TWs: implied child neglect, self-esteem/self-worth issues (also the idea that they would be "better off without him." It's not in a suicidal way at all but if that's something that triggers you then be aware), implied panic attack? panic attack symptoms at the very least, mentions of being trapped, hybrid instincts

also this will make more sense if you note that lizzie is ten feet tall
no i'm not joking.
yes, this is canon.

Scott was choosing to ignore the familiar ache in his chest at the sight of his friends preparing for Christmas. It was weak, it was human, and he didn't need it.

He couldn't deny that it was there, that some small part of him wanted desperately for one of them to notice how lonely he was, but he didn't linger on it. It was just how it was. No one wanted the cold elf king on a holiday meant for warmth and happiness.

And so he watched in silence, saying nothing as the others planned their parties and celebrations. It was fine. He didn't need to ruin their happiness (not after he'd already selfishly ruined it by running away and causing them worry).

He nearly lost his composure when Jimmy asked his plans for Christmas. He got away by quickly replying that he was "celebrating in Rivendell" and moving on. Jimmy seemed suspicious, but that was fine. Just as long as he left Scott alone. He didn't need Scott there to drag down his Christmas.

Scott loved the holiday season, he just had no one to celebrate with. He hadn't really, not since he was little, not since his parents had left him alone under the care of the high council, who had better things to do than look after a child. He liked the lights and the feeling of happiness that came with Christmas. He'd celebrated with the other empires a few times, but not every year. And this year everyone had someone to spend Christmas with, and Scott had no one.

Gem, Sausage, and fWhip would want nothing to do with him after what had happened to Gem. Gem herself didn't blame him, but he knew the others did, and he wasn't on good terms with them, having ruined his friendships with them because of his own pride.

Shrub, Katherine, and Joey would probably welcome him, but Scott couldn't bring himself to see them, the three most entwined with nature and life. He was just a bringer of pain and death, and he didn't fit with them anymore.

Pearl and Pix would be kind to him, but they were both visiting their own families (or friends) and weren't here for the holidays.

Lizzie, Joel, and Jimmy wanted him to join them, he could tell. But he couldn't bring himself to see them and burden them with him being there. They would insist they didn't mind, but he knew. He knew he couldn't be truly wanted anywhere with the power he had.

But he wasn't, and so he found himself sitting alone in the snow outside the main hall of Rivendell, watching the small flakes drift downwards (rather symbolic of his own happiness lately, but he pushed that thought aside).

He was exhausted, having spent the last week putting up decorations all across the empires, helping the others with theirs and doing Rivendell's. It was fine. He was just making up for when he'd been away. He didn't need to sleep in. There was too much to do, too much he'd left behind. Still, Scott was tired, only stopping himself from taking a nap because it was way too early in the day, and what would his advisors say?

The sound of fireworks jolted him out of his thoughts and he stood up, shaking snow off of himself in an effort to look more formal. He didn't think he did, but he'd tried.

The snow crunched as Jimmy landed in front of him. Scott straightened, smiled politely, and nodded in acknowledgement. "What brings you here, Codfather?"

"Drop the formalities, Scott," Jimmy told him. His cheeks were red from the cold in a way that was very cute- nope, nope, nope, scratch that, nope, not cute at all. He was not going to crush on codboy today.

"What do you need, Jimmy?" Scott let his smile drop and slumped exhaustedly against the pillar next to him.

"You look tired," Jimmy pointed out concernedly, and Scott mentally sighed.

He tried to sound more upbeat and hoped it would fool Jimmy (It never did. Jimmy could always read him like a book). "No, I'm fine, I just went for a long walk this morning and I'm-"

"Yeah, no," Jimmy said firmly. Scott paused, confused. Jimmy continued. "You never go on walks, Scott, you're always flying."

"Well, maybe I wanted some variation!" Scott protested.

"Scott, you have to take care of yourself," Jimmy shook his head.

"I can take care of myself fine, thank you-" Scott was proven wrong in exactly three seconds when Jimmy spoke again.

"When's the last time you ate?"

