"Hey Orion, don't tell me what the gossip train is saying is true and that you've finally gotten yourself another sub?"

Orion rolled his eyes, having just walked through the double doors to the kitchen. He wasn't surprised that the black-haired cook, David, was already interrogating him, either. The man had been one of his first tries in BDSM but they quickly realized that their versions didn't quite mesh. David liked pain, and Orion wasn't one to dish that out, no matter how much his sub wanted it.

"I know it wounds you deeply, but I have," Orion replied, unable to keep his excitement out of his voice for even a second. Zackary had called him Master, so it was official! Even though he hadn't even read the book about the basics yet, his backside was totally owned by him!

Mine! He chimed in his head as the cook chuckled and stirred the contents of a pot.

"I'm getting the broth for later ready but since the dishwasher left last night and Xena usually helps with prep, you're gonna have to try and cover both." David said, frustrated.

"Let me guess, Xena's got a hangover and can't manage to get out of bed? And she's likely blaming me for it." Orion said as he got out a pan after setting the food he'd brought in down next to the stove.

"Exactly. You know you could just use some of our eggs and bacon for breakfast if you want, you didn't need to bring that stuff." David said as he nodded to the food Orion had set down.

"It's a reward for my boy and I want to have bought it. Or at least most of it, I need to steal your sugar, milk, and flour." Orion said as he dug through the giant industrial fridge and pulled the three items out.

"So you're basically paying for half of the meal because you were too lazy to bring the rest of the ingredients in two trips?"

"Exactly," Orion replied with a smirk as he got busy mixing batter for the waffles, then got one into the iron before setting the meat to cook in the heated pan. It smelled delicious, and Orion's stomach was definitely glad that he'd brought enough for both him and Zachary to eat their fill.

"So, how's Domino treating you?" He asked as he flipped the waffle iron so the other side could cook.

When his friend didn't reply and instead Orion caught him shifting his collar a bit, he turned and walked over. If they hadn't been together previously he probably would have gotten away with it, but Orion didn't hesitate to carefully tug the collar up.

"David..."

His friend tugged the collar back down over the healing ligature marks and shrugged. "Dammit David, I know you like it rough, but there's a limit!" Orion said, stress straining his voice as he tried not to shout. He knew getting upset was only going to worry David and push him away, so he forced himself to take several deep breaths and tended the food he was making before returning his attention to him.

He wanted to say something, and opened his mouth several times to do so, but when no words came out Orion ended up just walking over and slipping his key into the man's jean pocket. The gesture was understood and neither man reacted as Orion headed to Xena's room upstairs to snag the spare key. She was asleep, thankfully, so he just grabbed it and bolted before the sleeping lion could wake and neuter him.

By the time he returned to the kitchen Zachary was there with the most adorable faded pink apron on and his short hair tied back in a barely-there ponytail. Oh my god I want to kiss him. Biting back that thought, Orion walked over and stole a simple peck to his boy's cheek before noticing that he had his hands deep in a sink full of suds.

"I'll leave you to that, sweetheart." Orion said as he turned to tend their breakfast... only to see half of it missing. That's my boy. Shaking his head with a grin, Orion walked over to the prep station and got busy on the vegetables David had already set out and washed. His mind was abuzz with lots of thoughts but he kept them to himself as he worked, not wanting to bother either of the other two in the room.

It wasn't even an hour before Zachary was finished and beside him, helping cut the vegetables at a surprising pace. "Damn boy, do you have a job?"

Orion jerked his head to the side to see Xena walking through the kitchen doors. He knew what was coming, but that meant Zachary would have a shift different from his own, making their time together drop considerably! He didn't like it, not a bit. However, he did know that Zachary wouldn't just let him continue to support him without trying to get a job. Heck, he'd been trying to get or keep one for three years, it would be absolutely unacceptable of him to tell him that he couldn't have the one Xena was likely to offer him.

Zachary turned to her when she walked over to them and, knowing better, Orion stepped aside. Xena immediately grabbed Zach's hands and cupped them in hers with the biggest, most creepy grin he'd seen in awhile. "Twelve an hour plus three free meals a week sound good to you?"

When his boy turned to him with a dazzling, wide grin, Orion couldn't help but scoop him up into his arms and kiss him. "I think it sounds good, how about you, Zachary?"

The second he was set down Zach turned to Xena and nodded like a bobblehead on an off-roading vehicle. "Yes! Score!" Xena shouted before mussing up Zach's hair and sending a shot of jealousy straight through his body. "You start right now! I'll pay for the hour or whatever you already worked. You'll be a dishwasher and when David needs you, you'll help with prep, too."

Zachary continued to nod, his eyes beginning to glass over with unshed tears of happiness. Seeing him so happy was like a balm to any stress Orion had felt over the past week. Or hell, month. My boy is so happy! While Xena often drove him nuts, and likely would do so to Zachary, too, right now she was Orion's new favorite person. Of course, after Zach.

