For all of your wonderful reviews I bring you; an UPDATE! Nice fluffly chapter. Basically just taking a look at Jack and Aster's characters a bit and showing how, unbeknownst to them, their lives are intertwined. oooh, that sounded cool. XD

REVIEW ME PEOPLES. I LOVE YA LIKE A STRIPPER LOVES GLITTER.

CLANG. CLING. CLANG. CLING.

Panting with exertion Jack managed to lug his bike up the final step onto the landing where his apartment was located. He leaned against the wall wheezing for breath as he pushed his hoodie from his head and gazed down the flight of stairs he had just climbed. 3 FRAKKIN' STORIES. Forget Zumba, THIS was all you needed to work out and stay fit; stairs from hell and a large heavy object. Arg, the joys of living in a cheap apartment building on the outskirts of the city. Not only were the apartments cheap, but they were crap as well. There was always a definite chance for a run-in with some type of abnormally large vermin (Jack had his own personal experience in which he had FLED from a large rat that he swore was cackling after him), some of your fellow tenants probably had a police/jail record or were just plain creepy, and there were no elevators or apparent building code regulations. Landlords simply gave no bothers here.

With a groan Jack allowed his sore body to slowly slide down to the tacky and filthy linoleum floor. How had he ended up HERE? He still remembered leaving his small hometown of Burgess for the big city with a hopeful attitude and big plans to go to college, live on campus in a dorm with an awesome roommate, and gain whatever degree and experience was necessary for him to one day become the writer he dreamed of being. However, upon arrival here in the city his plans and dreams had basically been taken from him, waved around in his face, thrown on the ground, beaten to a pulp mercilessly behind a dumpster and then abandoned at a hospital where he got a gold sticker saying YOU TRIED. Not a very good beginning. He'd done better though, learned from past mistakes and was actually in school now; a community college was still a college. And college, he'd discovered was a slow and painfully expensive ordeal that drained him of his life's savings and had him living in a dumpy apartment complex with a part time job as a bike courier. He sank deeper into the floor, letting out a long breath of air. He'd been existing as an outcast ever since he started his new life here in the city, alone and unseen in this miserable existence. Until - Jack recalled North's wide blue eyes smiling at him, Baby's bright giggling face and Aster's deep chuckles as he looked at Jack. He had been seen.

"Dude why are you on the stairs?"

Jerked out of his mind trip he looked up in the direction of the voice. Standing in front of him was Jamie Bennett, Jack's rather imaginative 11 year old neighbor. The younger boy stared down at him with his head tilted in confusion, clutching another one of his fake science journals, this one seemed to be about a giant ape. Peeking from around her big brother's legs Jack spotted little Sophie, her unkempt blonde hair sticking out at all sorts of random angles. She smiled shyly at Jack and gave him a small wave; he waved back, that girl was a freaking adorable kid. He gave Jamie a weak grin, "Hey there kiddo. Just melting a bit is all." Achingly, he dragged himself to a standing position, wincing as his knee reminded him of its misery. He grabbed his bike and began wheeling it down the hallway with the Bennett siblings following after. "What are you two doing wiggling around by yourselves? Don't you have that educative place called school to be at?" He peered down at the book in Jamie's arms, "What is that? Bigfoot?"

Jamie lit up in excitement, practically bouncing by Jack's side. "It's the newest issue of my Crypto-zoology magazine! Bigfoot was actually spotted, Jack! Can you believe it?! The sighting was near Burgess too! Where you're from!" He babbled on enthusiastically as they approached the door to Jack's apartment. "I'm telling you Jack, it's amazing what could be out there! You just gotta have the belief. I can't wait to grow up and be a crypto-zoologist like the people in these stories. It's gonna be so – so…"

"Spiffy?" Jack offered amusedly, he fumbled through his pockets in search of his 'house' keys. Past gum wrappers, a pencil nub, loose change – ICK! WHAT WAS THAT?! HEL- Oh, it was a leaf. He finally found his keys and began the arduous process that was opening his door. "So you're gonna be a crypt keeper thingy? Sounds like a plan dude."

"Crypto-zoologist."

"Gesunheidt."

