Early-March

To be honest, he was surprised he hadn't noticed it sooner. The subtle shift in the air that felt cooler. The ever so slight change in the floral scent of the Warren, now with an edge of crisp winter mornings. The way that the morning dew took a little longer to melt off, as if it had been half frozen in the night. A few paintbrushes missing here, a jar of paint or two disappearing there. Yes, it was definitely a surprise that he hadn't noticed the changes sooner. When he did, though, he immediately knew what— or rather, who— had caused it.

Jack Frost.

The smell of cool morning air and crisp leaves seemed to be as imprinted in the Warren's smell as the smell of lavender, grass, and paint; meaning that Jack had been in the eternal spring often over the course of many weeks. With a grim expression set on his face, Aster set out from his small cottage and began slowly making his way through his home. Having the winter spirit in the Warren without permission or supervision was never a good thing and Bunny could only imagine the kind of havoc the boy had caused during his time. Nightmares of wilted flowers and frozen dye rivers filled his mind and quickened his step.

Finding the winter child was easier than Bunnymund expected, considering how prominent his scent was. Riled up and ready to punish the little twerp, Bunny was surprised by the sight he happened upon. A few yards away, under the shade of his largest willow tree, Jack sat cross legged. His staff was left next to him, resting peacefully in the lush green grass. The boy's back was to him, but the Guardian of Hope could tell that he was hold something. A few egglets danced and scurried around the Guardian of Fun, while some seated themselves patiently next to his legs. Glancing to the right and left of the winter spirit, Bunny spotted the paintbrushes and paints that had gone missing from his stores. Taking a few steps forward, Bunnymund caught the sound of Jack's faint whispering.

"… and don't you worry, you're going to be gorgeous when I'm done with you. Prettiest little egg the kids have ever seen."

Sitting back, the snow child held the egg up into the light of the eternal sun. The bright orange paint shone beautifully on the egg. With a satisfied smile, Jack released the little egg on eager feet and watched for a moment as it waddled off to show off its bright new colors to its siblings. With a soft sigh, the sprite cleaned off the brush gently and carefully, not wanting to damage it before he returned it. Setting it down among the others he had swiped from Bunny, Jack looked at the dozen or so eggs he'd been able to paint today. He'd given each of them the same instructions he'd given the dozens he'd painted the days before: Stay clear of Bunny until Easter so he doesn't wonder where you came from.

Shaking his head gently, he turned to grab a smaller brush and another egg when movement caught the corner of his eye. Whipping around, he stared wide eyed at a speechless Bunny standing over him. His mouth fell open in a gape and snapped closed as he sputtered for something to say.

"I—um, sorry, hey Kangaroo, what's up?" he asked lamely, scratching the back of his neck nervously. His eyes moved to glance at the assortment of painted eggs and frost immediately crept along his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.

"Wha— what are you doin', Frostbite?" Bunny's voice came out soft and breathless, as if he couldn't understand what he was seeing. Which, in truth, he really couldn't.

Jack's posture seemed to relax, almost slump, when he answered. "I, uh, I'm painting eggs?" It came out as a question.

"I can see that, mate. What I mean is… Why?"

Jack shrugged halfheartedly and worried his lower lip gently as he stared distantly at the little egglets playing with each other in the grass.

"I didn't want it to happen again." he finally mumbled.

The Guardian of Hope cocked his head at that and raised a furry brow. What was he talking about?

Jack sighed at the confused look on the rabbit's face. He turned and curled his knees to his chest, resting his chin on them as he stared at the flowers in the distance.

"Last year I ruined Easter, and I know that this year you're working extra hard to make sure that everything goes well so that you gain all the believers back. And Tooth told me about the new chocolates you're testing with and North explained the different dyes you're experimenting with so that the color is brighter and last longer. And Sandy told me about how you aren't sleeping that much!" he exclaimed at the end, looking at Bunny with wide, concerned eyes. Upon seeing Bunny's shocked face, he once again curled away and continued.

"So I figured, you'd never want my help if I offered it because why would you want the one that ruined Easter to help you prepare for it? I decided to sneak in and paint a few eggs to try and lighten your load." He turned to Bunny again with wide eyes that spoke of panic and anxiety.

"I know that it isn't anywhere near enough to make up for how I screwed up last year and it doesn't even make a dent in your work load but, I just, I thought that I could try to help a little bit and maybe, then…" He stopped and took a deep, gasping breath before looking down.

Bunny took a small step toward the spirit. The Easter Bunny was shocked at the change he was witnessing in the bringer of fun. He'd never seen Jack look so unsure of himself, so insecure and anxious. He was used to prideful smirks and cocky comments. He'd never realized what a good actor Jack was. Bitterly, he remembered the three hundred years of solitude Jack had been subjected to. Plenty of time to learn how to fake a smile and force a convincing laugh.

"Maybe what, Jack?"

It was a moment before a mumbled answer reached his ears. "Maybe then you wouldn't hate me anymore."

Bunny could feel the words lance through his heart and leave spider web cracks. Looking down at the boy in front of him, the child in front of him, he felt his heart break with guilt. All the years left alone, invisible, with no one to support him and everyone telling him that no one needed him; they had left such a deep scar on Jack. So deep that a mere year as a guardian couldn't hope to heal it. Guilt was strong and heavy in his throat. Swallowing past the lump, Bunny stepped forward and sat next to Jack gently. He wrapped an arm around the curled spirit to pull the boy into his side.

"They're a real beaut', Jackie."

Jack's head whipped up to look at Bunny, his eyes full of fragile hope. "Really, you think so?"

Bunny nodded, not trusting his voice. Jack's smile was bright, true, and contagious as he looked proudly at the little googies bounding through the grass. And in that moment, under the cool shade, Bunny swore that he would heal that scar. Jack would never go a day without hearing that he was loved, appreciated, and wanted; again. And Jack would never, ever, be left alone again.

"It's going ta be the best Easter eva."