Chapter Text
Jimmy slipped on his jacket quietly, looking back across the dark expanse of his house, into the room with the door cracked open slightly, moonlight spilling onto the sleeping face within. His face hardened with determination.
He grabbed his keys with a soft jingle, closing the mahogany door behind him as he stepped onto the stained porch, slight hints of sunrise beginning to appear in the sky. Jimmy inhaled, relishing in the cool morning air swirling through his lungs. He stood there, waiting until a blue car pulled up, rumbling softly. Jimmy approached it slowly, stepping back as a the car door opened and a very disheveled looking Joel fell out, seemingly half asleep. Lizzie stepped towards him from the other side, seeming much more put together than her boyfriend. She sighed.
“I hope you’ve got a good explanation as to why we’re here at 5 in the morning Jimmy” Lizzie began, helping Joel to his feet and allowing him to lean on her, blinking sleep from his eyes.
“Look- I’m sorry, but you know I wouldn’t have called unless it was important” Jimmy ran a hand through his hair anxiously, the weight of fatigue hovering at the back of his mind. Lizzie’s face fell. She stepped forwards, dragging Joel with her as she placed a hand on his shoulder, rubbing soothing circles into the fabric.
“What’s wrong?” She asked, all threads of teasing gone from her voice. Jimmy leaned into the touch, eyes closed as he exhaled. He opened them again. Lizzie was staring at him, concern etched into her features. Joel on the other hand was half-asleep, but still managing to cling to Lizzie like a baby sloth despite this.
“I have- a favour to ask. And a lot of explaining to do. But that has to wait. There’s no time” Words tumbled out, mixing with one another.
“Is it about that elf boy from the hospital- Scott? Is he okay?” Lizzie asked anxiously, shaking Joel awake as he almost slipped from her shoulder.
“Yes and no. He’s fine, he’s sleeping right now- but there’s a matter I need to clear up with someone”
“Sleeping as in here? He’s in your house?!” Joel exclaimed, suddenly awake, stumbling forwards slightly, ignoring Lizzie’s grip on his forearm, keeping him upright. So he HAD been paying attention.
“Well- yes, he’s here. I figured it’d be best to keep an eye on him” Jimmy shuffled uncomfortably as the couple exchanged glances.
“Okay- I’m gonna address that later. For now, what do you need” Lizzie asked solemnly, hands on Jimmy’s shoulders. Jimmy explained his plan, keeping it simple and fast. By the time he had finished, the clock on his phone read 5:39AM. He’d have to hurry if he was gonna be on time. He gave his key to Joel, who headed towards the porch, stepping gingerly over the stains that now decorated the bricks. He gave a final nod to Jimmy before unlocking the door and retreating inside. Jimmy knew that Joel probably wasn’t the best person to keep an eye on Scott, but if he was going to finish this once and for all he’d need Lizzie’s support- there’s no way he could do it without her.
Jimmy opened the passenger door, sliding into the leather seats and strapping himself in. Lizzie followed suit, pink hair flying as she wrestled with the gears.
“I still don’t understand why you choose to drive a manual Lizzie- automatics are just so..”
“Not the time Jim, we’ve got somewhere to be- also no insulting the manual it used to be grandmas you know” Lizzie shot back, gaze trained through the back window as she reversed out of the driveway. The drive was quiet, Jimmy’s leg bouncing with anticipation. They’d better be there- The car stopped with a jolt. Jimmy glanced upwards, placing his hand over hers. Lizzie sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt.
“I really hope you know what you’re doing Jim”
“Just- stick to the plan okay? I’ll let you know if I need you”
“Be safe” Jimmy nodded, giving her hand a final squeeze before leaving her alone in the blue sedan, footsteps crunching on gravel as he approached, pushing away the anxious thoughts crowding his mind. He had to do this. For Scott, for himself, maybe a little bit for revenge. He turned the corner.
“Well well, look what the cat dragged in. We’ve got ourselves a little cod fish boys” Joey remarked, bright wings flaring as he grinned deviously from where he was leant against a wall. Fwhip and Sausage smirked, keeping their distance.
“I’ve come to end this Joey”
“Oh sure you have. Dealt with the pretty bird have you?”
