Moonbeams and Sunshine

This is a 3 fold prompt from some of my awesome readers: Pitch getting Jack to dress up, Jack and Bunny pranking Pitch, and Jack happy flakes which I haven't used in any of my fics yet. Lots of fluff and family, and a rather uncomfortable Jack and Pitch having to deal with it all. This is a sequel to Finding Understanding so there'll be Jackrabbit, Poppa North and Grandpappy Pitch - lol

It started with an invitation from MiM for all the Guardians to visit the Moon. This of course brought much excitement to everyone, it was very rare for them to visit the Moon, and everyone was in a flurry to accomplish their duties before the big day. The time was perfect, mid-summer when there was no major holiday or snow to bring. Since all the Guardians were requested arrangements needed to be made for Sandy and Toothiana. Moonbeams were taking over protecting dreams and the Tooth Mice of Europe were spreading out to help Tooth's mini-fairies while she was gone. Everything was planned for the upcoming weekend.

Out of everyone Jack was the most nervous – although he would never admit to it no matter who asked. He hid his anxiety by going causing his usual mischief, playing out in the snow, or bothering Bunny, doing everything he could not to think about the Moon or the Man who resided there. Of course such things could only be ignored for so long and the day arrived when they would travel to the Lunar Lamadary and from there to the Moon.

Jack sat on his window seat, staring outside as the Yetis gathered the reindeer to escort the down to the sleigh hanger for final preparations. He should have taken his bag down already to be loaded but he hadn't even packed yet. He had travelled the world but other than small family vacations with the Guardians he had never been anywhere as exotic as the Moon. He suspected it would be similar to visiting the Lunar Lamas who had a tendency to treat him like royalty and expected him to dress in a certain way which – although the clothes were comfy – always made him feel out of place. He had no clue how to dress or what to bring and even though Pitch and North had loaded his closet with numerous outfits and suits none of them were something he were willing wear. He liked his hoodie and trousers or t-shirts and jeans, he was not one for suits. He sighed as he tried to figure out what to do. He should have let North pack his bag as he had offered days earlier now he had just enough time to throw a few things in a bag and go. But he still didn't move, not even when there was a knock on his door.

"Come in," he called, not bothering to look toward the door. He knew that knock.

"Jack, what are doing?" Pitch asked, stepping inside. His amber gaze swept across the room before settling on the youth. "Where's your bag?"

"Not packed," Jack muttered, tracing frost patterns on the window.

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Not going." Once he said it he knew it was true. He didn't want to go. He didn't want to meet MiM. After all, he spent three centuries being ignored by him why should he travel all that way to meet him now?

A low sigh met him as he heard Pitch's soft steps cross his room and open his closet. "Frost, get off your butt and start packing," he said firmly as he sorted through clothes Jack would never wear and laid the out on the bed. "Where's your bag?"

"I said I'm not going," Jack objected but stood up to see exactly what Pitch was laying out. "Seriously? I will never wear that."

Pitch ignored him and went back to the closet. He pulled out silk blue and white outfit the Lamas had given and looked it over with a critical eye. The outfit looked more like a fancy pair of pajamas than every day clothing and Jack was certain the Pitch would shove it back in and move on to something more his style. Instead he shoved it into Jack's arms. "Put this on," he said sternly before shoving him toward the bathroom. "I'll finish packing."

"But…"

"Now!"

Jack blinked in surprise as he was all but pushed into the bathroom. His shoulders fell. He should have run while the running was good, or at least packed his bag himself. Too late now. He only prayed that Pitch didn't pack all suits. He changed slowly, trying to come up with a suitable argument as to why he wasn't going. With any luck Pitch would have left with the bag by the time he finished and then he could slip out a window and take off then he wouldn't have to worry about explanations until everyone returned. By then he should have some excuse for them.

He glanced at his image in the mirror once he was changed. Bunny explained that these were ceremonial robes to reflect the Moon. Apparently, because MiM and Mother Nature were the ones to revive him from his pond he was in essence their son which made him into some sort of royalty. While the Guardians didn't treat him as such – thank the Moon – Pitch verified it and was the most insistent that he dress the part, at least when dealing with the Lamas. But the shade also insistent he dress more appropriately as a Guardian and had teamed up with North to find him suitable clothing. There were days when Jack really wished Pitch was still their enemy and not the Guardian of Courage – Jack couldn't get away with anything anymore.

Squaring his shoulders he inched the door open and prepared to make a break for the window. Pitch was nowhere in sight and his staff was still leaning against the wall next to his bed. If he hurried he could be halfway to Canada before anyone realized he was gone. He still had previsions at his cave. He hang out at his pond for the weekend – the heat might be a bother but he could always visit Jamie and his air-conditioned house – or he could head to the Antarctic. No one would know until it was too late and surely they wouldn't search for him when they had to be at the Lamadary in time to take the shuttle to the Moon.

