Green Glass ~ a modern day fairy tale
by
Bluespirit

Fandom: Lord of the Rings RPS
Pairing: Sean/Orlando
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Love really is the sweetest thing.
Warning: An alternate universe romance.
Word count: 78 000+

Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction. The author is not making any claims as to the real life sexualities or preferences of the people portrayed here. This is purely for entertainment, not profit.

Notes:
Heartfelt thanks to my amazing beta Xanthe.  I simply couldn't have done this without her.

Chapter One

//Love is the greatest thing
The oldest yet, the latest thing
I only hope that fate may bring
Love's story to you….//

As the final bars of the song died away, the director clapped his hands to gain his cast’s full attention.

 "Okay, boys and girls - that’s it for today.  Good work everyone!  Just remember to be back here at nine sharp on Monday morning for the daily torture - oops you know I meant to say rehearsal!"   He laughed, waving at the assortment of young men and women before him as they filed off the stage or broke away to congregate chatting in small groups.

"See you, Jase, have a good weekend," Dominic shouted, giving a jaunty salute. "Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!"  The latter earned him a shaken head and a laughing, "Good *night*, Mister Monaghan," from the director.

Orlando rolled his eyes at his companion whilst echoing Dominic’s farewell with a simple "’Night, Jason," and returned Jason’s friendly smile of acknowledgment with a shy wave.  Turning, he sat down on the edge of the stage next to his friend who was now taking off his battered dance shoes and flexing his feet with an exaggerated moan of relief.

"I don’t know how you can be so cheeky, Dom," Orlando said with an exasperated smile.  "Jason is one of the leading directors of musical theatre in the West End, if not the world, and you get away with murder!"

Dominic laughed, grey eyes twinkling impishly.  "Oh, Jase takes it all in good part, Orli.  He’s a good laugh, you know that."

Orlando shook his head in despair but couldn’t hide the grin tugging at his lips.  His friend was simply irrepressible at times but that was one of the things that he liked so much about him; his innate ability to just dive head first into any situation and have fun.  "I know - I think I’m still just a bit in awe of him to be honest.  I mean sometimes I can’t believe that this is happening, man.  It’s like, it was my first audition after Guildhall, yeah and I get into the chorus of the latest Jason Isaacs’ production.  It’s just unreal."  Unreal didn’t even come close to describing it.  He still woke sometimes in the small hours of the morning, wondering if it was all a dream.  Being on the stage was all he’d ever wanted - right from when he was small and his mum would enter him for local poetry reading competitions.  He adored performing and musical theatre was his particular love, so to be cast in a full scale West End show was like a dream come true.

"Yeah, but you got the part due to talent, mate, remember that.  Jase has too much riding on this show for it to be a flop so he’s only going to pick the best.  Well, he cast me didn’t he?"  Dominic finished with a look of smugness, which he promptly ruined by crossing his eyes and sticking his tongue out, causing Orlando to giggle helplessly.

Sobering, Dominic continued.  "Seriously though, after all that hassle with the theatre going broke and it looking like the whole show was going to go down the tubes before we even opened, there’s a lot riding on this being a success. Jason knows what he’s doing, mate.  So you’ve got to have faith in yourself, right?  Just listen to me and you won’t go wrong."

Rationally Orlando knew that his friend was right - no one got this kind of role just on some whim - and in his heart he knew that he could do it.  This was his big chance and he wasn’t going to waste it.  ‘Say it with Music’ was a lavish homage to the musicals of the Thirties and the buzz was that it was going to be a huge success for Jason and the theatre. 

"Did you ever hear who it was that bought it, you know - the theatre?" He asked, admiring the ornate gilded décor of the old Victorian playhouse from their vantage point on the stage. 

"No," Dominic replied.  "Someone said it was Richard Branson but I reckon that would have made banner headlines.  You know, ‘Entrepreneur Steps in to Saved Doomed Theatre’ or something like that.  You know you can’t open the paper without that bloke being in it.  He’d never do something like this and then keep it quiet."

Orlando frowned and rolled his neck a little, his soft curls brushing against his skin as the tension of the day’s punishing rehearsal schedule began to ebb away.  "So who was it then?"

"Well, I was talking to Harry - you know, Big Harry the sound bloke - and he said that he’d heard that it was some big noise from up north.  But here’s the funny thing, this bloke is supposed to be a real dark horse.  H says that he’s mega-rich - self-made man or something - but he likes to keep a low profile and doesn’t go looking for publicity.  That sort of thing."  Dominic finished somewhat triumphantly.

"Mmm, sounds feasible I suppose," Orlando replied, reaching both arms above his head in a long, sinuous stretch.  "’Cus you’d think we’d've heard some details by now.  Must be someone who really loves the theatre to do that though - I mean, like, buying up The Albery and funding the whole production but with no publicity, you know?"

His friend laughed. "Or he’s got more money than sense, mate!  Trust you to always look for the best in people, Orli.  You’re such a dreamer."  The latter was said without malice as Dominic reached an arm around Orlando's shoulders and gave him a gentle squeeze.  "And speaking of dreaming, there’s a bit of a dreamboat over there checking you out right now."

Orlando ducked his head immediately, running nervous fingers through dark curls. "What do you mean?  Who?"

"Take it easy, mate."  Dominic smiled fondly.  "Over there with Dave - by the lighting board - tall, blond and handsome I’d say and he’s been checking you out for the last ten minutes."

Peering from beneath his eyelashes Orlando looked out into the dimly lit stalls to where Dave Wenham, the chief lighting engineer, was leaning over a bank of sophisticated electronics.  The man with him looked to be in his thirties, muscular but not muscle-bound and with short, dark-blond hair that was currently falling raggedly across his forehead, shading his eyes.  From his position on the apron Orlando couldn’t see their colour and suddenly he wished very much that he could.  

Because the face…the face was simply stunning.    A strong chin with just a hint of stubble, wide cheekbones, a sensuous mouth.   There was something about this man that seemed to draw his gaze, something that made goose-bumps ghost over his skin like invisible kisses.

The man was dressed casually in faded jeans and a blue checked shirt, much like any other member of the back stage crew.  He appeared to be talking to Dave about the lighting rig but in the next instant he had raised his head and was looking over to where Orlando sat with Dominic.

Orlando dropped his head and willed away the warm flush that threatened to colour his cheeks. "Who is he?" He whispered, stealing a shy glance before quickly averting his eyes. 

"Dunno, maybe a new lighting tech or a contractor - something to do with the renovations the new owner has had started?  There are so many builders and plasterers and god knows who else about the place these days, it's hard to keep track, " Dominic said, making a show of looking at the man in question and ignoring Orlando’s hissed pleas to ‘stop it!’.  "Mind you, he does look an awful lot like Dave, don’t you think?  That hair and the nose.  It could be his brother, maybe?"

Risking another quick look Orlando shook his head.  "I see what you mean but Dave doesn’t have a brother.  He was saying a while back, when I was talking about Sam, how he’s only got a sister too and she’s back in Australia and how much he misses her."

"How do you know all this stuff?"  Dominic asked with a laugh.

Orlando relaxed and grinned broadly.   "Well Dave *is* my flatmate’s boyfriend, Dommie.  I do get to see him a lot outside of work too, you know.  I mean he stays over a lot plus you know what Craig’s like when he’s getting ready to go out, man - Dave always has to wait ages for him and so we end up chatting all the time."

"True, Craig does tend to faff about a bit doesn’t he, being ‘Mr GQ’ and all," Dominic smiled.  "So who’s your mysterious admirer then?  A new sparky?"  Bumping shoulders with Orlando, he wiggled his eyebrows flamboyantly.  "Looks like he could light up your life, Orli."

"Oh, Dom!"  Orlando groaned, clutching his chest and sniggering.  "That’s terrible!"

Dominic laughed. "Guilty as charged, mate but it doesn’t alter the fact that you have a very fine hunk of man eyeing you up."

"Shhh," Orlando urged, hastily checking on the subject of their attention through lowered lashes, "he’ll hear you!"

Dominic stood, holding his shoes in one hand and reached down to pull Orlando up beside him.  "You’re so shy, Orli, chill out," he said with a grin.  "Are you sure you’re gay, 'cus you’ll never get a fella at this rate!"

Orlando coloured slightly and turned his friend away from the stalls, pulling him towards the wings.  "I’m just looking for the right man, I suppose," he mumbled a little self-consciously. 

And so far the right man just hadn’t come along.  He knew it was an old-fashioned idea and that he was quite possibly a hopeless romantic, but he couldn’t help how he felt.  It was simple; he was waiting for his hero - the *one*.  Someday his white knight would come riding along and that would be it…love.

"I just can’t do one night stands, you know?  I need more…I’m looking for some connection…some spark."

Dominic touched Orlando’s arm lightly.  "I know you are, Orli," he smiled warmly. "I was only kidding, you know that.  Look, one day you’ll find that bloke, the one you’re meant to be with and he’ll be the luckiest man in the world."

Orlando looked up with a tentative smile. "You think so?"

"I *know* so, mate.  He’s out there somewhere just looking for you too, who knows he might even be looking…in here," Dominic finished with a cheeky grin and a backward glance over his shoulder to where the mystery man was still standing.

"Dommie!"  Orlando whined, dragging his friend away and into the narrow corridor that led backstage.  "Are you trying to get me into trouble?"

"Not at all, matey boy," Dominic said with a leer.  "I’m trying to get you a date!"

Orlando laughed at the sheer outrageousness of his friend as they entered the small dressing room that was set-aside for the male chorus.  He loved Dom dearly but some days he could happily kick his pert, little arse!

Stripping out of his rehearsal clothes, he quickly pulled on a pair of comfortably worn jeans and laced up his trainers.

"I know you mean well, Dom but let’s face it, some of the dates you’ve tried to set me up with have been less than successful."

Orlando held up his hands and laughed at his friend’s extravagantly raised eyebrows as the conversation began to tread a well-worn path.  "Okay, okay, maybe I’m too picky and they weren’t all complete disasters but that one guy wanted to spend all night talking about his vintage bottle top collection!"

At this Dominic did have the grace to look a little sheepish and joined in with Orlando’s laughter.  "Well, I’m not gonna take the blame for that one anyway - that was Billy’s idea," he huffed with a theatrical sigh as he changed into his street clothes. "I don’t know what that man of mine was thinking.  I mean Bills is one of the cleverest men I’ve ever met - he’s a barrister for christ’s sake - but sometimes he can be so dense.  Like you were ever going to be suited to that bottle top fancying saddo!"

"Aw, I know he meant well…you both do, man and I really appreciate it," Orlando said as he pulled a grey and red striped tee shirt over his head and tucked his charm necklace under it.  Shaking out his thick curls, he grabbed his coat and backpack.  "But I don’t think love can be rushed or set up on a blind date."

Dominic looked up into his Orlando's eyes with a sincere smile. "Love, eh?"

Orlando mirrored the smile as they both left the dressing room and headed towards the stage door. 

Love….  Yes, that was what he was looking for.  So maybe he really was a hopeless romantic or then again, maybe just a *hopeful* one. 

"Yeah, man.  I think that’s what it’s going to have to be." 

"Okay, mate.  Love it is then," Dominic said as he shouldered his way out into the dark chill of the winter evening. "Who knows, it may be just around the corner."

"Ri-ight," Orlando laughed.  He leant down and exchanged hugs and kisses with his friend before waving goodnight as Dominic headed off towards the bustle of Leicester Square. "See you and Bills tomorrow for lunch, yeah?"  He called into the gathering gloom.

"About one, mate," Dominic shouted back, returning the wave before disappearing from view.

Orlando bundled his blue woollen scarf firmly around his neck to keep out the damp night air and began to walk towards the bus stop.  Curiously he couldn’t get an image out of his mind, an image of shadowed eyes framed by tousled blond hair. 

He wished again that he’d been able to see their colour. 

Turning the corner by the side of the theatre he looked up as a door opened into his path, spilling light onto the pavement in a cheery wash of warmth and brightness.

A figure stepped out, bathed in the light’s golden glow and Orlando caught his breath as he found himself face to face with the very same eyes that were haunting his imagination.

He had his answer…

"Green," Orlando whispered softly.

 ~~

Chapter Two

Ducking his head, Orlando flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh, hello.  Sorry if I startled you there."

Orlando looked up in surprise as he heard the kindness in the softly spoken voice.

The man was smiling and his gentle accent sounded like he was a Northerner.  Yorkshire, maybe?

"Oh," Orlando managed to articulate, "not at all.  Sorry it was me - I was miles away."  Thankfully he only sounded a little breathless and was at least managing to string a vaguely coherent sentence together in the face of the Renaissance work of art standing before him.  It was dark in the alleyway; the only light that shining from the open door, washing to gold this Greek god of a man.   The light set his strong jaw-line into stark relief and played along finely chiselled cheekbones.  And the eyes…those eyes that had so entranced Orlando were now warmed by the brilliance of his smile.  Orlando could feel himself falling helplessly into their welcoming green depths.  "Um, like…mind on other things, you know?"  Oh yeah, coherency definitely had its work cut out tonight. 

"Well, I’m not surprised, considering how hard you were working in there."

"You saw me?"  Orlando winced at his nervous squeak.  The man was going to think he was a complete bloody idiot.  Of *course* he had seen him, it had been obvious!

"Yeah, I came in about halfway through the last number and was watching.  *You* in particular, you lit up the stage."  The man spoke quietly and the deep cadence of his voice seemed to wrap Orlando in a warm embrace.

"Um," Orlando nervously ran a hand through his hair and lowered his head.  He couldn’t think of anything to say.  Why would this gorgeous man want to watch him?

"I’m sorry," came the immediate response.  "I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.  It’s just that I really did enjoy your performance and I’m so glad that I ran into you."  The man smiled ruefully. "Even if it nearly was literally."

Orlando met the man’s gaze and smiled gratefully in return, glad of the small joke that had relieved some of his anxiety.  He was touched by this display of sensitivity from a stranger. "That’s really kind of you to say, thank you.  This is my first professional show and I’m definitely not used to getting glowing reviews - especially before we’ve even opened."  Orlando bit his lip to stem the babble.  He always seemed to ramble on nervously when he was around someone that he really liked.  Despite only just meeting, he could feel a very real attraction to the other man, as if something had ignited between them the moment their eyes met.  And it wasn’t just about good looks, although the man certainly had those; he could sense a gentleness behind the perfect features that was enchanting.

"Well, from where I was standing you should get used to it.  You were really good…oh, sorry - I’m Sean by the way." 

Orlando shook the proffered hand, "Orlando - Orlando Bloom.  Orli for short." His voice only wobbled slightly as he felt the velvet warm skin beneath his fingertips.  He managed to hold in a sigh of regret when his hand was released.  "S-so are you working with Dave then?"

"Dave?"

"Dave Wenham, the lighting manager?  It’s just that I saw you talking to him.  Not that I was really looking or anything," Orlando added in a rush, shoving his hands into his coat pockets to preserve the fleeting warmth of Sean’s touch, "but I assumed you were a new lighting tech or something?"

"Oh that." The man looked vaguely uncomfortable.  "No, I was just chatting with him.  I’m not in lighting.  I’m…."

At that the staccato sound of rain hitting metal drowned out any further conversation as huge, fat raindrops began to fall noisily, quickly soaking everything they touched.  Overhead, lightning flashed and in the distance the ominous sound of thunder could be heard rumbling its way across the grey night sky.

"Bloody hell!  We’re gonna get soaked."  Orlando shouted above the noise as he looked skyward, uselessly trying to pull his scarf higher for protection against the downpour.

Sean nodded. "Only one thing for it!" He then surprised Orlando with a broad grin and a heart-stopping wink.  "Quick!  Let’s make a run for the pub."

Feeling strangely liberated, as if the sudden storm had broken him free of normal boundaries, Orlando laughed and began to run. 

~

The two men arrived at the door of the ‘The Black Dog’ only slightly the worse for the rain and shared another grin as they pushed their way into the noisy, smoke-laced interior.  The place was packed, the normal Theatreland clientele obviously swelled by shelterers from the elements. 

Once inside though, Orlando felt some of his nervousness returning and hung back a little as his companion pushed his way through the crowded snug to reach the bar.  Turning, Sean asked, "What’re you having?"

"Um, a pint of Fosters please," Orlando said as Sean placed the order.  He took his backpack off his shoulder and glanced around; now that they were here he suddenly felt quite daunted.  What was he going to say?  He knew that he could be quite out-going and lively at times but something about Sean made him stammer like a fool.  It was like this was all too important to mess up.  Because he *really* liked Sean and daft as it might seem on the shortness of their acquaintance, he felt that they had made some kind of connection.  And he thought that just maybe Sean felt it too.

"Here you go."

Lost in thought, Orlando jumped slightly at the soft voice in his ear and gratefully accepted the steadying hand on his elbow as he took a pint glass from the other man.  For some reason that gentle touch both calmed and excited him.  "Um, it’s a bit crowded in here."

"Yeah, must be the weather - oh look, over in the corner, someone’s just leaving.  Let’s grab that table shall we?"

Following along in his companion’s wake, Orlando forgot his emotional wrangling for a moment as more base instincts took over.  From this position he had a chance to admire the way that Sean’s battered leather jacket framed to perfection the muscular, denim-clad bottom below.  The aged Levi’s moulded themselves to the luscious curves and Orlando felt an irregular pulse begin to beat low in his groin. He took in a long gulp of air; the other man really was a breath-taking sight, quite literally from top to bottom.

They sat down side by side on a high-backed wooden settle that was nestling in a quieter corner of the room.  They were quite close to the open fire and the random hiss and pop of the burning coals made a comforting sound against the storm outside.

Orlando began to relax a little as he enjoyed simply being with Sean and took a sip of lager.  "Thanks, that hits the spot."

Sean smiled at him, the corners of his eyes crinkling up. "Yeah, nothing like a nice quiet pint after a good day’s work I always think."

"So you were saying - about work - before, you know, about what you do?"

Sean shifted on the frayed velour cushion and glanced away.  Orlando could sense his unease and silently berated himself for pushing.  He hadn’t meant to make Sean feel uncomfortable, perhaps he felt intimidated that Orlando worked in the theatre?  Some people reacted in a really weird way to anything to do with what they thought of as ‘showbiz’, though in reality a life in the chorus line was much more about hard graft and long hours than champagne and strawberries.  Not that Orlando regretted a moment - it was what he’d always wanted. But then again, Sean didn’t really seem to be the kind of man who would be intimidated by anything - let alone a twitchy, babbling kid in his first job!  No, beneath the polite charm Orlando thought he glimpsed an inner toughness and confidence - Sean exuded an aura of quiet charisma.  "Sorry, didn’t mean to go on about it or anything."

"No, no.  S’just not very exciting that’s all.  I’m in steel…."

"Oh, like a contractor or something?" Orlando asked, eager to try and smooth things over.  That must be it; Sean just didn’t want to bore him with what he obviously saw as a mundane job! "There’re a lot of people working on the theatre renovations right now.  I bet you’ve got your work cut out with that old place."

"It is a lovely old building, isn’t it?"  Sean smiled.  "I remember seeing Ian McKellen’s ‘Macbeth’ there - years ago now of course - before he was knighted.  It was amazing."

"Oh, how fabulous," Orlando became more animated, his hands moving to and fro, emphasising each statement. "Sir Ian McKellen…I wish I could’ve seen that, I bet it was unbelievable!  I mean I love musicals, you know, that’s my *thing*.  But seeing a really kick arse performance of Shakespeare on a West End stage, that’s like, *wow*, man."

Sean laughed, his eyes lighting up.  "Yeah, you could put it that way.  He had such power…such presence.  It was a real tour de force." Sean’s face became shadowed. "Just made me wish that things could’ve been different I suppose."  This last was said so quietly that Sean could have been speaking to himself.

"In what way?"

"Oh," Sean seemed to gather his thoughts and smiled, "just ‘ifs’ and ‘what might have beens’, I suppose.  Nothing serious, s’just that when I was a kid I’d had the idea that I wanted to act but then my dad fell ill and I had to help him out with things and so there you go - things happen.  Sorry, I didn’t mean to be dragging out my life history over our first pint together!"

Orlando placed a gentle hand on Sean’s forearm, happy that Sean had referred to this as their *first* drink together.  Hopefully that meant that they’d meet again.  "I’m sorry.  Was your dad okay?"

"Hmmm?"  Sean was looking down at where Orlando’s hand was lightly touching him.  "Oh?  Yes, well he never fully recovered but he’s doing okay, you know, enjoying his retirement."

Shaking his head and taking a swig of his pint, Sean grinned.  "But that’s all water under the bridge.  How about you?  How did you get to be dancing your feet sore all day?"

Giggling, Orlando began to recount the tale of a young Canterbury lad who was desperate to be on the stage after being a pirate in a school production and who moved to London when he was sixteen to study drama. 

"Then it was amazing, man.  I got accepted into *Guildhall*.  Like, it was just unbelievable.  We studied so much stuff, you know?  Not just what you’d expect either; I even took a course in sculpting - it was so cool!"

Hands talking frantically once more, he told Sean of escapades he’d experienced both on *and* off the stage, some of which had even resulted in a couple of broken bones due to his inevitable clumsiness. In the end both men were laughing loudly at his antics and Orlando felt happy in a way that he wasn’t sure he could ever remember before.  It felt good to be sitting and laughing with Sean.  He liked this feeling…he liked it a lot.

"Then just as I graduated I auditioned for Jason - Jason Isaacs - and I got a part in the chorus of ‘Music’.  It’s like a miracle, man.  A complete miracle."  Orlando stopped, suddenly conscious that he was rambling.  "Sorry, I tend to rattle on a bit.  I didn’t mean to send you to sleep."

