Colin watched them go. He had known that this moment was coming since he spoke
to Sean but he had not known it would come so swiftly. He and Orlando were 
actually finished. No more kisses, no more caresses…he would never hold the boy 
ever again. 

He allowed himself a moment of selfishness and fell to the floor in agony…
wishing he had a week longer with the boy he loved so much…a day, an hour. It 
was all too soon for it to all be done. 

Colin sank to the floor in a moment of despair, holding his hands to his face 
and letting free the sobs he had refused to cry while Orlando was present. He 
could not let Orlando feel guilt, not when he had returned at long last to the 
one man he was meant to be with.

It still hurt though.

Colin sobbed out all of his pain against the lush carpet, his fists curled tight
enough for his fingernails to cut into his palms and draw blood. He slammed his
fists against the carpet to try and ease the pain, but his loneliness tore at 
him.

Large hands closed over his heaving shoulders and eased him from the ground. 
They were not hands that Colin recognized through tear clouded eyes, nor was the
broad chest that he was urged to rest his head against and spend his sorrows. 

Colin wound his fingers in the man’s shirt, his tears wetting the fabric as did 
the heat of his breath as he sobbed out his despair. Strong arms wrapped around
him in a secure embrace, holding him tight as he so desperately needed. Wide 
hands with long fingers rubbed in firm circles.

“It will not always hurt so bad.”

Colin did recognize the rumbling Russian accent that washed over him, and he 
raised his head to look into the kind dark eyes of Sean’s valet, Mr. Csokas. The
tears continued to fall, and for a while the man’s face was lost in the watery 
blur, but he did not have to see the man’s face to feel the comfort he was 
offering. 

“I know how he felt now. I know how it feels to die inside.”

Colin let his face fall back into his hands as he sank against the man. He felt
the strong arms tighten around him and hold him close. He let himself sink into
the embrace and take the support that was offered to him.

“It will get better,” Marton whispered into the Irishman’s ear while he held him
tight. He lay a light kiss on the top of his head. “It will get better…I promise
you.”

The large man held the slightly smaller in his burly arms and lulled him from 
his sobs until only gently falling tears remained. Colin let himself be held for
as long as the Russian was willing to comfort him, grateful beyond belief for 
the comfort of another.



Sean carefully held Orlando’s arm as he maneuvered him over a fallen tree branch
and then a large rock that blocked the youth’s way along the path. He held 
Orlando’s arm gently in his own and also kept his free hand lightly on his 
beloved’s back to guide him. 

“It smells lovely here,” Orlando said dreamily. “The air is so fresh here…it all
smells so clean…” He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, taking it all in. He 
loved the outdoors, especially now. Though he had not dared to mention it to 
anyone, he had been sensing light with his eyes for the past few days. He could
not see shapes or color really, but he could see the light. 

Orlando had no idea of what this meant, but he did not want to say anything that
would raise anyone’s hopes or have people jump to conclusions. He did not want
to cause a stir over what could and most likely was nothing. 

“I love it all,” Sean said casually. “The trees, the fields…all of it. I always
have preferred the outdoors to the stuffy rooms of any house, no matter how 
fine.”

Orlando smiled shyly and nodded. He let his arm tighten around the arm that held
his own to guide him. 

“Thank you for this respite from my husband, my lord,” Orlando said softly. “He
follows me around as though he fears if he takes his eyes off me I will 
disappear.”

“And would you?” Sean asked before he realized he was even speaking.

Orlando’s brows furrowed in confusion and his head quickly raised towards the 
other man’s. “My lord?” he asked, unsure of what the man meant. 

“Would you disappear? Would you leave him if given the chance?”

Orlando’s breath caught at the question and he wished he could see the look on
the other man’s face. “I wonder what type of man would ask a guest of his home 
whether or not he would abandon his husband while they walk in the woods.”

“Are you offended then?” Sean asked, eager to hear how Orlando would respond. He
had to know what his beloved desired, and to make Orlando himself say it aloud
for his own knowledge. 

The young beauty hesitated before shaking his head. “No, I am not offended. I 
must ask what you intend to do with such information…do you intend to tell my 
husband?”

Sean shook his head. “No, not at all,” he assured his love.

“Then why do you ask?” Orlando questioned. “Do you enjoy in hearing of my pain?
If so then I have much to say that you could take pleasure in.”

Sean reached out and cupped Orlando’s jaw, raising his fingers to stroke the 
still soft and downy cheek. Orlando was still so soft…

“Since the night we spoke on my balcony…I have thought of you every moment, 
whether awake or sleeping. I have seen how your husband treats you and speaks of
you…and I have seen you respond to it…I see your strength, Orlando. I know most
think of you as delicate and frail, but through your blindness and your gentle 
manner I have seen a great fire and iron will. You have not truly submitted to 
that man who calls himself your husband and I doubt you ever would. I truly 
wonder why you have remained with him for so long.”

