Chapter Text
You sighed lightly as you took off the black apron from around you, relieved that the busy night was coming to a close.
A few late-night goers were straggling around the toasty cafe, chatting quietly amongst themselves, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
In the process of hanging your apron up on the wall, you heard a voice behind you. Turning around, you came to face Taylor. You smiled invitingly.
“Thanks a lot for coming by, (y/n). I know you’re busy with school and stuff, but people tend to flock to places like this during weather like that,” she nodded her head towards the big window on the far wall of the shop and you turned your head to look at the snow coming down rather wildly. It was just light flurrying a few hours ago, and you were way too busy with preparing drinks, packing small snacks, and cashing people out to notice the change of weather outside.
You smiled and shook your head in dismissal, placing your hands in your back pockets. “It was nothing, really. I need the extra money anyways. I wanted to head out of town to visit my parents soon.”
Taylor nodded in understanding and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms, sighing dreamily and replying,”I remember when I started college and had to move away. Only a few miles, actually, but it was better for all of us. I know as a young adult, you want to become independent as much as you can, so I know how you feel,” she said. Before continuing, a small laugh was let out. “My mom was the over-protective one, so it was hard for her to see her little baby bird finally flying on her own.” You joined in on laughing with her, a funny image crossing your mind at the comparison.
As the laughter died down, a gentle but serious look crossed her mind as she looked at you. “But remember, (y/n), just because you’ve left the nest, does not mean you can’t get a little help.” With an almost scrutinizing look marring her pretty features, you replied with a sheepish smile, nodding in understanding.
When you got accepted into the college of your choice, you were beyond ecstatic. Since you were a child, becoming a (career) was a big dream of yours. You would always play pretend around the house and tell your parents on how excited you were to reach your goal, proud smiles on both their faces at the thought of their child so ambitious at such a young age.
That’s how you were. You were a hard-worker, and you were not afraid to show it. But as Taylor pointed out; with being the inspired individual you were, came a random stubborn streak of refusing to let people help you out. And with that being said, you failed to realize that over time, that lack of help lead you to being the workaholic you were today.
Visiting your parents was a thing that didn’t happen too often, but you never lost sight of their love towards you. You called, they called. All of you kept in constant communication. But when you saw them in person, that’s the moment you realized just how much you missed them. A voice or FaceTime call was not always enough, and you appreciated every moment you had with them, even if that meant for short periods of time.
You also appreciated those who you’ve met here. You had a few friends here and there that you met on campus and even regular customers that came in so often, you knew what to prepare moments before that bell even dinged as a sign they entered the cafe. They would sit down and greet you by name; you doing the same thing. You’ve even sat down with a few of them on occasion when the shop was at a quiet buzz, a light murmur spreading across the room, and everyone satisfied and cozy.
And Taylor. Especially Taylor. She was like a big sister to you at this point, and the advice she gave you —like right now— has helped with the burden of being a full-time student and carrying a job along the way. Even though she was still quite young herself, her emerald eyes shone with a special tint of wisdom and protectiveness as she spoke to you. When you accomplished something, she was one of the first people you went to announce the news to (other than your parents). The corner of her eyes would crinkle in delight, and given the bubbly personality she had, would jump up and down and hug you, causing straight blonde hair to bounce along with her.
You and her continued to chat quietly in a corner, the last few customers starting to pack up their things and zip up their jackets, bracing themselves for the practical blizzard that was currently taking place outside. Both of your heads turned to the doorbell going off as they left, all of you waving and saying your goodbye’s, you and Taylor thanking them for coming by, and the customers thanking you for yet another good service.
Sighing, Taylor’s small form stood up straight and placed her hands on her hips, turning her head to the window, examining the storm. “You want a ride, (y/n)? It’s crazy out there.”
You were about to immediately say no, but stopped suddenly when you remembered the piece of advice the female had given you earlier. Taylor was very nice, yes, but when it came to not following her sisterly advice, she could become quite nagging. “Sure, thanks,” you smiled and grabbed your (f/c) jacket from the back.
Taylor nodded and continued, turning off the machines behind the counters. “I guess old man winter is in town,” she joked, grabbing her own things, the jingling of her car keys reaching your ears.
