Hey, everyone! Sorry I've been slow on the updates this week. I've been busy as a bee after six cans of diet coke. To put a little scope into that, I write this in part from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Long story…

I probably should have condensed these chapters into parts, like 1a, 1b etc. At least then I wouldn't be up to Chapter 14 and only really halfway through. Sort of. Oh well.

Something I reblogged on Tumblr that IS JUST TOO ADORABLE NOT TO LOOK AT (make sure to put the dots where the spaces are): uprapide com/images/invite/original-9 jpg

And now, some fluffy jackrabbit…

Play For Me, Jack

Chapter 14

Tuesday had been hard to get through. His disgusting feeling as a result of the previous night had peaked roughly around 8:30AM but thankfully had seemed to start subsiding by the time rehearsal began. Being Australian, Bunny hadn't wanted to let on that he felt so gross as he figured he'd lose face if he did. Not that he wanted to reinforce the stereotype that all Australians could handle their alcohol or that they were all drunks, but he figured he should at least live a little up to the ideas they all must have had about him. In all, the day had seemed to start fairly well but it had quickly gone down hill.

For once it felt nice going into work and being greeted by more than a select few. His getting to know more of the orchestra at the bar the previous evening had been the opportunity he'd been hoping for and it really helped his slight hangover to dissipate by being said hello to. It wasn't just the official hello he'd gotten used to anymore, it was a friendly hello with genuineness to it that made him feel like part of the group. "And it only took four weeks" he thought as he rolled his eyes and figured he'd expected better of himself. Still, better late than never and as he casually chatted to his new friends, he forgot to spare a thought for the absence of the boy that usually sat to his left. That was until 9AM rolled around. Looking over, he puzzled when he saw that Jack wasn't there and felt bad for starting without him. Still, he couldn't wait for one player even if he was his concertmaster and so, with a shrug, he began the rehearsal.

They were about fifty bars into Uranus from The Planets when he finally saw the door edge open and his sweetheart amble in. He lost his focus for a second as he took in the sight of the bedraggled boy and had to turn away when a muted giggle from the orchestra dragged his eyes back towards them when he missed a cue. He smirked a little when he saw Jack eventually sit down and saw how rough he looked. That really must have been some hangover he had and although he felt sorry for him, it was pretty funny. Jack looked like he'd been through the wringer and he couldn't wait to taunt him for having to go through this punishment for abusing his liver so harshly.

That taunting though, it seemed, was not appropriate today. When a break came he attempted to start Jack off with a gentle ribbing, hoping to build to all out mockery after a quick warm up. Instead of bouncing everything he said back though, Jack just sat there and took it all in whilst barely moving a muscle in his ashen face which looked even more pale than usual – if that was at all possible. Bunny found it strange but not completely out of place and so he decided to give Jack a break as he sat there miserably. He didn't really know Jack's habits all that well yet so he brushed off the bad feeling he had about his worrying appearance and simply put it down to the way Jack processed stale alcohol in his blood. In any other situation he would have been sure that something else was wrong but he figured, hey ho, Jack was a funny little bugger. He himself behaved a little weird when he was feeling worse for wear so why couldn't Jack?

He decided to try to make him feel better over lunch but, alas, Jack seemed to be preoccupied even then – let alone looking exhausted. Even his offer to hang out after work was quietly declined and that was the point when he decided to ask someone if Jack was behaving normally.

Tooth wasn't much help. She too was pretty tired and he couldn't make much sense out of her confused ramblings. Perhaps tomorrow would provide him with better conversation and so he went home alone. When he arrived he couldn't help but feel a little lonely, although maybe he had been treated to too much social interaction lately. That, and sex. Maybe he'd gotten so much contact time – in every sense of the word – in one go that now he was in for a lull. Taking a second to consider it, he figured that was a pretty weird thought.

The next morning…

Jack sighed as he heard his alarm go off. He hadn't allowed himself to become upset when he'd gotten in the previous night. He couldn't afford to expend what little energy he had left on complaining about the situation when he had to figure out what he was going to do. That streamlined mentality yielded no results though and he had been too tired to stay up past ten o'clock to try to think some more. Now it was the next morning and he had only a few hours left before he had to tell Pitch what he'd decided.

Really there was no thinking to be done. He couldn't not agree to Pitch's outrageous deal since the consequences were beyond anything he could survive. Strangely, it wasn't the threats that got to him the most. It was the fear of what Pitch might have him do that really grated at his tortured mind and he really wished none of this had happened to him. What use was wishing though? This was just something he had to get past in anyway possible. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad, although knowing Pitch that was as silly hope to cling to.

