The Incident

I never thought I'd be sought out for a chat by Allen of all people. He and I had fallen out in high school, and then there was the confrontation at The Pole, and another in some park that got both of us arrested. Needless to say we aren't the best of friends. So you can imagine my hesitation when I got a call from him one night.

It happened about two and a half months after Aster and I started sleeping together. He had taken me out, a nice outing consisting of ice skating for me, a lesson in bruises for him, and dinner at his place followed by toasty cuddles. He had gotten up to do something, can't remember what, when my phone rang with an unfamiliar number. I ignored it, like I always do if I don't recognize it, and let it go to voicemail.

I let it sit on my phone for three days before I got around to listening to it. Allen's stuttering, static filled voice met my ears. "H-hey Jack, it's me. Allen. Look, I know we don't have the best- history, I guess, but I'd- I want-." He sighed. "Can we talk? We can meet somewhere public; maybe I could meet you at your work? Thursday? I'll be there at two… um. I guess I- I'll see you around. Bye."

My anxiety was through the roof. I put a hand over my mouth and tried to force the air out through my closed fingers. I felt the blood drain from my face at the thought of him showing up at work- while I was going to be there. Emma had noticed my odd state and had walked over to me.

"What's wrong bub? You look sickly."

"Allen left me a voicemail. He wants to talk; Thursday, at my work." I told her quietly. She gently sat down on the sofa next and leveled a neutral stare at me.

"What are you gonna do?"

"What can I do? I'm not calling him back. But he's showing up at my work in two days. I can't take off; I told boss-man I'd work all week so he could go see his grandkids in Florida." I groaned. God, this wasn't happening! Why did he want to talk now? I thought I was done with him. I glared at our T.V. in silence as Emma rubbed my back.

"How do you think Bunny's gonna take it? I bet he'll be pissed" She giggled. Hoo boy, would he ever.

"He doesn't need to know, so don't you tell him anything." I glared. Emma held her hands up in defense, mumbling 'okay, okay'. Aster did not need to know about this situation. I could handle it myself, without needing to involve him. This was something I had to do by myself.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

Thursday rolled around, and I'd been working the paint counter since I got here at eight. I kept checking the clock on the wall every half hour or so. It was now one o'clock. I had an hour before Allen got here. My nerves were shot. I had snapped at a few customers, but instantly apologized, and had been horribly distracted my whole shift.

I was refilling a section of rollers when a hand dropped to my shoulder. I jumped ad whipped around and there stood Allen. He wore a black track suit with white stripes down the sides, and looked like he'd just kicked a puppy.

"Hey." He said lamely; hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Hey." I mirrored. The wrapping on the rollers crinkled in my arms. "So… You said you wanted to talk?"

"I- yeah." He looked away, and shuffled from side to side. I motioned with my hand for him to continue.

"I wanted to apologize. I've been a dick to you since high school… and I'm sorry."

"Um. Thanks, Allen." I stared at him, wide eyed. I never thought I'd hear him say that.

"Yeah… So I was wondering if you wanted to, maybe, hang out sometime? Maybe we could get to be like we used to. Before I fucked up everything."

He was shifting nervously as he asked. I looked away, determined to finish my task. What was I going to say to him? Did I really want to try and be friends again? After everything that he'd done to me? My first reaction was 'Hell no, I don't wanna talk to you' but I was a firm believer in second chances, and Allen still had one life in his file. And if I was honest with myself, I had missed my best friend.

"Sure," I said, looking over with a smile. "I'd like that."

Allen's face lit up, the worry slipping from his eyes as he walked to me and pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you so much! You won't regret this. I'll make everything right." He said with a grin; I chuckled.

"Okay, geeze. Let me get back to work." I playfully punched his shoulder and tried to turn away.

"'kay, but one thing, first." Allen said and then crushed his lips to mine.

I stood, rigid, in his arms; fight or flight instinct broken and in pieces. My eyes were as wide as they could be, blankly staring at his closed lids. When my wits finally returned I shoved him away, hand coming up to cover my mouth. Allen looked at me confused.

"Why would you do that? I have a boyfriend, Allen."

"I- " He started, and that's when I noticed Koz at the end of the aisle. My heart dropped.

"Koz, wait! I can explain what happened." I jogged after him as he walked briskly to the exit. I caught his arm on the front sidewalk.

"Please, let me explain!" I begged; my eyes started to sting as he turned on me; eyes narrowed to slits, and a snarl on his face.

