Chapter 3

"Jack Frost has arrived!" Jack sang, bursting into the workshop from a window.

He laughed as the elves scattered into a panicked frenzy to escape his ice.

He turned at the sound of unintelligible yelling and found Phil fuming at all the snow tracked in. Smirking, Jack gave him a pat on the shoulder as he wandered in. "Good to see you, too, pal!"

His heart lightened at Phil's grumbling. "Aw, c'mon, Phil. You didn't miss me?"

Phil rolled his eyes. He ruffled Jack's hair before nudging him into the hallway.

Jack noted the direction they were going in. "Agh, Phil, no time for cookies today. Tooth sent the fairies to tell us to meet up today, and she'll throw a fit if I'm late again."

Phil nodded and they began walking down another hall. He stared at Jack expectantly.

"Oh, things have been fine… You know bringing snow and fun to the children of the world. Same old, same old," Jack laughed nervously. He rubbed the back of his head before cringing at the twinge of pain shooting down his arm. He cracked his neck in the hopes of masking it.

They stopped outside of Phil narrowed his eyes. Before he could speak, Jack interrupted him. "Look, everything… everything is fine, okay? Please, Phil. Not while the guardians are here. They can't know. They don't need to know." He stared up at the yeti, his eyes pleading.

"Don need ta know what?" Jack's heart almost stopped at the sound of a familiar Australian accent.

The door was wide open now, and Bunny stood on the other side of it. His foot was tapping impatiently.

Shooting Phil one last meaningful, Jack quickly flew into the room. Floating on his back he yawned. "Oh, nothing. Just super secret creatures of the winter information. It's on a need to know basis. It's not anything that pertains to spring." He cracked an eye open to see Bunny's reaction.

Bunny's fur was already bristling. "Is that so? Must not be very important then, mate." Jack could feel Bunny's smirk from across the room.

"Now, now. Is no time for fighting!" North bellowed, bursting through the door. Tooth and Sandman followed shortly.

"Jack! How are things being for you?" North rumbled, opening his arms to bring Jack into a hug.

Jack quickly dodged and patted the large man on the back. "Hey, North!"

"It's been a while, hasn't it, Jack," Tooth chimed in excitedly, her hands already in his mouth.

"Hath it? I hafn't notithed," Jack replied, gently pushing Tooth away. Normally, he didn't mind the attention. But today wasn't a good day for any physical contact.

Sand rustled behind him and Jack grinned. Watching the carefully formed shapes above Sandy's head, he looked away. "Yeah, I know, Sandy. I haven't been visiting much. I've been pretty busy." Guilt gnawed at his insides.

"Huh. No worries here, mate. Been appreciatin' the silence as o' late. Who's the poor sucka that's been stuck with ya?" Bunny snorted.

Jack felt his ears heating up. "I haven't been with anyone, Kangaroo. Being the spirit of winter isn't always fun and games ," he snapped.

"Jack… are you okay?" Tooth asked gently, reaching out for him. Everyone was staring at him, taken aback. Even Bunny was eyeing him wearily.

He clenched his fists tightly, welcoming the stabs of pain that erupted from his arms. His heart stopped pounding in his chest. Taking a deep breath he managed a smile. "Ah, sorry guys, 'm just a little tired today. The ice caps were giving me a little trouble is all. You know, with global warming and everything."

"Global warming? Bah! I live here for centuries and I never even see ice cube melt! Is bunch of garbage!" North announced.

"Well I think Jack would know, North," Tooth reminded him gently, a smile playing on her lips.

Jack resisted sighing in relief. Everyone seemed convinced he was fine with the exception of Sandy, who watched him carefully. Which wasn't a problem, really. Jack was determined to put him at ease, too. Heck, he'd make a game out of it! By the end of the day Sandy would be 100% sure that Jack was a-okay.

After all, Jack loved games.

Sorry for the short chapter, you guys. I know it's been a while and I really appreciate your feedback! Just wanted to put this up so you would know I was alive :)