FIC - Broken Promises

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Title: Broken Promises
Author: arieltachna and namarie120
Type: RPS / FPS crossover
Pairing: Orlando Bloom / Nikolai Luzhin
Rating: NC-17
Warning: Spoilers for the movie, though we’ve tried to limit them and still make sense to people who haven’t seen the film yet
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, created for entertainment and enjoyment only. With all due respect, we do not own these characters or the actors portraying them. They’re just too compelling to pass up a chance to play with them.
Feedback: would be wonderful
Beta: tularia
Summary: A police officer and a Russian mobster meet again in London
A/N: Follows after No Promises, Guilty Promises, and Empty Promises.
A/N2: Thanks to tularia for the banner and tati for the Russian translations.




~~~~~~


"Luzhin."

"Hospital."

"Nearly died."

Those three snatches of overhead conversation had haunted Orlando for a week. He wanted to ask the other officers for details, but he had no reason to need to know, no excuse for his questions. He kept telling himself to forget Nikolai as he'd promised himself he would do after he found out about the other man's "promotion." He'd deleted Nikolai's number out of his cell phone, erased it from his contact files, done everything he could to put the ill-fated affair behind him. He had even accepted his own promotion to vice squad, a move he had declined before so he wouldn't have to worry about his job requiring him to investigate Nikolai or his family. None of it had helped then, and it certainly didn't help now. He knew Nikolai's number as well as he knew his own, had dialed it repeatedly in the past three days as he tried to reach his erstwhile lover, needing to hear his voice, to know he was alive at least.

He'd chastised himself each time for his weakness, but there was simply no denying it. He needed Nikolai, the vory be damned. Sure this time would be no different than the others, but determined to keep trying, Orlando reached for his phone and punched in the number that was salvation and damnation alike.

The warble of his cell phone drew Nikolai's contemplation from the small book on the tabletop. He did not need to look at the display to know who was calling. He'd convinced Kirill it was safest for them both if he dropped out of sight following the attack, to avoid any further retaliation from the Chechens. Semyon had too many other concerns at the moment, not that he would call Nikolai himself in any case. And only one other person had the number. He tried to ignore the insistent summons, as he had ignored it for the past three days, except at night when he tortured himself by listening to the messages in the silence of the tiny room where he'd hidden to heal.

The police inspector was nothing if not persistent, Nikolai thought wryly. At first he had merely wondered what more Bloom could have found to say following the finality of their last meeting, but the messages had grown increasingly urgent, the last admitting he'd heard that Nikolai had been hurt. It was all the more reason to avoid any contact between them – anything that drew attention to Bloom or their relationship now was a risk neither of them could afford. Even as he reminded himself of the danger, Nikolai's hand was reaching for the phone, caressing its surface as if it could somehow transmit his touch to the man at the other end of the connection. Ignoring Bloom obviously wasn't working, he told himself, as his wrist bent to flip the phone open. He'd have to find some other way to convince his former lover that things were over.

"Luzhin," he grated, hating himself for giving in to the need to hear Orlando's voice again.

"Kolya!" Orlando gasped, sagging against the headboard of his bed in relief, the nickname he never expected to use again slipping from his lips before he could reconsider the wisdom of it. To hell with it, he decided. He'd done some hard thinking over the past week, and he wasn't going back on those decisions now. "Tell me you're safe."

"As you hear," Nikolai answered, swallowing back the thickness that tightened his throat at the diminutive no one but Orlando used. "It is best you not call this number again."

"Then give me another it's safer to use," Orlando retorted. "Or even better, tell me where I can meet you. I need to see that you're well."

"To what purpose?" Ignoring the leap of his pulse at the thought of seeing Orlando again, Nikolai reminded himself of all the reasons it would be a very bad idea. "I am still vor. You are still police. Forget anything else."

"I can't," Orlando admitted softly, voice breaking slightly as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. He had lived in dread for the past week, sure despite what he'd heard that Nikolai was dead, lying in an alley somewhere, killed by comrades of the men who had attacked him in the first place. He knew it wouldn't be simple. He knew it might still come to nothing, but he had to try. "All I can think about is that you nearly died and I.... Tell me where I can meet you. I don't want to do this over the phone. Please, Kolya."

