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Daffy watched Bugs intensely from across the room, as always, everyone surrounded the rabbit. He couldn’t blame them too much, he too was once drawn to the rabbit like a moth to the flame. The rabbit seemed happy, like a magician able to subdue the crowds and play them like a fiddle, while his gleaming eyes were inviting them to pursue him more, he was celebrating his last night being a bachelor, after all.
Daffy kept nursing his drink, the third one this far, he hated this feeling, Jealousy. He hated how everyone wanted the rabbit’s attention. While the rabbit kept his eyes on his soulmate, Lola, he noticed the rabbit taking sneak glances towards him, but he chalked it up to how tipsy he was becoming. The rabbit was just worried for his friend who barely knew anyone here.
Lola kept taking off her gloves at every new person approaching them to make sure everyone remembers she was Bugs’s soulmate. She, with a swift movement, took off the gloves again, and that unmistakable soulmark was revealed.
“Yeah, it looks weird. Have you gotten it checked?” Daffy said, putting another box on the ground.
“All my family had different color soulmark. It’s perfectly normal.” Bugs replied, putting on his glove again to cover the soulmark.
“First time I’m seeing a soulmark with an orange color.” Daffy said, taking a swig of water. He usually would have refused to help move boxes, but Bugs had offered to get them pizza, and Daffy, being a broke student, agreed.
“What about you doc?” Bugs asked with a smile.
“What about me?” Daffy said, tugging his pearl necklace a bit tighter.
“Can I see your soulmark?” Bugs said, fluttering his eyelashes, adding a sultry “Please.” At the end.
“If I didn’t know you, rabbit, I would have thought you were hitting on me,” Daffy said with a cocky smile.
“And what if I was? Would you show me?” Bugs said with a smile.
“Don’t get your hopes up bunny. I am a taken soulmate, and that is all you need to know.” Daffy said, stopping Bugs' next question. “And you need to stop putting your things on my bed.”
Bugs winked. “And what if I don’t wanna?”
The crowd was cheering as always. Bugs seemed happy even if his smile was a bit strained, his eyes kept wandering to meet Daffy’s, and Daffy lifted his drink to toast the happy couple.
Daffy wanted to go home back to his empty apartment, at least he would sit alone in silence instead of hearing the cheerful couples talking. Daffy always felt left out.
He was left out of his friends' group hangout ever since everyone had a soulmate. He felt left out when his co-workers talked about going home to their soulmate, and he most definitely felt left out at a wedding between two soulmates where one of them was his lover a few years ago, he wondered why he even came.
He felt like his life was misshapen, wrong, and somehow missing. He felt unnatural, like a freak of nature. He thought about his soulmate for a second, and a bang of pain came back.
“You never talk about your soulmate?” Bugs said, looking up at him from a book.
“You always find the worst timing,” Daffy said, continuing to write his essay. “This is due in like an hour. I need to focus. You and Porky refused to do it for me. I need a C to pass this course.”
“I told you, you should have registered with me to film theory we would have been partners, but you refused to wake up early to register.” Bugs smiled.
“Don’t start with me buck-tooth.” Daffy responded.
“Well, the faster you answer, the faster I will leave you alone.” Bugs said, “And you know I can be quite annoying.”
Daffy breathed, debating if it was worth it to hear Bugs talk nonstop for the next hour instead of finishing the essay. Despite how entertaining Bugs' stories are, he didn’t want to flunk this course. “Okay, you can ask-”
“I have so many questions, who are they-” Bugs started before Daffy cut him off.
“One question only.” Daffy said, not looking up from his laptop.
Bugs started to protest before he stopped, and he looked in deep thought. After a few minutes, Bugs finally said: “Why aren’t you together?”
“She passed away.” Daffy answered in a matter-of-fact way.
He wished Tina was still alive, maybe she would be here, maybe his life would be in a better shape. He always felt more confident and relaxed when she was with him.
He felt like she and Bugs would have been friends, there were very similar, both saw through him and enjoyed their time with him. He always wondered if he would have still fallen for Bugs if she were still alive. Daffy could never tell. Would Daffy be feeling happy today instead of this never-ending jealousy?
He looked out the window, it was a stormy night. He was sure it was going to rain tomorrow, but he doubted it would affect the wedding’s last-minute preparations since it would be held inside the villa close by.
The night reminded him of the last day he saw Tina. The call informing him she was in a terrible car accident and didn’t make it- he felt his world stop. The world took the best person on this earth and left him, and again the world was taking the best person on earth again on a similar night. Well, the world was consistent at least in showing him his terrible luck, he would toast to that for sure. He wanted to see when the waiter would finally cut him off.
