He’s only ever talked about ex-girlfriends.

Some girls knew how to cut you deep. That was a blow tat stung more than he ever wanted anyone to know. His sass and confidence evaporated like all the bubbles popping in the air.

Ah, so Jude was that type of guy. Cute as he was, Zaid was no girl. Maybe that was a mistake. He wanted to help, and he also selfishly wanted to test the waters and see if Jude felt something to. Now there was just bubbles, and a very painful lump growing in his chest and squeezing his lungs. ex-girlfriends. Why could that do so much damage? Just because Zaid was naive and innocent didn’t mean Jude was. He felt his ears droop. He may as well have a second black eye.

”Shut the f— up. Too late. He was a flower burnt by a very hot sun. This was why he lived alone, away from people. Damn people and their words and ways of striking without warning. Jude must regret this. Zaid didn’t want to look him in the face. Stars, he was a moron. Jude was apologizing and the food was getting lifted from Zaid’s hands. This was it. The rejection. The misunderstanding. Brace your little heart, it’s just another kick in the ribs. You can do this!

Thought there might be something...

Zaid looked back. Jude took his hand, and Zaid was touching his crushes face. Jude’s cheek was clean shaven and smooth, but unlike Zaid, he was sure there could be stubble there with time. Then, there was a real kiss. It started with the taste of soap and bubbles, and then the curse lifted with his own doubts and his eyes fluttered closed. His ears were down but this time it was more swoon and blush than fear.

Zee watched for a moment, and seemed to realize she had been beaten by the second kiss, collecting her salad and sauntering away. Zaid found it hard to breathe.

”Yours was...much better...As for there being something there, perhaps we can test your suspicions on another date sometime.”

He meant it, otherwise the hex would have persisted. The bubble taste faded quickly. It wasn't that Jude doubted that he meant it, but he was... new. To this kind of romance. To the idea of romance at all, again. It'd been more than a year since his last date and he hadn't gotten a kiss until much, much later into their relationship. This was fast. Quick like a bunny.

Jude might have stayed longer than was polite, except that Zaid seemed to be melting. At first, mildly alarmed, Jude pulled back to find the threat.

Turned out that Jude was the threat. And he was rewarded with the promise of another date. Maybe a more traditional one, where they were both a little more secure in their knowledge of what might be.

"I'd like that."

"Anyone left up there? We're about to start!"

They didn't have to go down. It was tempting to suggest otherwise. Instead, Jude cleared his throat and leaned past Zaid to grab the plate of sliders again.

"Ready to meet the community?"

>> “I’d like that.”

It was amazing how happy two words made him feel. He swore for a moment his tail wagged, then he quickly got the muscles to obey and stay still. Stars, keep it together Zaid.” he thought. He was cute enough without adding tail wagging to the mix. That was some lawsuits level madness being unleashed.

He nodded in response to Jude’s question, hoping his face was no longer red. He managed to flash a smile to lighten the situation that had got a little tense, in the oh so nice romantic way. ”At least you can eat without tasting soap now. Remind me not to upset the wrong person around here.”

He followed down the stairs, feeling his ears ease their normal position and his stomach rumbling a little with hunger.

He never dreaded these group meals until tonight. This one had him on edge. Between not wanting to look like a doof, not wanting Zaid to look like a doof, and inevitably feeling like a doof because Zee was there making faces. Derek was there, too, making equally passionate but totally opposite faces. There was a new guy on the first floor that Jude hadn't met yet, Depak, and a few other returners and friends.

All in all, it wasn't bad. Jude couldn't say what they'd talked about, exactly, but he remembered laughing a lot. And eating a lot. Like, a lot-a lot.

Eventually the meal had would down and most people had taken their plates and crock pots away. Jude was running his finger along the still toasty inside of a metal pan, enduring the heat to get the dregs of chocolate fondue out. And Depak had sort of goaded them into a SFW version of "I have never" so that they could get to know each other.

"Okay. I got one for you. I have never been back to the public library after my first visit. I lost my book. I guess I couldn't handle the shame of returning?"

"Are you kidding? It's not a big deal. You just pay for the book's value so the library can replace it. Although, I have never let a book even be overdue at the library." Jude grabbed around with his free hand for whatever fruit might be left. Was there fruit left? Or had they finished it all? "Did you try any of this, Zaid? It's good."

Zaid felt full and happy. It was actually surprising the number of vegetarian dishes that had been available for him, given that most group dinners seemed to consist of hamburgers and hotdogs as a key entree. There were noodle dishes that were heavenly, and some type of soup that had dumplings in it. That was probably one of his favorites. The smell was still in his nose and he was dying to try and make it himself sometime.

