Warnings: Snowballing, general revelry in the gooeyness of sex, and a chapter built entirely out of gossip. Also, mild het content, but hey, this is still me, so this is still slash.

Disclaimer: I don�t know anything about the inner-workings of the LotR casting. I don�t know these people and this did not happen. This isn�t even speculation � it�s just straight-up fiction.

Beta: My grammar masters Jeanette and Robyn. Thanks, ladies!

Dedications: For Reisling.

Rain misted down as Stuart sat staring at his reflection. Condensation clung to the windows, making the trailer feel isolated and cramped. He heard voices outside; voices muffled by a metal door and design; and a low, sick feeling nestled against his heart. He focused on his face in the mirror as his makeup artist, David, applied lotion to his skin, readying it for the transformation. Behind him, the trailer door creaked open and Peter hopped in.

�Good morning, Stuart, David,� he said jovially, and far too casually. �Fran and I were just out there talking and we�re going to have you try a little more age makeup. We�ve got the shop working on a new wig with a bit more grey in it and we�re going to have you add a few more lines around the eyes � �

�More?� Stuart stared hard at Peter�s image in the mirror. �How much more? This isn�t stage, you know. Much more and I�m going to end up looking like sodding Yoda.�

Peter scratched his beard again. �Let�s just see how it looks, all right? We�ll have a screen test and see what we think.�

When Stuart exited the trailer, wrinkles and grey hair in place beneath his blue robe, he saw Orlando waiting for him. Or rather, Legolas was waiting for him, sleek blonde hair just visible underneath an identical blue robe. The ridiculous security get-up tempered his beauty only marginally; he still looked so stunning Stuart had to look twice. Smooth, flawless skin and bright, blue eyes the color of the sky in fairytales. And then, this unimaginable creature greeted him with Orlando�s warm smile.

�Hey,� Orlando whispered secretively, seemingly unaware of his own exquisiteness. �The hobbits are going out tonight, but I opted out. You wanna do the same? We could go to a pub or something.�

Stuart nodded. At that exact moment, he couldn�t even make himself breathe, let alone speak.

�Great,� Orlando said. �I�ll ring you.� Then, he disappeared into the trailer like the ghost Stuart accused him of being.

Stuart walked as quickly as he could through the drizzling rain to the studio, feeling strangely dazed and angry. For nearly an hour, he stood in front of the cameras as lighting technicians and camera people scurried about him, viewing him first in this light, then in that, with this focus lens and then with another. While they fluttered about, Stuart stood still. I can do this, he thought resolutely. They�d hired him and he could sell the shite out of this role. No more hopping from job to job, scrounging up cash to pay rent in between. After Rings, he�d have film offers and clout. This film would be the making of him, and he was ready.

That evening, Stuart strutted through the pub door with his arm already possessively around Orlando�s shoulders. Thundering music ebbed from sources unknown and dozens of people cluttered the booths and tables. The din of talking nearly overpowered the driving bass. Stuart led Orlando to a booth near the back and they spent the next two hours laughing and drinking. With each successive drink, Stuart let himself paw a little more, gripping Orlando�s knee, then a little higher, latching onto his thigh. Stuart�s greatest ambition that night was to get Orlando out of his jeans and suck him off. He didn�t do that often and usually, he wanted to do it even less, but he liked the idea of Orlando squirming and squealing all because of his tongue.

�Let�s go, yeah?� Orlando said to him, around about one a.m. His eyes glimmered with dash and desire, and beneath the table, he let his hand rest on Stuart�s atop his thigh.

�Not yet.� Stuart took another swig of his ale. He was enjoying far too much the feel of Orlando next to him and that keen arrogance of knowing that he was one of the two best-looking blokes in the place. If they wanted, he and Orlando could turn a lot of heads. Hell, they already had. People glanced at them from all corners, whispering and admiring. Stuart smirked into his ale.

Just then, a woman sidled up to the booth and slid in across from them. She was a redhead, a bit older than both of them, but still looked firm in all the right places. She was on the pull, leaning and preening, coy and provocative. �You two aren�t here all alone, are you?� she cooed. �Anything I can do to help?�

Stuart nodded and the alcohol pushed him further. �You should blow me,� he called to her, loud enough to be heard over the music. Orlando nearly choked on his soda and then laughed nervously, wiping his mouth. Stuart patted him on the back and cocked his head to the woman. �I�m going to be famous.�

The redhead quirked an eyebrow. �Is that so?� she replied. Her lips bent and curled in such a way that Stuart knew he hadn�t exactly scandalized a good girl.

