"Did I hurt you?" He held Jack close as they sat in the tub, the candlelight adding extra warmth to the room.

Jack shook his head slightly and tucked himself under the man's chin. "Not at all. You were the gentlest I have ever had."

"Really? And how many have you had?"

"I know there were a few before Bunny...but I do not remember them too well."

"Good. I want to erase every single one of them from your heart, mind, and body. I want to be your one and only."

"You are by far the most enjoyable I can remember."

"I'm glad." Pitch closed his eyes, taking a deep breath of Jack's scent. "Why is it that my skin can only feel you?"

"Because you love me."

"I do. You do too, in your own way."

"Perhaps..."

"I think so." Long fingers moved over Jack's torso, spreading the bubbles around his pale skin. "You like me enough to let me do this and that to your...you-know-what."

"Indeed. It was very enjoyable."

"Only enjoyable? I would have preferred 'mind-shattering,' 'heart-stopping,' 'earth-shaking'...the list goes on and on."

"Keep in mind that I am still scarred. I will not be feeling anything 'earth-shaking' for a while."

"How about 'mind-shattering' or 'heart-stopping'?"

"It will not be for a while, Pitch."

"Then I guess I'll have to settle for enjoyable...for now." Pitch nuzzled Jack's neck, lightly sucking the skin.

"Maybe it will change as time goes by." He relaxed against Pitch's body.

"'Maybe' doesn't sound optimistic, but I guess I'll take it, Mr. Pessimist."

"You would be a pessimist too if you were me. It is hard to see the good possibilities when there has been so much bad in your life."

Pitch sighed and turned Jack around to straddle his hips. "When you look into my eyes, what do you see?"

"I see a man who has led a very successful life and managed to emerge with his kindness and heart intact."

"Is that it? That's disappointing." He chuckled and nuzzled Jack's nose. "Look again. Tell me what you see."

"I see someone who is kind and caring and loving. Someone who helps people make their own dreams. Someone who does not approve of any form of unkindness. Someone who has so foolishly fallen in love with a broken man." He gave Pitch a small smile, stroking his cheek.

"Do you know, you smile a lot? And you haven't called me 'sir' in a while."

"Most 'sir's would not be so foolish. It is hard to associate you with such a word now."

"I'm foolish, am I?" Pitch smiled, pushing Jack back against the side of the tub. "Would a foolish man do...this?" He leaned down closer so he could suck his neck.

Jack chuckled. "Yes. Yes, indeed. The most foolish man would."

"Now I'm the most foolish? You're making me want to do things to you." Pitch moved his fingers along Jack's body under the water. "Things like this...and this."

"Things that I am not ready for. I cannot handle too much of this, Pitch." He gently pushed the man's hands away with a frown. "I am not ready yet."

"Sorry, sorry." Pitch moved his hands up to cup his face. "No more teasing."

"I am sorry..."

"Don't be. Considering what you've been through, we've done a lot together, I think. If I can still kiss and hold you, then I'll wait for the other things."

"I do not know how long you will have to wait. What if it's forever? Are you really willing to do that?"

"Of course. I love you, remember? I would rather let you heal than use you for my own pleasure."

"You are too wonderful." Jack leaned forward to wrap his arms around Pitch's shoulders and bury his face in the man's neck.

"I know." He smiled, wrapping his own arms around Jack. "That's why you...like me?"

"I do like you."

"You do? Enough to smile a little and kiss me a couple times?" Jack nodded, nuzzling against the soft skin with his nose. "Enough to do it now?"

"Indeed." He gently pressed his lips to Pitch's neck.

"Maybe you could do that on my lips. Just a suggestion, of course." Jack pulled back just enough to kiss the man, letting out a gentle sigh. "I like your sounds. You sound so happy with me."

"I am. The happiest I have been in years."

"Kiss me again."

Jack gave a small smile and pressed their lips together again. "So what are we going to do with your day off?"

