~~~

June 16th, 2022

For the first time that month, Jimmy woke up in his own bed with no nightmares. It was a bit loud but he would've stayed asleep if it wasn't for Alex rubbing at his shoulder slowly waking him up.

"Hey Jimmy, breakfast is almost ready and your mother and brother are here. Making rather the ruckus about seeing you."

"My mom...? Tell her I'll be there in 10 ok?"

"Of course, take all the time you need." Quietly leaving the room, Jimmy let himself adjust to the dim sunlight peeking in through the half-closed windows. Still a bit jetlagged, he forced himself to his feet. Putting on a hoodie to attempt to hide his bedhead, he looked back at the old scars, red circles becoming fainter with every passing minute. In recent days he hadn't had much time to add or think about them and he nervously remembered the conversation Felix wanted to have with him about it. Perhaps he forgot about it. They've all been rather busy after all. Heading downstairs, he was greeted with the bulk of the noise. Normally, only five people lived in the house; himself, Alex, Chandler, his girlfriend Cara Davis, and Karl. But right now they were housing Blake and Reed as they finished up some final business in North Carolina before they could go back to Dallas. At some point, Chris, Katie, and Tucker must've arrived and now his mom and CJ showed making the house rather full.

"Mornin'-" He was interrupted with his mom pulling him into one of the tightest hugs he'd received in recent memory.

"You just keep giving me gray hairs Jimmy! Don't worry me like that ever again!"

"You've known I was alive for a bit now."

"But seeing you in person is just... it's reassuring. That you're real and no one took you from me again." Again. She had to say again. She shouldn't have to. He really had worried her too much for so long. But Jimmy knew he was going to take it slow for a while. His videos might be a bit sucky but it's better than hurting people for his own selfish desire for his growth.

"Mom, give him space, besides breakfast is almost ready." CJ filled in. He was met with a glare but she let go. His older brother looked him up and down. "I'm just glad you're all home safe." When he went to go get a plate, CJ shooed him off, saying he'd have it taken care of. Breakfast was waffles and bacon. However, right as everyone sat down, Alex audibly sighed.

"I've gotta answer a call. Make sure my food doesn't get cold." Alex went outside. "Yes, Schlatt?"

"Hey Al, how you doin' man."

"I'm doing good, though if you just wanna call for small talk I don't really have the time, I've got breakfast waiting on me."

"Oh no I actually wanted to talk about something."

"Um about...?"

"...Alex we're all moving."

"Huh, who's all moving?" 

"Me and Ted and Charlie. We wanna start doing in-person podcasts and what not but we're also worried about you."

"Schlatt man that was a one-time flux. None of us knew about the shooting-"

"But it wasn't one time! What about in Disney with Dawood? D-Company was working with Vinoth to assassinate YouTubers. Alex the longer you stay with Jimmy the more you become a target and I refuse to stand idly by while you get hurt! We already bought a house about 20 minutes from where you live right now and we want you to move in with us. We'll be there by the end of the month."

"Look listen, dude... I'm happy you guys are coming to North Carolina. I'd be happy to record podcasts and visit the house to make content but I will not. I repeat, WILL NOT, be leaving Jimmy anytime soon. He needs support right now and I'm gonna do everything in my power to make sure he heals."

"Ugh this is what I warned Mark Rober about, you've become too reliant on each other. Being friends is fine and all but you need other strong support systems. Both of you, not just Jimmy."

"You don't understand Schlatt. You know nothing about us. We're the only ones who understand everything."

"Ok, maybe I wasn't there for everything. But here's what I understand. I understand that Jimmy never fully recovered from the emotional trauma of his kidnapping, homelessness, and both shooting incidents. I also understand you never fully recovered from Hoover's, and I suppose now Calvin's suicide. You believe that if you move out, Jimmy's going to be next."

"Hey, that's not-"

"But that's just not going to happen. Jimmy's strong and unless if there is someone that's proactively trying to tear him down, I think he'll come back stronger and happier than ever. And so can you. I know I don't know everything, but I'm willing to learn and help. So are Ted and Charlie. I promise."

"...My answer is still no."

"Alex-"

"I need to go eat. I'll see you guys down here I suppose."

"ALEX WAIT-" He hung up and reentered the house. Meeting Jimmy's gaze, he couldn't be more grateful he said no. He looked so happy to see him.

"What was that about? Took you a hot minute."

"Nothing important Jimmy. Now come on, let's eat!"

***

And so the MrBeast crew spent the day together. Lounging at the house, the 12 of them switched between different board games, movies, and even a little wine later in the day. Even the normally stoic Reed only answered calls from lawyers and focused on relaxing. By 6 something after dinner, Chris was already needing to leave with Katie. Tucker was barely two so it made sense. Not too long after, Reed and Blake had a business call to get onto.

"Sorry, we had to cut things short..."