"Ha. Haha. Ha. You're a riot Jack." Jamie stuck out a playful tongue at the older boy. That was when Sophie began to hop around from foot to foot, with an anxious look on her face as she tugged vigorously at her big brother's jacket sleeve. "Jamie! Potty!" Jamie sagged and then turned towards the hopping girl with a look of mock horror, "Oh no Sophie! You're bladder is attacking your innards!"

Jack ceased attacking his door as Sophie's wails filled the corridor. "AAAAAHH! NO! NO ATTACK INNIES! NO JAMIE!" Jack found himself holding in his laughter as he took in the little girl's expression; large innocent eyes blown wide with fear and her mouth gaping like a beached goldfish as she flailed at Jamie. Jamie for his part was trying to calm his sister down, "Shhh! I'm sorry Sophie, it was just a joke! I thought it was funny when Jack told me! Nothing is gonna happen to your innies I promise! C'mon, let's go see Mommy, I bet she's home from work now. How does that sound?" With the promise to see her mother Sophie silenced immediately and began towing her brother down the hall towards their apartment. Jamie just laughed and let himself be led away with a cheery wave good-bye at Jack. "See ya Jack!"

Jack waved back fondly, he liked the Bennett siblings, ever since he first moved in Jamie had been a constant and happy presence. It was nice to have a friend, even though he was a good ten years younger than Jack. But then, he'd always had fun and gotten along better with kids. To Jack, Jamie was that one good thing about this place, like a shining light in the grimy darkness of the apartment complex. With his friendly attitude and strong imagination Jamie was a believer in anything, and Jack hoped that light of childhood would never end for him.

Chuckling to himself Jack turned back towards his door, which was currently being a total JERK about letting him in. He set his shoulders and prepared for battle. He gave the key a strong twist and wiggle in the lock and then slammed into the door with his shoulder just slightly left of the center. Then turned the doorknob. Presto! The door swung open creakily, allowing him entrance. He struck a noble pose with his hands on his hips and glared defiantly at his defeated foe. VICTORY. "Your mother was a doggy door. And your father –"

"Hey Jack!" He blinked at the interruption and twisted around to see Jamie who was poking out of his apartment waving at him. "If I ask Mom can we go ice skating? You promised to show me jumps!" Jack rolled his eyes with a laugh, "Sure. Come on over if she says yes!" With a grin Jamie's head ducked back into the apartment to join his body. Jack again faced his door, grasping his bike. He gave the entrance an imperious nod, "You know what your father was."

That said he marched through the entry into his domain and slammed the door shut behind him with a thud. The dull metal numbers hanging on the doorway of Apartment 300 rattled in his wake.

As the door shut behind Jack he let out a deep breath of air and smiled about him. Home, finally home. Okay, so it wasn't much. It was tiny and cramped; if anyone with claustrophobia so much as set a TOE in here they'd have a panic attack. The heater was eternally broken so it was always cold (in winter he got to play the oh so fun game of 'Dodge the Falling Icicles of Death' when he woke up), the cold never bothered Jack though; he kind of preferred it sometimes. There were A LOT of things to complain about the place, but it was HIS. Freezing warts and all. On the bright side, it ALWAYS smelled like pancake syrup and snow.

He inhaled the scent deeply with a smile. YUM. What a delicious room his stomach gurgled. He took off his backpack and tossed it on the floor next to the couch and then attempted to prop his bike against the wall. His bike had decided that today was the day to be difficult however; first his knee, then it suddenly gained weight going up the stairs and now it was drunk and kept falling over repeatedly. He finally managed to get it to stay, stepping back with his hands outstretched to catch it should it fall. When nothing happened he turned to head to the kitchen for something to eat.

THUD.

"Well screw you too gravity."

Making his way into the kitchen Jack swung open the fridge door. Nada. Nothing much to eat. Just week old Chinese food, even older jello in the shape of a snowman, and aU.M.F.; Unidentified Mutant Fruit. It looked like it might have been an apple at some point of its existence. A food run was needed soon. He slammed the fridge door closed and leaned back on the counter gazing up at his ceiling. Silver glitter sparkled down happily at him.

