Title: Keep Me Steady

By: all-thelittlepeople

Summary: Day One- How can I even do this? How can I go on without you? I just-*crossed out*- please come back. Please come back to me. I'm so sorry. Day Three Hundred and Sixty Five - Just come back to me. I miss you so much. Bunny, the grump will never forgive me unless you wake up real soon. Please, Tooth, that's all I really want.

Genre(s): Romance/Drama/Angst

Rating: T

Pairing(s): Jack/Tooth, Tooth/Bunny, Jamie/Pippa, Jamie/Emma, Norman/Mabel (implied) Rapunzel and Eugene 'Flynn Ryder' Fitzherbert

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, the movie or the book series, it's a bit of a mix. I don't own the plotline either, I'm so original I know, but it belongs to teensophie-draws on tumblr. I don't own anything but the details I added to the already wonderful story.

Official Word Count: 7K

A/N (1): Teensophie-Draws has a heart of gold and is a beautiful artist. I'm so thankful that she's allowed me to write a story on her (heartbreaking) amazing comic. I want to apologize if this isn't what you expected or as good as your comic . *spoiler* your comic quotes come in next the next chapter *spoilerover*

A/N (2): This chapter's a bit of a precursor to the whole thing, the next part is where a lot more of Jack is developed as well as more Rainbow Snowcone/Frostbite feels. I'm sorry if my first attempt at stories isn't as good as VelociWriter- the Coldest and the Boldest- but I'm trying to perfect! Also if you're a Jack x Tooth fan you need to read the Coldest and the Boldest like stat. Now.

A/N (3): By the way, if you're reading the whole series of these then this is pretty much the filler chapter that gives you character background, near the end is where you get some of this cuteness.

.

.

.

"I'm not yours and your not mine but we can sit and pass the time, no fighting wars no ringing chimes. We're just feeling fine.

I can wait a thousand hours, stay the same in sun and showers, pick apart a hundred flowers just to be quiet. I'm the one, there's not too many. Hold my hand and keep me steady, just to be quiet with you.

I like it here beside you dear, you're even more than you appear and in my clouds my head is clear every time you say: 'hello."

-Official Anthem for this Story: Quiet by Lights

.

.

.

Winter

December 26, 2013

.

.

.

"Is he okay?" Alexander Nightlight, Manny Moon's studying intern focused on being a surgeon in the near futures, asked with a gentle voice as he stood next to the Doctor while they watched the people in the waiting room. Nightlight was his nickname as his preferrance to wear only black had set off jokes about how it clashed with his bright blond hair and only he knew that Dr. Moon, or since his acute dallying in daydreams better had him known as the Man in the Moon (Manny was simpler though), had changed his name from Tsar Lunar to Manny Moon for the sake of easing people's lives. That's what Manny was all about; helping people. It was why he'd become a doctor. Nightlight had freely admired that about Manny, his kindness and generosity but mostly because of Manny's ability to treat everyone like his own child. Never deterring from that fatherly affection he showed all of his patients.

"Fignya!*BS* Iz not boy's fault. All of it! Poop from bull. It be from other glupyy driver fault! Glupyy chelovek!*stupid man*" Nicholas, better known as St. North for his exhume in donating children toys to those who needed it most but also to any child with a good mannerism and his love to reside in the North Pole (he had spoke about how it was his long-ago, now deceased mother's dream to live there), North stated with a venomous tone, his Russian accent thick and curse words as well as other slurs of stupidity and men flowing freely. Most children saw him as the equivalent to Santa. Old St. North only assured them that he was the jolly red suited man's landlord and occasionally dabbled in spreading the wonder he saw in children to the other children who were less fortunate. Some just disregarded Santa and completely believed that it was truly St. North lying, he never reassured or disproved the claims however. He only smiled and ruffled their heads and only his close friends got to see him curse in Russian and the amusement in his eyes. He had a white beard that ended at his well-shapened body for a sixty year old and typically wore black boots and dark blue jeans tucked into the boots with a red and green button-up shirt with black suspenders to keep his trousers up. He had a big frame, 6"9 to be exact. North, even at a grandfather age, had young eyes that always twinkled with humor and wonder and was childless, he considered his only goddaughter, the unfortunate patient to be his daughter through spirit. Well except for now, those cyan eyes burned angry and frustrated holes into the hospital doors. "You agree right, Sandy?"

