Chapter two

Adjustments

Bunny arrived first erupting out of the ground looking not unlike Santa with the large bulging red sack containing a still kicking frantically and caterwauling Pitch. North was there working in the shop as they arrived and all commotion currently going on around them ceased to take in the new arrival. Bunnymund hefted the bag in an arch to come around his shoulder to land roughly between he and North.

Pitch grunted in pain at the sudden impact before tearing himself through the opening of the bag seething angrily, "You'll pay for that!" he shrieked as he kicked the bag as hard as he could at Bunny who deftly side-stepped it.

By this point, Jack arrived with Sandy trailing not far behind. Pitch glared at them as they dropped in from the skylight his chest still heaving from his distress. He barred his teeth denoting his obvious resentment of all in the room, "You brought me here? To what purpose?"

"Ah! I see our guest has arrived." said North cheerily walking over to where everyone was now gathered.

Toothiana fluttered around the crowd, stealing quick glances in-between the yetis and the other Guardians but otherwise stayed to the back.

Jack landed a few feet in front of Pitch and looked up at the dark man with a hint of compassion on his face, "So you won't have to go back to that dark hole." he replied simply a hint of a smile lifting the corners of his lips.

Pitch scrutinized the white haired Guardian steeling himself for an attack as he backed away looking to all of the others that had by now encircled him. His eyes were wild and worried, "So then what? Are you planning to end me here and now? The world needs me too you know!" His words were tighter than he'd wished them to come out making him sound on the verge of tears. He was quite panicked realizing that if they truly did wish to snuff him out, this would be their best opportunity to do so. It made sense he thought, if he'd had the prospect to take any of them out of the picture when they were this vulnerable, he would have not hesitated.

"Who said anything about 'ending'?" North said, a bit insulted at the remark. He stepped closer to Pitch. "You worry too much. We are Guardians, not barbarians. We only brought you here to help you. You still have much to answer for, as you well know. But instead of putting you back in hole, we've decided it best that you serve the rest of your time here. You should be thanking Jack Frost; otherwise we would have thrown you back where you came from."

"I'm sorry, Pitch," said Jack. "I had to tell them you were loose. But… I thought it would be better that we brought you here to keep an eye on you, instead of you spending your days alone in that darkness. I see now that we were wrong for doing that to you. You're right. The world does need you. That doesn't make what you did right, though.

Pitch's face was blank as their plans were relayed to him, and then he laid his head back and let out a long hardy laugh, "Oh what fools you lot are!" The humor left him as he straightened growing rigid, "You won't keep me here you know, you may have me now, but mark my words that you'll regret ever taking action against me!" Pitch began to pace as he spoke his rage building. Who did they think they were to give him edicts after all? He was the nightmare king! He had walked this earth three times as long as any of them, and as such he saw himself as their better by leagues.

"We're the fools eh?" Bunnymund huffed as he continued, "You're lucky the others wanted you here as I sure as heck have no problem dumping ya back in the ground mate, and I still don't."

Without saying a word, North suddenly lunged forward, closing the short gap between himself and Pitch within a few quick steps, he grabbed hold of the nightmare king, bent him over forward, and applied three hearty smacks to Pitch's backside before letting him go. "We won't keep you here, huh? We'll regret, huh?" North glared at Pitch, shaking a finger at him. "That is what you get if you ever cross line. Consider it warning. Either you stay here, or you go back to hole."

Jack stood stunned trying to grasp what had just happened while Toothiana looked horrified, like she might cry.

Pitch gasped looking positively mortified as he shrank away from the burly man, "How dare you! You… you can't do this to me!" His face felt hot with embarrassment that North would humiliate him in such a way and his mouth still hung agape from his unrecovered shock.

North crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. "I just did. I suggest you watch what you do, if you do not want more."

An amused smile formed on Jack's lips as he stole a few quick glances at his friends.

Toothiana had been silently watching everything from behind one of the nearby yetis. Finally, she inched her way out into the open and fluttered up to North's side. She timidly reached out and touched his arm, "Please; North," she said, "can't we do this a different way?"

"Now, Tooth, we've been through this already." North turned to the fairy.

"You know I don't agree with it," she stated with concern.

