Beth almost flinched at how cold Jack's hands were. If there was any lingering doubts she had that he was a winter spirit, they were gone. Flown right out the window. Normal people don't keep their hands that cold unless they want frostbite. She knew she should probably be flipping out right about now because this stuff REALLY DOESN'T HAPPEN. But Sarah and the others seemed to take this in stride so she figured she'd just get used to it. Besides, he wasn't all that bad.
"Guardian of Fun huh? Seems appropriate." She said sincerely. More like a prankster. Beth had a niggling feeling keeping Jack and Sarah apart would probably be a good idea. Sarah was brilliantly obnoxious with her tricks most days and Beth couldn't imagine what she'd do with a winter spirit on her side.
Jack just grinned, his eyes dancing. She gave a small smile in return before a loud clamor came from the door. Beth realized the kids were fighting over the coats and jackets and she sighed. As she went to go and break up the fight, a ridiculously loud booming voice froze everyone in place. Jack especially froze up, looking like a deer in the headlights. Beth snickered.
"ALRIGHT YE LITTLE RASCALS, YOU BE PUTTIN' ONE MORE WORD AGAINST EACH OTHA AND I'LL BE HAVING YOU CLEAN THE FLOORS!" The voice was heavily accented with some sort Slavic accent and clearly a woman. Beth saw everyone at the door, instantly quiet and sharing winter gear.
"Do you keep a bear in there too?" Jack whispered to her incredulously, his eyes still wide.
"Nah, that's just Nana. She's more like a teddy." Beth said as she went to fix Sam's coat, who had fled the house in a panic. The poor boy seemed scared right down and Beth wasn't surprised. Sam had always been a little timid, cowed out by his enthusiastic twin. He hung onto her sleeve when she stood up and she just smiled and took his hand. Meanwhile, the rest of kids came out single file and behind them came a ridiculously tall and slender woman, her wiry gray hair sticking out at all angles and giving her a wild, crazy look. She looked pretty old - definitely grandma age - but Beth knew no one would mess with her. Kids used to call her the 'Viking' and for good reason. Nana still had the strength to haul Kevin and Sam up the stairs, one on each shoulder.
"That's a teddy bear?" Jack whispered somewhere behind her incredulously. Sarah and Kevin swallowed a snicker as Nana Smith glanced in their direction once before looking at Beth.
"I be hearin' that you scallywag. Who is it ya be talkin' to all byst your lonesome?" Nana asked as she knelt to tie up Catlin's scarf. Beth paused for a moment, considering what to say when Jack nudged her in the ribs.
"Come on Beth, who were you talking to?" He teased. She fake-glared at him as Elliot piped up with a bright smile.
"Jack Frost Nana! Just like you told us – he came to bring the snow!"
Beth smiled as Nana's eyes softened. No one could be mad at Elliot. The boy was sweeter than sugar - as corny as that sounded. He was always around with a bright smile and a hug. Nana ruffled the boy's hair with large calloused hands affectionately.
"Aye? Well you be tellin' tat rapscallion to be mindin' where he puts tha winter. These ole bones o' mine don't much care for tha cold anymores." Nana said and Beth, Sarah and Sam flung a questioning look at Jack. Nana followed their gazes with a questioning one of her own. Beth watched as Jack stared back at Nana – they both knew Nana couldn't see him but Nana had that way of seeing with those black eyes of hers that made you feel like she could see anything. Jack finally threw his hands up in surrender.
"Alright, alright! I'll take it easier here. Since you asked so nicely, sheesh."
"Jack says he'll let up a bit Nana!" Haley chirped from the stairs where she was pulling on her snowboots. Sarah helped her with the laces as Nana stood up.
"Thas so? Well thank ye winter spirit." She said to nowhere in particular but Jack felt somewhat proud that he got thanks from this old lady. She reminded him a lot of North in some ways, just a crankier version. "Ye young 'uns enjoy the white whilst it lasts aye? Mind yer manners and Beth too."
