E. Aster Bunnymund

-shyly pokes head around the corner- Hi...

"Hello, mate," Bunny said with a bemused grin. "What’re ya bein’ so meek for? Used to you hittin’ me in the nose with snow by now."

jackfrostofburgess

"W-well yeah… I guess do usually do that by now," Jack said quietly as he floated into the open of the warren, "Sorry haven’t been my self lately. Must be the heat. haha…" He laughed nervously. Jack had been feeling a little under the weather. Between getting used to being around the other guardians and the heat of summer, he’d been feeling more drained than usual.

#Ask the Bunny #jackfrostofburgess

Aster furrowed his brow as he approached the young Guardian, tipping his head a little to one side. He stood there for a moment, simply observing Jack for a moment.

"So what brings ya to my neck of the woods? Can't be the company," Bunny teased lightly, shifting to sit back on his haunches. "Pretty sure North would be better company and ya wouldn't have to worry about the heat."

batnerd-on-redbull-deactivated2

Rise of the Guardians gave me something to believe in.

A voice amongst a community I’d never known

And friends as loyal as any I’ve had before.

It may not be hyped up anymore,

But it still makes my heart swell when I hear the soundtrack,

Or sit down to watch the beautiful piece of art.

After all,

You don’t stop believing in the moon just because the sun comes up.

askladypitchiner

Truer words were never spoken.

-shyly pokes head around the corner- Hi...

"Hello, mate," Bunny said with a bemused grin. "What're ya bein' so meek for? Used to you hittin' me in the nose with snow by now."

#Ask the Bunny #jackfrostofburgess #Hi there! :D #Please forgive how slow I am #Sometimes I get caught up in RL things and such but I'd love to RP with you!

A New Form (closed rp)

Oh if he only knew. Jack had barely been able to understand it himself, but he had come to realize that yes, he did have feelings for the Pooka. They were hard to explain and it took him a lot of agonizing to realize that they were legitimate feelings. He liked Aster…perhaps more than he should. That was the reason why he had been so resolute in fixing what happened on Easter.

Bunny and Jack had actually…bonded somewhat when they were preparing for it, and he didn’t think he’d ever forget that look Bunny had given him when they were both settled in silence with Sophie asleep in the Pooka’s arms. It was a look that always warmed him right to his very center and back then, he hadn’t been sure why he had felt such a pang of desperation to fix what Pitch had ruined, but now that he looked back he knew.

"Rye bread huh? I haven’t had any of that stuff in ages..” he smiled, making his way over to the stew pot, taking up the heavy wooden spoon and carefully stirring it, watching with a slight grin to notice how it had started to slowly thicken up. Jack nodded when Bunny sent him to the pantry. Up onto his feet and he made his way over, giving a pleased grin at how comfortable his new body felt. Bunny’s words made his ears perk up and he looked over at him with a small smile. “Yeah..I guess you’re right…” His ears lowered as he thought about the confrontation in the South Pole. Jack figured that it was because of Bunny, because of what had happened that he could not accept the offer Pitch had given him.

A low huff came from him as he opened the door and looked over everything. “Hm, let’s see here..” he looked over the labels and pawed around a little before he found what he had been sent for. “Ah! There you are. C’mere you.” he grinned and pulled the jar of rye flour down, holding it close and secure as he hopped over to the counter and settled next to Bunny.

"Here ya go, one jar of rye flour." He opened the jar and grinned to see that there was a scoop already in it. "Just tell me how much you need Cottontail. I’ll be on flour duty." He smiled as he carefully grabbed the scoop and collected the flour, awaiting Bunny’s instruction.

"Just a cup'll do for now," Bunny said softly, still stirring the other ingredients together.

He'd done this a hundred times, each time alone and without an extra pair of hands to help. Adding the flour then stirring it in until he had a dough that he could knead. Aster nodded to Jack, asking him to add another cup from the scoop that was already in the container, then another plus a half.

"We're done with that one. Let me get what else we need, you can keep stirrin', mate."

It all felt so domestic, so natural to be here with someone and making something so simple as bread. Aster couldn't remember how many times he'd remembered making loaves of bread with his mother and sister. His father had taught him how to make stew, the pot currently bubbling away on the stove not very different from that first one he'd made with his father's help. It was these moments he missed the most, the sense of family that was hard to capture again.

While he had lost himself to his memories, Bunny had returned the rye flour to the pantry and retrieved the white flour. This he set on the counter and poured a cup into the bowl slowly. "Used to do this with my mum when I was a kit," he said with a light grin. "Would be lyin' if I said I didn't put a few paw prints around the burrow later."

He nodded to Jack to keep stirring, knowing that it would soon become a lump of dough. "Did ya always patter around with your bare feet, frostbite? Can imagine your oldies gettin' on ya about that."

