"EEE!" Jamie laughed, but he was careful to aim above the waist so not to accidentally hit Jack's hurt leg with the snowballs he was pelting him with. Jack squealed again and created a snow fort instantaneously with magic before Jamie could say no. It made Jack out of breath but no pain.

"JACK!" Jamie shouted, half in worry, half in anger that Jack had gone back on his agreement. Jack winced at the volume of Jamie's voice and hid into an ice tunnel he had created in this castle of a fort. Jamie stopped throwing snowballs, instead he crossed his arms and waited to see if Jack would come out. Jack didn't come back out, he wouldn't come back out knowing Jamie was mad, and now hid in his castle fort. Jamie simply waited. Jack shivered, he knew he couldn't hide forever so he walked up a few levels until he was on the balcony, looking down at Jamie.

"What?" Jamie looked up at Jack with a frown.

"You WEREN'T supposed to use your magic, remember?" Jack smiled darkly.

"So? I'm not dead, so what's wrong with that?" He snickered, happier then ever; he didn't care if Jamie was angry at him right then. He's just happy to know his powers didn't hurt him and that they worked.

"That's not the point Jack." Jamie said, though he doesn't really show it... he was a little unnerved by that smile... Jack smirked and ignored Jamie's words.

"Oh blow it out your ass." He said, chuckling before going inside and locking the little ice castle up.

"I'm not some damn china doll Jamie." Jamie knew that, but he wasn't sure he liked that response either... Jack smirked, sitting back in his homemade ice living room, sipping on a cool glass of water that wouldn't freeze at his command. Jamie wasn't entirely sure what to make of all that... they'd been having fun up until then... What had happened exactly? Sure he wasn't happy that Jack had gone back on his word, but... he felt... off now. Like something wasn't the way it should be. He settled into the snow staring at it as he tried to sort things out in his own mind. Jack sighed, he wasn't glass; how did Jamie expect him to heal if he didn't try anything? There is nothing but silence for a good long while, but Jamie still hasn't found any answers in himself when he's forced to go inside to get something to eat. Jack sighed, it was quite lonely there but, it was better than being coddled. Jamie came back out after he'd finished eating, he had a slice of apple pie with him when he came back out again.

"Jack?" He don't answer right away, but sighed. He had a book in his hand when he opened the balcony doors.

"Yes?"

"Just wondering if maybe you wanted some pie." Jamie floated over to the balcony, setting the plate on the rail so that it balanced perfectly. Jack sat back in his icy armchair.

"I'm fine Jamie, I have my own food." There was a table set with real pot roast, apple pie and drinks and other food aplenty.

"Um, okay then." Jamie settled outside the little fort in thought. He shook away the question of where Jack had gotten it. It didn't really matter, well... he had work to do didn't he? He flew off, leaving the plate where it was as he went off to spread some snow.

This didn't seem like Jack, but he brushed that off as well as he began his work of spreading snow about the globe. Jack sighed and ate his pie before he slowly fell asleep; Jamie returned to the pole when he's finished and curled up in the bed of Jack's room at the pole to sleep. When he awoke, Jack sighed and disintegrated the castle; sending the food he had taken to recycling plants. Jamie slept like the dead, normally he wasn't exhausted, but he'd forgotten that he wasn't entirely back to himself yet and had pushed it a little which meant he'd been exhausted when he had settled on the bed. Jack floated into the room and lay next to Jamie, closing my eyes he dreamt. Jamie wouldn't stir for a good while, not even the sun seemed to be enough to stir him as tired as he was. That worried Jack and he decided to take on the snowing duties without North, Tooth, Bunny, Sandy or Jamie ever knowing. An hour after the sun had risen Jamie began to stir, mumbling as he turned over away from the window.

"No... put it there..." Jack smiled, coming in and whispered before he woke.

"Put what where?" He looked at Jamie with a smile at hearing him talk. Jamie smiled a little in his sleep before yawning and beginning to fully wake. Jack turned around, as if he was looking in the mirror nearby and didn't talk at all. Jamie slowly stretched mumbling around a yawn.

"Morning."

"Morning Jamie, how are you today?" He asked him, curious and worried.

"I'm alright... why?" Jamie looked confused, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"You were sleep for quite a long while Jamie." He sighed.

