Zach tensed up when the priest touched him slowly let himself relax in stead of pulling away. He glanced at his own hands as the priest talked, letting a bit of doubt show on his face. Privately he didn't agree with the human at all. Sure, it took strength to trust, but that strength was used to fight tooth and nail to keep everyone from taking advantage of your trust. Humans liked to act as if they were so trustworthy and kind, but Zach had seen humans be more ruthless that many a demon. More inventive too.

"Um, I guess..." he saidbefore trailing off. He reached for the food when the priest did, letting the silence drag out into an uncomfortable one. He threw a couple of glances the priest's way as he slowly started to eat as well. At first he made an effort to cut the meat in bite-sized pieces, but he soon followed the priest's example and started to eat a bit more messily.

"It's really good, " he said, before chasing a stay bit of gravy with his tongue. "Another preconception about priest's shattered: I thought you were supposed to live a sober life and stuff? "

Sighing internally Kiel chides himself. 'I've made him uncomfortable, I'm being too foolish. The last thing he needs is someone treating him so delicately. I suck' He smiles at the boy's question and takes a moment to think about it. 'I suppose I am a bit unconventional. I'm young, a bit of a slob, and I don't quite have that disapproving glare down yet' He chuckles lightly, using his finger to clean the gravy from his chin. His tongue snakes out to clean the finger before he replies. “I'm glad you like it. I'll pass it on to the chef, it'll make her day.” Tilting his head to the side he gives the boy a lopsided smile.

“I don't believe in one person being the same as another. No matter what a priest “Should be like” the fact remains that I am the way I am, and the way I am is perfectly suited for the job I need to get done.” Straitening up he chuckles lightly and after another bite he adds, “ If all of us were exactly the same I do think the entire thing would fall apart. There wouldn't be any new ideas that we all wouldn't agree on, and growth would cease. I think being different gives us the chance to explore more avenues in life.” Sipping his tea Kiel looks at Zach questioningly. “What do you think?”

Zach let his eyes follow the flick of the priest's tongue, but didn't linger. it wouldn't do to come on too hard, but it was never too early to lay in some ground work. As the human talked, he privately wondered what his fellow members of the clergy thought of his attitude. He might not have come in contact with a whole lot of them, but he hadn't gotten the impression that the church was very impressed with any kind of flexibility. Not if the jobs that needed doing were things like 'kill the demon' or that kind of stuff. Still, he made a show of thinking his words over carefully before answering.

"I guess that makes sense," he started with doubt in his voice. "I mean, sure, everybody is good at stuff, but at the same time not everyone belongs everywhere, you know? it's just... Some people have these 'rules' they make up abput what people should and shouldn't be, and I know I wouldn't want to stay somewhere where there are people that think the kindof person I am is wrong, you know?" He looked at the priest for a few moments before averting his eyes, cheecks colouring slightly as he seemed to realise that he'd said more than he meant to.

"Um, hypothetically of course. On the streets it doesn't matter anyway, it's just about you and what you can do."

Kiel watches the boy carefully while he contemplates his answer doing his best to not weird him out by staring. 'Many of the kids have told me that on the streets a lingering gaze normally means trouble.' Over the years Kiel has become a master of watching people while focusing somewhere else. It's always seemed to calm the street kids down a bit when they aren't the direct focus of attention, leading to a lot of the saying he's very easy to talk to. 'Even if he is a little different from most' he muses, looking jut off to the side of the boy, 'Doesn't mean he doesn't have all the same troubles and fears that the rest of them have' Setting his tea down he smiles when Zach finally responds.

'I'm glad he agrees, but something about his response makes me worry that he may be afraid of my fellow priests' His brows furrow slightly as he talks and he can feel his sympathy growing. 'I think I'm right. I think he doesn't want to be preached at. I know a lot of my fellows seem to be nothing more than walking soapboxes, casting judgment and damnation like stale popcorn to pigeons. Perhaps he's already met a few of them' He takes another sip of his tea, making not of but visibly ignoring his blush as he tries to figure out what to say next. Setting down the drink he picks up his fork in one hand, but just as he raises it to grab another bite he seems to hesitate, looking over to the young man once more.

