A/N" So this is an alternate Hot Chocolate thing. This was my original idea, I just sort of forgot it when I wrote the other one. It doesn't really affect any of the other chapters, I just wanted to see what it would be like this way instead of that other way.
Jack flew swiftly towards the kitchen. He ducked down under the grasp of one of the other yetis. The yeti growled but didn't pursue the Winter spirit. Jack stuck his tongue out at him, and continued on to the lower floors and kitchens. Phil had been seen in there earlier, and Jack wanted to see what he was up too. There was always something good coming Jack's way when Phil was in the kitchen. Most of the time, he got great treats and such, mainly cookies, but they were often different kinds. Jack couldn't even count how many different cookie types he had tried. He hadn't even known there were so many. Just take chocolate chip, okay. You wouldn't think there'd be that many things you could do to change it, but you can add different flavor chips, different variety of nuts, or maybe different candies as well, then of course you do different combinations of them.
It was a lot, and Jack enjoyed them all.
He smirked as he came to the door. He pushed them open at the same time, and strode right in. Phil turned to see who had entered, but he saw that it was just Jack, he turned back to work stirring some pot over the over.
"So.. What's up, big guy?" Jack asked as he grabbed a stool and set it near where the yeti was working.
He got a grunt in response, and Jack just laughed. Phil always said his day could be better. "Well, just think. It could be worse. Instead of me being here, it could be some crazed elves." Jack said as he watched Phil pour in some milk.
The yeti paused and turned to Jack giving him a look that said he had already been through that.
"Oh... You know, I think I passed them as I flew in here. Did two of them have flour all over them?" He couldn't hide his smirk as he asked that.
Phil groaned when he remembered the mess they made. They had been trying to help with a batch of cookies, but of course, Phil knew better then to let them, but they got their hands on the flour bag. Upon finding it unopened, they got the brilliant idea to jump on it to force it open... much like opening a bag of chips. It took Phil a while to calm down after that, but at least the elves had left of their own choice. None of them had wanted to deal with Phil like that.
Jack laughed as he noticed small remnants of the flour that had sprayed everywhere. He was about to say something when a timer went off. Phil turned towards the boy and told him to stir. Jack looked at the pot of... what ever it was, and then back at Phil. "Only if I get to taste test it when it's done."
Phil turned to the over and brought out a batch of freshly baked cookies. He grabbed one and offered it to Jack and growled out that he could have one of these, but there was no guarantee that Jack would get what was in the pot.
Jack snatched it from the yeti's paws with a pout. "Fine." He gently blew on the cookie so it wouldn't burn his tongue, then he plopped it into his mouth.
"Nice, I like the sugar coating on top, with the extra bit of cinnamon to spice it up. It's great." He managed to say, even with his mouth full of cookie. He gave a thumbs up and Phil smiled.
The door creaked open, and they both turned to see who it was. It was a single elf, though it only poked his head in. It looked at Phil, but gave a side glance at the plate of fresh cookies that now sat on the counter. Jack looked from the elf to the plate. The elf gave a look to him, pleading for one. It dared not enter the kitchen. It must have either been one of the elves from the first group that had made that huge mess, or heard about it from one of them. Jack looked at Phil and silently asked his permission. The yeti just gave an incline of his head towards the elf, giving the 'okay'. Jack smirked and tossed one to the elf. It leaped up to catch it and gave a wide smile before running off.
"You sure that was such a good idea?" Jack joked.
Phil just went back to working on... what ever it is that Jack may or may not get a taste of when it's finished.
Jack took another look at the plate of cookies. His hand reached for it when Phil growled out to him. His hand froze in mid-air. Phil turned to look at the boy and he grumbled out that Jack should ask permission if he wanted more. "Ugh, really? Fine." He cleared his throat, then continued. "Phil... can I have another one of these cookies?" Before he got a reply, he had one in his hands and began eating it. Phil had been about to say yes, but instead he stared at Jack.
"What? You didn't say I had to wait for you to give it." He smirked.
Phil rolled his eyes and turned back to work.
"Hmm, you know." He said as he swallowed. "I like your butter-scotch cookies better... but these are still good."
Phil gave a growl to Jack, saying that he didn't make those, he was just asked if he could bake them. One of the other yetis made them. Each of the workers had their own special touches they liked to add to their treats, whether it be a different brand of certain ingredients, or just adding a bit more of something. Each was unique depending on who made it.
