Ruby

Jack was used to being called horrible names for as long as he could remember. Freak. Ghost. Sick. Demon. 'Pigmentally challenged'. Nannies wouldn't look after him thinking that they would get cursed.

Snow white skin, easily bruised by knocking onto surfaces, easily burned because of the sun. Sun lotion, moisturiser and vitamins was his life.

Snow white platinum blonde hair that looked almost grey in the light, dyed red because he was sick of being accused of being a Benjamin Button case. Red box dye bought at the end of every month. His mom started dying his hair very young to help him with his looks, except it was more of an auburn colour back then. His skin made him look sick and his hair made it stand out more.

His main issue was his eyes, yes they were red, but they were actually covered by special contact lenses. His eyes were actually pinkish/reddish in colour. Because of the lack of pigment in his eyes, he was very sensitive to the light. So he had fashioned himself a pair of contact lenses to avoid the UV damage and light from lights and the sun.

Since making his contact lenses, Jack's thoughts towards people started to waver. Revenge flowed through his mind in waves, seeing his peers cower in fear from hurting him and being cruel. He had been a good boy for so long and for what? To be abused? Hated? Treated like he was vermin. People were cruel, but Jack wanted to be even nastier than them.

But Jack hated his lack of kill drive. Hated the fact that he was scared all the time. Slightest noise, ghost stories freaked him out. The slightest threat to his own life. It was embarrassing.

It was why he looked up to Chase. The dragon warlord was never scared, oozed confidence and grace. The fluidity in his moves and the way he spoke was like pure running water. Jack could happily listen to the man's monologue if he truly wanted to talk his ears off. Chase was everything Jack wished he could be.

Jack looked out at the lake he was sat by. He had yet again lost a sheng gong wu to the monks, but this time hit different. Jack had forgotten to keep up with his routine. No make up, no contacts, his roots were showing, he basically looked like he had just woken up and left the house. The monks were quick to ask questions. Was he sick? Why did he look like that? Was he gunna die? Was he actually human?

Jack lost his temper and flew into a rage at them, triggering the showdown when the wu was touched between him and Raimundo. The showdown was a diss wars match. Jack ultimately lost because he kept losing his temper. Jack burst into tears and the monks thought it was just Jack Spicer being Jack Spicer and they left him there.

Jack leaned over the bank and stared at his reflection with hatred.

"Disgusting. Why were you even born? You can't do shit right. You suck at even living. Why couldn't you have been normal?" Jack felt a tear leave his eyes and it dripped into his reflection causing it to distort and ripple. He sniffed and wiped his face on the sleeve of his coat.

"Reflecting on your flaws and mistakes often leads people into a fork in the road. Deny yourself as who you are and become the thing you hate most… or Accept who you are and be someone you wish to be, a better version of yourself if you will."

Jack jumped at the voice beside him and turned to see Chase Young standing beside him also staring at his reflection. Jack sniffed and smiled.

"Speaking from experience?" Chase hummed in affirmation.

"You of all people know my past and story. A monk who couldn't progress and advance any further and felt like he was being left behind by his peers. Sick and tired of being left behind, he sought out power. He was given a choice." Chase stopped and glared at his old reflection.

"Heylin or not, I am still that lost monk. But I chose to do more and be a better version of myself. I was capable of so much more… and I didn't care how I got there." Chase turned and looked Jack in the eyes.

"Wipe your tears, Spicer, they won't help you change. Only hold you back." Chase turned to leave but Jack turned and stood quickly.

"Why? Why would you stop to talk to me to tell me that?" Chase grinned.

"I was simply disgusted by your crying face." Jack 'tsk'ed to himself. Of course, Chase wouldn't do this out of being kind. He was a heylin with no soul.

"The quicker you accept your flaws, the quicker you become a better version of yourself."

"That's… very xiaolin of you." Chase growled, causing Jack to squeak and cover his face. "I'm sorry but you know what I mean!"

"Take the advice, Spicer. And further more.. In magic, rubies promote love, nurturing, health, knowledge and wealth. They improve energy and concentration, creativity, loyalty, honour and compassion. Rubies are known to be protective of the home, possessions and family. Nurture yourself first, before taking any drastic decisions, Spicer. It took me over a month before I chose to take the Heylin path and drink the soup." Jack gave a small smile.

"Thanks Chase." Chase hmphed and created a portal back to his citadel.

"Don't disappoint me and lose next time, Spicer."

"Probably be a while before I try. Gotta lot of reflecting to do… and thinking…" Jack spoke quietly whilst turning to look out onto the lake.

