His paws were beginning to ache yet he still refused to relinquish or loosen his hold on the side of the sleigh. There was no way he was going to risk another accident, even if the nightmares were now far behind. North seemed blissfully unaware of the neck breaking speed that he was urging the reindeer on at. Right about now, Bunny would take the near unbearable cold of the North Pole over sitting in the sleigh, hurtling hundred of miles an hour over quiet land that had been shrouded in darkness of the night, chasing the moon across the sky.
Slowly- terrified that if he moved too quickly that he would tumble once more from the safety of his seat and fall down again, this time with a more permanent ending- Bunny twisted to look at their resident winter spirit who was still huddled in the corner looking rather defeated and anxious. Even during their whole war with Pitch and the incident at Easter, Bunny had never seen him look the way he did now. The bruising seemed to scream out at him even more now that their was no immediate threat to focus on, accusing him of failing to protect one of their own, a hurtful reminder of the lack of trust that still lay over them and memory of the past.
His stomach churned, but this time not from the sleigh. What had they done? How had they let it come to this? Did they really become so blind that they were ignorant to the fact Jack was in pain? They could have helped.
Then that unreasoned anger flared up again. He wasn't sure exactly what it was directed to, whether it was because Jack had kept this from them in a visible display of distrust to talk to them or because that Bunny, himself, had not noticed sooner. Thinking back, there were so many obvious signs, the way the winter spirit wasn't as energetic as he usually would have been, the stiffness in his posture and movements, and the way he had avoided Tooth when she went to touch him. That made him realise: did the kid have any other injuries that they were still unaware of? Bunny wouldn't put it past him.
He scrutinised his appearance, watching for any other signs of injuries but the winter spirit seemed surprisingly skilled at keeping things hidden. That worried him more than anything and opened his eyes.
Jack had been on his own for hundreds of years. Who was to say he hadn't been hurt before and had no one to comfort him about it? Who was to say he hadn't had to act strong before and grow up too fast in order to survive the spirit world? Bunny had known that the kid's isolation had been hard but only now was he beginning to consider how hard it had really been.
The sleigh lurched violently and Bunny had to return his attention to his vice-like grip on the side of the sleigh, squeezing his eyes shut to prevent the contents of his stomach decorating the inside of North's sleigh. The large man would not be happy about that.
The countryside melted into wastelands of pure white as they neared the Pole, Bunny breathed a sigh of relief as they drew closer to the end of the ride so he could finally get out of this death trap. He cast another eye around the sleigh. For once not a hint of conversation disturbed the occupants. North was too focused on driving the sleigh though he was noticeably less enthused about it. Tooth, for once, was sitting still, lavender eyes troubled as they stared unseeingly straight ahead, although the occasionally troubled glances towards the winter spirit didn't go unnoticed by the rabbit. Sandy was not being discreet about observing the young Guardian, openly staring with a frown drawn on his features. Said winter spirit had not moved from his position since they had left the nightmare army and Pitch far away into the night, curled up in the corner, eyes hidden by snowy white hair, arms wrapped around his knees and staff clutched tightly in pale hands.
There was going to be a lot to talk about when they returned and the Easter Bunny was certain that Jack would not be all too pleased with the added attention. However, that in no means meant that Bunny would go easy on the spirit. He was getting tired of the winter spirits secrets and lies, though it appeared that Jack was no more eager to share than he would have been before he joined the Guardians all those months ago.
As usual, the landing was far from smooth as the sleigh bounced off the ramp before skidding to a stop inside the well constructed icy cavern, just in time to prevent them crashing into the jagged wall.
"Yaha!" North yelled jubilantly, caught up in the joy of landing though there seemed less enthusiasm in his words that usual, throwing arms wide and casting the reins to a standing by yeti, "I tell you everyone love the sleigh," he slammed a large hand on Bunny's shoulder as he left. The giant rabbit was bent double over the side of the sleigh, furry arms wrapped tightly around his stomach to calm its contents.
Bunny awaited the much anticipated taunts from Jack but to his surprise the winter spirit simply slumped past him, after North without another word, head down and shoulders slouched. That sobered Bunny up at once. If Jack wasn't even teasing him anymore then something had to be seriously wrong. For as long as he had known him, Jack had never ignored an opportunity to antagonise the Easter Guardian. Bunny frowned at his retreating back, allowing Sandy and Tooth to leave before following the group.
