Another dark chapter with (gasp) no sex. I chose the title because I thought it was punny. (Geddit? Lol) No seriously, not a happy chapter.

Rated: T for slight language, allusions to violence, and adult themes.

Disclaimer: Still don't own this crap. Damn.

Black Ice

The dusty remnants of Pitch Black had already disintegrated into the earth before Jack and Bunnymund returned to the Nightmare King's fortress. The only remaining evidence of the shadow being was still locked in larger chunks of ice that littered the cavern, melting quickly. As the smaller bits liquefied completely those fragments of Pitch would also disappear.

Aster felt Jack take his hand beside him as they gazed at the scene. Glancing covertly at his mate, he was surprised that the boy looked even paler than normal and slightly ill. It hit him that this was probably his companion's first explicit kill. He tried to remember back to when he was still a young buck and had made his first. He couldn't dredge up the memory.

Not knowing what else to do, he kneeled to sit back on his hind legs, evening out his height better with his mate's. He kept the firm grip of Jack's hand and looked out over the scene again, seemingly in detached appraisal. "You're a good person, Jack. Ya didn' do anithin' wrong..." he commented into the hollow silence between them, eyes peering into the darkness.

The thin, cool hand in his grasp tightened. He waited for any other signal that his words had been heeded, and when no words or other signs were forthcoming he finally turned to look at the young Guardian. His ears fell back and he let out a deep, pained sigh.

Jack was clutching his hand and looking out over the vast room, not meeting his gaze. He stood still and calm except for fat, rolling tears streaming down his face. The expulsion of emotion looked alien to his stance, but from it Aster could see the overwhelming guilt and pain that his mate was suffering. Jack was trying to be brave and stoic in the face of his own perceived wickedness, and it broke Aster's heart.

Unable to ignore his companion's pain, he hopped the short distance between them and wrapped his free arm around the boy's waist, snuggling his nose into the cold crook of his shoulder and pulled the suffering being into a tight embrace. The body he held was tense and rigid, but he didn't let go or say anything. He let his lover grieve for their enemy while reminding him physically that he wasn't alone in his suffering.

A weight released from his chest when the small body he held finally relaxed slightly into his embrace and real shudders wracked him while he cried. Jack would be okay. He was expressing his sorrow and moving on.

Aster vowed not to let his mate experience this again.

They stayed locked together, adjusting to the situation for so long that Bunnymund began to worry about all of the ice melting. Even if Jack felt guilty about his actions, they really had been for the best. But if all of Pitch's remnants melted into the earth he would be able to heal and restore himself in time. Aster didn't want that. Not so soon.

When Jack was finally animated enough to run shaky fingers through his fur, he gently extracted himself from the boy and turned to give him a reassuring look. "Ah'll be righ' back, love," he promised, and waded into the darkness to find any unmelted shards of black ice. After a short search he found the perfect piece. He was a little apprehensive to present in to his disturbed mate, but he had no choice. He couldn't let this piece of the Nightmare King melt.

Hesitantly, he moved closer to the frost spirit who had not moved. Rage flared in his chest to see the dim appearance of puffy, swollen features and distress etched into the features of the boy's face. Dropping the large chunk of ice none too gently onto the rocky ground, he moved quickly over to his mate and clutched him to his chest again, stroking claws through feather soft hair and purring his comfort.

"Jackie," Bunnymund whispered roughly, "Ah know it's not fair'a me ta ask this of ya, but we hafta keep Pitch from comin' back for awhile..." He nudged his face into the top of the sprite's hair and kneaded the thin neck with a paw, waiting on his lover to come to terms with what he was implying. "Ah found a piece'a Pitch. And ah need ya to keep it frozen so we can take it ta Santoff Claussen."

The body he held stiffened again. "Why does it matter?" a muffled voice croaked from his chest.

