Chapter Ten

The couple sat and talked with Alfred for hours. Jack always waited to see if Matthew wanted to tap anything before replying himself. They had talked even more about ghosts. Alfred was so fascinated by them. The Reaper tried to talk him away from ghost hunting, but he seemed set on it. He instead promised to take him to meet some ghosts.

"The Easter Bunny is Australian? And he's an alien? Santa is Russian? The spirit world is weird." America said. The couple both smiled. Suddenly, Onyx popped up out of a shadow. She whinnied and snorted as Alfred jumped up in surprise. "Oh my god! What is that?"

Matthew laughed silently and stood up. He put a hand on the mare's neck easily calming her. She leaned into his touch looking between him and Alfred. They could smell his brothers fear.

"That's just Onyx." The winter spirit said. "She won't hurt you."

"What is she?" The American asked. The mare looked slightly offended. She neighed and stomped a foot. "She's terrifying, but kinda pretty."

"She's a nightmare. She's skittish, but pretty friendly." The Guardian explained.

Onyx was still looking between the two. Alfred stepped a bit closer and offered her his hand to sniff. She sniffed his hand then snorted nudging Matthew. Alfred looked offended while the couple laughed lightly. Onyx stomped around for a while sniffing Alfred's stuff. They watched her move around and explore.

"She's kind of cute." The American said as she came back over and nudged the Reaper's side.

Matthew smiled and petted her. He was used to her popping up randomly and hanging around. He didn't mind her being around, but she knew enough to give him space. She was able to understand him, but the Canadian didn't always understand her. Jack had been getting used to her as well. The pair enjoyed playing tag. He had had a talk with the mare about privacy though. She would pop up at odd times.

"Maybe its time we go home." Jack said noticing Matthew yawn. The Canadian nodded sleepily. Alfred sighed and nodded. They all stood up again and the American lead them to the door.

"It was nice to meet you Jack. And it was good to see you again Mattie." Alfred said hugging them both. He carefully pet Onyx. She begrudgingly let him. "You guys better come back."

"We will." Jack promised as the Reaper nodded. "And we'll ask Manny about us. He probably won't say anything, but we'll try."

"I don't think he could just take the nation out of you. You both still have the connection so I think it's still there." America said with a small smile. "I'll see you later guys."

Both of them nodded while Onyx just snorted. Alfred watched them fly off with a smile before shutting the door.

-❄️"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."❄️-

"Come on Manny! What do you have to hide?" Jack called at the moon. The Reaper sighed shaking his head. They had been trying to get answers from him for the last few weeks. "We're not mad. We just want to know."

"We're not getting anywhere." Matthew said taking the Guardian's hand. His husband turned to face him resting his head on his shoulder. The Reaper hugged him tightly wrapping his wings around them. Jack wanted to know so bad, he felt defeated that he couldn't get any answers. He didn't really believe the memories he had of his 'sister' anymore. The winter spirit sighed and hugged him back. "He'll have to answer eventually. Just have to pester him enough I guess."

"Yeah, hopefully." The winter spirit sighed. Matthew pressed a kiss into his hair. They both stood quietly for a while. He knew how bad his husband wanted to know. He wanted to know too, but not near as bad as he did. Knowing who he was before and that he had a brother was enough for him. The Reaper knew the winter spirit wanted to know if he was actually immortal. It would probably take a lot off his mind. "I love you, Birdie."

"I love you too." The Canadian hummed.

Jack carefully reached up and cupped his jaw. He leaned into his touch. He moved his hands from his jaw and interlaced them behind his neck. Matthew smiled and wrapped his arms around his husband's waist bringing him closer. He kissed him gently. The Canadian melted into his touch. They only broke apart for breath.

"You're adorable." The winter spirit said after they pulled back. He smiled seeing his blush and kissed his cheek. "Just perfect."

"I'm far from perfect." The Reaper said rolling his eyes. Jack smiled again and kissed his nose making him laugh.

"You're perfect for me." The Guardian of fun hummed pulling him in for another kiss. Matthew smiled gently as his husband peppered more kisses all over his face and neck. He pulled back with a sigh. "We should go. We're already late for the meeting."

"When are we not late?" The Reaper joked.

Jack rolled his eyes as the wind picked him up and ruffled Matthew's feathers. He laughed and flew after him easily catching up. They made it to the pole quickly and pushed in the window. The couple crawled into the rafters and looked down. The Guardians were already there and arguing. The winter spirit sighed as Matthew laughed. He turned and walked through a shadow appearing back by the other Guardians. Jack flew down and landed beside him.

"Thought I felt a draft." Bunny said. The winter spirit smiled brightly. The Guardians started to talk. It was mostly just catching up about what happened the last few weeks. They didn't have Pitch to talk or worry about anymore. The couple hadn't told them about Alfred. They didn't really need to know.

"So, guys." Jack started casually. "How do you get Manny to talk to you?"

"He'll talk if he wants to." North sighed. "He's a very busy spirit."

"What does he have to do way up there?" The Guardian asked rolling his eyes.

"He looks out for every spirit, mate. He's always doing something." Bunny said scratching his ear with his foot.

"'Looks out for every spirit,' that's far from true. He doesn't do much to help anyone. He's an asshole." Jack huffed angrily. The room seemed to get colder.

Matthew was at his side and leaned into him. He put a hand on his arm as the winter spirit sighed. He easily calmed under the Reaper's touch. He could smell how nervous the Guardians were. They never spoke bad about the man in the moon. They always seemed to find a way around it. Even when he made him the spirit of fear they pushed the blame on Death. The Canadian didn't understand their loyalty to him, but he knew that they had been friends or at least colleagues for centuries.

"He'll answer in time." Tooth said gently. She wondered why the couple wanted to talk to Manny.

"He doesn't neglect anyone intentionally." Sandy signed with his sand. The Guardian of fun rolled his eyes.

"I don't know about that." Jack grumbled leaning into the Reaper's side. He sighed and dropped the topic. The Guardians talked for a little while longer. After a while Sandy fell asleep. North tried to wake him up, but Sandy some how managed to stay asleep. Bunny had grabbed some paint and tried to pain on his face, but it just absorbed in. Matthew and Jack looked at each other before quietly slipping off to go home.