Unlike what anyone had expected Jack Frost was (at least not when he could help it) never late to a meeting. Soon after the battle with Pitch the Guardians had taken to meeting regularly. The guise was to keep each other updated and to help their newest member adjust. But really it was an excuse to spend time with each other, especially with Jack. They usually met at the Pole so North was always there. Sometimes the others would arrive early or late, Bunny sometimes lost track of the time while painting, Tooth would get occupied with work and occasionally Sandy would oversleep, but Jack was always on time. Almost down to the second.
It surprised Bunny the most. He would have guessed that the little bugger would be preoccupied with causing snowball fights and slicking sidewalks or anything else Jack might get wrapped up in.
North noticed this too. The moment the clock ticked to the designated time, a window would open and a cold breeze would sweep in and deposit a smiling Jack Frost. Who would always be eager to ask him how his day was.
Sandy was the most observant out of all the Guardians. Not having much to verbally say made him a great listener. However, Sandy didn't just listen to what people's words were saying, he listened to what their actions and facial expressions were saying as well. Some things were obvious, like how when Jack was sad he would put his hood up or when Tooth was flustered her feathers would ruffle. Other things were more subtle. Like the eagerness and insecurity that lingered in Jack's eyes. Sandy was sure that the others saw it at times, but to Sandy it never seemed to fade.
At one meeting Sandy had arrived early and found Jack Frost sitting on the roof staring up at the sky. He waved at Jack but wasn't noticed, so he slipped closer and tapped Jack on the shoulder. Which caused Jack to nearly jump out of his skin.
"Oh! Sandy! I'm sorry! I didn't hear you. What's up?"
Sandy created images over his head and gestured for Jack to follow him inside. Worry and the ever present insecurity flashed over his face and he put a hand in his hoodie pocket and slung his staff over his shoulder in an attempt to seem casual.
"The meeting doesn't start for a few more minutes. I'll be there when it starts. I try not to bother anyone until then."
A little while later Sandy put all the pieces together. Jack never arrived early because he didn't want to bother anyone. It seemed as though Jack considered himself to be an annoyance, but even so, he couldn't wait to spend time with the Guardians. To have someone to interact with. So he never arrived late either. So about two hours before the next meeting Sandy had sought out Jack and brought him to the Pole early. Jack's first assumption was that he was in trouble and as Sandy pulled Jack to the Pole he apologized repeatedly.
Once at the Pole he dragged Jack into North's office and had North help him convince the nervous teen that he was welcomed at the Pole and by the Guardians.
"Jack, you are Guardian now! More than that you are friend! You will always be welcomed Jack Frost."
When Sandy arrived at the next meeting he found Jack sitting awkwardly by the globe with a cookie in hand. He blushed and offered Sandy a cookie, which he happily accepted giving Jack a pat on the back. After that Jack Frost was more than punctual.
Author's Comment:
If you guys have any suggestions or ideas for the upcoming chapters please let me know. It doesn't have to be a fully formed idea. It could just be a line, a song, or even just a word. The first two chapters were word prompts. The first chapter's word was smile and this chapter's word was punctual.
No guarantees that I will use them but it might spark an idea.