"wind, we can't fix our mistakes if you won't let us talk to Jack..." Tooth says. she feels stupid talking to something without a physical body, but Bunny seems to have no issues. "how do you know the wind can understand?" Tooth asks. Sandy glares at all of them, wishing there was an elf with a bell to shake, something to get their attention.

"jus' because she works with Jack, doesn' mean she don' work with me. wind isn't seasonal, she's a constant. dry and humid or warm, with a chill. she is a living being. I can't communicate with her like Jack can, but she runs through my core. she is Spring too." Bunny explains. "we've hurt yer friend enough wind, I know, but we can' fix past mistakes if'n ya don' let us see'im." Bunny frowns. the wind dies down slightly, as if considering this, before creating a barrier around the lake, to protect Jacks small home.

Sandy stomps on the ground and smacks Norths leg.

"wha, Sandy?" North asks looking down. Tooth and Bunny turn to look at him. Sandy looks utterly annoyed, creating a snowflake with his sand.

"Jack." Tooth says. Sandy nods and creates a bunch of little 'z's over his head.

"he's sleepin'." Bunny groans. "she ain' want us t' wake'im up." Bunny frowns. the wind settles slightly, but still refuses to let them on the ice.

"we can come back later?" Tooth offers.

"we could do that." Bunny mutters. Sandy waves them off and sends out his dreamsand to hunt Jacks resting place down. he'd like to talk to Jack.

~

the scene is dark and oddly cold for a dream. Jack is sitting on the ice, hugging his knees, silently.

Sandy floats over and sits beside him, looking over at him. Jack curls up tighter, glaring up at the moon in his dream.

are you alright Jack?

the question is thrown together out of a bunch of different voices, but nothing Jack isn't used to. Sandy visited his dreams occasionally.

"what do you want Sandy?" Jack asks.

to know if you're alright.

"well, I'm not alright. I'll never be alright. I was alone for 300 years and now, suddenly, I"m just... supposed to forget everything?" Jack scoffs. "I'm angry! they ignored me, yelled at me, fucking hurt me, and then had the... the nerve to insult my home!" Jack growls. Sandy tilts his head and leans over to pat Jacks back gently.

Jack, no one expects this to be fixed over three days. we all have a lot of work to do. they want to fix past mistakes, make you a friend. they want to fix what they've done.

"they can't fix it!" Jack shouts, jumping up. he floats above Sandy glaring. "they can't fix any of it! look at what they've done to me!" Jack snaps.

the scene changes. its an old memory. its mid summer and hot, Sandy can tell even if he's never seen this before. Jacks wondering around happily through the woods, twirling his staff, and humming. he's not frosting anything, he's just enjoying a stroll.

suddenly, Bunny comes out of no where. he tackles Jack screaming at him and leaving the frost spirit confused. he tries to stammer out a question, but its unheard over Bunnys screaming, so he kicks the Pooka off him.

Sandy looks up at Jack, the potiential Guardian can't even look at the scen, but Sandy knows this is a painful memory, close to his heart.

when Sandy turns back to the scene, Jack is laying face down on the ground, broken staff not laying far from him, and there's steam coming off his back from the sun. Jack lifts his head, black eye and busted lip evident. he spits out a bit a blood and weakly reaches for his staff, choking on a sob. he has no idea what he's done.

the scene changes back to the original scene Sandy found.

"Bunny can never make up for that. he attacked me out of no where. like he was looking for me. I didn't do anything. I got lucky a couple of Summer spirits took pity on me and handed me my staff before dragging me into the shade. I laid there, Sandy. I laid there. in agony. for two days. it took me two days to get up and fix my staff and drag myself back home." Jack snaps. "that had long lasting damage. I don't walk around an awful lot anymore because I still have a limp from it. I still have pain in my leg from it." Jack glares.

and Tooth and North?

Sandy looks over.

the scene changes again to a few months after Jack woke up. ot cold and there's a blizzard. Jack is floating around laughing, until a little fairy slams into him. Jack looks and makes a quick joke that the little fairy shouldn't be out when its this cold and suddenly Tooth is in his face, glaring and sounding angry. demanding answers as to why her fairies were freezing. telling him he was irresponsible. an idiot. that all winter spirits were the same no matter how much she wanted to believe some could be good. she leaves Jack looking dejected and slowly sinking to the ground. he doesn't move even as the snow piles up on him.

