Chapter Six

Matthew blinked awake and looked around. He was confused. He didn't immediately remember were he was. His body was sore and tired. He was on his back with his hands cuffed above him. His wing ached. He remembered where he was and what happened.

"Birdie?" The Reaper looked to the voice and sighed in relief.

Jack was looking worriedly down at him from the other side of the bars. He noticed there were new fresh burns on his face. He looked warmer than earlier as well. There were dark circles under his eyes. He looked drained. The Canadian wondered how long he was out. He knew the Guardian wouldn't rest until he was awake.

"I'm okay." Matthew said reassuringly. He rolled on his side and got his legs underneath him. "Don't worry."

The Canadian managed to sit upright. The movement disturbed his wing and it hurt. It sent shocks of pain up his spine, but he tried to hide it. The chain between the cuffs on his wrists was wrapped around one of the cells bars. It was already short, but when he sat up it twisted and made it shorter. He couldn't move his hands far.

"But your wing." Jack insisted. Matthew tried to reach out towards him, but the chain stopped him. The Guardian noticed and took his hands in his. "You're hurt."

"You are too." The Reaper said with his eyebrows furrowed.

The winter spirit rarely got hurt. He always ran from other spirits that wanted to fight. His only injuries came from pranks that had gone bad. Normally he just got small bumps or bruises, maybe paper cuts. He only once had broken his wrist. He was to embarrassed to tell anyone at first since he managed to slip on ice, he made less the ten minutes before.

"I'm fine." Jack said quietly.

"You're not." Matthew said meeting his eyes. He knew the winter spirit was trying to hide his emotions. He wasn't too good at it.

The Guardian's expression shifted. He looked scared. He looked ready to cry. The Reaper instantly regretted saying anything.

"I'm sorry." Jack quickly apologized. The Canadian was confused. "I'm sorry. I couldn't stop him. I tried, but he just..." His breathing was quick. "Bunny wouldn't stop. I told him to, but he wouldn't listen!" Tears started to fall. Matthew's eyes widened as he realized what he was saying. "I didn't want it, I didn't."

The winter spirit was panicking. The Reaper wasn't sure how to help him. Jack let go of his hands and pulled away. He was apologizing over and over again. He was shaking.

"Jack, it's okay." The Canadian said. He tried to sound reassuring, but failed.

"It's not!" The winter spirit snapped. Matthew jumped in surprise. Jack looked over and quickly looked away. "I shouldn't have gotten caught! He wouldn't have, he wouldn't have." He stumbled over his words. "You wouldn't be here. You wouldn't be here!" The Guardian realized. "This is all my fault, you hate me, I know, I'm sorry."

"I don't hate you." Matthew furrowed his eyebrows. He tried to reach out, but his hands were caught by the cuff's chain.

"You do!" Jack argued. He was still shaking with tears streaming down his face. "You're lying."

"I can't hate you." Matthew said honestly. The winter spirit still wouldn't look at him. He looked like he was about to speak again, but the Canadian interrupted him. "Jack, you're my best friend. I can't imagine life without you anymore. You're the only reason I'm alive. You know that, right?" He paused and Jack slowly nodded. He was at least listening to him. "You've saved me from myself so many times. You've always been there for me even when I wouldn't let you actually physically be. I can't thank you enough for that." Jack still wouldn't look at him. He was too ashamed. "I love you. I could never hate you." He said. "I promise you'll be okay and we'll get out of here. No one will touch you again."

The Guardian looked up and met his eyes. He knew he wasn't lying, but he doubted himself. He nodded slowly at his words. Matthew wanted to reach out and hug him, but he couldn't. The bars between them and the cuffs stopped him. Jack slowly shifted to him again. He warily took one hand in his. The Canadian smiled gently and squeezed.

"I love you." Matthew hummed rubbing his thumb against the back of the Guardian's hand.

"You shouldn't." Jack shook his head. "Not after all this."

"This doesn't change anything. It's not you're fault." The Canadian said carefully. "I will always love you."

The winter spirit cracked a small smile. Matthew was relieved to see he had stopped shaking. His breath was still a bit uneven, but was almost back to normal. He tried to hide a yawn. The Reaper noticed he looked exhausted. He wondered how long he'd been stuck in the cell. He didn't know if they'd let him rest at all.

"Jack?" Matthew asked. The Guardian looked up at him. "You should rest. You look tired." He quickly shook his head. "I'll wake you if there's even a bug moving." He said trying to convince him.

"Yeah?" The winter spirit asked sceptically.

"Promise." The Reaper said with a gentle smile.

Jack nodded. He slowly laid down with a sigh. Matthew hoped the ground was cooler and would help him feel better. The Guardian never let go of his hand as he tried to get comfortable. He finally managed to settle and let out a breath he'd been holding.

"Birdie?" Jack asked through a yawn. The Canadian raised an eyebrow. "Will you sing for me?"

"Of course." Matthew said. He immediately started searching his brain for a happy song. He didn't know too many, but managed to dig up one. "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time."

The Reaper kept singing until he was sure Jack was asleep. He looked peaceful, but He was watching for any sign of nightmares. He wanted to make sure the winter spirit actually got a good sleep.

Now that Jack was laying out, he could get a better look at his leg. It didn't seem like the bone had broke through the skin anywhere. He wondered if the bone had already fused. He knew Jack would need surgery so walking wouldn't cause him pain. He moved up. The Guardian's sweater was riding up his side slightly. He could see a few faded burns and bruises. There were also a few bite marks. He was angry, but there wasn't much he could do with the anger right then.

Matthew's mind wandered to finding an escape. He quickly checked for shadows, but there wasn't any. Even if there was, he couldn't do much now. The shadow would have to be right underneath him to go through. He'd still be stuck to the bars though. He needed one of the three to break the cuffs or something. He thought the fire spirit would be the easiest to trick. He could melt the metal of the chain or bar. He wondered who had Jack's staff. He might be able to freeze and smash the bars. The Canadian didn't know if he could do it without.

The Reaper felt a shadow appear on the other side of the room. He was about to wake Jack, but the voice stopped him.

"Wait, Matthew."