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Chapter Text

The gleam of sunlight through ice woke Snow Miser as the sun rose on the western horizon. His silver eyes flickered open, and he winced at the concentrated light. After a moment, the sun shifted enough so that he could see the flare of the sunrise splashing across the sky. He watched the colors with a small smile on his face then his smile faded.

At first he wasn’t sure why he didn’t want to get up, and he reached up to scrub at his tousled hair. Then his eyes landed on the calendar above his bed. Oh, that was why. It was the three-month family reunion again. That meant a whole day with his perfect siblings. He wondered if Father Time would be there before he scoffed. Of course he wouldn’t be, he thought as he glared at the ceiling. Despite his name, he never had enough time for his family. Growing up, there had been a lot of missed opportunities because Father Time could just peer down the passage of time and see what he’d missed. That didn’t heal the gaping hole where his father should have been during Snow’s difficult times. 

There was a surge beneath him, and he groaned. Heat was awake. He really didn’t want to deal with that hothead today. But he couldn’t just ignore his brother. That would be admitting something was wrong, and he couldn’t admit that. Mother dearest wouldn’t like that. 

‘Temper, temper, Snow,’ echoed in his head, heard a hundred thousand times. It was never in front of his siblings, but that didn’t stop the sting. They could all do just as much damage as him if they lost control. Tornadoes, earthquakes, tidal waves, and even volcanic eruptions were fine, but not an ice age. ‘Where’s my happy boy, Snow?’

Snow rolled out of bed and went to take a cold shower. Sometimes he wished for some hot water, but he wouldn’t give Heat the satisfaction. He fondly recalled taking hot showers and baths when he and Heat were growing up. They were actually pleasant memories. There were some. But there was also a lot of fighting, a lot of too-far jokes that turned violent, a lot of never-good-enough when it came to his brother. He wanted what Mrs. Claus had suggested a few years before. He wanted his brother to be his confidant, the one he confided in and who gave the same right to him. 

‘Brothers should be friends,’ he thought bitterly. ‘But Heat and I… we just can’t get along.’

Snow knew Heat didn’t understand him, and the same was true of the reverse. Though they had reached an odd civility around each other, it was still forced to a degree. Mother had been very glad to see they were fighting less. But because of that, Snow was getting more and more frustrated. Used to, their fights had kept the blizzard from stirring in his heart, but now…

The castle shook as Heat launched something at it. Snow sighed, and he stepped out of the cold water and froze the droplets off his body before dressing. He carefully styled his hair and froze it so that it stayed in place. As he plodded out into his bedroom, one of his ice minion servants came in with a fruit smoothie. Snow smiled a little. “Mother sent us baskets again, didn’t she?”

The servant nodded. “Your favorite.”

Snow grinned and picked up the smoothie. “Thanks, Flurry.” He gestured toward his brother’s castle. “What’s old sulfur breath up to?”

Flurry shrugged. “He seems irritated.”

“What’s new?” Snow asked dismissively. 

“More so than usual.”

Snow took in a mouthful of smoothie and closed his eyes, savoring the flavor. He answered after swallowing.  “It’s a reunion day. Of course he’s more irritated than usual.”

“So that’s why you’re lingering?”

Snow grunted, sipping from the cold glass. “Don’t, Flurry.”

Flurry bowed slightly. “Sorry, sir.”

Snow shook his head. It wasn’t Flurry’s place to dig into that part of his sire’s life. Flurry knew it, but he also knew that Snow was not acting like himself. It wasn’t just the family reunion for him. It was something far deeper, and it was beginning to concern all of his servants. They didn’t dare to probe simply because they knew that if he snapped, none of them would be able to handle it. There was only one person in the world who was able to, and Snow just happened to fight with him every single day. They wanted so badly to help Snow, who was usually so kind and fun, but they didn’t dare to breathe a word to anybody about Snow’s struggles and feelings, especially to his twin. 

Snow finished off the smoothie and handed the glass back to Flurry. “Better go make sure fire head doesn’t disrupt the barrier.”

“Have fun at the family reunion,” Flurry said.

Snow sneered before he could stop himself. Then he looked in the mirror and straightened up. “I have to. Mother would be so disappointed otherwise.”

Flurry pressed his lips together but said nothing. His eyes trailed Snow’s tall form as he strode to the front door. He grabbed his scarf and wrapped it around his neck then took a deep, steadying breath before he straightened and pushed open his palace doors. Immediately, he saw Heat steaming along across one of his stone walkways. His poor brother never did like the family reunions. Snow didn’t either, but he had to pretend for Mother’s sake. Sometimes he was jealous of Heat’s freedom in expressing his negative emotions. 

‘Temper, temper, Snow.’

Shaking his mother’s warning out of his thoughts, he skated over along his ice walkway and called out. 

“Chill out, inferno face. It’s just family,” Snow said casually, sticking his hands in his pockets. 

“Oh, that’s easy for you to say,” Heat muttered. “Mother always did like you best.”

Those words hurt far worse than Heat knew. Normally he’d laugh it off, but today Snow stopped skating, his face flushing as he looked down at his feet. It took Heat a moment to notice his brother was no longer following him, but he finally turned to glare at him. He was rather startled by the dark look on Snow’s face as he gazed at nothing. 

Heat frowned. “What’s wrong with you, blizzard brain?” he demanded. 

There was a moment of hesitation, a moment where Snow looked unsure and frightened. Then he snorted. 

“Your sulfur breath, of course,” Snow teased. 

Heat flushed with anger and he stomped his foot. The ground shook and lava erupted out of the chasm between their homes. It splashed up the barrier then settled back down. Snow stared at the lava as it bubbled and boiled, wishing for a moment his own anger was hot instead of cold. He was surprised when a magma ball struck him in the shoulder. 

“Hey!” Snow yelped, turning to glare at Heat. “What did you do that for, Heat?”

“Because, icicle nose, you…”

Heat Miser stopped mid-retort when he realized his brother had called him by his name. That was as far from normal as anything Snow could have done. He peered at his brother, scanning his thin, pale face. Was there a shadow cast across his cheerful brother’s face, or was it actually something more?

“Are you okay?” Heat asked slowly. 

Snow smirked. “Always,” he laughed breezily. “I gotta be, bro.”

Before Heat could reply, there was a call. 

“It’s time, boys. Come on.”

Both of the brothers looked to where the portal was opening. Heat sighed. “Here we go again,” he muttered. 

“Tell me about it,” Snow growled. 

Before Heat could respond, Snow stepped into the portal. Heat stood very still, staring at the place where his brother had stood just moments before, and he wondered if he was imagining things. Then his mother called again. 

“Coming, Heat?”

“Yes, Mother,” Heat said, and he stepped forward. 

As he passed through the silvery sheet, Mother Nature’s personal garden appeared in front of him. The lush fields spread out to the border between the four sections of the island, representing the four seasons. Mother Nature always loved having the reunion in the summer heat, and Heat relaxed and basked in the warmth. Mother Nature stood in front of him, smiling. She reached out to them, and Heat hurried to be greeted before his twin, but Snow didn’t even try to knock him out of the way. Instantly, Heat was filled with worry. Something had to be wrong. 

Mother Nature kissed him and pressed her hands on his cheeks. “Did you like your gift basket?” she asked tenderly. 

“Delicious fruits, as always, Mother,” Heat said, softening a little at her loving gaze. 

“Good.” She turned and reached for Snow. “And you, dear?”

“Fantastic, of course,” Snow said, flipping his scarf. But Heat noticed an unusual lack of energy from his brother, and that shadow was still across his face. The worry grew as he watched Mother Nature kiss Snow, and he saw his brother flinch a little. 

“Now, I’ve got to get the four winds together. We’ll begin in an hour. Enjoy yourselves until then.”

“Yes, Mother dear,” the twins intoned. Mother Nature turned away and Snow relaxed. Heat noticed the stress around his eyes, and then he saw how tired his brother was. Had he not been sleeping? Before Heat could ask, Snow glanced at him then smiled tightly. 

“See you later, magma brain.”

Heat watched him walk off, puzzled and a bit frightened. Was everything okay with Snow? He meandered over to some blackberry bushes and grabbed a few as he considered his brother. Now that he thought about it, he had noticed that Snow was a little more solemn than usual. He’d never actually seen his brother so somber before. Usually he was peppy and annoying, but that question, intoned with a wounded, shaky voice—“What did you do that for, Heat?”—bothered him. 

“Heya, sulfur brains,” North Wind said, sauntering over. He plucked a blackberry out of Heat’s hand and ate it. “Where’s Mr. Icicle?”

“Ah, he went off toward the Winterlands.” Heat glanced that way again. “He’s acting funny.”

“Funny how?” North asked. 

“I don’t know…”

“Angry?” North asked, a sly edge in his voice. 

“Angry? Snow?” Heat scoffed then turned to face the Winterlands as his brows came together. “Maybe,” he muttered. 

“Mm, I’d better go and see what he’s up to.”

Heat watched his younger brother hurry away. He was uneasy about the way North said that. It sounded ominous. North hadn’t forgiven either of them for ratting him out and delivering all the presents on Christmas a few years back. Heat was sorely tempted to just let the two of them talk, but then he recalled Snow’s dark look. 

‘Wait, is Snow angry?’

North had asked that. Heat hadn’t registered how odd that was when he’d said it. Snow was never angry, not in the usual sense of the word. Sure, there was animosity, but the last time Snow had been angry, there had been an ice age. Heat immediately knew there would be trouble. He turned and hurried toward the Winterlands, determined to stop North from whatever mischief he was planning. He hesitated at the barrier between sections of the garden then took a deep breath and stepped through. 

The cold was a shock to Heat’s system, and he shuddered as he adjusted his body temperature to be higher than normal to counteract the cold. He began to make his way into the evergreen forest. He had to admit that the ice glittering from every pine needle was absolutely gorgeous. He wished he didn’t mind the cold so much, but it wasn’t like Snow would ever let him live that wish down. He felt stupid for even thinking like that. His brother very clearly wanted as little to do with him as possible.

“I said leave me alone, North!” 

Snow’s voice cut through the cold, and Heat followed it and stood in the shadows of a rather large pine tree, staring at his two brothers. Now there was no doubt in Heat’s mind that Snow was angry. The temperature had dropped and a shiver raced up Heat’s spine at the painful tingle across his skin.

“Oh, come on, Snow,” North said. “You know I’m just teasing.”

“Not now, blusterball. Go away.”

“Really, just let me help,” North wheedled.

“You know how that turned out last time!” Snow spat.

Heat had never seen Snow look so frightening before. Though he’d been on the receiving end of venomous stares from Snow, never before had he witnessed this expression, an expression of absolute loathing. Usually it was frustration or playful irritation, but this? This was real anger.

“I was only trying to help,” North argued.

“You did what you meant to, airhead! Now go away!”

North snorted and turned to leave then grinned when he saw Heat. “Come to be entertained?”

Snow looked up, and for a moment there was an odd look on his face, then he looked defiant. “What are you doing here, lava sucker?”

“I came to tell North that Mother was looking for him,” Heat lied.

“Really?” North asked. He adjusted his pompous hairstyle then hopped into the air and breezed away. “Later, losers.”

Snow watched him go, his expression blank. Heat sneered. “Mama’s pet,” he spat. “Won’t she be surprised when he gets there “

His twin actually smiled grimly. “He sure is.”

Heat studied his pale brother, and he noticed again the shadow across his face. “Hey, frostbite… I mean, Snow?” the name felt foreign on his tongue.

Snow looked startled by the name and glanced over. “What?”

“Is everything… cool?”

Snow hesitated and actually looked conflicted and frightened again. The hesitation cinched it. Something was definitely wrong. Heat Miser ignored the bitter cold of the Winterlands, and he stared earnestly at his brother.

“Snow?” he prompted.

“It’s… it’s nothing, sulfur breath,” Snow said, but he wouldn’t look at him.

“Snow, I mean it,” Heat said. “Is something wrong?”

“What do you care?” Snow asked, sounding defensive.

“Because I’m your brother,” Heat said. “You can trust me.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say, because Snow sneered and straightened up. “Yeah? I’ve heard all that before. I can’t trust anybody, Heat. You never listen anyway.”

Before Heat could say anything, Mother Nature’s voice called across the garden. “Alright, dears, come on. It’s time to eat.”

Snow wilted and shook his head. “Let’s just get this over with Heat. I want to get back home.”

Heat watched Snow walk to a tree and pluck a shining silver apple that he slipped into his pocket. Then he turned and trudged back toward the center of the Summersland. Heat stood there in the cold and watched him go. He was now officially concerned for his twin. 

While it was true they had trouble getting along, he did love his icy counterpart. He just didn’t understand why he was so touchy-feely all the time. He would poke and prod and touch him quite often, and it was rather unpleasant to have such a violent chill go through him. He imagined it would be the same for Snow, except for too hot instead of too cold. What exactly too hot meant he wasn’t sure. He didn’t even know what hot was because he was Heat itself. But cold? He knew what cold was. It was pain. 

As Heat began to follow his brother, he wondered what cold felt like to Snow. He had no answer. But somehow, he sensed a coldness from his brother that was turning into something bitter. Could Snow feel it? Was he aware? And what did he mean by he couldn’t trust anybody? Most of their siblings had a good relationship with Snow, or at least he’d thought so. Perhaps, he thought as he stared at Snow’s hunched, cowed form, there was a coldness in Snow that wasn’t pleasant. But what could it be?

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Snow awoke feeling heavy and miserable. He squinted at the window where sun was shining directly into the room, and he winced as his head throbbed. He ached all over, and he groaned hoarsely as he turned over in the sheets. Despite the heat that pressed around him, he wasn’t too hot. It was bizarre, but so very comforting.

There was a gentle knock and Cinder opened the door to peek in.

“Did you call, sir?”

“Oh, please don’t shout,” Snow rasped. He covered his face with his pillow.

“So sorry, sir. I didn’t realize you had a cold.”

“Cold?” Snow asked. He removed the pillow and sat up, squinting.

“Yes,” Cinder said. “If Heat gets too cold for too long, he gets a cold. You stood in the cold half for far too long with very little on. It’s not surprising.”

Snow went very still. “Do I always hurt him?” he asked quietly.

“Pardon?” Cinder asked.

“I never knew the cold hurt him,” Snow rasped. He placed his face in his hands. “I can’t do anything right.”

Cinder didn’t know what to say, so he left Snow as the icy monarch began to rock back and forth, chanting softly under his breath. The oldest fire servant went outside and over to the barrier, hesitating before stepping through. He slipped and slid up to the door and knocked firmly. Flurry answered.

“Is something wrong?”

“Can I talk to Heat?” Cinder asked, his teeth chattering.

“Come in,” Flurry said. He led Cinder to a parlor and walked over to the fireplace to light it. Cinder huddled close as Flurry hurried to get Heat. Heat walked out dripping with water.

“Sir?” Cinder asked.

“Snow doesn’t have towels,” Heat said.

“He simply freezes the water,” Flurry said politely. “May I get you some breakfast, sir?”

“Sure.” Heat walked over and peered at the fireplace. “I didn’t know Snow had fireplaces.”

“Being in front of a cozy fire is pleasant for anybody,” Flurry said carefully. “If you’ll excuse me, sir.”

He spun on his heel and headed for the kitchen. Heat peered down at himself. “Hm. Gonna have to ask frostbite how to freeze things.” He considered this then looked up. “What’s wrong, Cinder?” he asked shrewdly.

“I am concerned for your brother, sir,” Cinder said slowly. “He is acting oddly.”

Heat frowned and approached the fire cautiously. The strange sensation of warmth grew and he sighed with pleasure. “I see,” he said softly. “In what way?”

“He has a cold and he’s blaming himself for hurting you.”

Heat’s lips pressed together as Flurry came back in. “Flurry?”

“Yes, sir?” Flurry asked, handing him an ice-cold fruit smoothie.

“Does my brother trust you?”

“That’s a sensitive topic, sir, thus I decline comment,” Flurry said, speaking carefully again.

Cinder looked puzzled, but Heat looked grim. “I was up thinking half the night. I have a very important question for you.”

“I cannot guarantee an answer, sir,” Flurry said.

“At least let me ask,” Heat said. He peered intently at Flurry. “Would you recommend we go to Mother with this? Because Snow’s right about her blaming us somehow. She always does. And I don’t know if my slurry-brained brother can handle being blamed for something he didn’t do right now.”