"Maybe you should relax for a while and let me take over the winter duties for a bit." He sighed tiredly himself, yawning from the late night snow fall.

"No way I'm doing that until your leg heals."

"I'm fine, gosh, I'm not gonna break; besides it's just my leg." He said, annoyed now; every time... Jamie mother henned him every time he got hurt badly... Jack grunted a little, just standing on the leg was pushing his pain sensors.

"Besides, you deserve to take a break." Jack turned back to Jamie giving him a face meaning 'I ain't backing down and you can't make me.' Jamie just stared back just as stubbornly as he got up. Jack growled and backed away from him, knowing he'd lost this contest wholeheartedly.

"Don't make me use my powers Jamie." Jamie just rolled his eyes and left the room to get breakfast, but as he left he couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong... Jack had done a lot of things but not once had he ever said anything that sounded like a threat... especially not in terms of his powers... This unsettled Jamie as he stepped into the kitchen to see what the yetis had made for the morning. Jack shivered, he did feel awfully strange; never had he threatened Jamie with his powers, never... He shivered and looked at himself in the mirror, looking at his eyes he noticed a reddish tinge.

"Th-these aren't my eyes... this is not me in here?" He whispered to himself, seeing many differences in his body now; like the fact he had more muscle... Jamie ate a few pancakes, but since yesterday he felt something had been off... he just didn't know what.

Jack winced, having felt much pain in his ribs, and he saw why; he had grown a couple inches as well. Strangely he felt different, like someone else was in his skin and changing his body; he didn't like that. Jack sighed and floated downstairs to eat pancakes or something because he was starving and felt like he could eat the Workshop. Jamie left the kitchen and flew out the nearest window to spread some snow and to just think... Jack sighed, having asked for a country fried steak with gravy vegetables and potatoes along with cranberry sauce and a whole turkey; they all looked at him strangely but made the requested food.

"Thanks fellas." Jack groaned, he felt just... not himself anymore. Jamie wasn't really sure what to think about the other day no matter how much he considered what had happened. From every angle it just seemed... odd... and he couldn't make heads or tails of it at all. Honestly he hadn't really been that mad... and Jack would have known that... so then... what was with the whole solitary thing? He returned to the pole as the sun would begin to darken the sky if it weren't the north pole... and this time of year it was always light but in another week or so it would be always dark no matter what time it was. Jamie landed on the balcony of Jack's room, but he didn't go inside just yet. Jack shivered.

"What's happening to me? First I snap at Tooth, then Bunny and North... and then I just ate an entire banquet of food!" He yelled loud enough for Jamie to hear. Jamie didn't have an answer to that, wincing a little at the fact that he could hear it all the way from where he was at. He stared at the expansive of snow around him, light flurries dancing in the air... his handiwork of course... He held out a hand to catch one, staring at the tiny thing in wonder... He still was absolutely fascinated and awed that he could create something like this... Jack sighed and sat on the bed, looking at the completely clean plates around him.

"What's happening to me?" He was scared now, and worst of all he'd snapped at Jamie... Sensing Jack's fear, Jamie went inside.

"Jack?" He said softly, what was spooking him? Jack winced and hid all the cleaned plates and the fact that his muscles were showing a lot more...

"Uh, you're back early Jamie." He said, trying to sound as normal as possible.

"Early? If this were Burgess it'd be dark by now. Plus there weren't a lot of places that needed snow today." He shrugged a little. Jack didn't say anything more, he just sat normally and covered myself with a blanket.

"Oh ok." Jamie gave him a confused look.

"What's with the blanket?"

"Nothing, just tired." He berated himself in his head for that, no way was Jamie gonna buy that. Jamie frowned a little.

"Okay... though you don't look it."

"Nah, I am." Jack faked a yawn to show he was, but knowing Jamie... he would know. Jamie did know, but he didn't feel up to doing this 'dance' today.

"Alright then. I'll just leave you to get some rest." Jamie left the room in search of North to see if he could use a hand in something. Jack sighed.

"Phew." He knew he wasn't out of the doghouse yet though. Jamie spent the day helping North test various toys, but the whole time he couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong with Jack...

