Mark often thought about the dichotomy that was his life. He was a private man who somewhat reluctantly sought fame, if only because it paid the bills. He was understated in a world of spectacle. He was calm even when his world came crashing in on him, which it frequently did. Most of Mark's life, people told him that he didn't get excited about much. That was far from the truth of course. He just rarely felt compelled to share his feelings. They were his own.

These thoughts buzzed through his head as he walked through rows upon rows of chairs in Madison Square Garden. Another year and here he was, back standing in the middle of organized insanity, waiting for the impossible to happen. Part of it, he would be directly responsible for. All too soon, these seats would be filled with people whose eyes would be focused on him.

Mark didn't get nervous anymore, at least not to a level where it could hurt his performance. No, the anticipation merely fueled him now. He was eager to hear the shouts and cheers. He wanted to work the crowd up to a sweltering pitch, and then give them such a good show they would release as if in orgasm when it was over. That was the beauty of live performance, no matter what kind. One could instantly see the results of their work.

He strolled to the back stage area and wandered around, taking it all in. A few of the younger guys were already there. Mark knew they didn't want to miss a second of what would be the culmination of years of hard work, and the fulfillment of a dream. The event had been around long enough now, that many of the young guys had grown up watching it. Now, here they were, getting their chance to participate. Their excitement further fueled Mark, reminding him just how special this whole affair could be... Well, it was Wrestlemania after all. Vince MacMahon's brain child, and perhaps one of the greatest things to ever happen to Pay-Per-View.

He gave a few pep talks to the younger guys, listened to their concerns, and answered their questions. He was contemplating lunch and possibly a snooze when his cell phone rang. He'd been hoping it was his girlfriend, and that she'd changed her mind about coming. Instead the call display said it was Vince. He sighed and flipped open the phone.

"Mornin' Vince" He drawled into the speaker.

"Hello, Mark. Where are you?" Vince asked.

"Backstage, wandering around. Talking some of the new guys into actually getting some sleep before the show goes down." Mark said.

"I'm on my way there. Meet me in the talent parking lot. I've got to ask you about your guest list." Vince sounded like he was holding another conversation in the background.

"You just want me to hang out there so fans can get pictures of me." Mark grumbled.

"Maybe I do. People like to know you're going to present." Vince said. Mark sighed audibly.

"Fine, I'll meet you there." He grumbled.

Mark sipped at a coffee and read a copy of the New York Times in the sunshine. Every so often, he acknowledged the people on the other side of the chain link fence and mugged for their cameras. He talked to the security guys, and spoke with other talent who were coming in to the arena to snoop around and go over last minute plans.

His heart went out when he saw the wheelchair on the other side of the fence and he finally went over, figuring Vince would be there soon to pull him away. He approached and signed a few autographs and spoke to the young woman in the wheelchair. She'd been an athlete until a late diagnosis of Spina Bifida had stopped her in her tracks.

"Yeah, my spinal column is exposed, but there was no hole in my back when I was born." She explained.

"That must have been pretty painful for you for a long time." Mark said. He was truly Mark in that moment, leaving his character out of this conversation.

"Well, if anything good has come out of it, my chance of meeting famous people has really gone up." She said. Mark let himself laugh at that, but not too loudly. "Tell you the truth, I'm not much of a wrestling fan, but they are." She pointed to her friends standing around her. Mark chuckled again.

"Well, if I were you, I'd milk it for all it was worth. Nicely done. Are you all coming tonight?" Mark asked.

"Yep, floor seating."

"Great" Mark said. He'd been autographing a few items, which had to be rolled up and passed through the chain link fence.

"Taker, you don't normally do this kind of thing." Jericho said. Who had walked up and was now standing beside him.

"I'm waiting for Vince. He wants to work out something with my guest list... And I'm always willing to make exceptions for extraordinary circumstances." Mark replied. He caught the sight of Vince getting out of a limo out of the corner of his eye. He introduced the girl in the wheelchair to Jericho by saying "She's a huge fan of yours." while winking at her friends. He said goodbye and made his way over to Vince.

"Is this true?" Vince asked, foregoing an unnecessary polite greeting with Mark. He was holding up a piece of fax paper, which had Mark's handwritten guest list on it, as it had arrived at the head office.

"Is what true?" Mark asked.

"Orlando Bloom is on your guest list. I'm assuming it's THE Orlando Bloom." Vince said.

"I met him at John's golf tournament last year. His people called and said that Orlando would be interested in coming to Mania. So I told them I'd get them the seats they needed for him and his security. But even I have no idea whether he'll show up or not." Mark said.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier? I would have gotten a camera to be on his reactions. At the very least we have to let him backstage." Vince said. Mark knew Vince would shamelessly schmooze with the movie star.

"And that's precisely why I didn't tell you. Besides, I didn't want to disappoint anybody if he didn't show." Mark explained.

"Mark, this could have been great publicity." Vince said. Mark sighed again.

"How about you just leave the guy be? I mean, I don't mind being trotted out like a show pony at work. That's why you pay me. But he's on his off time if he shows up. He does not need to be hounded by cameras if he's not getting paid for it." Mark said. He wasn't quite sure why he was being so protective of the movie star. He just put it down to being left with a genuine like for the guy after their first encounter. Of course there were a few other things that Mark liked about Orlando, but he wasn't about to tell Vince that. He reiterated to Vince to leave Orlando and his entourage alone to enjoy the show and left to seek out lunch and that snooze he'd been contemplating.

He was woken by his cell phone, and this time it was his girlfriend. He lay in bed and had a sleepy conversation with her and let her apologize once again for not being able to make it. Mark grinned. His guilt trip had gotten through to her.

He told her the ways she could make it up to him and they laughed together. He said goodbye and then rose, showered, and dressed to go to the arena. His gear was already there, so all he had to bring was himself. He was just putting his wallet into his back pocket when he noticed a slip of paper poking out. He instantly recognized it. It had been torn from a day planner, and he knew what was written on it without having to look. "I trust you. Call me anytime." And it was followed by a phone number.

Mark checked the clock. He had time. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed without referring to the paper.

"Hello?" Said a familiar voice.

"So I guess late is better then never." Mark said.

"Pardon? Who is this?" Orlando asked. Mark had a flash where he considered just hanging up. He had a girlfriend and should not be calling the man he'd had an illicit experience with in a public place... But Mark had come to the conclusion months ago that Orlando's mouth and fingers had helped make it one of the best sexual experiences of his life. He hoped Orlando thought the same, and this hope gave him the confidence to speak again.

"It's me, Orlando. I called to ask if you were coming tonight." Mark said,playing up his lazy drawl in order to help Orlando recognize his voice. It worked.

"Of course I'll be there." He replied softly, as if trying to conceal his conversation from nearby ears. "I really hoped you'd call, you know."

"Well here I am. What do you want to talk about?" Mark asked.

"I don't really fucking care. I just wanted to hear your voice." Orlando said. Mark smiled. He liked this reception.

"Where are you right now? As long as it doesn't involve any more wagers, we would get a beer or something." Mark suggested. He heard Orlando chuckle.

"On my way to the Garden, actually. My security wants to check it out before I go in, so I could be stuck in the limo for awhile."

"Christ, how do you live in such a fishbowl?" Mark asked. When he was headed to big events, he'd have maybe one guy with him, but that was it.

"It can be quite confining at times." Orlando replied honestly.

"Well, would your security let me past and into the limo?" Mark asked.

"I'll make sure that they do."

"Excellent." Mark said. They made arrangements to meet up, and Mark said he would make sure that Orlando's people could park with the talent. He grinned and picked up the keys to his rental car. Mark called his own assistant to get clearance for Orlando's limo, and then headed for the elevator.

So that was how he ended up slipping into a Mercedes Limo in the talent parking lot, and the door was closed behind him. To his surprise, it was only Orlando inside the large vehicle. He was wearing jeans, a black silk shirt, and a yellow mesh-back trucker ball cap that read, 3M AUTOMOTIVE. Mark immediately found he was smiling him. Orlando looked relaxed and goofy, and he was very happy to see Mark. He made this apparent when he pulled the hat off, leaned forward, and kissed Mark breathless.

