A/N: For those of you that wanted to see what Loki's prank was…well, you may have to just imagine that in your heads, 'cause I have no idea what it was. Anyways, have a Christmas fic! In April… Yeah…
Since he became a spirit, Christmas had never been Jack's favorite time of year. He didn't get any presents, he didn't have presents to look forward to, and children usually stayed inside with their families. All in all, it just wasn't the best day for him. Besides, most people claimed they wanted a "White Christmas", but they didn't really. Whenever he gave it to them they complained about not being able to get around, flights being canceled and roads being frozen. Sure, there were a few that didn't mind the snow, but only a few, and those few that were grateful didn't outweigh those that weren't by any means. About fifty years before he became a Guardian, he figured out that a lot of the other winter spirits didn't have anyone to spend the holidays with. And even if they didn't particularly like Christmas, or celebrate it, they still wanted to be with others sometime, and why not Christmas? So he organized a little get-together, down in Antarctica. It started on Christmas Eve and generally ran into late Christmas morning.
This year though… This year was different. This year he had other people that wanted to be around him. The Guardians had invited-more of assumed, really-him to the North Pole to celebrate as soon as North was finished with the packages. The Avengers-for some odd reason-had invited them to their celebration. And he knew that Loki would be alone, which was a definite no-no. Sometimes he wished he could clone himself. In the end, he decided to just invite Loki to Antarctica. And probably show up in his apartment to bug him just before leaving. Because really, leaving him alone on a holiday was a bad idea that would just culminate in more issues. The trickster god had other ideas though.
"Why should I go to a pointless party?" Loki argued. Jack sighed.
"I don't know, maybe because it's fun? And you might make some friends?" He suggested. He really didn't deserve this. He was trying to be nice.
"I do not need friends. And I do not wish to engage in the pointless endeavor that is being nice to people." Loki stated.
"Oh, for Pete's sa-C'mon, we're gonna be late. Just do your teleporty thing, or I won't ever leave." Jack said, frustrated at him and the stick that was up his butt. Loki sighed as though he was heavily put upon.
"Fine. But I do this under protest." He said, delicately touching Jack's upper arm, the part that was covered by his hoodie. Then the world swirled and grew much colder. The icy white hills of Antarctica came into view, dotted by the familiar figures of the other spirits. Jack grinned.
"Thanks, Loki. I'm glad you came." He said. Loki sighed again, brushing some snow off his shoulder.
"It is only because I do not wish to be aggravated further." He stated. Jack opened his mouth to respond, but he was cut off by a stiff voice behind them.
"Jack. Loki. Nice to see you again." Khione. This should be fun. Jack turned around, a wide grin splitting his face.
"Hey, Khione! Long time, no see! Loki, remember Khione?" He said. Was it his imagination or did the Ice Queen herself look a little eager? Meanwhile, Loki just looked annoyed.
"Of course I remember her. I am intelligent." He said.
"Ah, Jack Frost. Are you well?" The dignified, older Native American was the next to approach the pair. Jack gave a little wave.
"Peboan! I'm great, glad to see you could make it!" He hardly moved from Lake Superior, but he generally managed to come to the gatherings.
The next few minutes were a myriad of greetings and Loki fighting off both Khione and Marzanna, a Slavic winter spirit who seemed to think that because she and Loki were in the same hemisphere culturally, she had a right to him. Khione, of course, took offense to that and it inevitably ended up in a small catfight that wasn't helped by the alcohol that someone snuck into the drinks. Jack suspected the sprites, they always caused trouble. He generally approved of it though.
The next two hours passed quickly, what with breaking up fights and starting the annual competition of who could freeze the most penguins. Peboan won, but Jack swore he cheated. Just as they were about to begin their feast, the Northern Lights appeared in the sky. Jack groaned.
