The Autumn Frost
Chapter 2
After finally having a companionship in Jack, Autum found time to drag. It made her almost stir crazy, wishing she could have slept through the year again. But she found ways to occupy herself. Often envisioning the fun she and Jack would have come the fall.
At the first sign of Summer's departure Autum zipped to the mainland, eager for her season to start. But really she was eager to see Jack, worrying that he could have forgotten about her. Autum expected to see Jack when she arrived but found no sign of him. She sighed and figured she had come too early and so got started with her work. She tried to occupy herself with her work but she was impatient and thought the worst of Jack's absence. She began to convince herself that he had forgotten about her. She walked through the trees absentmindedly changing the leaves. Her worries had left her unmotivated. But as evening began to set Autum got a pleasant surprise. Suddenly a tree beside her began frosting over. Autum grinned hugely and spun around to see Jack standing there smiling. Without hesitation she flew up to him and gave him a big hug. Though after a second she pulled back and pouted at him.
"You're late!" She scolded and he laughed.
"I know. I'm sorry. I got caught up finding the prettiest leaf." He said.
His words made her pause briefly, another memory that wouldn't come to her. She shook it off and raised an eye brow at him.
"Well show me this leaf then." She said and he pulled out a beautiful red maple leaf.
"You could put it in your hair." He suggested as she took the leaf.
She smiled and tucked it into her wild hair behind her left ear.
"So , how do you know it's the prettiest? I've only just started." She said.
"Good question, to which I've just learned the answer." He said and she motioned for him to go on. "They're all the prettiest." He told her.
She blushed but playfully pushed him as she laughed.
"Come on then. Lets add to the collection." She said and they were off.
After a day of changing leaves they skated on a pond Jack froze over and talked.
"How was the Winter?" Autum asked.
"Cold, snowy, same old fun. Nothing special. And how was your time during winter?" Jack asked.
"It was… boreing. Sometimes I go to warmer climates to see their Holiday festivities but the Earth is still young. Not very exciting right now." She said.
Jack nodded, knowing the feeling.
"What did you do during the warm months?" Autum asked.
"Well this year I tried to burst into North's workshop." He said.
Autum's eyes widened.
"You didn't!"
"Yup. Though I didn't get past the Yeti's. Wasn't expecting them."
"Wow! I would love to see in there! I bet it's amazing." Autum said.
"I wanna try again this year."
"Oh if you make it, you have to tell me all about it."
"Of course!" Jack said.
Despite their few months of fun together, it was increasingly evident to them just how little time they had together. It was time for them to part ways but Jack didn't want it to end, he could tell Autum didn't want it to end either. Thinking quickly Jack stopped her before she could leave.
"Autum wait!" He called and she turned mid air.
"Can I visit you, after winter?" He asked and her eyes light up.
She was so excited she flew down and hugged him. After a second she released him, feeling embarrassed. She giggled in excitement, hardly able to contain her happiness.
"Yes of course! I'll see you then. Have fun!" She said and departed.
Jack smirked as he watched her fly away.
With something to look forward to Autum found herself less bored. Though she began freaking out, wanting to make sure her Eternal Autumn woods were perfect. This task distracted her so well that she kept busy right up until Jack arrived.
When Jack arrived in Autum's woods he could see she was very distracted so decided to have some fun. He gathered a bunch of fallen leaves that constantly littered the ground and snuck behind her. Without any warning he dumped the leaves right over her head. She shrieked in surprise but turned after a second with a smirk.
"Oh… yer gonna pay for that!" She threatened playfully.
She scooped up a bunch of leaves and flew after Jack. He laughed and flew away. Autum was a hair quicker than Jack, being in control of the fall winds herself. She caught up to him and grabbed the back of his shirt and vest. By this point she only had a handful of leaves and shoved them down the back of his shirt. Autum giggled and laughed as they paused mid air. Jack had a mischievous smirk as he removed the leaves. He couldn't do the same thing to her but her guard was down. He could catch her if he wanted to. There was a huge pile of leaves below them and he made his move. He flew and wrapped his arms around her.
"Gotcha!" He said and then stopped flying.
