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Claire walked into trollmarket with a saddened expression on her face. After having to deal with school and her parents getting after her for something she didn’t do, she wasn’t in the best mood. She slowly make her way to Blinky’s library where Toby and Blinky were talking about some stone the young boy found.
“Hey guys” Claire said as she sighed. She went to place her staff down on the table near her when she noticed a certain troll hunter wasn’t with them.
“uh… where’s Jim?” She questioned.
The troll and human boy looked at each other with confusion, and turned back to her.
Toby soon responded after the slight pause. “I think he left school early or something, because I didn’t see him afterwards. I thought he might’ve been with you studying after school.” He said with a tinge of sadness.
“Are you saying that master Jim has not been seen by either of you today?” Blinky spoke up. “He hasn’t been down here in trollmarket in a few days. I would’ve have definitely thought you two would have seen him at least.”
Toby and Claire stared at each other, trying to get a sense of what was happening. why haven’t either of them seen Jim all day?
Claire soon spoke up again. “Could he be sick? and maybe he just had to leave school early because it was getting bad..?”
“Claire, you and I both know that he would’ve sent us a text letting us know. He has to be avoiding us or something of the sort.” Toby answered. While it was unlikely for Jim to do something like this; he had before, when Jim and Toby were younger.
It was when Jim’s mom had been coming from a shift at the hospital that caused Jim to panic. He had never seen her so tired and exhausted in his few years of being alive. It caused him to lock himself in his home and take care of not only her, but the whole house too. He had been missing school and ignoring Toby, to the point where once Barbara caught on to what he was doing, she had to step in and get him back on track.
“But why would master Jim ever ignore you two? It does not seem like him at all.” Blinky inquired as he had one of his hands on his chin.
Toby turned to look down at the table, and spoke up. “As much as I would love to agree, Jim’s done stuff like this before. It is unlikely, but not as much as you think.”
“I’ll go head to his house and talk to him. Let me know if he comes down here at all while i’m gone.” Claire said.
She soon left trollmarket and started heading towards Jim’s house, hoping the boy would be there.
——————
There was a knock at the door before silence washed over. Claire could here sudden footsteps from where the stairs were, and could see a figure through try window as it approached the door.
‘ok good. So he is here.’ Claire thought.
Claire was about to say something as the door opened when she took in Jim’s features. He looked so… tired. Drained of emotion and happiness in general. He had bags under eyes, and his body was shaking ever so slightly.
“oh. Hey Claire. Didn’t think you’d be here this late. Did something happen in trollmarket?” He said with no tone in his voice.
Claire replied with concern in her voice, “Nono, nothing happened. Jim… we’re just… really concerned about you. Blinky says you haven’t been down there in a couple days, and Tobes and I haven’t seen you all day. What’s going on?”
Jim stared at her like she was asking one of the dumbest questions on Earth.
“Claire I’m fine. I just… there’s a lot going on right now. I don’t need you playing mom to me when I have a lot on my plate. Ok?” He said with slight malice in his tone. He was not happy that Claire was there surprisingly, and wanted her to leave.
Claire stared at him, anger slowly growing. “Jim, I’m not trying to ‘play mom,’ I’m trying to check in on my boyfriend and make sure he isn’t doing anything to… harm himself.” She said.
“Well I’m fine. There. Now please leave.”
“…” Claire was silent. She could see in his eyes that he was more or less begging than mad at her. While it was obvious something was wrong, she didn’t want to push him.
“Ok. But please, let us know if there’s something going on. We won’t judge, we never would.” She said as she slowly walked off the porch.
Once she was out of earshot, Jim whispered.
“I know.”
-time skip-
“What do you mean he’s ‘fine’?!” Toby exclaimed. Jim and Claire had made it to Toby’s locker when Claire told him about what happened last night.
“That’s all he told me! There’s definitely something going on.” Claire said, crossing her arms. Toby went to grab one of his books before speaking up again.
