Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D Sorry for the late update; I was hanging out with some of my friends after school in a Google meet. X) But I'm here now with a new chapter for ya'll! =D This one's a shorty, but eh, I still think it's kinda great...? IXDD
I hope you guys enjoy it! =)
~ LIV ~
The Change That Comes With Age
With age comes change
Things never stay the same
No matter how hard you try to evade it
With age comes change
Things never stay the same
It can be frightening
But with family
Perhaps change isn't just pain
...
There were moments when North would be doing something—anything you could name. Inventing, cooking, working, or reading. Absolutely anything, and he would be reminiscent Jack's baby years. He remembered how small and frail he had been when he first found him. How he'd do everything for him, dressing, feeding, and bathing. But now, he was fourteen years old; a young man most would say. North still couldn't believe how much he had grown; it seemed like yesterday he had first brought him home.
North was proud of how far Jack had come, but he also felt a little saddened that he was growing older. When Jack was full grown, what would he want to do with his life? What if he wanted to leave Santoff Claussen and find something to do outside of the village? Where would North be in his future? Th ex-Cossack couldn't hold his hand forever. And nor could he keep him forever, as much as he would've liked to.
North sighed, deciding to worry about those matters later. Jack seemed perfectly content in Santoff Claussen, and the boy was still young. He still had a lot of growing to do, so North decided not to look so far ahead. But change was going to come whether he liked it or not, so he'd need to prepare for the inevitable.
But what North didn't know was that change was happening to Jack already. Some of which he didn't notice right away The ex-Cossack finished dishing breakfast and he heard the stairs creak as Jack came down, yawning.
"Good morning, North," he greeted, sleep still thick in his voice. Jack had been up late the previous night completing homework that he had forgotten was due. He had completed it just in time but slept late because of it. He hoped that breakfast would help wake him up.
"Good morning, moy mal'chik," said North. He lifted the two omelets he had dished and turned around. "Did you manage to complete—"
North gasped when his eyes landed on Jack, nearly dropping the plates of breakfast in shock. The snow sprite looked at him quizzically, and North stared mouth agape. He was surprised that Jack didn't notice, but he was tired, so North could understand why.
But still! North couldn't believe it. Jack had a growth spurt, a surprising one in fact. Jack had always been small for his age due to his time spent in the snow when he was young. At first, he was frustrated with his height, but the Guardians were able to convince him that being short wasn't something to be upset about. Since then, Jack didn't complain much about his height. He still asked North to measure him on the wall sometimes, and the height chart still remained in its place. North was aware of when Jack grew, but this was striking.
"You know, you can only stare at me for so long that it becomes uncomfortable," Jack spoke, pulling North out of his thoughts. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"
North shook his head. "No, no. It's just…you had a growth spurt."
Now it was Jack's turn to blink. "I did?"
North laughed, and he led Jack to the height chart on the wall. He told Jack to stand against it, and he did. North pulled out a pencil and placed a mark. Jack stepped back when he was done and his eyes widened. He had grown two inches.
"Wow," Jack remarked. "It looks like my eight-year-old self got his wish. I guess all those vegetables and milk did help"
North laughed again. "Well, prepare to grow some more. I made omelets this morning."
Jack smiled, and he followed North into the kitchen. Though he was aware he had grown, he still didn't feel too different. He hoped that his change in height wouldn't surprise anyone too much at school. But he didn't think many would pay attention…
If only Jack knew what lay ahead of him.
…
School was different. Very, very different. Jack tried to ignore the stares, but as he walked into the classroom, he found that many of the girls were paying more attention to him than usual. Some shyly waved in his direction. Those who were brave enough sent air kisses.
Jack quickly sat in his seat. He could still feel the girls' stares at him. The snow sprite turned to Katherine. "Uh…you mind explaining why they're suddenly so interested in me?"
"Why don't you ask one of them?" Katherine said playfully. I'm sure they'll have a better answer for you."
