An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Synopsis:
It has been many years since Lucy Miller thawed Jack Frost’s heart.
Lucy is now a fully-fledged magi-human -- a witch, even; as well as a practicing doctor -- possessed of significant and unprecedented power that grows increasingly volatile with age. It is down to those closest to her to help her learn to control it, but that doesn’t come easy when said power attracts the attention of some deeply unsavoury characters.
Dark forces gather in the shadows, and the path ahead is paved with uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Jack is fielding magical disturbances of his own, as he continues to forge and strengthen relationships post-Thaw.
A much darker take on TSC lore, set within the Crystal Springs Cinematic Universe created by SafyreSky.
“scientists don’t want you know” is a phrase that always cracks me up because if you actually meet a scientist they will be shaking and crying like an overstimulated chihuahua with the need to let you know
Adding some art to this post! Lu on her broom, ft. Jack enjoying some very orange scenery.
Please forgive any inconsistencies with the fic itself — Lucy’s dress is missing its proper patterning (planets, comets etc.), and she’s rather under-equipped without her flying gear. I did attempt to include the latter, but it turns out that balletic-style flight shoes with heel clips for stirrups are... incredibly difficult to draw. I gave it my best shot, then eventually threw in the towel and reverted to her usual witchy getup instead.
That said, I’m not entirely sure this even counts as a scene from the fic, so much as a general depiction of them flying together. Probably later on in their relationship. Lucy does appear to be kind of half-sitting in Jack’s lap, which is definitely too friendly for the stage they’re currently at! So consider this more of a vibe-y visual rather than a literal moment from the text. 😅
A Cold Front St. Paddy's Day Adventure: The Birds and the Bees [WIP!]
Jacqueline had had a very busy month.
February tended to be busy, of course. Winter was at her peak; snow business was booming and all hands were on deck—and Jacqueline didn't totally mind being one of the deckhands. She loved it.
This, of course, made for many sleepless nights. And many a sprite sleep.
But! She did her best to keep the important dates sprite-sleep free! Like Galentine’s day, so she and Elle could have a pre-valentines/pre-birthday hangout. Then Valentine’s, of course, because if she didn’t Dite would make sure she did. And, of course, at the end of the month there was her own birthday to consider. And there was plenty of time between Valentine’s and her birthday to sneak in a sprite sleep and be PRESENT for those occasions.
Unfortunately for Jacqueline, she had had a very busy month.
Galentine’s day had dissolved into a Galentine’s adventure. The normally misbehaving elves had suddenly started behaving but like, in a freaky way. Like, they were being unnaturally nice, and when they started speaking like perturbed Victorian children, well. Something was off.
So Elle and Jacqueline had investigated, and run right into Krampus, and if Jacqueline ever had to fight a “behaved” version of herself again, it’d be TOO SOON.
They had, of course, missed Valentines (though Dite had been excited to join their hunt towards the end of it, ripping them out of his realm herself), so Dite just HAD to make up for it. And make up for it she did. Jacqueline could feel the heat crawling into her face at the mere thought of the make out—up. Make up. The make up.
…which did involve a make out.
(The flush spread.)
Calling frost to her palms, she pat her cheeks, taking a deep breath in and slowly exhaling until her heart stopped racing for a moment.
A moment because, as Jacqueline tapped the screen of her phone once more, staring at the date and wondering how she’d slept right into March, she recalled her birthday. A globe trotting, food enjoying, drink having, karaoke belting week long escapade—intertwined WITH snow business—that had ended in her throwing herself into her bedsheets and latching onto her goddess of a girlfriend because:
“—If I don’t cuddle you right now immediately I will surely perish Dite, pur-LEASE you are so warm and strong and cozy and secure shaped and…and…you wouldn't want your lil' cute girlfriend to...to turn into a puddle or...or something...”
Wrapped up in Dite’s arms, her wings surrounding the both of them like their own private cabana, Jacqueline had felt so safe and warm and loved she'd immediately passed out and gone right into sprite sleep mode.
