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The first time Link mentions Scary, Grant doesn’t think much about it.
After all, his baby boy just matriculated into high school (much to his displeasure, but Marco had firmly put his foot down), so he’s got bigger fish to fry.
Grant and Marco are waiting in the family van nervously at the end of Link’s first official day of high school when Link practically flew into the van, chattering excitedly about his first day at San Dimas High from start to finish. His excitement was contagious and despite his trepidation, Grant would remember Link’s face forever, grinning and eyes lit with excitement as he recounted his entire day in minute detail.
He was almost too busy thinking about how lucky he was and how much he loved his son and husband that he nearly missed what Link said, “ and I made some new friends! I mean I think I made some new friends! They seemed friendly anyways? Not like those twelve varsity soccer players.”
“What are their names kiddo?” Marco prompted, just as they pulled into the driveway.
“Oh—Taylor, Normal and Scary!”
“What… unique names!” Marco said, and Grant agreed silently, “now let’s go order pizza to celebrate your first day!”
Link and Marco excitedly hopped out of the van, leaving Grant sitting by himself in the car, stunned.
Was this it? Was this when his kid made new friends and just forgot about his dear dads? Was matriculating into high school a bad idea? Was--
“Daaaaad.” Link suddenly appeared at the car window, “you have the house keys!”
“Oh,” Grant startled, “right!”
- - -
Grant was running late.
He dallied a little too long at the sports store (he was looking at surprising Link for his birthday with some brand-new shin pads) and couldn’t decide between all the kinds they had. Before he knew it, he was running behind.
What would Link think if Grant wasn’t there to pick him up on time? Would he think he’d been abandoned? He refused to find out.
So Grant drove a little faster than he normally would.
And of course, at the same time he’s stressed about running late, a text pops up on his phone from Marco about dinner that needs answering ASAP. Which would have been no problem if Grant were on time, parked on the curb waiting for Link--but he didn’t want Marco to know he was running late to pick up their son either.
Marco would be stressed.
Grant would be stressed.
It would be a bad time.
And okay, he knows he shouldn’t be texting while driving (Marco would kill him if he knew), but there’s no one around and Grant is pretty sure he can answer a simple text without killing anyone else.
Grant glanced down at his phone for a second to respond.
When he looks back up, there’s a teenager in front of him on the crosswalk.
“Shit!” Grant slammed on the breaks; the squeal of the tires makes the teenage girl who was crossing the cross-walk jump.
The van squealed to a stop just in front of her.
They stared at each other for a shocked moment.
Grant has just enough time to take in in her all-black clothing, t-shirt that says ‘shit garden’ in an anxiety inducing font, fishnet gloves, dark eyeliner and brightly coloured pink hair before the moment is over.
“Watch where you’re going, asshole!” She yelled, kicking the tire of his van.
Embarrassment and indignation prickled under his skin, paired with the heart pounding panic coursing through him, Grant doesn’t react as level-headed as he should.
“Hey! You should watch where you’re walking! I could have hit you!” Grant yelled back.
Did she even look both ways before crossing the cross walk?
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Like I’m going to listen to some old fogey who texts while they’re driving.”
Old. Fogey.
OLD FOGEY?
“Wha-hey! That’s not nice!”
“Neither is almost mowing me down with your lame van, bud.”
She turns around and keeps walking, evidently done with their conversation.
He honks the horn childishly, determined to get the last word.
She flipped him two birds over her shoulder and disappeared around the corner.
Grant gasped in outrage.
Well he never! Was this what the youth of today were like? See this is why he was so worried about sending Link to public school! If someone like that got her claws of attitude into his precious son, who knows what would happen?
Okay, so he was texting while driving and did almost hit her, but still!
Grant barely had time to grumble before he remembered he was almost going to be late to pick up Link and sped off, that rude teenage girl leaving a bad taste in his mouth.
- - -
“Hey dad!” Link appeared at the doorway to the living room, looking a little nervous.
“Hey son.” Grant greeted, giving Link his full attention, a little nervous about Link’s nervous tone, “what’s up?”
“Could I go to a sleepover this weekend? It’s at my friend Taylor’s house, he invited me today and I really want to go.”
Grant immediately sat up straight. “A sleepover?”
His baby boy was already trying to leave the nest? It was practically yesterday that he was in a diaper! But… a sleepover was a pivotal experience and Marco would flip if Grant turned down such an exciting opportunity just because Grant couldn’t let go as a parent.
