It's…been a minute huh?

I finally saw 3 Below! Hence, this new chapter! I'm not going to do too much with Aja and Krel, because I don't know if they're canonically in Arcadia at the same time. So if you haven't seen it yet, no worries.

And I've been watching Trollhunters from the beginning, and I realize that with the children out of the Darklands, it is very true that the changelings shouldn't be able to shift into human forms. But for the purpose of this fic, I'm saying that it's just a lot riskier for them to co-exist, since they'd be identical. Please forgive my grievous error.

And…I don't know how I feel about this chapter, but I came up with an actual plot for this story, and I have to set it up. And, I'm trying to get back in the groove of writing Jim and Claire. (Toby is so easy to write, lol)

"So technically," Steve stated, "I'm still the strongest human in school."

"Yeah, sure dude. Whatever."

Jim stood on unsteady legs. Steve was still a few feet away, flexing in a show of dominance.

The sun was low, at golden hour, and as the wind blew, his hood jostled.

Jim let out a sharp yelp of pain, covering his skin and shuffling into the shade.

Everyone who had been watching him noticed the reaction.

"You okay?" Claire asked.

"The mask had been protecting my face from the sun. I just...wasn't prepared."

"Whoa," Steve stated, coming closer. "You're just like them, huh? Can't be in sunlight?"

Now that he was in the shade, he removed his hood completely. His pointy ears felt warm as students continued to stare and whisper.

Jim self-consciously patted down his hair and scruff as he backed further into the shade.

"Hey," Claire tried to pacify. "It's okay…it's okay…"

Toby noticed Jim's chest rising and falling rapidly, and stepped in. "Hey come on, Jimbo! Who wants to spend more time at school than they have to, huh?"

"…yeah…"

Darci walked quickly to join them. "Is it still okay for me to tag along?"

"And me!" Cried Eli. "I wanna know more about Troll Jim!"

"If anyone gets to know more about this, it's me!" Steve demanded, strutting up to them. "I deserve it."

Claire chuckled, and then pulled out a little umbrella from her backpack. "How about it?"

Jim swallowed shakily, and nodded.

And that's how six teens crammed into Jim's truck and scooted off on their way to Trollmarket. The girls and Jim were in the front, while the other boys were in the back.

"Do you really think it's okay for them to see Trollmarket?" Claire asked, in a whisper.

"I guess? Look, the sooner we give them a tour, the better. It's in ruins now, and there's no one there. Best to indulge the curiosity now, right?"

"Uh, Jim?" Eli piped up in the back. "We've already been to Trollmarket."

The wheels screeched to a halt as Jim swiveled around to glare at Toby. "You took them to Trollmarket?!"

"Technically...Arrrgh and I both did."

"You took them to Trollmarket!"

"Toby!" Claire joined in the accusations.

"What! The place was empty! Everyone wanted to know what happened! I didn't know it was going to inhabited again!"

A car honked from behind them, and Jim begrudgingly continued the drive.

Down under the bridge, he parked, and urged everyone out. But he stood right in front of Toby, arms crossed. "Explain."

"Dude, chill, it's not that big of a deal. You were about to take us all in right now anyways, right?"

"That's different!" He snarled, baring his fangs.

"Jim!" Claire reprimanded. "Let him explain. You know he had a good reason."

Jim took a massive sigh, collecting himself. "Okay Tobes, I'm listening."

"Okay, so...not too long after you guys left, people were asking me all sorts of questions about the invasion. Especially Claire's mom. You guys gave her a good synopsis, but she just had some final details she wanted to nail down, before giving a press conference."

"And that was...about a Tornado, right?"

"That's what they published in the papers and on the news, anyway." Darci added, helpfully. "She urged anyone that had questions to talk to the police or...resident supernatural and mysterious phenomena expert, Toby Domzalski." She gestured at him with jazz hands.

"Really?" Jim said flatly.

"I mean, you and Blinky are the experts, but I'm something of a wiz. And you were all gone. So neh."

