Blue Moon Rising

Chapter 39: Young Atlas (I)

Barbara and her son finally talk, though it goes as well as one might expect. Later, Nomura begins questioning Atlas's loyalties, and whether her workmate's hints are perhaps more than a mere political ploy.

Notes:

Disclaimer: Don't own Trollhunters or any of its characters.

Back with a new chapter! Thank you Vici and Charlie for helping me with this chapter! You guys are awesome. Shoutout to brothebro for doing some awesome fanart of her changeling!jim and Atlas interacting. I should have Fallen Too Far done soon enough. Check out my instagram, tumblr, and twitter where I post my art for the show and for this fanfic. I go by tunafishprincess.

Link to fancomic:https://brothebro.tumblr.com/post/180143154045/for-sketch-thing-maybe-blue-moon-rising

Hope you like the chapter!

The microwave dinged.

Immediately, Barbara reached inside and pulled out the three mugs. The steam brushed against her skin, warming her rain-soaked body. Even though her fingers trembled, she pressed forward. After carefully balancing the drinks on a tray, she left the kitchen.

Her breathing picked up at the sight of him.

It was one o'clock in the morning and her son was sitting in her living room.

Don't panic, she reminded herself, just stay calm.

But how could she? The chill of her body battled the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Her son was here, in the flesh, no longer some phantom who'd haunted her dreams for more than six years. It was everything she wanted and more.

She couldn't resist scanning her son's body. Several contusions peppered his pale face. Most were red-blue or purple-black; one injury in particular, a long scratch across his cheek, pulled at her heartstrings. There were one or two older bruises, but the majority were new. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or horrified. Currently, she was leaning towards the later.

Jim paused at her reappearance, towel around his shoulders. They cleaned off the mud and grass on him, but she knew there would be quite a mess that morning. Better to focus on the now and not the later, however. Still, it was so strange. She glanced back down the hallway; little footprints led from the back porch to her couch, more evidence of his realness.

She placed the drinks in each boy's hands, lingering on her son's. They locked eyes.

Toby coughed. Jim broke away, his attention focused on the ground. Barbara's heart sank.

Had she done something wrong? As much as she wanted to gather him up in her arms like before, she resisted. Overwhelming him with love might drive him away again.

He picked up one of the spoons she'd set out earlier, twirling it with a contemplative look on his face.

Did he like the tea? What if he preferred coffee? God, she hadn't thought of that. What sorts of drinks did he like these days?

She took a sip of her own Earl Gray. A moment later, she remarked in what she hoped was a friendly tone, "So."

Her son jolted back slightly. His gaze rested on the drink in his hands.

"So," Jim repeated. He copied her movement, though his nose scrunched up when the tea met his lips. Barbara sucked in her lower lip as Jim placed it on an open coaster.

Must not be a tea fan, she realized. Strange, he had always loved making chamomile tea for them. People's tastes do change however.

Toby settled his own mug on top of some nearby books, jumping to his feet with a slight hop in his step. Stretching his arms as high as they could go, he yawned. "Wow, look at the time. I think I'll leave you guys alone for a bit. Nana's probably wondering where I am."