The weight of himself caused them to drop. Autum was so surprised she didn't react in time and they fell straight into the leaf pile. Leaves flew into the air around them from the force of their fall. They started laughing and just couldn't stop. Jack was laying on top of her but sat up on his elbows to see her. Being deeper in the leaves, they had engulfed her. She reached out her arm from within the pile. He took it and helped her sit up, brushing the leaves off and away from her. Now her hair looked as if it were replaced by leaves as parts of it were stuck in front of her face. He pulled some of the leaves out and then brushed back her hair to it's proper place. His fingers brushed her cheek and something like a jolt shot through them, though not really electricity but they both had felt it. Jack looked away in embarrassment but helped her to stand. He stepped away as she brushed the leaves off of herself.
"So this is the Autumn Woods huh?" Jack asked, trying to act casual.
"Yup. This is home. Want a tour?" She asked.
"Sure." He said.
Autum showed him everything, even though there wasn't anything really exciting to see accept maybe her tree house but she avoided that. She felt embarrassed and didn't know why. There was something deep she was beginning to feel about Jack but didn't know what it was. She had never felt it before. It filled her with warmth like the last bit of glow from an Autumn sunset. Of course Jack noticed her tree house. It was, after all the biggest tree in the forest.
"What's over there?" Jack asked.
"Oh, it's just my tree house." She replied.
"Can I see it?" Jack asked as he flew towards it, not really giving her a choice.
"Sure." Autum said as she flew in front of him.
The tree was unnaturally big for a maple tree, though since none of the trees died there it didn't matter. The trunk was hollow with a carved spiral staircase going all the way up. Not that they needed it but it was fun to do things normally. At the top the tree opened up from its branches a little, creating walls and windows curved from branches and a few smaller rooms. The main room was circular still, but larger and lined with sever book shelves. There was a bed, a comfy couch in front of a false fireplace with magical light, a table and chairs and a wooden globe that appeared to me magic. It seemed to show the seasons and weather all around the world at a given time. Jack was speechless as he examined the space. He wandered to a book shelf and noticed the books had dates on them. He took on off and opened it to find page after page of leaves. Jack realized they were some of her favorite leaves from every year she had been the spirit of Autumn. Autum watched him with a smile but panicked when she realized he had picked up the book with last year's page. Before she could stop him he had seen what was on the page. Next to her leaves was the leaf jack had given her and written beneath it was 'Jack's leaf'. Autum looked away shyly. Jack looked at her and smirked but then noticed something odd about the book. The year before he'd been created was missing, and several years before that. The pages looked to have been removed.
"What happened here?" He asked and Autum went over to see.
She frowned at the missing pages.
"I don't know. I noticed they were missing after we first met. I wanted to ask my brother Winter if he knew but I haven't been able to find him. Have you seen him?"
"Not since my first winter. I'm sorry."
"I've tried to remember those years but it's like something made up. They're too simple and the same, like something is missing but it always switches before I see it." Autum explained as she held her hands to the sides of her head as if it were hurting her.
Jack placed a hand on her shoulder. She was instantly calmed by his touch. She lowered her hands and looked at him. He smiled reassuringly.
"Next winter I'll make sure to look for your brother. I'm sure he can sort this out." Jack said and she smiled.
"Thank you Jack." She said and he pulled her into a hug.
His hug was of course cold but there was that odd warmth again. It felt good to have contact with another being. Even though they were spirits there was still something human about them, weather it was from a past life or not. They could feel sadness, joy, anger, and even felt tired. Sleep often helped to pass time. Jack was a little taller than Autum and she rested her head on his shoulder. He smelled like the first chill and ice; fresh and crisp air. Jack was feeling similar things as she, though he was just as confused. Since waking up into this world and discovering he were invisible he wished to be seen. He could tell Autum felt the same. Whenever they had come across a human in their fun together he saw that she enjoyed seeing their reaction to her leaves. He hoped that one day the humans would believe in them and be able to see them. Jack couldn't help but bury his nose into her thick hair as he held her close. He was not surprised that she smelled like leaves and fresh cut wood; he loved it. They realized how long they had been hugging and pulled back to look at each other. The more time they spent together the more they could never be apart again. Before things got awkward again Autum got an idea.
