"Okay, I'm good."

"Come on." Jack took Pitch's hand and led him through the house. "That room's my own little library slash reading room. It's not as extensive as yours or anything, but you can look at it later if you'd like."

"I would. I'd like to see what kinds of books you read."

"I'm into pretty much anything romantic or sappy." Jack smiled and kept leading him on. The kitchen was a bright and cheerful room of yellows and white. "This is the kitchen. There isn't much different about it from any other kitchen." He opened the back door and instantly relaxed with a happy smile. "And this is the whole reason I bought this house." The backyard was easily twice as large as the entire house. Snowball followed them outside and took off running down the garden paths. There was a good sized portion of grass, but the rest of the yard was filled by flowers, plants, and trees with cobblestone paths leading through it all. There was a bench hidden in the garden, and the top of a white, ivy covered gazebo could be seen from where they stood. "This is where I spend most of my time if the weather permits it."

"Wow," Pitch sighed as he looked around. "It's so beautiful."

"Thanks." Jack pulled him along a path with a blush. "It was a lot of work and a lot of scrapes and bruises. Especially with the gazebo. I spent a lot of hours out here when I moved. It was a good distraction from what was going on with Charles."

"This garden suits you. This whole house suits you." Pitch leaned down to smell a flower as they passed. "I would move in with you just for this."

"I don't know about the whole collection, but I wouldn't mind adding a few plastic flamingos," he teased.

"I see some empty corners that could use a little bit of bright plastic," Pitch chuckled.

"Snowball might think they're chew toys."

"Guess it's a good thing they're cheap."

"True." Jack sat on the bench under the shade of the gazebo. "I don't think the house itself could fit all of your stuff though."

"Do you think there's room for what's upstairs?"

"I'll make room for all your personal rooms if that's what we decide down the road."

"Because you may decide after tomorrow that you don't like me anymore."

"Not that. I wouldn't change my mind so quickly. It might be a little early to start discussing moving in together though."

"For you. I've already begun to imagine how our things will look mixed together."

"Alright then. For me. It's a little too soon for me to start thinking like that." He rolled his eyes and leaned against Kozmotis' shoulder. "I don't mind if you do. Oddly enough, it makes me happy that you do."

"I imagine this lovely garden with some plastic flamingos, my books mixed with yours, our toiletries cluttering the counters," Pitch teased. "You by my side every morning and night."

"You mean your toiletries cluttering the counters?" Jack teased.

"Maybe. I wouldn't be so rude as to do that at first."

Jack laughed. "So you'd just slowly move all your things in until I can't see my own stuff anymore?"

"Yup." Pitch smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "I'll be moved in before you realize I've started."

"I could totally see you doing that."

"Maybe I've already started."

"You'd have to be pretty sneaky to do that considering I haven't left your side since you walked in the door."

"My bag is in your room. It's already started."

"A bag is only the beginning." Jack pulled away from their kiss for a moment. "Do you want me to go get the book?"

"Sure. I'll find us a good spot."

He kissed Kozmotis on the cheek and stood up again. "Be right back."

"I'll be waiting, my love."

Jack went back into the house and returned with his sunglasses and Pitch's copy of the Secret Garden. He found him sitting under the shade of one of the trees and took a seat next to him. "Here you are."

Pitch took the book and smiled over at him. "I have my lap all ready for you."

"I noticed." With a smile of his own, Jack laid down so his head could rest in his lover's lap.

Pitch hummed and buried his fingers in Jack's hair, combing through the strands as he held the book open with his other hand. His voice was lulling against the sounds of the wind and birds singing.

Jack's mind was awhirl with emotions, but he found himself quickly calming while Pitch read to him. He'd barely been able to hope he'd ever be able to bring a man home again, much less feel as comfortable as he did with Kozmotis in that very moment. His relaxed tone and the fingers in had him drifting off in no time. He vaguely registered Snowball curling up against his side, her head coming to rest on his chest. As much as he wanted to stay awake to listen more, it seemed his body was more tired than he thought from their fun earlier and his emotional breakdown. As soon as Jack was asleep, Pitch closed the book and put it aside. He smiled down at him and slowly caressed Jack's scalp, content to simply relax in the shade with the man he loved.

