"Aster! hey! I wasn't sure you'd make it tonight." Tooth grins, running over to him. the 6'1 Australian looks down at the woman with a smirk.

"ya ask fer extra security t'night how could I say no?" Aster chuckles. he glances over the club carefully. "s'whats goin' on t'night?" Aster ask. Tooth smiles.

"we're introducing new dancers tonight. you know how crazy new dancer night is." Tooth frowns. "but there's no finer nudey/strip club in town!" Tooth grins.

"and none accept the LGBT community quite like Tooths Palace." Aster snorts. "alright Tooth, but me where you need me." Aster nods once at her.

"by the stage would be the best. you know how some people can't keep their hands to their selves, but I also have a load of new waiters and waitresses, so just float around and keep an eye out for things." Tooth sighs.

"Tooth!" a voice shouts. Tooth and Aster turn. a young man with bright blue eyes, white hair, and a bright blue speedo covered in snowflakes runs over.

"oh, Snowflake, whats up?" Tooth asks.

"um, the uh, the drink machines are... are doing that thing again. its flooding the hallway..." the boy trails. Tooth frowns.

"let Nick know, he's gonna have to get that damn plummer out here to fix it again." Tooth says. the man nods and runs off.

"and who would that be? never seen him before." Aster says, watching after the man.

"oh, thats Jack, goes by Snowflake up here. he doesn't want anyone to know his name. he's attempting to pay his way through college, but he's one of my new waiters." Tooth smiles.

"underage? do I need to keep a better eye on him?" Aster frowns, looking at Tooth. she shakes her head quickly.

"oh no! he's 22. he just looks young. gets him better tips, but he's not a bit fan of being touched or anything. he's pretty jumpy. wouldn't go into details, but he had a couple rough run ins with old boyfriends, so he's pretty... shy. I guess is the best word. yeah, keep an eye on him. he's one of the ones who doesn't take his clothes off. notice the red sticker on his chest?" Tooth ask. Aster nods.

"yeah, its one of those 'please look but don't touch' stickers. you still use the stop light system?" Aster asks.

"its works. greens take costumers for private shows, have no problem being naked and touched. yellows don't do private shows and are ask to touch, but have no problem being nude. the reds are look but don't touch, not comfortable being naked or touched. it works best for my workers, the posters are everywhere with means of the stickers. everyone knows who they can and can't mess with." Tooth says. "all of my new hires wear red, though some of them are naked on stage, until they get comfortable, but I don't think Jack will swap anytime soon." Tooth frowns. Aster nods.

"alright keep an eye on all the reds." Aster says, glancing around the club. his eyes immediately flitter back to Snowflake, Jack, as he leaves Tooths husbands office.

"oh, keep an eye on things, that flood is making its way to the floor." Tooth frowns, running off quickly.

Jack wonders up to the stage, walks to a few of the dancers and heads back towards the bar. Aster realizes he must be getting drinks for the dancers, Tooths rules for her dancers were lax. she wanted them happy and comfortable.

Asters eyes follow Jack to the bar and back towards the stage, before he catches a glance at another new person.

"oi! ye there!" Aster shouts, walking over. the man freezes and looks up at Aster. "oi, red stickers mean don't touch." Aster warns.

"no no! i-its totally cool he's trying to help." the girl, Dazzle, says.

"some guy untied her top." the man says quickly. Aster straightens and walks over.

"come here kid." Aster says. the girl looks hesitant. "I'm part of Tooths Palace security. I'll tie yer top back up. yer wearin' red. can' let any customers touch'ya." Aster assures gently, pulling his wallet out. he's not a security guard, but he carries a Tooths Palace security badge, just for events like this. he flashes the badge at her, letting her look it over. "its fer yer safety. Tooth wouldn't be happy if one of her red stickers was being touched by a customer." Aster assures. Dazzle nods.

"okay, thanks." she murmurs. Aster ties her top easily for her and lets her walk off. he turns to the man.

"red means no touching. no matter the excuse. ya get one warnin', cause m'feelin' like ye were actually tryin' t' help, but ya don' get another." Aster warns. the man nods and scrambles off.

"h-hey!" a voice shouts. Asters head snaps over to the stage. Jack is caught in the grip of some tall man. the boy looks utterly terrified, trying to pull free, and it pisses Aster off more than it should.

