From Nightmares to Dreams

by spankingfemfatale

It's been several years since the Guardians defeated Pitch, but they are bound to cross paths again, and when they do, the Guardians have decided that things between them have to change. WARNING! Contains non-sexual spanking! This lovely fic is a co-written piece by myself and the lovely WindChimeGhost! (Her Archive of our own account name!)

38. Bad Penny

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Bad Penny

Pitch was jubilant now having a spike of energy course through him to know that work for the day was over, and now it was all his time to spend doing as he wished within the confines of his current restrictions until the next morning. He peered at North and saw that the big man seemed to be feeling quite chipper himself, "So, what have you got planned to do tonight big man?" Pitch asked exuberantly.

"First I will catch up on some work in office. Then later, I might take walk to workshop to see how things are going." North replied. "Working at landfill has put me behind on a lot of things."

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Pitch asked feeling no less than a small amount of guilt for his part to play in that fact.

North shook his head. "No, not that I know of."

"Oh… okay," Pitch stated softly feeling a bit inadequate as they moved down the hallway towards North's office.

The hub was quite busy now with elves and yetis leaving their perspective work areas. Most were heading to the dining halls while others were just leaving, but either way, it made the area obnoxiously noisy Pitch found as he maneuvered through the crowds trying to avoid being run over. Pitch was glad to make it to North's office having realized belatedly in his rush to avoid the mob he'd left North far behind. Pitch peeked his head back out of North's office to see where the big man was and noted he was still a good eighty feet away. Of course every few steps he took, North was stopped by a yeti who wanted to ask a question or just converse or almost tripped by groups of elves which left Pitch to sigh impatiently. He leaned lazily on the door frame a smug smile on his face as North finally caught up, "It's no wonder you can't get any work done, and here, I thought it was mostly all my fault."

"It happens," said North, closing the door and walking to his desk to sit down. He spent several minutes thumbing through papers until he found what he was looking for. "Oh, Pitch, maybe there is something you can do after all. I seem to have misplaced a certain part of my list-your list, in fact. Perhaps you can look through stacks of papers on floor and see if I overlooked it." He pointed down on the floor beside his desk where the stacks lay.

Pitch went rigid at the request, but quickly recovered as he moved over to the stack and stumbled out, "Uh… sha…sure." He quietly picked up the first stack clutching it to his chest as he skulked over to the windowsill to sit and look busy. His hands trembled slightly now as he moved through the pages his eyes buried within the pages as if he were intently looking through them. He swallowed hard his thoughts a blur jumping from the once very happy feelings he'd just had to this new anxiety and guilt over what he had done with his list. Well, this was going to be a good two or so hours wasted he thought bitterly knowing exactly where his list was, but knowing he certainly wouldn't be telling that to North, so instead, he would go through all twenty some odd stacks that littered North's office floor in a fake attempt to 'find' his missing list.

North subtly glanced over at Pitch, studying his movements before looking back at the papers in his own hands.

After finishing the first stack in obvious failure, Pitch quietly replaced it grabbing a new stack and mumbling regretfully, "It… it wasn't in that stack." Pitch sighed bringing the next stack over to settle down and repeat the same process with this stack of papers.

North grunted. "Very well. Keep looking."

Pitch continued stack after stack, and after moving through five stacks, he regarded each page dully sighing here and there in his boredom as he tried to at least maintain the appearance he was looking for the list. It had taken longer than two hours by the time he'd gone through every stack, and his eyes fluttered depicting his tiredness of the chore and ebbing fatigue from a full day's work. He groaned replacing the last stack in its place as he stretched his back having gone a bit stiff from leaning over as he replied blandly, "Not in that one either," Pitch had said this with every new stack gaining a little more apathy for the given task every go around. Although this time there was a hint of relief in his voice as well.

"Well, that 'is' odd then." North mused.

Pitch huffed just happy to have an excuse not to have to sift through another page! North seemed content enough that the page wasn't found, and that in turn allowed Pitch to relax a little as he slumped into the chair opposite of North looking slightly ragged from the tedium, "So... what do we do now?" Pitch asked curiously.

A small knock came to the door, and Sandy not waiting for a response peered in cautiously with soft blinking eyes and an instant bright smile as he gave a small wave.

North looked toward the door and smiled. "Sandy! Come in," he waved.

Sandy quickly floated into North's office closing the door behind him with a soft click. Landing on the ground, Sandy padded across the floor and pulled his diminutive form up on top of the desk to sit on one of the few corners where there was free space. He settled himself cross legged looking between the both of them cheerily as he shot an image of the garbage conveyor over his head and a question mark. After Sandy and North's previous conversation the night before, Sandy had decided to check in on North and see if today faired any better.

Pitch only watched Sandy climb onto the desk and address North with mild interest. The two hadn't really had much contact outside of when all the guardians had been present at meetings, his party, or when he'd been asleep.

