InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "welp"

Steve Rogers (neverdanced) wrote in madisonvalley,
@ 2017-08-17 19:01:00

Entry tags:

!closed, !log, ~2017 august, ~25 points, ~~liam dunbar (werewolflikeme), ~~steve rogers (neverdanced)

Who: Steve Rogers and Liam Dunbar
What: A Chat
When: Thursday, after school
Where: By the school
Warnings: TBD
Status: Closed/On-Going

For the most part, Steve had just held his peace over the last few days. He knew there was no point in entertaining a fight with a kid and knew when arguing wasn't going to get him anywhere. Rarely did knowing that ever change anything, he was prone to reacting first and worrying about the consequences later, but he'd learned to be a little more reserved when Molly’s happiness was on the line. So he'd waited, thought it over and talked to his kid, tried to filter through all the excess information he got out of her, and come up with a few very important bits and pieces.

First, the kid had anger issues. Was apparently working on them and that was good enough for Steve.

Second, the kid was still scared of him. And though he’d never completely approve of his daughter, adopted or otherwise, dating anyone, if she had to do it, he actually did think Liam was a good choice.

So Steve made a decision, and showed up after school, saw the confusion in Molly’s face as she immediately headed toward him, but he sent her off to go wait in the truck with a nod and a reassuring smile, waving her boyfriend over his way instead.

“Let’s chat,” was all he said, gesturing for the boy to follow him to the field behind the building.

(Post a new comment)

werewolflikeme
2017-08-18 03:13 am UTC (link)

Liam was still scared of both of them. Very much so, actually. But if he had to choose one to confront him, it was Steve. He really wasn't sure that Bucky wouldn't actually snap and kill him. Steve would just give him that disapproving look and make him feel terrible. But there seemed to be much less chance of death involved.

Still, he didn't want to talk to him. He was embarrassed about his outburst, and honestly still a little angry since he really didn't think Molly deserved to be grounded.

He wasn't stupid, though, and he knew that saying no, or ignoring him, or walking away would just make things worse for him and Molly both.

So, his shoulders sagging a little, he nodded, looking up at Steve reluctantly.

"Yeah, okay."

(Reply to this) (Thread)

neverdanced
2017-08-19 01:39 am UTC (link)

Without another word, Steve just led the way around the building, climbed a few steps up the bleachers next to the field before grabbing a seat, gesturing for Liam to sit with him. He didn't figure this would take long, and he had no problem letting Molly just wait for them.

"I don't think I need to explain what we're doing here," he said simply. "So why don't you just look me in the eye and get it off your chest."

It wasn't the disagreeing that Steve had a problem with. Disagreeing meant having beliefs to stand up for, and as long as they were pointed in the right sort of direction Steve supported that. He took issue with it not being said to him, and he took issue with being seen as someone who couldn't be disagreed with.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

werewolflikeme
2017-08-19 01:47 am UTC (link)

Liam sat beside him with his elbows on his knees, looking at the bleachers instead of at Steve. He didn't want to be having this conversation, even though he'd known it was coming. The easiest way to get through it was to do exactly what he said. He wasn't going to lie, or try to soften what he said, though. He was going to tell the truth.

So he took a deep breath and looked at Steve.

"I don't think it's fair that you grounded Molly. It's her body, and if she wants a tattoo she should be able to get one."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverdanced
2017-08-19 11:09 pm UTC (link)

Steve nodded. "If it was just about the tattoo, I'd say you're right."

He didn't like it, and he still got a say as the kid's father, but it wasn't that simple. It wasn't just about a tattoo.

"But our job is to make sure our kids know there are consequences to their actions." A lesson he was apparently extending to Liam right now. "Something I'd hope you're trying to learn too." His actions were what had Steve out there talking to him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

werewolflikeme
2017-08-20 01:06 am UTC (link)

"Consequences to what? Doing what she wanted instead of what you wanted her to?"

It was a little snippy, but mostly he was trying to understand. He honestly didn't see what Molly had done wrong, and her punishment seemed way over the top to him.

Of course, he was a kid too, and missed seeing her.

"I know consequences have actions. That's how I became a werewolf."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverdanced
2017-08-20 02:46 am UTC (link)

Steve just met the snippy with a flat look. He'd faced off against a lot worse. His kid was snippy on a good day, and he'd had to learn to reign his own temper in very quickly when he'd been left on his own with her.

"Watch the tone, son," he said patient but firm. Disrespect was the quickest path to making things worse for himself. Steve would happily take on Molly's wrath if he thought the cause was what was best for her. "We have our rules for a reason, and she was going to get what she wanted anyway."

Despite what Steve thought, and that was a sore spot at their house too. "She chose to go on her own. She chose to coerce someone into breaking the law for her. She chose to put herself into a potentially dangerous situation. You should care about that."

If he cared about her the way Steve thought he did.

All in all, Molly was getting off very lightly with only being grounded.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

werewolflikeme
2017-08-20 10:59 am UTC (link)

Liam did care about Molly, very much. More, actually, than he really wanted to admit because it kind of made him feel...weak. Out of control. And none of those things really felt good. He didn't apologize outright but he made a little grunt, which got across the same thing.

"But it wasn't dangerous," he said, although the anger was gone from his voice, as was the snippiness. "She went to a professional. Yeah, she made him break the law, but everyone breaks little laws. Like speeding or jaywalking or something."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverdanced
2017-08-20 09:11 pm UTC (link)

"Putting something into your body's always dangerous." He would know. He'd impulsively done something much bigger to himself. But now it was his job to make sure Molly was safe, even if it was just from her own bad decisions. "Arguing the point isn't going to change my mind. She's grounded, end of story. How long is going to depend on her, but you could do yourself some favours if you want to see her while she is."

Which meant, mostly, making his outburst right. Steve wouldn't tell him not to disagree, but there were better ways to approach a disagreement.

"It's important to her that you and I," and Bucky by extension of that, "get along."

(Reply to this) (Parent)