"Cool... I think your cooking is my favorite though."
A scent came to him as he finished off his second cookie. It caught his attention immediately, and he flew over to where Phil was working. He took another whiff of what was in the pot, and he let out a sigh. "Oh, man... That is incredible. What is it again?"
Phil gently pushed Jack back so he could reach something on the counter. He garbled out a response, saying that it's not finished yet.
"I bet you like this, don't you." Jack folded his arms, and 'hmph'ed. "You like keeping me in suspense, and waiting..."
Phil just turned to look at his small friend, and gave a growl, pointing out that not everything had to do with Jack...
He suddenly turned away from the stove, and walked over to cabinet. From it, he brought out a large mug. Well, it was a normal size mug for the yetis, but to Jack it was huge! The winter spirit eyed it curiously and watched as Phil filled it with... Hot Chocolate.
That's what he was making!
Phil brought the mug to his lips, and took a small sip. He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment, before giving a small nod to himself.
"Is it done?" Jack cut through his thoughts.
Phil turned and it looked like he was decided whether or not to let Jack have some.
"Do you know how rude it is to make stuff and then not give me a taste of it?" Jack smirked
Phil gave a sigh, and turned back to the cupboards. He brought out another cup, this one considerably smaller then his own. He filled it. Not all the way full, more like a little more than half, then handed it to Jack. Jack took it eagerly. He had yet to try any kind of hot chocolate, and he couldn't wait. Besides, it was made by yetis. That means it has to be good. He brought it close and took in its scent. He couldn't stop the smile that came to him when he smelled it.
When it first touched his tongue, it tingled a bit. He relished the taste that lingered in his mouth after his first swallow. Jack wiped the chocolate that had gotten on his upper lip with the back on his hand. He smiled at the yeti and raised his glass as a compliment to its taste. Phil just nodded and took another swig of his own drink.
"So, is this your special recipe, or is it just a general 'all yetis know how to make this' kind of thing?" Jack asked.
Phil shrugged. This one was one all the yetis knew how to make, but Phil was working on his own mixture. He had't quite gotten the right taste he wanted yet, but he was still working on it. This blend still had his own special secret that he liked to add to most of the recipes he made, but overall, it was just a basic drink that they all enjoyed. He saw Jack bring his hand up to his throat and make a pained face. The yeti gave a concerned growl.
"Hmm?" Jack looked up. "Oh, its nothing. I just-" He gave a sudden cough, and grabbed his throat again as a weird burning sensation went through it.
Phil came over to him and placed a paw on his his back. He offered a glass of water to the spirit, and it was gladly taken. Jack drank it all in one gulp, but still, it burned. His hands were starting to itch as well. He looked down, but found his vision blurred.
"Phil," His voice was rough and husky. "What's wrong with me?"
The yeti suddenly thought of something. Jack was a winter spirit. He probably couldn't handle hot foods or drinks. He should go outside where it's cold and eat cooler foods to help him.
Jack rolled his eyes, then tried to give Phil a look that said 'I don't think so..'. It was a bit hard to do that since his eyes were so watery, but he gave it his best shot. "Phil, I don't think that's it." He decided to try and whisper now. It hurt less then trying to talk normal.
"I just had two cookies that were hot out of the oven. I always have hot cookies that are fresh out of the oven. That's when they're best." Another cough overcame him, but he just drank more water.
Phil thought for a moment,then deduced that since it was a liquid instead of a food, it gave a more serious reaction.
Jack shook his head, then stopped as a wave of dizziness over came him. "I really don't think it's because of the heat, big guy." He mumbled as he leaned against the wall. He slowly sank down to the floor. "C...can you just figure this out? I feel... really dizzy..."
Phil looked worriedly at him. One of Jack's hand caught his eye. It was turning red and looked very irritated.
He gained a thoughtful look as he observed Jack.
Red, itchy skin.
Teary eyes...
Burning throat...
Dizziness...
Put together and it almost sounded like... An allergic reaction? A serious one too... Was Jack allergic to something in his hot chocolate? Could an immortal even be allergic to something? He turned and grabbed the recipe, double checking its ingredients. He was pretty sure Jack had eaten most of the things on here...
Jack, meanwhile, was trying to keep his breathing even. It was now coming in smaller gasps.
