Chapter Twenty Three

"You're lucky I have a lot more patience than I used to." Matthew said.

"You were probably just scared I'd beat you. You're blind! What could you do?" Bunny scoffed.

The Canadian wrinkled his nose and frowned. He heard Jack growl angrily from his side. He felt the winter spirit move and felt for shadows. He had shot a blast of ice at the older Guardian pinning him to the wall. He heard him growl angrily and struggle against the ice.

"Jack." North said warningly.

"He deserves it!" The winter spirit said defensively.

"Bunny, you just can't attack people." Tooth said gently. Matthew heard her fly by up to the rabbit. "Its not right."

"What spell did he put on you?" Bunny demanded.

"Spell? Matthew hasn't done anything accept be kind and respectful." North said. The Canadian gave a small smile. "He's our friend, Bunny. He hasn't done anything."

"I can see what you're thinking, Bunny. He's nothing like that." Tooth said gently. "Take your time and get to know him if he'll let you. I don't think you deserve it at this point."

"I don't want to take them away from you, Bunny. I'm not trying to turn them against you." Matthew shook his head. "I'm sorry you're thinking that."

"I'm not!" Bunny snapped. The Reaper rolled his eyes. He knew he was lying.

"I think you're just mad I love Matthew and not you." Jack said. He could hear the rabbit huff and laugh.

"Yeah right, Frostbite." Bunny grumbled. The Canadian knew he was lying. "You wish."

"No, I don't wish." The winter spirit snorted. His arm snaked around the Reaper's waist pulling him close to his side. "I'm more than happy and lucky to have who I have." He hummed kissing Matthew's temple. He couldn't help, but smile. "I doubt that will ever change."

"I think you owe Matthew an apology." North said sternly.

"Yeah right." Bunny grumbled. "I'm so sorry." He said voice dripping with sarcasm.

The Reaper just shrugged. He wasn't going to say he accepted the apology when it was clearly sarcasm. Even if it wasn't, he didn't like or have any respect for the rabbit. He wouldn't have accepted a genuine apology.

"If you try anything like that again, I'll make it snow on Easter for at least a century." Jack threatened. He heard Bunny gulp. They both knew the Guardian of fun would definitely act on that threat. The rabbit tapped his foot and opened a tunnel. "Are you okay, Birdie?"

"Yeah, just landed hard on my shoulder." The Canadian shrugged. He winced at the soreness. Kumakuro nudged his side noticing his discomfort. "Just a bit sore."

"Let's get a yeti to check that out." North said and Matthew shook his head.

"I'm okay. It'll be just a bruise." The Reaper said reassuringly. He moved and rotated his shoulder. It was sore and stiff, but he knew there wasn't any bad damage.

"Better safe then sorry, da?" North said. "It'll only take a minute."

"Fine." Matthew sighed. He heard North clap his hands together and knew he was smiling. North cared a lot about him. It was a bit odd to him that someone other than Jack really cared for him. He was still getting used to it.

Jack leaned over and kissed his cheek as the older Guardians started to walk towards the medical wing. The trio started to follow them. Kumakuro walked a bit ahead of them trusting the winter spirit to lead his friend. He could easily navigate himself, but it was nice to have a break. They made it to the medical wing and North told him to sit up on the bed. He did as he was told and Jack hopped up next to him. He could still hear Tooth's wings and assumed Sandy was there too.

A yeti came in after a few minutes. He easily recognized her as his doctor from her voice. The yeti had been the one to do all the check ups and help him in the first place. He felt a bit bad that he didn't know her name, but he wasn't sure if he'd be able to pronounce it. She checked his shoulder over and told North he was fine. The Russian translated for him.

The Guardians stayed and talked for a while before Tooth and Sandy had to leave. Matthew and Jack sat on one of the couches with Kumakuro curled up at their feet. He yawned quietly and the Guardian shifted kissing his forehead. He smiled sleepily.

"Tired, Birdie?" Jack asked and he nodded. The winter spirit stood up with him in his arms. Kumakuro growled quietly as Matthew was moved, but realized it was just him. He jumped off the couch and trailed behind them.

The Reaper rested his head on his boyfriend's chest as he was carried. He sighed contently. Jack pushed the door to their room open and held it with his foot for Kumakuro. He set Matthew on the bed and took off his shoes for him. The Canadian reached out looking for the Guardian. Jack guided his hands to his face and smiled under his touch.

The pair laid back together on the bed. The winter spirit hummed happily curled up on Matthew's chest. The Reaper had an arm around his waist as he played with his hair. Kumakuro was curled up at their side.

"Sorry about Bunny." Jack said. The Canadian sighed. "He's an ass."

"Yeah, I know he is." Matthew said reassuringly. "You don't need to apologize for his actions."

"He should though!" The Guardian grumbled.

"I don't suspect to ever get a true apology from him. I don't care either." The Reaper admitted. "If there's a next time I don't think I'll hold back on him."

"Good." The winter spirit mumbled. "You shouldn't have apologized to him though."

"Jack, I'm Canadian. I apologize to inanimate objects I accidentally bump into." Matthew smiled. He heard his boyfriend snort and laugh. "You worry too much about what others do to me or say about me. I can defend myself."

"I know you can and I know I worry too much, but I've got good reasons to." Jack sighed.

The Canadian nodded. He leaned down and kissed him gently. Matthew could never get enough of his touch. He went in for another kiss as soon as they broke apart. Jack smiled into it as his fingers tangled in his hair.

"Je t'aime." The Reaper said kissing his nose.

"I love you too, so much." The Guardian hummed. Matthew smiled and suddenly broke into a yawn. His boyfriend laughed quietly and kissed his collarbone. "Sleep, Birdie."

The Reaper nodded and closed his eyes. Jack rested his head on his chest listening to his heart beat as they fell asleep.

Finished writing on January 9th 2019

Finished editing on January 14th 2019

AN: Done! Might do a third to this series since DFTR has three books. I still want to wrap up Bunny vs Matthew as well as getting the souls back from Pitch. Next fic tho! I'll post an announcement when there's a third.