Jack followed Aster and Flora begrudgingly around the warren. When the fairy had invited herself to join the two Guardians, Jack had been certain Aster would have declined but he was wrong. Now the winter spirit was trailing his fellow Guardian and the frustrating fairy he had just meant.
Sighing heavily, Jack mentally kicked himself for not saying anything to Aster sooner about his feelings. "Maybe I wouldn't have to put up with this phony fairy and her annoying laugh." Jack thought.
The minute the trio had finished their slide down the hole into the warren, Flora was at the Easter spirit's side. She smiled and constantly complimented Aster on the beauty the place.
"You've done an absolutely amazing job, Aster." Flora said in her usual sweet, (annoyingly so, Jack thought) tone as they made their way to the dye river.
Aster smiled politely and nodded. "Thank ya." The fairy looked up at the Pooka and batted her long eyelashes.
Jack, from his spot, not far behind the two, rolled his eyes for what felt to him like the twentieth or so time. Despite knowing it was immature Jack couldn't help but mock the fairy. He mouthed the words Flora had just said with an annoyed expression and mimicked her eyelash batting, then he rolled his eyes once more.
As they reached the dye river Jack kept his distance and watched the two ahead of him. Aster made himself busy with something but what Jack couldn't tell. He also seemed to be chatting quietly with Flora and they continued talking for a few moments before falling silent.
The fairy seemed content to watch the Pooka for a while but eventually made her way back to Jack."You probably should get going Frosty," she said snidely. "It's awfully warm in here and we wouldn't want you to melt."
Jack glared at the being next to him. "Frosty is a snowman that was brought to life by magic. He would melt in the heat because he needed the snow and cold," he began as he snatched a rose from the band she wore in her hair. She looked at him annoyed but didn't say anything. "I " Jack said, raising the stemless flower he held in the palm of his hand up level with his face. "Am the snow and cold!" he said sternly and blew a breathe of cold air on the rose pointedly. The flower turned to ice. Jack smiled when the fairy did nothing but huff next to him.
Feeling a bit triumphant, Jack walked away from Flora towards were Aster still sat near the dye river. As he walked away he felt his foot hit something, unable to stop himself, he fell hard against the ground. The Guardian groaned as he glanced around to find what had tripped him. Not far from his foot was a root from a nearby tree. Jack watched as it slowly disappeared back into the ground. Curiously, the winter spirit looked at Flora.
With a smirk on her face, Flora shrugged as Jack eyed her. "I'm a spring spirit," She said as she approached him. "I have a way with plants and flowers." she whispered as she passed the him to join Aster once again.
Jack cursed silently as he brushed himself off. Once again he felt angry at himself. "Should have known better than let my guard down." he thought. He quickly joined the other two spirits, vowing to himself that he'd get her back when he would have a chance.
Aster had sat on his haunches while watching some egglets parade by but stood up once Jack joined Flora and him. "I think that 'bout covers it, not much more to show." he said.
Jack smiled. "Finally!" he thought.
"I would love to get a closer look at those." Flora nodded to some golems in the distance.
Aster paused then sighed. "Alright." He led the two spirits in the direction the fairy nodded.
Jack groaned as he, once again, followed the two. They walked for a bit when a thought crossed the winter spirit's mind. "Right," he thought, smirking. "Payback." Aiming his staff carefully, he created a small patch of ice just in front of the fairy when she gave Aster an adoring glance. As planned, Flora stepped on the ice without noticing it. Jack held in laughter as the fairy's legs slid out from under her and she landed on her backside.
Aster stopped in his tracks startled. He offered the fairy a helping hand after glancing back at Jack. Jack shrugged innocently. He knew it was probably unconvincing, especially if his friend noticed the small, now melting, patch of ice but didn't care at the moment.
Flora had accepted Aster's help and stood gracefully back up. After giving the Guardian next to her a reassuring smile and waiting for him to turn away, she took a moment to glare at Jack. Jack waved at her and smiled mockingly. She turned away with a huff and continued walking.
