Bound to get Burned

Rating: T

Summary: North discovers something about Jack that is rather shocking and in later reflection makes a lot of sense.

Author Note: Yup, I went there. Saw the movie. Obsessed by the movie. Obsessed to the point where I can't get any of my papers done until I get this out of my system (who cares about Economics and history papers anyway?). This story is going to be a two-shot- hopefully- maybe more. We'll see how many people like it. I'm not a hound for reviews but those are nice. Also, because it is finals weeks I am balls out working on other stuff, so don't expect the 2nd part too quickly. I still need to write three 5 page papers before next week and study for my Equine Health + Muscloskeletal exams.

He learned early on, to never venture to the warm areas of the globe.

There were some places Jack Frost never ventured. He subconsciously knew that whenever he rode the Southern or Western winds he would have to eventually get off when the sun got too hot or the air too dry and painful. At times like that, he would jump off those two winds and make his way back up to the colder climates via the Eastern or Northern winds.

He learned early on to avoid other Spirits and fire back with the same cruelty and unkindness they bestowed upon him.

There were seasons and holidays manned by other Spirits, those who were not Guardians of Children but Guardians of their designated time or year or holiday none the less. His intruding on those holidays or seasons often ended with him being run out of an area or suffering some kind of verbal or physical assault for his troubles.

He learned early on that the only person he could rely on was himself; his own strength was what would keep him safe.

Three hundred years of keeping a wary eye on other spirits and sprites has kept the winter spirit from being too badly taken by surprise by his fellow myths. Oh, they would try occasionally but Jack was always ready to indulge them, often battling with savage energy none of the older and more established Spirits thought he possessed.

Jack learned to keep to himself and not to trust anyone else; the hands that offered safety and kindness could bite as cruelly as those that dealt the blows.

He was lonely and although he had his work to keep him occupied Jack longed for someone to talk to, bounce ideas off of, to have fun with. So when several of the smaller sprites of fall started hanging around the woods near his pond Jack allowed them to stay instead of chasing them off. Fall sprites took the shape of small moss pattered toads and would often tell the winter spirit stories. Jack regarded these small sprites as friends, until one day they cornered him. The abuse and pain they inflicted on the winter spirit was one of the worst ever bestowed upon the youngster. One he was able to flee Jack holed up in the most Northern regions of the globe, his recovery was long.

Winter came unusually late that year and when it did finally come it was ferocious and deadly. Once recovered Jack fought back in the only way he knew how and that was to break and decimated everything the Fall sprites loved. After that, the winter spirit remained alone and steadfastly rebuked any attempts at friendship.

Now, he finds himself faced with a new dilemma.

The Guardians.

North himself was worried sick throughout the summer and fall after the defeat of Pitch. The young winter spirit had all but disappeared once the last of the fearlings were destroyed. He had left without a word to anyone, silently as the wind blows he allowed himself to be carried away to an unknown location. For all his searching and watching of weather patterns he was unable to pinpoint the silver haired teen's location. It wasn't until the tail end of the fall that North's searching finally paid off and the small glittering blue light moved over the weather globe.

"There he is." North mutters to himself, causing several of the elves to glance up at the tall Cossack as he quickly gathers up his warm jacket and hat.

"Tell the Floor Yetis to hold their approvals. I shouldn't be too long." He remarks to no one in particular but knows his orders will be carried out. Throwing the small globe the large Russian launches himself through it, the rift sealing closed behind him with a noticeable crack. The elves exchange a curious look before shrugging and scarfing down a few more cookies, their bells jingling rapidly.

North arrives in the woods that surround the borough of Burgess to find the chill in the air prominent as the moisture in his exhale becomes visible. Although there is no snow on the ground as of yet Jack Frost is already solidifying the ground so his snow will stick in the next coming weeks. The burly Spirit doesn't have to travel very far to find Jack, who is stretched out on the ground next to the small lake, one eye closed as he stretches the hooked staff out onto the water's clear surface. North stops and leans against one of the trees for a moment to watch the young man work. With a slow inhale Jack briefly touches the water's surface until it ripples then with a sharp but long exhale the water freezes, the rippling effect caught forever. With a satisfied smirk the barefooted youngster pushes himself up to gaze at his handiwork. North admires the young man for a moment, watching as he blows a frustrated breath up at his wild hair, fluffing it out of his eye before he steps out onto the surface of the frozen lake, his steps causing the thin ice to thicken. Narrow and lithe as ever Jack Frost moves effortlessly, his pale skin alight with pleasure at his creations.

"You know, if I didn't know you North, I'd be calling you 'a creeper' at the moment." Jack calls out from where he effortlessly glides across the thin ice, his narrow form bending with every frozen ripple to the surface. North gives a hearty chuckle and moves closer to the lake's edge, some of his anger at the youngster deflated but not enough.

"Jack." He calls and when the spirit looks over at him North beckons him closer with one gloved hand. Jack hesitates, standing just above the thin ice and watches the older man with an air of caution and suspicion. North notices his balking and sighs, knowing that the teen wouldn't take a step closer unless he's given a reason too.