Somewhat Obvious [closed with easterbunnymundrp]

“Really.” Jack clarified, even though his comment was silenced by the way his nose was booped by Bunny’s. He rolled his eyes at first, but then he leaned forward and rubbed his nose against his properly, giving him an Eskimo kiss. Between that sweet gesture and the little smile, Jack was plenty reassured, but he chose to continue his sentence anyway. “So it’s okay with you if I don’t have heat cycles or mating calls or anything like that?” Honestly he didn’t even know that he had hormone fluctuations when his moods changed, and he certainly didn’t know Bunny could keep track of them. He figured that ‘in the mood’ was when the desire to ‘not stop’. Just like he’d been moments ago, although he hadn’t grown hard in Bunny’s lap or anything.

That was more self-control than a lack of desire.

If anything having a hand on his backside encouraged Jack to squirm closer, ruining the distance he’d put between them by closing it. “Probably the carrots, right?” He teased, because despite the obvious innuendo Bunny did walk headfirst into that. “I just wonder why you stop me, is all… if you aren’t turned off by me or something. Is it just because you don’t know how? Because I don’t know how either. We’re even. Not that it matters. Can’t be that hard to figure out.”

#notamyth #I tried #Bunny is so awkwardddd

Aster smirked slightly. Just as he was sure Jack was tired of saying that he accepted the Pooka for who he was, it was still amusing to him when the tables were turned. Of course he didn't care if Jack wasn't like a Pooka. If he did, they wouldn't even be here and he wouldn't be working so hard to keep his body's natural reactions under control. That was harder than it seemed.

He was glad when Jack moved to close the distance between them, a chuckle leaving him. "I'm stoppin' myself more than anythin'," Bunny said with a very light shrug. Honestly, he wanted it to be natural but he felt that it would be easier if Jack initiated the contact. Bunny was always ready for action and the last thing he wanted was to press it upon Jack before he was ready.

Pressing a gentle kiss to his lover's lips, Aster pulled back to just look at Jack. It'd started out so hesitantly as he'd tried to come to terms with the fact that he had someone he cared about, someone who returned his affections and wanted to be with him in every way. Now he was trying to figure out how to move from kissing to something more intimate. It didn't feel like it should be that hard but it would likely be incredibly awkward that first time.

"Next time I'll let ya go as far as ya want, mate," he murmured, leaning in to nose at Jack's cheek before kissing it. Once more he gave into the urge to have his lips on his mate's, one kiss quickly turning into several. The time for hesitation had passed. He knew he loved Jack, he knew he wanted to be with him like this.

A New Form (closed rp)

Jack looked up at him with a small grin, tilting his head curiously at what the other had to say. “I promise, I won’t tell North.” He said with a nod as he adjusted the bowl and nudged at the canisters, fighting down a flush of color to his cheeks. Jack couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about how Bunny was speaking, something about how he was looking at him…it made him feel strange. Not in a bad way mind you, not in a bad way at all…he was just taken aback as he processed it all.

He stared up at the larger Pooka as he offered a paw and tilted his head, Jack ears tipping back as their eyes met and he gave a sheepish little smile. “I..couldn’t just let him stop.” He said softly, settling his paw on the other’s giving a slight squeeze, looking to the gesture before back up to Bunny. “Not after what happened….after what Pitch did…” He looked down quietly, withdrawing his paw. “It was my fault that everything went south…I wanted…I just wanted my memories so badly that I almost forgot what was important.”

Pale blue eyes lifted from the floor to meet Bunny’s gaze once more. “And I had to fix it…I just got you guys…I couldn’t lose you.” Oh wait, that sounded..He flushed just a bit. “Any of you…” He looked away with a soft sheepish laugh. “So..thanks Bunny…for letting me stay here..for..well all of this.” A gesture around before he gave him a smile. “S’nice to know you don’t hate my guts y’know?” Jack chuckled and then cleared his throat slightly. Okay, that was enough of making a sappy idiot of himself for one day.

"So um, what kinda bread are we gonna be making anyway Cottontail?" He asked as he looked over the ingredients, tilting his head. From what he could tell, they were all extremely high quality and he did his best to focus on them rather than the flush of his ears.

Bunny hadn't missed how Jack spoke about that awful time. He truly believed that it was his fault things had gone so badly but, when one looked at it after the dust had settled, it wasn't. Jack had gone after his memories because he'd spent so long living for himself that it was hard to live any other way. If anyone could relate to that, it was definitely Bunny himself.

He'd lived for himself for countless years and actually socializing with anyone was a rather new development. Well, "new" in the sense that it only happened in the past few hundred years. Time was an unusual concept for him after being alive for so long.

The other thing he didn't miss was how Jack singled out Bunny. It made him look up quickly, pretty much ignoring how his friend tried to back up and correct himself to include all of the Guardians. He honestly would have thought that it would be Jack that hated him and he'd have good reason to. After everything, why did the winter spirit work so hard to make sure that Bunny survived?

In an attempt to shake it off, Aster let out a slight chuckle and shook his ears to clear his head. "Just some old fashioned rye. I've been a bit hooked on it for a few weeks now." He turned to grab a few more ingredients and then poured some yeast from a nearby cannister into a bowl. This he filled up with water, hot water from the hot water spring he'd redirected for this purpose. "I've got some that'll go with our stew there. Could ya give it a stir?"

