Hello again! I just don't know what I'm doing anymore but oh well, you guys are used to it by now (at least you guys who follow me). If you don't know me yet, I'm the crazy one that writes 'A Hundred Words', a drabble/one-shots collection about Jack&Pitch relationship in a fraternal way. However, I couldn't help but have some ideas about AUs and I didn't think it was write to put them into that collection. So here, have a new one! Lots (at least I'm planning to write more than a few) of drabbles/one-shots in differents AUs. I apologize beforehand for all the OOCness that you may find on your way, and for all the spelling and grammar mistakes you'll find.

I hope you guys enjoy this collection!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of The Guardians.

Summary: Jack wants to play on the snow for the first time.
(human!Jack; human!Pitch)

"Tomorrow is a hope, never a promise."

Snowday

"Koz?"

Kozmotis blinked a few times, his mind still numb and dizzy from the short nap, the book slipping of his hands to fall on the floor but he didn't register it. He couldn't even remember the moment he had fallen asleep on the armchair, too exhausted and comfortable to even care about going to bed before passing out right there. Unfortunately his now sore neck didn't agree with him, and the man took a moment to stretch before he finally let his gaze fall on the boy. Jack had freed himself from the piles of blankets around his body and sat up on the bed, resting against the bed head with that stupid, mischievous smile plastered on his face.

Kozmotis couldn't simply understand that.
He couldn't understand how someone could smile so easily when...

"Yes, Jack?" Now it wasn't time to think about those things. His eyes darted around for a second or two, finding the clock over the fireplace to check on the hour. Not as late as he had expected. "It's not dinner time yet."

"Nope. I wanna do something special today."

Kozmotis sighed, curling against the armchair as he closed his eyes, exhaustion threatening to take over his tired senses and limbs again. When was the last time he really slept for a whole night? It seemed to be a lifetime ago, in fact. He heard Jack calling his name again, impatient and loud as the little imp he was, and the older man felt a deep, annoyed sigh escape his lips.

"No, Jack. No matter what you ask, it's getting late and it's snowing."

"But I wanna see the snow!"

Now that wasn't something he was expecting to hear from Jack, but maybe he shouldn't be so surprised. Kozmotis opened his eyes slowly, blinking a few times once more to be sure he hadn't fall asleep again, and stared back at Jack. The boy had that defying, intense expression that left no space for doubts. He was serious. Really serious about this one. And Kozmotis had believed things couldn't get any worse than they already were...

"No."

"Koz!"

"Of all the irresponsible things you could ask me-"

"Just once, please!" And when the child's voice shattered, Kozmotis felt all his defenses breaking as well. "I... just wanna see it once. I can't.. you know- I'll be careful, you can wrap me in all the jackets I have a-and even in four piles of blankets but I can't..."

The older man took a deep breath, running a hand through his raven hair. He couldn't, he shouldn't let the child do something so stupid, so unhealthy but he knew it'd be just as cruel to deny such a heartbreaking request. Jack's eyes were filled with unshed tears, his pale fingers trembling softly as he gripped the blankets. How was he supposed to say no, even when he knew it'd just do more evil than good? Kozmotis finally found strength enough to pull himself up and approach the bed, resting a hand on the child's forehead before moving to his hair. No fever. It was a good signal, at least.

"I feel good today, Koz. I really do. And it's my birthday today, remember?"

Of course Kozmotis remembered. How could he forget such a special day? And he knew there was no idea to take the idea out of Jack's head, no matter what he said. After a long moment he finally gave up and nodded, moving towards to wardrobe. Every inch of his body screamed against that, against the idea of letting his ward go out in a damned cold afternoon to see the snow. Jack was still too fragile, too weak. It was a miracle he could still stand on his own, yet... he sucked in a deep, harsh breath, trying not to think about that. It'd just make him change his mind and he wouldn't be able to face Jack's hurt expression like he had done countless times before.

It was just too much, for both of them.
They both deserved a break from the cruel, harsh reality they've been living in for the past years.

Kozmotis felt a warm hand being pressed against his back and relaxed under the gentle touch, smiling down at Jack. The boy was still painfully thin and small for his age, but his smile was enough to reassure him that he was indeed feeling well and everything would be fine. A few minutes outside would make them feel better, and it had been a long time since they had some fun together. He pushed away every and any bad feeling and doubt bubbling on his chest and shoved his overprotectiveness in the very depths of his mind, ignoring Jack's little protests as he forced at least four jackets on the boy.

And a hat. And two pair of gloves.
A scarf was always good to keep around, as well.

He was just being safe. Not overprotective.

"You wanna keep me alive or what? I can't breath under all these things!"

"Shush, you." Kozmotis laughed softly, finally managing the child to wear some warm shoes before taking a step back to appreciate his work, nodding in approvation. At least Jack wouldn't be cold. "You look warm enough. Come on, before I change my mind about this whole thing."

Any sarcastic retort Jack would say got lost in the moment Kozmotis motioned the door, and the boy gulped softly, eyes shining in antecipation as they crossed the second floor and then the hall quickly, his breath stuck on his throat as the older man approached the main door and unlocked it, allowing the cold wind of winter invade the sacred warmth of their home. The child giggled at the sudden, foreign feeling. It wasn't a bad cold like the ones he used to feel during the nights. It was a gentle cold, inviting even. He took a careful step out, not expecting the lack of stability under his feet, and almost faceplanted right on the snow. Fortunately he kept his balance and giggled loudly, taking a few more steps into the white, fluffy blanket that covered every part of the garden and the streets, his eyes trying to look around at everything at the same time.

It was just beautiful. Everything was wonderful, amazing. The cold, the snowflakes falling from the sky, the snowbanks settled here and there...
How had he missed it for so long?

For a moment he felt tears pricking into his eyes but brushed them off quickly. That stupid sickeness wouldn't mess with him now, not when he was feeling so great. A few more steps and he finally found a way not to fall on his face whenever he walked.

"Jack." Kozmotis called softly from the door, keen eyes never leaving his ward. "Five minutes, okay?"

Five minutes were more than enough.

"So, did you have fun today?" Kozmotis asked idly, more focused on tucking Jack under the blankets, keeping him as warm as he could. The boy just hummed in response, eyes already closed, and the older man didn't help the smile that curled on his lips, running a hand through the child's hair. "Good. Maybe we can do something as special next year."

"It'll be fun. We could make a snowman..." Jack mumbled softly, sighing happily. "Koz, do you think I'll ever get better?"

"I know so."

It was a blatant lie and they both knew so, yet he couldn't just say otherwise, not now when everything was just fine. Kozmotis pushed the tears away, placing a soft kiss on Jack's too warm forehead, trying not to worry, not to brood over what would happen sooner or later. They could think about it any other day of the year. They could fear and dread the next day tomorrow.

Today, Jack was alive and that was all that mattered.
Tomorrow was just a new hope that he'd never give up on.

Thank you for reading! Reviews would make me really happy~
See ya~