It was dark. Completely black. Sam had no idea what was going on.

The Halloween spirit groaned and brought his hands to his face. The flesh felt hard and cool. Samhain shook his head and balled his hands into fists. He smashed them against his face over and over again. The flesh chipped and a slip of light bled through the crack. Samhain worked until every piece flaked away.

Sam felt his newly reformed face and smiled tiredly. He'd looked for a mirror later and see how it turned out. First thing was first. Where was he? Sam looked around. Red and green quilt, the smell of cookies and yeti fur in the air, and the clank and thuds of tools. North's workshop.

So the Krampus's plan hadn't succeeded. Pitch must have been happy to hear about that. Sam thought bitterly. He felt a wave of shame come over him. Someone deserves a happy ending.

The door to his room opened quietly and a black-haired man with green skin walked in with a tray of warm food and a mug of cocoa. "You're awake." The stranger's eyes widened. A blush crept over his face. "I wasn't expecting you to be awake."

Sam stared at him.

Jack cleared his throat twice. "You fixed your face." He set the tray down. Jack smiled. "I remember that one." He moved the food and drink off the tray and held up the shiny metal so Sam could see his reflection. His face was oval and almost feline in appearance with large almond shaped eyes. There were dark gray stripes on his cheeks. "You had this face when we first met." Jack smiled softly.

Samhain still wouldn't say anything. He just stared at Jack and the Pumpkin King started to fidget under its weight.

"Jack?" Sam's whispered, his voice hoarse.

The Pumpkin King's eyes widened a fraction. He nodded.

"You're…real?"

Jack O'Lantern gave his partner a sad smile. "Yeah." He told Sam. "I'm real." He reached out and took Samhain's hand to prove it.

The Halloween King's face crumbled. The breakdown that had been threatening to surface finally did. He grabbed at Jack's duster and pulled him close, burying his face in the other Halloween spirit's chest. "I thought I'd never see you again!" the words came out in a rush, almost indecipherable because of Sam's crying. "I thought you died and I was wrong! And I'm sorry! You were right and I was wrong and I should have listened to you and—" Sam pulled away to look up at Jack. His jaw dropped. "You've got a face."

"I've always had a face, Sam."

"I know but," Samhain moved a hand to stroke the green flesh. "Not like this." He murmured in amazement. "You've got skin and you're warm and you've got lips."

Jack let Sam explore his new features in silence. The other Halloween Spirit brushed his fingertips over his eyelashes, his nose and brushed his thumb over his lips. Jack shivered under the attention. "Sam…"

Samhain leaned in and kissed Jack softly. Jack sighed and pressed closer. Kissing turned out to be quite enjoyable. His pumpkin head while being just as expressive and feeling as a normal face hadn't really been ideal for this sort of intimacy. Fuck. Was this what I was missing?

Jack tensed when he felt Sam's hand trying to take off his shirt. He pulled away. "Sam, no."

The Halloween King pouted. "Why not?" He moved his hands down to Jack's trousers ready to undo his belt.

"No," Jack said firmly. "You're in no condition to do this."

"You don't want me?" Sam asked quietly. "Because of what the Krampus—"

"No! Don't be stupid! Of course I want you, but you're still healing and I want you a hundred percent better before I pursue anything with you."

Sam continued to pout and look at him with those damnable eyes. Now Jack remembered why he hated that face. It was just so hard to deny Samhain anything when he wore it. The Pumpkin King turned away and pulled a chair closer to the bed so he could sit. "You need to eat. Build up your strength."

"I love you, Jack."

The Halloween Spirit started from his chair. "What?"

Sam took a deep breath. "I love you." He repeated. "I've always loved you and when I thought the Krampus killed you I was sad because I never got the chance to tell you."

"What about Pitch Black?"

"I was only using him to make you jealous." Samhain looked his hands. "Sorry."

"Sam," Jack said his tone full of hurt. "Why would you do that?"

"Because you were ignoring me! You slept with me and then you acted as if I wasn't even there! I wanted to hurt you like you hurt me!" Sam wiped his face. "I wanted you to realize that you wanted me as much as I wanted you."

