Just a little correction, I have messed up my request list and I jumbled up some names there so this is requested by no one.
Nicholas St. North sat in front of the ranging fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate in his hands, enjoying the moment of peace and relaxation after one hell of a day of running elves, rushing yetis and firecrackers setting off on their own and for the first time ever Jack wasn't involved in such a chaotic situation. The winter spirit has been asleep in his room the entire day, leaving no trails of frost or ice anywhere near the firecrackers. So the yetis and elves are forced to listen to a two hour lecture from their leader himself.
North took a sip from his mug and leaned back on his Santa-sized chair, his curious gaze trailing on the familiar yet old box stacked up beside the fireplace, he remembered clearly it was a load of Ombric's spell books he kept in the most unlikeliest place to prevent Pitch from finding it, but now that the nightmare king was no longer after them it was safe to move it someplace else cleaner.
The old Cossack stood from his seat and picked up the old box, dusting away the cobwebs that coated it in a fine layer. Just by holding it brought back a chain of good memories of when his life truly began. Back then he was just a thief who robbed the continent from its gold and richness, but now he was Santa Clause, it very ironic. However he was also the best swordsman who ever breathed air and he still held the title for that.
He fumbled through the box, reading a few spells from the books he hardly had memory of, but then he came across a golden hilt of a sword with the blade wrapped in a thick layer of cloth. It was the relic man in the moon entrusted to him.
He gingerly unwrapped the stack of cloth, revealing an ancient sword. On it's blade was a golden orb that glowed and on it's tip was a crescent moon. He recalled how much time he spent trying to figure out how to use the sword that refused to listen to what he commands.
North chuckled at the funny memory. Then he thought of Jack and the saber he chose to use, only because it was light enough for him to carry. The saber couldn't defend him and it will easily get knocked out of his hands when he was in a combat. The toy maker knew he was thinking too much, Jack would never have to fight a combat, not unless he was around but still, what if he got into real trouble? He was reminded again of how many years Jack spent his life alone perhaps he had gotten in trouble countless of times.
But North began to worry about Jack, he just seemed so distant from them even though they were practically suffocating him with love and affection for him to feel a part of the family even if he's just the latest addition to the guardians, he was not the outcast, but Jack felt the opposite. North feared he might end up like Pitch from all the years of solitude, who knows how many days till the winter spirit bolts out the door in search for a place he thinks he belongs to. He needed to have a talk with him and remind him that this is where he belonged, but who knows how many more lectures are needed for Jack to finally change and grow just a little closer to them.
Man in the moon trusted him to wield the sword and he trusted and loved Jack more than anything in the world, giving him the relic might be the only way to show it.
He set side his mug of hot chocolate and tucked the relic in his coat, striding down the halls that led to the winter spirit's room.
He silently listened if there was any commotion going on in his chamber, pressing his ears against the door. "Jack may I come in?"
What the child does in his room, North will never know, he might be sitting in the corner sulking and crying, in need of comfort and North would still be stuck outside the door in fear of invading his personal space. (technically listening through the door is invading his personal space) but Jack never needed comfort, even if he breaks every bone of his body.
The first few days at the pole, the teen had been nothing but trouble with his tricks and mischief; North was able to put up with it but as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months Jack began to show what he was really like behind those smiles which was a good thing at some point, this would mean he's making progress, the youth is opening up to him, sort of.
Every time he asked if he was okay, the child would always answer him yes with a big smile, but he could see right through him, deep down inside, something must be stuck in his mind.
He heard the slight sound of a jolt of movement followed by Jack's voice, "Yeah, you can"
North gave a smile and opened the door to see Jack settled on the edge of his bed with his knees pulled close to his chest hugging his staff in between. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously, at this position Jack looked like he was in deep thought yet again, he has been slipping into random trances whether he was at the dinner table or sitting by the fireplace or maybe even before he went to bed.
