#but steve and douxie are bros | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rikalovesrice · 3 years ago

Text

The Eternal Day : Tales of Arcadia - Chapter 3

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Author’s Notes : Small trigger warning for self-harm. Also reminder that I altered the ending of Chapter 2 so give that a quick skim before proceeding! Hope you all enjoy the chapter.

........................

Safe Haven

There was a warm pressure on his chest. When Douxie’s mind eased into consciousness and he opened his eyes, Archie’s sleeping face was nestled under his chin. He lifted a hand to caress the back of Archie’s neck, a quivering breath leaving him. Then he realized it wasn’t Nari’s small green hand but his own that was holding his Familiar. Douxie felt over his head. No antlers. Glanced down his bicep and saw, instead of vine-like markings, his tattoos and his black studded bracelets on his wrists.

The room was dim with the soft orange glow of a lamp on the bedside table. Under the lamp was a cluster no bigger than Douxie’s fist of luminous teal crystals nestled into rock. A shard of heartstone.

“Mm…”

Something squeezed Douxie’s hand and he looked to see Nari, back in her own body, head on her arm. There was a pang in Douxie’s heart and he curled his fingers around hers.

“Arch…,” Douxie said, holding Archie close as he shimmied up to sit. Archie stirred with a yawn then gasped, shoving his paws against Douxie’s cheeks.

“Douxie!” Archie said and threw himself around Douxie’s neck, claws digging lightly into his nape. Douxie folded both arms around his Familiar, nose in Archie’s fur that was soaking up his tears. Breathing in the smell of home. Then to his left Nari woke, blearily looking about until she saw Douxie awake. Her eyes focused and flooded in seconds.

“Hey, Nari,” Douxie said, barely able to hold the breaking in his voice. And when Nari hopped onto the bed and hugged his neck with Archie, Douxie squeezed them both in his arms, his sobs bursting forth. “Oh gods...Oh gods…! Arch, Nari I-I…I—”

“Shh.” Nari pulled away, holding Douxie’s face in her hands. “You are back with us. You are safe now.” Douxie held her hands on his cheeks, the peace and comfort of Archie and Nari’s presences easing his heart. But then his gaze wandered over Nari’s arms and he felt sick to his stomach.

Even in the low lighting of the room Douxie could see the spattering of grisly stab wounds marring Nari’s skin. Remnants of frost crept from the punctures on her left arm. Black burns striated with angry red on the right. Wounds on her shoulder and her side, her leaf armor seared through.

“I’m sorry...I’m so sorry, those...Those devils!” Douxie curled forward, anguish and anger burning in his throat. “They did this to you and I couldn’t….I couldn’t do anything!”

There was only the sound of Douxie’s crying before Nari quietly said, “Right...back at you.”

Douxie looked up. “...Huh?”

Nari’s sad smile was gone in half a blink and her shoulders began to shake, fresh tears flowing down her cheeks.

“I am sorry they hurt you so much,” she said. “And I could do nothing…!”

“No...Nari, it wasn’t your fault,” Douxie said.

“Neither one of you are to blame,” Archie said, poking up in between them. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. You’re both safe.” He butted Douxie in the chest while gently flicking Nari with his tail. “That’s all that matters.”

Douxie wiped his face with the back of his hand. “You held Skrael’s form for quite a while. Proud of you.”

“Made myself,” Archie said. “After all, your life was on the line.”

“No hairballs?”

“...Swallowed.”

Nari giggled.

The three held each other close in silence. Then Douxie’s eyes flew open with a sharp gasp.

“Zoe!” Not a second later Douxie was flinging the covers (and Archie and Nari) off and fumbling out of the bed, toppling onto his knee then staggering back up and to the door. He rushed out into the hallway and was met with Barbara holding a tray of steaming mugs.

“Douxie!” she said, eyes wide. “Y-You’re awake! Are you...are you alright?”

“Yes,” Douxie said. “Yes, I’m alright, Barbara, thank you.” Douxie ran a hand through his hair, looking anxiously down the hall. “Zoe...Where’s Zoe, i-is she alright? Will you take me to her, please?”

“Of course. She’s in my room over here.”

Zoe was laying on her side, her sleeping face under the soft glow of Barbara’s bedside light and another fragment of heartstone. Douxie went to her side, hurried but quiet, his hand shaking as he gingerly brushed Zoe’s hair. Archie hopped onto the bed. Nari joined Douxie at the bedside. Barbara set her tray on the table.

“Zoe…,” Douxie said, voice quivering, his heart both soaring and shattering as he watched the steady rise and fall of her body, listened to her breathing. He uttered her name again, resting his palm on her cheek. The images flashed through his mind. Zoe, ever strong and fearsome and dazzling, fighting for his life. Zoe collapsing to the ground, the state of her magic aura life-threatening.

She was alive.

She was here with him.

After nine hundred years, Douxie wondered how he was still falling deeper.

“Mm…” Zoe began to stir, feeling the gentle weight of Douxie’s hand on her cheek. Her eyes blinked open, taking a moment to register. She groggily tilted into the warmth of Douxie’s palm. “...Nari…? Is Douxie okay…?”

“I’m just fine, Zo,” Douxie said with a chuckle. Nari giggled softly next to him. “And I’m right here.”

