"Okay Aster, you can DO this." said Aster to himself, giving himself a pep talk as he laid out his battle plan. It was too dark for surfing, the waters unsafe to navigate in darkness, but no, he had better plans up his sleeve, if he had sleeves, of course. Currently North was clapping Jack on the back while he observed the big man barbeque, a few of the other spirits chatting with him like old friends. Most, if not all the spirits, had quickly gotten over many of their misconceptions about the boy, and were already warming up to his snarky jokes and harmless, if not excessive, pranking.
That, and as the Guardian of Fun, he was pretty much the life of the party. A small part of Aster's brain laughed at the irony, considering Jack technically wasn't LIVING, like a select few, mostly younger in physical age, spirits chosen by Manny. The upside, the Hog couldn't get close. Down side, it was proving to be an uphill battle to get close himself. Finally, he managed to navigate through the crowd and reach Jack's side, trying to look nonchalant.
"Oi Frostbite." Jack turned and smiled at him, staff in one hand. Aster figured it was a security blanket for him in the crowd, unused to so many people TALKING to him. "Yer gonna melt if ya get any closer to North and the barbie."
"I'm not made of ice." Snorted Jack, giving him a mildly insulted but playful look. "Besides, SOMEONE has to make sure he actually makes something vegetarian." Aster blinked.
"We're prepared for North's meat obsession." said Aster. "Tooth brought enough veg to stuff a walrus."
"Cold is good, but Jamie told me about these things called veggie dogs." Jack picked up a package of hot dogs, clearly marked with a big label stating it was meat free. "They taste pretty good. His mom had to switch because he keeps insisting we have lunch instead of me waiting for him to finish. Guess he felt funny about me cleaning out the fruit stocks." Aster stopped, something in his mind clicking.
"Yer a vegetarian." He said flatly. Jack nodded.
"Well, yeah." He said. "Natural food is the way to go! Besides, I can't exactly cook meat when I can't make a fire, and the animals SEE me. It just wouldn't be right."
"Jack, you use oven at pole!" said North, ruffling Jack's hair like he was the boy's Father. "No more, pardon the expression Bunny, rabbit food. You need meat on bones! Much too skinny!"
"Shut yer gob North." Snorted Aster. "Jackie's fine. Nice to have another spirit around who appreciates the Earth's bounty." Jack laughed at the fake pained look North pulled before the Cossack joined in the laughter, even Bunny chuckling.
"Ah! You must try Bunny!" said North, holding up a skewer of the fake meat, freshly cooked and hot. "I admit, they are not bad!" He handed a skewer to Jack, who bit into it happily. Jack forced one into Bunny's paw, giving him an encouraging look as he took a bite out of a mushroom on his skewer. Aster tentatively nibbled at the odd vegetable-meat, making himself carefully examine the flavor for any form of meat. Aster blinked, ear twitching as he looked at Jack's expectant face, the winter spirit still munching away on his mushroom.
"Not bad." He said. "A little odd, but not bad." Jack grinned, making his heart pound.
"Knew you'd like it." he said coyly. He bit off a chunk of the placebo meat, chewing thoughtfully. Bunny couldn't help but watch Jack's pale lips move, and was sure he would be blushing under his fur. Bunny mentally slapped himself, cursing his mind for slipping towards the gutter. Out of nowhere a volley ball hit Jack in the back, shoving him into Bunny. Aster wrapped his arms around him, catching the startled spirit.
"Sorry Jackie!" shouted Fool, waving. Hallow winked at Cupid, the cherub nodding while Tooth went through proper bushing procedure to the Groundhog. "Hey! Come play with us! Me and Hallow against you and Bunny!" Jack suddenly realized Bunny was holding him and turned slightly blue, looking up at the Pooka. The last time they had been together like that…
"I'm in." said Aster. "Jack?" Jack nodded, squirming out of Aster's grasp.
"Y-yeah!" he said. Bunny grabbed Jack's hand, making the spirit blush, and pulled him towards the volley ball court, Hallow and Fool grinning at the blush on Jack's face.