The line of conversation was becoming a bit too intimate for Orlando’s liking 
and he began to turn back in the direction they hade come. He could feel the 
pebbles of the pathway and knew he could find his way back to the house with 
them if he had to. 

‘Alec’ took his arm gently and pulled him back. “Please Orlando…don’t run from 
me, I only wish to help you.”

“Why?” Orlando asked, genuinely curious. “You have only ever spoken to me once…
why could you possibly want to help me? I have had other lords try to seduce me
before, my lordship, and they were all unsuccessful.”

Sean chuckled. “It is that spirit I admire, Orlando,” he said, letting his hand
slide down Orlando’s cheek. Thought the youth had been adamant that he would not
be seduced, he did not discourage the other man from touching him in such an 
intimate manner. “I would ask of you though that you call me Alec…I feel like my
father being spoken to in such a formal manner.”

Orlando managed a wry smile but would not let the man try and change the 
subject. He tilted his head like an inquisitive deer and crossed his arms 
loosely. “So your intent is not to seduce me then,” he said quietly and somewhat
unconvinced. “That would make you a very honorable man indeed, to have such 
worry and compassion for someone you do not know and have met formally but 
once.”

Sean smiled at the fire in Orlando’s voice and wished he could see that fire in
his dulled eyes as well. How he longer for those chocolate orbs to burn with 
their old passion. “Does this mean you find me a liar, Orlando?”

The young man shivered when the older lord said his name, he immediately turned
and placed his hands over his face to hide the conflicting looks of confusion 
and rapture. That voice bore into him as Lord Trevelyan Lee said his name and it
made his knees feel liquid and weak. 

“Say my name again,” he softly commanded the other man.

Sean froze, realizing his mistake and he took a step back, cracking a twig 
beneath the heal of his fine boot. “Whatever has come over you?” he asked, 
carefully avoiding using the trigger of his love’s name for fear that he would 
be discovered too soon into his scheme. 

Orlando turned, hope and revelation in his voice. “Your voice does such…peculiar
things to me” he said, his arms wrapping around his flat belly as he took a sure
step forward. “It gives me the strangest feelings…do say it again…for I have not
felt this way in so long and I yearn to feel it again. There has only ever been
one man to make me feel this way…I must know…I must feel it…”

“I fear I have upset you, please forgive me,” Sean said, deepening his voice 
ever so slightly to mask it. “I only meant to help you but if you truly need no
aid then I shall not press you…I merely hoped to show you that you have a friend
in me. You are not alone.”

Orlando reached out an arm toward the shadow in the light, his long fingers 
searching for the face at a height he did not need vision to find. It was a face
he had caressed so many times that he would be able to find it in any darkness.
His fingers went on their known path and he touched a lightly bearded cheek for
a mere second before his wrist was snatched away again.

A second was all that he needed.

Warmth spread through his entire body and heat seared at his eyes. He could find
no voice with which to speak and instead he searched with his other hand. When 
that wrist was caught as well by a warm hand he managed to speak in a strangled
voice, “Why…?”

“Forgive me,” ‘Alec’ said. "The hour is late, I should get you back to the house
before anyone begins to worry.”

Orlando wet his dry lips. “Why should they worry?” His voice was so small it 
nearly brought tears to Sean’s eyes.

“If you please…may I take your arm and lead you to the house?” he went to go 
take Orlando’s arm but his beloved surged forward and kissed him unexpectedly. 

Sean was so surprised that he did not know how to react, and his body responded
for him. He kissed Orlando for a brief moment as he had in the fields of 
Christopher’s manor. The brief kiss was filled with more love and worship than 
anything either Viggo or ever sweet and tender Colin had given Orlando.

Soft hands were on his face again and Sean surged back, remembering himself and 
where they were. This was not sunset in a wheat field…this was not at 
Christopher’s manor…they were at Alec Trevelyan Lee’s manor with Orlando’s 
husband in one of the rooms. He held Orlando at arms length and just breathed, 
trying to think of what he could possibly say.

“Why did you do that?” Sean managed to ask weakly. 

“You kissed me back” Orlando said with wonder. His eyes began to cloud over with
tears of joy. “You kissed me back…”

Sean did not completely understand why Orlando was so very elated, but he knew 
he had to get out of the wood and back to the house. He had to get away from 
Orlando before things went wrong and he did more than he intended. 

With gentle surety, Sean took Orlando’s arm and led him back towards the house. 
Neither spoke as both were each assimilating the events in their own heads, 
deciding what their next course of action would be.

Once back at the house, Sean was relieved to see Marton waiting for him. 