"No wishes. No hope" he thought as he reached to turn off his alarm and sat up stiffly, "Good morning world. Goodbye happiness"

When he got to work, the only thing he could really say that was good about the morning was that he didn't feel like he was going to drop down dead at any moment – at least not due to a hangover.

When he walked onstage, this time before the rehearsal had started, he walked up to Bunny with a fairly blank expression on is face and did his best to feign blank emotions. Not happy, not sad. Just blank.

"Hey, Bunny" he said as he walked up behind his…well, whatever Bunny was to him at the moment.

"Mornin', Jacky" Bunny said as he turned and went to reach for him before stopping and then calmly putting his hands down again. "Sorry. I keep forgetting we're not officially a thing to everyone yet"

"Yeah, well…" Jack trailed off as he sat down. Bunny cocked his head slightly.

"Everything alright?" he asked as he went back to shuffling the bits and pieces on his stand.

"Yeah. Why not…"

"You seem frustrated and…still kinda tired and moody"

"I am. Didn't sleep that well"

"Still not feeling great?"

"Nowhere near great."

"Sorry to hear. Maybe you should have stayed home yesterday"

"Yeah…maybe…

"Aren't you gonna tell me off for not letting you?"

"No"

Bunny paused, "No? You don't mean 'oh, now you tell me?"

"Would it do any good?" Jack asked without looking up.

"I…guess not" Bunny said quietly whilst wondering what on earth he'd done to make Jack mad at him. It must have been something, why else would he be acting so grumpy? "Are you sure everything's okay?"

Jack sighed silently, "Yes"

"I hope…uh…I haven't done anything to annoy you"

"You haven't" Jack said as he suddenly started to realize Bunny's calmer, more tentative tone. He instantly felt bad for making him feel guilty for nothing and knew the man didn't deserve to bear his griping.

"Okay. Well, if there is something up…you know. Or, you know what? I promise I won't bother you today. How's that?"

"No, it's fine" Jack said as he looked up and produced an unconvincing smile as he tried disperse the situation. "I'm not mad at you for anything at all. I'm just feeling a little gross, is all"

"Nevertheless" Bunny began as he quickly looked around and then bent down to Jack's level "You look like you don't need me picking on you today"

Jack looked down and smiled. "Thanks" he said eventually and then felt Bunny's hand land on his knee. How could he be being so nice to him after he had been so dismissive? He couldn't be that in tune with him to know when he needed a break. There was no way he could be that wonderful. Stupid perfect Bunny!

A moment later, Bunny got up and called the rest of the players in to start the day and Jack did his best to play through the pieces and make his solos sound convincing. He was pretty distracted today though. After all, he had a looming deadline getting closer with every tick of the clock and as he kept glancing at the time he began to grow nervous as the hours counted down to his fate.

Before he knew it, it was 11:15AM and he was standing outside Pitch's office just staring at the door and trying to find the courage to go in. Eventually he was relieved of his effort as the door was opened from the other side and as Pitch stood there and stared him down, he felt that unmistakeable creepy feeling snake up his spine and seep into the most uncomfortable points on his body possible.

"Well, well" Pitch began with a sly smile, "And I thought you might not come". He stood aside and held out his hand to beckon Jack through the door. With a gulp, Jack stepped forward and felt his breathing pick up as he entered the lion's den. Or perhaps he should have called it the snake pit. Whatever its name, Jack didn't sit down as the dark spectre walked around him and sat down behind his desk. Seeing how distressed he looked with his arms crossed and his eyes down, Pitch revelled in the sight before him and then opened a draw to take out a white, rectangular envelope. "I'm sure you know what this is" he said eerily, "The question is, shall it end up in North's office, or shall it end up in the garbage for the time being?"

Jack just stood there and huffed as he felt Pitch's beastly words assault him. The sound delighted the greyish man and made him grin the sickly grin that, had Jack seen it, would have made him feel as if thousands of insects were crawling all over his skin as per usual with those smiles.

"Well, Jack, what will it be?" he said as he stood up again and began to walk towards the boy. Jack fought the flinches that emanated from within as Pitch took each step. He had to force himself to say something but he couldn't possibly agree to what Pitch was demanding, could he? Although really, how could he not?

"It's a simple decision, Jack. Do as I say, whenever I say it…" he said before taking a long pause which forced Jack to eventually flick his downturned eyes up to his. "…or risk your future. Does it not seem an easy decision to you?"

