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English
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Published:
2022-05-30
Completed:
2023-08-11
Words:
850
Chapters:
2/2
Comments:
22
Kudos:
210
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Jack frosted

Summary:

Jack was drowning, far too deep to save, but what if a hand saved him on time?

Notes:

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Cold.

 

Jack could barely feel his limbs. The water’s icy grip seeped into his bones, numbing every fiber of his being. His thoughts slowed, a haze settling over his mind.

 

Did Emily get away safely?

 

Is Mom looking for him?

 

How long has it been?

 

The cold was unrelenting. It bit into him like sharp teeth, refusing to let go. Even as the moonlight above reflected off the water's surface, bright and unwavering, it offered no comfort.

 

He could feel himself slipping.

 

Closing his eyes now... it's fine... right?

 

 

“Quick, call a doctor!”

 

“B-Big bro! E-Em’s here—hic!”

 

“Someone bring a blanket!”

 

“We were too careless with the water. Thank goodness she told us.”

 

“Dear, shh, it’s okay now.”

 

Voices swirled around him, indistinct and distant. Jack's head lolled, his body heavy and cold.

 

Mom?

 

Was that their grumpy neighbor’s voice, too? What was happening?

 

Even now, the cold clung to him.

 

 

The next thing Jack knew, his little sister had flung herself into his arms, crying into his chest.

 

“Jack!” Emily sobbed, clutching him like he might disappear again.

 

His mother knelt beside them, brushing back his damp hair and letting out a breath of relief. “Thank the heavens.”

 

The village doctor leaned closer, his voice calm but firm. “Fortunately, his breathing seems fine, but he’s very pale. Watch his health closely for the next few days. He swallowed a lot of water and might have trouble moving.”

 

Jack blinked slowly, the doctor’s words muffled, as though coming from underwater. Was he… saved?

 

 

The first few days after the incident felt surreal. Jack could hardly believe he was alive.

 

He needed his staff to walk, leaning on it heavily as his legs trembled with every step. Oddly, the staff seemed repaired, its wood frosted with a fine layer of snow.

 

Emily stayed glued to his side, refusing to leave him for even a moment. Their mother was more lenient than usual, letting him wander the house as long as he stayed warm.

 

But something was... off.

 

Jack realized it when he stepped outside.

 

The snow-covered ground didn’t sting his bare feet. The chill in the air didn’t bother him anymore, despite his thin clothing. His reflection in the icy puddle revealed hair drained of its color, now a stark, snowy white.

 

And then there was the frost. It crept along the wood of his staff, spread over windows when he touched them, and formed tiny snowflakes in his palms without him meaning to.

 

It was terrifying, yet exhilarating.

 

The village children didn’t seem to mind. They were just happy Jack was alive, dragging him out to play in the snow as soon as he could walk properly again.

 

The adults? They shrugged. They were grateful he’d come back. That was enough for them.

 

Jack smiled. He could live with that.

 

Chapter 2: EXTRA CHAPTER

Notes:

Years later with Nicholas and co...

Chapter Text

Aster refused to believe this was their fellow.

 

"Look, I know he got picked and yada, yada, but you can't be serious!" He ranted, arms crossed as he glared at the rest of the Guardians.

 

“Aster, I understand your concerns, but perhaps that’s too harsh?” North’s tone was calm but firm, his massive frame radiating patience.

 

“Yes,” Tooth Fairy chimed in with a flutter of her wings, “Someone with teeth as white as his can hardly be evil.”

 

North nodded sagely, stroking his beard.

 

Aster groaned, dragging his paw down his face. “You two don’t get it. A shiny smile doesn’t mean he’s Guardian material!”

 

Tooth frowned slightly but held her ground, and North gave an indulgent chuckle.

 

 

Later, Jack was playing with the yetis, much to their joy and the general disapproval of an increasingly irritable Aster. The winter spirit darted between them, tossing snowballs and drawing peals of deep, rumbling laughter from the creatures.

 

But in the midst of their antics, Jack paused. He felt a light tapping on his shoulder and turned, curious.

 

It was Sandman, smiling warmly, his hand outstretched in greeting.

 

Jack blinked, then grinned, extending his own hand. But when Sandman went to shake it, his fingers grasped only air. His golden eyebrows furrowed as "???" symbols swirled above his head.

 

Jack winced sheepishly. “Ah, sorry about that. It’s... kind of a thing,” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “See, when I died of old age—well, before I became the Spirit of Winter—I literally turned into this. A ghost. Sort of. Ice powers and all,” he added with a chuckle.

 

Sandman tilted his head, intrigued, his golden trails swirling in patterns of curiosity.

 

“I can be solid, though,” Jack reassured, concentrating. A faint shimmer passed over him, and he became tangible. This time, when he reached out, Sandman’s hand connected firmly with his.

 

Sandman’s face lit up with a smile of wonder, and he gave Jack a firm shake.

 

Behind him, the other Guardians stood stunned. North’s eyes widened, and Tooth Fairy’s wings fluttered nervously. Aster’s jaw practically hit the floor.

 

“What?” Jack asked, confused by their expressions.

 

(From his perch in the sky, the Man in the Moon sighed. If only Jack hadn’t been rescued before completing the ritual...)