* I referenced the book "Magic Below Stairs". I don't own the book "Magic Below Stairs". I also referenced the movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". I don't own the movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". I technically also referenced "The Canterbury Tales". I don't own "The Canterbury Tales".
Requested by: Dominosowner
Jealous
"Hurry, hurry!" A nasally voice rang through the streets. "Come one, come all!" The owner of the voice stood in the park, jester's hat jangling with every proud nod. The bell certainly got the attention of the local kids. Some were steered away from the stranger by their parents, but the rest of the children quickly gathered around the statue.
"Bonjour," The man grinned at his audience. "Step right up, kiddies, and see the show of a lifetime!" The guy rubbed his fingerless gloves together. When he opened his palms, plumes of glittered confetti sprang over the miniscule crowd, causing the children to laugh wondrously. "Plenty more where that came from, children," he chuckled, exposing yellow teeth, but an energetic smile.
Aside from the red hat and striped gloves, the man wore a green and yellow-checkered suit with a red, moth-eaten cravat sticking out and over the collar. He appeared to be just stepping into his adult years and had a stature very much that of a beanpole. Every now and then, for the first few seconds, he would angle his pointed nose to get a whiff of the white rose hooked into a frayed hole on the chest of his suit.
"Ooh," a little girl marveled and tried to reach for the flower.
"Well, hey there, blondie," the man greeted, kneeling to the girl's level. "Want to have a look?" He tapped the flower with a long nail.
Barely able to contain the excitement, the girl held out her hands. The man's smirk widened as he pulled the flower forward. He gave a short yank on the stem and a trickle of water from the center of the rose squirted over the toddler's face. Gasps were heard and a few adults were about to intervene until the park filled with the little girl's bubbly laughter.
"What can I say, blondie?" The man patted her head and shrugged a shoulder. "You looked like you could use a drink of water."
"Her name's Sophie," a little boy spoke up behind the girl.
"Oui, and I," The man took off his hat and flourished down into a dramatic bow. "am Filou Avril. But you may call me the April Fool! Happy spring, uh…"
"Jamie," the young boy finished with a suspicious smile. "Are you really the April Fool?" The other kids looked and murmured at each other.
"Why," the man gripped his heart as if wounded. "I should certainly hope so." An endless strip of multicolored ribbon sprang from the cuff of his right sleeve and looped around once, dangling in front of him.
"Yay, swing!" One of Sophie's friends cheered and ran to sit in the loop of the ribbon. The other children laughed and begged the magician to do more.
While the mysterious man showed the kids various card tricks, and classically pulled a rabbit from a hat, a winter spirit paced nearby in the cool shade on top of a tree branch. He, too, was enjoying the show. At some point, the April Fool would glance up in Jack's direction rather uneasily. Odd at first, but Jack did notice that a police car was sitting just behind him. Although, the police hardly paid mind to the stranger.
"Wow," Jack smiled at his best friend's voice as the magician snapped his fingers. A flame sparked to life and rested in the air between his thumb and index finger.
"Now," The April Fool cleared his throat. "I need a volunteer."
"No way," Claude complained when Cupcake raised her hand. "You had your turn."
"And you went a minute ago," Caleb reminded him. "It's Monty's turn."
"Uh," the bespectacled kid looked nervously at the fire. "No thanks."
"How about you?" The April Fool pointed to Jamie, and Jack shifted at the feeling of Jamie's unease. "Come, boy," the magician encouraged, presenting his wrinkleless hand. "The flame won't bite."
"If you burn him," Jack warned, but slight humor tugged at his lips. "You and I are going to have problems." Of course, the April Fool couldn't hear his words.
Jamie inhaled and held out his palms. With a flick of the wrist, the flame sprang, wheeled through the warm, spring air and landed gracefully in the center of the boy's hand. Jamie gasped and grinned. The fire didn't burn, in fact, it felt rather cold.
The April Fool brushed imaginary dust from his hands. "And, now, for my last-"
"That's so awesome!" One boy whooped.
"I should've volunteered," Monty grumbled.
"You're so lucky, Jamie," Pippa said.
"It's cool," Caleb said with a challenging edge. "But I bet he couldn't make it snow." The other kid's grinned at the sound of a certain winter spirit's chuckle.
