Sorry that took forever. JarJar and I have been in a bit of writing craze lately. We finished another story after this one about summer camp counselors and are almost done with another one after that. In all the hustle and bustle I sort of forgot that this one still needs to be editted/poster. So my apologies. I'm going to try my best to catch up soon. And those other stories will be up whenever I finish this one.
The next morning, Jack woke with a start. A quick glance at his clock had him scrambling out of bed to get dressed and ready for work on time. A minute later he was hopping out of his room while trying to tug on a pair of pants. He was too focused on zipping them up to notice the white furball in his path. Jack knew all too well by the feel and the sudden screech from his cat that he'd accidentally stepped on his tail. He instinctively shifted his weight so as not to really hurt Nimbus, but he didn't think until too late that it wasn't such a wise idea to do that at the top of the staircase. After what seemed like an infinite tumble down the, regretfully unpadded, stairs, Jack finally came to a stop in a heap at the bottom. A soft groan escaped his lips. "Ow…"
The man took a few moments to settle himself before trying to get up. Even after waiting, the movement had him overcome by nausea. Jack scrambled for the nearest thing he could find to throw up in, the big vase he usually used for umbrellas being his only option.
Jack took his cellphone out of his pocket only to find that he must have crushed it during his fall and shattered the screen. A very slow and careful crawl later, he managed to lean against the kitchen counter and reach up to grab the house phone. He scrolled through the recent numbers to call work.
"Hello. Burgess Elementary. This is Ms. Zielke."
"Hi, Cierra. This is Jack Frost. I won't be able to come into work today and probably tomorrow."
"Oh no! Are you okay?"
Jack couldn't help but smile at the woman's genuine concern. "I'm alright. Just took a stumble down the stairs, and I'm pretty sure I gave myself a minor concussion."
"Oh dear. Well, you feel better, Jack. We'll find a sub for you."
"Thanks Cierra. Have a good day." Jack hung up the phone with a sigh. His head was throbbing, his whole body ached, and he was pretty sure he'd twisted his ankle in the fall. "This is not how I wanted my day to go."
"Daddy, I want Mr. Frost!" Seraphina tugged at Pitch's hand, tears in her eyes at the lack of her favorite teacher.
Pitch looked around at the teachers gathering outside the classrooms, noticing Jack's absence as well. He pulled out his cell. Where are you, Mr. Frost?
Hello?
Jack?
Where are you?!
Jack's attention was snapped away from Darcy and Elizabeth on the TV by a loud banging at the door. He tried to glance over to the noise but froze when the throbbing started up his neck again. "The door's unlocked!" he called out.
The door slammed open, and Pitch stormed in. "What the fuck, Frost?!"
"Do you make it a habit of busting into people's houses so loudly?" Jack grimaced at the loud noise.
"When the person's my boyfriend and then disappears after telling me to cool it, yeah! If you want break up, just tell me!"
"Please just sit down and lower your voice!" he snapped. He shifted to sit up a little more and adjust the ice he had wrapped around his ankle. "I have no desire to break up with you."
"Then what the hell?! You don't have to avoid me if you have a problem with me!" Pitch paced by the front door.
Jack pointed frustratedly at the broken cell phone on the table. "Does that answer your question?"
"You broke your phone?! Why?"
He rolled his eyes with a wince. "Yeah. That's it. I broke my phone on purpose to avoid my confusing boyfriend who likes to barge in and accuse me of avoiding him when I'm clearly not feeling well. For the second time: please sit and calm down."
Pitch moved around to the other side of the couch, his eyes widening at the sight of Jack's ankle. "Jack, you're hurt!"
"No, really? I didn't notice."
"You're an arse."
"I'm aching, tired, and grumpy. Not exactly myself right now." He shot Pitch a dark look.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
"I'm alright," Jack sighed. "Sorry for snapping at you."
"It's alright; you have an excuse."
A quick glance at the clock had Jack frowning. "Shouldn't you have opened the shop by now?"
"I was worried about you."
"No, no. You need to go open the store. You shouldn't lose out on business because of me."
"Hush. It's my store, so I can do what I want."
