First of all, let me apologize for this really crappy chapter. I got lost in my writing at some point and couldn't make up my mind about it so... oh well. I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy the chapter anyway ;v; Aaaand I'm really sorry for not posting it last night. I needed to visit a relative so no internet for all day long. Meh.

Oh, and I had a nice idea last night but I'd love to have your opinions too, guys. I thought about making some AU stories (human!Pitch, human!Jack, etc) buuut I don't know if you guys would like to read it in here since I wasn't planning any AU stories when I first started writing this one. So here's the catch, should I make a new story to place the AUs or should I publish it here? It's your call, so let me know what you want!

Now, thank you guys for your lovely reviews! I'm so happy you're enjoying this story! *gives you all virtual cookies*

PlaidOtaku: yep, I'll try to explain it soon in some chapter. I'm trying to go to something like we saw in the movie but I'm sure it'll be terrible but oh well ;v;

Skypeoplephoenix732: I'm glad you liked it~

MagicWarriorDragon: Thank you! And yep, I'm planning to show protective!Pitch soon, heh~

If you guys have any request, let me know!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians.

Summary: In which Jack and Pitch make a deal.

21. Confused

If there was one thing Jack couldn't understand about Pitch was that strange kind of obsession of his for the Guardians of Childhood. He had heard the stories about the Dark Ages, how Pitch was powerful and how the Guardians had taken that from him but... he was always confused. Pitch wasn't that bad person from before anymore, and even if Jack kept praying he wasn't a child they never tried to approach him or take him away from the Nightmare King. Even with their utterly ignorance, Pitch seemed unable to brush off whatever the Guardian had done to him who knows how many eons ago, some kind of poison he kept swallowing for no good reason at all.

And Jack couldn't help but worry for Pitch more and more each passing day.

Some days were worse than others, and the Boogeyman would hide himself deep into the darkness and wouldn't leave for a good couple of hours, no matter how much Jack begged him to come out and play. Sometimes it hurt, being ignored by the only person that cared for him. Sometimes he barely noticed Pitch was gone until the older spirit came back, exhausted and with such a sad expression that it broke Jack's heart every time. Why wouldn't the Boogeyman let him help? They were a family now, and they should be together all the times - bad days included. Pitch was always around when Jack couldn't control himself, too scared of his own powers.

Jack should be around Pitch when the man was scared and lonely too.

Today seemed to be one of those bad days and the winter child was decided not to leave Pitch all alone as usual. He crossed empty halls and dark rooms, chasing the shadows, ignoring the wild nightmares whinning dangerously at him whenever he passed by them. They didn't scare him anymore after decades of living down there, and maybe that was what made them so angry. Not that it really mattered now. He was more worried about Pitch - and after long minutes he finally glimpsed the Boogeyman slipping into a room.

"Pitch?" He waited, but no answer came.

Jack took a deep breath, floating closer to the closed door. He knew the Boogeyman needed some time alone, yet he couldn't help but worry. He remembered perfectly well how it felt to be alone, the hopelessness that overcame him every moment he wanted someone to help him, to make him understand what was happening. Pitch shouldn't feel like that, not when they were a family. The boy gathered enough courage and finally pushed the door open, peeking in as quietly as he could.

The Boogeyman was sunk into an armchair, face hidden on a grey hand. He didn't look just exhausted - it seemed he couldn't even keep himself awake. Jack approached slowly, leaving the staff behind not to spread frost wherever he touched, but Pitch didn't look up, his breathing ragged and wheezing as if he couldn't breath properly. When he was closer, the immortal child noticed how Pitch's hands were trembling, long fingers gripping at the old armrest with unnecessary strength, his knuckles becoming white under the pressure.

He was hurt, and it broke Jack's heart once more.

The boy finally got close enough and dropped on his knees, resting his head on the Boogeyman's lap. He didn't dare to look up, to move. And after what seemed to be an eternity, Pitch's hand touched his hair, caressing the white locks gently.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"I'm sad, snowflake." The older spirit's voice was no more than a whisper, so hopeless that it barely resembled the tall, scary Boogeyman he really was. Even so Jack just stood quiet, enjoying the sweet treats on his hair. "There isn't enough fear in the world. The Guardians keep pushing me away, brushing me off as a simple bedstory..."

"What does it feel like?"

"A long summer without winter."

"You can have m-my fear." Jack felt himself saying before a moment of pure silence, his fingers gripping at Pitch's dark pants before he could even notice it, moving his head so he could stare up at his guardian, blue eyes shining in plea and worry. "They can't push me away from you. I'll be fine, I promise. Until you feel better."

"Just... until I feel better.."

I swear I'll make up for this one in the next chapter. *sigh*

Thank you for reading!
See ya~