(Awesome cover fanart by MayaDemonAngel)

Zachary was incredibly confused. Not from the kiss, he thought Orion might just try it eventually, but what part of a kiss equaled dessert? He couldn't wrap his mind around the idea of a person being something similar to cake.

Cake is far better than most people. I'm not sweet, either.

His eyes widened slightly in understanding as he figured out what Orion meant.

"You called that dessert because the chicken was sweet, right?"

Orion stared at him for a long, quiet moment before he slowly nodded and began eating his portion of food. If Zachary didn't know better, he'd think that his guess had been right, but it was obvious Orion was rolling his eyes on the inside.

Oh well. Maybe I am just that sweet. He thought optimistically.

"Here."

Looking up, Zachary barely had enough time to open his mouth before an egg roll was shoved between his teeth. He was so stunned that he actually forgot to chew and just sat there, staring at Orion until the man snickered. "Chew, Zachary."

Oh.

He chewed, once.

"...again."

He chewed a second time, getting an actual eye roll from Orion when he stopped right away.

"Chew three times."

Zachary did as told, trying his best to hold back a grin. It was obvious now that he was just messing with Orion, but he couldn't help himself. It was fun!

"I see how it is. Fine. Lick it."

As soon as Orion said that he seemed to realize an obvious fact that would make his try at getting back at Zachary by embarrassing him, null.

"Yeah yeah. I know your tongue is in your mouth."

He knew exactly what Zachary was thinking... likely because the guy was trying so hard to keep himself from bursting out laughing. After a moment he had to take the egg roll out of his mouth so that he could breathe without choking on it.

Err. Drooled a bit.

Lifting the egg roll back up, he quickly lapped at the two lines of drool that had escaped his mouth when he removed it, then bit the top to finally start eating the food.

"You torture me." Orion mumbled, drawing Zach's attention back across the table. He wasn't sure what else he'd done to bother the guy, but obviously it wasn't that bad since he was still sitting there eating his food at a content pace.

"I try my best," Zachary said anyways, flashing a toothy grin before finishing off his egg roll. He nibbled at whatever else Orion decided to put in front of him, or really, in his mouth, until all of the food was completely gone and his stomach was the fullest it had ever been.

"Alright you, let's get going. We still have to stop by the grocery store."

Zachary gave him an are you serious? look.

"You never go to a grocery store hungry."

Unless you're me.

Zach smirked, making Orion frown before getting up and reaching over. Soon Zachary was being tugged out of the restaurant, Orion tossing their garbage into the can by the door. Instead of walking to the grocery store they headed back to the car. Zachary waited obediently for Orion to get his door, knowing that the man would want to. After he slid in he got his seat belt buckled, then waited for Orion to get in and get them on their way. The store was only a few blocks away though, so the ride was short and silent, both of them content with their own thoughts. When Orion got the car parked, Zachary expected him to get out and walk around to help him out, but instead of even opening his own door, he turned to him with a cautious smile.

"Did that kiss bother you?"

Zachary had to think about that question for a moment more than he'd expected to. It was a kiss, which normally meant someone liked you in that way, but he had just met Orion. They barely knew each other so reading anything but a joke in that kiss wouldn't make any sense.

"It was a joke, right? I don't mind."

Orion seemed to think over his words for a moment before finally nodding and sliding out of the car to walk around to Zachary's. He was still milling around his thoughts on the kiss when his door was opened and Orion reached over to unbuckle his seat belt.

"Don't dwell on it, Zachary. It is whatever you wanted it to be, right?"

He's right. Anything that happens to me is what I get to decide. Even though he said he likes control, he hasn't forced me into anything bad.

"Right."

Taking the hand Orion offered, Zach slid from his seat and let the taller man help him up. The grocery store was the same one he normally went to, so he smiled when he saw his old friend working her cash register line. She noticed him after a moment, too, and waved. Her eyes then turned to Orion, but before she could give Zachary a questioning look she had to tend to someone needing to check out. That left him running after Orion, who had gotten a cart and was already heading for the first aisle.

"Your friend?" Orion asked when Zachary caught up and began to keep pace with the cart.

"Yeah. She's really nice. She gave me the broccoli yesterday."

Orion smiled, nodding before leaving the cart to look at something on a shelf. Jumping at the chance, Zachary took hold of the bar on the cart. He wanted to at least push it since he didn't even have his money to help buy anything. Orion took down several packages of pasta and put them on the cart, then gently ran his left hand over Zach's hair before walking ahead. Without realizing it, Zachary grinned at the light pet and quickly hurried to follow. Orion stopped several more times to grab a few different pasta sauces, some cheese, and salami.

