"Can this jeans get any skinnier than this?" Jade laughed, bouncing around the open space as I waited in line for our popcorn and beverage. Her now-light brown hair cascading down her shoulder, and she never looked more hyper.

"At least it fits on you,"

She jogged up to me and reached up my head. I felt my beanie being tugged down, and my front hair fell over my eyes. "You need to appear human and fix your head-wear!"

I shook my head, a smile cracking on my lips. Reaching up to swipe the fallen hair from my forehead, I murmured. "I am appearing human. You aren't."

"Here you go," I averted my focus to the cashier, who kindly slid the cups of Cola and a large box of popcorn on the counter. After paying, Jade's pale hand reached out from my side and grabbed her cup and the popcorn - almost immediately. I thanked the cashier and grabbed my Cola before catching up to Jade, who was already on her way to the theatre.

"Are you going to leave me walking all by myself?" I called out to her, and she stopped on her tracks. When she turned and ran to me, her mouth was already stuffed with popcorn. She hooked her arm with mine, the smug smile almost unnoticeable as she tried to chew the vast amount of food in her mouth.

I snatched the popcorn box from her hands once she tried to eat another handful. "Stop! The movie hasn't even started and I wouldn't want you to finish it all at once," I scolded jokingly, and she gave me daggers with her eyes in protest. "But I'm hungry," she whined, earning a head nudge from me. "Do you remember what we ate at the Italian restaurant an hour before? I had to hide the menu just so you won't order another batch of food," I stated. Hearing that, Jade just rolled her eyes and tugged me, making me shuffle on my feet and walk faster.

The movie was just starting once myself and Jade pushed down the seat. "Does this sweater look good on me?" Jade asked while I was placing my drink on the cup holder, the popcorn box resting on my lap. "Everything looks good on you," I answered and smiled, and since it was dark, she couldn't see it. "It's what you always say," Jade started to whisper, and by this time her hand dived into the box on popcorn and fished out a handful of them. I hissed at her, my eyes twitching as she practically left the box half empty.

I didn't pay attention to the movie that much, my mind trailing of to the puzzles that fell together for these past couple of weeks.

Of course, the elementors and myself are finally in a good shape. Aqua is now going out with Si, who is also Toothiana's personal assistant since her size is, should I say, convenient. Never had I see this coming as well, the hell I didn't, that Angus and the Trylle community, had offered me to be Trylle's ruler. I was clearly dumbfounded, and I stumbled on my words. As stuck as I was, of course I said yes. North once gave me an advice to lead a good group of people for the better, and the best, and he also added that I will make a good ruler. I had scoffed at that, as usual, but at that time I never felt so proud of myself. The castle was rebuilt, and it was divided specially into 5 sections. The far left is nearest to the Trylle sea, and it belongs to Aqua. After Aqua was Jade's with a soft complexion of the colours of fire. The far right was Breeze's, the tallest section of the castle - and the windiest. And next to hers was Ben's, made of pure Trylle stone. In the middle was mine, blue and built of ice.

Thanks to the generous Trylle - or we'd like to call them Tryllians - the castle was built with no flaw. They said the way we could pay them was by protecting them and ruling Trylle wisely. I wasn't alone, I said. Right by my side are the trustworthy Tryllians and elementors, and I added that if I might not be trustworthy myself, the others are there to take my place. So I have no worries. We moved out of North's workshop, and carried on at the castle. We don't have that much of errands, but our free time was spent going around the world and shouting out wonder to the world, just like we were told. Aqua, Ben and Breeze are not exactly Guardians, but their heart was. It was what's important, North used to say.

Jamie and Megan, are the best of friends. Megan may be the quietest one, but her imagination is beyond amazing. I could already see the future of her being one of the world's most bright person, but I couldn't guarantee that since being with Jamie who's a bit over the top - but he's still a good boy, anyway and I'm not complaining. I had to wonder how Jamie could cope with his crush on Megan, and yet again, it's a completely different story.

