Author's Note: As promised, here's the next chapter for the day! =D I hope you guys enjoy it! ^u^


~ XCIII ~

My Father

"I am your father, aren't I?"

He said on that one night

Jack answered yes

Calling him that

Still

Didn't feel quite right

...

When he was young, Jack thought that he and North were related. He thought for sure that he was his biological father, and he didn't give much thought to a mother since Tooth already filled that role. After discovering his actual background, though, Jack realized there was more to family than just blood. It had taken a while for him to truly accept his place, but things were beginning to become clearer after the final battle with Pitch.

Jack had only called North "Dad" once in his life. But they were father and son, so now Jack was wondering if he should make the permanent switch to calling North "Dad" instead of the former.

It seemed like a silly question, but Jack gave it a lot of thought. During Guardian meetings, he'd probably address him as North for formality, but what about during other occasions? He'd call him North sometimes, and Dad in others. That didn't sound right.

North was his fatherly figure, but he never addressed him as such. North didn't encourage it, and those around him often referred to North as "North" anyway. So Jack's first word had been that instead of "Papa" or "Dadda."

But he had called North "Dad" after his induction ceremony, though on accident. So should he continue to call him that now? Or not? Jack didn't know.

The snow sprite sighed and placed the last of his final stack of books in a box, and looked around his empty bedroom. He had made so many memories in that place, and he still couldn't believe he was leaving it behind. His first friends, his first home for many, many years…But he was a Guardian now, and their official headquarters was in Lusnlruna Capitol. Tsar Lunar wanted them close so he could begin to issue them out on smaller missions around the Capitol (and so that if something like pitch happened again, communication wouldn't take too long to reach each other).

Jack picked up the box and headed downstairs, where North was walking around the almost empty building. The young teen set the box aside and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Savoring the last few moments here," North replied wistfully.

Jack smiled softly. "We still own the place, North. We'll come back and stay every few months, remember?"

"Da, but I will still miss it," said North.

"Yeah…me too," said Jack, looking around. He'd miss running down the stairs and out the door for school each morning. The family dinners he and the Guardians would have in the dining room. Reading in the living room, watching North build in the study. The magic and wonder that surrounded them all within the small village.

But we'll be spreading that wonder and light to the rest of the Tsardom too, thought Jack. They were leaving Santoff Claussen, but they were still taking a little bit with them to share with the rest of Lunsrluna.

The ex-Cossack smiled. "I still remember you taking your first steps across the rug in the living room. Or the time you and Sandy built a fort using the couch and pillows," he looked around as if he were watching the events take place in each room. "And in the dining room, your first word. Oh, this place holds so many memories…"

At the mention of his first word, Jack decided to ask North what he had been wondering. "Um…North? Could I ask you something?"

"Anything," North answered.

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah…it's kind of embarrassing, but, uh…I—I was wondering if you wanted me to address you as Dad." The snow sprite shifted uncomfortably as North look at him. "I mean, well, when I accidentally said that at the Gala, and you said you didn't mind, but I just…I don't know, I just wanted to make sure you're okay with it…"

North softened. "You can call me Dad or North…It doesn't matter," he said. "Either way, I'm still your parental figure. A label doesn't determine everything."

Jack smiled, and North pulled him into a hug. The snow sprite laughed.

"We should get the last of these things loaded into the sleigh," he said. "We're due to leave soon."

North hummed. "Just a few more minutes like this."

"Nooooorth…"

"I'm kidding," North chuckled. "Grab the last of your things and let's place them in the sleigh. Then we'll be off."

Jack nodded, picked up his box, and followed North to the door. He turned around to look the house over one more time. He smiled wistfully.

"Goodbye, house," he whispered.

Then he and North out the door.