Eric Bana and ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
orlando_bloom do a little househunting
Apr. 2nd, 2014 01:56 pmericbanaplayers only. backdated. takes place a few weeks after the boys figure out they need a bigger closet.
"Well, it's certainly..." Orlando tilts his head back to look around the enormous foyer and gestures with the hand still holding the slick brochure, "Clean...?" His voice breaks a little. The snicker is a bit more difficult to suppress. The property had looked great on paper - right number of bedrooms and baths, if a little larger than what they had in mind; however, in person it was more like a museum than a home.
"Sterile." Eric shakes his head as he looks around. "I don't like it," he says bluntly. "There's no character." He frowns. "How much is this one again?"
"Almost nine," Orlando says with a sigh, glancing at the brochure. "Not quite our max, but close." He wrinkles his nose and doesn't protest when Eric snakes an arm around his waist and turns him towards the door. “And I don't like it either.”
Eric guides them out as Orlando flips through another set of fliers. "How about this one next?" Orlando asks, as they make their way across the street to where the car is parked. He holds it up for Eric to see. "It's a bit older, but it is in that neighborhood we like and it says they've just renovated the kitchen and bath, all 'while staying true to the original design of the home'. And it's..." he peers at the details, "only seven and a half."
"Doesn't look like it has much of a garden," Eric says, glancing over as he slides back into the driver's seat. "And it doesn't say anything about walk-in closets.
"Pretty sure we need a walk-in attic, at least," Orlando mutters, flipping through more pages. "It's across from one of the squares and only a quick walk to one of the bigger parks. And there's something called a roof garden off the master suite." He rotates the page, squinting. "Although it looks a bit more like a flower pot on a balcony to me. However," he says, briskly, trying to be positive despite the number of houses and tired feet. "We can't know unless we look, yeah?"
"Yeah," Eric agrees grudgingly. "I still think we should get an agent to help us though. Rather than doing all these open houses."
Careful not to roll his eyes, Orlando clears his throat and shoves the papers in his messenger bag as he rummages, eventually pulling out a bottle of water and an energy bar which he unwraps and holds out to Eric. "Before you drive off, there is one I think we should see before we give up entirely." He wrestles a glossy packet from the depths of his bag and holds it up for Eric to see. "It’s near the top of our budget, so not having an agent will save us money if it's as good in person as it looks on paper."
"Five bedrooms and four baths?" Eric gives Orlando a look as he starts reading, but the more he looks, the more interested he gets. "There's a roof terrace and a patio in back and each floor is pretty much self-contained - we could turn one into a private playroom and you could have a whole floor for your stuff if you wanted," he muses. "But some of the decor's fucking awful, especially the living room and the master bedroom. I'm not sleeping there with that on the walls," he says, pointing out the wallpaper.
"Good bones are what's important," Orlando says, making a face when he sees the wallpaper. "We can change things like floors and walls." He leans against Eric's shoulder as they look. "It's still in budget, but it is huge." He takes a bite of the nut bar and holds it out again, glancing at Eric's face to gauge his reaction. And that's when it hits him. They're really doing this. Buying a house, together. Which shouldn't be a shocker, really - they have been living together for years. But still. It feels...different.
"Hey," Orlando says, "We're buying a house, together." He knows he sounds like an utter idiot, but he can't help the lopsided grin or the way he reaches for Eric's hand, an awkward tangle of fingers that may or may not be trembling.
Eric smiles. "Feels big, doesn't it?" Giving Orlando's fingers a squeeze.
Orlando nods. "I mean, I know we've lived together for ages, but that was me moving in with you and this is," he shrugs, a hint of color tinting his cheeks. "It's pretty cool." He clears his throat. "And I agree that the master bedroom is hideous. Say, would you want to get a designer to help out with the changes? Make sure we're both, what's the word, represented in the house?" He glances at Eric again. "Or have I been watching too much BBC Home?"
