Modern Monsters

Gentleman Jack the Imaginary Friend

Nonbinary Reader (AFAB) x Male Monster

When you were little, you had an imaginary friend. Nothing unusual, lots of kids had imaginary friends. You came up with yours after seeing an image on a box of cigars at your grandfather's.

You were bored, and it was raining out. Your grandfather was asleep on the sofa, and you had run out of tapes to watch. So you decided to go on a treasure hunt. Treasure hunts were the norm for you when you stayed with your grandparents. They had every nook and cranny of their home filled with everything you could imagine, and the cigar box was tucked onto a bookshelf with a bunch of others.

This one was special though, because the label was so much prettier than all the others. On the box was the silhouette of a man wearing a very dapper suit and holding a monocle in front of his eye. The monocle was holographic, as was the red bow tie he wore, and the shine of the letters. You thought he was so handsome, even though he was only a dark silhouette.

He became your best friend that very day, helping you beat back the doldrums on such a rainy afternoon. You named him Gentleman Jack, and he was handsome, debonair, and loved you. He was tall and all black like a shadow, save for his monocle, the white of his undershirt, and shiny red bow tie. He didn't speak, but you learned a system to communicate. He would write or draw in a notepad you gave him, but you understood his body language very easily.

As with most imaginary friends, you grew up and didn't need him any more. Jack himself decided it was best that he find another child he could take care of on boring rainy days. He went off to Lady Tilsbury's House of Fanciful Companions, a home for imaginary friends without a friend.

You remember the day you dropped him off. Much like the day you imagined him into being, it was gray and raining. You stood in front of the house, and the door opened as a woman stepped out. You looked at Jack, and he looked at you. Before you could say anything he tapped the tip of your nose and acted like he had captured it, jutting his thumb between his front two fingers.

You smiled sadly and nodded. "You can keep it, Jack. I think you'll be needing it."

He tucked the pretend thumb into his pocket and patted it.

"Give it to the next friend you get. I know you'll find someone very soon." You gave him one last hug, then watched as he went up the stairs. "Goodbye, Jack." You waved as he waved in return, patting the stolen nose in his pocket.

It was heartbreaking to have to say goodbye, but his purpose was served, and you no longer had the time for him anymore. You grew up, and your mother remarried and had your baby sister, Jesse. You loved your little sister, and aside from Jack she was the first one you told about being nonbinary. Even though she was young, all she knew was that she loved you. Even though there was a big age gap between you, you couldn't imagine a day without her.

"You had an imaginary friend, right?" she asks one day.

"I did. He was my best friend until you showed up." You smile down at her. "Why do you ask?"

"I want one," she shrugs. "But I'm not creative like you. I can't seem to make one up."

"Have you asked Mama if she'll take you down to Lady Tilsbury's?"

She pouts, scrunching up her nose. "I was hoping that you could ask her for me."

You smirk. "What sort of magical power do you think I have?"

"You're older."

You chuckle and shake your head. "If you want an imaginary friend, you need to ask Mama."

Jesse tilts her head to the side. "Did you ever go there?"

You think back to the day you dropped Gentleman Jack off. Your smile fades and you nod. "Just once, but it was to drop my friend off."