"Tell me some place that you've always wanted to go. Someplace that Bunnymund never allowed."

"Everywhere."

"Then that's what we'll do. Get dried and dressed, because we're going out. First, the grocery store, then the zoo, and then the aquarium. Oh, and we'll go and buy you some clothes!"

Jack frowned. "I cannot go..."

"Why not?"

"He will see me. He has eyes everywhere. Especially now that he's looking for me."

Pitch leaned his head back, thinking. "I know! Temporary hair dye, one of my coats, and a pair of sunglasses. You'll be fine!"

"It is a little hard to hide this, Pitch." He tapped the device on his head. "There is not a single other person who has this."

"Alright, a very large hat." Pitch smiled, pulling him in for a kiss.

Jack didn't return the smile. "I cannot leave this building, or he will find me."

"But I want to take you out. I want to hold you on a beach or watch the fireworks on New Year's. Something!"

"I am sorry...you chose the wrong person to fall in love with." He rested his head back on Pitch's shoulder.

"I don't think so. I just fell in love with someone, and our relationship is a little complicated. Sounds pretty normal, I think."

"Nothing about me is normal. Bunnymund made sure of that."

"Jack...come with me. I have an idea."

Jack looked up at him, sitting up in the tub. "What is it?"

Pitch stood up from the tub, the water slowly running down his naked body. "There's a little garden on the roof. We'll go there! I'll cook a couple things, and we can have a picnic!"

"That sounds...lovely. How hidden is the garden up there?"

"Pretty hidden. And I'll let you sit in the shade so your face is hidden. Besides, I plan to be covering you once we're done." He leaned down to rub noses with Jack.

"How do you plan on covering me?"

"With myself, of course. I'll cover your face with my lips, your hands with mine, and this pale skin with my body."

Jack slowly stood, reaching for a towel to dry himself off. "Do you need any help with lunch?"

"Jack, you're still in servant mode, aren't you?"

"I...I'm sorry." He looked down. "I cannot help it."

"I'm about to say something to you, and I want you to tell me 'no,' alright?"

"I will try..."

"Let me have sex with you."

"Y-yes, sir." Jack gritted his teeth, unable to stop himself from saying those words.

Pitch tilted Jack's chin up, kissing him gently. "You are so...adorable." He reached down and wrapped the towel around those slim hips. "The next time we make love, I want it to be because you want it." Jack suddenly moved forward, his arms wrapping around Pitch as he buried his face against the man's chest and burst into tears. "What's this? Why are you crying?" Pitch ran his fingers through the white hair, his other hand resting on the small of Jack's back.

"I-I do not want to be like this. I hate what he's turned me into."

"Then I guess we'll just have to change it, won't we?" He pulled Jack close, soothingly kissing his temple. "I love you. I love you, you silly, wonderful darling."

"What if it's not possible?" Jack whispered, almost inaudibly.

"It is. You just have to trust me. You do, don't you?" Jack nodded, hugging him tighter. "Then things will change. Now...have sex with me."

He bit his lip, but Jack gently shook his head. "No."

"Good boy." Pitch leaned down and kissed him softly. "Reorganize my videos."

"Yes...but only because I find it relaxing."

"Really? What a strange creature my lover is."

"I used to practice music to spend the time, but I do not have instruments here. It's something slightly mindless that I can use to pass the time while you are at work."

"Would you like some instruments? I'm sure I can get some."

"No, I am fine. Instruments are so expensive. Thank you, though." Jack gave him a small smile, rising up to gently kiss Pitch's cheek.

"It's no problem. It will be nice to hear music while I work." He smiled and held Jack close. "A violin, right? And a piano?"

"You don't even work up here, though. You work in the mysterious factory below."

"I'll start working up here. I feel like you're lonely."

"I am used to it."

"I don't want you to be used to it. I kind of hoped you would want my company..."

"I do." He blushed slightly. "But if you find yourself unable to stay up here, I understand and I will be alright."

"You're beautiful when you blush."

