Chapter Fourteen: Hold On
Toothiana hurried along the sidewalk; apologizing over her shoulder to anyone she bumped into before continuing down the street. She saw the park just up ahead, and her heart skipped a beat. "Excuse me!" She apologized, barely leaping out of a pair of red haired men's ways. She didn't look at them after that, and just darted across the street, waving apologetically as a car screeched to a stop in front of her. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" She shouted as a car bleeped its horn at her.
She hopped onto the sidewalk, her shoes clicking against the cement as she hopped into the sidewalk, where a few lingering civilians remained, all rushing to their homes. They sky was quickly darkening and thunder could be heard rumbling in the distance. Toothiana felt the grass brushing against her ankles as she walked into the park. She looked about, eyes crossing over the trees and benches to find-
A pair of big arms swept her up, spinning her in the air. Toothiana let her head fall back as she laughed, tucking her legs in as he spun her. When he set her back on the ground she turned to face him, rising up on her tiptoes to kiss him. They pulled away, laughing airily for a moment, feeling the rush of adrenaline tingling in her veins. He placed his hands on her cheeks, touching their foreheads together. "You ready, sheila?" he asked.
Tooth took a deep breath and smiled up at him. "I'm ready." She slipped her hand into his. "Let's go." He nodded, kissing her cheek.
"Right," He said, leading her down the street, towards the docks. Tooth looked up at him, gazing strongly ahead: confident that everything would be okay. She smiled, lightly tapping her head against his arm. She heard him chuckle and felt his hand give hers a gentle squeeze. If there was anything to reassure that everything would turn out alright. She felt a twinge of pain in her chest for a moment, but shook it off. She couldn't keep feeling bad about what happened. She'd confronted Pitch and now it was in the past.
She was on her way to a new future. A bright one.
TTT
Jack quickly led Rapunzel up the plank towards the ship, dodging between Ralph and the other workers loading the last of the crates onto the boat. They stepped onto the deck, surrounded by pounding feet and shouting voices. Blurs of color flashed in front of them, arms brushing past their's. Jack looked back at Rapunzel. He was surprised at the panicked look on her face, wide eyes and the corners of her mouth turned down. Jack gently pulled her closer to him, lips brushing against her ear.
"It's alright," He whispered easily, "these lugs won't hurt you." Rapunzel swallowed, nodding her head before she wove her fingers through his.
"Come on," Jack said, walking towards the stairs leading below deck. "For now we'll have to hide you below deck, but when the ship sails I'll take you to North." He gave her a reassuringly playful grin as they began down the stairs. "He'll make sure you get a room and a place with the circus."
"Won't he be mad?" Rapunzel asked quietly as she followed Jack down the poorly lit hallway, passing by several rooms, some filled with people shoving suitcases and bags under bunks while others situated younger children. For moment Rapunzel locked eyes with a red haired boy in green, but he quickly turned away, leaping onto a dresser and belting out a crow's call. Rapunzel laughed, feeling the weight on her chest lighten slightly.
Jack grinned back at her, guiding her down a less crowded hallway towards the room he and Hiccup shared. "There might be someone in my room," Jack said, grinning back at Rapunzel, whose faint smile disappeared. For a moment he felt a short panic grab at his heart before quickly adding, "but don't worry, it's only Hiccup, you know, the one with the dragon?"
Rapunzel forced a brave smile, nodding and squeezing his hand. Jack smiled at her, pulling her closer as he laughed.
"Come on, I promise, Hiccup wouldn't hurt a fly. He's too scrawny to anyways, even if he wanted to." Rapunzel raised her eyebrows at him, opening her mouth to retort when she heard a voice reply from inside an open doored room.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence." A brown haired boy said, standing from his chair and setting down some metal gear that he was trying to work into some sort of machine. Jack smirked at his friend, leading Rapunzel past him into the room. Jack kept his eyes on Hiccup as he looked from Rapunzel to him, eyebrows raising expectantly. Jack could already hear him, 'hey Jack, just out of curiosity… who's the random girl we've never seen before?' Jack sighed, what he'd done was crazy, maybe even on the same grounds as kidnapping.
Did he regret it?
Nope.
"You can sit on my bed, Punz." Jack said, smoothing out the blankets for her and sliding her bag beneath the bunk. She nodded gratefully to him.
"Thank you, Jack." She smiled, sitting down. The springs squeaked under her and Jack blushed slightly. Their furniture was definitely nothing like she'd had in the tower. To her, it was probably the least comfortable surface she'd ever sat on. Jack opened his mouth to make a joke about it when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to Hiccup who was looking at him exasperatedly, his lips pursed tightly together.
