Chapter One
We Don't Meet People by Accident. They Are Meant to Cross Our Path for A Reason.
A.N.: Hey all! So I've been working on this old fanfic of mine and decided to it a makeover. It's been a fun ride looking at my old writing style and writing anew with all the influences from 8 years of reading fanfiction. I hope you all enjoy and please do review.
Every chapter title will be a quote. Please keep in mind that they are not mine.
Disclaimer: The characters and settings of Rise of the Guardians do not belong to me.
This is dedicated to all the wonderful fanfic writers that have amazed and inspired me through the last few years.
Ooo
Icy blue eyes quietly rove over the sleepy, snow dusted town and despite the heaviness of his heart, Jack allows a soft smile curls his lips. Boisterous he may be; but Jack will not ever deny himself the pleasure of a quiet night.
One hand in the pocket of his blue hoodie and the other on his staff, the immortal teenager stands up from his icy perch upon a telephone wire and steps into open air.
Like a greeting from an old friend, the wind holds him up and lets the boy soar through the narrow streets, a gust of snowflakes trailing in his wake.
He finds his journey halted by the sight of a young couple making their way through the streets. It is a cold night and they huddle together for warmth, shoulders touching and mitten clad fingers clasped together. Even with the cold wind blowing against their faces, the man still bends to press a kiss against his companion's cheek; who in turn blushes brighter and curls herself under his arm. Their spirits are high as they turn a corner and disappear from Jack's sight.
The heaviness that has been weighing him down for the past few months makes its return known with a vengeance and Jack turns his face towards the bright orb of light that shines down on the little town.
Knowing that any questions he whispers in the night will remain unanswered, Jack rubs a cold hand over his face, draws his hood over his hair and speeds towards the direction of the North Pole.
Ooo
Bunny watches in quiet satisfaction as the eggs scamper down the Warren and dive into the purple river. He hops over to the baskets to make sure the eggs are well settled and crouches down to help one of the struggling eggs into the basket. At the same moment, one of the gems in his vambrace begins to glow with a sense of urgency.
Green eyes narrowing, Bunny growls under his breath. He taps the ground thrice and jumps into the hole it creates, all the while cursing Tooth for calling him in the middle of pre-Easter preparations.
When the earth opens up for him, he pulls himself into the gleaming jewel that is the Tooth Palace and stalks straight for the fairy's chambers where he finds and consequently ignores Sandy and North.
"Tooth, this had better be real important to pull me away from my work."
"For what? Easter? Is not very important." North's dismissal is met with both Tooth and Sandy displaying their exasperation by smacking simultaneous heads onto hands. Here we go again…
Bunny's eyes twitch dangerously, "Easter is important, you jolly pain in my arse! I've got to bring hope and spring to the damn world! You had a whole year for the over- commercialized festivity that is Christmas but I'm two weeks away and still have 10,56,457 eggs to go and 8,34,467 of those are only for Europe!"
Tooth gets in between them before things can get too heated, "Bunny, put that boomerang away before I sic my fairies on you. North, stop antagonizing him or I'll let Marie know you've been snacking behind her back."
The big Russian looks absolutely horrified, "You wouldn't."
There's a steely glint in the fairy's eyes and Bunny knows from experience that Tooth has the scary ability to make good on her threats.
He meekly slides his boomerang back in its holster, "Sorry Tooth. I'm just a little stress- hey wait a minute!"
Green eyes rove the glittering room and when he doesn't see who he's looking for, Bunny's frown deepens, "Where's the show pony?"
"I didn't call him; he's the reason we're having this meeting."
"We're talking about the brat behind his back? Wicked!" A smack from Sandy earns the little man a glare from Bunny.
"Stop it Bunny. I'm really worried about him. Haven't you realized that he's changed?"
"What you mean Toothy?" North asked as he gingerly seats himself in one of the delicate chairs.
"I don't understand it but- he looks like the fun has been sucked out of him. He doesn't smile as much, he hasn't pranked Bunny or given the Yetis a hard time and when I went to visit Jamie last week, he told me that Jack hasn't gone to see him after Christmas. That's four months! Jack always goes to see Jamie every week regardless of the weather."
