"Oh, you do belong to somebody, don't you? I bet they buy that pricey organic food. I don't have any. Will you eat bacon? I have bacon. My boyfr... I mean, the guy that's staying here. He likes bacon. It's weird to call him a boyfriend, though, because this isn't high school. Thank god."

  He pushed the pup out of the way and grabbed some bacon and some tomatoes and... Oh. Cheese. Dogs liked cheese.

  The dog (who didn't give a dog some tags with his name on it?) sat back and started whining, licking his chops like crazy.

  "Okay. Okay. Let me get a knife and I'll cut you some cheese. You can't have raw bacon though, because I'll gag. I'll cook it, but I'll share." He hacked off a hunk and held it out, frowning suddenly. "Please don't bite my fingers, okay? I have a gig in four days."

  Sniffing at his fingers, the mutt took the cheese gingerly, not even touching his hand, chewing, sitting back and looking from him to the stove.

  "Oh, you so rock." He chuckled and got the skillet out, whistling a little as he got the bacon going. Man, Connor wouldn't believe this.

  He thought he was just gonna lose it when he started cooking. As soon as the bacon hit the pan the pup whined, wagging like crazy before backing off and going to grab a couple of the unused towels and drag them over to Adrian's beanbag, plopping them down before circling and lying down, nose to tail.

  Oh, that was... Man, Connor should be here. He turned the bacon and then grabbed the warmed towels, draping them over the dog. "You just get warm. The food's cooking."

  Could dogs understand talking? Surely so. They knew sit and walk and come on and shit and this dog sure listened to him.

  A soft sigh came from the dog's chest, those eyes just watching him. He'd seen dogs do that when they were like, waiting for their owners to come out of a store or something.

  "You just wait, okay? We'll figure out where your home is and until then, you can just stay here. There's room." He chuckled and wandered back to take the first slices out of the pan. "I'll have to buy more bacon, though."

  He got a woof on that one, those ears perking right up. Man, that was one smart dog.

  He opened himself a can of soup and plopped that in the microwave before putting bread into toast. "I don't remember anyone around here walking someone as pretty as you. Maybe there's a sign at the coffee shop, huh?"

  The poor mutt waited patiently for him to finish cooking, only sitting up when he came over with his soup and toast and all. Even then he didn't try to steal any. He just sat beside the dog and shared because, well, it seemed to make sense and the poor thing liked his chair. His nest.

  Thinking about that made him grin, made him think of that scarred face and strong hands.

  They ate pretty darned companionably, the dog licking his bowl when he was done with his soup. Then the mutt proceeded to put its head down and doze right off, snoring a little.

  Oh...

  Poor tired guy.

  Adrian occupied himself with smoothing the thick fur, making sure there weren't any knots, and waiting for Connor to get back.

  Before he knew it, he'd hunkered down, dozing right off, fingers in the dog's ruff.

  ***

  Well.

  Connor looked at his scratched up hands ruefully. At least he'd gotten out from under Adrian's arm without waking him. And he'd got into clothes. Now all he had to do was sneak to the front door and come in, like he'd been out. Except that he didn't have a key. Damn it all. He couldn't let himself in and the "dog" out without one, either...

  He sighed. And sat at the kitchen table, idly picking bits of bacon out of the grease in the pan. Perhaps he might just get Adrian to forget the lack of a key by kissing him. Connor liked kissing Adrian a great deal.

  They'd been asleep a long while. He'd bet Adrian would like pizza. He would order pizza. Adrian had showed him how to use the phone the night before.

  Really, it was too damned bad that he'd panicked that day, the change coming upon him when he saw someone who looked like the owner's son, someone who was searching the crowd down by the docks, eyes black as the Devil's. Now Adrian might have to know what he was, and that...well. That would surely ruin it.

  Adrian started moving, the little nest rustling and shifting. "Connor? Pup? Hello? Man, it got dark..."