“Sorry to intrude, sir,” the big Russian said. “But I must inform you that Mr. 
Serkis is waiting for you in your study. He said there were a few things that he
thought you would like to see…”

“Wonderful,” Sean said, immediately handing Orlando over to his trusted friend.
“Do please see that Orlando is seen to his chambers. I know that his valet will
be able to assist him from there…Orlando…I had a lovely time with you this 
afternoon. Perhaps we can speak of it later…tomorrow perhaps.”

“Perhaps” Orlando said softly, and Marton could detect the slightest air of 
triumph to the boy’s posture and voice. He was obviously pleased with something. 

Marton took the daydreaming youth’s arm and led him inside, leaving his friend 
to find his twitchy solicitor in his study. Marton did not speak of what had 
happened with Colin after Orlando had gone with ‘Alec’ that afternoon. He 
figured it was not something that Colin wanted to be made public, or something 
that he wanted Orlando to feel guilty for. So they walked in silence, neither 
having anything at the moment to say.

Sean entered his study and saw Mr. Serkis waiting for him in one of the stuffed
chairs, sifting through a large folder with many documents. Sean smiled to
himself, it looked as though Mr. Serkis had done as he requested, and done a 
fantastic job. For the time being it seemed his worries of Orlando actually 
slipped from his mind.

“Ah, Mr. Serkis…very good to see you.”

The pale man looked up, his bug eyes widening and a huge grin splitting his 
face. He immediately stood, almost dropping all of his papers but he caught them
with one arm. “Ah…Lord Trevelyan Lee…I have something for you.” The man handed 
over the folder with eager hands. “You would not believe all that I have found…
it seems that our Lord Mortensen is quite a busy man…or more likely his 
solicitor is. He has stock in nearly every successful business in the country. 
He has stock in silk companies in Asia, then there are his shipping companies 
and printing presses that together amass quite an impressive fortune.”

Sean chuckled sitting down and accepting the documents from the other man. He 
thumbed through a few and saw endless charts and figures, deeds and contracts. 
“These are all Mortensen’s?”

Mr. Serkis nodded. “Everything sir. Though I confess that they would be easily 
overtaken with the sums that you have left at my disposal.” He leaned forward 
and gestured to a thick stack of papers. “These here sir should be of particular
interest. These are the stocks that primarily control Mortensen’s own shipping 
company. Though Mortensen’s family owns the company, it is largely controlled by
these particular stocks and could therefore be bought out. He would of course 
remain with the company, but would no longer be the prevailing owner.”

“Excellent work” Sean said, eyeing the papers gleefully.

“However sir…if I may…I would like to suggest another course of action…one that
may be a little more humiliating to his lordship…I am assuming that that is your
inevitable goal.” Mr. Serkis was carefully looking at his employer to make sure
that nothing he said crossed any sort of boundary. Lord Trevelyan Lee had been 
very good to him and he certainly wanted to return the favor.

Sean smiled and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Serkis. I do indeed have an old score to 
settle with Viggo Mortensen II. I must say though that this is a very thorough 
search…I must inquire as to what interest you have in the downfall of the 
Mortensen Empire.”

Mr. Serkis colored a little, making his powdery pale cheeks go to almost a 
living off-white. The man was one of the gentlest Sean had ever met but he also
looked as though he had never even heard of sunlight much less seen it. He would
have to invite his solicitor for some hunting or riding once he and Orlando were
back together.

“Well…” Mr. Serkis looked around as though he was sure someone was hiding behind
one of the chairs or a bookcase. “I must confess that I too have a score to 
settle of sorts…with Mortensen’s solicitor…”

Sean’s brow quirked a little in surprise and slight confusion. This was indeed 
unexpected.

Mr. Serkis gave a little giggle and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Oldman and I went to 
school together. His family came from higher standing than mine and he always 
enjoyed reminding me of that. We have competed over since, and until now he has
managed to worm his way to the top with no merit. I suppose I would like to give
him a taste of the bottom.”

Sean nodded in acceptance. “Very well then, Mr. Serkis. What are your thoughts 
on the acquisition?”

Mr. Serkis cleared his throat and brushed down his waist jacket to look a bit 
more presentable and leaned forward ever so slightly in his chair. “Well sir…as 
you say you are a man that is not that strong in business…I have a method which 
would mean that you could ruin Lord Mortensen without working a day.”

Sean’s smile broadened into a grin and he leaned forward ever so slightly 
towards the other man. “I like the way the think, Mr. Serkis.” he said. “And how
would this happen?”

Mr. Serkis leaned forward, using his hands to accentuate his words as he spoke.
“You see sir…the company thrives on it’s stock. If you were to say, buy a large
majority share of the company and then sell it for virtually nothing, the stock
and therefore the company would crumble.”

