Snowflakes gently fell to the grown in the quiet town of Burgess on that early morning in late January. A storm the night before had left a thin blanket of snow across the landscape. It hadn't stuck to the roads, so commuters went about their business as usual. In a residential neighborhood, a young man of 16 stared out of his slightly frosted window at the sight, a small smile on his lips. I love the snow, but I'm glad it there's not much of it. Can't go to the DMV if the roads need plowing. Indeed, the only reason Jack was awake so early on a Saturday was because today was his birthday and his father had promised to take him to the DMV to get his learners permit. Jack had always wanted to drive, ever since he was just a little boy.

He turned away from the window and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day. As he was undressing, he caught sight of himself in the mirror. Brown eyes looked back at him before exploring his body. It was lanky and still undergoing puberty. He hoped he would get a growth spurt soon, sick of being short for his age. There was barely, if any, sign of body hair unless you counted pubic hair. Jack would have been more worried if he hadn't been gifted with a nice package. At least some part of me is getting this puberty thing right. He ran a hand through his brown hair and hopped into the shower. After getting dressed, he went downstairs and found his mother cooking breakfast. The smell of strawberry pancakes and hash browns filled his nose and made his mouth water. "Good morning, mom" he said to her, catching her attention.

"Oh, Jack, good morning. Happy birthday." She went up to him and gave him a big hug.

"Thanks, mom" he said as he hugged her back.

"I made you your favorite breakfast, so I hope you're hungry" she said with a smile.

"Oh you know I am," he replied with a grin. "Can I dig in or do we have to wait for dad?"

"Your father should be up soon. You can go ahead and start eating." Jack didn't need to be told twice. His mother finished the rest of the pancakes and then sat down at the table to eat with her son. "Do you still want to go to the DMV today? It's not a very nice day to go out driving."

Jack swallowed the food in his mouth before replying. "Yeah, I'm just getting a permit and you know dad can drive in anything. I want to show it off to my friends at Moretti's tonight."

His mother gave a nod, but before she had a change to take a bite of her food the doorbell rang.

"Who could that be at this hour? Jack, did you invite a friend over?" Jack shook his head. His mother got up from her chair and walked over to the front door. She looked through the peephole and saw a tall tan man in a heavy green jacket standing on the front porch. From his spot at the kitchen table, Jack heard the door open followed by some quick footsteps as someone walked into the house.

"Sorry ta barge in like that, but it's bloody cold out there," said a very familiar Australian accent. "I'll never get used to it."

"Would you like some tea to warm you up?" Jack's mother offered. "I already boiled some water for coffee."

"I'd love some, if it's no trouble." His mother walked back into the kitchen, the house guest following behind her. "Ah, Jackie, just the bloke I wanted ta see."

Jack smiled. "Hey Bunny." Bunny, short for E. Aster Bunnymund, was the very handsome Australian who lived across the street from them. He had moved in when Jack was around 6 years old and had taken an instant liking to him. Bunny would give him sweets and play with him when his parents were too busy. He was like a brother to him. Jack had always wanted a sibling, preferably a sister, but his parents never had any more children. If Bunny hadn't been around, Jack knew he would've had a much lonelier childhood.

His parents didn't trust Bunny at first, though. He was very secretive about his personal life, and later on Jack figured out his parents though the Australian was predator. They were concerned that an adult man was giving so much attention to their only child. When Jack was eight, they forbid him from seeing their neighbor anymore. Upset at that prospect, Jack snuck out of his house and ran to Bunny's. The man simply talked Jack down and returned him home, explaining to his parents the situation. His parents fears vanished when Jack was returned and the Australian explained he had a fondness for Jack because he reminded him of the son he lost long ago. After that, they allowed Bunny to babysit Jack whenever they had to go out. Jack always had the most fun with him around.

As Jack hit puberty, he found his feelings for the man change from plutonic to sexual. He freaked out about it; being gay was not completely socially acceptable, even if it wasn't as bad as it used to be. The age difference only made it worse. There was no way he would be interested in Jack. Jack figured it was just a crush, and it would go away with time. That was two years ago and, if anything, his feelings for the man had only gotten stronger.

"So why are you paying me a visit so early in the morning? Come to give me a birthday present before anyone else?" he teased. The man chuckled and reached into one of his coat pockets.

"Actually, I am." A small blue box decorated with white snowflake patters and a white ribbon was placed on the kitchen table. Next to the ribbon was a tag that read "To: Jack, From: Aster".