"oi! hands off the red sticker!" Aster shouts, heading over towards them.

Jack struggles, trying to pull his wrist from the mans bone crushing grip.

"le-let go! you're hurting me! you're not supposed to touch me!" Jack cries.

"OI!" Aster shouts, grabbing hold of the mans arm. he tightens his grip immediately around the man who is holding onto Jack. "can't ya read? ya color blind er somethin'? red means don' touch." Aster growls.

"oh fuck off." the man huffs.

"Pitch Black. should've known it was ya." Aster scoffs. he yanks the mans hand from Jacks wrist, carefully pushing the new waiter behind him. "don't go no where Snowflake, jus' stay behind me." Aster says. Jack nods at him, clutching his injured wrist to his chest, and looking around him nervously. Aster glares at Pitch. "ye fuckin' dero. ye know not t' touch the red stickers. now get out." Aster snaps.

"or what?, Bunny man?" Pitch snorts.

"its pronounced Bunnymund, an I'm security t'night. so get out or I'll throw ya out." Aster snaps. Tooth comes running over.

"oh! what happened?" Tooth asks, worriedly.

"your brute won't get his hands off me!" Pitch snaps.

"he grabbed Snowflake and wouldn't let go." Aster growls, glaring Pitch down. Tooth looks at Jack, who is still clutching his wrist.

"sweetie?" Tooth asks, walking over to him. Jack pulls his injured wrist closer, looking up at her.

"he wouldn't let go." Jack mumbles. Tooth nods.

"get him out of here." Tooth orders, before putting an arm around Jacks shoulders gently and leading him away. "can you tell me what happened?" Tooth asks.

"he wouldn't let go." Jack repeats. Tooth nods a little.

"what happened before that?" Tooth ask.

"he kept following me. I turned around and pointed to my sticker, I told him to fuck off just like you told me to. he got mad and he grabbed me. he wouldn't let go." Jack mumbles. she brings him to the back room and sits him on a chair. Jack chokes immediately. "I'm so sorry." Jack sniffles.

"honey don't be sorry, its not your fault." Tooth soothes.

"hey, is he okay?" Aster asks, heading over for them quickly.

"he will be. Jack do you want to go home for the night?" Tooth asks. Jack shakes his head no quickly.

"I can't... I can't Tabitha. I-I need this job." Jack says quickly. Tooth frowns a little.

"well, I don't feel right about sending you back out there like this." Tooth frowns. Aster frowns, watching the two. he frowns and walks over to Jack, holding his hand out for Jack to shake. Jack looks hesitant.

"names Aster. Aster Bunnymund. most people call me Bunny." Aster says. Jack hesitantly shakes his head.

"Jack Overland, Tooth calls me Jack Frost... everyone up here calls me-" Jack starts.

"Snowflake." Aster snorts. Jack gives a hesitant smile. "well Snowflake. looks like ye need a little more guarding than the rest of the building. how do ya feel about a personal security guard?" Aster ask.

"wh-what? no! I-I can't you're here for fun." Jack says quickly.

"he's here as a security guard." Tooth soothes. "and I think its a good idea, Aster." Tooth ask.

"what do ya think Snowflake?" Aster asks.

"you won't let anyone grab me?" Jack asks. Aster shakes his head.

"I'll throw them out the same way I did Pitch." Aster assures.

"and you don't mind...?" Jack asks.

"wouldn've offered if I did." Aster assures.

"and... you won't touch me?" Jack asks.

"not unless I'm pullin'ya away from another creep." Aster assures.

"and you won't leave me?" Jack asks, hesitantly. Aster shakes his head.

"not fer a second. not while yer on the clock." Aster assures. Jack seems to think if over, before nodding.

"y-yeah. I'd like that. thanks." Jack murmurs quietly. Aster nods at him, smirking.

"alright, ya ready t' get back out there?" Aster asks. Tooth holds out a drink tray to Jack.

"if you change your mind and need to go home, I'll get you a taxi." Tooth assures.

