Thank you for the comments, gentle guests! No, there won't be a threesome with Tooth: she's only a great and dear friend to Pitch and Jack. Somewhen it seems she behave too friendly with Pitch, but she does this only because she knows he needs love and because she feels a deep affection for him, and, yes, also because she loves embarrassing him... she can't help. However, in the next chapters and also in the sequel you'll understand better her role: for now I don't spoil you anything, but of course you can ask me whatever you want if you're curious!
As I told you this chapter is shorter than the others and I'm sorry for this, but I hope you'll like it!
WHAT GOES TOGETHER BETTER THAN COLD AND DARK? - PART 25
More than three hours had passed since he had decided to explore the Palace's meanders, and now boredom was beginning to get the better of Pitch. Everything was exactly as he remembered from his last visit, during which he had secretly crept, in his shadow form, in every corner to learn everything about North; only a couple of rooms, which in the past had been used for storage, had been cleared and transformed into laboratories. However, in order to be sure not miss anything, he had explored every floor, examining depositories, workspaces, bedrooms, living rooms and even the kitchen, where he had stopped to drink another tea; during the whole journey he had never lost sight of the Globe, which, despite it hadn't received any kind of restoration, seemed much more solid and resistant than when he had woken up, and, from time to time, he had been reprimanded by a Yeti because he had tried to get into a forbidden area. At first he had found fun fooling the hairy guards, devising plans to circumvent them and roam wherever he wanted, but soon he had got tired of this game: the rooms he was denied to visit were just crowded and filled with tools and toys under construction, and enter into them, in the end, was more a nuisance than an entertainment.
With a snort he let himself go onto a large red sofa in front of the fire place and, while he warmed up at the flames' heat, almost without even realizing it, he thought that, after all, the Guardians' company was preferable to that flat monotony.
"What the hell am I thinking!?" he immediately asked himself, straightening his back and resting his left palm on his forehead, as if to check if he had a fever. How could he have reached such an absurd idea, if not because he was again in the grip of the disease? But the skin wasn't burning under his fingers, and no dizziness was clouding his mind.
While, the anxiety increasing until it almost gripped his throat, he wondered if it was all his hosts' fault, who, at any time, might have adulterated his medicine with a philtre, or infected his soul with an unknown magical power, a call came from far away to save him.
Completely forgetting the panic which had gripped him he sprang to his feet, looking around to locate the source of the noise, but soon he realized the interlocutor was contacting him from a distant place, so closed his eyes and concentrated; it took only few seconds to him to realize who had called him: it was Jack's Pureblood.
With an evil grin he bared his teeth and, using a simple trick, he made contact with him: initially he had to impose himself firmly in order to be accepted by it, perhaps because of the fear and the diffidence caused by the punishment he had subjected it to, but after few seconds all was ready. It was enough to him to open his eyes to see with its demoniac irises; dilating the nostrils he turned his muzzle to sweep the horizon, allowing himself few breaths to get accustomed to that iridescent and strongly contrasty view, and he neighed for the success: he could perfectly control it. Satisfied he walked, trotting along what seemed to be a narrow and wet gorge, and when, finally, the horizon widened into a circular recess, he spotted four motionless figures waiting for him: they were the Nightmares he had created shortly after he had saved Toothiana.
Stopping in amazement he had to shake his head several times before he could believe what he was facing: all the creatures had already become Pureblood and they instil terror with their mere presence. There were two Anxiae, a Haunter and a Phobia, and, albeit not extraordinary as their old sibling, they were nevertheless powerful: a result really satisfactory, considered the unfavourable period in which they were born and the short time in which they were grown.
Quivering with anticipation he approached them, rubbing his neck and sides against their, but suddenly the contact broke off: disoriented he found himself staring into the flames of the fireplace, gobsmacked by such an accident, but he didn't need to wait long to understand the reason of it.
With a shock wave powerful enough to make his joints squeak the beasts opened their mind, pouring in his all the fear and despair they had created and skilfully gathered to fortify themselves, and Pitch had to kneel to hold such a generous gift. He concentrated to the utmost in order not to miss anything: every tremor, every breath held back, each crazy throb, every scream, every stampede, every wonderful memory about his servants' first night time ride flashed vividly in front of him, slipping on his skin, penetrating into his pulsating flesh, shaking his nerves with exciting thrills that left him almost unconscious. It had been too long since he had fed himself with terror so greedily and so abundantly and, at first, he even feared he could be overwhelmed by such a wave, but soon he got used to it, and the pleasant feelings which ensued from it rewarded his effort by far.