  "Hello, sweet. Did you sleep well? I ordered us pizza." Connor tried for normal.

  "I did. Did... Did you let the dog out? I mean, I let this pup in. He was cold and wet. Big."

  "He's gone now." Connor smiled, the confusion in Adrian's eyes adorable to him, the splay of that long body so inviting that he moved right over and cuddled up, pushing the damp towels that smelled like him who was not him away.

  "Gone? Did his owner come? I'd hate for him to be cold... Oh. Oh, you're warm..." Adrian cuddled in, face lifting for a kiss. "How are you?"

  "I had a tough day, sweet. But I got some work in. Got paid under the table." He could lift things, that was a certainty. He'd made a whole twenty dollars for an hour's labor. To get paid for his work... oh, it was a marvelous thing.

  "Tough? I'm sorry. Rehearsal's sucked too. Just a shitty day all around." Adrian's hands stroked through his hair, petting him, stroking him.

  "I'm sorry, Adrian. You could play for me, if it will make you feel better." He wanted that, would love to hear Adrian play.

  "You wouldn't mind?" Those eyes were so dark, so close.

  "Mind?" Connor nuzzled Adrian's chin, loving him a little. "No. I wouldn't mind at all. I would love it."

  "Yeah? I'd love to. Really." Adrian stood up, wandering toward the closet where the violin was carefully kept. So pretty, the long line of back, the thin ass swaying back and forth.

  Sitting back, Connor watched him, just...he could not even begin to describe what Adrian inspired in him.

  Adrian moved easily, the violin shining in the long, sure fingers. A few notes sounded as Adrian wandered over to a stool, tuning up, getting ready. Then the music started, just filling the air.

  Oh. Connor close his eyes a moment, letting it flow through him. Then he opened them, wanting to see Adrian, to watch. Such music had to come from the saints. It wasn't a saint, though. It was Adrian, playing, moving with the music, eyes fastened on him. Connor went, drawn by the music, to sit at Adrian's feet, one hand reaching out to stroke Adrian's leg. He swayed a little, in time with the music, humming along.

  The mood moved from beautiful to happy, then to playful for while, making him smile. Then the play became teasing, sensual, wanton. His breathing quickened, his heart starting a slow, steady thumping. Connor smiled, bent to kiss Adrian's knee, feeling the bruise on the inside of his lip from running headlong into a wall earlier. He loved how the music changed, got a little faster, a little deeper, just from the kiss. He could smell Adrian from down here, musk and heat and salt and a hint of rain.

  More than a hint of him, a primal, deep odor. The smell of home. The loose leg of Adrian's pants rose as he pushed at it, giving him skin to touch, to slip down and smell, lick. The sound hiccupped just barely, Adrian's moan drifting up above the music. Connor nibbled. He let his teeth scrape over Adrian's ankle, then his calf. Such lovely hot skin. Such fire.

  "Connor." The music trailed off, Adrian panting, moaning low.

  "Yes." What could he say but Adrian's name? He knelt up, reaching to pull Adrian down for a kiss. Just as the knock came on the door.

  The pizza.

  Adrian moaned, eyes rolling. "Food. Let me get the door. Hold her for me?"

  The violin was placed in his hands, the wood smooth, warm.

  It seemed smaller in his grasp. More delicate. Connor held it carefully, reverently. Such talent it took to draw beauty out of something that was really so simple. He wished, for a moment, that he had a talent for something other than violence.

  Adrian paid for the pizza, the smell of pepperoni and cheese and marinara filling the flat. Then Adrian came over, smiled. "You look good, holding her."

  "She? Why is the fiddle a she?" He smiled, handing the violin back as soon as Adrian sat the boxes down.

  Adrian settled right behind him, warm and snuggling, chest to his back. "Because she is. Give me your hands a sec?"

  The violin was placed under his chin, the bow in his hand, Adrian's fingers wrapping around his. "You looked like you wanted to try. We can do it together."

