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It shouldn’t feel like such a big deal – not after Jack winning the Cup, not after kissing on national television, not after taking pictures with the pride flag at the Falconers’ parade and celebrating their victories with their teams – but the fact stands:
Even though this is far from their first date, and they’re just going to watch a silly movie, it’s still their first official date in public and Bitty is excited.
The only other public date he’s been on had been to Annie’s last year and he’d made up an excuse to leave within an hour. This date couldn’t be more different.
For one thing, it’s with Jack. Everything's better when it’s with Jack, from classes to napping to Cup parties. For another he and Jack are holding hands. Full on fingers laced together, thumbs rubbing along the backs of palms, holding hands. In public. Bitty could just about vibrate out of his skin with happiness at the simple gesture. They get to be in the world and belong to each other. No more (well, way less) women hitting on Jack while Bitty bites his tongue, swallows his complaints, slaps the world’s fakest grin on his face and takes a picture for their Instagram.
Now Bitty gets to interrupt conversations when Jack is feeling uncomfortable with a soft hand on his arm, a quick kiss to his cheek. Bitty gets a kiss hello at the train station instead of having to wait until they’re behind closed doors. Jack doesn’t have to look around, hunted, when he wants to tuck Bitty under his arm and keep him close as they browse their favorite farmer’s market stalls or browse the local art fairs.
The sheer relief at not having to second-guess every public action is incredible. More than that – it’s a miracle.
So it was dead simple to say yes when Jack asked if he wanted to go see the new Ghostbusters movie.
“It’s a date, sweetpea.”
Those words had called forth one of the biggest grins Bitty had ever seen on his boyfriend’s face. Jack had beamed all through having Bitty visit his apartment last summer, but that trip had been so carefully and thoroughly private, even from their friends. Jack had been ecstatic after winning the cup, and had smiled like a loon at the parade, but he’d also been utterly exhausted and hungover in turn.
Now he’s well-rested, relaxed, and is looking at Bitty like he hung the moon and maybe even a few of the stars. It’s a heady feeling.
“Yeah bud, it is a date,” Jack said before swooping down and kissing him soundly.
They link fingers after Jack locks the apartment door and Bitty feels the thrill in his stomach at the contact. It still feels like they're getting away with something nefarious.
They continue their conversation about Jack’s preseason schedule and tips for Bitty’s first practice as captain and what they need to get for lunch tomorrow, and the whole time their fingers stay tangled together and— It’s just so blissfully normal that Bitty almost can’t stand it.
“Two for Ghostbusters at three, please.”
“Any preferences on seating?”
“Back half, as close to the center as you can get us.”
“Back row okay?”
Bitty feels his cheeks heat, but nods when Jack glances down at him to check.
“Sure.”
“That’ll be thirty-two even.”
Jack’s lip quirks as he hands over his card, but waits till they’ve moved away from the ticket counter to mutter, “Good thing I just got that Cup bonus, eh, Bits? The last time I went to the movies—
“—tickets were a nickel?”
“And in black and white, yeah,” Jack deadpans, but his eyes are twinkling.
“You’ll survive, I’m sure,” says Bitty, “But I won’t, not without an ICEE and more popcorn than my meal plan approves of. D’you want anything?”
“Oh hey, they have chicken tend—”
“You are a heathen—”
“I’m kidding, Bits – just water and some popcorn.”
“I’ll get a big bucket and we can share, then.”
“Yeah that – that sounds great.” Jack’s voice sounds a little choked.
Bitty peers curiously at his boyfriend. “You okay, sweetpea?”
“Yeah, just.” He clears his throat, eyes suspiciously bright. “I didn’t ever think I’d get moments like this, you know? Either the fame would make going out to a movie a huge production, or I’d have to hide any relationship that wasn’t with a woman, or – or I wouldn’t ever meet anyone who’d want to date me, let alone love me.”
His smile, when he meets Bitty’s eyes again, is heartbreaking, and Bitty can’t help but reach out and stroke Jack’s arm and offer what comfort he can. “So the fact that the two of us are here, on a date, in love, and we don’t have to hide? It’s basically everything I could have ever wanted.” He tugs Bitty in for a hug, resting his chin on the top of Bitty’s head.
“I’m so much better than okay.”
Bitty hides his sniff in Jack’s chest. “Me too, Jack, me too.” Jack’s arms come around his waist and hold on tight, making the two of them gently sway for a moment. Bitty takes a deep breath to steady himself and shoves playfully at his boyfriend’s shoulder, determined to go into the movie tear-free.
“Now then. Jack Laurent Zimmermann, I swear on Moomaw’s apple pie recipe, if you make me cry any more in an AMC theater—”
“Well, you wouldn’t be the only one.”
“No matter,” Bitty says, wiping his eyes furiously. “Focus Zimmermann – we’ve got previews to watch and popcorn to share.”
He tugs Jack by the wrist towards the concessions with a smirk over his shoulder. “Plus we’re in the back row, so who knows what else might happen.”
Jack’s face looks like he just got hit into the boards when he realizes the significance of back row seats at a movie theater. But then he shifts his hand so their fingers are entwined once again, and shoots Bitty a smirk of his own.
“Lead the way, Bits.”