#dad vik

((I feel like I’ve never actually written a father-son moment between Vax and Vik, and what better time than now? Set sometime after he starts healing from the Space Station))

Vax had always loved rooftops, ever since he was a kid. Whenever he sat up there, for once he didn’t feel so small. That maybe being up there could save him from the city trying to swallow him. Even as a kid, V was terrified of the city eating him whole, becoming a no one. Another face in a sea of nobodies.

“Y’know, I’ll never forget the first time I looked up and saw you sitting on a roof. Damn near climbed the building to get you down.”

Vax turned at the sudden voice, not expecting anyone up here. But there stood Vik, arms crossed and leaned again the door way.

“Don’t you have your own roof to go sit on or somethin’? Or did the ol’ Rockerboy finally chase you away?” Vik sat down next to V, their legs dangling over the edge. Vax noted Vik was making an effort to not look down. Not everyone could handle heights.

“Nah, he’s busy with the ‘Saka bullshit still… and his new album.” Vax tried to keep the sad tone out of his voice, but he was struggling to. And he knew Vik heard it.

“Trouble in paradise? He fuck up?”

“He’s been perfect, Vik… it ain’t that.” Vax sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I’m so fuckin’ tired… and lonely. Ker invites me to join him when he goes places… but he doesn’t need me. No one fuckin’ does. No one needs V anymore…”

Vik let that settle in, watching his son for a long moment. Was that what this was? He felt unneeded? Unwanted even?

“You’re right. I don’t need V.” Maybe that was a bad way to start because Vax chuckled like he knew something. “I need Vax. I need that spunky little fifteen year old smart ass I met damn near 15 years ago.” Holy fuck it had been 15 years already.

Vax was staring at him, as if confused by his statement. He never had been a man of words.

“Y’know… when I first brought you in, I was thinking ‘what the fuck am I doing? I can’t raise a kid. Much less a 15 year old.’ And with you glaring at me for like a month straight, I really didn’t think we were getting far. But Vax… you changed my life. When you won your first boxing match, I just yelled ‘That’s my kid! That’s my kid right there!’ I was so fucking proud of you… then that fucker took you when you were 17 and I didn’t know what the fuck to do. All I knew was that my kid was gone and no one had seen him in days… then Rogue comes to my door holding you, you’re shaking and covered in blood and smell like a fucking campfire and I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved to see you in my life… until Arasaka took you. Losing Jackie felt like losing a son… and I kept just… hoping, praying, I dunno, everything to just get that thing out of you. For you to live.”

When Vik was mostly done because he felt he was talking nonsense, he looked at V… to find him with tears in his eyes. Oh fuck, he hadn’t meant to make him cry.

“And when you brought fucking Kerry Eurodyne home, I was like “oh hell no.” Because I’ve read some shit-“ Vik attempted to joke but Vax let out a sound that he couldn’t tell if the poor man was laughing or crying.

Vik patted his son’s back, letting him get it out. Kerry said Vax had been rather unresponsive to things, and this is probably the first time he’s cried in a while. The ripperdoc couldn’t even begin to understand what this man went through.

“Fuck… I’m sorry.” Vax sniffed, rubbing his eyes. “I’m so… I’m so tired, Vik… I know people are trying to give me space and to let me rest… but I can’t help but feel like everyone has moved on from me… even Ker and Judy don’t feel like they need me anymore… and you and Mama Welles got your own shit goin’ on-“

“Me and Guadalupe have been worried sick about you. So don’t you start pulling that shit onto me… No one has moved on from you. You spend too much time in your own head, you always have.” Vik sighed. Vax had been horrible for getting in his own head, Vik never could get him to stop. “You been talking to your therapist? And taking your meds?”

Vax nodded, and yet Vik didn’t believe him.

“My keeper isn’t letting me forget. Don’t worry.” Vax mumbled, his hands falling into his lap in defeat. Vik had no clue what to do to make this better… he didn’t read any parenting books on how to make your adult kid feel better after dying three times.

The two sat in silence after, sometimes you just needed quiet with a safe person to feel less alone. Until Vax rested his head on Vik’s shoulder.

“Thanks pops…”

Vik wrapped his arm around his son and rubbed his shoulder.

“Got cash ridin’ on this?”

“Nah, just lookin’. Heh, it’s outta habbit more’n anything else.”

bonus:

Vik’s patient looked up in confusion. “You dog! Since when did you have a kid?”

The kid was no older than 16, standing awkwardly at the entrance to Vik’s clinic. Vik rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Your jacket is over there, heading out?” He asked.

“Think so, I’ll bring home some dinner.”

“You two look nothing alike.” The client said rather bluntly.

“I’m adopted.” Vax stated, crossing his arms. Vik snorted and nodded. “What he said. Be safe, call if you need anything. You already know my order for the Chinese place down the street?” Vik asked like they hadn’t been doing this song and dance for a while now.

“Yeah. I’ll see ya later.” V hesitated, before giving Vik a surprise hug and rushing up the stairs to join his friends in doing god knows what. Vik snorted and rolled his eyes.

“Cute kid.” His client stated.

Vik teaching V how to shoot a gun. And it turns into the

“You’re scared”

“I am NOT scared. The target is too small.”

“Mhm. Don’t be scared of the thing pointed away from you.”

“I’m not scared Vik!”

“Suuuure. Shoot.”

“….what if it recoils?”

The kid had been quiet. Vik understood yeah, but it was unsettling. He just, had a 15 year old living with him now, he couldn’t throw him back out on the streets alone.

He quietly knocked on the door before opening it, Vax already looking towards the door, curled up in the chair he had put by the window.

“You wanna go out? Get some stuff to decorate in here?” What the hell was he doing? He couldn’t take care of a fucking kid! Even he looked at Vik like he knew that, but he nodded.

“And some more clothes, you can take one of my shirts if you want.” Vik offered, leaving to let him get ready.

The two drove around, V looking around, happy he didn’t have to walk for once. Vik didn’t even know where to begin, what the fuck did 15 year old boys even like?

“What kind of music are you into?” Vik asked, V shrugged and looked up at him. Kid of few words, he’d give him that. But he gestured to the radio, letting him have at it.

He messed with it a bit, before settling on a rock channel and sat back, seeming happy with that. And it gave Vik an idea on where to start looking. He pulled into an old rock store in Watson, the kid trying to not smile.

“Come on, there’s some good shit in here you’ll love it.” That’s all it took to get Vax out of the car and walking in.

They browsed for a bit, V seemed into the Samurai section the most. The guy at the counter talked to him about the band, and seeing the kid actually interested in something made Vik happy.

The left with a few new posters, CDs, and a few old band t-shirts. V was in high spirits than Vik had ever seen, and that alone was an accomplishment. When the car started up, a new song was playing and Vik pointed.

“That’s Kerry Eurodyne, he was a guitarist for Samurai. Made it even bigger on his own.” Vik explained, and V smiled.