A COMBINATION OF FORCES

above banner by punk_pony

Title: Combination of Forces 2/???)
Authors: rufferto and punk_pony @ Livejournal
Editing: By punk_pony
Rating: NC-17 because we know you love it
Pairing: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson / Karl Urban
Summary: In the spirit of Doom's opening in theaters, a story of how Dwayne and Karl find salvation... and something more... in a most unlikely place.
Disclaimer: Don't own them, this didn't happen. Not making any money. This is just for entertainment. This is just a figment of our overactive imaginations.
Dedication: My part in this fic dedicated to Lozateazer@livejournal.com and Hickorynut@livejournal.com

My Note : Punk pony's Karl Urban is my inspiration for this fic. I could not have even remotely attempted this with anyone else. She is a fantastic writer, and a wonderful friend.

If nothing else, we knew we were on the right track when we came across the Comiccon video where Dwayne told the audience, "Now Karl know why they call me 'The Rock'..."

*****


Karl stands tolerantly as the make-up girls pat fake blood onto a prosthetic cut above his eye when the call for the fight scene rings across the studio. They're on set in one of the darkest levels of the labs, a scene that concentrates on Sarge and Reaper alone. Well, save for the chick..

Karl slants a glance in Rosamund's direction, his expression dubious. The youthful looking woman has been making soft, purring comments to him all morning. Hell, she's been doing it for a week and a half. And while he might not have noticed it before, he now finds it unsettling with Dwayne's presence always warmly at his back. Karl returns his attention to the makeup women, offering them a brief smile as they nod their approval, and moves toward his position for the scene...

On the set, Dwayne's been a force to be reckoned with. Every movement he makes is precise and perfect, and he lets nothing distract him. They are taking a very short break and Dwayne is on his cell phone while the make up artists touch him up.

"Yes... yes. Not now, Dany. Look, I'm just about to go into a scene. Okay, that's fine. Thanks. Yeah, yeah okay. ...Bye." he spares a glance at Karl, and gives him a smile of encouragement. It doesn't appear to be an argument of any kind. He clicks the cell off and stashes it in his pocket. "Right, lets get this together, men." he gives Rosamund a wide smile, "And women."

A split second later he's 'Sarge', fully into character as the cameras begin to roll and they all start running down the corridors, dragging Rosamund with them.

*******

Karl is deep in his Reaper persona when the director yells 'Cut!' Startled, he lowers his weapon, then blinks and leans against the heavy iron of the hallway's frame, suddenly aware that he's fighting a severe erection inside his tight, Kevlar pants... Christ...

It'd been like this all day, too. Working so close to Dwayne was having a visceral reaction that he jsut couldn't seem to suppress. The only consolation, he muses with a grin, is that his lover is obviously in no better condition. Dwayne shoots him a wincing glance as he hands the BFG off to a prop master.

Rosamund's presence is suddenly at Karl's shoulder, surprising him as she murmurs, "nice take, hon" in her cultured British accent. Karl's head tilts, but his gaze is focused on Dwayne's eyes, and what he can read in them..

Dwayne is doing his best to smile around his own erection, approaching Karl and Rosamund slowly. "Excellent work, Rosa, Karl, everyone." He rests a hand on Karl's shoulder and squeezes it good-naturedly. It is, however, just an excuse to touch him. Dwayne lets a slight flicker betray him in his eyes, but only to Karl. He's so glad that take worked because he doesn't think he'd make it through another. He's bad enough off as it is...

Rosamund slides up to Karl, and puts an arm around his waist, "Lets go get some lunch, hm? brother dear?" She's noticed something's been up with Karl in the last week or so. He's been acting strangely around her. Slowly, the slim woman's lips curl in a smile. Karl msut want her rather badly, then... especially if that bulge in his costume is any indication...

Dwayne clears his throat, and shakes his head as he intervenes on Rosamund's plans, "Sorry, Rosa. Karl and I have some lines to go over for the next scene." he points her in the direction of the actor who portrays the kid. "The Kid'll take ya out, though."