Jack rolled his eyes, elbowing Hiccup as he looked back to Rapunzel. "Punz, this is my friend Hiccup, Hiccup this is Rapunzel."
Rapunzel smiled shyly, tilting her head just barely to the side. "Nice to meet you, Hiccup." She said.
Jack saw Hiccup's eyes falter, unsure of how to respond. "Um thanks, the pleasure is all mine-" he paused giving a sharp look to Jack. Jack shrugged. Come on man, it's not that big of a deal. Hiccup sighed, slapping his hand to his forehead.
"Oh!" Rapunzel gasped slightly.
"Don't worry." Jack reassured, "he does that all the time." Hiccup gave him a flat, irritated look and Jack responded with a smirk. Like always.
"Jack can I talk to you for a minute." Hiccup said, his eye fleeting towards Rapunzel for a split second. Jack felt a quick twinge of fear. Hiccup wouldn't turn them in… would he? "Outside." Hiccup clarified, gesturing towards the hall.
Jack turned to Rapunzel. Her lips were turned down in a slight frown, and her eyebrows turned up softly with worry. Jack smiled at her, "I'll be right back." He promised.
She smiled, but Jack could tell it was forced. He felt a twist of pain in his heart. Don't worry, Punz. He thought as he followed Hiccup out the door. I promise everything will be okay.
From outside he heard the low rumbling of thunder. Looks like there's going to be a storm. He thought, letting the door fall closed behind him.
In a flash, Hiccup had turned to face him, an almost comically scolding look on his face. Jack snickered crossing his arms, "Ok, Hic." He said, leaning against the door. "What is it?"
Hiccup shook his head, rubbing his temple as though the answer should be obvious. "Who is that?" he asked, gesturing towards the door. Jack sighed and shook his head.
"I told you; her name's Rapunzel."
Hiccup gave him a serious look, "you know that's not what I meant." Jack looked away. He did not want to have this conversation right now, not after all he'd gone through to bring Rapunzel with him.
"Please, Hiccup-" he tried, stepping closer to his friend and lowering his voice.
The teen put a hand on his chest, keeping the space between them. "Jack, I'm not stupid. I can tell by the clothes that she's wearing that she's not homeless. Hiccup lowered his voice as a crewmember passed. "That means someone will come after her."
"They'd never find us-" Jack began, but Hiccup quickly cut him off.
"Jack, listen. Not everyone is like us." Hiccup said darkly. "We are nobodies." Jack flinched at his words, but said nothing. They were true… all that they were… was nothing; just a couple of kids working in a circus to get food and shelter. "We could disappear tomorrow, and no one would know it. We can blend in." Hiccup explained, his eyes flashing towards the door. "but someone like her," Hiccup shook his head and began to pace. "You seriously think I didn't notice all that hair?"
Jack shook his head and chuckled, "Well it was worth a try-" He attempted to quip, only to be cut off again.
"You could be arrested." Hiccup said desperately. He suddenly grew quiet and looked away. "Y-you're my best friend."
Jack's eyebrows rose sympathetically. "Hic, I'm sorry-"
Hiccup interrupted, "you know I almost took Merida with me-" he shook his head, leaning up against the wall of the ship. "We talked about it. We made up stories about being together." He laughed wryly. "She always said I'd end up being some scrawny old man that she'd have to push around in a cart." He bit his lip, "but in the end… we knew it would never work." He shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "Now… here I am."
Jack stepped closer, feeling his throat dry up. "I have to do this." He said, leaning in towards Hiccup. "She was…. Trapped." He ran his fingers through his hair, "I would've tried to help her even if I didn't care about her the way I do." He looked up at Hiccup from beneath his hair. "And so would you." Hiccup raised his eyes to Jack's.
Finally he sighed, forcing a laugh. "I guess there'd be no changing your mind. Even if I set Toothless on you."
Jack laughed, clapping Hiccup on the shoulder. "Well I am Jack Frost." Hiccup scoffed and shook his head, walking towards the door.
"Well I guess it would be good to get to know this 'Rapunzel', considering she nearly made me smack you on the head." Hiccup joked.
Jack elbowed him playfully, "I'd like to see you try."
TTT
Pitch stood by the vanity, eyes fixated on one particular object. It was round with little feathers dangling off the strings that cut through it. He knew it was a dream catcher, he had seen them in shops before, but had never bought them. He'd believed they were trivial, especially for someone who specified in nightmares.
He reached out with tentative fingers, slowly curling around the soft leather as he lifted it to his face. It was handmade, and clearly not professional. He felt his mouth twist into a glare. He must have given to her. That damn animal keeper. He grit his teeth, feeling a heated surge of rage boil in his chest.
