"You know, Bunny and Teddy in the same sentence is not good. North sounded like a child desperately finding his stuffed toys." The pecan-headed girl joked and both she and the Easter Bunny broke into laughter, not clearly offended. As to why Santa Clause called for them, they didn't want to know.
"So why did you bring her here?" North interrogated the newest Guardian. "Ah..." Jack trailed off, not knowing how to answer the question. "Well?" The white-bearded man expectantly said as he crossed his beefy arms on his chest, waiting patiently for Jack's reply. "I thought you know everything about her!" The boy exclaimed, trying to avoid the subject.
"No," North shook his head and subconsciously scratch his chin, "We do not pry in children's personal lives unless they really want us to know." The bearded man informed and all Jack could do is nod. "So it's personal?" North asked, quirking his eyebrow. "Yeah." Was the boy's hushed reply.
They suddenly heard laughter and looked to see Teddy and Bunny getting along. The Pooka noticed the stares and looked away whilst grabbing the girl's shoulders and pushing her to Jack, which the boy easily catch. "Jack, I need to go sleep. I have school tomorrow." She whispered and looked tiredly at the winter spirit. "Do you have extra rooms, North?" The hellion asked, looking expectantly at the man he saw as his father. "Sadly, no. But you could share beds!" North boomed a laugh that could have shaken the entire workshop.
The two glanced at each other and then at North. It finally sinked in in their minds and their eyes were wide as saucers. "What?!" But the Cossack ignored them completely and ordered Phil instead. "Phil!" He shouted and the yeti stood up straight and saluted his boss. "Get the girl pyjamas! And immediately wash her clothes after she changed. Go!" Father Christmas ordered and Phil scampered about, muttering about how to get the girl pyjamas with the perfect fit.
"Let's go to my room," Jack blushed slightly, not letting anyone see his embarrassment. He never shared his quarters with a girl before so that is completely new to him (with the exception of his little sister, of course). "Hold on, hold on!" Bunny suddenly exclaimed, catching the attention of the two teens. "Yer letting two ankle biters stay in the same bed?" The rabbit implied, as if proving a point. "What's wrong with zhat?" North quickly retorted. "The two ankle biters is a boy and a girl, you drongo!" Bunny pointed a paw at the bulky man, looking seethed.
"Is Bunny having Daddy issues?" Tooth translated from Sandy who is trying to make an effort to get noticed by the two arguing Guardians. Bunny suddenly paused, looking at the two pacifists. If you look closely, you could see hurt in Bunny's bright emerald orbs. "G'day mates." The rabbit whispered and tapped his foot twice, making a hole in the ground. The three Guardians looked at each other and at the rabbit but Bunny already disappeared as he hopped in his hole and the gap from the floor slowly close.
The two teens glanced at each other and looked confused. They didn't get what Bunny's point is so they shrugged it off. "Come on," Jack grabbed Teddy's good elbow. The girl hesitated and looked at the long-gone hole of Bunny's. Like the rest of the Guardians–except for Jack– she saw the hurt in the rabbit's eyes. The bunny suddenly made her so worried but she'll ask him next time.
The two friends walked quietly in the hallway towards the guest rooms that were, sadly, made for the Guardians only. The pecan-head thought about how gigantic North's workshop is but can't even manage to build another guest room or two.
Teddy and Jack, mostly Teddy, admired the opened rooms. Sometimes pausing to take a look inside. What caught Teddy's interest most is the incredibly large library and the music room. She solemnly promised to herself that if Jack ever bring her back in Santoff Claussen, she would go straight to that two rooms, with North's permission of course.
They paused in front of the a room that looked same like the others and Jack slowly turned the knob and the door swung open. The pecan-head gasped and breathed in the designs of the bedroom. The room's walls and ceiling were painted in light blue and white snowflakes were designed in different sizes and intricate designs. And sometimes snow would slowly fall from the ceiling. "Wow. You have outdone your room." Teddy heartily laughed. Before Jack could answer, a knock was heard from the door. The green-eyed girl, being the nearest from the door, opened it and saw the yeti brought a set of pyjamas.