“Uh… when is the sleepover?” Grant decided on a relatively safe question.
“Friday.”
Oh good, only two days away for Grant to emotionally prepare to practically send his only son off into the world.
“Friday.” Grant repeated slowly. “Is anyone else coming to the sleepover? Will there be an adult there?”
“It’s just going to be me, Taylor, Normal and Scary, but Taylor’s mom will be there.” Link supplied quickly.
Grant vaguely remembered hearing those names on Link’s first day of school summary and a few times in between.
“Taylor’s mom said it was okay?” Grant tried a last-ditch effort.
“Yeah!” Link said excitedly, looking at his dad with huge, hopeful eyes.
Grant knew when he was defeated. “If dad says yes too I don’t see why not.” He agreed even as he was internally screaming about his baby boy growing up.
“Really? Thanks dad!” Link celebrated.
“Just one condition.” Grant added quickly, halting Link’s celebration dance, “we’ll drop you off so we can meet your friend Taylor’s mom and exchange phone numbers so we can be reached just in case.”
Link nodded, that was a more than fair barter.
“Thanks dad, love you!” Link hugged Grant tightly.
“I love you too, son.” Grant almost didn’t let go. “And you need to pack a first aid kit, just in case.”
“Dad!”
- - -
The night of the sleepover came far too fast.
Link was all but vibrating as they pulled up in front of a very posh looking two-story house in a gated community.
Marco seemed almost as excited as their son, and Grant was just trying to hold it all together and not behave like he was walking towards his execution.
The Li-Wilson family had barely made it to the front stoop before the door opened, and a smiling Mrs. Swift greeted them at the door.
“You must be the Li-Wilsons! I’m Cassandra Swift. It’s nice to meet you.”
Marco introduced the family smoothly, so easily stepping into the roll of responsible friendly parent. As he exchanged pleasantries and details with Cassandra, Grant attempted to slip the first aid kit he’d smuggled here into Link’s night bag.
Marco slapped Grant’s hand absentmindedly, foiling his attempt with his “my husband is pulling some bullshit” sixth sense.
“Moooom,” interrupted a voice, “is Link here?” A teen boy with dark hair and a pork pie hat popped his head out of the doorway, lighting up when he saw Link.
“Oh hey Link! Everyone else is already here—” Taylor (presumably) opened the door wider, revealing two teens waiting on the stairs of the foyer.
Grant stared, transfixed at the two teens inside. He felt like he was having an out of body experience, so unexpected was the sight in the foyer.
One teen was wearing what appeared to resemble a knock off Jimmy Neutron costume (its terrible, fathomless eyes staring into his soul) and the other was dressed in all black, wearing a t-shirt that read…
Grant gasped.
He recognized that ‘Shit Garden’ t-shirt anywhere!
The teen in the mascot costume waved shyly, but the pink haired, ‘Shit Garden’ t-shirt wearing teen narrowed her eyes at Grant.
She clearly recognized him just as much as he recognized her.
If there was any question remaining, the birds she flipped at him weren’t subtle (though she somehow managed to flip him off without anyone else noticing).
Grant narrowed his eyes. He knew this kid was bad news from the moment he almost ran her over with the family minivan!
This could only be ‘Scary’.
What was a kid like that doing hanging around his son? His innocent, ray of sunshine precious baby? She was clearly bad news.
Grant didn’t say anything about her flipping him off though, because he would have to explain to his husband how he hadn’t been paying attention while driving (he was texting) and almost hit a teenage girl. Marco would be pissed.
But should he just swallow that? Was his getting in trouble worth the corruption of their only child?
Before Grant could make a decision he was pulled back into the conversation with Cassandra and Marco.
Cassandra nudged her son, “Taylor you should introduce yourself to Mr. And Mr. –”
“No time ma! If we’re going to get through seasons 1-3 of One Piece tonight we have to get started A-S-A-P! Come on Link!” Taylor tugged Link behind him, dragging him inside the foyer.
“Bye dad! Bye dad! I love you!” Link called over his shoulder, waving with his free hand as Taylor led him over to the other two teens.
Grant was trying not to sulk at the lack of prolonged, melodramatic goodbye as Cassandra apologized for Taylor’s excitement.
Soon both remaining Li-Wilsons were headed back home.
Marco was quietly pleased, but Grant stewed as he drove, his fingers flexing over the steering wheel and unflexing.
