E. Aster Bunnymund, six foot one master of Tai-Chi, nerves of steel, the kick ass Australian Easter Bunny and Guardian of Hope, was nervous. He had gone ahead to ensure the table (despite the reservations he didn't remember making, but he had the passes, so he MUST have) and now was waiting. They had a breathtaking view of the ocean, the table right next to the clear wall gazing out over the pool deck and tropical waters, the dark silhouettes of the islands in the distance, only a few lights reminding him they were inhabited. Tooth had ambushed him after lunch, and thoroughly scrubbed and brushed his fur to silky perfection. If that wasn't unsettling (if not endearing) enough, North had dragged him aside as he was leaving (his ears picking up the sound of the shower from Jack's room), and given him the proverbial shovel talk, then slipped something into his armor pouches. He looked at the items now on his person and blushed with embarrassment, though the irony wasn't lost on him. Peppermint lube and red and green condoms. Only from North, he mused as he stuffed them back DEEP inside the pouches.
The white hibiscus in the vase on the table and tiny blue blossoms reminded him of the winter spirit, making him nervous as ever, his sensitive nose picking up the sweet scent of the flowers. His heart pounded as he heard the familiar crackle of ice.
"H-hi Bunny." Despite himself, Aster's mouth went dry. Jack's tight jeans looked painted on, his shirt print shimmering like snow. The black jacket made the whole thing look passably classy, and of course Jack wouldn't be caught dead without his staff.
"Looking good Frostbite." Jack blushed, obviously embarrassed. A few minutes passed in silence, the two becoming thoroughly engrossed in their menus.
"Good evening." Said a ghost waiter, coming to the table and pouring water in the less fancy glass. "What may I start you off with tonight? May I suggest Okanogan Valley Ice Wine?" Jack laughed.
"Oh wow! The Okanogan Valley." He snickered. "The weather there is almost ALWAYS perfect for a snow day! I always wondered why they kept harvesting grapes in winter…" Aster nodded and the waiter dully noted it. A platter of complimentary breads, fruit and cheese fondue was ordered as an appetizer, and the awkward silence resumed.
"…They aren't making progress. Cupid, they aren't making progress!" Said Tooth, peeking through the bushed lining the half wall separating the patio seating to the covered area, a few diners staring at the group of spirits in green camouflage (save for Cupid, in a fabulous pink ensemble with a red ascot) with war paint and binoculars with both amused and thoroughly confused expressions. A laptop with a camouflaged bandanna taped to the back was also perched on the wall, peeking at the unsuspecting couple.
"This is so exciting!" said Pippa, the Skype connection strong on the entire ship, and the two insisting on being part of the mission. "Hot DAMN Jack's looking good! Excellent work Tooth!"
"We have to get them talking." Said Cupcake. "That silence is WAY to awkward! Sandy…no, sorry but that's too obvious. They see gold sand and our cover is blown!" Tooth nodded in agreement as Cupid gasped. He pulled up his own flaming pink binoculars with heart shaped lenses and stared at the two, seeing the appetizer and wine come out.
"Ooh, ice wine!" he said. "Nice move Bunny! Showing some class! Everybody wants a sophisticated man!"
"Not everyone." Said Cupcake.
"Why do you think most men and women go gaga for suits?" asked Cupid. "The big ticket pieces are suits and pirate costumes. Too bad he's a bunny, because a tux would be sealing the deal right now. Note to self, design fur friendly formal wear. Bunny better be making me thank you chocolate for that!" Jack took a sip of the wine and his eyes widened.
"It's good…" he said, surprised.
"Only tastes this good because it was harvested at the perfect temperature." Said Aster. "The perfect temperature for yer snow days, if I remember correctly." Jack blushed at the cryptic compliment, Tooth and Cupid doing a small high five from behind their bush.
"So…" said Jack, tentatively looking at the grey furred Pooka. "Nice view, huh?" Sandy slapped a hand to his face, running his hand down dramatically as forced small talk left both their mouths.
"Um, can I help you?" asked a waiter, giving the group a look. Cupid took one last look at the couple as they moved onto the main course; salads for both, and sighed.
"Vodka stinger with a whiskey back." He groaned. "And anything creamy, fattening, deep-fried and covered in chocolate."
"What exactly do you want deep-fried?"
"I don't care, just make sure there is a LOT of it."
ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROT-ROTG
Aster felt like banging his head against the railing of the ship. After the awkward, silent dinner, they had opted for a walk on the now quiet serenity deck, Manny shining brightly in the clear sky.