"Things seem to be going swimmingly." Chuckled Cupid, sipping his orange dreamsicle while watching the two budding love birds.
Or undead immortals. Whichever sounded better.
ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROT-ROTG
Jack shouted in victory as he scored a point, completely blindsiding Fool with a harsh spike, Aster getting the ball into the perfect position. So far both teams were tied, a small crowd having gathered to watch the showdown. Bunny took great pride in the fact the Groundhog was grinding his teeth, and swiftly receiving swats and threats from Tooth about it, and couldn't help a bit of a smug grin when he looked his way.
"Okay boys, this point wins it!" declared Cupid, filing his nails. "We're due on the ship soon for a bit of bingo!"
"Don't ya worry diaper boy." Snored Aster, grinning. "This'll end quick."
"Yeah!" said Hallow. "With you two ground to the dust!" With that Jack served, the ball bouncing back and forth furiously, neither side giving an inch, both sides exchanging friendly banter. Jack grinned, running up as the ball came forward. With a squeak the sand shifted under his foot, his flailing arm sending the ball askew as he caught his balance. With a harsh smack, Bunny spiked the ball, the ball rocketing into the sand on the other side so fast Hallow could barely see it. Tooth and North clapped, as well as most of the spirits, Jack laughing as Hallow and Fool admitted defeat in good humor. Bunny jumped a bit as Jack hugged him, the grinding from the Groundhog ceasing. Jack looked up, face nestled into his fur and chin on his chest.
"Nice shot Cottontail." He laughed, smiling brightly. He put one paw around Jack's waist, the rest of the spirits already on their way back. "Guess you're not such a stick in the mud after all." Aster laughed a bit at the joking insult. Their position was similar to that of their date before the Leprechaun interrupted.
Only this time, Tooth, Sandy, North, Mother Nature, Hallow, Fool and Cupid were blocking any interference.
"Snowflake, it seems I forgot to do something on our little date last night." Jack looked at him, a little confused.
"What?" he asked, cocking his head adorably to the side. Aster chuckled, gently tucking a tuft of snow white hair behind Jack's ear, Jack unconsciously pressing into his paw.
"This." Aster gently pressed his lips too Jack's, and he felt Jack stiffen and quickly relax, arms wrapping delicately around his neck as Jack responded to the kiss, his thin body pressed against him, Aster holding him with one arm around his waist, the other on his back. The feeling was electric, and the break for air came all too soon for either of them. Jack blinked lazily at Aster, and for a moment the Pooka was a bit nervous of rejection. His fear only worsened as Jack frowned, though it WAS a cute expression.
"Who said you could stop?" he said coyly before initiating another kiss, pulling Aster down to meet him.
Meanwhile, Tooth and Cupid were giving each other a high five, watching the romantic scene unfold.
"Mission accomplished." Said Cupid, seeing Jack's end of the red thread connecting their hearts glow strongly with Asters. He turned to his diligent army. "Now, who's up for celebratory jello shooters?" A laugh came from everyone but Sandy, who merely smiled at Jack and Aster, who had finally noticed they had to move their love-struck asses to the boat. Above him an image of a tie on a doorknob, a bunny and a snowflake floated, Sandy grinning impishly and wriggling his eyebrows. Cupid laughed, pounding fists with Sandy.
"That's it Sass-man." Snickered Cupid. "Bring out the earplugs tonight, ladies. Something tells me Jack is a screamer."
OMFG this chapter was a PAIN IN THE ASS to write! I literally re-wrote it SIX TIMES! But…le sigh~ the FEELS! Next chapter is NSFW! Seriously, kiddies be warned! Those with weak constitutions may want to exit the fanfic. Update on Calgary! I AM PAID OFF! I'm going to see Cirque de Sole, my childhood dream, not two weeks after my birthday. I. Am. Flipping. Happy. Shit. Seriously. You are NOT getting me down! Enjoy the new book cover, and please leave lovely reviews! Please, the Luvs and Feels are GREATLY appreciated! Tumblr Trolls is also coming along. Next chapter involves walruses. Nuff said. Until next time!