Grant decided that he would suggest to Link that he host his friends next time, that way he could do more recon on his son’s new friends. Taylor at least seemed like a normal, overly excited teen and Normal was well, really into school spirit but Scary?
Scary was trouble, Grant just knew it.
In that moment, Marco noticed how tightly Grant gripped the steering wheel.
“He’ll be fine.” Marco assured Grant as they drove home, giving his hand a squeeze.
Despite the comfort Marco’s actions would normally bring, somehow Grant had a feeling that things were not, in fact, going to be fine.
- - -
The sleepover solidifies Link three new best friends.
Suddenly it’s Taylor this—or Normal that—or, even worse—Scary.
Scary, who, Grant is certain is going to be a terrible influence on Link.
Even when its Link’s turn to host a get together at their place, Grant only finds himself more disapproving of Scary. She’s all sharp edges and an even sharper tongue. The boys don’t seem to mind at all, but Grant keeps a close eye just in case.
He and Scary rarely interact, aside from her general “Hi Mr. and Mr. Li-Wilson” or “bye Mr. and Mr. Li-Wilson” and yet Marco seems to love all of Link’s friends, including Scary.
She’s already make it to “call me Marco, Scary!” level which somehow makes Grant even more suspicious of her. Shouldn’t Marco, the love of his life, be on his side about this?
His husband seemed to sense that Grant wasn’t completely fine with Scary the way he’s grown to appreciate Taylor and Normal as friends for Link, but doesn’t press him on it. Marco just figures it's Grant adjusting to some big changes.
Grant keeps reminding himself that a lot of the time teenagers can be fickle—best friends one week and enemies the next, so maybe there’s still some hope that Scary won’t be in the picture much longer.
He’s wrong, of course.
Soon fall gives way slowly to Winter and the foursome just seem to level up their friendship every chance they get.
Group Halloween costume?
Check.
A sleepover almost every weekend?
Check.
Secret Santa exchange with the bffs?
Check.
Grant seemed to blink, and the new year is already here. Time is already slipping away so fast, and he’s a little preoccupied moping about it when he and Marco are washing up after dinner one night.
“Isn’t it cute? I think Scary has a crush on Link.”
Grant jumped and dropped the dish he’d been washing. It shattered on the floor into a bunch of tiny pieces.
“Oh! Are you okay honey? I’ll grab the dustpan, don’t move.” Marco quickly hurries to the pantry to grab the broom and the dustpan. Grant meanwhile, is slowly digesting what the love of his life just said.
Marco comes back and quickly goes to begin cleaning up the shattered plate.
“Wha—yes I’m okay, you were saying?” Grant splutters finally, finding his words again.
“Oh, I said isn’t it cute that Scary has a crush on Link? At least I think so anyways.” Marco said distractedly, carefully cleaning up the shattered plate as best he could.
Dumbfounded with horror, Grant can only manage to say, “what makes you say that?”
“Well, I don’t know, she just seems a little softer around Link.” Marco mused out loud as he deposited the glass into the trash can.
Scary? Soft?
Marco doesn’t give Grant any time to mull it over, because he continued.
“She gives him these little looks sometimes, I don’t even think she realizes she does it, but she certainly doesn’t look at Normal or Taylor the same way. Plus, you know how Scary is with her personal bubble? Well, it kind of seems like Link is an exception.”
Grant didn’t really know about Scary’s personal bubble. They unilaterally and silently both seemed to agree that avoiding each other was the easiest option, so Grant hadn’t really noticed anything abnormal.
“I’m going to get the vacuum okay? I want to make sure I didn’t miss anything.” Marco left the kitchen like he hadn’t just brough Grant’s world to a grinding halt.
Friendship was one thing but… a crush?
His stomach sank, before Grant shook his head and resumed washing the dishes.
He’d have to see these supposed signs of a crush for himself before he acknowledged anything.
- - -
Marco was right.
Scary does have a crush on Link.
She does a good job hiding it from her three best friends, but Grant, once he’s noticed it, is unable to not notice it.
It’s the little things. Grant has to admit that Scary is good at hiding it, but he sees the small, lingering glances Scary gives Link sometimes. Scary does seem to have a personal bubble (like Marco said), but with Link more than anyone she seems to allow him in more. A friendly shoulder bump, their legs touching on the couch during a movie…
Grant tried to write it off as Scary and Link being more comfortable in each other’s spaces because they constantly practice soccer together, but even that seems to be a stretch.