"Yes Nana." They all chorused, now fully suited up and ready to play. Nana reached inside and threw Beth her coat. Beth caught it easily and slipped it on. She could go without it – she was wearing several sweaters after all but since Jack dropped that snow on her it kinda made them a bit soggy. Beth saluted Nana and their ward went inside to leave the kids to their devices. As soon as the door shut behind her, Beth felt the cold bite against the back of her head, leaking melted water down her back. She whirled around and spotted a grinning Sarah.
"You told me you were going to teach me a lesson." She said innocently.
"It's on!" Beth whooped and the biggest snowball fight they've ever had broke out.
It started as a free-for-all with Jack instigating fights with his never-ending supply of ammunition. Beth launched herself at Sarah, ducking as a stray ball flew overhead. Sarah yelped and tried to run but Beth only grinned. They'd been living together long enough for her to know all of Sarah's tricks. As soon as Sarah leapt for a snowball Jack left, Beth tackled her into the snow, careful not to hurt her. They rolled down the small incline to the right of their driveway, laughing.
Beth loved all the kids at the Orphanage equally. She loved them like the family she never knew. They were as much her brother or sisters as any other blood family and they might as well be, for all they've been through. But Sarah… Sarah could be Beth's blood family. They were the first two to live here and Beth and Nana had practically raised the eleven-year old from a scared run away, afraid of her own shadow to a reckless trouble maker. It was a complete turnabout. Also, they looked alike or so Beth liked to tell herself sometimes.
Either way, as soon as they reached the bottom, Sarah gave Beth a sudden hug. Beth blinked in astonishment, her insides warming up. Sarah didn't often give hugs and they usually embarrassed the girl to show affection. So Beth hugged her back and picked her up, to Sarah's surprise.
"Trying to get in my good graces are ya? That's not going to work!" Beth teased and Sarah gave a startled shriek as Beth dumped her into a particularly deep pile of snow under a tree. She came up spluttering and it was now Beth's turn to run.
"Is that all you got Beth!?" Sarah demanded and Beth glanced over her shoulder briefly to see the girl hauling herself out of the snow, trying to look angry and failing. Beth laughed shortly, blocking a snowball from Kevin with her arm.
"Is that all YOU got?!" She returned and then was abruptly shut up by a wet smack that hit her face with all the force of a wet towel. She scrunched up her nose and frantically brushed snow off her face to see Jack perched on his staff, grinning. Oh that tricky little-
She realized too late that Jack had started a revolution. One moment Beth had been standing in front of the driveway and then she was surrounded. She looked around quickly, noticing Jack was standing to her left and Sarah to her right and all the other kids in between.
Oh no.
Then Beth took a fighting stance, throwing her arms to either side.
"Do your worst!" She challenged valiantly, shaking her fist at them. Secretly she flinched inside. She knew for a fact Kevin and Sam had some strong throwing arms. And they did. She yelped and practically disappeared under the hailstorm of snowballs. Beth faked a dramatic death scene, flopping on her side with a yowl.
"I've been hit!" She cried out and pretended to pass out. The laughter continued for a moment more until she felt the snowballs stop. She continued to lie still until a few murmurs broke out. She cracked one eye open, hidden under the freezing pile of white on top of her. Kevin, Sam, Elliot, Catlin and Haley all looked somewhat worried. Sarah wouldn't fall for it she knew and Jack didn't look like he was buying it either.
"You think we threw too many?" Kevin said uncertainly and paced closer. "Maybe we should check to see if she's still alive."
Kevin always acted like the tough guy but he was usually the first one to come see if someone was hurt. And that's what he did. Beth waited until his shoes were in view and he hesitantly poked her side. Then she sat up and grabbed him as he shouted in protest.
"Gotcha! You're on my side now kiddo."
Kevin gave a groan but face said otherwise. Beth knew he would be up to the challenge. They both went back to back, scooping up snow in their hands as Jack gathered his own troops. She grinned at him. It was to be a team fight was it?
