Jack met Jackson in the well clearing as Jackson and Jill went about their morning chores. Jackson gave the spirit a nod of acknowledgement. Jack skipped over to Jackson and Jill and danced around them as they worked. Jackson waved him off, holding back laughter. Jack did not, as he bothered Jackson easily. He stayed a distance from Jill, not wanting to pass through her. But he still showered her with snow and snowflakes that had a strange blue glow to them. She laughed and threw snow at other children and Jackson and Jack fooled around with them until an adult called them to attention.
Once the chores were done, Jackson took Jill's hand as he walked with her to the school house. The siblings sang a silly song they had made up during cold nights inside. Jack listened as he walked with them, frost spreading over the footpath with each of his steps. Jackson stopped with Jill in front of the and crouched to her level.
"Remember everything you learn today," Jackson encouraged, putting a hand on her head. "You have to teach your dumb big brother when you get home."
She giggled. "Duh!"
"Good." Jackson leaned forward and kissed her brow.
"Jack?" Jackson stopped himself from standing up and adjusted himself, giving her his full attention. "Where do you go while I'm at school?"
She seemed genuinely curious. He couldn't tell her he went out to the pond and hung out with Jack. That he would go ice skating and flying and they would explore the forest together. That the two of them sat and taught the other what they knew. There was no way to explain Jack Frost to her. There was no way to make her see Jack to believe Jackson.
"I wander." he shrugged. "I find ways to entertain myself."
"Not near the pond, right?" Jill's eyes widened.
"Of course not! I don't want to fall through the ice again, right?" He felt terrible for lying to her. She was his precious little sister and he adored her more than anything. Lying so blatantly to her face hurt. He had to force a smile to assure her.
"Good."
"Now, go get an education and better yourself!" He stood up and turned her around to push her gently towards the door. "Stay warm, give Michael hell, say hello to Lucy for me. I love you."
"Love you, too!" Jill laughed as she ran into the school house.
Jackson turned towards the forest path and strode casually away from the schoolhouse. He glanced back at Jill who looked at him through the window. He raised his hand and waved before darting into the trees with Jack at his heels. Jackson turned back to grin at Jack and ran ahead, provoking a chase. He heard Jack behind him laughing; his were footsteps light which always confused Jackson and made him unsure about the distance between them.
As they reached the pond, Jackson was tackled into the snow. Jack flipped over him, yelping out in shock at the unexpected leverage Jackson had gotten with the fall. The two of them laid in the snow, laughing and snickering and Jackson vying for air.
"Jack?"
"Hm?"
"What you said to Jill back there…" Jackson turned to Jack who was biting his lip uncertainly. "You're always at the pond."
Jackson flipped onto his stomach to look at Jack better. Propping himself on his elbow, he dug his fingers into the snow to tear at the grass beneath. "I lied to her." Jackson admitted, his eyes turning downwards.
"Lied?"
Jackson frowned, taking in Jack curiously. "You don't know what a lie is?" Jack shook his head, mimicking Jackson's pose so they were eye to eye. Sometimes, Jackson wondered how Jack was even able to talk. He knew so little, how was he even able to communicate? "Hm… a lie is… it's the opposite of the truth. A truth is 'I am Jackson Overland.' A lie would be 'I am a purple elephant.'"
"So, it's like playing pretend?" Jack quirked his head.
"No, no." Jackson shook his head. "A lie is what you tell someone to make them think it's the truth. Playing pretend, you know someone isn't a purple elephant. You act like they are. When I tell someone I'm a purple elephant and make them believe I am, that's a lie."
Jack considered Jackson, the corners of his mouth turned downwards. Jackson wondered what he was thinking. The spirit pushed himself to his feet and paced a bit. Jackson watched him as he processed this new information. When something Jackson told Jack seemed strange or just not right, he would take a moment to consider it.
"Is lying good?" Jack asked, taking a moment to pause.
"No," Jackson replied. "Lying is never good. Sometimes, it's a necessity." Jackson twisted himself in the snow and sat in a comfortable position. "I lied to Jill because I'm not sure how to explain what I really do while she's at school. I don't help my parents, clearly. I go off with you."
"And she can't see me."
"Right." Jackson nodded. "I lied because she would never believe that I hang out with a boy she can't see. I also don't want her to worry." Jackson stood up and stepped onto the ice on the pond. "I told you I almost died here, right?" Jackson carefully stepped further onto the ice. His shoes slipped and Jackson had to catch himself. "She's scared if I even go near the pond, I'll fall through the ice again and she'll actually lose me. I don't want her to have to worry, you know?"
Jackson took one more step and the ice cracked beneath his feet. Oh. He miscalculated the thickness of the ice once more. Then again, spring was coming and the air was getting warmer. He was sure the ice was melting. Strange, though. He wasn't scared. He grinned at Jack before glancing down to the ice.
