Author's Note: Took a whack at writing a depressing fanfic again after, like, forever.

I have mixed feelings about the result of this one-shot, but the Jack and Bunny moments made up for it, I think. ='D

I hope you guys enjoy this one-shot. ='3

WARNING: Character death.

A Promise to Keep

"...Promise you'll always be there for me?"

The question was painfully earnest, so innocent, Bunny felt he was speaking to a child.

The Pooka's grip tightened on Jack's shoulder.

Locking eyes with the winter spirit's crystal eyes, he said, "I promise, Jack. You'll never be alone again."

The winter's spirit's smile could have outshined the sun.

…

"PIIIIITCH!"

With an infuriated roar, Bunny cut and slashed away at the thousands of nightmares tumbling and piling down upon him. Somewhere behind him, the other Guardians were also in combat, running on just as much adrenaline. The Pooka gritted his teeth, hacking his way through the tsunami of black, becoming increasingly desperate as he pushed forward. Somewhere, in the eye of the storm, Pitch was there.

With Jack.

Amongst the screeches and screams, Bunny could hear Pitch's diabolic laughter. His nightmares pressed forth. Bunny was bashed and shoved by the hooves and oceans of sand. A nightmare slammed its hooves on the side of Bunny's face. The world spun. His vision flickered. The sharp flavor of blood sparkled on his tongue.

All of this could have been avoided if he had told Jack to stay behind.

…

"What are you doing, Frostbite?"

The winter spirit was on his knees, head bowed to the ground. His staff lay at his side.

"Begging," Jack's muffled voice replied.

Bunny rolled his eyes and walked past the Guardian of Fun. "Sorry, but it isn't workin'."

His ears twitched as he heard Jack's footsteps follow him from behind.

"But Bunnnyyyyyyyyy," the winter spirit whined. "It's a Guardian mission. And I'm a Guardian! I need to come too!"

Bunny shook his head. "I'm too dangerous with the history you got with Pitch, mate. He's pretty ticked off with ya."

The winter spirit scowled and retorted, "Isn't that all the more reason for me to go?"

Bunny paused at a herd of eggs making their way to a painted river and took count. "It was a unanimous decision. Go and argue with North if you want to change things."

Something had been stirring in the depths of Burgess, and the Guardians had a feeling that Pitch was attempting to make his return. But to confirm their suspicions, they decided to investigate the Boogeyman's lair before taking any drastic measures.

Everyone…except Jack.

He hadn't taken the news lightly—the winter spirit hated being treated like a child. But the Guardians knew that if Jack were to show up with them, Pitch would take the invitation to do something terrible to him.

Suddenly, Jack was in front of Bunny, and the Pooka was forced to look. Jack's hand was clenched around his staff, his brow furrowed as he glared at the Guardian of Hope. Pure determination was etched in his features.

"I, the person in question, should be the one to make that decision," he said solemnly. "And I want to go. Pitch doesn't scare me."

Bunny's breath caught in his throat.

"The Nightmare King doesn't scare me!"

The parallels between Jack and his brother were astounding and terrifying.

Bunny recollected himself, deciding to take the more diplomatic approach. "Jack, we're not trying to leave you out," he said. "Pitch has been threatening all of us since we stripped his power. But as much as we were involved, you were the deciding factor that determined his downfall. He's after you, mate."

"I know. But I still want to go."

Bunny snapped. "Why?! Do you have a death wish?!"

Jack flinched, not expecting the Pooka's outburst. He looked away, and Bunny instantly felt guilty.

The Guardian of Hope sighed heavily.

"Look, mate. None of us want to leave you behind," he said gently. "But it's just too dangerous for you to come with us. We don't want you to get hurt."

"I know," Jack mumbled. "But if you guys are there with me, I don't have to be afraid, do I?"

Bunny hadn't been expecting that comeback. Jack was still looking at him, his gaze complacent.

Did he truly trust them that much?

"...I suppose not," Bunny responded slowly. In a beat, he chastised himself for falling into Jack's trap.

Quickly, the Pooka added "But that doesn't mean you're coming."

Jack pouted. "Come on, Bunny! I was so endearing!"

Bunny rolled his eyes and sat down in the grass. "Not endearing enough, I guess."

"BUNNY!"

The Pooka laughed for the first time during the conversation. "I know you want to come, Frostbite. But if I let you go, it'd have to be on the condition that you don't follow us in."

Jack was about to argue again until he processed what Bunny had said.

"Wait, what?"

Bunny tilted his head. "We can't stop you from coming even if we tried. But I think I can argue with North to pull a few ropes. You just won't be able to hop in on the action."

Jack's eyes widened. "Really?!"