"Tooth, ha. she may have just been worried about her family, but I had only existed for three months. I had no idea what the hell I was doing." Jack huffs.

the scene changes again.

Jack goes flying off a roof, landing in the snow and rolling with a moan of pain. his face is bruising. Sandy can hear North shouting from the roof about taking Jacks head off if his reindeer slip off a roof again.

the scene changes back to the original. clearly Jack didn't need to play more than what was important.

"and thats just the beginning." Jack scoffs. he lands back down on the ice, curling back up. "they can't fix what they've done Sandy. I know I pulled some stupid pranks and jokes, but... I...I never hurt anyone. if I thought something would hurt someone, I didn't do it. I wanted attention, not to hurt anyone." Jack says softly.

Jack-

"no Sandy. besides.... if it wasn't for Pitch, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Jack murmurs, shooting him a half smile. "would we?" Jack asks. Sandy opens his mouth then closes it, his shoulders falling. "yeah, didn't think so. you guys just... go back to your lives. okay? I've been like this for my whole life. I don't need them." Jack assures.

but they need you.

"no they don't. thanks. but you can't change my mind." Jack murmurs.

Jack please, give them a chance. please?

"why? they don't want me around. guarantee they don't. Tooth is just feeling guilty, North is listening to Manny, and Bunny lets face it." Jack scoffs. his shoulders droop slightly as he huffs a laugh. "Bunny wishes I didn't even exist." Jack murmurs softly. Sandy frowns.

they need you Jack. we need you. you're Joy Jack. you're Fun. everyone needs those in their life.

"no Sandy. you guys have been doing just fine without me. thanks." Jack murmurs.

Jack, just give them a chance. I know you're angry. I know, but how can they make up for past mistakes without you giving them a chance?

"I don't need them to make up for it." Jack huffs. Sandy frowns at him. "okay it would be nice if they were sorry, but they'll only be sorry now because I'm a Guardian." Jack mutters.

they've seen the real you now Jack. just... give them a chance?

"I don't want to be a Guardian Sandy." Jack says.

you don't have to be a Guardian... get them to be your friends. you don't have to be a Guardian right away. we can work our way to that, alright? they're waiting outside for you, they just want to talk to you.

Jack looks hesitant, but sighs slightly.

"okay." Jack mumbles. Sandy smiles. "but Sandy?" Jack asks. Sandy tilts his head. "if it doesn't work, I won't keep trying with them okay?" Jack asks. Sandy nods slightly.

~

"Sandy?" North asks, shaking him slightly. Sandy jerks awake, blinking sleepily at his friends, before looking towards the hidden cave. Jack steps out hesitantly, staff clutched tightly in his hand.

"Jack!" Tooth grins, fluttering over to him. Jack steps away from her, looking at Sandy..

"I'm doing this for Sandy." Jack says.

"Jack, would you come back to Workshop, so we can chat?" North asks. Jack shrugs.

"yeah sure." Jack mutters, walking across the ice. he refuses to ride in the sleigh, but follows North through the portal to the Pole.

thers an awkward silence as everyone enters the workshop. Jack clutches his staff hard with both hands, looking around.

the big four find their usual seats, but Jack settles for perching on his staff, by the window. he's cracked the window slightly so wind can brush against him, it would also make a quick escape if he didn't like this.

"cookie anyone?" North asks, taking a cookie from one of the elves.

"don' try t' sweeten it up North. lets get to it." Bunny says.

"look I don't know what you guys want, but I don't want to be a Guardian." Jack says firmly.

"can we make you change your mind?" Tooth asks.

"I dunno." Jack mutters.

"how about we start with apologies?" North asks. Jack looks over at North. "I should not have punched you or thrown you. I also should not have threatened you with beheading for making reindeer slip. you were new. I should have listened and I shouldn't have attacked you." North says.

