Work Text:
It was nice to see her father again.
Amelia had moved out years ago, allowing herself to have breathing room from either of her parents that she would stay with. It was nice not to have to travel all the time, considering her parents were divorced and didn't live with each other. Her mom especially didn't really like seeing her dad, so at one point, when Amelia was old enough, she would walk alone to wherever they wanted to pick her up.
Now, it was only during every other weekend since she lived with her dad and only visited her mom. Still, the back and forth wore her out, so she was glad to finally move. Amelia promised she would visit often, especially on special occasions, but it would be hard to do it consistently with the two living far away now, plus she has found somebody she is already committed to.
Is she still a little young for "commitment?" Well, that is what her parents say, but Amelia connected the dots rather quickly. She is the age that they were when they had gotten together, so she thinks they are more than likely projecting without meaning to.
Amelia's mom told her even the nicest of guys can turn out to be angry alcoholics which, well, wonder who she is referring to? (Her dad, like always.) And she was sort of expecting a more protective approach when it came to her dad, and, sure, he was suspicious of her partner but tried to keep any negative comments to himself.
Amelia was staying where her old room used to be, as it was now just a guest room. He always tried to make Amelia feel welcome, usually by cooking her favorite food and letting her choose what they do when she visits. They went ice skating that day, with Amelia trying to teach her dad how to skate. He fell a lot, cursed, and screamed, the usual things. Other than that, she had a fun time.
She went to go find her dad to thank him for a good day. As she walked throughout the house, she couldn't find him anywhere. Confused, Amelia checked his bedroom, but it was also empty. There was only one other place he hung out when at home.
The front porch was slightly big, enough to sit down on a chair and relax. Amelia opened the front door, and sure enough, she spotted her dad in the old rocking chair he still had. He didn't seem to respond to the noise, which made her worried. Was he asleep?
"Dad?"
She whispered, but loud enough to draw attention. Thankfully, she saw an ear flick. He turned to her, humming.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
Amelia smiled and walked over, sitting down on the chair next to him. It was a nice night, not too cold for them, (plus if it was cold, her dad wouldn't be out here. He hates it.) the stars were shining brightly, and it was quiet.
"Thanks fer hanging out with me today."
Her dad just gave him a smile of his own.
"'Course. What kind o dad would aye be if aye didn't?"
Amelia nodded, staring up at the sky to witness the beautiful scenery. This was sort of when she realized something wasn't completely right, even though she didn't want to make many assumptions.
While she knew her dad liked sitting here, it was also the place he came to think the most. Or, most unfortunately, the place where he came to sulk when he thought no one could hear. Amelia knew he was here a lot to be out of the house when his parents were still together. Even afterward, whenever he had a bad day at work (worse than usual), he would be out on that chair mumbling to himself.
Amelia wondered if he had anything on his mind now. She didn't want to outright ask, but she needed a way to subtly get him to open up more anyway.
"Is everything alright?"
She asked in a soft tone, surprising her dad. He paused, looking at her with an uncertain look.
"Is everything.. ay, everything is fine."
He didn't sound too confident, making Amelia extra worried. It was hard to get him to say anything too personal, saying he didn't want his own daughter to worry about any internal struggles, whatever that meant. She is his daughter, which IS exactly why she is allowed to worry.
She'll have to be careful with however she words her sentence next, as Amelia didn't want her dad to think she was intentionally trying to pry. Well, she was, but she needed to be discreet.
"Work been treatin' ye well?"
Amelia decided to ask, knowing it wasn't out of character for her to ask about his life over there. She was plenty curious about it as a kid, and she still holds it. Her dad scoffed.
"Oh yeah, just fine. If it weren't fer those pecknecks that are tae express owls, I'd be doin' e'en better! I'm still number one, of course, but then there is that darn DJ who thinks he can beat ME this year? Ay think not!"
Amelia let out a quiet sigh at the mention of Grooves. She has fond memories of the moon penguin despite the rivalry with her dad. They used to be slightly more friendly. Amelia remembered when she would see Grooves, usually when her dad was forced to take her to work.
He was kind. Amelia always thought of Grooves like an uncle. Unfortunately, their rivalry started getting more competitive, which meant Amelia saw Grooves less. It's a shame, especially since despite her dad's words, she knows Grooves is the closest to her dad than anyone else.
..He really didn't have that many friends. Amelia realized he didn't really have many people to talk to outside of work. Just her. She frowned. She didn't want her dad to stay lonely forever. Come to think of it, ever since her parents divorced, had he ever tried to even date again?
Amelia wouldn't care. She would be so happy if her dad found someone else to love again. It didn't even seem to be in his nature anymore. She wondered if there was something holding him back.
"Do ye.."
