Where there is a Flame
Rating: T
Summary: Jack is badly injured while performing his duty as a Guardian. It is up to the others to help the spirit recover and also teach him that just because he was alone before doesn't mean he is now.
Author Note: You folks are amazing. The crazy response to this little story, it amazes me. I hope these characters are in character, I only saw the movie once (the day it came out) and have been meaning to get back and see it but damn finals and lack of money. Being an adult sucks, honestly. That is why I write, to make life not suck so bad. Tooth is hard to write, I'm not sure how I feel about her in the film but I already know I'm crap at writing her. From here on out, there will be more Jack. Promise.
Chapter 4
Two days had passed since the Guardian of Fun regained enough sense to understand what was going on around him. Two days where North, Bunny, Tooth and Sandy worked together to remove the eschar from the healing burns, leaving the injuries raw and seeping but assured that the healing skin would reform into healthy patches and hopefully not scar as badly as burns left unattended. Two days since the large burns were sustained and they had finally expanded to their full size. Tooth had returned to check on the younger spirit early that morning and was mortified to see the burns as Bunny started to unwrap each site.
"He looks worse! What have you been doing?" she demands angrily, fluttering around the bed to where she can place a soothing hand on the teen's forehead. Bunny continues to roll the outer bandages while Janis holds a basin for the used gauze pads.
"It's all a part of the process. For burns it takes a few days before the full extent of the damage is revealed." Bunny dictates, words for a very long time ago slipping out as he works methodically, barely listening as the fairy begins to speak to the unconscious teen. With the thick bandages removed from his feet Bunny takes a moment of contemplate the injuries. The skin is still raw and weeping but he is happy to note the beginning of healing.
"He looks so sad." Tooth mutters, once more running her long fingers through the sleeping spirits hair, combing the strands in different directions. Bunny gives a grunt in response and nods to Janis who moves to the upper part of the bed and eases the limp body up so the Pooka can get to the bandages along the teens back.
"What can I do?" Tooth asks, moving out the way to allow the larger guardian access. Bunny unwinds the length of bandage and glances around before handing the torn up sheet to the iridescently colored fairy.
"Reroll this one, also grab that basin for the used gauze." He provides and she sets to her tasks, all too happy to be helping in any way. Bunny quickly pulls the gauze off the burns along the teens back refusing to wince at the amount of eschar attached to the pads. Janis gives an approving grunt and Bunny nods in return.
"Yes, the burns are starting to look pretty good. Hopefully the kid heals like the rest of us and as long as we keep the burns clean and free from the thick scabs he should heal in no time." He is optimistic but from where Tooth is working the burns look horrific and incredibly painful.
"Now what?" she asks nervously watching as Janis continues to hold onto the limp spirit, his bandaged face pressed firmly against her chestnut colored fur while Bunny works his way into a plastic smock, complete with sleeves and massive gloves designed for the Yeti's to use.
"No laughing." He snaps irritably while trying to get to the tie in the back. Tooth smothers her giggle of delight at seeing the usually stoic grey furred warrior geared up like one of the Yeti's and quickly moves to help tie the protective shield on.
"We can't risk getting hair or dander into the injuries, at least not till they begin to heal properly." He offers by way of explanation before taking over for Janis who quickly garbs herself in the same manner but with the practiced ease of someone familiar with the routine.
"Alright, let's get this bugger into bath number one." Bunny states with a happy edge to his tone but Tooth knows its fake and chooses not to comment, staying out of the way as Janis and Bunny work to maneuver the limp teen into the bathroom. Tooth casually grabs at the sheet as the tag team starts to move, concerned about the clean sheets landing on the dirty floor Tooth begins to fold before following them into the bathroom. Jack was gently submerged, his body tensing as the water hits the painfully hot burns but does little more than jerk away, water splashing a bit. Janis grunts at the youngster and soothes his distress by patting the tip of his nose gently causing Jack's pale lips to draw back in a small smile. Tooth moves in closer and keeps her attention focused on Bunny's movements as Janis continues to monitor Jack's head. The water level is much lower than it was the first day but just as cold and from the content look on his pale face it is blissful.
