If looks could kill, Jack would have died for a second time because Bunny sent deathglares at him whenever he could. The training turned into more of a competition to impress the clueless fairy for Bunny, that honestly only paid attention when it was Jack's turn. They all got alot stronger after a week of unrelenting hours of practice, even Tooth managed to get some good blows in.

"How much more training do we need? Aren't we strong enough now? I am worried about Santa.." Jack asked the Lanky Man who was busy unraveling a tie from a strange-looking package.

Looking up from the old cacky wrapper he began to tear at he let out a flat sigh.

"Soon Jack. And do not worry about that old fool, Krampus needs his blood to be fresh for his precious little ritual, so I am sure he is in good condition"

"Ritual?"

"The black moon requires a drop of fresh blood from all the guardians, once it has absorbed the blood, the stars will vanish, and the sun will cease to exist. The world will permanently be covered in darkness, which would normally be a very good thing for me, but not if Krampus rules it."

The mere thought of what kind of hell that would unleash on the world was highly unwelcomed. Tooth curiously peaked at the box after just finishing a little sparring session with Sandy, just missing what Pitch described the world would be like if Krampus had gotten his way.

Jack remembered the night that he had snuck off, and he knew he had to tell Tooth everything. Of course the image of her in his imagination of receiving the news always broke his heart so he avoided doing it for a while, but the powerful guilt he felt in his chest finally won. "Tooth.. We need to talk"

Her bright eyes tore away from the box and looked up at Jack, who was biting his lip nervous to talk about what was on his mind.

Pulling away from the others, they went where they could have a little more privacy. Jack cleared his throat trying not to look as anxious or as worried sick as he felt. Trying to think of how to start he raked his fingers threw his snow white hair. Tooth saw the distressed look in his eyes and took his hand, holding it tightly.

The pure smile on her face as she looked up at him, made him want to act as if he'd forgotten what he was going to say, but there was no turning back now. It was now or never.

"The truth is, I've been hiding things from you.. You see.. I have had weird feelings towards Pitch.. But-um I don't know what they mean.. And I lied to you before about the bug bite.. It was really.."

Two fingers were placed on his lips before he could finish. "I've already known everything.."

Jack's expression changed from scared to shocked as he heard those words, but then she continued with her gaze slightly downcast as the fingers slid from his pale lips to his chest.

"Sandy told me everything.. I have been waiting for you to tell me yourself...And it seems Sandy's dream dust is loosing its power because of the fake moon, the other night I was only pretending to sleep.. I saw you get up and go to Pitch... And.. I was so scared that you'd leave me.. When you came back I was so happy.." Her voice began to crack slightly with the last sentence, but she pushed away the surge of emotion bubbling up in her chest.

"Tooth, I'm sorry.. I've been so unfair to you.."

Shaking her head she let out a breathless chuckle. "Nah, I've been wondering something though... Is he a better kisser?"

Jack's face flushed at the unexpected question and his voice was caught up in his throat for about five minutes. Honestly, the answer was no. The kisses they shared were always so forced and violent, but what he enjoyed about them was just the touch. Whenever Pitch touched him it made him feel all weird inside for some reason.

"No.. His are rough and Violent.. I prefer your gentle kisses to be honest.."

Which was true, he really did prefer her kisses, though they didn't give him the same feelings he got with other.

The Fairy's beautiful face had a victorious smile on it as she giggled like a schoolgirl.

"Whoever you choose in the end, I will always love you. I know right now your heart is torn, but once you finally decide, I will be there for you always."

Tooth pulled his hoodie and made him bend to her level so she could give him a passionate kiss. For the first time, Jack felt something with the kiss.. It wasn't exactly the same feeling he got when he kissed Pitch, but it was something..

They both blushed as they pulled away, deciding they should join the others again.

Bunny had painted the boring walls in the training room when Pitch had left to give them a little break to brighten it up a bit, without the owner's consent of course which resulted in a melodramatic rant from the outraged boogyman.

"Well if we're gonna be here for a long time, I don't wanna be cooped up in some dull depressing room mate."Bunny argued.

"We are going to leave tomorrow to face Krampus you bloody moron" Pitch quipped angrily

Everyone looked at Pitch with gaping mouths and big eyes. Jack had gotten his fair share of surprises that day, but that took the cake.

Pitch straightened his back and let out an exasperated sigh.

"I've taught you all I can, it is up to you to use that knowledge wisely. I do not plan on getting my hands dirty so do not expect my help."

Though they all knew from the beginning he would make them do the dirty work it still didn't settle very well with the group and got him alot of dirty looks, not that he really cared.

Pitch tossed each of them a black scarf that they all caught and looked at puzzled as if they had been tossed an foreign animal.

"What are these for?" Bunny asked holding the cloth away from him.

"Trust me.. You'll need something to mask his stench.. I am not joking when I say he stinks.. His odor is so bad you might just faint."

Jack crammed the article of clothing into his pocket for safe-keeping, Tooth wrapped hers around her waist, and Sandy wore his like a normal scarf. The dark material wasn't Bunny's style, but he stuffed it into his bag just in case Pitch's words happened to be true.

That night seemed to last longer than most due to the lack of sleep. The dust had lost all of its powers on the guardians, though it worked a bit on the mortals still.

Tooth sat in Jacks lap holding his freezing arms around her shoulders, smiling happily as Jack nuzzled her neck softly. "Ehehe, that tickles.." She whispered

"Oh.. You're ticklish huh? WATCH OUT HERE COMES THE TICKLEMONSTER."

Laughing filled the room as he tickled her playfully. Bunny frowned at Jack, who immediately stopped when he felt the angry glare prickle his skin from across the room.

This was going to be an uncomfortable night.

(Pst. I love you guys. Thanks for reading!)