Summary: A Father's Day Special. Jim has always despised celebrating Father's Day as his own was no father. However, there was one father figure he couldn't help but think about.
Rating: K
Characters: Jim, Blinky
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Clear skies had greeted Arcadia, the sun let its rays light upon the small town and brightened it with a warm touch. The birds chirped as a soft breeze cascaded through the leaves as if the day was perfect for certain occasions.
People woke with smiles, some still slept beneath the covers, their peaceful sleep never interrupted.
However, there was one who cracked their eyes open, instantly shutting them, fearing to go through the day. The Trollhunter despised leaving his bed, his head turning as he planted his face in the fathered pillow. The harsh sun rays broke into his room, a mournful groan left his mouth, and his hand reached from the covers, gripping the side of his curtain and doing his best to close them, which to his demise, was sloppily done.
He looked toward the window, a strong heavy glare on his face as if he was cursing at the light before pulling the covers over his head and facing the wall. It was the weekend so he had no need to pull himself from bed anyways.
Jim growled, knowing he was not leaving the comfort of his bed. His anger was resting in the back of his throat, threatening to let out a loud frustrated yell. If there had been any Trollhunting activities, the enemies would barely stand a chance.
He let his limbs spread out against the softness of his bed, his anger bubbling as he could barely get comfortable.
Stupid sun, stupid day. Let me hide in my dark room all day. Jim thought, never relaxing his face. A soft knock echoed through his room, causing another groan to scrape against his throat. The bitterness rested on his tongue, ready to push away whoever stood on the other side of the door, perhaps if he didn't respond, they would think he was fast asleep and leave him alone.
Only if he had such luck.
His thoughts were no longer in the process as another knock was heard.
"Jim, honey, I tried making more breakfast before I go to work," Barbara called out as she peeled open the door. Screw the thought of hiding.
"I'm fine mom, I'm not that hungry right now." He said, still hiding beneath the covers, only the top of his messy hair stuck out.
"I know you aren't a fan of today but, you should at least get up." Jim kept his glare, eyes darting over the wall as he held his mouth in a tight line as he didn't turn to face her. It was the wrong way to word it, he loathed today and she knew why.
It was Father's Day, and it wasn't hard to figure out why he despised such a day that was supposed to be filled with love and happiness.
Why celebrate a man that kisses his own-
"Jim." His mother sighed, cutting his thoughts off. Knowing that his mother demanded his attention, the boy peeked out one blue eye from his covers, turned in his bed, and made quick eye contact with his mother.
When he noticed her look, filled with a strong demeanor, he let out a defeated sigh. She was standing, working on a day that reminded her of the pain she endured. Jim swallowed the lump in his throat and sighed.
"Okay," He said in defeat. "I'll be down in a bit." His face pressed back into his pillow. Barbara couldn't help but chuckle before she stepped over, a smile replacing her stoic look, her hand found his untidy locks, dragging her fingers through the tangled strands of hair.
"Why not hang with Toby today? He doesn't celebrate Father's Day. Do what you always have done."
"Can't." Jim flopped over, now laying on his back and sighing up into the ceiling. "He has something to do with his Nana."
"What about Claire? You two seem to be getting pretty close." Barbara teased as Jim's face burned.
"She still has her father, Mom." Saying no more, Barbara kissed her son's temple before standing up.
"Well, do whatever you want, but nothing illegal again." She added and stepped out of his room. Jim made no eye contact with the door but once he heard it slam, he groaned and threw the blanket over his head once more, the cloth draping over and tracing his figure.
-
"Blinkous! Where are the fleshbags?!" Vendel called out as he caught up to the minuscule troll.
"Ah, I was afraid you were going to conjure up some question about their whereabouts. They are celebrating today with their fathers. I heard it is an ancient tradition where they devote part of their day to celebrate their male parent." Blinky had been walking through Trollmarket for the day, at a loss of what to do. He knew that Tobias and Master Jim had not cared for such a holiday but he assumed they were just as busy or spending the day with one another.
And while he missed the human children, he knew they needed the day at least for a break.
"They are in need of training," Vendel said simply.
"I know that. Sadly, they are going to miss today's training. I have already discussed the situation with them." The leader Troll let out a growl.
"Well, that is disappointing." Vendel simply added, crossing his arms behind his back and stepping away from the smaller troll, letting him resume what he had been doing. Which, unfortunately for Blinky, was nothing.
His body slumped as Vendel grew out of sight. Currently, Blinky needed the time alone, bored, but his mind couldn't stop working, causing him to excuse himself from Aaarrrgghh and try to find something to preoccupy himself with.
As Tobias explained, Father's Day was to celebrate their father figures, and he knew very well that his Trollhunter lacked a father and knew that it was a sour topic for the boy. Blinky had grown close to the human children, which for a troll was something that rarely happened.
However, his mind continued to think of what Master Jim had been suffering through today. He didn't want him to have a bad day and he knew he couldn't avoid such a feeling, he just wished he could see the boy, perhaps lighten the day. It was a good idea that Blinky had canceled training, knowing how the Trollhunter would be feeling today. Yet, he wish he hadn't as visiting Master Jim was becoming very appealing.
