Song of the Vikings - Draal x OC

8. Bittersweet Sixteen

"Wake up. Wake up!"

Jim shot up from his bed in panic from the loud voice right by his ear. Whipping his head to the side, he was greeted with his mom smiling widely holding a plate of pancakes and a snickering Kit by the door with a camera in hand.

"Don't want to sleep through your big day!" Barbara continued, handing the plate over to Jim.

The pancakes were slightly burnt and had a crudely drawn smiley face in syrup - though apparently when it was brought upstairs, the syrup started to drip and make the pancakes look like they were crying. He looked up at his mom with an unsure smile.

"Big day?" he asked.

"The big day you start with Mom's special birthday pancakes!"

Jim looked past his mom at his cousin who was trying - and failing - to muffle their giggles. "He looks like he's screaming," Jim stated.

"He's excited," Barbara smiled, before sighing. "I know, I know. You always hate your birthday." She stood up and moved to sit on Jim's bed. "But you're sixteen! This is a big one."

Kit closed the camera before turning to Jim with a small smile. "We could do something tonight?"

Jim sighed before looking between them both. "Kit, you know I don't want to-"

"This isn't up for discussion. No one should be alone on their birthday," Barbara interrupted, opening the window. Jim rolled his eyes before Barbara turned to leave. "When you've had your fill, I have another surprise for you."

Jim sighed before turning back to the pancakes. Kit came over and ruffled his hair.

"Happy birthday, Jimmy." Jim smiled up at them before glancing at the camera.

"You're keeping that as blackmail footage, aren't you?"

"Indeed I am, sweet birthday boy."

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Downstairs, Kit was cooking some eggs while Barbara tried some of her own pancakes. She took a bite and swallowed before gagging slightly at the taste. 

"Ew," she muttered. 

Kit chuckled. "I'm making extra eggs if you want any."

"Yes please. Oh! Wait!" Barbara's attention was pulled from the kitchen as Jim reached the main floor. She bounced up and skidded over to Jim, holding out her hand. "Wait right there - let me get your present ready in the garage!"

Jim's eyes widened. "The garage?" His mind floats to the image of the Vespa he's always wanted as he started towards his mom, magazine in hand.

"I know you've wanted this for a while, and now that you're the big one-six, maybe it's time," Barbara stated, a roaring of machinery following. "I think you'll get a lot of mileage out of it!"

"Did you seriously get me a-" Jim's words cut off as he pushed open the garage door and his face sank. Barbara turned around holding a blender in her hand with a sweet smile.

"The Food Magic 3000!" she stated with a flourish, dropping the lid in the process. "From those cooking shows you like! It slices, it dices..." Barbara's voice peters out and the look on Jim's face sinks in. 

"And you hate it," she finished with a half-hearted smile.

Jim threw up his hands in a placating manner. "No! No, Mom, it's great!" he pleaded, trying to hide the magazine under his arm, but she had already seen it.

"Oh, no, you were expecting a..." Barbara trailed off, bringing her hand up to rub her face, "with the garage and the mileage-"

"It's fine!" Jim interjected, gently taking the machine from his mother. "I also wanted one of these."