Hunter: Chapter 1

"What's with you?" yawned Jack, Aster's rib-crushing grip rousing him out of his shallow sleep.

"I don't know." Purred Aster. "But ya smell so good right now. Ridiculously good. Joy is napping, so why not?" Jack rolled over, burying his face in Aster's soft, furry chest.

"Warm…" he sighed, curling into Aster's body heat. Suddenly he felt his stomach roll, blue eyes popping open. Aster barely had time to register as Jack ripped away, disappearing into the bathroom, the sound of retching bringing him to his feet. He rubbed Jack's back while he emptied his stomach contents, worry mounting as he felt Jack's higher than normal body temperature. He felt too warm, at least for a winter spirit, and paired with a hot sweat Aster was already planning an immediate departure to Santoff Claussen. Finally Jack finished dry heaving, and felt strong enough to sit up.

"Jack-"

"I don't think lunch agreed with me." Groaned the silverette. "I think I need to hide in snow for a few hours…"

"Maybe ya should see North." Suggested Aster. Jack shook his head.

"It's probably nothing." He said. "Maybe some cooler air will make it a bit better. I think I'll go visit Jamie."

"Visiting when you're Technicolor yawning-"

"It's winter there." He said. "Cold would feel amazing. Besides, I can easily get back from there. I know where the tunnel is." Reluctantly, Aster let him up.

"Okay, but if ya get sick-"

"Come home." Finished Jack, grabbing his staff. "I'll be back in time to tuck in Joy." After rinsing his mouth, he kissed Aster on the nose and flew off, mind filled with questions.

What's wrong with me? I mean, throwing up a few times, it's a bug but every day over two weeks? Thank MiM Aster hasn't seen the other times.

"Jack!" Jack squeaked, a snowball hitting him in the shoulder. Down blow Jamie and Sophie were waving, their back yard filled with snow people and foot prints.

"Hey kiddo." He said, landing on the fence. "How was Christmas for ya?"

"Awesome!" said Jamie. "North always knows the perfect thing! Sophie LOVES her Easter Bunny plushie. It really looks like Bunny!"

"Did you bring Joy?" asked Sophie, looking up as if to see a furry white head pop out of his hoodie at a moments notice.

"It's her nap time." Said Jack. "Just out for some fresh air, actually. Getting kind of stuffy in the Warren."

"So you and Aster had an argument."

"Actually, no." said Jack. "Heat's been getting to me. My stomach hasn't been too happy with me lately. I thought a bit of snow and cold air would help."

"Your tummy is sick?" asked Sophie, looking sad.

"It's not that bad." Shrugged Jack. "It's really only in the morning. Maybe I'm not getting enough sleep…" Jamie had a thoughtful expression, thinking over a diagnosis. However, Sophie beat him to it.

"Do you have a baby in your tummy?" Jack actually fell back off the fence, the little girl completely blindsiding him.

"Sophie, where the heck did you hear that?!" asked Jamie, looking wide eyed at his sister.

"Mom said Auntie Carol wasn't feeling good on Christmas because she had a baby in her tummy." Said Sophie as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "Like Jack!"

"You got that based off an upset stomach?" said Jack. "Eh, never mind. I doubt it." Jamie shrugged.

"Worth looking into." He said. "The Health center has some pamphlets on it. It's good to know. I mean, you had Joy. It COULD happen."

"You shouldn't know this." said Jack, giving Jamie a look. However, the words seemed to stick.

"Family life." Shuddered the brunette. "Apparently we need to know younger. If you're feeling bad, you should take it easy. Come visit when you feel better. Say hi to Bunny for us!"

"Sure thing." Sad Jack, saluting. Flying off, he made a beeline for the Burgess Health center, and thanked MiM the place was empty. Snatching a free pamphlet, he sat on the rafters and began reading, gears in his head turning.

"Morning sickness, fatigue, back pain, swollen ankles, cravings, heightened sense of hearing, smell and taste, mood swings…" He thought back over he last few weeks. Even Aster had commented on how he would be unusually clingy and grumpy at random intervals, even more than normal, and the vomiting definitely fit. Still, he didn't know for certain. Face turning blue, he shoved the pamphlet in his hoodie pocket and strolled about the health center, knowing somewhere they should have what he was looking for. Upon finding them, he hastily shoved six in his pocket and jumped out the nearest window, bolting skyward.

