Friends

Title: Friends 4 of 10
Author: Simplyshelly (simplyshelly2@earthlink.net)
Pairing: Craig Parker / Karl Urban
Rating: NC17 for sexual content / SLASH
Summary: Just a bit of fluff because a man that nice should be happy in every aspect of his life -
Warnings: AU / SLASH
Archive: Author site – http://www.simplyshelly2001.com.
Disclaimer: Okay, so I don't own anyone but myself. But I'm not in the story so it really doesn't matter. I'm just borrowing a few people, trying to live vicariously through my stories and having some fun.
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Previously in Part 3:

"Attention everyone. May we have all players to the field? Our tournament is about to begin!" The voice over the loudspeaker, John Rhys-Davies called.

"Buggar!" Karl muttered. Earlier, he'd signed up to lead the group of Rohan men in a battle against the elves and he knew he couldn't back out now.

"There's plenty of time." Viggo encouraged. "Talk later." He patted Karl on the back and went to watch the battle.

Karl straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Later, yeah."

PART 4
~~~~~
The tournament had many competitions scheduled, much like a decathlon. Each player moved through the various events, each becoming more difficult. For the non-stunt actors, there were various contests in archery, horse racing, ladder climbing to replicate the ladders of Helm's Deep, and an obstacle course, leading up to hand-to-hand sword combat, supervised closely by Bob Anderson himself. Each participant needed to complete each level, moving their team to the winner's circle. The teams consisted of elves and men. The stunt crew would finish the day with an all-on assault consisting of horses, swords, and a duel to the death, so to speak.

To avoid anyone being seriously hurt, they had to wear appropriate protective wear because they still had months left of the shoot and Peter had no intentions of replacing anyone. Also, the amount of alcohol intake was closely monitored and anyone who had been partaking in the spirits a bit heavily were banned from the events but with grace.

Orcs and Urak-hai cheered the actors on, encouraging them and getting everyone's adrenaline pumping. The first event was archery, which Karl knew he's be awful at. He didn't have the advantage of weeks of training as the elves did and the men were quickly put to shame. Orlando was nearly flawless as Viggo watched with a smile playing on his lips.

"You're staring." Karl whispered from behind, making Viggo chuckle.

"I am." He admitted. "How can I not? He's beautiful." Viggo stated.

Karl looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"You should see him without anything on." Viggo added, making Karl choke on the water he was trying to drink.

"What?" Karl coughed, water making its way out of his nose.

"You heard me. You're not the only one taken by one of the first born." He said, placing his arm around Karl's shoulder. "Have you spoken to him yet?"

Karl was shocked to say the least. The more he thought, though, he wasn't surprised. Orlando was so open with everyone and nothing Viggo did seemed out of the ordinary because everything that man did was strange. Karl laughed a bit to himself.

"So, are you two doing a bit more than sharing a trailer, eh?" He had to find out if it was just infatuation on Viggo's part or did he really understand what was going on between himself and Craig.

Viggo just smiled as he openly watched Orlando with appreciative eyes. The two men watched the continuing competition silently, a new understanding existing between them.

"I will say," Viggo finally said as they watched Craig finally take his place. Craig took his time to make sure his stance was correct as he concentrated on the target and slowing his breathing. "You do have the advantage."

"How so?" Karl asked, his eyes riveted on Craig's form.

"At least you got someone who knows what he's doing."

Karl was dying of embarrassment.

"That he does." He couldn't help but agree.

"I'm not completely without some experience but it's got to help to be dating an openly gay man." Viggo said quietly.

Karl shook his head. "I told you, mate. We haven't talked for days. He acts as if I'm not even here." Craig fired his first arrow, coming centimeters from the direct center and everyone erupted in cheers. Instead of the arrogant Haldir, Craig blushed and looked sheepishly surprised. "Besides, he's not open."

Viggo laughed. "He may not be flaming as some of the elves but he isn't doing anything to hide it. It is sort of obvious." He said casually. He wasn't insulting Craig in the least but the young Kiwi just seemed to have a sort of air about him that left no question.

"I suppose it is. I guess I just never saw it. I mean, we've known each other over six years. Sort of grew up around each other." Karl explained. "Yes!" He yelled as Craig hit his third target in a row. Craig turned and for a brief moment, their eyes locked.