"Hmm," the magician scratched his chin before blowing on his hands. "Can't I?" With a grin equally egotistical as Jack's, the April Fool turned his hands, pointing his fingers to the ground.
Jack's blue eyes widened and his jaw hung open. Delicate, crystal-white puffs poured and spread from his fingertips. A light breeze carried the snowflakes over the children, laughter ringing as the snow collected on their skin and clothes.
"Wow." Jack's astonished reverie broke at the sound of that innocent voice.
Jamie laughed again, using a free hand to catch some snowflakes. Jack scrunched his nose, grabbed his staff and jumped out of the tree. Instead of falling to the ground, the wind caught him and whisked him all the way to the statue, and he perched against it.
An invisible spark panged his insides when he stood behind the performing stranger. None of the kids even gave Jack a second glance, except for Jamie. The boy instantly looked up and Jack thought his friend was going to comment on the snow. Instead, Jamie held up the flame in his other hand and grinned. Jack chuckled and smiled warmly, giving a half-hearted thumbs-up.
The April Fool raised his eyebrows and looked behind him. "What are you staring at, boy?" He asked.
"Jack Frost," Jamie said without hesitation.
The April Fool shook his head. "What an imagination." Jamie quickly jerked back as the man reached to ruffle the child's hair.
Jack narrowed his eyes and the chord inside him twitched.
"As I was saying," the magician waved his hand and the snow disappeared. "For my final trick," he paused with a smirk as some kids moaned in disappointment. He turned to Jamie. "I need you to do one thing for me."
Jamie's gaze kept shifting back to the winter spirit. The child felt Jack's growing anger and impatience, but couldn't figure out the reason. "Maybe," Jamie started and tried to offer his friend the flame. "Monty should do it."
"Nonsense," the April Fool exclaimed, waggling a brow. "Why? Is Jack Frost jealous?"
Jamie frowned at his mockery and he didn't need to look up, for he already felt the flare of irritation that rolled off Jack. The child didn't understand. Why were most adults so close-minded? Why couldn't they ever see things like Jack Frost and the Guardians; what happened to their belief?
"Now," the April Fool abruptly turned Jamie's palms so they were facing the sky. "All I need you to do," he smiled softly at the boy. "is keep your hands still." He turned back to the rest of the children. "Is everyone ready, or must I wait a moment?" The anxious shouts of the anticipating crowd resounded, giving him the answer.
The April Fool looked up at the blue sky, then back down at Jamie, and gave him a wink. The man suddenly flicked the backs of Jamie's hands and the miniscule fire skyrocketed. As the flame shot into the atmosphere, oxygen caused it to double in size, to triple, quadruple, until finally…
Kaboom! The ball of fire burst with a crackle, bright, festive sparks covering the sky.
The kids, as well as some adults, cheered and laughed at the finale. Everyone clapped and the one and only April Fool bowed.
"Sure," Jack scoffed floating to the ground. "Anybody could've done that. It's called 'fireworks'." Jamie looked at Jack and chuckled at his comment. The winter spirit brightened at this and began twirling his staff like a baton.
When the energy died down, the kids started to leave for home or go off to another part of the park to play and talk about the amazing stranger. However, Jamie stayed and watched as the magician started packing up his gear.
"Ready to go," Jamie shook his head and turned at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Where?" Jamie smiled.
"Mm," Jack mused. "Well, I do want to atleast start exposing you to magic. How about," his grinned widened. "we have lesson one in the Warren."
"You're going to get an earful from Bunny," Jamie chuckled.
"I didn't hear a 'no'." With that, Jack grabbed under the kid's arms, ready to fly off.
"Hey, kid," a nasally voice stopped the duo. Jack's stare turned icy as Jamie spun to look at the magician. The April Fool twitched a bony finger. "Come here for a moment."
Jamie huffed, and Jack just narrowly missed snatching the boy as he started walking cautiously to the man. Groaning, Jack flew swiftly until he was floating right next to Jamie.
"What's up, April Fool," the child asked suspiciously as Jack landed and leaned on his staff. Jamie didn't even bat an eye when Jack placed his staff directly in front of the kid, a protective gesture that Jamie had gotten used to.