There was that one horrible day, a couple days after he'd first arrived that he had been giving Toothiana a difficult time doing chores. Sandy had taken over the job of him completing all the tasks on North's list, and Pitch had learned quickly that the little golden man held no punches when it came to getting him in line. It was quite sobering and humiliating to say the least how fast Sandy had snapped a stinging blow that had him jumping and scrambling to do as he was told. He had to wonder on some level if Sandy had enjoyed using those sand whips a little too much! He supposed the Sandman needed to work out the past aggression he may have held against Pitch for having been almost annihilated at Pitch's hands. Either way, Pitch had quickly learned to respect Sandy not wanting to anger the little star and as such had dared not to test him further.

That felt like a long time ago now though, and the two had both become more amiable to each other finding some kind of understanding without ever having to have actively communicated. Now Pitch had to wonder being that they were a yin and yang of one another's power what it was to truly know the star.

North nodded. "Work went much better today. We actually got frame done." He turned a smile to Pitch. "And I am proud of Pitch for his dedication and the hard work he put in."

Pitch perked at the praise, "Well I …thank you North. It was a much better day all around I think." He smiled a hint of color hued his cheeks from North's kind words.

Sandy also seemed quite pleased as his smile widened and he swelled sitting up a little taller. He flashed a string of 'Z's' above his head nodding vigorously at North with an expression that said 'I told you so!' Sandy was ever the advocator of sleep thinking Pitch's better day was linked to him getting enough rest and of course having his sweet dreams added in the mix. He was ever so proud of his abilities to give sweet dreams coupled with sleep; he was after all the foundation of all of their beliefs. By giving children good dreams, it allowed them the joy and rest to imagine and for belief to flourish.

"Yes, you told me so." North chuckled, leaning back in his chair.

Pitch looked on trying to discern what the two were talking about now since he'd not been paying Sandy any mind. Being a mute meant poor Sandy often was overlooked. Pitch shifted in his seat, so he could catch both sides of the conversation now, "Told you so?" Pitch wondered aloud looking to North for further explanation.

"Oh, Sandy told me last night after I left you that you needed good night's sleep to take crankiness away." North said, waving it off.

Sandy made numerous depictions in a flurry of sand over his head on the merits of good sleep.

Pitch frowned looking at Sandy's smug smile, "Crankiness? I wasn't being cranky because I needed sleep, it was just a bad day," he justified.

"Lack of sleep can contribute to it sometimes." said North. "No harm in getting good night's sleep. You have been using more energy since beginning work on conveyor."

Pitch shrugged, "Perhaps, but by the looks of things, one more day of work is all it'll take to finish the conveyor. I don't plan on wasting the last day of my freedom dwindling it away on sleep," Pitch sighed thinking on the grounding to follow.

Sandy grimaced not seeing how anyone would want to forsake sleep.

The expression on Sandy's face amused Pitch and he chuckled, "Oh don't give me that look Sanderson. There's far better things to do with one's time than sleep it away. Not everyone wants to spend their existence staring at the back of their eyelids."

"Actually, it'll take at least two more days to complete. You will be helping to paint sides of conveyor tomorrow. They will have to dry before they can be connected." said North.

Pitch brightened, "So then the work will stretch until Saturday!" This pleased Pitch to think that he could then spend time with Toothiana. He was quick to ask, "Toothiana was going to try and come by for lasagna on Saturday; will it be a problem if I joined her?"

North lifted an eyebrow. "If work does indeed stretch that far, you will still be working on conveyor. Tooth is welcomed to join us at the landfill for lunch break, but that is all."

Pitch pouted, "Well, today is Thursday, and if we finish up on Saturday, like you're predicting, the work will be officially over most likely before the end of the day. Lasagna won't be getting served until later in the evening for dinner, so we shouldn't even be at the landfill site by the time she comes!"

"Saturday will be a full day's work, Pitch. You will be helping yetis attach sides that you will paint tomorrow. Then you will help them construct the belt part after that." said North, his voice tinged with a warning edge. "I suspect that by time you get done it will be too late to see Tooth since she goes out on her rounds after certain hour. I will instruct lasagna to be made earlier in day so the three of us can eat it for lunch break. And I will tell Tooth to stop by landfill."

That worked out well actually Pitch thought knowing it would save him from having to manipulate events to ensure Toothiana remained ignorant of his restrictions… although if North was joining them, there was more of a chance for the man to blurt out something embarrassing. Still this scenario was far better than could be expected, and Pitch nodded in agreement, "That actually sounds perfect… as long as she won't be too against eating by a landfill… at least with the structure up, sun won't be a problem."

"I'm sure she won't mind." North turned to Sandy. "You are welcome to join us too, my friend."

Sandy tilted his head nodding yes.

Pitch's brow drew down, this intimate gathering of two to then three, and now four was disrupting Pitch's idea of a pleasant quiet meal, "Well Sandy will likely be sleeping at that time North, you wouldn't want to drag him all the way down here just to eat. I think he'd prefer sleep anyway wouldn't you Sandy?"

Sandy considered Pitch a moment and getting the hint he wasn't welcome made his whole frame dim slightly as he gave a soft shrug.

"Nonsense," said North, reaching over to pat the gold man on the back. "If Sandy wishes to come, he is free to join us."

