Smack the Dog

Smack the Dog 31: Meltdown
Author: Foofy
Rating: NC17
Summary: Karl admits defeat, or at least for now anyway. Meanwhile, Sean accidentally discovers a more vulnerable side to Viggo. WARNING! BDSM AT PLAY.

*

Karl was in. In for the games, in for the bondage he had been so violently opposed to. The frustration managed to get him after all.

It was difficult to know what Viggo was going to do next. Okay, Viggo wasn’t one of these people who were ever particularly easy to work out, not least in a heated sexual situation, but this was going well out of the usual setting that they found themselves. Karl, regardless of how attractive he was, how willing, was pretty much the source of a lot of things that had gone wrong in their relationship. And now he was offering himself for Viggo’s games.

Messy was probably not the word.

Viggo eased himself up off the floor, pulled up and adjusted his clothing, and glanced towards Karl again in interest. Sean decided that the risk of punishment was minor and therefore moved to sit next to Orlando so he could watch, making sure that his hip took most of his weight. His backside was still protesting about the harsh treatment it had received, and being pressed on the floor really wasn’t going to help.

Karl himself looked as though he was regretting his words already. His whole body looked tense as though facing a firing squad, his eyes were nervous yet angry and couldn’t keep a steady gaze on Viggo, darting around the room on occasion as though seeking an exit. He was flushed and obvious agitated.

Viggo crossed the room and stood by the bedside, looking down at him as though Karl was suffering from some illness that needed complete bed rest.

“ I’m sorry?” he asked politely. There was the faintest growl from Karl, but he managed to stop this.

“ I said,” Karl said in a low voice. “ I’m in. I’ll do it.” There was definitely defeat in his words. Viggo rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

” You’ll play the games?” he asked. Karl nodded soundlessly. Viggo smiled to himself. “ You’ll play by my rules? You’ll do as I say?”

Again the nod. However, apparently this wasn’t good enough. Viggo raised an eyebrow and waited. Finally, with a sigh that told exactly how humiliating Karl found this, the younger man spoke.

“ I’ll play it by your rules and do as you say,” he said finally. Dark hazel eyes found Viggo’s cool grey-blue ones. “ Within reason, however,” he added with an edge to his voice.

Sean waited to see what Viggo would do with this. Small print was often involved in the games, but this was on Viggo’s terms, not anyone else’s. Viggo narrowed his eyes and glanced back to the other two who were watching him carefully, before turning back to Karl. There was a long, long pause, worthy of an Ent. Finally Viggo picked up the keys to the handcuffs which Orli had left on the side table, probably to rub it in to Karl exactly how close and how far his freedom was, and stood looking at them as though they were a particularly good example of his favourite artist’s work.

Half a minute ticked by, and it was incredible how long that felt like. Karl was obviously struggling with his patience, but at least he was managing to force it down, to remain calm. Finally, Viggo glanced down at him, smiled to himself, and moved to unlock the handcuffs.

Sean wasn’t entirely sure what Karl would do next with his freedom. Would he run? Would he fight? Would he start swearing and being abusive as much as possible? Or would he do as he said he would? It was all a bit of a puzzler, especially as Karl just seemed to be sitting there, watching Viggo and rubbing his right wrist with a hand. By the amount of struggling that Karl had done over the last ten minutes or so, the handcuffs probably had made quite a sore spot on his wrists.

The considerations of Karl’s actions obviously weren’t concerning Viggo, who had turned away and was looking back at Orli steadily. At the gesture of his hand, Orlando bounced up and towards him, angling his head to allow Viggo to easily kiss him, Viggo pressing Orli to him gently as he took advantage. Tanned hand gripped Orli’s naked buttock, pulling his hips towards him. Orli moaned his approval of this and tried to rub against him harder, but by Viggo’s immediate pull away this was obviously a little too much action than Viggo and the injured arm was happy with.

Orli purred as Viggo murmured into his ear, and all but nuzzled him.

“ So, Karl,” Viggo’s eyes were still on Orlando as he spoke, his hand moving up to gently stroke the soft skin of Orli’s cheek. “ you are aware that some of your previous actions were a little.. how can I say it? Unpopular,”

Unpopular? The shouting, the tears, the arguments. Sean sighed inwardly. If everything was going to get watered down to this extent he was going to feel extremely sulky. Not that he could say anything, however. His arse was already painful as it was.

Karl’s eyes had narrowed slightly. “ I guess,” he said, finally. Viggo played with a lock of Orli’s dark brown hair as though in fascination.

“ And you are aware I couldn’t possibly let you get away with this without some type of recompense.” Viggo’s voice was soft but still travelled so very well. Sean could see Karl freeze, no doubt images of the many toys that Viggo possessed sliding through his mind.

“ What do you mean?” Karl’s voice wasn’t yet strangled, but it was getting that way. Viggo gently rubbed Orli’s head, producing another pleased purr from the younger man.

“ What I mean is that I feel that a little compensation might be in order. Sean’s already suffered for it. So has Orli. That just leaves you,” Viggo finally looked over his shoulder at Karl, who was watching him with a look of almost outrage on his face.

“ Compensation?” he echoed.

“ All part of the games, however. The games you said you wished to do,” Viggo ran his hand down Orlando’s side to join the other resting on the young man’s arse, kissing Orli gently on the lips again. Karl licked his bottom lip and struggled to find the words. Sean knew damn well what words they would be, but he knew also that Karl wouldn’t bring himself to ask them, just as Sean couldn’t himself whenever he had found himself in a similar situation: *What will you do to me?*

However, Karl didn’t really have long to consider what he was going to say. Viggo released Orli, who immediately moved to sit on the bed, his legs tucked up underneath him whilst the older man turned to face Karl properly.

