Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lizzie and Joel met at age 14.

They were in the same classes in 9th grade.

They ended up becoming close friends.

-♡-

After getting dumped by her boyfriend in front of all her friends Lizzie went to the only person she could think of, her best friend Joel.

She knocked on the door of his home.

His brother Grian answered, “hey Lizzie, are you okay?”

“Is Joel home?” she asked.

“Ya he’s in his room.” Grian said, moving out of the way for the pink haired teen.

She made her way up the stairs to Joel’s room.

He stopped in front of his door and knocked.

After a few minutes Joel answered the door, dark gray headphones around his neck.

“Hey Lizzie.” Joel said, “did something happen?”

Lizzie looked down, tears starting to slide down her face, “he dumped me.” she said simply.

“Oh Lizzie.” Joel said, wrapping his arms around the sixteen year old, “I’m sorry.” he said, rubbing soothing circles into her back as she cried into his chest.

“Let’s sit,” he says slowly, leading her to the bed.

He sits her on the edge, wrapping the comforter around her, quickly shooting a text to Grian to make a cup of tea.

After a few minutes Grian came into the room with a cup of warm tea in hand.

“Thank you.” Joel said quietly to his brother.

He handed the cup to Lizzie as Grian left.

“Thanks.” she said, as she took a slow sip of the warm liquid.

“You want to talk about it?” Joel asked, when she was almost done.

“I don’t know.” Lizzie ends up saying after thinking it over for a few minutes, “I feel like I’m going to be alone for the rest of my life.” she said, placing the empty cup on Joel’s night stand, then retreating back into the cocoon created around her.

“I have an idea,” Joel said, “it’s probably stupid.” 

“It’s okay.” Lizzie said, “what is the idea?” she asked, leaning her head on his shoulder, emotionally exhausted.

“If, when we are 26, ten years from now.” Joel said, stopping to see if Lizzie would say anything before continuing, “if we are both single, we could date each other, so neither of us would be alone.”

The moments of silence almost killed Joel.

Did he just ruin their friendship?

“I like that.” Lizzie said, “if when we are 26, both single, we will date each other.” she repeats.

So an agreement between the two was set.

Only they knew, they both promised to keep it to the two of them, and nobody else.

Chapter Text

At age seventeen Joel and Lizzie were both single.

Neither had a date to prom.

Prom was two weeks away.

***

Joel knocks on the door to Lizzie’s house.

To no surprise, it’s Lizzie who answers.

“Oh! Hey Joel. What are you doing here?” She asks him.

“Uh…” he stutters, “Lizzie would you uh, go to prom with me? As friends, y’know. Since we both don’t have dates?” He asks, pulling a bouquet of flowers out from behind his back.

Lizzie gasps and brings her hands up to her mouth. “Yes!” She nods while tears spring to her eyes.

Joel’s steps to her and hands her the flowers. “You got me daffodils!” She squeals. “These are my favorite! How did you know?”

He shrugs with a smile, “Eh, just a good guess I suppose.” He’s known her favorite flowers for years. There was no reason to remember it, he just felt like it.

Lizzie wraps her arms around his and pulls him into a tight hug.

***

They end up going to prom together and having an amazing time partying until midnight and getting french fries from McDonald’s.

Chapter Text

At age eighteen Joel was single and Lizzie had a boyfriend.

Lizzie and Joel both walked across the stage at graduation.

Lizzie was valedictorian of their class.

She gave a speech that brought a smile to Joel’s face.

That summer they decided to have fun before they had to go to university (the same one too).

-♡-

“Joel, Mathew lets go on the roller coaster!” Lizzie said, her smile wide.

“Naw I’m okay Liz.” Mathew said, “I don’t really like roller coasters.”

“I’ll still go with you Lizzie if you want.” Joel said.

“Okay let's go.” Lizzie said, “see you Mathew.” she said, then kissed her boyfriend.

A weird feeling sat in Joel’s stomach as he watched the intimate gesture. He was jealous, wanting it to be him kissing Lizzie. He must have been hungry.

“Have fun you two.” Mathew said, as he took Lizzie’s bag and Joel’s water bottle.

“We will!” Lizzie said, as she grabbed Joel’s hand and dragged him into the waiting line.

-♡-

Lizzie and Joel were in line for the roller coaster (the front cart if you wanted to know), Lizzie was excited and holding Joel’s hand.

“I’m sorry if it’s weird of me to say, “the lady behind them said, once the cars went, and Lizzie and Joel were up next for the front cart, “but I think you two are a cute couple.”

Joel and Lizzie looked at each other, and Lizzie let go of Joel’s hand, and turned to the lady.

“We're not dating.” Lizzie said blushing slightly, “We're just close friends.” she said, “my boyfriend is waiting at the end for us.” she responded, the smile never leaving her face.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” the lady said, “I did not know.”

“It’s okay.” Joel said, fixing the green streak in his hair.

The duo turned back to waiting for the cars.

-♡-

The cars arrived and Joel and Lizzie got in.

Joel felt weird as he thought about what the lady said he wanted to kiss Lizzie.

They buckled themselves in, and the ride operator checked their seat belts.

“Please keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times.” the ride operator’s voice can through the intercom above, “please enjoy your ride on the Camel folks.”

The roller coaster started going uphill.

As they went up the hill Lizzie’s pink hair dangled back a bit. It is still Joel’s favorite shade of pink.

When they reached the top of the hill Lizzie grabbed Joel’s hand, “ready Joel?” she asked.

“alwAYYYSSS!!!” Joel screamed as he started going down the hill.

Lizzie raised her hands, and Joel’s right hand, as they went down, half laughing, half screaming.

Chapter Text

Finals are coming around for Joel and Lizzie.

Joel was dating a guy from his psychology class.

Lizzie was single.

Lizzie devoted her time to studying while Joel was partying.

***

She’s been studying for three days straight, there are dark circles under her eyes and her hair is a wreck.

She had her phone set on silent to make sure there were no distractions. To her complete surprise she ends up getting a text message from someone. It’s Scott, one of her contacts who’s set on always notify. Weird, he never texts her.

Smajor: Lizzie u need to come pick up Joel.

Lizzie: What? Wait why? What’s going on?