“You are cut off, you are far too drunk.” The bartender said, “We need you to leave.”
“What do you mean I am too drunk? I am perfectly sober, you are discriminating against me cause I am a duck! That's what it is. You are now losing a valued customer! I will tell all my friends not to come here too!” Daffy said angrily.
“Do you want us to order you a taxi?” The bartender asked, ignoring Daffy’s accusations and ramblings.
“As I said, I am perfectly fine, I will walk home.” Daffy said, heading out. Along the way, he shoved someone, causing a bar fight, and after receiving a few hits, he managed to escape.
It was his soulmate’s Death anniversary, and like usual he found himself doing what he usually did, drowning his sorrows away. He had stumbled back to the dorm smelling like beer and blood, looking like he needed a bath.
He tried to be quiet when he had stumbled on his slippers and fell face first, waking up Bugs, who had been sound asleep. It’s not like Daffy told him about the death date if he knew he wouldn’t have left Daffy’s side.
“Daffy? I told you I had an earl-” Bugs stopped staring at Daffy’s face, red eyes from crying, covered in bruises, and Bugs couldn’t help but hug him.
Daffy tried to push him off, but Bugs stayed solid against him. Daffy slowly melted into his embrace, Bugs slowly patting his head with a whispered “It’s okay, you are gonna be okay. I am here.” Sleep finally visited him.
Bugs had organized a small trivia game area to his soulmate delight, the game was about who know the bride and groom the most and the winner would take a bottle of expensive champagne as a gift, Daffy had been drinking wine all night so a bottle of champagne seemed like a sweet change so he didn’t want to miss it.
“Daffy, you are joining that is amazing.” Lola said with a smile, “We get to find out today who knows Bugs more.”
Bugs shot Daffy an apologetic look, who just rolled his eyes.
“So, first question,” Bugs said, “What is my favorite food?”
“Carrots.” Both Daffy and Lola said.
“One point each,” Bugs said as Porky wrote it down.
The game continued head to head between Lola and Daffy, with Daffy trailing a bit behind. How would he know Bugs picked up embroidery in the last year? Porky and Petunia tried to answer some questions but barely could get two words in before giving up and watching from the sidelines.
“Last question for five points, which will decide who the winner is,” Bugs announced, noting the difference between Lola and Daffy was just three points, with Lola in the lead as expected. “So I kissed a lot of women and men when I was young, but when was my first real kiss with someone?” Bugs said, looking at Daffy as a challenge.
Lola said with a smile, “Probably with me, so July tenth, right?” to which he shook his head, staring at Daffy expectantly.
This question was meant for him, he knew it. Bugs always did this, give the faintest touch in the right spot, so Daffy can stay craving more. Remind him of the most innocent thing that led to them ending up in bed together, so it would look normal to others while Daffy sat frustrated in his seat, how he missed it.
“August twentieth,” Daffy stated it like a fact, and he watched Bugs' eyes grow softer, longing being reflected in them, he almost didn’t notice the daggers Lola was giving him, almost.
“You remembered,” Bugs said faintly, barely a whisper. Daffy would usually reply with always but he swallowed his words. He can’t be saying that, not with Bugs' wedding tomorrow. So Bugs simply turned the paper showing that it is the correct date.
“H-H-How did you know?” Porky finally asked.
Lola repeated suspiciously, “Yeah, how did you know?”
Daffy said casually, “It was when we were roommates. He told me everything.”
“Oh really? Then who was it?” Lola asked angrily.
Bugs cut them off. “Come on, sweetie, you know it’s in the past. You are my soulmate after all.”
“Oh Bun Bun!” Lola said smiling.
That hurt Daffy’s feelings, so he just went to take the champagne, not waiting for anyone to hand it to him. “Well, I earned that. Have fun with the rest of the trivia.”
“A-Aren’t you gonna p-p-participate in Lola’s round?” Porky said.
“I already won, I don’t need another bottle.” Daffy said, heading out, he honestly rather not see how much Bugs loved her, it would break his heart more.
“So, Bugs, truth or dare?” one of the girls asked.
“Mhm,” Bugs pretended to think, even though Daffy knew he always chose the same thing. “I think dare.”
It was August, so summer break was just starting for them. Daffy found himself at a house party, doing just a simple game of truth or dare, and as usual Daffy kept being skipped. He felt the only reason he was invited was that Bugs might come with him. This was getting too annoying. He was considering leaving, but he knew Bugs would follow him, ending the party. He didn’t want to be the partypooper.