Pitch rolled his eyes, "Why not just invite the whole crew then, Maybe Jack and Bunnymund will also want to squeeze in a meal at the landfill," he stated sarcastically. It wasn't that he necessarily had anything against Sandy, he'd mostly just wanted to have a little time to spend with Toothiana. There was no getting around North, he was a necessary evil within the equation. Pitch finally sighed thinking it shouldn't really even matter being the fact the golden man was a mute anyway.

"Pitch, don't be rude." said North with a frown.

Pitch scowled, "I was merely stating a fact, it doesn't really matter if he comes or doesn't to me honestly. It's not like he can really be disruptive…" he gave Sandy a smirk.

Sandy frowned letting fly a string of symbols to show he didn't appreciate Pitch's comment to make fun of the fact he didn't speak.

North rolled his eyes. "Pitch; that is enough. You have been so good today. Please do not end on bad note."

Pitch folded his arms and huffed at North's terminology of being 'good.' He sighed responding dismissively, "Fine. It was only a jest, it's not my fault he took it the wrong way."

Sandy frowned at Pitch's response but decided to ignore him now and turned to North as he made a sand scene of the list and then a question mark. North had explained his suspicions last night to Sandy that he thought Pitch may have taken his list, and he was curious to see if he'd found it.

North sighed, silently wishing Sandy could speak and Pitch could be the mute sometimes. He turned to Sandy. "No, haven't found it. Looked through every stack. Nothing." He locked eyes with the man. "Pitch even helped me look for it, isn't that right, Pitch?" He turned to Pitch.

Pitch's eyes widened as his adrenaline pumped at the mention of the list again; he really wished it would stop coming up! He blinked regaining his composure, "Uh… yeah. Hours looking for it," he let out a slight nervous laugh as he scratched at the back of his neck, "It seems to have just …uh, up and disappeared." The way North's eyes were boring into him made Pitch carefully sit back in his chair trying to act casual now as he shifted his gaze over to Sandy just to get clear of North's penetrating stare, "So… Sandy, I was thinking you and I could go on a walk before you go out on your runs tonight if you're interested. I know North has so much to do, he'd likely welcome the quiet." Pitch had to plaster a grin on his face to seem like he had genuine interest as the heat of this conversation had the hackles on the back of his neck rising. He thought now would likely be a good time to vacate the premises if at all possible.

Sandy lifted a brow blinking before turning to North with an expression that said, 'Oh yeah, he has it.' Sandy could see with ease that Pitch was squirming like a worm on a hook, and he couldn't help the grin that tugged on his lips as he wondered how long North planned to let him wriggle.

"You wouldn't by chance know where list is, would you, Pitch?" North calmly asked. "Or maybe you could suggest place it could have gone."

Pitch refocused on North now mouth hanging agape a moment before he cautiously ventured, "I… I looked through all of these stacks… uh, why would you think I would know where it was if I didn't already find it here?" He was dangerously getting close to lying (which he really didn't want to do, so he was artfully dancing around the subject.) His hands were gripping the sides of the chair now tightly as his worry of where this conversation was going grew.

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" North said, looking straight at Pitch with expectant eyes.

His heart quickened and his mouth went dry as Pitch worked to remain calm, "Wha-what are you saying?" Pitch questioned weakly barely controlling the tremor working its way through his core out to his limbs by gripping his hands tighter to the chair.

"Pitch, do you take me for a fool?" said North. "The longer you sit there denying and lying, the worse this situation gets."

He swallowed hard. Pitch was afraid now, and the fearling essence within him swirled raucously in the form of jumping electrified nerves. No! North was bluffing! There was no way he could know! The anxiety was mounting, and Pitch turned his fear into anger responding defensively as he sprang from the chair backing away as he spat, "So, it's like that is it? You can't find it, so you automatically assume I stole it? Why doesn't that surprise me! It figures that even without proof, I'm the first to blame!"

North rolled his eyes and turned a weary look to Sandy.

Sandy lifted both brows making a silent whistle as he stood looking from both Pitch to North obviously curious to see what would happen next but standing in case he needed to make a move.

Pitch shifted further back behind the chair now as if putting the chair between the two could prevent North from grabbing him.

"Pitch," North sighed, "I wasn't sure at first, but I had my suspicions. Mainly because list was there before you came in room with Tooth the other day, then it was no longer there later that night when I reached for it. My list never leaves this room, and no one else touches it but me. Besides, I think you are giving way enough proof by your actions right now."

"You're boldly accusing me! Of course you've got me on edge! How could I not be? Besides, you've… you've got so many lists!" He spun around motioning to the multiple piles of lists all over North's office, "How do you know you didn't bury it somewhere?" Pitch's eyes were wild shifting from Sandy to North hoping his words struck a chord with North.

"You searched through each stack of lists. You said it wasn't here." North said, calmly. "When I last saw list, it was right here." North pointed to the corner of his desk. "I was keeping it handy, since new naughty deeds seemed to appear the night you were spending time with Tooth. Something about bullying my elves."

Pitch's jaw dropped in surprise, "You… you knew about that?" Pitch had assumed North would have gotten on to him promptly and punished him without haste after having just punished him for being rude to the yetis. He was feeling even more foolish now to know that he may have not even been punished for the offense originally if he'd just left the list alone. A sinking feeling began to work its way through Pitch as he realized he'd worked himself into a hole now that he likely wasn't going to be able to dig himself out of.