"taxi?" Aster huffs. "nah. taxi's aren' safe Tooth, not fer yer workers, ya know that. I'll give ya a ride to yer home if'n ya need me too. make sure ya get home safe." Aster assures. Tooth looks over at him confused, before a smile comes to her face. one of her oldest friends has definately fallen for this young, beautiful, man.

"okay." Jack mumbles, getting up. "thanks again." Jack mumbles.

"no worries Snowflake." Aster smiles, watching him take the tray.

he follows the younger man out and to the bar. he keeps distance, just enough for Jack to be comfortable and have breathing room. Jack stays within arm reach though, anytime he gets out of Asters reach, he freezes immediately until Aster catches back up. it only takes twice for Aster to realize whats going on and he keeps a close distance.

the night goes by easily. with a 6'1 wall of muscle following him, plus several other customers having seen the incident, no one dares mess with Jack.

Jack, once dressed, sits down once the bar is closed, looking through his tips, he'd made nearly $300 tonight. he looks over at Aster, the man is standing guard to the backroom, not only for Jack but for everyone. if there's any trouble he'll step in with no problems, so everyone can get dressed without issue. Aster is talking to Tooth again, a large smirk on his face.

"how can I convince you to come be security for him until he's comfortable? how much do you want?" Tooth asks.

"y'know I only charge a hundred bucks a night Tooth. jus' fer security." Aster assures.

"yeah well, now you're a personal security guard. $200 or $300?" Tooth asks.

"m'not takin' more than a hundred." Aster assures.

"but-" Tooth starts.

"don' argue with me. I ain' takin' more. my duties ain' changed much. jus' get me his schedule so I know when to be here." Aster assures. Tooth nods slightly, handing him some cash before wondering off.

"um... Bunny..?" Jack asks, hesitantly. Aster straightens and turns around.

"Snowflake." Aster smiles at him.

"here." Jack says. he's holding out some money to Aster. the man steps back shaking his head.

"not takin' yer tips Jack." Aster assures.

"you protected me all night. I feel like I owe you." Jack mumbles.

"y'don'. I was doin' m'job." Aster assures.

"but-" Jack tries.

"no. I won' take it from Tooth an I certainly won' take it from ye." Aster assures. "now do y' need a guard to yer car?" Aster asks.

"I-I can't drive." Jack says, face flushing.

"okay well, if ye want, I can take ye home." Aster assures.

"I-I can't ask you to do that." Jack frowns.

"yer not askin'. I'm yer personal security guard. how would I be a good bodyguard if I let ye walk home or get a taxi?" Aster asks. Jack looks hesitant. "I can get ya a taxi if'n ye want." Aster says.

"I... I don't like cars. they give me anxiety." Jack admits. Aster raises an eye brow.

"how far away ya live?" Aster asks.

"about a 10 minute walk." Jack mumbles.

"alright, c'mon, m'walkin' ya home then." Aster says.

"can I pay you for that?" Jack asks.

"no." Aster says.

"but you have to walk all the way back here for your car..." Jack says.

"I didn't actually park here. I parked at my shop, its just a 15 minute walk from here." Aster says.

"your shop?" Jack asks. he pauses to think before perking up. "oh my god. Aster Bunnymund, you... oh you own Asters : Asters and Ink, don't you?" Jack asks. Aster nods.

"jump started as a flower shop back in the day, but now its, obviously, got a tattoo shop added on. flowers on the weekdays, tattoos on the week nights." Aster snorts.

"oh wow, thats right down the road from my apartment." Jack says. Aster pauses a moment, before frowning.

"huh, ye live in Sanderson apartments?" Aster asks. Jack nods slightly. Aster laughs. "small world. I'm on floor 6." Aster snorts. Jack grins.

"hey me too." Jack laughs.

"oh yeah?" Aster asks. "what apartment?" he ask.

"why? gonna come in and secure the place before you let me go in?" Jack teases.

"I might." he snorts. Jack laughs.

"317." Jack says.

"yer jokin." Aster says.

"huh?" Jack asks.

"yer me new neighbor?" Aster ask. Jack looks more confused.

"315." Aster says. Jack immediately laughs.

"so you're the angry Aussie I hear shouting at the tv sometimes." Jack laughs.

"Oz ain' doin' too good in football this year." Aster frowns. Jack laughs again, pulling his Jack around himself.

