They started in northern Europe where they met up with the spirit of autumn Annona. She greeted them warmly before she flew to a perch high in the trees. Bunny watched as she retrieved a flute from her pocket and began to play. To Bunny's surprise he couldn't hear anything.
"Whats she doing," Bunny asked curious to the noteless song the spirit was playing.
"She is playing Mother Earth's lullaby," Jack answer as if taking the question to begin his own work.
"But she ain't makin' a sound," Bunny question earning a small laugh from the winter spirit.
"You expected one," Jack asked. Bunny raised a questioning brow as if he had just been asked a dumb question "just watch," Jack said.
Not knowing what else to do Bunny watch as Jack went to work. As the autumn spirit played her silent lullaby Jack called a cooling wind to the area. 'The autumn chill' Bunny thought thinking that it was ironic that it came from the spirit of winter instead of the spirit of autumn. After a time he began to notice the bright green leaves of summer were starting to take on their fall colors. It was only when this started to happen that Jack and Annona decided to move on to the next location.
This happen where every they went Annona would start playing and Jack would call the cooling wind from the north. They would remain only for as long as it took for the leaves to begin to turn before they move on. Bunny couldn't help but feel mystified by the amount of dedication Jack showed as he went about his work.
When they finished Europe they moved on to North America. It was by then that Bunny had become use to flying along side the winter spirit enough to start noticing other things like Jack's sad expression. It was no longer bright and cheerful as it had been when they were at the pole. Instead it was it was almost sorrowful.
"Whats wrong," Bunny asked when they next touched down some where in the appalachian mountains. Jack gave a sad smile.
"Look around you what do you see," Jack asked. Doing as he was told Bunny looked around. He saw the rich colors that came with fall showing it presence. With so much beauty Bunny couldn't help but wonder why Jack was so sad about.
"The colors," Bunny said after careful though. Again Jack smile with that same sad smile.
"What I see is life coming to an end at my hand," Jack replied after a moment "you were partly right when you said winter was death. To allow the earth to rest we must end the life that flourished in the spring and summer," Jack said motioning to himself and Annona.
"If it makes ya so sad then why ya keep doing it," Bunny asked seeing that it was a simple problem easily fixed. He didn't like seeing Jack so depressed. It wasn't natural to see such a joyous spirit in such a state.
"Because as the spirit of winter it is my responsibility to put the earth to rest. If I don't then the balance could possibly be destroyed." Bunny still seem confused by Jack explanation. Seeing this Jack grabbed hold of one of his paws and gently pulled him down to the ground. Before Bunny could asked what he was doing Jack pushed his paw into the earth. He tried to pull it back, but Jack held his paw fast.
"Shhh," Jack hissed softly "do you feel that," he asked when Bunny finally stilled. Bunny stared at him for a moment slightly confused before allowing himself to relax enough to where he could concentrate on the earth surrounding his paw. At first he felt nothing, but after several moments he started to feel a feeling of peace that one only felt just before they entered a restful sleep.
"What is that," Bunny asked.
"That is Fall's lullaby. When Fall comes she begins to sing her to sleep. It helps but without the cold winter brings Mother Earth cannot sleep in peace. If it is too warm she wakes before she is ready and then the balance is tipped in the wrong direction. When winter comes early or stays late it is because she needs the rest." Jack's words brought new understanding to the pooka about the importance of winter. In that moment Bunny looked up to fine his deep emerald eye locked with Jack's bright sapphire ones.
Bunny heart seemed to skip a beat at the sight. He saw in his eyes a passion that Bunny had never seen in anyone before not even himself. The sorrow that was caused by the life ending over shadowed by his dedication to care for the earth. The small smile that took hold of the winter spirits features told Bunny that this was the reason he did what he did. That smile though small was one of pure joy. A smile that Bunny couldn't help but wish to see all the time.
Jack continued to hold Bunny's paw in the earth for another moment before he let go. With drawing it so that he could once again stand with Bunny copying his movements as he to stood.
