#rotghopeweek2021

[bunnimew]

Hope Week 2021- Autumn

@rotg-hope-week

The last of my Hope Week entries! Here's blackice fall freestyle! xD

I know the prompt was autumn but there aren't a lot of dances that start with 'A' lol

[incorrectrotgquotes]

I would like to petition for an extra month between August and September called SUMMER IS OVER GET YOUR SHIT IN ORDER month. I'm not committed to that name.

Jack Frost

(6 April - Summer @rotg-hope-week)

[askwenjing]

[ROTG] Cruel Summer

Written for @rotg-hope-week. 2223 words.

Prompt: Summer

Pairing: Blackice - Jack Frost/Pitch

Setting: human!au, modern!au

Notes: This is the first time I made a ROTG human!au and modern!au fanfic. If the conversations feel weird I do apologize - I am not good in writing social interactions (I am bad at interacting with others) but I have tried my best!

I do not own Rise of the Guardians and the song Cruel Summer. Rise of the Guardians belongs to Dreamworks and Cruel Summer belongs to Taylor Swift.

------------------

Jack hated summer.

Most people would love to catch the warm rays of the sun and to have more fun during the extended daylight. Jack understood that.

Jack’s friends loved summer too.

North would carry out his outdoor activities like hiking as long as the sun was up. He loved exploring and he wanted to see the wonder in everything.

Bunnymund loved the sight of greenery in summer. Besides, longer days meant that he could work on his garden longer, and summer rain would help his plants to grow better.

Tooth would leave the town to go for birdwatching. She loved to be surrounded by nature, and hear the birds chirping. It was the only time she could properly destress herself. 

Sandy took this opportunity to take some naps outdoors. He would sleep on a hammock as the summer breezes swayed it gently, allowing him to fall asleep easily.

But Jack. Jack could not stand the summer heat.

Jack always felt like he was melting. He needed to blast air conditioning in full force when he was in his house. He only went out to the beach, the swimming pool or the fountain to cool down. He would buy plenty of cold drinks and ice cream to satisfy himself with the cold feeling.

Jack preferred to go out at summer night. The temperature was at least cooler and more bearable for him. He would go to bars to relax and listen to music. He was usually by himself and he rarely talked to others. He just observed other people.

Jack thought this summer was going to be like every summer he had in the past – alone under the gruelling heat – as what he would describe as a “cruel summer”. He was proven wrong when he caught a glimpse of a man in a black suit sitting next to him at the bar.

Jack was amused that someone could wear a suit and still survive under the hot season. “Still wearing that suit under the summer heat?” he asked the man in a playful way.

“Says the one who won’t retire the hoodie from their closet,” the man replied with a smug smile.

Jack knew that he had lost. He was still wearing his favourite blue hoodie and he was unwilling to change it no matter what season it was. “Okay, you win,” he said sheepishly.

The man let out a small chuckle. “Nice try, young man. But I never lose in a sass battle,” he stated proudly.

“Oh, we’ll see about that,” Jack replied confidently and pulled out a mischievous smile. He loved challenges.

“My name is Jack,” he introduced himself.

“Pitch Black. But you can call me Pitch,” the man introduced himself.

Since their first meeting, Jack and Pitch had been hanging out in bars, and occasionally at parks during nighttime. Jack was glad to find someone who hated the summer like him. Besides, Jack never knew that Pitch could be so much fun. Even though he was a sophisticated gentleman who lived in a mansion on the outskirts of town, he sure knew how to make Jack laugh with his sassy attitude and sarcastic remarks. They constantly had back-to-back banters and they all ended in laughs. 

At times, though, Pitch would make some moves on Jack when they were both alone. He would gently grab Jack’s chin and close the distance between them slightly as he whispered to the young man. When they walked, he would ask Jack whether he could hold his hand. Jack did not mind his physical acts. In fact, he liked them.

The longer they interacted, the more they uncovered their true selves. Jack could relate to Pitch’s loneliness and his desire for some company. After all, he was a man who had so much riches and knowledge, yet he had no friends and family. Jack had left his family to live by himself after graduating high school. Although he had North, Bunny, Tooth and Sandy as his friends, they were constantly busy in their works. Jack did not want to disturb them, so he went off to do things alone.