Mark knew he should resist this. He had a beautiful woman in his life, one who happened to live on the same continent as he did. He had a reputation to think about. But once again, Orlando's demanding mouth won him over. He kissed Orlando back and moaned when the smaller man positioned himself over Mark's lap, his pelvis grinding down into Mark's. Orlando eagerly ran his fingers over Mark's tied back hair, and Mark responded by putting his hands over Orlando's ass.

The moment, the kiss, was as passionate and playful as the one they'd shared in Texas. Mark realized that he had longed to feel this kind of passion again. Especially coming off this most recent time spent trying to heal his body. He felt like he'd been everywhere, seen everything, tried everything, and beaten everybody.

But now, locked in carnal embrace with a man, he felt thoroughly alive. This was a totally new experience for Mark. There would be no way to 'beat' Orlando. The young man had far too strong a spirit and will for that. Mark found himself delighting in that thought.

Still, questions plagued Mark's over-active mind. Was this all just a role-play to Orlando? Was he just a satisfying fuck that Orlando figured he wouldn't be hurt by? What would people say if they found out? What would his mother say?

He pulled away from Orlando's mouth, his mind sobering. "What are we doing?" Mark asked.

"Making out I believe is the proper term for it." Orlando replied. "Then I'm going to suck your prick, and then I'm going to let you get creative like you did last time." Orlando's lips brushed over Mark's as he spoke.

"Why though? Why me?" Mark asked.

"Because you're about the most fuckable thing on two legs I've ever seen." Orlando answered. He was still grinding his pelvis up and down. Mark moaned quietly at the sensation.

"There are plenty of other men on this planet that are my size, who are far better looking then I am. Why hope that I will be the one who calls back?" Mark asked.

"Because, none of them have ever been so considerate of me before. The rest have just wanted me for what they could get out of me. That is if I let them hang around long enough. I was little more than a pretty whore to them... But with you, I felt that you weren't out for any material gain. You were something else entirely." Orlando said. Mark rubbed his cheek against the smaller man's and sighed.

"You need better taste in men, Orlando." Mark said. "You're mistaking my antiquated sense of chivalry with love."

"No I'm not. I know exactly what this is." Orlando's expression became very serious. "It's a fuck. As much as I would like for it to be something else, it's only a very good fuck." He said. His resignation to this fate was apparent on his face. Mark gave him a perplexed look in return.

"You want this to be something else?" Mark asked quietly.

"Perhaps the better way to put it would be that I want something more. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Have you thought of me?" Orlando asked. His mouth carefully formed the words and Mark's eyes were locked on it.

Mark wanted to answer "Only every day" but he could not make his mouth form words. He was too in awe of the beautiful face only inches from his own, and what that man was offering him.

Simply put, it terrified Mark. He was terrified of the emotions Orlando created in him. He was terrified of how much he liked them. He thought of the sex they'd shared in Texas and how he'd been at Orlando's mercy, and how eager he was to experience that again. He was terrified of being found out, of being outed, of having to consider himself gay, or at least bisexual.

Mostly though, he was terrified of getting lost in Orlando. He was certain that the younger man's will could swallow him whole if he let this go any further.

"Mark, did you think about me at all?" Orlando persisted. Mark had to close his eyes and take a breath. He had to focus on something other than the beautiful, pensive face before him, so he concentrated on his breathing instead.

"Only every second memory" Mark whispered. "Of every waking hour, and more so in my dreams. It haunts me." Mark reopened his eyes, and took down his cool exterior in order to let Orlando really see him. He wanted him to know all the conflict he was experiencing. He wanted him to see all the depth and breadth of emotion he had for Orlando.

As Orlando watched Mark's face, he was presented with a look that no actor could ever hope to replicate. It was that of a man who was feeling such deep emotion that he couldn't find words to express it. Orlando thought for that moment, he was looking into the very core of Mark's soul, and he was amazed at the vastness of what he saw.

Mark was an old, patient and wise soul. But of course that brought with it the capacity for stagnation. Orlando thought he could spend a long time helping to make Mark's life fun to live. "Oh Mark..." Orlando murmured. "Just let go, big man. Here, take my hand." Orlando held his hand up. "Let go to this little mystery we've got going here. It won't hurt." The smaller man wasn't moving anywhere, making it very clear that he had all the time in the world to let the wary Mark reach out to him.

Mark looked to Orlando's hand, waiting patiently in the air and then back up to his eyes. "Let your heart influence you, Mark. I don't think it would steer you wrong."

The motion was slow, almost painfully slow, and extremely controlled. Orlando watched Mark's hand appear in his field of vision, and then take his own in it. Their fingers entwined, and Mark leaned forward, and ran his cheek along Orlando's slowly. Mark's free hand caressed the smaller man's head and down his neck with butterfly touches. The hand he had entwined with Orlando's took a firm grip. And when Mark pulled away to look at Orlando's face once more, Orlando was amazed when he felt that Mark's cheek was wet.

It was only two tears, but Orlando assumed it was two more tears then Mark had cried in a long time. Possibly ever. The ultra masculine face of Mark was so open and tender that Orlando never wanted the moment to end. In the space of seconds, without a word spoken, Orlando had discovered so much more about the object of his affection.

For all his ferocity, Mark had a heart that Orlando would have to tread lightly around. He reminded himself that large did not mean insensitive... And if Mark could be this tender, he never wanted to face the man's wrath. It was then that Mark smiled at him, and Orlando found himself returning it.

Their lips met in a soft kiss, and for Mark it was like stepping into daylight. He was warmed and content in the moment. He was genuinely excited for once. He let go of the image of what his life should be, and did as Orlando suggested. His heart was guiding him into this, and he just had to trust that he would come out safe on the other side.

They didn't end up having sex in the limo. The idea that it could be a lasting thing seemed to change both of their mindsets. There would be plenty of time to find out what the other liked when they were fucking. For now, they both seemed to want to know all about each other. For Mark, it was a catharsis of the memories that had haunted him.

They ended up reclined on the back seat of the limo, with half of Mark hanging off of it, and Orlando on top of him. The ball cap that Orlando had been wearing was perched in the back window of the vehicle. They spent the time posing oddball questions to one another as sort of a game. Orlando found out Mark liked Blues music, and Mark found out Orlando had a thing for thrill seeking. "Calculated risk, as someone once said to me." Orlando said, and Mark chuckled. "So what was it like to grow up a cowboy in the wilds of Texas?"

"I wouldn't know. I never was one. I grew up in a Houston suburb. My dad was in the military. Cowboys we weren't." Mark answered. "But I was the weird one in high school. I didn't take to the suburban lifestyle so well. I think I'm allergic to it, actually." It was Orlando's turn to chuckle. "So how do you maintain this skinny little body of yours?" Mark ran his hands up and down Orlando's back, and paused on something that didn't feel right.

"I love to surf. Have you ever surfed?" Orlando kissed Mark's neck.

"No, can't say as I've ever tried it. I prefer my motorcycles for thrills... What is this?" Mark rubbed his hand over a strip of skin that was harder and more taught then the rest of Orlando's back. It was something that he hadn't had the time to notice during their first encounter. It was a scar in his best estimation. And it was a big one.

"I broke my back. I fell off a roof." Orlando said honestly.

"What?" Mark's eyes went wide.

"I've always been sort of accident prone. It just happened. It was serious at the time. They told me I could have died. But I was walked out of the hospital something like twelve days later. I ride motorcycles too you know."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you broke your fucking back?" Mark asked. His eyes narrowed and he was clearly reacting to how cavalier Orlando could be about this. "How... I don't even know how someone would even go about recovering from that kind of thing."

