I feel like there's a waterfall going down my back and I've dipped my hands in a bucket of boiling water.

Frustrated with his nerves, Orion rubbed his hands on his pants and licked his lips. When Zachary stepped out of their room wearing a pair of black jeans and a nice button up shirt, Orion couldn't help but tug him close for a hug and peck on the lips.

"Ready to go?"

Smirking, Zachary stuck his tongue out a fraction and started back for the closing door. "Nope!"

Not falling for the sarcasm he heard in Zach's voice, Orion snagged the guy around the waist and let the door shut and lock. "Well, we've got reservations so you're just going to have to make due without your make up and tie."

He moved his hand to Zachary's when the guy straightened, tugging him along beside him. "You made reservations?" He asked, making Orion chuckle as he hit the button for the elevator. It was evidently already on their floor and opened with a bing. When they stepped inside he answered. "When you took a nap after our escapade in the shower."

Zachary's blush settled his nerves a little. The door opened after it got to the first floor of their hotel and he pressed his fingers to the small of Zachary's back to guide him from the elevator and out of the front door. "Where are we going?"

Orion tapped Zach's butt after he opened the car door. "Nope. You're just going to have to wait and see." He said, shutting the passenger side door, then walking around to the other side and sliding in to get them started on their way. As he drove, Zachary continued to try and guess the restaurant but when he pulled the car into the parking lot of a tiny little hole-in-the-wall barbecue place, Zachary looked at him questioningly.

"Don't give me that look. Just wait, by the end of this date you're going to be in a food coma and worshiping me for showing you this amazing place."

Orion had said it as a joke, but when Zachary replied, he couldn't manage to close his mouth after it had dropped open in surprise. "But I already worship you."

If Zach hadn't hopped out of the car and ran to the door, Orion would have tried to tug him across the center counsel and steal a kiss or three. Resigned that the little devil had escaped him for the moment, Orion quickly slid from the car, locked it, then jogged over to where Zachary now held the door open for him.

"Thank you, sweetheart." He said as he ducked inside. The place was rather full, but unlike some of the large chain restaurants, it wasn't that loud. The hostess glanced down at her list when they walked in, then smiled up at them. "Orion?"

Orion returned her smile and nodded. "Right this way, please." She said as she grabbed two menus and turned, guiding them to a little booth in the middle of the left side. After ordering two waters and taking a quick glance at the menu, Zachary looked up at him, but Orion was ready. "Can I order for you, sweetheart?"

He could see the hesitation in Zach's face, but it was quickly changed to curiosity. "Okay."

Reaching across the table, Orion squeezed one of Zachary's hand and took the menu to place overtop his own. "You'll love it, I promise." He added a wink just in case, then looked over as their waitress came over and set down their drinks. "Hello guys, are you ready to order or do you need a few more minutes?"

Orion nudged the menus to the edge of the table. "I'm going to have number seven and he'll have eleven with a side of corn nuggets."

He glanced at Zach as he ordered, glad to see his boy smile at the knowledge that he'd get a familiar favorite barbecue food of his. Once the woman took their orders she disappeared to get them in to the kitchen, leaving them to speak for the short time before it would arrive. He picked this place because it was fast, but also because it was delicious. So, knowing that they wouldn't have too long to talk, he folded his arms on the table and leaned forward with a grin.

"Uh oh, what's that look for?" Zach questioned, pursing his lips. With a quiet chuckle, Orion motioned for Zach to lean closer, which he did after taking a sip of his water.

"Xena and I have been talking about promotions."

Zachary's left brow went up and he leaned back some. "I know, she's going to make you partner if you get through some college classes."

Orion leaned back as well, figuring that the dramatic flare wasn't going to work. "Well, yes, there is that, but I'm talking about something else."

"Oh? What else? Are you getting a promotion before that?"

With any other person, Orion knew they would sound jealous, but when Zachary's eyes just lit up and he leaned forward again with a big smile, there was not an ounce of dislike in him.

All mine!

"I'm not talking about a promotion for me, sweetheart."

That really seemed to baffle Zach, making him lean back again against the upholstery. The look of confusion on his face was just adorable. "Zachary, I'm talking about you."

Their food came and their glasses were refilled before Zachary managed to close his gaping mouth. Then when he tried to speak, he only got out the word "I," before his mouth got stuck open again.

Tsk, someone might try to put something that isn't food in there if you keep hanging it open, Zach. In fact, I know a certain sub who'd die for the chance to have someone put something in his mouth that isn't food.

Inwardly rolling his eyes at David's sexual habits, Orion reached over and pinched Zachary's tongue between his fingers and tugged. "I'm going to steal this if you don't close your mouth. Remember, we're in a restaurant."

