Understanding

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She haunted him; her aquamarine feathers, her violet eyes. For hundreds of years North had watched her, yearned for her, cared for her.

Toothiana never noticed, of course. First she had eyes for no one, and then she had eyes only for one.

Nothing he could say would change the way she felt, he knew that, so he went on the way he always had. He protected her the best he could, gave her whatever she needed. He never expected anything in return. It was obvious to him, of course, that she was in the same situation; Jack had eyes only for Aster, and it was obvious to anyone else.

So he was surprised when, a few days after defeating Pitch, she showed up in his home. He asked how he could help her, and to his delight, she fluttered close. "I think I've just realized something," she said quietly, searching his eyes.

"And what is that, kroshechnyye zhemchuzhiny?" he whispered, fighting the urge to pull her against him.

With a mischievous smile, she leaned in and her lips touched his lightly. He wrapped his arms around her, careful not to squeeze her delicate frame to tightly.

She tasted of honey and paradise.

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~fin