Jack was happy, today he was going to ask Pitch out. He had been spending time with the Nightmare King, and he thought that they were close enough.

He was almost at the woods, when he saw Pitch lurking outside. He grinned and rushed over, but in his youthful excitement, Jack slipped, and tripped and headbutted Pitch in the stomach before landing on the ground.

Now that was embarrassing. He looked up at unimpressed Pitch. Shit.

Jack, humiliated, could only mutter to himself. "I wish the ground would open up-"

Next second Aster opened up a tunnel "Careful what you wish for mate!" he grinned as Jack fell into the Warren.

...

"What were you doing near Pitch?" Aster asked, still happy with his own brand of shenanigans.

"Just talking."

"Huh. Well, Tooth reckons its something more serious."

"What?!"

"Are you two dating?"

"Not yet- no, I mean, ew."

Aster looked at him suspicious. "What?"

"Hah, no, gross. Not going out with Pitch" he chuckled nervously.

Aster was definitely not buying what Jack was selling. "What the hell is going on?"

"Nothing! I swear."

"Do I need to get Tooth and North involved?" he asked, putting the true fear into Jack. They were basically like parents to him.

"No! Okay, fine, I was going to ask him out!"

Aster raised a brow. "Why?"

"I don't know. I think I like him."

"How long?"

"I don't know!" he replied, embarrassed.

"And you are sure its a kind of love?"

"Yeah. I am."

"Okay. Good. I am glad you aren't rushing into this. Maybe next time don't greet his stomach with your head."

"Uh" Jack rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah..."

Aster grinned. "Well, you go forth and actually attempt to impress him this time."

"Shush Roo."

Aster chuckled. "Well, get going" he grinned, opening up a tunnel.

"Thanks Bunny" he smiled appreciatively, disappearing into the tunnel.

...

It was never hard to find Pitch. Usually he was in his lair, or in the woods near his lair.

Jack couldn't see him in the surrounding woods, so he made his way into Pitch's lair. "Pitch?"

"Back so soon?"

"Uh... I wanted to apologize for my assault on your stomach."

"You're forgiven. Just this once."

"Great." Almost as satisfying as his Naughty List record being wiped. "So... before I embarrassed myself this morning, what I really wanted to do was ask you out."

Pitch seemed surprised. "What on Earth makes you want to do that?"

Jack shrugged. "To be honest, I am not entirely sure. But... I think I am in like with you. I don't know anything about love... but I want to. And... I want that to be with you."

A small smile flickered across Pitch's face. "Well, I suppose I can indulge you, Frost" he smiled, for real. "How about you meet me here tomorrow?"

Jack smiled. "Yeah, sounds a plan. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Until then" said Pitch, watching as Jack disappeared. He couldn't seem to stop smiling. It had been so long since anyone had loved him...