Stay

A/n: Hi again:) so sorry for the ridiculously late update but school and basically life is just too much to handle. I'm trying to keep my head sane and write this at the same time. I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone of you by being so late, but please bear with me. Thank you all so much for the reviews, favs and follows. You all mean the world to me.

Chapter 13

My head jerked up as I opened my eyes. Cool winds caressed my face, and I looked down on millions of little lights, buildings and skyscrapers grazing the midnight sky. 'Hey.' I turned to my left to see Jack smiling shyly at me, his white teeth shining as his hair whipped about in the wind. I stretched my arms and leaned over to kiss his cheek. We had just taken off from Paris, France after an amazing meal at a cosy 24-hour bistro. Jack paid, of course, saying he actually had a good bit of savings North gave him from helping to make toys one Christmas, though I had no idea why Guardians would need to use money. The sleigh was parked in a little alley beside the restaurant, safe from prying eyes. Thankfully Pitch didn't attack it. I thought of talking to Jack about it, but it would kind of ruin the date, which was the last thing I wanted now.

'Which country are we over?' I asked, putting my head on Jack's shoulder. He smelled great, like winter mixed with summer. 'Hungary,' he replied. 'You've been napping for a while. Are you tired?' I closed my eyes and sighed. 'A little. Flying is hard work.' I turned my face so I could press my lips to his neck, inhaling his scent and letting my mind go crazy. '(f/n), not now. I can't concentrate.' Jack sucked in his lips as I lifted my head a little, catching a glance he threw my way before turning back to the reindeer. I smiled and looked down at the city below. Everything never seemed to stop. Cars were always coursing on roads, traffic lights blinking and people shouting. It was beautiful, but it suddenly made me even more tired. Far off, I could see golden strips shimmering in the sky. Sandy's dream sand. 'Hungary's pretty,' I breathed, leaning back towards Jack. 'Every where's the same, (f/n). You get used to it.' I frowned at his words. 'You see all this when you make your snow day rounds, right?' Jack nodded and loosened his grip on the reins. He reached a hand over to cup both mine, enclosing them in his large palm. 'Do you like it?' he asked. 'Like what?'

'Tonight,' he gazed at me. I grinned and gave a little laugh. 'It's been incredible, Jack. I bet I'm the only girl in the world who's ever ridden in a sleigh on a date with her boyfriend. I love it.' Jack grinned back and squeezed my hands. 'And I love you,' he smiled, bringing my hands up to his lips and kissing them. I blushed, looking down to hide my face in the dark blue sky. 'I do too.' I whispered. Jack put my hands down and rested them on my lap. 'We're driving back to the Pole so North can have his sleigh back. Then we go home by portal.' He said the last part with a bit of annoyance in his voice. I made a noise that sounded like I agreed and leaned my head on the soft leather, eyes closed as I held Jack's hand in mine now.

Jack

I parked the sleigh in its place after going in through the long cold tunnel at the bottom of Santoff Claussen. (f/n)'s eyes were closed, her face cute and peaceful as she slept. I woke her up though I preferred to just watch her sleep. I uttered her name a couple times before she opened her pretty (e/c) eyes and yawned. 'We're here,' I said, getting down and giving the reindeers a pat before opening her door. She slid down and slipped her hand in mine. I led her through stairs and elevators until we reached North's office. I was vaguely aware (f/n)'s eyes were drooping and she was forcing to keep them open. Knocking on the door, I waited until North burst it open and welcomed us back with a booming hello, still wide awake though it was 1.00 am. I thanked him for the sleigh and everything else he had helped preparing. (f/n) mumbled something inaudible beside me before jerking her head and slapping her cheek to wake herself. '(f/n), you must be exhausted,' North said in a fatherly way, crossing his arms and looking at the both of us. 'No portals for you two tonight. (f/n), you will spend the night, or rather the morning now, in the room that was prepared for you last time.' I heard her mutter a 'thank you North' before her sleepy orbs met mine. I could see my own tired face reflected in her irises. 'Are you sure (f/n)? I don't want your parents to worry.' (f/n) just shook her head and rested it on my shoulder. 'They're only back after New Year,' she mumbled, her grip on my hand slack. I smiled softly at her as I picked her up, turning to North to thank him again.

