White Rabbit

Chapter Eleven

Mid-morning sun shone bright, but cool in the late of October across the open, near empty spans of land before them. Ashi rolled his eyes as he stepped from the vehicle. “A park? You took me to a park.” The officer kept silent, taking the keys and following out.

“Yes. It’s a park. I felt like walking.”

Ashi groaned. “Could you be any more original? I mean seriously...a park? Who goes here these days...it’s...abandoned.” Glancing about the place, despite it’s serenity, it appeared, by definition, almost completely deserted. A few scattered trees dotted the landscape, accompanied only by birds, and the winding walkways twirled off to their odd paths in lonely solitude, not a person on them.

“It’s early. Nobody get’s up, besides, it’s Wednesday. People are at work, school. It’s quiet.” Garnen lead off onto the closest path and Ashi frowned, squinting up through the scant leaves of the closest tree to the pure sky above before following after.

“But I like noise. It gives...energy...and life to a place. This whole thing is peaceful and all, but-”

“I like quiet.”

Ashi grumbled at the interruption, but stepped up to walk beside the other anyway, only struggling slightly to keep up with his pace. “You know...sometimes I wonder...how we ever get along.”

“We don’t.”

The smaller man frowned and mumbled quietly. “Wonder why...” Garnen glanced his way. “What? I mean you’re just so agreeable...”

The officer made no comment, so they just walked, each in basic silence, side by side, unsure how to proceed. Garnen eventually slowed his pace so Ashi could walk regularly, but besides that, they hardly acknowledged each other.

The wind blew, casting an occasional gust between them, though never serving to break the silence. Finally, Ashi gave up and broke through. “Shouldn’t we say something? I mean...I know you like quiet and all...but conversation is understandable, right?”

Garnen glanced over at the comment, giving the other a minor thoughtful expression before shrugging neutrally. “We talked about me last time...tell me something about you.”

Ashi almost looked surprised. The other gave no argument though, simply agreeing at the first suggestion with no other comment. He frowned slightly, now lost as of what to say, and glanced down. “Really? I’m sure...it would be utterly boring...put you to sleep really...why do you care?”

Garnen raised an eyebrow, but didn’t even spare a glance to the other. “The life of a hooker? Surely you’ve got something interesting to say now when given permission...you never stop otherwise.”

The rabbit glared, now focusing all attention on the sidewalk. “Why’d you take me out here...if all you’re gonna do is bate me again? Don’t you ever get tired of it? I get it...you hate gays, you hate hookers, you hate...me. Why do you bother?”

Garnen frowned and did look his way this time. “I don’t hate you.”

“Then why-“

“Ashi, look. I’m pretty bad at this alright? I haven’t done it for awhile, I avoid people...but...I’m sorry alright?” Ashi blinked. “I’m sorry. I guess...I don’t hate you, and I would like to make amends. You can be an...interesting...person...when you’re fully dressed and...in your right mind.”

The rabbit grinned. “Really? Most people find me more interesting undressed and a bit out of it.” The officer made no comment, taking all focus in getting rid of the image that comment left, and denying all effects. “But I guess that’s what makes you different, huh?”

Garnen sighed and shook his head. “Not all that different...” He mumbled and lavender flashed up.

“What?”

The officer frowned. “Nothing.” At the continued quiet, he broke through this time. “So...you always say I know nothing about your life...I was serious when I asked. How did you end up in my little white office, hm?”

Ashi chuckled, glancing down to the cobbled pavement again in sudden, unexplained embarrassment. He forced his eyes up, met almond, searching for any sign, any hint of anything but truth. His expression flickered, almost startled by Garnen’s steady match to his search. Despite all previous happenings, the man held nothing there, not frustration, anger, or even a trace of the disgust and revulsion he often found there. In fact, above all, he looked honest and, even, concerned?

Ashi averted his gaze instantly, feeling his cheeks flush and cursing profusely his lack of resolve. What brought that about? In one look, one, varying, brief expression, Garnen had him blushing like a fucking virgin. This thought didn’t serve to lessen the problem though, and, in all truth, it only felt worse for the wear. He swore again under his breath.

