Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, nor the Guardians of Childhood.
The Mating Habits of the Magnificent Pooka
by Sirenfox
Jack was sitting in Jamie's room floating just above the boy's bed, lounging on his back as he watched a little frost bunny hop around the room.
He'd gotten bored outside, what with the warm spring sunshine and all the children tucked away in classes. So it was only natural for him to gravitate towards his best friend's house and he'd been waiting for the two Bennett children to return home from school for what felt like forever - but was more then likely closer to a few minutes.
He was just slipping into a light doze when the front door slammed open and loud chatter from the sibling's floated up to Jack.
Footsteps pounded over the floorboards quickly, heading up the stairs and within seconds Jamie burst into the room, dropping his bright red backpack on the floor by the door.
It didn't take him long at all before he spotted Jack, who was now floating by the open window.
"Jack!" Jamie beamed in surprised delight. "I wasn't expecting you. What are you doing here?"
Jack grinned playfully, slipping onto the window seal, his toes curling over the edge and leaned heavily on his staff which curved about a foot over the top of his head.
"What? I can't visit my best friend, now? Are you too old to hang out with Jack Frost anymore?" He teased, only half joking.
Jamie had grown up so quickly, Jack couldn't visit him as often as he'd like and it seemed like only yesterday he'd been throwing snowballs at Cupcake and cross-town sledding.
Jamie was seventeen now and almost a man. He was already taller then Jack, though that wasn't hard since he only stood at a disappointing five foot seven. Jack was always worried that the next time he popped up in Burgess his first Believer wouldn't believe anymore.
It was a terrifying thought, one Jack didn't like to dwell on.
Jamie snorted, flopping down on his bed. "Naw. You're still cool." Then he paused dramatically before laughing up a storm at his rather lame pun.
Jack chuckled, not really finding the joke funny, but feeling obliged to acknowledge it anyway.
The little frost bunny decided it didn't like being ignored and hopped determinedly into Jack's lap and stared up at him with expectant snowflake-blue eyes.
Jack grunted in surprise but obediently began scratching the creature's ears. The bunny collapsed against Jack's bent knees and just lay there, soaking up the attention.
Jamie stared at him in amusement before narrowing his eyes at the rabbit. "Wait…" He started, "Is that…?" Kicking his feet off the bed he sat up to get a closer look.
Jack eyed the boy suspiciously, pulling the bunny up for a defensive cuddle.
Jamie barked out a laugh, "It is!" He crowed, "You actually made a frost Bunny!"
The winter sprit huffed, "I've made lots of frost bunnies." He pouted, pretending he hadn't heard the capital "B" in his friend's words.
"Ah, come on Jack. Just admit it. You like Bunny. You want to kiss him." Jamie sang.
Jack felt frost creeping up his neck and over his suddenly pink cheeks. "Shut up." He demanded, throwing a pencil at the boy and hoping his growing blush wasn't very noticeable. "I don't know what you're yammering about."
Jamie cracked up, falling backward on the bed and laughing so hard he looked like he was having a seizure. "You even talk like him now!" He giggled to the embarrassed frost spirit.
Frostbunny nudged Jack's jaw affectionately, causing his flush to deepen. The gentle frost dusting his cheeks iced over turning into shinny little crystals.
Jamie laughed harder.
"What on Earth are you cackling about now?" Sophie demanded, poking her little blond head into the room. She spotted Jack instantly and let out an excited squeak. "Jack!" She exclaimed happily, scrambling across the room to fling herself at Jack, who jumped to his feet in alarm, dropping the little magical bunny onto the floor to scamper out of the way.
Sophie tackled the surprised guardian with a full body hug. Jack grunted, struggling to catch the girl who instantly wrapped both arms and legs around him clinging onto him like an overly affectionate koala. "Hey Sophie." He gasped out as he fought to keep his balance.
Despite the crazy circumstances he savored every second of contact. He rarely ever interacted with children who believed in him and he still half expected them to pass right through him. Three hundred years of neglect and invisibility were difficult to shake.
After a few, too short, moments Sophie pulled back, easily extracting herself from Jack's embrace and turned on her older brother.
Jack was reluctant to let her go, but dutifully dropped his hand's to his side and retreated back onto the window seel. Shortly after he'd sat down Frostbunny hopped back into his lap and snuggled against his neck.
"What's so funny Jamie?" The little girl demanded, her two tiny hands planted firmly on her skinny little hips in a clear imitation of her mother.
It was so adorable that Jack had to smother a laugh behind his hand.
His soft amusement turned into burning embarrassment when Jamie conquered his own mirth long enough to squeak out a quick, "Jack loves Bunny!" In true teenage-drama fashion.