Jack was so conflicted. He knew what he had to do but he just couldn't see how to bring himself to doing it. As he stood there and looked back down again his brow wrinkled as his disgust and frustration turned to nervousness and dismay. Soon, as his lip began to quiver, Pitch moved in for the kill.

"Jack!"

"Alright!" Jack nearly shouted as he looked up to Pitch and breathed a heavy breath. Pitch slowly stood up tall and then smiled down at him hungrily.

"Alright…what?" he said taking care to enunciate very carefully.

"Alright…I'll do it" Jack repeated. After a second he spun on his heels, ripped the door open and charged down the hall to get away from the menacing man. He couldn't be sure but he almost thought he heard the sound of Pitch's laughing echo evilly down the hall towards him as he ran away and, after only a few seconds of fleeing, he dived into an empty practice room and slammed the door behind him. Walking into the middle of the room he began to pace back and forth frustatedly before stopping, kneeling down and grasping his head in his hands. How could this all be happening? How the hell?! It just wasn't fair and he didn't deserve it. He was a good guy. He'd made one little mistake that he hadn't even intended to let happen and now all of a sudden his career was on the line. It made no sense and was an unimaginable injustice, but there it was. It was happening and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Try as he might, he just couldn't see a way out now and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

He didn't cry. He wasn't going to give his despair the satisfaction. It seemed appropriate though, and had his rage not been so monumental as to crush his misery he probably would have.

In the hall, Tooth skittered along looking in windows and searching for her friend who had been missing from his usual haunts when he ran off without her. He hadn't been in any of the places she'd looked so far and it seemed strange that he'd be up here. However, short of going down to the pit* or into the rigging above the stage – which, to be fair, he had scampered off to in the past – there was nowhere else he could be. Just as she was about to give up, she suddenly spied him through the glass in the door and went to burst in on him. Before throwing the door open though, she stopped as she saw him kneeling whilst facing away from her and wondered why on earth he looked so dismayed. Gently cracking the door open, she delicately called "Jack?" before startling as he suddenly sprung up and turned to her. "Are you okay?" she asked as he stared at her in shock.

"Um…yeah" he said as he suddenly realized what he must have looked like and looked away as he tried to calm down. "I'm fine"

Tooth tilted her head and smiled thinly. He knew she could see he was lying and he really didn't want to have to put the energy into keeping it up today. As soon as she wandered over to him and placed a hand on his arm, he sighed and slowly began to tell her what had happened. As he related the story to her, her face went from motherly sympathy to unbridled stupefaction.

"He what?" she eventually managed to squeak out.

"I just have to do what he says"

"But…what does that mean?"

"I don't know. He wouldn't say. All I know is I gotta do what he says or he'll tell the bosses what I did."

"But it's blackmail!"

"His words exactly"

"I…I…This is…ugh!" she flapped. "You can't let him get away with this!"

"What am I supposed to do, Tooth? He's got me trapped."

"But it's not fair!"

"I know… but there's nothing I can say. I can't report him without telling them about me and Bunny and then…oh, I don't know…"

"Jack…" she said with a clear pang of pain in her voice which tugged on Jack's heartstrings. With a sigh he pulled her close and hugged her. He hadn't expected her to take it worse than him. The two stood there and chatted quietly in each others arms until it was time to go back to rehearsal. They came no closer to a resolution by the end of their break and it was silently agreed that Jack was stuck. At least he had Tooth to confide in and, of course, Bunny now. Then again, he probably couldn't tell him. Bunny seemed the type to get mad about this sort of thing and he didn't want him to cause a fuss. Besides, he figured Bunny didn't need to worry about something like this and if he could spare him any strife at all it would be the right thing to do. It was nice to think that Bunny might try to rescue him though. Not that he liked to feel like the damsel in distress, although on second thoughts, he kinda did. He'd save that thought for Tooth to cheer her up later.

At the end of the day…

"Jack! Wait up!"

Jack turned as he heard Bunny call to him as he was trying to leave. He started to feel nervous as he watched Bunny jog over and did his best to look calm.

"Where you going, mate? You barely said a thing to me all day. Or yesterday. Come on, Jacky, what's up?"

"Nothings up" Jack said as he managed to force a smile, "I promise"

Bunny smirked at him before looking around and then taking him by the hand into the bathroom. Once inside, he took Jack's bag and violin from him, placed them by the row of sinks, and turned back with a determined look on his face.

