Pairing: Ian McKellen/Karl Urban
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Casual company-keeping changes into something more with the dreaded 'first date'.
Notes: There is a lack of Ian fic, and after seeing him on SNL, I think a lot of people (including me) had their view of him changed. I had the pairing and idea for this fic before SNL, but watching that and seeing a different side of Ian really helped me write this. Plus, having experienced his wink in person, I know how it can affect you. He is 'The Man' and I bow down to him. The poem quoted is by Byron, "There Be None of Beauty's Daughters" from "Stanzas for Music".
As always, for my other half, because without her, I would be oblivious to the sexiness that is Karl. Forget JT, Karl *is* sex. *mwah*
Disclaimer: these are works of fiction.
they are for entertainment purposes only, not profit,
and the authors make no claim through these works as to the actual lives/preferences/activities
of the people mentioned herein.

May/December
By Val

It was during one of those conversational lulls at the pub that Bean brought up the subject. "So, you've been seeing an awful lot of Ian lately."

"And? What's that supposed to mean?" Karl immediately felt defensive, not really knowing why. He looked around for the others, thankful that they were out of hearing range. He didn't need the hobbits latching on to this and using it as the source of their evening's entertainment. Obsessed with teasing and harassing one another, and anyone else who happened to be along for the evening, they used even the rumour of a rumour to feed their need.

"Well, nothing really. Just wondering."

"Wondering what?"

"What's going on with you two..."

"We're friends. We spend time together, hang out. That's it. We all do it. You Fellowship lot especially." He realized that he was overreacting but couldn't seem to stop. He just wanted Sean to let it go.

"Ah, well, I was just curious. You know, you two would make a good couple. Cute." Sean smirked and waggled his eyebrows.

Karl simply glared. "Oh shut up. Just because he's gay, and I'm, well, whatever, doesn't mean that if we spend time together, we're automatically shagging or something."

Sean continued to grin. "Didn't say that it did. I just asked a question, that's all. Methinks you doth protest too much."

"Oh, give off, I do not. We just go out, have a few drinks, dinner, catch a movie, talk..." Karl's voice trailed off. He stared at the ground, consciously ignoring Sean's raised eyebrows as he realized that what he'd been describing sounded suspiciously like dating. He had never thought of it that way, and he was fairly certain that Ian hadn't either. Now that he *was* thinking of it, they had been spending a *lot* of time together, time he enjoyed and had actually come to expect and look forward to. It had become an almost nightly routine, finding Ian after shooting, making plans, and spending most of the evening together. They even had inside jokes that would make the two of them roar with laughter while any others who happened to be around looked on in confusion.

He enjoyed Ian's company, his wickedly devious sense of humour, his intelligence, and his ability to seemingly be able to talk about nearly any subject with nearly any person. He liked seeing Ian's range of smiles, from merry to sly to innocent and more. He was pleasantly surprised to find that Ian was so multifaceted and *real*, having expected a serious, dry, intensely arrogant Shakespearean "Actor", and not finding that to be true at all.

Sean's voice, soft and now void of teasing, recalled him to the present. "Sounds like dating to me." He held up his hands in a defensive posture as Karl's head snapped up. "Just stating my opinion, Karl. If it's not, maybe you should consider making it that way. Seems like you're well matched." Sean pushed back his chair from the table, pausing to let his hand rest on Karl's shoulder before he walked out.

Karl left early that night, returning to his house to sit and think. To an outsider, it might appear as if they were dating. But did that mean that they were? He thought not. They were just friends who did things together. Dating would mean something else entirely. It would mean *something*. They'd already done most of the things dating people did though -- late nights sharing stories, laughing over jokes, being supportive, teasing, learning moods and facial expressions. Karl could tell usually within seconds what kind of mood Ian was in and he often felt that Ian could judge *his* moods better than Karl himself could. So, what else would it mean? Possibly commitment, and a definite physical aspect. Kissing Ian, touching Ian, undressing him, and...ah, a lot more. He closed his eyes on those mental images for the moment, pleasant as they were. He couldn't say that he'd never entertained such thoughts before. Ian was an attractive man, and Karl wasn't blind. No need to put the cart before the horse though. First things first.

He approached Ian on the set the next day, catching him alone in his trailer. "Would you like to go out sometime?"

"Sure, I'll see you tonight after we finish shooting, and we'll go have some dinner and a few drinks." Ian smiled, looking up from the mirror where he was adjusting his eyebrows.

