Home for Christmas
Title: Home for Christmas
Recipient: _runningmascara
Pairing: Orlando/Karl
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Orlando receives a Christmas surprise.
Cooking always managed to keep Orlando's mind off things that were bothering him. Today, chopping vegetables for salad was to keep him from worrying about his boyfriend's travel plans and impending arrival. As much as he travelled himself, he always worried about his loved ones en route. Truthfully, he worried too much, but it made him a great cook.
In the background, the Christmas music he'd turned on played softly, reminding him that he would have company soon enough. He mouthed the words to "[Christmas] Baby Please Come Home," swinging his hips, and cutting to the rhythm of the music.
He started as strong arms suddenly wrapped around his waist, but he set the knife down before he cut himself. He turned around smiling.
"I didn't think you'd be home until late tonight!" he said, placing a kiss on Karl's full lips.
Karl smiled into the kiss. "I got an earlier flight, so I thought I'd surprise you."
"You did." Orlando looked over Karl's shoulder. "Did you let Sidi out? I didn't hear him bark."
"That lump was asleep in his bed when I came in. I hope you don't use him for protection when I'm gone." Karl reached around Orlando to snatch a piece of cucumber from the cutting board before Orlando could smack his hand. He popped the pilfered treat into his math with a satisfied smirk. "Mmm. You must have been worried, hey?"
"You really shouldn't taunt with a knife-wielding bloke, you know."
Karl snorted and leaned against the counter, watching as Orlando resumed slicing vegetables. "What can I say? You're adorable when you're dancing and cooking. I almost didn't want to disturb you. Were you planning to invite your other boyfriend over for dinner tonight?"
"Nope. I just know that my only boyfriend is always starving when he gets home from the other side of the world. I thought we could have a late, late dinner, but since he's home now, we can have ourselves a proper Christmas dinner. And if you're lucky, we can even have a special dessert later . . ."
"Cheeky bugger," Karl chuckled, giving Orlando's rear a firm smack. "I'm going to shower."
Orlando shook his head, grinning to himself, as he began shaking his hips to the music again. Seeing his parents and Sam had been great, but he'd resigned himself to spending Christmas night alone. This was the best present he could have received.
As Orlando set the pasta on the table next to the salad, Karl wandered back into the kitchen with Sidi on his heels.
"No," Orlando told the big black mutt firmly as he sniffed at the edge of the table.
Obediently, Sidi sat back on his heels, waiting patiently for his master to drop the entire bowl of pasta on the floor.
Karl scrubbed a hand over Sidi's head affectionately before he sat down.
"How are the boys?" Orlando asked, as they tucked into their meal.
"Good. Of course, they weren't happy about me leaving Christmas Eve. And they kept asking why you couldn't come with me."
Orlando smiled fondly. "Work sounds like such a terrible excuse, but it's not like you can explain contracts to a six-year-old. At least you were there for them. And back for me. Besides, we'll have them next year for Christmas."
"I told them that, which pacified them a bit. They loved the games, by the way. And they sent presents back for you, too, but they're in my bag upstairs, so you'll have to wait."
"No rush," Orlando replied, pouring them each a glass of wine. "As much as I love the boys, I'm glad it's Natalie's year with them. It means I get you all to myself."
Karl tapped his glass against Orlando's, and then took a sip. "So what have you been up to in my absence? You weren't too bereft, were you?"
"Unfortunately, no. I've been busy with the charity work I had lined up. Appearances and that. A couple of small interviews. Nothing exciting, though. Just: 'Orlando, when do you and Karl plan to tie the knot?' That sort of thing. It gets old, fast."
"Love, I've told you hundreds of times, we can go to Canada . . ."
Orlando rolled his eyes. "I don't need government recognition to prove that I love you. I've told you that."
"Whatever you want. You just sounded tetchy."
"I'm just tired of these reporters asking the same questions. Maybe I need a vacation." He paused. "I'm sorry--you're the one who just spent an entire day on a plane."
"Orlando," Karl said, reaching across the table to grab his hand. "It's all right. I was just as mad without you; I'm just too tired to talk about it."
They finished their meal and cleared the table together. Orlando washed the dishes while Karl dried. They had a dishwasher, of course, but preferred the companionship of doing chores together.
Orlando took the towel from Karl and leaned back against the counter as he dried his hands. "I missed you," he said softly.
"I missed you, too," Karl replied, taking the towel back from Orlando and tossing it on the counter.
He cupped Orlando's face in his broad hands and leaned into kiss him softly. Orlando made a noise low in his throat, wrapping his arms around Karl's waist to pull him closer. The friction of their proximity made Karl gasp into Orlando's mouth.
"Couldn't do this if the boys were here," Orlando whispered into Karl's mouth.
"Bedroom," Karl growled, fairly dragging Orlando up the stairs.
Unsurprisingly, it was Orlando who fell asleep afterward. The older man traced the strong line of Orlando's jaw with his knuckles. "Babe?" he whispered.
Orlando mumbled something unintelligible and rolled onto his side, cuddling a pillow to his chest. Karl sighed fondly. Careful not to disturb him, he stood and stretched. When he opened the bedroom door, he found an anxious Sidi waiting to go out one last time before bed.
Karl shivered slightly at the chilly sliding-glass door, staring out at the dark London night while Sidi did his business. He was incredibly tired, no doubt, but too wound-up to fall right to sleep. Flying from New Zealand to London was rough--no matter how many times he'd done it, it never seemed to get any easier.
Six years ago, after he and Natalie had called off the wedding, Karl had flown to England, mostly for a change of scenery. Naturally, he bumped into Orlando. One thing led to another and here they were. Karl couldn't imagine what his life would have been like if he'd married Natalie. His life was just too well settled now, and Natalie had her new husband, anyway.
Sidi barked, pulling Karl out of his thoughts. He let the dog in and headed back upstairs. Orlando was just the way he left him, curled around his pillow. Sidi bounded into the room and jumped on the bed, but nothing could wake Orlando--certainly not the giant canine he treated like a member of the family.
Karl nudged Sidi out of the way and spooned up behind Orlando. His body was like a furnace compared to the chill outside. With Orlando in his arms and Sidi heating up his feet, Karl fell into a deep slumber, thankful to be home for Christmas.