After all, he was growing fond of the kid. That boy somehow caused those around him to instantly take a liking to him. Well, some had loathed him. Blinky had heard of the occasional issues at school with a man named Steve but as his trainer had mentioned, this Steve was merely jealous.
Yet, there was more than just a liking when Blinky thought of his relationship with the human. In fact, Blinky had grown rather protective of him, he hated when Jim was hurt or even taken. If anyone dared to pry the boy from him, Blinky would go to the ends of the Earth to make sure it never happened.
He would do anything for Jim, even die for him. If anything, after being told of James Lake Sr. a man who had left Master Jim and hurt the poor boy, Blinky had grown mad and had the constant thought of finding the heartless man and grabbing him by the ear before letting out a pool of curse words. Yet, he couldn't for countless amount of reasons. The main one was being a troll.
The boy, who was part of a species that hated Trolls, meant everything to Blinky. If he could, or if he was allowed to accept such a mantle, he would gladly say that Master Jim was more than some Trollhunter or master.
He was a son. Jim had no clue that he indeed had a father, even if they weren't related, not even close, but when Blinky had been around him, he would bite his tongue before saying the three-letter word that Jim was never called by a man.
All those times he would think: That's my son!
Or the occasional: Leave him alone! That's my son!
The word son was always used in Blinkous's thoughts. Jim didn't know it but to be honest, Blinky was scared - yes scared - he was frightened that he would receive a rejection and that he wasn't like a father to Jim. And even scared of letting the word slip from his mouth without his consent.
He liked the thought of secretly adopting Jim, so ruining it was not a plan. As if his thoughts had summoned the one he wished to see, the familiar voice of his Trollhunter had ripped him from his thoughts.
"Blinky?"
Jim.
The Troll let a smile creep on his face, trying to act nonchalant as if he wasn't wishing for the boy.
"Ah, Master Jim!" Blinky said excitedly. "How are you on this fine day and why am I seeing you down here? You have a break today."
Jim looked down at his feet. "Everyone was busy today. Since I have nothing to do, I decided to come visit you. And my mom told me to get out of bed," He mumbled. Blinky smiled and rested one of his hands on Jim's shoulder and another one wrapped around his arm.
"I'm glad you thought of me as a last resort." He joked before noticing Jim's perplexed expression. "I know this day must be bitter for you, but you seem like you have something on your mind."
"Blinky... I have something to ask you." Blinky grew curious. He wasn't expecting shy behavior, but there had been no anger.
"Ask away my boy," Blinky said.
"W-will you c-celebrate".. Jim cleared his throat, "Will you celebrate F-father's day with me?" He looked up at the many eyes that grew wide at the question.
"Odd question," Blinky said simply, he felt the boy tense under him. Blinky remained calm, even though his insides flipped. Playing it cool was the best option. "Isn't this day meant for Fathers? I know you are currently lacking one."
"I-I know." The boy kept his contact on Blinky. "That's why I asked you," he added. This time Blinky went rigged.
"M-master Jim," Blinky said breathlessly. "You're giving me the honor t-to-"
Jim took in a shaky breath. "Blinky, Strickler was right. I look to you as a father, more than I would ever look at my own. Ever since you gave me that Vespa for my birthday, and actually kept your promise that you would build it with me..it made me happy, like... like you cared. All this time, I felt comfortable and happy. I laid in bed today, thinking about you. You're more than my trainer, you're someone who believed in me, cared for me, and helped me. You're the dad I wanted for the longest time. That's why I asked, hoping you would spend the day with me because now you have a reason to celebrate it."
Blinky stayed silent, shocked at the speech. However, Jim took it as a negative answer, sighing lightly.
"I-it's okay if you don't want to, you probably d-don't think of me as a son to you. T-thanks for listening tho-" His words caught in his throat as he felt four stone arms wrap around him gently, the troll holding him close, Jim froze in shock, feeling the troll let his emotions run wild.
"I'm honored, Master Jim." The troll pulled back. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear those words from you. In fact, I had always called you my son in secret." Blinky kept two arms around the boy, pressing him into his side.
"Really? You really mean that?" Jim couldn't stop smiling as his heart thumped wildly.
"Of course, I would love to spend the day with you. I have a day already planned out, and that is you showing me the customs of this holiday." Jim let out a laugh and smiled up at his father figure as the troll wrapped his arm around the boy.
"That's okay, Blink. Maybe I'll take you places once the sun goes down." Blinky led Jim around TrollMarket with an equally large smile that spread his lips.
"I have always thought of calling you son, mind if I do it?" The troll asked.
"Of course Blink. As long as I can call you my dad." Blinky shared a laugh before rubbing his hand in Jim's hair, causing the sixteen-year-old to let out another laugh before playfully pushing his hand away.
"Of course, son," Blinky said. The word felt comfortable to speak.
"Thanks for being my dad," Jim mumbled. "If I knew you were so happy to be such a big part of my life, I would have gotten you something. We usually get our fathers gifts, but you know, there was no preparation."
"Don't worry about it my boy. I already have a great gift for my first Father's Day." Jim looked at him in confusion. "You." Jim's face twisted from confusion to a large grin once again before his small arms wrapped around the Troll again. Blinky couldn't help but share the hug with his son, and he cared less about how long they stood like that - even the weird looks he received from the other Trolls.
This was something that Jim could never forget.