"Thank you, Phil." Teddy grinned and the brownish-grey yeti smiled back, before closing the door. "Ah, Jack," Teddy looked at the boy who was trying to lean his staff on the empty wall, "Yeah?" The spirit asked, not averting his gaze from his staff. "Can you give me some privacy?" The girl blushed but grinned sheepishly nonetheless. "Oh." Realization hit Jack and he slowly crept outside the window, closing it behind him, not wanting Teddy to get cold. He didn't dare looked back, not wanting to get hit or something.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Teddy suddenly shouted, making Jack barged in. There Teddy was, standing and gaping at her pyjamas. She was barefoot and her earlier clothes were folded neatly and was ready to give to Phil, the yeti. "What's wrong?!" The winter spirit asked, pure concern in his voice. "I'm gonna kill North." She groaned and looked angrily at her pyjamas.
Jack finally realized what she's talking about and suddenly burst out laughing. Nothing is wrong with her pyjamas, in actuality. The set of clothing is cream-colored but the pattern sewn on it is what annoyed her. The pattern sewn on it is a brown bear. A teddy bear to be exact. "That's alright. It's cute anyway." Jack assured in between giggles. There was rapid knocking and Teddy got her clothes from earlier as she opened the wooden door. Jack took it as an opportunity and quickly change into his pyjamas as well.
The pecan-head handed the clothes to Phil and sincerely thanked the yeti. She closed the door and turned around. Teddy covered her mouth to stifle from giggling. "Look at you!" Teddy exclaimed, finally bursting out into laughter. Indeed, Jack is wearing a light blue pyjamas with white snowflake pattern sewn on it. "Fine. We're even then." Jack crossed his arms on his chest and cutely pouted.
The white-haired hellion suddenly turned off the light, making Teddy gasped. "Jack?" She trembled lightly. "Scared of a little dark, Teddy?" The boy chuckled and flew in front of her. "Yeah." Knowing that she is serious, Jack say no more and quietly guided her to their now-shared bed. Jack's bed has a big pillow, big enough for them to share and Teddy knew that the boy doesn't use a blanket even if his life depended on it.
"Jackie?" Teddy whispered, trying to make small talk. But the winter spirit didn't reply. Teddy could hear the evened breathing and soft snores coming from the Guardian. She sighed and slowly faced the boy, whose back is lying on the mattress. The 16-year-old crept near the bringer of winter, enjoying the coolness the boy is emitting. The green-eyed girl closed her eyes and soon Jack's breathing lulled her to sleep.
Unconsciously, she slowly put her arm on the boy's chest and snuggled at his side. Jack, who didn't know that he is doing it, wrapped his arm around the girl and both fell asleep soundly.
Cackling pierced her delicate ears. Hell-bent cackling. She tried to cover her ears, desperately trying to block the sound. Soon it was dead silent and she slowly opened her eyes, revealing those shining emerald orbs. Right before her, is herself. Who seemed to be arguing with her mother. The sound suddenly came back, in maximum volume, like someone turned off the mute button.
"Why?! Why did you pick that man?!" She shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her mother. Her mother sat limply on the chair, looking at her distraught daughter. The woman never answered but looked. Looked at how her precious daughter is trying to bring some sense in her. Her dream-self noticed that she was 11 years old and winced at the number.
"Why?!" Her younger self repeated but her mother never answered. To her mother, her questions seemed rhetorical or the woman just turned plain mute. "You always told me how you loved a man named Aster! You always told me that you picked Arthur because it's for the best! Why did you do that?! Aster loved you! I want Aster! I WANT ASTER!" The girl shouted and tears started to form and roll down from her rosy cheeks.
"I bet Aster can make a great dad! I bet Aster would teach me how to live the fullest! I bet Aster would teach me something cool! I bet Aster would teach me Australian twang! I bet Aster would love me! With all his heart! I would have the greatest father and he would have the daughter that he would never trade for any other little girls! I WANT ASTER!" The lassie's voice turned hoarse and her eyes were puffy and red from crying.
The door swung open and Arthur stood in the entryway, looking tired. He saw his daughter crying and his wife looking guilty. "Why is Teddy crying?" He whispered and ran to the girl's aid, hugging her and whispering comforting words. "I'm fine, Daddy." She whispered and kissed the man's cheek before going upstairs. Mrs. Tyler closed the front door and attended to her husband.
"Is this about Aster again?" The man asked, sitting in the dining room but neglected the cold food. "Yes." His loving wife plainly answered. "You know, why did you not choose Aster? Before I proposed to you, you love Aster with all your heart and soul. Why me?" Her concerned husband said as he cupped Mrs. Tyler's cheek. "It's for the best." She would always say and nothing more.
...