"Okay. I'm following so far," Jim said, his composure still intact. "Go on."

"So, first, I only thought it was fair that Darcy be let in on the secret, so I talked to Arrrgh, and he said it would be okay if I took her in."

Darci continued, "and when I asked my dad if I could go, he asked if he could come too, being a ranking police officer."

Jim nodded along, his brows furrowing.

"So, along with Arrrgh, we all went down to Trollmarket...to find the Gruesome."

"There was another gruesome?" Asked Claire, eyes wide.

"Yep, and he was a BIG BOY." Toby emphasized with his hands. "Lot of...debris to clean up, if you know what I mean."

"And I do." Agreed Jim.

"So, Darci and I were talking about what we were going to do about it, and Steve and Eli happened to overhear us."

"You were talking about this in public?!"

"What! It's not like Trolls are a secret anymore. Besides, we were on an ice cream date."

Jim groaned. "No, Trolls aren't a secret anymore, but the phrase 'Gruesome on the lose' would scare a lot of people. Especially if they didn't know what a gruesome was."

"...I see your point now."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Okay, so they overheard you talking."

Steve stepped in. "And I totally remembered that slug-slime thing from the museum, and how we totally busted it's ass—"

"Wait wait wait—you saw the gruesome at the museum?"

"And totally busted its ass."

"My mom didn't actually throw our baby away. Flip gave his life for mankind." Eli croaked.

"So, we all armed ourselves with flour sacks, and went back to Trollmarket. But by then, he was gone."

"Did you check everywhere?"

"In Trollmarket."

"And then?"

"When we didn't find him, we asked Dictatious. He suggested we check the sewers and the dump, where any other Troll remains would be."

Jim's eyes widened. "What about the forge? He didn't eat any other the Trollhunter's remains, did he?" He couldn't recall seeing any missing, but he hadn't really looked.

"Nope. I think the forge was either sealed, or he couldn't reach them. Either way, Draal made sure they were all accounted for."

Jim was quiet a moment, lost in thought. He didn't know what the proper protocol was for Troll burials. Should they have stayed after the final battle to bury them properly? Or was this the best for them?

"So...we checked the sewers," Toby continued, bringing Jim out of his thoughts. "And sure enough, we found it, bloated and napping. But before we threw flour on it, Arrrgh stopped us and just talked to it."

This was puzzling. "He just talked to it?"

"Yeah, in Troll speak. After, he had us all push it."

"Push it? Where?"

"Well, remember when you were punished for going in the dark lands? And dropped in that pit?"

"Uh...yeah? The one that was supposed to be impossible to get out of?"

"Yep. The Gruesome wanted a dark, quiet place to hibernate, so we pushed him down there."

"That's...interesting."

"We took care of him, just as Trollhunters do."

Jim smiled, "alright, I'm sorry for yelling. You did good Tobes, just like I asked. I knew you could handle it."

Eli spoke up. "Are you going to tell him about the paid tours too?"

"Eli!"

"THE WHAT?!"

It took another fifteen minutes to get Jim to calm down again, and when he finally did, he headed toward the truck.

"Wait, where are you going, Jimbo?" Asked Toby.

"Well, if everyone has gone through Trollmarket before, no reason to go back, hmm?"

The teens all started talking over each other.

"I didn't really get to see it—!"

"It's so cool—!"

"Just one more time—!"

Claire laughed, seeing exactly how he had played them all.

Jim feigned innocent though. "Alright, I suppose I can show you around again."

Jim didn't know why he even bothered. It seemed like Steve, Eli, and Darcy had been to Trollmarket a few more times than he had been led to believe. In fact, every time he began to point out a place, one of them would finish it.

"And this is Bagdwella's store—"

"And that's the tunnel where Jimmy fought Gnome Chompski!" Eli finished.

Jim rolled his eyes and continued on the tour. Though 'tour' was a loose term. It was more like herding cats.

It wasn't long before they came across another living being. The best one, in fact.

"Arrrgh!" The teens cried with joy.