"Hmmm…now that you mention…Jack is looking down in dumps eh? Okay then, what is plan for Jack?"
Tooth flitters next to Sandy excitedly, "We're gonna throw him a party. You know- cheer him up; show him that we care!"
The announcement garners excitement from all but one.
Bunny crosses his arms as he stands firm, "Count me out. I don' care about Frost and there's absolutely nothin' you can say or do to make me change my mind."
Ooo
"I can' believe you made me change my mind." Is the angry mutter as Bunny helps the Yetis hang up decorations in the Control Room at North's Palace.
"Well, we did promise to help you with the eggs so it's fair." Tooth quips and sets a plate of cookies on the table. She promptly smacks one of the elves whose hand is inching ever so close to the plate. "North, how long till Jack gets here?"
"Should be here any moment now. Last time Yeti checked, Jack in Iowa." North mutters distractedly as he whittles a block of ice.
Tooth frowns but immediately brightens when Baby Tooth points at a flying blue speck in the sky.
"He's here! Everyone hide! Bunny get the lights!" Bunny grumbles at the shrieked demand but does as he's been ordered and ducks under one of the party tables.
Waiting for North's cue, Bunnymund counts the seconds till he can get back to the Warren.
And maybe he'd grab a few of those cookies before he goes.
Ooo
"Surprise!"
Jack flinches, bringing up his staff instinctively in defense as the lights flick on. He has a few seconds to realize that he's not under attack and to take in the party décor before he's being lifted off the ground and his view is obscured by red.
Groaning at the pressure on his ribs, he gasps out, "North! Can't breathe!"
North lets go of him with a laugh and Tooth launches herself forward with a grin, "Surprise Jack! Do you like it? I thought of it! We wanted to cheer you up!"
Jack takes in a proper view of the room; the tables laden with food and drinks, the festive décor everywhere and the humongous banner that reads We Love You Jack! He has the wry thought that that was not Bunny's idea.
Despite how much he appreciates the gesture, he's not in the mood for partying and slowly pulls his arm away from Tooth who's excited chattering comes to a stop.
"What is it? Do you not like it?"
Jack squeezes the fairy's hand, "This is really sweet Tooth but I'm not really in the mood for a party. I'm sorry you went through all the trouble. You guys should enjoy yourselves; I'm just gonna head downstairs."
He gives the rest of the room a quiet nod and glides out the door.
Tooth looks like she's about to cry and sets herself down on a chair, "I just feel horrible now."
North sighs as he goes to comfort the fairy, "Not your fault, Toothy. You were right, Jack seems to be in dumps."
He looks over at Bunny who's glaring at one of the elves chomping on a cookie. "Bunny, go check."
The rabbit splutters as he looks at the white-haired man, "What? Why me? I don' care about him." He crosses his paws, looking steadfastly away from them.
But the weight of their stares burns a hole in his back and it slowly weakens his resolve. The last straw is Baby Tooth flying in front of him with sad wounded eyes.
"Argh fine! I'll talk to him. Crikey, you'd think a guy could get a break around here."
Ignoring the grins on the other three, he makes his way to the small alcove that tends to serve as Jack's hideout.
He finds the teenager resting against the wall, head turned sideways to the great snowy scape that makes up North's domain.
The somber mood that permeates the air is what makes Bunny halt and he watches Jack quietly for a minute. The boy presses a finger to the glass and as swirls of frost freeze its way into existence, Bunny is shocked to see tears make its way down pale cheeks.
He inches forward, "Frost? You okay?"
His voice is soft but Jack still flinches in surprise and he is quick to rub at his cheeks. "Ya, cottontail, I'm fine. Just thinking is all."
"Well if thinking hurts so much that you need to shed a tear, maybe you should give that teeny tiny brain a rest." Bunny's weak attempt at humor is thankfully well received as Jack gives a small chuckle.
He rests a paw on the blue covered shoulder, "If there's something going on, let me know. My long ears aren't just for looks."
Jack gives a nod but doesn't say anything so Bunny doesn't press him. He simply squeezes the shoulder and turns to leave.
