Kay, last chapter I asked what you guys thought I should name the arc. I got 2 votes for Early Bonds and 2 votes for Special Bonds. . . not very helpful. :) So I'm gonna ask again. Which do you guys think I should name it?

This is the song chapter I warned you about. It's Astronaut by. . . Simple Plan? I DO NOT OWN. PLEASE DO NOT THINK I OWN. I DO NOT OWN. I GAIN NOTHING FROM THIS.

Next chapter unfortunately WON'T be the next installment of Special/Early Bonds. I'm following my pattern of third-person, first-person, third-person. . . yada yada yada. So it'll be the one after that. Oh, and if you guys like this song for Jack, you should go on YouTube and watch Can I Please Come Down? by LilAero. . . I think. It's good. I like it.

This is NOT a request. I just saw that YouTube thing I mentioned and HAD to write this.

Disclaimer: Nope. Don't even think it.

Jack was humming. It confused the other Guardians. They had all gathered at the North Pole for a social meeting. The whole time he hummed. None of them recognized the tune. Finally, Tooth snapped.

"Jack, what are you singing?"

He looked up in surprise. "Singing?" he repeated carefully.

"Humming, then," Tooth waved her hand.

"I was humming?"

The other four nodded and Jack blushed. He mumbled apologies and twisted his hands together in embarrassment. "Oops," he murmured. "I didn't realize."

"'Tis alright," North said. "We were just curious of what you were singing."

Jack nodded. The others stared. "You. . . want to know?"

"If ya don't mind," Bunny drawled. "We were right curious."

Jack shifted uncomfortably. He ducked his head and pulled up his hoodie, scuffing his foot and plopping down on the sofa next to Tooth. "I'm not the best at singing," he warned. "And if you stop me I won't start up again. I have to keep my eyes closed otherwise I'll choke. And no making fun of me," he growled at Bunny, coupling it with a glare. The rabbit waved a paw and motioned for him to get on with it.

Jack lowered his head so all they could see was the top of his hood, and clasped his hands together as he pulled his knees up to his chest. He started off quiet, and the Guardians strained to hear him.

"Can anybody hear me?
Or am I talking to myself?
My mind is running empty
In the search for someone else
Who doesn't look right through me.
It's all just static in my head
Can anybody tell me why I'm lonely like a satellite?"

Jack paused and took a deep breath. The Guardians remained quiet, knowing how hard it must be. Tooth shared a look with Sandy, and they both thought the same thing: Jaime. Just like the other song they had overheard Jack sing, this one also spoke of the three centuries of loneliness Jack had endured, perhaps even more so.

"'Cause tonight I'm feeling like an astronaut
Sending SOS from this tiny box
And I lost all signal when I lifted up
Now I'm stuck out here and the world forgot
Can I please come down?
'Cause I'm tired of drifting around and round
Can I please come down?"

Tooth desperately wanted to reach out and place a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, but knew if she did then he would stop and they wouldn't be able to get him to continue.

"I'm deafened by the silence
Is it something that I've done?
I know that there are millions
I can't be the only one who's so disconnected
It's so different in my head.
Can anybody tell me why I'm lonely like a satellite?"

Jack's voice got even quieter, so much so that they couldn't make out what he was saying. Bunny and North wanted to ask him to speak up, but refrained from doing so. Jack seemed to pick up on what they wanted and eventually rose the volume by the tiniest amount.

"So tonight I'm calling all the astronauts
All the lonely people that the world forgot
If you hear my voice come pick me up
Are you out there?
'Cause you're all I've got."

Jack switched to humming again. Tooth let him for a few minutes before laying a gentle hand on his arm. "Jack," she said softly. He tensed but seemed to get the message.

"Can I please come down?
'Cause I'm tired of drifting around and round.
Can I please come down?"

Jack didn't look up or lower his hood when he was finished. He just remained in his defensive curled position, waiting for their reaction. When he received none, he risked a peek. He revealed only one sparkling blue orb, but it was enough to gather Tooth's eyes - dancing with unshed tears - and the others' sad faces. Jack slowly untangled himself and pulled down his hood, still refusing to meet their eyes.

"Jack. . ." Tooth said softly.

"I know." He tried for a smile. "I'm not a very good singer. Fingernails on a chalkboard, right?"

Tooth looked as if she was about to argue, but Bunny cut in.

"Eh, ya weren't so bad. Just don't quit yer day job."

Jack smiled at him gratefully before they engaged in another of their playful arguments. They all wanted to talk to Jack about his song, but they didn't want to drive him away. It could wait until later, when he was more comfortable around them. It didn't matter, they had plenty of time together to work it all out.

For now, they'd just let him brush it off and laugh. Bunny didn't even complain about the teasing he got.

Seriously, go watch the thing on YouTube. Seriously. Do it. It's like. . . three or four minutes. You won't regret it, I think! Please. Go watch. It's amazing. Then again, maybe you won't like it. But if you like hurt feelings!Jack and this song you should go watch it. It's good. In my opinion.

Okay, so: Early Bonds, OR Special Bonds? I need to know before I post the next installment.

Vote and/or review!