It was a quiet day at the North Pole.
Too quiet.
North knew that Jack was roaming his workshop and it rarely didn't end in some kind of catastrophe. The winter spirit had come for a visit a few hours ago and was told to go find something to occupy himself with since the big Russian was busy creating ice prototypes for new toys. If this had been a wise suggestion was nothing more than a rhetorical question.
After finishing a rollercoaster and a delicate paradise bird sculpture the old Santa Clause set his tools aside and decided to take a little break. Leaning back in his comfortable chair he closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence.
Until he got that infamous feeling in his belly.
Something was up, he just knew it.
With a deep sigh he stood up and walked towards the door of his office, already expecting to be met with his workshop on fire or frozen elves or pink-dyed yetis or whatever else the frost boy had thought of to entertain himself. It took him a bit by surprise when he opened the big wooden door and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Still looking around suspicious North wondered if Jack maybe had gotten bored and left again. He glanced at the scene around him.
The yetis were bustling around, working on the toys and transporting them to their destined storages while the elves were running between their feet trying ( and failing ) to be of any help. Some were chasing after a few individuals of their group who had managed to get their hands on cookies and had to deal with the greedy and envious wrath of those who wanted them as well.
Speaking of cookies, it was time for a snack! For a moment he forgot his worry and headed straight for the kitchen as a sudden 'Boom!' which sounded disturbingly much like an explosion rang through the hall. Everyone looked around to locate where the noise had come from and North groaned when realization hit him.
The kitchen.
Once more his belly had been right.
With big footsteps he stormed towards the source of the commotion and did his best to not step on the elves who were running out of the kitchen in panic. Black smoke and the disgusting smell of burned…whatever it was flowed out of the door as Santa's little helpers fled in all directions.
So maybe it wasn't Jack after all, it wouldn't have been the first time the elves caused havoc while fooling around.
North felt slightly guilty for already blaming the youngest guardian before he had even seen what was going on.
As he pushed the door open all he could do was stare dumbfounded at the sight in front of him.
There he was, their youngest teammember, with his raised shepherd's staff pointing at the oven which still had clouds of dark smoke forcing their way out of it.
"Oh damnit!" he coursed while shooting his ice magic into it to distinguish the smoke.
Only when the sickening smell reached North's nose and caused him to cough did Jack notice that he was busted.
"Uh, hi North!" he said casually and leaned against his staff in a desperate effort to act like everything was under control.
"I was…uhm, well-"
The Russian Santa raised a hand that signaled him to stop and just let out an overacted dramatic sigh.
"Is alright, Jack, just…clean up this mess."
The door closed after him and he vaguely noticed the winter spirit yell in shock as another wave of flames and smoke erupted from the demolished oven. He immediately continued to combat it with his ice power and as North walked back to his office he thought he heard his young comrade curse at the smoke like it was the boogeyman himself.
He really had to give the lad a lecture about not using foul words in that volume…and keep him away from the kitchen…and everything that had the ability to explode.
