For my loyal readers who wanted a continuation of Immortal Light and Dark Guardian.

Enjoy and Review

I do not own the movie.

Jack had settled into his room at the Pole with no problem. North had provided furniture, paints and toys – which Jack vehemently denied to having when Bunny questioned him on it. Despite not having a proper home for hundreds of years, he settled nicely. He loved having a place to stay, other than the trees surrounding, and North loved having him.

The big man also loved rubbing Jack's residence at the Pole in Bunny's face, deeming it 'proof that Christmas was better'. So naturally, when Jack came to the Warren to help with Easter preparations as promised, Bunny saw it as a perfect way to balance the scales.

The thought came to him when Jack fell into a dead sleep after the first day of preparation. It had been a busy day of grueling work, and they were both properly exhausted. Bunny had offered to feed the boy –after all, nothing worked up an appetite like good old fashioned manual labor. And really, the kid was far too tiny – and had come back out to find Jack slumped against a tree not far from the dye river, dead to the world. It was undeniably adorable. The only problem was Aster didn't have a guest room to put the boy. He really wasn't one for over-night guests, that was more North's thing. So he'd ended up placing the sleeping boy on his couch, careful to stay out of range of those octopus limbs – he'd learned his lesson the first time, thank you very much—and draped on blanket over his shoulders. The sight of the kid snuggling his staff to his chest warmed the rabbit's heart, and he ran a paw through Jack's hair fondly with a light laugh before moving off to his own bed.

As Easter approached, Jack's over-night stays on his couch became more and more frequent. So much so that Bunny decided a room for the boy was a necessity. After all, why should North be the only one to offer the kid a home.

-Line Break – Line Break – Line Break-

Egg delivery went off without a hitch, much to Bunny's relief. All the Guardians had pitched in, making sure the little eggs made their way to their destinations, vigilant for any signs of Pitch or any other threats. Bunny couldn't handle another blow to his holiday. It was the most stressful Easter of his life; he was a nervous wreck, every shadow had him hunching over his googies, boomerangs at the ready. But even with all his anxieties, he never forgot his surprise for Jack. And once all the eggs were delivered, excitement became his dominant emotion.

He kept things subtle, asking Jack to help with the clean up when the others had set off, promising to meet up at North's to celebrate the successful Easter. Then after everything was back in order, he invited the boy into his den for some supper. Jack had happily agreed, bouncing as he followed Bunny in. It was agony to wait, even harder to conceal his excitement, but he'd managed.

"Hey, Frostbite. Got a… surprise fer ya," he said off handedly as they washed dishes, fighting back chuckles when Jack froze and whirled around to face him, eyes wide in elation.

"Really?"

"Yeah, ya know, just a bit of a 'thank you', fer all yer help," he explained with a smile.

"You didn't need to –"

"Ah wanted ta." Jack smiled, then chewed his lip, debating. Aster smiled and again fought laughter. The kid was too cute.

"What kind of surprise?" He finally asked, his curious nature winning. Bunny only smiled and motioned for the boy to follow him.

As they walked down the hall, doubt wiggled itself into his mind. What if Jack didn't like it? What if it was too much? What if it was too little? Gah, this was as bad as when he'd tried to apologize! They came to a stop at a plain wooden door just at the end of the hall, across from Bunny's room. Too late to stop now. Bunny had spent weeks working on it, as discreetly as possible with Jack practically living there. He'd smoothed out all the details, he'd done his best. All to do now was see if the boy would approve.

Jack came stared at the door, turning to Bunny in confusion. The elder motioned to the door, and Jack pushed it open and walked in. The room beyond was small, quaint, smelling pleasantly of the earth. A small bed lay against one wall, a dresser against another, the wall were bare but for one small window that captured a breath-taking view of the Warren.

"Ah know it's not as impressive as North's but…..it's a place ta hang yer hat when yer over," Bunny explained, rubbing the back of his neck as Jack examined the room. He motioned to the paints and brushes resting atop the dresser, "An', Ah figure ya can paint it up any way ya want."

Jack turned to him, amazement clear on his face. "This….. this is for me?"

"Yeah, kiddo. Can't always have ya crashin' on my couch, now can Ah?" Jack blinked dumbly, looking over the room once more before turning back to Bunny.

"You want me here?" The question was a stab to Aster's heart. After so long on his own, unseen by most of the world and ignored by the rest of it, Jack couldn't see why someone would want him around. It was plainly seen by all the Guardians, no magic needed.

Jack's belief had come back shortly after the battle with Pitch, small but undeniably there. It was a relief, but they still had miles to go with the boy before they repaired the damage they'd so thoroughly dealt him. That much was always painfully clear.

"Yeah, kid," he said past the lump in his throat. Jack continued to look around in wonder, thrilled that not one, but two of his team mates had offered him homes. Thrilled and baffled.

Why? Why would they want him in their homes? Why take that risk? It was amazing enough that Bunny allowed him to help with the preparations after what happened last year; why would he give him constant access to his home, his life's work, when Jack was a walking disaster? Why…?

The swirl of doubts that weaved in with the ever growing ball of hope was nauseating. Sometimes, fixing what they'd broken with this kid seemed impossible. Bunny moved forward, pulling the boy into his arms and resting a cheek on his head.

"Ya always have somewhere to go, Jack. Whether with me, or North, ya always have somewhere," he promised, squeezing the boy tight. Jack hugged back before pulling way and giving a watery smile. Bunny smiled back. Baby steps, but they were getting there.

"It's perfect."

"Glad ya like it. Now come'on, let's get ta North's." Jack glanced back at his room as Bunny steered him away. He always had somewhere to go. Always had a bed, food, a roof. That sounded nice.