Chapter Twelve: Tearful Lilac
It was Prince who made it happen, the honey eyed guard who had defended Jack momentarily that one time, the one that worked with Gargoyle who was now dead. Either way it was this man that let Bunnymund stay with Jack that day; Jack's twenty fifth birthday.
The cell was guarded just outside but Bunnymund didn't care, when his cuffs were unlocked and he was let into the cell, he rushed up to Jack; who stood in the middle of the room, shaking and trying not to let crystal tears spill from his wet blue eyes, and embraced him hard, lifting him up from the floor and taking in his chilled heat and his softness and his young beauty.
Jack sobbed and clutched Bunnymund around the neck and didn't let go, as though he would break and fall if he let go of his beloved Aussie, tears matting into the attire of the older man but Bunnymund didn't care, they spent the morning just lying together on Bunnymund's bed.
Jack couldn't wind himself any tighter around his cell-mate, his leg entwined with the older mans and his arms gripping his chest as he was cocooned by strong, tattooed arms. Jack rested his head just beneath Bunnymund's chin and wept silently. Trying to contain himself, he wanted nothing more than to have these last moments with his lover as a joyful time, but his broken heart couldn't bear the thought of having such happiness ripped from him later that day.
Bunnymund kept up enough enthusiasm for both of them, despite the hollow despair lurking in the back of his emerald eyes like a haunted mist, he grinned and laughed into Jack's hair as he muttered on about amusing times they had had together and how his friends were coming later to hand over presents and…say goodbye.
Bunnymund recalled the conversation with North on the phone, the Russian was silent for some time and when he responded, his deep accent was tinted with anguish, tears and chokes of disbelief and anger, North said he would come to visit the following day, he was not going to originally.
Word got into the small interrogation room after he put down the phone, as some guards allowed him to make one more phone-call before the 'meeting' was over, that Jack Frost had found out what was happening and had to see Nurse Hood to calm himself down or they feared he would do damage to himself, he was dragged away by guards, away from three other inmates who had gathered at cell 68 that evening.
Bunnymund had gone into a panic, begging to see his cell-mate but it was not allowed, such a criminal was not permitted such mercy but Prince had taken the majors out of the room and conversed, pleaded if you will for one more day with his ally. As the following day was in fact the date of Jack's birthday and a soft part in all the guards let this be.
So now they lay on the bed and slowly sat up, Jack showering Bunnymund in kisses, wildly, frantically, as though he had seconds left with the Australian when they had in-fact been allowed twenty four hours. But that wasn't enough time.
They kissed and held each other as though their very lives depended on it, they might as well have, Jack had a blank void of hurt ahead of the following week, after Bunnymund's execution…what was there to look for, three or even eight more years of victimisation and distress?
Jack refused to cry and ruin any more of the precious time they had together so eventually after Jack had detached himself from the Aussie they went down to the visiting section, some of the inmates let the two get past whereas others didn't change from their usual rude demeanour but there was a sense of…anxiety and upset throughout the atmosphere, but that might just have been how Jack felt.
Everyone crowded round Bunnymund's desk, Sophie on his lap, looking up with big innocent, confused eyes that couldn't figure out the sorrow that overwhelmed everyone around her, she giggled and pulled on the Australian's ear with an oblivious glee that left the older man inevitably smiling.
Tooth had turned up with her younger sister, whom everyone nicknamed Baby Tooth due to their similarity in appearance, after her initial blushing and giggling when she first met Jack, thinking he was totally attractive and squealing internally, she turned her focus to the unfolding situation, it saddened her heart greatly that her big sisters old friend was going to be executed and she found herself weeping into Bunnymund's shoulder as she embraced him with tear stained, pale blue, lilac tinted eyes.
Sandy also embraced his old friend, presenting him with the gift he asked for, for Jack. Wrapped in neat golden paper, complete with golden thread and a small label, the guard didn't even check it.
Laughter was elicited when Bunnymund was near crushed by North's affection but it died down to an uneasy silence of understanding and pain that shook them all. Tooth was the worst, unable to control herself and had to be pulled from Bunnymund only to collapse into North, shaking and sobbing.
