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The coffee warmed him as he took sip after sip, the local newspaper keeping him occupied from staring out the window at his daft roommate every few seconds. It was a rather dull paper, the ‘breaking news’ section featuring some grand wedding about who knows who and a car accident that left only a small dent in its wake. Below the story a giant insurance ad was on display and the rabbit chuckled at the irony.
Finishing the paper, he set it down and peered back out the window. Daffy was currently fixing his parade float. It was beyond Bugs of why Daffy even had a parade float, it was bulky, non drivable, and parking spots took hours to find. But when asked, Daffy only responded with “I’m not normal.”But that wasn’t something Bugs could argue with, as Daffy proved everyday. And as Bugs watched, he found himself smiling at the duck’s antics.
He sighed and leaned against his elbow on the almond table as his eyes drifted to his kitchen. A long counter stretched from one side of the room to the other complete with a stove, fridge and blue countertops. A small ceramic carrot was etched into the walls above the stove and an island stood in the center of the room, clear of space. Best of all his prized appliance, his coffee maker standing proud and brewing another pot of the dark liquid.
Taking another glance outside at Daffy he saw his roommate mixing something together in a paint bucket. Yellow spilling over into the freshly cut grass. Hopefully it wasn’t poisonous. Taking another sip he watched the duck spill some onto his feathery hand and dramatically act as if he was dying. Panic ran through him at the loud dramatic scream heard through the window, he figured he’d better help the other before he dialed 911 and got them fined for using emergency services wrongfully again.
Setting his coffee down, he exited the house with a first aid kit in hand and ran across the lawn towards the duck who he hoped wasn’t poisoning himself or others. As he approached the other, he saw that he was struggling to get the paint off of his skin.
The rabbit worriedly spoke up, “What’s wrong Daf?”
"I can't get this blasted stuff off my hand! It's worse than glue," Daffy complained, trying to shake the yellow substance off his hand. His face contorted with irritation and a touch of panic.
"Oh, Brother," Bugs said, rolling his eyes. "It is super glue, Doc." He looked at the bucket and read the label, which clearly stated 'Acme Super Glue'. Daffy, in his usual haphazard fashion, had mistaken it for paint.
"Super glue?!" Daffy squawked in his typical dramatic fashion. He went on a small tirade about the dangers of mislabeling, the irresponsibility of the manufacturer, and the downfall of modern society. Bugs just shook his head, trying to contain his laughter, and reached out to help Daffy.
"Alright, alright, calm down, Daf. Let me see your hand," Bugs said, extending his own hand. As he was about to touch Daffy's, The duck lurched forward with an unhelpful, “Look right there do you see it,” and before Bugs could react, he found his hand sticking to Daffy's.
“Daffy!" Bugs exclaimed, looking in disbelief at their conjoined hands. His long ears drooped in exasperation. "Can't you go one day without causing a ruckus?"
Daffy, looking equally shocked, tried to pull his hand away, resulting in them doing a strange, ungainly dance across the lawn. "Well, this is a fine mess you've got us into, Bugs!" he retorted, his beak quivering with indignation.
"Me?!" Bugs countered, raising a brow. "You're the one who mistook super glue for paint, Doc!" He tried to keep the amusement out of his voice, but it was hard. The sight of Daffy, his feathers ruffled, beak agape, and hand stuck to his own, was simply too comical and strangely adorable?
"But I... well, you... never mind," Daffy spluttered, finally falling silent. He looked so forlorn that Bugs found himself chuckling despite the absurdity of their situation. He patted their stuck hands, much to Daffy's annoyance.
"Come on, Daf," Bugs chuckled, maneuvering them both through the door. "This is the most bonding we've done in ages."
Daffy rolled his eyes, trying to hide a smirk. "Ha. Ha. Very funny, Bugs. You're just enjoying this, aren't you?"
“Of course not, you’re free as a bird Daf,” Bugs pulled with emphasis and noticeable strength towards the kitchen counters. The flustered duck kept up a constant whine of discontent. The rabbit stopped, chuckling at the situation. For once, he really didn’t have any words. Their stuck hands seemed so right. Like they belonged.
"You know, Daffy," Bugs said, successfully opening a cabinet with their free hands. "This is the closest we've ever been, don't you think?"
Daffy huffed, but there was a light blush on his cheeks. “Oh shut up, just find something to get us unstuck.”
