A/N : Sorry for the delay, I'd really like to write more than I'm currently able to. X_x
DJMirnum : I don't plan to insert more OCs right now. The reason why I made the autumn spirit hate Jack is because winter "destroys" his creation each year. Spring melts the snow and ice and summer doesn't have anything to do with winter either. Just my line of thought.
Thank you for the reviews, favourites and new followers!
Baby Tooth flew as fast as her tiny wings would let her. She couldn't wait to finally arrive at the North Pole and see Jack. After a lot of extra shifts she had gotten the day off to spend some time with her favourite winter spirit. She squealed in delight as the workshop appeared in the distance. Just a few more seconds and the fun was going to start! Purposefully the little fairy dashed towards the upper part of the impressive building where Jack's quarters were located. As usual the window was left ajar to both allow him better access and let the chilly air in. It was also handy right now for Baby Tooth's surprise visit.
Her excitement dropped a level when she found herself in an empty room, without any sign of her friend. No problem, surely he was roaming the halls and playing pranks on the yetis or the elves. During the summer months he often preferred to stay in cold areas, mainly the North Pole, so chances were high he was here. Otherwise she would have checked Burgess first, but they were going through one of the hottest Julys in recent decades, so she doubted Jack was there.
Because of being to small to open the heavy wooden door she had to fly out again and look for another opening to get inside. Fortunately she didn't have to search long and soon she was buzzing through the production section of the workshop, skillfully evading the busy yetis. She kept watching out for the Guardian of Fun but there was still no trace of him.
With a discouraged sigh she halted in mid-air and only barely escaped a yeti who was taking a step backwards. Her temper and frustration got the better of her and she angrily squeaked at the bulky furry creature to watch where he was going. When he turned around she recognized him as the yeti Jack had named Phil. He stared at her for a moment, dumbfounded what she was doing here before realization dawned on him. As if he was reading her mind he answered her unasked question. For bystanders the conversation must have sounded like an undefinable mix of chirps and grumbles, but the two mythical species fully understood each other.
Shortly afterwards Baby Tooth was on her way to Australia. Why couldn't Jack be somewhere closer than on the other side of the globe? Phil had said he was visiting Bunny and they would most likely be in the Warren. At first she had wondered why he had decided to go there in the middle of summer, but then remembered that it was winter in Australia right now. And the Warren had constant pleasant temperatures all year anyway. She hoped dearly he would really be there this time.
„I'm bored..."
„Yeah, I got that after the first 14 times ya mentioned it." Bunny remarked matter-of-factly without even lifting his head.
Instead he kept scribbling designs for future eggs in his sketchbook and added quickly, just as his counterpart was taking a breath to say something as well.
„And like I told ya already, there's a lot ta do 'round here."
„But that's no fun." the frost teen grumbled as he was lying on his stomach and listlessly freezing single blades of grass by poking them with his index finger.
„Why did ya even come here if ya don't wanna do anythin', mate?" the Easter guardian asked half-annoyed, half-curious.
„I want to do something, but not drawing or painting eggs or growing plants." Jack clarified.
Summer was always so boring, he had to watch out where he spread snow and blizzards to not get in trouble with the other seasonal spirits. There were countries in the far North which had snow pretty much all year but that wasn't a challenge for him. And since he was well aware of Bunny's dislike for cold weather he had promised to not 'bless' Australia with unexpected snowfall anymore, at least not excessively.
„Hhhmm..." the 6'1 rabbit mused while he continued to stare at the sketch in front of him.
Jack had no clue if he was seriously pondering over a solution or simply hoping to finally be left alone so he could work without disturbance. After not getting a coherent reply the young immortal heaved a breath and supported his head with his hands. His gaze drifted around lazily, scanning his surroundings for potential sources of occupation. Eventually his cerulean eyes landed on a leathern holster with two boomerangs resting in the grass right next to Bunnymund.
„Hey, can you teach me how to use them?" he asked out of the blue and pointed at them after the pooka shot him a confused glance.
„They're no toys, Frosty."
„Yes, but I still really would like you to show me. Please?" Jack pleaded and faced him with his trademarked irresistible puppy look.
Bunny groaned at the sight, how he hated it when the boy played unfairly.
„Pleeeeeeaaaaase?"
„Crikey, ya can be such a pain in the neck."
„I know." Jack grinned mischievously.
His recent lethargy had vanished in an instant and he excitedly watched the anthropomorphic rabbit laying his drawing equipment to the side and grabbing one of the boomerangs.
