Lectures on Love Chapter 2- Of All the Gin Joints in the World

A/N: Title taken from Fall Out Boy's song. Hope you all enjoy. More to come soon! Warning: The characters may seem a little OOC, this is mainly because I'm following the episode Rebel Without A Glove. The whole point of the episode was having the characters act completely out of character, Bugs because he lost his gloves and Daffy because he changed his name. So I'm basing the story on their character changes.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Looney Tunes nor am I making any profit from this. Please support the show and the characters. Also please check out the artwork of Kumagorochan and Not-A-Comedian, they deserve a mention because their work is that fantastic.

Special thanks to BouffonneLife for the favorite and adding me to the community, I'm honored.

Enjoy everyone.

Daffy spent his Saturday watching reruns of Jeopardy and grading papers, he pointedly did anything to distract himself from looking at the clock and thinking about the night he had ahead.

But he got a little too carried away-before he knew it the agreed hour was quickly approaching and he found himself having to rush.

When he was finished he had but a few minutes to spare and in that short amount of time, he used it to worry endlessly. He didn't quite know Bugs so well, how would he know if Bugs was going to stand him up or come tragically late? Moreover why did he care? Wasn't that the plan? To never see his face again, and if Bugs didn't show up, hey at least Daffy held his part of the bargain.

But Bugs did show up and on time too. He didn't ring the doorbell nor did he knock, the roaring of his motorcycle gave him away.

"I guess that's your 'date'." Carrie teased, knowing full well it would get on Daffy's nerves. She strolled in to the foyer, where Daffy was nervously peeking out the window.

Carrie did a cat call. "Well well well, is that my brother looking so fine?" She circled around him to inspect him. " It's like you're a whole other person."

Daffy glared at her. He had decided to ditch the turtleneck and khakis he usually wore for something a little more laidback. He had chosen a loose salmon long sleeved button down shirt, and a black tie to match his vest and dress pants. To complete the look, he chose his black rimmed spectacles instead of his gold rimmed ones. And he didn't really have time for his hair so he had let it air dry, leaving it to look even shaggier and unruly.

It was his emergency outfit for when he had to attend a meeting at the school or a luncheon or something as important, however he had panicked when he realized he'd be late and just decided to throw it on. It was classic "nerd chic" and though Daffy tended to ignore what the magazines had to say, he had found this outfit peeking at him through a store window and just had to buy it.

Carrie wouldn't shut up about it though, since it was literally the first time in two years that Daffy actually dressed like a normal human being with fashion sense and she had to admit the change was good.

After taking a few pictures with her phone and gawking some more, she threw Daffy to the wolves by handing him a nice black jacket and shoving him out the door.

Bugs' jaw almost dropped when he saw Daffy storming out of his house uttering a few choice words under his breath, wearing almost all black save for the salmon button down he was currently trying to cover with his jacket. His disheveled hair looked even more wild and added to his attractiveness. The raven-haired man looked more than good, he looked hot. And it was doing unhealthy things to Bugs' sanity.

Daffy was still reeling over Carrie's behavior to the point that he almost didn't notice Bugs leaning against the motorcycle until he nearly collided with the taller man.

Gently Bugs caught Daffy by placing his hands on the shorter man's shoulders. "Whoa, where's the fire?" He asked, giving Daffy his traditional smirk.

Daffy rolled his eyes and pointed to his house. "It's in there and its name is Carrie."

Bugs nodded in understanding. "I see." He relinquished his grip on Daffy's shoulders once he was sure the raven-haired man had his balance.

"You look great." Bugs admitted, giving Daffy a once-over. So far he liked what he saw.

"Thanks." But Daffy looked uncomfortable with the compliment.

Bugs didn't know why but he felt as if it were important for Daffy to know. He curled his finger under the shorter man's chin like he did the night before so Daffy could look at him. With utmost sincerity and holding Daffy's gaze with his, Bugs voiced, "I mean it."

Daffy felt the stupid blood rushing to warm his cheeks, he looked up into Bugs' striking blue eyes and impossibly his blush deepened. Bugs' face was utterly serious, like he needed Daffy to know that he looked good.

