Orlando moved through LA's gay bars like a tornado, leaving broken hearts and raging hard-ons in his wake. Ever watchful and ever teasing he sold himself like he was a painting and every night was an auction. His British drawl made the men wild; his lithe body made them drool and his pearling laugh made them ache for more. His careless dancing made the hammer fall- going once, going twice- sold to the gentleman in the back with the raging hard on and the body made for sin. The nights he made appearances as Orlina, temptress extraordinare, the crowds were just one step away from getting down on their knees to worship him. Orlando was Popular; he was the man of the hour, on everybody's lips. He was the man they all wanted but few could have. Only one man could really bend Orlando to his will, only one man could enslave him. Blue.

Blue wasn't like the other men in the clubs, in fact he wasn't like anybody else at all. Blue was just as admired as Orlando, but only from afar. He was the kind of man that got dangerous written all over him. Few people knew anything about Blue and those who knew never told. It was rumoured that he was of Swedish inheritance and judging from his tall, blonde statue and slightly foreign accent, it was probably true. No one knew his real name, if someone asked, he always answered: `If I tell you, I will have to kill you.' Most men believed he meant it. There were several explanations to why he called himself Blue, the most popular one said he liked to tie men's balls into a knot until they got all blue; the darker ones murmured secretly about the blue tint your lips get when you're slowly strangled to death...

Orlando never saw those sides of Blue though; he only saw what Blue wanted him to see. He saw a tall, blonde Sex God with the ability to make his resistance crumble with just a touch, or a whispered word. He was a whore for Blue, the older man could do anything to him and he just kept bouncing back. Deep inside he felt ashamed for being so weak, but he craved Blue's attention like it was some sort of expensive drug. He needed it like he always seemed to need the things he could not have.

Blue played Orlando like he was some sort of expensive violin, a Stradivarius perhaps. He knew exactly where to put his fingers to get Orlando where he wanted. Blue didn't want to own Orlando, he willingly let the younger man play the field. He even enjoyed watching as Orlando lulled the unsuspecting into his world of fire and flames. He did it for the sheer satisfaction of knowing he could dominate something so vibrant and admired, totally. He did it for the thrill of seeing Orlando crawling on his knees begging for more and for mercy in the same breath. He did it to have power, to enslave and to eventually brake.

Viggo watched all this from a distance. Watched as Orlando got tangled up in Blue's web and saw how every move only pulled him deeper. He watched and he wept. Orlando was his best friend, his responsibility. He should do something to help him, to save him but he was too weak. He knew damn well what it would take to break Orlando free but self-preservation made him hold back. It was a well- known fact that Orlando was in love with him, Orlando had told him himself on several occasions and he'd indulged the younger man. He let him snuggle up to him on the couch, let him hug him and kiss him every now and then, hell, he even let him sleep plastered to him once in a while. But he never let him get too close, never let him kiss to deeply, never made love to him. Because he knew that making love to Orlando would change everything. He knew that even if Orlando said it was alright with just one night it would break the younger man's heart in the end and Orlando meant too much for him to do that. So even when his friend started to loose his shine, when his smiles dimmed and the bounce in his step disappeared he just stood back. Waiting. And it almost got Orlando killed.

^^^^^^*******^^^^^^

The call came at three am in the morning when Viggo had just managed to lull himself to sleep.

"'Ello."

"Hello, I'm looking for a Viggo Mortensen..."

"That's me." Viggo sat up in bed, his heart already beating triple time.

"This is from the LA County Hospital. You are listed as the emergency contact of one Orlando Bloom."

"Oh, my God," Viggo was up from the bed pulling his jeans on while juggling the phone. "What happened? How is he? Is he..." He didn't have the courage to form the words.

"The doctor's are with him now. He was found in an alley down town, it looks like someone tried to strangle him."

"Blue," Viggo spat out, venom in his words. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

He disconnected and pulled on the first sweater he could find, almost crying when he saw it was the blue one Orlando had given him for his birthday. He threw the cordless phone on the kitchen counter on his way to the door; instead he grabbed his cell phone and car keys before grabbing his jacket and leaving his apartment. His cell phone started ringing when he'd just got into his car.

