I thought you might have had too much fun in the last chapter, so sadness had returned. (Not really, it just showed up without an invite.)

I am super-stoked to keep this going; I am having so much fun. I hope you are too!

Jack catches Aster out, to the rabbit's horror. But things are smoothed over until a trip to Burgess upsets life again.

(-)

Throw your world down and come into me
Stay next to me, right next to me
All you've got is everything I need
Stay next to me, right next to me, right next to me

Next to Me- Paradise Fears

"Can we visit Jamie tomorrow?" Jack asked as they finished work one evening. "He's been spending a lot of time at the pond. We could tell him stories for the site. I think he's lonely."

Aster glanced at the boy. "Sure. Any other spirits you've pissed off we should be watching for?"

Jack gave him a mischievous smile and shrugged. "No guarantees. I'd forgotten about the beach until she showed up. I've caused a lot of trouble over three hundred years."

That smile and attitude had been sorely missed. Jack seemed to be doing well by staying with Aster. Aster kept wondering what would happen when Jack was nightmare-free. There was a substantial madness lingering in the back of his head that he could tell Jack how he felt and ask the boy to stay. Luckily, his sensible part was driving, and it knew to not go down that road. Even if the madness kept insisting that there was a chance that was the only road to happiness.

"Good to know we might be ambushed at any time. For such a fun guy, you are good at pissing people off."

Jack laughed. "You would know. It still feels miraculous that we're here right now, like this."

Aster rolled his eyes as they headed back to the Burrow. "Maybe. But I'm used to it by now. I'd think you would be too."

"I am. But…I still worry about losing you. Losing everything."

The rabbit sighed. "You won't, you know. Only way you're getting rid of me is if you choose to."

"You make it sound like I can keep you forever, then," Jack said quietly as they entered the Burrow.

"Only if you want to," Aster said. This was exactly what he said he wouldn't do. Damn kid.

Jack blushed. "Okay."

That could be taken quite a few ways, and Aster didn't care to hash them out just then. Jack was getting aroused. The smell had become familiar, and Aster was pretty sure he didn't have time to make it to the grove.

"I'm…going to take a nice shower." It was Jack's more subtle way of warning Aster he was going to masturbate.

As soon as the door to the bathroom closed, Aster let his cock slide free, bracing himself for what was coming. Jack, while still shy to Aster's face, had gotten much more comfortable with enjoying himself. Frostbite was louder, cursed more, and just generally pushed all of Aster's buttons.

Today, Jack seemed to take his time. Low groans and gentle gasps to start with. "Yes…" Jack had also continued talking to some imaginary lover. It was not helpful as Aster simultaneously imagined Jack talking to him that way or talking to someone else that way.

Aster stroked along as Jack sped up a little, moaning. "That's so good. Please, don't stop."

If only he could, Aster would never stop. "Going at it like rabbits" was more than a saying. Aster could pleasure and fuck the boy for hours. And he'd never tire of his Snowflake, no matter how many thousands of years passed them by.

"Yes! Oh, like that…" Jack was intensifying his attentions, Aster could hear, and every time this happened, it felt more difficult not to go to his Snowflake and follow these instructions.

When Frostbite said, "Don't leave! Ooohhh, need you here," Aster felt faint as every bit of blood seemed to rush to his cock.

"Never leavin," Aster said quietly, his strokes getting harder, faster as he heard Jack do the same. "Gonna keep you satisfied. Give me a chance, Snowflake; I'll make you scream." It was almost like a prayer.

"That's right. You know just what I want…" Jack whimpered. It was like Frostbite had heard him.

Aster came hard, the pleasure rushing fast and making his whole body one tense muscle. He also groaned. Loudly.

Jack came right after that far-too-audible groan, a surprised gasp leaving his lips. "Oh, fuck!"

That just gave Aster extra power for his last few spurts. Jack Frost using bad language was incredibly hot, and he really hoped the boy didn't take to cursing in public. Of course, Jack had heard him. He knew Jack had heard him because Jack breathed his name as he started to quickly dry and get dressed.

Aster scrambled to clean up the mess in the sink, guilt dragging him down, a heavy feeling in his stomach. He had just finished sterilizing when Jack returned to the kitchen. Aster did not turn to look at him.

"Umm…" Jack said, clearly not sure how to continue.

