Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Aren’t you gonna be late?”

Jack stood, admittedly awkwardly, on the curb while he watched Sera yell through the window at her dad. Supposedly Jack had walked her over from the rec building out of pure friendship, but realistically, Jack was selfishly grasping at opportunity with both hands. 

Pitch had pulled up in the wrong direction. Rather than help her dad out by walking around to the other side, she’d made him roll down the passenger side window and lean over the center console to shove a sealed tupperware full of something probably sinfully delicious into her reluctant hands. 

“There’s no such thing as late when it comes to you, daughter of mine. Also, Manny can kiss my arse. Now,” Pitch pointed at the container and instructed, "You have to eat these because I can't."

Jack tilted over into Sera’s personal space so he could look through the window himself and see better how Pitch had twisted and stretched his torso across the confined space of the car. His shirt was unfortunately tucked in, so Jack didn’t get any skin, but the shape of his lean waist and slim shoulders were easy to see like this. 

Sera’s shoulders dropped in telltale surrender as she cradled the tupperware close to her chest. Her voice was dry in the way only a newly minted adult daughter’s could be when talking to her exasperating dad. “You had the option of not making them.”

Pitch didn’t miss a beat. “No I didn’t.”

Jack didn’t know what she was complaining about; Pitch’s baking was amazing. Jack was going to steal that tupperware from her at the first opportunity. But Jack supposed if he’d grown up with a dad who compulsively baked and then made him eat it all, maybe it would get a little old by the time he was in college. 

…

Who was he kidding? Jack was a glutton. It would never get old. 

Baked goods delivered, Pitch began to sit up. Like the pull of a magnet, Jack started to lean in. When Jack bumped into the doorframe, he went with it, pressing his side up against the car and trying to make it look casual and not like he had absolutely no self control around this man. 

He did. Jack had so much self control. If he didn’t, he would’ve crawled into Pitch’s lap already. 

Sera sighed with her whole chest. “Fine. Just try not to bake anything else before the weekend? Just because you can’t eat it doesn’t mean I can.”

“No promises, honey,” Pitch could have almost passed for apologetic, if it weren’t for the faint curl to his lips. “Besides. I’m sure you can enlist some help to make them disappear.” 

That was when Jack noticed Pitch was looking at him. And winked.   

There was no stopping him. Jack's mouth opened before he even knew what he was going to say. “I swear to consume an entire batch by myself.” Very solemnly, Jack pressed a hand to his chest and leaned so far into the window that his head and shoulders were inside the car. “If that is what your baking addiction requires of me.”

It wasn't a declaration of love, but it also kind of was. 

Jack didn’t know how to do things by halves.

He heard Sera snort a laugh behind him. That was fine. She could laugh at him all she wanted. 

He even managed a chuckle out of Pitch. “I see Sera still has impeccable taste in friends. In that case, I’ll bring two containers next time. Maybe three. What’s your favorite cake flavor, Jack?” 

Jack felt his feet leave the ground. He was flying. 

“It's—”

Sera’s hand slapped over Jack’s mouth before he could say another word. “Do not answer that.”

Well now Jack had to.

The grin on Pitch’s lips was positively devilish and he instantly knew where Sera got her menacing side from . Pitch leaned in over the center console again, closer to Jack. “Oh it’s fine, just nod when I get it right: Confetti? Red velvet? Chocola– no, mint chocolate?” 

Jack nodded vigorously. To be completely fair, Jack was approximately one hundred percent sure that his favorite cake would immediately become whatever cake Pitch made for him, but luckily Jack was saved from a life of fickle cake infidelity by Pitch’s spot on instincts. Mint chocolate actually was a fav. 

“Dad!” Sera yelled, as if the sheer frustrated disbelief in her voice would be enough to stop them, or Pitch’s compulsive need to create bite size flour-based treats. It wasn't going to work. Both were clearly unstoppable.

Or at least Jack was hoping they were.

“Alright, alright, I’m leaving.” Pitch bowed his head and waved his hand in surrender that was definitely fake. He was still smiling after all, even while he was shifting his car back into drive. “Have a good day, you two. Call me if you need anything, Sera.”

The absolute last thing Jack wanted to do right now was tear himself away from Pitch, but since riding down the road with Jack’s ass hanging out the window wasn't an option, or at least not an option anybody was going to let him choose, Jack obediently removed himself from the interior of Pitch’s car. 

“I will, Dad. Have a good day at work. Love you,” Sera said, waving goodbye to Pitch around the baked goods still pressed tightly to her chest. 

“Love you too, sweetie,” Pitch replied. 

Jack kind of wanted in on this “Love you” thing. Was that weird? Jack was being weird.

He raised his hand in parting and managed to reel himself in to nothing more than a totally normal, “See ya.”

Pitch waved at him, but his eyes were on Sera when he added in at the last second before he rolled up the windows, “Don’t be too mean to Jack!” 

And then Pitch was gone. Or at least too far away for Jack to properly stare at. 

He heard Sera sigh behind him. Followed by the pop of a plastic lid. “When he comes back with a five gallon tupperware full of cupcakes, you are so on your own.” 

Jack grinned and spun around to find out what Pitch had given them. If Pitch actually made Jack, just Jack, five gallons worth of his favorite cupcakes, Jack might drop to his knees and propose on the spot. “Don't threaten me with a good time.”

“You’re impossible,” Sera muttered while she pulled out an absolutely perfect brownie that had ribbons of what looked like shiny caramel artfully swirled through it, dusted with little flakes of salt. Even Sera couldn’t pretend she was annoyed by such a temptation. “...Damn. He knows how much I like caramel.” 

Jack nodded, thoroughly envious. “He's a good dad. And possibly an even better baker. I get one, right?”

Sera took one bite and all but shoved the tupperware at Jack. “Take them before I eat them all.” 

Jackpot. He grinned down at the bin and eagerly pulled a brownie out for himself. “Aye, aye.” Jack took his first bite and moaned shamelessly, maybe overexaggerating a little, but surely Sera wouldn’t blame him. These brownies were good. Pitch was amazing. He asked the question before thinking it through, while his mouth was still full. “Is your dad single?”

Sera raised an eyebrow at him. Kept it that way through the whole process of chewing and swallowing her next bite.  “He’s… yeah. Apparently his co-workers think now’s the perfect time to start dating again since he’s ‘an empty nester,’ but I’ve left the nest for two years now and I think he enjoys the spite more.” 

Jack… was not expecting a real answer. The question hadn’t been a joke, but he’d thought Sera would take it as one because that’s usually what people did when you asked if someone’s sister/cousin/friend was single after moaning over their baking. Instead, Jack’s face was hot from the blush that crept over him when he realized Sera was actually answering. 

And it was good information, too.

Jack swallowed and did not put more food in his mouth. He needed to think. Or, at least, Jack thought he needed to think. Something about Sera’s seriousness made Jack want to be more serious too. “So you think he wants to stay single?”

With him in possession of the tupperware, Sera was free to cross her arms over her chest, careful of the brownie of course. She took a step closer, using her whole extra half foot of height to loom over him with sharp green eyes. “I can’t say for sure. I think he just has a low tolerance for bullshit. Why do you ask? ” 

Jack shrank back. He wasn’t afraid of her or anything, but he didn’t feel any great need to stand up straight and fail to meet her height right now. His face was so hot he was starting to feel a little faint. There was no hiding this. “Because…” 

Jack didn’t want to lie, but he wasn’t sure what the truth was either. He wanted to know if Pitch was single because he wanted to know if Pitch was available. But why did he want to know if Pitch was available? What was Jack planning to do with this information? He hadn’t planned that far ahead. He hadn’t planned at all. He asked, pure and simple, because, “Sera. Sera, because he’s hot.”

“ Ugh! ” Sera recoiled, spinning around dramatically with a noticeable cringe on her face. “I knew it. I fucking knew it. You have been checking out my dad…” 

Jack cringed too. He hadn’t been subtle or anything, but he also hadn’t been trying to weird Sera out. He just couldn’t help it. There was no controlling who you were attracted to and Jack wasn’t the kind of person to be ashamed about it. “I mean, yeah. I have. Since, like, day one. I wasn’t gonna—I mean—I didn’t think…” Jack did not have the mastery of language required to say what he wanted. He was tripping over himself, trying to express an abstract idea that amounted to Jack’s ongoing effort not to throw himself bodily at Pitch’s feet and cry “Take me!” 

Sera let out something between a sigh and growl, but she seemed to recover a lot quicker than he did. She shook her head, long black hair following the sudden movement, and held the hand that wasn’t still clutching a brownie out in front of her. “Fine, okay, whatever, you think… that. But that’s all it is, right? That’s…” She paused. Then narrowed her eyes. “Wait, is that why you came out to meet me here?!” 

Jack stared at her with wide eyes and no idea what to say. She had him figured out.

“ Jack .” She accused, like she expected an answer. Not that the lack of one wasn’t damning enough. “Seriously?!” 

“It wasn’t the only reason!” Jack defended. He was holding the tupperware up between them, almost like a shield or a token of protection. Surely she wouldn’t destroy the perfect brownies in her effort to get to him, right? “It’s not like I don’t like you and I’m just here for him. But I do like to take the opportunities I can to see him, and I…” Jack stopped himself from rambling any further and tried to actually think about the next words out of his mouth. He was really admitting this. They were really talking about this. 

Suddenly, Jack relaxed. His shoulders dropped. He sighed. The tension that made his knuckles white around the brownies vanished. They were talking about this. Jack didn’t have to keep it to himself anymore. And that was such a relief, regardless of what came next. “I like him. I really like him.”

Sera’s expression didn’t lessen at all, but she wasn’t glaring any harder and that was something. In fact she wasn’t looking directly at him at all. Distant. Processing.  

“God damnit, Jack,” she eventually cursed, somewhat muffled as she nibbled on a bit of brownie. “There’s plenty of hot guys on campus. Why can’t you like them? ” 

“Because they’re not your dad,” Jack said with absolutely no forethought whatsoever.

“Jack, out of the two years you’ve known him, you’ve probably only actually interacted with him in what amounts to minutes ! Is it just a thing for older guys?!” 

Jack started to shake his head, then thought about it… then continued shaking his head. “I don’t think so. Obviously, there’s some older actors who I think are hot, but everyone else I’ve dated has been my own age. He’s the only older guy that I—” Can’t stop thinking about “—might actually, you know, want. Maybe I just haven’t met enough dilfs to know, but my instinct is that it’s a person thing, not an age thing.” 

“Oh my God, no .” Sera held her hands up, like she might have tried covering her ears if she wasn’t still holding a brownie. “Please never use that term around me when you’re talking about my father. ” 

“Sera,” Jack said patiently, “it is a literally accurate definition. He is a dad. And I would like to—”

“ Nope!” Quicker than he could blink, there was a hand over his mouth again. Sera’s face was a lot closer too, where Jack could clearly see how flustered she was. “Look, I’m not here to kinkshame, but I do not want to know. Especially if it involves my dad. Understand? ” 

Jack, with no other options available to him, nodded quickly. 

Sera cautiously, overly cautiously, drew her hand back, replacing it on her hip. “Good.” 

Jack waited a beat, just to make sure the coast was clear, then with a similar trepidation said, “Okay. I won’t tell you what I’d like to do to him. But it is about him, Sera. Why would I choose to have an awkward conversation like this if I could just go date someone else and not care, you know?”

“Wh-what do you mean?” Sera looked taken aback, more than disbelieving, maybe a bit fearful? “Look, I was preparing myself to accept that you have some kind of crush on him. Like some ogling the poolboy bullshit. Why are we talking about dating? You don’t actually ….” 

Aaand the blush was back. Jack hadn’t meant anything by it when he said the word, but now that Sera was focusing on it… Shit. “I don’t know,” Jack said, as honestly as he could. “Maybe? Like, I was just kind of assuming it wasn’t a possibility, but, full disclosure, if he asked me out? I’m not even sure I’d say yes. I think I would just drag him right then and there to the nearest restaurant and get that train rolling.”

“Jack, you’re the same age as me,” Sera laid out, far too rational for his tastes. “That’s weird. He would never … ” 

Jack groaned. “I know,” he said, a whine running through every word. “But I wish he would.”  

“Well he won’t ,” Sera insisted. “No matter how many of his baked goods you eat. He hardly knows you.” 

Jack was quiet for a bit, staring down at the brownies in his hands. Pitch knew one of his favorite flavors now. Pitch could know a lot more than that if they had the opportunity. “But what if he did?” Jack asked. “If we were friends already, would that change anything?”

“...I don’t know,” Sera admitted softly. The look on her face was still troubled to say the least, but Jack appreciated that she was actually considering his words instead of brushing it all off outright. He felt a tug on his hoodie sleeve, and Jack followed as she began walking towards an empty bench not too far away from where they’d been awkwardly having this conversation. “I mean I don’t really know what my dad’s ‘type’ is. The only indication I have is my mom and that whole thing went up in flames, so…” 

Jack obediently sat down beside her when she slumped on the bench seat. He wasn’t sure that it mattered if Pitch had a type. Whatever it was probably didn’t look anything like Jack, but that kind of thing had never stopped Jack before. “Well, you are all hot and fiery personalities from what I've heard, so maybe that was inevitable.” Jack grinned and tilted sideways to nudge her with his shoulder, teasing. “I'm much more chill than you.”

Sera scoffed and Jack knew he’d succeeded in breaking some of the tension when she nudged him back harder. “Yeah, so chill you practically threw yourself through the window of my dad’s car.” 

“Okay, yeah,” Jack said. “So I just… Look.”

But he didn’t have anything else to say. 

The renewed blush spoke for him.

To his surprise, Sera laughed. Brief, and not very loud, but a laugh nonetheless. “Oh trust me, I looked. I saw. And I will say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so… like that over another guy. At least, for as long as I’ve known you.” 

Jack quietly shoved a bite of brownie in his mouth to give himself some time to emotionally comprehend that. Sera wouldn’t be making jokes about Jack acting stupid if she was really upset about it, right? Jack’s biggest fear here was that Sera would be too disturbed by this to still be his friend. If she was laughing… then they were probably okay. “I’ve never met another guy that’s like Pitch,” Jack said eventually. Then he turned suddenly to face Sera. “Did you see him wink at me? I just about died.”

“Ugh, yeah, that…” Sera started twirling some of her hair around her finger, her favored method of fidgeting. “I mean, maybe he is, on some level, attracted…” But she couldn’t seem to finish the sentence and quickly shook her head. “Okay, what are we actually talking about here, Jack? Are you serious? He’s twice your age. And it would be a hell of a lot easier to find someone else to date or… fool around with.” 

Jack sighed. “Yeah, probably.” But Jack had been with plenty of guys his own age and easy wasn’t what he would call those experiences. Maybe Jack was just a magnet for trouble, and this would be the same. He wouldn’t know unless he tried, and Jack loved jumping in with both feet. “I think it could be either, or both? It’s not really about what I do with him, right now. This conversation is about the fact that I want to do anything with him, and that the him in question is your dad, and that you are my friend first. I don’t want you to be mad about it, and I’m glad that we’re talking about it, because… well, let’s be real, I kinda sucked at hiding it.”

“It was a little hard to miss when you kept following behind him while you were helping move all my boxes into Kat’s room.” Which… had been day one. Freshman move-in day. The day they’d met. Sera was too damn observant for her own good. “It’s one thing to look from afar and think… about stuff. That’s all on you. But are you intending to act on any of it? Are you actually going to try and ask my dad out?”

“I don’t know if I’m brave enough.” Jack laughed, but it was a weak laugh, self-deprecating and thin. “I guess it’s more just… if the opportunity arises, to either ask him out or… just ask him to bed. And I take it. Would you be upset about it? And if he said yes, would you be really upset about it?”

“I mean. Kinda??” Sera said bluntly. “It’s weird. You know this is weird, right? I get that you’re both adults and it’s not really my place…” She bit her lip, turning her gaze towards the last bite of brownie she was holding. “But I guess if it made him happy. And… Ugh, I dunno, maybe he does need to get laid or something…” 

Jack wasn’t sure if this was what she was thinking, but the link between the brownie and Pitch’s happiness was sort of direct. “I don’t think getting laid is gonna make him bake any less, if that’s what you’re hoping for. And I wouldn’t want it to. These brownies are great.”

“They’re fucking awesome,” she admitted reluctantly, although she was frowning. And then Sera turned towards him with a piercing stare that meant she was dead serious. “Look. I just don’t want him to get hurt. I don’t want either of you to get hurt, because then it’s gonna go from weird to shitty so just… Don’t be stupid about this. Even if it is just a one time thing.” 

Jack winced and grimaced. “You know I can’t promise not to be stupid, because, well, you know me. I can be pretty dumb. But I can promise I won’t be shitty to him. I don’t want him to get hurt either. I don’t really care about me. If I get hurt, it wouldn’t be the first time and it won’t be the last. But when I said I liked him, I meant it. And I like you. I’m not gonna fuck it up on purpose. I don’t want to fuck it up at all.”

“You better not ,” Sera warned, though by now, Jack could tell it was mostly a front. He’d apparently said something right and this was Sera’s way of conceding gracefully. “Fine, whatever. Do what you want. But Jack? You tell me nothing. Nothing at all, or so help me God…” 

Jack laughed. He might have been a little punch drunk from relief, but also, that was hilarious. “I already told you I wouldn’t!” He held up his hands in surrender, one with an open palm and the other still holding half a delicious brownie. “I understand and respect that you don’t want to know the sordid details, even if they aren’t sordid at all.”

“Anything that involves you and my dad is plenty sordid!” Sera argued. Though she lost steam for it seconds later and leaned back against the bench. “Fuck. I am kind of hoping you just… get it out of your system and move on. But y’know. Not on bad terms. If he even lets you… ”

Jack hesitated just long enough to decide not to say what he was thinking. Jack didn’t want this out of his system. Jack didn’t want to move on. Pitch was an amazing person, and if Jack could actually hold onto that for longer than the average college-age relationship, that would be amazing too. 

But it was weird. It was definitely weird. Sera was right. Jack wondered if there should have been some kind of biological, sociological stop sign in his brain that automatically shunted Pitch into an off-limits category. Jack was a bit of a fuck up. It wouldn’t surprise him to find out his brain was wired wrong, too. 

“Just as a hypothetical,” Jack said, “because all of this is hypothetical. We don’t know what Pitch will do, whatever I might want him to. But if I don’t move on, and he doesn’t make me move on… Would your dad and I being a thing be, like… the worst?”