"I was joking, you know…" Jack picked up the box and undid the bow. He took the top off and found a snowflake necklace inside. It was silver, and Jack couldn't tell if it was real silver or just painted that way, and was encrusted with gems that could either be diamonds or cubic zirconium. It also looked old, like it was some kind of family heirloom. "It's beautiful," Jack whispered without even realizing it. Something about it seemed so familiar, almost as if it had been made especially for him. He held it in his hand, looking closely at every intricate detail that was put into it. Jack's mother placed a hot cup of tea in front of Bunny.

"I thought ya might like it." He said with a smile. Jack looked up at Bunny and the sight of him at that moment made Jack want to give him a kiss and hug him close. He almost got out of his chair before the more logical part of his brain regained control. Did I seriously almost just get up to kiss Bunny? And in front of my own mother too? "I- I do. This is an awesome gift, Bunny. Thank you." Bunny's smile got bigger and Jack had to look away or else he would have gotten a very noticeable blush.

"It is very beautiful. Why don't you put it on, Jack?" his mother suggested.

"Okay." Jack put it on with ease, adding another layer of familiarity to it, and asked, "How do I look?"

"Beaut," replied Bunny, that same enchanting smile still on his face.

"It really suits you; it's almost as if it was made especially you. Aster, what did I tell you about spoiling my son?" Jack's mother playfully scolded the Australian.

"No worries, it was something I already had in my possession." He turned to Jack. "It's a protection charm, so no harm will come to ya."

"Protection…? Bunny, you worry about me too much." Jack stood up and walked the short distance to where Bunnymund was sitting. "And if this is your way of saying I'm going to be a bad driver, I'll just have you ride with me." He tried to make it sound like a threat, but he was too happy about the gift to care make it sound convincing.

"Well if he does join us, I hope he doesn't become a backseat driver," came the voice of Jack's father as he made his presence known. Everyone greeted him with a "good morning" that he reciprocated. He took a seat next to his wife and after kissing her good morning asked, "So why are you here so early, Aster?"

"Just came to drop off Jack's gift while I could. I, uh, have some business to take care of back in Australia and am leaving later today." Jack was surprised by this sudden news, and a part of him instantly got upset at having to be apart from him so soon.

"Wait, you're leaving already? Why? For how long?" Aster smiled at Jack. The teen had sat back down earlier, but had scooted his chair closer.

"It was rather sudden, but I got a call last night about it from headquarters. Booked a flight for this afternoon. It's why I dropped by so early to give Jackie his present. I'll be gone until April. Ya know, my usual."

It was no big secret that whenever Lent started, Bunnymund would return to Australia for business and not return until a week or two after Easter. While Bunnymund's exact line of work was still shrouded in mystery, he did divulge that he had investments in chocolate production, egg collection, paints, and exotic flora. Jack always disliked this time apart because he always felt happier with Bunny around. That, and it felt like he was forced to give up time with Bunny for Lent. Jack must have been pouting at the thought because Bunny ran a hand through his hair.

"Don't worry, Jackie, I'll be back before ya know it. The day after Easter, in fact."

"You better bring me back some more of that chocolate I like."

Aster gave a small laugh, "I always do. Just brush yer teeth afterward so ya don't get cavities. Ya don't want ta upset the Tooth Fairy."

"I think I can handle her wrath, but I'll brush them anyway," Jack joked.

"So, Aster, would you like to stay for breakfast?" asked Jack's mother. Bunny shook his head no.

"I'd love to, but I have to go pack and get ready. Don't worry about housesitting this time, I got someone to take care of it." Bunny finished drinking his tea. "I've got to get going now, thanks for the tea."

"Do you need a ride to the airport?" asked Jack's father. "I can drive you there after I bring Jack back from the DMV."

"No, I've already called ahead for a taxi." Bunny stood up and adjusted his jacket. "Thanks for the offer, though. I'll see ya all in a few weeks."

"Have a safe flight." Jack's mother waved him goodbye.

"Have a naughty," said Jack's father in jest. Jack frowned a bit at that and stood up to escort Bunny to the door.

"I'm going to miss you," Jack said quietly.

"I know. I'll miss you, too. I'll write to you when I can." Bunny hugged Jack tightly. "Stay safe. I'll see you sooner than you think." The Australian man never did say bye to Jack when he was leaving. Instead, he would say things like "see ya soon", "I'll see you later", or "'Till next time". It was one of the many subtle things Jack had picked up on over the years. Bunny stepped out the door and walked over to his house. Jack watched him go and only closed the door when Bunny closed his. Jack made his way back to the kitchen, taking a seat at the table. His father had grabbed a plate of breakfast and was busy eating.

