Chapter Text
When sixty years passed, long decades of no conversations and worse not being seen, Jack began wondering if anyone would ever see him. He would often ponder this underneath the full Moon, ask questions, beg for answers, for a sign, anything that could give a clue of what he had been doing wrong.
No response ever came.
Rather than moping about, the winter spirit made the best of his situation. Giving snow days to the children who had too many chores, offering ways of having fun in the months where night rules more than daylight. All the while trying to talk, to get the young ones to see him. A fruitless task that only left the bitter taste of loneliness and heartbreak on his tongue.
Something he grew used to, numb even, just like the constant hunger that gnawed at his insides. He stopped begging to the Moon instead would watch in silent dejection, unable to keep from questioning the reason for being around, for existing, if not a thing could see him. Children always walked through him, adults cursed his snow and wind for harsh winters, and spirits simply were never about.
That is until a faithful day, a little over a century after he had been lifted from his frozen pond, a man came.
Not just any though, the Nightmare King himself.
Instantly the quiet – lonely – life Jack had been accustomed to shattered into a million pieces. Someone saw him, talked to him.
Everything he always dreamed of.
“There you are.” Blinking and shaking himself from his thoughts, he meets a golden gaze. For a moment he cannot help but admire the spirit in front of him. Impossibly tall with piercing eyes and sharp features, Pitch Black has a unique appearance, one that he cannot help but find attractive. “Jack.” Fingers trail over his cheek, breaking him from his ponderings once again.
Smiling he says, “Sorry, just thinking about the past.” This earns a curious look as the elder sits next to him.
“Anything in particular?” He takes the hand still lingering on his cheek, stroking the skin with a smile as he thinks over the question.
With a shrug and another smile, the winter spirit states, “Not really, just remembering the past and how it was before you came around.”
A cool gaze examines him, thin eyebrow rising upwards before the Nightmare King replies, “I see. I hope you’re not regretting anything, it’s been sometime since you’ve hidden yourself away in the back of the labyrinth.” Jack laughs and pushes closer into the side of his companion, leaning up to nuzzle against a grey cheek.
Blue eyes narrow at Pitch, “No! Why would you think that? I’m just thinking about how better things are.”
Pitch examines him before saying, “I’m merely making sure.” Fingers begin running through his hair, stroking the white locks, “Though I am pleased to hear that you feel things are better. However, I still firmly believe you should have been taken care of from the beginning.”
“If that happened then it’s possible we wouldn’t be in this position now would we?” This has the man’s brow furrowing, the shadows covering the small room hissing that has Jack pushing back a laugh. An arm winds around his waist and pulls him onto the other’s lap, lips brushing over his cheek.
A dark look comes onto the Nightmare King’s face and his lips press together into a thin line. He considers the question then finally responds, “When you put it that way, I’m torn on the subject.” Jack curls up against a warm chest, resting his cheek on the elder’s collarbone, “On one hand I feel someone else should have at least acknowledge you… On the other hand however I don’t exactly enjoy the thought of not being able to talk to you.” Around the shadows begin shifting in the low it room and twist along stonewalls and floor. “If any other spirit had found you, I doubt they would have said anything decent about me.”
“Don’t get all upset now, I’m right here with you, aren’t I?” The boy lets out a breathy laugh; “I guess everything would be a lot different if the Guardians came around from day one.” While the spirits in question are not bad or cruel, not exactly, he knows that if they had been the ones to give him a home of some kind things would be drastically different than now.
Instead of finding comfort in the shadows it is more than possible that the Guardians would have told him the horrors of the Nightmare King. Explained that Pitch is not an old gentleman but a harsh and terrifying man from ancient times that knows no kindness. A lie, but Jack gets the sinking feeling he would have believed every word.
Fingers trail along his back, nails lightly catching the dark cloak around his shoulders, “If you were taken in, they would have told you to fear me, Jack.” Again the shadows around the room shift though they settle quickly.
With a shrug and pulling back just enough to meet golden eyes, the winter spirit asks, a half smile on his face, “Maybe. But that’s not exactly here or now is it?” Arms wrap around the other’s strong neck, “I’m stuck with you and I don’t really plan on going anywhere.” A playful gleam flickers in his gaze, “Will that be a problem, oh great Nightmare King?” He does not even try reeling in his grin.
Pitch gives a withering look though the corner of his mouth tilts up a fraction, “I suppose not. Do try to remember that I’m here because you want me here. The moment that you no longer want me about, is the moment I will leave you be.” The younger tightens his grip around his companion’s neck, hating the idea of not having this man’s company anymore.
“Then I hope that you’re willing to stay here until the Moon falls from the sky or until a star crashes into the planet.” Another smile comes onto the King’s face and a smooth chuckle ripples into the air.
The response is simple and easy, “I wouldn’t have it any other way, my prince.” Red tints on his cheeks though he curls closer against the spirit.
Ducking his head, Jack grumbles, “You’re never going to stop calling me that, are you?” Lips skim along his hairline and press gently against his temple, another noise of amusement leaving Pitch.
“Now tell me, why would I do such a thing? It is how I view you, and I happen to enjoy calling you such.” The younger sighs fondly then closes his eyes for a long moment, thinking back to when he had been a lonely spirit begging for attention. A time that is difficult to recall nowadays.
Winter storms and snow days are ways he still passes the time, happily creating for the children. Though most cannot seem him, stories have been circling about with his name and there have been a few who wave eagerly when he flies by. He has an idea that Pitch has been helping these tales about a ‘winter child’ however the King often dodges the question or merely changes the subject.
After a day of play, he retreats back to the frozen labyrinth where the Nightmare King welcomes him home with open arms. Knowing that there is someone waiting for him, happy to see him, is a fact Jack has not quite gotten used to.
“Thank you.” Jack lifts up his head to meet a bewildered expression and continues before there can be any protest or question, “For all of this, I mean.”
“There is no need for that-”
Pushing a finger against smooth lips, the winter sprite shakes his head, eyes gleaming in the low light, “I know. But sometimes I think you need to hear it.” He reaches up to play with jet-black hair.
Pitch closes his eyes with a sigh and captures his hand, pressing light kisses on each knuckle and one against the black ring sitting on his ring finger before saying, “You’re welcome. And thank you for allowing me to have you.”
A full-blown grin comes onto Jack’s face as he happily says, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” A true statement that he doubts will ever change and one that he is more than content with. Jack cannot think of anyone else he wants to be with even if he did get to know other spirits. Besides, if he is a Prince, who better to be with than the Nightmare King?