Karl nearly snorts at Rosamund's expression of mixed disappointment and distaste. She looks to him in obvious appeal for another option, but he can only shrug bemusedly, "sorry, luv... y'know work. Dwayne'n I got ta get this hostility down just right..." She seems about to protest, so Karl quickly continues, "I'll catch up with you in the messs hall, soon as I'm done, okay?"

That seems to humor the actress, and she nods a bit airily, "I'll see you soon then, darling." and strolls away..

Karl sighs, rolling his eyes at her retreating back before turning to Dwayne with an arche expression on his face, "...so... you were saying something about 'rehearsing'...?"

"Urban!" an abrupt voice cut's off Karl's inquiry, drawing the attention of both him and Dwayne. "Wardrobe needs to see you in five!"

Karl's groan becomes a curse, glancing down at the... situation.. in his pants. "Oh Crikey Dick."

Dwayne throws back his head and laughs.

*************


Karl is rummaging in a storage closet on set when Dwayne sneaks up behind him and finds that particular spot along his ribs, pulling the shorter man back against his chest.

Karl very nearly Shrieks like a woman as he abruptly manipulated, flailing and nearly dropping his hold on a set of light bulbs. "Christ on a -Bike!-" Turning around, his mouth sags open when Dwayne actually -giggles.- Karl eyes him dubiously "...you did not just giggle, did you?"

Dwayne counters, "you screeched like a woman." and leans in to kiss karl's neck softly, his arms closing more tightly around his lover, kicking the door to the closet shut behind him.

Karl tilts his head, twists and leans into the larger man, "...you exploited my weakness." he murmurs.

dwayne grins, "yea, and I'm about to exploit a few more." The bigger man's fingers run down karls sides to his hips and hook into his jeans. He adds, "and I don't giggle... I dont know -what- you are talking about."

Karl smirks, giving in to the pull and pressing the length of his body against Dwayne's, his hands slipping under his lover's arms and around his shoulders. "Oh, You giggled, luv. And just wait until GQ hears about it" he grins

Dwayne growls and nips at a particular spot just under Karl’s ear. He pulls his fingers around the waistband of the other's jeans and flips the top button loose. His fingers are dangerously close to a certain hard length. "You sure you want to do that?" he whispers silkily, breath ghosting near his lover's ear.

Karl's breath stalls in his throat, hips instinctively pressing closer to that teasing hand. He grins slowly, resting his palms on Dwayne's large biceps, feeling their strength, "...are you threatening to withhold sex if I tell?"

Dwayne's fingers dance around near that particular area, the zipper slowly pulling down. "Maybe, thanks for the idea, think I might have to use that." he licks his way to Karl's lips. "You really are your own worst enemy sometimes, you know."

"dammit.." Karl murmurs into Dwayne's mouth, opening to slide their tongues together, kissing him slowly as he rocks his hips forward. When they break for air, Karl purrs, "y'know, if I don't get sex.. Neither do you.." his hands slide from Dwayne's arms, down to his hips, drawing them flush to each other

"hmoh" Dwayne lifts Karl up onto the countertop in the small storage space. "what were you looking for in here anyway?" he questions distractedly as he pulls Karl’s jeans down.

Karl thrills at the completely alien sensation of being lifted, handled. He laughs slowly at Dwayne's question, "...would you believe, scouting places for a quickie?" He reaches out, kicking his jeans off and opening his knees. He pulls Dwayne between them and rests his hands on his lover's shoulders, fingers caressing the nape of his neck, "..actually... the trailer needs light bulbs.."

"I wouldnt put it past you, darlin'." he runs his fingers up the inside of Karl's thighs and connects their lips in a searing kiss. "How do you feel about being thoroughly fucked right here and now. There is no lock, but that’s the fun of it." he unbuckles his belt.

"Darlin'..." Karl trails off and chuckles, watching with hot eyes as Dwayne opens up his pants and drags the zipper down. His own shaft is hard and arching hungrily up against his abs. He slowly peels his shirt off, scooting to the edge of the counter
"how do you -think- I feel about it?"