It was at least another hour that Jack stayed fast asleep. It wasn't until the wind blew a leaf into his face that blue eyes blinked open again. "'m sorry 'bout that. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you." Jack rubbed at his eyes under his sunglasses. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing. I've just been looking at you."

"Really?" He sat up slowly. "How long was I out?"

"Not long. Maybe an hour or two."

"And you've just been looking at me the whole time?"

"Couldn't help myself."

"You're weird," he chuckled. Jack gently moved the dog's head off of him so he could fully sit up. She grumbled and rolled off to her other side.

"And you're beautiful." Pitch nuzzled at the back of Jack's neck.

Jack smiled. "What do you think about going inside and getting some food?"

"I would love some," Pitch groaned.

"I have stuff to make sandwiches. Does that sound alright to you?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Come on then." Jack stood and held his hands out to help his lover to his feet.

Pitch took the offered hand and stood, brushing some grass off Jack's butt before he could walk away. "I guess you'll just have to invite me over again so I can finish the book."

"I was planning on it."

"Tomorrow night it is then."

Jack laughed as they headed back inside with their hands entwined. "If that's what you'd like."

"Yes, please."

"It would be my honor to have you over again."

"You nervous?" Jack nudged his lover's elbow as they drove to the rehearsal dinner.

"What do you think? I have to not only be on my best behavior, but I have to somehow convince your friends that I deserve you."

"It's not like they're the Spanish Inquisition or anything."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one on trial with them."

"I'm telling you if you just show them the guy you've shown me lately then they'll love you."

"I hope so. I don't want to have to avoid your friends when we officially start dating."

"We've been 'dating' for awhile now."

"Officially?"

"Dating, yes. We have been going on dates, after all. It's the full relationship part that we're waiting on."

"The sex you mean."

"When we have sex it'll mean that I fully trust you again, know you aren't going anywhere or are going to change, and we'll officially be a couple." Jack turned the car off the freeway.

"So we're unofficial."

"Officially dating, unofficially a couple."

"That is not confusing at all."

"Our whole relationship from the beginning hasn't been confusing at all."

"No, not at all. We've been quite the predictable, normal, sensible couple."

"Completely sensible. Obviously."

"Nothing remarkable or out of the ordinary about us."

"I'd almost dare to say we're rather boring."

"Very boring. No one's idea of the fun couple."

"What a bummer for us. At least we'll be left alone I suppose."

"Yep. We'll just have to be boring together."

"A shame, really." Jack grinned over at him as he pulled the car into a parking space. "You ready?"

"I'm ready."

Jack pulled him closer by the back of his neck and let their lips meet lingeringly. "For courage," he whispered.

Pitch hummed and teasingly licked Jack's bottom lip. "Love you."

"Love you too." He stepped out of the driver's seat and walked around to the other side of the car to offer his hand.

Pitch smiled and accepted Jack's handit. "You look lovely, by the way."

"Thanks. Sorry it's nothing new for you. This is the best and only suit I have," Jack snickered.

"I think you look good in anything you wear."

"That's such a cheesy thing for you to say. Save it for later when I can kiss you thoroughly for it."

"Save all romantic cheesy lines for later. Got it," Pitch chuckled. He snuck in a quick kiss to Jack's cheek. "I mean it though. You look great."

"Someday maybe I'll get a suit other than this one for you to admire too." Jack steered him along the paths until they found the wedding set up. "I have to actually be part of the rehearsal, but you can sit wherever you'd like while we're doing our thing."

"You're leaving me alone with them?!"

"Of course not. They're all part of the rehearsal too. You don't have anything to worry about until dinner."

"So...I'm gonna be alone?"