"Now, look. If there's one thing I've learned since I came here it's that you can't be kept on the ground for more than five minutes before rocketing off. These past two days you've been sitting on that chair and practically melting onto the floor. Now…" he paused as he stepped forward and pulled Jack into his arms, "…what's got you so unhappy?"

Jack sighed. He couldn't fold now after only a few hours into his mess. It seemed like the perfect moment to tell Bunny but he just couldn't. He had to cover this up if he was going to get through and no matter how much Pitch would screw him over, he had to keep it hidden for Bunny's sake. He had to put on a brave face now if he was going to keep him from becoming even more suspicious.

Looking up and smiling, he began his cover up.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm being such a whiny bitch. I'm just having a bad couple of days, what with my bad tummy"

"Your tummy, huh?" Bunny said as he marvelled at how cute a word that was for Jack to use.

"Yeah. But everything's okay. Really"

"You sure?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Positive."

"Okay good, 'cos there's something I've been wanting to ask you"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I was wondering, if you're free, if I may be so bold as to ask you out to dinner tomorrow night?"

"You mean, our first official date?" Jack asked expectantly as his day finally became a little brighter.

"Yeah. Sound good to you?"

"Definitely!" Jack said as he jumped up and planted his lips on Bunny's. When they parted they smiled at one another and then giggled shyly. At least some good came from this day. As he went home his mood remained quite nicely balanced as he was torn between the damning terror from Pitch and the outstanding joy from Bunny. Being just on the right side of happy made him feel pretty contented, all things considered, and he smiled gently until he arrived at his front door. So began his evening of intensive practice which he had decided he really needed if he was going to be prepared to take on any musical challenge Pitch might throw at him in the near future. If there was one thing he wasn't going to falter at it was his playing and he figured it would really stick in the man's craw if he could throw that in his face.

By the time he finally fell into bed, his fingers were sore and his mind was teetering on the edge of making him collapse into unconsciousness. He put it down to the sheer emotional drain the day had been and before he had time to worry, he was asleep. Strangely enough, he slept well that night and woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in what seemed like ages.

The next evening…

"I can't believe this is actually happening!" Tooth squealed as she watched Jack button up his shirt. "Where is he taking you?"

"I don't know" Jack said with a smile, "he just said to dress nice"

"What are you putting over that?"

"I don't know. A jacket, maybe?"

"Blazer?"

"Too formal"

"And too manly for you. Sweater?"

"Fancy sweater?"

"Yeah"

"Umm…" he began as he turned to go over to his closet and fish through what was in there. "…how about…this?" he said as he pulled out a blue cashmere number.

"Do you have anything other than blue?" Tooth asked with a cocked head.

Jack turned back to look briefly and then said, "Nope. So, this?"

"Why not?" she said as she got up and went over to him. "I'm sure he's not expecting you to be wearing too much. After all, he'll probably want to take it all off later on"

"Tooth!" Jack shot with a smile, "It's not like th-…okay, fair enough. But still…"

"Have you got condoms?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"We haven't been using them"

"Jack! Are you crazy?!"

"What?! We didn't the first time and so we kinda figured there was no point"

"Well, you should have done! What if you have Chlamydia now?"

"I do not have Chlamydia" he said as he turned away and went to fiddle with his hair.

"You don't know that! Someone as sexy as Bunny is bound to have something"

"Where is this all coming from? You didn't say a word when you first found out"

"That was before I knew you were going diving without a wetsuit"

"What?" Jack spluttered amusedly.

"I'm just saying, you should never not rubber up when you're with someone new"

"Well, it kinda fell by the wayside. Besides, he's clean"

"Says who?"

"Says him. And I trust him"

"You hardly know him"

"And that's why we're going out tonight"

"Doesn't cure you of your syphilis!"

"I do not have syphilis. I'm sure I would have noticed something"

"Can you identify syphilis, Jack?"

"…No. Oh, don't worry Tooth. I'm sure everything's fine"

"Everything is not fine. But for now, I'll let it go. I'll come visit you in the hospital when you're having your rotten weiner cut off"

"Eww! Tooth!"

