~A Week since Hiccup's Incident, At Berk Art High~
"Hey, have you heard about Bunny and Summer?"
"Yeah, I heard they started dating not too long ago."
"Aw…I bet Summer is lucky to have someone handsome and strong like that guy."
The gossips from the group of girls reach a blue-hooded, white-haired boy's ears, his world darkening a bit. For a moment there, he could resemble his favorite uncle Pitch when said man is sulking or doing some horror stories work if Jack dyed his hair black and wear a black coat. Rumors and gossips have spread around school about their popular college student, E. Aster Bunnymund. The Art school that Jack attends has a mix of high school and college. How'd it happen, he wasn't sure. But this means he gets more time with Bunny.
Too bad Bunny only set his heart on Summer Season, the second eldest daughter of the Season family. Not only was her father famous but she, herself, is known as the beauty queen of the school. Bunny is known as 'The Great Warrior', not to mention the hottest guy in the whole campus.
As for Jack? Well…
"Hey, wasn't that Jack just now?"
"Huh? I don't know. He seems so invisible."
"Hm…His ice sculptures are more noticeable than himself though…No wonder they call him Ice Boy."
That's right; he's the 'Invisible Ice Boy' of Berk Arts High.
~In Art Room, After School~
"Hey, Jack, here's the ladder you need."
"Thanks, Jamie."
Jack said, not stopping his work on his latest sculpture. Jamie checks his watch and clicks his tongue.
"Damn it…Jack, I need to get home. I have to take my little sister to the skating rink. I promised her. Is it okay if I go early?"
Jack gives Jamie a small smile. "Sure. Tell Sophie I said hi though. Haha." Jamie grins at his friend and rushes out, wearing his jacket on the way.
When Jack is sure Jamie is gone, he sighs and places his ladder at an angle where he can work on the head. When he thinks he got it right, he climbs up the ladder and starts working on the head of the sculpture.
It wasn't anything ordinary though. The sculpture is shaped in a shape like two people are dancing in a romantic slow dance but the face and exact features are yet to be done. But Jack is truly determined to finish this before the annual Winter Christmas Eve where they have this 'Secret Santa' thing.
And who will have Jack as the Secret Santa? One word and it rhymes with 'Honey'.
Jack sighs at his predicament. He feels like he's living a double life. With his friends like Hiccup, Jamie, Merida and Rapunzel, he's a happy-go-lucky boy with a personality of a 10 year old. But here, where he's with his crush and a world where no one notices him, he's some lonely, gloomy boy with some prank problems. Besides those selected friends, no one has ever seen his real, happy self. Not even Bunny.
In this school, when you're happy, you're a target. And because Bunny is the popular kind, he won't show his other side to him.
No matter how many times Bunny is friendly to him…
Jack decided to release his disappointment on his sculpture. He presses the nail against the ice, raises his hammer with an iron grip and…
"Oi, Snowflake!"
"AH!" Jack lets out a shout of surprise from the oh-so-familiar Australian accent and drops his tools to the floor, leaning back a bit too far. The ladder seems to follow his gravity but Jack tries to keep it balance. He leans forward and the ladder follow suit. When it becomes balanced, Jack pants with slight fear, his heart beating 100 times per min. How can he not notice the sound of a door opening? Thank god his sculpture isn't all that knowable for anyone to understand what he's making…
"Haha. Sorry to scare ya, mate. But that's payback for tha' cream pie prank you did on my locker."
…Make that per second.
"Kangaroo, what are you doing here?" Jack didn't turn to face him, blushing with pure embarrassment. He pulls up the hood of his hoodie over his head and climbs down the ladder before turning to his crush, only one of his eyes revealed with his other eye slightly shaded in darkness.
Bunnymund is no short on hotness. His gray hair is shoulder length and slightly ruffled with his green eyes shining with mirth. His strong chin, tanned skin and beautiful smile just made Jack all the more attracted. His attire is truly no good with the cold weather but it fits him so well. His white singlet hugs tightly on his chest, showing his muscular arms and build, matching his gray jeans and sneakers.
He notices the gray, thick coat hanging at the clothes rack and finally knows Bunny didn't actually walk in here dressed as what he is wearing now.
"Stop callin' me a Kangaroo. I just came here ta' paint. Got a problem with that, Snowflake?"
Jack blushes dark red and shivers in delight at the slightly demanding tone. He shakes his head while trying to control his voice.
"N-No…None at all."
Bunny stands there for a moment before raising a brow.
"Somethin' the matter, Frostbite?"
"H-Huh? Nothing's wrong. I'm just a bit…cold." Jack lies and almost wants to facepalm himself.
Bunny lets out a snort. "Cold? I think ya need to practice lyin', mate, because you and I both know you don't get cold."
It was as true as the sun is hot. Jack seems to have immunity towards coldness and because of that, he only needs a soft jacket to protect himself from making his torso too cold that he's freeze.
"Today, I just do…" Bunny opens his mouth. "So, I heard you're dating Summer Season now." Jack states quickly, pinching himself to distract the pain in his chest.
He can practically feel the smile Bunny is wearing. "Well, crikey, so you did hear. Summer was right. We been datin' for a while now, mate." Bunny walks towards Jack and ruffles a bit on the top of Jack's hood. "But don't think I'll stop paying attention to ya. Your pranks aren't gonna be ignored so easily."
Bunny chuckles and turns around to get started on his painting while Jack stands there in silence, his eyes drifting to the floor. When Bunny left the Ice Room, he turns around and grips on the ladder.
"My pranks aren't the only thing you should remember about…" With that, Jack climbs up the ladder and continues with his latest work.
~A Few Hours Later~
"Damn, out of blue…"
Bunny glares a bit at the blue paint tube before heading to the Ice Room, where Jack is working on his sculptures. He knocks softly on the door of it.
"Oi, Frostbite, can I come in?"
Silence.
Bunny raises a brow. "Frostbite?" He grips on the handle of the door and opens slowly to meet a rare sight.
