Rise of the Guardians One-Shots pt.2

You Love Me?

"I'm not sure. I woke up here and started looking for you. I could feel your magic. Their voices have been breaking through every once in a while. I think that both of our bodies are worn down." Archie could believe that. 

"I tore up a lot of shit while you were gone." He watched Jack smile. He grunted slightly when Jack stood up, pulling him up too. They stood in front of each other as they held hands. 

"I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing." Archie just leaned his head down to Jack's forehead. They stared at each other, just breathing. He closed his eyes. He had done what was shown to him. So why was everything like this? Why were they here? 

"Did I go wrong somewhere? Are we dying because we are actually hurt or is this another trick from the nightmares?" He felt Jack shake his head no. 

"I think this is Manny's doing. He's done this before when I've gotten hurt in the past. We are in the middle. I don't think we are exactly dying I just think we are both exhausted mentally, physically. Everywhere."

Archie nodded, that made sense. He looked behind Jack to find the famous Burgess lake with a cabin beside it. He looked behind him to find his old home. Both of them were definitely in the middle of the other side and real life. 

"I was scared I'd fail in saving you." Jack smiled at him as they walked in the opposite direction of everything. He saw how they stayed in the area that just seemed like open plains of land. 

"I was afraid you would fail to save yourself." Archie tensed as he finally saw reprimand in Jack's eyes. He knew that even though Jack agreed he would destroy some things if he had been in the same situation. He looked forward to see fields of flowers and sunlight. He looked to Jack to find his lover smiling at the sight. 

He knew one of the small things Jack wished he could enjoy was the fields of flowers that summer could give. He knew that Marcus had used his powers sometimes to create a small summer field for Jack to see one day but that was it. The heat was too strong for Jack. 

"I was fine." 

"Bullshit. Don't lie to me. I saw everything, heard everything, that happened around me. The only reason you didn't fully self destruct was because Denver would knock your ass out." Archie bowed his head in embarrassment. He felt Jack's hand take his chin, making him look up to him. 

"I wouldn't have been any better. I admit that. The only thing is that I'd admit now that I wasn't fine. I wasn't fine hearing everything that was happening to you, what you were going through. I had never felt like that hearing you. I've heard Bunny and everyone else be afraid while I'm hurt and I've been upset by it but with you-" 

Archie held his breath. He could see hesitance in Jack's eyes. He had felt this way for so long now but he hadn't wanted to say the words in fear of scaring Jack off. He didn't ever imagine Jack being the first to say them. 

"I think it's because I-I love you that I felt so useless while under their control." Archie reached a hand out, cupping Jack's opposite cheek just like he was to him. He couldn't hold back the smile that formed on his face as the blue eyes in front of him cleared of all hesitance and fear. They filled with happiness. 

"You love me?" 

"Shut up." Archie laughed. He watched Jack smile with him. 

"It would only make sense that you admit you love me right after a near-death experience." Jack laughed with him as he leaned his forehead against the other. It was a slow tension that built between them as they just stared at each other. Archie watched as Jack's eyes looked down to his lips before up to him. 

"You can't look at me like that." He whispered. He felt Jack's eyebrow twitch before he licked his lips. They stood closer than they ever had before. 

"Why not?" He didn't know why they were whispering.