"You have ten seconds."

"Allen called and said he wanted to talk. He showed up and apologized, said he wanted to be friends again. I had no idea he was going to do that! I'd never be unfaithful to Aster. I love him! Please Koz, you have to believe me." He looked me over, appraising what I'd said. Hot tears rolled down my face, and nausea was building in my stomach. The mantra in my head was despairing: that's it. Aster's gone. You lost him. He's going to leave you, and it's entirely your fault.

Koz pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Jack, I saw you kissing another man."

"It wasn't by choice! I'd never do that! It was one sided, I didn't want it! Why would I want him when I have Aster? All Allen's done is kick me to shit since he outed me in school. Please, Koz, I can't lose my Bunny." I hiccupped and hung my head as my voice cracked. I was terrified. How the hell could Allen had taken 'hang out' as 'I want to make out with you'? All I had wanted to do was clear the air between us, and now it was looking like I was going to lose the best thing that's ever happened to me. I silently cried, trying my damndest to keeps the sobs locked away in my throat.

Aster's oldest friend seemed to come to a decision at the sight of my pathetic state, and wrapped his arms around me. He ran his hands up and down my back as I openly cried into him. "Please, I can't lose him." I begged.

"I believe you, Jack. It's alright. It's going to be okay." Koz whispered.

He held me until I calmed down. My acting manager came out to look for me, saying there was a boy looking for me at the front counter, but stopped short when she saw me. She told me to take the rest of the day off, and told me to call if I needed anything. At my protests she held up a hand, telling me that it was an order, and she'd deal with the boy looking for me. I nodded and thanked her before letting Koz lead me to his car. I saw Sandy in the front seat and started tearing up again. The tiny blonde man was in the backseat, scooting next to me, before I even had the door closed.

"What happened, Jack?" He signed, face worried.

I explained what happened, giving them both the whole story. I expressed how worried I was, how nothing like this had ever happened to me before, that all I wanted to do was clean the slate with Allen. Sandy pulled me over and rested my head on his leg. He stroked my hair as we drove helping me to calm down. I looked up out the window as Koz drove. All I saw were the tops of buildings; I shot up as The Pole's passed.

"Why are we at here?" I asked, panic leaking into my voice.

"We are here to explain what happened." Koz informed me curtly, pulling into a parking space.

I started to speak when Sandy laid a hand on my knee. "You need to talk to Aster about this. If you don't, Koz will. He needs to hear this from you. Secrets have no place in a relationship; all they do is cause ruin. This wasn't your fault, he'll see that. Koz and I will be there too, as witnesses." He told me, pulling me out of the car and toward the door. I shook the whole way.

Aster was at his desk when the three of us entered. I watched as his easy smile turned into a concerned frown.

"What's happened?" He asked. Sandy nudged me forward.

"I need to talk to you…" I murmured.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

Bunny sat behind his desk silently as I recounted the day's events to him. My voice wavered and broke as I spoke; hands sweaty and wringing themselves together apprehensively. He didn't once look away, or speak; never asked even a single question, just stared at me like he usually did his paintings- overly focused. It was unnerving. I wanted him to say something, anything; I would have even been fine if he screamed at me. Just not this only reaction he showed was when he closed his eyes as I told him about Allen kissing me. I almost broke. I told him how I didn't want it, how it was a total, and unwanted, surprise. I wanted to beg him to forgive me, but all I did was stand quietly in front of him as he looked to Koz; silently asking for a private talk.

"Sandy, why don't you take Jack to your office for a bit. We won't be long." He said, and I could feel my heart breaking as we walked away.

In the other's office, I sat on the floor. Head hung to my chest, and hands clasped in my lap. Sandy kneeled beside me and was signing encouragements. "Everything will work out, you'll see. Just have hope." I gave him a weak smile. Hope was all I had at this point.

He and I sat on the floor for almost an hour. I was worried, and scared, and mad at myself for not noticing the signs that were obvious now. How Allen had sounded so nervous, on the phone, and at the store- like he was asking someone out. How he thought I'd accepted his offer. I was just trying to be nice, and look where it got me. This sucked.

As I moped Koz came in with Aster in tow. His face was tired, and his eyes were dull. It made me hurt. I hated seeing him look like that, and to know it was my fault just twisted the knife already lodged in my gut. I quickly stood and flung my arms around his waist.

"Jackie- " He started, but I rushed ahead of him.