“ Take off the rest of your clothes, Karl,” he instructed. Sean could see the hesitation in Karl’s eyes, before the man stood from the bed, his hands moving slowly to pull off his trousers and the remainder of his clothes. Even the threat of Viggo hadn’t stopped Karl’s erection from being proud and true, but the unspoken rules of the game was obviously making the younger man very wary indeed. Sean felt another stab of sympathy for him.

Viggo smiled to himself as Karl stood still, his hands clenched into fists at his side, his breathing carefully controlled, a look of anger and lust flaming in his eyes. Sean could see that the majority of Karl’s muscles were clenched, as though expecting a fight or a punch. The blonde’s eyes followed Viggo as the older man moved towards another one of the drawers, this time pulling out one of the paddles from his collection and looking back at Karl thoughtfully.

Obviously the penny dropped. Karl looked a little shocked, then he moved smoothly back into aggression, taking one step backwards so that his legs were all but pressed up against the bed.

“ Wait a minute,” he snarled, a cornered animal. “ You can’t do that to me,”

Viggo looked a little surprised. “ My games, my rules. What, you were under the impression that you were going to get off with a clipped ear and a good talking to?” he shook his head and nodded towards Sean. “ You saw me whip Sean. Didn’t it give you any ideas about what might happen?”

Karl was obviously searching for things to say. Sean could see more and more panic emerge as the dominant expression in the young man’s face, his eyes flickering from the paddle that was held so calmly in Viggo’s hand to Viggo’s steady cool gaze.

“ I wouldn’t be willing,” he said in almost a whisper. Viggo shrugged.

” This is an all or nothing game, Karl. Take the rough with the smooth. I can easily tie you back to the bed if you wanted to. After all, there are plenty of games we can play without you,” Viggo’s eyes were steady on him. “Choose,”

Karl glanced towards Orli, who was watching him. Sean could see indecision fighting within those dark hazel eyes, said eyes sliding to Sean next, searching for something to rely on. Sean gave him a slight smile, knowing how frightened the man was probably feeling at this point, regardless of how strong he was or how determined. These were a whole new set of rules to play by for Karl. Karl looked at him a little longer, then slowly smiled back. It was an uncertain smile, an almost shy smile, but it was there and that was what mattered.

Sean was aware of Viggo’s eyes on him thoughtfully, and dropped his gaze to study the floor. He heard Karl’s voice from the bedside, the voice having gained in power and confidence.

“ I’ll do it,”

Sean could still feel Viggo’s gaze on him, but this was a brief moment before Viggo turned his attention back onto Karl.

“ Good boy. You never know, I might even let Sean fuck *you* for a change,”

Sean’s eyes shot up. Karl was quick, but unfortunately he wasn’t that quick. A look of surprise appeared on his face before he was able to mask it under a neutral expression, his eyes sliding to Sean briefly and in acknowledgement of the situation. Sean cursed himself. Fuck, why hadn’t he told Viggo himself? Obviously Orlando’s previous angry retorts had been classified as accusations, nothing more, although they were so long ago that Sean wasn’t even sure he had heard them outside of his mind.

Well, it hardly mattered now. The confirmation was out, and there was no backing away from it. There was a thoughtful noise from Viggo, and suddenly the ice cold glare aimed at Sean again, this time with obvious annoyance.

” I see. So that little adventure has already been done, has it?”

“ I can give and take, you know Viggo,” came Karl’s voice sharply, and Sean realised dimly that the younger man was trying to get Viggo’s anger back on himself rather than the blonde on the floor. Poor Karl. He would soon work out that Viggo really didn’t forget about these sorts of things.

“ Evidentially so. Did you like him in you?” Viggo’s voice was soft.

“ He was doing what I asked him to do, so yes, funnily enough,” snapped Karl. “ Took a bit of persuading though,”

Another nod to try and get less of the blame off of Sean. Damn the man. Didn’t he know that he was supposed to be the all round nasty bastard for whom revenge was destined? Acts of kindness were not supposed to turn up! Sean tried to focus on all the problems that Karl had given them, which wasn’t that difficult to find. However, he had also found the memory of Dave trying to calm Sean down, trying to talk him out of beating up Karl, and suddenly the anger was confused all over again.

Shit.

If there had been any hope of Viggo relenting and being nice to Karl during these games it had now completely vanished. Viggo looked at him thoughtfully, before moving to sit down on the low bench. The others in the room watched him carefully, Sean more than ever. That bench was not appearing in Sean’s Good Furniture list at any point in the next century, and he was sure that Viggo was intending to keep it that way.

“ Regardless of what you were doing with Sean, I think it’s pretty damn clear that steps should be taken to ensure that you consider things before actually doing them,” Viggo looked at Karl calmly. “ And that suggests that a punishment would be in order, wouldn’t you say?”

Karl exchanged glances with Sean, and looked back at Viggo warily.

“ What sort of punishment are we talking?” he asked carefully. It was a good question, Sean thought. With Viggo a punishment could be flogging or it could simply be an early night with no dessert. However, he doubted whether food was likely to come into it, especially with that bench being brought into proceedings. Anyway it was a bastard to get ice-cream out of carpet, regardless of how amusingly it managed to get there.

Viggo smiled at him with one of the sweetest expressions outside of the My Little Pony range.

“ I thought it would be fitting for one of Dave’s suggestions to have a negative effect on you, for a change,” he said calmly. Sean stared at him, unable to keep the incredulous look from off his face. No. He couldn’t possibly be suggesting what Sean thought he was suggesting. You just didn’t do that to anyone, let alone someone who was likely to fight you all the way.

