COMMON GROUND

Bunny was lying flat on the paving stones, frowning at a dark crevice in the wall.

"I know you're in there ya gumbies, you left paint treads all over the ground."

There was a rustling, but his targets remained unseen. The Pooka sighed, and reached a hand in again. He felt smooth shell for just an instant before it scurried away once more, vanishing deeper into the dark.

Bunny thumped his head against the ground. There was a metaphor in here somewhere, he just knew it.

His ears pricked at the sound of giggling, and he pulled himself up in time to see Sophie fly into the clearing with half a dozen eggs on her person. He chuckled as she happily dropped them in the large basket Bunny had left for that purpose and turned to him for new instructions.

"You're a natural."

Sophie giggled, and began to stare at the hole giving Bunny so much trouble. Bunny had just enough time to ponder how much smaller the girl's hands where before she was beside him on all fours, all but vanishing into the hole to give chase.

"Woah, woah, woah" Bunny yelped, quickly grabbing her feet. "Careful sweetheart, don't know how deep it goes. Don't want you going somewhere I can't follow."

"Uh huuuuuh" came the distracted reply, echoed by the rock.

"Bunny!"

His head jerked round – ears were getting a workout this afternoon – to spot Jamie running over the hills carrying a few eggs.

"I got all the ones hiding on that sunny ledge, where next?"

Sophie was tunnelling deeper, and Bunny tightened his grip. "Just put em in the basket and grab a leg before your sister comes up in China."

Jamie grinned, and discarded the eggs as asked. But before he could help the Easter spirit, the girl in question solved the problem by crawling out, three horrifically painted eggs held tight in her arms. She tried to blow her hair out of the way before giving Bunny a huge smile and held up her prize.

"I win!"

She plonked them down in the basket and lifted it by the handle, knees slightly buckling at the weight before her brother came to give her a hand.

"Where to next?" Jamie asked, and Bunnymund waved them off.

"Just take them to the house for now" he replied. "Give it an hour or so before we go looking again. Give them time to come out of hiding."

The two nodded, and walked off awkwardly, the height difference making balancing the basket a fine art. Bunnymund could help but chuckle at the sight.

He was grateful for the Bennet's help. Clearing up the eggs after Easter was always a pretty miserable task. Hunting down and destroying the eggs that hadn't made it wasn't the Guardian of Hope's idea of a good time. This year, the failures had ended up in some form of Easter Hunt – perhaps he should be bringing kids into the warren more often...

The Easter spirit began a leisurely stretch, arms tight over his head and working out the kinks in a hard worked body before he began to follow the Bennets. Though the job wasn't finished, he should probably start thinking about getting them home before-

His ears pricked up, and his eyes widened as frosty chill blew over his shoulders, and a family cloak settled in his view.

"Jack?"

"Jack?"

The Guardian of Fun set himself down, and gave a hesitant wave. Bunny clearly hadn't expected to see him back so soon. To be fair, neither had Jack, but impulsiveness had always been one of his more dominating traits.

He sighed, pulling down his hood and shifting his weight from foot to foot, trying to ignore his body's complaints. Even after just a month his feet weren't happy to be bound again. No doubt Bunnymund would approve.

But that wasn't the point. He sighed again, and ran a hand over his head, oblivious to the older Pooka's rising panic.

"So...I'm sorry."

Bunny blinked, and began to reply – only to falter when Jack held up a hand.

"Not done. I'm sorry, for blowing up at you. But I'm not sorry for what I said. I was talking to Tooth, and she made me realises a few things."

Bunny still looked far too anxious, eyes darting away as if distracted, but Jack ploughed on.

"Look, I'm...grateful for what you've done. I am. I haven't had anywhere I could feel, well...at home in a long time. But sometimes it feels like you want to pull me out of my own head and replace me with someone else."

That seemed to get Bunnymund's full attention. His eyes widened and he walked up to the younger Pooka.

"Kit..." he started, before it tapered off into a growl.

"As crikey, I don't do this sorta guff...I'm sorry too – I haven't had another Pooka around in so long. You can even begin to imagine how long – 300 years is nothing, trust me. Having someone who could give me even just a little piece of that...I just want you to have that...and I've never really been known for my patience."

Jack quirked a tentative grin. "Just your stubbornness."

Bunny snorted and gave him a gentle push. "Oi, look who's talking."

They shared a smile, briefly, before Jack sobered up once more. This was little more than basic first aid. Still had a way to go if they wanted to save the limb.

"Bunny, on some level I get it. But you have to accept that I was raised by humans – and frankly, was pretty self sufficient for the last few centuries. There are things I can't, and won't change. I barely wrap my head around being a Guardian most days – so...I'm never going to be this shining example of Pookadom like you. Understand?"

The silence was expected. The slightly hysterical chuckle that followed? Not so much.

As Jack talked, Bunny's fear of Jamie and Sophie coming back when he didn't follow were pushed to the side as the knot in his stomach unravelled at Jack's words. He'd have to thank Tooth the next time he saw her.

