Chapter Twenty One
A few months later...
Matthew smiled listening to Jack speak. The pair were sitting in North's library on one of the love seats. He was curled into the Guardian's side as he read aloud. Kumakuro was sleeping peacefully behind the Canadian's legs and he was petting his head. He hummed happily feeling completely relaxed. He didn't get to relax long since a death flashed across his mind. He sighed.
"Have to go?" Jack asked kissing his temple. He nodded sadly.
"Yeah." The Reaper sighed leaning into his touch. He didn't really want to move. He groaned and moved his legs.
Kumakuro grumbled as he stood up. The bear jumped off the couch with him. He heard his claws click before he huffed and hugged him. Matthew laughed lightly and hugged the bear back. He'd been doing that a lot lately, standing on his back legs and hugging him. The bear would only hug him. He learned it from them probably. Kumakuro let go and went back on to the couch.
"See you in a bit, Birdie." Jack said standing up and pulling him into a kiss. Matthew smiled into it and kissed his nose after they broke apart. "I love you."
"Love you too, Jackie." The Canadian smiled as he stepped away. He sighed and walked into a shadow to outside.
The Reaper spread his wings and flew. He followed his instincts towards the soul. Her name sounded familiar to him, Sophie Bennett. He sighed and kept flying. He managed to find his way to the body. He could smell gasoline and blood in the air. There were sirens and people talking. He crouched down next to the girl and pulled her soul forward.
The girl, her older brother and mother had been driving home from a movie when their car had been hit by a drunk driver. She had been killed instantly, but the driver, her brother and mother had walked away with few small injuries. He promised to be harsh of the drunk driver if the legal system wasn't and sent her soul away.
Matthew was about to spread his wings and fly, but he felt eyes on him. He paused and felt for shadows. He noticed one that resembled a person facing him. He guessed that's who's eyes were on him. It seemed like the young man was wanting to step forward and speak with him, but didn't want to move closer to the wreck. He knew it was the girl's older brother, Jamie. He decided to go over and see if he could actually see him or if he was imagining it.
"Hello." The teen greeted quietly as soon as he got closer. "Who are you?"
"I'm the Grim Reaper, but my name is Matthew." The Canadian said gently. He was surprised the boy could see him.
"She's really gone?" Jamie asked and Matthew nodded.
"Yes. I'm sorry." The Reaper sighed. "She didn't feel any pain at all. She's in a better place now."
"I guess, but it still hurts." The teen mumbled. The Canadian smiled sadly. "I'll miss her."
"Of course it does, but it will pass. You could meet her again someday. You never know." Matthew said reassuringly. He was quiet for a moment trying to think of why he felt like he'd heard about this kid before.
"Are you surprised that I can see you?" Jamie asked.
"A little bit, yes." The Reaper admitted. "You seem familiar, I know your name from somewhere."
"I know Jack and the Guardians." Jamie offered. Matthew realized that the teen was Jack's first believer. He talked about him and told him a lot of stories.
"That's where I know you from." The Canadian said with a small smile. He heard footsteps coming towards them. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Keep your head up Jamie, things will get better."
"Yeah, thank you." The teen said as he spread his wings.
Matthew quickly got into the air and flew for the pole. He landed outside and found a shadow. He stepped through it inside taking his hood down and decided to look for Jack. He felt for the wind and followed the breeze. He felt for shadows as he moved. He wove his way around the yetis and elves that ran across his path.
The Canadian followed the wind to the kitchen. North and Jack were cooking or baking something. It smelled pretty good.
"Hey Birdie!" The winter spirit greeted excitedly as he spotted him. Matthew walked over and put an arm around his waist. Jack leaned over and kissed his cheek. The Canadian blushed. "Try this."
Matthew opened his mouth and he put something in it. He chewed and smiled. "Maple taffy?" He asked.
"Da! Jack says you like maple." North hummed taking something out of the oven. The Reaper smiled and nodded.
"Maple is my favourite flavour of anything." He said as the Guardian of fun gave him more. He hummed happily munching on the candy. Jack took his hand and helped him sit on the counter. He sat up next to him. "Where's Kuma?"
"Sleeping, probably." The winter spirit said kissing his cheek. He blushed slightly. "We gave him some honey."
"He must have loved that." Matthew smiled and both Guardians laughed.
"Considering he stole the pot, I think he liked it." North said. He heard some rustling and he was handed something from the older Guardian. It smelled really good. "Lemon poppyseed muffin."
"Thank you." The Reaper said taking the paper off. He hummed happily taking a bite of the warm fresh muffin. He could hear Jack crunching on his now frozen muffin. He heard North taking something else out of the oven.
"He went on a bit of a baking binge." Jack whispered in his ear leaning over. The Canadian laughed quietly. North kept handing him more pastries until he was stuffed.
"I think I'm going to join Kuma." Matthew groaned patting his stomach. "I'm so full."
"More for me!" The Guardian of wonder said rubbing his hands together. The Canadian smiled slipping off the counter. Jack hopped off and took his hand. "Have a good nap!"
"Thanks, North!" They called in unison as they started to walk. Matthew bit his lip, he needed to tell Jack about Sophie. The pair walked to their room. The winter spirit immediately flopped down with Kumakuro. The bear grumbled annoyed. The Canadian laughed and took off his shoes before crawling in next to his boyfriend.
"Jack?" The Reaper asked.
"Yeah?" The Guardian asked sounding nervous.
"I'm sorry, but Sophie Bennett died. Her family's car was hit by a drunk driver." Matthew explained. Jack gasped and he pulled him close to his chest. The Canadian pressed a gentle kiss into his hair. "Jamie and his mother were fine. Sophie didn't feel any pain either."
"She was so young." The Guardian said quietly. He moved his wing to cover them as Jack tucked his head under his chin. His fingers tangled in the Reaper's sweater. "She was such a good kid."
"She was. She's in a better place now. She'll be reborn as well. You could meet her again someday." Matthew said reassuringly. He rubbed soothing circles into his back. After a while he heard Jack's snores and sighed closing his eyes too.
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!