The man paused and smirked at the boy. "Please," he asked, putting the last of his stuff away. "Call me Filou, or Fil. Whichever you prefer."
"Fil?" Jack scoffed, jokingly.
"Enjoyed the show, today?"
Jamie paused and thought before grinning a little. "Definitely."
"The snow was the best part?" The man raised a knowing eyebrow.
Jamie hesitated at the winter spirit's piercing gaze. "It…almost was," he admitted. "But I bet you couldn't make enough for snow days."
The April Fool laughed. "You are correct," he said, making Jack grin haughtily. "My magic has not much purpose and therefore does not have that kind of energy."
Jack laughed as he watched the guy flip his hat over into a gym bag. "Stylish," the spirit joked. "But you're a bit early for the Renaissance Festival."
Filou grinned. "I am aware; the hat is merely part of my act, as are these." He grimaced, yanking pointy shoes from his feet and stuffing them in the bag, completely barefoot now. "But thank you for the reminder." Jack and Jamie's eyes widened and the staff clattered to the ground. Filou looked amusedly between the two boys. "…Yes?"
"Y-you can hear him?" Jamie stuttered.
"Hear him, see him," Filou waved a hand. "Honestly, a barefoot boy with a shepherd's crook is just a tad noticeable." The man fished a chocolate bar from his bag and passed it to Jamie. "A gift, for my favorite volunteer. Eat," he said with a coaxing smile before turning to Jack. "All immortals can see each other."
"Filou Avril," Jack breathed in realization. "Trickster of April."
The man nodded. "Haven't visited Burgess in many years," Filou stood. "As the first of April, I couldn't pick a more fitting occasion."
"Fitting," Jack repeated the word with a scowl.
"You're immortal?" Jamie asked between bites.
"Oui," Filou said with a wistful expression. "I am but a humble magician, nothing special."
"Nothing special," Jamie spluttered. Filou's smirk didn't go unnoticed by Jack. "You snapped your fingers and made fire. Nobody can do that. It was ama-"
"And while we're all very impressed," Jack cut in, stepping in between Jamie and Filou. "I want to know what you're doing here."
"Funny," Filou scratched the cleft in his chin. "I could say the same for you. In fact, I'm waiting for you to melt right now."
"It's not that warm," Jack said, ignoring a bead of sweat tumbling down his neck. "And it is my town."
The April Fool smiled comically, bowed, and said without looking up, "My apologies, your highness." Jack frowned. "And to answer your majesty's question," he straightened up. "I am actually here for the child."
Jack gripped his staff tighter, glancing back at his friend who had ceased munching on the chocolate bar. "What do you want with Jamie?" Jack demanded, nudging the child behind his back when Jamie tried to peer around to get a better look.
"Oh, it's not just Jamie," he shook his head. "It could be any child, really. Every magician needs an assistant, you see, and I'm in the market for one."
Jamie swallowed. "The market?" Jack snapped. "Go to the corner store," he waved his staff in the town's direction. "Maybe they have one in stock."
"One trickster to another, I would've laughed at that if you weren't threatening to freeze me right now. Loosen up a bit," Filou tried to glance behind the winter spirit, but Jamie was concealed rather well.
"I can't imagine what this weather must be doing to you, even if you can control your body temperature," he said, pointing to the discolored circles under Jack's eyes. "Which means you wouldn't be here," he paused like the dramatic performer he was. "unless you bonded with the boy." They heard Jamie groan. "Oh, it's not your fault, child. All bonded kids stick out from the rest."
"If you knew I bonded with Jamie-"
"I didn't know for sure, but thank you for the confirmation. 'Tis a shame, too," Filou appeared saddened. "Such a sweet child. And has a remarkable sense for the supernatural. I think he figured me out right off the bat. A pity. He would be very useful in my performances."
The wind whipped around Filou and Jack, the breeze somehow avoiding a nervous Jamie. "He's a kid," Jack fumed. "Not a prop. And you can't force a kid to bond with you."
"I've found it's quite the contrary, actually. All they need is a little persuading, something to make them fond of you." He smirked at Jamie who was just barely visible behind his Guardian. "By the way, did you like the show, Jamie?" He asked again and the boy blinked in realization.