"You've already made that clear." North said. "But I am in charge here. I make rules. If you do not agree, you don't have to take part in it. No one is forcing you. Would you rather I put him back in hole?"

Tooth fell silent as she turned her concerned gaze to Pitch then back to North. Not saying another word, she floated backwards out of the way.

Pitch blanched at North's affirmation that he actually planned to continue punishing him in such a ludicrous manner and doubly so upon hearing that they had purposefully discussed amongst themselves that spanking him was an actual method proposed for dealing with him. His stomach flipped at the notion. His anger resurged as he narrowed his eyes hatefully at Santa, "You…you've actually planned this! No! I'd rather be returned to my lair and face the nightmares destroying me than put up with you and your ideals for rehabilitation!" He really didn't want to be returned to the formidable dread that he'd left, but the thought of being brought so low as to do the Guardian's biding or be spanked for not complying insulted him to the core.

Bunny chimed in, "Oh that can be arranged bucko! You heard him North, he wants to go back in the hole, and I'm itching to put him there." As he spoke Bunnymund puffed out his chest closing in on Pitch to which Pitch darted out of his close proximity eyes wide in obvious fear of going back.

North silently studied Pitch, not missing the fear that washed over his face. Perhaps Jack had been right after all, he noted. A caring smile formed on his lips.

"That'll be enough Bunny," said North, "He's not going back right now. Not until we have given other options try. If they do not work, then he can go back. I think we all need to rest now, and approach this again when we've all cooled down." North motioned one of the yetis over. "Take Pitch to the room we have prepared for him, and see that he is well guarded."

The yeti nodded and walked forward, taking Pitch by the arm. Before the yeti could escort Pitch out, North bent down and peered Pitch in the eyes with all of the seriousness he could muster, "I think you have been alone for too long," he whispered, "I want you to know that I only wish to help you. We all do. I don't think you want to go back to the darkness, so I suggest you think about what has transpired here and the opportunity that has been offered you. I will be in later to talk more."

Pitch thought to violently yank his arm from the hold of the furry beast, but the yeti had a firm grip on his arm, and he really didn't want to risk the thought of any further defiance having the Guardians decide to seal him away again after all or worse having North demonstrate further how easy it was to spank him. North had only landed three quick swats, but the tingling sensation still radiated across his rear letting him know that he really didn't want to push the fat oaf.

North's words hit him like a brick though as he watched him intently trying to discern his intentions. His eyes full of skepticism searched the jolly face for signs of a lie, signs that there was some secret mirth to imprisoning him here like this, but all he saw was genuine concern, and this quelled the bitter words he might have replied. Instead he lost eye contact letting himself be led away as he tried to comprehend what had just happened and what was going to become of him. It was probably best that he have a moment to collect himself and assess his situation further before acting. There were too many Guardians to contend with at the moment, and he'd be better suited to escape with only North or his yetis guarding him.

The yeti holding his arm garbled some string of syllables that were gruff, bear-like, and totally incomprehensible to Pitch, but the others of his kind understood and several of the yetis left their posts to join Phil in escorting Pitch down the softly lit hallway that glowed with strings of Christmas lights and banisters of well-crafted oak intricately designed with such care. Pitch noted every turn as his eyes took in the scenery in disgust. It was all so… Christmassy, it was enough to make him want to wretch. The yeti gave him a rough push into the room and quickly slammed the door shut although from the shadows cast under the door, Pitch could see there were two sentries standing guard on either side to prevent him from leaving.

Pitch now left to his own devices began wandering about his new prison cell inspecting it meticulously. The room he was afforded was like the rest of the building with its wooden designs and glittery baubles. There was little furniture outside a small nightstand, a dresser with a small mirror, a bookshelf, a rocking chair, and a large bed in the center. The bed did have very fluffy pillows and comforters that looked soft enough to disappear in, and the mattress would likely be equally as comfortable. That was about the only plus Pitch recognized in the room though his eyes scanned for anything he might be able to exploit, but he found nothing of merit.

