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“Stop it.”
Bunny could not stop laughing at the grumbling winter sprite.
Jack was furious. He was standing in the middle of the globe room, in a full winter court-styled outfit. Baby Tooth was beside him, squeaking and flittering around. It looked as though she was trying to reason with him over the clothing. Jack stomped over, shoving the oversized rabbit, who was too busy wiping away his amused tears. “I said cut it out!”
“It’s a good thing I visited the Pole today,” Bunny thought out loud, circling the frost terror. He noticed Jack still didn’t have shoes on despite the formal getup. “Tell me, what brought this on?”
“It’s more of a who brought this on,” Jack pinched the bridge of his nose. “Courtesy of North. He found some of his old traditional Russian outfits while we were deep cleaning some of his closets. He suddenly got the most perfect idea to craft me some formal clothes, something to ‘fit my look’-whatever that means. He then got some of the yetis to throw me into a room and told me to put this on.”
“I’ll say. Yo-it looks like a beaut. You look like a Winter prince in the shimmerin’ blues and white.” Bunny smirked as he hid his slip up. Baby Tooth sent him a look.
Jack’s cheeks frosted over. “You say that again and I’ll make it snow in your warren.”
Bunny rolled his eyes. What an empty threat. He tapped Jack on the head. “The only thing you’re missing is a crown.”
A loud gasp came out from behind the two Guardians, causing them to turn around and see North. He stood in a doorway, mouth agape, a look of total realization on his face. “Yes! Bunny, you are right! Dingle-” he pointed to an elf- it was hard to tell which one, they were all running around scattered on the floor- and exclaimed, “-we must find something festive!” He went off in a frenzy, all of his elves following closely behind, their bells ringing wildly.
Jack turned to glare at the pooka, gripping his staff tightly.
Bunny sighed. “Come on Snowflake, it’s really not that bad. Do ya seriously hate it?”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. Not that much. Especially since North didn’t force me to wear those shoes the elves keep trying to make me wear. They look tacky and uncomfortable.” He let out a sigh. “It’s just… the principle of the thing! I don’t know! Why is North suddenly obsessed with doing all this weird stuff with me?”
Ahhhh. Bunny gets it now. Fella’s not used to this much attention. Or a family. “Well, you said it yourself not too long ago. North sees ya as his son. He just wants to spend time with you.” Bunny furrowed his brow. “I reckon that since the Pitch scandal we’re all trying to make sure none of us makes the mistake again of taking each other for granted and all of that.” Baby Tooth chirped in agreement as she sat on Jack’s shoulder.
“Hmm. I think I understand.” Jack contemplated, holding his chin. “So that’s why you guys are becoming so sentimental.”
“Oh Bunny!” North’s singsong voice came into the room. He carried a large box with him, elves once again following at his feet. “Look what I got for you!” He walked over and set the box on the nearby table. He pulled out a pair of baggy pants. Bunny’s eyes popped out of head.
Jack gave out a cackle, pointing at them. “What are those?”
“Traditional clothing of the Cossacks; sharovary pants. I made Bunny wear these once a few centuries ago. He complained too much about them!”
Bunny growled. “That’s because I don’t want to look like you! Besides, they were baggy and uncomfortable, I already have my fur!”
“Bah! You whine too much,” North said, bending low as he took out a wreath of Dusty Miller* from the box and placed it on Jack’s head. He grabbed a bit of mistletoe and tied it around the sprite’s crook. Jack grinned as Baby Tooth flew under his staff and kissed his cheek. North commented, “See? You look like Tsar of Winter.”
Jack pushed back the loose wreath into place on his head, confused. “I look like what?”
“Means emperor in Russian! You look very powerful and commanding.” Jack gave a proud smile as North turned to Bunny. The Cossack gave a devious smile. “Now! Bunny, you wear pants.”
The pooka took a giant hop back. “Absolutely not, you rack off now!”
***
That bloody menace! Bunny sat next to Jack, who was giggling non-stop at his friend’s new attire. North had gotten the Yetis to help him force Bunny into the garment, later sticking his ears through a wreath of Holly to be placed on his head. Its bright green leaves and red berries contrasted with Jack’s silvery garland. Later, North called for Tooth and Sandy to drop by, only for them to see what he had done.
“Aw. North, this is the sweetest thing! Reminds me of those parents who dress their kids up for Christmas in cute dresses and sweaters.” Tooth gushed, her mini-fairies swooning over Jack’s Christmas outfit.
“Tooth, don’t encourage him.” Bunny hissed. Sandy waved his hands as he floated behind Tooth, getting Bunny’s attention. He produced an arrow out of sand above his head, pointing at- what was he pointing at? Bunny glanced around him. All he could see was the fairies taking perch on top of Jack’s head. Sandy rolled his eyes and pointed higher. Bunny looked up.
Strewth, you’ve got to be kidding me. Jack’s crook was above, leaning slightly over their heads as Jack held on to it without care. The mistletoe attached to it swayed gently, almost in a teasing way. Bunny’s ears went red. Great.
He looked back down at Sandy, who was giving him a sly grin. Bunny mouthed don’t you say anything, as he shook his head ever so stiffly.
“Bunny!” The pooka jumped in his seat. Jack leaned into his face. “Did you not hear me? I said, are you feeling festive yet? Are your ears blocked by that wreath?”
“Uh, no Frostbite,” Bunny swatted Jack’s staff aside before the other guardians could see, much to the dismay of the sandman. “I’m feeling like a right drongo.”