"He really likes these huh?" Tooth asks, moving around and choosing not to notice as Janis places a hand towel into the water, shielding the teen's dignity from the only female guardian on the team.
"Yeah, he's going to like them up until he becomes more aware of what is exactly going on." Bunny states distractedly as he kneels down at the foot of the tub and sets to work with a brush in one paw and a set of large-Yeti sized- tweezers in the other. Tooth becomes nervous just then, watching with a rolling stomach as the Pooka begins to scrub away at the forming brownish black scabs, often pulling at the larger patches with the tweezers.
"He doesn't feel any of that?" she squeaks, suddenly worried as the Pooka scrubs a bit harder.
"Not really… I mean, I'm sure he feels something but Janis and the other She-Yeti's cooked up this cream that reduces the pain on the skin level. Of course, him being off in la la land helps too." Bunny responds with a gesture towards Janis who gives an appeased gruff bark. Bunny continues to scrub and pick at the thick pads on Jack's feet for several more minutes before lifting one leg to get at the scalds along the backside of the pale calf. Tooth nervously buzzes around, trying to find something to occupy herself with.
"Janis, could you help hold this leg. Tooth, you can take over at his head. Do not let his head dip into the water." Bunny suggests, an irritable tint to his words as the two females switch positions with Janis giving Tooth some quick instructions on how to keep Jack calm and still if he should come around during the process. Tooth nodes sternly with acceptance of her new role and eases herself down so she can rest her small hands on either side of the gauze and begins singing a ditty she learned as a mortal child.
The sound of her soft singing and Bunny's swipe to clear the brush are the only sounds in the bathroom for the next hour or so.
Once the treatment is complete Janis takes over and gives the youngster a thorough cleaning to ensure he is clean and fresh before the two replace the ointment and bandages. The whole process took a little over three hours and by the time Jack was settled back into the freshly changed bed both Sandy and North had arrived to take over, the change allowing Bunny to get back to his warren, Tooth her fairies and Janis the sewing floor where she worked building children's clothes.
"Bad news." North announces softly as Bunny says good bye to Janis with a thump on her broad shoulders with his paw as the group move out of the sick room and into the common area. Laying on the table was the small black book and the ancient staff that Jack never let out of his sight. The staff itself lacked the subtle glow of Jack's power but all four Guardians could feel reside of the winter spirits power clinging to the antiquated fibers.
"It is a bit charred." North points out, picking up the staff to rotate the hook itself for the others to see thick patches of blackened wood and Tooth can only shake her head. Jack would be heartbroken, the staff being his only true possession for the past three hundred years. It was the first thing he saw when he woke up out of the lake to walk invisibly amongst the mortals of the world.
"It is not ordinary wood. If my Yeti's tried to remake it, I fear Jack would undoubtedly notice." North informs, his large hand running the length of the charred section before wiping the black off on his torn and stained work pants.
"We know he repaired it when Pitch broke it, it wouldn't surprise me if he could repair it again." Tooth states nervously, her hangs wringing together as she moves about the room. North nods sadly and then picks up the book, his usually happy expression changing to an even more subdued frown.
"This is another matter. I have looked through this book many times and I can reasonably say that the findings come from a more sinister method than simply helping a friend." Tooth frowns and Bunny's eyes widen as Sandy shakes his head in anger.
"This book depicts experiments done upon spirits… some of the entries dictating their endings." He informs sadly, and is about to continue when Tooth's nimble fingers snatch the dreadful item out of the toy makers hand.
"This is disgraceful! This is what you have been using to help Jack?! Information gained through torture and.. and death?!" she shouts and Bunny winces, his ears dropping back quickly protect his hearing while Sandy wrestles with Tooth who is nearing the fire, the book held in her trembling fingers.
"Stop Tooth!" North shouts, leaping to also stop the emotionally fueled mission. The fairy, seeing the approaching danger throws the offending object at the flames but Sandy creates a large hand that catches the volume easily before the smaller guardian clutches the book and backs quickly away as North restrains their longtime friend.
