All right guys, chapter 5! This story keeps getting longer...

Among The Stars

Chapter 5

"Jack?"

Jack's eyes snapped open and he looked around the cockpit. He hadn't realized he was close to falling asleep until he was woken up by the address. Outside the viewport was the tunnel of colorful, molten light that meant they were still in hyperspace.

Gathering his thoughts, he spun the pilots chair to look at the entrance to the cockpit. Rapunzel stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the dim lights in the hallways.

"Hey, Blondie." He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He had thought he had just drifted off. But the grit in his eyelashes told him that wasn't the case.

"Sorry," she said. Her melodious voice was not helping him wake up. Her voice was low, to match the dim lights of the ship's sleep cycle, and it sounded like a lullaby. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

Jack shook his head. "It's cool."

He yawned again as he turned to check the chrono.

"Are you okay?" Rapunzel asked.

Jack nodded, and gestured for her to take a seat in the co-pilot's seat beside him. The seat that was becoming hers every time she came into the cockpit.

"What about you?" he asked.

"Fine," she said, taking the offered seat. Her hair was out of its braids and clips, snaking its way out of sight down the hall.

"'Fine' usually isn't up at the three in the morning," Jack said. He was serious, but couldn't stop the teasing note in his voice.

He expected her to smile, but instead she hugged herself.

"Hiccup and Merida are fighting," she said, just loud enough for him to hear over the hum of the engines. "I can hear them through the walls."

Jack quirked an eyebrow – he couldn't help it. "Hiccup is capable of talking that loud?"

They hadn't gone all out and sound-proofed the ship, but the walls between their quarters were designed to block sounds.

Rapunzel's lips twitched ever so slightly. "No, I can't hear Hiccup, but I can hear Merida. It seemed kind of private so I..."

"Came looking for me?" Jack teased.

Another small smile, even if it was only fleeting. "I can't help but feeling it's my fault. I'm causing you so much trouble."

"It's not your fault," Jack said, hoping to ease the worry lines appearing between her eyebrows. "Merida... we've been under a lot of stress, lately. I don't know what's going in with Merida, but it's not you."

He wanted to ask what they were fighting about. They squabbled fairly often, but those usually passed quickly. Jack had never heard them scream at each other – not even Merida. Hiccup was a peace maker. And they loved each other too much to stay mad for long.

Of course, Merida wasn't usually this hard to get along with.

"Are you sure?"

Jack gave her a tired grin. "I promise."

Rapunzel returned his smile, and he saw her relax a little.

"So, can I ask where we're headed?" she asked.

Jack looked over at her. "Hiccup didn't tell you guys?"

He had been holed up in the cockpit for the past few days. Mostly avoiding Merida (who still wanted to lecture him about the shower incident), and working though his own emotions at going back, trying to work out what to say to Aster and the others.

"No." She shook her head. "Merida asked, but he didn't really answer."

"He's giving me a chance to be a coward," Jack snickered. But then he sighed. "I couldn't ask for a better friend.

"We're going to my homeworld – Warren. I was unofficially banished when I entered the academy. But I'm hoping Aster will make an exception for you."

"Oh." She became thoughtful. "Didn't you say you were from Burgess?"

She had been listening to Pitch's inquisition. Impressive.

"It's... complicate," Jack sighed. "I'll spare you."

Rapunzel leaned toward him, elbows on her knees, clearly waiting for the story.

Jack rolled his eyes. But couldn't resist a grin when he looked at her again.

"They found me on Warren when I was thirteen," he said. Bracing one bare foot on the edge of the dash, he turned his chair enough so he was mostly facing her. "I remember I was born on Burgess, but I don't know how to warren. And there are bits and pieces I remember before that.

"I was taken in and raised between the four govoners – Nicholas St. North, from the Pole, Toothiana of Punjam Hy Loo, Sanderson of Dune, and E. Aster Bunnymund of Warren. Why the whole planet was named after his territory, I have no idea.

"If Tar Lunar knows anything more about my past, he's not talking. All he told me was my name."

"Jack, I'm so sorry," Rapunzel said. She reached out a rested a small hand on his forearm.

Jack shrugged, but was careful not to dislodge her hand. "Why? The four years I was there were amazing. I had everything I could have wanted. I can't believe I was stupid enough to leave."

"How long until we get there?"

The ship shuddered.

The molten tunnel of light faded to star line. With a lurch of the ship, those lines returned to pinpricks of light in the black sky.

Warren hung directly ahead of them in the viewport, blue and green with a wispy cloud layer. The poles, north and south, were white with snow.