"Do you want to go swimming?" She asked
Jack was taken aback but smirked.
"Sure. Where at?" He asked.
"A little bit behind my tree there's a small lake nestled into a mountain side. There's a little waterfall too that hides a cave."
"Sounds great. Lead the way." He said as he moved to the staircase.
"I have to change first. I'd sink like a rock in this dress. I'll meet you there." She said and he nodded.
Jack found the lake easily. It sat nestled beside the small mountain that rose out of the forest to serve as a high vantage point where all of the eternal Autumn woods could be seen. Jack set his staff on the ground close to the water's edge. He then discarded his shirt and vest, not caring if he swam in his pants. He tossed the clothes on top of his staff and waited for Autum. He didn't have to wait long. He turned as she approached. She looked shy as she fiddled with some of her hair. She was wearing the undergarment to her dress. A simple cream colored once piece jumper type. It hugged her chest at an empire waist like her dress and thin tank top straps. It fit her slimly with a shorts style cut off about mid thigh. Autum was petite and thin like a twig, and looked younger than she was supposed to appear to be. This was only due to her size. Jack smirked.
"This is great! Let's get in." He said and hopped into the water.
Autum stepped closer to the water's edge and was suddenly regretting her suggestion to swim.
"Come on! The water's great." He said.
She raised an eye brow at him.
"How would you know? Aren't you always cold?" She said and he laughed.
"Fair enough, but at least I didn't freeze it when I jumped in." He said and her eyes went wide.
He laughed and swam around. Autum kneeled at the water's edge and dipped her hand into the water. It was chill but not that chilly. It would still be a shock all at once. Autum was so intent on what she was doing that she didn't notice what Jack was up to. He dove deep into the water and swam right below her. Autum noticed his absence and looked around.
"Jack?" She called out but then looked to the water below her but it was too late. He popped out of the water and grabbed her by the arms, pulling her into the water head first. When she surfaced she shrieked and flailed trying to get her bearings. Her hair was the biggest problem. It was so long and thick it weighted her down a little and Jack having pulled her in caused it to be in her face. When she finally got settled she looked at Jack and glared.
"I'll get you for that." She said unable to hold in a smile.
"You smiled! I'm not in trouble if you smiled." Jack said.
"I did not smile." She said.
Jack smiled and she struggled not to smile back.
"Still smiling!" He said as he swam closer.
He meant to tickle the smile out of her.
Autum tried to swim away but Jack snatched her and started tickling her by poking her sides. She squirmed and giggled.
"Say yer not mad and I'll stop tickling."
"Never!" She got out but he only worsened his tickling attack.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest so she was completely trapped as they waded in the water. She was lauging so hard she could barely breath but finally gave in.
"Ok I give!" She said breathlessly as she laughed.
"Gotta say it first."
"I'm not bad! I'm not mad!" She forced out and he stopped.
He held his arm around her, letting her catch her breath. She leaned back into him a little and looked up at the stars. Night had fallen in the woods and the moon was rising. The eternal relms of the spirits of the seasons mirrored a day night cycle like the Earth. It helped to mark time. Jack moved to make them lean back to float in the water but Autum freaked out and went tense. Jack laughed at her mistrust in him.
"Relax I was going to make us lean back and float." He said.
"You see what trickery gets you." Autum scolded a little but Jack smiled.
"Just a little fun, no trickery."
"I don't know if I can float." She said.
"Sure you can. I'll show you. Lean back and I'll help you float." Jack said as they reached a shallow area where he could touch the bottom.
Autum leaned back and Jack placed his hand on her back to support her in the water. She was fidgeting a little, her body trying to balance herself.
"Don't wiggle. Just be still." He said and she obeyed.
He held his palm on the small of her back to help her float until she got the hang of it. Autum laughed happily as she floated and Jack smiled letting her float all by herself.
"See piece of cake." He said and then joined her in floating and they watched the stars for a bit.
When the moon was high Autum turned upright and Jack looked at her.
"I want to show you something behind the waterfall." She said and he followed.