"Weird question, Jimmy," Scott told him.

"You're deflecting!" Jimmy insisted. Scott went to contradict him when he realized Jimmy was right. He let out an audible sigh.

"I'm an adult and I can take care of myself, Jimmy. You don't need to look after me-" Scott began to tell him. Jimmy was having none of it.

"I don't need to, but I do, Scott, because I care about you," Jimmy said. Scott had no clue how to reply to that, so he went with the obvious.

"Don't you... hate me now?"

"Uh... no? Why did you think that?" Jimmy replied confusedly.

"Most of you do? You tell me I'm rude and cold and don't care about the rest of you," Scott pointed out, and Jimmy froze. He knew Jimmy would take this badly. No one really liked him since Gem and his self-isolation.

"Scott-" He looked guilty and scared and Scott knew why, but he didn't want to admit it. "Aren't Gem and Katherine and Shrub your friends? Aren't I your friend?"

"I- you don't want be around me anyway, you don't want me hurting you," Scott pointed out, turning away from him

Jimmy grabbed Scott's wing and Scott jumped out of his grasp instantly. "No!" he told Jimmy firmly.

"Sorry," Jimmy backed up, tail lowered, frills back, looking all too much like a kicked puppy. Scott flew out of Rivendell nearly crying.

Why did Jimmy have to come? Now Scott had ruined his day and Jimmy was, what, pitying him or something?

He didn't notice Jimmy had followed him until the cod swooped in front of him and the two collided. Scott yelped in surprise and flapped his wings trying to stop them from falling, but he only got the two more tangled. Jimmy shouted in surprise too, but he couldn't stop them from getting hopelessly trapped together and landing in a snowbank in a tangle.

Scott squirmed free and flapped out of the snow gasping, the top powder flying away, but more snow collapsed on top of them, trapping them underneath it. Scott scraped some of the snow off, but his wings were trapped and it was terrifying. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the way he couldn't move, but he couldn't stop the tears from coming to his eyes and he hid himself from Jimmy with his hands.

"Scott?" Jimmy asked concernedly. Of course, it wasn't as bad for Jimmy- he was a fish, not a bird (A fish who should probably naturally be afraid of Scott just because he was a predator- although snow owls didn't eat fish).

Scott didn't reply, nearly trembling feeling the heavy weight on his wings. Jimmy squirmed towards him, but even Jimmy couldn't escape the snow, so how was Scott meant to? He couldn't- he couldn't free them-

"Scott, what's wrong?" Jimmy repeated. Scott didn't reply again at first, not wanting to admit how vulnerable he was like this.

After a minute, he gave in, owing Jimmy some sort of explanation. "My- my wings, Jimmy."

"What?" Jimmy tilted his head, frills flaring curiously. "What do you mean?"

"My wings are trapped, Jimmy," Scott told him, feeling his breathing quicken. He hated being like this, but he couldn't help it. He was terrified, his wings useless like this, and it was awful.

"I mean- my wings are trapped, too," Jimmy offered. Scott knew he was only trying to help, but it only made it worse.

"No, Jimmy!" he said, voice rising in panic. "My wings are trapped!" He buried his face in his arms, shaking in panic.

He heard Jimmy shift around, and several minutes later two people arrived. Scott didn't look up to see who it was, too lost in fear and fixated on the way his wings were stuck under the heavy, wet snow.

Strong, gentle, slightly webbed hands gripped Scott's wings and pulled him out of the snow and he was free. He was crying, in relief or shock he didn't know. He still couldn't bring himself to uncurl from the ball he was in. Lizzie's voice came muffled through the overwhelming haze of instincts.

Lizzie picked him up again easily and he felt the familiar rush of air that meant they were flying. Scott sighed and his breathing calmed. He didn't know when he'd close hs eyes, but he didn't bother to open them until he realized he had been left alone. He cracked open one eye and saw Lizzie, Joel, and Jimmy standing in a circle, talking worriedly, probably about him.

His eyes instantly locked on the door and he shuffled towards it. He froze when they turned to look at him, blushing in embarrassment as he realized what had just happened.

