Managing to push himself to his feet, Orlando staggered to the bathroom, promising himself that he was going to kill Josh once he felt better. And fuck what Karl thought about it. It could definitely wait, though, until Orlando got the horrid taste out of his mouth and convinced his stomach that it really didn't want to crawl up his throat. That process took several minutes and involved a large amount of cold water. He still felt like death warmed over when he reemerged and stumbled out of the bathroom. Josh was awake, peering around the bedroom like it was a completely foreign country. "Time'sit?" he mumbled, then groaned and thumped his head back on the pillow. "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck." "Y'huh." Orlando wasn't capable of further speech. He sank back onto the bed when the room threatened to topple over, and clutched his head between his hands, mostly to keep it still. He thought he would cheerfully kill a small army of kittens for a bottle of aspirin or a pot of coffee. Or possibly a gun to shoot himself. "IhateLiv." "Ditto." Josh cracked open an eye, but didn't move, for which Orlando and his stomach were grateful. "How the hell'd we get home?" "Fuck'f'Iknow," Orlando mumbled, wincing when the door clicked and swung open. "Shhh." "This is charming sight," Karl said, and Orlando groaned again. "They hate us," Josh groaned, voice muffled as he pulled a pillow over his head. "I've seen corpses look better," Harry remarked, sounding far too amused to Orlando. Then the scent of coffee hit his nostrils, and his whole body twitched, which made him groan again. "You have coffee." "We do." Orlando raised his head a fraction of an inch, glared at them both, and held out one hand. "Gimme." "Demanding brat." Harry set down the tray and gave Orlando a level look. "And before you ask again, no, I'm not giving it to you, you'd just spill it on yourself. Lift your head." "Piss off, I'm not a child." "Fine, suit yourself." Then Harry - Harry, mind you – turned and flat out fucking ignored him. Orlando watched with narrowed eyes as he gave Karl a full cup. Josh, the traitor, didn't object at all to Karl holding the cup and feeding him sips like he was some sort of invalid. Huh. Mortals, man. No pride at all. Taking a quick inventory of his body, Orlando gathered himself and slowly stood. He was proud of the fact that the room only swayed for a few seconds and his head didn't explode. There was every chance that would change with his first step, but damned if he was going to sit there and do nothing. "I'll just go get my own," he said, voice low, and started towards the door with careful steps. He made it about two feet before his legs gave out from under him. The low whimper of pain at jarring his head was pathetic, even to his own ears, but it was quickly subdued when he heard what sounded suspiciously like laughter coming from Karl's direction. //Fucker.// //Possibly. And you're far too stubborn for your own good.// Orlando just harrumphed and contemplated staying right where he was for the rest of eternity. When Harry crouched in front of him, he pretended not to notice. "I take it you didn't hurt anything other than your pride?" Harry asked quietly. Orlando didn't answer. Harry didn't move. Finally, Orlando's gaze shifted a little, just enough for him to look at Harry from the corner of his eye. "Might've bruised my arse," he said grudgingly. "Why, you offering to kiss it better?" "Nope," came the all too cheerful reply. "You've got quite enough people kissing your ass without adding me to it." "Figures," Orlando said. He thought he might be pouting. It was a pretty lowering thought. "Besides," Karl added, "when have you ever known Harry to kiss anyone's ass?" "I'm ignoring you," Orlando said, without moving. "Are you really?" Karl asked, sounding delighted with the idea. "Huh. Laugh at me," Orlando muttered, lifting one hand to flip Karl off. Then, he peered at Harry. "Can I have some coffee? Or do you plan to make me suffer?" Harry didn't move. "Are you prepared to be polite about it and not some snarling, snapping brat because you were idiot enough to get rip-roaringly drunk?" Orlando could smell the coffee, and the scent was driving him insane. So he looked at Harry and tried for a charming smile. "What do I get if I say yes?" "Coffee," Harry replied, calmly. Orlando's eyes narrowed, all pretense at charm forgotten. His head was killing him, he wasn't sure he could even move, and Harry had to pick now for a lesson in manners. "Smartass." "Lift your hand." Orlando opened his mouth to argue again, but honestly, at this point, he was too tired to care. He did as ordered, then frowned when he noticed the trembling that ran from his fingertips