Aster didn't dare hope that maybe Jack cared about him more than the other Guardians. It was foolish to think that was really the case as none of the other Guardians had been as cruel as he was when Jack had been chosen.

He started going through the motions to make the bread dough, mixing the milk, sugar and salt together before turning to Jack. "If ya look in the pantry over there, you'll find some flour. All of it's marked so can ya get me some rye flour, mate?"

It was no good to shut down now. "It wasn't your fault, either. Ya needed your memories and Pitch's good at manipulatin' people when he wants somethin'." Shaking his head, he offered Jack a soft smile. "Ya made it all right so don't keep beatin' yourself up over it."

jackfrostishere-archive

Arranged Marriage AU || easterbunnymundrp

jackfrostishere-archive

Jack had already been walking in front of the two, minding his own business, when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. Before he could even make a remark or act out, he found himself being hefted over one shoulder, blue eyes widening at the suddenty of it. “Wha-” Then he heard a giggle, eyes trailing over to his little sister who seemed to be enjoying herself. He scowled down at her, making a cutthroat motion at her before she giggled and ran off ahead of them. Figures she was the one behind this.

"Ha ha," Jack muttered bemusedly as he tipped his head to the side, trying to glare at Aster as best he could but failed. Dammit. "You know you can put me down now, right?" But in all honesty, he didn’t mind it one bit. Sure the position was slightly uncomfortable, seeing as how his shoulder was somewhat digging right against his chest, but being kind of held in nicely toned arms made up for it.

"Mn, hope you’re amused…" Jack piped after a while, eyes calmly watching the rows of flowers they passed by. "Too bad I’m not some damsel in distress hm? Otherwise, I would have given you a ‘thank you’ kiss from saving me from walking~" He teased before he began to squirm around in Aster’s arms, slipping out as if he’d been sand in someone’s grip. "Ha! Looks like I win."

And, just as he turned to continue walking, he saw the eyes of everyone staring at them. Oh. Crap. Sure enough they’d seen the scene that just played out and that was the reason for their amused looks. “Ah,” Jack coughed, hoping to regain control and calm down the blush that he barely even noticed had formed on his cheeks. “Looks delicious you guys. Can’t wait to eat.” Then he walked on over to his parents’, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek while he father received a pat and a squeeze on his shoulders.

"Guess you two made up, hm?" His mother quirked, thinly shaped eyebrows raising in an teasing manner. "Y-Yeah.." Again, Jack felt himself heat up as the adults let out a chuckle, all moving to sit at the table. Of course, Jack sat at the other end of the table with Emma to his left and an empty seat for Aster on his right. He looked to the adults, his father sitting at the head of the table with his wife right beside him and the Bunnymunds’ on his other side. Typical.

"And now, we can all dig in!" His father exclaimed with his own award-winning smile. "Hope you all enjoy~" His mother piped as she began helping serve out the food. "Oh and boys’, there are some things we will need to discuss with you after dinner." Jack nodded, glancing over at Aster in the corner of his eye before he shrugged. What it would be about, he didn’t know. But he had a feeling it probably wasn’t going to settle right with at least one of them. "Okay."

#jackfrostishere #YAY for getting things done!#Sorry it took me a bit to get back to this. XD I decided to check before I wrote anything else and then I was all like 'WOO' when I saw the #Also I hope you don't mind me taking initiative here :x #Just seem to remember a getaway mentioned a while ago unless I was mistaken XD #Just tell me if it's wrong and I'll fix it :D

Aster was glad when Jack accepted that he'd been caught and was now being carried. The last thing he wanted was for him to start squirming in his hold, slip then crack his head on the floor. It was just simple fun and, to him, if they were going to be married then they needed to be friends at the least.

"Don't need ya to be some damsel, I'm just draggin' my fiancé to dinner like a good caveman," he said with a soft chuckle.

The walk wasn't long and he didn't hold Jack in place as he squirmed out of his grip. Aster nodded to everyone there, ignoring the stares. He was so used to them that he had long since cared that his behaviour was less than normal. He ruffled Emma's hair and patted Jack on the back before he moved to the table, sitting down beside Jack.

His eyes settled on the steak that was nearby, grabbing the plate and putting one on it before he heard that they would be spoken to after dinner. "Fine by me," Aster said with a light shrug. Honestly, what else could he say to that by now? Surprises were going to be par for the course from now on, he supposed.

Dinner was delicious and it was hard to choose what he liked more. Fancy food was all right but there was something to be said about a burger done on the grill. He enjoyed simple food and he was going to make sure that his cooks knew it when he inherited the family business. In fact, there were going to be a lot of changes his parents were likely to gripe about. A new generation would mean some changes in how things were run.

Fortunately, he wasn't so uncivilized that he wasn't above using a napkin. This he used to wipe his fingers off before leaning back lazily in his chair. "So, what's the big surprise now? If you're sayin' we're gettin' married tomorrow, I don't think we can get a cake made that fast."