Bunny shook his head. "Don't make me regret this."

Jack grinned, and he plopped down next to Bunny. "Wow, 'Roo. You've really gotten soft."

Bunny punched Jack's shoulder and the winter spirit yelped.

"Hey! That was a compliment!"

"Compliment my arse," Bunny scoffed. Jack giggled and he leaned back, taking in the luscious atmosphere of the Warren. It was silent for a few moments until Jack spoke up again.

"...Hey, Bunny?"

"Yeah?"

"You guys wouldn't leave me behind on purpose, right?"

Stunned, Bunny looked at Jack. His eyes were still on the rolling glades of the meadows, but his posture was stiff. His gaze was somber.

"...Why would we do that?" Bunny asked.

Jack shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I don't know. It was just a thought."

Bunny knew that was a lie.

It wasn't a thought—it was a memory.

Bunny softened and he placed a paw on Jack's shoulder. "Frostbite. We'd never leave you. Not now, not ever."

Jack's eyes sparkled as he swallowed thickly.

"...Promise you'll always be there for me?"

The question was painfully earnest, so innocent, Bunny felt he was speaking to a child.

The Pooka's grip tightened on Jack's shoulder.

Locking eyes with the winter spirit's crystal eyes, he said, "I promise, Jack. You'll never be alone again."

The winter's spirit's smile could have outshined the sun.

…

The Guardians managed to maneuver their way through the chaos. Hope and desperation pounding through their veins.

Jack was there. He was so close.

But there was no sign of him.

"WHERE IS HE?!" North exploded into the darkness. "WHERE IS JACK?!"

Pitch wasn't there, like they had originally thought. He was nowhere to be seen.

Bunny's ears and nose began to twitch like mad, trying to pick up any sign of the winter spirit. He had been right there.

Then, from a dark corner of the room came a broken cry.

In a blink, Bunny was dashing toward the sound. It was so faint, the other Guardian's hadn't picked it up, so they followed Bunny through the darkness, trusting he'd guide them to Jack.

He could smell him now. He was so close. Bunny's heart thudded against his chest as Jack's scent drew closer and closer until—

Bunny arrived first, and he froze.

Jack was broken and bloodied.

His staff cracked and torn

The regrets sped through Bunny's head like a tape.

He shouldn't have let him come.

He should have made him stay behind.

Bunny collapsed at the winter spirit's side; he was hardly recognizable. Pitch had clearly torched him—his eye was swelling and his skin was red in various areas.

Burns.

Frantically, Bunny ran his paws up and down Jack's figure, trying to stop the flow of blood from the multitude of punctures and cuts on his body.

He felt a fragile, chilly hand place itself against his chest.

Bunny froze and looked down at winter spirit managed a smile.

"...You're here…" he rasped.

Bunny felt his eyes sting but he forced himself to stay composed. "Shut up," he snapped, but his voice broke. "Shut up, and we'll get you outta here."

Jack's head lolled to the side, blood dripping from the corner of his lip. "...Sorry, 'Roo…should've…listened…"

"Jack, stop. You're going to be fine," Bunny cut him off. Why didn't he bring any first aid?! What could he use to patch him up—?!

Jack gripped Bunny's fur. "Aster."

Bunny's eyes met Jack's. His eyes were two drops of moonlight.

"You kept your promise."

And the winter spirit spoke no more.

The Guardians appeared behind Bunny. At the sight of Jack's motionless body, he heard Tooth stifle a sob. North dropped his swords. Sandy's golden glow faded into nothing.

Bunny gripped Jack and buried his head in his white hair. His eyes stinging with tears.

"Wow, 'Roo. You've gotten soft."

He had.

He had.

Author's Note: Rip, Jackie. ='D

Sooooo...yeah. Was it sad enough? Honestly, I thought it could be better, but I'm not going to hang up too much on this. XDD

I recently started to notice that I don't write as much depressing stuff in fanfiction as I do my original stories (*coughs awkwardly*)...so now I'm going to start changing that. XD

Don't worry, these stories won't won't be anything too serious (as in items that would qualify for an M rating), but I do want to spread my wings a bit. Anything that does contain particularly heavy topics will come with content/trigger warnings (obviously). Maybe we can get some more T stories piled into the inventory (considering that I only have four QwQ).

Also-I'm planning on getting a bit more in depth with the Guardians' backstory and lore...I know we got some through William Joyce's amazing Guardians of Childhood series, but there were still some things left untouched that I want to expand on through my own personal head canons. ='D So be prepared for some more lore-depth stories!

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this one-shot, and I'll see you all in whatever I post next. =3

Until the next story!

~BeyondTheMoon1203