So I'm working on one too many projects. I'm not updating anything again until I have seven chapters of each of my newer stories, so as I'm up to three with each that means I have another eight to write. So it should be fun :)
Until then, enjoy.
And we're nearly at 200 reviews! Help me out guys :D
Eleanor could barely contain her excitement as she bound through the snowy woods to the pond she knew Jack frequented. They'd been the best of friends for the last twelve years, despite the fact that they were so different. She was Summer and he was Winter, she had the most terrible temper sometimes whereas he was always quite relaxed and calm. Eleanor found she was more open to making new friends and starting new relationships with people, whereas Jack – despite his cheerful and outgoing personality – could be very antisocial. But they had their similarities too. They both loved the snow, which surprised Jack, because she was the Summer spirit, they could both be quite mischievous, they both loved having fun and they could both be very giddy. Both spirits were kind and caring, they watched over children most of all, ensuring they were all enjoying themselves – Eleanor by making it warm and sunny and the perfect time to play outdoors or go to the beach, Jack by providing enough snow for snowball fights, sledging and to make snowmen.
And she would tell him everything... within reason... so when she reached the ponds edge and looked about the treetops for him, she was a bit disappointed she didn't see him there.
"Jack?" she called, looking around and sighing, hugging her staff close to her and drawing heat from it. She was about to wander around and look for him in the town of Burgess, but she didn't have to because somebody covered her eyes from behind her, blowing freezing cold air down her neck.
"Guess who?" the silver haired boy chuckled, and she squealed as she pulled away from him, turning sharply and going to hit out at him with her staff, but he was quick and deflected it with his own, and they turned it into a sword fight, laughing as they parried one another, darting in and trying to jab the other in the stomach, gently though. She almost had him, but he twirled away, turning his staff so he could hook her feet with the crook of it and pull her sharply so she landed with a thump in the snow behind her, gasping.
"Jack!" she screamed, picking herself up quickly and dusting herself off, before eyeing the boy and lunging for him, taking him by surprise and knocking him down into the snow, the two of them tumbling together until they stopped, wrestling with one another.
"Somebody's in a good mood!" Jack laughed, smiling his usual wide lopsided grin, his icy eyes sparkling. "Care to tell me what's new?" he added as he flipped her over and pinned her down, her arms splayed out wide and he straddled her so she couldn't boot him off her.
"Yeah, okay," she panted, worn out from their tussle and he rolled sideways off her, making himself comfortable at her side and he took her hand in his, their fingers twining together. They always held hands, it was natural to them.
"Go on then," he pried, after she spent a moment pondering how to put it into words, and she swatted his arm, rolling her eyes at him.
"I'm officially Aster's," she said finally, and he coed an eyebrow at her, looking bemused.
"As opposed to the last twelve years when you weren't?" he joked, and she laughed, shaking her head.
"No, Jack, I'm officially his," she pressed, and the teen looked at her before it dawned on him and his jaw dropped.
"Since when?" he cried, pushing himself up onto his knees, looking both thrilled for her and shocked.
"Since yesterday," she tisked poking him in the stomach and he pushed back, balancing his weight on his toes before he sat down in the snow, facing her.
"How?" he asked, and when she gave him a slightly reproaching look he shook his head. "No, I don't want to know the nitty-gritty details, just... how did it come about?"
Eleanor pushed herself up onto her elbows and frowned, biting her lip as she thought about it. In all honesty Aster's demeanour had changed some last night, she'd seen a side to him then that she never had before. Not that it was bad, she just saw a different side to him was all. They'd wanted the same thing, and after him marking her she was officially his. Not that the marking would have much significance to anyone else, as she knew it was a scent he left on her that was undetectable to anyone else besides Pooka. But it put him at ease, made him happier and she wouldn't have anyone else, so she was more than happy for him to do it. She loved him, so it made sense.
"It just... happened, I suppose. It's been long enough, hasn't it?" she giggled, and Jack laughed in response, agreeing. But then his expression changed and he looked at her concerned and stern, like an older brother.
