Dangerous Liaisons

2. First Step to Success

As soon as the plane arrived at Heathrow in London, he got off the plane and headed to the first payphone he could see. He dialled Orlando’s number and waited for him to pick up. When he did, Johnny had to smile hearing that sweet voice again after such a long time.

“Bloom?”

“Hey you.” Johnny said smiling.

It took some time for Orlando to realise who he was talking to. Suddenly he asked: “Johnny?”

“Bingo.” Johnny grinned.

”Hey! How are you? Haven’t heard from you in ages.” Orlando said. Johnny could hear from the sound of his voice that he was glad that he was calling. Would he also be happy if he heard that he was in London?

“I’m great, thanks. Guess what?” Johnny said.

“What?” Orlando asked curiously.

“I’m in London. I just got here.”

“Really? What are you doing here, shooting a movie? What hotel are you staying in?” Wow. He really was happy. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to get him after all, Johnny thought.

“Actually, I don’t know yet. And I’m not here for a movie, I just absolutely missed you and felt like visiting you.” He said completely honest.

“Aww, really? That’s nice of you. Well, why don’t you just get to my flat and stay with me for a while? It would be a nice change to have a friend around some days.” Orlando suggested.

Johnny grinned. That was exactly the sentence he was waiting for. “Okay.”

After hanging up, he got in a cab and drove to Orlando’s appartment. He couldn’t wait to see him. He had seen him on TV recently and he was looking hotter than ever. And now he could finally see him in person. When the taxi arrived at the right place, Johnny tipped the driver generously and got out with all his bags. He looked up to Orlando’s flat which was a beautiful white building. He owned the two upper floors. Johnny got to the front door and ringed the bell. The door opened, he got inside and took the elevator to Orlando’s flat. He looked into the mirror that was hanging there and checked if he looked good enough and left the elevator with the knowledge that he had never looked better. The door was opened as soon as he wanted to push the button and he was welcomed with a wonderful smile.

“Hey.” Orlando said, hugging his friend. Johnny put his arms around him and squeezed him tightly.

“Hi, how are you?” Johnny asked after letting go of the younger man.

“I’m great, what about you? How was your flight? Man, you’ve got some crazy ideas just switching continents to visit me. I really didn’t expect you.” Orlando said, carrying Johnny’s bag inside.

“Yeah, well that’s me. Full of surprises.” Johnny answered, grinning.

Orlando smiled. He had missed Johnny too. They had always gotten along very well, but after the premiere they weren’t able to meet up because both of them were really busy shooting movies.

“So. You’re living all alone here?” Johnny said, looking around. This flat was huge. And the furniture and everything looked so tasteful, if Orlando had decorated this all by himself, he was far more gay than he expected.

“Yeah.” Orlando nodded. “Well sometimes my girlfriend stays here for some time, but generally I live here on my own.”

Johnny looked at him. “Right, your girlfriend. Kate, right?”

“Yeah.” Orlando said nodding again. “Do you know her?”

Johnny shook his head. “Nope, not personally, I never had the pleasure to meet her.” He smiled.

Orlando smiled. “She’s the woman of my dreams.”

Johnny smiled but as soon as Orlando turned around, his face darkened. That girlfriend was another obstacle in his plan. She would make the plan much more difficult. But Johnny couldn’t wait to hear Orlando refer to him as ‘the man of his dreams’.

“Where is she?” Johnny asked in order to find out if they would be alone here or if Kate was going to appear soon and destroy his hope of seducing her boyfriend.

“What? Oh, she’s in the States on set of her movie. Won’t be seeing her for some time.” Orlando replied.

Johnny chuckled inside. Finally some good news. This would make the whole thing a lot easier.

“So, what’s new?” Orlando asked jumping on the couch and looking at his older friend.

Johnny shrugged. “Not much, actually. Been bored and then you came into my mind and I really felt like visiting you to spend some time with you.” He purred. “And here?”

“Not much either. I met Keira some weeks ago, she’s fine too.” Orlando told him.

“Great.” Johnny smiled. Thanks Orlando for mentioning her, now he had to think about Geoffrey and his offer. He didn’t call Geoffrey and didn’t mean to, but he was prepared for the phone call that Geoffrey was going to make by the end of the week when Johnny wasn’t answering him. He was simply going to tell him that he wouldn’t do it, he would certainly find someone else to do it. And his debts... Well, Geoffrey would make one of his wishes come true as soon as he had gotten Orlando, so he could ask him to erase his debts.

“So, how long do you mean to stay?” Orlando asked.

“I don’t know. As long as it takes... I mean... until I’m bored.” Johnny explained, grinning. “So it’s up to you, because now it’s your job to keep me entertained if you want me to stay.”

“I think that won’t be a problem. I guess you’ve never been to London before, except for a very short stay while you were filming a movie, right? Well, then I’ve got plenty of things to show you. We’re going to go sightseeing and later we’re going to hit the discos.” Orlando planned.

“Sounds tempting.” Johnny grinned.

~ * ~ * ~

Some hours later, both of them were getting ready to go out. Orlando had called some of his Lord-of-the-Rings-friends and they were going to meet in a disco later that evening. Before that, only the both of them were going to have dinner in Orlando’s favourite restaurant. Johnny was looking forward to spend some time with Orlando alone and he wanted to look especially great. So he decided to put on a tight pair of blue jeans and a black shirt. He put on some eyeliner because he quite liked the look of his caracter in Pirates. Many of his fans agreed in that point.