Flurry stared at him. “I would not recommend going to Mother Nature, sir. In my opinion, it would be one of the most disastrous things you could possibly do.”

“What do you recommend then?” Heat asked.

Flurry went quiet and turned to gaze thoughtfully at the flickering flames. “I would ask that you two try to understand each other better, sir. This is a unique opportunity. I am not sure about your servants, but I and the others can keep the cold weather going steadily, so it shouldn’t affect his job.”

“We can easily control the hot weather,” Cinder said.

“Then that is my educated opinion, sir,” Flurry said.

Heat nodded slowly. “Okay.” He drank down some of the smoothie and looked pleasantly surprised. “Oh! This is nice,” Heat said. “It’s so much nicer cold!”

“Really?” Cinder asked, huddling closer to the fire.

Flurry walked over and piled more wood in so that the blaze brightened.

“Thank you,” Cinder said softly.

“Of course,” Flurry said earnestly. “We had no idea cold hurt you. We never would have continued to touch you if we’d known that.” In the middle of talking, he looked over and met Heat’s eyes for a few seconds before turning back to Cinder. Heat understood that the ‘we’ encompassed his brother, and he finished up breakfast thoughtfully.

“You said he has a cold?” Heat asked.

“Yes. He was still in bed,” Cinder said.

“Leave him to me,” Heat said.

He headed through the barrier to his own home, marveling at the change from cold to hot. The warmth was so nice against his chilled skin. He pushed open the front door, walking straight for the guest bedroom. He reached up to knock when he heard Snow muttering. Leaning close to the cracked door, he peered in to see his brother’s bare back shuddering as he mumbled under his breath and rocked back and forth. Concerned, Heat knocked. Snow jumped, and turned, wincing at the quick movement. He groaned and fell back into bed, placing a hand on his forehead. Heat pushed the door open and gazed sympathetically at his brother.

“Got a cold, eh?”

“Apparently,” Snow rasped, keeping his eyes closed. “I had no idea I was so detrimental to your health, magma breath.”

Never before had Snow sounded so bitter. It was a kind of cold that Heat didn’t find to be pleasant.

“It’s not so bad,” Heat said. “It’s just… surprising when you touch me.”

“Whatever.”

Heat peered at his brother then strode over. “Want to feel better?” he asked.

“Yes,” Snow said miserably.

“Come on, frostbite.”

Snow rolled out of bed and padded after him, not caring that he was only half dressed. He saw several more of the fire servants doing their jobs, and he knew they were watching him curiously. Heat led him to a back room and opened the doors to reveal a magma chamber. Snow hesitated before stepping inside. The heat made his whole body relax, and his headache lessened. He closed his eyes and sighed in relief. He was rather unpleasantly startled when Heat grasped his hand and his chilled flesh burned Snow. He bit back a yelp and let Heat guide him to a magma pool.

“Get in,” he ordered.

Snow couldn’t help but hesitate before he obeyed, stripping down and stepping into the bubbling magma. As he sank down into the most soothing heat he’d ever felt, a groan of pleasure escaped him. All the tension and pain melted away, and he went limp.

“Nice, isn’t it?” Heat asked, sitting down and tugging at his collar.

“You are so lucky, Heat,” Snow murmured. “It’s the best bath I’ve ever had.”

“Yeah,” Heat agreed, grinning. “Soak for about twenty minutes, Snow. You’ll feel a bit better.”

Snow grunted, his eyes closing. Heat hurried out of the magma chamber, feeling a bit dizzy. The world tilted, and he crashed to the floor. He gasped, too stunned to process what had happened. Ash hurried over.

“Are you well, sir?”

“A bit… a bit warm?” Heat gasped, unsure. Ash hesitated, so Heat spoke firmly. “Go get Flurry and Cinder.”

“Yes, sir,” Ash said.

Several minutes later, Flurry came in and peered around before hurrying over to Heat. He brushed his fingers across his forehead.

“You are far too warm, sir,” he said sternly. He turned to Cinder. “Please go and retrieve a bucket of snow and bring it here immediately.”

Cinder obeyed, and Flurry, Ash, and several more servants helped him to sit up. His head spun and he was so uncomfortable. Cinder set the bucket down in front of Flurry, who packed the snow into a tight ball then handed it over.

“Rub this on your skin,” Flurry said. “You need to cool down immediately. You’re far too warm.”

“I’m not used to being warm,” Heat mumbled.

He leaned against the wall and rubbed snow over his skin. He continued until he was down to the last of the snow, which was floating in what was surely cold water. He hesitated before Flurry spoke.

“It would cool you off.”

Heat glanced at him then shrugged, picked up the bucket, and doused himself. The cold water felt so good, and the sensation he now recognized as being too hot lessened. He gasped and shuddered.

“Too much?” Cinder asked sympathetically.

“Not enough, I think,” Heat mused. “I’m still too hot.”

“What’s it like, sir?” Cinder asked curiously.

“What?” Heat asked.

“Well…” Cinder shrugged. “Warmth, I suppose.”

The other fire servants waited expectantly for the answer. Heat didn’t know how to explain what heat felt like. He still wasn’t entirely sure what it was. A hoarse voice spoke softly.

“Heat is like a warm embrace, like being kissed by the sun. It’s life itself, but too much at once is overwhelming.”

They all turned to see Snow standing by the magma chamber, dressed in his pants and looking tired. Heat realized that he had been trying to cool off for about twenty minutes. Flurry hurried over to his sire.

“Is everything alright, sir?” he asked earnestly.

“Who knows anymore?” Snow muttered. He ran his fingers through his hair, startled that it wasn’t frozen, and sighed. “Well, inferno face, when are we going to Mother? Can’t wait to hear what we did wrong this time.”

Heat stared at his distressed brother and his heart clenched. “I was thinking…”

“That’s dangerous,” Snow muttered.

Heat snorted. “Ha ha. I don’t think we should go to Mother. Not yet, at least.”

“And what do you propose we do, hothead?” Snow asked dryly. “This isn’t exactly natural. There’ll be blizzards and heat waves across the whole world. And Mother will come straight to us when we eventually go too far.”

“We could teach each other how to manage,” Heat suggested nervously. “I’m just… haven’t you ever been curious?”

Snow scratched his chin absently, looking wary. “Have you?”

Heat squirmed a little. “Sometimes,” he admitted almost shyly.

“Hm.” Snow smiled a little. “It would be interesting, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” Heat said. “So what do you say?”

Snow licked his lips and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Mother won’t like it,” he said softly.

“Mother’s not here,” Heat pointed out.

Snow hesitated, roving his eyes over his twin. Then he nodded. “Okay then. I don’t think it matters as long as things don’t get too crazy. Mother probably would be glad that I can’t…”

Snow trailed off and his expression tightened as he looked around at all the fire servants and his brother. Flurry stepped forward and quickly diverted the conversation.

“Have you eaten, sir?”

“No,” Snow said.

“You must eat something,” Flurry scolded.

“Bring me my favorite then,” Snow muttered. He rubbed his eyes and slumped.

“You’re sick,” Heat said. He stood, dripping with melted snow, and reached over to wrap his arms around Snow’s shoulders. Snow cringed, but he leaned into the touch despite the shock of pain. “Let’s get you back in bed, popsicle.”

Snow allowed Heat to walk him back to the guest room, where he slipped under the sheets and shivered. Heat sat down as Cinder brought him another bucket of snow, and he began rubbing compacted snowballs across his skin again. It was the most soothing sensation. Snow watched with a small smile.

“Enjoying yourself?” he asked.

Heat blushed, a dark blue flush rising up his cheeks, and he shrugged, embarrassed.

“It’s okay to like snow. I like hot showers,” Snow admitted quietly.

“But you don’t have hot water,” Heat argued. “I checked.”

“I know.”

“Why not?”

Snow looked at him, his cheeks darkening. “I thought you’d laugh at me.”

“But I laugh at you all the time,” Heat said.

“I don’t mind that most of the time,” Snow admitted. “None of the stuff you laugh at really matters to me.”

“And this does?”

Snow shrugged, but he wouldn’t meet his eyes. Heat considered Snow thoughtfully.

“You know something, blizzard brain?”

“What, magma mouth?” Snow asked, a smidge of fear in his eyes.

“You’re not so bad.”

Snow froze and gazed at his brother, who smiled a little and shrugged. For a moment, his heart felt like it would burst, but he quickly fought it back. He couldn’t lose control. He just couldn’t. Swallowing his painful joy, he blinked away tears and looked away again. Heat watched him closely then looked up as Flurry entered with a smoothie.

Snow took it then flinched at the chill. “I… can’t have this,” he said dejectedly.

“Cup it in both hands and think of hot things,” Heat encouraged.

Snow peered at him in bemusement then did as Heat asked. He concentrated on warm stews and cozy fireplaces, and he was startled at a flush that went through him. The smoothie grew warm under his fingers, and Snow looked delighted.

“Hey! Hey, I did it!” he exclaimed. He took a long drink and sighed with satisfaction. “Not as good as when it’s cold, but I’ll take it.”

“Cinder, get more snow,” Heat said.

Cinder took the bucket and obediently went out to fill it with more snow. Snow took another healthy swallow of his smoothie then set it aside. “Okay, flame head, your turn.”

“For what?” Heat asked.

“For a lesson in being cool,” Snow teased.

Cinder brought in more snow, and Snow gestured at the bucket. “Eat some of it, first of all. That’ll cool your core down faster. Cooler core, cooler temperature, less discomfort.”

Heat scooped up some snow and peered at his brother. “Okay. What else, icicle nose?”

Snow grinned. “May I suggest an ice bath?”

“Sounds dubious, but I suppose if you can handle a magma bath, I can handle an ice bath.”

“Flurry?” Snow asked at once.

“Right away, sir,” Flurry replied, and he turned and left.

“Don’t worry. I think you’ll like it,” Snow said.

Heat held up a bite of snow as a toast then popped it into his mouth to let it melt. “If you say so, blizzard brain.”

Snow smiled and drank the rest of his smoothie. It was certainly going to be quite an adventure. And for once, Heat was thinking the exact same thing.

Chapter Text

It took a while for Heat and Snow to balance out from their sudden switch. As promised, their servants immediately took on all the responsibilities of the weather and everything the two brothers controlled. Due to that, Cinder and Flurry were the only ones left to tend to the brothers. Though they hadn’t really known too much about each other before, they found that working together was almost natural. The two of them began to lean on each other as they dealt with two very different elements who were suddenly as far out of their depth as was possible.

Snow slept a lot for the first few days as he recovered from his cold. He found the whole situation disheartening as he realized just how cold could incapacitate his twin. He thought back and suddenly saw all the times in their childhood when Heat had snapped and blasted him with fire or magma in a new light. It hadn’t been that he was being playful in his own gruff way. He had been in actual physical pain from even the smallest of touches. Snow was angry at himself for never having realized the true cause of his brother’s reactions to his touch. 

Heat, on the other hand, was absolutely fascinated by his sudden enjoyment of not just cold but also his own element of heat. He would wander through the snowy half of the island for an hour or more before stepping across the barrier just to feel the pleasure of heat warming his chilled skin. It was glorious for him, and he marveled that his brother had such a different experience of the world. It really put everything into perspective, even the reason that Snow constantly touched him. 

There was something about wandering in the cold that made him yearn for company, for a friendly touch. He had to fight back the urge to touch Snow when he visited to check on him. Every time he came into contact with his brother’s hot skin, Snow would flinch, though he never pulled away. In fact, he leaned into his touch most of the time. Still, Heat resisted because he knew how painful it was. 

When Snow awoke a few days in feeling warm and refreshed instead of achy and tired, he was relieved to finally be through the cold. He got up and took a long, hot shower, lingering just a bit to enjoy the pleasure of his long-denied desire. When he stepped out, he wasn’t quite sure what to do. There were no towels, and he couldn’t freeze the water away like he usually did. He eventually just dressed, figuring he’d be dry fast enough. When he came out into his bedroom, he was startled to see Heat sipping on a smoothie. The glass was sweating, so it must have been cold. A bowl of steaming oatmeal sat on the bedside table, and Snow smiled a bit.

“Hey, hothead,” he said. 

“You look like you’re over your cold,” Heat said. He gestured at the bowl. “I figured you’d like a hot breakfast.”

“Mm, I wouldn’t mind,” Snow said. “Mother sends you oats?”

“She doesn’t send you oats?” Heat looked surprised. 

“Ah, no,” Snow said. “Oatmeal’s not exactly good cold, so…” He ran his bare fingers through his damp hair. 

Heat stared. He had never seen his brother disheveled before. He always styled his hair and froze it in place, but now it was thawed and messy. The white had a tinge of orange to it now, and it glowed slightly from his inner heat. It was strangely intimate to see his brother unkempt. Snow always projected a smooth-talking, cheerful confidence, but seeing him tousled and hesitant made Heat wonder how much of that was an act. 

“What are you staring at?” Snow asked, and Heat looked at his brother’s wary expression. He reached up and touched his hair then flushed and looked away. “I must look awful,” he grumbled. 

Heat suddenly wondered what he looked like. He hadn’t bothered to check. His own stubborn hair wanted to do nothing but stand straight up. “You look orange,” he said idly. 

Snow looked startled. “What?”

Heat shrugged. “You look orange.” He paused. “Is my hair blue?” he reached up and touched his hair.  

Snow looked bemused as he walked over. “It’s kind of pale pink,” he said analytically. “Your skin has a blue tint, though.” He lifted his own hand and studied it. “Hm. I am orange.” He tittered and his eyes shone. “Orange you glad we switched?”

Heat snorted and tried to hide a smile. “Your jokes are awful, icicle.”

Snow shrugged. “Even if they are awful, they make me feel better.”

“Feel better?” Heat asked. “So you still don’t feel well?”

Snow was flustered by the question, and he strode over to pick up the oatmeal. “I’m over the cold.”

Heat squinted at him, wiping sweat from his forehead. “That doesn’t answer the question.” 

Snow shrugged, averting his gaze. “It doesn’t matter, Heat.”

Heat considered how his brother was avoiding answering, and a realization dawned on him. “Snow?” 

“Yeah?” Snow muttered, spooning his breakfast into his mouth. 

“Do you… do you not feel okay?”

That red flush began creeping up Snow’s pale orange cheeks again. “Flurry!” he called. 

The doors opened after a few moments and Flurry came in. The ice servant  held some snow in his hand and he swallowed a mouthful as he peered at the two brothers. He noticed at once that Snow was uncomfortable, and Heat looked like he was having some kind of revelation. Flurry focused back on his sire as Cinder padded in behind him. 

“Yes, sir?” 

“Get some snow for Mr. Heat Blister here. He’s too hot again.”

“Certainly,” Flurry said. He and Cinder turned and left. Heat stared at his brother as he squirmed under his gaze. His face was very red now, and he was clearly not going to directly answer the question. In a strange way, that was answer enough. Heat’s heart ached for his brother. Even standing there in the element that belonged to his twin, Heat could not imagine why Snow wouldn’t feel okay. 

“Snow,” he said gently, reaching over. 

Snow took several steps away and continued to eat. He looked a little scared, and his eyes gleamed in his natural glow as he blinked rapidly. Heat realized something else as he watched his brother squirm and fight back tears. He’d never once seen Snow cry. Not in their adult lives, at least. He’d stopped pretty young, and Heat had always felt jealous that he hadn’t matured as fast as Snow. Could there have been something behind the mask of maturity that had stopped the outward flow of tears?

Flurry and Cinder both carried a bucket of snow into the room, and they paused to take in the two brothers again. Snow looked desperately uncomfortable and a bit fragile, and Heat somehow had an even more astonished expression on his face. Heat gazed almost sadly at his brother, but he was starting to become a bit too pale. They had to interrupt.

“Heat, sir, you must cool down,” Flurry said. He hurried over and guided him to a chair. 

Cinder noticed the flush on Snow’s face as he finished his oatmeal. He said nothing about Snow being distressed. Instead, he hustled for a hot cup of tea and guided Snow into another chair. Snow took the tea, still looking flustered. He took a sip and was immediately delighted by the spicy drink. 

“Ooh, this is good,” Snow said, brightening. “What is it?”

“Cinnamon apple tea, sir,” Cinder said. “It’s one of your brother’s favorites.”

Snow sipped the steaming beverage again and looked very pleased. “I can see why. It’s delicious!”

Flurry brought a third bucket of snow in as Heat used the last of the first two. 