"Steve! Eli! Darci!" He grabbed the three of them up in a hug. "Back again!"

"Where's Blinky?" Asked Jim, once the reunion came to a close.

"In Heartstone. Reading books. Boring."

"Blinky?" Asked Steve, snickering.

"My mentor, and the leader of our tribe. I should probably let him know you guys are here. Who know's how he'll take it…"

"Humans! In Trollmarket!" Blinky's voice echoed over the cavern.

"Probably like that…"

"Master Jim," Blinky reprimanded, storming over. "Just because no other Trolls are here yet, does not give you the right to invite ragamuffins in off the street!"

Toby threw himself at his feet. "It was me! It was all my fault! I did it! Blame me!"

The act startled Blinky for a moment, before he glanced up to Jim again. "Care to explain?"

"Sure, this is Darci, Toby's girlfriend." He gestured.

"Hi…" She waved shyly.
"And this is Steve and Eli. They have been working very hard to protect Arcadia, even without my knowledge. And they helped everyone evacuate from the market when Gunmar took control. And according to Toby, they helped take care of the Gruesome that popped up here while we were gone."

Blinky was thoughtful for a moment, but didn't respond.

"I felt like I owed it to them to let them in on the secret. I just figured it would be best to do it now, when there would be less panic."

Toby sent him a grateful look, not wanting to be reprimanded again.

"I suppose you are correct, Master Jim. It would be unfair to try to cover this all up again. Can I count on you three to continue to protect man and troll kind in Arcadia?"

"Are you kidding? Do you know who you're talking to?" Steve asked.

"We're the Creep Slayerz, with a 'Z'." Eli announced, throwing up their little hand-sign.

"I don't follow."

"They're fine, Blink." Jim laughed.

Eli's eyes brightened. "Did you say you were at the Heartstone?"

"Um, why yes, I was." Blinky answered. "Just looking through Vendel's, the elder before me, his works that survived. Why?"

"Can we please see it?" Eli begged, his hands folding in front of his face.

"The written works of Vendel? Why, they're all in Trollish! Ancient Trollish at that—"

"Not the ding dang dumb papers!" Steve interrupted, only to be promptly elbowed by Jim.

"I think they want to see the Heartstone."

"Ah, well, Jim that really is your area, so…go on, I suppose. But don't touch anything in Heartstone Hall!" And off he went, mumbling about something all the while.

"What did he mean that this is your area?" Darci asked.

"Well…" he paused, not really wanting to give away their plans for the future. "Claire and I have some magic in us that will help the Heartstone grow to what it once was." He beckoned them along, passing through the deserted town that was slowly coming back to life. "I'm turning the old heartstone into a home."

Darci gasped. "Like! A little love nest!?"

The boys sang, "Oooh!"

Jim blushed, "Well…sorta…don't make it weird."

"I think it's cute, Jim." Darci stated proudly. "A man building a home with his two hands, that's romance."

Toby narrowed his eyes in thought, but said nothing.

"I don't see why you're putting so much work into building a house. You have a truck, just put an air mattress in the bed."

Jim blushed harder. "I think you have the wrong idea, Steve…"

Eli whisper-shouted, "Jim's making a home for them to live in when they get married!"

"Oh, you should have just said that. You made it sound like you were fancying up the place for some private tango lessons, y'knowwhaddamean?"

Claire spoke between snickers. "Steve, shut up."

Still purple, Jim led his friends down the ramp to the Heartstone. At the base, Jim pressed the release for the door. Inside was Heartstone Hall, where Vendel had spend most of his time, and where Trolls came to heal. The room was a mess, which made sense given that Gunmar and Morgana had both ransacked it. The debris of fallen trolls and crumbled Heartstone had been cleared, and now the mess just consisted of tools and books. The stone table in the middle of the room was stacked high with books and sheets of paper.

"So this is Heartstone Hall, where Blinky's been working since we came back." He beckoned them on, through a curtain in the corner. "You used to not be able to go inside the Crystal, but…Morgana blasted the whole thing open."

