Jackson loved many things.

Jackson loved his mother and sister. Flee was fun, smart, and the best thing in his life. Yes, he knew they weren't not blood related, but Flee is and always will be his little sister. He will admit that he have a protective streak for her. And he is also proud to be the one to hook her up Jamie. Best day ever, if you ask him. Jackson also loved his mother. He was grateful that he was found by the Overlands. His mother was the best mom in the world.

Jackson loved the Burgess kids. He loved telling them stories and watching over them. What can he say? He loved kids. Maybe he'll have kids someday, if he finds the right girl.

Jackson loved Night. She was like his best friend. She was amazing, cool, and loyal. She even helped him with his pranks. Night was the best! Now if only he can figure out how to give her snowflakes on her side.

Jackson loved his Brother. Even if Kozmotis spends hours with his nightmares to plan against the Guardians, he still loved him. Kozmotis makes him feel safe. Kozmotis cares for him and his sister. Jackson loved having Kozmotis back in his life! Being reunited was the best thing that happened to him. Okay, that may be tied with the birth of his sister though. But that doesn't matter. Kozmotis was in his life again! He loved the eggs that Kozmotis got for him. In all honesty, Kozmotis was a better guardian than the Guardians.

Jackson loved winter. Winter was the best season ever and no one will tell him other wise. Jackson loved the beautiful snow from winter. He loved making snowballs, and snow angels, and making snow forts for snowball fights. Yeah, snowball fights were the best.

Jackson hated many things as well.

Jackson hated bullies. He hated when they hurt the younger kids. He hated that they take great joy in making others miserable. He especially hated it when they pick on his sister. That was a very bad day for them. But he will never tell Kozmotis about it. Who knows what he might do?

Jackson hated bears. Ever since he lost his father to one Jackson couldn't go near one. Jackson could still hear the screams and pain filled gasps from his father as he died. He could still smell the blood whenever he goes to that spot in the forest. He hated bears so much that he refused to hunt them when the adults do. He rather hunt rabbits instead.

Jackson hated boredom. He was an active teenager. He hated to not be doing something. That usually lead to him making plans for pranks. The pranks were always fun. Jackson loved having fun.

Now Jackson had one more things to add to his lists of things he hated with a passion: summer. Jackson hated summer. Jackson does not like the heat. He does not like the lack of snow. Sure, Spring is cool. That's when Easter is. However, Jackson can not, will not, tolerate summer. Jackson can't stand summer.

Jackson sighed for the umpteenth time that day. Jackson stared at the ceiling of the living room. It was sooo hot. Why? Why did it have to be so hot? He hated summer.

He sighed, again. He really hated summer.

"Jackson if you are going to sulk all day then do that in your room," his mother told him form the kitchen. He groaned as he got up and marched back to his room. It was hot in here too! He groaned when he saw Night and Flee napping on the bed. Night lifted her head and looked at him when he entered.

"Your mother sent you to your room, Master?"

Jackson groaned. "Apparently I was sighing too much." Jackson flopped himself on the floor. It would have been too hot to go to bed now.

Jackson stared at the ceiling before the sound of hooves were heard. It wasn't to long before Night was in his vision. He blinked at her and stared into her golden eyes.

"We could always go to Creator's lair. It is always cool there."

Jackson blinked for a moment before a huge smile appeared in his face. Jackson sat up and jumped to his feet, completely ignoring the heat. "Cool! Let's go! Flee wake up!"

Flee lifted her head and looked at him sleepily. She yawned, her hair still tousled from sleep. "What is it? Is it dinner already?"

Jackson smirked. "It's still noon and no it's not dinner yet."

"Then why did you wake me?"

"I thought you might want to visit Koz and all his nightmare glory!"

Flee perked up at this. "It would be fun to see the Flower King."

Night and Jackson snickered. Pitch was a bit annoyed after what happened on Mothering Day and Jackson may had gotten tickled in the end, but it was soooo worth it. What kind of younger brother would he be if he didn't make sure the whole 'I am the Boogieman! Fear me!" didn't go straight to his head?

Pitch was busy with his nightmares when two non-nightmares entered his domain. He grumbled under his breath in annoyance. It couldn't be the Guardians. They aren't that quiet, especially with North and his swords. Pitch stopped what he was doing and send out his Nightmares to capture the intruders.

Whoever these intruders were, they were in for a rude awakening. Pitch stepped into the shadows and followed his nightmares. He was shocked when the neighing stopped at the throne room.

What are they doing? Pitch wondered to himself as he entered the throne room and exited the shadows. He blinked. Petting two of his nightmares were Jackson and Flee. What were they doing here?

"Hey Koz!" Jackson's cheerful voice yelled from the dozen of nightmares that surrounded him.

"What are you doing here?" Pitch asked, still baffled that they were here. Actually he was surprised that any child was in his lair.

"I was bored and it was sooo hot up there," Jackson whined.

"So we decide to visit," Flee added in excitement.

Pitch turned to Night with a questioning stare. "Was this your idea?" Night flicked her tail.