Sanderson Manzoonie, the Sandman as he was called, was a short man, with spiked blond hair, and a chubby figure. Roughly 4"11 he was undermined by his height and was in his late thirties but looked glowed in a happy late twenty-year-old way. Yet, the beautifully kind eyes had a way of attracting people. Sandy was a mute but he spoke through making comical signals or drawing on a notepad he carried around in his breast pocket. He had a sleep disorder that gave him chronic bouts of sleep, narcolepsy was it's better name. He was famous for his little shorts that induced sleep (posted on his website ). That was only the beginning of the Sandman Dreamworkings however. Now he had his own animating company that had a way of entrancing children and making them gleeful to the core. The Dream Movies, as he preferred them to be called, were created to let every child have a bit of every single thing that they'd ever wanted; to make all their dreams come alive in a film. It was Dreamworkings' main motto: see your dreams before your very eyes. Often, his movies had quite the effect on everyone! Most called him Sandman for that reason. He was here for different, more morose terms however. One of his closest friend's life's dangled on a thread. At this very moment there was a gloomy look in the poor milionare's eyes as he stared at the door's with a passionate longing for his friend to be alive and okay.

"No one's at fault. Sometimes bad things happen to good people." Came a monotone and robotic voice from Sandy's phone: his new way of communication. Sandy nodded in agreement however.

"How could you say that? All of you!" This was the patient's best friend: E. Aster Bunnymund. Better known as Bunny to anyone that knew him. He was a year older than his best friend, 20 and she 19, but he had to be held back mostly due to his foster family's constant moving. Finally, he had a permanent home when he was 12 and that was when he met his best friend. Bunny had slightly pointed ears that attributed to his moniker but besides that he had a very light brown hair color that, if in the right light, shone a pale silvery and eyes the color of a Spring green. He was tall, roughly five inches shorter than North and he stood with bride. He had a natural Australian accent that never left him and although he was quite attractive he never had a steady girlfriend for his "platonic" friendship. "Crikey! She's in Critical Care right now! If-If-If o-only he hadn't said those words! I-I-," the young boy collapsed into the chair burying his face in his hands. His heart shattered at the thought of her, her of all people!, being in the ER. His worst nightmare.

To almost everyone in the waiting room, even some outside like her frightened parents Rashmi and Haroom Hy Loo even while they were away, Haroom with work and Rashmi flying from Hy Loo, it was their worst nightmare to see the poor patient in the Emergency Room.

The patient in question: Toothiana Hy Loo.

Toothiana Hy Loo was an in-training dentist, a trait that maybe symbolized her namesake or even her love for smiles in that perspective. She had a deep obsession with teeth ever since she was young girl. Tooth had dark brown hair with vividly unique colored highlights, naturally tan skin, and the most distinguishing eyes. They could be plainly described as 'purple' but to anyone who truly understood and knew Tooth they would describe her eyes as a myriad of red and pink but combining to make an altogether purple that shone always with glee and happiness. The young nineteen year old was always mature, her parents and her had been originally separated when she was a child. Little Toothiana at the age of three had been kidnapped by Haroom's jealous boss and brother, Malevool Marajha, and hidden. He hid her out of envy for Haroom's exotically beautiful wife in his underground bunker underneath Punjam Hy Loo, Rashmi's beautiful kingdom, and demanded that they divorce and Rashmi marry Malevool or they'd never see Toothiana again. They tried for many months to find her without having to split their love and by fate, when they decided to give up it was then that Toothiana appeared all on her own.

The story goes that Toothiana had heard the beautiful call of a hummingbird, a not so native but exotic bird that led her out of the Malevool's home. Malevool had been out searching for more food for the girl and himself. Although he had a wish for Rashmi and Haroom's marriage demise he did not wish to harm the girl, he was her uncle after all. She was quiet but clever and found a way out through her window, a small one at the floor level perfect for her height at the time, crawling through it. She was led by the hummingbird to Nicholas North's camp for refugee children that had been orphaned. He took Toothiana in and she immediately accepted the 40 year old as her protector. He found her identity and brought her home to her parents. Nicholas North was made a godfather of Toothiana Hy Loo that day (June 19: Tooth's birthday and by a convenient coincident the day that North returned the lost girl back) and, per Tooth's persistance, he helped her find the hummingbird that they both named Baby Tooth considering it's size was tiny or childish in comparison to the others of her species. At that point, Malevool had disappeared and so had the threats: Rashmi and Haroom moved out to America and lived in Burgess to raise Toothiana. She was a bubbly girl who never let anything change her decisions or her beliefs. The story was not happy growing up for Toothiana, however. She thrived off lively and beautiful summers and bright colors. Winter was favoured by Burgess. Not to forget that after a peaceful few months, Rashmi was repositioned back to Punjam Hy Loo by her Air Force unit as they went by the Sisters of Flight.