He's at the door when the boy finally speaks, "Is it stupid to feel alone despite being surrounded by all of you?
Bunny quirks an eyebrow and turns around. He seats himself against the opposite wall, keeping his gaze on the winter scene outside and waits for Jack to continue.
Jack takes the invitation he's been given, "I've spent my entire immortal existence being alone and unseen and I hated every second. But now, I have you guys and I have Jamie and others who believe in me and I still can't get over this stupid ache that feels like something is missing. That there is something that I still don't have and I don't feel complete without it."
"You're missing your mate."
Jack's head snaps up from where it was burrowed in his knees, "What?"
Bunny uncrosses his arms and leans forward with a small smile, "Your mate. Someone special and chosen for us by Manny. They rough you up and soothe your edges. They make you smile and they make you want to smash your head into a wall. They are a part of you. That's what you're missing."
"Why do we need soulmates, though? And I didn't know you guys had soulmates." Jack pulls his hood away from his face, allowing Bunny to see the dark circles under his eyes clearly.
There's a flash of something in the rabbit's eyes that soften his face; it's something Jack had only seen when Sophie had found her way to the Warren three years ago.
"Well, I've go' my Shelia who tends to stay hidden; she's not too big with people. Shy one she is. I met her in 1848. You've already met Marie or Mrs. Claus as they call her. She's North's soulmate; this lovely gal he found in Russia way back 1745. Tooth hasn' found her soulmate as yet but she never gives up hope. As for Sandy…well, he's a special case. According to him, he never really needed a soulmate. I don' know why so don' ask me."
"The reason why we have soulmates though…as I understand it; as Guardians, we have our duty to bring hope and joy to the world. It's an altruistic life, Frost; full of care and compassion but it's a lonely life. We may not all be human but we have emotions and needs. We need someone to care for us too.
Jack doesn't let up with the questions, "But how do you know when you've met them?"
Bunny ears twitch as he thinks of a way to explain, "It's a feeling; an intuition. You see them and you know that there's nothing you wouldn't do for them. It takes us years to find them but when you do, it seems like the world has suddenly clicked into place. Tha's the best way I can think of putting it. I'm sorry if I couldn't be of more help, Frost." He actually is sorry and it shows in his face.
"It's okay. You've helped me understand though." Jack sends him a soft smile and his eyes are honest, "Thank you Bunny."
The sincere thanks make him blush and Bunny stands up with a forced cough, "Yeah well. Let's get going. We have a party and then I'm putting you all to work in the Warren."
Jack's protest is immediate but Bunny pays him no mind as he pushes the young boy out the door.
He doesn't follow though. Bunny takes that second to look up at Manny and he sends up a silent wish.
Give him this please. Let him be truly happy.
Ooo
Three Weeks Later
With it being mid-April Jack feels no guilt as he leaves the window open with his entrance and settles himself on the messy bed. Holding his palm open, he watches a snowflake materialize and flicks his fingers to let the warm wind send it floating out the doorway.
Merely a minute later, his call is answered and Jack finds himself on the receiving end of a North like hug. Laughing and gasping at the pressure on his ribs, Jack squeezes his friend tight.
"I missed you too Jamie."
13 year old Jamie Bennett pulls back and treats Jack to a withering glare, "You wouldn't have needed to miss me if you'd come and visited like you'd promised."
Jack winces, sheepishly running his hand through white hair, "I'm sorry; there was just some stuff-"
There's a soft squeeze on his hand and Jack is offered a small smile, "It's okay. I'm not really mad; I was just worried about you. I didn't know if anything was wrong or if something had happened to you."
Jack pulls the little boy back against his chest and feels his guilt increase as small arms tighten around him. He can say nothing more other than an apology.
"I am sorry Jamie."
Deciding that it's time to break the somber mood, Jack offers a suggestion, "How about we go ice skating? We haven't gone since Christmas."
Jamie pulls back with a frown, "There's no ice. How are we supposed to go ice skating in April when- ooohhhhh." The realization sorts of hits him as a mischievous grin spreads across Jack's pale cheeks.
An equally impish grin pulls at Jamie's cheeks and he runs for his closet. He roots around for a few seconds and then emerges triumphant with his skates in hand.