"Viggo... It's Sean."

"I know," Viggo said grimly. Sean was an old friend and college that worked with the LA PD. "Tell me you got him."

"We can't seem to find him... How is he?"

"I don't know, they wouldn't tell me anything more than that someone tried to strangle him."

"Two of ours are at the hospital. We won't let anything happen to him."

Viggo chuckled bitterly. "Just wish that I had been that smart."

"Viggo, you couldn't know."

"I did know, Sean. I'm a cop for Christ's sake, and I knew he was bad news."

"Don't beat yourself up about this, Orlando makes his own choices."

"And you know, as well as me, what that would have been had I been available," he didn't give Sean a chance to answer. "I'm here, got to go."

He disconnected and got out of the car recklessly parked on a handicap space. Frankly he didn't give a damn about the motionally challenged or whatever it was PC to call them these days. He only cared about getting to Orlando, about assuring himself that he was alright. Once inside he headed directly for the emergency desk and asked for Orlando. He'd been in the Emergency Room far to many times over the years and knew his way around.

"He's in Room 12, the doctor is with him now. But he's regained consciousness and looks fairly well. Would you take a seat in the waiting room and I'll tell Dr Carter to come see you right away."

Viggo nodded, not trusting his voice. At least he was awake that was always something. He'd seen far too many strangulation cases where the victim had never regained consciousness or woken up with severe brain damage.

`Please God, let him be alright and I'll try to right all my mistakes. I've been so weak, such a fool, please give me... give us a second chance.'

He sat down on one of the orange plastic chairs in the waiting space and trained his eyes on Room 12. There was two uniformed police officers standing outside, they both nodded towards him and one made his way over. Viggo recognized him, his name was Monaghan he thought.

"Captain," the young officer bowed his head. "I was the first one on the scene, an old lady found him in an alley. She thought he was dead."

"What happened?"

"We don't know yet, haven't gotten the chance to talk to him. But it looks as though someone tried to strangle him and left him in the alley for dead. He's been badly beaten, sir..."

Viggo clenched his teeth; he'd known this would happen. How could he have been so stupid? He was in love with the boy for Christ's sake, has been for quite some time, but fear always held him back. His own petty little insecurities. Orlando was a butterfly, never let any man pin him down for long, waltzing from one set of arms to another, and Viggo had been so damn afraid of being left behind, of losing him. He knew that as long as Orlando never got quite what he wanted from him he would be coming back for more. But there would be no more fear, he would open his heart to Orlando, tell him what he felt and then he could only pray the younger man could find it in his heart to forgive him.

A man in a white coat came out from Orlando's room and immediately spotted him. Viggo had met the young Doctor on too many occasion and held a grudging respect for him. He might look too young and handsome to be a Doctor, but he was damned good on his job.

"Viggo," Dr Carter extended his hand and Viggo shook it. "Are you here as an official or as a friend?"

"A friend."

"Good, then I'll let you see him, he's been asking for you."

"How is he?"

"Good. He was extremely lucky. There is hardly any damage to his lungs and the rest is only bruises and cuts. His throat suffered the worst and I don't want him talking for at least 48 hours. I'd like to keep him overnight but he's free to go home tomorrow. Bed rest for a couple of days and only light extortion for the next couple of weeks, other than that he should be fine. I'll give him prescriptions for some pain meds, antibiotics and a nice healing balm for his bruises."

"Why the antibiotics?"

"His lungs and throat are very sensitive to infection right now and a simple virus could be fatal, better to be safe than sorry. The pain meds are mostly for his throat but I'll expect his back to give him hell too, he's badly bruised. "

Viggo nodded. "Can I see him now?"

"Yes, but only for a short while. He needs his rest; I won't let the uniforms see him until morning. We'll move him to a private room in ICU shortly."

"Fair deal," Viggo said knowing that Orlando would only confirm what they already knew. That Blue did it. "Can I see him now?"

"Go ahead."