Pitch frowned noting the windows were three small portholes with stained glass depictions of Santa Claus. The holes were far too small for Pitch to squeeze out of especially now that he was unable to move through shadows. He peered through them to see that from this vantage point, the building was built atop a sheer mountainside. This of course made North's home a veritable fortress, but for Pitch, it meant escaping from here would be near impossible. Of course North likely scoped out the room he thought Pitch would be contained best far before he'd arrived Pitch mused sourly.

Sighing he moved over to the bed touching the material to see that it was in fact as soft as it looked. Having nothing else to do, he climbed into the bed covering himself fully as it was the closest he was going to get to shutting out everything around him. He had to admit it as much as he loathed North, the man had good tastes in linens.

Bunny shook his head as Pitch had been led away, "Ya know he's not gonna change right? I can't be the only one who has to be thinkin' we're wastin' our time here no?" Bunny looked around the room quizzically.

Sandy shrugged giving Bunnymund a small smile and a soft pat on his hind leg before padding over to Toothinia who still seemed to be distressed about what her and North had discussed.

North shrugged. "Maybe you're right, maybe you're not. All we can do is try. Who knows? Pitch may surprise all of us in time. But even if he doesn't change, at least we can say we tried. And who says we waste time? Time spent helping someone is never waste, regardless of outcome."

"I still say there's a better way of punishing him," Toothiana said timidly. "He'll never change as long as you continue hitting him."

"You let me be judge of that." North scowled in the fairy's direction, and then his face relaxed. "Look, Tooth, I appreciate your concerns. Really, I do. But my mind is made up on matter. Believe me; it will produce better result than you think. Give it try."

Tooth sighed and turned her head aside.

Bunnymund grimaced not really having anything more to say to comfort Tooth since he would do a lot more to Pitch than spank him if given the choice. He mumbled, "I hope you know what you're doin' bringing Pitch here North. Just… don't say I didn't warn you." He made sure to address North seriously now as he thumped open a portal, "Ya know how to get a hold a' me if ya need me mate." Not waiting for a reply, Bunny disappeared.

Sandy looked to the remaining members of their party with curiosity before lifting himself into the air with a gust of dreamsand to be eye level with Toothinia and pulled her into a soft hug. When he pulled away, he gave her a warm smile as he stroked her shoulder as a means of consolation.

Toothiana smiled and nodded to Sandy patting him on the shoulder, and then she turned to North. "If you want me to help in any way, I'd me more than happy to."

"I'm glad you brought that up. It so happens that I would like to have some help." said North. "I would like you, Sandy, and Jack, if he wants to, of course, to stay here to help keep eye on Pitch."

"Yeah, sure, I'll help," said Jack with a shrug. "But, can't the yetis do that?"

"Yes, they can, but I think it would be less intimidating if we kept eye on him ourselves. Pitch might still be prisoner, but if we ever hope to change him we need to earn his trust. As it is, he sees us as the enemy. We need to change that. We need to show him that we only want to help him. The yetis will still help, of course, but I think it would do him good to have us make appearances too-show him that we care."

"But some of us have nightly jobs." Jack pointed out, glancing at Sandy and Tooth.

"Yes, of course." North said. "During the times when you can't be here, the yetis will fill in. But when you don't have much to do, I would appreciate it if you would stick around for a while. Interact with Pitch a little bit. See what you can do to help him."

"What about Bunny?" Toothiana asked.

North lifted his eyebrows, his eyes rolling upward to the ceiling before turning his gaze to the fairy. "He can help too, if he wants, naturally, but I think it best we don't bring him in on this right away, if you know what I mean. I think he would do more harm than good."

Jack Frost and Tooth nodded that they understood.

Sandy had a wide smile on his face as he nodded his enthusiasm obviously wanting to help as well.

Pitch lay under the covers straining to hear anything. It had felt like hours, although it was likely his mind playing tricks on him he realized. He'd been imprisoned before… numerous times he'd been defeated actually, and he was certainly no stranger to being alone. But this was disquieting in the fact that unlike before where he'd been left alone to his own devices, he was instead taken from everything he knew and pushed into an alien situation that he was both curious about and dreading.

Unlike the murky desolation of his nightmare realm where cold winds blew eerie creaks and groans down long dark and lonesome corridors and cobwebs lined the corners of every structure, this place was a steep contrast that gave off an almost peaceful serenity that made something deep within him listless. It was too quiet, too comfortable, and the movements and noises that were heard were of live creatures not figments of his imagination or hollow voices to which he felt heartache for but had no recognizable understanding why.