"I swear, if they're just trying to get me there for Christmas…" He threatened, then looked imploringly at Loki, "I don't suppose you can just teleport me there?" Once again, he looked put-upon, but Jack noticed that he grabbed his arm almost eagerly. Probably didn't want to be left there alone. In the next instant, they were standing in North's workshop.
"Thanks." Jack said absentmindedly, already looking around for the Guardians.
"Ah, Jack! Good, you are-why is he here?" Jack tensed a little, then relaxed when he noted that North's voice held only confusion, no anger.
"He's here because I was with him at my party and he can teleport. Which is more convenient then using the winds. Now, did you guys need something?" He asked, maybe a little more harshly than was needed, but he was upset. Especially as there didn't appear to be any sort of crisis happening. He didn't even see the others anywhere. North's face lit up.
"Yes! Come with me!" He boomed, leading the way through the workshop. Jack followed with Loki just behind him, looking somewhat interested in the things around him. Or at least not homicidal, which Jack counted as a step up. Phil the Yeti brought up the rear, regarding the two with suspicion. Loki had tried to help Jack get in a few times, but to no avail. He guessed the only reason they were able to teleport in was because Jack was allowed in now.
North led the odd procession into a cozy room where the other Guardians were sitting and talking. Tooth jumped up as soon as she saw Jack, giving a squeal of delight.
"Jack! It's so good to see you! Oh, who's your friend? We didn't know you had anyone with you!" She babbled. Jack smiled at her.
"Hey Tooth. Bunny. Sandy. This is Loki." He introduced, noting that, just as he expected, there was no sign of an emergency.
"Loki? Isn't he the bloke that tried to level New York?" Bunny asked suspiciously. Jack noted Loki opening his mouth to answer and quickly averted what would be an answer that would keep them there forever.
"Does it really matter? He's been my friend for a while now. Did you guys need something?" He asked. Tooth gave a little squeal.
"Jack, your friend is adorable! And his teeth… They're gorgeous!" Jack had to grin at the sight of Tooth pushing and pulling at Loki's face, a disgruntled look on the latter's face.
"Heh. Tooth, be careful. He might bite." Jack cautioned. Loki fixed him in a glare.
"I do not bite." He said in a tone that suggested such a thing was beneath him. Of course, the effect was somewhat ruined by the muffled quality, but the message got across. Jack just rolled his eyes.
"Right. I forgot, you're much too proper for that." He said.
"Anyways, we did have reason for summoning you." North boomed, motioning to some elves. They approached Jack, carrying a wrapped box above their heads. Jack felt strangely touched as he looked down at it.
"You guys…got me a present?" He asked, taking it and just holding it.
"Of course we did! It's Christmas! Now open!" North was clearly excited, and Sandy was making rapid-fire pictures to the same effect. Even Bunny was looking somewhat happy. Tooth was still preoccupied with Loki's mouth. Jack stared at the shiny present a moment longer before ripping it open. Inside was a belt, delicately crafted from silver that was flexible enough to wrap around his waist. Jack lifted it and frost crept across the surface, making pretty patterns. He grinned and quickly threaded it through his belt loops.
"Thanks guys. It's gorgeous." He said. North beamed.
"Am glad you like. We all helped make it." He said. Jack grinned at them.
"Thanks. I love it." Then he realized something, "wait, I didn't get you guys anything!" He exclaimed. North shrugged.
"Is okay, we weren't expecting it." He said.
"Next year though, we will expect it, mate." Bunny piped up. Jack rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind, kangaroo." He retorted.
"As heartwarming as this is, I'm sure they've started eating by now and I'm rather hungry." Loki interrupted. Jack sighed.
"All right, Mr. Grumpy. We can go now." He said, grabbing Loki's arm. He noted the slight flinch and reminded himself to ask about it later. He gave a cheery smile and wave to the Guardians.
"Merry Christmas!" He called before disappearing.
"Think we should tell him the belt allows us to track him?" Bunny asked, helping himself to another cookie. North shook his head.
"No need to worry the boy."