Ghost Town

no wonder that man is looking at kip like he hung the moon, that's likely the first time in 20+ish years, someone wanted to feed him, to take care of him just for the sake of it. the intimacy of having someone who spends time and energy to create a dish that is not only fuel for your body but also for your soul...

and it shows how isolated Scott grew up, the rift that his parent's death put between him and other people. his first instinct was asking where kip bought the salad, implying that he normally orders (probably nutritionist approved) take away for himself. yes he is a star athlete, but stsr athlete who uses his spare time after training to just chill at home anyway so why not mealprepping? it's much more likely that his cooking skills never went beyond the level of a 12 yo. After that he probably always got served food at st thomas funded boarding schools, summer hockey camps; maybe his scholarships extended to cover dining and living at college too. and once he entered the mhl, pre-portioned, just-warm-it-up food delivery it is. it's a priveleged life, one where he doesn't have to worry about anything (mostly because he didn't get the chance to learn about the things people normally have to worry about), as long as he plays exceptionally good hockey and behaves decently to stay in st. thomas good graces.

and maybe he is not aware that he is missing something, that there is so much that his parent's would have taught him - until kip comes around.

The reason i think this is 60% projection and 40% observing Reggie's behaviour.

The main reason i think that his parents cared for him is because mine do, even tho they have fought until threats of divorce were flung at each other. But also because if he was sure that his parents didn't care for him, then he would have been more sceptical about Ray (like Alex). Also as soon as he heard Ray talking to Rose about Julie and Carlos he wanted to see what happened to his parents.

This is not to say that his parents never dragged him into arguments or smth but they clearly showed their care to him in moments that were quiet, usually when they were alone with him.

I also think he has some very good memories with his parents too.

There are some things that I'm like 100% sure about Reggie's personality due to his home life:

• He hates arguing and will always try to mediate any arguments between his friends.

• He doesn't like to get angry but when he is everyone is scared.

• He tries to always lighten the mood and be happy even if he's feeling sad (he doesn't let ppl know that he is sad)

• He likes attention on him. He also easily feels left out.

• His love language is physical affection cuz he doesn't get a lotta that at home.

• Hes also very observant. He may come across as an airhead but he probably knows more about you than you think.

• He cries everytime he tries to argue (he has cried when he was young and his parents were fighting)

• He's a silent crier cuz no one cares when you cry.

• He's great at keeping secrets. His and others too.

(I also wanna say hes desensitized by arguing but that would be projecting too much cuz he is clearly affected by it.)

Also some things i think he's been told:

• You shouldn't cry after every argument, be stronger.

• You know I'm only with her/him because of you right?

• Don't be so stupid.

• You're just like your mother/father. (With anger).

• Don't talk to her/him like that. Apologise

As for the abuse thing that i see in so many fics (first off idc you do you its your fic) i kinda think emotional abuse is on the list cuz Reggie is kinda an airhead so he was def criticised about his intelligence a lot. Also his choice of friends. (My mom loves to body shame me by calling me skinny and short and say it comes from a place of love like sureeee)

because they play it for reggie as if it’s an established song - something they know will cheer him up. its listed on the album as (reggie’s song).

did he write it? was it one they sang for him every time he was upset? did the band have a break at some point in the past where they could write a song with the message of “we’re back” or is it a melody they add words to as the situation calls.

“To the world we dream about…”

Turns to the audience with a faint sadness in his eyes