Rashmi Hy Loo had been the youngest pilot in all of Asia: 21. Yet, she had a dream of flying alongside the Sisters of Flight and with her position as a Princess it was not easy; a pretentious place it was with slightly questionable yet honorable morales. With enough persuading when she was 13 she was able to convince her father to give her extra tutoring for her future piloting school. She advanced and excelled her peers. She was a gorgeous creature, resembling Tooth by much. The Hy Loo people had very special eyes: pink typically for both genders. It was a darker shade for Rashmi; a glimmering with confidence carmine colour instead. The Hy Loo people were guarded by a very prominent elephants, legends said that at one point Hy Loo was a kingdom of flying fae, fairies, and the elephants had flied too due to the faes magical wings and this established their initial devotion to the Hy Loo as it was their home. A folklore stated that Hy Loo was their home and they had no place else but to guard Hy Loo's flourishing people out of dedication to the lost fae people. At one point Rashmi was positioned in an arranged marriage with Malevool Marajha. It did not end well and rather she ended up falling in love with the youngest brother, Haroom, who was actually adopted by the royal Marajha family. Thus the less than pleasant welcoming by Malevool.

Rashmi had no want to leave her beautiful home or people so fast and instead she pleaded to marry Haroom. Her father was very easy to this demand as so long as his daughter was smiling and very few could resist the long haired tanned beauty with carmine eyes' convincing words and agreed to it, only pleased by his only child's happiness. The Sisters of Flight would be dismayed, as by then they'd accepted her as a training sister, but allow it so long as Rashmi legally committed herself to their Air Force unit. Then when Tooth was born it was the kingdom's best and most favored memory for she was sign that different kingdoms could create a beautiful and loved child. It was her namesake afterall: on the day of her birth before she a name the most wonderful smile full of pearls had graced her parents vision when it was announced there was another heir to the Hy Loo family. Most would agree that was Tooth's best attribute, her ability to bring the best memories out of people, and it was believed that it was her parent's extreme love that gave her this magical blessing to only bring the happy memories from people. It was a characteristic that was rumored that occured just by looking into her beautiful eyes, a mix of her mother's carmine and her father's extraneous blues to her special eyes, it triggered only joyful remembrances. Others knew it was more or less by her caring instinct and her kind words that made you think of the most outstanding moments in your life to compare to this beautiful creature by the name of Toothiana Hy Loo.

That was Tooth's magic to her.

Of course she had many flaws. She was short being roughly 5"2 and a half at 19, she had a petulant attitude when she was sick, tired or drunk- very lightweight however. She could be demanding when she was angry and especially passionate in those moments. She was overtly kind which brought the trouble of very petty people wishing to only date her to brag about her financial status. Luckily she was smart and got over that within two dates. Tooth wore oddly bright colors and when asked she only gave them a polite smile but her best friend knew it was because she was so thankful of the hummingbird that had saved her from Malevool. She was a beautiful woman inside and out but growing up she'd been an odd ball, still was Bunny thought fondly with a wistful side to his heart. It was how she clicked with one of her closest friend's however. Sandy had been pondering what his next movie should be about and fallen asleep when helpful Toothiana at the age of 13 shook the twenty year old into an awake position and together they drank their drinks and talked about her own ideas for a movie. They became quick friends and Sandy showed no interest besides a good friendship in the girl. Later he and North would be introduced when Sandy was the second friend that Tooth introduced to everyone after Bunny at every party: very suspicious but Sandy had nothing but brotherly instinct towards the bright girl.

Tooth reached out to Bunny by slapping him in the arm on his first day when he accused her of being a gremlin. She huffed and went on a rant about how horrid it was to do the things he did to irritate the class and he irked her completely. It was a shock for Bunny yet exactly what he needed to feel some sort of welcoming so all he did, awkwardly albeit, he laughed and looped an arm around Tooth's shoulder's telling her they'd become good friends. He pursued her endlessly until she relented and gave him her number. From there they became best friends as Bunny was a subject to Tooth's majestic way of reminding him of his favorite orphanage, the Warren, that he planned on working at when he grew older. That was another thing they bonded over: their want to proect young children of all ages. An odd thing to bond over but there was a parental instinct to them that grew within both of the young-adults. Bunny's best memories from the Warren were almost secondhand to the adventures he'd had with Tooth.