"It's a business. I'll be fine on my own. I've managed so far." He stretched out to pick up the remote, pausing the movie.
"So you want me to go?"
"I don't know anymore," Jack sighed. "I don't want to impose on you. You don't have to stay."
"Do you want me to stay or not?"
"I thought you were mad at me," he whispered.
"Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?" Pitch carefully sat on the couch next to him.
"Last night." Blue eyes peeked up at his boyfriend. "Because I didn't stay the night."
"I wasn't mad. I thought you wanted to take it slow, and an intense make out session is not slow."
"I did. I do." His eyebrows scrunched together the more he thought on it. "I'm being silly. Nevermind."
"No, talk to me. I need to understand what it is you want from this."
"I'm reading into things and seeing stuff that isn't there. I felt like…" Jack nervously wet his lips. "I was being dismissed because I didn't want to stay the night. Told you it was silly."
Pitch put a finger under Jack's chin and lifted his head until their eyes met. "I asked you to leave because I know that if I did with you what I planned on doing, you would have stayed the night. I want you to be comfortable in this relationship even if it means that I have to send you home."
"So I was just seeing things that weren't there." He felt himself start to tear up with an odd wave emotion. "I'm sorry for thinking that of you. I should have known better."
"Yes, you should have." Pitch leaned closer and pressed a kiss to Jack's forehead. "I love you."
Jack's breath hitched, surprised but happy to hear such a declaration so soon in their relationship. "I-I love you too."
"Now, do you want me to stay or go?"
"Stay. Please," he added quickly. "If it wouldn't be a bother."
"The perks of being my own boss is that I can take the day off whenever I want." Pitch smiled. "Kiss me?"
"Probably not the best idea. My breath reeks of vomit."
"Hmm, yeah. Probably not the best idea," Pitch chuckled. "You're cute, but not that cute."
"I think I'd be more disgusted than you if you didn't care about that taste," he joked.
"I'm willingly to put up with a lot for a kiss from you. Vomit is not one of those things."
"Glad we agree on that." Jack held his hand out when a familiar white form hopped onto the couch. He gathered the cat into his arms for a hug. "This is Nimbus McFluffypants. He's the cause of all this."
"Odd name." Pitch held a hand out and let the cat sniff his fingers. "He matches you perfectly."
"I named him Nimbus because he looks like a cloud. My niece just had to put in her own two-cents, and I didn't have the heart to say no."
"You're such a good uncle."
"I try to be."
"I bet they adore you."
"They do. I get to just have fun with them instead of always worrying about parents nagging about teaching them."
"I can imagine that lack of pressure is a relief."
"You have no idea. Do you mind watching this again? I can change it if you'd like me to."
"I don't mind. I know you fantasize about me playing Darcy."
Jack unpaused the movie. "Oh, hush. Let me use your shoulder for a pillow."
"Alright, bossy." Pitch nestled down next to Jack, his hand resting on his thigh.
Jack chuckled when the cat curled up on his lap, draping over Pitch's hand as well. "Sure. Make yourself at home, buddy."
When Elizabeth and Darcy rode off in their carriage, Pitch turned to Jack. "You hungry?"
"Starving." Jack looked up at him tiredly. "I'm not sure if my stomach is ready to try eating though."
"Want some soup or a smoothie?"
"A smoothie would be okay, I think. If you wouldn't mind."
"Of course not. Do you have a flavor you want?"
Jack shook his head with a wince. "I think I have some random fruit somewhere in there. Throw it in the blender, and I'll be okay with it."
"You sure? I can run to the store and pick up something."
"It's fine. Help yourself to anything else in there. I have lots of pasta if you want that."
"You're such a bachelor."
"And? It is what I've been pretty much my entire adult life. What's wrong with liking pasta? I'm usually really good with shopping, but I've been a bit distracted by someone lately."
"Then maybe we should slow down a little. It seems we're in a serious gray zone, and we need to pick a side."
"I'm confused. And in love. And I don't know what to do anymore." Jack put a hand to his dizzying head. "And I think I need a nap. Oh wait." He reached out for the house phone and dialed his friend's number. "Can you take me to the doctor later? My friend was going to leave work to take me, but if you're already here…"
"I'll take you. You'll just have to tell me where to go."