�And one for my mate, too, then, eh? He could use it.� Stuart grinned and slapped his hand down tight on Orlando�s thigh, squeezing the warm flesh through the denim. Orlando giggled into his drink and glanced around. �What do you say, ghost?� Stuart asked. �Fancy a threeway?�

Orlando looked across the booth at the redhead and smiled politely. �Oh...I don�t know...�

Ignoring him, Stuart waved the redhead closer. She slid across the booth and pressed against him. He closed his arm around her and slid the other around Orlando, pulling them both to him. He deserved both of them; he�d earned them. Crushed against Stuart�s chest, Orlando waved at the woman pressed against Stuart�s opposite shoulder. �Hello,� he said shyly. �Nice to meet you.� In reply, she stroked his jaw admiringly, licking her lips. Orlando�s nervous smile faltered and his cheeks flushed red. Stuart grinned. Jesus, the lad was precious at times.

The redhead smelled like cigarette smoke and a rather pleasant perfume. Stuart kissed her and felt Orlando beside him reach for his drink. When he pulled back, the redhead actually purred against his mouth. But she wasn�t Orlando and right now, he thirsted for Orlando.

Stuart took his arm from around the redhead and reached across to grab Orlando�s thigh again. That�s what he wanted. Lean, muscled thighs and a smooth, flat chest. Someone he could bite and lick, who wasn�t afraid of a little bruising. Stuart didn�t know where to touch first. He leaned into Orlando, lapping at the sweat on his collarbone. He kissed up the side of Orlando�s neck.

�Stuey,� Orlando said softly, and his jaw tensed against Stuart�s lips. �I don�t really...�

Stuart grew up in a small town and a movie set wasn�t so different: He knew well the speed of gossip and its lifespan. Nearly all these people would show up at work tomorrow, nearly all of them worked for the film. This was Orlando�s first real gig; the first one that would get him noticed; and Stuart knew he was in serious danger of giving Orlando a reputation that would follow him through the entire shoot and maybe beyond. He grinned against Orlando�s neck and slid his hand up higher on his thigh. He felt a malicious delight course through him, a cruel, sharp-edged glee.

Orlando�s legs tightened on Stuart�s hand, attempting to close it out, but his head tilted, giving Stuart more access to his neck, his ears. Stuart sucked a soft earlobe into his mouth. He felt dizzy. Orlando was so warm, so responsive. �Let�s leave, all right?� Orlando wrenched away, turned toward him, his eyes eager. �Let�s go back to your place.�

�We�re good here.� Stuart pulled Orlando to him again and buried his face against his neck, inhaling him. He slid his hand higher between Orlando�s legs, palming the hot denim of his crotch.

Orlando jolted, one of his knees banging the underside of the table. He giggled uncomfortably and tried to push Stuart�s hand away. �Not here.�

�Nothing wrong with here.� Stuart nipped at Orlando�s throat and grabbed his hand. He pressed Orlando�s fingers against his own erection, groaning and urging the fingers to rub. Orlando�s gasp came out half moaned.

The cushion beneath them shifted and Stuart sensed the redhead leaving with an air of disgust. He had never cared about anything less. �Do you want me?� he asked, licking at hollow of Orlando�s throat. Stuart exhaled gruffly and raised his head to look Orlando in the eyes. Orlando�s face was flushed with lust and embarrassment. His artless eyes darted about, noting all the people watching them. Stuart tugged on him. �Come on, ghost. Say it.�

�Jesus, yes. I want you,� Orlando breathed in a rush. �Let�s leave so I can do something about it.� Maneuvering out of Stuart�s grasp, he stood up suddenly and walked for the door. Stuart rushed to follow, his mind bent only on having Orlando, possessing him.

In the car park, he pinned Orlando to the side of his car, slowly grinding their hips together, building friction between their bodies. �How�s here?� he asked.