On top of large, fluffy sheets used to make bed covers is Jack, sleeping on his side with a hammer in one hand and the nail next to the sculpture. Bunny chuckles a bit and walks towards the young boy and sits down next to him, looking at his face.
His lips are slightly parted, his breathing is soft and calm and his face holds pure serenity and innocence, so peaceful like a 5 year old cuddling a teddy bear in their sleep. A tanned hand reaches out to the white hair and strokes it softly, earning a soft sound escaping from Jack's mouth.
"Mm…Bunny…"
The taller male stares at Jack's face, wondering why he uttered his name. Nevertheless, Jack looks comfortable so it must be something good.
"You sure are an ankle biter, Jack…" The gray-haired boy said, whispering with a smile. He runs a hand down to Jack's cheek and rubs it with his thumb.
Then he froze.
Forming on his lips is a beautiful, peaceful smile, with pearly white teeth and soft, cute lips.
"…Aster…"
Bunny flinches back his hand, shock filling his emotions as he try to process the image before him. The way Jack said his name…it was so sweet, so happy, not like the Jack he usually sees in school…
Is this his real self?
"Mm…" Jack shifts a bit and nuzzles against Bunny's hand like it's a pillow, smiling peacefully again.
Bunny didn't know what to do. Should he leave? Should he just wake the boy up?
"Mm…Aster…"
Hearing his name again in that soft tone made Bunny putty in the white-haired boy's hand.
And so, in that winter evening with soft, white snow falling down from heaven, Bunnymund sits by Jack, looking at the face no one else in school knew.
~After a while~
"Mm…Nh…Huh…?" Jack blinks his eyes open before yawning a bit. He sits up and rubs his tired eyes before letting out groans by stretching a bit.
"So, how was yer nap?"
"It was good…Huh!?" Jack's eyes snap open and he turns to Bunny, his face paler than normal.
Sitting next to him is a concentrated-looking Bunnymund with a paintbrush in one hand and a painted egg in another. He stares at his work and asks.
"Well, I can tell tha' from yer face…You were smilin' like a happy ankle biter."
Jack didn't know which did his cheeks turn to, pink or more paleness.
"I...Um…" Jack bits his lower lip before pulling up his hood. "I gotta go!" He stands up and turns around to leave.
"Hold it." Bunnymund grabs his wrist and tugs him back on the sheet.
"AH!" Jack falls on the sheets on his back, groaning a bit before covering his face. "What? What do you want?" He cheeks glow bright red and his heart beats faster than ever before. He wants to cry. He wants to run. He wants to get away from here. But Bunny is preventing him to do so.
"Here." Bunny holds an egg out for Jack, making the young boy peek through his arms. It was winter blue with snowflakes on the top half of it and white snow color on the bottom of it like it's a miniature version of a background. "It's for you."
For a moment, Jack didn't speak. When Bunny releases his grip, Jack sits across Bunny, staring at his gift. He cradles it in his palms like it's a glow of light, marveling at the great art on it.
"A bit tacky but I thought it fits you. You shouldn't fake yerself to fit in, ya know. If ya get targeted just for bein' happy, then I'll mess those dingos for messin' ya. Got it?"
Jack looks at the older male, who's looking at him from the corner of green eyes while leaning his strong chin against his large, right hand with its elbow on his right knee. Jack looks back at the egg and softly run his fingertips on it.
"…Bunny…?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you…"
Bunny's eyes widen at the sight before him.
Right before his eyes is Jack smiling widely, his eyes close with his hands cradling the beautiful egg like a child holding a Christmas present for their parents.
"I love it, Bunny. Thank you."
Their bond grew stronger than ever and Bunny has never forgotten that smile.
~A Few Weeks Passed, After School~
"Hey, Hiccup!" Jack shouts cheerfully to the brunette. "Was school okay?"
"Yeah. School was bearable so I'll have the chocolate fudge sundae." Jack nods and told Rapunzel the order, who answers with a joyful tone in her voice. "So what did Bunny do this time?"
"He showed me the most adorable painting! Although, I managed to pour flour on him and he chased me around for a while." Jack and Hiccup laugh at their own humor. However, Jack's expression changes to that of a sad smile. "Too bad he's taken though…I thought maybe I have a chance." Hiccup frowns a bit at his friend's disappointment and places a hand on his shoulder. It has been a few weeks since Jack has been heartbroken by the news Bunny dating a girl named Summer Season and he isn't healed completely…not even a little.
"Jack…you shouldn't be so down. If you really love him, you should be happy for him…" Jack sighs a little and nods.
"I know…but…well…my feelings for him are getting stronger so…maybe…" Jack pauses for a moment, nervous at what he is about to say. Hiccup raises a brow.
"What is it?" Jack hesitates but after much coaxing, he lets it out.
"I'm gonna confess to him next week…At the Winter Christmas Eve."
CLING CLANK!
"WHAT!?" Rapunzel and Merida screeches, poking their heads to look at the blushing, pale boy. Hiccup seems surprise too and blinks.
"Wait, are you sure?"
"Jack, you can't be serious."
"Have ya gone mad?!"
Jack chuckles at his friends' worries. "No, I'm serious this time. It's better than hiding away my feelings and he'll find out eventually. I rather he hears it from me."
Merida raises a hand. "But-"
Tingling~!
"Table for two, please!"
Jack suddenly stands still and looks at the door. Standing there is Bunny with an yellow-haired lady with him. Her hair reaches down to her waist, her body curvy and perfect with her skin a beautiful complexion. Her yellow blouse and knee-long, white skirt matches her high heels, showing her beautiful legs.
Jack grabs Hiccup and whispers quietly. "Hide me!" He ducks under the counter and prays to the God above for hope that Bunny won't notice him.
It's bad enough that Bunny caught him smiling. Now he'll catch him in his white apron! Worst of, with his girlfriend!
"Bunny dear, I'll go find us a table. How about you order for us?" Summer's voice reaches Jack's ears and he can't help but clenches his hands into fists. It was like she's mocking him while saying 'I'm dating Bunny and you're not'.