“I...”

“How long have you lived on your own, Ashi?”

The rabbit’s eyes lifted, surprised, caught off-guard again. “What exactly-“

“You go to college...so you must have attended schooling before...do you have parents, or-“

“I last saw my parents...about the last time you spoke to your wife.” At Garnen’s startled expression he glared, but more to himself than anyone else, lowering his head again and shaking it with frustration. “It’s a long story.”

“It’s a long walk.”

Ashi frowned, kicking at a stray pinecone across the path distractedly. “It’s just another sap story, Garnen.” He looked up and shook his head. “You don’t need it.”

The officer only gave a frustrated expression. “Ashi, I’m telling you, I want to hear it. You listened to me, I’m gonna listen to you. You’re right, I know nothing about you, so tell me something. I don’t like being ignorant...despite what you might think.”

This got a small smile, but the man hid it, glancing away quickly. “Yeah, well...”

“Ten years ago...” Garnen began and Ashi nodded. “You were twelve?” Again, just a nod. “What happened?”

“It as about this time of year...cool, but not cold yet, winter still waiting to step in...” The officer listened. “...I was out with my friend...not Tray, I hadn’t met him yet. His name was Eoric, but that doesn’t really matter much anymore...” They kept on the path, not really paying much attention to any specific direction anymore as they went, and Ashi began telling his side of the tale, putting it out with more ease as he went on, and surprising Garnen in the end with his fluidity of words.

“We were talking...just talking...and I could have sworn we were alone. I guess we got just a little to close...when my father caught us, it didn’t end well.” He paused here, looking displeased and frustrated, as if he blamed himself for this part of the story. Glancing up to Garnen he added at this point. “I’m telling you...surely you’ve heard it before, you don’t really need to-“

“Go on.”

The rabbit frowned but did as suggested. “You know the story, father discovers gay son, blah, blah, blah...” He looked far less unconcerned than his words suggested, but Garnen said nothing. “Anyway.....I ran away that night.” People had just begun to pick up around them, bicyclers, walkers, but Ashi continued plainly now, finding it far easier to keep going once started.

“I wasn’t thinking...just running. I hated him...I really did...I was stupid and...I guess...I didn’t think about...anything. Our town...wasn’t exactly a safe place at night...”

“This was all across the immortal border?”

Ashi nodded. “Yes. I lived originally in the first boundary state, just when the war broke out, before they got control of the portals....that’s when this happened...right at that time...anyway...it was dark...I was running...I...I guess I made a bit of a scene... Most Albiceans, in neighboring nations at least, held only slave positions...I guess you can guess...but...whatever. Our home was a bit out, different. My whole family was free but...nevermind. Some traveling men, I don’t know who they were to this day but...”

He frowned. “I never saw much of their faces...too dark...but...I’ll always...always...remember their hands....” He glared accusingly to the ground, suddenly out of will for talking. “You know you really don’t have to listen to this...it’s just...stupid, and-“

“Ashi.” Lavender lifted and Garnen met his gaze with perfect ease, a steady hold. “Nothing...about what you’re telling me...is stupid.’‘ The smaller’s eyes wavered, undecided, fighting not to simply look away, escape the steadfast gaze any way he could. “I want to know, Ashi...but if you don’t want to tell me...I won’t make you, ok?”

His eyes did fall at that. “Yeah? Why do you care? So you can pity me? Even more than you already do? So you can justify yourself, make you feel all-“

“I don’t pity you.” Garnen looked forward again, focusing straight ahead as they walked and Ashi frowned slightly, watching the other’s now stony but perfectly serious expression. “Nothing you could say would make me pity you, Ashi. Even in the little time I’ve known you...there’s nothing pitiful about you.”

This statement did surprise him and his expression showed it. For awhile, he simply watched, looking over the man and trying, somehow, to comprehend the words properly. Finally, he bit his lip with a small frown. “It’s not what you think, you know.”

