AN: I am extremely sorry for the long wait, it is just such a busy time at school right now with the before Christmas rush. Anyway, I hope I didn't disappoint everyone with all the build up to the action scene from the previous chapter. I really just hope it didn't flop but based on the lack of reviews I have resigned myself to the fact it did. Oh well, sorry about that. Here is some recovery and general cuteness, much more my speed. As always, I do not own Rise of the Guardians.
Morning light tickled his eyelashes, making them gleam slightly in the early glow. Cracking his bleary eyes open, the sunshine danced across his vision before settling. Then, he looked down, blurry shapes resolving themselves into the forms of the other Guardians. Light blue sheets were tucked to his chin, staff resting against the wrinkled folds of the blankets. North was beside him, snoring slightly and sprawled out, arms behind his head. Bunny was half in the chair and half lying across the bed, ears tickling the Sandman who was curled up tightly. Finally, Tooth was at Jack's feet, cuddling unknowingly with Sandy.
Jack let out a hoarse chuckle, taking in the scene before him. Then, it turned into a full bodied laugh as the events of the previous day came rushing back with a surge of sudden clarity.
Four pairs of tired eyes stared up at the cackling winter spirit before grins broke out simultaneously across the faces of the Big Four.
"Jack!" Tooth called, tackling him with a hug. He tensed slightly but then relaxed into the warm grip. The winter spirit went to reach for his staff to communicate, but then thought better of it. His cool arms wrapped around her slender body as he buried his face into the tooth fairy's feathers.
"Tooth," he murmured softly. She pulled back, shock written evidently across her face.
"Oh, my Frosty," Tooth squealed, grabbing the now squirming frost spirit into another hug.
"All this affection is going ta make me sick, mates," Bunny commented dryly. Jack looked up, quirked smile playing across his lips.
"I knew you cared," he whispered. The winter spirit's voice was still hoarse and cracked but it still made them smile. It had been too long since they had heard it.
Sandy suddenly flew out of the room, only allowing the others to exchange brief looks of confusion before he was racing back in. He held a glass of water, extending it towards Jack. The winter spirit accepted gratefully taking a few careful sips before coughing slightly.
When he had put down the glass, Jack was scooped up into another hug (with only slight tension), this one by North.
"What's with all the hugs?" the frost child questioned as he was enveloped by the Sandman's warm embrace as well which he seemed to be completely comfortable with.
"It's so nice to see you talking and smiling again," North confided, a grin stretched across his face so wide that it could have reached his ears.
"Even if it did take getting attacked by Pitch to finally hear your voice," Bunny muttered.
"C'mere Cottontail," Jack rasped, holding out his arms as he grinned mischievously. The grumbling rabbit stepped forward, surprising everyone when he pulled the winter spirit in close, whispering into his ear.
"Don't you ever do that again."
"I won't," the frost child laughed. The two pulled away, everyone settling into the bed. There was momentary silence as if each of them were working up the courage to say what clearly needed to be said.
Sandy flashed a few symbols to which Jack sighed. The only thing the others had caught was the silhouette of the Boogeyman and a question mark but there had been a flurry of other signs.
"I know I have to explain," Jack whispered, eyes pulled downwards towards the sheets.
North leaned over, pulling the boy's chin upwards so that blue eyes were staring straight at one another. There was the slight remnant of sadness that still remained in the winter spirit's eyes. "Ve vill not judge," the Guardian of Wonder promised. "Ve just vant to know what happened."
Jack sighed again. "Get comfortable," he instructed, "It's kind of a long story." They all gazed at him, expectantly, waiting for the youngest Guardian to begin. After a moment, the story began to finally come out. "Before I went to visit Sandy, I knew something was wrong. I just didn't know how wrong until I was attacked …"
AN: Little bit of a cliffie, I just didn't think the story should go here. I will update soon (I actually will this time) with the full story of what happened for all of you who have been dying to know.