"Aster!" his mother admonished though he could see she was grinning a little. "No, it's certainly not that at all. This goes back to what we were saying where you two need to get to know one another better."

He narrowed his eyes as he thought about what this could possibly mean. They didn't have to wait too long before his father chimed in with their next idea to get the two of them to be friendly together.

"We've arranged for a small vacation for you both to take. A getaway, if you will," Darnell said, giving a small nod to Jack's parents. "A weekend, only a few days really. No interference from us and you can enjoy a bit of quiet time to get to know one another and understand what makes the other tick."

Tipping his head to one side, Aster looked on indifferently. He could think of far worse things to happen, honestly. He wasn't sure what Jack would think of it but Aster wasn't going to argue that a getaway might be exactly what they needed. "No complaints here," Aster said with a slight quirk of his head. Looking to Jack, he idly wondered if there were going to be complaints from there.

Somewhat Obvious [closed with easterbunnymundrp]

A little lick to his neck? That was no big deal. It was the kiss that followed that had Jack reconsidering backing off and certainly had him curling his fingers into Bunny’s fur again. He closed his eyes and slumped down, so he wasn’t laying on Bunny’s head anymore. “Bunny,” he began sort of softly, but his voice gained confidence when he decided to ask his question. “Am I just not… your definition of sexy?” He asked, spitting that out sort of bitterly. “You know—since I don’t have the ears and the tail. You say it enough, I understand. We’re different. But too different..?”

Well he hoped not, but he just didn’t get it. What else could it be? Jack had made it clear a hundred times that he didn’t care, that he was attracted to Bunny as is. Maybe it wasn’t that. Maybe it was that Bunny wasn’t really all that attracted to humans? Not that it mattered. You could still love someone and not want to have sex with them. Right? “I mean, it’s fine,” He decided to clarify that one out loud. “If you don’t want to do stuff… you know, more than just what we already do, I get it. Human, not Pooka. I just… I mean, if you don’t want me to do… well if you don’t want that stuff you should really tell me now. You know? I deserve to know that, right?”

#notamyth #I was going to go all out and have Bunny flip them over but this felt better #Trying to be forward without actually being forward? XD

The question said with such a bitter tone made Bunny pull back slightly, his nose twitching. His ears went back and he shook his head. It was partly in disagreement and also partly him trying to figure out if he'd ever said such a thing before.

Furrowing his brow, Aster reached up to put his fingertips under Jack's chin. "Never said that you needed to be a Pooka for me to be attracted to ya. Bloody hell, frostbite. Any bloke or sheila with sense would look at ya and want you with 'em." It was probably the most forward he'd ever been about being attracted to humans. Some of them were quite attractive but none had captivated him quite like Jack Frost had.

"Look mate, I've never done anythin' like that before and I'm used to different body language. Knowin' when a doe's in heat isn't like a human who's ready to go whenever they want, ya lucky buggers." Bunny chuckled softly and leaned in to press his nose against Jack's. Yes, it was very different and he was still learning how Jack's scent changed so rapidly depending on his mood. He still couldn't discern when - or if - his lover had ever been interested in him in that way.

He pulled away just enough to look into Jack's eyes, smiling lightly with a gentle shrug. Deciding to take at least a small chance to show that he did indeed desire the winter spirit in that way, Bunny put his other hand on Jack's ass. "You'd be wrong if you're thinkin' all I want to do is kiss. Some things a rabbit's known for is a Pooka trait."

A New Form (closed rp)

Jack blinked to the larger Pooka when he quite matter-of-factly informed him that he had a home in the Warren. “Yeah..I guess I do.” Jack murmured with a smile. He had to admit, out of all the places that he could call his home, he was grateful that the Warren was the one that had been offered to him.

The young pooka settled back on his his haunches, nose quivering slightly as the vegetables were added carefully to the stew. He could always smell it and his stomach was eager for a good meal, especially after this trying day. Swapping species wasn’t exactly an easy thing to do and his body was craving something heavy in nutrients to make up for the new fast metabolism that he now possessed.

He was drawn out of his staring at the pot by Bunny requesting him to wipe down the board. Jack shook out of his stare and nodded, lifting the board and rather making his way to the sink. It was a bit awkward but nowhere near as bad as when Bunny had found him. He grabbed the dishcloth and did just that, using a bit of warm water to wipe it down. Maneuvering it out of the sink, he toweled it off and made his way to the island with it, settling in down just in case it was needed.

He settled himself next to the other so that they could begin the preparations for the bread, perking a brow when Bunny questioned him. A bright laugh pulled from him before he answered “Yeah I’m sure…” he smiled, a snicker in his throat. “If you start doin’ that, I’ll just have to dump snow on you when you’re napping, or I’ll freeze the dye river solid~” He gave a wicked grin then before a slight wink. “But that’s only if. Besides….It’s way more peaceful here than anywhere else I’ve stayed.”

