I Never Promised you a Rose Garden

Title: I Never Promised you a Rose Garden

summary: Orlando meets Colin as they film for a movie together. Much to both men's astonishment, they begin to feel more than friendly feelings for each other.

disclaimers: anything mentioned isn't mine. I dont own either of these two lovely men; except in my fantasies at night. >.O Also, Kim (that one who is preggers with his kid) had a miscarriage.::hits herself in the head with a frying pan:: (no, I dont wish for Kim to actually have a miscarriage. It'll be nice to have a little Colin running around amock)

warnings: male x male, real person slash, abuse (what? Colin's got a temper...) of the mental and physical kind, sex in later chapters

side couples: Billy x Dominic ^^

Chapter 1

Orlando Bloom was apprehensive and nervous yet excited and anxious. The plane was easing into Auckland International Airport with only a bit of turbulence but otherwise it was a completely smooth landing. It was nice to see a familiar city that, along with Wellington, had become his home away from home for three years. He still had to battle obsessive crowds but it wasn't as bad as Europe or America. However, Orlando knew that because he had achieved the status of a superstar and was Hollywood's prodigy, that it was his duty to be what the press, stars, and his fanbase saw him as. In truth, all the fame and glory was becoming stifling but he couldn't tell anyone. No one would understand.

Three weeks before, Orlando had recieved a script to be casted as Haplo in Dragon Wing, a movie told from the books penned by Maragaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Due to his success in the Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had sought to tackle the seven-part epic fantasy with one movie being released every December. Orlando was exalted that Peter had picked him for the part of the stoic and calm main character. Plus, it wouldn't be as hard to work when he was around someone he was comfortable with. Other advantages: knowing Peter, he had probably casted some of the actors from the Lord of the Rings into Dragon Wing. Peter had been very discreet in telling him anything about the other actors, just that he would be surprised.

He was due in fifteen minutes to the studio to meet up with Peter and the main actors. Orlando had only packed the necessary materials he would need and thus had only one suitcase. He was going to purchase new clothes and accessories when he had the time to do so. A limo was already waiting for him; one of the benefits of being a celebrity.

Orlando ignored the couple dozen girls about to swamp the car as it started to drive away. It would be nice to have a break and pour all of his time into filming instead of going to awards shows and doing numerous interviews and being harassed by stalkers or dealing with seeing his ex-girlfriend, Kate Bosworth. Orlando was a trusting and naive when it came to relationships and hadn't realised that the Blue Crush star had only been with him in order to further her fame. Maybe it was time to quit with dating blonde's and focus on brunette's instead.

The limo stopped and Orlando wasn't shocked that it was the same studio that Peter had used during the LOTR. Not waiting for the driver to open his door, far too eager to see Peter, Orlando blinked as the bright New Zealand sun temporarily blinded him. "Mr.Bloom, these is your card to your hotel. I'll take your belongings."

Orlando merely nodded, running to the doors and yanking them open with fervor. Deep, murky oculates were shining with emotion. Peter was standing at the door to one of the conference rooms, clad in bermuda shorts, sneakers, and jacket that one usually didn't see one wearing during the early spring season. "Peter!" Orlando grinned, embracing the squat man in a friendly hug.

Peter smiled at him. "You're early for once." Orlando pouted at the observatiton. He wasn't ~always~ late, just if lost track of time. "Come, come, there's two people who are very excited to see you." Orlando fixed him with a raised brow as he opened the doors, merely to be swept up into a bone-crushing hug from two sets of arms.

"Oi, let me go," Orlando protested. As the duo drew back, Orlando couldn't help his gasp. His two very good friends, Craig Parker and Sir Ian McKellan. "What..what are you two doing here?!" It wasn't as if he wasn't overjoyed at seeing them but it was a shock.

Craig rolled his eyes. "The same reason you're here, ned." Orlando glared at Craig. "Peter asked if we wanted to play Alfred and Xar. He said you were starring so how could we possibly say no?"

"My dear boy," Ian clapped Orlando on the shoulder, "You look worse for the wear. Are you alright?" Orlando had forgotten that Ian could see through any mask. He was keen like that. During filming LOTR, it was often Ian that was used as confidant. The advice the older man gave was always honest. "Ah, you will tell me later," Ian said as a statement and not a question. Orlando was forced to nod.

"This is all very touching," a mocking voice from near Orlando's left disrupted the reunion, "But I came here so we could talk about the fucking movie, not get all touchy-feely." Orlando sent a scathing glowwer in the direction, only to find an amused face meeting the fury with calm.

Peter rubbed his hands together, disrupting the tension that seemed to be electrifiying between his two young actors. Could no one work with the belligerent Irish man without either being seduced or loathed, depending on the gender of his costars? "I'm sure you all know of each other." Peter left the, from way of tabloids and rumours out because from the look on Orlando's face it was undoubtely what he was thinking.

"The pansy Elf," Colin grinned, lighting up a cigarette and ignoring Orlando's suddenly flushed face. His brown eyes slid over Ian and Craig. "The other queer Elf and ah, the real pouf." It was entertaining to see the flash of anger in Craig's Tanzanite blue eyes but it was bit disconcerting to hear Ian laugh at the jibe.

"The whore of Hollywood," Orlando returned.

