"How could I be this thick?" guilt seeped into his heart, blinding the pain from his palms from the hop home. He thrust them in the river, wincing in shock as they drained red.

He wasn't a rabbit, nor human either - nothing had changed.

"Why?" the sun stood in the moons place, and offered no reply. He needn't ask; he knew the answer, punishment. This was Manny's solution? He hadn't been fixed, he had just changed again. More human-like; not cute or cuddly like he asked. What would the children think seeing a grown man with rabbit ears delivering eggs? Bugger it! How was this going to help? It was selfish, only thinking of himself and Jack…

Jack? His mind sprawled, he didn't ask to change for the children, in their hearts he would always be a rabbit but… Jack? This granted wish, selfish though it may be, was an answer. Then perhaps,

"Is this …" acceptance? "Are you giving your blessing?" he murmured examining the bare bleeding hands before him.

North had a point, Manny only interfered with reason. Situations had shifted, his appearance hadn't fixed everything but the species hurdle was crossed. Could this possibly be a sign? A blessing in disguise? He had kicked and screamed like a galah; was this the green light to make a move? He laughed in triumph; it had to be!

If so, could Jack accept this form? How would he even begin with such a delicate topic? He wasn't a Pooka anymore so how would courtship start even if he did? Could it work?

It was getting hard to breathe. There was so much to think about!

Out of the corner of his eye sat one of his walking eggs nested in amongst the bluebells. The ice blue flowers brought his thoughts into silence.

Was there so much to think about?

Did he still love Jack? Images flickered, his smile; laugh crossed his eyes. He breathed deeply, calming his senses.

"Yes."

His ego was sure not to let him do this half-arsed. But he needed advice; no bloke would know a thing. How long had it been since he had even tried for a mate?

A shrill squeak rang in his ears drawing attention to the pint sized green creature flitting in his face.

"You're… Jack's bud" Baby Tooth hovered inches from his eyes before casually landing on his bridge. "He ain't here, try the Alps" he muttered plucking her from his face. She shivered helpless between the two fingers pinching her wings.

"Too cold for you huh? Well I'll tell frostbite ya' stopped by and send him your way" The small creature let a high shriek, "Catcha later then"

"-Ow!" a tug at his ear made him cry in pain, "Ya Bugger! Whatcha doin?" swatting her away as Baby Tooth zoomed into eyeshot; arms waving, "…follow you?" She nodded.

"But where are we going?"

Hovering over the oak sat in the corner of the warren, she darted through the bark cracks.

"I think I'm a bit big for that mate" she chirped like laughter, as she placed a small golden tooth the eye of the tree.

Blue light bubbled from the tooth, sucking the tree inside. The centre aglow in pink as the gate to the spiraling fairy dwelling appeared. "That's how you piker's get around so fast," Aster chuckled, "After you."

A chorus of Baby teeth came to greet their sister home, swarming around each other. Aster for the life of him couldn't tell one blighter from another.

Turning from their fellow feather, they went for Bunny. They pulled and shoved him forward,

"Crikey, alright I got it" he shuffled after them as some lead the way, the others nestled happily into his bandolier or hair. He followed them upward following the twisting tiers.

The wall aside lay isles upon isles of hand painted faces. Each of a small childs'; happy and smiling. The home of every humans baby teeth embedded with precious childhood memories. Aster had been human once, many centuries ago and long before the fairies tale had been woven, his memories had no home here. Perhaps his appearance now was something of what he had once looked like, he would never know.

A small group of baby teeth crowded around one particular tile in the wall, each chirping louder than the last. Approaching, the face split in half as doors parted to reveal a cylindrical capsule. Embossed in diamonds and jewels, it carried the face of a boy, brunette and smiling, hair in an upstanding cowlick, much like-

"Jackie?" he awed at the cylinder. It looked just like him, cheeky grin and all. The baby teeth huddled around the cushion it had been laid to rest on, only one venturing forth to rest and place a hand on one of the diamonds.