Jack and Pitch did appreciate each other’s company. Though, Jack wanted more than this. He wondered whether Pitch felt the same as well. He wondered who would make the first move – him or Pitch. He also wondered what moves Pitch would make next. 

Jack was overwhelmed by his thoughts that he was unaware that he had been drinking too much. Eventually he became drunk and Pitch was quick to notice it. Pitch sighed and he carried Jack to his car. He placed him at the back seat of the car and fastened the seatbelt for him. He then proceeded to drive Jack back to his house.

As Pitch was driving, Jack started to cry. Pitch began to worry about him, but he also believed that it could be the effect of alcohol on Jack. Once he reached Jack’s house, he carried him to his room and carefully placed him on the bed.

“Are you okay, Jack?” Pitch asked him. He wanted to make sure that he was fine before he left.

“Y-Yeah… I’m fine…” Jack answered groggily.

“Just… call me when you have rested well,” Pitch said as he ruffled his messy white hair. “Goodnight, Jack.”

“Mmm… goodnight… Pitch…” Jack replied, still feeling tipsy.

Pitch smiled and left a small kiss on his forehead. Jack was taken by surprise. Before he could react, Pitch had left, and exhaustion took over him.

A few hours later, Jack woke up in the middle of the night. His body was heating up. He was sweating and he had a headache. He felt uncomfortable. He quickly took off his hoodie and opened the windows to get some fresh air. 

He lied down on his bed, trying to recall what happened when he was drunk. He could briefly remember Pitch asking him whether he was okay, and that he should call him after waking up. Though, the one thing that he remembered most was the kiss on the forehead. He blushed at the thought of it.

As his headache subsided, Jack grabbed his phone from his trousers and dialled Pitch’s number. He hoped that Pitch had not gone to sleep yet.

“Hello?” Pitch answered the call.

“Hey, Pitch,” Jack replied with a small smile. “Just letting you know that I am okay now.”

“That’s a relief,” Pitch said, and Jack swore that he could imagine him smiling on the other side. 

“Haha, yeah,” Jack blurted out and chuckled.

There was an awkward silence.

“Uhm… Pitch-”

“I think you should rest, Jack. You may have a hangover later.”

Jack was saddened to hear that. Even though Pitch was right, he wanted to hang out with him more.

“It’s okay, Jack. We still have plenty of time together once you completely recover. I will be at my mansion today, and if you need anything, you can just call me.”

Jack let out a long sigh. Pitch was right, and there was nothing he could do about it. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Pitch let out a small chuckle. “Well, take care, Jack.”

“I will. Bye.”

Once the phone call ended, Jack let himself fall onto his bed. He groaned at the thought that he failed to ask Pitch about the forehead kiss. Though, as he started thinking about the phone conversation earlier, Jack was certain that he had feelings for Pitch, and that Pitch had feelings for him too.

He needed him, and he needed more of him.

Fever dream high in the quiet of the night

You know that I caught it (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price

You know that I bought it (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

Killing me slow, out the window

I'm always waiting for you to be waiting below

Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes

What doesn't kill me makes me want you more

All his unfulfilled desires were torturing him. It felt like a cruel summer to him.

And it's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules in breakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

Jack continued to rest even after the sun had risen. He wanted to make sure that he was completely fine if he wanted to see Pitch late at night. He wanted to tell him about his true feelings. Although Pitch would advise him to do so by phone, Jack felt that it would be more genuine to tell him personally.

As night fell, Jack went out and he had his hood covering most of his face. He took a brief stop at a vending machine that was on his path to Pitch’s mansion. He brought a bar of chocolate and a can of soda from it. He remembered hanging out with Pitch right here, where they joked about screwing up their relationship.

Hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine

I'm not dying (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

We say that we'll just screw it up in these trying times

We're not trying (Oh yeah, you're right, I want it)

So cut the headlights, summer's a knife

I'm always waiting for you just to cut to the bone

Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes

And if I bleed, you'll be the last to know

Looking back at the memory, Jack hoped that their relationship would last. Besides, they had to keep their relationship a secret. After all, many people, including Jack’s friends would find it weird that a gentleman like Pitch was dating a young boy still in college.