"Six hours of surgery, a lot of physical therapy... I wore a brace for months. But as you can see, I am once again fit as a fiddle. It was years ago, Mark. It doesn't hurt me much anymore, except for a little stiffness when I overdo it. I'm careful, in my own way of course, about it. I really am." Orlando ran his hand over Mark's brow and down his cheek. "But thank you for your concern. It's rather endearing. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I ride motorcycles too." Orlando's smile was sweet and reassuring. Mark let the issue of Orlando's past injury go, and rolled his eyes.

"Lemme guess, some crotch rocket rice burner, or a Ducati I bet." Mark said. Orlando dropped his gaze and smiled guiltily. That was all the answer that Mark needed. "As long as it's not pink and girly, I suppose I will have to accept it."

"I am no mere girl, Mark." Orlando said.

"No, you are something else entirely." Mark murmured back.

"Okay, new question, how are you not uncomfortable with me lying on top of you like this?"

"One strong motherfucker, that's me. You're not all that heavy... What are you, a hundred and sixty pounds, in your jeans and soaking wet?" Mark asked, amused.

"About that. And just how much do you weigh?"

"I've dropped a bunch. Actually, quite a lot since the last time we were naked together. I had to do it to take the strain off of my hips and knees. I think they'll bill me as three hundred pounds, but in reality, I'm down to under two hundred and ninety."

"Why on Earth would they say that you're heavier then you actually are?"

"Because it makes me appear larger to the audience. Like for years, they announced that I was almost seven feet tall, when in reality I'm six foot eight. However, the crowd wants to see a big guy, and if I appear to be seven feet tall and three hundred pounds, let them believe it." Mark explained, and smiled.

"You work in a strange business." Orlando said. Mark snorted and laughed.

"This coming from a movie star. That must be serious."

"Well, reality has no bearing on making movies. But it does become important in the context of you and I. If this is going to be serious, I don't want any lies."

"Well, a few may be necessary." Mark warned. Orlando questioned him with his eyes. Mark sighed so deeply that Orlando was pitched upward with Mark's inhaled breath. "There's no way I could ever go public, or even tell my family, Orlando. Just no way. I'd be ostracized from the business, from my family... My mother... shit. My mother would kill me with her bare hands if she found out."

"I'm not ready to go their yet either, Mark. I may never be. I've got a career to think about as well. But don't you think we deserve to have a little pleasure in our scant private time? I don't even know if I'm asking you to be with me exclusively. I'm just asking for more then a fuck in a public shower." Orlando explained.

"I... I think I can do that. I want to do that... But I can't cheat on my girlfriend. I only have the brain cells for one relationship."

"Relationship? You're asking for this to be an exclusive thing?" Orlando asked. It was his turn to be surprised and wary.

"I don't know yet... I like you. I like you a lot better then I like my girlfriend at the moment." Mark said.

"Why?"

"Because, Mania is pretty much the biggest thing in my year... I love doing it. And who showed up to watch because it's important to me?" Mark asked.

"Me" Orlando said, and closed his eyes for a moment.

"It certainly wasn't her." Mark said. Orlando opened his eyes again, and looked into Mark's with a smile on his face.

"Well then I guess we'll be racking up the frequent flyer miles. Myself to Houston, and you to London." Orlando mused.

"London? It's so rainy there." Mark's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm sure I can find all sorts of methods to dry you off, and get you warm." Orlando said. Mark smirked at that.

"I look forward to it... I love that accent of yours." Mark said.

"And I love yours. I guess this just gives us more reason to talk to one another."

"Indeed" Mark replied. He raised his hand up and checked the watch on his wrist. "Fuck, I've got to get ready." He said.

"Not yet. Just a few more moments like this." Orlando whispered, his face in the crook of Mark's neck, his lips brushing against Mark's skin. Mark sighed when Orlando tightened his grip on him.

"Would that I could, Orlando. Punctuality is one of my many faults." Mark sat them both up in a smooth motion, but continued to smile. Orlando pretended to pout.

"I suppose it's just one of the things I'll have to learn to love about you."

"Pretty much" Mark said and kissed Orlando one more time before straightening out his shirt and exiting the limo. He filtered casually into the Garden, hoping that his slightly stunned feeling didn't show on his face.

Show time got closer, and he went to dress and head to make up. Normally, at this point in the game, Mark could handle his own eyeliner, but it was Wrestlemania after all.

He spoke to Glen. He spoke to Vince again, who was still railing about Mark not telling him about Orlando. Mark just rolled his eyes and walked away.

Mark ended up in front of a monitor, watching the arena fill up. He would admit to no one, save for himself, that he was looking for a goofy yellow trucker ball cap in the crowd. The smile he gave when he found it wasn't noticed by anybody. It was a content smile. He was too long at this to get nervous, but he did have a spark of excitement in him. It was Wrestlemania after all.

Glen then pounced on him, going over something last minute that he'd thought of for the match. Working with someone of Glen's talents allowed for things like this. Not too long after that, Glen's music hit and Mark became the Undertaker in the motion of putting on that black hat. He took a few deep breaths, and watching the monitor again, he saw Kane's ring pyro go off. He stood at the entrance to the ramp, and maybe, just for a second, felt butterflies in his stomach while the arena's lights were lowered and the dry ice did its thing. But then the Undertaker rose up in him and squashed any doubts. There was a big red machine to destroy.

Mark was satisfied with the match. He would always enjoy working with Glen, especially in front of this kind of audience. Consummate professional he was, Mark didn't look for the yellow trucker hat until after the 1-2-3, the bell, and having his hand raised. He had to suppress a smile as he rolled his eyes back and got on his knee to do his 'salute' to the crowd. To cover it up, he stuck his tongue out, ministry style. What he'd seen before he rolled his eyes back in his skull, was Orlando on his feet, cheering with the rest of the crowd. Clearly, he'd enjoyed the match as much as they had.

He was just stepping out of the shower when the door to his private dressing room opened. "A private dressing room. You really are popular." A familiar voice with a British accent called out. The door to the bathroom was open, so Mark answered.

"I never asked for one. I've just been around so long that they started giving me one when it's available. If one's not available, I just dress with the rest of the guys."

"Well aren't you humble." Orlando appeared in the doorway of the bathroom. Mark glanced up while he was bent over to towel himself dry.

"In this current state of dress, more then a little." Mark said and grinned.

"I do believe I quite enjoy you stark naked." Orlando shamelessly looked Mark over, taking in all that pale flesh.

"Well this puts me at a disadvantage. I can't see any of your skin. How am I supposed to get hard at this rate?" Mark asked. He was inviting the invasion into his space now. He was starting the battle of control in the full hope that he'd lose. His impish challenge immediately woke up Orlando's dominant streak.

"Didn't we just have this conversation? I don't want any more crude and messy public displays of carnal lust. You'll get to see me when I allow you to see." Orlando said.

"So what do I have to do to get you to allow it?" Mark tested again.

"Behave a lot better then this." Orlando's eyes narrowed. He wanted Mark again. That had been established. But he would have Mark on his terms. Mark stood up tall and dropped the towel on the floor.

"You want me to be your puppy dog, at your beck and call? Well then, you're just going to have to show me what you want, Orlando... I'll have you know, I'm a smart dog. So you're going to have to be careful about it... I will not suffer fools... But if you got what it takes to do it right, then I'll be the best damn dog you ever had. I'll come running when you whistle." Mark was still smiling, but his eyes were deadly serious.

"Well, how about you get some clothes on, and I will give you an education on how to take them off."

"And what if I want to strut around nude? You just said you liked me naked." Mark said. He was testing again. Orlando was now inches from his bare body, and Mark knew he would be able to feel the heat his shower warm skin radiated. Orlando slowly met Mark's eye and matched his grin.

"Do whatever you feel like, Mark. But I'm headed back to my suite, and need I remind you that it is March in New York City? If you want to avoid cold shrinkage, I suggest pants." Orlando then seemed to float from the humid bathroom. Mark's grin went up to his eyes and he reached for his jeans.

Mark called his assistant from his cell phone, and asked her to get his rental car back to the company for him. "But in the morning. I know you're looking forward to partying tonight." He said.