Karl sighed. He was a grown man, not a teenager, and Ian was a mature man of the world. This could be accomplished with a minimum of embarrassment and unease. "No, not like that. I mean, you know, like a proper date." He kept his head up, meeting Ian's eyes.

"A proper date? What would we do?" Was that amusement in Ian's eyes, belying his serious expression? Probably, but Karl just had to keep going.

"Ah, dinner, drinks, whatever."

"So, rather than go out after shooting for drinks and dinner, we'll go out for...drinks and dinner?" Yes, Ian was definitely smirking at him.

"Yes. No. Oh, never mind, forget I said anything, okay. I'll just see you after the shoot." Karl turned to walk away.

"Karl, wait." Karl halted, turning back around. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mock you. I just don't understand where this is coming from. We've been spending time together for ages now, why all this sudden desire for formality?"

"Just a conversation I had with someone that got me to thinking. We've been doing 'date' sort of things, but I don't know if they were dates or not. So I thought I'd ask you on a proper date, just to be clear. If I've made you uncomfortable, then I apologize and I hope you'll forget that I said anything, and we can just go back to the way things were."

Ian smiled, a genuine smile full of warmth. "No, I think a proper date with you would be rather interesting. But you have to promise to relax and just be you. No nervousness, no acting differently. It'll just be us, going out. Calling it a date shouldn't change things too much."

Karl returned the smile and nodded in agreement, though truth be told, he was more nervous than on any of their previous outings. "Right. See you later then."

They agreed to go to a part of town where they were unlikely to meet up with many people from the cast or crew, choosing a restaurant they'd never been to before. Dinner lasted for hours, as they enjoyed a leisurely multi-course meal complete with crème brulee for dessert and a few glasses of port to go with their cigars. Leaving the restaurant finally, they paused, discussing options for the remainder of the evening.

Karl never expected Ian to agree to go for a ride on the back of his motorcycle, only suggesting it rather jokingly and practically goggling in surprise when Ian agreed wholeheartedly, even seeming excited at the prospect. They drove back to Karl's, exchanged his car for the motorcycle and then took off, no real destination in mind. Relaxed by the night air and nearly full moon, they just rode and rode, Karl not really taking much notice of Ian's hands on him, shifting every so often for a better grip, until those hands snaked inside of his jacket, warming themselves with his body heat. He barely realized that he leaned backward into Ian then, ostensibly to help the older man stay warm. Content, Karl drove them through Rimutaka Forest Park, finally coming to a stop in Palliser Bay, on a road just above the beach. They walked down to the beach, keeping their shoes on, still maintaining a comfortable silence, smiling occasionally at one another. Sitting side by side in the sand, they just sat for a while, enjoying the stars and clear sky and the soothing sound of waves crashing to shore. Leaning forward, Ian finally broke the silence, looking out over the water as he spoke.

"There be none of Beauty's daughters
With a magic like thee;
And like music on the waters
Is thy sweet voice to me:
When, as if its sound were causing
The charmed ocean's pausing,
The waves lie still and gleaming,
And the lulled winds seem dreaming;"

Ian's voice was mellifluous, the words flowing out of him as easily as if he were just breathing. Karl smiled, leaning back on his hands. He loved Byron. He continued with the second stanza.

"And the midnight moon is weaving
Her bright chain o'er the deep;
Whose breast is gently heaving,
As an infant's asleep:
So the spirit bows before thee,
To listen and adore thee;
With a full but soft emotion,
Like the swell of summer's ocean."

It was Ian's turn to smile, pleasantly surprised to hear the words spoken in Karl's lilting, rich accent. He reached over to take Karl's hand, and they sat for a while longer, talking occasionally about everything and nothing, lapsing into long, comfortable silences. Around midnight, they decided to return home. Karl reached Ian's house, and parked the bike. They continued talking, winding up in animated discussion on Walt Disney movies, of all things. Strolling up the steps to the porch, they continued to talk, Ian unlocking and opening his front door as they did. The discussion ended in a long bout of laughter, and finally they paused, looking at each other, Karl wondering what would happen next.

"So, if this is a proper date, then I get a proper goodnight kiss, right?" Ian smirked, leaning on one arm in the doorway.

Karl smiled back, *his* smile a bit more hesitant. No need for nerves, right? They'd agreed. He'd been thinking about this moment ever since his conversation about dating with Sean. Thinking about if and when and how, so there was no reason for his stomach to be tied in knots, was there? He looked at Ian, shirt half-open as he posed in the doorway, waiting for Karl to make his move.