"You'll be right there where I can see you the whole time. Plus, I'll be able to step away for a couple moments. It won't be very long. We just have to run through everything real quick."

"I guess that's okay. As long as I don't have to wait outside or in a linen closet or something like that."

"Oh, no. Of course not. You can sit anywhere you'd like."

"As long as you can see me."

"If it makes you uncomfortable here, I wouldn't mind if you wanted to hang in the car either. Not saying I don't want you here, but if you feel uncomfortable..."

"I'll be right in front." Pitch gave Jack's hand a squeeze.

"I'll be watching." He kissed his cheek and headed off to find Fairy.

Pitch smiled and found a seat close to where Jack could see. He froze when he noticed that most eyes were on him, and they weren't particularly welcoming. Crap….

After walking with his friend down the aisle, Jack leaned close to whisper something to her. She nodded, let him kiss her cheek, and then he went to sit next to Kozmotis. Jack took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly, whispering, "You'll be fine."

Pitch nodded and smiled reassuringly. "I know. They wouldn't kill me here, so there's that." He brought Jack's hand to his lips and kissed it. "Go on, lover. You're needed."

"I'm alright to stay here for a few more minutes. My whole job, really, is to walk her down the aisle and then stand next to her." He smiled.

"Go on then. I can wait."

"You're sure?"

"Uh-huh. Go be there with your friend."

Jack kissed his cheek again and went to stand next to his best friend again. He smiled over at Kozmotis, and his eyes didn't stray from him for most of the time. Pitch smiled and looked at Jack lovingly. As soon as he was free again, Jack was once again by his side and taking his hand. "Time for food."

"Already?"

"Told you it's just a short rehearsal."

"Sorry. I just got a little caught up in the moment that I didn't realize how quickly it was going."

"It's ok. Now they're going to feed us as thanks for our tremendous efforts," Jack joked.

"Feed us and then interrogate me about my intentions towards you."

"Pretty much."

"Perfect."

"You'll be fine." He squeezed Kozmotis' hand. "I'll reward your courage with kisses later."

"Only kisses?"

"Possibly more. We'll see how courageous you are."

"With a reward such as that, I think I can be brave."

"Glad I could be of help." Jack smiled and hugged Fairy when she came over to the two of them, dragging her fiancé with her.

"Hi, cutie," Pitch hummed, smiling at the woman.

Jack gave her a light hug. The big man next to her pulled him in for an even tighter hug, looking through narrow eyes at his date. "Who you calling cutie? Better not by my fiancé."

"It's purely platonic, I swear."

"Better be," he answered gruffly.

"Don't be so hard on him." Jack pulled away and took his date's hand again. "North, this is Kozmotis. Kozmotis, Nicholas St. North, Fairy's husband to be."

"Pleased to meet you, sir." Pitch held out his hand. "An honor to finally meet you."

North took his hand firmly. He matched Kozmotis in height, but where the actor was lithe, he was far more burly. "So you are man I've heard so much about."

"Depends on what you've heard," Pitch chuckled a little nervously.

"Many things. Good and bad."

"That certainly sounds like me."

Jack laughed. "It most certainly does."

North released the man's hand when his fiancé smacked him on the arm. "What? You told me not to be too easy on him."

"That doesn't mean instantly start by glaring him down," she sighed. She couldn't help a smile when the big guy put his arm around her shoulder for a hug.

"Wait." Pitch looked between them. "Was that a test?" He looked at Jack worriedly. "Did I pass? I can't tell."

Jack slid an arm around his waist. "You're fine."

"He's right." Tina hugged her fiancé back. "This guy's a big softie who'll trust anybody if you don't tell him differently. I didn't want him to jump straight to being your bestie, not glare you into submission. I hope you understand."

"I understand. I would like to earn your approval, both of you."

"Well, you'll definitely have North's approval." Fairy teased.

"And yours?"

"We'll see how today goes. I need to really get a feel of your intentions for my man of honor."

"They're all good, I swear. I almost lost him once, and I don't intend to again."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Shall we go eat now?" Jack interjected awkwardly.