It's sorted out for Jade herself. Throughout the year she was secretly struggling to find her centre, and the answer was all evident that she was the Guardian of Bravery. I was more that proud to see her say the oath, I could confirm that her eyes were like shining stars. She had been helping almost every Guardian now - more than I did - that children already recognize her. Jade is the symbol of strength and power, and using her bravery for something that's good. And that, is good.

As for Cupid, she'd was beyond happy to have helped us throughout the rough weeks. Since her help was less needed, her work on Valentines Day had become a lot more efficient. She would visit us sometimes, share stories and have a good laugh. The rest of the Guardians, on the other hand, were continuing their work as usual.

It was only when Jade shook my arm I realised the end credits were scrolling. "Are you okay?" Only half of her face was illuminated, thanks to the dark light inside the theatre. "We have to get going, we don't have much time until the dinner!" Dinner? Oh yes, the friendship dinner. North had hosted a dinner and invited his friends from all around the world. Which only means one thing, or maybe more if you want to : Make a good appearance.

"We still need to do some shopping for your suit and my dress, I don't know if that's even necessary but Tooth just snaps at me to do it; Also, she also said to buy you a proper tie that matches your eyes. I have no idea why should you wear one because knowing you-" A mere finger of mine pressed to her warm lips, shaking my head once a smile crept up my face.