Jack's left hand tingled, similar to falling asleep and he flexed his fingers to try and alleviate the sensation.

"It's gorgeous!" Rapunzel exclaimed, sitting forward to get a better look.

Jack smirked. "You haven't seen anything yet."

And he wanted to show her.

Jack took the yoke and guided the shop closer to the planet's surface.

They descended thrugh the clouds, and Jack heard the princess gasp as the planet's colors were thrown into focus. Green separated into countless shades, meadows and gardens exploding with flowers of every color.

He had only a moment before air traffic control would hail them – something he wasn't looking forward to. But first, he wasnted to show her his home. And he knew the part she would love most.

"Rapunzel, over there."

She turned and followed his finger to the left, to the Sunset Mountains.

Refracted light turned the sky a hazy blend of blue, pink and gold. The mountains were stained orange, pink, purple and gold.

Tucked among the two highest peaks was what appeared to be a star. What it was, in reality, was the sunlight reflecting off the windows of Toothiana's palace.

"It's beautiful," Rapunzel whispered.

Jack grinned in satisfaction.

But then the moment ended in the simultaneous sounds of footsteps and the beeping of the comm.

"Unidentified vessel, this is Warren air traffic control," a familiar voice said over the comm. "Please state your purpose on Warren.

Jack took a deep breath, bracing himself.

Rapunzel's hand returned to his arm, and he glanced over to see her give him an encouraging smile.

He turned back to the comm.

"Hey, Nightlight," he sighed. "It's me."

There was a beat. Then another. Timed by the sounding of his heart.

"Jack?"

"Yeah," Jack sighed. "It's been a while."

"That's for sure," Nightlight murmured across the line.

"Is that you, Frost?"

Jack cringed at the familiar accent through the comm.

"Yeah, Aster."

Behind him, Merida snickered. He didn't have to look back to know she was enjoying his discomfort.

Another beat.

"Land at the palace docking bay," Aster said, his voice emotionless. "We'll meet you there."

Jack was going to ask who "we" contained, but he could guess. All he said was: "Yes sir."

"Did Jack Frost just say 'sir'?" Merida asked. "The universe it about t' collapse on itself."

#

Jack ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm his nerves.

It had been four years since he had left. And until now, he hadn't realized how much he wanted to come back. He hadn't even realized he still considered this place home. Now he did realize it, and he was faced with the prospect of being kicked right back into the stars.

"Are you all right?" Rapunzel asked, coming toward him. She had changed back into her purple and pink dress.

He was waiting by the boarding ramp.

"I'm fine," he said, scuffing the ground with the toe of his boot.

"Hopefully they don't kick us off planet," Hiccup muttered, as he and Merida approached where Jack and Rapunzel stood by the boarding ramp. His fight with Merida had visibly affected him, his voice and gaze dark.

Jack noticed a screaming distance between the two.

"Are we ready?" Hiccup asked.

Jack punched the button to lower the ramp.

The cool breeze found its way into the ship immediately, even before the light did so. It whispered to itself as it examined the newcomers, ever curious. Jack felt it play with his white hair, and just caught a bubbly laugh of recognition.

He flexed his left hand, and the breeze happily danced through his fingers.

As the ramp continued to lower, he caught sight of the welcome party.

Aster stood at the front, leather gauntleted arms crossed over his chest. The blue furred Pooka was as intimidating as ever.

Merida snorted. "A rabbit? All these years, ye've been runnin' from a rabbit?"

"A pooka," Jack corrected, not bothering to be offended. He knew Aster too well – and it wasn't his fault if Merida judged on appearances.

Behind Aster was North, tall and imposing. The small, silent Sandy. And the colorful Toothiana.

Before he could start down the ramp, a small blur of color flew toward him with the rapid flutter of gossamer wings. It collided with his neck, and he felt the small fairy nuzzle him, small arms giving as much of a hug as he could.

His companions were staring at him.

Jack just grinned, and reached up to carefully stroke the small fairy.

"Hey, Baby Tooth," he greeted quietly.

She left his neck and flew up to hover in front of him, chirping excitedly. He couldn't understand what it meant – only that she was welcoming him home.

"I missed you too," he chuckled.

He looked up at the sound of a second set of wings, this one louder. Toothiana, her jewel tone feathers shimmering in the warm sunlight, had followed her fairy.

"She tried to go after you," Toothiana said.

"If I could have taken her, I would have," Jack said.

Baby Tooth smiled and took her preferred perch on his right shoulder. She settled in, and he knew she wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

Toothiana smiled and hugged him.