But if the little things didn’t confirm it, a hug one night after a movie marathon at the Li-Wilson household did.
Taylor and Normal had already said their goodbyes, leaving Scary and Link alone in the foyer as she finished lacing up her boots.
“Bye Link.”
“Bye Scary.” Link moved to hug Scary, and in that moment time slowed down for Grant. Instead of brushing Link off like usual, Scary lets Link hug hr for exactly 1.5 seconds before she separated them and – oh no – were her cheeks just the faintest pink?
Internally, Grant is screaming, crying--throwing up.
Externally, he is the picture of calmness. It’s one thing for Marco to say it, but now that Grant has seen the proof in person, he can no longer be in sweet, comfortable denial.
Scary liked Link.
But did Link like Scary as anything more than a friend? Maybe it was going to be one sided, unrequited love?
A dad could hope.
Scary left, and Link stood there in the foyer watching her go.
“Hey buddy, are you going to get ready for bed?” Grant’s voice made Link jump, like he was shaken out of a daze and had forgotten his dad was also home.
“Uh, y-yeah!” Link agreed, his voice slightly higher pitched than normal.
OH NOOOOOOOO—please no!
Grant could feel his world crumbling around him.
Of anyone in the world? Why did his precious baby boy have to choose the bad girl? He was going to get his little heart broken—he was going to get divorced and be a single father and—
“Night dad.” Link said cheerfully, previous daze seemingly forgotten as he kissed Grant’s cheek and headed upstairs.
Grant’s crumbling world halted.
Wait.
Maybe Link didn’t realize… maybe he didn’t know he had a crush on Scary?
The glimmer of hope returned.
- - -
“Dad, do you um… not like Scary?” Link asked as he and Grant did the dishes after Easter Dinner.
Marco was already upstairs in the bubble bath so it was just the two of them in the quiet of the kitchen.
The question is so unexpected that Grant nearly drops the bowl he was drying. He fumbled, but manages to hold on just barely.
“Whoa,” Grant says, mind racing, “where did that come from?”
It’s a desperate attempt to buy more time.
Grant was a teenager once. He knows the harder he pushes Link in a direction, as a teenager Link would naturally dig his heels in and go in the other direction out of pure spite.
Link frowned a little and shrugged. “I dunno. You always seem to have that grumpy line when Scary is around… just like that.”
Link points to the crease between Grant’s furrowed brow.
Shit. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Scary. She seemed to be a good friend to Link and the boys. She was still sharp around the edges, but the sharpness was directed at anyone who tried to pick on or even look at one of her friends funny.
Grant and Scary largely avoided each other still, but even Grant had to begrudgingly recognize that Scary had been a good friend to his son.
Still, it was clear to Grant that Scary liked Link as more than a friend and had for a while. He also recognized that Link felt the same way, even if he didn’t fully realize it himself yet.
And Grant desperately didn’t want Link to get hurt. Even if Scary made a good friend (so far), a romantic relationship was a lot different.
“I’m sorry son.” Grant apologized, “I didn’t realize I frowned so much. I do like Scary, and Taylor and Normal, they’re great friends to you.”
“Okay, well, good.” Link says, suddenly flustered and averting his eyes, “because, Scary is… she’s really cool.”
Grant’s heart dropped and he pretended not to notice the bright blush across Link’s cheeks.
Oh boy. Here we go.
- - -
It’s Friday evening and Grant’s world isn't just crumbling, it's ending.
He must have pissed off someone somewhere because Link is getting ready for his first date.
With Scary Marlowe.
She’s picking him up.
She got her full license yesterday.
Marco is delighted, but Grant isn’t sure what to be more scared about—the first date or the license thing.
As 7 o’ clock ticks ever closer Grant can’t stop twitching, to the point that Marco gives him a stern look that clearly says: “I love you but you’re being crazy.”
Link hadn’t stopped moving since he got home from school today, an excited ball of nerves and anticipation. He was barely able to sit still as Marco helped him pick out an appropriate first date outfit (casual, they’re going for ice cream and a walk).
With Marco’s help, Link looks good, a little more care clearly put into his appearance, but not overdone for a casual date.
Marco eventually noticed Grant eyeballing his shotgun as the date grew closer. He simply patted Grant on the shoulder and said, “don’t even think about it, honey.”