"Pitch'll come back if he can put 'imself togetha again," Aster breathed, "Ah can' let that happen. Not right now." He hoped he didn't sound like the monster he felt like at the calculating words. He hoped Jack didn't blame him for wanting to use such a painful experience to fulfill some Guardian responsibilities. It didn't hurt that Pitch being on ice would keep the nightmares away from his mate just that much longer. He expected the worst when his mate pulled away from their embrace to stare up at him.

Amazingly, Jack's eyes were wide and hopeful and the light flush on his cheeks didn't stem from sadness. "He's...he's not dead? I'm not a...murderer?" he asked quietly.

Bunny's brows furrowed in consternation. What was the boy thinking? "No ya ding bat," he growled, shaking his head in dismay, "You're not a murderer. But...ya couldn't call Pitch alive either..." He tried not to seem irritated at Jack's troubled look. "Point is, love," he continued before the sprite could ask any more questions, "Ah have a piece'a Pitch and ah want ya to keep him cold while we go to North. Alright, mate?" he asked.

It seemed that now that Jack felt he hadn't killed anyone he was amiable to anything. He nodded, if not happily then at least more satisfied. Aster rolled his eyes. At least his love wasn't sad anymore...

He hopped back to where he had dropped the shard and took it up again, the ice was melting quickly. With haste, he returned to the frost spirit and presented it to him to refreeze. With Jack's mood so improved he foolishly didn't expect the horrified gasp he received at the proffered shard. Pitch's head was preserved perfectly in the chunk, golden eyes staring unseeing out of the clear prison, and gray skin lifeless. His hair was already beginning to escape the ice, and was hanging wetly against the clear surface. "Hurry love," Bunnymund asked, holding it out.

Jack nodded numbly and tapped the melting block with his staff. A new layer of ice surrounded the macabre item, sealing it more permanently for a while. Without a word, Aster nodded reassuringly to his mate and took his hand again, stomping twice on the stone floor and sending them all to the North Pole.

The yetis put up a huge fuss over the frozen head when they arrived at the gates. Really, what was the big deal? It wasn't a threat. No matter how Aster tried to explain this to them, they refused to let them through and into the castle. Jack stayed quiet and still as Aster argued animatedly until North appeared a few minutes later. The big Russian man looked ready to crack the yetis' heads until his eyes eventually fell on the item in Bunnymund's hold.

Aster pressed Jack close to him at the troubled look the Guardian of Wonder cast them, and especially the sprite. He was not going to let Jack feel worse about this. North was an old friend and brave comrade, but he would rip the man's head off if he hurt his mate. As though sensing his possessive protection, North refocused his gaze back to Bunnymund and nodded them in without pleasantries or any other comment.

Once they were finally in the comfortable warmth of the indoors, North sent out yetis to gather the other two Guardians. Only once this was done did he seem amiable to conversation. Aster refused to release Jack from his grasp, even when a yeti took the frozen head from him to put in a cooler location out of sight. Both arms free now, he sat back on his haunches and pulled the boy to sit on his leg in front of him, arms curling around his torso.

He could feel Jack blushing without even needing to see his face. The boy wasn't used to public displays of affection, and he knew the young Guardian thought of North as a father figure. He didn't care, though. Jack was not leaving his protection until things were settled. He hummed a low, nearly inaudible purr to try to comfort his mate and sooth his anxiety.

"So your checkup went unexpectedly?" North finally asked into the thick silence. Aster had no idea what he was talking about and assumed the comment was aimed at Jack.

"...Yeah," Jack replied finally.

"Bit extreme, da?"

"North," Aster growled threateningly.

The big man waved off his comment and the pooka's anger. He focused instead on the young man in Aster's embrace. "You are okay, Jack? You are not hurt?" he asked in real concern, switching tactics.

Below him, Aster felt his mate swallow and shake his head. He couldn't help but rumble proudly. Of course Jack was okay. He was powerful and he was his mate.

Effervescence fled when North's cold glare focused on him now. "Bunnymund, you lied to us," the Russian scolded, "Not only did you omit truth to me, but you tricked Jack. And look what has happened?" Aster's ears folded and he ducked his head. North was right. He hadn't set out to cause any of this, but he hadn't planned things very well. And now his mate had been forced to kill for him because of his stupid mistakes and silly lies...