There was a tension filled moment of horrified silence before Sophie started screaming bloody murder.
Frostbunny dove into a pile of questionably clean clothing on the floor under the window and Jack was on his feet in seconds flat -staff brandished in frost of him and sparking defensively. Wide blue eyes scanned every inch of the room in search of anything nefarious.
Sophie continued to squeal shrilly as she bounced around in a tight circle, her feet stamping the ground excitedly and her arms wiggling up and down in a funny little gig, pointer fingers waving in all directions as she danced.
Jack's defenses lowered in confusion as he eyed the strange child. What in Mim's name was she doing?
Without warning, Sophie lunged out of her bizarre ritual and dove at Jack again, not at all concerned about Jack's weapon and magic.
Jack was caught completely by surprise, the small teen's momentum knocking him to the floor. Sophie landed heavily on his chest, stealing the breath from his lungs and leaving him dazed.
Jack lay on the floor staring at Sophie in confusion, Jamie's cackling was ringing in his ears as he gasped for breath.
Sophie was heavier then he remember her being. She was a solid weight on his stomach, pinning him to the hard floor.
He hadn't even gotten his breath back before she gasped out another ear piercing shriek and jumped to her feet. Jack gasped, sparkling white stars swirling across his vision as Sophie's hands dug into his solar plexus ridding him of what little air he possessed, as she used the spirit as a springboard.
Jack lay where he had fallen, gaping like a fish out of water and wondering just what happened.
He listened to Sophie's stocking clad feet pitter-patter across the room before she crashed into the squeaky chair situated in front of Jamie's computer. Her momentum spun the seat in a wild circle before she jerked herself to a stop and started hammering on the keyboard.
He must have been down longer than he thought because Jamie's face popped into existence above him. "You alright?" The teen asked, an amused smirk curling his lips up devilishly - Just when had sweet innocent little Jamie learned to smirk?-
It was weird.
"Yeah." Jack assured him as he sat up slowly his bright blue eyes focused unblinkingly on the little girl. Jack sat up slowly and stared at Sophie, still chattering on in an excited voice. Was she talking to herself? Because Jack couldn't understand a word she was saying. Sure it sounded like English, but he was certain it was another language completely. "She do this often?" He asked curiously.
Jamie chuckled at the question as he led the way to stand at his sister's side. "You get used to it." Was all he said by way of explanation, leaning down to get a good look at the computer monitor.
Jack hesitated a moment longer before curiosity got the better of him and he moved to get a look for himself.
He immediately wished he'd kept his nose out of it as his cheeks frosted over and his jaw dropped in shock.
"Rabbit mating habits." Jamie read aloud.
Jack squeaked, stumbling away from the siblings so fast he tripped over his own staff and went crashing into the floor next to the pile of clothes Frostbunny had been hiding in.
"What are you doing?" He asked in a panic.
Sophie looked over her shoulder at him and Jack could only describe her expression as evil
Pure evil.
Jack glanced over at Jamie and gulped, a foreboding feeling in his sinking stomach.
This was humiliating. How had he ever let those kids talk him into this?
"It's perfect." Sophie cooed, fluffing Jack's thick silver hair.
"It's stupid." Jack countered sullenly, his arms crossed over his chest uncomfortably.
As a winter spirit Jack didn't get cold -ever- but that didn't mean he wanted to traipse around wearing nothing but a smile.
That's certainly what it felt like he was doing now as he nervously reached down to tug at the flimsy blue cloth draped around his hips. The movement cause one long white furry ear to flop down into his eyes.
He huffed in irritation, tossing his head in hopes that it would shove the …ear…back, but all it did was dislodge it's equally fluffy twin.
He glared out at Sophie from behind the ridiculous bunny ears. "One more thing." Sophie sang, hiding her hands behind her back. Jack narrowed his eyes suspiciously, not wanting to know what she was hiding, but knowing he was about to find out anyway.
"Turn around." Sophie instructed, a smug looking smile on her heart shaped face.
No. Definitely not. There was no possible way he would willingly turn his back on that conniving she-devil.
"Turn around Jack, or I'll tell Tooth you have a cavity." the little girl threatened.
Jack stared at her in stunned surprise, and even Jamie looked impressed.
"You wouldn't."
"Wouldn't I?" Sophie returned innocently. "Turn. Around. Jack."
Evil. This girl was pure evil.
Jack turned around, dreading whatever Sophie had planned. There was a slight tug on his only item of clothing, but before he could even begin to guess what she had done, something went flying passed him.
Whatever it was shattered against the floor, the shards of glass swirling into a colorful portal.
