Picking Up Pieces; Open

[Xavier Smith]

I smile as he says that he would like to enjoy eating at my house and stand. I hold out my hand to him, hoping he would take it though I still wasn't sure. "I'll cook whatever you want to eat," I say, chuckling lightly and hoping that I would be able to hear him laugh though I wouldn't push it if he didn't want to. He seemed to be very cautious of those he let into his life and I could respect that since I helped out just about everyone and there were all different varieties of people in this world and this state.

[Zacharias Spartan]

Zacharias blinked at his hand, as if unsure what to do with it, reproach filling his gaze at the idea of anyone touching him, the chance that he could be hurt again. He got up without help, dusting himself off and picking up the flowers and his notebook with a true smile. Nobody had ever really been so kind.
Lips parted a bit, as if wanting to laugh, but not quite sure if it was okay to yet. "Any food sounds good," He mumbled, ravished but not wanting to sound like a pig. He didn't want to scare a potential friend away. Sure Clton and Trayce were there, but Zach didn't really have any actual friends. He wasn't sure that he ever had.

[Xavier Smith]

I watch him as he doesn't take my hand but don't fret over it. I smile lightly as he smiles and watch him before leading him out of the concealed place. I think for a minute about what to cook and keep walking, looking back every now and then to see if Zach was still keeping up. I finally decide on what to cook, though it was a quick meal that I had stored in the freezer. I also had some more food in case he wanted more and I would gladly feed him if he wanted. I smile and stop to look at him, waiting for him so I could lead him to my car.

[Zacharias Spartan]

Zach followed Xavier back out of the trees quietly and into the open park again. He was so busy staring at the ground, that he didn't see Xavier stop as he mumbled to himself. He slammed right into him and yelped, backing away in panic and dusting himself off as if a hoarde of spiders had crawled on him. Tears began to fall down his cheeks and he crossed arms over his chest, keeping his distance but waiting again. "S-....sorry.." He rasped.
"All you're fault....you idiot..." He told himself as Xavier lef him to the car. He fontinued to follow, more careful about making sure he didn't get close enough to bump the male again.

[Xavier Smith]

My smile quickly turns as I feel him bump into me before looking back and seeing the tears. I wipe Zach's cheeks and shake my head. "No reason to be sorry," I whisper to him before kissing his cheek. I knew it was more touching than he could handle but at the moment, it was hard for not to. I couldn't stand seeing people crying and that tended to be one of the ways I handled things. I decide not to grab his hand to lead him though I do so and bring him to the car, opening the door for him with a smile.

[Zacharias Spartan]

Zacharias flinched at the brush against his heeks, whimpering and sumbling back with the kiss. And then his hand was grabbed and Zach pretty much screamed, yanking his hand away the moment he could before almost falling on his ass with the force. Sniffling, he quickly climbed into the car and fumbled with the unfamiliar belt before managing to buckle in. He curled up and buried his face against his knees to hide that he was crying so hard. He was afraid Xavier might try and wipe them away again.

[Xavier Smith]

I stopped and frowned though I closed his door before climbing in on my side. Eventually, I start the car and look over out of the corner of my eyes. "I'm sorry," I whisper slightly though I'm sure that he would ignore it. My fingers curl around the wheel as we drive to my house, me thinking of some way I could make it up to him. Within a few minutes, we are outside my driveway and I sit there, getting out in a few minutes to open Zach's door for him.

[Zacharias Spartan]

Zachshook his head, not wanting to be angry or upset. He looked up when they pulled to a stop and Xavier opened his door. The tears had dried up and he had calmed down. Making sure he had his notebook and the flowers, Zacharias climbed from the car, though he immediately ducked away from Xavier, waiting patiently for him to lead the way.

[Xavier Smith]

I shut the door, walking forward and leaning him to the entrance of my house. My hand wraps around the knob and I open the door, tossing my shoes into the closet and grabbing a water from the table, looking back at Zach. "Anything you want to drink?" I ask quietly though I don't look directly at him. I had no way to actually make up for what I did. I just reacted like I normally did with people I..liked?

[Zacharias Spartan]

Zacharias trailed after him and into the house, looking down at his own ratty socks as Xavier kicked his shoes off. He didn't want to take the socks off, show he was missing a pinky toe. He didn't want to show any of his scars. Lifting his head, he loiked around in awe, beginning to wander around the living room, touching furniture he hadn't sat on since he was nine. "Whatever you have.." He whispered in a hushed voice, setting his notebook ad the dlowers on the coffee table and dropping onto the sofa with a faint laugh, cyrling up and snuggling against the comfortable material.

[Xavier Smith]

I look over to see that he was wandering around in awe before chuckling lightly and pulling out some steaks, defrosting them before I walked over and sitting beside Zach. "I'm guessing you like the place?" I ask, looking around before grabbing my remote and handing it to him. "You can watch whatever you want. Pay-per-view included," I say, smiling as I got up to take out seasonings for the steaks. I kind of guessed that he would enjoy being here but I wasn't sure how long it would be until he got sick of it and wanted to go back to wherever. I sigh lightly before mixing the spices in a small cup.

[Zacharias Spartan]

"Haven't been in a house 'n forever.." He admitted, frowning as he was handed the remote. He took it carefully, knew what it was, had watched his share of tv. It took a moment to remember how to use it. He didn't know what was on though, wasn't in touch wiu what shows played. So he flipped throughthe channels until he found something interesting, and curled up on the couch more. He was self conscious though. Homeless, dirty, and lying on som persons sofa. It felt almost rude. But it was so nice to curl up on something soft instead of in an alley.

[Xavier Smith]

I look over as he says that he hadn't been in a house in forever and frown slightly before getting up to check on the steaks. I'm soon walking back and sitting beside Zach, looking at the TV and smiling. "If you want, you can stay here with me. I've got a guest room just down the hall," I suggest, looking at him before looking away. It was in my nature to see if I could help people out though I usually didn't offer my guest room to people. I just though that he would enjoy it. Maybe he would learn to trust me a bit too. "You won't even have to worry about coming out of your room often; it has its own bathroom," I say, looking down.

[Zacharias Spartan]

Zacharias hesitated, staring at him in surprise. He wasn't sure..and he didn't always like being coupes up so he hoped it would be okay if he came and went... "I might not always stay.." He huffed. "Come 'n go. Still gotta help my friends.." If he could call Trayce and Colton his friends. He felt he owed them though. Zach his a smile, looking down awkwardly. "..Thank you..." He whispered.

[Xavier Smith]

I shrug and nod before looking at him. "I'm fine with that," I say, looking at him. As he smiled, I smiled looking at him before looking away. "Anytime. I just thought it would be nice to have somewhere to call home," I say before getting up and bringing the fully cooked steaks out to him, putting it on the table and cutting into mine before offering him the knife. "Hope you enjoy. Just tell me what you want to drink and I'll get it," I say, looking at him before taking a bite of my steak.