"I'm sorry, I never wanted this to happen. I'd never cheat on you, it was all one-sided- I swear! Please don't leave me!" I voiced into his chest. I felt his arms slide around me, and his chin land on the top of my head.

"I'm not leavin' ya, Jack. But I'm not exactly happy to hear that asshole plantin' one on ya, eiher."

"I know, I'll-"

"Hush. Thank you for tellin' me. Koz said you pushed him off, so I believe ya. We'll be okay, Jackie. I promise." Aster told me softly. His arms tightened around me as he buried his nose in my hair. Relief flooded through me as I released a deep breath. I held him tighter, blissful that he was still mine.

The four of us chatted about menial things, laughed at Koz's horrible jokes, and got relationship advice form the engaged couple. I guessed all this was to make me feel better, and dispel any lingering fears I had. It worked. I couldn't ask for a better set of friends. A knock broke our comradery.

Allen stood to the side of the open door. He had the nerve to look offended. I scowled and shot out of the chair I was in.

"You have a lot of nerve coming here after what you did." I hissed at him.

"Me? I was in the middle of trying to make things up to you and you run off and leave? What the hell, Jack?"

"I left because I couldn't deal with you. Agreeing to talk to you was a mistake! You almost cost me my boyfriend, you dick."

"I thought you were just saying that 'cause you didn't want me." Allen glared at me. Fuck, he was so pompous!

"I don't want you!" I yelled at him, then grabbed Aster's shirt and tugged him to his feet. "This is my boyfriend. His name is Aster. I. Love. Him."

Allen gave my man a once over. "He looks a bit older than you, are you into daddy play? Is that it?"

I growled and made to raise my fist. I hated fighting, but I was happy to make a suggestion. Sandy grabbed my wrist as Aster stepped in front of me. He stared Allen down.

"It's none of your business what he and I do. You had no right to force yourself on 'im when he was obviously not interested. It would be in your best interest to leave 'im be. 'cause the next time I hear of ya doin' somethin' like this I'll be the one to settle it." Aster told him with a cold stare.

"All I wanted- " Allen said.

"I don't care what ya wanted. Ya crossed a line." Bunny snapped. He took a step forward and growled. "Jack doesn't want ya like that, and I doubt he wants ta be friendly with ya now. Know when your're beat, ya little shit, and leave."

Allen glared and tried to puff out his chest in a challenge. Aster just stared at him coolly and my former friend deflated, sending us a hateful glare as he walked away.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

Emma was livid after I told her what happened. She was ready to form a mob and hunt Allen down; she was happy with any excuse, really. She ranted and raved, eventually deciding to go see Amy to blow off steam. Aster was very amused by her outburst.

We sat on the sofa; together, but not. I was on one end while he was on the other. I still kind of nervous. Aster smiled comfortingly at me and leaned over to plant his head in my lap. He looked up at me with amused green eyes.

"Stop worrying, ya drongo. I'm not mad Jackie. I don't want ya to be scared of makin' me upset now. I'm not gonna bring this up down the road just shits. It's done and over with now. Let it go, sweetheart."

I smiled down at him and pulled his band out to play with his hair. I ran my fingers through it, feeling the silky tresses against my hands as I nodded.

"I love you." I told him.

"I love you too. But I will beat whoever tries that with ya."

I laughed and lightly swatted his forehead.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

The next day I noticed a box in front of the apartment door. It was a plain cardboard box wrapped with brown paper and tied with a white string. It had no note, and for half a second I suspected Allen, but he didn't know where I lived; thank god. I placed me keys in the bowl and called my sister.

"Hey Em. Did you order something recently?"

"Nope. I don't have anything coming in for the foreseeable future." She told me. I heard Amy in the background and said my goodbyes.

I debates just throwing it away, but my curiosity gnawed at me. I pulled the sting off and tore at the paper. The box itself was wooden. A bronze clasp decorated one side. Flipping it open I found a navy velvet bag. Inside the bag was a folded piece of paper and a small silver key.

The note read:

Jack,

This is a copy of the key to my apartment. I want you to know you're always welcome here. I love you with all my heart, frostbite. So if this doesn't make you feel secure in the knowledge that I'm not going anywhere, please let me know so I can fix it.

Aster

My breath hitched as I read. This was huge. I had a key to his apartment.

I hastily dug out my phone as I sprinted out the door, new key already on my key-ring. He answered on the second ring.

"I might need a little more convincing." I panted as I jogged up the street, desire growing.

"Let yourself in, and I'll get right on that." He purred.

End