Holy cow, I don't know what happened to this chapter. I started with a simple idea for smut, but had to figure out how to frame it…and this happened. I had to make this story a two-parter. Hope this half doesn't bog you down…
Rated: T for swearing and homo/furry love. Lol
Disclaimer: Don't own, just play.
Fervent Zombie: Part 1
There were too many of them.
Sure, Jack had known that there were more than just a few spirits that kept the world in balance, but he had never considered that there were this many. Wisps, humanoids, nymphs and dryads, spirits, and animals, among other less definable creatures pressed closely together in the throng that was the summer solstice. Groups of familiars scrunched together into tightly knit cliques, creating a rainbow mosaic of bodies and a nearly breathable path between and among the crowds.
Jack stifled under the claustrophobic situation. He had never deigned to attend the celebration before. Summers just really weren't his thing. But Guardians were required to manage the event, and Aster had responsibly dragged him there to suffer the host to hundreds of anonymous magical beings.
He had been hesitant to leave his companion's side at first, afraid of losing his way completely in the crowd, but Bunnymund obviously preferred to converse with the springtime beings, and Jack just wanted to play tricks on them. To save his bunny's dignity (and his skin) he finally detached himself from his favorite furry side and meandered nervously through the hoi polloi.
Mostly, no one seemed to take his presence too seriously, though there always seemed to be a representative to each group that nodded courteously or verbally greeted him. It was only polite to acknowledge a Guardian, even if he was just a young, relatively unknown prankster spirit.
Jack didn't mind the cool indifference emanating from the ancient, well respected and established beings as much as he hated the blatant rudeness of some of the younger, brasher ones. He would much rather be subtly overlooked by Father Time than meanly insulted by Daylight Savings.
Not saying everyone was mean. There were a few beings that Jack met and instantly regretted not knowing sooner. The April Fool was a mad genius and Jack-O-Lantern wouldn't let him keep a straight face. The odd pair actually helped him begin to enjoy himself a little.
But duty was duty and the newest guardian was finally forced to waylay his new friends and introduce himself to the rest of the pack of magical creatures. Feeling a bit more confident, Jack wove his way through a couple more crowds until he had only one left; the magical animals.
Alarm bells sounded when the frost spirit was greeted by the groundhog. The stout, furry body imposed itself into his personal space and shrewd, calculating eyes seemed to gauge his worth instantly. "Greetings, newest Guardian," the groundhog said in a rough, nasally voice, "My name is Punxsutawney Phil and I am your humble servant." A deep, flourishing bow followed the introduction and the Thanksgiving turkey gobbled in what Jack suspected was mocking laughter.
"Nice to meet you, erm, Phil," Jack hedged, offering his hand to the outstretched paw. He wasn't sure if he was being ridiculed or if the strange behavior was just the being's way. "I'm Jack Frost, the newest guardian...but I guess you already know that. If there's ever anything I can do for you..." He didn't get to finish his offer; the offer that Aster had explained would be expected of the newest representative of the world's magic, because his guest immediately cut it off.
"Say, you're the Easter Bunny's flavor of the week, correct?"
The air chilled abruptly, sending temperatures swiftly below the seasonal average. Most beings in the immediate area shivered and moved away into warmer environments. Jack did not bother hide the ice flinting his gaze. Aster had also warned him that their relationship would be a target for gossip and speculation. Jack knew no one in their right mind would be rude to the Easter spirit, but he, Jack Frost, was an outsider, fairly new and unknown, and now an upstart in the eyes of many magical beings. He had tried to mentally prepare himself for this battle before it had even begun.
Gripping his staff in one hand in an obvious show of authority, Jack let his glare sink into the animal that addressed him before speaking. "That is none of your business, sir," he deadpanned. He hated saying those words. If he could, he would have written his love and devotion to the rabbit in frost all across the world in huge letters like an airplane trailing a banner behind it in the sky. But he had been forced to see reason and the necessity of subtlety at such a large gathering. All of the guardians had insisted.