“Eat this,” he said, setting the bucket down. “You look much better now. But you must remember to keep cool, Heat, sir. Though Snow doesn’t usually get sick from getting too hot for a short amount of time, heat stroke is possible for him. It makes him very ill indeed.”

Heat could remember the few times his brother had gotten sick. It had lasted for weeks, and it had left him nearly helpless while their mother waited on him hand and foot. At the time, he’d been jealous, but he was beginning to look at things differently. 

“You’re right,” Heat grumbled. “But I still don’t really fully comprehend heat and how it affects me now.”

“If I may suggest something, sir, perhaps you could ask Snow to teach you how to regulate your temperature better,” Flurry said politely. 

Cinder overheard this and nodded earnestly. “Indeed. That would be good for you to learn, too, sir.” He looked at Snow. “I would recommend you two spend the day outside and learn about your opposite.”

Snow swallowed the last of his tea and eyed his brother warily. “What do you say, hothead? Can you stand my ghastly company for a few hours?”

“You aren’t that bad, Snow,” Heat said seriously. 

Snow squirmed again, looking away. “Yes or no?” he muttered. 

Heat studied him. “I guess I can handle you for a couple measly hours. So get moving, slurry brain.”

Snow relaxed and grinned. “Cool your jetstream, bro! You’ll get too hot again if you don’t.”

Heat snorted as Snow stood up and handed Cinder his empty cup. “Thanks.”

“You are quite welcome, Snow, sir.”

Snow strode over to his brother and slung an arm around him. Heat watched him flinch, but he didn’t let go. He couldn’t help but lean into his brother’s warmth. Snow noticed and his eyes sparkled again as an affectionate smile played around his lips. He didn’t say one teasing word about it as he squeezed Heat tightly. 

“Let’s go, icicle breath,” Snow said fondly. “You’re sweating bullets again. We need to fix that.”

Heat smiled and squeezed Snow back as they strolled out toward the barrier. 

Cinder blinked after them and he shook his head. “I thought you had to be wrong,” he said, turning to Flurry. 

Flurry shrugged and measured his words, as he always did when talking about Snow. “I’m not surprised that I’m right. I was only unsure of Heat’s reaction. If you weren’t lying, this was the obvious outcome.”

“That’s pretty amazing,” Cinder said admiringly. “Heat’s so easy to read, but I was sure Snow would be… cold.”

Flurry glanced over. “What makes you say that?”

Cinder shook his head, suddenly realizing he was perilously close to offending his new friend. “Never mind.”

There was a pause as Flurry studied him. “You misunderstand. I’m not scolding you,” he said. “I legitimately can’t see why you would think Snow would be cold to Heat’s warmth. Ice always melts when it gets warm. And Snow has been iced up for a very, very long time.”

Cinder’s mouth fell open at the astute observation. He stared at Flurry with new eyes. “You are certainly sharp, Flurry.”

“Ice can be very sharp,” Flurry replied with a smile. “But the sharper the ice, the narrower the tip. I know much about Snow, but little about Heat. I am enjoying the learning experience so far.”

“I’d say I am, too,” Cinder said thoughtfully. “Snow is certainly not what I expected.”

“He has as many layers as a glacier,” Flurry said with a chuckle. Then the happiness faded from his eyes and he looked very sad. “Of course, I fear he might finally be cracking under the pressure. And if he splinters, I’m afraid that nobody will be able to pick up the pieces.”

Cinder walked over and reached out to take Flurry’s hand, ignoring the bite of cold. “What’s wrong with him?” 

Flurry looked miserable. “I don’t dare to tell you, Cinder. If I break Snow’s trust, things will implode.” He paused then reached over to place his chilly hands on Cinder’s cheeks and peered anxiously into his eyes. “You make sure Heat knows that, Cinder,” he said fervently. “You make sure he knows how important Snow’s trust is. It is the most precious thing he has to give, and he hasn’t tried in ages of time. He must treat it with care. A misunderstanding could utterly shatter my sire, and it’ll be too late.”

“Too late?” Cinder asked worriedly. “What do you mean?”

“The entire balance of nature is on a razor’s edge,” Flurry replied somberly. “If even one of Mother Nature’s twelve children simply stopped caring, the world would be in chaos.”

“And you think Snow might stop caring if Heat breaks his trust?” Cinder asked. 

“No,” Flurry replied solemnly. “I know he will.”

Cinder stiffened. “Then I shall stress it emphatically,” he promised. 

Heat stood just outside the door, stunned by the earnestness of Flurry’s conviction. Was his brother really that close to losing his cool? That disturbed him. He waited for a minute to make sure the servants began talking about something else before pushing the door open. 

“Flurry?” Heat asked. 

“Yes, sir?” Flurry asked, straightening up. 

“Icicle nose wants something called a cryometer?”

Flurry nodded at once. “Of course, sir. I’ll fetch it at once.”

Heat grunted and headed back outside. He stopped in the doorway of his castle and peered down at the barrier. Snow was sitting morosely by the crack, his gaze leveled on the lava that was bubbling up. Heat knew his brother wasn’t feeling okay, and that only cinched it. Snow probably rarely felt okay, if ever. Guilt gnawed at his gut. He should have realized how much Snow was hurting. The thought of Snow’s bright, peppy smile haunted him, and he wondered if it was ever real. 

As if hearing his thoughts, Snow looked up at Heat, and a genuine, warm smile lifted his mouth. The lava that had been bubbling like a cauldron in the crack splitting their island in half settled down. “Took you long enough, sulfur breath.”

Heat smiled at his brother. “Ah, go freeze your head,” he quipped back. 

It warmed him to see Snow break out in a gleeful laugh. The lava erupted upward, and as soon as he noticed, Snow stopped laughing. He glanced at his brother, looking afraid. Heat shrugged at him, and Snow relaxed a little, though a tightness remained around his eyes. Heat recalled Flurry’s warning about how fragile Snow’s trust was. He had never been so good with fragile things, but he had never been so determined to handle anything with as much care as he was going to handle the delicate trust of his twin. Maybe he’d eventually tell him what was wrong. 

“Come on!” Snow whined. “You’re slower than molasses in wintertime!”

Heat burst out laughing. “Oh, look who’s hot to trot now!” Heat mocked back. “Take your own advice and cool your jetstream, frostbite!”

Snow laughed again, the sound so free, and Heat smiled as he headed down to spend the morning learning about the chill of winter. Hopefully, he could start to warm up the cold spot in Snow’s heart that remained even after their powers had been switched. 

Chapter Text

Bit by bit, Snow’s cold heart did begin to thaw. He started looking forward to Heat’s company, and he found himself relaxing his iron control as his brother began to understand him. The warmth he felt in Heat’s presence was a new kind of feeling that bloomed from his heart, and he found himself craving that deliciously cozy sensation. It was like a comforting cup of cocoa after a hard day’s work, and he even enjoyed simply sitting with Heat in front of a cozy fire, each of them doing their own activity.

Heat found that he enjoyed Snow’s company, too. There were far fewer biting comments, and he found the warmth of his brother’s humor refreshing. He told the funniest stories, and he seemed to have a joke for everything. But as Heat spent time with his twin, he saw much more of the shadow peeking through, and he realized the signs that Snow wasn’t happy had always been there.

One evening, after a hard day, Heat found himself with a short temper, and he wanted his brother to cool him off, so he went to his own castle to find Snow carefully chipping away at a large stone.

“Heya, lava breath,” Snow greeted absently. “Give me just a second…” He tapped the chisel ever so slightly, and a piece of the stone cracked and fell away.

Heat cringed. “Sorry about that,” he said.

Snow blinked at him, setting aside the tools. “What for?”

“It broke,” Heat said.

Snow laughed a little. “Oh, that’s where it was supposed to break, silly. Don’t worry. You didn’t ruin anything.”

Heat was rather disgruntled about being called silly. “Gee, thanks,” he grumbled.

Snow looked up sharply as the room temperature plummeted. He pursed his lips. “What’s going on, Heat?”

Heat shrugged. “Bad day,” he muttered.

Snow looked alarmed and whistled at once. Cinder pushed open the door. “Yes, sir?”

“Go get Flurry. Tell him my brother needs to relax immediately.”

Cinder hesitated, staring worriedly at the tense expression on Snow’s face. “Is something wrong?”

“Now, Cinder,” Snow said, his voice growing as hard as ice.

When Cinder bolted out the door, Snow came around the work table, a crease on his brow. He reached out to wrap his arms around Heat and squeezed him into the tightest hug. “Easy there, Heat,” he murmured. “It’ll be okay.”

Heat was puzzled by the odd reaction. Snow acted like he was sad or something. Still, his brother was so warm and the hug did feel nice, so Heat simply hugged him back.

“You haven’t hugged me in years,” Snow sighed, resting his chin on Heat’s head.

“I didn’t know you enjoyed them so much,” Heat admitted. “I thought they hurt you.”

“I thought you just didn’t like me,” Snow said softly. He pulled back a little. “I really had no idea that I hurt you, Heat. You’ve got to believe me.”

“I thought you were doing it maliciously,” Heat said. “But I know better now. Warm is good.”

“Warm is good,” Snow agreed, smiling a little.

Flurry pushed open the door and hurried in with the rest of the ice servants in tow. The two brothers stepped back and Snow took control at once. He had the servants begin to make Heat’s favorite dinner, and then he bustled around and waited on Heat himself. Heat only grew more confused by this. He just wanted to blow his top, but his brother seemed to be tiptoeing around him and didn’t take the bait he offered.

After they’d been served dinner, Snow set out his food as the servants waited for any other instructions. The ice servants were particularly tense, which made their fiery counterparts wary and on edge. They still had no idea why Snow was acting like this.

“Want anything?” Snow asked.

“What’s all this for, Snow?” Heat finally demanded.

Snow shivered as the temperature dropped again. “Easy, Heat,” he soothed. “Just relax. Calm down.”

“I don’t want to calm down,” Heat said stubbornly. “I want to explode!”

“I’m aware of that,” Snow said evenly. “But what you want doesn’t matter, Heat. You have to calm down.”

“Or what?” Heat demanded, riling himself up.

Snow didn’t take the bait. He stood very still, gazing at the wall behind Heat, his expression taking on an odd, dazed quality. “You would disappoint Mother very much,” he intoned softly, speaking in the voice he often used for their mother. “And we mustn’t disappoint Mother, dear. So you have to calm down, breathe out the anger, and smile. Do it for Mother, okay dear?”

Heat’s anger morphed into cold horror as Flurry’s careful words about why nothing was ever wrong were confirmed. Snow did not look normal as he quoted their mother, and the shadow was back, darker than ever. Heat knew what it was now. It was pain. His brother was in agony, but he hid it behind a lighthearted mask. Heat swallowed, and he walked over and grasped Snow’s arms.

Snow looked at him and smiled, but it was not a happy smile. “There you go, dear,” he crooned softly, reaching up to pat Heat’s cheek. “All the anger is gone now, right? Such a good boy. That’s my happy Snow. Go play now. And be nice to your brother.”

There was a soft noise, and Heat turned to see all of the servants staring in horror at Snow. Flurry looked the least surprised and the most worried. Cinder clutched at him, his eyes full of disbelief and fear. Heat turned back to his brother, unable to wrap his mind around what he’d just said. Snow looked unwell, and he wasn’t lying, but Heat had to be sure.

“You’re not joking?” he asked hoarsely. “Mother… Mother really said that to you?”

Snow simply shrugged, the strained smile still on his face. “I always was Mother’s favorite, right hothead? And let me tell you, it’s such an honor.”

Heat was absolutely crushed by this realization. He knew Mother had done her best with twelve children born in one year, but she had never once told him to not feel angry. None of them had been told that as far as he knew, but he knew in his gut that Snow wasn’t lying. Unsure of what else to do, Heat embraced him and squeezed him tightly. Snow didn’t return it. He pushed Heat away very gently, and he peered at his brother.

“Don’t touch me again, hothead,” he pleaded, his expression raw. He looked ready to shatter. “Not tonight. I don’t want to disappoint Mother.”

“You’re allowed to feel angry, Snow,” Heat said, speaking past the lump in his throat. “You’re allowed to be upset. You don’t have to hold it in. You know that, right?”

“We mustn’t disappoint Mother,” Snow said, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears as he smiled that same, strained smile. He sat down and pulled his dinner over, speaking in a shaky voice full of false cheer. “So what is this, magma mouth? What’s your favorite?”

Heat could sense that his brother was teetering on the very edge of something dangerous. He could push just a bit more and see it all, but somehow he didn’t think that was a good idea. Not yet. So he settled down and took his own tray.

“Ah, just curry and rice,” he said. “Careful. It’s a bit spicy.”

Snow tried it and his eyes lit up. The strained smile turned into a real one. “Ooh, this is delicious!” He took another bite. “Mm, you have good taste, lava brain.”

“What’s your favorite dinner?” Heat asked.

Snow flushed a little, but after a moment’s hesitation, he decided to answer. “I’ve always liked roasted meat. Fresh and hot and falling off the bone.” He smiled a little at the thought. “If you cook it all night and throughout the day, it becomes so tender.”

Heat was surprised once again by the answer. He’d expected some kind of chilled soup or something, but roasted meat?

“Do you have some we could have tomorrow night?” Heat asked. “Because that sounds good.”

Snow blinked and turned to ask Flurry but the question died on his lips. The servants were all meandering around, not looking at them, but they had obviously been listening to everything. Flurry glanced over at Snow and nodded when he realized his sire wasn’t able to actually ask his question.

“We could, sir. We have plenty.”

“Then I guess you’d better start the meat, Tundra,” Snow said, looking away quickly.

Tundra bowed and hurried away with Ember. The others waited for more instructions as their sires ate in an awkward silence. Both Heat and Snow could tell they were curious about what had just happened. Heat could also tell Snow was unnerved by his own behavior, and Heat didn’t know what to do with what he’d just learned. After a few minutes, Snow glanced at his brother to see that he was too pale again.

“Flurry, Heat needs snow,” he said absently.

“Yes, sir,” Flurry said dutifully. “And Snow needs Heat, too.”

Snow flushed again. “Now, Flurry!” he snapped irritably.

“Right away, sir.”

He left with Cinder, and the other servants grew uneasy as they shut the door behind them.

“He’s got quite the tongue,” Heat mused.

“He’s got cheek,” Snow grumbled, taking another bite. “He doesn’t know when to back off. If he doesn’t stop, he’ll get hurt again.”

Heat frowned. “Hurt again?” He leaned forward. “You didn’t… didn’t hurt him, did you?”

Snow tapped his fork on his plate. “Not on purpose,” he said tightly.

“Oh. That’s good, I suppose,” Heat said. “What happened?”

“He pushed too far.”

“And?”

Snow’s face was set like a wall of ice. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” Heat said. “Want to take a stroll with me? I think a little fresh night air will do you good.”

Snow glanced over, wariness on his face. “You think so?”

“Yeah. We can talk about where you have to go in a few days.”

“I’m going somewhere?” Snow asked. “That’s news to me, hothead.”

“The Ring of Fire,” Heat said. “A volcano needs to erupt. If there’s much more delay, Earthquake’s going to come banging on my door and complain about the pressure. You need to help it along.”

Snow paled. “Heat, I can barely regulate my temperature enough to stay in my own palace for half an hour. How am I supposed to erupt a volcano?”

“Practice,” Heat said. “We start tomorrow, but tonight I’ll show you where we’ll work on your control. Done eating?”

Snow looked ruefully down at his empty plate. “Yes,” he ground out.

“Then let’s go.”

Snow stood up and plodded after Heat as he went through the magma chamber to a back door. He pushed it open and the two brothers began to climb a steep path. Snow waited anxiously for a question, a comment, or worst of all, a joke, but Heat didn’t say a word to him as they made their way to a stone door set in the side of a volcano.

“Give me your hand,” Heat said.

Snow obeyed, flinching slightly at the chill. Heat pressed his hand against a smooth panel of rock. “What am I doing?”

“Make your hand as hot as you can.”

Snow obeyed, focusing on stew and fireplaces again, but nothing happened. He was embarrassed that he couldn’t do it. He pulled his hand back and looked away. Heat shook his head and pointed at the panel.

“Again.”

“This is useless. We need to go to Mother,” Snow said.

“No. Again,” Heat said stubbornly. “Think hotter.”

Snow pressed his hand against the panel and his mind scrambled for something hotter. The magma baths he sometimes took would qualify, surely. Trying to ignore the burning gaze of his brother, he imagined sinking into a boiling magma bath, and his skin warmed quickly. He was startled when the panel glowed red beneath his touch and the door opened.

