AN:

This time around I chose the song from album ICON 2 by Sheryl Crow.

Everyday Is A Winding Road:

Any form of a snowstorm that wasn't under Jack's inference wasn't something for any one to worry about. Since location the storm chose to take place was during nighttime on outside of Workshop's sky line. Left any form of outside travel beyond the Workshop's walls with out getting caught in avalanche or suffering frostbite. Unless a yeti was willing to escorted them out in to cold to accomplish whatever task needed to be done.

Leaving Ero unable to visit his mother like he planned since he was coming to miss her presence and over baring persona. Leaving him to seek some kind of distraction from his pending loneliness before depression kicked in. What he found most interesting was sitting down on the windowsill of his room, and look over the window. Still in the wrinkled nightwear he had slept in the night before. Clothes were loose materials that reflected a silky fabric that was comfortable for Ero to move around in. Like now when he sighed and just stared at the scene that raged outside his panels of glass that made up his window.

"Knock! Knock!" Tekla slightly stepped into the room.

She carried in a trey of food she thought Ero needed knowing he had missed both breakfast and lunch. Not wanting him to starve over missing the last meal of the day since he never showed up. Here she was bringing him something to eat before leaving him for the night to do her own personal errands.

"When weather clears up," Tekla laid trey down on nightstand near Ero's bed. "I'll personally take you to see your mother."

She made sure to walk over toward unresponsive Ero not caring if he was gong to lash out for her. Where she stopped just inches from him and kissed the side of his head in gentle matter with glossed lips. Whispering something into his ear before turning away and walking away from him. Concern was heavy on her shoulders after she exited Ero's room going toward room that was Jack's. Found a single window opened to reveal Jack was out in snowstorm enjoying the cold. Giving her a slight smile before looking to something she had specially crafted for Jack. Came in the form of a crystal formation in the middle of the star covered ceiling that was only found in this room. That kept the room at arctic temperature for Jack to be able to stay here for so long.

"Tekla!" North started bellowing for her.

She knew how impatience he got when she took to long in checking on what she starting calling her boys. Knowing the place she wanted to go wouldn't take that long using a Snow Globe to get there and back. It was putting up with the people who didn't understand her due to her accent sent her or North off when ask to repeat a phrase. Leaving North half the time wanting to send one of the Yetis in his place instead of going with her.

"Coming!" She shouted back.

She made sure to pin a note on the pillow of Jack's bed she would end up fluffing up mumbling something in Russian. Before she bounced on the cushions of the bed to get to her heel clad feet. She used to walk out of the room ready to yell back at North for making her rush out on Ero and Jack. This told anyone the usual sound of her clicking heels replaced by almost stomping one. Told any elf or Yeti that Tekla was about to give North yet another ear full of words that weren't English related.

"You sleep alone tonight...Tonyok..." Were only English words any one could make out.

Before she pointed toward the two rooms she was peeking in on to see why Ero never joined at dinner table. Her answer came in form of young man still in his nightwear sitting around his room. Way he gazed out the window of his room in such a depressed state reminded Tekla of her human past. Would have her by his side trying to pull him from dishearten disposition with simple chat.

Instead she was talking North off while she fasten the ties of her jacket mumbling she could do better with her time. To only be silent when those familiar arms made of aged and experienced muscle. Could only belonged to a man who was now drawing her close to body she come to know. Melted away her angry when her ears was drawn to his lips and words of affection flowed. Had her relaxing her tensed up body within a loving embrace she turned around in.

"I hate when you Sweet Candy Cane, me." She pouts.

"How else I get you happy." He lifted her further into the air.

This had going from having her arms around his neck to resting on his shoulders since his own now gripped her waist. She welcomed since she was brought to his face level so she could be leaned forward enough for a kiss. Become something more when she ended up slipping just enough of her own tongue in there. Smirk that appeared on North told him she wasn't made him made at him any more, and wanted to make up.

Had him turning her down being that they were going would kill the mood faster then he could slice it in half. On to the ground she would be placed with tapping of her heels hitting the stone floors. The sounds it self filled the hallway to the point someone ended up stepping out his room, and had him peeking at Tekla and North.

"Thanks for the food and if I'm being taken to my mother..." Ero was having a hard time speaking, "I need to bring reindeer's fawn upon returning home."

Tekla ended up having to keep North from confronting Ero about a request his mother most have made. Knowing these fawns born from North's reindeer were carefully bred and trained to pull his Sleigh. Would have anyone worrying since Ero's mother requesting just one was red flag North had to look into. North's form of integration had Tekla stepping between him and massager who delivered it. Speaking in her firm Russian accent with her hands resting on each one of her hips. As her body language told him he wasn't going anywhere nears Ero or passed her to do get to Ero.

