Work Text:
The week of Father's Day in SDN was complicated for Robert.
His team discussing plans for the day what gifts they had gotten their Dads, only Prism remained quiet on that front.
As it was this would be Robert's 17th year without his, and yet every year mailing lists still found him; advertising presents and discounts and plans for a man that had been out of his life longer than he had been in it.
Chase and him had once been like nephew and uncle that had morphed into brothers and now once more it had transitioned into son and father.
It was complicated he'd disappeared when Robbie died too wrapped up in grief and becoming Mecha Man.
Chase was right there ready to be a parent to him, and he'd spurned him over these last 6 months though they were closer than ever.
Calling him Dad had been a joke at first something to wind him up because of the paperwork that came into effect when Robbie died.
Now though it was sincere he got called Son just as much in return he tried to do dinners with Dad at least once a week unless they were busy but never any less than twice a month.
Him and Chad were doing the grocery shopping after work on Friday. They wouldn't be together Sunday; Chad would be with his family celebrating his father Rayi and his brother-in-law Johnny.
Roberts eyes caught on the stand of Father's day cards looking at them. Chad had been pushing the cart but now stopped and stood beside him a hand gripping his shoulder.
"You alright sunshine? Missing him?"
"Oh yeah, I guess. I was thinking of buying one."
"For his grave or the statue?"
I didn't think of that.
"For Chase."
Chad was silent for a moment. Robert voiced his thoughts aloud.
"It's a bad idea, right?"
"No bitch! He'll love it, don't overthink this shit. Ugh so pretty yet so dumb."
"Yeah, and you're a beautiful hot-headed asshole."
"Mhmmm love you to. I'll give you a minute I want to get those wontons you like before they sell out again."
Chad left leaving Robert and Beef in his little service dog harness standing beside the display.
"You wanna get him a grandpa card too? Yeah, you do boy."
His eyes roamed over the cards a mixture of comedy, sincerity and crudeness nothing that seemed right.
Him and Chase weren't all mushy like that vulnerability of that level never came easy to him he groped between the cards instantly ruling out any that said Daddy.
He spotted a cute one definitely for a child that said Grandad on it with a picture of an old man dressed as a superhero that would do for Beef.
His eyes caught on one that stood out to him it was simple and blue with Happy Father's Day Dad written on it in embossed gold letters, briefly he considered a first Father's day card but that felt too much like a joke so he opted for the blue one and the hero one.
Robert gave a scratch to Beefs head then went to find Chad. He phoned Chase when they were back at Chad's apartment though he spent almost as much time there himself now a days.
"Hey you free Sunday?"
"I am after 1 got lunch with the parents."
"Okay you and me are going to that steak house you like at 7pm that good with you?"
"I'll be there."
"Cool see ya."
Robert hung up after Chase said his goodbyes Chad calling over to him.
"Robrob do you want to sign your name on this?"
Chad was writing out the Father's day card that'd he made himself apparently it was a tradition he'd been doing for all card worthy celebrations starting when he was in prison.
Couldn't go to the store but he was a talented artist, so he made do.
"You think I can?"
"Esh come on, Pedar thinks of you as a son in law already don't stress about it."
He stood up from the couch and headed over to the kitchen island where Chad sat pen in hand, he took it from him when it was offered.
Adding his name to where it said Love Chad it now read Love Chad and Robert.
He had done the same with Shararah, but they'd always been inseparable even the first time around she'd encouraged him to call her Ma since he didn't have one.
"Want to stamp Beefs paw?"
The little ink pad that Chad had bought on impulse sat in a drawer after about a week of marking all of Beefs stuff with his paw print it had been put away when the novelty wore away.
"If you want to sure."
Beefs 'signature' now adorned the card Robert got to work writing his own trying not to let self doubt spiral into thinking this was a bad idea.
Chad left at 5 on Sunday for Family dinner it gave Robert plenty of time to dress up nice slacks and a button up that his partner insisted on buying him to bulk up his wardrobe, Beef in his service vest and a bowtie.
He called an uber made sure that his location was turned on a precaution ever since the kidnapping months ago.
The maître de at the restaurant regarded Beef sceptically as Rob gave his booking info adding afterwards. "He's a service dog."
As if the vest wasn't obvious enough asshole.
He took the seat he was led to Chase joining him around 5 minutes later he still wore the amulet while they worked on undoing the aging process.
It was slow going but promising, he dressed in civilian clothes but couldn't hide the blond hair.
"How you doing Son?"
This wasn't some long over due catch up they'd seen each other on Friday at work it was the other deeper kind of question. How bad is the grief today but said differently.
“Holding up what about you Dad?”
“Doing good, folks are well still fucking weird looking older than my parents.”
“Can't even imagine.”
A waitress came and took their orders, Robert's nausea had gone back to pre coma levels by now and he could eat without issue most days so fuck it he was ordering a starter and a main maybe even a dessert and a whiskey each they deserved this night.
"Right, what made you decide on dinner? You and hot hands splitting up or getting married you know it's him that has to ask my permission, right?"
"No fuck off we're great but 4 months is too fast even for us."
Robert reached into his sports jacket taking out the two cards that rested in the inside pocket.
"Well look it's 17 years late but...I thought I ought to finally take you out for Father's day."
He placed the envelopes on the table eyes turned to the tablecloth below him counting the checked squares instead of looking into old brown eyes and seeing the smile that stretched across his face until he heard the sound of paper tearing and Chase reached across the table to squeeze his shoulder.
"Bobcat look at me."
He did.
"I love this, ah you fucker gonna make me cry in public, you sappy little shit."
He'd written his own message in the card heartfelt, and thankful and loving. Chase had been there for him through thick and thin had introduced him to the love of his life, taken care of him on his worst days, had gotten him a job he adored, and Robert had said thank you but never enough.
"Why's there two?"
"You hardly thought I'd forget about Beef?"
The card was opened an even bigger smile playing out over his features at the sillier card thanking him for balls, treats and cuddles with a stamped paw print added.
"Aww thank you Beef."
"Don't distract him when he's working."
Dinner was amazing the two of them toasting to fatherhood, eating steaks and heading out to Robbie's grave afterwards.
"Chase, do you come here a lot?"
"Enough just to keep it clean you?"
"Less than I should... he was a bad Dad you know? But he was mine and I miss him. Coming here still hurts."
Chase wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"That makes sense Robert. We can go?"
"No, I think I should stay a moment, got a lot to tell him, heh not that he'd approve."
"Don't worry if his ghost shows up, I'll kick his ass."
"Thanks."
Chase left to give him privacy normally he'd send Beef with him, but he needed him right now.
"Hey Robbie, been a while... I just wanted you to know I'm happy. For the first time in a very long time, I'm actually happy. I've got a great job, a man who loves me."
He brought a hand to his eye wiping away the first of the tears that began to fall.
"You wouldn't approve but I never needed your approval...I shouldn't miss you, but I do. For the longest time I blamed you for all my unhappiness, but I don't want to anymore."
He reached down to pet Beef.
"So, Robbie, I forgive you."
Robert left the grave site walking back to Chase’s side feeling lighter than he had in years.
On Monday there was a card on his desk he opened it and smiled.
"To our work Dad!"
Inside all of his team had signed their names, Chad had drawn Beef and added his paw to the card a little addendum "And the best pet Dad."
He had a feeling that Father's day wouldn't be as hard from now on.