“What’s not?” Garnen looked up.

“I got away that night...not from all harm...but with my virginity in tact...and I consider that the important thing...not that it really mattered later but...yeah.”

The officer looked curious now. “How-“

“I fell through a portal....well...more ran through it...accidentally...sort of...you know then...they came up everywhere...no one knew how to control them...spontanious...it was like...a gift from god. Escape.” He shook his head. “What did I know...I came up behind the ‘Black Rose’...and that...started my life in your perfect planet, you know?” Garnen fought the urge to chuckle, but it didn’t get past the other and Ashi gave a half-hearted glare. “Go ahead, laugh. I’m serious.”

The officer smiled, but it held no malice as he shook his head, looking down to the other curiously. “I’m sorry, really. So, what do you think of this ‘perfect’ planet?”

“It sucks ass.” Ashi began searching for a cigaret and Garnen did laugh then, grinning widely as the crowds now bustled fully about them. They’d made it to the center park plaza, a great center of action at the moment, almost noon.

“Feel like lunch?”

“Depends on the menu.” The rabbit glanced up, placing the strip between his lips. “What you got?”

The other man shrugged. “What do you feel like? We got...pizza...nachos...cotton candy...looks like...popcorn...” Ashi smirked.

“How about a hotdog?”

“Yeah, they’ve got-“ Garnen stopped mid-sentence, picking up on Ashi’s tone just a bit late and snapping his gaze over instantly to the younger man. He looked unmistakably gleeful, and anything but innocent. Garnen glared even as the rabbit chuckled.

“Got a problem with that one, officer? Happen to be one of my favorite...pass time...foods. Never can stop till I get every, last-“

“Ahem. How about...we start with something else, hm?”

“Like that kiss you promised me?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of food.” He paused. “And I never promised that.”

“Yes, you-“

“What do you want to eat?”

“I don’t-“ His gaze stopped, frozen directly across from them, to one of the most vividly decorated stalls in the place, and his expression lit with an almost childlike enthusiasm as he smirked. “Buy me ice-cream, Garnen?”

Ten minutes later, after making through the line, they stood just outside the booth. Garnen waited off to the side, simply watching as the albiri stared over the options, taking absolute perfect care in his decision, as he had been doing for at least the past minute. Currently, he stood in debate between two scoops of strawberry and one chocolate, or one each of coffee, butter-pecan, and raspberry.

“Yeah...that one and...oh wait...” Garnen almost laughed at the confused and frustrated stall manager, and would have, if it hadn’t been for the equally growing line of frustrated people behind them. Ashi paid no mind to however, simply passing off all their protests with no other care, but Garnen, in the end, did feel the need to do something on it.

Stepping forward, he ignored the objection made by the next in line as he got behind the rabbit and muttered lowly. “How about...” Ashi near jumped at the sudden voice, low and quiet, just beside him. “...you take the strawberry, hm?” He chuckled at the other’s reaction.

“Why?”

The officer shrugged. “I like strawberry...it matches your hair...” Ashi’s cheeks flushed, knowing perfectly well Garnen just wanted him to hurry even as a hand brushed absently back across a lock of pink in his face. Despite this, the action only further frustrated his blush, and the officer smirked. “...your cheeks too, apparently.”

Lavender narrowed, glaring up to him accusingly even as he got out quickly to the manager. “I’d like three strawberry scoops, please.” Several behind him, who’d been listening to all the debate till then, groaned at the simplicity of the final choice and he glared back. “You don’t like my choice? Want me to think it over again?”

The unanimous vote of ‘no’ came evident from all in the crowd, and he smirked.

Paying the man quickly, a still very satisfied look held it’s place the entire way as he took his cone and headed back over to a seating place at the center fountain. He fought laughter the whole way, and Garnen shook his head, though more than a little impressed at the man’s handle of the situation. As Ashi sat, he followed beside him, and commented.

“That’s an interesting way of shutting-up a crowd.”