Then there was a knock on the door. "Enter." Pitch said coarsely, looking as a maid peered in. He ignored how her eyes widened at the sight of the destroyed room. "L-Lord Pitch, the nightmares have spotted Miss Toothiana-"
"Where?" Pitch asked harshly, causing the small maid to flinch.
"O-on Browne Street." She said softly. "It looks as though they're headed to the docks."
A flare of panic flashed in his chest. If Toothinana got on a boat… she'd be gone. He whirled on the maid. "Get the car ready, now!" he ordered coldly.
The woman didn't even respond, simply darting away, the sound of her shoes clattering against the stairs. Pitch turned his gaze to the dream catcher resting in his hands. His brows furrowed into a glare and he felt his jaw lock. He tightly gripped either end of the dream catcher and snapped his wrists violently.
There was a crack as the dream catcher split in half, the strings ripping right in half. Pitch heard the maid at the door once more. "The car is ready." She said.
Pitch smiled and straightened his back. He felt the weight of the gun tucked into the waist of his pants. "Good." He said coolly, letting the pieces of the dream catcher fall to the ground.
TTT
Tooth leaned into Bunny's side, feeling his warm palm closed firmly around her own. "Ready?" She heard him ask, turning to look down at her. She met his gaze, feeling warmth spread through her chest. Strangely enough… all the pain she'd felt about leaving Pitch had just washed away. Yes, she still felt bad that she had hurt him, but she'd also accepted that she needed to do what made her happy.
She stood up on her tiptoes, kissing Bunny on the cheek. He laughed, slipping a kiss to her lips. And happiness meant being with him. She smiled, "I'm ready." She replied. For a moment they just looked at each other, and everything felt so right. Like nothing could go wrong.
Then out of the corner of her eye she saw them. Crossing the street towards them was the Stabbington brothers. Tooth's eyes widened and she immediately grabbed onto Bunny's arm. "Run!" She exclaimed, yanking him down the sidewalk lined with stores that had closed for the night. Thunder rumbled overhead, mixed with the sound of footsteps slamming into the pavement.
Just as they passed two stores, Tooth felt a tug on her arm, she gasped as Bunny shouted to her, "This way, sheila!" he pushed her ahead of him into an alley way, cutting through the streets as they tried to outrun the two brothers.
"Stop!" One of them shouted roughly as the rain began to fall, making the ground slippery, especially in her heels. Tooth yelped as she nearly lost her footing, only to be grabbed around the waist by Bunnymund.
"Don't worry, I've got you." He murmured in her ear, sharply rounding a corner. Tooth's heart hammered in her chest as she saw three more nightmares join the brothers. Please, no! She thought.
Ahead of her was a sort of intersection where two alleyways met. She could hear the ocean waves not far off. They would make it! Then, just in front of her another nightmare appeared, snaring his arms around her wrist.
"Oi!" She heard Bunny shout as he leapt towards her.
"Let me go!" Tooth shrieked, cracking her fist against his jaw. His head snapped back as Bunny grabbed the nightmare by the shoulders, swinging his leg straight into the man's groin.
The nightmare let out a sound that was somehow a mix between a pig squealing and someone gasping for air. "Come on!" Bunny shouted, grabbing her hand and leading her further down the street. "We've almost made it!"
Tooth heard a blast from behind her and screamed, covering her head with her free arm. "Those bastards!" She heard Bunny shout as he cut through another corner. The rain fell heavily now, nearly blocking her vision. Tooth simply tightened her grip on Bunny's hand as the maneuvered their way through the labyrinth of alleyways.
Bunny had slipped her through so many side streets that she wasn't even sure where she was anymore. For a moment, they were completely alone, gasping for air as they tried to find a new route. Tooth felt a twinge of despair in her heart. How could they possibly get away? With Pitch's entire army after them? Tears burned at her eyes. Why? She asked, Why does it have to be this way?
"Hey," Bunny said, catching her face in his hands. "Don't you do that." He said, looking straight into her eyes. "Don't you dare give up." He said, touching his forehead to hers. "We are going to be fine."
Tooth took a shuddery breath, nodding as the tears that had risen in her eyes subsided. It's going to be ok. She said.
She opened her mouth to speak, but was quickly shouted down by the noise of approaching nightmares. Bunny quickly pulled her flat against his chest as they slipped into a narrow alleyway, shrouded in shadows. Tooth's heart was beating so hard she was certain it would burst from her chest.
She held her breath as the footsteps grew closer. Then the soldiers began to pass by, first the Stabbington brothers, with their guns held high, then a few nightmares who straggled behind, passing right by them.
