"If you wanted to still change your mind, now's your chance," Karl murmured to Orlando when they got to the door. Orlando paused with one hand on the knob, then shook his head. "No," he said, voice soft, but steady. "I want this." "Just letting you know the option is still open until she starts." Orlando smiled. "I know." "I love you." Karl leaned in for a soft kiss. "Harry and Dave and I will be with you every step of the way." "I'm counting on it. I'll need all three of you," Orlando replied, and leaned into Karl for just a moment before straightening. "We ready?" "Absolutely," Karl answered, even though he wasn't sure he really was. If he had a century, he wasn't sure he'd be ready. Orlando pulled open the door, then reached for Karl's hand as he stepped inside. "I'm going to live through this, you know," he stated, as he looked around the room. "Of course you are," Liv said, stepping forward to greet them. She was casually dressed in loose pants and a tank top with her hair tied back. "I fear Harry's wrath should I allow you to die." "I doubt that," Orlando replied, and Karl could see the smile he was trying to hide. "I got the impression that nothing frightens you, m'lady." "Best not to put it to the test." She held her hands out for Orlando to take. "You're rested, that's good. And it will be more painful for you on the outset, but we're going to take this slow. The long-term effects will be lessened if we do it this way." "I'll defer to your judgment in this matter," Orlando said, and Karl saw him squeeze tightly to Liv's fingers for just a moment before releasing them. "It would be wise to defer to her judgment in all things," Viggo stated, strolling up to join their group. He was also dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. Karl had to force himself not to do a double-take. "And we all –" Orlando stopped in mid-sentence and stared. "Gramps, did your closet catch fire?" Viggo just gave him a mild look. "I have a stack of paperwork to keep you busy once this is over and you can see again." "See, I knew you'd find a way to... wait, what? I'm going to go blind?!" Orlando's eyes popped wide and his mouth fell open. At any other time, Karl would have laughed. As it was, he simply flashed a dark look at Viggo as Harry and Josh reappeared with Sean, Dom, and Dave. Karl could admit, if only to himself, that he was relieved Viggo had postponed Dave's banishment until after Orlando was out of danger. "Temporary blindness could occur," Viggo replied. "Jesus, dude, that's hardcore," Josh commented, giving Orlando a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "It doesn't always happen," Liv added. "But should it happen, the effects are only temporary. A few days, at the most." "A few days? That's not so bad. I'll probably sleep through most of that." Orlando's face was white, his eyes still wide, but his voice was steady. "And look at it this way," Dave said, looking a little strained himself, "it's your chance to finally have the Eternal Idiots wait on you hand and foot." "You mean, they don't already?" Elijah joked, as he walked in the door and joined their group. "Sorry I was late. Traffic on the 134." "There always is," Sean commiserated. "So, what'd I miss?" "Orlando could go blind," Dom said. "Like, blind blind?!" "It would only be temporary," Dave explained, giving Orlando a reassuring smile. "It's not a definite," Orlando said quickly, as Harry opened his mouth. "And even if it does, it'll be alright. Harry and Karl can amuse themselves by moving the furniture around on me." "I'd volunteer to help with that," Sean grinned. "Of course you would," Harry replied, with a lift of his eyebrow. "What can I say, I enjoy a good laugh." "You're sadistic," Josh nodded. "I like that in a person." "You would," Orlando said, making a face at Josh. Karl was relieved to see he was taking it well. Then a sly smile bloomed on Orlando's face, and Karl was immediately wary. //What are you up to?// Instead of replying, Orlando just sidled up to Harry, smile firmly in place, and Karl watched in amusement as Harry eyed Orlando. "What?" "If I do go blind, you could always bring Monica over so I can meet her," he said, with his best innocent look that none of them believed. "Then there'd be no danger of me being overwhelmed by her, what'd'you call 'em, feminine charms before getting to know her." Josh just let out a bark of laughter. "Seriously, dude, you're that scared of the sight of a pair of tits that you'd have to be blind to meet her?" Dave grinned at Josh. "It's almost like you know him or something." "Could be he's just scared that he'll leave Harry for her," Karl added, over Harry's amused chuckle. Orlando turned back to