"But what a lovely image I’d have to dream about," Sean said softly, looking into Orlando’s eyes.

Orlando felt his face flush and dropped his gaze.  Unconsciously, he began to fidget with his silver thumb ring, nervously twisting it around.

"I’m sorry."  Sean sounded contrite.  "I’ve done it again - I didn’t mean to embarrass you.  I hope I haven’t offended you?"

Orlando shook his head. Offended him?  Not at all…but could Sean really mean what he was implying?  Was he actually interested in him in that way? "No, I’m just surprised I suppose."

"Surprised?  That I think you’re lovely?"  The question was gentle.

"Yes, no, um I suppose so," Orlando mumbled shyly.

Sean reached a hand to Orlando’s chin and slowly lifted it until their eyes met. "Well, I do think you’re lovely, very lovely indeed."

Orlando felt a warmth spreading through him as he began to lose himself in the promise of those indescribable green eyes. Helpless to do anything else, he returned Sean’s smile.  "How do you do that?  Make me feel better with just a word?  Put me at my ease like that?"

"It’s simple," Sean said. "I just want to see you smile, Orlando."

"Oh…." Orlando knew that he could fall in love with the way that Sean said his name…so softly…like a whisper.

"Sorry, I’m not normally this forward but I can’t seem to help myself."  Sean gently traced a finger along the skin of Orlando’s jaw and tucked a stray curl into place behind one ear.  His fingers stroked the hair softly as if learning its texture.  "Please tell me if I'm assuming too much or going too fast…."

"No, it’s okay," Orlando smiled again, his breath catching just a little as Sean's quiet tones rumbled through him.  "Just a bit unexpected I think.  And your voice, um," he swallowed quickly - he could hardly blurt out that it was the sexiest thing he'd ever heard, Sean would think he was some kind of psycho.  "I mean…your accent.  Is it Yorkshire?"  Oh god, just shoot him now; he was such a fool.  What was he saying?  Now Sean wouldn't think he was a psycho - just that he was a complete twat!

Sean nodded, looking a little surprised.  "Yes, Sheffield actually," he said lowering his hand.  Orlando immediately missed the touch more than he thought possible.

"Oh I get it," Sean laughed. "You’re thinking that all Yorkshire men are rough Northern bastards, eh?  And what?  Thought I’d just sling you over one shoulder and drag you back to my cave, eh?"

Orlando giggled as Sean, seemingly ever sensitive to his mood, once again broke the tension.  "Well…"

Sean let out a loud peal of laughter and spoke in a thick brogue.  "Thas right, lad.  Take what we want and al’as call a spade a fuckin’ shovel, we do!"

Orlando giggled some more and lightly thumped the other man’s shoulder.  "Oh all right, I’m sorry!"

Their laughter slowly died away but a relaxed air hung between them as both men took their time to finish their pints.

"Sounds like the rain’s easing off," Orlando said quietly.  "I really ought to be getting home.  Craig’ll be wondering where I am."

"Oh," Sean sounded a little defeated. "Is Craig your boyfriend then?"

"*No*." Orlando shook his head. "He’s my flatmate, my adorable but rather over-protective flatmate.  Actually you’ve met his boyfriend - you know, Dave the lighting guy?"

"Oh!  That’s all right then," Sean said firmly, his full lips turning up in a pleased smile. "So is it okay if I give you a lift home?  I mean it’s the least I can do after dragging you to the pub with some strange man!"

"You’re not *that* strange," Orlando teased, knocking their elbows together lightly.  He was amazed at how natural it all seemed between them - it felt like he'd known Sean for years.  "But that’s okay, I can get the bus.   Really, I don’t want to put you to any trouble."

"Look, it’s still raining and I’d never forgive myself if you caught your death of cold out there. Anyway, it’s no trouble.  It’ll be my pleasure," Sean said as he stood and shrugged into his brown leather jacket.

Orlando looked up into the smiling face.  The truth was he really wanted to spend more time with Sean.  He had the fanciful notion that the rest of his life might not be quite long enough…. 

"As long as you’re sure?"

"Quite sure," came that smooth voice.  "My car’s not far."

"Well, thank you."

"No trouble at all, the pleasure really is mine."

After another shared smile, Orlando felt Sean’s hand at the small of his back, a comforting presence as he was ushered out into the damp night air.

~~

Note:  Snug is a British term for a bar-parlour in a public house.

Chapter Three

The drive was slow and the Friday night traffic heavy, as they headed south of the river towards Balham where Orlando lived.  Gaudy neon streetlamps cast weird shadows on the rain-streaked windows of the car but inside Orlando felt safe, as if at that moment he and Sean were the only two people in the world.  For once he was glad of the city congestion; it meant more time spent with Sean.  He felt a curious mixture of peace and nervous excitement and to be honest would be quite happy if the journey never ended. 

Not that it hadn’t started out with a complete surprise when Sean had led him to an underground car park near the pub.  Orlando wasn’t all that knowledgeable about cars but even he could see that the gleaming vintage sports car was something special.  The other man had laughed at his loudly exclaimed musings as to how well paid contracting must be and had then gone on to explain how he’d got the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 as a wreck and that he’d done all the restoration work himself; right down to the original silver birch finish and black hide interior with hand-tooled leather seats.  Orlando’s comment of ‘wow, it’s older than I am’ had resulted in an indulgent roll of eyes before Sean had opened the passenger door and seen Orlando comfortably situated before taking his own seat behind the wheel.  Orlando had managed to contain a happy sigh as he realised that he seemed to have found himself one of that dying breed - a good old-fashioned English gentleman.  He did ponder for a brief moment if he ought to feel any threat to his masculinity, but he’d long ago recognised his own more submissive nature and was happy to just enjoy Sean’s chivalry.

Despite the crowded roads the journey passed far too quickly for Orlando’s liking as he chatted animatedly about this and that; the theatre, his family, friends.  Sean chimed in with the occasional question or comment, all the time making Orlando feel that he was really listening and valuing his opinions.  So it was with a regretful sigh that Orlando eventually directed Sean into his street.

"Just over here on the left, number 35a - the one with the yellow front door."

Sean pulled the car over to the kerb, luckily finding an empty space outside the converted Victorian townhouse and turned the ignition off with an air of regret.

Orlando lowered his head shyly, he felt nervous at the sudden silence and folded his hands in his lap in an effort not to fidget.  "Thanks for the ride.  It was really kind of you."

"No problem.  I’ve enjoyed having the chance to get to know you a little better."

"Really?"  Orlando looked up, squirming a little with mingled pleasure and embarrassment.  "’Cus I know I can go on a bit - sorry - I do that sometimes."

"No," Sean smiled. "I loved listening to you, in fact I could quite happily listen to you a lot more.  Are you doing anything tomorrow evening?"

"Um, tomorrow evening?"  God, he was squawking like a bloody parrot.

"Yes, if you’re free?  I know it’s Saturday night and all but if you’ve nothing planned I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me?"

Dinner?  Sean was actually asking him out for dinner?  This golden god - with the mesmerising eyes and succulent lips that looked perfect for kissing - wanted to spend more time with *him*?

"Orlando?"  Sean cut through his confused musings.  He sounded concerned and a little disheartened and Orlando noticed that his head had dropped slightly so that those bewitching eyes were shaded once again by an unruly fringe of blond.  His felt his fingers nearly itching with the need to touch and stroke the soft-looking strands back into place. 

Sean continued, "Look, I know it’s short notice and I completely understand if you’d prefer not to -"

"*No*!"  Orlando’s voice sounded loud as it echoed around the cosy interior of the car and he fervently hoped that it was dark enough to cover the virulent red blush that was surely staining his cheeks.  "Um, I mean *yes*.  Yes, please, um, I mean, thank you - I’m not doing anything tomorrow and I’d love to have dinner with you."

If Orlando weren’t already well on the way to being completely captivated by the beautiful man before him, then the smile that was turned towards him would have given him quite a push.  As it was he felt himself drawn into the radiant gaze, helpless do to anything but reflect the happiness displayed with a smile of his own.

"That’s wonderful," Sean said softly. "I look forward to it."

Orlando nodded, temporarily incapable of saying a word.

"Okay then," the older man continued. "Shall I pick you up around eight?"

Orlando’s smile broadened.  "Eight o‘clock.  Right, brilliant, perfect…dinner…eight o’clock.  It’s a date then!"  His face froze in horror as he realised what he’d said.  A *date*?  His insecurities rose to the fore.  Maybe he was being too presumptuous; perhaps Sean was just being kind or wanted to talk about the theatre or *something*.  Oh god, he was such a fool at times. 

Pulling himself together, he grabbed his backpack and opened the car door with a quickly mumbled, "Goodnight."  He didn’t dare meet Sean’s eyes.

Before he could step from the car Orlando felt a gentle hand on his arm.

"Orlando?"

Turning around slowly he looked straight into one of Sean’s stunning smiles. 

"Yes, it is - a *date*."  Green eyes shone brightly. "Goodnight, Orlando…Orli."

If Orlando had been enchanted earlier at hearing Sean say his name, then the way that he sighed ‘Orli’ seemed to cast a spell upon him.  He felt sure that he climbed out of the car and walked to his front door without actually touching the ground.  As he turned the key in the lock and entered the small hallway he looked over his shoulder and returned Sean’s wave as he finally drove away. 

He shook his head as he broke into a huge, silly grin.  Sean’d even waited to see him safely inside - chivalrous to the end.  Perhaps he really had found himself an honest-to-goodness, white knight after all!

~

Orlando dropped his backpack in the hallway and hung his coat on the rack.  The flat was part of an imposing old red-bricked villa that had been converted into self-contained apartments.  The flat that he and his friend Craig shared comprised the ground floor whilst the two upper levels had been made into one large residence with an entrance of its own.  The latter was also the home of the building’s owner.  The lady in question being Ms. Olivia Price-Dove, a retired wardrobe mistress of formidable reputation, who doted on her ‘lovely boys on the ground floor’ like a blue-rinsed mother hen.  They in turn adored her and were always on hand if needed to run errands or do the occasional odd job.

"S’just me!"  Orlando called out as he made his way towards the living room.

"I’m in here, sweet pea," came a slightly muffled response from further down the hall. "Come on in."

Orlando continued along the quarry-tiled hallway towards Craig’s partially open bedroom door.

Craig Parker was a vibrant New Zealander whom Orlando had met when he’d first arrived in London from Kent.  A few years older than he, Craig had immediately taken him under his wing and they’d become great friends; Craig acting as a mixture of fairy godfather, agony uncle and older brother all rolled into one.  When Orlando began looking for new accommodation, due to problems with an unreasonable landlord, the pair had decided to share and had found this two-bedroom flat for rent at an affordable price.

Orlando stepped lightly into the bedroom and smiled at his friend who was currently standing in front of a full-length mirror clearly scrutinising his appearance.  He was wearing a black Versace shirt that had a riot of colourful swirls embroidered on the front and a pair of hip-hugging black jeans.  It was certainly an eye-catching outfit but his friend had the sparkle and self-confidence to pull it off. Orlando moved to stand behind him and rising up a little, pecked a kiss on Craig’s smooth, tanned cheek.

"Hey you!  Mmm, you smell nice.  Bet Dave’ll appreciate that." 

"Hey yourself, gorgeous!" Craig said, turning and giving him a warm hug. "But I doubt that he’ll even notice, you know what tonight is," he snorted. 

Orlando smiled broadly as comprehension dawned.  "Oh yeah, I was talking to him at lunch and he mentioned you were meeting at Walkabout tonight and that they’ve got the AFL live on satellite."

"So you know what that means!  He’ll be glued to the box watching those bloody Ducks all night long!"

Orlando giggled and playfully knocked Craig’s shoulder. "*Swans*, Craigsie.  It’s the Sydney Swans and you know it!"

"Swans, ducks?  Who cares?  Football, waterfowl - it’s all the same to me!  In fact if it wasn’t for those chest-hugging vests and shorty-short shorts that they have as costumes then I’d have nothing to look at at all!"  He said theatrically with a cheeky wink and an expansive wave of a hand.

Orlando laughed loudly. 

*Costumes* for goodness sake!  Craig was *such* a drama queen sometimes.  He always pretended that he didn’t know anything about the game but Orlando knew that he did follow it, as it was a passion of Dave’s who’d been a life-long supporter of the Swans since he was a child growing up in Sydney.  "Come on, I know you don’t mind it all that much 'cus you know how much Dave loves it."

With a dramatic sigh Craig continued to check his attire and pick imaginary specks of lint from his impeccable outfit.  "It’s just not natural, I tell you, this unhealthy interest in sport that he has.  If I didn’t know better, and *boy* do I know better," he added with a leer, "I’d say the man was straight!"

Fastening a broad silver watch to his wrist he warmed to his theme. "I mean really, what’s he thinking?  We’re *gay* for goodness sake - gays just don’t ‘do’ sport!"

Orlando finally gave in to this completely outrageous performance and fell onto Craig’s bed laughing helplessly.

"Oh, that’s it," Craig sniffed delicately.  "Laugh at me in my time of need, why don’t you?"

Fighting back hiccups of laughter, Orlando sat up and tried to keep a straight face.  "I’m sorry.  Of course, *no one* suffers for their man like you do."

With a fabulously arched eyebrow, Craig inclined his head.  "Just so long as you realise it."  The façade was then broken by a huge grin and a cheery,  "so how’s your day been then, sweet pea?"

"Good.  I feel like I’m finally cracking that bit in the middle eight of ‘Sweetest Thing’ and….  What?  What’s that look for?"  Orlando asked as Craig stood in front of him, elegant, manicured hands on narrow hips and head tilted expectantly to one side.

"Orli, you’re sitting there practically vibrating and if that smile gets any wider you’re going to sprain something."  Craig sat on the bed beside Orlando and took hold of his hands.  "I know that you love to sing and dance, sweet pea but that’s not what’s got you ready to explode.  Now give!"

Orlando gave into the urge and broke into a blinding smile.  "Oh Craig!  I think I’ve met someone…someone special."

Craig laughed in delight and squeezed Orlando’s hands excitedly.  "Saints preserve us and hold the front page!  I thought it’d never happen!" He joked, blue eyes sparkling.  "Ooh, tell me more.  And don’t leave anything out - I want *all* the juicy details.  Gossip, I need it now!" 

"Well, his name’s Sean and I met him at the theatre.  He’s like a contractor or a builder or something, he was with Dave, but he’s not in lighting.  Anyway he’s really gorgeous!  He’s a little bit taller than me - about five eleven - and oh man, he has *the* most amazing green eyes I’ve ever seen.  I think he’s maybe mid to late thirties, something like that and he has this really cute sort of dark-blond hair that I just want to keep touching, you know?"

Craig laughed and hugged Orlando who had stopped to take a much-needed gulp of air.

"Mmm - a dashing, older man to sweep you off your feet, eh?"

"He’s not *that* old!  Just old-*er*.  And he looks like he works out too - not over the top - just buff, you know?  Nicely defined, yeah?"

"I know, sweet pea and he sounds lovely," Craig said, stroking Orlando’s dark curls fondly. "So are you seeing him again?"

"Yes!  See, he gave me a lift home tonight, after work.  We ran into each other outside the theatre and then it started to rain so we had a drink and then he drove me home.  He’s got a really nice car, man.  And anyway, he’s asked me out for dinner - tomorrow night!  He’s going to pick me up at eight."

"That’s fabulous, Orli.  I’m so pleased you’re going out - you don’t get out enough, you know!"

"I know," Orlando said with a grin.  "I should ‘get out more and meet people’ - you keep telling me but you know how bad I am at that sort of thing.  And then there’s Dom and Billy setting me up on those terrible blind dates."

Craig laughed, obviously remembering some of the horrific tales that Orlando had told of ‘When Blind Dates Go Bad’.  "I always liked the one with the Star Trek obsession…Mr Spock wasn’t it?"

"Oh shut up, you!"  Orlando giggled.  It was true; he really did have appallingly bad luck with men sometimes.  But not this time…this just seemed *right* somehow.  He’d felt an immediate pull towards Sean, as if it was something out of his control.  Things with Sean were going to be different, his heart just knew it...who knew, maybe he was even the *one*? 

"Sean’s not like that…he’s sweet and charming and a real gentleman!  And his eyes…did I mention his eyes?"  Orlando finished with a dreamy sigh.

"Yes you did and I’m sure that they’re amazing - just like the rest of him," Craig smiled indulgently. "But just do one thing for me, sweet pea, okay?"

Orlando nodded seriously.

"Check that he doesn’t have a pair of pointy, plastic ears and a ray gun in his pocket, all right?"  He barely managed to duck the pillow that came flying in his direction.

~

The flat was quiet at last. 

Craig had left to meet Dave.  One minute there’d been a flurry of hugs and kisses and general Craig-fabulousness and the next Orlando was alone with just the lingering hint of ‘Armani Night’ for company.

He heated up some chunky vegetable soup that Ms. Price-Dove had made for her ‘lovely boys’ and cut a few slices of nice crusty bread to go with it.   After eating his fill, he sat and flicked through the channels a couple of times to see if there was anything worth watching on the telly.  After catching himself nodding off for the second time during a repeat of ‘Midsomer Murders’ he decided to call it a night.  It had been a long, hard week of rehearsals after all.

One lazily warm shower later and he climbed under the duvet with a contented sigh.  Today had been a *good* day.

He reached and turned off the bedside lamp after first checking that the alarm clock was turned off.  He wasn’t meeting Dom and Billy until one the next afternoon and so a leisurely lie-in looked very appealing.

He settled snugly under the covers and closed his eyes to sleep.

Sleep wouldn’t come.

All he could see was Sean's face, filling his mind like he'd known him forever…as if his soul had somehow recognised him and sought him out.  Was it really too fanciful to think that they might be fated to meet like they did?

Orlando wasn't sure he believed in fate or destiny.  Maybe it was just that his luck with men was finally changing? 

He’d always known that he was gay; when he was a very small child he’d just sensed that he was ‘different’ from most other boys and as he grew he’d begun to realise that he wasn’t really interested in girls.  Oh, he had lots of girlfriends - friends who were girls.  In fact he got on really well with girls and enjoyed laughing and gossiping with them but as he got older he knew that it would never be more.  He wasn’t romantically or sexually interested in them; no, *that* was reserved purely for the boys. 

He’d come out to his mum when he was sixteen, just before he’d left home for London and she’d hugged him fiercely and told him, ‘I know, dear.’  She and his sister, Sam, had both been incredibly supportive.  Though it did get to the point of him having to say ‘too much’ when his mum began to lecture him about using condoms safely and tried to show him the correct way to put one on by demonstrating with a banana!  His ears still burned pink whenever he thought about *that* sight!

Not that he was a blushing virgin exactly.  Well, actually he *was* - but he was also a healthy twenty two year old male, for god’s sake, and thinking about sex was as easy as breathing in and out (and happened just about as often!)  But he’d really only had a few sexual encounters, experimented a little, and so he couldn’t describe himself as promiscuous, unless he counted a healthy fantasy life and strong right hand in that tally, of course! 

No, it was an outdated idea perhaps but it seemed that he was ‘saving himself for Mister Right’.  Not that he’d started out with that as some hard and fast rule but he found that he just didn’t feel relaxed being so intimate with someone who was practically a stranger.  It was like he’d told Dominic - he couldn’t do one-night stands - he needed to feel some spark, a connection to his partner and that just hadn’t been there with the men he’d dated.  

So yes, *technically* he was still a virgin.  He’d done a couple of hand jobs, some pleasant rubbing - one hard body against another - but nothing more.  Oral sex seemed too personal, something that should only be shared with someone special.  And as for anything *more*, as for anal sex, penetration, *fucking*….  Yes, he knew all the terms that could make it sound like some simple clinical act devoid of any real emotion but it wasn’t - at least not to him.  Orlando could only imagine that feeling, of experiencing the joy of joining with another in such a private, soul-baring way.  For him to open his body…his *heart* to someone in that way he knew it would have to be love.

Sean…his thoughts kept coming back to Sean.  Was it too soon to be feeling this way about a man he’d just met?  Was it too soon to be losing his heart to a man that he hardly knew?  Could Sean actually be the *one*?

Orlando slowly drifted to sleep with the lingering memory of a finger running gently along his jaw and a husky voice sighing his name. 

~~

Note:  AFL: Australian Football League

Chapter Four

Orlando woke up gradually, content to loiter in that pleasant half-asleep state where dreams touched shoulders with reality.  He could hear rain lashing against the bedroom window and there was a weak wintry-grey light struggling to filter through a gap in the curtains but inside all felt warm and safe and snug.

He smiled lazily as he recalled falling asleep to thoughts of Sean and found himself now slowly awakening to similarly enticing images.  He opened his eyes a little more and looked across to the empty space in the bed beside him.  What would it be like to wake up with Sean, to wake up in his arms?  Perhaps Sean would hold him all night long, spooning behind and wrapping him in a strong embrace.  Orlando closed his eyes and blissfully burrowed more fully into the cosy warmth of the duvet as he imagined how that would feel.  To have those muscular, bronzed arms holding him, his body pressed tightly against that broad chest and those firm-looking legs.   He gave a little wriggle at that delicious image….  And then maybe Sean would wake and Orlando would turn, still sheltered in the loving embrace, so that he could look into Sean’s beautiful face as he was showered with tender ‘good morning’ kisses that held the promise of so much more.

Orlando sighed happily as his mind played out this delightful dream-scenario.  As the fantasy kisses became deeper and more demanding, he trailed a hand down the long sweep of his neck and across the soft skin at the peaks of his collarbones.  He imagined Sean doing this and then following the path of his fingertips with gossamer-light kisses, achingly arousing in their gentleness. 