“You will find no judgments in this house.” His voice is soft, but his tone is resolute. “I may live on church grounds, but this is my home. None of my fellow priests would dare speak out against my rules in my own home.” He shifts his gaze to look directly at Zach. “If you'd rather not hear from those of the church all you need to do is come inside. This is your sanctuary. The Head Priest has given me leave to do as I please, and it is my fondest wish to help kids like yourself.” He smiles wide, a slight smirk on the edge of his mouth. “And if that means fighting off each and every one of my fellows to defend a single one of my kids, I'll do it.” He turns to his food, his smile softer but still in place. “You are who you are, and all I want to do is help you become what you want to be, and keep you safe all the while.” He chuckles lightly. “I know you kids are tough, the coddling is an insult, but I can't help how I feel. . .” With that he goes back to eating, the small smile still playing at the corners of his lips.

Zach could feel the priest's attention on him, even as his eyes seemed to miss him. He had to hide a smile, keeping an earnest face as he listened to the man speak. He was good. He had all the hallmarks of an experienced manipulator, only he seemed to be using his skills to help people rather than serving his own interests. Or perhaps he got a kick out of feeling like he did the right thing? He didn't seem quite as smug as Zach knew some of the clergy to be, but then he hadn't interacted with him all that long. It didn't matter. He had time enough to figure him out, whether it be in the proper world or in dreams.

When the priest started his impassioned speech, he met his gaze for a few moments before darting away with a self-conscious expression. He poked at his food thoughtfully, even after the man had stopped talking.

"It's okay, I'm not insulted or anything," he eventually said at his plate. "I... I appreciate the gesture, really, and I could use some time to heal up... Just..." he poked at his food a bit more before hesitantly looking up at the priest again. "You can't keep everyone safe, you know? And I know I owe you and all, but I don't want you to get into trouble on my account. There are plenty of better people out there, best to spend your energy where you can make a difference, right?" He let a self-deprecating tone slip into his voice again as he went back to picking at his food.

Out of the corner of his eyes Kiel watches Zach poke at his food. He eats at a steady pace, the silence not feeling too uncomfortable. For him at least. Dragging a finger across the plate he scoops some errant sauce from the edge, slipping his finger in his mouth just as the boy replies. He sucks on his finger gently as he listens, a stifled sigh coming out of his nose at one point but as his finger slides out of his mouth with a little pop he smiles. Munching down the last bite of his food he stands up and places the cover back over the platter. His smile warms as he looks to the young man and he reaches out to gently ruffle his hair. “I'm glad you don't mind,” he says softly, “and you are right. I'm not perfect, and I won't always succeed.”

Leaning down a bit he rubs a thumb over Zach's forehead and chuckles. “Only god can truly claim perfection, but that will never stop me from striving with all my might for each and every one of you young ones.” Stepping back as to not crowd the boy he moves over to the sink, his hand coming up to his collar. Snapping the fabric open he removed the mark of his office and sets it on a shelf above the sink. “As for you worrying about me wasting my time, I think it's up to me to decide who is worth my time young man, and nothing to can say will move me from that ideal!” His tone is an overly dramatic stern tone, obviously full of mirth, but just in case he give Zach one more wide smile before turning the water to cool and leaning down to splash some on his face.

With a little huff water sprays from his soaked lips as he exhales after the thorough soaking by the water. Reacting over he grabs a towel hanging close at hand, bringing it to his face to pat it dry a bit before standing up strait to look over at his guest. “Oh, and don't worry. I'm not going to get into trouble. Like I said, I have special permissions. I think the Head Priest favors me a bit, which is unfair to the rest, but for my line of work with youth he thinks it's worth giving me a longer leash.” Wincing slightly at his own use of words he sticks out his tongue in fun. A few drip of water splash down on to his cheeks and he realizes he'd gotten his hair wet. Rolling his eyes at his own antics he turns off the water, then reaches up to dry his hair. With his free hand he points to the table where he left the bag. “Chocolate, as ordered, feel free to dig in when you're ready little one.”