Ashi grinned. “You think so? I was reasonably pleased.” He took some of his ice-cream happily and glanced the other’s direction. “Weren’t you gonna get something?”

Garnen shook his head. “I don’t need anything...I’m not much into the all sugar and...hotdogs...approach.” Ashi stuck his tongue out, so unintentionally innocent in that one gesture, and against all previous thing’s he’d seen the rabbit do, Garnen could only stare.

“I happen to like sugar...and hotdogs.” He smirked before turning all focus again to his treat, happily content to simply sit and eat. After a time though, he came up with a new comment, between takes of his strawberry. “So...when is this date over?”

Garnen frowned. “It’s not a date...” He paused. “...do you want it to be over?”

Ashi grinned. “I just want to know when I get my kiss.”

Garnen watched pink lips travel over the icy confection, cold now and dotted with strawberry. His frown deepened. “I never promised that...” Ashi looked up, calculating, as if trying to choose for a new method of approach.

“You’ve never kissed a man before, have you?” He questioned it lightly, expecting an answer instantly as he took more of his cone. When Garnen kept quiet, he looked up in surprise. “Have you?” The officer frowned, lips pursed, still giving no reply and averting his gaze out to the crowd. Ashi’s eyes widened. “You have?? There is no way.”

The officer glanced back at this, eyebrow raised, but the rabbit only shook his head. “There is no way. I don’t believe you.”

“No?” Garnen looked truly curious now. “And why ever not? Am I just not capable of such an...utterly shameful act? Is it not possible that I could ever get myself into a situation even remotely similar those of your preference, hm?”

A small snort answered him and bubble-gum lashes hid violet eyes as Ashi muttered from behind his cone. “You’re to damn straight. You don’t even play it off well. You’d kiss a man the same day I say-“ He never got a chance to finish his sentence.

A hand slipped behind his neck, so easily, and in one tug, one simple move, he lost his standing. His hand fell forward for balance, scrambling and landing flat in the other’s lap, the other outstretched, keeping the cone as far out as possible, and useless in the air.

Lavender stared, wide in utter shock, and locked on almond as their lips met, pressed fully together by Garnen’s will this time. The other met his gaze, briefly, kept for a few seconds, before shutting, and Ashi let out the tiniest whimper, breath caught in his chest, at a loss. “Garnen...”

Public. Garnen knew their location, heard the people milling about, but at that moment, he honestly couldn’t have cared less. Icy lips, cool and candy sweet; Ashi’s mouth gave readily to his press, smooth and sugary, still reminiscent of the strawberry, icy confection that now lay out and dangling, completely forgotten.

The rabbit’s tentative, startled hesitance only further spurred his intention. Just a few brief seconds. He wanted nothing more than to slip past the chilled barrier, claim and taste the waiting heat that surely lurked within, but even as the smaller man’s lips trembled, opened so willingly, he knew he couldn’t. Not here, not like this.

“Mommy! Mommy, look! Why are those men-“

“Don’t look at them! Let’s go someplace else, baby? Okay, sweety?”

“But that man’s-“

“Those are bad men, baby, just look. How about I get you some candy, ok? Some cotton candy?”

Lavender blinked open, watched the other as they backed apart, cursing instantly his lack of breath and obviously flustered state. What had ten years of whoring gotten him? Absolutely no blush control, that was for sure.

“Now...what was it you were going to say?” Garnen questioned lightly, and heated cheeks only brightened further as Ashi glanced quickly away.

Why now? His heart felt caught in his throat, racing at surely ten times what it should. Was this normal? Surely not? “I...er...” He glanced to his ice-cream hand and frowned. “You made me spill my ice-cream...”

Garnen laughed, eyes truly bright now as he grinned to the other. “I’ll buy you a new one if you like. Come on, date over.”

- - - - -

The drive home kept reasonably silent, Ashi lost in confusion over not only Garnen’s actions, but his own utterly confusing reaction. The officer didn’t interrupt his silent puzzling, only slightly curious over his sudden silence and wondering if, somehow, he could have offended the man? Surely not a hooker, but, still, his quiet left him with more than a little worried.

