Short Stories: Frostcup Oneshots

Autumn leaf and Snowflake - ONESHOT

*Year one: Enmity*

The keeper of Autumn growled his enmity for the cold months and crossed his arms, watching the frost grow gracefully up the tree side. Autumn had to admit, the work of Winter was always a delicate one. He especially liked the way the frost curled and danced away along any surface; creating different patterns that were unique from any other design before it.

That still didn't excuse the fact that every year, when autumn turns to winter, the keeper of Winter always seemed to destroy Autumn's beautiful red and yellow and bronze vista. The way his autumn leaves faded into brown ash dismayed Autumn more than anything.

The keeper of Autumn sighed and sat down on the ground, enjoying the last bits of his autumn paradise before he had to sleep until next year. It was almost like hibernation, and even though autumn could stay awake as long as he pleased, he always thought the quicker he fell asleep, the quicker he could wake and start a new autumn all over again.

Autumn always got weaker as time passed on anyway, so he found no need to waste his strength for any reason. Unless the reason was an important one, then, and only then, will Autumn stay awake.

However, watching the frost dance along the tree's, kiss the tips of the grass, and cling to the fading autumn colors of the keeper's cloak made Autumn tired. He has worked hard this year; making every kid smile with joy and people from all over the world, who weren't enjoying autumn over where they were naturally embedded, to come and see Autumn's astonishing work.

As Autumn wrapped his cloak, made of autumn leaves, around him and nestled into his curved tree bed a voice startled him awake. "Hey, Autumn." They greeted "You going to bed already?"

Autumn opened an eye to see a head of snow white hair and blue eyes and ivory skin. The keeper of Winter looked down at Autumn, smiling a crisp, white smile. "Yes I am; now can I please get back to that?" Autumn grumbled as he turned on his side, facing his back towards Winter.

"Oh come on Autumn, don't be like that!" Winter begged, his voice bothering Autumns peaceful sleep. "What do you want?" he grumbled as he sat up, rubbing his tired eyes. Oh how Autumn wanted to sleep, but Winter wouldn't allow it. This irked Autumn, but the sooner he knows what Winter wants, the sooner Autumn can sleep.

"I wanted to get to know you, is that such a bad thing? I only get one day with you a year because you sleep winter and spring and summer away!" Winter exclaimed, his bright, snowflake blue eyes watching Autumns tired, dull green ones.

"You want to know me, fine." Autumn huffed "I'm Hiccup Haddock, keeper of autumn and you are Jack frost, keeper of winter" and with that, Hiccup threw his cloak over his body and curled up against the tree.

"I already knew that!" Jack said brashly, his voice impatient. "Good" Hiccup grumbled, his eyes shutting tight to block out any light. "Come on Hiccup, I want to know who you are. Like what you like to do when not painting leaves, or what your favorite color is, or— "

"How about this" Hiccup interrupted "Since I am so tired I will go to sleep now and answer your questions when I wake up. Does that sound good to you?"

"That's a great idea" Jack cheered.

"Good, now please be quiet so I can sleep"

"Okay" Jack said softly, waiting until he fell asleep before leaning over to give the sleeping keeper of autumn a cold kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight"

*Year two: Blue*

Hiccup was tired once again. This autumn season took more out of him than he thought. All that he wanted to do was sleep and dream about his autumn paradise that was now fading into a white and bare land. He was irritated beyond belief to watch his autumn leaves die away, fade into nothing but ashes.