“You’re not bringing Scott into this, this matter is between you and me”
“Do you know how cliche you sound right now James- “oh I’m suddenly big and strong and im going to say no to bullying” yeah but it doesn’t work that way” Joey mocked, taking a few steps closer. Jimmy flicked his tail irritatedly.
“Get away from me” he muttered.
“Sorry, did you say something James? Too cowardly to speak up? I should’ve expected this honestly-“ Joey rolled his eyes, stepping closer. He could feel his old panic setting in, memories flashing through his mind. What had he been thinking?! He couldn’t take on all three of them! Jimmy inhaled slowly, tilting his head to meet Joeys eyes, focusing his energy on pouring as much fire into his gaze as he could. A flicker of confusion crossed Joey’s face.
“I said- get. Away” Joey frowned, wings twitching uncomfortably but Jimmy’s stare didn’t break. Joey looked away, back towards Sausage and Fwhip. They shrugged.
“Since when do you think you can tell us what to-“
“Since you took it too far. Since all of you took it too far. Listen to me- you’re going to stop this. You’re going to leave Scott and I alone, and you’re never going to abuse anyone in any way ever again. Got it?” Jimmy squared his shoulders, barely keeping the fear from his trembling voice.
“Or what little codling. Gonna run to your big sister for help? She’s not doing a very good job of hiding- I doubt she’ll be able to do much” Joey laughed, staring at the bush behind them. Jimmy whipped around, taking in Lizzie’s disheveled form as she emerged from the bush, picking crumpled leaves from her pink hair.
“You were meant to wait in the car” Jimmy hissed as Lizzie stepped into line beside him.
“I know and I’m sorry, I just couldn’t stand it” Lizzie said, looking back at him. Jimmy sighed, stepping forwards slightly. Joey was watching them, eyes narrowed and arms crossed. Sausage and Fwhip had backed away slightly, fear swirling in their eyes as they glanced towards Lizzie. She stared back at them.
“Look- here’s what’s gonna happen, okay? You two are gonna shuffle back to whatever swamp you dragged yourselves out of and stay there. What happens with Scott is our business- Jimmy you should know this by now. Don’t you remember the lessons we taught you?” Joey snarled, taking a step forwards, clearly not intimidated by Lizzie’s responding glare.
“Jimmy what does he mean” Lizzie whispered to him, anger and concern woven through her tone as she glanced towards him.
“Later” He murmured back. She sighed, but nodded, fixing her gaze once more on Sausage and Fwhip, who were slowly pressing themselves into the wall behind them, wishing they could spontaneously disappear.
“I’m waiting” Joey tapped his foot impatiently, managing to look slightly bored despite the situation in front of him. Jimmy didn’t move. Joey huffed.
“You dragged us into the cold morning for this?! So you could what- ease your conscience?! So you could crawl back to Scott and say ‘oh well I tried’?! How did you even get my number?! You got it from his communicator, didn’t you? I’m guessing he has no idea that you’re here” Joey snarled, wings flaring. Jimmy inhaled sharply. Lizzie’s gaze hardened.
“Don’t think I’m scared of you because you’ve dragged your sister into this James”
“You don’t get to call me that” Jimmy hissed, taking a step forwards. Meanwhile, Fwhip and Sausage were slowly backing away, shooting fearful looks at one another.
“Says who?” Joey mocked, eyes gleaming. Jimmy grabbed him by the shoulders, anger spiralling in his eyes. Joey’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Me”
Suddenly they were both on the ground, fists flying as Jimmy shoved Joey into the dirt scarlet staining the gravel once more. Lizzie was yelling, Joey was screaming, Fwhip and Sausage were surely shrieking something from behind them- but all Jimmy saw was red. Red staining his porch outside, red coating downy white feathers, red covering his arms as he pulled Scott inside. He faltered. Joey took his chance, flipping the two of them over and over, rolling through the dust, flying gravel tearing at the delicate fins on Jimmy’s arms, muscles weakening from fatigue, grin stretching across Joey’s face and-
And then he was gone, voice growing quieter. Jimmy opened his eyes. Joey was hissing and spitting like a cat, clawing at the hands dragging him away. Lizzie flipped him over, shoving his face into the dirt and pinning his hands behind his back. Joey kicked and screeched but she held firm, eyes gleaming with determination.