"You want your sandwiches with extra pickles, right?" Aster asked. He couldn't take it. No matter how often he told himself Jack would leave, it didn't make him prepared for it.

"Bunny? Do you…? I mean, it's natural, right?"

Aster felt hot shame flood him. No matter what he said to Snowflake, he felt wrong. Felt like he was using Jack's vulnerability and teenage hormones for his own benefit.

He heard Jack approach him, and his body tensed. But the boy just slid his arms around the rabbit's waist, hugging him gently. Aster relaxed since the boy was practically channeling acceptance and forgiveness right into Aster's body.

"You know I like extra pickles, Cottontail," Jack said simply.

When Jack let go, Aster started to make sandwiches. He only looked at Jack out of the corner of his eye. As they ate, Aster kept his eyes on his food.

"I know your burn is healed, but can I touch your ears tonight? Instead of reading and drawing?"

Aster felt short of breath. Jack knew Aster got off to Jack masturbating, and he was offering to pleasure Aster in a non-sexual way. Maybe Jack wouldn't run when he found out the full truth. "Yeah. I'd like that."

"Good." Jack took the dishes to the sink, starting the water. Aster shook off thoughts of getting Frostbite a frilly apron and making him wear only that to do chores around the Burrow. "Just head into the den, Bunny. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Aster went to lay down on the couch, certain he'd never been so nervous about something so innocent. Probably because he was worried his cock would start poking out if he thought about Jack too much before he got there. Actually getting his ears touched was relaxing, and didn't allow for sexual tension.

Too soon or not soon enough, Aster couldn't tell, Jack came in with a shy smile. As he positioned himself at Aster's head, the rabbit couldn't help his ears folding guiltily. "None of that."

Jack's cool hands started rubbing at the base of Aster's ears, and they relaxed immediately. So did the rest of him. "You feel good, Frostbite." The damn relaxing took Aster's filters down, which was dangerous.

Jack just laughed. "Glad you think so." He kept going for a few moments before he added, "This is still kind of funny. Seeing you like this."

Through the haze of pleasure, Aster felt faintly annoyed. "Funny, huh?"

Jack nodded. "You're always so tough and untouchable. Touching you like this is almost unreal."

Aster smiled at that. "Well, you've seen a softer side of me than anyone has ever seen. It's why you can't talk about this, Frostbite. Ruins my image."

"But if no one but me actually sees it, what harm does it do?"

The rabbit hesitated, not sure he wanted to reply. Eventually, he decided he had to. "Because, Snowflake, telling everyone that you make me soft is dangerous. For both of us. People could use you to get at me. The Easter Bunny isn't without enemies. I don't want them to get their hands on you."

Jack's heart had started hammering as his hands stilled. "I make you soft?"

Aster snorted. "Don't pretend you didn't know. Like I'd let anyone else this close." It was dangerously honest.

"I…really didn't. I mean, obviously you don't let everyone in. But I didn't think…"

"You're special, Snowflake. I care about ya."

There was a moment where nothing happened, then Jack gave each of Aster's ears a cool kiss that sent a shudder through the rabbit's body before Jack resumed touching. "I care about you too, Bunny."

Aster felt so satisfied he might have just melted into a puddle of happiness. As it was, the Snowflake rubbed his ears until he fell asleep. He didn't wake until morning.

(-)

"Jamie!" Jack called. They approached the boy who was sitting at the edge of the pond with that laptop thing.

The morning air was cool, but Aster knew it would warm quickly since Spring was taking hold of the land. Aster noted that Jamie looked tired. And his nose was giving him more disturbing information.

"Jack! Bunny! I'm so glad to see you!" Jamie set his laptop aside and ran to hug them both. When he pulled away, the boy seemed winded.

"Come on, sit down. Since the pond is completely thawed, I didn't expect to see you until next year, Jack. I'm glad I don't have to wait that long."

"Unless a really grumpy Spring Spirit comes along to tell me I'm not supposed to be here, I'll come whenever I can. I'll take on Summer if I have to." Jack gave Aster an amused sidelong glance.

"Let's try not to take on Summer again. Don't need any more burns," Aster said evenly.

"What happened?" Jamie asked eagerly. He could sense a story.

They told him as he typed up notes to work with later. "Wow. From ninety degrees to below freezing. You're amazing, Jack."

"And that was back before anyone could see him. How long ago was that, Jack?" Aster asked.