"Indeed." Chase simply said and stepped into the portal and vanished.

Jack smiled, Chase was right, regardless of how random that encounter was.

"I will find myself and be sure of who I want to be." Jack looked back at his reflection with a new light.

"First, let's go home. I'm starving."

Jack Spicer always bounces back.

Tigers eye

Jack adored going to the seaside and liked to just chill out after a stressful encounter with certain monks. After becoming Chase's lover after so many attempts, Jack's life never got any better with stress. Happiness, absolutely. While Chase struggled to show Jack how he felt towards him, Jack was just happy that Chase no longer hurt him any more, showed Jack more respect and leniency.

And the sex… holy…

Jack shook his head to clear those thoughts. Not now! Only chill time.

Another reason why Jack loved coming to the sea side was the little sea side shops that sold gemstones like geodes and polished pebbles. Something his mother liked and he happened to share his likeness.

Jack's favourite was the Tiger's eye stone. Naturally they came in 2 forms, both in gold and in a red copper colour. Spiritually, it supposedly represented self-confidence and inner strength. Nicknamed in the past, the Shapeshifter, Tiger's Eye wearers embrace their inner-strength, personal willpower, and to call on the powers of protection. Traditionally, Tiger Eye was carried as a protective amulet against the forces of evil. It was said to ward off curses and to keep the wearer safe from ill-wishes.

Jack snorted, at the thought. Jack often thought of Chase's beautiful amber eyes whenever he thought of the Tiger's eye stone and because it came with a red counterpart he often thought it was almost like fate. That he was destined to be with Chase.

It's also funny that once upon a time it was considered so rare that it was more expensive than gold.

It reminded him of Chase because the stone is meant to help you to get grounded, build a safe and strong foundation, and find your motivation once more. It's also good at warding off negative energy. Chase being a monk in the past was all about becoming one with nature and feeling the energies surrounding you and… stuff.

"Spicer, what do you have there?" Jack jumped, turning to see Chase dressed in quite the summery get up. An open shirt that had a dragon on the back and black swim shorts with a green trim and sandals. Jack was just wearing a black tank and red swim shorts with sandals. Jack moved his hands so he could show his lover.

"Ah Tiger's Eye." Jack blushed cutely.

"They remind me of your eyes. I know the stones meant to represent good and all that but the main bits remind me of you. You know like you protect me, you motivate me, you keep me grounded, you help me find my inner strength. It makes me feel close to you in a way."

Chase pulled Jack closer to him.

"You already have me, Spicer. You know I hate sentimental things… but I see what you mean. Do you collect these?" Jack smiled and shook his head.

"Not in the spiritual sense, no. I'm a science person mostly. They're just stones, mixed minerals and metals. Geodes. I may know the spiritual side but I just collect them because they look pretty. I like Tiger's eye mostly because they remind me of you and me." Chase smirked at the answer.

"Red and Gold. I see." Jack leaned into Chase's chest and reached up to peck the warlord on the lips.

"Still a great combination!" Jack laughed and Chase shook his head in amusement.

"Only you, Spicer."

Amethyst

"Oh my God!" Chase looked up from his desk with an annoyed expression.

"What now, Spicer. I am trying to look through scrolls. Do you want to live as long as me without drinking the soup?" Jack didn't take any notice and made a bee line for Chase's glass cabinet at the back of the study.

"I didn't think you were the type of person who liked stones like Amethyst, Spicer?" Spicer refused to touch the glass, afraid he would break it.

"Ah but it's so pretty, the way it glistens in the light and the shades of white to purple and I just love all types of quarts! The geodes just fascinate me. How a build up of minerals and metals and heat and pressure in a rock can cause such an amazing… thing to happen!"

Chase shook his head and turned back to his scrolls.

"You are meant to be helping me, Spicer. Not gawk at my 'geode collection' as you would call it."

"Sorry…" Jack turned and went back to the desk with Chase and opened up a few scrolls himself and started to translate to a bit of paper.

A few moments went by when a small voice entered the room.

"Didn't the Romans believe it would stop them from being drunk?" Chase sighed, getting more irate, rubbing his temples.

"Spicer, I'm going to require a stiff strong drink in a moment if you don't be quiet."

"Sorry…"

—-

Ooooh new prompts :P

Couldn't help it.

Was looking at my gemstone collection and had a thought. Why not!

Ruby - Because we all love Jack's eyes!

Tiger's eye - Spiritually, as a taurus… I'm meant to keep away from this stone lol but I can't because it's too pretty! They do remind me of Chase's eyes, don't you think?

Amethyst - Geodes fascinate me O.O Had to XD