Sera made a face. Not a disgusted one. Not a sarcastic one. But it didn’t instill him with much positivity either. “I… Probably not the worst. But the weirdest? Like how the hell would we hang out? Or double date? And our friends are going to flip out. Nevermind what my mom’s gonna think…” 

Jack snorted so hard that he choked and barely managed to get air back in his lungs by the time Sera trailed off. He coughed until his throat stopped tickling long enough for him to say, “We will not be double dating. No. That would be… No.”

Sera frowned and lightly smacked his arm. “Oh now you’re saying no? That’s what finally tipped you back into sanity?!” 

Jack stared at her with wide eyes. “First, how dare you accuse me of sanity. Second, the shit that I do on dates and the shit that you do on dates should never overlap with a parental figure. I will not do that to us.”

“Or you could, you know,” Sera threw her arms up, “ not date a parental figure! ” 

Jack pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. “Now you sound like when you tell your dad not to bake.” He waited a beat, then added, “How’s that ever worked out for you?”

Sera growled again, shoving the last of the brownie in her mouth and not bothering to respond until she was finished. “I’m aware you’re not going to listen to me, just like him. And when you come back to me, whining ‘omg Sera he’s so old’ the ‘I told you so’ isn’t even going to be worth it.” 

Jack cleared his throat and said very simply, “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

Sera turned back to him and it may have been the first time he’d seen her look genuinely pleading. “So can we just skip to the part where it turns out, newsflash, my dad’s too old for you and work on matchmaking you with someone in your class?” 

Jack bit his lip as he met her gaze. He was sure he looked just as uncertain and concerned as she did. “The problem with that, is I don’t think he is too old for me. I’m not even sure what part of him being old is supposed to be some kind of deal-breaker. I’m not looking at him as an age; I’m looking at him as a person. And as a person, he’s…” 

Jack didn’t think Sera would appreciate him waxing poetic about Pitch’s romantically attractive qualities, but trying to sum it all up without seemed impossible. Jack shifted in his seat, resettled the tupperware in his lap, and switched tactics. “You say we’ve only known each other for minutes. But every one of those minutes has been good. If you had nothing but positive experiences with someone, and Pitch tried to say you couldn’t date them because of an arbitrary quality outside of their control, what would you do about it?”

Sera stared at him for a long moment. And when she eventually sighed, it was the heaviest one he’d heard all afternoon. “I’d tell him he’s being a judgemental idiot and follow my heart anyway.” 

Jack nodded, more reserved than he’d been all morning, and looked away to take another bite out of his brownie. He mumbled again, through a mouthful of chocolate and caramel, “Glad we’re on the same page.”

“Yes, yes, you got me,” Sera admitted, grabbing the tupperware and fishing out a fresh brownie like it was her consolation prize. “This is insane. This is stupid. This could completely ruin our friendship. …But I support you.” 

“Thanks,” Jack said with a smile that meant everything. He let her keep the tupperware for now, but he was definitely going to steal it back later. “Whatever happens, it won’t ruin our friendship, because we won’t let it. Yeah?”

“Right. You know my terms.” Sera’s tone wasn’t happy, but it was final. She was ready to let the issue lie. 

Or so he thought. Her next words nearly made Jack choke again.

“So how are we gonna get him alone with you?” 

Chapter Text

The plan was simple. Sera had insisted as much. 

One last fun camping trip during the long weekend before the semester kicked into full swing. Sera and her group of friends had rented out a cabin near a lake and they all wanted to drive up together for… maximum group shenanigans. Or that’s what Pitch assumed.

In order to make that happen, Kat and Nightlight were picking up a van to fit them all, while Sera’s task was to gather everyone else who didn’t have a ride here at his home where they would all head out together. Because apparently his house was the best midway point for everyone. 

Truthfully, it sounded a little convoluted to him, but Pitch had been twenty once. Going ridiculous lengths to spend time with friends came with the territory. He supposed. His friend group back then had maxed out at three maybe. Sera managing a whole …was it eight now? Was honestly impressive. 

She told him to start expecting people to show up around noon. He wasn’t surprised to hear the first knock on his door closer to two. 

What did surprise him was to see Jack, and Jack alone, on his doorstep. 

Right. He could handle that. Mint chocolate chip. The cute one. Jack was the easiest one of Sera’s growing group for him to remember. 

“Good afternoon,” he greeted politely, and gestured for Jack and the duffle bag at his side to come on in. “You’re the first one here.” 

“Hi, Pitch.” Jack shrugged. “I think I have the least classes on Friday,” he said. “I tried to get the others to set it up that way too, but you know how the course catalog is. If a prof insists on having class at eight on a Friday…” Jack shook his head and smiled, then turned sideways to squeeze past Pitch in the doorway. His eyes averted to Pitch’s chest and throat the entire time they were close. Or maybe Jack wasn’t looking at anything in particular and Pitch was just reading into it. His chest was about at Jack’s natural eye line, after all. 

“Some things never change,” Pitch commented as he closed the door behind them. Years of playing host had him wanting to take Jack’s shoes and hoodie, but he resisted asking. Jack probably wouldn’t be here for very long. Maybe not even in the house once the others started to arrive. This was only a pitstop. 

Pitch changed course and started heading into the kitchen off to the right of the entryway. “You can leave your things wherever. Can I interest you in a snack?” 

He’d only been baking up a storm all morning. 

“Sure,” Jack said from somewhere behind him. The telltale thump of a duffle bag being tossed to the floor followed. Then there was a gasp. “Holy shit.”

Pitch… may have gone overboard. Sera was probably going to be mad at him. 

There were six clear tupperwares already packed with an assortment of sweet and savory hand pies. A seventh had a batch of chocolate chip cookies because one couldn’t go wrong with the classics. A loaf of banana bread was wrapped up and ready to go. A jar of yogurt covered almonds was next to that. And then the cooling racks laid out on the countertops displayed the dozen apple cinnamon scones he’d pulled out of the oven only fifteen minutes ago. 

Pitch knew how much twenty-somethings could eat. And now he finally felt like he could put the flour away for a month. It was a win/win. 

“Help yourself. It’s all for your group trip,” he gestured at the display, then turned to Jack with a vaguely apologetic smile. “Nothing minty though, I’m afraid. I hope the mini cheesecakes last week were enough.” 

Jack groaned and dipped like his knees had gone weak. “They were so good. I don’t know how you do it. You're a fucking kitchen wizard.” 

Pitch chuckled and shook his head at the theatrics. Jack knew how to flatter, that was for sure. “I’m just a man who needs a creative outlet after working a stressful job. Although I think I can hold off on the baking after all this.” 

“Please don’t,” Jack begged, so quickly there was no doubt he’d said it before thinking. “I think half my diet right now is your baking. I don’t know what I’d do if you stopped, whatever Sera says.” 

That gave Pitch pause, concern and skepticism mixing in with all the flattery. “Jack. Don’t tell me the other half is ramen noodles and Taco Bell. The semester’s barely started. ” 

“Then I will not tell you that,” Jack swore as he made his way unsubtly over to the cooling racks. “I do have a lot of sandwich stuff in my dorm, but believe it or not, I get kind of tired of peanut butter. Whereas I never get tired of your baking. I’m not even really convinced that Sera does. I think she just likes complaining.” 

“Sounds like my girl,” Pitch said wistfully, reaching behind him to lean against the countertop and take mental note of which thing Jack was going to take first. “The third year dorms at least have a small kitchenette, don’t they? Not much of a cook, Jack?” 

“Super shitty at time management,” Jack answered plainly. “Sandwiches are fast and don’t make a ton of dishes. It sort of settled into this after the fiftieth time Jamie threatened violence over not cleaning up after myself, which, fair.” 

Jack glanced over at Pitch as if checking to make sure Pitch wasn’t about to bodily block him from the goods, before he swiped a scone off the rack. One bite and he was melting against the counter. “How do you do this?” Jack asked, muffled through a full mouth. “How does everything taste so good?”

“I’m starting to think it’s less about my ability, and more about the fact that your taste buds have been dulled by weeks of peanut butter sandwiches.” Impulsively, Pitch reached into his back pocket to pull out his phone and open his shopping list note. Looked like he was going to pick up some ingredients after all. “You have an oven in the kitchenette, right? And a fridge? How do you feel about lasagna?” 

“I think you might cry if you saw it,” Jack said skeptically, “but yeah, it has an oven. The fridge can hold about four point five Taco Bell combo boxes, and I love lasagna. What are you doing?” 

Pitch’s lips twitched into a smirk at Jack’s questioning tone. It only encouraged him to type out the ingredients faster. “Keeping my daughter’s friends alive. Apparently. ” 

Jack rolled his eyes. “I’ve made it two years already. I’m sure I’ll survive the next two-to-four well enough. What are you doing, really?” Then he took another bite out of the scone and visibly melted some more.

“Making a list,” Pitch admitted, finalizing the last of it and putting his phone back away. “I can’t promise anything everyday, or even weekly, but lasagna should last a while and is simple to re-heat. And Sera can’t be mad if I’m delivering to you instead of her, right?”

Jack sighed, but it didn’t sound anything like Sera’s put upon woe-is-me sigh. Jack sounded amused and resigned in equal measure. “You don’t have to actually feed me, you know. I’m an adult. If I choose to eat like shit so Jamie doesn’t stab me in my sleep, that’s my prerogative.”

…Jack did have a point. And just because he was Sera’s friend didn’t mean Pitch was allowed to overstep so lightly. 

A diet of peanut butter, ramen, and for what barely could pass for tacos just sounded awful. But Pitch held his hands up in surrender anyway, a gesture he made far too often when it came to anything that revolved around his daughter. “Fair enough. More lasagna for me then.” 

Jack laughed. “I mean, if you insist, then I’m not gonna say no. And if you want, I can bully Sera into having some with me. I’m just saying, you really don’t have to. But also,” Jack added as he turned and grabbed one of the tupperwares behind him, “I am getting into these hand pies right now so feel free to call me out on my hypocrisy.”

That made Pitch chuckle, a little bubble of pride swelling in him at how quickly the minor indignancy crumbled in the face of his creations. Still, he shook his head. “No no, point taken. Sera likes to call me out on how I shouldn’t make my compulsions someone else’s burden, and just because you seemed more amicable to receiving them doesn’t mean I should take advantage. I respect your very adult decision to limit yourself to sandwiches.” 

Jack, already with a pie in his mouth, said, “Sometimes Jamie makes big pot meals and lets me have some if I clean up his mess, so it's not all sandwiches all the time, I promise.”

“Thank goodness for Jamie then,” Pitch relented. “Speaking of, shouldn’t he be arriving soon? Sera only gave me a vague timeframe.” 

Jack started at the reminder. “Oh, maybe.” Then pulled out his phone with the hand not holding pie. “Nah. His last class on Friday lets out at four. Nightlight should be out by now though. Twiner actually has a night class, but I think he’s planning to skip. I don’t know the ladies’ schedules so well yet. Just the guys. And only because, I live with them.” Jack shoved the rest of the pie in his mouth.

Pitch tried not to look as helpless as he felt. He knew of Sera’s friend group, of course, but did not have them properly memorized like Jack. “One of those… is your twin brother, right? Or was it Jamie with the twin?”

Jack laughed like Pitch had told the best joke he'd heard all day. “Yeah, Nightlight's my twin. Jamie went to high school with us.” Jack shrugged and grabbed another hand pie, a different flavor this time. “In your defense, we could totally be triplets.”

“I am going to cling to that defense when all three of you are here,” Pitch confessed with a shake of his head. “Though I should know better. Don’t two of you have the shock white hair?”

“Nightlight and I,” Jack confirmed with a smirk. “All you have to remember is that the me who isn't me is Nightlight. Because you're not in any danger of forgetting who I am, after all.” Jack said this like it was a given, like there was no doubt in his mind that he stood out to Pitch. 

When Jack bent his head to nibble on the crust of the next pie, holding Pitch’s gaze through his lashes, Pitch had to wonder, was Jack actually being coy? Or was Pitch imagining things?

Probably the latter. 

Still, Jack was right once again and Pitch wasn’t afraid to say so, even if Jack was just teasing him. “Of course not,” he agreed, and shot him a playful smirk of his own, “How could I forget chocolate mint?” 

Jack's eyes widened and he gaped at Pitch. “I don't even know how you knew that in the first place! People almost never guess mint.” Jack pointed at Pitch with the hand holding the pie. “You're definitely a wizard.”

The mental image was an amusing one, though he was more focused on the one standing in front of him. Pitch tilted his head and curled a finger beneath his chin as his eyes scanned over Jack’s face thoughtfully. “Mm, maybe it’s the white hair but there’s just something… wintery about you. But not in the warming spices kind of way, something tells me you enjoy the cold. How off base am I?”

The look in Jack's eyes turned mischievous. Before he took another bite, Jack asked, “Sera hasn't told you my nickname, has she?”

Pitch shook his head. “I’ve only ever heard her call you Jack.” 

“Yeah,” Jack said, smiling wider. “Jack Frost.” 

Well if that didn’t just make everything click into place. Pitch smiled at a job well done on his part. In Sera’s words, he fucking nailed it. 

“It suits you. A much more poetic nickname than what they like to call me at my job.” 

“Oh?” Jack said in a tone that made it clear he knew Pitch’s line was a set up and Jack was willingly walking into it. “And what's that?”

“Nightmare King.” 

“Oh fuck,” Jack said, a laugh threaded through his words. “I think I just shivered. Why do they call you that?”

“Apparently I’m a nightmare to work with.” Pitch said it with a grin. There was something infectious about Jack’s laugh. “Both to co-workers and clients. I’ve mastered the art of the vaguely threatening email.” 

Jack laughed out loud at that. “Well, I’m glad it’s no work and all play between us, then. Do they actually call you that to your face?”

“All the time. I’ve become fond of it, really. Gives me a,” Pitch waved his hand vaguely, “fuck around and find out energy. And who doesn’t like being referred to as royalty?” 

“Yeah, I can see it,” Jack said appreciatively. He turned his head to locate an open spot on the counter and hopped up to sit, setting the hand pies in his lap and taking yet another. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.” 

Even though it was very possible that Jack was only playing along for his sake again, Pitch enjoyed it for what it was worth. Honestly, he was surprised Jack even cared at all, instead of frantically texting his friends when they were going to get here to spare him the awkward conversation with a parent. 

He seemed to be making himself quite at home on his countertop, in fact. 

The smile still hadn’t left his face when he turned around to open the cupboard. “Considering I made you your own batch of treats, and just offered to make you dinner, I think you’re doing fine. Can I get you something to drink?” 

Jack was smiling like he'd won something. “Sure. What've you got? Wait!” Jack held up a hand, palm out like a raptor handler. “Sera says you like tea. Make me your favorite tea.”

Pitch blinked at Jack like he’d just asked him to do a backflip. “ My … favorite?” 

“Yeah, your favorite,” Jack answered like it was no big deal. “I wanna know what kind of tea you like.”

Pitch changed directions and slowly walked over to a different cupboard, opening the door to reveal his personal tea collection. “Are you sure you wouldn’t just like me to make you peppermint tea? Or something mild to go with your food?” 

Jack shook his head. “That would defeat the purpose. Unless,” suddenly unsure, Jack’s shoulders shrank into a tentative shrug, “it’s an expensive tea or something and you don’t wanna… Then sure, peppermint’s fine.”

“No, nothing like that. Even if it was, I’d still make you some. I’m just…” Not sure why you care? Why did Jack want his favorite? Was he just being nice? Maybe he just liked surprises? 

Robotically, like it was any other morning, Pitch pulled out a very worn tea tin. “You’ve caught me off guard. No one’s ever asked me that before.”

“Really?” Jack asked. He considered it. “Well, I guess tea drinkers are kind of rare in the U.S.”

“It’s more… I could just tell you what my favorite is,” Pitch explained while he got the kettle on the stove. “You don’t have to drink it too. But,” Pitch felt the smile return to his lips, softer this time. “I’m flattered. You’re quite the flatterer, Jack Frost. ”

Jack watched Pitch’s hands with interest and Pitch wondered if he'd ever seen a proper kettle before. Possibly he hadn’t, given the prevalence of coffee makers and microwaving water. 

“Oh good, then I'm doing something right,” Jack said absently. “I mean you could just tell me, but since I haven't had a lot of tea, I wouldn't have any context for what it means. Unless your favorite tea was some flavor of boba tea; then I'd be very familiar, but I have a feeling it isn't.”

“Self proclaimed tea snob I may be, I am not immune to a good boba tea.” Pitch confessed lightheartedly. “Which is Sera’s fault, might I add. One Thai tea with cheese foam and it was all over.”

Jack laughed again. “Fair and valid. Thai tea is hard to resist. My fav is wintermelon. I know it's stupid sweet, but I can't help it. And it has winter right there in the name. It's thematically appropriate.”

“Winter and sweet,” Pitch tilted his head at the other man, and before he thought better of it, “Yes, I’d have to agree.” 

…

Oh. Wait. Hold on. 

Maybe that was a bit much. Or at least, not exactly… normal to say to his daughter’s friend. What the hell was he doing? Why did he say that?

Why was it so deceptively easy to talk to Jack? 

Thinking quickly, Pitch brought the tea tin over to him and opened it to hopefully distract from his slip up with a rich, malty aroma. “Ah, you might not like my favorite then. It has notes of caramel but it’s not overly sweet.” 

Jack's smile as he leaned forward to smell the leaves didn't leave Pitch encouraged that his distraction had worked. Jack didn’t look smug, but he didn’t exactly look not smug, either. All the same, Jack dropped his gaze to the tin and breathed deeply, so at least Pitch didn’t have to deal with it.

“Notes of caramel, huh?” Jack asked, another smirk playing at the edge of his lips. “Sorry if my palette's too plebian to detect notes of anything. But it smells nice. I don’t really need things to be super sweet; I just like it when they are, you know?”

“I won’t judge you for sweetening it,” Pitch promised as he took the tin back and went about finding a strainer for the leaves and a mug to put them in. Anything to keep himself busy and not overanalyze his behavior or wonder about Jack’s charming smile. “I normally only add a splash of milk. Unless I’m having a bad day. Then it’s milk, brown sugar, and a cinnamon stick.”

“That sounds delicious,” Jack said immediately. “And fancy. Can I have it like that? If it's not too much trouble.”

How could Pitch say no when he asked so… sweetly? “It’s no trouble.” And honestly it wasn’t. He had no problem throwing ingredients together to create something tasty for someone if the state of his kitchen was any indication. It shouldn’t have felt any different to do it for Jack. 

The whistle of the kettle sliced through his jumbled thoughts. Pitch went about fixing his favorite comfort drink and presented his guest with a steaming mug, cinnamon stick poking out of it as promised. 