Cursing himself for twenty kinds of a fool, Nikolai could not resist the raw emotion in Orlando's voice. "There is a tiny Ukraine restaurant," he said heavily, giving the address. One last time, he told himself. He would let Bloom see he was fine and then insist that they could not risk this again. He would find some way to convince him – as soon as he had convinced himself. "Wear a dark suit, if you have one," he suggested, knowing Bloom would know better than to wear his uniform. "Perhaps you will be taken as vor yourself."

"I do," Orlando said, hating the renewed pretence but knowing it would protect Nikolai a little longer. "I'll be there in less than an hour."

Nikolai had seated himself at a secluded table in the rear of the restaurant which offered a clear view of the door and anyone coming or going. He waved away the owner's offer of food, forcing a smile when the man set a bottle of vodka on the table instead with the comment that he knew the vory would never refuse a drink. What was it the English called it? Dutch courage, he thought as he downed a shot, the familiar burn helping to settle his uneasiness, but not enough to keep him from lifting his head every time someone crossed his line of vision.

Forty-five minutes after he hung up the phone, Orlando stood at the top of the steps leading down to the basement restaurant, hoping he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life. Taking a deep breath and reminding himself that he had nothing to lose since at the moment he had nothing, he descended into the quiet eatery, his eyes automatically scanning the room for threats. Nikolai wanted him to pass for a vor. He figured in this instance, a cop's carefulness would pass for a vor's wariness. Spying his quarry sitting near the back of the restaurant, he crossed the intervening space confidently, as if he had every right in the world to be there and to be meeting with this particular man. He had no idea what explanation, if any, Nikolai had given for either of their presence, but he didn't want to do anything that might upset the illusion. "Luzhin," he acknowledged, taking a seat across from his lover, his eyes searching for any outward sign of the damage the other man had suffered.

"Bloom," Nikolai replied shortly, as if he had not been drinking in the sight of his lover's presence from the moment he had crossed the threshold.

Orlando had to stifle a cry when he saw the jagged slash marring Nikolai's cheek, so near his eye. "What did they do to you?" he murmured before he could stop himself, his hands itching to reach out and touch, to search out any other new marks on the already decorated flesh. Not able to keep completely still, he reached for the bottle on the table with trembling hands and poured a shot into the glass in front of Nikolai, imagining he could taste his lover on the rim as well as the liquor itself when he gulped down the icy liquid.

Nikolai resisted the urge to pour himself another shot of vodka, knowing he needed all his wits about him. Brooding over Bloom had let his attackers take him by surprise in the first place. He might not survive a second such lapse. "I am not so easy to kill," he answered, keeping his hands from reaching across the table by lighting another cigarette.

"Is it safe to talk here?" Orlando asked, all the words he wanted to say crowding his heart and mind. "I owe you an apology at the very least."

"You owe me nothing," Nikolai insisted, the memory of their last meeting still eating at his conscience. What the fuck did Orlando have to apologize for? He could not do this, he admitted to himself. He could not sit here with only a table between them and act this lie any longer. "You have seen that I am well. It is not safe for you to be here. Go back to your world, forget you ever knew me." He rose to his feet, stubbing out the cigarette and shaking his head when Orlando tried to reach for him. "The food is good here. You should eat before you leave." He turned toward the door, pausing after a few steps to look back at the man sitting at the table, the man he would never forget. "Do svidanja, Orlik."

For the first time since he walked into the restaurant, Orlando felt true hope spark within him. Nikolai couldn't call him Orlik still and not care. No, it wasn't safe, but it hadn't ever been safe. Maybe he would be better off forgetting he ever knew Nikolai, but it hadn't felt like it this past week. He let the Russian leave, let him reach the top of the stairs before rising himself and dropping some pound notes on the table to pay for the bottle. He would follow Nikolai home, wherever that was, and they would have this out once and for all.

To his surprise, when he reached the top of the steps, he saw his lover disappearing into an elevator rather than out the front door of the hotel that housed the restaurant. Glancing around quickly, he located the emergency stairs and sprinted up them, hoping to be in time to see which room Nikolai disappeared into.