"Alright! The kids I touch are on my side!" She shouted out abruptly and Jack made a noise of protest but before he could get it out, she darted out and tapped Haley on the shoulder. The war broke out. Beth doggedly chased after Jack's team members as they tried to pelt her with snowballs to slow her down. Ducking and weaving, Beth managed to tap Sam on the shoulder as well – who wasn't trying very hard. She suspected he didn't like Jack much.
"Surrender!" Elliot shouted as he and Sarah lobbed a really large snowball her way. She barely dodged out of the way when her feet suddenly slid out from under her. Beth tripped headlong and quickly managed to catch herself before she fell completely, keeping some of her dignity intact. Looking down at her feet, she realized there was a very large, very convenient path of ice under her. Her head whipped around to find Jack and there he was, waving cheekily at her from the branch of a tree.
"Fraid of losing Frostie? Gotta cheat now?" Beth challenged, taking several shaky steps off the ice. She had to keep wind milling her arms to keep her balance which seemed to strike Jack as funny. She swore to herself that as soon as she got off this infernal patch of ice that conveniently got bigger the closer she got to the edge, she was gonna smack that grin off his face with a taste of his own medicine.
"I'm not losing if you can't get off. 'Sides ice is common in winter don't you know?" He taunted. Beth rolled her eyes and set her eyes on the edge, stopping in the middle. She noticed Sarah was cheering for Jack and Beth gave her a look. Then Sarah just waved cheekily too. She'd been betrayed! Gritting her teeth with determination, Beth took a flying leap for the edge. Somehow, she managed to outrun Jack's ice long enough to reach Sarah, who realized too late that Beth was coming for her. Beth bumped a fist on the girls' head before making a mad dash to Elliot and Catlin. They were standing close together, as per usual, and she managed to pick them grab them both. They gave an excited squeal as she dumped snow on their heads.
"Now all of you are under my command!" Beth said, jabbing her thumb at herself. All the kids mock saluted as Beth stood up and put her hands behind her back, striding about like a general.
"Yes Ma'am!" Catlin said seriously. Beth laughed and ruffled her hair. Then she whirled around and looked at Jack in the tree. He was snickering uncontrollably so she pointed her finger at him accusingly.
"And there is our enemy! Attack!"
Jack's eyes went wide as a hail of snowballs came flying his way and everyone gave a unanimous battle cry. Beth would have laughed at his rather unbalanced attempts to get away if she hadn't been so focused on hitting his smug face. He was REALLY good at dodging them, she had to admit. He began to get really confident, Beth noticed with a frown, as he dodged their throws left and right all the while laughing at them mercilessly.
"He's too good Captain!" Elliot cried out, panting with his hands on his knees. Catlin and Sam gave a sound of agreement as they flopped over, trying to catch their breath too.
"We can't give up yet!" Beth tried to get them back up but Kevin sat down, Haley too. It was down to Sarah and Beth.
"Someone is losing!" Jack taunted from above, floating effortlessly in the sky. If there was one thing Beth wanted in this world, it was to hit that boy right in the kisser with a snowball. And as the power may have it –even with her horrible aim – one miraculous toss caught the overconfident winter spirit right in the side of the face.
"Nice shot Beth!" Sarah cheered and Beth gave her a high-five with a whoop.
"We beat you at your own game Snowball King! How's THAT for losing?!" Beth taunted back. There were many things Beth was and she had to admit to herself that while she wasn't a sore loser… she was a rather sore winner. Jack looked dumbfounded for a split second before he looked lazily smug again.
"A lucky shot. I got slow." He said dismissively. Beth was about to argue back when she noticed that his eyes were dancing and his expression was soft. He knew he lost. He was just giving her a hard time. Beth let her competitive spirit cool off and she grinned back briefly before looking down at the kids sitting on the ground. Elliot, Catlin and Sam were all lazily making snow angels and attempting to catch flakes on their tongues. Kevin and Sarah had gone back up to the stairs and sat down. Haley looked like she was about to fall asleep. In fact, most of them looked like they were about to pass out. Beth looked up and was surprised to see it was getting dark. Usually they'd bore out after a few hours but that little snowball fight had managed to keep them entertained all afternoon.
