Believe in Me

New Perspective?

Ilia was sitting on the soft white sheets of one of the many spare bedrooms housed in the Pole. She had the blankets pulled tightly around her small form, though it was more like she was hiding than actually seeming cold. Bunny had apparentally found her inside the pole.. so at least she hadn't frozen outside or anything. Jack peeked in the room before opening the door further to step in. The guardians were all surrounding her, Bunny leaning against the wall with his paws crossed over his chest, Sandy floating at the fox girl's side with a look of concern in his gentle golden eyes, and North standing with a look of curiosity at the girl at the foot of the bed. Jayna was nowhere to be found but that wasn't too concerning.. the groundhog hadn't ever seemed to feel comfortable around the pole with no one, not even Grey or Ilia, to call a friend other than Bunny who didn't seem to want her there in the first place. The creak of the wooden door caused faces to turn to attention as Jack and Tooth came in quietly. Ilia's green eyes lit up for a second as the guardian of fun gave his best smile to her despite how weak it was at all the thoughts that were flickering in his head at the same time. He knew he needed to talk about this with her right that moment but she seemed to upset.. Her small hands were clenched around the blankets tightly like they were desperate for someone to hold them.. for Grey's sleeve to be in them like it always was when she walked at his side. Jack had always seen her holding on happily to his black sleeve as they walked along, she literally clung to him and he was all fine with it.. but now her bright eyes showed with tears she wanted to hold back, tears of not just sadness but a lack of understanding. She didn't see why Grey left her.. left them all. Did he not care? Didn't the guardians show that he was welcome? She had thought that the reaper had opened up to the group.. but his actions proved otherwise. And he left her behind in the midsts of it.. Jack walked over quickly to comfort the girl, sitting on the side of her bed and looking over with the most  cheerful look he could hold, his smile lighting up the room slightly as it always seemed to do. She peered up at him.. just like his little sister had that one day. Jack knew he could lift her spirits, she trusted him. He couldn't let her already unstable heart down again with a sad look. Kids needed happiness, innocence and a comfort in their lives. Jack would be that comfort until Grey came back.. he would wouldnt he? You know he's good on the inside, he's just taking the wrong path. He means well. The winter spirit agreed with the voice in his head and went on, looking at Ilia with a smile of confusion. "Why're you crying, kiddo? I was hoping to come in to see your smile again," he grinned to her. She looked up at him and though her mouth didn't respond, her eyes seemed to brighten again just slightly, her grip on the blankets that were near tearing them loosened a little. "Look at all the people here who care about you." Jack motioned around and all of the guardians gave their best smiles and waves, though they still seemed sligthly uneasy, it did the trick. They all seemed slightly surprised at how quickly his positive effect was taking place on the depressed child.. Jack really knew how to take care of kids. "Come on, we all love you! We cant have a family member crying, can we?" Ilia didn't answer but her mouth slowly opened just a little, seeming interested in what he was saying and less intent on letting her sobs come out. The crying was reduced to small sniffles.. the winter spirit was making progress. He smiled and reached out his hand, Ilia wrapping her own hand around not his palm but his sleeve. She looked down at the blue fabric of the hoodie as she held on lightly to it.. it wasn't the same. But it was close. It didn't hold the slight warmness that Grey's clothes had, the warmness of a body that Jack didn't give off, and it didn't have Grey's smell. But.. it was still comforting in a slight way, though Ilia still had a deep heavy stone in the pit of her heart and the tears still wanted to fall. "I know how you're feeling Ilia.. but its all going to be alright. You know him, he seems pretty cold but we all know how much he cares. He'll come back before you know it." She nodded and gave a tiny weak smile of thanks to Jack.. despite how much he probably didn't know it, he was helping. "And until then.. we'll be here to take care of you." She looked around at the guardians. They seemed uneasy slightly, she could sniff that out, but their smiles were warming, their eyes showed kindness. Grey had always been enough of a family for her, he was the only one she really really felt attatched to. Sure she was happy around Jack but he wasn't the same. Just being able to feel the reaper there made her whole day, lit up her whole world.. now.. she couldn't feel him at all. Jack noticed as the light that was starting to form back into her beautiful eyes faded again and he quickly pulled her into a hug, surprising the small girl long enough to look over his shoulder and motion towards her with his head. The boy's looked confused, Sandy holding a question mark of golden sand over his head, North giving a shrug of question and Bunny raising an eyebrow, but Tooth got it and flew over, gently landing at the girl's side and wrapping her own arms around her as well. The rest of the guardians got the idea quickly after, Sandy flying over and hugging with the group, Bunny giving a sigh then a slight smile as he pulled his furry paws around her. There was only a moments pause before they all felt themselves being lifted right off the bed, everyone giving a slight shout of surprise as two large arms wrapped around them tightly as North hugged all of the spirits there with the warmth of a father. Jack laughed and as he looked  beside him, Ilia was smiling. It was a weak smile, tears were still in her bright green eyes.. but he wouldn't let those tears stay for long. She brightened all of their spirits up until then.. now it was their turn. The winter spirit looked up to the ceiling as North finally put them down with a hearty laugh, hoping deep in his head that Grey could somehow feel this just like Jack could feel Death's nightmares. You're not excluded, he thought, wondering if it would ever reach the reaper wherever he was. Whether he was still at Pitch's side because he wanted to be or because he had to be.. Jack held no grudge against him. And he was sure that, despite what Bunny might halfheartedly argue, the others all felt the same way too.