Where in the name of giant carrots in heaven was he?

Oh right.

Asleep.

That meant Sandy probably had something to do with this.

Although, this place looked diferent from his usual dreams.

Not that much different, but different all the same.

He seemed to be in a sort of park, with many, many, many, many bushes that would no doubt be great places to hide his coloured eggs.

What struck him as odd was the teenager in a blue blazer who was staring at him with a puzzled frown.

As if trying to dissect him with his eyes and find all his inner most secrets.

Huh.

Kinda reminded him of lab scientists.

He shivered involuntarily.

If this was a nightmare...

Well, it had better not be or he and Sandy would have a loooooooong talk over hot cocoa.

Just because he had gotten back at Jack for that horrible prank he did last week, does not mean Sandy had to take his place.

He looked around.

No one was behind him.

But children usually stopped believing after the age of 11.

Usually.

Oh yes, this was a dream.

He should just go along with it.

"What're you staring at?"

"You."

Well that was direct.

Not to mention blunt.

He hopped a few feet forward, eyeing the one before him with suspicion.

"I've never had a fantasy dream before, I wonder if this is how it feels like. Although I am certain a giant rabbit is not in my conscience."

This guy was obviously a nutcase.

Oh look, someone was kind enough to add Jack in his dreams.

Dammit!

The one last safe haven he had!

RUINED!

"Do you know him?"

He looked back to the teen, who was pointing at a laughing Jack Frost trying to to splat him with snowballs.

"...Unfortunately."

Sympathy appeared on the stranger's features.

"I understand."

"No you don't." he objected, glaring at Jack while ducking and yet still conversing with the strange teen. "The pain of being on Frostbite's hit list is unimaginable."

The boy smiled faintly.

"Yet you would not trade him for any other."

He scowled.

"I'd be glad to be rid of that pest!"

"Lies do not suit anyone and i've had enough of them in reality."

"What would you know about Frostbite?"

The human looked at Jack and shrugged before dodging a rogue snowball.

"I don't know him, but I know someone like him. Annoying, carefree, irritating, showing up at the worst possible time, leaving you to clean up the mess, thinks everything is a game, has the attention span of a three year old... I could go on."

He narrowed his eyes.

That...explained Frostbite perfectly!

"But," the teen stressed, ocean blue eyes willing him to understand. "He would get you out of trouble should you need the help. He could be your worst nightmare, but you can always count on him to have your back. Friends that you want to murder, yet would not trade for the world."

He eyed the human warily before his doubtful gaze settled on Jack.

"Frostbite?" he pointed in disbelief.

"Call him whatever you want." the stranger said dismissively. "You'd still rush to him if he needed help."

He had never been so utterly confused in his life.

Him?

Care about that goofball?

"I've a... friend just like yours." the teen cringed at the word 'friend' as if were a bad joke. "Enters my home without permission and setting traps everywhere."

Now didn't that sound familiar.

"Although I manage to dodge some of them..." the boy grimaced and gingerly tugged at his hair. "There are some that are just...too fast for me."

There was a slight pause in that sentence, as if admitting the traps were better than expected were a very painful challenge.

"I have never been so happy to see light." the stranger muttered. "It's a good thing he lived nearer to another friend of mine he liked to annoy... that poor half-brit..."

He seemed to have been forgotten.

He clapped his paws in front of the pale face.

The teen started in surprise.

He cleared his throat.

"And where do you think he'd be in? The naughty list or the nice list?" he asked, sitting beside the teen on the wooden bench.

"Naughty." came the immediately reply.

He smirked.

Suddenly, the teen went rigid.

"He's here..."

The whisper somehow sent chills up his spine.

"OH, TANTEI-KUN!"

He flattened his ears at the holler.

"I can't imagine what'll happen if our friends meet, and frankly, I don't want to." the teen muttered, ducking under the bench. "It was nice knowing you while it lasted."

"I don't know about you, buddy, but i'm running for it." he yelled over the noise, thumping his foot on the ground twice.

"Good luck." the teen answered, giving him a small salute.

"OH, KANGAROO~"

"TANTEI-KUN~"

""AHHHHHHHHHHH!""


He punched the first thing he came into contact with when he woke up.

"Ah!"
Sitting up, he glared at the winter spirit, who was now sporting a broken nose.

"What- what was that for?"

He looked around him before his steady death glare landed back on Jack.

"For trying to drown me in snow. AGAIN."

"You didn't have to punch me! It hurts!"

Jack winced, standing up and looking completely miserable.

He stared for a few seconds, then sighed.

"Come on, we're heading to the workshop."

He stood, taking hold of a deathly cold arm.

Jack gave a start of surprise and looked at him with questioning icy blue eyes.

And he was reminded briefly of ocean blue.

"You gonna stare at me all day or are we gonna get something to stop the bleeding before Tooth kills me?"

Jack grinned.

He huffed.

This meant nothing.


He shot up, covered in sweat and looking around n a panic.

Before seeing nothing and sinking into the covers again.

"It was just a nightmare..."

"Hey, Shin-chan!"
"Ah!"