No wonder they were pooped. Beth was beginning to feel like she could use a nap too.
"Well, let's get inside. Almost time to sleep." She cajoled and they gave a groan but it was half-hearted. They started to get up and made a great show of dragging their feet inside. She leaned down to pick up Haley, as the girl had nodded off on the deck and turned to face Jack. She was surprised to see an uncertainty there as if he was torn between going and staying. The rest of the kids had turned to talk to Jack too and they looked between Beth and Jack.
"….does Jack have to go now?" Elliot asked with a small frown, his brow creased.
"He did stay with us all day Elliot. He probably has lots of other things to do." Beth said, patting the boy's head and giving Jack an uncertain look. She didn't know either. A cloud passed over Jack's face before he gave them all a disarming smile. Twirling his staff and placing it over his shoulders, Jack kneeled in front of the kids.
"Beth's right. You guys had fun today right?" All the kids nodded. "Well, there are lots of other places that could use a snow day too. We want them to have fun right?"
Beth raised an eyebrow as all the kids nodded meekly again, looking forlorn but accepting. That was a lot easier than she thought it'd go. Jack was pretty good with kids for a teenager. How old was he anyway? His hair was white after all…
"I'll come back and visit you guys okay?"
"Okay." Elliot nodded and hesitated for a moment before giving Jack a hug. Beth watched as Jack's surprised expression turned into something really soft. Almost…vulnerable. She realized she barely knew anything about him at all. Yet she felt like she had known him a long time. Normally she would never joke around so easily with someone she just met. She couldn't help but wonder why it was so easy with Jack? She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Jack standing in front of her. Then something rapped her on the head. She started and slapped a hand to her forehead with a little more force than necessary.
"Wha-what?" Beth stuttered, caught off guard. There was collective tired laughter, again at her expense. There had been a lot of that today.
"I said I'll see you soon." Jack repeated with a lively smile.
"Oh right. Yeah. Well, have fun doing… whatever it is you do. Scare people half out of their skins or whatnot." She said and Jack mocked looking hurt. She flapped a hand at him dismissively. "Go on, shoo."
"After all I've done today? I'm hurt." Jack pouted but floated up nonetheless. Before he disappeared out of sight, Beth held a hand to her mouth and shouted:
"Be careful would you? Wouldn't want to be hit by any more lucky shots!"
It was quiet for a moment before she caught the sound of an indignant shout and chuckled. Then she herded the tired kids indoors. They were really, really tired. Quite frankly, Beth was amazed. There was no arguing over coat space and she got everyone out of their winter gear in record time. Even Sarah and Kevin were peacefully sharing space without bickering.
"Alright guys, get washed up and ready for bed. Think you're awake enough for a story?" Beth asked, keeping her voice down as they walked through the kitchen, its appliances old and the counters beat up. Haley was still fast asleep on her shoulder and she'd rather not wake the girl. Haley was like Beth in that way – they both turned to angry stubborn lumps when rudely awoken.
"I am!" Kevin protested clearly although he didn't much look it. His brown eyes were drooping and Sam looked about ready to fall over. They still protested otherwise though so she shooed them up the steep, creaky stairs towards the bathrooms. She left them to wash up and walked down the long hall to the room Haley shared with Catlin and Elliot. Their house was pretty small with four rooms and two bathrooms so they made do. A bunkbed was pushed up against a far wall and a smaller twin bed rested by the window. Both looked mismatched and out of place but most of their furniture did. Some people would call it odd but Beth felt like it was homey. Haley's hands tightened around her neck as the little girl sighed and Beth couldn't resist a small smile. She took the girl to her small bed and set her down, pulling the quilts over her. It took a little coaxing to get Haley to hold onto her stuffed animal rather than Beth but she managed. As the girl rolled over in her sleep, she mumbled:
"Love you Beth."