"Don't get too excited," I said. My vacant hand clasped over her enthusiastic fingers that wiggled non-stop. Her only reply was silence and a returned smile. I didn't question it because I'm pretty sure she will be loud again once we start searching through the shops.

~~~

"Jaaaaack," I heard Jade call from the fitting room. My hands that were searching through the racks and hangers of coats and suits paused for a moment as I answered. "Whaaaat?"

"While I try on these dozen dresses, why don't you go through the shops and find yours? Suits, I mean." Why should I?

"I'll just look for it here. One shop is enough for me," I called back, my hands flipping through the hangers once more. Since myself and Jade were the only ones in the shop, the cashier lady just smiled bitterly at our slight loudness, or either she will lose customers.

I heard a faint scoff disguised under a noise of squishing fabric from behind the white polished doors, and I returned it with a snort. "I can hear you ridiculing me."

"I wasn't. It's just what you boys tend to say- and do," Hearing her answer, I snorted again. "Well, going to a thousand of different shops and not buying anything is what you girls tend to not say- but do." I muttered under my breath, chuckling. My head shot up to where the white door was pushed open- almost like being kicked.

"I can hear you," Jade flipped her hair, brushing her palm against the silk dress held over her arm like it was a treasure that costs her a life. I tried to maintain the natural expression as she handed the saleswoman- who hurriedly went up to her - the dress, which, I believe, Jade was buying since she gave a wholehearted smile and a nod regarding to the dress. "I guess my theory wasn't accurate," I said when she joined me at the suits racks, entangling her arms with mine almost automatically. I was saying something- because I have been told, once girls see something they like, they usually don't buy them immediately.

They would tour the mall for another ten laps and search for something better than what they wanted, until they decided they would buy something. Sometimes they would come home without buying anything, too.

"I don't want to stay for too long here. You know how I'm looking forward for the dinner." She smirked. Indeed, she was. Three days before, when North informed her over the phone, she ended the call and ran down the corridors of our castle, and almost bumped into me who was- very luckily- carrying high stacks of paperwork that needs to be done that very day. Also my luck, like I had said, she didn't hit me. Once I urged her to slow down and lend me a hand, and on our way to the castle's quite large study, she couldn't stop talking about how fun the dinner would be when reuniting with old friends since we didn't get to do it quite often because I was most of the time, busy.

Using the threat of not going, I made her help me finish the paperwork, and it took about two days for the both of us, also including Aqua's help once in a while, and we decided to pick some clothes last minute. And here we are.

Once we emerged from the shop, both of us had quite large paper bags in our hands, and even when I took one of Jade's bags, she was still struggling to carry them. I guess the food takes effect quite slow, huh. It took us a while to get to the rooftop, the weight of the bag though not as heavy as North's combat boots, was numbing our hands. The sun was finally setting, and it surprised me a little since time was flying so fast.

We climbed to the edge of the building, and we were so high up I felt nauseous. My beanie slipped off my head and carried itself effortlessly, where I hastily tried to reach for it and lost my balance. Along with the bags that tangled around my arms, I nearly fell down to the busy city road below. If it wasn't for Jade who risked her own balance to clench my shoulder and pull me back into balance, her other grip managed to land on my beanie when it flew past her, I would have fell. Jade was about to say something to me- who was empty minded- until we were blown off by the wind, tumbling in the air like weightless paper planes.

~

The elementors made a simultaneous entrance through the large door decorated with silk fabric that hung loosely down the top frame. Instantly greeted by the guests who were already there, the only one who spent energy to walk up to them and hug every each was North, who was, by coincidence, standing near the entrance.

Breeze and Ben wore colour-matching attires, going for a khaki theme. Aqua alone, wearing a plain suit with a purple bow and purple shoes. Jade wore a black lace-sleeved dress that fell just above her knee, her back-to-black hair fell down her shoulders and down her back in big curls.

"It's been a while, kids. I guess the schedule is tight when you're a ruler?" North chortled as his hand slipped off from Jack's shoulder, patting it once he observed his appearance tonight. He wore a plain suit unbuttoned, with a pair of perfectly polished shoes -he's still isn't used to shoes since all he did was complain on the way- and a greyish-bluish tie that shines like silk under the light. Jack never felt the need to dress up for tonight, but since Jade was urging and his inner thought wanted him to give it a shot, he did.

"You've grown to be a man, Jack," North said, watery-eyed, when he observed that he and Jade made a beautiful entrance, arms hooked together. "What are you saying? No, I haven't." Jack denied, making a face. But deep down he was happy to show that kind of image to North and the others, it made him feel in place when actually, he wasn't. It was the kind of time where Jade made a perfect timing to slip out, joining Tooth who called out to her eagerly. "I haven't seen you in a while, ice boy." Bunnymund joined them before ushering both North and Jack to where Sandman sat, waiting for their arrival patiently.

It was after a few minutes then, until North invited all the guests to proceed to the massive dining hall. Jade couldn't stop smiling the entire night, only to laugh very cheerfully when someone tells a funny story to lighten the mood that's already warm. For a moment Jade thought, for all these 300 years she kept to herself, and finally she felt that she belonged after meeting such lovely people. After a few hours, the goodbye's and thank you's were finally exchanged, hugs and friendly kisses were returned and received as the invited guess subsided in number.