Oh, it's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules in breakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

Jack wanted Pitch to know everything about him, and he wanted to know everything about Pitch as well. He no longer wanted to hide secrets just because he was afraid of sabotaging their relationship.

I'm drunk in the back of the car

And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (Oh)

Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true

I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you

Jack arrived at Pitch’s mansion. Pitch had brought him here a few times, so he knew his ways around the place. He found a gate that would lead him to the garden, and he snuck in. He hoped to find Pitch there and confess to him.

And I snuck in through the garden gate

Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)

Jack found Pitch was enjoying his tea in the gazebo. He came out of the bushes to face him.

“Jack, what are you doing here?” Pitch was shocked to see him.

Jack took the hood off. “Pitch, there’s something I have been dying to tell you,” he said, and Pitch listened.

And I scream, "For whatever it's worth

I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"

Jack looked down to the ground. He did not know how Pitch would react to his confession. Suddenly, he felt a finger on his chin, and his face was lifted to meet Pitch’s. Jack could feel his cheeks heating up as he saw Pitch’s devilish grin. From there he knew that Pitch felt the same as he did.

He looks up, grinning like a devil

Months passed. The weather was turning cool and the leaves were turning colour. Jack and Pitch were in Pitch’s car, enjoying the view of the town from the top of a hill. Pitch had his arm wrapped around Jack’s shoulder, and they felt contented. They had so much fun this summer. They tried out many activities like swimming and surfing at night, stargazing, having a barbeque at Pitch’s garden, and making cocktails. Furthermore, their relationship had become more intimate since the confession, and they were more comfortable to give each other physical and emotional affection. They had made many wonderful memories this summer.

It's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules in breakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

“Hey, Pitch. Do you think that my confession is the worst thing you ever heard?” Jack jokingly asked him.

I'm drunk in the back of the car

And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (Oh)

Said, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true

I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you

And I snuck in through the garden gate

Every night that summer just to seal my fate (Oh)

And I scream, "For whatever it's worth

I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"

“No,” Pitch answered. “In fact, it is the best thing I have ever heard.”

They smiled and shared a kiss.

It turned out to be their best summer yet.

[sweettoothshipperrotg]

ROTG Hope Week 2021 - Day: Morning texts with Mother Nature

Jack: Good morning, princess! Are you feeling better today?

Mother Nature: I didn't hate myself when I woke up today, that's improvement right?

Mother Nature: Also

Mother Nature: Idk if I woke up next to a cat or raccoon. either way it's purring.

[moonknightproductions]

First prompt for @rotg-hope-week​, Winter!

Jack’s hiding behind a tree, either waiting to prank someone or hiding from them.

[sylphidine]

[ROTG] Hope Requires Recharging

A double drabble for “free day”, to finish up my 2021 contributions for @rotg-hope-week 

No pairings, just two lil shits being lil shits.

Thank you for hosting, @ickaimp

____________________________________

This was not the Isle of Sleepy Sands, but beggars could not be choosers. When North called yet another [to his mind] unnecessary Guardian meeting at the Pole, Sandy had his strategy all ready. 

A lucky bounce with a dreamsand missile knocked out both North and Bunny in the midst of their perennial argument.

Tooth was too busy multitasking in midair to avoid the dreamsand cloud engulfing her.

Jack watched as his fellow Guardians dropped in their tracks and fell asleep, golden dream images circling over their heads.  He raised an eyebrow at Sandy.  “Is one of those softballs for me?  I could use a nap, too.”

The dreamweaver replied in sand-signs. If you wish. We need to collect one more sleeper.

The Guardian of Fun didn’t even have to guess.  His grin widened, as did Sandy’s. Jack grabbed one of North’s snowglobes and opened a portal to the lair of a certain dark spirit. Sandy shot a tendril of dreamsand through the portal and dragged back a grumpy-looking but sound-asleep Boogeyman, dream butterflies in flight above him.

After arranging everyone in a more comfortable heap, Sandy and Jack snugged themselves into the huddle and prepared for a well-earned rest.

[bunnimew]

Hope Week 2021- Winter

@rotg-hope-week

Prompt: Winter

Blackice Winter Waltz~

[bunnimew]

Hope Week 2021- Spring

@rotg-hope-week

Blackice Spring Swing~

[incorrectrotgquotes]

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.

