The evening went well and Zachary returned to their room around one. Of course, he'd slipped into the kitchen to let David know to make George a cake for him, and that he'd pay for the ingredients. The guy had been all smiles, seemingly in his own world. He also had a bit of chocolate sauce on the side of his mouth, but Zach let it be. George would probably get it later, anyways.

Unsure if Orion had returned yet or was still working, Zachary made sure to be quiet as he entered the dark room. When the door clicked shut he turned around, only to feel his face burn. Orion was standing by the bathroom door, naked, his tight leather pants in his hands, as if he were about to toss them aside into the laundry hamper.

"I was just about to rinse off before bed. Would you like to join me, Zachary?"

It took him a moment to form words in his mind to answer, and also to stop staring. Unfortunately, when he tried to voice them, they were mute. Well, so much for saying something sexy to make him smile. Instead, he nodded, walking over as Orion ducked into the bathroom. Once inside he grinned, having predicted correctly that Orion wanted to remove his clothing for him. The man was thorough in his work as he undid buttons and gently pealed away his shirt, pants, then boxers.

There was only a small light plugged into the socket in the bathroom that was on. Just enough light to make sure that they didn't trip or run into things. Also, it was just enough to be able to see each other in the dim bathroom. And right then, Zachary was grateful for the atmosphere. It was dark, quiet, and Orion was staring at him like he was the only thing that mattered.

"Are you okay?" Zach whispered as he felt a palm gently press against his cheek and tilt his head up a little.

Orion seemed to understand that he was asking about everything in general, especially what had happened in the past few days. He smiled sadly and leaned over to press a kiss to Zach's lips before leaning back just enough to speak.

"Xena and I came to an agreement. I got no payment for working tonight as punishment. Also, if it happens again, she will have to let me go if I don't agree to go to rehab. Not because the drug itself is that bad, but because she knows that it will lead me to the deadly ones..."

His voice grew quiet as he finished speaking, leaving out the obvious insinuation that Xena doesn't ever want to have to see him dead. "She really cares about you," Zachary whispered as he pressed his forehead against Orion's and sighed, content.

"Yes. I made a mistake and I'm going to be stronger because of it. Now then... may I tie you up while I wash your beautiful body, Sweetheart?"

Zachary could tell by the slightly tense tone to the man's kind words that he likely needed some type of control, after having lost so much abruptly the other day. He smiled and nodded, honestly okay with whatever the man wanted. He calmly got into the large shower. Orion followed him in quickly, arms reaching around his waist to tug him into a gentle hug. Zachary chuckled quietly, letting Orion pull him back against his chest. He felt a few light kisses press against his neck and gladly tilted his head, giving his master more access.

"I love you," Orion whispered as he tugged him a little closer and began nipping at his skin. As Orion got a little more rough with his affection, Zachary knew that it would leave marks. He didn't mind though. They both had turtlenecks if they needed them.

When Orion finally seemed satisfied that his neck was covered in enough kiss marks he leaned over him, nudging at Zachary with his hips until he was flush against the cold wall. The cool tile forced a shiver down his spine. "Just stay still for a moment, Sweetheart. Then you can squirm as much as you like." That last part was said right next to his ear, making it really hard not to start squirming immediately.

His arms were guided upward, then his hands splayed over the tile. "Stay just like that," Orion whispered. He seemed to back away for several moments, making Zachary a little nervous. He wanted to ask what the man was doing. To turn around and see for himself. But he refused to go against the obvious order. He trusted Orion. So, he worried his bottom lip and stretched his arms a tiny bit, but remained right where he was told.

When Orion finally returned at least a minute, if not two, later, his large hands gently settled on Zach's waist, thumbs pressing softly against the skin of his lower back in smooth, slow circles. The need to move hit Zachary hard, but he forced it back and just gave out a quiet moan at the simple, yet intimate attention.

"What would you like me to do, Zachary?" Orion whispered against his ear before gently tugging it between his teeth.

Another quiet moan left Zach's lips at the question. He could already feel himself getting hard, but he didn't want to sound like a pervert by asking for it to be taken care of so abruptly. Besides, he'd been hard before from Orion's attention, and Orion definitely had been, too. That didn't mean that they had to get relief right away.

