He shouldn't have ignored Bunny after he and Sophie fell into that lake. Bunny had told him even though he was immortal, he could still get sick.
In his defense, Bunny should've known he wouldn't listen.
He thought, maybe, his immortality might've also counted for his immunity system.
Apparently not.
It wasn't bad, he was just tired. And hot. But other than that he felt fine.
Well, except for his legs, which felt as if they were made of jello, that they would collapse at any given moment.
But they also felt like they were heavier than concrete at the same time.
Trying to lift a limb on his own felt like he had just run a 5 mile race.
And his hoodie wasn't helping his case either.
Was he wearing five layers instead of just one?
He swore his head was holding a vendetta against him.
A pounding headache to go along with the slight ring of tinnitus was leaving Jack to suffer in silence.
Talking wasn't even a possibility with his throat feeling as though he'd just gargled a bucket of nails then swallowed a cup of salt water.
The Guardians certainly took notice the moment he landed in the Workshop. His sluggish movements paired with his silence was just enough to get the original four to investigate.
"Jack, are you feeling okay? You don't look so good" Tooth spoke before she even reached the boy in question.
"Yeah, yeah. Tooth, I'm fine. Just didn't sleep right." Jack answered, shooing her off before hiding one hand in his hoodie with the other carrying his staff.
Sandy perked up at this, worried that Jack hadn't been finding his sand bags.
Was he having nightmares again?
"Nightmares?" North asked, his voice weary.
"No, no. Nothing like that. Just couldn't sleep" Jack answered quickly, stealing a glance towards Sandy.
Sandy raised an eyebrow almost as if to say, 'Are you lying to us?'
Jack only responded by pursing his lips and continuing towards the closest seat farthest away from the fire.
Deciding against sitting in a chair or on the couch, Jack opted for the window sill. Farthest from the fire and closest to the cold.
Jack knew that being a winter spirit came with the understanding that the cold was your best friend.
Angry? Cool off in the Arctic.
Lonely? Have a snowball fight.
Injured? Put some ice on it.
Fever? Freeze it off.
The cold was his answer to everything, and today was no exception.
Doing his best to ignore the soft glares coming from the others, Jack took in a shaky breath and willed himself not to break out into a coughing fit. God, he just wanted to hide out in some freezing cave and sleep for a hundred years.
"Right then..." Bunny spoke, tearing his gaze from the sullen winter spirit in favor of the Cossack in front of him.
North clapped his hands together, missing the slight jump from their youngest, "Shall we begin?"
And so the long process of storytelling began. Each Guardian informing the others about what they've been up to, any new ideas to gain more believers and any news of a threat to the children.
Normally, Jack would halfheartedly listen while he waited for his turn, but today if felt as if all effort had been sapped out of him.
He couldn't even bring himself to pretend to care. Staring out the window seemed to be working to sooth his pounding head, so that's what he continued to do. Watch the white powder fall from the sky, smile as Bunny continued to loose the 'Which Holiday is better' argument, and try to keep the coughing to a minimum. Those three things were currently taking up all his energy.
Which is what he would use as an excuse to explain why he reacted so weirdly when Tooth asked him to start his speech.
He looked over to see four pairs of eyes on him. He knew someone had said something to him, but he wasn't sure who or what it was that was said.
"What?" Jack spoke, swallowing thickly.
"Jack, are you sure you are feeling well?" North asked. He didn't look worried, but there definitely was an emotion there. One Jack wasn't used to seeing.
"I already told you. I didn't sleep right last night" Jack repeated.
"Yeah, and we didn't believe you tha first time either" Bunny jumped in.
"Well, it's the truth" Jack argued, frowning as he felt a familiar tickle in his throat.
"Jack, please. We know something is wrong." Tooth shook her head.
He tried to respond, but his lungs had other ideas.
Interrupting his thought process, Jack drew in a big breath and started to cough.
The Guardians were completely caught off guard by the sudden breakout and it only took a few seconds for Tooth to snap out of her shock and put her hand out to comfort the struggling spirit.
Barely able to draw out a proper breath, Jack's eyes squeezed shut as he tried to ward off the violent tremors.
Tooth's hand found it's way to his back and the older spirit did her best to comfort her friend as he rid out his attack.
Frowning slightly, Tooth moved her other hand up to Jack's face and planted it on his forehead.
"Jack! You're burning up!" Tooth yelped as she watched Jack finally take in a much desired breath.
"'S just a chest cold" Jack weakly defended.
Tooth huffed, not believing another word that came out of the frost spirit's mouth.
"This is more than just a chest cold, Jack. And you know that. Why didn't you tell us, we could've helped you" Tooth questioned.
"Because there's no need. It's fine." Jack argued.
"Clearly not, mate. If you're hackin' up a lung like that" Bunny added.
"Because I don't need the pity!" Jack rasped, "I don't need your help. I've taken care of myself before, and I can do it again" Jack reasoned weakly.
North took this opportunity to speak up. He had heard Jack use this reasoning before. The fact that he had been left alone for so long lead him to believe that he had to continue living as if he were still on his own. Which was far from the truth, and North had every intention to let Jack know this.
"Jack, we know you are upset, and you have every right to be. But you have us now, we can help"
Jack paused, clearing his throat, "I don't need help, I'll be fi-"
"Jackson!"
Jack reeled back as Tooth's solid voice rang through his ears.
"Don't you dare say you will be fine. We all see how tired you are and you're too warm for someone who makes snow and ice for a living." Tooth paused as Jack gave a small chuckle, "We don't care if you want to fly out to Antarctica or wherever to recharge, but at least put our minds at ease by sleeping here tonight." Tooth bargained.
It didn't take much for Jack's exhausted mind to give in to the idea of a soft bed to sleep in, "Fine, but only tonight." Jack raised a pointing finger at Tooth.
Grinning victoriously, the fairy darted off to prepare a room for the ill spirit. Jack watched as she raced away before turning back to see the remaining three Guardians glaring lasers at him.
Jack stumbled back a bit, "What?"
"You know 'what'" Bunny mumbled.
"Fine, don't tell me" Jack shrugged, "I don't even care"
The four boys made their way to Jack's room to find Tooth fixing the sheets on the bed.
"Now, we're not going to hover over you because I know you hate that," Tooth began as Jack nodded in agreement, "But I don't want you sneaking off. If you really want to leave, no one is stopping you"
"Yeah. I got it" Jack smirked as the Guardians took their leave one by one to let Jack get situated.
And no one said a word as they all individually climbed the stairs to check on him only to find a tuft of white hair poking out and a lean body contently at rest under the covers.