Jamie paid respects and shook the Australians hand in and a strange, unfamiliar way for a teen. He looked up at Bunnymund and knew every reason as to why Jack was in love with him, he smiled and moved away. Shortly after though, everyone pulled out gifts and cards for Jack as he sat on Bunnymund's lap next to Sophie, being so light and nimble it hardly bothered the Aussie.
A gorgeous, silky blue hoodie that was of much a higher quality than his own top, it was a dark tone and threaded with icy patterns near the top, it was a little big but he loved it and thanked Tooth with a hug, she giggled and blushed, trying to inspect his teeth until North pulled her away, Jack laughed at the ordeal.
From North was a lovely Matryoshka doll, painted like him, with the cheeky grin and the layers of personality leading to a final, tiny one that could have only represented fun. Jack thanked him and North beamed, unable to help the fact he was fond of the young man.
Sandy had bought him a rather considerable sum of money reaching that of £500, then again, Jack remembered when Bunnymund had told him Sandman was loaded. He thanked the little silent guy with a grin and a feeling he liked the company of the golden haired man.
Jamie and Sophie had bought him a wonderful, hand crafted card; Jamie turning into quite the artist. Sophie waited for the white haired man to open his gift with eager eyes and he chuckled as he revealed a collection of books on a new series to do with guardians or something, it looked pretty intense and detailed and it was something for Jack to do so he thanked his old neighbours with a grin plastered to his face.
Finally it was Bunnymund's gift to which he near cried at again, as he unpeeled the star-dusted paper he gasped and everyone smiled as he pulled out a pair of stunning black, silver and pale blue Ice Skates with a slick, shimmering blade and tight lace, fine quality and he ran his hands over the material like it was exotic silk.
Bunnymund was blushing and smiling and no one minded, except maybe the momentarily jealous Baby Tooth as Jack kissed Bunnymund on the lip with a bright laugh and pawned over his beautiful new present. Bunnymund remembered his love for snow sports and had arranged for him to receive the finest pair he had ever seen. They had to be kept in Jack's safe outside the prison until he was released due to the shoes having blades.
Jack said goodbye to Jamie and Sophie, letting Bunnymund have some time with his friends. The waterworks were starting between them and the tone was firm and tense. A wet smoke lingering in the air that made them shiver and feel a hopeless loss in their hearts.
The guard hurried them along as they went away and Bunnymund bit his lip hard, a furious pain lurching in his chest as he struggled to breathe with the pain and misery. Jack came with him to the cell in silence, this time almost everyone paid note and moved out the way, even muttering an inaudible apology as they settled back into cell 68.
Jack didn't know what to do, what to say. He felt a speed of panic arise in his mind, terrified Bunnymund would hate him for spending his last moments with Jack sitting silent in their cell, holding onto each other with a tender embrace.
Bunnymund didn't hate it in the slightest, how could he? This is all he had ever wanted, a simple, genuine relationship with a beautiful, sharp young man who brought affection and mercy to his wounded heart, to just feel his lithe body against him in the dim light of the cell, with the stale air and the clattering racket around them. It felt like a bite of heaven.
They didn't have to go to association, do duty or even leave the cell. They were given their typical meals and the two soon found something to laugh about during dinner, it lifted their spirits and almost made them forget about the forthcoming darkness.
"So you don't like flying?"
"God no, I practically make claw marks in the armchairs on the damn vehicles" Bunnymund remarked, eliciting a shy chuckle from Jack.
"I love flying, it feels awesome, I always get near the window, like some overgrown child, to see the mountains if we pass any by" Jack commented dreamily, glancing out the window as though he would see the peaks of snowy mountains.
"I tell you what though, no one can paint fine detail like me, and I was practically a legend back in the factory"
"Oh?" Jack challenged with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
"Uh, yeah, mate" Bunnymund grinned and stopped to watch Jack pull out a thin blue palette from under the desk.