All hopes of opening the door with shotgun in hand and scaring off Scary with an ‘intimidating dad routine’ are dashed.
At exactly 7 o’ clock the doorbell rings and Link calls from upstairs, “dad can you get the door?”
Grant begrudgingly took step after step towards the door, dragging his feet until he has no choice but to open up.
Scary Marlowe stood on the stoop of the Li-Wilson household, twirling the keys to her beat up old truck on her fingers.
She looked nice, Grant noted she looks a little extra goth today, clearly having taken extra care in her appearance for their first date.
“Uh… hi Mr. Li-Wilson. Is Link here?” Scary asked, glancing behind him.
“He’ll be right down. Why don’t you uh… come on in?” Grant offered awkwardly, shuffling to the side.
“Okay.” Scary nods and steps into the foyer.
He closed the door behind her and it’s in that moment that Grant realizes it’s never really been the two of them alone before. They stand awkwardly in the foyer, not really sure what to say to one another.
And then Grant gets an idea.
Marco said he wasn’t allowed to touch his shotgun, but maybe he could still break out some of the ‘intimidating dad routine’?
Before he could think better of it, Grant blurted, “what are your intentions towards my son?”
Scary stilled and turns her gaze on him curiously.
“That’s a… weird question.” Scary said slowly, but apparently, she decides to humour him because she continues, “I guess I uh… intend to take Link on a date? We’re going to get ice cream and go for a walk.”
“Link has been so excited for your date all week.” Grant tried a different approach.
“Oh… yeah?” Scary tries not to sound super eager, but Grant picks up in the rawness in her voice.
“Yeah. And I um, I just don’t want him to get hurt.”
There it is.
All of Grant’s cards are finally on the table.
Scary stared at him, the tentative hope in her gaze cools to something Grant can’t quite name.
“You think I’d hurt Link?” Scary asked flatly.
“Well,” Grant chooses his next words carefully, “I think you guys are great friends, but—”
“But because I’m me you think I’m going to hurt him?”
Grant takes a step back at how plainly Scary has hit the nail on the head. His silence is apparently all the confirmation she needs as an answer.
She looked away.
“Be right down Scary!” Link called cheerfully from somewhere upstairs, a stark contrast to the vibe in the foyer.
“I guess I finally get why you don’t like me.” It’s Grants turn to stare uncomprehendingly. She says it quietly, like she almost didn’t mean to say it out loud. “You don’t think I’m good enough for Link and… you’re right.”
Holy hell, in that moment Grant knew he fucked up.
He barely has time to process what Scary said before Link appears at the top of the stairs.
“H-hey Scary!” Link stammered breathlessly, stumbling out of nerves only once as he practically ran down the stairs.
Marco appeared after Link, beaming after their son. Both were oblivious to the strained atmosphere in the foyer.
“Hey Link,” Scary said shyly, “you look really—um—really really good.”
Link blushed . “Thanks Scary, you too. Is that a new scrunchie?”
Scary nods, embarrassingly pleased Link had noticed.
Marco is beaming even brighter, looking like the scene before him is the cutest thing he’d ever witnessed in his life.
Grant’s heart sinks even further.
What had he done?
“Are you ready to go?” Link asked excitedly, holding his arm out.
Scary snuck a glance at Grant, hesitating for only a moment before she nodded.
“Y-yeah. Let’s get going.” Link doesn’t seem to notice the brief subduedness in Scary’s tone, but Grant sure as hell knows Marco did.
His husband’s eyes narrow over Link’s form and Grant knows he’s in deep shit.
“Please have Link home by midnight, Scary.” Marco calls as the two teens head towards the door.
“Sure thing Marco.” Scary agreed readily.
“Bye dads! Love you!” Link waved happily before shutting the door behind them.
Grant and Marco watched out the foyer window as Link and Scary slowly meander down the driveway, heads together as they walk.
Scary proudly showed off the beat-up old truck before making a show of opening the passenger door for Link (which squealed horribly) before making sure he was inside and closing the door behind him. They buckled up and drove off, leaving the house too quiet.
“What did you do?” Marco didn’t waste any time.
Grant sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “I really fucked up Marco.”
--
They wait up for Link (of course).
It’s exactly 11:59pm when the headlight’s of Scary’s truck illuminate the driveway. There’s no movement for a minute, until the dads hear the shriek of the truck door open and close and a moment later Link opens the front door.