Pitch nodded and slid his arm around Jack's waist. "Yes, please. I'm ravenous."

Jack chuckled. "I already fed you once today. You fed half of it to Snowball, remember?"

"Not my fault that dog has an adorable pleading face."

"Wait." Tina grabbed her friend's hand to stop him from walking off. "You took him home with you?" When he nodded, she threw her arms around his shoulders with a suppressed squeal. "Oh, Jack! That's wonderful!"

Pitch smiled at them. "Jack was kind enough to invite me over. I'm glad. His garden is magnificent."

Fairy threaded her arm through Kozmotis' and steered him towards the tables. "You have my tentative approval."

"And what would earn your complete approval, cutie?"

"If you can survive the rest of the day with our crazy group of friends." She grinned.

"That makes it sound like what I'm about to do is a very dangerous thing. Should I be afraid?"

"Not at all. But we can be a little...much when we're all together."

"What's your definition of 'much'?"

"Rowdy? You'll see for yourself."

"Oh my god," Pitch chuckled. "What's Jack like when he's around you? Rowdy?"

"One of the worst. He's at his most comfortable and outgoing around us. Him, North, and Bunny even have a prank war going on, so I won't be surprised if something happens today."

Pitch smiled and looked back at Jack thoughtfully. "I've never seen him that way."

"It'll happen the more comfortable he gets around you." She led him over to a table and sat with him while Jack and North went to check on the food. "This is why we're all so protective of him." Her eyes followed the two fondly. "He's got such an innocent and carefree soul. It was heartbreaking to see it smothered by his jerk exes, but he still feels safe enough around us to recover and let it out. We don't want to see him crushed again by you. Not when he's as attached to you as he is. I don't know if he could recover from that."

Pitch looked over at her. "I can never get a straight answer, so maybe you could tell me. What are the depths of his feelings for me?"

"If he brought you to his house, then he's head over heels for you. He loves you enough to fight with his own fears."

"What can you tell me about his exes?"

"Everything. What did you want to know?"

"Everything. As much as you can tell me."

"Well, he's had six that I've been told about. Three were somewhat normal, and three were complete and utter fuck ups. Honestly, they must have been dropped as babies to be so stupid as to think how they treated him was okay."

"Those are the three I really want to know about."

"I'm letting you know, I'm only telling you this because Jack already told me I could if the subject ever came up. It's always hard for him to talk about it himself. I'm assuming you know about Charles if he told you why he's so hesitant to have people over?"

"A little, but I know there's more to it."

"Oh, Creepy Charlie…" She sighed and shook her head. "He started out normal enough. He was a pretty decent boyfriend, more than decent when it came to gifts and keeping in contact. A little too much so after a while. That was the first big clue that there was something off about him. He started getting way too clingy. Like, stage 5 clinger. Jack couldn't go anywhere without him always texting or calling about where he was, who he was going with, how long he'd be out. Then he started showing up to Jack's shop to escort him home everyday from work so he wouldn't be able to spend any time with anyone but him." Fairy frowned. "Jack broke it off with him when he finally couldn't take it anymore. That didn't stop Creepy Charlie though. He kept showing up at his work and his house and following him everywhere. Jack ended up filing a restraining order, and we all thought that would be the end of it."

"What happened?"

Tina looked down at her hands. "Then Jack started getting mail from him. It started as photos of him at work. Kinda like the ones in movies when the CIA takes undercover photos. They were always candid and had a creepy note written with them."

"Jack had mentioned a rapist. Was that Charles?"

"No, no, no. Charles was a stalker, but that was it. He never laid a hand on him maliciously. He ended up being arrested when Jack started getting pictures of himself in his own house. Like in the shower and his bedroom and while he was sleeping."

"Who hurt him?"

"You mean who was the rapist?"

"Yes."

"That was Mark. He was the first of the evil-ex trifecta."

"Tell me about him."