Viggo walked towards Viggo's room brazing himself for the sight of his beloved imp in a hospital bed a sight he'd hoped he'd never have to see again. Not after that horrid time when Orlando'd broken his back. Slowly he pushed the door open and stepped in. Orlando looked so fragile surrounded by the starch whiteness of the bed; he was lying back with his eyes closed.

"Orlibabe?" Viggo said softly not wanting to startle his beloved friend that looked like he'd been through enough. Dark bruises and scrapes marred the beauty of his face, but the sight that made Viggo's heart grow cold was the dark purplish bruise around his neck. He couldn't even begin to imagine how much it must hurt.

Orlando's eyes fluttered open and a huge smile spread over his face.

"You came," he whispered his voice raw and shaky.

Viggo pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed taking one of Orlando's slim hands in his.

"Of course, silly," he managed a smile. "And the doctor said no talking."

Orlando squeezed Viggo's hand. "Then get me something to write on."

"Officer Monaghan," Viggo bellowed and the younger man peeked his head in.

"Is everything alright, Captain?" He asked and if he thought that it was strange that Viggo was holding Orlando's hand he didn't show it.

"Get me a notepad and a pen."

The officer disappeared for a few seconds before coming back with the requested items. Viggo took them and handed them over to Orlando that grabbed them. He let go of Viggo's hand after giving it another squeeze so that he could write. He scribbled a few words and showed them to Viggo, who grown up macho man as he was had to bite his lip to not start bawling like a child.

[I ((heart)) U]

"I love you too, babe. And I should have told every day. I'm so goddamned sorry."

Orlando grabbed the pad again and did some corrections.

[U ((heart)) Me?????]

"Yes, I do and I've been a fool. Can you ever forgive me?"

[For what?]

"For not telling you sooner, for wasting all this time."

[Silly!]

Viggo smiled. "I'm a silly old man alright, and I don't deserve you, but if you still want me I'm all yours."

[Want U]

[Not THAT old]

Viggo grinned, trust Orlando to be sarcastic even in writing. "Too old for a fine young thing like you."

[Damaged goods]

"No, baby. Don't say that, don't even think that. You're perfect."

[Had many]

"One of us got to have experience. `Cause God knows I don't have," he smirked. "At least not with men." He just had to touch Orlando, to ground himself and as the hands were unavailable he grabbed hold of one thigh.

[Had Blue]

Viggo's eyes darkened. "Yes and it was all my fault. I knew all along what I had to do to get you from him, but I was too scared. Too selfish."

[Not selfish to wait for opportune moment]

"You think this is an opportune moment? There is a psychic ward here right? I might have to have you admitted."

[I never needed u more. Never wanted u more.]

Viggo bent over and pressed a kiss against Orlando's arm, the young man's way of making it alright almost too much for him. "How do you feel?"

Orlando quirked an eyebrow at him that clearly said: `Are you stupid?'

[Like shit. Hurt everywhere.]

Viggo pressed his face against Orlando's side, inhaling his scent and fighting the tears once again. He didn't lift his head until Orlando knocked on it while waving his notepad. Viggo looked at it.

[Don't hurt inside anymore. U made it alright.]

He smiled and finally let the tears go. There was nothing in him that could hold them back anymore Orlando had broken through his final defences. He buried his head in Orlando's side once more and was rewarded with Orlando's hand coming around his shoulders. Petting him and holding him close. It was a few minutes until he was ready to lift his head. Orlando was smiling at him and held up his notepad again.

[U, macho-man, u]

Viggo couldn't help it, he laughed an honest to God laugh and if the tears kept streaming down his face it was only because he was happy. "You are moving in with me you know," he said when the laughter and tears had finally died down. "And we're getting rid of that rat-hole you call home first thing."

[So romantic]

He narrowed his eyes. "And when you're well enough, I'll take a vacation and we'll go to Hawaii, or Europe, to get married."

Orlando made a face at him and scribbled furiously.

[In your dreams. A nice ring, your undying devotion and you're a few weeks in bed will do just fine. Although I wouldn't turn down a free trip to Paris or Venice.]

"For that I will buy your ring from Toys'R'Us."

[Promises, promises]

Viggo looked up when the door opened and Dr Carter poked his head in. "We'll be moving Orlando in a few minutes and there is another detective here to see you."