During the short walk to the globe room, Bunny's eyes remained fixed on their youngest member. There was no sign of discomfort or pain in his step or posture, but the withdrawn appearance was noticeable even to unskilled eyes.
As soon as they had entered the room Jack took a seat, drawing his knees up close to his chest, huddled in a small ball with his staff still clutched in his hand like a comfort. That in itself was unusual. Usually Jack stood, even if the other Guardians had taken seats, or if he were to sit it would be away from them, near the open window where he could be close to the icy chill of the Arctic air and, Bunny now considered, able to make a quick escape if he felt he had to. Only now could Bunny see the boy's insecurities and precautions, even being around them after so long. It appeared Jack was a lot more damaged after three hundred years on his own than they had initially considered.
The rest of the Guardians stood around him, a mix of concern and guilt clouding the atmosphere, intensifying the pressure that was already resting on the winter spirit. Jack still refused to meet any of their gazes. The kid looked exhausted. He had been seemingly fine before and he had no reason to fear the Guardians, there was no apparent strain from his injuries as far as Bunny could tell, so something else was bothering the spirit.
"Jack?" Bunny began carefully, waiting for some acknowledgement from the boy that he was listening before continuing, "Are you gonna tell us what happened?"
Jack shrugged half-heartedly, squirming at the question and stern looks before taking a deep breath and looking up, cerulean eyes fixing on each of the Guardians in turn, as though deducing their motive and reaction. Bunny was about to hurry him on impatiently when Jack spoke.
"I was just playing with Jamie and then this other spirit interrupted us. We talked, it turned a bit more aggressive, then I took Jamie home, safe and sound, and then the lights went off and I came here. No big deal," Jack shrugged, trying to play it down as nothing important, though that was proven to fail when Bunny interjected.
"Come on, mate, don't take us for idiots. Tell us exactly what happened and no grazing over the other stuff. We just want ta help, mate, and we won't be able to if we don't know what happened. This is serious if someone hurt ya, you're part of the group now and we don't want you injured in any way."
"Look," Jack unfolded himself and fixed Bunny with a determined look, "It won't get in the way with my Guardian duties and I can still help you with Pitch. I know you need me to help and can't have me hindering the group but I promise I wont let this," he waved a hand at his face, "disrupt anything. I'm fine and I'm not going to let you down."
"Jack, it's not just that," Bunny frowned down at the winter spirit, "We…we, uh, care about you. We don't want ya getting hurt if we can help it." This was met with one of Jack's own frowns which only confused Bunny more. Did the kid think they only cared about defeating Pitch? Did he think he was only a burden? Did he even think, Man in Moon forgive, that they didn't care about him and would turn him away like they had the previous 300 years if he wasn't useful? That was not right and Bunny would be damned if he didn't let the boy realise that. Sure the kid annoyed him more than anything and they had not been on friendly terms even with him as a Guardian but that didn't mean he didn't care about his well being.
"Jack, let us have a look at that," Bunny's tone was softer than Jack had ever heard it and almost submitted to it before realising, with widening eyes, what was going on and pulling back stubbornly. Bunny heaved an irritated sigh. "Come on, mate, just let us help."
"It's fine. I can take care of it myself," Jack retorted firmly, eyes flicking from the crowd huddled around him who had each shuffled a bit closer as he had begun to talk, making the winter spirit rather claustrophobic. This, however, did not go unnoticed from the observant Easter Guardian. As much as he hated to admit it, his friends weren't being as delicate as they needed to be. Jack was still a kid, and not just that, a kid that had gone 300 years alone and clearly still had trust issues, he did not need to be crowded and gawped at like some critter in a zoo. He needed space to come to them in his own time.
Trying to catch Tooth's eye, emerald met lilac and he tried to convey wordlessly the implication. Tooth always had a talent for understanding others and grasped the message.
"How about some drinks after such a long night?" She suggested, leaning back and clasping her hands together, "You'll come with me North?" It wasn't a question which the Guardian of Wonder failed to grasp initially.
"Hmm?" His thick Russian accent purred, too focused on his worry for Jack, "Why not get yeti-ouch," here Tooth had jabbed him rather hard with her elbow, slapping him lightly on the back of the head when he turned to her exasperatedly. Bunny had to suppress a chuckle at the fairy, as much as her mystical appearance portrayed her as sweet and caring, she was not one to be crossed lightly. Then North finally received the message like a figurative light bulb behind worried eyes, "yes, of course, this way." He spun on his heel and began to lead Tooth away towards the kitchens, casting one last calculating look back at Jack.