He was suddenly aware that Karl was watching him, taking in the expression that was currently on Sean’s face. The faint look of panic was back in his eyes, which was probably understandable. If you saw a concerned look cross the face of someone you knew had just been whipped without question, it was probably fair to assume that the situation was going to be a Bad Thing indeed. Sean shook his head slightly, trying to indicate to Karl that this wasn’t going to involve broken bones or big knives, although there was no way in hell he was going to be able to describe the sheer humiliation of-

Viggo was watching this silent exchange with a patient look on his face.

“ When you’re finished, Sean,” the voice was meaningful. Keep this up and you were next.

Sean flickered his eyes towards Viggo, and kept quiet. Karl returned his gaze to the older man, a frown showing on his face.

“ So what was this suggestion of Dave’s?” he asked slowly. Viggo smiled slowly.

“ It was supposed to be for Sean really, but I think you might appreciate the benefits yourself. Essentially,” his eyes were fixed on Karl. “ it’s where you lie over my lap and receiving a spanking,”

Karl opened his mouth to say something. Whatever it was failed to turn up. Shocked eyes turned to Sean, who shrugged, and looked uncomfortable. Karl turned his gaze back on Viggo.

” Fuck off,” he said, and the force was so strong in these words that it would probably defeat Darth Vadar. Sean hadn’t really been expecting anything else. Sure, it might not be severely painful or apt to leave you with a permanent scar as on Orlando’s skin, but there were some things you really didn’t do if you wanted to be able to look at yourself in the mirror again.

Viggo smiled again, a slow patient smile that might have crossed the face of a crocodile waiting for the animals to come to the river to drink, knowing they would have to come eventually. For that both Viggo and the metaphorical crocodile were prepared to wait.

“ I understand. Your version of rough was probably more graceful,” Viggo seemed completely unfazed by the stubborn expression set on Karl’s face. “ All or nothing, Karl. You want to back out now, I’m sure I can find someone to take your place,” Here a meaningful look was aimed at Sean, who swallowed. He had been more than reluctant when it was just Orli and Viggo. Being smacked in that position with Karl watching as well? Utter torment.

Karl’s eyes slid to Sean, softening slightly, but the main stubborn expression didn’t shift. Viggo patiently waited for a decision.

“ This isn’t fair, Viggo,” Karl snapped again. Viggo raised an eyebrow.

” You put us through weeks of torment. Because of you and the difficulties you caused, Orli has his arm in a sling. Because of you, my own arm still looks like patterns have been carved in it. Because of you Sean has been drinking heavily and, according to Dave, putting himself at risk. And you don’t think being punished for it is *fair*?” Viggo snorted his disgust.

Sean kept his eyes to the floor, feeling that Karl certainly wasn’t to blame for all of the above, or at least in whole. However, this was something to keep to yourself. By Karl’s tone, it was clear that there was more than enough guilt present to fuel Viggo’s words anyway.

“ I didn’t mean for those things to happen. I just wanted to help Orli,” it was almost a plea, if Karl went in for such things. However, Viggo was good at resisting pleas when his mind had been made up, and it looked like it had been completely hardened against him. Concrete would weaken before Viggo. Hell, *diamonds* would weaken before Viggo.

“ Orlando’s cried more tears because of you than he’s ever done from one of my punishments, Karl,” Viggo’s voice was colder than the average mountain.

Karl was silent, his eyes looking back at Orlando regretfully. Sean struggled to resist saying anything, but one hard look from Viggo managed to shore up his willpower dramatically. It was only too clear that Viggo, despite his casualness, his willingness to ‘share’, his soft polite voice, was not happy. At all. And a not happy Viggo could do anything.

Viggo raised his head slightly. “ Well?” he asked.

Karl was still obviously struggling, his guilt now joining with his lust against the solid fierceness of his dignity and pride. His eyes fell on Viggo’s still clothed lap, trying to make a decision. By the look on Viggo’s face, the older man had all day for Karl to work out what he was going to do. Sean realised that this wasn’t something that Viggo was going to insist upon himself, allowing Karl’s lust and guilt to persuade him instead, ensuring that no matter what happened Karl couldn’t come back with any plea of rape or outrage. He wasn’t drunk. He could easily just sit back and watch for a bit then be let loose without anyone else’s hand anywhere near his body. Sure, he could claim brief imprisonment, but after the photographs that was probably going to be seen as minor.

The half wretched look in Karl’s eyes as he finally took a step towards Viggo was what they were all waiting for. The stallion had been reined in, his spirit almost broken. Sean found himself almost disappointed, apart from the final glare that was aimed at Viggo that spoke in full about the anger burning in the back of Karl’s mind. Okay, so temporarily broken then.

Finally, reluctantly, Karl did as he was told. The bench was of such a low design that Karl’s knees could still take most of his weight, the tips of his fingers also touching the floor. Sean watched, unable to look away, as Karl squirmed on Viggo’s lap, trying to find the most comfortable position against him. Viggo allowed him this little request without complaint, only pulling him up a little further across him at the start, before running his hand over the smoothness of Karl’s backside.

Sean found that he had accidentally forgotten to breathe out, and let it out in a gasp. He looked over to where Orli was still perched and was unsurprised to find that the younger man was watching transfixed, a look of shock and surprise still etched on his face, before Sean reluctantly turned back to watch. Good god, he was so happy he hadn’t done anything to warrant this. Sean didn’t think his pride would be able to take it.

