A/N: I think I took a long time to update. Sorry, I'm irritated by our internet access. I'm quite sure that it doesn't like me, loathes me and positively hates me. xD Anyways, thank you for everyone supporting me. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians
Chapter 5
They found Jack curled up in an ice sofa. Near it was a table with a vase. The vase was so beautifully made and is holding the flowers brought by Bunny arranged gracefully, it was an incredible sight.
Old Man sighed happily and graced his fingers at the vase. He proudly pointed out to the guardians that Jack made it.
The guardians smiled but the moment they noticed Jack expression, it faltered.
The youngest guardian looked like a kid waiting anxiously for his father to come home in a blizzard. That was peculiar since the man didn't even go out.
Why does he look so worried? The guardians thought.
"Hey, kiddo" Old Man greeted.
"Dad!" Jack pulled him into a hug and the old man just chuckled.
The guardians shared a look. This side of Jack is something they haven't seen even for months of Jack being a guardian.
Jack has been somewhat distant to them.
"Miss me?", the old man teased.
Jack crossed his arms and pouted.
The old man held an amused look.
Then Jack rolled his eyes. A smile plastered at his face.
"Of course! What did you think? How are you feeling?" Jack tilted his head examining the man in front of him.
"Aren't you gonna ask about the guardians?"
The guardians perked up to this.
Jack stopped and shook his head.
The guardians' shoulders slumped. Apparently, they don't matter to Jack anymore.
The old man looked at him curious. His eyes clearly asking the kid to explain.
Jack sighed, his shoulders slumped.
"I'll never get to see them anymore. Well maybe see them but not talk to them. I messed up big time, dad. I promised that it'll be the last time they'll see me if they help me" Jack explained sadly.
"Big time? Bigger than the annual thing?" Old Man asked amused.
He's quite sure the guardians didn't help the kid to get rid of him. If they did, they would've left already.
"Well, I did intend to pluck those plants. Only means that I wanted to kill them." Jack said sheepishly.
Old Man looked sad by this.
"But enough about that, dad. I'm staying here. Aren't you happy?" Jack smiled.
"Are you?" Jack gulped eyes widening.
The Old Man started to walk in circles.
"Dad. I-"
"You froze a bunch of flower, big deal. Seriously, Jack. I'm sorry" The old man sadly apologized. Looking at Jack in the eyes, he groaned.
The guardians furrowed their brows.
"No, not your fault old man", Jack laughed.
"You can't control your new powers, can you? Why did I even ask for daffodils?" Old Man hit his head.
Jack is gaining new powers? The guardians thought. Sure, they noticed him frustrated at his work but they thought it has something to do with gaining believers. They never thought there will be another source of power for Jack.
Jack stood up from the sofa and walked towards the man almost bumping with the invisible Bunny.
Suddenly, the guardians felt a bit of shame from intruding their privacy. They almost forgot that Jack can't see them.
Jack grabbed the man's hands, stopping him from hitting his head and stared at his eyes.
"No no no, dad. You're right. They're just flowers, right? I should have gotten those in other places. It's stupid of me to get it in the Warren" Jack reasoned.
"You went to the Warren because you're in a hurry. You don't want me to be gone after you left. You did what any loving child would do for his dying father"
The guardians was shocked. That explains everything. Jack rushing and all.
"Yeah, and can you believe I slept for four days?! How loving can I get?" Jack groaned still mentally scolding himself.
"You're exhausted, Jack. I shouldn't have let you rushed off"
"Yeah, yeah. I shouldn't have left you" Jack retorted.
After a minute of staring, they both laughed.
They sat on the sofa laughing.
After their laughter died down, Jack hugged the man's torso.
"Did you really have to leave?" Jack asked heartbroken. His voice dying at the last word.
"You know I have to. I'm going tonight, Jackie" Jack's hug tightened.
"It's my fault, isn't it?" Jack said burying his face at the old man's chest.
"And why would you say that!?" The old man pushed so that he can look at the kid's face.
"I stole your powers. I made you weak. And probably there's a rule that says earth can't have two winter spirits at the same time" Jack said looking at his feet.
"Does it ever occur to you that I gave you my burden? It's actually selfish of me to do that" The old man said.
"So I'm right. Two winter spirits can't exist. All the more reason for you to stay, you're older, much wiser and certainly won't make a mess. Besides, I'll have a good reason to die no-"
The old man's eyes suddenly darkened and punched Jack in the face. Jack stumbled in the ground.
The guardians winced.
Jack looked at him in puzzled.
"There's no such rule, Jack! And I thought you said you won't try to kill yourself again!" Old man screamed.
Jack's eyes widen and showed defiance. He stood up abruptly and glared at the man.
"If that means you keep on living! Besides no one will be sad if I died and don't lie to me. Such rule exists in season spirits! I knew that for a fact, that's why I went to you. I thought you'll kill me" Jack said.
Old man looked at him straight in the eye.
"And I did almost kill you, didn't I?" the guardians gasped. Old man tried to kill Jack himself? They curled their hands into fists and change their stances to battle mode. If anything bad happens, they will protect Jack no matter what.
A/N: So yeah. That was it. Sorry I'm not enthusiastic about it. Still quite pissed off by the internet provider and access. That devil didn't let me surf for so long while my siblings did. So unfair :( But I will get over it. I'm very sorry. Please review :)