I miss cheese.

It had been his favorite thing back when he was living with his parents, and once in awhile, when he had at least two jobs, he'd buy himself some sharp cheddar. Orion did get some cheddar, so Zachary hoped, for the first time in awhile, that he could at least share a piece with the man when he decided to eat it.

"Zachary? Come."

Blinking out of his thoughts, Zach hurried to catch up as Orion turned a corner down another aisle.

Oh, yummy. Snacks!

It's an aisle he avoided at all costs, knowing that there was just no comparing nutritional value between real vegetables and cheeze crackers. Even the ones that spell cheese correctly aren't very healthy.

"Would you like anything, Zachary?"

Zach paused, looking at the boxes of crackers and cookies Orion had already tossed into the cart. He wasn't really sure how he was supposed to answer him. Of course he wanted something. Heck, any of the things on the shelves he would have loved, but his mind forced him to reason with himself.

If he's offering to buy me snacks, if I decline until we get to the vegetable aisle, perhaps he'll buy me something from there.

"No thank you, Orion."

It hurt to decline food, but he was hopeful that it might lead to him eventually getting something more beneficial, at likely less of a cost to Orion, too.

"Alright, let's continue then."

The next few aisles were skipped because they were mainly for barbequing, pets, and party stuff. When they got to the toiletries and hygiene aisle, however, Orion was quick to turn. They stopped by the toothpaste and toothbrushes, making Zachary glance up at Orion in confusion. He already had a toothbrush to borrow... did Orion want him to get his own toothpaste, too?

Wait. Why am I even thinking that? I'm probably going back to my alley soon so it shouldn't matter to him whether or not I have toothpaste or not.

"Open your mouth please, Zachary."

Huh?

When he didn't obey Orion just grinned and reached over, gently nudging his finger between Zach's and pressing down, forcing his mouth open a small amount. "Look up, please."

This time, Zachary obeyed immediately, the action making his mouth open a little more.

"You've got very nice teeth but it looks like they could use a cleaning."

He had no doubt that they could. He hadn't brushed them for years, but dentists were expensive. Not to mention, he could remember his last appointment and it hadn't been very positive. At least he barely ever touched sweets, so he likely didn't have any cavities.

"Let's see if this toothpaste helps for now," Orion said as he grabbed a package from the shelf and tossed it into the cart. Zachary was okay with him buying him toothpaste, but that tube was nearly eight dollars!

"Come."

Feeling like an argument would be fruitless, Zachary kept himself quiet and followed. Orion added some floss to the cart as well before they turned to the next aisle. Socks were next, though he was a bit surprised to see them in a grocery store. After another ten minutes and some randomly-added food, they were at the outside of the final aisle where Zachary often found his once-a-day meal. The cart had a decent amount of stuff now, but it was nowhere near full. Orion seemed to have a plan to fill it though, because as soon as they got to the aisle he began picking different fruits and vegetables out. He ended up adding a bag of potatoes, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and peas. Then for the fruits he decided to get with bananas, apples, and a package of strawberries.

Those strawberries look delicious.

Heck, it all looked delicious to him after not eating much for three years. Zachary could never afford to be picky, which is why he never got himself junk food, even though it might taste better sometimes.

"Zachary?"

Jumping from slight surprise, he shoved the cart forward, intent on following Orion, but the other man actually stopped the cart with a hand and a raised brow.

Oh. Oops. He isn't even walking.

"Go pick out a vegetable and a fruit."

Zachary wanted to argue, but he could tell that he wasn't being asked, but was being told.

"O-okay," he mumbled out as he walked around the area, looking for the cheapest items. He was unaware, however, that as he stopped at each food he actually wanted, but decided to skip, Orion was following behind him and putting each of them in the cart.

Oh my god are you a sweetheart.

When Zachary finally returned to the cart with a small bag of grapes and one yellow crookneck squash, Orion couldn't help but chuckle. The younger guy seemed confused at first, but when he went to add his two simple items to the cart, his face had Orion literally cracking up. He'd done it to make the guy happy, and of course, spoil him. What he didn't expect though, was the guy's reaction after he set his items inside with the others.

Orion's dying laughter stopped abruptly when arms wrapped around his neck and a warm nose nuzzled into its crook. His own reaction was automatic. He immediately wrapped his arms around Zachary and held him as close as he could. The younger man's body melded to his almost perfectly.

It's okay, sweetheart. You deserve to finally have something you want, not just need. 

"Th-thank y-you so m-much."

He was so into the hug, loving that Zachary had even wrapped his legs around his waist, that Orion nearly didn't catch his whispered words. His heart swelled with pride and his dominant side flared to life, making him speak before he could really think through his words.