Before she could tell him to get going he would end up backing off and stepping aside in gentleman like manner. Reaching out toward her with one his large hands waiting for her to take his led or at least follow him. This had her shaking her primp and permed locks of auburn hair at him while lifting one of her hands, and points ahead of them. Didn't seem to work since North took her hand reached out in his own and pulled her in to his arms. This time she wasn't falling for since she ended up pulling ever so slightly. Behind he would follow being turned down every minute he tried to ask if he could even get within an inch of Ero. Each time he got nod from her head that ended whatever line of questioning he wanted to use toward Ero.

Finally having a place to call your own in form of room within North's workshop and possible friend like Ero. Would put any 300-ish spirit of winter in a positive mood to point they needed to celebrate. Like, Jack in middle of a snowstorm that was or wasn't of his making any matter where he was. Since he could be found sitting on his staff flying around in gusts of icy winds. Frozen over chucks of water and chilliness of breeze was comforting feelings. That Jack couldn't get an enough from as the wind had him being spun around like a top.

Gave him a chance to look through whatever windows of workshop that weren't covered by the shutters or curtain. Colorful scenes or moment he was able to see as he passed each window touched him in some way. That would end when he spotted sadden Ero sitting in his windowsill just staring out into coldness. Since there wasn't a window for Jack to enter through to see what was wrong with or bother Ero about. Jack ended up having the wind turn him back around opened window he jumped out of with his staff to enjoy the snow storm.

"Hey Magic Man!" Jack would end up calling Ero by his nickname after returning his own through opened window. He had left that way so he could freely go and come back whenever he felt like.

At the moment he would end up locking up with a simple latch while calling out to Ero from his perch on window's sill. He knew Ero could hear him from his own room since both their bedroom doors were opened wide. Besides yelling in his loudest volume hopping to get an answer from Ero was a good idea at the minute. Just didn't get an answer like Jack wanted within minutes of his greeting being thrown out there.

"You better not have died on me." Jack couldn't help but make a joke as he secured window's latch before moving away. Had him walking through a room that had been modeled to fit his tastes from snow blue painted walls and carpeted floors. Furniture from simple twin bed to table with its own chair all made of petrified wood stained white. Were located on different spots through the area with an opened alcove next to the 3-seater sofa. That was a walk in closet filled all type of clothes and a had private bathroom attached to it. While ceiling with a reflection of the night sky with star constellations that could be found above Burgess on display. All finished off by a chandelier-like crystal formation in middle of the starry night sky that Jack preferred.

Just not now when he left his room for one across the way with his hands tucked into his pockets wondering if Ero was all right. What he found when he stopped at the doorway and peered in to find Ero in same position on windowsill. Staring out through window with same expression on his face he had seen when he was flying around. Not pleased with way Ero was unresponsive to him; Jack strolled into the room not caring if he was invited in or not. Heading straight for other side of the windowsill that wasn't occupied by Ero picked up one of many throw pillows, and repeated a familiar motion.

Had the stuffed piece of fabric landing against Ero's face so hard he would end up falling off the windowsill. On to the floor his rear bounced twice pulling him from the stupor he had been in to stare at Jack's feet. Had him taking a deep breath when those feet shifted so owner would lower him self to Ero's line of sight. Grinning like he done carefully laid prank somewhere in the Workshop while he stared back at Ero. Neither one exchanged a form of verbally communication as a strange staring contest. Would go on for second or two before feminine voice came from windowsill.

"Don't..." Ero knew Jack had joked up one of the sleeves of his blue hoodie.

Wasn't in mood for it since he pulled him self off the floor with soar rear to return where he been sitting before. Pushing a few pillows aside to reveal a glass sphere encased in wooden handler carved out of wood of dawg tree. Reflected in the surface of a transparent ball was image of a young woman with piercing blue eyes, and long hair. Color of her wavy tresses reminded anyone of white ash. Unlike her glowing peach tone of skin that clearly be seen on her face. That had Jack joining Ero on the windowsill when crystal clear orb was drawn into Ero's lap.

"Sorry about the interruption." Ero spoke into the Crystal Ball, "Jack Frost...I would like to formally introduce you to Heather Wales."

"Glad to meet you." Jack waved at the face in the ball.

