rpg_palace | Karl finds out about Harry and Orlando (Reply)

Dom finished paying for his latte and muffin and then turned to head back to the office. Coming toward him, he spotted Karl. "Hey Karl!" Dom headed over toward him. "Haven't seen you in a while."

Karl looked up to see who was calling him, the voice not recognizable right off to him. He smiled. "Dom, nice to see you. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" He looked at what Dom was carrying. "From how Harry always made it sound, surprised Sean lets you out to get food."

Smirking a bit, Dom used his free hand to point at his belly. "Don't see much fat on these bones, do ya. So, it's a rare case. Pretty much have to beg a lot and sometimes bribe him with homemade cookies or somethin'." His smile dropped quickly though. "Hey, have you talked with Harry lately?"

Karl shook his head. "No, not really. Been busy getting free of the bastard. And uh..." he smiled broadly "celebrating getting free of him. I figured he was busy catching up on all he had missed; I know how paperwork can pile up." Karl made a face. "I used to help out with it before we got Lija."

"Hey, I heard you finished your training and can go on the books soon. Congrats on that!" Dom offered when he heard Karl's answer. "I really don't want to drag you back into it, so... well, I shouldn't say anything. Just if you have a free night, might give him a call."

"Wait, back into what? And if I have a free night, doesn't mean Harry would. He'd either be working or with Orlando" Karl's mouth twitched " 'working'.”

Frowning a bit, Dom hesitated and then offered. "So you hadn't heard. I gathered not from your comments. Harry... well he and Orlando aren't together anymore. Harry walked out. He's staying with Sean right now."

Karl stared at Dom, not sure he had heard right. "Harry....him and Orlando... WHAT?!" He ran his hand down his face. "You've got to be mistaken, Dom. Someone must be pulling your leg. Harry wouldn't leave Orlando. He doesn't leave."

"That's what I said." Dom moved a little closer so no one could hear. "I couldn't believe it Karl. But Harry told me himself. And got really mad when I told him he was wrong to not fight for Orlando. So, I pretty much screwed up my sympathy visit. So I don't know if he'd believe me if I just offered my support. Elijah's pissed at me a bit for stirring things up."

"Fight? Fight? Wait you mean...." Karl's face went pale, than red. His hands clenched into fists. "Thanks Dominic. Don't want to keep you from Sean, get you in trouble." He nodded at him, than stalked away.

Karl didn't know how long it had taken him to get where Orlando was. He just knew he was suddenly there in front of him. He gritted his teeth before calling out to him as he walked. "Orlando."

Orlando looked up from the spot he was currently staring at, his shoes. Karl strode towards him, and Orlando blinked at him. "Karl?"

"Is it true? Harry left you?" Karl got right up to Orlando, speaking quietly.

Orlando flinched and looked towards his elbow before looking back up and meeting Karl's gaze. "Yes."

Karl drew back and punched him in the face. "You bastard!! What did you do? I trusted-"

Tyler grabbed Karl by the neck and slammed him against the wall, pinning him in place, a moment too late to stop the hit.

Orlando gasped and staggered back a few steps, hand clasped to the left side of his face. "FUCK!" he screamed. "What the fuck...?"

Karl fought against Tyler, trying to get free and back at Orlando. "You-” He struggled to breathe, his face growing hot and the blood rushing in his ears.

Tyler tightened his grip, staring into Karl's face.

Orlando coughed and pressed his fingers against his nose, feeling blood. "Fuck," he murmured, then realized Tyler was trying to kill Karl. "Tyler!" he barked, reaching over with his free hand and gripping his bodyguard's wrist.

Tyler loosened his fingers just enough to allow Karl to breathe. "Yes, sir?" he said, not moving the hand around Karl's neck, reaching for his com to call for someone to come and get him with the other.

Karl gasped in a lungful of air, than continued to claw at Tyler's hand, eyes burning into Orlando. "You...bastard."

"Drop him. I said drop him!" Orlando shouted, grabbing Tyler's thumb and pulling it backwards until it popped. "Drop him or I'll break your fucking hand. And put your fucking com away."

Hissing in pain, but responding to the order, Tyler very reluctantly moved his hand away, returning his com to his pocket. Glaring at Karl warningly, he kept himself in between the two men, fully prepared to put Karl down if he even looked like he was going to swing at Orlando again.

"I deserved that." Orlando said quietly to Karl, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Karl fell to his hands and knees in a coughing fit. "You're....you're damn right you do." He fell back against the wall, using it to help him stand. "What did you do to him? You fucker what did you do?" He moved to lunge at Orlando again.

"Don't." Orlando warned them both. "He left me, Karl."

"Cause of something you did! What did you do to him?" Karl's hands curled back into fists.

A warning growl came from deep within Tyler's chest, blocking his path to Orlando.

"I didn't do a fucking thing!" Orlando said defensively.

"They said they told Harry to fight for you. That means you fucked around on him. And not just fucked around cause he could have taken that. You did something. Something that made him leave. What the fuck did you do?"

"That's not your fucking business!" Orlando hissed, well aware they were in a public area. "Who the fuck are you to smash my face in for something you know nothing about, anyway?!"

"I know enough. I know he's left you, and cause of something that happened that he couldn't tell me about. Which means it was you who did it; otherwise he would have confessed it to me. So I'm asking you again, what the fuck did you do?" His eyes narrowed. "Or should I be asking who?"

Orlando pinched his nose harder. "Maybe he wouldn't tell you because it has nothing to do with you? And is it really your business who I sleep with?"

"It is when Harry gets hurt cause of it."

"I...James...hell, none of this has anything to do with you, Karl."

"You don't think it does? You wanna guess how wrong you are?" Karl took a step forward, growling low in his throat as Tyler moved in front of him. He stared at Orlando, taking a deep breath as he dropped his shield. He flinched at what he was getting from Tyler, but kept looking at Orlando. "James."

"What the fuck are you on about? I'm not fucking wrong, you're just..." Orlando bit his lip and glared at him.

Karl brought his hand up to his head, a wave of confusion hitting him, as well as...anger? But Orlando wasn't looking as angry as he was getting from him. "Harry."

Orlando stared at him. "I haven't seen him since he left."

Karl fell against the wall, blacking out for a second and half falling to the floor before he came back to his senses. He slammed his shield up, breathing heavy as he looked at Orlando.

Orlando stared at him, and took a step forward, hand held out. "You alright?" he asked.

"If you want this James, than you come out and let everyone know. Don't make him keep the secret. But if you love Harry much as-" Karl staggered to his feet. "He doesn't think he's worth fighting for. So he won't try. If you want him, you're going to have to. Or you'll have to live with knowing you destroyed a good man." Pain filled his eyes. "And trust me, that never goes away completely." A last look at both of them, than Karl started down the hall.

Orlando stared after him, mouth open before he snapped it shut and called after him. "Karl! I...." he paused when the other man turned to look at him again. "Thanks. I deserved that." he murmured, before turning away himself.