"Sure, doll. I'll be sure to order tha' fruit cake for ya." Bunny said lovingly, breaking Jack's heart to pieces.
Why can't he talk to him like that?
The sound of heels clicking against the floor was heard to the left while the sound of boots walks closer to the counter. "Hm? Hey, anyone there?"
"Oh, sorry! The cashier went to…um…" Hiccup bits his lower lip. Jack clasps his hands together, looking at Rapunzel and Merida for help. "To…um…"
"To the loo!"
"To lunch!"
Jack silently facepalms at the two, big different excuses his friends made up. He can imagine the confusion on Bunny's face now.
"Um…Y-Yeah! He went for lunch b-but he got a stomachache from the food he ate so…" Hiccup gestures to Rapunzel. "Rapunzel will take your order! She's the chef here."
Bunny nods, understanding a bit. "Alright. I'll have tha' fruit cake and carrot cake."
Rapunzel smiles. "Will do! Anything else, sir?"
"A chocolate sundae, if ya don't mind."
Jack's brows furrow together. Chocolate? But Bunny is allergic to those.
"Are you a fan of chocolate?" Hiccup asks, knowing Jack has mention about the chocolate allergy one time.
"God, no. I'm allergic to tha' stuff. But my Sheila loves them."
Summer Season loves chocolate and she's dating with a person who's allergic to those. Who knew?
"Alright. Your order will arrive shortly."
"Thanks." Jack leans his head against the wooden counter.
He can hear the smile in Bunny's voice. He should face it.
Confessing his feelings to a guy like Bunny will only lead him to a world of pain.
~A While Later~
"Mm~. This chocolate is so good!" Summer hums in delight while Jack, hiding in the kitchen now, stares at the couple sitting at the table on the left. Bunny has finished eating but Summer seems to be taking her sweet time with her sundae.
"Jack, you need to come out sooner or later." Rapunzel said behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Jack shakes his head.
"No…I'll only ruin his date. I already know how he'll react to my confession though: Disgust."
"Come on, Jack." Rapunzel pouts. "I'm sure Bunny is better than that. Maybe he'll accept your love."
"Easy for you to say. You got Eugene as your first boyfriend and you two have been together for 4 years."
"5 actually. And you seem to forget I once knocked him out with my frying pan and dragged him into my house because I accused him of being a stalker when he was trying to catch one."
"…Good point. But still-"
"Summer, I'm tellin' ya, no." The firm voice from Bunny made Jack stop his talking and aim his focus on the couple. His eyes widen.
Summer is trying to feed him chocolate.
"Come on, Bunny! It's just a bite! It won't kill you!"
"I told you before, Summer, I can't eat chocolate!"
"And why not?" Summer pouts softly and tries to aim for his mouth but being a quick dodger, he missed it. Rapunzel pales a bit.
"Jack, what happens when Bunny eats chocolate?" No answer. "Jack?" She looks around to find him gone.
"You know why!" Bunny grits his teeth together, dodging every attack.
"Stop trying to confuse me and open wide!"
She pushes the spoon forward and Bunny knew he can't dodge this one. He shuts his eyes tightly and-
Grip!
"That's enough!"
Bunny's eyes widen. Holding Summer's wrist with her hand holding the spoon of the dangerous substance is Jack looking at Summer with an angry look.
In his white apron.
"Who are you!?" Summer glares at Jack but he seems unfazed. Bunny decides to intervene.
"Jack, you work here?"
Jack freezes up a bit, as if he just realized he's been spotted. A soft color of pink appears on his cheek and he says quietly.
"My dad owns Santoff Claussen…" Trying to focus on the task at hand, he speaks with Summer. "Summer, you should know Bunny is deadly allergic to chocolate. He'll end up getting his windpipe clogged and he won't be able to breathe properly. I'm sure he told you, right?"
Summer looks shock at first before Jack releases her wrist, allowing her to put the spoon down.
"Hold it, Jack. How'd ya know I'm allergic ta those?"
Jack flusters more and mumbles something quietly.
"What?" Bunny asks and Jack speaks a bit louder.
"…I overheard about it when you were talking to your friends…"
Bunny is surprised. He only spoke to his friends about his allergy once and that was months ago! Jack actually remembered what he talked with his friends about by hearing it once?
His eyes travel to Summer. He told her so many times yet she always seems to forget. How can his best friend remember something he only heard once while his girlfriend forgets about that fact no matter how many times she hears it?
"Well, thanks fer tha' help, mate. I appreciate it."
Summer looks at Jack. "Yeah…thanks."
Jack can't help but feel her tone has more bite than nice.
Bunny checks his watch and curses. "Shit. I need to go. Come on, Summer, we better get ya home."
"Just a moment, hun. I want to thank Jack for saving you personally. You go on ahead and pay first, okay?" When Bunny nods and left the two alone at the table, Summer's sweet smile turns into an ugly scowl. "Okay, fag, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Jack blinks at the shock of Summer's choice of words. "Um…huh?"
Summer pokes Jack's chest with her manicured index-finger. "You heard me! Who do you think you are, trying to steal my man?"
Jack's eyes widen. "W-What? Oh, I-I'm not-"
"If you think you can get that hot guy for a one-night stand, too bad because I call dibs."
…What?
"What did you say?" Jack asks with his tone a bit more serious and a little angry. Summer raises her head high.
"You heard me. I call dibs on that guy and I'm not letting a white-haired fag ruin my plan to get laid with him."
"You're saying you're using him for sex?" Jack hisses out the word, his blood boiling inside him. He grabs Summer by the arm. "You heartless-"
"JACK!"
Said boy flinches at the angry, Australian voice before he finds himself ripped apart from Summer with Bunny glaring at him and gripping on his arm.
"What do ya think yer doin' to my Sheila?!"
"Oh, darling, thank goodness!" Summer hugs Bunny's free arm, looking like a damsel in distress being saved. "I was trying to thank Jack when he tried to touch me! He's a pervert!"