  Connor blinked, looking at his huge, scratched and scarred hands, then at Adrian's hands, showing him the way. The tiny sound they made as the bow drew across the first time made him laugh aloud.

  Adrian's laugh mixed with his, warm and happy. "Relax. Long, smooth motions."

  The next sound was better. Wavery and odd, but better.

  "So pretty." Soon they were making a song. Slow, off beat, but a song.

  "Listen to us. Listen to you." Adrian sounded ecstatic, overjoyed.

  "I know. I know, sweet. It's..." It was wonderful. Like nothing else ever. Connor let Adrian guide him, let him show him, until it almost sounded like it was supposed to.

  His fingers were almost sore when Adrian put the bow down. "Oh, we'll have to do that again."

  He looked at his fingers, noticing the red spots. "Your calluses are different than mine."

  "Well, you work hard. I play." The violin was carefully wiped down, put away.

  "Oh, bull." He hugged Adrian hard, kissing his nape. "Pizza?" They would eat. Before it got cold. Though he'd learned he liked it cold too.

  "Pizza." Adrian snuggled right into him, humming happily. "We should eat."

  "We should. You'll need your energy." He felt like he had fallen into someone else's life. The scare that afternoon had jolted him into seeing how he didn't deserve this. He'd run and run, just like a lost pup, finally deciding to turn around and come back. He couldn't give Adrian up, could he?

  "Yeah? Good." Adrian was all smiles, hands sliding over him randomly. "The storm's getting worse; I'm glad you made it home."

  "I am too." Belly. Yes, he could pet Adrian's belly, and he did, slipping his hand up under Adrian's clothes.

  "I could feed you a piece. I think I can reach..." Adrian stretched, giving him more skin.

  Connor let one thumb rub over Adrian's nipple, feeling it harden under his touch. "We can share. It will be like a movie."

  "Mmhmmm..." Adrian's nipple drew up for him, wrinkled and tight like a little pebble. One piece of pizza was offered to him for a bite, the pepperoni smelling so spicy.

  Connor licked his lips before taking a bite, the cheese and tomato (oh, heavenly tomato) taste bursting in his mouth, making him moan.

  "Love watching you eat. I'm surprised it's not bacon pizza." Oh. Bacon pizza?

  "They can do that?" He let that thought percolate for a minute. He might die of bliss.

  "Oh, yeah. Bacon, beef, anything you want."

  "Bacon..." He'd had bacon, though. "I love this place. So much better than..." he bit off, almost letting "the cage" slip out.

  "Than?" Adrian got another piece, taking a bite.

  "Where I used to live."

  When he'd been the other, that afternoon, he'd thought about how good Adrian was, how safe, about how maybe he could tell him.

  "It looks like it was a hard place. I'm glad you found your way here."

  "So am I." He took another bite, savoring it. "There's pizza. And you."

  "Violins and bacon."

  "Pillows. Blankets." He chuckled a little, trying not to smoosh Adrian as he leaned against him.

  "Uh-huh. Long hot showers with berry-scented shampoo." Adrian squeezed him, just a little.

  "Mmmm. I like showers too. Not the kind we had today in the rain." That had been cold, so cold.

  "Did you get caught in it too? It sure came down all of the sudden."

  "I did. Got wet. But I found a warm place to dry out." He went back to petting Adrian's thighs, his arms, just touching everywhere he could.

  "Good." Soft kisses brushed the hollow of his ear. "I wouldn't want you cold."

  "No. You're a kind man, sweet. Even to lost dogs." His Adrian. His.

  "Lost dogs deserve a home, just like everybody else." The kisses got a little longer, a little hotter.

  Humming, he turned a little, his shoulder digging into Adrian's chest a little before he managed to get an arm free to prop up and slip to one side, facing Adrian, taking a kiss.

  Mmm. Pizza-flavored Adrian.

  Adrian's hand slid around his waist, slipped under his sweater.