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"Don't worry angel." Cooed Aster, Joy asking for her Mother while she fought off sleep. "Mama will be back soon." As the words left his mouth, Jack burst through the door and, without so much as a hello, sped right past him and into the bedroom.

"Uh, Jack, Joy wants you." He huffed, a little irritated. Jack opened the door, wearing baggy shirt Aster found for him instead of the usual hoodie, and took Joy.

"Hi sweetie." He cooed, Joy giggling happily that her Mother was holding her. "Time for a bottle and bed." Aster retrieved her warm bottle of milk, holding Jack on his lap while he fed their little girl. He felt Jack's form tense, like he was under some kind of stress.

"Jack, are you okay?" he asked quietly, Joy nodding off as she finished the last of her bottle.

"Yeah." Said Jack. "Jamie and Sophie say hi."

"You're avoiding the subject." Said Aster, giving him a look.

"Theres nothing to really discuss." Said Jack. "I'll take it easy for a few days. It's probably just an upset stomach."

"Alright…but if you don't get better by the end of the week we are going to have North look you over." Aster's tone left no room for argument.

"Fine." Said Jack, Joy's eyes shutting. Gently he placed her in her crib, Aster turning off the lights. Silently he shut the door, his arm still around Jack.

"I have to get up early." Sighed Aster. "Try not to-" He blinked as he realized Jack was no longer in his grasp, and was currently entering the bedroom. Peeking in after, he saw the winter spirit all but collapse on the bed, curling up in the blankets with a yawn.

"Are you SURE you're apples?" asked Aster incredulously.

"Sleepy." Murmured Jack. "Bed. Now." Chuckling, Aster laid with Jack, feeling cool arms wrap around him like a child with a teddy bear. In no time at all Jack was fast asleep, Aster not far behind him. Stuffed under the bed was Jack's hoodie, pamphlet a few inches away on the floor.

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"We'll be fine." Laughed Jack, watching Aster hesitate to leave. "You're right here in the Warren. If I need you I'll let you know. Besides, if you don't go and keep checking on me you'll only have to pull double time later." Aster sighed.

"I hate it when you're right." He sighed. He lovingly kissed Jack, holding him tightly, but careful of the little kit in his mate's arms. "But if ya even so much as feel sick, I want ya to tell me and I'll come home."

"Just go paint your googies." Snickered Jack, kissing him lightly on the lips.

"Bye-bye Daddy." Said Joy, gripping his fur in a hug. Aster gently took his little girl and kissed her on the cheek.

"Be good for Mama." He said, Jack slipping him a bag of carrots to munch on for a break. Jack watched as Aster disappeared to perform his pre-Easter duties, this early in the game devoted to the few non-perishable items on the list and experimental products and designs.

"Come on." Said Jack, taking joy to the living room. "Lets play."

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Jack gently settled Joy in her crib, the snow white kit snuggled safely in her pink blanket with her special bunny stuffy. Her stomach was full and after a big morning of playing, she needed her nap. Silently Jack slipped out of the nursery, and purposefully strode to where he stashed his hoodie. Slipping into the bathroom, firmly shutting the door behind him, he took out the six boxes and glared at them.

"No way am I asking North to do this, so you little guys are the only option." He opened all six boxes, holding the little plastic sticks in one hand while reading the instructions on the box.

"Step one, pee on the white side of your home pregnancy test. Step two, wait five minutes and read results." He murmured, trying to ignore the twist of worry in his gut.

Five minutes later, Jack dared re-enter the bathroom, picking up the box first before looking at the six tests.

"Blue line; negative. Pink plus; positive." He sighed. Taking in a deep breath, he picked up all six, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. Six pink plusses stared back at him innocently, his blue eyes widening. His hand shot to his stomach, feeling he ever so slight bump already forming. Immediately his mind went back to the months in Antarctica, Pitch's cruel taunts and sadistic threats-

"No." Jack shook his head, placing the six tests in a small box (after making sure thy were dry and putting each in it's own plastic bag). "It's not the same. This baby was conceived out of love, not for revenge." Thoughts of Pitch faded, replaced by nervous anticipation of the new arrival, worry about Aster's reaction, whether or not it and Joy would get along, or MiM forbid TWINS. As he was about to put the box in his side drawer, he froze.

