Posted: October 2004
Title: Win A Date With Karl Urban
Author: Estella Greenleaf

*****

Karl was in a fabulous mood when he returned to his motel. Orli's sweet taste still lingered from their goodnight kiss. The young man was everything he had hoped for and more; he was beautiful, sweet, exuberant, innocent, undemanding, great fun to be with...all in all, perfect. The movie star truly looked forward to spending more time in Rockbottom with his new *boyfriend*.

But that wasn't the only reason why the actor couldn't stop grinning. Orli had agreed to skip work tomorrow to visit the farm he was interested in buying. It wasn't as much that he wanted his boyfriend's approval of his future home; it just felt great, knowing that Orli was 'ditching' Viggo to be with him. The young beauty might be too innocent his boss had the hots for him, but Karl knew better: Viggo was definitely competition.

A sudden yelp jolted Karl out of his self-congratulation. He would recognize his manager's voice anywhere. Remembering that Dave had left the diner with Viggo, he couldn't stop himself from hunting down the source of the noise. As he stood outside his manager's door, he could hear the man screaming. "Damnit! It hurts!"

Viggo's low gravelly voice was a bit more difficult to make out; but the actor was pretty sure the artist said, "Just hold still; let me pull it out."

Any happy feeling Karl had before vanished. He bit his lower lip in annoyance as the urge to break down the flimsy door crossed his mind. He always disliked it when Dave paid too much attention to other men. As his manager, the blond really should just focus on taking care of him.

Not caring if it was wrong to eavesdrop, Karl pressed his ear to the door. The next time he heard had him turning crimson with a combination of rage and embarrassment. "God! It's huge. I'm going to walk funny for days."

Now, that was entirely too much information. He didn't need to know that Viggo was well endowed... Hands clenched into fists, he pounded on his manager's door. He *had* to interrupt this tryst. To his surprise, a fully clothed artist answered.

"Oh, hi," said the artist with barely veiled hostility as the door opened to reveal Karl.

Brushing Viggo aside, the actor marched into the room. Dave was in bed, holding his leg as he tried to pick at his foot. Seeing that his manager's virtue wasn't at risk, a rush of relief rushed through Karl. After he was certain he had calmed enough to sound normal, he asked, "What happened?"

"Don't ever walk barefoot in this motel. I got a splinter the size of my finger in my foot," replied Dave as he stopped rubbing his aching foot to face his client.

"You're such a girl, Daisy. It's only like this big," teased the artist as he moved his fingers apart to indicate the size of the offending splinter.

Ignoring Viggo's taunt, the manager said, "So, what can I do for you, Karl?"

"Remember the farm I want to buy, can you take a look at it for me before I make an offer?"

"Sure, I'll do it first thing tomorrow," replied Dave in a cool professional tone. He didn't want his client to suspect his plans; Karl would be furious if he were to find out his own manager was plotting to help someone else steal his new boyfriend.

"Actually, I'm taking Orli there tomorrow..."

"Oh... I guess I should wait then. I don't want to be the third wheel," said the manager as he subtly signaled his partner in crime.

"Not if I come along," suggested Viggo as he moved to sit beside his ex.

When Karl frowned, the artist decided to take it a step further to conceal their true purpose; he started rubbing Dave's injured foot with slow gentle strokes. "I mean, I know Orli probably feels bad about goofing off work again; and if I come with you guys, he won't have a reason to feel guilty. Once we get there, I'll just keep Daisy company while you show Orli around."

The actor couldn't decide what made him dislike Viggo more: the fact that the artist used to lust after his boyfriend or the way he was touching his manager with such familiarity. For a long moment, Karl considered his options. If he let Viggo come along, at least he could keep an eye on the man, make sure he didn't try anything with Dave. It would be better than leaving his manager here with nothing to do, and with the artist as his only company.

"Sounds good," Karl agreed, using all his acting skills to mask his true feelings on the matter.

"It's all settled then. Vig can even pick up Orli on his way over," Dave said, holding in the urge to chuckle in delight at this 'first victory'.

"Sure. Guess I should be going then. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow," the artist replied as he gave his ex a small peck on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Dodo. Drive safe," said Dave with a grin as he shared a conspiring look with the artist. He was so happy that his plan was in motion that he didn't notice Karl was watching him with a strange expression.

*****

The tour of the farm went splendidly, which under the circumstances, meant no blood had yet been shed. However, as they inspected the horses that would come with the barn, that seemed about to change.

Viggo, who had been barely able to stay civil, thought it an excellent opportunity to show a city boy like Karl up. "How about we take these horses out for some exercise?"

Orli, who loved animals, promptly enthused, "That's such a great idea, Vig. Karl, can we?"

Eyes narrowing, the movie star gazed at the artist. With a sweet smile, he turned back to his boyfriend. "Of course."

The next few moments were spent with Orli babbling excitedly while the artist and the actor saddled their mounts. Once the task was done, Viggo leapt onto his horse with the ease of a country western cowboy.

"Cool," remarked Orli as he watched his boss.

Karl stayed on the ground until boyfriend was mounted. He proceeded to make a show of jumping into his saddle with grace. Sensing Orli's amazed eyes on him, he smiled. "Lord of the Rings; I did all my own riding stunts."

Dave shook his head, seemingly disapproving of his companions' antics, as he got onto his own horse. Now was the time the 'fun' began.

*****

Viggo and Karl raced each other while their companions rode leisurely behind. At first, Orli kept a close eye on his boss and his boyfriend. They were going so fast; the youth couldn't help but worry. Going for a ride was his idea; he would never forgive himself if either man fell and got injured. But as time past, he began to relax; he would trust that the two older men knew what they were doing.

Orli glanced at the blond riding beside him and decided it was time to get to know David better. He wanted to make sure the manager didn't have ulterior motives for 'befriending' his shy boss. "So, how did you and Vig know each other?"

Dave smiled, glad that the youth had finally decided to start a conversation. "We met through some mutual acquaintances in New York. I was still in school and he's a struggling artist. He's a great guy when he's not daydreaming; and of course, it helped that he looked like sex on legs. I guess we just hit it off right away."

Orli laughed at the manager's description of his boss and said, "Yeah, I can imagine."

"So you think he's cute too?" asked Dave with an arch brow. The boy couldn't have given him a more perfect opening.

"Oh, no, I mean, ummm, I don't really think of Vig *that way*, you know," stammered Orli with a blush. Aside from being his boss and the nicest man he had ever known, Viggo was his best friend. Judging the man's physical appeal just wouldn't be *right*.

"That's a pity, since I think he fancies you," mentioned Dave nonchalantly with a shrug.
"You've got to be kidding. Vig and I are best friends," protested the boy, staring at the blond in disbelief.

"If you say so," replied the manager, knowing that, for now, it was enough to plant the seed of curiosity in Orli's mind.

For a long while, a tense silence hung in the air. Orli tried to dismiss what the blond had said, but he couldn't stop thinking what if David was right. Was Viggo attracted to him? And if Viggo did feel something more than friendship, what should he do? He already had the boyfriend of his dreams in Karl; but he did *love* Viggo, if only just as a friend...

The young beauty's musing was interrupted when Dave said, "Orli, why don't you call out to Karl and Vig and tell them to head back? They've tried to show each other up long enough."

Orli watched the two riders ahead, seeing them for the first time in a different light. Their behavior *did* ressemble two studs competing for their potential mate's attention. He frowned and decided he *had* to know for sure how his boss felt for him; his curious mind would torture him always otherwise. As soon as they were alone, he would confront Viggo.

*****

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