And now she was awake and godess-less, which checked out given that it was March freaking seventeenth and she was genuinely surprised that she had slept for THAT long.
But hey! She had had quite the busy month.
Sniffing, she shrugged, pushing back her hair and glancing around the room. It smelt…like spring. She squinted across the way to the windows—ah. Dite had left one open a crack. And also. It was March.
Ignoring the buzzing of missed mental calls as they loaded, Jacqueline placed her phone on the bedside table. She had planned to roll out of bed and go about her morning—but her fingertips grazed something ceramic.
What in the—
Giving the side table her full, undivided attention, she grinned.
A heart shaped plate sat on the surface, a pile of what looked like fresh oatmeal chocolate chip cookies sitting on them with a folded note addressed to her sitting in sparkling pink gel pen right on top (the “I” dotted with a heart). Grabbing the note with two fingers, she flicked it open.
Morning babe!
You looked like you were coming back to consciousness when I left for work, so I figured I’d leave you a sweet little treat 💕💕💕 I’ll see you tonight, blue eyes—I’ve missed them! I’ve missed you.
—XOXO Dite.
The I’s were dotted with hearts, the gel pen thick and glittery. Unable to stop the goofy smile that spread across her face, Jacqueline reached inside the headboard, pulling a small box out from one of the pigeon hole shelves. She opened it up, the note landing on top of multiple other notes, all in the same hand, with the same pen, and the same little hearts dotting the I’s.
Sliding the box back in its designated shelf, she rolled out of bed and rushed into the washroom, thinking of the delightful cookies as she brushed, flossed, and washed her face.
Running a hand through her hair, the brown tresses perked up, swirling as they turned snow white. Tossing her hair with a flourish, glittering swirls of frost wound their way in, her head as sparkly as Dite’s favoured pen. She threw a sweater over her pyjama shirt and headed down the stairs, the familiar creaks comforting as she swung off the balustrade and unlocked the front door, whipping it back. Pushing the screen door forward, she reached into the mailbox beside the spindly iron cast table, pulling out a wad of mail and doing a double take.
“Aunt Spring?!”
“Good morning, Jacqueline.”
The sprite squinted. Sure enough, her usually peppy aunt sat in the garden chair closest to the mailbox, hair blooming, one leg crossed over the other as she glared daggers at Jacqueline.
“…uh. How? Long? Have you been out here?”
She inhaled sharply, a petal and a leaf falling out of her hair and drifting to the ground. “Not long!”
Jacqueline watched the petal touch the ground, the red of the camellia nearly blending in with the deck. “Uh-huh. Sure. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“It’s St. Patrick’s Day.”
Jacqueline shut the screen door behind her, eyes not once leaving Spring as she made her way to the second chair and took a seat. She crossed her leg, tapping the wad of envelopes on her knee. “Well, Happy St Paddy’s Day, Aunt Spring.”
“Cut the sleet. You know why I’m here.”
Jacqueline frowned. “Hmm…no, can’t say I do if not for the festivities. Sure you don't want to hit up the club with me?” she grinned, giving her eyebrows a little wiggle.
Spring snapped straight, foot hitting the ground with a thud, another two petals drifting off her head. “Absolutely NOT! I don’t club, Jacqueline.”
“Maybe you should! Maybe it’d fix you.”
“Hey! I’m—” she stopped herself as a whole flower popped off her head, landing in her lap. Taking a deep breath in, she sighed, regaining her composure and cradling the blossom in her hands. “Maybe you need to sleep longer.”
“Hard disagree. I feel pretty awake, actually.”
The flower glowed. Roots sprouted, wrapping themselves up Spring’s arm as it brightened, the wilting petals perking up as the flower settled on her wrist. She folded her hands, placing them in her lap. “Right. Well. As you are aware, I’m sure, it’s March.”
“Yes.”
“And you are aware of what the groundhog said.”
