Train to Russia
Orlando Oxford x Reader
Summary: Getting ready on the train before the confrontation with Rasputin. First person POV
Words: 1281
AN: This is the first time I have ever posted anything I have ever written and the first time writing Orlando Oxford, so I apologize for anything that is OOC. I am super nervous posting something that I have written, but I feel like the Orlando Oxford fandom is a very open, accepting, and supportive group of people and for that I would like to thank you all. I want to thank @katherinemallory for encouraging me to post one of my stories. I feel like this is pretty gender neutral, so I hope everyone can enjoy.
“Orlando?” I say trying to get his attention. Looking at him through the mirror’s reflection I watch him immediately turn his head my way, giving me his full attention. I motion for him to come across the train car to me.
Having just finished tying his white bowtie, Orlando grabs his cane that had been leaning on the table next to him and carefully makes his way over to me – ready to steady himself in case of a sudden jolt of the train. “Yes, my love?” He comes to a stop right behind me and smiles at me in the mirror placing his right hand on my waist.
I lean back against him slightly, so my back is touching his chest, but I am still holding all my own weight, being ever mindful of his bad leg. As I lean into him, I feel him take a deep relaxing breath and bring his head closer to mine, keeping eye contact through the mirror. I grab ahold of the ends of my own bowtie, and hold them up in frustrated helplessness, “I’m struggling with this, would you mind doing mine for me?”
He lets out a couple of deep chuckles and kisses my temple as his lips raise in a slight smile. “Of course, it would be my pleasure.” Stepping away he leans his cane against the table nearby. As he gingerly turns back to face me, I hold out my hand to help support him on his way back to me.
Upon seeing my hand, Orlando sighs, and reluctantly grabs my hand and limps back behind me, putting as much weight as he can on his right leg. I enjoy watching his wonderful, skillful hands as they begin to tie my bowtie. Forcing my attention away from his hands I study his face, which is focused on the task at hand. Hating to break the silence but knowing he needs to talk about it I ask, “Are you sure about all this Orlando?”
I feel his deep chuckle – his breath against my neck and his chest vibrating against my back – rather than hear it, “I should think so. I have been tying ties for many years now.” I shake my head; I should’ve known he would try to deflect with a witty remark.
I lightly and playfully nudge my right elbow into his stomach, “That is not what I meant, and you know it, Orlando.” We lock eyes in the mirror and his playful smile drops as his face goes serious. Orlando finishes my bowtie without looking and sighs. “I mean, sending Conrad in alone with Rasputin? We all know his reputation. Conrad is inexperienced in these kinds of things, he’s only 18 Orlando. I love him as if he were my own flesh and blood – you know that – and if this is affecting me half as much as it’s affecting you, then you have to be absolutely petrified.”
I turn in Orlando’s arms as I feel his whole-body tense, “I’m sorry. I know how you must be feeling, I didn’t mean to make it worse. I just want you to know that you can talk to me about this.” I wrap my arms around his torso in what I hope will be a comforting hug. “I just worry about him. I don’t know what we would do if… if…” I look down ashamed I even thought about losing Conrad.
“Don’t, Darling.” I feel Orlando’s left hand move to my cheek, raising my head to meet his concerned gaze. His signet ring is cool against my cheek, “We cannot think like that. Believe me, I know this plan is not ideal, but if this can stop this war from becoming worse and – more importantly – keep Conrad from enlisting; then this is what we must do.” His right-hand trails down my side from the shoulder to my waist. He closes his eyes slowly and swallows deeply, obviously holding back more emotions, and uses his left hand to guide my head towards his. Taking comfort in our closeness he rests his forehead against mine.
“If I could take Conrad’s place in this mission tonight I would in a heartbeat.” Even though we are so close I can see the fierceness in his eyes as he says this. Just as quickly as the fierceness shown in his eyes, something else appears. “But,” he pulls his head away from mine; refusing to look at me, he instead looks down at himself deprecatingly, “Rasputin has a certain fondness when it comes to this kind of thing; and it’s not for middle-aged men with a bad leg, receding hairline, who’s gotten a little soft around the middle.”
“Oh, Orlando.” I gently cup his cheek in my left hand, hoping to lift his head to meet my gaze. I move my thumb in a gentle caress across his cheek, occasionally touching the corner of his lips. When he still won’t look into my eyes, I duck down so I can look into his. “Orlando, my love. Please don’t insult yourself like that.” I place my forehead against his to force his head up again. “You are such a handsome man and I love you so much, you don’t understand how much it hurts to hear you talk that way about yourself.” I move my right hand from around his torso to stroke the hair on the back of his head. I slowly lean in – careful to not put any added weight against him because of his leg – and kiss him. Instinctively Orlando kisses me back, and his hands tighten around my waist as mine start to tangle in his hair.
Just as we start to deepen the kiss and reach for the buttons on each other’s clothes, the door to our carriage opens suddenly. “Your Grace, we are –,” Polly starts to announce as she comes into our compartment. Instinctively Orlando and I pull apart – as if we were teenagers getting caught, rather than adults who’ve been happily married for over 10 years.
I glance towards Polly and see that she is not making any attempts at hiding her amusement at the situation. My attention quickly leaves Polly when I hear Orlando make a grunt of pain; looking at him I see him bent over holding his left thigh. Quickly I retrieve his cane and bring it to him. As he leans on his cane, I try to provide any physical support that I can by wrapping his right arm around my shoulders and my arm around his waist. I quickly, but carefully guide him to the closest seat so he can relax.
As Orlando nods in thanks – still trying to even out his breathing from the pain – I look towards Polly. “I apologize Your Grace. I did knock several times. Just letting you know the train will be stopping in five minutes.”
“Thank you, Polly, we’ll be ready by then.” Orlando tells her, moving to stand on his own. I move to help Orlando up, but he waves me away and nods to Polly as she leaves the room. Standing at his full height Orlando finally looks at me, and smiles reassuringly, “I’m alright, I promise. Nothing I can’t handle.” He kisses my cheek, “Thank you for your assistance.” He nods towards the door and raises his eyebrows, “Ready for whatever happens tonight?”
I smile at him and gently wrap my right arm around his left so he can escort me, “With you by my side?” I squeeze his bicep and lightly rest my head on his shoulder, “Always, Orlando.” We start heading to the door as the train slows, “Rasputin won’t know what hit him.”