Viggo watched with amusement. The sparks that flew as soon as Craig's eyes locked on Karl's, he felt were almost visible and beautiful. Viggo could feel the static in the air and it was obvious there was something between these two men. Craig broke the stare, smiling shyly.

"Hmmm," He chuckled.

"What?" Karl gathered his wits about him and questioned the look on Viggo's face. It was one of complete amusement.

"Tonight, the four of us, my place." Viggo stated, walking away from Karl to congratulate the archery winner, Orlando.

"Congratulations to our first place winner, Orlando Bloom, second, Craig Parker and third place Bret McKenzie! The elves have taken the first round!" John called over the loud speaker. "Now may we have our players prepare for the speed of the steed!"

Karl caught up with Craig as they moved towards the stables where the horses were being prepared.

"Hey, good job out there. All that practice paid off I guess." He said.

"Just luck." Craig said modestly. They continued on silently for a few moments.

"Uh, listen, Craig, about the other day..." Karl had to bring it up. His chest hurt thinking that they couldn't at least be friends.

Craig stopped, placing a hand on Karl's shoulder and turning him so they could look at one another. Ice blue eyes looked up into Karl's. "Karl, you were right." He said softly. "I am a bastard and I can be cold hearted slut." He smiled. "All part of my irresistible charm."

Karl smiled. Craig's eyes were twinkling with laughter and the tension between them eased. "We okay then?"

"Yeah, we're okay." Craig shrugged as they continued on to the horses.

"Viggo invited us over for dinner after this thing is over. Just you, me, Viggo and Orlando." Karl said.

Craig laughed softly. "They coming out then, eh?"

"You know about them?" Karl asked shocked.

"All you have to do is to look at them, Karl darling. There's more chemistry between those two than there ever will be between Aragorn and Arwen. All you have to do is to watch them." Craig said, pointing to how playful Viggo and Orlando were with each other.

Karl snickered as they reached the horses. With a silent nod, they separated and joined their respective teams to prepare for the race.

Karl mounted his horse, made sure he was comfortable and adjusted properly. They would ride the horses at full speed the length of the field, and then back through the obstacle course, picking up flags as they went. The team with the most flags would obviously be the winner. The best part was the men had the advantage in this round, his team of men having gone through weeks of equestrian training that the elves had not.

To make the ride even more difficult, they were all suited up in full armor and donned with heavy swords which had to be in one hand throughout the race.
Karl figured this was going to be an easy game for the men to win against the elves, judging by some of the coordination of the extremely tall but skinny men he'd already witnessed. It was actually a joke with many of the men, stories about how ungraceful the graceful elves were actually turning out to be. They couldn't march in time with one another to save their souls and were always tripping over their robes and rough terrain.

"This is a race to the death, gentlemen, figuratively speaking. There are no Fairies here in middle earth!" John called.

"That's what you think!" Someone yelled back, the crowd laughing at the truthfulness in the statement.

John cleared his throat in his best Gimli voice. "You all know the rules. We have two identical courses set up, one for men and one for our fair elves. First team with all their members across the finish line will end the game, at which time we will tally the flags and announce the winner. However, because the lawyers have just shown up on site with health insurance plans in hand, we must take most care in protecting the horses." He joked.

Craig could hear his heart pounding in his ears, not sure if it was from the excitement of the competition or because he and Karl had finally spoken. Craig had to admit to himself that his thoughts had been distracted over the past week, constantly going back to Karl and their last conatioation. Craig hadn't meant to hurt the man. Karl was just looking for something that Craig wasn't sure he could give him, or more honestly was terrified to give him.

When Craig had admitted that Karl was the only one who he allowed to spend the night, he had admitted much more than Karl would ever realize. Craig had always had a soft spot for Karl, feeling his pain and sadness more than he would with others, hoping only for the best for the beautiful Karl Urban. There had been times over the years, where Craig would close his eyes and he would do anything Karl wished of him, pretending that it was real.

The one thing holding Craig back was simple. Craig was gay and Karl wasn't. Simple as that. Okay, so Karl was more bisexual than straight but Craig didn't think Karl's ego would ever let him admit that. Karl loved being in love where Craig had been jaded over the years and remembered the downsides of being in love much more than the positives.