„Fine then." Bunny said and both males simultaneously stood up.
„Before throwin' it ya have ta consider where the wind is comin' from. It should be thrown into it and after it has gone through the eye of it, it will return downwind and come right back to ya. It's basically all 'bout the throwin' technique-"
„Sounds easy." Jack stated.
„Oh yeah, well then have a go, smartass." the furry guardian challenged him with a smirk and handed him the boomerang.
He did as he was told and threw the curved wood into the air with all his might. But instead of flying horizontally it shot up vertically and right after it had reached the highest point it plummeted to the ground as graceful as a rock.
„Well, that was quite an impressive flight." Bunny chuckled as Jack walked away to pick it up, since it had landed several feet away from them.
„What did I do wrong?" the teen inquired and glanced at his comrade, who had followed him.
„If ya had bothered ta hear me out ya would know that. Like I said, it depends on the technique. Ya can't just throw it around like a maniac and except it ta do what ya want."
As he further explained he showed the young man how to hold the boomerang, which angle was the best and checked the wind once more.
„Okay, just watch what I do and do the same." Bunny instructed and stood next to him, at a safe distance and with the other boomerang in his hand.
Jack observed everything carefully. His stance, the movement of his arm, how far he wound up and how much force he used. Of course the Australian trademark made its way through the Warren, so far away that it was out of sight for a moment, before it reappeared and landed in its owner's furry hand again.
„Now it's yer turn."
The white-haired boy nodded and did was he was told, fully concentrated and recalling every bit of information he had gotten about it. A fairly proud smile graced the Guardian of Hope's face when the boomerang flew through the flowery scenery similar to his previous one. It didn't get nearly as far and Jack had to jump up to catch it as it returned, but it was still worlds apart from the youth's first try.
„Not bad, mate."
For a while Bunny allowed him to practice and gave him advice now and then until he decided to call it a day. But Jack was far from being fed up with occupying himself with the boomerang and insisted on playing a little longer.
„You can draw again and let me stay here, I won't damage anything, promise!" he tried to persuade the Australian rabbit.
„Sorry, mate, it's enough. My boomerangs are weapons, not toys, and I rather don't have ya 'playin' with 'em on yer own." Bunny spoke earnestly and held his hand out.
„Can't I-"
„Nope, ya can't. Now give it back."
„You're such a partybooper." Jack pouted and walked away to pick his staff up.
„The boomerang, Frostbite." Bunnymund repeated with rising impatience.
He should have known the frost teen was up to no good when he turned around and smirked at him roguishly.
„Then try and get it!" he challenged as he flew up in the air, staff in one and boomerang in the other hand.
„Gheez, come on, stop actin' like a kid and come here this instant!" the increasingly annoyed pooka yelled and pointed at the grassy ground to emphasize his command.
„Uhhhhh, no."
„Jack Frost, either ya get back down or I'll shoot ya outta the sky myself!"
„I'd like to see you try!" the winter spirit teased him with that wicked smile still plastered on his face.
This was a lot more fun than he had had all week, even though something in the back of his mind told him he was going to far. But the part of him which was highly amused by the irritated Easter Bunny was stronger. It was just fun, after all.
„Believe me, ya don't want me ta do that!" the furry guardian shouted, making it sound like a threat.
„You think so?"
„Hell, I do!"
„I'm too fast for you anyway, kangaroo!"
„That's it!" the infuriated rabbit exclaimed, grabbed the second boomerang and threw it with all his might.
When he realized what he was doing it was already too late. The curved piece of wood dashed towards the white-haired boy at breakneck speed. At the last second he managed to dodge it and thus looked down on his comrade with a triumphant grin.
„Missed!" he yelled before a quickly approaching chirping sound attracted his attention.
He stared at the little hummingbird-like fairy in surprise when she had reached him.
„Hey, Baby Tooth, what are you-"
„JACK! Watch out!" Bunny's alerting voice rang through the Warren.
The teenager only saw a blurry shape hurtling towards him before something incredibly hard hit him on the head with so much force that he saw stars followed by complete darkness. Helplessly and in panic the tiny fairy shrieked as she helplessly had to watch her friend plummet to the ground. Appalled the Guardian of Hope hopped to his side and gulped at the sight of the boy's limp body lying in the grass.
„Jack? Mate, can ya hear me?" he asked and gently shook his shoulder.