His eyes scanned it, making a small check list in his head. Nothing! Jack had had all of these things before. Was it not an allergic reaction like he thought? He growled out in anger and lashed out at the bowls and tools on the counter. They clattered to the ground, quickly followed by the plate of cookies. They scattered on the ground, and Jack jerk awake from the noise it caused. His eyes drifted over the mess Phil just made. "T-that was rude... They weren't even... your cookies..." Jack breathe out, trying to smirk. His eyes started to droop, and his head fell.
Phil gave him a gentle shake, keeping him awake. The yeti shook his head in disbelief that Jack, while going through all this, still tried to be his same old self. If the cookies were such a big deal, Phil could just remake them.. They would taste a bit different since each yeti's used different... types... of... ingredients?
His eyes widened as the realization hit him. He suddenly grabbed one of the cookies and sniffed it.
There!
He found it! The subtle differences in each yetis cooking was the solution. Phil knew what Jack was allergic to.
Phil turned and left the room, with a quick 'be right back' to Jack. He ran straight to their medical room. It only took moments for him to find what he was looking for. A small bottle of benadryl. He smiled and ran back to the kitchen. By the time he got back, Jack was still sitting against the wall.
When the door opened, Jack tried to turn to see who it was, but when he moved his head, another wave of dizziness came over him.
Phil knelt down beside him, and pulled him over. The yeti offered the medicine to Jack, and helped him swallow it with a glass of cool water. Jack let out a sigh after it was gone. The water help sooth his throat a bit, but he couldn't wait till the medicine kicks in. He leaned against Phil's fur, and tried to relax.
Jack grimaced and tried not to itch at all, it would only make them worse... but they hurt...
Phil grabbed his hand, the worst area, and put a bit of itching cream on it. Jack's eyes watered as it stung, but he didn't make a sound. It was placed on more of the areas the areas that also itched, and they quickly stopped irritating him. He stayed leaned up against Phil and snuggled against his fur. He felt drowsy and decided that now was a good time to rest...
:::
He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He was in a bed, instead of on the kitchen floor, but Phil was right beside him. They were both in an extra guest bedroom.
When he shifted a bit, Phil let out a growl asking if he was okay.
"Yeah... I think so..." He said. His throat had stopped burning, that was a good sign, and his hands no longer itches either. When he sat up he smiled when the world didn't tilt like it did before he went to sleep. "How long was I out?"
Phil replied with a shrug. Somewhere between an hour, an hour and a half. He handed the boy a glass of cold water, which was taken gratefully.
"Did you figure out the problem?"
Phil nodded and grabbed something from the stand behind him, and showed it to Jack. Another growl was let out, saying that Jack was allergic to this.
"Cinnamon?" The boy read the label on the bottle. "Phil, I'm not allergic to cinnamon. You just saw me eat cookies... with cinnamon sprinkled on top. You've also let me have a bunch of other things with cinnamon."
Phil interrupted him, pointing out that that was cassia.
"Im sorry, it was what? That was cinnamon. I know cinnamon and that was it!"
The yeti sat down to explain. There were different kinds of cinnamon. Cassia was one, and True Cinnamon was another. They tasted very similar, and were often used not knowing which was which, but there were differences. They came from different plants, so that made it so someone could be allergic to one, but not the other. Jack was allergic to true cinnamon, the preferred type used by Phil. The cookies he ate had used cassia, the type that the other yeti enjoyed using.
Jack stared at Phil as the explanation came. His mouth dropped in shock and his eyes widened slightly. This was all too confusing...
"So.. if you prefer using true cinnamon, how come we didn't figure this whole thing out sooner?" Jack wondered.
Phil guessed that it was just luck that when ever Jack was offered treats from him, they just happened to not have cinnamon in them.
"Wow..." Jack was at a loss for words. He had never heard of immortals having allergies, but he also didn't know many that well. He looked out at the window, wanting to go flying... but he still felt a bit drowsy. "Stupid allergies..." Jack mumbled. It turned into a whine as he realized something. "Now I can't have your hot chocolate, Phil."
Phil suddenly shot up as a thought came to him. His quick movements surprised Jack, causing him to jump a bit. The yeti turned and grabbed his shoulders, shaking them slightly as he growled out excitedly.
"What? Whoa, slow down." Jack tried to keep up with what Phil was saying, but he was still new to yetish, and it was easier if the speaker was not speaking so quickly and fast, and... like Phil was currently speaking...
