.
.
.
When Jack gets down to it, he finds them all very fascinating – the Guardians, that is.
He almost looks up to them as parents, as weird as that may sound. Actually, as a matter of fact, they are all older than him. He is practically a baby in their eyes. Just not by actual age, either. They all are just so much more knowing than him. So much more experienced and dedicated and accepting to the world.
They actually make him feel a little amateur, like he should know better and more for his old, yet not so old, age. He is never judged though. They tell him he is fine just the way he is. This is why he is happy he decided to become a Guardian, and befriend them along the way. Being around them all of the time almost makes him forget how lonely he once was.
Almost.
Sometimes, when he is in a sour mood, his mind will spiral out of control as he thinks about how much the Guardians didn't care before the Man in the Moon chose him. How they did not bother with his petty existence until he was absolutely necessary. He will retreat to his lake in a heap of emotions, slandering the moon, shooting ice in streaks of lightening aimlessly until he calms down.
He never knows who to be angry with, so the Man in the Moon is always the default. It's easy to push the blame on someone else. It's easy to hate someone who does not take the time of day to communicate with him.
But then again, Jack feels like maybe he should be thanking the Man in the Moon for giving him this opportunity. Without him, it is possible the Guardians would still be ignoring his existence.
Why did you make me wait so long? Jack constantly and silently asks to himself, not bothering to question the moon.
He, however, knows the exact answer to why it took so long for him to be chosen. It is because he was not needed until the Man in the Moon picked him. As bland as it may sound, the only reason Jack was chosen was to stop Pitch. And he did. And he feels happy to be believed in now. But, at the same time, he feels empty because his purpose has already been accomplished. Now, or at least until something very bad pops up again, something like Pitch, all he needs to do is what he has always done: bring snow and fun. His life is exactly how it has always been, but this time, it comes with plenty of recognition, which he without a doubt enjoys.
Still, Jack feels cheated.
He feels so used and cheated.
None of this is enough for him to hate the Guardians, though. They seem to appreciate his company, so he will continue to do the same for them. Despite how played he feels, he still smiles when North reassuringly pats him on the shoulder. He still smiles when he and Sandy try to hold a conversation. He still smiles when Tooth gets embarrassed around him for seemingly no real reason. And he still smiles – well, smirks, rather – when he catches Bunny doing, well, very bunny-like things.
Just as long as Jack never lets any of them know how he truly feels, he thinks everything will be okay.
If everyone pretends to be blameless, everything will be okay.
.
.
.
Look, another drabble. Don't worry, I'm surprised too.