Set Up Tranquility

It was blazing hot. The sun was right overhead, spreading its unholy heat over Burgess. And yet, a gust of surprisingly cold wind swept through a neighborhood, down a quiet street in the early morn, and came to a stop in front of a house, which was odd. Wind was supposed to continue on.

However, the figure which landed on the porch of that small house could not be mistaken for anyone else by any child on the block who could see him. He twirled the long shepherd's staff he carried and waited patiently as he listened to the noises coming from inside the house.

"—going to be late, and on your first day of school!"

"I am not!"

"Didn't you say you were going to pick up Mick?"

"Yeah, but I'm not going to be late. There's a lot of time."

"Well, go on then."

"You'll tell me how it goes, right Jamie?"

"Aw, sure, Soph. I'm sure I'll have fun."

The door opened and Jamie Bennett stumbled out with his backpack slung over one shoulder. He caught sight of the spirit and grinned. "Hey!"

Jack Frost smirked. "Hey. You ready?"

The boy secured his backpack on both shoulders and nodded, and they set off for Mick's house. "You didn't hear that in there, did you?"

"Maybe. Sophie's pretty curious about your high school."

"Yeah. She's only eight, but I think she's scared, even though it's a long way off for her." He puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm supposed to set a good example for her! I'll tell her that today was great, because I know it will be."

Jack chuckled fondly and ruffled the kid's hair. If he did have a favorite child, it was definitely this one. "Are you scared?"

Jamie deflated a bit and clutched his straps. "A little. Burgess High is a pretty big school. Maybe two thousand kids. I've never been to a school that big." He smiled. "But I think I'll be fine. You're here, and Mick will be there too, so that's great."

It wasn't difficult to figure out why he was relieved that Mick was his friend. Though both boys were fourteen, the former bully looked like he could be at least a sophomore, maybe even a junior. To be honest, Jack was also glad the pair had become friends. He knew how cruel high school kids could be. He had taken to observing them once, knowing that none of them could see him. Passing snide notes, spreading gossip, and isolating other children were only a few cruel acts which were not beneath them. Then again, this was Burgess, and the people here were probably considerably nicer than the spoiled brats he had seen in a New York boarding school.

They chatted about what the first day might be like and reached Mick's house. The boy was already waiting for them outside, and he and Jamie performed a ridiculous handshake that had Jack clutching his sides with laughter.

"It's not that funny," Mick said as they all resumed walking. "I'm sure you Guardian guys have some weird way of greeting each other."

"Uh, yeah," Jack snarked. "It's called a wave, or a hug, or a 'well, hi there'. Not…that. Besides, I don't think I could see any of them doing that. They're too old."

They laughed brightly, and even though the sun beat down uncomfortably on the frost spirit, his heart was light because of the peace which pervaded it. This was how it was supposed to be: walking with friends, making jokes, then being able to look forward to returning to a safe home where someone was waiting.

Jack blushed as he thought of how he had slipped out of bed not too long ago, how the satin sheets had hushed softly back around a grey, lithe body which slumbered on peacefully, so lax after several hours of rather vigorous activities. Yeah. I do have something to look forward to, now and forever.

Mick noticed his faraway look and cackled. "Well, well. Not too hard to guess what he's thinking about."

Jamie groaned. "Oh my God, let's not start on that."

"Shut up," Jack grumbled with embarrassment. Everything now was surprisingly domestic, but he wasn't one to complain. "What I think about is none of your business."

"You mean who you think about," Jamie corrected. "But speaking of Pitch—"

"We weren't speaking of him!"

"—aren't you guys supposed to have some sort of big meeting today?"

The adventures Jack had gone through over the summer and even further back were made known only to a few when it was all over, namely Jamie and his group of friends. Some details had been left out merely because they were young, but they understood enough about the plot against Pitch and some of the issues that needed to be resolved. And somewhere a few weeks ago, they had caught wind of just how much the Nightmare King meant to him, and the teasing had continued on since.

Jack scratched his head. "Er, yeah. Though it's more of like an audience."

"With a king," Mick breathed in awe. "But how cool is that? You don't get to do that every day."