"and I'm sorry for yelling at you when my fairies froze.... they weren't used to the cold and you weren't used to your powers. I'm sorry." Tooth murmurs.

"yeah thanks." Jack mumbles. "sorry I froze your fairies and made your reindeer slip." Jack mumbles.

"crikey, 'ere we go." Bunny mumbles, frowning.

"don't start Bunny." Tooth warns. Bunny shoots her an annoyed look, before his ears droop down a little.

"I don' even know what t' apologize fer first. I guess the Blizzard. when ya told me it weren't yer fault I shoulda listened, but I didn't." Bunny says.

"Blizzard?" North asks, confused.

"it doesn't matter." Jack murmurs.

"an m'sorry fer punchin' ya an throwin' ya outta me tunnels." Bunny says. "there's a lot of things. I'll jus' say sorry." Bunny adds. "but, most of all, m'sorry we ignored ya. yer jus' a kid. ya weren' tryin t' get on our nerves. ye jus' wanted us t' pay attention t' ya." Bunny says. Jack shifts slightly on his perch. he hadn't expected that.

somethings wrong. his face feels hot, his body is shaking, he feels like he can't breathe, and his eyes water up. Jack turns and jumps out the window quickly. why is he sobbing? why can't he control himself?

"Jack!" North shouts, running over to the window. "where did he go?" North frowns.

"maybe he got hot?" Bunny asks.

"maybe we overwhelmed him. it was a bit much for us all to come at him like this..." Tooth trails.

"da, I go find him." North says.

"nah, I'll get'em." Bunny says, standing.

"Bunny, you'll freeze out there before you find him." Tooth frowns.

"I have clothes!" North assures, ushering Bunny out of the room.

Bunny grumbles, stepping out of the workshop. he's got thick covers on his ears, a thick jacked, pants, scarf, and snow shoes on.

"I hate pants." Bunny mutters. but at least North had found a pair he could move properly in. "alright wind, take me t' Jack. I got something else to apologize fer." Bunny says.

wind, for once, seems to cooperate with Bunny, pushing and pulling him in the proper directions until he finds Jack, curled up in a little igloo of snow. Bunny hops over and sits in front of the opening. Jacks trembling, hugging his knees, wiping desperately at his face.

"ya alright?" Bunny asks. Jack jumps, bumping his head on the thin layer of ice on the inside of the igloo. "shit, sorry." Bunny says, wincing. Jack rubs his head and looks at Bunny.

"what do you want?" Jack mutters. "wanna laugh at me or something?" Jack scoffs, wiping at his nose. Bunny frowns, shaking his head.

"naw mate, I know a panic attack when I see one. no need t' act a goat t' a cobber when he's a run of outs." Bunny says. Jack wipes at his face, shooting Bunny a confused look.

"huh?" Jack asks.

"not gonna kick a man when he's down." Bunny explains. "look Jack, I been carryin' on like a pork chop an I been a right Derro, but I wanted t' tell ya something." Bunny murmurs.

"what?" Jack mumbles.

"m'sorry. fer everythin' I ever did t' ya." Bunny murmurs.

"huh?" Jack asks, confused.

"that day you stumbled on me.... I couldn't tell heads from arse, had a couple 'roos lose in the top paddock, but when I realized what I'd done, which weren't yer fault, I ran. like a galah. I ran an left ya there, but I came back. I didn't come t' ya, didn't wanna add fuel t' the fire, but I didn't want ya t' get hurt more out there." Bunny murmurs. "look Jack, I've done ye wrong. a lot. alright? I don't know how t' make up fer it, but I'd like t' try, okay?" Bunny asks. Jack stares at him. "m'sorry fer everythin' okay? I know we can' start over, I've been a right arse, but I'd like t' try to fix this." Bunny adds. Jacks silent for a few minutes before he hesitantly reaches his hand out. Bunny takes it confused.

"Jack Frost. nice to meet ya." Jack murmurs. Bunny grins slightly.

"E. Aster Bunnymund, at yer service." Bunny murmurs.

"whats the E stand for?" Jack asks.

"Evergreen." Bunny frowns, might as well be completely honest with the spirit. Jack scruntches his nose up.