Sean liked the sound of that immensely, but he was not one to hurt innocent 
bystanders as well. “Do you know then who else holds stock in Mortensen’s 
companies?”

The solicitor nodded. “Indeed sir. The shares are kept quite small except for 
those of certain politicians and fellow lords. I know that Lord Bale and Lord 
William Bradley Pitt both have rather large shares in the Mortensen stocks, but
neither would be ruined by any sort of loss on the part of the company. Both 
have inheritances and family money as well.”

Sean nodded. He felt much better of their plan now that he had heard the 
details. “That is excellent, wonderful work, Mr. Serkis.” He held out his hand 
to the man to thank him. “It certainly is a pleasure to work with a man so 
dedicated and thorough with his job.”

Mr. Serkis eagerly accepted the offered hand and shook it enthusiastically. “The
pleasure is mine, my lord. You certainly know how to treat your employees.”

“I have always been a firm believer that good work must be properly compensated…
and that people should always get what they deserve.”

“That is indeed a good philosophy” Mr. Serkis agreed, standing and waiting for 
the lord to stand as well. “I have all the figures laid out for you, and what 
exactly it will cost…”

Sean shook his head and waved his hand to silence the other man. “Money is no 
option, spend what you must, Mr. Serkis. If it is alright with you, I would 
leave this in your capable hands…I know nothing of this sort of business.”

Mr. Serkis now waved his hands to say it was no trouble in the world. 
“Absolutely sir, I completely understand. Would you like a weekly update?”

Sean nodded, quite pleased with what he was hearing. “That would be wonderful.
How long do you think it will take before we acquire a decent amount of stock?”

Mr. Serkis shrugged his shoulders as he gathered his paperwork. “In theory sir,
it should not take long. All the necessary purchases could be made within the 
week.”

“Wonderful,” Sean said, seeing his scheme unfold in his mind. “Set to work on 
that, if you need any sort of letter, signature, anything from me please do not
hesitate to ask.”

“Of course sir” his solicitor said with a ready nod. “Might I suggest that you
begin to also invest in the stock of the Mortensen printing press as well, sir?
I shall contact you when I think the market is right for you to sell.” He stood
and collected his coat, pulling it over his vest and buttoning it. “If I may 
inquire sir…Lord Mortensen’s fortune lies in other places…there are his family 
funds…his manor…how do you intend to...relieve him…of those assets?”

Sean smiled a little, placing a hand on the small of Mr. Serkis’ back to guide 
him to the doorway. “Let me just say that we have another score to settle…and I
have a way I would like to repay him.”

With that, Sean led his giddy solicitor from his study to the coach that was 
awaiting him. After a pleasant farewell and promise of close contact, Mr. Serkis
left again for the city. Sean felt his heart swell in anticipation. Soon he 
would be able to tell Orlando of his identity, reclaim his beloved, and destroy
Mortensen’s fortune and life. 

Sean turned back to his manor house with a triumphant grin on his face, idly 
rubbing his hands together in glee at his impending victory. He tried to not get
too excited before everything was finalized, but he could not help himself. For
that moment, the uncomfortable encounter with Orlando earlier that day was 
forgotten, and Sean only thought of their times together at Lee’s manor.

Orlando however had not forgotten a thing. He had been sitting in his room, 
pacing back and forth all afternoon thinking over the events. Colin had been 
avoiding him, but Orlando expected that to happen after the man’s odd 
declaration that morning. 

The youth did not know how to react now around Colin. If the reason was that 
which he suspected it would be, he would have a better idea of how the handle 
the situation. If not…well…Orlando preferred not to think of such an 
alternative. 

He stood in the doorway of his bedchamber, listening to all that walked by and 
waiting for any sort of familiar cough or grunt that would indicate Lord 
Trevelyan Lee’s Russian valet. The an had quite a distinct cough as his voice 
could be so gruff when he spoke. Odd that such a coarse voice could belong to 
such a gentle man. 

He waited by the door for what felt like and could quite possibly have been 
hours, listening to any passer by in the hall. He almost stepped out once or 
twice, but realized right before he showed himself that the man walking was not 
Mr. Csokas. At long last he could hear the quick footsteps of the big man and a
low cough that assured Orlando of his identity.

Orlando immediately stepped from his room and braced his arms on the doorway as
he leaned forward. “Mr. Csokas?”

The footsteps stopped and shuffled as the big man turned to look upon the blind
beauty. 

“Is there something you needed, sir?” Marton’s deep coarse voice rumbled in that
melodic way as he spoke, and the corner’s of Orlando’s lips were tugged into a
little smile as he recognized it. 

