Chapter 25

Jack is a little nervous in the days preceding her planned meet up with the Tooth Fairy - with Tooth. Before running into the other spirit, she'd never really given much thought to what she did, or the purpose behind it. The Tooth Fairy takes and/or collects teeth, it seemed fairly self explanatory. Learning that there was an actual meaning behind it, that Tooth held the memories of the children whose teeth she collected, that she might have not just Jack's, but Emma's-

It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Plus Tooth had come off as earnest and truthful, no trace of guile or deceit, so the chances of this being some sort of trick were very slim.

The only thing she really needs to worry about is how to tell Pitch that she's going to be gone for an unknown amount of time going through the Tooth Fairy's collection of teeth. She'd thought about not telling him - they're much closer now and spend more time together but they don't live completely in each other's pockets (or rather Jack in Pitch's labyrinthine network of caves). They take time for themselves, as well as time to simply do their jobs.

Then Jack actually thought about the logistics of the Tooth Fairy's job - how many children there are in the world, how many teeth each of them have, and then she realized they would also have to account for past children, those who were now adults as well as those who were no longer alive. It could take days to find what she was looking for, if not weeks. She did not want to disappear on Pitch for that long with no warning. Not only would it be rude, but it could possibly provoke him to tear the whole world apart looking for as he feared the worst due to a lack of information.

No, she would tell him of her plans, assuage any concerns he may have in whatever way she could - and now that they were having sex she had many ways - and hope that if all else failed she could sic Mother Nature on him since she seemed to be the only person besides Jack that Pitch didn't outright despise, and would therefore maybe listen to.

How to bring up such a thing though…

"So I'm gonna go to the Tooth Fairy's palace for a while to look for my sister's memories. Not sure when I'll be back."

"I'm sorry, you're what?"

Hmm, maybe being blunt wasn't the best way to go for this.

Jack huffs out a mildly irritated sigh while drawing little spirals in the snow with her staff. "You know you really didn't have to come," she says.

"Of course I did," Pitch sniffs, standing off to the side behind her ramrod straight in that way he insists isn't looming but totally is. "I must impress upon Toothiana the importance of your safety."

"What's gonna happen, is she gonna hit me with a - wait, her name is Toothiana?" Jack asks, eyes squinting up in confusion. "That's- I mean, I guess that tracks, Tooth, Toothiana, that makes sense."

"Remind me to never tell you my full name," Pitch mutters.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Oh look, it's the overgrown peacock."

"Peacocks are male you senile- oh, hi Tooth!" Jack grins overly wide, using a showy twirl to shift her staff into a position that will make it easier to poke Pitch in the gut if he starts to make trouble.

"Hello Jack," Tooth replies, looking slightly nervous. "And Pitch."

"Toothiana," the Bogeyman acknowledges with a stiff nod.

"Sorry about the chaperone, I didn't know how long this was gonna take and he gets cranky if he doesn't know where I am, and then he insisted on coming to threaten you," Jack deadpans.

"Oh," is all Tooth says, because what else is there to say. "Well, uh, I'm not going to hurt Jack, I'm actually trying to help."

"Know that if you do cause any harm to come to her I will exact retribution," Pitch replies softly but with malice.

"Noted," Toothiana says with a strained, close lipped smile.

"I can't take you fucking anywhere," Jack mutters, dragging a hand down her face. She turns around, then hooks the crook of her staff around Pitch to yank him closer to her. "Listen, I'm gonna be fine, okay? I'm not gonna suddenly abandon you, and no one's gonna kidnap me or anything." She meets his eyes, blue and smoldering silver amber locked. "I'm going to come back to you, because I'm yours as much as you're mine." She reaches up with her free hand to caress his cheek. "Now give me a goodbye kiss."

Pitch obliges eagerly, and the kiss goes on for a bit longer than it ought to considering they have company, but Jack figures that indulging Pitch now will lead to less mayhem later on. "When you return," Pitch murmurs when they reluctantly part, "we'll have to make up for lost time."

"It's a deal," Jack replies, tangling their hands together and letting her frost nip at his fingers. "Just remember to behave while I'm gone. Well, behave or don't get caught," she adds with a mischievous grin.

"Devious little imp," he teases.

"Asshole," Jack retorts. They exchange borderline soppy smiles before Jack turns back toTooth, who is pointedly looking away from them, a pretty pink blush high on her cheeks. "Sorry about that, ready to go now," Jack assures her, her own cheeks dusting a slight lavender.

"O-okay," Tooth squeaks, unable to make eye contact. "Just uh, follow me." She takes off quickly and the wind gives an extra oomph to push Jack to catch up with her.

"So the, uh, gossip you were talking about before?" Tooth asks once they are out of Pitch's sight. "Regarding you two? Was that about…?"

"Yeah, it's a, well, recent development," Jack says.

"Last two months recent or…"

"Last two months," Jack confirms.

"Well, that's good to know," Tooth says. At Jack's quizzical look, she explains. "If you were together before then Aster- Bunnymund," she clarifies, "would be absolutely unbearable."

"Yeah, I can see that," Jack nods. "He kind of already is."

"He means well, he's just… excitable."

"That's one word for it," Jack mutters, and Tooth chuckles. "I didn't get to ask before with Pitch looming, but how long do you think it'll take to find the teeth?"

"Honestly, it could take weeks," Tooth admits with a grimace. "There are so many children and so many teeth, it could take a while to find yours or your sister's. If I could make a request?"

"Of course."

"If it does take longer than we expect, take a break and go visit Pitch. For both his sake and mine."

Jack laughs a little. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. He can get a bit… well, you saw him."

"Yep, I sure did," Tooth agrees hurriedly, her face red.

Jack snickers at the other spirit's embarrassment, absolutely unrepentant. She may be a little annoyed at Pitch still for insisting on accompanying her to meet the Tooth Fairy like she's a goddamn child, but she can't deny the results are amusing as hell.

One of the best parts of writing this fic is Jack's reaction to the on-brand names. The Bogeyman is called Pitch Black, okay, whatever. Easter Rabbit is called Bunnymund? Ok, that's convenient (no one tell her the rest of his name is E. Aster). There's a guy in the Moon and they call him Manny? Okaaay, little weird. The Tooth Fairy is named Toothiana, now hold on just a goddamn minute.

Pitch insisted on being included this chapter, I originally hadn't planned on him being there but he got clingy and upset so I had to include him being a jealous and concerned boyfriend. The snark happened naturally from there. (Is it exhibitionism or Pitch being possessive, vote down below!)

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, drop me a comment letting me know what you liked!