One day while they were walking home when Tooth was 14 and Bunny 15 (he lived a mile away but insisted her walk her home, he had his trusty boomerang he used as a weapon whenever he needed to) a scrawny eight-year-old-boy fell flat on his face. He began bawling as he lost one of his bicuspids and held the bloody thing in his mitten-clad hands. Tooth was quick to bend down to the small, brunette boy and grab his tooth. Withdrawing a napkin from her pocket she cleaned up his bloody mouth using some water from a melted icicle. Bunny watched with a fond interest in his eyes as she dabbed away and tenderly helped the boy stop crying. She smiled at the boy and brushed a hand through his hair. The boy's chocolate eyes connected with her purple ones as she softly asked him about his favorite candy. Sour Patch Kids he answered and instead of wincing as she normally did, her dislike for the gummy candy that rotted teeth, Bunny was surprised when she only nodded. He told her about how one time, when his father was in town and stationed away from his job in the Navy, his daddy had bought him Sour Patch Kids from a place in Asia called Punjam Hy Loo. The boy was so overjoyed even as he splat blood here and then, Bunny grimacing and looking around for any danger. Tooth laughed and told him about how she once lived in Punjam Hy Loo. The boy asked for her name as he told her his name was Jamie Bennet. She only smiled and helped him up before promising to tell him after she'd assured he was safely home.

The way back to the Bennet house was full of Jamie going on about how he knew the Tooth Fairy would come that night and he'd recieved money. He told her about his fascination with dinosaurs and he wanted to study them and become and ark-tee-oliest. Jamie was proud that he knew what an ark-tee-oliest was and he felt acomplished. Tooth laughed at this and simply ruffled his hair as Bunny went on silently for another three blocks before Jamie pointed out his house. She hugged him tightly before handing his carefully wrapped tooth and instructing him things about he should brush his teeth in the morning and before bed and floss it after every meal to prevent tooth decay and from his gums shrivelling up like a dinosaurs. He listened and nodded animatedly before she stood up and pressing a kiss to his forehead, griped Bunny's offered arm and began to steer them away but before she could, Jamie grasped her leg and reminded her of her promise of her name. She whispered it in his ear like a secret and Jamie gasped before begging that the same day next week they would meet and she'd tell him all about Hy Loo's wonderful. She pinkie-promised and Bunny was amazed by the purely breathtaking grace she had and the childish way she could act.

That was when he realized he was in love with his best friend.

A sad fate for the poor Bunnymund boy.

"How could you say that?" Now it was another voice. A thirteen year old girl stood in the doorway of the waiting room, her brown eyes ablaze. Her long hair ended at her shoulder blades with her bangs pulled back into her white beanie with blue little snowflakes for a design. She was an even 5"4 and wore a green knee-length raincoat with faded dark brown boots, little snowflakes blessed those too. Bunny looked away, he sat by the window struggling with his breathing, from the young girl. Emma's lower lip whispered. It was then that Dr. Moon entered the room.

"Emma how great it is to see you, young lady!" Emma swivelled at the jovial voice and looked at him with sorrowed eyes.

"Where's my brother?" She demanded, eyes ablaze as she tugged on the doctor's sleeve. Manny paused and made a tsk' sound.

"Emma, where's your mother? You missed your last check up." Emma turned a cheek.

"I walked here." Emma stated. There was only silence; North staring with avid interest, Bunny avoiding all contact guiltily and staring outside of the window, and Sandy had fallen into a more quiet slumber than he'd ever had sleep.

"But not by yourself." Suddenly six other footsteps were heard, thudding through the hall and bursting into the waiting room. Caleb and Claude Jonson were there, breathing heavily, Claude slicking his hair back only making it stand higher and Caleb pushing his hat further down his head. Monty Cobra pushed his glasses up on his face further and Cupcake Grant stood next to him, lifting an arm cautiously around her shoulder to help him stand up right as she pulled an inhaler from her pocket. They shared an affectionate glance before Monty took it and smiled gratefully. Pippa Hous had grasped Jamie's forearm, trying to calm him staring at Emma with hopeless eyes.

"How did you-," Dr. Moon's face was grim. He wore a pair of glasses perched on his nose, little craters from having chicken pox as a child on his left side but never noticed unless you really analyzed his face. His face was round his hair was a lunary pale white.

"Where's Jack? And Tooth? Emma you didn't tell me anything!" Jamie accused breathing heavily. She narrowed her eyes.

