Days after their first talk, Tooth and Jack had a long conversation at the tooth palace (much to Jack's dismay). Unsurprising to Jack, Tooth had been pretty insistent on trying to convince him to tell Bunny how he felt.

Jack had tried to protest. He wasn't ready to confess his feelings. Unfortunately for him, the fairy was convinced he could do it and that it would be good for him. She even went as far as threatening to tell their fellow Guardian herself.

The winter spirit frowned at the memory. Who knew the Tooth fairy would resort to blackmail? He should have figured she had a mean streak in her after he had watched her knock Pitch's tooth out the previous year.

Now, here he was, once again, messing up another training session with Aster. His feelings for his friend and knowing he had a limited time to confess them weighed heavily on his mind. Taking a deep breathe, Jack raised his staff, aimed, and his magic missed the the target by a fair distance. The young spirit groaned loudly. He knew he should have talked to Aster at the beginning of their time together, before training. He had tried to but just couldn't muster the courage.

Aster sighed heavily when Jack missed yet another target with his magic. He rubbed his temple wondering what could be the problem. Jack had been improving remarkably. His magic had grown stronger in his short time as a Guardian. The last few weeks, however, seemed to find him distracted. The young spirit had merely nodded when he had suggested they take a break and went to sit down next to a nearby tree.

Aster waited a few minutes before approaching his friend. "You're distracted again" the Easter spirit stated as he stood in front of Jack.

"I know " Jack groaned as he bent his head. "I'm trying."

"Ya want to tell me what's distracting ya?" Aster watched the younger spirit with concern.

"No!" Jack's mind screamed at him. "It's nothing." he shook his head.

Aster sat on his haunches in front of Jack. "It's not nothing kid" he placed a pawed hand on his friend's outstretched leg, just below his knee, trying to get the young man to look at him.

Jack jerked his leg away from the touch and scrambled to his feet, nearly falling over in the process. "I said it's nothing". He snapped. "And stop calling me a kid!"

Aster drew back, startled. His face looked hurt for a moment before turning cold. "Stop right there Frostbite," the Easter spirit began. Jack cringed at the use of the old nickname. He never did like it and Bunny hadn't used it since they became friends. "I'm just concerned about ya, no need to get twitchy."

Jack's eyes closed and he ran a hand through his white hair. "I know." He tried to calm himself. He really didn't want to have this conversation. "I.. I'm distracted." He gripped his staff tightly in his other hand and cursed himself. He knew it shouldn't be this hard.

Aster's warm, kind, green eyes met Jack's frustrated, sapphire ones. "It's alright Jack." He encouraged the young spirit.

Jack let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and ducked his head. "You." He grit out through his teeth. "I've been distracted lately because I've realized I like you and I keep thinking about it." He felt his face heat at the confession though he did feel as if a weight had lifted.

Aster remained silent for some time (too long, he was sure). He was surprised by what Jack admitted. He stepped forward, wanting to close some distance between them. "Jack, " He began but before he could say anymore Jack stepped back. The winter spirit shook his head sadly. He looked like he wanted to say something but remained silent. Then, without a warning, he was off the ground with a gust of wind swirling around him. Seconds later he was gone, too far away for him to hear anything Aster might say.

Cursing, as he realized Jack must have mistaken his lengthy silence as rejection or unrequited feelings, Aster turned to his home. He hoped he could clear things up soon.