"I love you too sweetie." Beth leaned down to press a kiss on the girls forehead before walking out of the room, closing the door just enough to dull the noise but not block out the hallway light. Beth caught murmuring downstairs and knew they were getting ready for Nana's nightly story. She paused a moment at the hallway closet, grabbing a few spare blankets and pillows, before making her way to the living room.
If you could call it that. Their kitchen was open to it, a large bar space comprising most of their eating area and a small table pushed up against a window. The actual living room was a smaller space, made larger by the distinct lack of furniture. Only a large armchair sat by the fireplace, its green cover faded and worn. The rest of the floor space was covered by a large rug and several larger pillows. A TV, that looked ancient and had an annoying tendency to randomly reassign buttons, was resting by another hall that led to the other bathroom and Nana's bedroom. That was it for furnishings other than the few pictures on the walls. The lack of couch made it rather difficult to watch TV but with this many people sharing the space, it was actually easier just to sit on piles of pillows. It was also great for sleep overs.
Right now, Nana was in her customary spot by the fire, her hands rhythmically kneading a thing of clay in her hands as the kids arranged themselves around her. Beth wandered over to her old ward and draped a blanket over her shoulders. Beth didn't expect any thanks and didn't get any. Nana didn't like any reminders of getting elderly and that including having blankets draped around her shoulders. Nevertheless, Beth knew she got cold easily. Beth passed the other blankets out and took her spot in a small window alcove. She nearly sat down before an infuriated meow caught her attention. Beth looked down in surprise and saw the orphanages' cat, Mr. Hulk (as named by Kevin), had taken up residence. He was an ornery old thing and aptly named. He was a massive guy, his pale orange fur long and his body well-muscled. He also had a tattered ear and a blind eye but that didn't stop him from being a fantastic mouser. Beth had woken up on more than one occasion to find one of his 'gifts' on her bed.
She rolled her eyes at him and crammed herself into the corner, letting him have most of the space. From here she could see the whole living room with ease. She wondered what Nana would pick tonight. They'd had all sorts of stories – after all, that's where they heard of Jack Frost. Sometimes they were about good spirits, like the Leprechaun or the Tooth Fairy and sometimes, mostly around Halloween, they were about bad ones. Most of the time the kids picked their favorites but tonight it looked like they were all too tired to put up a real fuss about it. Catlin was already curled up next to Sarah and falling asleep. So Nana looked at Beth.
"You've not asked 'bout a story in long time. What say ye Beth?" Nana asked her, coal-black eyes shimmering faintly in the firelight. Beth liked that best about Nana. The old woman could be coarse and bull-headed at times but she always remembered the little things. Like whose turn it was next.
"How about something simple and pretty? Nature related?" She asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Nana bobbed her head sagely and set down the small clay sculpture in her hands, an otter of some kind.
"Aye… how abouts I tell ye a tale of ole' Avalon – magic's home fair an' true?"
XXX
When the tale was done and everyone had thoughts of vast lakes and ancient heroes stuck in their heads, Beth surveyed the room to find everyone but Sarah asleep. Even she was struggling to stay awake as Nana got creakily out of her chair to pick Elliot and Catlin up. Beth stood up and stretched, coming over to pick up Sam and Kevin. Kevin struggled as she did and she almost pitched over backwards but Sarah stopped her sleepily.
"Thanks." Beth whispered quietly. Sarah nodded tiredly and walked brainlessly up the steps after Nana. Beth heaved both boys up – they were getting really heavy – and managed to make it to their room on the far end of the hallway. She dumped them on their beds on the respective ends of the room and made sure they were covered up. Kevin would probably kick them off later though if anything could be surmised by the state of his side of the room. Clothes and toys were scattered everywhere and Beth made a mental note to tell him to clean it up. She carefully weaved her way through the maze and out the door. She passed by Nana on the way back to her own room and wished her a good night.
"Aye. Rest well." She said back and disappeared downstairs. Beth listened for a moment, making sure Nana didn't hit her head on the low stairwell, which happened sometimes. Thankfully there was no head banging. Beth went into her own room, the one she shared with Sarah. The eleven-year old was already in bed, out for the count. Beth walked over to her side of the bed and paused by the closet to change into some old sweatpants and a t-shirt and of course, her gloves. But as she went to sit on the bed, she stopped. She wasn't really feeling very tired anymore, even though it was quite late.