*Pokes* Site says I didn't post. . .

Zach slowly lost track of what the priest was saying as he followed sucking his fingers with taking of his collar before washing up right at the kitchen sink. If this were anyone else he would expect he was doing it on purpose, but from what he had gleaned from some of the other street kids, this particular priest had never tried to take advantage of his position. He knew for a fact that some of the girls and some boys as well wouldn't have minded if he'd shown some hint of interest. As his eyes followed several droplets of water clinging to his lashes or running down the line of his throat, Zach had no problems understanding why.

Of course for him it was a matter of nature, and he was again reminded that the last few weeks had been slim pickings for him. If not in quantity, then at least very much so in quality. Still, there was no need or indeed opportunity to rush this one, so he kept his staring to a minimum.

"I'm not little, " he said, snapping out of it when he heard the last couple of words. "Why do you keep saying that? " There was only a slightly sullen hint to his words. He pled his own plate under the priest's, making everything into a neat bundle. "I don't think anyone on the street had much of an opportunity to stay 'little', and trying to ignore that doesn't help anyone. "

On the outside Kiel does not show any reaction to Zach's sudden outburst, use to stuff like this from several of his kids over the years. Even if he treats them like they are, none of them are little angels and anger is something he's come to understand a lot in these abused children. 'Flinching away only causes more problems' he surmised long ago, however on the inside he always feels the blows in full force. This time is no exception and while his expression doesn't change he can feel the pain of it lashing across his heart. 'So sorry little one. I know you said you weren't offended, but I guess this is a little too far, isn't it?' His hands continue to rub the towel into his head, the cloth hiding most of his face from his guest.

His emotions struggle with each other for a time, the ache keeping him from responding, but when at last he brings the towel down he feels in enough control to respond. Setting the towel aside he keeps his gaze fixed on the small mirror over the sink as he speaks. “A long time ago I was brought to this parish, an orphan.” His voice is quiet but the young man should have no trouble hearing him. “I don't really recall anything of that time, or how I came to lose everything, nor do I really care too.” His gaze lowers a bit, watching the water drip slowly from the faucet a few times before stopping completely, his hands on either side of the basin. “But, there is one thing I remember, it's just a voice, and a couple of words. It's a man's voice, deep and strong, and he said, “You fought well little one.” That's all, but every time I think of it I feel stronger, like I just made it out of the flames of hell itself.”

Rocking back and forth on his hands a bit he finally lets go with one so he swings around to face Zach. The smile on his lips reaches all the way to his eyes, the apologetic tone evident. However on the inside his feelings are still not quite sorted out, on the outside it would be nearly impossible to tell. “I'm sorry, Zach, but I see all of my children as little ones. As ones who have survived hell and can one day escape it altogether like I did.” He lowers his gaze a little sadly, watching the toe of one of his feet waging back and forth slowly in time with his swaying. “I know that it sounds insulting, and I'll stop saying it aloud, but I just want you to know why I called you that. I just wanted to answer your question properly.” Looking back at the boy he continues to smile. “I see you're done with dinner, now on to dessert, right Zach?”

Zach could see the priest was trying to hide his emotions, but of course he could still feel the sharp sting of them hanging in the air. He just focussed on keeping his expression neutral as he waited, until the priest started speaking in a quiet sort of voice. Zach knew that what was being told had to hold some significance, but he couldn't place it. Instead he was taken by the change of the priest's usual upbeat manner to this almost hesitant demeanour. When he finally summoned up a smile, Zach wasn't ready to let the moment go.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up memories, " he said earnestly. He was very serious about breaking through whatever defences the priest might have up, after all. "I guess things can be very different for different people. I guess it's hard for me to feel your meaning behind the words when other people have used it... differently. I'm just tired of being treated like I don't know anything, like I'm just a stupid kid, even by the people who-" he caught himself, an awkward stumble before he continued. "It doesn't really matter. I just wanted to say I'm sorry, I guess. " He summoned up a slightly shaky smile.