Jack's heart skipped a beat as something unfamiliar spread through his chest. It took him a moment to lift his arms and return the hug, careful of her wings.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd been hugged, and he realized his had missed the assurance that came with the gesture.

"It's good to see you, Tooth," he admitted.

North's deep, belly laugh reached the across the landing pad.

"Is good to see you again, Jack," the man called, as Jack disengaged from Tooth's hug.

Her wings continued to hum with their rapid movement, hovering beside him as he continued down the ramp, Rapunzel on his other side.

He found himself in front of Aster, and had to take a deep breath to try and push down his fear of being kicked off world. As he took in the brilliant colors of Aster's territory, the familiar weight of Baby Tooth on his shoulder, and the wind whispering in his ear, he didn't want to leave.

The Pooka's long ears twitched, arms still crossed as he looked down at Jack.

He felt a soft touch on his arm, and looked over at Rapunzel. He hoped his expression would tell her he was grateful for the comfort in her touch.

Jack sighed, and rubbed the back of his head. He really wasn't good at apologizing. But if there was another way to keep her safe, he couldn't think of it.

"Look, Bunnymund, I know you told me not to come back. And I was stupid for leaving." He took a deep breath, bracing against the words he had to say next. "I'm sorry I didn't listen."

He looked at North, Tooth and Sandy, who were all watching him with expressions he couldn't read.

"I didn't listen to any of you – and you were right." He sighed. "Of course."

"Jack," Tooth murmured, touching his shoulder gently.

"Never thought I'd see the day when Jack Frost admitted 'e was wrong," Bunnymund said. He clapped a paw on Jack's shoulder. "Welcome home, Kid."

Jack's breath caught in his throat, and he barely registered North's laugh. He didn't snap out of his stunned daze until the large man pulled him into a bone crushing hug that lifted him off his feet.

"What brings ya back?" Aster asked when Jack was on his feet and had regained breath and balance.

"Oh, yeah." He turned back to his friends. "This is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock, captain of The Night Fury." He gestured to the ship behind them. "His wife, Merida. And this is Princess Rapunzel of Corona. We accidentally rescued her from Gothel – now we need to lay low.

"Guys, this is E. Aster Bunnymund, Nicholas St. North, Sanderson, and Toothiana."

"You have come to right place," North said. He greeted Hiccup and Merida like old friends, then gave Rapunzel a bow with grace that would have surprised anyone who didn't know him and what he was capable of.

"Your Highess, we heard of Corona's struggles," he said, with polite formality. "We are glad to see you safe."

"Thank you, Nicholas," Rapunzel said.

"Please – North!"

"North," she corrected, with a smile.

Jack grinned. He knew they would love her.

Aster bowed slightly. "Welcome, Princess. We'll do all in our power to keep you safe. You're all welcome to stay – as long as you want."

#

Bunnymund's palace was as bright, colorful and grand as Jack remembered. The gardens were in full bloom, an explosion of colors and floral perfumes that saturated the sweet air. It was familiar, and more comforting than Jack had expected.

He took a deep breath of the bright air as he followed Toothiana down the hallway of the guest wing. The wind whispered to him about the snow in North's territory, and all the fun they could have, welcoming him home, inviting him to play.

Baby Tooth flew at his side, occasionally nuzzling his cheek or neck.

Toothiana was talking to Hiccup – something about architecture, or something else Jack didn't understand.

Beside her, one of North's yetis carried the bags Hiccup and Merida had backed. Jack carried his own backpack, and Rapunzel had nothing to bring. Toothiana had already promised to bring the princess fresh clothes. And, secretly, Jack would be glad when she wasn't wearing flight suits borrowed from Merida. They just didn't suit her.

The hallway, like most in the palace, doubled as a balcony. On one side were the doors that led to the guest rooms, while the other side was only a railing and support columns that offered a panoramic view over the gardens. In the distance the sunlight shimmered off the sea that formed the edge of Aster's territory. Jack could just make out the shadowy silhouette of Sandy's island, far out on the water.

Toothiana stopped in front of an open door, and gestured with a smile. "Hiccup, Merida, this will be your room. Rapunzel, yours is the next one down."

Rapunzel's eyes widened and she looked over to where Jack leaned against one of the columns that supported the ceiling above the walkway.

"What about you?" she asked.

Jack looked at Toothiana, curious about that as well.

"Jack has his own room in the main living quarters," Toothiana explained.

He saw fear seep into the princess's expression, and she took a step closer to him.

"Don't worry, Punz." He reached out to touch her arm. "I won't be far."

"I-I know," she said, an obvious attempt to sound confident. "I'm sorry."

