Everything felt fuzzy.

He could barely understand anything happening as his mouth fell open in surprise or grief.

Maybe it was both.

The world seemed to fade as he pulled out a crown. It was much like his favorite one except for a different feature. It was that of a cod.

Grian's old coronation crown.

Yes, he recognizes it. In horrible grief and horror. It was always promised to be Grian's crown the day he becomes king. Made especially for him like all the kings and queens before them got. It always stood in a case at the end of the hall before Grian left.

And then, Lizzie got it.

She had been opening gifts on her thirteenth birthday. She opened a chest, worn down and decorated. She pulled out the crown with confusion.

However, he wasn't confused.

Grian had been there, smiling as he explained how Lizzie was going to be acting Queen. Grian said that if something happened while she was still young, he would come right back to take it back. But Grian didn't want to be king. He assured her that he only needed a few years and then he would come back and take the position again.

Lizzie accept that position, smiling and thanking him for it.

Jimmy tries to forget how he caught her screaming in her pillow about it a few days later.

And now, it was in his hands.

Another crown sat in the box as well.

Lizzie's coronation crown.

No, not her as well. The palace was already empty without his mother there. He couldn't lose his other seabling and gain this position he didn't want.

And then reality came rushing back in.

It was probably only a few seconds but to him, it was a millennium. His mouth became dry and the chocolate cake tasted bitter. Forcing on a smile, he turned to her.

"Thank you," he didn't trust himself to say anything else. He didn't want this. He was too young.

But Lizzie just continued to talk.

It was the same speech that Grian gave years ago. He wished he could purge so much his heart would come out. Maybe then he would be dead and unable to even accept the position. He didn't want to be king. That was his seabling's role. Not his.

The night sped by after that.

Everything felt so dull like all the colors were sucked out. His body felt numb. In those few seconds, he relapsed mentally.

And didn't truly wake up until later.

"Jimmy-"

"Sorry, I'm really tired now, Joel." He said, quickly walking to his bedroom.

Joel caught up, grabbing his wrist.

"This will only take a second, promise." He said, reaching into his pocket. Jimmy watched as he pulled out a small box. It was flat and in a square shape.

"Uh, thanks." Jimmy thanked, taking it.

"Open it!" Joel said with a smile. He stood across him in the hall, rocking on his heels.

Jimmy did as told, opening it carefully.

Inside, was a disc. It was knew, something that Jimmy didn't have in his extended collection.

Something in his heart tugged at it.

"It's a new disk that I thought you would like. It's a good one in my opinion. I know I haven't put you to bed in a long time but maybe, could we listen to it before I leave tonight?" He asked, pointing to Jimmy's room.

Jimmy nodded his head, opening his door.

Joel came in, sitting on his desk chair and waiting while Jimmy put it in.

And almost instantly, he was filled with calm nostalgia.

"I do like it." He said, slightly humming along. He stared at the record player, watching it spin on the plate.

It was quiet other than that.

"Jimmy," he hummed in acknowledgment, "are you doing alright?" Joel asked softly, coming over and sitting with Jimmy on the bed. "It was pretty crappy of Lizzie to just throw the position onto you in front of people."

"It's not like Grian didn't do the same." Jimmy sighed, leaning on Joel slightly.

"Yeah, but he did it while it was just your family. Not in front of a whole bunch of people. She did it so you would have no choice but to accept. Lizzie has always had the ability to deny it. You didn't. Also, not to mention she was thirteen. You are nine. That's not the same."

"It's fine. I just don't want her running off. I know that she is though. There's no point in keeping her back."

Joel nodded his head, "Yeah, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I know how much it hurt for Grian to leave. It's not right for Lizzie to see that and run away too."

"I just wish we didn't grow up being royals."

Joel shook his head. "I think it's just this kingdom. Something cursed about it. Everyone else is content with being ruler except for your siblings. It's changed all of you. You... you've grown up. Way earlier than you should."

Jimmy let that sink in, listening to the music.

It was maybe thirty minutes before Jimmy started drifting off. He was tired.

And Joel let him.

With a smile, the teen pushed Jimmy back into the bed, shifting him so he was laying back on it. He then pulled the covers up, ruffling Jimmy's hair slightly with a quiet laugh.

"I hope you start feeling better soon, Jim." Joel whispered, leaving the room to let Jimmy sleep peacefully.