Chapter Text
Jack slowly blinked himself awake. Bunny was on the floor, leaning against the bed Jack was on. Dark bags stretched underneath his eyes and his cheek was mushed against the corner.
He swallowed, his throat dry and gravelly. How long has it been this time?
He slowly lifted his head, seeing Tooth on the other side of him, curled in a chair, some of her fairies asleep on her knees. She looked almost as exhausted as Bunny.
A blanket was draped over his body. He started to sit up, but-
His hoodie.
It was gone.
He was too tired to really go into shock. His bones ached and sunspots danced through his vision.
Maybe... Maybe he could sneak out while they're asleep. It was dark outside. No one would notice.
He looked around again, scoping out his surroundings. It's definitely not the Warren, it's too chilly. The Palace has a much more open structure. Judging by the walls, this must be...
The door creaked open, and he immediately laid back down, shutting his eyes. He heard heavy footsteps and a tired sigh, as well as some twinkling.
North and Sandy.
"He is not yet awake."
More twinkling.
"...Yes, we... we should have helped him long ago."
Something about his tone made Jack's chest prick, a foreign feeling spreading throughout his body. North stood a bit longer, and everything was quiet, until he said, "Come, Sandy. We can do nothing but wait."
Jack stayed still until a few minutes after they left to sit back up, the blanket falling to his lap - and he, for the first time in a very, very long time, truly saw his own torso.
He had spent so many years covering it, he had begun to cover it even for himself. The long, twisted scar tissue had started to frighten him. It was a constant reminder of how broken he was. Of how alone he was.
Was he alone? He wasn't even sure any more. The others were so close, close enough to see, to hear, to touch, always... But he kept himself at a distance anyways.
They forcefully closed that distance, though, when Bunny found him.
Memories of what had happened started flooding back to him, and...
And he needs to get away. He can't deal with this while Bunny is asleep right next to him.
//
Jack was on the roof, hoping and praying that no one would think to look here. He looked around the outskirts of the Workshop, seeing the thick layer of snow he was sure that he had caused. He went to the South Pole so this wouldn't happen. Why would they bring him back here? He didn't want to snow everyone in. What if this breakdown lasted as long as '68? What would they have done?
He let out a sigh. The wounds that tore through the skin over his bare ribcage stung in protest.
Poking at the decking of the roof with his staff, he thought about last night - was it last night?
He didn't really remember much of what he had been doing, really. But he remembered every word Bunny said, every breath he took, every movement, every pause, every sound. He kept replaying it in his mind, over and over again. He couldn't stop.
I'm here, aren't I?
Bunny had found him. He had made such an effort to go where he wouldn't be bothering anyone, where he'd be out of sight, out of mind. But Bunny found him.
I care.
Jack's throat tightened, his muscles stiffening. He didn't understand.
No one is leaving.
He's caused so many problems. He's trying to keep his issues contained. He's trying to not distract them in such a drastic way. He's trying to keep his pride in tact, damn it. But everything's constantly spilling out.
I'm sorry, Frostbite.
What could he possibly have to be sorry for? Out of anyone, Bunny has given him the most. He's given him forgiveness, ease, peace...
Jack clutched his head between his knees. There's no way he can have a conversation about any of this, but that's exactly what the others will want. How is he supposed to explain anything? What will they think of him?
Maybe he should just... leave. He could just disappear into the night, permanently. He's sure if he stayed up in the winds he could avoid Bunny picking up his scent, and maybe if he hid well enough, Tooth's fairies wouldn't find him either.
Is it right to leave without explaining anything at all, though? He could at least give them a quick "Hey, I can't talk about this so I'll leave to avoid disrupting you more!" Or would that be wrong?
Or does it even matter? It's not like his presence is doing anyone any favors. He's a burden at best, and a black hole at worst.
His shuddering breaths were quickly becoming hyperventilation. He curled further in on himself, smothering whimpers that could wake someone.
//
Bunny slowly blinked himself awake, heaving out a sigh. His neck groaned uncomfortably with every move he made.
Should've slept in the damn chair. He couldn't have brought himself to do that, though. He couldn't be so far away from him. It was only a few more feet, but he felt partly responsible for everything that had happened. Something in him made his entire body ache to be as close as possible.
Speaking of ache... He turned to look up at the boy, and-
And only saw an open window.
He rushed out the nearest door, out into the snow, frantically looking around.
"Frostbite?"
He didn't leave, did he?
"Frostbite!"
That damn idiot, he's too hurt-
"Jack!"
"Ah!"
Thank God for his giant ears.
He relaxed, following the gentle sobs until he found the boy.
"...Hey, Frostbite."
Jack jumped, eyes snapping to look at him.
"Oh- Hey- Uh- I was just-"
"Shh," Bunny interrupted, sitting next to him. "I heard ya. It's okay." He could sense his hesitation, as well as the shivers that racked his entire frame. Bunny settled, doing his best to relax, trying to open himself up to Jack...
...who was staring down at the snowfall, curled in on himself.
Bunny took a deep breath. He was never good at these things.
"Jack."
"I- Yeah?" he said with a jump.
"Stop coverin' yaself up. It's okay."
More hesitation.
"...Is it?"
"Of course it is." He turned to look at him, putting a paw on his shoulder. "It's okay."
"You're not mad?"
"Not at all."
"What?"
"You heard me."
Some tension leaked out of Jack's muscles.
And some tears leaked out of his eyes.
"Woah- Hey, Frostbite, hey," he said, turning to face him. "I said it's okay, wha's wrong?"
"W-Why is it okay?" He covered his face, slumping.
"No no no, come here." Bunny wrapped his arms around him, putting a hand on the back of his head. "It's okay because there's no reason for it not to be."
"But-"
"No. There is no reason for you to feel guilty, or ashamed, or as if you are a burden unworthy of being carried."
"...Why?"
"Because we will carry you until you learn to carry yourself."
And they fell back into silence, save for Jack's sniffling.
Only this time, it wasn't so bad.
This time, it was warm.