Jack throws his staff in the air and catches it without looking.
Jamie Bennett glances at the Guardian, a small smile pulling at his lips.
"School's out now, and Sophie sent her letter to North," Jamie says, just to fill the silence. Jack doesn't even glance at him, his blue eyes troubled and staring off in the distance.
Jamie huffs a breath, blowing his bangs out of his eyes.
"And I've decided to run off to Vegas to marry Tooth. I know it's sudden, but it just feels right, you know? And I'm nine years old now, I think I can make my own decisions."
Jack mutters, "Totally."
"Jack!" Jamie shouts, shoving Jack. Over the past year, the boy had grown quickly and is now proudly up to Jack's shoulder.
Jack shakes his head and smiles apologetically.
"Sorry, buddy. I just…"
"You're really distracted," Jamie says.
"I know. And I'm sorry. It's just…" Jack sighs and glances at Jamie. "Can you keep a secret?"
Jamie's brown eyes light up. Jack is instantly reminded of another set of chocolate brown eyes.
"Of course. I'm an excellent secret-keeper. Like when Sophie stole an extra cookie after dinner last night-" Jamie covers his mouth with both hands, hiding his slip-up.
Jack ruffles Jamie's hair. "Don't be afraid, alright?"
The mortal boy nods.
"Pitch is back. He's after a friend of mine."
Jack's brow creases with worry. He knows the others can keep an eye on Cassandra while he tends to his duties as a Guardian, but he still frets. He can't seem to help it.
"Bunnymund can fend for himself," Jamie snickers.
"Not Bunny," Jack corrects. "Her name is Cassandra."
Jamie's eyebrows lift. Jack hadn't noticed, but he spoke her name differently. Jamie can tell she is very important to Jack.
"Ew, Jack! A girl? They have cooties, you know," Jamie groans.
Jack grins. "Do they? Aw, man, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"So you like her…like-like her?" Jamie teases.
The older boy's face turns pink.
"You do! Ha-ha, Jack's got a girlfriend," Jamie chants.
Jack tosses a snow ball at his human friend.
"Sometimes I can't wait for you to grow up," Jack grumbles playfully.
The young brunette wipes the snow from his head and grins, revealing a gap in his smile. "I'm never going to grow up Jack and you know that."
Jack bends down to hug the boy. He is warm and squeezes tightly.
"Are you leaving already?" he pouts.
Jack runs a hand through his white hair.
"I have to. But how about one more thing before I go?" Jack's grin is devious.
"Snowball fight?"
"Even better. Get your sled."
"Focus," Bunnymund snaps in front of Cassandra's nose. She blinks and drags her gaze away from the high window.
"Sorry, what were you saying?" she mumbles, still completely distracted. Bunnymund clutches a paw to his forehead and groans.
"Do you want to learn, eh?"
"You're going too hard on her, Bunny," Tooth sighs. "She needs a break."
"We don't have time for a break. She needs to be able to defend herself if the situation arises," Bunny fires back.
He points a paw at Cassandra and she seethes. He is treating her like a child, with no mind of her own.
She locks her fingers around his soft wrist and yanks, twisting the rabbit's arm behind his back. Cassandra uses the momentum to pin Bunnymund on his stomach. They crash into a wooden table, sending craft supplies clattering to the floor.
"Clean up in East Wing!" Tooth calls over her shoulder.
"You're stronger than you look," Bunnymund grunts, pulling himself to his feet as Cassandra steps away. He smiles at her and she flashes a grin in return.
"Element of surprise," she taunts.
"Oh, yeah?" Bunny leaps at her and they scuffle into another table.
Tooth hovers nearby.
"Watch your- oh, that's got to hurt!" Tooth cringes. "I'm going to get the first aid kit."
Sandy and North watch from the staircase, leaning over the banister.
"What do you think, Sandy?" North inquires, glancing at his companion.
The small man smiles pleasantly and nods.
"I agree. She is good. And strong, in body and spirit."
Sandy watches as the brunette girl pins Bunnymund again, only to be brushed off and sent flying into Toothiana.
"But why is she here?" North sighs. "That is the everlasting question."
A snowflake of golden Dreamsand appears over Sandy's head.
North smiles. "Ay, she is here because of Jack. It is quite sweet how he acts with her, yes?"
Sandy nods along, even though that wasn't quite what he had meant.
He flashes the snowflake again but North isn't paying attention. The Guardian of Dreams shrugs. It will come to light in due time. She will get stronger and wiser, Sandy knows. As the oldest Guardian, he is by far the most observant.
Cassandra Risk is in their midst because she belongs there.
I know this one is really short. Maybe I'll write another today...