It took a few seconds, but as she noted Archie, Nari, and Barbara’s faces, Zoe’s eyes brightened with realization. She clutched Douxie’s hand on her cheek.

“We’re…,” Zoe said.

“You are safe,” Nari said.

“Nari’s Nari…” Zoe slowly rose to lean against the headboard. She reached forward and took Douxie’s face into her hands. “And you’re you again…We...we did it...”

“Right, right, and right,” Douxie said. Then Zoe was rushing forward, throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing. Douxie folded his arms around her, nose in her shoulder, wondering if they could stay like this forever. Before Douxie could hug her tighter and ask, Zoe was pulling back and hitting his chest with her fist.

“Don’t. You. Ever. Do. That. Again,” she said, punctuating every word with a half-hearted punch. Douxie held her shoulders, wincing. Sorry as he was, he couldn’t help but grin.

“No promises, I’m afraid,” Douxie said, rubbing circles with his thumbs.

“Never,” Zoe said, getting one more hit in before leaning into Douxie’s chest. Thinking how many times they’d been over this the past millennium. How easily Douxie could break her heart. How she never wanted him to change. “You really are the absolute worst.”

He sighed into her hair. “I know.”

After a moment, Zoe pulled away, wiping her face. “So...what happened?”

Archie hopped onto Zoe’s lap. “Claire got us back here, thank the gods.”

“You were both in really rough shape,” Barbara said, taking a seat at the foot of the bed. “Thankfully Blinky and Claire got a hold of some of the Heartstone from the other Trollmarket to…I guess get your magic vitals back to normal.”

“Yeah, basically,” Zoe said with a grin. Her expression darkened when she noticed Nari’s scars. “How long were we out?”

“Two days,” Nari said, a glint of sadness in her gaze. She cupped her hands to her chest. “I am so happy you are both awake now.”

Douxie hugged Nari to his side. “We wouldn’t be here without our friends.”

“Speaking of which,” Barbara said. “I think everyone would love to see you guys awake, don’t you?”

Everyone looked up from The Game of Life that was being played on the coffee table at the sound of multiple footsteps coming down the stairs. Steve squawked about being six hundred k in debt before Douxie was swarmed.

“Teach!” Claire said, going in for a hug. Steve pushed through and squeezed Douxie with an exaggerated sob. Toby sniffled and wiped under his eye with his finger before joining in. Krel wrapped them all in his four arms. Blinky, Aaarrrgghh, and Walter watched from the side, relieved and glad.

“Okayokay, alright, easy!” Douxie said, though he did nothing to escape. Instead he relaxed into his friends, resting his chin on Claire’s head. Heart full to bursting with relief and affection. When Claire pulled away to embrace Zoe, Douxie spotted Jim still sitting on the couch. Noticed, Jim got up and approached, looking both earnest and unsure.

“Glad you’re okay, Doux,” Jim said, smile broken. Douxie watched Jim’s hands. Fidgeting. Inching forward then retreating back.

“Come here, you,” Douxie said, bringing Jim in. Then quietly, so only Jim could hear, asked, “Are you alright?”

“Fine. Yeah, I’m fine…” Jim’s hands awkwardly patted Douxie’s back.

Douxie let him go and tried for a smile. “You have a nice room, by the way.”

Jim chuckled. “Thanks.”

They all went back to the couch, Douxie and Zoe settling down with everyone gathered around them, recounting everything that had gone down with the Order up until blacking out.

“How did you do it, Nari?” Douxie asked. “How was I able to use your magic?”

“Magic is rooted within us,” Nari said. In the palm of her hand, the light green image of a tree manifested, its network of roots in full view. “These roots are very deep and reach past our spirits to our flesh. So even when the spirit is taken...” She swiped her other hand over the tree, making it vanish along with most of its roots. But the ends of the lowest roots remained intact and began to sprout upward. “There is magic that remains.” Nari looked Douxie in the eyes. “My spirit reached you for a moment. So you could use what remained.”

Krel studied the image in Nari’s palm closer, holding his chin. “It’s infused within you on a physical level, this magic...Fascinating.”

“Dude it’s like when you get gum stuck in your hair!” Steve said.

Nari tilted her head. “Do you chew with your hair?”

“If I may...,” Blinky said. “What of the Order, Mistress Nari? Bellroc and Skrael will surely return with even greater vengeance.”

Nari met everyone’s gazes before looking down.

“It was my magic that wounded them so gravely,” she said quietly. “They will need time to recover. How long...I am not sure.”

“We have time, then,” Walter said. “We best use it wisely.”

“So...What should we do?” Claire asked.

There was a skip in Douxie’s chest when all eyes turned to him.

“W-what?” he said.

“We’re looking at you, Master Wizard,” Zoe said, lightly knocking her knuckles against his head. Then she squeezed his shoulder, reassuring. “Your call.”

Douxie glanced around at everyone, their faces expectant yet soft with encouragement. He bit his lip, mulling for a good minute before rising up from the couch.

