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It started off simply enough. The Hermits asked the Empires crew for some help on one of the farms. And while normally the Empires group wasn't really known for their redstone work, most showed up to help them out anyways.
Most included Jimmy and Joel, who were currently at the base of the Hermitopia tower…talking. Well, Joel seemed to be talking. Jimmy's voice was steadily raising the longer he was talking to Joel. This caused many faces to start crowding around them, both Hermits and Empires.
“Stop! Please!” Jimmy shouted. His face was red up to his ears. “It's not funny anymore! I am not a toy!” Jimmy looked at the rest of the group around him, all of them looking in some state of amused. Well, all except a few. Tango, Grian and Pearl were looking on with an uncomfortable gaze from the back of the crowd.
Joel threw his head back and laughed, booming and bright. “Of course the tiny toy would start throwing a fit! Ha! Who pulled your string little man?” He shoved his finger into Jimmy's chest, causing him to stumble backwards. He heard a few giggles among the group as he regained his balance.
Jimmy balled his hands into fists by his side. His breathing was getting quicker the longer he was trying to think of a response. Everyone was staring at him and laughing. Couldn't Joel see this isn't funny anymore? He wasn't having fun. This hasn't been fun for a long time.
His face felt hot and his chest was starting to feel tight. Looking past Joel he could see that everyone was crowding around the two, boxing them into the chest wall. His back was to the wall with Joel standing in front of him, leaving no room for escape.
Before, this was fine. But now he was starting to have trouble breathing. And an avian being trapped with their wings against a wall was not helping that.
“STOP! I'M DONE!” He shouted, not only surprising himself but also few people in the crowd jumped at his outburst. His hands and legs were starting to feel fuzzy from anxiety, so he decided to double down. “The toy joke isn't funny anymore! I’m a man with feelings and I am not having fun anymore so can you please just knock it off?!” Jimmy pushed Joel away from him, which apparently was the wrong move.
Joel looked up at Jimmy with surprise in his eyes. That surprise quickly turned to anger, his eyes glowing a shocking green. Jimmy's own false anger dissolved fast as he quickly took a step back away from Joel.
Seeing Jimmy step back with fear in his eyes, Joel threw his head back and laughed.
“Oh! I see! Did you try to grow a spine? You dare push me? Listen here little man!” Joel pressed in close, towering over Jimmy as he shouted in his face. A deep rumble was heard somewhere far away. “I can say whatever I want about you Jim and you know why? I am a God here and you are nothing. You are practically useless. Small and childish enough to make Hermes look mature! You can't build, you aren't smart, Void, even your own soulmate Tango prefers fWhip to you!”
At the mention of his name Tango started to push through the crowd, followed by Grian and Pearl. But Jimmy was getting pushed further and further away by Joel until his back was against the wall. His wings pressed uncomfortably close to his back.
“This would server would be better off without you and your dumb sheriff persona. You have no authority here or anywhere, little toy, so you might as well take these off.” Joel reached up and tore off Jims hat and badge off. He flinched at the tearing sound his badge made as it ripped his vest. “Here, I’ll show you real power.” Joel held them in one hand and in between one blink and another they both just ceased to exist. Joel laughed.
“Please stop…” Jimmy breathed.
“Oh boo hoo! Welcome to Empires! Someone has to be the butt of the joke, and you make it just so easy!”
Finally Tango pushed past everyone and placed himself between Joel and Jimmy.
“Back up!” He growled, pushing the god off of his soulmate. “You've gone too far!”
“Oh please. As if he's never had worse. He's the punching bag, right Jim?” Joel laughed, defending himself as he crossed his arms.
With the God stopping his speech, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Then, a small sniffle sounded softly from behind Tango. Confused, Tango moved to the side revealing Jimmy who was leaning against the wall, tear tracks carved down his face.
His hands at his sides were visibly shaking along with his shoulders. His face was set emotionless which made the tears trailing down his red face almost more heartbreaking.
“I’m okay. It's fine. I get it. I…I’m just going to go home.” Everybody was shocked. Jimmy was never this upset about the joking. Usually he just laughed it off and just walked away. Both groups were looking at each other in various states of discomfort. It was always just a joke, sure it went a bit too far this time but nobody actually meant the things they said about Jimmy…Right?
“Sorry for not helping, though I’m sure I wouldn't have been able to do anything anyways. He’s right, I’m quite useless.” And with that, Jimmy spread his wings and took off toward Tumble Town flying over the crowd. Leaving Joel staring at the spot he used to be, feeling insanely guilty.