Dwayne grins somewhat ferally, "you don't like darlin?" He runs a hand along his lovers hard shaft slowly.

"I've never been called it.." Karl watches Dwayne's hands distractedly, his own dropping to Dwayne's pants to hurry the process of getting them off. He slips his fingers inside the opened front zipper and closes them around his lover's cock, "..ah, there you are.." Karl smirks..

"mmmm.." Dwayne murmurs, "then I'm happy to be the first." his hips instinctively thrust forward into Karl's grip. He leans in to bend his head and lap at his lovers nipples, rolling one over his tongue while his hands work on Karl's shaft. He's already aching to bury himself into his lover. Has wanted to since the morning. Nights are too far ahead to wait for. "You shouldn’t wear these jeans, they make me want to press you up against a wall and take you right on set.."

Karl laughs, "I'd say that's a reason I -should- wear them, luv.." He sighs, half-groaning when Dwayne teases him. Karl pulls him free of his pants, urging him closer by his hold on the larger man's cock. He squeezes the length, murmuring, "..been thinking about you all day.."

"Me too," Dwayne inches closer, his lips work their way back up to Karl's mouth and he commands it to him with another kiss. "I watched you saunter around on the set all day, Darlin'. If I was a suspicious man, I'd say you were moving that way on purpose. Y'know, Rosamund was beginning to wonder why I was so damn distracted all day. I've had a hard-on since eleven..." He pulls Karl a bit towards the edge of the counter and one hand drifts down his lover's spine.

Obligingly, Karl opens his legs wider and hooks his bent knees over Dwayne's hips, his heels pressing his lover closer, until their groin slide together heatedly, "..nnhhh...She probably thought the hard on was for her.." He sounds sarcastic, and amused. And maybe possessive too. Karl's arms tighten around Dwayne's neck, licking at his lover's lower lip with intense interest..

Dwayne loves that, he really loves it when Karl uses his tongue. "Mmm hmmm," he rumbles and tugs up his pants briefly so he can fish the lube from his pocket. Then he kicks them off. He pulls off his shirt and revels in the heat generated from their bodies.

"She seems to think the world exists for her." He cradles Karl a moment in his arms, just experiencing him, feeling him. He wants him badly, but sex isn't all he wants. He runs a hand from the top of Karl's head all the way down his spine. "Fast or slow?" he whispers.

Karl arches beneath the caress like a greedy cat. He hardly acknowledges they’re still talking about Rosamund, murmuring only, "she'd have kittens if she saw..." he trails off, pressing against the incredible heat of Dwayne's body, hands tracing the smooth, hairless lines of his lover's chest. People think Dwayne shaves, but this is just how he is.. this hot.. "slow," he whispers, legs tightening around his lover's waist, no thought to the public that moves beyond this closet..

"Indeed," Dwayne chuckles. One arm bulges slightly as he lifts Karl up to rest on his hips. He supports him with that arm, using the counter for balance and added support. Their cocks press together, hot friction created by the movement. Its not time yet to enter Karl, not yet. "Slow then," he shifts his legs, one knee bent slightly as he uses the counter top to control Karl's weight for the moment. His free hand roams up and down his lover's body, urging him to hook his arms over his shoulders. He manages, with difficulty, to extract some lube and swath his fingers with it. "This is where muscles come in handy," he winks at the kiwi.

Karl is mesmerized by the strength Dwayne displays. He wraps himself around his lover's body in the way the larger man desires, breath catching as their cocks rub together. "Jesus, you're bloody hott..." Muscles indeed. Karl shifts, the roll of his hips rubbing their shafts against each other, veritably purring as heat sizzles along his nerve endings. He nibbles on Dwayne's collarbone, lapping at tangy, exotic tasting skin.