How long had it been since he'd been around other people? A sense of anxiety replaced his anger as he contemplated actually having to interact with them all. Deep down, he didn't want to be alone, and the thought of companionship was exhilarating and distressing.

A simple knock came to the door.

As if slapped in the face, Pitch came back to his senses. He thought to meld into the shadows behind the door, but the motion was only made in his mind since his physical form betrayed him remaining where he was. This of course shot a stab of fury through him as he quietly seethed about what was taken from him by Sandy. He scowled, the flecks of gold still remained embedded within his flesh as a reminder of his further subjugation.

Another knock came to the door; and Pitch, not wanting to seem vulnerable, rose from the bed moving to the back of the room to stand in the far corner. He did not make a motion of inviting the visitor in though and instead stood rigidly in anticipation for their inevitable entrance.

A third knock sounded, and when no answer was made, the door burst open and North stepped inside. A hard frown was etched on his face as he scanned the room eyes eventually falling to the disheveled bed in the center.

"Pitch?" he called. "You had better be in here." he closed the door behind him and stood in front of it now arms crossed over his chest waiting, "I wish only to speak with you."

Pitch clasped his hands loosely behind his back stepping forward just enough to have the harsh white light that reflected off the snow through the portholes cast an outline on his figure obscuring the majority of his face as he sneered, "Well I don't wish to speak with you."

North silently stared at Pitch, not moving from the spot he stood. Finally, he grunted and waved a hand toward the bed, "Sit," he said.

Pitch's frown deepened as he stated flatly, "No. I'm not interested in having a heart to heart with you North. Say what you will and leave me be." Pitch's frustration at his current situation gave him no compunction to play along, and he wanted North to know he wasn't planning to bow down to him.

Miffed, North finally moved, unfolding his arms and stepping forward. He balled a fist and placed it into the palm of his other hand, cracking his knuckles.

"I told you to take seat on bed, Pitch." he said, calmly, though his voice had an edge to it. "I came here to talk face to face. Do not push me to do something else."

Pitch prickled at the demand. North's threat was not lost on Pitch, but not wanting to be told what to do either, Pitch passively remained defiant as he moved forward into the light to show some level of acquiescence but did not sit, "You have me, face to face; now spit it out."

North continued to eye Pitch in silence, his anger and annoyance over the nightmare king's lack of obedience rising every second. He decided to let it slide, for now. After all, it was Pitch's first day with them. He couldn't expect everything to be perfect. He knew Pitch would learn in time. Sighing, he turned and dragged the rocking chair over and sat down in it, facing Pitch.

"Like I told you earlier, I think you have been alone for too long." North began, leaning back in the chair. "You have been left alone in darkness and gloom, and have forgotten what is like to be around other people. I wish to change that during your stay here. It's true that you will be prisoner. But I also want your time here to be one of learning and rehabilitation."

Pitch glowered as he paced his anger coming off of him in waves, "Rehabilitation… indeed. What audacity you people have! You think because you get an idea in your pretty little heads that you can just take me, the nightmare king, out of the picture? To what, act like one of you? I am fear! I don't need anyone!" Even as he said this, Pitch's heart ached at the reminder that it had been so very long since he'd actually shared a conversation that didn't entail impending rivalry.

Slowing now, Pitch finally paused Antarctica coming to mind, and he recoiled from North shaking his head as if to clear it when thoughts of Frost and how he'd rebuked his offer flashed vividly through his head. He had been so honest with the boy, why? Was he really that sad of a creature that he'd have clung on to the hope that another would want to share in his triumphs when deep down he knew the boy had already chosen a side? Yes, he had chosen, they all had hadn't they? Why then now did they think he could change?

North sat, his face frozen in a contemplative stare that was fixated on Pitch, his eyebrows slowly moving upward.

