After Dark

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

AN: Eyyy only one day late this time!

"I don't want to." Jack said looking at the tunnel. "What if you go away?"

Matthew squeezed his hand and shook his head. The winter spirit met his eyes before looking at the tunnel again. His eyebrows furrowed, but he nodded. He sighed and shifted towards the tunnel. He didn't want to let go of the Reaper's hand, but would have to. They both couldn't fit through the smaller part of the tunnel together.

The Canadian wanted to offer to go first. He thought it might be easier for the Guardian to see him the whole time, but wasn't sure how to communicate it. He got Jack's attention by squeezing his hand. He used his other hand to point at himself then put up one finger before pointing to the tunnel. The winter spirit looked confused for a moment.

"You want to go first?" Jack asked confused. He wasn't sure if he understood what the Canadian was trying to tell him. He nodded. "Okay!"

Matthew gave him a small smile and shifted to the tunnel exit. He knew the winter spirit would follow him. He reluctantly let go of his hand as he started crawling. It wasn't too far before the tunnel grew enough for him to stand. He did and was immediately out of breath. He leaned against the wall of ice to catch his breath and wait for Jack.

The Guardian wasn't too far behind. The Canadian offered him a hand. He took it and helped him up. He noticed Jack's cast was the same type of walking cast he'd had before. He didn't seem used to the new weight. Matthew could remember it being pretty heavy. The winter spirit wasn't as physically strong as he was, but his powers made up for it.

"Are you okay, Birdie?" Jack asked looking up at him noticing his breathing was weird. The Reaper nodded and smiled reassuringly. "You sure?"

Matthew nodded again and gave a thumbs up. The Guardian didn't look too convinced. He changed the subject by pointing outside. He was still holding one of his hands. Jack looked nervous, but nodded. He waited for the Canadian to take the first steps. Both were leaning on each other as they walked. Neither wanted to be far from the other.

The walk wasn't too far and they moved slowly. Matthew's breathing was mostly normal and only slightly winded when they finally stepped out into the arctic. He squeezed the winter spirit's hand.

Jack looked up at him and he gave him a small smile. He reached up and gently cupped his jaw. He wrapped his arms around his neck bringing him down for a proper kiss. Matthew had waited for him to initiate anything just encase he wasn't ready. He had to break away faster than usual for air. He pulled the Guardian into a tight hug. He hugged back with a bright smile.

Matthew didn't want to let go of Jack, but moved slightly. He pointed in the direction of the Pole. The winter spirit smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, lets go home, Birdie." Jack hummed.

The wind was swirling around them. The Reaper thought it must have been happy. It was gentler and almost like it was petting them. It blew harder picking them both up. The Canadian hated the feeling of flying without his wings open, it felt wrong. He quickly opened them as the wind carried them. It seemed like jack had a handle on the wind. The wind gently set them down at the front door of the Pole.

Jack looked up at him nervously. The Reaper knew what happened the last time they'd stood there. The Guardian thought it was going to happen again. Matthew started to take steps forward, Jack stayed right next to him as he moved. He relaxed once they got to the door.

The winter spirit didn't knock as he pushed the doors open. The yetis on the other side jumped at the sudden movement and greeted Jack. They spotted Matthew and looked confused. He gave them a shy smile. News that he was back must have not made it around yet.

The pair started walking. It seemed like the winter spirit was heading towards North's office. The Canadian wanted to jump through a shadow there. He had no idea how to tell Jack. He wasn't sure if it was the best idea since it was very disorienting to him.

Matthew had to stop multiple times to catch his breath on the way to North's office. They were still walking slowly, but it was a much longer distance that included stairs. Stairs were the worst. Jack stayed right next to him and looked worried. He asked questions and the Canadian would nod or shake his head. He asked if he was okay more than once. He'd just give him a thumbs up. It wasn't exactly the most reassuring, but it got the message across.

The pair finally made it to North's office. The door was open and they went in. Kumakuro looked up from where he was sleeping before laying back down. The Guardian of wonder was up instantly and ran over. He pulled them both into a tight hug. Jack laughed and Matthew smiled. North was crying which made the winter spirit cry and it made the Reaper cry as well. North pulled back and wiped his own tears. Jack just hid his face in the Canadian's chest. He rubbed gentle circles into his back.

"It's good to have you both back." The Russian said with a bright smile. He gestured for them to sit. There was a love seat in the corner of his office. The pair went over and sat down. Jack curled up in his lap and the Reaper wrapped his arms around him. "Matthew, where did you go?"

North's voice got their attention. The Canadian looked at him and was about to speak, but remembered. The Guardian of wonder did as well at the same time and jumped up to give him a paper and pen. He smiled as a thank you and started writing.

'i died when the yetis were carrying us. i knew i wasnt going to make it and let go.' Matthew wrote. Jack was reading it out loud for him as he went. 'i stuck around and watched over jack until he woke up. i was pulled away and woke up like this again.'

"You came straight here?" North asked and the Canadian shook his head.

'death wanted to see me. i went to him first.' Matthew wrote. 'he knew i was distracted and sent me here. he said hed send a letter.'

"It's still good to have you back." North smiled. The trio was quiet for a moment. "What happened to you two? Who did this?"

The Canadian looked down to Jack. He didn't want to say anything if the Guardian of fun didn't. He knew if either one of them said anything, North would have questions. He wasn't sure if Jack would want or be ready to answer.

The winter spirit quickly shook his head and didn't say anything. Matthew did as well. North nodded and didn't push for an answer. The Canadian was relieved he wasn't pushing.

Matthew jumped in surprise as something landed on top of his head. The raven hopped from his head to the chairs arm. It had a piece of paper tied to its foot. It was bigger than usual. The Reaper moved one hand and carefully took it from its foot. He unraveled it and quickly read it.

'Matthew,

You have obviously been picked to be a reaper again. At the time of your death there were no suitable candidates to take over. Tzar and I were very worried about bringing a new reaper into the current climate of the world's deaths. You have more than proven your resilience and dedication in order to stay a reaper. There were a few external factors as well.

You still have all your powers and will remain and angel of death. Your voice and lungs will heal over time. Until then, keep safe.

A more important change is wounds caused by another spirit, human or even animal will not kill you. Only self inflicted wounds can. This does not change your need for water, sleep and food. You can still fall ill as well.

Dreamsand will no longer burn you. It doesn't seem like our original reason for making this rule is valid today.

On a more personal note, take time recovering. Rest and heal for awhile before returning to work. Boss's orders.

Death'

Matthew smiled at the note and handed it to a very curious Jack. The winter spirit started to smile as he read it too.