“Lets um…let's reschedule this for a different day everyone.” Xisuma said from his place in the back of the crowd. Slowly people started to adjourn flying away from Hermitopia back to their own Empires. Joel was the last person to leave after Tango had to be talked down from starting another fight. Though Pearl and Grian were tempted to just let him go.
Finally it was just the three of them, silently deciding to fly off in the direction of Tumble Town.
***
Jimmy didn't feel well. After he flew out of the portal in his Empire, he had to walk the rest of the way to his nest. His wings hurt from being pushed into the wall. He also had not really preened them in a while so they were already in pain from that. But it was okay because he wasn't a very good flier like Grian was so maybe he shouldn't really have his wings anyway.
Walking also had the added pain of having to pass everything he had built in his Empire. Joel was right. It wasn't really impressive now that he's really looking at it. Useless. He can't fly, he can build, can't even stand up for himself.
Crossing his arms he dropped his head to his chest to stare at the ground as he walked. When he trudged up the last steps to his home he opened the door softly. He kicked his shoes off numbly continuing up his stairs.
He didn't sleep in his room very often. As an Avian his main bedroom had to be higher up so he built it on the highest level in his house. But he typically just stayed awake until he crashed on his couch downstairs or against some barrels on the floor.
Being Avian made it to where he had a harder time feeling well rested without sleeping in his nest. But…He didn't really like his nest. It was a bit sad looking really. A few blankets made a circle around a lone mattress in the corner on the room on the floor. There were a few pillows and clothing items from other people he cared about.
It wasn't that he didn't have items that he could use. Really he could probably have a very nice looking nest if he actually tried. Most of the server members have given him things over the years to help him, knowing how Avians could be with instincts. But he just…Couldn't be bothered. He didn't have any flock on the server with him, so nobody would see it. He wasn't a very good Avian if he really thought about it.
Getting to the humble nest Jimmy curled up under a blanket bringing his knees up to his face. Tears continued to stream down his face silently. He hoped if he just stayed in his nest long enough he would just cease to exist.
He couldn't even blame Joel for everything that he said. He was just joking and Jim took it too far. Besides even if he was joking the stuff he was saying was true so it wasn't like it mattered much anyway. That thought made Jimmy feel even worse. Did everyone else also think those things about him? Was it just him who was naive to the truth? He knew he wasn't smart so they probably did and he just never noticed.
A broken sob escaped Jim as he brought his hand up trying to quiet himself. He bit down between his thumb and finger. Come on! He can't even cry quietly! He shouldn't be crying when he stuff that was said was true.
His body was shaking with his heaving sobs. He didn't even hear when his bedroom door opened and footsteps slowly got closer to his nest.
“Jimmy?” A voice asked. Jimmy pulled his dirty wings around himself trying to hide further. This also had the benefit of muffleing his crying even more. “Hey hey it's okay Songbird. Look at me?”
Jimmy didn't want to. What was the point? To be made fun of more? He already knew he was pathetic; he didn't want to hear someone else say it.
“No Tim, it's just us. We wouldn't say that stuff to you.” Oh. Grian was here. That's…okay. His brother was usually nice to him. So he slowly pulled back his wings looking up at Grian with red rimmed eyes.
“Oh Birdy…” Grian spoke softly using a childhood nickname. Jimmy sniffed before he responded with a weak chirp.
“You guys can leave. I’ll be fine, really.” He tried.
“CanaryBee, when was the last time you preened these?” Pearl asked, sitting down on the edge of the nest and gesturing to his wings.
“It's fine. I don't use them much anyway.” He pulled his wings behind himself as he sat up. He brought his hands up to wipe the mess that was his face to try and look better.
“That does not make us feel better Angel.” Tango huffed. Jimmy flinched a bit at the tone causing Tango to soften. Tango leaned down and took Jimmy's hand.
“Hey, those things that Joel said? He was wrong. You know that right?” Tango reached and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Jimmy just looked down at his sheets.
He must have hesitated too long as Grian spoke up.
“Tim, Birdy, he is wrong. He was trying to joke but he took it way too far. Please look at me.”
Slowly he lifts his head as Grian brings his hands up to hold his head. Grian is smiling sadly at him, it's a goofy enough situation it makes Jimmy give a watery smile back.
“There we go! Birdy, Joel is just being an ass to you because he finds it funny. But you are not useless. No sibling of mine is. You are smart and can build and funny and kind and all that good stuff that as your older brother I notice.”
“But-”
“Nope!” Tango interrupted Jimmy. “Grian is right. You may know Joel more than we do, but we know you more than he does.”