Within the first room, the wall, ceiling and floor were gray crystal. The ceiling and walls were organically shaped, and tilted in odd directions, but the floor was flat and level. The walls were lined with dark wood cabinets and granite countertops. There was even a sink, and a place for a fridge and a stove. On the left was a little nook in the crystal, where a table and chairs sat.

"So this is the kitchen. Draal and I refinished the cabinets and I cut the granite myself." He patted the counter fondly.

"Dang son," said Steve, "you've been back for, what, a week? And you have this all done? Do you ever sleep?"

Jim shrugged. "Not really, no. I don't need to."

"Must be convenient…"

He led them down a set of crystal steps that went around a curve. The inner side of the steps was open, and showed a well that went all the way up to the top of the cavern, and several floors down.

"Whoa…" commented Claire, looking over the edge.

"This is going to be a chimney, I think." Jim explained, following her gaze. "It leads down to the chamber where Morgana was held, and burst through. There's a perfect cylinder all the way up."

The next floor wasn't as finished as the kitchen had been, but the room was clean, and the floor itself almost looked polished, though most of it was obscured by an antique ornate rug. Some of the Crystals that stuck out had been converted to shelves and tables. "So this is the living room. I talked to the guys at Thrifty Furnishings, and they're going to let me work off a sectional and a really nice recliner by doing some 3rd shift stocking. Plus some other stuff as I go."

Toby noticed a standing lamp in the corner. "Wait, do you have electricity down here?"

"Oh yeah!" Jim flicked it on, the light shimmering over the crystal walls and sending sparkles everywhere. "I mean, all of Trollmarket has electricity, though they don't really use enough to be noticeable by the electric company. There's an underground power line that someone connected us into." He stepped over to a curtain, pulling it back to reveal a small closet, but also a fusebox. "I got electrocuted a few times, but since I'm a troll, it only hurt a lot instead of killing me."

Claire warily looked at the box. "Um…shouldn't we have a professional look at that before we try to use it?"

Jim considered it with a nod, "yeah…probably…" Then he clapped his hands with excitement. "Oh!" He walked across the room, over to a door, and opened it to reveal a small room with a hole in the floor. "This is going to be the bathroom, though I'll need a lot of work to get the running water up. I have to set up all faucets and pipes before I try to run any water, since it all comes from the same source. But we have a clean well down here, so I won't be stealing city water." He grinned.

"And you can do that all by yourself?"

"Yep! It's amazing how much stuff you can learn on Youtube." He grinned. "Except I haven't bought the hot water heater yet, so even if I wanted to hook the water up, it'd only be cold."

"You've really got this figured out, don't you?" Toby stated, impressed.

"Kinda." He shrugged, "I just kinda got in the habit of being a homemaker. And since my dad…" he trailed off. "It's a distraction, I guess?" There was a lot of uncertainty in his voice, but only Toby and Claire picked up on it. They looked at each other, sharing a look of concern. "I basically lived on my own, since mom was always at work. So I learned how to be resourceful and fix things…" He shrugged again, feeling self-conscious. A sixteen year old shouldn't know how to build a house on his own. He certainly shouldn't know how to hook up one to plumbing and electricity.

Though, they shouldn't have horns either.

Claire rescued him. "So, where did you put the new Heartstone?"

He sighed slightly in relief and beckoned them all down one more floor. Like the living room, the floor was polished, and another rug went down. However, the floor was made of dark hexagonal rock, and not crystal.

A big cardboard box laid in the middle of the floor. "Oh hey, my new mattress is here!" He noted, pushing the box into the corner. "Draal must have brought it from my mom's house."

The new heartstone sat in the opposite corner, next to the stairs. The Crystals touching it were beginning to glow a warm orange.

As Claire glanced around the cavern, she noticed a spattering of little glowing spots on the walls and ceiling.

"So this is technically the master bedroom." Jim said with a flourish.

Darci noticed a blanket and pillow against the wall by the stone. "Are you sleeping here now?"

"Uh, yeah. I have since I got back."