“I won’t be offended if you don’t like it.”

“That’s okay,” Jack said. “I’ll be offended on your behalf.” Jack took the mug delicately then went to take a sip and hesitated. He blew cool air over the surface of the tea, disturbing the steam rising steadily from the mug. “Uh, but we’ll have to give it a minute to find out. That’s definitely too hot for me. Won’t be able to taste anything through my tongue burning.”

“We certainly don’t want that,” Pitch agreed, and took a step back. He didn’t need to be that close to Jack to watch his expression. Or for anything, really, and with that in mind, he gestured towards the hallway. “You’re welcome to the TV and wifi while you wait. I don’t mean to keep you cooped up in the kitchen with me.” 

Jack held the mug in one hand, the ceramic obviously too hot for the other to stay wrapped around it. “I’m not sure what you think the TV has for me that’s more interesting than all you can eat hand pies and scones, but I guarantee you, I am in this kitchen willingly.”

“Right,” Pitch said, bowing his head with a quiet laugh and retracting his hand. “Well I can leave you to it then. You’ve more than indulged this old man for a day. I’ll let you decide how much to leave for the rest of your friends.” 

“Oh.” Jack sat up a little straighter and tucked his feet in against the counter. “Yeah, uh. Don’t let me keep you from anything. If you’ve got stuff you need to do, I promise I can keep myself alive and entertained while you’re busy.”

Pitch’s brow furrowed in confusion. Jack was acting like he was the one intruding. Like he was the one losing his entertainment instead of being able to freely pull out his phone and access so much more of it. Was he missing something here? 

…He supposed if Jack actually wanted him to stick around… But. Again. Why would he? 

“You aren’t keeping me from anything. I wasn’t sure what to expect today when Sera told me about the camping trip, so I’ve just been going back and forth between the oven and the piano. You don’t have to keep me company while you’re waiting for your friends. I promise I’m a strong, independent adult too,” he emphasized with a wink. 

Jack leaned forward so fast he nearly fumbled the hand pies. When they were safely set aside on the counter where Jack couldn’t throw them all over the floor, he turned back to Pitch with wide eyes. “Did you say piano?” 

Pitch… was not expecting such an enthusiastic reaction. Sera had never mentioned anything about Jack and musical instruments so he had no idea where this was coming from. “Yes. Just another silly little hobby of mine. Do you play?” 

“No, I do not,” Jack said plainly. “But you do? You actually play the piano?”

“I do. Have been since primary school.” Pitch elaborated, tilting his head at Jack. “Why? Are you a piano fan?” 

“It’s—” Jack stopped and bit his lip. He seemed to be reconsidering his words. Pitch couldn’t imagine why he would need to do that. He hadn’t thought pianos were so controversial. “It’s cool,” Jack said definitively, “being able to play an instrument. I knew you were talented at baking; I didn’t know you were also talented at music.”

Pitch huffed and shrugged his shoulders. “That’s a matter of opinion. But I think I’d go insane if not for music, either listening or playing. It’s usually my go-to escapism technique, until the baking compulsion grabs me.”

Jack's expression froze on his face. “You mean, you stress play the piano until it's not enough and then you stress bake?” Jack's head snapped to the side, where the stacks of hand pies lived. “That's… a lot of stress.”

“My job doesn’t exactly leave room for creative outlets,” Pitch sighed, his expression turning sour at the thought of it. He crossed his arms over his chest. “So I have to make my own somehow.”

“Do you like what you do?” Jack asked. It sounded automatic. “I mean, I don't even know what your job is, so…”

“I’m a CFO at Lunanoff Industries,” Pitch answered, also automatically. Even just saying it was draining. “Managing money decisions for a bunch of weirdos who like to call themselves engineers. I don’t like it, for the record. But it pays well, and I want Sera to get the education she wants.” 

“You're a good dad,” Jack said softly, maybe even a little wistfully. 

It brought Pitch back to the present. Back in his home, his kitchen, far away from work, surrounded by the smells of fresh scones and warm tea accompanied by a charming young man who for some reason was having more fun talking to him than his friends. 

The tension melted from his shoulders and Pitch let the warmth of that compliment wash over him. What father didn’t strive to hear that? 

“I try,” he tried to play off casually with a smile, but after a moment, let his sincerity come through. “Sweet of you to say though.”

Jack’s smile was warm. “Sweeter of you to be. And, I don’t know if I'm telling you something you already know, but Sera really is taking full advantage. She goes hard with her classes.”

Jack was going to bring a tear to his eye at this rate. Pitch willed himself to keep it together . He was sure this was already awkward enough even without his comment earlier. “I’m glad. I want her to be that passionate about her future. Same goes for you. I hope you’re pursuing something that makes you happy, Jack.” 

Jack’s lips curled into something a little sly, a little playful. “I am, don’t worry. I don’t know how to do anything else but go for what I want. Jump in with both feet, as they say.”

“Fearless,” Pitch chuckled. He’d noticed that about Jack from the day Sera had introduced him. It was an admirable quality, if a little reckless. Truthfully, he had worried initially if hanging around Jack would be a good idea for his daughter, but as it turned out, they complimented each other well. Jack made her laugh, and Sera kept him reasonable. 

Either that, or Jack maintained the facade flawlessly every time they crossed paths. Pitch didn’t know him that well. 

He supposed he was in a position to change that.

“What is your goal for the future? Somehow I can picture you traveling the world.” 

Jack’s shoulders lifted in a bashful sort of shrug. “That would be nice, but I don’t know if I'll be able to afford it. Nightlight and I have run the numbers a couple times, and so far no dice. Maybe if I actually land a job as a TV weatherman, I'll be able to take a week here and there and drag him along with me. It's a dream,” Jack concluded, eyes dropping to the mug in his hand. He pressed his other hand to the ceramic, testing the temperature and thoroughly avoiding Pitch’s gaze.

“It’s an adorable dream,” Pitch remarked, delighted by the idea. Perhaps even a little envious. “Jack Frost, the weatherman. I’d start tuning into the news again to see that.” 

Jack laughed, low, almost a chuckle. Then he leaned forward to take his first sip of the tea. It was quickly followed by another. “This is good. I was right that I'm not getting notes of anything, except maybe the cinnamon, but it's good. Is this what you drink in the morning?”

Pitch almost wanted to frown, but Jack wasn’t a tea snob and that was fine. It meant more that he was drinking it at all, and he would be content with that. “Yes. It’s the only tea I found that will keep me from drinking coffee. I can’t do coffee like I used to. Blood pressure and all that.” 

“I can imagine,” Jack said, looking again at all the food storage around him. “If the stress baking and piano playing is anything to go by. Which,” Jack redirected his gaze back to Pitch, “did you say you were done baking, for now?”

“I think Sera might actually refuse to talk to me again if I baked anything else. And I don’t feel like cleaning the mixer for the fifth time,” Pitch admitted, but then proceeded to give Jack a very serious look. “Unless you have a special request.” 

Jack’s lips were pressed together like he was trying not to laugh. “Is it okay if my special request doesn't involve more baking?”

“More than okay,” Pitch assured, though he wasn’t quite sure where Jack was going with this. “What can I do for you, Jack?” 

“Can you—” Jack nervously tripped over his words. It may have been the first time he’d seen Jack nervous outside of the first time they’d met. And Pitch… It was cute. Jack was always cute, but this was especially cute. “Can I watch you play something on the piano? I've only ever seen videos online. I've never actually gotten to see someone play.”

There Jack went catching him off guard again. 

Pitch could only stare. First the tea, now the piano. In addition , to all the playful and poignant conversation. He had to wonder, would any of this be happening if Sera was here? If any of Jack’s other friends were here? Because it was almost starting to feel like Jack was here… for him. 

His cheeks suddenly felt warm. That was crazy. Why would he even think that? Pitch needed to not think that. 

Calm down , he told himself. Jack’s words were he wanted to see someone play. It could have been anyone. 

He gave Jack a distracted nod, grabbed his phone, and slowly started heading out of the kitchen expecting Jack to follow. “It’s… not all that different from a video, I promise.” 

They rounded a corner to the open living room. Two couches were in front of a coffee table, and a wall mounted flatscreen was across from them. Near the corner of the room was his piano, black and sleek with its lid down. The bench was still pulled out from when he’d hastily ran away to pull the scones from the oven. 

Jack suddenly appeared in his peripheral, hastily gulping down his tea before setting it aside and excitedly approaching the piano with barely contained enthusiasm. “This is, like, a legit piano. With the whole,” Jack gestured at the back, “everything! You didn't say it was a grand piano!”

Dutifully, Pitch walked up to the bench to take up a familiar position. It was strange. He almost felt nervous himself. Or… excited? A fluttery feeling in the pit of his stomach he probably hadn’t felt in years. In decades . 

But Jack’s energy was thrilled. Happy. There was no reason to be shy about putting on a little show. 

“What’s the saying?” Pitch asked offhandedly while his fingers found the keys and played a simple little scale just to warm up. “Go big or go home?” 

“Oh my God,” Jack said, tone caught somewhere between shock and delight. His smile was impossibly wide. “Yes, exactly yes!”

Jack’s attention oscillated between Pitch’s fingers on the keys and the wide expanse of the piano lid. His hands hovered over the wood then pulled back to shove themselves deep into Jack’s hoodie pocket. He looked very much like he didn't know what to do with himself. Until he cleared his throat.

“I mean, since you— You know, while we're talking go big or go home,” Jack hedged, obviously struggling to keep his eyes on Pitch and his hands to himself. “This is suddenly on my bucket list, so I have to ask. Can I do the thing? The laying across the piano thing? Or is that actually bad for it? I wouldn't wanna mess it up or anything, but I, you know. When am I ever gonna get another chance?”

Pitch’s fingers froze. 

His whole body froze. Completely opposite to the way he felt blood rush to his face. 

How? How did Jack know? 

How did he know that Pitch fantasized about that exact scenario? He’d never even told his ex-wife about that. There was zero reason for Sera to know about that. Were he and Jack really just… on the same wavelength? 

Pitch’s eyes slowly met Jack’s and held their gaze, as if that would possibly clue him in onto what was going on in that mind of his. 

It wasn’t a big deal, right? He was hardly worried about the strain on his piano. Jack looked like Pitch could lift him with a single arm, and he needed to not linger on that mental picture for too long. Stereotypes were stereotypes for a reason. Anyone who saw a grand piano would probably at least have the fleeting thought of lounge singers crooning out some sultry melody  while splayed across a shiny piano lid and staring deep into the eyes of their accompanying pianist. 

Bloody hell. And here Jack was volunteering. 

“...You and I have similar bucket lists,” he muttered, and only after hesitating for another second, raised an open palm towards the polished surface in front of him. “Who am I to deny a dream?” 

Jack’s expression said he couldn't believe this was happening, and then he jumped into hurried motion before Pitch had a chance to change his mind. Jack wiggled out of his hoodie and tossed it over the back of the nearest couch, which was still quite a distance and an impressive throw. Then he toed off his sandals and kicked them aside before turning back to the grand piano's closed lid and pausing.

He held his hands reverently over the lid before gently pressing them flat. He bounced up on his toes a couple times, testing his weight, before settling back on his heels and turning around. 

He muttered, low enough that it probably wasn't for Pitch but loud enough that there was no way he wouldn't hear, “Suddenly remembering people usually have help for this part,” and then placed his palms back on the lid and levered himself up to sit, just as he'd done on the counter earlier. 

Under normal circumstances, Pitch would have been that help. These were the furthest from normal circumstances though. This was actively watching a daydream become reality. And his brain couldn’t seem to properly process that Jack had just… stripped for the occasion. It was only the hoodie, sure, but the t-shirt Jack was wearing underneath didn’t leave a lot for the imagination. 

Good Gods, but why was he thinking that way?! This was Seraphina’s friend. Seraphina’s friend who was half his age , and it wasn’t as though Jack was interested—

Then Jack laid down. 

The unexpected artistry of it took Pitch’s breath away. He made it look so natural, the way his back was bowed and his arm splayed next to him, the tilt of his head exposing his throat. He brought one knee up, like he was striking a pose. It couldn't be natural. But it had to be. What possible reason could Jack have to try to look as visually appealing to him as possible? 

Unless… 

Unless he was right. 

Pitch jerked his head down to stare at his fingers over the piano keys. It was the only way he was going to be able to analyze this. Because now that he thought about it… Sera hadn’t exactly been keeping him up to date about this whole camping fiasco and no one else was here still. Had this been planned?

Removing his slightly shaky hands from the keys, Pitch reached for his phone. No new notifications. He quickly shot a text to Sera and got hit with an auto-reply: ‘Driving. Will get back to you later.’ 

Pitch set the phone down next to him and took a deep breath. That wasn’t very definitive either way. He was just going to have to figure this out on his own and hope he wasn’t going to be labeled a huge creep afterwards with the eternal scorn of his daughter. 

His fingers returned to the piano. Immediately they began to move, letting the room slowly fill with an easy, jazzy melody. Something that would help him relax. Yet also… something that would give Jack the full experience. A classic little number appropriately titled ‘ I’ve Got You Under My Skin.’ Pitch wasn’t expecting Jack to recognize it, but that was fine. It was more for him anyway.

“Holy shit,” Jack said after only a handful of notes. He tore his arm up from the lid and looked down at the wood in awe. He lowered his hand, fingers barely touching the lid. “I can feel it.” Slowly, he relaxed back into his previous lounge. “That's so cool.”

Pitch could only spare Jack a fleeting glance, but he smiled down at the keys. So maybe it was just about the piano. That was a relief. Disappointment?... No. A relief. Definitely. Right. 

Pitch cleared his throat and didn’t slow down his fingers. “Everything you were hoping it would be?” 

“Yes,” Jack said wistfully. “Wait, no.” Jack rolled up onto his side facing Pitch, propped up on one elbow. “You have to play something I can sing.”

It was physically impossible for Pitch to not look up at that. And of course he felt the heat creep down the back of his neck with Jack looking right at him, ready to take on part two of his fantasy. Fuck. 

It would be weird if he stopped now, right? It was only about the piano. 

And without knowing Jack’s taste in music, Pitch’s options were severely limited. So he seamlessly switched from his jazz classic to a true classic. Something everyone knew how to sing. 

Jack listened for about two seconds, then collapsed laughing on the piano. His head hit the lid and his hand slid over the edge, hanging down just to the side of the music rack. It was, again, casually picturesque and Pitch wondered how a young man could make falling apart look so enticing. 

And then Jack rallied himself. He sat up as straight as a person could when they were draped over a grand piano, took a breath, and gamely began to sing.

“Happy birthday to you…”

It was barely twenty seconds worth of song, even with Pitch playfully dragging out the notes to see how long Jack would hold them. When Jack had sung the last word, Pitch couldn’t keep it in any longer and he burst out laughing himself, nearly doubled over the keys. 

This was ridiculous. It had all seemed so serious, and there were still some serious concerns lingering in the background, but to have such a highly anticipated fantasy-bucket list item turn into singing happy birthday for no one’s birthday… 

Pitch wasn’t so strung uptight that he couldn’t see the humor. 

“Bravo,” Pitch praised when he could pick his head back up again. Yes, Jack still looked good lounging on his piano, but it somehow seemed like less of a big deal with such a wide grin on his face.  “You have a lovely voice, Jack.” 

“Thank you, thank you,” Jack said, somehow both pompous and gracious at the same time. He swept his arm out and bowed his head in the same motion, like a professional showman. And maybe he was. Pitch didn’t know Jack’s history. Maybe he performed all the time. When Jack lifted his head, there was a smirk on his lips and mischief in his eyes. “Wanna try me on something a little more challenging this time?”

Pitch smirked back, and promptly started playing the beginnings of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ . 

Jack threw his head back when he laughed this time. Then darted his hand out to nudge Pitch’s shoulder. “You're not serious. You sure you wanna waste me on that?”

“ Waste ?” Pitch countered with mock offense, refusing to let the nudge throw him off beat. “How could you consider the gift of your voice to ever be a waste? But very well…” Pitch pretended to give up with a heavy sigh as he went from easy gliding notes to short, sharper notes for the next song. Silently thanking Sera for every meme she’d taught him about, he went for it and started Smashmouth’s ‘ All Star’. 

Jack gasped. Hand to his mouth and everything. “Okay, I think you might be the best piano player of all time,” he said, which, no, definitely not, but flattering. And then he went for it too, singing along like he'd waited his entire life for this moment. A meme come true. 

It was a beautiful thing to witness. Perhaps not as ‘romantic’ as his original fantasy, but Pitch would likely never be able to listen to the song again without remembering how Jack looked, lost in the music like nothing else in the world mattered. Lost in the music he was making.

When it ended, he gave Jack the applause he deserved. “Well played, Jack.” 

Jack shook his head, a broad smile still on his face. “I didn't play shit. That was all you. I was just meme-ing like my life depended on it. Totally different thing.”

“Who says there’s no art to meme-ing?” Pitch challenged, lowering his hands back to the piano. “A performance is a performance. You know if we were on stage right now, it’s you the audience would be cheering for.”

“Fools. Fools, all of them,” Jack said imperiously, waving his arm as if over a crowd. 

“Does that make me a fool also?” Pitch asked coyly, perhaps testing the waters, to the backdrop of a soft, idle melody that was more a nervous habit than an actual desire to start another song. 

Jack's whole body stilled as he looked down at Pitch. His fair skin made the soft blush rising high on his cheeks very obvious, but Jack didn’t seem to be fighting it. His smile was much more reserved this time as he settled his chin on his hand and asked, “Why? Have you been cheering for me?”

Pitch… almost couldn’t keep Jack’s gaze. That had went over a little too well but maybe Jack was just playing with him. They were both just playing. Right? “Was my applause not loud enough? I’ll throw roses next time.” 

Jack’s smile tipped over into something Pitch could only call “dopey.” He reached out over the music rack to affectionately trace his fingers along the corner of Pitch’s jaw. It was a light touch, but undeniable. “Oh yeah,” Jack said breathily. “Then you're definitely a fool.”

He was. He absolutely was. 

The touch was a physical shock enough to have Pitch stumble on the keys. It felt electric. Thrilling but dangerous and no text was going to better explain what was going on here. Pitch swallowed thickly, staring at Jack while his stomach twisted in knots and face burned . 

“I am,” he repeated quietly, hands drifting away from the piano. There needed to be no distractions and no misinterpretations for… whatever was going to come next. “Jack… You’re going to give this old man the wrong idea.” 

Jack’s face sobered, but only enough to let Pitch know he wasn't about to answer blithely. “That depends,” he said. “What’s the wrong idea?”

