Hey, guys! Welcome back to Becoming a Guardian! Sorry for being so late on the Christmas chapter (it's also like an hour into Thursday where I am but oh well, close enough to staying on schedule), I was super busy over the holidays! Visiting a lot of family and friends a lot of times, so it was fun, but left me barely any time to write, so I hope you'll forgive me on that front! Anyway, let's get to reviews!

Thanks so much to Demi clayton, Guest (Thank you so much, that really does mean a lot :), and etarnax (That is still hilarious and I love it XD) for reviewing!

With that, on with the belated Christmas chapter!

~ Season of Giving ~

As I've learned over time, Guardians apparently don't typically do gift exchanges, not even on Christmas (yeah, North gave me that personal Globe of Belief last Christmas, but that was kind of a special case). I mean, it makes sense; just think about how much stuff the average person accumulates over the course of their lifetime, and then multiply that by...I don't know, however many human lifetimes the others have lived. To be perfectly honest, I don't know any of their exact ages (pretty sure they've all stopped counting), but...you get my point. Regularly exchanging gifts would lead to a lot of clutter.

However, this Christmas...I'd like to give something to each of them anyway. It'll probably just end up being a one-time thing, but...they've given me so much since I became a Guardian. A home, a family...and of course, wonder, hope, memories, and dreams. I think it's about time I gave them something back.

Now, since I have no money and limited materials, I've decided to go with a common theme for each of their gifts: small ice sculptures. Last year, I managed to create an ice ornament for Jamie and Sophie that was magically reinforced so that it would never melt or shatter. It took a decent amount of magic to pull off, and doing it for six (I plan to make some for Jamie and Sophie as well...think I'm gonna go with a dragon for Jamie, since he loves all things mythology, and a bunny for Sophie, for...obvious reasons) separate sculptures might take a lot of energy out of me, but I figure it's worth it.

So right now, roughly a week before Christmas, I'm currently sitting in an icy cave in Antarctica, where I'm certain none of the other Guardians will look for me, wearing the Santa hat I got last year and surrounded by six blocks of blue-tinted ice, a roll of stolen-er...borrowed wrapping paper from North's workshop, six definitely-borrowed boxes and bows and a definitely-borrowed red sack, also from North's workshop, a pair of scissors, tape, and a few chisels I fashioned out of ice.

Here's the deal: being a winter spirit with an insane amount of control over ice, I can technically just wave my hand and shift it into whatever shape I please. In fact, I'm going to do that in order to make the rough outlines of what I want the sculptures to ultimately be. You know, just to save on time and all that. However, for the finer, more intricate details...much like Bunny and North, who, respectively, have automated processes to paint eggs and plenty of yetis to make toys, yet both personally contribute as much as they can...I'd like to carve those myself. It might take a while, sure, but over the years, I've gotten a lot of practice with carving ice just from...well, being bored and having that be the only material available to me. As such, I think I'll be able to get all this done in time, no problem.

First, I start with the shape that's going to be the most basic overall, which is Bunny's sculpture. With my magic, I form the ice block into a smooth egg-shape that's flawless on the outside, though I leave some stylistic imperfections on the inside so that it doesn't just end up looking like blue glass. For this particular piece, the overall shape doesn't matter as much as what's going to go on the surface of it. Remember how I helped out with Easter all that time ago, and painted a bunch of eggs with my signature frost designs? I'd like to do a callback to that, and carve similar designs into this ice egg, though mixed in with some more floral, spring-related images to better represent Easter. God, I hope he ends up liking it and doesn't, like...make fun of me for this or something.

Anyway, while I'm working on the designs on the outside of the egg, I might as well tell you all what I'm making for everyone else. As I've already mentioned, Jamie's getting a dragon, one modeled off of the classic European-fantasy design, with four legs ending in sharp claws, fangs in its mouth, a long tail, and huge wings; you know, the whole package. The details on that one are gonna be difficult...a lot of scales and spines to worry about, but hey, I'd say it's worth it.