It took everything Toothiana had not to burst into a relieved laugh. She felt a gentle nudge of her shoulder and looked to see Bunny beginning to slide down the alley. Tooth quickly nodded and followed, easing past the bricks with more ease than Bunny.
When they slipped out, Tooth finally sighed with relief. She felt Bunny sweep her into a hug. "We made it." She whispered in his ear. "We're safe."
There was a soft click that rung through the air louder than any canon shot. Bunny set Tooth on the ground slowly, his eyes fixed on the person standing behind her. Tooth slowly turned, feeling the familiar sinking dread in her stomach. She knew who was behind her, waiting in the shadows.
Her purple eyes met his amber ones, and once again she felt a cruel, twisting fear writhing in her chest. Then her eyes were drawn to the silver object clutched in his hands. A gun. She realized, icy fear shooting up her spine. Instantly Bunny stood in front of her protectively.
"No!" Tooth exclaimed, grabbing for his arms.
Pitch laughed, his voice breaking through the air. "Oh this truly is a sight." He said, grinning maniacally. "My wife, and the rat from the circus trying to protect her." Pitch's smile melted away, transforming in a bitter snarl. "As if I'd want to hurt her." He chuckled again, shaking his head. "Oh no, I'm here for you." He said icily to Bunny, whose back instantly straightened. "I figured I should deal with the problem head on. That way…" He paused. "it won't be able to come back." Tooth felt a painful twist in her chest. Maybe even a snap as she lunged forward.
"Please Pitch!" She begged desperately, putting a hand on Bunny to keep him behind her, "don't hurt him! I swear I'll do anything-"
Pitch's brows raised as Bunny quickly exclaimed, "No Toothy-"
"I promise everything will be as it was!" Toothiana swore, forcing herself to stand tall. "Just don't hurt him." She felt Bunny's hands on her shoulders as he spun her around.
"I won't let you do this!" He looked at her desperately. Tooth swallowed the lump that formed in her throat.
"It isn't your choice." She said with a cracked voice. She felt Bunny shudder at her words as she looked to Pitch.
A smirk played on his lips, "Very well, my dear Toothiana." He said, holding out an arm to her. "I've never been able to refuse you, now have I?" he said in such a way it gave Tooth's mouth a rancid taste. She pulled away from Bunny, whose arms had gone limp. Tears plucked at her eyes as she felt Pitch's icy grip on her arms. "Wise choice, love." He whispered in her ear. Toothiana shuddered, choking down a sob. "Now then," Pitch added, raising his gun at Bunny. Tooth's eyes widened as she clutched at his suit.
"No!" She shrieked shrilly, "You promised-"
"That I would not harm him." Pitch looked at her with a twisted grin. "I promise he will not feel a thing-" He began, looking back to aim at Bunny.
Everything in Toothiana's world slowed. She could see Pitch's finger move to the trigger she could see Bunny's eyes on her, soft and sad.
Loving.
A scream burst from her as she snatched at Pitch's arm, using all her strength to grab onto him and pull the gun away from Bunny.
Then, there was a deafeningly loud bang.
TTT
Toothiana fell.
Bunny's eyes widened and his breath caught in his chest painfully as a shout burst from him, echoing off the alley walls and ringing shrilly in his ears. He lunged forward, tumbling to the ground a few feet from her. He heard her whimpering, her small form shaking as he scurried across the ground, scraping his palms against the cobblestone. "No…" He gasped, "no, no, no, no!" He said, voice shaking as he looked at her, hair splayed across the cold ground, shoulders shaking as her arms flattened across her stomach, red staining the purple fabric of her dress and spilling out onto the street.
Her eyes watered and she bit down on her lower lip in a pitiful attempt to stifle the soft whine's slipping from her lips, "Shh, shh sheila, it's ok." Bunny insisted, panic setting into his voice as he gently tried to move her hands from the wound.
"Ahng!" She squeaked, her shoulders tensing as her hands shook, trying to still clutch her hands against the blood-soaked clothe.
"I know it hurts, sweetheart, I know, b-but you're going to be okay." Bunny stuttered, pressing his hands against her stomach in an attempt to stop the bleeding. "It's going to be ok, Toothy." He said, his hands slowly staining red. Oh god, please stop. He begged. Blood gushed from beneath his fingers, rolling down her sides, marking little red tracks in the fabric of her dressHe needed to find her help. He had to get her back to North, or to a doctor. "I'm going to pick you up, okay?" He said gently. Bunny moved one hand to her back, pulling her up against his chest.