“Hey! I did it!” Snow turned to grin at his brother.

“Knew you could, ice block,” Heat said. “Come on.”

He led Snow deep into the heart of the volcano to a platform. Heat waves rippled the air, and Snow peered down to see a flow of magma a mile down.

“That’s a long way to bring the magma up,” Snow said nervously.

“It’s as easy as that,” Heat encouraged, snapping his fingers. “Just pull it up toward you and fling it into the air.”

“Now?” Snow asked.

“No. Not now. Tomorrow. I shouldn’t be too close.”

Snow nodded and glanced at his brother. “You’re too hot again, Heat. Come on. Let’s go take a walk along the barrier.”

Heat wiped his forehead and nodded. “You’re not the only one still learning.”

Snow paused and smiled at him. “Yeah. You’re right, sulfur breath. Now let’s go. I’m tired.”

“Me, too,” Heat said. “I can’t wait to take a cold shower.”

“I’m going to take a dip in the magma chamber,” Snow said. “It’s been a stressful day.”

“I know,” Heat said.

Snow’s heart ached with love for his brother as Heat said nothing more about his odd behavior. He swallowed and wrapped his arm around Heat’s shoulders. Heat glanced up at his brother’s face and saw that same raw look from earlier. He said nothing as he wrapped his arm around Snow’s middle and squeezed as tightly as he could. They headed back to the barrier and had a pleasant walk before turning in. Before Heat left, Snow stepped through the barrier into the biting cold and embraced him.

“Thank you,” he whispered brokenly, gripping him as if his life depended on it. And then, in less than a second, he was heading back to Heat’s palace. Heat stood and watched him go inside then pondered what he’d seen and learned today. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear Flurry come over.

“Sir?”

Heat looked down. “How could Mother do that to him?” he rasped.

“I can’t answer that, sir,” Flurry said somberly. “I simply cannot fathom it. Now, I’ve prepared an ice bath for you. A quick dip should refresh you before bed. Then I have some hot cocoa for you.”

Heat nodded, and he followed Flurry up to his brother’s palace. His heart ached for his twin, and there was a burning ember of anger lodged inside. He also couldn’t fathom how their mother could tell her own son to never feel angry. It boiled his blood. But for Snow’s sake, he took a deep breath and tried to cool off. He didn't want Mother to think Snow was making a mess.

The anger did begin to cool, but it didn’t go away. Instead, it suddenly turned cold, colder than anything Heat had ever felt in his life. Even a dip in ice water didn’t compare. It tortured Heat to know that Snow could be hurt by cold just as much as he could. He vowed to himself that he would help Snow. He just had to figure out how.

Chapter Text

Snow tried desperately to make the magma flow up the mile-long shaft, but even when he could finally manipulate it, he could only force it a quarter of the way up. Heat couldn’t be inside the volcano for more than a few minutes every hour, so Snow was alone for most of his practice. He was so ashamed that he couldn’t do it, and time grew shorter. Finally, the night before he was supposed to go to the Ring of Fire, he couldn’t stand the thought of failing in front of Heat when Heat seemed to believe he could do this. 

Once everybody was in bed, Snow slipped through the magma chamber and out to the volcano. He had to do it. He didn’t want to humiliate himself or disappoint his brother. It should be easy. If he could control blizzards, he could control magma. He focused on his hot core and reached down with his senses to touch the magma. Taking a deep breath, he willed it upward, commanding it just like he did with the cold. It jumped a little, but it didn’t obey. Snow grew vexed as he tried again. And again. And again. Why wouldn’t it listen? The cold wouldn’t dare to disobey such a command! 

After two hours of trying, he could hardly stand it. He was more frustrated than he’d been in years, and he glared down at the magma, which continued to boil and bubble, mocking his inability to relieve the pressure. Gritting his teeth, he shivered as if he were cold despite the heat billowing around him. He didn’t hear the door open as Cinder came in looking for him. 

“You think you’re just going to ignore what I want?” Snow hissed, his fists clenching. “Just like everybody else in my life?” 

His glow brightened as his body warmed, illuminating Cinder’s concerned face. Cinder froze where he was. Snow sounded slightly unhinged. 

“You won’t do this! I won’t let you beat me!”Snow suddenly shouted, and the temperature rocketed upward. “Everybody else has made a fool of me but you won’t!”

Cinder didn’t move, frightened by Snow’s power. It poured off of him in wave after wave of pressure, and it felt so dangerous. Heat got like that sometimes, but this was different somehow.

Snow gulped in a breath and shivered again, fighting back tears. “I am the very Element of heat! You will obey me! NOW!” he screamed, and he stomped his foot. 

The entire island jerked beneath their feet, and an ominous rumble vibrated through the ground. There was an expression of fierce victory on Snow’s face for a moment before terror broke through, and he stepped back as he shuddered. A small gasp escaped his throat and he went very still, staring blankly across the cavern as the volcano shook. His glow, which had been almost painfully bright, flickered then went out entirely. 

“Sir!” Cinder burst out as plumes of magma erupted upward. 

Snow didn’t move, looking petrified. Cinder ran forward and took his hand, frantic to get them out of the path of the eruption. It wouldn’t hurt, but it could send them skyward, especially considering the jarring, teeth-rattling force that was shaking the island. He jerked Snow back down the walkway and out the door, forcing it shut just before the magma rushed out after them. Then he turned to watch the volcano erupt. To his confusion, it didn’t. Instead, the island let out a loud, grating growl, shook violently, then suddenly the entire land of heat dimmed and went cold. Cinder was gasping in little breaths, peering around as his heart hammered. He turned to Snow. 

“Sir? Sir, what happened?” he asked shakily. But he had a sneaking suspicion. “Sir? You must answer me! Please! Something is very wrong!”

Silence. Snow didn’t even look at him. Panicked, Cinder raised his voice and shrieked, tapping into his power so that his voice was magnified across the island. “Flurry! Heat! Help! Help! Something’s wrong! Hurry!”

Within a minute, the other fire servants came bursting through the door, looking frightened. Ash took one look at Snow then turned and ran to escort Heat and the ice servants through. The fire servants tried in vain to get Snow to acknowledge them. The island was eerily silent and dark, and their panic only grew as the seconds passed. Finally, Heat hurried out of the magma chamber exit, Flurry and the others behind him. Flurry nearly panicked when he saw Snow, his eyes growing wild. 

“Oh, fractals! Sir! Sir, what happened?!” Flurry demanded, and the ice servants looked at their sire, unsure of what to do. 

Snow didn’t answer. Flurry turned to the fire servants.

“Do any of you know what happened?” he begged. 

“I do,” Cinder said shakily. “I think he was trying to practice a bit more with the magma. And he did it… kind of. He got it started and then…” Cinder shook his head, his expression fearful. 

“How? How did he manage it?” Flurry pressed. 

“He…” Cinder swallowed. “He got mad, I think. He looked terrifying. And then he looked scared and gasped and his glow went out. And he almost got swept away on the magma flow.”

“The volcano didn’t erupt,” Heat said. 

“We felt it erupt,” Glacier argued. “The whole island shook.”

“Do you see any lava?” Heat demanded. 

Glacier flinched and looked down. “No, sir. I’m sorry.”

“What happened to the eruption?” Heat asked. 

Cinder shrugged helplessly. “The magma made it to the platform, sir. That’s all I know. Then…” Cinder went quiet and his eyes went wide. 

“What?” Flurry asked. 

“The volcano kind of… kind of gasped, just like Snow did. And then the island’s glow went out, just like his did.”

There was silence. Heat turned to walk to his brother and gently wrapped his arm around his shoulder. Concern twisted his face when he felt very little warmth under his brother’s skin. He was far too cool. 

Heat’s gentle touch broke through the fog that surrounded him, and he blinked and looked at his twin. “I’m cold,” he said sadly. “I’m so cold, Heat. And I’ve been so cold for so long. Why can’t I be warm?”

Though tears gleamed in Snow’s eyes, they didn’t fall. Heat wasn’t sure they could after so many years. He tugged his brother into the magma chamber and helped him out of his clothes and into a pool. 

“Get me snow,” he ordered. “Constant supply.”

The servants obeyed. Flurry and Cinder stayed with Heat as he peered at his brother. Snow still looked dazed, and he stared blankly up at the ceiling of the chamber. He couldn’t speak, and he didn’t move much. 

“What’s going on?” Heat asked in a soft voice. 

“He imploded,” Flurry replied. 

Heat and Cinder looked at him sharply. “What does that mean?”

Flurry looked at Heat. “When you feel angry, it has to go somewhere. For you, sir, it explodes outward so it can be hot. But Snow was never given that choice. So that leaves the anger to turn inward, and inwardly turned anger is very, very cold.”

“So what does that mean?” Cinder asked fearfully. 

“I believe it means his core has chilled.”

Heat grimaced and looked at his brother. That was not good. A fine shiver ran across his body and he looked cold despite being in a lava bath. “Cinder, I need to write to Mother. We can’t handle this anymore.”

Flurry nodded. “I fear you’re right. The elements are out of balance. It is already far too cold on this half of the island. Mother Nature will come soon even if you don’t contact her.”

Cinder obediently retrieved his writing materials and penned a letter to Mother Nature as Heat dictated. When it was signed, Cinder and Flurry were sent together to go to her island immediately. They teleported there and approached her door, a bit nervous. Flurry firmly knocked and they stepped back. There was a pause, and Mother Nature eventually answered. She peered at them. 

“Is something wrong?” she asked. 

Cinder wordlessly held out the note and waited. Mother Nature held up her light and read it. Frustration crossed her face. 

“Oh, those two! What did they do this time?” 

Flurry and Cinder stiffened but said nothing, waiting for what she wanted to do. She looked at them. 

“Go on back. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

They bowed and teleported back. The cold that hit them when they got there was bitter, and they gazed in astonishment at the change from even twenty minutes before. The snow had spread out across the island, bringing with it a biting wind. Cinder shuddered and hugged himself. Flurry wrapped an arm around him and bustled him into Heat’s castle. It wasn’t much warmer in there, and all of the fire servants were huddled in the magma chamber. The magma was actually crusted in most places, and it was clear that things were cooling more every second. Cinder hurried to get into a pool for a modicum of heat. Snow was still lying limply in the main magma pool, and he was shivering. Heat cradled his head in his lap, staring at his brother with tenderness. He stroked his hair, compassion in every touch, and Flurry gazed at Heat’s concerned expression. When he saw they were back, he looked up at Flurry, who nodded. 

“It’s okay, Snow,” Heat murmured. “Mother will know what to do.”

Snow didn’t respond. Flurry wasn’t even sure if he was entirely conscious. The minutes ticked by and it was with great relief that they heard the front door open and Mother Nature calling. She sounded afraid. 

“In here, Mother!” Heat called. He shook his brother. “Mother’s here. You’ll be okay.”

Snow stirred and peered up at his brother. Heat was shocked when he saw a single tear sliding down his pale cheek. “Watch her blame me,” he slurred brokenly. “Bad me. Too cold. Temper temper, Snow.”

“Shh,” Heat murmured. 

“Heat? Are you alright? What did Snow do?” Mother Nature demanded as she pushed the doors open. 

Heat stiffened, his mouth falling open as he gazed at his brother’s face. Snow’s bottom lip trembled, and he closed his eyes. He didn’t need to say I told you so. Then Heat heard his mother’s footsteps stop. 

“What?” she breathed. She ran forward. “What’s going on?”

“We don’t know,” Heat said, his voice steady despite the rage boiling inside of him. “We switched after the last family reunion.”

“And you didn’t come to me?” Mother Nature asked. “What’s happened?”

Heat looked up at his mother, and he knew he was supposed to tell her everything. She wanted him to. But he could still hear Flurry’s earnest voice warning Cinder how precious Snow’s trust was. So he settled for the bare minimum. 

“He suddenly went cold. He’s been warm for a few weeks, and everything was fine until an hour ago.”

“Oh, Snow,” Mother Nature sighed. 

Snow shivered and clutched for his brother’s hand. Heat grasped it and squeezed it tightly. It was almost as cold as his. No more tears fell, but Heat had seen the one that had, and he knew just how much pain Snow had to be in for that to happen. 

Mother Nature stared around helplessly. “We need to get him to my island,” she finally said. “All of you better come, too. The whole island’s uninhabitable for your servants, and no amount of control will fix the weather system. Not with his core chilled. Help me, Heat.”

Heat helped Snow out and dressed him with Flurry’s assistance then he supported him out into the main room. They crowded around Mother Nature, who opened a portal to her island. The fire servants hurried through first, and they were grateful for the warm burst of air from Mother Nature’s garden. Heat helped Snow through, and he was not happy to see North standing in the doorway. 

“What’s going on, Mother?” North asked. 

“Never you mind,” Mother Nature scolded. “You get back to bed. Go on, now.”

But North didn’t leave. His eyes looked wary as he scanned Snow. “Is there going to be another ice age?”

“Butt out, airhead,” Heat snapped, and the temperature plummeted. North looked startled and bewildered. Then his mouth fell open when they came into the light and he saw their new color schemes. North burst out laughing. 

“You’ve switched?!” he cackled. “What did you two do this time?”

Snow didn’t stir much, but the arm draped across Heat’s shoulder tightened, and a soft, distressed whimper sounded in his ear. 

“Didn’t Mother tell you to go to bed?” Heat snarled. 

“Oh, but I want to help,” North wheedled. 

Heat met North’s gaze and his eyes flashed blue. “You should go to bed, North,” he said in a low, dangerous voice. 

North suddenly looked wary. “Uh, you know what? I think I’m tired. Yeah. Tired. Goodnight, Mother.”

Heat watched him go then adjusted his grip on Snow. “What now, Mother?”

“We need to try and warm him up. Quickly, if we can. Or else the whole world will begin to freeze.”

Heat nodded, and he followed his mother to a bedroom. She warmed the room to an almost unbearable temperature then helped Heat settle Snow into bed. 

“You stay here, and please don’t fight. I can’t handle that right now.”

“Yes, Mother dear,” Heat intoned; he dearly missed his brother’s voice in the statement that they usually shared. Mother Nature hurried away. Once the rustle of her skirts faded, Heat reached over to stroke his brother’s face. There was no difference in temperature now. Tears slipped out of Heat’s eyes, and he looked at Flurry. 

“I don’t think this’ll work," he croaked. 

Flurry nodded once then shrugged. “For him, there is not enough warmth left in this house to thaw his cold heart. But what else can we do, sir?”

“Think. Talk to Cinder,” Heat said. “Have him describe anything and everything he saw. We need to figure this out. I’m not losing my brother.”

Flurry nodded then left Heat alone with Snow. Despite the immense heat in the room, Snow was still icy to the touch. Heat watched his brother shiver and shake, wracked by chills and so pale that the orange tint was barely visible. 

“I’ll figure this out, Snow,” Heat vowed. “I promise.”

Snow’s eyelids fluttered, but they didn’t open. Heat reached over and took his hand, squeezing. Snow squeezed back weakly, and his shivering began to lessen. Mother Nature bustled back in and started to work. And to her surprise, no matter what she did, Heat refused to let go of Snow’s hand. 

Chapter Text

Of course, Heat and Snow’s siblings noticed the change in temperature in less than two days, so they came to tell Mother Nature. They were met by North, who gleefully told each of them the two troublemakers had switched elements and that Mother was making it better. They all laughed about it, and they waited with eager expectation to see what Snow and Heat looked like now.

After a week, though, it became apparent that this wasn’t just a small hiccup in the scheme of things. Snow could barely wake up long enough to eat or drink anything, and nothing Mother Nature did warmed him up at all. They watched as their mother became increasingly panicked by her inability to smooth things over. Their excited amusement turned to concern as the temperature began to drop in Summersland and then around the world. By then, even North had lost his bluster, and he was genuinely worried for Snow and Heat. Heat refused to let any of them come in to see them, but they weren’t going to be shut out of this. So naturally, they began snooping.

At first, they tried to approach Heat’s and Snow’s servants themselves, but they only received tight, polite responses that conveyed nothing but the sense that they needed to back off. When that failed, they sent their servants to wheedle the information out. All the servants gossiped about their sires, they thought, so of course they’d know in less than a day. But that didn’t happen. What happened was that the fire and ice servants told them in no uncertain terms to keep their noses out of their sires’ businesses or else. Having been sent with strict instructions not to return without an answer, North’s servants persisted. That turned out to be a big mistake.