Jack didn't look at him instead he looked at the skies around him as if there was something there.
"We should go," Jack said after a moment of careful calculations.
"But why we just got 'ere," Bunny asked noticing that Jack had yet to call the northern wind to the area. Jack only shrugged as if to say 'sorry, but he couldn't explain why'. Bunny let out a sigh he was really starting to find the amount of secrets Jack had to keep annoying. Never the less however he nodded as the two pushed off into the skies heading north.
As they flew north Bunny noticed that Jack was looking in every direction but at him. Bunny wonder if Jack's behavior might have anything to do with him until he caught sight of Annona up ahead. When Jack saw her his fidgeting stopped and focused on reaching the autumn spirit.
"There you are," Jack said smiling happily as they land beside the autumn spirit "we were waiting for you in the appalachians."
"Sorry but the wind drew me here," Annona said apologizing.
"Is something wrong," Jack asked a small amount of concern in his voice. His smile fading.
Annona didn't answer instead she sent a questioning glance over to Bunny. For a moment Jack was confused before realizing her hesitation to answer him was due to Bunny's presence.
"You can trust him," he assured her resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She looked at him as if asking if he was sure. Another reassuring nodded and she sighed hesitatingly.
"For some reason she seem more restless here than anywhere else," she explained hesitantly. Her answer was vague as she motioned to the ground. Though Jack seem to understand her as he stooped down to bury his hand in the earth just as he had done with Bunny. He closed his eyes in concentration as he focused on the earth. When he opened them again he let out a heavy sigh.
"I see what you mean," Jack said as he with drew his hand from the earth.
"What do we do," Annona asked.
"The only thing we can do," Jack said with a knowing look that only Annona seem to understand. Wordlessly she lifted off the ground and finding a high perch she began to play.
Bunny didn't understand any of what had just happened. He had watched Jack's playful demeanor fade to a more serious one. Then he had watched as Jack had assured the other season bringing spirit that he could be trusted. Which was something else that confused him. Why wouldn't the autumn spirit trust him? He was the Easter Bunny for moon sakes.
As Annona began to play Bunny noticed it was a different tune. How he knew he wasn't sure, but he could tell it was different. When Jack called the northern wind he also could tell it was much colder then the one he had been calling. Things seemed to be happening at a much faster pace.
There were so many questions that Bunny wanted to ask Jack in that moment but didn't.
They continued to on like that for an hour or so before Annona stopped playing. With a slight nodded to Jack she was off.
Jack turned to Bunny his smile had returned. All hints of his serious nature were gone.
"You ready to call it a day," Jack asked ready to take to the sky once again. Bunny nodded and without another word Jack pushed of into the air leaving Bunny to catch up.
As they headed back to the pole Jack once again refused to look at him. Bunny was puzzled by Jack's sudden change of behavior. When they had first started out that morning Jack had looked back at him every so often to make sure he was alright. They would talk as they flew just as it had been in the field back in the Warren. Now Though Jack's only focus seemed to be getting back to the pole, and Bunny couldn't help but wonder if Jack was tried of being with him.
Of course had Bunny been able to get a clear look at Jack's face he would have seen the war of emotion raging in his eyes. Jack wasn't sure of anything at that point. While he was doing his job he had a purpose to focus on, but now that the days work was done his mind was going wild. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happen in the appalachians. He had felt things that he had never felt before. Emotions that he had never had, and they were all centered on Bunny. Everything he had been feeling over the pass several months just seemed to intensify in that moment. When he was with Bunny he never wanted him to leave. When they had been in the appalachians with there hands buried in the earth he hadn't wanted that moment to end. Then the look in Bunny's eyes when their eyes had met was so unexpected. He had seen everything he was feeling as if he were looking into a mirror. Did Bunny feel the same way or had he imagined it? He couldn't be sure not without looking at him again and that was out of the question.
Jack was brought from his thoughts when Santoff Clausen came into sight. He realize that they would be landing soon and then he would have to face Bunny again. Using what little time that remained Jack carefully got a handle over his emotion. He would need to think things through a bit more before he even considered Bunny.