"it's okay," he assured. He pushed away from the column, and took a step closer to rest a hand on her arm. With his free hand he gestured up and to the left, in the general direction of his room. "If you need me, I'm upstairs, the door with frost painted on it – you can't miss it."

He did not miss Toothiana's quirked eyebrow. Or at least, the quirk of the teal feathers that started at her brow. But he ignored the expression.

Cautiously he took another step closer.

"You're safe here, I promise," he whispered. "These people practically raised me, remember? I trust them with my life."

She sniffed, the first sign she was fighting back tears.

"I promise," he repeated.

"Okay," she nodded.

#

"It's just the way you left it," Toothiana said, as Jack pushed open the door of his room. "All your rooms are. Though Baby Tooth took it upon herself to take care of your room in Punjam Hy Loo, so I can't guarantee what state it's in. We all hoped you would come back."

Jack could only nod in response as he looked around his room. He had a room at each of the palaces, since he had spent time with all of them. But most of his time had been spent in Warren, so this was his main room.

The walls were painted light blue, the blankets on his bed a darker shade of the same color. All the furniture was light stained wood, carved by North and himself.

He ran a finger upwards over the light pad (one of the few modern contraptions in the palace), bringing the overhead glowpads to their full strength.

Baby Tooth chirped happily and flew over to the small alcove in the corner (her room), where a purple pillow with gold fringe was set up for her bed.

Jack and Toothiana both laughed as the small fairy settled into her nest.

"She missed you," Toothiana said. "I don't think she'll let you out of her sight again."

Jack chuckled. He bent down to tug off his boots, exhaling in relief as his bare feet met the white carpet.

He swallowed as he approached the bed, and reached out to take the staff that rested against the wall, just where he had left it. He ran his hands over the gnarled wood, following the curve of the crook at the end.

Baby Tooth left her perch and flew over to the staff. She examined the care wood carefully, then looked up at Jack in confusion.

"I'm not myself yet," he whispered, with a smile at the fairy.

"Dinner's not for a few more hours," Toothiana said, laying a hand on his shoulder as though to comfort him. "There's time for you to go to the pond."

"Maybe later," Jack said, setting the staff back against the wall. "I don't want to go too far until the princess is comfortable."

Toothiana giggled, and Jack fought the urge to smack his forehead. He hadn't realized how that sounded until the words were out of his mouth.

"You like her," the fairy said.

"I'm overly protective," Jack said, and gestured to Baby Tooth. "With a habit of taking in strays, remember?"

"Oh, I remember," she laughed. "That snow fox you found still lives in North's workshop. And the bird still lives at my palace."

Jack rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Maybe it was because he was a stray himself, but he could never turn away from anything that needed help. That might be why he felt such a strong instinct to take care of the princess – emotionally as well as physically.

"But I don't think the princess is another fairy, or snow fox," Toothiana said, her tone equal parts serious and teasing. That must be where he had learned it.

"Tooth..."

"It's not a bad thing," she assured. "I know you always said you probably wouldn't fall in love, but you're not the type to stay single. You care too much."

"I'm gonna go swimming," Jack said, picking up his backpack.

He wasn't sure he could have this conversation.

#

Jack broke through the surface of the cool water, taking a deep breath to refill his depleted lungs.

The wind asked him why he was swimming in the garden pool, when the pond in the woods wasn't that far. It could tell he was incomplete, and didn't understand why he chose to stay that way longer than he had to.

He took another deep breath and dove back under the water.

He didn't bother trying to explain to the wind that the pond was not a place for swimming – it was a place for replenishment. And he could put that off.

What he wanted right now was just to enjoy the water.

To enjoy being home.

As the oxygen in his lungs began to run out, he broke through the surface again. He swam closer to the shallow end, where he could stand with the water a few inches below his chest.

He pushed wet hair from his face, and the water from his eyes.

The wind seemed to have given up on him for now. He could hear it whispering to itself, laughing like a child as it rolled and tumbled. But it wasn't asking him questions, or asking him to play. It had never had a very long attention span.

Baby Tooth was still close by, splashing in the shallows.

A sound among the bushes caught his attention. He glanced over, expecting to the see the gardeners, or one of the children and animals that treated the garden as a playground.

Instead, through the hanging wisteria flowers, he caught a familiar head of golden hair. She was currently looking away from him, but that was easily remedied.

Reaching up, Jack flicked a finger.

No response.

He sighed.

Taking a deep breath, he focused. At the moment, he didn't have control over the wind – only the ability to encourage it a little. And that would take effort.

He moved his forefinger in a small circle, finding the current of the wind. It slowly wound around his finger. He had the breeze's attention.

Maybe he should go to the pond sooner than later.

