Mean Seasons 16 Adopted
North smiled broadly as Phil led the reindeer doe into the birthing stall. The doe was calm and sure of herself, and everything went as nature intended. Excpt that once the awesome and adorable event happened, there was one problem.
The doe refused to nurse the fawn.
North couldn't understand this dilemma. Yes, the snow white little bundle of fur and legs was scrawny, much smaller than the average future sled pullers, and his color alone was odd and unusual, but there should have been no issues with him being able to nurse. The mother pushed him away when he tried, and even kicked the fawn twice.
The bringer of Wonder was still milling over his problem when Jack arrived to see the new fawns. The winter spirit loved to see the new arrivals, and today he was extra excited because he had been told that one of the birthing does had twins.
After seeing the duo of strong young bucks, the winter spirit ran into North, who was looking very sad and carrying a wrapped up bundle. Fearing the worst, Jack stopped the big man, and tried to get a glimpse of the unfortunate casualty. To his suprize, the little fawn bleeted at him and opened its cloudy blue eyes.
":Awwwwwwe! North he's adorable! Why are you so sad? He's a little small but he's still healthy. I love the color too."
"Mother will not nurse him"
Jack's heart went in his throat. The reality of the situation was known to the Winter King. This particular young buck was too thin and frail to survive without being fed right away. Without the mother to care for him, he would eventually die. North's job in this regard was never easy, and every third fawning season, he always lost a few to this exact same problem.
The Guardian of Fun looked again at the white buck, and put a hand on North's shoulder.
"Wait. Wait North please!"
"What is it Jack? Mother will not nurse! You know what has to be done. Is a mercy."
" What if he didn't have to die? What if...I nursed him?"
The man stopped.
"You want to nurse little reindeer? But Jack, you have winter to spread. Is the middle of season! You don't have time to take care of fawnling."
Jack looked with pleading eyes to his elder and North broke down. Smiling, he handed the bundle to the winter spirit, and said softly
"Very well. Come into workshop. I will get bottle."
The look of joy and greatfulness exploding out of the boy would keep a smile on North's face for months after.
Jack held the bundle, keeping his eyes locked on the clouded orbs that were full of curiosity and wonder, as well as a confusion that was too adorable for words.
"Well, Snowdrift, I guess I'm your Daddy now. Kinda cool huh?"
He got his answer in the form of a wet lick, that made him laugh joyously. He was almost sad when North came and ushered him into the workshop, giving him a bottle of warm milk.
"No worries." The man said gently at Jack's sudden panicked look. "Is special bottle that will not let you freeze milk inside."
The winter spirit sat down and began teasing the baby reindeer with the tip of the bottle, to see if he would willingly take the nipple. When Snowdrift greedily attacked the tip, and began sucking contentedly, Jack was lulled into a state of ease and protectiveness, as well as pure delight. The little being in his arms breathed with life, despite having almost met an unfair fate.
"Hungry little fellow aren't you?" he said with a soft chuckle.
Three hours later, North went to check on the two and found them both asleep. The big man couldn't hold back his smile as he gazed on the peaceful scene before him. Jack was on his back with the little reindeer curled up like a mound of snow on his chest, and they both had golden dreams of themselves frolicking in the snow floating above their heads.