its two days before Easter and Bunny is checking his tunnels near the Burgess, when he hears it. two loud, urgent, taps on his tunnels. he pauses. all of the guardians know they can tap to get in, but they know not to bother him this close to Easter, unless its an emergency.

"what the...?" Bunny mumbles, heading towards the sound when whoever it is taps again, faster this time. he frowns as he quickly makes his way down the tunnel. there's a third urgent beating on the ground this time, as he gets closer, and he can suddenly hear what sounds like a battle. its not until he's almost to the area that he hears someone screaming his name. he falters a moment in his running, before his eyes widen. "Frostbite." Bunny frowns.

Bunny bursts through the ground, growling. the seasoned warrior takes the scene in immediately. six or seven winter spirtes he's never met, but remembers from Norths New Years Eve parties, and Jack laying on the ground.

Jacks condition is pretty rough, he's beaten pretty good, his staff has been broken in half and tossed aside, his clothes are in shreds. Jacks laying on his stomach desperately attempting to cover his head with one arm, his other hand is beating on the ground.

"Oi! get off'im ye derros!" Bunny shouts, tossing his boomerangs. he his three of his intended targets before catching them again. he's growling like a rabid animal as he steps over his smaller partner protectively. "who do ye lot think ye are?" Bunny growls, glaring him down. the unknown winter sprites are gone almost as soon as they realize who they're up against. all scrambling away without a word.

Bunny growls after them, before quickly turning and looking down at Jack.

"Jack!" Bunny shouts, moving to crouch beside the man. he gently rolls him over. Jacks face is gushing blood all over.

ge-get my staff." Jack whimpers. Bunny frowns. he knows not to touch Jacks staff when its broken. the staff is connected to the young guardian and, simply judging by the way Jack can't move his legs, Bunny doesn't want to touch it and hurt him more.

"no hold on I'll move you-" Bunny says.

"j-just grab it, please." Jack winces.

"s'gonna hurt Jack." Bunny warns. Jack just nods slightly. Bunny gets up and walks over to the staff. he lets out a slow breath, knowing this was going to hurt his mate, and picks up the staff. the strangled scream Jack lets out, curling in on himself, almost makes him want to set it back down immediately, but he knows Jack needs it. Bunny carefully carries the broken pieces back over to Jack and crouches beside him, holding out the pieces. Jack shakily reaches out and grabs his staff, whimpering softly.

Jack puts every ounce of strength he has left in to repairing the staff, immediately looking a little relieved once its whole.

"are you alright? what happened?" Bunny asks, crouching back down beside him. Jack looks up at him.

"s-sorry. I-I know how close Ea-Easter is." Jack winces, curling up. "b-but I didn't know wh-who else to cal-call." Jack mumbles. Bunny frowns and shakes his head, he can ask what happened later when Jacks in better condition. he carefully takes Jacks staff and puts it into the special slot, just for the staff, beside his boomerangs.

"don't apologize. s'an emergency." Bunny assures carefully scooping him up gently. he doesn't have room to take Jack back to the Warren, not with the eggs hanging out everywhere waiting for E-day. he could probably get Jack into the den to their shared nest and fix him up with some salve, but he doesn't really have time to take care of the young man the way he'll need. Bunnys also not sure if the Waren is the best place for Jack, its warm and the winter spirit is pretty injured, the warm might do him worse, but it would keep him closer to him so Bunny could keep an eye on his injured mate.

mind made up, Bunny taps the ground and jumps into the tunnel, holding Jack tightly.

"hang on Jackie. s'aright." Bunny murmurs.

he bursts through his tunnel and straight into Norths workshop.

"North! hey!" Bunny shouts, heading for the infirmary. North appears, looking confused, with Sandy following behind.

"Bunny? Jack! what happened?" North asks, following quickly. Sandy isn't far behind them.

"couple of derros turned on a blue, attacked 'im, he's bad." Bunny says, carefully laying Jack down on an infirmary bed. he wants to stay with his mate, desperately wants to, but with Easter so close, he can't lose his the little time he has left to finish eggs and tunnel checks. that doesn't stop Jack from gripping the fur on Bunnys side like a lifeline, when he turns to leave. Bunny looks down and pats his hand gently.