Smajor: He’s drunk and I can’t get him home since I can’t drive. I’ll go ahead and send u the address. Pls hurry.

Lizzie: I’m omw. Do u have a ride home?

Smajor: Ye. See u tmrw babes.

Lizzie: Cya

Lizzie sets her phone in her pocket before rubbing the tiredness out of her eyes. She sighs before standing up from her study desk and writing a note on her door to her roommate that she won’t be back for a bit

Grabbing her keys, she runs out of her dorm before bolting down the stairs and out to her car. She shoves her key in the ignition before starting up the car and driving to the address Scott sent her.

She drives for about fifteen minutes before finally pulling up to the address.

She walks up to the front door and takes a deep breath to collect herself. ‘Okay,’ she thinks, ‘I can do this.’

She opens the door to find at least a hundred students all drinking and partying with extremely loud music playing all around them.

“Where are you Joel?” She whispers to herself before pushing her way through the crowd to try and find her best friend.

She sees a flash of green before a man bumps into her. She goes to shove him off but finds that it’s Joel in her arms.

“Joel?” She asks him incredulously.

“Oh! Hey Lizzie. Whatcha up to?” He slurs to her.

“Crap,” she tells him. Though, it may be slightly to herself also. “C’mon, let’s go home.”

“Noooooooo,” he whines, “but I was having funnnnnnn!”

“Uh huh,” she nods while dragging him out of the party. She pulls him to her car and shoves him into the passenger seat before buckling him in.

She walks around to the driver’s side before putting the key into the ignition and starting up the car.

She begins to drive and they both sit in complete silence. They stay in quiet until Lizzie hears quiet crying coming from the passenger seat.

“Joel?” She asks quietly, not trying to upset him more than he already is.

“He dumped me, Lizzie. Just out of the blue for no reason.” He tells her, his voice wobbly and cracking.

“Oh, Joel, I’m so sorry,” she tells him, “I know this had to be a lot on you.”

Before Lizzie can even finish her sentence Joel is already bursting into a sob with his head in his hands.

Thankfully, they pull up at Grian’s apartment right once he breaks down. She pulls the car to a stop and parks it so she can get out of the car. She rushes over to Joel’s door to open it and grab him out of his seat before tightly hugging him as he cries into her shoulder.

They sit like that for about five minutes while Joel calms down. Once he stopped sobbing Lizzie began pulling him up to his brother’s apartment.

They get to Grian’s dorm and she knocks loudly on his door. He answers the door a few moments later, exhaustion covering his features.

“Wha’s goin’ on?” He asks tiredly.

“Joel’s staying with you tonight.” She tells him walking him inside and putting him on Grian’s couch.

“Crap, Lizzie. What happened?” He asks her, more alert than the first time he spoke.

“He got dumped and then went to a party and got drunk. Scott texted me to come and get him.” She answers. “Please, just, take care of him, will you?”

“Yeah, of course.” He promises and nods as he goes and grabs a blanket for his already passed out brother.

“I’ll… see you later, G.” She bids farewell before walking to the door.

“Bye Lizzie.”

Chapter Text

At age twenty Joel and Lizzie were both single.

They had both just finished their second year of university, and now where back home for the summer.

-♡-

Joel sat at home alone watching TV.

He did not have work today, his parents were out of town on vacation, And his brother was at an amusement park with his boyfriends (Scar really loved amusement parks).

So when a knock came from his door he was honestly surprised and a bit worried.

He paused the documentary he was watching and got up, “I’m coming.”

He opened the door and was surprised to see Lizzie.

“Hey Lizzie, is something wrong?” he asked the pinkett.

“No, I was wondering if you wanted to come to my family reunion with me?” she asked, “I don’t have anyone to bring, and your family friend anyway.”

“Sure I’ll go, when is it?” Joel asked.

“In.” Lizzie pulled out her phone, “you got an hour to get ready.”

“Oh my.” Joel said, “what should I wear?”

“Casual.” She said, “I can help you pick out an outfit if you want.”

“Yes please.” Joel said moving out of the way so she could come inside.

-♡-

They had settled on Joel wearing a light blue polo and jeans.

Lizzie drove them to the small pavilion they were hosting the reunion at.

“Are you sure they will be okay with me going?” Joel asked, after they parked outside in the parking lot.

“Joel, I went to yours last summer, and my parents love you anyway.” Lizzie said, causing Joel to blush slightly, “and I heard Jimmy was bringing somebody too.”

“You think he finally found somebody?” Joel asked as he got out of Lizzie’s gray CR-V.

“I hope so, he has been complaining he does not have a boyfriend since he was in high school.” Lizzie said, shutting her car door, and locking it.

They walked up to the enclosed pavilion, next to each other ~Joel wanted to hold Lizzie’s hand as they walked~.

The sound of music, laughter, and talking could be heard even before they entered the building.

Joel opened the door for Lizzie.

She gave him a smile in return.

They stuck close to each other in the wave of people.

Eventually Lizzie’s parents found the duo.

“Hello Lizzie.” Lizzie’s mother said, a smile on her face.

“Hi mom.” Lizzie says, “where is dad?”

“Jim, get over here.” Lizzie’s mother said, “your daughter is here.”

“Hm?” Lizzie’s dad hummed walking over, “hey honey, how has university been?”

“Great.” Lizzie said.

“Oh, are you and Joel finally dating?” Lizzie’s dad asked.

Lizzie and Joel both blush deep red.

“No, no, no.” Lizzie said, “We're just friends.”

All Joel can do is nod.

“Oh.” Lizzie’s dad said.

“Ya.” Lizzie said, rubbing the back of her neck.

They stand in awkward silence.

“Oh there's Jimmy.” Lizzie said, “we're going to go say hi.”

“Alright dear.” Lizzie’s mom said, “see you around.”

Lizzie grabs Joel’s hand and drags him over to a head of fluffy blond hair sticking out above everyone’s heads (why the hell is he so tall?).

“Hey Jimmy,” Lizzie said, getting the blond’s attention.

“Oh hey sis.” Jimmy said.

“Hello Tim.” Joel said.

“Hey Joel.” Jimmy said, “how’s the psychology classes hitting you?”

“Hard,” Joel said. “I’m glad we get summer break.”

“Ya, same.” Jimmy said.

“Hey guys.” Scott said.