Bunny and Jack landed a few moments later floating in through the open window they had left from. When Bunny once again caught sight of Jack's face he was smiling. At first he was relieved to see but then he noticed that it seemed a bit force.
"So what did you think," Jack asked as if nothing was wrong.
"I though it was great," Bunny answered pretending he hadn't noticed his forced smile.
"Good," Jack said as he looked over to the clock "you care to stay for dinner," Jack asked.
"You sure North would be okay with it," Bunny asked not wanting to intrude.
"Yep, told him last night that you might be joining us," Jack said assuringly.
"Alright then I guess it couldn't hurt," Bunny replied as he followed Jack to the dinning room where he was sure North would be waiting. They had arrived just in time for dinner.
They entered the dining room and were immediately greeted by North. They sat and ate as talked about their days. Bunny and Jack talked about what they had done. Bunny describing what he had seen though leaving out the part about what had happened in the appalachian's as well as the way Annona had acted before they left to return to the pole. For which Jack was grateful. He wasn't ready to explain Annona's behavior just yet to any of them. Though he knew that at some point he would have to explain it to Bunny at some point.
North sat and listened to them talk about their day as he ate. He was pleased to hear that it had been a good day and they had apparently enjoyed themselves, but he couldn't help notice the slight awkwardness between the two. It gave him the impression that something else had happen that both were choosing to ignore. Dinner continued for another hour before a small yawn escaped from Jack.
"I am glad you two had a good time, but it seems that it is time to call it a night," North said noticing how tired Jack seemed.
"Yeah its been a long day," Jack agreed getting up to take his plate to the kitchen. Bunny moved to follow, and North watched them leave. Certain that whatever had happened could't have been so bad as it still didn't end their need to be together.
The two delivered their plates to the yeties that were currently in the middle of cleaning the days dishes. Before they left to go else where.
Bunny walked with Jack as they made their way to the winter spirit's room.
"So are you still coming tomorrow," Jack asked halfway to his room.
"Why wouldn't I," Bunny answered curious to why Jack though he wouldn't.
"It's just the way Annona act I thought you might have changed your mind," Jack said shyly.
"It take more than somethin' like that ta change ma mind," Bunny said honestly "though do ya care ta explain why she was acting that way ta start with," Bunny asked.
"Its a long story," Jack answered with a sigh.
"I've got time," Bunny said steeling a glance. He saw Jack was smiling slightly.
Jack saw Bunny glancing at him smiling as he spoke. He couldn't help the slight blush at the sight of his smile that was directed at him.
"And we have all season to tell it," Jack countered with a smile. Though Bunny could see a hint of sadness behind it.
"Fare enough," Bunny agreed allowing the matter to drop.
A moment later they were at his door and Jack turned to face Bunny. Neither spoke for a moment.
"So see ya tamorrow," Bunny asked knowing Jack would say yes. Jack smile genuinely as he nodded.
"Yep," Jack said reaching for the door knob. He turned to open the door and just as he was about to go in he turned back to Bunny.
"Hey Bunny," Jack said shyly to the pooka that was about to leave.
"Yeah Frostbite," Bunny replied looking up to meet Jack's eyes.
"I'm really glad you're coming along with me," Jack said smiling before turning and going into his room and closing the door.
For a moment Bunny was stunned. Jack had just told him he was glad that they were spending time together. As he tapped a foot to open a tunnel. The emotions that he had been feeling the last several months began to intensify. As he ran through his tunnel and to his burrow. He felt as if he were floating on air. Bunny couldn't explain what was happening. But something in his mind told him that everything he had been feeling for the last several months was love. He was in love with Jack Frost.
Later that evening when he laid down to sleep. He traced a paw over the arm band that Jack had placed on him that morning, and as he drifted to sleep he was ok with it.
Author's Note:
Well that was certainly longer than I had planned. But yeah they are finally figuring things out. Let see how long it will take for them to admit their feelings to one and other. Please review and tell me what you think. Until next time...