Few minutes had passed since the Pureblood had called him and, by now, he had drank every single drop of the precious nectar which had generously been poured into his mouth: in his life he had never felt so full. After several attempts he managed to open his eyelids, blinking many times to focus, and he wasn't surprised when he realized he had flopped onto wooden stool next to the sofa; levering with his elbows on the seat he pulled himself away, straightening his back and hugging himself to calm the tremors, and an evil and almost insane smile spontaneously rose on his lips: he had succeeded.
With a sudden jerk he turned, to check that no one had seen him, but, when he made sure he was alone, he relaxed, to metabolize the reinforcement's effect in complete tranquillity; the discharges of fear, in fact, had not completely faded away, persistently echoing in his trembling body, and, combined with the sensual images that Jack's Nightmare had sent to him by surprise, were more than enough to put him in trouble. In the attempt to appease the shivers he raised his hands to caress his skin, but, without even realizing it, what should have been a useful remedy soon turned into the umpteenth trap: his fingers moved almost on their own volition, up along the neck and then back down along the sternum, touching every inch of epidermis until they made him shudder and finally stealing him a groan.
It was that sound, along with the echo which ensued from it, to finally bring the Boogeyman back to reality, just a second before his phalanges slid from the abdomen to the groin, untying the blanket's knot: touching himself in that moment would have certainly been a relief, even more satisfying if, by chance, Frost had suddenly returned and found him, but what if, in his place, someone else had come? What if it had been North or, even worse, Bunnymund, the one to surprise him in such a vulnerable condition? No, he couldn't let such a thing happen, for that reason and also for a second one, but not less important: most of the excitement ha been caused by his Pureblood's art and the skill with which he practised it, and he couldn't absolutely let it win, yielding to his court. He had to show himself superior to its power, to reaffirm that he was the master and the creature just a modest servant, to make clear that this difference could never be levelled down, but, most importantly, not to reveal that even the Lord of Nightmares could fall prey to its temptations: he couldn't afford to be attacked a second time.
Slowly standing up he stretched out his arms to relax the joints, then he cupped his hands to try his new powers: it was enough to him only thinking about evoking a Nightmare to make one appear in his hands, and, after that, another, and another, without any hesitation. In few moments a group of thirty small beasts rose in front of him, as chaotic as full of potential, and Pitch decided not to tame them: it was time to create monsters wilder and more unpredictable, capable of acting without receiving specific orders and to independently develop the most effective strategies to scare. Probably part of them would have been dead, killed by bad luck or inexperience, but he was willing to accept it: after all, it was normal that in nature only the strongest survived.
Growling against his newborn servants the Boogeyman dispersed them, making them flee from opening on the roof to find victims to attack, and when he saw them disappear in the distance he comfortably sat down on the couch, or, at least, that was what he intended to do.
As soon as he leaned against the soft pillows an irresistible urge to stand up and act caught him, harassing him to the point it made him itch, and, realizing that that sensation would have never disappeared unless he had indulged it, he jumped to his feet: he felt so strong, so incredibly powerful, how could he ever hold back such a thirst for action? He had to act, and quickly! But in order to do what? Creating other Nightmares was a solution as obvious as silly: summon them tired him and, until Sandy was willing to give him his magical sand and let him corrupt it, it was preferable to take the opportunity and don't work too much; in addition to this, the beasts he had just released had the ability to multiply themselves, so it was useless creating too many inexperienced duplicates, which would have inevitably come into conflict with each other. Recalling a Pureblood to feed himself with fear again was equally inadvisable: he was fully sated and he didn't want to risk another accident like the one happened with Toothiana. There was only one thing left to try.
Smiling, excited, he moved close to the Globe, in an area large enough to guarantee him all the space he could need, and he stopped: he slightly opened his legs, firmly placing his feet on the ground for support, he bent his back a little and put his folded arms in attack position, then, closing his eyes, he dissolved himself into a coil of black sand.