The brawl that followed was so violent that a large chunk of Summersland was ripped apart. Every kind of vegetation, tree, bush, and plant, was singed away or shattered by a severe temperature drop. Everybody came running to find that the fire and ice minions had teamed up and had absolutely devastated all of North’s servants and any others who were stupid enough to try and stop them. With eyes glinting like sunlight off an icicle, Flurry turned to look at them as Cinder steamed beside him, his face a mask of rage.

“Don’t try it again,” Flurry warned. “Any of you. We are not yours and we will not tell you anything. If you try again, you will not like what happens.”

He waved at the other servants, who turned and left, huddled together and grumbling. Flurry took Cinder’s hand and led him toward the house to tell Heat what had just happened.

Mother Nature stared at the devastation that was her garden, and she sank down and wept. After shaking off the fear that rooted them to the spot, the rest of her children tended to her and the wounded servants. They all took Flurry’s warning to heart and they stopped snooping, but now they weren’t just worried. They were scared. Something big was happening, and they didn’t know what to do as the temperature continued to drop and their mother ran out of ideas.

After the fight, Flurry and Cinder grew even closer as they worried together. They talked about everything that had happened, and Flurry finally thawed and confided in Cinder about his fears and frustrations with his sire. Cinder listened and shared his own feelings and observations about Heat as they tried to figure out how to rectify the situation.

After another week, the weather was officially colder than it should have been all over the world, and Mother Nature was at her wit's end. She had done everything she could think of to reignite Snow’s core, but nothing changed his temperature even a degree. Nothing she noticed at least. But she couldn’t bear to touch Snow because of the bitter chill that clung to his skin. Heat could touch him, though, and his cold powers meant he was incredibly sensitive to heat. He noticed it was only his own careful, loving touches that changed Snow’s temperature. He waited for Mother to fix things until he was sure she couldn’t. Once she sent an urgent letter to Father Time, he knew she was out of ideas.

Cinder and Flurry came in to check on them after the urgent letter had been sent, and they found Heat looking thoughtful.

“Father Time should be here soon, sir,” Cinder said.

“He won’t help, either,” Heat said, his voice full of certainty. “I don’t think much would.”

Flurry wilted and covered his face with his hands to hide his expression. Cinder looked at him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“It’s okay, Flurry,” he said.

Flurry looked up, and glittering tears slipped down his cheeks. Heat stared at the tear tracks then looked at his brother. “You said his anger imploded,” he said quietly.

Flurry sniffled and tried to control himself. “Yes, sir,” he said, his voice wavering. “Why?”

“You said inwardly turned anger is cold.”

“Yes, sir,” he said.

“So what if we turn it outward?”

Flurry and Cinder froze then glanced at each other. Cinder grinned. “Of course! Why didn’t we think of that?”

“I did,” Flurry said.

“Then why didn’t you mention it?” Cinder demanded.

“Because it won’t work,” Flurry replied matter-of-factly.

“Why do you think that?” Heat asked.

Flurry hesitated and glanced at Cinder. The fire servant took his hand. “We have to fix this. His trust is not misplaced simply because you need to tell us.”

Flurry sighed and looked at Snow’s prone figure. “I’m sorry, sir, but I think telling them is safe,” he said earnestly. Then he turned and gazed at Heat. “Snow is afraid to get angry or sad, sir.”

“Afraid?” Heat asked, his brows coming together.

“He doesn’t want to disappoint Mother Nature,” Flurry said. “Any outward display of his anger growing up triggered a stern talking to and a punishment that might not seem like a punishment.”

“What punishment?” Cinder asked.

“Mother Nature would talk to him and guilt him into apologizing for being angry or upset. Then she would tell him to smile because it made her happy. He doesn’t show anger anymore. He simply smiles because he has to be his mother’s happy Snow.”

Heat clenched his fist and turned to look at his brother. His breathing was so shallow, and his face was so pale. How could their mother do that to her own son?

“Stay here with Snow,” Heat said. “I’m going to talk with Mother and Father.”

Heat stood up and left the room for the first time since they’d arrived, and he stepped outside to see Father Time land with his great griffins. He watched him talk with Mother Nature. Aurora noticed him first, and she gasped.

“Heat!”

Everybody turned to look at him, and silence fell. Mother Nature looked hopeful. “Is he warming up?”

“No.”

The sharp, cold word sounded odd coming from their hotheaded brother, and his siblings peered anxiously at him. Father Time walked over.

“What happened, Heat? You’re… you’re blue.”

“We switched,” Heat said tightly.

Alarm crossed Father Time’s face, and he looked to his wife. “So Snow shouldn’t be cold at all,” he groaned. “No wonder you’re so concerned, dear.”

“Concerned,” Heat said slowly. “Are you concerned, Mother?”

Mother Nature put her hands on her hips. “Of course I am, Heat! Your brother is colder than ice, the world’s elements are out of balance, and nothing I do warms him up! If we don’t solve this soon, it’ll be a disaster!”

Heat looked at his mother dispassionately. “Mmhm.”

Father Time turned to Heat. “You know something, don’t you?” he asked.

Heat simply stared at him, his lips pressed together. He noticed the fire and ice servants watching him closely. Father Time nodded.

“What is it? What do you know?”

Heat tilted his head, considering his answer carefully. “I know that you won’t be able to fix this.” He swept his eyes over his siblings and stopped on his mother. “None of you can.”

“Then what do we do!” Mother Nature cried, throwing her hands up. Her island trembled beneath their feet at her anger.

“Temper temper, Mother,” Heat said softly. “We mustn’t get angry.”

His siblings gazed at him in astonishment as Father Time glared at him. It had been millennia since any of his children had been stupid enough to disrespect their mother like that.

“You watch your tongue, Heat Miser!”

Heat didn’t even look at him. He had eyes only for his mother, who appeared astounded. Then a dawning look of dismay crossed her face. When Heat didn’t move, everybody looked at Mother Nature, who went pale and swayed as she covered her mouth. Earthquake bolted over and supported her into a chair.

“That can’t be what’s wrong,” she said faintly.

“Of course not, Mother,” Heat said evenly. “Because it was never wrong before.” He peered around then looked at his mother again. “You should smile, you know. It would be disappointing otherwise. And we mustn’t disappoint the family.”

“Heat,” she said weakly, reaching out. “Please, you don’t understand…”

Disgust and anger crossed Heat’s face. “I understand better than you, Mother. You won’t be able to help. You can’t. It’s your fault, Mother. I hope your happy Snow was worth it.”

He turned around, gestured for the fire and ice servants to follow, then headed back inside. Mother Nature sat very still, her face pale. Even Father Time didn’t know exactly what Heat was talking about, but he was determined to find out.

“Let’s go for a walk, my love,” he said tenderly. “We need to talk.”

Mother Nature nodded and stood up, leaning heavily on her husband. Her expression was frightened as she looked at her cozy little cottage toward Snow and Heat. Then she wordlessly lowered her head and shivered. Her children watched their parents stroll away, bewildered and scared by their mother’s reaction and Heat’s boldness. None of them would have ever dared to speak to her in such a way. What exactly had their mother done? And what did it have to do with their icy brother?

As Summersland was filled with a biting breeze, they glanced at each other and wondered if the whole world was about to end.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Heat expected their mother to come by as soon as she realized that her sons weren’t coming back, but several days passed without even a letter. That was a good thing because Snow needed time to rest and recover from the whole experience, and he slept harder than he had in years. But after four days without a word from the whole family, Heat realized that Mother Nature must have seen the servants coming to get their things. Considering what they had just seen, there was no doubt in his mind that Flurry or Cinder must have said something to her. He finally asked them about it while Snow was soaking in the magma chamber.

Flurry looked rather embarrassed and he went very quiet. Cinder smiled a little and slung an arm around him.

“When we got there, it was very clear that they knew you were gone,” he said. “There was evidence of a rather violent eruption from the volcano on her island.”

Heat grimaced. “Blast. Snow’s not going to like hearing that.” He thought for a moment then looked at them again. “What happened?”

“Your mother was frantic to know where you were and what was happening. She was rather hysterical about Snow being in trouble, but we didn’t answer any questions. As we came out, Mother Nature tried to stop us. We tried to get through but she was insistent we take her to you. And Flurry…”

“I lost my temper,” Flurry mumbled, his cheeks flushing blue.

“And said?” Heat prodded gently.

Flurry squirmed and plucked at his jacket sleeve. “I told her that she didn’t deserve to be there for him now when she was the cause of it.”

Heat nodded, but Cinder shook Flurry. “And?”

“And… I said nothing she could do or say would take away that she’d forced Snow to be happy when he wasn’t.”

Heat nodded again, but Cinder shook him again. “And?”

“And… I might have mentioned in a rather condescending tone that because she didn’t want to deal with teaching Snow a constructive outlet for his anger, now she has a much worse problem on her hands.”

Heat took a chance. “And?”

Flurry covered his face with his hands. “I told all of them to stay away from us because Snow will recover better without their poison.”

Heat snorted. “Boy, when you icicles blow your top, you’re cutting.”

Cinder grinned. “What else can you expect when ice explodes?”

Flurry groaned low in his throat. “I don’t know how to tell Snow. He’s going to kill me.”

Heat patted his shoulder. “Well, the longer you put it off, the worse it will be.”

“I know,” Flurry said thickly. “But I don’t want to see him break again.”

“Go and get a couple smoothies, whatever’s his favorite, and I’ll get him back in his room. Have Tundra bring lunch. Cinder, you’ll need to make sure he’s comfortable. Come on. I bet he’s fallen asleep again.”

Snow was dozing, but he did stagger out of the pool and got dressed when Heat suggested a bit of food. Once Snow had cooled a little, Heat guided him back to bed and made him comfortable. Flurry came in with Tundra, who served a veritable feast for Snow.

“Roasted venison,” he said, his eyes softening.

“My personal request,” Heat said. “Tundra said this is your absolute favorite recipe. And I have to try it.”

Snow flushed with pleasure. “Thanks,” he murmured.

“Thank you, Tundra,” Heat said. “Now you and the others take a break and eat. Go on.”

Tundra held the door open for Cinder and Flurry, but Cinder shook his head. Tundra nodded and bowed then shut the door. Cinder pushed Flurry forward, and he stumbled before approaching Snow.

“Your favorite, sir,” Flurry said, his voice trembling.

Snow glanced at him and set down his fork. “What’s wrong?”

Heat pressed his cool hand on his brother’s forehead. “I’ve got news, icicle nose. About Mother.”

Snow went very still and all the color drained from his face. “Oh…” He looked at Heat and pushed his tray away. “I see.”

“Don’t be like that, Snow. You need to eat. Have a sip of your smoothie.”

Snow took it from Flurry, who stared earnestly at him. “That’s not all, is it?”

Flurry looked away and told Snow what he’d said. Snow sat very still, gazing at Flurry with an unreadable expression as he listened to the confession. When Flurry finished speaking, Snow leaned back.

“You said that?” he asked.

“Yes, sir, and I’m so sorry,” Flurry said hoarsely. “You must understand, I’d just seen you fall apart and she was the cause of it and now she wants to fix things? It made me so angry. And I’ll apologize, sir, and you can do with me as you wish.”

“You said that?” Snow asked again. “To Mother Nature?”

Flurry detected an odd note in Snow’s voice, and he finally found the courage to look up. Snow was staring at him with a tender expression. “Yes, sir,” he said through his dry mouth.

Snow peered at him then began to giggle. Once he started, he couldn’t stop, and he broke into a fit of laughter that made his sides ache. The island shuddered, and there was an explosion as the nearest volcano erupted. Snow hiccuped in surprise and stopped, a brief flash of fright and shame crossing his face before Heat grabbed his hand and squeezed.

“What’s so funny, icicle?” Heat asked.

Snow settled down, but he still looked uneasy as he turned back to Flurry. “You said all that to Mother? For me?”

Flurry looked puzzled. “I love you, sir,” he said solemnly. “And it is my privilege and honor to serve and protect you from anybody who harms you in any way.”

Snow softened and reached out to touch his head servant. “Thank you. Really. I…” He took a deep breath. “You’ve put up with so much, Flurry. And you’ve suffered for it.”

Flurry grimaced and reached up to finger his collarbone. “I’m well aware of that, sir. But it is still my pleasure to assure your safety and security.” He paused and glanced up again. “So you are not angry?”

Snow shook his head. “Not at all, Flurry. It means the world that you would do that for me.”

Flurry sighed and relaxed, smiling up at his sire. Snow glanced at Heat and he pulled his food close again. “So what now?”

“Mother’s not going to stay away for much longer,” Heat said. “I’m sure of that. So we need to figure out what’s going to happen.”

“I know what’ll happen. I lost my temper, and Mother will scold me.” He stabbed viciously at the venison then crooned. “Temper, temper, Snow. Where’s my happy boy…?”

Heat sat down in a chair beside the bed and grabbed his own food. Snow glanced up and grimaced when he realized what he was saying.

“Sorry…”

“Don’t do that,” Heat ordered.

“What?”

“Hot, not cold. Out, not in.”

Snow looked a bit overwhelmed. “I don’t have the energy for an explosion.”

“What do you have the energy for?” Heat asked.

Snow shrugged helplessly and he ate his lunch. When Cinder and Flurry finally left to eat their own food, Heat scooted the chair closer to his brother and took his hand. Snow looked at him.

“What was the news about Mother?”

“Your eruption caused the volcano on her island to blow.”

Snow paled and covered his face with his free hand. “Oh no. I ruined her island?”

“I don’t know about the whole island,” Heat said. “But there’s definitely going to be damage.”

There was quiet as Snow went very still and his hand began to cool in Heat’s grip.

“Out, not in,” Heat encouraged. “Come on, Snow, let it out.”

Snow met his eyes, seeking reassurance, and Heat squeezed his hand then watched as his brother’s face crumpled and he began to cry. Heat was glad to feel Snow warming up again, and he shifted to lean on the bed and embraced him. Snow flinched but hugged him back, hiding his face as he wept his heart out. The aching cold in his chest was slowly replaced by a warm, pleasant feeling, and Snow sniffed and calmed down after several minutes.

“There you go. Feel better?” Heat asked.

Snow shrugged, shyly averting his gaze as he pulled back. “Thanks.”

“Now, what do you want to happen when the family gets here?”

Snow relaxed into the bed and thought about it. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “Because I can’t control what they say. I don’t know how I’ll react, Heat. And that scares me.”

“Whatever happens, blizzard brain, I’ll be there for you.”

Snow swallowed. “Thanks, inferno face.” He paused then glanced over. “Can I ask you to do something?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t leave me alone with any of them,” Snow pleaded softly. “I’m afraid of what will happen if you do. You’re the only one who can handle me, Heat. Please…”

“If that’s what you want,” Heat agreed at once. “Whatever makes it easier, slurry brain.”

Snow relaxed and sighed, closing his eyes tiredly. “I feel like I could sleep for an age, Heat,” he murmured. “And it still wouldn’t be enough.”

“Well, start with a nap,” Heat encouraged. “Then we’ll go from there.”

Snow sank down into the bed as Heat finished his lunch, and he felt so comfortable that he simply dozed off. He woke briefly when Heat smoothed a hand through his hair, and Heat smiled at him before he fell back into a web of dreams.

Several hours later, he woke to Heat shaking him gently. Snow blinked several times then looked over at his brother. He noticed the note in his hand immediately.

“Mother?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Heat said. “She’s worried about you, Snow. And me, too. She and the family want to come and check on us.”

“When?” Snow asked.

“She asked us to pick a day in the next week.”

That certainly helped Snow to relax a little bit. “How about three days from now?”

“Sounds reasonable. I’ll write back to her then.”

Snow nodded, but once his brother was gone, his smile faded. Three days wasn’t enough time. Heck, even a century wasn’t enough time. But he could do this. He had to. He just couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing Mother Nature again. Though, he supposed, it was inevitable. He’d never once made her proud.

Snow swallowed and clenched his fist as a question came to him, echoing from past memories.

‘Where’s my happy Snow?’

Gone. And maybe he was never there to begin with. Snow just wasn’t sure. But he supposed he could smile for mother for an hour or two. He had two whole days to prepare. That comforted him, and by the time Heat came back in with Mother’s effusive yes, Snow was relaxed and agreeable again.

