Chapter Text
"Let's see, I think I'll paint you green, blue and pink." Bunny said to the egg he was currently holding along with a long narrow-tipped brush in his other paw. He set to work, dipping his brush in a lime green sample paint off to his left on a paint holder. He huffed as he twisted his torso in order to reach the paint, his growing pregnant belly getting in the way.
"Oh, you kits are gettin' big." Bunny said down to his belly, before dabbing the egg multiple times with the brush tip, giving it a scattered uneven coat of lime green paint. When he finished with the green, he dropped the brush into a small cup of water, which was discolored from all the paint, and grabbed another, drying the bristles a bit but not completely, he then dipped the newest brush into a sky blue paint and again repeated the dabbing pattern across the egg's surface. And he repeated the process until he deemed the egg ready. He released the newly colored egg and watched it as it scrambled over to it's friends to show off it's new paint job.
Bunny smiled and grabbed another egg and as he did, he felt the kits squirm and shift making his belly make odd shapes as they moved. He raised an eyebrow at the babies antics, "Settle down, ya three. I need to focus, an' I can't do that if you babies are kicking me black an' blue!" Bunny scolded while painting the egg in his hand orange.
About an hour later, Bunny decided it was a good time to stop for awhile. He still had plenty of time before Easter, he had started his Easter preparations about a week earlier than usual in advance, trying not to stress himself out too much, that was one of the last things he needed, putting himself into premature labor, then delivering premature kits that would probably die shortly after birth. No he couldn't have that happen! Bunny shuddered at the image that ran through his head and ran a paw over his belly, trying to keep himself grounded in reality, he wasn't in labor, his kits weren't dead. They were still healthy and growing, safe within him. And as long as he didn't stress too much, he and the kits should be okay.
Bunny made his way to his house and began making his lunch, his cravings came and went day to day. And right now he wanted salad with hot sauce. As he made his lunch, Bunny let his mind wander, thinking back to old times when he had first became a Guardian. And of all the adventures he had been through over the centuries. His adventurous nature would have to be put on the back burner for awhile, he had other responsibilities to think of now. Caring for and raising his and Jack's kits, that would come with it's own adventures. So he wouldn't be completely without some sort of excitement. As Bunny came to the end of his meal he heard the sound of a swirling vortex opening, quickly finishing his lunch he set the plate in the sink and went outside to see who had come into his sanctuary.
"Well, let's get to work! Bunny needs help!" North said confidently as he, Tooth and Sandy all immediately began to grab an egg and started painting. Bunny stopped and leaned against a large boulder about ten feet away from the others and watched as his friends began painting eggs, he smiled at their clumsy attempts to paint. He approached them laughing softly.
"Ya three wackers, don't know what yer doin'." Bunny said as he lowered his body on his haunches beside North and Tooth. They all looked up, surprised that Bunny could still walk without making a sound despite how heavy his belly was getting.
"We ah- thought you might need help." North said looking a tad bit sheepish, Bunny smiled, "Yeah I need help. The more people that are paintin' means I can relax a little more." Bunny said while grabbing an egg and brush himself to continue painting amongst his friends. "Oh, and North, no reds." Bunny said as North almost began painting his egg a rich Christmasy red. North immediately rinsed off his brush and settled for a light purple color instead.
The four friends sat painting eggs and regaling stories of their past times together, they had many laughs and teased each other, telling jokes and just enjoying each others company. Bunny would take small, frequent breaks, to get up and stretch or walk around to keep his legs and feet from swelling up with fluid from inactivity. The others didn't mind, after all they had come to help him so Bunny could have a little leisure time. In the times when the others would take a break, Bunny would get his guests snacks and drinks, and just lounge around letting the other Guardians feel the kits moving and kicking him.
When evening fell the others departed Tooth and Sandy saying that they would come back when they got the chance. North told Bunny he would show up everyday if he needed to. Bunny readily accepted his offer but told North he didn't have to help everyday, just whenever he felt he should.
"I have a lot of free time now, it's no problem to help you Bunny." North said softly.
"I don't want to run ya into the ground North, just come by whenever you find it convenient for you." Bunny replied trying to persuade North not to come over everyday, with little success.
"You are the one who shouldn't be run into the ground Bunny, you are heavy with child, no?" North pointed out as he reminded Bunny of his current condition. Bunny lowered his gaze down onto his round stomach with a sigh of resignation, he wasn't going to win this argument.
"Very well. If ya feel that ya must come by everyday, from now until Easter, I can't necessarily stop ya." Bunny said while resting his paws on his hips. North gave a gentle smile, "Would you prefer it if I came every other day?"
"Actually I would. So I don't feel so bad about making you do my work for me." Bunny admitted scratching the back of his neck briefly. "Besides it is my holiday and pregnant or not, I'm gonna keep workin' towards it." Bunny finished firmly.
"Ok then see you in two days." North agreed as he pulled a snow globe out of his coat pocket and tossed it to the ground before walking through the portal, closing it behind him. Bunny shook his head fondly, North could be such a boofhead sometimes, all the more reason to try to dissuade him from trying to help so much, if Bunny let him have his way, he would take over Easter in his enthusiasm to help. Bunny sighed and made his way back to his house to get some sleep.