"Okay." When Dr Carter was gone; Viggo turned back to Orlando. "I'm betting it's Sean, he's got your case on his table."

Orlando looked through the notepad and when he found the right page he crossed something out and scribbled something down before showing it.

[It was Blue]

"We know. You should get some rest."

[You too]

"I think I'll stick around. Someone has to guard you..." he trailed off when he noticed the furious scribbling.

[Like Hell you will. Pick me up tomorrow at noon. Don't show your ugly face here before then.]

Viggo smiled and when he noticed the slight commotion outside got up from his chair. "I think that is my cue."

[No kiss?]

Smiling he bent down and gave Orlando a small sweet kiss on the lips that still was enough to electrify his blood. "Until tomorrow then."

Orlando nodded, looking slightly dazed. Then he leafed through the pad again and finding the right page tore it out and gave it to Viggo. Viggo turned it over and saw that it was Orlando's simple love declaration.

[So you remember]

Viggo put it in his pocket and gave Orlando another kiss, this one slightly longer. "So you remember," he whispered and straightened just as medical personnel opened the doors. He cast one last longing look on Orlando before making his way outside again. It was indeed Sean that was waiting for him.

"How is he," Sean asked jumping up from the chair where he had been seated.

"Awake and unexpectedly well."

"Good, I've been worried. That kid gets under your skin you know."

"I've noticed," Viggo said wryly. "Myself, used to be straight as an arrow, but then... Orlando happened."

Sean smiled. "I take it your little conversation went well."

"It did. He's moving in with me."

"Figures, who would want to live in his apartment?"

"Any news on Blue?"

"You bet your ass. We got the bastard and he's going down. Hard. His real name is Eric Anderson, and he's wanted for murder, and attempted murder, in several states."

"WHAT?" Viggo felt his temperature dropping as his blood froze.

Sean winced and looked around. "Keep your voice down. Orlando survived, remember."

Viggo's shoulder slumped. Sure, he was alive but it was pure luck. Viggo should have known.

"The good thing is, that except for his official statement Orlando probably won't have to witness... they already have enough evidence on him to send him to the chair ten times over."

Viggo nodded, that was a relief. He didn't know if he could have taken seeing his beloved in the witness stand.

"Go home with you and get some sleep. I'll stay."

"Won't Dave wonder if you don't get home?"

"He'll be so delirious when I call and tell him, Orlando is alright that he won't mind the slightest."

Viggo smiled. "Good. Call me if anything happens."

"I will, now go."

With a last longing look at Orlando's room Viggo went.

^^^^^^*******^^^^^^

Several weeks after the incident Orlando was as good as new and happily settled in the Mortensen home. As he waited for Viggo to come home from work he found himself thinking about the last weeks. It had taken some time for everything to settle, and he was ashamed to admit he'd been a downright bastard to begin with. He couldn't help feeling insecure, it just seemed too good to be true; Viggo suddenly giving up his straight little life and becoming bisexual just for him. He kept thinking that Viggo would change his mind and throw him out on his ass, so he'd been pushing. Kept demanding this or that, kept raising fights and breaking down in to tears when he got what he wanted. But Viggo'd seen through him and during the almost two months they'd been a couple he hadn't once done anything to make Orlando suspect he didn't really love him. The therapy he'd gone through to help him deal with his feelings of shame and his fear after the incident had helped too, but the real eye opener had come just this morning.

An hour or so after Viggo'd left for work Orlando had just been about to do the laundry when the phone rang.

"Orlando."

"Hey, Orlibabe."

How Orlando loved that nickname. "Hey, yourself handsome. What's up?"

"You haven't done the laundry yet, have you?"

"Nah, was just about to get started. What, worried about clean knickers?" "I do not wear knickers! I forgot something in one of the pockets of the jeans I wore yesterday, something I feel naked without and that's very important to me. Could you retrieve it, please?"

"You left your badge in your jeans? Man, you are getting old." Orlando was searching through the pockets as he spoke, but he couldn't find Viggo's badge instead he found a carefully folded piece of paper. "Nothing here man, just some old receipt, or something."