He looked at Bugs, who was just dared to make out with the most attractive person in the room by one of the women who obviously liked him and just wanted the right to brag that he kissed her and thought she was the hottest person here.
Bugs simply smiled and, to Daffy’s horror, headed his way before sitting in his lap, straddling him. Daffy started with “What are-” before Bugs’s lips had captured his and the room melted alongside his protests. He felt like he was breathing for the first time.
Daffy took the bottle and stopped at the bathroom. He almost broke down on his way here and again questioned why he was here. Why was he invited? To torture him? Did Bugs want to rub it in his face that he was happier with a soulmate, while all Daffy had for himself was an empty apartment with no one to go home to?
Daffy had tried dating people like him whose soulmates are gone too, but it all went nowhere, they laughed too loud, too quiet, they smiled at him wrong, too shy sometimes, too flirty nothing like Bugs. They weren’t Bugs after all, they all paled in comparison to him.
Bugs haunts him, in every dream and in every waking moment, his earthy smell like early morning, his sweet taste like carrots that he always has on hand, and his soft warm kisses like he is holding the most precious thing in the world.
He threw some water on his face to stop his thoughts, he traced the water drop on his pearl necklace, his eyes falling to where the soulmark is hidden underneath. Its white color blended well with his necklace. He remembers how much Bugs kissed it, like if he kissed it enough, it would finally change to match his.
It had been one of the few times he had woken up to Bugs caressing his neck where the pearl necklace once was, without his usual gloves, he put his soulmark next to Daffy’s his face painted with deep frown on his face, like he was offended , like if he stared at it enough it would change to match Daffy’s but it could never.
Daffy had wished for that a thousand times, he doesn’t believe in anything, but he prays every night that they would one day wake up with a matching soulmark.
He took his lover's hand and kissed it gently, his kisses slowly climbing up until he captured his lips with his, forcing a smile to his lover’s face.
“Good morning, Bugsy baby.” Daffy said between painting his lover’s face with kisses.
“Oh, pet names, someone is eager this morning,” Bugs said, smiling into the kiss.
“For you, always.” Daffy said with a smile.
Daffy has finally managed to open the bottle of champagne. He stole a cup to drink from, they can say whatever they want about him but can’t call him premature. Slipping onto the empty balcony, it was starting to rain, so he knew people wouldn’t think of going to the balcony. He didn’t care about a little rain, he was a duck after all, and a little rain never hurt him.
He heard someone sneaking behind him, he breathed and said, “You know, Porky, I don’t have the energy to talk to you right now.”
A familiar voice replied, “Well, good thing I am not Porky.” He spun to face Bugs, the bunny looked apologetic. “Can I have some champagne?” he said, holding an empty glass.
“And here I thought you would have won the other bottle.” Daffy stated, but nevertheless poured into Bugs’ cup.
“I let her maid of honor win. I don’t need a bottle of fancy champagne.” Bugs said with a smile.
“How noble of you.” Daffy said sarcastically before pointing out, “And yet here you are trying to get some from my bottle.”
“Well, it tastes better when it is from you.” Bugs said, flashing him a flirty smile, forcing a blush into Daffy’s face.
Daffy buried his feelings. “Why are you here?”
“Wanted to talk to you before the wedding, Doc.” Bugs said like it was a matter of fact.
“About?” Daffy said lifting his eyebrows.
“I haven’t heard from you in so long, even Porky has no news about you. It feels like you are ignoring us.” Bugs said with a joking smile, “I just wanted to check up on you. How are you doing?” Bugs said with a worried expression.
“The typical, life goes on, and work never ends.” Daffy said casually.
“Obviously, I saw you haven’t put on a plus one on your RSV.” Bugs said, trying to sound worried, but Daffy could hear the joy hidden underneath. “Aren’t you dating anyone currently?”
“Adding salt to the wound, very unlike you.” Daffy said coldly, backing away from the balcony.
“You know that’s not what I meant. You know I just want you to find someone as I did. Be happy.” Bugs said, holding Daffy’s arm to stop him from leaving.
“Can I ask you a question?” Daffy asked, trying to stop Bugs from noticing how his heart fluttered at his warm touch, a touch he hadn’t felt in so long.
“You just did doc.” Bugs said with a smile, to which he received a nasty look from Daffy, which caused him to smile more. “Of course”.
“Are you truly happy?” Daffy asked.
Bugs stared at him, dropping his arm, saying quickly, “Yes, of course, I am with my soulmate. That is what true happiness is.”