"Thanks, Taker." Said his enthusiastic Korean assistant, Hyeshin. She had blue and black hair, and was roughly the size of a hobbit, which Mark loved to tease her about, but be damned if she wasn't great at her job.

"Have fun, but watch out for the Hardy's. They think they know what they're doing when it comes to women, and that's the most dangerous kind of man... And avoid Amy while you're at it. I hear she's contagious." Mark said.

"With what?" Hyeshin asked.

"I think it involves a shot of antihistamine and a round of antibiotics." Mark said, smirking while he quickly and carefully packed his gear to leave. Orlando was waiting by the door, lightly drumming on his thigh.

"Okay, avoid Hardys and sluts. Got it." Hyeshin said. Mark laughed at that.

"Great. Have fun darlin'. See ya tomorrow."

"You too, Taker. Say, who are you going out with tonight?" She asked.

"A friend" Mark said.

"A friend? Like, a drinking buddy that I should organize bail for the both of you, or a friend that was maybe on your guest list that had Mr. McMahon worked in a lather about earlier today?"

"Goodnight, Hyeshin." Mark said.

"Fine, whatever. Tell me about all the famous people you meet tonight." She said.

"Hey, I AM famous." Mark said.

"Taker, you're infamous... Better yet, you're notorious. The difference is massive." Hyeshin said and laughed. Mark had to chuckle at her fearlessness. But the woman was probably right.

"Goodnight, Hyeshin." Mark said again.

"Night Taker!" She said and the line was cut. Mark hung up, rolled his eyes, and smiled at Orlando. He slung his bag over his shoulder and took a deep breath.

"Where to?" He asked.

The limo ride was a minor torture for Mark. Unlike the quiet setting for two they'd had before, the car was now packed with people. His publicist, his New York agent, his manager, two personal assistants, the rest was filled with security, and a couple of people that Mark had no idea why they were there. They all spoke too loudly, or yammered into cell phones. It put Mark off.

While Orlando flirted, and seemed to hold ten conversations at once, Mark clammed up. He did not like cramped quarters where he had no control. On planes, he could just pass out and ignore the issue. Here, he had no choice but to endure it.

Then Orlando started speaking directly to him, and put a hand on his arm. Mark eyed the action subtly, so no one else would notice his reaction. Orlando was asking him about American motorcycles. Mark responded on autopilot, with very little emotion in his voice. When he was finished, he noticed Orlando's hand remained on his arm. Mark couldn't help but concentrate on it... And soon his entire attention was on Orlando and the chaos of voices faded into the background. Orlando spoke to the others, but every minute or so, would turn to Mark and smile.

Mark found himself calming down because of this, and the rest of the ride passed more easily. Still, he didn't have much to say, and then only spoke to Orlando. When the limo stopped, it was only Orlando's hand on his arm that kept him bursting out the door, and instead waiting for the chauffeur to do his job.

He was glad to get out when he did, and took a long, deep breath of the cold, damp March air. Orlando was still close to him and he could smell his cologne. Much of his entourage proceeded on into the hotel without them, save for the security guys. A few flashbulbs went off.

"Oh my god, it's the Undertaker. See? I told you all of the wrestlers stay here." Said a young woman.

"Fuck" Mark said. "Inside. Now." Mark sized up the group of girls as baby ring rats in training.

"Why Mark? Your fans are important." Orlando said. Mark sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I'm really going to have to sit you down and tell you what the wrestling business is really like... Oh shit. Too late." Mark said. The girls were upon him. He hated being caught out of character like this. The Undertaker was the public persona. Mark was not. He didn't even have sunglasses on right now. He squirmed though banal small talk, and gave a few autographs and then was asked to stand for pictures with each of them individually.

Orlando's security was definitely earning their money, in Mark's mind. They moved around him so naturally, the girls didn't even have so much of a chance to glimpse him, so they didn't know who stood amongst the group of men in dark suits.

Mark didn't as much as smile for the photos. To him, this was a very mild form of assault or rape. These people wanted a piece of him, and they would do whatever they had to in order to get it. They had no qualms about forcing their way into his personal space and sucking up his scant free time.

When they asked if he knew where any other wrestlers were, he said his goodbyes that bordered on being curt, and walked away. He walked away from a lot that irritated him, he noticed. But it kept him from going ballistic and hitting somebody.

He walked past the security guards, and they were escorted inside. "So what was that all about?" Orlando asked when they were safely on the elevator. Mark just gave him a sideways glance and said nothing, which only got Orlando more interested. The security guards were still with them, and Mark didn't feel like sharing.

"Tell ya later." Mark said.

"I mean, I usually simply adore meeting my fans. They're always very polite and just thrilled to meet me. I make their day if I stop and say hello." Orlando said. Mark looked at his feet, sighed and then looked back at Orlando.

"I'm not like that. Despite my job and appearance, I'm quiet. Fans can like what I do, and often times I am very happy to spare a couple of minutes. I just don't appreciate having that expected of me. I don't like being asked for an autograph while I'm trying to have a piss at a public urinal." Mark said.

"You could have just said you were shy. I don't need excuses. I already know. The tattoos, while attention getting, are all intimidation factor to make people stay away from you." Orlando said. Mark glared him in the eye. He'd never thought of it that way. Denial was his immediate and natural reaction.

"Shy? You think I'm shy?" Mark asked.

"It doesn't mean that you're easily intimidated or some shrinking violet. You just like to keep to yourself, because that's who you trust." Orlando said. Mark was glad of his hair being tied back only loosely. That meant it would hide the tips of his ears going red.

"I trust people." Mark said. Orlando rolled his eyes.

"Does your girlfriend know your middle name yet?" Orlando asked. Mark looked away for a second, and then back at him.

"Do you?" Mark asked, not believing he was speaking so frankly in front of strangers.

"No, but I do aim to find out." Orlando said. He was smiling at Mark. Mark settled his gaze on the doors of the elevator. His girlfriend had never even asked what his middle name was, and come to think of it, he'd never asked hers. Suddenly that whole relationship became hollow when it came down to the details, or lack thereof.

The large hotel suite brought more waiting for the entourage to clear out. Security gave Mark and Orlando static at the prospect of leaving them alone. Orlando just insisted in his warm, charming way, that he would be fine. "Mark is my friend. Go on, get some sleep, and thank you for all your attentive work today."

And then finally, there was silence. Mark stood by the glass doors to the terrace. He was insulted by what had been implied of him by the head of security. He had his arms crossed over his chest as he looked out into the dark... Well, if dark meant the vague glow of streetlights below and points of light from the skyscrapers around them.

"Forgive their paranoia, Mark. It's what I pay them for." Orlando said. "Would you like a drink or room service? You're probably starving."

"There's no probably about it. But at the moment, I'm too agitated to be thinking about what I want. How do you deal with being surrounded like that all the time?" Mark asked. For once in his life, he was well and truly worked up. Between being seen as a Neanderthal and having his personal space invaded, that was enough to do it.

Mark felt a hand on his shoulder; it was warm and much smaller and finely boned then his own hand. The touch was firm and bold, and most definitely masculine... But just smaller then himself.

"I'm so sorry, Mark. I suppose I'm just used to it. I like having lots of people around me. What I do just happens to work in harmony with that... Fuck your neck and shoulders are tight. Let me give you a back rub, and then we'll order room service." Orlando said softly. He brought his other hand up and started working his fingers into the taut muscles of Mark's upper back. Mark dropped his arms to his sides, and took a deep breath. Orlando hit a knot and Mark moaned. "You like that?" Orlando whispered.

"Yeah" Mark said softly, surprised at how good it felt to be touched by a kind hand.

"Come and lay down on the bed."

"Already? Don't I even get dinner first?" Mark teased, and cracked a small smile.

"Very fucking funny. Come on." Orlando took Mark's arm and let him to the bedroom. Mark stood by while Orlando moved two pillows from the head of the bed to the foot. "Take off your shirt." Orlando said. Mark merely smirked in response again, and pulled his hooded sweatshirt and t-shirt over his head.