He was halfway across the room when a large arm wrapped around his waist and he was thrown over an equally large shoulder. Blinking in surprise his eyes met a large back clade in a red crushed velvet shirt and black pin stripped pants that ended in thick leather boots. "Hey! Whoa, North, put me down," he said, placing his hands on his adoptive father's shoulder and trying to right himself only to be shuffled down further until his butt was in the air and he was hanging upside-down.

North only laughed as he retrieved Jack's staff. "Pitch says you're not coming with us?" the large Russian asked as he carried Jack out of his room and closed the door with his foot. "I tell him 'Jack would never miss a chance for a new adventure' but he insists you'll try to run. So tell me, Jack, why don't you want to go see Manny?"

The thumbing of heavy boots filled the halls as North carried Jack to the lift. Jack wiggled and grabbed at the pillars as they past and even one or two Yetis that were always just out of reached. "North, seriously, put me down. I'm not a sack of potatoes," he argued, slapping at the man's backside in odds of annoying him enough to be put down. He yelped when a large hand went over his bottom in retaliation.

"Sack of potatoes weighs more," North retorted, activating the lift. "Now talk to me. Why are you hiding in your room rather than coming to sleigh?"

Jack slumped and rested his head against North's back. "He doesn't want to see me."

"Who? Manny? Of course he does."

"What if he doesn't? What if he doesn't like me?"

North lowered Jack to his feet and bent down to eye level. "Jack, he would not ask for you specifically if he did not want to see you."

The youth looked away, blinking back tears he couldn't stop from gathering in his eyes. "I just…North, I'm scared." He felt very small and incredibly young when he admitted that. He'd rather face a hoard of Nightmares than travel to the MiM and face the being who gave him back his life. It wasn't that he hated MiM for what he did, far from it, he was grateful but after 300 years with barely a word spoken to him it was a little frightening to see him face to face. He had so many questions and feared that MiM would not answer any of the as he had so any times in the past.

Large arms wrapped around him, enfolding him in a large fatherly hug. "Everything will be alright, Jack," North assured. "Besides, how could he not love you? You are the most wonderful child I have ever met…even if you are the most mischievous."

A giggle Jack could not control escaped him as he nestled into North's large form. He couldn't remember much of his father when he was human but he could never imagine a father better than North. He still wasn't comfortable enough to call him by his given name or even Dad yet – unless teasing him – but out of everyone, North was the one Jack felt most comfortable with. "But what if he doesn't?" he insisted.

North hugged him just a little tighter. "Then it is his loss. All it means is the five Guardians who do love will be have to love you just a little more and I for one have no issues with that." He gave Jack a kiss on his forehead and a comforting pat on the back. "Now gather up your courage and let's be on our way, dah?"

Jack gave a teary smile and nodded. The lift opened to the garage floor where the Yetis were making last preparations with the sleigh and reindeers and most of the Guardians had already gathered and bags were loaded onto the sleigh. They all glanced expectantly at the two as North guided their youngest member to the sleigh. Pitch had that eerie knowing look whenever he sensed Jack's fear but said nothing. He only placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and it said enough. Pitch understood Jack's fear, even sympathized with him. After all, Pitch and MiM had been enemies for thousands of years until Pitch finally faced his own fears and joined the Guardians. This would be his first visit to the Moon as a friend.

Bunny and Pitch stood to the side as the others climbed on board the sleigh. "We'll meet you at the Lamadary," Bunny said, standing far enough away for North to be unable to grab him and drag him on board as he was so fond of. "You okay, Snowflake?"

Jack smiled. "Yeah, I'll be fine, Cottontail," he answered, leaning against the sleigh's railing.

The Pooka eyed him for moment, torn between going to him and avoiding North. Then, gathering his courage he hopped over to Jack and gave his lover a gentle kiss that lingered just a little longer than it should have. Jack hummed into it and gave a small when North caught the Pooka by the scuff and hauled him onto the sleigh.

"North!" Bunny squeaked as he was dropped onto a wooden seat next to Jack. He heard the crack of reigns and Pitch's mocking laugh as the sleigh launched forward. He would have glared at Jack if his heart didn't suddenly slam into his throat as the sleigh hit the first of the loop-to-loops. North was insane to have such a haphazard track to launch the sleigh from.

Jack laughed as Sandy raised his arms and Tooth giggled. Then the sleigh launched into the air. As soon as they were clear of the ice cliffs and vast tundra that surrounded Santoff Claussen. Then to Bunny's horror, North stepped back from the driver seat and gestured for Jack to take over. As much as Bunny loved Jack the kid was just as scary guiding the reindeer as North was and if he didn't know better he would truly believe they were father and son. Jack held the reigns as North stood next to him, a hand on his shoulder as he gave the boy more pointers. Bunny held back his complaints when he caught the smile that lit Jack's face as looked up at North. Whatever anxiety had been bothering him moments earlier was now gone in the sudden excitement. North knew exactly how to distract Jack from problems. Bunny smiled softly and pushed back his nausea. This trip was sure to be quite interesting for everyone.