Jack gave a slight nod and a chuckle. “It’s way too chaotic at North’s…the Yeti’s are busy all the time making all kinds of racket and the elves are nosy. On Sandy’s island, the mermaids that hang out there are always trying to drown me.” he frowned at that. “I’ve had enough of that for one lifetime, so I tend to stay away from there when Sandy’s not around…and as for Tooth’s..well..” He gave a snicker. “Could you see me trying to get -any- rest around there with tiny fairies in my face 24/7 wanting to see my teeth? Let alone Tooth herself..she’s always pokin’ her fingers in my mouth.” A slight wiggle of his nose. “You and me…we get along well enough..I like to think that even though we’re not…super close that we at least understand one another?” He asked, his voice sounding…a bit small, perhaps a little unsure and a twinge of hope lingered in it as he looked up at Bunny then. It was a rather gentle look, a hopeful one…rather reminiscent of the one Bunny himself gave the lad that Easter when he almost became lost.

There was a more than decent amount of relief that washed over Aster as he heard the cons of staying in the other Guardians' domains. Jack was right about North's right away. The place was work practically around the clock and it surprised even him that North managed to get any sleep in that racket. Sandy's island was a bit of a surprise. Bunny had admittedly spent precious little time there but mermaids weren't always the kindest of creatures despite the stories saying otherwise. Tooth was just as much endless work as the Pole with the added bonus of Tooth's crush being spread to her tiny workforce.

As for the Warren... There was one occupant and a small contingent of egglets. The egglets were usually busy with menial tasks but sometimes they would stop to have fun. Bunny couldn't guarantee they wouldn't use a certain snow-white Pooka as a new place to play. He doubted that Jack would mind as they were harmless and more in line with the winter spirit's kind of fun.

"Pretty sure we understand each other better since ya helped that one Easter." Yes, that was good, right? Let Jack know that he'd been in Bunny's favour for a lot longer than he'd been a Pooka. Aster took in a small breath then let it out slowly through his nose. "Ya don't hear me say this too much and if ya let North know, I'll never hear the end of it."

He paused, not for dramatic effect. It was simply very difficult to get these words out.

"I was wrong about ya." He put up a hand and inclined his head slightly. "Ya still snowed out my googies but I think I can understand why ya did it now. You made up for it by helpin' Jamie believe again. Givin' you a home here in the Warren's the least I can do for ya, mate."

Somewhat Obvious [closed with easterbunnymundrp]

Kissing Bunny created heat. Friction. It was warm. He was sure it was a comfortable springtime temperature in the Warren, but it felt like a hundred degrees between the two of them. Then Bunny mentioned melting. That sort of sounded like Bunny asking to stop. It wasn’t offensive, Jack wasn’t mad. Well, he was a little into it and kind of really just wanted to continue, but he wasn’t mad. He was thrilled to have come this far.

He shifted so that his hands were just resting on Bunny’s shoulders, with his elbows locked. It put an arm’s length of distance between their faces, at least, and allowed Jack to catch his breath. He took in slow breaths, admiring everything about Bunny. He was kind of perfect. Sure, Jack understood. They weren’t the same. When Jack sat in his lap like this he was a blatant symbol of “abnormal”, because he wasn’t a big furry bunny too. He contrasted so much that Bunny almost always mentioned it…as he had just now.

“If I did it would be because you’re so hot.” He decided to tease back. He knew it meant stop, but he assumed that meant ‘stop kissing’ not ‘stop existing’. He let himself catch his own breath, didn’t really pay attention to Bunny’s. Just, in fact, moved so he was sort of standing on his knees instead of sitting in his lap. It allowed him to kiss his head, which was the intention. On a human, at least, the scalp transferred temperature easily. He figured a little kiss on the head with a minor chill behind it would help cool off the heat that had formed between them. After that he just rested his cheek on his head and hugged it, which might have seemed dumb too, but it kept him from kissing him, right? Because one kiss would probably trap Jack right back into more kissing, until he was crossing the line again. “I can’t actually melt. Just so you know. I’m not a snowman.”

#notamyth #Shhh it's okay I don't mind XD #But here have a Bunny trying to get past his awkwardness

Though he knew that he was the reason Jack was retreating, Bunny let out a soft snort of irritation. He hated pulling back, he hated being so cautious about...well, everything. It was part of his nature to be wary of new experiences. It was also part of his nature to be curious and that tended to work against him in situations such as these.

Just looking at his lover the way he sat on top of him, trying desperately to ignore how his body rubbed against him just so made him wonder. What would it be like if they went beyond heated kisses? Would Jack even want that sort of thing or think about it? Well, maybe he did think about it but never brought it up.

Jack kissing his head made a small chill run through him and Bunny shook himself slightly. Just thinking about things was going to get them nowhere. The way that his lover rested himself on top of the Pooka's head made him chuckle, his tongue darting out quickly to lap at Jack's neck. It was an automatic reaction but he was sure it wouldn't be unwelcome. Perhaps an odd and inhuman action but the winter spirit had made it very obvious that he didn't mind such things.

"I'd be more worried if ya said you've melted before. Don't think it'd be nice for ya to wear some magic hat so you don't turn into a puddle," he said with a light smirk.