'It is my pleasure, Jack.' He said before I turned down the hall towards (f/n)'s assigned room. 'And you know where your room is, right?' I heard North yell after me. I shouted a half-hearted 'yeah' back at him, a smirk forming on my lips. I just wasn't going to use it tonight.

(f/n)'s head rested against my chest as her eyes opened again. 'Jack, where're you taking me?' she murmured. I had reached her room and leaned back against it, my weight pushing the door open and illuminating the dim hallway with bright moonlight. I lay (f/n) down on the bed. 'I have to clean up,' she muttered, forcing herself up again. 'Where's the bathroom?' she looked at me through half-closed eyelids, her hair all messy and perfect. 'There,' I pointed opposite the way we came in. (f/n) got to her feet and shuffled her way there, her curvy figure bathed in moonlight coming from the window beside the bed. Her dress looked dazzling, colours reflecting the silvery light as they fittingly draped around her body. Here I go again. I slapped myself and shook my head, turning to focus on the moon.

'Jack Frost,' I heard Manny's voice in my head, hard and firm, like he was upset about something. I hadn't quite gotten used to us talking so much yet. 'Yeah?' I linked my hands behind my head and went closer to the window. 'I am very disappointed with you, Jack. Taking the girl out on a sleigh date? What were you thinking?' the voice raised its volume, making me feel afraid all of a sudden. 'What's the problem with that?' I was starting to feel defensive. It was my brilliant idea, plus (f/n) had a great time. 'Pitch could have spotted you easily. Even if he hasn't gotten wind of you becoming a human yet, how long do you think it'll take for him to figure it out when he sees two humans in Santa's sleigh, with one looking identical to Jack Frost?'

It was like being scolded by a father. It was different from North's, which was just a light whack on the head and a few firm words. Or Bunny's 'brotherly' advice, which was already rare. Manny made me feel ashamed, and I didn't like it one bit. 'Sandy was on patrol. He said he'd help look out,' I tried to reply calmly. 'You know it doesn't work like that, Jack. Pitch is already powerful, and we don't know what he can do.' I fell silent, my mind suddenly filled with the image of him taking (f/n) away from me. 'There is also something you must know, Jack.' Manny's voice had taken a turn, almost sounding pitiful. I braced myself for whatever he was going to say, but I wasn't prepared for what was really coming.

Me

I turned on the tap and splashed some ice cold water onto my face, instantly waking up. Washing off my makeup, I saw a pure white toothbrush in a red cup on the sink, with toothpaste next to it. North must have known I would be too worn out to go home, I thought to myself as I started brushing my teeth. There was a set of lavender cotton pyjamas folded neatly on the sink counter, so I changed into them. I hung my beautiful dress on a rail and shuffled back outside.

Jack was sitting on the edge of the round bed, staring at his hands. He looked older, gazing at something far away in his mind. I plopped down beside him. He was still wearing his suit. 'Jack?' I placed my head on his shoulder and looked up at him. He sighed and put an arm around my waist, head turning to kiss my crown. I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in deeply. 'Is there anything wrong?' I questioned. Jack moved away so he could see my face, a hand cupping my cheek. It was a long time before he said anything, and that wasn't an answer to my question. 'Wait here,' he got up and walked out of the room. I felt lonely all of a sudden, so I crawled under the covers and grabbed a pillow to hug, counting the seconds to when he would come back.

3 minutes and 24 seconds passed (I really counted) when I felt the bed shift next to me. I closed my eyes and pretended I was asleep. 'I know you're awake, (f/n).' Jack's low voice made me shiver a little, and I had to suppress a giggle. I felt his warm breath in my ear as he gently nibbled my earlobe. I let up. 'Jack.' My eyes opened and I turned to see his grin in the dimness of the room. He sat up, moonlight pooling on him and I saw that he was wearing the hoodie I bought him. It was strangely satisfying to see him in it, and I raised my eyebrows, smiling widely. He pulled the covers over us and drew me nearer. I felt his warm lips on my neck as I tangled our legs together underneath the sheets. 'I wish this could last forever, Jack,' I sighed. Jack pulled away and stared at me, his brown eyes complicated and hungry. Reality suddenly hit me when I realized he couldn't stay human forever, and how could we continue this once winter dissolved into spring?

