Karl's present

[karlofpalace.livejournal.com]

Karl looked down at the package in his hand. Harry's birthday present. One corner of his mouth crooked up as he thought of how Harry's face would look when he saw that Karl had signed him up for a 'Beer of the Month Club'. Than how his face would change when he saw the real present.

A picture, sketched out by Karl and done over by Viggo. Of Orlando, asleep in Harry's arms as the older man looked down at him. It had taken some doing, between looking for the right picture of Orlando to start from and trying to get the look on Harry's face just right. But in the end, the picture was perfect.

Harry,

Happy Birthday.

And here's to knowing you're going to have a lot more with Orlando.

Love,
Karl and Viggo

Karl's smile turned wistful, than sad at the thought that he wasn't going to get to see Harry's face when he opened it. After learning from Lija about- his mind shied away from that, he knew there was going to be no way he could face him right now and keep the secret. And he would be damned if he was going to ruin Harry's day.

"Sorry I'm not going to be there this time, Harry. Catch you next year. Promise."

Gently placing the package in the interPalace mail, Karl hugged himself as he walked back to his room.