Dwayne grins, "Likewise," he nuzzles his cheek against Karl's lips and his fingers gently find that warm, tight space, nudging his buttocks apart. He loves it when Karl wraps around him like this. Its a warmth that he has no idea how he could have dealt without for so long. He doesn't want to ever go without it again. He gently presses against the teasing space he knows he'll soon fill, his finger swirling around the edge, not entering. "Is it me you want, Karl? Hmmm?" He teases his lover as his arm muscle begins to bulge more with the slight strain. He revels in it as much as he revels in Karl. His skin twitches where Karl licks at him, inciting warmth. Their cocks rub together as he shifts them again. God, he's hard as a ... he grins and chuckles low.

Karl's breath becomes heavy, his body shifting and writhing in limited give he has between their forms. He relaxes instinctively against the pressure of Dwayne's fingers, making a low, restless noise in his throat when his lover doesn't push his fingers into him. "..you know I want you, Dwayne..don't tease.." The rough slide of his tongue against the larger man's shoulder becomes the rasp of teeth, Karl nipping at the tendon that twitches as Dwayne tightens his hold on him. He sucks without restrain on the patch of skin, knowing his lover's tan will hide the bruise.. "..what's so funny?"

Dwayne smiles broadly as he slips a finger into the tight space, "the fact that I'm as hard as a rock, Karl." he whispers low and kisses the side of his lover's head. His body shivers and twitches under the onslaught, apparently enjoying the feel of Karl's lips doing exactly what they are doing. He delves a little into the maddening warmth of the other man's body, adding a second finger almost immediately. He knows what Karl wants.

"ah, god yes, jus' like that..." Karl murmurs, his muscles tightening and relaxing around the intrusion of fingers. Shifting, he aids Dwayne in finding that one spot inside him, and when the larger man does Karl shudders loosely, his head falling back, darkly luminous eyes meeting Dwayne's. Something hot and electric flows between them, the current deeper than just their bodies' physical reaction to one another. It's something alive that's been growing with every night spent in each other's arms, since that first night more than a week ago... Karl can't explain it, and for now he's content not to. Cupping his hand at the nape of Dwayne's neck, he rubbs himself closer to his lover as he pulls his mouth down to his own, kissing him hungrily

Dwayne growls low in his throat at the insistent kiss, pulling at Karl's tongue with his own and offering a playful duel which he always concedes. He plays and plays with that spot, tingling the bundle of nerves until he decides that Karl can't take it much longer. He slips his fingers out, and uses both hands this time to lift Karl up. He strains under the weight, for Karl is not small. He shifts, as though he might lose his balance, but does not, and slides his cock into place, "Ready?" he asks softly, panting. He's just at the entrance, the head of his cock just nudging within.

Karl is half mindless from Dwayne's attention to the sensitive gland inside him, blunt fingers gripping at his lover's back as he slowly releases him from the kiss, breathing heavily and dropping his forehead to Dwayne's shoulder, "..yess, fuck, get on with it.." He knows he must be an effort to hold up, but he can't help the hungry shifting of his body, trying to impale himself on his lover's length, near whining, "c'mon, baby.."

Dwayne gasps under the strain, bench-pressing the 200 odd weight of Karl Urban is no easy task, but well worth it as his aching cock begins to slide into the tightness he's come to nearly die for wanting. Thank god for the counter top, for he is able to rest part of the weight there, he thrusts upward. "Coming, Darlin', coming." He decides he likes this particular term, letting it purr off his tongue as he presses forth. So tight still. Dwayne can hardly breathe for a few moments as he finally sheathes himself entirely within Karl. "fuck...fuck..." he rasps. "So damn good, always so damn good. Warm, tight....Karl..." he moans sharply feeling the sensation rattle around his body. He can't get over how good it feels, how -right-.

Karl clutches at Dwayne's shoulders, groaning softly as his lover slides into his passage, his thick girth filling every part of him in just the right way. He uses the support of the countertop to press back against Dwayne, his legs tightening, mouth fastening to the larger man's Adam’s apple, sucking greedily. If anyone else in this world called him 'Darlin',' he'd probably crack the wanker a good one... but hearing it on Dwayne's lips is somehow.. good god, it's so good. It's like having a place, somehow... a place with this man..

