Jack had never attended one of the famous New Years parties for the guardians and sprites in all his 320 years, despite having been a guardian for 20 years. The New Years Eve party was held on a remote island, shrouded from mortal eyes. Jack had always managed to find some excuse not to attend.

until this year.

this year the guardians refused an and all of Jacks pathetic attempts to skip the party and dragged the young guardian to the party themselves.

despite how long they'd known the guardian of Fun, and despite his love and joy for children, they had failed to notice Jacks repeated refusal to social gatherings. guardian or not, Jack still had a lot of enemies, most simply because he was a winter spirit. Jack still refused to interact with other winter sprites, he avoided them like a hot summer day. his only friends were the other guardians.

upon the young sprites arrival, he was almost immediately ignored by every other spirit on the island, though the other winters did wave or give a friendly greeting.

Jacks immediately left by his only friends, the other guardians, and quickly finds himself a perch in a tree nearby. he watches over his friends mingling in the sand and huffs. he's been watching the guardians mingle for two almost three hours at this point.

"oi!" a voice calls. Jack looks down immediately. how had Bunny managed to sneak over here without him noticing?

"what do you want Kangaroo?" Jack frowns. Bunny raises an eye brow.

"what are ye doin' up there?" Bunny asks. Jack shrugs a little.

"I dunno, watching I guess." Jack mumbles.

"s'a party mate, ye should be down here. I know I don't like parties, but ye should at least come down and have a chinwag'er two." Bunny says, looking up at him.

"Bunny, look, I dunno if you've noticed or not, but no one wants me here." Jack says.

"ye daft? of course we want ye here, ye derro." Bunny huffs, rolling his eyes. he shakes his head. "c'mon mate. just give it a shot. eh? yer only friends can' jus' be the guardians, Frostbite." Bunny says, frowning a little. "c'mon. won' hurt ye. jus' a chinwag'er two, she'll be apples." Bunny adds, waving him down gently. Jack sighs.

"I don't know what that one means." Jack mutters. Bunny snorts, smiling at him.

"it'll be alright mate." Bunny assures gently.

"I don't think it will." Jack mutters, getting up. he lets the wind lower him to the ground and look up at Bunny once he lands on the ground. "okay, but its gonna be a disaster Cottontail." Jack sighs. Bunny snorts, handing Jack a cup of punch. Jack gives it a hesitant look.

"don' worry I been sippin' on it. ain' spiked." Bunny assures. Jack takes the cup and sighs, heading hesitantly towards the crowd.

Bunny doesn't let the young sprite get too far from him, following behind his voice carefully just to keep an eye on him.

Jacks not wrong, Bunny soon finds out.

the guardian of fun is turned away, ignored, shoved, yelled at, and even threatened by any and every group or idividual he attempts to converse with. the only sprites that seem interested in talking to him, the other winter sprites, Jack avoids like the plague. Bunny is interested to ask him later about it.

Bunny does his absolute best to keep up with Jack, but eventually falls behind, distracted by a friend.

he's so distracted that a yelp and a crash make him jump, it also sends the entire party into silence. Jacks sitting in the sand, soaked, looking embarrassed. the table behind him is flipped over, the bowls or snacks and drinks have been dumped over onto him, a bowl still on his head. theres frost and ice on the ground, Jack had clearly panicked.

"watch what you're fucking doing!" a voice snaps. Bunny shoves his way through the crowd immediately, meeting up with the other four worried guardians as they come up to the fallen guardian. Jack looks utterly ashamed and embarrassed as a ripple of laughter starts somewhere in the crowd then echos out until evenyone but his fellow guardians is laughing.

"Jack, hey, you alright?" Tooth asks, walking over to him. Jack hesitantly gets up, sand and food falling off him.

"Jack, what happened?" North asks, worriedly. Jack brushes some chips off him, before looking up. his almost tearful gaze lands on Bunny. the Pooka feels guilt stab at his heart.

"happy now?" Jack asks, before grabbing his staff and letting the wind carry him away as fast as it can. Bunny watches him go, frowning. he hadn't meant for this to happen.

"serves that fucking brat right." a voice mutters. Bunny turns. its Groundhog. the bastard is attempting to shaking ice and frost from his fur.

"what did ye say?" Bunny asks, glaring him down.

"I said, that it serves that fucking brat right! look what he did! and what was he even doing here!? its not like anyone-" Groundhog starts.

"Bunny no!" North shouts, rushing to try and stop the Pooka when he tackles the Groundhog and starts wailing on his face.

"I'll job ye int' next Groundhog day, ya bugger!" Bunny snaps. despite several trying to pull him off, it takes Sandy knocking Bunny out to get him to stop.

~

Jack huffs to himself, wiping at his face. he can't control himself right now, despite trying. he's sitting on the frozen lake, the very same he drowned in, hugging his knees to his chest. its snowing around him, not a small flurry, but a small blizzard, contained to his lake and a small surrounding area. the trees and grass are frozen solid, just sheets of ice between layers of snow.