"Don't point fingers Jamie! I don't know what's going on! I just - I saw the car and knew it was Jack's! Only my Jack would paint a snowflake on his car." Emma declared before looking at the other occupants of the waiting room.

"Children, calm down, please take a seat. Emma I would like to know where Ms. Overland." Emma looked away before sighing.

"Can we talk about it in the other room?" She asked quietly. Jamie made a move to follow but Pippa silenced him with one look.

"What were ye carpet grubs doing out so late anyway?" Bunny asked as North had re-entered the room from where he'd been lecturing his workers in the North Pole, the elder man stretching.

"We're all apart of the Get Noticed program; it's one that tries to prevent bullying and promote friendship and our principal's giving us extra-credit. We were out working with some lonely kids." Claude stated excitedly.

"Cupcakes the best enforcer," she blushed at Monty's longing-infused comment and shrugged, tugging her princess pink beanie down over her head. "Jamie's the president, Pippa's the vice-president, I'm the secretary, Cupcake and Sophie both work as media enforcers, Caleb's the one who works it all out with the teachers, and Claude is the treasurer. Our group's gaining more attention so we had more work to do." Bunny nodded, feeling the mood lighten by quite a bit.

"Pretty flat out then huh?" He commented, Jamie gave him a blank look before the twenty-year-old rolled his eyes and mumbled a low: "pretty fast then?" He nodded eagerly.

"It was actually all Sophie's idea, she's the creative one: all colorful with feathers and pretty highlights." Pippa added in, as she led Jamie down to sit. They spent the night talking about their highschool life and catching up on old things.

For Fridays after Fridays until fifth grade when he met Pippa and the gang in a snow fight Tooth and Bunny kept walking Jamie home. For Bunny it was like watching that gorgeous blooming of maternal instinct grow further in Tooth than it had already been. When Jamie and Pippa became friends he started to spend more time with them and gradually, they continued to only keep in touch. At age sixteen, that was when Bunny had finally picked up the confidence to spend more and more time with Tooth. Tooth's kindness was allowing her friendships to grow further and she had different circles she flitted to during school. However, there was never a day that passed where they didn't ride home together. Of course, it was a short drive but they ended up going into Tooth's house after school to talk and watch old movies together. Haroom never minded but he was always being called in as he was a heart surgeon for the same hospital.

Currently Haroom was doing his best to close up one more operation before rushing to the critical wing where his daughter was after he sent out a page to his wife, worry and concern as well as heartbreak apparent in his eyes.

After thirty minutes it turned 10:45 and Jamie's phone let out a loud beep. By then, Cupcake and Monty had been snuggled into a chair, Claude and Caleb had begun battling each other in a Pyramid Run II tournament while North had gone off to answer a call outside of the Burgress Hospital. Sandy had been sleeping heavily but Nightlight awoke him to move him into a free hospital room, per request of Dr. Moon. Emma and Dr. Moon had still been talking in another room, out of sight, but after ten minutes Pippa had worriedly texted the girl: Emma replied her safety and it was a bit of serious business.

"I gotta go pick up Sophie." Stated Jamie staring at his phone. His arm was carefully maneuvered around Pippa's shoulder as she'd fallen asleep comfortably on his chest, cheek pressed to his chest, and he was using the other one to stare at his phone. "She's at this girl, Merida's, house it's like a mile away." He groaned quietly, trying his best not to disturb Pippa.

It was then that Bunny made a move to get up, scratching the back of his neck he yanked his jacket on.

"I got a night class, come along ye' kiddiwinks, I'll give ye rides home." He muttered as he tied his red scarf. Claude and Caleb's eyes lit up and Cupcake shrugged looking at Monty who smiled and nodded. If it weren't for his dream of returning to the Warren for the future of the orphans, he'd stay for as long as he could until Toothie woke up. He had three classes tonight and he'd pack his stuff and come over. Turning he looked at North, Sandy was still sleeping as North tried to use his large fingers to send a text; Bunny winced. "North," the elder man looked up, "tell Tooth's parents to text me if there's any progress and I'll be back in the aft'noon." He nodded eagerly before cursing again in Russian and looking back down at his phone.

After ten minutes, Claude and Caleb had ended their tournament and Cupcake had assured she could get a ride from Monty's mom. Monty's mom was quite fond of the tall girl after all. Claude and Caleb were getting a ride from Monty's mom too and then Jamie tugged at Bunny's jacket sleeve. The older man raised a brow and Jamie made a sheepish look.