Pitch caught the look North was giving him, it was unreadable and left Pitch feeling uneasy. "What?" Pitch spat, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Despite Pitch's outrage, North remained calm, casually sitting in his chair as if he were carrying on a discussion with an old friend on a porch on a Sunday afternoon, "Oh, no reason," he shrugged. "Just waiting until you are finished venting." he unfolded his arms and began rocking in his chair. "Even though you are prisoner, I just want you to know that you are free to move about the place whenever you wish. You will be watched at all times, of course, so do not think of leaving." Here he gave Pitch a warning glare. "Tomorrow, I will give you list of chores that you will be expected to do to keep you busy during your stay here."

Pitch was stunned by the rotund man's words turning fully to regard him with disgust, "What? What do you take me for, a servant? I'm not going to perform chores for you! Have your walking fur bags or annoying gremlins do your dirty work."

North shot up out of his chair and walked toward Pitch, stopping a few feet in front of the dark figure and looming over him, "I do not consider you a servant, Pitch!" he bellowed. "You are prisoner! The chores you will be doing are part of your punishment. Since you spend time in your dark old hole spinning plots and conjuring dark dreamsand, we thought you need something worthwhile to keep you busy. And you will perform them, or so help me I will tan your hide until it glows in dark. You have choice, Pitch. Either you remain prisoner here and work and accept rehabilitation, or you go back in hole and darkness."

Pitch backed away feeling trapped in the tiny confines that pinned him between the bed and the lumbering man in front of him leaving him no further space to retreat now as North closed in to stand in front of him like an impenetrable force. He snarled like a cornered animal, "Fine. Go ahead then. Throw me back in that hole! It's what you're going to do any way! If not now then tomorrow or the next day! Why bother with these trivialities, we both know how this is going to end!"

He was shaking with his fury as he spoke hoping to call the Cossack's bluff and have him back down or commit to follow through with his threat to banish him. At least back in his lair he was his own man capable of making his own decisions. The nightmares were awful, but at least they were of his own making. If he was to be brought low, he'd rather it be by his own hands than these Guardians.

Without saying another word, North stepped forward, wrapped a large hand around Pitch's arm, and pulled him along with him back to the rocking chair.

Pitch's eyes went wide as he yanked uselessly against the hand pulling him inexorably forward. His efforts only afforded him to be dragged like a ragdoll in the direction North was taking him. Understanding now dawning as previous threats came to mind, Pitch squalled, "No! Unhand me! You… you can't!"

Santa sat down in his chair again, continuing to hold Pitch in place by the arm, "Yes, I can!" he shouted, giving Pitch's arm a yank, pulling him closer. He peered into the other man's eyes. "When I came here to talk, I was not planning on doing this, but you now leave me no other choice because it is clear we are not getting anywhere with this conversation. I grow weary of your attitude, Pitch. You are stubborn, haughty, and cocky. Maybe spanking is just what you need to bring you around."

Sensing that he'd pushed North too far, Pitch attempted to backpedal, "Alright! Fine! I'll do lists! Let's just take this back a notch. Perhaps I was being a bit… overzealous!" Pitch's mouth was drawn tight in a stricken frown, and he looked paler than normal now as his wide eyes stared back his fear that North might actually spank him.

North's eyebrows lifted slightly. He was pleased at seeing the sudden change in Pitch's behavior, but he knew he was probably only saying it to get out of the impending spanking. He regarded the nightmare king a few minutes, and then proceeded to yank Pitch over his knee, "I am not convinced." he stated bluntly.

"Wha-what!? No!" Pitch gasped as he was upended over the big man's knees feeling a flush fill his cheeks as he scrambled desperately to remove himself from North's lap, "Don't you dare!" He squealed as panic began to streak through him like lightening. This couldn't actually be happening to him!

Grunting in frustration, North grabbed onto the scrambling Pitch and positioned him over his right knee, swinging his leg over to pin Pitch's legs in place. He pulled Pitch's robe back and began pelting his rear with heavy swats-much heavier ones than what he had used on Pitch before, "You have been thorn in our side for years, and I aim to finally do something about it." he said, laying down another heavy smack. "You will learn in time that you have no control here."