"Well, Pitch is a king too," Jack pointed out. And I have the pleasure of him screwing my brains out almost every day. His face reddened even further, and he clamped his teeth down over the perverse comment. There were children present. Unfortunately, the pair noticed the look he had and started teasing him again, all the way to Burgess High.

They met up with the other children who had stood by his side against Pitch several years ago. It was Jack's turn to tease quietly when he noticed how Mick suddenly clammed up around Cupcake. The girl had embraced her femininity over the years and now stood tall and proud over her friends, hair neatly styled with just a thin spread of pale pink lip gloss adorning her mouth. It was rather obvious, the way Mick stammered a good morning while Jamie and Pippa snickered together. Jack didn't let that couple off the hook either, even if it wasn't close to being official. He shot Jamie a wicked smirk that had him spluttering and hurrying the others to the main doors. To be young and in love.

Jack leaned against his staff and waved. "Have a nice day!"

They waved back, and soon he was left to watch other children trickle in. He jumped when a black muzzle snorted hot air against the side of his face.

"Whoa, girl!"

Onyx nickered lowly and pressed her nose to his offered hand.

"They grow up so fast, huh? One night, you're terrorizing them in their sleep, the next, they hardly jump when they watch Paranormal Activity." He chuckled and scratched the smooth sand between her eyes. "But why're you here? I doubt—oh. He sent you to check up on me, didn't he."

The Nightmare pranced in place. Jack sighed and hopped on her back. "Fine, fine. Let's go home. But how about we take the long way, yeah?"

The salty breeze whipped his hair about him as they flew low over the ocean. It was a pleasant sensation, but his mind was rather occupied, no thanks to what Jamie had mentioned. That wretched meeting. Right.

He wondered doubtfully if Maro would really show up tonight. He had sent a Nightmare out last week to inform the tengu that they would need to meet King Sojobo soon in order to explain the circumstances behind his subjects' rebellion, but all he had received as a reply was a date and time they would meet. That day was today.

"What do you think?" he asked Onyx. "Can we still trust him?"

The beast tossed her mane, but that was all. Jack sighed. One thing he couldn't trust was a horse's clear response. They continued on to England and touched down in the mountains of north-west England's Lakeland, right in front of that lovely house he shared with the Boogeyman. He slipped off the horse and looked up at the lovely structure. He always did this. Always stood and marveled at the beauty of a place he could call his own—a place he could be with him.

…Geez.

He marched up the steps and went in, wondering when he had turned into a sop. Probably a long time ago, right? He leaned his staff against the door—here, he didn't need to protect himself. This home was safe.

They had gotten a lot of work done this August. At first, it had been extremely difficult for him to keep up with Pitch as they refurbished the house by hand. All of the carpentry and assembly had to be precise and careful. The backyard had been a wasteland of scraps and sawdust for a while until the larger pieces of wood had been stacked by a tree for extra firewood, and the sawdust had been scattered on a playful wind. While they hadn't used any magic to aid them, they had used the Nightmares to sand the rough wood at Jack's suggestion. Pitch had been affronted at the thought of using his precious darlings for such menial work, but after sanding a two-by-four alone, he quickly changed his mind.

The house was finished, more or less. Tiles had been laid, stairs repaired, windows replaced, and more. What needed to be done now was the furnishings. The den which Pitch had repaired was the only place that had been refurnished. No other rugs had been taken down from the attic. No electrical appliances had been installed in the kitchen, and the light bulbs had yet to be replaced. The intricate carvings that had been in the old beams of wood around had not been etched in yet, but Pitch said he would probably get to that soon.

Jack paused in the middle of the grand foyer and looked around proudly. This was their home. And it was perfect.

Maybe we could host parties here soon, he thought eagerly. This could be the ballroom, and there could be dances and—

"Jack? Is that you?"

He grinned. "Yeah! Where are you?"

"Kitchen."

He found Pitch Black, Lord of the Shadows, leaning on the black marble countertop of the island there, glaring at the empty space where the refrigerator used to stand.

"What's up?"

