It was eleven days to Christmas day and Jack was racing for his life in an unfamiliar forest, hoping to escape the Boogeyman. Jack jumped over another tree root that arched out of the ground. He panted loudly as he hiked up a hill.

"Enough, mate!" Bunny yelled. He clung to Jack's hoodie, bouncing up and down uncomfortably as Jack jumped over rocks and roots.

Jack's heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. His lungs ached, so he slowed down to catch his breath. Bunny hopped down and dusted the snow off a rock for Jack to sit on. Jack felt grateful and sat down.

Bunnymund sat on the ground as he watched Jack pant. His toes were numb from the snow, and he figured Jack's toes felt the same. He hopped over and snuggled on Jack's toes, trying to warm them up.

"Jack," Bunny began grabbing the teen's attention, "Thanks for saving me," he rubbed his head against Jack's legs. Jack smiled down at him through his panting. Bunny looked up with big green eyes full of emotion.

Once Jack caught his breath he leaned down and picked Bunny up. He hugged his bunny close, and nuzzled his face in the rabbit's soft fur. Jack breathed in Bunny's scent of flowers and he felt comfortable to speak what was on his mind.

"About earlier tonight, when Pitch was talking about my mother's death,"

"Hush, mate, no need ta explain yaself,"

"No, I have to say something," Jack said firmly. Bunny nodded and perked his ears.

"I didn't have a father growing up, so it was just my mom and I. My mom got pregnant with me when she was sixteen and it had been tough on both of us," Jack grew a distant look in his eyes, "We always managed to get through everyday, but it seemed our relationship was falling apart,"

"What do ya mean?"

"I mean, we never got a chance to talk since she was always working. I was either in school or out in the woods looking for big foot or fairies," Jack said and blushed when Bunny chuckled.

"I know it's childish to believe in things like that, but I really needed something, anything, to take me away from all the emptiness at home. Believing in Santa Claus had always been a big deal because I believed he really did exist and could..."

"Could, what?" Bunny asked, trying not to sound jealous of North.

"I thought he could possibly deliver me a best friend for Christmas," Jack mumbled, feeling embarrassed. Bunny nuzzled Jack's neck. 'He really did bring me ta ya, Jack,' thought Bunny.

"When I found out my mom never did deliver any of my letters to Santa, it hurt because it felt like my dreams would never come true," Jack sighed heavily, "All my emotions and frustrations came out and I lashed out on her. Then I... I froze her,"

"Ya didn't mean ta do it!"

"I know, but it happened regardless and I... I-I killed her," Jack bit his bottom lip. He felt Bunny nuzzle his neck again and he felt better, "Please, don't hate me?"

Bunny frowned. He could never hate Jack for any reason. He let the silence hang as he thought over what to say.

"Jack, I don't hate ya. I'm here for ya, and I'm gonna stay with ya," Bunny wasn't sure how much he should reveal about how he felt, but the sad look on Jack's face told him he had to be honest.

"I know what it's like ta lose someone ya love, but I don't know what it's like in your situation," Bunny paused and considered saying more, "I wanna help ya through this, because I know there's hope for a brighta' future. I want that bright future with ya. I..." Bunny looked deep into Jack's eyes.

Just then the sun began rising, casting a bright glow over the forest. It caught Jack and Bunny's attention and they watched the sun rise. Bunny squinted and felt his body grow warm. A bright gold light illuminated Bunnymund's form and he felt a pleasurable sensation as his body grew.

Jack watched Bunny in awe as his small body grew big in his arms. When the light faded, he sat in front of a giant rabbit with warm loving green eyes staring deeply into his. He dug his fingers into the soft fur and held tightly, not wanting to let go.

Bunny was relieved the spell broke. He figured the sun light had something to do with it, but was unsure. He looked into Jack's bright blue eyes and felt his heart thump hard against his rib cage. He cupped Jack's cheek and brushed the frost that had gathered there with his thumb.

"I love ya, Jack," Bunny said with a big smile. He tilted his head and leaned in for a kiss. He briefly brushed his lips against Jack's before sealing their lips together.

Jack blushed. His cheeks frosted over, and his lips quivered. He moaned into the lip lock, and closed his eyes. All his pain, and all his worries seemed to melt away with the warmth of the kiss. Jack felt like he could fly high into the sky and kiss the clouds.

Aster Bunnymund never thought he could feel this way again, especially with a young man like Jack. Bunny didn't want to pull away, but he had to know what Jack was thinking. He tried to stand, but Jack wouldn't let him go. He nervously waited for Jack to respond positively.

Jack shivered and curled his toes. That was his first kiss, and it was with someone who loved him. He smiled brightly, his teeth seemed to sparkle.

"I love you, too," Jack stood up with Bunny, "and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world,"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Jack toed at Bunny's big feet, "Very lucky,"

Jack wrapped his arms around Bunny's neck and hugged him tightly. Bunny was relieved, he let out a soft chuckle at the joke.

"I have to say, that you look really handsome like this," Jack grinned. He shyly looked down, but Bunny's paw held his chin and tilted his head up to look back into those warm green eyes.

"More handsome than Ben?" Bunny asked with a slight hint of jealousy. Jack nodded and crushed their lips together. Bunny was very pleased with his answer.

Jack grabbed hold of Bunny's paw, not wanting to let go of his boyfriend.

"Oh crap! I need to know, you're my boyfriend now, right!?" Jack's out burst made Bunny raise a brow. Jack felt an urgency to confirm their relationship status.

"If that's what ya'll ankle biters call it these days, then yes," Bunny held Jack's hand back and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Jack nodded relieved and happy.

"Right..." Bunny looked over the forest, "We need ta get moving. I have ta let the other guardians know I'm safe. Plus, North's probably worried sick," Bunny smirked. Jack gave a confused expression, not knowing about Bunny's job as a guardian.

E. Aster Bunnymund was back. He had his weapons back, he had his straps back on, and he was giant again. He could feel his energy rising inside him, making him strong and powerful once again. He stood tall and proud as he breathed in the fresh scent of winter, his chest rising.

Jack's eyes grew big. He gaped at the sight of sun shining over Bunny's proud form. The sun light made the Pooka's fur shine a beautiful silver-blue. His tummy fluttered and his knees buckled.

"Crikey!" Bunny caught Jack just in time, and swooped him up bridal style. "Don't worry, Frostbite, I got ya,"

Jack smiled and snuggled into Bunny's strong arms. "Oh, my knight in shining fur!" Jack joked. Dramatically placing the back of his hand on his forehead.

"Ha, ha, ha..." Bunny sarcastically laughed, making Jack snicker.

Bunny ran his fingers through Jack's white hair and ruffled the hair. He looked at his fingers to see blood. He remembered about Jack's injury and moved his mouth over to lick at Jack's wound.

Jack giggled and winced. He was greatly enjoying the attention, but he just noticed the sting of his injury. He waited for Bunny to finish cleaning him before pulling back and laughing softly.

Jack wrapped his arms around Bunny's neck and held his staff in his hand. He snuggled into Bunny's neck, feeling completely at ease in his big bunny's arms. "Thanks, Cottontail,"

The Pooka grinned at the nickname. He kissed Jack's cheek before stomping on the ground.

"Why'd you do that?" Jack asked. He looked down to see a tunnel open up. "No way!"

"Still wondering how I get my googies everywhere?"

Before the youth could say anything, Bunny jumped in his tunnel. The portal closed and a pink daisy popped out of the snow covered ground.

i wanted this chapter to have a lighter mood compared to the last one. :)