Jack sighed heavily. He placed a hand on Sam's hair. "Goddammit, Sam." He said tiredly. "You can be so infuriating and immature but I love you anyway. Eat up and get some rest."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go for a walk." Jack told him.

The other spirit started to panic. Sam tried to get out of bed to follow. "You're not going to leave me? I said I was sorry!"

"Sam!" Jack pushed him back down. "Settle down. I'm not leaving you. I'm just—I need—" Jack cursed. "I just need to jerk it, okay? Happy now? Between the kissing and your confession—"

Sam eyed Jack O'Lantern's crotch. His trousers did seem tighter than usual. "Do it here so I can watch."

"Sam," Jack gave him The Voice. "I'm not doing that."

"Please?" the Halloween King whined. "If we can't have sex yet can I at least watch you touch yourself? Better yet! Let me jerk you off!"

Jack opened his mouth then closed it. "Sam. No. I am not comfortable with that."

"Please!"

"No!"

Samhain hugged himself tightly. "H-he hurt me Jack." Sam whispered. "I tried to fight and he did something so despicable. He used your voice while he was…" Sam shuddered.

Jack sat down on the edge of the bed and put a hand on Sam's knee. "Shh. You don't have to talk about it."

Samhain continued as if he hadn't heard. "He sounded just like you and I told myself 'That's not Jack.' 'Jack would never say those things.' But I just couldn't drown him out. And I get that you won't have sex with me because you don't think I'm ready and that's cool because after that—" another shudder—"I'm not. But if you let me touch you and you touch me then maybe I can…" he trailed off. Sam started chewing on his thumbnail. "Never mind." He muttered. "It was stupid idea."

But Jack surprised him by placing his hand on his cheek. "Okay," he said softly. "If you think it'll help. I'll only do this if I can do you too. Deal?"

Sam nodded emphatically. "Deal."

Shit. Jack moved closer to Sam and sat cross-legged. Sam mirrored his actions. "Ready?" the Pumpkin King asked.

Samhain nodded.

No backing down. Jack O'Lantern spat in his palm and wrapped it around Samhain's length. The Halloween King whimpered at his touch. "Keep your eyes open." He ordered. Jack started to move his hand, working Samhain's soft member until he was half-hard. "The goal is to not associate me with him." Jack reminded Sam. "And you'll do better with it if you're looking at me."

"R-right." Sam forced his eyes open. Jack not Krampus. Jack not Krampus. Sam took Jack into his hand. He loved the feel of Jack. The weight and heat always felt good against his palm.

"Remember to wet it with something. Don't do it dry." Jack reminded him.

Blushing Samhain spat in his palm too. Jack closed his eyes at the touch. "Good," he whispered. "Very good." Jack reopened them. "Promise me if it gets too much you'll tell me to stop."

The Halloween King chewed on his bottom lip. "I promise." He agreed.

It's good to be home, North thought as he lowered himself into the tub of hot soapy water. The Guardian's body ached from his fight with the Krampus and this bath was just what the doctor ordered.

The door to his bathroom opened and Pitch, black minus his robe and shoes walked in. "I cannot believe you abandoned me out there." The Boogeyman complained. He shucked his trousers and climbed into the tub.

The elves and yetis had been delighted that the mission was a success and Pitch Black was safely back among them. The elves had all but wrestled Pitch to the ground in their excitement to greet him. North chuckled. "It was not my place to stop celebrations. Elves missed you."

"They were trying to crush me."

"I believe it was more of—ah—over-excited hugging, yes?" It probably would have gone over better if they hadn't dog-piled themselves on the Nightmare King.

Pitch snorted as he lowered himself into the water. The Boogeyman rested his cheek against North's damp chest. The Guardian of Wonder sighed contently and closed his eyes. He liked this; the quiet moments they shared in private.

North wasn't sure what he would do if he had lost Pitch to Krampus but he did know that he would miss the feel of Pitch's skin.