Jack sucked in his lower lip, eyes fixated into a point far away from where we were. I ran a hand through his soft hair as we lay there, me becoming sleepier again every second while Jack stared into nothing, his thumb rubbing the exposed skin on my waist over and over. Then he blinked a few times before gazing back to me. 'It will last, (f/n). Trust me.' His eyes were determined and ready, if not slightly wild. But my brain was too lazy to figure it out, so I leaned in and have him a soft kiss before closing my eyes. I felt Jack turn me around gently then pressed his chest into my back. Our heartbeats gradually became one, and I sighed as he draped an arm over my midriff.

As I felt sleep creeping onto me, I heard him whisper softly, 'I'll fight to stay, (f/n). I won't lose you to anything.'

I opened my eyes to find myself face to face with Jack, his half –lidded eyes staring fondly into mine. No sunlight came in from the window as we were in the North Pole, and I shivered involuntarily. 'Morning princess,' Jack smirked and moved away a lock of hair that fell into my face. I giggled softly and cuddled closer to him, laying a hand on his chest. 'What time is it?' I said into his hoodie. He tilted his head to look out the large window. 'Ten-ish?' he pursed his lips, a hand running through his hair. He caught the admiration in my eyes and shrugged his shoulders. 'You learn to read the time at the Poles when you've been hanging around for three hundred years,' he said matter-of-factly. I sat up lazily. 'I'm going to the bathroom,' I mumbled as I dragged my feet there, still not entirely awake. I brushed my teeth then climbed back into bed. Jack had gone out of the room to I didn't know where, so I sat down and studied the design of one of the soft feather pillows until I heard the door open.

Jack walked in topless, wearing a pair of loose baggy pants that just covered his knees. I sucked in my breath slowly and turned back to the pillow. He dropped down onto the soft mattress making me bounce slightly. 'Why do you not wear clothes when it's freaking winter,' I commented, looking back at him again and forcing myself to focus on his face. 'I do wear clothes, like pants. Unless you're okay with nothing on me…' he smirked. I made an irritated sound and punched him in the chest. 'Ow.' He didn't sound pained. I rolled my eyes.

He kissed me.

I didn't see it coming at all. Jack had moved in front of me and pressed his lips against mine so fast it took me a moment to take in where we were and what we were doing all over again. I felt his hot breath in my mouth as he sucked on my lower lip, my head tilted upwards. My hands ran through his hair and down his back, gently scraping the skin there with my nails. Jack moaned and for a moment I felt frightened that North would hear it and walk in on us. Our lips parted and we sat there eyeing each other, our breaths slightly ragged and uneven. Then he attacked me again with another harder kiss.

My eyebrows knitted together as I felt Jack slide his tongue into my mouth, licking my teeth while his hands slid down my sides. He tasted so good I doubted anyone could compare to him. I felt my breath hitch as his arms wrapped tightly around my waist and crushed me into his body. I was kissing back hard like never before. This was the first time I'd seen Jack so aggressive, and a little warning bell was ringing itself at the back of my mind. My teeth gently tugged on his lip as I put my hands on his chest, (e/c) eyes staring into dark brown ones. Jack removed his lips from my mouth and started kissing my neck. I felt him gently push me down onto the bed, one hand supporting himself beside my head while the other trailed to my thigh. His teeth bit gently on my collarbone causing me to bite my lip until I tasted blood. Jack sucked on the dip at the base of my throat. I whimpered a little, my hands feeling his shoulder blades shift about as he moved. He whispered my name into the sensitive skin of my neck, and my hands ran down his back until they reached his pants. My thumbs hooked themselves onto the edge.