"A-Aster please." Jack mumbles. Bunnys ears droop. he hates ignoring his season and he hates ignoring Jack, especially when Jack is in such a dire condition, but Easter is in two days.

"I know, I'll be back I promise. I just have to finish Easter, I will be back." Bunny assures, gently pulling Jacks hand off him. "I'll be back." Bunny adds. Jack whimpers softly, watching Bunny vanish into a tunnel. he has no choice and he knows it was selfish to try.

Bunny struggles his way though Easter for the first time in hundreds of years. he does the best he can, but he can't keep his mind off Jack. Tooth, Sandy, and North having been keeping him updated on Jacks condition. Jack, though upset Bunny can't be with him, is slowly improving. bruises are still appearing though, with some salve, his open wounds were healing quickly. he hasn't asked for Bunny though, he knows his mate is busy. he doesn't want to bother him.

that doesn't make Bunny feel any better about abandoning his injured mate with their friends so he could deal with his holiday.

Bunny wants to immediately head to Norths workshop and curl up with Jack but he's so exhausted, he doesn't even make it back to his den, just collapsing in the clover of his Warren and passing out.

the moment Bunny wakes up though, still tired, a day later, he heads for the workshop. North had allowed him to set up a tunnel straight to Jacks room, so he could stop in anytime, Bunny happily takes advantage of the tunnel.

he pops up in Jacks room the young guardian looks over immediately, then quickly looks away.

"hey Snowflake." Bunny murmurs, walking over. Jack pulls away from him slightly, making Bunny pause. "Jack? hey, whats wrong? if yer mad about me doin' Easter-" Bunny starts.

"I'm not." Jack mumbles. "I... I don't think we should do this anymore Bunny..." Jack mumbles. Bunny raises an eye brow, nose twitching.

"do what?" Bunny asks.

"be in a relationship." Jack mumbles. Bunny looks confused, before watching Jack rub at his black eye. Bunnys ears droop and he crouches down next to the bed.

"Jack, is that why they attacked ya? because we're mates?" Bunny ask. Jack looks away, refusing to make eye contact with Bunny.

"one of them is jealous, they wanted a chance with you but they over heard me talking to one of the forest sprites. they got angry... told me if I didn't end this that they would." Jack mumbles. "when I said no... they... they were gonna kill me out there." Jack adds softly. the rage Bunny feels is quickly squashed by the want to comort Jack so he carefully climbs up onto the bed and pulls Jack to his chest.

"m'not leavin' ya." Bunny assures. "an I won't never let anyone kill ya." Bunny adds, hugging Jack tightly. Jack looks up at him before inhaling sharply as a warm sensation floods over him. he can feel Bunnys magic mixing with his own.

"wh-what did you do?" Jack asks. looking up confused after a moment. Bunny loosens his hold gently.

"my powers aren't jus' from Manny. Pooka have abilities too, I've always had the ability to do some of the things I do. Pooka can share their abilities, only with their mates, I know I told ya t'tap the ground when ya needed help an I'd be right there... but I realize now that it was pretty stupid. if'n ya really need help, I may not always get there fast enough. so now when ya tap the ground, ya can open a tunnel. anytime. don' have t'be an emergency. ya can let yerself into the Warren anytime, anywhere. I won' let this happen again." Bunny mumbles, pulling Jack into his lap. "I won' let this ever happen again. ya need me an ya can tap the ground or ya can get t' the Warren and get yerself t' safety." Bunny murmurs. Jack stares up at him, wide eyed.

"you... you're basically giving me a key to the Warren?" Jack asks. Bunny nods.

"ye've basically been livin' with me there fer a year now, might as well be able t' get in without havin' t' fly t' Oz." Bunny murmurs. Jack cuddles up to him looking down at his hands. he can still feel the soft tingling warmth.

"but... what about those winter sprites?" Jack asks hesitantly. Bunny growls.

"ya leave them galas t' me." Bunny assures. Jack nods. he knows better than to argue with Bunny when he says something in that tone. Jack nods.

"thanks... the tunnels will be useful." Jack murmurs.

