"Are you doing alright?"

Was all that he seemed to hear lately.

Whether it be his closest staff, guards, friends, even people outside would ask. His communicator was spammed constantly with messages from outside people asking. He didn't even know them.

"I missed you." He said, holding Scott tighter.

It had been a few days and everything was dying down. He was allowed to have few visitors but they had to be wary. Scott arrived once he was able to.

"I missed you too," Scott whispered back. Jimmy buried his head into the blue hair, just allowing himself to melt in the moment. Scott didn't mind, pulling him closer. "I was so worried about you. It looked bad. I wish that I was here with you from the beginning." Jimmy pulled back.

"Scott, I'm alright." He said, tilting his head with a smile. "I'm unharmed and the kingdom hasn't blown up. We're all good."

Scott pushed him back, Jimmy falling on his back.

"You idiot," he said, throat raw with emotion, "I should be worrying about you and instead you are trying to be this happy person! You are trying to make me feel better!" Jimmy stared up at him silently, watching as Scott clamped his hands to his eyes, letting out sobs. "You have been through so much yet you still try to help me. Why? Why are you doing this?" He asked quietly, not looking at Jimmy.

The new king stood up and pulled Scott into another hug. "Alright, I am scared." He said back, letting Scott hold him tight. "I'm so terrified. I just lost my parents, sure and I might become a king at only fourteen with no help but I'm still alive and here with you." Scott sniffled and looked up at him, tears still rolling down his face. "I love you. Being with you helps me feel less scared about the future. I will stay alive for you. You are my rock."

"I'm sorry..." Scott whispered into his jacket. Jimmy rubbed his back softly.

"It's not your fault. Love you." He said, kissing blue hair.

"I love you too."

---

"Joel!" Jimmy shouted, seeing the Mezalea prince running up to him.

"Jim!" He replied, tackling him in a hug. They fell to the ground, Jimmy pushing him.

"Can't. Breathe!" He shouted, pushing the older off of him. Joel laughed, sitting up and helping Jimmy up.

"It's been so long!" He said, patting Jimmy on the back. He looked happy but there was deep concern in his eyes as he looked the new king over.

But he didn't say anything.

Instead, he pulled Jimmy to do 'self care' things like dancing and watching a few shows. Joel dodged Coral all day as she tried to pull Jimmy back to work. There was a determination that Jimmy had never seen from the prince before.

"Go take a shower and change into new clothes. It will be nice to get out of these." Joel said, pushing Jimmy towards the temporary room in the bunker.

"I know, I know but I should actually work now. It's been long enough that I should make sure the kingdom is alright." Jimmy said, laughing slightly and swatting Joel away.

"Please!" Joel pleaded, trying to push him again.

Papers ripped up and both the seablings stared in horror as they fell to the ground.

"Joel, I don't have time for this." He said, finally getting the prince to stop.

He frowned. "Jim, this is important, just take a break-"

"Why are you so pushy about this?" Jimmy cut him off, anger seeping into his tone.

"Why? You are fourteen for heaven's sakes! You just lost your parents and your siblings ran off ages ago! You became king for a kingdom that doesn't respect you. Not to mention all the trauma that happened years ago. Don't lie to me, I know that something happened. You would flinch whenever I would go and put my hand on your shoulder! If this kingdom thinks they can do this to a kid then to hell with the kingdom!" Jimmy stared at Joel silently, watching as the anger dissolved in his eyes. "I'm sorry. Jim, this isn't the job for you. You can do better things but this is too much." The king stepped back, flinching when Joel sighed. "I'm going after them. I'm bringing your siblings back. I think I know where they are. You need help, and I will. Just," he turned away from Jimmy, "please stay safe. Stay alive and take care of yourself. Please. Not just for me but for everyone that has ever loved you. I'm going to go." Joel then quietly made his way down the hallway of the bunker, disappearing behind a corner.

Jimmy sighed.

Fifteen days left until the deadline.

(Best seabling-in-law Joel to the rescue!)

(Also im failing my APUSH class for this. Ive got a solid F. Yikes.)