Chapter 5: Ice Skating

The snow on the ground was fresh, barely a dusting over the already tread on white flakes. The coldness of it all bit at the pads of a certain six foot one rabbit's feet. Bunnymund was currently wandering around the forest just outside of Burgess, why you ask? Because he needed to find the little Frostbite to drag him up to the Pole to help North out. Apparently one of the elves had made the fire in his work shop so hot that most of the unused ice had melted. Needless to say North was not happy.

It took a while but soon the older Guardian had found Jack skating across the pond on his bare feet. At first he was going to say something, but the look of pure serenity on the younger immortal stopped him in his tracks.

Snow and frost danced across the ice as Jack seemed to dance to his own private orchestra, a tune only he could hear. Bunnymund couldn't take his eyes off the lithe form as it twisted and turned, gliding and glowing under Many's glow. It was like nothing the Spirit of Hope had ever seen. Ducking behind a tree he watched, mouth slack. It wasn't long before the look of serenity however was shattered by a broad grin and the youth spun quickly, throwing his legs out as he moved faster only to spring into the air.

Pressing his back against the tree Bunny felt the cold bark bite into his skin through parts of his thick fur, what was this feeling? Why was he couldn't take his eyes off the brat? All he ever did was make a mess of his Easters and freeze everything in sight. And yet this warmth...this heat that built up in the older Guardian's chest. It was foreign...he'd never felt anything like it. Raising a hand to his chest unconsciously Bunny let his eyes close, listening to Jack's laughter as he flew around. It wasn't until he felt ice suddenly flood the back of his head and heard the imps laughter much closer did Bunny realize that he had been caught.

"Playing hide and seek there Bunny?" Jack laughed as he landed not far, watching as the large Pooka shook his head to get rid of the snow from his fur.

"I wasn' hiding." Aster grumbled as he dusted the rest of the snow off of himself and looked back at Jack, green eyes daring him to throw another snowball.

"Really? Then what were you doing?" That flirtatious smile seemed to crinkle the corners of Jacks bright blue eyes, it was a look that Bunny had began to get used to. The Winter Sprite seemed to use it often when they were alone together...it was odd. Bunny must have stalled for too long because soon Jack was stepping forward, his smile turning to a look of confusion. "Bunny?"

"Huh? Wha? Oh! I was just getting here, North needs you to help him at the workshop. Something about the elves melting all his unused ice and him needing some more...or something like that at least." Turning his head away Bunny caught a few snowflakes dancing in the air...when had it started snowing again? When he looked around he noticed that it only seemed to snow around the two Guardians...and no where else. Looking back he noticed that Jack wasn't look at him. Instead he was looking down, his bare feet kicking at the snow. "Well?"

"Is that the only reason you're here?"

The words had been so quiet Bunny almost didn't catch them. Tilting his head Bunny leaned forward, trying to catch the look on the youths face. He'd never seen Jack so...melancholy. "Eh, come on Frostbite. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" The question was posed and instantly Jack seemed to shrink away once more.

"It's nothing, never mind." Turning around Jack moved to jump into the air only to be stopped by Bunny's paw wrapped around his upper arm. "Bunny, I'm fine-"

"How about we take the tunnel? Might be faster." Bunny could see it would take a while to get Jack to open up but that was fine, he'd figure out what was bothering the little imp sooner or later.

Two hours later the two of them were leaving North's workshop, Jack was laughing at Bunny who was still picking a candy cane out of his fur. turns out two of the other spirits were staying with North for Christmas, one of which was Jack...no not Frost. Lantern. The Halloween Spirit had flipped his coin and before anyone could stop it the blasted thing landed on 'trick'. Needless to say Bunnymund was not happy. Of course having someone lick a candy cane and then sticking it into your fur was bad enough...add in that he tangled the bloody thing up in said fur simply made it worse.

"Oh come on Bunny it's not that bad." Jack laughed, holding his stomach with his free hand as they walked.

"Not that bad? I'm going to end up with a bald spot on my side until it grows back!"

"Oh stop being such a drama-rabbit." The younger guardian continued to laugh as he stopped, moving to stop Bunnymund as well. "Here let me see it."

"No."

Jack looked up at Aster as the over grown rabbit hid his side from the others reach. "Really? Come on stop pouting and let me help."

It took a bit but soon Bunnymund moved his arm so that the other could get a clear view of the holiday confection stuck in his fur. "Just don't tear it out, mate."

"Don't be such a baby, I'll be nice." Jack laughed as he shook his head and began to lightly pick at the candy and fur that intertwined. Watching from above Bunnymund couldn't stop the warmth that filled his chest...again. It was odd, just having the younger Guardian there next to him seemed to make his heat beat quick...even as his side practically went numb from the cold hands that danced across his fur, ridding him piece by piece of the minty candy.

"There!" Jack exclaimed as he grinned and held up the largest chunk of the candy cane with a triumphant grin. "See, that wasn't so bad now was it?"

For once in his life Bunny was very glad that his fur covered any blush he may or may not have had...no instead his ears just tilted back as he looked at those glistening blue eyes. He felt his foot thump lightly on the ground, not hard enough to make much noise but enough to stir the snow there. It seemed to do nothing but make Jack laugh more. What is wrong with me? He's just a kid right? Sure he may have lived for over 300 years...but he's just another Guardian, just another spirit...isn't he?

"Hey! Lets go ice skating!" Jack tossed the sticky candy to the side before grabbing one of Bunny's paws and dragging him over to a small frozen over pond. For once...Bunny didn't fight the younger Guardian. He didn't have a reason to. After all...it wasn't so bad to relax and have fun every once in a while. He just had to remember that is all.

A/N: I know I know it's been a long time since I posted...and this is REALLY late, seeing as Christmas has come and gone. But it seems I had bit off more than I could chew at that time. I WILL be continuing this how ever. No matter how long it takes me it WILL GET DONE! I promise~!