Jack stopped to think. "1983, I think? Like I said, I'd forgotten about it until she attacked us."

Jamie typed for a bit, then said, "Found it! They did an article in the local paper about it. 'Mystery Snow in the Summer.'"

Jack and Aster leaned in to take a look at the article and picture. And Aster got a more intense noseful of that troubling scent on Jamie. He didn't want to talk about it in front of Jack, though.

"Hey, Frostbite. I wanna tell the kid a story. Private. Go start a snowball fight somewhere. Come back in a bit."

Jack smirked. "You know putting your private story on the internet makes sending me away pointless, right?"

"Just go, ya gumby."

With a sigh, Jack said, "Fine. But you better not be doing this just to hog Jamie." And he took off, flying up into the sky till he was out of sight.

"So, what has you spending so much time at the hospital, Jamie?"

The boy froze as he met Aster's eyes, clearly not expecting to be found out so soon. "I…something's wrong with my heart."

"Yer too young for fatty foods and such to be causing trouble."

Jamie shook his head. "I was born with it, I guess. We didn't start to see problems until recently. It's…" There was a pause before words rushed out of the boy. "It's not usually fatal, and the doctor said they could operate, and the success rate is good, and the mortality rate is low, so-"

The kid was cut off as a frigid wind blew and the temperature dropped around them. Jack came sailing down to them, headfirst, and barely pulled up out of his dive to land on his feet. "Sick?! Why didn't you say something?" Jack shot a dirty look at Aster. "And why did you try to hide it from me?"

A storm was gathering, the sunny day dimming and disappearing as the temperature kept dropping. Oh, shit. "I didn't know what was happening, Snowflake. I just smelled hospital on him, and I didn't want to upset you if it was nothing. And the kid obviously had his reasons for not mentioning it. Probably didn't want to bring a snowstorm down on his town just as Springtime is kicking into gear."

Jack glanced upward and took a deep breath. The clouds mostly cleared, but it was still very cold, and Jamie was not dressed for cold weather. Aster quickly pulled Jamie close to him and wrapped himself around the boy, warm fur and Spring magic keeping the boy from shivering.

"Yer gonna make him sicker if you don't calm down, Frostbite!" Aster shouted.

And just like that, warmth returned, and the cold wind became a warm breeze. Aster released Jamie, who looked frightened. "That…that wasn't Jack. Jack isn't scary."

Jamie had said it to Aster, but Jack heard it. He slumped, then collapsed to the ground in heap. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I got so angry…"

Frostbite curled into a ball, face pressed against his knees as he hugged them close. That was enough to convince Jamie that Jack was himself. He crawled away from Aster and over to Jack. "I'm sorry, Jack," Jamie said as he slid his arms around the spirit's waist. "You were so upset at the idea that I would die when I got older…I didn't want to upset you more by telling you it might be sooner."

"But…I was still figuring out what to do…" Jack said, sounding lost. He uncurled enough to roll on his side and hug Jamie back, pulling the boy close to him.

Huh. Snowflake hadn't accepted Jamie's fate. And Aster was willing to bet that wouldn't change. The little boy was Jack's best friend, his first friend, the first person who saw him after three centuries of invisibility.

Shame that enormous amounts of ice magic couldn't help with heart problems. Another hard lesson of being an immortal spirit: no matter how much power you had, sometimes you were just as powerless as a mortal.

Jack and Jamie were both crying now, hugging each other while lying on the dirt. It was heartbreaking. Snowflake was so fragile about losing things he'd just recently gained. He was upset at the thought of losing Aster in the future; how was he supposed to handle realizing that he might lose Jamie sometime soon?

Aster wondered how he was going to help Jack handle this when they got back home. Drawing and reading seemed unlikely to do much good. Well, he'd figure it out when it came to that. The only sure thing was that whatever equilibrium Jack had regained was off-balance again.

I can see what's coming

There ain't no use in running

We're setting like the sun

Your twilight has begun

I didn't think it'd be easy

I didn't know it'd be this hard

Don't wanna let you go

But I can't keep you from

Drifting away…

Drifting Away- Claire Guerreso (iZombie)

(-)

Sadface. I was rereading chapter 4 and realized that, no, Jamie wasn't thinking about legacies out of nowhere.

Let me know your thoughts, if it so pleases you.

Also, hold onto your hats with the next chapter. It's all fun and games until it's suddenly not.