While Kieran collected sheets and a blanket, Jack used his brief stint of privacy to call up Sam.

"Fairchild."

"In case you feel the need to swing by my place to babysit me, I'm not there, and I'm not dead in a ditch," Jack said. He glanced up in time to catch Kieran emerging from the hall, a small pile of blue and white bed linens in his arms.

"Staying the night with the boyfriend?" Sam asked.

"Not like that!" Jack hissed. He grabbed the pillow from the top of Kieran's arms, hoping to distract from his burning cheeks. "I'm couch surfing. Luxury couch surfing."

"No litter boxes, I take it?" Sam's tone was loud and clear with its knowing smile.

"I didn't spy on you."

"Oh? For some reason, my cursor decided to take a tour through some highly sensitive folders when I normally go to lunch. Which, if I recall, are password protected."

"Uh… You should maybe… update that?" It wasn't his fault people had a habit of choosing sentimental passwords. Jack hugged the pillow tighter and failed miserably at giving an innocent grin to Kieran. He thanked his paranoia for setting his call volume as low as he could get away with.

"Ooh, the boyfriend's right there, huh? Does he know what you get up to in your spare time?"

"Not… exactly." Was he about to be blackmailed? He hoped it didn't involve a summer full of weeding.

"Or that you have this habit of self-sabotage?"

"What? I do not! I mean… Not on purpose. I'm better at not… Not as much anymore."

"Right," Sam said, drawing out his doubt.

"Yeah? Well, me and my boyfriend? We're gonna cuddle and watch bad cop dramas and talk about how realistic they are, and you're not invited!"

Sam laughed and relayed Jack's plans to Candace, and her own laughter soon followed. "Have fun."

"I will!" Jack hung up and glared at the pig on his phone. He needed to find a less cheerful icon.

"Cop dramas?" Kieran asked as he sat on the couch and angled himself invitingly against the corner. His smile came off as forced as he continued. "Anything in particular?"

"Does Police Academy count? I can't handle gritty right now." Jack eyed the conspicuously empty spot beside Kieran. His longing for comfort won out, and he tossed the pillow on top of the sheets sitting at the other end of the couch. Tugging on his sleeves, he tucked himself up against Kieran and settled in.

A light, cheerful, and wonderfully dated movie was just what Jack needed to get his mind off things. Happily curled up in Kieran's arms, he could zone out and ignore the pressures of the world, both real and imagined.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Kieran's hands wandered along Jack's arms and hair. He bent his head and breathed in deeply as he kissed Jack just behind the ear. He brought his hand up and gently followed a path from Jack's collar to the base of his ear and back.

Jack laughed nervously and shied away from the fingers caressing the length of his neck. He shrugged his shoulder to rub away the lingering sensation. "What's with the neck fetish?"

"I don't believe it qualifies as a neck fetish," Kieran murmured. "I'm just partial to the area. Sensitive, intimate, vulnerable, a sign of trust…" He kissed the shell of Jack's ear.

"God, you're like a fucking vampire," Jack said with a soft laugh.

"Oh, yes. Exactly! I find them tragically romantic."

"Emphasis on the tragedy. Whatever. It wasn't bad." Jack shrugged and laid his head on Kieran's shoulder. "Before. When I freaked out. It was too close to…" His brows furrowed as he lost track of his thoughts. "Too close to the next step."

It sounded right, but he felt like the real meaning had been lost.

"Yes, I understand that now. Perhaps we can work our way up, so you'll feel more comfortable?" Kieran offered as he leaned back and tilted his head. "I know words are just that, but my attentions would not lead to…" He looked away as he trailed off.

"Rape," Jack said firmly as he sat up. "The word you're looking for? Rape. Don't you pretty it up."

"Quite. I'd be more apt to try a sip of your blood than force myself on you," Kieran said, one side of his lips turning up.

"And I thought I had the monopoly on saying weird shit." Jack crossed his arms and shook his head with a sigh. "Sorry. This kinda ruins the mood, doesn't it?"

"Nothing that can't be rectified, my sweet." Kieran tilted Jack's chin and kissed him, lightly sucking at Jack's lips.

Jack froze then relaxed, opening his mouth to Kieran. He was prepared to be on the receiving end of a deep and enthusiastic kiss, but Kieran had already moved on, kissing the side of Jack's mouth then the angle of his jaw before pulling away completely.

"Better?" Kieran asked, his voice soft and low.

"Yeah. That was nice. Good. You're a good kisser. I think. I don't get out much."

"So I've been led to believe."

Jack licked his lips as his heart sped up, his stomach rolling with anxiety. "I… I don't mind getting out with you. Dating. Going places. This," he said. The words were out, and he hadn't tripped over them too badly.

Kieran leaned in for another brief kiss. "I would love to keep you around, my sweet."

Panic raced up Jack's spine and gripped his throat. He clenched his hand, digging his nails deep into his palm. "K-keep?"

Kieran sat back and eyed Jack with an air of concern. "I may have phrased that poorly. I enjoy your company and would welcome it for as long as you're willing," he said, taking Jack's fist into his hands and lightly rubbing his fingertips over Jack's knuckles.

Jack slowly unfurled his fingers and gave a shallow and jerky nod. "Right. Sorry, I just… took that wrong?"

"Nothing to be sorry for, sweet thing," Kieran said and kissed Jack's fingers. "I'll let you get some sleep. Goodnight and sleep well, my sweet siren."

"Yeah, same to you. Don't let the bed bugs bite or the rabbits steal you."

Kieran's brows furrowed in confusion. "I'm not familiar with the second phrase."

"Me neither. I don't know why I said that. Ignore me. I'm tired," Jack said, forcing a yawn. "G'night."

The moment Kieran turned the corner, Jack released his hold, and his breaths came in shallow bursts. What did rabbits have to do with bedbugs? There was something important. Important to him.

As he drifted to sleep, he could recall a woman's voice speaking quietly to him at night.

You're so cute, I sure hope the rabbits don't mistake you for one of their own and steal you away during the night, my little Jackalope.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]