Oh, Aoer help him, he had just let three other rulers see him at his lowest.

"Scott?" Jimmy asked cautiously. Scott looked down at the ground, avoiding eye contract.

"I'm so sorry for ruining your Christmas," Scott mumbled. He wanted to cry again, or run, or just get out of the situation.

"What- no!" Jimmy exclaimed. "I'm the one who came to bother you!"

"It's- It's fine, Jimmy," Scott sighed resignedly. "I'll go now."

Joel and Lizzie exchanged a glance. Lizzie spoke up. "Scott, we're hybrids too."

"I... know?" Scott didn't really know how that was relevant. He already knew that.

"It's okay to have hybrid instincts, you know," Lizzie continued. Oh.

"I ruined your Christmas," Scott repeated, lost. He just wanted to go back to Rivendell and avoid human contact for three months.

"Christmas isn't over yet," Joel pointed out with a grin.

And such was how Scott found himself stuck in Lizzie's palace with Joel, Jimmy, and Lizzie, with a mug of hot cocoa and a fire crackling in the fireplace. How and why Lizzie had a fireplace in a water kingdom was beyond Scott, and so he didn't ask.

"Do you mind if we open presents?" Jimmy asked him. Scott shrugged. Why ask him? It was their Christmas.

"Scott, you can say no," Lizzie told him.

"I know. It's fine," Scott said.

"Are you sure?" Jimmy asked. Would they just stop pitying him?

"Yep," Scott repeated. "It's fine."

Jimmy bounced over to the twelve-foot tree in the corner, no doubt having been brought in by Lizzie. He excitedly began to sort the presents, stacking them in three piles. "Lizzie... Joel... Lizzie... me... Joel..."

Scott watched distantly, feeling slightly like an outsider. He was intruding on their celebration, wasn't he? But he didn't leave, he just tried to stay quiet and unobtrusive as he was, sitting against the far wall.

"Hey, Scott," Joel sat down next to him and looked at him conversationally. "How are you?"

"Fine," Scott said automatically.

Joel didn't push further, which Scott appreciated. "That's good," he nodded. Then, holding up his own mug of cocoa, he added, "It's amazing cocoa, isn't it? Lizzie makes it."

"It is," Scott agreed, feeling far more at ease. He could maintain a conversation like this, casual small talk. That had always been natural for him. "It's great."

"She gets the cocoa from Joey, he grows it himself," Joel continued. Scott nodded along. Then, the conversation went downhill. "Jimmy said you told him everyone hated you. It's not true."

Scott paused. "You should."

"Wh- no!" Joel exclaimed. "Why would we!?"

"My powers. I hurt Gem, and it's a matter of time until I hurt you," Scott sighed.

"That doesn't mean we blame you!" Joel protested. "It's not your fault you have magic."

"But it's my fault I hurt Gem," Scott pointed out.

Before Joel could reply, Jimmy announced loudly, "Presents are sorted!"

"Alright! Everyone come over here!" Lizzie called sitting near to Jimmy by the tree. Joel stood up and offered Scott a hand. He looked at it confusedly.

"Aren't you coming?" Joel asked. Scott paused, then noticed the fourth pile of presents by the tree. Joel grinned slyly and Scott blushed.

"You- are those-" he asked. Joel nodded. Scott grabbed Joel's hand and pulled himself up, then walked over to the tree. Joel laid down in Lizzie's lap at her beckon and Scott sat slightly further back from the others.

Jimmy handed out the piles of presents and Scott stared down at the presents in front of him. "You-"

"Of course we got you presents, Scott," Lizzie smiled. "You're our friend."

The first present was from Lizzie to Jimmy, which she insisted he open immediately. Jimmy eagerly ripped off the gift paper and scowled at the contents. Lizzie doubled over laughing.

"What is it?" Joel asked bluntly. Jimmy annoyedly held up a leather journal with the words "Small Damaged Egg" on the cover. Scott couldn't help himself; he burst out laughing. Joel joined him, both of them absolutely dying at the gift.

