-Zachary

After returning to the hotel Zachary hurried to relieve himself first, then darted into the room when Orion slipped into the bathroom to do the same. He knew he was acting weird, but he was excited, curious, and still carrying his food baby, which made him want to just flop over and pass out.

Not yet! He thought eagerly as he dug through the suitcase and tugged out the small item he'd slipped inside before they left. Staring at the handcuffs, Zach licked his lips and felt a well of nerves suddenly creep into his veins. He shoved it aside, however, when he heard Orion's footsteps on the worn carpet, then felt the bed dip right behind him as the man climbed closer. When his chin settled on Zachary's left shoulder, he finally turned his head enough to grin. "H-hey, Orion."

"Hey," he answered gruffly as his strong arms wrapped around Zach's body, tugging him into his lap. Warm fingers slowly slipped beneath his shirt as he got comfortable against Orion's chest, eventually tilting his head so that he could give Orion room to kiss. The man didn't hesitate to take the offer, either. "Those are my favorite," Orion mumbled against his throat as he used his teeth to nip and tug at the soft skin there. Zachary's heart swelled with that knowledge, making him grin before he suddenly felt his shirt slip up and over his head.

Sneaky fingers.

He didn't mind though. Especially because it was Orion. So, when he felt the man's fingers run down his arms to grasp the cuffs, he gladly let them go. Within moments he felt his arms being drawn back, wrists placed together. Then the sound of handcuffs clicking into place echoed in the room as a whisper met his ear. "You're under arrest for theft."

Glancing over his shoulder, Zachary frowned. "Theft?"

Orion nodded, smirking as he glanced down to double check the cuffs. "Yes," He replied, looking back up. "For stealing my heart."

Zachary blinked. Narrowed his eyes. Then rolled them. "You did not just say that." Lifting his eyebrows a few times, Orion chuckled and gently shifted Zach to the blankets. He then made himself at home leaning over him on his elbows, being sure to keep most of his weight off him. Zachary could feel Orion's belly pressing against his own chubby one lightly, making him grin and wiggle. "I feel your baby."

Orion shifted his weight a bit more, moving down so that he could press his lips to the slight rise in Zach's stomach. "If only I could put a real one here..."

Zachary felt his face immediately begin to burn. He moved a little, but the handcuffs easily kept his arms from being of any use. Instead, he was left to try and keep from gasping when Orion began to lick along his lower torso and upper abdomen. His tongue was hot and wet, making Zachary bite back a groan. If Orion asked, he would likely have given him a free pass to go all the way. After what they'd done in the shower, as long as there was protection, he would have gladly accepted the attention. Unfortunately, Orion's phone decided to ring at that moment, snapping both of them out of their fun. Zach could tell by the look in Orion's eyes that he was planning to ignore it, but then thought better of it.

"Cruella de Vil's theme. Xena's ring tone."

Ah.

Grinning, he slid off of Zach and sat down on the edge of the bed as he grabbed his phone.

"Hello?"

Zach could hear Xena rambling on the other side of the line, but what she was saying exactly, was lost to him. That left him having to wait, handcuffed on a bed and awkwardly turned-on. When Orion sighed into the phone a few minutes later, Zachary knew they were done for the night.

"Yeah, I got it. We'll be back tomorrow."

When Orion hung up, he carefully climbed back over to Zach and helped him sit up so that he could undo the handcuffs. "She needs us back tomorrow. No idea how she could have forgotten, but there's a big inspection tomorrow and she needs us to help get the place up to par."

Zachary sighed, frustrated as he felt the cuffs drop away. He moved his hands around to his front, then began to massage his wrists. "Why? Doesn't she have her other employees?"

"One of them quit because of a move and the others gave her stupid excuses."

Knowing that they didn't have a choice, Zach didn't bother trying to argue. Instead, he went back to the suitcase and grabbed the book they'd been reading together. He'd thought about bringing the math one, but this was a vacation. They should both enjoy what they're reading. Well, he didn't exactly enjoy it, but he loved making Orion happy, and reading it definitely would. Thus, it was a positive.

With the book in hand, Zachary flopped down against the pillows next to Orion and opened the book to where they had stopped. He felt the man's arm go around him and tug him close, stealing a smile from Zach's lips as he got comfortable.

"Cuffing and Cuddles." He read aloud, trying not to snicker. He felt Orion's chest moving against his side, bringing a grin to his lips as he began to read... only to stop when he saw several little notes scribbled in pen along the edges of the pages and a few scribbled drawings in the pictures. He specifically noted the little heart next to the first image of handcuffs on the page, sending Orion a look that got the man smiling wide. Shaking his head, Zach returned his attention to the book, trying to read the real passages that had to do with the images, but he kept finding himself wandering to the little notes instead.

I love having my lover handcuffed to my bed when I come back from work.

