The Boy in the Tower

by Sirenfox


Chapter 10: In Which Bunny is Trapped in the Closet

Jack sat curled up on the roof of the tower, his knees drawn up to his chest. He had tucked himself back against the stone wall between his flowers at some point, staring off into nothingness.

He had watered them, just as Bunny had told him to, but it wasn't helping. The flowers were dying. He could see it now, the color was draining from the petals leaving them all dull and wrinkly. The butter soft texture had turned brittle and they seemed to be sinking into themselves.

Much like Jack was doing now.

There hadn't been any new flowers either, he had checked. It seemed to Jack that the brief burst of color that Bunny's arrival had brought into his life was fading with the human's absence.

A prickle at his eyes had Jack angrily wiping at his face. He had been so stupid. How had he ever believed Bunny would stay?

Even his own father never stayed. Not for long, always leaving after just a few hours, if Jack was lucky.

So why would Bunny want to stay? There was nothing here to keep him. Sure, he had said he would come back, but Jack knew that was a lie. Why would he? There was no reason for him to come back. Nothing tying him to Jack, not like with his father.

More tears gathered in his eyes and he didn't even bother to try wiping them away. What was the point?

Nothing ever changed. He was always going to be alone. You would think he'd be used to it by now.

A fresh bout of agony gripped his heart and he bent forward, burying his face in his knees with a wordless cry of pain.

He was so lost within his own head he didn't hear the sound of footsteps approaching, the quiet click of claws on stone as the figure crouched down in front of him.

"Jack." A deep voice rumbled and, coupled with the gentle, furry finger under his chin urging him to look up, his tear filled eyes met the concerned emerald belonging to Bunny.

Jack stared for a long moment in incomprehension before what he was seeing sank in. "You came back?" He asked in wonder, sniffling quietly.

"Ah told ya ah would." Bunny answered softly, gently brushing the jeweled tears from his frosty cheeks. "Come on, up ya get. Ah brought ya something."

"For me?" Jack asked in confusion as he slowly unfolded himself.

Bunny sent him a crooked smile that caused Jack's heart to do a funny little flip. Jack's eyes widened in confusion, his hand lifting to press against the area above his heart.

What was that?

Whatever it was, it didn't happen again, so Jack put it out of his mind. Focusing instead on the small white stone Bunny pressed into his hands.

It was very pretty, the white stone was marbled with a pale yellow and the whole stone gave off a gentle glow that caught on the ice crystals decorating Jack's palm.

"Ah thought ya might like it." Bunny informed him when Jack didn't look away from it.

"It's very pretty, thank you." Jack said, the warmth he could feel growing inside him at the beautiful present spilling over into his voice.

Bunny's smile twitched up on one side, giving him a rakish appearance as he smirked at the boy, clearly amused, "It's naught just a pretty bauble, mate. If ya leave it up here wit yer plants it'll help keep em alive."

Jack's eyes snapped up to fix on Bunny's face, "Really?" He asked, awe and Hope warring for space with the warm glow Bunny's presence had brought. He took a deep breath and wrestled the Hope back down before asking, "How?"

Bunny chuckled, settling back more comfortably before he gave his answer, "It's called a Sunstone. Ah picked it up for ya while ah was gone. Ah had a friend of mine cast a spell on it. Ah might have weaved in an enchantment of my own onto it, just ta help a wee bit."

"Magic?" Jack asked, his wide blue eyes flitting down to the unassuming stone resting in his palm before returning to the human's face, "Will you tell me about it?" He asked eagerly. Maybe bunny could help him? Maybe if Bunny explained the spells he could use it to control his magic so he wouldn't accidentally hurt the human again.

He didn't want to chase him off any earlier than he could help it. He wanted to keep him for as long as he possibly could.

Bunny shrugged, looking a bit uncomfortable. "I'll tell ya what ah can, why don't you set that up an' let's head down fer a bit of a chinwag."

Jack wasn't sure what a chinwag was, but he thought he at least got the jist of it. He carefully selected a spot for his new stone, a spot where it's light hit the most flowers, then stood back to admire its effect for a long moment.

It was beautiful. The small stone was nestled in among Jack's prized possessions, it's gentle glow illuminating the small hidden alcove with a soft ethereal glow and Jack thought he could see the flowers begin to perk up, even now.

Smiling a small pleased little grin, Jack turned and led the way back inside the tower.

He sat down in his usual seat, completely forgetting about the limited seating arrangement until Bunny sat down.

In Father's chair.

Jack's eyes bulged with momentary panic, the insane fear that Father would somehow know sneaking into his brain. It took a moment, but he forced that nonsensical reaction back down. Father wasn't here. He wouldn't know Bunny was sitting in his chair. He couldn't get mad at Jack for something he had no way of knowing was happening.

Everything was fine.

"Ahm afraid I can't tell ya much." Bunny's voice interrupted his frantic thoughts, successfully jerking himself back to their current conversation.