Nikolai sagged against the wall of the elevator, pushing back the lock of hair that fell over his forehead. It would get easier, he told himself. The pain from the attack was easing; this pain would ease as well. He just needed to give it time. He would have the rest of his life to forget. The bell pinged and he straightened instinctively, his spine stiff, his face an emotionless mask as the doors opened and he strode down the narrow hall to his room.

Entering the corridor in time to see Nikolai disappear into one of the rooms, Orlando walked to the door as nonchalantly as he could, catching it just before it closed. He pushed his way inside, determined not to let Nikolai shut him out this time. "You can't call me that and then expect me to let you walk out of my life," he began when he knew the door was closed behind them.

"I have no place in your life," Nikolai retorted, pushing Orlando back against the door, preventing him from entering any further, into his room, into his heart. "Just an arse to fuck, remember?" he added cruelly, certain a reminder of the near-rape would be enough to drive the younger man away.

"You know that's a lie," Orlando retorted, arms reaching up to circle Nikolai's neck, his head tilted as he asked silently for a kiss. "It was a lie when I said it and it's just as much of one now. How do I convince you of that?"

"You don't." Nikolai's back stiffened as he drew away, resisting the offer he ached to claim. "I have nothing to give you – nothing you need."

You're the only thing I need, Orlando wanted to shout, but words obviously wouldn't persuade his stubborn lover. He followed Nikolai as he stepped back, crowding him, keeping their bodies touching, giving free rein to his desire. His hands tunneled into his lover's hair, mussing it completely as he pulled their lips together, attacking the thin curves with all the passion and fear he'd been repressing.

Orlando's tongue demanded entrance into Nikolai's mouth, and for a brief moment he allowed the rare dominance before pulling away. His lover's hands fell to his shoulders to hold him in place, surprising a hiss of pain from Nikolai as they dug into still healing wounds. "Nyet," he insisted hoarsely, twisting free from the grasp. "No more."

"Yes," Orlando retorted demandingly. His hands pulled at Nikolai's jacket and tie, determined not to let his lover pull away. "Where else are you hurt? Show me so I don't make it worse."

"This solves nothing," Nikolai protested, though the strength of his longing made the objection sound weak even to his own ears.

"Maybe not," Orlando agreed as he peeled back the halves of Nikolai's shirt, wincing when he saw the scrapes and scratches marring his lover's neck and shoulders. Pulling the fabric away more, he hissed sympathetically at the long knife wound that bisected Nikolai's chest, passing just below his left nipple. "The bastards! I hope you killed them. Slowly and painfully." As he spoke, he pulled the shirt off, more gently now, his eyes searching for other injuries. His face darkened more when he saw the gash down Nikolai's arm and the one across his back. "Very painfully," he reiterated.

"They are dead," Nikolai confessed bitterly, wincing as the shirt pulled away from barely-healed skin. "More bodies, as you expected. And they are perhaps not the only ones who wish me killed." He tried again to step back, to distance himself from the man who should be condemning what he had done, not praising it.

"It doesn't matter," Orlando insisted, his hands settling on Nikolai's hips to keep him close. "None of it matters. Not the past, not the tattoos, not any of it. I've lived in hell the past week when I didn't know if you were alive or dead. I don't want to lose any more time with you. I don't care what you have to do to stay alive. Just don't let them hurt you again."

His lover's unconditional acceptance tore the last shreds of Nikolai's resistance. "Orlik," he groaned, leaning into the eager embrace, his lips meeting his lover's with a week's worth, a lifetime's worth, of hunger and need. Cursing his suggestion that Orlando wear a suit, he fumbled with the layers of clothing, seeking the warm flesh underneath.

Orlando parted his lips, welcoming Nikolai inside, even as he divested his lover of his pants and then wrestled with his own clothes as well. They could not come together quickly enough for him, although he hoped there would be time for more leisurely lovemaking, too. For now, though, he needed Nikolai, needed to prove they were together, that Nikolai was safe in his arms. He didn't even try to stop the satisfied sigh that left him when skin met skin.

The memory of their last encounter still weighing on his conscience, Nikolai tried to gentle the urgent kiss, his hands caressing the body he hadn't dared to hope he would ever again hold against his. It was a wonder to him that Orlando had returned at all – he would do nothing to recall that moment when he had let his anger overwhelm him. But it was obvious his lover didn't feel the same constraint.