"I don't like it," the shade growled in a very unroyal manner. "We don't need a refrigerator, or a stove, or a damn microwave."

Jack sighed. This argument again. "But it'll be convenient to have when we want to eat."

"We're immortals! We don't have to eat."

"But I want to. Food tastes good. Maybe you could, I dunno, store some fear in a nice set of Tupperware and keep it in the freezer. Heat it up in the microwave in the middle of the night when you have a weird craving." Jack actually thought about what he just said and burst into laughter. "Oh my God. Yes, that's why we need it."

Pitch turned to scowl at him, and Jack looked at his face. The past few weeks had turned the Nightmare King into something kinder when he was around Jack. Something…softer. And while he still had his extremely cruel edge about him when he left to terrorize the children of the world, he was like a completely different person within these walls.

Pitch's glare didn't last for long. It twisted into an exasperated smile. "Go on. Make jokes."

"Didn't I just do that?"

"I can't just preserve emotions like that. It doesn't work that way."

Jack stepped into his space and tilted his head up. "Pity. I really wanted that fridge."

"We're spirits, Jack. We can't just waltz into a store and buy one."

"Who said anything about buying?"

Twin eclipses of gold flashed with sudden mischievousness. "Oh? Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

Jack hesitated. To take a few clothes from a marketplace because he needed them was one thing. To lift a huge electrical appliance from a warehouse was perhaps a little too extreme. "Eh. Maybe not."

"Pity." Pitch dipped his head and sealed his lips against Jack's, his hot tongue sliding out to teasingly trace them. Warm hands snaked around to his back and dipped lower to rest on the curve of his ass. "I thought I'd have a reason to reward you for turning to the dark side."

That was not fair. Jack whined as Pitch suddenly moved away to glare some more at where the stove had also been. "C'mon! I can't just steal a refrigerator! That's ridiculous."

"You suggested it."

"I…well, suggest something else! I want to be able to serve people when they come by for a visit."

Pitch looked wholly uninterested. "Who said anything about having visitors?"

Jack paused. "Um…but wouldn't it be nice to have company?"

"No. This is a safe house. I'm not going to compromise its location just because you want to entertain."

"Why? North does it all the time! He has parties! Every spirit knows where his home is. The other Guardians too."

Pitch did not look as lustful as he did a minute ago, which was enough to warn Jack. "And they know where my lair is. So we're all even. But I will not let them enter this house."

Jack swallowed in quiet frustration. Hadn't the shade said this home belonged to him too now? Then was it not his right to invite people over? However, he spied the tight look on Pitch's face and decided not to press the issue. The last thing he needed was a fight. Not while today was looking so bright. Instead, he sidled up playfully and nudged him. "I still want a fridge." He was confident that he would change Pitch's mind on having guests in the future. Certainly there were ways. And plenty of time. "Maybe North'll make me one."

Pitch relaxed at his casual tone, understanding that he wouldn't be pushed any further today. "I doubt he has time for that."

"I'll make him make time."

Pitch rolled his eyes and swept out of the kitchen, a giddy frost sprite on his heels. "Weren't you supposed to drop some brats off today?"

"Yeah, it's their first day of high school." He sniffled dramatically. "They grow up so fast."

"Not fast enough," Pitch muttered as they went into the foyer, snapping his fingers. Onyx came in through the window and pranced eagerly in place.

Jack laughed. "Well, they reminded me that we have a meeting today at Mt. Fuji."

"Right. Meeting with the tengu king." Pitch sounded less than enthusiastic. He pressed a hand to Onyx's head in silence, and the horse snorted once in understanding and dissolved into several streams of sand, one of which disappeared outside. The others scattered throughout the house, and Jack watched as the remaining one began to etch away at the grand staircase's bannister. The delicate spirals and patterns from the old beams were slowly carved into the wood.

"Cool. What's the matter though? We finally get to put an end to part of this. Clear up a misunderstanding."

"There's nothing wrong with it," Pitch said, but Jack knew he was lying.

"Wait. Could it be? Are you not happy because I get to see Maro again?"