"we got damn lucky I wasn't out doin' my googie hidin. I don' want t' risk ya gettin' hurt worse er killed 'cause I ain't able t' get t' ya." Bunny murmurs gently. Jack buries his face into Bunnys chest. the Pookas soft fur feels nice against his overly sensitive and bruised face. he pulls back slightly.

"Aster?" Jack ask.

"hmm?" Bunny hums.

"can you stay with me, I don't want to be alone..."Jack says softly. Bunny holds tighter, shifting them both so he can lay back and pull Jack to lay on him.

"I didn't plan on leavin'. not tonight. but don't be worried if ya wake up an m'not here. okay? I got some clean up t' do in the Warren so I can bring ya back there and set ya up in the nest t' keep healin." Bunny murmurs. Jack nods, cuddling up to him. Bunny does need to clean up, but thats not his priority right now. those idiots had tried to kill his mate and Bunny was going to hunt them down, one by one if he had to, and show them why they didn't touch his mate.

"m'sorry. you had to come save me while you were getting ready for Easter." Jack mumbles. Bunny scoffs, pulling him close.

"don't. just don't." Bunny murmurs. "I'll come help ya anytime, everytime." Bunny adds softly, chinning his head gently. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay with ya, that I put Easter first." Bunny murmurs.

"the kids come first. the others had me." Jack says softly.

"ya always come first." Bunny frowns.

"not when it comes to Easter. those kids need you, like, you don't always come first when the kids need a snow day. m'okay Aster." Jack assures. Bunny cuddles him.

"get some sleep, okay?" Bunny says softly. Jack nods against his chest and yawns softly. Bunny lays as still as he can, gently running a hand up and now his mates back.

he only lays with Jack until he's sure the smaller is asleep for the night, then he heads out on his mission.

Bunny shoots a glare up at Manny.

"ya can either help me er not, but they hurt Jack and they will pay." Bunny growls. the moon seems to shine directly on Bunny. good, Manny is on his side, revenge for Jack, but probably not the way Manny is thinking. "good. then help me find them." Bunny mutters. Manny gives no response, but Bunny didn't expect one, however the wind down pick up. "what?" Bunny asks, moving his arm to let the wind brush against his side. the wind blows harder, like she's trying to pull Bunny with her. she wants revenge for Jack as well. "ya know where they are?" Bunny ask. another strong gust. "alright wind, take me to them." Bunny growls, taking off in the direction the wind is blowing.

with the help of the wind and, surprisingly, some help from Manny, Bunny manages to locate the six sprites who beat his mate. they're standing around in a iced area of a forest about two hours away. the six seem to be laughing and proud of their actions from a few days before. Bunny growls, but gathers himself for the words he knows are going to come out of his mouth.

"which one of ye are the one who made that galah Frost understand I ain't want'im around?" Bunny asks, walking over. he forces his body to relax, a cocky smirk coming to his face despite the words that taste like poison slipping from his tongue. he wants them to think he appreciates what they did. the six go quiet. four males and two females, Bunny can work with this. normally he wouldn't hurt a woman, but these were special circumstances. the other five look at one of the women and, regretfully, Bunny does have to admit she's pretty, but definitely not his type.

"that'd be me. you come here for some real fun?" she grins, pushing off the side of one of the men to saunter up to Bunny. Bunny takes note, that specific sprite must be important to her.

"yeah. I did." Bunny says. he clenches his fists at his side, the sprite stops immediately seeing this. a dark look comes over Bunnys face as thorn filled vines shoot up from the ground, tightly wrapping around each of the six, ignoring their loud cries of pain. "but not the kind yer thinkin'." Bunny growls. the wind picks up around the Pooka, the moon light is shining down on them and no where else it seems. Bunny looks beyond pissed and, despite not agreeing with the level of violence Bunny is about to bring, the man in the moon and the wind are both on his side.

"h-hey!" one of the male sprites shouts. the vines tighten around him immediately.