"What?" Jack asked, his racing mind scrambling to remember what they had been talking about. Magic, right. "Why not?" He asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Ahm not much of a wizard meself." Bunny told him with what Jack was beginning to understand was a common amused smirk, "My magic works a bit differently than normal magic, and is very limited. The enchantment's ah added to that sunstone were more like supplements to his spells." When he saw he had Jack's full attention he seemed to relax a bit, his explanation blossoming as he grew comfortable with the subject, "Mah magic is a bit like yers, while you have winter powers, ah have spring magic."

Jack wasn't sure what the difference was since every season here was always the same. He knew, vaguely, that spring was warm and green (like his flowers), and fall was bright and colorful (also like his flowers), but he couldn't really picture it.

Everything here stayed the same.

Cold and Dark.

His train of thought must have shown on his face because Bunny smiled, although there was something sad in that smile that Jack had never noticed before. Something that made his heart hurt.

"You know those flowers you have up there?" Aster asked, and Jack nodded slowly, "That's my power. New life. Growth. New beginnings. That's what I-"

Bunny's earnest words were cut off abruptly, his ears perking to attention. Wild green eyes darted to the door and he was on his feet so fast that Jack didn't even see him move.

That's when Jack heard it. His name.

Jack's heart stopped, briefly, before ramming into overdrive.

No no no no no no no. How did this happen? Had he been so distracted lately that he completely forgot to count the days? That had never happened before, but he knew that's exactly what he had done.

"Jack!" The voice called again, so familiar.

Jack jumped at the door instinctively, before spinning around and attacking Bunny. "Hide!" He hissed frantically, shoving the larger male to get him to move.

Bunny's ears were pinned to his head as he looked around for someplace he could hide.

It wasn't going to be easy, hiding a six-foot one human who was so tall his ears brushed against the ceiling, but as he heard his father's next shout he became increasingly panicked and stuffed him in the first place his eyes came across.

"Jackson Frost. You will come and melt these stairs." Father's voice had gone silky smooth, a clear sign of his growing fury.

Jack flailed about for a moment longer before darting out of the room and collapsing by the stairs, willing the ice to melt away.

He could feel his heart fluttering in his chest, and he was a little light headed from forgetting to breathe.

"What took you so long?" Father demanded as he glided up the stairs. "And why are you on the floor?" he sneered down at him.

Jack's heart was still racing as he dragged himself to his feet, "I- I was dancing." He gasped out. Why that was the first thing that came to mind Jack wasn't sure, but he couldn't take it back now.

"Dancing?" His father asked softly, turning to look at him through narrowed white-gold eyes, "Without music?"

Jack's mind went blank, music? "I...read about it in one of my books. I thought it sounded fun." He tried to explain, his mind throwing ideas at him at random now.

Pitch's expression turned thoughtful, "I suppose I could bring you back some music, if it would keep you entertained."

***Aster***

Aster felt like he was having a heart attack. He wasn't sure why he thought Pitch wouldn't come visit the boy he'd gone to such great lengths to keep hidden.

And yet, the thought hadn't even crossed his mind and now he was trapped with Pitch sitting not even ten feet away, sitting in the very chair Aster had just vacated.

He felt sick.

How did he get himself into these messes? A pair of pretty azure eyes staring up at him as if he hung the moon swam before his eyes, but he resolutely ignored what that might imply.

Jack was in trouble. Aster was only trying to help. That was all.

He glanced out at Jack, sitting nervously in front of Pitch, darting looks at Aster's hiding place very suspiciously; and sighed.

It was a wonder Pitch hadn't sniffed him out already.

Jack's knee started to bounce nervously.

It was going to be a long, cramped, day.

Aster only half listened to Pitch's conversation with Jack. At first he'd remained on high alert, hoping to unearth some nefarious plot, but he soon came to realize just how mundane of a situation this visit really was.

It seemed to him that Pitch showed up just to keep the boy's supplies up and make sure he didn't leave the tower.

The perfect little pet locked in his lofty cage.

Aster thought it was a bit odd since he'd met Jack more then once on the grounds outside the tower perimeter the nightmare king had set for him.

Jack was a free spirit, Aster could tell from the very first meeting, so it was very strange that Pitch thought he could keep the energetic boy locked inside.

Foolish really.

He was actually more surprised that Jack hadn't explored outside this small shadowed ball of land. What could Pitch have told the boy to keep him from straying?

He remembered the boy's alarm at just the mention of the Guardians, could he be so frightened by Pitch's stories that his natural curiosity and thirst for adventure had been quelled?

It wasn't a good sign.

"Jack," Pitch's voice caught Aster's attention, although he couldn't have explained why if he'd tried, "Where is your staff? I don't think I've ever seen you without it."

"Oh, uh…" Jack floundered, obviously unsure how to answer, "I might have dropped it out of the tower."

That was a bold faced lie. Aster knew that because said staff was currently stabbing him in the back of the head.

Pitch leaned forward and patted Jack's knee consolingly. "It's for the best, Jack. You know how I feel about you using your magic."

