When Joel had first met Lizzie, he was in love.

Like heart in the eyes, would do anything for her, in love.

There was just a lot to love about her from her kindness to her naturally pink hair that she would have braided.

Joel had met her when they were both around seven years old. It had been in Mezalea, in his own home.

"Joel, we have some visitors for the next few weeks, you need to be on your best behavior." His mother said but her eyes were sparkling with that undying mischief. She loved some good pranks and fun just as much as Joel.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect nothing less." He snickered covering his mouth to hide the sly smirk. He didn't need to hide it from her but his father would hate for any visitors to be treated unwell.

The said king sighed, shaking his head. He already knew the antics of his wife and only son but a small smile was on his lips, betraying his sterness.

"Who are these visitors?" Joel finally asked, tilting his head. He loved that his crown wasn't required while with his parents, he hated when it fell off from simple actions like this.

The king smiled. "Well, I have some business with the Ocean Empire and they decided to make it a family diplomatic trip to get everyone out of the palace. The King and Queen have two kids, Grian is about ten, and Lizzie who is your age."

Joel's eyes widened in excitement and he squealed. He loved getting to see kids just like him growing up in palaces. Don't get him wrong, he had friends in the village but they always treated him like glass. Princes and princesses never treated him that way, never afraid to step on his toes or be mean to him. Not to mention, he hadn't met any that were his age exactly, they were always annoyingly older or toddler aged.

So, he awaited the day for them to arrive.

And they were just as amazing as he imagined.

He ran down the steps, practically tripping in order to watch as the carriage pulled up, some of the finest Mezalean horses pulling it. First, the King stepped out with little help despite some helper trying. He then held his hand out and the Queen stepped out daintily. Next was a young boy, Joel assumed he was Grian. His crown was in hand, not even on his head. He looked a mess but Joel didn't mind, he was always a mess when not in front of others.

And lastly, the King held his hand out and helped the youngest child out.

She had a beautiful smile.

Joel stopped, faltering. She was beautiful with hair silky and long. It was pink just like her father's and she was close in height to her older brother. Her crown was extravagent and she wore a beautifully rich dress, something that screamed money.

Lizzie, huh?

He didn't notice his own parents until they stepped down to greet the family, shaking the royal's hands before gesturing for Joel to come meet them.

He stumbled but didn't let his eyes off of the princess.

"This is Joel, say hi." His father introduced, nudging him.

"Hi, you are beautiful, I MEAN-" He screamed, clamping a hand over his mouth. He was red in embarrassment.

Lizzie laughed softly, face also turning a bright red. The adults had knowing looks on their faces, watching with amusement. Grian smirked.

"I mean," he took a deep breath to compose himself, "it is wonderful to meet you all." He formally spoke, trying to calm his nerves.

Lizzie just giggled, her own hand covering her mouth.

Well, nobody said Joel was smooth.

Those few weeks with the family had been wonderful for Joel.

He loved the way that he was able to play hide and seek, able to shove Grian during tag and get shoved back playfully by Lizzie (who happened to be taller than him.) He had a few scratches all over but he wore them in pride from the time he spent with his new friends.

So when they had to leave, he was understandably upset.

"Why, I don't want you to leave!" He sobbed, tears rushing down his face and snot coming out of his nose.

Okay, maybe he was a bit more than "upset."

Grian laughed shoving his shoulder. "No worries, Joel. You can always visit us!"

Joel's eyes widened as he turned to his parents, he never knew he could do that.

"I can?" He asked, stuttering and gasping for air from his sobs.

His parents shrugged. "You never asked us if you wanted to, we don't mind." The Mezalean King replied.

So Joel visited whenever he could.

The first few years of friendship had been easy for them but his mom always had come with. She spent her time with the Ocean Empire's queen, gossiping or having tea. He would stick his tongue out at her and she would do the same in reply when they crossed paths.

But after a year, Lizzie seemed upset.

"What's wrong?" Joel asked softly, sitting next to her on her pretty pink bed. He had no shame in cuddling one of the stuffed animals as he provided support.

Lizzie looked up at him from where she lay, tears in the eight year old's eyes.

"My mom is going to have a baby!" She shouted, turning around and burying her head in her pillows.