"NO!" Jack cries out and looks at angry, green eyes. "Bunny, she's lying! I would never-"
"See?! He's lying again! Make this pervert stop, hunny bunch!"
"Bunny, who are you going to believe, me or Summer?!" Jack stares directly at Bunny, his eyes threatening to spill his tears of frustration and anger. Rapunzel, Merida, Hiccup and the customers in the shop, who never manage to hear the conversation, stare in shock and wait in anticipation on what's going to happen next.
Jack wants to cry…He really wants to. He knows what Bunny's answer is but he still held on that small hope he's carrying…
The hope that Bunny will pick Jack.
"…Come on, Summer…You won't see him again."
Jack's eyes widen with fear. No…
"You better leave Summer alone, Jack." Bunny speaks in a tone Jack isn't used to. "I mean it. Or else, we ain't friends no more."
As Bunny and Summer left the café, Jack only stands there, trying to think up the possibility on why Bunny won't believe him besides the fact Summer is his girlfriend.
But he knew what that other theory is. And it hurts him to the core.
Bunny loves Summer way more than Jack.
~The Next Day, At School~
"Hey…it's him."
"Who? Jack? Yeah, I heard he molested Summer. Who knew he would be that kind of person?"
"Urgh…He's so disgusting…I'm surprised he can make those beautiful sculptures."
Jack grips on the sleeves of his dark blue hoodie, trying to dig his nails into his skin through the fabric. Rumors have spread and because of it, everyone has been avoiding Jack at all cost and tackle him with petty tricks like throwing rubbish into his locker, dropping a bucket of cold water on him, etc.
Jack never thought it could get any worse…
But it did.
"JACK FROST!"
Hearing the Australian voice made Jack turn around. When he was about to say hi and smile…
BAM!
Everyone gasps as Jack falls to the floor, his hood off of his head. Jack slowly gets up and rubs his throbbing cheek, looking at the infuriated college student. His eyes start to sting.
"YOU!" Bunny exclaims, pointing at Jack. "YOU DESTROYED MY WORK! BECAUSE OF YOU, I HAVE TO WORK STARTIN' FROM SCRATCH! WHAT, ISN'T MOLESTING MY GIRLFRIEND ENOUGH!?"
"B-Bun-"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT AS IF YOU KNOW ME!" Bunny shouts out, scaring the pale boy. "WE'RE NOT FRIENDS ANYMORE, YA HEAR ME!?"
Jack couldn't hold it in anymore…His heart finally breaks in two and his emotions come spilling out. He grits his teeth together and stands up.
"FINE! IF THAT'S HOW YOU WANT IT, THEN FINE!" Jack clenches his hands into fists and his vision becomes a watery blur. "IF THAT'S HOW YOU FEEL, THEN LET ME TELL YOU! I REGRET EVER FALLING FOR A BASTARD LIKE YOU, YOU FUCKING KANGAROO!"
Bunny looks shock but Jack continues to spill his words out. "SINCE YOU LIKE THAT SLUT OF YOURS, GO AHEAD! SEE IF I CARE! BUT WHEN YOU FIND HER FUCKING ANOTHER GUY, DON'T SAY I WARN YOU, YOU SCREWED UP FUCK!"
BAM!
This angers Bunny even more, for he has raised his hand and forms it into a fist, landing another punch on the same, aching cheek.
Jack grips on his left cheek and staggers but still standing. When he looks at Bunny through his tears, he sees the cold, dark look on Bunny's face. He glares down at him and Jack knew whatever they have is gone. The friendship, the good times, the times they were together…Gone.
Jack didn't want to hear what he just said but Bunny did. It broke Jack's heart. Ignoring the stinging pain on his left cheek, he runs away, hearing the cheers and claps of other student…
He couldn't stop the tears from falling anymore. He couldn't hear his surrounding anymore. All he hears now is the dreaded words of what Bunny said that reflects his thoughts of Jack.
"YER DEAD TA ME!"
~After School~
"J…Jack…?"
"Hng…Sniff…Jamie, leave me alone…please…"
Jamie walks into the room instead, closing the door behind him and walks over to Jack, who is in his own dark corner, hugging his knees and crying his heart out.
"Jack…" Jamie said softly, sitting next to him and wraps an arm around his shoulder. "It's okay…Bunny doesn't mean it-"
"He does, Jamie…He does." Jack looks at his friend with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Did you see the way he looked at me…? I'm a stranger to him now, Jamie…He hates me…"
"But it was Summer's fault-"
"Bunny wouldn't believe me…He loves her too much to hear me out…" Jack covers his eyes and lets out a shaky breath. "I can't face him…I can't face him again…I'm gonna transfer school."
"W-What!?" Jamie exclaims with shock. "You can't! Jack, this is the only Art School where you can hone your ice sculpture skills! Besides that, there's still the Winter Christmas Eve-"
"I'm not going there."
"But the Secret Santa-"
"Bunny hates his Secret Santa now, Jamie. I can't give him his gift…" Jack looks at the ice sculpture and leans his head against the wall. "I can't…Jamie, I can't face him…Please, don't force me to go…"
Jamie didn't know what to do anymore…Whenever Jack is down, he would try to cheer himself up but this…this is not Jack now.
Bunny has broken him.
"But Jack-"
"Jamie…" Jack turns to Jamie and grips a bit on his knee. "I thank you for worrying me but…can you…can you leave me alone…? P-Please…?"
Jamie was about to protest when he stares into Jack's eyes. He knew those eyes. It was the type of eyes where they won't take a 'no' for an answer.
"…Al…Alright…" Jamie stands up slowly and walks to the door. Giving one last look at Jack, he left the Ice Room, leaving Jack to his solitude.
Jack closes his eyes and hugs himself, the void inside him filling his heart. He never felt this feeling before…What is it? What is this freezing feeling? Is this how a person feels when they're cold?