“The best thing we can do right now is prepare for what’s to come,” Douxie said. “That means we need to train. Hone our skills while we can.” He looked at Zoe and Claire. “Magic.” Then to Jim and Steve. “Swordsmanship.” Then to the rest. “Our wits, thinking on our feet. That way when Bellroc and Skrael make their comeback, we’ll do them in for good.”

“Get stronger,” Claire said, making fists. “I like that plan!”

“The King in Waiting approves!” Krel said.

“Heck yeah!” Steve said, curling like a boxer and punching the air. “Que epic training montage!”

“This isn’t a movie, Steve…”

Douxie looked to Jim. “But what say you, Jim? You think that’s sound?”

Jim met his gaze, surprised. “You’re...asking me?”

“Well of course.” Douxie put a hand on his shoulder and smiled softly. “You’re the Trollhunter.”

Jim’s eyes welled. He looked around the room to see his friends rallying around him, unyielding affirmation and support plain to see in their nods and smiles.

A deep breath.

“Douxie’s right,” Jim said. “We need to be ready for anything. I’ll uh…,” he looked at Douxie and shrugged, downcast, “need a new weapon....”

“And we need a good spot to make our gains!” Toby said. “Sorry, Jimbo, your backyard’s not exactly a Hero’s Forge…”

“I think I have the solution for that,” Krel said. “Douxie, my friend. I have a surprise for you.”

Douxie raised a brow. “For me?”

◇

The view from the Bluff was as breathtaking as ever. A rush of wind swept up behind them, blowing leaves and blades of grass off the cliff overlooking the town under a cloudless blue sky. Krel stopped at the bench and turned to face everyone, opening his four arms.

“Here we are!” he said. Everyone shared confused looks.

“It’s not really a surprise, I’m afraid,” Douxie said. “Still a nuclear view though.” Douxie gazed out at the landscape beyond the town, recounting the many times he’d been up here to clear his head. Breathing the radiant hope of sunrise, or the rich respite of sunset. Seeking peace and stillness. Thinking. Searching. Reflecting. Longing.

“I’m getting to that!” Krel said. He took out a black rectangular device no larger than a keychain, the symbol of a house glowing that electric Akiridion blue on its surface. Krel placed it in Douxie’s palm. Archie around his shoulders eyed it curiously.

“What is…,” Douxie said.

“Press your thumb on the symbol,” Krel said, smiling. Douxie shared a look with Archie and Zoe before doing just that. As soon as the pad of Douxie’s thumb brushed it, the house symbol flashed up and down as if scanning. There was a ping, and then everyone was jostled as the ground beneath them shook.

“Uuuh Krel?” Steve said, wobbling on one foot. “D-dude?”

“Hang on, hang on,” Krel said, peeking over the cliff’s edge. His four hands balled into fists pumping with excitement. “Oh, oh here it comes!”

Douxie looked as a massive dome of Akiridion tech crested the edge of the cliff, continuing to rise until revealing the length of a tower. At that moment, Douxie forgot the ground was shaking. He stood eyes wide, mouth agape, heart welling as more and more of the gigantic structure came into view. The stone walls and spires he knew so well had been repaired of their devastation. Cracks melded back together. Holes in the walls patched. Stone passageways reconnected. Cobbled staircases winding once again. All reconstructed and aglow with the help of Akiridion technology. And instead of the Heart of Avalon keeping it afloat, a bright blue orb of energy surrounded by rotating rings was set into the rock foundation. Words couldn’t be found even as the castle fully revealed itself, hovering in the air, dust and gravel rolling off the suspended earth.

“Oh my God…,” Zoe said, breathless.

“Dude…,” Steve said.

“It’s…,” Claire said.

“By Ambrosia’s gleaming…,” Archie said. “I can’t believe it...It’s—”

“Camelot,” Douxie said, voice hardly above a whisper. Douxie looked at Krel, tears he hadn’t realized were forming rolling down his cheeks. “How...How did you…”

“It’s been my little project for the past kelton,” Krel said with a modest shrug. Then he rested a hand on Douxie’s shoulder, expression tender. “I lost my home. But I found it again.” Behind them, Toby and the others smiled. “I thought I’d help you do the same.” Krel closed Douxie’s fingers over the home device. “It is yours, Douxie.”

Then Douxie was flinging his arms around Krel, the pair of them nearly toppling over.

“Thank you, Krel,” Douxie said, sobbing into Krel’s shoulder and smooshing him close. “Thank you so much. I can’t...I can’t believe you did this for me, thank you…”

“It was nothing,” Krel said with a grin. Then he laid his hands on Douxie’s back. “Really.”

Douxie kept an arm around Krel’s shoulder as he gazed fondly up at the castle, just as he did when he’d seen it for the first time in nine hundred years. His friends marveled with him.

“Now then...How should we get inside?” Douxie asked, looking down at his new sort of house key.

Krel cleared his throat then addressed the device. “Voice Recognition activate.”

The house symbol flickered and a holographic blue screen beamed out, displaying a dot encased in a circle. As Douxie and Archie awed, the image fluttered, the smooth voice of AI emanating :

[Voice Recognition activated. Waiting for input.]

“Say anything you want,” Krel whispered. “It will be your password.”