He knew he jumped at the first strike and had to close his eyes to calm down. There had been no noise from Karl, no shout of protest, no bid for escape, and Sean realised this was probably down to it all being a little too late. Karl could try and wriggle free quite easily, but he had already done the most painful part. No amount of conversation would hide the fact that he had lain across Viggo’s lap to be punished, no amount of argument would be able to change it. The actual physical blows were almost decoration.

It wasn’t until around the fifth blow that there was a noise from Karl, a small moan-whimper that seemed to be simply due to Karl’s control over his mouth failing. Viggo certainly wasn’t giving him an easy ride by any means; the paddle was hitting hard and fast, intending to do some damage. The skin was already red by the third blow, and getting redder by the minute. Sean knew Orli would have been pleading or groaning by now, himself probably the same. Viggo fed off the verbal pleas. A lack of them and he would simply continue until they appeared.

Karl’s control over himself was slipping rapidly. There were definitely sounds of discomfort, although the younger man’s pride kept him from doing anything else. Fucking sodding pride! If he had just been screaming and crying from point one it would be over by now. As it was, the paddle kept rising and falling and Sean hadn’t a clue where it was all going to end up.

Finally, after what Sean calculated to be the thirteenth blow, Viggo stopped. Sean let out a breath that he had been holding and glanced towards Orli who had also taken a very intense look to heart and was staring at them with his mouth slightly open. Karl all but slid off Viggo, collapsing on his knees, his panting filling the room. Karl’s gaze was firmly fixed on the legs in front of him, not looking anywhere else. Viggo, always one to know how to add insult to injury, patted the younger man on the head slowly and deliberately.

” There’s a good boy,” and at least his voice was definitely pleased. As it bloody well should be, too. Viggo glanced up towards Sean who was staring at him steadily. Was that a flicker of discomfort across Viggo’s gaze at that? Surely not.

Viggo stood up and stretched his legs slightly. Regardless of the support that Karl’s knees had managed, Karl was still a heavy guy to have on you. Pins and needles in your feet probably came with the territory. He glanced towards Karl who had still not moved, his gaze fixed on the same position as though he was some type of zombie. Viggo glanced towards the youngest member of the room, who was still perched on the bed watching. He nodded once. Orlando jumped off the bed and padded his way to Karl, kneeling beside him and murmuring something in his ear.

That did it; Karl managed to move his head to the side and look up at Orlando’s easy going grin, although he didn’t try and move any further. Orli’s lips gently pressed to his own suddenly managed to change this; it was like seeing a robot get a recharge on his batteries. At first Sean didn’t think Karl knew what was happening; although the man soon worked this one out and kissed Orli back, his body moving slightly in order to get access. This apparently was okay with Orlando, who simply guided Karl into a better position to kiss him, moving his body around to be able to press against him. Sean was thankful to note that obviously Karl’s erection hadn’t died in the meantime, although it was evidentially a rebel against the rest of the thinking body. Karl ground himself against Orli desperately, reminding Sean exactly how long this man had been played with and tormented without any hope of release.

Viggo’s expression was a little harder to understand. There was a slight glower in it, as though Viggo was a young child who had been forced to surrender his favourite teddy bear to a sibling. Sean would have thought a little harder about this had Viggo’s attention not been firmly fixed on himself. Suddenly Sean found the floor a hell of a lot more interesting to look at.

“ So why didn’t you tell me?” Viggo had moved towards him and crouched by his side, his mouth inches away from Sean’s ear. Sean’s mind slowly moved back to the accidental confession/confirmation/balls up of what exactly had happened at Karl’s, and winced inwardly.

” I don’t know,” Sean glanced at him briefly and returned his gaze to the floor, searching wildly for excuses. “ I suppose there was a lot on,”

“ Was there,” replied Viggo grimly, his eyes returning to Orlando and Karl in front of them. Orli’s good hand had been busy and had made its way round Karl’s back, carefully avoiding red and wounded flesh and simply gripping Karl’s waist in order to pull him closer. Karl was kissing Orlando back as though his life and oxygen supply depended on it. There was a faint growl from Viggo beside him. Sean looked back at him in shock.

” You’re okay with this, right?” he murmured in a low voice. Not that he needed to bother, really. Both of the active members of the team seemed to be so engrossed in what they were doing that it would probably require a brass band before anything got through to them. Viggo’s frown deepened.

” Yes. But that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it,” Viggo obviously caught the scared look on Sean’s face as he sighed. “ This also doesn’t mean I’m going to beat him senseless regardless of how much satisfaction I would gain from it, so take that look off your face, Sean. Anyway, you were extremely interested in getting your revenge on him less than an hour ago. Exactly what happened to change your mind?”

Sean opened his mouth to comment, then suddenly realised he really couldn’t pin it down. If he was truly honest with himself, he would have considered it sheer sympathy for Karl’s situation. The racing of your heart as you waited for someone else to do whatever they wanted to you was both terrifying and exciting. Sean could only imagine what it would be like to experience it with a man you believe wants you in a world of hurt. It certainly wasn’t for the man himself. Karl bloody well deserved all he got, really. Definitely. Without question.

Probably.

Viggo looked at him.

” Let me guess. You don’t know,” he drawled and sighed. “ If you’re coming back to us Sean, you’d better start knowing what you want. I can’t make your decisions for you constantly, you know.”