Chapter Text

Snow awoke the night before the family was going to visit, his skin tingling with fear as a confused mess of images faded. He lay in the dark and tried to catch his breath, but he couldn’t stop gasping. The world began closing in on him, and he let out a loud cry and bolted out of bed. The island heaved as several volcanos erupted, and he staggered outside and sprinted across the barrier, the only thought in his mind to check that his brother was okay.

“Snow, sir?!” Cinder called from behind him, but he didn’t stop even as the snow burned his bare feet.

He tore open the doors and bolted for the guest room, passing a very startled Glacier and Flake. They split off and ran for Cinder and Flurry while Snow shoved open the door and dove for his brother. Heat yowled as he was violently awoken, and a burst of frost erupted from him as a defense. Snow shrieked but held on.

“Snow?” Heat gasped. “Snow, what are you doing?”

Snow stared at him, rubbing his hands over his cheeks as he gasped for breath. When he finally realized Heat was okay, he pressed his face into his brother’s chest and began to scream. “Mother’s going to kill me!” he howled. “She’s disappointed, I just know it! And when she comes, I’ll just disappoint her more! But I can’t smile anymore, Heat! I can’t be happy because I’m not happy!” Then he began to weep uncontrollably, clutching at Heat for dear life.

Flurry stopped in the doorway and took in the scene. Heat embraced his brother and stared in bewilderment at the servant. “Start the fire, now,” he ordered. “Get a hot drink and something to steady his nerves.”

Flurry whistled and began commanding the ice servants around like a general, and they scattered to do as he said. Cinder came in wrapped in a thick coat. Even so, he was still shivering a little.

“Can I help?” he asked.

“Stay with me?” Flurry replied, looking a bit stressed.

Cinder nodded and took his hand briefly before they turned to observe their sires. Heat was holding Snow tightly, rocking him back and forth as he tried to soothe him.

“Come on, Snow, breathe for me. It’s okay. Mother’s not here. Nothing’s happened yet. Now come on. You’re going to catch a cold again if you don’t warm up.”

Heat took him into the parlor and scooted the chair right over to the fireplace before helping his brother to sit. Slush came in with a pile of blankets, and they wrapped Snow in layers. The task was made more difficult because he didn’t want to let go of Heat. Heat finally got him wrapped up then had a chair brought for himself. Cinder stoked up the fire, and Flurry sealed all the windows so that the breeze was cut off. The room slowly began to warm up.

Snow huddled in his blankets, staring at the flames in a tired daze while Heat kept him company. Tundra eventually came in with hot cocoa and some apple wine. Heat took the tray and he reached over and shook his brother.

“Drink this. It’s hot.”

Snow took the mug of cocoa and swallowed several mouthfuls. He sighed in satisfaction as the warmth settled in his stomach.

“Good. Now warm yourself up. Focus on your core,” Heat encouraged.

Snow obeyed and he warmed quickly, much to Heat’s relief. It was only then that Snow noticed that his feet were on fire. He winced.

“Ah, fractals,” he muttered, reaching down to rub his feet.

“You’re barefoot?!” Heat demanded. “Cinder, go get his shoes. And is there anything you can make for him?”

“I’ll put Ash to work at once.”

Flurry gazed after Cinder as he took several steps toward the door, and Snow noticed. “Go with him, Flurry. It would be something useful to know.”

Flurry looked relieved and hurried away. Snow drew his feet under him and focused again. The warmth made them tingle fiercely, and he bit back a cry. Heat squeezed his arm and offered him some of the apple wine.

“Drink up.”

“I shouldn’t,” Snow murmured. “I’ve already erupted a volcano tonight.

“Several, actually,” Coal mumbled from the doorway.

“What is it, Coal?” Heat snapped.

“What are we supposed to do, sir? We’re concerned, but we can’t stay in the cold for too long. And even Snow must go back soon.”

Heat worried his bottom lip and tapped his chin. “Okay. You’re right. Frostbite can’t keep himself steamed up right now, and it’s easier for the icicles to be on my half. But we need the shortest route from here to there…”

Heat thought on this then opened a portal and gestured them through as he helped Snow up. Snow winced as his feet touched the cold floor, and Heat hurried him through. Snow relaxed a bit as he fell into a chair by a bubbling magma pit. Coal came through then hurried to inform the others what was going on. Heat examined Snow’s feet, grimacing at what he found.

“This is going to take a while to heal.”

“Wonderful,” Snow muttered. “That’s what I need. To be incapacitated while Mother scolds me for making a mess.”

“It’s my half of our island, and I say make a mess if you want,” Heat growled.

“But I don’t want to,” Snow argued.

“Yeah? Well I think you need to then.”

“I do not!”’ Snow argued.

Heat reached over an brushed his fingers over Snow’s ice-burned feet. Snow bit back a yelp and cringed away.

“You didn’t notice that this was happening because you were panicking, Snow. This should have been the only thing on your mind. That’s not normal.”

Snow looked away. “That doesn’t mean anything, Heat,” he said tightly.

“Your pain does mean something, Snow!” Heat snapped.

The door opened, and Flurry and Cinder came in with several things, including the tray that they’d left over at Snow’s. Heat picked up the chilled apple wine and shoved it into Snow’s hand.

“Drink this, blizzard brain.”

Snow hesitated. “Are you sure?” he asked quietly.

“For pity’s sake, yes, Snow!” Heat exclaimed. “You need to relax. Why are you so against this?”

Snow looked down. “I don’t want to disappoint Mother,” he murmured. Then he paused and his face flushed as he spoke in a quieter voice. “And I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

“For one thing, she has no right to be disappointed with you,” Heat said. “And I can handle you, blizzard brain. I’ve been handling you since we were born!” He paused and softened his tone. “For another thing, you have my powers, and you said yourself that she encourages eruptions as an outlet. So explode as much as you need to. It’s okay, Snow.”

“I don’t like doing that, Heat,” Snow said, a bit angry. “What happens when we switch back, huh? I won’t be able to blow up anymore, so what is the point?”

“We don’t even know why we’ve switched. Mother doesn’t know either. So for now, we won’t worry about switching back. What matters now is that you can explode. And I suggest you learn to channel it before you cause a major issue.”

Snow glared at Heat then took the wine. “I hate when you’re right, magma mouth,” he grumbled.

“You’re always so uptight, Snow,” Heat said. “You need to thaw out.”

“That would disappoint Mother,” Snow muttered. “Besides, I’m supposed to feel cold.”

“Not on the inside,” Heat replied. “Now drink up. Relax. And if you need to release some pressure, cause an eruption or two.”

Snow smiled at his brother then took a healthy swallow of wine. He grunted with pleasure. “You should try some. This is a good batch.”

“Flurry?” Heat asked.

“Yes, sir. Immediately, sir,” Flurry said and bustled away. Within five minutes he was back with a bottle of wine, which he handed to Snow along with a glass. Snow poured his brother a healthy serving and passed it over. Heat toasted him and drank. He was very pleasantly surprised by a clear, crisp apple taste with a deliciously cold bite. It was incredible.

“What?” Heat asked.

Snow grinned and took a mouthful then breathed out a cloud of steam. He giggled.

“That feels funny.”

“What is it?”

“It’s from the ice apples Mother grows for me,” Snow said. He swirled his glass and smiled. “She’s always been so extravagant with her gifts.” Then his smile faded. “I don’t like disappointing her, Heat.”

Heat sat down in a chair and nodded, taking another long sip of wine. “I don’t like to, either, Snow.” He paused then looked up at his brother. “What were you doing before you woke me up?”

Snow squirmed a little, but he decided to answer honestly. “I, ah, I had a… a bad dream…” he muttered, his voice getting smaller with every word.

“Must have been one heck of a dream.”

“I’ve had it before,” Snow said. He took another sip and glanced up at Heat. “Do you remember that time we had our first hormonal storms?”

Heat flinched. Having elemental powers at a young age had been exceedingly difficult for all of the children of Mother Nature. Hormonal storms in particular involved quite a bit of destruction, caused by their powers trying to regulate themselves. It had taken decades for them to be able to regulate themselves well enough for the storms to end. The Elements didn’t like talking about those awkward years.

“Yeah,” Heat said reluctantly. “Why?”

“Did Mother talk to you about it?”

“What?” Heat squinted in thought. “There was the scolding. But you got that, too.”

Snow looked down. “She told me she was disappointed that I had made a mess. The blizzard was so big, and the only reason it hadn’t spread more was because you also had a storm.” He swallowed a lump in his throat. “She said it would be better if I just let you have your way next time, because then I wouldn’t have to ‘make a mess’ that she’ll have to clean up.”

Heat understood how much that must have crushed Snow. “You felt like she took my side,” he said quietly.

Snow’s bottom lip trembled, and he looked away. “Yeah,” he whispered. “That’s how it’s felt for so long. I have to compete with you for everything, Heat. If I didn’t fight for it, she would just pick you every time. Because… because she loves you more.”

Heat grimaced as the ground rumbled beneath their feet. “I’m sorry, Snow,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter,” Snow murmured.

“Liar,” Heat chided. “Out, not in.”

“But then they’ll know what happened!” Snow exclaimed.

“Who cares, blizzard brain?”

Heat looked so warm and sincere, and Snow looked down. Then he clenched his fist and the island shook hard enough to make the servants stumble. There was a loud groan as a volcano erupted nearby. Snow sighed as the pressure eased a little, and he smiled.

“I always wondered what it was like to shake the island,” he admitted. “I’m glad Mother made it so sturdy.”

Heat nodded. “She does think about what we need. Most of the time.”

Snow nodded then leaned back in the chair. Ash came in with a bowl and handed it to Cinder before leaving again. Cinder walked over.

“What’s that for?” Snow asked.

“It’ll ease the ice burns,” Cinder said.

“It’ll sting a little,” Heat cautioned.

Snow winced as Cinder massaged a warm paste into his feet. It stung so badly that Snow had to bite back an oath. Heat grabbed his hand and squeezed.

“Give it an hour. You’ll feel better, I promise.”

“I’ll trust your word on that, magma breath,” Snow mumbled. He tossed back the rest of his wine then set aside his cup. “I’m tired.”

“Do you think you can sleep?”

“The wine should help,” Snow sighed. “I’m sorry I woke you, Heat.”

“What did you dream about?”

Snow’s lips tightened. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That personal, eh?”

Snow stiffened, waiting for his twin to make a joke or jab at him. But he didn’t. Instead, Heat stood up and pulled Snow to his feet then gingerly helped him back to bed. He tucked him in then turned to Cinder.

“Don’t let him get up alone. I’ll come over and help him get ready for the family.”

“You don’t have to,” Snow said, his cheeks warm.

“I know.”

Snow stared at him. “Why are you being so nice?”

Heat shrugged and looked away. “I guess seeing the world from your point of view helps me understand your… weirder tendencies.”

Snow thought about that then nodded. “Yeah. Well, thanks, bro. I guess I’ve learned a few things, too.”

He paused then drew his brother into a hug. Heat pressed into his twin’s warmth as Snow shivered a little at the shock of cold.

“I don’t say it much, frostbite, but I do love you,” Heat muttered, taking a step back.

Snow grinned a little. “I love you, too, sulfur breath. And I’d literally be nothing without you.”

Heat smiled then turned to Flurry. “Ready to try and sleep again?”

“Yes, sir,” Flurry said.

“No,” Snow said.

Heat was startled. Snow had never denied a request before. “What?”

Snow peered at Flurry. “You don’t want to sleep. What do you really want?”

Flurry looked away, clasping his hands behind his back. “I’d like to spend some time with Cinder and the rest of that apple wine.” It was very clear he was being honest, but his cheeks were dark.

Snow smiled a little. “Go ahead. But remember that Mother and the family will be here tomorrow.”

Flurry gave a grateful smile and hurried over to take the wine. Cinder grinned at him as they bustled away. Heat watched, bemused. “He’s honest.”

“Yes,” Snow said. “He’s always been that way. I like it, and though it stings sometimes, I respect it.” He snuggled down in the bed and sighed. “Thanks for everything, flame head.”

“Anytime, icicle nose. See you tomorrow.”

Heat left and padded back over to the snowy half of the island. He saw Cinder and Flurry sitting on either side, laughing as they drank. It was nice to see them being friendly. For so long even civility was difficult to keep up, but now? Things would never be the same, not now that they understood each other better. But Heat was bothered by a thought. Snow wasn’t wrong about switching back. He couldn’t explode, not in the same way. And while he was sure Snow needed it, once they switched back, he wouldn’t have the same outlet. He needed to figure out what to do about it. But what?

Chapter Text

Just as he’d promised, Heat came over as the servants were preparing food for their family and helped his brother to get ready. Snow’s feet were so swollen and sore from the night before that he could barely even stand. He was grateful for Heat’s tender compassion as Cinder tended to his feet and wrapped them in medicinal cloth. It seared like cold fire, but it warmed quickly and numbed the pain. 

“I messed up, Heat,” Snow gasped, swiping at his streaming eyes. “It hurts.”

“This is worse than I thought it was,” Heat said softly. “I need to get Ash to make something stronger.”

Snow looked miserable. “So there’s no escape, then. Just what I need,” he muttered, his voice a bit hysterical. The island shook a little, and Snow shivered.

“I’m not leaving you alone, icicle nose,” Heat promised. “The servants have their instructions. We’re as ready as we can be. So let’s get you situated by the magma pit and then just relax until they show up.”

Snow huffed but nodded and allowed his brother to bear most of his weight as he staggered to the parlor where they’d be receiving their family. When he sat down, he carefully tucked his feet under a blanket so that nobody would see the damage. Heat watched him, his lips pressed in a thin line.

“It’ll be suspicious if you don’t get up,” Heat said. Snow wilted and looked ready to cry, so Heat considered things. “Okay, we’ll tell them you’re still recovering from your prolonged chill,” Heat said. “You do look pathetically tired and weak, so that will fly.”

Snow relaxed and smiled. “Yeah, magma breath. That sounds good. Thanks. Besides, I can’t get too warm,” Snow said, adjusting his blanket. “But chilly is now possible.”

They grinned at each other then stiffened as Slush came hurrying in. 

“They’re here.”

Snow looked down at his lap, fighting back panic. They were here already? There wasn’t even time to think! Heat grasped his hand, and Snow looked up and took a bit of courage from his brother’s smile. Snow turned to his servant and nodded. “Show them in. And check on breakfast.”

Heat sat down right beside Snow, angled away from the magma pit. Then there was a crowd of chattering siblings coming in with not only their mother, but their father as well. Immediate panic clutched at both of them. Father Time was only ever summoned when they had been especially bad, and despite the number of centuries that had passed since they’d been young, they well remembered his displeasure. But he didn’t look angry now. He looked concerned. Mother Nature and Father Time slipped past everybody else and hurried over. Mother Nature took Snow’s face in her hands and sighed. 

“You’re warm,” she said. “I had to be sure dear.” She reached up to brush at Snow’s hair. Snow flinched away. 

“Mother, stop,” he grumbled, but he was secretly pleased when she gave him a look and continued to fuss. 

“It’s weird seeing you with unfrozen hair, ice slick,” North said, his eyes glinting. 

“Go waste your currents somewhere else, bluster ball,” Snow retorted. 

“So you really did switch,” Aurora said, shaking her head. Her pink eyes were alight with mirth. “How?”

“No idea,” Snow said frankly.

“You’re kidding, right?” Lightning asked. “We’re supposed to believe that?”

“It’s true though,” Heat said. “We got back from the family reunion and we just… switched.” He shrugged. 

“Did you two get into a fight?” Mother Nature asked. 

“No, Mother dear,” they both intoned flatly.

“Are you sure?”

Flurry spoke. “We found them outside. They were already switched. We heard and saw no evidence of a quarrel. I promise you, Mother Nature, ma’am, they did not fight after they came through.”

Mother Nature studied him. “You were the one who informed me of Snow’s… condition.”

Flurry stared at her. “Yes, ma’am.”

She said nothing else, and Flurry stood very still, clearly uncomfortable. Snow didn’t like that. “How about some tea, Flurry?” Snow said. “Surprise us.”

“Yes, sir,” Flurry said, and he turned and strode out. 

Cinder flashed a grateful look at Snow, who smiled a little. Mother Nature turned back to Snow and peered at him. 

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” Snow said, shrugging. 

Mother Nature’s face pinched and she snatched her hand back, sucking in a breath. She rubbed her fingers then touched Snow again. A puzzled look came into her eyes.

“Are you sure, dear?”