"This is what happened." Jackson hopped and the ice crackled. "I fell through and my sister saved me." Jack cautiously stepped onto the ice. As he moved closer to Jackson, the brunette watched as the ice solidified under his feet. He wasn't scared of falling through. Not if Jack was around. He knew he was safe.
"So, that's why I lied to Jill. Because I didn't want her to worry." Jackson concluded. "Especially when she doesn't have to because I'm with you." Jackson smiled warmly at Jack. "And you'll never let me fall."
Jack linked his arm with Jackson. "Of course I wouldn't." he said. "Jack… have you ever lied to me?"
Jackson thought for a moment, going over everything they had discussed. He could not recall one moment when he was forced to lie to him. Jackson was always truthful with the spirit. He felt like he needed to be and somehow he felt that even if he did lie, Jack would know he did. Jackson shook his head. "Nope. Not once."
The grin that spread across Jack's face caused Jackson's cheeks to burn. He wasn't sure why, but he was so glad that Jack was happy. The smile was perfect. Bright, shining teeth and pink cheeks. "You lie to your sister, but you don't lie to me." Jack laughed. "That makes me really happy for some reason."
Jackson looked down at the reflective ice. He couldn't find himself able to look Jack in the eye. "Not like I want to lie to her. Just… it's easier."
"It would be easy to lie to me, though." Jack reasoned. "I wouldn't have known you were lying, right? I would have thought it was the truth. Because you said it was."
That was why he couldn't find himself able to lie to the other. Jack would have believed it to the ends of the earth, even if he was told otherwise. Because Jackson was there for him and Jackson was his teacher. If Jackson lied, he wouldn't have been able to face the other. He knew if Jack ever found out about a lie, he would never be able to trust him. Jackson wanted Jack's trust.
"Right," Jackson grabbed Jack by the forearms and pulled him back to shore. "I won't ever lie to you."
"And I won't ever lie to you." Jack grinned.
Jackson laughed. He didn't think Jack was even capable of lying. He was too… innocent. Too childlike. Too honest. There was no capacity for deception. He trusted Jack would never find the need for dishonesty. Not when Jackson was the only one that could see him.
Now that that question was out of the way… "So, um, what's an elephant?"
The day was spent with Jackson doing his best to answer any question Jack threw at him. Jack took Jackson flying, an activity Jackson found way too enjoyable. Jack had learned how to properly control the winds. He was in full command, no longer even needing to shout orders to the gusts that carried them. Jackson clung to Jack's neck, as he was slung onto his back. The few from up high was always mesmerizing. Especially at night, when the lights in their village were brightest.
Jack leapt from treetop to treetop. Jack seemed to have no trouble carrying Jackson. They stood upon a tree just near the village and watched as the adults milled around, going about their work and business. Jackson could see his mother tending to the sheep that he thought were not let out often enough. His family were shepherds. They took care of goats and sheep and bartered their fur. They didn't own many. Somewhere between five and ten. It was enough to get by.
"Look!" Jackson leaned forward, causing Jack to go off tilt. He caught them just before they fell forward and followed Jackson's gaze. The children were being let out.
Now it was time for fun.
Jack and Jackson ran back into the village. Jackson collected Jill in his arms and swung her around before turning to the other children and suggesting a new game Jack had come up with. They laughed and played and danced and told stories and when the sun was setting, the children were called inside. Jackson carried Jill on his shoulders, the two of them singing the song they made up. Jack walked beside them, grinning from the exhilaration of the fun.
Jack was glad to be able to participate in their games, with Jackson's help. Even if the children couldn't see them, Jackson made sure he had some part in their stories and fun. It seemed to be what Jack lived for: the thrill of the games. Jackson wondered how he could get by without being seen by anyone besides him. Jackson always begged for attention. Mostly the attention of the children. He had the attention of the adults, but not quite the attention he wanted.
During dinner, Jack leaned against the back of Jackson's chair as he sat on the floor. Jackson would pass him scraps now and again when no one was looking, a bit like one would pass to their dog. Jack didn't need to eat, Jackson found out. But he liked to taste things. Even if food wasn't a necessity for the other, it was a luxury. He was curious and Jackson did what he could to feed that curiosity.
At night, Jackson sat with Jill, wrapped in a heavy blanket by the fire. She taught him what she learned about that day during school. Jack sat on the mantle, looking down at them. He watched and absorbed Jill's lesson. When Jack had a question, Jackson asked for him. Jill would elaborate.