Jacqueline scoffed. “I think he’s wrong.”
“The natural temperature of the GLOBE this year says otherwise.”
“Sure it’s not climate change?”
“Positive. Summer assured me. And you know as well as I do how much she hates that thing.”
“Mm. Thus making her the expert.”
“Exactly. Mother also said that it was the usual El Niño/La Nina shift. So! To business. It’s March. You know what day it is; you’ve told me so yourself. Multiple times. You and I both know what you like to do today and you know that's exactly why I’m here.”
Jacqueline sighed, leaning back in her seat. “Fine. I won’t ruin the party day for the universities…”
“Excellent!”
“…outside of Kingston.”
Spring grew red. “Jacqueline!”
“Aunt Spring, I’m gonna be real with you. I have had a MONTH, okay? It's been busy as shit and I am just as wiped. I've had a nice long sprite sleep and would like a nice evening of gallivanting, cavorting, and sudden lake effect chill. If you leave me to my devices in my dearly beloved City, I will leave every other settlement in the COUNTRY alone.”
Spring looked shocked. “In the COUNTRY?!”
“Yep. I’ll keep my effects local.”
“Really?”
“I won't even THINK about stepping foot in other northern hemisphere countries and continents.”
Spring looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well! In that case,” she stood up, chair scrapping the deck. “We have a deal!” she clasped her hands and rested her cheek on them, the corners of her lips perking up. “Glad that's sorted! I've got a big to-do list today. I’m off to brawl with your mother next. Do not make it harder for me, Jacqueline.”
She threw her hands up. “I’m not the problem!”
“But you ARE in cahoots.”
“He is LITERALLY my assigned Legendary figure and she is LITERALLY my MOTHER, Spring.”
“I know! I also know that you are nicer than the both of them.” With an earnest smile, she bopped Jacqueline’s nose. “I suppose you can’t distract that big ol’ bother of yours for me, huh?”
“Aunt Spring. I just woke up. I don't have that kind of energy right now."
“Fair enough. Right! I’m off, then!” she hopped down the steps, briefly stopping to survey Jacqueline's front garden. “Your tulips are coming in! You should trim the things around it.”
“I’ll get to it.”
“I’ll know if you don't.”
“I know.”
“And I will take matters into my own hands!”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Just make sure to let me know what you'd like for dinner that day and we're good."
Spring laughed. “Play nice today, Jacqueline.”
“Play ice. Got it.”
“NICE!”
“I cannot HEAR you for you are too far AWA-AY~”
Spring rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, hun. Oh! And be safe!”
“Now that I can promise you. It's the students that’ll have to look out for me.” Cackling, Jacqueline rubbed her palms together with a malicious little grin.
Laughing, Spring smiled, waved, and crossed the street, disappearing in a poof of light green sparks, petals floating down behind her. The students wandering around paid no attention to this strange happenstance. It didn’t even faze them.
One of the perks to St Paddy’s Day, Jacqueline thought with a grin.
Grabbing her mail pile, she pushed off the chair and popped back inside, Dusty waiting dutifully by the front door. Scratching the soft fur between his ears, she made her way into the kitchen, helping herself to another cookie and getting to work on breakfast.
Have you guys read @kscribbs most recent addition to the lovely Miller's Law universe, Side Quest? I have. And I've THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. And it has inspired a silly little one shot (little, she says, knowing full well that based on her NOTES and the NOTES ALONE, it will likely be mahoosive) with the Cold Front that I have yet to fully write out—with the EXCEPTION of the OPENING 😈😈😈
Which is what we have here!
I figure, since, y'know, it's st Paddy's Day today and (at elast in my location lol) with the Spring/Winter weather struggle this March being LIKE THAT. Posting this little snacky treaty of an opening would be FUN! And it was, hehehehe.
Fun little tidbits/hcs for y'all below the cut:
Spring is so fun to write
So is banter with her and Jacqueline, hehe.