Excited he had succeeded he soon circled around the Globe, rejoicing for his quick recovery and immediately throwing himself into more complex course: at first he wrapped himself around the pillars, zigzagging between the blades and the Christmas decorations in order to test his skill, then he rushed into a narrow corridor, trying not to bump into anyone or anything. He perfectly slid among the pieces of furniture and the Yetis, causing great consternation in the latter and laughing at their awkward reactions, so he decided to go one step further: speeding up and making the sandy tendrils which protected him ahead thicken he lunged toward a window and, shattering it, he managed to escape outdoors.
Feel the wind blowing against him was as pleasant as shocking: staying locked up in a room for days had worn out his patience, but after so much loving care such a cold slap was more painful than a stab.
He couldn't say whether what happened next was due to this or, instead, to his tiredness, or to the spur of ice he accidentally touched: the only thing he knew was that few seconds before he was an incoherent cloud of shadow, and few seconds later again a body of flesh and bones.
Caught by surprise he didn't even managed to think and, unable to save himself, he fell head over heels on the ground, rolling for several feet and ending its run in a pile of snow. Stunned by the blow it took a little to him to recover and stand up again and, when he managed to, the frost had already gripped his limbs to the point he had started to tremble uncontrollably. Cursing himself and his bad luck Pitch tried to remedy that situation, draping a thin veil of darkness on his hips to cover his nakedness and looking around to find the Palace: he had to reach it within few minutes, or those white flakes falling from the sky would have buried him forever in that wilderness.
While the man started to walk aimlessly he heard a powerful song coming from behind him and, when he finally found the strength to turn around, someone scolding him: «Pitch? You're just impossible! Why did you get out of the Palace without clothes? You should have asked for them to the Yetis! At least you had a good idea: a bath is ideal right now, and it's time to wash away the blood and the after effects of the illness».
As soon as he identified North the Boogeyman straightened his back, trying not to show he was freezing, and he nonchalantly asked: «Blood? What blood? And, more importantly, what bath?».
«The blood that you shed today to protect Toothiana: it's still on your shoulder! And then, what does it mean "what bath?" I am speaking about the thermal baths, of course! Come on, I'll take you there» boomed Santa Claus.
He unceremoniously went beside him and, putting his right arm over his shoulders, dragged him along a small path dug into the white blanket.
Numb by the cold and the sudden encounter the man let the master of the house guide him, coming with a little hesitancy into a narrow tunnel and being gripped by the anxiety when he saw how long and winding it was, but he hold back any complaint: wherever he was going he didn't want to show himself weak, and, in the end, his strong self-control was rewarded.
Beyond a particularly low arch the horizon widened and, in front of them, a sight as unexpected as beautiful disclosed: a rocky basin recessed in the faces of the surrounding glacier and completely immersed in steam. Peering into the fog that clouded everything Pitch spotted several pools, placed at different heights and connected to each other by little waterfalls: some were larger, some smaller, some irregular, some almost perfectly circular, some boiled while others were perfectly calm, but all together they were responsible for the pleasant heat which permeated the air; they were, of course, hot springs, nourished by the thaw water and an underground sac of magma, which managed to create a small heaven of warmth and soft musk in a land that, otherwise, would have been barren and desolate.
With an arrogant smile the Boogeyman turned around and said: «You spoil yourself a lot, considered your such an important and busy Guardian! You're a lucky beggar: thermal springs so beautiful and so close to your Palace! The ideal place to relax after a tiring day. Moreover, they're not even sulphurous».
Laughing heartily North replied: «You're right: I'm such a lucky beggar! Like you when you find me few minutes ago, right? Come on, go to the bigger pool: its temperature is perfect and, on the west side, I have carved the rocks to shape comfortable seats».
Giving him an abrupt pat on the back that almost threw him to the ground Santa Claus addressed him towards the pool he had recommended him and walked away toward a small dry cavity cave to undress. Shaken by the blow the man straightened his back, walking cautiously on the wet lichens and concretions in order not to fall, and, once he had reached the west side of the little lake, he knelt to wash his shoulder: he picked up the hot liquid in his cupped left hand and dropped it down his neck, massaging the skin to scrape off the blood and making sure the drops didn't fall into the puddle, soiling it.
Once satisfied he stood up, looking around to find a good access point to the pool, and, discovered some rough steps on his right, he reached them; while he walked he let the veil which covered his hips slip down, gently touching his legs and dissolving it just a moment before it fell on the ground, then he dipped a foot to acclimatize.