It was no secret that Pitch rather hated the tengu. Whether it was because he had taken a liking to Jack or because he had been on the wrong side during Faust's terrorizing campaign was unclear. Although Jack had a good idea.

"That creature is worthless," Pitch spat. "I don't want you talking to him."

Hm. It was most likely jealousy. But it was very flattering. "I won't let him kiss me like that one time."

The shade fingered one of the new patterns on the railing. "Like those two times."

Jack squawked indignantly and reminded him, "Okay, you let the second one happen."

"A mistake I will always regret," Pitch said honestly. "I have half a mind to keep you locked up in here."

"If you do that, you'll have to feed me."

Pitch took his pale hands into his and let the shadows dance around them a bit. That always made Jack smile with wonder. "Tell you what. You go get my tea set from the lair and I'll consider the refrigerator."

Jack shot to the second floor faster than a whip and was under the guestroom bed in mere seconds. As he passed through the doorway portal into the tunnel of Pitch's lair, he tried to wipe his smile from his face. This was unbelievable. Fantastically unbelievable. He padded out into the open on bare feet and shoved his hands in his hoodie pocket. Once they sorted things out with Sojobo, and once they found the culprit who had urged Faust to go on a power-stealing rampage, he could go back to spreading fun without a care in the world. Pitch could do his little nightmare thing. And then both of them would live happily ever after.

As if.

Jack actually hoped life wouldn't be that perfect. It would be monotonous if it was. What they needed was something not so picturesque. They would fight, but he wasn't worried about that. It would add spice. He wanted his fun life and his love life to be filled with unexpected twists and turns of adventure, be it physically or emotionally. That was how it ought to be. And just by being that way, it would, in a sense, be perfect.

He almost missed the black figure standing quietly in the middle of the lair before he entered the main cavern. However, he saw, and he froze, and he ducked behind a fallen slab of rock to observe.

It was Isobel Gowdie, clad in her usual Victorian dress of black, hair pulled back in a beautiful bun. Her blood red lips were pursed as she stared at the cavern walls in concentration. She didn't look like she was deep in her own thoughts, but like she was…scouting. Jack frowned and wondered if he should make himself known. Pitch had told him not to trust Isobel, and to fear her, but that was rather difficult. She seemed to be on decent terms with the Boogeyman, and he recalled vaguely how the other Guardians weren't too alarmed when Pitch mentioned her to them long ago. In addition to that, she had been a great asset to them in dealing with Faust's forces, as she somehow managed to convince the incubus, Irdu Lili, to spy for her.

She's not so bad, is she? he wondered, stepping out of the shadows and into her view. In truth though, he was trying to convince himself of that.

Isobel gave a soft "oh" when she saw him, then smiled politely. "Jack Frost. How have you been?"

He smiled back. She practically radiated good feelings and kindness. "Great, actually. You?"

She sighed. "Well, life has been a little difficult as of late, but it has treated me with kindness. I'm sorry for intruding. I was hoping to see Pitch. Is he around?"

"No, sorry. I'm just here to pick some things up for him." He motioned for her to follow him to the kitchen. "We never thanked you for helping out with Faust."

"Oh, that was nothing. I hear you have everything resolved."

Jack shrugged as they went in. He began to open the cupboards until he found the one which housed Pitch's precious china. The white porcelain was decorated with delicate blue etchings of tiny plants, people, and animals. Jack carefully took a few out before he remembered that he had to answer. "Oops. Yeah, we caught him and stuff, but it's a little more complicated than that. We think…" He bit his cheek suddenly. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to reveal his friends' suspicions too someone Pitch claimed could not be trusted.

The woman apparently took no offense to his silence, because she laughed gaily and began to take a few of the plates down. "I am aware of what you all think. Someone had to have urged Faust to do what he did, right? But that's a logical conclusion. He is brilliant in alchemy, but for a scheme like that, he couldn't have thought it up alone. Nor could he have found the Seal of Solomon on his own."

Jack started to agree, but his voice stuck in his throat. Had he…said anything about the Seal?

Slowly, he put down a cup and looked at her, mind racing. His staff was at the house, and although he could manage without it, they were in close proximity. This was—

"Oh dear. I've given you a fright." Isobel patted his arm before he could even flinch. "You're wondering, 'How did she know it was the Seal', yes? Simple. I've always known."

