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Everyone in Hill Valley had heard about Doctor Brown. He was the strange scientist of the town. Some called him crazy and some called him dangerous. Being Marty McFly’s partner, though, you pictured a very different version of that same man.
In Marty’s eyes, Doc was a genius. He was a misunderstood person who was in love with science and very passionate about it, constantly trying out new inventions that would quench his curiosity and help the world.
Perhaps none of those versions were true, but merely the projections of the people that looked at him. Nonetheless, you were more inclined to believe Marty than everyone else. Of course, it helped that Marty was your boyfriend, but Doc didn’t seem dangerous. At the very least, he was a very interesting and unique person that you couldn’t wait to meet.
“Okay” Marty stopped before Doc’s residence, licking his lips and turning to you.
You didn’t know who was more nervous about this meeting, you or Marty. Although you weren’t sure if you would make a good first impression, it was clear that this was very important to Marty too. The both of you were the most important people in his life, and he couldn’t bear the thought of you two not getting along.
“Okay….” He repeated, taking a deep breath. “Are you ready, Y/N?”
“Yeah” You smiled at him and took his hand. “I’m excited to meet him”
“Now, before we come in…” Marty paused, lifting your hand and patting it. “You know Doc’s a little...”
“What?”
“Well… you may think he’s a bit… wacky”
“So I heard”
“Yeah, I know, but…” Marty kept playing with your hand, moving it around as he tried to push out any of his nervous energy. “It takes a bit to really get him, you know? But once you do, he’s the best”
“What are you trying to say?”
“He’s just different from everyone else in Hill Valley”
“Marty” You patiently said, returning to your sweet smile. “I know what people say about Doc, and it doesn’t bother me”
“Really?” He finally smiled, sighing in relief once you eased his fear.
“Yeah, he might be different, but that just means he’s not boring” You paused, watching how his tense shoulders relaxed slightly. “I want to meet him, and not just because you want me to. I want to meet your friend, who also happens to seem like a very interesting person”
“You’re the best” Marty leaned in to kiss you in the cheek. “Let’s come in then”
You took a deep breath as he opened the door for you. Immediately, you were received with a very different environment than the one you were just in outside of the house. The entire room was dark and felt heavy with electricity. It also smelled slightly like chemicals.
A sudden fear reached you once you realized you knew nothing about science. What if you had nothing in common with Doc to get along with him? It would break Marty’s heart if you two just stood there awkwardly.
“Doc?” He called out, bringing you back to reality as he tugged at your hand, directing you with him through the messy house. “Doc, we’re here!”
After some rustling, footsteps were heard. A tall man with disheveled white hair appeared wearing a white lab coat, with wide eyes and goggles over his forehead.
“Great Scott!” The man muttered, quickly looking at his wristwatch. “Is it time already?”
“Yeah” Marty put his hands on your shoulders. “Y/N is here”
“Doctor Brown!” You smiled at him, offering your hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Marty has told me all about you”
The man stayed distant for a moment as he carefully watched you.
“Yeah, yeah…” He dryly said, absently shaking your hand. “You too”
“Y/N was really excited to meet you, Doc” Marty beamed, shaking you around a little as though passing over to you more of that excitement.
The man only nodded, lifting his chin up and looking down at you. His brown eyes were filled with distrust. Suddenly, that eagerness you felt died down. Instead, it was replaced by a cold disappointment.
Marty had talked so highly of Doc that you thought he was one of the best people in Hill Valley. However, now that you had met him in person, he behaved in a petty manner.
“Tell me, how long have you and Marty been together?” He then asked, to make matters worse. His tone was harsh and judgmental.
“Doc…” Marty complained, but you answered the question nonetheless.
“Almost a year”
“Do you get good grades?”
“Doc!”
The man shut his mouth, looking at his friend in startle. You clenched your jaw, standing up straight to show him you weren’t intimidated by his questioning.
“Is this an interview?” You demanded to know, forcing him to face you.
The two of you glared at each other, further challenging one another. You could feel Marty’s eyes moving from him to you. He stirred in the spot before finally piping up.
“Uh… y-you know what?” Marty nervously said, passing a hand through his hair. “Why don’t I show Y/N that thing you invented? You know, that gadget thingy”
“Very well” Doc replied without glancing at him, too busy staring at you.
“I’ll be right back!” Marty exclaimed as he ran off, trying to take as little time away from you as possible.
As soon as your boyfriend disappeared in the next room, you acquired a defensive stance to mask your outrage. No matter how smart ‘Doc’ was, you weren’t going to let him do that.
“Doctor Brown” You gravely began. “With all due respect, I don’t know what your problem with me is, and I honestly don’t care. I think we should put our differences aside for Marty’s sake”
He opened his mouth to reply, but you interrupted, foreseeing a complaint.
“If you don’t like me for, that’s alright” You continued, peering up at him to meet his tall stature. “But it’s very important to Marty that we get along, so I suggest you do it for him if you really care so much about him”
The scientist stared at you in awe. After a moment of surprise, he smiled at you.
“You are absolutely right”
“T-Thank you”
“I apologize, it was unfair of me to treat you like that” Doc bowed his head down as a sign of respect. “I was only looking out for Marty, but if you truly care so much about him, I must have been too quick to judge you”
“Of course I care about Marty!” You loudly said, lowering your tone when you realized he might return soon. “That is why I wanted to meet you on the first place, Doctor Brown!”
“As did I” He sighed, shaking his head to himself. “Forgive me, Y/N, I merely wanted to ensure you were good for Marty. He is an extraordinary young man and he deserves the very best”
“I agree” Now that the tension had dissipated, a more comfortable silence established. However, you crossed your arms, trying to appear nonchalant. “And well… am I good for him?”
“I’m here!” Marty arrived just then, interrupting the scientist before he could reply. However, the smile in his lips was answer enough.
“Ah, thank you, Marty” He said instead, taking a small oval shaped gadget from him.
“What were you talking about?” The young man looked from one to the other again.
“I was telling Y/N that… I was frustrated with a project… but that is no excuse, I still shouldn’t have taken it out on you, I’m sorry”
“Thank you. And it’s alright”
“Allow me to start again” Doc cleared his throat, offering you his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I’m Doctor Emmett Brown, but you can call me Emmett”
“It’s nice to meet you, Emmett” You replied with a smile, giving his hand a firm but gentle shake.
A pause followed. Watching Marty with the corner of your eye, you realized he was smiling wide and had the emotion reflected in his eyes. You smiled to yourself.
“Tell me, Y/N” Emmett then said, motioning in a friendly gesture. “Would you like to know how my invention works?”
“I would love to” You took Marty’s hand, following Doc as he went to turn all the lights on and demonstrate to you how his new invention worked.