"So, Jack," he said between bites, "what did Mr. Bunnymund give you?" Jack raised the necklace up so his father could get a better look at it. "A necklace? Odd gift for a teenage boy."

"It looks really expensive, too. I hope it's not real silver and diamonds," his mother added. She moved out of her seat and stood next to Jack, getting a close look at his gift.

"Does it matter if it is or isn't?" asked Jack as his mother inspected the necklace, "it was Bunny's choice to give it to me."

"That's the problem, Jack. He's always giving you such expensive gifts. It's not normal for a man his age to dote on you like this."

"Mom, not this again. He's a cool guy, not some creepy old man. Can we please not discuss this on my birthday?"

His mother gave a small sigh and let go of the necklace. "Okay." Bunny had always given Jack really nice presents for his birthday and Christmas. The previous Christmas he had given Jack a brand new computer. Of course Jack had no problem with it, but his parents always felt that it was excessive.

"I was half-expecting him to have gotten you a car," said Jack's father.

"Don't even joke about that, Henry. Jack, I know that look. You're not allowed to ask Mr. Bunnymund for a car."

"Well what if I just suggest it?" he asked slyly.

"No. If you want a car you will work for one, and you can only get one once you have your license," his father said.

"Well then hurry up and finish eating so we can go get my learners permit," Jack whined. "We're already going to be waiting for hours there, and I want to come back before dark."

"I know the DMV can take a while, but with this weather I doubt there will be many people there. Anyway, I'm almost done eating, so go get everything ready."

"Yes!" Jack practically fist pumped into the air. He did, however, jump up from his seat and race up to his room to get his jacket and necessary documents. I'm getting a permit and showing it to my friends tonight!

Moretti's was a small local Italian restaurant that Jack and his friends liked to visit on occasion. It was equidistant from their homes and served really good pizza; the perfect location to celebrate Jack's birthday. They had all agreed to meet there around 6 to have dinner together. Jack was instantly greeted by a server as he walked into the old red brick building.

"Hello, welcome to Moretti's. Table for one?" she asked. Jack shook his head.

"Actually, I'm meeting up with some friends. They should be here already." He quickly surveyed the area to see if he could spot them. There were a few tables visible on the left and right side of the small entrance lobby. Jack didn't see them there so he figured they must be seated elsewhere.

"Yes, one group did mention a fourth. If you would please follow me," said the server with a smile. Jack took a moment to look at her name tag.

"Sure thing, Susan," he replied as he followed her into the restaurant. Although the interior had been somewhat redone, it was still easy to tell the place was originally a warehouse back during the steel days. Tables and chairs were situated around the center and there were booths lined up against the walls. The restaurant was moderately busy for their evening rush. Jack spotted his friends in one of the booths; they were looking over their menus.

"Hey, guys!" he called out as he and Susan reached them. A long blond-haired girl was the first to greet him.

"Jack! Happy birthday!" she said, getting up from her seat and giving Jack tight a hug. A girl with unruly red hair joined in on the hug.

"Happy burthdey! Hiccup, come join in on the groop hug!" she said in her Scottish accent to the brown haired teen still seated at the booth.

"I think I'll pass on that and just give him a handshake."

"Don't make me get my frying pan…" warned the blond.

"Okay, but just a quick one." He got up from his seat, embracing the other three for a few seconds. "Happy birthday, Jack." Hiccup sat down next to the blond and Jack next to the red-head.

"Let your server know what you want when he comes around with your drinks. Enjoy your stay at Moretti's." With a smile and a wave, Susan left them to look over their menus.

"I'm glad your mother let you come, Rapunzel. It's good to know she doesn't totally hate me."

"Oh, she doesn't hate you, Jack," she said, running a hand through her long golden hair. "She just thinks you're a bad influence with all your pranks. You know she still hasn't forgiven you for the time in 3rd grade when you almost got gum in my hair."

"Hey, that would have been a great prank if the substitute teacher hadn't set it off early." Jack picked up his menu and looked over the selection.

"Well now she's more worried about you or Hiccup stealing me away from her. It's getting harder and harder to convince her that we're not double dating. As if I would date either of you."

"Hey, I would make a great boyfriend," joked Jack. "I would make you laugh all the time and we'd always have fun."

"I hope you don't expect Merida and I to become a couple," Hiccup interjected.

"Don't even talk to me about dating." Merida tossed her menu back on the table. "Me maw's been on me arse about finding a boyfriend. Wants me to date some of the sons of the campaign donors. Can yoo believe that?"