Of course Jack was going to make him spell it out. Pitch sighed. 

Actually, once he could get through the fuzz in his head, that was more than okay. There shouldn’t be any doubts about this because Pitch wasn’t twenty anymore and it wasn’t worth the energy to play games with words just because they were too honest or embarrassing to say. 

If only he could get his tongue untied with such a pretty man so focused on him. “That… you’ve been flirting with me all afternoon …and my foolish self is only picking up on it now.” 

Jack cleared his throat and the pink on his cheeks brightened. “Pitch, I've been flirting with you for months, but yeah, I have been pretty hardcore about it today.” He made a little face, his nose scrunching the tiniest bit. “Feeling kind of inadequate that you only noticed now.”

Months?  

How the hell could he have missed that? 

Pitch made a grab for his collar. It was way too hot in the room while he was frantically trying to replay every interaction he’d had with Jack. Jack who was freely admitting he was interested. Had been interested. All those times he’d fleetingly thought Jack was being cute paying attention to him or being extra helpful escorting Sera around campus when he stopped by. He felt like an idiot. But there was something deeper underneath that. Nerves? Anticipation? It wasn’t every day someone barely half your age admitted they were attracted to you.

Pitch’s laugh was sheepish, little more than a huff of air, in utter disbelief that this was actually happening to him. “You… You can’t blame me. Until today, I’ve only ever seen you with my daughter. Why would I ever dare to think someone as handsome and charming as you would entertain the idea of looking my way?” 

Jack’s eyes were glued to the hand at Pitch’s throat and, no, Pitch supposed that wasn't very subtle. “Shot in the dark, but maybe because I'm gay as fuck? And you are—” Jack visibly rethought the end of his sentence. “A very attractive man.”

“I’m also considerably older than you,” Pitch contested. But it was weak because Jack’s words were affecting him almost as much as Jack’s eyes. His fingers were fidgeting with his collar’s top button in an effort to not outright squirm . 

“Just means you probably know what you're doing.” Jack’s tone was as distracted as it was soft. He reached out again, with the air of someone not wholly in control of themselves, and interrupted Pitch’s fiddling to take the button into his own fingers and slide it free. Pitch felt the cool air on his collarbones immediately, but it did nothing to calm him down when Jack’s fingers continued to push his shirt aside. Jack's eyes widened suddenly and Pitch knew exactly what he'd found. “Holy shit.”

A remnant of his own wild youth. 

Only the edges of the tattoo could be seen while he had a shirt on. Thin, wispy black tendrils that crept along the left side of his collarbone and top of his chest all originating from a creature still hidden beneath fabric. 

Pitch reached up to hold Jack’s hand before he could undress him any further. This was moving fast and Jack’s boldness was honestly a turn on. Things could only domino from here. “Jack. You need to tell me what you want from me.”

Jack’s eyes finally left Pitch’s chest to meet his gaze. He didn’t hesitate. “Take me to bed.” But then he shook his head and chuckled. “Or, you know, right here. But I get the feeling you'd like to be classier than that for a first time.”

Jesus Christ did he not need to think about taking Jack anywhere near his piano. 

Pitch took an unsteady breath, his grip on Jack’s hand firm, and he continued to hold it while he rose from his seat. Jack wasn’t playing, as it turned out. He knew exactly what he wanted, no slowly working up to it. Just a one and done tumble with an older man he was attracted to. 

It’d been so many years since he’d done anything like this. The dating scene just didn’t appeal to him much these days, and hooking up even less so. Although, Pitch couldn’t deny that the idea sounded… fun. With Jack, it sounded like fun. For fuck’s sake, with Jack, it sounded like the set up to his own cheesy porno. And suddenly, something Jack had said struck him—

When am I ever gonna get another chance? 

Pitch leaned down, leaned in close to the gorgeous man staring him deeply in the eyes atop his piano, just like he’d dreamed about. “You’re sure about this?” 

Jack’s smile said he was, but the way Jack leaned up made it clear. “You wouldn't need to ask if you knew how many times I've checked out your ass.” Jack’s hand appeared on Pitch’s jaw again, sliding back into the hair at the nape of Pitch’s neck. “But yes, I'm sure.” 

And then he tugged Pitch down for an equally sure kiss.

There was nothing innocent about it. A couple heated presses to figure out how their mouths best slotted together and then their lips were parted and Pitch could taste the cinnamon on Jack’s tongue. 

It was… incredible. He was actually kissing Jack. 

Pitch’s whole body felt hot and light, the underlying thrum of excitement nothing short of intoxicating. He wanted to chase Jack further down for more, wanted to know what the back of his throat tasted like, but putting both of their weight on his piano was not a good idea. Nor a comfortable one. 

So he pulled back, though not far. Just enough to properly appreciate what Jack looked like with slick, reddened lips… 

Bloody hell, he was so fucked. 

“Hold on to me,” Pitch ordered quietly, leaning right back in for a kiss at the corner of Jack’s mouth followed by another on his jaw. “I’ll take us to my room.” 

“You're gonna carry me?” Jack sounded like Christmas had come twice. With no hesitation whatsoever, he threaded his arms around Pitch's shoulders and spread his legs to wrap around Pitch’s waist. “Fuck yes!”

Pitch grinned, and like he’d suspected, was easily able to lift Jack off the piano. He had one arm around Jack’s slim waist and the other holding just under his ass. Jack’s body fit against his own a little too perfectly. 

“I’m gonna do a lot more than that to you,” he nearly growled, about to lean in and get his mouth on that pale neck when it occurred to him to clarify. While he still had the forethought to. “If you want it, that is. You can tell me to stop at any point, Jack.” 

“Of course,” Jack answered seriously, but with the air of being unconcerned about it. “Stop is a fine safeword for me. And,” Jack continued with a devilish little grin, “it's open to you, too.”

Oh how interesting . Pitch needed to get them to a soft surface before walking became impossible. “Understood,” he roughed, just before claiming Jack’s mouth again. He vowed then and there that he was going to get in as many kisses as he could while he had Jack in his bed. 

Which might be all night, if the way Jack was wholly unconcerned with checking his phone was any indication. He knew his friends’ schedules, he knew when they should be coming over, and it was clear that he knew they weren't. 

Sera said she would get back to him later. Later was seeming more and more like a predetermined time. Like morning, perhaps. 

He would need to talk to his daughter about setting him up with her friends later. 

But for now, Pitch was leaving his phone in the living room. He obviously wasn't going to need it for the rest of tonight.

Chapter Text

Jack woke warm and satisfied the next morning. Satisfied, right up until he realized he was alone in the bed. Jack groaned. The flipside of being with someone who had their shit together: they actually got up when they woke. Lame. 

Jack carefully stretched, feeling the telltale soreness of a night well spent. It made him grin. He’d be reminded all day of the many, many things they’d done to each other. Excellent.

Of course, Jack hoped they would do some more things to each other before he had to leave, but by how cold the mattress next to Jack was, that wasn’t likely. That, and how the air smelled of baked goods. Pitch had been up for a while. 

Jack filled his lungs with the sugary air, then let it all out again and told himself he felt refreshed and awake. And yet, as soon as he sat up, Jack was cold as hell and wanted nothing more than to lay back down. He looked around for his shirt, found Pitch’s instead, and decided that was better. The shirt fell to his thighs and despite the chill, Jack chose not to go hunting for his boxers in favor of maybe driving Pitch a little crazy. 

Pitch was easy to find, still at the oven in the kitchen. Jack intended to be all suave and cool by leaning against the fridge in a casual pose and saying something quippy, but the moment he opened his mouth, he yawned loudly. Fuck it, he could still say something quippy even if the surprise was ruined. 

“You shouldn’t have left the bed,” Jack said, determined to keep the whine out of his voice. “I wasn’t done with you yet.”

Pitch, in his long, silky, black robe, turned away from the oven to face him. He was holding out a steaming mug in offering, again with a cinnamon stick in it, and had an easy smirk on his lips. Jack didn’t miss the slow once over Pitch gave him, molten eyes roaming from head to toe, but he was a little too distracted to fully enjoy it. Apparently Pitch must have woken up with the same idea, because his robe was barely closed at the waist and Jack could just see the edges of that stupidly attractive nightmare creature tattoo he’d all but made out with last night. 

In addition to all the little red marks that decorated the rest of his chest and abs on full display.

“Oh Jack,” he purred, “Shouldn’t you at least pretend you actually want to go on this camping trip?”   

“I wanna go camping,” Jack answered, although his eyes didn’t leave Pitch’s chest until he reached out to take the mug, carefully testing the temperature and… then trying to take it by the handle, except Pitch’s hand was in the way and… Shit, there was absolutely nothing suave about Jack this morning at all. He gave up on the mug and met Pitch’s eyes instead. “Just, in the interest of full disclosure, if my options are go camping or stay in your bed, camping loses. Not even a competition.”

Pitch appeared quite pleased with that answer. Or maybe he was trying not to laugh at his fumbling hands. It was hard to tell. Pitch stepped up nice and close while he rotated the mug around, presenting Jack with the handle, and then dipped down to brush a quick kiss on his cheek. “There you go flattering me again.” His voice was soft, fond even. “I can’t say the idea of you lounging in my bed all weekend isn’t a tempting one.” 

Jack gratefully took the mug, then pulled Pitch down with his other hand so their lips met properly this time in a good morning kiss. “Is it? Because,” Jack briefly looked in the direction of the living room, then Pitch’s bedroom, then shrugged. “I have no idea where my phone is right now, but they probably don’t need me.”

The way Pitch looked at him right then made Jack think he was seriously considering the possibility. Like he was fighting the urge to carry him back to bed right now. God, Jack wanted it. “Wouldn’t they be mad at you? Sera would… probably be mad at me , actually,” Pitch concluded with a sigh. He stood his full height, regrettably out of easy kissing range, but made up for it by carding a gentle hand through Jack’s thoroughly bed-touseled hair. “I couldn’t possibly take you away from her.” 

Jack snorted a laugh. “She’s gonna be stuck with me all year. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you can’t take me away from anything. I make my own decisions, and Sera knows how much I adore her. One weekend won’t dent that. But I’ll respect it if you say no. I do, after all, actually kinda wanna go camping with them.” 

And then Jack went to take a sip from the mug and— “Oh shit, is this your tea again?”

Pitch nodded and let his hand drop, his expression cooling significantly with his attention on the mug. “It is. I don’t really brew coffee anymore, but we can stop somewhere on the way to the cabin if you’d prefer it. Sera texted me the directions this morning.” 

Jack took a sip of the tea and let the warmth fill him. It was spicy and delicately sweet and Jack was going to forever associate this taste with Pitch. But it wasn’t coffee and Jack appreciated that Pitch didn’t need Jack to explain that. He eyed Pitch speculatively over the other puzzle in front of him instead. “Interesting that she texted you and not…” Jack glanced down at the clothes he was wearing, the clothes that were definitely not his jeans with his phone in the pocket. Where had his jeans gone? “Actually I have no idea if she texted me, so nevermind. In fact, she might have texted you because I wasn’t responding. She texts me through Jamie all the time, so…”

Pitch huffed. “You were quite distracted last night. But no, I texted her first. Let her know that you’re all very clever and she doesn’t need to make a trip back to come get you. Unless it will embarrass you terribly if I drop you off.” 

Well. Jack could ask Pitch to clarify, but that would really only serve to make it sound like Jack was getting caught at something. Which he was, they all were, but it was classier to pretend they weren't. And it wasn't like Jack’s not perfectly okay with Pitch being in the know now. Made the line Jack was walking feel more like a plank: way easier. 

So rather than act like he didn't understand, Jack took another sip of his tea and said, “If you think I'll feel anything but pride about that, then you've definitely got more to learn about me.”

“I definitely do,” Pitch agreed with an intrigued smile. He opened his mouth, about to say something else, but a chime sounded and stole his focus. Pitch turned away to grab a mit and pull something that smelled amazing out of the oven. “So I can make us something more substantial for breakfast but I had a lot of thinking to do this morning so I made these.”  

And Pitch set the tray of a dozen perfect muffins on the counter. 

“I thought you said Sera was gonna be mad if you baked anymore? Wait!” Jack’s first thought, and initial concern, was swept aside by another, much more concerning thought. “You stress bake. Is this stressing you out? Are these stress muffins?”

Jack, and Sera truth be told, would be very upset if last night made Pitch worse. 

But then Pitch was laughing again, and that was a good sign. He removed the mit and leaned back against the counter, for all appearances sake, looking completely at ease. “Nothing like that, don’t worry. As I said, I had a lot to think about and I…” Pitch shrugged, the motion revealing more of that tattooed shoulder when the material slipped a little further down. “I suppose I just wanted to make them. For you.” 

Jack swallowed thickly, then remembered his tea and brought it to his mouth to give himself something to gulp. Pitch was baking. For him. Again. Jack had to keep telling himself, every time, that he would not propose. It was just so sweet and so thoughtful and so nice and Jack hardly knew what to do with himself in the face of such generosity. Especially because baking for Pitch really wasn’t such a big deal. That it was so spectacularly charming to Jack was Jack’s problem.

“I love them,” Jack said. That was probably safe, right? A reasonable thing to say about a gift. Of muffins. Jack held up his hand, palm out. “And before you say anything, no, it doesn’t matter what flavor they are or how well you baked them, although we both know they’re perfect. I love them anyway and I will eat every one.”

“It… matters a little,” Pitch countered, a slight flush on his cheeks that could have been from just having his face near the oven, but Jack doubted it because of the way Pitch’s eyes darted to the side. “I know your favorite cake flavor, but not your favorite muffin flavor so I made… mine. Something to remember me by, I suppose.” 

That… was too sweet. Jack was going to break. He wandered closer to the oven, because Jack was definitely getting one of these muffins fresh and still warm, but before that, he reached up to slide his fingers along Pitch’s jaw and get those eyes back on him. “I don't know what made you think I was ever gonna forget you, but I won’t. And I am going to eat every one of those muffins.”

Pitch’s smile was a complicated thing, but Jack couldn’t dissect it much when Pitch tilted his head down to press a kiss to the inside of his palm. His eyes were honed on Jack’s now. “Perhaps I was thinking a bit too hard. I hope you actually like them.” 

Meanwhile, Jack was just happy to be here and he imagined his smile said as much. “I’m a college student with a sixth sense for free food. I genuinely can’t imagine that I won’t like them.” Jack hovered his hand over the cooling muffins, wondering if they were touchable yet. “That said, what kind are they?”

“Pumpkin chocolate chip.” Pitch answered as he went ahead and plucked one of the muffins out of the tray with his long fingers holding onto the paper liner. He grabbed a napkin from somewhere behind him and put the muffin on that before officially offering it to Jack. 

Jack gasped and stared at the offered muffin in awe. Pumpkin chocolate chip? That was like Halloween in his mouth. Jack took the warm and enticing muffin with the reverence it deserved, both hands because Jack put down his tea for this, and immediately nibbled on the edge of the muffin top. “Oh my God, it's so good,” Jack moaned. And then took a huge bite because fuck propriety he was eating all of these muffins.

He heard Pitch chuckle somewhere above him and felt a warm hand on his shoulder. “Oh what a relief, you do have good taste.”

“‘Course I do,” Jack said. His mouth was full, but Jack was pretty sure Pitch didn’t care. “It’s just that the list of what I have a taste for and what I’m willing to eat are different lists, if you know what I mean.” Jack paused his devouring of the muffin to look up at Pitch without moving the rest of him. “Do not judge me for any videos Sera might have of things I have put in my mouth. I promise, dares are just my achilles’ heel. I do not make these choices with full faculty of my mind.”

That had Pitch raising his brows. “Sera has shown me no such footage. Though… That certainly explains some things. Am I allowed to ask which of your friends dared you to seduce a man twice your age?” 

That took the smile right off Jack’s face. The sinking feeling in his chest left him colder than his lack of clothes ever could. It hurt that Pitch was trying to explain this away, but… it didn’t just hurt because he thought so lowly of Jack. Pitch thought this lowly of himself. Jack leaned against the counter and picked up his tea again like a shield. “Am I allowed to ask who left you with such low self-esteem that you can’t believe a man half your age might want you?”

“If that isn’t a loaded question…” Pitch muttered, stepping back to rub a hand over his face. “I meant no offense, Jack. Please understand, I enjoyed last night. Very much so. I’m just still processing that it happened at all. If my question offended you, I’m sorry. I’ve never been very good with this sort of thing.” 

“I’m not offended,” Jack said easily. “I’m more… Well. Serious. You’re hot as fuck and I made it more than obvious last night that I think so, and yet your first instinct is to blame this on a dare.” Jack shrugged uncertainly, hoping his face looked appropriately concerned and apologetic. “That’s a lot to unpack. But you might wanna unpack some of it, you know, for your health. That’s clearly some heavy baggage you’re carrying and I don’t even know what happened.”

“Comes with all the added years,” Pitch deadpanned, his hand falling from his face so he could cross his arms over his chest. Defensive. “But I think you’re assuming a bit much. Not everyone acts on attraction based on appearance. Especially if that attractive person happens to be the father of one of their friends. I think some level of disbelief isn’t so out of bounds.”

Jack smirked, because Pitch walked right into this. Jack grabbed another muffin, said, “So you think the only thing hot about you is your appearance, huh?” then shoved the muffin in his mouth so he couldn’t say anything else.

Fuck, it was a good muffin.

“Is that not what you mean when you say that? Is that not the generally accepted definition of ‘hot’ in this context?’ Pitch asked skeptically, eyes sharp at first before they seemed to soften watching Jack partake of his gift. “Though I definitely have a new definition now with you walking around in nothing but my shirt.”

Jack chuckled, covering his mouth and obligingly swallowing so he could answer. How Pitch could be sweet like this and not understand that he was a good catch, Jack might never know. “Hot can be anything attractive,” Jack explained. He gestured with his half-eaten muffin. “Like this? This is hot.”

Pitch’s face told him he didn’t believe it, but he seemed to hesitate to say the first words that came to him. “....I can’t say I’ve ever found free food to be that enticing. Even in my college days. But I’ll take your word for it, Jack.” 

Jack rolled his eyes. He couldn't help himself. “I can't believe I compliment your baking and you turn it into commentary on my life decisions. No, Pitch, the muffin is not hot because it's free.” Jack gestured a little more aggressively with it this time. “It's hot because you made your favorite flavor for me.” 

That seemed to sink in, if the way Pitch briefly tilted his head was any indication. He was smirking all too soon though. “Most might consider that selfish, you know.”

