Author's Note: Hello, everyone! Sorry about t he late update, I almost forgot to post today! XD I have an alarm set to remind me when to post on FFN, but my watch was charging, so it didn't ring on me. OuO

But I'm here now! Here's the last chapter in the last arc "We Are Family." I hope you guys enjoy it! =D


~ XCI ~

We Are Family, Part Seven

He was gone

The terror was over

The steps toward peace could finally begin

...

Three Months Later

"Do you, Jack Frost, vow to watch over the children? To guard them with your life, their hopes, their wishes, and their dreams…"

It was happening. It was finally happening.

Jack stood as tall and as proud as he could as Tsar Lunar rehearsed the Guardian Oath. The same Oath that the Guaridans had to take when they were inducted into the organization. If one had told Jack that he'd become a Guardian—at seventeen no less—he wouldn't have believed them. But a lot had happened. A lot had changed. Jack was beginning to feel more sure of himself. And he was starting to accept who he was.

It had been a path of ups and downs, but the Guardians had been with him through it all. If only life were as simple as it had been when he was a child, but the world didn't work that way. Jack was a little grateful for all that had happened…if he had never stepped outside of his comfort zone, he never would've found himself. His center. Or finally realize that he had all the family he needed in the Guardians.

Pitch said that he didn't belong anywhere. But he did. He belonged with the Guardians. They accepted him when no one else did. And there was no one who Jack would rather be with than them.

"For they are all that we have, all that we are, and all that we will ever be." Tsar Lunar looked up from Book of Guardians (which had just been recently created), looking at Jack with the last and final "Do you accept?" Jack smiled.

This time, he didn't hesitate.

"I will," he said with more sureness than he had ever felt before.

Tsar Lunar smiled. "Then you, Jack Frost, are now and forevermore a Guardian of Childhood."

The room exploded into cheers, and Jack did his best not to cry. But he could already spot Toothiana crying with happiness as he walked over to the Guardians. His family. They circled him and hugged him tightly.

Jack laughed, not even embarrassed by the sudden embrace in front of the large audience.

Due to their new titles as Guardians, the Guardians of Childhood (Jack now included) would be moving to Lunslruna Capitol to continue their work. Tsar Lunar wanted them closer if something like Pitch happened again. But they would spend the last few months of the year in Santoff Claussen, which they were preparing to head back for.

Jack had retreated to his room after the celebration to finish the last of his packing. He had put away his last change of clothes when North came into the room. He smiled.

"You are already packed?" he asked.

Jack nodded. "I thought I'd get it over and done with." The snow sprite sat on the bed and let out a tired, but blissful sigh. "I think I'm going to sleep tonight."

North chuckled and he sat next to him. "I am proud of you, moy malik. Seriously, I don't even think I can sum up my pride in words."

Jack smiled. "You know I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

"I'm sure you wouldn't found your way here somehow," said North.

Jack hummed. "Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I'm just that great."

North gasped with feigned shock."And now's when you decide to become self-centered. Jack! I just complimented you!"

"I'm sorry, North, but I'm a Guardian now," Jack drawled. "I have to maintain that self-esteem."

"But didn't we help you with that?" North asked.

Jack tapped his chin. "Ehhhh…?"

Suddenly, North tickled Jack's torso, and the snow sprite burst into laughter. "I-I'm j-just kidding, I-I'm kidding!"

But North only smiled, continuing to attack him with tickles. He knew all of his tickle spots. Jack laughed until tears sprung from his eyes.

"D-Dad, stop!" he cried.

North froze and pulled his fingers away. Jack was catching his breath when he realized what he had just said. The snow sprite's eyes widened, and he slowly turned to the ex-Cossack, who stared at him with an odd look in his eyes. Jack had never addressed North as "Dad" before. The snow sprite gulped.

"N-North, I'm sorry," Jack apologized quickly. "I…I didn't mean to, I was just—"

"What are you apologizing for?" North cut off. A soft smile was on the ex-Cossack's face. "I am your father, aren't I?"

Jack stared, and his lips slowly pulled into a smile. "Yes…Yes, you are."

North pulled Jack into a hug, and the snow sprite lovingly returned it. "I love you so much, moy malchik. We all do."

"I know…" Jack buried himself into North's embrace. "And I love you all too."


Author's Note: Dawwww, family fluff always makes my day. XD

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I hope to see you all in the next one!

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203