A Long Road

They had been in the thrift store for nearly an hour and a half before finally walking out into the chilly, muggy air. Thankfully Orion had thought ahead, or watched the weather channel within the past few days, and had also bought Zachary a few sweatshirts and a bright red hooded jacket. The store owner had also been nice enough to let him change into one of his new outfits so that he felt more comfortable. Now they were walking down the street, having decided to leave the car after putting the extra clothing in the back, since Orion had told him that their next destination was close by.


He hadn't been lying, either. Not two minutes later he turned and held open a door, gesturing for him to step inside. Zachary did just that, ducking into the restaurant right as the smell of fast food Chinese food hit him in the face... and made his stomach rumble loudly. He was embarrassed at first, since he'd eaten only two hours ago, but then he actually chuckled to himself.


You're awesome, stomach, you know how to work it when you know you're gonna get filled.


It always seemed to know when he was going to get more than his normal once-a-day item. When Orion stopped beside him behind the man currently ordering, they both glanced up at the menu. Everything looked good, and he could remember from a long time ago that he liked sweet and sour chicken and the spicy green beans.


"What would you like, Zachary? And no lying and saying that you're not hungry, because your stomach is yelling at me to fill it or parish."


His words made Zach crack a smile and look up at him. "I really like spicy green beans and I think I remember trying the sweet and sour chicken, too."


He nodded, then they both stepped forward. Zachary considered ordering his portion after Orion ordered his, but he quickly closed his mouth when he realized that Orion was paying, so he could technically order anything he wanted and Zachary shouldn't interrupt, even if what he'd asked for wasn't requested. Orion ended up ordering what he'd wanted, then added a package of egg rolls, General Tso's chicken, and pork fried rice.


The food was done in only a few minutes and Zachary took the big bag, honestly wanting to at least carry it since Orion had bought it. He set it down on the table where Orion had sat down, then quickly began taking out the containers until the bag was completely empty. He then folded the bag and set it aside, eyes wide and eager for the big lunch.


Orion opened all of the containers, then, to Zachary's surprise, he split the rice between two of the long, see-through lids, then began sorting the food up on top of them. By the time he was done he'd moved about half of the food from the containers and made two decently-piled 'plates'.


"Best to try everything at least one," he said before nudging one of the lids over to Zachary, then handing him chopsticks.


Uh oh. My greatest nemesis.


After being on the streets for so long, he never got frustrated with anything... except for chopsticks. People often tossed them on the sidewalk, and since they were usually wrapped, he always picked them up in case he needed some type of utensil. They had unfortunately proven more of a hassle than a help.






Oh my god, that look! You'd think the poor guy had been stabbed by chopsticks repeatedly to glare daggers at the poor utensils like he is.


Holding back a chuckle, Orion slid from his seat and quickly pulled the one beside Zachary close, then took a seat, armed with his own unwrapped chopsticks.


"Don't like chopsticks, Zachary?" He asked, making the guy's expression sour.


Definitely not.


"Let me show you," Orion said before reaching over to Zachary's food and taking a piece of chicken between his chopsticks. He then lifted them until the sweet chicken was pressed against Zachary's lips. The food smelled delicious, but Zach's lips looked even more so. Especially when the younger man opened his mouth and chomped down on the chicken, a playful smirk turning his yummy lips upward. When he opened his mouth to begin speaking, Orion's chest tightened slightly, but then swelled with pride as Zachary seemed to remember that he disliked it when he spoke with his mouth full.


Good boy. He thought to himself, knowing that he couldn't lay things on too thick too fast. Orion's smile shifted to one of awkward confusion when he watched Zachary lean forward and promptly bite his chopsticks, snapping the wood at the tips so that it splintered.


"I call foul play," Orion mumbled as he tossed his deceased chopsticks to the side and grabbed Zachary's, with the guy's fingers still on them.


"I'm gonna force you to learn how to dominate these. Now watch," he said as he moved Zachary's hand and fingers with his own. It took some focus and a few mess-ups before they managed to get a piece of chicken settled between the two pieces of wood and up to Zachary's waiting mouth. He did that a few more times before releasing Zach's hand and gesturing for him to try.


Of course the restaurant did have forks and knives, but messing with his Zachary was so much more fun... and it was helping him learn to bend a little, even if it was just to something as simple as not being able to have a fork. What made Orion really enjoy the situation though, was the fact that Zachary wasn't trying to even get the fork. He seemed to already accept that he was eating with chopsticks, or not at all. Apparently, the 'not at all' part was more likely to happen than with, because he soon tossed down his chopsticks, frustrated and grumbling about how useless eating food with sticks was.


"Oriooon," he mumbled, looking up at him with the most unfair puppy eyes he'd ever seen. Normally he didn't like whining, but Zachary somehow made it seem almost cute.


Sorry sweetheart, no forks, but...


"Here, ah?" Orion said as he grasped the abandoned pair of chopsticks and got some rice and chicken with them. There was no argument from Zachary as he opened his mouth and carefully took the chicken and rice between his teeth. The sight was gorgeous, and Orion found himself repeatedly feeding Zachary with a content smile on his face the whole time. He honestly saw himself in the poor guy, having been on the streets himself as a young man. While he doubted Zachary's reason for being in such a predicament was by choice, he couldn't say the same about himself.


I'd given it all up. A good job, a girlfriend who loved me... and also introduced me to what eventually fucked my mind to the point where I couldn't think of anything but them. Drugs.


Orion felt his muscles tense up as memories of getting high and shooting up in alleys far too similar to what Zachary had lived in flooded his mind. It had been amazing passing each day feeling more invincible than the next, but when it was all said and done, he'd ended up broke, on the streets, and with an arrest record for theft and drugs. What actually, truly, ended his drug addiction was George. They had never hooked up or anything of that sort, because when they'd first met Orion still figured he was straight. However, George actually saw something in him besides a dirty stoner and pulled strings, at the risk of his own job, to get him a spot.


There Orion learned that he could actually control himself, and that he liked regaining that control through hard work. He worked overtime every chance he got and helped others as often as possible. When he was given his own upstairs room because of customer preference, he gladly accepted and the slight promotion and slowly began to learn about the BDSM lifestyle from some of his patrons. While controlling his own life was empowering, when he started learning how to be a dominant, everything just seemed to fall into place. He loved being in control of other people's decisions, but when he noticed other couples causing pain and being too aggressive, he decided to slowly back away and review how he wanted to go about being a dominant. It took awhile, and several subs, before he was finally comfortable. His last sub had hit his heart a bit hard by cheating, but the moment he saw Zachary sitting alone in the alleyway, he couldn't think of anything but trying to get him into his arms. To tell him that it would all be okay soon enough.


"U-um, Orion?"


Hearing his sweet voice, Orion blinked, having not realized that his attention had slipped.


"Yes, Zachary?"


His eyes darted to the lid-plate, making Orion's eyes follow.


Oh. It's empty.


"Th-thank you for lunch."


Realizing that Zachary was likely suggesting that he should actually eat now instead of feed him, Orion grinned and lifted the chopsticks. "You're welcome, Zachary. I think I'll have dessert first though."


Zachary's head tilted slightly, adorably, obviously confused about what exactly dessert was. He found out soon enough, because Orion didn't hesitate to gently grasp Zachary's cute nose with the chopsticks and tug, bringing the young man just close enough so that he could tilt his own head and lean in for a chaste kiss.

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