"I'd rather ask you," said Jack. "One because you aren't afraid to be blunt and two because I'm a wuss."
Katherine rolled her eyes, an amused smirk crossing her face. "They think you're handsome, bestest friend."
Jack blushed. "W-What?!"
Katherine laughed. "Haven't you looked in the mirror recently? Your features have become more defined. To put it briefly: you look attractive, so most of the girls are paying more attention to you."
Jack flushed a deep shade of blue. "This conversation is quickly becoming awkward."
Katherine smiled, laughter dancing in her eyes. "You're the one who asked."
"Well, I regret asking," Jack stated, burying his flustered face in his arms. He peeked out of his arms. "Can you tell them to stop staring at me?"
Katherine turned around and sent the girls a look. Instantly, they switched to looking out the window, their school work, or the ceiling.
"Thank you," came Jack's muffled voice. His ears were still tipped with blue.
Katherine gave him a pat on the head. "What are bestest friends for?"
…
The rest of the day wasn't as smooth as Jack hoped it would be. At lunch, Jack, Katherine, and the rest of his friends were talking. Tal William recalled the time he and his brothers tried evading bedtime, and how they managed to use Ombric magical paints to hide in plain sight. Jack laughed so hard, he nearly choked on his meal. The youngest William remarked that his voice had gotten deeper. Jack hadn't noticed a thing.
When they returned to the classroom, a few of the girls tried to get close to him, forcing the snow sprite to ask Katherine for help or slip away when he could.
Jack knew that things were changing, and he wasn't sure if he liked them. And a part of him was a little…scared. Katherine would be leaving soon to pursue her dream of becoming an author. His friends were becoming more and more mature, some were already planning what their careers were going to be, or established places in those whose families owned businesses. Jack still felt like the oblivious twelve-year-old he once was. As his friends grew older, he felt as if he were being left behind.
Jack returned home, conflict clear as day on his face as he entered the house. Aster, Sandy, and Tooth were there, and North was telling them about Jack's growth spurt that morning. Jack entered the living room, and Tooth was the first to look up. She gasped.
"Wow, Jack! You've really grown!" Tooth exclaimed. She placed her hand against her forehead as if she were trying to squint. "I can hardly see you from down here."
Jack laughed. "Come on, Tooth. I only grew two inches."
"It's still a lot," said Tooth. Jack only hummed; he didn't seem too happy about the change.
"What's wrong, mate? I thought you wanted to be taller," said Aster.
"I did—do," said Jack. He sat down on the couch with a frown. "It's just…I don't really feel any older. And I don't think I want to be. All of a sudden my voice is lower in pitch and girls are staring at me. Katherine's going to be leaving, everyone has their plans for the future, and…everything's changed. Everyone's changing. I just…don't want to be left behind…"
"Growing up can be a difficult journey," said Sandy, dreamsand swirling over his head. "But we will be there to support you, Jack."
North nodded. "Sandy's right. No matter what happens, we will be there. Change cannot be stopped, so we might as well face it head-on, da?"
Jack nodded slowly. "I guess so."
"Ya don't sound confident, mate," said Aster.
Jack rolled his eyes. "I shall charge into battle and come face to face with Change, my adversary. I will not let it hold me back or beat me down. I shall come out triumphant in this war."
"Overdramatic, but I think he understands," said Tooth, smiling.
Jack smiled. "Thanks, you guys."
North patted Jack's shoulder. "You are welcome, moy mal'chik. Oh, and you won't be getting into any relationships until you are older. So don't do anything silly, alright?"
Jack flushed. "North!" Tooth, Aster, and Sandy couldn't help but laugh.
Author's Note: So I feel like this could've turned out better, but I'm always critical with my work, haha. What did you guys think? I hope it wasn't cringy. ='D
Anyway, I don't really have much to say down here so...I'll see you all in the next chapter! XD
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