Sean stared at him, a blossom of hope appearing. Coming back? Was that a prediction or was he almost there already? He could see a softening of the frown lines as Viggo looked at him, taking in the willing expression on Sean’s face. God, he needed that. The look that didn’t show he was some annoying wanker who took up far too much of Viggo’s time. The look that didn’t state that he was misbehaving for the fifth time that hour. The look that suggested that he might just well be welcome again, regardless of what he had done .. or indeed, which bars he had visited…

However, before he could comment any further Viggo had lifted himself off the floor and was moving back to the other two. Orli broke off the kiss and looked up for instructions, a sleepy smile on his face already. Karl glanced at him then looked back at Viggo almost for instructions, although Sean had a sneaking suspicion he was just after a hint on what was happening next. Karl might have bent over for Viggo but the day he happily accepted orders was probably the day he would be found in high heels and suspenders choosing a nice shade of red lipstick.

Viggo paused, just looking at them.

“ Sean,” he called over his shoulder. “ Here,”

Sean shifted himself to his feet and padded over, Karl a little more cautious to see even more people involved. Viggo folded his arms.

“ Seeming Orlando’s already in front of you, I think he can probably stay there. Although I hope you’re going to give him some attention after all that time waiting around,” Viggo smiled politely at Karl. Karl narrowed his eyes at him, suspicious, but it was clearly obvious that the thought of progressing his kiss onto different and lower parts of Orlando’s body was certainly appealing. “ Don’t get ideas, though. This is a one time only deal, clear?”

“ Yeah,” Karl replied. “ It’s clear.”

His eyes flickered towards Sean cautiously. Sean kept his own face impassive, simply looking down at him as though watching a television programme he felt was dull. It was almost too obvious what Karl was cautious about, especially after the slightly brutal fucking that Sean had received. Viggo glanced towards Sean idly, then back at Karl who had worked out the safest place to look at was probably Orlando in front of him. Just as well. Too much eye-contact with Viggo and you were likely to have a dominance match on your hands.

Sean was faintly impressed that Viggo was still fully clothed. The master residing over his property as it were, although Sean had a sneaking suspicion that Viggo would prefer to brand Karl with a very large iron rather than go for the more expensive but removable collars. Not that they would see Karl again after this session, no doubt. There was a point to be made, and points very rarely needed to be made twice in the same manner. Equally, Karl was bound to need more obedience classes than Sean, and even Viggo’s wrist would grow tired after that.

“ Well?” Viggo said finally. “ Get on with it,”

Karl’s eyes narrowed, but he resisted saying anything. After the initial glance at Viggo to test the waters, Karl looked back at Orlando and carefully traced his tongue down smooth flat skin. Orli sighed to himself, his eyes drifting closed as the tongue managed to reach its destination, Karl taking his length in one smooth motion. Sean knew how good that felt. Karl was a master of blowjobs, and that was not a mean feat by any means. It also questioned exactly how he had managed to get so talented, but that was a question for another day. Finally! A question that didn’t have huge relevance on his life.

Or did it?

Sean suddenly realised Viggo was giving him another hard look as Karl continued with every evidence of enjoyment, Orlando’s low moans beginning to fill the room. Oh, no. Surely not. This really *wasn’t* his fault. All he had been was simply exercise and practise! However-

“ Bringing back good memories is it?” Viggo’s voice was low in his ear. Sean shivered.

“ You knew it wasn’t all horrific, Vig. I told you that. You told me to try and enjoy myself!” Okay, not the greatest slave speech that ever graced the earth, but at least he was slightly more tactful than, say, Spartacus. Viggo’s look was almost to the point of crucifixion, however.

“ You certainly kept it to your chest, Sean. You made me believe-“ Viggo broke off and stared back at the other two who were still playing on the floor. Karl had moved on, his tongue occasionally flickering over sensitive skin before moving back to deep throat Orlando as far as he could, and that was pretty damn far indeed. The metaphorical Deepest Darkest Jungle in fact.

“ If you believed I was held there and tortured, I’m sorry. I wasn’t,” Sean suddenly realised what this sounded like. “ Bloody hell, Vig, you’ve got me apologising for not being tortured!”

And that was a little loud. Karl had pulled off of Orli and had glanced over his shoulder at them, his eyes confused. Orlando had also managed to break through his desire to give them a worried look. Sean gave a sheepish smile to them and was more than thankful when Karl decided to ignore the odd behaviour and continue.

Viggo’s voice was pleasant as he spoke, which was the only pleasant part of the whole damn thing.

“ Do you realise how guilty I felt after you came back from his house?” All the time Viggo’s eyes were on Karl as though fixed by some invisible tractor beam. Karl’s hands were gentle on Orli as he worked, Orli’s moans returning in full force, the typical toss back of the younger man’s head as he started to approach his orgasm. Sean found that his own eyes were caught as well, although his mind was racing.

“ I’m sorry. I couldn’t talk about it. I just felt… well, I suppose I felt guilty for enjoying it,” Sean found his voice was getting smaller and smaller, as though having drunk from some secret shrinking potion. “ But at least it worked, didn’t it?”

He was aware of Viggo staring at him with a look that could probably split an atom before both their attentions were brought back to the pair on the floor as Orli howled out his release, his hand resting on Karl’s shoulder, his body obviously shaking. Sean risked a look at Viggo and found his heart plummeting to his boots, or at least where the boots should have been. Viggo’s posture had completely lost the carefree looseness and casualness. It was hard, exact, his frown not quite obvious but taking command of the fierceness of his face.

Karl took one look at him and blanched slightly. If there was ever a point where Sean believed Viggo could just pick up a rod and thrash someone until the blood flowed, this was it. And, surprise, surprise friends neighbours and children, it was all down to him again. Well at least no one could accuse him of not being consistent.