"Well what are you thinking of?" North pressed on.
"Nothing much," he lied, telling North he's been pondering about his 300 years of existence would only make him worry "Just thinking of a game for Jamie."
The old guardian straightened, his expression turning earnest, he could see right through him. "Jack, you can tell me if you have any problems, in fact you can go to Tooth, you can go to Sandy, you can go to Bunny whenever you are having problems."
"Yeah, telling Bunny isn't such a great idea." The winter child emoted with a lopsided grin. It was the very thing that impressed North, even at the most painful times he is still able to form a smile, not many can do that, most of them will break down crying if they have experienced what Jack has been through. He paced towards the bed and sat next to him, placing his beefy hands on the child's small hand. "I guess Bunny isn't exactly the best person to ask advice from." He said with a chuckle, Jack also joined in. "But my point his," North lifted his head. "Do not keep everything to yourself; feel free to talk to either one of us."
Jack smiled, "I will" when he was ready.
"So how has that sword been of use to you?" North switched the topic to enlighten the mood a little.
The mischief shrugged, "Um…I sliced through a bunch of things that got in my way."
"Good and do you remember the relic from the stories I told you?"
"The one you used to fight Pitch, is there something wrong with it?" Jack panicked, why else would North suddenly bring up the topic about the sword? He stood.
"No, no nothing is wrong with it Jack." North said, motioning him to sit back down.
"Oh," Jack rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment and settled back down. "So what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to give it to you…." The jolly man watched eagerly as Jack was flabbergasted, his eyes were wide as saucers and his mouth hung open. "What?"
"I am giving the relic to you." North repeated reaching in his coat and fishing out the sword.
Jack's mouth opened and closed repeatedly as he tried to find the words to say. "But North…I…" Before he knew it the hilt of the sword was tucked in his palms and he found himself tilting it angle to angle. But he still tried to protest, "But North, this is the relic."
"And that is why I am entrusting it to you." North finished. The teen's refusal was strong, "But I might lose it."
"Do you lose your staff?"
"No…I guess not…"
"Then you won't lose it"
"But…."
"Jack…I trust you, very much." North said, taking him by the chin and tilted his head up. "Okay?"
"Jack nodded, feeling all emotional and awkward inside, it was when North stood up again and said something really unexpected again. 'Meet me at the yard, I'll show you how to use it." He went out the door leaving Jack in a mix feeling of joy and confusion.
First he gently set aside the relic safely onto the bed to avoid breaking it in his rein of joy. Then he did a few back flips, circling around the room like a torpedo. North trusted him with the relic! He clung to every word Bunnymund said during the blizzard of 68, the Easter disaster and the other time when Bunny made him stay in the pole for the whole day because he didn't trust him outside. He thought nobody would ever trust him, ever! Especially the time they thought he was on Pitch's side and now North just handed him the most precious weapon in the universe. "Is this really happening?" he mumbled, why the relic? Why not something else? It's not like there's anything else anyway.
He took the relic it his hands, fascinated by the golden glow emanating from the blade, it was probably the most beautiful thing he's ever seen in his whole life. Everything just seemed like a dream and he was about to make a stupid attempt to pinch himself.
"Jack! Are you ready yet?" North called from outside. That's right! They were going to test out the blade! "I'm coming!" he answered, taking his staff that was leaned on the head board and jumped straight out of his window.
The yard rang with the song of clashing swords. Jack blocked a savage cut that went for his shoulder, and spun around blocking another instantly. So this was what North is like when he was in training, he was everywhere! Jack couldn't really see him, he was so fast. But the blade seemed to move by itself in his hands, defending all the swift blows.