Or is this how a person feels when they have their hearts ripped out?
Creakkk…
"Jamie, I told you-"
"Hah, as if I'm him."
Jack opens his eyes and finds himself face to face with Summer Season, her blonde hair flowing softly with her grin sinister and taunting.
"What do you want, Summer…?"
The girl flips her hair over her shoulder and smirks down at him. "I just want to see how you're holding up the blame I'm transferring to you. I'll admit it, smashing those ugly paintings is a hassle but seeing you like this and looking at what happen at the hallway: Priceless."
Jack's baby blue eyes widen. "That was you!?" He stands up and grits his teeth together in anger but Summer laughs tauntingly.
"Why yes, it was. But then, who would believe you? Face it, Jack, you lost and I won. I'm a bit surprised to hear you actually like that painter. But artist loves an artist, right?" When her eyes darts to the ice sculpture, she grins. "Speaking of art…"
Jack's eyes slowly fill with horror. "No…Summer, don't you dare!"
"Try me! Who's gonna stop me?! Your precious Bunny? He hates you, Jack." She smirks and grabs a nearby hammer. "If you try to stop me, how will Bunny feel having his most precious painting destroy?"
His body froze. "You're lying. You don't have it."
The smirk on her face makes a shiver of chills travel up and down on his spine. She pulls out her phone and shows him a picture of a canvas with a painting of a tough-looking version of an Easter Bunny.
"Oh I have it, Jack. You know now that I'm not lying. Face it, Ice boy, you can't handle my heat. I'm summer and you're winter. You're in a losing battle. Now you better listen to me right here, right now."
Jack clenches his hands and bits his lower lip. Finding no way out, he calms down and nods his head sadly. Summer smiles a victorious smile.
"Excellent. Now listen carefully. You are going to another school, stop working at that crappy café, stop coming to this school, allowing me to do whatever I want here and most of all…"
Summer leans close to Jack's ear, whispering hauntingly.
"Stay away from Bunnymund."
Summer turns around and lifts her hammer and all Jack could do is shut his eyes tightly, listening to the dreaded sounds of his latest work being destroyed.
All for the sake of a guy who would never accept his love.
~At Santoff Claussen, an Hour before the Winter Christmas Eve~
"Jack, don't you need to go to the dance?"
"No, mom…I'm not feeling good about going there. I just want to stay here and help you and dad out."
"But honey, its closing time." Toothiana places a hand on Jack's shoulder worriedly. "You love Christmas, Jack."
"But I want to stay here, mom. Besides, the others are coming here so I won't be alone."
Hearing about Jack's friends coming, Toothiana calms down a bit. "Well…Alright. But your father and I won't be able to bring you home unless you plan on staying here till 2 am."
Jack, in his signature dark blue hoodie and gray pants, chuckles lightly. He knows his mom wants some private time with his dad and Christmas Eve is the best time. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, his dad's favorite family time.
"I'll be okay, mom. Hiccup said he and Toothless wouldn't mind driving me back home. You and dad go have fun." Seeing his father in the distance, Jack adds quietly. "You need it."
Toothiana giggles softly. "Alright, Jack but remember: Be on bed by 10 or else you know what will happen." Jack knows. His sister knows. Hell, even Uncle Pitch knows from experience!
"B-But mom, can I stay up till 11? Pleaseee! I'll be in bed by 11! I promise!"
Toothiana lets out a soft hum. "Well…It is Christmas…Alright, but by 11 or else!"
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said with a grin and with a kiss on the cheek, he watches his parents drive off to their time alone. He sighs and sits at a nearby chair, taking out the same, winter egg Bunny has first given him. As he stares at the beautiful artwork again, his face changes to a worry look.
"I wonder if he's doing okay…"
~At the Winter Christmas Eve, 7:30pm~
"Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Be sure to enjoy your time here!"
The party was loud and swarming with dancing students, some chatting and some taking selfies. One in particular is dancing with a certain woman. When the next song came out, the woman tugs on the sleeves of a gray-haired man's suit.
"Honey, I feel parch. Do you mind getting some drinks for me?"
"Sure thing, doll face." With a charming smile, Bunny walks towards the punch bowl and grabs two plastic cups. As he fill it with pink liquid, a boy wearing a blue cap, a light blue jacket and blue jeans stands next to him.
"Having fun?" The boy asks, staring at the dance floor. Bunny chuckles.
"Loads. With a girlfriend like that, you would be havin' fun whenever ya with her."
"That fits on all the men she met."
Bunny stops pouring mid-way. He turns to the boy. "What are ya sayin', mate?"
"I'm saying your girlfriend is a manipulative bitch and you're risking everything on a girl who never even loved you for you." When Bunny clenches one of his hands into his fist, the stranger raises his hand. "I have proof. You'll see it in about…" The stranger pulls back his sleeve, checking his watch. "Now."
"Come on, the coast is clear."
"Summer, you sure know your ways around school."
"Of course I do. I get laid at least thrice a day after all."
The sounds of a video playing made Bunny turn to the stage, almost dropping his drinks.
On that video is Summer wearing her bikini for her swimming club and following behind her is a muscular man wearing swim trunks.
He couldn't believe it…
The man pins Summer against the wall, grinning at her.
"You are one dirty girl."
Summer smirks seductively and runs her hands along his chest.
"Every guy says that but I'm still a good girl to everyone else anyways."
"I like to see this bad girl side of yours."
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?! SOMEONE, STOP THIS VIDEO! IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Bunny can hear Summer shouting loudly, having everyone staring in awe at the video.
The video changed to one scene where Summer is in the library, making out with a blue-haired boy. Then, it changes to the next scene where she flirts with two guys at once and they respond in a way that disgust Bunny and with every scene that comes next is more proof of Summer being a girl of betrayal.
Summer runs into Bunny's arms, fake-crying into his chest. "Darling, make them stop! They're making up lies about me!"
Bunny opens his mouth to say something when the next scene shows something Bunny is all too familiar with.
The Ice Room.
