They continued to talk for hours.
Highland wanted to know every detail of Jack's life since he'd turned into Jack Frost, and Jack was happy to oblige.
After Jack had told all he could, the two friends fell silent. Then Highland brought up the question he'd been dwelling on since he saw Jack again.
"You saved me," Highland said softly. "Last year, when I got stuck in that cave. I saw you before I blacked out."
Jack looked at him. "Well, I couldn't leave you there to freeze, could I?" he smiled, but there was something tight in his expression.
"Do you know how I got trapped in there in the first place? How did you know I was there?" He said. "I mean, that snowstorm came on so fast…" he trailed off, a look of realization dawning on his face. "Wait a minute, a huge snowstorm? That was you, wasn't it?" Highland looked at Jack. Now his face was changing to a mixture of shock and horror. "You trapped me there in the first place! There is no way a storm like that would have been natural."
Jack was looking at him, his face pleading that Highland would not go on, would not come to the conclusion Jack knew he was forming.
Highland's voice rose. "That was your fault! I was stuck in that stupid, freezing cave because of you! It's your fault that this happened!" He stuck out his prosthetic leg, which admittedly Jack had not thought about in a while.
"I didn't do it on purpose! And besides, I saved you from that cave! I tried to fix it!"
"You could have killed me, Jack! I don't freaking care if you rescued me from your own mistake, I still have to live with the consequences!" He pointed at his leg. "I'm going to have to live with this thing for the rest of my life!"
Jack tried to smile. "Well, it looks pretty cool. All steampunk-like. You designed it yourself, didn't you? At least-"
"That doesn't make it any better!" Highland shouted. He had gotten to his feet now and was pointing accusingly at Jack. "I can't believe this! You crippled me, you messed me up! That was under your control!"
"I didn't know how my powers worked back then!" Jack said, getting to his feet as well. His voice was rising in anger at the injustice of Highland's words. "I'm sorry about your leg, okay? But I promise I would never hurt you or anyone else on purpose! You know me better than that!"
Highland scoffed. "I thought I did. I don't know, when you got your stupid powers maybe you changed."
Jack was furious at this. "Highland, you're my best friend! I tried to save you!"
Highland turned his back. "If you want me to be safe, maybe you should just leave."
Jack was outraged. Snow began to fall quick and thick in his temper. He looked up, startled. He had to get his feelings under control.
Highland started to walk away. Jack thought about running after him and making him listen, but a sudden heavy coldness took over him and he turned away.
He just had to calm down. Both of them did. Highland would come around. Jack glanced at him. He had reached the edge of the woods and was walking towards his house. Jack flew to the top of his tree at the edge of the backyard and watched him go home. We both just need some time, he thought.
Still, if this was how Highland was going to act on the first day he saw Jack again, Jack wasn't very optimistic about the future.