Once the sound of the heavy footsteps and rapid fluttering of wings had drifted down the hallway, Bunny and Sandy were left alone with a considerably more relaxed Jack Frost.
"Come on, Jack," Bunny tried again calmly, "Can y'not tell us a bit more of what happened?"
"I already told you," Jack replied irritably, "This spirit showed up and we had a little fight. There's nothing more to it."
Bunny was about to protest "why?" when the golden glow of Sandy's dreamsand caught his attention and he watched intently for the small man's contribution. He frowned at what he translated but nevertheless, reported it to Jack, "Jack? Sandy says he saw you acting strangely in the sleigh earlier and that you appeared to be in pain or… some form of discomfort. Are you injured anywhere else?"
Jack shifted uncomfortably, "I'm fine."
"Jack, come one, just tell us, mate," Bunny persuaded, trying hard not to scowl at Jack's reply. If the kid would just be a little more honest, this wouldn't be too difficult. As it was, it was like pulling teeth. Bunny just couldn't understand why Jack was so reluctant to tell them anything or even admit to being hurt. "Where else are ya hurt?" Jack hesitated, shifting uncomfortably under his hard glare. "You don't have to show us or do anything you don't want to," Bunny reasoned, "Just tell us."
Jack heaved a sigh, "I think I have a few bruised ribs and a bruised shoulder."
"How did you get all tha'?" Bunny gaped, not expecting more than what was visible to them.
"It's a long story."
"It's a long night," Bunny countered. Jack scowled before conceding and uncurling himself fully, so that he sat normally in his seat. That was when, by chance, Jack's hoodie shifted ever so slightly, the blue material innocently dropping a fraction around his neck but opening it up to the view of the dark purple bruises that coated his neck, oddly resembling a hand.
"Jack…Jack…your neck…." Bunny whispered in horror, paw rising sympathetically to his own, eyes widening in shock.
"Oh, yeah, and some bruises on my neck," Jack added to his list of injuries with a shrug of one shoulder, the other Bunny guessed was too painful to move so easily, as Jack reached up unconsciously to touch it before thinking better of it and tugging the blue material so that it lay properly on him and helped cover the storm that tarnished the pale skin.
"Blimey mate," Bunny almost forgot himself, his rage betrayed in his biting tone, "Is there any more you haven't told us about?"
"I'll let you know if I find out," Jack replied calmly, too calmly for Bunny's liking.
"Good," he said simply.
Jack shrunk in on himself, looking uncomfortable once more and Bunny came to the conclusion that maybe he had pushed the boy enough for now, although something was still tugging on his mind, a faint nagging worry that would not release him until it was settled.
Taking a deep breath, Bunny hesitantly asked as though afraid of what the answer would be, "Jack, Pitch said something back there…something that I've been thinking about…he said…he said he could sense your fear, that it was strong and you were very afraid of somethin'. I-it's not us…I mean, you're not afraid of us or anything like that."
At this Jack scoffed, the frailty masked once more by the amused glint in his eye and smirk quirking his lip, pulling at the bruises but making them look less grave, "Afraid of you guys?" Jack raised his eyebrows disbelievingly, "Why on earth would I be afraid of a fluffy kangaroo?"
"For the last time I'm not a bloody kangaroo!" Bunny fumed though there was a small smile tugging at his lips that gave away his annoyed appearance, secretly glad that a bit of the old Jack was returning…though that made him ponder if he really knew who the real Jack was, and that scared him more than anything.
It was at that moment that North and Tooth returned, each carrying a silver tray that hosted the enticing drinks that were much needed. Tooth beamed at Jack smiling again, after the brief experience with the withdrawn Jack, none of them were revelling to see that side of their young member again any time soon.
The Guardians settled in their own respectful seat around the room, each handed a steaming drink, apart from Jack whose drink was comfortably cooled to his liking. Bunny opted to sitting as close to the fire as he could, rubbing his arms and mumbling under his breath about the "bloody cold" and "freezing paws" now that the current Jack crisis was settled- well as settled as it was going to get for the time being. The silence was pressing around the room as each shot glances at the winter spirit and at each other, the worry mirrored in each other's eyes.