Autum swam for the waterfall and then dove to go under the falls. Jack followed and they came up into and open cave. The cave opening wasn't big but there was a flat surface to stand on. It was darker under the falls but there was a strange glow coming from deep in the cave. Jack was instantly curious by the light and followed Autum. They traveled a little ways through the tunnel and the light got brighter. They came out into a small cavern that was almost as bright as day accept there was a blue green tint to everything from thousands of sparkling areas of the cavern. Straight up to the top of the cavern it opened up to the surface which wasn't very far because it was a small mountain. The moon like shined down and seemed to give the walls their glow.
"There's a sort of mineral in the walls that makes it glow." Autum said.
Jack was amazed and looked around in awe. As Jack jumped around examining the walls Autum began to notice just how cold the air was with her being soaking wet, especially in the cave the air was even colder. When she had first found the cave she had found a stone path behind the falls. She had never swam in the lake before, for that matter. Autum started to shiver and she wrapped her arms around herself. She tried to hide being cold from Jack because he was having such a good time but you couldn't hide cold from him. He looked down at her and she tried not to seem cold but he noticed. He flew down to her and could tell she was trying not to shiver.
"You're cold. Why didn't you say something?" He said.
"I'm fine really." She lied.
He raised en eye brow at her.
"I can tell you're forcing yourself not to shiver. Come on lets get you back to your tree house and into dry clothes." He said and she nodded.
She led the way through the secret path behind the falls.
"Oh, see we can come back wearing clothes." Jack noted.
Once out of the cave Jack flew to get his clothes and staff, throwing on his shirt. He of course was already dry by freezing the water off like snow. Jack caught up to Autum at the tree house. She went to change into dry clothes and Jack casually looked around again. He spotted a soft blanket hanging over the back of the couch in front of the magic fireplace and waited. It didn't take long for Autum to return. She smiled when she saw Jack holding the blanket and went over to him. He placed the blanket over her shoulders and wrapped it around her. He rubbed his hands on her arms trying to warm her with frictions a little. Autum smiled and blushed slightly.
"Thank you. I'm warm again." Autum said.
She suddenly had the courage to tell Jack something.
"Jack?" Autum asked as she shyly kept her gaze away from his.
"Hm?" He responded but Autum became embarrassed and shook her head a little.
"It's nothing. Never mind." She said.
Curious now Jack wouldn't let it go.
"No please tell me. What is it?" He asked.
"I really like being with you Jack." She said, her head still bowed.
He lifted her head with a finger under her chin.
"So do I. I don't want to be apart from you." He told her.
Autum was surprised and stared into his blue eyes. Jack still had his finger under her chin and couldn't stop himself from brushing his fingers along her cheek. His touch was cold but not too cold. It was refreshing. It felt as though he had touched cold stone and then had touched her face. To Autum his frosty touch was enjoyable and she welcomed it. Since first sight they had been drawn to each other, and it grew stronger every day. His bright blue eyes froze her to his eyes as he bright green eyes memorized him. Drawn by some invisible force that seemed to know they were made for each other they inched closer. On instinct their eyes drooped and heads tilted opposite until their lips met. Once their lips met it was all instinct. Drawn to each other to kiss even longer but even spirits needed the comfort of breathing. They parted, short of breath. As Jack's head came back from the clouds he worried that his touch and kiss were too cold for Autum.
"I'm sorry. Am I too cold for you?" He asked.
"No, you're perfect. I'm perfectly warm now." She said as she looked into his eyes, blushing. "Please don't stop." She said as she blushed deeper.
Jack smirked and obliged her. The blanket dropped from her shoulders as he pulled her close for another kiss.
Unfortunately they had do stop at some point. It was late and Autum was finally remembering that she hadn't slept all winter. They didn't need to sleep everyday but it was good for them to rest every now and then. Jack could tell how tired she suddenly seemed and became worried.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes. It's just that I haven't slept all winter. I was too excited." She said.
Jack chuckled and motioned for her to go to her bed.
"I'll tuck you in." He said.
"But we were supposed to have fun!" She objected.
"There will be plenty of time for that after you've rested." Jack told her.
"Will you stay with me?" She asked.
"Of course." He replied.
She got into bed and Jack joined her, wrapping his arms around her. Autum quickly drifted off to sleep and Jack wasn't far behind her.