North nodded. "Yes, I saw it right before you and Tooth arrived."

Pitch cringed shifting nervously, "Uh… about that, I hadn't really meant to bully the elves. I… It was just an attempt to create less waste. Toothiana explained it wasn't okay, and I promised not to do so again. I really wasn't trying to bully them, I swear."

"Don't explain it to me. I trust that you and Tooth worked it out between you." North said. "But my list is still missing."

He wasn't going to let it go, Pitch was realizing, and it was boiling down to him either telling North the truth about the list or taking the next step from omission to actually lying to North.

Pitch went quiet, if he admitted what he'd done, he was most likely going to get a spanking, and Pitch really didn't want to get spanked, again, after only two days! It seemed he couldn't manage to stay off the Cossack's lap these days which only served to make him more reticent and embarrassed that he'd managed to make another horrible mess for himself. If he lied to North, he knew that the damage would be irreparable though. He had been so happy when he'd left his room to head here with North, but now like a bad penny, trouble kept turning up at his doorstep. He didn't have anyone to blame but himself he knew, but it didn't make it any less easy to admit or cope with.

He didn't want to fight this fight any longer, it was a losing battle he knew well. Finally conceding, he sighed wearily as he lowered his head, "I… I took it. I know I shouldn't have, but I was afraid!" His lip twisted in agony as he continued, "I… I saw the entry about the elves, and... and I panicked! I didn't want you to be angry with me, so I took it before I even fully considered what I'd done. By the time I had it, it was already too late. I… I'm sorry," as he spoke, his anxiety and guilt coalesced into a tumultuous wave of fear and regret, and he sniffled as tears quickly sprung to his eyes in his immediate shame, "I really just wanted to have a good day," he mourned his propensity to find himself in these situations. He couldn't find the courage to look back up now and face North as he clasped his hands behind him, and his shoulders shuttered in silent cries of remorse.

North sighed shaking his head, and giving himself a moment before responding. "You were afraid I would be angry, so instead you took list and made things worse. Makes a lot of sense."

Pitch couldn't stop the tears from flowing only making him feel that much worse as he nodded, "I know I shouldn't have taken it! It …it was a gut reaction! But… but after I took it, I didn't know what else to do to make it right! I know, it was stupid, believe me! I spent most of the night yesterday trying to get rid of it," he all but sobbed now feeling horribly guilty.

"You didn't know what else to do to make it right? There was only one thing you could do. Bring it back to me and tell me." North replied. "You cannot destroy it. It is enchanted. Only I have power to destroy it."

Pitch shifted from foot to foot as he spoke, his eyes remained downcast and his voice wavered, "I… I realize that. I …I should have brought it back, I know, Believe me I know! I… I was afraid to face you, afraid what you might do to me when you found out what I had done. You must understand! I never meant to keep it from you, just once I took it… and tried to get rid of it …it kept adding line after line! I… I knew I couldn't get rid of the new lines, and I'd only managed to make it worse! I… I should have come to you or admitted it sooner, but… I didn't want to you to be disappointed in me, and I… I really didn't want to get punished again." Pitch openly cried as he spoke all of his fears splayed out in his words and his worries laced his concerns at his failures to do what needed to be done. Admitting what he'd done and knowing what it was going to lead to, sent a wave of self-pity through him as he hoped North might see his guilt and feel some form of mercy for him to grant him a reprieve.

North sighed leaning back in his chair, "Well, I am disappointed in you. Not only because of what you did, but because you still have not learned to make right choices. Pitch, if you had simply come to me and returned list and faced whatever consequences awaited you, you would have made it a lot easier on yourself. I would have let you off with scolding."

He pouted, "You… you could still let me off with a scolding…" he stated looking up hopefully although doubt lined his words.

North shook his head. "You know by now that you are not the one to choose your punishment. Not only did you take list, but you also lied about it and led me on to believe you had not taken it." he sighed, massaging his temples. "Pitch, I have had it with you. You are currently in middle of being punished, and you go and do something else to heap more punishment on yourself. If I didn't know better, I would think you enjoyed being punished. And what's worse is that you never take responsibility for actions and even beg mercy and light punishments from me, even when you do stuff bad enough to earn spanking. If you do something wrong, you should be prepared to face consequences regardless of what those consequences are."

Pitch felt nauseous as the words North spoke grated into him. He hated to hear the disappointment ringing through the Cossack's voice. He thought to add that he technically never lied to the man even though he'd omitted the truth, but he doubted that it would earn him any less ire since he most definitely had tried to redirect accusation up until this point which he assumed was the same as lying in North's eyes.

Pitch dropped his head once more unable to continue facing the steely fierce blue eyes that reflected more than a little weariness, "I… I'm sorry. I know you want me to boldly face whatever consequences I've earned, but that's easier said than done when your head's on the chopping block! I… I didn't mean to make things this bad! I …I didn't want this," he whimpered wiping at the tears making their way down his face. He couldn't believe that he had been crying throughout this whole exchange, which in itself was a humiliation in the deepest regard. He couldn't help it though; the tears welled out of him from the emotional overload he was experiencing knowing how much he'd failed North and knowing what he was likely going to face, namely that awful strap again. He'd built up enough anxiety at just the thought of getting caught, and deep down, he knew it was irrational to have thought he would have gotten away with it at all. It was Santa's magical list after all. The man would have likely just used magic to find it again eventually, and he would have been right back here in this horrible, becoming all too familiar, situation.