Moaning quietly, Orlando traced a slow path down his hairless chest to play with first one taut nipple and then the other.  He teased them with gentle touches and thought of Sean sucking and nuzzling at them, biting the reddened buds with a gentle force that would be just enough to make him sob with pleasure.  Sean would know exactly how much pressure to apply to drive him towards ecstasy but would always be gentle, careful to never cause any hurt.

Maintaining the teasing touches to his chest, he slid his other hand down the plane of his flat abdomen and under the fabric of the well-worn boxers that he slept in.  He paused briefly to caress the wiry curls at his groin before being driven on by the demanding pulse of blood between his legs.  He lightly teased the pads of his fingertips across the swollen head of his erect cock, swirling them in the tears of pre-come already leaking freely from the sensitive slit.  Raising his hand he touched the moisture to his lips and sucked each finger slowly, savouring the salty-sweet taste.  Would Sean want to taste him?  Lick and suck him, taking him deep into the furnace of his mouth and throat?  The idea of feeling those full lips wrapped around his cock drew another quiet moan and he reached down to take a firm hold on his arousal.  Stroking the rigid flesh, he reached with his other hand to gently grasp the soft skin of his sac and squeezed in a rhythm to match the push and pull on his cock.  His prick felt heavy as he worked his hand up and down, and he imagined that it was Sean’s strong and knowing grip on his swollen flesh.  In his mind’s eye he saw him - those magnificent eyes alight with desire as he whispered soft words that urged and guided Orlando towards completion.

‘That’s it, Orli, that’s good.  Come for me.  I want to see you, baby.  Come now.’

It was too much, the combination of the delicious fantasy and the reality of his hand on his cock served to push Orlando over the edge and brought him to a shuddering climax; a fountain of pearly fluid erupting over the sweat-slicked skin of his stomach as his body convulsed repeatedly in spasms of passion. 

As his whimpered moans began to subside and his breathing evened out, Orlando realised that he was softly repeating a single word.

"Sean…."

~

Orlando was sitting at the kitchen table tucking into some nice hot buttered toast when Dave walked in.  Well, shuffled in would perhaps be more accurate as he still looked half asleep and his strawberry blond hair was sticking up in an array of complex angles that would put Einstein to shame. 

He and Craig had been seeing each other for just over a year now and he often stayed over.  Craig sometimes spent the night at Dave’s but more often than not the two of them stayed here.  Orlando was fairly certain that it had something to do with Craig not liking leaving him alone in the flat; he did have a rather over-developed sense of the mother hen about him on occasions. 

Dave ambled across to the fridge, scratching at his morning stubble, wearing nothing but a pair of tight, black Calvin Klein underpants and a bemused, barely awake smile.

"Mornin’, Daisy!"  Orlando called through a buttery smile.  It was a nickname that Dave had mysteriously acquired whilst working in the theatre in Sydney and that Orlando had immediately loved upon hearing it for the first time.  The juxtaposition of the very manly looking Aussie and such a frilly name was a source of much amusement to him.

Dave grabbed a carton of orange juice and a glass and bumped the fridge door closed with his shoulder.  Walking over to the table he bent and placed a sleepy kiss on the top of Orlando’s head.

"Morning to you too, Tigger," he replied affectionately as he sat down and poured himself some juice.  It hadn’t been long after Orlando had first met Dave that he’d been dubbed with the name in honour of the way that he tended to bounce and fidget when he was excited.

"So how’d it go last night?  The Swans win?"

Dave leaned back in his chair and grinned broadly. "Didn’t they just!  Hammered the Roos into the ground, mate.  You shoulda been there. I’m telling you, Orli - it was a thing of beauty." 

"Fantastic! I bet Craig was pleased then?"  Orlando asked, attempting to smother a snigger.

"Oh, he loves it really - you know how he just likes to have something to bitch about," Dave laughed.  "He’d miss the fun of all that snarking if I didn’t get him to watch it with me."

"Plus he always enjoys you making it up to him afterwards," Orlando added with a faint blush.

Dave’s grin grew even wider and he reached out a hand to ruffle Orlando’s curls. "You’ve got that right, Tigger.  Hope we didn’t keep you awake?" He finished with a wink.

"No, I was out for the count.  Hard week, you know, man?"

"Nothing to do with getting your beauty sleep for a certain hot date tonight then?"  Dave asked with a fond smile.

Orlando laughed and shook his head.  "I knew Craig wouldn’t be able to keep quiet about *that*.  Unbelievable, man!  What?  Did he make an announcement to the whole pub or something?"

"Not quite - well he did stand on that chair and shout ‘Orlando Bloom has a date tomorrow’ - but apart from that he was pretty low key about the whole thing really." Dave laughed at Orlando’s outraged squeak. "No, only kiddin’ you but he was pretty excited about it - kept asking me for details about this Sean bloke 'cus you’d said he worked in the theatre.  But I’d never seen him before yesterday afternoon - he just came over and started chatting about the new lighting rig."

"Yeah, well Dommie and I thought he was working with you but it turns out he’s a contractor or something."

"Well, I don’t know about that but I do know that he was quite taken with a certain gorgeous young someone on the stage." Dave winked before downing a mouthful of juice.

Orlando began to bounce a little in his chair.  "Really?  Did he mention or like say anything about me or…"

"Calm down, Tigger.  He seemed too bedazzled by your beautiful self to say much," Dave said, snagging a piece of toast from Orlando’s plate and taking a bite.

"Hey, I’m eating that!" Orlando laughed trying to grab the toast back.

"Not now you’re not," Dave grinned as he ducked away.

"Now honey, what have I told you about abusing my sweet pea?"  Craig said with a smile as he walked into the room and sat gracefully on Dave’s lap.  He was wearing a blue satin robe and looked as picture-perfect as ever, hardly like a man who’d just got up. "’Cus you know I’m the only one who’s allowed to do that," he added with a smooch to first his boyfriend’s and then Orlando’s cheek.

Dave wrapped a proprietary arm around Craig’s waist and offered him a bite of the pilfered toast.  "Now would I do such a thing?  I was just telling Orli what pitiful information I have about his date for tonight," he added, pressing a brief kiss to Craig’s ear.

Craig’s eyes lit up and he clapped his hands together.  "Ooh the mysterious Sean; he of the fantastic bod and amazing eyes.  I’m so excited, I can’t wait for this evening!"

Orlando and Dave just looked at each other and then burst into raucous laughter.

"What?"  Craig demanded archly with just a hint of a grin curling the corners of his mouth.

"Craigsie, it’s *my* date!" Orlando giggled.

"Oh, a mere technicality, sweet pea," Craig huffed, blue eyes twinkling. "As your duly appointed gay-mentor-come-fairy-godfather it’s my duty to take an interest in these things and make sure that everything goes well.  Isn’t that right, honey?" He nudged at a still snorting Dave.

"Of course it is, babe. And you do a fantastic job," Dave said, giving Orlando a surreptitious wink.

Craig turned back to Orlando. "Okay, gorgeous, down to business.  First off - do you have provisions in case the evening goes *very* well?  You know, condoms and lube?"

"Craig!"  Orlando blushed and then mumbled, "Yeah, I have that stuff that you bought me before."

Craig reached over and stroked Orlando’s curls gently. "It doesn’t hurt to be prepared, sweet pea.  Just in case, you know?  I want you to be safe."

Orlando smiled, Craig knew how he felt about casual sex; he was just looking out for him as usual.  "Yes, *mum*!" 

"All right, cheeky!"  Craig said with a swat at Orlando’s shoulder. "Now that we’ve got that sorted out, on to the next thing and *this* is really important," he added in a dramatic tone. "What on earth are you going to *wear*?"

~

It was just after one o’clock when Orlando walked into the bustling bistro clutching a carrier bag from a trendy Kings Road boutique.  After discussing his clothing options at length with Craig, and with the occasional comment from Dave thrown in for good measure, Orlando had decided to go with something smart-casual for the evening as he wasn’t entirely sure where Sean was planning to take him.  He already had a brand new pair of black jeans that would be perfect but he wasn’t happy with any of his shirts.  He really wanted to look good for Sean and so he’d decided to look for something new in town.  He was feeling very pleased as he’d managed to find a really nice black, silky shirt that would work brilliantly.

Looking around the small restaurant he spotted Dominic and his boyfriend Billy Boyd already seated at their regular table in the corner.  He walked towards them, smiling broadly as they turned to wave him over.

"Hey, guys, sorry if I’m a bit late."

The two men stood up and they all exchanged enthusiastic hugs and kisses.  Billy was a few years older than Dominic but had the same slight build and cheery disposition.  However where Dominic was spontaneous and a bit of a clown, Billy was more laid-back and cautious with a rather dry sense of humour.  They complemented each other perfectly and had been together for over three years.

"No problem, mate," Dominic said as they all sat down.  "We were early anyway.  You know how Bills is!"  He added with an affectionate smile at his boyfriend.

"Oh, you love to mock," Billy chided, his Scottish burr softening any censure in the words.  "But if it wasn’t for me you’d never get anywhere on time!"

Sticking his tongue out, Dominic laughed.  "I know, I don’t know what I’d do without you, love."

At that moment the waiter came over and all bantering stopped as the three men became engrossed in the important business of ordering lunch.  Once that was done Dominic nodded towards the bag at Orlando’s feet.  "So what have you got there then, mate?"

"S’just a new shirt," Orlando answered casually.

"Oh yes and why would you be buying a new shirt?" Dominic asked.  "Unless - don’t tell me you have a *date*?"  His eyebrows rose so high that Orlando was sure they’d touch his spiky blond-tipped hair.

"There’s no need to look so shocked, Dommie!"  He laughed.  "I do go on them occasionally you know.  In fact, you and Bills are the ones who seem to set most of them up - lord help me!"

"So who is it?"  Billy asked.

"And when did this happen?" Dominic interrupted. "I mean I only saw you last night as we left work and you never mentioned a thing - oh my god - it’s that bloke isn’t it?  Tall, blond and handsome from the theatre?  The one that was checking you out!"

Orlando smiled broadly.

"It is! I’m right, aren’t I?"  Dominic crowed. "You *little* devil.  How did this happen then?"

So as they enjoyed a leisurely lunch, Orlando told his friends about running into Sean outside the theatre and how a pint sheltering from the rain had led to a lift home and an invitation to dinner.

"So where’s he taking you then, stud?"  Dominic asked with a wink.

Orlando giggled and shook his head bashfully.  "I don’t know.  I must admit I was a bit flustered and didn’t actually think to ask."

"Cool!  A mystery date with a handsome stranger!"  Dominic whispered dramatically. "I want to hear all the details tomorrow - you’ve got to phone me!"

"So are you going to bring him along to the party on Friday then?"  Billy asked, blithely ignoring his boyfriend’s theatrics.  "I know Elijah and Karl won’t mind, they’re always asking you to bring a date whenever they have any kind of a do." 

Elijah was a colleague of Billy’s; a whiz kid Harvard graduate who’d joined Billy’s firm of solicitors last year.  Not long after that he’d met Karl - an artist friend of Craig’s from New Zealand - and it had been love at first sight.  The two men were inseparable and now shared a spacious home in the Docklands where they were throwing a Halloween party this Friday night.  As the only American in their circle of friends Elijah had stated that it was his duty to educate the ‘Commonwealth Heathens’ in the traditions of the day.  He’d duly organised a fancy dress party and as his friends were never averse to a good time, they had all readily agreed. Although so far Orlando hadn’t even thought about his costume and had no idea if he should ask Sean to come along too.

"I can’t just invite him to their party like that," he answered faintly.  Could he?  If things went as he hoped tonight then he knew that he would want to spend more time with Sean.  But it seemed very presumptuous to just ask him to someone else’s party.

"Well, speak of the devil," Dominic said, looking over Orlando’s shoulder. "Here come Elijah and Karl now.  Why don’t you ask them yourself?"

Orlando turned and smiled at the two men making their way across the room.  Elijah Wood stood only about five and a half feet tall and had the largest, most intensely blue eyes that Orlando had ever seen.  He exuded a natural kind of frenetic energy and always seemed to have a clove cigarette dangling from his fingertips.  On the other hand, his boyfriend Karl Urban stood well over six feet and, though built like a rugby scrum-half, was as placid and quiet as Elijah was bouncy and loud.  Yet they were made for each other, completely devoted and happy in the extreme.  Orlando had often wondered if he would ever find what they had together, to be so perfectly in synch with another person.  After meeting Sean he was beginning to think that it might just be possible.

"Guys!  Great to see you.  We didn’t know you were going to be here," Elijah said excitedly, hugging and kissing his way around the table whilst Karl made his own more quiet greetings.

"Hey - Lij, Karl!" Dominic said. "We’ve just finished eating but grab a couple of chairs and have some coffee."

"Tea for me, please," Orlando added with a smile as their waiter took the order. 

He shuffled his chair over a little to make room for Karl to sit next to him.  He really liked Karl and always enjoyed their quiet chats, discussing everything from art to New Zealand; a place that Orlando would love to visit one day.  Karl’s relaxed yet commanding presence also stopped him feeling like such a giant whenever he was around Billy, Dominic and Elijah.  Not that he was all that tall or anything but the three were like some small race all of their own; at least Karl made him feel more human sized!

"So what’s happening?"  Elijah asked.

"You’ll never guess, Lij!  Orli’s got a date!"  Dominic said with a wink to a now groaning Orlando who could feel himself starting to blush.  One of these days….

"No way, dude!" Elijah yelped. "This isn’t some loser that these cunts are trying to set you up with is it? ‘Cus you know how that always works out, man," he added with a grin.

"Lijah," Billy laughed. "How many times do we have to tell you that you’ve really got to be British to make that kind of swearing sound right?"

Elijah turned huge blue eyes towards Karl who was sitting at his side.  "Do you hear them hassling me again, sweetie?"

Karl smiled indulgently and gently patted his boyfriend’s thigh. "I know Elwood, but they really are right, y’know.  That word just doesn’t sound right coming out of that pretty little mouth."  Elijah joined in as everyone laughed at Karl’s gift for understatement.

"So anyway, Lij," Dominic said. "Orli has a date tonight and we were saying that he should ask him, this Sean bloke, along on Friday, right?"

"Oh yeah, that’d be great, dude."  Elijah nodded.  "The more the merrier - plus we get to check out your new guy."

Orlando shook his head ruefully. "That’s what I’m afraid of.  Plus he isn’t exactly *mine*!"  Though he certainly hoped that he might be.

"Ah, come on, Orli," Dominic grinned. "We’ll go easy on him - honest."

Just then, much to Orlando’s relief, the waiter arrived and the conversation drifted to more mundane and practical matters. 

Orlando was glad of the reprieve.  He loved his friends dearly but was feeling a little overwhelmed at his date with Sean being the focus of this much attention.  His emotions were so mixed whenever he thought of the evening ahead; he really wanted to see Sean but was terrified at the same time, scared that he’d somehow mess things up.  He knew in his heart that his feelings for Sean were special; he’d never connected with anyone else on such an intense and emotional level before.  And even though they’d only spent a few short hours together he didn’t think that he was wrong about their growing bond. 

His stomach clenched in nervous anticipation.

Well, one thing was certain, he’d find out tonight for sure.

~~

Chapter Five

Orlando walked into the living room and stood nervously in front of the fireplace.  "So, what do you think?" 

He was freshly showered and dressed in black jeans and his new black shirt, with just-dried curls softly framing his face.

Craig and Dave both looked up. 

"You look great, kiddo," Dave smiled, giving him a big ‘thumbs up’ sign.

Craig stood and began a careful perusal.  "Hmmm."  He circled slowly around Orlando, reaching first to smooth out the odd wrinkle in the silky shirt and then to straighten the collar.  Just as Orlando was sure that he must look a complete mess, Craig broke into a blinding smile.  "You look *fabulous*, sweet pea!  You’re gonna knock Sean dead.  Mmm, completely gorgeous.  In fact, I should lick you to see if you taste as sweet as you look!" He added with a wink and a big smooch to Orlando’s cheek.

Orlando laughed in relief.  "Well that’s good - now all I’ve got to do is try not to make a complete fool of myself!"  He was so glad that his friends thought that he looked okay for his dinner with Sean - in fact he was really grateful for all of their encouragement.  He’d spent the better part of the day swinging from complete elation at the thought of spending time with Sean to abject terror that he’d make a total idiot of himself and Sean would think him some foolish kid and never want to see him again.

Dave got up and put a reassuring arm around Orlando’s shoulders.  "Don’t worry," he said, giving a comforting little squeeze. "Just be your usual, adorable self and you’ll be fine - everything’s going to be great and you’ll have a brilliant night."

Orlando looked up into Dave’s kind blue eyes - he really did have the best friends in the world; no, more than that, they were family.  "Thanks, man."

"No problem, Tigger.  And to show you just how helpful I can be, I’m gonna take *this* one out of your way now so that you can have some peace and quiet before your hot date arrives," he said with a laugh, pulling a spluttering Craig towards the door.

"*What*?"  Craig protested in surprise.  "But I thought we’d wait until Sean arrived, you know, for moral support?"

"Oh no you don’t," Dave grinned. "You just want to get a look at Orli’s date and give him the once over to see if he’s good enough for your little sweet pea."

"I do n - "

"Don’t even try to deny it, babe.  I know exactly how that lovely little mind of yours works and I think that Orli can do without you giving his date the third degree, okay?"

Looking suitably chastened but with a hint of a smile, Craig nodded.  "All *right*, oh lord and master, we can go.  Just as long as Orli doesn’t want us to stay?"  He added quickly, looking hopefully at his flatmate.

Orlando grinned at Craig’s woebegone expression but shook his head.  "No, I’ll be fine.  Honestly - you two get off now - you don’t want to be late for your dinner with Lij and Karl.  Look, it’s nearly half past seven so Sean’ll be here soon anyway."

"As long as you’re sure, sweet pea?  It’s no trouble at all, you know.  I can call Karl and we can just hang on here and -"

"Craig, I’m fine - absolutely and completely," Orlando laughed.  "Now shoo - off you go and have a good night, okay?"

"You too, sweet pea," Craig said, enfolding Orlando in his arms and lightly kissing his temple.

Dave joined in to hug Orlando goodbye and then began to guide a still fussing Craig to the door.

"Wait!" Craig shouted, frantically checking his pockets and looking around the room in a panic. "Where are my sunglasses?"

Dave gave a long-suffering sigh and picked up a pair of Ray-Bans from the mantelpiece.  He ceremoniously handed them to his boyfriend who gave him a resounding kiss in return.

"My hunky Aussie saviour, thank you!"  Craig said, perching the Wayfarers on top of his head.

"Craigsie, it’s pitch black and freezing cold outside," Orlando said in bemusement. "Why on earth do you need your shades?"

"Oh, you know how it is, the paparazzi are everywhere."

Orlando looked hard at his friend.  "But Craig," he said slowly.  "You’re the manager of ‘Paul Smith’ in Covent Garden - not David Beckham!"

Smiling broadly, Craig linked his arm through Dave’s and headed towards the door.  "Ah, but when you’ve got it - you’ve *got* it!  See you in the morning, sweet pea!" 

And with a final stylish swish he was gone.

~

Orlando checked his watch.  Five to eight - two minutes since the last time he’d looked. 

Vibrating with nervous energy, he bounced off the sofa and walked over to the mirror to finger comb his curls again.  Maybe he should’ve got a trim?  What if Sean didn’t like his hair?  Or his clothes?  Did this shirt really look okay?  Was it a bit much?  Perhaps he should have gone for something more conservative or….

His rambling self-doubts were abruptly cut short by the peal of the doorbell.

With a final glance in the mirror and a deep, steadying breath, Orlando went to open the front door.  

He found himself speechless at the sight that greeted him. 

Sean was standing on the step, illuminated only by a bright halo of light shining from the porch lamp.  He was wearing a stylish, long black overcoat over well-cut black slacks and an ivory coloured silk shirt.  The diffuse lamplight was playing across his hair, highlighting the strands with touches of gold and as he turned, his face was lit from within by a radiant smile.

"Hello, Orlando."

Orlando just stared.  All the doubts and insecurities that had plagued him throughout the day faded away in the face of the breath-taking sight now lit in the spotlight of the lamp’s shimmering glow.  Sean was…*spectacular*, rugged like a hero from a bygone age but with a masculine beauty that Orlando found completely compelling.  Yes, quite simply, Sean was beautiful….

"Orlando?  You okay?"  Sean sounded concerned, his gentle tones uneasy.  Why should he sound like that? Oh! Oh -

"Sorry, sorry!  You’re on the doorstep - come *in*.  Man, I am such an idiot sometimes!"

Sean gave Orlando a questioning yet adorable little look as he entered the flat.  "I’m sure you’re not at all."

Oops, had he said the idiot-bit out loud?  He was definitely more shaken up than he’d thought but then seeing a living and breathing Greek god on your doorstep would do that.

"Mmm, just thinking too loudly.  Sorry, um, come on through.  I’ll grab my coat.  This is the living room," Orlando said, showing Sean into the comfortably furnished, high-ceilinged room.  "I won’t be a minute, okay?"

He went into his bedroom and got his coat.  He was shrugging into it and checking his pockets for wallet and keys as he returned to the living room.  "Right, okay, all set  - ready to go then."

Sean was standing by the bookcase nearest the window and turned to look at him, pointing to a small piece of white-glazed sculpture on one of the shelves.  "Did you make this?"

Orlando blushed faintly with embarrassment as he saw the piece that Sean was referring to.  It was a study of two nude male figures, the larger one cradling the other in a protective, loving embrace.  Though the faces of both were hidden, the smaller figure was of a slim build with a riot of curls and was quite clearly the artist.

"Oh, that," he nodded shyly, walking over to stand by Sean.  "Yes, I made it when I was at college. How’d you know it was mine?" He asked curiously.

