A/N: Thank you for the favourites, follows and reviews! :D


„North, don't make me use this." Jack challenged as he aimed his staff at the two elves in front of him

The little guys were presenting the blue pointy shoes like they had done the first time the winter spirit had been invited – or rather kidnapped – into Santa's workshop.

"Why are you so stubborn, I am just asking to try them on once."

The argument had lasted around half an hour already but North remained calm and rational. In fact he had to hold himself back from laughing out loud when he had seen Jack's shocked expression. As if he had just told him that he was planning to move the workshop to the Sahara Desert.

"I don't need shoes."

"Of course you don't, but just try them on and see how it looks on you."

"I'll look like a freaking elf."

Jack shuddered violently to emphasize his aversion against the idea.

"Elves don't wear shoes."

"Hah! Gotcha! Neither do the yetis, so why should I?"

The big Russian crossed his arms and said with a no-nonsense tone :

"Because you are guardian. Children will not see elves or yetis, so does not matter how they look. But when they see you don't you want to look good?"

There was a moment of silence with the two just staring at each other. North was sure he had won their little argument.

"Seriously?" Jack questioned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "They'll think I'm a retarded ice elf instead of the spirit of winter when they see me running around in those!"

He pointed his staff at the ridiculous shoes on the floor. The elves had gotten fed up and had just dropped them and where now sitting on each side, casually watching the scene and waiting for the fuss to be over.

"By the way, I'll never hear the end of it when Bunny or Jamie see me wearing those. I have an image to keep, you know?" he added.

Surely the shoes must have taken quite an effort to be made, the designs were delicate and beautiful in their own way, but those horrible pointy ends and the bells which rang with every move and the fact that it were shoes just didn't cope with him. He had never worn shoes since he could remember and there was no reason to start now. They were useless and the thought of his feet being stuck in them sounded as appealing as being shoved into a sack and thrown though a magic portal, thank you very much!

North mustered the young man who stood defiantly in front of him.

"You really do not like shoes, do you?"

"No kidding."

"So there is no way I can persuade you?"

"Nope."

A deep defeated sigh escaped the Russian's lungs.

"Well…I thought it would be nice gift for you. I am sorry that you don't like them."

Ooooh no…no no no no no! Not the guilt trip tactic!

Jack couldn't believe that old Father Christmas had really sunk so low. But what if it wasn't a tactic? What if it was the truth and he had insulted his goodwill towards him?

Noone had ever given him a gift, he should have been more grateful for it.

He groaned inwardly at the realization that he was without a doubt the first person ever to reject a gift from Santa.

A quick glance at the shoes involuntarily made him cringe again. Why couldn't it have been something else…anything else?

North maintained his dissappointed expression as he watched the winter boy obviously struggling with his own stubborness and guilt feelings. His plan was working. It took a while but he remained patient and waited for the result of Jack's internal battle with himself.

The elves on the floor had dozed off by the time he had finally made up his mind. A loud exasperated groan startled them awake, causing them to look around in panic.

"Ugh, okay, FINE." he said much to his own dismay.

With a less than eager gesture he picked up the shoes of horror and sat down on the nearby couch. North had to gather all his self-control to not make a little spontaneous victory dance.

"Thank you, Jack." he smiled from one ear to the other.

"I'll only try them on for you, okay? I won't wear them much, especially not where other people can see me. It's…nice that you made them for me, but…they're just not my thing, you know?"

"Is okay, I just want to see you in them once."

One more groan and looking like he was going to throw himself into hot lava Jack finally gave up and slid his feet into the blue shoes.

North seemed pleased while Jack just felt…constricted…uncomfortable…and frankly, like a complete idiot.

"Walk around a bit, you must get used to them."

The old Russian obviously was more excited about this than the youngest guardian.

Refusing to mention that he didn't want to get used to them since he had no intention of making them a permanent part of his outfit, Jack started to slowly walk a few steps around the room.

Gheez, how could humans constantly wear stuff like that, it felt horrible!

After a few moments which seemed like hours to him he stopped and faced North again.

"Okay, that's it, sorry, but they just don't- WHOA!"

A sudden white flash of light blinded him and he hid his face in his hands to protect his eyes from the brightness.

"What the…"

He blinked a few times to regain his vision back and was literally frozen in horror as he saw Bunny jumping out from his hiding place behind a heap of toys. Grinning wickedly. With a camera in his paws.

"Looks dandy on ya, Frostbite."

Jack's ability to talk had gone on vacation and all he could do was stare at North in shock, betrayal evident on his face.

"You…..youuuuuuuu!"

That was everything it took for the two older guardians to explode with laughter as they dropped to the floor.

"North, how could you?!" Jack finally managed to blurt out.

"Sorry, Jack!"

The apology didn't really sound convincing between hiccups of laughter.

"Nah, don't…be mad, Frosty, they….suit ya!"

Bunny was having a hard time not choking on his own amusement as well.

When he realized that he was still wearing the killers of his dignity on his feet he hurried to get them off of him and threw them into the corner of the room.

"Frostbite?"

"What?!" he snapped.

"Are ya blushin' purple?"

Jack awkwardly turned his back on them and pulled the hood of his shirt over his head.

"I hate you guys." he said, not being serious but just to get his point of utter dismay across.

"Sorry, Jack!"

And still, North was laughing like a maniac while holding his belly.

The winter spirit glared at them but couldn't suppress a smile at the sight. Wasn't everyday you saw the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause rolling around on the floor while suffocating on their own laughter.

With an evil grin he threw his staff over his shoulder and slowly walked away before glancing back at them.

"You know my revenge will be bitter."