His girlfriend just giggled as she came up behind him and began to straighten him out. They chatted idly for a little while longer and it was nice to share his excitement with somebody else. The day had been speckled with worrying about Pitch, interspersed with episodes of delight as Bunny had come to him to chat about tonight. Pretty soon, he had gracefully forgotten about his main dilemma and became solely focused on what was going to happen this evening. He'd forgotten how fun it was to be getting ready for a date and, even though he already knew Bunny pretty well, he still felt that strange kind of excited nervousness that fit the bill for any first date. He'd never really gotten the first date scenario down to any kind of mastery and he always felt like a social klutz when he was out with a guy for the first time. Being so long since his last first date though made him feel all the more nervous and he was conflicted as to whether or not knowing Bunny and having slept with him made things better or worse. Wasn't it kind of slutty to have done him before at least the third date? Was that going to be an issue? Was Bunny going to expect sex again? If he was then should he put out? It was all too worrying and Jack just tried to put it out of his mind for now. He didn't want to lose his buzz.

It all came flooding back when finally the doorbell rang and he panicked for a few seconds with Tooth before abruptly putting on a brave face and hurrying over to the callbox. With a jittery breath, he pressed the button.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jacky" he heard Bunny say on the other end. "Ready to go?"

"Sure. I'll be down in a minute."

Turning away and smiling widely at Tooth, he breathed heavily a few times before putting on his coat and attempting to reassure himself in a mirror by the door.

"Okay…okay…" he said to himself as he stared at his own deep, blue eyes, "…I can do this"

"Yes! You can!" Tooth cheered as she jumped on him. "Now go! Go and have fun!"

"Oh, God, can I?"

"Yes! Go!" she said as she ripped open the door and threw him out. Slamming it behind him, she jumped around and cheered quietly to herself as she let her excitement take a hold of her and then flittered over to the couch to flop down. This was so sweet she could hardly bear it. She was so pleased that Jack and Bunny were getting together and she hoped above all things that it would work out. More to the point, she wished she were going on the date with them. She would have gladly sat to the side with a bucket of popcorn watching it all unfold.

After a little while she calmed down and began to look around Jack's apartment. Noticing it was in its usual state of disarray, she couldn't help but get up and start tidying before she left. After all, she had to pass the time until she could blast him with questions somehow.

Meanwhile, Jack stopped just before the front door and took a deep breath. He really didn't know why he was so nervous. It wasn't as if this was his first time out and about with Bunny. Somehow he just couldn't pass off the jitters though and, without finding resolution, he reached for the door handle and pulled it open.

Jack marvelled as he saw Bunny turn to face him. He was wearing a gorgeous black blazer with a white shirt underneath that made his tan stand out like gold. Jack was barely able to catch his breath as he took in the sight of the astounding man before him and before he could process his mushy thoughts into words, Bunny spoke up.

"You look beautiful"

Jack suppressed a choke that tried to work its way up his throat and gracefully managed to produce something at least partly witty.

""You mean I don't usually?"

"Of course you do" Bunny said with the most charming smile imaginable, "but tonight you look especially good"

"You don't look bad yourself" Jack said as he tried to mirror his smile and then swooned a little when he caught the scent of Bunny's cologne.

"Thanks. You ready to go?"

"Sure" Jack said as he tottered down the steps with his date and then thanked him for opening his door. "Such a gentleman" he said cheekily before starting to freak out as he wondered whether he should have kissed Bunny. Too late now.

"Well, it wouldn't do for me to treat you the same at night as I do in the day"

"Considering what's happened in recent nights, I should say not"

"Hey" Bunny said with a low chuckle, "I'm trying to be suave. No dirty talk"

"Have it your way" Jack said as he thought, "Shit, Jack! Don't be slutty!"

When Bunny got into the car, he didn't waste any time in gunning it and asking Jack if he was hungry. Jack replied generically and then puzzled as Bunny smiled knowingly. It made him wonder what he'd got in store and figured it couldn't have been too outstanding. After all, he still didn't know Pittsburgh that well and he surely hadn't been to enough restaurants to get such a good idea of where the ideal first date should be. That was a deduction that soon began to fade as they crossed into Southside and then headed towards Mount Washington and into the hills.

It wasn't long before they pulled up at some place Jack had never been to before and as Bunny came around to help him out of the car - something Jack found made him feel so pleasurably delicate and feminine – he looked up at the imposing but charming white façade of the restaurant Bunny had brought him to and smiled up at the sign with an intrigued look on his face.

"What's this place?"

"Just a little somewhere I know" Bunny said as he stood next to him.

"You know places?"

"Sure."