He would have missed the way the Boogeyman clung to him in his slumber, the way he used North's chest as a pillow…

"There isn't enough room for me in the tub." Pitch complained. His mouth dipped into a pout.

Hell, North would have even missed the whining "Is not my fault," the Guardian said. "I did not know I would be sharing it when it was built."

The Nightmare King squirmed. North licked his lips at the sight of the Boogeyman's shapely rear protruding from the water. "Lack of foresight on your part is not my problem." Pitch slid his body against North's. "Have the yetis build you a bigger tub."

"Nyet! I would have to give reason!" North protested.

Pitch rolled his eyes. "They aren't idiots, North. They know we're having sex so they know what we'll be doing in here."

The Guardian was petulant. Pitch kissed his chest. "Please?" he nipped at North's warm skin and lapped at the bite. "What would be the harm?"

"You are manipulative."

Pitch smiled. "I am." He agreed. "Do you want me to wash your back?"

It took some maneuvering but North managed to turn. The Boogeyman hummed as he soaped down North's back. The Guardian almost moaned as Pitch worked his tired muscles. "Have you been to see Samhain?" North asked.

Pitch paused before continuing. "Yes." He answered quietly. "Jack was there. He wasn't awake yet. I couldn't stay. He was too still and his face—" Pitch shivered. "I hope he wakes soon. Jack is worrying himself sick."

"He will awaken." North assured him.

Pitch nodded. They both lapsed into silence, content in simply enjoying the other's presence. The fear of almost losing one another still weighed heavily on their minds.

North suddenly started moving; twisting and grunting and sloshing water over the side he turned back to Pitch. "I wasn't done!" Pitch told him. "Your skin is going to dry out if I don't rinse the soap—"

"Marry me."

Pitch stared at him, mouth agape in a most undignified manner. "I-you—what?"

North took a deep breath. "Marry me." He said again.

The Nightmare King shot up and scrambled out of the tub. "You're insane." He almost slipped as he attempted to escape.

North quickly followed. "Why?" he demanded. "Why am I insane?"

"You can't seriously want to marry me, North!"

"Why not?"

"I'm evil. You're a Guardian! I'm corrupt. You're beloved by all! I live to bring fear to children." Pitch walked briskly to the door. He would sleep in his old room until North returned to his senses. "You give them joy and presents! How could you possibly even think about marrying someone like me?"

North grabbed Pitch by the arm and pulled him back into the room. He slammed the Nightmare King against the door. "You are not evil! You never were!" his eyes burned. "Lonely and confused, yes. Evil, no. I love you, Pitch!"

"Stop talking!" Pitch snarled. He kicked at North, trying desperately to get away. "You're only saying this because you almost died! And you almost died because of me! I only bring danger to your life!"

"You are fool! You bring joy and happiness."

"I caused your friends to reject you! Don't you see? You deserve better, North! And that's not—"

North pressed a bruising kiss against Pitch's mouth. "Silence," he ordered in a tone that sent a shiver up Pitch's spine. "Pitch?"

The Nightmare King exhaled shakily. "Yes?"

"You love me, yes?"

Pitch nodded. "Yes." He replied.

"Say it."

The Nightmare King pressed back against the door. "I love you." North's broke out in a stupid grin and Pitch had to suppress the urge to call him an idiot. "You're really serious?"

"Da."

Pitch groaned. "What am I going to do with you?" he said fondly.

North laughed loudly and pulled him into his burly arms. Or at least he tried to. Pitch wrenched the door open and using his slenderness to his advantage he slipped out.

Sam was flat against the bed, staring up at Jack O'Lantern. Jack stared down at him. They had progressed. Sam had his arms up around Jack's neck. Jack slid his hips into Sam's.

"Talk to me." Sam pleaded.

Jack nodded. "You're beautiful." He whispered. "I love you so much. Oh Sam, I love you so much. I'll never hurt you, baby." Jack moved to grip the Halloween King's hips and quickened his pace. Samhain cried out and buried his face in the Pumpkin King's throat. Jack growled. "You're mine. You're so beautiful. I love you Sam! And I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

Sam's entire body started to tremble. "More!" he breathed into Jack's ear.