That seemed to finally get him, but not before he pulled his tongue back in and nipped Orion's fingers. When he pulled them away Zachary began to spew words from his mouth.

"What do you mean me? I've only been working two weeks? Three weeks? I don't know. But me? I don't deserve a promotion yet. You must have heard wrong. Zachary is a common nam---mmph."

Orion heaved a sigh, shaking his head and smiling as he removed his hand from Zach's mouth. "Sh. Restaurant, remember?"

Zach slowly nodded, his face red from his worried outburst. "I'm sorry." He mumbled, nibbling at a corn nugget to try and calm his nerves.

"It's okay, sweetheart. But I am serious. Xena and I have discussed it, and I promise I didn't push this, she did. She was literally shoving it down my throat that it was going to happen, so you're stuck with it, I'm afraid."

Zachary finished his corn nugget and moved onto the next, completely ignoring the delicious smelling pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on his plate in front of him.

"Well, I just wanted to tell you this before we got back so it isn't as much of a surprise... and I kind of wanted to be the one to tell you either way," Orion added with a cheeky grin.

"Okay, um, what is the promotion?"

Orion knew he was probably thinking something along the lines of being a waiter or bus boy, but Xena didn't like wasting people's skills on things that didn't highlight them. Since he'd taken a bite of his chicken, he quickly chewed, then swallowed before answering.

"She wants to train you to be floor manager."

When Zachary went white, Orion quickly slid over to his side of the table and hugged him to his side with one arm. "You'll do great, sweetheart. I need you to breathe right now though, you're starting to turn blue."

Zachary blinked, then took in a deep breath, then another. He shook his head after a few more breaths before taking a long gulp from his drink and turning to look up at Orion. "I... I get to train to be a-a manager?"

Unable to stop himself, because dammit if Zach didn't look like a puppy getting its first toy, Orion leaned over and kissed him. "You deserve it. Xena's been driving me nuts telling me how much you put into everything. She thinks she's wasting you back in the kitchen just washing dishes when she can do them and put you on something better."

When Zach didn't reply, Orion continued as he tugged his plate next to Zach's. "It will come with a two dollar pay raise. It's not much, but once you are done training it will likely go up another two dollars, plus better benefits."

"Wow," Zach whispered, looking up at him as if he were a god. "Yes, sweetheart. Now eat before it gets cold. If you have any questions we can discuss them later, okay?"

After another moment of silence from him Zachary nodded, finally turning his attention to his food. His stomach rumbled loudly, making Orion playfully nudged him with an elbow before they both began to dig in. As he had figured, once Zachary began to focus on his food, he couldn't stop. Pretty soon the entire giant sandwich was gone, along with the remaining corn nuggets and drink. Unable to hold himself back after finishing his own meal, Orion reached over and gently pressed his palm against Zach's belly.

"Feels like you just ate a small child." Orion said, laughing quietly before turning to hand their waitress his credit card as she approached with the bill. When she left Zach shoved his shoulder, but not hard enough to get him to move much.

"Taunt me all you'd like," Zachary said before patting Orion's own slightly distended belly. "But you seem to have a baby on the way now."

The waitress returned before he could reply. Orion hastily tossed a ten on the table and tugged Zach out of the booth as the woman wished them a good night. The moment they were out of the restaurant they were hit with a blast of cold air. After eating so much it felt good, but they didn't stop moving until they were back in the car. Orion got it turned on, making sure that the heater was started up, but then his attention turned to his boyfriend sitting in the passenger's seat. He was staring right at him, grinning sleepily.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight, Orion. I had a great time."

As if as an afterthought, he then added. "And now that we're both pregnant with barbecue babies, I guess we don't have to use protection next time since it won't matter."

Oh my god. You sound drunk on food.

Shaking his head, Orion leaned over and kissed Zach. He was going to just let it be a quick peck so his boyfriend could relax on the drive back to the hotel, but when Zachary opened his mouth for him, Orion couldn't say no. He gladly deepened the kiss, bringing his arm around to hold the back of Zachary's head. Their tongues tangled together as if they really were drunk on their meals, but neither seemed to mind. They just enjoyed the sensations and tastes they got from each other. Then, after at least a full minute, Orion leaned back with a quiet gasp. Zach did the same, both of them panting to regain their breath until their gulps for air turned into quiet laughter.

"You're a dork," Orion finally said on a content sigh as he got the car heading onto the road.

"Yeah. But I'm your dork now."

And I will fight to keep you until forever.

"Yes sweetheart. Yes you are."