“Oh um...Let’s see…” Before Douxie could even begin to think, a pair of hands abruptly latched onto his sides, fingers wiggling. Douxie jolted with a high-pitched yelp. “Eek!! F-fuzzbuckets, what—” The hands moved away and Douxie whirled just in time to see her smug face. “Zoe!” Then, to Douxie’s dismay :

[Eek fuzz buckets what. Voice registration complete. Welcome home!]

While Douxie groaned and Zoe snickered into her fist, four white bowl-like objects detached themselves from the new Heart of Camelot, zipping downward and into a square formation. Akiridion energy rippled across their surfaces before four rays of light collided to create a bright blue vortex.

“A personal wormhole!” Krel said, grinning wide. He pat Douxie on the back and gestured forward. “After you, my friend.”

“Aw yeah, party at Douxie’s!” Steve said, bypassing everyone else and hopping right into the swirling light. Krel scoffed.

“Come on!” Claire said, giddy and tugging Jim through with her.

“Wait for me!” Toby said. “So cool, so cool!”

“Isn’t this marvelous, Aarghaumont,” Blinky said, “to set foot in glorious Camelot once again!” Aaarrrgghh grunted happily. Walter followed in after them.

“No, wait, Douxie was suppose to go fir— Ay yi yi…” Krel ran a hand down his face. He gave Douxie an apologetic shrug before heading through himself.

Douxie just chuckled, a warmth blooming in his heart. He watched Nari, her eyes full of wonder, disappear into the light. Then Archie kneaded his shoulder, and Zoe took his hand.

He closed his eyes as they stepped through.

◇

The wormhole had taken them to the castle foyer, just as grand and beautiful as Douxie remembered. His friends tagged along as Douxie explored and reminisced on the many corridors he still knew like the back of his hand (cause he’d swept the floors of every single one of them.). The castle’s kitchen. The dining hall. The sitting room. The enormous library. The servants’ quarters. Stone pillars and railings and stairs and the ceilings sky high, afternoon sunlight shining through.

“I watched a few video documents to accurately reconstruct your Middle Evil home,” Krel said as Douxie ran his fingers along the walls. Claire had gone off to see her old room. Steve was shouting over the balcony to hear his echoes and taking dozens of selfies now that he had a decent signal. Archie soared through the openness, Nari chasing him about. “Of course...I couldn’t repair everything. But I hope I got most of it right.”

“No, no,” Douxie said, still breathless and overcome with emotion. “It’s perfect. More than perfect, it’s...more than I could ever ask for. I can’t thank you enough, Krel.” And as Douxie watched his friends who’d become so dear to his heart roam about, taking their pictures, wondering at the statues and paintings, smiling, laughing, bickering in the same place Douxie had found himself so long ago, the place he thought he’d lost forever but was now his to keep… Home wasn’t a dream anymore.

“Gods I’ve been doing an awful lot of crying, haven’t I?” Douxie said, wiping his eyes. Zoe reached up and combed a hand through his hair. She gazed around.

“Man...This place hasn’t changed at all,” Zoe said. “I mean, minus the alien tech.”

“Akiridion,” Krel said.

“Oh, my bad.” Zoe crossed her arms. “So...how did you do all of this?”

A twinkle in Krel’s eyes. “Aha, well you see—”

“Alright!” Walter flew into the air, catching everyone’s attention. He faced Douxie. “Hate to ruin the fun but we best not forget why we’re here. There’s a place for us to train, is that right?”

Douxie held Walter’s gaze before sighing heavily, reminded of the bummer that was current reality.

“Right,” he said. “Steve, do you want to lead the way?”

Steve paused mid-selfie then swaggered to the center of attention. “Leave it to the Palchuk. Right this way, nerds!”

After several minutes of Douxie secretly steering Steve in the correct direction, they reached the arena just outside the soldier barracks.

“This will certainly do,” Walter said.

“Aw man this takes me back,” Steve said. “Lancelot kicked my butt there, there, twice over there, oh and over here…” Then he sniffled, tapping a fist against his chest. “Miss you, Coach Knight.” Claire patted his shoulder.

“Sooo how do we wanna do this?” Toby asked.

Douxie manifested his staff. “Let’s all suit up first. Then we’ll split into groups. Jim, do you want to oversee weapon combat?”

“Sure,” Jim said, then his face fell. “But...again, I need a...”

“Take this, Jim.” Krel handed him his serrator.

“Again? But don’t you—”

“A warrior needs something to train with, right?” Krel said. “Besides, I will make all of us stronger with my technological prowess.” He put his four hands on his hips and grinned. Jim looked at Krel for a moment, then smiled softly with a chuckle.

“Thanks.”

Walter nodded. “Let’s get to it, then.”

After everyone was ready with armor on and weapons in hand, they separated into groups as planned. Jim, Toby, and Steve sparred with one another, Blinky and Walter hollering pointers and strategies from the shadows of the stables. Jim readjusted to the serrator soon enough and was now holding it at Steve’s chest as he laid on the ground bested.

“Always watch your back, Steve,” Jim said, helping him up.

“W-watch my back, got it.” Steve started murmuring. “Man, Lake is so cool…”

They then tag-teamed against Toby and Aaarrrgghh when a thick patch of clouds rolled in over the sun.

“Feel the wrath of the hammer, Palchuk!” Toby said, winding back.