"man is getting cold outside. maybe we'll get snow." Jack grins.

"I hope not. I ain' built for the cold." Aster huffs.

"thats the only thing you're not built for." Jack mutters under his breath.

"hmm?" Aster ask. Jack shakes his head, laughing.

"bet you don't get much snow where you're from." Jack grins.

"nah, not really." Aster snorts. he opens the apartment door building and lets Jack in, following the smaller to the elevator. "so that idiot at the club, he seemed to know ya. he made a couple comments as I kicked him out." Aster says. Jack tenses, looking away.

"we had... a small fling when I was 19. he's refused to let go of me ever since... " Jack mutters. he rubs his sore wrist slightly.

"did he have a habit of hurting you?" Aster asks. Jack nods.

"he was pretty abusive. thats why I left..." Jack trails. he curls in on himself. "and he was not happy to see me there." Jack frowns.

"does he know where ya live?" Aster asks. Jack shakes his head.

"no I just moved in." Jack assures. they step out of the elevator and head down the hall, pausing when they see Jacks ajar door. both tense

"ye sure about that?" Aster asks.

"no..." Jack trails. Aster frowns, pulling his keys out of his pocket. he unlocks the door to his apartment.

"get in." Aster murmurs. Jack seems hesitant, but does eventually enter. Aster closes the door behind them and heads for his room. Jack stands awkwardly by the door, until Aster comes back. he hands Jack his cell phone. "call the cops, I'll be right back." Aster frowns. Jack takes the phone nervously. "and go hide in me room." Aster adds. Jack nods and runs off to hide.

he wastes no time, throwing himself into the bathroom in Asters room and then into the closet, calling 911.

the last time he'd encountered his ex, Pitch had put him in the hospital for leaving him. he'd been beaten pretty badly.

Jack isn't sure how long he waits in the closet, before he hears someone calling his name.

"Jack?" Aster calls, looking around. "Jack!" he shouts louder. he's getting nervous now, had Pitch managed to get to the younger man while he was scouting out his trashed apartment? "Jack!" Aster shouts. he runs into the bathroom. "Jack!" Aster shouts.

"Aster?" Jack calls quietly, peaking out of the closet. Aster relaxes immediately.

"crikey kid ye scared me." Aster mutters, walking over quickly to hug the smaller. Jack stiffens. Aster pulls back and sighs. "bad news is, he was in yer apartment and its trashed, good news is, cops are lookin' fer 'im." Aster adds.

"yeah, great." Jack mutters.

"whats wrong?" Aster asks.

"I can't afford to move again." Jack mumbles.

"move? ye can' move. how am I supposed to keep an eye on ye if ye move?" Aster akss. Jack looks confused.

"but he was-" Jack starts.

"we change yer locks. I'll fix yer door. we'll get everything fixed up, cleaned up. it'll be alright." Aster murmurs. Jack sighs.

"I guess I should go get some clothes. can... you come with me? I need my phone and clothes. I gotta call Tabitha... she and Nick have been letting me stay with them." Jack mumbles.

"we'll get ya some clothes an ye can stay here until we get yer place fixed up." Aster assures.

"h... here..?" Jack asks. Aster nods.

"yeah I got a pull out couch, won't hurt me t' sleep on it a few days." Aster assures.

"excuse me? I-I can't kick you out of your bed..." Jack says.

"it'll be fine. ye've had a hard night. c'mon. we'll get some of yer clothes and ye'll just stay here." Aster assures. Jack seems hesitant but does go with the bigger man.

Jack lays awkwardly in Asters bed, in his pjs. Aster had let him shower, fed him dinner, called Tooth to let her know what happened, and curled up on the pull out bed, leaving Jack to lay in his bed. it was warm, comfy, the best bed Jacks ever slept in. he still felt guilty and jumpy though. he lays in the bed for nearly three hours before getting up. he wraps the blanket around himself and heads for the living room.

he swallows hard looking at Aster sleeping form, stretched out on one side of the pull out. Jack sighs to himself and lays on the other side, as far away from Aster as he can, curling up in a tight ball. he relaxes immediately, yawning and letting his eyes slip closed.

Aster had promised everything would be okay, and Jack felt safe around the stranger. Jack wholeheartedly believed in Asters words.