A/N : I'm so sorry about the late update. Broken computer. Stomach flu. That's all you have to know. :P

Thank you so much for all the reviews, favourites and followers! ^_^


13 year old Jack stood in front of the cottage of his family, hand already on the dark wooden door to open it when he heard it. Talking. Loud talking, no, shouting. It was rare for his parents to raise their voices like this and he couldn't help but feel great discomfort about the situation. Fortunately his sister was playing at a friend's place and he was relieved she didn't have to witness what was going on right now. With one ear pressed against the wood he tried to find out what exactly the two adults were arguing about. The first sentence he heard was from his mother.

"I'm just saying you have to be more careful. The doctor said-"

"I know what he said, I was present as well." Mr. Overland remarked, his cynical tone indicating that the discussion had started quite a while ago already and that he was fed up with it.

"Then why won't you listen to him!? Why won't you listen to me!?" the woman's voice turned more aggravated and desperate.

"You have to take it easy, or-"

"I CAN'T take it easy!"

Jack winced at the blustering words which sounded so untypical for his father. Usually he was a calm and composed man who only very rarely lost his temper. But at the moment he was far from being calm.

"In case you forgot, I have a family to provide for, the village constantly needs repairs here and there, people are relying on me and you tell me to take it easy!? What do you expect me to do, lean back and let everyone else do the work? That's not who I am, and you know it!"

Silence followed and for the boy eavesdropping on the other side of the door it felt like eternity until he could hear his mother again. She was crying.

"C-can't you understand that I..I'm just w-worried about you?" she sobbed almost inaudibly.

"You're ill, and overstraining yourself...you know what the doctor said. I-I don't want to lose you..."

Breath caught in Jack's throat and he felt as if his heart stopped beating for a few seconds. His father was ill? And judging from the level of anxiety it sounded rather serious.

"I know. I...look, I'm sorry about bursting out like this." Mr. Overland apologized, his voice a lot quieter and back to normal.

"There's no need for concern, I'll watch out for myself, but dear...I have to keep going, sitting around uselessly won't do me any good."

"Just promise me to be careful." the brunette woman eventually pleaded weakly, clearly not being satisfied with the course of the discussion but realizing that further arguments wouldn't lead anywhere.

"I will. And don't forget, we won't tell the children. It would only upset them and I don't want to burden them with it."

"Of course, that might be the best."

They couldn't be serious! He was not a child anymore, he was 13 years old! He could deal with it, no, he had to deal with it. Jack was confused, more than he had ever been. So many emotions ran through his mind. Concern, fear, anger, sadness. Hope. Probably the doctor had just given them a wrong diagnosis, yes, that must have been it! Medical treatment wasn't that advanced so it wouldn't be a big suprise if the humble old doctor of the village had screwed up. Deciding to clutch at this straw from now on the brown-eyed teenager swiftly hid behind the other side of the cottage when he had heard heavy footsteps coming closer to the door. From around the corner he watched his father stepping out, standing still for a moment to heave a deep sigh and then heading towards a small group of men who were making plans to fix the roof of one of the huts.


The athmosphere at the dinner table was hard do describe. Everyone sat together like they did every evening, silently enjoying the fine cooking of Mrs. Overland. There were no arguments, nothing to criticize or reprimand. And still, something was different. Jack couldn't pinpoint it. Maybe it was the fact that ever since he had overheard his parents' talk, they seemed to try hard to make them think that everything was alright. They tried too hard. He noticed it even more because he knew the truth, but acted as if he was oblivious. He wished they would tell him themselves, sooner or later they wouldn't be able to keep the lie up anymore. Until that, he was doing everything in his might to release some pressure from his father and help him with the repairs in the village. At first the older man had been suspicious about his son's sudden desire to fix roofs and build wells but deep down he was glad to spend more time with him and be able to teach him some useful crafts.

Right now, Mr. Overland appeared to be in deep thought. When he had finished his soup he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and olive eyes focused on an empty spot on the table. He looked tired, exhausted, but unwilling to dwell on it. After the rest of the family had eaten their meals as well his line of vision changed until he was staring straightly at his son.

"I think your're old enough." he stated out of the blue.

Everyone looked at the man of the house questioningly, waiting for him to continue. Before he had a chance to do that, Jack replied in confusion.

"Uhm, I beg your pardon?"

"You'll turn 14 soon. It's about time to go hunting with me. That means, if you're still interested, of course." the dark-haired man explained and there was the slightest grin on his face.

Jack's features lit up, for once in weeks forgetting the concern about his father's condition. He had waited so long for this.

"Really? I mean, of course I do! When can we go?" the teen asked in excitement, barely able to keep still on his chair.

"After your birthday, so it won't be long anymore."


"We'll be back in a few hours!" Mr. Overland called out to his wife who was standing in the doorway with their daughter by her side.

"Alright, take care!" the woman shouted and smiled as little Becky waved at the two males.

"Will do!" 14-year old Jack assured and waved back while they started on their way towards the forest.

Animals commonly steered clear of the village, they knew that humans were dangerous, so the two males had to search for potential prey in the depths of the woods, far away from the settlement. As they were walking, their eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, Jack couldn't help but notice that his father's steps became heavier and slower, as if he had increasing trouble staying on his feet. Just as he wanted to ask if he was alright the older man stopped and signaled him to be quiet.