“Never claimed I wasn't,” Jack said. He dramatically wrapped his hands around the muffin tin, thankful that it was cool enough to touch, and pulled it closer to himself. “I would like to remind you that I am intending to eat every single one of these muffins. That isn't one-hundred percent just for your sake.”

Pitch laughed and shook his head, complete with a waving hand gesture. “No, no, not you, ” he said when he recovered. “I meant me. I’m forcing my favorite on you.” Leaning up and away from the counter, he took a slow step closer. “Now every time you take a bite,” and another step, “You’ll have no choice but to remember who made them,” and another, where Jack could feel the warmth of Pitch’s body at his side, “And everything that led up to getting them.” 

Jack stared up at Pitch in a mix of alarm and awe. The way Pitch was prowling raised the hair on the back of Jack’s neck, and yet all he felt was excitement. “You sound so ominous but everything you're saying is awesome. My body is very confused.”

Pitch had a wicked grin on his lips as he leaned in ever closer, their noses just shy of touching. “Mm. I suppose I could help your body feel other things, but I fear we’d never get you to your cabin…” 

Jack tilted his chin up to close the distance and let their noses brush. His body was a lot less confused all of a sudden. “If you're really worried about it, we can set a timer.” Jack was only worried about Pitch backing off. At least one more round had been Jack’s plan for the morning all along.

So he made a grab for the sash at Pitch’s waist, muffins and tea forgotten, and pulled their bodies closer. “And we can stay out of the bed,” Jack offered, like that was a concession and not the hottest possible outcome here. “So how about it? Do you wanna fuck me one more time before we go?”

Pitch didn’t need to think very hard about his answer, hands already sliding up underneath his borrowed shirt when he dove down for a hungry kiss. 

Jack hoped the memory of their time in the kitchen and the subsequent shower would make Pitch flustered for weeks to come. 

By the time they’d made it out of the house, stopped for coffee, and drove the hour into the countryside, it was late in the afternoon. Jack had a whole slew of texts piling up but figured he’d be answering everything in person soon enough. They were approaching the long dirt path meant to be a driveway that led up to a cute cabin near the water. How that cute cabin was going to house all eight of them was going to be interesting to find out. 

But Pitch holding out his phone stole his attention. 

“Here. I want you to have my number. You know, just in case a masked slasher decides to show up and ruin your weekend.” 

“There's no point,” Jack said matter-of-factly. He took Pitch’s phone and copied the number into his contacts anyway, a not inconsiderable thrill of excitement running through him at the honor. Pitch wanted to keep in touch. Potential emergency use was definitely a cover. Pitch was already in contact with Sera. He didn’t need to give Jack his number. “We're too genre savvy to live.”

Jack paused.

“Pippa and Katherine might survive,” he amended.

“At least give me the opportunity to show up and save the day, only to get accidentally stabbed by one of you because of an unfortunate jumpscare. We can all go out together,” Pitch reasoned, sounding damn near chipper about it. The man certainly loved his horror. 

But Jack had to ask, “How are you saving the day if we're all dying together?”

“I won’t, obviously.” Pitch shrugged. “Clearly my role would only be an excuse to up the body count.”

Jack nodded sagely, humming his understanding. “So Chris Hemsworth in Cabin in the Woods.”

“I’ll even show up with a motorcycle,” Pitch promised as the car slowly rolled to a stop. “It’ll be a rental, mind you, but I’ll at least get a couple minutes of badassery.” 

Jack snorted and had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing any louder. At least half the humor in that joke came from hearing Pitch say badassery in his accent. Jack couldn't withstand an assault like this. He was surrounded. The irresistible image of dark and handsome Pitch on a motorcycle on one side, and the ridiculous irony of rolling in like a hero only to die minutes later on the other. 

And somehow Pitch thought he wasn’t attractive? Jack had never found anyone more hot than this.

As soon as Jack could be sure his voice would hold, he said, “Glad you have a plan.”

Pitch offered him another one of those playful winks, only made more devastating paired with his sure smile. “Go big or go home.” 

His expression sobered, however, when he glanced out the window, then back to Jack. They were here. They were parked. Sera, or any one of his friends really, could come out any second.

Pitch took on a more serious tone in the moments they had left. “Joking aside, I do mean it. You can call me anytime, Jack. For anything.” 

Jack desperately wanted to make a joke about booty calls, but he could tell by Pitch’s gravitas that now was not the time. Instead he swallowed it down and found something genuine to replace it. 

“I believe you,” Jack said simply. Because he did. Pitch had that kind of vibe. He would drop everything for any one of them, Jack knew, and tear apart the world to get to them. …Maybe even on a motorcycle. 

Man, that image was unfairly enticing. 

“Good,” was all Pitch said with a little nod. His eyes held Jack’s for a second or two longer, hesitating. Stalling maybe? Those piano-playing fingers strummed idly on the edge of the steering wheel. Then, “Ah… well. Have fun on your vacation. Do you want help bringing in all the snacks?”

“I'll get the others to help,” Jack assured. That wasn’t the important thing here. Pitch seemed nervous and unsettled. Jack could guess at why, but that would probably only serve to make him an ass. He couldn't just ask though; Pitch was absolutely the type to say he was fine just to get people to stop asking. The only path was forward. Jack popped his door open, but didn't let it swing wide. He was leaving. But he wasn’t gone yet. “Do I get a goodbye kiss?”

The color on Pitch’s cheeks was instant. His eyes had widened, and his fingers froze. “Is that– Are you–?” But words were failing him. He had to stop himself, clear his throat and try again. Silly man was trying so hard to keep it cool. “Of course you can have a goodbye kiss,” Pitch settled on, leaning in over the divider between their seats. “But they might see you.”

“I don't give a shit,” Jack said confidently. “It's not like they don't know. But this isn't about them,” Jack added, leaning in so Pitch could reach him if he wanted, but also so Pitch could play it off if he suddenly decided that's what he needed to do. Sera was only a hundred or so feet away, and that might matter to Pitch. Jack wasn't trying to pressure or push him. He just liked kissing Pitch. “This is about us, and what we're comfortable with. I dunno if you're into PDAs, or if you and I just aren't there. It's cool either way. But like, I like goodbye kisses, so…”

Pitch only took a second or two more to think about it, seeming to mull over Jack’s words with a growing smile, until he reached over to curl a finger under Jack’s chin. “I couldn’t possibly pass up one of your kisses,” he confessed in the shortening distance between them. 

Jack was determined to keep the kiss chaste, and not just because of their audience and his promise to Sera. He wanted this to be an everyday goodbye kiss, like any other couple, like they were normal and did this all the time. Jack practically had to sit on his hands to keep them to himself, but the gentle press of their lips together, again and again, was worth it. 

It felt like they could do this. They could make it work. It felt like Pitch would stay here in this car forever if Jack was there to kiss him. Like they were equally crazy for each other. Jack liked the feeling of hope.

When he finally let Pitch’s lips go, Jack murmured teasingly, “That didn't feel like a goodbye kiss.” Because it didn’t.

It felt like a beginning.

“Maybe I don’t want to say goodbye.” Pitch answered, the words out of his mouth so quick that Jack doubted he had time to overthink them. Those metallic eyes were on no one but Jack, the outside world forgotten for just a few short moments. And even when Pitch did seem to come back to himself, he didn’t move away. “But we can try again until I get it right.” 

Jack grinned. That little bit of mischief in Pitch made Jack adore him all the more. They could be awesome together, he thought, if they could find a way to do it. “I dunno,” Jack said skeptically. “We might be here all afternoon…”

“Wouldn’t that be tragic…” Pitch murmured. He went in for two more kisses, ending the last with a drag of teeth. Any reservation from before was clearly gone. He was looking at Jack almost challengingly. After all, it wasn't his camping trip in jeopardy here. 

Jack shook his head in mock disappointment. “You are very bad at goodbye kisses. I'd say we should practice more, but,” Jack sat up straighter and lifted his chin, “I have formally decided I don't really like saying goodbye to you.”

“The feeling is formally mutual,” Pitch said with a chuckle, using that same finger he’d used to tilt Jack’s head to let it trail down his exposed throat. Jack felt the shiver all the way down the base of his spine. “Though that leaves us in quite the predicament, doesn’t it.” 

Jack sighed dramatically and wilted, hunching his shoulders in pretend defeat. “It's okay. I can show you how it's done.” 

He was sure his smile gave away the game, but it didn’t matter. Jack closed the space between them one more time, pressing a firm closed-mouth kiss to Pitch’s lips and lingering just long enough to put his feelings behind it. He didn't want to go, he just had to. And then Jack pulled his whole body away and slipped out of the car door, shouldering his bag in one smooth motion. “See you when we're back in town.”

Pitch’s reaction seemed to play out in phases. It took him a blink or two to realize Jack was no longer next to him. Then he hit Jack with something like awe shining in his eyes, followed by a pleased little smile. A smile that then morphed into something bittersweet and complicated. Probably back to thinking again. 

The part Jack wasn’t expecting was the panic on his face seemingly out of nowhere. Pitch was reaching for the backseat and– “Wait, wait. Don’t forget the snacks, you can’t leave me with all of this.”   

Jack rolled his eyes and grinned, coming just short of laughing in Pitch’s face. “I'm not sure how you think I could have forgotten the small mountain of baked goods, including my personal muffin stash, considering how much space it's taking up in the car, but sure.” 

Jack turned just far enough to check that they were being watched from the window. They were. He motioned with his hand for them to come out and not two seconds later, Jamie came barreling through the front door. Good ol’ reliable Jamie. 

Slowly but surely, everyone trickled outside. But Jamie got there first, so Jack opened the back door and gestured inside. “Grab something and bring it in. The whole bounty is ours.”

“No way!” Jamie looked like they’d just discovered the bones of a cryptid. He snatched up the first two containers with glee and was already running back into the cabin when he said, “Thank you, Mr. Pitchiner!” 

“…You’re welcome,” Pitch answered the void where Jamie had been two seconds ago. 

Jack leaned against the open edge of the door where he could easily see both Pitch and the snacks as his muffins were slowly uncovered. He wasn’t going to let anyone else take those in and risk losing even one to an eager taster. 

He didn't expect to be watching Pitch just as intently though. He had only been up close and personal with him for just over twenty-four hours, but he imagined he could sense the tension in his body language as more of the crew filtered to and from the car. 

Most notably when the next one leaned in but didn’t grab any of the tupperwares. Instead, she simply said, “Father.” 

“Daughter,” Pitch responded. 

“Friend,” Jack said, because he felt left out.

Sera couldn’t quite hide the way her lips twitched, though she resisted the laugh by sighing instead. “We’re only going to be here another night after today. Did you have to make this much?” 

Pitch almost seemed to relax hearing the complaint. He leaned his head back against the seat to get a better look at her, like it would help him plead his case. “You know the answer to that already. Besides, there’s eight of you. I’m sure you can figure it out.” 

“ You haven’t seen all the s’mores ingredients Kat brought, ” Sera groaned. Then dutifully picked up the next container and popped the lid to check what was inside. Her eyes immediately sidelined to Jack. “I see someone already had first pick.” 

“I mean, obviously,” Jack said. “There was no way I was gonna spend a night in a house filled with Pitch’s baking and not eat as much as I possibly could.” He leaned down beside Sera to look into the container. “But there's still tons left. How can you tell any are missing?”

“Because there’s still room in this one for at least two more scones,” Sera easily pointed out, snapping the lid back on, then looking back at her father. “Thank you, Dad. But you really really shouldn’t have.” 

“Of course, sweetie,” Pitch replied cheerily, “Anything for you.” 

Sera muttered something under her breath, shot Jack a look, then stood her full height to turn and carry back her bounty. “See you back home. Love you.” 

“Love you too,” Pitch was quick to answer, sounding sincere of course, but there was almost a touch of concern in his voice. His eyes too. Jack couldn’t tell if it was just the father in him, or the situation in general. 

Jack had never been good at keeping his mouth shut anyway, so he went ahead and offered, “You could go in and talk to her more if you want. You don’t have to stay in the car.”

Pitch shook his head, shifting to face the steering wheel again as Nightlight went ahead and made off with one of the last containers without a word. 

“Now isn’t the time or place for that,” Pitch said gravely. “This is her vacation. Your vacation. We’ll have time to talk later.” 

Jack grabbed his muffins now that he could and held them tight to his chest. He wasn’t convinced, but Pitch was her dad. “I'll trust you,” Jack said, “but don't worry about it too much, okay? I'm sure if she was really mad we'd both know it.”

Pitch only hummed, which could have meant anything, and it looked like he wasn’t going to elaborate any further. He did give Jack one last meaningful look though. “You all enjoy yourselves, alright? Don’t get into too much trouble.” 

“No promises,” Jack answered automatically. But then he shrugged. “We'll try not to get anybody dead though. We're pretty good at that.”

“I appreciate your efforts.” Pitch gave him one last parting wave before his hands were back on the wheel and the gear shift. Seemed like he wasn’t willing to stall any longer. “Until next time, Jack.” 

Jack nodded and stood back to shut the car door. “See you on Monday with all the goods you panic bake tonight.”

At least when Pitch shook his head that time, it was with a grin on his face. Good. Jack preferred that look on him. Rather than respond, Pitch only waved again, then began backing out of the driveway to leave. 

Jack might have watched him go a little too long. 

At least he had the muffins. And his phone number. And there was no way Pitch was going to make it a whole week without baking, so Jack was definitely seeing him again soon. 

Also, Jack actually did love all of the people waiting for him inside. So it was okay that Pitch was leaving. It was fine. 

Damn, Jack had it bad.

He turned away before he could look any more like a maiden being left behind for war. Nightlight was waiting for him in the doorway, leaning in exactly the same way Jack had been against Pitch’s car. 

Jack was in for some serious teasing, he could tell.

Whatever. Jack lifted his chin and marched forward to face his fate. He could take it. 

Nightlight didn’t try to stop him from entering, but he didn’t move entirely out of the way either. He had a beaming smile and tilted his head curiously. “Well…? Was it fun?” 

Jack couldn’t stop a grin from overtaking his face. He didn’t care if that made the teasing worse. “So much fun.”

Nightlight laughed and turned to hold the door open for the both of them. “We were starting to wonder if you were even gonna show up now that your dream came true.”

“It was a near thing,” Jack admitted as he stepped into the room to face his friends. He wore his dignity loose and warm, like his hoodie. He was determined not to feel embarrassed about being a fool over Pitch. They all knew, and Pitch was worth being a fool over. “Unfortunately, Pitch is responsible.”

Nightlight didn’t say anything and shut the door behind them. He went around Jack to go set his container of goodies down in the kitchen off to the side, grinning the whole time. 

Meanwhile, everyone else was gathered in the living area. Each with a snack in hand and all looking at Jack. 

Jamie was the first to break the silence. 

“Oh my God, Jack, I can’t believe you dilfed!” 

Followed by Sera’s distant, “ Jamie, what the fuck!? ”

Jack walked forward into the fray slowly, unhurried, like this wasn't a big deal, and used the time he bought himself to scan for a place to land. He picked the arm rest next to Twiner, who was resignedly pinching the bridge of his nose, and set his tray of muffins in his lap. 

Solemnly, Jack met Jamie's eyes. “Sera forbid me from using that term, Jamie.”

Jamie frowned and protested. “But it’s an accurate definition! He’s a dad, and you literally—”

“SO!” Kat cut in from her spot next to Sera, the book in her lap closed which highlighted how invested they all were in this soap opera. Or the snacks were that good. She was holding up her half eaten hand pie. “These are fantastic. I don’t know if I should be thanking you or him but you saved us from having to send Twiner back out to fish for us. Apparently none of the rest of us know how to do it.” 

“Hey, I almost had one!” Cupcake pointed out from the other end of the couch, her arm around Pippa and the jar of almonds between them. 

“It takes patience,” Jack said evenly. “I'm not surprised most of us suck at it.”

Twiner uncurled and leaned back into the couch as if he had not been previously distressed by Jamie's complete lack of decorum. “If this conversation goes the way I think it will, I might volunteer to go hang out in the lake by myself.”

“I'll go with you,” Kat said immediately. “And help by being quiet and reading my book.”

Twiner began to say, “Books and water—” 

But she stopped him. “Ebook.”

Twiner shrugged. “Done deal.”

Nightlight wandered back into the living room with a plate full of baked goods that he set on the coffee table between their twin couches. A plate devoid of any muffins, Jack noted with satisfaction.

As Nightlight settled heavily on the far end of their couch with his legs draped across both Jamie and Twiner's laps, Jack arranged himself and his muffins more firmly on his arm rest and said, “Thank Pitch. I didn't help with any of this. Most of it was done before I even got there.”

“Of course it was,” Sera sighed, “He was expecting a house full of college students, That would stress anyone out.” 

Pippa snickered behind her hand. “Yeah how long did it take him to figure out no one else was coming?”

“I don't know,” Jack answered. “He didn't tell me. He just sort of stopped asking about you guys, and then said some things that meant he'd figured it out. It was very subtle. Kinda hot.”

Sera rolled her eyes at the same time Jamie scoffed. “Come on, he could be reciting the weather report and you’d find it hot.” 

“Especially if it’s Jack’s weather report!” Nightlight chimed. 

Jack waved his hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. But Pitch being hot and Pitch doing something hot are different things. This was like hot squared.”

“Okay, but how hot was it really? ” Jamie asked, leaning over Twiner like it would help him interrogate better. He was too damn curious for his own good. “Hot enough to be pining for two years ?” 

“Yes,” Jack said resolutely. He leaned toward Jamie, creating an arch of excited energy over poor, tormented Twiner, who looked up at them and refused to duck out of their way on what Jack had always assumed was principle. “I can't give you any details because I promised Sera I wouldn't, but believe me when I say, worth it.” 

“What?!” Jamie turned betrayed eyes on Sera only for a second before they returned to Jack, now pleading and inching closer. “No way, you can’t leave it at that! How did you even get him to—” Jamie suddenly paused, gasped, and stared at something below Jack’s chin, “Oh my god, are those teeth marks?!”  

“For fuck’s sake…” Jack heard Sera curse from the other couch, then some determined footsteps. “Come on, Jack, we’re going to get firewood. Now. ” 

Jack knew that tone. But even if she hadn't used it, she was basically his partner in crime and the person he most owed any explanation to. If she wanted to talk, they would talk. 

Jack slid off the arm rest, taking the muffins with him, and followed her outside to the white noise of Jamie’s disappointment and Twiner’s relief. As soon as the door shut, he asked, “Do we actually need to get firewood? Because I'll only have one hand for that.”