“Did you try and get it out of him at all?”
“What?! No! That would’ve been too much for him. You should’ve seen his face,” Claire began to gesture. “He looked so… dead.” Claire continued.
Toby and Claire started walking to their respective classes, trying to come up with a way to find out what was going on with their friend.
“I can try and talk to him after school. Try and get him out of the house ya know.” Toby suggested. It wasn’t the best plan but definitely not the worst.
——————
Jim had started cleaning the house for the 5th time before he hears a knock on the door. He could see a short figure outside, which told him that it was Toby. ‘Jesus christ’ He thought to himself as he went to open the door.
“Hey man- woah! dude when was the last time you slept?!” Toby asked, shocked at how accurate Claire was with her description of him.
“that’s a funny question” Jim said as he tried to ease the oncoming concern and questioning that he could see in Toby’s face. “anyways… uh… how’ve you been?”
“dude, you are so bad at hiding things.”
“am not!”
“are to!”
“gah!” Jim groaned as he realized what Toby was going to asked. Seemed as thought the short of the two could read Jim’s mind.
“listen Jimbo, I know you probably know what I’m going to say…” He dragged out before Jim cut him off.
“Im fines Tobes! Really! Ive just been stressed with… troll… hunter.. stuff.”
“you are such a bad liar.” Toby said with an annoyed tone.
“okok fine.” Jim said as he gave up. This is Toby he’s talking to. He supposes he should have a right to know what’s going on in his life. “But please don’t let anyone else know. I don’t want them to worry about me.”
“of course man!” Toby said. Ya know like a liar.
Jim sighed and rubbed the back of his neck before admitting what had him this way.
“My mom… isn’t doing so great. She’s been in the hospital for almost a week now, cause she got in a car crash with some drunk driver. Ive been trying to manage myself, and I know she’ll be fine, but she’s still not in the best shape to come home and it’s worrying me.” He admitted.
That was a lot to take in for Toby. Barbara working at the hospital? Totally normal. Barbara ending up in the hospital injured? No way. Though luckily he could understand now why Jim’s been so dead lately.
“I try to take care of her and I can’t even do that. God, this is all my fault.” Jim stared as tears welled up in his eyes.
“Dude! This isn’t your fault in the slightest!” Toby encouraged. “You’re just trying to deal with something traumatic that happening in your life. Happens to the best of us.” Toby tried to explain as he patted Jim’s shoulder.
“Listen, Jimbo. You gotta realize that things happen for a reason, whether we like it or not. I can totally see how you would think this is your fault. But it isn’t! You gotta take it easy and relax. It’s what your mom would want.” Toby shared, trying to give his friend advice. “How about we head down to to trollmarket, it could help to take your mind off of things while she gets better.”
Jim sniffled before responding back. “I guess you’re right. Thanks Tobes.” He said, seeing the smile form in his friends face. “But maybe tomorrow. As you can probably see I’m not holding up the best physically.” He gestures to himself.
“True.” Toby agreed. “You get some sleep or else I’m making Arrrgh go over to your house and make you sleep.” He threatened, walking away from the house.
Jim laughed and then nodded as he went to close the door.
-another time skip haha suck it-
Jim still hadn’t come to school the next day, but surprisingly that didn’t worry Toby at all. He had already told Claire, Blinky, and Arrrgh what was happening (ya know cause he’s a snitch), and so they planned to be lighter on training. Knowing about Jim’s current mental and physical state worried Blinky immensely, but Toby quickly drowned that thought out with, “once he sees you he’ll definitely lighten up. You’re like a dad to him.”
“I really hope taking him down there works. With what you said he seems a lot nicer than how he was to me.” Claire explained as she picked up her things from her locker.
Toby tried to comfort her, “I’m pretty sure he wasn’t trying to be mean Claire. He’s only got his mom and so losing her would be the end of the world for him.”
