I'm back with an update for Awaken! My Trollhunter! Strickler fic, that's set post RoTT.
Summary: After being removed from taking part in Trollhunting business by Strickler after Jim’s close encounter with goblins, Jim decides to take matters into his own hands and steal a piece of Killahead bridge with Toby— to prove to Strickler he’s more than capable of standing on his own two feet.
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Hi there! Is there any personal or favorite random headcannon Jim and Stricklander?
I answered that one as a part of a different ask, but will copy it here for convenience.
So, as for Jim and Strickler:
Walter approached him first, even though it was strictly professional. Jim wasn’t the only student who was coming for advice, but he certainly ended as his favorite one;
Strickler would have gotten rid of any other student if they had been the Trollhunter instead. Jim was lucky to grow close enough to him before everything started;
Jim saw a father figure in Strickler way before he found the amulet. That’s why Strickler’s betrayal was so heart-crushing to Jim;
Jim refused to suspect Strickler of being a changeling because that would be no different from suspecting Toby or Barbara;
nevertheless, Jim was willing to forgive Strickler and greet him as a part of his family;
Strickler is the one who gives Jim advice about the romance.
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In which Strickler, whilst helping Jim through the beginnings of a plan against the notorious Gunmar, notices that the boy is an absolute wreck.
So much of my Strickler banks of the fact that he still holds feelings for Barbara. And that he still has the urge of a paternal calling for Jim. That he regrets and loves, and still clutches fast to the hope that his strange but wonderful family can happen.
Strickler: who still very much cares about Jim and his mother and what they could have been.
It all starts after a particularly brutal training session, in which Strickler had to hold back from throttling the boy who’s anger and absolute build up frustration had been taken out in the form of a few good whacks to Stricklers body. And his pride. And so, on their way back from the weekend abandoned Arcadia Oaks gymnasium, he pulls the car over on the road, turns off the engine, and says: “therapy.”
“I’m sorry-?”
“I know a changeling in town who works as a therapist. He’s excellent. And he owes me a favor.” His fingers drum the wheel. “I think you should consider it.” He tastes his own words and then tries again. “If we are to continue; myself and Nomura and you: you’ll need therapy, James. Someone to talk to.”
“I’m fine.”
“Fine is a poor mans term for absolutely bungled. You’re going to therapy.” He turns the car on again. “If you want my help you’re going. I’ll call him. Today.”
“I’m not going to a changeling for therapy.”
“He’s good. He’ll understand you when you speak of trolls and the suppernatural. It’s better than a human could do.”
“He might kill me.”
“He’s only killed two people and that was in the 1970s.”
“That makes it so much better.” Jim swallows. His hands shake, and he shoves them into his pockets.
“I’ll pick you up and drop you off personally.” Strickler squeezes Jim’s shoulder. “It’s alright to require assistance, young Atlas. From myself to conquer the dark forces of Arcadia, and from a professional. To help you conquer the dark forces of the all too assaulted mind of a Mr. James Lake Jr.”
Jim huffs and turns away but doesn’t say anything. His fists curl up in his pockets.
Strickler reaches over to ruffle Jim’s hair, chuff fondly at the face Jim pulled at that, and drove on.
And that’s how, every Wednesday at 3:30 after school, Jim wound up in Stricklers car being driven to therapy.
Chapter 5: Strickler and Jim has a talk, Strickler having started to worry about the young teenager.
Summary; Barbara often thinks back to the last day she saw her college friend Walter. About how they went to a party together… and what happened after, something she still is not sure was real. But she is not prepared when she sees him again at the parent/teacher conference all these years later.
Jim’s flinched as once again the thunder of the canons rang out from the school speakers in history class. Why on all days would Mr. Strickler chose this one to go though advancements in warfare in from the French revolution to today? It didn’t even really follow from last weeks lesson.
His head was thumping and aching like it had never done before. Fair enough his mom’s cooking tended to be bad... even awful... but how on earth did she manage to screw up jello? And to this degree?