"Sorry, sorry. All you ever are is sorry. I will always accept your apologies, Pitch, providing they are genuine, but I grow weary of hearing apologies, as it is becoming an all too common thing with you as of late. You do something bad and then are quick to say sorry, hoping it will get you out of mess. It would do my heart good to see you actually improving. I know it is hard to boldly face consequences. It always is. But that is part of life and learning. As I've said before, if you do not want spanking then do your best to see that you don't earn them. When you are tempted to do something wrong or make a bad choice, stop and actually think of what the consequences will be if you go through with doing it. Ask yourself, 'Is it worth it?' You have intelligent brain, Pitch, use it once in a while. I do not ask for you to be perfect. No one's perfect. But I do wish you would start showing me that you actually care."

Pitch frowned pitifully, "I... I do care, and I am sorry! I don't want to keep making stupid mistakes! You don't think I feel foolish enough? Believe me, I do! I want nothing more than to stop having these ...talks with you. I wish I had had the courage to face you sooner, but I failed you. I should have known better than to take that list; ...I did, and I didn't think until it was too late. Once I'd taken it, I let my fears rule me into reacting poorly because I didn't want to face the consequences of my actions. I know you don't believe me, but I really do want to be better ...for you... and for me... All I can do is promise to try harder in the future, and I will. By the stars I will!" His face was the picture of misery now. To hear just how disappointed North was in him tore at Pitch's heart. All he wanted was to move past this stage in his life and prove he was doing better without giving what felt to him and everyone else like endless apologies.

North nodded, leaning back in his chair, turning a look to Sandy to see if he had anything to put in or any words of encouragement.

Sandy looked surprised glancing from North to Pitch. He'd never seen the nightmare lord appear this distraught in front of him before. He supposed what North was doing definitely was having an effect on him, but to look at Pitch, once so haughty and arrogant, and now crying with obvious distress and shame over what he had done had sobered the little golden man into feeling a little sorry for Pitch. He knew Pitch had brought this on himself, and he also knew North had needed to stay strong and firm in the face of dealing with Pitch in order to remain consistent. It was a sad sight to behold, and Sandy gave North a sympathetic pout and a nod when North looked his way to give the Cossack his support.

North sighed, not really knowing what to do next. He hated having to spank Pitch again so soon, but he had to stand firm and stick to his word. He couldn't back down and let Pitch think he could get off so easily. He would never learn that way. He sighed again as he sat there, studying the Boogeyman.

Pitch glanced up at North looking quite penitent with the tears that still streaked his face and the small pout he wore that trembled slightly in his anticipation. He wanted to say more, something to derail what was going to come next, but Pitch had no words left. North was tired of hearing his apologies, so Pitch did not offer any more verbally but continued to project his regret physically.

Sandy patted North's hand depicting a sand figure of himself taking Pitch back to his room to give North a little time to gather his wits. He turned back to Pitch and floated up beside him to gently take his hand.

Pitch didn't resist as Sandy led him to North's office door and out of the man's office. He wished the Sandman would use his powers on him now to knock him out, so he could stop thinking about what had just happened and what was going to happen.

After Sandy left with Pitch, North sat alone in his office, thinking. He really did hate having to spank Pitch again. It had been such a good day for all of them, and now they had to end it like this. He shook his head.

Sandy pulled Pitch down the hall, and Pitch trudged behind him sorrowfully. He was doing his best to keep his head down and avoid eye contact from the passing yetis and elves that only glanced at the two curiously as they moved down the hallway and back to Pitch's room. As they walked, Pitch could only think on the fact that he was so very tired of not only disappointing North but also himself. Every time he landed himself in this same predicament, he would tell himself, never again! But here he was, two days later with a literal list of new offenses to get spanked for. Pitch let out a vocal sob of self-pity as these thoughts seared a new wave of shame through him.

Sandy opened his door allowing Pitch to trod in; he paused a moment at the door wondering if he should leave, but seeing how Pitch flopped down on his bed dejectedly made him hesitate and decide to keep Pitch company until North returned.

Thirty minutes passed before North wearily trudged down the hallway and knocked on Pitch's door.

Pitch sat slumped on his bed with his hands folded in his lap looking rather grave.

Sandy had sat on the bed next to him giving his knee a light sympathetic pat.

Neither communicated more than this as Pitch had been lost to his own self-pity and frozen in a sick anxiety only sniffling and wiping at the further tears that slid down his angular chin. It was hard to think of anything else now, and his body took on a slight tremor when the knock finally came and Sandy floated over to open the door.

Pitch's eyes stared at North now swallowing hard at the lump in his throat. He'd hoped the man would have stayed gone for hours this time, but then, they had a long day of work ahead of them, so Pitch supposed North wanted to get it over with. To be honest with himself, for as much pain as the waiting caused, Pitch also rather it just be done and over to, he just wished he could skip to the end now.