"Come home with me, Zachary. You can stay for as long as you'd like. I will never keep you there against your will or do anything you tell me you don't want me to. I want to keep your stomach full forever, a roof over your head, and clean clothing on your back."

Orion could hear Zachary sniffle but judging form the way his arms were only tightening around his neck, he knew he was getting close to getting through to the guy.

"Let me spoil you, please. I loved buying you clothing and the adorable look you had on your face when you saw all the things I put in the cart when you weren't paying attention."

Wide, watery eyes finally met his as Zachary leaned back after a minute, still sniffling a little. Orion couldn't resist, he shifted Zachary's weight to one arm and lifted the other so that he could give his soft hair a pet. They were quiet for several more moments before Zach finally spoke in hushed words. "I-I'm... not sure."

His words did make Orion inwardly fidget slightly, worried that he may have pushed too hard too fast. He swallowed his worry though, and instead gave Zachary a gorgeous smile as he gently let the guy slide down from his arms to his own two feet.

"I understand, Zachary. It's going to storm tonight like yesterday, so would you do me the favor of staying till at least the morning? I just want to be sure that you're safe and at least have a good dinner and breakfast."

"B-but you d-don't know me." He stuttered out.

Zach's words had Orion suddenly realizing something.

"You're right, I don't. But I see someone in you that I want to raise up. You have potential and, so far, are the most humble, sweet guy I've met."

When Zachary got tongue-tied Orion grinned and took his hand, easily pushing the cart with his free one as he tugged Zach toward the checkout. Intentionally, he went into the older woman's line. Well, mainly because she was glaring daggers at him and he was afraid she might spank him if he didn't clear up why Zachary was crying.

"Good evening, ma'am. I believe I made your boy cry, but I promise it's not because I smacked him with a cucumber but because I put extra food in the cart and plan to force him to eat it later."  

The woman's expression instantly changed to one of excitement as she gave him a firm nod and began ringing things up. Even with the added food the bill wasn't very large. "Thank you ma'am, have a great day." Orion said once they had all of their bags and Zachary began pushing the cart away from the register, a faint pink tint to his cheeks.

"I expect to see him chubby soon, or I'll have to come after you with a cucumber." The old woman said with a wink. Orion couldn't help himself, he winked back with a smile and then jogged after Zachary. Since he was already waiting by the car, Orion hit the fob to unlock the trunk and let Zachary begin putting things away.

By the time he got close enough to help Zach already had the last two bags in his hands, so Orion just pushed the cart back to the return, then ran back to open Zachary's door.

Good boy, you waited for me.

Once he was in his own seat and they were both buckled Orion got them home. He kind of wanted to take Zachary to the dentist and just do a walk-in cleaning, too, but they had stuff in the trunk that needed to get put away, so he'd save that for another day. When they finally got everything inside Orion dropped to his knees by his mini-fridge and opened it, seemingly surprised to see it full of beer.

"Oh right. I forgot my last s-- uh, my friend left his habit here. I hardly ever needed this fridge before so I guess he figured he could use it."

He seemed to think for a moment, then shrug and pull out a can. Right after he popped it open to take a sip, the sound of feet shuffling against the floor caught his attention and he glanced over his shoulder to see Zachary peeking at him from inside the bathroom. His eyes held two different emotions that Orion could clearly read, and highly disliked. Fear and sadness.

"I'm just opening them so that I can pour them out. There are a lot here though, so please come help?"

Zachary's eyes flicked to the fridge, then back up to Orion's face several times before he gave a shaky nod and began hesitantly walking toward him.

I don't like wasting anything, but if he's upset by alcohol, it likely played a really bad part of his past. And I can understand not wanting to revisit one's past.

Handing him two cans, Orion then grabbed three and they both made their way to the sink in the bathroom. They went through at least twenty before the last one was left in Zachary's hand. He'd already popped it open, but was struggling to pour it out.

"It's okay, Zachary," Orion said quietly as he walked over, placing himself behind him. "Just take a deep breath," he continued as he lifted his left hand and very gently pressed it over Zachary's wide eyes. "Pour it away, just like the memories created by it."

After several deep, steadying breaths Zachary did just that, tilting his hand to slowly drain the contents of the can. When the last drop had been removed Orion could feel moisture against his palm and wrapped his right arm around Zachary's too-thin waist in a gentle hug. When he felt him lean back into his chest as a result, Orion didn't hesitate to lean forward and press a soft kiss to Zachary's hair, then whisper.

"I've got you, sweetheart. Please, lean on me"