As things switched toward the game, Zaid felt comfortable enough to play along. He was shy, true, but he was also a well-fed bunny now, and that made it easier to handle things. In the corner of his eye, he watched as Jude fished around for more fruit to collect chocolate. He tried hard not to grin at the way his friend's sweet tooth was getting away from him. Clearly, chocolate would not be a poor idea on future holidays.

Oh, that was jumping forward quite a bit. Maybe he was moving a bit fast. Slow it down, little bunny. He needed some training wheels or something on how to be more suave...

"I think I had a few pieces earlier," Zaid said, slyly depositing a piece of fruit into Jude's outstretched hand. He was an ever helpful companion. He almost regretted not eating more himself when the game turned toward him.

"Your turn, Zaid. Come on, tell us something!"

Zaid blinked, and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I have never been swimming."

"Whaaaat? How have you never been swimming?" A girl that looked like she had a pair of wasp antenna leaned forward, looking startled. Or, maybe it was the antenna that did that. She didn't have much in the way of eyebrows, so really, it was hard to read.

"Oh, I just, I mean...Swim suits are...difficult." There was an awkward pause, and the girl made a not so subtle glance toward his pants. Other gazes followed. Someone said "ohhhh" with a giggle that sounded like an attempt to muffle something about cottontail. With all the dignity he could muster, he sprang up from his chair, trying to hide the red on his face.

"Ah, look at the time. Actually, I do have to get home. The food was great and seriously, Elle, I need to get that soup recipe from you. I'll bring the rucula salad next time, it'll be great!" He desperately made a grab for Jude's hand to pull him toward the door before too many people glanced at him. Stars, the tail. Why did he mention the tail.

"It really is fluffy..." his ears picked up. He was blindingly pink now. He should have worn a longer jacket.

He got some cantaloupe which was not an A-tier fruit in Jude's mind, but B-tier was still an acceptable vehicle for chocolate.

Why were swimsuits difficult? Jude’s deadbeat adopted dad had a tail. It never seemed to stop him, but then… he’d also been a sewing wizard, practically a tailor. Seriously. Why was Zaid turning red and making excuses to leave? Jude let himself get dragged up by the elbow while his fingers were still in his mouth. Not a drop of chocolate was going to waste here.

He chuckled as he accompanied Zaid to the front door with the bunny man’s arm in the crook of his elbow, and into the cool night air. And now that they were away from the Safe For Work stipulation, Jude had a very, very serious question to ask.

"Wait- Does this mean you've never gone skinny dipping?" How was that possible? Who wore clothes, like, all the time? Jude wished he’d had a chance to wash his hands, which felt sticky and unsuitable the moment they were up from the table.

Zaid felt a little bad pulling Jude away so fast. Obviously, the other mutant found the situation unembarrasing. Unembarrasing? Was that even a word? Probably not, but that was as close as he could reason. Zaid felt his brain trying to work out an alternative as the cold air pushed at his ears. His fur tickled a little from the sensation.

His face no longer felt hot, but recent situations had his fight or flight senses screaming. People looking at his tail thought it was cute. They stared at his butt. Seriously, who didn’t feel weird when someone looked that close at your body? Sometimes, it ended with the initial glance or point. Then there were days when jerk guys followed him home from work and manhandled him to try and make him more uncomfortable.

Nope, he had a fresh black eye, sore ribs, and most definitely was not staying to have his tail examined closer.

Jude’s next question almost made him drop his jacket. ”Skinny dipping? Uh, no. Pretty sure that would involve drowning for me. And moon rabbit jokes.” Oh Stars, that joke was laaaaaame. But he said it with the faintest smile as he fought to maintain dignity. Wait, why was he asking? His ears twitched once. ”You have? Why, I mean, what is the appeal?” how could he be mortified by his tail and now they were casually talking about skinny dipping? Maybe it was because the mental images had not quite caught up yet. Jude, skinny dipping.

Oh mother of aces and antiquities. They needed to steer clear of this conversation fast.

"Wha-No way would you drowned. Not with those legs. You could doggy paddle and be okay. Rabbit paddle?" All jokes aside, no one was drowning. Or even going skinny dipping, now that he thought about it.

"Well, yeah." Of course he'd gone skinny dipping... hadn't he? There was that hot tub in the limo... err... no he'd been wearing at least his underoos then. Hmmm. "Actually, I can't think of a specific time. I'm sure there's been at least once... isn't it very Japanese to take baths a lot? I guess it's like that. Relaxing."

