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“Will you tell me a story, North?”
Jack sat innocently on the floor beneath North’s armchair with his legs crossed and eyes shining. He stuffed his hands in his lap with a wide smile when North bellowed a deep laugh and leaned down to pat the smaller spirit’s head.
“Of course, Jack! What story do you want to hear?” His words curling heavily behind his accent.
Jack glanced away before mumbling, “From before.”
“Hm? Vat do you mean?”
“Um- never mind, I’ll go get-"
“No, no, Jack! Stay, I vill tell you story!”
By now, the other guardians had drifted closer, all red cheeked and soft from their festivities this morning. They were celebrating their first official mission with Jack after it had gone successfully, him helping in taking down the two wendigos that were threatening lost children near some Canadian woods.
As the evening quieted and the elves fell asleep, the Guardians had sat around the hearth in silent company, feeling lazed with drink. It was warm and happy, a rare instance of satsified stillness that Jack was hesitant to break, but he continued after glancing at the curious, lax faces.
“Um, yeah. Before you were a guardian.” Jack looks back up at North and watched the other stroke his long beard, eyes drifting away in thought.
“Ah, that vas a verryy long time ago indeed,” North’s gaze shot back over to Jack with a cheeky smile that was immediately reciprocated, “but I have good memory, no?”
He leaned forward then, ever expressive, bracing his hands on his knees and getting more exaggerated as his story of a rouge bandit Cossack unfolded. It was a tale of adventure laced with heartbreak and wonder. North was a very good storyteller, Jack hanging off of every word as he silently listened. At some point, his knees came up to rest his chin on, arms circling them, so he was small and comfortable on the carpeted floor.
“-and then Manny told to me in a voice that rang from everywhere and nowhere; ‘And, BAM- the Bandit King is reborn as benevolent spirit!’” Jack giggled when North’s face stretched in nostalgia accompanying his broad gestures, “And well, the rest, I am sure you know.”
He quieted down again, sinking into his fat armchair with a heavy sigh.
He saw the other guardians relax around the room, humming in amusement as it descended into hush once more.
Jack's lingering smile slinked away and looked down at where his ankles were crossed.
He glanced over at Tooth to find her watching him, a soft smile blooming when she caught his eye. Her wings twitched from where she was stretched out on a comfortable looking sofa, head nestled between two colourful elbows and little fairies strown about in sleep. He didn’t think he had ever seen her so still. She had explained before that Baby Tooth was left in charge after her fairies had insisted on the once in a century relaxation period.
It was good, he decided. Even Bunny seemed to have aged ten years seeing how floppy and vulnerable he was splayed out on his back. He almost looked like an innocent, harmless Bunny. His eyes were closed but Jack had seen his ears perk when North wove his story in hushed excitement as a fierce battle was described.
Sandy seemed the same, slumbering weightlessly in his cloud, but it was good nonetheless.
“What about you, Jack?”
He looked back over at Tooth and seeing she hadn’t yet looked away.
“What about me?”
“What’s your story?”
Bunny peaked one eye open and glanced at Jack while North hummed.
Jack felt himself tense from all the attention, cheeks reddening. He looked towards the windows to see them closed and locked before sliding his gaze towards an open door, only settling after absentmindedly running through three different scenarios that could lead to escape.
“Well, there’s not much to tell. I don’t think I’ll be able to upstage anyone here,” he chuckled murmuringly, not wanting to wake anyone. It was true, Jack’s life was short and forgettable, seeing how he had completely forgotten about it.
“It is still your life, no? Indulge us Jack, we vant to know more about our little guardian.” Ever brimming with mirth, North settled against his chair, eyes dancing. Jack felt his heart pinch at the confession, and he quickly looked at the others who all gave their silent encouragement.
“W-well,” he looked down feeling his face prickle, “I... Had a sister. A little sister and a mother and I used to play with all the children,” he continued awkwardly, embarrassed by how drawn North’s was in comparison to his own, “y’know me, always causing mischief for the grownups! But uh, that’s about it.” He finished lamely.
There was silence and Jack tucked his head in his knees, cringing terribly.