"I can do that. I think." He clicked the call button and let his friend know she didn't have to leave work to take him. "Thank you."
"No problem." Pitch smiled and ran his fingers through Jack's hair. "Poor boy."
"I'm alright. I've had worse before."
"That's a little concerning."
"Not really. I was a rambunctious kid."
"I remember. You were the bravest kid I'd ever met."
"Not brave. I just had no sense of safety."
"And how is that not concerning?"
"Okay maybe it is a little concerning," Jack chuckled.
"It's more than a little concerning, Mr. Frost," Pitch teased.
"But I have you to watch out for me from now on, right?"
"Yes, you do, Mr. Frost."
"I'm glad. Now, go make food before I fall asleep on you and you can't," he joked.
"If you can stay awake, I'll do something nice for you."
"What is it? I don't know if I'll be able to."
"After you've brushed your teeth, I'll kiss you so good that you'll be feeling it for days."
"I'll try not to," Jack paused to yawn. "Sleep."
"No sleeping, Mr. Frost."
"I'll try. You know resting is good for a concussion, right?" He smiled teasingly. "Do you not want me to get better?"
"I thought sleeping was bad if you have a concussion."
"It's only bad if you have trouble waking up after."
"That doesn't sound very reassuring."
"I'll be fine. It's not a bad one."
"Stay awake until we get to the doctor's."
"But that's so far away," he whined.
"Behave, Mr. Frost, or I won't kiss you for a month."
"Go make food, Mr. Meanie-who-won't-let-me-sleep."
"Only if you promise, Jack."
"I already promised I'd try."
"You know what I mean."
"What? I promised to try. I can't promise anything else."
"Fine." Pitch went into the kitchen, and the muffled sound of a blender filtered into the room. Jack leaned back on the couch, his eyes already starting to droop. He startled a little when the DVD restarted after being on the menu for too long, but he laughed and didn't mind watching it again. "Darcy again?" Pitch walked in and handed Jack a large fruit smoothie.
"I was too tired to take it out. Thank you." He held the glass and took a long sip.
"Do you want me to carry you, or are you going to insist on hobbling yourself down?"
"Down where?"
"To my car, Mr. Frost. To go to the doctor's?"
"Oh yeah. I can walk." Jack took another sip and glanced down at his swollen ankle. "I think."
"Yeah, sure." Pitch slid his arms under Jack and lifted him from the couch. "Come on, Mr. Frost. Time to go."
"You're pretty strong," he giggled. "Ooo careful on the back." Jack shifted with a small wince.
"Sorry."
"It's alright. You didn't know."
"I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"I think it's just bruised. It feels like I hit every step and railing on the way down the stairs."
"Poor baby. I'll have to kiss it better."
"Maybe. I don't even know how bad it looks. I haven't been able to move enough to see."
"I'll look later. You'll probably need a bath or a shower at least."
"That would probably be a good idea," Jack sighed. "Oh, don't forget my wallet and keys. They're in the bowl in the entryway."
"Got them!" Pitch made sure to grab what Jack wanted, handing him the keys so he could lock the door behind them. "I'll even take you for ice cream afterwards."
"Thanks. I might need a rain check on the ice cream depending how I'm feeling after though." His arms linked around Pitch's neck.
"Well, we are due for another date."
"This weekend. Not when I feel like this." As he was gently set down in the car, Jack carefully shifted around to find a new comfortable spot. He smiled even as he tried to ignore the nausea from being moved around. "It might be a wise idea to bring a bag or bowl or something in case I throw up. I don't want to ruin your car."
"It's alright. Seraphina gets carsick all the time, so I'm used to it. I just want to get you to a doctor."
"Okay then. I only wanted to save us what was most likely going to be a mess."
"I don't mind when it comes to you, Jack. You come first."
"After Sera, of course."
"Of course."
"You're pretty awesome. Have a told you that yet?" Jack's head lolled a bit with his pounding.
"Not really. Tell it to me some more."
"You're awesome."
"Again."
Jack chuckled softly. "Just drive before you get a big head."
