This takes place after Anger, Guilt And Fear.
Jack had been waiting in Cupid's floating palace somewhere over Italy for a few days, now. The spirit wasn't home, but that was not unusual. He would be back, eventually. Jack was happy to steer clear of Australia, even if he usually avoided this half of the world during the northern summer. At least it was cooler up here above the clouds. He sat on the edge of a now-frozen fountain and tried hard not to think. It wasn't working.
No matter how much he told himself that this was all going to work out, that things would return to what he had come to accept as normal, his mind could only come up with worst case scenario. He clutched his recently repaired staff for reassurance. He kept seeing himself back on that frozen plain, remaining there alone until his heart grew cold and he no longer cared. Whenever he tried to lie down on an elaborately carved stone bench to sleep, he only dreamt of cold, lonely darkness. He got little sleep. He sighed and rested his forehead on his cupped hands, gripping his hair.
"Jack Frost! It's been so long!"
He barely had time to register the voice that he was being lifted off the fountain's ledge and pulled into a tight, suffocating embrace as a large hand petted his hair. He had to fight an urge to scream in panic and struggle, knowing it would do little good. The winged spirit would only hold him tighter. All he might possible accomplish was to knock free the fluffy white towel wrapped around the man's waist and he did not want that. He stayed very still and waited it out.
Cupid finally pulled away but did not set him back down. The chubby man was no diapered baby; he was almost as big as North. He easily held him up to examine him with a big smile on his round face. Jack always felt like a cat with an over-affectionate owner whenever he visited. It was something he was very unused to and it made him want to run.
"What's wrong, Jack? You're more skittish than usual and that's saying something. I thought things would improve, now that you're all chummy with the Guardians and all."
He lowered his eyes as he was reminded of the reason of his visit, unable to meet Cupid's overly concerned gaze. The spirit merely raised him higher so he could still meet his eyes. Jack frowned and batted his hands aside, flying a short distance back until he was out of reach. He ignored the other's exaggerated wounded expression. He knew better than to take that too seriously, even if the small part of himself that lived in constant fear these days whispered to him that he had managed to hurt the one person who had always cared. He ignored that, too.
"I... I need your help."
The sheer, utter joy that brightened Cupid's face was not something he had expected and it put him on edge. The spirit of love flew to him and picked him up again, rubbing his cheek against Jack's white hair as he squeeze the air out of his lungs. The winter spirit was at a loss.
"I knew this day would come! Who is it? Is it Tooth? I heard she has quite a crush on you. You shouldn't need my help there."
Jack pushed against Cupid's chest until he could breathe again and gave him a disbelieving stare.
"I'm not here about Tooth! She has a crush on my teeth, not me. Will you let me go?"
He did let him go, but the huge smile did not diminish.
"Whoever it is, I will happily lend you one of my arrows to help you," he said, taking an arrow out of his quiver before replacing it hastily when he noticed the lead tip. "Oops, not those arrows. You're a bit young for those arrows."
He pulled out a gold-tipped arrow instead and made a show of shooting Jack's imaginary love interest with it. The winter spirit rubbed his temples. He almost told Cupid that he was here about Bunny, but he stopped himself in time to avoid a catastrophe.
"It's a box of chocolate that I need."
Cupid's face fell and his shoulders slumped. He set the arrow back in its quiver with a sigh.
"Alright, I can do that, too. I am an expert at making chocolates so delicious they will make the heart melt. But I have to wonder why you came to me for this. As overjoyed as I am to see you, I would have expected you to go to your friend the Easter Bunny for something like that."
Jack looked down again, shuffling and playing with his staff.
"He, uh, is kind of angry with me right now. Because I did something stupid. I—I want to apologize."
"Ah, so it's for reconciliation. And here I was hoping there would be a wedding. It's been so long since we had a wedding, Jack."
He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. Jack stared.
"Very well. I'll help. Do you, how to say, want some assistance in making Bunnymund forgive you? I can help him remember how much he cares."
"No! No. I... need to do this on my own."
"As you want. But Jack, what else is there?"
"W-what else? What do you mean?"
"Your heart is full of fear, Jack. You are closing yourself off to love."
Jack licked his lips nervously.
"This whole thing is just making me nervous, alright? I'm just... I'm afraid of losing them, okay?"
"Are you sure it's just that?"
Jack felt anger rise in him. Cupid's questions were putting doubt into his mind and the doubt made him fear. And fear made him angry. He glared at the winged spirit.
"When can I get those chocolates?"
"Come back in a few days. I'll have them specially made."
Jack nodded and turned to fly away. Cupid, surprisingly, did not try to hug him goodbye.
"Good luck, Jack. With everything."
So, are you guys ready for a new arc (that's already kind of started)? Because I am!