All sorts of warning bells were going off in Aster's head at those words. Jack ducked his face down, hiding his eyes as he recited his father's words back to him. "It'll attract the Guardian's attention. I know."

"It's dangerous, Jack. You are better off without the temptation. Safer." Pitch said, standing up and pacing over to the window.

Jack's eyes followed him, "It is getting late, I must get going."

"Already?" Jack asked, his whole countenance dimming with those words.

"Don't whine, Jack. It's unbecoming. I'll return to you in a week, as usual." Pitch reprimanded. Jack's head bent down again and Aster had to grind his teeth against the urge to launch his boomerang at Pitch's head as he walked over and caressed a hand through Jack's messy hair. "You know why I have to spend so much time away." He said softly, his tone leading.

Jack nodded, leaning into Pitch's hand. "You have to keep Them away. It's too dangerous for you to stay with me all the time."

"Very good." Pitch purred, "I'll be home before you even begin to miss me."

Jack didn't say anything else as he walked his kidnapper back to the stairs. The whole thing made Aster's blood boil. Once Pitch was gone and Jack reappeared Aster slowly crept from his hiding place. Jack's good mood had evaporated, the boy sitting despondently in his chair.

Aster slowly moved to crouch at the boy's feet, ducking his head to catch the sprite's bright blue eyes. "You alright?" He asked gently. Jack nodded, eyes shifting off to the side. Aster had a lot of questions, but he wasn't sure if this was the right time to ask them. On the other hand, when would there ever be a 'right time', he needed to just rip off the bandage and get it over with and deal with the aftermath when it happened. "So...what's the real reason yer not using yer staff?"

Jack leveled him with an unimpressed stare, "I threw you off the tower. By accident."

"That's not yer fault. Like ya said, it was an accident." Bunny soothed.

But Jack wasn't having it ,"You could have died! I could have killed you. Father's right. I'm dangerous."

"No! You're just a little out of practice." He studied the boy's face for a long moment, an idea slowly starting to come together. "I know someone." He began slowly, cautiously. He knew how skittish the kid was about meeting new people. "He could teach you to control your magic. If ya want."

Jack's eyes went wide with fear and Aster quickly scooped the boy's hands into his own, a small part of him marveling over how the boy's hands were engulfed by his large paws. "Calm down. You don't have to, not if you don't want to. Ah need ta ask him anyway, so ya have time ta think about it. Ya can tell me yer decision tomorrow. Alright?"

"Yeah. Yeah, okay." The boy was still obviously unsure about it, the thought of someone knowing about him was obviously terrifying. Aster gently squeezed his hands, one more time. "Ah'll be back in the morning, why don't you try to get some rest." Aster encouraged gently, before pulling away with great reluctance.

***Jack***

Jack followed Bunny down to the yard, watching avidly as the human opened one of his tunnels and vanished down and out of sight.

He carefully uprooted the new plant and carried it up to his hidden garden. HIs mind was racing as he took care of all his flowers and even when he finished he hadn't made any progress towards a decision. He tucked himself down by his flowers to think, the light floral aroma helping to keep him calm as he thought.

He really was torn. Years of Father insisting the outside world was dangerous warred with longing and curiosity. Meeting Bunny's strange friend was exciting and frightening all at once.

No one was supposed to know where he was hidden.

Jack trusted Bunny, he'd kept his word, every promise he made he kept. But there was no telling what his friend would do. What if he told the Guardian's where Jack was?

What if they attacked while Bunny was visiting? He wouldn't stand a chance, and even if he somehow miraculously survived Nikolus, the Tooth Thief, and the Sandman, he would be sure to fall prey to the feral pooka.

A shudder ran down Jack's back. No. It was far too dangerous. Jack could not let Bunny be hurt. He could live without his magic, but he was already too attached to his new friend. He would do anything to keep him safe.

Anything.

***Aster***

The pooka went directly to the North Pole when he left the tower. He needed to talk to North about this. Right now.

He knew his old friend would be more than alright with teaching Jack to control his magic, but Aster needed to set some ground rules. Before Jack came with him.

He couldn't have North scaring the poor boy off. He already anticipated a bit of a battle to get the kid to leave the relative safety of the tower. He could only imagine how hard it would be to leave the one place he was told he would be safe from the horrors of the world. And that was not even taking into account the fact that he'd been stuck there for over three hundred years. With Pitch. There was no telling what kind of messed up mind games the man had used on him.

Aster had tasked himself with the near impossible goal of countering Pitch's centuries of conditioning. It wouldn't be easy. But he would do anything to help Jack escape.

Anything.


And there's another chapter, so sorry for the long wait, I hope it was worth it. I wasn't planning to do this, but we had an earthquake yesterday and I've never experienced one before, it's just never happened where I live and it was horrifying and I'm still shaken and needed something nice for myself and that translates into something nice for all of you.

If you're interested in following me, or seeing my art you can find me on Instagram as frostysirenfox. I was also wondering if you would be interested in me making a twitter or discord where you could interact with me and be able to pester me into earlier uploads or help pick my next stories...either way let me know.

I hope you are all safe.