Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“He's 16 now, Bunny.  I just... can't help but want to get closer to him,” Jack admitted, strangely open about his feelings in the presence of the older Guardian. 

“You shouldn't get involved with a mortal, mate,” Bunny advised, glancing up from his half-painted egg.  It was nearing the end of January, and the pooka really wasn't in the mood for this kind of conversation.  Didn't Frost know that falling in love with a mortal would only bring him heartbreak?  They lived such short lives, after all.

“What would you know?  I bet you've never been in love,” the frost boy shot back, flopping down onto the grass with a frustrated sound. 

Bunny blinked in shock at the outburst, his paw tightening around the delicate egg until it wiggled to be released.  “You'd lose that bet, snowflake,” the pooka sighed.  Memories of his mate danced through his head, bringing a wave of longing with them.  How many hundreds of years had it been since they'd last spent time together?  Guardian business didn't count. 

Far too many years, Aster thought to himself.  His heart ached at the reminder of the days long past.  When their holidays were still young, and they had more time for one another.  Playful sparring that would lead to passionate embraces, sweet words whispered into each other’s ears.  An unlikely sort of love that burned bright in its infancy, then slowly dwindled until it was all but forgotten.

“Not even sure if he still feels the same way,” Bunny found himself whispering, forgetting for a moment that the winter spirit was in earshot. 

Jack perked up, immediately wanting more information about the rabbit's love interest. 

"None of your business, yah nosy brat.  Easter is in a few months and I am up to my ears in work.  Off with you," the pooka insisted, turning away from his guest to continue decorating his egg.  After failing to regain the rabbit's attention, Jack finally got bored, and left the warren as noisily as he arrived.  

A week later, North found himself playing host to the icy teenager.  Clutching two mugs, the elder Guardian made his way into his private study, where Jack was sitting on the windowsill.  Frost arched over the glass in delicate curls, but the boy continued to frown out at the snowy landscape beyond. 

“So, what has Jack Frost in mood today?” North wondered aloud, handing the boy a cup of iced cocoa.  Cradling his own steaming mug, the older man took a seat in his comfy chair, and waited for Jack to answer. 

“I can't figure out who Bunny's in love with,” the winter spirit admitted, letting loose a frustrated groan. 

“KAKOY?!” 

(WHAT?!)

Half choking on his drink, the Guardian of Wonder stared wide-eyed at the boy.  Perhaps he'd misheard him. 

“Bunny's in love with someone and he won't tell me who,” Jack grumbled.

“Oh.  Is that so?” North felt a surge of jealousy toward the unnamed individual who had clearly caught HIS pooka's attention.  While the Christmas spirit didn't agree with owning another sentient creature, he couldn't help but feel betrayed at the unexpected news. 

“I know, right?  I thought we were friends.  Since the kangaroo is being all secretive about it, I wanted to find out who he liked, so I could prank the two of them on Valentine's Day.  But that's less than a week away!  Oh well, I guess I could head back to Burgess, and hang out with Jamie instead,” the young man stated, draining the mug in less than a minute. 

Moments later, Jack Frost was opening the window and throwing a “Goodbye, North!  Thanks for the iced chocolate!” over his shoulder as he flew off into the night.

It has been a while since we were last together as more than just fellow Guardians.  Perhaps my lyubimyj (love) has forgotten my feelings for him.  “Right then!  I shall have to remind him,” North decided, clapping his hands together in determination.  Time to bring back the old Nicholas St. North charm.  The former bandit prince had once stolen E. Aster Bunnymund's heart, and he was not about to let it go without a proper battle. 

The Guardian of Hope would fall head over heels for him again, North was sure of it. 

Chapter Text

“North?”  The pooka stood to attention, ears perked for any of the usual sounds of the workshop.  Silence.  Where were the yetis?  Where were the elves?  Where was...

“Bunny!  Is good to be seeing you,” a familiar voice rang through the room as the Russian stepped through the doorway with a smile on his bearded face. 

“I came as fast as I could.  Where are all your workers?  What's the emergency?”  Bunny spun around, raising a brow at the jolly look on the taller Guardian's face. 

“They are enjoying rare day off.  It has been long time since we took break,” North answered, stepping closer to the rabbit.  One strong hand landed on the pooka's waist, gently guiding him to the fireplace. 

“So... there's no emergency then?” Bunny's eyes narrowed, even as he took the opportunity to warm his feet over the fire. 