"You mentioned that you’d done some sculpting and this is so vibrant and alive it just had to be yours," Sean replied softly. 

Sean had remembered that he’d done a class in sculpture?  He could hardly even remember mentioning it, as he’d tended to ramble on quite a lot during their previous meeting.

"Plus it does rather look like you," Sean added with a smile. "Does it have a name?"

Orlando ducked his head and felt his ears flame red.  He really wished that he could stop getting so flustered around Sean.  "Well, yes.  It’s a bit silly I suppose but I call it ‘White Knight’." He said in a rush.  The piece represented some of his feelings at the time he’d made it - the desire to have someone to share his life with, someone to wrap *him* in a comforting, secure embrace.  Of course he was still looking for his own white knight - his hero - and the prospect of having to explain any of this to Sean made it all sound terribly needy and juvenile.

"White Knight?"  Sean sounded surprised and had a strange look on his face that Orlando couldn’t quite place.

"Like I say, silly, yeah?"

"No, not at all," Sean said in that same gentle tone.  "I think it’s perfect...just like you."

Orlando couldn’t see anything beyond the warm smile as Sean chased away his unease with an upturn of those amazing lips.   "Thank you," he sighed shyly before adding in a rush of breath.  "Oh, and you look awesome tonight, man!"  Oh god, he really should engage his brain before speaking.  *Awesome*?  Sean had just said something incredibly sweet and romantic and what did *he* say?  "Mmm, sorry. I really am an idiot." 

Sean cupped Orlando’s chin gently and smiled.  "No, you’re not, you’re charming - utterly charming."

Orlando was sure that he could feel each syllable floating across his skin like a velvet caress and a happy warmth flowed through him as he gazed at Sean.

 "So, shall we go?" Sean asked, his smile broadening.

"Go?  Oh, yeah, let’s." Orlando nodded as they left the room, happy beyond measure to feel Sean’s strong, guiding hand at the small of his back once more.

~

The restaurant was wonderful, a small Italian place on the river near to the Globe.  They’d been greeted with genuine warmth by the proprietor Roberto, or Robby as Sean had called him.  From this and the exquisite and attentive service that they received, it was obvious that ‘Mister Sean’ was a regular and well-favoured customer.

They were quickly seated at a secluded corner table that afforded wonderful views across the water to Saint Paul’s and beyond.  The lighting was low and flickering candles on the table added to the intimate ambiance, whilst muted jazz floated through the air to complete the unapologetically romantic setting.

Sitting across from Sean, Orlando glanced around at the magnificent décor.  "Wow, this place is incredible." 

He was relieved that his earlier insecurity seemed to be vanishing.  He found Sean’s calm, quiet manner comforting, putting him at his ease so that even dining in such an obviously select establishment as this didn’t make him feel too nervous.  It wasn’t like he’d never been to a fancy restaurant before but this was classy in that very understated way that only *really* good places managed to achieve.  It was all about quality, mood and impeccable taste with no fussy ostentation.

"Shhh," Sean grinned.  "This is one of the best kept secrets in London."

"So I bet you bring all your dates here, then, yeah?"  Orlando laughed.

"Actually, no, I don’t really date all that much - it’s…*difficult*…um, with my…work," he said a little awkwardly before smiling and reaching across the table to take hold of Orlando’s hand.  "But this place is special to me."  He stroked his thumb lightly over Orlando’s palm.  "*You’re* special to me.  I wanted to share it with you."

Orlando couldn’t help the pleased little smile that played across his lips.  "Thank you," he murmured happily. "I’m really glad that you have."

~

"So let me get this straight," Sean laughed as he took a sip of wine.  "You’ve broken a rib horse-riding, your leg skiing and yet you still like throwing yourself from great heights with nothing but a glorified elastic band tied around your ankles?"

Orlando giggled at Sean’s expression of disbelief. "Well, I didn’t say that it was cleverest thing I’ve ever done!"

"You can say that again, are you always so accident prone?"

"Well, not always, man.  Though there was this time I went canoeing with Dave." Orlando’s hands began to fly excitedly as he talked and his body shook with laughter as he bounced in his seat, recalling ‘the dreaded canoe incident’. "It was unbelievable, man, like he’s *twice* the size I am and we’re in this canoe right and there was just like this tiny little moment and that was it - we were done for, gone, man!  He pulled me up ‘cus I had these heavy boots on, like weighing me down, man and we were both like spluttering with our mouths full of water and flailing about and he’s blaming me but no way - what?  *What*?"

Sean was laughing helplessly, almost struggling for breath as Orlando became more and more animated.

"Okay, okay - so maybe I am a *little* accident prone," Orlando conceded with a bright grin and sipped some wine.  It was a Chateau de something or other that Sean had ordered; Orlando didn’t usually drink wine or know much about it but was glad that he’d tried a glass - it was very good.

"Maybe just a little," Sean smiled, his laughter slowly subsiding.  "So you sound like you’re really close to Dave and Craig then?"

"Oh yeah, they’re like family, you know?  And Craig’s been really good to me - he's my best friend.  I mean, I met him when I first got here and he really looked after me, especially with the gay scene, that sort of thing.  Mind you, he still thinks he needs to do that even now!"

Sean raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Um, not like I’m all that experienced, you know - on the scene or anything," Orlando said quickly.

"But it must be good to have someone looking out for you?"  Sean said gently.

"Oh yeah, Craig’s been brilliant and now he’s with Dave it’s like I have *two* big brothers!  Big, *gay* brothers!"  Orlando said with a comical roll of his eyes.  "So, how about you?"

"Ah, well things were a bit different - you know - growing up in Sheffield in the Seventies.  People weren’t exactly very accepting of ‘pansies’, as they so delicately put it.  It wasn’t something that you admitted; unless you fancied getting a good kicking, of course."

Orlando nodded sadly.  "That must have been really hard for you."

"Yeah, it were I suppose," Sean said, his accent thickening a little. "Not that I really admitted it to myself at first though.  I tried going out with lasses, even went as far as getting engaged to one - Debbie.  She was a nice girl and always thought I was the perfect gent 'cus I didn’t try anything on with her.  Trouble was I really didn’t want to.  I was just lying, you know?  To her and myself and I couldn’t hurt her that way - she deserved better."

"So what happened?"

"I just woke up one morning with this vision of me in the future - one divorce after another, looking for someone and never finding the right one - ending up alone.  I didn’t want that - I knew it was time to stop pretending and admit who I really was.  I was never going to be happy with any woman, they just couldn’t give me what I needed and I certainly wouldn’t be any good for them.  It wasn’t fair to keep on with the act."

Orlando covered Sean’s hand with his own.  "Were you okay?"

Sean smiled a little and squeezed Orlando’s hand.  "Eventually, yeah.  My parents came around in the end - it was a bit of a shock for them at first, of course.  Well, suddenly finding out that their apparently heterosexual son was a ‘nancy boy’ would be shock, I suppose." Sean’s voice became quieter.  "Me mam cried for days."  He lowered his head and swallowed before continuing in a lighter tone, "But it all worked out okay in the end and Debbie was a right little gem.  I think maybe she’d known all along and just didn’t want to see it - believe it, you know?  I still see her occasionally when I go back home, she’s married with a parcel of kids and as happy as you like.  I could never have given her that, I’m glad she’s happy.  Funnily enough, I saw her old man this afternoon."

"What?  You’ve been up to Sheffield *today*?"  Orlando asked in surprise.

"Well, yeah," Sean said, looking a little abashed. "It was a bit tight on time but the Blades - um, that’s Sheffield United - were playing at home and I try to get to as many matches as I can.  Plus this is an important season for us and…" He trailed off as Orlando collapsed into the tablecloth in a fit of giggles.

"Oh no!  You’re as bad as Dave with his Swans," Orlando laughed.  "Now I know how Craig feels!"

"Swans?"

"The Sydney Swans - Aussie rules football - Dave’s an addict.  It drives Craig mad!"

Sean grinned in return.  "You know I thought he was a good ‘un when I met him yesterday and the more I hear about this Dave of yours, the more I like the sound of him.  Okay, so I’ll have to make allowances for the fact that it’s not really *proper* footie but I think we’ll get along just fine…."

~

The rest of the meal was just as wonderful and relaxed, and Orlando had been enchanted when Sean, upon hearing his protestations that he was full, suggested that they share a dessert.  Leaning with their heads close together and experiencing the sinful delights of a sumptuous chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis had been a curiously intimate moment and the perfect complement to a perfect meal.

After a final a cup of peppermint tea they took their leave, Sean promising Roberto that they’d be back very soon.

"Would you like to walk by the river for a little while?" Sean asked as they stepped out into the evening air.  It was cold, but one of those rare winter evenings in the city when the night was clear enough to see a few scattered stars twinkling in the cloudless sky.

Turning up the collar of his thick coat, Orlando smiled in agreement.  "That sounds lovely."

The two men walked side by side, their breath misting and mingling together in the sharp air, but Orlando was hardly aware of the cold.  He felt oddly at peace, happy to be sharing this quiet moment with Sean, as if this night was meant just for them.

They came to a stop near the imposing edifice of the Tate Modern, finding a quiet, sheltered position by a guard wall high above the inky waters of the Thames.  Looking out across the river the city skyline beyond was a tableau of dark silhouettes picked out with thousands of tiny lights and in the distance traffic rumbled across the bridge, the white and red lights looking like a river of diamonds and rubies snaking their way to Blackfriars.

Turning away from the London night, Orlando looked at Sean. 

"Are you okay?" Sean asked, stepping a little closer and gently stroking Orlando’s cheek.  The touch was warm and intimate.

Orlando breathed out softly and nodded, his eyes never leaving Sean’s.

"You are *so* beautiful…." Sean whispered, his quiet voice roughening slightly with emotion.  "I can’t seem to help myself…."

Orlando swallowed as he looked into suddenly serious green eyes.  Sean’s hand was soothing as it stroked along his jaw and gentle fingertips ghosted over his mouth, slowly tracing the outline of his lips.

"Oh," Orlando’s lips parted at the light touch.  He could feel the connection - the *spark* - between them grow stronger.  It flared and danced, smouldering to life and threatening to ignite at any moment.  Was he ready for the fierceness of this inferno?

Seriousness slowly dissolved as Sean’s smile returned, bringing with it an added intensity as if he too felt the slow burn arcing between them.

Orlando knew that he should be careful, he hardly knew this man after all, but he felt helpless…bewitched….  He was falling in love and his head didn’t know if it was the right thing to do but Orlando could feel it in his heart, he was captivated - Sean was the *one*.

Sean leaned slowly towards him.  "May I kiss you, Orlando?"  He whispered. "Orli?"

Orlando smiled as flames consumed him.  "Yes, please…."

The soft touch of Sean’s lips to his own was like nothing he’d ever imagined, nothing he’d ever experienced.  The moment was like a catalyst, an emotional damn burst.  Suddenly he felt more alive than ever before and he craved more - more of the gentle press of those full lips, more of the whisper of shared breath.  It felt that until now he’d only been living half a life, how could he have not known?  Sean filled and inflamed his senses and all with one single, delicate caress.

"More," he murmured, his hands reaching for Sean’s shoulders as if without anchorage he might be lost to the fire.

Strong hands entwined in his hair, carefully cradling his skull, as Sean gently pulled him closer until he felt the heated press of that muscular body along the length of his own.  He embraced the inferno as the gentle kiss grew deeper, their lips never parting.  He gasped at the touch of Sean’s sweetly probing tongue and welcomed it gladly, sucking it into his mouth and delighting in the passionate intensity of it all.

Time seemed to stand still as the kiss continued, the two of them locked together in this most intimate of embraces.  It was as if it joined them until they were no longer Sean and Orlando but merely an extension of the kiss itself.  Orlando couldn’t think or feel beyond this moment - the pressure of Sean’s mouth on his, the solid heat of Sean’s body - it was like he was made only of sense and emotion.

Finally, slowly, the kiss ended and Orlando couldn’t contain a slight shiver of loss as Sean’s lips left his.

"Cold?"  Sean asked quietly, green eyes locking intently with Orlando’s, as he lazily caressed the back of Orlando’s neck.

Orlando shook his head and smiled, a little dazed. "No…not cold…."

Sean’s quiet laugh rang through the stillness of the chill night as he pulled Orlando more closely to him.  "Come on, let’s get you home," he murmured, warm breath ghosting tantalisingly across Orlando’s ear.

Orlando snuggled more securely into the heaven of Sean’s arms.  He smiled and whispered noiselessly into the strong shoulder beneath his cheek, "My white knight…."

~~

Chapter six

Orlando was jolted awake by the sound of the front door slamming.  Peering blearily at his alarm clock he was surprised to see that it was after ten; he didn’t usually sleep this late.  He turned over and pulled the covers snugly to his ears, not ready to relinquish the soft warmth of his bed just yet.  He wanted to spend a few more minutes reliving his wonderful evening with Sean and, most importantly, The Kiss.  He could almost feel those warm lips still pressing against his, the sweet intoxication of their mingled breath and the wonderful sense of completeness when Sean held him close.

However his plans for some lazy daydreaming were quickly interrupted by a gentle rap at his bedroom door.

"Knock, knock!"  Came a cheery voice, swiftly followed by a grinning Craig poking his perfectly tousled head around the door.  "Not interrupting anything, am I?"

Orlando shook his head sleepily and sat up against the headboard, rubbing heavy eyes.  "No - s’just me, Craigsie.  You’re back early, aren’t you?  Where’s Dave?"

"Well, I was just checking - you never know - there might have been a certain 'amazingly-eyed' someone in here with you!"  Craig said, crossing the room and dropping gracefully on to the bed. "Dave’s off playing football or some such manly Sunday morning pursuit, so I’ve come home to see my little sweet pea."  He lay down on his stomach and rested his chin in his hands.  "*So*?  How’d it go last night?" He winked saucily. "Tell me everything - I’m all ears!" 

"Oh, Craig, it was just fantastic," Orlando sighed happily.  "I think that last night may have been the most perfect night of my life." He knew that he had a dopey smile on his face but he didn’t care.  "I can’t even begin to describe it all to you, you know?  And it’s not like it was just that it was an incredible restaurant or anything - which it was - it was amazing, man, like something out of ‘Hello’ magazine or something!"

Craig laughed and nodded encouragingly.  "Go on - so he took you to a fabulously ritzy restaurant.  What else?"

"It was just, like, how he treated me, you know?  Like I was really special, like I was precious to him.  And he was really interested in me too!  It wasn’t like I was just some airhead or something.  He listened to me and we talked and talked, just about everything, yeah?"

Moving to sit next to him, Craig put an arm around Orlando’s shoulders.  "What do I keep telling you, sweet pea, huh?  You’re beautiful -" He held up a silencing hand as Orlando began to protest. "Oh yes you are - but you’re so much more than that, more than just a pretty face.  You’re bright and funny and you have the kindest heart of anyone I know.  It sounds like this Sean is smart enough to see it too, so that’s a tonne of brownie points for him!"  With a hug and a teasing laugh, he continued. "But is that all that happened?  Haven’t you got any more gossip to feed your starving flatmate?"

"Well, I’m seeing him again this evening," Orlando added with a dreamy smile. "There’s a Cary Grant retrospective at the Empire and he asked if I’d like to go.  I think he said it’s ‘To Catch a Thief’.  Is that the one with Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum that we watched last Christmas - when Dave fell asleep after all that Christmas pud?"

"No, you’re thinking of ‘The Grass is Greener’ and you know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone eat that much pudding….  Anyway, *this* one has the divine Miss Grace Kelly and it’s all set on the French Riviera.  You’ll love it - it’s just your kind of thing."

"Oh good, I *love* Grace Kelly - the fairy tale princess who found her very own Prince Charming," Orlando said with a fanciful, far away look.  "So, he’s picking me up and we’re having an early dinner in town and then going to the cinema."

"Mmm, that sounds wonderful and so romantic. This one may be a keeper, eh, sweet pea?" Craig smiled. "But are you sure that’s all you have to tell me?  *Me*?  Your loyal and caring friend, who’s been abandoned by his sport-mad man for the morning.  Don’t you have any more juicy bits for my vicarious delectation and delight?"

"Well…I might have," Orlando said coyly before giving in to joyous laughter. "Oh Craig, he kissed me," his words spilled out in an excited rush, "and I think that I’m in love!"

Craig’s face was a picture of mixed emotions; shock, happiness and wariness all vied for attention, but before he could splutter the ‘what?’ forming on his cupid-bow lips, the phone rang and Orlando leaned across to pick up the receiver.

"Hello?  Dom?"  Orlando answered in a breathless, eager voice.  "Oh *Dommie*, I think that last night may have been the most perfect night of my life…."

~

Orlando looked at himself critically in the mirror.  Sean would be here in a little while and he wanted to make sure that he looked okay for their date.  *Second* date, he reminded himself happily.

He hadn’t really been sure what to wear, but on Craig’s advice had opted for a slightly more casual look, as it didn’t seem like this was going to be such a fancy venue as last night.  He was wearing a long-sleeved white cotton shirt over a pair of his smarter blue jeans, with a vintage leather belt.  He’d always had a rather eclectic fashion sense and as a teenager he really hadn’t had much of a clue, his sister Sam often helping him to look ‘cooler’ by finding retro jackets and shirts for him at Oxfam.  Now, of course he had his own personal fashion guru in Craig, who often helped him to stretch his rather meagre clothing budget by bringing home end-of-line designer bargains for him from the branch of ‘Paul Smith’ that he managed.  Unfortunately, splashing out on his silky shirt the previous day had pretty much tapped out his finances.  He really only had enough now for necessities, until payday on Wednesday at least, and so he just hoped that he had sufficient for tonight. 

He really was lucky to have such a good friend as Craig.  It was obvious that he was worried by Orlando’s proclamation that he’d fallen in love with Sean but he’d been very open-minded as they’d talked about it during the day.  He’d warned him not to be too hasty but at the same time hadn’t dismissed his feelings and Orlando *could* see his point; it had all happened very quickly.  But the fact that he’d only just met Sean didn’t seem to matter to his heart; two days or two years - he knew it wouldn’t make any difference - his feelings for Sean, right from the first moment that he saw him at the theatre, were very real. He just knew that this was right - he loved the way that he felt when he was with Sean, the way that he made him feel about himself.  He couldn’t really put it into words - he just *knew*.  Of course the only thing was, did Sean feel the same way about him?

He glanced at the clock and had a minor panic - Sean would be here any minute!   He quickly tucked his charm necklace under his shirt and folded his cuffs back a little before checking his appearance one last time.  Taking a calming breath, he went into the living room to wait.  Craig had insisted on staying to meet Sean this time and Orlando didn’t want to have to rescue his boyfriend from a grilling by his fiercely protective friend.  He gave a happy little sigh as he thought of Sean as ‘his boyfriend’, even if it was just to himself.

"Are you okay, sweet pea?" Craig looked over from his seat on the long, comfortable sofa in front of the fireplace.  "You’re not worried about this evening, are you?  You look fabulous, by the way!"

Orlando sat beside him and rested his head on his shoulder.  "Thank you, you’re so good to me.  But I’m fine, really - fantastic.  Just worrying that you’ll be getting the hot irons out and asking Sean what his ‘intentions’ are!" He said with a laugh.

Craig slung an affectionate arm around him and whispered in his ear.  "Shhh, I’m saving them for later - I’ll just use the thumb screws to start."

Orlando giggled and looked up into his friend’s smiling blue eyes.  "Seriously, Craigsie - *behave*, okay?"

Craig attempted to look suitably chastised and made a quick salute.  "Scout’s honour, sweet pea.  You know me - I’m never one to poke my nose where it isn’t needed."  Ignoring Orlando’s spluttering ‘since when?’, he continued, "I just want a quiet little word with your Sean to make sure that he fully realises the consequences if he messes with my boy, okay?"  Getting into his stride, he added in a horribly mangled Mafioso type accent, "if he hurts da sweet pea, he sleeps with da fishes - capishe?"

At this Orlando couldn’t contain himself and collapsed helplessly in a huge fit of giggles.  "Stop it," he hiccupped weakly through his laughter, waving his hands feebly in front of him.  "He’ll be here any minute and you’ve made me into a wreck!"

Craig smoothed his fingers through Orlando’s curls as their laughter subsided and straightened his shirt collar with a little tug.  "I just want you to be happy, sweet pea."

Orlando hugged his friend tightly.  "I know, Craigsie - I love you too."

~

"So, that was Craig then," Sean said with a smile, smoothly changing gear as they drove towards the city.

"Yeah," Orlando grinned.  Sean had arrived a few minutes early, looking amazing in a black button down shirt and black denims.  He looked suave, perhaps even a little dangerous, and more drop-dead-sexy than before, as if that were actually possible!  Craig was completely charming, of course, and had given Orlando a broad smile when Sean had helped Orlando into his coat. It looked like his friend approved.

"*Sweet pea*?"  Sean’s voice sounded faintly stifled, as if he were trying very hard to smother a laugh.

Orlando briefly hid his face in his hands.  "I know! It’s Craig’s special name for me," he laughed.  "Of course, it’s not as bad as Tigger!"

"Tigger?"  Sean seemed to give up his attempt at hiding his amusement.  "I think that sounds adorable and quite appropriate, actually.  You can be a bit bouncy at times," he teased fondly. "Who calls you that?"

"Dave…I think he does it in retaliation for me latching onto his nickname from back home in Australia."

"And that would be?"

"Daisy!"  Orlando hooted.  "I love it, man.  Like, who on earth would call a guy that looks as butch as Dave, Daisy, you know?"

Sean joined in the laughter.  "It does seem a bit strange.  How’d he get it?"