"Don't throw that away. Put it somewhere safe."

"Don't tell me... It's the receipt for my ring, right? Better safe than sorry." He could hear Viggo sighing.

"Just put aside, okay. I got to go now. Love you."

"Love you."

Orlando disconnected and looked at the note, maybe it was a phone- number or something. He unfolded it and looked it over; then his heart stopped for an instant before it started beating triple time. It was the note he'd give Viggo in the hospital, the one that said `I love you.' He pressed the note to his lips, tears he hadn't known he wanted to shed falling freely as he truly relaxed for the first time since he got out of the hospital...

That was hours ago and Orlando just wanted Viggo to come home. It was late, way after dinnertime, he had already eaten and Viggo'd said he would eat something on his way home. It didn't matter so much that Viggo was late, tomorrow was Saturday and they could spend the whole day in bed if they wanted, which incidentally were the real reason he wanted Viggo to come home. So far they hadn't made love, Viggo had waited to let Orlando take the first step and Orlando'd held back out of fear. Fear that if Viggo didn't really love him, he would change his mind when faced with the possibility of having to indulge in real gay sex. The other man was woefully inexperienced when it came to man to man loving and Orlando had been afraid he would find it awkward or disgusting. Not that he seemed to mind the heavy petting and kissing they indulged in so far, but touching another man's dick was one thing, anal sex another, and Orlando wanted Viggo inside of him. Something he would have tonight, he'd made all the preparations and now, there was only waiting.

Finally there was someone at the door and Orlando was in Viggo's arms before the older man had even made it through the door. He was easily caught though and held tight to a hard body while Viggo took care of the tiresome necessities of closing and locking the door. Then he got kissed to within an inch of his life and found out that Viggo'd grabbed a hamburger on his way home. He still tasted like barbeque sauce and fries.

"So," Viggo said when he finally relinquished Orlando's lips. "Did you miss me?"

"Yeah," Orlando took a step back. "Now get out of those close and brush your teeth. I'm tired and I don't like to sleep unheld."

"Nag, nag, nag," Viggo said but he smiled with his whole face in a manner that Orlando found irresistible.

With a snort Orlando sauntered off to the bedroom in a manner that made it impossible for Viggo to not look at his ass hugged by his thin pyjama bottoms. He wasn't wearing a top and as soon as he was alone in their bedroom he would be wearing nothing. As soon as he was alone he took off the pants and hid them under the bed before sliding in under the covers. A small moan almost escaped him when he sat down, but he quenched it and quickly removed the butt plug he'd slid in to keep him loose while he waited for Viggo. He wiped with a tissue and hid that too under the bed. During their first real sex Orlando didn't want Viggo to have to worry about preparations and such, he wanted it to go smoothly and without interruptions. He could teach him everything later because he was sure that once Viggo'd gotten a taste of his ass, he wouldn't want to give it up ever again. When he saw the door opening he turned on his side to hide his erection and propped himself up on an elbow.

"Took you long enough," he said.

"Eager for my luscious body are you?"

Orlando took in Viggo's indeed luscious body, only covered by a pair of loose boxers. The older man looked fantastic; hard, sculpted chest with just the right amount of hair, lean muscular legs, perfect arms and gentle hands. His face was, of course, gorgeous, and the dick so cleverly hidden by the boxers were long and thick, just the way Orlando wanted it.

"Yeah, I am," he finally answered. "So get your creaking bones over here."

Viggo smiled that smile again and joined Orlando under the covers. He bent over and kissed him before turning out the light. On a normal night Orlando would have curled up with his head on Viggo's chest and they would have talked about their day but this was not a normal day so he launched a full frontal attack. He put himself on top of Viggo and delved into his surprised mouth. Viggo quickly found himself and he kissed Orlando back while his arms went around Orlando's back. A few seconds later Viggo realized Orlando was naked and pulled away.

"You're naked."

So clever his man, stating the obvious at every available opportunity.

"So I am," he tried for another kiss but Viggo was like a dog with a bone, despite the obvious evidence of his interest that was currently trying to drill holes through Orlando's hip.

"Why, are you naked?"