"Talk to me..." He whispered in return, then added. "Touch me."

When Orion pressed a kiss to the middle of his back, Zachary could tell that his lips were lifting into a smile. He never replied, but as he began to kiss down his spine and then move to his left butt cheek, treasuring each touch with his lips, Zachary couldn't help but feel absolutely loved. In any other situation he would have thought Orion was belittling himself by kissing his backside, but he treated the skin there just as every other inch of him that he came upon on his journey downward. When he finally got his left foot, he gently lifted it and after leaning over in a kneeling position, kissed each toe.

"I apologize. I am having trouble forming words." Orion spoke against the top of his foot as it rested in his hand. Zachary understood. He was also unable to think clearly, even though Orion was just holding his foot right then.

They remained silent for several long moments before Orion stood, reaching over Zachary's head to begin winding the leather straps around his wrists. He was gentle but skilled as he worked, making sure that the bindings were tight, but not painfully constricting. Zachary allowed some of his weight to be taken by the leather and leaned back, loving the feeling of having Orion's strong chest at his back. His master was clearly hard, but held back his needs.

He's always holding back. Being courteous. Never asking for what his body wants.

Zachary had no doubt that Orion was used to it, and didn't even think about his arousal half the time. Yet...

"Master?" He questioned quietly.

Orion had his lips against his shoulder, gently sucking to form a mark there as his dark eyes looked up to meet Zach's. "Yes, Sweetheart?"

Licking his drying lips, Zachary forced back his nervousness and straightened his posture a little against the warmed tile. "Would you like to make love to me?"

Orion's breath seemed to catch at the question, his eyes growing wide. Hunger took over them in mere moments, silently telling Zachary that he had been right. The man had just been holding back. When he finally managed to respond, Orion sounded oddly breathless as he lifted his lips from Zach's shoulder.

"Very much so, Sweetheart."

Hearing a hint a nervousness in Orion's words had Zachary's stomach suddenly filling with butterflies.

"I... I want to. I just, um, need lube..."

It wasn't his fault that his hole was smaller than most. The few times he'd had sex he absolutely needed lubricant or he'd end up crying and bleeding. Neither of which were very romantic to him, or his partner at the time. His cheeks burned but when Orion just stepped out of the shower, only to return a minute later with a few things in his hand that Zachary couldn't see too well, he knew that he had at least gotten something to help.

"I've got a couple of things that should be able to help." Orion said as he knelt on the tile floor. Zach could hear him unwrapping packaging and wanted to look, but didn't want to twist around since he was still tied up.

"I'll use this first, okay? It's a numbing agent. I won't use too much though. I still want you to be able to feel the pleasure, but hopefully not the pain." He said right before Zachary felt Orion's hand gently move one of his cheeks aside slightly, allowing him to apply the clear gel with what felt like a Q-tip. It actually seemed to work almost immediately, numbing the area just along where he usually hurt the most during sex.

He heard Orion recapping the item and then saw him toss the Q-tip in the garbage. The next item being opened was clearly a condom judging from the sound. It was applied after a moment, then the last item was opened. The sound of a lid unsnapping told Zach that it was the lube.

"I have several different kinds of lube but I think this one would be best this time. The others are a bit more for pleasure than to ease pain. This one is really good for sensitivity." He said as he squeezed a portion into his hand, then snapped the lid shut and nudged it into the corner after throwing out the other packaging.

"I trust you." Zachary mumbled, still extremely nervous, but glad that Orion had thought to use the numbing gel and also the best lube, instead of just the stuff that was meant to enhance pleasure.

"That means the world to me, Sweetheart. I'm going to start, but if at any time you feel uncomfortable or start hurting, promise you'll tell me, alright? I will never be upset if you tell me to slow down or stop."

Zachary nodded, pursing his lips as he began to feel Orion's fingers faintly through the numbness near his hole. He thought it was going to hurt terribly when he pressed a finger inside to begin trying to stretch him, but when he just felt a little ache, he blinked. Surprise took over his expression and he couldn't help wiggling his backside a little, drawing a gruff chuckle from Orion as the man placed kisses along his neck.