Daffy smiled, draining the rest of his cup. “I am glad. That is what I wished for.”
“Of course, so I will see you tomorrow at the wedding.” Bugs said, backing away.
“Sure.” Daffy lied.
“Promise?” Bugs said hopefully, looking back at him from the balcony’s entrance.
“I promise.” Daffy said, he really needed to go home and sleep off this night.
“Why have you been hiding this from me?” Daffy said angrily.
“Because it doesn’t matter.” Bugs replied, walking faster to match his lovers
“But she is your soulmate, damn, she is even one hundred percent your type.” Daffy said upset.
“Why are you like this Daff? I told you many times, soulmates don’t matter to me.” Bugs said pleading.
“Look, I don’t want you to have regrets. If this girl Lola is your soulmate, then you should go for it,” Daffy said.
“I don’t care if she is my soulmate.” Bugs again stated.
“I do. I know what it is like to lose them, and it destroyed me. I…. I can’t stop you from the chance to get to know yours.” Daffy stated like it is a fact.
“But I am happy with you. I don’t care what she could offer. She can’t offer me this.” Bugs said, holding Daffy’s hands before planting a kiss on his lips. “I am happy, here, now.”
“But are you truly happy? Being with your soulmate gives you true happiness I can’t give you.” Daffy said, pulling away from Bugs’s touch, he breathed heavily, thinking about his next sentence. “Look, this whatever between us has lasted way long enough as is. I think we should end it.”
Bugs was shocked, his eyes went through a lot of emotions at once before he whispered, “I don’t want this to end. I love you.”
“This relationship has always had an expiration date, and it has arrived. I can’t love you anymore.” Daffy said, holding down his emotions, clean-cut, he reminded himself.
“Coward” Bugs finally said before storming out.
“What are you doing here Bugs? It’s your wedding day?” Daffy said.
“You weren’t there. You promised, and you weren’t there.” Bugs said, sounding upset, pleading, “I waited for you today like I have been waiting for you ever since you left. You haunt me like a sweet melody I can’t forget. And despite everything, you weren’t there.” Bugs said.
Daffy started saying something when Bugs cut him off.
“No, No, let me finish. You asked me yesterday if I am truly happy,” Bugs started, “and these past few years I managed to fool myself into believing I was, push our memories deep down inside a corner in my heart, locking it and refusing to visit it, I thought with time the box would disappear. Then you strolled in and, like a hurricane, opened it, forcing it to fill every inch of my heart.”
“I am so-”
“Let me finish.” Bugs interrupted Daffy, who clicked his bill closed. “And I loved every minute of it. Whatever I felt for you was stronger, sweeter, and purer. It wasn’t an unknown entity forcing us to be together, it was just me and you wanting to be together despite everything.” Bugs continued, “Despite every brain cell in my body wanting her, my heart only wants you. You haunt my every waking moment, your scent, your smile, your laugh, your eyes. When I go to sleep, and you're still there in every dream of mine like you never left, I never want to wake up because that's where you still love me. And then I look into your eyes, and you treat me like I am nothing to you, like a touch from you won’t cause me to abandon everything. I have been holding my breath ever since you left, I can’t keep doing this forever.” Bugs said, kneeling like he was about to beg.
“I love you and always have and always will. Tell me you think of me sometimes. Tell me you are haunted by me as much as you haunt me?” Bugs said, tears dripping down his face.
“She is still your soulmate, it is still your wedding day.” Daffy said, trying to hold himself together. He couldn’t let Bugs throw away his chance of true happiness to be with him.
“I left, I couldn’t say it, not to her. It doesn’t matter who my soulmate is. You are the only one for me, you are my only ‘I do’ in this lifetime, in every lifetime.” Bugs said with tears running down his neck. Daffy was tearing up too, and he couldn’t help but lift Bugs' head, brushing his tears away.
“What if you regretted it one day? What if I died and left you alone in the world? What if we got sick of each other and broke up? What if this is your only chance with your soulmate?” Daffy said, he can’t let his beloved make this mistake.
“It doesn’t matter what happens. You are it for me, you have always been it for me. And if you ever leave me then every second you have given me was worth it. Tell me what you want.” Bugs said with a sad smile.
Daffy kissed him deeply, he felt like he could breathe for the first time in so long. Their kiss tasted salty, with both their tears mixed. “Stay with me forever,” Daffy whispered it so quietly, so vulnerably, only for Bugs' ears to hear it so sweetly, like a promise, an oath between them.
Bugs couldn’t say no to his beloved.