He let out a loud yawn and flipped himself backwards over the countertop to plop on the couch on the other side. Flopping around a bit until he was comfortably on his stomach he let his body loosen relaxed. Finally he allowed his mind to dwell on what had happened at GYG. He'd gotten injured (as his knee constantly twinged to remind him), he'd gotten completely lost, he got injured AGAIN, he got frakkin' blackmailed by a mammoth of a pirate and now he was a male model. A model. A freakin' – sweet baby Ghandi, he'd have to start practicing pouty faces in the mirror.

"FRAGGERNAFFY." he groaned exasperatedly into the couch's cushion. Jack rolled onto his back, half his body now dangling from the couch like a ragdoll. It could be worse he mused, he could have ended up like some more unfortunate students did paying their way through college. He could have sold out his body and ended up stripping somewhere for others enjoy –

The lazy smile on his face vanished as he shot upright, eyes springing wide in revelation.

"SWEET MOTHER OF WAFFLES IMMA STRIPPER."

The brisk afternoon breeze playfully ruffled through Aster's hair as he stepped out of the glass doors of GYG. He breathed in the chilly air appreciatively, he loved being outdoors; buildings always made him feel closed in and left him in a rather grumpy mood. Out here in the great outdoors however he could feel the wind tug at the corners of his mouth until he smiled. Being out here was exactly what Aster needed after a day like today; ruddy chaos and rumors. All because of Jack Frost. Who was that guy?

The sound of huffing and puffing from behind made him turn around and spot Sandy. The smaller man was doubled over panting to try and catch his breath as he held out a staying hand to Aster. Oops. Poor fellow must have chased after him once he'd booked it out of GYG. Eventually, after a few moments of heavy breathing Sandy straightened up and glared at Aster reproachfully. Aster chuckled at his friend apologetically, "Sorry ta leave ya in the dust there mate. Just been one of those days ya know? Not ta mention I gotta get past HER."

With a curt nod he gestured towards the lobby which was visible through the glass walls of the building. Inside, seated at her desk was the young receptionist who had been avidly staring at Aster since he'd sped past her desk. Now realizing that his attention was on her she bolted up and began waving madly at him with a large grin on her face. Completely oblivious to the large trailing smudge of lipstick upon her face and the fact that her gum had fallen from her mouth. How attractive. He let out a heavy sigh, "Crazy sheila is one of them fangirls. Hafta practically sprint past her ta avoid gettin' squealed at or molested by her eyes." His entire body gave an involuntary shudder as he turned away from the building. "She's prolly Flitterin' or Twittin' or whatever they ruddy call it about me right now."

Sandy watched as the receptionist did indeed launch herself at her computer and began typing furiously. He shot Aster a look of alarm and puffed out his cheeks. Yikes. "Ya see what I mean?" Aster snorted, shoving his hands in his rough leather jacket. Together the two walked away from GYG, through the courtyard and to the busy street. Around them people rushed about, wrapped in their worries, jobs and thoughts, shoving past the pair as if they were invisible. Standing on tiptoe upon the curb Sandy raised a hand to silently hail a cab. Aster rolled his eyes, "The silent method ain't gonna get ya a cabbie mate. Ya gotta shou-"

He cut off as a bright yellow taxi rolled up to the curb next to them. Sandy turned with a smug smirk and wiggled his eyebrows tauntingly at his friend. "Alright, so I mighta underestimated yer cabbie summonin' abilities." Aster grumbled amusedly at the shorter fellow. Sandy chuckled as he opened the taxi's door and motioned for Aster to join him. The Australian just shook his head and waved him off, backing away. "Nah mate. Ya know me, I prefer ta run. Could use a nice jog ta clear mah head after today." Just then, a gust of wind swept past the two, the cold stung their faces and was so strong that Sandy had to hold down his bowler hat to keep it from flying off and away. The small golden haired man shivered in the cold and once again offered a ride with an anxious wave of his hand into the taxi.

"Pshaw, little wind ain't gonna hurt me." Aster said in a confident tone, inwardly however he wanted to curl up in a ball for warmth. To cover up his shivering he began to stretch his legs, tugging them and loosening the muscles. "No worries mate, the cold won't touch me once I get ta runnin'. Ain't nothin' faster than me." Sandy shook his head at his friend's stubbornness and waved goodbye as he climbed into the taxi. Aster returned the wave as the car pulled away from the cab and merged with the busy traffic of the street. Again the wind swirled around him and he set off at a light jog down the sidewalk through the masses of people.

