Jamie steps into the Moon's light, fear and uncertainty peeling away from his face.
"I heard the Wind and she was carrying you here."
That makes Jack's heart swell with pride, he had been teaching Jamie the language of the Wind but it was difficult, especially since the Wind only speaks to him. Maybe the Wind made an exception tonight.
"The Wind doesn't have a gender Jamie." He says laughingly as Jamie sits on the ice, all wrapped up in heavy jackets and winter boots.
Jack hits his staff on the ice and watches as an extra layer of frost spreads out.
The magic, blue in all its winter wonder must shine enough light for Jamie to see him.
"Jack?" Jamie asks again, wide eyed.
Jack swallows and steps out, torn dress and all.
"Jamie, would you like to hear the story of how I became Jack Frost?"
Jamie nods slowly even as his eyes flicker from skirts to sleeves to face to barely there curves.
He's only eleven so Jack doesn't really bother to be upset about it.
Sitting across from him Jack lays his staff between them.
"I had a little brother, Pip."
Jamie's eyes widen further.
"We were skating and the ice cracked."
He puts his hand on the lake and ice is covered in another layer of frost.
"I saved him but fell in myself. It was
Cold and dark and I was alone but the Moon saved me."
His fingers move to the torn bottom of the skirt.
"I cut my hair and you should have seen it, it was so long and white, I changed into pants."
Jack looks into Jamie's eyes.
"I never corrected anybody when they easily assumed I was a boy. That's want I wanted to be. I wanted to be Jack Frost.
"Do you understand?"
Jamie nodded mouth parted open in wonder, his little hands reaching out to grab Jack's.
"You're Jack Frost."
Jack smiles sadly.
"Not always, but I had always wanted to be, and that's who the Moon told me I was."
Jamie smiles at him.
"I... I think I understand."
Jack smiles, the pieces in his heart, the invisible shattered shards move and connect.
"I believe you're Jack Frost."
I believe in you.
I believe, I believe, I believe.
Jamie hugs him and Jack clutches him to his chest, tears pricking in his eyes as he thinks, this is what it's like to be whole.
Before he left, Jamie asked what his name had been, it was a childish curiosity so Jack answered easily.
Jacqualine Lily Frost.
Jamie smiled in a sweet if not slightly mischievous smile.
"Will you be here tomorrow morning?"
Jack promised he would be.
Now it was tomorrow and morning and Jack listened as the soft crunching of boots on his snow came close.
In Jamie's hands was a chain of lilies, more colorful than what should be found in winter.
"My mom bought them but Sophie's allergic so I asked her if I could bring them to a friend."
He holds it out for Jack to take and Jack does, the color draining out of them leaving them white and blue as he touches them.
It's his kiss hello and his kiss goodbye.
"I had Cupcake help me."
The delicate chain, now sturdier thanks to his magic and frost rests easily between his fingers.
Jamie understands, he thinks, if not entirely than he gets the gist of it all.
Jack loves the delicate chain, a mix of childish affection and his own magic. Gently he hands it back to Jamie who stares in wonder at the frost ferns that creep from where his fingertips had touched them.
Bending down he mock bows, staff in one hand like a scepter.
"Oh young believer, will you do the honor of crowning me, Jack Frost, Guardian of Fun and Shepherd of Winter?"
He hears more than sees Jamie's delighted giggle as he places the crown of lilies upon his head.
Standing he smiles brightly at the Last Light.
"Thank you."
Jamie smiles back.
"I think it would look better if you had your jacket and pants back."
Jack chuckles, and turns to see his reflection in the ice.
"I think you're right."
Giving him one last hug he waves goodbye to Jamie.
He comes back to them after the night he spent at his home, the place where he was born and where he's killed his fear, destroyed it to nothing but light and snow and fun.
He returns crowned as Guardian of Fun, Shepherd of Winter, and Frost Child.
He can do this.
His footsteps are light against the sill of his window.
The dresses were gone, pretty little things that he would have wished on someone who could appreciate them more. Maybe they would be some good little girl's Christmas present.
His normal outfit of a sweatshirt and the pants he had made were laid out. He changes and looks in the mirror to consider his form and the crown of lilies upon his head before the frost stretches out over his reflection.
Turning, he silently creeps out to look for the others.
They're in a living room, one of many with a fireplace and candles and soft sofas.
North is asleep on an armchair, cups that smell strongly of vodka sit along with an empty bottle. Bunny is laid out in front of the fireplace, shivering with every breath. Sandy is drifting and dozing and Tooth is flitting to her fairies as quietly as she can in a corner.
Suddenly one of her baby fairies chirp loudly and buzz around him, it's mother following quickly.
"Oh Jack," she whispers softly, "we were so worried."
Frost coats her ruffled feathers. They had been looking for him.
"I'm sorry." He says as she pulls him into a warm hug.
She shakes her head and holds him closely.
"It's not your fault."
Jack smiles even as gentle tears roll silently down his face.
Furry paws join the hug and then sand tinkles around in a tight grip. Last to join is North and by then tears come freely and Jack's eyes feel like pregnant storm clouds.
"I love you guys." He whispers softly.
(A/N: Hello kiddies, just dropping in to note that we're nearing the end of this little story! One or two chapters.
Please drop in a review!)