When Karl’s legs tighten around him, he can’t hold back any longer. He has to move, he has to feel the friction of those tight walls. "That’s it, yeah…" Beads of sweat break out over his forehead as he half whimpers, half coos. "Damn," he manages to get a hold on his breathing, going through all of his training in his mind as he steadies himself. Its no good to go too fast like this. Nice and slow. As if he’s lifting weights. He moves his body in time with his thrusts in one sleek motion, pulling out and in, grazing across that spot every now and then. Its one hell of a workout. He nudges at the side of Karl’s head with his own, "Sorry, can’t touch you….hands too full…" he kisses and licks at what he can reach, nibbling on an ear.

Karl can feel the way Dwayne strains, pumping into him slowly, fully, so that his cockhead nudges against his prostate in a delicious way. He shifts, trying to aid his lover, rhythmically clenching his inner muscles around his shaft, then releasing. A low purr answers Dwayne's rich voice, nuzzling at the larger man's temple, murmuring breathlessly, "..push me..nnh...push me against the wall...leverage.."

Dwayne shifts, causing a couple of canisters to fall from the nearby shelf and make a rather loud crashing noise. He uses the wall as instructed, the pressure now alleviated from his arms, at least one of them anyway for he has to hold Karl steady. "so good, Karl." he murmurs against his lover’s neck, just nibbling and licking. With his hand finally free, he slips it between them to grasp Karl’s cock. He slowly moves in and out of the other man, teasing with an almost painful speed while his thumb and fingers begin to stimulate the already leaking shaft. "So good, so good…" he groans. He can’t do this slowly anymore, he has to gain speed. The shelf nearby is hardly steady and shakes with every powerful thrust

Karl is startled into a laugh when they move, clinging to his lover as he presses him into the wall. "we're gonna get caught..." The laughing tone melts into a moan when Dwayne's hand closes around his cock, arching and nearly fucking himself on the larger man's length. "oh godd.." He all but whimpers his gratitude when Dwayne finally, -finally- quickens his pace, his short nails dragging along his lover's back as he rides the exquisite force of each thrust, no longer caring about the noise they make.

"Don’t worry, under control…" Dwayne grunts, he’s far from under control, but the last thing he wants to worry about is being caught. All he wants is to feel Karl’s body quiver and shake with abandon. Faster and faster he works at touching that spot, grazing it, loving it, as fills his lover. And Karl rides down on him with every matching stroke against the warm shaft that enjoys the friction between their stomachs, cocooned in Dwayne’s large hand. There’s something awfully loud banging on the shelf with each contact Dwayne makes with it. It must be loose, and could probably fall at any minute and cause quite a ruckus. With any luck no one is passing in the hallway.

Karl isn't hearing the banging of the shelves. He's focused on the soft, extremely sexy grunt of his Lover's efforts as he slides deeply into him. He gasps into Dwayne's sweat slick neck, feeling his body tighten as he nears his limit, "..ah fuck..ahn, Dwayne.." His voice falters, body locking tight around his lover's cock, the friction between them incredible. A bone-deep shudder ripples up his spine, head dropping back to hit the wall with a sharp 'Thud' as a shout bursts past his lips, and then he's coming. -Hard.-

Karl’s body tightens around his cock, sending Dwayne careening over the edge. Its all he can do to keep them upright as he growls Karl’s name and his warm seed fills the shuddering inner walls of his lover. Dwayne’s hands both grasp Karl to him now, holding him in place while his body trembles, every muscle tingling inside and out with the sheer explosion of mind numbing ecstasy. Every time, its new, its amazing. Dwayne pants, his chest heaving as he falls against Karl, just barely holding him up now. "Karl…Karl…" he chants softly, nuzzling at his lover’s neck.

Karl's pleasure climbs higher when he feels Dwayne empty himself into him. Darkness hedges on his vision, and he has to struggle not to go limp in his lover's hands. The weight of the larger man's form into his own is a comfort, and he wraps himself around Dwayne more tightly, tipping his head to one side for the larger man's nuzzling, trying to get his breathing back under control... "..s'good...we're good at this..." he murmurs, half slurring his words, his inner muscles still reflexively tightening and easing around his lover's cock, milking his length for the vestiges of his seed.

