I can love a block of wood (septiplier nutcracker AU)

Chapter 15

It took a while but eventually Mark and Rose made it up. Amy sent Rose and William off to talk and get to know each other while mark, Ethan, Tyler, and Jack spoke about what happened.

"Jack, I fell. That's what happened. I got hurt. it happens."

"But you all keep talking about what happened after you fell. There is something you're all not telling me."

"Jack, trust me. Now isn't the time, ok? Please trust me about it."

"But i want to know what happened. I need to know."

"No, you don't." Mark forced Jack to look at him the best he could with one hand.

"Ethan and Tyler are right. it isn't important right now. Just know that everything is ok where you are. You will always be ok." Jack sighed and nodded a bit.

"Fine..." He said quietly, looking away.

"Thank you, now let's make sure everyone wasn't hurt while we all were busy yesterday." Mark started to hobble around to everyone who had stayed on the floor when the attack happened. The man watched his wooden companion in silence for a moment before joining him in asking people if they were ok. He remembered almost everyone's name somehow so it made them smile. Most of them were ok. Those who felt like they were hurting somewhere were sent to Ethan. Rose and William eventually joined in. An hour later they had checked on everyone and Rose had made some new friends. She didn't say their names, she just called them her sweeties. They grouped up again, Mark sitting down since his arm was getting a bit sore. "I'm glad everyone is alright."

"I'm surprised no one died or is missing. I expected Felix to do something to them all."

"It's because he thought i died from the fall. He had no need to do anything with them."

"He was almost right too..."

"But he wasn't. I lived."

"Barely."

"And Jack didn't-" Mark was quick to cover Ethan's mouth, glaring and daring him to make Jack feel bad.

"I what?"

"Nothing jackaboy. You're fine." Mark smiled at him as he moved away from Ethan, who did the smart thing and kept quiet. "I need you and Rose to go into town today and get somethings. I really need a disguise."

"So, you got Rose to agree to make one?"

"Yeah, it wasn't hard. She as ready to help so I asked her."

"Yeah, that sounds like her. She wants to help anyone however she can. She is a good kid." Rose came over with a basket of sweets. "Hi Rose. Is that all for me?"

"Glad your not mad at me anymore. I did save a tea cake for you." She rummaged through the basket a bit before pulling out a little wrapped cylinder, which was the cake, and handed it to him. "Does anyone else want anything?"

"No thank you Rose." Mark said gently with a smile. Ethan and Tyler shook their heads so Rose left. "We actually can't have any, but i didn't want her to think she offended us or anything,"

"Smart man. So how long will the trip take?"

"Not long." Ethan told him as he leaned against the tree.

"How many days?" They looked at each other in silence for a moment.

"Might as well tell him part of it." Ethan said quietly. Mark noticed Jack looks irritated when he heard that and flashed him a smile, which calmed Jack down a bit.

"Might as well so he doesn't freak out. Jack, time passes differently here. you could be here for a good month before you wake up in your bed, but when you do it will be the next morning." Jack blinked a bit.

"Is that what you all didn't want to tell me?"

"It's only part. it's the part i can tell you." Jack just stood up and walked away. Mark frowned and looked between Ethan and Tyler with that 'i think i messed up' look.

Jack grumbled quietly under his breath as he came up on Rose with her new friends Christa and Lorlie. She saw him and grinned before waving him over.

"Hey Jack! These two are going to be joining us when we go to town." She told him as she stood up and adjusted the skirt of her dress. "Is that ok?"

"Yeah, That's fine." He said simply, making her frown.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, just a bit mad." Rose was quiet for a moment.

"Was it something i did?"

"No, don't worry. Your fine." He smiled at her and pat her head. "We should head out now so that way we can get back faster." She nodded and picked up her basket.

"Let's go, my sweeties!" The girls laughed as they stood up as well. Christa wore a red and white striped suit with silver bells on a thick red belt. Lorlie wore a dress  short puffy skirt like a cloud but it had long sleeves that went past her fingertips then leggings and ballet shoes. Her whole outfit was a light pink, like she was a thing of cotton candy. They must have been ornaments that Rose had given his mother and she put them on without anyone knowing. Rose linked arms with them and they started walking as Jack trailed behind.

"Jack, wait a second!" He thought about continuing and ignoring the man running after him, but he took too long to decide. mark set his hand on his shoulder. "Take this with you." he gave the potato his sword.

"Why?"

"I don't want to take any chances. I want you and the girls safe." Jack sighed a bit as he looked at it then at him. "Please." He was silent...

"Fine."