Unable to help himself, he kissed gently at Jack's neck. Embarrassing as it was, he knew he had to broach the subject somehow. Bunny took in a soft breath and let it out slowly. "Ya didn't need to stop just because I opened my mouth," he said, pretty much giving Jack the chance to keep going. No matter what happened, whether they went beyond kissing, his desire to be closer to his lover won out over his fear of the unknown.

A New Form (closed rp)

Though Bunny had nearly brought the lad to tears with his stab at his lack of believers, it was just par for the course with them really. Ever since that winter storm, Bunny and Jack had been constantly at one another’s necks with biting insults and snarky remarks.

But that moment in the Tooth Palace had really confused Jack, opened his eyes a bit that perhaps…Bunny didn’t hate him as much as Jack thought he did. He had been taken aback by not only the sheer ferocity in the Pooka’s voice, but also when Bunny had bolted past him, putting a paw on his arm to tug the sprite slightly behind him.

That small act had been one of many that had caused him to turn Pitch’s offer down. He had wanted to accept, badly, but..he couldn’t. Pitch just wanted him for his power, the Guardians did as well. He was stuck in the middle of a struggle, but it was his hope for redemption in the eyes of the Guardians that had caused him to say no. He’d told no one of what had been said, how close he had been to just…giving in.

He probably never would unless asked.

Jack gave a soft laugh as Bunny spoke of the stew. “Well…I didn’t really have a home so..there wasn’t a way to cook.” A slight shrug of his shoulders. “So I got what I could. Jamie and Sophie would leave me snacks here and there too.” He smiled a bit at the thought of the Bennett children. They were good kids and he loved them to bits.

Heeding Bunny’s word, he nudged aside a few of the carrots and finished up the slicing, putting the coins in a bowl and handing it over. At the mention of making bread, he grinned and nodded. “Sure! I…remember that back before I was Jack Frost…I used to help my mother make bread all the time so..I don’t mind at all Cottontail~” he said with a smile.

Bunny’s fear was correct, Jack was fully convinced that the only reason why that this content interaction between them was happening was because of his change of species…and Jack was okay with it. If he had to give up being a human spirit to feel like he fully belonged…then he would.

#snowballs-n-funtimes #snowballsnfuntimes

"You've got a home here, mate." Aster knew that to be true and, if it wasn't him offering it, he was sure Tooth or North would have gladly welcomed the young Guardian into their abodes. North especially was quite fond of Jack, speaking of the winter spirit as a father would talk about their son.

He busied himself, pouring his chopped veggies into the pot which hadn't even begun to boil yet. Bunny took the offered bowl and nodded once with a light smile, tipping its contents into the pot as well. It was a silent approval that they'd been done well and there would be no "fixing" here.

Once the potatoes were in, Bunny covered the pot half way with its lid then moved away from the stove. He sat in thought for a moment before turning to a cupboard and pulling down a few cannisters which he awkwardly put on the island that they'd been working on. "Give that board you've been usin' a wipe in the sink, frostbite. Let's get started on this bread for tomorrow mornin'."

As what usually happened, Aster's thoughts had turned inward on himself. He'd never treated Jack fairly yet he was still here, being friendly and obviously enjoying himself. Yet there was still that worry, the thought that his friend would take all of this the wrong way. It was a legitimate worry considering their history, mostly on Aster's side. He was prickly, uncooperative and stubborn - that was only just scratching the surface of their problems.

"Are ya sure you'll be happy stayin' here in the Warren?" Bunny asked suddenly, casting a quick glance at Jack. "Know we haven't always seen eye-to-eye or anythin' like that. You've got no reason to go trustin' I won't start decoratin' you with flowers once you're out."

A New Form (closed rp)

Jack laughed softly as he finished up the potato he was working on, pondering on grabbing another one, but chose instead to simply listen to Bunny as he spoke. “Heh, no. I didn’t think you were joking Bunny, and hopefully I’ll get as good as I used to be and I can be as quick as you. I’ve seen you run.” He grinned widely then. “Like that time Abby chased you all around Jamie’s room.” Oh that had been positively hilarious. If he could have gotten pictures of that night he would have kept them in his hoodie at all times.

At the mention of Pitch, Jack gave a soft laugh and rolled a potato around in his paws carefully. “By..the way. I never did get a chance to thank you for back then…when you stood up for me in the Tooth Palace” He glanced up at him with a small smile and back down at the potato, putting it down and wiping his paws on a nearby towel. “So..yeah…” A sheepish laugh then, ears down. “Thanks.”

When Bunny started up the fire, Jack gave him an understanding look and took a small step to the side to avoid the warmth. He’d be fine as long as he didn’t linger too terribly long. He grabbed the clean carrots and resisting the urge to just nibble on them as they were, he set to work rinsing them off and soon he was at Bunny’s side again, deftly slicing them into coins. “Heh, it’s been a while since I’ve had stew of any kind. Usually I just snag some bread or snack cakes when I feel hungry.” Which honestly wasn’t all that often, but a homemade stew would be much more welcome than a pilfered loaf of day-old bread.