"Uhm, because we are two consenting adults all alone in a huge bed and we love each other?"

Viggo smiled and pulled Orlando down for another kiss so he figured that had been the right answer. While sucking happily on Viggo's velvet tongue Orlando tried his best to wrestle Viggo out of his boxers, but his dick just didn't want to cooperate. It just kept swelling making Orlando's task impossibly harder. He pulled away and glared downwards.

"Get them off."

"Always so impatient," Viggo chuckled but he complied.

"Finally," Orlando murmured and dropped his legs on either side of Viggo's hips, undulating to create much needed friction.

"Good," Viggo mumbled latching on to his mouth again while trusting his huge rod of a cock against Orlando's stomach, clearly convinced that this was the main act.

Orlando, while enjoying their slippery rubbing, decided to prove him wrong. While still tongue wrestling with Viggo he fumbled around under the pillows with one of his hands until his fingers connected with the lube he'd hidden there earlier. Putting it where he could easily find it again his hands went on search again, this time for the condom. Finding it he eagerly tore the wrapper and reached down to catch Viggo's dick. By then Viggo had caught on to the fact that something was happening and he watched with avid interest as Orlando put the condom on.

"You're putting the hat on... Are we going somewhere?"

Orlando smiled, suddenly shy. "I thought you might want to go inside."

"I would like that very much, but you'll have to guide me."

"I will," Orlando promised, swelling to impossible hardness when Viggo shuddered under his hands. He quickly coated the other man's cock with lube and guided him to his entrance, both of them too far gone to handle much more foreplay. As it were Orlando wasn't sure he'd be able to fight his climax long enough for Viggo to actually get inside him. Finally he just sank down, taking all of Viggo into him in one go.

"Yes," he hissed but Viggo screamed: "No."

Orlando tensed and hardly dared to breathe. Had there been some misunderstanding, wasn't this what Viggo wanted? He felt Viggo's erection softening and he didn't know where to go. He was so damned ashamed, had he assumed too much? Would he loose Viggo now, had all his worst nightmares come to pass? That was when he noticed Viggo's chanting and the way the older man's hands kept fluttering over his body.

"Oh God, baby. No. Did I hurt you? Please talk to me."

He looked down and saw concern radiating from Viggo's eyes.

"How could you do something so stupid? I might have damaged you for life," Viggo's worry was turning into anger.

Orlando clenched his muscles coaxing Viggo's cock back to full hardness and put his lover's hand on his still rock hard dick.

"I was already prepared, hunny. I'm sorry, should have told you."

"Damn straight," Viggo muttered but his eyes had already started to glaze over.

Bending down to kiss him Orlando started to move eager for the pain of breaching to turn into pleasure. He had been prepared but the butt plug hadn't been near the size of Viggo so it still stung but it was good pain and nothing he couldn't handle. Viggo soon got the idea and before he knew it Orlando found himself on his back while Viggo pounded into him, hitting all the right spots and making it feel so much better than it ever had before. He was mewling and whimpering while clawing at Viggo's back. His dick had been forgotten in the commotion but he really didn't care because he was about to come anyway and this orgasm seemed to begin so deep inside he was sure he would explode if it didn't find a way out soon. Then his whole body convulsed when he finally found release and he screamed so loud his ears hurt before promptly passing out. When he came to he was cradled in Viggo's arms while the older man petted his hair and told him sweet nothings.

"That was the best sex ever," was his first words.

"Indeed, but we had a few near misses."

"We'll work on it."

"Repeatedly."

"On every available surface."

They grinned at each other and Viggo smoothed some hair away from Orlando's forehead.

"I love you, Orlibabe."

"Love you too."

"Now, will you consider getting married?"

Orlando laughed and swatted at him. "We have a whole life ahead of us, okay? I'll think about it."

"Good," Viggo sounded mightily pleased with himself.

Orlando thought about crushing his hopes once and for all, but decided to hold his tongue. Who knew, he might actually change his mind before Viggo's eightieth birthday... but then again, maybe not. Happily he wriggled just a little bit closer and gave in to sleep. They could worry about being stuck together tomorrow morning.

^^The End^^