Glancing out the window, Beth noticed the clouds were beginning to clear up. It seemed like Jack had kept his promise to let up on the snow a bit for Nana. And if the clouds were going to clear up, that meant stars. Excited, Beth grabbed a blanket and quietly made her way back down the stairs, wincing at every creaky stair. She froze on the last step, listening for Nana. But no yelling came from the back room so she was safe for the moment. Beth crept over to the window seat and stared down at the orange cat sprawled over it.
"Are you going to share this time?" She whispered to Mr. Hulk. The cat opened his one good eye and gave a lazy meow. Nevertheless, he got up and allowed her to sit down. When she made herself comfortable, arraying herself on the pillows and blankets. Then she looked out the window.
This was her favorite spot. With the embers smoldering in the fireplace making a comfortable crackling noise, she was warm and safe in her own home. Yet arrayed out in front of her was a breathtaking overview of the valley. Their house was placed on a ridge that rolled gently down a hill then dropped sharply into the river gorge. She could see the creek meandering from here, snaking its way through a grove of silver-barked aspens. When the clouds parted fully, the moon – half-full- shone down and turned the entire valley into a shimmering white expanse. Beth couldn't resist a smile, leaning against the coolness of the window panes.
That's when a loud rapping on the window nearly made her scream. Beth clapped a hand over her mouth and jerked away from the window, nearly falling off the bench in her haste. She froze for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest when a familiar snowy white head and insufferable grin appeared. She barely restrained making an extremely rude gesture. Jack Frost flipped over midair and floated in front of the window. Beth watched with narrowed eyes as he exhaled on the window pane. It began to frost over in beautiful patterns. She was temporarily enthralled before she remembered she was mad at him. He wrote in careful letters:
'Open the window?"
Beth huffed and exhaled on her side of the window, writing in large letters:
'NO. BUGGER OFF.'
Jack frowned, looking hurt before he scrawled:
'Please? No funny business, I promise. Just want to talk.'
Beth rolled her eyes and reached for the latch. It took her a few tries to open the window – it was quite old, like everything else in the house. But she finally managed to swing one open. The air was bitterly cold and her eyes watered at the sudden change of temperature. She quickly pulled the blanket over she shoulders as Jack perched on her windowsill.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Beth asked, reclining warily against the wall again. Jack glanced over at her and shrugged, the frost patterns on his hoodie catching the light in mesmerizing ways.
"Anything. We didn't really get a chance to talk before. I got curious."
"What about?"
Jack hesitated for a moment, that strange look passing over his face again. He looked… lonely. Beth automatically settled a little bit closer, quietly waiting for him to say something.
"How… how can you see me? Kids my age always stop believing. And out of all the years I've lived… I've never met so many people who can."
Beth studied his face, wondering just how long 'all those years' was. It must have been a long time. And he talked as if… as if most kids couldn't see him. Her brow furrowed. It seemed natural for her to believe in such things.
"I'm… not sure why all my housemates can. I mean, Nana always tells us stories about you, about fairies, about magic. Maybe that's why? Because we grew up on all of that." Beth said and paused before adding, "As for me… well I've found living a teenager's life is… boring and bland. Kids see things so differently – I guess I'm still trying to hold onto that."
Jack looked up at the sky, looking more settled by the answer. Beth didn't know what seemed to soothe him but she was glad he looked a little better. Which was weird because she only met him just today. To shake the strange feeling again, she decided to ask him something herself.
"So how old are you anyway? You said 'your age' and I'm seventeen so…" She trailed off, waiting for an answer. He looked over his shoulder at her, grinning.
"Not quite. You're about three hundred years off, give or take."