Suddenly Jack stopped kissing my neck and turned his eyes towards me. He looked wary. I also took the time to notice his hand was gripping the edge of my pyjama top, his skin brushing my tummy. 'I—' Jack sat up and hurriedly let go of my top. The fabric was wrinkly from his fist. 'Jack?' I sat up too, putting a hand on his shoulder. Both his hands were clasped onto the covers so tight his knuckles were white. 'I can't do this,' he said, his voice quivering. My face heated up at the thought of my hands on the edge of his pants. I honestly didn't know what I was doing just now. Jack sucked in his lower lip and looked at me. 'I want this, (f/n). I want you. But I can't risk hurting you now.' I bit the inside of my cheek. 'You won't hurt me, Jack.' I said the first thing that naturally came to my mind. Of course he wouldn't hurt me. I trusted him. 'It's not like that, (f/n). Our future isn't even certain. But I want to…make love to you after we're married.' His cheeks were a faint pink as he took a pillow and punched it. 'But it's so hard when you're with me. Like when I'm alone, I can tell myself to behave and not think about you like that. You don't understand how difficult it is to remember that around you.' His face was angry, eyes glaring into the pillow so fiercely I became a bit scared.

'I'm sorry, I didn't know…what I was doing,' I muttered. Everything about him screamed angry and vexed. His muscles tensed up, showing off the finely carved lines on his body. I watched as he tightened and loosened his fists beside him. He seemed to be battling something inside. My heart thumped in my ribcage as I observed him, feeling it break a little when his eyes met mine again. He was afraid. After what seemed to be ages, his body went limp and he leaned against the headboard. 'It's not you,' he croaked. Clearing his throat, he held out an arm to me. I crawled over then stopped in front of him, afraid I might trigger something inside him. I didn't want to be the cause of his pain. Seeing that I wasn't going to move, he reached over and wrapped his arms around me. I felt him inhale deeply with his head on my shoulder. 'Manny told me something, (f/n).' His arms tightened on my midriff. I breathed in and tried to focus instead of thinking about his bare chest against mine. 'What about?' I breathed, stroking his hair and running my fingers through it. His hair never seemed to knot at all. Jack took in a shaky breath.

'Pitch knows about me being human. He's out to get us.' Jack spoke the words with so much pain in his voice I was going to cry again. Blinking my eyes hard, I forced back the dumb tears and leaned my head on Jack's so he wouldn't see them. 'We'll figure something out.' Jack's head snapped up. 'But how? (f/n), I'm scared. Really scared, okay? I didn't give a damn about Pitch and his nightmares before, but that was way before I met you. Now I can't sleep well at all at night because I'm afraid you'll be taken away from me if I lose sight of you for just a second.'

I didn't really have anything to say. Jack sat there, his eyes large and mournful, afraid and careful. 'I don't know what to do.' His voice cracked. Suddenly he was just a sad, good-looking boy with brown hair and eyes that could melt your heart. I'd never imagined the feisty, daredevil Jack Frost in this light. 'He wants to separate us.' I could barely hear what he said. I honestly didn't know what to do. Maybe it was because I didn't fully understand the meaning of his words, or I was too caught up by the way his body leaned towards me making my hands itch to just roam over him. '(f/n), we both know you want me like crazy, but what you're doing is not gonna help the problem at stake here.' My eyes glanced up at Jack who had the faintest smirk on his face. I pursed my lips. 'Well then you'd better put a freaking shirt on since I can't keep my eyes off you.' Jack gave me a small smile and put a hand up to stroke my hair. 'Your wish is my command.' He raised his eyebrows at me. 'Where's your shirt, then?' I took the hand on my head and brought it to my lips. 'I didn't promise I would listen to your command, baby.' I rolled my eyes and punched him in the stomach. 'I really hate you,' I growled. Jack leaned his forehead on mine, our noses touching. 'Really?' he purred, his breath fanning my face. I giggled like a little girl.

Jack smiled and pulled me into a big bear hug. It reminded me of North's minus the bone-crushing and wheezing. I kissed the spot behind Jack's ear. 'I want to be with you forever and ever and ever, Jack.' I said like a child, my head on his shoulder. 'Me too, (f/n),' he whispered tenderly. We stayed like that for I don't know how long, him leaning his head on mine, me safe from the world in his comforting arms.

I didn't want to let go.