His presumable partner in crime, Karl, was still staring at Viggo, looking as though he was about to take up a defensive position. Orli was staring at Viggo in what appeared to be fear, but that was far too straight forward for this little group.

“ Viggo?” That was Orli, his voice timid, obviously wondering what he had done wrong. And still nothing from Viggo. The man had been completely switched off at the emotions. Finally Viggo glared at Karl, and it was a proper glare, the type that you could toast bread and shoot birds down from the sky with.

“ You,” he said, and whole Ice Ages didn’t have this type of lethal strength. “ Get on the bed. Now.”

Karl was obviously having second thoughts. His eyes flashed towards Sean as though seeking some type of confirmation. Sean could only look back at him helplessly, unable to give the man the reassurance he required. Orli placed his hand on Karl’s shoulder again, rubbing him slightly, and Karl gave him a glance. Slowly he got off the floor, his eyes still trained on Viggo as though expecting him to suddenly produce a pistol from a jacket pocket and shoot him, and took a shaky step towards the bed.

Viggo wasn’t looking at Sean anymore. That was clear. Sean found that he was beginning to be on the wrong side of terrified. He exchanged worried glances with Orlando, Orli’s own glance intensifying in fear as he picked up the tension within Sean. Something had gone wrong. Somewhere, something had managed to push Viggo over the edge, and the other side of the edge was a very scary place to be apparently.

“ Viggo,” that was Orlando again. One hard melting glare at him shut him up entirely. Orli had managed to turn extremely pale. Karl glanced at Orli again. His movements slowed even further. Tortoises would win races against Karl at this moment in time.

Viggo crossed the room behind him and shoved him hard on the shoulder, causing the younger man to stumble and reach the bed sooner than planned. Karl immediately attempted to look back but managed to stop himself in what was probably a brief acknowledgement to self preservation. Eye contact with Viggo would be the same as eye contact with a dog driven wild with madness. It would only lead to regret.

Finally Karl reached the bed properly and managed to get on it without any further assistance from Viggo. Viggo walked towards the head of the bed and reseized the handcuffs. Sean was aware of a shocked and most of all bewildered expression on Karl’s face before one of his wrists was roughly grabbed, the cold metal suddenly returning as the new and improved jewellery. Sean was suddenly reminded how much younger Karl was from either himself or Viggo. His wide eyes were almost the same as Orli’s.

“ Viggo,” Sean found his voice and stepped forward. “ Please. It’s not his fault,”

Orlando stared back at Sean in confusion, realising something was going on that he had missed. Karl, obviously realising that to fight was probably going to cause more difficulties, had his other wrist tied. This time he was lying on his front, his face all but buried in a pillow, his arms in a position that was probably going to ache after any period of time. Viggo slowly looked towards Sean, and there was sheer bloody murder in those eyes.

“ Not his fault? Then whose fault is it, Sean?” Viggo’s voice had suddenly lost all of his self control, all of his careful planning and waiting. It was raw and wounded, and spoke of primeval anger bubbling under the surface. Sean opened his mouth and shut it again. Viggo snorted to himself and turned back to Karl. One hand started to unfasten his trousers.

No. He had to say something. He couldn’t just stand here and watch Viggo abuse Karl. To that extent, anyway.

Sean took another step forward, his eyes fixed on Viggo, knowing this was undoubtedly going to ruin his last chance to get back with them but knowing that he wouldn’t be able to sleep with Viggo again if he didn’t.

“ It was my fault. I made the bargain, Viggo,” Sean could only assume that this was the thing that had sparked Viggo’s rage. Heaven alone knew why, but when did he ever have a good idea of what was going on?

A target had been struck. Viggo’s head rose slowly, his eyes turning to face him. Sean felt a cold puddle of fear settle in his stomach, wanting to stop his traitorous mouth from continuing but forcing himself to continue anyway.

“ You?” Viggo echoed slowly. “ What, did you give him the photographs as well?” His voice was cold and bitter. This was a wintery voice that people starved to death in and animals died in the fields.

Sean frowned and shook his head. “ I thought that we might at least be able to reduce the damage,” he said, and was startled to see the look of sheer fury cross a normally guarded face. It took all of his willpower just to keep speaking. “ For Orlando, you know? And it worked. Die Hard, I think it was,” he stammered.

“ You –“ Viggo opened his mouth to destroy what little control Sean had left before he suddenly stopped, a look of confusion on his face. “ Die Hard?”

Sean nodded. “ Yeah, the one with Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, or was he in the next one? I can never remember,”

“ The film?” Viggo was still struggling to come to terms with something. Sean nodded slowly, looking confused himself. Finally Viggo walked towards Sean and grabbed hold of his collar at the loop, shoving him towards the door. Viggo hadn’t bothered to lock it after their discussions with Dave, and Sean found himself pretty much flung through it, followed all too swiftly by Viggo who simply pushed him against the nearest wall with his arm pressed against Sean’s throat, his body pressing Sean’s against the cold wall.

“ Okay,” Viggo was inches away from his face. “ Explain. Now.”

Sean tried to struggle for some type of leeway with Viggo’s arm but there was none. His forearm was firmly pressed against his throat, just over where the collar hung. In fact, it was a little too pressed; Sean fought the feelings of claustrophobia and searched for his fair share of oxygen.

“ I thought it was a fair exchange. My cooperation in exchange for Orli’s turn with Karl,” Sean was definitely feeling the pinch of the restricted oxygen. He gasped for air as Viggo gave him a little more space, suspicion still on his face. His arm brushed against Sean’s throat, promising difficulties.

“ Elaborate. Exactly what the hell are you talking about, Sean?”