Daffy wasn't really used to people giving him compliments on his looks, even when he wasn't a high strung, high ranked Professor at an elite college, it just didn't happen. He never really saw himself as good-looking either, if he wasn't dying his hair in crazy colors. Carrie had taken the good genes of the family. She was gorgeous with the perfect combination of green eyes and curly red hair that made her a bombshell while he was the pale, dark-haired brother with the ordinary brown eyes that didn't even help to make him stand out from the wallpaper.

But for some reason none of that meant anything compared to Bugs' views which made Daffy feel a little better about himself. "O-okay." Daffy nodded, certain that Bugs was insane for even thinking that Daffy's half-assed attempts at dressing up constituted as good.

"So have you decided where you want to go?" Bugs asked, releasing his chin so that he was free to nervously study the ground.

"Well I'm craving pizza and there are a few joints in town that would be nice to visit. I mean, if you don't mind."

Bugs smirked. "I like pizza; as a matter of fact I know a place that would blow your mind."

"Well then I'm ready if you are."

But Bugs was studying him in that uncomfortable but oddly electrifying way that he often did, he smiled to himself as if he was keeping a joke from Daffy.

"What's the matter?" He asked, getting miffed.

"Well I was kind of expecting rules or for you to be super picky. I thought you'd say you want something totally fancy and complicated." Bugs confessed honestly. "But it saves me the trouble of having to change into something more confined."

It was then that Daffy noticed what he was wearing. He had changed his grey biker jeans for a darker pair and abandoned the biker jacket and tee-shirt for a black and white loose checkered flannel shirt and a black jacket. He left some buttons unfastened on his shirt revealing the tanned smoothness of his chest and the surfer chains he wore around his neck.

His hair was smoothed back neatly and the only thing that was missing was his notorious cigarette that Daffy was surprised was nowhere in sight.

He looked quite decent and the realization that they were actually going to date hit him like a blow to the head. Daffy couldn't remember the last time he ever went on a date with someone. In the two years since he had moved to California he had little time for simple pleasures and found things like 'dating' and 'going out' as petty things he couldn't entertain.

But here he was and the man he was going out with was actually blown away that Daffy wasn't the stuck up type.

"You look fine, however if you're feeling for Truffles Risotto then I could change my mind from the pizza." Daffy commented, studying his nails casually.

Bugs raised a grey eyebrow and Daffy giggled. "I'm only kidding. Now let's go."

They pulled up a few minutes later in the parking lot of a restaurant that looked like the perfect mix of snazzy and comfortable. 'A Piece of Italy' read the sign on the entrance.

Bugs led him through the door with all the casual ease of someone who had been there many times. Where the exterior of the restaurant was all done up with pretty lights and beautiful decorations, the inside was even more breathtaking.

Daffy was amazed at how remarkable the interior was: the room was fancy but not fancy enough for him to feel out of place, waiters dressed in black and white skirted around taking orders from the decently dressed guests, on the rustic walls were intricate paintings of Italy intertwined with fake plant vines to give the appearance as if they were eating outside facing Italy's vineyards and crop fields.

At one table there was an older gentleman standing up and having a chat with a younger couple who seemed to be enjoying his company.

Daffy guessed that he was the manager because of the black and white suit he wore that was a tad fancier than the waiters'.

Bugs smiled down at Daffy. "Is this fine for you?"

Daffy nodded. "It's perfect." And with that Bugs left him to go and speak to the manager.

The older gentleman threw Bugs into a hug when he turned around and recognized the younger man. Bugs laughed at the sudden attack and soon they were having a conversation. Just when Daffy was beginning to feel a little awkward watching Bugs talk to his friend, the biker boy called him over to join him.

"Sal," Bugs started, placing a hand on Daffy's back as soon as he caught up to them. "This is my date, Dexter Mallard."

Sal gave Daffy a kind smile before reaching a hand out for him to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Daffy smiled back; there was something about Sal that just radiated tenderness and warmth. "The pleasure's all mine Sir."

"This boy is like a son to me," Sal said looking at Bugs, "but he's trouble wrapped in a pretty package." And he gave Bugs a chiding squeeze on the arm.

Bugs rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Sal, I'm cleaning up my act. I'm enrolled in school now."

Sal gave Bugs a reproachful look. "I heard about that fight down at The Gutter, you promised you wouldn't get into anymore fights."

