Black Blade

AN: Yo! This is the third book in the 'Don't Fear The Reaper' series. You'll probably need to read the other two to get what will be going on here! Still keeping with the naming tradition ;)

Started writing on September 2nd 2018

Started editing on September 18th 2018

Jack sighed putting his head in his hands. The Guardians were standing in front of him arguing as usual. He didn't bother trying to break them up, he didn't have the energy to. He hadn't had the energy to do much lately.

The winter spirit hadn't seen Matthew in almost two months. None of them had, not even a glimpse of him. The couple had had a fight the night before the Reaper disappeared. He thought they had made up and were fine, but Matthew wasn't there in the morning. Jack assumed he went to help a soul, but he didn't see him the whole day. He wasn't to worried, the Canadian might have a bunch to help. He started to worry after three days.

Jack looked for him, but couldn't find him. There was a Guardian meeting later in the week. He hoped he'd be there, Matthew hardly ever missed them. He didn't show. The Guardians noticed how down Jack was, but didn't ask. The Canadian occasionally missed the meetings so him not being there wasn't too unusual. A few days later, the winter spirit went back to the pole to find North. He needed someone to talk to and told the older Guardian about the fight and he couldn't find his husband. Jack was convinced that Matthew was angry and had left.

North tried to reassure him that the Reaper was probably just taking care of souls. There had been more and more waves over the last few years. The winter spirit seemed to believe him, but wasn't fully convinced. He stayed a while and North kept Jack busy to keep his mind off it. The Guardian of fun left later in the day to cause a storm.

The Russian didn't see him again until the next meeting. Jack didn't look too good, he looked like he hadn't slept in days. The Reaper didn't show up either. North was worried now as well. A wave had never lasted longer than two weeks before, it had been over a whole month. None of the other Guardians had seen him around either. They knew if Matthew didn't want to be seen he wouldn't be. They were worried that Pitch had gotten to him, but he hadn't been gaining power and they hadn't seen a new reaper around.

"Jack?" North asked pulling him from his thoughts. He looked up with a yawn raising an eyebrow. He hadn't realized the others had left. "There's a very important meeting coming up."

"Aren't all the meetings 'very important?'" The winter spirit said sarcastically. North cracked a small smile.

"Da, of course! But this is one that only happens every thousand years. It is required for all spirits to go." The Guardian of wonder said. Jack didn't seem like he was really paying attention. He sighed running a hand through his beard. "Matthew will have to be there as well."

"Birdie's not a spirit though." The younger Guardian grumbled resting his chin on his knee. North put a hand on his shoulder.

"No, but a reaper was there last time." He said reassuringly. "He'll be there."

"Fine." Jack sighed. He knew he had to go if there was a chance of even seeing the Canadian. He wanted to know what was going on and apologize or if he was even still alive. He was still convinced that Matthew was angry and left him. He would always find some time to come home even if it was just for a few minutes. He missed his husband so much.

"Oh, but we'll have to make you some kind of formal wear." North said looking him up and down.

"Excuse me?" The younger Guardian asked slightly offended. North laughed lightly.

"It's a very formal event. You can't wear a hoodie and leather pants. You'll have to wear shoes." The Russian said. Jack just groaned hopping off the railing kicking his staff over his shoulder. "I'll have the yetis make you something, da?"

"Okay." Jack mumbled.

"Don't worry, Jack." North said reassuringly. "Matthew will be there, I'm sure of it."

"Thanks, North." The winter spirit said with a small smile. He was glad to have his confidence. "I hope so."

-❄️"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."❄️-

Matthew yawned loudly leaning against a tree. He was exhausted, but he was starting to get used to the constant sleepiness. He been chasing after souls for quite a while. He wasn't really sure how long anymore. He wanted to go home so badly. The Reaper needed to eat, sleep and preen. He decided to preen, his feathers were really bothering him and were the most important thing for him to get around. He hauled himself up into the tree and sat on a branch.

The Canadian started to move absentmindedly through the rows of feathers. He wondered how long his break would last. He hoped he'd have enough time to finally go home. He wanted nothing more than to be back with Jack. Matthew hissed as something cut his finger. He looked over wondering what was in his feathers that would have cut him. He blinked in surprise seeing they were shiny and metallic.

The Reaper's feathers always had a healthy shine, but they were never like this. His black feathers didn't look too different other than they were shinier while the yellow ones looked like they had been dipped in gold. He ran a finger over the edge of one and it easily broke the skin. He didn't know why his wings were like this, they didn't feel any heavier.

Matthew hopped out of the tree and spread one wing fully. He flexed it wondering how long they'd been like this. They seemed to work just fine. He flew into the sky towards Death's house hoping he'd know what was going on. He landed and knocked on the door. He heard the man yell for him to come in. The Canadian pushed in following his voice to the library.

"Ah, Matthew." Death smiled seeing him. He immediately noticed the feathers and stood up from where he was reading. "Your wings? What happened?"

"I don't know." The Reaper said. He was surprised his voice actually worked. It had been on and off over the last couple of months. He hadn't spoken since the last time he saw Jack. He didn't have a need too. "Why are they like this?"

"I'm not sure." Death's eyebrows furrowed as he stepped towards him. Matthew extended a wing for him to look at. He gently inspected them seeing they were hardened and had sharp edges. He curiously tapped on one hearing how it sounded, it sounded close to actual metal. "You're still able to fly?" He nodded and Death sighed in relief. "I don't know why they are like this. I'm going to talk with Tsar and see if he knows. In the meantime, I'd like you to stay here and rest."

Matthew nodded. He couldn't argue with him, he was tired. He was a bit slow to react. Death turned him around and lightly pushed him towards one of his spare bedrooms. He smiled tiredly walking in the direction he was pushed. He opened the door and immediately flopped onto the bed. He wasn't used to sleeping in an actual bed or without his husband. He closed his eyes trying to fall asleep. It took him a while, but exhaustion eventually took over.

AN: Will be posting a new chapter every Thursday accept next Thursday. I get my wisdom teeth removed so idk about posting… Have to see.