He just couldn't shake the feeling that something was even though he seemed fine as far as Jamie could tell from the bond and he wasn't hurt or anything... so then... what? Jack looked at himself in the mirror... no red tinge anymore.

"Oh thank God." but the muscles stayed.

"What is going on?" He sighed and decided to look through a couple books about that. Jamie wondered throughout the day if he should mention anything to North about the 'changes' but then decided best not... who would be the best to talk to? Jack sighed, having searched every book on spirits and body changes; the only thing that stood out was aging every five thousand moons. After spending hours of testing toys and wondering who to talk to, Jamie decided that the best one to talk to would be Sandy... he was the oldest after all... and he was the one on best terms with Jack among the other Guardians. Jamie finished testing the stack of toys he'd been given and told the yeti he'd been working with... Joka, that he was finished and that he'd see him later.

"I have to talk to Sandy about something." The yeti nodded and waved goodbye as Jamie left the testing room and set off out the nearest window to find the little Guardian. Jack sighed.

"That can't be it I can't age; I'm basically dead, reborn but dead." He said in shock. I can't grow... can I? Jack was looking questioningly at himself, this couldn't be right; spirits didn't age anymore... They're dead... Then, what was this? Why did he look taller, older, his hair longer and even stubble was growing... What's going on!

It took Jamie a while but he finally found golden sand sending out dreams and where there was gold sand there was Sandy... Jamie followed the sand into the sky to the little Guardian. Jamie spotted the golden cloud and with a small smile he flew up towards it.

"Hey Sandy." Sandy smiled and made a couple words in sand:

You wanted to see me?

He smiled wisely, knowing what was 'wrong' but he was so excited! It was a good thing, Jack was changing; they all went through the change. He used to be nothing but a miniature sprite of sand once long ago. Jamie smiled a little, nodding as he settled on the edge of the sand cloud, careful not to freeze any of the sand.

"I'm guessing you know why I'm here too. Things just seem... I donno... weird... It's scaring Jack from what I can tell but he won't talk to me about it." Jamie sighed a bit at that. Sandy patted Jamie's head and started to illustrate the basic 'puberty' of power growth and the symbols of who they were, were growing to who they are today; he explained basically that Jack was changing appearance and becoming more believed in... a lot more. Explaining how believers saw the Guardians and how they were born and had grown themselves over time, the changes would stop when Jack was fully done and it only happened every five thousand moons. Sandy clapped happily:

It's an honor to grow.

"Um... wow I guess... I wonder if I'll ever have that chance someday. Not that I mind being the age I am, but... I mean... it just sounds cool... Thanks for explaining."

Sandy smiled happily:

Tell Jack slowly, he may not understand, but it's going to happen, sadly, whether he wants to or not; you know how he is about that age.

He sent more sand out to the children for dreams.

"Actually that's not something I've ever discussed with him... I mean, it's never been an issue though he does seem to have a problem with being called 'old' ... at least that I've noticed. Anyway, thanks for your time." Jamie waved to the little Guardian before heading back to the pole... boy wouldn't this be a fun conversation... but at least he felt better now about what was going on. Jack groaned, it was like never-ending, these changes; first he grew another inch taller, then he started growing a beard... Jamie floated towards the room from the balcony; gently testing the bond to see if Jack was awake or not before he entered the room. Jack was in the bathroom, basically shaving every last bit of hair off his face but every time he tried it would instantly grow back; newer, whiter and longer.

"Noo." He whined, but jumped at the touch from the bond.

"Jack?" Jamie called out, he didn't want to spook Jack but he didn't see him in the room either... Jack whined, upset and scared.

"J-Just a second." He called out; he washed away the hair and beard down the drain and wore a mask on his face like doctors wear to cover for germs and fake coughed. Jamie settled on the bed, waiting for Jack to come out. Jack came out, fake sneezing and coughing.

"Oh, Jamie. I'm really sick with winter flu, I'd advise you to -achoo- stay away." He fake sneezed again, covering himself a little as more hair and beard grew. Jamie took one look at Jack and despite himself he began chuckling.

"Winter flu... I have to admit, that's a good one." Jack winced, knowing he'd never bought it.

"Um... allergies?" He said next, standing defensively, ready to run into bathroom if needed. Jamie giggled.