Running was something that Aster had loved to do since he was a child, he still recalled running, leaping and bounding around in the wide spaces of his home back in Australia. He let out a mournful sigh as the familiar feeling of nostalgia for his home swept through him. Ah well, this was his home now; the city with its great silver skyscrapers, and brightly colored lights twinkling at night. And the mobs of people that were in his ruddy way. He huffed in frustration as he jogged lightly through the swarm of people until he reached the great stone arches of his favorite park. As he entered the woodland place he felt the tension release from his body, the smell of green growth and nature soothing his senses. This was his haven, his peaceful place, or as Tooth sometimes called it; his warren. He came here to jog, think, relax and gain inspiration for his art. He tried to take inspiration in everything; from the various shades and shapes of the flowers and tree's leaves to the colors of people's clothing as they strolled through the gardens.

As he moved over the worn down dirt pathways of the park he settled into an easygoing pace and allowed his mind to wander. A face with bright blue eyes and pale white hair immediately came to mind. Jack Frost. A small frown fell over his face. Why on earth would North offer Jack a job as a Guardian? Sure, the kid had the good looks, Aster certainly couldn't ignore that. But he was completely inexperienced and knew NOTHING about being a Guardian. What was it about Jack then? And WHY would Jack even accept?

Alright so yeah, he didn't know much about the kid, teen…whatever age Jack was. However he DID know that the clumsy clown had tripped into the middle of his ruddy photo shoot and because of THAT Aster and the others had to work later than usual. Jack's blunder had set everyone back and ruined the streak of no interruptions on set that had managed to last nearly 70 shoots. As a matter of fact they had been at, what was it now? 68! Ruddy Jack Frost had ruined the 68th photo op. Aster let out a huff of frustration; this run wasn't helping him as much as he'd hoped, he needed something else to relax. He let his body slow down to a walk.

Aster realized that while lost in his thoughts his feet had led him down one of the more secluded paths leading towards the park's pond. He smiled softly to himself; the pond had lately become a favorite haunt of his this winter. It was in winter, when the pond was covered in a thick layer of ice that the ice skaters would emerge. Aster couldn't skate to save his life but he loved to watch as others danced and flew over the smooth reflective surface of the frozen pond. Many a cold winter afternoon he had found himself sitting with an open sketchbook in the chilly grass trying to capture their graceful movements.

There was one skater in particular that he couldn't help but single out, their lithe movements as they skimmed across the ice had him entranced. He never saw the skater's face as they always had their blue hood up, but thanks to hours of watching Aster could easily recognize them just by their movement. His mystery skater moved across the pond with an almost ethereal grace, as if the ice was where they belonged. He sped his pace up as he continued down the path; now he knew what to do to relax. If anything, watching his mystery skater's elegance upon the ice after a jog was the perfect way to end his day before heading home.

In another part of the same park Jack and Jamie were strolling down the dirt paths with their skates thrown over their shoulders as they headed to the pond. After Jack's revelation he had promptly lost all balance and crashed off the couch in a crumpled heap for Jamie to find as he opened the door. Fortunately for Jack, Jamie had been so excited over learning to do leaps while skating that he hadn't asked any questions. Merely grabbed Jack's skates and tugged the older boy out the door in a frenzy of excitement.

'I'm NOT going to think about anything to do with GYG. Just gonna have fun, be spazztic and skate the heck outta some ice.' Jack thought to himself. Male modeling stripper worries could wait, fun times were happening. And if there was one thing Jack was a master of it was fun and ice skating. He took in a deep breath and flung out his arms as if to embrace the world, as the breeze made his white t-shirt flap around in the breeze. "Take us away wind!"

"Aren't you cold Jack?" Jamie asked the older boy. He himself had been bundled into a thick fleece jacket and a fuzzy warm hat by his mother with some claim about freezing his nose off. However, in the midst of Jack's mind blowing realization and Jamie's excitement he had forgotten his trademark blue hoodie. Not that Jack really minded, the cold didn't bother him and anyways; the wind was just FANTASTIC today!