all the way up his arm. "And that's why I didn't want you to try to handle the cup on your own," Harry said, in a calm, soft voice. "You're a vampire. You feel things more acutely than mortals, and that includes the after-effects of too much to drink. Something else you should have been taught." Orlando looked from his hand to Harry and then put his head to his knees. "M'sorry," he mumbled, feeling wretched and wondering if it was okay to wish he were dead. Everything hurt, and he still wasn't convinced his stomach was going to stay where it was supposed to be. "May I please have some coffee?" Soft, cool lips touched the back of his neck. "Stay there." A few hellishly long moments later, he heard Harry return. "Put your head up." Orlando lifted his head and almost wept when he saw the mug in Harry's hand. "Thank you." He wrapped his hands around the mug, feeling Harry's fingers flex under his as Harry guided the cup to his lips. The first dark, bitter swallow was heavenly, and Orlando didn't even try to hide his moan of delight. "Better?" Harry asked. Orlando nodded, then all but crawled into Harry's lap, ignoring the roiling in his stomach. He needed the contact. "'M never drinking again." "Amen," he heard Josh say, and it was low of him, but he was really glad he wasn't suffering alone. "Don't think I've forgiven either of you for dumping me in here with him," Orlando muttered, lifting his head just long enough to give Karl a dark look. "He snores." "I do not!" Josh's head popped up, then he groaned, letting it fall back to the pillow. "Like a buzzsaw, mate." "Well, you kept trying to hump me." "I did not!" This time, it was Orlando's turn to pop his head up, then to whimper in pain at the sudden movement. Josh just looked back at him. "Swear to Christ, man, it was like you thought I was Harry or Karl." "He doesn't normally try to hump us, though," Karl grinned. "More the other way around," Harry added. "The two of you try to hump him?" Josh looked confused. Or sick, Orlando wasn't sure which. Right now, they looked rather similar. "There's no trying about it," Orlando muttered, burrowing even deeper when Harry laughed. Normally he adored Harry's laugh, but right now the rumbling and vibrations were making his stomach contemplate revolt again. "They succeed." "That makes my brain hurt," Josh said, voice almost a whine. Orlando had the urge to cover his ears. "Imagine how we feel," Karl said, kissing Josh's forehead. "Reckon they need a little more rest?" Harry asked. "Definitely." The next moment, Orlando was gently lifted in strong arms. He clung tight, trying his very best not to be sick as all hell. Harry'd probably kill him if he was, and while death was beginning to feel like a good thing, he didn't want Harry to feel guilty for murdering him. Although, maybe Harry would consider it justifiable homicide. Or a mercy killing. His stomach and head were certainly into the idea. A few moments later, he was laid down back on the bed. "You need more sleep," Harry told him. "Moving around too much'll only make it worse." Before Harry could move away, Orlando caught his wrist. He could feel the flex of muscle beneath his fingers. "Stay." "Orlando..." "Please?" Orlando pleaded, half hoping he looked as pitiful as he felt. "Both of you. We'll sleep." Harry exchanged a look – and what was probably a silent conversation – with Karl, then nodded. "Alright." "Oh, good," Josh mumbled, flailing to pat Orlando on the shoulder. "Good job, man." Orlando just made an unintelligible noise and scooted to the center of the bed. When Harry slid in beside him, he rolled closer. He was pleased to see Karl curled up around Josh. "S'nice," he said, shivering a little when Harry's hand slid through his hair. "You promised to sleep," Harry reminded him, and Orlando just nodded, eyes already drifting closed. *** The next time Orlando awoke, his head still felt like it was stuffed with bricks, but he no longer felt like he'd lose it if he moved around too much. And his stomach wasn't threatening rebellion. He lay still for awhile, snuggled between Harry and Karl, content to not test his theories on movement just yet. Wouldn't do to tempt the fates. "How's the head?" Harry asked. He should have known Harry would be awake and watching over him. "Better," Orlando admitted. "Not good, but...better." "Better is good," Karl said, with a soft chuckle. "Anything's good compared to how I felt earlier," Orlando said, with a rueful smile. He could hear Josh's soft breathing, knew he was still asleep. So he snuggled back down against Harry. "Is there any more coffee?" "I just had some sent up," Harry said, and pointed at the nightstand, where an urn and two cups were sitting on a tray. "Feel up to