Dead || Jack Frost

Nineteen

Dia couldn't bare the way Jack's face fell in that moment. The joy of being believed in fading as he realised that the belief didn't extended to Dia too. The winter spirit's eyes turned sad. The blue darkening and Dia had to tear his gaze away. "I.. it's"- Jack stuttered as he looked between Jaime and Dia. His face faltering as he tried to think of something to say.

Dia smiled softly and floated up to land next to him on the bed. He took Jack's hands and rubbed his thumbs in soothing circles across the cool skin. "It's okay", he reassured. "I am so happy for you". Jack opened his mouth as if to interrupt but Dia continued. "I didn't expect him to believe in me anyway. My holiday, my being, is based on culture. Jaime is of a different culture to mine, with different beliefs. It would be like you expecting to be believed in down in Rio where there is no snow. I don't expect him to believe in a holiday he does not celebrate".

Jack frowned. He raised one hand to cup Dia's cheek. The dark haired boy nuzzling into the touch. "But I want you to be happy. I want you to be believed in as that others can see you like I do. I want to share this feeling with you".

Dia smiled and pressed a kiss to Jack's palm. "And someday I will be believed in. That day is just not this one".

"Jack who are you a talking to?" Jaime asked. "Is there someone else here?"

Jack blinked and his hand dropped from Dia's face. He turned to Jaime nervously. "Uh yeah", he nodded. "There's another guardian here. You just can't see him because you don't believe in him".

Jaime frowned. "What's his name? I can believe in him!"

"Tell him it's okay if he doesn't", Dia said.

"Hey Jaime. It's okay. He doesn't mind if you don't believe in him". Jack placed a hand on Jaime's shoulder. The little boy looking crestfallen at not being able to help.

"But I want to see him too", he pouted.

Jack chuckled lightly. "I'll just describe him for you then. Maybe that will help". Jaime perked up and grinned. He seated himself down on the bed, Jack crossing his legs opposite him. Dia curled up next to him, head resting on Jack's shoulder. The touch a grounding comfort. Jack reached up and ran his fingers through Dia's fluffy dark hair.

"What's his name? Is he like you? Or is he more like the Easter bunny?" Jaime questioned excitedly. Dia pulled a face at being compared to Bunny. Jack snorted at the expression.

"No, he's definitely like me. He is a human boy, a bit shorter than me"-

"We are the same height", Dia interrupted.

"-Only a few centimetres shorter than me", Jack continued with a wide smirk. "His name is Dia De Los Muertos. The day of the dead. But we just call him Dia".

"Oh!" Jaime perked up. "My friend Caleb's family celebrates that. They have a orfrenda". His tongue stumbled over the unfamiliar word.

"Ofrenda", Dia corrected. Jack repeating the correction.

Jaime nodded. "Yeah. That's it. Where they put candles and photos of family who have died. Caleb's mum decorates it with rose petals".

Dia smiled. "That's so their loved ones can visit. It's nice but such a pain for the ghosts who deal with the boarders. Every year is have to walk around the world to create the path. It's a long walk but fun. Afterwards La Muerte throws a big party. She's the ruler of the dead. I'm just a envoy by comparison. She can't be on this world much so I was chosen to fill out her duties here by opening the boarder and creating the path". He broke off in the silence. Jack was listening to him with a slight smile but Jaime looked confused.