A designer's not something Eric would have ever considered getting on his own, but... "If you want to get someone in, I'm fine with that," he says, taking a bite of the bar then offering Orlando another piece. "As long as you get someone through Citadel."
"Of course," Orlando says, without hesitation. "I know we already have similar tastes, but it might be useful to get someone who understands how to use space." He sighs. "And professionally organize. I could use some help with my collections, like what's really worth keeping and how to store it." He tilts his head as he looks at the bad decor in the master. "The bedroom should be mostly you, though. I like the way ours feels now. Like I belong, but it's definitely your lair, if that makes any sense."
Eric nods. "I like our bedroom. I wouldn't mind having someone else paint it, but I want to choose the colours and any new furniture," he says. "What about a playroom? Would you want one of our own?" He's been assuming they would and with this many floors, it seems almost a shame not to, but on the other hand, when they're paying the kind of dues they are to the club...
"I've been thinking about that," Orlando says, tapping his chin as he stares at the floor plans. "Could we do something a little different? Like a fantasy room instead of a play room? You know, model it after a role playing room at the club. I don't really like the feel of a traditional playroom – too boring. Maybe we could have all the usual supplies and small equipment, but get bigger items from the club as we need them?" He knows he's rambling, but he's been thinking about this for a while. "We do a lot of role play, and I'd like something flexible that works with that. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea." And it really does sound like the best of both worlds. "But I also think we're getting ahead of ourselves. We should go see this place."
Orlando gapes at him a moment, then laughs. "Hell, I completely forgot we haven't seen it yet. I was ready to just write a check." He checks the time on his phone. "If we call the listing agent now, I'll bet we can get an appointment." Already punching in the number.
"For now?" Eric certainly hopes so. Listening to Orlando work things out on the phone, his lover's smile letting him know they're in.
"Yes!" Orlando says, disconnecting the call before he glomps Eric in a quick hug. "The listing agent is already there for an appointment that just ended." He grins. "He said they weren't serious buyers, and that he'd wait for us."
"Because we're serious buyers?" Eric snorts softly, but god, he loves the look on Orlando's face. "You've already decided, haven't you?"
Orlando cocks his head, his smile softening. "Only if you love it." He bumps their foreheads together. "It's gotta be your castle, and our home, and then I can be your boy in it."
God. Energy bar and water in hand, Eric wraps his arms around Orlando and hugs him close. His castle. Their home. His boy. "Let's go see it then."
+
"You're right," Orlando says, hands pressed to his face in mock-horror as he looks around the bedroom. "I cannot, in all good conscience, let you fuck me in a room that looks like this."
Eric laughs, shaking his head. "It's actually worse than the pictures, isn't it?"
"Yes." Orlando echoes the laugh as he nods. "I mean, no one would get any action in a room like this," he says. "Not even the royals, do you think?"
Eric grins, pulling Orlando in against his side and dropping a kiss on his head. "I think you could put a whole orgy in here and everyone would just get depressed and go home."
"At least it's fixable," Orlando says, leaning in to Eric's hold. "What do you think about the rest? It's big enough."
"I think it's amazing otherwise," Eric answers honestly. "It's got great bones, I like a lot of the period features - the glass in the foyer, the doors, the crown moldings - but I also like how they renovated most of the rooms and I love the layout. It's really just this room and the living room and the wallpaper in the rest of the bedrooms."
Orlando nods, hands already fidgety with excitement. "It feels like us, doesn't it?" He asks, looking at Eric in confirmation, his eyes sparkling. "Grand without being ostentatious, spacious but with enough places for a good coze, a kitchen I'm not worthy of yet, but that's just motivation to take the cooking lessons I've been talking about for ages, And," he grins, "enough storage space you'll never be crowded out of a closet again."
"You could take a whole floor, or at least a bedroom," Eric says, "but I don't want to pay list on this. I think there's still too much work to be done."
"And there's the god of negotiation that I love," Orlando says, kissing Eric's jaw. "The owners will never know what hit them." He grins. "And I'll think of a creative way to show you my bank account's appreciation after we've closed."