“Call your dentist, Domzalski,” Steve said, readying his axe. “Cause you’re about to have a real bad Toothache!”

Meanwhile Jim was dashing around Aaarrrgghh, dodging every swing of the troll’s massive fists. Aaarrrgghh then pounded the ground so violently that it sent Jim tripping. He flipped onto his back just in time to see Aaarrrgghh growling and poised for another attack. Jim rolled out of the way as stone fists rained down, scooping up the serrator then quickly climbing onto Aaarrrgghh’s back.

“Gotcha big guy!” Jim said, holding the serrator’s blade as Aaarrrgghh’s neck. The hulking troll just rumbled out a laugh.

“Jim fun to fight hehehe!”

On the other side of the pitch, Claire was catching Archie’s barrage of fire balls with shadow portals. She jumped out of the way when Archie shifted into a grizzly bear and swiped with his claws, then into a bull charging with his horns, and then an alligator snapping its jaws. Claire skidded back on the balls of her feet before countering with a magic blast, which Archie evaded by turning into a cobra, slithering with fangs flashing. They kept it up until Archie shifted back to a cat, splooting on the ground in exhaustion.

“You okay, Arch?” Claire said, kneeling beside him.

Nari held a palm over him. “Too many forms.”

“And a bit too long,” Archie wheezed. “Quite alright. I’ll just have to keep at it.”

Close by, Douxie and Zoe were locked in a blue and pink light show. Douxie spun on his feet, drawing a sigil in the dust that rose to meet his open palms. Zoe also did a twirl, cords of electricity winding around her like a spring before discharging to slam into the burst of blue magic hurling her way.

“That all you got Master Wiz?” Zoe said as the collision fizzled out.

“Oh don’t you go asking for it!” Douxie hollered back. He drew his staff to his hand and willed it to take on it’s ripping guitar form. “Here’s your favorite record, darling!” Douxie’s fingers flew seamlessly along the frets, an elaborate Papa Skull riff shredding the air in tandem with his spellcasting. Zoe zapped away each chord of magic then huffed.

“Okay, high-key jealous,” she said, hands on her hips. “That’s, like, insanely awesome.”

“I know, right?!”

They went on exchanging blows until Zoe snuck up behind him in a cloud of all the kicked-up dust. Douxie spun around and came face to face with those brilliant blue eyes. Her lovely eye makeup. Dusted pink shadow. Full lashes. Dark liner. Her cherry red lipstick. Cotton candy hair whipping around her perfect face. The smell of her lotion. Suddenly he was flat on his back and she was standing over him, bouncing a ball of lightning in her hand.

“Gotcha Doux,” she said, all cute and smug and provoking some mischief to seep through Douxie’s stupor. Zoe squealed when Douxie kicked her feet out from under her. Using magic so she wouldn’t touch the ground, Douxie sat up and caught her in his arms, snickering while she sputtered in shock.

“Seems I’ve got you now,” Douxie said, then became acutely aware of Zoe’s hand on his chest. The proximity. Zoe was such a featherweight. Her eyes roamed his face, over his freckles. His heartbeat thrummed beneath her touch. He was so warm and smelled like spice. Neither of them were sure who went red first.

Again...What am I doing?

There was a “Teach look out!!” followed by a flare of black and purple in his peripherals and Douxie hurriedly willed a shield whilst bringing Zoe closer, bending his knees. Was that her heartbeat or his beating so wildly?

“S-s-sorry!” Douxie choked out, finally holding Zoe at arm’s length. And she finally moved out of his lap, having trouble looking him in the eyes.

“Y-you’re good,” she murmured. Every time. It was more than good. But also stupid and bad. Douxie coughed into his fist and turned at the waist to see an apologetic Claire running his way, Archie and Nari bounding beside her.

“Your aim could use some work, it seems,” Douxie said, getting up. He offered Zoe his hand which she took with silent thanks.

Claire rubbed her neck. “Noted. You guys okay?”

Douxie and Zoe glanced each other’s way then promptly decided not to.

“Fine—”

“Fine, we’re fine.”

“Totally fine.”

“Yes.”

Nari tilted her head. Claire shared a look with Archie, who seemed mildly annoyed.

“Well uh...alright,” she said.

“H-how about we take a break?” Douxie looked over to the other side of the arena where Toby and Steve had abandoned their weapons entirely and were now wrestling on the ground. Jim and the trolls watched, baffled and helpless.

“Intermission guys!” Claire hollered as they made their way over. “Let’s take fifteen.”

“What mission?” Steve said, holding Toby in a headlock. “Fifteen of what?”

Jim shook his head. “A break sounds great, Claire.”

“Ugh, how ‘bout we take thirty,” Toby said, flat on his stomach in the dust. He blinked up at Nari who was staring down at him, then someone knelt beside him and gave him a pat.

“As long as we need,” Douxie said. “Come on.”