The yeti just smiled and gave a ruffle of Jack's hair. He brought something out from behind him, and shoved a snow globe in Jack's hand. He should go home and rest where he was most comfortable. That would be his Lake, out in the open air, with the winds surrounding him. Jack smiled and was glad that Phil had said it before he did. The Pole was nice, but he was always nervous that if he stayed too long he would get in trouble. Besides, Jack felt that a nice relaxing flight around the woods would help him feel better.
Phil then stood up and started leaving the room. He gave a good bye, as well as an invitation to come back in three days.
"Wait! What's in three days?" Jack jumped up and floated next to Phil. "I'm not going to be able to rest with you keeping your little secret from me. Come on! Tell me!" He made his eyes big, and pleaded with Phil, but he was denied. He let out a sigh and resigned himself for the wait...
:::
Phil glanced at the door once more, to make sure no one was coming in. He wanted this to be a surprise. It wouldn't do for Jack to come in too early. He had stationed elves to keep watch, but they were unpredictable creatures. They were probably not even outside the room anymore.
He added a bit of peppermint to the boiling pot on the stove, and stirred until it was fully mixed. It's scent rose in the air, and Phil let out a sigh when he smelled it. He decided that it was finished. Now all he had to do was wait for the boy to come. He glanced at a clock, though it didn't help much. He hadn't given a specific time that Jack should come, so he could be coming anytime from now to midnight. It was probably going to be sooner,though, since the boy hated secrets and surprises.
A cold draft passed the door, and Phil peeked out to see if it was Jack. He saw his flying form turn a corner, and got out of sight. He grew confused as to why Jack wouldn't come in when he had invited the winter spirit to come... His question was answered when two other yetis came, huffing, and out of breath. They let out wheezy garbles, saying Jack Frost was here causing trouble again.
Opps... He forgot to tell the other yetis... He'd have to go grab Jack himself, before he got kicked out. Wouldn't that be nice, being invited to a place only to be kicked out by someone else...
He briskly walked down the halls, trying to find out where Jack had gotten to when he came across North. The Russian gave a smile to the yeti. "Ah, Phil. Good. Heating seems to be broken... Would you check on it? I keep getting chills." He gave a small shiver, and Phil saw a quick glance of Jack as he flew up in the rafters. Out of reach, and sight of the yeti who had been chasing him.
Phil gave a nod to North, growling out that he would get the cold taken care of. North gave a pat on his back, and gave a laugh with his thanks. As he started walking away, he called back to his head worker. "I will be in study, knock if you need me."
With North gone, Phil took a look up at Jack and saw him give a small wave and a sheepish grin.
He finally got the boy down into the kitchens. When Jack entered, he caught the scent of what Phil had been making earlier. "Is this what you wanted me to have?" Jack asked, a bit hesitant to get closer. "More hot chocolate?"
Phil nodded and brought out a cup for him.
"Are you sure? I'd rather not go through that whole ordeal again, if it's all the same to you... I mean, how do we know it's cinnamon I'm allergic to? It could be something else, and you're just going to give me more?"
Phil seemed confident that Jack would enjoy this. Even as the boy eyed it cautiously, he couldn't help his mouth water from the smell of it.
"..."
The yeti offered the cup and gave an encouraging smile. Jack just had to trust him.
"...Okay, you got me." Jack took the cup, and missed the smile that Phil made.
He drank it slowly, making sure it didn't make him feel the same way as last time. When he swallowed, his smile grew. "It's different!" He exclaimed. "I just thought you'd get rid of the cinnamon."
Phil shook his head and said he finally got his own recipe down. Jack was the first person to try it, besides the yeti. "This is great! Much better then the last one, but I guess that doesn't really mean much coming from me." Jack gave a smirk.
Phil gave a bark of laughter and brought Jack close. This was his special hot chocolate, made just for the winter spirit. If he ever wanted some, Phil would make it.
"Anytime?" A mischievous glint came to Jack's eyes, and Phil gave a look of his own. What do you think? It said to him.
"Thanks, big guy." Jack felt warmth run through him, and he knew it had nothing to do with the hot chocolate he was drinking.
A/N: I'm actually glad I did that first one. I like both, and I'm glad I got to do both. I don't care which one your prefer, because they are both good. They have different tones, but I like that.