It was made even better by the fact that the only four people who would understand the gift were in the room, and three of them were laughing at Jimmy.

"Very funny," Jimmy groaned, tossing it aside and moving on. "You three open your presents from Lizzie."

Joel opened to find chocolate in the shape of various sea creatures. Scott found similar chocolates in his gift and immediately ate one before setting the rest aside.

"These are great Lizzie, where'd you get them?" he asked happily, worries nearly forgotten.

"They're handmade by some of my villagers," Lizzie explained proudly.

"They're amazing," Joel agreed. "Are they Joey's chocolate too?"

"Yep, flavored with seaweed," Lizzie added. Joel spit it out.

"What, don't like seaweed?" Scott teased him. "I think it's great, Lizzie."

Joel spluttered incoherently and Lizzie chuckled. "Next?"

Jimmy handed out the presents labeled as 'From Joel.'

Joel's presents turned out to be small potted succulents, which were nice until Jimmy dropped his within thirty seconds, shattering the pot. Scott found this quite amusing and personally loved his.

Pearl had gotten them all baskets of various dried plants, which were much appreciated. Pix gave them each an intricately decorated, color-coordinated candle, which Joel loudly complained were "too nice to use now."

Katherine's presents were customized plushies. Lizzie's was four feet tall, blue, and complete with tail, gills, and trident. Jimmy's had fake-slime-covered hands, a long tail like his, and frills. Joel's held a moss block and a mini pickaxe.

Scott's had his wings and a crown of ice that he definitely did not own, last he checked.

Lizzie grinned. "She's trying to say she accepts your ice powers."

"Oh," Scott blushed, then gave a small smile. "That crown looks pretty cool, I might make one for myself."

"You already have a crown," Jimmy pointed out.

"I always need more crowns," Scott protested.

"Next presents?" Lizzie interrupted. "You two can have your lovers' quarrel later."

Scott decided to ignore that comment. Jimmy apparently had the same idea.

Joey had gotten them cocoa powder labeled 'Mix with sugarcane and milk for best hot cocoa.' Shrub got them each a pair of mittens. Lizzie's were pink with white wave designs, Joel's were orange with green patterns, Jimmy's were brown with green patterns, and Scott's were blue with white snowflake designs.

Scott decided not to comment on the fact that this was probably another attempt to say that they didn't mind his powers.

fWhip and Sausage had apparently still gotten him gifts (He'd gotten them gifts, too, though). fWhip had given them all spyglasses with some bonus features, and Sausage had given them ceremonial daggers.

He was a weird one.

Gem gave everyone amethyst bracelets. Last, they opened Scott's presents to them. He'd hand-knitted them all wool sweaters. Lizzie got a pink one with a blue axolotl face on it. Joel got a patterned orange, purple, and green one. Jimmy got a brown sweater with a green top, the green part made so it looked like it was oozing downwards.

Jimmy put his on right away and hugged Scott. Scott smiled and returned the hug, his wings wrapping around Jimmy, letting them have their own little world.

"Thank you," Scott whispered. He didn't need to elaborate. Jimmy knew what he meant, and he hugged Scott tighter.

"I love you, Scott," Jimmy replied. "Don't forget that."

Scott smiled guiltily. "I won't."

"You better not again," Jimmy told him.

"Hey lovebirds, you gonna finish the presents?" Lizzie asked.

They broke apart and Scott tilted his head.

"Oh!" Jimmy exclaimed. "My presents to you!"

Lizzie and Joel were holding wooden cod sculptures that must have been from Jimmy, and the last present on the ground was left for Scott.

Scott opened it to find a scarf knitted with alternating poppies and snowflakes and he stared at it for a moment.

"Do you- do you like it?" Jimmy asked, tail swishing anxiously.

"Jimmy, I love it," Scott told him, wrapping it around his neck and snuggling into it. "Thank you so much."

Jimmy beamed, his smile lighting up the room. "Merry Christmas, Scott."

"Merry Christmas," Scott smiled, happy to be spending Christmas with his family again.

MERRY CHRISTMAS OR HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!