“Okay. Then how about we go somewhere cozy, you take off your costume, and I give you all the guidance you need?”

“I’d rather just take a walk with it on. Do I have to sleep with you for some conversation?”

It struck Jamie how similar those words rang when compared to his latest exchange with that Mitch dude. His lips twisted into a grimace, but it only lasted a moment.

“No, you don’t have to do that. I doubt I’d even feel attracted to you.”

“How do you know that?” came the question right away.

“People vibe,” Jamie said with a shrug. “I simply know that I wouldn’t like you in that way even if you took off that silly mask.”

“You are definitely sure of yourself,” the rabbit said, and his words had a bite now. “I have no intention of proving you wrong.”

“Playing hard to get then? Then let me start with one first piece of advice. Don’t do that. Guys these days don’t care about shit like that. Nobody’s going to put in the work to get to know you. It’s hard enough to get to know people as it is. Make it even harder, and it’s guaranteed that you’re not going to get laid.”

“How preposterous of you to think that’s what I’m looking for.”

Jamie laughed. The rabbit walked one step behind him, as if he was afraid to fall in line with him. Whatever. The guy was a rabbit, therefore easy to scare. The hunter metaphor came to mind, uninvited. Well, if this rabbit wanted to be hunted, Jamie didn’t mind roleplaying as the hunter. For now, they’d continue their conversation until only one of them gave in and admitted to the true purpose of this little meeting.

To get laid, of course.

“So, you go on dating apps for what?” he asked.

“They’re hooking up apps, not dating apps.”

“Whatever. What motivated you to make a profile if you’re not interested in meeting guys?”

“I am interested in meeting someone. And that someone is you.”

“I see. Why?” Jamie looked over his shoulder to make sure that the guy was still following him. “Stop walking behind me like that. You make me feel like I’m in some B-rated horror movie.”

“Are you afraid of me?” the rabbit asked and hurried to catch up with Jamie.

“I can take you,” Jamie said with a shrug.

“Okay, that’s fair,” the rabbit admitted.

Jamie stopped near a lonely bench under a street light. He sat without asking the other what he wanted to do and rested his linked fingers on top of his head. Even if the light was bad, the sight – and size – of his biceps had to make an impression on the insufferable rabbit.

The pink horror chose to stand.

“When are we going to start talking about you?” Jamie asked. “That’s what you want, right? As you can see, I’m more than charitable with my time.”

“You seem to know everything,” the rabbit replied. “How about you tell me? Why am I here?”

Jamie leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, linking his hands in front of them. “That’s not how therapy works, my friend.”

“I don’t need therapy.”

“What do you need, then?”

“I need to understand you.”

Jamie quirked an eyebrow. That came out of left field. “Are you here because you’re interested in me?”

“Yes. Why does that surprise you so much?”

“It’s a weird thing to say.”

“No, it’s not. Those people who watch you and throw money at you while you jerk off for them, aren’t they interested in you, too?”

Jamie pondered over the rabbit’s words and stared at him, unsure of what to think or say.

“Of course, you’d say it’s a weird thing because no one has been interested in you before, right? Not in the real Jamie Vayne,” the rabbit continued, and it was easy to spot a tone of triumph in his raspy voice.

“Oh, crap,” Jamie said and grinned, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you here to play my therapist? I have to say, I wasn’t expecting this. You’re such a freaking weirdo.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say,” the rabbit said primly.

“Well, tough luck, I don’t feel that charitable tonight, after all. I’m not in the mood to say nice things to a guy who’s here only to rile me up for some reason I’m starting to understand.”

“Oh, yeah? Care to share?”

“Not yet. You see, Floppy Ears, I’m a tomcat. I like playing with my food. And while you seem to be the sort not to be worth the trouble, you already had me clear my schedule for tonight, so I’ll indulge you in your little masochistic play.”

“Masochistic?” the rabbit sputtered. “There’s nothing--”

“Yes, there is,” Jamie said in a cutting tone. “You wouldn’t wear that silly costume if you didn’t have things to hide. You wouldn’t stalk a guy like me – hell, you must be among those lurkers on my channel that never say a word – if there wasn’t something you wanted. Something you can’t even name. But you know you want it.”

“You’re so conceited,” the rabbit replied. “I told you. I’m not here for myself. I want to know the real Jamie Vayne.”

“I’m an open book, baby.” Jamie puffed out his chest. “Don’t work so hard, when all it takes is your decision to get rid of your rabbit costume and present yourself nicely for some pleasure. Ten out of ten college boys say I’m a god in bed. You’ll get your pleasure, guilt free.”

“There’s no such thing--”

“What’s eating you?” Jamie continued. “Are you skinny and afraid your ribs are showing? Are you a thick boy and believe no one would ever enjoy all that junk inside your trunk? I’ll make you forget all about that. Mask off and let’s have some fun.”

“No,” the rabbit said sharply. “You’re so… superficial!”

“Says the guy hiding behind a fursona. Hey, where are you going?” Jamie asked, staring as the rabbit turned on his heel and began walking away.

“I’ll get you, Jamie Vayne!” the guy yelled over his shoulder. “I’ll find out who you truly are!”

“Well, you’re welcome to try.”

Jamie laughed and shook his head. He didn’t recall having had this sort of fun ever. Seeing how he hadn’t gotten to enjoy any sort of horizontal cha-cha, it was a first.

“See you later, rabbit boy?” he shouted at the retreating pink back.

“In your dreams!” came the immediate reaction.

A bundle of contradictions, that guy. Didn’t he just promise that he wouldn’t leave Jamie alone? This hunt had great promise.

TBC