Jack O'Lantern moved his hand under Sam and slipped it into the back of the Halloween spirit's trouser. He slipped his finger inside the Halloween King's pucker and worked it in and out, "I'll never leave you, Samhain." O'Lantern promised. Sam pulled back and stared at him disbelieving. Jack gave him an honest-to-goodness, genuine smile before leaning in to kiss him. "Oh, Sam." He whispered. "My sweet, sweet Sam." Jack pumped his finger faster. Sam's back bowed at the feeling. "No one's going to hurt you again, baby. I'll never let them hurt you."

Sam shuddered against him. His entire body was tense. He's close. Jack realized with a smile. "You'll keep me safe?" Samhain asked breathlessly.

"I'll keep you safe." Jack agreed.

The Halloween King groaned loudly. His warm seed spurted into Jack's palm and the Pumpkin King was close behind. Jack O'Lantern rolled off of Sam. He fell back tiredly and smiled. "Feel better?"

Samhain shrugged. "It's a start." He said cheekily.

Jack shoved at him. "Whatever." He grinned. The Pumpkin King rolled onto his side and pressed his nose into the crook of Samhain's neck. Jack loved the smell of him. The Halloween King smelled like caramel apples and chocolate on a cool autumn night. "Love ya, Sam."

Samhain snuggled closer to Jack. "I love you too. Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"I like being kissed by you."

"And I like kissing you." Jack smiled against Sam's skin. "Maybe I can figure out how to switch between my heads." Jack hugged Sam from behind.

"Is Pitch okay?"

Jack fought down the urge to snap at Samhain for bringing up the Boogeyman after all of this. It was a fair question and Sam had a right to know. "He's fine. He came by to see you while you were resting."

Sam stared across the room. "I'm glad." He said softly. With a sigh, he closed his eyes. "I'm tired."

"Go to sleep then."

"Nah." Sam yawned. "We should get home. Lots of preparations for…Halloween."

"Samhain," Jack O'Lantern smiled. "After what we've been through I think we deserve some time off." He spooned his lover. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but the kids can just get store-bought candy this year. I mean—Sam?"

The Halloween King was snoring softly. Jack sighed. "You're on my arm." He kissed the back of Sam's head.

Toothiana had seen many a strange thing in her life but a naked Pitch strolling through North's workshop had to top them all. The Boogeyman ignored them all as he passed, eager to get to his old room.

Tooth and Sandy exchanged a look before moving to follow. "So, Pitch." The Tooth Fairy said conversationally. "Is this a new form of expressing yourself we should know about because in some cultures—"

"North asked me to marry him. I panicked. The end." Pitch increased his pace not understanding that it didn't really matter to flying/floating beings.

"Oh but that's wonderful!" Tooth gushed. "Why aren't you happy?"

"Because I can't be!" Pitch snapped. "He can't want this! Not really!"

Tooth looked bewildered. "Why not? North's crazy about you. He risked his life to save you."

"I know that!" Pitch covered his face with his hands. "You don't understand."

Jack Frost popped his head of the door to see what all the commotion was about, but upon seeing a nude Pitch he quickly pulled his head back inside. "Dude," he turned to Aster who was lying on his bed smiling and basking in post-coital bliss, "You have got to start working on a place for me because I can't deal with much more of this."

Back outside, Tooth and Sandy were trying to console Pitch. "I don't deserve happiness." The Boogeyman moaned. "I don't deserve a sweet man like North or to be a part of his family. Just ask anyone!"

Sandy formed a picture of North and a check mark. "That's right." Toothiana nodded. "North believes you do and his opinion is the only one that counts." She took Pitch's hand and gave it a pat. "I know you're a little freaked out. Who wouldn't be? But North loves you and you love him and if you don't make me the Maid of Honor I will pull every single tooth out of your mouth while you sleep."

"What?"

"What?"