"Very good, so very good, god, you're perfect--" Dwayne revels in the feel of their mutual orgasm, in Karl, in everything that brings them together like this.

But suddenly, they come crashing down from the heights to the sound of a woman’s voice outside the storage closet door. Dwayne uses his body to shield Karl as much as he can, but it may not be enough as someone actually starts to open the door...

"Rats, I’m sure I heard them!" Rosamund’s shrill voice can be heard. "Making noise in the walls! I hate rats!"

She goes silent, then, and there’s a sharp gasp. Dwayne’s voice rumbles low, "Rose, just close the door."

"Dwayne?" her shock is clear in her voice, but she immediately gathers her wits proving what kind of person she really is and drags at the custodian who hasn’t seen anything yet. "No not in here, sorry." she mumbles. "My mistake." the door closes and Rosamund's shrill voice can be heard dragging the custodian elsewhere. Anywhere but the supply closet.

Karl's body has gone tight and still, his arms clutching Dwayne close to him in shocked silence. When Rosamund closes the door, he gasps out his held breath, head dropping to Dwayne's shoulder, "Bloody fuck..." Pressing his face into Dwayne's throat, he tries to press closer, resenting this intrusion and the consequences he knows are to come. He lifts his head, cupping Dwayne's jaw and drawing their cheeks against one another, offering a weak, humorless laugh in Dwayne's ear, "..this may.. be a problem, eh?.."

Shifting, he starts to loosen the grip of his legs around his lover's hips.. but Dwayne is still inside him, and he's not ready to separate himself from the larger man yet...

Dwayne is tense, his muscles drawn tight as he tries to relax and think. At first he doesn’t respond, then he slowly begins to breath evenly again. "Yea, it could be." he draws Karl to him and wraps his arms around his lover. He has no idea how Rosamund is going to react, but the fact that she stepped back, that she didn’t cause a scene. That says something.

Dwayne nuzzles Karl’s cheek and kisses him gently. He runs a hand up and down the length of his lover’s body. They are both slick with sweat, him especially. He’s just had one hell of a workout. "mmm. I don’t think she’ll cause trouble." there’s a brave sound to his voice, but the worry is there. He remains within Karl, his heartbeat steadying and his muscles relaxing once again. "It’ll be alright." he reassures him. "God, that was good, Karl. You were…that was…" he has no words. "Every time with you is new…"

Karl's palms smooth along Dwayne's shoulders, soothing him, folding into his arms warmly when the larger man hugs him close. His breath shudders from his chest, meeting Dwayne's lips with his own, 'hmm'ing his agreement, "..we're rather good at this, aren't we.." He stirs again, face resting in the curve of his lover's throat, his body slow to cool in the closed space of the closet. After a moment, he speaks with quieter tones, "...we should get out of here... Rosamund... she's..." He shrugs faintly, and this time when his legs loosen their grip, he's prepared to slip to the floor. It's only just now coming to him what kind of trouble they could be in. People get fired for shite like this all the time... It's not the Ring's set, where they lived in such close proximity that fucking was inevitable. This place is complete professionalism, on a movie set with absolutely no romantic aspects..
Fuck, why is he risking things now? Why does the closeness of Dwayne's intoxicating body make him lose his mind??

"..Dwayne.." Karl voice is near whisper. He finds he can't say the words he probably should say ,"..we have to be more careful.."

Dwayne nods softly, "We are." His arms wrap tightly around his lover, holding him as though shutting out the world, reluctantly letting him go when he has to slide down to his feet. "Yeah, Rose isn't going to talk though. She's okay..." he hopes, anyway. He doesn’t know her that well, he just always likes to think the best of people. His ragged breathing slowly begins to ease as he holds his lover. "We will be more careful, I'm sorry. Whatever happens though, Just remember. I'm here for you." he tells his lover, "I won't let anyone hurt you, or us." With a gentle tug he pulls Karl back into his arms and hugs him once again. "We're in this together."

