When I could finally see again, I was no longer in the caverns of Queen Halloween's lair. I was under the shade of green trees, the birds singing and chirping above me. Soft sunlight filtered between the leaves, the branches of a weeping willow gently brushing against my face.
I sat up slowly. Each breath was pained, and my side ached and throbbed. There were bandages wrapped around my waist, slightly damp with fresh blood.
"You're awake." A hushed voice said, and I winced as I turned to look towards the source. He was by the stream. Fresh white bandages rested in his arms, but I saw nothing more than his face, the tentative smile that clung to his lips, the glimmer in his golden eyes.
"Pitch..." I whispered, unbelieving. Was it really him? Was he...was he merely a mirage? Perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe I was dreaming. He rose from his perch beside the water, and made his way towards me. He stood tall, his footsteps sure and strong. He knelt before me, his hands clasped tightly in front of him.
"You passed out, so I carried you here. We should be safe...I...I cleaned and wrapped your back. I'm sorry Dawn...I'm sorry I..." I cut him off with a gentle kiss, surprising us both. His honeyed eyes widened for a moment, staring into mine, before slowly closing. His body leaned closer to mine. The coolness of his lips contrasted the heat pouring off my cheeks. When he pulled back, there was a hesitant smile, his eyes shimmering with a long-lost emotion I had feared would never return.
I blushed madly under his gaze, allured by the piercing gold surrounding his pupils. His face was softer, less angular and angry. He looked younger, handsome even, with a grin playing upon his face. "I was afraid I'd never experience that again." He whispered smugly, and I nudged him.
"Not like you've ever experienced it to begin with." I tucked my head into my shoulder to escape the strangely attractive way he rolled his eyes. This Pitch was new, different, unlike the Pitch I remembered. Was he bolder? More brazen? I couldn't decide. It had been so long since we'd been together. Quickly a wave of sorrow washed over me and I shifted closer. "I was afraid I had lost you forever..." I said quietly, wrapping my arms around his neck. He moved closer, sitting beside me in the soft grass, holding me tightly.
"I was afraid I had lost you." He paused, as if thinking carefully. "Though to be honest, I felt I never deserved you."
I looked curiously at him, the way he hung his head and hardly met my eye. He was more emotional, open, he wore his heart on his sleeve. The old Pitch never spoke of his emotions. Before I could consider much more, he spoke again, his voice filled with regret and guilt.
"I was weak back then. I...I always envied you. You were day, there was nothing intimidating about you. I was always two-sided in the eyes of the children we loved so much...I brought dreams, but I could also bring nightmares. I grew angry...the children saw me as the bringer of their greatest fears. They cherished the sun, the daylight. You were loved, while I was feared. What was I to do? I was torn. Never would I have turned my back on you. Yet I hated being regarded with terror when all I lived for was bringing dreams and collecting wishes. I grew weak from doubt...and that was when Fear struck. I forgot who I was, and to my dismay, I lost you." He let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders drooping. He hesitated, as if reconsidering his next words, but glanced up into my face. His features softened and he sighed again, tentatively wrapping his fingers around mine. "Looking back...the power, the belief...it was worth nothing to me without you."
I felt my own emotions fill with shame and sympathy. How could I have been so blind? I should have known he was upset, should have noticed his plight. "I never realized...Pitch I'm sorry."
He laughed softly, leaning his head against mine. "Do not apologize. I am grateful I have finally broken free, and even more so now that you're back in my arms again. Here..." He pulled away from me and carefully undid the bandages around my waist, concern crossing his face.
"How did you escape?" I asked, flinching as his touch sent fire burning up my wound.
"That is a question I cannot easily answer. I have been under his control for so long...I believe Fear's power weakened when he tried to overcome Queen Halloween. He no longer had as strong a hold over me. And when you came to see me...my mind was finally able to begin the battle to break free. Simply your presence drove his influence away from me, if only for a moment, and gave me the strength to fight off his control. When you were in Queen Halloween's lair...I could sense your distress and it led me to you. Your presence beside me as we fought off Fear strengthened me, fueled me with a restoring power I had not felt for centuries. As if I were believed in..." His voice trailed off as he looked down mournfully.
"What's the matter?" I asked, trying to look up into his face. Small tears formed at the corner of his eyes, though he turned his head quickly away. His next words were only a whisper.
"Dawn, I'm fading."