"You worried me." He supplies but the air of suspicion doesn't fade and Jack stands to his full height, squaring his narrow shoulders and addresses the older spirit.

"Oh really?" The tone is filled with confusion and some anger but North dismisses it as Jack's typical attitude.

"Will you come closer please; I wish to speak with you without shouting." North reasons and for a moment Jack seems to consider moving closer but stops himself, shuffling a few more paces away and into the center of the lake. His expression is calm but the eyes tell North all he needs to know. Narrowed with suspicion the teen refuses to move, instead he pivots the hooked staff into the ice and brings himself up to cling onto it in a show of distinct balance.

"I can hear just fine from here." He assures, still balanced on the staff as he gazes at the larger man, his icy blue eyes eerily bright.

"This is ridiculous Jack, come here and sit. Speak with me like a civilized person would." North demands, flabbergasted at the youngsters behavior. Never had the man ever seen another Spirit act like Jack when he asked to have an audience with it. The other spirits are more than willing to sit and chat but Jack refuses even this simple kindness.

"I've played this game numerous times before North and believe it or not, I can learn so no, I will not come. Say what you have to say." He snaps irritation coloring his words. North is taken aback and stares at the lone winter spirit before clearing his throat.

"Why are you afraid of me?" he asks slowly and allows the silence to surround the lake an ignores the angry burst of icy wind that moves through, the breezes chill licking at his exposed skin but the large Russian doesn't flinch. Jack snarls something intelligible, his blue eyes narrowing dangerously.

"What makes you think I'm afraid?" Jack challenges icily and North smiles to himself. He's played this manipulation game before when he was both mortal and now as an immortal.

"If you were not afraid you would come, sit here on this rock and talk with me. If you were not afraid of me, you would not be perched in the middle of the lake. Hiding." He twists the proverbial knife a little, watching as the prideful spirit struggles with himself. Finally the long legs uncurl and with a display of icy calm the teen slides forward to stop close by to where the imposing North is standing.

"Your still on the ice." He points out.

"You're still standing." Jack retorts cockily, head cocked to the side and body tense as if waiting for an attack. North's heart clenches in his chest, realization causing his eyes to widen in shock.

"Jack…" he begins and takes a step forward, his thick boots hitting the thin ice and causing him to plunge his foot through the surface. Jack gives a shout and is about to shove the larger spirit back when North catches himself, swinging his arms around widely for a moment.

"Haha, still got it." He laughs but the laughter dies in his throat when he notices the winter spirit flinching away, his eyes closed and a look of abject fear on his face. North stands still and silent, watching as the boy first opens one pale eye to glance around and upon noticing North standing statue still he uncurls himself slowly, his eyes moving to look down at the large hole in the ice where North's foot went through.

"You've been struck before?" North simply asks, his accented tone cutting through the silence that has fallen on the clearing. For a moment Jack doesn't move the heaving of his shoulders the only indication that the teen was still alive. North waits patiently, knowing he can't rush the admission and steadfastly ignores the icy puddle gathering in the bottom of his boot.

"By spirits?" he implores, pressing softly. Hesitantly he reaches one gloved hand out to place on the youngsters shoulder but Jack twists away with a snarl and moves back out to the center of the ice, balancing on his staff as he watches North suspiciously. North for his part can only stare and give a sad nod before backing up the bank and onto the frozen ground behind him. Wordlessly the former adventurer withdraws the snow globe he had brought along. Before throwing it however the large Russian turns to address the winter spirit still watching him out on the lake, balanced expertly on his staff with wary eyes watching his every move.

"If I have hurt you in some way my friend, I am truly sorry. I hope you know it was never my intention to cause you bodily harm. I came here because I was worried about your wellbeing. I wanted to be your friend. If you want to talk, you will know where to find me." He calls sadly and without another word tosses the globe and steps into the portal. Upon reaching his manor the spirit of Christmas collapses into his faded leather chair, eyes focused on the roaring flames in the fireplace. In his years as a mortal he had seen many children-even adults- react in the same manner as Jack. Wary and hesitant, unsure if the helping hand was disguised as a threat, the idea of someone –another spirit- harming the youngster causes his heart to clench painfully. Even Bunnymund, for all his annoyance with the youngster wouldn't have ever hurt him bad enough to cause Jack's deep seated fear.

It's not a taught behavior.

It's a learned behavior, one of the hardest lessons to be learned but the easiest to be taught.

The kindness of others can burn and singe as badly as the warranted hatred

Not for the first time, but for the first time in a while the large man sits in his high backed chair and weeps for the outcome of his inactivity. Such a vibrant and skilled child, allowed slipping through the cracks and regarding those who want to help with suspicion and anger.

Jack Frost was a failure in his Guardianship, a failure that he would need to set right.

Author Note: So, like I said please don't expect a super quick update because I am off to work on one of my Economics papers. Please review if you'd like to see this updated. Till the next!