"I see why you just say 'E'. thats a long name." Jack mutters.

"ya feelin' okay now?" Bunny asks. Jack shrugs.

"everyone in there, all the attention on me... its weird. three hundred years no one has seen me." Jack mutters.

"well, how about we talk t' ya one on one?" Bunny asks. Jack shrugs a little.

"why are you guys trying so hard?" Jack mutters. Bunny growns.

"because we realize now how bad we fucked up. that we ignored ya and left ye alone." Bunny murmurs. he sighs a little. "when that kid, walked through me on Easter.... I realized jus' what we did t' ya. I've been a Guardian a long time Jack, i've never had anyone walk through me like that. ever. ye've been dealing with that alone fer years. 3 hundred years. hundreds of kids or adults. hundreds of people walked through ya an ya never gave up. I had one kid walk through me an... I gave up so easily. none of us can ever know how ya feel, but... we want ya t' never have t' feel that way again." Bunny explains. Jack listens, thinking it over.

"Bunny what did you mean by you weren't in the right head space?" Jack asks. Bunny swallows looking away.

"should'a figured ya'd ask." Bunny says. "Pitch an I have history. " Bunny says.

"I thought all the Guardians had history with Pitch." Jack says confused.

"mine runs deeper." Bunny murmurs.

"yeah?" Jack ask. Bunny nods.

"so, if'n ya don' know, I ain' from this planet. m'a Pooka. we had our own planet." Bunny murmurs. Jack looks confused.

"wait, you're not a bunny?" Jack asks. Bunny shakes his head.

"no, I'm a Pooka. this is jus' what we look like.... looked like." Bunny frowns. "Pitch attacked, caused a war. I am the last of my people." Bunny murmurs. Jack looks horrified. "that day... that unfortunate day ya stumbled on me... was the annyversary of the day I had to leave me planet as the last Pooka in existance." Bunny murmurs.

"holy shit." Jack mutters.

"I didn' recognize ya as Jack Frost... I couldn' tell ya weren' Pitch. it weren' yer fault. I don' like people in me tunnels because Pitch has attacked in them before. he attacked me people in tunnels. so when ya followed me in... I figured it weren' no good... I should've waited fer an answer, but I couldn' risk it." Bunny murmurs softly. Jack nods slightly.

"I'm sorry." Jack mutters.

"yer sorry?" Bunny snorts, shaking his head.

"Jack, no. ya got nothin' t' be sorry fer. s'apples, but I'm sorry fer everythin'." Bunny murmurs. "but if yer willin' we'd all like t' make up fer what we did. Norths crew made dinner." Bunny says.

"like... real food?" Jack asks. Bunny looks confused a moment.

"don' tell me ya ain' had real food fer as long as ya been here." Bunny frowns. Jack shrugs a little. eating wasn't required often so it never bothered him to steal some fruit or vegitables occasionally. "aw hell, c'mon. lets go. others'll think I've done off ya er somethin'." Bunny snorts. Jack pulls back some, but nods slightly.

"yeah, alright, I guess." Jack murmurs.

"good onya." Bunny says, getting up. Jack climbs out of his little hidey hole.

"Bunny?" Jack asks.

"yeah?" Bunny asks, looking over.

"sorry I messed up Easter again." Jack mutters.

"water under the bridge. Pitch was messin with yer mind. it weren't yer fault." Bunny murmurs. with Jacks help for clearing some of the ice and snow, Bunny makes a tunnel.

Bunny hops out of the tunnel first.

"Bunny? where is Jack?" North asks.

"is he alright? what happened?" Tooth asks.

"did you fine him?" North asks. Sandy is throwing all kinds of symbols out.

Bunny huffs, amused, and turns back to the tunnel. he reaches down and pulls Jack up, closing the tunnel.

"oh Jack! you're alright!" Tooth shouts, running to hug him. Jack steps back some and Tooth stops.

"I'm fine." Jack mutters.

"good, lets get dinner started!" North grins.

the five sit down to eat. Jack still doesn't want to be a Guardian, but he doesn't mind new friends... maybe even a family.