As I've also said before, Sophie's getting a bunny for her sculpture. Hers should be relatively simple, as a regular rabbit isn't exactly a difficult shape to carve, but I do plan to add texture to it to make it look somewhat furry (even though it's...ice, so it won't feel furry, oh well), and I'm also gonna try my best to carve in replicas of Bunny's darker markings from memory, so she'll know who it's kind of meant to be. Heh...I think she'll appreciate that.

Sandy's is another relatively simple one, as I plan to create an ice dolphin for him. He knows that that's what a stream of dreamsand will turn into for me if I touch it, so I figure he'll appreciate a little "between us" kind of thing, not to mention that fact that he already quite likes sea creatures as it is. The dolphin itself won't be that complicated, considering I won't need to add any extra texture, but I do intend to add on a little representation of the ocean to show the dolphin leaping out of, structurally connected by what will look like an upward-splashing stream of water. That part might take a bit longer to perfect.

North, meanwhile, is going to get a reindeer sculpture, through which I hope to convey the sheer power and pride of the incredible team of reindeer he has pull his sleigh. I intend to add lots of details to this one, such as fur textures, elaborate antlers, and carved-on harnesses. If I had more time, I might attempt to do multiple reindeer, as well as the sleigh, but, uh...I'm on a tight schedule here.

Finally, there's Tooth, whose carving was honestly probably the easiest to decide on: I'm going to give her a little ice version of one of her mini fairies (perhaps specifically Baby Tooth?). Lots of little intricacies to focus on for that one...especially with all the feathers. The thin, gossamer wings might prove difficult as well, but hey, I'm the one that decided all of this, and I've gotta see it through. I owe all of them that much.

I spend roughly a week in that ice cave, carving day and night and only leaving to take care of my Spirit of Winter responsibilities and make sure the other Guardians know I'm not dead. In total, it takes about five days of nearly non-stop work to complete the statues, and then an extra day to rest after using a significant amount of magic to enchant all six of them so that they will be forever frozen and indestructible.

Seriously. That wiped me out pretty good.

As a result of this, I unfortunately end up sleeping through Christmas Eve, so I'm not able to accompany North on his route again, like I did last year. But either way...I'm hoping that all my effort will be worth it in the end.

Once I get the presents wrapped up and put into the sack I "borrowed" (not stole, I swear) from North, I immediately take to the air and begin to head to the workshop, where I know each of the other four Guardians will have been gathered for the Christmas party North always insists on for at least half an hour now. I'm running a bit late, but...oh well. I'm kinda notorious for that, admittedly.

Anyway, as I expected, I'm the last to arrive, though the others seem more inclined to greet me with happiness rather than anger this time. Ah, the magic of Christmas.

"Ah, Jack!" North exclaims with a grin when he sees me fly in through the window, the man somehow looking as boisterous as ever despite having literally stayed up to travel all around the world last night. "You have made it! Merry Christmas!"

"About time," Bunny snorts, though he seems less annoyed and more amused.

I chuckle slightly as I land on the floor near everyone else. "Merry Christmas, you guys," I reply. "Oh, and nice to see you too, Bunny."

Though Bunny's too busy rolling his eyes to notice the bag I set down next to me upon landing, Tooth, Sandy, and North, seem to zero in on it immediately.

"Oh, Jack, what's that?" Tooth asks me, blinking in curiosity, while Sandy forms a golden question mark above his head.

I smirk. "Well…" I say, loosening the string on the sack and pulling the top open to reveal the wrapped boxes inside. "...I believe for today, I'll be playing the role of 'knock-off Santa Claus,' if that's alright with you, North."

North raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Wait a moment...Jack, did you...get presents for us?"

I nod. "You bet I did."

"Aw, Jack, that's very sweet of you!" Tooth says with a smile. "Though, you didn't have to-"

I hold up a hand to stop her. "No, no, no, don't say that," I insist. "I know I didn't have to, but after all you've done for me...I wanted to do something for you in return. Now...here. I'm giving you your gifts and I'm not giving you a chance to say no."

I'm a man of my word, so I end up doing just that. I leave Jamie and Sophie's presents in the bag to take to them later, but I pass out the other four boxes to each of their respective recipients. "Now, go on!" I encourage them, not letting them getting a word of argument in edgewise. "Open them!"

