Merry Christmas everyone!

Anonymous user: Family is everything (feel free to talk to me if you need)

Demi Clayton: Merry Christmas!

Chapter 24: First Christmas

Tired. Jack was tired. Sure, it was the probably the busiest week of the year, being Christmas and all, but he'd never really celebrated it anyway and didn't see how this year would be any different. Despite having been a Guardian for nine months, nothing had really changed - they'd meet up every once in a while for the monthly meetings and once or twice just to catch up but, apart from that, everything had been the same.

Although, truth be told; he was a bit upset he hadn't been invited to their annual feast, which he'd seen before when he'd been trying to sneak into the Pole. He had hoped that he would be welcome, being a part of their group and all, but no one had mentioned anything. Today, to him, was a day no different than any other.

Large white snowflakes fell blissfully around him as he snuggled closer into his cocoon of snow, acting as a blanket. Many people hated the beautiful white powder, but he wasn't sure how - he relished in its cooling arms and the blissful atmosphere it created. He was absolutely exhausted - doing a weeks worth of work in two days with minimal sleep is sure to make you want to take a nap. He didn't need to do it that way, but he thought after everything that had happened this year he deserved a break and that was the only way he could do it without missing work.

Canada, Switzerland, America (with a little extra in Burgess, of course- for his first and favourite believer): all the main countries had at least 6ft of snow and enough ice to make you break your ankles if you weren't careful (not that he liked violence, but that's the least he could do without Mother Nature saying he was 'abandoning his seasonal duties'. Whatever that meant).

And so, with the sun dying down to his right, casting a mesmerising orange glow on his surroundings, he peacefully drifted off into a long, well-earned sleep.

"Has anyone seen Jack? North will be back soon and I can't find him anywhere!" Tooth was fluttering frantically around the large dining room, her little fairies madly following her in circles. Bunny was beginning to get dizzy.

"Sheila, relax, he'll be here soon. The little blighter s' always late."

Sandy was paying no attention, already having stated on the eggnog. He was like a machine, four cups later and he was still downing them like they were his first one. Bunny, usually feeling sick after three, was watching in fascination.

"But, what if he's not, what if he's hurt or can't fly or been attacked by angry wolves?" Toothianna, ever the worry-wort, was still flying around like a mad woman possessed.

"It's his first Christmas with us, it's got to be perfect!"

"Toothy, yer overreacting. North'll be back in an hour, if he's not here by then, we'll go look for him. Okay?"

"Yeah, I suppose. But if he's hurt, it's your fault!"

Bunnymund rolled his eyes. He'd never admit it, but if he thought the little snowflake was hurt, he'd be the first out to find him. Obviously, Jack annoyed the hell out of him, pretty much al the time, but he cared for the kid like the brother he never had.

It had been probably the most stressful Christmas since North had been chosen as Santa Claus. Since the defeat of Pitch, belief had been the lowest it had ever been -despite rising since Sandy's return- and this was their last chance to get the lights flickering again. It had to be the best Christmas ever. Which meant double the work load, double the presents and quadruple the extravagance. Jack had done an amazing job with the snow and it truly looked like a winter wonderland.

Yawning widely, North began his journey back to Santoff Claussen, having delivered the last presents. He, along with the reindeer, were shattered, but nevertheless, he wasn't going to be late for the annual feast. Boy, was he excited, just thinking about the gourmet food made him begin to drool. And this was the first Christmas with their new member, so it was sure to be special.

He set off, almost dozing off dreaming of the delicious food and great celebrations to come.

One hour had come and passed since North had arrived home, and then a second. Jack was still nowhere to be seen. Tooth, of course, was off her rockers thinking about what might have happened to him, Sandy was still downing eggnog, North was snoring his head off on the settee and Bunny was having a fight with the elves (they'd tried to decorate him like a tree).

"Don't you think we should go look for him? He should have been here ages ago!"

"He's probably still doing work Tooth, or lost track of time."

"But didn't you tell him to be here for three?"

"..."

"...Bunny?"

"Well, it er- it would seem-erm-"

"E. Aster Bunnymund, what did you do?!"

Sandy, suddenly deciding he was interested in the conversation, placed his eggnog down and put all his attention to the Pooka, who was scratching his neck and diverting his gaze to anywhere but the fairy's glaring eyes.

"Well, completely by accident, I may have sort of kind of maybee... forgot to tell him...?"

A harsh silence followed after: you could practically see the steam coming out of the Guardian of Memories ears. Boy, was she furious. Sandy sank further into his chair, nudging North awake so he didn't miss the definite fight to come. Well, more of a one-sided telling off them a fight. Both Sandy and North knew Bunny wouldn't be dumb enough to talk back to her.

"You WHAT?! How could you! He'll think he's been completely left out - no wonder he didn't show up. I ought to give you a good walloping here and now!" Aster cringed ay the fairy in front of him. He'd just lost his streak of being on her good side and didn't think she'd ever forget this.

"Have you nothing to say for yourself?" Bunnymund thought what he could say that wouldn't get his tail ripped off, but he doubted there was anything the sister of flight would find acceptable.

"I-"

"You know what, I don't even want to hear it. Go out there now and find him, and don't you dare come back until you do." The Easter Bunny stayed still, his body slightly numb with fear. Tooth was having none of it.

"NOW!"