It was sort of impressive in its own right. They had tasted perfectly fine... which was what made him continue to eat them. All the sudden he was feeling weird, light headed and... relaxed. Like... nothing really mattered.
Jim could not remember how long it had been since he had felt so relaxed. With everything that had been going on at home... with school... not to mention...
He cast a glance down at his bag where he could see a faint shimmer.
He remember wanting to feel even better he just continued eating them. All the sudden he felt sick and rushed for the toilet. Or... that was what he seemed to remember... after everything was a blur... or perhaps a dream. His mom came home and... Mr. Strickler? That was rather confusing. He had meant about asking his mom about it, but she had a very early shift at the clinic and wasn’t there when he woke up. But there was a note on the table which said that he could stay home if he wasn’t feeling well... which was rather odd...
However when the sound of a loud air horn rang out the youth’s thoughts were rather painfully disrupted.
Mr. Strickler then mercifully shut off the video and switched on the lights... which was... less merciful...
“Alright... class dismissed, and keep in mind the assignment I handed out last week is due next Wednesday. Now you cannot say that I have not given you a notice,” he said as he waved his hand, classroom filling with sounds about students packing their things and moving out from the room... Strickler already knowing that he would get several complains about him not reminding them about the assignment.
Sometimes human stupidity could really astonish the changeling. Even in all the years he had dealt with them... he thought he would no way he was able to surprise him... they somehow managed to. It was enough to give him a headache.
Slowly he turned to see Jim lagging behind, rubbing his head.
“Mr. Lake, how about you come with me to my office,” he sad as he started to wander out. Jim simply sigh but followed him down the hall to his office where he pulled out a plastic cup filling it with some water, and handed him some painkillers.
“I am impressed you would even show up to school tonight after the night you had...” he said as he offered the teenager a seat. Jim furrowed his brows in confusion, before the realization hit him.
“You were there last night!” he exclaimed.
“Ah, I wondered if you would remember, but yes indeed I was there. Me and your mother... we were catching up on the old college days, only to come back to find someone having eaten all the jello-shots,” Strickler said as he sat himself in his chair.
“Jello-shots?” the teen question.
“Jello, but with vodka instead of water. A very... deceptive concoction,” Strickler made a slight wave of his hand. “Take your medicine, young Atlas, you will feel better.”
Jim did, the water honestly doing him a world of good on its own, Strickler filling it up for him right away, encouraging him to keep drinking.
“Seems like you are a bit hung over... you really did not realize?” he had to ask.
“I just thought it was mom’s attempt to make something and it went horribly wrong somewhere,” Jim admitted, rubbing his head.
“It was jello... why would you believe you would get this sick from jello?” the changeling had to ask.
“Mr. Strickler... when you knew my mom in college... did you ever try any of her cooking?” Jim slumped back in his chair.
“Cannot say that I did, no,” Strickler furrowed his brows slightly.
“Well... if you ever did... you wouldn’t be that surprised that she could screw up jello... which she technically did by putting vodka in it...” Jim grumbled as he looked towards the clock. “Oh no... I have PE...”
“Stay here, I will inform coach Laurence about you feeling a bit under the weather,” the history teacher informed the student.
“So... now you are helping me skip class?” Jim asked with a raised brow.
“Well... I do feel at least partially responsible for your state this morning... it is the least I could do,” the teacher informed him.
“Wait... since you know about... was that the reason for that... particular lesson?” Jim asked with a slight accusation towards the older man.
“Well... I thought there needed to be some kind of consequence. Those jello-shots were made for me after all,” he chuckled softly towards him. Jim rolled his eyes, even if he was very grateful to not have to do any form of exercise. He was certain that his breakfast would make an reappearance if he had to move any faster than a brisk walk.
“I am not really certain if I should thank you or not...” he murmured slightly.
“Hm... well, I suppose that is fair,” Strickler let out a soft chuckle.
“So... how long have you known my mother?” Jim asked curiously. It was still a great surprise to him to that his teacher and his mom knew each other. He had never met someone from his mother’s past before moving to Arcadia.