"What do you want, Summer…?"
Bunny's eyes widen when he saw the state of Jack in the video. Dried tears on his cheeks, slightly red and puffy eyes, his body shaking from crying…He notices the back of Summer Season standing in front of Jack.
Summer flips her hair over her shoulder and her head lowers a bit, like she's looking down on Jack. "I just want to see how you're holding up the blame I'm transferring to you. I'll admit it, smashing those ugly paintings is a hassle but seeing you like this and looking at what happen at the hallway: Priceless."
Jack's baby blue eyes widen. "That was you!?" He stands up and grits his teeth together in anger but Summer laughs tauntingly.
Bunny's eyes widen and he grabs Summer by the shoulder, glaring at her. "Is that true!? It was you!?"
Summer swallows nervously. "N…No…"
"Why yes, it was." Summer answers. "But then, who would believe you? Face it, Jack, you lost and I won. I'm a bit surprised to hear you actually like that painter. But artist loves an artist, right?" When her head moves a bit to the ice sculpture, her voice reveals she's grinning. "Speaking of art…"
Jack's eyes slowly fill with horror. "No…Summer, don't you dare!"
"Try me! Who's gonna stop me?! Your precious Bunny? He hates you, Jack."
Bunny grips harder on Summer's shoulders and flinches at those last four words.
She grabs a nearby hammer with a smirk on her face. "If you try to stop me, how will Bunny feel having his most precious painting destroy?"
His body froze. "You're lying. You don't have it."
Summer pulls out her phone and shows him something on it.
"Oh I have it, Jack. You know now that I'm not lying. Face it, Ice boy, you can't handle my heat. I'm summer and you're winter. You're in a losing battle. Now you better listen to me right here, right now."
Jack clenches his hands and bits his lower lip. Finding no way out, he calms down and nods his head sadly.
"Excellent." Summer said with a smile in her voice. "Now listen carefully. You are going to another school, stop working at that crappy café, stop coming to this school, allowing me to do whatever I want here and most of all…"
Summer leans close to Jack's ear, whispering hauntingly but still loud enough for the camera to hear.
"Stay away from Bunnymund."
Bunny can feel his heart slowly fill with dread as he watches Jack stand there in self-anguish while Summer laughs victoriously and smashes the ice sculpture to pieces, leaving no room for mercy.
"That sculpture was for you, Bunny."
"H-Huh?" Bunny turns to the stranger, who is looking disapprovingly at him.
"That ice sculpture was for you. Jack worked really hard on it and he hoped to give to you. As your Secret Santa. But thanks to a certain she-devil-" Summer flinches in Bunny's tight grip. "-he has to suffer all that. For you. The very person who broke his heart. He's thinking about telling his parents after Christmas to send him to live with his uncle, who's living in New York."
"What?!" Bunny exclaims and releases one of his hands from Summer and grabs the stranger's arm. "Tell me yer jokin'!"
The boy shakes his head. "I wish I am…He was so heartbroken by your choice of words that he plans on getting away from you. Your words scarred his heart."
Bunny's grip on the stranger weakens.
"YER DEAD TA ME!"
"No…God no…Where tha' hell is he?! Is he here?!"
The stranger shakes his head yet again. "He can't handle seeing you. But I can lead you to him if you like. All I ask is that you heal him and make amends."
"W-Wh…What about me?" Summer asks, pale in fear. Hearing her voice made Bunny glares so darkly at her, he could be the son of the devil himself.
"Ya still got the fucking guts to speak, huh?! It's over, Summer. We're done."
"NO! I'm supposed to be the dumper, not the dumped!"
"Let us handle her." A voice said and Bunny notices a girl with autumn hair and reddish-brown eyes. "Our parents and sisters are here so they saw everything."
Summer pales even more. "E-Everything?"
"Everything." The girl grabs her sister and bows to Bunny. "I'm sorry for the trouble my sister has caused…As for you." She glares down at Summer. "You are so in trouble." Pulling Summer by the hair, she drags her to two angry grown-ups. Shouting over her shoulder, the girl calls out. "I wish you luck in getting your guy back! He's something you shouldn't let go of!"
With a nod, Bunny and the stranger hurry out of the party, earning loud 'Good Luck' and 'Go, Bunny!' from the crowd. Before they went into Bunny's car, Bunny raises a brow at the stranger. "One last thing. Who are ya?"
The stranger takes off his cap a bit and looks at Bunny with brown eyes. "Jamie. Jamie Bennett. Jack's friend. Now drive before I change my mind about kicking your ass for breaking my friend's heart."
~At Santoff Claussen~
"Haha, wow, Hiccup. You sure have a big family coming in."
"I only ask a few friends of mine…"
"Which resulted in getting them to invite their boyfriends and girlfriends."
Jack chuckles at Hiccup's blushing face, looking at the dancing people in the café. This song playing right now is 'Take It Off' by Kesha.
"I'm surprised your cousin, Snotlout, managed to find someone to date though." Hiccup chuckles a bit and shrugs.
"Me too but then, everyone in my family was shock he got one. And a guy at that!"
"Don't forget it's my brother." Toothless said, walking towards Hiccup and wrapping an arm around his waist. "Hookfang, being the idiot of a brother he is, dates some pretty strange guys. Though, he is always the top of the relationship."
"Like you?" Hiccup raises a brow at Toothless, making him chuckle.
"Hey, you know me! I dominate what I love. And I love you." He kisses Hiccup's cheek, making freckles boy blush with embarrassment. Jack smiles softly at the sign of affection but he can't help but feel bitter about it.
The image of Bunny hugging him like how Toothless does to Hiccup disappears from his eyes as soon as it came.
The song switched to 'Somebody I Used to Know'. Because the original one isn't too romantic, they used the Boyce Avenue version.
Toothless offers a hand to Hiccup. "May I?"
Hiccup looks at Jack as if telling him if he's excuse. Jack waves his hand. "Don't mind me. You two have fun." Hiccup smiles gratefully and takes Toothless's hand in his.