The ones who stayed longer was of course the elementors, but two -Aqua and Ben- had already fallen asleep on the comfy couch in the central room. Breeze laid on the couch herself, but her eyes were wide open whilst listening to North's Dark Ages stories. Two mugs of hot chocolate were in the hands of two, respectively. Jack and Jade leaned on the railing of the workshop's balcony, where the freezing breeze of the night swept through their hairs.

Jack's suit was over Jade's shoulder, and that left Jack wearing the white dress shirt, untucked and the silky neck tie that hung loose around his neck. The cold never bothered him anyway. Jade's long hair had been tied up into a messy ponytail, since the wind was blowing her hair everywhere, so it needs to be controlled.

"It's been a day," Jack spoke, sipping his hot chocolate and grimaced as the taste of chocolate nearly burnt his tongue. Jade smiled, nodding in agreement. "I could sleep here right now, but I'd rather not freeze to ice," she added, expressing her tiredness. Jack's pale blue hair bobbed against the wind as he nodded at her remark nonchalantly, taking another sip out of the mug.

Jade looked up the almost starless sky, her fingers tapping the barriers of the balcony. "I'm actually very scared," she suddenly spoke. Jack froze, and slowly turned to look at her. "What?" He questioned. She shrugged, letting out a sigh. "I'm scared the darkness will take over one day. What if, perhaps, one day our powers are no match for the darkness?" She hesitated. "I don't know. I'm scared whether that day will come. If it won't, then I'm relieved. But if it will, I won't know."

Jack remained silent. "I'm scared that no one will believe in us anymore, and our life will be like dust in just a matter of days."

It was then Jack noticed what she had around her neck throughout the whole night. The intricate snowflake, the snowflake necklace he had given her a few months back, where the chaos had started. It glowed once Jade had finished talking, indicating a clear truth. A momentary silence fell between them, and Jade questioned silently why Jack had nothing to say.

"Are you drunk?" The ridiculous question popped out of Jack's mouth, and Jade turned to him with a face of confusion. "No, the question is, are you?" Jade replied, watching as he puckered his lips and tucked his hand in one of his pockets. "It's just that, I've never heard you say that you're scared before. You don't do that. You don't go around admitting that you're scared to other people. All I know is that when things get tough you endure it like it's just a cookie that needs to be eaten." Jade's complexion fell to from confusion to a poker face. "You've been thrown into an ice water that nearly killed you, you had to face your own friend's betrayal, you had to suffer from an almost incurable disease and lost your sight for it; But all those time I've nevernj heard you say that you're scared."

"Don't be scared," Jack smiled, taking another sip of his drink before continuing. "If even that kind of thing happens, when you can't stop it, you go through it. You're not the only one that's constantly in danger right now. I won't let you go alone. If I can to protect you, I would. But if both of us are in the same kind of danger, whether you like it or not, I'd drag you with me. I won't leave you behind."

Jade placed her mug on a flat space as she bowed, and Jack did the same with his.

"We go through it together. Like we had all these times." Jack's cold hand slipped from his pocket and came to intertwine with Jade's. An appreciative smile was exchanged between them, and Jade only could smile once the grip on their hands became tighter. When he had nothing else to say, he pulled her into an embrace, resting his cheeks on her head as her arms encircled around his body.

Once they pulled apart, Jack leaned in to her, planting a soft kiss on her lips before pulling her into an embrace once more.

~

The next morning, back at the castle, Jade woke up after realising a heavy weight resting on her shoulder, and a slightly cold arm was thrown over her torso in a lifeless manner. It took her about two seconds to refresh her memory where Jack couldn't stand nor walk straight because of his overwhelming sleepiness and tiredness, last night. To avoid someone finding him laid sleeping on the floor or the hallway in the castle, all Jade did was throwing Jack on her bed and shaking her head on how he was less than aware that he had just been thrown in an improper manner by his own girlfriend. Jack hadn't even changed his clothes, and his shoes were already taken off before they had even reached Jade's bedroom.

He made himself comfortable though, even in that position. He tossed and turned for a few seconds and when he found a comfy spot, Jade's coral duvet was tugged up by his sleepy hands, and it was like they had a mind of their own. Jade was very sure they had a fair distance last night, but when the sun goes up, he was already having half of his body over her.

Jade's finger poked at Jack's forehead, and like a bouncy ball, his head retracted to its original position. Jade tried to wriggle free, but it only made Jack stir and pinned her down tighter.

"Jack, you need to let me go, at least," she muttered, feeling stuck on her position. Jack's hair brushed her cheeks as he shook his head sleepily. "Nooo," he whined, his morning voice raspy.

"But I'm cooking breakfast for today, I don't even know what time is it." A raspy moan was let out of Jack's chest, but he made no move to move or let Jade loose.

"Come on, sleepy butt." Jade started to growl, her arms trying to push him away. "They can cook themselves, stay with me." His voice was like a toy's music running out of battery. Jade realised that's nothing she could do but just stay, since the more she moved the tighter Jack's grip around her. In all honesty, she didn't want to get out of bed either, the wariness from yesterday hadn't subsided fully. If it wasn't her who was cooking breakfast, she wouldn't have said anything else after waking up and just continue sleeping with Jack beside her.

"Alright, I'll stay. I'm sure they'll find a way to eat," Jade said, talking more to herself than to Jack. She could feel the arm around her starting to tighten a little bit more, and Jack's head wriggled before settling on Jade's shoulder.

Jade was ready to fall into unconsciousness again, her eyes already closed until the man beside her shifted, almost like getting off her and she was about to open her eyes. But it remained closed as a soft and cold pair of lips came in contact with hers.