Liv. "Is it too late to uninvite them to this party?" "The only people who truly need to be here are your donors. The others can wait elsewhere, should you wish it." "But he doesn't," Harry stated, before Orlando could respond. The look he gave Orlando was one that had withered far more formidable foes. The look Orlando gave Harry in return was all too familiar, and Karl started a silent countdown. He barely made it to three before Orlando stuck out his tongue. "Now there's an unexpected response," Viggo said as Karl grinned. "I think he's ready." "Does that mean we don't get to see Harry thrash him first?" Dom asked, eyes wide and innocent. Sean just patted his hand. "I think Liv wants Orlando in fighting shape." "Too bad." "Orlando, if you would follow me, please," Liv said, giving the rest of the group a firm look. "Viggo, please escort the donors into the volunteer room. Sean, if you could accompany him?" "Yes ma'am," Sean replied, and slung an arm across Dom's shoulders. "C'mon, you." "Good luck," Elijah told Orlando, and Josh gave him a thumbs up before they followed Viggo out of the room. Orlando started to follow Liv and stopped in the doorway. He stood there for a moment, then looked over his shoulder at Harry, Dave and Karl. "You guys're coming, too, right?" "Of course we will," Karl said, speaking for all of them. He took one of Orlando's hands, unsurprised at the slight tremble, and glanced at Harry. "Couldn't keep us away," Harry added. Dave just grabbed Orlando's other hand and held tight. Liv led them into a spacious room. A comfortable looking bed was in the center, dominating the space. "So, um...now what?" Orlando asked, looking around. Liv's reply was all business. "You need to disrobe, then lie on the bed." "Orlando naked with a girl," Dave mused, managing to smile. "There's a first." "Hush, you," Orlando said, but there was no heat in his voice. His hands shook slightly when he reached for the buttons on his shirt, and Karl couldn't help reaching out to cover them with his. //We're going to take care of you.// He met Orlando's gaze without hesitation, pouring all the love and confidence he felt into their bond, feeling that bond pulse and surge as Harry added to it. Orlando just bit his lip and nodded, standing still and quiet as Karl began to unbutton his shirt. Once Orlando was naked, Karl led him to the bed. "We're with you all the way," Karl told him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dave take a deep breath, and Harry rub a soothing hand along Dave's back. Orlando looked at Liv. "So, um...this is the part where you restrain me, right?" "You paid attention," Liv replied, and patted Orlando's knee. "Remember, it's only for your protection. The pain will cause you to react in certain ways you normally wouldn't." "Right." Orlando took a moment, seeming to center himself, then he stretched out on the bed, barely flinching when Liv's hand slid down his leg to his ankle. Karl watched as she fit a padded cuff around Orlando's leg and tightened it before gently patting his leg again and moving around the bed. "Comfortable?" "So far," Orlando said, then narrowed his eyes at Harry and Dave and Karl. "And just keep your prurient fantasies to yourselves." "You must admit, it's a nice sight," Harry commented, pretending to ignore Orlando. "Naked and helpless is a good look for him," Karl agreed, responding to Harry's teasing tone in kind. "We should keep him like this," Dave added. "Be a lot easier to get at the navel ring without him squirming about the way he normally does." "Oi, I am right here." "Yes, you are," Harry grinned, and snagged Orlando's hand after Liv finished cuffing it. "And so are we." "Good," Orlando mumbled. He closed his eyes as Liv tightened the last cuff. "Tell me I'm going to come through this okay." "You're going to be fine," Karl said, keeping his voice calm and even. "You're going to be better than fine," Harry said, and Karl blinked at the fierceness in Harry's voice. "We're not going to let anything happen to you," Dave said, and leaned in to brush a kiss to Orlando's forehead. "All will be well," Liv assured him, and stepped in beside Karl. "Now, I want you to concentrate on your bonds with Harry and Karl and try to relax. No matter what else happens, hold on to those bonds." "I will," Orlando answered softly, and Karl saw him take a deep breath before closing his eyes and settling himself against the pillows. Karl instantly pushed their bond wide open, pouring all of his love and assurance into it, and felt the echo of Harry doing the same. He kept his eyes on Orlando as Liv bent her head to Orlando's wrist. "Remember to hold tight to the bonds," she reminded him, before