“But…He only says things that I already knew. Everyone here is so much better at everything compared to me. I can't fly like Grian, so why take care of my wings? I can't build like Pearl, Tumble Town is evidence enough of that. I can’t do redstone like Tango. And that's only you guys. Everyone on Empires has something they can do and I have nothing. And this feels like such a useless argument! It is childish!” A fresh wave of tears made their way down his face. He pulled away from Grian laying down on his stomach in the center of the nest. Curling his arms around his face as he started crying again.
Grian followed him into the nest sitting by his head. He motioned for the other two to join him as he pulled Jimmy's wing onto his lap. Sighing, Grain started to comb through Jimmy's feathers, straightening them and pulling out the loose ones.
Pearl sat with crossed legs by Jimmy's hip on the other side of Grian. She pulled his other wing onto her lap gently combing through like her brother. She was humming lightly under breath, coaxing baby feathers to unsheath.
Tango settled on the other side of Jimmy's head. He didn't feel comfortable reaching into Jimmy wings like Grian and Pearl did, so he settled for running his claws through his hair.
Slowly but surely Jimmy’s crying tapered off, replaced by soft muffled chirping. Pearl started humming a bit louder, finishing her side of Jimmy's wings and now just petting them. When Grian finished his side he also continued to just pet the top of his wings.
When Jimmys breathing finally evened out Pearl stopped singing looking up to her brother and Tango.
“This isn't a recent development, is it?” She spoke quietly.
“He got like this sometimes in Double Life. But he usually just laid in bed for a day then came back just as cheery.” Tango said, continuing to comb through Jimmy's hair. “...But he never really flew. I just assumed he didn't like to. I guess now thinking about it doesn't quite make sense.”
“When he was younger he had a few self-worth issues, but after Evo he seemed to be doing better. But then again after that nobody was doing particularly well…” Pearl said, still combing Jimmy's wings.
“Not leaning into his Avian instincts isn't good. I haven't seen him like this in a very long time.” Grian signs as he pulls his handing into his lap. “We should continue this conversation with him when he wakes up. Something tells me it's been a while since he's had a good night's sleep. Let’s all stay here tonight, it'll help him sleep if his flock is here.” Grian turns over to lay on his side pulling Jimmy closer to himself.
Both Tango and Pearl nod sagely, then switch places with Pearl curling her wings in close. She lays down and shuffles into Jimmy's side pulling one of his wings over herself and Tango as he lays down on his back next to her.
The sun was just setting as they all shifted to get more comfortable in the nest. It wasn't as late as most of them would usually fall asleep but with the excitement of the last few hours it didn't take long for them all to feel the exhaustion.
Grian and Pearl seemed to fall into sleep at the same time with small chirps escaping into the near silent room. Tango was the last to finally nod off to the quiet noise of his friend's slow breathing.
***
He woke up feeling warm. It had been a long while since he woke up feeling like that. He also felt…good? He felt refreshed and well rested. His wings also felt better than they had in months. Surely a good night's rest wasn't enough to fix those?
Jimmy slowly opened his eyes, only to immediately shut them again with a groan. It was much too bright. He pushed his face back into his pillow curling into it chirping in displeasure. Suddenly his pillow moved, causing him to freeze.
“It's okay CanaryBee, go back to sleep. It's just me and Tango.” Oh. His pillow is Pearl and Tango. That's why it was so warm. It made him feel even more warm to know that they had stayed the night with him, in his nest. He cooed happily curling more into his sister while trying to pull Tango closer as well.
He heard a huffy laugh from Tango behind before he shuffled further under Jimmy's wing. He hummed, feeling so nice and warm.
He didn't remember much of the night before, but whatever happened he was glad that his flock decided it was enough to make them stay. Not that he wanted them to stay if they didn't want to but he was just happy to have them.
Waking up a bit more he could smell something pleasant coming from his kitchen. That must be Grian. He remembers that Grian was there last night but since he isn't in his nest he must be somewhere else. He wishes he wasn't. He wanted them all in his nest. He chirped a bit sadly until Pearl brought her hand up to run through his hair.
“Calm down Honey Bee. G-man will be back in a second with something good to eat.” She cooed at him, which he responded with his own chirp. It would be rude not to. Man it's been a long time since he indulged in his avian instinct.
Tango laughed from under Jimmy's wing, pulling closer. “I have no idea what you guys are saying right now.”
“Bird stuff.” Pearl said at the same time as Jimmy peeped.