  The pizza box started to slide and Connor grabbed it, closing it with one hand and pushing it aside. They would eat later. He pressed Adrian back into their nest, kissing and licking, their noses and cheeks rubbing.

  Adrian wrapped around him, loving on him, happy little moans just filling the air.

  There. Yes. That was what he wanted. He needed it, after his day. Pushing in with his tongue, tasting, feeling.

  "Oh. Man. I want you, yeah? In me? We'll stay warm."

  "Uh huh. Yes. Please." Pushing up, Connor took off his sweater, pushing his soft pants down too. He wanted to feel skin.

  Adrian shimmied out of his clothes, eager for him, cock full and hard. Hard enough that it slapped against Adrian's belly after getting caught on the elastic of Adrian's pants, making them both laugh. "See? Want."

  "Yes." Connor stopped a minute, head tilting. He'd never been with a man except on hands and knees, back to front. He wondered...that seemed wrong for Adrian. "How...how do you... What do you like?"

  "You. I like you, Connor." Adrian leaned back, arms open for him. "C'mere."

  He went, nibbling at Adrian's neck, kissing at his Adam's apple, moving down to lick collarbones. Adrian tasted so good, so fine.

  He fit so well, held by Adrian's arms, the long legs, hips rocking and tilting up, trying to tempt him.

  There was temptation a man could pass up, and then there was Adrian. But they needed..."Do you have... I mean... I..."

  "Yeah. In that goofy chest. Lube. Rubbers. Possibly a thing or two that would embarrass me." Adrian chuckled, winked. "I'll get them."

  Right. Moving to one side, Connor let Adrian go, watching him. Hungry. Needing.

  Adrian rummaged, pretty ass in the air, whistling as a tube was tossed over. He unscrewed the top, the slick cool on his fingers. Connor smiled. That would be much better than spit. He rubbed the wet stuff between his fingers to warm it, licking his lips as Adrian wandered back, prick red and hard.

  "Does that work?" Adrian wriggled a little, eyes on his mouth, on his tongue. "Oh, man. Want you."

  "Works fine, sweet. Now get over here." Connor reached up with his free hand as Adrian got close, sliding it up one long thigh and around to pull Adrian down on him.

  He loved how Adrian melted against him, all smooth and warm and sleek. "God, you're warm."

  "Mmmhmm. You make me warm. Really." He kissed Adrian, petted him, finally reaching back with his wet fingers and really touching, the tips brushing Adrian's hole.

  Adrian responded like the man was born for him, arching back, stretching toward his touch. The happy little moan reminded him of the music he'd heard earlier.

  Sweet, deep and heartfelt. Adrian was a song in himself. Connor hummed along with the tune, one finger working into Adrian's body, tight and hot and so wonderful he moaned.

  Adrian's face was nuzzled into his throat, lips parted, tongue hot and wet, sliding on his skin.

  "Oh, sweet. How you feel. Like satin." He'd seen a satin dress once; it was his mothers. She would sit by the fire and the fabric would warm and feel just like this.

  "More, Connor. Please." He moaned at the soft plea, the need in Adrian's voice.

  "Yes. More." He gave Adrian another finger, cautiously, afraid his big, rough fingers might be too much.

  Adrian moaned, purring low, body starting to move faster. "More. Just like that. Just like that."

  "Here?" He was not so good at this that he wasn't worried he'd foul up, but Adrian made him brave. Connor thrust his fingers in and out, his thumb pressing outside as well.

  "Oh. Oh, yes. There." Adrian's teeth scraped on his shoulder, just grazing. "Yes, love."

  He jumped, growled a little, the bite primal, good. It made him move his fingers faster, in and out, spreading the slick stuff, opening Adrian up for him.

  "That's so hot." Adrian rocked faster. "So... right."

  "Mmm yes. Love it." Finally his cock reminded him that he needed attention, too, and Connor licked at Adrian's cheek. "Are you ready?"