What he got was whistle from this woman who hinted Jack come along when ever her son came visit her. Before she carried on her conversation about what Ero had come to learn so far after she last spoke with him. Jack ended up answering by snatching the glass sphere from Ero's lap, and made way back to his own room. Asking her if turning a simple ceiling into a life size display of night sky. Count as Ero having learned any form of magic Jack proudly showed off to this woman. By holding up glass sphere up to ceiling of his room after stopping at the opened doorway.

Ero came from behind Jack telling him to be careful with item in his cold hands since it was an artifact. Going on about how it was over 300 years old and was one of many family heirlooms trusted to him. How it was crafted from fragile that could easily shatter or crack it if dropped on ANY surface. Would be handed back to him while he was informed by Jack his mother wouldn't be bothering him.

"You done moping...because that food trey Miss. North left you..." Jack meant the untouched trey Ero hadn't touched.

"I thought you ate already?" Ero asked if Jack even tended joint meal with North and his wife.

"You missed out." Jack spun on his heel.

He remembered all the details that took place a few hours ago that had him sitting on a wooden chair fit for his size. At a large wooden table he was position where a plate and silverware laid before him. Dishes filled with cooked food prepared by Tekla and Yetis that helped her. Could be spooned out and on to the plate before Jack by Tekla sitting opposite of him as North sat at head of table. Conversations about the latest happenings of that day were talked about among 3 of them. Moment was ruined when the question where Ero was silenced Tekla and slowed Jack's appetite. North was left to poke at his food up until dinner was over.

"Most awkward moment ever." Jack passed Ero.

"You not eating what is meant for me." Ero knew where he was heading.

Jack told him there was nothing wrong with sharing food he found tasteful after spending 300 years in isolation. Munching on wild fruits and berries during those years becomes blend to winter spirit until what had been served to him. A chance to taste that type of food again was something Jack looked forward too in what Ero hadn't touched.

"I'll only share my food if you're willing to listen to how I become a guardian." Ero led the way back to his room.

"Either way I'll be fed again." Jack followed him.

This had Ero asking Jack if he remember what Tekla told him about the two of the being from the time period. Jack ended up nodding before being asked if her anything about Salem Witch trails, and how innocent people were put to death. One of those many people was a pregnant woman accused of being a witch. Fear and dread swayed through the town that once came to her to heal their sick children. After she brought those children back from death's door she was condemned to die. All because she used homeopathic medicine and herbs to treat the illnesses children suffered from.

"MiM brought her back when he was touched by how she mend town's children while unable to allow a young mother and her unborn child...to just die." Ero remembered the story.

Colonial America from what Ero was told about wasn't a place that magic he performed would be welcomed. Leaving him to wonder why his mother had always kept him locked away in their home in Denver, MA. Turning down every request he made about wanting to venture outside during his younger years. Always pressuring him to study art or different fields of magic for years that keeping him from exterior world. Only views he got beyond those confining walls were from in-door green house.

"I still trying to figure out a way to thank North..." He was able to finish

Sound of Jack messing with his food trey by poking at a few filled plates with his finger cut his sentence short. Had Ero swaying Jack's hand away from the area above the trey since he would ended up picking it up. Taking with him back to the windowsill he had spent must of his day observe the snowstorm alone. Where he laid the trey in middle of the sill while taking up one asking Jack if he was going to join him, or go back outside.

Sights of loose clothing hanging off Ero's think frame that mirrors Jack's own showing warm peach skin tones. Had hints of developing muscle on his limbs and upper to lower torso that stirred unfamiliar feelings within Jack. That his eyes couldn't stop looking over while they glide over Ero while he kicked off his slippers. Ended with Jack being invited to seat opposite of Ero and share the meal like both of them had planned.

"You all right?" Ero asked about the slight blushing that appeared on Jack's cheeks.

"Remind me to speak with one of the North's Yetis in the clinic." Jack say by him.

"I may have something to help you." Ero reached down.

He felt around the wooden panel of windowsill for a hidden handle he would end up taking a firm hold of, and pulled. Exposing the under part of the sill was a hidden draw filled with all types of sealed bottles and jars. Filled with all kinds of liquids that bubbled or looked like slime with strange labeled written on their sides. Had Jack saying no sampling whatever Ero was willing to give of offer him.

"Fine," Ero closed the draw up. "Then can I walk you to the clinic?"

Jack just gave him a shrug before attention was turned to the trey to see what Ero wasn't going to touch. Resulted in both of them sharing all the food that came on the trey using different utensils. Each mouth full either one took in had Ero asking if a Yeti or Tekla was one that cooked the food.