The cackling went back and Teddy stood horrified. "Stop laughing!" She shouted, trying to fight the fear. "Oh but I won't." Someone whispered, an English accent filling up in the air. "Why?!" She retorted back, her tone full of acidity. "I won't stop laughing about how idiotic your mother is." And she stood there, feeling sorry for herself that she agreed at what the voice said.
"You can never have Aster." The voice happily said, as if the voice is glad that she could never have Aster as her father. "I want Aster." She fought back. "No you can't, because your mother didn't pick him anyway." But before she could answer, the voice was gone and the cackling went back. "I want Aster!" She shouted once more before darkness consumed her.
"Wha?" She blinked, still half-asleep. There stood in front of her is four worried Guardians. Great. Now the Guardians are caught up with my problems in sleeping. "Um, what's happening?" Teddy confusingly asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She didn't know the time but she guessed that it's still night, considering the moonlight coming from outside the window.
"You were having a nightmare, again." Jack worriedly implied. Teddy stared at the teen, clearly amused at his bed hair. "Why are they here? Not to be rude or anything." She defended, not wanting to be offend the Guardians. "I called North when you started shouting "I want Aster." I didn't know who Aster is at first so I asked North. He said that it was Bunny since Bunny's full name is E. Aster Bunnymund. North panicked and decided to call Bunny. Sandy is here as well. After we comfort you, he's going to give you a good dream." The boy thoroughly explained.
She looked at Bunny and the Pooka's staring at her, evident concern in his smouldering green eyes. "Okay." Teddy breathed out. "Can I go outside? With Bunny?" She asked for permission and the other three nodded. Bunny put a paw on Teddy's shoulder as they carefully went outside of Jack's bedroom. "What do you want with me, Sheila?" Bunny quietly said as they explored the hallways together once more.
"Nothing. I don't want to talk about it. It's a really bad dream but I'm glad that you're here now, Aster." She let out a small smile and they further went in the hallways. "You're not going to disappear, right?" That made Bunny stopped in his tracks. In all honesty, when he let her call him Aster, there seemed to be a bond that formed within them. A unknown, weird bond but comforting at the same time. "I'm not going to disappear." He fondly whispered. "Let's go back to Frostbite's room. They must have worried sick. C'mon!" And they went back to where they came from.
They opened the door to see the rest looking worriedly at the girl but Teddy managed to brought out a smile that made the Guardians sighed in relief. Jack grabbed her by her good arm and brought her into a hug that brought smiles on the other Guardians. "Are you okay now?" The boy whispered. "Never better." And what she replied is true, thanks to Bunny of course. Jack saw the truth in her eyes and smiled. He can distinguish whenever she's lying or not and today, she's not.
The two teens lay off to bed and both sleepily smiled. Sandy grinned and slowly blow dream sand on their heads. "Won't you stay?" The girl childishly asked, the question directed to Bunny. "Sure Teddy. See you in the morning." The Pooka smiled, deciding to stay in his own room for the night, not wanting to disappoint the ankle biter who he is now fond of. Soon, their eyes droopily closed and fell into a good night sleep. North turned off the light and Bunny rubbed his nose on Teddy's temple which the girl sleepily smiled upon. The three Guardians went outside, leaving their two babies in dream land.
The next morning...
The girl sighed in relief. It was the best sleep she ever had in years.
Teddy yawned and rose from the bed. She noticed that Jack was nowhere to be found but her yesterday's clothes, now newly washed, were placed on the edge of the bed. The girl tiredly changed into her clothes and slipped on her shoes. Teddy neatly folded the pyjamas and placed it beside Jack's. The green-eyed girl never minded combing her bed hair as she went outside the room.
She asked the yeti for directions to the dining room but the furry creature just garbled the words. She stumbled upon a elf, much smarter than the others, and happily brought her to the designated room. She found North inhaling his morning cookies while Bunny's munching his carrots. Teddy perked up when she saw Bunny and bid them a good morning. Soon, the other two were laughing their heads off about her bed hair but she completely ignored the two adults.
"I told you before, don't forget to comb your hair." Jack said like a father but chuckled nonetheless. The boy grabbed a silver comb and carefully brush the girl's messy pecan mane. The outcome was still the same perfect one. Silky and entangled with frost. Teddy sat down and looked at her breakfast. How did North know that she loves pancakes in the morning?
Like a proper lady, she cut the pancakes in pieces and took a bite. It was very delicious. "This is delicious." She mumbled and happily took another bite. North heard her comment and laughed boisterously. "Of course! Yetis are best cooks!" The Cossack boasted his co-workers with broken English. The girl contentedly smiled and glanced at Jack. She could feel that the hellion is staring at her. He isn't eating anything and was just grinning at her.