Jack barely had time to recognize the work of North's snow globes when something was shoved into his hands and he was pushed into the vortex.
***frostbunny***
Jack landed in an undignified heap in a field of emerald grass, white fluffy bunny ears obscuring his vision so he didn't see his staff whirl our of the portal to brain him in the back of the head moments before the gateway snapped shut.
Jack jerked his head back, flipping the annoying appendages out of his face as he glared at the now empty sky. "Sophie!" He yelled, even knowing perfectly well the girl wouldn't be able to hear him.
It made him feel better.
Grumbling in irritation under his breath Jack pushed himself to his feet and dusted himself off. Then he reached down to pick up his staff and froze.
Laying innocently next to his staff in a bed of soft green grass was a large bright orange carrot.
A carrot.
Seriously Sophie? That was the best you could come up with?
Annoyed Jack snatched his staff up and contemplated leaving the vegetable there to rot…but…well…Bunny might actually like such a thoughtful gift, and it was a clear sign that Jack was able to find food so hopefully that would appeal to his instincts.
Grudgingly, Jack reached down and plucked the carrot up as well. Then he straightened and finally looked at his surroundings.
He turned in a slow circle, eyes taking in the colors splattered through the field. A nest of pixies fluttered close by, shying away from his naturally cold temperature and eyeing him nervously, obviously put off by his sudden appearance in their midst.
In fact, the more Jack looked the more pixies he could see. Odd, because he didn't remember them being there the last time he was in the Warren. But maybe they'd just hidden when he showed up, they didn't seem to do so well in cold weather.
Ice blue eyes skipped over the fluttering creatures and up a steep incline where they locked with bright spring green. Jack felt his heart take a swan dive into the pit of his stomach.
Oh no.
***frostbunny***
If there was one thing Aster hated almost as much as Pitch it was Pixies. The little pests got into everything and if he wasn't careful they could ruin entire crops of googies and spoil the paint in the river. And that was always a mess to clean up.
He didn't like to admit he was in over his head, but he didn't really have any time to waste. Easter was only recently in the past and the sooner he got rid of the infestation the sooner he could begin preparations for next year.
North was the natural person to turn to, he was a wizard after all and probably had some spell he could use to help out.
That didn't mean Aster had to like it. But regardless of his disgruntled feelings he was standing with North on top of a hill that overlooked the fields he usually used for the googie seeds.
"Dis is bad." The big man admitted, hands on his hips as he watched the swarms of brightly colored pixies dive into a bag of seeds. Off to one side another swarm were chasing the remaining googies around the bright green plants.
Aster was only glad the newly 'born' googies weren't allowed to wander around the warren for at least a month. They were way to delicate right off the stem and he didn't want to even think what those monsters would do to them. He didn't have to worry so much for the older googies as they were much more sturdy (something that always helped when Easter came and they were suddenly faced with tidal waves of over eager children).
One of the googies had the sense to run over to hide behind Aster's paw and he growled at the pixie stupid enough to fly that close to him. "Everything was fine yesterday." He told North, "When I woke up this morning' they were bloody everywhere. They've chased away all the butterflies and the bees refuse to leave their hives."
North clapped Bunny on the shoulder, "No fear, my friend. We will fix dis."
Aster liked to act tuff, and although he'd never tell North, he was secretly relieved to have his help. If he'd had to contend to this disaster by himself it would have taken the longer portion of a month. Time he really didn't have to spare.
They didn't get a change to even think about starting when the air above the problem field rippled like water in a pond, opening into a portal.
The Guardian's caught a glimpse of a familiar room on the other end of said portal before someone was shoved through and the door swirled shut.
"Sophie!" The figure -who was fairly easy to recognize- screamed up at the empty sky.
Aster cast a confused look at North, who was sheepishly patting his empty pockets. The Easter Bunny rolled his eyes before focusing back on Jack. The boy was facing the opposite direction, which gave them a perfect view of the boy's attire.
Gone were the dark blue hoody and deerskin pants and in their place was a simple blue loincloth with a fuzzy white … tail?…perched high on the boy's behind. The boy's white hair was also a mess with two long droopy ears flopping out of the white tangle.
What on earth would have possessed the boy to wear…that…Aster felt like he should be insulted, but couldn't find it in himself. All he really wanted to do was steal North's coat and bundle the boy back up and hide him away from any prying eyes.
His fingers twitched with the urge, but he stamped it down. If Jack wanted to parade around for everyone to see, who was he to stop 'im?
It took a moment for the boy to turn around and spot them but the moment he did Jack froze, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"Bunny!" The boy squeaked uncharacteristically. The unusual greeting caused Asters hackles to raise and his ears to slick back.