North stepped inside the room, turning to regard Pitch in silence.

Sandy floated back over to Pitch touching the side of his face sweetly as he used a thumb to wipe away the tear that spilled to greet his hand.

Pitch drew his attention away from North now eclipsed eyes with dilated pupils shifting to stare at Sandy in wonder of what he wanted.

Sandy flashed an image of the list and a question mark.

Pitch blinked eyes half lidded in understanding, "Oh… yes. I… I hid it behind the mirror," he stated demurely as he lowered his head once more.

Sandy ran a hand through his hair floating up and planting a soft kiss on his forehead before sliding his hand from his cheek and moving to check behind the mirror.

Pitch watched on dully as Sandy moved his little hands about and finally figuring out how Pitch had opened the frame up; he popped the backing and pulled out first the list, and then when seeing there were more pages, he pulled the other eleven pages of magic Pitch had scrawled out previously and had left hidden behind his mirror. Pitch's eyes bulged a little when he saw Sandy digging the rest of the pages out as well, but figured he couldn't be in any more trouble than he probably already was. Still it made his heart skip a beat when the little man floated over to give all the pages to North now.

North took the pages and began sifting through them, his brow drawing down. "What is rest of this? They look like spells, but I thought you put them back in library." he asked, holding up the pages.

Pitch gulped, "I… I did! Those were… uh," he rubbed at the back of his neck nervously as he squeaked, "copies? I… I had made copies of the spells back when I found them, and I stuck them back there for safe keeping. I did return all of the originals though! Just as I told you I had!" Pitch's face blushed fiercely having not even considered if North would have been angry about him keeping copies of the spells even though he'd never actually practiced them.

North nodded his head several times, inhaling and exhaling. "No harm done." he finally said. "We have already dealt with that problem anyway." He walked forward, stopping beside Pitch and handing over the naughty list.

Pitch reached out tentatively taking the list. He looked to North now with no small amount of confusion painted on his face, "Why…? I don't …I don't understand."

"I want you to read it." North replied. "Go on, take it and read over it."

Pitch's frown deepened as his eyes dropped to the scroll in his hands. It was quite lengthy. He didn't really have to read it to see all of what he'd done, the newest of course was trying to hide the fact that he'd stolen his list from North. Pitch couldn't help letting out a wry humorless laugh that turned into a to a choked sob as the irony wasn't lost on him that out of all the new offenses that had been added to his list, five in all, all but one encompassed just trying to hide the fact that he'd taken the list in the first place. He whined, "I… I'm a fool. I know. I wish I could take it back, but I… I can't. I'm not going to pelt you with a litany of I'm sorries. I am, but it's pointless now isn't it? The damage has been done." His hands were shaking as he clutched the page and his tears dropped like scattered raindrops on its surface.

"So do you agree that you need to be punished for these wrongdoings?" North asked calmly.

Pitch sniffed, and after a long pause nodded letting out a barely audible, "Yes." The word hurt to say, and he crumpled in on himself to say it. He meant it, and that fact caused more tears to stream from his eyes in bitter self-loathing.

North turned to Sandy. "Wait out in hall."

Sandy gave a quick solemn nod as he drifted out the open door and closed it with a soft click behind him.

Pitch cringed feeling the finality of the door closing as he peered up at North fearfully. His whole body awash in a wave of cold chills as he waited for North's next move. He silently prayed that North would leave the strap behind the picture and just use his hand. One could hope anyway.

North sighed and sat down on the bed, patting his lap. "Let us get this over with."

Pitch only hesitated a moment staring at North's lap despairingly before doing as instructed and climbing over North's knee with a shuttered sob.

Without saying a word, North pulled Pitch's robe back and tugged his pants down, laying a hard smack across his rear.

No matter how many times they did this, Pitch never could brace himself well enough to not react to the pain as North's heavy hand crested his backside. He gasped jolting up with a jerk as his feet jerked up to cover his rear instinctively. He let out a pitiable whimper as he fought to drop his feet and not interfere with his punishment. It wouldn't last long he thought dully, he didn't have a very high tolerance, and he had even less control.

North stopped swatting long enough to throw his leg over Pitch's legs, pinning them in place. Then he recommenced with the spanking, bringing his hand down several more times.

Pitch hated when North pinned him down feeling acutely the loss of control in his limbs and the helplessness that shrouded him to have even more of the control he'd already had taken away increased to no longer even having an option. It almost made the pain of North's swats amplify to know he could in no way stop the steady barrage that was quickly heating his flesh as Pitch writhed and bucked uncomfortably moaning out yelps of anguish with every connecting swat.

North had decided not to spank Pitch very long. So he laid down fifteen more hard swats before ending it.

Pitch wailed out as North's hand landed viciously on his already tenderized bottom. The back to back spankings made these smacks feel like North had been spanking him for some time reigniting the sealed in pain that still radiated from underneath the top layer. Much of the tenderness had healed leaving behind a dull ache from the strapping three days ago, but as North's hand moved across these familiar areas, the muscle remembered the throbbing and clenched reflexively as Pitch bobbed to and fro in a valiant attempt to avoid the blows.