Sean took another greedy gulp of air just in case he was rationed again, and tried to think clearly. “ It wasn’t anything much, Viggo, I promise. Just after Karl had .. well, done things to me downstairs, there didn’t seem to be much of a point fighting anymore, and Karl agreed to allow Orlando to watch a film when it was his turn as long as I went upstairs at that point and was a little more enthusiastic. I suppose I was a little too enthusiastic, but actually at the time it felt right and-“

Viggo put a finger on Sean’s lips to silence him. The anger in those cold grey-blue eyes was still there, but now they looked confused, as though Sean had suddenly pulled a rabbit out of an invisible hat.

” This was the bargain you were talking about?” he asked slowly. Sean began to nod but his throat soon found the iron hard bar of Viggo’s arm.

“ Yeah,” Sean’s eyes scanned Viggo’s uncertainly. “ Why, what did you think I meant?”

Viggo simply stared back at him without a word, his arm finally dropping away. Sean managed to keep his balance before he fell forwards and rubbed his neck with a hand, staring at Viggo. The world had managed to get confusing again. A movement near the door drew his attention to the fact that Orlando was standing by the doorway watching them with an unreadable expression on his face.

Viggo glanced at him once, then all but ignored him. Sean saw the slightest flicker of irritation cross Orli’s face at this, which was odd in itself. Perhaps the younger man was getting worn out by the frustrations, which was certainly possible. Frustrations or no, Orli’s voice was still soft when he spoke.

“ What’s going on?” he looked from Viggo to Sean and back again.

“ I need a drink,” Viggo stalked towards the kitchen. Orlando raised his eyebrows and looked back at Sean.

“ I thought that was normally your line?”

“ Apparently it’s addictive,” Sean growled. He looked at him. “ Why are you out here? Who’s looking after Karl?”

“ Karl is locked to a bed at the moment, and I do not have the keys. He’s really not going anywhere. And incidentally, if either of you did want to fuck him he is currently so tense that you’d be lucky to get a finger up him, let alone your cock,” Orlando had the tone of someone who really really wanted to fold their arms and stamp a foot, but couldn’t bring themselves to do it. “ What the hell happened in there, Sean?”

Sean felt awkward. However, it was blatantly clear Orlando wasn’t letting him shuffle his feet and get away with it. Blast the little sod.

“ You know I slept with Karl, yeah?” he said finally and reluctantly.

Orlando nodded, a faintly confused look still gracing his features. “ I thought it was old news,” Vague comprehension dawned. “ You mean he got annoyed on that?”

“ Well, it wasn’t until I mentioned the bargain he got really upset,” Sean shrugged, looking towards the kitchen. “ And then-“

But Orli had a look of stunned bewilderment on his face. “ Bargain? What bargain?” Obviously Karl’s information package had neglected to inform Orlando exactly why television had been forced upon him at an age where people were encouraged to have more activity in their lives.

Oh, here we go again. If Orlando went off in a screaming fit, Sean was really going to find another universe to live in. Somewhere where things made sense.

“ I slept with Karl pretty much willingly if he left you alone when you came for your .. uh… session,” Sean felt ridiculously embarrassed for someone who was naked in a collar speaking to another man in the same predicament. Orli’s face was incredulous.

” That was you?”

“ That was me.” Sean sighed.

“ Oh,” Orli struggled to comprehend the situation, which was fair enough. Orlando glanced towards the kitchen carefully, as though being able to read Viggo’s mood just from the scenery. It was actually quite refreshing to know that you weren’t the only one getting a headache from life. Bondage was so complex sometimes.

“ I guess Viggo got annoyed because he got really guilty that I was forced into a dodgy situation, then found out it was part of a bargain,” Sean suggested. Orlando looked unconvinced. Sean shrugged and lowered his voice even further. “ For fuck’s sake, Orli, Viggo even allowed me to… well, make love to him.”

That made an impact. Wide brown eyes scanned his own as though seeking lies and untruths. When these failed to be spotted, Orli made a little whimper like an animal in pain seeing the Grim Reaper bear down on them.

” You don’t mean he allowed you to top, do you?” his voice was almost a whisper. Sean nodded slowly, not entirely liking the expression that was currently on Orlando’s face. Orli shook his head slowly, his eyes dropping. “ Oh shit,”

“ Oh shit? What d’you mean, oh shit?” Sean was beginning to panic. “ I thought it was a little odd, but he was fine afterwards. Wasn’t he?” Sean added desperately, not putting it past himself not to have noticed. Well, so much had happened, he argued to himself in defence. The whole historical tale had managed to put any significance of their physical activities to the back of his mind.

Orli too seemed to be in a little world of his own, his eyes suggesting that this world wasn’t likely to contain pink lace and lots of fluffy bunnies. The younger man almost looked tormented.

“ Through guilt again,” he murmured to himself and looked again at the kitchen from where Viggo still hadn’t made a reappearance. Sean caught hold of his arm as the younger man turned to walk towards it. Orli almost seemed to have been in a daze, a zombie in their own private horror movie, although he managed to snap back out of it at the touch of Sean’s hand on his skin. A clear gaze aimed itself at Sean in question.

“ Are you crazy? The mood Viggo’s in at the moment, you don’t want to go anywhere with knives about!” he hissed. Orlando’s questioning look turned into one that suggested that Orli believed Sean was turning a little mad.

“ Viggo won’t hurt me, Sean,” he said it patiently, as though talking to a three year old. “ And he needs me. If you don’t want to come you can go and check on Karl. The poor sod’s going to have pain in his arms for weeks after the position Viggo’s put him in, and he has to be swinging a sword tomorrow afternoon.”