Did Craig ever want to fall in love again, the all consuming kind of love where every second spent together was never enough? Maybe someday. Maybe when he wasn't constantly traveling for his work, living in hotel rooms across the word, doing whatever it took to stay employed. Maybe when the day came when Craig no longer loved what he did for a living. Until then, he'd resigned himself to getting pleasure where he could, a small list of people he trusted who wouldn't ask any more from him than he was willing to give. Being away from home half the year did not add to the growth of a firm relationship. He'd discovered that with Michael. After a few years, they found that they were virtual strangers to each other and the living arrangement was only for convenience. Both began to stray, thus the mutual agreement that they'd been over for some time. The breakup hurt when it became personal, accusing each other of infidelity, attacking in ways they knew would hurt and they had both been guilty. They knew each other better than anyone else knew them and the attacks could be very vicious. Thank goodness they had both grown up and gotten over it because they were still good friends, having an understanding between the other simply from knowing the other so well.

Karl had said those words, words that held such a holy place in Craig's heart that he wasn't sure if Karl knew their actual meaning. Karl had fallen in love many times and they had all ended. Sometimes Karl was at fault, sometimes it was the other way around. Craig had only said those words a few times in his life and while he always meant it, they had rarely been met with the same reciprocation that they'd been offered.

Honestly, Craig was afraid of loving Karl. He could, that he was sure of. Karl was magnificent, in mind, body and heart. Craig just wasn't sure he was willing to place himself in that vulnerable position again. The fears of being hurt outweighed the joys of being loved, particularly by a straight man.

"So, I hear we're having dinner tonight." Orlando leaned over and said quietly, bringing Craig out of his trance-like state.

Craig smiled. "We are." He nodded, watching the young man closely.

Orlando just looked at the serious expression on Craig's face and laughed. "You're doing too much thinking, man. Live for the moment. It's too nice of a day for such serious thinking." Orlando advised, his face lighting up with laughter.

Craig looked out over all the riders mounted and his eyes once again locked onto Karl's. Karl must have been watching him and a smile spread across his face when Craig's eyes found his. Maybe Orlando was right. Live for the moment.

"Riders to your mark." John called. Both Karl and Craig were going last for their teams, both being the strongest riders of the group. Karl was an old farm boy, having spent a good portion of his life on horseback and while Craig might not have been the strongest man on the field, he knew how to ride a horse with the best of them. He'd also been handling swords in numerous roles over the past ten years so the costume and sword were like second nature to him.

Even their horses seemed to feel the energy thick in the air as they snorted, hooves constantly in motion. Suddenly a loud horn was heard as the first riders shot across the starting line, yells from teammates as well as spectators cheering them along.

Each time Craig glanced over at Karl, Karl seemed to be looking his way. Craig had to admit that it felt nice. Maybe he had been thinking too much. Besides, he was only scheduled to be on set for another few days. He should just enjoy his time with Karl while he had it.

Finally, their turn came. Craig bolted across the starting line with an amazing start, his horse performing beautifully. Karl was hot on his trail, many of the spectators simply stopping and watching the images before them.

Everyone was cheering because Karl and Craig were so evenly matched. The men had already won by the number of flags already obtained but watching the two riders, both graceful on the backs of their horses was like poetry. Their horses literally flew across the field.

Suddenly, everything that was right went horribly wrong. A child, not more than three ran across the field directly in the path that the riders were heading. Screams and yells ran out and both riders reacted instantaneously, pulling back on the reigns, trying to steer clear of the innocent child and her frantic parent. Craig managed to turn his horse to the right, commanding his horse to leap across a barrel of hay and slowing safely from the spectators.

Karl was not so lucky. He had the bulk of the crowds on his side and basically had no where to go without hurting someone. His horse reared, halting swiftly and slamming Karl back onto the ground as he lost grip of the reigns. Karl quickly rolled to avoid getting stepped on by the frightened horse as the horse handlers rushed to help calm the panicked beast.