Sera looked instantly suspicious. She kept those sharp eyes on him as they walked down the steps of the porch and into the wilderness around them. “I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to bring some back, but I can handle it.” Her gaze shifted to what was occupying his hands and she reached for the lid. “What’s in this one anyway?” 

“Muffins,” Jack answered. “He made them this morning. For me. Specifically.” Jack thought he must be smiling stupidly at the tupperware as he said this, but Sera, of all people, was probably the least likely to judge him for it. “They’re his favorite flavor. Uh, of muffin. I guess he has different favorites per baked good, which sort of makes sense when you bake as much as he does.” 

Sera’s expression morphed from suspicion to surprise, and before he knew it, she’d opened the container to see for herself. “He made you pumpkin chocolate chip?”

Jack grinned. He must look so stupid right now. “Yeah. He said because he didn't know my favorite flavor of muffin. I didn't know I was supposed to have different favorites per baked good, but I have a feeling I'm going to start now. Probably with pumpkin chocolate chip for muffins because these are great and he's great and he made these for me.”

Holy shit, he was rambling.

Sera’s lips twitched, her eyes moving away from his perfect muffins to his face. He still couldn’t quite read her, but she didn’t seem as distressed as she’d been in the cabin. “So he seemed… happy?” 

“Yeah,” Jack said. His voice was high and soft with uncertainty and hope. He wasn’t used to hearing himself like this. But he really, really hoped that Pitch had enjoyed himself as much as Jack. “I mean, he did make me all these muffins.” Jack's head shot up to look at Sera. He didn’t think she was a threat, but he just wanted to clarify. “I am not sharing, by the way. I earned these. With my dick. These are my dick muffins.”

“Oh my God, Jack, why .” Sera immediately closed the tupperware and took a step back from him with her hands out. “Fine, you can keep your dick muffins.” 

Jack looked between her and the muffins once, then widened his eyes. “And they're not stress muffins! I asked. They're morning after muffins. Not stress muffins.”

“They’re dick muffins”, Sera said flatly. “I get it. Not over it, but I get it.”

Jack stared at the muffins in his hands. The muffins that meant so much more than muffins. “I just mean, he looked good. He looked relaxed. He didn't look like this was bad for him. So I don’t think you need to worry. Or at least, not about this.”

Sera walked a few steps ahead of him and kneeled down to pick up a fallen tree branch. She braced it against the ground, and broke it in half with her foot for easier carrying. “I’m not… worried,” she confessed. “It’s still weird and I can’t tell how I feel about it, but it’s good. That he enjoyed himself. And obviously you did too.” 

“I really did,” Jack said with as much honesty as he could muster. “He’s so…” It was hard to explain. Pitch was such a good man. He was obviously a great father. But he felt like anything he could tell Sera, she would already know. And the things she didn't know, she didn't want to know. Jack sighed.

And Sera just stared at him silently for a moment. 

She eventually sighed herself. “God, you’re swooning. I guess that answers my next question.” 

Jack winced at his own foolish behavior. There was no denying he had it bad. “What was your next question?”

“Whether or not you’re over it. Whether we can all move on now that it’s out of your system.” Sera said the words defeatedly, but she was looking at him like she was hoping to be proven wrong. 

Jack bit his lip. He didn’t want to disappoint her, which he was absolutely destined to do, because he didn’t want to lie to her either. Jack shrugged. “Yeah, I’m totally not over it. Ten out of ten, would drop to my knees and worship him again. Oh!” Jack briefly glanced down at his pocket, then gave Sera a “sorry not sorry” look. “And he gave me his number, so I’m definitely going to be using that.”

Sera’s brow only furrowed the more that she heard. “So what, do you have a date lined up already? He’s really on board with all of this?”

“We do not have a date lined up,” Jack said factually. He wasn’t trying to misrepresent this, but… Well, they hadn’t really given a name to what they were doing, so Jack wasn’t sure what to say. “But I don’t think he would have made sure I had his number if he meant to hit it and quit it, do you?”

“No, probably not…” Sera bent down to pick up another branch. A short one that she pointed in Jack’s direction with set determination. “Jack, I am never calling you ‘dad’. It’s not happening.” 

Jack closed his eyes and nodded with the somber weight of grave duty. “I will solemnly accept ‘Mom.’”

Sera snorted and added the branch to her small collection. “That isn’t weird to you?! I think even my dad would think that’s weird.” 

Jack rolled his eyes. “I'm joking. I would make the shittiest mom this world has ever seen,” Jack paused in the middle of his sentence and thought about it. Then he snorted a laugh and shook his head. “Okay, maybe not that bad. My competition would be fierce. But the point is, obviously I'm not your mom.” 

“Damn right,” Sera muttered. “I don’t need this whole …thing getting any more confusing.” Her green eyes fell on him again, and he felt a little bit like a specimen under a microscope. Especially when she leaned over and pointed at his neck. “Fuck, he really did bite you, what the Hell…” 

“Yeah,” Jack said, tone flat and merciless. What was she expecting, exactly? “We had sex. But I thought you didn’t want to know about details like biting.”

“I don’t,” Sera confirmed. “I just didn’t think…” She shook her head suddenly, as if to forcefully stop herself from staring at the mark any longer. “Look, I’m learning a lot about my father today. To be perfectly honest with you, I wasn’t expecting him to… reciprocate quite so much.”

Jack nodded his understanding. “I get it. And I promise, I’m trying to spare you as much of that learning as I can. But maybe it would help to know he was surprised I was into him? He was acting like… like he didn’t think it was possible. Until I made it clear that I wasn’t screwing around. So, you know, you’re not wrong. It’s not like he was throwing himself at me or anything.” 

“But you still got his favorite muffins out of him. And his number,” Sera pointed out. “So… congrats, I guess?” 

Jack furrowed his brow. “Is the muffin flavor really that big of a deal? I appreciate that he made it for me, because that’s kind of rare, but I figured he’d use any excuse to make his favorite flavor of a thing. The way you talk, it’s harder to get him not to bake like that.”

“He doesn’t bake for himself,” Sera explained while picking up another couple twigs. “Think about it. He’s always trying to get rid of it. Why do you think he wanted to know your favorite flavor?” Sera’s expression grew distant, but soft. Nostalgic almost. “He used to make pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes all the time when I was little though. Mom always thought they were too sweet. I would refuse to eat them until he drew a smiley face with the whipped cream.” 

“That’s super cute,” Jack said on instinct. The thought alone made Jack feel warm and light. Perfect Sunday breakfast and all that jazz. He’d kill for someone to make him lazy morning pancakes. “So I guess pumpkin chocolate chip is kinda rare, then? I’m definitely not sharing these,” Jack said, staring down at the tupperware with mixed feelings of awe and anxiety. 

Jack liked to joke, but he hadn’t thought his dick was quite that good. And he didn’t like the idea that he hadn’t understood the full weight of the gesture. Had he been thankful enough? Did he need to tell Pitch thanks some more? Jack decided not to fret about it and just pulled out his phone to text Pitch thanks for the muffins again. Better to be safe than sorry. 

Sera saw it, he was sure, but if she had something to say about it, she didn’t speak up. He heard her snap another branch while he typed away. “I guess it’s like. He’s sharing a part of himself. He doesn’t do that for just anyone. So… I guess he’s not over you either.” 

“Good.” Jack set his phone on top of the tupperware instead of putting it away so he could watch for a response, just in case. “I mean, I know it’s weird for you, and it’s a little weird for me too. But I really like him. And if he really likes me, then there’s nothing else I can say about it. That’s good.”

“I hope so. I hope it’s good for you both, even if I can’t see it yet.”

“I think you see it a little bit,” Jack said softly, kindly. “Or else I don’t think you’d be this reasonable about it. I know you well enough to know that if you really thought this would be bad for him, you wouldn’t have let me try.”

“It could still be bad,” Sera, ever the realist, countered. Yet, she had the barest of smiles on her lips when she stepped up to Jack and gave him a nudge with her elbow. “But I do trust you. Even if you are willingly choosing the most complicated romance ever.” 

Jack stuck his nose up in the air and pressed a hand to his chest. “I prefer to think of it as choosing the most amazing man ever. If that happens to come with complications, so be it.” Jack dropped his head to wink at Sera. “And you know how amazing he is, so you can’t argue with me about that,” Jack said. Then he smirked. “Kiddo.”

“Oh my God ,” Sera rolled her eyes and immediately turned away from him to start heading back the way they came. “That’s it, we’re done. I’m handing you back over to the wolves.” 

Jack groaned but followed in her footsteps. “I accept my fate,” he said dramatically, “but only because my reward is the sweetest of gifts and the finest of prizes!” Jack dropped the tone of his voice until it was flatter than paper. “And by that I mean Pitch.”

“That assumes you survive the next fourteen hours of Jamie’s incessant questions!” Sera cackled. “And to think you could have stayed with him all weekend…”

“I could have,” Jack moaned, lamenting the lost hours in bed. “But not really, because then we would have been stuck with all of those snacks, and I can eat a lot of hand pies, but not that many hand pies. And also I like you guys.”

“We’ll see how much that holds true when Cupcake busts out the Uno cards.” 

Jack shrugged. “I haven’t forsaken her thus far. Besides, I actually think that’s safer than a game of Spit with Jamie.” Jack leaned into Sera with mock concern. “Have you ever played a game of Spit with Jamie?”

Sera made a face at him. “Can’t say that sounds like a good time.” 

Jack nodded. “It’s not. My hands hurt for hours after.” Jack could only hold his straight face for a matter of seconds before he huffed a laugh. “But we’re still besties, so I guess even that won’t do it. Face it, Sera, you’re stuck with me, and I’m stuck with all of you.”

Sera sighed, resigning to a fate of her own. “I guess if banging my dad isn’t harming our friendship yet, there isn’t much damage a card game can do.”

Jack snorted and patted her on the back. “That’s the spirit.”

Chapter Text

Jack 4:53 pm
>Thank you again for the muffins. I really appreciate them.

Pitch 5:36 pm
>You’re very welcome. I’m glad you like them. 

Jack 5:37 pm 
>There was zero chance that I wouldn’t like them. 
>You said this was your favorite muffin flavor, but Sera said you used to make pancakes too. So it kinda sounds like this is your favorite everything flavor?

Pitch 5:40 pm
>It’s hard to pick just one favourite flavour. 
>It’s my comfort flavour I suppose. I have a lot of good memories with it. 
>Sentimental old man things you know 

Jack 5:42 pm
>That’s cute. I don’t really have anything like that. 
>Inexperienced young man things, I guess
>Nightlight, Emma, and I all like different stuff so there’s no, like… flavor consensus in our house
>Pancakes were never the same two weekends in a row

Pitch 5:46 pm
>Does that mean you don’t have a favourite pancake?

Jack 5:46 pm
>It means I’ve spent so long fighting for mint that it never occurred to me to care what it was in

Pitch 5:47 pm 
>Can’t say I’ve had mint pancakes before
>Would probably go nicely with a mocha latte 

Jack 5:48 pm
>Don’t tease me 

Pitch 5:49 pm
>I’m not teasing, I’m plotting 

Jack 5:49 pm
>I’m interested

Pitch 5:55 pm
>Maybe I can swing by and deliver you breakfast some time 
>Save you the trip to Taco Bell 

Jack 6:02 pm
>Or I can visit on the weekend. Have them fresh and get to enjoy them with you.

Jack 6:08 pm
>We don't have to if you don't want to. I just thought it might be better. But it's okay if we're not there.

Pitch 6:11 pm
>You make it sound so simple. 
>You know as well as I do pancakes are always best fresh. 
>I don’t think you realize how hard it was for me not to bring you breakfast in bed today. 

Jack 6:13 pm
>You mean I could have had breakfast in bed and I didn't? Why did you resist???
>I thought you were too busy making your NotStress!muffins
>For the record I would have also accepted NotStress!muffins in bed
>Anything in bed, really
>I'm not picky

Pitch 6:15 pm
>Because we wouldn’t have left the bed
>We were so late getting out the door as it was

Jack 6:16 pm
>Top 10 Anime Betrayals
>It would have been worth it
>I don’t think anyone's ever brought me breakfast in bed

Pitch 6:17 pm
>Are you serious? That has to change
>You look so sweet curled up in my bed. How could no one want to spoil you? 

Jack 6:26 pm 
>Because I'm one of three kids so my parents couldn't and everyone I've dated has been teenagers and I don't know if you know this but teenagers aren't really good at the kind of gestures that require both forethought and generosity. 
>Actually you might genuinely not know because Sera is such a rockstar
>But trust me the rest of us sucked

Pitch 6:37 pm
>My condolences. 
>Is that why you made the jump to older men?

Jack 6:39 pm
>It’s why I'm not opposed to older men
>But I've never dated any before

Pitch 6:42 pm
>Surely the college crowd has more promise. Although truthfully it doesn’t matter what age you are. Dating is hard no matter what. 

Jack 6:49 pm
>I believe that
>But I also think my odds of breakfast in bed are pretty slim while we're all still stuck in dorms 
>I don’t even make myself breakfast in my dorm

Pitch 6:51 pm
>You should make yourself breakfast, Jack. If only to keep yourself alive for the day you get breakfast in bed.

Jack 6:53 pm
>There’s plenty of food on campus. I'm not gonna die, Pitch
>But it will be of questionable quality and uncertain schedule 

Pitch 6:55 pm 
>Better than nothing I suppose

Pitch 6:59 pm
>Apologies. I know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself. 

Jack 7:24 pm
>Sorry about that. Jamie had some questions for me. More questions. It's been nonstop questions from Jamie.
>Sera has made the full shift from annoyed to smug about it
>I am, but it's nice to be cared for sometimes too

Pitch 7:37 pm 
>No need to apologize. I shouldn’t be distracting you from them.
>Have fun, Jack. We can always chat later. 

Jack 7:37 pm
>Or we can chat now
>You’re not being distracting, I promise
>We're just trying to build a bonfire but only like 3 of us know how to do that and the rest are getting in the way
>Sera and I are just watching the madness unfold
>She says she knows how to do it but that watching Jamie knock over Twiner's pile of logs over and over is funnier than actually having a fire so
>I'm not missing anything here

Pitch 7:39 pm
>Sounds like my daughter 
>I don’t mind keeping you company. But don’t feel sorry about going silent. I completely understand. 

Jack 7:41 pm
>I just meant the lack of warning. I didn’t want you to think I ghosted or something. 
>Cupcake just got out the lighter fluid. Jamie’s days of touching the logs are numbered.

Pitch 7:42 pm
>You’re allowed to ghost. I won’t be offended. 
>Are you cooking or is the fire just for fun?

Jack 7:45 pm 
>I have been informed there are marshmallows
>They've also brought out a cooler but idk if that's just drinks
>Cupcake is officially threatening Jamie with the lighter fluid

Pitch 7:47 pm
>Should you be rescuing Jamie or is this revenge for the questions?

Jack 7:53 pm 
>This is me basking in the peace and quiet of Jamie's attention on somebody else
>The fire is lit. The cooler contains hot dogs. This will either be very tasty or very funny. Stay tuned.

Pitch 7:57 pm
>I suppose I can save my horror movie for another night. 

Jack 7:59 pm
>I suspect you can do both. This is gonna be a train wreck in slow motion over here.

Pitch 8:00 pm
>I appreciate the live updates, local weatherman Jack Frost.

Jack 8:03 pm
>Good because you're getting more.
>They're now arguing about the best orientation for spiking a dick.
>I meant dog
>(I meant dick)

Pitch 8:04 pm
>Oh the cable networks are going to love you

Jack 8:17 pm
>Yeah? Think HBO will give me a timeslot? I can sexualize the weather all day and all night (long)
>Two dicks have been spiked and it's become a competition to see which dick survives.
>In case you're curious, it's Pippa and Kat vs. Cupcake and Jamie
>Nightlight is literally just eating one raw rn

Pitch 8:26 pm
>I think any network would be insane to pass up sexy weather reports by Jack Frost. Your fanbase would be massive. 
>Hopefully you still have some snacks left to tide you over while you wait for the results.

Jack 8:27 pm
>You provided enough to last a week. If they were all gone already, even I would be kind of worried about us.
>Here, see? I am muffin-fortified.

Jack sent an image.

Pitch 8:29 pm
>You’re very cute
>OH
>God your neck. Does it hurt? 

Jack 8:32 pm
>Nope. Do any of yours?

Pitch 8:32 pm
>No. But I’ve certainly been reminded of you a lot today. 

Jack 8:33 pm
>We were together for most of it so…

Pitch 8:34 pm
>You know how to leave a lasting impression. Every time I move, I can feel at least one of your marks. 

Jack 8:35 pm
>Hope you don't think that's a bad thing
>Ngl from this end that's kinda hot
>Both methods of dick spiking appear to be working and nobody seems happy about it

Pitch 8:36 pm
>Going from memories of last night to ‘dick spiking’ is a little bit disorienting 

Jack 8:41 pm
>Not into sounding. Got it.
>Half of them were so sure that the horizontally spiked dick was going to flop off into the fire, but it appears to have gotten stiff
>Anyway now they're eating the first round so dinner is served ig?
>If I go quiet for a bit, I am spiking and roasting my own dick for consumption
>I know how that sounds I'm not fixing it

Pitch 8:42 pm
>Can’t say I’m into vore either. 
>But enjoy your… dick dinner. 

Jack 8:57 pm
>Sorry about that. Jamie demanded to know why I was laughing so hard and I had to bullshit like a pro to get around telling him.
>In other news, I am cooking my dick now. 
>Tempted to light it on fire just for the poetry of the thing

Pitch 9:01 pm
>I’m sure there’s an innuendo to be made about your hot dick but I’m not as skilled at this as you are

Jack 9:08 pm
>Say I'm too hot to handle. Call me a hot shot. Allude to my burning love. Ask if I need ice for that burn. There's a lot of options here.

Pitch 9:10 pm
>Those hardly seem clever enough to woo an innuendoist of your caliber, Mr. Frost. 

Jack 9:12 pm 
>Luckily you've already wooed me with your dick
>So your innuendo can just ride its coattails now

Pitch 9:13 pm
>Maybe you need to focus on your dick rather than mine 
>That hot dick has to be close to bursting by now 

Jack 9:15 pm
>Omg you did it!!
>You did the innuendo!!!
>I'm so proud of you <3
>And now I'm gonna nestle my bare dick in a pillowy bun, slather it up, and eat like a freshmen who just found out the wellness center has free dams.

Pitch 9:18 pm
>You certainly have a way with words. I don’t know whether to feel hungry or envious. 

Jack 9:19 pm
>porque no los dos?

Pitch 9:20 pm
>Both. Both is good. 

Jack 9:20 pm
>I love that you know how to meme.