Despite his self-admonitions, Karl leans his neck into the warm touch at his neck, opening and absorbing the kiss with banked hunger. He looks up as Dwayne continues, frowning when the larger man talks of wanting to protect him. He's not a possession, or some prize.. but somehow he knows that Dwayne doesn’t mean it that way. When the larger man pulls him into his arms, Karl falls into that heat and solidity gratefully. He breathes the musk of his lover deeply, then slowly allow him to step away and reach for his clothes.

Karl's keen gaze catches the faltering expression on his lover's feature, and his lips thin pensively. His inside clench, aching to wipe that look from Dwayne's face. Turning, he drops his shirt and reaches for the larger man, cupping his palms around Dwayne's jaw line and drawing his face near his own, "..hey...s'ok... I want this, too, remember?" He smiles faintly, stepping closer still, "..I like what happens between us.."

Dwayne smiles slowly, reassured. he kisses at the fingers near his lips. He'd only just managed to get his pants on when he has to wrap his arms around Karl again. "I'm glad you do," he whispers softly. "Because I've never met anyone like you before, Karl." he reaches up and smoothes back his lover's hair. "You make me want to protect you, to ... " he catches himself. "cherish you. But you aren't .... I don't know. You're more real than anything I've ever had, if that makes sense. More solid. And I want this, more of this. More of you. More of us. I wish it could be easier. I don't like hiding." he leans into Karl's fingers. "Just don't walk away."

"I won't walk away.." Karl whispers, feeling immensely humbled by the honesty in this man's confessions. He's suddenly willing to brave any consequences for the devotion he's received from Dwayne, for the feeling of connection, not just physically, but in mind and... and heart as well.

God, but this is a dangerous line to walk.

Karl kisses Dwayne's lips lightly, hushing him gently, "..y'don't need to protect me, luv.. I can do that much myself..." He can see the larger man wants to interject, but he continues in a quieter tone, "..just protect -us,- eh? that’s what matters to me..."

"Yes, us." Dwayne thrills in the idea of it and in the feel of the sweet kiss he receives from Karl. He smiles warmly, every ounce of what he's feeling in his eyes. The world is going to have to deal with some things, he decides. Not yet, but soon. He won't give up Karl Urban. Slowly he draws on the rest of his clothing, wishing that he didn't have to, but they do have to face the music when it comes to the young woman who found them just now. What she's going to do, he doesn't know.

When finally, they're ready to go out Dwayne wipes the sweat from his brow, and sighs. He takes Karl's hand in his and squeezes it. He opens the door briefly and checks the hallway. There's no one there, so he draws Karl out, reluctantly letting go of his lover's hand as they both walk down the hallway.

Around the corner is the woman they were both dreading to see. "Karl, Dwayne." Rosamund says coolly, her eyes fixed on Karl, a man she's wanted since the film began.

Dwayne smiles at her, "Hi Rosa..." but she cuts him off..

"I suppose all the rumors were correct that I heard about you, Karl Urban." she says scathingly. From her tone, its Karl she blames.

Karl's posture is comfortable, the slightly rumpled state of his clothing only enhancing the roguish appeal to him. He smiles indulgently at Rosamund, and to anyone who didn't know any better, He appears completely undisturbed by her accusation.

...But Dwayne is one of the rare few who knows better, and in Karl's smile there is a tightening around the mouth and eyes, as if he's in pain. "What rumors would that be, Rosa, luv?" He drawls gently, and in his eyes there is the expectancy of a blow, as if a creature waiting to be hit, and the acceptance and tolerance that it must happen...

Dwayne's surprise is clear, he certainly had not expected to hear such venom in Rosa's tone. "Rosa? Don't be..." he pauses and looks at Karl. Then he remembers, Karl doesn’t want to be protected. He plasters on a lazy smile. "don’t tell me you listen to rags, Rosa."

