contemplation, Harry wasn't sure. "I'd be honored." "Good. I mean, that's great." Orlando cleared his throat. "I just...y'know, wanted something simple." "He's impatient," Harry added, to try to diffuse some of the lingering tension. Sean gave Harry a very exaggerated once over. "Can't say as I blame him precisely." His leer was purely for Orlando's benefit. The giggle that slipped out made Harry grin. He watched as Orlando bent and soundly kissed Sean, taking a moment to admire the way they looked together before Orlando pulled back. "Did you talk to Viggo?" "I did," Harry said, then flashed a grin at Sean. "See what I mean about impatient?" "Given what happens right after the bond, I'm not surprised." Sean snorted as Orlando blushed. "One hopes that the two of you will be completely alone in the castle after." "If I can get rid of Karl and Josh, damn right we will," Orlando muttered, blushing harder when Sean and Harry laughed. "I doubt we'll have to work all that hard at it," he said. "Considering that they're still on their honeymoon themselves." "True enough," Orlando conceded. "Besides, I think they'll be at the retreat a few more nights," Harry added, then gave Sean a level look over Orlando's head. //And don't think I've forgotten that I owe you.// Sean's smirk was hot enough to singe paint. //I'm looking forward to it.// //We'll see if you say that afterwards.// "So," Sean said, voice thick with suppressed glee, eyes dark with lust as he looked at Harry. "Are we dressing up for this or is it a jeans and t-shirt night?" "You can come like that if you want," Orlando laughed, as he finished buttoning his shirt. "Gramps might be a little scandalized, though." "As old as he is, I doubt much is going to scandalize him," Harry said. "Though if you're not careful, he might do something to scandalize you." Orlando shuddered. "Don't go there, please. I'm going to be his assistant, so I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities." "I would prefer we do this properly," Harry said. "I think we owe each other that much." "Besides, Karl likes you both in suits," Sean added. "The feeling's mutual," Orlando replied. "Although Harry's ass in a nice pair of jeans is still my favorite." "You're incorrigible." "You only say that because you can't appreciate your ass in a nice pair of jeans." "Child's got a point." Sean smiled when Harry looked at him. "What? It's true. Your ass is impeccable in a good pair of jeans." Harry shook his head, unable to keep from laughing. "I'm going to take your word for it." "Good thing," Orlando said, bouncing up and trying to tug Harry out the door. "I'd hardly lie about your ass." "Are we going somewhere?" "If we're going to do this properly, you need to change clothes," Orlando said, still tugging on Harry's arm as Sean snickered, "and I need to shower. And change clothes." "If we shower together, we'll be late for our own ceremony." Orlando sighed, the sound exaggerated. "Fine, separate showers. Now come on." "I think you drive too hard of a bargain," Sean stated. Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Somehow I feel certain that you got a small taste of how insatiable he can be." He smiled when Sean and Orlando both exchanged a look. "You're just fishing for details," Orlando said. "You know better. Shall we say at 10?" "I'll be there," Sean replied, then made a shooing motion. "Now scoot so I can get some work done before I have to be a best man." "Aye, aye, sir," Orlando said, sketching a salute. "No cheekiness, or you'll walk home instead of riding on the bike." "You brought the bike?" Orlando scooted past Harry and out of the library so fast it was a blur. "His buttons are far too easy to push," Sean chuckled, shaking his head as he looked back at his report. "I'm going to take great delight in watching your relationship change after tonight." "You won't be the only one," Harry agreed, then lifted Sean's just chin just enough to brush a light, teasing kiss across his lips. "Thank you again." Sean's smile was soft as he snagged Harry's hand and placed a kiss to his palm. "You're welcome. I'll see you later tonight." Harry straightened, nodded. When he got to the door, he stopped. "Clear some time on your calendar for later in the week." Sean just smiled again, and bent back to his report. "Yessir." "Damn right," Harry chuckled, and strode out of the house to meet Orlando. Onto Part Fifty-Two
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