Pitch 9:21 pm
>Sera taught me well. 
>So well that I was able to seduce a man with All Star 

Jack 9:23 pm
>And here I thought I seduced you
>I must look like such an idiot right now. Sera's giving me one of those looks. You know the one.

Pitch 9:25 pm
>I’m very familiar. 
>Is it because you’re talking to me or because of the hot dog?

Jack 9:29 pm
>Probably because I'm grinning at my phone like it's the greatest thing I've ever seen
>But the fact that I'm failing to eat a hot dog because I'm texting too much probably isn't helping

Pitch 9:30 pm
>Oh don’t let me keep you from your dinner. 
>You worked that dick too hard for you not to enjoy it 
>I should probably stop pretending I’m any good at this and retire for the night anyway 

Jack 9:38 pm
>Nono, that was good
>And don't worry the dog's gone now
>But if you need to sleep, don't let me stop you

Pitch 9:40 pm
>I feel like I’m the one stopping you. Hardly a camping trip if you’re on your phone the whole time

Jack 9:43 pm 
>We're all on our phones. I'm probably the only one texting up a storm, but that's not so different from Kat reading her book in between bites of smore. 
>We all have our vices.

Pitch 9:45 pm
>Has texting me really become a vice already? We only started a few hours ago 

Jack 9:47 pm 
>Babe you are the definition of vice

Pitch 9:48 pm
>I’m glad I live alone so no one could question my laugh just now 
>This vice is taking himself to bed 
>Sleep well whenever you get there Jack 

Jack 9:50 pm 
>Goodnight, Pitch 
>I'll eat another dick in your honor
>Sweet dreams <3

Jack sent an image.

Jack 10:24 am 
>I guess it’s breakfast in bed, but I think you can do better

Pitch 10:31 am
>I absolutely can, and will prove it if given the chance
>But thank you for the visual treat. I’m thrilled you like the muffins so much. 
>Good morning also

Jack 10:35 am
>Good morning
>These muffins are amazing
>Waking up with Jamie's foot in my side, not so much
>Definitely missing your bed right now

Pitch 10:36 am
>I miss having you in my bed right now

Jack 10:37 am 
>We should fix that
>Next weekend?
>I don’t think I have anything scheduled. Do you?

Pitch 10:39 am
>Jack
>You were fantastic. Breathtaking. Mind blowing. 
>But just because you’ve awoken my long dormant libido and I’ve got all sorts of ideas of what I want to do with you does not mean I will be enabling any irresponsible shenanigans. 
>I know that classes start Tuesday. There’s no way that you know your weekend is clear right now. 

Jack 10:44 am
>Classes already started. I'll think of it as incentive to get everything handled before the weekend
>It’s not my first rodeo. And just because a prof says read 2 chapters before monday doesn't mean I will, booked weekend or not
>Also those professors are assholes

Pitch 10:46 am
>How about we see how we feel on Friday? We can both make sure our schedules are open

Jack 10:50 am
>Deal
>Is Sera coming home anytime soon? We should probably schedule around that anyway

Pitch 10:51 am
>Nothing for certain yet but I hope you won’t hold it against me if I check with her first 

Jack 10:55 am
>Wouldn’t dream of it. Figure out when she'll be home and we'll work around that.
>Since we have all your pastries, what the fuck are you having for breakfast?

Pitch 10:56 am 
>Thank you Jack
>Kept it simple with eggs in a basket, and that was hours ago now
>You also got me craving coffee, so I brewed some decaf 

Jack 10:58 am 
>Oh no I ruined your no coffee pledge
>Bet I'm gonna ruin a lot of other things too

Pitch 11:01 am
>You sound like you’re eager to 

Jack 11:07 am
>Of course

Jack sent an image.

Jack 11:09 am
>Thanks again for the spread.

Pitch 11:11 am 
>Wow. Looks worthy of being on instagram. 
>Though not quite as delicious as you eating it on my countertop

Jack 11:12 am
>Pippa's good at that kinda thing
>Is that when I was or wasn't wearing pants?

Pitch 11:13 am
>Porque no los dos?

Jack 11:18 am
>Touche
>Although I was seriously asking because I can’t remember if I sat on the counter yesterday morning or not
>Been an eventful weekend
>You would know you were there for half of it

Pitch 11:24 am
>I briefly had you on the counter before I bent you over it and gave you that mark on your neck. 
>More memorable to me I suppose. I have to see that counter every day. 

Jack 11:25 am
>I don’t remember eating any baked goods that time
>My mouth was a little busy

Pitch 11:26 am 
>I certainly tasted the pumpkin chocolate on your tongue 

Jack 11:48 am
>I did not expect muffins to become a kink, but here I am
>We’re going swimming in the lake, so my replies might get sparse, just so you know

Pitch 11:52 am
>You’re fine Jack. I have plenty to keep myself entertained by with the thought of you dripping wet. 
>Have fun <3 

Jack sent an image. 

Jack 12:39 pm
>Sorry about the shirt. Just trying to keep my promise to Sera 🤣
>That and more of Jamie’s questions

Pitch 12:54 pm
>No worries, it’s no less effective on me 
>As much as you radiate winter, you make the end of summer look like a dream 

Jack 1:08 pm
>Good to know 😉

Jack sent an image. 

Jack 1:11 pm
>Please enjoy this photo of your favorite person making even Twiner look like a novice on the water.

Pitch 1:20 pm 
>That’s my girl. Looks like she’s having fun. 

Jack 1:26 pm
>She does tend to enjoy making everyone else look like a fool

Pitch 1:30 pm
>She doesn’t seem upset right? 
>She must know who you’ve been texting this whole time 

Jack 1:42 pm
>She’s given me some looks and made fun of me for taking a selfie, but no, she doesn't seem upset. 
>And yeah, she knows. Everyone knows.
>They've been teasing the hell out of me.
>Worth it.

Pitch 1:44 pm
>You’re sweet 
>Apologies for the grief all the same. If I knew how to make myself 10 years younger I would. 

Jack 1:53 pm 
>You and the rest of the world. The fountain of youth was very sought after.
>But no, that’s not why they’re teasing.
>It’s because I’m grinning like an idiot at my phone and tripping over myself to check it constantly
>You being Sera’s dad just adds flavor to their mockery 😂

Pitch 1:59 pm
>Right. Your new vice. 
>You can still text me after your trip you know. You don’t have to give them more ammunition. 

Jack 2:05 pm
>Why punish myself like that?
>I like texting you and I don’t mind their teasing
>It’s deserved anyway

Pitch 2:08 pm
>I don’t think I’ve ever texted this much in my life 
>So many new experiences you’re giving me Jack 

Jack 2:10 pm 
>I know you’re not that old
>Texting isn’t that new
>But I’ll take the credit for new experiences
>You’re welcome

Pitch 2:13 pm
>I text for work all the time. But not like this. Not constantly for hours. This is new. 
>Suppose I’m not used to someone wanting my attention this much. 
>Just know you’re not the only one smiling at your phone. 

Jack 2:14 pm
>That’s really sweet
>You’re adorable

Pitch 2:15 pm
>That’s also a new one for someone commonly referred to as the Nightmare King

Jack 2:15 pm
>Your coworkers should try giving you more reasons to smile

Pitch 2:16 pm
>I don’t give them much reason to want that

Jack 2:21 pm
>Just so you know
>Sera read all this
>Or I don’t actually know how much she scrolled but she at least read the latest messages
>She demanded to know what I was smiling about and then enlisted Jamie and Cupcake’s help in relieving me of my phone
>So that happened

Pitch 2:28 pm
>And. How did she react? 

Jack 2:30 pm
>Made some grumpy faces at my phone, made some grumpy faces at me
>Rolled her eyes, seemed satisfied, gave my phone back and called off her goons

Pitch 2:31 pm
>That could mean anything
>Is it normal for them to tease you this much over the people you’re interested in?

Jack 2:38 pm
>Kind of?
>It’s complicated

Jack 2:42 pm 
>Short answer is no
>The long answer involves the fact that Sera said she’s never seen me like this over a guy before
>So
>You know
>Make of that what you will

Pitch 2:52 pm
>You did say I’m your first older man

Jack 2:56 pm
>Don’t know why everyone's so hung up on the fact that you're old

Pitch 2:58 pm
>You have to admit it’s an odd choice. A gorgeous catch like you going after someone like me. 

Jack 2:59 pm
>It’s like you don’t own a mirror or something

Pitch 3:00 pm
>You just like my accent.
>And the free muffins. 
>And my tattoo.

Jack 3:01 pm
>And your pretty face
>And your sense of humor
>And your kindness

Pitch 3:05 pm
>Flatterer
>You make it sound as though we’ve been together for months

Jack 3:08 pm
>You act like I haven’t known you for years

Pitch 3:11 pm
>Two years, and only these past two days have we actually talked

Jack 3:12 pm
>That hurts, Pitch. How many times have you dropped off baked goods to Sera at school?

Pitch 3:13 pm
>Too many for Sera’s tastes I’m sure. 
>But most of those were hello and goodbyes with a bit of banter in between. 
>Or flirting that apparently went right over my head. 

Jack 3:14 pm
>A lot of flirting that went over your head
>Apparently I found all of those visits more memorable than you did
>Which makes sense since I’m the starstruck fanboy
>But we’ve talked more than just the past two days whether you remember it or not

Pitch 3:17 pm
>I’m a monster, aren’t I?
>If it’s any consolation, you’re the only one of Sera’s friends I do remember. Even before this weekend happened.
>Though I still can’t say we truly know each other. Yet. 

Jack 4:00 pm
>That’s what dating is for, silly

Pitch 4:39 pm
>You’re supposed to be dating boys your own age, silly. 

Jack 4:41 pm
>Been there
>Done that
>Got the t shirt

Pitch 4:57 pm
>You shouldn’t give up so soon
>You deserve a starstruck fanboy of your own 

Jack 5:03 pm
>You shouldn’t give up either
>Be the starstruck fanboy you want to see in the world

Pitch 5:51 pm
>My starstruck fanboy would probably come off as creepy
>Are you sure creepy is what you want?

Jack 6:03 pm
>idk I haven’t had creepy before
>I’d be willing to try it
>But I honestly think you’re underestimating yourself
>Being adored sure beats being ignored anyway

Pitch 6:05 pm
>Jack you’re surrounded by people who adore you. You still feel ignored?

Jack 6:08 pm
>No, not anymore. I mean, it’s different when it’s friends vs romantic interests and teenage angst definitely played a role in my drama
>But I know they love me
>Even if they regret it sometimes
>But my awesome amazing friend group aside
>I have definitely been ignored by people I was trying to date before

Pitch 6:11 pm
>Their loss
>And my apologies if you felt that way around me
>Not that I’m assuming that’s what you want from me
>I just hope I didn’t make you feel worse
>Anyway yes you have an awesome amazing friend group 

Jack 6:22 pm
>You’re adorable

Jack 6:48 pm
>Is it weird when I call you adorable?

Pitch 6:52 pm 
>No
>Well maybe a bit 
>Not in a bad way though.
>I’m just not used to it. Although I suppose I ignored my phone just then 
>Gods I told you I was bad at this 

Jack 6:54 pm
>You’re seriously adorable
>Don’t worry about being bad at this

Pitch 6:56 pm
>So much for knowing what I’m doing 

Jack 7:00 pm
>You know enough to admit when you’re bad at something
>That’s kind of miles ahead of some of the people I’ve dated tbh

Pitch 7:09 pm 
>I no longer have the energy or the time to pretend to be something I’m not 
>But I do remember having those same frustrations 

Jack 7:14 pm
>Exactly
>You know I had someone pretend to like me because they couldn’t work up the courage to break up with me
>So you’re being discouraging but like
>That is exactly what I meant by knowing what you’re doing

Pitch 7:16 pm
>And you Jack? Do you know what you’re doing?

Jack 7:18 pm
>Not remotely
>But I think I’m figuring it out one broken heart at a time
>Also Nightlight says I’ve never done anything wrong and he’s a cinnamon roll so I trust him

Pitch 7:20 pm
>Is that so? He didn’t see any problem with you flirting with the father of your mutual friend?

Jack 7:21 pm
>Nope
>I don’t remember exactly what he said, but I remember he was grinning and making fun of me
>Which is pretty standard for Nightlight so

Pitch 7:25 pm 
>Maybe I’m too old fashioned. Even my daughter apparently doesn’t see a problem with it. 

Jack 7:26 pm
>I wouldn’t say that
>We all agree it’s weird
>But nobody thinks it’s bad
>And there’s a pretty big difference between weird good and weird bad

Pitch 7:27 pm
>I suppose

Jack 7:38 pm
>Hold on sorry I’m being roped into helping cook for dinner
>Twiner caught like, 2 and a half fish (don’t ask) and they’re prepping them so bad we’re losing even more
>At this rate it’ll be hot dogs again
>anyway brb

Pitch 7:45 pm 
>It’s fine Jack. You should enjoy the time with your friends. 
>We can talk again tomorrow. 

Jack 8:24 pm
>If I was ignoring my friends I wouldn’t have noticed the butcher job they were doing to the fish
>I’m just letting you know replies will be sparse

Pitch 9:13 pm 
>Noted
>I needed the piano time anyway 

Jack 9:16 pm
>Not baking?

Pitch 9:18 pm 
>Does lasagna count?

Jack 9:19 pm
>I’ll allow it
>But the question I was really asking was are you stressed? Is this stress piano?

Pitch 9:21 pm
>At my age, I’m always dealing with some level of stress
>But your concern is sweet 

Jack 9:39 pm
>Sorry we decided to do smores again and lighting the fire got Interesting™️
>It’s not just my concern
>Sera worries too
>But anyway I hope the piano was calming

Pitch 9:45 pm 
>It wasn’t as productive as I’d hoped but that happens sometimes
>I’ll probably head to sleep soon 
>How was your dinner? 

Jack 9:48 pm
>A little burnt but not too bad for a bunch of college kids
>We did have to supplement with hot dogs though

Pitch 9:50 pm
>Fish and hot dogs. Interesting combo. 
>Sounded like you have plenty for dessert though. 

Jack 9:51 pm
>Oh god we have so much
>Kat brought way too much
>It doesn’t help that I’ve started experimenting with warming your handpies over the fire instead of contributing to the smore stock reduction mission

Pitch 9:52 pm 
>Not a fan of smores, Jack? 

Jack 9:55 pm
>No I love smores
>But I love smores a little less with each consecutive smore I eat
>And we’ve hit 0 love tonight

Pitch 9:57 pm 
>That’s unfortunate
>But I’m glad I could leave you with some variety. Might as well toast up one of your muffins while you’re at it. 

Jack 10:01 pm
>Oh those are gone
>They’ve been gone since lunch
>I do already miss them though

Pitch 10:08 pm
>I could have a fresh batch waiting at your door when you get back if you want 

Jack 10:11 pm
>That would be amazing
>Will you accept sexual favors as a show of gratitude?
>That’s a serious question in case it looks like a joke
>Because that’s hot

Pitch 10:13 pm
>You make a tempting offer, believe me
>But you don’t have to do that. I’d hate to add to the weird by making it seem like there’s some sort of ‘baker with benefits’ thing going on

Jack 10:14 pm 
>Okay new plan
>You don’t have to bake me anything
>Will you still accept sexual favors?

Pitch 10:16 pm
>Only if I’m allowed to return them

Jack 10:17 pm
>Absolutely 
>Don’t even have to ask

Pitch 10:18 pm
>Pity you aren’t here in bed with me 

Jack 10:18 pm
>I could have been 😭😭😭

Pitch 10:20 pm 
>I know. I keep thinking about it. 

Jack 10:28 pm
>Is it horrible if I say I'm not?
>I know that's not the romantic thing to say
>But I'm actually having a great time here
>I just keep wishing you were here too

Pitch 10:33 pm 
>I’m glad you’re having fun Jack 
>Enjoy your night

Jack 10:35 pm
>I am enjoying my night
>Do you need to go to sleep?

Pitch 10:37 pm 
>Eventually 

Jack 10:38 pm
>But not now?

Pitch 10:38 pm
>I’m in bed now but I have a movie on
>Waiting for the sounds of screams and monster noises to lull me to sleep

Jack 10:39 pm
>A most peaceful lullaby
>Do you want me to leave you alone for now then?

Pitch 10:40 pm
>I figure it’s me who should leave you be, yes? 
>I’ve seen this movie many times. 

Jack 10:42 pm
>You really don’t need to
>I promise you I can pay attention to my friends between texts just fine

Pitch 10:45 pm
>I don’t have much to entertain you with I’m afraid

Jack 10:48 pm
>You’re not a tv show
>I’m entertained just by talking to you

Pitch 10:50 pm
>What would you like to talk about?

Jack 10:52 pm
>What is this, the 90s? 
>We don’t need a subject
>These are texts
>They run wild and free and senseless

Pitch 10:55 pm
>You did choose to text someone who grew up in the 90s

Jack 10:56 pm
>Oh u rite
>my bad

Pitch 10:57 pm
>Finally come to your senses have you?

Jack 10:57 pm
>I was joking
>That was a joke

Pitch 10:59 pm
>If you say so 

Jack 11:03 pm
>Are you okay?
>Did I say something wrong?

Pitch 11:20 pm
>I don’t think so
>I think I’m just tired
>And confused

Jack 11:24 pm
>Confused about what?

Jack 11:43 pm
>Pitch?

Jack 12:34 pm
>Goodnight, Pitch

Pitch 9:59 am
>Good morning, Jack. I’m terribly sorry about last night. I was more tired than I thought. Today I’m going to be in and out of the house, but I’ll have my phone with me. If you let me know your room number, I’ll make sure you have something to look forward to when you come back. 
>Have a safe trip. 

Jack 10:56 am
>It’s fine. I shouldn’t have tried to keep you up. I hope you slept really well?
>And I’m room 223

Pitch 1:04 pm 
>Noted 
>I slept fine enough. Hope you got enough sleep yourself. 

Jack 1:36 pm
>Probably not
>But I feel alright
>We’re packing up now
>Should be back in a couple hours

Pitch 1:45 pm
>Hope you enjoyed your trip. 
>You’re all riding in that van, right? 

Jack 1:59 pm
>I did. It was great. And yeah.
>I'm hoping to grab a seat in the back. I wanna sleep for most of it.
>Or read.
>But probably sleep.