"Dunno - he won’t tell me - it’s a mystery."  Orlando grinned.  "Says he wants to keep some of his secrets."  He noticed that Sean looked a little uneasy.  Perhaps he felt uncomfortable with Orlando talking about his friends so much; he hadn’t really mentioned many details about his own life.  "So, um, the film.  What time does it start again?"

Sean seemed lost in thought for a moment.  "Hmmm?  Oh, the film!  Eight thirty.  I thought we could grab something to eat first - there’s a little place I know not far from the cinema. Nothing too fancy, but good.  Do you like Greek food?" He asked, regaining his smile.

Orlando nodded enthusiastically, happy that Sean was smiling again. "Fantastic, man!"

~

The meal had been excellent.  The restaurant was a small taverna style place down a back street, not far from the Trocadero, and the food was delicious.   Once again Orlando felt that he was really connecting with Sean as they laughed and talked, finding that they shared similar viewpoints about a range of different subjects.  However they weren’t able to linger too long as the film was due to begin.

They left the restaurant and walked the short distance to Leicester Square, passing by the Swiss clock as it began its glockenspiel chimes.  There was a queue at the cinema’s ticket booth and as they waited in line Orlando reached for his wallet.  Sean placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"It’s okay, I’ve got this," he said softly.

"But you paid for dinner *and* for the meal last night, which must have cost a bit - "

"I’ve got it," Sean repeated more firmly, with a smile.  "Look, I asked you out, remember?  It’s my treat, please?"

Orlando sighed and held his hands up in the face of Sean’s determined look.  "Okay, you win, for now," he said.  "But you have to let me pay next time, okay?" He hoped he wasn’t being too presumptuous and that Sean actually wanted to see him again. 

He relaxed when Sean smiled and nodded, "Okay, next time."

They slowly moved forward in the line.  "Actually, I’m going to be away for a few days," Sean said, an uneasy light in his eyes.  "Some things to take care of - I’m afraid I won’t be back until Wednesday."

"Well, how about we go out Wednesday evening, then? My treat?"  Orlando said excitedly.  "What do you fancy?  There’s a great Indian place - " He stopped as he became aware of the increasingly uncomfortable look on Sean’s face.  He *was* being too pushy.  Sean wouldn’t want to see him all the time, he probably didn’t actually want to see him again ever and was just being polite in an ‘I’ll call you’ kind of way.  "But it’s okay, no pressure.  Just whenever, yeah?"  He finished quietly, his natural exuberance muted.  He looked up when he felt a gentle pressure on his arm.

"I really do want to see you again, Orli," Sean said, his soft accent soothing.  "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to think different.  S’just that it’s *Wednesday*, you know?" He added with a vaguely sheepish grin as if that explained everything.  On seeing Orlando’s continued puzzlement, he added, "England - playing Holland, away…."

Orlando couldn’t help the relieved laugh that bubbled out from him.  Sean *did* want to see him again! In the space of a few seconds he’d gone from despair to utter hilarity.  "Football?  This is all about *football*?" He grinned, now he really did know how Craig felt.

"Um, yeah, sorry…but it’s a qualifier…big match an’ all…."

Orlando was enchanted by Sean’s obvious embarrassment and leaning towards him he tucked an arm through his.  "Well how about this," he said in a conspiratorial whisper.  "It’s televised, right?"

"Yeah," Sean nodded, his face breaking into an optimistic smile.

"So how about you come round to mine and we’ll order pizza and watch your contest on the telly, yeah?"

"Match," Sean corrected absently. "It’s called a match, Orli," but he was smiling broadly.  "That sounds really great, thanks - it’s a date!"

Orlando couldn’t help his own huge smile.

~

Orlando had really enjoyed the film, Cary Grant had been at his debonair best and Grace Kelly simply sparkled.  But the part he’d enjoyed the most was just after the lights had dimmed and Sean had put an arm around his shoulders, murmuring quietly in his ear, ’Is this okay?’  Orlando had nodded happily, ‘Mmm, perfect….’

The traffic was light on their journey home and all too soon the Aston Martin was pulling up outside Orlando’s flat.  Sean turned off the ignition and the interior of the car became still as the engine ceased its muted roar.

Orlando was suddenly shy.  "Um, thank you again for a wonderful evening, I really enjoyed myself."

"It was my pleasure," Sean replied easily.

"Um," Orlando glanced down and twisted his seat belt in nervous fingers, "would you…like to come in for, um, coffee?"

"Orlando," Sean said, his soothing tone making him look up. "Sometimes ‘coffee’ is just coffee, you know.  Or…" He added with a smile, "…perhaps tea."

"But what if I wanted it to be…more?" Orlando asked, his mouth dry.

"More?"

"Like…kisses?"  Orlando whispered.

Sean smiled and his voice dropped to a purr. "I think we can do coffee and…kisses." Green eyes twinkled with warmth as he escorted Orlando from the car.

It was a cold night and there was an early frost on the path.  It shimmered palely in the moonlight as they walked to the front door.

"Hello! S’me," Orlando called out as he unlocked the door but only silence greeted them.  "Looks like Craig’s gone out," he said as Sean followed him into the hallway. "I think he was going to Dave’s."

Standing awkwardly for a moment he suddenly mumbled. "Right.  Coffee! Um, the kitchen’s along here or you can wait in the living room and I’ll bring it through if you like?"

"No, I’ll help," Sean smiled.  "Lead on, Macduff!"

Once in the kitchen, they found that they both actually preferred tea and so a pot was quickly made and poured.  They carried their mugs through to the living room and sat down on the sofa.  Orlando lit the gas fire and soon living flames were dancing in the hearth, casting a warm amber glow across the room.

"Mmm, nice cuppa," Sean exhaled.  "No matter how long I live away from Yorkshire there’s two things you can’t beat - a nice cup o’ tea and a good pint…and the footie, of course." He added with a grin.

Orlando giggled.  "Looks like I’ll have to start appreciating the finer points of the beautiful game then, well at least by Wednesday anyway," he laughed.  "Oh, that reminds me.  Well, sort of - convoluted thought processes and everything but anyway - " He took a breath at Sean’s uncomprehending stare.  "Sorry, but I meant to ask you before - about Friday and, of course, you probably won’t want to and that’s okay, really and anyway, why would you?  I mean I told Dom and Billy that but, like, anyway…."

"Orlando? Orlando?"

Orlando stopped talking, suddenly aware that Sean’s voice was a little more forceful than usual.

Sean started to grin.  "*What* exactly have you decided that I don’t want to do on Friday?"

Flushing slightly, Orlando dropped his eyes and shook his head.  "Sorry, man.  I’ve done it again. I am *such* an idiot!  I can’t even manage to string a sentence together…."

"Orli?"  Sean spoke quietly.  "It’s not the end of the world, sweetheart.  What did you want to ask me?"

Orlando was sure that his heart was going to beat its way out of his chest in joy.  *Sweetheart*?  Sean had just called him sweetheart!  He jumped slightly as Sean stroked his cheek with an achingly gentle touch.

"Sorry," Sean said softly.  "Too much?"

"Not enough…." Orlando whispered breathily as he felt Sean drawing him close.   He was surrounded by the intoxicating aroma that was Sean, a breezy balm of aftershave warmed by the underlying evocative scent of the man himself.

Soft, skilful lips moved lightly over his, their gently coaxing touch opening his mouth to share a desire-laden moan.  Orlando pressed closer and moaned again as he felt strong hands entwining in his hair, holding him still as the kiss became deeper and Sean laid claim to him with a controlled passion and hunger that almost stole his mind, let alone his breath.  Kissing Sean was like unleashing a tornado of sensation, of want…his senses were filled to the brim and he felt himself falling into the kiss, falling into Sean.  So much intensity, so much emotion in a simple meeting of lips.

Slowly, Sean began to pull back, soothing the ferocity of the kiss with tiny butterfly touches that ghosted across Orlando’s lips, tracing their contours as if rendering them to memory.

"Okay, sweetheart?" Sean murmured softly, holding Orlando securely in his arms.

Orlando nodded, tracing his palms across the muscles of Sean’s broad chest, wishing that the fabric of the shirt would magically vanish.  He sighed happily as he felt Sean begin to stroke gentle fingers through his hair.

They sat like this for sometime, with Orlando comfortable in Sean’s arms, and swapped tender kisses as they talked quietly; content to just enjoy the intimacy of the moment, the warmth of the fire and each other. 

Eventually Sean sighed.  "I really have to be going, Orli," he said regretfully.  "I’m sorry but I have an early start tomorrow."

Orlando gave a little yawn and pressed a light kiss to the chest beneath his cheek.  "I know, but I’ll see you Wednesday, yeah?" He said as he sat up and reluctantly left the haven of Sean’s embrace.

"Definitely!" Sean said as he stood.  "I wouldn’t miss it for the world - you, football and pizza, what more could a man ask for?" He laughed, bending down and placing a brief kiss on top of Orlando’s head.  "Well, beer, of course but I’ll bring that!" He added with a wink.

Orlando stood and stretched, easing the kinks from his back.  Sean immediately took him in his arms and began to rub expert fingers across his shoulders and down his spine.  Orlando gave a very satisfied groan of approval.

"You like that?"  Sean laughed.

"Oh man, you have the most amazing hands!"

"Well, we’ll have to see what else I can do with them - another time…." Sean whispered in Orlando’s ear, causing him to blush.

"Sorry, I’m going to learn to stop doing that around you!" He said, lowering his eyes.

Sean lifted Orlando’s chin and looked at him with an emotion that Orlando couldn’t quite place as he lost himself in green depths.  "Please don’t change for me," he smiled. "I think it’s endearing, adorable in fact."

Shaking his head, Orlando laughed. "I’m not sure I can stop it, anyway.  You have this way of making me lose control I think."

"Is that so?"  Sean said thoughtfully.  "I think I’d like to see you…out of control." He laughed as Orlando blushed again.  "Okay, okay, I’ll stop - I really do have to go, I’m afraid."

Orlando followed Sean to the front door before exclaiming, "Oh!  I forgot what I was going to ask you…before…you know?"  He continued at Sean’s questioning gaze. "S’just that my friends are having a fancy dress party - this Friday.  It’s for Halloween 'cus Lij is American and he thinks we should like, celebrate and anyway he and Karl, that’s his boyfriend - he’s not American by the way, he’s a friend of Craig’s from New Zealand -" He stopped to draw breath. "So they said I should ask you to come along…so would you like to?  Come to the party?  With me, I mean?" He finished hopefully.

"Well, that was quite an invitation," Sean laughed. "How could I refuse?  I’d love to go to your friends’ party - with *you*.  Do you have a costume already?"

Orlando grinned.  Sean wanted to go to the party with him! 

"Um, no - I hadn’t really thought of anything yet."  He said with a frown.

"How about I get us both something, eh?" Sean asked.  "It’ll be my surprise."

"Oh, man.  That would be brilliant - thank you!"  Orlando hugged Sean and then felt himself melt as Sean murmured softly in his ear.

"It’s my pleasure, sweetheart."

With a final gentle kiss, Sean slowly released him from his arms and stroked his cheek lightly.  "See you on Wednesday, Orli."

"Wednesday," Orlando nodded with a smile.

~~

Chapter seven

"So, it’s Wednesday today," Dominic said casually as he reached down to adjust his dance shoes.

"Yes, Dommie, it is," Orlando replied patiently, eying his friend’s too-innocent expression with caution.  "All day."

"Hmmm - so, that would make tonight…."

"Oh, all right!"  Orlando laughed.  "Yes, it’s *Wednesday* night and I’m going to see Sean!"  He shook his head sadly.  "Just because I may have mentioned it once or twice -"

"Once or twice?"  Dominic hooted, his laughter carrying across the stage and causing several other members of the chorus to look up and smile.  "Orli, it’s all you’ve been talking about - you’ve mentioned nothing else all week. ‘Sean this’ and ‘Sean that’…the whole theatre must know that you’re seeing Sean tonight!"

"I haven’t been that bad, have I?" Orlando asked in a worried voice, suddenly conscious of his love-struck babbling.

"Yeah, mate - you have.  But don’t fret about it," Dominic said kindly, reaching up to ruffle his friend’s curls affectionately.  "Everyone loves you and they’re just happy that you’re happy.  Even if we have had to hear all about your weekend as well - over and over."

"What?" Orlando exclaimed with a laugh at Dominic’s barefaced cheek.  "*You’re* the one who’s been asking me for more details, you perv!  Even after I’ve already told you like about fifty times!"  Not that he’d minded recounting the two amazingly romantic evenings that he’d spent with Sean, of course, though he hadn’t gone into too much detail with Dominic; some things were so special that they were best kept private.  Though he had discussed things more fully with Craig, of course, as he relied on his best friend’s guidance and support a lot.

Their conversation was cut short when Jason clapped his hands and called the cast to order.  "Okay, kiddies, I think we’ll go through the routine for ‘Mad about the Boy’ one more time before lunch.  Plenty of energy but keep the movements flowing - remember, you’re as light as air.  Oh, Marty and John - just be careful you leave enough room for the girls to move past you at the back, okay?  Great!  Right, places please, people…watch the changes and -  *music*!"

Orlando hurried into position and focussed as he began to dance the well-rehearsed steps with passion and ease.  This song had always been a favourite of his and as a kid he’d worn thin an old Dinah Washington version of his mum’s.  He loved the innate romanticism of the lyrics and was charmed by the fact that Noel Coward had supposedly written the song for his gay lover.  Performing the number now, he found the dream-like quality of Jason’s choreography truly inspired, the mood perfectly complementing the heady sentiment of the arrangement.

// I’m feeling quite insane and young again
And all because I’m mad about the boy….//

The final chorus finished and Jason stepped onto the stage with a flourish.  "Wonderful, wonderful, people!  That was much better.  Good work - I’m really pleased!  Let’s break for lunch now and I’ll see you in an hour."

Orlando smiled at Jason’s exuberance, he felt really lucky to be working with such an incredible director.  Jason Isaacs was pretty much a living legend in theatre circles and not just because he was immensely talented, he was also such a nice guy.  Nice sounded so bland, but he was - a thoroughly nice man who took an interest in cast and crew alike and who had a great sense of humour too.  As a result, the company was fiercely loyal to him and everyone gave their very best, no matter what.  It was simply an amazing experience to work for such a man.

Orlando walked across to the apron, where Dominic was standing looking out into the auditorium. "Hey you, cheeky!"  He called fondly.  "Ready for lunch?"

"Well - I am, mate." Dominic said with a mischievous grin. "But I think you may have other plans."

"What do you mean?"  Orlando turned to look in the direction that Dominic was pointing.  "*Sean*!"  He couldn’t keep the surprise and excitement from his voice as he saw the handsome figure leaning so nonchalantly against one of the columns at the side of the stalls.  Sean was dressed in faded jeans and a v-neck, black sweater that clung enticingly to his muscular frame.  The fabric highlighted his broad chest in a way that almost made Orlando feel light-headed.

"See you later, matey boy!" Dominic laughed as Orlando raced from the stage with a hurried ‘Later, Dommie!’ thrown over his shoulder.

Orlando threw himself into Sean’s arms and hugged him tightly, pressing his face into the soft skin of his neck and breathing in the warm essence of the man.  Suddenly everything was just *better* - brighter, more focussed - this was where he belonged.

"Whoa," Sean laughed, squeezing Orlando and holding him close.  "What’s this all about, sweetheart?"  The fond words teased across Orlando’s ear, threatening to carry him away in a wave of tenderness.  He was just so glad that Sean was here!

Stepping away a little but still remaining within the circle of that treasured embrace, Orlando smiled broadly.  "Nothing, just missed you."  That was a complete understatement of course; he’d done nothing but think of Sean since they’d parted on Sunday night.  "I didn’t expect to see you until tonight though!  What’re you doing here?  Oh," he rolled his eyes and laughed, "you’re working, of course!"

Sean pulled him to rest more securely against his body and ran a hand through his hair, playing idly with a curl or two.  "Well, I’ve been thinking about you and decided that I didn’t want to wait until this evening to see you again.  So, I thought I’d take you out to lunch - plus I got a chance to see you dance again."  He stroked a gentle thumb across Orlando’s cheekbone.  "You’re so graceful when you move…just beautiful."

Orlando felt himself melt a little at the expression in Sean’s eyes.  "Thank you," he blushed slightly.  "And I’d *love* to have lunch with you.  Just let me change my shoes, oh and I have to be back by two - I don’t want to be late for Jason - oh, Jason!"  Orlando looked up as the director passed by.  Holding onto Sean’s arm, he walked over to introduce the two men.  "Jason - this is Sean."

"*This* is your Sean, is it?"  Jason said in a strange tone.

"And you must be Mister Isaacs," Sean said quickly, his face curiously expressionless as he held out his hand.  "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise."

The two men nodded briefly as they shook hands. Orlando felt certain that he’d missed something in the brief exchange, he just didn’t know what.

"I’ll see you this afternoon, Orli." Jason smiled kindly and with another nod at Sean, walked away.

"I don’t know what that was all about," Orlando said in a small voice as he watched Jason leave.  He wasn’t sure what had caused the weird vibe all of a sudden.

"Don’t worry about it, it was nothing," Sean said dismissively, pulling Orlando close again and rubbing his neck lightly. "Let’s go and have some lunch, eh?  I don’t want to waste a single minute that I have with you."

Orlando felt a tiny shiver run through him at the tender touch and charming words, and nodded as he let Sean guide him backstage to change.  "Yeah, lunch, right."  He decided to forget about what had just happened; he was probably over-reacting or had got the wrong end of the stick, anyway.   He smiled as he felt the comforting warmth of Sean’s arm around him, thrilled to be spending this unexpected time together.

~

They went to a small sandwich and soup place just around the corner from the theatre.  It catered for the lunchtime crowd and they were soon happily ensconced at a quiet corner table near to the window.  Outside, all of London life flew by at breakneck speed but sitting across from Sean, Orlando felt that they were in their own private little bubble, far away from the noise and bustle of the overcast, dreary day.

"So, how did your business thingy, um, trip go?  All right?" Orlando asked, biting into his sandwich with gusto.  They’d worked really hard that morning and he was famished.

"Fine, thanks," Sean said quickly.  "How about you?"  He smiled.  "Anything exciting happened in the last couple of days?"  He grinned at Orlando’s obvious enjoyment of his sandwich before starting to tuck into his own bowl of soup. 

"Oh, just the usual, you know.  Work, home - the standard stuff.  Oh, well there was this one thing - on Monday night - Craig had a major drama ‘cus he thought he saw a mouse in the kitchen.  Like, it was *major-panic*, man!  All ‘action-stations’ and ‘disaster warning’ stuff, you know?  He phoned Dave and told him to drop everything and come straight over.  In the meantime, he barricaded us both into the living room and like, stood there brandishing a feather duster in what he obviously thought was a menacing way - presumably he was going to threaten to polish the mouse to death or something, yeah, if it managed to force its way in!  Anyway, Dave eventually arrived and then, like, after all this fuss, it turned out it was just a furry glove, man!  It must’ve fallen out of Ms. Price-Dove’s pocket when she’d called round earlier with a casserole for us.  *Incredible*, man!  Craig’s face was just a picture when he found out but then, like, he made Dave hit it with a rolling pin anyway - just to make sure, you know?  Said you could never trust haberdashery!"

Sean joined in heartily with Orlando’s laughter.  "Somehow, I doubt that made him very popular with Dave?"

"Well, yeah, Dave did have a few choice things to say on the matter," Orlando giggled as he finished his sandwich and wiped his hands.  "Especially as he’d been watching the footie when Craig called!  But he forgave him in the end, of course - he always does - he just loves him too much to stay annoyed, I think.  They’re amazing together, you know?  Like, they just ‘fit’…." He added a little wistfully.  Craig and Dave really did make such a perfect couple.

"I think I know what you mean," Sean smiled and looked straight at Orlando.  "Isn’t that what we all want, really?  To find our other half, the *one* - the one who makes us feel whole?"

Orlando felt himself starring, wide-eyed.  The *one*?  Is that what Sean wanted too?  Was he looking for his other half…?  And was he maybe hoping to find it in him?  Perhaps Sean really did want him in that way….  He couldn’t speak; he just let himself become lost in the possibilities of that mesmerising gaze.

"I really enjoyed our weekend," Sean said with a quiet sincerity that made Orlando flush with warmth.  "I wanted to thank you for making it so special." 

Orlando ducked his head at the compliment and fiddled nervously with the wide silver ring on his middle finger.  "I should be thanking you - it was amazing.  I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself so much, spending time with someone, you know?"  Looking up into Sean’s smiling face he added earnestly, "I’ve really been looking forward to this evening too." 

"I’m glad - so’ve I."

Orlando relaxed and returned the smile.  "In fact, I think I may have been going on about it a bit, well if what Dom says is anything to go by.  He reckons half of London knows!"  He hadn’t been able to help himself; he was so consumed by his excitement at his burgeoning relationship with Sean that he’d found himself talking about him all the time.

"Hmmm, have I got to have a word with this Dominic?"  Sean joked.  "I can’t having him hassling my boyfriend, now can I?"

"Boyfriend?"  Orlando’s voice wobbled a little.

"If you want?" Sean said gently, reaching across and covering Orlando’s hand with his own.

Orlando felt hot and cold all at once, as tiny shivers of joy ran down his spine.  He’d been imagining Sean as his boyfriend but to actually hear it put into words - and by Sean himself!  He nodded happily.  "Oh…oh *yes*."

"Well, it does seem particularly appropriate somehow."  Sean’s smile widened.  "Considering that I’m ‘mad about the boy’…."

"You are?" Orlando asked in a whisper, his voice choking slightly.

Sean nodded and pulled Orlando’s hand to his mouth, pressing a light kiss to his palm.  "Most definitely."

