Chapter Twenty Three

As they walked, the Canadian started to have a bad feeling. He tried to brush it off, but it grew stronger as they walked. He started to think about Bunny. He could show up. He didn't want him anywhere near Jack. He was ready to fight or get the winter spirit away quickly if he had to.

Matthew sighed shaking the thought from his head. He focused on walking. It was still a slightly difficult task for him, especially longer distances. Jack was talking about something. He wasn't sure what since he hadn't been listening, but he started to. He realized he was talking about Jamie and his kids. He smiled listening. The chatter suddenly stopped. Matthew looked up over to him before following his line of sight.

The Reaper quickly stepped in front of him. He raising his wings ready for a fight. They had shifted to metallic. Kumakuro growled from his side. Bunny looked up noticing them. His expression was surprised before it shifted to smug. Matthew noticed he had a bit of a limp. He smirked and turned the corner towards the meeting area. Kumakuro brush past them and started to stalk after the rabbit.

The Canadian lowered his wings as the rabbit left. He turned back towards Jack. The Guardian looked up at him. Fear was plastered all over his face. The Reaper quickly picked him up and started to walk the opposite way of Bunny. Jack hid his face in the crook of his neck and clung to him.

Matthew moved quickly through the pole trying to find a quiet place. His lungs were screaming at him to stop, but he kept pushing. He needed to get Jack away and to somewhere safe. He eventually found and empty supply closet. He went in and quickly shut the door behind them. He leaned against the wall before sliding down with the Guardian in his arms. He held Jack tight trying to catch his breath. He had to concentrate on his breathing for a moment, he didn't want to pass out.

"Birdie?" The winter spirit asked getting his attention. He looked up meeting his worried eyes. "Are you okay?" Matthew nodded quickly and pointed at him. "I'm okay. I just didn't expect him to be here."

The Canadian smiled pressing a kiss to his temple. Jack hummed resting his head on his chest. He listened to his breathing and heart until both had calmed down.

"We should probably go to the meeting." The Guardian said. Matthew's eyebrows furrowed. "I'll be okay. I know he's here now." Jack shifted in his lap and stood up. "He's hurt me, but I'm better now. I'll be okay."

The Reaper smiled hearing his words. He was proud of how far the winter spirit had come.

"Besides, if he tried anything, you and North will be there." Jack shrugged. He offered Matthew a hand. He took it and the Guardian pulled him up. "Oh, and Kuma."

Matthew nodded with a small smile. The winter spirit hummed and stretched up to kiss him. When they broke apart, the Reaper pointed towards a shadow. Jack nodded and they stepped through. They reappeared close to the meeting hall, but not inside it. He wanted the Guardian to have the opportunity to change his mind.

It didn't seem like he was going to as he started to pull the Canadian along. As soon as the pair went into the meeting hall, Tooth flew over. She greeted them excitedly. A few Baby Teeth buzzed around them. Matthew smiled as they perched in his wings and a few in Jack's hair. Sandy floated over and greeted them too. Kumakuro left the spot he was glaring at Bunny from to go to their side.

Both Tooth and Sandy knew something had happened to them. They knew the Canadian couldn't speak. They didn't know why or what happened. Neither of them asked. Matthew felt bad for them always being out of the loop. They weren't around as much as North. Jack wasn't ready to tell them yet. Even if he was, Bunny was there.

North got all their attention and started the meeting. The pair sat on a love seat close to the fireplace. Matthew took the side closer to flames knowing Jack wouldn't like it. He spread out his wings slightly to get them to dry quicker. Kumakuro hopped up next to the winter spirit and curled up.

There wasn't too much to talk about. They debated whether or not Pitch was gaining power. The Canadian didn't have a good way to get their attention and just waited until they asked. The Russian realized he didn't have a note book and gave him his.

'pitch hasn't taken any souls since we got back.' Matthew wrote and Jack read it out loud for him.

North nodded listening to him. He was relieved. The Canadian's eyes wandered to Bunny. His expression was surprised, but quickly shifted to anger before returning to neutral. Tooth and Sandy looked relieved as well. They talked for a while longer before both had to leave to do their jobs. Bunny stuck around.

Matthew and Jack stayed on the couch together. The Canadian was just waiting to see what the rabbit would do. Jack seemed content to just glare. North was having a very stale conversation with him. He looked like he was trying to end it and get him to leave. The rabbit didn't seem to get the hint. It took him a while before the Guardian of wonder finally told him he had to get back to work, Christmas was soon.

Bunny started to leave. Matthew watched him. He noticed he wasn't opening a tunnel like he used to. The Reaper smirked and made a small forcefield just high enough for his foot to catch. Bunny yelped falling flat on his face. Matthew bit his lip trying to keep himself from smiling. Jack burst out laughing. He quickly covered his mouth, but it didn't help much. North was just watching with a small smile.

The rabbit glared as he got up, but neither one was fazed. He started to walk again, but on his first step, he slipped on ice and fell backwards. Matthew blinked in surprise before laughing silently. The winter spirit smiled brightly up at him still laughing. Both looked back towards Bunny seeing he was just getting up again.

The Canadian smiled mischievously making another forcefield for him to trip on. Bunny fell flat on his face again. Each time he got up and tried to walk one of the pair would mess with him. North was pretending not to see anything while chanting with a yeti.

After the fourth round both were dying of laughter. The Guardian of hope glared at them. He stood, but tapped his foot making a tunnel. It looked like it was painful. He quickly hopped into the hole disappearing. Matthew and Jack were still laughing as North came over.

"Small revenges?" The older Guardian asked. They both nodded. "I'm proud of both of you." He smiled gently. A yeti quickly grabbed his attention asking about a toy design.

Jack sighed with a small laugh. He stood up and offered the Canadian his hand. He took it and pulled him up into a kiss. Kumakuro hopped off the couch and followed them as they started to walk. Matthew quickly realized where the winter spirit was leading them. He smiled as they settled on the window bench over looking the arctic below.

Jack was in his lap resting against his chest. He was humming quietly to himself. Matthew brought his wing in front of him and started to preen. The Guardian noticed what he was doing and stopped his hands. He took over and started to preen for him. The Canadian smiled loving the feeling of Jack's fingers playing with his feathers. He could almost fall asleep. He pressed a kiss into the winter spirit's hair. He rested his head on his shoulder watching him work.

Finished writing on March 4th 2021

Finished editing on March 11th 2021

AN: All done! And this maybe the last fic I'll be posting. I still like writing and stuff, but I don't have the time/motivation anymore. Maybe in the future I will, but not right now. I do have ideas for stuff I wanted to do and the plans for a few are done, they just need to be properly written. That most likely won't be anytime soon though.