“No emergency, my zajchik (little rabbit),” the taller man stated, leaning against the wall.  Blue eyes trailed over the grey-furred creature a few feet away.  The fond nickname caught the rabbit's attention instantly.  Long ears twitched, followed by green orbs that narrowed uncertainly back at him. 

“North, Easter is less than 2 months away.  I don’t have time to…” The pooka’s argument was cut off when a firm finger pressed against his furred lips.

“You know what today is, yes?” North said, winking at his fellow guardian.  “The yetis have prepared a delicious, vegetarian meal for us to enjoy.”

“But…”

“And I have another special surprise for you, as well,” the larger man recalled, a twinkle coming to his eye.  “Give me moment.”

Bunny watched his old lover shuffle off out the door, and felt his ears droop.  It wasn’t that he didn’t want to spend time with North, but it was so close to his holiday.  Couldn’t they celebrate Valentine’s Day in May?

“Here you go,” North said, shoving a folded bundle of green fabric into the pooka’s arms.  He stood back, beaming with pride, as Bunny unfolded his gift.

“North… I haven’t seen this in years,” the pooka whispered, staring in awe at the green robe.  It was still delicately embroidered, lovingly stitched, and wonderfully intact.

 “Ah, yes.  You left it in my room the last time we… well, that was many years ago now,” the spirit of Christmas admitted, his cheeks reddening.

“More like several centuries ago,” Bunny proclaimed, removing his sash and belt.  After placing them gently to the side, he slipped on the long, luxurious robe, marveling at the pookan fabric that settled perfectly against his fur.  Deft fingertips buttoned each colorful, egg-shaped button with a tender, loving touch. 

“And who could be forgetting these,” North said, stepping forward to place a small pair of egg-shaped spectacles on the tip of the pooka’s nose.  Bunny gazed up at him, clearly overwhelmed by the gift.  “Is like old times, yes?”

“I suppose it is,” E. Aster Bunnymund replied, his ears perking up at the fondness in his old lover’s voice.

“It is St. Valentine’s Day!  A day for love.  If I promise to work with you at the warren tomorrow, will you consent to spend rest of the evening here at the pole, with me?” North asked, taking one of the pooka’s paws into his own. 

“Nicholas, I…” Bunny trailed off, glancing away uncertainly.

“Aster,” North purred, pressing a kiss to his lover’s trembling paw.  His deep voice rumbled with the promise of companionship and pleasure.

“Well, I suppose,” Bunny finally answered, his cheeks reddening under his fur. 

“Good!” the Guardian of Wonder boomed.  Tugging lightly, he led his pooka to the table in the corner, where the yeti had prepared a delicious dinner for them both.  North, ever the gentleman, pulled out his lover’s chair to seat him, before turning his attention to setting the candles alight.  Uncorking a bottle of white wine, he filled the glasses, and handed one to the Guardian of Hope.  

“I don’t normally drink during the Easter rush, but I suppose one glass will not ruin my artistic skills,” Bunny sighed, taking a sip.  It really was a lovely dinner spread.  Phil had truly outdone himself, this time.  When he looked up, he found the other guardian seated across from him, smiling fondly.

“It has been too long, my lyubimyj,” the Russian declared softly, raising his glass in a toast.  Bunny’s ears perked up at the endearment, but he only raised his glass in return, offering the man a shy smile. 

The carrot soup was delicious, and the roast vegetable medley was enough to make the pooka’s toes curl.  He would have to convince Phil to give him the recipe.  “Jack told you about our conversation, didn’t he?” Bunny finally said, resting his chin on the back of his paw.  His smile turned into a smirk when the former bandit began to chuckle nervously.

“Ah, well…”

“It’s fine,” the pooka said, cutting the other guardian off.   “I don’t mind that he told you.  Still, I wonder how he figured out it was YOU I was talking about.  He’s too young to have seen us together as a couple, and I never mentioned your name.”

“You were talking about me?” North blurted out, his mouth agape. 

“Of course, I was.  Who else would I be…” Bunny’s eyes immediately narrowed at his dinner date.  “You presumed I was infatuated with someone else.  That’s why you planned this!” the pooka declared, gesturing to the food on the table.  “You were jealous.”

North sputtered an apology, but his lyubimyj was no longer listening.  The Guardian of Hope pushed away from the table, and stormed toward the far window, glaring out at the barely lit darkness.  His foot tapped impatiently against the wooden floor, as he was struggled to decide what to do.

“Aster, I…” North slipped away from the table, crossing the room to stand behind his old lover.