Bunnymund

(5 April - Spring @rotg-hope-week)

[bunnimew]

Hope Week 2021- Summer

@rotg-hope-week

Blackice Summer Salsa~ :D

[bunnimew]

Zoomies

Fandom: Rise of the Guardians Relationship: Jack Frost/Pitch Black Tags: Modern AU, Werewolf AU Rating: Gen Words: 802 Summary: Pitch rolled his eyes and started toward the stairs. “You’ll just turn back into a dog.”

“A wolf!”

“When you get zoomies you’re a dog.”

Or, Blackice werewolf zoomies. That's it. That's the fic.

For @rotg-hope-week 2021 Prompt: Night On AO3 here!

Credit for the idea to @cynical-bonehead <3

The night was still and the bed was warm. Pitch lay nestled amongst the pillows with a thick comforter weighing him down and soft sheets cradling his tired body. The full moon’s shine gently lit the bedroom with a soft, magical glow. Everything around him whispered of comfort and calm.

Pitch should have known it would not last.

First came the soft sound of fur brushing bare corners.

Then the quick tap tap tapping of too-long claws against hardwood floors.

And it wasn’t like he didn’t already know by then, but once Pitch heard the thwap thwap thwap of an excited tail smacking the stair railing, he knew he had to get up.

Jack wasn’t going to put himself back to sleep.

Pitch stood in the doorway and leaned against the jam, watching the midnight chaos unfold. Jack was on all fours, as Pitch knew he would be, running not just up and down the stairs, no, he would do a full loop of the living room and kitchen before barreling up to the second floor for a sprint all the way down the hall where he would slide and turn into a graceless stop, then launch right back toward the stairs.

Jack had to know he was there. It would be impossible to miss, and yet Pitch got to watch five full circuits of scrabbling paws and lolling tongue and a fluffy, furry tail whipping against his shins as he raced by before Pitch decided it was time to get in his way a little bit.

He stepped into the hall just at the top of the stairs and Jack barely slowed down at all. The excited wolf expertly wove around Pitch and continued on his way, happy as could be. It didn’t even bother him when Pitch started down the stairs. Somehow, Jack made room for both of them (by knocking Pitch to the side a little) and continued past to race into the kitchen. Again.

Pitch let him do one more loop, then set himself up with plenty of room to catch Jack around the neck and scoop him up under his belly and off the floor. He wiggled and faught, groundless dog legs kicking and squirming but unwilling to actually hurt Pitch and therefore helpless.

From one minute to the next, Pitch was holding a wriggling dog and then he was holding a wriggling human. Incidentally, it didn’t help him reach the floor any better and the kicking legs didn’t stop.

“Piiiiitch!” Jack whined. “Put me down!”

Pitch rolled his eyes and started toward the stairs. “You’ll just turn back into a dog.”

“A wolf!”

“When you get zoomies you’re a dog.”

Jack noticeably stopped kicking when they hit the first step and Pitch appreciated that. A tumble down the stairs wouldn’t do anything permanent, but brief bruises were still bruises.

“I just needed to work off some energy.”

Pitch snorted. “I could have helped with that.”

Jack smacked him, hilariously, in the stomach because it was all he could reach with dignity. “Not that kind of energy. Besides, you were dead asleep and it was really cute.” He perked up in Pitch’s hold. “Have I told you that you nuzzle your pillow? It’s the cutest thing.”

Pitch tilted his head back and groaned. “Every chance you get. Please, let me have my pride.”

Jack wiggled and stretched his arms. “Then let me have my zoomies!”

“You were making enough noise that it woke me up,” Pitch reasoned. “It’s the middle of the night, Jack. You can run laps in the morning.”

Jack hung dejectedly in Pitch’s arms as they entered the bedroom. “There’s no way I’m going to sleep right now.”

“I’ll pet you.”

“I will stay in this bed,” Jack declared with sudden vehemence, “for as long as your arms hold out.”

Pitch huffed a soft laugh and set Jack on his side of the bed. Without further prompting, he pulled back the covers and slid dutifully into place, ready to warm the bed back to the toasty temperature Pitch liked.

Pitch bothered to walk around to the other side before climbing back in and Jack was right there, promptly curled up to his side and giving Pitch the most eager and expectant eyes he��d ever seen. Pitch took two seconds to settle in then obediently put his hand in Jack’s hair.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“It’s a full,” Jack whimpered.