It’s only after Link is inside the house that Scary pulls away knowing that he wasn’t locked out or anything.
“Hey dads!” Link called into the quiet house.
“Hey kiddo.” Marco greeted loudly, “we’re in the den! How was your date with Scary?”
Link appeared at the doorway of the den looking pleased but perturbed. There’s a small furrow in his brow.
Marco shoots Grant a pointed look.
“It was good. Really good! Scary paid for our ice cream and she even tried my black licorice cone, and well, hated it, but at least she tried. Then we just went for a long walk on the beach but…” Link’s frown deepened, “she seemed off.”
Grant really didn’t think his heart could sink any lower than it already had, but Link continued.
“She wouldn’t tell me what was up, but I could tell something was bothering her. Do you—do you think she was regretting our first date?” Link asked, shoulders deflating.
“Hey—hey no, I’m sure that wasn’t it at all.” Marco jumped up right away, holding out his arms for a hug. Link sank gratefully into his dad’s arms.
Grant knew he had to come clean here and now.
“I think I may have been why Scary wasn’t herself tonight, son.”
Link stilled in Marco’s arms and looked at him confusedly. Before he could ask his dad what he meant, Link’s phone dinged and Link looked down at it immediately.
“Scary just texted me.” Link trailed off, eyes widening.
“Is everything okay, son?” Marco asked worriedly.
Link’s breath hitched. “She said she.. she had a great time on our date and everything was great but that she thinks we shouldn’t do it again? What?” Hurt and confusion bled across Link’s face.
Oh no.
Grant wanted a hole to open up and swallow him right then and there. The very thing Grant accused Scary of doing—he was doing it plenty well himself. His actions caused his son hurt directly.
“I have to call her.” Link said fiercely, “something must be wrong.”
“Wait, Link.” Grant called. “I’m the reason why Scary probably texted that.”
Link froze, mid step out of the den and stared at his dad unsurely. “What?”
“I did something stupid. I said something really insensitive to Scary right before your date.” Grant felt small, like he was a kid again confessing to stealing from the cookie jar, but somehow this felt way worse. Knowing that he’d clearly caused Scary pain. Knowing that he was causing his kid pain right now.
Link’s eyes narrowed. “What did you say to Scary?”
“I um, started by asking her what her intentions were towards you.” Grant cringed, but continued even as Link’s nostrils flared, “and then I may have told her how excited you were for the date and that I didn’t want her to hurt you.”
“What?” Link’s jaw dropped.
“I told her that she made a good friend for you, but then she said something about “because I’m me you think I’m going to hurt him” and I um… I didn’t disagree.”
“Dad! Why would?” Link was clearly struggling for words, but a look of comprehension dawned, “I knew it! I knew you never liked Scary!” Link said accusatorily.
Grant winced. “That’s what Scary may have said.”
Link went quiet, his eyes unreadable. “What else did she say dad.”
“She said she finally understood why I never liked her—because she wasn’t good enough for you and that… that I was right.”
Link gasped, outraged.
“You—” Link stopped and started again, “you—how could you dad? I love you but I am so upset with you right now.” He grasped his hair and glanced at his phone.
“Fuck. I have to call Scary right now and talk to her.” Usually Marco would chide Link for such language, but right now frankly the situation called for it.
“Why would you say that to Scary, dad? She already—ugh!” Link threw his hands up in the air and disappeared out of the den as he tried to call Scary.
He came back only a minute later, looking even more distraught. “She’s not answering. I have to go see her.”
“I’ll drive you.” Grant offered immediately.
Link frowned but silently headed over to the front door to put on his shoes.
“Drive safe.” Marco said, recognizing some alone time is needed to talk it out between his two boys.
Grant grabbed the keys and takes off after Link, whose already climbed into the front seat of the van by the time he makes it out.
“Should I take you to Scary’s house?” Grant asked as he fires up the mini van.
Link shook his head. “No. Whenever Scary is upset she goes to the field. Let’s go there.”
Grant nodded and started driving in the direction of the Teen High soccer field. The van is quiet, there’s hardly anyone else on the road at this time of night.
He knows he’s messed up big time, and it’s up to him to make this situation right. Grant isn’t really sure how he’s going to make things right with Scary, but he can start with Link right now.
“I shouldn’t have said that to Scary, son.” Grant finally breaks the silence.
Link doesn’t look at him. “Then why did you?”