“Yes…I um…I have been a bit restless and would greatly like to walk about…only…I
am not of yet completely used to this house. Do you have any spare time to help
me learn my steps?” His graceful brows arched as he implored to the valet for 
the tedious favor.

“Learn your steps, sir?” Marton asked, the confusion in his voice reflecting 
what Orlando was sure showed on his face. 

Orlando nodded, stepping from his doorway towards not only Marton’s voice but 
the shadow his form cast in the light of the hall. “My steps” he said, counting
in his mind as he went. “From my bed to my door is fourteen steps…From my door
to the toilet is thirty nine…From my door to you here is eight…those are my 
steps.”

He heard Marton chuckle in understanding and then a rustle that probably meant 
the man was nodding. “Your steps…I see now,” Marton said, taking Orlando’s arm.
“I suppose I have some time to help you learn them…where would you like to go?”

Orlando smiled and accepted the man’s arm. He certainly had a few places he 
would like to learn how to reach in particular…

He gasped when he laid a hand on the Russian’s upper arm, feeling the hard flesh
beneath his fingers and letting them travel up to his shoulder and then neck. “I
am always amazed at your size,” Orlando mused more to himself than the other 
man. “I would greatly like to be able to see the face that matches this large 
body.”

“Maybe one day you will” Marton said, complete sincerity in his voice.

“Maybe” Orlando agreed. 

The young man remembered the task at hand and removed his hand from the other 
man’s shoulder, letting it fall to rest on his forearm instead to sit with his 
other.

“I feel a little silly not being able to visit the library…the study…or even any
of the other guests…much alone our gracious host…” Orlando colored slightly, 
hoping that the manservant would not read too much into his words. 

“Ah. I see…you must have been most lonely all alone during the day,” Marton 
said. “Lucky you have your Mr. Farrell…you both seem quite close.”

Orlando’s smile darkened a little. “Yes…well…I am afraid that for the moment our
friendship is a bit on the edge. I am not sure what I have done to offend him, 
but I am sure that time shall heal any wound and I hope that when he feels ready
he shall come to me of his own volition.”

Marton nodded in understanding and turned them in the direction of the 
staircase. “Do you know how to get to the stair case, sir?”

“Orlando.”

“Excuse me, sir?” Marton asked.

Orlando blushed but kept his voice steady as he spoke. “Please, call me Orlando.
I may be married to a lord, but I am still a servant.”

He felt a reassuring pressure on his arm and the man said nothing more on the 
subject. He merely faced them in the direction of the stairs. “Outside your 
room, you turn left, see?”

Orlando nodded, biting his lower lip and trying to clear his mind so he could
remember everything he was about to learn. He knew how to find the stairs from
the many times he had gone down them, but he didn’t remember all of the specific
steps and lengths. 

They counted together as they made their way. Orlando realized that Marton did 
not know the English words to count after fourteen, so he tried his best to 
teach Marton more of the numbers. He would say them aloud and Marton would copy
him, unsure at first but growing with confidence as they went along. 

It was twenty three steps from Orlando’s room to the stairs. There were exactly
forty stairs on the front staircase, and two sets of twenty at the back. It was
nineteen steps from the staircase to the side hallway, and then another twenty
five to the study. 

They spent what had to be hours traveling the house back and forth, Orlando 
learning the steps and Marton learning to count. The man seemed very pleased 
with his newfound knowledge, and Orlando was merely grateful for being indulged
in his request. Not only that, but he was glad to for once feel useful around a
house. He usually just sat and waited for someone to take him from one room to 
another, but helping Marton learn English counting gave him a sense of pride and
accomplishment. 

“Forgive me, Orlando…though I have greatly enjoyed your company, I am afraid 
that I must take you back to your room soon…I have duties to take care of before
dinner.” Marton carefully turned Orlando around and began to lead him back 
towards the stairs to return to his chambers.

“Oh, Marton,” Orlando said quickly, stopping them with a hand to the man’s 
powerful upper arm. “Could we go by Lord Trevelyan Lee’s room? I wanted to see
if he was in.”

“I think his lordship is still out dealing with his solicitor, Mr. Serkis…”

“Could we just check please?” Orlando asked sweetly, letting his eyes widen in a
manner that he had leaned earned him almost whatever he wanted. He nearly 
grinned from ear to ear when Marton sighed and began to lead him again towards 
the stairs. 

“Alright, Orlando,” Marton said. “We will go past Lord Trevelyan Lee’s room, but
if he is not there it must be quick to your rooms, yes?”

“Yes,” Orlando agreed.

Thankfully, Alec was not in his room, and Orlando stored all of the lengths to 
the man’s room carefully in his mind. He feigned disappointment but wasted no 
time in allowing Marton to take him back to his own room. He acted the good 
little boy, even waving shyly goodbye to the big Russian when he closed the 
door.