"Lay off him, North!" Jack shouted, tensing in Bunny's arms and gripping him tightly. The air dropped several degrees despite the large fire burning in the hearth. "It wasn't his fault. I lost control and just...acted. And...I was afraid..."

The large Russian man quirked a brow at the small, defiant young man cuddled into Bunnymund. "Oh?" he asked, intrigued to hear the story.

"Yeah," Jack confirmed defiantly, "Pitch had set nightmare hounds on Aster. And Bunny was brilliant, but I was scared for him so I froze them. Then Pitch..." he faltered and nuzzled his cold face sideways into the fur on Aster's shoulder and breathed. He was clearly still upset. "He was gonna kill Bunny, North," he whispered. The crackle of the fire was louder than his voice, but everyone heard his words. "He wasn't gonna leave him alone until he was dead."

Now Jack opened his eyes and glared over at the Christmas Saint. Aster wasn't sure what he looked like, but he could see a shadow of fear creep into the old man's stance at the look. And Jack's body was nearly too cold to hold onto. "No one is going to take my family away. I had to protect my partner."

"S'alright frostbite," Aster murmured into his mate's ear, trying to calm him down. "It's ova now. Ever'thin's fine."

The boy returned to his normally cool temperature and clutched him tighter still, leaning his head back against his chest. Now Bunnymund's chin rested nearly on his forehead. North looked questioningly into Aster's eyes and the pooka looked back at him calmly, solemnly. "We came ta see if ya have a safe place fo' Pitch," Aster finally pushed the conversation. "It might be nice ta have some fearless dreams fo'while."

North stroked his beard and nodded, thinking deeply. "Da, I have safe place," he confirmed, "but Pitch cannot stay forever, you know?"

Aster nodded. "Yeah. Yeah ah know."

The conversation was halted at the arrival of the other two Guardians. Sandy floated serenely into the room and landed lightly next to North, gazing inquiringly at Bunnymund and Jack, his lips quirked in amusement. Tooth flitted in next, chirping orders to her fairies even as she, too, took her place on the other side of North. Aster grinned when she looked at them and blushed, eyes flicking instinctively to the still healing magical marking on Aster's neck.

"Jack has defeated Pitch in battle," North announced to the room as everyone settled, "I now have his head in my castle to safeguard."

Tooth gasped audibly at the news, covering her mouth with a dainty hand. She looked more discerningly at Aster now and blushed again, nodding her silent concession to the pooka. Aster's barely perceptible acceptance was returned. Sandy's brows had risen comically high on his forehead and he gazed speculatively at the youngest Guardian, seeming to see the boy truly for the first time. It was he who broke the awe of the moment with a series of troubling symbols.

The group watched his silent speech. He pointed out that now that there was no Nightmare King there would be no control over the nightmares. They would be wild once again. He also communicated that destruction of a magical being held consequences and that suitable repercussion had to be taken. He apologized for not being of more help with the trouble Pitch had proven, but asked if the punishment that Jack had dispensed had not been a bit severe.

Aster tightened his hold on Jack as the boy tensed guiltily, and he turned him away from the others slightly, hiding him from their direct view. He ignored the arguments between the other three and focused on his mate for a moment. He purred and licked the side of Jack's face. The slight figure was shaking a little and looking apprehensively into his eyes. "Am I in trouble, Bunny?" he whispered. Aster shook his head firmly and placed one last kiss on the boy's nose before a throat cleared, asking for their attention again.

Bunnymund still did not turn his blushing mate to face them completely, but kept him protected in his arms and pressed against his chest. "You lot done bickerin' yet?" he growled at their audience.

The sandman was now resting neutrally and Tooth just watched all of the men in the room anxiously. North, however, was unamused. "Bunny, this is serious. What should we do about wild nightmares? Let them roam free?" he asked gravely. His huge arms crossed defensively, revealing his tattoos and making him look much more formidable.

