Jack and the other Guardians were at North's Workshop, trying to figure out what to make of Pitch's behavior.
"Jack, ya gumby! Pitch coulda killed ya!" Bunny shouted at the newest Guardian, and the others nodded.
"But he didn't! He didn't even try anything!" Jack said. Sandy made a bunch of pictures above his head and North nodded.
"Sandy is right. We need to keep eye on Pitch, and since Jack has already gained his trust, he will continue to get info." He said. Tooth fluffed up her feathers, and looked at Jack.
"You will be careful, won't you?" She asked, looking into his eyes.
"Of course! Don't worry about me. If he tries anything, I'll freeze him solid!" He said, chuckling.
"I still think ya all are nuts to even think he could be trusted, but I'm outnumbered in this vote, so good luck, Frostbite." Bunny said, crossing his arms. Everyone nodded and said their goodbyes, leaving to their respective homes, leaving North and Jack standing there.
"He really invited you to tea?" North asked, and Jack nodded, smirking.
"I had cocoa." He said, and North clapped him on the back, nearly sending him onto the floor.
"You are brave one, Jack." He laughed.
"Now get some rest, you never know when you will see Pitch again." He said, going to his office. Jack sighed and left, finding a forest to rest in.
Jack woke early and headed back to where he met Pitch the day before, excited to see him again. He sat in a tree and waited. Pitch watched him arrive from the shadows, smirking. He knew Jack would come back. He stepped out of the shadows and stood in the center of the clearing, looking up at Jack. When he saw Pitch, he flew down from the tree, smiling slightly.
"So, I told the Guardians." He said.
"Let me guess, they want you to keep an eye on me?" He asked, sounding bored. Jack chuckled and nodded.
"How predictable of them." Pitch said, smirking. He turned and headed back to his lair, knowing Jack would follow. And he did, feeling strangely calm around Pitch, like they had always been friends. Pitch didn't stop to wait for Jack this time, feeling his calm presence behind him the whole way.
"What do you do down here all day?" Jack asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Usually I read, but sometimes I write, or meditate." He said, walking through the door to the sitting room.
"Cocoa?" He asked. Jack smiled slightly and nodded.
"Yes please." He said, sinking into the same plush chair from the other night. He sighed and remembered how Pitch asked where he stayed, then North not offering him a room, again.
"You look troubled, Jack." Pitch said, handing the sprite his cocoa, then sitting across from him, crossing his long legs.
Jack jumped as Pitch was suddenly there, but calmed down and gratefully took the cocoa.
"I was just thinking. North didn't offer me a room last night, though he knew that meeting with you could be stressful." Jack explained, looking into his mug. Pitch nodded, sipping his tea. He watched Jack closely, thinking of what to say to him.
"He isn't the most gracious, is he?" Pitch asked. He stood and walked to the bookshelf, picking out a thick book that looked quite old. Jack nodded and watched the man, frowning.
"What's that?" Jack asked, looking at the cover, but not recognizing the language.
"An old war tale." Pitch answered, sounding a bit far away. He began reading, but could feel Jack's gaze on him. Jack watched him, looking at his golden eyes as they moved across the pages swiftly. He quickly looked away as Pitch looked up, closing the book. Pitch waved his hand and the book returned to the shelf.
"Am I really so interesting, Jack?" Pitch asked, leaning back in the chair and finishing his tea. Jack took a big gulp of his cocoa, and shrugged.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked, looking back to Pitch.
"Being nice, I mean." He added quickly. Pitch thought for a moment, considering his answer.
"Because, though we may be, or may have been enemies, there is still much that we have in common. And everyone needs someone to talk to, or to go to when everyone else isn't there for them." He said. Jack nodded. That made sense, both he and Pitch were lonely and tended to be forgotten"What made you change your mind?" Jack asked, finishing his cocoa. Pitch looked at him and shook his head.
"I found that a little fear goes a long way." He said simply, then rolled his eyes.
"Did the others put you up questioning me?"
Jack shook his head and put the mug on the table.
"I'm just curious." He said, nervously fiddling with his staff. He wasn't sure why, but he felt a connection with Pitch. A nightmare galloped in, snorting anxiously and pawing at the ground. Pitch sighed and squeezed the bridge of his nose.
"I'll be right there." He said, shooing the creature away.
"Sandman is here, presumably to check on you." Pitch said to Jack, who frowned, but nodded.
"Let's go see what he wants." Pitch said, standing gracefully, and heading to the door, Jack in tow. They reached the main room, finding Sandy at the globe. He turned and smiled at Jack, then gave Pitch a curt nod. He made pictures above his head, and Pitch rolled his eyes.
"I'm not doing a thing to Jack, unless showing him hospitality is a bad thing now." Pitch said, obviously annoyed.
"We had drinks and talked, nothing more, nothing less." He added, and Jack nodded.
"Yeah, he hasn't done anything." Jack assured the Guardian of Dreams. Sandy still looked worried, but nodded, making a few more signs at Pitch.
"Calm down, Sanderson. I am all set with being beaten again. I'm still nursing my wounded ego." He said tiredly. With one last stern look, Sandy left, leaving Jack and Pitch alone once more. Pitch sighed and shook his head slowly.
"Should I leave?" Jack asked nervously.
"If you'd like." Pitch said, still sounding tired. He turned and headed back to the sitting area, then through the door at the back. Jack hesitated, then followed slowly. He looked through the door and was surprised to find a large bedroom with a four poster bed against the far wall in the middle. There were more books and some papers piled on a desk to the right, along with quills and an ink well. Pitch looked up and sighed.
"Yes, Jack?"
"I-I, uh, nothing." He said nervously. He was surprised to find that Pitch needed sleep at all.
"Yes, Jack, I sleep as well. Though, like you, I don't need it, but it is always nice to take a break from the world for a bit." Pitch said, composing himself once more. He stood and walked over to Jack and smiled slightly. Jack jumped back, then made himself stay still.
"Thank you, Jack. It is nice to have someone to talk to." Pitch said, giving the boy a slight bow.
"Yeah, thank you too." Jack said, smiling as well. Pitch looked at him and chuckled.
"You have a very nice smile, Jack." He said.
"I bet you would too if you ever smiled in a friendly way." Jack said back, laughing. He was blushing at the compliment, and was sure Pitch could see it, even in the dark. Pitch liked the boy's blush, and smiled a little bit more.