Tumblers inside clicked. Rolling open opening a ball of smoke.

"What the?!" Aster coughed, fanned the view. Snow blanketed the ground between the forest trees. He recognized the sight, Burgess in wintertime. It couldn't be, he was just at the Fairies place. How'd he get here?

The object in hand jingled as the teeth tumbled about. The capsule was still with him. Answers would have to come later, for now instinct dictated seeking friends in the familiar town.

Knocking away offending branches he found the sight, but not of the town he knew. This one was older, hut houses, no more than 20. In shambles compared the town he knew.

"What the hell's going on?"

Children's laughter rang like bells as they chased each other, weaving between the adult's legs. It was alive with busy people, cutting wood, hunting and cooking. It was a village lost in time.

"Be careful Jack!" his ear flicked towards the call, before finding the small boy amongst the empty faces.

"We will!"

A girl curled up by his side as they shut the door of one of the smaller huts, she looked just like him, big eyes with a matching wide-faced grin. With pairs of skates hung over their shoulders.

"Well that's courting trouble mate" Bunny muttered as he followed the pair off the village track. Habitually, he stayed out of sight amongst the brush watching over the pair.

"Here we are" Jack quickly let go of the girls hand at the sight of the frozen lakeside and put his brown boot skates on. Hesitant, the girl went to do the same.

"Jack, it won't-"the little girl whined as she tugged at the laces furiously trying to pull them together. Jack giggled at the sight, much to her annoyance.

"Here…"

"Now, lightly we step out, here grab my hand" hypocritically, he made a quick jump on the ice and turned to offer the girl a hand out. Watching the sleeted sheet of ice, she shuffled onto it, wobbling on the blades. She snatched the hand once both feet had made the step, "Great, you've got it" her violent trembles waved like a handshake up his arm. Unable to ply her grip he pouted. "Hmm, how about-"eyes darted around the edge of the lake, he managed to loosen her hold before returning with a grin,"This!" he offered an abandoned Sheppard staff to her, "An old man's walking stick!"

Despite her incredulous expression she accepted it, gripping tight, using it to push her along like a gondola boat, "Try and keep up now"

Aster watched on as Jack skated rings around her, the bloody show pony. It was no different than when he was in flight. But this was only a memory.

"…Jack?"

A crack filled the air.

The small girl winced as she stared down at her feet. Jagged lines carved a circle beneath her.

"It's ok, it's ok just don't look down, look at me" Jack whispered at the wide eyed girl.

"Jack, I'm scared!"

"I know, I know" he hushed, "But you're going to be alright, you're not going to fall in" pensively he stared at the sight, "We're going have a little fun instead!"

"No we're not!"

"Would I trick you?

"Yes you always play tricks!" small tears welled over her eyes.

"I know, I know but – but not this time. I promise- I promise you're going to be…" Jack breathed searching for words. Aster gripped the cylinder tighter, "you're going to be fine" he smiled, "You have to believe in me"

Through the cold tears the smile resonated between the pair, "You wanna play a game? We can play hopscotch like we do every day! It's as easy as one- Woah!" Flailing arms swept about try to keep him balanced on the ice as he bounced.

"Two…Three!" he crouched down for the discarded staff, "Alright, now it's your turn" offering the crook, "One, That's it, that's it! Two… Three!" with a yank she flew out of the circle. It had worked, she was safe. Aster relaxed as they both laughed in triumph.

The ice snapped beneath him. With a blink he was under.

"JACK!"

"JACK!" Aster thrust the trees aside as he went for the ice, the image slurred like a wet painting.

"Bunny?" Toothiana cried, as bunny swallowed hard. His heart beat fast in his chest as he filtered back. Her gaze wasn't on him but of the cylindrical object in hand.

"Oh, I was just-"

"How much did you see?" she hissed.

