Ngl I'm terrible at it. Tell me if you loike chapters with names or  not plsss so I can decide whether to keep the names or not.
Do me a favour and read Forgotten Memories! It's about Douxie when he is turning five years old, and how Merlin takes him in. I appreciate votes! thanks so much. I love you reader!

   Jim was reluctant to wait until after Krel's house, but he closed his mouth and kept it that way as they walked. Thoughts, doubts, and objections were crowding his mind.

   Douxie caught his arm, making both of them stop. "You don't need to think about this all right now, Jim. It's not urgent, okay?"

   The younger boy nodded. "Alright," he muttered. Douxie raised his eyebrows, not believing him for a second. "You're shit at lying, y' know."

   "Yeah, I know."

   "Much thought and decision must come into accepting a role like this, Jim. And time, too." Archie said.

   "He's right." Douxie agreed.

   They approached Krel's house. The lawn was covered in the same fresh, bright green grass. Jim plopped down, obviously not caring about stains. Douxie joined him, and Claire came and sat with them. The others, laughing and talking loudly, went inside.

   "There's no need to overthink this when you have time to spend with your friends and time after to talk and think about it all afterward." Douxie said, placing his palms behind him on the grass and leaning back on his hands.

   Jim picked at the grass. "But why do we need to wait?"

   Something flickered on Douxie's face. Anger, or bitterness or some sort, but it was quickly replaced with an understanding look as he shifted on one arm to scratch Archie behind the ears. His eyes glimmered as he looked up at the sky for a moment.

   Inhaling sharply, he met Jim's eyes. "Whatever happens, it doesn't mean you'll turn into Arthur. Ever."

    Archie looked up at him. "Be careful, Douxie." 

   Douxie grinned. "I'm always careful. I've got a good feeling about this, Arch."

   "Well," Jim said. "I don't. First of all, who needs a king? What would I even do?"

   "I haven't thought that far yet. You couldn't be the king of... really, any preexisting country or kingdom. I suppose you'd just have a glorified leader-type role for a while. Leading your friends,"

   "I couldn't be worth more than than my friends are,"

   "No, you couldn't. Never. A leader isn't more than his followers, Jim."

   "That's not just a leader, Douxie. A king. How could I ever be like that?"

   "You already are king material, you just haven't accepted it,"

   Meeting his eyes, Jim stopped picking at the grass. Douxie continued, "why do you think Excalibur came out? Because it wouldn't if you couldn't be this kind of king. This kind of king... is someone who serves the others and protects them. Much like the classical role of Trollhunter, but also not. You redefined that role, though, changed expectations into more human ones. A leader who relies on kin as much as he lets them rely on him. Maybe that's why you were chosen. You aligned your own past role into something more honourable, showing kinglike material. With us, your friends, by your side, you are capable of almost anything, Jim."

   Jim gave him a small smile. "You really think so?"

   "We all do, Love." Claire said, pressing a kiss on his cheek. "You make a good leader."

   "Thanks," Jim saw something over her shoulder and they all heard a commotion. They turned to see Eli and Toby coming out of the front door with Krel and Steve behind them, and then Varvatos trailing along after them.

   Toby's arm stretched out and he snapped a picture of his friends on the grass. He smiled, and sat down next to Jim and Claire. "Darci and Mary are coming here in a few minutes."

   "You invited them?" Claire asked.

   "Yep. With my rizzful charm and swag, Shadowdancer,"

   "Mhm. Sounds about right," she reached up and ruffled his hair. He smacked her hand away.

   "Okay!" Toby said loudly. "Selfie!"

   Krel sat next to Douxie and Steve, Eli, and Varvatos leaned into the camera as Toby raised it. At the last second, as Toby's finger approached the button, Steve's elbow came out and smacked Eli, making his glasses fly off and his face blurry in the picture.

   "Ow!" Eli exclaimed. "What the heck, Steve!"

   "Sorry, man," Steve raked his fingers through his hair. "I need to fix the hair."

   There was the sound of an engine, and Claire's face lit up. In the car were Mary and Darci, waving at them.