She yawned sleepily as the clock chimed nine. Jackson insisted it was time for her to sleep, but she still had more to teach him. They could continue tomorrow, he promised as he carried her into their room. Jill shivered as they left the fireplace. Jackson wrapped her more tightly in their blanket as he set her on the bed. He stroked her hair and sang her a lullaby and soon she was asleep. Jackson kissed her forehead as she snored softly.
"You did it again."
Jackson looked up to Jack from his place crouched beside the bed. "Did what again?"
"That thing. You put your lips on her face." He put his hand on his brow. "What is that?"
Jackson furrowed his brows in confusion. "You mean a kiss?"
"Is that what it is?" Jack asked.
Jackson yawned. Man, it was late. He was tired. A kiss was way too much to explain tonight. There were different kinds of kisses for different kinds of relationships and he honestly did not want to get into it at the moment. "I'll explain tomorrow, okay?" Jackson crossed over to the window to open it and let Jack out. "Too much information and I'm tired."
"Okay." Jack agreed timidly as he followed Jackson to the window. He looked outside of the open glass and back to Jackson. "Sleep well." Jack stopped beside Jackson. He considered the other carefully. Jackson was used to Jack's strange antics and shows of curiosity. It used to unnerve him. But he was used to it by now.
He yawned again. He rubbed his eye with his palm. Suddenly, a cold hand took him by the wrist, pulling his hand away from his face. Even colder, but very gentle lips pressed against his forehead. What? Jackson stood stock still, peering through his lashes to meet vibrant blue eyes. Jack smiled before silently taking off.
Jack just kissed him. Jackson's face burned. He should have explained a kiss. He should have explained they weren't supposed to kiss. Nope. He shouldn't have pushed it off until tomorrow. Jackson felt hot and this was so weird. Because, while he knew it was wrong, it didn't feel wrong.
… No way, this was wrong. Yep. They were both men. Adult(ish) men at that. Men don't kiss men, right? There were rules about kissing. Right? That's what he was told.
He had to give Jack the benefit of the doubt. Jack had no idea what a kiss was. Tomorrow, Jackson would explain it and Jack would understand and it would never happen again. … But… the feeling left behind with Jack's kiss. It was warmth. Acceptance. He actually felt like Jack cared for him. Like Jack really wished he would be well and that kiss assured Jackson of his intentions.
Jackson laid in bed, his hand pressed upon his brow and his eyes wide. Maybe he did want Jack to kiss him again. It wouldn't hurt, right? It wasn't like they were any less of a man just because they showed they cared, right? And if Jackson explained to Jack what a kiss entailed, would that change anything? What they had… Jackson never really thought about.
Whenever the idea cropped up, Jackson always pushed it away. What did Jack mean to him? He was a missing limb, only restored when they were together. When they were apart for too long, the aching would start and Jackson needed to be with Jack. He didn't now if it went both ways. He… he hoped it did. It wasn't just because of that reason that Jackson wanted to be with Jack. He loved being around him. He was fun. He understood Jackson's love of children and shared it. He understood Jackson didn't quite want to grow up and showed Jackson he didn't have to.
It had only been a few months, but they had grown close. Maybe too close.
No. Stop. Jackson, that's enough. Stop thinking about it. Stop thinking about him. He is all you think about anymore. You need to snap out of it. You need to think about Jill and your parents and stop focusing so much on this magical boy.
When had his thoughts started to become filled with this boy? He only now realized how bad it was. How could he let this happen? Was it because Jackson was the only one that could see him? Was it because he was such a strange entity? This was by far the last thing he expected to happen when he began to hang around the boy.
Jackson promised himself he would distance his thoughts from Jack. He had to. It was weird and strange and he didn't understand it. What could he do, though? How would he put his mind onto something else when he spent sunrise to sunset with Jack Frost? He didn't want to distance himself physically. But maybe… he had to.
No, Jackson told himself firmly. There would be no way he could stay away from Jack. He was happy with Jack. He was glad to be with the other. Maybe it was best just to… embrace ignorance. Yes. That was it. He would treat the idea the same way he treated the idea of taking a wife. He would ignore it and pass it off as nothing. He wouldn't acknowledge it. Ignorance was better. Yes, much better.
A/N: Man, this chapter was hard to write! I don't now why, but I just wasn't motivated to write it! I have ideas for later chapters that I wanted to write but nope! Have to write this one! I told myself. Why was it so hard to wriiiiiiiite? ; - ;
IAmBehindYou: I knew what you meant. But there was a fair warning that the rating might change. I may or may not add a smut scene later and that just depends on how things go. And the rating now is T mostly for cursing and kissing.
Fumus000: I will be getting to that point, I promise! I had plans for that one o.-
Thank you AlwaysGryffindor13, FioleeLuver, thunder angel13, and Anonymus for reviewing! I'm so grateful to all of you! And to everyone that is taking the time to read my story, thank you so so so so much!