The ever-assessing eyes of Punxsutawney focused on his flinty glare passively, calculating. "I see," he murmured, and Jack had the sneaking suspicion that he truly did. "Tell me, do you not dread the eventual waning of interest? You're such a plain looking, insipid spirit; and dead as well, am I right? Are you technically a corpse? Or is your skin dead and lifeless in appearance only to represent winter? Bunnymund, not to mention my good friend, Manny, must be losing his taste."
Jack's grip tightened minutely in the furry palm clutching his own. He pulled his hand away from a frozen limb. Then he gave his staff a gentle tap. He turned coolly, and strode away from the last group he had been required to speak with and introduce himself to, figuring it may have been a bit childish to freeze a giant groundhog solid, but caring not at all.
He ignored the laughing calls of his new friends as he strode purposefully through the crowd, retreating to the entrance of the great stone formation that kept their gathering hidden from the eyes of mortals. He ignored the angry voices beginning to make their way through the throngs, and he ignored the calls of his fellow guardians. As soon as he breached the threshold of protection he picked himself up on the wind and flew away.
There was a reason Jack Frost did not DO social events. A tiny, fearful speck inside of him worried that he would be reconsidered and found wanting in his new responsibilities, which he secretly feared was true. A more prominent fear suggested that Aster would do the same about them.
It just wasn't fair.
Considering how he used to be, Jack had handled himself pretty damn well. "I'm a goddam saint," he joked bitterly into the north wind. But really, he didn't see any of the rest of them being picked on or disrespected. He tried not to ponder the actual words that had been spoken. Flavor of the week and plain and waning interest and corpse. Those words.
What had he ever done to the groundhog?
Jack finally focused back on reality and found that the wind had dropped him on the cusp of the warren. Home.
He dragged the base of his staff carelessly over the warm grass as he wandered aimlessly into the spring sanctuary, frosting his listless path. He would never have pinned himself as being happy in such a warm place. A beautiful place. Colors and life abounded here.
Was he plain?
He had never considered his lack of hue. He had certainly never considered himself dead, though he had died...
He shook his head angrily to banish the self-depreciating thoughts from his head and strolled over to the edge of one of the ponds actually filled with clear, clean water, not dye. Careful to keep his staff over his shoulders, Jack gazed pensively into the rippling, liquid mirror at his distorted form. All pale lines and bluish tones greeted him.
The young spirit dropped down next to the pool in frustration, staff still safely over his shoulders to keep the worst of the freeze away from the clear liquid. He idly trailed one finger through the vibrant, dark mud at the edge of the water and brought a sample to his face to inspect.
What was a deep, rich brown looked nearly black against his pale skin, and the earth began to harden as it froze to his finger, losing its soft, tacky texture. Did he suck the living qualities out of everything he touched? He trailed the crumbly, frozen dirt along his cheekbone to his chin, coloring his face.
"Jack!" a comforting voice called from behind him, "Oi, you lot! Ah've found 'im!"
The young Guardian did not turn when a warm body plopped comfortably down at his side in the grass. He did not turn when other forms were heard to be fumbling or buzzing closer, either. He didn't care what they had to say to him.
"Jack, what is meaning of this?! You cannot freeze guests! It is bad manners!" North began severely, always acting the father. The boy could see the man's stern look without turning to view it with his eyes. The sound of sifting sand did not rouse his interest. He simply waited for the silent speech to be translated. "What Sandy says is true, my young friend. You should return with us. We will help you clear situation."
"No!" Jack shrieked, finally turning and nearly falling into Bunnymund's flank beside him in his vigor, "I will not apologize to that...that butthead! He was rude and deserved what he got!" Jack stood now, keeping his staff on his shoulder in practiced ease for his mate's home, to complete his rant. "Everyone thinks that I'm some little sweet pixie now I'm a Guardian, and they forget the other side of Jack Frost. My center is fun, but winter is still dangerous and I'm just SICK of folks thinkin' they can be mean to me with no retribution!"