Colin laughed loudly, shaking a tin of whiskey at the Brit. "Touche." The kid took a seat as far from Colin as he could get. Colin knew he was a whore and he wasn't bothered by the fact that everyone saw him as huge playboy. He loved sex and he loved women. He was handsome, rich, and labeled as a bad boy and could get just about any woman in the world that he wanted. He hadn't had a long-term relationship in fifteen years and the length of his short-term ones went from one night to a month. He wasn't about to start any time soon on being monogamous.

Ian patted Orlando's tense arm, hoping the prescene of good friends would help him. Orlando would have been at Colin's throat if he knew that it was because of the Irish man that Kate had used him. "Peter, we are the only ones here."

The good natured director nodded. "I brought along Colin, Craig, and Orlando because their parts require some training before we actually begin shooting. Ian, I hope you dont mind but I wanted you to come as well." The unspoken, because of Orlando, was unmistakeable. "Possibly Tuesday, everything will be set up in the simulation room. An electronic dragon is nearly finished with testing so as to make sure it's safe."

"That's two days from now," Craig pointed out. "What are we supposed to do until than?"

"What you wish to do. You could show Colin around Auckland."

"Oh great," Orlando muttered sarcastically. "I'm sure he could find any number of willing women to do that instead."

Colin's expression darkened. "You got a problem with me, mate?" Orlando snorted in return, rising to his feet in a clear indication that he was going to go and that Colin wasn't going to recieve an answer. "You jealous of me?" Colin snuffed the cigarette in the ashtray, stowing his liquor into one of the inner pockets of his leather jacket.

"Why would I be jealous of you?" Orlando chuckled.

Colin winked cheekily at the bristling Brit. "Could it be because I boned that lass you were buggering?"

Orlando spun on his heel, trembling with rage. "What the fuck are you talking about?!"

Colin adopted a look of innocence. "You didn't know? She was using you to make me jealous. Pretty little blonde, isn't she? So willing to do anything I ask of her-" Orlando punched Colin square across his jaw. "You fucking cunt," Colin gritted through clenched teeth about to retaliate, fist raised to return the favor.

"Stop!" Craig yelled, grabbing Colin's fist and halting the movement as Ian hastily led Orlando from the room.

"You better let me go, now." Colin demanded of the New Zealand native. He gingerly pressed against the swelling flesh. It was going to be a nasty bruise. Colin glanced out the door as Ian sedated Orlando with serene words and the ever present hand on his. He had to give it to the kid. He had one nasty right swing. Orlando wasn't a kid, Colin smirked. They were roughly the same age but those endearing curls, wide brown eyes, and boyish disposition did nothing to erase that Colin saw Orlando as a kid.

"Stay away from Orlando," Craig warned. Colin shrugged, lighting another cigarette. What did he care about idle threats? Orlando should have kept his mouth shut in the first place and not tested his notorious Irish anger.

Ian sighed as Craig joined him and Orlando. "I must have a talk with Peter about Orlando and Colin filming scenes seperately so another mishap like this doesn't happen."

Craig wound an arm around Orlando's shoulders, giving his friend silent support. The break-up with Kate had been hard on Orlando as the rest before had been. Kate hadn't cared about Orlando and it was obvious when she dumped on him on Orlando's birthday and the next week was seen with Colin Farrell. Craig bitterly thought of the Fenian bastard. He just knew how to grate at everyone's last nerves and make them snap. Now Colin new Orlando's weak spot and there was no doubt that the mischevious Irish lad would cause some more tension between himself and Orlando. Craig didn't trust Colin as far as he throw him and those particular insults of Orlando being a pansy Elf were probably driving his friend with more anger than the Kate comments. Orlando was insecure about his sexuality. Craig knew that for a fact. All those rumours about Billy, Dominic, Viggo, Elijiah and Orlando had caused Orlando to question his sexuality until Kate came along and disintegrated those thoughts. Now, they had to have been back more than ever. It wasn't as if Orlando was a homophobe, since Billy and Dominic were together but Orlando was loved by all women. His agent had no doubt told Orlando a couple of things because of the rumours. It was possible Orlando would lose some of his fans.

Colin was causing more harm than just anger. Craig led his younger friend to his SUV. "Are you going to be alright, Orlie?"

"I'm fine." The smile was false but Craig decided not to push it. "I'm tired. Could you drive me to my hotel?"

"Of course."

"Thanks." Orlando watched the passing buildings, letting his anger simmer from the previous boil. So, that had been the real reason for Kate leaving him? Colin Farrell? She could of had Orlando for the rest of their lives and instead she chose Colin for a few nights of fun only to be shoved to the side like all of Colin's other conquests? Even after Kim had had a miscarriage, Colin hadn't cared. It was like her use was no more. Orlando was disgusted by Colin. How could someone be that heartless?

Colin frowned when he realised his tin was empty. He was surprised to see Ian waiting for him. "What do you want? Come to lecture me?"

"I am asking you as your elder to stop badgering Orlando."

Colin glared. "What is with everyone defending him? He started it.""Yo"You sound very childish, Mr.Farrell. Orlando had no idea that Kate used him to get to you. You should be more careful about what you say. Orlando's not a vindictive or maliceable person and would never think of saying anything to harm you as you have harmed him. He's not one to fight either." Ian's voice took a dangerous edge. "But there are people who care about him that will."

"Hn." Colin felt only a smidgen of guilt at what he had done to Orlando. Besides, if the stupid boy didn't know than it was only right that he be informed. Colin hailed a taxi. Maybe...he could be a little nicer to Orlando. Only if the kid didnt annoy him.

~ ~ ~

That's it for now. :) ::bows to Mistress Ayla for putting the category up::