The kid was obviously up to no good if that reaction was any indication.
But pranks were the furthest thing from Jack's mind. He was burning with embarrassment, uncomfortably aware of his bare chest on display and the heavy weight of the carrot sitting in his hand.
He felt like he'd been caught with his hand in North's cookie jar.
It was official. He was going to kill Sophie.
But…well, he was here and it couldn't hurt…right?
Right.
Jack was no coward so he leapt into action, the pixies scattering around him and ducking behind the plants they had just been terrorizing to watch him with wide suspicious eyes.
Not that Jack noticed, he was concentrating on not making a bigger fool of himself in front of Aster. He allowed the wind to whisk him up the hill to where his crush was waiting.
Jack landed lightly in front of Bunny, who was eyeing him doubtfully, then dropped dramatically onto one knee. He bowed his head solemnly and thrust both arms forward, the bright orange carrot held aloft, shining grandly in the soft rosy light of the setting sun.
Mim blinked down at the scene in baffled amusement.
Bunny stared at Jack blankly, sure the frost spirit was planning a prank on him but lost as to what it could be.
A rough nudge from North had the pooka stumbling forward a step. He shot a venomous look back at Santa from over his shoulder, but obligingly reached to take the vegetable from the teen.
Jack's stress and nervousness melted away when the older male accepted his offering.
"Eh…thanks mate." Aster mumbled awkwardly before stepping back to North's side. "E' gave me a bloody carrot." He said, hoping North might be able to shed some light on the barmy boy's strange behavior.
North shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "'Is nice Carrot. Very…orange."
Aster huffed, "I have a whole garden full 'a carrots already." He added under his breath, his brows furrowing broodingly.
Hopefully now that Jack had carried out his mischief he'd scamper off and leave the adults to their work. That bit of hopeful wishing was dashed when Jack rose to his feet and sucked in a bracing breath.
Aster felt a curl of unease unfurl inside him, he just knew something bad was going to happen, he could feel it.
Jack didn't dare even look at Aster before he began the next step. If he did he just knew he would chicken out.
Making sure to keep his head held high, Jack began.
Sophie had stressed that this next part was of utmost importance, so he really didn't want to mess it up.
He swallowed nervously, bright blue eyes darting to North. He was embarrassed that his father figure was there to see this, but if he didn't do it now he'd never do it.
Then he got an idea. It wasn't the original plan, but if there was one thing Jack was good at it was improvising.
Wasting no time, Jack dropped into a crouch, arms folding over his chest and face set in as stern an expression as he could manage.
North watched the young boy with bewilderment, a look that was mirrored on Aster's face. Aster wasn't sure what was happening, his eyes following Jack as he bobbed up and down around him. Every time Jack would pop up his arms and legs would shoot out and he'd give a loud "Hey!" Then he'd sink back into a low crouch, his arms once again folded and his scantly clad butt touching his heels.
North caught on quickly, easily recognizing the native dance of his homeland…if a little…different. He wasn't sure what to think about the development as the wind shuffled him insistently out of the way of the boy.
He couldn't help but notice that without music Jack's motions were stiffer then they really should be and looked more then a little awkward.
In true Nicholas St. North fashion he got swiftly carried away in the moment. It wasn't long at all before he was clapping his hands and stamping his feet to give Jack a beat to dance too.
Jack shot him a quick look of gratitude as he fell into step. He moved with the ease of one who had known the dance for years, spinning and kicking and dropping down into painful looking contortions before shuffling his feet quickly to the beat North supplied.
He didn't let his embarrassment or tired limbs keep him from his task, moving around Aster in neat little circles before ending in one of his classic back flips, both he and North shouting "Hazzah!"
Jack stood before Aster, bright eyed and bushy tailed, panting from exertion. North was cheering loudly, slamming his palms together as hard as he could, "Hazzah!" He crowed, "Very impressive."
Jack bounced on the balls of his feet, grinning from ear to ear. He took an elaborate bow, tilting his head up just enough to wink at Aster, before spinning away and dashing back through the field, pixies scattering around him like loose leaves in a gale.
He thought he heard small squeaky voices screaming "Don't eat me!" And, "I'm to young to die!" But he was too hyped up on adrenaline to take much notice.
Aster gaped after the boy, not quite sure what he'd just witnessed and feeling like he'd just survived a hurricane.
North sidled over to stand next to the Easter spirit. A wide grin was plastered over his broad face and there was a lively twinkle in his eyes. "Boy is very talented, no?"
Aster just nodded absently.
It would take a few minutes before either of the remaining Guardian's realized all the pixies had disappeared, scared off by Jack's naturally cold presence and his unusual, energetic dance.
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