Frustrated with yet another delay, Orlando pushed Nikolai backward toward the bed, stopping only long enough to retrieve the condom and lube he had stuffed in his pocket before he left the house, tribute to the hope he'd nursed despite the circumstances. Tearing the packets open, he stroked Nikolai's cock to full hardness, rolling the condom down its length and smearing it with the slippery fluid.

Suspecting that this assertive lover was much more Orlando's usual manner than the submission of their previous encounters, Nikolai let himself be maneuvered, until the younger man knelt over him and reached for his cock. "Not yet," he ground out, stilling Orlando's hand. "Not without preparation. Never again."

Orlando's grin turned seductive as he slid up Nikolai's chest, being careful not to apply pressure to any of the cuts or bruises he could see. "Be my guest," he offered huskily, turning quickly to face his lover's feet. He looked back over his shoulder as he braced his hands on Nikolai's muscular thighs, cocking an eyebrow as if to ask what the other man was waiting for.

Bracing himself on his elbows, Nikolai wrapped his palms around his lover's slender hips and drew him closer, placing a kiss on each perfect globe before sliding his tongue between them. His fingers tightened as Orlando bucked in surprise, holding him steady as he traced the crease, teasing at the wrinkled rosette until breathy moans assured him his lover welcomed his attentions. With a groan of his own, he delved inside, the musky taste whetting his hunger to sink deeper into the silky passage. Groping for one of the packets Orlando had dropped on the bed, he slicked his fingers, his lips moving up the line of Orlando's spine as he stretched him further, until neither of them could deny their need any longer.

Orlando's fingers clenched and unclenched in time with Nikolai's probing tongue as he sought to hold back the shout of surprise and pleasure at the unexpected feeling of his lover's mouth on him. He regretted having already put a condom on the other man's cock, wishing he could lower his head and suck the smooth head. Instead, he contented himself with sliding one hand between the strong thighs and rolling the heavy sac in his palm. When Nikolai finally released him, he spun around, positioning the tip of the hard shaft at his entrance and sliding down in one long glide. "Ah, shit... Kolya," he groaned as he felt himself filled again.

"Orlik," Nikolai rasped, fighting for control as Orlando's body clenched around him. His fists closed around the bedsheets, resisting the urge to thrust upward, ceding control to his lover. His head thrown back against the pillow, he watched as the perfect, flawless body undulated above him, the slender cock bobbing gracefully, a silvery strand of fluid welling down to drip onto his belly. "Da, Orlik..."

Orlando closed his hands over Nikolai's fists, lifting them to his hips, fingers caressing the bruised and scraped knuckles tenderly. "What do you want?" he asked breathlessly. "Hard and fast or slow and gentle?"

"You are driver this time," Nikolai answered with a touch of humour that belied the emotions threatening to swamp him. He brushed the back of his hand over the light stubble of Orlando's cheek. "Take what you desire."

Orlando turned his head to kiss the battered hand. "What we desire."

His hips began to move, faster now, the urgency he had felt since hearing Nikolai had been hurt demanding to be appeased. Bracing his hands above his lover's battered shoulders, he lowered his head and mated their lips as he mated their bodies, sucking on Nikolai's tongue in rhythm with the movement of their hips. The fluid leaking steadily from his cock lubricated its slide over the taut abdomen beneath him, adding another layer of pleasure to the feelings already pulsing through him. His head spun from lack of air, but he didn't want to lift his head even that long, not wanting to lose any connection between them after having feared every connection lost. He increased the pace, riding Nikolai hard, pushing them both inexorably toward their climax.

Allowing his lover to control the pace, letting the sensations wash over him rather than driving them, brought Nikolai a degree of pleasure he had never experienced before. Orlando's mouth melded to his, sharing breath as their bodies pounded together until it seemed they shared a single heartbeat. His palms slid down the arc of Orlando's back, sweat glistening between them despite the cool air of the room. The friction and the saltiness burned his wounds, but it was nothing to the fire that burned in his gut, the fire only the man astride him could assuage. When he felt his balls tightening with the immediacy of his climax, he worked a hand between their bodies, encircling his lover's cock until they both convulsed together, swallowing each other's cries as they rode out the shuddering ecstasy.

