Chapter Text
The first time he sees the child of the Moon, he does not know what to think entirely.
A shock of white hair, icy blue eyes, a mischievous smile with a personality that is both reckless and wild, just like the winter he represents.
The Nightmare King raises an eyebrow at the boy bounding on tiny rooftops, bare feet mute to those living in the small houses. Whispers from the shadows and other spirits call this one; this new being that is barely a century old, Jack Frost.
Merely not some lowly wisp but a being that the Man in Moon carefully and gently gave life to.
A son of sorts.
Perhaps even a Prince of sorts.
Pitch watches quietly from the shadows in distant curiosity. Even when being ignored by the children he so desperately adores, Jack still gives them snow to play in and always insures the ponds are thick enough for skating. Kindly acts that are always overlooked yet that does not break the boy. If anything it makes him try harder.
When Jack finally stops frosting over the rooftops, he turns and jumps into the air that listens without pause, cradling him in its frigid breeze. The elder spirit knows he should not follow but cannot keep a need bubbling, the urge to simply see.
See the reaction this boy would have to someone like him in his presence.
If he would twist away in disgust at his form, smothered in darkness so unlike the unblemished skin that could only belong to the child of the Moon. Even with the knowledge that this is a very real possibility the man cannot bring himself to care. Instead he uses the shadows until a large pond comes into his vision where Jack sits in the middle. Behind him the Moon glows brightly, bathing the ice in pale light that highlights the delicate swirls Jack makes with his fingertips.
“Hello, Jack Frost.” Eyes snap up, the boy shuffling backwards when his name is called. He watches the tall man cloaked in shadows step from the darkened line of trees. Gleaming golden eyes meet his before a small bow is given though those eyes never blink, “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Repeatedly he blinks and opens his mouth only to close it again. After another moment, shaking fingers tap against his chest, “W-Wait, you can see me…?”
Bewilderment crosses his face, thin eyebrow arching, “Of course I can-“
The wind rips across the pond, snow flurries bursting and swirling about as the winter sprite jumps onto his feet, skidding across the frozen water. “Really?! You can actually- you, you said my name!” A laugh, carefree and joyful rips out of his throat, vibrating with excitement, his feet leaving the ground.
Confused by such a reaction, the Nightmare King takes a step back and shakes himself to rid of the snow catching on his cloak. “Nobody has acknowledged you?”
It takes a bit for Jack to listen, the wind throwing him about and around the man, never once stopping in laughing though a hysterical tone starts taking over his voice. A few finely beads of ice drop onto the snowy ground below before bare feet find the snow as well. Firmly, Jack scrubs at his face with a torn jacket, closing his eyes with a smile, “No, never. Just the Man in Moon but… He only named me.” Slowly the wind begins calming, lessening until just a gentle breeze is left though fat snowflakes fall around them.
“Is that so…” For a moment, he is not entirely sure what to say, momentarily caught speechless until those too blue eyes peer into his own, Jack shifting closer until he can feel chilled breath against his cheeks.
The closeness has him frowning and taking a step back, hands folding behind his back respectfully. Pale cheeks gain an oddly blue tint as eyes dark off to the side. Mumbling an apology, Jack explains while leaning on his staff and swirling delicate shapes in the snow, “I, uhm, wait,” Quickly the color is gone at the realization he comes upon, “You never told me your name.”
Tension rises across his shoulders, a half scowl coming onto his face. The spirit shifts awkwardly and takes a step back, almost shivering. An action that does not go unnoticed as the man folds his arms neatly behind his back, bowing deeper than he had before, “Forgive me, how rude of myself. My name is Pitch Black. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”
“Pitch… Black? Are you the one that makes the children afraid?”
Straightening out his spine, the elder spirit watches, lips pressing into a thin line, “And if I am?” Jack narrows his eyes, then glances up at the Moon that has risen to its height, hardly covered by the snow clouds that still linger in the sky.
Jack mulls over this thought, his feet leaving the ground while he idly twists his staff. After another minute he manages a smile even from his place now well above the King’s head he says, “I guess it shouldn’t. I mean you are the only other who’s ever talked to me.” His feet meet the ground again and he stares up at the taller, “Did he ever talk to you?” Jerking his head toward the sky he watches as the corner of Pitch’s lip turns upwards.
A cool chuckle leaves him, “Once upon a time. Though that hardly matters now.” He carefully watches the boy who blinks though gives a hesitant smile. Jack lingers close, his eyes curious.
“Are there others like me? Like you? That the children cannot see, that are… Ignored?” The last word has the wind dying down, the snow no longer falling though Jack does not seem to realize as he shifts between the balls of his feet and easing back onto his heels.
“There are others,” Pitch holds up a hand before the boy tries flying into the air again, “However they are not worth your time.”
Pale lips pull down into a deep frown, arms folding with the staff tucked in them, “How come?” Defiance is clear on his features yet there is something else, something that he can taste on the tip of his tongue. It is a small thing; one that he almost brushes off as the snow or ever moving wind expect he is the Nightmare King. He knows what fear tastes like.
Rolling his tongue along the inside of his teeth, slowly he puts a name on the fear. “They are not worthy because they have not shown themselves they exist.” Jack blinks and slowly his stance wilts, nibbling on his lip as the man continues, “They even have the audacity to not give you the respect you are due or the acknowledgement you should have.”
“How come you’re here then? Why not be ‘like them’ as you said?”
That fear of rejection stains the air, thicker now, causing his teeth to flash in a scowl and he takes a step forward though no more when Jack shifts on his feet, “Because unlike them, I know what it’s like to be without company for years. How old are you, Jack? How long have you been alone?”
“I don’t know, a hundred and ten? Maybe a little less.” He shrugs a bit at the end and sighs.
Pitch takes in a deep breath, the shadows around shifting before settling – with some effort – again and says, “All your life then. If I may be so bold… I’d like to offer something.” He waits until bright blue eyes meet his before going on, “If you would like, I would enjoy having you in my company again.”
“That’s not a very good question, of course I want to see you again! You’re the only one that can-“ he stops himself and grimaces, frowning, “Or as you say ‘will bother’ to talk to me.”
Nodding slowly, taking in this information, Pitch replies, “I’m pleased to hear. Well then, I have a few matters to attend to, Jack Frost, but rest assured,” his lips pull up into a smile, sharp teeth showing as he begins sinking into the shadows, “Unlike some, I won’t act as though you don’t exist at all.”