By the time they arrived at his driveway, Ashi had yet to say anything, and as they stopped, the lack of conversation truly began to irk him. Finally though, Ashi did question.

“Why did you do that?”

Garnen frowned slightly and shrugged, unlocking the house and entering, the other just behind him as he hung up his coat. “You wanted me to.” Lie. He knew it, but how could he face up to that now? What should he say? I kissed you cause you’re dead sexy and your lips taste like strawberries? He frowned. Certainly not.

Ashi got a similar feeling of dissatisfaction with the answer and grumbled lowly. “If I stripped bare and told you I wanted you to fuck me here and now would you do that too?”

The officer’s gaze snapped over to the other, harsh and determined not to show the reaction the blunt words brought about. “I don’t know. There’s only one way to find out, but that does seem a little desperate on your part, doesn’t it?”

Ashi’s cheeks burned and he averted his gaze, glaring to the floor as he crossed his arms, still confused and equally frustrated. “I’ve been known to be desperate before...” He mumbled quietly, under his breath, but Garnen heard it, only frowning in response.

“Yes, well...I don’t think I’m quite that desperate yet.” Violet snapped up, stunned by the sudden turn of words and the officer just shook his head. “It was only a kiss.” That held bite, denying any significance of the event and tossing it off as nothing.

Ashi watched him leave, turn from the room, move up the stairs, and he swore he never felt more hate for any one person. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered. One more stupid bastard. He could handle it. He’d done it so many times...

Cursing loudly to himself, he sunk to the couch, flat on his stomach and glaring ahead heatedly to deny any hurtful reaction to the words.

‘There’s nothing pitiful about you.’

“Bullshit.” He bit his lip and turned, shutting his eyes tightly against the ache in his chest. It didn’t make sense. It didn’t make even a wit of sense. Why should any of it matter? It didn’t. Of course it didn’t. Just stupidity again. On his part. He curled to the couch arguing that into his head, over and over again. It didn’t help.

Garnen payed little attention to the stairs, barely made it up them in his distraction, near tripping himself at least three times. He cursed by the top and fought the sudden childish urge to kick the wall, or break something. Frowning, he crossed his arms in displeasure and settled with glaring ahead to his door, unable to make himself to open it.

‘If I stripped bare and told you I wanted you to fuck me here and now would you do that too?’

He swore as he felt his cheeks heat in unwanted reaction. “Yeah, probably...but you sure as hell better not do that...” His eyes shut tight in firm denial, but no matter how he argued, he knew he eventually needed to make the trip back down the steps, and apologize.

Sighing in frustration, he shook his head and got up off the wall. “Damn rabbit.”

Ashi stirred, glanced up at noise above him, and lavender narrowed heatedly at the sight, only turning away again the instant he met eyes with the other. “Go away.”

“Is that all you can come up with?” Garnen mumbled dully.

“How about fuck off!” Ashi revised, spinning back to sit up again and pin his gaze fixedly on the other. “Is that good enough for you? Or what about...screw you! Go jump a tree! Find yourself a dog to bitch with! Buy yourself a better prostitute cause this one is NOT for sale! No matter how much you pay me!”

“Maybe I wouldn’t buy you anyway!”

“You couldn’t get half of me for twice the price!”

“So you’re cheap now? There’s nothing there to buy!”

“I told you to back off!” Ashi shouted, standing up roughly, though the move didn’t do much for his situation, still towered by the other and Garnen’s glare pinned him.

“Have I ever mentioned...I don’t care?” His voice came suddenly quieter and lavender wavered beneath him. Ashi felt like his breath sucked from his lungs, caught, trapped, pinned. Garnen’s had an arm on each side of his head, forcing him back to the couch.

“No...but you did say once...that you did care.” At this the other paused, caught off-guard as he stared over the shaky, but determined figure beneath him. “I guess you lied. Why did you come back down? To mock me again? Pin me to the couch? You’re doing a great job of that...” Lavender lowered and the officer frowned.