Retaining only enough presence of mind to collapse beside Nikolai rather than on top of him, Orlando gave in to the other desire that he hadn't been able to shake, cuddling against his lover's side as if he truly had the right to be there, arms positioned carefully to avoid the obvious injuries. He pushed aside the doubts, the problems, and simply basked in the warmth of explosive passion and its quiet, tender aftermath. Maybe it wouldn't last. Maybe it couldn't last, but he would treasure every moment he had with his lover instead of always counting the cost.

Nikolai's body ached, but the warmth that suffused him at the press of Orlando's body to his was worth any amount of pain. He was reluctant to shatter the peace they had forged between them, but he could not expect Orlando to remain much longer, and there were matters he needed to discuss before they parted again, perhaps for the last time.

"Orlik," he began, threading a hand into the tumbled curls that framed his lover's face and turning it until their eyes met, "the last time, on the boat – there is no danger." He paused, his eyes dark with regret. "I know you have no cause to trust me, but I am clean. There is no risk you need fear."

Orlando's arms tightened their embrace; he hoped he was not aggravating any internal injuries but was helpless to stop the gesture at the thought of illness ravaging the strong body he held. It had been a concern, knowing what kind of life Nikolai led, but neither of them lived a life free of dangers, most of which were far more immediate than illness. "I'm glad to hear that," he replied softly, holding Nikolai's gaze as he tried to convey the words he could not say. "There are enough other things trying to take you away from me without worrying about getting sick, too."

"I am keeping low profile until the one who tried to have me killed is taken care of," Nikolai admitted. There had been times in his life he had not been concerned about his safety, but he had more than one reason now to care about his own survival. He smiled crookedly as he continued, "You do not need to look for more bodies, this time I let others deal with the situation."

Orlando didn't ask who the others were or how they would deal with the situation. He'd made enough of a mess by asking for answers the last time they met. "As long as you stay safe," he said bluntly. "I don't care about the rest."

He had more to say, a confession of his own to make, but he hesitated to spoil the quiet mood between them. He would have to tell Nikolai before he left, but for the moment, he took the coward's way out and simply rested against his lover's side. Last time, it had been Nikolai's revelation that endangered them. This time, it would be his. He accepted that, but he wanted to put it off as long as he could. In case this was the last time.

The silence settled between them, unbroken save for their quiet breathing. Nikolai wondered that Orlando remained nestled against him, rather than rising to dress and leave as they usually parted after sex. Satiation and pain left him weary, and he considered simply closing his eyes to rest for a time, but he did not want to wake to find Orlando gone. Wishing for words he did not have the right to speak, he settled for resting a palm on the curve of his lover's back, the touch itself more of a connection than he had allowed before.

The caress, somehow more intimate than any sex they'd ever had, broke Orlando's heart. Believing Nikolai lost to him, he'd accepted a promotion that now put him directly at odds with his lover. "I... I have to tell you something," he said slowly. "I don't want to, but you were honest with me when I asked about your tattoos. I owe you the same honesty."

Nikolai stiffened, certain Orlando was about to confirm they were ended, that this was the last time they would meet. That he had expected it, urged it, made it no easier to bear. Hoping his expression hid the tension coiling inside him, he nodded for the other man to continue.

Orlando's eyes closed as he felt Nikolai's silent withdrawal. How little they had learned to trust each other, he mused sadly, that even the mention of talking, of honesty created this tension between them. Maybe they really were better off apart. "My supervisor has been trying to promote me to vice squad for six months. I'd been refusing. Last week, I thought the reasons for saying no were gone so I accepted. I'm sorry."

The irony of Bloom's confession was not lost on Nikolai, but there was nothing humorous about the implications to them both. "You can no longer turn a blind eye to what you see," he acknowledged softly. "I will be careful not to draw your attention once you leave."

"But that's just it," Orlando explained quickly. "I don't want to leave. I lost you once, almost permanently. I just don't know how to stay."

Perhaps there was no way, but having come close to losing everything himself, Nikolai had learned to take what he could. "Then stay," he murmured, pulling Orlando closer and settling him against his chest, ignoring all pain and doubts. "Forget tomorrow. Just stay tonight."

