Chapter Eighteen

"Who did this to you?" The Guardian asked.

'pitch, missal and bunny.' The Reaper wrote. He turned the notepad and showed North.

The Guardian read his message and anger flashed across his face. His nose wrinkled in disgust. He looked like he was ready to go find the trio that moment. Matthew kept writing.

'i dont know the exact details about what happened. i know they caught jack to lure me. i dont know how/who broke his leg. his staff is completely gone. fire spirit burned it.' The Canadian bit his lip thinking of the best way to word the next part. 'jack hasnt exactly told me but hes let bits and pieces slip. im fairly certain bunny raped him.'

The older Guardian's eyes widened reading what he wrote. His expression changed to anger, but quickly moved to sadness.

'hes having nightmares and panic attacks because of it. probably because of what happened to me too.' Matthew's eyebrows furrowed. 'he doesnt want anyone to know. i think he feels guilty. i dont know what to do or say to help.'

It took the Guardian a moment of thinking before he spoke again. "Suggest talking to a therapist?"

'i doubt hed go for it.' The Reaper wrote shaking his head. North put a big hand on his shoulder.

"If it's coming from you, he'll be more likely to listen." North said and he nodded. "Are you okay?"

'i know its not my fault but i still feel guilty. maybe if i didnt sleep that day or payed more attention to the wind i could have stopped it.' He wrote. 'i know jack feels the same about getting caught. nothing wouldve happened if he got away.'

"It's neither of your faults." The Russian said reassuringly patting his back. Matthew nodded.

'im trying to convince jack that.' He wrote.

North asked him a few more questions. He answered every one. After, he wrote down everything that had happened to them. The Guardian patiently read through his notes.

'please burn these or something.' Matthew wrote gesturing to the papers he'd been tearing out as he wrote. 'jack cant know ive said anything.'

"Of course." North said. He gathered up his notes. "This conversation never happened. I will not act any differently around him." The Canadian smiled as a thank you closing the note book and giving it back. "Try to get some sleep." Matthew nodded. He did feel more sleepy. "Remember to mention the therapist."

The Reaper nodded again. North pulled him into a hug before letting him go. He started to slowly walk towards their room. He quietly stepped inside seeing Jack was still asleep. Matthew slowly settled in bed hoping not to wake him. The Guardian woke and shifted turning over snuggling into his chest. He let out a content sigh and was out again. The Canadian relaxed putting an arm around him and closed his eyes attempting to sleep.

—-❄️"You can't lose what you never had, but you can go into debt."❄️—-

The next day Matthew woke up late. Jack was already awake just curled up on his chest. He smiled brightly seeing the Canadian had woke up.

"Morning, Birdie." The Guardian hummed reaching up and brushing some hair out of his face. Matthew smiled gently. "Hungry?"

The Canadian nodded through a yawn. He stretched before wrapping his arms around Jack. He was still sleepy and didn't want to get up right away. The winter spirit hummed at the warmth stretching up to kiss him. He sighed resting his head on his chest waiting for him to wake up more. It took about a half hour before the Reaper was fully awake. Jack tugged him into a sitting position before pulling him to stand. He was barely able to move him, but the Canadian let him.

"Birdie, pancakes!" The winter spirit bounced eagerly. "Please?"

Matthew nodded and they started to walk. Both moved a lot slower then they used to. Jack always stayed right next to him as the Canadian navigated then through the pole. They tried to avoid yetis as much as possible. The kitchen wasn't that far of a walk, but they still had to stop more than once for Matthew to catch his breath.

When they got to the kitchen, it was empty. Jack left the Reaper's side to gather ingredients. He brought over all the supplies for him to start cooking. He started to make the batter and heat up the pan. The Guardian hopped up and sat on the counter next to him. He watched him cook and waited patiently for their breakfast.

Matthew finished cooking and they both sat down to eat. Jack was happily crunching on his frozen pancakes and syrup. The Canadian never understood how he didn't break teeth. If Tooth had seen him eating that way, she'd have a heart attack.

"What do you want to do today?" The winter spirit asked after they finished dishes. Matthew just shrugged. He didn't really care. "Want to go sit at the window?"

The Canadian nodded. He offered Jack his hand. He took it as they started walking. They stopped by their room to grab a note pad. He forgot to bring it earlier. Getting to the window was a struggle for Matthew. There were several flights of stairs to climb. He thought about going through a shadow, but didn't want to leave Jack. He also thought it might actually help his lungs if he did difficult things.

Matthew sat on the window bench and opened his arms for Jack. The winter spirit smiled and climbed into his lap. He hummed pressing his back to his chest. The Reaper handed Jack his note book. He opened it and started to doodle. He rested his head on his shoulder to watch.

The Canadian's mind started to wander. He went through a few souls he'd set aside. Their cases were complicated and he wanted to make a good judgment. There were also the souls he couldn't get to. He wanted to go help them, but didn't. He knew he could fly, but not high up. There wouldn't be enough oxygen. If he flew low it would easier be for spirits to see and attack him. He couldn't die anymore, but didn't want to get hurt. He knew he couldn't fight in his current condition. He also wouldn't leave Jack.

Matthew remembered what North had suggested earlier. He reached out and gently took the pen from the Guardian. He just let him take it knowing he had something to say. The Reaper flipped the page not wanting to disturb Jack's art.

'what would you think about talking to someone?' Matthew wrote.

"What?" The winter spirit asked confused.

'about what happened?' He clarified

"I talk to you." Jack said. He wasn't exactly lying, but he didn't know the full story. He wouldn't tell him.

'i mean a pro.' The Canadian wrote. He wished he could see the Guardian's face. He couldn't from where he was sitting. 'a therapist?'

"No." The winter spirit said quickly shaking his head. "I don't want anyone else to know."

'i know but i dont know how to help you.' Matthew wrote slowly trying to think of the best way to word his worries. 'i think it would be a good idea.'

"No." Jack said firmly. "I don't want to."

The Canadian just nodded and handed the pen back. The Guardian started to doodle again. Matthew didn't want to push him into anything he didn't want. He was worried, but knew making him do it wouldn't help. He'd just keep suggesting it and hopefully the winter spirit would eventually agree.

AN: Sorry for the late post! I've been really into Flight Rising again and streaming lol. Completely forgot about this.