Wow, this became a much larger story than my son and I thought it would be, thanks to all my lovely readers XD. I'm not done yet, still a few chapters to go. This one will have elements of Finding Understanding, Moonbeams and Sunshine, Mating Season, as well as When Past and Present Collide.

Child's Play 18

The Warren may have been locked down to the other Guardians but Jack had long ago learned to by pass that. Ever since he mated with Bunny he was able to pass through the invisible shield with little to no trouble. There was always that tingly sensation as he neared the large stone doors but as always they opened upon his approach, recognizing Bunny's spring magic that thrummed through Jack's mark and mixed with his own magic. Even though they had broken up that magic would always remain, they would forever be tied together.

Jack paused as the engraved stone door opened. He had said he'd talk to Bunny but he honestly didn't know what to say. He had broken things off with the Pooka almost a month ago. It wasn't just because of Bunny not wanting more kits. There was so much more to it. Bunny never listened, always went his own way and seemed wrapped up in things that Jack simply couldn't understand. He knew that they could have fun all the time, they had duties and responsibilities but it seemed as if Bunny had wrapped himself up in all of it and lost sight of what was right in front of him. Pitch said that Bunny might be going through a mid life crisis of sorts because they were grandparents now but that didn't make much sense to Jack. Bunny was ancient, not as old as Sandy and Pitch but ancient nonetheless, why would something as silly as grandchildren be bothering him? After all, they were repopulating an all but extinct race. If they hadn't had children and something happened to Bunny there would be no more Pookas what so ever. But Pitch pointed out that he had gone through a similar response when he learned Seraphina and MiM had created Jack - well brought him back from the dead but the point was Jack was magically Pitch's grandson and for the Nightmare King who had been consumed by creatures of fear for millions of years and had no family that was mind blowing. Jack absently wondered if he would ever go through that. He was a grandfather too but that didn't make him go crazy. Hell, the kits treated him more like a big brother than a grandfather. That could be because they could grow up where he couldn't. He would always be a teen no matter how old he got and that didn't bother him one bit.

However, he loved Bunny with all his heart, no matter how angry the old grump made him and maybe he should be seeing things Bunny's way - if only a little. The Pooka had lived like forever and experienced more than Jack could ever hope, spending much of that time alone and believing he would never have a family - much as Pitch had - so being a father and then a grandfather in a relatively small amount of time - less than 50 years to be exact - must be a little surprising and totally unexpected. Perhaps if they just sat down and talked things out everything would work out. They didn't need to have more kits, they could always play with their grandchildren and help raise them. Problem there was they were trying to repopulate an entire planet that MiM had found suitable for them which meant he and Bunny would have to go off planet and well that was out of the question with their duties. He sighed. Maybe he would jut have to accept that they weren't going to have anymore kits and apologize to Bunny for even suggesting it.

He dragged his feet as he wandered the Warren, not really needing to look up to sense where his mate was. He hated admitting when he was wrong but in this cause he was. The last time they had nearly lost the kits, and him and then Bunny. He absently wondered if cloning Bunny would work but instantly scratched that out. Bunny hated needles more than the cold. He wanted to scream in frustration. He'd only been back to his normal self just over an hour but already he wanted MiM to change him back to a three year old. At least then he didn't have to think of such things. He could have fun and be played with and have none of the grown up worries he presently had. If only...

"Jack?" Bunny called room his garden where he was pulling angrily at weeds. His voice sounded surprised and if Jack didn't know better he would have thought he saw traces of tear tracks down Bunny's cheeks.

"Yeah, Aster, it's me. Sorry about the whole...oomph!" Before he could finish Bunny had ran at him and swept him up in a tight embrace before crushing their lips together. Jack had no wiggle room and he dropped his staff in surprise. The kiss was fierce, almost bruising and after the initial shock Jack found himself melting into it as he wrapped his arms around his lover.

When Bunny finally pulled away he spoke so quickly that Jack could quite keep up with him. All he heard for certain was a series of apologies as his face was kissed all over. "I'm sorry, Jackie, I never should have lost my temper. I'm a fool. If you want to try again we can, just don't ever, ever leave me again. I don't know what I'd do without. I'm so, so sorry for not giving you more attention," he gushed between kisses.

Jack finally to get his arms between them and push him away just enough to actually look him in the eye. "Aster, no, it's my fault. I was be selfish and-"

"Not your fault, Snowflake," Bunny said, pulling Jack against him once more, this time chinning him like there was no tomorrow and spreading his scent all over Jack's head and shoulders before kissing him once more.

This time Jack didn't pull away. He melted into his love, relishing the feel of warm fur and the smell of musk and chocolate. He gave a little gasp as Bunny grabbed his thighs and lifted him up. Jack quickly wrapped his legs around Bunny's hips and held on tightly as the Pooka bent down to scoop up his staff. Then he was being carried to the burrow for a long over due reunion.

"Only this time I'm carried for the whole duration," Bunny murmured against Jack's ear and the ice spirit blinked in surprise.

"Are you sure?"

Bunny only answer was a nip to Jack's shoulder and a low purr.

. . .

MiM refused to answer North, at least while the other Guardians were around. Usually the Guardian of Wonder was a patient man but the waiting finally got to him and he excused himself to go blow of some stream on his own. He was tempted to drag Pitch along, he could use a sparing partner but with his temper at its peak it was best not to bring his former enemy. What usually started out as a sparing match had a tendency to turn rather violent and he was sure that neither he or Pitch wanted to send a night in the infirmary like the last time. It almost ended their already shaky friendship. Besides, the cold crisp artic air would be refreshing.

He was only outside for several minutes when the Moonbeams arrived, dancing about him even as he turned his focus to his swords. Normally he would never ignore the little warriors but he was fed up and had all but given up on getting answers from MiM.

"You shouldn't get so worked up, Nicholas," Manny's gentle voice finally spoke. "You know I have reasons for everything I do."

North frowned at the ghost like image the Moonbeams projected. It was MiM's nearest way of communication and it felt much better than a ghostly voice whispering in one's mind or a staticy image on a smooth surface. "You and I have been at odds for a few years now, old friend," North reminded him as he swung his right sword in and arch as he raised the left. Usually sword practise eased his mind but North found that wasn't the case this time. "First you do not speak to Jack for over 300 years and practically ignore him after he becomes Guardian even though you were the one to call him to duty, then you do not bother to explain to him my transition from mortal to immortal and make the child suffer as he fought to save my mortal life and now this? Why would you even consider changing him to such a small child?"

"He and Aster need prospective," Manny said simply. "You are angry with me."

North shot him a glare and tried once again to focus on his movements.

"When Pitch finally walked into the light it was not to redeem himself, it was to protect Jack from himself. I brought him to you to help him through his transition yet he remain just as snarky and sarcastic as ever," Manny said softly.

"Your point?"

"But before that, when his anger eased over his defeat he showed signs of change. He was not the scourge of children or the Guardians. He realized that he did indeed have family left and tried to reach out to both Seraphina and Jack. He counselled both you and Bunny to understand him more and became fiercely protective of the boy."

"Yes?"

"Jack bridged the gap between light and dark by simply being who he has always been."

North held both swords in one hand and rubbed his temple. "You are not telling me anything I don't already know. What does any of that have to do with Jack being turned into a child?"

MiM's head tilted slightly to one side as he considered North then a knowing smile lit his lips. "Think of it as practise."

North's brows furrowed as he turned follow to Manny but MiM had already disappeared. "Practise?" He glanced up to the Moon above where MiM had once again retreated. "What do you mean 'practise'?"