Viggo was one of the first to reach Karl, who discovered that Karl had been knocked unconscious from the fall. Vigo began checking for injuries. Craig threw off his helmet and dismounted with incredible speed, pushing his way through the crowd to be at Karl's side.

"Karl! My God, Karl, are you okay? Don't move. Karl, talk to me. Are you okay?" came a stream of questions as Craig's hands caressed Karl's prone body.

"Calm down, Craig. He's fine. Just got the wind knocked out of him." Viggo reassured the man but Craig couldn't her him. He was just watching and listening for Karl's response.

"Karl?" Craig begged, absolute fear in his eyes ands he searched Karl's face. The medics rushed over and tried to move Craig away but he wasn't budging until he made sure Karl was going to be all right.

"Craig, you've got to move out of the way." Viggo tried but Craig was determined to stay by his side. Finally, Sala came over and pulled Craig away from Karl and held onto him tightly.

"Let me go, Baker! I have to make sure he's okay. He can't be hurt! He can't be! I...can't....oh, God, Sala..." Craig was frantic, thinking that Karl might actually be seriously injured.

The medics checked Karl over carefully, bringing him around with some smelling salts. After doing a thorough check, they were amazed that he seemed to be relatively unharmed with the exception of having the wind knocked out of him. Finally, they removed his helmet and helped Karl sit up. Everyone in the crowd cheered.

"See, mate. He's okay. He's going to be fine." Salassurssured the very concerned actor.

"Craig, he wants to talk you." Viggo said softly, smiling at the almost relieved look on Craig's stricken face.

The crowd parted as Craig went to Karl's side instantly. The long haired man smiled as Craig's hands cradled his face and he pressed his forehead to the injured man's head.

"Oh, God, baby, I thought you were hurt, I mean really hurt." Craig said, kissing Karl's face, forgetting completely that there were more than a hundred other people standing around watching.

"I'm fine, really." Karl laughed, a bit embarrassed by all the affection that Craig was showing. For starters, Craig had never called him 'baby' either in public or private and Karl was pretty sure he liked it.

"Really?" Craig asked, looking closely at Karl's eyes as Karl's thumbs wiped the tears from Craig's cheeks.

"Careful Parker. Someone might actually think you care about me." Karl kidded, secretly loving every kiss and stroke Craig bestowed on him.

"I do, Karl, I honestly do. I was a bastard. I never meant to hurt you, luv. I care about you so much, Have for a while now. You were right, you know. You just said it before I realized it. I love you, Karl." Craig said softly, shocking not only Karl but himself with how easily it was said.

"Okay, everyone, show's over." The ever aware of dignity and privacy Viggo called, trying to give the two just a bit of intimacy in a very non-private environment. People respected the actors and began to move away.

"You do?" Karl replied, his own fingers stroking Craig's cheeks.

"I do." Craig laughed, kissing Karl's brows, his fingers tangled in Karl's hair.

Karl's hands guided Craig's head, bringing their lips together in a tender, loving kiss. Craig reciprocated with complete love, something he had never done or felt in the way he felt at that moment. The tears that fell were no longer from fear but more from suddenly realizing what he felt inside. They both laughed in relief.

"Help me up and let's get out of here." Karl said, finally pushing Craig away with a smile. Craig stood and held out his hand, which Karl took.

"You two okay?" Viggo asked, watching them carefully. Karl moved a bit stiffly but otherwise unharmed. Craookeooked as if he was moving in a dream.

"We're fine." Karl laughed carefully. He was pleased to see that the games were continuing, the crowd otherwise preoccupied elsewhere. "Dinner still on?"

"If you're feeling up to it." Viggo smiled.

Karl nodded. "We'll be there."

"Only if you're not hurting, Karl." Craig said, his arm protectively around Karl's waist.

"I'll be fine because you're going to take me back to your room and pamper me, right?" Karl laughed.

Craig's eyebrows rose as a blush spread across his cheeks. "Karl, I haven't got a car and there's no way you're getting on your bike. You could have a head injury and black out on the way." Viggo couldn't help but laugh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys.

"Get out of here, you two. You know which is mine, right? I'll just catch a ride with Orlando. I'll also try to keep the rumor mill down a bit." Viggo stated, motioning the two men towards the car park.

"Thanks, Viggo." Craig said, taking the keys gratefully. "Come on, Karl." He helped Karl, even though the man was capable of walking on his own.
~~~~~

