The first time Harry met Orlando, the kid was on his knees before him within twenty minutes. It started as an argument about hierarchy. Dom and Orlando had been going at it for hours, audible even over the pub's noisy din. Elijah had finally settled it -- rank was rank; age didn't matter. And that's how Harry found himself gazing down at the top of a newly-shaven head, wondering how the hell this had happened. "You lose something?" Orlando glanced up, mischievous glint in dark brown eyes. "Just swearing fealty." Later on, Harry would wonder why Orlando hadn't knelt before Viggo. * * * "Turn" The second time, Orlando kissed him. Barbeque at Pete's -- Harry whiled away the afternoon with Karl, Vig and Pete, eating, drinking, talking books. Caught flashes of the younger set as they clambered and played like puppies -- all eager smiles, youthful exuberance. Harry excused himself to get another beer, found Orlando in the kitchen. "Having fun?" Polite inquiry. "Brilliant time." Orlando's grin was dazzling, wide. "Good." Hmm...one beer left. Harry looked into Orlando's silently pleading eyes, handed it over. "Thanks, mate!!" Then lips were on his, tongue sliding -- tangy taste, sharp bite -- too brief. Another wide smile and Orlando was gone. * * * "Twist" The third time, Orlando wound up in his lap. Elijah'd been insistent that he needed Harry's expert opinion at the film festival. Harry had been planning on attending anyway. "Price" was newly out, and any publicity was good. Nine people...too many for two cars, too little for three. A brief debate ensued, then Orlando settled it. "I'll just sit on someone's lap." "Great!" Elijah replied. "Everyone in." Harry was surprised when Orlando crawled on his lap a few seconds later. "Too heavy for the others?" he joked, curling his hand around Orlando's waist. "Nope," Orlando winked. "You were my first choice." * * * "Sway" The fourth time, Orlando was naked inside five minutes. Harry stepped into wardrobe, had an appointment for final fittings for his battle costume. Found only Orlando, shirtless, lean chest shimmering in the light. "Um...seen Liz?" "Nope." Orlando's smile was bright as he slipped out of tight leggings. "Just you and me, big guy." "I can...um --" Blinked as muscled thighs and sleek skin were burned into his brain. "Sure she'll be back soon." Orlando slipped into faded, tight jeans, slowly fastening each button, eyes dark -- intent. Hungry. Oxygen was suddenly obsolete. The world stopped. And Harry couldn't look away. * * * "Spin" The fifth time, Harry finally got it. "So...how's my kingdom?" Harry teased, once he found Viggo. "Under duress." Viggo's wink was friendly. "And it's my kingdom." "Seen Orlando?" Casual question. "Playing pool." Harry watched for a minute -- noted Orlando's easy grace, ready laughter -- before catching his eye. "Got a minute?" Orlando's grin was intimate. "For you, five." Harry waited until they were outside before speaking. "Look, um...about the other day..." Stumbled as memory flooded him. "Hey, it's cool." Harry kept his eyes on Orlando's hand -- warm and gentle on his arm. "Have dinner with me tomorrow?" "Thought you'd never ask." Onto Forbidden Words
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