"There isn't much to say about that one. They had a normal relationship up until about 5 months. Jack's never been really into the crazy hardcore sex things; we would always talk about our sex lives together. Well, Mark was. He always said that he understood Jack didn't like those sorts of things. But after awhile, I dunno, I guess he thought maybe he was just holding out on him or that he was playing coy. He started pushing his limits of what he was comfortable with and not taking no for an answer. Jack finally snapped when he cornered him in a bathroom stall at the movies and didn't let him go. He never really considered it rape. If you asked him, Jack would always say it was his own fault or some bullshit excuse of 'it didn't feel completely awful.' It took all of us to finally get it in his head that if he didn't want it and was forced into it then it's rape. No matter how violent or not."

"So that's why he's afraid of being physical unless he really works himself up for it."

"That's part of the reason. He's also very old fashioned too. He's torn between being a modern physical guy and a traditional wait-until-you-love-and-trust-the-person."

"What about the other boyfriends?"

Fairy put a smile on again when she saw the boys on their way back with wine glasses. "I think this would be a conversation best finished another time."

"I'd like that. Anything I can find out the better," he quickly whispered to her before smiling up at Jack. "You're back."

"I am back." Jack handed him one of the glasses of wine and kissed his cheek. He leaned over to kiss his friend's cheek too as he draped his soaking wet suit jacket over the back of his chair. "You need to have a talk with your man, Fairy."

"Your jacket is soaked, flower child."

"I'm aware. That's why she needs to talk to her man."

Pitch chuckled and pulled Jack down into his lap. "Silly boy."

"Don't call me silly. I'm not the one who doused his unaware friend with a bucket of water." He glared over his shoulder at North who was laughing his ass off. "You can blame your fiancé for me not having a jacket to wear to the wedding tomorrow now."

"Damn it, Nick!" Fairy smacked him on the arm.

"It's alright. I can lend you one of mine or we can buy a new one."

Jack snickered. "Yours would probably go down to my knees."

"Then let me buy you another one. Consider it my birthday/Christmas/Valentine's Day gift to you for the next thousand years."

"Next thousand years? Just how expensive do you think that jacket was?"

"I dunno, but knowing you you'd never let me buy you another thing."

"I'm not as opposed to gifts as you think I am."

"Then will you let me buy you a moderately priced jacket?"

"Maybe. Depends on what you think is 'moderate' priced."

"You choose the coat, and I'll buy it as an early birthday or Christmas present."

"Maybe." He kissed his date on the tip of his nose. "We'll see later?"

"Fine," Pitch hummed. "But I am buying you a coat."

"Whatever you say."

"Good boy," Pitch chuckled, pulling him closer.

"Oi! Break it up, you two!" Jack looked up to see his friend Aster stomping over to their table. "This is a rehearsal dinner; the only ones allowed to ooey gushy are the soon to be wedded couple."

Pitch buried his chuckle in Jack's neck. "I don't believe we've met, sir."

"I don't believe we have." The Australian stood next to the table, hand held out with a slight glare to his look. "I'm E. Aster Bunnymund. You're the reason my best designer left my shop in a rush."

"Oh...I, uh…I'm sorry about that." Despite the awkwardness, Pitch gave the offered hand a firm shake.

"Aster, come on." Jack stood up with a frown. "Leaving the shop was my decision. You can't blame him for it."

The man shrugged. "What? I'm only stating the facts. It might have been your choice, but he was the reason behind it."

Pitch frowned and pulled Jack a little closer. "I really am sorry. I didn't know he'd leave."

"You don't have to worry about it, Koz. My choices are my own. Nobody else should be blamed for them." Jack put a hand over Pitch's on his waist.

Just then a beautiful woman walked up behind Aster and slid her arms around his waist. Her perfectly curled chocolate brown hair draped over his shoulder as she whispered calmingly into his ear. When Aster turned and walked off to the wine cart, she smiled at the others. "Sorry about him. You know how his temper can be at times."

"And you are…?"