“Well... we simply met in college. I however had to return to England within the first semester of us being at the same college. I left rather abruptly, not having the time to say goodbye,” Strickler explained.
“So... wasn’t phones invented when you were in college?” Jim asked, causing his teacher to raise an brow at him.
“Either you have no clue when the phone was invented or believe me to be centuries old. As your history teacher I am not what would be more offensive,” Strickler rolled his eyes... not mentioning to the boy that he was in fact hundreds of years old. “Though... I did not know her last name, so finding her phone number... which I did not have... would be near impossible. Unlike you and your peers, we did not carry means of communication everywhere we went, and even access to such information was not as easy as typing words into a search engine.”
Jim shrugged his shoulders slightly.
“So... you and my mom did not date... did you?” the mere thought seemed to weird out the teenager.
“No... we did not get that far,” Strickler muttered.
“Good...” Jim said as he let out a sigh. The fact that his mom had dated his history teacher was not something that the teenager needed in his life. Not like it was not complicated enough. The changeling let out a soft laugh, however he noted how exhausted the teenager was. Sure... most of it could be blamed on the teenager being hung over, but... there had been several days now that he had seen the young man having been distracted in class... falling asleep more than once.
While mostly it was a sign of someone staying up to late playing games or being out... Strickler had a feeling this was not the case here. He had already nicknamed the teenager young Atlas... not without reason.
It seemed like he really had the whole world on his shoulders. A burden which was more than any adult could handle, and though Strickler suspected that the teenager would show quite the bit of ire upon hearing this... Jim was still just a child.
“Is something bothering you, young Atlas?” now the teacher’s voice had become more serious, rather than the jovial one not long ago.
“No... I am fine... just a bit hung over apparently...” the teen murmured.
“It was not what I was referring too. You have seemed rather distracted... far more than usual in fact. I hope you are not taking on too much,” he spoke softly. “Taking a break is fine.”
“But what if you can’t?” Jim asked.
“Is this about your mother? I am certain that she will be able to manage herself she is a grown woman after all,” Strickler leaned forward, putting his elbows on his desk. Jim shook his head.
“No... it isn’t her. She is a bit busy at the hospital, but she has been trying to cut down her hours... it can still be busy, but...” Jim hesitated.
“That is something you are used to now isn’t it?” Strickler paused as Jim nodded his head.
“So... there is something new that is weighing down on your shoulders? You know you can always speak to me,” Strickler attempted to assure the youth. Again he could see hesitation in those blue eyes. In truth Strickler had trouble imagining what it could be. Jim was a good boy... far better than most adults, and used to handle a lot of pressure. Of course everyone had a breaking point, but Jim seemed rather happy for the most part with his busy life. He wasn’t the most popular, but he had close friends and seemed to be doing alright. His grades were decent and he did not get into trouble.
But it was clear that it was something going on.
“Um... it is just... something has happened recently...” Jim started. Strickler remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
“I just... I cannot really tell you... it just...” Jim continued slightly. “I just feel... a bit overwhelmed lately...”
Strickler let out a sigh, before he nodded.
“Just know this young Atlas... at times... we need to be selfish. You need too look after yourself, because if you do not, you are not good to anyone,” Strickler attempted to give him some advice. “Even if others may not like it, you at times need to make the choice that is best for you.”
Jim thought for a while before he nodded, giving the older man a slight smile.
“Thank you Mr. Strickler.”
“No worries. Now just head home, I will make a note that you were sick after my class, so you do not need to worry. Go home and get some sleep,” Strickler said as he stood up from his chair. “Are you certain you can get home safe? I could drive you.”
Jim shook his head.
“I am alright... I made it to school after all, the way home should be no problem,” he assured his teacher as he stood up. Strickler nodded his head.
“As you wish young Atlas, take care of yourself now, and I will see you tomorrow,” he said as he stood up, opening the door for his student.
“Tomorrow Mr. Strickler...” Jim smiled as he walked out the door and towards home.