sitting?" "I think so." Orlando struggled to a sitting position, pleased that he could move without wanting to die. He still definitely felt like total crap, but it wasn't nearly as bad. Karl sat up next to him, but kept one hand on Josh's hair, toying with errant strands. "You certainly look more human than you did earlier." "Well, there's damning praise for you." He took the cup that Harry handed him, gratefully noting that his hands no longer shook. As he took a sip of coffee, relishing the heat that slid down his throat, he spied a small plate behind the urn. "Is that food?" "Dry toast," Harry replied, passing him a slice. Orlando was skeptical, but he nibbled at it, taking his time to see if it would stay down. Then he took a good look at Karl's expression. "Why the serious face? Did I do something truly horrid last night?" "No, you passed out almost immediately," Karl said, and looked at Harry. "But you did mention that you were still of the same mind about going through the unmaking ceremony." Orlando nodded. "Is that what this is about?" He swallowed around the lump in his throat. "I know it's a risk, but I want to do it and..." Warm fingers covered his lips, stilling nervous words. Harry's face was solemn. "It's not that. It has to do with me being your Sire." For a moment, Orlando stared at Harry, unable to comprehend the problem. Then it hit him. His eyes widened, and he could feel the blood drain from his face. "You don't want to do it." "It's not that." Then Harry stopped, took a deep breath. He sought Karl's gaze again, then returned to Orlando. "It's not simply that. I want you with us for eternity, never doubt that. But I'd be lying to you if I said that the idea of siring any fledgling didn't fill me with some trepidation." "I..." Orlando trailed off, unsure of what to say. He glanced at Karl, mutely pleading for help, but Karl simply brushed his cheek with gentle fingers. Orlando took a deep breath and tried again. "I know I wasn't a model fledgling with Dave," he said quietly, gaze dropping to his hands, which were still curled around the cup of coffee, "and I know that a lot of that went wrong, but...why would you feel that way?" "It's not you," Harry explained gently. "It's me." "I don't...I don't understand." "Part of me still isn't comfortable with subjecting anyone to this life. Even to keep them with me. This is never a life I would have selected for myself if I'd had the choice." "You remember the circumstances of how I was able to give him the Gift," Karl added, in an equally gentle voice. Nodding, Orlando thought that over. Then he lifted his head and looked at Harry. "I'm not you. I've wanted this since before Karl claimed me. I've never regretted asking for the Gift, and you know that." He paused, and smiled a little. "This is something I want. You're not subjecting me to anything. But if you don't want to do this, then...well...I won't do it without you." "I didn't say I wouldn't do it, just that I had some reservations about it. And that one over there thought it important that I tell you about them," Harry added, with a grin for Karl. "Well, I'm glad he did." Orlando gave Harry what he hoped was a serious, don't-fuck-with-me look. "Tell me now if this isn't something you want." Harry just rested a hand over his. "If this is something you want, then I would be honored." "This is definitely something I want," Orlando said. "You know, you're becoming an awful lot like Karl in your old age?" "I am?" "You are. Usually he's the one who has to be goaded into talking to me about things." "Given your track record, I wonder why," Josh grumbled, hair sticking wildly in all directions as he lifted his head to stare at everyone with bleary eyes. "Although if you're lying all limpet-like next to Harry, things can't be too bad." Karl just laughed and bent to brush a kiss to Josh's forehead. "He can be rather predictable where Harry is concerned." "Rather," Harry agreed, but didn't seem inclined to move. "Are you complaining?" Orlando asked. "Not at all." "Good thing," Orlando muttered, settling back down as Harry passed a fresh cup of coffee to Josh. "That sounded like an 'or else'," Josh remarked, before taking a long swallow of coffee. "Oh, man, that's good." "There's toast, too," Orlando said, grinning when Josh paled. "Uh, don't think I'm up to, um, that just yet." "Don't be a brat," Harry admonished, giving Orlando a level look. "There's no need to flaunt your faster recovery time." "No fun at all," Orlando groused, but flashed Josh an apologetic look. "You're the one that's insisting on having me as a Sire when the time comes." "And you know what a strict teacher he is," Karl added. "You probably would have been better off with me as a Sire." "You