"Alright, mate, alright! Yeesh...settle down, will ya?" Bunny scolds me, pretending to look annoyed, but I get the feeling that under that mask of irritability, he truly is grateful.

...or maybe he just really is annoyed. I can never really tell with him.

Either way, the Guardians all tear the wrapping paper off of the boxes, then open boxes themselves to reveal the ice sculptures I crafted for each of them. And thankfully, as far as I can tell...the results are pretty consistently positive.

First, Tooth gasps in surprise, pretty much immediately telling me how much she loves the carving, then Sandy forms an exclamation point over his head and smiles at me almost fondly, clearly recognizing the significance behind the dolphin. North and Bunny, meanwhile, both seem to be examining my craftsmanship quite thoroughly, and if the grins on their faces are any indication, they seem to like what they see.

I grin slightly, and though I can already guess what the answer will be, I decide to ask anyway, "So...what do you think?"

"Did ya make these all by yerself, Frostbite?" Bunny asks, an eyebrow raised. "'Cause if so...I gotta hand it ta ya, they're pretty amazin' works of art. Honestly...thank ya for this."

...I think that's literally the most genuine compliment Bunny has ever given me, like...ever. I'm...I'm blown away right now. This is a momentous occasion! A day that shall go down in history!

...okay I'll tone down the theatrics. For now, anyway.

Despite the somewhat sarcastic eloquency that's going on in my mind at the moment, my mouth only seems to be able to awkwardly stammer, "Y-You...y-you really think so!?"

"I agree!" North chimes in, a large grin on his face. "I have been making ice carvings myself for many years, and I promise you, these are especially good! Thank you very much, Jack!"

Sandy, meanwhile, nods cheerfully in his own silent way of expressing gratitude, while Tooth adds, "Oh, Jack, they really are beautiful statues! Thank you so much!"

Aaaaaand now I'm blushing. That's fun. But hey...I'm really glad they like their presents. Aside from the ornament I gave Jamie and Sophie last year, I've never really had the chance to give someone a gift like this...I'll admit, to see the smiles I was able to bring to their faces, it...it feels good. Better than receiving something, even.

Huh...I guess now I get why North does this every year. It really is something special, to be able to give someone you care about something that'll make them happy.

At this point, however, Tooth begins to frown. "Oh, but Jack, I feel bad…" she says softly. "You went through all the trouble to make us these, but we don't have anything to give you in return this year…"

To this, I merely laugh. "Are you kidding?" I ask with a grin. "The four of you have already gotten me everything I could ever ask for."

"What do you mean?" North asks curiously.

I smile and nod at him. "Wonder..." Then at Bunny. "...Hope..." Then at Tooth. "...Memories..." Then at Sandy. "...Dreams…" Then finally, I spread my arms slightly and gesture at all of them at once. "...and family."

About five seconds of silence passes, causing me to wonder if I've become too sappy for my own good, before suddenly, all four of them (I think Bunny was dragged into this against his will, but that's fine, ha) are suddenly surrounding me in a group hug that, while it certainly takes me by surprise...it strangely doesn't make me uncomfortable at all, like it would have in the past.

Because it's true. These people, these spirits, these Guardians...they're my family. I thought it would take much longer, but somehow, these familial roles fit us all like a glove. For some reason, as quirky and as wildly different from each other as we all are...everything has somehow just clicked into place without us even really realizing until now.

I lost my blood-related family long ago. My only actual relatives that I am able to interact with now are Jamie and Sophie. But you know what? Despite how much I still miss the family I once knew...I've now learned that you don't need to share blood to be family. You don't just have to stick with whatever was laid out for you from the moment of your birth.

Sometimes, you just...end up finding it on your own.

Heartwarming :) Hope you guys enjoyed, and don't forget to leave a review to tell me what you think, because it really does help! A word of warning, I am going on vacation with my family in a few days, so I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to get a chapter up next Wednesday, but I'll certainly try my best! Either way, I'll see you guys next time!

For now, Sapphire316, out.