"Go lay on the bed, Karl. You need to rest. I'll make some tea." Craig instructed as they came into Craig's apartment.

"I'm fine, Craig." Karl insisted but Craig gave him a 'Haldir' look and Karl knew he'd never win. Besides, if he went to 'bed', maybe he could get some more pampering out of Craig, which honestly felt pretty damn good.

Several minutes later, Karl was lying on the bed, Craig's pillow tucked under his chin as he relaxed on his stomach. He had to admit that his head did hurt but it was nothing more than a mild headache.

Craig came in with a tray and set it on the nightstand. He smiled softly at Karl, who turned his head to watch as he entered.

"How's the back?" Craig asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and holding a couple pain killers out for Karl, which he accepted, going up on one elbow to sip the tea.

"Beaut, mate. Head's throbbing a bit but not bad." Karl said after taking the pain killers and nuzzling up again to the pillow. It smelled like Craig's shampoo and he liked the smell.

"You should have been taken in to be checked out properly." Craig said, stroking his hand along Karl's back.

Karl chuckled. "Feel free to check me out yourself but they never would have let me go if they thought I was hurt, Craig. You know that." He closed his eyes and relaxed to Craig's soft hands. "You did some fancy riding out there yourself. The last thing I saw before I hit the ground was you leaping whatever you had to jump. Damn impressive if you ask me."

"Who's askin' you?" Craig said softly. He sat content, stroking Karl's strong back. He could feel Karl's muscles loosening up and he couldn't help himself. He wanted to make sure Karl was really alright as he lifted the back of Karl's shirt, looking for bruising.

"Don't trust me, huh Parker?" Karl chuckled sleepily.

"Call it maternal instinct." Craig said, helping Karl slip the shirt up over his head. "Humor me."

"I landed on my bum. Care to check that out also?" Karl snickered.

"Seriously, yes. If you fractured your tailbone, it's going to be hell to sit on a horse." Craig said. Karl arched his hips up and Craig reached around his waist, unbuttoning his jeans and pulling them off, accidentally brushing Karl's groin. Karl moaned slightly.

"You know, now that I think of it, I believe I am experiencing a bit of pain..." Karl said, dropping his hips down, trapping Craig's hands under them in a very intimate position. Craig was practically hugging his waist and he placed soft kisses at the base of Karl's back.

"I'm serious, Karl. Let me make sure you're okay, please?" Craig moved so that he could pull Karl's jeans down his long legs, admiring the view as he went. He couldn't help it with Karl's body being so close.

Karl resigned to making Craig happy, allowing him to run his hands along his back, touching every centimeter of flesh. He could almost feel Craig's eyes on his skin, exploring slowly and thoroughly. His hands were soft, loving, caring, and caressing him gently.

"Craig?" Karl mumbled into the pillow.

"Mmm?" Craig asked while crawling up on the bed and straddling Karl's thighs. He was still checking the flawless body for injuries but also getting caught up in having Karl lying relaxed before him. He began to place lazy kisses along Karl's spine. His hands massaged Karl's shoulders with sensual touches, causing Karl's mind to go blank.

"That feels so..." Karl whispered. Craig's kissing continued between his blades, the back of his neck, along the expansion of his shoulders, Craig's body hovering just above Karl's back. "Did you mean it?" Karl asked, his senses coming back enough to remember what he was going to ask.

"Hmm?" Craig asked, kissing from the tip of Karl's shoulder towards his neck, completely done checking for injuries and more interested in checking Karl's pulse, with his lips.

Karl managed to turn over, making sure he didn't knock Craig off. Craig lifted so that Karl was still under him, now facing him. "Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" Karl asked as their eyes locked. Karl could see Craig's eyes break away, looking at every detail of his face, his eyes dark with desire.

"I love you, Karl." Craig whispered, bringing his lips and body down as Karl's arms wrapped around his body.

Both men became lost as lips and hands roamed, seeking out pleasure points and causing moans and whimpers as they explored one another. The outside world ceased to exist as they only became aware of the other, reading signals of voice and breathing, touching here gently, there a bit harder, touching each other as if it were the first time yet knowing all those special places that drove each other mad with lust.