"I asked Jamie to bring these a while back, I never wanted to ask…out loud, but I wondered, would you paint some of your tattoos onto my arms or something, they are so cool, but I don't want actual tattoos, too painful…" he trailed off but Bunnymund snatched the paint from him and with a swift movement slipped his hands beneath the new hoodie Jack was wearing.
Jack gasped as Bunnymund removed the attire, kissing along the skin as he went until he collected up the paint and sat on the floor next to Jack.
"Sure thing, I miss painting and isn't your body just the sweetest canvas?" he winked and Jack gulped with a blush marking his oh so perfect canvas skin.
The paint was soft and wet; tickling his skin and Jack suppressed the urge to itch. Keeping still as Bunnymund sat in front of him, cross legged. His strong features calmed into gentle concentration, his soft sideburns and hair still and ears twitching with his movements. Jack had wanted pale blue and white so Bunnymund etched snowflakes and patterns onto his upper right shoulder and arm, slightly over his collarbone and chest.
Jack took Bunnymund's chin slightly and kissed his forehead. Bunnymund let out a low boom of laughter and continued, shuffling closer slightly.
That's when something came to mind within the thoughts of the blue eyed inmate.
"Hey Bunny…you have the ears and the soft hair going on…do you have a little white flashing tail?" he teased and Bunnymund froze, gulping and with a slow chuckle answered.
"I might do, why?"
"Come on, Bun, I gotta see it!"
"After this has dried, don't want you getting too excited" Bunnymund smirked earning a light head-butt from Jack.
"Please, don't flatter yourself, cottontail"
Jack left his head pressed against his lovers and took in the charming scent of fresh meadow and creamy chocolate.
Jack eventually glanced down at his new temporary body art with a grin, it looked so awesome, entwining and twirling spikes and flows drawn over the right side of his body like water.
"Wow, this is too awesome, thanks!"
"Please, I am just glad I could get back into some painting, and you were way more fun than some Easter egg" Bunnymund leant back to admire his work with an appreciating nod as he packed everything away.
Jack didn't put his hoodie back on until he knew the painting was completely set, he waited with a smirk until Bunnymund asked.
"What?"
"Come on, I want to see it!"
"Oh…Frostbite, really?"
"Yeah!" Jack laughed loudly.
Bunnymund gulped but smiled, standing up and turning round, lifting up the base of his shirt steadily, revealing stunning back muscle and more tattoos marking his flesh like warrior paint. Then he lowered the hem of his trousers slightly and Jack was both kind of stunned with how gorgeous his lover was and how adorable the sudden pop of a thick white tail no bigger than his own fist was just into the small of his back.
"Oh my god, Bunny that is precious" he bit into his knuckle and knelt up with a grin. Bunnymund hid it again and when he turned round, Jack realised the Aussie was blushing.
"Glad you like it, ice cube" he sniggered and sat back down again, tracing a light finger over the details plastered to the younger man's flesh and muscle. Jack sighed and thrived in the honest caress.
"So you like the ice skates?" Bunnymund added and Jack beamed.
"Of course! I adore them; they are awesome and such good quality!"
"No problem, glad they were worth getting" Bunnymund leant forward and kissed Jack passionately; thrilled the gift had pleased the white haired inmate, as soon as he moved away to press his forehead against Jack's and wind his arms around his lover, a steady hand grabbed the back of his shirt.
The guards, they were here. It took Jack a few moments to realise what was going on. Then he was standing and yelling, trying to pull them away, grabbing Bunnymund round the waist.
"No…Wait no, I'm not ready, no…please!" he cried with fruitless attempts to hold onto the Australian who was also trying to remove the grip from him but his arms were restrained and he looked up with wide, bloodshot green eyes as tears started running down his face.
His strong, brave Australian ranger was crying and being taken away and there was nothing Jack could do about it.
"Please! He didn't do it, you have to believe him, gods please…no…don't take him, please!" Jack was screaming and managed to hold Bunnymund around the face one last time, staring into his eyes until a harsh, brash sting damaged his left cheek as a guard punched him and he fell.
"No" his eyes were wide and he couldn't breathe, Bunnymund was out the cell and being shoved down the corridor, the cell gates were closed and the guards were walking away, Prince couldn't watch, he went the other way and took in a deep breath.