were just as bad when I was still a fledgling," Harry said. "And very strict, as I recall." "With good reason. You were far more stubborn than he is." "Wow, I didn't think that was possible," Josh mumbled into his cup. Harry just shook his head. "Getting back to slightly more relevant subject, when would you like to do this? Liv is here at your leisure." That quickly, Orlando's muscles tightened, and he had to force himself to relax. He took his time, finishing his coffee before looking at Harry once more with a small smile. "Probably best to get it over sooner rather later, right?" At Harry's warm, answering smile, Orlando felt the tension bleed from his body. "There's no rush. Whenever you're ready." "I, well..." Karl's hand covered his, and Orlando flashed him a grateful look. "In a few days. I need to arrange things at work and...and let my mom and Sam know." "A week from today enough time?" A week... Orlando looked at Harry, then Karl, then took a slow breath. "Yeah," he answered. "A week's fine." "Good." Harry pressed a kiss to Orlando's lips. "That should give us all enough time to make the necessary arrangements." "Is that code for having lots and lots of sex?" Josh asked, coffee halfway to his mouth. "Because Orlando's not gonna be able to have any for a while, right?" Orlando just stared at Josh, positive his face was crimson. He wanted to say something, but absolutely nothing came to mind. "I'm just saying that I'd be having as much sex as possible over the next week. I mean, if it was me," Josh added, with a sunny grin. "Definitely your pet," Harry told Karl, with a wry chuckle. "Please, yours is much worse," Karl scoffed, with an airy wave of his hand. "Ours, and possibly, but he was yours first." "I'm right here," Orlando reminded them. "My sexual needs are perfectly normal. And healthy, thank you." "Normal if you were triplets," Karl said, grinning. "Hello, pot." "Score one for Orlando," Josh said. "If I recall, your sex drive was unusually high when you were still mortal. Not that it's anything to be ashamed of," Harry continued, when Orlando opened his mouth to speak. "Although I do wonder why you are ashamed of it." "True enough," Karl continued, with a serious expression. "If Harry and I aren't satisfying you..." "You two," Orlando said, pointing at Karl, then Harry, trying for his best stern look, "stop taking the piss." Karl put one hand over his heart. "We're being honest, love." "I was being perfectly sincere, but I can't speak for him," Harry said, grinning when Karl gave him an indignant look. "I'm not ashamed of it." "So stop acting like it." "I know I'm not ashamed of the really hot sex," Josh chimed in. "Hell, I've barely gotten it, relatively speaking, and I'd be really annoyed at having to give it up, even if only for a few months. I'd want lots of sex to store up for the lean times." "I don't think one can store up sexual activity," Karl said. "Nope," Josh grinned, waggling his eyebrows, "but we could fucking well try." "A man after my own heart," Harry laughed. Orlando covered his face with one hand and shook his head. "And you people say that I'm a sex fiend." He peeked at Karl from between his fingers. "Are you hearing your pet?" "Every word." "I think he's hoping you're hearing his pet." "Fuck, puppy, I hope he's taking notes." Orlando blinked, then frowned as he tried to figure out exactly what the two of them had just said. "You think I need to take notes from Josh?" "If you're unsure about having lots of sex with us in the next week, then yes," Karl promptly replied. "Can I just point out that Josh doesn't want to have sex with Harry," Orlando said, "so it's a silly comparison." "Now we're silly," Karl said, with a sad look at Harry. "Never thought I'd see the day when Orlando didn't want to have sex with us." "That's not what I said!" Orlando pinched the bridge of his nose and wondered if he could drown them both next time they were in the shower. "Stop twisting my words or I'll...I'll...um..." "Dude, I'd stop while I was behind if I was you," Josh said, reaching around Karl to pat Orlando on the shoulder. "Speaking of stopping, as fun as this has been, I do have business to take care of. And now that you're feeling better, I should get to it," Harry said, and started to slide out from Orlando's arms. "You're leaving?" "Actually, we're both leaving," Karl added, giving Josh a soft kiss, then Orlando, before standing himself. "Wait, what?" Orlando stared blankly at both of them. He wondered if he was still a little bit drunk. Harry frowned down at him. "You did say you were feeling better." "I am, it's just..." Orlando shrugged, then shook his head. "Nevermind. I'm fine, honest." To prove it, he crawled from the bed and