As North worked to subdue Pitch, the lithe form fought as if his life depended on, and once his legs had been pinned and his robe moved aside without further recourse, Pitch let out a blood curdling scream, "No!" The bursting pain that erupted across his rear end had Pitch arch up like a fish on a hook. He yowled in both indignation and pain, "I'll destroy you and everything you hold dear for this!" As he said this though, North's words rang through to him loud and clear. He didn't have control, he hadn't had control in a very long time. The fact that North was even able to do this to him spoke volumes of his place in the world. His chest felt tight at the thought of how easy this was for North even though he still struggled with all his might.

"And for that you get harder swats." North complied, bringing his hand down harder. "You learn right now that I will not put up with your threats, taunts, and vile words. You are still being punished for your evil deeds. We brought you here to show you some mercy. The least you could do is act like you are thankful for it." North brought his hand down swiftly in repeated slaps to the underside of Pitch's rear. "Because I don't think you want to go back to hole. I'm right, yes?"

Thankful! Was he serious? Pitch thought cringing at the new onslaught to his backside as he began to let out small squeaks of pain that he'd been holding back. He twisted and turned as best as he could, but the steel grip held him firmly in place. Realizing that he wasn't going to avoid this in the slightest, Pitch turned his wide eyes to North as his mouth worked to formulate thoughts past the burning in his rear, "Yes! I'd rather suffer there than here! Please! Stop! I'll go willingly!" The truth was, Pitch knew the darkness and what to expect there, this on the other hand, this, was becoming an emotional overload. He wasn't even sure what rehabilitation meant only that they planned to change him on a fundamental level, and that thought terrified him more than the prospect of suffering the way he'd become accustomed to.

North stopped spanking and pulled the smaller man to standing, keeping a firm grip on his shoulder. He stood up himself, turned around, took out a snow globe from his pocket and threw it into a corner of the room. Immediately a portal opened to show a dark cavern with hundreds of swarming nightmares, one of which stopped at the other end of the portal to look at them… waiting. North regarded it for a few minutes and then turned his gaze to Pitch. He waved toward the portal, "Is that what you really want to go back to?" he asked. "Darkness and loneliness? ...fear?"

Pitch was relieved the spanking was over as he reached back to rub at the pain scowling at North hatefully for doing it in the first place. When North cast the snow globe into the corner, and it opened up to reveal the torment he knew so intimately, Pitch was transfixed on the image of the nightmare watching him. His heart skipped a beat as the remembered pain and loneliness became a dominant reminiscence, and a troubled expression of indecision worked its way on to his face. He swallowed hard, he had said he would prefer to go back, but now that he was confronted with the real possibility, the thought of going back made his knees feel weak. Pitch found he couldn't respond just giving a small shake of his head no.

North studied Pitch's reaction silently, not taking his hand off his shoulder. He looked back at the portal just in time to see one of the nightmares about to walk through it. Quickly he closed it up before the creature could come out onto this side, "That is enough of that." North said. He gently pulled Pitch over to the bed. "Now, I trust I will have no more trouble out of you."

Pitch winced as the nightmare verged the opening visibly relaxing to see the portal closed by North before it could escape. As if in a haze, he let himself be led over to the bed his mind was still in the depths of the nightmare realm. It wasn't until North started speaking to him did he shift back to the conversation. He felt like he'd betrayed himself in his flippancy, no, this man was using his own fears against him. His gaze shifted back to North his eyes betraying confusion and awe, "Why are you doing this? What do you hope to gain?"

"Why do I do it?" North left Pitch next to the bed and returned to the rocking chair where he sat down again, focusing his full attention on the nightmare king. "I've already told you I wish to help you. I do not hope to gain anything from it, except, in time, maybe friendship." North answered, giving a slight sigh. "If you will ever have us as your friends. I just want to help you find your former self. Pitch, you need help. You cannot go on the way you do now. You live in darkness and misery. You waste your time and life dwelling on these things when you could make big difference in world. You want to be believed in again, yes? You're going to have to be willing to change something first. You are not fear as you believe. You have allowed fear to come in and control you. It's corrupted you, Pitch, to the point where you've forgotten who you are. Jack Frost does not know it, but he's helped to open these eyes to see that perhaps we were wrong to imprison you alone down there for so long. Instead of pushing you away, we should have helped you then. But what's done is done. I only wish to correct mistake." he paused long enough to study Pitch a few seconds. "I do not want to force you into anything you do not wish to do. But from where I sit, I don't think you have much choice. You either spend rest of life in hole with nightmares, or you stay here and try to change your life. Judging from your reaction a while ago, something tells me you don't want to go back. And you don't have to, Pitch."