Aster huffed aggressively at the dominant display. "We're Guardians fo' a reason aren't we mate?" he asked evenly, "We'll protect childhood and keep vigilant. We shouldn't make problems fo' ourselves that aren't 'ere yet." He now straightened up and gently propped Jack back on his feet beside him, taking his hand defensively. He nodded curtly at all three Guardians. "Now we're going home. If ya haven't fo'gotten, Jack's had a bit of a rough day," he reminded accusingly. The statement took the fight out of the Russian and he nodded in understanding.

"We must talk more of this later, Jack," North urged gently, "but first you rest."

Jack nodded his understanding and looked apologetically at the other two Guardians. "I'm sorry," he murmured sincerely, "I didn't know what else to do."

Aster nodded and looked specifically at North. "We'll talk more lata. This ain't finished." He was pissed that North was being so harsh to his mate and he didn't like how Sandy had reacted. They hadn't been there. They didn't know how brave and repentant Jack had been. They didn't know what had happened. But he wasn't going to force Jack to relive everything right now. The boy needed to rest and recuperate. The day had been taxing in so many ways. "Come'on love," he urged, taking Jack's hand in his again and thumping twice on the floor.

The warren felt like a different place when they arrived. He almost couldn't imagine their earlier lovemaking as the warm air and serene environment welcomed them. Jack was stiff and dejected beside him, and he was tense and angry. It was moments like this that he felt he could close his eyes and sleep for a hundred or so years. He led them both into the burrow and wordlessly stripped Jack of his clothes and disposed of his staff, then lifted him in his arms and settled him gently in their nest. Folding the silly human garments, he put them aside and crawled into the space left for him, cuddling his mate and purring to sooth them both.

"Aster?"

"Yeah, mate?"

"They aren't gonna...make me leave or anything are they? What if MiM says I can't be a Guardian anymore? What if they..."

"Ah'll kill anyone who tries t'make you leave," Aster growled angrily, clutching his companion tightly against him, "And if MiM is that stupid then ah'm not sure ah'd wanna be part of that..." He paused, trying to control his rage and pain at Jack's fear and guilt. He wasn't helping anyone or anything by getting angry. He measured a few calming breathes, counting in his head to release tension. "Don' worry, love," he finally whispered, "No matta what Ah'll always be by yer side…Jack?"

"Hm?"

"Ah'm sorry ah didn't tell you where ah was goin...I shoulda. And ah'll neva do that again."

"Okay."

The short reply was like a punch in the gut to Bunnymund, but he supposed he deserved it. He had been the one to get Jack in this mess and his actions were being suffered by his mate now. He closed his eyes and nosed through his lover's feathery hair, grooming it and massaging his scalp with his tongue until the boy relaxed. He was determined to let Jack get some sleep. Hell, maybe he could sleep through a night now without dreaming if being raped or charmed into dreamless slumber. Anger tried to bubble up again, but Aster controlled himself. What mattered was Jack's comfort and safety.

The small body against his relaxed completely and his breathing evened out finally. Aster stopped messing with his mate's hair and moved to look at his face. He was asleep. Bunny sighed in relief and tried to calm his turbulent mind and follow his own advice, and his mate's actions, and rest.

Author's Note: I think I have at least one more chapter in this specific story arch to sort of wrap up the Pitch situation…

Let's see how Jack reacts once he's had some time to sleep on it…

Side Note: I think Queen Toothiana would be a being that could sense the magical connection Jack and Aster have now. She seems pretty sensitive.

And I think Sandy and Pitch have a weird relationship. Not sure how they connect…Pitch did kill him after all. But I think Sandman would be the most objective in a court of Guardian Law. He is the oldest…

Also, Jack is, in a way, Pitch's grandson, right? (In the books? Anybody know?) I'd like to think he has his own hint of darkness because of this. This is the first movie I can remember seeing where Jack Frost is not an antagonist after all.