“Tea, Mother?” Heat asked as several of his servants came in bearing steaming cups of tea on trays. 

“What?” Mother Nature looked at Heat in surprise. 

“Tea?” he asked, and he pushed a cup into her hands. “And you should sit down.”

Mother Nature continued to stare at Snow, concern creasing her features as Heat settled her into a chair. Everybody else stared between the brothers. Was Heat jealous of the attention Snow was getting from their mother and trying to take it away? But Snow looked relieved by his twin’s intervention for once. Father Time stroked his beard and watched curiously as his other children murmured to each other. Something had certainly changed between his polar opposite twins, and he was rather interested to see more. 

“Are you still ill, Snow?” East asked, brushing her flowing auburn hair over her ears. Her ruby red eyes glowed with concern.

“Yeah,” Snow said reluctantly. “It’s, ah, been a long recovery.”

“A recovery from… what exactly?” Lightning asked slyly. 

Snow flushed a little and said nothing. At that moment, Flurry walked in and announced breakfast was served, distracting everybody. Heat knew he’d been listening and was intervening for his sire. 

“Oh, you’ve made breakfast?” Mother Nature exclaimed, looking pleasantly surprised. “What have we got, boys?”

Heat stiffened, unsure of what exactly they were serving, but Snow spoke smoothly. “Food from your bounty, of course.”

Heat bit back a scoff as his siblings groaned and Father Time rolled his eyes and shook his head. 

“Smooth talker,” Thunder grumbled. 

“Ah, get your currents uncrossed,” Heat said before he could stop himself. “That was funny.”

A look of surprised delight crossed Snow’s face at his brother’s defense. Everybody else glanced at each other then began to fill their plates. Heat wordlessly made Snow a small plate before he fixed his own. Snow wasn’t very hungry, but he made the motions of eating while a pit of fear boiled in his stomach. Cinder and Flurry stuck close beside him, and Heat kept glancing at the magma pit with nervous eyes. Snow knew his stress must have been obvious to his twin. 

“So how have you two not destroyed the world yet?” South asked, tying back her golden hair so she could eat. 

“Weren’t you the one who plowed down half of Central America because you were upset?” Snow asked dryly. 

Everybody stiffened and looked sharply at Snow. That wasn’t his usual behavior. Mother Nature frowned. 

“He makes a good point,” Heat pointed out, delighted by the sharp jab at their sister. “We’ve managed to keep the world stable despite being switched. You can’t even keep your element in check when you don’t get your way.”

“How have you been doing that, exactly?” North asked, smoothing his hair. “Because I personally find it hard to believe that you ‘just switched’ and have been maintaining a balance for your opposite element for even a day without destroying everything.”

“What are you saying, windbag?” Heat asked sourly. 

“I’m saying that you two are too incompetent to do that, so… what? You’ve been pawning your work off to your servants, is that it?” North asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. 

“That’s enough, North!” Mother Nature boomed, and immediately everybody went silent. She glared at North for a moment then turned to Snow and Heat. “Whatever you’re doing to maintain is good enough that I didn’t even notice you’d switched.”

Snow smiled bitterly, and Heat reached out to soothe him, but his brother spoke before he could stop him. 

“Yes, I suppose noticing us would have taken a bit more effort on our part. Good to know for next time.”

Mother Nature set her tea down and looked at her son intently. “Snow, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Snow said, the bite in his voice icy. “Now please stop asking.”

“Someone’s got a low boiling point now that he can control fire,” North said. 

“Bite me, North,” Snow snapped. 

“Ooh, temper temper, Snow,” North teased, wagging his finger. 

Snow froze, his face turning pale. Heat stepped between Snow and North and shoved the Wind back. “Keep talking, windbag, and you’re going to leave our island!”

“Mother, he’s shoving me!”

“Heat, be reasonable,” Mother Nature said. 

“Absolutely not!” Heat barked. 

Snow could hear the argument, but it was far away. Louder and more present were the other words—‘Temper temper, Snow’—and it brutally kicked off a flurry of memories. He couldn’t implode again, but he couldn’t explode with the family there. Everything boiled inside of him, and Snow giggled a little. At once everybody was looking at him, and he saw panic flash across Heat’s face. 

“Snow?” Mother Nature asked softly. “Are you okay?”

Snow giggled again the words echoing in his mind like a mantra. ‘Temper temper, Snow.’ The island suddenly jerked beneath their feet and there was a loud crack! Magma erupted out of the pool and sprayed the room as Snow began to laugh hysterically. There was a moment of shock before their siblings scattered, fleeing the spontaneous volcanic eruption. Snow’s laughs rang out after them, high and wild and tinged with something sinister. 

Mother Nature and Father Time stayed, watching in shock as Snow clutched at his middle, laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face. Heat looked panicked as he tried to keep cool and help Snow at the same time. 

“Snow! Please!” Heat begged. “Calm down! You’re too hot!”

“Snow! What’s wrong?” Mother Nature exclaimed. 

“Why nothing, Mother dear,” Snow choked, sounding as if he was on the brink of sanity. “Why would anything be wrong?”

He let out another peal of laughter that morphed into a panicked shriek as he realized what was happening, and he stood up and tried to run. Pain took him to the floor as soon as he put weight on his feet. He collapsed and began to hyperventilate, trying to hang on to his control. 

“Snow! Your feet!” Mother Nature yelped. She spun to Heat. “What is going on? Did you do that to him? Have you no compassion?”

“Oh, sure, blame me!” Heat snapped. His eyes flashed blue and a chill spread out.

Snow rocked back and forth, trying to stem the magma flow while also trying not to chill his core again. “Temper temper,” he hiccuped, shaking his head violently. 

Heat bit back a retort, knowing he’d only make things worse. Mother Nature looked helplessly at Father Time, who shrugged. Flurry had watched all this without a word. But when Heat looked at him, unsure of what to do, Flurry took charge without a qualm. Mother Nature was already displeased with him, so what was a little more?

“Enough!” he said crisply. “You two, leave, now. And take the others with you.”

Mother Nature looked startled. “I beg your pardon?”

Flurry turned to Heat. “It was a mistake to accept the invitation. In fact, it was wrong of them to reach out first after what I told them. They need to leave. Immediately.”

Heat pressed his lips together. “You’re right. Mother, Father, I think it best if you leave. And don’t come back until we say so. Have a good day.”

“Heat?” Mother Nature asked. “You can’t be serious.”

But Heat’s eyes had turned to Snow and he was already trying to figure out what to do to calm him down. Mother Nature looked at her husband, who shook his head. 

“Let’s go, dear. The servant has a point. This was a mistake,” Father Time said gently. 

He guided his wife out the door then called to his children, who stood huddled together in the snowy half as the island shook intermittently. 

“What’s going on?” Flood asked. 

“We’re leaving. Now.”

“Is Snow okay?” Ebb asked. 

“No. Let’s go.” Father Time cut open a portal to Mother Nature’s garden. “Let’s all just take a walk.”

As the Elements walked through, they cast worried glances back at the palace. Mother Nature hesitated before stepping forward, torn between mothering her two hurting children and listening to what they wanted of her. The island seemed to groan beneath their feet, and a wild scream echoed from Heat’s palace. The temperature rose suddenly, and Father Time yanked her into the portal as several violent volcanic eruptions shook the island. They stumbled through as the portal collapsed then they stood still and looked at each other. 

“Mother?” Earthquake asked uneasily. “Is Snow really not okay?”

“I don’t think so,” Mother Nature whispered. 

“Why not?” Aurora asked. 

There was a pause then Mother Nature looked at her children. “Because I did a very foolish thing when I was raising you,” she said then began to explain.

Chapter Text

After a meltdown of epic proportions, Snow found himself bedridden again while Heat ran to take an ice bath to cool down before he got heat stroke. Cinder and the other fire servants had to clean up the lava and make sure the hot half of the island was still stable, so that left Flurry to take care of Snow. It was turning out to be a simple task because Snow didn’t seem to want anything but to wallow in his own misery. Flurry wanted to help, but he was sure he’d done enough damage by not talking to Snow about the doubts he’d had about the visit. 

Finally, Flurry just had to do something and hurried to make Snow something to put on his stomach. He couldn’t stand seeing his sire so upset, and all he wanted to do was take away his pain. He spent an hour making a special treat before he hurried back across the barrier to find Heat trying to console his twin. 

“It really wasn’t that bad,” Heat was saying. 

“Did you see the look on her face?” Snow lamented. “Oh, she’s disappointed, Heat! I couldn’t even control myself!”

“That’s enough!” Flurry exclaimed, and Snow turned to look at his servant in surprise. 

“Flurry?” he asked, his brows drawing together. 

“Yes, it was bad,” Flurry said, striding over and setting the tray on the bedside table. “But I saw the look on your mother’s face. She was not disappointed, she was worried and scared for you, sir. She wants to help you.”

Snow squirmed a little at Flurry’s words. “Did she really look worried for me?” he asked in a small voice. 

“She did seem to be exceedingly worried when you started laughing,” Cinder pointed out as he came in. Ash came in behind him but stopped in the doorway. 

“Oh, don’t remind me,” Snow groaned, covering his face. 

“Status?” Heat asked Cinder. 

“The island is stable and the lava has been cleaned up. Everything is perfectly fine.”

Snow looked relieved as Cinder walked over to stand by Flurry. 

“Excuse me, sirs?” 

Heat turned to see Ash still lingering in the doorway. “Yeah?” he asked. 

“May I, ah, may I see the damage? To be sure which recipe would be best…”

Snow grimaced, but he nodded slowly and Heat helped him to sit up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Ash came over and gingerly touched Snow’s feet. Snow let out a strangled noise. Ash grimaced. 

“And that’s what I was afraid of,” he sighed. 

“What?” Heat asked. 

“We’re past the point of my knowledge,” Ash replied. “All I have scribbled down for damage like this is ‘Contact Mother Nature no matter what Heat says.’”

Snow paled. “It’s that bad?” he asked faintly. 

Heat knelt down and peered intently at Snow’s swollen feet. They were so injured that they were turning black. “Let me put it this way, Snow,” Heat said. “If you were human, you’d have frostbite so severe that amputation would be the only solution. And if Ash says we need to contact Mother, we’d better do it.”

“I can’t handle the family again today,” Snow groaned. 

Flurry had listened to all of this without comment, and he turned and left as Snow began to weep again. Cinder watched him go, curious as to what he was doing, though he had his suspicions. 

Flurry made his way to the edge of the island then opened a portal to Mother Nature’s garden. Peering around, he could see the Elements talking in small groups, but Mother Nature and Father Time were sitting outside the cottage speaking quietly. Flurry approached without fear. He didn’t care what either of them thought about him. It was Snow’s opinion that really mattered. 

“Excuse me, sir, ma’am,” he said politely. 

They both glanced over, clearly surprised to see him. “Yes?” Father Time asked. 

“We have a problem that needs your immediate attention.”

“Which would be?”

“Snow’s feet are injured very badly. It was not Heat who did it, but I will tell you no more than that. Ash cannot do anything with the damage and recommends that we ask for help.”

“Did Snow send you?” Mother Nature asked hopefully. 

“No, ma’am.”

“Heat?” Father Time asked. 

“No, sir. I believe Heat is trying to convince Snow to let you come. I came on my own because Snow needs help, whether or not he’s willing to admit it. And this time, it’s you that must help. So I’ve come to fetch you, Mother Nature.”

Mother Nature studied him for a moment then stood up. “I thought that looked bad. Describe the injuries.”

“Heat said it’s akin to a human getting severe frostbite.”

Mother Nature nodded. “I need a few things.” Raising her voice so that it boomed across her island, she spoke firmly. “Come here, dears! It’s important.”

Flurry shook his head. “I don’t recommend they come, ma’am. I must insist they don’t, actually.”

“They’re not coming,” Mother Nature said briskly. “They’re going to help me gather ingredients. They’re spread all over the world. Go back and wait for me. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Flurry turned and portaled away. When he got back to Snow and Heat, Snow had calmed down and was eating the treat that Flurry had made for him. 

“There you are,” Snow said. He smiled weakly. “I wanted to thank you for this.”

Flurry looked at the tray of small meat pies and shrugged. “Comfort food,” was all he said. 

Heat came into the room, looking steamed despite his blue color. “Flurry, help me convince him he needs Mother’s help.”

“That won’t happen, sir,” Flurry said simply. 

“Then what do we do?”

“In cases such as this, I take matters into my own hands.”

Snow choked and turned to cough. “You didn’t!” he rasped once he’d caught his breath. 

“Didn’t what?” Heat asked, bewildered. 

“She’ll be here in half an hour,” Flurry said, using a no-nonsense tone. “And there’s no worming out of it. So just accept it and enjoy your food.”

Snow groaned and looked miserable. “I guess if you did that, I’m being too stubborn.”

“It’s a bit much, sir,” Flurry said, his lips twitching. 

“Oh, really?” Snow smiled a little. “Then I guess it’s good I have you looking out for me.”

Flurry looked very pleased by Snow’s praise and he glanced away as he smiled. Cinder grinned at the flush of pleasure that rose up his friend’s cheeks, and even Heat smiled at the compliment. It was nice to see Flurry so happy because he was always so solemn. It was clear that Flurry and Snow knew each other very well, and it was sweet to see them like this. But a thought suddenly occurred to Heat. 

“You’re not close with anybody in the family, are you?”

Snow glanced over. “Depends on what you mean,” he admitted. 

“You don’t share anything with anyone outside of your servants,” Heat said. “Just like me.” 

Snow stared at him, a sad smile on his face. “Just because I get along with the family doesn’t mean I trust them. But I still have to disagree with your statement.”

Heat grew agitated. “Which part? Being like me?”

“No. Not sharing anything with the family.”

“Really? Who do you share with?” Heat asked. He snapped his fingers. “I bet it’s Aurora. With the polar lights and all, you’ve spent a lot of time with her.”

Snow shook his head, amusement gleaming in his eyes. “Not Aurora. She’s too bright for her own good sometimes.” He lightened his voice and did an eerily good impression of their sister. “‘I don’t see why you’re worried about being cold, Snow. That’s both what and who you are. It’s only natural to feel cold.’”

Heat grimaced and clenched his fists. “She said that, eh?”

“They all did, in one way or another.”

“Then who do you share with?”

Snow laughed softly. “You, of course. Do you really think I’d be sitting here and enjoying anything about being unable to even walk if I didn’t trust you, Heat? You did the one thing they never did. You understood when I told you it hurts. You didn’t dismiss me, even though we scrap like cats and dogs. Often. Maybe I should have told you sooner.”

Heat thought about this. “Might have been a good thing it happened after we switched.”

Snow set aside his empty tray and shrugged. “Who knows what would have happened. But I think you noticed something was wrong even before that. You followed me into Wintersland and you never did that before.”

“Ah, North was stirring up trouble,” Heat said dismissively. “That bluster ball doesn’t get to hurt you like that. That’s my job.”

Snow laughed again, staring fondly at his twin. Then there was a firm knock on the palace doors. 

“That would be Mother Nature,” Flurry said. 

Snow grimaced but waved at him. “Let her in, Flurry. I want to get this over with.”

“Right away, sir,” Flurry said, but Cinder turned and bolted for the doors. 

“My castle, I answer!” he called back. 

“Hey!” Flurry yelped, then ran after him. “He ordered me to do that!”

Heat and Snow couldn’t help but laugh, and they were still grinning when the two servants came back, bringing with them Mother Nature. She paused and looked at the opposite forces before her and was utterly astounded at the difference. Father Time had mentioned that something had changed, and now that she saw the two of them together, it was obvious. They weren’t teasing, arguing, or fighting, which was a novel experience. 

“What do I need to do, Mother?” Snow asked, breaking her out of her thoughts. 

“Nothing yet, dear. I need a couple of your servants, Heat.”

Cinder hurried for Ash while Flurry strode over and stood by the bed, waiting for orders. Mother Nature shifted the island so that a stone table rose from the floor, and she sat down and spread out an array of plants. Ash came in and he and Cinder stood waiting for instructions.

“I’ve taught you before,” Mother Nature said to Ash. 

“Yes, ma’am,” Ash said. “I still use all you’ve taught me. But I don’t know how to handle this.”

“Several ways,” Mother Nature replied. “First, we need to make a cream that will numb his feet. It’s similar to what I’ve shown you before, but it’s much stronger. This is to be used only in severe cases, am I understood?”

“Clearly, ma’am,” Ash replied. 