Pitch 2:01 pm
>Good idea
>Sweet dreams when you get there

Jack 2:13 pm
>Thanks
>You can still text me if you want though
>I'll probably be sleeping lightly so I can respond when I wake up here and there

Pitch 2:20 pm
>I’ll keep that in mind. 
>I do have some baking to do though  

Jack 2:25 pm
>I hope not from stress.
>I'll still eat it tho

Pitch 2:26 pm
>Of course it’s stress, darling. I only have a couple hours. 
>But don’t worry about it, just enjoy it. 

Jack 2:28 pm
>I like it when you call me darling

Pitch 2:30 pm
>Is it wise to give me that kind of ammunition?

Jack 2:31 pm
>Literally cannot imagine any way you could use that information that I would not at least secretly enjoy

Pitch 2:32 pm 
>You like pet names then?

Jack 2:43 pm
>I mean yeah
>Especially when they’re cute
>Who doesn’t?

Pitch 3:07 pm
>I suppose I’m picky
>I appreciate the creative ones 
>My ex-wife used to call me honey boo and I hated it
>Always made Sera laugh though

Jack 3:16 pm
>I hope you’ll forgive me if I laugh too
>Maybe that is a little too cute for you
>Okay this might be one of those things I just don’t have a lot of experience with yet
>Tell me if I ever call you something you hate though and I’ll stop

Pitch 3:22 pm
>That’s thoughtful of you
>Treats are in the oven 

Jack 3:24 pm
>That’s the least a decent person can do tbh
>Does that mean it’s piano time?

Pitch 3:25 pm
>I suppose it could be
>If I can deal with the disappointment of having no one to lie on top of it and sing for me

Jack 3:29 pm
>brb I’m omw

Pitch 3:30 pm
>Oh if only 
>I still can’t believe you wanted to do that 

Jack 3:31 pm
>I can’t believe no one else did
>It’s basically what pianos are for
>Your ex never did?

Pitch 3:32 pm
>It never crossed her mind I suppose
>And I never told her how it’d always been a fantasy of mine 

Jack 3:33 pm
>You ever want me to do something like that, just tell me
>If I don’t want to, I’ll let you know
>But I’d hate to miss an opportunity because we weren’t on the same wave

Pitch 3:36 pm
>My mind has been spinning with all sorts of ideas after your visit. 
>But I’d hate to think of all the other opportunities you’d miss indulging this old man. 

Jack 3:40 pm
>Are you kidding?
>This is the opportunity of a lifetime
>I’m not indulging you you’re indulging me

Pitch 3:42 pm 
>How can you know that? 

Jack 3:42 pm
>You were in the room the last time we had sex
>Did I look like I wasn’t having the time of my life?
>...If I did, it was a lie. I was having the time of my life. That sex was awesome.

Pitch 3:46 pm
>Oh the image won’t leave my mind 
>I regret leaving the bed that morning 

Jack 3:47 pm
>Next time you don’t have to
>We can save breakfast in bed for another time

Pitch 3:48 pm
>But I promised you
>That’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be skipped 

Jack 3:49 pm
>New plan
>You stay in bed
>I wake up
>We Do Things
>I fall back asleep
>You make breakfast
>Breakfast In Bed
>Profit

Pitch 3:50 pm
>Aren’t you clever 
>Sex, food, and profit? What kind of man would I be to turn that down?

Jack 3:51 pm
>A foolish one
>So it’s a deal?

Pitch 3:52 pm 
>I’m a fool either way
>It sounds marvelous, whenever we decide to make it happen 

Jack 3:53 pm
>Maybe Thursday? 
>I know the weekend is iffy, but my classes start late on Thursday so I could sleep in and still make it
>I don’t know how flexible your 9 to 5 is though

Pitch 3:56 pm
>Not that flexible, I’m afraid. Tempting as it would be to call in. 

Jack 3:58 pm
>I won’t tell if you don’t
>I’m sorry, I know you have to be responsible and shit
>I just can’t wait to see you again

Pitch 4:04 pm
>You certainly know how to make a man feel wanted
>Look Jack. I’m just going to ask before this goes any further. To save us both the confusion. 

Pitch 4:08 pm 
>What are you looking for here? I’ve been under the impression that this is a sexual conquest thing. Which I’m fine with. My feelings won’t be hurt and my bed is open to you, but I want to be clear. Is this a hook up? Or are you wanting something more? 
>I apologize if this isn’t appropriate for a text conversation and don’t feel pressured to respond if you aren’t in a good place for it. Take your time. I want you to think this through. 

Jack 4:09 pm
>I don’t need to take my time. Sera already put me through the wringer on this.
>I want whatever you're willing to give me. If you just want /me/ for sex, I'm okay with that and I appreciate the honesty
>But if you're interested in a relationship, then hell yeah I'll give it a shot. 

Jack 4:14 pm
>I'm not the kind of person who knows exactly what they want in a partner or who only likes a specific type
>I don’t know if it's gonna work but I'd be mad at myself if I didn't try
>So I'm in this if you are

Pitch 4:23 pm
>Seems like a lot of hassle for something to only ‘give a shot’ 
>Won’t you be more mad at yourself if it doesn’t work and you’ve wasted the prime of your youth on someone that was a bad idea in the first place?

Jack 4:26 pm
>We need to work on your confidence
>Absolutely nothing about you seems like a bad idea
>If anything, I’m the bad idea
>Ask any of my friends
>Including Sera

Pitch 4:28 pm
>I’m not trying to be self-deprecating, although I am divorced for a reason and nothing is going to change that I’m twice your age.
>I could list a thousand reasons why this is a bad idea
>And yet after one night with you, it doesn’t seem to matter. I want to see you again anyway. 

Jack 4:33 pm
>That’s the spirit
>It’s not a bad idea if it makes us happy
>Or at least that’s what all the Hallmark movies say
>And everyone knows they’re the peak of wisdom
>But also, your divorce just means it didn’t work with her. That has nothing to do with me.
>You shouldn’t compare relationships
>That’s also from Hallmark movies

Pitch 4:36 pm
>I don’t think any Hallmark movies covered sleeping with your friend’s father 
>Tends to be more of a PornHub topic 

Jack 4:37 pm
>Okay but those always seem to have happy endings too so I think we're covered

Pitch 4:37 pm
>If all you want is sex, sure

Jack 4:38 pm
>Hallmark movies almost never have sex
>Stop looking for the negatives
>Just enjoy this

Pitch 4:45 pm
>Looking for the negatives is sort of what I do for a living. 
>But I have enjoyed this. I still do. I’m just still grappling with the fact that it’s happening. 
>And I don’t just want to use you for sex. I think you deserve so much more than that. 

Jack 4:47 pm
>Good because I think that too
>Although I really wouldn't have been offended if that was all you wanted
>The sex was pretty great so I can't be mad

Pitch 4:58 pm 
>I wouldn’t have been offended either if that’s all you wanted from me
>I’d nearly forgotten it could be that good 

Jack 5:00 pm
>Fuck you're gonna get me hard in this car full of guys
>I'm still in the back though so hopefully they won't notice
>But walking up to the dorm would be a bitch

Pitch 5:11 pm
>Then I definitely won’t mention what I’m thinking about right now

Jack 5:12 pm
>Omg you tease
>Don’t make me have to ignore you
>The absolute worst thing would be having to tie my hoodie around my waist backwards to hid

Jack clutched his phone reflexively. He didn’t notice how his thumb hit the send key, because his eyes were glued on the person just leaving the dorm ahead of them. The person whose presence stopped all four of his crew in their tracks. 

The person he was texting, in fact.

Pitch had clearly been looking at his phone as he strolled out of the entryway. Smirking at it even. But the moment his eyes were back on the world around him, his hand dropped to his side and he stared. 

Specifically at Jack. Molten gold locked on to ice blue. 

Exactly one beat of silence passed before Pitch cleared his throat and offered a humble “...Welcome back.” 

Jack would blame being caught off guard for the rest of his life for the way he just said, “Yeah.” Like an idiot. 

From somewhere to his left, Jamie started snickering. Fuck. He needed to be cooler than this. Not because he thought it would impress Pitch, but because Jack wanted to get some peace tonight from his friends. 

Jack cleared his own throat and shouldered his duffle a little higher. “I mean. Yeah, thanks.” He held up his phone and wiggled it in the air, noticing the half-sent text for the first time and feeling his face heat at… Well, everything. The embarrassment of an accidental text, what they’d been talking about, Pitch catching him here unprepared like this… “You didn’t tell me you’d still be here.”

“To be fair, I didn’t think I’d still be here,” Pitch explained with a hand over his chest. “I thought I still had time to make a stealthy escape. I was wrong.” He didn’t look all that upset about it though. There was something achingly fond in his gaze, which still hadn’t left Jack. 

Whether that was from his affection or because he refused to acknowledge their audience, he’d probably never know. 

Jack smiled despite his roaring blush. Stealthy escape through the front door. Cute. Although in Pitch’s defense, if their timing had been just a couple minutes off, it would have worked. How unexciting that would have been. “I'm glad you were.”

Pitch’s posture seemed to relax and he took another step closer when he softly replied, “Me too.”

Twiner groaned somewhere behind him. Jamie’s little coo was not as subtle as he probably thought. And Nightlight… Nightlight helped relieve him of his duffle bag and headed straight into the dorm hall without looking back. 

Jack had good friends. 

The last he saw of them was Twiner dragging Jamie away through the dorm door before Jack’s view was blocked by Pitch’s shoulders as they gravitated closer. 

He caught a glimpse of Pitch’s fingers flexing once they were within touching distance, but he made no move to reach out right away. Instead, he pocketed his phone.

“Sorry. Does this mean you’re going to be bombarded with more questions?” 

Jack cleared his throat. Again. He’d just been standing there staring at Pitch, hadn’t he? Fucking the man hadn’t done anything for Jack’s ability to keep it together around him. “Teasing, probably,” Jack said. He shrugged. “I don’t think they’ll have many questions. The answers would be kind of obvious.”

Pitch tilted his head, seemed to settle on something, and Jack watched in slow motion as his hand was gently raised, and lips were pressed to his knuckles for a few precious seconds. “I hope the muffins make up for all the trouble.” 

Jack felt his face flame again. It wasn’t embarrassment this time. He wrapped his fingers around Pitch’s, so he couldn’t drop Jack’s hand, and squeezed. “Teasing is not what I would call trouble, Pitch. And even if it was, it’d be worth it every time.”

Pitch didn’t appear to mind. In fact, his thumb was brushing over Jack’s fingers just below where his lips had been. “You’re so sure about that. About this …” 

Pitch’s voice was soft around the edges, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Which was silly because Jack had been saying stuff like this to him all weekend. Jack tugged on his hand, pulling Pitch closer. “I’m a jump in with both feet kinda guy.”

They were nearly chest to chest now, the warmth of Pitch’s body welcome in the cooling evening. Without letting go, Pitch lowered their joined hands, only to raise his other and press it to Jack’s cheek. “And I’m a jaded bastard. But I don’t want to be just another bloke who breaks your heart. If you’re willing to jump, I will do my best to catch you.” 

Jack melted into Pitch’s touch. “That is so sweet. That's too sweet. That's straight up saccharine.” None of which dimmed Jack’s smile. He looped an arm around Pitch’s waist and pressed them together. “I do have to ask though, is that literal? Because I think actually being caught mid air would be so hot.”

Pitch chuckled, a low, delighted sound that he may not have heard if he wasn’t all up in Pitch’s personal space. “Well we’ve already discovered I have no problem carrying you. Catching you shouldn’t be much of a stretch. Although we should probably try it on a soft surface first.” 

Grinning, Jack shook his head. “A pool. We should try it in water first. The last thing we want is to become one of those couples that ends up in the ER at midnight trying to explain how this happened. Especially because I think we’d have to have Sera drive us and she would never forgive us.”

“She wouldn’t,” Pitch agreed without hesitation, and Jack could feel the way his back tensed at the topic. “In that case, we’ll have to figure out a pool date at some point.” 

“Or a lake,” Jack suggested, swaying from side to side as he thought about it. The idea of a date excited him and Jack couldn’t stay still. “A picnic on the shore. Swimming near sunset. Stargazing after dark.”

“Oh so you do have a romantic side,” Pitch teased, his thumb stroking over Jack’s cheek. “Sounds lovely, darling.”

Jack ducked his head the smallest bit, pressing into Pitch’s fingers. “Of course I do,” he said, pecking Pitch’s thumb with a kiss. “How could I not? You’re very romantically inspiring.”

Pitch’s eyelids lowered as he stared at Jack’s mouth with interest. He’d definitely said something right if that particular smirk was anything to go by. “I look forward to wherever that inspiration takes you.” 

Jack did too, if he was reading Pitch’s body language correctly. He rolled up onto his toes to get closer to Pitch and asked, “You know where it’s taking me right now?”

Jack saw Pitch swallow before he leaned his head down, taking the hint, and putting himself temptingly within Jack’s reach. He felt Pitch’s hand slip from his, but it made a slow, deliberate journey down his side, over the curve of his hip, and settled at the small of his back. When Pitch spoke, it was just above a whisper. “Show me.” 

Jack’s body was on fire. He wanted to think he was playing this cool and coy, but after Pitch touched him like that, Jack was pretty sure his shoulders and ears were the same color as his blushing cheeks. He hoped it was cute at least, because there was nothing he could do about it. Even if he could, Jack didn’t want to cool down. He wanted to make it worse. And he wanted to make it worse for Pitch too. 

So he laid his hand against Pitch’s chest, curled his fingers into Pitch’s shirt, and pressed their lips together in a sure, confident kiss. 

It felt just as good as the first time. Better even, since it’d been days since the last one they shared. Pitch seemed like he’d been missing this too. They were out in public, but he was wholly unconcerned about it. His lips were slotted against Jack’s like they were meant to be there, like he’d fall over if he wasn’t breathing Jack’s air and tasting Jack’s tongue. 

Jack heard and felt Pitch’s deep hum of satisfaction, the tension he’d noticed before in those back muscles all but gone. He was melting into Jack, happily , and before Jack knew it, Pitch had both arms around him so he could angle Jack backwards into a subtle little dip. 

Instinctively, Jack held onto Pitch tighter. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t think Pitch would drop him, not when Pitch had carried him before, but he felt his arm gripping harder around Pitch’s waist and his hand pulling at Pitch’s shirt like if he was dropped, that shirt was all that would be between Jack and oblivion. 

The rush was incredible. 

And it wasn’t even a real dip. 

Pitch’s lips drifted away far too soon for Jack’s liking, but the little kisses he was scattering at the corner of his mouth to his jaw kept him from pulling Pitch back in right away. Pitch sounded deliciously breathless when he confessed against Jack’s skin, “I’ve always wanted to do this too…”

Jack laughed softly into Pitch’s hair and tilted his chin up to help Pitch get at his neck. “I should start a bingo card.”

Whether Pitch heard him or not, Jack couldn’t tell. Pitch seemed very distracted with the task Jack presented him with, soft, reverent kisses making their way down his neck. He felt the shivers all the way to the base of his spine. When those lips eventually brushed over the tender area where Pitch had left his mark, the man paused, one strained little groan betraying his inner conflict. “ Gods , I want to take you home with me.” 

“You could,” Jack teased. He nipped playfully at Pitch’s ear. There wasn’t much more he could do from where he hung in Pitch’s arms, and wasn’t that kind of thrilling? “But then you’d have to turn around and bring me right back. I’d love to stay over but you have work and I’m not trying to fail my classes this semester. Or,” Jack said with some excitement, “I could throw my roomies out for an hour. They wouldn’t be too mad.”

“Campus security might,” Pitch grumbled. He gave Jack one last kiss on his neck with a touch of teeth, then righted them back up, a mix of defeat and desire simmering in the gold and silver of his eyes. “And I know how thin those walls are.” 

Jack didn’t miss a beat. “We have duct tape.” Which would be a bitch to remove from his lips but Jack would endure for the sake of good sex.

Pitch looked slightly horrified. “I would never do that to your perfect mouth,” he declared, right before he fell back into it with another quick kiss. “A ball gag, on the other hand…”

Jack pouted. He could feel his lips doing it. “I don’t have one of those.” But then he brightened again and looped both arms behind Pitch’s shoulders. “But I have lots of socks. Those work, right?”

Pitch laughed, a deep, rich sound Jack could almost taste with their faces so close to each other. “You’re so cute,” he murmured sweetly, the arms around Jack’s waist squeezing like they couldn’t get enough. “But I think we both know what the answer has to be.”

Jack sighed as dramatically as he knew how and draped himself over Pitch’s chest. “Fiiine,” Jack said, “we can be responsible or whatever. But I want to see you soon, alright? Let me know as soon as you figure out a good time.”

Long fingers stroked down his back, the feeling almost as soothing as Pitch’s voice washing over him with the man’s lips brushing over Jack’s ear. “I will, my dear. As soon as I know, I’ll be whisking you away where you can be as loud and wild as your heart desires. As long as you haven’t changed your mind.” 

“I would have to be a lot dumber than I am to change my mind about this,” Jack said. He was reluctant to let go, even if he knew he had to. Pitch just felt so good. His long body, his soft lips, his silky hair… Jack was dying to fall back into it. Soon. They would do it all again soon. “Text me, okay?”

“Of course,” Pitch agreed, his touches slowing to a stop and head pulling back to meet Jack’s eyes. “For the record, I don’t think you’re dumb, Jack. A bit foolish maybe, but that makes two of us.” Pitch smiled as he leaned in for another quick peck on Jack’s lips. “It wouldn’t be this much fun otherwise.” 

Jack pulled Pitch down for one more little kiss before he dragged his arms away from Pitch’s person. It was cute that he was trying to reassure Jack. He was such a good dad. “Totally worth it.”

“ Totally ,” Pitch repeated, the word sounding completely out of place in his accent and the look on his face said he knew it, but he was smirking nevertheless as he stepped back. “Have a good night, Jack. Your fresh batch of muffins is at the front desk.” 

Jack gasped and, despite himself, looked around Pitch to the dorm’s front door. 

Pitch was a really good baker, okay?

He managed to pull his eyes back to Pitch and not sprint immediately to the muffins. “You’re the absolute best. Thank you. I am going to eat the shit out of them.”

“You’re welcome.” Pitch laughed, taking a step to the side so that Jack’s path and view of the front doors was unimpeded. “Go on then. No need to be polite for my sake, I’m leaving.” 

Jack beamed. Pitch understood him so well already. He grabbed for Pitch’s hand and kissed the knuckles quickly, then speed walked to the door. “Bye, Pitch! You’re amazing! Text you later! You can make me muffins anytime!” That last was in a sing-song voice, just because. 

Because Pitch was amazing.

Because Jack was going to blow up his phone as soon as he got back to the dorm.

Because Jack was already so excited for a life full of muffins and Pitch and love.