"Can you make sure Pip gets home safe and pick up Sophie? I-I'll give you her-her friend's address b-but I just, I need to make sure Jack and Emma are safe." Bunny rose a brow and pursed his lips.

"Look, Mr. Bunnymund, I just need to make sure Jack's alright, you know? Who else besides Em and I are going to be here for him?"

Silence befell and while Pippa had insisted on staying received a text from her mother inquiring where she was, scowling she and Bunny left in tow. All the ride home, Pippa stayed quiet as Bunny thought hard.

Jack Overland-Frost: the ire of him for roughly three years.

Tooth was sixteen and Bunny was seventeen and Jack stepped in. At that time, Bunny was ready to finally ask Tooth out after half a decade of being there for her, but then Jack just slid in and froze all of Bunny's advances. Jack was a handsome boy, broad shouldered, not as tall as Bunny but 5"10 and definitely taller than Tooth. He had a well-defined jaw, snowy and light white hair (an anomaly considering his mother had brown hair like his sister but it was a recessive gene on his mother's side) with brown eyes that were almost like pools of an exotic chocolate. He was a prankster, joker, but he was good at pulling his blue, snowflake encrusted, hoodie over his eyes and fading into the crowd over his latest victim. They never caught him but Tooth did. Tooth was infuriated at first but found some of them to be rather comical. She could find Jack, his eyes were an icy cyan that she always could find even admist a crowd of blue-eyed people. That was the connection that Tooth had to Jack.

Jack and Tooth became friends through a group-project in a art-class. Jack was better at abstract paintings of a less-than-warm landscape. He would never really pay attention to the teacher, Mrs. Fitzherbert, but Mrs. Fitzherbert never minded. Mrs. Fitzherbert was the youngest teacher and everyone but Tooth and Jack, both out of respect, called her by her first name Rapunzel. She was only 24 and had been teaching for three years. The first year she had naturally-blonde dyed hair that had in- quite a story- been cut off to a more pixie look and her brunette roots showed more evenly. Then within the two-three next years she would be a brighter person. Tooth and Rapunzel were quite close actually, both being art fantics. Rapunzel would admitted that Jack was her favorite student- the special project where he was made to use contrasting colors he picked the darkest blue paper and used white chalk to create a frosted wonderland over the scape. Tooth's had been a black, not too original but she worked better with pastels, paper and she designed it with colors that bloomed out like flowers.

They met in an art exercise that included monochromes art and had argued about the colors they should have used. The other two students, Mabel Pines a very eccentric girl and Norman Babcock a boy who regarded himself indifferent and slightly awkward, just spoke quieter to watch in fascination as the two settled their differences. Jack wanted to use a dark to only slightly lighter transition but Tooth wanted pale bright and then exploding splatter of light effect. Rapunzel decided it was settled best by using the dark to light transition with the monochrome colors and then having the bright light splatter around for Tooth and Jack's compromise. They huffily agreed and Mabel and Normal decided to work together and do a different combination- a mix of pink bows and ghostly colors with rainbows and dead dogs following. It actually, accurately, described both Mabel and Norman in one.

When Jack was ready to pull a splatter of colorful paint on Tooth, knowing she was the first one to rush out of her Dance class, she had surprised him by coming from the back exit to use the restroom. She spotted him and quickly apologized about getting into an argument. She spoke in a light tone, joking and being sort of silly but genuinely sorry. Staring at her, watching her talk, a little spark lit in Jack as he became mesmerized by her sparkling eyes and he flushed turning his head to the side and nodding dumbly. He murmured a sure before, just as she was about to walk back through to front, the bell rang and he pulled the string out of shock. It landed all over Bunnymund, who was wearing a white vee-neck on that day by a chance of fate's twisted humor. This was how typical rivalries were formed. Jack laughed loudly before telling Bunny he looked like an easter egg, Tooth glared and hid a giggle before rushing Bunny to clean him up in the lot behind the school to try and avoid odd looks from the passerbys. Just as Jack was ready to exit the scene, he noticed a brightly colored backpack with her name in a sloppily written TOOTHIANA, he assumed Bunny had written it, and promised to go and take it after the janitor cleaned the scene and he could escape perpentual trouble from the principal, Mrs. Yzma Kuyz.