"Are we going to do the renos ourselves?" Eric asks. "Or get someone in?" Already trying to figure out what kind of an offer they should make. "Does the listing say how long it's been on the market?"
Orlando squints, trying to remember. "Just coming up on 120 days, I think. And it's a little high for the neighborhood, when you look at comps." He rubs the top of his head. "We can probably handle the painting, but I'd like help getting that wallpaper taken down, along with other miscellany."
Eric nods, running numbers in his head. "I say we offer eight. They probably won't go for it but we might be able to get it for a little over."
"Sounds good to me," Orlando says. "Even with doing some of the painting ourselves, the reno isn't going to be cheap given the age of the building. I definitely want to do it right, you know?"
"Including your custom closets?" Eric teases, taking Orlando's hand as they head back downstairs to where the agent's waiting for them.
"Why do you think I'm letting you do the negotiating?" Orlando says, squeezing Eric's hand as they descend. "Someone's got to make up for my spending habits."
Eric laughs. "We like it," he says bluntly as the agent comes to meet them at the bottom of the stairs, "but there's a lot of work to do. Orlando said it's been on the market for 120 days?"
Harold nods. "Yes. Although," he lowers his voice, like it's a secret just between him and them, "they actually took it off the market for a while and this is a second listing."
"Okay, then we're willing to offer eight," Eric says.
Harold blinks. "I'm not sure they'd be willing to drop that much..."
Orlando has to bite his lip to keep the chuckle from escaping. He clears his throat as he moves slightly to the side and behind Eric. "It is a lovely home, if a bit," he says, peering around Eric's shoulder as he gestures vaguely above their heads, "outdated. I was also thinking we might have to have our own structural engineer do a complete inspection," he says, turning to Eric, knowing full well they don't actually have anything remotely resembling a structural engineer. "It is over a century old, after all."
"It's a heritage home, with a full designation," Harold sniffs.
"Heritage or not, Orlando's right. It needs updating, it needs an inspection, it's been on the market for over four months and they're asking too much. Eight," Eric said with a shrug.
Harold looks at Orlando, as if hoping he'll help his lover see the light. Be reasonable.
"Darling," Orlando says, his voice low but still loud enough to carry to the agent. "Is that really fair? Especially given the changes we talked about upstairs." He looks right at the agent as he sets his chin on Eric's shoulder. "We could offer something more like seven point eight five."
"I'll put forward the offer for eight to the owners," Harold says, paling for a moment before he quickly recovers. "I'll call their agent now, if you'll excuse me," he adds, disappearing into the other room.
Eric laughs, turning to wrap his arms around Orlando. "And here I thought I was the tough one."
"You are," Orlando says, leaning into the embrace. "But I had to laugh at the idea of anyone thinking I would try and persuade you out of that offer." He makes a face. "He should save those puppy eyes for someone else."
"They don't even deserve to be called puppy dog eyes. They were awful," Eric says with a chuckle, kissing Orlando. "He needs lessons."
"Yes, he does." Orlando says, returning the kiss. "Don't they all." Using Eric as a place to prop, he studies the foyer around them. "I think we could have some plants here in the entry. Warm up all these cool surfaces." He scratches his chin. "Not that I'd know how to keep them alive."
Eric grins. "Don't look at me. I manage one fern and a ficus and that's sheer luck."
"I could hire one of those plant services. Like they do in offices," Orlando says, then frowns. "Although I'll have to think about it within the context of the new budget." He lowers his voice and thumps his head on Eric's shoulder with each word. "Eight. Million. Pounds."
Eric laughs and pulls Orlando in close, kissing him. "I know. It's incredible. Think what that would buy you in other parts of the world."
"An entire island, in Ontario," Orlando says without hesitation. "According to the television. Maybe two, if they were smallish." He leans into Eric's touch. "Speaking of insane amounts of money, how should we handle the sale and deed for taxes? I'm not even sure how the deed should work."