"I...thanks." He buried his face in the man's chest again.

"You're really shy too. That makes you even cuter. Like a little bunny."

Jack's body tensed. "P-please don't say that."

"Why not?" Pitch looked down, caressing one pale cheek.

"Think about what you just called me."

"'Little bunny'? What's wrong with that?"

"He used to call me that." Jack pulled away, pulling the towel tighter around himself.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know." Pitch hooked his fingers in the towel and used his hold to pull Jack back into his arms. "My big, brave tiger."

"I am no tiger. Only a cowering housecat."

"Aww, poor pussycat. Will you purr for me?"

"It will take much to make me purr."

"Like what? Some kisses in your hair or some face-caressing?"

"Even I don't know."

"I think I'd like to find out if you don't mind." Pitch smiled at him, nibbling on his fragile collarbone."

"If you wish."

"Would you like me to? Would you like to be mine?"

"I wouldn't want to be anybody else's."

Pitch scooped Jack up into his arms and carried him out into the bedroom. "Why are you so cute?"

Jack shrugged, holding on to him. "I do not try to be."

"Yes, you do. Minx." Pitch brought him close for another kiss before plopping him down in front of the closet. "You're making me love you even more."

"It's not on purpose." He watched the other man move around.

"It is. Minx." He winked, pulling out two pairs of sweatpants and a black t-shirt. "Here's some pants for you. You can go shirtless." He winked.

"But you are so much bigger than me. There is no way these are going to fit." He eyed Pitch's muscular frame and then his own skinny one.

"Just put them on." Pitch handed the pants to Jack, laughing. "Use the drawstrings."

Jack slid the pants over his long legs and pulled the drawstring as tight as it would go. The pants still hung loose on his hips as he stood up and looked over at Pitch. "How come you get a shirt and I do not?"

"Would you like one? It'll be like a dress on you."

"I will burn easily without anything on."

"Fine, fine." Pitch tugged his shirt off and pulled it over Jack's head. "Better?"

"You didn't have to give me yours. I was only stating a fact."

"Everything that's mine is yours. Besides, I like this pale skin. I would be sad if it burned."

"I...we should go start the, um, food."

"Do I make you anxious?" Pitch stepped forward to run a finger along the collar of his shirt, the tip caressing that pale skin. "You always seem so nervous around me."

"I don't know. I have not felt like this in years."

"Like what?" Long fingers slowly pulled Jack close so that blue eyes would have to look up into gold.

"N-nervous...without being in fear." His eyes widened slightly.

"Is it an unpleasant feeling? Do you hate it?"

"No. It's nice." He blushed.

"You are so cute!" Pitch leaned closer, nuzzling a pink cheek. "Kiss me?" Jack gently kissed Pitch's lips. "Still a good feeling?"

He nodded, resting their foreheads together. "I cannot explain it."

"Explain it in your own way, in your own time. Until then...you are so damn adorable!"

"Can we eat now?"

"Yes, yes." Pitch chuckled, wrapping an arm around Jack's waist and walking with him to the kitchen. "Is there anything you'd like?"

Jack shook his head. "I'm alright with anything, really."

"Even jelly on French fries?"

He made a slight face. "If that's what you want to make."

Pitch looked over his shoulder, smiling. "Seriously, you are just too cute." He chuckled and got out some peanut butter and jelly from the cabinets.

"I told you I do not try to be."

"That makes you cuter." He made a few sandwiches and put some water on to boil for the macaroni.

"Only according to you."

"He was a fool." Pitch growled, cutting the sandwiches into quarters. "A damn...bloody fool!"

"I am sorry." Jack's shoulders slumped, and he looked down at his lap. "I did not mean to bring up a bad subject."

"It's not your fault. I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at him for...for being cruel to an angel."

"But I brought it up..."

"Come here, lover." Jack slowly stood and moved over to the bigger man. Pitch pulled him to stand in front of him, his hands busy on either side of Jack's body. "Still nervous?" He nodded with another blush. "Scared?"