After saying sorry an irrefutable amount of times and an angry Bunnymund, Tooth was able to reach through and get Bunny's forgiveness. He couldn't not be slightly joyed, he loved being her best friend, he liked how gingerly she touched his face as though there was any bruises while she cleaned him up. Bunny felt as though he'd slightly one-upped Frost there proudly. Tooth was his best friend and Bunny had no plans of leaving Tooth to any little punk with ill-intentions. Then, Bunny's parents had told him there was a break in the case for the search of his real parents but it originated from Austrailia. He would end up leaving for two weeks, worried but skyping with Tooth when he got the chance. As he got closer to finding his real parents, he got further from Toothiana. Jack and Tooth got closer in art, making a point to laugh loudly at one another's antics.

Of course when, during one of Jack's zero period on Monday he visited Tooth again in dance and Bunny kicked him square in the jaw

(J: "Tooth! Sorry I'm late got scolded by some drunkard." Jack entered the dance room before classes began, looking frantic. Tooth grinned broadly as in the background Bunny practised his pirouettes with a straight face.

T: "Jack! I'm glad you made it, for a second I thought you weren't coming!" Tooth giggled and pranced over to him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. She had wanted him to unbiasedly judge her next dance for her upcoming recital. Jack shrugged before he paused and pointed at Bunny, trying to contain his laughter but failing.

J: "Pfft, is that the kangaroo over there?!" He asked pointing and laughing at the student who continued dancing with soft steps. Tooth bit her lower lip before releasing it and gently placing her hand on Jack's shoulder looking away.

T: "Uh, yeah," she replied nervously, "he joined the dance class for my-quote- protection-unquote." Tooth explained feeling awkward that her best friend wouldn't have believed she had it in her to handle anything a simple dance class threw at her.

In a series of twirls, quick but graceful, with closed eyes and peaceful smile Bunny soon stood beside them. Tooth stepped away watching and smiling and in a quicker movement, Bunny's foot kicked him square across the jaw and there was a tense silence for a moment before Tooth gasped and kneeled next to the fallen white-haired boy and was glad to note it was only slightly purple. She turned to Bunny with wide eyes.

T: "Bunny what was that for? Apologize, this instant!" She demanded watching as Bunny only stood straighter and crossed his arms before pointing at Jack indignantly.

B: "What is HE doing here?" He asked wildly looking at her. Tooth huffed and a blush graced her face.

T: "I invited him to watch us practice!" She exclaimed desperately looking up at her friend.

B: "What the-Tooth!"

T: "Bunny. Apologize." She was angry, Bunny could see it and he sighed before rubbing the back of his neck and offering Jack a hand to help him up.

B: "SORRY, Frost." Bunny apologized sounding more pained as he helped the white-haired boy up on his feet. Tooth's anger dissipated quickly.

J: "No biggies, bubblebutt." He grinned and Bunny groaned slapping his face. It's a start, Tooth thought happily)

Later however, Jack would leave the day a happy puppy. Tooth and Jack had been working on their partner project when Jack had accidentally gotten a bit of white paint on her cheek. She flushed and waved it off but little splatter of green splatted on his own cheek. Jack did his signature smirk before taking more white paint and smearing a heart onto her cheek. Tooth, flushed, bit her lower lip before grinning widely and leaning close to him, one of her hands slithering up to his forearm that gripped the table as he was sitting, legs open facing her. She moved closer until her lips faintly ghosted over his face, making both their hearts race like horses but Tooth continued her torture before murmuring: "Boo." Jack was flustered and scooted further back, not noticing Tooth grabbing a blob of yellow-green-pink mixed paint on her small index finger, and when she whispered that little word she poked his nose to give him a bunny nose as he fell off his chair with a loud thud to floor. Mabel and Norman watched with interest, the scene, before laughing along with the rest of the class. Immediately, Tooth apologized for what she'd done and went to retrieve wet napkins but he stopped her before grinning, his perfect teeth giving Tooth an odd thrill. He then pushed a strand of hair back from her face to behind her ear from where she was kneeling beside him and leaned closer to her.

Then when her eyelids fluttered closed, her snapped out of it and simply got up and shooed the onlookers, Rapunzel only grinned knowingly and winked at Jack who blush worsened as he turned away to get himself cleaned up.

Tooth kneeled there flushed for a moment before Mabel's gentle hand woke her from her trance and she narrowly avoided Jack for two periods before meeting with him at lunch. By then, all tension faded as they talked naturally underneath a tree known as the Hanging Tree, something to contribute to some of the rumors about Burgess being the prior home of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman*(not true)*. She spoke about her dreams of becoming a children's dentist and making sure that all the smiles of the adolescents were protected. Jack's past was rougher and during their friendship, they never really spoke about his past. Tooth had determined it to be too personal before assuring him it was alright that she didn't know his. She still told him the story of why she loved the volumous colors that she wore, the hummingbird and her missing uncle. She told him of how Bunny and her last talk included a heartbreaking conclusion that all evidence pointed to nothing.

