"So this is where the magic happens." Pitch had an arm around Jack's waist as he led the younger man through the room. "Those men make the dreams, and those men do the surgery."

"How long does the surgery take? Is it a complicated one?"

"It can take from half an hour to a full day. It depends on the length of the dream. Ah, Mrs. Johnson! Good morning!" Pitch waved to a little elderly woman who was just leaving. "Mrs, Johnson comes in once every month. Her husband died thirty years ago, so she always comes in to refresh her dreams of him."

Jack gave a small smile. "Does she have to go through the surgery every time?"

"No. It just takes about a half hour, and then it's done. We just build on what she already has."

"Then does she have a tiny device in her head? And you just refresh the information through the device?"

"It's more of a liquid." Pitch picked up a tiny vial filled with bright blue liquid. "Each type of memory had a different color. We inject the liquid into the brain, and it spreads into the memory cells."

"So after the initial surgery...she only needs more of this injected and it refreshes her dreams?" He looked at the liquid in the vial.

"Yep, that's it. The first surgery is the hardest because the brain has to adjust to having the memory again. After the first time, the brain just needs to be refreshed."

Jack nodded with a slight frown. "How did you figure all of this out? It's all...very complicated."

"Not very. It started with a dream I had." Pitch chuckled, putting the vial away. "Pink is the color of love, blue is sadness, green is envy, black is rage, yellow is jealousy of the love variety, and orange is surprise."

"People would request a dream about rage?"

"You'd be surprised. The multi-colored ones are a mixture. None of the dream makers know what the specific memory is. Only the person themselves."

"So no one but you saw Bunnymund's?" He looked down at his feet.

"Yes. Requests like his are...special. Those cases are handled by myself only, for privacy reasons."

"So you knew me before we met. You had seen me before."

"Yes, but I only knew you as his 'friend.' I didn't make the connection until he came back to find you."

"I see...I-I wish you had not had to see that."

"What he had created was something twisted. It wasn't you...or at least the you I know."

"It was never me. It was only what he made me be: a despicable creature used for nothing but sex and a toy to take stress and anger out on."

"Exactly. Not the you I know. I never looked at you based on what I saw. I looked at you based on what I knew: that you were kind and scared and that I wanted to protect you with everything I am."

"Th-thank you. If anyone else had seen Bunnymund's memories but you...it would have only ended in laughter and pity."

"I did laugh and pity. I laughed and pitied that he was a small man who had to rape to get what he wanted. I laughed and pitied him because he was weak and a coward."

"But if it were not you, those would have been directed at me."

"Then I guess it's good that I was in love with you and knew differently."

Jack wiped the frown off his face, giving Pitch a small smile. "Sh-shall we continue the tour?"

"Of course." Pitch took Jack to a new room where about forty people were lying in beds, colored liquid running down tubes into their head. "This is where we give them their dreams."

"This...this is where people get their dreams..." The smile slowly faded from his face.

"These people don't need the surgery."

"They have had dreams before."

"Yes. We take the fading memory and strengthen it."

"How...lucky for them." His dark brows furrowed slightly as he looked into the room, noticing the smiles that lit up the faces of nearly every patient.

"Yes. They can have the dream forever...or so long as they keep coming." He chuckled.

Jack choked back a sudden sob that threatened to escape. Before the other man could notice, he quickly turned and walked from the room, heading for the direction he thought Pitch's apartment to be.

"Jack? What's wrong?" Pitch followed him at a distance.

"N-nothing. I'm fine. I'm sorry, I just...I just need a moment."

"A moment alone?"

Jack darted into the first empty room he could find, shutting the door behind him and sliding down the nearby wall with a shuddering breath. I was wrong...I thought I could do this...

There was a knock on the door. "Jack, come on. I'm sorry!"

"I-it's not you." He wrapped his arms around himself.

"Then what is it? Talk to me. You can always talk to me."

"I...I can't..." Jack let out a shuddering sob. "...dream."

"What do you mean? Of course you can. Everyone can."

"I can't. I haven't for six years. That part of my brain...it was irrecoverable." He brought his legs up to his chest and started sobbing into his arms.

"Jack...I'm sorry. I didn't know. I would never have..."

"It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault but my own."

"Come out. Or at least let me come in. Let me hold you." Jack slowly reached up to turn the knob just enough for the door to crack open, withdrawing his hand immediately after. Pitch slipped in and closed the door behind him. "Am I allowed to hold you?" Jack nodded and shifted into the other man's arms with a sniffle. Pitch held him loosely, moving his nose through that white hair. "Tell me now...is there anything else that the machine does?"

"I-I've told you everything."

"Good. I don't want to hurt you anymore. If there's anything else you need to tell me, now is the time."

"There's...there is nothing."

"Then look at me." Jack leaned back just enough to look up at the other man through watery eyes. Pitch leaned down, taking his mouth in a deep kiss before backing Jack up against the wall. He braced his hands on both sides of the man's face, shining gold eyes looking into blue. "Stop regretting what you don't have. You have me, and that should be enough, damn it."