"My, you really have lost weight haven't you? Where did that cute little belly go?" Orlando asked. Now he was the one smirking and Mark rolled his eyes. "Really, if you keep this up, soon you'll fit into my jeans."

"Ha ha ha" Mark said dryly.

"Please come lie down, Mark. Let me make you feel better."

Mark removed his belt, wallet, keys and cell phone and laid face down on the bed. He craned his neck up and watched Orlando, who was rooting around in a piece of luggage. "What are you doin'?" Mark asked. As always, his drawl emerged as he started to relax.

"Just getting some massage oil. My personal trainer sometimes has to work out some major knots when I'm doing an action role. Learning archery on horseback for Legolas was bloody murder."

"I bet. That whole time must have been very intense." Mark said.

"No more intense then the physical rigors you must put on your body night after night." Orlando said. Mark grinned.

"Eh, I'm built for hard labor." Mark joked. Orlando poured some of the contents of a small, green bottle on to his hands and came over to the bed.

"Oh sure, and so says this enormous knot just below your shoulder." Orlando rubbed over the offending flesh. Mark hissed and then forced his body to breathe. He took long, deep breaths, and then moaned as Orlando expanded the area he was working on. "You've got the most beautiful back, Mark." Orlando said.

"Mmm... what?"

"It's so artfully defined. You look like a Michelangelo. Do you do anything specific to keep it this way?"

"Other then regular stuff in the gym? No. I've never thought of my back as one of my better features."

"Well it's lovely, really."

"I'll remember that the next time I have a photo shoot... That feels really good." Mark said.

"I'm glad." Orlando replied.

A cell phone started ringing as soon as Mark had just gotten comfortable and closed his eyes. Mark groaned, recognizing the ring as his own. He rolled his shoulders, buried his head in the pillow and cursed. "Fuck" Orlando heard through the muffling the pillow provided. "Fuck fuck fuck" Orlando got up off the bed and checked the call display.

"It says: Momma" Orlando said. Mark groaned again and reached out his hand. Orlando placed the cell phone in it. Mark propped himself up on his elbows, opened the phone, and put it to his ear.

"Hey momma" Mark drawled.

"How's my baby boy?" She asked.

"Fine, momma. Did you get to see the show?"

"Of course I did. You looked like you were really having fun out there tonight."

"I was. I always like when I get to work with Glen." Mark said.

"I know. Where are you? It's so quiet where you are. I expected loud music and having to talk over women who were throwing themselves at you."

"Heh, naw momma. I'm taking a break from that this year. I'm at a small, exclusive party at a hotel suite. It's a nice change."

"That sounds entirely civilized. I'm glad to hear you've taken a more mature stance on your sex, booze, and rock and roll lifestyle." She said. Mark smiled sweetly and Orlando thought it was adorable.

"Well, not quite yet. It's a baby step." Mark said.

"Oh just let me have my delusions."

"Sure, momma." Mark replied.

"I'll let you get back. I just wanted to say it was a great show. I had most of the grandchildren over, and they thought it was great too."

"Thanks, momma. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Sure, Mark. Goodnight."

"Night" Mark said. He was still smiling as he pushed the end button and tossed the phone aside. Orlando was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand on Mark's shoulder. He had that impish twinkle in his eyes again. "What?" Mark asked.

"Yes momma. No momma. Thanks momma." Orlando said, in a spot on impression of Mark's drawl. "You are quite the momma's boy." He said, resuming his normal accent.

"Sure, I'll admit to that. I'm southern. It's how we treat them down there. You gotta be good to your momma. It's probably worse since my dad died. I talk to her most everyday, just to see how she's keeping." Mark explained.

"Fuck, at this rate Mark, I want to take you home to meet my mother." Orlando said.

"I'd probably scare the crap outta your mother. Judging by you, she's gotta be what? Four feet tall?" Mark teased, and rolled on to his side. Orlando's hand slid to Mark's chest, and lingered there.

"No, all we'd have to do is clean you up and put you in a long sleeve, button down shirt. She's used to my taste in men by now." Orlando said.

"She knows?" Mark asked. The concept of telling his own mother was beyond him. It would never happen, because it wasn't possible.

"Well I'm sure she has me pegged as at least bisexual. I've brought too many large boys home as 'friends' that she must have figured it out by now." Orlando caressed Mark's chest one more time, got up and grabbed the room's cordless phone. "I'm ordering room service, and then I'll finish that back rub. What do you want to eat? I'm sure the chefs here can do just about anything."

"Two six ounce steaks, rare, two pint cans of Guinness and a glass, a plate of orange slices, a salad, baby greens or spinach, and a starch... Hmm... About six thick slices of bread, the darker the better. Rye if they have it." Mark rolled off his list so naturally that Orlando knew he had to be serious.

"That's a lot of food."

"Because of my physical activity level, my doc says I've got the metabolism of a twenty-five year old. But I have to work at it. I have to spend a lot of time in the gym now, and I have to eat right. I do both, so hence, I eat a lot. It's a long list. Did you want me to make the call?"

"No, it'd probably weird the desk staff out. They're all quite happy to hear my voice personally ordering food. I've been here a few days now."

"Okay, you got it." Mark said and rolled on to his back, lazing like a big cat. Orlando had to smile as he called the desk, and placed the order.

With some convincing by Orlando, they migrated to the living area of the suite. Mark made the motion to slip his sweater back on, but Orlando oh so politely charmed him into leaving it off.

"Fine, but you better keep me warm. I don't want a case of the sniffles over this." Mark said.

"Oh I'm sure I'll find a way." Orlando grinned at him. After a continuation of the back rub on the couch, they ended up in what was quickly becoming a favourite position for Mark, with Orlando most of the way on top of him. "Warm enough?" Orlando asked.

"Yeah, this'll do." Mark teased. Orlando places open mouthed kisses on Mark's neck and collar bone. Mark's stomach growled.

"You've got a one track mind." Orlando said between kisses.

"One track stomach, actually." Mark said. Orlando chuckled. Mark also felt the first real pangs of hunger of an entirely different sort. He was relaxed, warm and happy, and he was becoming very turned on. He sighed happily.

"Is that the sound of a happy Mark?" Orlando asked.

"A very happy Mark. For once."

"Will you come to visit me in London?"

"All right, when?" Mark asked. Orlando kissed his neck again.

"It's as simple as that?" Orlando asked.

"I have to clear the time if it's not going to happen for the next couple of months. I usually take time off after Mania now. But right now, my schedule is free and clear. And I'm not unaccustomed to travel, you know." Mark said. Orlando laughed between his kisses. "That feels so good, I can almost forget how fucking hungry I am, and just get down to fucking."

"Oh no, I want food into you before I fuck you silly. There will be no hypoglycemia during our love making." Orlando said.

"Well, at least I know what my plans for the evening are... And would you please kiss me on the mouth already?" Mark asked.

"You're demanding. I might have to punish you for that." Orlando whispered.

"You promise?" Mark asked.

"I promise." Orlando said, and then scraped his fingernails down Mark's bare chest. Mark gasped and Orlando caught Mark's open mouth in a bruising kiss. Mark snaked his arms around Orlando and kissed him back. He was even enjoying the feel of Orlando's silk shirt on his injured skin.

He felt Orlando's scar under the shirt again, but said nothing. Well, it was hard to say anything with his mouth so thoroughly occupied. Mark didn't know how long they stayed like they were, kissing and touching on the couch. All he knew was that when there was a knock on the door leading out to the hall, the last thing his mind was on was food.

"Fuck" Orlando muttered. "Right, I was insisting upon food, wasn't I?"

"Yep, that was your idea." Mark said. His stomach kicked up and started making noise again.

"Not entirely my idea." Orlando eyed Mark's stomach, and got off of Mark and the couch with a smile on his face. He went to the door, and flirted with the concierge, and judging by the young man's reaction, probably gave him a sizeable tip.

He reappeared in the living room with a tray of food, that Mark already knew most of would be what he ordered. "Where do you want to eat?" Orlando asked.

