Chapter Twenty Two

"I'm heading out for a bit." Matthew said kissing Jack's temple. The pair had just sat up in bed. Kumakuro was sleeping peacefully at the foot of the bed.

"Noooo." The winter spirit whined clinging to him. He laughed quietly nuzzling into his hair. "You don't have to go anywhere. You should stay."

"Yeah, but I want to get out for a bit." The Reaper sighed petting his hair. The Guardian hummed at his touch. "You can come if you want?"

"I think North wouldn't be too happy if I was late for the Guardian meeting when I live here." Jack grumbled. He had completely forgot that was today. At least he didn't have to go to them, but his boyfriend talked him into it more often than not. He was honestly surprised that none of the other Guardians had brought up him becoming a Guardian. He hoped they wouldn't, his opinion and choices hadn't changed. "Will you be back in time?"

"I don't know." Matthew shrugged. "I'd ask when it starts so I could be here, but I can't see a clock anyways."

The Canadian heard Jack try to hide a snort. He smiled and untangled the Guardian's arms from around his waist before standing up. Jack whined sadly and he leaned down to kiss him goodbye. The winter spirit smiled into it and kissed his forehead after they broke apart.

"I'll be back eventually." Matthew hummed giving him one last kiss before stepping away. He felt for shadows and stepped through the closest one to the roof. He smiled feeling the cold wind blow and ruffle his feathers. He pulled his hood up before jumping and flying.

The Reaper immediately went towards Canada. He always knew exactly where he was there. He felt safe and at home. He flew to a city and perched on the edge of a building. He relaxed listening to the people down below. He had no reason to be there, but he liked being outside and listening to people.

Matthew sat peacefully for a while before a death flashed across his mind. He sighed and stood up. He followed his instincts and helped the soul before flying back home to the pole. He landed at the front door and a yeti greeted him. He smiled and thanked him as he opened the door. Kumakuro was there waiting for him. He hummed placing his hand on the bears shoulders. He started to walk and guide him.

The Canadian let his mind wander as they walked. It was quiet in the halls of the pole today. He wondered where Jack was. He wondered if the other Guardians were still there. He knew he should go say hi. He was friends with the other Guardians, but he was still a bit antisocial. He sighed and told Kumakuro to take him towards the workshop. He heard claws clicking towards them as they walked. He assumed it was a yeti and tuned out.

Matthew yelped in surprise as someone grabbed him by the collar. He was roughly slammed against the wall. He gasped trying to get his breath back. He heard a growl as he felt for shadows. He recognized the form as Bunnymund. The Reaper snarled and struggled in his grip. He heard Kumakuro growl and he could smell blood. Bunny's hands were gone from his neck as he heard a loud thud. The bear had bit the Guardian's leg and dragged him off Matthew. Kumakuro was about to swipe at him with his claws.

"Kuma! Stop." The Canadian said quickly. He didn't like Bunny, but he didn't want him to get mulled by the bear. He'd rather do it himself. Kumakuro snarled at the rabbit, but stepped back towards him. "What do you want, Bunnymund?"

"What kind of spell did you put on them?" The Guardian demanded. He heard shuffling and knew the rabbit stood up. "Why would they like you otherwise? You're a reaper! A monster!"

Matthew growled and bit his lip to keep his mouth shut. He hated the rabbit and would absolutely love to hurt him, but he didn't want to break the trust he had with the other Guardians. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard claws scratching again.

The Canadian quickly felt for shadows and immediately jumped into the air. He knew the Guardian was rushing at him. He found a shadow in the rafters and flew for it. He perched on the beam narrowing his eyes.

"Leave me alone, rabbit." Matthew growled through his teeth. "You don't want to piss me off more."

"Maybe I do." Bunny laughed. He could hear Kumakuro again and waved his hand telling him to stay back. He was still growling and snarling at the Guardian from underneath him.

The Reaper noticed the shadows move and knew Bunny threw something. He didn't know what it was or where it was. Suddenly, his feet were knocked out from underneath him. He was falling, but didn't have time to react and correct himself. He landed hard on his shoulder with a grunt.

Matthew growled and pulled his dagger defensively. He could hear Bunny rushing at him. He quickly put up a force field in front of him. The Guardian ran head first into it. He growled and was about to charge again.

"Upon one summers morning." The Canadian started to sing. Bunny immediately froze. "I carefully did stray. Down by the Walls of Wapping where I met a sailor gay. Conversing with a young lass, who seem'd to be in pain. Saying, William, when you go, I fear you'll ne'er return again."

"Birdie?" Jack called hearing his singing. Matthew could feel the wind as he sang. He knew the winter spirit was on his way. He heard a light thump next to him and knew his boyfriend was there. "Bunny?!" He growled angrily.

The Reaper stopped singing, but the Guardian of hope didn't notice Jack and jumped at him. He heard his boyfriend growl and whack Bunny with his staff. He heard the older Guardian growl and back down. Matthew carefully rolled onto his feet and put his dagger away. He groaned as his shoulder ached.

"What are you doing Bunny?!" Jack yelled angrily from his side.

"He attacked me!" Bunny said defensively. The Reaper scoffed.

"If Mattie attacked you, you wouldn't be standing." The winter spirit snapped. Matthew could hear footsteps and wings fluttering. He guessed the other Guardians were close. Bunny growled angrily hearing them.

Kumakuro walked to his side and nosed his hand. Matthew sighed and pet him letting his anger go. Jack on the other hand was still fuming, he could feel the cold coming from him. The Canadian felt for shadows and took the Guardian of fun's hand squeezing slightly.

"What happened here?" North asked as soon as he was close enough.

"The Reaper attacked me!" Bunny yelled. Matthew quickly shook his head.

"Matthew wouldn't do that." Tooth said. "He won't attack first."

"Birdie never attacks first." Jack said defensively. "Don't lie. You attacked him!"

"I didn't!" The Guardian of hope growled.

"You did. You grabbed me and pinned me against the wall. Kuma bit you to get you off of me. I warned you to stay back and leave me alone, but you didn't." Matthew said speaking up for the first time. "You're lucky I have a lot more patience than I used to."

AN: Only one more chapter for this fic! It is already up on my patréon if you're itching to read it. Once this fic is done next week, ill be posting Oblivion(Third of the Blackout Series). The full thing is already up on patréon for $2 or $1 for a chapters a week early!

IMPORTANT: I will no longer be posting twice a week. Once this fic is over I will be posting once a week on Saturday. I don't have enough time with college to post twice a week. I haven't actually properly wrote anything in a few months.