North rumbled a fond laugh, “Jack, it is refreshing from all the action-packed tales, no? Simple and happy is perfect way to live! Do not feel discouraged!”
He nodded, still hidden in his knees before large, furry paws engulfed his shoulders. Jack squeaked, shooting up right to find Bunny grinning at him. When had he gotten closer? He was released and had his hair tousled roughly by a paw that wrapped around his entire head. Jack whined and shook him off along with the thought of that hand being able to crush him easily.
He must be getting tired to not hear Bunny sneak up on him. It was slightly worrying.
“S’ good, Jackie! Sounds like a good life.”
Jack looked up at Bunny from where he towered over him. Bunny was built like a worrier and could fight like one too despite living a peaceful life himself. He knew vaguely that the Pooka’s story was one of bloodshed and sorrow. He wondered if it would be rude to ask.
Bunny shoved at his head again causing Jack to yelp and flail, “Ah, have a crack at it, mate. You wanna know about ma’ story, yeah? Can see it in your little eyes,” he snorted. Bunny had a drinking contest with North and, predictably, lost. He must be quite out of it to offer up such information so freely. Could this be considered taking advantage? Would Bunny be mad in the morning when he was sober?
“Stop worryin’ an’ ask already!”
Jack frowned and reached up to tug on the other’s lowered ears in annoyance. Tooth giggled and shushed them when her fairies stirred.
There was a lot he could get away with right now, Jack realized as Bunny leaned over and fell into a puddle after Jack had pulled his ear. It felt like velvet.
“What was your before like, Bunny?” The teen asked softly, hesitantly bringing his hand to run through soft, grey fur at the base of those long ears. The furry body was radiating a pleasant heat.
Lost in the softness, Jack jolted after Bunny smacked him.
“Pay attention, you did for North.” The other grumbles before slipping into a mess of mumbles and slurred words about a hidden alien society, its cultures and purpose. Jack made sure to pay attention even as his hands idly played with the fluff.
Bunny didn’t go into his war like North did, glossing over it but trying to be entertaining all the same. He didn’t want to spoil the mood, after all.
“And then, there was the Moon!” He waved a paw above their heads from his position on the ground next to Jack, eyes staring at the ceiling.
“Did you have a family?” Bunny paused, everyone seemed to tense, and Jack realizing his mistake quickly backtracked, “N-no, wait, you don’t have to-”
“Yeah. Had a buncha’ sibbies. I wasn’t the oldest, but I had my fair share of responsibility.” His voice was quiet but not sad. He turned his hazy, green eyes to Jack and smiled lightly like he was sharing a secret. Bunny knew what it was like to play with younger children, he had done so with Sophie like a buried instinct, easily slipping into a long-forgotten role. The snow spirit was sure to return Bunny’s secret smile.
And just like that, everyone relaxed.
Jack let the swampy calm wash over him.
He thinks he could let his guard down for a little while. Bunny is drunk- he couldn’t really hurt Jack any more than the usual rough housing. He smirked, letting himself indulge in the fantasy of beating Bunny in wrestling. It was unlikely, even with Bunny being inebriated, but fun to imagine the disbelieving look that would be plastered on the rabbit’s face.
His head flopped down onto Bunny’s stomach thin fingers burrowing into the thick fur, and he snuggled closer, all soft sighs and hunched shoulders. Bunny was so soft. He smelled of sickly-sweet chocolate and freshly cut grass- like Easter. A broad paw pulled Jack up and tucked him under a snuffling chin where the hairs tickled Jack’s forehead. He immediately knew where to target Bunny, sharp mind forcing scene after scene of how to best free himself and measuring his likeliness of escape even as sleep pulled at him impatiently. But suddenly the notion of even turning his head was so exhausting that Jack let his conviction slip away entirely. The thought of flying all the way to his lonely lake only made Jack shuffle closer to Bunny.
Dreary, the young spirit felt content all hidden away as he was. His heart trembled a little when Jack tried to think back to the last time someone had held him, let alone as he slept.
It was only because Bunny was drunk, Jack reminded himself.
Before falling into complete slumber, Jack wondered if he would be allowed to do this in the future.
Bunny was very soft.