North's POV:

The spike had been removed and the poison stopped before it could take over Jack's heart. Sandy had taken care of the poison, bless his little body. Now, Jack was sleeping and recovering on the Avenger's couch, images of laughing children and stray snow balls dancing above his head and reflecting his dreams.

The Avengers were still staring at us, and now I knew that they could see us. That they still believed as adults touched my heart in a way only children could. I gave them a hearty smile and then turned back to the other Guardians who were standing as close to Jack as they could get. I sighed and sent them an understanding look.

This past year had been one of the best in my long life. Jack had changed all of us Guardians for the better, and our lives were suddenly not as routine with the Guardian of Fun and Mischief around to liven them up.

Jack embodied everything we Guardians fought for and protected. He may be 3 centuries old, but on the inside and expressed on the outside, Jack would always be a child. He would always be able to see the wonder in the world and have hope even when we wouldn't. He would always let his past be a reminder for his future.

We didn't know if Jack understood it or not, but we considered him family and I a son. I had always watched after Jack from the moment I knew of his existence. The way I found out about him is a story for another day, but I had made sure he knew of us and our ability to see him. I had tried so many times to get him to the North Pole and in shelter, but he was hard to find and when he was found he refused help. He used to be a puzzle that I just couldn't crack, but I understood now.

Now, Jack was more important than any of us. When Jack took that oath to protect the children, he became our protector in a way. His trust and belief in us was worth so much more than he knew and it was our job to make sure he was safe. By the scars he had, we haven't been doing a good job.

"You're Santa Clause!" The astounded voice came from a man with blonde hair who sat propped up against the wall.

"That's what they call me!" I laughed, but controlled the volume so I wouldn't wake Jack.

"And you're the Tooth Fairy!" This was from a woman with red hair and a voice that told me she was an open minded cynic.

Tooth smiled, displaying almost blindingly white teeth, and nodded energetically from her place on the arm of the couch.

I took over the introductions from here to save to save time. "And that's Sandy, or the Sandman as you know him." Sandy gave a wave and a smile with dream dust above his head.

"And that's Bunnymund, or the Easter Bunny." The giant bunny waved with one of his boomerangs, eyes still on Jack. The Winter spirit's powers had identified him as a friend and allowed the ice on his feet to melt. The same couldn't be said for the poor man with the bow on his back, who was frozen solid.

"You do not seem concerned for your friend." This caused the Avengers to scowl slightly, almost as one.

"He's been a pain in the ass this morning, anyways." The red haired woman said.

"If Jack hadn't made it he would have been stuck like that forever." Tooth said.

The woman's face seemed to lose color for a second, but then the shell was back and she looked at the arrow man forlornly. "Good thing he made it, than."

"We are sorry for this inconvenience, Stark, but we cannot risk moving Jack until he is fully conscious."

"It's no problem, stay as long as you need," His eager voice trailed off for a moment, "But who exactly is he."

I gave a short cough to cover my embarrassment at not introducing a fellow Guardian, and gestured to the sleeping frost spirit, "This is the permanent record holder for the naughty list and fellow Guardian, Jack Frost."

"Jack Frost?" This time it was the short man again, "He's real too?"

"Bringer of Winter and Winter itself, Guardian of Fun and defeater of Pitch Black." I confirmed.

"Pitch Black?" This from Thor.

"You may know 'im by a different name, Thunder God, but who 'e is a long story." Bunnymund said in his gruff voice.

"It looks to me like we've got a while." Stark mused, "Would you like something to drink?"