And it wasn't like Jude was the posterboy for naked swimming. He had no skin in the game... but they were now at the end of the little front walk in front of the honeycomb collective.

"I had a great time tonight." Oh. There were the nerves. Talking about nudity? No big. Talking about a potential next date... suddenly he was all thumbs and his thumbs were still sticky from the chocolate. The natural conversational segway would be to suggest they go skinny dipping. Oh. Maybe that was why Zaid had turned pink.

He was fretting, chewing his lip and overthinking his options. So he just blurted the next idea that popped into his head. "Let's go get Ramen? Next time?"

Well, yeah. Zaid tried not took surprised by Jude’s quick comment. Was Zaid missing something by NOT having gone skinny dipping? Obviously, it seemed like some right of passage or something his adolescence was missing. Then again, he never lived near enough water for it to come up. New York had an ocean, but he generally didn’t dream of hoping into the water there. Also, relaxing? He was pretty sure he could never relax if he was worried someone would see him naked. ”I think your idea of relaxing and mine are different. Mine involves video games or... clothing.”

Stars, how had the conversation landed here? This was as awkward as a bunny falling out of a tree.

Jude looked nervous this time now. Or, they both did. Had Zaid’s blushing finally got to Jude? He was cute when he looked awkward. Zaid still smelt chocolate, trying not to let his nose twitch to search out the scent. He refused to let himself look too closely at Jude’s face. If there was chocolate there, he would stare, and if he stared this parting would become even more sloppy.

What was he worried for though? Jude already kissed him—although, there had been bubbles forcing that one. He didn’t need to feel flustered over future contact because the first one was out of the way. Right? Right. Zen bunny. He was a zen bunny.

Let’s get Ramen. Zaid smiled, holding his hat a little tighter and trying not to look too excited. ”That would be great! You can show me one of those hole in the wall places you talked about! It’ll be fun seeing your side of New York.” Zaid agreed. He felt warm, and he was sure a blizzard could have dumped on him and he would have been fine. ”Um, I mean, you have my number. Just let me know when a good time works for you? I work mornings for the next week, so uh, really, anytime after two.” They were at the end of the sidewalk, metaphorically, and literally.

Tomorrow was too soon. He at least knew that much about the stupid, invisible, and unwritten rules of dating. So naturally, his big dumb mouth suggested tomorrow.

"I can meet you for dinner tomorrow?" Oof. He cringed at himself and what had to sound like overeagerness. Space was important to some people and some people needed time to figure out their feelings and stuff. That just wasn't Jude, though. He knew that he liked. He also knew he'd been burned before for being too much, too soon. "Or later in the week. I'll text. Or you can. I'm at a desk most days so I don't mind, I mean."

He was trying not to be... what he was. But that hadn't worked out last time, either. So, it needed to be a balance, then.

Jude sighed and let his forehead fall against Zaid's. The height difference made Zaid's ears tickle the top of his hair. "Sorry."

Tomorrow.

The word made a little electric spark zip from the base of Zaid's tail to the top of his ears. Before he could open his mouth, however, Jude cringed. He looked awkward, trying to backpedal at the random fumbling of social etiquette. For some reason, this made Zaid smile, all the nervous energy melting away.

Their foreheads were touching, and Zaid's nose was full of a scent he was becoming very attached to. He just wanted to shut his eyes and stay there. It was comforting. Plus, his eye was a lot harder to see from this angle. His bangs hid enough of it, but if he looked up, the faint sprinkle of freckles on his pale skin would be visible. How he even ended up with freckles with his complexion was mystery...

"Hey, don't be sorry. If tomorrow works for you, we can do tomorrow." Zaid had the nerve to flash a cheeky smile at the other boy. "Unless, you know, you're feeling intimidated by a bunny? Because I can give you a little time to prepare."

Don't be sorry. There was a chill in the air, but Jude felt a zing of warmth all the way down to his toes. Was it possible that he might have finally stumbled into someone who wouldn't immediately discard him? That smile said there might just be hope...

"Me? Intimidated?" He laughed out a soft whuff of chocolate-scented air and leaned down to seal the evening with a kiss. A good and proper bookend to how the evening had started...

Who was intimidated now?

"See you tomorrow, then." Cool guys didn't look at explosions as they walked away, but Jude wasn't that cool. He had to check at least once, from the open front door of the Honeycomb collective.