"On the stone floor?"

"It's really not as bad as it sounds. I…I got hurt in the final battle, and sleeping by the stone helps me heal." He absently touched his side, where it still hurt. "Vendel once told me that humans cut gems to unlock their beauty, while trolls unlock gems to unlock their power. And then, he trained me to do so. These heartstones are like trees. The old one, diseased and devoid of its fruit. And this little one is a branch grafted onto it. Finding the right matching facets, the energy in this gem will slowly melt into the old one.

It appeared the Steve had zoned out a while ago, as he just stared blankly at the ceiling, but the others looked interested enough.

"I didn't realize crystals could be grafted onto each other." Claire noted.

"You…can't. Not exactly. Not naturally. But the energy within has to follow the atomic structure of the crystal to move over, so…imagine creating a channel for water to travel. You have to make sure they connect properly, or the water won't go on."

"So, it's working?" Asked Toby, lost in Jim's explanation.

"Slowly, but surely." Jim pointed out a vein of orange within the stone. "It's only been a week though, so who knows how long it'll take."

"And we'll have to give up the energy we took, too." Claire said.

"Yeah…I'm not sure about that part yet. This is all just based on what Blinky told me."

Steve spoke up. "This is cool and all, but can we go to the Forge now? I want to see some action!"

Jim rolled his eyes. He didn't blame Steve for getting bored. This was the kind of stuff that bored him when he first started as a Trollhunter. But, responsibilities change a person.

Later that night, after he had taken everyone home, he went back home. Despite all the work he was putting into the Heartstone, his home was still with his mother.

And there was a war on.

Jim stood in front of the door, about to walk in, when he heard James' voice yelling. It seemed like Merlin's spell had worn off.

"How the hell do you expect me to make any money if you won't let me sell?!"

"Oh I don't know, get a job! Like a normal human being!"

"I can't Babs! I have to lay low!"

"And I'm sure selling that shit is exactly how you're going to do that! Honestly, James! I can't believe you have that with you!"

"What were you expecting!? You want me to throw it in the river?!"

"I would love for you to do that! And you can jump in after it, if you'd be so kind!"

Jim didn't want to get involved, but he heard the sound of a slap, and the door banged open on its own.

Barbara gasped. "Oh! Jim…you're home." She offered a smile to him, but held her cheek.

Jim's eyes were wide with rage as he tensed like a spring.

A little dribble of blood came from Barbara's nose, and the spring was released.

Jim ran at full speed at James, head butting him with his horns and sending him into the wall. Barbara shrieked. Grabbing him by the collar, Jim yanked him up to look in his eyes. "If you ever, ever lay a hand on my mother again, those goons who are out for your blood will be the least of your concerns!"

Barbara touched his shoulder, "Jim, put him down."

He did so, but with force.

Trembling, James hobbled into the kitchen without a word.

"Honey, you can't do that to him."

"He hit you!"

"Yes, he did. But you don't need to do anything about it. You don't need to protect me."

"Obviously I do!"

"Babs…?" James called from the kitchen. "I'm really sorry…but I think I need to go to the hospital."

Jim scoffed and stormed out of the house. He had only been back for five minutes, but that was long enough. "Fine, I guess I've done enough damage." He stormed out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him.

Back to Trollmarket it was, then. Though, when he got down to the canal, he parked his truck, and scaled the bridge to sit on the railing. He groaned, grabbing his horns in agitation.

The day had been exhausting, and he couldn't help but feel on edge.

He was just so angry.

He must have sat there for at least an hour, just trying to catch his breath. But the sound of a bike approaching brought him back into the moment.

"There you are!" Claire breathed. "Your mom said you had a fight, and asked me to find you."

"I'm fine." He said, harshly.

"Barbara doesn't think so."

"Well she thinks it's okay for him to hit her, so what does she know!?" He shouted at her, an animalistic growl in the back of his throat.

Claire stared at him with wide eyes.

He withdrew into himself, crossing his arms. "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell."

"It's okay."