"I-I'm sorry. I don't...know what came over me." He bit his bottom lip.

"A bad habit. One of the only ones I refuse to tolerate."

"I'm sorry..." Jack clutched close to the taller man, burying his face in his chest.

"If you mean that, then I accept your apology. Now kiss me and make it official." Jack reached up to gently press their lips together. "I think you can do a little better than that."

Jack only pressed a little harder before slowly pulling away. "I'm sorry. I'm just not in the mood right now..." With a sigh, he looked down at his feet.

"No, I forgot. I'm sorry." Pitch backed up, standing on the other side of the small room. "Just...stay over there for now."

"I understand that you should be enough for me. I love you, and you are enough. But...is it really so wrong for me to lament not having something so basic as a dream?"

"You can, but eventually you have to stop. You can't mourn forever or else your life will pass you by. I can wait for sex, but I can't wait for you to stop mourning. I can't spend my life watching you waste away because of the past."

"I stopped mourning after the first year, Pitch. I don't know why, but seeing all of those people receiving fake dreams...it just hit me that, even with such technology, I will never dream again. I-I am sorry for ruining the tour you so kindly offered."

"How do you know you can never dream again? Let me make you a dream, Jack. A special one."

"Because I am broken. Your formulas work inside that part of the brain, but they cannot achieve anything when that part died six years ago. There is no live tissue for it to work on. It is hopeless."

"Nothing is hopeless. I think it can be done."

"Please. Do not get my hopes up." Jack left the room, slowly making his way down the hall towards the elevator.

Pitch grabbed his wrist and stopped him. "That is another bad habit. Stop walking away from me."

"I-I don't mean to."

"I will not make a promise, but let me try. Let me try to give you a dream."

"I..." Jack nodded and returned himself into the man's arms. "I love you."

"And I love you." He kissed Jack's forehead, holding him tightly. "Even though you are frustrating beyond belief."

"I don't mean to be."

"I know. It just comes naturally to you." He chuckled, blowing softly into Jack's ear.

"Maybe..." He blushed, quickly pulling away.

Pitch chuckled and pulled him back. He kept blowing in the younger man's ear, laughing each time he blushed. "You are so damn tempting, my love."

"S-stop it." He wiggled, trying to get away from his lover's grasp with a heavy blush.

"I don't think so." Pitch held him tight and nibbled on his neck. "You're mine now, and I'm not letting you go for a long time."

Jack settled down, wrapping his arms around Pitch's neck. "Thank you."

"Come to my bed tonight, Jack. I need you."

"I-I cannot. Not like that."

"I didn't mean like that."

Jack paused for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

"So...sex tonight." Pitch scooped him up into his arms and carried Jack towards the apartment.

"N-no. You just said not like that."

"I'm kidding." Pitch chuckled, moving Jack's head under his chin.

"Thank you." He blushed again.

"You're always blushing. Do I really make you that nervous?"

"Maybe..." Jack buried his face in the man's neck.

"If it's not me, then what else could it be? Do I upset you?"

"You don't make me nervous in a bad way, Pitch. It's a good way."

"Do you think you could describe it to me? I don't really understand."

"I don't...want to seem foolish to you. I don't want to do something idiotic while you are watching me. I don't want to...embarrass myself."

"So you want to be as close to perfect as you can?" Jack nodded slowly, and Pitch sighed, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you've just confessed." Pitch kicked the door in and dropped Jack down on the couch. He pulled his shirt over his head and straddled the other man's hips before he could escape. "You really do love me. There's no doubt about that."

"I already told you I love you. Are you still questioning that?"

"Maybe." He slowly pulled Jack's shirt up and off, his long fingers moving over the old scars. "Tell me again."

"I love you, Pitch." Jack blushed again but not as heavy as before.

"Again." He leaned down, lightly sucking on one nipple.

"I love you," he breathed out, his arms lightly wrapping around the man's shoulders.

"You taste like peaches right here. Spiced peaches." He licked the very tip, his hands moving up Jack's torso to hold his shoulders.

"I will have to take your word on that."

Pitch moved down and settled between Jack's legs. He nuzzled the inside of one pale thigh before licking over a scar. "And these...they taste like coffee with cream."

"I...I wouldn't know." He blushed, looking down at Pitch.

"There are a few that taste differently. These ones...definitely coffee with cream." He gave the scar a long lick before moving to the other inner thigh to nuzzle and lick the scars there.

"My scars have different tastes? Really?"

"They do." Golden eyes were closed in ecstasy as he moved over the pale skin. "Every single one is delicious."

"Or perhaps you are only biased."

"That is also a possibility. However, if anyone else were allowed to taste this sweet skin, I would be very sad."

Jack reached down to gently cup the side of Pitch's face, stroking his cheek. "Never again. You will be my last."