"Sweet MiM…I'm pregnant." He murmured, looking at his stomach. Gently he rubbed small circles over the little bump, smiling softly. A sudden thought struck him, and a grin spread across his face. He looked down, smiling as though the growing fetus could see him or hear him (It MIGHT. Rabbits have those big ears for more than looks and a good handle in the bedroom "So…how do you want to tell your Daddy?"

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Aster came home to the smell of one of his favorite foods; spicy vegetarian stir fry. Immediately that made him suspicious. Jack hated anything spicy, and him making the dish almost always meant he did something to the egg golems or broke something in the Warren, or of course if he wanted him to do something like give him a back massage or sex. Aster sincerely prayed it was one of the later, seeing as the back massage usually led to sex and if Jack was feeling horny, he had no complaints. So, with a cautious mind set, he entered the burrow and declared his presence.

"Jack? Are you in the kitchen?"

"Aster, dinner is ready!" called the winter spirit. Aster stared dumbly ahead, looking at Jack or rather what Jack was wearing.

A bright blue and silver apron was strapped around his front, making him look like some comically stereotypical housewife. Choosing to KEEP his equipment, he ignored the apron and sat down, Jack patting the chair with a smile.

"So…what's the occasion?" he asked, not taking his eyes off Jack. That smell radiating from Jack was driving him up the wall, but for the life of him he couldn't remember where he had come across it before. "You hate spicy food."

"I just felt like spicy food tonight." Shrugged Jack, setting down a portion with much milder sauce in front of Joy, cut up to tiny bites, after setting down Aster's and his.

"…are you sure you feel okay?" asked Aster, concern edging into his voice. Jack squirmed, trying not smile but failed.

"Oh, fine!" he said, getting up and getting a small box from the top of the ice box. He turned his chair to face Aster and gave him the box. "I have a surprise for you." Somewhat dreading what could possibly be in the box (A spring loaded rubber snake was in the realm of possibility from Jack) he slowly opened the box. He stared blankly at the six pregnancy tests.

"…Jack, why do you have pregnancy tests?" He looked up to see Jack had one hand on his stomach.

"I'm having another baby." He said, smiling widely. "I'm not sick; I'm pregnant." Gears slowly turned in Aster's head, the Pooka staring dumbly at the winter spirit's stomach. Jack's smile fell.

"Aster…?" Jack looked up, and jumped. Tears dampened his fur blinking without realizing he was crying. Suddenly he was pressed to the Pooka's chest, small laughs coming from his mate. "Aster?!"

"MiM…" he laughed. "A baby. You're having a baby." Jack smiled, snuggling into the grey fur.

"I take it you're happy."

"What the Hell made you think I wasn't?!" demanded Aster between kissing Jack's head and rubbing his back.

"You were quiet-" Aster lifted Jack's head, looking strait into his eyes.

"At the risk of sounding like North, this-" he placed his paw on Jack's stomach, feeling for himself the small growing bump, "-is a blessing, only this time you don't have to go through it alone." Jack laughed, faking a serious look.

"Good, because if you thought you were getting out of this, you are sadly mistaken." Jack and Aster laughed, forgetting dinner until Jack's stomach rumbled, and Aster all but began to force feed him.

"You better start eating more." Said Aster, taking a bite of the stir fry. "Or I'll get North to send Mrs. Clause or Tooth down to make sure my baby is well fed."

"No worries about that." Said Jack, happily devouring the food. "I've been snacking all afternoon. By the way, we need more ht peppers. The baby seems to demand the bane of my existence every hour of the day." Aster chuckled.

"Noted." He said. Mid chew it hit him, hard enough to make him drop his fork. "Sweet MiM. I'm going to be a Dad."

"You ARE one."

"Yes, but I wasn't there when you were pregnant." Supplied the Pooka. "Bloody Oath, I'm going to be a Father."

"Well, keep it to yourself for now." Said Jack. "You can spread the news after Easter. If Tooth is going to molest my Teeth AND my stomach, she may as well have something to molest."