Sean had less sympathy for the poor sod who had again managed to cause chaos in his life. He refused to let go of Orli’s arm, clinging onto it as though for good luck. Orlando simply watched him for a moment, before carefully moving Sean’s fingers away one by one from his arm. Sean considered resisting, but let it go. After all, there was only so much procrastination available.

“ You’re sure?” Sean hissed again finally. Orli chuckled sadly.

” I’m never sure. But that doesn’t stop me from trying.” Orlando started to pad towards the kitchen, which really wasn’t going to take too long. Sean sighed to himself and slowly followed, knowing that his mere presence was unlucky enough for the situation as it was but unable to stop himself. He needed to find out. And, if worse came to worst, Viggo had someone else to go for other than a boy who already bore the signs of needing medical attention.

They found Viggo with his hands leaning on the kitchen counter, his face turned towards the window, his back to the door. The professed drink apparently had been stated as a symbol rather than anything, unless every bottle of alcohol they possessed had been removed before Sean got there. Not a glass marred the empty surface of the kitchen counter, not a stain. On the plus side, this made sure that there wasn’t anything Viggo could grab to hurl at them. Not that he would, mind you. Viggo made sure everything was up close and personal.

Sean moved to a better position to view what was happening, noting how tense Viggo’s shoulders were, his body on edge.

Orli too had watched him for a few moments, before saying Viggo’s name softly and padding towards him carefully, slowly laying a hand on Viggo’s back. Sean realised the words had been said mostly to avoid an automatic response of Viggo jumping and striking back without realising who it was. There was a movement of Viggo’s head as he glanced to the side, then he was back staring at the window. The window cared not.

“ I heard,” Orli said simply. There was a snort from Viggo.

” Which bit?” he asked finally, and his voice was so much lower than usual. “ How Sean sold himself so you could watch Bruce Willis? Or has he told you about exactly what happened here with us when you were doing it?”

“ A bit of both,” Orlando said quietly. “ And you can stop talking about Sean selling himself. He no more sold himself to Karl than you sold yourself to rid the guilt. He didn’t do it to get you into bed. He did it to get me out of it. I heard about the ‘bargain’, Vig.”

Viggo gave one solitary look to his side, then moved his eyes back to the window. This didn’t seem to put Orli off. In fact, the younger man seemed more determined than Sean had ever known him. Sean found himself frozen by the door, uncomfortable, knowing he had managed to strike a nerve deep in Viggo and unable to even think of how to help

“ It’s not Sean’s fault, Viggo. He did it to help. He was there to help. He didn’t do it to hurt you,” Orli was talking so smoothly that Sean had to remind himself that this part wasn’t a script. Mind you, at least half of this news Orli had already known. Heaven alone knew how much detail Karl had given him.

Viggo snorted to himself. “ He didn’t tell me. Throughout the whole fucking time he didn’t tell me.”

‘He’, being still in the room, had to find the strength to stay by the door and not escape to Karl. Now that was a sentence he didn’t think he would ever find himself thinking, for a start. Sean met Orli’s gaze uncomfortably, and had to look away.

Orli sighed.

“ I’m not surprised, Viggo. How would he know what your reaction would be? You don’t like Karl. I-“ Orli broke off, and Sean could finally see the sensitive young man he remembered staring forlornly at his lover. Orlando tried again. “ It’s hardly as though you’ve told him the full story either before you started experimenting,” he said softly.

A look that could have melted steel aimed itself at Orlando. The younger man flinched automatically, although his hand never moved from Viggo’s back, his body never moved more than a few centimetres away from the obviously upset man in front of him.

“ I couldn’t just let him suffer without some type of repayment–“ Viggo suddenly remembered who was standing behind him and stopped as though someone had suddenly slapped a gag on him, his shoulders hunching a little more, staring back out the window. Sean stared at him, shocked, not realising how much guilt Viggo had been storing up. Obviously Karl’s activities hadn’t just screwed up the people he was physically messing with, but there was no way Sean could think of how to make this right other than planting a fist in Karl’s face. And then that was only going to be a fleeting pleasure, made even less fleeting by knowing that currently said man was completely helpless. Shooting fish in a barrel.

He noticed that Orli was looking back at him thoughtfully. Sean knew he looked even more helpless than normal, the thoughts whirling through his head at such a speed they should be banned for dangerous whirling, or possibly whirling without due care and attention. The younger man sighed and patted Viggo gently.

“ If you pass me the keys we’ll be able to let Karl out,” he said slowly. “ You have them in your trouser pocket,”

“ Let him stay put,” growled Viggo.

“ And what happens tomorrow when they query why their Eomer can’t move his shoulders without whimpering?” Orli’s voice was sterner than Sean had ever heard it, although it was more school-mistress stern than anything else. Viggo snorted again.

” They’re going to be querying it tomorrow anyway when he can’t sit on a horse without whimpering. I don’t see your point,” Viggo continued to stare out the window. Orli sighed heavily.

“ It won’t help the situation, you know that,”

“ Possibly not, but it would make me feel better. A glowy feeling inside, as it were,” Viggo’s voice was one that sounded as though it had never seen a glowy feeling in its life. There was a long pause. Finally Viggo fished in a pocket and dug them out, dropping them into Orli’s waiting palm. Orli glanced towards Sean again and frowned slightly at the expression that he found there.

After a little more willpower on his expression, Sean nodded. He could do that bit. Probably.

As he walked back to the room he could hear Orlando murmuring to Viggo behind him. The healing, whatever that was, appeared to be beginning.

TBC