"Do you promise?"

"I swear. I never want anybody else but you ever again."

"That was pretty romantic, Jack."

"Only with you." He gave a small smile down at the other man.

"Since you wish to spend forever with me...I promise that you will be my last."

"We will be each other's lasts."

"Roll over, my love."

"Why?"

"Just do it." Pitch chuckled. Jack rolled his eyes before gently turning himself over on the couch. Pitch kissed over the pale rear end, slowly moving up Jack's back. "You look so beautiful like this...especially since you're so defenseless."

"I..." He blushed, his body tensing a little beneath his lover.

"I could do anything I want to you." He nipped Jack's shoulder blades. "Any twisted and dark little desire." He nuzzled his neck, biting down lightly.

Jack started to shake slightly under him, his fingers beginning to grip the edges of the couch cushions. "Not...n-not ready for th-this."

"Hush." Pitch kissed the spot, his fingers digging into the tense muscles in Jack's back. "Did you really think I would have dark and twisted desires about you?"

"N-no, but I can't help it. I'm sorry." He clenched his eyes shut for a moment and took a steadying breath.

"Is this how he did it? Turned you over like this, spread your legs wide, and had his way with you?"

Jack bit his lip, giving a slow nod. "He didn't want me to see...what was coming."

"I can assure you, Jack, that when the time comes for...that, I won't turn you over like an animal. I'll want you to see exactly what's coming."

"Thank you." He gave a small smile, reaching behind him to grasp Pitch's hand.

"I think it's time for bed. Care to join me?"

"I would like that very much." He sat up, turning to look at his love and wrapping his arms around him.

Pitch stood, lifting Jack into his arms. "You're like a bride in my arms."

"No. I am just...yours."

"Would you not like to be my bride?" He smiled and carried Jack into their bedroom.

"'Bride' is a female term. I am not a woman."

"You're light like one. We'll need to toughen you up." Pitch stuck his tongue out a little, smirking.

"Just because I am light that does not make me a bride."

"Than a husband. Would you not like to be my husband?"

Jack gave him a sad smile. "As much as I would love to...I cannot."

"And why not? What's stopping you this time?"

"To be married would mean going on a record of sorts. He will find me."

"We could disappear. Assume a new identity, start a new life. We could go where he would never find us."

"You don't understand, Pitch." Jack slid from his arms and sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh. "When Bunnymund has his eye on something, he will not stop until he gets it. I don't know why he is so obsessed with me...but he will not give up. He will search to the ends of the Earth to find me, Pitch. Every last satellite or security image...every last voice recording...it will not end until he has found me."

Pitch exhaled sharply, slamming a hand against the wall. "Do you not want to run away with me? You could just say that! I would understand."

"I do. More than anything I do. But don't you see?!" He buried his face in his hands with a sob. "Even now he still has me in his grasp! I am mentally scarred and terrified. Even with the one person I love! He has me physically cornered and trapped in this building with nowhere to run..."

"Jack..." Pitch kneeled down and took the man's hands in his. "I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say or do to help you."

"Stay with me. Hold me. Take me in your arms and tell me everything about me you love. Show me that there is something in this world worth living for. Love me."

Golden eyes looked up at him, shining with regret. "I...I can't. I am no better than him."

"How can you say that? I would not love someone if they were even remotely similar to that man."

"But, even now..." Pitch clutched Jack's hands, kissing them. "I want you."

"But you do not act on it. You do not force me to stay against my will. You do not beat and rape me mercilessly. You do not control me."

"I know, but it's hard. I need you so bad. It hurts how much I need you." Pitch put his forehead on Jack's legs, keeping their hands tightly clasped together.

"I thank you for your sacrifice, Pitch. You do not realize how much safer you have made me feel these last few weeks."

Pitch gave a shuddering breath. "It's a bittersweet success." He chuckled, groaning a little in pain. "A painful one too."

"It is not bittersweet. You will get your reward, Pitch." Jack gently pulled away, standing and stripping off his underwear before crawling onto the other man's lap and kissing him deeply. Pale fingers undid the front of Pitch's pants and reached inside.

Pitch gasped, grabbing Jack's wrist. "N-no..."

"Yes." Blue eyes locked on gold. "I am not doing this because I feel pressured by you or because I pity you, Pitch. I am doing this because I love you, and you deserve it. And...I need to start facing my fears head on."

"But...are you ready for this? The first time was gentle. I can't promise that I'll be able to hold back this time."

"I trust you, and it has been long enough since the last time. Besides...my body has taken far worse than anything you could ever inflict. I will be fine, my love." Jack kissed his way down Pitch's bare chest, keeping their eyes locked as he took the man into his mouth.

Pitch gave a shuddering breath, looking down at Jack. "I-I don't want to hurt you."

"You will not." He pulled away after a few minutes and climbed back up his lover's body. "I love you, Pitch." Jack pressed their lips together.