He decided he best go before Tooth made it so as he wasn't able to.

"Jack! Are you here?"

Bunny had searched practically every place he could think of (there weren't many places the Winter spirit went after he'd finished his day's work) and he couldn't find the boy in any of them. He'd even gone so far as to ask Jamie, and the little kid hasn't seen him for days. His feet and tail were numb from the cold and he swore he had frostbite, but even that wasn't as bad as Tooth's rage would be if he came back to the Pole empty handed.

The Pooka sighed. Nothing was worse than an angry Tooth, especially when she went into overprotective mum mode, which she had adopted since Jack had joined. Shivering, he continued, hoping he'd find him soon, yet doubting it (did Tooth know how big the world was?).

Snow covered forests and blanketed mountains, frozen lakes and literal winter wonderlands, and Jack was no where to be seen. Bunny was losing hope (ironic) when he entered the Japanese mountains and saw a small, barely visible brown spec peaking out over a pile of snow - Jack's staff? His excitement increased as he ran over to the lump, but his hopes died down again when he reached it.

A stick. A plain, boring old stick, not even remotely resembling the boys Shepard's crook.

With increasing anger and annoyance, Bunny plonked into the pile of snow, not even caring how cold it was. "ARGHHHHH" Slamming his hands into the snow, he shouted into the vast expanse of nothingness. No one would hear him anyway. Why couldn't he have just remembered to tell Jack? Why could the little blighter not just be in an obvious place? Why was it so damn cold?! Why-

"Bunny?" The Pooka looked around, thinking he was going mad. He couldn't see anything but white for miles, where had that voice come from?

Jack peeked our from his snowy cocoon, eyes slightly drowsy from his sleep. He was quite happily passed out in his cold covering when he was suddenly awoken by a loud scream. Only his white fluffy hair was visible in the white landscape, and even that was barely visible. His connection to the snow allowed him to tell who was standing on it at all times, even if they were far away (which came in very useful at times).

"Bunny! Over here." He peeked his head up just enough that part of his blue hood was visible, which stick out vastly against the backdrop. Bunny's ears peaked up at that, searching for the origin of the voice. If you squinted hard enough, he could just about see him. Typical, just as he sat down. "What tha bloody hell are ya doin down there?"

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he fully sat up, running his hands through his wild hair in an attempt to shake the snow out. Bunny watched as the boy rose from the ground, like a phoenix from the ashes (admittedly, a bit less gracefully), with no sign that he was ever there - though Bunny couldn't see him there in the first place he was so deep under.

"Sleeping. What're you doing here?"

"Lookin' for you - do ya know how long I've been out here freezing ma ears - wait, do you not have a bed?"

"Why were you looking for me? Are the celebrations over?" His face dropped as he asked that, and Aster could see just how upset the bout was that he thought he hasn't been invited. It didn't escape Bunny's notice how Jack dodged the question.

"We haven't started! I were supposed to tell ya to get there at three and I forgot and now Tooth is mad and yer really don't want to see her mad and now I bet yer feel left out and that's my fault but it's not like we don't want yer there - heck we do but-"

"Woah woah woah, slow down Bunny! You... you did want me there?"

"Course we do Jack, yer a part of the family now. We dunno what we'd do without ya," Jack smirked as the Pooka nudged him, but didn't forget to add "but don't dare tell anyone that or I'll have you, understand?"

The winter spirit chuckled and nodded, Bunny stomping twice on the ground. He already felt like an ice sculpture and there was no way he was walking any further barcos the frozen wasteland.

"Ya joining me?"

With a nod, they were off down the tunnel and at the Pole in no time. Bunny immediately went to the fire and shoved his rear ended into its warm flames. Tooth fluttered over to the young spirit, checking here and there to make sure he was okay.

"Tooth, hey, I'm fine! I was just having a nap," She continued, lifting his arms up (like he was going to have been shot with an arrow in his armpit) Honestly Tooth, I'm okay."

"Okay, I was just checking."

"Ah Jack, you here. Let us begin feast!"

Jack had never seen the Cossack move so quickly, rushing over to the dining table. Foods of all sorts adorned the large oak bench (including vegetarian options for Tooth and Bunny - being animals themselves) and all of the Guardians mouth's were watering just looking at the gourmet dinner. They all sat in their seats, Bunny already reaching for the carrots.

"Jack, I just wanted to say sorry (on Bunny's behalf)," she sent him a deathly glare before continuing, "I hope you know that we do want you here, we wouldn't have dreamed of doing this without you. You're a part of the family now."

"Thanks guys, that means a lot. Merry Christmas, everyone."

"Merry Christmas, Jack." They all chimed in, even Bunny, who was shoving food in his mouth. Jack looked around the table at his family. Even if he had originally thought that they'd celebrate Christmas without him, he was wrong. They wouldn't trade him for the World. After all, he was family now, and they couldn't imagine life without them.

"Is okay, Jack?"

"Yeah just thinking."

"Okay, well eat up. If Bunny keeps going at this rate, there'll be none left!"

"Don't have to tell me twice!"

As they dug into the delectable food and the sun set outside, Moon couldn't help but smiling down on the the young Winter Spirit. He'd finally found his home.

Longer than I thought it would be... but Jack deserves to have a nice Christmas.

Hope everyone has had a fabulous day, whether you celebrate xmas or not.