“You listen to me Joey Graceffa- if you even think about touching a single scale on Jimmy’s face again you’re answering to me. And I won’t play nice next time” Lizzie yelled, restraining Joey’s flailing wings as dust swirled through the air. Jimmy looked on in shock, cuts stinging, air grating through his lungs. Fwhip and Sausage were frozen in fear.
“And ANOTHER THING” Lizzie shoved Joey’s face into the ground once more, “If you even THINK about coming near Scott again you’re answering to BOTH OF US! I don’t want to see you here again YOU HEAR ME?!” Joey nodded feebly, giving into fatigue and lying still. Lizzie finally stepped off him, allowing Joey to stumble to his feet with help from Sausage and Fwhip. Fwhip cast a single glance back at Jimmy, eyes flitting away before they could truly meet as he helped Sausage drag Joey around the corner and suddenly-
They were gone. He’d- done it? Well partly. Scott was safe now at least, that was what mattered. Lizzie turned around, rage melting I to concern as she rushed over to him.
“You alright? That was quite a tumble” She tilted her head, offering him a hand up. He took it, groaning as his body protested at the movement.
“Nothing broken- just bruised. I’ll live” he deduced before pulling Lizzie into a sudden hug. She stiffened at the touch before relaxing and wrapping her arms around him.
“Thank you” he murmured, face buried in her pink hair. He felt her chuckle.
“Don’t think this gets you out of explaining- we have a long conversation awaiting us when we get back”
Back. Shit- Scott. Jimmy pulled out his phone, scanning the latest messages from Joel. Lizzie watched with a knowing smile. Nothing major, just a few notes about how Jimmy needed to clean out his cupboards more often. He rolled his eyes, just about to put it away before it buzzed, screen lighting up with blue. Jimmy frowned, motioning for Lizzie to watch over his shoulder as he waited for Joel to finish typing.
Joelio- Uh guys
Joelio- He’s awake
Joelio- Get here. Now
Jimmy’s panicked eyes met Lizzie’s. They bolted for the car at the same time.
The rumble of an engine. Hurried footsteps crunching on the path outside. Scott whined, shoving his face further into his jumper, breath rattling in his chest. Jimmy had left him he didn’t want him anymore left him with a strange loud man he didn’t know of COURSE Jimmy didn’t want Scott he had been terrible to him- yet in Scott’s selfish heart he still prayed that Jimmy cared. The door slammed. Scott flinched, fingernails digging into pale white skin.
A muffled conversation from outside the door, panicked voices, then more footsteps coming towards him. He squeaked, trying to make himself as small as possible. A hand on his forearm, gentle but still there. He looked up. Jimmy- kind, stupid, amazing Jimmy. Scott let out a sob and suddenly he was being pulled into a tight embrace, the smell of sweat and iron and dust filling his nose. Jimmy had come back- he hadn’t abandoned him, he still wanted him. He squeezed tighter. Jimmy let out a small yelp- Scott pulled back immediately, scanning the others thin frame. His eyes widened.
“You’re BLEEDING”
“Yeah I noticed- not all of it is mine, don’t worry. Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry you just- I- I woke up you weren’t there I- There was a strange man and I panicked and I’m sorry and where did you GO WHY ARE YOU BLEEDING” Scott rambled, breathing stuttering but slowing as he clung to Jimmy, who sighed, stroking one hand through the others teal hair.
“It’s a long story- I’d prefer to explain it along with everything else, if that’s okay? The strange man is Joel, you’ve met him before but only briefly, he won’t hurt you I promise. He and Lizzie are waiting outside- we don’t have to move until you’re ready tho okay? Just breathe” Jimmy explained softly, stroking his thumb over Scott’s tear stained cheek. Scott inhaled shakily, taking a moment before nodding, allowing the cod hybrid to pull him to his feet and lead him into the lounge. Lizzie and Joel looked up worriedly as they approached, but said nothing, waiting patiently for them to sit down before bombarding them with questions.
“I know you’re both confused, and I know you have a lot of questions- but I’d like to explain the situation first. I’d also like to make clear that this is not anyone’s fault but Joey, Sausage and Fwhip, and they’ve been dealt with” Jimmy began, pulling Scott into a sitting position beside him and allowing the ice elf to lean on his shoulder, intertwining their fingers and giving his hand a squeeze. Scott squeezed back, ignoring the knowing look passed between the couple in front of them.