Below him in the grass Bunnymund had not stirred or spoke, but seemed content to watch the other guardians and Jack himself. Tooth fluttered closer and put a tiny hand on his shoulder. "Jack," she said softly, "You are one of us now. We would never have let anyone do that if you had told us..."
Jack slapped her hand away in a childish rage. "No, I don't need you to take care of me! I can fight my own battles! I don't NEED any of you!"
All eyes snapped to the being at his feet and the air froze in Jack's lungs. His chest heaved for breath under the instant and crippling guilt of his hateful words and their insinuation, and he couldn't force his gaze to shift down. Instead he watched the others in false defiance.
Ellipses formed over Sandy's head and Tooth had flushed pink. North's raised brows did all of his talking for him. Aster still did not speak.
"What was said to you, young friend?" the Christmas saint finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. "The groundhog is jealous. He feels it should have been him chosen for your position. We must form decision as group and return to celebration. It would be faux pas otherwise."
A flush of shame spread across Jack's cheeks at the thought of relaying the topic breached by the groundhog. He did not want to lay bare his fears and weakness. He shuffled bare toes in the grass below his feet and chanced a peek at his love, the being he had just hurt with barbed words. The rabbit was not looking at his face, but watching his feet sift through the fine emerald grass of his home.
Jack made a decision. "He...made comments about bunny and me, mostly..." he whispered. He didn't care if he had to tell every being in the universe his deepest secrets; he was not going to let Aster think he didn't want him. The pooka's gaze shot up into his own and Jack almost didn't notice the awkward shuffling coming from the others as he studied the dangerous glint in his mate's eyes. "I didn't mean it Aster. I do need you. I'm sorry I said that. You know I didn't mean..."
"I know, mate," Bunnymund reassured, verbally batting away any further apology. The rabbit finally stood up, wiping grass from his fur and turned to face the whole group. "You guys go ahead. I'm gonna have a talk with Frosty here and we'll catch up, then decide what ta do."
North cast a warning glare in the couple's direction. "You must be back before sunset," he warned, "and do nothing drastic until it is agreed upon by group."
The two nodded in unison and the tooth fairy, sandman, and Father Christmas all turned and left together hesitantly, not wanting to leave the situation in the tatters that it was, but knowing there was nothing more they could contribute at the moment.
When they had disappeared Aster turned to Jack once more, lightly brushing the smeared dirt from his pale skin and offering him his undivided attention. Jack wasn't sure he welcomed the scrutiny at the moment. He was still raw and hurt from the barbs that the resentful spirit had spit at him.
"Spill it, mate."
Jack colored again and broke his gaze away from the startlingly emerald one. "It's stupid..." he deflected hopefully.
"Nah, it's not Jackie," Bunnymund insisted, "Ah know you and you c'n be careless but you're not mean. What you did ta Phil, that almost 'urt 'im, mate."
"Good!" Jack couldn't help but crow in vindictive pleasure, "Next time he'll know not to insult me or my loved ones!" Strong arms came up and rested on his shoulders. He could feel the paws lace behind his neck securely.
Aster stared hard into his face. "Tell me what 'e said, mate," he enunciated carefully. The danger was back in his eyes and Jack knew he couldn't do anything except tell his bunny everything. His face felt like it was burning off and he hated that he couldn't look away from the insistent gaze.
"He...called me your...flavor of the week..." he mumbled almost inaudibly. North wouldn't have heard the confession, but Aster could, Jack knew. "Said I was plain and dull...and a corpse. And other stuff..."
"What other stuff?"
The voice was clear and calm and terrifying. Jack almost found himself thinking up defenses for the offender, but kept the words in check. "Asked me stuff...if I dread you leaving me. If I looked cold and lifeless 'cuz I'm dead or just for winter...Stuff like that...said you lost your taste…" He took a deep breath and rested his hands on the tense, muscled ones braced on his shoulders. "And I got mad and froze him. I tried not to talk about you, bunny, but he just kept sayin' stuff. I'm sorry," he sighed defeated, and dropped his gaze. If he couldn't handle one day in public without bodily injury, how would his bunny expect him to handle anything that truly mattered.
