Last part of the Now Or Never arc. I'm updating today because I didn't want to let this wait a week.
After leaving the Warrens, Jack was too busy to think about Sophie very much. Halloween was coming and, while he did not have nearly has much last minute preparations to make as North or Bunny did for their respective holiday, there was more to it than making sure he had enough candies for every children. He had weather patterns to mess with, to make sure that no storm would keep the children from trick-or-treating. Weather patterns could be delicate things. Most would only be pushed away at the last moment, but he had to figure out where storms would hit and plan accordingly.
Even with all the flying around the world he was doing, he eventually had to go to the Pole. There was a mound of chocolate waiting for him in the Warrens and he would need the bottomless pockets of his cloak to go pick them up. While he was there, he needed to try on his costume, to make sure that it didn't need repairs. The workshop was busy, as usual this time of the year, but not nearly as frantic as it would be in another month.
"Hey, Phil! How's it going? You sure about that red, Fred? I'd go for blue."
He flitted around the many tables littered with toys in various stages of construction, avoiding various flying objects and the brush Fred threw at his head. The yeti could be very touchy. He stopped by North's office before going anywhere else. He couldn't just come here without even greeting the other Guardian, especially after not seeing him for many months. He flew to the large door and banged his staff against it, requesting permission to enter.
"What now? Did elves burn something again?"
Jack chuckled and pushed the door open, peeking in. North sat at his desk in front of a large block of ice, working on it with his carving tools. It was too early yet to know what it was meant to be.
"Hey, North! How's Christmas coming along?"
"Jack!"
He was pulled into a hug, offered fruitcake and eggnog, and settled in a large cushioned chair not too near the fire. North looked concerned.
"I'm so sorry things didn't work out with Sophie..."
"What are you talking about? Didn't work out?"
North stared at him a long moment. He took a sip of eggnog, as if pondering his next words.
"Jack. Did you even go to Burgess yet? Did you see Sophie?"
"I did. I went there with Bunny. She was having a snowball fight with her brother. She looked happy enough."
"You don't know. Oh, this is bad."
"What are you talking about, North—wait, you don't say..."
He flew out of his seat and out of the room in an instant. He heard North's heavy footfalls as the Guardian of Wonder ran after him, but he paid no heed. Countless lights glittered on the Globe in the large, open room, one for every children who believed in the Guardians. Despite their number, he knew exactly where to look for the familiar light of the little blond girl that had conquered their heart many years ago. The girl who, in only one month, would become a woman.
It was still there, shining just as strongly as before in its spot near Jack's lake. It had not even dimmed in the slightest. He closed his eyes and sighed, bringing his fingers up to rub his forehead. Oh, Sophie. Why can't this be any easier?
"What am I supposed to say to Bunny? He's accepted that she doesn't believe anymore. But to go through this all over again..."
"Jack. There's something else you must know. Come down."
North's tone had Jack worried. He floated down to the floor and followed the big man back to his office. When he was settled back in his armchair, North pressed a platter of cookies in his hands.
"Jack. It may not be good idea to tell Bunny."
"You think we should pretend that Sophie doesn't believe until she actually doesn't? North, he'll be here for the Christmas breakfast, he'll see-"
"He'll see nothing. Sophie's light won't be shining at Christmas."
"How do you know that?"
"Because each of those lights is a child. And she won't be a child anymore. Even if she still believe."
"Her light will disappear... So how are we supposed to know when she stops believing?"
"She would walk through you, of course."
"And she made us promise to never let her do that. Smart girl."
"So you won't be sure. That's why I say don't tell Bunny. It'd be better if he just think this is over."
Jack dropped his head in his hands and groaned. He would rather think this was all over, too. Now, he'd be left wondering. He should just go talk to her. But how was he supposed to convince her? She had known them for as long as she could remember. Could Sophie ever truly let go? Could he really ask her to? Just wait until she's ready. Maybe if she spend long enough pretending to not see us, she really won't, soon enough. We'll just fade out of her life, just like we should. Eventually.
"I won't tell him. And I won't tell her. If that's what she wants, we'll just do things her way."
She would often stare at him when she thought he wasn't looking. And just like she liked to pretend she didn't see him, he liked to pretend he wasn't looking. Two could play this game. It was one of careful avoidance, of eyes almost meeting, of never quite admitting they knew. But they did. Both of them. But neither was really willing to break the illusion. To confront the situation.
But then everything changed. A new piece was added on the board and changed the rules. Jack wasn't sure how to play anymore. He had to think long and hard about it. It was during a somewhat awkward conversation with the man who used to be his best friend, and who could hopefully take that role again one day, that he made up his mind.
"Say hi to her for me, will you?"
He said the words with a grin on his lips, as if he was jesting, but he could see the effect they had on Jamie. He could almost hear his thoughts. How would Sophie react? He had to be wondering. Jamie's eyes took a faraway look as he remembered times long past. When he focused on Jack again, the Guardian could recognize that familiar determination that had impressed him so much when Jamie had been a child.
"I will."
The ball was in her court now.
That's it for this arc. As for how Sophie will react, you'll have to wait a bit. I have another chapter I want to write first (and I'm not entirely sure where this particular storyline will go from there). See you next time, which may be in not too long, since next chapter is fully outlined and partly written. But right now I'm supposed to be sleeping.