The clang of steel echoed throughout the yard, the blade continued to fight by itself even if Jack wasn't even trying at all; it twisted sideways deflected a blow. He gawked; it seemed to have a mind of its own. North noticed his awe, "It fights for you Jack." He said without giving the chance for Jack to figure out what it meant, he swung his blade at him without hesitation. The winter spirit gave a squeak and tried to jump away, but he was planted firmly on the ground. The relic in his hands began to move again, as if it was controlling his arm, it collided with North's sword easily block his attack. The old Cossack could do better than that, he was the best sword's man that ever lived, but he had to be careful, he didn't want to wound the boy. He remembered spending an awful lot of time figuring out how to use the sword as well, back then he was still ill-tempered without the patience to think things through. "The sword fights for you Jack" he repeated, hoping the teen would understand what he meant.
The mischief paused, flexing his wrist a little to put the relic in close examination, he looked up at North, his dull eyes filled with tiredness. "What do you mean?"
North stopped and put his blades down, so Jack didn't understand, maybe he could show him. "Here, try to strike a blow at me."
"What?" Jack gave him the look that clearly said 'are you nuts?'
"Come on, trust me, it'll be fine."
Jack bit his lower lip, staring at the bearded man, what if North thought he didn't trust him? He took a deep breath and hesitantly tried to strike a blow with his eyes clenched shut tightly.
The blade wriggled away, just a few inches from North's chest. Jack blinked, "How did…?"
"The blade fights for you, it can only harm the enemy and it knows that I am not your enemy." The Russian explained. "Now do you understand?"
Jack nodded in realization, a smile formed on his lips. The blade was truly magical.
"Try some more?"
The child nodded eagerly.
The sun began to set, the sky turned into a deep velvet purple before darkening completely. Twinkling silver stars trailed the night sky, the moon sat high up in the sky, watching over them with a smile.
North put his blades down; finally deciding it was time for Jack to rest. The winter spirit was panting tiredly although he still begged him to teach him more North sent him to bed, but before that he grabbed him in a big bear hug. "I'm so proud of you my boy! But you need to head to bed."
Jack nodded without a complaint; he stretched his aching fingers that burned from gripping the metal hilt tight.
North brought Jack back to his room, tucking him in bed and wishing him a good night like he always did.
The frost child fell asleep instantly, slipping into his dream state.
Jack opened his eyes again to see a fireplace in front of him. Everything else was hazy like clouds surrounded him and he was easily able to tell it was a dream. Beside him was his family, his old family, his sister sitting next to him, happily chattering about something, his mother was beside a pot, preparing supper and his father came from the door, finally home after a day of hunting. He couldn't see their faces but seeing there figures were enough to warm his heart.
Then just like that he woke up. Jack sat upright, looking out the window. It was still dark, but there was no way he could go back to sleep again. He had dreamt of his family! He never did before, he never thought of them after he saw his memories, but now that he did, it made him feel so alone again, his family was gone and he was still here…
North came to check on the child like he did every night. He gently opened the door, careful not to bother Jack in his sleeping state, but instead of finding him fast asleep, the youth was sitting up staring blankly at the air, and he didn't seem to notice his presence. "Jack?" North called, causing the immortal to jump, he turned around, "oh North…it's you"
"What are you doing awake?" North asked, taking a seat by the bed.
Jack shifted from the uncomfortable silence and bit his lip in hesitation. "I dreamt of my family…I miss them…."
North let out a heavy sigh and sat beside the troubled winter spirit. "Jack, I know it is hard for you to believe especially after all the things that happened, but we are your family now, you don't have you feel left out and like I said before, feel free to tell us your problems okay?"
The immortal child stared for a moment then tackled him in a hug. North smiled, rubbing his hands on his back in a soothing motion.
This was a good sign, which would mean he was making progress. This is the moment where trust begins growing stronger.
What I said in the last chapter about adding more plot to this story, North giving Jack the relic is a part of it.
But looks like I'm one day late from updating, I don't know if you guys have noticed but I update every Friday.
Now I have to go finish 'Frosted Darkness' now, I might put this one on hold for a little while, is that okay? I don't think it is, I'll try my best to continue it.