Zak nestled into Nick's chest. The lockdown had been long. The need for the testosterone high of his on-screen personality had wiped his energy. He breathed deep, inhaling the smell of Nick fresh from the shower. It was this time after the lockdown that he truly loved. Zak would melt into Nick within seconds of the cameras being shut off, allowing someone else to take control.

A strong hand stroked his back as the tv provided a muted background babble. Zak sighed happily, listening to the calm heartbeat beneath his ear. "Happy birthday," he mumbled.
Nick kissed the back of his head. "Thanks, now go to sleep. Tonight is going to be a long night."

Zak's brow furrowed. He wasn't quite sure what that meant, but at the moment, sleep sounded amazing as Nick's deep breathing lulled him into slumber.

Twelve hours later, Zak stepped out of the shower. They had gone out to dinner with the crew and Aaron for Nick's birthday, but Nick had wanted to go back to the hotel room afterwards. Disappointment had rippled through the group as they thought for sure it was going to be a long, drunk night, but Aaron headed them off, clearly aware of the way Nick wanted to spend his birthday night.

Zak walked out into the hotel room, a towel around his waist as he dried his hair. A wrapped medium size box lay on the bed. "Someone send you a birthday present?" he asked Nick who was stretched out on the bed scanning the tv channels.

Nick grinned at him. "No, that's for you."

Zak tossed the towel he was using to dry his hair back into the bathroom. "For me? My birthday was two weeks ago."

Nick clicked off the tv. "Just open it."

Curious now, Zak picked up the box as Nick scooted up to sit on the side of the bed, taking the towel from Zak's waist leaving him naked.

Ripping open the packaging, he revealed a simple blue box. "It looks like a jewelry box, Nick."

"Just open it."

Zak looked at him quizzically, flipping open the hinged lid. "It's a dog collar and a leash."

"No its not." He picked up the collar and leash, dropping the box down on the bed. It did seem awful nice to be a dog collar… "It's a Zak collar."

Zak quirked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Nick stood up, taking the collar and attached leash from his hands. Carefully he put it around Zak's neck and fastened it. "It's a Zak collar." Taking the leash in his hand, he pulled, bringing the collared man closer to him with the leash, capturing his lips. "Now we can finally rein you in on the lockdowns when you're going to do something stupid."

Zak snorted. "Very funny." He reached up to take the collar off, but was stopped by Nick yanking on the leash. "Ow, dude, what the fuck?"

Nick grinned. "I didn't say you could take that off."

Zak started to argue but quickly stopped himself, realizing where this game was going.
"Its my birthday. And you told me that I'll get whatever I want for my birthday."

Zak nodded. "But you never told me."

Nick lay back on the bed, guiding Zak to follow him on his hands and knees. "Can you guess what I want now?"