A laugh escaped your lips and you nodded, slinging your backpack around you, and letting her through the door first. “I guess so. He seems a little pissed off to me,” she laughed in response until the both of you covered your faces as you left the shop, bracing yourself against the harsh winter wind.
____
Not so far away, a constant tapping could be heard, caused by rocks being thrown harshly against a tree bark. Grunts and growls were also accompanying the sounds too, a pale hand grabbing another rock and throwing it again, the aim perfect. All of this could be lead to a certain young man that looked to be in his late teens. He threw another rock at the tree bark, finally huffing and picking up the staff that was lying on the forest floor next to him. He breathed heavily, his eyebrows scrunched forward in a negative manner.
To put it simply, Jack Frost was pissed.
The young looking man kicked a rock and stuffed a hand in his hoodie pocket, looking at the ground with a pout that could rival a child’s that didn’t get the toy they wanted for Christmas. The male muttered under his breath and continued to walk, his bare feet having no problem stepping on the snow covered earth below them. “Stupid kangaroo has no sense of humour,” he said to himself. With a mocking tone and an overly exaggerated Australian accent, he announced, “Oh, crickey, ya damn frostbite!” Cue the crossing of the eyes and durpy voice. “Why ya gotta go and freeze all my eggs?!”
The boy sighed, thinking back to the totally innocent joke he pulled on the over-grown bunny that he came to learn had no funny bone in him whatsoever over the years of knowing each other . Besides, the eggs looked way better with all his beautiful frost designs on them! Aster’s were so... plain. But no, the rabbit just had to act like the drama queen he was and go tattle tale on him to North!
And as per usual, North tried to calm the situation down with his usual, “Now, now, my friends! We are too busy bringing joy to children all over world to argue!” His eyes crinkled in delight and a smile was stretched across his face, but Jack and Aster both knew that smile was all too joyous to be real.
Santa Claus was not playing around.
So as quick as ever, the two bickering guardians shut their mouths and resorted to a glaring contest from across the workshop, the poor Tooth Fairy and Sandman awkwardly standing there in the middle, their eyes shifting between the three other guardians, the tension rising with every passing second. An elf not so far away took advantage of this situation and swiped a cookie from North’s desk, scurrying off to escape his boss’ wrath.
Now one might be thinking that Jack’s reason to be throwing a temper tantrum for this reason alone is ridiculous, but that’s not all. The visit to the North Pole presented itself as a multitude of issues quickly stacking up to finally set the winter spirit off.
Much to the pair’s relief, North opened his mouth again. “Now you all may be wondering why I called you here,” he said steadily. The other figures in the room turned their heads to look at him, the tension in the room going from playful banter to a much more serious atmosphere. The bearded man continued, his thick Russian accent clear throughout the room. One name and worry crossed all their expressions. “Pitch.” After the name was said, not so far away, the stealing elf gasped and bumped into a pile of boxes, sending them crashing down below.
The scene was ignored by all, the four spirits much too surprised to notice, but North did roll his eyes.
Aster was the first to speak. “That bugger is back?! North, is this some kind of sick joke?” The giant bunny fumed as he squinted his eyes suspiciously.
Tooth, Sandy and Jack looked towards him, all understanding why he was mad. They felt the same frustration as well. Before they had defeated the Nightmare King a few years back and Pitch served a threat towards the kids that gave them their powers to spread joy and magic across the globe, the idea of all that being taken away due to just a selfish deed did it’s duty of terrifying them. Each and every one of them knew that none of them were invincible, and there was always a chance that Pitch could come back. None of them ever brought the topic back up or even hinted at it; not only because it was not necessary, but it was almost taboo. The thought of the Boogeyman threatening their believers and all that they worked hard for was a thought that existed not only out of fear, but because it could be reality as well. With all that taken into consideration and the fear that surrounded the circumstances that would take place, they knew they had nothing to worry about at the same time. Believers like Jamie Bennett and his friends gave the guardians hope and power, and as long as they had that, they knew Pitch stood no chance.
A nostalgic look crossed Jack’s face as he thought about his first believer. He would never forget the spark of happiness and realization in those big brown eyes as the 10-year-old looked at the winter spirit for the first time, his world becoming much more brighter when his beliefs were confirmed before everything around him could convince him otherwise.
The newest guardian held Jamie close to his heart. Jack didn’t like playing favourites, but he didn’t like lying to himself either. The kid definitely took the top.