“Scott, what are you doing here?” Lizzie asked, confusion turning to shock, then understanding, as the boy with cyan colored hair pressed a kiss to Jimmy’s cheek (the later blushed at the affection).

“Aww,” Lizzie said, “how long have you two been dating?”

“About a month now.” Scott said, “right Petal?”

“Yup.” Jimmy said, smiling like an idiot, "we're dating!"

“That’s so sweet.” Lizzie said (she had not dated anyone since the summer after high school).

“Jimmy I love this song, let’s dance!” Scott said when the song changed from something gentle to something peppy and perfect for dancing.

Scott dragged Jimmy off to dance.

“You want to go dance too?” Joel asked.

“Why not?” she answered before pulling Joel over to where Jimmy and Scott were already dancing.

Chapter Text

At age 21 Lizzie had finally found a boyfriend again.

Joel was recently single and getting over a heartbreak.

Lizzie’s birthday was coming up in a few days.

***

Lizzie is driving down the interstate when she gets a phone call from Joel.

“Hey Joel!” She greets him. “Are you on your way to the restaurant?” She asks him as she turns her turn signal on to get off at the nearest exit. She isn’t far away from the restaurant at this point.

“Yup!” He shouts excitedly, popping the “p”. “Are you ready to have the best birthday dinner ever?” He asks her as she pulls into the restaurant parking lot.

“So ready.” She tells him. “Jack should be here in just a minute. How far out are you?”

“I’m about ten minutes out. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay! Bye Joel!”

“Bye Lizzie!” He says as he hangs up the phone.

Lizzie cuts off her car before going inside to the hostess stand to get a table for all of her friends,

“Hey there! How many people are in your party?” The hostess asks.

“Eight people.” She answers her.

“Alright! You’re table will be ready in a few moments. If you want you can go sit on those benches near the door while you wait.” The hostess tells her as she points to the seats over by the door.

“Thanks!” She leaves the hostess stand and goes to sit in the waiting area. She decides to open up her phone and scroll through TikTok while she waits in her table.

As she scrolls through TikTok she gets a call from her boyfriend, Jack. “Hey Jack! Are you almost at the restaurant?” She asks him.

“Uh yeah. I’ll be there in a bit.” He replies cold, uninterested.

Lizzie’s smile drops from her face. “Is everything okay?” She asks.

“Yeah everything’s fine. I’ll see you in a bit. Bye Lizzie.”

“Oh,” that’s odd, he always says babe when referring to her, “well I’ll see you in a few minutes. Love you.”

She waits for a second for a response but instead the phone call ends abruptly. Maybe he’s just having an off day.

She sees his car pull up in the parking lot and her boyfriend steps out of his parked car and walks towards the restaurant. She runs out of the diner to go and greet him but he seemed almost upset to see her.

“Jack? Is something wrong?” She asks her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend sighs, “Listen, Beth, we need to talk.” Crap. This can’t be good. He only calls her that when something’s wrong.

“We need to talk.” He tells her.

“Jack? What’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

“I just can’t do this anymore. Lizzie I’m cheating on you. You’re just too much and I don’t love you anymore. You’re always too hyper and childish all the time.” He says with a blank face.

“W-What?” She asks as her voice cracks. “J-Jack why? Why!” She screams at him.

“I don’t know Lizzie! You just were just too much for my liking.”

She laughs hysterically, “You know what Jack?” She asks with a crazed smile, “We’re done. Never contact me again. I hope you and your new side piece fall off of a bridge. You disgust me in more ways than you could ever imagine. Leave. Now.”

“What? You should be begging me to get back together with you! You will never find someone better than me. Do you hear me?!” He says as he grabs her by her shirt collar.

She rears back and sends a punch directly onto his nose. It connects with a crack as her ex stumbles backwards onto the concrete below him. He hits the ground with a thud and groans at the sudden impact with concrete.

“Stay. Away. From. Me.” She watches the blood pour out of his nose as he scrambles up from the ground and quickly runs away from her.

Once he’s out of sight she drops to her knees and begins to sob into her hands. Why? Why today? Why on her freaking birthday?

She doesn’t know how long she sits there like that. It couldn’t have been too long because she hears shouting as someone runs at her. She immediately shoots up, thinking it’s her ex. The person gets closer and she realizes that it’s Joel. She makes eye contact with him and immediately breaks down again.

“Lizzie?!” Joel shouts as he breaks into a sprint. “Lizzie? Lizzie what’s wrong?” He asks, kneeling down to where she sits.

“J-Jack, he- he came h-here and t-told me that h-he cheated on me and- and that he hates me!” She manages to tell him through quick, rapid breaths.

Joel doesn’t say anything in response. The only thing he does is wrap his arms around her and hold her tightly. She bursts into a sob again as he holds her in his arms. They sit like that for gods know how long before she’s finally able to compose herself again. She sits up from his arms and gets off of the ground.

“You okay Lizzie?” He asks her as he also stands up.

She sniffles and wipes her nose with the sleeve of her shirt. “Yeah, I’m just gonna go home. I’ll see you later Joel.”

“Wait!” He shouts as she walks away, “What about dinner? You love this restaurant.”

“I just want to go home, Joel. I’ll see you later.”

“See you later, Lizzie.”

***

Joel watches as his best friend drives away from her birthday dinner. He pulls out his phone to text everyone who was invited that dinner is cancelled and that stuff came up. They don’t need to know her business unless she tells them.

He drops his phone into his sweatshirt pocket and starts walking away. “Lizzie? Table for eight?” He hears a hostess shout from the doorway as she looks outside.

“Hey, that’s my friend. She actually decided to not have dinner here tonight. Sorry for the inconvenience.” He informs the hostess.

“Oh, well that’s fine. Did yall choose a different restaurant?” She asks him.

“No, she just had a rough day and wanted to go home.”

“Well do you want me to box up some food to go for you guys?” She asks him.

He did know they did carry out here. “I didn’t know you were allowed to do that.” He tells her.

“We’re not.” She tells him with a wink. “Your girlfriend is hardcore. She punched that guy so hard in the nose that he ran away crying and bleeding. I was about to calm the police before she handled it herself.”

“Oh she’s not my girlfriend! We’re just really good friends.” He tells her as he shakes his head.

