Disclaimer: I do not won Rise of the Guardians.
Summary: Sandy and Jack talk (no further explanation really required).
Jack floated in the air, mesmerized by the glowing cloud of golden sand spread across the city. His light snow fall required for that area was almost complete but he couldn't quite tear his eyes away from the beauty of the dream sand. This was not the first time that he had gazed at the Sandman's creations in wonder. In the past, he used to reach out to the strands that wandered by, running his fingers through them just to watch what would spring out of the sand just for him. Now though, he just watched, even though the glitter was drawing him in. He caught his hand reaching out for the sand but stopped himself, going to turn away.
As he turned, he caught sight of Sandy, flying towards him. He flinched first, readying his staff before his brain caught up with his body. He had to remind himself that the Guardians were friends now, not his master's enemy. Jack loosened his grip on his staff, watching the golden man from under his bangs.
As always, Sandy waved enthusiastically, gaining a tiny return motion of the hand from the winter spirit. However, the dream maker was not done, he beckoned to Jack, patting the golden cloud beside him.
The frost teen looked up warily, eyeing the Sandman for a possible threat. Unwilling to refuse an order, he flew up, taking the offered seat as he fiddled with his staff, legs dangling off the cloud. A light layer of snow fell all around them, dusting the rooftops and streets with a white sprinkle. Maybe that was what Sandy wanted, him to stop making it to snow while the dream maker needed to do his job.
However, Sandy just beamed at him, seeming to almost radiate a physical warmth from the strength of his smile. He formed a sand arrow towards Jack, then an ok sign with a question mark.
The winter spirit nodded. "And you?" he returned.
He gained a thumbs up in response. The two sat in silence for a few moments, watching the snow fall. Then, Sandy signed a snowflake and another symbol, one unfamiliar to the frost teen.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand the second symbol," Jack mumbled, bowing his head. He felt something touch his shoulder and he shuddered under the touch, waiting a moment to see if he would be hit. When there was nothing, he looked up, noting the older spirit's warm expression, eyes not displaying a hint of anger. There was a message spelled out there that must have been waiting for him to look up. Your snow is beautiful, it read.
"Thank you," Jack murmured, blushing faintly. He couldn't remember someone ever saying that to him, ever complimenting him on his snow, or anything for that matter. At least not in his life as a spirit.
The winter spirit cast a quick glance at Sandy, who appeared to be immersed in creating a strand of dream sand. The dream maker's face was relaxed, seemingly happy and maybe even friendly. Jack took a breath, debating if he should ask his question. But what if the Sandman said no? What if he was angry at him?
At that moment, Sandy looked over, turning those golden eyes on him. He signed an arrow towards Jack, two figures speaking and then an arrow back to himself.
"I can talk to you?" Jack guessed quietly. The golden man nodded eagerly, never dulling down that smile. The winter spirit went to look away, but Sandy's message wasn't quite finished. He looked back, watching the symbols and motions carefully. Sandy gestured to himself, then his own head, someone knocking on a rock, then a golden finger up as if to interrupt, and finally a picture of the Guardians all offering a hand to sand Jack.
This message took a second longer to puzzle out, but the winter mostly hesitated for fear of getting it wrong. Was that really what Sandy was saying? Had he misunderstood? Could he dare hope? After one last glance into the earnest face of the dream maker, Jack sighed, half questioning, "You know it's hard but the Guardians will help?"
Sandy nodded enthusiastically. He signed another quick message.
"I'm fast at this," Jack guessed, then continued as the golden man showed some more signs. "Faster than the others?" Taking a last peak at the friendly expression of the other spirit, the frost teen took a deep breath, then, "May I ask you something Sandy?" He continued at the others affirmative gesture, "Can you teach me your symbol language?"
If possible, the dream maker's smile widened, nodding so enthusiastically that his head looked near ready to fall off. He wanted to start immediately, something to which Jack was only too happy to oblige. They went through common symbols, some of which Jack had seen many times such as the snowflake and staff to represent himself, or the candy cane, easter egg, and tooth to represent each of the other Guardians. However, there were even more that were completely unfamiliar. Many of them were possible for Jack to guess, but others needed to be spelled out. The Sandman was a patient teacher, encouraging, and as always, grinning like a loon.
Finally, the two had come to something approximating conversation, even if Jack did have to stop and translate. As they had progressed through their teaching, the winter spirit had opened up slightly, turning towards Sandy as he taught and not glancing away nearly as much. After the first few (or first 20 or so) mistakes without the Sandman getting angry, or even frustrated, Jack relaxed, not drawing away or flinching if he got something wrong.
Why did you want to learn? Sandy asked finally.
"I wanted to be able to understand you," Jack mumbled, shading his eyes with his bangs.
You could always ask North to translate.
The winter spirit shrugged lightly. "We aren't always with North." Then, even quieter, he continued, "Also, everyone deserves to be understood." His gaze was far away, looking out over the horizon as if it held the answers to life and its complexity.
AN: So... kinda weird? Voice a little off? I'm open to constructive criticism. As always, review, favourite, follow.