"Off of your belly" Mark said with a wolfish grin.

"Oh no, there is no way you're getting a steak knife near my skin."

"Who said I was going to use utensils?" Mark asked. Orlando smiled. Mark found himself proud that he could make him do that so easily.

Dinner was served on a table near the doors to the terrace. Mark had to keep his eyes firmly on his food to remember to put it in his mouth and chew. He was nursing half on an erection, and wanted to start to take care of that as soon as possible. The food was probably great, but he couldn't concentrate on that. He made as much conversation as he could think of, but his mind was clearly on other things. Orlando of course could fill the silence quite easily, and moreover, he didn't seem to mind. Mark liked the fact that Orlando didn't try to force him to speak. Mark could spend a lot of time silent when he was on his off time.

Mark's jeans continued to tighten and he was breaking out in a light sweat. Orlando sat across the table, looking cool and calm as he casually ate and sipped at a glass of wine. Orlando looking so relaxed is what sent Mark over the edge. The sexual tension was palpable, and the fact that Orlando could either ignore it or simply be content with it was too much for Mark.

About three quarters of the way through his food, Mark noisily dropped his fork. Orlando looked over at Mark mildly. "Yes?" He asked, looking rather surprised at Mark's sudden abandonment of his meal. "Is the food all right?"

"Ya know, I don't think I really care at this moment. I've had enough."

"Enough of what?" Orlando asked, looking blissfully clueless. Mark knew full well the opposite was the case, and would take no more of this. However, instead of scowling and trying to take what he wanted, Mark instead smiled and tossed his napkin on the table. He knew that to get what he wanted, he had to let go. He had to let Orlando get what he wanted. To have Orlando, he would have to trust him enough to give himself over to him.

"Let me worship you." Mark said softly. "Let me beg you for release."

That broke Orlando's cool demeanor. His hand started to tremble and he had to concentrate to set his wine glass down and keep it upright. Mark had found his weakness, his greatest desire. Mark trusted him enough to give him control.

Now all Orlando had to do was maintain that control. Being presented with this offer had him instantly excited. He swallowed his mouthful of wine loudly and also placed his napkin and fork on the table. "Close your eyes, Mark." Orlando said. His voice was barely above a whisper. Mark maintained his smile and closed his eyes lightly.

He heard the faint rustling of a silk shirt getting closer to him. Mark felt a tremor across his skin in anticipation. His already bare chest felt the warmth of a body next to him. He could smell Orlando's cologne. He thought he could feel fingers brushing softly over the hair on his head, but the touch was so light, he couldn't be sure at first. Then fingertips touched his forehead and then proceeded down his nose and over his lips.

Mark wanted to praise his lover, but knew not to yet. He let Orlando do what Mark considered him to be best at... Drive him wild. That acting thing Orlando did, yeah, he was pretty good at that... But what Mark was experiencing now was what he definitely liked best of Orlando's many talents.

The fingers continued down to his chin, neck, collar bone, and down his chest. Mark of course wondered where Orlando's other hand was in space, but let that thought go by the way. The fingertips that were already on him moved down his arm. The slender fingers eventually entwined with his own fingers.

"Come with me. Keep your eyes closed." Orlando said. His voice was still whisper quiet, because that's all that was needed. To have someone as large and powerful as Mark be compliant and trusting him, was the fulfillment of a sexual fantasy he had since he'd been having sexual fantasies. Unlike many of the others Orlando had seduced, Mark was intelligent enough to have figured out that if he relaxed and gave himself over, he would be thoroughly satisfied.

Mark stood up and took a few tentative steps in the direction of Orlando's gentle tug on his hand. Orlando's mind was swimming. Mark understood completely what he wanted to do... And Mark wanted it just as much. Orlando took a deep breath and led Mark on to the bedroom. He carefully led Mark up to the edge of the bed.

"Lie down on your stomach please." Orlando requested.

"Eyes closed?" Mark asked.

"Yes please, trust me." Orlando said. He was delighted when Mark crawled on to the bed without hesitation. Orlando quickly moved the pillows that had been at the foot of the bed back up to the head for Mark's comfort. Mark got comfortable and heard the cap of the bottle of massage oil being opened again. Orlando then crawled across Mark's ass and perched himself there. When his hands met Mark's flesh again, Mark moaned deeply. Orlando started at Mark's lower back and used the heels of his palms to push his way up Mark's spine to his lower back.

Mark screwed his eyes more tightly shut. This was mildly painful, but felt very good at the same time on his tired body. Orlando kept on rubbing Mark's back, and Mark could feel the taught cloth at the crotch of Orlando's pants, not to mention his own. Mark ground his hips involuntarily into the mattress and he moaned again. Orlando kept up his touch, and was marveled by all the strength in Mark's body. The man was a Clydesdale, and could crush him whenever he felt like it. But like a level headed draft horse, Mark instead lay compliant and expecting, and was content to do so... Almost.

"Relax, Mark. We've got all night and longer." Orlando said.

"I know... I just... You're not making this easy." Mark said.

"Would you expect me to take it easy on you?"

"Well of course not. My balls are still tender." Mark said, reveling in Orlando's weight perched on his backside. "It's just that I wanted you to keep informed on the situation."

Orlando chuckled, and then rubbed the heels of his palms up Mark's spine again. Mark groaned and his head rolled to the side. He still had his eyes obediently closed and a smile on his face. Orlando just wanted to bend down and smother Mark with kisses. But not yet. He had to see this through. It was something he'd been waiting for his entire life.

A few more strokes up Mark's spine with the heels of his palms and the big man became putty in Orlando's hands. They had time, so Orlando indulged himself. He bent over and kissed Mark's neck, just below his hairline. Orlando was practically drunk with the sensation of Mark's muscular bulk beneath him. Mark squirmed under his touch, completely responsive to Orlando's ministrations.

"Can I open my eyes?" Mark asked.

"Oh I suppose. You've got such pretty green eyes."

"I'm shy. I've got pretty eyes. I never knew I was so effeminate." Mark said and his eyes opened. With his head turned to the side, he saw Orlando's bright brown eyes sparkling in the muted light of the room.

"You're beautiful in ways you aren't even aware you could be." Orlando said.

"Ha, cute" Mark said. He made no attempt to roll over.

"You don't think you're attractive?" Orlando asked.

"I'm not pretty, I know that. I'm just so alpha male that people find it sexy. But I wouldn't ever be put on the cover of teen magazines the way you are. You appear to be a sweet, non-threatening boy. Of course I know the truth is entirely different, but that's how you are seen by the public. I, on the other hand, look like I can rip someone apart. I'm not safe for the mass consumption of preteen girls. Now, are you going to let me get an orgasm out of you, or do I have to lay here like a body building lump?" Mark said. Orlando considered his new lover. He was confident, but for all the wrong reasons in Orlando's mind.

"Alpha male? Well, how about I show you that you can be seen as beautiful, and you don't have to exude that?" Orlando asked.

"And what would that mean?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Have you ever been on the receiving end of anal sex, Mark?" Orlando asked. It was so casual that Mark couldn't be shocked by it. Mark turned it over in his mind. It was Orlando. They trusted each other. Mark knew he could trust Orlando, because Orlando trusted him.

"With you, I'd be willing to try." Mark said. Orlando broke into a wide smile and kissed the back of Mark's neck again. Once again Orlando was fighting for control, but it was strictly with himself. He thought himself out of the giddy feeling he had in order to do this properly. He sat up and his hands went to the buttons of his shirt. He was excited, but he wasn't nervous. His fingers moved efficiently while Mark waited patiently beneath him.

Mark had closed his eyes again, listening to the rustle of the silk shirt. He was particularly fond of the sound of it fluttering to the floor beside the bed. It had landed on the left side if Mark's old ears told him anything. He then heard a belt being unbuckled and a zipper being undone. Orlando shifted his weight off of Mark and onto the floor. Mark then heard the sound of jeans pooling on the floor. Orlando wasted no time getting back on the bed, so Mark knew without opening his eyes that Orlando had been without underwear.