When he eventually got out of his bathroom, he went into the livingroom and dropped down on the couch, waiting for Orlando. Was it really possible that a straight guy took more time in the bathroom than himself? However, the result was worth it, because Orlando looked smashing as he came out of his room. He was wearing a pale blue shirt and black trousers.

“Wow. You look amazing.” Johnny said when he finally could remember the English language.

Orlando smiled. “Thank you. So do you. Ready to go?”

Johnny smiled and nodded. “Always.


It was a mexican Restaurant where Orlando had taken him and he was absolutely right to love it, because the food was amazing; as were the cute waiters. But as tempting the idea was to grab one of them and disappear in the bathroom for a little quickie, Johnny stayed concentrated and kept his eyes on his treasure, listening to everything Orlando was saying and agreeing to everything he said. Johnny had difficulties keeping his fingers off his friend because he really wanted to just bend over the table, grab the young man’s face and kiss him passionately. But he knew that it wasn’t going to work that way with Orlando and he reminded himself to be patient and take it all one step at a time. Occasionally Johnny couldn’t help but touching him “accidentally”. That always caused Orlando to blush slightly which made him even more attractive to Johnny.

Sometimes Johnny really wondered how he could be straight after those many months in New Zealand with all those pretty boys from the Lord of the Rings movies. Some of them were really hot and if Johnny had been there, none of them would be straight now.

After they had finished their meal, Johnny insisted to pay and then they walked to the disco where Orlando’s friends were already waiting. When they got into the crowded place, Johnny took advantage of the situation and grabbed Orlando’s hand in order not to loose him. He grinned when Orlando looked slightly disturbed, not exactly knowing how to react at this physical contact. When they found his friends, Orlando pulled his hand away looking uncomfortably to the floor. Then he introduced Johnny to everyone and he was welcomed with open arms. Sean Bean was there and two of the hobbits and hottie Viggo Mortensen. Drinks were ordered and Johnny discovered that the guys were not only deadly handsome, but also very diverting. After they had chatted for some time, Johnny headed to the dancefloor with Viggo and the hobbits. Sean hold Orlando back, pretending to have some matter to discuss with him. When the others had left, Sean looked at Orlando.

“You’re holding hands with him?”

Orlando looked at him. “What?” Then he blushed. “Oh, well he... just took my hand to get through the crowd. I mean, he didn’t want to loose me.”

“You know about his reputation, right?” Sean asked.

“What reputation? Oh, that. Yes, but that’s all rumors.” Orlando said.

Sean shook his head. “Nope, Orlando. It’s not. Most of the things you’ve heard are true.”

Orlando looked at him sceptically. “You mean... he’s gay?” His eyes moved to Johnny who was dancing on the dancefloor.

“Of course he is, Orlando, don’t tell me, you didn’t know that.”

“No. I mean... I’ve heard stuff, but I’ve always assumed that all of them were rumors.” He faced Sean again, who was looking at him like he was a naive little child. “What? And if, I don’t have a problem with him being homosexual. I mean... Ian is gay too and we’re getting along very well, so where’s the problem?”

“Hey, no need to get all excited, alright? I’m just telling you to be careful. He’s not an angel and he certainly isn’t looking for love. He’s into one-night-stands and switches partners about once a day. I know, you’re straight, but just be careful, okay?”

Orlando nodded. “Alright. No need to worry, I can take care of myself. And I bet, only half of it is true, he’s really a nice guy. So if you excuse me now, I’m gonna hit the dancefloor. Or are you coming?”

Sean agreed and both of them joined their friends.

~ * ~ * ~


Some hours later, Johnny and Orlando were on their way home. Johnny had been observing Orlando’s relations with his friends throughout the whole evening. He was still wondering what Sean had been telling Orlando. He had been looking at them while they were talking and Orlando had been looking quite shocked. He decided that it would be best just to ask him.

“Nothing special.” Was the answer he got. He didn’t really believe Orlando and his disbelief was confirmed as Orlando continued. “Well, actually I’ve been meaning to ask you about it anyway, so why not tell you. There are a lot of rumors about you...”

Oh. So that’s what’s it about. “Yeah?” Johnny asked, pretending not to know about anything.

“Yes.” Orlando was definitely uncomfortable with the subject. “I mean, you’re... are you... gay?”

Johnny couldn’t help but laugh. Orlando was so cute when he was embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. Should’ve known that it isn’t true.” Orlando mumbled and Johnny could see him blush.

He decided to clear everything up. “Well, it is true actually. I do prefer guys. I hope that’s not a problem for you.”

He could see Orlando swallow hard, then shaking his head. “No, of course I don’t mean, I mean... it’s completely okay.”

“Great. Well, and about the other rumors. It is true that I’ve been quite wild in the last few years and I admit that I’ve had a large number of flings. But I’ve changed. I realized that it’s not what I want. What I’m really looking for is true love, like everybody else.” Okay, okay, the last two sentences weren’t quite true, but how was he supposed to attract Orlando when he was a big asshole who was only looking for a good fuck? So he invented this little lie only not to scare him away. In reality, he wasn’t ashamed of the life he was leading at all.”

Orlando seemed pretty relieved with what he had just said. “Good. I’m glad you’ve changed.” He smiled and looked at him shortly, then turning his eyes back on the street.

They arrived at his flat, got upstairs, said goodnight and went into separate bedrooms.


Tbc...