◇

While everyone relaxed in the sitting room, Douxie made his way to Merlin’s old tower, admiring the melding of Medieval and Akiridion design as he went. Case in point, instead of a staircase, a luminous coiling escalator brought Douxie to the heavy wooden door of Merlin’s study. When he pushed it open, the bassy thrum of techno music bounced in Douxie’s ears. He took a moment to enjoy the rhythm with his hands in his pockets, gazing around the room. Most of the artifacts had been destroyed but the layout was the same. The vault still in one piece. Merlin’s work table where Krel grooved as he poured over several holographic panels. Douxie stepped onto the platform below the stained glass windows, basking in the warmth and the light of sun turned kaleidoscopic. The last place he’d felt his master’s presence.

“Oh Douxie!” Krel took off his headphones and lowered the volume. “I didn’t see you come in.”

“No worries,” Douxie said. He spotted the bracelet Zoe had been wearing during their fight with the Order, sealed in a transparent case that seemed to be evaluating data on its surface. The bracelet’s screen was green. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

“Just a bit,” Krel said. Displayed across the panels were various graphics. Schematics for upgrades. The silhouettes of a man and woman being analyzed. Monitors with fluctuating levels. Diagrams of a net contraption. Blueprints for a suit of armor. Krel scanned over the boards, moving modules around. “Thank Seklos… I have enough materials for these enhancements...It should take only three horvaths, four mekrons, and seven sektons to finish...No, no, twelve sektons. Oh but great Gaylen, to build this...I’ll need at least two more delsons and a tachyon particle and…..Douxie?”

Douxie had stopped listening. Instead he was staring at a portrait. It had miraculously survived. Morgana before her corruption on the left. Douxie’s past self stiff and awkward on the right. Merlin sitting between them. He still remembered that day. How sore he’d been from being needlessly tense for so long and how Merlin had scolded him for it. Douxie ran his fingers over his master’s likeness. Seeing him again, even if it would only be this way, had the corners of Douxie’s mouth twitching. The pain in his heart resurfacing. A hand touched his shoulder.

“Are you alright, Douxie?” Krel asked.

Douxie wiped his arm over his eyes. “Yeah...Yeah, I’m fine just…” They looked upon the portrait for a quiet moment.

“He meant a lot to you,” Krel said.

A sad laugh, Douxie’s eyes never leaving Merlin’s face. Memories filling his thoughts. Merlin chiding and correcting him. The old man grouchily calling his name. All the petty arguments Douxie never won. His rare smiles and gruff laughter. The feeling of his hand on Douxie’s head.

“He was like a father to me,” Douxie said. “And I...I just miss him, you know?”

There was a pang in Krel’s core. His voice grew soft. “I know.”

Douxie caught the grief in Krel’s eyes and reached to put his arm around his shoulders. Krel returned the gesture, and the two regarded the portrait in silent understanding. After a while, Douxie remembered.

“Right, everyone’s taking a break,” he said. “Why don’t you come join us?”

Back in the sitting room, Zoe and Nari sat on one of the settees, Nari’s curious eyes flickering between watching the screen of Zoe’s phone and the very animated game of Uno that was being played.

“Ha! Draw four, buttsnack!” Steve said.

“Man!” Toby said, lamenting at his hand full of nothing but numbers.

“You didn’t say ‘Uno, out’ Steve,” Claire said. She slid two cards at him. “Gotta take these.”

“What?!”

“Oh thank you, Claire.” Archie laid down his last card. “Uno, out. Draw two more, Steve.”

“Freaking FARTS—”

Krel took a seat next to a screeching Steve while Douxie joined Zoe and Nari on the couch. He and Zoe locked eyes before swiftly averting their attention elsewhere, faces warm. The usual.

“Douxie, do you also have a Pin Interest board?” Nari asked, scrolling through Zoe’s collections.

“He’s more of a Wish kind of guy,” Zoe said.

“Am not!” Douxie said.

“Yeah? Mind telling me where you got fifty guitar picks for thirty cents?”

“I was...o-on a budget.”

“Last time I checked you’re always on a budget, Doux. Right, Nari?”

“Yes, that is correct,” Nari said, still scrolling.

Zoe smirked. “Isn’t Douxie a total nerd, Nari?”

“Mmhm…”

Douxie balked at the betrayal. “Nari!”

“Douxie. You must get one of these.” Nari held up the phone. It was a tree costume. While Zoe gripped her sides and tried not to laugh, someone slung an arm around Douxie’s shoulders.

“Yo Dumbledoux!” Steve said. “I’m totally crashing here tonight.”

“Hey if Steve gets to stay then I want in!” Toby said. “I’m sharing a room with my Wingman.”

“With Wingman,” Aaarrrgghh rumbled out happily, returning Toby’s finger guns.

“Krel’s bunkin’ with the Palchuk,” Steve said. “I am his brother-in-law.”

“I will not bunk with you!” Krel said, trying to push Steve off. “And what Earthly regulation makes us brothers—Do not give me the noogies, let go!!”

“I’m staying in my room,” Claire said with a shrug. She glanced at Douxie. “If that’s okay, Teach.”

Douxie chuckled. “Of course. You’re all welcome to stay.”

“Woohoooo! Sleepover, buttsnacks!”

“Just don’t break anything, Steve,” Archie said.

It was then Douxie, watching his friends’ excitement, realized. The trolls conversing at a table. The rest of the gang playing cards. All except one.

“Claire, where’s Jim?” Douxie asked.

