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

Chapter 20

"But all these people aligned with him to attack!"

"There is no proof of that. Now pull that sword out and lets go."

"But-"

"Let's GO." Felix pulled the sword out with a swift jerk, making Mark grunt in pain. The soldiers let go of both men and went into formation. They all left and Mark just watched.

"Mark." Jack was quick to get up and go to his side. "Who is that?"

"Thomas... It's Thomas..." He was helped to his feet. "Why.. i..."

"Mark, your bleeding...?" Ethan took Mark and managed to get him to the sleigh. "Ethan, how is he bleeding?"

"I'm not sure what it is, but right now i can't think about it. I need to get mark up there so i can get my things and wrap him up. I don't want to know what happens if we leave him bleeding."

"Can i help?"

"No, you have done enough." Jack paused and looked at Ethan, wondering what he meant by that. He couldn't wonder long because he was tackled by Rose.

"Jack, i was so scared!"

"I know. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Lets get you up to your room to change."

"Jack, don't make me go!"

"Don't worry, it's not for good. I just think you should rest."

"I'm not tired, please let me stay!" Jack didn't want to fight her, so he sighed and let her stay. She relaxed visibly and hugged him again. He hugged her back and watched her go to find her friends. Jack looked around the room and suddenly felt like he needed to sit down. He did too, right where he stood. He just sunk down and sat there in the middle of the floor. For a while he stayed there with his head in his hands before anyone came to see him. Amy came over and coaxed him to stand and join everyone up in the tree. He kept his head down as they walked.

"Jack, what you did was brave of you, and sweet."

"I couldn't even tell him he was wrong. I had so many good things to say about Mark but..."

"But it would have gotten him hurt more."

"Yeah..." They were quiet for a moment. "Is he ok?"

"Yes, he is. Ethan go him up in time and wrapped him up. He is probably up there giving Ethan a hard time and walking around." Jack couldn't help but smile. Although he didn't speak, Amy knew he had something on his mind still. "What is on your mind?"

"Nothing really. Just going over something someone said." He told her as he watched the passing branches. Amy watched him in silence for a few seconds before looking ahead. When they reached the top, jack offered his hand and helped her down like a gentleman. He saw she was right when he turned around. Mark was up and walking around, making sure everyone was there. From the look on his face, there was someone missing.

"Go talk to him."

"I'll wait until he isn't busy." He got a frown from the woman, but he didn't pay attention to it. He just went and sat on the stairs and watched everyone. He didn't understand everything that just happened. He didn't understand how they were saved just in the nick of time. He didn't understand how he got attacked twice in a row, by the same man, and he didn't even walk to him. He didn't understand why Mark tackled Felix when he started towards him with the sword, or why he would run out unarmed. "I don't understand..." He said quietly to himself. Ethan stood in front of him.

"What don't you understand?" Jack looked up at the doctor.

"What did you mean i had done enough?"

"Well, you almost got yourself killed and mark had to save you and almost killed himself in the process. You haven't really helped, more of gotten in the way." Jack hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, i guess your right..." Ethan didn't say anything and shook  his head while leaving him be with his thoughts. Mark had noticed this interaction but hadn't heard the conversation. He willed for jack to look at him so he could tell if he was ok, but the Irishman didn't. He wanted to go over but Tyler suggested that he gives Jack time since he had almost died. Instead Mark did his rounds to try and figure out who was actually missing and who was still hiding. The only person he knew of that wasn't accounted for that wasn't hiding was William and Tim. Mark saw everyone was tired  so he had everyone rest for the night.

"We can search more tomorrow." He told them. They all dispersed and went to their own spots to get some sleep. Mark looked for Jack but saw he was no longer at the stairs. He saw the sleigh was still up as well, so the man couldn't have left. The wooden man went up the stairs to the top, where jack was indeed. "Hey..." He turned and looked at the prince.

"Hi. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"Sore?"

"A bit, yeah. Not like i got stabbed in the gut with a sword."

"Really?"

"Jackaboy, my chummy, pal, friend of mine." Jack laughed as mark came over and leaned against the railing. "Why, my buddy, partner, friend, pal, chummy chum, would i joke about the pain i am in?" Jack was laughing and Mark was smiling.

"Yeah, i guess that makes sense. Sorry i couldn't stop that."

"Hey, don't apologize for that. It's not your fault."

"It kind of is."

"It's not."

"Yes-"

"no-"

"stop interrupting-"

"I will interrupt all i want until-"

"Boy, don't make me fight you-"

"Now you listen here buddy, chum, pal, friend, partner, you need to darn diddly stop this gosh darn arguing because if you don't my gosh darn diddly partner, pal, friend of mine, chummy chum, partner in crime, i am going to need to gosh darn diddly kick your but and well, my bud, partner in all things bad, chummiest of chums, ultimate friendo, i don't want to have do gosh darn diddly do that." Jack was laughing so hard he could barely stand, and it made Mark feel great. Actually, Jack almost fell over the railing, but Mark caught him, pulling him back and into his arms. Their faces were really close, but Mark didn't mind. In fact, he seemed to be getting closer. "you need to be careful..."

"Yeah..." They were really close and Jack's heart was pounding; he was sure that Mark could feel it through his shirt. Both of them had started closing their eyes.