"You take my skates; I'll go tell Mom I'm going to see Cupcake and the others and I'll meet you at the pond."
"See you there!"
Jack leaves with a wave and the skates around his neck and flies towards the pond where he'd been christened as the Guardian of Fun. He drops the skates and looks around the empty clearing with a grin.
Hovering a few feet over the large pool of water, Jack twirls his staff and then thrusts the end down. Ice covers the surface just as Jamie breaks through the clearing. The young teen laces up the skates, waiting patiently for Jack to reinforce the ice.
When he gets the go ahead, Jamie steps onto the now frozen pond and he's off with a loud laugh. They spend two hours skating across the ice, chucking snowballs at each other and Jack feels his heart lighten as he laughes right along with the boy. Teenager he may be but Jamie still retains some of his childlike wonder from three years ago and it makes Jack's heart swell.
It's well past noon when they both make their way back home and are greeted with an unfamiliar car in the driveway.
"Uhh... did your parents get a new car since this morning?"
"No; it's not my parents. We've had guests staying over this past week. They're my dad's old friends; from India."
"India?"
"Yeah. They lived there with their daughter and then moved to the U.S. when their daughter was 12; she used to babysit me. Her dad and my dad worked together until he got transferred to California. They just recently moved back; their new house is a few blocks away and they're staying with us until it's refurbished."
Jack gives Jamie a slight shove towards his home, "Go see them then. I'll drop off your skates in your room and I'll see you soon okay? I promise I won't take so long to come visit."
After one last hug, Jamie's gone through the door and Jack makes for the window to his room. With the skates safely put away in the closet, Jack turns back to the glass pane.
And then he stops. His head turns towards the hallway beyond Jamie's bedroom and the rest of his body follows.
He can't explain it and he doesn't understand it but there's a feeling. A pull, somewhere deep inside him. And it's leading him to the voices in the living room.
He peeks into the open area which is filled with couches and two families. Jamie and Sophie are eagerly chomping on sandwiches and their parents are busy conversing with another couple with chocolate like skin.
But Jack's attention is pulled somewhere else. The sapphire blue eyes alight on a lone figure, perusing the book shelves. Her back is to him and Jack takes in the long legs encased in black skinny jeans, the scars that cover her tanned arm, exposed through an emerald short sleeved shirt and the curly shoulder length black hair.
And then she turns to smile at something her father says and Jack feels his world explode.
His heart thumps in his chest, threatening to burst out of him and his eyes hungrily take in every voluptuous curve, the maroon stained lips that are spread into a laugh and the dark black eyes that sparkle with mischief.
Soulmate. As soon as he thinks the words, there is a sense of fulfillment within him that he hadn't experienced even when Jamie saw him. It makes Jack's body thrum and he finds himself smiling.
The minute pull he'd felt before turns into a physical yank and Jack feels himself taking a step closer to her.
Almost as if she senses him, the woman turns to face him and Jack's heart sings.
The very next second, his heart breaks and a choked gasp escapes his throat. Because her eyes pass right by him and Jack realizes with a sinking heart that she cannot see him.
His gasp alerts Jamie to his presence and the boy turns concerned eyes to him. Before Jamie can move from his spot against the couch, Jack turns away and is out the open window.
Jamie is left looking at the small trail of frost that coats his wall and a pit of worry springs up in his stomach.
Ooo
Jack doesn't cry till he stumbles out of cold and into the warmth of his home. He doesn't cry as he coaxes the smoldering embers in his fireplace into a small blaze. He doesn't cry when he leans his staff against the wall and drops into the silver arm chair in front of the hearth.
He does cry when that little feeling in his chest tugs at him once again, urging him to fly south. Towards Jaime. Towards her.
He feels the sob build up in his chest and forces it back down. But when his tears persist, Jack feels a frisson of anger curl in his gut and he lashes out.
The nearby vase is smashed against the brick wall, the armchair is overturned and icicles creep menacingly over the room.
When he finally stops, his chest is heaving, the room is a mess and a shaken Bunny is staring at him.
Jack doesn't even have the strength to be surprised at Bunny's presence in his home. The anger and adrenaline drains from his system and he tilts dangerously.