~~

Notes:

Mad About The Boy
(Music and lyrics by Noel Coward)

Mad about the boy,
I know it’s stupid to be mad about the boy,
I’m so ashamed of it, but must admit
The sleepless nights I’ve had about the boy.
On the silver screen,
He melts my foolish heart in ev’ry single scene,
Although I’m quite aware that here and there,
Are traces of a cad about the boy.
Lord knows I’m not a fool girl,
I really shouldn’t care.
Lord knows I’m not a schoolgirl,
In the flurry of her first affair.
Will it ever cloy?
This odd diversity of misery and joy.
I’m feeling quite insane and young again
And all because I’m mad about the boy.

 

Chapter eight

The hot water beat down rhythmically against Orlando’s aching shoulders and he groaned aloud in pleasure; it had been a tough day and his muscles were definitely enjoying the soothing warmth of the shower spray. 

As he rinsed the shampoo from his hair, a dreamy smile stole across his face as he thought of Sean’s surprise visit earlier in the day. It had been wonderful to see him so unexpectedly and they’d enjoyed a lovely lunch together - sitting and chatting and laughing. Orlando had never enjoyed being with anyone so much - just spending time together - Sean made it all so easy, seeming always to know the right thing to say or do.  After they’d eaten, they’d walked back to the theatre and stopped in the small alleyway that lead to the stage door.  Sean had held him close, away from prying eyes, and then kissed him; long, sweet, gentle kisses that robbed Orlando of breath and thought.  He could have quite happily stayed in Sean’s arms forever, but all too soon it was time for him to go back to work.  He floated into the theatre with the warmth and sweetness of Sean's kisses still lingering on his lips, and the sound of his quietly promised ‘see you later, sweetheart’ echoing in his ears.  Dominic, of course, had taken one look at him and guessed exactly what had happened.  Orlando had never really been able to hide his feelings and obviously looked as besotted as he felt.  Laughing gently, his friend chided him for not introducing him to his ‘lover boy’, as Dominic insisted on calling Sean, and then made Orlando promise that he’d introduce them on Friday evening at the party.  He’d sighed a happy little sigh and just nodded dopily, earning an ‘oh, you *have* got it bad, mate’ from a still-sniggering Dominic.

Adjusting the showerhead, Orlando angled the jet of water to sluice down his body and squirted some shower gel onto the washcloth.  He began to swiftly scrub across his back and shoulders before moving down to his chest.  His nipples peaked at the contact and he slowed his movements, gently swirling the soft, foamy cloth over the sensitive skin.  Images of Sean played through his mind; Sean’s chest was broad - much broader than his own - and Orlando could imagine reddened nipples standing proudly from taut, bronzed pecs as he gently sucked on them, worshipping them lightly with his tongue and lips.  Would Sean like that, the feel of Orlando’s caresses on his skin?  Would he moan his pleasure in that throaty, dark purr of a voice and then pull Orlando’s mouth to his own, to consume him with kiss after fiery kiss?

Orlando’s breath hitched slightly and, lost in fantasy, he dropped the cloth, forgotten, to the floor.  He began to play lazily with one nipple and then the other, mimicking the caresses that he was giving to his divine, dream Sean.  In his mind, he traced a path across Sean’s sparsely furred chest, his fingers learning every nuance of the hard torso and moving lower to map each beautifully defined muscle of the taut abdomen.  After careful, loving reverence, his fingers began to follow the enticing trail of fine darkly blond hair that arrowed smoothly southwards.  The darker thatch of curls at Sean’s groin just begged to be touched and Orlando eagerly stroked his fingers through the wiry strands before moving on to capture his prize. 

Sean’s cock was huge, hot and hard in his palm.  The smooth skin was stretched tightly, heated blood surging beneath the surface, making the heavy organ pulse in time with each quickening heartbeat.  Orlando wrapped his fingers around the impressive girth and slid his hand from root to tip.  Sean moaned - a low, broken sound that inflamed Orlando’s senses and made him desperate for more.  His hand moved again, gradually speeding up and pulling the turgid flesh in a delicious, prolonged rhythm.  Panting hard, Sean finally crushed Orlando’s body against his as he moaned his release with a breathless cry of ‘Orlando….’

"Oh…*Sean*!"  Orlando’s wrenching groan echoed around the steamy, white-tiled shower stall as his body shuddered to a climactic orgasm, ropes of pearly fluid pulsing from him in arc after arc of pleasure.  He pushed weakly against the wall with one hand to prevent himself from sliding to the floor, as his other soothed his still spasming cock through the aftershocks of release. 

Shaking his head groggily, he gradually became more aware and took a deep breath as he stood up straight, rinsing away the remaining traces of his orgasm.  In the past he’d always felt a little sad after losing himself in some fantasy but this time he smiled - now he had Sean and something about this tender, gentle man told Orlando that reality would be so much better than any fantasy could ever be.

~

Orlando hurried along the hallway and answered the door as the first peal of the bell was still echoing away into the night air.  He was determined not to leave Sean - his *boyfriend* he reminded himself happily - waiting on the step this time, while he gawped like an idiot!  However, his plan was very nearly scuppered straight away by the deliciously sexy sight awaiting him as the door swung open.  Sean looked amazing; dressed casually but all in black - from his boots and jeans to his long-sleeved shirt, open enticingly at the neck.  He was leaning provocatively against the porch wall, dangling a six-pack of beer from one hand.  "I come bearing…gifts," he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling up in a way that made Orlando want to kiss him breathless.  "Or beer at least, anyway," he added with a throaty laugh that sent shivers down Orlando’s spine.

"Um," Orlando swallowed before rescuing his lust-addled wits.  "Come in, please." 

He moved aside to let Sean enter but the other man followed and stepped closer, placing a gentle hand at the back of his neck and pulling him forward for a brief but thorough kiss. "Hello, sweetheart," Sean murmured.  "I missed you."

Orlando blushed warmly through a thoroughly pleased smile.

Sean stroked a flushed cheek and slung his arm affectionately around Orlando’s shoulders.  "Come on, you!  Let’s get this beer open and turn the telly on.  We don’t want to miss the pre-match analysis, do we?"

"Heaven forbid!"  Orlando joined in Sean’s easy laughter as they walked towards the living room.  "Okay, the remote’s on the coffee table - just make yourself comfy and I’ll see if I can find a bottle opener.  I’m sure there’s one somewhere, ‘cus I’ve seen Daisy using one."

"See?  I’m liking Dave even more, every time you mention him!"

Orlando was still giggling as he went into the kitchen and opened the cutlery drawer; he was pretty certain he’d seen a bottle opener in here.  Rummaging around amongst the silverware, he jumped slightly as a strong arm slid around his waist, and then smiled at the quiet voice in his ear.  "Easy, Orli.  S’only me."

Orlando turned around within the circle of the embrace and put his arms around Sean’s neck.  "I thought that you were watching your ‘pre-match analysis’ or whatever it is."

"Ah, well - that’s just a posh way of saying that it’s a bunch of blokes sitting around chuntering on about who they think’s going to win," Sean laughed.  "I decided I’d prefer to come and see if I could help you out."

 "Thank you."  Orlando pressed a shy kiss to Sean’s mouth.  "I think I’m nearly done now though.  Just need to order the pizza, what kind do you like?"

Smoothing a hand down Orlando’s back to rest at his waist, Sean shook his head.  "I don’t mind, whatever you fancy, though I do like mushrooms if you’re okay with them?"  His other hand stroked Orlando’s curls, gently running the soft strands through his fingers.

"Mmm, definitely.  How about ham and mushroom…oh, and pineapple, of course.  I *have* to have pineapple on my pizza."

"Pineapple?"  Sean asked with a raised eyebrow.  "With mushroom?"

"Oh, it’s awesome, you have to try it.  It’s like the best!"  Orlando giggled at Sean’s bemused expression.  "Seriously, it’s unbelievable, man!"

"Okay, I trust you - pineapple it is, then," Sean said and grinned as he peered over Orlando’s shoulder and triumphantly plucked a bottle opener from the drawer.  "You phone for the pizza, I’ll open the beer, right?" He added before placing a tiny kiss on Orlando’s nose.

"Right," Orlando agreed, smiling as Sean walked back into the living room.  He liked this easy domesticity between them - how in tune they were with each other - as if they’d been doing this for years.  With a happy sigh, he reached for the phone to order their pizza…*with* pineapple.

~

"Mmm, that was lovely, thanks," Sean said with a satisfied sigh as he finished the last slice of pizza.  "And the pineapple was an inspired choice," he grinned, saluting Orlando with his bottle before downing a mouthful of beer. 

Orlando smiled, watching the way that the muscles of Sean’s throat danced beneath glowing golden skin as he swallowed.  Every part of Sean was simply mesmerising.  "Oh, you’re welcome.  Of course, I did slave over a hot stove for hours, you know."

"Well, you must be Michelin three star at least, I’d say!"  Sean winked.

The pizza had been delivered early in the match and Orlando had giggled as Sean managed to eat, drink beer and still cheer enthusiastically for England as they scored two goals against Holland.  It was now half-time and all that remained of their meal was a forlorn looking pizza box and a few empty bottles.

"Do you want another beer?"  Orlando asked as he stood and cleared up the mess from the coffee table.

"No, thanks," Sean said.  "Not when I’m driving - you have another if you want, though.  Oh, here, let me get those," he added as Orlando tried to precariously balance the empties along with everything else.

They took the debris through to the kitchen and while Orlando rinsed the glass for recycling, Sean took out the rubbish and then went to wash his hands after the delicious, though slightly greasy, pizza feast they’d enjoyed.

Orlando finished tidying up and hearing animated cheers coming from the living room, poked his head around the door and grinned.  "How about a cup of tea?"  He laughed at Sean’s enthusiastic ‘*yes*!’ - taking it to mean that he did want tea as well as being part of an air-punching celebration as England’s goals were shown over and over in the half-time replays.

As he waited for the kettle to boil, he took his own turn to freshen up after their meal and was soon carrying two steaming mugs through into the living room.  He put their tea on the table and sat down again next to Sean on the sofa.

"So, what’s happening then?"

"They’ve just kicked off for the second half - still two-nil to us," Sean said, wrapping an arm around Orlando’s waist and pulling him to nestle closely against him.  "I think you’ll get a much better view from here," he murmured softly.

Placing an arm across Sean’s chest, Orlando rested his head against a strong shoulder and snuggled up to the warm body.  "Mmm, I think you’re right, this is much better." 

They watched like this for some time, with Sean occasionally shouting out his support or smothering curses as the match progressed.  Orlando wasn’t really following it all that closely, instead he just enjoyed cuddling up to Sean in a relaxed half-sprawl, happy to feel the comforting weight of the muscular arm holding him.  It was amazing to think that Sean had come to mean so much to him in so short a space of time.  It seemed ridiculous to even think about a time before he’d known Sean but they’d actually only been together for less than a week.  How different everything was now - his every thought seemed to revolve around this strong yet gentle man who held him so safely within his arms.  This was what he’d always been looking for, this was where he wanted to be.

"I like this," he whispered, almost to himself.

Soft lips tenderly kissed his ear. "Me too, sweetheart."

Sighing happily, Orlando stroked his palm across Sean’s chest and smiled when he felt a hand begin to lightly play with his fingers.

"This is nice," Sean said, outlining the wide silver band on Orlando’s middle finger.  "And this," he added, touching his chunky thumb ring.

"Oh, thanks.  They’re not much more than like, costume jewellery really, but I like them, you know?"

"They look good on you," Sean smiled.  He delicately traced the chain just visible at the neck of Orlando’s tee shirt, his touch sensitising soft skin.  "You like jewellery, then?"

"Um, yeah, always have," Orlando murmured, distracted for a moment by the gentle fingers on his skin.  "Um, I’m a bit of a magpie, I think," he grinned as lifted his charm necklace free of his shirt.  "You know, collecting things?"  He sorted through the small collection of items hanging from the silver rope-chain, pointing out various ones.  "This is a crystal that I got years ago and this is a shell that my sister gave me."

"And how about this?" Sean said, picking up a polished green stone.  "This is unusual."

Orlando smiled as Sean carefully examined the carved stone that shone with a beautiful warm gloss.  "Oh, that’s so cool, man. It’s a piece of greenstone - from New Zealand - Craig gave it to me for luck.  It’s only supposed to work if you get it as a gift though, not if you buy it yourself, you know?"

Sean gently brushed his fingertips across the assortment of items.  "Looks like you have a lovely collection of memories here."

"Yeah, I love my charms, they’re like little pieces of me, my life, you know?" Orlando nodded.  "How about you?  Are you into jewellery?"

Sean stroked his fingers along the long sweep of Orlando’s neck.  "I am a bit, I suppose, though I tend to end up just wearing a watch normally.  I did used to have an earring once, mind - back in my misspent youth!"

Orlando giggled.  "Hmmm, all the skeletons are coming out now!  Let’s have a look - " Leaning across Sean’s chest, he carefully inspected first one ear lobe and then the other, looking for signs of piercing.  The skin beneath his fingertips was warm and soft - it was ridiculous, even Sean’s ears were sexy!  "Oh yeah, I can see -" As Orlando spoke, Sean turned his head, softly inviting lips coming to rest a mere whisper from Orlando’s own.  The air between them suddenly seemed charged, expectancy hanging heavy in their mingled breath.

"Um, we’re missing your match…."

Sean smiled in what Orlando could only think of as a predatory way.  "Sod the match."

A small whimper escaped Orlando’s mouth at Sean’s low growl and his breath caught.  Every part of his body that was in contact with Sean was alive with fire - with want - and his heart was thundering hard in his chest.  Strong hands moved to cradle the sides of his face as Sean brought their mouths together for a kiss that was as natural, and as necessary, as breathing.  Orlando parted his lips in welcome and Sean’s heated tongue slipped inside with a low, gravelly moan of satisfaction.  Orlando sucked and teased it, at first shyly and then with more confidence at Sean’s encouraging sounds of pleasure.

One of Sean’s hands slid along the length of Orlando’s spine and grasped his bottom, holding him firmly against the hard heat of Sean’s muscular frame as the fiery intensity of his lips, mouth and tongue continued to turn Orlando to ash.  Orlando gasped as heated lips kissed a torturous path along the tender skin of his neck before slowly coming to rest at his ear.  Warm breath played across his sensitive lobe and butterfly kisses teased him with their fleeting touches.  It was like breath-taking ecstasy and delicious torment in a single heartbeat.

"Sean…." Breath hissed from his mouth and his hands grasped Sean’s shoulders, delighting in the play of hard muscle beneath his palms. 

Soft lips returned and captured his needy cry in a long, slow kiss that reduced him to nothing but desire and sensation.  He lost all sense of time as his world contracted to simply the feel of Sean touching him, kissing him and of being held safe in those powerful arms.  Strong hands soothed him with gentle caresses and he gradually became aware of Sean’s achingly tender whispers interspersed between the sweetest of kisses.

"Oh, sweetheart…so beautiful…my baby…."

Orlando was sure that he had never experienced a more perfect moment; he simply felt cherished beyond measure.  He was captivated - enslaved by his emotions - but a willing captive.  So this was what love felt like.  This really was it; he was certain - he loved Sean completely.

"Sean…." He lost himself in the kiss.

~

The intensity of their kisses gradually diminished to tender, lazy cuddling and by the time they eventually looked up again, the match was long over and Gary Linneker was discussing tactics and goodness-knows-what-else with the other studio pundits.

"Oops," Orlando grinned in what he hoped was an adorable way.  "Looks like we missed the end of the match."

Sean hugged him closer and ruffled his wayward curls.  "I think I can survive.  Bet we enjoyed the match more than they did anyway, eh?"  He winked as he placed a soft kiss to Orlando’s temple.

"Wow, I think I should be honoured, yeah?"

"Most definitely," Sean grinned.  "I don’t miss the footie for just anyone you know.  I mean it’s not a matter of life or death - it’s more serious than that!"

Orlando looked bemused.

"Sorry!" Sean laughed, kissing his cheek.  "Old football quote."

"Oh," Orlando laughed.  "Okay, so I’m really going to take it as a compliment then!"

"Good - you should," Sean smiled, stroking Orlando’s hair fondly.  "Oh, by the way," he added, "I forgot to mention it earlier - I’ve got our costumes - for Friday.  But I’d really like to keep them a surprise, do you mind?"

Orlando was actually aching to know what Sean had chosen for them to wear but was charmed by his boyfriend’s eagerness.  "Okay, I suppose I can wait for Friday - but I think you’ll owe me, man!"

"Oh, yes?"  Sean’s voice dropped to a deep purr.  "What do you want from me, sweetheart?  How can I pay you back?"

"Um," Orlando felt a warm blush flood his cheeks.  "Um, how about…kisses?"  He said in a small voice.

"We can certainly do kisses," Sean smiled, leaning close to capture Orlando’s lips in a brief promise.  "That’s just a down payment, right?  Until Friday."

Orlando nodded and then stole another quick kiss.  "Interest," he explained with a shy smile.

Sean laughed and hugged him close.  "Oh, I expect that I’ll owe a lot more interest by then.  So what time’s the party anyway?"

"Mmm, I think Karl said to get there around eight thirty or so.  I did originally ask Lijah but just got his usual manic sort of ‘oh, anytime you like, dude!’.  So I asked Karl instead - he’s the practical one in that relationship!"

"And you said they live in the Docklands?" Sean asked.  "Okay, so how about I get here about seven?  That gives us time to change into our costumes and still have plenty of time to get there, even allowing for Friday traffic."

"So, you’ll get changed here?" Orlando asked a little nervously, ducking his head against Sean’s chest.  "With me?"  He stumbled a little as he thought of his earlier fantasy - visions of a naked Sean making him suddenly breathless.  And though he was eager to take their relationship to the next level, he was still rather anxious about the reality of it all.

Sean lifted Orlando’s chin and looked carefully into his eyes.  "If that’s okay with you?  I just thought it would be easier if I changed here, but I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.  I'll change in another room if that would be easier."

Orlando melted at the compassionate and understanding green gaze.  "No, it’s fine.  Really, that’s great, it makes sense."

"As long as you’re sure?"  Sean’s voice was soft - he really was so incredibly thoughtful.

"Absolutely!"  Orlando nodded.  "And I’m really looking forward to the party."

"Me, too," Sean nodded, holding him close.

~

Orlando waved until the taillights of Sean’s sleek sports car disappeared from view and then went inside and closed the door.

He sighed dreamily as he headed for the bathroom.  It had been a wonderful evening, from the easy-going sharing of pizza to the emotionally intense exchange of kisses - and the snuggling on the sofa had been just *so* lovely.  Orlando hugged himself happily as he went about his nightly routine.

However, as he brushed his teeth, a thought began to nag at him.  He’d had three official dates with Sean now - he couldn’t really count their first drink at the pub - and each time all they’d done was kiss.  Well, ‘kissing’ didn’t really do it justice - Sean’s lips had managed to melt his brain and turn him upside down if he was to be completely honest!  But that was beside the point - they’d only kissed, nothing more.  And although Orlando was grateful that Sean was taking things between them slowly, he was also beginning to get worried, self-doubts quickly multiplying now that he was alone.   Why *hadn’t* Sean tried to take things further between them?

Orlando didn’t have a lot of sexual experience; he hadn’t done much more than a couple of hand jobs really.  He just didn’t feel comfortable sharing so much of himself and his emotions with someone he hardly knew, and so far he hadn’t found anyone that he’d made enough of a connection with to explore a relationship - until Sean, of course.  He knew that some people might think his attitude towards sex was a bit old fashioned, but he couldn’t help it - that was just the way he was.  However, since he’d met Sean he’d been thinking more and more about the idea of them making love together, he really wanted to experience this ultimate intimacy with Sean.  He wanted them to move beyond kissing, to touch each other - intimate, passionate touches - and though he’d never had a cock in his mouth, suddenly all he could think about was doing that for Sean.  He burned to feel all that power, the heat and pressure - he wanted to make Sean come and swallow him down.   The intensity of his fantasies had even been a little unnerving as his imagination had moved beyond this - he found himself wondering what it would feel like to share himself completely with Sean, to take that final step. He'd been looking for the right person to share his virginity with, and now he was sure that he'd found him; Sean was that person. Sean was the man he loved, and the man he wanted to give himself to.

Suddenly a new doubt crept into his mind - supposing his inexperience was a problem?  Supposing he messed things up because he didn't know what to do? And on top of all this was his other problem, as if being a panicked virgin wasn’t enough, of course.  No, there was also the fact that he hadn’t actually told Sean yet - it was hardly something that could be easily dropped into conversation after all, ‘oh lovely linguini, Sean and by the way, I’m still a virgin and I think I’d like you to pop my cherry’!  He had tried to skirt around the issue a little in past conversations and he thought that maybe Sean had at least got the idea that he wasn’t particularly sexually experienced.  He just hoped that this lack of experience wouldn’t be a disappointment to Sean, that *he* wouldn’t disappoint Sean. Maybe this was the reason that Sean hadn’t tried to take things further - was Orlando’s inexperience so blindingly obvious that Sean had recognised it and he was turned off by it?

Finishing in the bathroom, he walked into his room and started to change for bed, worry swiftly growing heavy in his mind.  He stripped off his briefs and moved towards the bed, but stopped as he caught sight of himself in the mirror.  Lifting his head, Orlando looked at himself squarely.  What he saw didn’t fill him with hope.  As a child he’d had the normal puppy fat but when he’d finally reached puberty his body seemed to shoot up at an alarming rate, leaving him tall and lean and with the feeling that his arms and legs were somehow too long for him.  He felt that he’d never really managed to fill out enough since then - he was still slender where he should be broad and muscled.  He looked closer and sighed, still seeing the gangly, somewhat awkward boy of his youth, gazing back at him with sad, dark eyes.  He’d worked hard to be more poised and centred within himself - dancing had definitely helped and on-stage he could almost feel graceful - but now, looking at the face and body in the mirror, all he saw were his failings.