Orlando nodded, relaxing against the warm body of the man who meant too much to him. "Kolya, I...." He didn't finish the sentence, the words he shouldn't speak silenced by Nikolai's lips. It didn't matter. Either Nikolai knew or he didn't, but Orlando was done denying to himself how he felt. He had no idea how this would work – probably no better, no differently than it had before – but he was done with pretence.

He had promised never to let himself hope for the impossible, but for once Nikolai was breaking his own rules. Tomorrow he would face reality again, a reality that forced them apart, but he would not think of it tonight. Closing his eyes, he matched his breathing to the man in his arms, and let himself dream.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

This is so good. I love the way your writing convey their feelings in all their rawness. I love it that they can't be apart tho everything in their respective lives is conjuring to keep them that way. You are amazing writers.

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Though I have to give the credit to Viggo's incredible portrayal of Nikolai - he provides so much texture for us to build our characterizations around.

[trustingfrndshp.livejournal.com]

Don't remember but if Nikolai's undercover, wish he'd admit it; the movie was great and I was happy to see you use it in your writing; I tried finding more fics, perhaps Nikolai/Kirill but came up empty so thanks for satisfying the interest:)

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

We actually started the series before either of us had seen the film, but now that we have we're trying to tie the stories into the plot (adding a few of our own twists, of course). Nikolai hasn't volunteered the complete truth to Orlando yet, and Orlando certainly isn't going to ask for details that might demand his official attention if he learns of them. But the story isn't over yet...

[ladykatiewench.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I haven't read this yet, even though I am commenting. But I am currently buying internet from McDonald's and I am trying to keep my bill down. HOWEVER, I have copied and pasted and will be reading this at home. But basically, this story has been rockin' my world and I just wanted to let you know that I've been adoring it!

LOVE!

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yeah, reading it at home might be best, don't want to shock any little ones peeking over your shoulder :-D

[readgreekeasy.livejournal.com]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
love you for continuing this
I'm on the edge of my seat for the enxt chappy!

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

It may be a little longer wait than this one - they're so cute curled up like that, we kind of hate to disturb them.

[readgreekeasy.livejournal.com]

oh no... you're going to disturb them? whats going to happen now ):

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

That would be telling! You'll have to wait and see... *hums innocently*

[readgreekeasy.livejournal.com]

ooooh you are being so mean and sneaky ):
but I can't wait for more so I'll fogive you and occupy my time until the new chapter is done (:

[whitewizzy.livejournal.com]

Ok, this got me out of lurkdom. I am loving every moment of this story, but this chap is the best so far. The emotions are so raw, it is almost like they are mine :)

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

We're always happy to pull readers out of lurkdom! Almost as rewarding as pulling emotions out of Nikolai :-)

[ranmaru.livejournal.com]

When you started posting these, I hadn't seen the movie, now that I have it's even more powerful to read. That Nikolai was brooding over Orlando in the sauna...you've woven this so incredibly well into canon. I hold my breath as I'm reading and my heart cries for them both as they struggle with their roles and their feelings for each other. I hope there are many more of these to come.

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

That's OK, when we wrote the first story we hadn't seen the movie yet either! :-)

But after seeing it, especially the second time (the first time I was so stunned I missed a lot of details), we were able to weave in a number of details from the movie into the story. These characters have become so real to us that when I saw Nikolai in the sauna the second time, with the towel drawn over him, I just KNEW he was beating himself up for how he had treated Orlando on the boat! *grins*

We have at least two more fics plotted out, maybe more depending on how cooperative the boys are.

[not-a-lamb.livejournal.com]

This was absolutely perfect. I adore the universe the two of you have created. I can only hope that there will be many more episodes to come. FABULOUS.

*memories*

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

We just plotted out at least two more stories this morning - the two of them just won't let us go.

[sodomis.livejournal.com]

This is so amazing.Have you considered of sending a copy to David Cronenberg?you never know...

*winks*

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

He has said he'd be interested in making a sequel if Viggo was available... of course we'd have to be on set throughout filming for any last-minute script changes... *grins*