After all they went through with the child, the spirit wasn’t ignorant. As much as Jack believed in Jamie, he wasn’t so sure that Jamie would always believe in him. Just like there would always be a chance of Pitch coming back—or God forbid, a different threat—there was always a chance that Jamie would stop believing. The great battle with Pitch took place four years ago, and that was more than enough time for Jack to realize that the brunet male was not getting any younger. Jamie had just started high school, already ranted to the winter spirit about girls, couldn’t come out to join him in the snow because of homework and was approaching the age that forced him to start thinking about his future. And that scared Jack.
He couldn’t help it. As much as he believed Jamie every time he reminded the guardian he would never stop believing no matter what, that sickly thought always sat in the back of his mind. The number of his believers were quickly growing and he was more thankful for that than any words or snowdays could express, but if a believer as significant as Jamie can forget, why wouldn’t they?
Jack shook his head. Even when Pitch wasn’t any where around him, the dark thoughts still clouded his mind. That’s how the Nightmare King worked, after all. Pitch did not use any materialistic things to scare you. He used your own thoughts against you. He forced his victims to pull out their conscious and even subconscious anxieties and twist them in a way where you thought they were becoming a reality. Pitch didn’t really do anything once he made that fear known to you. He served it to you and got a sick pleasure out of seeing his victims scare themselves.
As much as the guardians appreciated their believers helping them defeat this monster in the past, they weren’t letting them get in harm’s way ever again. Whatever Pitch was up to, they would stop him way before he could even make a move.
North shook his head, his wrinkles outlining the look of disappointment on his face. “Sadly, no. No joke.” He stood in front of the giant globe, a vast array of lights covering it, shining proudly for them to see, indicating that their believers were located all over the world they protected.
Aster’s furry face relaxed into a look of worrisome shock, but was soon fixed as the man continued, “Pitch isn’t a problem,” Relieved sighs were heard all over.
The winter spirit stepped forward, his hand wrapped securely around the wooden staff but running the other through his white hair in confusion. “Wait, wait,” the boy started. “Is Pitch back or not? What’s this all about?” He pointed towards the globe and looked back at the giant man. “There doesn’t seem to be a problem, North.” Sandy nodded in agreement and waited for North to continue.
”I went back to pond where we defeated Pitch. The hole he got dragged into by his nightmares is now broken out of,” He said. North crossed his arms, his grey eyebrows furrowed. “That means Pitch has escaped.”
Tooth covered her mouth with her hands, wings fluttering quickly behind her. “But how can that happen? He was completely powerless!” she exclaimed, her soft voice laced with fear and confusion.
“That is what I want to find out. We have to stop this threat and find Pitch before he causes any damage again,” North informed them. They nodded in understanding. “We have a lot to do. But for now, I will keep eye on globe,” he said, his blue eyes looking towards the tiny lights. “Pitch is up to no good. I feel it,” His huge hands rested on his stomach. “In my belly.”
The guardians nodded towards him, an undeniably uncomfortable atmosphere surrounding them.
Jack left soon after that, wanting to clear his mind and think about the situation alone. So, as a result, he found himself in (city name), in a forest, throwing a fit and talking to himself like a crazy person.
He groaned and had the wind take him up. Flying always made him feel better.
His blue eyes surveyed the area, noticing the snow he brought down on the poor city. He always lost track of his abilities when he was in a sour mood, and thus, was surprised to find a blizzard covering the area in no time at all.
With guilt taking over and a sigh, he controlled the winds and cleared the clouds, the storm dying down and transforming into a light snowfall in it’s place. Jack smiled and continued on his way, knowing that the kids would come out soon to enjoy the piles of snow that covered the ground and a snow day tomorrow as well. Just picturing that made his mood better.
He thought a bit, and a mischievous smile took over his pale face. You know what would make him feel even better? A good prank.
Jack looked around, his white bangs moving in front of his eyes as he looked for his next victim. Racing forward and the wind whipping his hair back, he suddenly stopped and jerked forward and grinned.
Aha! He thought as he spotted a (gender) with (h/c) hair currently on their doorstep.
The winter spirit smirked as he saw them curse under their breath, struggling to unlock their door.
Let’s have a little fun, shall we?