"I can't believe... it. That feels... so much better than... it used to." Zachary moaned quietly. When Orion added another finger a moment later, he felt his body arch into his fingers, another moan leaving his parted lips.

"I'm very glad, Zachary." Orion whispered, voice husky as he added a third finger. That one made Zach tense, a hiss leaving his now-clenched teeth. Orion immediately stopped his intrusion and held absolutely still, not wanting to make the pain worse.

"M-more lube p-please," Zachary finally gasped. He could already tell that Orion was using a good amount, but there was no argument at all as the man reached down and flipped the lid open with his left hand, then added a generous amount to where his fingers had partially pulled out. When he added them back, Zachary heaved a relieved sigh. It still hurt, but he was able to manage it if he focused on the tile in front of his face.

It was at least several minutes later when Orion let his fingers slip from him and Zach could feel his large length press up against his numb entrance. Immediately his heart sped up, fear pulsing through him no matter how hard he tried to keep reminding himself that it wasn't going to be as bad as it had been before. It always did end up feeling good, but after several tries, it almost wasn't worth it.

But now it shouldn't be nearly as painful. It already has been better. And he's been so patient. He deserves to get this release.

"Are you alright if I give it a try?" Orion asked as he placed a few kisses on Zachary's soft hair. Knowing not to trust his voice, Zach slowly nodded, biting his lower lip to keep his teeth from clicking together with worry.

"Okay. If it hurts too much, tell me." Orion replied before very, very slowly beginning to push himself inside. He had added another good amount of lube over the condom, but Zachary was only able to keep himself quiet for a few seconds. He moaned, sure, but the sound was very clearly pained. Orion paused, waiting for Zach to tell him to pull out. To stop. When he didn't, Orion slowly nudged himself a little further, but as soon as Zachary cried out again, he carefully remove himself.

Immediately Zachary tried to look over his shoulder to tell him not to stop, that he wanted it, but when he felt hands on his wrists, undoing the leather, his heart sunk into his stomach. He won't do it... It hurt. His little bit of pride popped like a balloon and tears welled up in his eyes as the straps fell away and Orion slowly turned him. Even moving his legs that slight amount hurt, but he didn't complain. He'd wanted to have sex, yet Orion still stopped!

"Sweethaert..."

Zachary swallowed a lump in his throat and bit into his trembling lower lip. He was frustrated, yet he knew he couldn't let it get the best of him. Still, he couldn't help looking up at Orion. "Wh-why? Why d-did you stop? I-I didn't s-say too."

"Zachary. Believe me, I would have continued. And I am sure we will soon... Only another day."

Orion's voice was so calm when Zachary just felt like shouting. It made him more upset, but at the same time it reminded him that Orion was trying to reason with him. To take care of him. He had stopped because he was in severe pain. He hadn't taken pleasure from him when it would have been terrible for Zach until near the end.

"I see the wheels turning in your eyes, Sweetheart. Please don't be upset. I have been dying to touch you like I just did. You are everything I've ever wanted, and I am so proud of you for being able to come forward and tell me one of your weaknesses, and at the same time, be willing to try and overcome it with me."

When he leaned in and pecked his lips, Zach sniffed. Orion gave a quiet chuckle in response and ran the back of his fingers along Zachary's cheek, wiping away a stray tear.

"I love you, Zachary. May I finish touching you so that we may both get release, then wash this beautiful body of yours?"

Zachary didn't even need to think as he nodded, wiping away his remaining tears as Orion smiled and got the water started. He made sure it was warm before turning on the spray and reaching out to him. Eager to please the man after having ruined their previous moment, Zach hurried into his arms. They pleasured each other beneath the warm shower, then Orion thoroughly cleaned every inch of Zachary's body, treating him as if he were royalty. When the shower was finally turned off, Zachary was teetering on the edge of sleep, leaning against the wall. He had a content smile on his face as Orion dried him after doing so for himself.

The bathroom blurred, then disappeared as Zachary's eyes shut after another moment. He felt himself being lifted, then carried, but when his back was gently settled onto the blankets of their bed, he felt his mind completely relax as he slipped into a deep sleep.

(P.S. If you haven't checked out Reverse (malexmale) yet, and wish to, please do so soon. It will be removed for publishing likely later next month. It is complete besides an Epilogue.)