"Ah, feel that WIND Jamie! I'm too happy to be cold!" He shouted as he spun around down the path, dropping his skates to the ground. "Feel it just strut its stuff out! You beautiful, invisible force of nature YOU!" he called out to the wind as it ruffled his hair and swooped around him. He truly did love the wind. It was straight up, the best part about being a bike courier. Feeling that wind in your face as you sped down the street, dodging between cars and pedestrians, it was like flying. It was like being a bird. On the ground. Riding a bike. Alright, well if you let your mind free and have fun it's EXACTLY like flying.

Jamie just shook his head and laughed at the older boy's antics, "Dude, you are so weird some times." He bent down to retrieve Jack's skates and jogged to keep up.

"Kid, you got NO idea." Jack said with a cheery wink.

"So what jumps are you gonna do Jack?" Jamie asked, grinning widely. Right there in his upper teeth he had a gap. Something that probably shouldn't, but always did make Jack smile. It kind of was his fault after all. Then again, what can you when a couch comes flying at you from out of nowhere as you and some random kid you've scooped up are plummeting down an icy slide that you created? You scream your head off and throw your arms in the air, that's what you do. And that's what they did, until the couch had slammed out of nowhere and sent kid flying into a snow bank, causing him to lose a baby tooth. Then he had emerged from the snow victorious, with the tooth clenched tightly in his hand and all the young boy's friends had exclaimed over the awesome of the Tooth Fairy. It was probably in that moment, when the children had been walking away, the grand ice slide adventure forgotten, that had begun Jack and Jamie's friendship. Because instead of just walking away as if Jack were invisible, Jamie had swung around and LOOKED RIGHT AT HIM. And grinned that gap-toothed smile.

Shaking his head free of the memory Jack pretended to ponder, leaping onto a low stone wall with a finger to his chin."Hmm…what to do, what to do. There's the Lutz, the Salchow, or – Ooh! Maybe Axel." he said brightly, he smirked down at Jamie. "Though for a beginner like you maybe we should start with the Bunny Hop jump."

"Bunny Hop?" Jamie whined, "Who do I look like? Sophie? C'mon Jack, teach me something more serious than a BUNNY HOP." As he whined, Jamie let his arms sag and dangle at his sides, the skates dragging on the ground as they exited the path an approached the lake. Jack patted the younger boy on the back comfortingly, "Sorry kiddo. Don't quite feel like dying today. Which is EXACTLY what would happen if I knocked out the rest of your teeth with ice skating maneuvers. Your mom scares me when she's angry, it's like Momma Bear mode or something."

"AAARRRRRGG."

"You're a lovely pirate Jamie. But a Momma Bear beats a pirate any day."

"Pff! Pirates have swords! And cannons!"

"Momma Bears are BEARS. That's 600 pounds of pure death and fur. Also, comes complete with claws, teeth and killer instincts. Oh, and is a BEAR."

Jamie opened his mouth to protest but stopped as his eyes locked on the pond ahead, he frowned in confusion. Following his gaze, Jack saw the problem; surrounding the pond were ropes sectioning it off from the rest of the park and keeping people out. Within the ropes was a large white van and a few men with cameras that were taking pictures of the pond from different angles. "What's going on here?" Jamie asked, standing on tiptoe to try and see what the mystery men were doing.

"I don't know Jamie, looks like they're setting up for something." Jack said shaking his head, go figure his bad luck would follow him HERE, so much for fun skating times. "They've got cameras though; maybe they're shooting a movie?"

It was then that Jack felt someone jostle him from behind, nearly knocking him down AGAIN. By now though, he'd developed slightly ninja reflexes and caught his balance, whipping around to face – "YOU!"

Once again, Jack had been nearly run over by none other than Aster Bunnymund. He glared up at the Australian, "Do you have some kind of thing for running me over? Because seriously, I am NOT a speed bump for you, Kangaroo dude."

Inwardly Aster groaned, OF COURSE Jack would be here. "What are YOU doin' here? This is a peaceful place! Don't need any of yer clumsy antics muckin' up the place! And I ain't purposely runnin' ya over, ya keep getting' in my way!" He growled down at the pale haired teen. In between the two Jamie glanced back and forth nervously, "Um..guys?"