Though he ignored the jab about being chased around Jamie's room, the one thing Bunny couldn't ignore was a moment he thought Jack might have easily forgotten.

It wasn't like he'd blame him if the winter spirit forgot. Only a short time before that moment, Aster had been saying the same thing in a not-so-kind manner. In fact, that was the one reason he'd tried to deflect Jack's apology during Easter and even complimented him. Regardless of what had happened afterwards, Jack had single-handedly saved Easter at a time the Guardians had been all but cut down to nothing.

"Not a problem, mate," he said quietly, shoving the potatoes into a large bowl nearby.

It took a moment before he cleared his throat then nodded at the nice cuts that his friend was making. "I like makin' sweets but need somethin' hearty to fill the belly more than a few pastries." Bunny grinned. He turned to a small box which he opened, pulling out a large can of broth that he poured into a pot sitting on the stove. "We've still got a lot of prep work goin' in so hold back a few carrots if ya feel like munchin' while this stuff boils up."

Celery, leeks, onion and garlic were grabbed as he took another spot beside Jack, starting to chop them up as well. "Hope you'll like this. Just lucky Pooka can eat bread or cakes as long as there's no cacao in it." That brought something to mind and he turned to the young Guardian with a hopeful look in his eyes. "Maybe you'll like makin' some fresh bread with me later. I've got some I made up this mornin' but I need to make the dough for tomorrow's. Could use some extra hands if you're up for it."

Friendly. Perhaps he was being too friendly? It'd been so long since he'd felt this comraderie, a connection with someone. It no longer mattered to him to keep up the front that he disliked Jack as that wasn't the case at all. However, he wondered how odd it was for Jack to see Bunny eager to spend time with him, likely getting the wrong impression that it took him being a Pooka to get this friendship with him. If only he wasn't so awkward around people...

injureddreams

Happy Bday the-guardian-of-fun~ (Its still the 4th here)~

I hope you had a great time today with friends and loved ones :>

*throws confetti* Happy Bday Sofi~

A New Form (closed rp)

At the mention of his staff snapping in half, he winced slightly, ears pinning. “Yeah..I already had that happen once and it felt like someone had cut my heart out…I’d rather not do that again..ever.” A shudder as he continued to peel the potatoes, glancing up at him with a smile. “Heh, I’m sure you’ll give me lots of races to keep me on my toes right Bunny?” A gentle nudge with his elbow as he swiped the last bit of peel off of the potato he had, gently putting it down and plucking up another one.

Jack’s ears perked slightly at the mention of chocolate and he grinned slightly. “If I can remember my way around Pitch’s lair, I think I’ll be alright.” He teased back, smiling as he slowly worked the knife around the root, settling down on his haunches comfortably. His movements were slowly becoming more smooth, the panic of being in a body that wasn’t his own having ebbed away.

He was safe here with Bunny, the other Pooka was giving him a guarded place to sleep so that the other winter spirits wouldn’t be able to ambush him, not to mention making it so he was able to use his weapon without risking it breaking. Jack honestly didn’t know how he’d ever be able to thank Bunny enough.

"Think we could get some sparring in too? This body’s a bit…bigger and heavier than what I’m used to dealing with…and if I’m gonna fend off the other winter spirits I gotta know how to handle myself.." he gave a slight nervous chuckle then. "Or I might end up someone’s new pair of bunny slippers."

#snowballsnfuntimes #snowballs-n-funtimes #OH YEAH I meant to say that I did get your message about Skype #I will add you when I next log on...whenever that is XD

Placing another cob of corn on his growing pile, Aster reached for another and pulled down the husk as he mulled over everything.

Jack had once had his staff split and it actually, physically hurt him. That meant the object was tied to him in some way or another, probably because of the magic that the Man in the Moon had used to bring the young Guardian back from death to become a spirit. It made it even more important that he do it right the first time and make sure that no harm came to that staff. Fortunately, Pooka's strides were long and carrying the staff vertically on his back would prevent any damage.

The request brought Bunny out of his thoughts and he nodded lightly. "Ya think I was jokin' when I said I knew tai chi, mate? Teaches you balance and ya learn how to move quick when you're not thinkin' about it." Though he desperately wanted to show off, he thought better of it. He could easily take the corn, toss it up and catch it all in one fluid motion in the pot he'd be boiling it in.

"You won't be givin' anyone a pair of Pooka slippers. Besides, keepin' a Pooka's foot isn't so lucky, just ask Pitch," he said with a wry grin.

Bunny filled the pot he was going to use with water then set it on the stove nearby, bending over to open the front of it. It was a wood stove and he threw a couple of logs on the fire, stoking it to life quickly. He smiled apologetically at Jack, silently requesting forgiveness for the heat but it was needed for a good dinner.

Grabbing the corn and placing it in the pot, Aster brushed off his hands. "You've seen me fight, frostbite. Once ya get movin', you'll find out that you're not as heavy as ya think you are." He grinned and picked up a knife, going to the pile of potatoes and starting to quickly chop them into cubes. "If ya keep peelin' all those potatoes, we'll both be gettin' bigger. Grab a few of the carrots and rinse 'em off, mate. You can cut 'em into discs then."