“I know,” Pitch smiled and leaned down to press a kiss to Jack’s hair. “You’re still ridiculous.”

This time, when Jack squirmed it was for a different reason. “You promise I can do laps in the morning?”

Pitch flopped against the pillow. “You can do all the laps you want in the morning.”

Jack grinned. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Pitch said. “You silly dog.”

[incorrectrotgquotes]

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

Jack Frost

(4 April - Winter @rotg-hope-week)

[incorrectrotgquotes]

Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love — that makes life and nature harmonize.

Pitch

(7 April - Autumn @rotg-hope-week)

[incorrectrotgquotes]

Good night—may you fall asleep in the arms of a dream, so beautiful, you’ll cry when you awake.

Sandy to the children

(9 April - Night @rotg-hope-week)

[bunnimew]

Hobby of the Year

Fandom: Rise of the Guardians Relationship: Jack Frost/Pitch Black Tags: Modern AU, Vampire AU, Rating to be safe Rating: Teen Words: 1,360 Summary: “We could rule this town,” Jack argued. “We could be kings!”

“If you were king, you’d just insist on pizza with every meal and nonstop electronic dance music.”

Jack furrowed his brows. “Yeah? So what?”

Or, Jack and Pitch are immortal vampires and don't know what to do with themselves.

For @rotg-hope-week 2021 Prompt: Day On AO3 here!

“We’re the oldest vampires we know,” Jack said.

“Uh huh,” Pitch agreed.

“We’re the strongest vampires we know,” Jack continued.

Pitch nodded, distracted. “You’re welcome.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “We have the rare and elusive and ancient ability to walk in the sun!”

“I know, Jack.”

“And what do we do with it?” he asked.

“Be quiet, Jack. I need to concentrate.”

Jack kicked his club so it swung up and rested over his shoulder. “We play mini golf. That’s what we do.”

Pitch planted his feet shoulder-width apart and bent his knees. “It’s an elegant sport, Jack.”

Jack snorted. “The adult version, maybe.”

Pitch didn’t respond. Jack knew he wouldn’t, because Jack knew that Pitch knew that if he did, Jack would reply, and then it would never be quiet enough for him to putt.

Ever so softly, Pitch hit the bright orange ball with his club. It rolled slowly away and toward the hole… then orbited the dip in the green and rolled a couple inches away on the other side.

“That’s because you were talking.”

“I didn’t say anything!” Jack cried. “I was completely quiet while you did that. You can’t blame me. Maybe the sun was in your eyes.”

Pitch stood tall and stared at Jack. Through his darkly tinted sunglasses.

Jack held out his hands. “No excuse is gonna be a good excuse, Babe. You totally failed that putt all on your own.”

Pitch sighed and stepped out of the way so Jack could take his turn. Jack was a lot less concerned and a lot less invested, so when he swung too hard and his ball went too far he didn’t bother to say anything. He just swung his club back over his shoulders and started ranting again.

“We could rule this town,” Jack argued. “We could be kings!”

Pitch didn’t move toward his ball just yet. “Jack.”

Jack stopped and blinked at him. “What?”

“If you were king, you’d just insist on pizza with every meal and nonstop electronic dance music.”

Jack furrowed his brows. “Yeah? So what? Vegas is great.”

Pitch gestured around them with his club, then set up to putt. This time the ball fell into the cup. “We might as well play mini golf.”

Jack took this swing a little more seriously, just so they wouldn’t be stuck on this hole for the rest of the day. “Are you trying to imply my aspirations aren’t great?”

Pitch’s forehead wrinkled, and that was how Jack knew he was raising his eyebrows behind those huge shades. “I’m not implying anything. I’m stating it outright.”

Jack stared Pitch down, even as he swung his club and knocked his ball right into the cup.

Pitch turned away with an elegant little shrug like of course he won that round of verbal sparring, he always did, and walked to the next tiny spot of green. “Are you saying you’re not enjoying our date, Jack?”

“Pitch, I swear,” Jack griped as he obediently followed along nonetheless, “The last three hundred years have been one long date.”

Pitch acted like he hadn’t even heard Jack, setting his little orange ball on the ground to start.