"Although it is a book written from causing pain to others like us—like Jack, it has helped!" North tries to reason but Tooth only shakes her head, tears falling rapidly from her eyes. Bunnymund is about to join in on the conversation in defense of the writings but his hearing catches on a soft noise. Out of place amongst the shouting and action in the common room, both ears perking upward and swiveling towards the sick room.
"Jack's awake." He snaps irritably and makes for the room, leaving the others to sort out their priorities, which doesn't take them long since they enter the room a moment later in time to see Bunnymund get blasted a weak ice attack. Bunny snorts loudly and yelps as the ice slush mixture makes it up his nose and into his ears, causing the large Pooka to stumble backward a few feet. To the other guardians it would have been a laughter inducing moment but their eyes are drawn to where the injured teen is scrambling to get away, his body twisted up in the sheets as he blindly kicks out. North moves forward, knowing full well that even though the charred staff in the other room is the conduit of his power, Jack himself is a strong adversary without it as well. Jack's face is scrunched up beneath the gauze as he tries to listen and take in what is going on around him, his body tensed and ready to lash out.
"Jack." He calls softly, earning an undignified squeak from the brash youngster as he moves backward and off the bed, his body connecting with the hard floor harshly. Jack's world explodes in pain and for a moment he can barely register what's going on around him, the world narrowing to a single thought of pain. He cries out but quickly grits his teeth, forcing his body to move through the pain.
Find a safe place
Put your back against something
Remember Jackson, when you're facing an unknown number of people the best place to put yourself is with your back against a wall. No one can get a drop on you that way
Words from the past send the youngster backward, his movements hampered by an increasing hum of pain in his legs and shoulders but eventually he finds something solid at his back. He shivers as the cool air attacks his skin—realizing belatedly that there is much more skin exposed than normal and he hunches further into himself. He listens for any noise above his own shuddering breathing, each inhale causing a crackling in his chest but he listens closely, tilting his head in each direction.
"Okay, okay." The nervous words tumble out quickly from an unknown source, the movement of air near his face telling him the person is fairly close and he strikes out sharply, allowing satisfaction to creep into his mind even as his stomach rolls at scoring a hard hit to the assailant, sending them reeling backward with a yelp. Bunnymund watches the situation carefully, trying desperately to get to Tooth as she flies closer to the defensive teen. North tries to snarl a warning but the Tooth Fairy isn't listening and within seconds of moving within range the teenager strikes out, his uncoordinated blow slamming into the fairies throat area, sending her backward out of range with a cry. Bunny spares her a look to make sure it's nothing serious and at her nod he returns focus back to the situation. Jack is curled up in the corner of the room, his knees drawn upward to his chest and bandaged face slunk low as he strains to listen, chest heaving for air with each passing second.
"Alright… everyone calm down." He suddenly demands, drawing the attention of Sandy and North but also of their injured friend. Jack listens intently for a moment as Bunny ventures a bit closer, his arm throwing a wild haymaker punch in his general direction but the large warrior remains just far enough out of reach.
"Jacko?" he questions gently, watching as the kid makes another uncoordinated attempt to lash out, this time with his bandaged leg.
"Listen snowball, you undo all those bandages and I will give you a reason to throw punches. Now calm yourself down." He orders harshly and the change is instant, Jack's body loses all its tension.
"Bunnymund?" he questions in a ravaged voice from his corner, fingers stretched out as if seeking the soft fur. Bunny obliges, catching one hand with his own paw and suddenly Jack is rushing towards him in a single exhausted movement.
"I was alone!" he cries out, words muffled by the Pooka's thick fur. "I-I couldn't see an—and I heard arguing… sounded li-like fighting an.. and.." he breaks off, harsh coughs stealing the words from his tongue as he curls over onto himself, desperately trying to regain his breathing.
"Alright, alright calm down mate. Calm down now." He soothes and glances over at North who is tending to Tooth while Sandy pats her knee soothingly.
"Wh- where… why can't I see?" Jack continues, his words carrying the tone of a lost child. Bunny shakes his head for a moment and readjusts his grip on Jack's narrow shoulders earning a hissing breath from the boy in his arms.