Bugs turned back to the cabinet and rummaged through it before finally grabbing a small pink bottle labeled 'nail polish remover'. Opening the top he used his free hand to rub some of the product onto their stuck hands. While the light liquid seemed to soften their grip slightly, the task still remained a difficult challenge. After ten minutes of tugging and pulling, both found themselves growing tired.
“I’m hungry,” Daffy groaned, tapping his fingers against his stomach.
“Yeah me too, we should grab some lunch,” Bugs suggested.
“Pizzariba?” Daffy offered, hopeful.
"I guess that works, come on,” he tugged Daffy along to the car. Wait how were they supposed to get in?
“Okay Daf you go in first and move over to the passenger seat, then I’ll get in and drive.”
Daffy nodded. "Right," he agreed, reluctantly letting go of his hands. “Just make sure you're driving slowly.”
As the engine started, Bugs turned to Daffy, who was fiddling with his necklace in his free hand. “Okay here’s what’s gonna happen, I’m gonna drive with both hands so I need you to reach over and find a way to sit comfortably.”
“Ugh, fine,” Daffy snipped, grumbling under his breath. He climbed over Bugs and sat in his lap, “Happy?”
Bugs was needless to say in shock, not only by Daffy’s sudden physical closeness but also because his arm was stuck around Daffy’s waist. “U-um… yeah? I guess?”
No matter how many years he'd known Daffy, he couldn't have imagined them ever sitting in such a way. But there he was, feeling a very unexpected surge of warmth flow throughout his body at the very proximity of being near the other. He could feel the overly perfumed duck’s feathers brushing against his chest slightly tickling him, but despite his slight discomfort he didn’t move.
With both of them now situated in the car, they drove slowly to the pizza place with thankfully no incidents, well aside from Daffy honking the horn and cursing loudly when someone passed them. And when he started road rage, and when he hit his head on the car roof from a speed bump and Bugs had to pull over to fix the panicked duck’s mess of hair. By the time they arrived at the restaurant they were starving.
As they walked into the restaurant, still conjoined by their hands, they were greeted by the quick darting figure of Speedy Gonzales. "Hey guys!" he greeted, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he spotted their stuck hands.
"Hi, Speedy," Bugs replied, his ears perking up in recognition.
"Ah, finally! I always knew you two would make a lovely pareja," Speedy exclaimed, his eyes darting between their joined hands and their flustered faces.
"Pareja?!" Daffy squawked, his beak dropping open in shock. "We're not... I mean, we didn't... We're not a couple, Speedy!"
Speedy's eyes widened in surprise, "Oh, lo siento! I did not mean to presume..." His apology was cut short by the sound of Bugs' laughter.
"No harm done, Speedy," Bugs said, shaking his head. "Just a little... mishap." He gave their conjoined hands a little shake for emphasis.
Throughout their meal, the pair sat in unusual silence, their stuck hands resting on the table, a constant reminder of their unintended 'couple' status. Every now and then, one would glance at their hands, then quickly look away, a blush creeping up their faces. The meal was consumed with minimal conversation, a stark contrast to their usual bickering banter.
After finishing their meal and bidding Speedy goodbye, they made their way back to the car in silence. The drive back was equally quiet, with Daffy sitting in the passenger seat instead this time and both very aware of their stuck hands. Daffy, for once, refrained from honking the horn or shouting at passing drivers. The usual road rage was replaced by a quiet contemplation. Their minds replayed memories of them together, if other people saw them as a couple, maybe that meant that they could actually be one. Perhaps they weren’t so different at all.
Daffy shook his head, scoffing quietly at his own thoughts. It wasn’t possible, that was absurd. There was no way that Bugs and he could be a couple. They were complete opposites, right? Different personalities, thought processes, likes and dislikes. How could they even be friends? That was laughable. Not to mention, Bugs’ perfect looks, charming personality, and wealth while Daffy was decidedly more... homely. All things considered, they were definitely not a match made in heaven. Maybe purgatory.
But even as he repeated those thoughts to himself over and over again, he couldn’t deny the fact that the bond they shared was interesting... They truly did seem like a couple to anyone watching. Even Speedy noticed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of uncomfortable silence, Bugs turned onto their street.
"Home sweet home, Daffy," Bugs smiled, parking in front of the house.
"Home indeed," Daffy flatly replied.