"Hey no, it's fine! I know it's all-important, thanks for hanging out though."

"No problem Jimmy! Have a good night guys." Then since it was getting rather late, CJ and his mom left after promising they'd visit soon. Finally, Chandler and Cara took their leave for the night, most likely to play league or watch TV upstairs. Jimmy was about to head to his downstairs room when Alex stopped him. The house was quiet. Paranoia crept into his mind but he chose to turn and face his friend.

"I uh... can I tell you what the phone call earlier was about."

"The one from this morning?"

"Ya... um, it was from Schlatt. He, Ted, and Charlie are coming to North Carolina to live in a group house and they wanted me to move in with them."

"Oh? Well, are you going to?"

"No, absolutely not."

"I thought they were in your podcast group though, you should go."

"I'll visit for content sure but I refused to move out. They were very rude about it."

"Alex it's fine. It's important for your job. I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you to stay-"

"Jimmy. Look at me." He put his hands on his shoulders. "You're not getting me out of your hair that easily. I like being here. I went through the whole immigration process for a reason. You know I love you, I'm staying because I want to. Wait shit I didn't mean it like that-"

"Hey, it's ok I know what you meant. I love you to." Pulling Alex into a tight hug, both of them got reassuring confirmation. This is where they belonged. In this house, within these walls, Jimmy Donaldson and Alex Quade finally found someone to call home.

"You're not leaving me either right?" He muttered quietly into his chest.

"Of course not. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not." Chuckling a bit, they stayed like that for just a moment. Physical presence was an overwhelming yet grounding part of friendship. "Welp I'm gonna go play World of Warcraft, want to join me?"

"Hell no, that games dogshit and you know it!"

"You just don't understand, maybe the fandom sucks but goddamnit the game is fun."

"Whatever you do you, I'm going to go play a cinematic masterpiece."

"Tetris?"

"...Maybe."

"...Alright, goodnight Alex!"

"Night Jimmy!" Feeling warm and safe, there was a slight skip in his step as he went back to his room. But before he could start up his PC, he noticed a cassette tape on his bed. 

"What the...?" He didn't know anyone in the house who'd have cassettes except maybe his mom. Taking the player next to it, he decided he might as well listen. For some reason, it wasn't working so his little Gen-Z brain had to Google how to set it up. "Hmph, thanks mystery person, now I know how to work a cassette." He pressed play. There was a bit of static on the line.

"Hello? ...Hello~ is this thing on? Jezz shoulda paid more attention when my dad taught me how to use these things. Hopefully, Jimmy knows how." This guy knew his name? Because maybe it was the glitchy noise of the cassette or something but he did not recognize him. Jimmy only grew tenser as the man finally go to his point. 

"Well hello there Jimmy! It's me, Bhushan Kumar. About time you heard my voice without being sensory deprived." He dropped the cassette immediately began panicking. He was done with this. Not again not again not again not again not again not again not again not again-

"Aw... what are you afraid of Jimmy dearest? You're a natural with a gun." How did he know how did he know how did he know how did he know how did he know-

"Well, I just wanted to sing you a song! I've been getting into American music and culture so T-Series can expand its horizons. And I've been practicing my vocals and stuff... I'm a bit nervous so sorry if I seem all scrambled up! Well, hopefully, you like it. It's a piece from Hadestown." He cleared his throat. Jimmy began shoving the cassette away but he didn't know how to stop it and even under layers of blankets on the verge of a panic attack he could still make out everything he was saying, word for word.

"Why the struggle, why the strain? Why make trouble, why make scenes? Why go against the grain...? Why swim, upstream... It ain't it ain't it ain't no use. You're bound you're bound you're bound to lose... What's done what's done what's done is done. That's the river runs... So... why get wet? Why break a sweat, why waste your precious breath? Why beat your handsome brow..." He took a pause to breathe. Jimmy needed to get this thing to shut up, he needed to go get Alex. So with reluctance, he began digging through the blankets and pillows to grab it. 

"Nothing Changes... Nothing Changes..." In the midst of his rampant search, he didn't hear anyone open the window. All he knew was that someone was behind him, covering his mouth. But it wouldn't matter if he didn't as his blood ran cold and every bit of fight in him dissipated as if he was drowning in an ice bath. His muscles didn't dare move an inch and all he knew for certain was that he didn't hear the last lyric of the stupid fucking song from the cassette. No, he heard it right in his ear.

"Nothing changes... anyhow..."

To be completed in book 3...

~~~

Woah holy shit I actually finished it. This is the first successful full-length sequel I've ever done. I've got so much inspiration for book 3 and it's on my priority list for this upcoming summer along with a personal essay project about YouTube and the Tourism industry as well as Company, the spin-off in-universe story. Gonna begin work right away and get a cover done for it as soon as I know what I want it to look like. Thank you for all the support and I'll see you in Good Luck Everybody!