Hiccup nodded his head. "My dad has taught me enough about politics to know how ugly it really is." Their attention then turned to the approaching server carrying their drinks.

"Okay, so one regular cola, one cherry cola, and a water. Oh, hello. What can I get for you?" he asked Jack as he placed each drink on the table.

"I'll have a root beer, please."

"Certainly, and are you all ready to order?"

Hiccup answered, "Yeah, we'll have an extra-large pizza, half meat lovers, half vegetarian."

"The pizza will take 15 minutes; would you like to start with an appetizer?"

"No, thank you." The server finished writing down the order and left.

"So Jack," asked Merida, "did yoo get yer drivers permit todey?"

"Yep!" Jack said with excitement as he dug out his wallet and pulled out his permit. "On my first try, too. No need for applause." No applause came, but they did congratulate him.

"So, what did your parents give you for your birthday?" Rapunzel asked. Jack's friends had already given him his gifts the day before at school.

Jack noded. "They got me my own bank account. Said it was time I learned to handle my own finances. I'm pretty sure it was my dad's idea because my mom did give me a new jacket."

"Did Mr. Bunnymund at least give you something cool?" Hiccup questioned. Jack gave a smile and fought to keep a blush from forming.

"Yeah, he got me this." Jack opened up his jacket to reveal the snowflake necklace he was wearing. All three stared at it in disbelief. Rapunzel was the first to speak.

"It's gorgeous, Jack."

Merida leaned over for a closer look. "That's real silver… and real diamonds! Jack, this necklace must be worth a fortune. Be careful with it." Jack had a suspicion it was the real thing, but hadn't wanted to believe it. It would make it a gift you give a lover, and Jack didn't want to get his hopes up.

"Don't be silly, he wouldn't give me that valuable a gift. Besides, this is something he already had on hand."

"I know what real rare minerals look like. Me maw made sure o' that. And that," she said, pointing at the necklace, "is 100% real." Jack grasped it in his hand, intently looking it over. He had been so happy at getting the gift he hadn't bothered to question Bunny about it. Was it too much? It was probably a valuable family heirloom for all he knew. He'd have to ask Bunny in April when he came back from Australia.

"Did he tell you why he got it for you?" Hiccup asked. "Jewelry is usually a romantic gift."

"He said it was a protection charm, to keep me safe. You know he's a worrywart and after the terrorist attacks, he's been more concerned about my well-being." Hiccup didn't seem satisfied with that answer and seemed to be thinking something over, as if he was putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. He looked at Merida and they shared a look.

"Oh, that's so sweet. It's always the thought that counts and it shows he wants you safe. Right, Hiccup?" Rapunzel elbowed him in the ribs for a response.

"Y-yeah. Must be some Australian tradition." Jack gave Rapunzel a quick thank you in body language. None of his friends knew he was gay, much less that he was in love with Bunny. It wasn't that he didn't trust them; he just didn't know how they would react. They had been his friends since practically kindergarten. He didn't want to lose any of them; he treasured their friendship. Sometimes he wondered if they knew and didn't say anything because they wanted to wait until Jack felt comfortable enough to tell them himself. Jack didn't act flamboyant or did anything stereotypically gay, but he still worried he would be found out.

The conversation thankfully changed to other things and soon they were all laughing and having a good time. Their pizza came and went, but right as they were in the middle of a conversation, something unexpected happened.

"And then the dogs start talking to 'im, like in the trailers, and the whole scene only lasts like 10 seconds…" Merida stopped talking when a group of servers brought out a huge plate of tiramisu with Neapolitan ice cream on the side. Before anyone could say anything, the servers burst into song.

Tanti auguri a te
Tanti auguri a te
Tanti auguri Jack
Tanti auguri a te!

Once they finished their song, they blew their noisemakers. Jack let out a laugh.

"Okay, who ratted me out to the birthday patrol?" His friends looked at each other as if asking the same thing. "Guys?"

Susan gave an answer. "Another customer told us it was your birthday and has paid for your meal and dessert. Enjoy, and thank you for visiting Moretti's!" The servers turned to leave, but Jack stopped them.

"Wait! Which customer?" Susan dismissed the other servers.

"He wishes to remain anonymous."

"He?" asked Jack. Susan's smile faltered slightly, but returned with full force.

"Or she. Enjoy your meal and let me know if you need anything else. And happy birthday." Susan left, leaving a still-quiet in their booth. Jack was busy looking around the restaurant, trying to find someone he recognized.