Zach's face grew hot and he quickly went back to reading the book's actual words. Orion had obviously written that for whoever he asked to read the book, no doubt. I wonder how many people have read this before me. Judging from the amount of randomly written and erased notes next to the ones Orion had left in pen, quite a few. And those were likely just the ones brave enough to write a response.

"Sweetheart?"

Hearing the worried tone in Orion's voice, Zachary steeled his wavering nerves and looked up at the man with a small smile. "Hm?" Instead of answering with words, Orion pressed his warm lips against his, making Zach relax into the pillows. He felt Orion move slowly, tugging him into the curve of his body as he carefully deepened the kiss. It felt good having his attention, but Zack still felt nervous as the kiss ended.

"I won't lie to you, Sweetheart. I've had several submissives, some more forward than others."

Was that supposed to make him feel better?

"Look at me, Zachary."

Forcing his eyes to lift, Zach's met Orion's. He knew he was frowning, couldn't help it. When Orion gently pressed his palm against his cheek, Zachary let his eyes drift closed for a moment to nuzzle, then returned his gaze again.

"I love you, Zachary. Whoever came before you has no influence on us, and never will. Do you understand? When I think of who I want to see at the end of my work shift, it's you. When I think of someone I want to take out to some fancy restaurant and spoil endlessly, it's you. You are who I want to spend my time with. Who I want to spend my money on. Who I want to tie up and touch in the shower..."

That last comment ended with a wink, making Zachary look away with a blush. He understood though. Looking back at Orion, Zach pursed his lips, then leaned in for a chaste kiss.

"I love you too, Orion. I'm sorry, I jumped to conclusions."

Orion chuckled and rubbed his hip against Zachary's. "That's okay." Zachary returned the odd action, then just decided to get into his lap. Of course, Orion had no qualms with the decision and lazily wrapped his arms around Zach's waist to tug him close.

"Alright, let's finish this chapter before bed?" Zach asked with a grin. He got a nod in return, followed by a kiss to the top of his head before he started reading again. The chapter was surprisingly PG-13, which was really what he'd expected from the book. It just felt odd coming from the handcuffing chapter. When he got to the end he realized that they were definitely doing the cuddling portion of the chapter. His legs were intertwined with Orion's among the blankets. Orion's left arm was under his, fingers splayed on his bare belly while his right one reached around and grasped Zack's left hip. He would have never considered being so physical with someone, not even during sex, but he couldn't help but want to do whatever made Orion happy. And judging from the sleepy smile stretching across the man's lips, he was definitely happy.

"Ready for bed?" Zachary asked with a tired smile of his own. He yawned as Orion answered with a quiet "Mm." He didn't exactly know what that meant, but when he was promptly lifted into Orion's arms and toted to the bathroom, he realized that it definitely didn't mean 'yes'. When he was set down in front of the mirror, he figured it was to brush his teeth. Except, when he reached for his toothbrush, Orion already had taken it.

Zachary gave him a questioning look but didn't even need his actions explained when his sleepy mind registered what it was Orion wanted to do. He gave a small nod, waiting for Orion to put a dollop of toothpaste on his toothbrush and wet it before he hopped up onto the counter and opened his mouth. It was a bit odd at first, but when he felt Orion's gentle hand settle on his cheek as his other one worked the toothbrush thoroughly through his mouth at a content pace, Zach couldn't help but feel wanted.

So odd.

The brush glided along his teeth and gums from one side to the other, then meticulously returned to where it started after reversing for a second go. Once Zach slid from the counter and rinsed his mouth, Orion lifted him right back up onto it and produced a small container of floss. Zach thought about not letting him do it, just to mess with him a little, but his half-lidded, eager eyes made the idea disappear as he tilted his head back and opened his mouth.

"Good boy. Thank you, Zachary." Orion whispered as he got to work flossing each tooth, being careful not to accidentally hurt him. When he was finished Zach's mouth tasted like fresh mint, and after a moment, Orion knew it, since the man leaned over after throwing away the floss for a kiss.

"Mm. Go get in bed, Sweetheart. I'll be there in a moment."

Without a word, Zach hopped off the counter and hurried to bed. It didn't take Orion long to join him, his own teeth scrubbed clean and flossed. He slid into bed where Zachary had left the covers pulled back, then hurried to hug his body against his own. Once comfortable, he tugged the blankets over both of them and took a deep breath on a yawn. When his mouth closed, Zach's lips were there.

"Love you, Orion." He mumbled after ducking his head against the man's warm neck. "Love you too, Sweetheart." Orion responded quietly, his arms giving Zachary one final squeeze before they both slipped off to sleep. Their vacation might have been cut short, but Zach was content with the time he'd gotten to have alone with Orion. The man continued to change his life for the better each day, and he couldn't wait to return the favor by making him never regret it with smiles and love.