Orlando let his back rest against the heavy door as he took a deep breath. He 
carefully went over the lengths once again in his head to make sure he would 
remember them, though he greatly doubted that there was a chance he would 
actually forget them. These numbers were pivotal to his future as he saw it. 

He took his meal in his rooms that night, claiming fatigue and dizziness. He 
knew that his husband would merely tell everyone at dinner what a ‘delicate 
creature’ he was, and how prone he had become to these spells. 

More importantly, he knew that his esteemed husband would not try and visit him
that night. He had been visited by Viggo several times during their stay at Lord
Trevelyan Lee’s manor. The man had merely wanted sex from Orlando, so the lovely
youth had let the man do as he would and was then once again left alone. He had
once brought himself to vomit on Viggo after he had claimed one of his ‘spells’
after the man had not heeded his warning. Ever since, he had been ignored on 
nights of his declared fatigue and given a respite from his husbands lusty 
needs. He only used the excuse infrequently so as not to wear it out. 

He nibbled disinterestedly at his dinner, trying to not think of Colin who was 
still avoiding him for the evening. That was well enough as well, as he did not 
want to be caught that night while he tried to make his way through the house. 

The hours ticked by, and Orlando was for once thankful for the old clock in the 
hall that chimed every hour, or else he would have no way to know the correct 
time. He walked to his wardrobe and opened it, feeling through to find one of 
his dressing gowns. He wanted to make as little noise as possible that night, 
not even letting the soft noise of his rustling trousers alert any to his 
movements. 

The young man took off his clothes and let them fall to the floor in a heap 
around him, not bothering to find a chair to rest them on. His hands shook with
nerves and anticipation as he tried to unbutton his shirt and take it off. His 
fingers kept slipping and he shook them in irritation to still them. Once his 
was completely bared he pulled the dressing gown over his head, smoothing the 
soft fabric with his slightly shaking fingers. He wished he could look at 
himself in the mirror…perhaps seeing himself he would be able to gather a little
more confidence, He wanted to see if the face he could not see in the mirror was
the same as the boy before the fire. He was not so sure anymore.

He settled for merely brushing his hair until he could feeling his silken curls
were completely tangle free. He twirled the strands around his fingers to make 
his curls more defined and give them a bounce that Colin had told him looked 
‘Angelic.’ He then rubbed his lips together hard to give them a rosy color, 
pinching his cheeks as well to bring a little life to his pale skin. 

The clock in the hall sounded another hour had passed and he counted the chimes
of the clock in his head until they reached twelve. He decided that it was late
enough that most would have already gone to bed. Many of the guests were leaving
the next day and would want to be getting up early. Besides, if Viggo had not 
come to him by that hour he was certainly not going to at all that night.

Orlando opened his door ever so carefully and leaned his head out, listening for
any sign of movement or activity in the halls. He tilted his head as he 
listened, and when he felt the coast was clear he stepped out with a bare foot,
the other following suite after a moment more of listening. 

His bare feet didn’t make a sound as he padded down the hall across the lush 
imported carpet, counting the number of steps in his head as he went. 

Thirty nine steps from his door to the toilet. 

Fifteen steps from the toilet to the guest room Lord Bale was staying in on the
left side of the hall. Another fifteen to the room that Lord and Lady Pitt were
staying in, and the eighteen to the back staircase. 

There were fourteen stairs to the next floor. 

Once he had carefully climbed the stairs to avoid making any noise. The wooden 
stairs were chilly under his feet, but luckily did not creak with his weight. At
the top of the stairs Orlando carefully found the right side of the hall with 
careful outstretched hands. The paper felt smooth under his fingertips when they
found it, and he let his hands stay against the papered wall as he slowly walked
down the hall, counting the steps until he reached twenty six, signaling that he
had come to the door of Lord Alec Trevelyan Lee’s bedchamber. 

Orlando’s fingers tingled as he reached out to the door handle. He almost could
not bring himself to touch the cool metal a few mere inches away. His body 
refused to move, frozen solid aside from the trembles that ran through him. 

He bit his lower lip almost hard enough to make it bleed, stopping right before 
he broke the delicate skin. He raised his fingers to his lips then and let the 
tip of one slide between the rosy petals, grazing it with his teeth as he tried
to work up his nerves. 

Listening carefully to hear any kind of movement from the other side of the 
door, Orlando finally wrapped his fingers around the knob an turned it, thanking
whoever was looking over him that it was not locked. 

The door was heavy but opened fairly easily, gliding over the carpet that 
covered the floor of the man’s bedchamber. He waited inside for a moment, 
listening to see if Alec was awake and had seen him or if he was asleep and 
unaware. 