Fine, right, he was going to kiss him. Swallowing hard, he leaned in, lips brushing Ian's rather gently before pulling away. Or rather, trying to pull away, but finding himself unable to because Ian's hand had tangled itself in the front of his shirt. He looked at Ian, whose smile was now decidedly wicked.

"Oh, I think you can do better than that. I know I can." Ian's grasp on Karl's shirt tightened as he dragged the younger man toward him. Karl's eyes closed as he let himself be reeled in. Ian's lips were soft and gentle, yet quite insistent, coaxing Karl's lips open, tongue investigating, demanding. Karl leaned in, his arms sliding around Ian. He relaxed, returning the kiss and finding himself wanting even more. Feeling Karl respond, Ian let his hands wander the broad planes of Karl's back, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. Karl was completely enthralled. He held Ian tightly to him as their mouths explored each other, sampling, tasting, feasting. Ian tasted of port and caramel, smelled of ocean breezes and a faint hint of vanilla, and Karl just couldn't get enough.

They shifted slightly so that Ian was pressed into the wall next to the door, Karl's body firm against his, Ian's hands tangled in Karl's hair. Karl had never been kissed so thoroughly or so well by any man or woman. Fucking hell, Ian knew what he was doing. Karl found his mind wandering to what else Ian might have a lot of skill in. He moaned, moving his hands down to cup Ian's ass and grind their groins together. It was Ian's turn to moan, throwing his head back and exposing a wide expanse of throat which Karl took full advantage of, licking his way down the delectable smooth flesh before covering it with kisses and small bites. He worked his way down to Ian's chest, to the skin that had been tempting him all night, peeking out from the half-unbuttoned silk shirt. Karl nearly went mad trying to focus his glazed vision and calm his hands enough to not rip the rest of the buttons off. He looked up, startled by Ian's hands stilling his. Ian smiled at him, holding Karl's hands tight in his own.

"Karl." He pressed a light kiss to Karl's lips. "I should go in, and you should probably go home. We've a very early start tomorrow."

Karl struggled to comprehend. Dazed with lust, he could only stare in complete confusion. Did Ian really want him to leave?

Ian continued to smile, tracing Karl's lips with one finger. "This is, after all, our first date. Wouldn't want you to think I was easy."

What? Karl resisted the overwhelming urge to simply drag Ian inside the house. Right. First date. Not easy. Time to go home. And take a bloody cold shower perhaps followed by a long soak in a tub filled with ice cubes. Were there enough ice cubes in New Zealand for his needs? Oh well, he'd just have to find out. He took several deep breaths, ran his hands through his hair and attempted to straighten his own shirt. Ian watched, biting his lip to keep from grinning. Karl looked so eminently adorable and so completely fuckable, all rumpled, confused and frustrated.

Karl tried, and completely failed, to keep the disappointment from his voice as he turned to leave. "Well, um, okay then, see you tomorrow."

Ian let him get to the bottom of the steps before calling out. "Karl..."

Karl turned, sighing.

"Maybe I am easy..." Ian winked and let loose the grin he'd been holding back.

It took a few seconds for Karl to comprehend, and then he was at dead run up the steps, nearly tripping over his own feet in his eagerness to reach Ian. "Bastard!" He growled, not stopping, only pausing to sweep Ian over his shoulder and dash inside, slamming the door behind him.

He took the house stairs at a good pace, hampered only slightly by the laughing man slung over his shoulder.

"Bedroom?" he muttered, looking around as he reached the upstairs landing.

"To your left, second door on the right," Ian replied, still laughing.

They reached the bedroom, Karl kicking the door fully open. He swung Ian down from his shoulder, flopping him gently onto the bed. Ian lay back, shrugging off his jacket, his laughter dwindling to a smile of anticipation as he watched Karl strip hurriedly, nearly falling over once again as he jumped around with one leg caught in his trousers. Finally, the offending article of clothing, as well as all the rest of the clothing Karl had been wearing, was gone, tossed aside carelessly. Karl stood, naked, chest heaving, his eyes narrowed as he focused on Ian. Ian let his eyes slide slowly from head to toes, savouring the view before him. Oh yes, simply delicious. Broad, firm chest, muscles nicely toned, an abdomen you could have supper on...Ian had a happy thought of the fresh strawberries and cream he'd just bought. His gaze drifted lower, saving the best for last as he checked out firm thighs and taut calves, flexing with impatience as Karl shifted under Ian's gaze, eager to get Ian naked but enjoying the heated gaze sweeping over him. Finally, Ian allowed himself to view Karl's quite impressive erection, rising from a thatch of dark hair, craving attention. Ian tilted his head, drinking in the sight of the beautiful naked man standing before him.