"Alright then! Keep at it and I might just force your boyfriend to wear tight leather later for you," she said, making Orion roll his eyes and Zachary blush. When Xena left a moment later Zachary turned back to him and lunged for another tight hug that Orion was happy to take!

"I got a job! Orion, I got a job!"

Sharing in his boy's excitement, Orion spun him around, careful of any shower doors in the vicinity as to not smack his foot for a second time. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. Xena's a picky person when it comes to hiring and you definitely helped her get out of a sticky situation so I think she already likes you."

"I hope so! I'm going to be her best dishwasher ever!" He said excitedly, making Orion nod in support. Such a positive outlook even with a simple, boring job. Sure he was getting paid more than minimum, but that was how Xena was. She never let her employees go without when she could afford to pay them better. That said, he had taken pay cuts and raises in the past when times were hard or plentiful, so it was random but appreciated. No matter what though, they never got lower than minimum wage, and rarely got down to that.

When he gave Zach another squeeze he noticed David's expression a second before he turned back to the broth he was tending. His expression reflected so many emotions that stung Orion's heart, but the one that was most prominent, and should never be there when you have a dominant, was need.

I can't just keep quiet, even though I know he wants me to. It's been three weeks and while he was smiling and excited at the beginning, the last week has just been bruise after bruise and nothing but fake smiles.

He knew he had to do something, but with Zachary now, it was risky. Not to mention he would likely be seen as moving in on another dominant's sub... a very aggressive dominant. Not that Orion couldn't handle Domino, but he preferred to keep fighting out of his life as much as possible. He'd had more than enough of it while doing drugs and being stupid. He didn't want it anywhere near him again.

Sighing, he looked down at Zach and gently began walking backward, tugging him along until they stopped by the far side of the kitchen by the walk-in freezer. He then leaned over and began whispering in Zachary's ear. "There is something going on with my friend, David, that I can't overlook. He's a submissive who has an aggressive dominant, but the man is too much for him. Is it alright if I try to intervene?"

"O-of course!" Zach said in a hushed shout, making Orion's love for him grow to new heights. You have the heart of a lion and the compassion of a saint, sweetheart.

"Thank you, Zachary. I'm going to steal him for a few minutes, can you continue to work on the prepping and watch the stock he's got simmering?" When Zachary nodded Orion pressed a soft kiss to his hair and walked over to David, setting a hand on his shoulder before leaning over to whisper. The man wasn't happy, but thankfully Orion convinced him to walk out of the kitchen with him and to his room for a few minutes.

The moment he got David inside and the door shut the guy turned on him, which was completely expected and honestly, understandable. He wouldn't want someone elses' dominant or sub walking up to him for a pep talk, so he really did understand, but this was important. He easily dodged the simple punch aimed for his chest, then caught the next one with a frown. Instead of releasing it so that David could attack again, he used it to pull the man against him and into an extremely strong hug. It was far too tight for something he'd give Zachary, or really anyone else, but he knew David needed the attention, and also the pain.

While Orion refused to hurt him like a normal aggressive dominant would, he did give him what little pain he could muster for him. At first it didn't seem to do anything but frustrate the guy further, but after another minute he heaved out a stressed groan and let his head fall onto Orion's chest. Not wasting a second, Orion moved so that he could nuzzle the guy's dark hair, then began rubbing his back soothingly.

"Dammit, Orion. I'm older than you, I don't need a darn hug from a kid."

Even though he said that, David didn't bother struggling to get away. "By six months, but you're acting younger than Zachary right now."

David rolled his eyes and Orion grinned, sitting down on his bed and tugging David into his lap, whether the guy liked it or not. And he didn't, but oh well.

"You got yourself a pretty sub this time, Orion, but you know people are going to target him as soon as they figure out that that's your real name on his collar."

He knew that, but it wasn't something to worry about at that moment. David was trying to change the subject and Orion refused to take the bait. "I want you to stay here for tonight."

The "Hell no!" he knew was coming did, but he wasn't giving the guy a choice. He was a dominant, and even if he wasn't an aggressive one, he sure as hell wouldn't hold back an order if it would help his friend. "You are staying here tonight, and if Domino has anything to say about it then he can come to me."

David glared at him, but anger was only half of the emotion he could see in his eyes. The other part was fear. "Dav, take a day off from him and stay with Zach and I. I already asked Zachary if he was okay with it and he just wants you safe."

"Your kid doesn't even know me," David replied with a grunt, making Orion chuckle as he finally loosened his hold a little. "No, he doesn't. Hell, I've only met him a few days ago and already I've got him collared."

His friend nodded at that, then leaned back slightly and grinned at him. "I have a feeling this one's going to be what none of the rest of us could for you. He already seems starstruck, even though he doesn't seem to understand what he's really doing yet."

That got Orion to openly laugh. "You hit the nail on the head. I feel like he belongs by my side, submissive or not, I need to care for him."

For the first time in a week Orion saw David sneak in a small, real smile.

"Yeah, I can see it now. You're going to be whipped like nothing else... and you're going to love every leathery inch of it."