She gives him a knowing smile and brushes it off, “Alright then, what does she like?”

“Well, it’s her birthday today. We were gonna get dinner here because you guys have her favorite cake.”

“Do you mean the double fudge brownie cake?” She asks him. He nods and she continues, “I can get that for you.” She smiles and walks into the kitchen.

He waits for a few minutes before she walks back out with a huge box. “Oh! I can’t pay for a whole cake.” He tells her solemnly.

“Don’t worry, it’s on the house. Have a good night sir.” She tells him with a kind smile.

Joel stares at her with his jaw dropping to the floor. “Are you sure? Because I can go and get some more cash to pay for it-”

“Go get your girl.” She cuts him off, “Now go!” She says as she waves her hands, shooing him away.

“Thank you!” He calls as he walks out the front door and to his car.

***

She’s curled in on herself in her room when he hears a knocking at her door. “Coming.” She croaks to the visitor.

She opens her door to see her best friend, Joel. “Joel?” She asks, “What are you doing here?”

“I brought cake?” He questions, asking if she’s okay with that.

“Come in,” she tells him as she waves him into her dorm.

Joel goes over to the countertop and Lizzie follows suit. He opens up the box and reveals an entire chocolate cake with candles sticking out the top. He reaches into his pocket to pull out a box of matches and begins lighting the candles placed sporadically across the cake. He finishes lighting the cake and blows out the match before singing.

“Happy birthday to you-“

It’s nowhere near perfect unlike him. His voice is cracking and he’s completely off key, but that doesn’t matter. To her ears, it’s the most beautiful thing she’s ever heard.

“-Happy birthday to you.” He finishes the song and looks at her expectantly. “Make a wish.”

She blows out her candles and looks up at her best friends with her vision blurred from her tears. She wraps her best friend in a tight hug before letting go and sitting back down.

“Got any forks?” She asks him.

“Got ‘em.” He tells her as he walks away from the utensils drawer in her kitchen.

They both dig into the cake.

Maybe this wasn’t so bad of a birthday after all.

Chapter Text

At age 22 Lizzie was single, not wanting to date for a while after her boyfriend (Jack, that asshole) dumped her on her birthday. Joel was dating a nice Swedish person named Iskall (he was one of Mumbo’s friends from university).

-♡-

Lizzie got invited to a valentine's day party, her friend Scar was hosting.

She did not have anyone to bring, but Scar said it was fine, and it was more to get all their friends together (and a plus one if that had them).

So Lizzie pulled into the parking lot of Scar’s (also Grian’s, and Mumbo’s) apartment.

She got out of the car and grabbed the cupcakes she made for the party, and brought them up the stairs to the apartment.

She shifted the cupcakes to her hand and knocked on the door.

Mumbo answers it, his usual suit and tie, traded for a pink and red heart button up, black slacks, and red heart shaped glasses on the bridge of his nose, “hey Lizzie.” Mumbo says, “you can put any food you brought on the counter with everything else.”

“Thanks.” Lizzie says, walking into the decorated apartment. The trio really outdid themselves with the decorations.

Lizzie puts her cupcakes down on the counter and removes the lid. Pink, red, and white frosted cupcakes meet her. 

She puts the lid on another counter with a few other dish coverings.

She walks around to see what’s going on.

-♡-

It seems everyone has somebody.

Lizzie tried to join the conversations, but she just felt out of place with all the couples.

She even tried to find Joel and talk to him, but she found him in a corner, making out with his enbyfriend.

It made something in her chest hurt. She ended up grabbing a paper plate with a few heart shaped cookies Scar had made, and sitting on the floor, her back up against the wall, the credenza on her left, empty space on her right.

She just wants to cry, but the reason is stupid.

She instead eats the heart shaped cut out cookies, her mind drifting as her friends party around her.

-♡-

Joel and Iskall were standing in a corner of Mumbo, Scar, and Grian’s apartment, kissing when Iskall pulled away.

“Hey sorry to stop.” they said, “but I got to go to the bathroom real quick.”

“It’s okay.” Joel said to his enbyfriend, “I’ll just go grab a snack.” he said, “don’t want to miss getting one of Scar’s cookies.”

“Okay.” Iskall said, letting go of Joel’s hips, “I’ll find you later.” they said, pressing a quick kiss to Joel’s lips before they departed.

Joel walked into the kitchen and grabbed a plate, putting one of Scar’s cookies on it. His eyes glances over the other deserts landing on pink, red, and white cupcakes.

He recognized the cupcakes instantly as Lizzie’s (she always makes him try her new ideas, and he loves them like he loves her.)

Joel stands there for a moment, ‘Lizzie must be here, but I have not seen her yet’ he thought.

He stood in the kitchen doorway, looking over the living room, where his friends were celebrating valentine's day (for most of them, this was making out with their partner.), as he ate his cookie.

When the cookie was all gone he walked into the room, and began searching for Lizzie.

He eventually found her. She was sitting on the ground, a credenza on her left, her hack up against the wall, and her face looked blank.

Joel walked over and sat down next to her, “hey Lizzie.” he said, “what’s up?”

This seemed to pull her from her thoughts, “Joel, weren't you with Iskall?” she asks, turning to face Joel.

“Ya, but they went to the bathroom.” Joel said, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, “ Lizzie said, “why would I not be?” she said, turning back to watch the party, her pink hair hiding her face, but Joel could see the fake smile she was putting up.

“You know you can tell me.” Joel said, turning to watch the party. He was still watching Lizzie from the corner of his eye though.

“It’s stupid.” She said, her gaze moving from the party, to her lap.

“I’m sure it’s not.” Joel said.

“I-It’s-I don’t know how to explain it.”

“It’s okay.” Joel said, “take as long as you need to.”

“It’s just I have not dated since Jack, and it hurts.” Lizzie said, “I don’t know why. It just does. Watching all my friends with somebody. It just-” her voice started to waiver, like she was about to cry, “It hurts. I feel lonely, and it hurts.”

“Hmmm.” Joel hummed, “can I hug you?”

“Yes please.” Lizzie said, and Joel wrapped his arms around her.

Lizzie rested her head on Joel's shoulder, and let her eyes fall closed. She did not realize how exhausted she was.

