Chapter Seventeen

AN: Sorry for the weird update days/times. Its exam season and I'm dying.

A month later...

Matthew sighed resting his head against the window. He loved feeling the cool glass. He was sitting on the ledge of one of the huge workshop windows. Kumakuro was curled up on the ground next to him. He had one of his hands down playing with his ears. Every once and a while the bear would swat or lick his hand. He wondered how long until Jack would be back. He was off making another storm.

The Reaper's eyes were still healing. It had been almost two months since the forest. The burns around his eyes and down his cheeks had completely healed and scarred. Jack said it wasn't that bad, he knew the scars would fade eventually. The winter spirit also told him his eyes looked mostly normal, but a bit cloudy. He still couldn't see at all not even any light. His leg had completely healed a while ago. It had healed quickly after the infection was gone.

Jack and he had been going out together to get souls. He was fine flying and feeling for shadows. He had built up a lot of magical stamina for finding the shadows. He felt comfortable flying and navigating new environments. He still missed having Kumakuro with him, but he couldn't exactly bring a live real bear into peoples houses or into a city. People could see and would probably try to trap or kill him.

Matthew had made friends with the other Guardians, except Bunny. He'd been a bit awkward at first and didn't like opening up. He felt very vulnerable with his walls down, but he got used to it. He liked having friends. Jack had been a bit jealous at first, but it wore off quickly. He was happy that he was happy.

Tooth was very mothering and loved talking with him. She loved to talk about the past and telling stories. North was the same. The Russian like sharing meals with him. He had helped him cook a few times. He had even taught the older Guardian how to make pancakes. The Canadian did have a bit of trouble communicating with Sandy. The Guardian of dreams didn't speak and used his sand to make pictures. He couldn't see them and the sand was to bright for him to feel any shadows. Jack or one of the others had to be there for them to 'talk.' He really respected the other Guardians.

Bunny still hated him and always made off hand comments about him. He didn't care about what he said. His boyfriend wasn't too happy about what he would say about him. Matthew was able to easily calm his anger and annoyance.

Jack was always all over him when he was at the pole. He was always kissing and touching him. He had always been affectionate, but it seemed like he was a lot more now. Matthew didn't mind at all. He knew the Guardian worried about him a lot. He liked keeping him busy to distract from the deaths. He was very good at it. He loved every kiss and touch he got from Jack.

"Hello, Matthew." North said as he walked up to him. The Reaper smiled. "How are you today?"

"I'm good." Matthew hummed. He sighed and moved his head to look up at the Guardian. "Thank you. For everything you've done, I really appreciate it. I don't know how I will ever repay you."

"You're welcome Matthew." North said lightly patting his back. "There is no need for repayment. I enjoy having you around. You're a good person, you're nothing like what others say."

"I'm a lot like what others say." The Reaper sighed shaking his head. "I hurt spirits all the time."

"Yes, but you've said before that you only hurt them to get them to leave you alone. You only hurt them if they attack you first." North said reassuringly. "Your reaction is understandable."

"My reputation isn't good. A reaper's reputation is probably better than my personal one at this point." Matthew mumbled.

"People shouldn't judge others by their reputation or stories they hear." The Guardian sighed. "You're a good person, Matthew."

"I'm definitely not a good person." The Canadian laughed lightly.

"You are!" North said reassuringly patting his back. "You help people in their worst time. Believe and think a bit higher of yourself."

"Thank you, North." Matthew said wholeheartedly. He had grown to really respect the Guardian and his words meant a lot to him. He heard footsteps and a yeti said something to North.

"Well, elves are getting into trouble." The Russian grumbled. The Reaper laughed. "I need to go and stop them."

"Have fun." Matthew said sarcastically. He heard the Guardian laugh as he walked away. He smiled to himself petting Kumakuro's ears. He felt nice and relaxed. It unfortunately didn't last long. A death flashed across his mind and he sighed. The Canadian bit his lip. He'd been going with Jack, but he felt ready to go alone. "I'll be back Kuma."

The Reaper stood up from the window ledge and pet the bear. He felt for shadows and walked over to one. He connected it to one outside and stepped through. He spread his wings and got into the air. He went above the clouds and followed his instincts to the soul.

It was a pretty long flight over the Arctic and Europe to go down to Australia. He didn't mind that much. He found the house the soul was in. He felt for shadows and found his way to the body. He knelt down next to it and pulled the soul forward. He judged and sent it away before standing up.

Matthew spread his wings and went towards Canada. From there, he went north. He was always able to figure out exactly were he was in Canada. He flew up high and felt for shadows. He found straight harsh ones and knew it was the pole. He smiled to himself feeling confident now that he went out and found his way back by himself.

The Canadian landed near the pole and stepped through a shadow inside. He made his way into the workshop to find Kumakuro. It wasn't long until he felt a cold breeze and he was pulled into a tight hug.

"Birdie! Where did you go?" Jack asked pulling back. He didn't have time to answer before he was shut up by the winter spirit kissing him. "I was so worried!"

"Sorry, I just went to get a soul." Matthew said reassuringly. He was pulled down into another kiss and smiled into it. He heard claws clicking before fur brushed his hand. Kumakuro sat by his leg.

"By yourself? Awesome!" The Guardian hummed. The Reaper smiled as he took his hand. "Next time, please tell someone though."

"I didn't think about that." Matthew sighed. He scratched Kumakuro behind the ear. "I will next time."

"I love you." Jack said kissing his cheek. The Canadian couldn't help, but smile. Kumakuro nosed his hand and the trio started to walk. "Ready for a nap?"

"Always." The Reaper hummed. The flight and feeling for shadows had taken quite a bit out of him.

They made it to their room and Matthew yawned. Jack jumped into the bed while he sat on the edge to take off his boots. The Guardian wrapped his arms around his waist and tried to pull him down. The Canadian laughed and lightly whacked him with a wing. He flopped over and tackled Jack. He pressed kisses to his collarbone and pulled him to his chest. The winter spirit hummed and tucked his head under Matthew's chin. Kumakuro hopped up into the bed and settled down at their feet. Both sighed contently and fell asleep quickly.

"North's a good person." The Canadian smiled. "I should find a way to thank him."

AN: If you wanna know what happens next, chapter four is up on my patréon. The full version is there with all twenty three chapters under the 'full' and 'birdie' tags. Its $1 a month for up to eight chapters of what ever fic I'm currently posting! or $2 a month for the full version and future unreleased fics!