Jack spluttered, still on guard. "Then why didn't you tell any of us?"

She shrugged and took out the last of the dishes. "I may have helped you, but I am still, for lack of a better expression, a creature of darkness, so to speak. I like to cause a little mayhem. Pitch probably told you not to trust me, right? Well, that's why. I give information when I feel like it, withhold it when I don't. Make no mistake, I don't want to see him hurt, but it is still in my nature."

That did absolutely nothing to reassure him. "When you say you're a creature of darkness…"

"I'm a witch, dear," Isobel explained patiently. "I do apologize for not warning you about the Seal, but I was confident that you all could handle it. And you did, didn't you?"

Yes, they did, but Jack had been knocked out for two weeks and Pitch had part of his darkness mercilessly ripped from his soul. If that was handling it, then sure. Fine. He scowled and stepped away from her, though there wasn't really anywhere to go in the kitchen. "What made you help us in the first place?"

Isobel Gowdie got a rather dreamy look in her eyes, and Jack's suspicions quelled slightly. He had seen that look before in plenty of spirits he had befriended, and humans too, when they told him something about people they were fond of.

"Pitch Black and I…go way back."

"You were in love with him," Jack realized, something stirring uncomfortably in his heart. Here was a former rival, then. Wasn't that dangerous though? Wouldn't she want him out of the way if she still had feelings for him?

However, the beautiful witch lost her starry-eyed expression and laughed. "Love? I suppose. It was more of a crush, really. We met in Scotland when I was a very young girl. It was a difficult time for me. Pitch may seem rather heartless when it comes to dealing out nightmares, but he has his moments." She traced a plate. "I bought him this china set some centuries ago as a thank you gift. It does warm my heart to see that he still uses it."

Jack squinted at her. She was an enigma. Perhaps, when Pitch had said she couldn't be trusted, he had meant that she was very difficult to figure out. Maybe. "Scotland?"

"My accent has faded," she admitted. "I sound American now, but it doesn't matter. The point is that I am very fond of Pitch. Yes, I love him, but not like you do."

Jack blanched. Had he ever told her…no, no he hadn't. "How did you—"

"It's rather easy to see," she admitted. "I don't need to be me to figure that out."

Jack thought of the other oblivious Guardians, Bunny especially, and had to disagree. "I think it's because you have that woman's intuition." She laughed at the comment, and he found himself smiling. Maybe she couldn't be trusted, but she was a kind enough person. "Well, I have to get back to…him."

"Let me help." She snapped her fingers, and a cardboard box popped up on the counter. Jack stared. "Simple summoning spell. Pitch taught me. Let's get these dishes packed away."

As they wrapped the plates and cups in the old newspapers that were in the box, he decided that he could spend some time asking a few more questions. "So this thing with you and Pitch. How long did it happen?"

"There was never a thing," she replied, though her eyes rolled to the ceiling in thought. "It was more of…he was the master and I was the apprentice. Naturally, I developed a crush. But he always treated me like his own daughter."

The thought of Pitch having a child made Jack wonder. Did Pitch have family? In all honesty, he couldn't see him treating her like his child. The image just wouldn't sit in his mind. After all, this was Pitch Black he was thinking of. King of Nightmares, Shadow Walker, Boogeyman, etcetera. So many titles which were a testament to his "evil" nature. He suddenly recalled what Pitch had said long ago to him in Antarctica before his defeat. He had said that he had once longed for a family. Perhaps helping Isobel Gowdie when she was a little girl had been an attempt to start one.

"I can see those gears turning in your brain," said woman remarked. "If you have questions, ask him."

"He won't tell me. He's pretty hush-hush on a lot of things."

"I think you just have to catch him at the right time."

Jack could not deny that he liked this woman. "Alright."

They packed, and he continued to ask her what else Pitch had taught her as a child. It was a friendly conversation, one he was sorry to end, but he did have places to be, and Pitch would probably be wondering where he was. "I think he scares easily when it comes to me."