Beth practically choked on her saliva, much to Jack's amusement. He gave her a pat on the back and she coughed loudly, trying to recover from her surprise. That was… a very, very long time. Somewhere her brain put two and two together. Three hundred years… and no one to see him. Her heart jumped in sympathy but she covered it up quickly. Beth didn't think that's what Jack wanted so she went with the next best idea: humor.
"No wonder your hair is white, old man."
The expression he made was akin to an offended cat. Beth bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud but her lips tugged incessantly upwards. He grumbled incoherently for a moment before saying:
"Now you're just being mean."
"Well, that's what friends are for right? Being brutally honest and able to trade blows so SOMEONE doesn't go getting a big head?" Beth said, chuckling.
Jack looked back at her with an arched eyebrow.
"Is that what we are? Friends?"
Beth shrugged with one shoulder, readjusting the blanket over her shoulders. Jack was cold but he was a winter spirit after all.
"Why not? You're not that bad… for a three-hundred year old."
"…Are you always so sarcastic?"
Beth hesitated for a moment. That was a good question.
"…Not usually. It's funny, I was just wondering the same thing. I'm really comfortable around you for some reason. I know I probably should be running away screaming –" Jack gave her a hurt look. "Admit it, that's probably what a normal teenager would do. Look me in the eye and tell me that's not what you expected."
He contemplated this for a moment before shrugging in agreement.
"But I'm not. I don't know. That's why I said we were friends 'cause I sure as heck wouldn't be so accommodating with someone I didn't like."
"Aww you like me?" He said, crossing his arms over the window sill to look at her. Beth whacked him with the corner of her blanket and he scrunched up his nose, sneezing.
"Don't you get full of yourself now. You're good company Jack. Even if you have an annoying habit of scaring people in the middle of the night. But I've said enough. How about you? What's your life like?"
"Well…" Jack sat up again and Beth moved over to give him room on the bench. They sat on opposite ends, reclining facing each other. She waited patiently for him to collect his thoughts. "I guess I saved the world?"
"That is…. the VAGUEST statement I've ever heard." Beth said with a laugh. "Please do explain."
"Its how I got kids to believe in me again. Did your Nana ever tell you about the bogeyman?"
"Sure. It made a good scary story." She said. "It scared Sam and Haley for a while but I convinced them I had a sword made specifically to scare away bogeymen."
Jack laughed really loudly at that. Beth smiled, confused about what he found so funny about the statement. She was nervous he might wake someone but there was no movement from upstairs.
"I would have loved to see Pitch's face when you said that." He said. She assumed he was referring to the Bogeyman.
"So what about him?"
"He came back last year."
"Came back? Hasn't he always been around?" She asked, baffled. He sighed and she looked miffed. "Hey, I'm not familiar with this whole spirit thing okay?"
"I'll start at the beginning, just for you okay?"
"Thanks." Beth said sarcastically and Jack snickered.
"First of all, you know I'm a Guardian right?" Beth nodded. She wasn't really sure what that exactly entailed but Jack didn't let her wonder for long. "Well there are five of us total. The Tooth Fairy, Sandman, North and the Easter Bunny. Together we protect the kids of the world and everything they embody."
Beth's eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't help it. All of those stories were real after all? Had Nana known that? Jack smiled slightly at her expression but continued.
"Anyway, before I came along it was just four. And before they were chosen by the Man in the Moon-" At this Beth glanced out the window at the moon resting comfortably in the sky. Was there really a man on the moon? "-Pitch existed. People call it the Dark Ages today."
"Makes sense."
"It does huh? So once the original Four were chosen, they drove belief away from Pitch. The Bogeyman became a legend and mostly harmless."
"Until a year ago."
"Until a year ago." Jack agreed. Beth frowned – that sounded right around…
"You know, I remember weird things happening back then. The kids kept having nightmares. Me too actually except I didn't remember much of it. It was awful. They were so listless and tired. Was that the Bogeyman's work?" She asked, tapping her chin. That was the right time frame. Those days had been terrible. No one but Nana slept well and she had tried everything in her power to make the kids sleep. Beth had such terrifying nightmares they would wake her from dead sleep, which was really hard to do. Not only that, but she never had any memory of them – only a lingering feeling of guilt. That was always what really scared her. What had she done that she couldn't remember?