He moved his finger again, and the wind lazily followed his suggestion.

It picked up around Rapunzel, staying the blossoms and tugging at the skirt of her dress.

She giggled and turned with the breeze. Her gaze landed on him, and he waved to her.

"Hey."

She smiled shy – and he didn't miss the way her eyes darted to his bare chest before fixing on his face with more focus than necessary.

She passed through the bushes that surrounded the pool, coming closer to the edge of the water.

"What are you up to?" Jack asked.

"Just exploring," she said. Her eyes looked around at the flowers, and a nearby trellis of swirling wrought iron. "It's so beautiful here."

Jack chuckled. "Yeah, I think you mentioned that."

Rapunzel giggled, lifting her shoulders in what appeared to embarrassment.

She had changed into a light green sundress – he recognized the color as Toothiana's choice no doubt, it was her favorite shade. But it was better than Merida's flight suits.

"I'm glad you like it here," he said. "I know it's not your home..."

"Thank you, Jack," she said, smiling.

He shrugged, and tried to pretend his cheeks weren't warming. He really wasn't good at small talk. If she wanted him to tell her his past, he could do that (he already had). Small talk, not so much.

He skimmed his hands over the surface of the water, trying to think of... something to say.

Baby Tooth had stopped her splashing, and now hovered above the water, her bi-colored eyes darting between Jack and Rapunzel. He was very aware she would probably repeat every detail to Tooth and all the other fairies. But he decided he didn't care too much.

He looked back at Rapunzel.

"You wanna come in?" he asked, gesturing to the water around him.

Her eyes widened, a flush painting her cheeks. "N-no, no. I'm fine."

Jack nodded awkwardly.

Silence fell over them, and Jack wished he could dive under the water again to avoid the discomfort that came with it.

"Uh... this might sound really strange," she said suddenly. "But I think my hair is getting longer."

Jack quirked an eyebrow, eyeing the hair that just looked endless to him, even with it wrapped, twisted and braided the way it was. "How can you tell?"

She giggled. "Like I said, I know it sounds crazy. But I was re-braiding it earlier and it just feels... long. Longer than I'm used to," she added, as though anticipating Jack's comeback that her hair was long.

Jack chuckled, but the information nagged at the back of his mind. Most people were unaffected when they came to Warren. Even most of the children that lived there were, for lack of a better word, 'normal'. But some...

His left hand flexed, and the breeze drifted around his arm. Not like it would if he were in full control – but it remembered him, and was curious enough to pay attention to his motions.

But he brushed off the feeling. Twenty feet was a lot of hair, he reminded himself. And just because she thought it was longer than when they'd arrived didn't mean much. They were all tired.

And he was jumping to conclusions.

Rapunzel sat down in the grass at the edge of the pool, smoothing her skirt over her folded legs, oblivious to what was going through Jack's mind.

"I didn't expect everyone to be so nice," she said.

Jack ducked down in the water so it came up to his chin, needing something to do to clear his head of the thoughts he was having.

"Toothiana brought me so many clothes, I don't think I'll be able to wear them all."

Jack chuckled and stood up a little so he could speak without getting water in his mouth. "Yeah. She tends to go overboard a lot."

Rapunzel was quiet for a moment, playing with her fingers, not looking up.

Jack splashed his face, more because he needed something to do so he wasn't standing there like an idiot.

"She's very pretty."

"Colorful is the word I tend to use," he chuckled.

"You two seem... close."

Jack stopped with his fingers halfway through his head and turned back to face her.

She still wasn't looking up from her own fingers.

Narrowing his eyes, Jack stepped closer to where she sat.

Was she...?

Was that even possible?

The water was down to his hips, and she still refused to look at him. A wild flower blooming next to her amidst the grass held her rapt attention.

Jack couldn't resist. He splashed some of the water in her direction.

Only a few drops made it far enough to land on her, but her eyes widened as she gasped, and finally looking at him.

"Are you... jealous?" he asked, eyes still narrowed in fascination as he watched her cheeks darken.

"N-n-no, I-I—"

She wasn't fooling him.

But rather than torment her, he splashed her again. (Alright, so he was still tormenting her – but that was a nuance.)

"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" He gestured to the water again. "After everything you've been through lately, you could probably use some fun."

She blinked, as though confused that he wasn't going to push her to admitting her jealousy.

After a moment she smiled and stood up, wading into the clear waters of the pool.

I was going to keep going... but I realized that it was going to get really long so I decided to end it there.

Until next time... And for those of you following me on tumblr (songofafreeheart, just like I am here) – the swimming scene will be next chapter.