"I thought it was a good idea. Master and Flee were inside all day. I figured it was better than them annoying their mother."

Pitch sighed as he watched his nightmares return to their jobs. Pitch was left alone with his brother, Flee, and Night.

"So," Jackson said as he eyed the place. "This is where you live?"

"Yes," Pitch said as he turned towards the door way. "Are you two hungry? I have some pie in the fridge."

"Pie?" Flee asked with wide eyes.

"Sure, we haven't had that in a while."

Pitch didn't comment. He gestured the two children to his dining room. He watched them as they looked at every detail of his home. He never seen such wonder in their eyes before. He smiled. It was so nice to have children in his life again.

When they got to the dining room Jackson and Flee stared at the huge round marble table.

"Wow!" Pitch smiled as they took a seat at the table. The table was white marble mixed with black. Pitch had personally added flakes of gold to the edges to make it stand out.

"Like?"

"It's amazing, Koz. I've never seen a table like this before." Pitch wasn't surprised. The villagers weren't really that rich to afford something like this. That was kind of sad now that he thought about it.

"I'll be right back with the snacks," he told them and then shadowed away. He was gone for only a few minutes before he came back with three plates of pie and three glasses of milk.

The children happily ate them. Pitch wondered if they ever had five berry pie before. Probably not.

"So? How is it?" he asked as he ate a spoonful of the sweet pie.

"Good!" Jackson said with a smile. Flee nodded in agreement.

"Glad you like it. I'll pack a few slices for your mother then when you two go home." The two children's eyes lit up at the mention of bringing more home.

They all ate in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable or tense silence. The silence was peaceful and positive and wonderful for the two human children and the Nightmare King.

Pitch watched the children when he finished. The two were so happy. Pitch was glad for that. He hoped it stayed that way.

"So is this your library?" Jackson asked as they stopped at a room with many, many bookcases of books and other old stuff. There were even a sofa and fireplace.

"I call it a study, but yes this is my library."

Jackson and Flee stared at all the books. There were so many! They never seen so many before. Noted they only have two books each. But to have this many?

"Go on," Kozmotis said. "Go take a look."

Jackson and Flee rushed in as Kozmotis leaned against the door frame. Jackson looked at a lot of books. There were books on fairies, yetis, the Easter Bunny, Santa, Old Man Winter, the leprechaun, and many others.

Jack was curious as he picked up the yeti book. This look cool to read. Then he remembered he probably wouldn't be able to. He's reading isn't all that great. He frowned and only vaguely notice his brother moving in his direction.

"Ah, the yetis. That's a good story."

Jackson jumped. "Y-yeah. It looks cool."

Jackson turned towards his brother and noticed a small frown. He tilted his head a bit. He wondered what Kozmotis was thinking about.

"How's your reading?"

Jackson laughed nervously. He should have known that his brother would pick up his worries. "Not great," he managed weakly.

"Want me to teach you?" Jackson blinked in shock.

"Really?" Kozmotis gently took the book from his hands and gestured him to the old looking sofa near the fireplace. Flee was already on the sofa reading some princess fairy tale. She didn't look up when Kozmotis took a seat in the middle and Jackson took the seat next to him.

Kozmotis opened the book to the first page. Jackson snorted at the picture of a yeti. It didn't look that scary. Kozmotis read the first few lines and then had him repeat. Sadly, Jackson was more than a little frustrated when he struggled with the words. He had tried sounding it out and putting it together. It was frustrating and embarrassing. Flee didn't seem to have trouble with this. She made it so easy.

He glared at the evil page of words. He can't do this. It's too hard. Kozmotis was patient though and read the lines again and then he had to repeat. This lasted for a few hours or so. After what felt like forever Jackson was able to read five sentences without trouble. This continued for another few hours until his eyes felt heavy.

Jackson leaned against his brother's shoulder and listened to the story. He smiled as he closed his eyes, thinking about how cool it was to meet a yeti.

Pitch was proud of his brother for reading this far. His daughter would be proud. Pitch flipped the page to begin reading again. He read a few lines about some yetis that helped fight with a bandit.

"Now you try, Jackson." He paused for Jackson to read, but there was nothing but silence. He frowned and shifted his eyes away from the book and looked at his brother.

"Jackson did you—" Pitch paused when he noticed that Jackson had fallen asleep. He glanced at Flee and noticed that she was in the same state. He smiled softly at the sleeping children. He closed the book and shadowed it back to the bookshelf.

Pitch gently shifted jackson into his arms. He stood up and shadowed to one of the bedrooms he had prepared for this brother.

The room was a pale blue. The room had a bed, a small desk, and a lamp from his home world. Pitch had also had a few items that was Jackson's before they got separated on the desk. Pitch placed Jackson on the bed and tucked him in. Pitch watched with a fond smile as Jackson sighed into the white covers.

"Sleep tight, Jackson." Pitch gently kissed his forehead before shadowing back to the study to take Flee to her own room. Once both children were fast asleep in their rooms Pitch reflected on his life. He was happy. Truly happy. And he hoped it stayed that way.