"I've never been here"

"Well, I hope it'll be a pleasurable experience for you"

"The evening's still young, Bun Bun"

Perhaps uncomfortably for Jack, Bunny didn't berate him for that 'Bun Bun' remark. It was uncomfortable because he usually defended himself with banter whenever Bunny might shoot something he'd said back at him. Now he was being perfectly nice and making him feel special, something Jack didn't know how to respond to. It was nice, really nice in fact, but as he felt himself warming to Bunny so much he became increasingly aware that he wasn't being the perfect date in return. It made him nervous and he knew that very feeling was going to make him slip up. Why couldn't he just be charming like Bunny instead of looking like a fool? Perhaps even more annoyingly, Bunny didn't even seem to mind. He just took him as he was and he couldn't have been more accommodating to his awkwardness. Damn him!

As the taller man opened the door to the restaurant for him, Jack walked inside and then quietly followed Bunny. He didn't hear what he said to the maître d' but before he knew it they were being escorted to a table in the back corner near the window. He seemed to float across the floor as he took in how sophisticated and neat everything was here and he had to say he was impressed. Finally, as he was brought back to reality by reaching the table, he was briskly whisked off once more as he was suddenly confronted with the view from the window that was spread out before him. Out in the darkness he looked down on the faint, twinkling lights of the city, jutting into the sky with the tall buildings of downtown in the middle and ringed off with the river like a black ribbon snaking through the sparkles.

"Wow" Jack said as he took it all in and wondered how he had never heard of this place before.

"You like it?" Bunny asked as he stared out with him.

"How did you find this place? I've lived here for two years now and I've never been up here"

"For me to know, Jacky…"

Jack just smiled anxiously and went to sit. He felt that same nervousness come to a head once again as Bunny pulled out his chair for him and then tucked him in as he sat. It felt nice to be treated like a lady, a girly thought he didn't let weird him out. To be completely honest, he had a lot more girly thoughts than he cared to admit but he figured it was okay since he was gay. It seemed though that ever since Bunny had arrived his thoughts had become increasingly girly and he wondered if the final part of his whole homosexual package had finally been delivered to coincide with Bunny's arrival. Maybe Bunny had activated some recessive girly gene somewhere within him and that's why he was enjoying being wooed. Not that he prided himself on being overly masculine or anything. After all, he did enjoy doing girl stuff with Tooth from time to time although it was nice to remember that, at the end of the day, he did still have a penis. In any case, it was more fun being a boy. There was far less maintenance involved.

"So, tell me about yourself, Jack" Bunny said after ordering wine and sending the waiter away.

"Huh?"

"This is our first official date. Shouldn't we pretend we don't know each other?"

"Oh, okay. Well, I come from a small town outside the city and I've lived here fulltime for the past couple of years. I play for the West Penn Philharmonic"

"Really?" Bunny said with playful intrigue, "What do you play?"

"Violin. I've actually just been promoted to concertmaster"

"You don't say? And you're only twenty-five?"

"Twenty-four" Jack said with sarcastic smugness.

"How did you manage that?"

"Well, we got this new conductor who I think has a thing for me"

"Really? What's he like?"

"Kind of an ass. Some pompous Australian guy that thinks he can do whatever he wants"

"Is he hot?"

"Eh…" Jack said with a smile, "So, how about you…Aster, was it?"

"My friends call me Bunny"

"Bunny? Why?"

"My last name. Promise you won't laugh?"

"Your last name is Bunny?"

"It's Bunnymund"

"Bunnymund?"

"Yep"

"That…is…hilarious"

"Hey! Don't be mean or I'll split the bill"

"You never know, I might skip out on you when I go to the bathroom"

"Not if I skip out on you first"

"Fine. So, Bunny, tell me about yourself?

"Well, I was born and raised in a little town north of Adelaide"

"That's in Australia, right?"

"Yeah"

"I figured from that crazy accent"

"I could say the same about you. It's nice to hear you talk though. Strangely deep and resonating"

"You think so?"

"I do. Anyway, I was brought up there but I had to move to Melbourne not long after I turned thirteen"

"Oh, really?" Jack asked without prying. He knew the reason why.

"Yeah. Unfortunately I was orphaned after an accident and went to live with some distant relatives"

"Sorry to hear that"

"It's okay. It's long in the past and I turned out okay"

"Oh, yeah?"

"I think so. What I do might interest you actually. I'm a conductor"

"No kidding. You'd think I would have heard about it being in the same business"

"Maybe. Maybe we'll see each other sometime at work"

"I hope so"

"Well, I came here a little over a month ago and I think I've finally found my footing. It's hard to work out the little things like where to shop and where to run, you know?"