sinking her fangs into vulnerable skin. Orlando's body arched, and Karl felt the shock echo through him. Fingers tightened around his, clutching hard. Karl could hear Harry murmuring softly to Orlando, but couldn't focus on the words long enough to understand them. All he could do was concentrate on Orlando, and watch as Orlando tried to pull away from Liv. An eternity later (or so it seemed), Orlando went limp, his head lolling to one side. "Strong grip," Karl commented, shaking out his hand, the other resting lightly on Orlando's chest as Liv lifted her head. Blood now dripped slowly into a clear container from the holes in Orlando's wrist. "He's doing fine so far," she pronounced, placing her hand on top of Karl's. He nodded, accepting the assurance, and they all waited, watching Orlando, until Liv closed the wounds and Viggo came into the room wheeling an IV filled dark-red with blood. "Elijah's," Viggo stated. "He was insistent that his be the first." "He's a good friend," Harry replied, in a low, rough voice. His gaze never left Orlando. "The best." Dave looked shaken, but steady on his feet. Karl watched in silence as Liv deftly inserted the needle into Orlando's arm and adjusted the flow. His gaze was drawn to the slender tube, filled with scarlet liquid, that connected Orlando to the bag. Karl was so focused on it that he almost missed Liv's hand coming up to briefly rest on Harry's shoulder. "He's stronger than I thought," she commented. "I suspect that's your influence." "The bond's been stronger than either of us had anticipated," Harry replied softly. "That's because you've never experienced a true pet bond until now," Liv explained. "Your bond with Karl has always been something entirely different." "So I've heard," Harry said, and gave Karl a small smile that he was happy to return. //How are you holding up, puppy?// //Better now that he's passed out.// "How long will he be unconscious?" Dave asked, looking up at Liv as she moved around the room. "It's hard to say. He could be out for hours, or he could wake up within the first hour. The sooner he wakes this first time, the better it will be." "Why?" Dave glanced at her before returning his gaze to Orlando's still form. "I've never...I've never seen one of these performed." "Each time, he will be unconscious longer than the previous time," she explained, gently. "A short first time bodes well for his strength and his ability to survive with minimal damage." "It's been a long time for all of us," Viggo added, resting a hand against Dave's shoulder in a paternal gesture. "The last unmaking was well over two centuries ago." "Christ, has it been that long?" Karl mused. Of course, the circumstances had been much different back then – the vampire in question had developed a rare allergy to vampire blood, and the unmaking had been necessary to save her life. "At least this time is under hopefully happier circumstances," Viggo said, looking at Harry. "Though only your pet would want to be unmade in order to be remade." "He is contrary," Karl said, with a small smile as he watched Harry's fingers slide gently up and down Orlando's arm. "He's going to be hungry when he wakes." "More thirsty than hungry," Liv rebuked as she settled into a nearby chair, clear blue eyes focused on them. "It's all taken care of already." Harry turned to look at Viggo, Orlando's hand still cradled carefully in his. "How's Elijah?" "Light-headed, sipping on orange juice, and being tended to by a buxom nurse," Viggo replied, with a grin. "I think he's in love." "Sorry, Liv, looks like you've been supplanted already," Karl mock-lamented. Liv just waved an airy hand in Karl's direction. "He'll come around eventually. They always do." "Young Elijah has her sights set on Liv?" Dave asked, looking amused. "I seem to have missed a lot the past couple of weeks." Karl nodded, unable to keep the glee from his voice. "To hear Orlando and Josh tell it, Elijah is completely smitten." Dave just lifted an eyebrow. "He does know she's a vampire, yes?" "The child does have a definite phobia were we're concerned," Viggo said. "That's because none of you are me." Karl laughed, glad that they were trying to lighten the mood. "She's got a point, Gramps." "And you're biased where our fair Liv is concerned," Harry said. "I've never denied it." "And I appreciate that about you," Liv answered, blowing a kiss in Karl's direction. "I'm sure that's not the only thing you appreciate," Dave said, sounding almost like his old, cheeky self again. Karl opened his mouth to reply, then abruptly closed it as a low pulse started throbbing through the bond. "Harry..." Onto Part Sixty
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