"Nothing, I didn't see-"the baby teeth cowered in horror, trembling in her sight. She snatched the object back. She rolled it in a hasty examination. No visible damage, luckily otherwise she'd have a new rabbit's foot. She relaxed, admiring the fine detail in the face at the end.

"I shouldn't be surprised" she sighed placing it back on the cushion as it was accepted back into the hollow. "You'd come eventually" she talked to the tile as it slipped back into peace,

"…What" she placed a hand over the closing doors, "What was he like?"

"Can't you see-?" her withered expression cut him off, "Not much different than now, happy and choc-full of himsel'" Toothiana managed a small chuckle.

She brought herself in closer, much like her smaller counter-parts. He could still feel the tremble of the baby teeth in his hair. Her appearance gave no hint of a threat but it still had him on guard.

"I'm sorry" she shrugged innocently,

"Wha-?" two hands thrusted into his mouth catching it agape.

"Look! Look at them! White teeth and pink gums, so pretty- dontcha think girls?" The small baby teeth clambered around her assessment. Cries of joy and admiration echoed throughout his head, catching high squeals in his ears.

"Geh Aou!" spitting the words she recoiled her hands, with a rather sheepish smile.

"Tooth fairy, Can't help it"

"So where were you?" he muttered realigning his jaw.

"Doing the rounds, finally getting back in the field!" she hummed blissfully, as the pair descended the stairs, "It's rare for you to visit"

"Yeah, I was just-"rubbing his neck uncomfortably he wandered his mind. The baby teeth fled his side as the air filled with nothing as words failed them both. They headed for the fairy spring, taking a seat beside the in ornate painting of fairy folk meeting the human children. The atmosphere thickened with unanswered questions.

"-So have you decided on what you're going to do?" her voice shook as she placed a careful hand on his shoulder "Manny, did this because you asked him-"

"I know" he mulled, compiling his words into some sense, "I was… I was looking for help on what to do…" a cry of open arms pulled him in tight.

"Hehe! I'm so happy for you! Oh this is so romantic!" caught in shock he spat the feathers away from his mouth.

"Oi, hold your horses! I haven't said anything-"

"You mean about Jack right? You asked to be human to be with him!" she withdrew enough to rigorously shake his shoulders before diving back in for another hug. Her wings tickled his nose.

"Geez! Ain't nothing sacred around here?" he pried himself loose, "Besides, there ain't nothing saying he will say yes!"

"But he won't know unless you try!" relinquishing her grip on him, she tapped his cheek in affection. "So, Jack is human…Human…. Oh! I once saw a poster of a man giving a girl a ring!"

"A ring? Nah that's for-"

"I know what it's for! I'm saying start with a present!"She shrieked in excitement,

"A present?" It wasn't a bad idea; No, it would certainly be a good way to get the attention of the dozy pillock.

"Teeth make nice gifts!"

"Uh," she beamed as he cringed, echoing Sophie's reaction when bestowed with a pair of molars. She tapped his hand in support.

"Go with your heart on this one, it'll come to you" he could see her restraining excitement "The best warmth and comfort comes from there" poking a hard finger at his chest.

"All I really can do is paint and carve" Bunny shrugged. "I'll figure something" he stared at the floor before a cocky smirk slowly crept across his lips. Quickly he brushed himself off, throwing a "Thanks" behind him.

"Good luck"

She smiled as he dived into one of his holes, feet first. A fleet of Baby Teeth scuttled to her side, some still wary of their deliberate disobedience.

"It's been so long" she whispered to them as the hole shrank after him, "Since he's smiled like that" Almost a millennia ago at least. 'Once. Once a long time ago I wished he could have looked at me like that', she huffed the thought aside. She was happy for him, the both of them.

A job like theirs was the least to say, lonely at times. Kindness and comfort thrown carelessly can be misconstrued to a lonesome heart, as they had both learned the hard way.

"He's finally happy" she cooed as her Baby teeth snuggled into her saddening smile, "he has changed so much" she petted her darling babies soothingly, "They both have"