Jack stepped back, looking Aster up and down. "You know Kangaroo, if it weren't for that angry face I probably wouldn't recognize you. You look a lot different when you aren't practically naked and have clothes on."

"Oi! From what I hear – "

"WHAT?"

Together Jack and Aster froze at the sound of Jamie's voice. Oops. Jack had forgotten the younger boy's presence in the midst of Kangaroo's arrival. Aster himself seemed to flinch as well; they both grimaced and turned towards Jamie slowly. He gawked up at them with his jaw hanging loose. "Were you guys NAKED together?" He asked, with wide brown eyes of shock.

Both Jack and Aster went from normal skin shade to fire engine red in about two seconds. The color change was pretty magnificent, and the spluttering sounds coming from both of them were ridiculous incoherent. "ASDHFJKL;JKDHIUOENV –WHAT?" Jack yelped, standing ramrod straight.

In a completely unexpected turn of events Jamie grinned at the two broadly, which only served to make them more nervous. "You guys were streaking weren't you?! I know what that is! My friend Caleb showed me a YouTube video! Jack I didn't even know you did that!"

Jack and Aster exchanged a glance that was a mix between uneasy and utterly perplexed. Finally, Jack trusted himself to speak without laughing or squeaking. "Okay so your YouTube adventures are something your mom can handle. However – NO. This guy and me are NOT streaking together." he said firmly, waving a hand around. "That is NOT happening. EVER."

"Then why were you guys naked together then?" Jamie asked inquisitively with a tilt of his head.

"Um…"

Aster rolled his eyes at Jack's faltering. "We're models. Jack here had clothes on, and I had a pair of daks on – NO ONE was ruddy naked."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows at Aster, "Daks? You mean Daleks? Because they weren't involved."

Jamie looked at Jack questioningly, "Since when were you a model? I thought you were a bike messenger Jack?" Jack gulped and gave the younger boy a nervous smile, "Surprise. Got a new job today, I'm a model now. Pouty faces and all that jazz."

"Oi! There ain't none of that 'pout' rubbish, ya dag!"

"Hello, welcome to America. Can you speak freakin' English please, Kangaroo? I already had to slog my way through a Russian accent today thanks!"

As the two older guys continued to argue Jamie heard a ping from his pocket and pulled out a phone, its screen lit up with a message. "Jack, mom wants me home. Dinner stuff."

Still maintaining eye contact with Aster Jack back off with a wave to Jamie, "Alright Jamie, lets go. Well then, 'til next time Kangaroo." Aster narrowed his eyes angrily as he bristled, "Don't call me Kangaroo."

Jack laughed and with a swoop grabbed Jamie's hand and was gone. Aster watched the two walk away as he grumbled to himself. Ruddy Jack Frost. Just showed he was right, Jack was nothing but a clown and took nothing seriously. He let out a huff as he turned to face the roped in pond, there was no hope of seeing his mystery skater today then. His shoulders drooped, Might as well head home for some peace and quiet. He turned to leave but instead found himself face to face with two giggling teenage girls with shining eyes. NO. NOT THE FAN GIRLS. I'LL TAKE FROSTBITE OVER THEM ANY DAY.

As the two made their way out of the park Jack noticed Jamie smirk out of the corner of his eye. "What are smirking about, Cryptkeeper?" Jamie just shook his head as he began to giggle as he turned to face Jack.

"Sophie is gonna bug you NONSTOP now." He grinned.

Jack raised a suspicious eyebrow at the boy, "Why is that?"

"She's going through an 'artsy' phase as mom calls it and just WAIT 'til I tell her YOU'RE an actual model." He cackled mirthfully. "She's gonna be after you to model for her with tea parties and stuffed bunnies!"

"Pff. Bring it. I make bunnies look FABULOUS."

Okay so small notes: IM SICK, so if there are things that do not make sense, slight plot holes and such, blame my slightly addled brains. Also, it might be a while until you guys see a Chapter 4 because of me being ill.

:The silver shiny glitter on Jack's celing? That will be explained I promise. You will love it.

:"daks" - Aussie slang for pants

"dag" - insulting term (if you've been in this fandom for a while though you probably already knew this)