"That's just proof of his love, even if he doesn't say it," Isobel said comfortingly as they entered the main cavern. At Jack's surprised look, she nodded. "I know he never said it to you, because he never said it to me either. And I know he loved me, though it was only as his daughter. That's just how he is."

"I'll make him say it to me," Jack vowed, shifting the box in his hands determinedly. "Thanks for your help, and for the talk. It was nice."

"Not a problem."

They stood there awkwardly for a minute, mostly because Jack was hoping she would leave first. Pitch had made such a big deal about keeping his home a secret that he didn't want to let her see the tunnel he was going to take. Isobel got a funny expression on her face and suddenly laughed. "I see. You're heading to that house. No, no, don't look so frightened. I know about that too. The one in England, right? He made that a couple centuries ago for me."

"For you?"

She nodded seriously, her smile never fading. "There is so much you don't know, Jack Frost. I hope Pitch tells you everything one day. And I hope you succeed in your interrogation with Faust."

"How did you know about…nah, nevermind. I bet you've got informants."

"Always. I do what I must. Irdu is most helpful."

Jack shuddered at the thought of the devilish incubus. "Right. I'll tell Pitch that you were looking for him."

She thanked him and a swirl of smoke suddenly snapped about her from her feet, causing her to vanish. Jack looked around wildly before spotting her on high by one of the stone archways which served as a portal. She waved goodbye and vanished into the soft yellow light. Jack stared for a little while before turning home.

It was difficult to get the box out from under the bed. It required a bit of shoving on his part, but he finally made it and called for Pitch as he made his way into the kitchen. The shade found him unpacking and stepped in with approval. "Well, well. You kept them safe."

"Isobel helped me."

A hot hand closed on the nape of his neck and forced him to look up. "What?"

Jack shrank into himself. Pitch's eyes were blown wide, glistening with a mixture of surprise, anger, and worry. "I'm…I'm okay. She was looking for you. She just helped me pack them up and said she wanted to talk to you."

Pitch let him go, but his gaze held him there. "What else did she say?"

Jack noted the tremors running along his broad shoulders and reached up to touch him. Pitch jerked back, but when Jack quickly seized his arms and brushed his lips against his collarbone, he slowly exhaled, though his frame did not relax.

"Okay, mister. What's the problem?"

"I don't…trust her."

"Neither do I." He felt Pitch press his nose against his neck and breathe in. "Seriously?"

The shade sounded frustrated as he demanded, "Why do I not smell your fear? You should be afraid of her!"

"There was nothing to be afraid of," Jack said calmly, kissing the underside of his jaw. "We just talked, that's all. I don't trust her, I promise you that, but she's extremely nice."

"You are extremely ignorant," Pitch snapped. He glanced at the box on the counter and set some shadows loose on it. Jack thought they were going to tear the container to shreds, but they only swirled around it for a moment before returning to the grey hand. Pitch grunted. "Only a summoning spell."

"What did you think it was?"

Pitch slowly turned his eyes back to the winter spirit. "…Nothing."

Jack thought about what Isobel had said. Pitch's worry was a testament to his love. It was very sweet too. His lips curled into a smile, despite the disapproving stare he faced. "I'm fine, okay? She just wants to talk. But for now, we have some china to put away. Alright?"

The Nightmare King hesitated, then dipped his head and claimed a kiss. It was a very possessive one, as well as exploratory, as though he were checking to make sure Jack was alright. The taste of winter and midnight was beautiful and comforting to Jack.

When Pitch was satisfied, he brushed his lips against the spirit's cool cheek and murmured, "Alright."

Jack held his gaze a little longer to make sure everything was settled for now, then patted his cheek and turned back to the wrapped dishes. "Good. Now, about my refrigerator."

Pitch Black's groan was music to his ears.

Author's Note: Aaaaand we're off! Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the long promised (procrastinated) sequel. See you in a week for chapter 2!

Gotta say, though. The more I look at what I have in store for Isobel Gowdie, the more I smile. She is a complex character to me, and I am going to love jerking all of your heartstrings around. You might hate me along the way, but I don't care! Enjoy.