"He's not going to do anything to hurt you, is he?" he asked, and she shook her head quickly, knowing Aster would never do that to her, especially not now.
"No, he marked me," she explained, but she saw confusion flicker across his eyes and she realised she'd have to go a little more in depth than that, and she told him all about how Pooka – and she suspected other rabbits – would leave their scent on their mates and their territory so others would know they were taken. It was a possessive thing, but it also meant that no matter what she would be his, and he would be hers. It was just the way of the world, and she was fine with that.
"Ah... so for the rest of eternity you're stuck with Bunny?" he asked, and he blew out a lungful of air, watching it condensate in front of him. "Sure you're okay with that?" he joked, grinning, and she rolled her eyes at him, nodding enthusiastically. "I wouldn't be, he's a bit of a hard head."
"He thinks the world of you too, Jack," Eleanor replied sarcastically. Jack only winked at her, his blue eyes glinting cheekily at her. In some ways, the boy reminded her an awful lot of George. The had so many likenesses. Jack had adopted the role of an older brother to her. He had done for years, even before she was a spirit, when he helped her through the woods when she was alone, hugged her as best he could that night she felt alone and worried about George being away in the army. He teased her something rotten sometimes, and there was once or twice she and the Winter spirit had come to loggerheads and had the worst arguments conceivable, so bad Aster would stay away from her for a few days to avoid her wrath. But they always made it up with a hug and some kind words, promising never to argue like that again, but knowing they would. Siblings always did, and she honestly considered the boy a brother to herself. She loved him like one.
"So when are you becoming missus Bunnymund?" he asked, and she sat up properly then and shoved him backwards, leaving him chuckling to himself. She would have replied, but someone else did it for her.
"She's as good as mate, just without the title," and then Eleanor felt warm arms wrap around her, and she tilted her chin up to look into those evergreen eyes she loved so much, and she leaned back to kiss his nose, leaving him grinning.
"Really?" she asked quietly, feeling a small thrill burst through her.
"Yeah, unless you want the title?" he asked, and she considered it for a minute but shook her head, leaning her body back so she was pressed against his chest, ignoring Jack for a moment while they talked things out.
"No, I think we're best taking it one step at a time," she whispered gently, her hand reaching up and brushing against his cheek, and he nodded down at her, smiling anyway.
"Like I said, you're as good as, just without the title," he told her, then leaned in and kissed her chastely.
"Get a room?" Jack suggested, making retching sounds, doubling over in his play act, and Eleanor watched as Aster shot him a contemptuous look, and felt him hold onto her a little tighter, so she rubbed his arm, trying to soothe him.
"I intend to," Aster shot back, smirking, and Jack merely rolled his eyes, bid Eleanor goodbye, and left them, letting the wind carry him upwards and away.
"Do you really intend to?" the Summer spirit asked, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from grinning too widely. Aster noticed though, and laughed as he stooped to kiss her again, a little harder this time, there was more want behind the kiss, more need.
"Maybe later," he said, his voice husky again, and she shoved him playfully before standing up and sighing.
"Maybe not, as it happens I need to go sort Summer out in Australia, make sure they have the best waves on the beaches for over Christmas and all that," she winked at him, and he stood up, yawning. "You have to go and start planning for Easter too. Christmas has come and gone, it's your turn next," she reminded him, and she reached forward with her arms, sliding her fingers through the soft fur on his chest, up through the long fur on his shoulders and brushing the tangles out before wrapping her arms around his neck, and he looped one arm around her waist, pulling her stomach and hips close to him, while his other arm slung over her shoulders, hugging her close to him.
"I love you, sunflower," Aster whispered, pressing his cold nose to her forehead and kissing her nose.
"I love you too," Eleanor whispered in reply, tilting her head up so her lips locked with his, and they stayed there for a small while, wrapped up in the moment, before they had to break for air. "I need to go now," she muttered, and he nodded a little before pulling away from her, casting her one last longing look before she burst into flame and rose into the air as a phoenix.