The embrace of the thermal warmth had on him an immediate calming effect, so sweet that a smile rose spontaneously on his lips, and without hesitation he advanced to the centre of the pool, rippling the surface with the tip of his fingers and gradually sinking to the waist. Arrived at the deepest point he stopped, wrapping his arms around his chest and raising his face to the sky, to breathe deeply and enjoy the healthy effects of the curative bath: it was amazing for him to be in such a paradise. Every muscles and ligaments' cramp, pain and soreness, which still lingered in him despite the loving care, readily dissolved like snow under the sun, leaving him restored and relaxed, and the soft coils of steam which swirled around his body tickled his nerves, capturing every negative thought and concern and taking them away.
Perfectly at ease he didn't worry when he felt two hands gently resting on his shoulder, and he gladly accepted the soft massage they offered him; with a low moan he tilted his head to leave them space and, after few seconds, he turned to reciprocate the cuddles: unfortunately, he would have never imagined to be in front of North's bearded, concentrated face.
With an upset cry he clumsy jumped away, swimming and walking at the same time and trying to shield himself with his arms, then he exclaimed: «North, what the hell were you doing?».
Santa Claus, scared, answered: «Are you crazy? You gave me such a scare! What are you asked about, I was checking the shoulder: you have been wounded just a few hours ago. Oh, wait, wait! Do not tell me you thought that...!».
«Yes, North, it seemed right "that"!» interrupted him Pitch, furious.
«Shostakovich!» snapped the Guardian, shivering; «But how did that come to your mind!? I was just checking if the skin was still cut! For the Yetis' beard, how could you...?! I cannot even say it! In short, you are a man, and even not so attractive: you're so tall and thin, your features are so sharp, your hips are too tight, and then, do I need to talk about your nose? Not to mention...».
The Boogeyman, who at first stayed on the defensive, radically changed his expression when he heard those words offensive to him and, with an aggressive tone, replied: «"Even not so attractive"? Said the adonis! Why are you still wearing the waistcoat? Oh, sorry, it took me a while to understand that those are your hair! And maybe should we talk about the belly? It's so big that four of me could get into your clothes at the same time! There is a good reason why Jack fell at my feet and not at yours: my aquiline nose may seem too big for, but Frost preferred it not yours without any hesitation!».
Laughed out loud North exclaimed: «Well, Jack was right: you become really touchy when it comes to your appearance! Now let's stop joking, we are here to relax: come and sit with me in the hot water».
Swimming for about three yards North sat on a submerged seat, and the man, though still offended, did the same; it took few seconds to him to find the right position, resting his calves on the sloping floor and placing the head and the neck against a soft mossy clump, but when he felt comfortable he didn't move any more and his mind turned quiet again.
«You know, it's nice to have company here at the thermal baths for once» commented Santa Claus with a cheerful tone.
«You're kidding, right? You live surrounded by Yetis and you are always in contact with the Guardians: it doesn't seem to me that you lack company» pointed out Pitch, puzzled.
«No, nobody ever comes to the baths. Yetis hate water, Sandy doesn't love it because it reduces the sand to slush, Toothiana cannot dive with all those feathers, and Bunnymund complains about the fact the steam ruffles his hair: I am always alone».
«And Jack? Didn't he ever come to keep you company?» asked the Boogeyman, curious.
«Actually I do not think he knows about this place, and I never invited him, because I fear that heat could hurt him» said the Guardian a bit sad.
«No, heat doesn't hurt him, at least not when it is so, how can I say?, localized: if you brought him in a desert probably he would suffer a lot, but here, as long as he doesn't dive into the hot pools, he shouldn't have any problem. Actually I even guess that, after the initial daze, he would remain bouncing and active for a long time».
More than a response that, for the man, was a reflection expressed aloud: if only he had been less distracted he would have kept for himself those speculations, but, favoured by the warmth and the relaxing atmosphere, he let himself go, remembering the occasions while, in the past, he had warmed up Jack. He couldn't help but smile at the memory of those times when, taken by passion, he had gone beyond the simple hug to relieve the cold, stripping him and making him his until he felt him burn to the point he had feared he could melt, but, after the initial satisfaction, he immediately locked those memories in his memory again: he loved reliving them, but that was not the right time.