A New Form (closed rp)

Jack admired the kitchen and lingered at the door feeling…a bit out of place. “Heh, nah, I won’t make it snow in here..promise.” He was much too happy to have a home than risk ruining it. “Well..maybe a little snow…for the flowers that like it.” he said with a slight mischievous grin, knowing that he was going to have a lot of fun here. Especially around Easter~

At Bunny’s behest, he made his way inside, settling next to the other with a grin. He took up the towel to do just that, taking the vegetables gingerly and rubbing the moisture off oh so carefully. He gave a slight laugh, nudging Bunny slightly. “Yeah, I mean it’s been a few hundred years since I did but..I think I can remember how.” He smiled a bit up as he glanced about, spying a knife. He took the blade and grabbed one of the potatoes setting to work.

Carefully the peel was removed in one long ribbon, Jack talking as he worked. “I guess the next while leading up to my sleep is gonna be getting me used to bein’ a Pooka huh?” He glanced up at him with a slight grin before putting a now bare spud aside and picking up another one to peel it. There was something..domestic about this that Jack liked; the two of there weren’t fighting, they were just…talking..like the Easter when they had fought Pitch.

"Think you can help me figure out how to carry my staff around? I mean it was easy when I was a human but…heh, since I kinda gotta run on all fours now it’s gonna be a liiittle harder to manage." A slight snicker as he recalled earlier. "I don’t wanna run around all the time with it in my mouth like a doofus." Another potato down, another plucked into deft pale paws.

#snowballsnfuntimes #snowballs-n-funtimes #Good because I return with another reply! XD

Bunny watched as Jack peeled the first potato, nodding once in satisfaction before turning to the corn and starting to remove the husks. It was with a practiced ease that he plucked out the fibrous strands before setting the first one aside.

"I can make ya somethin' like I'm usin'," he said, gesturing to his bandolier. "Might have to make a wide back on it so your staff goes vertical, not diagonal. Catchin' it on the edge of a hole might snap the thing clean in half. Don't think ya really want that so I'll have to start measurin' ya to work somethin' out."

Even standing here talking, his mind was rife with ideas for it. When would Aster ever get the chance to make such a thing for another Pooka again? Probably never. No one could blame him for thinking about it now when he had another of his kind standing right beside him. They were doing things that hadn't been done in a pair for millions of years, it was hard not to fall back on long since buried memories of doing this with his siblings and parents.

Setting down another cob of corn, Bunny picked up another and gestured with it while he spoke. "Gettin' used to bein' a Pooka shouldn't be hard. Once ya get the hang of things, you'll be runnin' and flyin' circles around anyone." Including himself, he realised. It was going to be a lot harder to keep that snow out of the Warren.

Clearing his throat, Aster returned to his work. "Once you're good for runnin', I'll give ya the real tour of the Warren. This kitchen's usually used for chocolate prep once I get a test batch goin'." He shot a slight grin over to Jack before pulling off one side of the husk from the corn he was holding. "This place is big enough to get lost in so I'm hopin' you've got a good memory. You get lost in here and it might take me a month before I find ya again." He was teasing but a little bit of worry would save them both trouble.

A New Form (closed rp)

"Wow…" Jack said, eyes a bit wide with wonder, smiling even wider. "Seriously..you should talk to Sandy, see if you guys could get your story into a writer’s dream.." He laughed a bit and nudged him. "Then you guys would have even more believers~" Jack gently put the last of the vegetables into the basket and loped along with him, staying close at his side. "Heh, magic and aliens~ the Man in the Moon couldn’t have chosen better to guard the kids if you ask me."

Jack paused when Bunny..apologized…actually apologized for not finding him sooner. He smiled, ears lowering as he walked along with him to the front of the garden, giving an almost shy sounding laugh. When he spoke of their first meeting, Jack couldn’t help but snicker. “Pft, what? You thought you were gonna scare me off?” He teased, poking the other in the side playfully. “I spent almost my whole life running from wendigos and all other sorts of horrible stuff, a yelling giant rabbit was sort of a welcome change.” A smirk spread over his face and then eased away when him being a Guardian was mentioned

"And…thanks..I’m glad I do. I was…honestly, a little worried for a while there." He admitted, giving a slight sheepish laugh and then smiled again. "When we first met, I didn’t know what to think of you..the fact that you were a giant rabbit was a surprise…but you didn’t want to kill me. Maybe maim me a bit or box me around the ears but…" A look up at him then ears pinned back with a small smile. "You saw me…and every time that we met and butted heads it felt like I was real…at least..for a little while." He looked down at the ground then.

If Bunny was spilling all this about himself, he should at least do the same. “I missed you when you were gone..things were..kinda boring without you around to argue with..and now that we can talk like this…it makes me wanna spend even more time here with you.” He lifted his gaze back to him with a smile “Guess that’ll happen since apparently I’m gonna be living here with you now huh?”