“I can’t believe you,” Bunny finally stated, giving the floor a particularly hard stomp.  A hole opened up, leading down into the depths of the earth below.

“My zajchik,” North pleaded, reaching out his arms.

The pooka turned swiftly, his green eyes flashing fiercely.  “Don’t you ‘my little bunny,’ me, Cossack!  I can’t believe you’d be so… so pigheaded!”  

The Guardian of Wonder opened his mouth, but his lover turned away, glaring at the wall.  His furred foot was poised an inch from the hole in the floor, as if he was debating jumping into it just to get away from him. “Aster, I did not mean to upset you,” North whispered.  Reaching out a hand, he cupped his lover’s shoulder.  “We have grown apart over time.  Our holidays have become our lives.  Many lonely years, but I have not forgotten us.”

“You are not allowed to be charming when I’m angry at you,” Bunny spat, his entire form tensed and ready to run.

“Ah, you admit I am still charming,” North purred, his eyes twinkling the moment he realized there was still a chance for redemption.  Stroking his hand down the pooka’s arm, he lowered his head to press his lips against his lover’s neck.  Bunny inhaled sharply, unconsciously leaning back against him.

“Do not be mad at me, my lyubimyj.  Let us take this night to rekindle what we had,” the former bandit prince whispered, turning his lover around until he could properly claim his lips. He could feel Bunny’s paws coming to rest on his chest, even as the painter’s elegant fingertips clenched at the red fabric of his shirt.

There was a tap on the wood, and the hole in the floor closed, leaving a single flower sprouting up from the floorboard.  North paid it no mind, as he both kissed, and guided his lover to the fireplace.  “You are wearing too many clothes, Aster.”

“Whose fault is that, mate?” Bunny asked, his own eyes now twinkling with delight.  “If you’d stop kissing me… for a moment… I could…”

“Mmm… no.  I am your lover, am I not?  Is my job to undress you,” the Guardian of Wonder announced, running his hands down the front of the pooka’s robe.  His fingers may have been larger, but he knew how to be gentle.  Each tiny, egg-shaped button was soon slipped through the accompanying hole, allowing him to spread the fabric open to reveal his pooka’s lithe form. 

Despite normally being unclothed, Bunny felt a surge of primal pleasure when the robe was tossed gently to the ground in front of the fireplace.  North’s strong arms guided him down to lay on the fabric, even as he poised above him, fully clothed. 

“Really, mate?  I shouldn’t be the only one unclothed here,” Bunny teased.

“I like looking at you,” North admitted fondly. “But perhaps my little bunny has missed looking at me, as well?”

“Darn right, I have.  It’s been too long, mate.  Now take off those ruddy clothes, and get down here,” Bunny ordered, grinning with delight when the former Cossack proceeded to do just that.

“Mmmm… you were wonderful, my lyubimyj,” North purred, sitting on the carpet in front of the fireplace, with his lover’s back pressed against his bare front.  The pooka’s head was leaning against his shoulder, his long ears flowing past the taller guardian’s cheek. 

“You weren’t so bad yourself.  Why did we stop doing this?” Bunny asked, tilting his head to press a kiss to his lover’s neck. 

“Who is knowing.  What is important now, is that we have found one another again,” the Russian said, his arms draped around the pooka’s waist.

“NORTH!  I figured out who Bunny… Oh, wow.  Okay, never mind.” Jack Frost covered his eyes with both hands, his cheeks a dazzling shade of winter blue as he hovered in the now-open doorway.

“Frostbite!”

“Jack!  To be giving us some privacy please,” North insisted, waving at the boy to leave.

“Right, sorry.  Didn’t mean to interrupt.”  The door slammed shut behind him, leaving the older lovers alone.

“Kids,” Bunny finally said, shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation. 

“Could you imagine having a few of our own?” North asked, cupping his lover’s taunt belly. 

“And ruin my figure?” Bunny gasped dramatically, before breaking down into peals of laughter. 

It was moments like these at that North missed the most.  The times when their holidays were far from their thoughts, and they only had eyes for each other.

“But seriously, North.  We NEED to arrange a better Valentine’s Day in the future.  February is far too close to Easter.  What about May 14^th?” Bunny suggested eagerly, one of his feet tapping the air.

“I would love to be spending May 14^th with you every year, my beautiful pooka,” North agreed, pressing a kiss to his zajchik’s head.

“Good,” Bunny chuckled, tilting his head back to nuzzle his lover’s beard. 

“?”

“SANDY!  Not you, too.  A little privacy, mate!”