Pitch listened to North fully now his eyes imploring his unrequited desire for all of what North spoke of. Could he have friendship with the Guardians? They would never accept him, they couldn't, could they? They were diametrically opposed in so many ways after all, but Pitch wanted the dream that North was spinning, longed for it even. He sank down to sit gingerly on the bed slumping into defeat as all the fight left him. His eyes dropped to his hands that now laid folded quietly in his lap as he spoke softly now, "I don't think I want to go back there."

A smile formed on North's lips. "See. You already make headway. You've admitted aloud that you do not wish to go back. Was that so hard?"

Pitch scowled not meeting North's gaze as he responded curtly, "Yes." His mood soured a little as he thought back to the fact that only minutes ago the large man had had him pinned over a knee. His face flushed in embarrassment, "You could have found a better approach to talk to me you know."

North raised an eyebrow. "I doubt you would have listened. I tried talking to you when I first came in room, but you weren't going to have any of it. You were acting too much like spoiled brat. I only gave you what all brats deserve." an amused smirk curled his lips when he saw Pitch's embarrassed scowl. "No one said this road would be easy. It rarely ever is. There will be hard times at first, but it will get better. Besides, pain in bottom will not last."

Pitch shot North a glare, "What brats deserve!" his voice raised an octave at the accusation, "I'm not some wayward child that you can… you know…" Pitch was becoming flustered at the thought as he folded his arms turning away from North to glower angrily at the wall as he collected himself. "If friendship is something you want to work on, then we have to be able to have civilized discussions without threats of you… getting physical."

Anger flashed in North's eyes as he straightened in his chair. "Then don't act like wayward child. We will have civilized discussions without me threatening when you decide to act like civilized man instead of wayward child you claim to not be. I wish I did not have to threaten, but you leave me no choice. You bring this on yourself, Pitch. You have no one to blame but yourself. It's time you woke up and realize that. Maybe you being here will help clear your mind to see reason. It's clear to me now that you spending time in hole does nothing for you. It only makes you worse and more bitter. That is why I have decided to use other methods." North sighed, leaning back again. "This road will be long one for all of us. We must take small steps. It is true that I hope to make friendship with you, but first you must face consequences for your wrongdoings, as you are still prisoner. You must straighten yourself out first. If you do not like me doing it, then I can always call Bunny in here to do it."

Pitch scooted back on the bed under the Cossack's glare as he watched him carefully not wishing to provoke the man further, but the more North rattled off about how he planned to continue this line of action, the more Pitch frowned until his face held an angry pout. Of course the mention of Bunnymund being given a go at him had Pitch's eyes widen in alarm. Then he had an idea, the fairy had protested this treatment he remembered, he did his best to hide the small smirk as he added, "The rabbit hates me, but perhaps Toothinia…"

North waved Pitch's suggestion off. "Actually, all of us will be taking part in your rehabilitation. The other Guardians will keep eye on you during your stay here. Well, except Bunny. I shall have talk with him first before he comes near you, lest something bad happen. But that will be later on. For now it will be me, Sandy, Tooth, and Jack. The yetis too of course, when the rest of us have work to do." North lifted himself out of the chair and walked to the door. "You are free to do as you wish, as long as you behave yourself. Rest. Tomorrow I will come by and give you list of chores."

Just as North opened the door, Toothiana shrank back, "Sorry," she said with a sheepish grin. "I wasn't eavesdropping. We... uh... came to drop off food." she pointed at the yeti beside her, who was holding a tray.

"Ah! Splendid timing!" said North glancing behind him at Pitch. "We were just finishing up our little chat."