In one fluid motion North had simply pulled Pitch's small frame forward onto the bed propping the cleft of his bottom high on top of his thigh and securing a tighter hold around Pitch's waist to keep his movements restricted to a small ineffectual wriggle.

Pitch couldn't help but to look back mournfully as he was adjusted to be spanked more fitfully on North's lap. North was always so technical even in this, and as such, it seemed he became more aware of exactly where Pitch was the most sensitive and concentrated his efforts in those particular areas to make sure he wouldn't be sitting comfortably for a little while. His sobs of self-pity wracked through him to see his backside propped up tautly only to jiggle and twitch as the impact of North's palm crashed down in even sweeps. The flesh prickled with the sensation of every stinging blow, and Pitch cried lost in a wave of regret. He was surprised and grateful when North stopped deciding to grant Pitch some clemency for whatever reason. Pitch still hiccupped in breaths having worked himself up terribly by this point and feeling rather ridiculous and weak that he would shed so many tears over a child's punishment, but he supposed the spanking was only a small portion of the reason he cried so hard. The real pain within came from the feeling of disapproval from the guardians and a loss of faith in himself to be able to get on the right track and for once stay on it.

North pulled Pitch's pants back in place and removed his leg, allowing Pitch to right himself. "Now, I hope this is last time we have to go through this for a while."

Pitch feeling the fabric pulled back in place quickly clambered off North's lap to sit lightly on the bed wiping away the tears as he hitched in a ragged breath, "I… I hope it's …it's the last time." He wanted to believe this could be the last time, but he really wasn't that hopeful. Still, now that the list had finally been returned, he felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He had nothing else to hide, not even the magic pages, and that left him feeling like he was better equipped to make a new start.

"I would like for it to be very last time I have to do it," said North. "But I'm sure it won't be, unless you end up surprising all of us."

This statement jarred Pitch like a slap in the face to have North show so little faith in his ability to change. A fresh wave of tears welled and fell at this consideration as Pitch felt his chances of not ending up over North's knee again now to be rather bleak if even North seemed to have no doubts that he wouldn't be able to avoid this fate. He sniffled miserably, "I… I would like to believe it to be so… but, I do seem to be rather hopeless don't I?" His words took on a note of despair as his face twisted in his distress.

"You are not hopeless, Pitch." North said. "Although I would like for you to take this whole situation to heart and make more of effort to change, if not for our sake but for your own sake. You will still be spending a week grounded, and during that time I want you to reflect on everything that has happened."

Pitch's shoulders slumped to be reminded of the grounding, he was sure reflection would mostly mean boredom and loneliness which reminded him of Toothiana coming to visit him, "When… when I'm here… confined to my room, will I be allowed visitors?" Pitch questioned. It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have to suffer the whole week without any contact.

"Depends on what you mean by visitors. I plan on popping in on occasion. And Sandy will be around to make sure you get good sleep when you need it. But other than that, no other visitors." North said, sadly. "Grounding means you are grounded. No stepping outside room. No visitors, other than me and Sandy. I will make sure you have plenty to occupy yourself with."

Pitch's frown deepened and he gave North a wounded look, "Not Toothiana? I… I think she's been really good for me; don't you think? I mean, nothing against Sandy, but I think Toothiana's guidance would do me much better than a cloud of dreamsand. I don't really need to sleep while I'm in here anyway. It's not like I'll have anything I'll need to do." His voice was cracking a little under the strain of how upset the concept of being restricted was making him. This was no nightmare realm, and one week was nothing from what he'd suffered in the past, but the thought of it was already making him feel claustrophobic. Maybe Sandy wouldn't be so bad after all if he could just knock him out for the entirety of the week, but he doubted Sandy would do that even if he could since it would go against the whole point of the punishment.

North shook his head. "Besides, Toothiana has work. She can't be here all the time."

Pitch huffed disdainfully, "Well, so does Sandy. I would think Sandy has more on his plate than Toothiana since she's got little helpers to do her job for her." It felt like a copout to Pitch, and he didn't like part of what North had said about Sandy 'making sure he got a good sleep when he needed it.' What did that even mean? Was he going to have Sandy make him go to sleep? What if he wasn't in the mood to sleep? It was starting to niggle him, so he had to ask, "You… you aren't planning to force sleep on me are you? I'm not like you, I don't need sleep every day."

North scowled. "Of course not, Pitch. Don't be ridiculous. When did I say that I was going to force sleep on you?" He pointed a finger at Pitch. "I tell you what. If you can prove to me that you will be good through your grounding and go through it without complaining, I may let Tooth visit you for one day, on toward end of week."

"Oh… okay," Pitch said forlornly. It wasn't what he'd wanted fully, but it was better than not at all he conceded. He doubted he'd make it through the week without complaining, but he'd try to at least keep from doing so in front of North. He could complain to the creampuff though, with Sandy being a mute, he could use the man as a sounding board. He doubted he'd go out of his way to express to North he was complaining anyway, and Pitch would need some way to vent.

North eyed Pitch a few minutes before pushing himself to standing. He walked over to the door, opened it, and stepped out into the hallway to address Sandy, closing the door behind him.

