Work Text:
Joel flew over Tumble Town, trying to see if he could spot the tiny sheriff. Normally, from this height, it would be impossible to see someone that small, but thanks to the power of Lore, Joel’s eyesight was better than the average players.
As he flew over the town, he couldn’t help but think of how well it was coming together. Jimmy was actually becoming a pretty decent builder and that was seen in every new build he made. Joel would go so far as to say he was even proud of him.
He shook his head, now was not the time to be thinking about that though. The reason he was here, looking for Jimmy in the first place was because he wasn’t answering his messages. From anybody. It wasn’t just Joel who had tried but Lizzie, Gem, Scott, Fwhip…everyone on the server had tried to contact the man but no one had received anything back.
So, after days of this, Joel finally took it upon himself to find Jimmy and figure out what was going on.
He landed in the center of the crater, nearby the first building Jimmy had built here. This was where he usually stayed if he was in. He crouched down, still in his godly 11 foot form, and knocked on the door.
Silence.
Joel frowned. “Jimmy, it’s Joel. I came by because you haven’t been messaging anyone back.” Joel called into the building. He waited for a few seconds but still nothing. “Come on Jimmy, I know you’re in there!” He didn’t. “If you don’t come out and talk to me, I’ll break your door down.”
After nothing again, Joel reared back with the intent to break the door when his comm dinged. He paused and grabbed it, looking at what had come through. Surprisingly, it was from Jimmy.
[SolidarityGaming whispers to you: Leave me alone Joel.]
Joel frowned. Well that was out of character. If anything, he was at least expecting an exclamation point at the end. Something seemed off.
At least he knew Jimmy really was in there though.
“I’m not leaving until you come out and talk to me!” Joel exclaimed. “And I’m still very willing to break your door down.” He reared back again only for the door to suddenly swing open.
Joel froze and looked down. Jimmy was about a foot tall thanks to the lore magic Joel had splashed on him. But with Joel himself being 11 feet tall, the size difference was even more noticeable between the two of them. Jimmy could comfortably fit in his palm if he really wanted to. Which, by the way Jimmy was glaring at him, he probably didn’t.
That was the other thing. Joel has seen Jimmy annoyed and angry multiple times. That was their whole bit this season. But that’s all it was. A bit. Joel knew Jimmy was never really angry with him and Jimmy knew Joel didn’t really mean it.
At least, that’s what he had thought.
But looking down at Jimmy now, he was starting to question it. He had never seen such a genuinely angry and pained look on the sheriff’s face before.
Joel’s face softened. “Jimmy, I-”
“I told you to leave me alone!” Jimmy yelled, cutting him off. “I don’t-I don’t want to see you or anybody else, okay?! I just need to be alone right now.” Jimmy turned around and tried to go back inside.
Joel, panicking at how Jimmy was acting, stopped him by reaching down and grabbing him.
“Hey! Let go!” Jimmy yelled, and Joel’s heart dropped at the genuine distress in his voice.
Joel moved away from the house, standing to his full height and holding Jimmy carefully in his hand, lifting him up a bit more to see him better. Jimmy was struggling against his grip, trying to free himself. But it was fruitless and Joel’s hands didn’t so much as budge.
“Jimmy, it’s just me. Please just talk to me or something! We’re all worried about you.” Joel said, trying to calm the tiny sheriff down.
Jimmy paused in his struggles and looked down, not making eye contact with Joel. “...Are you really?” Jimmy asked, a biting tone to his words which caught Joel off guard.
“What? Of course! We’re your friends.” Joel exclaimed, looking at Jimmy still wrapped up in his hand. He looked a lot more vulnerable than Joel had ever seen him like this.
Finally, Jimmy looked up and met his eyes and Joel was surprised, and a bit horrified, to see tears there. “...Are you really?” Jimmy repeated, this time his tone was defeated and sad, no hint of any bite left.
Joel felt his heart break a little.
“Of course we are. Jimmy, you’re one of my best friends.” Joel said, his voice going quiet. Joel licked his dried lips. “Is this…is this because of the bit we’ve been doing? I don’t actually hate you. Nobody does!”
Jimmy was silent for a long moment. “...I-I know it’s a bit. But lately it’s just seemed like…too real?” Jimmy shook his head and turned away, face now hot. “This is why I needed some time to be alone…”
“ Jimmy .” Joel said and opened his hand so he was now cupping Jimmy in both hands before bringing him up to eye level. Jimmy looked him in the eye, a bit surprised at his tone. “I’m so sorry I didn’t see you hurting sooner. We can stop the bit and I can grow you back to normal.”
Jimmy’s eyes widened and then, shockingly, he shook his head. “No, no! The bit is funny and being small like this isn’t too bad.”
Joel’s eyes narrowed. “Jimmy, the bit is the whole reason you think we hate you.”
“I…” Jimmy trailed off. “But the viewers-”
Joel shook his head. “Your mental health comes first, Jim.” Joel thought for a moment. “Maybe we can progress the bit. To where we come to an understanding and become friends? And if you don’t mind being small too much we can keep that bit going?” Joel suggested, trying to make this work.
Jimmy thought about it, going over the details in his head. “I…I guess that would work.” He looked up once more to meet Joel’s eyes. “Sorry, I just…It was really getting to me for some reason this season.”
Joel’s eyes softened. “You don’t have to be sorry. I think some of us do take it too far sometimes. I…take it too far sometimes.” Joel admitted feeling guilty for causing Jimmy this much pain. “But please, next time just say something? You had us all worried when you weren’t answering our messages or coming out of Tumble Town.”
Jimmy hesitated briefly but nodded. “I’ll…I’ll try.”
Joel nodded, that was all he could ask of him. And now Joel knew to do better as well. He’d have to tell the others eventually but that could wait for later. “Now come on. It’s been too long since I’ve hung out with my best bud. How about a movie night back at my place?”
Jimmy’s eyes widened and for the first time since coming here, Jimmy smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
Joel grinned. “Alright, then hang on.”
Jimmy’s face turned to confusion. “Wait, what-?
Before Jimmy could finish, Joel cupped him closer to his chest and took off using his wings. Jimmy let out a small shriek. “Joel!” Jimmy yelled but it was said playfully and with a slight laugh behind it. Joel grinned and continued back towards Stratos.
They were going to be okay.