December 8th: Monday

Theme: 22. Jack Frost

Frostbite was a tiny cafe Hiro had discovered the second week on the campus. It was this tiny hole in the wall that was quiet enough for Hiro to grab some food and something to drink and study in between his classes. The owner, Jack Frost was a friendly young man who acted half his age and like his namesake winter was clearly Jack's favorite season.

Jack was one of the friendly faces Hiro had the pleasure of meeting on this new campus. The young man all but grabbed Hiro forced him into a chair, handed him a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake. Oddly touched, Frostbite became Hiro's favorite place to go.

So it wasn't a complete surprise when Monday morning, Hiro found himself hauled into Frostbite. Jack stood in front of him, his hands on his hips and looking quite cross. His blue hoodie was covered in snow, his white hair damp and annoyance reflected in his blue eyes. "You haven't been in since Friday," Jack accused.

"I was studying?" Hiro offered. He cowed in the blue bean bag chair he had been dumped into as Jack glared at him.

"I don't buy it," Jack snapped. "You are my most loyal customer. You come in every day, even on Sundays when no student would be caught on campus. And you don't show up for two days? Not buying it. What's going on? Is it that kid who keeps showing up at your table? I'll throw him out if he's bullying you."

"No!" Hiro blurted out. Because the thought of Tadashi being a bully was downright laughable. He was simply too nice. "I just… said something I didn't want to say. It wasn't anything mean, it was just something I didn't want him to know."

Jack looked at Hiro, his expression relaxing. "Alright," he conceded. He ran a hand through his white hair as a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. "I won't throw him out when he comes by again," Jack said. He kneeled down to Hiro's eye level. "But if he causes you trouble you just tell me, okay?"

"He's bigger than you," Hiro had to point out. Jack was lanky, thin compared to Tadashi's broad shoulders and extra five inches of height.

"Doesn't matter," Jack said, waving dismissively. He handed Hiro a cup of hot chocolate.

Hiro took the cup, smiling. "Thank you, Jack."

"What are friends for?"

Hiro looked up, startled. "Friends?" he blurted before he could stop himself. He always said hello to Jack when he came in, managed to converse with the older man on more than one occasion, got drafted into helping clean Frostbite, and was frequently fed by said older man, but at no point had Hiro considered themselves friends. Who wanted to be friends with Hiro? No one did. Hiro had long stop deluding himself. When had they crossed the line of acquaintances and enter the zone of friendship?

Jack rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated by Hiro's question. He poked Hiro on the forehead. "Yes, friends. Do you think I randomly grab people off the sidewalk and feed them my specialty chocolate cake and hot chocolate?"

Well, that was exactly what Hiro thought. Especially since it kept happening after the first time. Wisely, he chose not to answer.

"Now I'm expecting you to be here tomorrow at your usual time," Jack said. "And I promise I won't throw that kid out as long as he isn't bothering you. You will tell me if he's bothering you right?"

Hiro nodded, eyes ducking to the ground as a bright red flush decorated his face. A friend. It had only taken 18 years and moving across the country for it happen but it did. A friend. Maybe Tadashi would be a friend too, if Hiro gave him a chance. There was always an exception to every rule.

Maybe this Christmas wouldn't be so terrible after all.

Hello Jack, nice to see you sneaking into my stories again. That makes you two for two since your movie has been released. If you don't know him, Jack is from Rise of the Guardians. Jack's got a minor role, he'll show up in a couple more drabbles. :3 Now you see why the cafe is named Frostbite yes? (Bunny's nickname for Jack)