"You may." With that, Toothless sweeps Hiccup off his feet to the dance floor, leaving Jack to sit and drink his juice.
The party is full of couples. Snotlout with Hookfang, Hiccup with Toothless, Rapunzel with Eugene, hell, even Merida is with that muscular guy in the party.
Jack sighs and drinks down another cup of juice.
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
Jack exhales and grips on his cup before getting out of the chair, walking towards the juice container to pour another cup of it.
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
Oh and I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
Somebody, Somebody
That I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody, Oh Somebody
That I used to know
"Now you're just somebody that I used to know…" Jack sings softly, whispering to the songs.
Tingling~!
"JACK! WHERE DA HELL ARE YA, YA LITTLE ANKLE BITER!?"
Jack freezes up and didn't dare to turn, He didn't need to. He knows that voice anywhere.
Bunny pants softly, his tie untie, his hair slightly ruffled up, the jacket of his suit left in his chair and the top two button of his shirt unbutton, showing his collarbone. Next to him is Jamie, panting softly.
"W-Wow…I'm surprised you get…heat up when you're in a rush, Bunny. Jack mentioned…hah…hu…Give me a minute." Jamie pants before taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly. "That's better. Jack mentioned you hate the cold."
"I do but that's not the point now! Jack, I know yer in there so come out or I'm going after ya!" Jack slowly takes a step back. Maybe he can escape if he quietly and slowly walk away-
That was disturbed when he knock his foot on the legs of the table, letting out a grunt of pain.
"THERE YA ARE!" Bunny yells.
Oh shit.
Jack couldn't waste another moment. With everyone staring at him, he runs quickly to the kitchen. "OI! FROSTBITE, GET BACK HERE!"
He wishes he could. He really wants to. But the memory of Bunny's outburst and those haunting words prevent him from turning around and hug the larger male.
"Stay away from Bunnymund."
"YER DEAD TA ME!"
Jack hid behind the kitchen door and when Bunny opens it, he examines the room closely. He steps forward into it, turning his head left and right.
"Frostbite?"
Jack bits his lower lip, trying to think the way out.
"Snowflake?"
He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to concentrate. If he try running out, Jamie will be there to stop him. The bathroom, please, that's the most idiotic thing to do.
"Jack?"
Jack's eyes snap open. The basement! The basement where his dad keeps his wine!
Seeing the back of Bunny's head, Jack quickly runs out of the kitchen and he didn't need to turn to know Bunny already knew. "JACK!"
Jack runs as fast as he can, passing through the crowd before finding the stairs. He looks over his shoulder to find Bunny being sandwiched by Eugene and Merida's dance partner. They gave the thumbs up.
"Thank you." Jack mouths before heading down the stairs, not knowing Bunny has broken free from the duo.
Seeing the halls of his mom's teeth collection (She even kept Jack's baby teeth in a special room), he runs through the hall and turns right, facing a double black door cellar.
"JACK!"
Hearing that voice made Jack open the cellar and head down into it. When the doors are about to close, a tanned hand prevent one of it from closing.
Double shit.
"Okay. Playtime's over." Said the tired Bunny. He opens the door before following Jack into the cellar. Jack grits his teeth together and tries to find an escape here.
There were none.
"God damn it…" Jack curses softly and pulls up his hood to hide his face from Bunny, his back turned to him.
"We need to talk, mate."
"Not gonna to happen…" Jack mutters and hears footsteps heading towards him.
"Yes, it's going to happen. Look, Snowflake-"
"Stop calling me that!" Jack yells, griping on his forearms to prevent the familiar fluttering feeling from surfacing.
"Why? I always call you that."
"When we were friends. But because you can't stand the sight of me, hearing you call me the very nickname you gave me as a friend sickens me! I'm done with whatever you're planning, Bunny. Go back to Summer already." Jack bends forward a bit, one of his hands clutching on his chest at where his heart should be.
"I broke up with her at the party."
Jack blushes suddenly. He's alone. With Bunny. Who's actually single now.
Damn you, imaginations.
"S-So what? You can find another 'Sheila' to date with."
"But I'm not aimin' a Sheila."
"If you're not aiming for a girl, then find a guy. Why be here with the guy who is dead to you?" Jack grits his teeth together and his body shakes uncontrollably.
"Jack-"
"Don't." Jack hisses out, squeezing his eyes tightly. "Don't call me as if you know me! Because you don't. I love you, Bunny and as much as it hurts me, I still do..." Jack starts to pant, opening his eyes slowly as his eyes grow teary. "But every time I am reminded of how much I love you, my heart aches terribly. Every time we're together, I thought…I thought, maybe, I have a chance, no matter how many times the thought that you only like Summer bother me. When I'm with you, it's like I'm in the warmest place on earth…And I love it…But…But when you broke my heart, I never felt so…so…"
"Broken?"
"Cold." Bunny stays root to the spot. "Yeah...Hah…You heard me. I felt cold for the first time." Jack leans his body against the wall and stares at Bunny, a small but painful smile gracing his lips. "I never knew it was so terrible…"
"But Jack-"
"Save it…Whatever apology you have, I won't accept it." Jack frowns a little. He moves away from the wall and walks pass the frozen male. "Have fun finding your lover or whatever..." He shoves his hands into the pockets of his hoodie walks up the stairs.
Bunny couldn't take it anymore. He sharply turns around and speaks at the top of his voice. "I'm aimin' for you, ya white-haired bloke!"
Jack stops and turns his head a bit, looking at the side as he processes the words into his head.
"…What?"
Bunny runs a hand through his hair and lets out a breath.
"I'm sayin'…I love you."
E. Aster Bunnymund…loves him?
Him? Jackson Overland Frost?
"You're kidding."
"Do I look like I'm kiddin', mate?"
Jack realizes he's serious.