Jack

The days after Christmas flew by in a hurry. (f/n) and I went to buy more clothes for me so I didn't have to keep borrowing her dad's. I felt indebted to her for spending so much money on me although she insisted it didn't matter, so I made a note to get a part-time job as soon as everything worked out to pay her back. We spent the daytime hours in the city where I spotted a driving centre and decided to learn how to drive a car once I got the chance. At night, we curled up on (f/n)'s bed either watching TV or talking or making out. I stayed awake long after she fell asleep, listening to her breathing and looking at her face and wishing that things could stay this way. But life is never fair.

'Do you think they'll like me?' We were in her room, me lying upwards with my head over the bedside towards the floor. I stared at the curve of (f/n)'s back as she got her things ready for school the next day. 'Jack, you're literally irresistible and undeniable. At least that's my conclusion from our trips to the mall.' She shoved a notebook into the backpack's front pocket and walked over to me. Kneeling down, she gave me an upside-down kiss. I tasted a faint tint of orange on her lips. 'Not to Cameron.'

(f/n) ran a finger down my cheek as we locked our gazes. 'Cut him some slack, honey. He doesn't really know you yet.' I pursed my lips at the reply. 'Watch out.' I raised my head and smacked my forehead into hers. She yelled an 'ow' then glared at me while rubbing the assaulted spot. Sitting up, I chuckled. 'I warned you. Don't worry about me though, I have a thick skull.' (f/n) gave me a half-smirk. 'I should know. Nothing has ever seemed to get through that head of yours before.' She turned away and cleared the table of books and clutter before going to brush her teeth. I'd done all that right after dinner so I could laze on her large bed, enjoying the coolness of the sheets from the wintry breeze blowing in. I noticed her camera peeking out from a box on her dresser and went to take it out. It was full of buttons and numerals that I didn't understand a bit. I had watched her turn it on and flip through picture often enough to know how, so I did just that. Random pictures flew across the screen. Diablo and Buddy, the ice horses, my back facing the camera as I stood at the window looking out. She must have taken it without me noticing. Then my fingers froze above the ''Next'' button as I stared at the picture before me.

This boy was white haired, with a face just like mine. He was leaning on (f/n)'s bed in a blue hoodie and brown pants. And he was sound asleep. I scowled at the picture.

Suddenly (f/n) appeared at my hands. 'Why are you holding my camera?' she asked as the device slipped out of my hands and into hers. Before she could open her mouth again, I beat her to it.

'(f/n), are you cheating on me?'

Her eyebrows shot up as she gave me an are-you-serious-you-better-not-be-joking-with-me look. 'I wouldn't do that for anything in the universe, Jack.' My heart fluttered a little, but I pointed at her hands. 'Then tell me who that is.' She looked at the sleeping white haired boy. She blushed a faint pink. 'Why, it's you, Jack. When you were the spirit of winter?' I cocked my head to one . 'You're joking, aren't you?' I asked her. A look of bewilderment flashed across her face before something hit my mind. I put a hand to my forehead and closed my eyes. 'Oh, I remember now.' I shook my head and looked at the picture again. 'Yep, that's me. But how come I couldn't remember it a minute ago?' (f/n) stared at me with a worried look before turning the camera off and putting it back into her box. She took my hands in her warm ones. 'Jack, last night I had a dream. Someone kept telling me repeatedly to never forget who I was. But it didn't make any sense then.' She let go of my hands and hugged my waist. I gently held her head against my chest. 'Then when you asked me if I was serious that you were the winter spirit, it all came together. Jack,' at this she cupped my face and stared straight into my eyes. 'You must remember who you really are. I think you being human has made you slowly forget about your true self.'

I brushed her cheek as my mind absorbed all this. 'Manny didn't tell me about the side-effects,' I muttered. A swish of cold air enveloped us all of a sudden. (f/n) cowered into me, her eyes filled with fear. I felt every single hair on my body stand on end. An evil cackle sounded in my ear and Pitch materialised before us, sitting on the windowsill and seeming very at home. 'Of course there aren't any side effects, stupid boy.' I cringed at the name, my eyes glaring at his eerie gold orbs. Pitch got up and sauntered over to us, black sand surrounding him. (f/n) hissed at him and he arched his eyebrows, feigning surprise. 'Don't get all hostile toward me, dear. You don't want what happened last time.' (f/n)'s whole body was stiffas she stood with her back towards me, protecting me. It should have been the other way round, but I was starting to shake really bad. I suddenly felt powerless, literally. Pitch reached over and grabbed my chin, his eyes boring into mine. I stared him down.

