(Yay)

Falling to the ground, the rope was loosened.

Air was sucked in, coughing and hacking could be heard in the quiet room. Jimmy's head hurt from where he was being pulled into an embrace.

Tears dripped down his face but they weren't his.

Catching his bearings, he looked up at the person holding him. His father was there.

His naturally pink hair was tussled like he had a fight with a hairbrush. His magical, crystal tears ran down his face as he sobbed into Jimmy's blond hair. It was an ugly sob. Much like his own would be.

"I'm so sorry, I should have noticed, I'm sorry." His father cried, holding him tighter. Jimmy just leaned into the embrace, not fighting it.

He was so tired.

His dad rocked him, pressing kisses to his forehead. It was just the two of them.

Jimmy drifted to sleep.

---

The next day was different.

He had woken up with his father snoring at his side. He was in a chair next to his bed, head drooped into the mattress. Bag were heavy under the king's eyes.

Jimmy sighed, laying back slightly into his mattress. He dreaded getting up. His mother was probably waiting for him.

Swinging his legs off the side of the bed, he was about to get up when she walked in.

"Jimmy, stay in bed. You need rest." She whispered, holding a tray delicately in her hands.

He did as told, afraid to be hit.

His mother sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed, putting the tray on his lap.

Jimmy wanted to gag at the food.

"Please, eat up." The usual harsh tone was gone. It was just filled with desperation. Like she was worried or concerned for his health.

As if.

He ate anyways.

His dad startled a little bit after he started eating.

"Jimmy," his voice was breathy, as if he were relieved or didn't believe that he was here. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"Yeah?" He asked, voice sore as it crackled.

His parents looked at each other.

"What happened last night?" His father asked, leaving no room for argument. Jimmy bit his lip, looking down at his tray still filled with food.

"I told him everything." Jimmy looked to his mother. She looked guilty. "I'm sorry... I've put you through too much, I shouldn't have..." she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.

"It's okay." Jimmy replied, clearing his mouth of his bagel before speaking.

"It's not, baby. It's not." She cupped his cheek in her hand, rubbing a thumb underneath his eyes.

They sat their silently, Jimmy eating while his parents looked at him like he was the most precious thing in the world.

"Does Lizzie or Grian know?" He asked quietly, his parents shaking their heads.

"We didn't know if you wanted to tell them."

Jimmy nodded his head slowly. He really didn't want them to know. It was better for the three of them to handle this mess rather than include his seablings. They already had so much on their plates, after all, they were adults and he was just a kid.

A kid.

It hit him how short his life was and how willing he was to cut it off from going any further. He burst into sobs, abandoning his food as he cried.

His mother moved the tray before both of his parents curled up with him, holding him tight. They all cried. Ugly sobs from Jimmy and his father and delicate cries from his mother. It was just as painful though.

"Please, please don't do that again." His father begged, his mother echoing.

"Okay," however, he didn't know how long that promise would last.

---

The next few days were filled with changes.

They talked about hiring the professor again. She would come to teach him everyday, catch him up on the useful education he was previously recieving. At least, that's what the plan was.

His mother stopped calling him in for his daily sessions. She said to forget about being king and to forget all of it. The treaty amongst the countries broke, he was no longer going to be arranged to marry someone. They also forced him to eat. Not too much but enough. He wasn't allowed to purge.

Constant watch, his guard always there at every second of the day.

Recovery.

His parents were getting a divorce. It was only right for them to do. His mother would go back to her smaller city and live with her sisters. It was going to be a secret affair, Jimmy and Lizzie seeing her once every week. Either she would come to the castle or they would visit the palace she lived in.

It was good.

---

Jimmy smiled, taking a bite of cake.

It was almost a year since his attempt and he was happier than ever. It was his birthday and he was turning nine. His old friends were laughing along with him as they ate and talked. Jimmy had gifts and presents from them on a table behind him but he didn't care. He just wanted to bask in their company.

Looking to the end of the table, he saw his mother and father laughing as well. They looked more relaxed this way, not a stressed, married couple. They noticed he was staring and smiled back, waving to him from across the table.

"Happy birthday!" Lizzie said, jumping out from behind his chair. Jimmy rolled his eyes.

"It was obvious you were there." He said with a smirk. She just stuck her tongue out.

"I miss when you were easy to scare." She sighed but she obviously was joking with the smile still planted on her face.

"Sure," he said, pulling her in for a hug. She hugged back immediately, Jimmy having to blow her pink hair out of his face.

"Present!" She pulled away and reached behind his chair. She pulled out a large box, ribbon neatly on top with the family colors. She slammed it onto the table, gathering everyone's attention.

Jimmy's smile grew wider. "For me?" He asked even though he already knew.

"Yes, for you silly!" She said, patting his head.

Jimmy quickly tore open the wrapping paper, opening the box as well. Lizzie was practically jumping for joy behind him.

Pulling out the wooden chest out of the box, he opened it.

His face turned white as a sheet.