"Look, Frostbite, I know I have done a rough edge in this but I was blind! Blinded by some fake love! That's why I'm here...I want to fix what I broke before it's too late." Bunny grabs the wrist of a pale hand. "I finally realized how stupid I was for causing ya so much pain...When I thought of how many times I want ta find tha' person who I can be with, I never thought that love came to me with a pie smacked right on my bloody face." Bunny speaks fondly and his tone changes to a near broken voice. "I don't love Summer anymore...I love you, Snowflake...I love that fun-loving, amazing prankster who loves to annoy the hell out of me...Just give me another chance...please."
Jack looks at the ground, his eyes covered by the darkness under his bangs. Bunny gives his wrist a tender squeeze.
"Please."
Jack raises his head and Bunny shivers at the look in his eyes.
His beautiful baby blue eyes grow as dark and cold as thin ice on a skating rink. He replies with an icy tone that rivals his uncle Pitch.
"I'm sorry...But that Jack is no longer here." Jack tugs his wrist free and opens the cellar door. "Have a good life, Bunnymund." Jack bids his formal farewell, calling Aster by his full last name in a way that leaves no recognition or friendliness before walking out of the room with a new aura. Bunny stands in shock, heart-breaking silence whilst identifying the new glow Jack has radiated to the older male. He can only describe it in three words.
Ice-cold hatred.
Aster lowers his head in shame as his hands clenched to fists.
He blew it...He really blew it...
Aster punches a wall before leaning against it with his front facing it, his body sliding down to his knees as uncontrollable tears stream down his cheek.
"Fuck..."
Aster quickly got up and leave the place as soon as possible, anywhere to forget Jackson Overland Frost.
~The Next Day~
"Hey, hey, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"You know! About Ice Boy!"
"Ahh...Him. He's been in a pretty bad mood. I saw him in class and he's been giving the evil vibe."
"Oh then the rumors are true! I heard it was because he got into a fight and became a gangster!"
"What gave you that idea?"
Bunny rummages through his locker but he couldn't concentrate due to the talk that involves his Snowflake.
The girl leans to her friend's ear and speaks, quite loudly to Bunny's ears. "He looks as if he's glaring at everything in front of him. Maybe he got a hangover? He has been sleeping about...so I heard."
SLAM!
The girls flinches from Bunny slamming his locker closed as they shiver under the deadly glare of the tanned man.
"What was that about Frostbite?" Bunny snarls at the two and the girls let out a squeak before running off. He was about to go after them when a hand lands on his shoulder.
"Bunny, we need to talk."
Bunny turns around to find Jamie giving him a disapproving look. Bunny didn't say anything. Jamie turns around and the two walk to the Art Room's Ice Room. Once the door is closed behind Bunny, the student leans against the door.
"So, what is-"
Bunny didn't finish that sentence. Jamie turns around and punches right at Bunny's jaw, making the older male fall to the ground with a grunt of pain. When Bunny stares at the young boy while rubbing his cheek, Jamie looks at Bunny with rage.
"That was for Jack!"
Bunny winces from both the mere mention of his Frostbite and the force of the punch. The kid has a strong arm.
Jamie lets his arms hang at his sides, his hands clenching tightly into fists. "Thanks to you, Jack has transferred as a different person! I thought you could make him better by making amends, not making things worse!"
"I did try!"
"Did you?! Did you really?!" Jamie's own tone made Bunny clamp his mouth shut. "Because I don't remember you doing anything to prove Jack you're sincerely sorry! You put Summer over him and when you broke up with her, you chased after Jack almost immediately! I didn't tell you to target Jack so soon! His heart is fragile!" Jamie exhales loudly and runs a hand through his hair.
"Then let me talk with-"
"It's too late."
Bunny can feel his blood turning cold.
"...W-Wha...What?"
Jamie frowns and shakes his head. "Jack left. He went on the plane this morning, saying he didn't want to see you."
Bunny stares at the floor with remorse. He kinda expected this already but still, it doesn't soften the pain.
"...But..."
Bunny raises his head to watch Jamie walks to one of the large pile where Bunny saw Jack sleeping and Jamie rummaging behind the pile before showing the most beautiful sculpture Bunny has ever seen.
It was a bunny. A ice-made bunny with an engraved writing on it's back.
To Bunny. Love, Jack
"He wants you to have this." Jamie said and hands Bunny the sculpture, which fits perfectly in Bunny's hands. "The ice is made out of the rarest of ice. It doesn't melt at all, no matter how hot the weather may be and it's difficult to break." Jamie sits in front of Bunny with his legs crossed in a lotus position. "He used the last of the ice on you for a parting gift. Breaking the ice nearly broke his hands but he still manages it..."
Bunny runs a finger along the ice bunny's ear, his eyes stinging with a burning sensation.
"Jack told me that this is a present from the Jack you know and love..." Jamie continues with a calm expression now. "But I think he'll always be the Jack we all know and love...Especially if he's around you...He's heartbroken now but with time, scars can be mended. You need to give him time to get over this. If Jack stop loving you, he would have done so years ago." Jamie looks out the window as the winter light beams down on the two with the snow outside falling to the ground. Jamie smiles nostalgically at the sight of a snowflake falling to one of the window. "Jack truly loved you, even now...I think he only pushed you away because he's hoping you would go after him...Trying to get him back. Maybe not instantly but at least in the future...He must be waiting in anticipation for you to come see the prankster you love...Wouldn't you agree, Aster?"
By then, the tanned man has tears slowly falling down his cheeks. The ice rabbit lay in Bunny's hands, being cradled lovingly by it's new owner.
A sob escapes his lips as a sad smile stretches behind his hand. "I would be killed by Jack with pies if I said I don't..."
Jamie closes his eyes as he listens the older male lets out a soft laugh before it transform into bitter cries of a broken love..
To Be Continued
Here is the remade of the Melted Sculpture. I didn't made much feels on this but I will try to make one in the next chapter. Enjoy this torturing cliffhanger! :P Mwahahhaa!
Kuro and Mii-kun: Lu-chan doesn't own HTTYD, RoTG or the Big Four. But she owns the plot.