"Like what you see?" Karl's voice was a low rumble, full of anticipation and need. Ian nodded before beginning to unbutton the last remaining buttons on his own shirt. Karl moved quickly and was on the bed, straddling Ian and restraining his hand. "No. Leave it on. I want to feel it against my skin, at least for a little while."

"Very well." Ian acquiesced, lying back against the pillows, arms spread wide in a gesture of complete surrender. "I'm yours. Do with me as you will."

Karl let out a shuddering breath at those words. He leaned over to taste more of Ian's incredible kisses before sliding down Ian's body to remove his shoes, socks, trousers and underwear. He tried to take his time, and was marginally less hasty than he was with his own clothing. But he could not contain his eagerness, and soon Ian's clothes were strewn about the room alongside his own. Karl let out a sigh, smiling, finally able to move slowly, caressing each leg with his eyes and following with his hands. He moved up to Ian's chest, smoothing his hands over and under the shirt, murmuring deep in his throat at the cool silk of the shirt contrasting with the heated flesh underneath it. He lay beside Ian, wanting the feel of the fabric sliding over his skin as they kissed, mouths fused, tongues entangled. Reaching down, he let his hands drift over Ian's upper thighs, ghosting his fingers over the fine hairs there until he reached Ian's cock. Grasping it lightly in one hand, he felt Ian's gasp. Seconds later, he felt Ian's hand wrap around him. Free hands holding each other tightly, legs entwined, mouths still attached and exploring, they stroked and caressed, lost in the feel of one another.

Ian rolled on top of Karl, his 'surrender' forgotten as he felt only desire and a need to explore and experience all of Karl. He shrugged out of his shirt, pulling it over his head as he sat astride Karl, rolling his hips so that their erections rubbed against one another, sending waves of liquid fire through them both. Taking his shirt in hand, he drew it over Karl's chest, watching as Karl's eyes closed and his head rolled from side to side and small moans came out of his mouth. He tossed the shirt aside, replacing it with his mouth, teasing first one nipple and then the other into taut alertness. Karl's moans grew louder as he moved restlessly beneath Ian.

Sweet Jesus, Ian's mouth was going to be the end of him. His body was a mass of sensations, an avalanche sweeping over him with each swipe of Ian's tongue, each touch of Ian's hands, each press of skin on skin. Want and need had dissolved into sheer primal craving that demanded satisfaction now. Sweat-slicked hot skin slid across his own, lifting away only briefly as Ian reached for the necessary items. Karl felt slick fingers entering him, and lifted his hips to draw them in deeper, setting his own rhythm that Ian found impossible to resist. He kissed Karl hard, thrusting his tongue deep into his mouth as he thrust his cock deep into Karl. Groans and gasps filled the air as they moved together, fierce and quick, two bodies melded into one for all too brief moments of pure lust and desire and something else indefinable and indescribable. Karl came wildly, yelling Ian's name amidst random incoherent syllables. Seconds later, Ian followed, silently, gasping, his face showering Karl with a dozen emotions at once.

They wrapped themselves around each other, still wanting maximum possible contact. Hands petted, caressed, soothed, and lips murmured quiet endearments and pressed lingering kisses. They lay tangled for a long while, content again to just *be* in silence. Finally, Ian sat up, Karl's hands trailing over his back. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, drawing a puzzled look from Karl. "Where are you going?"

"I'm feeling a bit peckish. I'm going to go get us a snack." Ian picked through the pile of clothes, shrugging on the nearest shirt, which happened to be Karl's. He buttoned a few buttons before turning to smile at Karl and lean in for one more kiss before leaving the room. Karl shrugged, getting comfortable and basking, yes, he was definitely basking, in the glow of the moment. He was breathing deeply, eyes closed, when Ian returned.

"You asleep?" Ian asked quietly.

"Mmm, no, just resting." Karl opened his eyes, and was treated to the sight of a rumpled Ian, wearing his mostly-unbuttoned shirt, holding a basket of lush, ripe strawberries and a small pitcher that Karl guessed, quite correctly, held fresh cream. His eyes widened as he saw the look on Ian's face.

"Just a little more dessert..." Ian purred, attempting to blink innocently and failing miserably.