Finally Grian returned through the door with a tray holding four plates in one hand and a pitcher of water in the other.
“Good morning Birdy!” Grian chirped, which again, Jimmy responded too. “Oh, he's in deep huh?”
“Ohhh yeeaa. He hasn't said a single word yet. Probably good for him though, he doesn't seem to have done this in a while. Tango, help me sit him up?”
“Ugh five more minutes.” He groaned, pulling Jimmy closer. Jimmy happily whistled leaning into his platonic soulmate.
Both Pearl and Grian laughed. He set the tray down on the bedside table before helping Pearl sit both Tango and Jimmy up. Tango protesting the whole time. Jimmy just looked happy to be there, reaching for Grian to tug him into his nest.
“All right Tim,” Grian rolled his eyes but allowed Jimmy to pull him down. “Time to eat Birdy, then we talk.”
He passed out plates that seemed to just have a mix of fried potatoes and steak. While simple, Grian made it well. It was probably the best meal Jimmy had had in a while. He made his application known by chirping happily between every bite and once he was done he set his plate outside his nest. He clumsily reached his hand over and started to lightly preen Grians wings in thanks.
Grian almost choked mid bite at the sudden feeling of a hand raking though his feathers. He whipped his head around to see Jimmy smiling at him while staring at his wings. He was cooing and peeping while preening his older brother's wings.
Both Tango and Pearl burst out laughing at his reaction.
“Aww it's like good olden times right Grian? Teaching the fledgling how to preen his wings?” Pearl laughs, taking the rest of the plates and setting them outside the nest.
“Aww you taught him how to preen when he was little Grian? That's so cute.” Tango teases.
“Yea yea it's all cute now until he throws me into my instincts too and I make all of you and half the server stay here for the next two weeks.” Grian struggles out, softly taking Jimmy's hands in his own, pulling them out of his wings. Jimmy pouts slightly, chirping sadly. “Oh hush Tim, we’ve gotta talk anyways.”
“I don't know how much talking he's gonna be able to do in bird mode.” Tango pointed out, leaning against the wall.
“Just give him a few minutes and he’ll come around. He never did this during Double Life?” Pearl asked, shuffling over to sit next to Tango.
“Not like this.” He gestured to Jimmy who was cooing sadly at Grian while laying across his lap. Grian just laughed while shaking his head. “I think he did sometimes at night when it got cold because he used to really like petting my hair. Maybe he was trying to preen me?” He laughed.
“You actually aren't wrong.” Jimmy said, though it sounded a bit strained. He stayed laying on his stomach on Grians lap. “Sorry It's been a while since I’ve…gone all bird-like. I didn't mean to make you guys stay here if you didn't want to.” His words were broken up by small chirps that sounded like he was trying to muffle.
“Tim, I’m going to stop you there, we want to be here. We stayed here because we love you and care about you.” Grian sighs.
“Honey, how long has Joel been treating you like that?” Tango asks while looking over at Grians face. Jimmy paused, not really knowing an answer.
“I suppose since I got here? He really took to his whole “being a god” role and I just guess he didn't like me. Which I get so…I wasn't too surprised. But he just wont stop. I get that I’m not amazing but I just can't stand it anymore!” Jimmy pushes himself off of Grian onto his knees. “No matter what I say he just keeps going and then everyone else joins in. I don't know what I did to make them all hate me! You’d think if I was so useless they'd leave me alone-”
Before Jimmy could take a breath to keep talking he was interrupted by a knocking at his door. All three of them looked at Jimmy's bedroom door, waiting. Surprisingly, whoever was at the door knocked again.
Sighing, Jimmy stood up out of the nest walking to his door. He was straightening his hair and clothes.
“Jimmy, wait, maybe one of us should open the door. You should stay here and rest for today.” Grian started, also getting out of the nest to catch up to Jim.
They both reached the door at the same time. “No, it's fine Grian, they'll be expecting me. They probably just want gunpowder or something. Come with me if you want but it probably won't take long.” He said walking out the door with a grimace on his face. His eyes looked far away, like he didn't feel all there.
Grian shot the two left on the bed a hard look before following Jimmy down the stairs. He watched as Jimmy opened the door moving to his side.
Behind the door was none other than Joel with a pissed off looking Lizzie standing slightly behind him. They all just stood there staring at each other before Lizzie cleared her throat and not-so-lovingly nudged Joel's side. With a start Joel took a breath before speaking.
