Mun Note: Hi guys! This is based off the song "10,000 Midnight's" by The Spill Canvas. Just to warn you, this is a Jackunzel fanfic (in case it wasn't obvious) and there will be genderbent characters. I REPEAT: THERE WILL BE GENDERBENT CHARACTERS.

Anyway, I'd really love it if you guys could favorite, follow, and review my story! Constructive criticism is welcome, but just remember this is my first chapter, and I'm just trying to get my bearings here. The later chapters, I'm sure will probably flow a bit easier.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Chapter One: Who Needs A Cab

"10,000 midnights ago, uptown at the Harlem Apollo..."

Jackson Overland:

"I promise, I'm gonna show you the greatest night you've had in a while, Aster."

Jack grabbed his friend's hand as they got out of the cab. As he yanked him out, Aster quickly dropped a ten dollar bill on the drivers lap. It was always like Jack to never pay, so the Australian had taken to carrying at least fifty on him in case of times like these. The cabbie grumbled and sped off as soon as the car door was shut.

Aster dusted his blazer off and Jack turned to him fixing his button down shirt, a smile gracing his face as big as the sign for the Harmlem Apollo that was just in front of them. Jack was excited for tonight - finally, a time to get out and relax! Have some fun! It had been too long since the last time him and Aster had gone out and he was determined to break that streak. "We're gonna have the time of our lives!"

"Exactly how are we gonna do that?" Aster asked him, the skepticism clearly ringing in his voice. It practically dripped out of his mouth like he was a rabid racoon. "I doubt you have the cash for anything to fun to do in town tonight - after all, it's a Friday."

Jack shook his head, still smiling stupidly. "Yup, it's a Friday, and you know what that means?"

The sandy haired nineteen year old only raised an eyebrow.

Jack let out a huff. "Oh, come on, Aster!" he drawled. "You gotta least try to guess!" The boy glared humorously at his friend.

Aster rolled his eyes and said, "Dinner?"

The brunet hit him on the shoulder. God, Aster could be so.. so stubborn sometimes. It was ridiculous! The one time they get a chance out, and he's gonna make it difficult for Jack? "Now, be rational, man! You have that every night, and tonight is different." Before Aster could open his mouth retort, Jack continued, "I guess I'll just tell you."

He turned and faced the Apollo, arms open wide. "We're seeing a concert tonight!"

Aster's arms folded and he stared at the back of Jack's brown mop of hair. "How are we getting in?"

"I have my people," he replied, shrugging his shoulders as his arms fell back to his sides. And it was true - Jack did have people... people who may not have liked him, but people, and if he kissed enough ass, they'd get in with decent enough seats. He just hoped that Pitch would be kind. Really, really kind.

.

Once inside, Jack found him no problem. "Pitch!" he called out, grabbing attention of the man clad in black from head to toe, his hair just a few shades darker. At the sight of Jack, Pitch rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't be like that, Pitchy!"

Jack held Aster's wrist and pulled him up to Pitch, close enough to hear the theatre worker sigh in annoyance. "My name isn't Pitch. It's Kozmotis, Overland. Do I have to take a drill to your head?"

"Save that for Tooth," Aster mumbled, and Jack pinched the skin of his wrist that still lay between his fingers.

"You're 'pitch black' clothes beg to differ, I'd say," he retorted, and before the under-eager man could give a snappy comback, Jack let go of Aster's wrist and placed the same hand on Pitch's shoulder. "It's out night out on the town tonight, and I want to see this show. Do you think you could slide me a few discounts?"

Pitch's eyes went from bored and annoyed to suddenly curious... and devious. His eyes slanted like the crook he was, and he seeminly picked at his nails. "Like free discounts?"

"Exactly."

"I... I'm not so sure I could do that, Overland. After all, tonight's a pretty big concert. Maybe if you toss a bit my way."

Aster seemed to fidget at this, and Jack could tell he wasn't comfortable. Not to mention the Australian's lack of fondness towards the other, but he wanted this to go as quickly as possible. "What kinda bits am I tossing?"

"A few kind words about me to your girlfriend, and we'll call it a deal."

"Girlfriend? You mean Tooth?"

"That Indian flapper girl, yeah."

Jack sighed. A few good words would do Pitch nothing with Toothiana, he knew. In fact, it would earn Jack a slap to the face if she found out he was talking to a low blow criminal, especially after what happened with him and Sandy.

"She ain't mine, but I'll throw around some cute things, I guess."

Pitch smiled at that, completely unaware at how oblivious his request was. "I'll be right back with your tickets."

After he walked away, Aster hit him on the back of the head. "You stupid-! Do you seriously want to be tangled up in... in that? After what he did to Sandy?"

Sandy was Aster's girlfriend. Before that, though, she had been dating (that wasn't exactly the word Jack would use for what she did for him, but he didn't want to be rude) Pitch, and as good as the guy was with letting you slide a few extra bucks, he was not good with women. Especially the clinically mute.

"Oh, calm down, Mate," Jack taunted. "I don't want to be 'tangled up' in anything he has to offer - besides free concert tickets for a few nice words to Tooth."

"She'll kill you. Sandy is her best friend."

"I am fully aware."

And he was. Jack knew for certain she would take his life into her own hands. And he was okay with that, as long as they had a good time tonight, and Jack was certain they were going to.