"Mr. Bunnymund sure does spoil you a lot," Hiccup said as he took a slice of tiramisu. Jack snapped his attention back at him.

"Um, he left for Australia earlier today. He couldn't have paid for this." Hiccup raised an eyebrow at that.

"He could have paid for it beforehand. Did you tell him you were coming here?"

"Well, yeah…" A small blush worked its way onto his cheeks.

"Well that answers that. Now start eating before Merida takes it all."

Jack looked over and saw the girl stuffing her face.

"Whot? Eiduh eet it oh I will," she said with her mouth full. Jack cracked a smile and grabbed a slice, along with a large serving of ice cream.

It was around 9pm when the bus reached Jack's stop, located a block from his home.

"Thanks for the ride" he said to the driver and stepped out into the cold winter night. Jack began walking to his house, the sound of the bus driving away fading into the distance. Streetlights dimly illuminated the sidewalk while everything else was shrouded in shadow. There was no wind and everything was rather quiet. Even so, Jack felt like something was off. He stopped walking for a moment, looking around to check his surroundings. There was not a soul in sight but he couldn't help thinking that someone was watching him. Jack resumed walking, albeit at a faster pace. As he was about to reach his house, a voice called out to him, nearly causing him to scream.

"Evening, Jackie." Standing not half a meter behind him was Bunny, hands in his jacket pockets.

"B-Bunny?! Don't scare me like that!" Jack put a hand over his heart, feeling it race and trying to calm it down. "And what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Australia!"

"Well if ya don't want me here, I guess I'll just leave." Bunny said nonchalantly and turned to walk away.

"What? No! Bunny… I'm glad you're here, I really am, but why are you here?" After the initial shock, Jack really was happy to see Bunny again so soon. Bunnymund turned back around, a smile on his face that both eradiated warmth and deviousness.

"Well I couldn't rightly leave without giving ya part two of yer present."

"Part 2?" mumbled Jack. The necklace had been more than enough, but Jack wasn't going to turn down more gifts. And didn't the free meal count as part 2? As he was thinking about all this, Bunny closed the space between them.

"I want you to know that no matter what happens from here on out, I'll always be here for you; like I always have and always will be." The way Bunny said those words, so kind and gentle and full of love, made something within Jack shed a single tear.

"Bunny, what are you talking about?" he asked, confused about why he suddenly felt this rush of emotions. Bunny reached up and gently wiped the tear away.

"I've been keeping secrets from ya, luv. I promise I'll explain everything after Easter." Bunny gently cupped Jack's face with one hand. Jack felt his face heat up and wondered if he was dreaming this. Luv. He called me luv. Oh God, he's leaning in. Is he going to kiss me?! Jack didn't have to wait long for an answer before Bunny's lips met his. He's kissing me! He's really kissing me! He does like me "that way"! Yes! Yes! Oh, right, I should probably focus on the kiss.

Jack's arms had already found themselves wrapped around Bunny's waist. Bunny had wasted no time in pressing Jack as close to him as possible. The kiss that had started out gentle had evolved into a fierier passionate one. Jack kept up to the best of his abilities. The kiss had been going on for about 15 seconds before Bunny pulled back from it. In his haze of joy, Jack had tried to initiate another one but Bunny let go of him and put some space between them.

"Sorry, kinda let that kiss get out of hand."

"Yeah, you should make it up to me by giving me another one."

Bunny chuckled and moved off the sidewalk so he was standing on a lawn instead. "Ya always were a cheeky larrikin, but I still love you for it. Happy birthday, Jackie."

Bunny tapped the ground with his foot and a hole in the earth opened up beneath him. The hole swallowed him up in an instant and just as suddenly as it had appeared, the hole closed up. Jack stared dumbfounded at the ground. His mind; which before had been filled with questions, hope, excitement, very naughty things, doubts, and confusion; was now devoid of any thought. A single purple flower was the only sign that anything had happened at all. Jack continued staring at it until his brain finally decided to start working again.

Okay, so Bunny kissed me, and then was swallowed up by the earth. My friends must have drugged my pizza. Or that tiramisu was drugged. Yes, I am most likely drugged up right now. And that flower was always there, growing… in the middle of winter… after a snowstorm… Jack gave a sigh and walked the short distance to his house. Yep, I've gone off the deep end. A complete lunatic. Jack paused outside the front door and looked up at the sky. The moon shined brightly high up above him. Yep, so loony that I should be the man in the moon. And with that final thought, Jack took out his keys, opened the door, and went inside.