They'd both apologised, and the air was clearer, if still heavy with words and actions still to come. But as Jack warned him of his unlikeliness to change, Bunny was cast back to a much earlier time, and gave a self-depreciating chuckle. Jack seemed a little confused as the sound, so Bunny took a chance and pulled him by the shoulder to whisper in his ear.

"Kit, you want to know a secret?"

Jack's eyebrows rose.

"I was anything but a shining example of Pookadom."

The white Pooka jerked back. "Wait, what?"

Bunnymund couldn't stop laughing at the old memories. "Crikey – it's been so long I'd almost forgotten, pretty dumb of me. But guess that's nostalgia for ya. I was one heckuva weird Pooka kit. No one ever really knew what to make of me."

Jack was looking at him as if he was crazy. "But...then why are you obsessed with me being Pooka?"

Bunnymund rolled his eyes. "One, because that's what you are. And two, just because I was 2 eggs short of an omelette didn't mean I didn't love being 'Pooka'. It's hard not to love your own people – even if you don't fit in properly."

He cocked his head and smiled. "You know the feeling right? It's the same for you and humans. As much as I might forget it sometimes, this world will always be your people first."

It was small, almost undetectable if you weren't looking, but Jack's frame seemed to sigh in relief at that one admission. Perhaps a tiny first step towards the two of them finding the right level of compromise, but considering Bunny had half expected Jack to go missing until next Christmas, he was grateful for the small victory.

As quick as it came, Jack off the casual air and glanced around.

"You know, considering how much griping you were doing about having to clean up, the place doesn't look half bad. Never took you for the 'cleans-when-mad' type."

Bunny snorted. "It's not so much the cleaning as hunting down the rogues googies. And as it turned out, I got some hel-"

His voice died as his ears pricked up. Footsteps – two sets of them – heading back this way. The Pooka winced, and snapped his head back to stare at Jack. Currently hoodless and very confused at the other Guardian's panic.

"Kit!" he snapped. "Hood up. Now!"

Jack just blinked, struggling to process that order coming from the rabbit in front of him. The footsteps drew closer, and Bunny cursed, darting towards him and yanking the fabric over the younger Guardian's head just as the two threats in question came barrelling over the hill. They slammed to a stop just in time to see Jack jerk from Bunnymund's grip, and freeze at their appearance.

Jamie was the first to get over the shock, and resumed bolting towards them with a grin.

"Jack!"

The winter spirit remained still, only turning his head slightly to Bunny in part question, part suspicion. Bunnymund merely stepped back and raised his hands in surrender.

"Kids wanted to help me with clean up. Thought they'd be gone long before you calmed down."

Jack relaxed slightly, and fingered the edges of his hood in silent thank you before turning his attention to the boy running towards him. Jamie - oblivious to the tension, flung his arms around his favourite Guardian and hugged tight.

"Thanks for all the cool eggs Jack! They're awesome."

Jack chuckled, though his voice was tense. "Glad you liked them kiddo."

"So did you and the Easter Bunny make up?"

The Guardian of Fun tensed, and turned to glare at Bunnymund, who was pointedly not looking in his direction and instead focusing on keeping the younger Bennet's attention.

"Jack?"

His head swung round at the call – Jamie looking slightly sheepish.

"Sorry, it's just...Bunny came to the lake looking for you, and he said you had a fight. But if you're back everything's okay right?"

There was something wonderful about the simple and straightforward logic of a child. Jack ruffled the boy's hair and shrugged.

"Sort of. Sometimes it takes more than both of you saying sorry...but we're getting there."

Jamie frowned, apparently not quite understanding how both sides apologising didn't mean happily ever after, but accepting it regardless. He'd learn for himself one day.

"What were you fighting about?"

In hindsight, Jack really should have seen that question coming. Bunny was still apparently pretending he couldn't hear the conversation, either out of respect or just plain fear. Jack wasn't sure which he preferred. Or if he was honest, how to answer Jamie's question.

The boy was frowning, crossing his arms and apparently trying to look tough (failing miserably, but Jack gave him points for trying). Eventually, Jack decided to go with 'vague' and ran with it."

"It's complicated Jamie. Let's just say...Bunny doesn't like my cloak."

Bunny snorted. "There's complicated, then there's oversimplifying Frostbite."

Jamie frowned, apparently accepting the answer but staring at the cloak in question. "I guess...it's a little ratty? Does he want you to get a new one?"

"Oh don't encourage him!" Bunny moaned, and Jack couldn't really help the laugh.

"Not exactly Jamie. Its more...Bunny doesn't think I should wear the cloak at all. At least not the hood."

"Or the boots, or the scarf, or the gloves" Bunny muttered, just loud enough to hear and get an eye roll for his trouble from the younger Guardian. The rest of Jack's explanation came out as a rush.

"It's not that I'm ashamed or anything. I just have...issues. Long, therapy suitable issues with letting people see...all of me that Bunny thinks are stupid. I just don't know why showing people my face is important, though I guess he might have a point with the boots and maybe I don't really need the gloves and the scarf but I've worn it like this for a really, really long time and the cloak was a gift and I don't really want rid of it and youknowwhatI'mgonnashutupnow."