Jack hugs his knees tighter. his clothes are frozen to his body, multicolored from the punch bowls that had dumped onto him, with chips and other snacks frozen to him, from where they stuck when he fell. he wants to let the ice melt and drown himself again, freeze the lake around him so he doesn't have to face any one ever again. he doesn't want to face the sprites or spirites who laughed at him. he never wants to see the faces of his so called friends, his fellow guardians, ever again.

"Jack!" a voice calls. Jack curls up more, back to the voice. he doesn't want anyone to see him crying and he certainly can't let Bunny, of all guardians, see him. the Easter Bunny would never let him live this down. "Jack! hey! Frostbite!" Bunny shouts, walking over to the edge of the iced lake.

"what?" Jack calls, wincing when his voice cracks. Bunny winces too.

"come here Jack." Bunny calls, just loud enough Jack can hear him. Jack shakes his head, sniffling. the blizzard around him slows so he can hear the guardian of hope better. Bunny frowns and hesitantly steps on to the ice. it cracks immediately, Jack doesn't want anyone near him, but the cracks are gone as soon as they appear. he doesn't want Bunny to fall in and suffer the same fate he did. Bunny pulls his foot back immediately, looking down at the ice, then back to Jack.

"go away." Jack mutters. Bunny frowns at him.

"Jack, I just want to make sure you're alright." Bunny says, carefully. he sees the smaller guardian shift, before laying a hand on the ice. it thickens immediately. the Pooka carefully steps onto the ice and carefully inches his way over to Jack, trying not to slip.

"I told you." Jack mutters. Bunny carefully comes to a stop behind him.

"I know. I was a right ratbag, a derro. m'sorry." Bunny says softly, crouching down.

"North made you come apologize didn't he? well, its fine. I don't need it. I'm fine." Jack mutters.

"no, I came of me own accord." Bunny assures. "m'sorry Jack. I should've listened t' ye. I didn' realize it was that bad." Bunny adds softly. he's trying to not use too much of his Aussie slang, he wants the young guardian to know what he's saying and that he's sorry. "Jack, hey, I am sorry. I really am. I shouldn've left ye. not after ye said ye weren' wantin' t' be there." Bunny adds. Jack finally turns his head and looks at his fellow guardian. the Pook immediately reaches out and pulls the smaller into his arms upon seeing his tears. "ah bugger Jack." Bunny mutters, hugging him tightly. Jack wipes at his face desperately, the tears won't stop.

"just go away and leave me alone." Jack mumbles. Bunny shakes his head.

"nah." Bunny murmurs. "c'mon. Norths havin' s'own party, back at the Pole. c'mon." Bunny murmurs.

"I don't want to go to another stupid party!" Jack snaps, trying to shove away from him.

"s'jus' gonna be us Jack, jus' us guardians. no one else." Bunny murmurs, letting him go carefully. he doesn't let the smaller stumble or fall. he smiles slightly down at Jack. "jus' us. no others. guardians only party. yeah? they're jus' worried 'bout ye s'I am. only reason they didn' come out here s'cause I told'em not t'. that I'd talk t' ye. 'cause it was my fault." Bunny frowns.

"no. I don't feel like it." Jack mumbles. Bunny pulls him back to his chest.

"hey, I know I fucked up. m'sorry. I really am. if'n ye want t' join us, ye can, you don' have t', er we can jus' go and talk, if'n ye want. or ye can tell me t' rack off." Bunny murmurs softly. Jack sniffles and goes quiet for a moment, before his arms hesitantly wrap around the Pooka hugging him.

"I don't want another party." Jack says.

"a'right, ye want me t' rack off?" Bunny asks. Jack holds tighter, shaking his head.

"I don't wanna be alone again." Jack says softly. Bunny has to strain to hear the words.

"c'mon we'll go t' the warren." Bunny murmurs. Jack nods following Bunny back to the land. the Pooka opens a tunnel and they both drop into it.

the night ends in a way neither expect it to, rooting in Bunnys nest before collapsing and curling together.

~

the other guardians had taken it well. Sandy had cheered, Tooth and her fairies had turned into giddy little fan girls, and North had just smirked approvingly.

it hand't taken much convincing for Jack to go to this years New Years party, not when he knew Bunny would be at his side no matter what. the Pooka had promised, his paw wouldn't leave Jacks hand unless it absolutely had to.

Jack huddles up against Bunnys side, hesitantly.

"are ye sure ye wanna do this?" Bunny asks. Jack cuddles closer.

"you're not gonna leave me? not even for a second?" Jack asks.

"promise." Bunny assures, chinning him gently. Jack cuddles against him, nodding.

"then yeah. as long as you don't leave me." Jack murmurs. Bunny smiles at him gently and they exit the tunnel. Jack clings to Bunny nervously.

"Jack! Bunny! you guys made it!" Tooth grins, rushing over to hug them both. she pulls back from Jack smiling reassuringly at him. "you gonna be alright honey?" Tooth ask. Jack gives a terse smile, nodding slightly.

"yeah I think so." Jack murmurs.

"ah, apples Tooth." Bunny assures, throwing his arm around his mates shoulders. Jack smiles at him, cuddling against his side. Tooth smiles at them and nods, fluttering off.