Joel laid back, his right arm still around Lizzie, resting his head on hers where it rested on his shoulder. In that calm moment, he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and relaxing. 

Both of them ended up falling asleep on the floor. Heads resting on each other in a gesture of comfort to Lizzie.

-♡-

“Timmy.” Grian said, “you have to see this.”

Jimmy walked away from where he was with his two boyfriends with a quick, “I’ll be right back. Grian wants me for something.”

“Yeah, what’s up?” Jimmy asked, walking over to the shorter dirty blond, in a red jumper (at least he was wearing the same heart shaped glasses as Mumbo and Scar.).

“Look at Joel and Lizzie.” Grian said, posting to the left side of the credenza, where Joel and Lizzie fell asleep together, Lizzie’s head on Joel’s shoulder, his head on hers, and arm wrapped around her.

Grian pulled out his phone and took a photo.

“Are you going to show that to them?” Jimmy asked, taking a photo himself.

“Oh heck no.” Grian said, putting his phone away, “I’ll send this to them when they finally realize they like each other.”

“I don’t know how they don't realize it.” Jimmy said, “All of our friends ship those two. Even Iskall says, they should just get together, and they are dating your brother.”

“I know.” Grian said, flooding his arms, a fond smile on his face, “those two are such idiots.”

Chapter Text

Lizzie and Joel had finished their undergraduate studies a few months earlier.

Lizzie had gone off to veterinary school while Joel had stayed at their college to continue his studies in hopes to become an architect.

Both of them were single.

They hadn’t seen each other in a few months.

Tonight was New Year’s Eve.

***

“Joel! Are you coming or what?!” Grian shouts from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yeah! Just give me a minute!” He shouts back down to his brother.

“We’re going to be late!”

“I know, G!” Joel grunts as he tries to shove his already tied shoes onto his feet, his sparkly gold vest blocking his vision of his shoes.

“JOEL I SWEAR ON ALASKA IF YOU DON’T GET DOWN HERE IN THR NEXT FIVE SECONDS I WILL DELETE YOUR NECK KISSES PLAYLIST!!”

Joel gasps, “YOU WOULDN’T DARE!”

“TRY ME YOU SON OF A BISCUIT!”

“Grian!” Mumbo chastises, “You are not going to delete his playlist over going to a party we’re already going to be an hour and a half early to!”

Joel finally slides his shoes on before tumbling down the stairs. Reaching the bottom of the stairs he dusts himself off and grins at his brother and his boyfriends. “Alright! I’m ready. Who’s driving?”

Mumbo spins the keys leisurely around his fingers before snatching them into his palm. “I’m the D.D. tonight.”

“Sounds ah-may-zin! Now let’s go!” Scar hollers as he drags his shorter boyfriend out to the car while Mumbo just shakes his head fondly and laughs.. “I’m assuming you’re taking shotgun.” He asks Joel.

“Yep!” He says as he races off to beat the boyfriends to the passenger seat.

***

“Lizzie are you ready to go?” Her younger brother shouts to her as she applies her last layer of eyeshadow.

“Yes! Coming down now!” She turns off her vanity light and goes downstairs to the living room where Jimmy sits with his boyfriend, Tango.

“Where’s Scott?” She asks the boys.

“He said he wasn’t feeling well so he decided to stay home. He told us to go to the party though.” Jimmy supplies his sister.

She levels an evil stare at Tango. “Tango you better not get drunk tonight. If you do I will be videoing you and showing it to you when you’re hungover the next morning.” She tells him with a malicious grin on her face.

Tango scoots just slightly closer to his boyfriend. “In that case I will not be drinking. What about you rancher?”

“I don’t really like alcohol. It makes me feel sick.”

“So I’m the only one drinking?” She asks the two boys cuddled up together on the couch.

“Guess so.” Jimmy responds as he sits up from his blanket cocoon. “You ready rancher?” He asks his boyfriend.

“Yep. I’ll drive us.”

“Sweet! I call shotgun!” Jimmy shouts as he runs off to the car.

“Out of all the people you could’ve dated you chose him?” She asks Tango incredulously.

He shakes his head fondly at his boyfriend. “That’s my rancher.”

***

Mumbo- after making a slight detour to get donuts- finally pulls up to the house they’re having the party at. It’s at some guy named BDubs’s house. Joel thinks he might have heard his name in one of his classes but he can’t remember.

They get out of the car and hear music blasting from inside the home. ‘This should be fun’ he thinks to himself

The walk up to the front door of the house and the party roars as they open the door. Thankfully the house is pretty big and in a secluded part of town.

“Wow, that’s… something.” Mumbo says to the group.

“Come on, Mumbo! Live a little!” Grian tells him before dragging him inside. Scar doubles over in laughter as his two boyfriends go into the party. One willingly and the other not.

Scar turns to face Joel. “Do you think you can handle this? If not that’s totally fine and we can go home.” He tells him.

“I think I can do this.” He stands up straight and walks right into the deafening party.

***

Lizzie can’t do this.

She’s been at BDub’s party for around two hours and it was going fine until her social battery ran out. She is now very overstimulated and panicking just a little bit.

She gave up on trying to be social and ran outside onto the back porch. Away from all of the loud noises. Away from the chaos and the people and the-

She hears the screen door slam shut as someone pants heavily holding onto it. She immediately whines her head around to see that it’s Joel. “Joel?” She asks, confused because she didn’t know that he was here.

“Lizzie? I didn’t know you were here. Hey!” He greets her as he sinks down next to her and sighs with exhaustion.

“Hey Joel! Yeah I was able to make it back in town for the holidays so I decided to come to a party with the ranchers.” She tells him as she laughs at her ship name for her brother and her brother’s fiancé. “Scott was feeling sick so he wasn’t able to show up.”

“Aw, that stinks. They’re all engaged, right?” He asks her.

“Yeah, Jimmy proposed last week to the both of them and they both accepted. It was really sweet. I helped him plan the proposal.”

“That sounds awesome.” He responds. “So, how’d you-“

-End up out here?” They both ask at the same time. “I was getting-“

“-Really overstimulated in there.”

They both sit in silence and stare at each other before doubling over in laughter at the two of them.

“Well,” Lizzie starts, “at least we’re both on the same page.”

“Yeah. Are you excited for the new year?” He asks her.