"That would be Pitch. He figured out how to corrupt Sandy's dream sand, turn it into nightmares. That's how he got so powerful so fast… He almost got Sandy too." Jack's almost forlorn voice brought her out of her thoughts. He covered his expressions well but for a moment, he looked so sad. Beth wasn't quite sure what brought on that expression but she wanted to cheer him up. She leaned down to pick up Mr. Hulk who was sitting beside the bench, looking mournful. Then she placed the cat in Jack's lap.
Jack jumped as Mr. Hulk landed on his thighs. Beth didn't exactly blame him, the cat was heavy. But the cat just gave Jack a sniff and sprawled out across the winter spirit's legs contentedly. Jack looked at Beth who shrugged.
"He's a nice guy even if he looks like a bad pirate. He must like you 'cause you're cold. He gets warm easily."
Jack didn't really look like he believed her but cautiously reached out to touch the tom. Mr. Hulk didn't even shift as Jack began to pet him. Instead, a rusty and unbelievably loud rumble left his chest as he purred. Jack winced as the cat's claws dug into him and Beth gave the cat a scratch. They sat in a comfortable silence for a little while. Jack's mood seem much improved and Beth could attest to the power of cats. They made you feel wanted and right inside even when everything else was a mess. Then Jack took a breath and continued on with his story.
"The best thing about being a Guardian for the four was being believed in. But as kids stopped believing in the Guardians because of Pitch's nightmares, their powers started going away. For some reason, I was the only one who could do anything. But Pitch is smart." Jack frowned and shook his head to clear the cloud that passed over his face. Beth wondered what all actually happened. It must not be easy to talk about. "Eventually everyone stopped believing. All except one kid."
"That must be one heck of a kid."
Jack smiled, real affection in his expression.
"Yeah. Jamie really is one heck of kid. He was the first person to see me. He and his friends enabled us to win that fight and drive Pitch back into the shadows where he belongs."
They both leaned back in companionable silence, broken only by Mr. Hulk's loud purrs. The cat had started licking Jack's hand and Jack winced. Beth laughed and tapped the cat on the nose to get him to stop.
"I'd like to meet Jamie someday. Sounds like you really care about him." Beth said, resting her forehead on the window and looking out again. They had been talking for a long while and the moon was high in the sky. It was beginning to cloud over again and she suspected it would start snowing soon.
"Maybe I'll take you to see him sometime."
"Can you do that?" She turned to ask him with a puzzled look. She couldn't deny that would be incredible. She always loved the sky and the stars and always dreamed of what it would be like to fly.
Jack grinned.
"Of course. I can do anything."
"Of course you can." Beth dead-panned. Jack stuck his tongue out at her childishly which she mimicked sassily. Then they exchanged another laugh. They seemed to do that a lot. But as the snow began to fall lazily again, Beth began to get tired.
"Well, I'm going to go to sleep now I think. Thanks for dropping by Jack." She said, standing up. Mr. Hulk got up with her, stretching and leaping off Jack's lap. He usually spent his nights on Sarah and Beth's bed. Jack stood jumped out the window, landing softly in mid-calf deep snow. He seemed to relish the cold much to Beth's amusement. She imagined it would be a little warmer in here than he was used to.
"Thanks for opening the window." He replied cheekily and she laughed softly.
"Sure. You're welcome to come back any time you like if you can wear out my siblings that quick again. Maybe Jamie can come a long next time."
His eyes lit up at the idea.
"That sounds like a plan. Good night Beth."
"Night Jack Frost. Take care why don't you?" Beth said, turning around to wave at him from by the stairs. He threw her a careless smile and with a flurry of cold wind, he was gone. Beth smiled quietly to herself before returning to her room and call of her bed.
That night she dreamed of snow and stars.
A/N: Tuesday update as promised!
Thank you to anyone who reviewed and I hope you continue to enjoy!