Jamie, taught by the infamous Jack Frost, was about to retort with sarcasm until he finally caught a glimpse of Filou's green eyes. The man's gaze wasn't cruel nor malicious, but genuine and slightly distant. A smooth talker and a wisecracker, yes, but he had yet to utter a spiteful word.
"Bond with some other kid," Jack growled. "This one's mine."
The magician chuckled. "Awful hard to tell if you're being jealous or possessive. Very well," he said cheerfully, neatly tugging the hems and sleeves of his suit. "I shall scour some other town. However, if the boy becomes too frustrating for you to look after-"
"Then, I'll release my stress by burying you under several miles of snow," Jack donned a smirk and leaned close to the man. "And my snow isn't fake." Filou's playful grin faded into a downright offended scowl. Jack's smile broadened until he felt a small tug on his hoodie.
"Jack," Jamie asked as the winter spirit instantly knelt down. "Can we go, please?"
Jack smiled and ran a hand through the kid's hair to ease the boy's tension. Jack nodded and Jamie climbed onto his back. He turned back to the magician one last time.
"If you're still here by tomorrow-"
"You'll bury me under miles of snow," Filou rolled his eyes. "Heard you the first time. Don't worry, by tomorrow evening I won't even be in the state." Filou extended his hand.
Jack stared at the gesture, grimaced, and took off into the air. Before they even left the ground, Jack thought he heard Jamie say 'good luck'.
"You're real quiet," Jack commented, tapping Jamie's shoulder with his staff.
"Huh, oh," Jamie muttered looking at the littered ground. "I was just thinking of Fil." Jack was silent. "Filou." Jamie rephrased.
The spirit's blue irises narrowed dangerously. "I won't let him near you."
Jamie shook his head. "He didn't want to hurt me." The two stopped under a street light. Jack picked up the child and set him on a ledge of cement blocks landscaping the perimeter of an apartment building. With Jamie now at eye level, Jack waited.
"I just," Jamie began, rubbing his arm. "I think he's just lonely."
"Lonely," Jack scoffed, leaning forward on his staff.
"If he's immortal," the child continued. "Think of how old he probably is. Think of how long he's gone without friends or family."
Jack's frown slipped and he nodded.
"Even if kids and adults can see him, he doesn't have anybody travelling with him. He probably does have friends, but he can't fly off and visit them whenever he wants to like you can."
Jack nodded again and tilted his head to the side. "You told him good luck?"
"In finding someone to bond with."
Jack flexed his jaw. He stared intently at the nine-year-old, and his eyebrows came together as he felt Jamie's sympathy.
"Want me to go flag him down?" Jack asked.
Jamie blinked. "Sure," he said. "But from the way you threatened him, he probably isn't even in the county anymore."
"True," Jack shrugged. "But I may see him on my way to the mountains; I want to apologize to him." He let out a long whistle that echoed in the night air. "So much trouble all because I'm being an overprotective big brother."
Jamie smiled. "Jack," he rubbed his neck. "I think you were jealous."
"Was not."
"I can feel your emotions, Jack."
The winter spirit groaned. "He impressed you," Jack admitted. "With snow. That's my thing."
"Yeah, he made it snow," Jamie mused. "But he can't make enough for snowball fights."
"So, that's why you bonded with me," Jack smiled mischievously, placing his hands firmly on Jamie's shoulders. "So I can give you snow days?"
Not a second later, Jack locked Jamie in his embrace and tickled his sides. The evening air filled with laughter and playful squeals and when Jack finally released Jamie, the child quickly reeled around and launched himself back into Jack's arms.
"I don't want to be bonded with anybody else," Jamie whispered into the hoodie. Jack nodded, tightening his grip around the little kid.
The winter spirit sighed, perfectly content holding his little brother.
* 'Filou Avril' is french and roughly translates to "Trickster of April". Supposedly the earliest record of anything related to April first, as well as its prankish context, was in The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer. Being that Chaucer's name is french, I thought it was fitting to make the April Fool slightly french, as well.
Anyway, still taking requests. I need inspiration for more light-hearted one-shots, but any kind of request would do. Also, Filou is actually not one of the OC's I mentioned in the previous chapter.