Joud914 - Absolutely he will, why else would Bunny do something nice for Jack?
A warm spring breeze rustled through the clearing, the sweet smell of the new season drifting in a haze and whispering the flowers out of their winter slumber. New flowers bloomed across the newly green grass while the trees began to shed their winter coats. It was the middle of the day and the sky glowed without so much of a wisp of a cloud, the vibrant sun happy to finally be seen again. Small yellow bulbs sprang the clearing into life as any last traces of the cold winter dissipated at the girl's touch.
She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, looking as fresh as the new spring season. She had a round face and kind green eyes which matched the shade of the dewed grass. Freckles scattered her cheeks like stars in the night sky, so bright and leading like a beacon to a sailor on a dark night.
Blonde braided hair trailed down her shoulder sewn with daisies to make a crown, which faded down her torso and guided into her dress, which seemed entirely made of petals. The delicate scales cascaded her figure and shifted with grace at her every move as though they were a living, breathing part of her. Gently hovering above the ground, the girl hummed, twirling a stray strand of her hair as she smiled at the blooms.
Jack watched curiously from afar, perched on a hidden tree branch. This wasn't like any human he had seen which must mean… No, there was no one else like him, was there? He certainly hadn't come across anyone else yet, but that didn't mean the possibility wasn't there. If she were like him, it would only make sense that he go and introduce himself. But a shadow of doubt lingered in his mind, telling him this could only end in another failed attempt at communication, another person to walk through him and leave a staggering pain in his heart.
He wasn't sure he could do that again. Still, she was so pretty – the earth seemed to light up at her touch, the heavy weight of his winter fluttering away to be replaced by new colour. Just the thought of being seen made up his mind and he silently called to the wind as he jumped from his branch. It caught him effortlessly in one swoop, placing him softly on the grass a few paces behind the girl, who was oblivious as she continued to survey the area.
Frost patterns spread out at his feet, tendrils swirling away from him towards the delicate purple flowers. He sucked in a breath.
"Hi." A single word was all he could manage. He looked on for a second, not especially disappointed at the lack of response. What else was he expecting? He was so stupid, of course she couldn't see him, why would he ever think she would-
"Hello," came the reply in a slightly accented voice, spoken so softly as though he were a baby she was scared to frighten. Her green eyes gazed down in curiosity at the ice patterns spiralling from beneath the boy. "I'm Florence. What's your name?" She held out her hand for him to shake, but the winter spirit was too stunned at the reply to tear his gaze away from her face. He was afraid she might vanish if he looked away like she was just a dream or a figment of his imagination.
"You're supposed to shake it." She giggled at the astounded look he gave her as she took his hand into her own and gave it a light shake. He knew he should move, reply, anything, but he was stood frozen at the contact. Her hand was slightly warm, just like the breeze she carried with her. His own wind gave him a little push forward before softly flowing around the other spirit as though to say hello.
"Let me guess, you're new?" Florence chuckled as she smoothed out the petals on her dress, glancing at the suddenly aware boy.
Embarrassed, Jack sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks turning red in answer to her question. It had been around fifteen years since he was risen by Moon, but he never normally stayed once his season was over. Somehow, it had never occurred to him that there would be other seasonal spirits, just like him.
"Judging by the state of my grass, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you're Winter?" The comment wasn't made with any ounce of hostility, but Jack couldn't help but feel like he was in trouble.
He absently called to his wind which lifted him an inch off the ground, albeit shakily. He looked at her apologetically. "Sorry about that, I haven't quite got the hang of it yet." There was no lie, just last week he'd accidentally frozen his foot and it had taken a good day to thaw.
"Don't worry about it –?" She trailed off, looking at him expectantly and it took him another second of staring at her before he realized what she was asking.
"Jack." He replied. It was the first time he'd spoken his name aloud and it felt foreign on his tongue.
"Well, Jack, it's lovely to meet you." Warm wind picked up around them as she floated off, looking back at him and ushering him to follow. She reached out, stroking a tree as they drifted. Rejuvenated life sprung into the wood; the scratched, darkened bark transforming like a shedding snake to reveal a fresh layer. "What are you doing about so late into spring? Is it not getting too warm for you?"
She stole a glance at the boy, a slight bit of perspiration growing on his temple. "I don't normally stay this late." He replied, eyes still glued to the tree. He'd just witnessed magic. "I confess, I was intrigued. I've never seen so many colours in one place." He eyed the flowers blooming around him, thinking of the blank expanse he'd usually be flying around by now. "The white can get a little lonely now and again."
Florence gazed at him sympathetically. She couldn't imagine her life without so much colour. A fresh start after winter, bringing new life to the world. Everywhere she turned, her senses were invaded by the sweet smell of sap, fresh dew on the grass, and the oak of the trees as the breeze drifted through.
She stopped, her feet lowering to the floor as she stooped to pick a small purple flower from the earth below her. Pressing it into her palm, she closed her eyes in slight concentration. A soft glow radiated from within. With her other hand, she took Jack's palm and gently pressed the flower into it. Small frost tendrils crept onto the petals at his touch, but softer this time. Each ringlet resembled a chain of snowflakes woven together, an exquisite balance of spring and winter.
"It's a crocus," she smiled softly, a hint of sadness in her eyes for the lonely boy who seemed so touched at such a small token. "Very common in spring, one of my favourite flowers."
Even his breathing appeared more delicate, as though afraid it would crumble in his palm any second.
"It'll never wilt." She couldn't help but notice a small tear drift down his cheek.
"Thank you, it's beautiful." Jack said, truly touched by the gift. He smiled, his eyes creasing in silent delight.
The warm wind swirled behind them, giving the spring spirit a gentle shove – an urge to keep moving. Florence sighed, she really had best be going.
"I have to be on my way now, Jack." Emotion crept into his face upon hearing his name again. She spoke gently, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving it a small squeeze. "I hope to see you again soon."
"And you," he replied, slight sadness showing at her departure, but immense happiness at his first conversation that wasn't one-sided or aimed at the Moon. "Thank you again."
Petals stirred beneath her in a tidal wave of motion, following the spirit into the air like a trail of tiny birds. They waved goodbye and suddenly she was gone, the torrent of petals floating back down to the ground.
Hours later, when the sun had set and the only light came from the moon and the stars, the winter spirit could still be seen. Perched against a tree in the clearing, he had dozed off to sleep, the purple flower grasped delicately in his hands. And years later, long after the defeat of Pitch Black when Jack held a room at Santoff Clausen, the same small flower perched on his bedside table, the beautiful purple petals still as alive as the day he was given them.
Without a doubt, it was the best gift he had ever received.