"I do. You look like you work out"

"You've got a keen eye, Jacky"

"Oh, please don't call me Jacky. It's just Jack"

"Sorry, Jack. Sore spot?"

"Yeah, that asshole conductor I told you about keeps calling me that and one of these days I think I'm gonna kill him for it"

"Oh dear. Hate to be that guy. And he sounds like such an amazing bloke"

"You'd know what I meant if you met him"

"Haha. Well, yeah. Not to brag but I do work out a bit"

"Well, it shows. You must have all the boys lining up"

"Oh, not that many…"

"You mean you're not some kind of player? With those looks?"

"No. I don't date that much. Are you saying you think I should have more of a following?"

"Well. I've only just met you and it seems strange to me that you don't see a lot of people. Isn't it, like, natural law for someone so hot to spread themselves out for everyone to enjoy?"

"Oh stop! You'll embarrass me"

"Not making you blush, am I?"

"And I thought it was my place to make you blush"

"I guess that's the sixty-five thousand dollar question when you're two guys on a date"

At that moment the wine arrived and they paused while it was served. Taking his glass, Jack held it up and spoke, "So, what shall we drink to?"

"Well, I've only known you for a couple of minutes, but, I'm feeling pretty good about this"

Jack looked down and smiled, "I think so"

"Then to us"

"To us" Jack repeated before clinking his glass against Bunny's and drinking. After setting his glass back down, Bunny reassumed his suavity.

"So, Jack, what about you? Do you date a lot?"

"No, not really. I find it hard to ask guys out"

"Why?"

"It's scary. I usually just wait to be asked out"

"You find it easier?"

"Yeah. Besides, at least then the roles are set in place"

"The roles?"

"Yeah. Like, the one who asks is kinda the one in charge and who's there to impress the other. And then, the other is there to be wooed and the one who decides whether or not there will be a second date"

"I see. And that's the role you've assumed tonight?"

"And whenever else I'm on a date"

"I see. So, have you had a lot of relationships?"

"No, not really. Nothing major since college. You?"

"I finished with my last boyfriend about a year ago. It was fun at the beginning but it turned out he wasn't who I thought he was"

"Hmm. Well, I hope I don't disappoint you"

"I'm sure you won't."

"Well, my last boyfriend wasn't my boyfriend for long. It was college though so nothing was ever really gonna be lasting"

"I guess not. Was it hard to break it off?"

"No. He was screwing around and I wasn't going to let him get away with it"

"I should say not"

"Yeah, well, I guess I kinda felt a little tied down as well. I wanted to have fun"

"And did you?"

Jack took a drink before answering cautiously, "I did. But I'm ready for something more serious now…and I have been for a while"

"Good to know" Bunny said as he drank too.

This was nice. His apprehension had completely disappeared. The way Bunny had directed their conversation and set them up like strangers made it so much easier and had Jack spared a thought to consider it, he would have marvelled at how astounding it was that his worries had been subdued.

That was the way the evening went on. Bunny and Jack just kept talking and eventually they transitioned out of pretending and began to chat in the same manner as usual. No banter though, and even though Jack tried to start it up a few times he found Bunny didn't run with it. It was simply pleasant conversation mixed with enticing rhetoric and Jack could feel himself falling for this man. His life, as he explained it, was so rich and full and Jack marvelled at how interesting it was to listen to. It was made even better by how relaxed Bunny made him feel regarding his comparatively meagre background and it was nice just to talk to him and feel like equals. Something in the way he spoke was just so welcoming and Jack couldn't help but become all wrapped up in the perfection that was the date Bunny had created.

As the evening flew by, Jack found the car door being opened for him again after they pulled up to his apartment and he carefully held onto Bunny's arm as he was walked up the steps to his front door. It had been such a lovely evening and he felt worlds better now than he did before they'd begun. As they reached the top of the steps, they turned inwards and stood close to one another. Jack delicately looked up at Bunny who was obviously freezing but was trying his hardest not to let on. He smiled as he saw him try to be brave and then grabbed onto his lapels to draw their bodies closer together.

"I had a really great time tonight"

"So did I. Thanks for coming"

"How could I not? No one should turn down a date when it's you asking"

"Well, I don't think I'll be asking too many other people"

"Can I take that to mean I did good?"

Bunny smiled, "Perfect"

The two stood there, holding one another's warm gaze for a few seconds before it became a little awkward and Jack looked away nervously. His heart was beginning to pound in his chest as he stood close to his man and he knew what he wanted to do. Having the courage to do it was another thing entirely though and he just didn't know if his nervousness would let him.