“We are never not on a date, to you.”

With a high, sharp tap the little orange ball went quickly rolling across the plastic grass.

“It’s like we never went home from the first date.”

Pitch spun around on his toes, and it was stupid, but he looked stupid good doing it, so Jack found it hard to complain. And then Pitch reached up with those long, gray fingers to slide his sunglasses just a little down his nose so he could give Jack one of those looks. “I think it’s romantic.”

Jack took on a dramatic stance, holding one arm out pleadingly, the effect probably somewhat hindered by the golf ball and club in his hands. “It’s romantic that we’re in love! It’s romantic that we’ve been together for centuries without fail!” And then he dropped his arms and tilted his head at Pitch, clearly unimpressed. “It’s not romantic that you pull the date line on me every time I’m not thoroughly enjoying our hobby of the year.”

Pitch met his eyes for a long time, then slid his glasses back into place and nodded. “I can see how that would get old.”

Jack let out a surprised laugh and Pitch raised an eyebrow at him again. “That’s funny ‘cause you’re older,” he explained.

Jack couldn’t see his eyes, but the way his head rotated just so and his shoulders lifted told Jack Pitch was rolling his eyes at him. They’d been together a long time. Even longer than they’d been dating. Jack could read his body like a book.

“Okay, let’s make a deal.” Jack said, stepping up close to Pitch. He maneuvered Pitch’s body away from the start by pressing his own to Pitch’s chest and leaning until the taller man stepped lightly away. It was sensual, it was bold, and it was definitely a tease. Jack grinned and dropped his neon pink ball to the ground, then used the toe of his sandal to nudge it into place. “I know you like to keep your poise and dignity around our adoring fans,” Jack said, waving vaguely at the humans around them, “but I’m in the mood for something silly. So I’ll finish this round of mini golf with you, and then we’ll go do something stupid that I want to do. How’s that sound?”

Pitch seemed to be giving it some thought, but Jack could tell by the way his toes were tapping inside his shoes and his shoulders were held very carefully in check that he was going to agree. Pitch was excited and only centuries of practice reining it in kept him still right now. Pitch wanted to dance.

“That sounds fair.” Jack scoffed and Pitch deflated just a little, letting his shoulders relax and drop. “Alright, fine. That sounds fun. I agree. Now hit the ball, Jack.”

“Why?” Jack teased, but he turned and set up his club anyway. “Eager to get through the course all of a sudden?”

“Maybe,” Pitch allowed. The grin on his lips told Jack everything he needed to know. “Maybe I just really like mini golf.”

With a distinct tap sound Jack’s little pink golf ball went soaring across the green. It bounced against the brick wall across the way and ricocheted off the decorative pirate ship that Jack had thus far ignored the existence of. It came to rest in a very inconvenient spot, but Jack was still looking at Pitch.

“You’re not even trying,” Pitch complained.

Jack leered at him. “Oh, I’m trying.”

“Trying my patience,” Pitch said. He took one step toward his orange ball, then stopped. “I do actually like mini golf, you know.”

“I know.” Jack leaned into Pitch again and looped one arm around his waist. “Why else would I agree to finish the round? But you know it’s way more fun for me to just smack a ball around than to actually aim for something.”

Pitch looked at him consideringly. Then came to a decision, and nodded. “Next time, I’ll take you to the driving range.”

Jack brightened. “They have one of those here?”

“If they don’t, we’ll find one elsewhere. You can hit little balls with a metal stick as hard as you want.”

Jack laughed. “I knew I stuck around all this time for a reason!”

Pitch snorted, but he was smiling. “Yes, it was definitely for the golf.”

“Not the golf,” Jack said. He was looking up at Pitch with as much admiration as he’d ever felt. “For the man.”

Pitch almost looked startled by the honesty. But then he melted again, sweet and syrupy just for Jack. When he leaned down, Jack wasn’t even a little bit surprised.

The kiss was sweet and lingering, but chaste. They were in the middle of a mini golf course, and that kind of thing was frowned upon in child-friendly establishments. But that was fine. There was promise in it, and they could continue that later.

They basically had forever, after all.

[incorrectrotgquotes]

It was the possibility of darkness that made the day seem so bright.

Pitch

(8 April - Day @rotg-hope-week)