Pitch flushed looking away from Toothinia's gaze wondering if she'd heard the last thing he'd said about her being the one to do it or overheard any of what they'd just been talking about or the sure to have been loud cacophony of squalls he had let out following what felt like deafening smacks from the heavy handed North. The thought of her thinking that he'd even want her to be the one to discipline him or that she could have heard him being spanked already was quite embarrassing. Feeling self-conscious, Pitch grabbed a hold of the comforter and sheets and pulled them up so that he was now sitting against the headboard with his legs and waist under the covers wishing to sink under the sheets and cover the rest of himself in short order. He couldn't bring himself to look in their direction as he muttered awkwardly, "I… uh, I don't need any food…"

North walked out into the hallway and stood there while the yeti entered the room. Toothiana darted around the creature and hovered near the foot of the bed, looking at Pitch with concern, "Are you sure?" she said.

Pitch glowered now his embarrassment growing as she prodded, "Of course I'm sure," he spat, "Why would I want your food? We have no need for sustenance, so it's a waste of time."

The yeti annoyingly set the tray down on the nightstand, turned, and left the room. At hearing Pitch's rude reply, North stepped into the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, "Oh," Tooth said, "Santa eats cookies, so I thought… Well, it's there, in case you want something."

It did smell good Pitch noted as his eyes were drawn to the tray. Even though they didn't need to eat, it didn't mean that the act of doing so couldn't be enjoyable. Pitch's eyes drifted up now to see North in the doorway, and his eyes widened realizing North likely heard his remark and wasn't pleased with it. He stuttered out, "Uh, well, uh maybe a look see," as he said this, he tentatively reached over to lift the lid.

Tooth smiled as she studied Pitch, looking like she was holding something back. Suddenly, without warning, she flew forward and pried his mouth open and looked at his teeth.

Taken off guard Pitch dropped the lid as his head was tilted back and her hands went into his mouth. He shook his head violently fanning his hands in a swatting motion, "What! What are you doing!? Get away!" He balked ducking away from her with a look that was both surprised and annoyed.

"Sorry," she said, backing away. "I just… had to look at them. You don't floss?"

His brow crinkled as his face took on a look of aggravation as he grumbled, "My teeth are perfectly fine… jagged and pointy, but they're not rotting or yellow thank you very much." Pitch huffed giving her a sideways sneer that she'd ask him a question like that.

"Sorry," Tooth repeated, giving him a shy smile. She quickly turned and flew out of the room, North stepping aside to let her pass.

North gave Pitch another glare, before closing the door and leaving.

Pitch's face remained in a grimace as North closed the door, and he was glad to once more be alone. He envisioned himself taking the tray sitting next to his bedside and flinging it against the door in an angry huff, but after North's recent reaction to his outbursts, Pitch didn't dare. His bottom still chafed as a current reminder that he didn't wish to anger the man.

Sighing at his self-imposed impotence to react, Pitch's gaze moved to the tray that had been left for him. There was a small plate with a cinnamon frosted pastry of some sort, a couple of varied cookies, and a hot cup of chocolate with whipped cream sprayed on top with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Gingerly, he took the cup in hand feeling the heat of it on his hands as he stared down at it with mixed feelings of curiosity and disgust. He brought the cup up to his face inhaling the aroma before timidly tasting it. His eyes opened wide, this was wonderful!

Having been locked away for so long, it had been centuries since he'd actually eaten or drank anything, so long so that he'd forgotten what the sense of taste held and had just never thought to bother. His eyes fluttered as he took small sips of the chocolaty goodness savoring every last drop and feeling slightly disappointed when it was gone. Of course his eyes moved back to the tray now with the other savory looking goodies. He paused a moment looking about as if someone were waiting to burst in on him to catch him eating them. Satisfied he was still alone, he placed the small plate on his lap and took small nibbles off of each cookie eating them in their entirety as well as the pastry which quickly became his favorite of all the proffered items.

Feeling satisfied in a way he hadn't in a very long time, Pitch placed the plate back on the tray and just sat in the welcomed silence. He lay against the headboard for several hours just trying to digest everything, and when his head hurt from thinking about it, he allowed the comforts of the fluffy bed sheets to draw him in as scooted deep within them to drift off for once in a very long time a dreamless, or for Pitch, a nightmare-less sleep. Little did Pitch know that Sandy had felt the broach of his nightmares, as Pitch had them anytime he slept, but as he watched over Earth's children, tonight he watched over Pitch as a strand of his dreamsand had drifted in through the crack under the door touching the nightmares Pitch had started to have effectively nullifying them, so that Pitch could for once just rest.