Bunny moves fast, grabbing the immortal teen before he can crash into the glass on the floor. He looks at the unconscious boy in his arms and at the destroyed room before turning back for the open rabbit hole he'd come from. He grabs the staff at the last minute and heads back to the Warren and for his own chambers.
He sets Jack down in one of the arm chairs and goes about making a fire in the stone hearth before moving back to his unconscious ward.
Resting a paw on the white hair, the Guardian begins to chant. A pale light envelops his paws as the healing invocation takes root.
Draíochta Leigheas
Draíochta Sruthán
Deireadh Pian
Ar Ais Fola
Seo phléadáil mé
Ár Gealai
Gníomhas Comhlánaigh
Le Fhéadfadh Go Léir
Jack begins to stir as he ends the chant so Bunny leaves him on the chair for a moment, heading for his shelves. He pulls out an intricately carved bottle filled with what Jack recognizes as Celestial wine and pours some into a goblet.
Icy blue eyes watch him as Bunny turns back. He pushes the goblet into pale hands and Jack drinks, reveling in the warmth the drink offers as it slides down his throat.
When the last drop is gone, Bunny takes back the goblet and seats himself in the opposite arm chair.
"What happened?"
He can't bring himself to speak yet so Jack skirts the question by asking one of his own, "What were you doing in my home?"
Bunny quirks an eyebrow. He recognizes the evasion but lets it slide, "The Book of Guardians alerts us when any of us are in trouble. Your gem began to glow so I knew something wasn't right with you. Now, answer my question. What happened?"
Jack looks into the burning hearth. "Would you call it luck or fate that merely a fornight after our conversation I would find her?"
"Find her…oh. Your mate? You found your soul mate! Frost; that's incredible! Why wouldn't you be happy that you found her- oh shit."
Jack stares at him as Bunny comes to the heart stopping realization on his own, "She can't see you, can she?"
"Ding ding ding…give the rabbit a carrot." Bunny can't even muster up the indignation at the sardonic comment because Jack starts crying at the very next second.
Hot tears make its way down his cheeks and the boy tries in vain to wipe them away, "It's just not fair. Why is it always me? Why do I always get the short end of the stick? I spend three hundred years trying to get children to believe in me and when they finally do, it doesn't seem to matter anymore because the one person who I need to believe in me doesn't. How is that fair?"
"It's not." Comes the gentle reply and Jack looks up through blurry eyes to see Bunny giving him a rare smile.
"It's not fair that you always get the short end of the stick. But you do and because you do; you're a damn good Guardian. You know what it's like to feel lonely and unloved and you do your damn hardest to make sure no one ever feels like that. You learn from the challenges that Manny keeps throwing at you and you're a better person for it."
"You can't give up on this Jack. You can't give up on her. Make her see and believe. You got Jamie to believe and he's happier for it. Do it with her too."
Bunny presses the curved staff into Jack's hands and pulls him up, "Come on, mate. You're a stubborn, impertinent show pony. It's time to put that stubborn hard headiness to use and you get that girl to believe. I know you can."
Looking back, Jack will say that it was the heat of the moment and he was quite emotional at the time; he really can't be held responsible for his actions.
He throws his arms around the large rabbit, burying his face in the soft white fur, "Thank you."
Bunny's face is red as he awkwardly pats the white head under his chin. Spirits, he's never going to live this down.
When Jack steps out of the hug, Bunny taps the ground three times with his foot. "See you around Frost."
"See you around." With a two fingered wave, Jack steps into the hole and is gone.
It's only later that he realizes that despite all the Guardians supposedly knowing that he was in trouble, Bunny was the only one who'd come to check on him.
It would seem that Bunny did care after all.
Ooo
A.N: English translation for the Irish invocation. Part of it was taken from a website that specializes in healing spells and the second half is my own creation. Hope you all enjoyed! Also my apologies for Bunny…I'm trying to work on the written part of his accent but it doesn't always come out the way I want it.
Magick Mend
Magick Burn
Pain End
Blood Return
This I Plead
Our Moonlight
Complete Thy Deed
With All Thy Might