"Let's get you back in bed… your kind of giving everyone a show." He offers by way of coaxing the self-conscious teen back to where Bunny can examine him better for renewed damage. Jack swallows thickly as his cheeks burn a light pink.
"Is Tooth here?" he whispers just loud enough for Bunnymund and the large warrior gives a throaty chuckle in response.
"You betcha mate. Cocked her a good one too." To which Jack gives an audible groan but accepts the sheet Bunny presses into his hands eagerly, barely allowing the grey furred warrior to help him. Bunny shares a snicker with Sandy at the teen's distress before helping him to settle back onto the bed where he gasps and shudders from exhaustion and pain.
"Is Tooth alright?" he breathes shakily, shame and embarrassment coloring his pale cheeks as Bunny and Sandy resort the sheets and blankets. Tooth gives a soft chirp and sips at the water North is presenting her with.
"Yeah, she will be alright mate. Just relax for a moment alright." Bunny counters worriedly as the narrow shoulders twitch and tremble every time one of them get too close or move quickly. It should be expected for the winter spirit to be so in tuned with their movements, each extension or flexion of an arm produces a small move in the air current. For a spirit that moves through the wind as casually as a leaf on a fall day, the small air currents inside a room have to be easier to decipher.
"What happened?" he asks before taking a long haul off a glass of water Sandy presents him with. Bunny sighs and looks over at North and Tooth who both give a shrug. Even Sandy can't give him an indication on what he should say and how much. The Pooka gives a loud sigh and drops onto the bed, causing Jack to choke and sputter on the water in his haste to move out of the way. Sandy glares at the tall rabbit but Bunnymund only returns the glare and waits for Jack to calm down.
"Alright Jack. Two days ago you saved Sophie from being killed in a fire." He begins and Jack's formerly calm demeanor changes rapidly, his hands latching out to grab at something as he stumbles over his words.
"alright… is, Sophie. Is she …. Okay? Is she alright—okay?" he asks desperately and Sandy gives the boy a sympathetic pat on his trembling arm. Bunnymund pushes the teen back onto the pillows not liking the pallor of the boy's face.
"She is fine. Sandy checked up on her last night. The house is destroyed but Jamie, Sophie and their mother are all okay and are staying with a Grandparent. Sophie wouldn't be alright if it wasn't for you and your reckless streak." Bunny finishes, hoping to extract a smile from the younger guardian but Jack doesn't take the bait. He sighs and reclines deeper into the pillows, his world suddenly caving in on him as exhaustion cuts through the adrenaline.
"Your eyes are covered because you may have injured them or irritated them. The bandages will stay on till I say they can be removed, got it?" Bunny urges, noticing the way the kids head keeps tipping to the side only to jerk in his direction once more.
"Yeah… gotcha. She is really okay?" Jack asks once more, the words beginning to slur but his need for reassurance breaking through his bodies need to sleep.
"Yes, Sophie is fine. Sandy gave her a nice dream of a carousel and big plush toy rabbits." He frowns at the small spirit who only grins widely in response. Jack seems to miss the reference through and sleepily nods, his head falling to the side once more and staying there. Bunny replaces the sheet over the teen's chest and makes to stand up when Jack's soft voice pulls his attention back to the bed.
"Why the hells am I naked though…" he trails off, words slurring off into a bit of drool hitting the pillow as sleep—and some dream sand—send him into oblivion.
"There better be no bunnies in that one or you're a dead man mate." Bunny threatens softly and Sandy can only respond with a series of rapid symbols above his head.
Author Note: The guesses for the 'mystery spirit' are interesting. No, he is not death. Chibi heishi actually got close (hands out a cookie). You will see more of the dear NOT a full OC in the future, but for now he is a Saint of some kind. No, this fic will not have a religious edge to it (I just don't do those-like at all) so just hang in there. Anyway, I am heading for home this week so I don't know if there will be an update before the weekend ( 4 ½ hour drive home right after Equine Health on Thursday WOO!). Thank you for reading, please drop a review if you are so inclined to do so. Also, I love Jack/Bunny interaction –NOT in a slash way but in a budding 'brotherly relationship' kind of way. I do not write slash or romance, read my profile for more info on that.