"Shit" he breathed as he heard Jack yell.
"Bunnymund, no! Please, Bunnymund, Bunnymund I love you!"
Bunnymund's heart lurched and he let out a faint scream, no...Anything but this. A pained smile reached his lips as he yelled back out.
"I…I fucking love you too Frostbite!"
The guards beat Bunnymund round the face for that and took him down the stairs and through a set of doors until all was quiet again.
No one on that level of cells slept easy that night…yet none of the hardened inmates had the heart to tell the white haired prisoner to stop screaming.
A/N: *does a slow dance* gonna lose some followers tonight…
We met the mark of one hundred reviews, MY CHILDREN, MY BEAUTIFUL REVIEWERS THANK YOU! First story to get over one hundred and I am so proud, actually would have been incapable of carrying this story on with such enthusiasm without you all!
-LAW09
To the black raven: Ooh, nice title, vague but sort of to the point, so thanks! Don't worry; I will speed up my updates now! I like the song actually! It's on my iPod. Thank you for the double review! Was your video the one which said "Preview" at the end? I just want to double check.
To RueRajaram: *typing beneath desk out of fear* I-I'm sorry, it will get better! *hides from elves who are sneaking around room* please get me off the naughty list, I have no cookies left, the milk is gone and I fear for my toes! But seriously, your review both amused and sent fright into me so thank you for the review!
To Cookie Guest: Well I am surprised at the cookies AND milk! I thought everyone hated me, aha, I am quite proud of my nicknames but it takes time to think of characteristics and crimes behind them so thanks for the appreciation and aww, I am sorry I upset your emotions that way, I could picture you jumping out of a window going "I'm done" but thank you for the review, more is on its way!
To yay: I'm glad you could review! Pitch's daughter may make an appearance, I am deciding on the details and I am kind of interested with your confusion regarding the crime and its culprit. Thanks for reading my Author notes. It is a guy I hardly know and…who actually irritated me since his idea of humour are innuendos and he has a thing for guns and war games either way thanks for the review and little piece of advice!
To I'mBelleGoose: Bri is such a sweet name, thank you for the praise and I am glad you are getting so into it! My friend is actually a guy, haha, but thank you for the advice and help. The thing is though, I don't mean to burden but I hardly know him, he went to my school but I was irritated by his humour only involving innuendos and his obsessive interest in warfare, so…well…it's kind of odd for me to be in this situation, I have never been too great with relationships due to reasons but it should end up well, thank you!
To slyangelfox: This story has always been planned so I'm keeping it in restraints, but I admit, I want to add more, haha, thank you for the praise though! Aww, you are really getting into this! But I am glad you have so many points of view on everything and good observational skills; you will have to see how it all turns out, da? I will update as soon as I can, thanks again for a lovely review!
To spiritsong15: Hehe, Greetings! Thanks for the appreciation on the other fairy-tale characters that sneak themselves in, haha, well who knows what I will do, but you seem to have a pretty good idea of what is going on so we shall see how things work out. Thank you for your continued praises, they make me smile so much and well, seems you have your heart set on Groundhog, eh? My moustache and I bow to your honourable review, we await your next!
To Kid Darkness: Thank you, that is a lovely name, very exotic! Aww, your reaction stunned me for a moment, ahah, I am glad you appreciate my pretty speedy updates, I try my best. This is the fastest story I have ever written to be honest, not a Pitch fan eh? Well I just seem to making him worse and worse so it is understandable, *calms down from being shaken so much*well, thanks for the review and praise!
To beanie-art1: Aww, thank you! Put please don't suffer, purchase " " today, to help you out. You can even get the bonus "I-am-so-done-with-this-bunnymund-and-jack-story" medicine to soothe the pain.
Wow, I never thought of a prequel, but that would be interesting…maybe as a short thing after this story, da? I will definitely consider it, thanks for the inspiration! Thanks for the review!
To LadyMinuialwen: Aww, worry not!
Annnddd too aalll my children in the followers and favourites, bless thou names!