Grant is quiet for a long moment. Why did he? Scary was a little rough around the edges and their first impression of each other wasn’t exactly a great one (thanks to him), but why had he been so against Scary in the first place?
How did he explain to Link that being a parent is terrifying. It’s a concept you think you can prepare for, but ultimately nothing does prepare you for the crushing responsibility of caring for a tiny life.
The first time Grant held Link he was scared shitless. So convinced he was going to drop him, so convinced his little noodle baby neck was going to somehow snap under his watch, or that Link would stop breathing somehow. That terror never fully abated, but with Marco tackling parenthood together, Grant at least felt like he could learn. And he learned so much—but as a parent just when you thought you got on an even keel , your kid threw you off again in the best and worst ways.
But one thing Grant knew for certain was that Link was better than him. His son was all he ever wanted him to be and he was so proud. Link was a good human, a better human than Grant could ever be and every day he knew he was so lucky to have his boy.
So when Link matriculated into public school, reality kind of came crashing in. Reality that every kid would leave the nest eventually. Sure, it was public school first, but then it was suddenly university time and then soon enough Link would meet someone just as amazing as him and they’d settle down and then Grant would be left in the dust as his only kid started his own life.
Somehow, Grant knew he attached those feelings of panic, of inadequacy, of uncertainty—to Scary. He’d essentially attached his sad dad middle age crisis to a teenage girl. Great.
And worse, it turned out he and Scary seemingly had a lot more in common than he realized. And that was all his fault, because he hadn’t even gotten to know her.
Grant had never felt he deserved his husband or son. That he didn’t deserve to have such a loving family, that he wasn’t good enough. Apparently, Scary felt the same way about herself too.
“I don’t have excuses son. I think… I got caught up in being scared. I’m just scared of how fast you’re growing up and I just want the best for you—”
Link looked ready to start arguing but Grant continued, “but I didn’t even bother to get to know Scary. I just judged her on our first meeting, which was bad and all my fault by the way, and I owe her a huge apology.”
Link didn’t say much, seemingly mulling over his dad’s words before he sighed, the anger visibly draining from his body.
“What you said was really messed up dad. Scary really takes things to heart and she’s my friend and I like her so much. I really want to go on a second date with her. Like really want to.”
“It was messed up. I promise I’ll do better.” Grant agreed solemnly.
They pull up to the field not long after. Sure enough, Grant and Link spot Scary’s beat up old truck tucked towards the back of the parking lot.
“She’s here.” Link looked about ready to jump out the window in his determination to reach Scary.
He reached for the door handle when Grant stopped him.
“Could I… Could I go talk to Scary first son?”
Link stared at his dad for a long minute. Grant knows he’s being tested, but eventually Link makes a decision because he sighed.
“You’ve got five minutes.”
Grant took it seriously and hopped out of the van without another word. He jogged towards the pitch, his eyes scanning the darkness, only lit by light pollution and the odd security light.
Scanning the bleachers and the field, it takes him two go overs before he finds Scary.
Scary is lying flat on her back like a starfish in the centre of the field, staring up at the sky as Grant approaches. There’s a discarded soccer ball and her phone lying a short distance away.
“Hi Scary.” Grant greeted once he’s about twenty feet away, letting her know he’s here.
“Oh good,” Scary mumbled, “it’s you.” He can hear the thickness in her voice, clearly she’d been crying. Scary wipes her eyes and sat up to face him.
“Sorry I hurt Link.” Scary looked away guiltily. “But now you don’t have to worry. I texted Link and let him know there won’t be a second date. I figured it would be better to just rip the Band-Aid off sooner.” She drew her knees towards her chest and rested her forehead against them.
She looks so small, Grant’s heart breaks. His words did this.
Grant crouched down so he was on Scary’s level, his knees cracking.
“Scary, I’m sorry.” Grant apologized whole heartedly. She doesn’t look at him, but she doesn’t tell him to leave either so he sits down in the grass not too far from her and continues.
“I was wrong. What I said was messed up. I was wrong and I was wrong about you.”
Scary shifted her neck so she could look at him, ‘I don’t believe you’ was written all over her face.
“I know you and I really didn’t get off to a good start, which was one hundred percent my fault by the way.”
Scary stayed quiet, so Grant continued.