'Seems like Frost boy wants to be a mortal, eh?' Pitch jerked my head away and I staggered a few feet back, hitting the study table. (f/n) gasped, her eyes hurt and angry. Pitch scoffed and rolled his eyes. 'What you don't know is, being a human makes it all the easier to work my magic on you.' He cackled as he strolled around the room. I watched him, then burst out a laugh as his foot caught at the edge of (f/n)'s carpet sending him flying forward. (f/n) didn't bother to cover her mouth as she laughed hysterically. Pitch hastened up, brushing himself down and looking more menacing than ever. 'Laugh all you want, fools. See whether you'll be so happy when I get my way with you. I will take away all of what you have, and you will never remember each other as long as you both live.' And with that, he vanished. I saw a small pile of black sand against a corner. '(f/n), get me a broom and a box, now.' She had stopped laughing as Pitch said his last words. Her eyes dazed, she ran out the room and returned with a small box, string and brush. I hurriedly swept the disgusting sand into the box and tied it as secure as possible.

'(f/n), you go sleep first,' I told her. 'I have to wait for Sandy to change the sand so it won't hurt anyone.' (f/n) was biting her lip as she shook her head vigorously. 'How can I sleep when I was just paid a visit by Pitch? I just can't risk having nightmares again, Jack.' She wrapped her arms around me so tightly I thought North must have taught her some of his bone-crushing techniques. 'I'm scared of what he said, about making us forget each other.' I patted her back while trying to decipher how I felt. The night was suddenly ominous and deadly. I disentangled her from me then went to switch on every other lamp and light in the room. 'Okay. You stay awake with me until Sandy comes, then we go to sleep.' (f/n) rubbed her tired eyes and grumbled something I couldn't hear. She followed me to the windowsill and we sat down, her head on my shoulder. After about ten minutes, Sandy came floating on his golden cloud. I waved my hand vigorously, shouting his name. Our eyes met and he beamed at me while coming towards us. I gave him the box, watching him untie it then look inside. His face turned to pure shock as he put a finger inside, touching the dark sand. (f/n) watched in wonder as it gradually turned gold before floating out to join Sandy's cloud.

'Pitch stopped by just now, Sandy. You have to keep a lookout for him.' I warned the Sandman. He gave me a worried nod then moved his hands about in a peculiar motion. A golden jar was produced, and it was filled to the brim with dreamsand. 'Gosh, Sandy. Thank you so much. This would be great for (f/n).' I shook hands with him before he hastened on his way, sending sweet dreams into the houses nearby. I half-carried an exhausted (f/n) back to the bed, tucking us in before opening the jar. I grabbed a pinch and looked into her eyes. 'You too,' she mumbled, reaching a hand in and pinching the sand in between her fingers. She gripped the jar with her other hand as I screwed it back with my own free one before placing it onto the bedside table. 'Together,' I said. At the count of three, we sprinkled the sand onto each other. It was like taking sleeping pills, but more pleasantly. (f/n)'s eyes closed, and I heard her laugh sweetly in her dream before the sand pulled me under.

Me

I really didn't want to go to school on a morning after an encounter with the Boogeyman, but the first day was when new students had to enrol themselves in for the term. I couldn't trust Jack to know his way around, so I gulped down some Milo and dragged myself to the car.

Jack rode shotgun as I drove us to school. He wore a white, round necked shirt with a red leather jacket and dark blue jeans. He had on the grey sneakers I picked for him. Everything about him made it kind of hard for me to concentrate on the road. Jack ran a hand through his hair, his whole being shouting 'NERVOUS'. I took a hand off the wheel and reached over to squeeze his. 'I'm attending school in a whole new era, (f/n),' I heard him say. 'It'll be fine, Jack. The golden rule is to keep your distance from Lauren, if you want to know.' Jack chuckled. We stopped at a red light and he leaned over to kiss my cheek. 'I'll be fine as long as you're with me,' he whispered in my ear. I smiled happily at him.