Jacks not used to the attention he's receiving. everyone is staring at him and Bunny. there's muttering around the party, but no one confronts them. Bunny ignores it. he'd been on the single market for a long time, not for lack of trying on other sprites parts, and now his side was firmly pressed against Jacks. Jack Frost of all sprites.

Jacks not sure how to feel about it, nervously fisting his hand into the fur on Bunnys side.

"Aster, I don't know-" Jack starts.

"its alright, ignore them. they're jus' jealous." Bunny assures gently. Bunny chuckles softly at Jacks bewildered expression. "jus' ignore'em." Bunny murmurs softly. Jack nods slightly, gripping his staff slightly harder.

with Bunny at his side, several sprites and spirits actually come and talk to the Frost guardian. Jack, for the most part, smiles awkwardly and side eyes Bunny for help. the Easter Bunny takes pity everytime and waves off whoever tries talking to them.

"y'okay t' let me step away fer jus' a minute? not out of yer sight, promise, get ye drink, I gotta go say somethin' t' those buggars over there." Bunny growls softly. Jack tenses immediately. "I won' go far, jus' outta yer ear reach, not outta yer sight. I'll be right there okay? jus' fer a second t' tell'em t' rack off." Bunny murmurs. Jack nods hesitantly.

"yeah okay." Jack mumbles. Bunny smiles at him, squeezing him gently.

"okay jus' shout, I'll be right here inna sec." Bunny murmurs. Jack nods slightly and hesitantly steps towards the refreshments table. he's careful, he doesn't want a repeat of last year.

he hesitantly grabs a cup of punch and sips on it. his eyes are locked onto Bunny, following the Pooka over to the group he wanted to confront. he shifts on his feet and Bunnys ear immediately twitches in his direction. Jack relaxes immediately. Bunny was listening for him, focusing on him. he would be alright.

"an just what the fuck are you doing here?" a voice growls, from behind Jack. Jack tenses and turns to look. Groundhog. of course the bastard would confront him the moment he was alone, coward.

"go away." Jack mutters.

"you owe me an apology for trampling all over me, covering me in fucking ice, and covering me in punch." Groundhog snaps.

"just leave me alone, it was an accident. if you hadn't put your foot in my way, I wouldn't have stepped on you and I wouldn't have tripped." Jack mumbles, turning away. there's a painful grip on his shoulder. he's forced to turn around with a quick squeak under his breath of Aster, help. as he's turned he notices Bunny's gaze immediately snap over, growling. "leave me alone." Jack says firmly, pointing his staff at the sprite. Groundhog smacks the staff away from his face, growling.

"I said you owe me an apology." Groundhog snaps. Jack takes a half step back and immediately bumps into a wall of fur and muscle.

"he don' owe ye nothin' ye derro." Bunny snaps. Jack immediately relaxes as a firm arm finds itself wrapping around his waist. he feels more confident with Bunny behind him. Jack shifts his staff into the crook of his arm, moving his punch into his now free hand, so he can gently pat the arm around his waist.

"oh fuck off Easter Bunny-" Groundhog starts.

"you fuck off." Jack snaps, leaning into his face. he and Bunny had been working on Jacks ability to stand up for himself, it was still a work in progress, but standing up for Bunny was no big deal. Bunny lets Jack go gently, smiling at him a little. "he didn't do anything." Jack glares. Groundhog shoves at the Frost guardian hard.

"get out of my fucking face." Groundhog snaps. Jack immediately reaches back, grabbing Bunnys arm when he feels the older guardian tense, ready to beat the hog.

"only if you get out of mine first." Jack says, though his voice wavers slightly. "don't put your hands on me." Jack adds as firmly as he can. Groundhog shoves him again, harder this time. it makes Jack stumble and fall.

"make me." Groundhog snaps. Jack looks at himself, covered once again in punch. he looks slightly crushed, before glancing up at Bunny. it was nice to stand up for himself sometimes, but it was better when Bunny did it for him. Bunny meets his gaze and Jack nods slightly.

"ye ratbag derro! ye keep yer hands off him and rack off!" Bunny snaps, pulling back and punching the hog hard across the face. blood spatters immediately, a tooth goes flying, and the Groundhog ends up on the ground. "don' touch'em." Bunny growls. he reaches down for Jacks hand, carefully pulling the smaller guardian up and to his side. Jack steps away from him.

"sorry-" Jack mumbles trying to brush the punch off him. Bunny yanks him back against his size.

"no I am. I shouldn've left ye alone." Bunny murmurs. Jack smiles slightly.

"hey are you okay?" Tooth asks, rushing over. she grabs hold of Jacks face to look him over.

"yeah... just soaked. again." Jack sighs.

"alright, c'mon." Bunny murmurs, tapping his foot on the ground. a tunnel opens and Jack looks down at it. he shoots Tooth a small smile and jumps into it.

"take care of him Bunny." Tooth murmurs.

"have been fer a year now Tooth." Bunny smirks, following his mate into the tunnel. he'd get Jack back to the warren and set him up in a bath while he hung his clothes out to dry, it'd be alright.