I get knocked down, but I get up again.

Cupid flew through the air, enjoying the crisp Autumn air, the colour variety of the fallen leaves, the sound of birds chirping, lovers whispering and schoolgirls giggling quietly while schoolboys blushed.

Cupid loved it all.

Love gave him strength like belief gave the Guardians strength. Puppy love between schoolchildren, tentative romance between young couples to the strong, hard love as a mother held her newborn child or gazed upon her children as she watched them grow. Even the love felt towards a beloved pet as an owner cuddled the animal sent ripples of energy through the God of Love. On days like this when the sun was bright and the sky blues, weather was fair and the majority of the people were content and happy and content and happy people let their love radiate and as said before, Cupid was loving it.

He was practically doing loop-de-loops (not that he would admit it) when he spotted a familiar hoodie-clad sitting on the edge of one of the taller, older buildings, staring at the scenery below.

"Jack!" he called out and almost wanted to take it back. He recalled the boy's usually skittish manner and quick-footedness borne out of necessity from decades of abuse. Swooping in and yelling greetings in his booming voice was not a way to set the boy at ease. To his surprise, Jack turned quickly, but towards him, not backing off a couple of feet away before settling down in a defensive stance.

Cupid blinked, "Oh Jack." He groaned, slowly moving forward, noticing the split lip. He stopped and cocked his head to the side, "Jack?" he asked.

Yes, Jack's lip was split, but the large grin on his face distracted any observer from it. Jack took a couple of steps forward, hands snuggled deep into his pockets and looked down, desperately trying as hard as possible not to look too pleased with himself.

He looked up, trying to look cool and collected. He failed miserably and gave a short laugh and pulled his hands out of his pockets and held them up.

"You should see the other guy."

Jack knuckles were split and bruised and Cupid mentally winced in short-lived sympathy for whoever had been on the receiving end. "I take it not everyone listened to Bunny's warning?"

Jack shook his head, "you'll always get a bully who'll try his luck. Most have backed off but I always knew one or two would try anyway."

"Come here you." Said Cupid, chortling and pulled the boy who couldn't stop grinning forward, Jack laughed affectionately and enjoyed the large hand messing his hair and the large arm slung over his shoulder.

"How did you manage?" asked Cupid, "I know you're quick but.."

Jack nodded then shook his head slightly, "I know! I know! I'm fast, brilliant at snowball wars and one good-looking Spirit of Winter but yeah, I fail at fighting. That's why-" Jack flew a few feet back and began jabbing at the thin air, working in a couple of combos, jab, jab, cross, hook, "I've been watching Bunny and he's shown me a thing or two."

Cupid laughed, "Well, remind me not to mess with you tough guy."

"Yeah," agreed Jack, "I'll take you out blondie."

Cupid snorted and darted forward, Jack had a second to give a yell before he was swept off his feet and into a neat headlock. "Ok, ok," he acquiesced, "maybe I've still got a thing or two to learn."

Cupid grinned but held on even as Jack squirmed and tried to escape the hold, "Let me go?" he asked, "pleeeeaase?

"Sure Jack, but one last thing." He viciously attacked Jack's most sensitive area, his very ticklish ribs and underarms.

Jack's shrieks had a few dozen pigeons who had been roosting on the roof to fly off in alarm. By the time Cupid was done, Jack was a giggling mess, lying on the roof, one hand rubbing his stomach and his other hand waving around to defend himself in case Cupid renewed his attack. "I give!" he yelled breathlessly.

"You did well Jack." Said Cupid, helping the young boy up and Jack grinned, his split lip and bruised knuckles a souvenir of his self-victory.

Lol hope you enjoyed that. Sorry I have been gone so long but I had a small operation and it put a lot of strain on my body. Still, I'm back and LOADS of ideas so please keep reviewing?

Wildkitkat

:3