«Do you think so? Oh well, this means that the next time I will invite him. Now, however, I want to relax a little» commented North.
«Mh, I agree» concluded Pitch.
In order to ease the rest he settled back against the moss and closed his eyes, trying not to think. Actually, he would have loved his partner's company and, if only he had known where he was, he would have gladly interrupted the hot bath to go and call him, but he wasn't able to contact him and he didn't dare ask for this to the other: he still didn't trust him whole hog and, anyway, he didn't want to show his attachment to the boy in such a blatant way.
Resigning himself to spend few hours without Jack the Boogeyman sighed, enjoying the healthy effects of the springs and occasionally wiping his wet palms on his chest to soften the skin; when he heard the water waving, bubbling as if someone was swimming, he deduced that Santa was going to get out and, keeping his eyelids closed, he asked: «Are you leaving?».
«And why should I? I just got here!» exclaimed a cheerful voice well known to him.
The man immediately recognized it and, at first, he couldn't believe his ears, but he didn't need to: in a blink of an eye he felt Jack's arms thrown around his neck and his naked body against his own, while a melodious laugh echoed in the air.
«Jack! How did you find this place? Are you fine, even if it's hot?» asked the elder Guardian.
«Oh, that was easy: I simply followed the footprints in the snow. However, don't worry, North, I'm fine: heat is not bothering me» replied the boy.
While the master of the house nodded Frost turned back to his partner and commented: «I see you've settled yourself very well, Pitch: it was enough to leave you alone only a few hours to make you forget about me and have fun on your own!».
«Guess who I learned from!» replied Pitch with a mocking tone.
At that joke they all laughed in chorus, and the boy took the opportunity to stick out his tongue, stealing more laughs from the others; the fun, however, was short-lived.
Announced by heavy footsteps and rash shouts a Yeti rushed in the basin, running immediately to North and starting to grunt and gesticulate; while the Boogeyman and Jack couldn't understand anything of that quick speech, Santa Claus seemed to be able to follow it, frowning more and more as it proceeded, and finally he dismissed the hairy beast with a nod of his head.
As the creature moved away the Guardian snorted, then he said: «The sleight has a problem: the suspensions' mechanism hardened and, although it was new, it broke down. It's better to fix it right now, or the skates could get deformed. Probably it will take me a couple of hours, it is not an easy work, so I will not come back here, but you can stay: you are my guests and I want you to feel comfortable. Remember to return before the sunset: we will wait for you in the main hall».
Without waiting for an answer he swam fast towards the shore closest to the cave where he had left his clothes, throwing himself into the steam and quickly disappearing from sight.
Just to be sure the man kept an eye out, listening to the rustles that the master of the house caused while walking on moss, drying himself and putting his clothes on, and only when he heard him striding into the exit tunnel he decided to act.
Plunging into the pool up to the shoulders, to get at the same level of the boy, he approached him, pulling him into a hug and whispering in a soft voice: «So, what about you come here and let me cuddle you? Few hours ago I promised you would have received all that you wanted and more, and I don't think this night would be enough: it's better if we take advantage of this free time, don't you agree?».
Frost meekly let himself go in his arms, but, strangely, he said nothing; Pitch waited patiently for about ten seconds, but, when he heard no response and it seemed to him his love's body was heavier than usual, he wanted to check if everything was all right.
Intending to repeat the question he moved away from him, but he had no time to speak: like a dead weight the boy slid slid down, risking to fall underwater, and he would have certainly have sank to the bottom if only the man hadn't readily grabbed him.
Concerned the Boogeyman made him turn in order to observe his face, and he found him quite tired: the crystal clear eyes were opacified and trembling and they continually risked to roll over, his cheekbones were so blushed they seemed bloodied, his lips unconsciously parted, his breath more and more faint and the pulse, on the contrary, greatly accelerated. It was now evident: all that heat, unlike what he expected, had made Jack feel sick, and, since he hadn't supervised him enough, it was all his fault.
Fearing that an abrupt change would have only aggravated the situation, the man tried to awaken the boy, stroking his cheeks and neck and asking him with a gentle voice how he felt, but, seeing that his reactions were more and more sluggish, he grabbed him with the decision and said: «Enough: we must get out of here immediately».
The next chapter will be published on Saturday afternoon (Italian time zone)!