"Jack, you aren't sick... you're just growing. I talked to Sandy about it." Jack stopped talking a moment before ripping off the mask, a full grown beard in place.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN GROWING?!" He shouted, not at all pleased by the sound of it. Jamie winced at the shout... yeah... this was going to go just great...

"Well... apparently when you hit a certain age and have enough believers... you grow... Sandy was pretty excited about it... He knew what I was going to talk to him about by the time I found him." Jamie did his best to tell Jack what Sandy had told him about it.

"I'm kinda jealous honesty... I mean, it sounds great to me... but I didn't expect you'd like it half as much..." He trailed off. Jack was going to scream... so he screamed into the nearest pillow.

"I DON'T WANNA GROW OLD!" He yelled and beat the stuffing out of the pillow afterwards. Jamie just watched and waited patiently for it to be over. Jack now just lay on the pillow, crying tears; he didn't want to grow at all... After a long moment of silence Jamie moved over to Jack and wrapped his arms around him.

"It's not that bad. Come on now." He murmured softly.

"But Jamie, it's gonna be weird... you'll be younger than me and I'll be be older!" Jack cried, he was scared of how his appearance would come out once the transformation was done. Jamie chuckled softly.

"Jack... you have always been older than me. Why do you think that would matter now?" He murmured softly as he held the winter spirit close.

"C-cause I'll actually look older." He said, shaking like a leaf as his beard grew smaller until it was just stubble.

"Apparently my body says it's not ready for a beard yet."

"Jack, love... that doesn't change the fact that I love you. I always will, I don't care what you look like." Jamie murmured softly as he gently ruffled Jack's hair, sure it would take a little getting used to but he honestly didn't care. Jack hugged Jamie close then winced in pain as yet again there were changes.

"Ow." Jamie nuzzled against Jack, holding him close. After all they'd been through, there was no way he was going to let something this trivial tear them apart. Jack grunted as his arousal was up and knocking at Jamie's thigh. Jamie chuckled softly, pulling back to draw Jack into a gentle, loving kiss. Jack gasped in shock at how good that felt, everything was more sensitive and different... it was like being a completely different person altogether.

00000000000000000000

Jack panted, hugging Jamie; his body, during that time, had finished changing permanently. He would have longer, short wild hair in white and his eyes were more a electric ice blue now and glowed in the dark. He also had more muscle mass and a six pack small, but right sized; he kissed Jamie's lips gently and pulled out carefully so not to hurt him. Jamie returned the kiss lovingly. He sighed in utter bliss, no matter how many times they did that it always felt like the first time... Jamie felt tired, but happily so. Nothing but love and sleepiness slipped along the bond... and satisfaction of course. That all but radiated off him. Jack smiled, just as sleepy, and wrapped them up in a blanket; he clung to Jamie in a strong, but gentle hug. Jamie smiled as he snuggled close, murmuring softly before he fell asleep.

"I love you."

"I love you t-too." Jack said before snuggling into his neck, unaware of the new, glowing moon outside and the dark shadows covering it... Jamie was just as unaware of it, he slept on until the next morning's rays woke him though the strength of those rays were beginning to wane as it became closer and closer to the time where the North Pole would be in darkness that occupied it for winter. Jack snored on, though his newly grown body meant more sleep, but soon there'd be little to no sleep at all for winterly duties, Jack's job and Jamie's. Jamie smiled a little as he woke in Jack's arms. His favorite way to wake up really... he quietly lay there with him, studying him as if memorizing him all over again. Not moving an inch as he gazed lovingly at Jack. Jack snored a little, turning his face slightly as he started to stir, opening and blinking, revealing electric ice blue eyes that showed wise power of his soul through them. Jamie smiled as his eyes met Jack's electric blue, so beautiful... his breath hitched a little before he was able to speak.

"Morning." Jack sighed, smiling.

"Morning." He yawned a little before sitting up and stretching, popping bones into place and looking outside. It was that time of month again the winter rush hour.

"Well, I guess it's time to get to work." Jamie nodded.

"You seem to have healed just in time for it." Jamie watched Jack for a moment before he sat up himself. Jack nodded, grabbing his staff he noticed a change in it; for one it wasn't wood anymore, it was made of pure ice, and two it hooked like a scythe.