Since he didn't get any reaction whatsoever he carefully turned him around and gasped at the large cut on the boy's left temple with blood dripping out of it. All of a sudden the fairy, who he hadn't noticed until this very moment, appeared between Jack and himself. After the initial shock about her friend's condition had worn off she darted around, right in front of Bunnymund's face, and shrieked what sounded very much like insults and accusations at him.
„Yeah, yeah,I know! Ya really think I wanted ta knock him out!?"
This answer didn't seem to be enough for the tiny hummingbird because she continued to shout things at him which he was rather glad to not understand. The Tooth Fairy surely wouldn't appreciate such foul language, but then again he couldn't blame the small creature. He was upset at himself as well. Only a low groan coming from neither of them managed to stop the enraged fairy. Together they stared at the winter spirit, who slowly regained consciousness and tried to sit up.
„Oww..." Jack muttered and put his hand on his hurting head.
As soon as he had touched the wound he hissed and withdrew his hand, his cerulean eyes focused on the red fluid on his fingers.
„Wh-what happened?" he asked groggily.
„Well,..." Bunny started but didn't know how to phrase it.
Instead his gaze drifted off to the two boomerangs lying several feet away from them. The one the immortal teen had dropped during his fall and another one with faint traces of blood on one of its edges. Jack followed his line of vision until he noticed them, too.
„Oh..."
„I'm sorry, mate. I went too far." the Australian spoke eventually, honest regret visible on every inch of his face.
„Nah, I had it coming. Seriously." Jack chuckled to ease the mood but immediately had to groan in pain when his head reminded him of the violent blow he had just suffered.
„We better take care of yer wound." Bunny suggested still worried.
Baby Tooth whirred in front of the youth with an equally anxious expression on her tiny face.
„I'm fine, it looks worse than it actually is." he tried to calm them down and grabbed the staff next to him.
„I think ya should lie down for a while longer, mate. Ya might have a concussion." the Guardian of Hope advised him as he attempted to stand up.
Jack however brushed off the concern and used his staff for support as he heavily leaned against it. Despite having to admit it took more effort than he had expected he didn't want to let it show. Even though his legs were visibly shaking he smiled at his friends.
„See? Everthing's alright."
Just as he took his first step the world around him began to spin and his vision became blurry. He shook his head to clear his mind but that action only made it worse and sharpened the pain. Suddenly he lost all control over his body and collapsed towards the ground. Dizzily he wondered why he hadn't landed face first in the grass and felt warm furry arms around him instead.
„Gheez, why can't ya ever listen ta me?"
He recognized Bunny's voice, but it sounded muffled and as if it was called to him from a far distance. The taller male tried to carry him, but even in his groggy state Jack was too stubborn and proud to let that happen. Since he wasn't able to walk completely without help Bunny laid the youth's arm around his shoulder so he could lean against him as they slowly made their way to the Easter spirit's quarters, with Baby Tooth on their heels.
When they arrived in front of a rolling hill Jack wondered why they halted all of a sudden. It didn't look different from the rest of the Warren. The Australian thumped his foot on the ground and the meadow receded to reveal several earthy stairs and a large wooden door at the end of them, leading straight into the hill. Just then Jack realized that he had never been here. To be honest he had always assumed that the anthropomorphic rabbit slept under some trees or among the countless flowers. The idea seemed silly now that he further thought about it. Bunnymund was a rabbit after all, so it only made sense that he had an underground warren...in his warren. Pondering on that successfully increased the sharp pain in his head.
Cautiously Bunny led him down the stairs and into his 'house'. Jack's eyes needed a moment to adapt to the dimness. Sunrays only shone in weakly from a few small openings and several colourful fluorescent flowers also provided faint light. It gave the earthy home a peaceful athmosphere. He was taken to a medium sized room with a bed of grass in its center and a lot of brightly coloured pillows placed all over and next to it. They showed ornaments similar to those the Guardian of Hope used to paint on his Easter eggs. Next to the bed was a small wooden nightstand with a glowing orange flower that served as lamp.
As he lowered himself on the bed and rested his head against the pile of soft pillows a relieved sigh left his lips. Lying down had indeed been a good recommendation.
„I'll be right back." Bunny assured him and went to another room.
In the meanwhile Baby Tooth sat close beside the winter spirit and didn't take her eyes off him. Her concern hadn't worn off yet, especially since there was still blood from the wound sticking to his pale skin. Jack perceived her distraught state of mind and gently stroke her head in order to soothe her.
