Chapter Fifteen

"Please, Birdie." Jack said quietly. His voice sounded awful. It was rough from screaming and crying. "I'm sorry. I know it's my fault you died. And I know I promised you to be happy. I will be, maybe, eventually." He sighed. "Please don't haunt me."

Matthew's eyebrows furrowed. He knew it was going to be hard for the winter spirit to understand. He wanted to tell him he was there, it was really him and he was okay. He hated that he couldn't. He didn't want to touch Jack and scare him. He didn't know if he had a handle on his powers, but didn't think any noise he could make would actually grab his attention. He carefully reached out and gently touched his shoulder.

Jack jumped in surprise letting out a strangled yelp. He sat straight up and turned to him eyes wide. His back was against the wall and he was looking for an escape. The temperature in the den dropped. His eyes finally settled on the Canadian. His expression turned from fear into confusion.

"You're not real, you can't be." The Guardian said quietly. Tears were welling up in his eyes and they threatened to spill over.

Matthew looked at him pleadingly. His heart hurt seeing how pained the Guardian was. He needed to be more patient and not freak him out. He didn't want to scare him. He didn't know if he wanted to be touched and regretted touching him. He extended his hand towards Jack hoping he'd take it. He just shook his head.

"You're gone. You're not real." The Guardian said. He closed his eyes and took a breath. He opened them and looked at him. He looked surprised he was still there.

The Reaper met his eyes and looked insistently to his hand. The winter spirit hesitated and shook his head again. He was just staring at his out stretched hand. Jack slowly started to reach out, but stopped and pulled back. He looked up to Matthew's face before reaching out fully. His fingers barely brushed the Canadian's and he recoiled away. He watched him carefully for a moment breathing quickly before reaching out again. He slowly took his hand. Their fingers interlaced together.

Jack squeezed his hand and the Reaper squeezed back. Tears started to fall as he slowly crawled towards him. The winter spirit kept his hand in his. He kneeled in front of Matthew looking up at him in disbelief. He placed his other hand on the Canadian's chest. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and disbelief as it was solid. His hand shook as he moved from his chest to his neck before cupping his jaw. The Reaper leaned into his touch watching Jack's expression carefully.

The Guardian burst into happy tears. He tackled him pulling him into a hug. Matthew hugged back tightly. He moved his wings and cocoon them inside. He slowly rocked them back and fourth to try and calm him. Jack's fingers were tangled in his robe as he buried his face in the crook of his neck. The Canadian rested his head on his and rubbed gentle circles into his back with one hand. The other was still holding on to the winter spirit's.

Matthew couldn't help, but cry too. He never thought he'd get to see Jack again. Let alone actually hug and touch him without bars or not being fully physical in his way. He thought he'd only see him again in his next life. He knew he wouldn't know him or them if he did. He was more than happy to be there just hugging him.

"You're really here." Jack said slowly. His voice was shaky, but he'd stopped crying. He sounded like he couldn't believe what was happening. "How?" The Reaper shrugged slightly, but he didn't notice. "Birdie?" He pulled back to look up at him. Matthew sighed and attempted to speak again, but nothing came out. "You can't talk? Are you okay though? It's the same you? You remember everything?"

Matthew nodded reassuringly at each question. The winter spirit sighed with a tired smile resting his head on his chest. He listened to his heart beat. The Canadian gently rested his chin on the top of his head. He smiled seeing him smile. The pair sat together quietly. He was still listening to his breathing and heart.

"I still feel like I'm dreaming." Jack mumbled. His hold on Matthew's robe tightened. "I am, aren't I?"

The Reaper shook his head and the Guardian smiled. Matthew had so much he wanted to say, but didn't have a way to communicate it to him. He felt awful for leaving him alone. Especially with how fragile his mental health had been. He couldn't imagine how he felt and the pain he'd gone through. He had to settle with just being able to hold him tightly for now.

"You're not mad at me?" The Guardian asked. Matthew quickly shook his head. Jack could feel him move. "But it was my fault." The Canadian shook his head again hugging him tightly. "It was, Birdie." He was trying to convince him, but Matthew shook his head. "It was. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. If I hadn't have got caught none of this would have happened!"

Jack was rambling. The Reaper noticed he was starting to panic. He kept apologizing over and over. He was starting to shake. Matthew gently put a hand over his mouth to stop him. The winter spirit looked up at him. His eyes were wide and confused.

"It's not your fault." The Canadian mouthed. Jack's eyebrows furrowed trying to read what he was mouthing. He repeated and the Guardian slowly nodded. "Please believe me." He nodded again. "I love you."

Jack bit his lip and hid his face in the crook of his neck. Matthew hoped he understood what he was trying to tell him. He seemed to, but wasn't sure.

"I love you too, Birdie." The winter spirit said after a moment of quiet.

Matthew could tell by his tone he was unsure of himself. Jack didn't fully believe that it wasn't his fault and he loved him. The Reaper knew him just staying and being there for him was the first steps to show him he was wrong. His actions would help to change his mind. He knew it would take time to convince him. He didn't mind.

The pair sat cuddled together in the small den. Matthew was comfortable holding the Guardian closely. He could have fallen asleep. It seemed like Jack was the same. He didn't want to fall asleep though. He wanted to go back to the pole and let North know they were both fine. He wanted Lizzy to check the winter spirit and himself just to be safe as well.

The Reaper slowly shifted sitting up. Jack looked up at him curiously. He moved his wings and tucked them behind his back. He pointed to the tunnel to outside. The Guardian quickly shook his head.

"I don't want to." Jack said looking at the tunnel. "What if you go away?"

Matthew squeezed his hand and shook his head. The winter spirit met his eyes before looking at the tunnel again. His eyebrows furrowed, but he nodded.

AN: I'm actually on time, this time lol.