Claire looked and frowned. “I don’t know… He should’ve been back by n—”

Jim turned the corner into the den and everyone froze. His hair was a mess and his eyes were noticeably red. Crescent nail marks were bitten into his arms. Enough for some bleeding.

“Jimbo?” Toby said.

“Jim...Are you okay?” Claire got up and went to his side, cupping his face with her hand. Jim was shaking. “Did something happen?”

Jim held her wrist. “I’m fine. Haha, can I join you guys now?” He went over to the table and picked up a handful of cards. “New round? Who’s dealing? Or I can deal.”

“Master Jim,” Blinky said. “Are you sure you’re—”

“Yes, Blink. I’m good, really.”

“It doesn’t seem that way,” Krel said, watching Jim’s quivering hands.

“Well it is that way. How many cards do we all get again?”

“Jim.” Douxie stepped closer. “You know you can talk to us, right? It’s alright…” As soon as Douxie knelt beside him and touched his shoulder, Jim recoiled as if burned, the cards flying from his hands.

“I SAID I’M FINE!”

His heartbeat. The roar of his blood. His labored breathing. The silence following his rasped outburst. It was all so deafening in Jim’s ears. Their eyes were on him, the menace, the aggressor. Walter was talking to him but Jim wasn’t sure what he was saying. All he knew was the fear around the room. They were scared, all of them. Scared of him. Scared of what he was. Scared of what he couldn’t control. Jim stood and backed away.

“I’m sorry…” He blinked and there was carnage. Mangled. Torn to pieces. “N-no...No! I-I’m sorry...I’m sorry!”

“Jim!” Claire said, reaching for him. There was a hand crushing her neck and he screamed, trying to break his skull in his own grip.

“I’m sorry, Claire, I’m sorry...” A sob. “I-I don’t want to hurt you...I didn’t want to hurt anyone, I’m sorry…!!”

“Jimbo!”

“Master Jim!”

“Look at me, Young Atlas!”

Nothing could save him this time.

“Jim, stop! Please!” Hands made it to his shoulders. “You’re hurting yourself..!”

It was Douxie.

“He was like a father to me.”

Something like a gentle breeze wrapped around him.

Then there was nothing.

⬥

“N-nari did you just knock him out?!”

“Is Lake gonna be okay?”

“Give him to me. Where are the servants’ quarters, Hisirdoux?”

“R-right. I’ll show you. Best you all follow me.”

“This was worse than four parsons ago…”

“Come here, Claire, don’t cry…”

“I just wish I could help him.”

“You’re here for him. That’s more than enough.”

“We all are. We’re here for Jim no matter what.”

“I wasn’t there but I heard enough. Just...so messed up.”

“Oh Master Jim...Tormented because of those fiends!”

“Poor soul.”

“Maybe we should call it a day.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not sharing a room with you, Steve!”

“Come on, Aaarrrgghh.”

“Barbara’s waiting for me. She’ll want to hear about this.”

“You’re not taking him home?”

“I believe he’ll need his friends when he wakes. See you all on the morrow.”

“Goodnight everyone.”

“Goodnight.”

◇

A head-splitting yowl. The stench of smoke. Skin peeling from the flames. Bellroc’s gray, twisted face. Those horrid eyes leaping out of the fire. So when Jim opened his eyes, he welcomed the cold and darkness. He sat up, taking huge gulps of air. His person and the sheets were drenched in sweat. A single window allowed silver moonlight into the room.

He wasn’t sure what time it was but he knew it’d be pointless to try for more sleep. Jim peeled the covers off and swung his legs over, shivering as his bare feet met the stone floor. Someone had changed him.

The hallway was lit with soft blue flames in torches mounted on the walls. Snores came muffled through neighboring doors all around. Jim held himself and just started walking. He walked and walked and walked, slow and aimless. Somehow he wound up in the foyer. The first set of stairs he saw he climbed. One floor after the next, just going higher. Eventually passed by a balcony while wandering the upper floors and decided to step out, wind combing through his hair. The moon and stars glowing above. Their little town of Arcadia sleeping far below. Jim placed his hands on the railing, gazing out into the night.

“Can’t sleep?”

Jim jumped and turned around to see Douxie in a band T and black joggers. Holding one of his arms and smiling softly. Whispers of nightmares in Jim’s head threatened the peaceful night and he needed to go.

“N-no I just...I’m sorry—” But Douxie didn’t let him slip past. Instead he caught Jim by the arm, firm but gentle, and moved himself in front.

“Jim,” Douxie said. Jim’s trembling broke his heart. “Please talk to me.”

He’d been going to. But then he’d seen Douxie grieving before the portrait.

“He was like a father to me. I miss him.”

How Douxie could still look at him like this, how Claire could still love him, how anyone could after what he’d done, Jim couldn’t comprehend.

“I’m a monster,” Jim whispered.

“No you’re not,” Douxie said. “No matter what the voices in your head say, no matter what anyone says, you’re not a monster, Jim.”

“How can you say that? After I…” He remembered slamming Douxie and Archie into the ground. Crushing them in his grip. Forcing them to watch. Hot tears flowed down Jim’s face. “After what I did? I killed him...I killed him and I’m so sorry Douxie...I’m so sorry…!” Jim leaned his head against Douxie’s collar, the floodgates blown wide open. Douxie held the boy’s shoulders.