Orlando eyed their surroundings. Overhead, a broken streetlight lay dormant and its neighbors were too far to shed light on them. They were alone in the darkness, not even another car nearby, not for several yards. Orlando reached behind himself and the car door popped open with a satisfying thunk. He grinned and hurriedly shuffled into the car backwards.

�Back seat, eh?� Stuart said with a laugh. He climbed in after him and closed the door.

In the nearly pitch-black interior, Stuart immediately slid to his knees on narrow floor. His hands flew to Orlando�s hips, guiding them forward so he could access the fly of his jeans. Lifting Orlando�s shirt, he kissed his stomach. The muscles leapt against his lips. He spread his mouth wide, sucking on the skin, and Orlando let out a staccato series of panted breaths. Orlando was hard against Stuart�s palm as he slid his hand up and down the impressive bulge.

The rain that had been spitting all day suddenly unleashed. �Fuck,� Orlando panted. Rain tapped percussively against the metal roof as Stuart spread the fly of Orlando�s trousers wide and more skin was laid bare to his tongue. He licked at the sun. Stuart�s hands nearly vibrated as they reached into Orlando�s jeans, grasping for his cock. He couldn�t recall ever wanting to suck someone this badly. His mouth felt empty and he wanted to fill it. Orlando raised his hips to give Stuart better access and then, it was free and hot against Stuart�s palm, but he didn�t waste any time on reflection. His mouth closed over it and he sucked Orlando in deep. Orlando let out a long groan and feathered his hands through Stuart�s hair. �Shit. God, that�s good.�

Stuart sucked with a vengeance, moaning desperately with every pump of his head. He felt a fluttering hand across his arms and Orlando�s stomach collided against his head as he sat up.

�Wait, I wanna...� Orlando nearly grumbled, his fingers stretching out in the direction of Stuart�s crotch. �Get up here.� Reluctantly, Stuart let Orlando slip from his mouth and climbed up onto the seat beside him. Orlando immediately began unfastening his trousers. As soon as he pulled Stuart�s cock from his pants, he bent over, closing his mouth over it.

�Fuck, yeah,� Stuart hissed. �Suck me.� He reached across to grab Orlando�s cock, stroking it. His tongue played against his lip; he wanted that cock in his mouth again. He leaned over, his lips longing to feel that length push between them.

Orlando�s mouth slid off of him with a soft slurping noise. �I need to � � Stuart smiled as, giggling foolishly, Orlando kicked at his shoes, trying to knock them off. One shot over the front seat and the other landed very near Stuart�s head in the back window. �Sorry,� Orlando said. He shimmied out of his trousers and all need for apology was forgotten.

Orlando�s mouth sought out Stuart�s cock once more and Stuart collapsed onto his back on the seat, pulling and moving Orlando until he knelt on all fours over his face. His erection pointed down at Stuart�s mouth like one of Legolas�s arrows. Stuart snaked his tongue out and fluttered it at the tip, making the thick cock sway. He loved being in this position. At the other end of the seat, Orlando had to grip Stuart�s cock to keep it upright and in his mouth, but on the bottom, gravity did that job for him and Stuart�s hands were free to roam. He slipped one finger into his mouth, quickly wetting it, before closing around the cockhead nudging at his lips and sucking hard. His dampened finger slid up to nudge against Orlando�s tight, little hole. He felt a tantalizing puff of breath across his bollocks for his trouble.

Raindrops spattered against the window, further closing them in, sectioning them off. They were alone, with only the rain and the simple, wet suckling noises coming from their mouths. He let out a mewl when Orlando�s tongue grazed the head of his cock and slid his hands up to grip the firm rounds of Orlando�s arse. He smacked and Orlando moaned with a full mouth.

Stuart�s cheeks hollowed as he gripped Orlando�s penis with his mouth and his fist stroked the base. He milked him, whimpering, desperately wanting Orlando to explode into him. He realized the pace he set was almost punishing. Raising and lowering his head like a piston, he did not savor, he did not enjoy; he just wanted to get Orlando off as quickly as possible, to feel him fill his mouth. He felt as Orlando�s body tightened and his mouth left Stuart�s cock, unable to concentrate for the pleasure rising volcanically within him. Orlando�s back arched and he let out a hitched gasp as the first spray of fluid hit the back of Stuart�s throat. Stuart coughed reflexively and spread the salty cream across his tongue. He moaned as a second burst gushed between his lips. His movements calmed, milking Orlando more slowly, drawing out every single drop, and he heard a groan come from his own throat that was more overwhelmed and fulfilled than any he could ever remember making. He continued licking as Orlando softened and after only a few moments, he felt Orlando�s mouth back on his erection. Now, he savored.