Making their way in the house, Daffy tried going upstairs to his room but found himself still stuck to his roommate. “I wanna go to bed, Bugs.”
“Oh, I mean it’s rather early but sure Daf, we can take dis stuff off tomorrow.” Bugs started up the stairs pulling Daffy along with him, “We’re gonna have to use my bed, yours is a twin size.”
Daffy made no comment, silently following his roommate up the stairs. Once they reached Bugs’s room, Daffy threw himself into the comfortable blankets and pulling Bugs with ease, breathing a sigh of relief. He felt the tension leave his body, making it sink into the sheets. A pleasant shiver ran down his spine as his feathers felt softer and less scratchy than normal.
Bugs tried to get as comfortable as he could, while still respecting the duck’s boundaries. He could still feel their hands interlocked, the small goosebumps they created giving him an unexpected thrill. Finally relaxing, he turned to the other side of the bed, “Night, Daf.”
Daffy shifted uncomfortably, attempting to burrow deeper into the covers. “Mhm… night Bugs.”
The next morning dawned with the familiar early darkness still enveloping the house. Pale moonlight slowly brightening to the sun, birds still silent. But only Bugs stirred awake, blinking his eyes open, they grew wide at the scene before him. Daffy was sprawled out in bed beside him, sleeping soundly. They were no longer in the same position they had slept in last night, but instead they were tangled together, Daffy spooned up in front of Bugs, being held close.
Bugs could feel the duck’s heartbeat against his chest, thumping softly while Daffy inhaled and exhaled evenly, his steady breaths calming Bugs down. His arm was wrapped around Daffy’s torso, their hands still entwined, tightly pressed together under the covers.
He watched as Daffy shifted on his side, eyes slowly fluttering open. His breath caught in his throat as he gazed into Daffy’s beautiful green eyes. As their gazes locked together, a soft flush appeared on Daffy’s cheeks and he bit his lip shyly. In response, Bugs stared deeply into the duck’s emerald eyes, trying to memorize every aspect of his face, the texture of his feathers, the warmth of his body.
Without breaking eye contact, Daffy grabbed hold of Bugs and pulled him closer, running his hand through his messy hair and pushing his forehead against Bugs’s chest. “It’s too early to get up.”
For a moment neither spoke, they just enjoyed each other’s presence. Daffy had woke several times during the night and struggled to find a position where he wouldn’t feel their fingers wrapped, the feeling now suddenly all present as he was pressed against the rabbit. Bugs reached out, stroking Daffy’s back softly, leaning in to kiss the duck lightly on the forehead. He pulled away after a few seconds, keeping eye contact, his thumb gently tracing their glued hands.
Daffy looked up, peeking into Bugs’s eyes, “We really shouldn’t be doing this.”
Bugs breath hitched, “Why not.”
“This is... completely inappropriate.” Daffy replied, taking a deep breath. “You’re my roommate, my best friend. And I think... maybe... I’m falling in love with you. This is wrong, you don’t want anything to do with me, and I can’t afford to fall for you.”
Bugs listened, his heart pounding in his chest as Daffy confessed his feelings. His ears pricked up at the words 'falling in love', and he found himself holding his breath.
"Daf," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're right. You're my best friend, my roommate. But you're wrong about one thing." He paused, meeting Daffy's gaze with a soft, determined look. "I'm not opposed to having something to do with you. Quite the opposite, in fact."
Daffy's eyes widened, his beak falling open slightly as he processed Bugs' words. "But... You... I..." He stuttered, struggling to form a coherent sentence.
Bugs chuckled lightly, reaching out to gently stroke Daffy's cheek. "I think... I think I've been falling for you too, Daf. I just didn't realize it until now."
Silence fell over them as they both absorbed the gravity of their confessions. Daffy's eyes were wide, and he seemed to be in a state of shock. Eventually, a small smile tugged at the corners of his beak.
"What does this mean?" Daffy asked quietly, nervously tracing small touches against Bugs’ chest.
Bugs smiled warmly at the timid duck. "I think we should find out, don't you?"
Daffy laughed softly, unable to contain his enthusiasm any longer. Throwing himself at Bugs, wrapping his arms around the bunny's neck. Before he could fully react, Daffy was kissing him over and over. It was awkward, clumsy, full of passion and pure happiness.
"Do you think it'll stick?" Daffy whispered between kisses.
Bugs laughed softly, "I think so, Daf. I think so."