"No it's not!" He shouted again. Then in frustration, he banged his fists on the railing, denting it. "Goddamnit!"

"Jim…?"

He didn't respond, gripping his horns again.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"…do you want me to leave?"

"…no…"

Gently, ever so gently, Claire rested a hand on his back, right between his shoulder blades. Her voice was soft, and soothing. "You've been so angry…"

"Not at you…never at you…" he insisted, almost pleading.

"I know Strickler taught you to use your anger…but you don't have to anymore."

He moaned. "I know…I just…"

"Is the part of the transformation?"

Still, he didn't respond, but his brows creased deeply as a painful frown pulled at his lips, making his teeth poke his cheeks. He looked about to cry. "I'm so overwhelmed…"

"With what? You know you don't have to put that much work into the house, we have time…"

"No, I like working on the house…I mean…" He shook his head, angry again. "This isn't my body!"

"Jim…"

"I feel like I'm wearing a suit! I…I can see so much more, smell things, my sense of taste is shot, and…my natural instinct is to just…roar at everything I don't like! And more often than not, I'm roaring at myself! Even my voice is different!"

Claire smiled in understanding, "Mi amor…no one expecting you to be completely adjusted to this. And I understand that you're angry...anything I can do to help?"

He glanced at her. "You sure you still love me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I haven't been myself in a while. It must be awful to have to deal with me…"

"I don't know if I've really been myself for a while either." She stated, her hand running over his arm. "That final battle changed both of us...but that's why I can't see myself with anyone else but you. My Romeo."

He chuckled once. "Then...how about we revisit those old days? Just for tonight?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Come with me."

He led her down to his truck, and put her bike in the back. Then they drove off.

As he drove, he kept glancing at her, a little grin on his face.

"What are you up to, Jim Lake Jr.?"

He never answered, but in due time, they arrived at their destination. The peak that looked over the town.

The sky was clear of clouds, and sparkled with stars, just as the city lights spread over the valley.

Claire smiled as a familiar guitar strum filled the air, shortly accompanied by soft Spanish vocals.

Today I woke up wanting to kiss you

I have a thirst to caress you

Entangle myself with you and not let you go

You're so intoxicating

It's you

Jim approached her, a stroll in his step to the beat of the music. A look in his eyes of true adoration. She matched his steps, just as slowly. He circled her, resting a hand on her back, and then…took her hand.

I want to gaze at you without counting the minutes

Draw you with just my memories

In my mind accentuate your lips, your kisses

You're here once again

It's you

He sang along with the chorus, being that his Spanish was still a little weak. But his arms encircled her, just for a moment, before taking her hand to twirl her. While her back was to him, he slipped his arms around her shoulders, hugging her gently as they danced. He twirled her again, talking her into his arms to waltz with her properly. Though, it wasn't really a waltz, more like…a dance with no rules, only right. Only them.

I love seeing you, having you, embracing you

When I'm at your side

All the goodness in me

Blossoms, it's you

"What's this then?" She laughed.

He pouted. "You don't remember our dance after Spring Fling?"

Her smile reflected in her voice. "Of course I remember. I was just teasing you."

"Rude," he giggled back, spinning her around.

That magnet of beautiful energy

It's your soul that sends

Signals to my body

Because it keeps on asking for that smell of you

That invites me lying in wait

It's you

"I'm still a bad dancer," he admitted.

"I think you're a wonderful dancer." She looked into his eyes, falling in love with him over and over again. He was so tall now. This time was different, but the look was the same. The comfort, and wonder. He bent to meet her sultry gaze.

We have different plans

But you're always on my mind

Since my veins so subtly

Enjoy loving you so much

It's you, it's you

The kiss was powerful. Under the scent of her shampoo and detergent, he inhaled her real fragrance, her pheromones, the very emotion she had at that very moment.

Bliss.

It's you

The song is 'Eres Tú' by Carla Morrison, the same song used in the Episode 'A Night to Remember' I wrote the English Lyrics because I thought it was more powerful to know what was being said.