The was no noise that indicated the man was awake, and so Orlando carefully 
closed the door behind him and then turned, his back to the sturdy wood. 

He could smell the sulfur from a snuffed candle. 

He could feel a slight breeze from what must have been an open window.

He could faintly hear the steady breathing of a man from across the room. 

That breathing that he could swear he had heard a hundred times before…been 
lulled to sleep by…had woken up to…

He did not need his sight as he was drawn forward towards the sound of the 
breathing. There was nothing in the large room that had thus far obstructed his
steps, and for that he was eternally grateful. He crouched a little lower, and 
let his hands stretch out before him at about the level of his knees, searching
for the linens of the bed. 

His pinky grazed the downy sheets, and he turned to the left to find the bed 
with his other hand as well. The breathing was loud beside him for Orlando to 
know exactly where Alec was laying. 

Taking a deep breath, Orlando placed a hand and a knee on the soft bed, drawing
himself up beside the man. There was a break in Alec’s breathing and Orlando 
knew the man was waking up. He found the man’s stomach with one hand and then 
quickly swung his leg over the waking man’s hips. 

He straddled him with his long legs, the dressing gown riding up over his creamy
thighs and baring them to the slight chill of the room. He placed his splayed 
fingered hands on the powerful chest.



Sean stirred in his sleep, feeling an odd weight atop him. It was the fingers 
that really pulled him from his slumber. He jerked awake, hands instinctually 
grabbing at whatever was atop him. He was surprised to find his fingers wrapped
around slender arms.

The sleep in his eyes was cleared immediately when he realized that it was a 
person sitting atop him, and not just any person…

“Orlando!”

Sean instantly released the arms and tried to sit, but the slight hands on his 
chest pushed him back down into the soft bedding.

“I have been waiting for you.”

The soft voice broke through to the man and he immediately stopped trying to sit
up. He looked up into the face that was illuminated by moonlight, the curls he
had before only imagined now framed that beautiful face with silken perfection. 

“Orlando, what are you doing? You should not be here!” His words did not 
convince even himself as he spoke them.

“Do not make me leave,” Orlando pleaded. 

Before Sean could speak, Orlando stopped his breath as he ran his long fingers 
down his nightshirt clad chest.

“I was sure you would come to me,” Orlando almost whispered to the man below 
him, finding the man’s large hands by running his own down his strong arms, 
clasping them gingerly and bringing them to rest on his bare thighs. He had Sean
run his hands up his thighs until they reached the edges of his downy 
nightshirt, only to then pull them further underneath without the barest hint of
shyness. “But as you kept me waiting I decided to come to you…I have waited far
too long.”

“Orlando…”

Again Sean was cut off as his beautiful beloved took hold of the hem of his 
nightshirt and drew it over his head in one graceful motion, baring the rest of
his heavenly body to Sean’s gaze and memory.

A sort of sigh escaped Sean’s lips as he took in the smooth and still hairless 
skin exposed to him. He saw the graceful dip of the clavicle, the rounded 
shoulders and wide, coffee colored nipples. The rounded buds began to pebble 
before his gaze in the cool room. His lips begged him to lean forward so he 
could accept it between them. His tooth longed to pluck at that tender flesh as
they had been denied for so very long.

Though his mouth still protested, his hands found their home about the slender 
waist, sliding up the curve of Orlando’s back to rest at the dipped small there.
One even strayed higher, the tiny curves of his spine feeling sublime to the 
touch.

Orlando’s thighs spread farther apart to allow himself a better resting place on
the man’s steadily adjusting lap. The boy’s own hands found their way up to 
caress the face that until that moment had been forbidden for his knowing 
fingers. 

Sean’s eyes drifted closed as those gentle digits felt every contour in his 
face. The strong jaw, the chiseled cheekbones, the bump at the bridge of his 
nose. The soft pads rested on his lips and he felt his tongue dart out to taste
that warm flesh, salty sweet as only Orlando could be.

“Why did you make me wait?” Orlando asked, his brows furrowing in need as he 
implored to the man who had filled and broken his heart. 

Sean’s emerald eyes widened as a tear escaped the long lashes that hid the 
shadowy eyes. He lifted a labor coarsened thumb to brush it away and forgot all
pretense he was meant to have upheld.

“I thought you were dead.” The confession slipped from his lips in a coarse 
voice that threatened to brake at any moment. His had moved to cup the cheek he 
had just wiped at with a warm palm, letting Orlando feel the love an devotion he
had been trying to hide ever since he had seen his love in his ballroom those 
many weeks ago.

“And now?” Orlando asked, letting his cheek rest in the other man’s palm.

“Now…I was waiting for the right time.” Sean wished he could explain his whole 
meaning to Orlando but knew from the tone of the beauty’s voice that it did not 
need to be completely laid out.