"You mean between the two of us?" Eric asks. "Joint ownership, I should think." Since they're pretty much out to the world at this point. "As far as money goes, we can split the house and the taxes or I'll take the taxes."
Orlando groans and thumps his head on Eric's shoulder again. "Can't I just give you all my money and pretend it takes care of itself?" He straightens, his expression brightening. "I'll give you sex. Lots."
Eric laughs. "If you want," he says. "The money part, I mean. The sex I definitely want."
"Brilliant," Orlando says. "And free," he says, looking smug, "since I'd give you lots of sex regardless. I'll tell my lawyer to separate the trusts for my family, and then figure out how to hand the rest over to you."
"You're serious then?" Eric asks. Double-checking. "You want me to take control of everything?"
"Yes," Orlando says, nodding. "If you are willing. I don't want it to be a burden - you can ask me to do anything that needs doing. But the responsibility for it - for me," unable to quite control the soft wash of color on his cheeks, "I want you to take it."
"Okay." Eric nods too, touching Orlando's cheek with his fingers. "I'm more than willing, just a little surprised. But I'm good with it." He wouldn't say so if he wasn't.
Blowing out a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding, Orlando presses as close to Eric as he can get without actually going through their clothes. "Thank you," he whispers, kissing him firmly.
Harold comes back into the room, clearing his throat as he keeps a few steps back, unwilling to intrude.
"Did you get them?" Eric asks, keeping his arms around Orlando.
"I got their agent, yes, and he spoke to them. They'll accept eight if you can close in 30 days," he says, clearly not expecting them to agree.
"If I'm not mistaken, cash means we can close in less than 10?" Orlando says, tilting his head and looking at Harold.
Harold blinks hard. "You want to close in 10 days?" He looks from Eric to Orlando and back again, a nod from Eric having him mumbling, "I'll make another call," before scurrying from the room once more.
"And he thought I was the hard ass," Eric teases, grinning.
"I," Orlando says, grin full of smug as he taps Eric's chest, "have been taught by the very best."
[feedback welcome. comments screened]
"Well, it's certainly..." Orlando tilts his head back to look around the enormous foyer and gestures with the hand still holding the slick brochure, "Clean...?" His voice breaks a little. The snicker is a bit more difficult to suppress. The property had looked great on paper - right number of bedrooms and baths, if a little larger than what they had in mind; however, in person it was more like a museum than a home.
"Sterile." Eric shakes his head as he looks around. "I don't like it," he says bluntly. "There's no character." He frowns. "How much is this one again?"
"Almost nine," Orlando says with a sigh, glancing at the brochure. "Not quite our max, but close." He wrinkles his nose and doesn't protest when Eric snakes an arm around his waist and turns him towards the door. “And I don't like it either.”
Eric guides them out as Orlando flips through another set of fliers. "How about this one next?" Orlando asks, as they make their way across the street to where the car is parked. He holds it up for Eric to see. "It's a bit older, but it is in that neighborhood we like and it says they've just renovated the kitchen and bath, all 'while staying true to the original design of the home'. And it's..." he peers at the details, "only seven and a half."
"Doesn't look like it has much of a garden," Eric says, glancing over as he slides back into the driver's seat. "And it doesn't say anything about walk-in closets.
"Pretty sure we need a walk-in attic, at least," Orlando mutters, flipping through more pages. "It's across from one of the squares and only a quick walk to one of the bigger parks. And there's something called a roof garden off the master suite." He rotates the page, squinting. "Although it looks a bit more like a flower pot on a balcony to me. However," he says, briskly, trying to be positive despite the number of houses and tired feet. "We can't know unless we look, yeah?"
"Yeah," Eric agrees grudgingly. "I still think we should get an agent to help us though. Rather than doing all these open houses."