stretched, pleased when his stomach stayed where it belonged. He looked around for a pair of clean jeans, determined to get in a shower before it got much later. Glancing up, he saw Karl and Harry standing there, watching him. "What?" "Nothing," Harry said, after a moment. "Just admiring the goods," Karl smiled. "Perverts, the both of you," Josh said, falling back on the pillows and giving a contented sigh. "You're lying again," Orlando stated, moving to brush a light kiss across Karl's lips. "But I'll forgive you. And you..." Harry arched an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. "Try not to kill anyone at work." "I'll do my best," Harry replied, and stepped forward for his own kiss. They were out the door a minute later. "So...what do you suppose it was they weren't saying?" Josh asked, when it was just the two of them. Orlando frowned at the door, then turned to look at Josh. He'd nailed it. Orlando knew Karl and Harry well enough to know there had been an entire conversation he hadn't been able to hear. "They were really obvious about it, weren't they?" "Yeah, pretty much," Josh nodded. "I think they might be a little more worried about this than they're letting on. Maybe they just don't want to freak you out or anything." That was pretty close to what Orlando had been thinking. "Maybe I shouldn't do it," he said, quietly, eyes unfocused as he tried to think it through. "I mean, Liv said they've never done it past the first year of a person being a vampire, and it's pretty obvious that Harry, well...you know." Josh wrapped his arms around his knees, and scooted forward. "You believed him, right? That this isn't about you?" "Yeah? I guess." He was trying to believe it, anyway, and that had to count for something. "I mean, it's never been a big secret that he only took the Gift for Karl." "So, maybe you asking him for the Gift and him being your Sire is something he's going to have to work through," Josh said. "It's not like he's been unhappy the past eight centuries. Maybe this is just another change he needs to accept." "Maybe a week's too soon." Orlando scrubbed a hand over his face, then shoved it through his hair. Fuck, but he'd thought it was all settled. "I can't ask him to do this." "You can't ask him not to, either," Josh reasoned. "I think he'll be fine. But it probably wouldn't hurt for the two of you to have a more private conversation about it before you actually go through with the unmaking thing." Orlando managed a small smile. "Somehow, I think getting him alone for a private conversation isn't going to be that easy." "He'll talk to you." "Only when he's ready," Orlando said, and knew it was true. He could ask, but there was never any guarantee Harry would answer. "Then give it a day or two. Let him hash it out with Karl or Sean or both or...Monica, was that her name?" "Yeah. Monica." Not that Orlando wanted to think about Harry confiding his fears to someone Orlando hadn't even met yet. "Alright, her. Or whoever it is he talks to when he needs to talk." "That would be Sean." Orlando flopped back on the pillows and looked at the ceiling. "Sean knows things that even Karl doesn't." Josh snorted. "I don't think it's possible that there's anything about Harry that Karl doesn't know." "You haven't really seen Harry and Sean together. Not for any real length of time, anyway." "I haven't been around as long as you," Josh pointed out. "But I did get the story of how they met. And the kiss. And that Sean was in love with Harry for a really long time after. That must've been one helluva kiss." "If you'd ever kissed Harry, you'd understand." He grinned at the face Josh made. "I have, remember? Been there, done that, didn't do anything for me." "Which is still weird, by the way." Then Orlando's smile slid as his mind started turning again. "It goes deeper than all that, though. You'll see what I mean after you've been around them awhile," he said, after a long moment. Then an idea struck him. "Maybe I should talk to Sean about Harry. He's bound to have some good advice." "So, what? You're going to ask him if you should change your mind because Harry's a little squeamish?" "No, just...if there's a way to make Harry open up about this, Sean'll know." "Ah, well, in that case, good luck," Josh stated, then dragged the comforter back over his body. "I think I might finish sleeping the rest of this hangover off." Orlando laughed softly as he rolled off the bed again. "You do that. I'm gonna go take that shower." "Just be quiet about it," Josh grumbled, practically burrowing beneath the pillows. "Aye, aye," Orlando answered, smiling a little as he headed towards the bathroom. Onto Part Fifty-Seven
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