"Jack, you sure you do not want any of yeti's to see to injuries?" North pressed through the silence, "Infirmary just down hall."
Jack shook his head, avoiding his gaze but not curling into himself anymore. "I'm fine. I can take care of it. Besides, I've had worse." Bunny's brow creased at the passive answer and put this aside as another thing to question the allusive winter spirit about later when he was more up to it. There was too much wrong about all this. Just how long had Jack been coping with attacks on his own? For that matter, why was Jack being attacked? For how long? The thoughts made his head spin in a wave of guilt and worry knotted his stomach and he had to force the notions away. The others seemed to decide to leave Jack be for now and turned their attention back to plans concerning Pitch.
"He shouldn't even be back yet," Bunny muttered, staring unseeingly into the fire, urging the change of topic to alleviate his sickening worry. "Let alone have the nightmare army that he has. How could this happen?"
"We stop him regardless," North boomed needlessly, taking a chug of his eggnog, oblivious to the small traces of the liquid that caught in his beard.
"North's right," Tooth added softly, "It doesn't matter how he's back: all that matters is stopping him." Her wings shuddered in irritation at the thought of their enemy being out there.
"As great as tha' sounds," Bunny commented, "it's still not much of a plan. He almost took us out last time and I think we need to be a little more prepared this time."
Sandy flashed some pictures in golden sand, the delicate form of a snowflake accompanied by some other symbols.
"Yes," North agreed, "Now we have Jack as part of team, we're stronger, more unified than last time. Pitch will not take us so easily." Jack offered a weak smile at the praise, leaning deeply into the cushions behind his back, relaxing as the deep rumbles of their voices and calm conversation soothing and reassuring to not be on his own, wrapping him warmly in the safety of their presence like a deep melody.
"Still not a plan, mates," Bunny pointed out sourly, watching the flickering flames once more. The others fell silent in thought, mulling over the situation that had developed so suddenly in the space of one night. There were a few mumbles and suggestions, all of which were quickly dismissed or considered briefly.
It wasn't until Bunny glanced around the room after a considerable amount of time had gone by that he noticed their young winter spirit curled up where he sat, head resting against the arm of the chair leaning against the pillows, hood half up, only blanketing half of his snowy white hair, sleeping soundly amongst the rumble of voices. His staff was pulled close to his chest like a comforter, rising and falling with each soft breath. The ancient warrior couldn't help but smile fondly at the scene, resisting the urge to chuckle softly or to disturb the spirit. Completely peaceful, Jack appeared more young and innocent than Bunny had ever seen him, the years in the spirit world melting off him to reveal the child that had been chosen all those centuries ago that had always been hidden beneath the cloak of his solitude.
"Guys," he hissed at the softly conversing group, "Guys," they turned curiously to him to which he only nodded towards their young member, "I think maybe we should call it a night." Tooth's hands flew to her mouth, hiding her warm smile and had to restrain herself from rushing over to him.
"Perhaps you are right," North whispered, quieter than Bunny had thought the large man was able to speak compared to his loud booming voice. Slowly he eased himself from his chair and the others joined him, once more gathered around Jack but without the worry, though some still lingered.
"Should we wake him?" Tooth whispered, "You know, so he can go sleep in one of the spare rooms?"
"Nah," Bunny mumbled, "let him sleep. I think he needs it."
Slowly the four Guardians shuffled out the room, not before casting more fond looks at the sleeping boy, heading to their own rooms so they could rethink the nights events more clearly in the morning. Jack twitched, in his sleep muttering incoherently before sinking deeper into a slumber and dreams that he did not particularly want yet his heart yearned for. None of them were aware of the deep echo of a laugh that resonated from the shadows.
Sorry! I meant to post this a week ago but I kept putting it off to tweak it here and there and I'm still not too happy with it. I feel like there's something missing from this chapter, it feels like there's a lull in the story here but I needed the interrogation from the Guardians... So what do you think? I would really appreciate feedback on this and any comments or even suggestions. If I feel the chapter isn't as good as the others I feel like I've let you all down so let me know.
This isn't even half way yet so there's still loads to go and I promise it gets better so stick with it. Yes there will be more Pitch but not for a while. I really enjoy writing him, he makes a good villain. May is also back next chapter and there is more trouble for Jack. I'll try to speed up these updates but work is beginning to pile up and writing has had to be pushed aside for the time being.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourites, followed and is still reading this. Thank you!