"Welcome back, Master. Is everything alright?"

Smiling, Orion stepped into the room and calmly strode over to the group relaxing on a sofa to his left. Some of them were wearing leather similar to his own outfit, but some went further, while others had normal clothing on.

"Yes, Ariana. I just had to take care of something." He said as he got behind the mini bar and filled the orders he'd left. Most of the rooms on the second floor were devoted to slightly more physical partiers. They paid extra for his attention, but that was all he was willing to give. Everyone knew, whether they got the information straight from his mouth, or more likely, the gossips, that he didn't show physical affections to anyone but his sub. Unfortunately, everyone also knew that he didn't have one right then, so his room was far more full than before he'd let his last one go.

Jake had been sweet... and manipulative. He'd used Orion's popularity to increase his own, then cheated behind his back.

Hmph. Cheating with a dominant doesn't work. I remember the marks I make on my subs, and the ones I don't.

His heart shoved aside that memory and gave a hard jerk at the new image burned into his brain from just twenty minutes ago as it came to his mind.

Zachary...

He'd looked so vulnerable and tired lying in his bed. Even though he was too skinny and honestly clueless, Orion just couldn't help himself when he remembered he had put his collar in the nightstand drawer for safe keeping.

Damn. He doesn't even know what it means and I still did it. While he was asleep, no less!

"Mm, Master. Is that dreamy look for me?"

No, it's for my Za--- darn it. He's not yours, Orion.

Forcing himself not to shake his head, Orion gave the woman a dazzling smile and winked. "Secret, love."

He walked around the side of the bar to deliver their drinks when the woman leaned forward as he leaned over to set the tray down on the glass coffee table near them. "I wouldn't mind being your secret."

Forcing another smile, Orion sat down, allowing the woman to slide into his lap as her friends scooted closer. He enjoyed their conversation and did his best to be a good host, but at the same time he kept his hands to himself. When that group left another quickly replaced them. Being males, the new group was a little easier to relax with, but at the same time he had to be on his guard. They were much more brazen than the women and by the time they finally left around three, Orion was exhausted.

He punched out, and after checking on George at the front, he retired to his personal room. It was a relief to finally shut and lock his door, but seeing Zachary still asleep, tucked beneath his comforter, was amazing. He walked over after silently taking off his shoes, Orion slid onto the side of the bed beside Zachary, then carefully reached over to stroke his soft hair.

I'm glad you stayed.

Grinning to himself, Orion ran his thumb over Zachary's cheek bone slowly, then moved it down to his pale lips.

Some good rest and a lot more food and you'll be as good as new.

Zachary awoke to the calming sound of water raining down in the bathroom. The door was cracked, a small streak of light piercing through the dim room. He remained with his head against the pillow until the water was shut off. He had a feeling it was Orion, since he said he was the only person besides his boss that had a key, but Zachary was still uneasy. Once he saw the man he'd be able to go back to sleep...

That wasn't the case, because when he saw Orion, the man wasn't wearing a towel like he thought he might be. Sure he had one, but it was busy drying his hair, not hiding anything it normally would. Zach's mouth felt drier than the desert as he stared, eventually getting Orion's attention as the man's hands slowly came to a stop in his hair. He gave a proud smile and Zachary felt his face light up with heat.

"Good morning, Zachary."

Blinking, Zach finally managed to look down. Well, further down, until he saw his hands folded in his lap. "M-morning," he mumbled awkwardly. When his neck bent, he felt something against it that he wasn't used to. Reaching up, his fingers brushed over something smooth that looped all the way around his neck.

Wait... so that wasn't a dream?

"I apologize for that, Zachary," Orion said, drawing Zach's attention back to him. Thankfully, the larger man now had on a pair of boxers. They didn't exactly hide much, but at least fabric was over the obvious parts. Ignoring that, he returned his attention to the collar around his neck, fingering it curiously.

"Why did you put this on me?"

The look Orion gave him was one of worry, but also possibly excitement? When he sat down next to him, Zachary shifted a bit more so that he was leaning against the pillows and headboard.

"I apologize, again, for putting that on you. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision and one I shouldn't have done without your approval."