Careful not to roll his eyes, Orlando clears his throat and shoves the papers in his messenger bag as he rummages, eventually pulling out a bottle of water and an energy bar which he unwraps and holds out to Eric. "Before you drive off, there is one I think we should see before we give up entirely." He wrestles a glossy packet from the depths of his bag and holds it up for Eric to see. "It’s near the top of our budget, so not having an agent will save us money if it's as good in person as it looks on paper."
"Five bedrooms and four baths?" Eric gives Orlando a look as he starts reading, but the more he looks, the more interested he gets. "There's a roof terrace and a patio in back and each floor is pretty much self-contained - we could turn one into a private playroom and you could have a whole floor for your stuff if you wanted," he muses. "But some of the decor's fucking awful, especially the living room and the master bedroom. I'm not sleeping there with that on the walls," he says, pointing out the wallpaper.
"Good bones are what's important," Orlando says, making a face when he sees the wallpaper. "We can change things like floors and walls." He leans against Eric's shoulder as they look. "It's still in budget, but it is huge." He takes a bite of the nut bar and holds it out again, glancing at Eric's face to gauge his reaction. And that's when it hits him. They're really doing this. Buying a house, together. Which shouldn't be a shocker, really - they have been living together for years. But still. It feels...different.
"Hey," Orlando says, "We're buying a house, together." He knows he sounds like an utter idiot, but he can't help the lopsided grin or the way he reaches for Eric's hand, an awkward tangle of fingers that may or may not be trembling.
Eric smiles. "Feels big, doesn't it?" Giving Orlando's fingers a squeeze.
Orlando nods. "I mean, I know we've lived together for ages, but that was me moving in with you and this is," he shrugs, a hint of color tinting his cheeks. "It's pretty cool." He clears his throat. "And I agree that the master bedroom is hideous. Say, would you want to get a designer to help out with the changes? Make sure we're both, what's the word, represented in the house?" He glances at Eric again. "Or have I been watching too much BBC Home?"
A designer's not something Eric would have ever considered getting on his own, but... "If you want to get someone in, I'm fine with that," he says, taking a bite of the bar then offering Orlando another piece. "As long as you get someone through Citadel."
"Of course," Orlando says, without hesitation. "I know we already have similar tastes, but it might be useful to get someone who understands how to use space." He sighs. "And professionally organize. I could use some help with my collections, like what's really worth keeping and how to store it." He tilts his head as he looks at the bad decor in the master. "The bedroom should be mostly you, though. I like the way ours feels now. Like I belong, but it's definitely your lair, if that makes any sense."
Eric nods. "I like our bedroom. I wouldn't mind having someone else paint it, but I want to choose the colours and any new furniture," he says. "What about a playroom? Would you want one of our own?" He's been assuming they would and with this many floors, it seems almost a shame not to, but on the other hand, when they're paying the kind of dues they are to the club...
"I've been thinking about that," Orlando says, tapping his chin as he stares at the floor plans. "Could we do something a little different? Like a fantasy room instead of a play room? You know, model it after a role playing room at the club. I don't really like the feel of a traditional playroom – too boring. Maybe we could have all the usual supplies and small equipment, but get bigger items from the club as we need them?" He knows he's rambling, but he's been thinking about this for a while. "We do a lot of role play, and I'd like something flexible that works with that. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea." And it really does sound like the best of both worlds. "But I also think we're getting ahead of ourselves. We should go see this place."
Orlando gapes at him a moment, then laughs. "Hell, I completely forgot we haven't seen it yet. I was ready to just write a check." He checks the time on his phone. "If we call the listing agent now, I'll bet we can get an appointment." Already punching in the number.
"For now?" Eric certainly hopes so. Listening to Orlando work things out on the phone, his lover's smile letting him know they're in.
"Yes!" Orlando says, disconnecting the call before he glomps Eric in a quick hug. "The listing agent is already there for an appointment that just ended." He grins. "He said they weren't serious buyers, and that he'd wait for us."
"Because we're serious buyers?" Eric snorts softly, but god, he loves the look on Orlando's face. "You've already decided, haven't you?"