Orlando once again took Sean’s hand in both his own and brought it to his own 
chest, letting his love feel the steady beating of his heart. “I am alive now,”
he said softly.

Sean drew himself up from where he lay and captured Orlando’s lips with his own,
wrapping one arm about the slender waist and keeping the other on the bed to 
stable himself. 

He kissed Orlando as he had been longing to for weeks, letting his mouth speak 
for him of his undying love, and begging for forgiveness. Orlando’s passionate
kisses returning his and his slender arms wrapped about Sean’s neck told the man
that he was indeed forgiven. 

All that they needed was each other, and now that they had been reunited there 
was nothing else at that moment that mattered. 

Orlando’s long fingers found the hem to Sean’s night shirt and began to draw it
up, breaking the seal of their lips only long enough to pull the fabric over the
man’s head. As soon as it was off, Orlando leaned forward to find his lips again
and continue their kiss. Sean helped his sightless companion and tugged the rest
of the shirt from his arms and tossed it to the side. 

Now that they were both bared to the other’s hands all hesitation was forgotten,
and their arms wrapped about each other, Orlando’s thighs holding firm to Sean’s
hips. He lightly ground his hips against his lover’s lap, gasping when the head
of the stiffening penis below him grazed ever so slightly against his furled 
pink opening.

“Sean!” Orlando cried softly as he let his head of tousled curls fall back, 
knowing he was safe in his love’s embrace.

Sean let his lips fall back from where they had been worshiping the sensitive 
skin of Orlando’s neck. He looked up to see Orlando’s angelic face where it was
thrown back in ecstasy. “Say it again,” he begged, relishing the sound of his 
true name on his beloved’s lips.

“Sean,” Orlando moaned, letting his fingers glide up the other man’s muscled 
back. He thought of the first moment he saw Sean so long ago, shirtless and god
like in the sun. He could see him now in his mind, how handsome he looked then.
The hair that ran through his fingers now was longer…and the beard that tickled
and reddened his lips was new, yet not unpleasant. He preferred the man shaved,
or even with a slight stubble that left a heavenly burn to his lips that 
reminded him of their kisses for hours after.

He let his fingers stroke the new beard and longer hair as he spread little 
kisses over the man’s jaw and cheeks, over his lips and across his eyes, 
remembering them as his poor eyes could not. Though a beard had grown where
there had not been one before and his hair had lengthened to his shoulders, it 
was still the same Sean that Orlando had fallen in love with. 

While Sean caressed Orlando’s body with gentle touches and hot kisses, Orlando
suckled upon his own fingers, wetting them and readying them for himself. He 
reached back, raising himself a little onto his knees so he could reach behind 
and sink his fingers into his own body. 

He had preferred to not be prepared at all the times he coupled with Colin. He 
wanted the burn to remind him of why he was allowing the man inside his body. He
wanted that ache to remind him of who he truly longed for.

Now as he prepared himself for his lover, he thought of the times when Sean had
done this for him. He loved the feel of the man’s digits inside him, and the 
thoughts alone excited him beyond belief. As Sean’s lips closed around one of 
his peaked nipples, Orlando’s middle finger found the spongy nub deep inside 
himself that make him lurch in pleasure. He drew Sean’s head closer to his 
chest, urging his love to pleasure him further with his teeth and tongue. 

The hot muscle slid in lazy circles around his taut bud, the pearly teeth 
sending waves of pleasure through Orlando’s body. He withdrew his fingers and 
lifted himself further onto his knees.

Sean gasped when he felt Orlando take hold of his cock, first applying soft 
strokes and then wrapping around the length and guiding it to his opening. Sean
let Orlando lead the hard flesh into his clenching port and threw his head back
as the head of his member finally slipped in.

Orlando buried his face in Sean’s neck to stifle any noises he would make and 
sank down further, letting the flesh bore into him inch by incredible inch. He 
felt strong arms wrap around him and he almost came to tears again at the feel
of the secure embrace that he had once forced himself to believe he would never
feel again. He just held Sean in his arms, not moving, merely feeling the man he
was wrapped around and who filled him so perfectly.

Sean wrapped his arms tight around Orlando’s slender form, resting his face in 
the crook of Orlando’s soft neck, inhaling his familiar scent. Still so familiar
after so long. 

There nestled deep in Orlando’s body and arms Sean finally allowed himself to 
cry. He was finally whole again after being broken, the missing piece finally 
returned. He could feel hot tears on his own shoulder and knew that Orlando was
crying as well. 

Sean tightened his arms about Orlando, feeling the arms about his neck tighten 
as well. Now that they both had each other, neither was willing to let the other
go.


TBC…
please oh please review