   Darci parked the car on the side of the road and they both got out, saying "Hello, dorks-minus Claire!" Mary pulled Claire into a tight hug.

   "So," Darci squealed. "Jim, show us the sword!"

   Jim concentrated, and Excalibur vaporised in his hand. The girls let out oohs.

   "Ooh is right.  I got an idea!" Toby grinned. "Let's all walk into town together for ice cream!"

   Everyone let out clamorous shouts of agreement, and soon they were headed up West street toward the ice cream shop, arguing about directions and laughing together. They talked about school finals and math contests that were the week after. 

                                  Two weeks ago

   Ted adjusted his headpiece and crouched lower, his head next to the edge of the seat ledge, listening carefully. 

   The car was parked down the road from an old funeral home.

   He pressed the headpiece harder onto his ear, hearing male voices have a delicate discussion.

   Not exactly delicate, but seeming like it was balanced specifically to not instigate an argument between the two men. Two men, one obviously younger, grating against each other.

   "I want you there in ten days, and I want you to come right back with Excalibur."

   "Are you sure about this? What if it doesn't even exist. What then?"

   "Stop playing dumb, son. You're smarter than this. Get the job done, T."

   "... Don't call me son. I'll get it done."

   "Good, I'll see you when it's done."

   Ted pulled the headgear off, getting up and opening the car door quietly. He slipped out and pushed the small car down the road. When he was out of sound range of the funeral home, he turned on the engine and drove at a normal speed. He planned to leave California in the next few weeks.

   "Bye, guys!" Claire said, walking into her house and giving them another wave before she closed the door.

    "Bye, Claire!" Jim answered, before turning away and walking back down the road, Douxie and Archie following. Jim had earlier insisted that Douxie sleep over at his house instead of going back to the castle, promising to make him food at his house, and Douxie had given in immediately at the thought of more food made by him.

   Jim shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, looking at the ground. 

    "What is it?" he heard Douxie ask, coming closer. Jim looked up at him.

   "Why... Why did you look upset at Krel's house?" Jim knew it was brief, but it kept nagging at his mind. "Is something wrong?"

   Douxie's eyes widened slightly, meeting his eyes. "Oh. You noticed," he sighed. His jaw clenched tightly. "I was just... reminded of hard memories, ya know? I knew a few people that died before they had real chances at life. It's stupid, I know, and random-"

   "That's not stupid," Jim interupted him. "It's not." 

   Douxie smiled. "I miss them a lot. I could have- " he took a deep breath, silently scolding himself. "Never mind that."

   "I think they would be proud of you,"

   Looking up, Douxie gave him a half-smile. "Thanks."  

   "Are you alright?" Jim asked. The sky was turning a deep blue as the sun finished setting, pulling the light down with it. 

   "Eh. Fine,"

   Jim didn't push it. "We're here," he said, and they quietly walked inside. The lights were all off, so they switched on the kitchen light. Jim sighed, hands on the counter. "We can't make a lot of noise. Mom's sleeping upstairs, she got home a while ago from a twelve hour shift," he whispered, "I'll heat up some leftovers."

   Sitting on the kitchen stool, Douxie leaned his elbow on the table, stroking Archie who was sitting on his knees and licking his paw. Jim smiled, pulling containers out of the freezer and taking the lids off. 

   Twenty minutes later, they ate in near silence, quickly devouring the food. After, they went upstairs. Jim gave Douxie a fresh pair of pajamas and an unused toothbrush. 

   As Douxie brushed his teeth in the bathroom, Jim sat on his bed and looked at his homework. He ran a hand down his face. "I'll do it tomorrow," he muttered, too tired to even consider doing it. He might as well just go to sleep early. 

   He lay down and stared at the ceiling, listening to the water running from down the hallway.

   "G'night, Jim," Douxie said, poking his head inside Jim's room with a wave. 

   Jim raised his head, eyelids heavy. "Good night, Doux. Sleep well..." Douxie smiled, leaving, and closed the door behind him. He went to spare bedroom and lay down.

   It was  long time before either of them fell asleep.