Bugs smoothed his hair down with his hand, he looked at Sal coolly. "It was Terry and his gang causing trouble, Lola wasn't working that night and you know Sylvester's too much of a coward to take care of them. I thought I was being noble."

Sal burst out in a fit of good hearted laughter. "Only you, Ash O' Hare." When he recovered he gave them both a heart warming smile. "I'll give you boys the best seats in the house. What do ya say?"

Bugs smirked. "Sal, you're a regular Prince among men you know?"

He received a loving punch in the arm. "Don't get coy with me boy, I'm still mad at you. But, you have a polite chap right here who's probably starving so I will let you slide."

Daffy blushed and thanked Sal. The older gentleman led them to a secluded table at the back of the restaurant. It was set for two and the whole display seemed quite intimate but Daffy didn't have time to panic about it because Bugs was taking his coat for him.

"Well," Sal began, "just call me when you're ready to order." And with that he was off.

Now that they were alone, Daffy was inexplicably beginning to feel nervous. He tried to study the menu but he just couldn't shake that uncomfortable feeling. Chancing a glance at Bugs to see if maybe he wasn't the only one feeling it, Daffy got his answer. Bugs had completely disregarded the menu and the beauty around him to study Daffy again like he was his favorite enigma.

Daffy rolled his eyes. "You're doing it again."

Bugs smirked. "Doing what?"

"Looking at me like a weirdo."

Bugs laughed softly. "I can't help it, you're different than many of my dates."

"What you don't regularly go out with young nerds? Why am I not surprised?"

Bugs' blue eyes lit up. "You got me there. I usually date bad boys like myself, you know guys without a future, whose only homes are the open road and truck stop gas stations but then you walk in with your biting sarcasm, dry humor and the weight of the world on your shoulders and completely blow them out of the water." For a second he looked nostalgic and pleased but not with himself, pleased by the turn of events. "I've always had a thing for nerds but they get intimidated by me. You didn't seem to care about that, you're main concern was your sister who by the way I still don't want to date."

Daffy smiled at the revelation, but he was still trying to take it all in. It seemed like Bugs was attracted to him from the start without him having to do anything. How could someone as calm and collected as Bugs want anything to do with someone as easily stressed out and as timid as him? Perhaps if Bugs had met his old self then maybe…

A waiter came by to take their orders, it was then that Daffy remembered the menu. Everything looked delicious but he was mainly craving pizza, and he was going to have pizza.

"You also don't look or act like everybody else. Everyone around here acts like they're better than everyone else. You just seem normal." Bugs observed.

"That's because I'm from Minnesota, we're basically all the same." Daffy remarked dryly. "What about you? You don't act like everyone around here. What's your story?"

"I'm from New York where no matter who you are, you're no better than anyone else."

Daffy raised an eyebrow. "Huh, I never pegged you for a New Yorker but I did realize you had a very subtle accent."

Bugs shrugged. "My parents divorced when I was twelve and my father won custody. I loved New York but he hated it and moved us all the way out here. I spent eleven years of my life rebelling from his oppression."

"Where's your father now?" Daffy asked, genuinely curious.

"He lives in Malibu." Something dangerous flashed in Bugs' eyes. "He thinks that just because he invented the carrot peeler, he's the world's greatest. We hardly speak, to be honest the only reason I'm changing my life around is because of Sal. I was a troubled kid and he was always there for me. Where my father never had the time to even hang out with me, I used to run over here and Sal would give me free pizza."

"Wait, if your dad invented the carrot peeler than that must mean you're rich right?"

"He's rich. I wanted none of his money; I wanted to show him that he couldn't buy my love. So I moved out and got a job at a garage repairing cars and bikes." Bugs declared; it was obvious he still held some resentment for his dad.

Daffy was impressed. "You dislike him that much that you'd give up a life of luxury just to not be around him?"

Bugs nodded. "He's an asshole and without my mom being there, I had no one to help me deal with him. You're lucky you have your sister."

Daffy struggled to imagine the life Bugs had, he practically had to raise himself. It made him have so much more respect for him. But he had a similar story.

