at Orlando's house

[mute_clay]

Clay let himself in and let out a whistle. Julie knew who he was now and had decided that he was acceptable company. Clay changed the water in her bowl and measured up food for her. Then he showed her that he had remembered to bring a piece of string. He'd gotten the silent treatment the night before. No string.

Julie happily pounced the string and Clay sat down on a kitchen chair, preparing himself to play with her till she got tired of it. This would happen much more quickly with her than with Darth Maul who believed that no string should be left alive.

Comments

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"I'm so tired Clay, and I'm so damned scared. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay extracts himself from Orlando's arm so he can crouch down and put his arms around Orlando, hugging him close.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Clay smells warm and familiar and good, and Orlando buries his face against his neck.

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay rocks them both a little. He doesn't really know what to do but this seems to help.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

After a few minutes, Orlando lifts his head and rubs his cheek against Clay's. "Thank you," he murmurs.

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

A small clap on the back.

Anytime. You know that.

Clay gets up, wincing a little as one of his knees protest loudly.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"Are you okay?" Orlando looks concerned.

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay gives him a small grin.

I'm just getting old.

He sits down on the edge of the table.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Orlando gives him a look. "Do you have a bathtub? 'Cause you know you can come over here if you need a soak."

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay shakes his head a little, smiling. I have a shower down the hall. And if there was a bath I sure as Hell wouldn't be sitting down in it.

He grins.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"Then use mine. Remember the bath salts and oils?" he says with a grin. "You're welcome to anything in this house, any time you need it. All right?" He reaches over and cards his fingers through Clay's hair.

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay smiles at him. Thank you. I just thought - after I came and said good-bye. You seemed so unhappy. I thought that it might be better if I stayed away for a little while.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Orlando looks serious, and says, "I wasn't happy that you left, no. I miss you. I miss hearing you whistle and I miss knowing that when I'd come home from somewhere, I could flop on the couch and tell you about it and you always seemed to really care." He smiles a little, knowing Clay really did care. "And yeah, I miss the other stuff, too." He looks a little sheepish. "But I really do what you to be happy and if moving out was what it took, then that's what you needed to do."

He takes Clay's hand and looks at it, running fingertips over the bangs and bruises a carpenter always has. "It's helped me move on, too. I didn't want to, but I needed to, and your leaving was the catalyst that made me understand it."

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

That's good.

Clay smiles at him.

I miss that too. And the sex.

He winks at Orlando, then turns a bit more serious.

I slept well here. That's a good thing.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

"Clay, you don't have to stay away." He caresses his cheek gently. "You're not hurting me by being here."

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay nods. Okay. In that case I would like to use your bath.

He smiles.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Orlando grins widely. "You know where it is." He reaches over and pecks Clay on the cheek with a light kiss. "Help yourself. I've got to go back to the hospital."

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

Clay gets up and gives Orlando a quick hug before heading for the bathroom. He draws a bath and it does help with the vague pain in his left knee. He almost drops off to sleep in the tub.

When he is done the house is empty and quiet but Julie mewls loudly when she sees him and he doesn't have the heart to walk out on her. So they play a bit with the string. He ends up lying on the couch, with Julie sneaking around on the floor.

He is just going to rest his eyes for a bit before going home. Just for a little while.

[orlandomuse.livejournal.com]

Julie looks up at the warm friendly human on the couch, and then clambers up next to him. He looks like he's napping and she decides that's a fine plan.

She prods at his side until she's made a comfy spot, then lies down and primly curls her tail over her nose.

This human is completely acceptable.

ooc

[mute-clay.livejournal.com]

awww *g*