“To be honest, I’m a little nervous.” She admits to her best friend.

“Why?”

“I mean, I still haven’t met someone in over two years. What if I never find love again.” what if you will never love me.

“I think you’ll find someone. I just know it.” she just wishes it was him.

She sighs, “I hope so. I just don’t want my heart to be broken again.”

Joel grabs her hands and stares directly into her eyes. “I will never let that happen to you again. I swear.”

Their faces are inches away from one another close enough to kiss him.

“TEN, NINE, EIGHT-” they hear being shouted from inside. They both frantically stand up and race inside to the TV to watch the ball drop, welcoming in the new year.

The timer hits zero and everyone cheers in celebration for what is to come in the following year.

Chapter Text

At age 24 Lizzie was still single.

Joel was dating a new guy named Etho.

It was summer and Joel was back home for the summer. Well, his boyfriend was home in his hometown.

Lizzie was also home so they would meet up.

-♡-

Joel had just gotten back in his car.

He had gone to a cafe Lizzie told him about, and Damn. She was right. Joel loved the latte he got from there.

He had parked his car across the street from the cafe and was just sitting in the front seat, drinking his latte, and watching videos on his phone.

Something told Joel to look up (he never knew what it was. Instinct maybe?)

He saw a oh so familiar head of pink hair bopping down the other side of the street.

A fond smile spread across his face as he paused the video.

Joel watched Lizzie walk down the street until someone pulled her into an alleyway, covering her mouth with a hand.

Joel’s smile turned to fear, as he put his cup and phone down. He threw open the car door, slamming it shut , and only quickly checked traffic before he was racing across the street to the alley Lizzie disappeared into.

Joel sprinted into the alleyway.

He saw a guy who looked to be in his late forties. He had his hands on Lizzie, one over her mouth keeping her quiet and another trying to get her shirt off.

Joel did not think. He ran up to the man who was at least a head and a half taller than the twenty-four year old, and punched him square in the face.

The man let go of Lizzie, stumbling back clutching a hand over his now bleeding nose.

“JOEL!?” Lizzie exclaimed.

Joel ignored her, keeping his eyes on the man who attacked her.

Joel ran up to the man shoving him to the ground.

The man hit the ground with a surprised noise.

Joel was on top of him in an instant, his knee digging into the man’s stomach. He grabbed the collar of the guy’s shirt, and yelled, “WHAT THE BLUMING HELL MAN!”

The man growled at Joel and punched Joel in the face.

Joel ignored the pain coming from his left eye, releasing the collar of the man’s shirt, and lifting his right arm, punching the man in the face.

“YOUR A DIRTY,” Joel punched him again as he yelled,  “PIECE OF,” he punched him again. “RUBBISH!” He finished punching the guy one last time.

The man was out cold. Still alive. Just unconscious.

Joel stood up on shaky legs, the adrenaline draining from his body as he stood.

Lizzie ran over to him, pulling him into a hug, “Joel.” she said, tears falling down her face.

A small crowd had gathered at the entrance of the alleyway.

Some had phones out, recording. Some were watching with shocked expressions, and a few had phones to their ears calling the police.

Joel pulled Lizzie out of the hug and held her out at arms length, “what did he do to you?” Joel said, his voice full of venom directed as the unconscious man.

“Nothing.” Lizzie said. tears were still streaming down her face, “you saved me.”

Joel smiled, “good.”

“But Joel.” Lizzie said, “you face.”

Oh yeah, he was staring to not be able to see out his left eye, “I’m sure it’s fine Lizzie.”

“No, it’s turning purple.” she said, lifting a hand up to cup his cheek and look at his eyes.

“Nothing a little ice won't fix.” Joel told her to bring his right hand up to move her hand.

Lizzie grabbed his hand on her own, causing Joel to let out a hiss of pain.

“Joel, your knuckles are all bloody.” she said.

Somebody walked into the alleyway.

“Hello, I’m officer Percy.” the person introduced themself as, “can you follow me?” he asked, “I have a few questions for you both.”

The police officer led them out of the alleyway and questioned them. 

They told him the full story, about how Lizzie got dragged into the alley, and Joel ran from his car across the street, and knocked the guy out.

Some medics had arrived at the scene, and picked up the guy to take down to the hospital before he would be arrested for attempted rape.

One of the medics wrapped Joel’s hand with bandages as he held a bag of ice over his left eye.

“Good job standing up for her.” the medic said, as he wrapped Joel’s hand, “you're a good boyfriend.”

“I’m not her boyfriend.” Joel said, “we are just close friends.”

“Really?” the medic said, a look of disbelief on his face, “they way she looked at you.” he said,  cutting the bandages from the role, “I wish my crush would look at me that way.” he sighed, tucking the end of the bandage under a few of the others.

“I already have a boyfriend.” Joel said.

“Hmm.” the medic hums, “I don’t usually match-make, but I think she likes you.”

“I don’t think she does.” Joel said he was secretly hopeful she did, then he could tell her he loved her since they were kids.

“You're good to go.” the medic said, “have a good night lad.” he said, “you deserve it.”

-♡-

They ended up watching trashy romance movies all night at Joel’s apartment.

They were both shooken up by the ordeal, but ended up falling asleep, Lizzie’s head on Joel’s shoulder, and his head on hers in a mirror image of when they fell asleep on each other at that valentines day party when they were 22.

Chapter Text

At 25 Joel and Lizzie were both single.

Joel’s relationship with Etho had ended with the both of them just being friends and Lizzie was still single from her last relationship.

They were both finally back in their home town again.

***

“JOEL JOEL JOEL JOEL JOEL!!” Lizzie shouted to her best friend as she ran into his room.

Joel turns around from his desk and takes off his headphones, Minecraft on his monitor behind him. “Yeah Lizzie?” He asks with fond exasperation.

“Okay, so hear me out.” She pauses, waiting for his answer.

“Yes?” He motions with his hands for her to continue.

“We should go on a dating app, get dates, and go on a double date with our dates!” She tells him excitedly.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Definitely!”

He sighs, pulls out his phone, unlocks it, and hands it to her with the App Store open. “Download whatever app you want. I’m chill with anything.”

“YES! THANK YOU SO MUCH JOEL!!” She squeals before running off to the WiFi router to make sure the app downloads as quickly as possible.