"I love you so much, Parker." Karl whispered as he took a lobe gently between hips,ips, his hands slipping Craig's shirt from his shoulders. Craig whimpered, his hands against Karl's chest, feeling the heartbeat beneath. Karl rolled them so that Craig was now under him, hips pressing together. Craig hastily unbuttoned his own jeans, squirming under the pressure of Karl's hips, wiggling out of the confining material.

"I need you, Karl." Craig moaned, pushing Karl's boxers down as soon as he'd freed himself of barriers, arching up as soon as they were flesh to flesh. His hands gripped at Karl's backside, the muscles flexing under his fingertips. Karl was kissing down Craig's neck, across his collarbone, down to his chest.

Craig's head swam in complete pleasure. Karl had never been this attentive to his body, this loving. "Oh, God!" Craig gasped as Karl's hand cupped around his erection, causing Craig's back to arch against him. Karl continued kissing down his stomach as he began to slowly stroke Craig's flesh.

Karl had never taken another man into his hands in this way and if he'd known it would have caused such an erotic reaction from the whimpering, almost incoherent man below him, he would have done it a very long time ago. He wanted Craig to be completely lost in the sensation so he continued to kiss lower, having an overwhelming need to taste every inch.

Craig gripped the sheets below him, his knuckles turning white with restraint. He desperately needed to grip Karl's head and move him where he had wanted him for so long but if Karl was going to do it, Craig needed it to be at his own free will. Craig clenched his jaws so tightly, his neck ridged, his breath coming in strained gasps. "Please," he whimpered, his back painfully arched off the bed.

Karl had never had this kind of affect over another body and every breath Craig took turned him on and made him fall even more in love. He could feel how tense Craig's whole body was and he wanted nothing more than to release the pressure that he'd caused. He licked down the taught stomach, nipping as he went, needing to drive Craig to the very edge of the world before he'd pull him back to safety. Judging by Craig's body, he teetered there already. It was time to take back control. With his hand wrapped firmly around the ridged flesh, Karl brought his lips around the moist organ, tasting Craig's essence in its purest form.

"Oh, fuck!" Craig cried, his body convulsing the second he felt Karl's lips wrap around his flesh. He jerked in intense pleasure as white light flashed through his mind, his entire body heated with the rush of sensation coursing through every pore. After almost painful spasms, his body began to recover as he quickly became aware that he'd experienced something he'd never thought possible – an orgasm without release. His nerves tingled with a new height, a level of pleasure on a plane he'd never been to and he opened his eyes, sweat temporarily blinding him and looked down at Karl.

Karl smiled wickedly, his tongue running along the underside of Craig's still very hard, very erect flesh. "You okay?" He asked, kissing the base.

"How?...what?..." Craig's scratchy voice croaked, not realizing his vocal cords were strained from all the moaning he'd been doing.

Karl smiled. "You can thank my last girlfriend for that little bit." He gave Craig's scrotum a little squeeze as he kissed his way back up Craig's sweaty body. "Damn, every bit of you tastes like heaven." He murmured, sliding his own body along the heated flesh.

"You turning into a poet now, Urban? I think someone's been putting fairy dust in your water." Craig joked, kissing Karl's face as he cradled his head between his hands.

"There's not a damn thing about you that makes me feel like a fairy. I just enjoy making you thrash around a bit. So, I take it you like?" Karl asked, pressing his own rock hard erection against Craig as Craig bent his knees, spreading himself for Karl wantonly. Karl couldn't help but feel proud of himself.

"It's usually a good sign, Karl, when I can't talk and my body does all sorts of embarrassing things." Craig chuckled, kissing along Karl's damp shoulder. "Now are you going to make love to me or are we going to lay here and talk?" He asked, one eyebrow arched perfectly.

Karl smiled. That was what they were about to do, wasn't it, he thought. Making love. No more 'fucking'. Did Karl honestly want to go down this road? And with Craig?

Every question was answered when he looked in Craig's eyes.

Absofriggen-withoutadoubt-undeniably-noquestionsaboutit yes!

TBC