He closed his eyes and drew his hands in languid strokes over Orlando�s hips and thighs, rolling his taste around in his mouth. Usually, he swallowed quickly to rid the cum from his mouth, or he spit. But this was different. He felt as though he had a fine, rare wine on his tongue, as if the tang and salt and musk were delicacies to be relished, not banished in disgust. He raised his tongue to the roof of his mouth and the warm juice poured over each taste bud, giving Stuart the full flavor. Salty, deep, nutty; Orlando�s very essence. Stuart inhaled sharply through his nose as he erupted into Orlando�s coaxing mouth. Orlando hummed in concentration.

Spryly, Orlando rolled onto his side, careful not to hit Stuart�s head and repositioned himself straddling Stuart and facing him. Stuart raised himself onto his elbows at Orlando�s cheeky, closed-lip smile. The curved lips parted, revealing a pool of white in the bowl of his tongue. Stuart gasped lowly and had he not spent only moments before, that sight would have had him ragingly hard. He immediately grasped Orlando�s face and melded their mouths, blending their flavors. Orlando moaned against his lips and brought his hands up to cover Stuart�s on his cheeks. Stuart tasted as his essence mixed with Orlando�s, corrupting and changing it, their tongues pushing back and forth against each other. �Mm, Jesus, ghost.� Stuart collapsed back against the seat, hands petting Orlando�s bare thighs. He wanted to fuck this kid proper someday. Lord, he was a fucking jewel. �Add sixty-nine to the list, I suppose?�

�Oh, god, yeah.� Orlando said. �That was bloody fantastic.� He leaned over, kissing Stuart almost sweetly. Reaching for his trousers in the front seat, he climbed off Stuart and sat up.

Stuart felt boneless and exhausted. �That was the perfect night cap.�

Pulling on his pants, Orlando crawled over the seats and slid in behind the steering wheel. He started the car and began backing out of the parking spot. Stuart slid on his trousers and grasped the passenger seat, preparing to sleepily hurl himself over. �You can stay back there, mate. I don�t mind,� Orlando said.

Stuart readily relaxed against the back seat. �You�ll be my chauffeur?�

�The first of many.� Orlando�s smiling eyes glanced at him in the rear view mirror.

The first of many, Stuart thought with a smile. He curled up against the window. The first of many.

They chatted about work on the drive home, a perfectly normal, casual conversation. Stuart, sleepy as he was, felt very keenly that he�d never have it better than this. He had a brilliant, career-making job and Orlando. Orlando was everything he could want. Friendly, permissive, responsive, as sexy as the Pope is Catholic, and totally, completely, undeniably capable of having casual sex. Stuart grinned at the passing streetlights. Life was so good.

Orlando pulled to a stop outside Stuart�s house and shifted the car into park. �Hey,� he said softly. �Can I ask you something?�

�I don�t see why not.�

�Were you really trying to pull that lady back there? That redhead?�

Stuart didn�t point out that that woman was definitely not a lady. He shrugged and felt an unpleasant tension in his chest. �Maybe.�

�Sorry if I buggered it up, mate. It�s just � don�t know if I�m ready for a threesome just yet. I�d like to be,� he said, enthusiasm pitching his voice higher. �I�d really like to be because, Christ, that�d be fun, but I�d like to start a bit slower for right now. Like what we did tonight, that was brilliant, I think. And then, maybe toys and stuff. But just you and me for a while, if that�s okay with you.�

Stuart nodded noncommittally. The fact that Orlando had the confidence and maturity to say that out loud without talking around it or using childish phrases humbled him beyond speech. He needed to remember he was dealing with a man here, not a boy. �No problem, mate,� he choked out. Clearing his throat, he added, �It�s okay with me.� He opened the car door and stepped out, feeling less like a celebrity with a chauffeur and more like a child being let out by his parents. He knew there was a chance that Orlando would interpret his abruptness as disappointment, but didn�t bother remedying it. ��Night, ghost.�

�Good night.�

He slammed the car door shut.