The Guardians agreed to meet once every week since the defeat of Pitch. The meetings were fun, even with the talk of business, but the Big Four really just wanted to make sure that their youngest member was handling everything well. Being a Guardian was such a big responsibility. Plus, they were more than a little guilty about leaving him all alone for three hundred years. They wanted to do the impossible and make up for it. They wanted Jack to know that he was accepted… and loved.

So far… he did not.

Jack flew in through the window North left open for him and landed lightly on the floor. He glared half-heartedly at the lit fireplace in the room, but it honestly did not bother him much. He actually loved the unusual feeling of a roof over his head and the slight warmth in the air. It made him feel like he actually had a home.

Jack shook his head. He could not allow himself to think like that for long. It only led to more heartbreak. In reality, he knew he was not truly wanted. The others only kept him around because that was what the Man in the Moon wanted. Jack glared at the Moon, but after three hundred years of doing so, it lost the fire of hatred. Now his gaze only held tired, sad acceptance.

"Jack! First to arrive! As always!" North boomed into the room, giving Jack a light pat on the back. Jack buckled a little and clutched his staff closer to his chest.

He put on a grin, "Well, ever since I became a Guardian, I thought I'd give a try to this whole responsible thing."

North laughed, "Good, this suits you better!"

Jack smiled, but it was not a real one. The Guardian's had no problem voicing what they thought of how he acted back then. They had no problem talking how much they despised him. He huddled in on himself and gently pulled away from North's touch. For a second, North was at a loss for what to do. There was something about Jack that always seemed closed off. They fell into an almost uncomfortable silence until North cleared his throat.

"Why don't you go to kitchen and grab tray of hot cocoa. I'll wait here for others."

Jack raised an eyebrow. Usually, North had one of the yetis bring the hot coca. Still, he did not want to cause an argument so he wordlessly nodded his head and made his way to the kitchen. North smiled as he left, he had big plans for today, and he wanted it to be perfect. He only had to keep Jack distracted while the other Guardians arrived.

…

Jack gently made his way back to the den where he left North. He was delicately balancing the tray of mugs in his hands, his staff clutched in the crook of his elbow. He frowned as he saw the mostly closed door to the den; he was positive that he left it blaringly wide open. He inched his way forward and was about to toe open the door when voices made him stop. The other Guardians must have arrived.

Aster's voice carried out, "How do you think Frostbite would take that?"

Tooth's voice, "What do you mean?"

"What would he do if we told him we wanted him to leave?"

What. What?!

Jack stepped back as if he had been struck. The Guardians wanted him to leave? The Guardians... did not want him? The tray slipped from his hands and landed with a crash. The voices in the other room cut off, but Jack no longer cared. He gripped his staff tightly in his hands as he ran through the den, passed the Guardians, and jumped out of the window. The Wind wrapped comfortingly around him and carried him back to the pond, his home. The Wind gently placed him down in the center of the pond. It swirled around him, ruffling his hair and clothes, trying to offer him comfort. Jack leaned into the Wind.

"You're the only one that's always there for me," Jack whispered, and the first tears began to fall. He roughly wiped them away. He was not going to cry for them. He. Was. Not.

There was a slight sound of bells and then a bright light appeared next to Jack. The Guardians stepped through the portal and stared at Jack. The Wind immediately rushed toward the Guardians and pushed them back to the edge of the pond.

Jack stood, refusing to look at them, "What do you want?"

North stepped forward warily, "Jack, what you heard, was not the truth."

Jack laughed, but it was not cheerful, "Don't lie to me. I heard you."

Tooth fluttered forward, "Jack, we really do care about you. Please, believe that."

The anger in Jack exploded outward, ice spreading everywhere starting where he stood, "Why should I? I have three hundred years of evidence against that."

The Four stopped, unable to come up with a reply. The ice suddenly stopped, and Jack against his staff.

"I tried really hard to be better. To be someone you guys would want to keep me around. I tried to stay on time. I stopped stealing what I needed. I stopped pulling pranks on you, but I guess that was not enough. I don't know what else I can do."

The Guardians still did not have the capacity to speak. They never really noticed much of a change in Jack. Maybe they were not really looking.

"It's better for everyone if I'm left alone."

A muted cry came from Tooth's throat and she practically threw herself at Jack. She almost made it, but the Wind knocked her back before she could make contact. The Wind swirled protectively around Jack.

"Mate, please listen to us."

That made Jack pause. Out of everyone in the Big Four, Aster was the one that hated him the most. Why would he care about Jack believing them? Jack stared at them. Why were they trying so hard? It did not make sense. Unless… they really did mean it.

"Fine. I will." Jack really hoped that they would not make him regret that.

The look of elation on their faces started to make Jack hope. He tried to crush it down, but after so long alone… this was the one thing that he had truly been craving. One snow globe later and they were all back at Santoff Clausen. The Big Four gently led him down the hallway, standing as close as the Wind would allow.

"What you heard, Jack, was not us trying to send you away from us, but rather us trying to send you away from your pond."

"My pond?"

"Well, of course you can go there whenever you like, but do you have real home there, Jack? Somewhere to sleep at night?"

Jack shook his head, but he felt a strong urge to defend it, "No, but it's really not that bad. Sometimes, I sleep on a branch and sometimes I sleep in a snow bank. They can be pretty comfortable. Most of the time, though, I just don't sleep. It's not like we really need to."

"You need sleep, mate. Even if you are mortal."

"Well, I get enough sleep so I can function properly and not get sick, but a few sleepless nights won't kill me."

"Jack, how often do you sleep?" Tooth asked.

Jack shrugged, "Maybe once a week."

"You need more than that, Frostbite."

Sandy winced, knowing that the tone in which Aster said that would cause a spark in the boy.

Jack stiffened, "What do you know, Kangaroo? I am just find, how I am, right now."

"You obviously are not, mate."

"Don't even begin to think you know what's best for me."

North jumped in, thankfully, "Hush. We are here."

Here was a dark chestnut door that looked like it had never been opened. In the center, there was a single carved snowflake. Jack stared at it, mouth agape. Could he really let himself hope?

"What is this?"

"Why don't you open it and find out?"

Jack reached out a shaking hand and opened the door. The room inside was large. It had a dresser and a desk that same deep chestnut as the door. There was a large bed that looked perfect for jumping on. The comforter was fluffy and was an icy blue that matched Jack's sweater. There was a gigantic window, larger than Jack himself that showed the snowstorm that was occurring outside. It had a perfect view of the Moon. The room was beautiful.

"What do you think?"

"I… This… is for me?"

Tooth grinned, "Of course, Jack."

"You want me to stay?"

North clapped his back, "Yes! We want you to stay. You're family."

"… Family." Jack tried the word on his tongue. It was odd and unused but he loved the way it felt. The memories of his old family were happy, but they were faded. It was so long ago. He had been alone for so long, too long. Could he really be part of another family?

"What do ya say Frostbite?"

Really, how could he say anything else?

"Yes."

The Big Four were ecstatic and they hugged him all at once. It was crowded, over-whelming, and very, very hot, but Jack did not care. He was cared for and had a family now.

For the first time in a long time, Jack was truly happy.