Calling the wind, Jack took to the air. He wasn't about to let the fairy get him again. He flew past the other two and spared them a glance as he passed. Jack soon realized that had been a mistake as he felt a sharp slap across his face. Dazed for a moment, Jack fell. He quickly pulled out of his descent just before hitting the ground. He looked around to find what had hit him. Jack figured a tree branch must have moved forward when he noticed one of them moving slowly back in place. He cursed again.
Aster called up to Jack. "Frostbite, ya alright?"
Jack nodded as he rubbed his sore cheek. "I have to be more careful, that's all." he said as he landed next to the Pooka.
Aster gave Jack a small smile before turning to the fairy. "Well, this is it." he gestured to the golems.
Flora beamed. "They're beautiful." she gushed.
Jack couldn't take it anymore. His face still felt hot from the spot were the branch had made contact and from the embarrassment he felt because Aster had seen it and thought it had been Jack's clumsiness. The young Guardian waited for Aster to turn away then aimed his staff and let snow build up in a cloud above the fairy's head. Once satisfied, Jack let his arm drop, bringing his staff down and the snow down with it.
Flora let out a loud screech of shock and surprise as she was covered in cold, wet snow. However, it was Aster who sent Jack a glare. The winter spirit winced at the look he received from his friend and looked away.
The fairy quickly brushed the snow off. "It's getting late," she began, feeling defeated. "I should head out." she said in a small, timid voice. She managed one more bright smile as she thanked Aster for everything.
Aster told Flora he'd help her back to the surface. As the two walked past Jack, the fairy sneered at him. He simply grinned.
Once the Easter spirit returned from dropping the fairy off he found Jack. "Ok Frostbite, what gives?"
Jack looked up from his spot under a tree. "Well," he paused as he thought of the best way to explain everything. "It's like this.." he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
Aster sat down across from the boy and waited patiently for an answer. Although he hadn't said anything, figuring they would work it out, Aster had noticed Jack and Flora's banter. Now, he wanted to know what it was all about.
"You remember North and Sandy's bet?" Jack asked as he finally meant the other spirits' eyes. Aster nodded. "After I realized you liked me I figured I should tell you how I felt but then I ran into those two fairies and.." he ran a hand over his temple. "I realized Flora liked you too and you agreed to show her around, well" Jack looked down at his lap, he felt a blush frosting his face. "things kind of escalated from there."
Aster had felt overjoyed when he heard Jack's admission that he returned the Pooka's feelings but remained passive so he could hear Jack out. After the winter spirit had finished, Aster gave a small chuckle. "Ya were jealous." he stated matter-of-factly.
Jack pursed his lips. He hated that word but supposed it fit. "Kind of." he said softly.
Aster smiled. "Ya don't have to worry Jack," Jack glanced back up at the use of his name. " I fancy ya, nobody else."
Jack beamed at Aster. He stood up, closed his eyes and stretched. Before Jack had a chance to do anything else he felt a pair of warm arms around him. He sighed contentedly as he rested his head against Aster's chest and wrapped his own arms around the Pooka's waist. He let a few moments passed before pulling back enough to meet his fellow Guardian's eyes. "So," he began. "Are you going to kiss me or what?" he asked playfully.
"Pooka's don't kiss." Aster responded.
Jack bit his lip nervously before smiling. "Humans do." In one swift movement Jack pushed himself up on tiptoes to make up for their difference in height and gently kissed Aster.
Still smiling after he pulled away, and happy to find he wasn't the only one, Jack meant Aster's eyes. "I'm looking forward to doing a lot more" he began. "but first," He let go of Aster's waist and stepped away from the other spirit. "There's something else I have to do." he said sadly. Aster gave him a curious glance. "I need to talk to someone." Jack tried to clarify. "I don't mean to leave so soon and I know this isn't the best time but…" Aster interrupted. "If it's important than ya should go, I'll be here when ya get back." he said with an understanding tone. Jack leaned forward once again and kissed the Pooka's cheek this time. "Thanks for understanding." He whispered. Jack picked up his staff from next to the tree and made to leave but before walking away he called to Aster. "We really should thank North and Sandy properly sometime, let me know if you have any ideas." Aster nodded. "I can think of a few" he thought with a smirk.