"I'm just trying to keep you awake." Pitch got in the car and stepped on the gas, only slightly speeding towards the hospital.
"I've always been told that rest is the best thing you can do. Gotta be careful about it though."
"No sleeping until the doctor says it's okay. As soon as I hear him say that, I'll let you sleep as much as you want."
"I can't wait. I've been borderline passing out since six this morning. It's really a miracle I haven't fallen asleep yet."
"Lucky for me. I'd hate to have to go to your funeral when we've only just started dating."
"That would be pretty sad. I'd miss out on so many happy times with you."
"So many kisses and holidays."
"But it's not sad. I'm not dead, and I hope we'll have many holidays together."
"And we will, so long as you stay awake."
"You have no idea how hard that is." Jack turned to him with an exhausted expression. "Doesn't help that cars make me sleepy to begin with," he yawned.
"You can put on some music if that would help."
"I usually blast the A/C or open a window to keep myself awake."
"Then do that. Whatever it takes."
"Okay." Jack lowered the window as low as it would go and enjoyed the wind blasting against his face. He felt Pitch slip his hand into his own. Blue eyes opened again when the wind stopped as they pulled into the parking lot. "Will you help me walk in? I'd rather not be carried into the ER."
"So stubborn." Pitch got out of the car and helped Jack stand, offering him an arm. "You sure you can walk?"
"Yeah. It'll just be a bit slow. I managed to get around on my own before you came over. I'm sore and all, but now I think my ankle is going to be the biggest problem." He hissed under his breath when he tried to put weight on it.
Pitch sighed and lifted Jack into his arms. "You can be stubborn later." He carried him into the hospital.
"I'm not a baby who needs to be carried," Jack grumbled.
"I know, Mr. Frost. You're a fully functioning adult," Pitch teased with a smile.
"So treat me like one." He stuck his tongue out with a small smile.
"I would, Mr. Frost, but what I would do to you is off limits right now."
"That sounds very adult-like," he giggled. "Maybe when I'm better."
Pitch smiled and carried Jack over to the receptionist. The receptionist smiled up at the tall man carrying the smaller one. "How may I help you?"
"I'm pretty sure I have a concussion and need to get checked out."
"He also hurt his ankle pretty bad."
"Really? Alright, if you could just fill out some forms, you can have a seat in the waiting room. Someone will be out for you shortly."
Pitch grumbled and grabbed the clipboard, carrying Jack into the waiting room. "I hate hospitals. You could be dying and they'd still make you wait."
"So long as they give me pain killers, I don't care." Jack took the clipboard and started filling out the questions and info.
"Would you consider moving in with me until you've recovered? I want to keep an eye on you."
"I don't think so. I don't have anyone to take care of Nimbus while I'm gone."
"He can come too. I have no aversion to cats, and I'm sure Seraphina would love to have him around."
"Are you sure about that? That's a lot to take on."
"I don't mind. I could drive you to work and pick you and Seraphina up at the end of the day. It wouldn't be too big of a change. I was married once. I know how to live with another adult."
"But we've only just started dating. You shouldn't have to be my caretaker."
"You're my friend as well as my boyfriend. Consider this a friendly gesture."
"You're positive?" Jack turned to glance at him out of the corner of his eyes.
"You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I wouldn't mind it if it means I get to spend more time with you."
Pitch gave Jack a smile. "Then after we've gotten you checked out, I guess you're moving in."
"I'll need to grab things from my house first, of course."
"Of course. Can't forget Nimbus."
"Or my clothes and things like that."
"Those are important."
"Especially since I don't think your clothes would fit me very well. In style and size," Jack chuckled.
"Probably not. Although, black against your skin would look lovely."
"Black is too dark for me. There's too many light colors going on here." He gestured to his face, pale skin, and snowy white hair.
"The black would make you glow," Pitch hummed, smiling to himself. "Yeah, you would look gorgeous."
"Whatever you say. I'm too tired to argue." Jack sighed and set the pen down when he finished the questionnaire. "Why does it always feel like they're asking your whole life story with these things?"
"They are." Pitch grabbed the clipboard and pen and took it back to the receptionist. "You're almost done. Then I'll take you home and you can sleep."