“I’m sorry. I- I didn't realize how far I was going with the joking. I felt…embarrassed when you talked back. But that doesn't matter. I never should have hurt you like that. Physical or otherwise.” Joel finished reaching a hand up behind his neck in a nervous gesture. Lizzie didn't seem impressed, and neither did Grian. Jimmy just stood frozen at the door with wide eyes.
Lizzie poked him harshly in the shoulder again, causing him to jump before speaking again.
“And I swear I won't do it again. I…” He seemed at a loss for words, looking from Grian to Jimmy. “I admire you Jimmy.” Jim scoffed looking down at his socked feet. “No! Really! I just…Don't know how to say it. You are just so nice all the time and you are always first to offer your help to anyone who needs it no matter how they've treated you in the past. Even with the life you've lived so far you are always smiling and just being kind. Your past was not kind to you. And I’m sorry that I made your present harder too. I was jealous and I let my own hubris and ego get in the way. I don't want you to forgive me, I want to earn it. I’ll take down the pranks, no matter what Pix says. Again, I’m sorry Jimmy. I am…” He took a step away from Jimmy waiting for a response.
Honestly, that was way more than anyone was expecting from Joel. It seems it was more than Joel was meaning to say as well as his face was growing more and more red the silence went on.
Slowly Jimmy lifted his face to look at the embarrassed god on his doorstep. He looked…sad? Unimpressed? Grian couldn't really decide, but he could see that tears were making their way down his face. All of them were slightly taken aback.
“Thank you Joel, I really appreciate it. I-...I believe you and I hope you will treat people better. I'm…really tired. I’m going to get back to bed.” And with that Jimmy turned, leaving the three of them at the door as he walked back up the stairs.
“Is…he okay?” Lizzie asked, stepping closer to the open door where Grian was still looking up the stairs. With a sigh Grian turned back to face the couple.
“I don't think Joel's bullying helped his mental health, but it was apparently not very good to begin with. Now that Tango, Pearl and I know we can start to help him but Joel,” Grian says, stepping up to the tall god, getting close to his face and speaking darkly staring him in the eyes. “You better not be lying. Us Hermits haven't been here very long but any brother of mine is a brother of theirs. And none of us are people you want to mess with.” Grains wings spread out menacingly as his eyes flash purple. “Don't mess with my brother again Small God, you've already made it bad enough.”
Grian steps back into the house flooding his wings nicely behind him. He looks down at Lizzie and smiles at her pleasantly. “And thank you for forcing him here. Void knows if he would've come alone.”
“No problem! Tell Jimmy if he needs anything to give me a call!” She laughs nervously looking at her husband, who looks just as nervous.
Grian just closes the door on them huffing. He turns his back to the door walking back up the stairs. Opening up Jimmy's bedroom door he finds Jimmy laying face down on top of Tango, shoulders shaking as he looks to be crying into his shoulder. Pearl has her hands in his wings silently petting him as he cries.
Grian walks in and closes the door behind himself. He leans over Tango catching his eye. He looks at Grian and just shakes his head . Grian signs looking down at Jimmy and running his hand through his hair.
“Go to sleep Birdy. We’ll be here when you wake up.” He continues to run his hand through his hair until his crying peters off and his breathing evens out.
“Well, that probably went as well as it could've gone. Joel sounded sincere but I fear that the damage is already done.” Grian breathed.
“But this is a good start Griba.” Pearl sighed. “We’re gonna be here for a while on this server. We can at least keep an eye on him. Preen his wings and take him flying. We are all in his flock, and he's been without us for a while. We should stick around here for a while.” She slides down to lay next to Tango, leaning on her sleeping little brother.
“We’ll help him. He’ll be okay. He just needs a little help, and we all could use a nap. It's been a long morning.” Tango yawns, pulling both Pearl and Jimmy closer. Pearl huffs a laugh letting Tango leach her warmth. “Come on Grian, It’ll be good for Jimmy when he wakes up.”
“Okay Okay don't need to tell me twice. But scoot over, I call next to Tango, he runs warm.” Grian said, flopping into the nest.
The three of them curled up under Jimmy's wings laughing quietly. When they finally calmed down, Grian started to fiddle with a few of the feathers in Jimmy's wings. He listened to Tango and Pearls breathing to even out before he shifted to stare at the ceiling.
He felt like a bad older brother. How could he not have noticed? Of course he knew that Jimmy had a few issues after Evo but most of them did. He should've known or at least checked on him more.
But he knows he can't just blame himself. This whole situation isn't about him and blaming himself will help nobody. He will be there for him now. Closing his eyes he buries his hand further into his brother's wing as he slowly drifts off.