"You know, you'll never get full if you keep staring." The 16-year-old remarked. "Who? Me? I don't usually eat." But before he could continue what he was saying, the fork was chuck in his mouth and Teddy smiled evilly. Jack slowly chewed a piece of pancake and his beautiful blue eyes sparkled in excitement. Of course, Teddy knew that he would like her breakfast so she spoon fed Jack, or in this case, fork fed. She would give Jack small bites of pancake and Teddy would snuck a few bites as well. Soon the plate is empty and Teddy is gulping her pulpy orange juice.
North saw the transition in the dining room while Bunny rolled his eyes but had a small smile plastered on his face. "You never tried eating pancake before?" The teen asked and the boy hesitantly nodded. "Yeah." The prankster sheepishly answered in addition to his previous reply. Teddy looked at her glass of orange juice and Bunny saw the mischievous glint in her green eyes. "Take a sip." She ordered while trying to hand the boy the glass. Jack's eyes widen and looked at the glass hesitantly. The orange liquid seemed delicious and clearly taunting him.
"Control your frost." Teddy warned and handed him the glass. No frost came from his touch as he took a hesitant sip and the same sparkle appeared in his eyes again. Soon, they were exchanging the glass as they took sips of orange juice. Apparently, the glass is now empty and the two teenagers were full. "I need to go home. I have school today." Teddy urgently said to them. The four made their way to the Globe Room and the Cossack brought out a peculiar snow globe. He handed it to Teddy and the girl only looked at it confusingly.
"What do I do with it?" She asked, looking expectantly at the bearded man. North laughed again and placed a bulky hand on the girl's head, disheveling her perfectly combed hair. Jack scowled when North ruined his handiwork. "Whisper where you want to go and throw it." She did what she was said to do. "Burgess." Teddy whispered and threw it off. Soon, a magic portal erupted from the glass and she gasped. "Neat. Pretty neat." The green-eyed girl grinned and winked at Father Christmas who winked back at her.
It was time to say good bye. She first hugged the Russian. "Can I go back?" She whispered on the man's ear. "Of course you can! You are always welcome." And that brought a contented smile on Teddy's face. "Can you say my gratitude to Sandy? For the good dream last night. " North smiled and only nodded. Then she hugged Bunny. "Thank you for never leaving." The lass happily whispered. "I would never leave ya." Bunny smiled and ruffled the girl's hair to add to North's doings which brought another scowl on Jack's face. "You promise?" She whispered again, much like a child. "I promise. Now off you go. Don't wanna be late for school." Aster winked at her and waved his paw good bye.
What Bunny promised and said brought a wide smile on her face. He sounded like a father, her father, and that made her extremely happy. Teddy giddily grabbed Jack's hand and they went inside the portal, giving one last glance and wave at the two Guardians.
"You would never leave her?" North asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Never, mate."
Dear readers, whether anonymous or not,
I shall now make it as a headcanon.
Jack never tried pancakes and orange juice before and hardly tried everything. Only a few cookies and tasted Bunny's carrots out of curiosity but not any other meals. If he ever tried something, he would soon get addicted to it and request the yetis to make it as soon as he arrive in Santoff Claussen. But his addiction wears off and would find another selection of food for something new to get addicted with.
Another headcanon: Bunny never breaks his promises and if he ever did, without his conscience or not, he would make up for it no matter what cause him.
...
Hello mates! This was supposed to be uploaded yesterday but I needed to read again and edit it. Hope you like it!
I made a tumblr dedicated to RotG. You can follow me and please message me, saying that you're from Fanfiction. jacks-teddy is my url and headcanons, tidbits of the story or just plain rants of mine will be posted there!
As to why they didn't get Bunny's point it's because our Jack and Teddy are innocent children. Yes, they may know a thing or two but they have the heart of a child. Their minds are pure, so to speak. No, I'm not rushing their romance but the bedroom assignments is a subtle hint, fluff in our term, but never in full blast romance.
EmeraldRhino: Here's the answer to your review, wink wink, nudge nudge.
Really guys, you need to review because I really need your thoughts. I want to know if I'm good author or not. Yes, I'm a desperate crazy woman. Ciao!
"Read and review." Teddy's voice echoed as her melodic laughter fill the air.
Yours truly, Star.