But *Sean* had called him graceful….

When he thought of Sean and what he could imagine of his body through glimpses of contour hugging clothes, he knew that he was much more manly than himself - he had a broad chest and strong shoulders, well-defined pecs and narrow hips that led to powerful, muscular legs.  Not to mention the most perfect bottom on the planet, of course!  In short, Sean had all the qualities that Orlando found attractive but was himself lacking.  Shaking his head sadly, he pulled on his sleeping shorts and turned away from the mirror; he’d seen enough. 

He knew that Sean liked him and found him amusing, even endearing, he’d certainly called him adorable on more than one occasion.  But perhaps the reason that he’d done nothing more than kiss him was that he wasn’t really turned on by Orlando?  What if Sean didn’t really fancy Orlando in that way - he just didn’t find him particularly sexy?  Maybe he’d prefer someone who looked more like himself - a bronzed Greek god, not some gangly, gauche boy who tripped over his own feet and had trouble stringing a sentence together!

Orlando worried at the skin of his thumb, biting it nervously.  The real problem was that he had so little experience with any of this, not just the sex side of it, that he had no idea what to do.  He’d never had a proper relationship before, never been in love and to be honest it scared him to death. He was so sure that he was going to do something wrong and ruin everything, that was why he hadn’t actually told Sean that he loved him yet - he didn’t want to come across as some clingy, immature boy.  Which also made the whole issue of telling Sean about his virginity so awkward.  What if he told Sean that he’d been waiting for the right man and Sean thought that he was strange or got freaked out when Orlando told him that he thought that *he* was the right man?  And even if all that went okay and they actually went to bed, what if Orlando was just completely rubbish?  What if he just got too nervous and got it all wrong?  Then Sean would realise that this was all a huge mistake and be completely scared away.   Orlando blinked back a few tears as his fear and anxiety got the better of him.  He felt so terribly alone.

He pulled back the duvet and was just climbing into bed when he heard the familiar sound of the front door closing and quiet footsteps in the hallway - Craig was home and it sounded like he was alone; Dave must have gone back to his own place. 

Suddenly Orlando needed his friend very much.

"Craig?"  His voice sounded thin and needy, even to his own ears.

"Sweet pea?"  Craig called in a concerned tone and knocked gently on the door.  "Can I come in?"

"Yes, please," Orlando sighed and literally threw himself into his friend’s arms as he walked through the door.  He was so glad that Craig was here.

"Orli?  Orli-baby, what’s the matter?"  Craig asked, hugging Orlando to him and smoothing a hand through his hair.  "Come on, let’s sit down, okay?"  He said, leading Orlando back to the bed and sitting beside him, cuddling him close.  "There you go, sweet pea.  Now, why don’t you tell me what’s happened, eh?"  Craig’s voice was quiet and concerned, so very different from his normal flamboyant self that Orlando found himself choked with emotion.

"Hey, it’s okay, sweetie.  Just take your time.  Is it something to do with Sean?  Did you two have an argument? Did he do something that you didn’t like?  He didn’t hurt you, did he, baby?"  Craig’s tone was starting to become sharper and with a hard edge of worry.

Orlando could have laughed at the irony of it - Craig thought that Sean had tried something on with him and that he hadn’t liked it.

"No, it’s nothing like that," Orlando said in a small voice, shaking his head.  "Oh, it’s just me, I’m sure.  I’m an idiot…."

Craig grasped Orlando’s shoulders and gave him a gentle shake.  "You are *not* an idiot!" He said sternly, a determined look in his normally laughing blue eyes.  "Now, tell me - what’s the matter?"

"Oh, god - I really am an idiot to think that I had a chance with someone like Sean!"  Orlando groaned and dropped his eyes.  "It’s not what you think - in fact it’s quite the opposite.  I don’t think Sean wants me, he’s not interested in me, you know - like ‘that’…in bed…I’m not very sexy or something."  He looked up in shock as Craig’s musical laughter filled the room.  "*Craig*!"

"Oh, sweet pea, I’m sorry - but you have to know that Sean is crazy about you!  I knew it the second I met him and saw the way he looked at you.  And what about all those fabulous kisses you’ve told me about, eh?  That doesn’t sound like a man who isn’t interested."

Orlando had been bursting with excitement after his dates with Sean and had, of course, confided in his very best friend - he always talked to him about this kind of thing and Craig was so good at listening and offering advice when Orlando needed it.  "Well, why hasn’t he tried to take things any further, then?  We’ve had three dates, man and all we’ve done is kiss!"

"Well, I’m no expert but it sounds to me like you’ve found yourself a gentleman…so you know what that means…."

"What?"

"I think that Sean is doing the chivalrous thing and courting you, sweet pea!"

"*Courting* me?  What, like wooing me or something?"

"I think so."

"But, but I’m not a girl…."

"I know that, sweet pea and I’m sure that Sean is perfectly aware of it too!"  Craig said.  "I don’t think he’s purposely treating you like a girl as such, but from what you’ve told me about the way he grew up and finally came out and everything, maybe this is just what he’s used to.  And it’s not like this is a terrible thing, Orli.  In fact, I think it’s quite sweet."

"Well, yeah - but…." Orlando was simultaneously charmed by Sean’s gallantry and frustrated by his restraint - the man really was a white knight!  "Look, I know I’m not that experienced but I definitely know that I’m ready for more."  He pouted.

"Well, maybe you have to let him know that too.  He’s not a mind reader and from what you’ve said before, he obviously has some idea that you don’t exactly jump into bed with every Tom, Dick and Harry - " Craig laughed as Orlando snorted at his comment.  "So, he’s taking things easy, he doesn’t want to rush you.  Have you actually given him any idea that you’d like to take things further, maybe even get naked with him?"  He laughed. "Well, at least take off a few things for starters!"

"*Oh*," Orlando ducked his head and cringed slightly, as he suddenly remembered his earlier conversation with Sean.   "Actually, I, um, may have given him the wrong impression about that."

"What did you do, Orli?" Craig asked gently.

"Well, like - it was tonight and we were discussing the party - Sean’s got our costumes by the way, I’m so excited to see what he’s chosen for us but he wants it to be a surprise!  Anyway, he said that he’d bring them here on Friday night and that we could change here, yeah?"

"And?" Craig arched an eyebrow.

"Well, I got a bit flustered, you know?  ‘Cus I got this image of Sean - all *naked* and *here* and…." Orlando trailed off, a little embarrassed.

"Sweet pea, it’s perfectly normal to imagine something like that.  Lord knows, I spend half my waking hours imagining men naked!  But I only *get* naked with my honey," he added at Orlando’s scandalised expression.  "But while you were gazing all goo-goo eyed at Sean - imagining all that hard, muscled, naked flesh - he probably got the wrong idea.  He thought that you didn’t want to get changed with him.  That you were upset about it, that it?"

Orlando groaned as he realised what he’d done and buried his head in his hands.  "He did seem really concerned and asked if I was okay about it - said he could change in another room."

"Well, there you go - you’ve been sending out mixed messages and your Sean is such a gentleman that he doesn’t want to rush you into something you’re not ready for.  You know, I definitely like Sean - he gets my ‘good enough for my sweet pea’ seal of approval!"

"Well, I’m glad to hear that, Craigsie but can we get back to the important stuff please?  Like, what about, um…do you think that he wants to, um… you know?"

"Make love to you?" Craig asked kindly.  "Sweet pea, the man would be a fool if he didn’t!  But only when you’re ready, okay?"

"Yeah, I know."  Orlando nodded.  "I mean, I am still nervous but I just know that I love Sean and want to share this with him - he really is the *one*.  But what do I do now?  To let him know that I’d like to do more…stuff?  You know, to eventually make love? I’m so scared that I’ll mess things up or that I’m no good, you know?"

Craig placed a comforting arm around his shoulders.  "Oh, sweet pea, you’re going to be fine."

"But I haven’t told him that I’m still a virgin and that I’d like him to be the one to make love to me that way.  What if that scares him off?"

"You know, I think that it’ll take a lot to scare your Sean away but remember - this is a big step - don’t rush into it just because you think you have to or to try to please Sean, okay?  From what I can see, he’s a good man and I think that he’ll respect you - no matter what you choose to do.  Just take things slowly."

Orlando nodded, talking things through with Craig made him feel much less anxious.  "But I’m still not sure what to say to him, you know?"

"I know, sweet pea.  Look, why don’t Dave and I go to his flat after the party and that will leave this place empty for you and Sean to have some privacy?  Invite him in and take it from there.  Just do what you feel comfortable with and see where it leads - don’t push yourself into something you’re not ready for, okay?  You don’t have to do everything the first time."

"Okay," Orlando nodded.  Craig was always taking care of him - he really didn’t know what he’d do without him. "But do you think he’ll actually fancy me?  I’m not exactly He-Man, am I?"

"Oh, baby," Craig soothed.  "You still don’t know how beautiful you are, do you?  Come here with me," he said, guiding Orlando to stand in front of the mirror. "Now look, *look*," he added, standing behind Orlando and lifting his chin with a gentle hand.  "Look how beautiful you are, sweet pea.  You have the sweetest face and - "

"But I don’t have broad shoulders like Sean."  Orlando sighed as he looked at his reflection, sad brown eyes meeting Craig’s in the mirror.

"No, you don’t but yours are perfectly proportioned with the rest of your gorgeous body.  Look at you - you’re tall and slender and what about these fabulous dancer’s legs?" Craig said firmly. "Not to mention a bum to die for!  It’s as firm as a lovely ripe peach," he winked, giving it a cheeky little pinch.

"Craigsie!"  Orlando whined.

"Orli!"  Craig whined back, hugging him to his chest and resting his chin on Orlando’s shoulder.  "Seriously, sweet pea - you’re gorgeous.  I mean your eyes are just amazing, as brown as - "

"Two Maltesers?"  Orlando asked with a grin, hugging Craig’s arms as they rested across his stomach.  He knew that his friend was trying to build his confidence and he did appreciate it.

"I love Maltesers!"  Craig smiled, adding slyly, "and I bet Sean does too."

Orlando turned around and hugged his friend.  "Thanks, Craig - for trying to make me feel better."

"But has it worked?  ‘Cus I haven’t even mentioned your gorgeous, silky hair yet or your flawless, olive skin or - "

"Okay, okay!" Orlando laughed.

"But I do mean it," Craig said in a more earnest tone.  "You’re beautiful, Orlando - inside and out.  And I’m sure that Sean can see it too."

"Thank you," Orlando whispered, hugging his friend tightly.  "I don’t know what I’d do without you, you know?  You’re so good to me."

"Oh, sweet pea - you’re easy to be good to.  Are you going to be okay, now?  No more worrying tonight?"

"I’ll try."

"For me?"

"For you," Orlando nodded, climbing into bed.  "I love you."

"Love you too, sweet pea," Craig said as he ruffled Orlando’s curls gently.  "Sleep well," he added, with a brief kiss to his forehead.

"You too - ’night, Craigsie."

"Sweet dreams, my little sweet pea," Craig called fondly as he left the room.

~~

Note:  The football quotation is by Bill Shankly. ‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death, I assure them it is much more serious than that.’

Chapter nine

"My, um, room’s just through here." Orlando indicated with a shy nod of his head, as his hands were currently occupied juggling several of the parcels that Sean had been carrying when he’d opened the front door to him. 

"Thanks," Sean said, pausing to give Orlando a brief kiss as he moved past him and carried the remaining boxes into the bedroom.  "S’okay if I put these down here?" He asked, pointing towards the bed.

"Oh yeah, no problem." Orlando nodded absently, utterly charmed by the simple kiss. "Wow!  There’s a lot of stuff!" He said, adding his own burden to the impressive pile now spread across the blue duvet. 

"Well, both of our costumes have various extra bits and pieces that go with them, that’s what makes it look like so much," Sean smiled before pulling Orlando into his arms and holding him close.  "Now to say hello properly, I’ve missed you," he murmured before capturing Orlando’s lips in the sweetest of kisses.

"Mmm, hello," Orlando sighed breathlessly as the kiss finally ended.  He wasn’t sure now how he’d ever lived without the touch of Sean’s perfect lips - he felt sure that he could quite happily lose himself in their warmth and tenderness forever.

"Just like to pay my debts," Sean smiled before adding with a wink,  "all that interest I owe - for keeping you in suspense until tonight about our costumes."  He stroked his hands along the length of Orlando’s spine and then asked seriously, "You’re sure this is okay - I can still change in the other room, you know.  If you want?"

Orlando shook his head.  Over the past couple of days, he’d been thinking a lot about what he wanted from his relationship with Sean and had decided that he definitely wanted things to progress between them.  He wasn’t going to start acting like some nervous virgin - when all they were doing was getting changed for the party together - even if it was pretty much the truth!  And it wasn’t like he hadn’t got undressed in front of lots of other people before - he shared a dressing room with a dozen of the chorus for a start off - though he hadn’t actually fallen in love with any of *them*, of course. 

"No, it’ll be easier if we change here," Orlando smiled determinedly. "And by the looks of all this stuff, I’ll probably need your help!  So," he asked with a grin, "are you finally going to put me out of my misery and tell me what we’re going to wear or not?  I’ve been dying to know all week and that interest’s still accumulating, you know!"

Sean squeezed Orlando’s shoulders and laughed.  "Well, I always like to keep my word," he grinned, pressing another soft kiss to Orlando’s lips before spinning him around to face the parcels.  "And I’ll do better than that - I’ll show you!"

Orlando’s eyes grew wide as Sean began to open up the boxes and fold back the tissue paper protecting the items within.  "Wow, is that, like, armour?"  He gasped in surprise.  "Cool!"  Whatever costumes he’d imagined Sean choosing for them, it certainly hadn’t been anything like this.

"Yeah," Sean said, holding up a gleaming bronze and leather moulded chest plate.  "I thought we could go as ancient Greek warriors, you know, like Achilles and Patroclus?"  His smile faltered slightly when Orlando made no response.  "I hope this is okay?  We can sort something else out, if you don’t like it."

"Achilles and Patroclus were lovers," Orlando said quietly, reaching out tentatively to touch the intricately decorated costume.  The leather was soft and supple as it slipped between his fingers and the burnished metal shone brightly in the lamp’s soft glow.  He’d studied ‘The Iliad’ in college and had always been fascinated by the intense relationship between Achilles and his ‘dearest friend’.  It hadn’t been difficult to read between the lines and see that the two warriors were more than brothers in arms.

"Well, the depth of their relationship was never actually stated but, yes, I think that it’s there in the sub-text," Sean agreed.  "So," he asked softly, hooking a finger through a single, stray curl and tucking it carefully behind Orlando’s ear,  "…would you like to be my Patroclus?"

Orlando looked up into Sean’s eyes and smiled at the hesitancy that he saw there.  It was strange to see his normally confident boyfriend looking a little unsure of himself and he was touched that his reaction could be so important.  He pressed a shy kiss to Sean’s mouth. "Yes, I’d love to…." In fact, there was nothing that he’d like more.  He grinned a little mischievously, suddenly feeling so very happy that Sean was here…with him.  "But you’re definitely going to have to help me with all these buckles and laces and stuff."

Sean laughed and pressed a quick kiss to the tip of Orlando’s nose.  "Okay - you’ve got a deal!"  He began to sort through the boxes and pile up the various pieces of each costume; there were chest plates, vambraces, cuffs, weaponry and various other bits and pieces, not to mention *very* short leather tunics.  Orlando felt himself blushing slightly as he looked at the latter.  There was still the small matter of changing in front of Sean - he was still very self-conscious about his body and rather worried about Sean’s reaction. 

He smiled nervously when Sean quietly asked, "You okay, sweetheart?"

"I’m fine - like, just wondering, um, what should I wear underneath all of this, you know…underwear?" He said, unconsciously fidgeting with the ring on his thumb.

"Well, I have it on very good authority," Sean said casually, as he began to unbutton his shirt without any fuss, "that Calvins were definitely the undergarment of choice for all the best Greek warriors."

Orlando stared as the wide expanse of Sean’s bronzed chest and washboard abs slowly became visible beneath the partially open shirt.  He’d been right - Sean did have a magnificent body; even with such a limited view it was plain that Sean was quite simply stunning.  Just as his self-doubts and insecurities about his own body began to surface once more, Orlando’s brain finally processed what Sean had just said.  "*Calvins*?" He giggled, unable to help himself.

"Definitely," Sean nodded seriously. "Or perhaps boxer shorts - for that added freedom in battle, of course." He winked. 

Orlando smiled - Sean was being his usual perceptive self and trying to ease his nerves.  And it was silly to be so flustered over simply getting changed in front of Sean, especially as he hoped that they would be doing so much more, later in the evening.  He glanced over as Sean calmly continued to undress and, squaring his shoulders slightly, began to change into his own costume.  As he pulled his tee shirt over his head he saw Sean take a brief, unobtrusive glance at him and noticed that he seemed to take in a quick breath.  Perhaps Sean did find him more than just amusing, maybe even a little sexy?  Orlando turned away and smiled shyly at the thought.  He continued to get changed but now with a just little more self-confidence; though he was relieved that Sean, ever the gentleman, was quite obviously respecting his privacy and keeping his back turned.  It was difficult not to give in to the urge to take a peek at Sean and see more of that glorious body but he still felt a little bit jittery and decided it was best to just concentrate on getting ready for the party for now.

As it was, Orlando didn’t have time for much more worrying as he began to try to actually get into his outfit.  The armour was complicated and he had to ask for help on a several occasions.  Sean purposely seemed to keep his touch practical and focused, though there was a too-brief moment as Sean helped him to buckle his tunic when Orlando felt a gentle, not-quite-lingering touch on the bare skin of his stomach.  He caught his breath at the almost caress and noticed that Sean’s voice seemed to tremor for just a second.   The feel of Sean’s fingers on his skin was electrifying and Orlando flushed with want at the thought of sharing more intimate caresses.  Suddenly it seemed like it was going to be a very long evening.

Finally it was all in place; Orlando wore a polished metal chest plate over a short black leather tunic.  His bare arms were adorned with etched silver bicep cuffs and tooled leather vambraces, and he carried a replica short sword and circular shield.  The costume was surprisingly light and comfortable, and he felt really good as he gleefully swished the sword through the air in a couple of practice swings.  He loved that Sean had chosen these matching outfits for them and was charmed by his boyfriend’s frankly romantic idea of them being Achilles and Patroclus - it made it all the more special that they were portraying lovers from the past. 

He turned around to get Sean’s opinion on how he looked but the words froze in his throat.

Sean was just finishing dressing, one foot resting on a chair while he laced up his bronze shin plates, causing his short leather tunic to split and show an enticing length of tanned, muscular thigh and just a glimpse of firm, rounded buttock. 

Orlando felt his mouth go dry as longing stabbed through him. 

Sean turned to face him with a gentle smile, making Orlando’s heart swell with emotion.  He looked absolutely amazing - breathtaking in fact - the subtle play of toned muscle beneath flawless skin catching the light with each graceful movement.  His outfit was of a similar style to Orlando’s but instead of black it was a shimmering bronze and displayed his powerful, golden body to perfection.  His dark-blond hair shone like a bright, enchanting beacon and Orlando found himself mesmerised by the vision before him.  He’d often thought of Sean as a Greek god but now he had his proof - the genuine article was standing here in his bedroom, a glimmering bronzed deity brought to life.

"You look stunning, sweetheart," Sean said softly, green eyes warm and inviting.

"I was just going to say the same thing," Orlando whispered, afraid to break the magic being wrought before him.

Sean moved to stand in front of him and stroked the soft curls framing Orlando’s face.  "I think I was wrong about these costumes, though - you should be Adonis.  You’re just too beautiful for words…."

Orlando leaned in to the tender touch and kissed Sean gently.  "No, you got it right.  I want to be Patroclus…*your* Patroclus."

"I’m glad to hear that," Sean smiled and wrapped an arm around Orlando’s waist, pulling him close. "Because I’m certainly all yours."  He kissed Orlando for a long moment - sweet, tender kisses that robbed Orlando of thought - before breaking away regretfully.  "It’s getting late, I’m afraid.  Are you ready to go?  Your chariot awaits."

Orlando smiled dreamily and stole another quick kiss; he would never have enough of those perfect lips.  "After you, my lord…." 

~

"You know, I’m really glad that your friends have private underground parking," Sean said, as they exited the lift.  "It’s a bit nippy to be wandering about outside dressed like this."   He tried to pull his tunic down but it resolutely remained at thigh height, something that Orlando was very grateful for - Sean had the most fantastic, muscular legs with just a dusting of fine blond hair that made him want to reach out and touch.  "Mind you, it does give me a perfect excuse to keep you close," he added, draping an arm around Orlando’s shoulders, as they walked along the lushly carpeted hallway and pulling him to his side.  "I don’t want you to get cold, now do I?"  He grinned.

Orlando put his arm around Sean’s waist and hugged him.  "Somehow, I don’t think you ever need an excuse to do anything," he giggled happily.  He was so excited about the party; he really wanted to introduce Sean to all of his friends, and if he was being perfectly honest, he wanted to show Sean off a little too.  He was still overwhelmed that this beautiful, charismatic man seemed to actually want to be with him…to be his boyfriend. 

"It’s your fault - I just can’t keep my hands to myself," Sean laughed, placing a light kiss on Orlando’s temple.

Orlando smiled giddily.  "It wasn’t a complaint!"