Sandy quickly intervened. His dreamsand formed North and Pitch under a heart and the other Guardians and their helpers celebrating the union. Pitch sighed. "You lot may be happy for us, but everyone else will think I corrupted North or bewitched him somehow."

Sandy made a rude gesture with his sand they had no idea he even knew. Pitch cleared his throat. "Fair enough, I suppose." He smiled. "I'm going to my room to get dressed and then I'm going to find North." He announced. The Boogeyman smiled. "Thank you both."

"You're welcome." Toothiana said brightly. Sandy gave him a double thumbs-up.

They watched him leave. "Sweet molars and incisors," Tooth whistled when Pitch was out of earshot. "Did you see the ass on him?"

A 9.5 flashed over the dreamgiver's head. Sandy grinned and mimed the act of spanking.

Toothiana giggled. "Among other things," she grinned. The fairy queen sobered, "He better make me Maid of Honor."

Sandman flashed some symbols over his head. Toothiana's feathers poofed indignantly. "I do not have psychotic tendencies! Why would you even say that?"

Pitch learned that certain actions yielded certain consequences. For one, the elves seemed to think that since Pitch had walked through the shop naked they were entitled to do the same.

"Jingle and Dingle!" the Boogeyman grabbed their tunics off the floor and ran after the little terrors. "You put these back on this very instant!"

Bunny and Jack watched the elves' antics with barely concealed amusement. "Aw," Bunny grinned. "They just want to be like their mum." When Pitch chased Dingle passed the sofa he paused a moment to smack the Pooka on the back of the head. "Oi!"

"Shut it, rabbit!" Pitch growled. He looked around the work shop. More elves were starting to disrobe. "Enough! You lot better leave your clothes on or-or," he frowned deep in thought. "No dessert for three months!"

The tiny tunics were quickly pulled back into place and order (or what passed for it at North's shop) was restored.

Another thing Pitch learned was that running away after being proposed to tends to hurt the other person.

North hadn't been out of his office in hours. The last time they had seen him was when he came out briefly to see Jack O'Lantern and Samhain off. The Halloween King was fully healed and anxious to get home.

The Guardians were all sitting at the dinner table waiting for him. The Nightmare King stared at North's chair while he fiddled with a salad fork. Only Tooth and Sandman knew what had happened and they tossed sympathetic looks Pitch's way. Jack and Bunnymund were in the dark so to speak, but they could pick up on the mood and kept quiet. Phil shuffled awkwardly in and garbled something.

Pitch sighed heavily. "If he wants to take his dinner up there then he's more than welcome to. Have Johann fix him a tray."

"It's nothing to worry about," Tooth told him. "Sometimes North tends to sulk. This'll all blow over soon enough."

Aster speared a potato. "Anyone care to explain what's going on?"

Pitch sipped from his glass. "Sure." He said brightly. "If you care to explain the mark on Jack's neck."

The ice elf pulled his hood over his head and pulled the drawstrings tight. "Dinner is delicious." He said loudly. Jack took a giant bite of his roasted chicken leg. Bunnymund followed his lead and stuffed his mouth with a new potato.

The Nightmare King smiled smugly. It didn't last because his thoughts soon returned to North and the damage he done with his foolishness.

Contrary to what his friends believed, Nicholas St. North was not upstairs sulking.

He was drinking by his window and talking to Manny.

"I made mess of things." the Guardian lamented. "Pitch has been through much and I propose? Bah!" he took another swig from his bottle. "I am fool."

North listened to his friends counsel. "Of course I believe his feelings for me are genuine! I know exactly what this is! This is, how do you say, residual damage from his relationship with Samhain!" North thrust a finger into the air. "He is afraid of being hurt again! But I would never hurt Pitch." He slumped back into his chair. "I need way to prove it." his eyes brightened. "I know! I will compose ballad and sing it to him!"

MiM made a comment.

"I have lovely singing voice, thank you very much!" North sniffed. "If you are such smart guy then you think of something!"

The Man in the Moon's light beamed through the window and landed on North's safe.

