"Five!" Arrow shouted with glee.
"Four!" Sandy signaled.
"Three!" Jack waved his staff in the air, jumping with anticipation.
"Two!" The Tooth Fairy squealed.
"One!" Bunnymund exclaimed, eyes full of joy.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FELLOW GUARDIANS! And Arrow," Santa's voiced blared around the workshop. All the little red elves jingled their bells. One of them even pecked another on the cheek, receiving a punch in the face, just like a few months ago. Seeing this, Jack came up with a risky idea to try out.
Using his staff, he hooked onto Arrow's waist and pulled her close to him. "Happy New Year," he wished her quietly so only she could hear.
The immortal can't help but look at him with astonishment. "Happy New Year Jack," she replied before they embraced for a kiss. It was a gentle kiss, but lasted a whole minute, and the two had to pull away to catch their breaths.
"We're so lucky we crossed paths," the winter guardian sighed.
"Yeah," Arrow's cheeks turned a crimson red. Still in Jack's arms, she squirmed a little but he couldn't tell what for. "It's all thanks to Cupid," she continued her train of thought, "for my set of bow and arrows."
The next thing Old Man Winter felt was piercing pain in his gut. He slowly peered below to see what caused it and immediately regretted doing so. Blondie has shot an arrow into his stomach, and he blacked out before he had the chance to collapse.
Jack jolted up from the armchair he uncomfortably slept on for the past four hours and rolled off due to the lack of space. The dream he just had was alarming; might have symbolized something even. He'll have to confront Sandy later. Right now, there were presents being delivered on North's day; and his sat peacefully next to Arrow's on her wooden desk. Although the winter spirit was of age, that didn't stop him from getting excited as any kid when it came to Christmas presents. He wanted to unwrap it on the spot.
"Jack, it's like four in the morning, get the hell back to sleep," a groggy voice slipped out from underneath the covers.
"But Arrow, North got us presents!" Jack ecstatically whispered, despite the fact everyone else was sound asleep.
No reply.
Disappointed, he heaved himself up onto the armchair and kept himself wide awake. What if Blondie tries to shoot me while I'm asleep? Maybe that's why she's ordering me to! Aw man, if I die? Do I really die? I mean, I'm dead anyways. Shoot, what if she stays with me until New Year's. Nah she won't do that. She has her own home. Wait, does she? She hangs around in Burgess too!
Regardless of his never-ending train of thoughts, Jack did eventually sleep again and did not die during the course of the night.
Several days zipped by, and before anyone could call it, the holidays were over. This New Year's was by far the best, quote North. When the countdown ended, nothing in particular happened from Jack's dream. Instead, he received a friendly hug, in which he cautiously returned. Speaking of which, Sandman swore he was not poking fun with Jack's dreams lately.
Arrow rested in the workshop for the rest of the holidays, only because Tooth wouldn't let go of her when she tried to flap her wings out and about. The scene itself was quite something. Imagine an angel-like form working her very hardest to fly off but latched onto her legs was a feathery multicoloured half-human half-hummingbird refusing to let her leave. "Arrow, just stay-ay!" Tooth whined, "I haven't interacted with another girl since last Christmas!"
"Oh my darling Tooth, I'm afraid I must part your side, for home sweet home awaits," the green-eyed spirit dramatically reenacted. "I must return and tidy my living space, leaving my house spick and span!" She faked a faint and sighed, almost falling to the ground if it weren't for the soft, golden dreamsand that coiled around her waist at the last second. Even Sandy wanted the Valentine spirit to spend more time with the Guardians.
"B-but that can wait, it's not like there's someone waiting for you to return home!" The fairy accidentally blurted. If they weren't huge enough before, her purple deyes enlarged and her manicured hands slapped over her mouth with shock; disbelieving she just brought up what is forbidden to be mentioned unless initiated by the victim herself. "Oh!" She gasped as Arrow's posture somewhat slumped in defeat.
Everyone held their breaths in except Bunnymund. "A little harsh there Tooth, don't cha think?
"No no Bunny, Tooth is right," Arrow protested. "Meredith's not here anymore, no one really is waiting for me, just the weeds," She tried to fake a laugh but it came out like a weak cry. No, she's about to break down in front of everyone! She can't, she's meaner than that. Jack worried. Last night, when the blonde spirit wailed hopelessly and couldn't stop herself, he was convinced he was the only person who had seen her in her most vulnerable situation. Now, he's not sure about that.
With a sigh, she depressingly dragged her feet in the blinding white snow back into the brick house. Jack immediately followed her trail – well, at least he started to – but a heavy hand gripped onto and squeezed his shoulder, hinting that maybe he shouldn't follow. "She's hurt, North! You think leaving her alone to mope over her feeling is the best idea?"
"She's not looking for someone to talk with, she's looking for someone who understands and listens." The leader scanned around until he found the guardian he was searching for – "Sandy is perfect for that!"
The Guardian of Dreams floated away with a beam spread across his face right at the mention of his name. Jack took his first step before he heard a low grumble. "Don't even think about it." He rolled his eyes and turned to his father-figure.
"Whatever," he groaned. What should he do? Despite the fact it is Santa's workshop, it wasn't guaranteed to entertain you. He can't start a snowball fight, Bunny would get so pissed. Visiting the factory would be useless; he already annoyed Phil enough yesterday by making it snow in the factory and soaking all the stuffed animals. Reading, ha-ha, next joke. What was there for him to learn about? Besides … screw it. If he can't be by his new friend in her time of need he might as well bother whoever prevented him from comforting her.
"I can't find anything to do." Jack worded glumly, in hopes North would buy it.
He did. North heaved with laughter and looked at the young spirit with a mixture of delight and pity. "My dearest Jack, there are plenty of activities for you! You can make an ice sculpture for me, or you can read some books, learn a few things."
"I've been alive for three hundred years, most f history has been seen with my very own eyes. What else is there to know?" he asked. It did not really matter what he would do, for he just wanted everyone else to get off his back so while they go back to their tasks he can sneak into Arrow's room.
"Well, rumor has it someone is a little curious to know what the Eternal Vow is."
Jack squinted at North, skeptical. "And how would you know that?"
The big man shifted his gaze to a different direction and tried his best to avoid eye contact. He began to rub his hands back and forth and shrugged his shoulders repetitively. "I … might have heard about it …" Jack knew he caught him red0handed. "No, I was delivering the presents and heard you two talking about her past, so…I maybe eavesdropped."