***

“You ready Lizzie?” He asks her as they pull out to the Italian restaurant they set up with their dates.

She takes a deep breath, “I think so, let’s do this.” She grabs his hand and grips it tightly as they go through the doors.

“Welcome to Italia! Is it a table for two?” He asks the pair.

“We actually have for people, our dates aren’t here yet.” Joel tells him.

“Oh! My apologies. I thought the two of you were dating.”

Lizzie sighs with a smile. “Yeah, everyone always thinks that.”

“Well I can go ahead and get y’all seated if you’d like? Do you want me to look out for your dates?@ the host asks them.

“That would be amazing, thank you.” Joel thanks him.

“Sounds good. Follow me to your table.”

They both trail behind the host as they wade their way throughout the restaurant. The place is filled with people around every corner and at all the tables except for one booth near the back.

They sit down in the booth and patiently wait for their dates to arrive.

Joel’s date is the first one to show up.

“Hi there!” She greets Lizzie, “My name’s Alaina, what’s yours?” She asks.

Lizzie sticks her hand out to shake her hand, “My name’s Lizzie. It’s great to meet you!”

“Likewise.” Joel interjects. “It’s really nice to finally meet you in person.”

Alaina sits down next to her date. Lizzie’s date shows up only a few minutes after.

“Hey there! It’s so good to meet- Alaina?” He asks, shock covering his features.

“Mike? What are you doing here?” She asks him incredulously.

“I’m on a date. What are you doing?”

“Well this is awkward.” Joel whispers to Lizzie.

“Yes, yes it is,” She whispers back.

They both turn their attention back to the presumed exes. “-How did this even happen? I mean, we both made sure not to find each other on a dating app.”

“Well, we’re actually y’alls dates for tonight. You guys aren’t in a date together. It’s a complete coincidence.”

Mike scoffs, “Yeah right, let’s just get on with this.”

The waiter comes around and the dates both order extremely expensive drinks and meals while Joel and Lizzie order cheap food because they can’t really afford much more than that.

The food comes out and they eat in a tense silence.

Alaina set her fork down harshly on the table. “I’m going to freshen up.” She gets up from the table and walks off to the bathroom.

They continue to eat when Mike gets a text. “I’m sorry, I’ll be right back. I have to take this phone call.”

Joel and Lizzie end up all alone. No dates in sight.

They both chat amongst themselves for about ten minutes before they start to get suspicious that their dates have not came back.

The pair finished up their meal and their dates still aren’t back.

“Where did they go?” Lizzie asks as she shoves a bite of pasta into her mouth.

“I don’t know, wanna go look for ‘em?” He asks her, a mischievous smirk on his face.

“Heck yes!” She says excitedly as she slams her hands down on the table and steps out of the booth. They both chuckle at her enthusiasm for a moment before they both get up and start walking around.

They make their way around the restaurant, checking every booth and table. Eventually they make it over to the bar and see two figures sitting on stools, passionately making out.

“Ew.”

“Yeah.”

The lovebirds get up and the girl drags the guy off in a different direction. For a moment the two face Lizzie and Joel and they’re able to see that it’s Mike and Alaina.

“Damn.” Lizzie breathes.

“Yup. Well at least they’re happy. Wanna see where they go?” Joel asks her.

She shrugs, “Might as well, I got nothin’ to do tonight.”

They stealthily tiptoe behind their dates and sneak around like spies in a movie.

The couple goes into the family restroom and quickly shut the door and lock it. Lizzie’s eyes widen in horror as she realizes what’s happening.

“Nope.” Joel blurts out before holding his hands up in surrender and backing away. Lizzie follows suit with the same motion.

They make their way back to their table and sit down with horror plastered across their faces. “This stinks.” Lizzie says as she shoves her head in her hands. Why does this always happen to her?

The waiter comes back around with their checks. “Will this be together or separate?” He asks the two of them. Lizzie goes to speak up but her best friend interjects.

“Oh it’s going to be together, but only on the other’s checks. Let’s just say, our dates went off into the bathroom to have some ‘fun’.” He used quotation marks to emphasize the last word.

The waiter thinks for a second before his eyes widen in enlightenment. “I see, well, I hope the two of you have a good night. I’ll be right back.” He says as he winks at them and walks away. He comes back a few minutes later with two of their most expensive wine bottles in his hands. “Here is y’all’s wine bottles that you ordered. Have a nice night.” He pulls the necks out of his pocket and they realize that there is a bottle of wine on each of the check totaling to over $500 dollars.

The pair laugh in amazement before getting up and going to their car and driving off.

“What now?” Her best friend asks her.

“Wanna go back to my place and hang out at our spot?” She recommends

“Sounds awesome.” He smiles at her and drives back to her house

***

Jimmy sighs as he walks up to the front door and unlocks it. Work today was awful. He goes upstairs to his room to go to bed but he hears laughter coming from above him. He peers out his window to try and figure out what the heck is going on.

He looks up and sees his sister and her boyfriend best friend sitting on the roof drinking wine on a blanket and stargazing.

He softly chuckles at the two lovebirds and shuts his window to leave them be. Gods, why won’t they just date already?

Chapter Text

Joel is 26 and dating a girl he knew from high school.

Lizzie turned 26 today, and Joel is going to her birthday party.

-♡-

"This party is so boring." Olivia Joel's girlfriend complains, "why are we here again?"

"It's my friend's birthday party." Joel says, for the fifth time, "yesterday you said you wanted to come."

"Yeah yesterday." she says, "uggh, they arn't even serving anything fun to drink."

"Wouldn't you like a cup of punch?" Joel asks, trying to please her.

"No." Olivia says, "I want to go home." she says, crossing her arms.

"What?" Joel says, "Olivia, we can't, it's Lizzie's birthday party."

"So?" Olivia says, "There are other people. Now let's go."

"You can go, but I'm staying." Joel says, "It's not right to just leave."

"If you stay, we are done." Olivia growls.

Joel stands there stunned.

"Your joking." he says, "right?"

"Want to test me?" she says, "you have three seconds to chose."

"Three-I'm not a blummin child Liv." Joel says.

"Whatever." she says.

"You know what?" Joel says, "We are done." he says, "Get out of my sight."