"Mark, would you be so kind as to put your knees under you and prop yourself up?" Orlando asked. Mark moaned happily. He did as asked, because he knew Orlando would make it worth his while to do so. Orlando's wiry arms wrapped around Mark's waist and undid the fly of his jeans. This was blessed relief for Mark, whose erection had been throbbing in his pants. "So what do you feed this?" Orlando teased, and gently guided Mark's hard cock from its denim confines. Mark chuckled and moaned.

"I'm sorry to burden you with my big dick. But I'd look strange if I had one that was more your size, don't you agree?"

"Nothing about you is a burden, Mark. Believe that." Orlando said, and tugged Mark's jeans down and exposed his ass. Orlando ran his hand over the pale, well-muscled flesh. "So nice when a large man actually has an ass and defined legs."

"I do squats until I want to cry." Mark admitted, with a grin on his face. "Otherwise I'd get a flabby ass and chicken legs."

"All this care you take of your body. I'm surprised you swung hetero for so long."

"I like to think I keep an open mind... And you presented the idea with such... enthusiasm and tenacity." Mark said. Orlando laughed out loud. Mark took the time while Orlando composed himself to roll over and slip off his jeans. He sat up on the edge of the bed, and the next thing he knew, Orlando was beside him, clinging to him.

The gesture brought out 'daddy' in Mark. He wrapped his arms around his smaller lover and kissed the top of his head. "I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to get enough of you." Orlando whispered. "You understand me. I could just stay in bed with you forever."

"Forever's a long time, Orlando. How about we just enjoy right now instead?" Mark said. He pulled Orlando horizontal with him and kissed his beautiful mouth. Orlando brought his hands up to cup Mark's face. Mark delighted in the feel of Orlando's fingertips on his cheeks and thumbs on the edge of his lips.

Their erections were carefully nestled between them, and Orlando's poked Mark's belly rhythmically as they made out. While the idea of getting it in the ass had been a mild phobia before, that fear didn't cross his mind now. The phobia had come from a social taboo... Growing up where he did, how he did, and the career he'd chosen were aspects of a society where such things just weren't done. The act was seen as vile because it usually had violence and victimization being implied as the source of it.

With Orlando though, Mark knew he wasn't being victimized. He was a willing participant whom Orlando wanted to please. The dominance Orlando had used during their first encounter was to keep Mark aware that Orlando was not to be toyed with or taken advantage of... And Mark was definitely cool with that.

So when Orlando broke their kiss and breathlessly asked if he could try, Mark nodded, said yes, and softly kissed his angelic incubus again. He gave control and his trust to Orlando.

Mark moaned and gasped, and cursed, and cried out several times while Orlando meticulously prepared him. At first all Mark felt was pain and violation... But he breathed through it. This was his first time going from fucker to being fucked, so a period of adjustment seemed natural.

Orlando took was he was doing seriously and did it carefully. He used lots of lube, perhaps a little more then necessary, but he wanted Mark to have as much pleasure from this first experience as possible. By the time Orlando got his second finger in, Mark was pushing back on his hand, obviously wanting more. "Eager. I like that." Orlando commented. Mark groaned from deep in his body.

"I've always had a tendency towards over-achiever syndrome." Mark replied. "Lucky me." Orlando said.

Mark gritted his teeth when Orlando's third finger entered him. He muttered curses and bit his lip. "Do you want me to stop?" Orlando asked.

"No, just keep on going. We're this far now." Mark resolved.

"All right, but the second you want to stop, you tell me."

"I will" Mark said, and pushed back on Orlando's fingers again. "Oh, oh god." Mark murmured. It was slowly becoming less painful for him. The sensation of being full and what was about to be filled with, was settling into his mind.

Still it took close to half an hour for Mark to nod and say he was ready. Orlando hesitated to make sure. "Now Orlando. Fuck me like you mean it." Mark said. Orlando couldn't roll the condom on fast enough.

Mark once again perched on his elbows and knees. To him it felt Orlando's hands were everywhere on him at once... And then they were close to his opening, and Mark took a breath. He exhaled as Orlando entered him. At that moment, it didn't matter the size of his lover's member, because it felt plenty large enough from this perspective. He inhaled a breath and felt it even more. "Whew, wow" Mark said softly. Orlando rubbed Mark's lower back.

"How are you doing?" Orlando asked.

"Peachy" Mark said.

"How does it feel?"

"New. Interesting... And just... new." Mark said.

"Well, let's see if I can turn 'interesting' into 'holy fuck that's hot' okay?" Orlando smiled at the broad expanse of Mark's back in front of him.

"Be my guest." Mark said.

"With pleasure" Orlando replied.

The first thrust hurt... Hurt a lot... And left Mark gasping again. So did the second. By the third, Mark was pretty sure that he was seeing stars, and it wasn't the good kind.

"Relax, Mark. You've got to relax. For both of our safety." Orlando said from somewhere above him.

Mark breathed again. He didn't feel as intensely filled as a minute ago. It felt that Orlando's movements had seemed to make some room. He managed to get a few deep breaths down to the bottom of his lungs. Orlando ran his hands over Mark's back, massaging the tension out of him again. For a few moments, all was calm.

And then Orlando thrust his hips forward again. Mark wasn't sure what had changed from that moment to this one, but Orlando must have hit his prostate, and Mark finally understood what gay men were talking about. He was seeing stars again, but in a completely more pleasant way. "Oh, oh that's good." Mark managed to say. Orlando thrust his hips forward again and Mark brought his hips up to match it. One more thrust and Mark was beyond words, and having the time of his life.

He cried out with each thrust from Orlando, and his own cock, which had softened somewhat since Orlando had entered him, was now hard and demanding attention again. Orlando, being Orlando, was observant of his lover, even now. He reached around and the remains of the lube on his hands was more than enough to help as he stroked Mark's cock in time with his thrusts.

Both men's adrenaline kept them going for a time, but the day's stress, and the newness of the situation had sapped some of Mark's stamina. So when he came, it was with a deep bellow and all over Orlando's hand. His muscles tensing in orgasm brought Orlando off, and they collapsed in a pile of tangled limbs, sweat, and semen. Orlando slipped his member carefully out of Mark, and in his haze, disposed of the spent condom.

And Mark, after years of being the responsible alpha male, let Orlando get up off the bed and wet a cloth in the suite bathroom. Orlando helped Mark roll over and Mark laid back and moaned happily while Orlando washed him clean.

"I could spend months and years exploring you." Orlando whispered. Mark waited until Orlando put the cloth back into the bathroom, and waited until Orlando had returned to the bed and they'd arranged themselves beneath the covers to gather himself. Mark pulled his smaller lover to spoon alongside him. He showered Orlando with open mouthed kisses. They both smelled of sweat and sex, and were so sated that they would have agreed to most anything at that point.

"Luke" Mark whispered into Orlando's ear.

"Beg your pardon?" Orlando asked.

"Orlando, my middle name is Luke." Mark said. Orlando met his mouth in another warm kiss.

"That's so biblical." Orlando teased when their lips parted.

"Heh, I don't think that the bible had much to do with it. I was the youngest of close to half a dozen boys. Momma and daddy just wanted easy names they could get out while we were being yelled at." Mark explained. He was smiling in the low light of the room.

"Did they do that often?" Orlando asked.

"Only ever when we did something to deserve it. Which was probably a lot. We were typical boys... Well, my brothers were. I was just a shit disturber."

"Yeah, 'you' and 'typical', I would have a hard time putting in a sentence together." Orlando said.

"Aww, that's sweet of you." Mark said.

"And you said you weren't femme." Orlando said. Mark chuckled and they both settled their heads on the pillows and drifted into content sleep.

Epilogue:

Mark walked into what he thought would be his unused hotel room to find a head of blonde hair spilling out from under the bed spread. "Somebody's been sleeping in my bed." Mark muttered and the owner of the hair sat up slowly, awoken by Mark's presence in the room. It was his girlfriend.