He glanced over the form under him. “I came down...to apologize.”

Violet snapped up, undecided, trying to decipher the other’s utter look of puzzlement before laughing, nervously at first, unsure. “Apologize? You came down...to apologize?” Garnen nodded. “You know...if you ever want those things to be successful...it kinda helps...if you don’t shout!”

The officer blinked, stared at the other’s distinct glare, heated, frustrated between a laugh and a cry and he gave his own unsteady look as he backed off, running a hand through his hair in confusion. “Right...sorry?”

Ashi glared. “You better come up with something better than that.”

“What do you want?” Lavender lifted, but Garnen looked sincere again.

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“One instant...you’re this stupid, fucked-up, arrogant bastard...and then you’re...” He bit his lip, unsure of what to add there. “...and then...then you’re... Can’t you stay consistent?” He finally settled with and Garnen’s frown deepened.

“How exactly do you mean?”

“Do you hate me?”

“No.”

“Then don’t act like you do. Can’t you just...can’t you just make up your mind?”

Garnen glanced away. “Look...I’m sorry, alright? Damn...I’ve tried this before.” He met Ashi, now looking expectant, curious, one eyebrow raised. “I shouldn’t have yelled...and I shouldn’t have lied.”

“Lied?”

“I kissed you because I wanted to Ashi.”

He turned then, didn’t add anymore, and Ashi couldn’t tell exactly all he meant by it. He wanted to then, would ever want to again? Did that mean anything significantly important? Ashi couldn’t tell, but he knew, somewhere, that he felt a whole lot better about it all after that, and chuckled as he laid back to the couch. He had missed a whole night’s sleep after all, who didn’t deserve a nap every now and then? He fell asleep smiling.

*~*

Ashi stirred and white ears shuffled across the cool navy cloth of couch beneath him. He blinked. Once, twice, pushed back the fog to think, and only then did the true realization of what woke him hit him. Food.

The fact almost got a laugh and he grinned, already in a lighter mood as he sat up, slowly, trying to decide exactly what he smelled. Tomatoes, spices, lot’s of various seasonings he couldn’t pick out. Chicken? What used all that? He puzzled briefly over it, but stood nonetheless, the aroma enticing to a hungry stomach regardless of it’s actual contents.

A quieter chuckle escaped him and his grin held. Today might not prove all that bad after all.

Even with carpet beneath him, as apposed to tile or something else hard and cold, he still shivered, and wondered briefly on the location of his shoes before moving into the kitchen. Not only did the food smell good, but the kitchen kept warm, all the more reason to stick by it.

Garnen sat, peacefully absorbed in some book, and the rabbit hung in the doorway, for a brief time just wondering if the man ever looked up. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long, like something somehow alerted him to the scouring gaze, and the man glanced up, locking on lilac there with a startled but otherwise pleased expression.

Setting his book down, he took a more full view of the man in the entryway before speaking. “You woke up...took you long enough. Busy night last night?”

The rabbit chuckled nervously, glancing briefly to Garnen’s half-eaten plate of food before nodding. “You could say that...did I interrupt dinner?”

The older man shook his head absently, as if only just then realizing his unfinished eating process. “No. I’m sorry. I’m really not used to company...I usually sort of mix dinner, reading, and bedtime into one. There’s some pasta left over if you want...I don’t know what you like...” He glanced up again. “If you want carrots...”

Ashi glared and leaned up off the entry, passing into the kitchen and beginning a survey over the displayed foods. “Haha, very funny. Do you always cook for yourself?”

The man shrugged in indifference. “Mostly.” He took up his book again. “When you live alone for ten years, home cooked food and self-reliance tend to grow on you. If it tastes as bad as my cooking used to, I apologize, I’m probably just immune to it by now.”

Ashi chuckled with a grin as he looked over the selection. “I think I’ll risk it.” Though not intricately complicated, Garnen looked able to prepare at least a decent dish, with a wide number of seasonings thrown in here and there. After taking a decent plateful, most all left in the pot (Garnen not having prepared for two), he came back over to the table and sat across from the officer. “I’m trusting you not to poison me now, ok?”