"But dessert sounds great. Chocolate, right? ''

Kiel's smile widens and he nods. Pushing off the sink he begins walking over to the table. “Yeah, I found some cheap but very tasty mini cakes the kids showed me once. It's what they normally use to celebrate birthdays when they can.” He stops next to the table, his head reaching out. At first it looks like his hand is going to got for the boy's hair, as it had before, but he corrects himself mid motion and instead pats him gently on the shoulder. “And don't worry about it Zach, I'm not upset. I understand, well as well as one can in my position, how you feel. It's my own fault for not asking if it was okay.”

Sitting down he reaches across the table and pulls the bag forward. Reaching inside he pulls out two pot pie sized plastic containers with clear lids. Inside is indeed very small versions of chocolate cake and smiling wide Kiel hands one to his guest with a little plastic fork that came with it. “Hope this is something you like!” he chirps, his chipper mood back in place as he pops the top of his own little cake. He makes a yum noise, the smell catching him off guard. “I don't have chocolate often. Not in the church's budget and all, and I myself don't really crave it that much. I forgot how good it smells.” He's being completely honest sand as he takes the first few bites he simply enjoys them in silence.

Zach accepted the plastic container as if it were a little treasure. After taking off the lid, he closed his eyes to just revel in the smell for a bit. It seemed a bit sweet for his taste, but he wouldn't have to act as if he liked it. If his kind believed in the concept of 'guilty pleasures' chocolate would be his. It was one of the things he looked up whenever he was walking amongst mortals, and it had frankly sucked that he hadn't been able to do so for the entirety of this 'operation'.

He carefully carved out a chunk before lifting the fork to his mouth with something as close to reverence as he might manage. As the taste his his tongue, his eyes fell closed and he let out a low, but heartfelt moan. When the bite was finished, he immediately went back for seconds- and thirds, savouring each bite. He only played it up a little, making sure he wouldn't look like a pig, and licking the spoon and his lips to chase after crumbs. He seemed completely oblivious as he slowly worked his way through the little cake, abandoning the fork when he got to the bottom so he could scoop the last of the sticky crumbs from the bottom with his fingers. When he'd gotten the very last crumb, he lingered with his finger in his mouth, slowly drawing it out as he cleaned the last of the taste off with his eyes closed.

When he only had the tip of his finger in he seemingly absent-mindedly opened his eyes, hoping to catch the priest's gaze. As he did, he promptly let his cheeks flush a bright red while he quickly pulled his finger out the last bit.

"Er..." he mumbled, making sure his lips would be just a bit flushed as well. "That was really good. I, er... really like chocolate," he sheepishly chuckled, blush still present on his face.

"Did you like it as well?" He dragged his eyes away from the priest's face to peek into his container, briefly checking if he'd left any crumbs.

Kiel chuckles lightly as he watches Zach reveling in the smell of the little cake. Fork still sitting in his mouth he pauses for a but just to watch. 'Not wanting to be treated as a kid, and yet he eats that thing with all the passion of a five year old having been told to “Dive in” to their favorite food. It's so cute!' He hums lightly, returning to munching on his own little portion, the while while watching his guest. 'It's almost like he's making love to the cake. . .' He flushes slightly at the filthiness of his own mind, coming up with such an analogy out of the blue. He pauses, the tip of the fork once more griped by his teeth as he does a quick prayer.

The flush however does not fade by the time Zach is finished eating. As their eyes meet his blush seems to darken at the sight of Zach's and with a slight cough he pulls his fork out and hands over his cake. “I noticed, no worries, here, there's a couple bites left.” His voice sounds a little distant and as he leaves the cake with his guest he wanders towards his room, scooping up he collar as he passes it. 'I need to pray' is all he can think as he falls to his knees beside his bed.

'Dear lord, please help to guide your young follower as his heart begins to stray from you path. May you blessed light keep him from filling his head with the sins of the world, letting them influence his daily life in all that he does. Forgive him for what trespasses he may have against you as his young heart seek to heal a broken soul. Father, in your grace, my he dwell always' After his prayer Kiel feels himself relaxing, his thoughts from earlier no longer bothering him all that much. Carefully closing his door he changes quickly into his night gown before returning to the front room with a smile. Looking to his guest with a smile he points at the trash bin. “If you're done you can just throw away the containers. I'm going to return all the dishes now.”