"Actually, the hell with that!" he suddenly thought to himself and turned his eyes back to Bunny. He'd been taking anxious crap from his conscience all evening and he had quite simply had enough.

As the silence lingered between them for a few more seconds, Jack finally plucked up the nerve to grip Bunny's lapels again and pull himself up to his height. Very carefully, he edged forward, closed his eyes and delicately pressed his lips to Bunny's. He felt his mind melt as Bunny placed his hands on the sides of his head and pull him closer, pausing only to open his mouth a little and massage Jack's lips with his own. Just standing there kissing was pure magic and Jack felt almost disappointed through his dreamy haze when Bunny finally edged away from him. Everything inside him was fluttering like mad and somehow it seemed he had became a hundred pounds lighter in that wonderful moment. When he did finally sink back down to earth, he opened his eyes and smiled as Bunny rested his forehead against his. Before he even knew what he was doing, he spoke.

"Do you wanna come in for a nightcap?"

That's what broke the heavenly moment. Bunny, not waiting to be gentle in his response, carefully helped Jack back down onto his heels and then stepped away with a smile.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Jacky, but E. Aster Bunnymund does not put out on the first date"

Jack nearly choked as shock suddenly filled his system and all of a sudden he found he had no idea what was going on as Bunny began to walk down the steps. Forcing his legs to be steady, he clung onto the railing at the top of the steps and clumsily managed to produce words.

"But…but…we've already…"

Bunny just chuckled to himself as he opened his car door.

"Sorry, Jack. I'm a classy broad. Try again next time"

Damn that Bunny! How had he managed to wait until the most perfectly opportune moment to catch him off guard and make sure he finished the evening with the upper hand? Deciding to take it comically, Jack made one final push to gain it.

"Bunny. Come on! That was the best date ever! Let's round it off with some good, old-fashioned humping!"

Bunny buttoned his lip with a smile as he suddenly turned his eyes to a rather shocked looking older couple who happened to be walking past and then looked back at Jack who held a similar expression. He waited until they had gone and Jack had turned suitably red before speaking quietly.

"I think, with that, I shall say goodnight, Jacky. Thanks for a great evening"

"Bunnyyyy!" Jack whined as he leaned over the railing in apparent desperation. It made him pause and smile at the childish boy and then, after kicking himself for not just getting in the car and remaining superior, he stood back up and ran back to Jack to kiss him again. It was more playful this time and he broke it off quickly before turning to leave once more.

"Goodnight, Jacky. See you in the morning"

"Goodnight" Jack said defeated although maintaining a cheeky smile. He delicately waved to Bunny as he began to drive off and then followed him with his eyes until he had rounded the corner. Opening the door and stepping in, he leaned against it as it closed and tilted his head up to the ceiling with his eyes shut. Could the evening have gone more perfectly? It had just been amazing and Bunny had made him feel so special. He was such a great guy and he wondered how on earth he had managed to catch his eye in the first place. He wasn't complaining though, and as he climbed the stairs to his apartment he couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he felt the wonderful feeling of excitement and success fill him to the brim.

When he opened the door he was confronted with the sight of Tooth passed out on the couch with a blanket over her and the TV on low. Various cleaning products were scattered around her and as he looked around his extremely tidy apartment he quickly became aware of what she had been doing. It seemed she hadn't gone home in the end as he had expected and he didn't have the heart to wake her up and send her away tonight. With a contented sigh, he turned off the TV and quietly made his way to his bedroom. He'd have plenty of time to tell her how it went in the morning. For now, they both could sleep peacefully and he knew tonight was going to be filled with wonderful dreams. He had plenty of material to go on after all, and in the end he supposed it was nice of Bunny to refuse his offer of coming up. At least now he could remember it as something wonderful Bunny had done for him without having to offer him some kind of reward. Tonight had been wonderful and as Jack settled himself he couldn't believe how great he felt. He was so lucky.

Glossary

Pit: The space under a stage where the musicians sit during a ballet or a musical.

There it is, y'all! A whole new chapter finished. Hopefully I'll be a bit quicker with the updates this week since all of last week's stuff is now finished. I'll also try and write something sexy again simply because it's fun to read.

Until then my lovelies, thank you all so much for your reviews and follows. I love to hear what you have to say and it's so lovely to get any kind of feedback. Yay everyone! xxx