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bluespiritGreen Glass ~ a modern day fairy tale
by
Bluespirit
Fandom: LotR RPS
Pairing: SB/OB
Rating: NC-17 overall
Warning: An alternate universe romance.
Summary: Love really is the sweetest thing.
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.
Archive: Green Opals, related mailing list & fic community archives.
Notes:
1. Heartfelt thanks to my amazing beta![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
xanthefic. I simply couldn't have done this without her. Of course, any mistakes are most certainly my own. (g)
2. Kind feedback is very welcome, thank you.
The story so far:~
chapter one
chapter two
chapter three
chapter four
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…."
~~
Continued here...
by
Bluespirit
Fandom: LotR RPS
Pairing: SB/OB
Rating: NC-17 overall
Warning: An alternate universe romance.
Summary: Love really is the sweetest thing.
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.
Archive: Green Opals, related mailing list & fic community archives.
Notes:
1. Heartfelt thanks to my amazing beta
xanthefic. I simply couldn't have done this without her. Of course, any mistakes are most certainly my own. (g)2. Kind feedback is very welcome, thank you.
The story so far:~
chapter one
chapter two
chapter three
chapter four
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…."
~~
Continued here...