"Ah!" She yelped, eyes widening. Bunny looked at her ashen face. She reached up to him, face twisted in pain. She coughed, whining as her body wracked against his arms. There was a horrible gurgling noise as blood leaked out of the corner of her mouth. No. He thought frantically trying to think of what to do. I can't move her! I-I'll just have to stop the bleeding. Until help comes! He turned back to his hands, pressed firmly against her wound. For a moment, her fingers brushed his cheek.
"Don't worry, you're going to be fine, I pro-" He began. But then, her whimpers suddenly halted, and he felt her fingers slip away. His heart stopped, and he looked back to her. Her eyes were only half open, and both her arms lay curled over her chest. Her eyes… her bright eyes were dull.
"No…" He choked, "No, Toothy, please…" Bunny whispered with a strained voice, his hands moving from her abdomen to her cheeks, smearing the blood across her face. "God, please." He murmured, pressing her against his chest, touching her forehead to his, rocking slowly, and pressing his lips to her ear. "Don't do this to me, sheila." He whispered, "please…" he whispered, holding her as close to him as he could. "Stay with me, please." He begged, voice cracking. "Please, please, please, Toothiana." His eyes watered and tears spilled down his cheeks, running down her paled face. "C'mon, please." He sobbed. The rain soaked through him, running off his skin, mixing with his tears.
She was gone.
Bunnymund's heart stopped. He didn't feel the rain that gently fell against his skin. He didn't feel the soft breeze in the night. He didn't feel Toothiana's body grow stiff in his arms. He didn't feel the tears that scalded his cheeks as the fell from his eyes, landing on Toothiana's colorless face.
He slowly lifted a numb hand and pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear before gently setting her down on the ground. He stood up and stepped around her, careful not to step on even the slightest bit of her dress. He turned his face up to Pitch, his eyes flashing with fury.
Pitch held the gun limply in his hand; his gaze was fixed on the body of Toothiana. "No." He gasped; his hand began to shake lightly. He turned his wide eyes to Bunnymund, "she's not dead." He stated dumbly, stepping foreword and letting his gun clatter to the pavement. He reached out to Toothiana.
A white-hot rage burned up in Bunnymund as Pitch reached towards his lover's body. He bolted foreword and grabbed Pitch by the collar of his robes and slammed him against the brick wall of the alley.
Pitch's head slammed against the wall with a smack and he winced in pain, and then looked down at Bunnymund with wide, amber eyes. They were filled with fear and sadness. Maybe even regret, but that didn't matter now. With a growl Bunnymund slammed Pitch back into the wall, ignoring the pained cry he let out and the blood that began to trickle down the back of his pale neck. "Damn you." He whispered, tears streaking down his cheeks as he stared at the pitiful man before him.
Pitch's amber eyes were wide and his chest was heaving. Almost like he'd just now realized what he'd done. Tears slipped down his cheeks, but the Nightmare King didn't notice, he just turned and looked at the body lying on the pavement not so far away. "Toothinana-"
"Don't you dare say her name!" Bunnymund shouted, throwing the suddenly weak man to the ground. The gruff man reached into his pocket and pulled out a switch- blade, hitting the button so that the blade swung out with a shp.
Pitch eyed the weapon, his expression morphing from terrified to despairing to… hopeful? "Kill me." He ordered, pushing himself onto his knees.
Bunnymund felt a surge of disgust for the slime at his feet. How dare this man order him around, after everything he'd taken from him? He clenched his fist around the handle of the blade tightly before throwing it to the ground. "No." He said through his tightly gritted teeth.
"What?" Pitch asked, his eyes widening. "No!" he shouted, desperation filling his voice. "I killed my wife-" His eyes narrowed and turned dark. "You finish this you wretch!" He shouted.
"It's over!" Bunnymund shouted, kicking the dark man into the rain soaked ground. "She's gone." His voice faltered slightly before growing loud as he said his final words to Pitch Black, "and I want you to live with knowing that you killed her for the rest of your miserable life."
Aster turned on his heals and made his way to Toothiana's body. He slipped an arm underneath her neck and the crook of her knee, and then he gently lifted her up. She was cold in his arms. She retained none of the softness in death that she had carried in life. Bunnymund spared a look at her face. She was still the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen in his life.
He heard the mangled sounds of Pitch's screams and curses rising up into the night. Bunnymund felt a sickening sense of satisfaction as he left the man sprawled on the ground. I hope that bastard lives a long life. He thought cynically as his feet carried him through the rain.
He held her closer to his chest, her hair brushing against his chin. Bunny didn't cry, but he was certain that everything that had once held him together had been snapped like a thread, and slowly but surely, he was falling apart.
A/N: Review?