Enjoy!
Jack clung onto Raven's mane, briefly noticing that the scene around him had changed from cream sands to lush fields. The cool wind whistling past his ears welcomed him enthusiastically, a small comfort to the spirit. It was a nice change to the humid air that seemed to cling onto him earlier, making it harder for him to breathe; now he could feel the cold winds awaken his lungs and brush the sweat away from his brow.
He could feel Sandy's concerned eyes staring at his back but chose to ignore them, feeling like it would be much better if he could just lie down and sleep. It wasn't often where the spirit would wish he was asleep – usually he was the opposite: energetic and restless, feeling like sleep was a waste of time – but now…he felt a little off his game, to be honest. In fact, he had been feeling unnaturally tired since he got that arrow stabbed into his neck.
The nausea that had taken hold of him earlier had almost left entirely, however, only leaving a slightly uncomfortable feeling in his body. The pain that had also taken over him was definitely gone, and Jack was thankful for that. None of that could be said about his weariness, unfortunately; the spirit was pretty sure that it was increasing by the minute, pressuring him to get some rest. His limbs felt like lead and his head was aching more purposefully each second. His eyelids kept fluttering shut and staying closed for a few seconds at a time until the spirit realised.
Jack snapped his eyes open again, realising what had happened. Again, Sandy's stare seemed to burn through him, and this time he decided to acknowledge it – they were nearing the Warren, and the last thing he needed was Bunny nagging at him. Plastering on a smile better than he felt, he turned to face the sandman.
"I'm fine, really." Jack smiled softly, hoping that he looked reassuring. Sandy looked into his eyes, searching for any doubts. The spirit forced himself to keep his gaze fixed on the golden eyes.
Raven was slowing down now, and the scenery around the two guardians was changing from short, mowed grass to large, wild fields full of colourful flowers and eggs.
"Honestly" Jack repeated, feeling Sandy's doubt, "I'm fine…I think that thing was meant to stun me or something…"
"Jack!" A voice rang out, just as Raven came to a halt, tossing his mane. The spirit turned around quickly, wanting to look away from the sandman, and broke into a weary grin as he saw Tooth flying towards them, balancing a bucket in her arms. On closer inspection Jack saw that it was full of colourful dye.
"I was meant to be taking this to Bunny but – oh, it can wait!" Tooth rambled, dropping the bucket carelessly. She spotted Sandy behind Jack for the first time. "Sandy! You're here!" The fairy laughed and hugged the sandman tightly, pulling Jack into the hug after. This time it was Jack who broke the embrace, not wanting to fall asleep on top of them. Tooth didn't seem too fussed, but the spirit felt Sandy's suspicious look at him from the corner of his eye.
"Come on! I bet Bunny is going to be pleased!" Tooth said excitedly, flying out in front of them. Jack forced himself to laugh, throwing in a careless grin for good measure.
"Pleased I'm here? That's new." He said jokingly, laughing.
"I've decided to help Bunny in the Warren until I have to attend to my own job." Tooth explained, gesturing back to the bucket that had been left behind. "I've never seen him so busy! I think it's going to be the best Easter to date." The fairy looked back at the spirit as they entered a small forest full of dye rivers. Her eyes widened as she noticed the paint staining every inch of the spirit. "Wait – how did that happen?!"
"Bunny's egg bomb." Jack said in explanation. He let out a yawn before carrying on, stretching his arms. "I had to blow up a snake with it." Tooth laughed, and the spirit could feel Sandy's shaking laughter behind him. Glad he had finally distracted the sandman, he rubbed his eyes quickly, trying to clear the fog that was taking over his brain.
"I think you need a bath." Tooth said, raising an eyebrow at the spirit's pink feet. Jack inwardly groaned, just wanting to get some rest. Plus, he never really bothered taking a bath before. Sure, he rolled in the snow a few times, and once had a bath at the Pole when Bunny tipped paint a over him, but he still had experience to gain before becoming confident. He didn't really like water much either.
"I don't need a bath!" Jack did his best to look lively when in reality he wanted to smack his face into Raven's neck and go to sleep without question. "This will come off! Eventually!"
"Never had a bath before, Frosty?"
Bunny appeared through the trees, carrying a pink egg. He dropped it, however, seeing the state the spirit was in. "I guess you used by egg bomb." The rabbit doubled up laughing at the sight of the pink feet. Jack groaned.
Bunny noticed the sandman behind the spirit and smiled, straightening up.
"Nice to see ya well, Sandy." He said, expression softening at the sight of his friend. Sandy smiled back, giving a half-wave, before sliding off Raven's back and into a dream cloud. Jack let his eyes close for a few seconds, feeling the headache he had move from painful to just plain fogginess.
"He's hurt?!" Tooth's cry snapped his eyes open again, remembering that he was around other guardians.
"Who's hurt?!" He asked, rubbing his eyes again.
"You are, ya Dill." Bunny said, a hint of concern in his voice. Great, now someone else was watching him.
"I'm fine." Jack sighed, slipping off Raven's back and next to Sandy. He wasn't expecting to stumble, however, feeling a number pain come from his ribs.
"Steady, Frostbite." Bunny said, steadying him with his paw.
"Just tired." Jack mumbled, rubbing his eyes again. Putting on a brighter act, he straightened up, brushing his hair out of his face. "They're healing, don't worry. Tooth knows how it works." Bunny and Sandy turned to face the fairy curiously. She shrugged.
"He does heal quicker now." She said, "but we'll decide whether they need bandages after you clean yourself up."
"Hang on, Frosty can heal hims –"
"Sure can, Kangaroo." Jack turned back to face Tooth, holding back the yawn that was threatening to spill from his mouth. "I don't like baths."
"You have no choice." Tooth said mercilessly. "There's a bathroom in the Warren – you know where it is – and I know you know how to take a bath." Tooth sighed, smiling at the spirit. "You deserve some rest. Please."
"I don't see how sitting in water is relaxing…" he muttered moodily, "but fine – I'll go take a bath…"
—
Jack lay in the cool water, letting his head lie back on the while bath edge. He stretched his feet out further, his toes brushing the end of the tub.
It wasn't as bad as he remembered really, sitting in a tub full of water. It especially helped the fact that the water was cold, falling deep into the negative numbers. It made it seem less like water and more like ice, which is what Jack could deal with.
The water had pale colours spreading through it and, as the spirit watched them slowly make there way over to his neck, he had to admit that having a bath was a good idea. He hadn't realised how dirty he was.
Jack let out a small groan, glad that his headache was easing, and slipped further into the tub, letting the water wash over his shoulders. Closing his eyes, he let his mind wander, feeling his body relax for the first time in a week. The tiredness was pulling him deeper into unconsciousness and before he knew it, his hand fell limp as he drifted off into a world of dreams.
A loud, echoing cackle surrounded him in the small cave, making a shiver run down his back. It was somehow familiar, but he couldn't place where it had came from.
He was following a trail of liquid – what kind he didn't know – and it suddenly occurred to him he couldn't remember where he was, or how he got here.
What was going on?
Desperate gasps blocked the laughter and Jack moved closer to the sound, slipping on the liquid. He could see a figure in the corner and reached out, extending his fingers –
"Jack? Are you okay in there?" Tooth's worried voice woke him up quickly, sloshing some water out of the bath. Jack sighed, wondering what he had been dreaming about.
"You've been in there for a while." Tooth continued as Jack yawned, sitting himself up in the tub. The tiredness had now completely taken over him, and he could already feel his eyes closing again.
"I'm good, Tooth – this dye just took forever to wash out." The spirit answered, watching the dye stir at the bottom of the water. He sighed, leaning his head back on the bathtub again.
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