Looking towards the windows at the falling darkness he murmurs, “If you want to see the garden again before bed I suggest you do it now, we'll lose the light soon.” With that he throws on a overcoat, scoops up all the church's dishes, and makes his way outside. It doesn't take him long to make his delivery, a few utensils thrown his way for showing up in his nightgown, but other than that the operation goes smoothly. Stepping back outside he pauses. The fresh evening air is too tempting and for a time he just stands there, breathing it in.

Zach gratefully accepted the cake, hiding his smirk until the priest had retreated to his room. It was good to know he was at least not barking up the wrong tree with this one. It meant that all he would need was time, he thought rather smugly as he finished the second cake rather more sedately. He might even try if he could get away with a bit more in the dream realm this night. Nothing big, but just enough to keep the priest's mind occupied.

When the priest returned, he was in his nightgown. It was strange to see him like that, Zach mused as he threw the containers in the trash as instructed. It made him seem younger in a way, probably because he was missing the layer of authority-by-association that the church uniform provided. Not that it matters much to Zach, it wasn't like his actual age was even comparable to that of a human, after all.

He didn't go out in the garden again, but instead pulled off his shirt before picking up some sleeping clothes and seating himself at the table again. The pattern of bruising had spread out from underneath his bandages, but he didn't look to sickly. When the priest came in, he gave him an embarrassed look.

"Er. .. Do you think you could help? "he asked, hesitation clear in his voice. "It doesn't hurt as bad as yesterday, but everything feels really stiff and I didn't want to reopen my wounds. " He trailed off, avoiding the priest's gaze. "I should probably do it myself. .."

Having his fill of fresh air Kiel lets out a long breath and wanders back to the house. Not bothering to check the garden for the boy since even if he is out there it'll be up to the boy when he wants to come inside he instead heads right in the front door. The sight that greets him brings sympathy welling up from deep inside and he closes the door softly behind him. Shaking his head he moves in close to the young man and takes the shirt from his hands gently. “No, you're right. You should be careful for the next few days if we want those to heal properly. I have no problem helping you out.” Starting by carefully lifting one of the boy's arm's he begins working the shirt on, taking care not to move the limb around too much.

As he works he doesn't even notice all the times his hand skim across Zach's bare flesh, not really one to pay attention to those types of things. As he begins working to get the large t-shirt over his other arm after getting his head through the right hole he also doesn't notice how close he's standing as he works. He breath, coming out in light huffs as he half mumbles to himself about how to get the job done, lands directly on the young man's neck as he leans in to his work. Finally he gets the shirt on without bringing Zach any more pain that he could avoid and he moves around to stand once more in front of the boy. Looking down at the pants he smiles lightly. “Need help with the bottoms too?” His tone is light, not betraying in the slightest any form of emotion other than a willingness to help.

Zach is aware of every singly brush of skin, revelling in how gentle the priest is being. It was rather refreshing to be handled like a precious thing after the couple of weeks he's had. Of course he usually doesn't mind it rough, but the physical only goes so far to nourish him. While this is not even close to the kind of desire he needs from Kiel, it is nevertheless a taste of what things might be like once he manages to snare the human.

He still pays attention to his work, of course, letting a faint blush deepen every time the priest's breath ghost over the sensitive skin of his neck. He doesn't need to fake the shiver that runs down his spine, or the heat that starts pooling in his lower stomach as he swears the priest leans in close enough to nearly brush his lips over the sensitive patch just under his ear. If he pays attention, he might yet learn something from this human.

"Ah, no," he says with a hint of nervousness in his voice, carefully pulling the shirt down a bit. "I'll be fine on my own..." While no physical reaction was completely involuntary on his part, he didn't see any advantage to showing the priest his battered legs, so for now he would just try to plant suggestions of a small attraction. If he went too far too soon, he would only sent him away 'for his own good'.