"My mother realized she was a lesbian when I was only ten and Carrie was eight. She moved in with her girlfriend and left my father and us behind. My father held no resentment for her though and raised us to be respectable kids. But I grew up not knowing what to feel about homosexuals, I felt like my father was wrong for not treating my mother horribly for her selfish decision and that it was mostly her girlfriend's fault for destroying our happy family.

"So I-I became a bit of a homophobe. I dated plenty of women and refused to hang out with anybody who admitted that they were gay or a lesbian. But," Daffy could feel the guilt from the memories bubbling to the surface. "When I started getting these urges, I hated myself. I turned all my anger and hatred about my parent's break up onto myself. If it weren't for my father telling me it was alright to be gay then I don't know where I'd be right now. It was his decision for us to leave Minnesota. Carrie was beginning to hang out with the wrong crowd and the friends I thought I had, rejected me when I came out. But she was just following in my footsteps; she thought it was acceptable to hang out with jerks because I did. I knew what I had to do then, I had to make it better for her. I had to be a better role model. So I made peace with my demons, embraced myself and packed us up and moved us to California. I recently found out that my mom got married to Sara and they're both really happy. When I came out to her over the phone, she cried. My father is still very much in my life, he calls us constantly to check up on us, but mostly Carrie. She's a bit head strong but she's also easily impressionable." Daffy didn't know why he was telling Bugs all this but he felt compelled to as if somehow he knew that Bugs wouldn't judge him because it was something he needed to hear.

Bugs nodded. "So I'm guessing, you're more like your dad and Carrie's more like your mom?"

"Yeah. It's been tough for Carrie, she was rather fond of Mom and hated moving here but if you ask me, it's the best decision I ever made for her. Her grades are picking up and she's meeting people of higher caliber. My only issue is she sneaks out."

Dawn broke across Bugs' face. "So that's why you were in The Gutter? I wondered what a guy like you was doing alone in a place like that. You should tell your sister to be careful, Californian thugs are deadly, they rarely let things go unfinished."

"Don't you think I've tried telling her that? She won't listen to me. But I'm sure if she saw you beat up Terry she would have understood."

"About that," Bugs started but just then they're food arrived. After taking a bite of a mozzarella stick, he continued. "That night was supposed to be my last hoorah. I was just going in the bar to have a last drink before getting my act together when I heard Terry. And you know the rest…"

For a second, Daffy felt guilty. "I guess if it weren't for us, you'd be on your way to a better life by now."

Bugs grinned. "It's not so bad; you did let my last night go out with a bang."

Daffy smiled. "And you gave me a night to remember."

They sat like that in silence, eating their food and basking in each other's company until Bug's remembered. "By the way, you never told me what you did."

"Oh, I suppose I didn't. I'm a College Professor."

"I never figured you to be a college professor. Impressive."

"Thanks, I'm the youngest in my division. And I worked hard to get here."

"I'm sure. What college, if you don't mind me asking?"

Daffy beamed. "Not at all. It's Poland Springs."

"Hmm," Bugs thought out loud, scratching his chin. "Guess it's a small world after all."

Daffy was confused. "Why?"

"Because I'm supposed to be starting school there on Monday you know? Some history course." Bugs couldn't have sounded any less interested.

A few minutes later Bugs was chasing Daffy down the street. "I'm sorry but this, all of this was a mistake." Daffy exclaimed, turning around to face Bugs.

"I can't date a student, can you believe how many people probably saw us!" Daffy felt so stupid, how could he let this happen?

Bugs put his hands in his pockets. "I don't care what people say. I like you and that's all that matters."

"You don't understand. I could lose my job for this. Listen, I'm sorry Bugs but I can't do this again."

"Daffy, this is ridiculous." Bugs called out.

But Daffy kept walking. To think he was even actually enjoying himself, taking advantage of a student like that? He was sick.

He hadn't realized that Bugs had caught up to him until he heard him speak. "What will it take for you to forget that ever happened and go back to having a nice night with me?"

Daffy stopped walking and let Bugs see the tears. "Nothing, I screwed up. It's my fault."

"Daffy don't-" Bugs cooed, reaching out a hand to brush a tear away. But Daffy only walked faster. He had royally screwed up big time.

A/N: I just want to thank everyone for reading, really it means a lot that someone is willing to check my story out. :)