"No. Just nervous."

"Is it a good kind of nervous?" He nuzzled under one ear and lightly sucked on the skin.

"Mhmm. The same as earlier."

"And does it feel good?"

"Y-yes."

"Does it feel good in here?" Pitch moved a hand up under the shirt and rubbed over Jack's heart.

"It does." He blushed.

"Aww...I think you're falling in love with me. Do you know how that makes me feel?"

"I...love? I don't know how..."

"It's something that comes naturally. It starts here..." Pitch pointed at the man's heart. "...and works its way here." He nuzzled his temple adoringly.

Jack blushed, looking down. "But I'm not normal."

"You are. More than you think. You have a heart, a mind, a soul. You have a delicious body, beautiful eyes, and glorious hair. You smell like springtime. My love, you go beyond normal. You are angelic."

"I'm not myself. I cannot live without the help of others. My body is scarred."

"If you can't live without help, then stay with me. Need only me."

"Only you..." Jack nuzzled against Pitch's bare chest.

"You are mine, Jack, and I am yours. Devotedly and whole-heartedly." Jack only nodded, holding close to the taller man. "Stay just like that. Close to me, needing me as much as I need you."

ZZ

"What made you want to give dreams to people?" Jack lay with his head on Pitch's lap, slowly eating a sandwich.

"For the same reason I rise early: to escape the nightmares."

"You have nightmares?"

"I do. Vivid ones. Scary ones..."

"I'm sorry. It does not sound pleasant." He gently brought one of Pitch's hands to his lips.

"It's gotten better since you came into my life. I welcome sleep now because I dream only of you."

"I am glad I could help at least a little."

"You've helped more than a little. You've brought light back to me. I love you."

"I know you do. It makes me...happy." He curled up on his side with a small smile, snuggling against Pitch's legs.

"And you make me happy." Pitch smiled down at Jack lovingly and caressed his cheek. "Jack, look at me." Blue eyes opened and looked up at him with a happy sigh. "Are you happy with me, my love?" He looked down at him, golden eyes warm with love.

Jack nodded. "I am. Very much."

"Do you like me?"

"I do."

"Do you like me...like I like you?"

"I'm not sure."

"Do you still feel nervous around me? The good kind of nervous?" Jack started to nod, but he stopped suddenly. Blue eyes widened, and his breath grew shaky. "Is it him?" Pitch held him close, kissing his face. "Is he trying to find you again?"

Jack nodded shakily, putting his hands to his head with a cry when a shock ran from the device. "H-he can't find me, and he's...he's mad. The c-connector...broken, but he can get a few...commands when it gli-glitches." He curled in on himself.

"Jack, ignore him. You're with me now, and you're mine. He's lost you." Pitch pulled Jack's head back, swooping in to kiss him passionately. "Think of me. Think only of me."

"Please...sh-shut it...off. It...hurts..."

"Yes. Yes, my love." Pitch kept his mouth on Jack's as he reached around, his fingers slowly turning the machine off.

"Thank...you..." Jack went limp in his arms, his hand falling away to reveal where his skin had started to turn an unhealthy red around where the device connected.

Pitch held Jack close and kissed over his closed lids. "What am I going to do with you?" He picked the man up and carried him back inside, leaving the picnic fixings abandoned.

ZZ

When the device was turned back on some hours later, Jack's eyes opened groggily and immediately looked around for the other man. "Pitch..."

"Yes, my love?" He stood, walking over to the side of the bed. "Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine." He sat up with a soft groan and put a hand to his head, pulling it away with a hiss when he touched the still-tender skin.

"It will be tender for a while. I've done some tinkering on it...and it's over. The machine is dead to him."

"Thank you." Jack sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulders slumped with relief. "It's nice not hearing him anymore."

"I can imagine." He reached out and brushed Jack's cheek. "What else does that machine do for you? It's not just a tracker, is it?"

"No. It's the only thing keeping me alive."