"Oi! Jack, wake up!" barked the ever-annoying, Australian-accented, and sinfully attractive voice of the one and only E. Aster Bunnymund.
Despite the obvious hint of irritation layering the blatant alarm clock, Jack feigned sleep, simply rolling over on his snow-packed tree branch.
The morning after Easter Sunday broke out early, the sun glittering on the fresh snow. It filled the air with a bitter chill, a sensation that soothed Jack like a warm bed, anchoring him to the bark of the tree. Early birds chattered in the crunching frost, searching the cold earth for worms, hard to find in the dirt.
Bunny kicked the tree.
His legs sent vibrations up the branches, rocking the entire structure of the foundation. The snow fell off in clumps, and the Pooka made sure to dodge the miniature avalanches. And then Jack fell on him with a thump.
Shocked blue eyes stared into green, before Jack smirked.
He huffed out through his breathless lungs, ignoring the dull throb underneath his ribs, and he chuckled, "Good morning, Cottontail."
Bunny scowled. "Get off me, Frostbite, before I smack you upside the head," he snapped. His paws found holds on Jack's chest, shoving the sprite off of him. "Bloody show-pony," he muttered, standing up.
Jack watch as he brushed the matted fur on his chest, smoothing out the mess made from the fall. He frowned at the Pooka. "What's gotten you today?"
"The snow, you gumby!" Bunny cried, gesturing about.
"What about it? I made sure not to mess anything up yesterday!"
Bunny sighed, approaching the boy. "It's spring, Jack. It's time to put the snow away."
Jack's grip on his staff tightened. "Do I have to?" he murmured quietly.
"North sent me here to tell you."
A few moments passed, during which the only sounds that emerged through the forest were the singing of the birds, and the North Wind brushing over the frozen, melting lake. It scratched into the surface of the ice. As they stood there, a loud crack split through the air, and the ice broke apart, revealing the black water beneath it.
The sound seemed to jolt Jack into his own mind again, and he smiled.
"You're right, Bunny," he said.
Bunny nodded, before pausing, "Wait, I am?"
The playful smirk tugged at Jack's lips. "Yes, you are."
Suddenly, he rushed forward. Their noses touched, the cold bite of Jack's skin nipping at Bunny's wet skin. It breathed through them, like a running stream. Another crack of ice filled the air, hiding Jack's next words from all but Bunny:
"I'll meet you in the Warren."
The Wind whisked him away, snowflakes trailing behind him on the breeze. Bunny stared after the winter devil in stunned silence, before pure joy broke out across his face. Bounding into the woods, be heralded spring, rejoicing in the life I brought forth.
A/N: Another collection of one-shots for a ship week! This time it's Jackrabbit!
Yes, this chapter is very short. I'm writing this as I'm about to fall asleep. This is what happens when you procrastinate. DONT. DO. IT.
Anyways, that's all I can say. I'm going to go to bed now. Goodnight!
~Renoku