"Sshhh, look over there..." he whispered and pointed at a rabbit which was sitting in a small clearing and unsuspectingly munching on some dandelions.

The teenager followed him and knelt down next to him behind some bushes, hiding from the little creature so it wouldn't notice them.

"Alright. I showed you how to use the rifle, now it's up to you." the dark-haired man spoke under his breath and handed the weapon to his son.

As soon as Jack's fingers touched the cold steel, his up to now feeling of excitement was suddenly replaced with tension. What if he screwed up? He wanted nothing more than his father being proud of him. No, he wouldn't fail. Carefully he raised the rifle and aimed it at the small furry animal.

"Keep both eyes open, that works better."

The boy did as he was told and finally had a perfect aim. All he had to do was pull the trigger and he would have catered for their dinner. It was just one move of his index finger. But he couldn't do it. He was crouching there like frozen, his gaze fixed on the rabbit and not moving a single muscle. Since he was 6 years old he had longed to accompany his father when he went hunting, he had eagerly listened to him when he explained how the rifle worked and now, when the waiting had finally ended and he was given the chance to prove he was a man able to support his family, he had to realize that he couldn't do it. Every fiber of his being protested against it, he simply didn't have the heart to do it. He couldn't kill an animal.

"What's wrong, just shoot!" Mr. Overland urged.

The target was only several feet away, it was easy prey, even for a greenhorn at hunting. Jack's pride kept him from telling the truth, the last thing he wanted was his father to think he was a coward, but how was he supposed to get out of this? Maybe he could play for time.

"Jack, what are you waiting for? Quick, before it escapes!"

He had a perfect aim. Hoping the man next to him wouldn't notice he let the rifle drift slightly to the left and shot, missing the rabbit which ran away in panic.

"Sorry." the chocolate-haired teen mumbled meekly.

A weak sigh was emitted and a strong hand placed on his shoulder. Embarassed and disappointed at himself he looked into his father's eyes, but instead of scolding he was faced with understanding and a kind smile.

"It's alright, it was your first try. Nobody's perfect. So let's go on, shall we?"

"Yeah..."

As much as Jack liked spending time with his father, he wished they would call it a day and return back to the village. The longer they were hunting the more he was going to prove that he was not ready for this. For about an hour they wandered through the forest and the more they walked the slower the older man became. Now and then he had to stop to catch his breath and reassured his son it was just due to the warm weather and he would be fine. While not buying that excuse Jack nodded and offered him a helping hand, but to no avail. Mr. Overland was as prideful as his son. Then finally they spotted a deer in the distance. Quietly they sneaked closed towards it, halting in their tracks whenever it raised its head to gaze around on the alert. Within reach of the cloven hoofed animal they ducked behind one of the larger trees and once more the rifle was pushed into the teenager's hands. A deer would serve meat for the whole village, they couldn't afford to let this one escape as well.

"Here, hold it like this." Mr. Overland whispered and stood behind his son, his hands over the smaller ones to show him the best way to handle the weapon.

"That's it, now all you have to do is-"

Silence. Jack nervously waited for his father to continue but nothing was said anymore, only his grip tightened around the cold steel before he suddenly let go of it and fell down to his knees.

"Father!"

Upon hearing the panic-fueled yell the deer made a bolt for it and left the two humans crouching on the earthy soil. The olive-eyed man lay on the ground, hand pressed on his heart and panting heavily. Sheer agony was evident on his face as sweat had begun to form and trickle down his forehead.

"Don't worry, I-I'll get help!" Jack stuttered frightened, being completely aware of how serious the situation was.

The moment he attempted to stand up his wrist was grabbed and he was forced to kneel down again.

"No...stay here."

Mr. Overland's voice sounded hoarse, strained, weak and so full of pain. Sooner or later, this had to happen. He had tried to mentally prepare himself for it but now he wished he had more time left. They were a few miles away from the village, there was no way his son would make it in time. Even if he didn't want to admit it, it was too late. His time had come.

"Jack...please listen to me...y-you have to take care of your mother and sister now. Protect them...be there for them. Will you do that?"

The 14-year old tried to suppress the trembling of his body while he held his dying father's hand.

"I-I will. I promise."

A weak smile appeared on the man's face. There was regret, sadness, but also peacefulness shining through it.

"I'm proud of you, Jack, I've always been..." he wisphered so quietly it was barely audible.

And then, he slowly closed his eyes. His breathing stopped. Silence. The boy by his side was frozen in place, still holding the bigger hand in a death grip and desperately wishing it would return the squeeze. But it was limp, lifeless.

"No..." he breathed out, unwilling to accept the painful truth.

His cries got louder, more desperate, with tears streaming down his cheeks.

"No, no, no! Father, please wake up! Please, I need you...please..."

There was no reply, no reaction. Nothing but silence.

"FATHER!"


A/N : I should rather hide now, eh? But it will be important for future chapters and Jack's development, trust me it's not just a random "Let's add some angst here!"-twist. We never saw his father in the movie so I always assumed he wasn't alive anymore by the time his son became Jack Frost.

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