"Oh. I'm Lola." She held her hand out to him with a polite smile. "I'm married to the bundle of frustration you just met."

"You're married to him?!" Pitch blurted out, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I mean...he seems nice."

Lola burst out laughing. "That's not the first time I've heard that!"

The blush on Pitch's cheeks darkened. "I didn't mean to insult him."

"Don't worry about it. You didn't insult him. As he likes to say, you were just stating the facts. Aster puts on a gruff face for the world, but he's really a big softy inside. The gruffness only really comes out when it comes to protecting someone he cares about."

"I get that. Jack is very precious."

It was Jack's turn to blush that time. "Only to you," he mumbled. He was answered by a chorus of "no"s from around the table.

Aster returned with a glass of wine for him and his wife, and even he was shaking his head. "Do ya think I'd 've been so blunt to yer beau if ya weren't special ta me?"

"I keep trying to tell him but he won't listen." Pitch smiled and kissed Jack's cheek. "He's determined to make me flatter him constantly."

"I'm really not all that a-" Jack was quickly cut off by Tina's hand covering his mouth.

"Your modesty is another part that makes you so precious to us all." She smiled at him.

"You don't realize the greatness that is inside you. Is part of reason we keep you around," North chuckled.

"And is a major reason why I love you," Pitch purred.

"Guys," Jack whined. "Today is supposed to be about the rehearsal and Nick and Tina. Why are you all talking about me?" He didn't even realize he was pouting a little and trying to hide in his lover's neck.

Pitch chuckled and allowed Jack to hide against him. "How long have you two known each other? I assume this wasn't a quick relationship."

The couple looked at each other. "Four-?" She smacked North on the arm with a knowing smile. "Five years? Yes, five years."

"Five years? How romantic."

"I think so too." Tina hugged North's arm close with a fond smile. "I sorta like the guy, after all."

"And how long have you two known Jack?"

"Five years."

"So you all met around the same time?"

"I actually introduced them," Jack interjected.

Pitch smiled. "Oh? Out from hiding now?"

"Shut up," he grumbled.

"So cute," Pitch whispered, nuzzling Jack's cheek lovingly. Jack could already hear the girls cooing together under their breaths, and he rolled his eyes. "Just suck it up, we're hot stuff," Pitch teased.

"We're just the latest gossip subject for them."

"I don't mind."

"I do."

"They're your friends."

"So that means they know I'm not a fan of being in the spotlight."

"You can hide against me again if you'd like," Pitch teased.

"It would be really nice," Jack rolled his eyes and shifted back into his own seat. "If my friends could stop being jerks and change the subject," he pouted.

North patted him on the shoulder with a laugh. "You are lucky food is finally ready." The group dispersed to their own tables. Nick and Tina made their way to their parents' table and sat with them. Jack reached over to take Pitch's hand in his own.

"They seem nice."

"They're being nicer to you than I expected." He took a sip of his wine. "You and Fairy seemed to be having a nice talk. Should I be worried?"

"Not at all. Just learning about you a little more."

"Just learning? Why do I get the feeling it was more than that?"

"Because you're always suspicious?"

"Usually for good reason."

"Don't be. We weren't talking about bad, per se."

"Per se?"

"We were talking about your past."

Jack's face fell a little. "And what have you taken from the conversation?"

Pitch smiled. "That I want to be better than what you've known, and I want to make you happy."

"Really?" He looked over at his lover, scared to be hopeful.

"Really." Pitch leaned forward and nuzzled Jack's nose. "I want you, no matter what or who came before me."

"B-because I know my past can be a little daunting," Jack whispered shakily.

"A little, but I've never been afraid of a challenge."

"Even one as big as me?"

"I consider the reward to be bigger than the risk."

Jack's face split with a big smile and he kissed him quickly. He shut his mouth when Nick and Tina started speaking to everyone before he could speak. He softly whispered to him, "We'll talk more later?"

Pitch nodded. "I'd like that."

Only one more chapter! Almost there!

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