"Glad to hear it - 'cus I don’t think I can stop," Sean smiled, stealing another quick kiss.  "So, this party.  It’s Elijah and Karl, right?  And Elijah’s a solicitor and Karl’s an artist?"

"Yeah, they’re great, man - I just know that you’re going to love them.  Elijah’s a bit mad until you get to know him - well, even when you *do* know him actually - he’s completely not what you’d expect considering what he does for a living!  And Karl’s just really cool - totally quiet and laid back, you know?  And his art is just *awesome* - he’s had several shows here and back in New Zealand, oh, here we are now - they like, own this whole place - it’s totally incredible." 

They stopped in front of the only door at the end of the hallway - it had a sign that appeared to be painted in dripping blood, with the warning ‘Beware all who enter’.  They looked at each other and grinned, drawing their swords as Orlando rang the bell.  Elijah and Karl lived in a hugely spacious loft apartment in an old converted warehouse overlooking the Thames.  It afforded magnificent views across the river and its large windows made it tremendously light and airy - perfect for Karl’s studio that occupied an amazing elevated space on the mezzanine.

The door opened and they were immediately assaulted by a wave of noise as the sounds of music and merry-making spilled out over them.

"Orli!"  Came a high-pitched gurgle as a short blur of black launched itself from the doorway and attached itself to Orlando.

"Hi, Lijah!"  Orlando laughed, trying to hold onto his friend who was clinging to him like a limpet - arms and legs wrapped around Orlando’s torso. "Um, Lij - you need to get down before I accidentally decapitate you with my sword, man!"

At this, Karl appeared and swiftly peeled his grinning boyfriend away from Orlando with much practised ease.  "Elwood, can you at least let our guests get into the house before you jump them?"  He laughed genially and ushered them into the apartment’s hallway, which was lit by the eerily flickering light from braces of tall, ivory church candles.

Karl was dressed in an exquisitely cut black suit that emphasised his powerful build and beneath it was a rich claret coloured silk shirt that beautifully enhanced his dark good looks.  It was only when he smiled that Orlando realised what the costume actually was, as gleaming white fangs shone palely in the candlelight.

"Oh my god!  You’re a *vampire* - awesome, man!"  Orlando laughed as Karl grinned and flashed his fangs wickedly before giving him a very non-lethal kiss on the cheek in welcome.

"I vant to drink your blood…" Elijah mugged in an outrageously bad Transylvanian accent, reaching for Orlando’s neck.

Orlando finally had a chance to look at Elijah’s outfit and noticed that it was an exact replica of Karl’s - right down to the pointy fangs.  Unfortunately the overall effect wasn’t quite as sexily intimidating as it was on over six feet of prime New Zealand muscle.

"Um, Lij - nice fangs, man," Orlando giggled before bursting into helpless laughter.  "Oh, I’m sorry, you know, but you look like a Vampire Pixie!"

Elijah stood with his hands on his hips and pouted, enormous blue eyes twinkling with mirth.  "Yeah, well I can still kick your butt, dude and *then* drink your blood!"

"Are we going to stand here all night?"  Karl asked quietly, with a smile.  "Or are you going to introduce us to your guest, Orli and come and join the party?"

"Oh!  Sorry, man - sorry."  Orlando stammered, looking contritely at Sean.

Sean wrapped an arm around Orlando’s shoulders and murmured affectionately,  "S’okay, sweetheart, don’t worry about it."

Flushing with emotion, Orlando put his arm around Sean’s waist and hugged him tightly.  "Lij, Karl - this is Sean, my boyfriend."  He couldn’t help the note of pride that crept into his voice when he announced the latter.

"Pleased to meet you," Sean smiled comfortably and shook hands with both men.  "And thank you for the invitation."

"No problem," Elijah said, bouncing in place slightly.  "But I still vant to drink your blood…."

"Perhaps this will do instead?"  Sean laughed lightly and to Orlando’s surprise, handed over a bottle wrapped in tissue paper, which he must have somehow stowed underneath the shield that he was carrying. 

Karl took the bottle and began to pull back the paper.  "You didn’t have to - " He stopped as he saw the bottle of Chateau Lafite and grinned.  "On second thoughts - I’m glad that you did!  Very nice, thank you and welcome to our home."

"You’re very kind, thanks," Sean smiled.

Orlando hadn’t even thought about bringing anything to the party - he’d been too keyed up all week with his thoughts about Sean.  Thank goodness that his boyfriend had enough good manners for both of them, and judging from Karl’s reaction, it was a really good bottle of wine to boot!  Sean was so knowledgeable about things like that.  "Thanks for that," he whispered and smiled at the squeeze he got in return.

"So - nice costume, Orli!  You look great - very ‘Russell Crowe’," Elijah said.  "Can I play with your sword?" He added mischievously. 

"I’ll let you play with mine later, Elwood," Karl said, and they all laughed as he guided them through into the main room, pulling his manically giggling boyfriend behind him.

The loft was decorated for the occasion with sumptuous lengths of silk, voile and velvet, artfully draped on the walls and windows, their lush shades of crimson, silver and black glowing richly in the light of the many braces of candles and subtle overhead lighting.   The open-plan space was already full of people - chatting, dancing, drinking - all dressed in various extravagant costumes and obviously having a great time.

Karl offered to take their shields, in lieu of coats, which they laughingly declined for the moment, and then went to get them some drinks.  Elijah followed along behind him, swooping down on the first unsuspecting guest with another cry of ‘I vant to drink your blood!’ in his hideously mangled accent.

Orlando grinned apologetically at a smiling Sean.  "Told you he was a bit mental."

"Orli, mate!"  Came a sudden excited shout and Orlando turned to see Dominic rushing across the room with a smiling Billy in tow.

"O-oh, speaking of which - here comes Dom with Billy," Orlando giggled, waving at his friends.  "You know, Dom from the theatre?"

"Yes, I remember seeing him with you on the stage."

"Well, he gave me severe grief on Wednesday for not introducing you so I have to make up for it now!"

"Orli!  Brilliant costume, mate!  Very butch, I must say," Dominic joked as he gave Orlando a hug.  "And you must be the famous Sean that we’ve been hearing so much about."  He continued with a sly wink at his rapidly blushing friend, offering his hand to Sean.

"I suppose I must be," Sean smiled easily, shaking hands with Dominic and then Billy.

"Billy Boyd, and this is my insane other half, Dom," Billy laughed.  Both of them were dressed in period British Naval costume, with Billy clearly holding the higher rank if the endless reams of glistening gold brocade on his epaulettes and hat was anything to go by.

Orlando wrapped his arm around Sean’s waist. "Yes, this is Sean."  He smiled giddily, as he felt a strong arm wind around his shoulders.  "He got our costumes for us - aren’t they incredible!  We’re Greek warriors, you know, like Achilles and Patroclus?"

"The Trojan War, Dommie," Billy smiled kindly at his boyfriend’s vaguely confused look. "You know - ancient Greece and Troy?  The wooden horse and all that?"

"Oh *that* Trojan War," Dominic laughed, sticking his tongue out.  "Well, you look good, matey boy!  Nice skirt!" He winked saucily.

"*Dommie*!"  Orlando rolled his eyes. "So do you - you both look great."

"Yeah, thanks," Dominic preened outrageously.  "It was Bills’ idea - you know how he’s mad on those Patrick O’ Brian books.  But I still don’t understand why I couldn’t be the Captain," he pouted cheekily. 

"That’s because if you were, we’d end up shipwrecked and stranded on a desert island in the middle of nowhere, mad boy!" Billy said, hugging Dominic to him.  "So, where are Craig and Dave, Orli?  I haven’t seen ‘em yet."

"Oh, they were coming here straight from Dave’s place and you know how Craig likes to make an entrance," Orlando laughed.  "I’m sure they’ll be here soon though."

Karl arrived, carrying their drinks and the doorbell rang faintly over the noise of the music and laughter as he handed them their glasses.  "Excuse me - I’ll just get the door."

"Thanks," Orlando said, taking a quick sip before putting his drink down and snuggling up to Sean, flushing slightly as their bare legs touched enticingly.  He was beginning to wonder if he could last the evening with Sean looking as gorgeous as he did - his hormones were suggesting that maybe they should have stayed at home instead!

"Nice party," Sean said as he looked around the room, trailing his fingers through the soft curls at the nape of Orlando’s neck.

"Yeah, Lij and Karl are known for throwing ‘a bit of a do’," Billy smiled.  "So, Sean - you’re a contractor working on the theatre, I hear?"

Orlando abandoned his momentary lust-filled daydreaming and looked up in concern as he felt his boyfriend tense up a little, Sean’s eyes didn’t make contact with his own.  "Yeah, I’m in steel," Sean said a little stiffly. 

Orlando wasn’t sure what was the matter but he could sense Sean’s unease.  Before he could ask him if he was okay, a loud cry of ‘ta-dah!’ interrupted them. Orlando shook his head and smiled. 

*Craig* - it had to be.

He turned around and laughed at the figure posing flamboyantly in the doorway - one arm flung against the frame and the other resting on one canted hip.  Craig was dressed as a pirate - the most outrageously preening, camp pirate that Orlando had ever seen.  He wore a lavishly billowing white silk shirt under a blue linen waistcoat, and breeches tucked into high-heeled, knee high leather boots.  At his waist was a huge striped sash and belt, with a sword perched jauntily on his hip.  But what really caught Orlando’s eye was the bright red bandana around Craig’s head.  It was knotted over a long flowing wig that had all manner of shiny beads and paraphernalia plaited into it, and perfectly complemented the gypsy pirate look of his kohl-darkened eyes. The final piece de resistance came when Craig swished over to them and smiled broadly at his friends’ cheers, revealing several shiny gold teeth, artfully painted over his own.

"Avast, sweet pea!"  He cried, enfolding Orlando in a huge hug and swinging him around.

"Craigsie - you’re unbelievable, man - just amazing!  You look brilliant - I love it!"

"What?  This old thing?"  He laughed.  "I do try, you know me.  But look at *you*!  Oh, my little warrior - you look gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous."

Orlando smiled shyly and pulled his friend over to where Sean was standing watching them with a fond look.  "It was Sean’s idea, isn’t it fantastic?"  He said, linking his arm through Sean’s and smiling up at him.

"Hi, Sean!"  Craig smiled, kissing him firmly on the cheek.  "Mmm, very nice indeed," he nodded appreciatively, looking Sean up and down.  "You both look perfect - a perfect match.  Don’t they, sweetie?"  He said as Dave stood behind him and slipped an arm around his waist.

"They do, babe - you guys look great," Dave nodded, reaching out to shake Sean’s hand.  "Nice to see you again, Sean."

"You too," Sean smiled.

"So, let’s see your costume, Daisy!"  Orlando said, bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement.  He was so happy that everyone seemed to like Sean and that he liked them too.  He certainly seemed to be his usual relaxed and assured self - except for that weird moment with Billy.  Orlando decided that he’d have to get to the bottom of whatever was troubling Sean - he really wanted him to feel comfortable around his friends as they were incredibly important to him, as much his family as his mum and Sam were really.

"Calm down, Tigger," Dave laughed, ruffling Orlando’s curls lightly as he stepped forward to show his costume.  He was dressed as a pirate too - complementing Craig’s outfit - though Dave was definitely a much more butch and rugged pirate than Craig would ever have any intention of being.

"Oh, I love it!"  Orlando laughed.  "You and Craig look so cool together."

Craig leaned forward.  "That’s *Captain* Craig, thank you!" He said, forcefully emphasising the rank, before ruining it by adding, "oh no - I think I’ve smudged my eye-liner!"

~

The party was in full swing and Orlando was really enjoying himself; relieved that Sean’s earlier unease seemed to have vanished.  They’d ditched their shields and swords and had been laughing and chatting all evening, Sean mixing easily with his friends and getting on particularly well with Dave - the two of them having a long discussion about football, of course!

Orlando and Sean were currently standing by themselves, admiring a huge abstract painting of Karl’s that dominated one wall of the apartment.  It seemed that Sean knew quite a lot about art and Orlando listened, enraptured, as he spoke in that quiet, smooth voice - it was like it flowed over him, teasing his skin like a thousand tiny kisses.  He could quite happily listen to Sean forever….

"Orli?  Sweetheart?"  Sean sounded amused.

"Hmmm, sorry?"  Orlando blushed, realising with a start that he’d been so busy enjoying Sean’s silky tones that he’d actually missed the last thing that he’d said to him.  "Oh man, I’m sorry - I kind of spaced out there for a moment."

"Sorry, I got carried away - Karl’s exceptionally talented," Sean said. "I didn’t mean to make you nod off."

"*No*!"  Orlando cried.  He really was such an idiot sometimes - Sean must think that he was bored with listening to him.  "Sorry - this is going to sound stupid - but I was like, so busy *listening* to you - your voice, you know - that I kind of forgot to actually hear what you were saying."  He finished in an embarrassed mumble, nervously biting at the skin of his thumb.  He looked up shyly from under dark lashes, as Sean covered his hand with his own, gently pulling his thumb from his mouth before placing a tender kiss on the abused flesh.

"You’re adorable, you know?" Sean smiled, placing a tiny kiss in the centre of Orlando’s palm.  "Simply adorable."

Orlando blushed anew, but this time with a huge smile.  "Thank you."  Sean had a way of making him feel so special, so wanted.  He just stared dreamily into smiling green eyes.

"So, I was saying - before my voice hypnotised you," Sean winked, pulling Orlando into his arms for a tender cuddle.  "Do you know everyone here?"

Orlando sighed happily as he snuggled deeper into Sean’s arms. "Hmmm, pretty much, though a few are work friends of Lij and Billy who I don’t really know beyond sight, you know?  But pretty much everyone else, yeah - it’s the same crowd as usual.  Lij and Karl have parties pretty regularly, you know, like Lij will think up a party for anything, man!  I still think the ‘party to celebrate the last party’ was his weirdest idea, though," he laughed, looking over at Elijah who was currently dancing frenetically on the makeshift dance floor, obviously hearing a beat all of his own.  As he watched the odd mix of vampires, aliens and all other manner of costumed dancers, the music changed and the familiar strains of an old Supremes number filtered loudly through the speakers.

"Oh, no," Orlando gulped, warily eying Craig and Dominic who were bearing down on him rapidly - a pirate and a naval officer, both sporting wide matching grins.  "They *wouldn’t*…."

"Orli?"  Sean asked in a confused tone.

"Oh, man…."

"Hey, sweet pea!"  Craig called.  "Excuse me, petal," he winked at Sean, gently pulling Orlando from his embrace, "just need to borrow your boyfriend for a mo!  We’ll bring him back unharmed, I promise."

If Orlando hadn’t been reeling from what he knew was about to happen, he would have enjoyed the dumb-founded look currently gracing his oh-so-masculine boyfriend’s perfect features.  Petal, indeed! 

"Craig," Orlando whined but with a giggle desperately trying to break through.  "No!  Please?"

"Oh, you know you love it," Craig wheedled in a singsong voice, linking his arm firmly through Orlando’s.

"And you know we can’t do it without you, mate," Dominic chimed in from Orlando’s other side, linking through his free arm. 

He was effectively trapped, one madly grinning friend at each side.  Looking apologetically at Sean, he laughed helplessly as he felt himself being dragged away.  "Sorry - it’s tradition.  I won’t be long!"

Orlando giggled as he let himself be escorted to the centre of the dance floor, where a space was rapidly forming in the throng of expectant dancers.  Lining up, with Craig standing between himself and Dominic, he laughed as he looked at his grinning friends.  Simultaneously, they all held up their hands in a commanding gesture and began to sing along to the music.

//Stop! in the name of love //

As the music played on, they danced and sang - dramatically overblown arm movements acting out each phrase as they clutched their breaking hearts and wagged knowing fingers. 

// Before you break my heart//

They moved as one, the familiar steps of their favourite party piece flowing easily as they went through the synchronised movements.  Considering that Craig was the only one of them not a professional dancer, his performance was possibly the most fabulously outrageous of all. 

At one point Orlando dared to look over to see Sean's reaction and saw him standing with Dave, the two of them grinning and clapping them on.   He beamed madly when Sean caught his eye and gave him a broad wink.

//Baby, think it over
Think it over, baby
Ooh, think it over baby...//

When the song finally finished, they were all laughing so hard that they could hardly stand up straight.  They bowed as the entire party gave them a rousing ovation and Craig blew kisses and accepted imaginary bouquets.  Weak with laughter, they walked over to where Sean and Dave had been joined by Billy.

Orlando grinned as Sean pulled him close and kissed his cheek.  "Sorry about that," he laughed.  "Like I say, it’s tradition, you know?"

"Well, I’ve been told that I can be a very traditional man," Sean grinned.  "I thought you were wonderful, sweetheart - definitely multi-talented!"

"Yet again, we rule *supreme*!"  Dominic crowed before being thwacked affectionately round the ear by Billy.   "*What*?"  He laughed as everyone groaned.  "I am the ‘Prince of Punsters’, the ‘King of Quips’, the - "

Luckily, Elijah and Karl arrived and saved them all from any more of Dominic’s rapier-like wit.  "Fantastic as always, guys," Karl grinned.  "Wouldn’t be a party without your special performance. I especially liked it with the costumes tonight though - very fetching - it’s got to be the first time a Greek warrior, a pirate and a naval officer have done that together!"

"Oh, I don’t know about that, you know what they say about the navy…." Dave drawled dryly, causing everyone to laugh.

"I still don’t know why you won’t let me join in," Elijah pouted, with too-innocent blue eyes.

Craig hugged him close.  "Ah, my little legally cute!  You know there were only three Supremes - not three and a half!"

Everyone laughed at Elijah’s outraged cry of, "Karl!  They’re picking on me again!"

~

It had been a wonderful party.  Orlando was thrilled by how completely Sean had been accepted into his circle of friends and how he, in turn, seemed to enjoy their company.  Plus he’d got to gaze at Sean in that rather revealing armour which had definitely been the stuff of fantasy - yes, he really couldn’t have asked for a better night.  But now the evening was finally winding down and they were saying their last few goodbyes before leaving. Sean had gone to pick up their shields and other paraphernalia from the ‘coat room’ and Orlando took the opportunity to talk to Craig alone for a few minutes.  After the fun and frivolity of the party, he was thinking about what might happen next and anxiety and worry were starting to nag at him again - his emotions a roller-coaster of intense anticipation and terrified nervousness.

"I’m a bit worried," Orlando said in a small voice as he and Craig stood in a quiet corner of the loft.  "I know I want to take things further with Sean and I really want to do something tonight - I mean just looking at him all evening has been driving me mad, you know?  But I’m still a bit nervous - of what I’m going to say and do, and of how he’ll react and stuff, yeah?"

"I know, sweet pea," Craig said, hugging Orlando close.  "It’s okay to be nervous or a bit scared."  He whispered softly.  "But just remember what we talked about, okay?  Just take your time and do what comes naturally.  You don’t have to rush into anything tonight if you don’t feel it’s right."

"But I want to," Orlando sighed.

"I know you do, baby.  All I’m saying is take it slowly - you don’t have to do *everything* the first time, okay?  You can build up to things gradually.  But I think that you can trust Sean - he really cares about you, Orli, I can see it in the way that he looks at you.  I don’t think he’d ever do anything to hurt you.  But just take things a step at a time and think about the things we’ve talked about - and remember to be *safe*.  And you know, if he does try anything that you don’t like, just phone me and I’ll come straight over and have Dave sort him out for you, okay?"  Craig finished with a chuckle.

Orlando laughed and hugged his friend.  "Thanks, Craigsie - I do love you.  I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"'Course you will and I love you too," Craig smiled and nodded over Orlando’s shoulder.  "Here comes Sean now - with Dave. I think they’ve bonded over football, I fear our lives may never be the same again," he sighed, making Orlando giggle.  With a final hug and a whispered, ‘you’ll be fine’, Craig released his hold on Orlando and moved into Dave’s arms.  "Come on, you big butch Aussie pirate - time to take me home and shiver me timbers!"

"Aye aye, Captain!" Dave winked and pecked a quick kiss to Orlando’s cheek.  "’Night, Tigger!  ‘Night, Sean!"  He added, shaking Sean’s hand.

"’Night, petal," Craig winked at Sean.  "Take care of my sweet pea, okay?"

Sean smiled and wrapped an arm around Orlando’s waist.  "You can count on it - I’ll get him home safely.  ‘Night, lads!"

After their final farewells to Elijah and Karl, they made their way to the car and began the journey back to Orlando’s flat.  It was well after midnight and traffic was light, so it seemed like no time at all before they were pulling up outside the flat.

"Is it okay if I come in and get my stuff?"  Sean asked softly as he turned off the ignition.

Orlando looked up with large, dark eyes and twisted the silver ring on his thumb nervously.  "Um, well actually," he gulped slightly.  "I was wondering if you wanted to come in - you know, for coffee or something?"

Sean reached across and placed his hand on Orlando’s, gently stilling the anxious motion.  "Coffee?"  He said with a coaxing smile. "Or coffee and kisses?"

"Well, perhaps, *more*…if you’d like?"  Orlando’s voice seemed very small in the confined space of the car and his heart was beating quickly, the pulse of rushing blood loud in his ears.

"I don’t want to push you, sweetheart."  Sean lightly stroked his knuckles down the flushed skin of Orlando’s cheek.  "We can do whatever you like."

"No," Orlando murmured, lowering his eyes.  "I mean - I thought that you might, um, like to stay?  You know, with me?  Tonight?  If you wanted to, maybe?"

Orlando felt a gentle pressure under his chin and looked up tentatively through dark lashes into Sean’s tender gaze.

"You know something, sweetheart?"  Sean smiled softly and pulled Orlando to him, their lips just a whisper apart.  "I’d like that very much."

Onto final part

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