Pitch watched North go with a long sigh, he had really had a good day up until going to North's office, until he had managed to mess it up with his previous mistakes. Pitch had to wonder what it would take for him to just have a good day all around.

As the door opened, Sandy who had been standing outside listening anxiously to the cacophony of cries of pain from Pitch and the hard slaps of flesh on flesh seemed grateful that North had finished as he floated over to North looking at him with concern and a question mark to see how the man was fairing.

"He is doing fine. As fine as can be expected." North said wearily. "After he finishes up work with conveyor, he is going to face a week of grounding for everything he has done up until this point. I plan on just the two of us being the only people he sees during that week. I plan on spending some time with him, and I would like for you to be handy in case he needs good night's rest. I told him just now that if he is good and goes through grounding without complaining, I might let Toothiana visit him near end of week. During times when you are with him, be sure to remind him of this if he ever starts complaining."

Sandy nodded vigorously. He hadn't really been around much other than to give Pitch a good night's sleep, and after seeing Pitch tonight, the little star was feeling neglectful as though he'd been letting North shoulder too much of Pitch's care. He was all of their responsibility after all. Sand images of the letter Z danced across Sandy's head as he pointed at North to see if he'd like the dreamweaver to help him get some rest as well. Sandy already planned to go visit Pitch to help him rest before leaving for his runs. He could stop by nightly to perform this service for both Pitch and North since a rested Boogeyman was a much more pleasant to be around for everyone Boogeyman.

North thought a moment, then gave a curt nod. "Yes, I think we can both use it. I will go get ready for bed while you take care of Pitch first. Might as well go to bed since I am in no mood to do work now."

Sandy nodded waving to North as the man lumbered down the hall looking more than a little dragged out. It saddened Sandy to see him as such, and his brow drew down resolutely with solid plans to pull his weight here and now as he gently popped the door open to Pitch's room and glided inside.

Pitch was sitting on his bed leaning against the headboard when he saw Sandman enter. He sighed looking down in embarrassment knowing Sandy had likely heard everything that had happened. Suddenly recalling Sandy had been there to witness practically everything had his cheeks flushing horribly. He must have looked quite the sight to the little golden man.

Sandy floated over to Pitch reaching out to gently stroke his hand through Pitch's unruly locks of hair giving him troubled eyes and a gentle smile.

Pitch blinked turning towards him with a look of misery plastered on his face. The touch felt good though, so Pitch tried to reassure Sandy's worried expression away with a tired attempt at a smile of his own, "I'm… I'm okay Sandy," he found he couldn't stare into those deeply set imploring eyes for too long without feeling guilt for trying to kill the man years ago, so Pitch ducked his head, "I… I'm sorry you had to see that. I seem to have a bad habit of finding trouble for myself."

Sandy floated closer now moving behind Pitch and wrapping his arms around the Boogeyman's neck lightly and pressing his cheek against Pitch's cheek giving him a gentle squeeze.

Pitch chuckled softly as Sandy's wispy hair tickled his nose and he rubbed at it. Pitch could feel the star's warmth radiating through him, and the dusts that drifted off Sandy like a pollenated breeze had Pitch drowsing instantly. He jerked his head in a motion to wake up, but he felt so very tired now.

Sandy released Pitch floating backwards and gently rolled the sheets and comforter back as Pitch watched on dazedly. Once he'd moved back the sheets, Sandy used a current of dreamsand to smoothly slide under Pitch to lift him gently in the air and settle him back in the bed on his side.

Pitch whined halfheartedly, "No… Sandy! I wasn't…" he couldn't even finish his sentence as he fought to keep his eyes open only letting out a long sigh at the fact he was quickly losing this battle.

Sandy pulled the sheets and comforter up around Pitch and gently tucked him in. Sandy didn't knock Pitch out right away instead letting the man drowse while he settled down beside his head and just gently pulled little fingers through Pitch's hair to neatly smooth it behind his ear.

Pitch blinked blearily at Sandy as his thoughts started to drift, and all he could think about was how comfortable his bed was and how nice it felt to be tucked in and to be touched like this. The kindness, the persisting gentleness, it brought more tears to his eyes. Pitch didn't understand why something that felt so good would make him want to cry, but as Sandy continued to caress him compassionately, tears streamed silently down Pitch's cheeks as a buried longing for this kind of touch seared his soul.

Sandy frowned feeling an acute sadness to see Pitch cry not from pain or fear but from receiving affection. He leaned forward lightly wiping the many pooling tears away and kissing the Boogeyman's cheek sweetly. As Sandy did this, more sand dust floated down easing Pitch into the sleep he'd tried to avoid but easily wanted to succumb to. Sandy watched as Pitch's dreams took shape now and not too surprisingly, they reflected what Sandy had just been doing, tucking him in and stroking his hair. Sandy smiled as he watched this dream proud that he'd been able to not only give a good dream to Pitch but create a memory for a good dream. Sandy waited for Pitch's dreams to settle into subconscious REM sleep before rising from the bed and planting one more soft kiss on Pitch's forehead, turning off his light, and heading out to go tuck in North.