The oneshot takes place on St Patrick's Day, following the Valentine's Day Jack and Lucy find themselves in SHENANIGANS in Side Quest.
Apparently if someone leaves Jacqueline a mental message during sprite sleep, there is some sort of voicemail-esque system lmao
Spring is a TERRIBLE liar. She has flowery tells ;)
(she's been on that front porch for a WHILE lol)
St Paddy's day celebrations at unis are INSANE and I think the one at the uni here is very like, in your face bc of how close the campus is to downtown/huge neighbourhoods that are mixed with students and townies and that's also inspired this, lol
ok I think that's it!!! Anyway!!! Enjoy this blurb!!! :)
I looooooove, love, love seeing Jacqueline and Spring interact! ❄️🌸 They're so feisty with each other, but, like. In a warm, affectionate way -- it's adorable!
This lil' snip brings me SO much life, it's the CUTEST. The wee note from Dite especially (I adore the fact that she dots her i's w little hearts! Does she cross her t's with arrows too? Bc I can totally imagine her doing that 💘🥰), and the fact that she left Jacquie choccy cookies! What a sweetie, they're the absolute blueprint 🥹. And oh my God am I excited for the full fic, you don't even know. Cold Front Bonding Time, my beloveddddddd.
I am WELL FED INDEED, this is delightful! ☺️🍀
Edit: I also meant to say that it's super cool that Jacquie has an internal voicemail system! ☺️
“I knew I did from that first moment we met. It was… Not love at first sight exactly, but - familiarity. Like: oh, hello, it’s you. It’s going to be you.”
Mutual pining is great, but you know what's even better? Mutual pining where they're both fully aware the feelings are requited, they just can't do anything about it for other reasons. Or maybe they technically could but they've had to choose not to, because of The Circumstances.
Just watched The Santa Clause 3 the other night, I absolutely adore Jack Frost but they MASSACRED my boy with that thawed look 😭😭 So I decided to not only try drawing Jack in my personal style but also reinterpreting his “thawed” appearance! I mostly wish they’d kept his cunty hairstyle
He honestly looks like a CEO and I would happily be his secretary
what you don't get is science exists because people can love. medicine exists because people love each other enough to want each other to live long healthy lives. astronomy exists because someone loved the stars and the planets enough to track them through their ever changing position in the darkest night. science exists because humans are curious little creatures and we want to know the world around us and understand it like it does us. we know stars and planets worlds away, we've sent cameras worlds away, all because we love the universe, and we also put love in those satellites!! we sent the sound of a 100 languages, lovely messages, the sound of rain and a laugh, all out there just in case there's someone in the universe looking for us like we do them, and so that they know that they were never alone, and we sent them the most simple loving things we could find.
I am horrifically late reblogging this absolute masterpiece, and for that I am so sorry!! I've been sketching a lil Jacquie running alongside Mel, but life's just so busy atm I haven't been able to finish her and I DESPERATELY want this beloved Dani Doodle on my dash so I can stare at it forever and ever and ever!
She looks SO CUTE 🥰☺️😊🥰 I adore the way you've drawn her hair and skirt especially! And the wee Styx in her capelet -- AUGH. Stunning 🤩😍
Please don't worry about the necklace! Sometimes she slips it down the front of her collar so it's not visible/won't get in the way. ☺️
Also the idea of her in a Fish Fear Me hat and man-disparaging T has me 💀💀💀 she would absolutely rock that.
Love you too, boo! Thank you for this fantabulous gift! It's such a wonderful thing to see my girlie brought to life like this 🥹
I mean it’s kinda the real life tragedy of love exaggerated, innit? Irl people die young or one person dies old and another person dies even older. At the end of it all someone gets left behind and has to learn how to move on after that. And for the one who dies you know you’re leaving them behind. You know you’re dooming them to moving on and if you believe in an afterlife god only knows how long you’ll be waiting for them on the other side. The tragedy of the immortal loving the mortal takes those feelings we all know about and rips your heart out about it.