The next hour seemed to pass in a daze, Scott zoning out until Jimmy nudged him, prompting to give his side of the story which he did. Lizzie’s grip on the arms of the chair she was sat in grew whiter with every passing sentence, but Joel’s touch on her upper arm seemed to stop her from launching herself at the two of them at least.
“-and now we’re here. Any questions?” Jimmy finished, slumping into the couch slightly. Lizzie stood slowly, ignoring the tears tracing their way down her cheeks as she stepped towards them. Scott stiffened slightly, fear spiking in his mind as he glanced at Jimmy, who gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Suddenly, she had her arms around the both of them, squeezing but not so tight as to hurt them.
“I am so so sorry that I let this continue for so long. Jimmy why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Lizzie pulled away, eyes misting with tears as she looked to her younger brother.
“I just- you were always busy or hanging out with friends, I didn’t want to worry you. I handled it fine on my own, besides its never going to happen again” Jimmy assured her, a tired smile stretching across his face. Lizzie sighed, but stepped back until she was sitting in the armchair once more. Joel rubbed her back comfortingly.
“Wait so- they’re gone? As in, gone gone?!" Scotts voice trembled. Sure, he may despise the three with everything he had but nobody deserves to die. Jimmy's eyes grew wide.
"No no no no petal they're alive- Just a little worse for wear. But Joey won’t be bothering us anytime soon, or ever again. Don’t worry about it” Jimmy reassured him, slumping into the couch with fatigue. Scott sighed with relief.
“Well- as much as I hate it we really must get going. But text me if there’s anything you need, ever- okay?” Lizzie smiled softly, standing up once more- this time with Joel by her side.
“I will- thank you again, for everything” Jimmy nodded, raising his hand in farewell. Lizzie grasped his hand softly before being ushered out by Joel, who glanced at the two on the couch with a sad smile. And then they were gone and only Scott and Jimmy remained. Jimmy sighed as the door clicked shut behind them, sinking deeper into the couch with a groan.
“You okay?” Scott asked, moving hair from Jimmy’s face. Jimmy grunted in reply, brow creased slightly and eyes closed. He shifted until his head lay on Scott’s shoulder, exhaling slowly.
“Do you want to go back to bed? It’s still early in the morning” Scott ran his fingers through Jimmy’s brown hair, other hand still slightly intertwined with Jimmy’s despite the green webs stretching between the cod hybrids fingers. Jimmy nodded softly, straightening with a groan and blinking away the dizziness that came with sitting up. Scott followed shortly after, helping Jimmy to his feet. The two began to make their way to the bedroom slowly, feet shuffling on the bare floorboards. Suddenly Scott stopped, a wave of realisation crossing his face.
“You’re still bleeding!” Scott exclaimed, stepping towards the bathroom. Jimmy, too tired to argue, followed closely behind and waited patiently whilst the elf sorted through his first aid cabinet, wincing as Scott disinfected the cuts on his arms and wrapped them in white fabric. Finally, just as he was about to fall asleep, Jimmy felt a light tug on his upper arm. He followed it obediently, standing up in a daze and allowing himself to be led into a dark room. He sat on his bed, thoughts swirling into a puddle of drowsiness, dimly realising he was lying down, sheets pulled up to his chin. His vision focused on the elf stepping towards the door, hand sliding from beneath the covers to catch the pale wrist swinging by. Scott stopped, staring down at the cod hybrid lying on his side.
“Stay?”
The words were uttered quietly, almost pleadingly, Scott felt himself drawn into the gentle words, the soft tone, the outstretched hand grasping his wrist. He sighed fondly, stepping to the other side of the bed and climbing in, making his way over to Jimmy who made grabby hands like a 5 year old until both of them were settled. And this is where they stayed for hours, intertwined in each others arms, breathing slowly in the comfortable silence filling the room, remaining this way until they were forced to get up and have breakfast. But let’s just focus on this moment for now, shall we?
And in that moment three words began to form, taking shape as years flew by, beginning to materialise as the two grew closer, until after a day filled with white suits and flower petals, church bells and soft words, laughter and joyful tears. The universe rejoiced for the two had found themselves in this position once again, as they had so many times before. The words were uttered finally as the two lay in a bed much like this one, once again intertwined in each others embrace, starlight streaming through the window and hearts beating in sync.
I love you