Orlando cocks his head, his smile softening. "Only if you love it." He bumps their foreheads together. "It's gotta be your castle, and our home, and then I can be your boy in it."
God. Energy bar and water in hand, Eric wraps his arms around Orlando and hugs him close. His castle. Their home. His boy. "Let's go see it then."
+
"You're right," Orlando says, hands pressed to his face in mock-horror as he looks around the bedroom. "I cannot, in all good conscience, let you fuck me in a room that looks like this."
Eric laughs, shaking his head. "It's actually worse than the pictures, isn't it?"
"Yes." Orlando echoes the laugh as he nods. "I mean, no one would get any action in a room like this," he says. "Not even the royals, do you think?"
Eric grins, pulling Orlando in against his side and dropping a kiss on his head. "I think you could put a whole orgy in here and everyone would just get depressed and go home."
"At least it's fixable," Orlando says, leaning in to Eric's hold. "What do you think about the rest? It's big enough."
"I think it's amazing otherwise," Eric answers honestly. "It's got great bones, I like a lot of the period features - the glass in the foyer, the doors, the crown moldings - but I also like how they renovated most of the rooms and I love the layout. It's really just this room and the living room and the wallpaper in the rest of the bedrooms."
Orlando nods, hands already fidgety with excitement. "It feels like us, doesn't it?" He asks, looking at Eric in confirmation, his eyes sparkling. "Grand without being ostentatious, spacious but with enough places for a good coze, a kitchen I'm not worthy of yet, but that's just motivation to take the cooking lessons I've been talking about for ages, And," he grins, "enough storage space you'll never be crowded out of a closet again."
"You could take a whole floor, or at least a bedroom," Eric says, "but I don't want to pay list on this. I think there's still too much work to be done."
"And there's the god of negotiation that I love," Orlando says, kissing Eric's jaw. "The owners will never know what hit them." He grins. "And I'll think of a creative way to show you my bank account's appreciation after we've closed."
"Are we going to do the renos ourselves?" Eric asks. "Or get someone in?" Already trying to figure out what kind of an offer they should make. "Does the listing say how long it's been on the market?"
Orlando squints, trying to remember. "Just coming up on 120 days, I think. And it's a little high for the neighborhood, when you look at comps." He rubs the top of his head. "We can probably handle the painting, but I'd like help getting that wallpaper taken down, along with other miscellany."
Eric nods, running numbers in his head. "I say we offer eight. They probably won't go for it but we might be able to get it for a little over."
"Sounds good to me," Orlando says. "Even with doing some of the painting ourselves, the reno isn't going to be cheap given the age of the building. I definitely want to do it right, you know?"
"Including your custom closets?" Eric teases, taking Orlando's hand as they head back downstairs to where the agent's waiting for them.
"Why do you think I'm letting you do the negotiating?" Orlando says, squeezing Eric's hand as they descend. "Someone's got to make up for my spending habits."
Eric laughs. "We like it," he says bluntly as the agent comes to meet them at the bottom of the stairs, "but there's a lot of work to do. Orlando said it's been on the market for 120 days?"
Harold nods. "Yes. Although," he lowers his voice, like it's a secret just between him and them, "they actually took it off the market for a while and this is a second listing."
"Okay, then we're willing to offer eight," Eric says.
Harold blinks. "I'm not sure they'd be willing to drop that much..."
Orlando has to bite his lip to keep the chuckle from escaping. He clears his throat as he moves slightly to the side and behind Eric. "It is a lovely home, if a bit," he says, peering around Eric's shoulder as he gestures vaguely above their heads, "outdated. I was also thinking we might have to have our own structural engineer do a complete inspection," he says, turning to Eric, knowing full well they don't actually have anything remotely resembling a structural engineer. "It is over a century old, after all."
"It's a heritage home, with a full designation," Harold sniffs.
"Heritage or not, Orlando's right. It needs updating, it needs an inspection, it's been on the market for over four months and they're asking too much. Eight," Eric said with a shrug.