In the background he could hear Bunny sigh. "I don't think they're stupidkit. Just damaging - and you have to stop pretending hiding is going to change anything when you know it doesn't."

Jack gritted his teeth. Typical – not ten minutes after the apology and they were already back to this. A retort was on the tip of his tongue when Jamie's voice silenced any reply.

"...I'd really like to see."

Both Bunny and Jack stilled, eyes focused on the boy in front of Jack. Who gave a hopeful smile at the attention.

"It's just...you're like the best big brother ever Jack" he started. "But I don't even know what you like. Not really, and that's kind of wrong."

The smile became a nervous grin. "So, one day, when everything is okay for you, I'd love to see you. All of you."

If he continued to stand frozen like this, would he actually start to freeze over?

A random thought perhaps, but given Jamie's last words, Jack's ability to process anything was just a little bit hampered.

Jamie wanted to see. He actually felt bad that he didn't know. That was...well, Jack didn't know what that was. There were stirrings in his heart and stomach that were both painful and joyful at the same time. He broke eye contact with Jamie for a brief moment, looking to Bunny – not sure if he was looking for an answer, an excuse or just a reason not to look at Jamie's endearing face.

But Bunny was staying silent for once – clearly whatever Jack chose to do, Bunnymund would stand by it for now.

Bunny could have stayed quiet – could have forced Jack to show Jamie what he was. But he didn't – even though it was sorely obvious he wanted to. Instead he protected the little privacy Jack had, keeping it his choice.

And...It was Jamie. Jamie, who he owed so much to – his first believer, the first...the kid that represented everything good in his life right now.

If anyone deserved to know...

Casting fears to the wind, he crouched down, and whipped the hood back.

Jamie blinked in confusion, then in surprise as Jack's hood fell down to reveal fluffy white fur and long ears. Surprise that became understanding when Jack pulled his scarf down to reveal a muzzle not too dissimilar to the East Bunny. Who was standing just a little bit straighter and grinning an awful lot like Jamie's mom did done something to make her proud.

He glanced between the two spirits, the question obvious in his eyes, and Bunnymund sighed.

"No, we're not related. Just...same species. Only found out myself last year – kit's been hiding for a long time."

Jack rolled his eyes and turned his head to glare at the older Pooka for a moment before turning back to Jamie, eyes tense and expression tight.

He looked so scared...like a puppy waiting to be kicked.

Slowly, Jamie's hand came up the side of Jack's face, and scratched tentatively. Jack gave a happy purr and leaned into the touch. When he spotted the foot tapping the ground involuntarily, Bunnymund couldn't help the laugh.

Jamie grinned and brought his hand away. "Okay, you just got like, ten times cooler. And I didn't think that was possible."

"Snowbunny!" Sophie giggled from Bunnymund's back. "Hop hop hop!"

The girl was clambering down, and Bunnymund crouched to let her off. As she ran towards the white Pooka, he kept his eyes focused on the younger Guardian.

His face seemed frozen, staring at Jamie in disbelief. As if he couldn't understand the words Jamie had just said. Jamie frowned, and caught his sister before she could try jumping on the snow spirit.

"Jack?"

Jack blinked, and Bunnymund watched the young Pooka...transform. The tension slipped from his frame, and his face lit up, eyes bright with unshed tears. In a familiar act, a furry hand found his way to Jamie's head, and he ruffled the hair furiously.

"Jamie, you are the best kid in the world. Ever."

The boy laughed, and threw his arms around the Guardian of Fun. Jack caught him and lifted him up, along with Sophie, who seemed utterly fascinated with his white fur and was desperately try to climb his back. While shifting his position, Jack locked eyes with Bunnymund, and just stared.

Then, as sudden as it came, Jack melted, and sent a cocky grin Bunnymund's way. "Looks like you've replaced old man. Sophie's got a new favourite."

It took him a few seconds, but Bunny quickly caught on, and stormed towards them with a half grin of his own. "Please kit, the little ankle biter's just distracted by the fluffy."

As if to prove him right, Sophie's arms loosened and were waving in the air, perfect height for Bunny to grab her and put her back on her favourite mount. Jamie watched the antics with a slightly mischievous grin.

He wondered how Abby would react if Jack showed up without his cloak.

...And how many extra eggs Bunny would send his way if he got photographic evidence...

Well...that took a little longer than expected.

Sure you're all tired of hearing it, but writing - especially fanfic writing - has just been at the bottom of a VERY long list of priorities for me for the last several months. And its not going to get any better any time soon.

Basically, I'm going backpacking at the start of November. Which means I've spent most of the last few months organising it, and any spare time before August was focused on getting through the last of my conventions (plus putting together the most ambitious cosplay I've ever done). The next few weeks will be devoted to me selling stuff, moving out of my flat and getting ready to start travelling for 3 months.

Which means that although I do have more planned for this fic, I honestly don't know if I'll have time/energy/ability to update it any time soon. I really wanted to get this chapter out though, if just to end it on a happy note. Hopefully I can continue it one day, but for now consider this the last chapter for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for reading!