Rosamund's eyes swing to the larger man, "Dwayne, you cant get messed up with him" she insists.

"Why is it your business?" Dwayne asks calmly, carefully not looking at Karl.

"...Because you're too good for him." She gestures with one skinny arm, "Ask Mark Ferguson..." and a smirk forms on her lips, "..I hear that’s another marriage Karl walked into."

"Rosamund." Karl's voice never changes in volume, but where tolerance had been there is now the sense of a warning. He doesn't look at Dwayne, doesn't deny Rosa's words. He just tips his head to one side, the dark heat of his tawny eyes trained on the woman.

Rosa's smirk thins into a hard expression, and she's like a child testing the limits of a dog's chain, "What's Wrong, Karl? Does it burn you that you couldn't coax Mark away from his loving wife? I heard you were his bum boy for months-"

"-Rosa.-" And this time, there's clearly a threat to Karl's quiet tone. The fact that he suddenly looks tired does nothing to lessen that threat,

Dwayne's expression of surprise turns into a scowl, "...I know you didn’t mean that, hon. Give us a break, eh?" he switches from scowl to smile, in attempt to turn on the charm. "Karl's from New Zealand. Lots of rumors around that movie, I wouldn’t pay attention to them all..." In his casual way, Dwayne touches Rosa's shoulder, "Let up now, I know your disappointed, but hon, plenty of men out there,"

Rose pauses, then relaxes her venom, smiling at Dwayne slightly, "you think so?"

Dwayne nods, "I know so, meet you for a drink later?"

She nods, "alright," appeased. she eyes Karl and slowly sighs, exhaling "sorry, Karl. I am a real bitch sometimes."

"No worries, luv." Karl is back to being nonchalant, his expression shuttered, "m'sorry if I made you think I was interested in...Something.." His tone is gentle, and he nods as if answering some question. "Hey, I'll... see y'both later, eh? I know the props master wanted to work on the balance for Plasma gun when i held it..." He shrugs, grinning faintly as he works his fingers through his hair, slipping past them both silently and murmuring as an afterthought, "..no rest for the wicked, eh?"

Dwayne watches Karl go, his expression confused. He looks back at Rosa, who shrugs and gets a call on her cell. She wanders off. Dwayne sighs and makes his way back to his dressing room. He didn’t think it would be easy but that was hard. He could feel something wrong even when Karl didn’t show it. He sat down heavily in his chair, and stared at his mirror.

Karl Urban is a difficult puzzle, but Dwayne is not going to let the past fuck things up. He wants Karl, and if that means dealing with everything else that comes with him, he will. He dials a phone number, "Hi Terry, Its Dwayne, how the hell are you? Yea, great, how’s Linda? Listen, Ter, I need a favor. Its a big one....yeah. You still have that jet?"....

Dwayne smiles. He hopes Things will work out he really does.

******

Karl doesn't go to the prop master. Instead he wanders, taking the long path back to his own dressing room, which is blessedly empty when he enters it. Closing the door quietly, he locks it, and stares with frightening stoicism at the mirror that runs the length of one wall, the countertop beneath it cluttered with clothes, rewrites, pictures... pictures of the past. Silently, he picks up one of him and Viggo. Karl's not sure he'll ever find so objective a perspective as he did in Viggo. He misses the man, he realizes. Misses his clarity of life.

Slowly, as though he's wilting, Karl sags against the counter, letting the photo flutter from his fingers to land in the scattered stacks of his many mistakes. How does one live without regret? How long does one make the same mistakes before it stops being everyone else, and starts being your fault?

For the first time in... a very long time.. Karl let's himself think about Mark. A slow shudder climbs his spine, and he wonders if any lover will ever banish the feel of Mark's hands on him. The feel, the memory seems to live inside him. He tangles his fingers in his hair, exhales loudly and murmurs to the emptiness around him, "..I coulda handled anyone, if only she hadn't said Mark.."

His body tightens, twitching with the urge for.. something.. Karl's hand closes around an empty soda can, and he grips it before hurling it across the room.

******

TBC