Garnen chuckled and shook his head, giving a curiously pleased expression and simply surveying over the form as he settled. “I hope I make better of your trust this time.”

Ashi glanced up as he took a bite, knowing fully the meaning behind those words and the second attempt at an apology. He frowned but nodded briefly. “Well I’m not dead yet...”

In all honesty the food tasted delicious, and Garnen had obviously done anything but grow immune to his own cooking. Despite the simplicity, it held great flavor and...personality? He supposed, after so long, the man likely didn’t go exactly by the recipe anymore, maybe it did hold personality. Ashi grinned at the thought.

“You’re a very modest cook, Garnen.” He said quietly.

“Oh?” The man glanced over. “Not to terrible then?”

Ashi shook his head, pink waves bobbing in the light. “It’s almost...” He took his lip between his teeth in consideration, puzzling over his words carefully. “...as good as chocolate.”

The officer’s eyebrow’s lifted. “That good, eh?”

Ashi nodded. “Though...” He grinned and took another bite, finishing before he spoke. “I’ll still need my proper dosage of sweets. Can’t live without sugar you know...”

Garnen laughed at that, quiet, but friendly. “Now I know what to get you for Christmas...”

The rabbit raised an eyebrow. “Assuming I’m alive by then...”

The officer snorted, glancing back to his food. “You will be.”

“How do you know? There’s already been two-“

“I’ll make sure of it.” Their eyes locked, frozen in that one moment, before Garnen finally glanced away. “Finish eating, it’s almost time for bed...”

Ashi grumbled. “You sound like a parent...’almost time for bed’...I just got up. You think I’m tired?”

The officer shrugged, careless as he lifted his plate and moved to clear the rest of the table. “I’m not saying you have to sleep, I’m just suggesting it. There’s not much to do around here even in the day...I can’t imagine what you think you’ll do at night...” At Ashi’s incredulous look he added. “...in my house.”

The rabbit grumbled, suddenly looking altogether glum and Garnen stared. “You can’t possibly expect me to drive you anywhere at this hour? You’re staying here, and likely won’t be going anyway for the next few days anyway, so-“

“The next few days?! What is this, prison camp?? I-“

“I’m leaving all decision up to the chief in the morning.” The officer gave him a thoughtful, expression, though hardly pitying. “I’m am sorry to keep you locked here with me so much...I’m sure it’s an awful horror to you.”

“Whatever, at least you’re gay.”

Garnen gave a half-choked cough, but didn’t even glance his direction. “I’m nothing of the sort. Get dressed to sleep on the couch again.”

“Uh-huh. Yeah, that’s why you ‘a.’ kissed me, ‘b.’ liked it, and ‘c.’-“ He stood and moved over with his plate to clean it, but Garnen paused him half-way. Their eyes locked and he stopped. “What?”

The man frowned, considering briefly before speaking. “What’s ‘c’?” Ashi raised an eyebrow, caught in minor indecision at Garnen’s hand on his arm, not tight, but enough to give pause.

Their eyes held steady on each other and the smaller man finally answered quietly. “...and ‘c.’...you know you want to do it again...” Almond flickered over him, not his body, just his face, interpreting, contemplating. After what felt like forever, he dropped his hold.

“Goodnight, Ashi.”

“Goodnight, officer...” The rabbit caught his lip as he watched the other turn, paused, then finally got out hastily. “Hey, Garnen!”

“Yes?” The man turned back and got no time to react. A hand gripped the front of his shirt in an instant, tugging him down just as the other raised on his toes, and in that brief second lips met his. Not pressing, or tight, just the tiniest grace of touch. Ashi’s kiss brushed, barely existent and petal soft, gone before it began.

Lavender flickered up, nervous, almost tentative as he backed down again to stand regularly. “Goodnight, Garnen....and...thank you...for...a lot of things...not everything...but a lot of things....alright?”