“Let’s sit down. Come on.” Douxie guided him to the stone benches beneath the railings. He kept a hand on Jim’s back. Listened to him cry for a bit. “Jim. You probably don’t remember this but I met you when you were seven.” Jim wiped under his nose and looked at him.

“What?” he sniveled. Jim flinched at the tenderness in Douxie’s eyes.

“It was your mother’s birthday,” Douxie said. “You’d saved up all your chore money and bought her dinner at Benoit’s. It was the sweetest thing.” He chuckled. “And you were so cute.” Jim’s face went a little red but Douxie carried on before he could protest. “Anyway, I was your server. Before you left, you gave me this.” Douxie reached into the deep pocket of his joggers and opened his hand to reveal a rusty nickel. Jim blinked.

“I...gave you that?” he said.

“You made sure to tip me,” Douxie said. The memory of a seven year old Jim, with the brightest smile on his face, putting the coin in Douxie’s hand warmed his heart.

“Why’d you hang on to it?” Jim asked.

“I’m not entirely sure to be honest.” Douxie’s hand on Jim’s back came to rest on his head. “But I’m glad I did.” A soft smile. “You didn’t come back for a long time after that. I’m guessing because you were taking care of your mum. Still, I watched that boy grow up to be a kind, generous, hard-working young lad. An everyday hero who would soon give his everything, his life, to protect those around him.”

Jim fidgeted his fingers. “Why...Why are you saying all of this?”

“Because that’s who you are, Jim.” Douxie leaned close, hoping Jim would look at him. “You’ve never been a monster. But you’ve always been a hero and you still are.” When Jim’s weary, tear-stained face finally turned to him, Douxie’s heart ached from the weight of his sincerity. “It wasn’t your fault, Jim. I never blamed you for Merlin’s death, not once.”

“B-but you couldn’t save him because of m-me,” Jim said, fresh tears falling. “I hurt you...I hurt my friends. I hurt Claire…”

“No you didn’t,” Douxie said. “The Order caused all of this pain. They’re to blame for everything. They’re the ones who hurt you. So please…” Douxie brought Jim close. “Please don’t blame yourself anymore.”

A deep, shaking breath, then Jim collapsed into him wailing. The last time Douxie had held Jim was all those years ago. That little boy who’d given the waiter a hug for singing his mother a birthday song and serving them milkshakes. The boy who’d tipped him a nickel. Now he was crying against him, bearing the scars of his destiny.

“I hated seeing you pick up the Amulet,” Douxie said.

Jim sat back. “Wait, w-what? You...You saw me find the Amulet?”

Douxie nodded. “Saw a lot of things. And I’m sorry I couldn’t help you until now.” He held Jim’s head against his, chest burning deep with both sorrow and anger. “I’m sorry for what Merlin did to you.”

A hiccup. “Why are you apologizing?”

“Because he didn’t.”

Someone sneezed. Douxie and Jim both startled, eyes darting to the entranceway.

“Bless you,” came Nari’s voice.

“Thanks Veggie Lady.”

“Was that supposed to be a whisper?”

“Ow! You stepped on my foot, Krel!”

“Shhh!”

“They’re gonna hear us!”

Douxie and Jim shared a look for a moment before breaking into humored smiles. They both got up and stepped around the corner to see their friends huddled against the wall looking quite innocent. Archie hopped down from Zoe’s shoulders and onto Douxie’s, knocking his head against his cheek. Nari offered Jim her hand, which he took after a moment’s hesitation. Her smile reminded Jim of a flower. Somehow blooming for him.

“Care to explain yourselves?” Douxie asked, then noticed some of their wet faces.

“Steve woke everyone up to play Sardines,” Toby said, sniffling. “And we were all like ‘Okay just one round’ and we kinda got s-super lost b-but then we saw you guys and...and…!” Toby rushed to give Jim a hug, bawling. “W-we love you, Jimbo. Douxie’s right, you’re not a monster.”

“Y-you said it, Domzalski!” Steve hopped on and Krel wasn’t far behind.

“Guys…,” Jim said, voice cracking. “I...I-I’m sorry I yelled, I…” Then his eyes found Claire, beautiful and loving. When the guys let him go, Claire held his face in her hands. Her brown eyes glistened with tears and pain and affection.

“It’s okay, Jim, we know,” she said. “We know and we love you. I love you.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “We’ll keep saying it and meaning it. It wasn’t your fault. I know you can’t believe it right now and that’s okay. Just know that it’s true.”

Jim held her close and tight to break apart once again. Friends all around them. Douxie with Archie on his shoulder and Zoe watched on, as did the tranquil night. The battles had come and gone. The war was on its way. But for tonight, for this moment, they were together.

They were safe.

.........................

Author’s Notes : DOUXIE DESERVES CAMELOT Ahem. Douxie lives in a castle now it is canon :3 I’m not sure how to describe my process while writing this chapter. It’s definitely been interesting. Thank you all for reading! I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving day wherever they are.

Also feel free to check out my fic Brother to know the full story of Douxie and Jim’s first meeting ^_^

Until the next one! God bless.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

29 notes · View notes