"look here ya galahs. m'not just th Easter Bunny, I'm E. Aster Bunnymund, a Pooka. ya don't fuck with a Pookas mate. Jack Frost is my mate. Pookas put their mates on pedestals. we put them above everything besides important responsibilities. they mean everything to us. a Pookas mate is the most important thing to them in their life." Bunny explains, glaring them down. a dark smirk crosses his face. "Jack Frost is my mate, and Moon help anyone who dares disrespect my mate." Bunny snaps charging at them.

the six sprites aren't a match for the seasoned warrior. five of the six are curled up on the ground bleeding, severely injured, and whimpering in pain. he holds tightly to the sprite who'd encouraged his mates injures, and yanks her to his face. she'd received the worst of his beating, besides the man Bunny is pretty sure means a lot to her, and stares at him terrified. he wraps his large hand around her delicate throat, fingers just barely grazing against each other in the back. there's an animalistic growl coming from his throat.

"do you understand that if I ever hear about or see you near my mate again, and you're not apologizing, I'll kill all of your friends right in front of you, and I will make you watch me. then, I will kill you, got it?" Bunny snaps. the sprite whimpers and nods the best she can. "good." he smirks, dropping her. he turns to leave but pauses, turning back with a grin. "see you at the New Years party. you will apologize to him there, then leave him be, or else." Bunny warns. she nods again and watches the Pooka disappear into a tunnel.

Bunny immediately sets about cleaning his den as fast as he can, the rest of the Warren can wait until he gets Jack back home. he just needs to clean it up so he can bring his mate home.

he cleans for three or four hours, before opening a tunnel back to the workshop.

Bunnys gaze lands on Jack, the man is still asleep in the position Bunny left him. he snorts and gently scoops him up, trying not to wake him up. he must've hit one of Jacks injures, because the young guardian hisses and his eyes immediately open.

"Bun?" Jack mumbles.

"hey Snowflake, sorry, I'm just taking you back to the Warren." Bunny murmurs. Jack nods, curling up in his arms, content to go back to sleep. Bunny smiles at him and jumps back into the tunnel.

~

Jack had fully healed weeks ago, just some scars remain at this point, but he was ready to try going to Norths New Years Eve party, though he was nervous. Bunny simply smiles and gently reassures him that, as long as they were together, nothing bad would happen to Jack.

upon entering the party scene, Tooth immediately flies over and hugs Jack as tight as she can. Bunny had been hiding him away for months, at Jacks request, and this was the first time they'd really seen him.

"oh sweetie! you look great! I'm so glad!" Tooth exclaims hugging him. Jack laughs slightly and hugs her tightly.

"yeah, finally feeling like getting out again. gotta appreciate Aster taking care of me." Jack chuckles. Tooth glares at Bunny, who raises an eye brow at her.

"and hiding you from us." Tooth growls.

"you didn't tell them...?" Jack asks, looking at Bunny.

"didn't think it matter, just blocked their ability to enter the Warren, though Sandy didn't give up." Bunny mutters.

"I ask Bunny not to let anyone see me. it was bad enough you guys saw me like that when he had to bring me to Norths, but I just didn't wanna... be seen." Jack says. Tooth gives him a sad look.

"Jack, we care about you, we're your friends, your family. we want to see you at your best and we need to see you at your worst so we can find ways to help you. we aren't going to judge you, I promise, but I am glad you're alright." Tooth murmurs gently, before fluttering off. Jack looks up at his mate, confused.

"why didn't you tell them?" Jack ask.

"you were embarrassed for them to see you like that. I didn't want you to get upset I told them that, so I just didn't say anything." Bunny shrugs. Jack smiles slightly and hugs his waist happily, laying his head against Bunnys side.

"thanks Aster." Jack murmurs.

"anytime. if it makes you happy, I'll do my best." he murmurs, squeezing Jack gently. he loosens his hold when a group of people suddenly walk over. Jack tenses, gripping onto Bunny tightly.

"w-we just want to say we're sorry and we'll never mess with you again." the girl says. Jack looks confused as they all scramble off without another word. he tilts his head back to look at Bunny.

"what did you do?" Jack asks, confused. Bunny chuckles softly, leaning down to press his forehead against Jacks.

"showed them what happens when they hurt my mate." Bunny murmurs. Jack laughs and hugs his neck. he can do anything with Bunny at his side.