When Bunny returned, the Bunny and Tooth show had become the Tooth, Bunny, and Jack show (something Emma and Jamie jokingly titled the Who's Really the Third Wheel show?).

For three years their dynamic was like that. Friendly, almost crossing the border of friendship touches and glances, little things that happened between both Tooth and Jack broke Bunny's heart more and more. He couldn't believe how things were happening but he painstakingly admitted that Jack brought a light and softness to Tooth's eyes he never saw unless she was talking to the children. After four months of being friends, Jack introduced Emma, Jack's best friend and only sister, to Jamie, someone who was akin to Tooth's younger sibling as Baby Tooth, her cutie bird that lived still. Emma and Jamie hit it off and as the five hung out, whenever Jamie and Pippa weren't hanging out, Emma caught the glances between Jack and Tooth but also Bunny's sorrowed looks, she explained it to Jamie. He made and awe'd look before scrunching his nose up in disgust- Tooth would always be protected by Bunny. That was the order of things.

Soon, Jamie and Jack would become close friends. Jamie would point subtle things that Jack held in whenever Jack and Jamie wandered too far behind. They truly became soulbrothers when Jack magically turned Jamie's least-favorite season into his most loved season- Winter. Jamie hated Winter, Spring was his favorite, but with a little bit of fun mixed within the cold season it quickly grew on Jamie. Honestly speaking, Jamie was always cautious so no one tried to engage him in fun that would make him uncomfortable so when Jack did, a whole world was opened for Jamie. Jamie began to enjoy the lovely snow and liked snow angels more than anything, really. No, Jamie amended that, his favorite would be sledding with Jack and Tooth. Bunny and Emma would safely prefer the Springtime Easter Eggs and stick to hot chocolate on the sidelines. Bunny and Emma bonded in that way, Bunny being very fatherly to the girl in a natural sense.

That was how Jamie and Jack became so close.

Jack tried to deny Emma's claims that he felt anything more than friendship to Tooth but he couldn't help it whenever he took his hand in hers to give him some sort of contact support whenever Emma had to go to Dr. Moon's for a therapist sort of session to deal with her insomnia and night terrors. He would smile down at her, a dance of light happiness in his eyes and resist the urge to lean down further and kiss her forehead. It was almost instinctive in a time of need to grasp her wrist before immediately sliding down to enclose about her hand. Bunny would see this and only put a hand onto Tooth's shoulder before holding in his sadness at seeing his best friend's love shine in her eyes that wasn't for him.

And now, Tooth and Jack had been driving home, aruging when a drunk 16-wheeler slammed into the passenger side and they were rushed to the hospital.

xxx

A/N (4): Ack! This was so long! I'm sorry if the next ones won't be quite as long, it's roughly 7K words o,o I'm so sorry. Anyway, was it any good? Anything confusing? Hit me up about it! I'm also sorry that it ended so abruptly at the end, there will be a lot more explained in the next chapter so read on!

Also, five reviews and I will continue

Ten reviews and I'll try to have it updated within a week.

Fifteen or above and I will try to update it and cry my heart out.

Reviewer Demands: How many puns can you find hidden? Malevool stands for Malevolent but I didn't want to make it that obvious. He'll come in again with Pitch and there is so much more to this story but I want to test the waters a little.

Reviews = more updates

Preview For Ch. 2:

"Jack, I think it's time you leave, you're making people worried that you're still a patient here. A bit sick in the head they're saying." Manny empathetically stated and brushed hair back from the young boy who sat staring openly at Tooth intensely. Dark circles under his blue eyes and his posture slouched.

"I'm not sick! Why isn't she waking up? Why? Manny! You fixed my sister but tell me why you can't fix Tooth?" Jack whispered brokenly burying his face into his crossed arms from where he sat hunched next to Tooth's tanned hand.

"It's not my place to say but may I suggest writing letters instead of visiting everyday so you won't miss out on your Blithe University classes? Heavens knows, Norman can only take that pink blur he calls a girlfriend and his classwork!" Manny teased but no smiles, no laughs, no gracious grin. It was blank and broken wistfulness he got from Jack.

"I just want Tooth. I've only ever wanted Tooth."

Have a nice day/morning/afternoon, lovelies! Um any errors or anything please notify me so I may fix it! :)