“Alright, let me see your feet, Snow,” Mother Nature said, turning to the bed. 

She observed the damage closely, and despite her gentle touch, Snow cringed away and had to bite back an oath. Mother Nature looked grim as she turned back to the table and began instructing Cinder and Ash on the way to make the cream. 

Snow and Heat watched with interest as their mother explained not only how to make the medicine, but why it would work as well as other uses for the plants. Ash, more experienced than Cinder at making medicines, was an excellent pupil, and he asked many questions. Flurry listened attentively to everything, but Cinder looked a bit bored. Mother Nature quickly noticed and set Cinder the more physical task of making the actual medicine, which soothed his irritation and helped him listen. Cinder was so quick and Ash was so thorough that by the time the explanation was done, the cream was ready. Cinder moved to pick up the bowl, but Mother Nature stopped him. 

“I’ll do it this time,” Mother Nature said firmly. 

“Yes, ma’am,” Cinder said, bewildered as to how she could even touch it with all the capsaicin in it. 

Mother Nature simply pulled on a pair of gloves and picked up the bowl. She settled on the bed and pulled Snow’s feet over. Snow grimaced and looked away. 

“Mother, please let Cinder do it,” he mumbled. 

“Not this time,” Mother Nature said gently. She sighed. “This is going to hurt, Snow dear.”

Snow squirmed but nodded. As soon as his mother began rubbing the cream into his feet, Snow’s world became white with pain. He cried out and floundered for a moment before a cold hand startled him back into reality. He turned and saw Heat, and he clutched at his hand. 

“Colder,” he begged softly as black edged his vision. 

Heat obeyed, lowering his core temperature. Snow’s heat flared even warmer against his hand, and he knew that he had to be hurting him, but a little ice burn would be nothing compared to what Snow had done to his feet. 

“Snow, dear, can you count for Mother?” Mother Nature asked. “Count to fifty.”

He latched onto the task, which was much harder than it had been since he was very young. But he noticed after twenty that the pain was beginning to fade. He sent up a grateful prayer then focused on his counting again. By fifty, his feet were tingling with warmth but were no longer hurting. 

“You will need to apply this every six hours until his feet are back to normal,” Mother Nature said to Ash and Cinder. Then she turned to Flurry and Heat. “And nobody who isn’t a fire elemental should make or apply this for any reason whatsoever. And I mean it, Flurry,” she said. “Snow must do it himself if it’s the only option. He should skip doses if that’s what it takes. You are to be nowhere near it. Is that clear?”

Flurry squirmed and glanced at Snow. Snow shrugged. “Mother knows best. Promise me, Flurry. Promise you’ll do as she says.”

Flurry sighed but nodded. “If that’s what you want. I promise I won’t.”

“Or order anyone else to do it,” Mother Nature said. 

Anger flashed across Flurry’s somber face. “What kind of beast do you think I am?!”

“Peace, Flurry,” Snow interjected. Flurry settled down, and Snow turned back to his mother. “He’s not me, Mother. He never has been and never will be. And you’d better be grateful for that. He’s promised me he won’t, and he won’t.”

Mother Nature peered curiously at Snow before she nodded. “Very well. We need some lava rocks. I’ll show you how to make something that should help reopen the circulation in his feet. Go and gather some lava rocks, all of you.”

They bowed and hurried away. Mother Nature stripped off her gloves and tossed them onto the table. “Do you feel better, dear?”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Snow said. 

“That doesn’t mean there’s not damage,” she replied. “So you are not to get out of that bed without Heat’s help. Heat, do you think you can do this?”

“I’ve been doing it,” Heat grumbled. 

“Heat, please,” Mother Nature begged. 

“What?” Heat retorted, a chill spreading through the room. 

Snow tittered. “Chill out, magma mouth. She doesn’t get it.”

“Get what?” Mother Nature asked warily. 

“He’s not complaining, Mother,” Snow said, tucking his numb feet under the blankets and lying back. “He just wants to be sure you know that he’s been doing good and that won’t change now that you’ve asked him.”

Heat felt himself blush and he stared at his brother with wonder. “You know that?”

Snow smiled wryly. “Always have, hothead. But I told you why I always fight with you.”

A light of recognition flashed in Heat’s face. “Really?” was all he could say.

Snow shrugged and closed his eyes. He was so tired, and all he wanted was sleep. 

“He needs rest,” Mother Nature said softly. She placed her hand on Heat’s forehead. “And you need to go and cool down. I’ll teach your servants what to do and they can explain later. Go on now.”

Heat accepted a kiss from his mother and headed to the door. He peeked back to see their mother gazing down at Snow. She looked so worried and tired as she brushed her fingers through his orange tinted hair. 

“I love you, Snow,” she said softly. 

Heat was embarrassed to see such an intimate moment, but the feeling was tinged with sorrow and regret. He could tell Snow was already asleep and didn’t hear the words he needed so badly to hear. 

As Heat hurried over to the snowy half of the island, he reflected that Snow had taken after their mother in many ways, and that included her backbone of pride. While their mother was too proud to directly apologize, Snow was too proud to admit he was hurt and angry. If just one of them would bend, things would be better. But there was a snowball’s chance in the heart of a volcano that that would happen anytime soon.

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Snow tapped on Heat's door as Jack flew in circles and talked to Flurry. Cinder opened the door, and Heat stepped out, scowling.

"It's not even the reunion yet," he complained. "And I still have to see them?"

"Chill out, inferno face. It's just family," Snow teased.

Heat grunted. "Yeah, yeah. But I still wish the kid could've waited."

"I'm over seven hundred years old," Jack said from above them. "I'm not a kid."

Snow reached up and grabbed Jack's ankle, yanking him down into his arms. Jack yelped.

"Hey! Snowy!" he whined. "No fair."

"Is too fair," Snow taunted back. "I can't fly."

"Ready, boys?" Mother Nature asked, her voice echoing across their island.

"Yes, Mother dear," they both intoned, and they hurried to the end of the island. The portal opened up and Jack jumped out of Snow's arms and flew through. Snow grinned and followed with Heat. The rest of the family was already there, which was a bit surprising. Usually, Snow and Heat were retrieved first because of their status as firstborns. But it was a party for Jack.

Mother Nature kissed Jack's cheek as she scanned him up and down. "Prince of frost, eh?"

Jack flushed. "Did you like your present?"

"You have quite some skill," Aurora said.

Heat looked puzzled. "Huh?"

Snow cut in front of Heat to receive his kiss first. Heat scowled at him. "Oh, he visited their islands last night and left some personalized frost."

Heat accepted his kiss last. "Hmph. I didn't get to see it."

"Your half won't frost," Jack said, shrugging. "I did try."

"He'll gladly show off for you, Heat. Just pick a time and let me know," Snow assured him.

"What if I said no?" Jack asked cheekily.

"You won't. You're a showoff," Snow retorted. "I saw what you did this morning on their islands."

Jack stuck his tongue out then jumped into the air and shot across Summersland. His gloved hand skimmed along the grass, leaving a shimmering trail of frost behind him.

Heat grinned. "That's pretty cool, slush mouth. I remember when you used to play with frost."

"He's got an artistic touch," Snow said fondly.

"Just like his daddy," Heat teased.

"Oh, stuff it, magma brain!" Snow exclaimed, his cheeks coloring. He could feel his siblings staring at him, so he quickly changed the subject. "What are the plans for today, Mother?"

"Oh, I have several activities planned," she said. "But first I suppose we should coronate him. We're waiting on Time to get here with the crown."

"What?" Snow was startled, and he could hear the others muttering. "Mother, you're coronating him?"

"Of course not. You are. Unless you don't think he's ready?"

Snow frowned. "Well, of course I think he's ready. He's been doing his job for over five hundred years. We only had a century of probation. But you don't even know him. You're willing to do this?"

Mother Nature smiled at Snow. "I trust your judgement."

"Really?" North and Thunder asked incredulously.

"Why?" Snow asked suspiciously.

"Snow, you have kept him in line well enough that I didn't know he existed for over seven hundred years," Mother Nature replied. "That is probably the single most impressive act any one of you have ever done on your own. You took the blame for his storms and accidents, but he certainly doesn't run wild, which means you're doing something right. He seems polite and responsible, and he's clearly well-adjusted and respects humankind and the balance of nature."

Snow smiled. "Well when you put it that way, I suppose I should coronate my son. Come here, Jackie."

Heat was amused as their siblings looked puzzled. Snow hadn't raised his voice at all, but Jack came rushing back on the winds, coming to rest in front of Snow. Mother Nature looked pleased.

"You learned my trick," she said.

Snow grinned. "I did. And you were right. It's just… natural."

"What's up, Snowy?" Jack asked.

"It's time for you to be crowned."

Jack blinked. "What?"

"You're going to receive your title," Snow explained.

"My title?" Jack looked unsure, glancing around at the others. "Like when you were coronated and gained your element?"

"Exactly like that."

"But I haven't done anything to earn it. Even you had to earn it," Jack pointed out.

"What all have you told him, frostbite?" Heat asked, amused.

"Just about whatever he's asked," Snow replied. He looked back at Jack. "Considering your adventure with Elisa and what occurred afterwards, I'd say you've proved plenty."

Jack went very still, and the sparkle left his eyes. "You really think so?"

"Yes, Jackie," Snow said gently.

"What exactly happened with—" South began.

"Don't ask," Snow snapped. "That's his business. Back off. The point is he's ready to be crowned."

Mother Nature looked just as curious about the adventure as the Elements, but at that moment, Father Time landed in his griffin-pulled chariot. He stepped out and Mother Nature hurried over to kiss him.

"The coronation will go on as planned," she told him.

"Where's the crown?" Snow asked eagerly. "I assume you went to the Dwarves?"

"Of course. Only the best for my grandson," Father Time said. He picked up a box and handed it to Snow. Snow brushed his fingers over the rich wood then opened it. He grinned.

"Oh yes. This will do nicely. It fits him perfectly. You peeked through his life, didn't you?"

"Of course. Since I was unable to be there."

Snow's lips tightened. "Of course. You're so busy." He paused. "But even if you had known about him, you'd have done the same thing. It's what you always do. How could you ever find the time for family?"

Father Time looked frustrated. "Snow, we've been over this."

"Ad nauseam," Snow said dryly.

"Then what is the problem?"

Snow shook his head and looked back at the crown in the box. It was a gorgeous silver crown with a sparkling snowflake outlined in Tanzanite stones. The snowflake itself was the unique pattern that Snow had made for Jack the year he'd been created. It was different from the snowflake pattern that he'd been gifted at his own coronation. It was fitting and proper for Jack.

"What do I need to do?" Jack asked.

Mother Nature smiled and linked arms with Father Time. The other Elements slowly got into a circle around them. Jack noticed they stood in the same pattern as before, with Heat directly across from Snow and the other pairs across from each other. Mother Nature and Father Time stood behind Jack, and Snow took out the crown from the box. He handed the box to North, who took it without even an eye roll. Jack realized it was a ceremony, and he stiffened, unsure of what to do again. Snow only smiled.

"Jack Frost, do you swear to keep nature balanced to the best of your ability?"

Jack swallowed. "I do," he said nervously.

"Do you swear loyalty to the family above all besides the Maker?"

Jack's voice was steadier. "I do."

"And do you accept the responsibility of caring for humankind despite their many mistakes?"

Jack grinned. "I have a stake in that part, so yeah. I do."

"Then I crown you, Jack Frost, with the title of Prince of Frost and Cold."

Jack bowed his head and accepted the crown, which Snow placed on his brow. Instantly, both Snow and Jack were surrounded by blue light, and Jack yelped at the influx of power. He stood there for a moment, stunned, before he looked up to see Snow grinning.

"Quite the kick, ain't it?" he teased.

"A bit," Jack said breathlessly.

Everybody else laughed and the circle broke. Jack took off the crown and gazed at it. "So I'm a part of the family?"

"Yes," Snow said.

Jack turned to look at the others. "The whole family?"

Heat snorted. "Well duh."

Jack stuck his tongue out at Heat then launched into the air again, still peering at the crown. "If you're sure."

That was an odd response, and most of the family looked puzzled. Heat understood his wariness though. "I don't know if we are sure, actually," he teased. "You're awful cocky."

"Only because I'm that good," Jack replied.

"How good exactly?" North asked.

Jack looked at him. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I would actually. So answer," North said.

Jack twisted so that he reclined on his back in midair. He stared at North upside down and smirked. "No."

North looked surprised. "You're certainly rude," he said, scowling.

Snow chuckled. "He's family, North."

"Well, yeah," North said. "So what?"

"That means he gets to tease his uncle all he wants."

North stiffened and a flush rose up his cheeks. "Uncle?" he asked blankly.

"Yep. I might be a father, but that makes all of you aunts and uncles," Snow said smugly. "We have a new generation. I guess that means we're finally getting old."

There was a pause as those words sank in before an explosion of argument came from the Elements. Even Heat looked dismayed at realizing he had a nephew and was in fact an uncle. Snow only laughed, and Mother Nature and Father Time joined him. Jack grinned and flipped onto his stomach. Snow settled down and looked at him.

"You still want to see my displays?"

Jack brightened. "Yes!" he exclaimed. "There's got to be thousands, yeah?"

"Yes," Snow replied.

"Like two? Or ten? Or twenty?"

"That doesn't matter," Snow said.

"Does so."

"No it doesn't," Snow said. "You're not finding out the age of the earth like that anyway. I didn't start for centuries."

Jack rolled his eyes. "I will find out. I know it's at least ten thousand."

"At least," Snow said, amused.

"I'll find out in time," Jack said stubbornly.

"Oh, Father won't tell you either," Snow said. "A lady doesn't tell her age, and Mother would kill him if he told anybody." He plucked up the crown and settled it on Jack's head then looked pleased.

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Jack retorted.

Snow laughed again and began heading toward Wintersland. Jack flew along beside him. The rest of the family watched with great bemusement as the two continued talking.

"What about your plans?" North asked Mother Nature.

"One of the activities is visiting Snow's display room," Mother Nature replied. "I suppose we'll eat afterwards. Let's go."

The family hurried to catch up to Snow and Jack. By the time they'd made it into the display room, Jack was already skittering up ladders and exclaiming at different statues. Mother Nature walked over to Snow, who was watching Jack with a small smile on his face.

"He has so much energy," she commented.

"He's young," Snow said. "I think he'll mellow in a couple thousand years."

"You really think so?" Heat asked.

"We're still mellowing ourselves, lava brain," Snow said. "Until a decade ago, we fought constantly. It's only recently improved."

Mother Nature watched Jack for a moment. "You know we still have a problem?" she asked quietly.

"The world is off-balance because of Jack," Snow answered at once.

"So what do we do about it?" Ebb asked.

Mother Nature hesitated. Snow spoke. "Well, the two options I thought of were either to kill Jack and give my powers back to me, or for the rest of you to make a child, too. And since Mother won't kill Jack…"

Heat looked intrigued while the rest of the Elements looked too stunned to speak. "Make a kid, huh? Guess we'll need a girl to balance him out properly…"

"I suggest you hold off on that for a few years," Snow said. "If you'll take my advice, we need to do this slowly and in order of birth."

"Hey Snowy! Was this the year I met Mabuz?" Jack called.

"He knowsMabuz?" Earthquake asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Quite well," Snow said. "Bring that down here, Jackie. I want to see that fractal memory."

Jack skittered down holding the statue, and he raced over to the platform to lock it in place. Then he saw the statue of himself on the shelf above the base and paused.

"You made one of me?" Jack asked.

"I've made several hundred featuring you, Jackie," Snow said.

"Good or bad?"

"Both."

Jack nodded and reached up to touch the statue's face. "It's been so long…"

"You've come a long way." Snow reached over and adjusted the crown. "I know what statue I'm making this year."

"Can't wait to see it," Jack said. "But I want to see the look on Mabuz's face first. It's so worth seeing again."

"Don't be so hasty. We have plenty of time now. You know, since he's here for once."

"Snow," Father Time said in frustration.

Snow shook his head again as he locked the statue into the base and settled his fingers on a small, perfect sheet of ice. "Welcome to the family, Jackie. Flaws and all."

He tilted the ice, and a blinding prismatic display flashed around the room as sunlight was reflected into the statue. As the family watched the memory unfold, Jack leaned into Snow and peered up at him.

"I'm glad to be here," he whispered to him. "Flaws and all."

"Me, too," Snow murmured. And he was pleased to find that he actually meant it.