Garnen simply watched, at a loss for a few seconds on how to respond. “I...you’re welcome...Ashi...”

The rabbit smiled, and at that moment, Garnen knew what it meant to have a smile light up a room. Ashi’s look sparked emotion, and for a brief second... He quickly turned, quite unable to handle it at that point. “Sleep well, rabbit.” He got it out hastily, unsure, and the smaller man watched him go, smile keeping as he finished the kitchen, and even till he landed back on the couch.

No, not such a bad day at all.


Note: First kiss in this chapter (well, first consentual one on Garnen's part)...hope it wasn't to terrible. ^^' There are some parts to this chapter I don't really like...but oh well...if I tried to edit I'd be half chopping the whole thing to pieces...I hope no one minds it as is. x_x

Thank you so much to my reviewers! They're all such an inspiration...I don't know what I'd do without you! Well I do...I get all depressed when I don't get reviews...but anyway... Thank you! I hope to get some continued feedback on this one...

Forewarning, I've been posting constantly since the beginning every other day, and haven't missed a day. Sometime I'll have to slow down to catch a breather but...not yet. ^^' (Just so no one gets frustrated when that happens...)

Review Replies

FlamesEmbrace: Alrighty... now, I'm not a native Spanish speaker, so this might be wrong, but there were two things I think could be improved...

Costar is a verb, so 'how much do -you- cost should be cuestas, not cuesta. And I think, but I'm not sure, that it should be cuántos tú cuestas, not cuanto. And

>_< Bad internet.

And my only other thing was that Doscientos por hora would prolly work better Doscientos cada hora; each/per hour. Oh, and I loved the chapter. :3

Thank you for the help! I took your advise. I'm only in the very beginnings of learning the language, so you're a life saver. ^_^ Glad you liked it!

Trickster Kitsune: Oooh... Ashi was almost in some big trouble! (Twice if you count the fact that he almost got himself killed!) He thinks up some interesting, if not always sane, ways to get out of nasty situations. ^_^ And since I don't know any Spanish, I don't know if what you had in there was right or not. ^_^;

I wish I could wake up to chocolate! All I get are noisy parakeets, finches, and maybe a cat or three... ^^; It's cute how Garnen is trying his best to keep up his little "I'm straight and that's how it is" act. But we all know Ashi is slowly wearing him down. I think his little request at the end of the "date" will wear Garnen down even more. --giggles--

Please update soon!

I'm not looking forward to those two papers... One is for Asian American Authors and the other is for Asian Diaspora. I don't have anything due in my two favorite classes (Asian American Experience and Japanese 101). I'm majoring in Asian Studies if you couldn't tell. ^_^; I want to be a Japanese teacher when I get out.

O_O Long review! I'm so happy! *cough* Anyway, yes...Ashi getting himself into trouble again...but working his way out! In a way... A handy excuse to dump him on Garnen's doorstep again though.

Oh yes, chocolate...if you couldn't tell...I love chocolate. ^_^ And it would be so nice to wake up that way...but ah well...I can dream. *chuckle* I think Garnen lost a large bit of the 'straight' act in this chap...but of course we couldn't have him win forever, could we? No. I'm getting impatient now...*nudges him toward Ashi* *whistles innocently*

Anyway, the classes sound interesting. Are you part Japanese? Or is that just a goal of yours?

MakaiKitty: SO sorry I haven't reviewed yet. I didn't realized that you'd stared writting this until yesterday. You know I love bunny bois, so I'm loving your main character. Can't wait to see what happens next. Although, shame on you for leaving it on such a cliffhanger ^_^

Oh, and thanks so much for reviewing all of my fics. Reviews like yours really keep me going!

Yay! You finally come look! I'm so happy you read it...if you couldn't tell I really love your stories, and it means a lot to know you read mine. ^_^ Shame? I call it brilliance...I love cliffhangers! Though...this one has a pretty solid ending...x-p Ah well. ^^ Hope you like it! I look forward to your next update!