Zachary agreed that it was a bit odd to just have a collar put on him, but it wasn't tight so he wasn't going to freak out about it yet. Although, it did bother him a little bit.

"Can you take it off please?"

Orion's hesitant smile immediately went away, making Zachary fidget. He didn't like seeing the man upset, but he barely knew him, and collars usually meant that someone was claiming ownership of something. It was just way too fast.

"Of course."

Reaching over, Orion carefully tugged on the collar until the clasp was in the front, then got it undone. When it was removed from his neck Zachary hesitantly took hold of the end, pulling it just enough so that it straightened-out between him and the side Orion still held.

There's just an M on it...

"It stands for Master. Basically, no one here would bother you if you had it on. I guess that's one reason why I put it on you when you fell asleep."

Eying the item, Zachary thought for a quiet moment before glancing up at Orion. "You said they call you Master here."

Orion nodded. "Yes, they do."

Chewing his lower lip, Zachary nodded as well, thinking for another long minute before finally putting the pieces together. "When you put it on, did you want me to belong to you?"

That actually seemed to catch the older man off-guard. He opened his mouth to answer, then closed it. After doing that another three times he finally managed to find the words he wanted to say. "I'm not sure. We don't know each other yet, but I do know that I want to get to know you."

"I see," Zach whispered before he met Orion's eyes again. "Please don't do something like that again unless you are sure of it."

He knew it was a bit rude to say it so bluntly, but he didn't want to consider becoming anything to anyone who wasn't absolutely serious about wanting him in their life first. It was a side-effect from his parents kicking him out that he could never get over. He thought it might make Orion annoyed or frustrated, but the man actually looked understanding.

"You're smart beyond your years, Zachary. I agree completely. I will be sure to think through my actions next time."

Without much more to say and the need to sleep more weighing on his mind, Zach nodded to Orion and began to settle back beneath the blankets. He figured Orion would climb into the other side of the huge bed, but instead, the man remained beside him silently for several long but relaxing minutes. When he finally did something, it was just a slight turn toward Zachary as he whispered a question.

"I... I'm not used to asking."

He paused for a moment, then continued after licking his lips once.

"Would you like to come with me later today for some shopping? I'd like to pick up some things, but I'm used to having someone with me to... well, spoil. I-I know you don't want someone to pity you, and I swear I'm secretly keeping it deep down so I don't upset you, but I really do enjoy buying someone I'm interested in things."

Seeing the man stuttering was a shock. Zach had almost been asleep but by the time Orion had finished speaking he was definitely awake. Not wanting to answer while still laying down, he pushed himself up, stopping when their faces were only inches away from each other.

"Um... I don't mind coming with you, but I don't need anything."

Orion gave him a look, but covered it up by chuckling and sticking his tongue out.

"Alright. How about we settle on a deal. You let me by you things, and whatever you don't feel you need, you can donate. I do have one condition though."

That seems reasonable, but the condition...

"What is your condition?"

He grinned, making Zachary glance away for a moment, nervous.

"At each store we go to, I get to pick one thing that you have to accept. Whether it be an outfit or a type of food."

"Oh. I suppose that's okay." Zachary said with a small grin. He was excited all of a sudden, eager to get to go places and hang out with his new friend.

Wait a minute.

"Hey Orion?"

He was about to get up when Zach spoke, but sat back down to listen.

"Are we friends?"

Orion cracked a smile and lifted the blanket. Zach scooted over, a bit surprised when the older man slid in next to him, but the moment he extended a hand to him, Zachary couldn't keep himself from crawling into the man's waiting arms. When Orion's chest vibrated with a deep chuckle against Zach's right cheek, he knew what the other man was going to say before he said it.

"I think this sums up what we are right now."

If it did, then Zachary was confused. He couldn't figure out where they stood in terms of relationship. He'd just met the man yesterday, considering it was already the next morning, all-be-it early, and yet he was perfectly comfortable getting ready to fall asleep in his arms.

For a second time. He reminded himself.

Instead of bothering with what the confusion of what they were or weren't, he snuggled in a bit closer, getting a gentle hug in response before he slipped into a deep, comfortable sleep.