This is a sequel to Frozen Waters.
When he stopped shivering enough to take a good look around, Bunny got curious about the decor. He wondered where Jack had gotten so many drapes, all delicately embroidered in silver in a way that strongly reminded him of the cloak that still covered him. He wasn't even sure where the cloak came from. He had assumed North made it, but surely the man had other things to do than make drapes. Like preparing for Christmas. Sure, he saw Jack like a son and might want to help him move into his own place like a doting father, but the winter spirit wouldn't let him waste so much time on that.
Keeping the cloak wrapped around his shoulders, Bunny got out of bed and took a look around. The room was sparsely furnished and had an unfinished look to it, like Jack wasn't quite ready to welcome visitors. Bunny hadn't been supposed to sleep here. The winter spirit had only wanted him to take a look at his little ice village.
He walked to the nearest wall, to take a closer look at the drapes. The cloak's fur trim swished around his legs, not quite reaching his ankles. Even if it was too short, it made him feel like a prince. He pulled up the hood, to keep his ears warm. It was a nice cloak, he decided. It looked even better when the winter spirit wore it and frost mingled with the silvery threads. Not that he would ever admit that frost was a nice addition to anything. But it would look good on the drapes, too. He wondered if the upper rooms had drapes like that covered in frost from being exposed to the frigid Antarctic wind.
He didn't hear the other Guardian come until he pushed a drape aside and walked in. The boy had changed into his Winter Prince costume, without the crown, or the cloak Bunny still wore. It was likely the only change of clothes he had here. He carried his usual ancient pants and blue hoodie in his arms. He had pried most of the ice from his hair, but some strands remained frozen together.
"I need to use the fireplace. Are you feeling better? Do you want more cocoa?"
"I'm fine, Snowflake. I was just a little chilled." Jack nodded and started to hang his frozen clothes on the mantel. Bunny shuffled in place, still embarrassed over the day's events. "It's, uh, a nice place you got here. But the bed could use some blankets."
A thin layer of frost covered Jack's cheeks. Bunny cursed himself for not being able to just be nice.
"Sorry. I wasn't expecting you to stay any longer than you absolutely had to. I haven't finished the blankets yet."
"You haven't finished them? You mean you made all those? I didn't know you could sew."
Jack looked even more embarrassed, as if he had told Bunny something that should have stayed a secret. It was that same look he got whenever Tooth asked him to sing. The boy could boast about being the best at snowball fights and sledding, but when it came to things he was not expected to be any good at, he could get pretty shy. He fussed with the clothes, as if it was going to make the frozen fabric hang any less awkwardly.
"I used to mend kids' winter clothes, so they could come play outside." Jack stared into the fire. Bunny stayed silent, feeling like the winter spirit wasn't done talking. "When they woke up in the morning and saw them, they would get exited. 'Look,' they would say, 'elves came in the night to repair them.' And they would leave out a dish of fresh milk as a thank."
There was sadness in Jack's tone and a hint of bitterness as well. Bunny joined him by the fire and tentatively laid a hand on his shoulder. The remaining ice was melting in Jack's hair, dripping on the ground. A few drops fell on his cheeks and froze there.
"Jack, I'm sorry."
"I didn't want them to be disappointed, so I would drink the milk. It made them so happy. I guess it didn't matter who they thought was doing it."
It was obvious it had mattered to him. Bunny searched desperately for something to say. There was no point in telling him that those days were over. Jack knew that. Bunny looked around for something to change the subject. Jack's hoodie caught his attention. One of the sleeve was almost falling off, the threads holding it in place mostly gone. The fabric itself looked too damaged to be easily stitched back together.
"Speaking of mending clothes, you might want to see to yours, mate. They're falling apart."
"That's all right. I'll just freeze them back together."
"Jack..."
"All right, all right. I'll repair it."
"Maybe it's time to retire them. You're a Guardian, now, and you have this fancy new home. You don't need to look like a homeless orphan anymore."
"I... maybe when I'm done settling in here, I'll think about it. I guess I could sew a new shirt."
"You don't need to."
"You're the one who just said—"
"This would do just fine."
Bunny gestured at the clothes Jack was currently wearing, the elegant blue and silver outfit he used as a Halloween costume. The Guardian stared at him in disbelief, looking down at himself, then back at Bunny as if to see if he was joking.
"I-I can't just wear this. I... it makes me look like a prince. It's just a costume. I made it for Halloween."
Bunny took off the midnight blue fur-trimmed cloak and wrapped it around Jack's shoulders instead. He made the Guardian turn to fully face him and looked him up and down.
"I think you grew into it."
Jack looked at him with wide eyes. He seemed so overwhelmed, Bunny wanted to hug him. The winter spirit looked down at himself once more before pulling the hood of his cloak up the way he did with his hoodie when he wanted to withdraw from the world around him. He kept his head down, running his fingers hesitantly on some of the silver embroidery. Frost covered the places he touched, creating the beautiful patterns Bunny remembered.
"Maybe one day," Jack said at last, "but not now."
"All right, Snowflake," Bunny answered. He wrapped an arm around Jack's shoulders. "Now, how about you show me around this place?"
Jack smiled timidly and nodded. Maybe one day, Bunny repeated to himself. Maybe one day the boy would see how far he had come.
So, it looks like my break lasted only one day. This chapter was clawing at my brain while I was working, it was annoying. But this is likely the last chapter until the week-end. Then I'll try to write Jamie's and Sophie's visit to the "Ice Kingdom".