Damn it Aster, say something smart! But, the Pooka's mouth remained frozen shut, his vocal chords refusing to cooperate.
Jack sighed, looking out at the water as the reached the front of the ship.
Maybe the girls were wrong…He seems bored out of his mind! Suddenly Jack stopped, seeing something in the water, Aster walking on before he noticed Jack had stopped.
"Frostbite?" Jack was staring out at the water, a grin slowly spreading over his face. The Pooka sided over, staring into the surprisingly well-lit night to see sleek forms swimming through the water. Jack laughed as one jumped, and Aster realized the things were dolphins.
"They're even cooler in real life…" mused Jack, watching the wild dolphins swim and jump alongside the ship, squeaking and chirping as they went, frolicking in the waves without a care in the world.
"Ya never seen a dolphin before?" asked Aster, surprised. With how often the dream sand took the form of a dolphin over the boy's head, one would think he stalked the damn things like a creepy old man stalking the farmer's daughter. Jack shook his head.
"Nope." He said. "Always wanted to, though. I wish I could get closer, but I'd just freeze them…" Aster thought a moment, then an idea hit him. He grabbed Jack's hand and led him down the stairs.
"Bunny?! Where are we going?!" asked Jack, having to float to keep up.
"Ya said wanted to see em up close." Said Aster, opening a door with a plaque on the wood reading 'viewing deck'
"But why are we…wow…" Jack jumped a bit as the ocean spray hit him, the low deck barely above the water. Aster smiled, seeing Jack touch the railing with both hands as the ship jarred them. Tentatively, he put an arm around Jack and gripped the railing with both paws, like a safety belt for the nervous winter spirit. Jack shivered a moment before relaxing, and before either could speak a dolphin jumped out of the water right in front of them, making Jack shout in shock, awe and delight.
"Did you see that?!" laughed Jack, eyes gleaming with joy and excitement. Bunny laughed good-naturedly at the childish exclamation, watching the dolphins play much like the children they protect, seeing Jack's eyes light up as he laughed with glee. He barely noticed the slight chill from the breeze ruffling his sea spray soaked fur, or the fact that Jack's clothes were quickly getting drenched and freezing from his own body's natural cold. Finally the Dolphins tired of their game, giving a last few jumps before disappearing through the waves. For a long moment, there was no sound but the rushing water, the two frozen in place while the breeze swept over them affectionately. Bunny started a bit as he felt Jack move against him, head resting on his chest as he watched the dark retreating forms of the dolphins, thin, cool arms wrapped around his thicker furry one.
Jack hadn't noticed he was hugging Aster's arm until said appendage was wrapped over his hips and stomach, holding him gently. For the first time that night the silence was easy, the two completely content.
"Bunny…" began Jack, turning his head to look up at the Pooka. "You look like a drowned rat." Aster snorted indignantly, Jack laughing happily.
"Well, ya look like a salty frost-cicle Frostbite." Snorted Aster, making Jack laugh even harder. The sound was pure as freshly fallen snow, clear as crustal in the cool night air. Jack's smile was wide, flashing the pearly teeth that Tooth more than likely had fantasies that would make even Cupid blush with shame about, and despite the spirit's season and temperature, only served to make Aster warm with happiness.
Jack was only faintly aware his hands were on Aster's chest, having turned fully to give his lungs enough air to laugh, the Pooka's arm wrapped securely around his waist. He was too preoccupied with staring at the rare smile gracing Aster's features to notice their intimate position, how closely they were pressed together, or how he was looking right back at him.
"Hey, we're about to start a limbo contest!" Both spirits jumped as Clovis, the Leprechaun, kicked open the door, shirtless, and smelling strongly of beer. "Ooh, bad timing?" Jack pushed himself away from Aster, flushed blue.
"Uh…thanks for the night, Bunny." He said before bolting, Aster taking a step after him. Aster glared venomously at the Leprechaun.
"This couldn't have waited two blasted minutes?!" Clovis shook his head cheekily.
"Oi, I'm getting paid some good quality draft here!" he said. "Besides, alls fair in love and war fur ball, and me buddy Groundhog thinks it's DEFINITELY war." Aster saw red as the name registered.
"Okay ya bloody root rat." Growled Aster, making his way back up on deck where the Groundhog was already flirting with Jack under the close supervision of Fool and Hallow. "Ya want a battle? Yer getting one."