„Don't worry, I'm alright. Too bad this ruined the whole day. I swear we'll catch up on it and have fun as soon as I'm out of here."
„I'm sure ya will, but for now ya better take a chill pill." Bunnymund spoke as he entered the room again.
He carried a bowl of water and several other supplies to the bed and placed them on the grassy mattress. After dipping a cloth in the water he cautiously began to wipe the almost dried blood off of the boy's temple. Jack hissed shortly as the fabric came in contact with the wound but did his best to relax and keep still. When he was done Bunny applied a medium-sized white band-aid on it.
„As good as new. Ya need anythin' else? Maybe an icebag?"
The frost teen raised his eyebrow and put his cold hand on the side of his head to cool it down and show how silly the question had been.
„Just kiddin' ya. How are ya feelin', mate?`"
„Like there's a hell of a headache coming up..."
„Ah, well, this might help ya." the furry guardian told him and opened a small brown bottle.
Golden sticky liquid was poured on a spoon and held out towards the young immortal, who eyed it suspiciously.
„I made it myself, it'll help ya recover."
„Oh well, nothing to lose." Jack thought and swallowed the spoonful of medicine.
To his surprise it actually tasted pretty good, reminding him of honey with a hint of herbs.
„I suggest ya take a lil' nap, it'll do ya good."
The pooka collected the various items back from the bed and carted them away. When he had almost exited the room the voice of his friend caused him to stop in the doorway.
„Bunny? We don't have to tell the others, right?" Jack asked, not wanting to go through another lection about recklessness and exaggerated concern once again.
„Are ya kiddin' me? D'ya think I wanna have Tooth yellin' death threats at me for nearly knockin' out yer precious shiny teeth?" the Australian chuckled and winked at him before contínuing his way out.
Suddenly he halted in his tracks and turned around one more time.
„Oh, that means, only if our lil' witness here can keep a secret."
Both males stared at the petite fairy expectantly. Baby Tooth let out a short squeak and pointed at herself dumbfoundedly. They seriously expected her to lie to Toothiana when she was going to ask how her day with Jack had been? She was torn between loyalty towards her 'mother' and her best friend. What was she supposed to do?
„Don't be a dobber. Ya won't peach against us, will ya?" Bunny inquired rather impatiently.
Standing here with hands full of supplies and waiting for a reply wasn't how he intended to spend the rest of the day. It should have been obvious that urging her would not lead to the desired reaction. Instead of agreeing she whirred towards him and blurted out high-pitched insults which made his sensitive ears hurt. The little hummingbird was furious. How did he dare to first injure their friend and now try to silence her so no one would ever find out? Jack was startled about the fairy's outburst and refused to imagine what kind of swear words she was shouting at the Guardian of Hope right now.
„Hey,Baby Tooth!"
The moment she heard the teen's voice she immediately stopped and looked at him.
„Don't be so harsh on Bunny. We can't force you to anything but if you tell Tooth it will only upset her. You can imagine how she will react, can't you?" Jack reasoned composed.
Sighing audibly the tiny fairy eventually gave in, she didn't want him to get in trouble because of her. A hesitant nod was all Bunnymund had been waiting for and he finally left the room to stow away the bowl, cloth and the other items. As a kind of peace offer he came back with a glass of nectar and put it on the nightstand. Baby Tooth stared at the delicously fragrant fluid, but her stubborness prevented her from making a bolt for it. She was still mad at the rabbit.
„Alright, I'll just leave it ya might like it." Bunny mentioned and turned to Jack, who appeared to be dozing off any second.
„I'll quickly go pick up the boomerangs and my drawin' stuff. Be right back."
The white-haired boy murmured something unintelligible before he closed his weary eyes and drifted off to sleep.
„Will ya take care of him in the meantime?" he asked the hummingbird fairy in a soft tone, one she hadn't heard from him so far.
The Australian smiled approvingly when she nodded and left to gather his belongings. It didn't take long until he returned. After he had put everything in its right place he entered the room where Jack was sleeping soundly with Baby Tooth sitting on his chest. When she noticed his presence she turned to him and gave him a thumbs up. Bunny knew the Guardian of Fun was in good hands. And he didn't fail to notice that the glass of nectar was half empty all of a sudden.
A/N : Yeah, I just can't get enough of Jack / Bunny bromance. ;)
Reviews are very appreciated as usual! ^_^