“I said what I did because I was so scared shitless of losing Link—he’s growing up so fast, fuck! I can’t believe how fast he’s growing up and I think I misplaced my lame sad dad crisis onto you. Even though anyone can see how much you care for your friends. How much you care for my son. And I didn’t get to know you because of that, and that was wrong. Especially when I think you and are alike.” Grant swallowed heavily, but he owed Scary the truth so he plowed ahead.
“There are times when I still think, wow, I don’t deserve any of this.”
Scary stiffened, her full attention on Grant now.
“Sometimes I think I don’t deserve Marco—or most of all Link. That I don’t deserve the love they have for me because I’m not worth it.” It felt strange to be admitting his deepest darkest fears to a teenage girl.
“According to my therapist I want you to know that that’s total bullshit by the way.” Grant added, directed not only to Scary but himself. “And I just want to say again, I’m sorry Scary. You don’t have to forgive me now or ever, but I know how much you care about Link and I just… really hope you’ll reconsider the second date thing.”
Scary swiped at her eyes surreptitiously and Grant pretended not to notice.
“Does it ever get any better?” Scary asked, her voice small.
Grant smiled bittersweetly. “Some days it does. Some days are hard, but I just try to remind myself how far I’ve come and that I do deserve their love. To love and be loved and wow—that’s super sappy isn’t it?”
Scary chuckled, looking more herself again, though her mascara was ruined.
“It is. But…thanks for telling me Mr. Li-Wilson.”
“You can call me Grant, Scary.”
“Oh. Okay. Taylor is going to be so jealous I made it to “call me Grant” level before he did though.”
Grant laughed.
“Hey I’ve got a question for you, why didn’t you ever rat on me for almost hitting you with the van? Which, sorry for by the way. I haven’t texted and drove since.”
Scary shrugged. “Snitches get stitches.”
“Oh. That’s cool.”
Scary pulled at her shoe lace, her face falling once more. “Do you think Link will forgive me? I should have just told him something was up but…”
“Well he gave me a five minute head start so he should be here any second now.”
“Wait what?” Scary spooked, her eyes wide.
Sure enough, Link appeared at the entrance to the field. He broke into a dead run when he spotted Scary and his dad, yelling “Scary!” even with so far to sprint.
Grant smiled genuinely at the panicked expression on Scary’s face. That’s his cue to leave.
His knees crack as he stands up and brushed himself off.
“Have him home by two, will you? You can always crash on the couch if you need to.”
Scary barely registered what Grant said before Link all but tackles her to the pitch (in his exuberance to get to her, he tripped on a small divet and flattened her).
As Grant walked back to the van, he could hear Link and Scary conversing in low tones. It was up to them, but somehow Grant knew they’d be okay.
- - -
When Grant gets home, he made sure to leave extra bedding on the den couch.
Just in case.
- - -
“Grant. Wake up.” Marco hissed excitedly the next morning. He practically dragged a groggy Grant down the stairs with a hushed “you’ve got to see this!”
Marco led Grant to the doorway of the den and peered in.
Scary lay face down on the couch, fast asleep. Her arm hung off the couch and oh. Link must have grabbed his bedding and set up camp beside the couch before he passed out. His hand partially open on the floor, palm up, Scary’s fingertip brushing his. They must have fallen asleep holding hands.
Grant and Marco silently lose their minds over such a cute sight, but they bravely manage to tear their eyes away and head to the kitchen to start breakfast.
It’s not too long before the delicious smells of Marco’s French toast, eggs and bacon lure Link and Scary to the kitchen.
“Morning dads.” Link greeted happily, kissing their cheeks.
Scary hesitated by the doorway, but Grant doesn’t let that stand.
“Morning Scary,” Grant smiled, “how do you like your eggs?”
“Morning Marco and… Mr.—I mean Grant. Um, scrambled please.” And that’s all it takes for Scary to be at ease.
She steps further into the kitchen and knocks shoulders with Link, her and Grant however are completely oblivious to the identically shocked/ delighted looks Marco and Link exchange when Scary calls Grant by his name.
- - -
Scary makes sure to snap a selfie with all three of the Li-Wilsons as they enjoy brunch together.
With a smirk she sent the photo to their friend group chat, immediately messaging after: “breakfast with Link, Marco and GRANT.”
It doesn’t take long.
Normal Teen Boy is typing…
Mr. T. is typing…
Mr. T: WHAT NO >:O
Normal Teen Boy: aww!! Cuties!
Mr. T is typing...
Mr. T: must have been a good date 😉
L in the chat for Link: it was 😊