Chapter 14: Re-Birthday

[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 9: Bittersweet Sixteen from Trollhunters]

Jim sat up in bed, feeling like he was being watched. It was a strange feeling and he was still groggy from sleep, but he found himself reaching for Merlin's amulet almost by instinct before stopping himself. He blinked a couple of times, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he glanced towards his window curiously. However, he didn't have much time to wonder about the strange feeling before his door swung open and he saw his mom walking in carrying a tray in her hands.

"Wake up, wake up!" She cheered, smiling broadly. "Don't want to sleep through your big day."

"Big day?" Jim raised an eyebrow, feeling lost until it dawned on him that he completely forgot about his birthday. He had been so busy with everything else it just slipped his mind. However, as he thought back, he remembered just how hectic the entire day ended up being and he also now remembered the Stalkling issue, explaining the weird feeling.

"The big day you start with," Barbara sat down at the side of Jim's bed, hoisting the tray up. "Mom's special birthday pancakes!"

As she passed him his birthday pancakes, Jim had to stifle his laugh as the rather sloppily-made pancakes wore a gruesome expression in syrup. It was rather comical, but Jim actually felt rather relaxed as he sat up in bed. While he was never really one for birthdays, ever since he became the Trollhunter, they hadn't been so bad. There were still sad memories, but they were overshadowed by all the good times he shared with the people close to him, and the care his mother showed for him.

"I know. I know. You always hate your birthday." Barbara sighed, moving to stand up but Jim quickly caught her hand and held her in place.

"Thanks mom. I appreciate it." Jim smiled, looking up at his mom as she looked a little surprised. "I love you. Thanks for being here for me."

"Where's this coming from?" Barbara laughed but Jim could see her eyes grow wet before she wiped away the tears. "Well, kiddo, thank you for being in my life. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jim smiled as he looked down at the pancakes again. "You should probably work on the birthday pancakes though. It looks like he's screaming at me."

"Hey, he's excited. You should be too." Barbara rolled her eyes but was still smiling. "We should do something tonight. Celebrate! It's not every day a young man turns 16."

"A do-over doesn't sound bad." Jim mumbled to himself, remembering how crazy his last 16th birthday was.

"What was that?"

"A get together doesn't sound bad!" Jim corrected himself, quickly getting out of bed. "It could be fun."

"That's the spirit. Now come on downstairs, I've got another surprise for you there."

The rest of Jim's 16th birthday went about how he remembered it. He was decently surprised by Toby setting up a party in the Hero's Forge with Blinky and AAARRRGGHH and did enjoy himself some. Vendel was still prickly, but wasn't the worst since Blinky gave him news of NotEnrique. The elder troll promised to be patient, but it was clear he still had apprehensions.

Toby still gave Jim his birthday gift with the vespa test drive, but Jim insisted he come with, the two of them enjoying a short cruise. At least, they enjoyed it the best they could before Steve came and started griefing them. Though he quickly crashed when the Stalkling came after them. Though with Toby taking the wheel, Jim was able to quickly dispatch of the creature, leaving its rocky remains in a pile on the side of the road as Toby cheered at their epic high-speed battle. It was a nice change in pace from being the ones being hunted. Plus, no damage to the vespa.

Jim then went to the rehearsals for the play, getting to spend a bit more time with Claire as things were progressing. She was happy to see him and Mrs. Janeth was ecstatic they were doing so well with their lines. It was a relief considering how rough everything had gone the first time.

At the end of the day, it all capped off with Blinky's gift to him. Once again, the six-eyed troll had gathered parts from who-knew-where to assemble a 1955 vespa alongside Jim. Despite not getting the chance to spend the evening with his mom, he was still happy he had so many people that cared about him. It reignited his desire to keep them all safe.

As Toby and AAARRRGGHH laughed and played around in the Forge, Jim sat next to Blinky, idly looking over the vespa parts as he both remembered and anticipated building it once more.

"It seems you are enjoying your birthing day gift, Master Jim?" Blinky observed.

"I am. Thanks again, Blinky." Jim smiled brightly at the troll.

"You're most welcome. When young Tobias informed me of your distaste for birthing day celebrations, I thought it only right to do our best to change your outlook on these festivities."

"Tobes told you what?" Jim tilted his head.

"Ah, well, Master Tobias mentioned your father, and his lack of presence in your life. Which I had indeed been wondering about myself as parental responsibilities are quite important amongst trollkind." Blinky explained, gesturing with his four hands.

Jim had a feeling Toby had mentioned his dad to Blinky at some point. He wasn't upset, it was pretty easy to learn information, he figured his closest friends would find out sooner or later. It still hurt, remembering how his dad walked out on him and his mom, but he knew there were plenty of people who cared about him.

"I apologize if I perhaps dug too deeply, Master Jim." Blinky cleared his throat, taping his fingers in response to Jim's silence. "But I want you to know, you are an amazing young man. Truly, a one-of-a-kind individual of courage and valor. I am proud to call your friend, and honored to be your trainer."

Smiling, Jim put a hand on Blinky's shoulder before leaning in and giving him another hug.

"Thanks. I'm glad you're here too, Blinky."