"This is getting ridiculous," Orlando stated, echoing Karl's thoughts. "It's been ridiculous for months," Karl pointed out. "I know." Slight pause. "But I can't stop doing it." Karl knew how he felt. "I miss you." Soft sigh on the other end, softer admission. "I miss you, too." Karl squeezed his eyes shut; bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. It was almost enough to dull the pain lancing through his heart. "I miss sleeping next to you." Couldn't stop the words...or the memory of warm skin and limbs tangled with his. "You were always so warm." "I was happy to share my warmth." Karl would have shared a lot more. Shared everything he was, all he'd ever be. Orlando only ever needed to say the word. Karl was beyond caring how lowering that was. Pride had no place in love. "Where --" Cleared throat, slight shuffling, the cell phone picking up every tiny sound. "Where are you?" It was the first time Orlando had asked since they'd parted. Karl ruthlessly suppressed the hope coursing through him. Hope was dangerous. "I'm in L.A., actually." "You are?" "Yeah, I've been filming a movie for Lion's Gate for the past two weeks." "Two weeks?" Dismay in a choked whisper. "Karl, I'm in L.A. right now." "Oh God." So close...Orlando was so close. Karl could be at Orlando's house in 20 minutes by cab. He unconsciously gripped the phone tighter, fingers numbing. "I didn't..." Couldn't finish. No, he hadn't allowed himself to know where Orlando was. Knowing would mean he'd be tempted. And Karl was ready to break. "Where are you, exactly?" Orlando's voice was so soft it was barely audible. "They've put us up at the W." "You're so...that's right down the street." He knew. God help him, he knew. Not that he wanted to know...because knowing would mean he'd beg soon. And Karl was tired of begging. He'd begged the entire time they'd lived together. It had gotten him nowhere. Orlando didn't want to hear it. "This is ridiculous," Orlando repeated. "You're here." "I'm sorry." "Stop it." Sharp retort. "You've apologized enough." "It's all I can think to say to make it better." "Fuck..." Orlando breathed, the sound small. "You were always too good to me." "No, I wasn't." Old argument. Orlando always said that. "I was --" "Perfect," Orlando finished. "I know." Karl could hear the faint smile in his voice. "It's true." "I know." Another slight pause, another clearing of Orlando's throat. "Could you...do you think you could...?" "What?" Karl sat up straighter, pressed the phone back to his ear. Still, always, forever -- whatever Orlando wanted of him, whatever he asked, Karl would do it. "Tell me." "Could I see you?" Onto Hope
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