She roles her eyes at him before walking away, presumably to the her car.

Joel knows she is gone, and he is glad.

-♡-

Lizzie is walking around the party, her blue dress fluttering in the warm early fall wind.

"Happy birthday Lizzie." Oli says from where he is sitting, playing his guitar.

"Thank you Oli." she responds, but her eyes are already scanning for one person.

Her eyes land on Joel, the green streak in the back of his hair alike the one in his bangs, easily recognizable.

She starts to make her way over to him, but Pearl walks up to him, dragging him to the dance floor.

"I'll see him later anyway." Lizzie says to herself, "I will."

-♡-

"Joel." Pearl says, "how have you been?" she asks him.

"Good." he responds.

"Great!" Pearl says, "lets talk." she says, pulling him to the dance floor.

"What?" he says, getting dragged.

Pearl stops in the middle of the dance floor. She putts a hand in Joel's and starts dance, "I usually don't play matchmaker." she says, "but Lizzie has had a crush on you since we were like sixteen. I see the way you two look at each other, and I think you should just suck it up and go ask her out."

The words him and Lizzie shared that night she got dumped when they were sixteen.

"I-I need to go." Joel says, "where is she?"

-♡-

Joel watches as the head of pink hair that will forever be etched into his mind, slips into the house.

Joel follows in after her.

Grian stops him by the door before he can go inside, “Hey Joel.” he says, “having fun?”

“Yeah.” Joel says, trying to get past his brother.

“Why where’s your girlfriend, Olive, no Olivia, right?” Grian asks, before taking a sip from his cup.

“She left.” Joel says.

“So did something happen.” Grian asks.

“We broke up.” Joel says.

“Sorry mate.” Grian says.

“It’s fine, I need to get to Lizzie.” Joel says.

“Why?” Grian asks, “you’ll see her eventually.”

“Move your blummin butt, or I will.” Joel says, glaring at his brother.

“Whoa.” Grian says, putting his hands up, “on that.”

Once Grian has moved out of the way Joel starts his search.

He starts in the kitchen where Lizzie’s and Jimmy’s parents are putting food on trays to bring out to the refreshment table.

“Have you seen Lizzie?’ Joel asks.

“I think she went into the living room, Joel.” Lizzie’s mum says.

“She said she was looking for someone, but she was speaking too fast for me to understand.” Lizzie’s dad adds.

Joel runs into the living room, only finding Etho, Bdubs, and Skizz.

Etho is sitting on the couch, a paper plate with snacks on the table next to him. His boyfriend Bdubs asleep, head in his lap.

Skizz is sitting in a reclining chair next to the table with the plate of snacks.

“Hey Joel.” Skizz says.

“Have you seen Lizzie?” Joel asks.

“Oh she was looking for you.” Etho says, “she went back outside.

-♡-

Lizzie scans the crowd outside for Joel, but she can’t find him.

She walks into the house, stopping by her parents first.

It’s just them.

“He’s not here.” Lizzie says to herself, running into the living room.

“Have any of you seen Joel?” Lizzie asks, Etho, Bdubs, and Skizz.

“No.” Etho and Skizz answer, Bdubs does not, the man being asleep on Etho.

“I’m going outside.” She says, before leaving the room through the sliding door.

She looks through the crowd, trying to find Joel.

After a minute or two they lock eyes.

They walk up to each other and speak at the same time.

“I love you so much, and I-

“-have for years .”

“-was too scared to say it.

They look at each other with wide eyes before Joel says ‘screw it.’

He leans forward and kisses Lizzie.

Their friends around them let out shocked noises followed by cheers as Lizzie wraps her arms around Joel’s neck kissing him back.

Chapter Text

Lizzie takes a deep breath as she looks ahead of her, family and friends looking towards her in anticipation as she stands in the doorway to the altar. Her dad squeezes her hand, signaling that it's finally time.

She and Joel had been dating for a little over a month before he proposed. They both couldn't wait much longer so the wedding was planned quickly.

"I'm ready." she whispers to her father, hooking her arm in his as they begin their walk down the aisle. She looks around at everyone standing up as she makes her entrance and she spots her best friend, Scott, standing at the altar waiting to officiate her wedding. He gives her a thumbs up as he smiles back at her, tears welling up in his eyes. She returns his smile with one of her own before looking towards her soon-to-be husband.

***

As Joel looks down the aisle he sees his future wife walking towards him, he can’t help but smile. He’s been dreaming of the day where he stood in front of his loved ones and married the person he loved since he was little.

When Lizzie steps up into the altar, Joel has to take a steadying breath to calm his nerves.

Lizzie notices his nervousness and grabs his hands. “You okay?” She whispers.

“I just can’t get over how beautiful you are.” He whispers back, squeezing her hands even tighter as he sees tears spring into the corners of her eyes. She quickly wipes them away and Scott begins the ceremony.

***

Lizzie honestly doesn’t remember most of the ceremony.

It was such a whirlwind that all she could remember was Joel’s and her vows.

“Now the couple will exchange their vows.” Scott announces to the guests.

Joel takes a deep breath and begins his speech.

“Lizzie, when I look into your eyes I see not only the woman I love, I see the woman that loves everyone. I see the woman who always brightens up a room and is the life of the party. I see my best friend, my partner in crime, and I see the love of my life. I give you this ring as a promise to always protect you, be there for you in sickness and in health, and to love you until the end of time. I love you so much Lizzie.”

As Joel finishes his vows, Lizzie looks around to find there is not a single dry eye in the building, including her own. Thank god her makeup artist used a lot of setting spray.

Lizzie then begins her own vows.

“Joel, while I may not have ever imagined we would be together, it is the most pleasant surprise of my life. I could not imagine another person I would choose to spend the rest of my life with. I could not have imagined that a single pact made twelve years ago would become me marrying my best friend. You make me the happiest person in the entire world. I give you this ring as a promise to stay by your side no matter the situation, to support you no matter what, and to love you all my life. I love you Joel.”

Scott sniffles before taking a deep breath and continuing, “I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Lizzie then grabs Joel and pulls him into a kiss as their family and friends cheer and applaud around them.

Lizzie pulls away and then smiles at her husband. “I love you.” She whispers.

“I love you too.” He tells her before pulling her into a kiss of his own.