“I know that Toby.” Claire explained. “I’m just… I’m his girlfriend. I wish he would’ve felt comfortable enough to tell me.”
“I’m sure he’ll start opening up more to you soon. This is just super stressful for him.”
Claire nodded her head as the two walked out of the school. “Ya.”
——————
“Oh Jimbo!~” Jim heard as he opened the door to two people.
“Hey guys.” He replied, a smile slightly creeping onto his face. The moment he saw Claire he spoke up.
“Listen, Claire. I’m really sorry about-“ He was cut off by a hug from her.
“It’s fine Jim. I understand that you weren’t trying to be mean. You were just stressed out.” She expressed. Jim eyed her and then slowly eyes at Toby, who was staring off into the distance pretending to look distracted.
“You told them didn’t you.”
“…no”
“And you say I’m a bad liar”
Toby gasped dramatically at his statement. “Jimbo! How DARE you!” Toby said as he grew his arms up in the air. They then started walking towards the canal, and Jim could see that Toby looked guilty telling Claire and possibly Blinky, but Jim gave his friend a shoulder hug, indicating it was fine. He had been too caught up in the moment, and knew it was better for them to know than to hide away until things got better.
They soon made it down to trollmarket and to the forge, where Blinky and Arrrgh were waiting. As he went to pull out the amulet and dawn on his armor, Blinky stopped him, and brought over to pet of the forge where they were out of earshot from the others.
“Master Jim, please to don’t over-exert yourself during this training. I have been told by Tobias that you are having family difficulties.“ He spoke with an understanding tone. Jim could see the sincerity in his face, and quickly reassured his mentor.
“I know Blinky. Thank you.” He put his hand in his pockets for moment before taking them out. “I’ll make sure to take it slow.” He said, smile forming.
“I understand hardships within family greatly, Master Jim. If you ever needs some assistance with your health, I shall be here.” Blinky responded.
“Ayo! Are we gonna start this training or not!” They heard Toby shout from across the forge. The two laughed before heading back over and starting.
Arrrgh began the countdown for when the forge was going to be active.
“3! 2! 1!”
-huge ass time skip my apologies-
Training was a success, and everyone was able to see the light shining back in Jim’s eyes. While sparring, he had gotten a text from his mom, saying that she had been discharged from the hospital and would be home in an hour or so. This made the boy ecstatic, at us was clearly shown.
The three teenagers soon made their goodbyes to Blinky and Arrrgh, and went back up to the surface, where they walked back to Jim’s house. Just in the mock of time, eh saw his mom parked in the driveway and getting out of the car. He couldn’t contain his excitement, and ran to give her a hug.
“Mom!” He shouted. “Are you ok? Still hurt? I can help you insi-“
“Jim,” Barbara said with a slight laugh. “I’m fine. I just had a small concussion.” She kissed him in the forehead and slowly made her way to the from door with Jim by her side. “I’ll start making dinner.” Jim said, and to that Barbara out her hand in his shoulder.
“Jim, you’ve done enough. Lets go ahead and heat up some leftovers. I’ll put in a movie.” She said with a smile, and the two walked into the house.
Toby and Claire watched the whole thing, and once the Lakes were inside the other two started waking back to their respective houses after giving their goodbyes
————-
Levitation Station group chat
TP: who do you think the drunk driver was?
CBomb- omg it was totally steve
CBomb- he was talking about how he crashed his car coming from a party yesterday
TP: that mother fucker
CBomb: ikr
Cbomb: apparently coach is on his ass about it too
TP: serves him right
TP: i was confused why he wasn’t bullying me today
TP: now i know
TP: but also why tf is he drinking at 15
CBomb: bc he thinks he’s cool for doing it idk
CBomb: he’s steve
TP: true
CBomb: i’m gonna head off to bed
CBomb: night tp
TP: night :))
TP: also rq
TP: get back at steve?
CBomb: get back at steve
TP: hell yeah