How can she ask this without making her dad sound lonely? He definitely was, but she didn't want her dad to know she thought that.
"Do ye ever hang out with anyone?"
Her dad looked at her with a pointed look.
"..Grooves-"
"*Beyond* work."
He wasn't able to answer after that, causing Amelia to frown. It was an awkward silence. It was like he was trying to think of an excuse.
"I'm at work sae much anyways, I hardly can find time tae hang out with someone else."
That was true, Amelia remembered her dad always being at work and needing to call a babysitter. Of course, when she got old enough, she was able to take care of herself home alone. Still, he had his days off, sometimes only working the train, and though it was rare, he could at least spend his free time being around someone who isn't his daughter or the guy he has a public rivalry with. ..Not that she thought they secretly hung out, but it was possible since her dad was confusing.
"What is it ye do durin yer free time then..?"
"I er- continue comin' up with ideas for me movies. Don't give me that look, hmph. I do lots of fun things, ye just wouldn't understand because yer too young."
Amelia couldn't help but laugh.
"What, bingo?"
"I-"
He looked almost offended.
"I'm not THAT old yet!"
Her dad just sat there while idly fidgeting with his hands. Amelia hummed. She always thought it was hilarious when her dad was teased. After a minute, he responded again.
"..Why are ye sae curious all of a sudden? I'm doin' just fine, promise."
She rubbed the back of her neck, realizing she might've been less discreet than she thought.
"Yer just.. Dad, I care a lot aboot ye, an ye seem sae lonely.."
He was slightly taken back, his guard breaking momentarily. Amelia saw her dad's ear twitch at her words, wondering if she maybe shouldn't have said that. She hoped it didn't upset him..
"I'm- Ye shouldn't - Amelia.."
Amelia gave him a worried look. His hands were tightly wrapped around the armchair.
"Ye are happy, aren't ye? Ye shouldn't worry yerself for me. I'm capable of dealin' with me problems on me own, ye just live yer life, yeah? Be..Be happy."
She hadn't seen him look this weirdly distressed in a while, making her feel guilty. She couldn't just turn a blind eye to her dad. Amelia inspected him, seeing that while he was a little tense, he might've only gotten defensive. She was always on guard when her dad got stressed, since she has a memory of him having some sort of meltdown alone, not knowing she was watching. She was tiny at the time, so he never noticed.
After that, he didn't talk for the next few hours that day. She doesn't know if that ever happened again, Amelia has always been worried about his stress since that day. She didn't think this was gonna cause anything anyway, but it was always better to be safe when it came to her dad.
"I want ye tae be happy as well, though. Sure, ye are successful an that's nice but.. Ye don't seem tae have many friends."
Amelia never wanted to be so blunt. Hopefully, she can help her dad, if he'll let her, that is.
"Bah. I don't need friends. Work is enough with the number of people I'm forced tae talk tae."
Really stubborn, as always.
"..If ye don't want more friends, then fine. What about a partner?"
"I already practically have a partner in -"
He stopped himself quickly.
"Oh, you mean romantically."
Amelia gave him a confused look but sighed.
"Yeah."
Her dad definitely didn't look too pleased with that suggestion. She knew romance was sort of a touchy subject for him because, well.. yeah. Amelia won't care if he moved on. She won't. She just wanted him to be happy. It has been almost 2 decades since her parents divorced. It has been plenty of time.
"Nae. Not a chance. I'm in me 50s. I'm also divorced. It's not very appealing. I shouldn't e'en discuss this with ye-"
Amelia rolled her eyes.
"Oh, come on! I'm nae a child anymore. Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of women who don't care."
He looked like he wanted to add something but decided to stay quiet last second. She only gave him an exasperated look.
"Or..Or men. See? There are plenty of birds in the nest."
Her dad scoffed and looked away.
"Unbelievable. I nae e'en said anything."
Amelia smiled.
"I know me dad. Plus, ye looked like ye wanted tae add something, an.. sort of guessed that was it. Didnae think I would've been right."
All she heard from her dad was a sigh before laughing. At least he wasn't frustrated. He didn't say anything, silently getting up from the chair. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm tired, Amelia. I guess I'm glad you're that worried aboot me. I'll be fine, like I said. Now me bed is callin' me."
She watched him walk over to the front door.
"We aren't finished, ye know? I will get ye tae talk more later."
"'Course ye will. Yer stubborn, cause yer me daughter."
With that, he walked in, leaving her out there in her thoughts. A lot just happened, and she definitely didn't get enough information, but enough to work with. Yet, there was one thing stuck in her mind.
..Did her dad really just not care about her mentioning a woman or a man and more so-confirmed he wanted to bring it up?
That is probably the most casual coming out in history.