"Thanks. .. You know, for everything, not just for the shirt. You're a good man. .." he looks at the priest earnestly for a few moments, blush slowly fading, before breaking the silence with a chuckle.

"Heh, guess I'll see if I can get some sleep now. If you ask me, it's rather stupid that things start to hurt more before they stay to hurt less, but there you have it. "

He can tell that Zach is getting nervous so he carefully leans back, propping himself up against a counter as he watches the boy pull his shirt down. A lot of kids who come through his house have similar responses to close contact with other living bodies, and this isn't the first time Zach has responded with flushed cheeks to Kiel's innocent action. 'I have to be careful with this one. If he starts thinking that way about me, it would be disastrous to his recovery. I can not let him lean too far that way or else 'll have to be firm in keeping him at a distance. I've lost a few kids that way, and I'd hate to lose another one' At times Kiel curses his face, wishing he looked ugly or something, though for the really messed up ones, it wouldn't really matter.

However as it is his face helps him with his task so he tries his best to find other ways to discourage the kids. He smiles warmly down at the seated teen when he thanks him. “Not a problem Zach, it was my pleasure.” His voice is light and warm, his joy at seeing his grateful face making him tingle happily inside. He nods slightly. “Yes, bed would be good. I'm going to do some reading in my room for a while, then I too will be off to the wonderful world of dream, heh.” With that he reaches out and touches Zach's shoulder, once more having to correct himself from patting him on the head. “I hope the wounds don't bother you too much. Let me know if it's too hard to fall asleep and I'll get you something to help you sleep.”

With that he picks one of hi favorite books off the shelf and vanishes into his room. He sighs softly, crawling on to his old mattress and tucking his knees up while propping his back up against the headboard. 'I really hope he doesn't begin falling for me. There is something odd about him, but I want to help him non the less. If he starts leaning that way, I don't know how he'll respond to rejection. . .' With a huff he cracks open his book and begins reading. After only about a dozen pages a huge yawn tells him it's high time he passed out. So tucking his book into his bedside stand in a small drawer he Snuggles down under his covers and is soon asleep.

~The light is warm. All around him the sun bathes the hill. High above the small town a lone tree sits, a thick branch holding a single old swing. He sits softly humming an old tune as down the hill the river babbles and churns. The breeze is warm, gentle on his skin. It is a happy place.~

Zach wishes the priest goodnight with a small smile of his own, before retreating to his room as well. Only when he closes the door behind him he lets himself chuckle at the comment about the 'wonderful world of dream'. If only the priest knew how accurate he was being. Well, if he knew he would probably be stocking up the holy water by now, but that was beside the point.

He quickly and effortlessly changes into the pyjama pants before lounging on the bed until the priest saw it fit to go to sleep. Thankfully it doesn't take too long and when he can feel the pull off a mortal's dream, he wastes no time before stepping between the world's and slipping into the dream.

~The grassy hill is bathed in golden light when Zach slips gently into Kiel's consciousness. He takes a moment to enjoy the warmth of the sun seeping into his skin, before walking up to the priest from the direction of the town. He's wearing shorts, the vibrant red of the fabric contrasted against the tan expanse of his bare chest. There's an oversized floppy straw hat perched on his head, and a melty popsicle in each of his hands.

"There you are, " he says brightly, as if it was the most normal thing in the world for them to spend time together, "I brought ice cream."~

~Hmm, that was not the welcome he'd been hoping for. He can feel the priest repelling his presence in the dream, even as he chuckles sheepishly over the correction. He smiles before following the priest's example and licking the popsicle from bottom to top to keep any of it from dripping onto his fingers. It seems he is not quite ready to disconnect his dream-self from his waking memories. There's not a lot of ground to be won on the 'little one' front then, so he switches to a different technique.

He lets his smile go blank when the priest touches his skin, the bruises he has during the day blooming into existence in the path of his fingers. Lets see what will come up if he engages his worry directly.

"I know," he says calmly, without even a trace of pain in his voice. "It will heal." He lets the bruises exist for a few seconds where Kiel's fingers have passed, and then fades them away again.~