Harold looks at Orlando, as if hoping he'll help his lover see the light. Be reasonable.
"Darling," Orlando says, his voice low but still loud enough to carry to the agent. "Is that really fair? Especially given the changes we talked about upstairs." He looks right at the agent as he sets his chin on Eric's shoulder. "We could offer something more like seven point eight five."
"I'll put forward the offer for eight to the owners," Harold says, paling for a moment before he quickly recovers. "I'll call their agent now, if you'll excuse me," he adds, disappearing into the other room.
Eric laughs, turning to wrap his arms around Orlando. "And here I thought I was the tough one."
"You are," Orlando says, leaning into the embrace. "But I had to laugh at the idea of anyone thinking I would try and persuade you out of that offer." He makes a face. "He should save those puppy eyes for someone else."
"They don't even deserve to be called puppy dog eyes. They were awful," Eric says with a chuckle, kissing Orlando. "He needs lessons."
"Yes, he does." Orlando says, returning the kiss. "Don't they all." Using Eric as a place to prop, he studies the foyer around them. "I think we could have some plants here in the entry. Warm up all these cool surfaces." He scratches his chin. "Not that I'd know how to keep them alive."
Eric grins. "Don't look at me. I manage one fern and a ficus and that's sheer luck."
"I could hire one of those plant services. Like they do in offices," Orlando says, then frowns. "Although I'll have to think about it within the context of the new budget." He lowers his voice and thumps his head on Eric's shoulder with each word. "Eight. Million. Pounds."
Eric laughs and pulls Orlando in close, kissing him. "I know. It's incredible. Think what that would buy you in other parts of the world."
"An entire island, in Ontario," Orlando says without hesitation. "According to the television. Maybe two, if they were smallish." He leans into Eric's touch. "Speaking of insane amounts of money, how should we handle the sale and deed for taxes? I'm not even sure how the deed should work."
"You mean between the two of us?" Eric asks. "Joint ownership, I should think." Since they're pretty much out to the world at this point. "As far as money goes, we can split the house and the taxes or I'll take the taxes."
Orlando groans and thumps his head on Eric's shoulder again. "Can't I just give you all my money and pretend it takes care of itself?" He straightens, his expression brightening. "I'll give you sex. Lots."
Eric laughs. "If you want," he says. "The money part, I mean. The sex I definitely want."
"Brilliant," Orlando says. "And free," he says, looking smug, "since I'd give you lots of sex regardless. I'll tell my lawyer to separate the trusts for my family, and then figure out how to hand the rest over to you."
"You're serious then?" Eric asks. Double-checking. "You want me to take control of everything?"
"Yes," Orlando says, nodding. "If you are willing. I don't want it to be a burden - you can ask me to do anything that needs doing. But the responsibility for it - for me," unable to quite control the soft wash of color on his cheeks, "I want you to take it."
"Okay." Eric nods too, touching Orlando's cheek with his fingers. "I'm more than willing, just a little surprised. But I'm good with it." He wouldn't say so if he wasn't.
Blowing out a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding, Orlando presses as close to Eric as he can get without actually going through their clothes. "Thank you," he whispers, kissing him firmly.
Harold comes back into the room, clearing his throat as he keeps a few steps back, unwilling to intrude.
"Did you get them?" Eric asks, keeping his arms around Orlando.
"I got their agent, yes, and he spoke to them. They'll accept eight if you can close in 30 days," he says, clearly not expecting them to agree.
"If I'm not mistaken, cash means we can close in less than 10?" Orlando says, tilting his head and looking at Harold.
Harold blinks hard. "You want to close in 10 days?" He looks from Eric to Orlando and back again, a nod from Eric having him mumbling, "I'll make another call," before scurrying from the room once more.
"And he thought I was the hard ass," Eric teases, grinning.
"I," Orlando says, grin full of smug as he taps Eric's chest, "have been taught by the very best."
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