Joel tilted his head in confusion. "Isn't that good though? You will have a little sibling-"

"Joel, you don't have siblings!" She pointed out, glaring. He shrunk back, feeling awful. He had always wanted a sibling to play with all the time instead of going on a two day trip to the Ocean Empire just to leave again. His mom always made an effort to play with him but it wasn't the same. Lizzie's face fell so she shrunk back into the pillows. "That's not what I meant... it's just that Grian sucks. Alot."

Joel snorted in surprise. He knew they had a sibling rivalry but he didn't think that warranted unneeded hate from the eight year old. "Tell me something I don't know." He said sarcastically. Lizzie always complained about Grian no matter the time or day. "That shouldn't stop you from wanting a little sibling though, what if they are different?"

She groaned, turning around so she was facing the ceiling. "Yeah but apparently younger siblings are worse than older siblings. Not to mention, mum is super angry right now. Something about fourmoans? I don't know."

Joel laughed. "Hormones?"

She glared at him but they both burst into laughter.

She was going to be fine.

At least, that was what Joel had thought.

When he had first met the baby prince, he scrunched his nose. He realized quickly he didn't like babies, whether they were royal or not.

They were just so loud and gross. He hated how his play times were cut short often times because Lizzie or Grian had to help with the baby. He could see that they hated the new baby as much as he did.

"What do you think of your new brother?" Joel asked one day, eating a chocolate spread sandwich.

Grian groaned at the thought, rolling his eyes. "Torture. Lizzie was way better but this stupid baby just keeps crying. Ended up moving him rooms and rooms over. They've given up trying to stop him from crying. Nobody goes to check on him at night because who cares about some stupid baby? Dad is the only one who checks on him at this point, mum is taking a break."

Joel tilted his head. Did babies cry as much as Grian was saying? He didn't know, he never had been around a baby as much as now. He would just to trust that they knew what they were doing...

Which was apparently wrong.

It was strange, the palace had gone from ignoring the baby to being full attention.

So Joel asked his mum about it.

She bit her lip, not looking at him. "The baby was sick. He was crying because he was ill but it wasn't something like a cold. It was serious and they only just found out. I knew something was wrong but Katie assured me that he was fine..." she whispered softly, eyes misty at the thought.

His eyes widened. "Was the baby hurting?" She nodded her head, covering her mouth. It was so unlike her to be this upset. "Is he going to get better?" He asked softly.

She looked down to him, cupping his cheek. "Yes baby, he's going to get better."

And the baby was getting better.

Once Joel had learned that it wasn't the baby's fault, he had become more interested to see the youngest prince.

So when he was nine, he started coming just to see the baby.

The little prince was now one and he was doing better, more giggly and way more tolerable. It confused Joel why his room was still down the hall, past empty rooms and far away from the rest of his family.

Lizzie and Grian would make fun of Joel for seeing their little brother. They still thought he was a nuisance. "He has causes non stop trouble since he came." Lizzie glared down at the one year old, eyes cold.

"I wish he was never born." Grian had added.

So Joel made it his goal to change their minds.

He was the one to teach the little prince to walk.

Joel had held the baby's hands and walked down the halls as practice, he had taught the baby to say both Lizzie and Grian's names in an effort to get some sympathy. And it did work.

After a few years when the little prince became a toddler, they were finally playing together even when Joel wasn't around to initiate it.

"Come on, follow me!" Lizzie shouted, gesturing for her little brother to chase her. The toddler giggled with a beautiful laugh, stumbling after her. She picked him up, holding him in the air as she twirled. "Whose a cute baby? Whose my favorite little man?" She cooed, pulling him to her.

"Nope! He is mine!" Grian shouted, pulling him gently out of Lizzie's grasp. He booped the baby's nose before pressing a kiss to his golden blond hair.

And Joel was satisfied.

Because if he was honest, he only stayed with the Ocean Empire for his little brother (and maybe a little bit for Lizzie.)

4 days.

(More Jimmy lore? Yes, he was sick as a baby and nobody realized until something happened lol. Poor Jim was ostracized for his crying despite the illness being genetic/a birth defect that was never treated originally. How'd we love the Joel chapter and how he got to know the family?)