Mark wanted to curse. He wanted to just leave the room. He'd cheated on her. With a man, no less... And he knew he'd do it again if he had half a chance.

"Surprise" She said. "I made it. I got Glen to let me into the room. That's such a good idea of yours to give him an extra keycard... Where were you all night? Drinking with John?"

"Uh, actually I was having wild, kinky sex with Orlando Bloom." Mark said. She laughed despite her sleepiness.

"Oh Mark, you're always hilarious." She said, interpreting the truth as a joke. To her, Mark could only be the Mark she knew. There was no way he could be anything else. It was quite like how his mother saw him, he realized.

"Babe, what's my middle name?" Mark asked, testing her. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"I don't know. You haven't told me. I know how private you are, and I don't want to seem invasive. We've only been together a few months. I value your sense of privacy too much to do that to you." She said and yawned. Mark took a long, deep breath.

"We have to talk." Mark said. Twenty-four hours ago, Mark would have been elated that she'd made it here... A lot could happen in twenty-four hours. A lot had happened in twenty-four hours.

So he called in an order for room service to bring breakfast and sat her down. He told her as much as he could. He said there was somebody new, and that's when she got defensive and angry. "Who is she? She's not one of the sluts you travel with is it?" She asked. Mark's expression became angry, and he glared at her.

"Even if it was, which it's not, some of whom you've described as sluts are close friends and hardly deserve that description... It's not any of them. I said it was somebody new. Somebody who has gotten under my skin like no one else ever has before... That's gotten to the very core of me. I'm not positive yet, but I think it could be love, and I think it could last." Mark said.

"You don't love me." She said. Mark sighed and his expression had softened over the course of his little speech.

"We had good times, and we had romance. You may not be the love of my life, but we had a great romance between us, didn't we? We had fun, lots of it, but you're smarter then I am, you had to know that this had a finite lifespan... I'm sorry. I know that won't mean much to you, but I am sorry." He said.

She turned away from Mark then and tears welled up in her eyes. She would be fuming mad at him shortly, but for now, she let him comfort her when got close to her and put his arms around her.

He apologized over and over again. And so that was how another of Mark's great romances ended. He never told her who the new person was, or even what sex they were... And she, like always, didn't try to pry.

It was funny on some level to Mark that not only had he fallen for someone who pried, but had the ability to rip him right open and read the future from his entrails. Orlando also had the ability to stand up to Mark's ego, and to make him focus and modify his behaviour. Mark was pleasantly surprised to know just how much he got off on that. He was willing to change for whatever it was that Orlando wanted. On the flip side of that, Orlando wanted to keep Mark happy, keep him exploring, and discovering, and excited about what was going to happen next.

When Mark thought about it more, there was no dominant one between the two of them, really. Mark did what Orlando wanted, because they both wanted the same thing... And that was good enough for Mark. It wasn't all that romantic a way to start a relationship, but it did work... And practical Mark was happy with that.

Epilogue II (or: Two Steps Closer):

Mark stepped into the arrival's gate in Heathrow. His dress shoes clacked on the hard floor, which he didn't like, but rubber soled biker boots didn't match the pearl grey Armani suit he was wearing. He had his luggage in hand and a long leather coat over his shoulder. He wished he hadn't come directly on a red-eye from the last post-Wrestlemania engagement he had in Germany, but it had been the only sensible option. There had been a soiree just before Mark had left that he couldn't get out of, and there just hadn't been time to change into something more comfortable.

Mark scanned the crowd, expecting to see someone holding a sign with his name on it. He was surprised when he caught sight of a very familiar mouth. But when somebody's lips had been wrapped around your dick, you quite often had a hard time forgetting them... Especially if it was the only man who'd ever sucked you off.

The rest of Orlando's face was obscured by sunglasses and a cowboy hat. Mark chuckled, knowing for once that they were all the rage here in Europe at the moment. Orlando also had a scarf wrapped around his neck and shoulders. It was an effective disguise against somebody who didn't know what they were looking for.

Mark saw Orlando's jaw drop a little when he walked over to him. "Oh, ho ho... Would you look at this?" Orlando asked. "I had no idea that you owned Armani."

"Just because I'm usually dirty, doesn't mean I can't clean up." Mark said. He looked around for Orlando's security detail and found it. Subtle and good at their jobs, Mark thought.

"You look incredible in that suit." Orlando said.

"Thank you" Mark said. He suppressed a blush as he accepted the compliment.

"However, I can think of other ways you'd also look incredible." Orlando said. Mark laughed quietly. They exchanged a loose hug, acceptable for two repressed straight guys to exchange at an arrival's gate. "Are you tired?" Orlando asked as they moved off towards the doors to the outside.

"Eh, I caught a couple hours on the plane and in the airport before takeoff. Engine noise puts me right out at this point in my life. It's almost a Pavlov's dog-like response. I should be fine." Mark said.

"Well Mr. Callaway, would you like something to eat?" Orlando asked.

"That'd be nice." Mark said and carefully controlled his stride to walk beside Orlando without outpacing him. It was something Mark was well used to because he knew so many persons with shorter legs then his, he just had to keep on reminding himself of it. One of Orlando's security guards even offered to carry his bags. Mark smiled and politely refused. He was far too used to looking after himself to accept such an offer.

Once safely inside a limo with tinted windows, Orlando crawled on top of Mark and kissed him in front of God and his security detail. Mark did his best not to be shy, but kept it short. He still could not ignore the fact that there were other people around, no matter what kind of confidentiality agreement they'd signed. "Welcome to England, Mark." Orlando said when Mark broke the kiss off.

"Thanks" Mark said with a grin. After brunch and a quick change of clothes at Orlando's relatively spacious flat, Mark felt much better. He left for a walk, some shopping, and general wandering around in a pair of well worn jeans and a plain t-shirt that didn't have too many of those little bullet holes in it. As soon as he tied a bandana around his head, he felt much more like himself. He was pleased that Orlando approved of the suit, but he didn't ever feel right wearing one.

Once out on the street during an overcast day, Orlando's two man security detail hung back. Orlando and Mark were allowed their own space to talk and wander. Mark quickly discovered that Orlando had thing for antiques from the shops he was led in to. When Mark spotted a dagger from the 17th century he liked and took a close look at, Orlando's eyes brightened. "Let me get it for you." He said.

"Pardon?" Mark asked.

"As a gift. Let me get it for you." Orlando said.

"The only problem with that is getting it Stateside of the Atlantic." Mark said. "Somehow, I think that would seem to go against the rules of acceptable carry on. Besides, if I wanted it that badly, I'd buy it myself."

"And that is the purpose of gifts, Mark. You get something for someone else that they want, but most likely wouldn't ever buy for themselves. We'll get it shipped over." Orlando said. Mark rolled his eyes and a slight blush rose up on his cheeks. Orlando beckoned the shopkeeper over and had the dagger wrapped up for them.

When Orlando placed the bagged parcel in Mark's hands just outside the door of the store, Mark just smiled and said a humble "Thank you" because it was all he could think of to say.

"You're welcome, Mark." Orlando said. They walked on, followed loosely by Paulo and Julian, the security guys.

"I should get something for you." Mark said.

"You already have, Mark. You understand what I want and I didn't even have to explain it to you. You've got me figured out... And you gave me your trust. I don't think that there's anything greater you could give to anybody." Orlando's voice was only audible to Mark's ears and Mark was relieved that Orlando respected Mark's need for privacy. A calm smile fell on Mark's features. Orlando understood him just as easily. No one had ever understood him so easily before.

Mark's stride unconsciously evened out and slowed somewhat to more easily walk beside Orlando. He didn't have to remind himself to slow down a bit, because there was no way to forget about Orlando. The little guy wouldn't let him for one... And Mark would never want to. Mark took in a breath, and looked at the man walking beside him, and then looked around him. Gloomy and gray-skied England seemed aglow in his eyes. It was a beautiful day and life was good.

-Fin