To his surprise, he was pulled into Aster chest. "I'm sorry, too, mate. Ah shouldn', ah left you alone..." the rabbit growled.
Jack sniffed petulantly. "I don't need a babysitter," he mumbled irritably, earning a silent chuckle from his companion.
"Sounds like ya do..."
"Shut up you big stupid rabbit," Jack quipped back, hugging his mate tightly before disengaging from the furry body. "So what do we do now?" he asked expectantly, hopefully.
"We return to the party," Aster replied with a grin that drew out at his companion's clearly disappointed face, "We tell the others that Ah'll take care of the problem and you can go back to spreading chaos with those damn fool spirits ya met today."
Reluctantly agreeing upon a course of action, the pair returned to the henge. Jack parted from his partner reluctantly again, and went to find the other Jack and the Fool. He was relieved when neither beings asked for an explanation to his earlier disappearance, but simply winked or nodded.
The odd trio was in the middle of orchestrating a prank upon one of the water nymphs when a murmur rumbled through the crowd, effectively ruining their mischief. Foiled for the moment, the tricksters turned to see what was going on.
Jack blushed and fidgeted nervously when he saw that Bunnymund was at the center of all attention. The pooka faced a shivering Punxsutawney casually and was effectively scolding him like an old mother and her unruly teenage daughter.
"The next time ya insult a Guardian, you'll get more'n a frozen arse, mate. Now buck up and stop moanin' 'bout shite that'll just embarrass ya more." By now the crowds were silent, gaping in shock at the chastised groundhog and the righteous rabbit, so the next, hushed, personal words were inadvertently heard by all. "Eva insult my mate again, Phil, and Ah'll rip your limbs off tha' overstuffed sack you call a body and feed um to ya..."
A shudder ran through the castigated animal, and he pitifully slunk back to melt into the crowd. Then, just like that, the show was over. Beings turned away and began their own gossip once again. "Hey, hey Jack," the fool whispered to the reeling frost spirit, "Wasn't that, like, your boyfriend, bunnyfriend, whatever?"
Jack shook his head mindlessly. "He's my mate," he corrected meaningfully.
Jack-O-Lantern laughed out loud. "Dude, what does that even mean?"
Jack grinned proudly despite his embarrassed blush. "Means forever," he informed.
The two looked at him oddly, but shrugged and pulled him roughly back to their previous schemes of mayhem and entropy.
The sun was setting on the longest day of the year when Jack was finally called by the other guardians to wish all of the beings a good and prosperous year until next season. He quickly made plans with Jack-O and the Fool to hang out again sometime and sped away to his mate's side.
One by one, all of the magical beings made their exits and promised to return next year. Jack was careful to remain neutral as Phil passed him. He wanted to make the Guardians proud. He wanted to make Aster proud.
It wasn't until all of the beings had left, leaving only the Guardians, that North demanded a complete explanation. Tooth and Sandy leaned forward eagerly for the gossip. Nothing so exciting or dramatic had happened in centuries. The gathering was usually just a community binding of the magic in the enchanted beings across the world.
But the pooka remained stoic and tight-lipped. "Just a misunderstandin' Ah had ta address," was all he said before he led an exhausted Jack Frost away toward the exit to go home.
The couple still had issues to discuss.
Author's Note: Jack has been alone for three hundred years. I feel like he will probably always have abandonment issues. And being forever on the cusp of adulthood, I'd say he's tinged with rebellion and self-esteem issues as well.
They gathered at Stonehenge.
And that's actually the groundhog's name. I love it. Did a little research and tried to make the personality match up. I thought it would be fitting to choose this being because of Aster's reaction in the movie. Lol
Sex coming up in the next chapter. Can you believe I still have to write it?
