Why is Jim Such a Bitch in TobyVision
I’ll start by saying that Jim does not hate Toby in this AU. At all. In fact it’s quite the opposite.
I always found Barbara’s parenting ridiculous because Jim was being more of a parent to her than the other way around. Jim feels this need to protect her and do things for her out of fear that if she were to do these things herself she wouldn’t need him anymore and would leave him. ABANDONMENT ISSUES!!
It’s the same thing with Toby. When Jim meets Toby, the latter is in the midst of his “omg guys we’re gonna dieeeee a fire is gonna happen I had a dream where Mary broke her tibia ITS AWFUL” and you know, everyone thought he was a spaz. Jim isn’t judgmental or anything and he never called Toby out to say “oh you’re being ridiculous.” However, Jim had this idea of Toby in his head where he was just… weaker. Emotionally weak for sure. Physically weak? Likely. And because of this Jim feels the need to be protective and do things for Toby as well.
“Oh Tobes don’t worry I’ll make your lunch.”
“Tobes don’t go to the store alone let me go with you.”
“Tobes let me cut the paper you could get hurt”
IM NOT EXAGGERATING!!
Toby did find Jim to be a bit overbearing but he didn’t say anything about it because 1) he had his own shit to deal with because of the wiggle shapes and the Trilafon and 2) he knows deep down that Jim’s parental relations had an impact on him even if Jim’s too stubborn to admit it, and Toby wouldn’t want to hurt Jim’s feelings.
Now when Toby stated talking about seeing the future when it comes to trollhunting, like Strickler being a changeling or Angor Rot attacking them or whatever, Jim’s mind is just like “oh great this shit again I thought he stopped doing this when we were 12.” He already views Toby as inferior, even if not in a bad way. He doesn’t want to feed Toby’s delusions for fear of Toby doing something stupid and putting himself in danger. He figures that Toby would drop it eventually.
Jim also has this tendency, as we know, to put all burdens on himself. Jim would rather pursue his trollhunting duties alone than take Toby’s advice because Jim believes he’s competent enough to do it on his own.
Deep down, most of all, (this is specifically after Jim actually starts believing Toby can see the future) Jim is worried that because Toby has this ability, Toby will now be able to function and protect himself independently. Even be a helpful asset for the team. And Jim is scared that if Toby can do all this without him, then he will eventually decide he doesn’t need Jim at all and will leave him too.
LOSER!!
Their relationship bends and crumbles throughout this AU, and Jim only gets worse until he eventually fixes things by the end of SEASON 3. Oh he’s an ASS in season 3 SPECIFICALLY. It’s so bad. Can’t wait to yap about it 🤪