The Guardian stroked his beard. "You are sure about this?"

The Man in the Moon had spoken.

"Very well, but I still think he would like ballad!" North shrugged. "But we will go with your idea, my friend."

Pitch barely participated in the dinner conversation, listening just enough that he could offer the proper response. What was he to do about North? How long would the Guardian be upset? Things were so much simpler when I lived alone. Pitch lamented silently. He saw Johann carrying a tray toward the stairs. The Boogeyman had to smile. Even if the yeti was upset that his employer wasn't enjoying his meal at the table, but Johann took his job as chef seriously. There was vase with a single rose on the tray and the silver shined brightly beneath the light.

It seemed that all of Johann's work would be for nothing. North walked into the dining room with a big grin on his face. "My friends, I trust you are well?" the Guardian bowed. "I thank you again for helping with Pitch's rescue. You did not have to and I am thankful."

"We weren't going to abandon him." Bunnymund said. "The past in the past and Pitch has earned his place." He smiled. "He may be a snarky bastard, but he's our snarky bastard."

Pitch placed a hand on his chest. "Why Bunny!" he said with saccharine sweetness. "I'm touched. You keep saying things like that and I might swoon."

The Pooka rolled his eyes.

North continued to smile. "Pitch, I have something to ask you and I want to do it right." He pulled the Boogeyman from his seat.

"North," Pitch tried to tug his hand away. "What are you doing?"

North dropped to a knee. He stared up at his lover with those beautiful blue eyes. "Pitch," he reached into his pocket. "Ti viydesh zamuzh za menya?"

"English, North."

The Guardian chuckled. He displayed the key and there was collective gasp throughout the room. "Will you marry me?" he slid the key into the hole. The click of the bracelet unlocking was thunderous to Pitch's ears. "It does not matter if you say yes or no." He moved to unlock the other one. "Bunny is right. You have earned your place here." North let the bracelets fall to the floor.

"North, I," Pitch swallowed. He rubbed at his wrists. "Why would you do this?"

"Because I love you." North looked frustrated that the Nightmare King wasn't getting it. "And I will not keep you prisoner."

"But the Man in the Moon—"

"This was his idea." The Guardian told him. "He approves."

Pitch stared at North. "I could leave." He said. "Leave and never come back." His golden eyes glittered. "You've given me my powers back. I don't need you anymore."

North shrugged. "Then leave. No one would stop you. But," he smiled sadly. "There would be many who would miss you. I would miss you."

The Nightmare King bared his teeth in a silent snarl. His entire body slumped. "You are a fool." Pitch muttered. "A manipulative old fool. God, between you and the elves I have no idea how I'll live here and not lose my bloody mind."

Nicholas St. North beamed. "Does that mean…?"

"Yes, you idiot." Pitch pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll marry you."

North whooped loudly and jumped up. Laughing, he pulled Pitch off of feet into a bone-crushing hug. The elves screamed their delight, crowding around North's feet, hopping up and down in excitement. Phil, who had gone into the kitchen for a quick coffee break, wiped a tear away and went to tell the other yetis the news.

Jack leaned over to whisper to Aster. "Seriously, how fast can you make my room?"

Pitch smiled at North. The Guardian of Wonder started to pull him closer for a kiss—

They were interrupted by a loud cough.

The others looked over at Toothiana who was whistling loudly and casually rubbing down her pliers with a napkin.

The Tooth Fairy lifted her eyes and smiled sweetly.

Both Pitch and North blanched. "A-and of course, Toothiana just has to be my Maid of Honor!" the Boogeyman stammered.

"Da!" North agreed emphatically. "She just has to be!"

"Oh really, you guys!" Tooth gushed. "That's just so unexpected!" she fluttered over and took Pitch by the arm. "Come on! We have got a lot of planning to do!"

"North! Don't let her take me!"

"Geez," Jack shook his head. "She does know that this isn't her wedding."

The Easter Bunny clapped a paw over the ice elf's mouth. "Are you crazy? She might here ya!"