UPDATE 2/17/19: From Chapter 5: Savior of the Saviors onwards, there is a major overhaul, especially to Lucas and Ness's characters. This was done in order to have a much better written other half of the story in general, since a younger me was not as invested in the other side of the story as I am now.
(Un)fortunately this means there is a very large chance whatever 'Nesscas' hints will be inevitably written out or at least a lot less 'in-your-face'. I, personally, do not mind no longer having Nesscas in this fic - but this is a fair warning for readers new and old alike.
Re-edited sections of the chapter such as cutting up sentences and the like to better match later chapters. Working on a major overhaul.
XI: Reminisce
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Lucas may not have seen how it had happened, but Flint had.
He had watched his now only son grow up these past few years, but not as often as he had claimed he would. From a helpless crybaby to the determined and brave young man he currently was, Lucas had grown into a son Flint was very proud of. And, he was sure, Hinawa would have been proud of him too, had she been alive.
Watching his son from the sidelines was easy, seeing as that he was rather preoccupied with the strangers that had soon moved in with them for the time being. Lucas didn't forget that Flint existed, no, but most of his attention had been focused on the Ness boy and his two other companions, the Andonuts boy and the prince - so much that Flint could watch from the sidelines and make his observations without Lucas holding back on any of his actions.
Ever since Claus's disappearance, Flint had never lost the hope that he was still alive and just barely surviving somewhere in the wilderness, so every day he went to the Drago's Plateau to search, oft leaving his blond son to his own devices. This, he supposed, must have led him to seek companionship or at least some form of elder role model in the sprightly Kumatora and the laid back Duster. He had seen how the two had acted as parents in his and Hinawa's stead – and while Kumatora wasn't exactly the calm and gentle Hinawa and Duster wasn't the cool and collected Flint, they had served as his friends and his mentors, being there for him when Flint (and, by extension, Alec) hadn't.
As Flint tended to the sheep quietly, Boney circling them so that they wouldn't scatter, the man's gaze traveled over to his son. Lucas was currently playing an odd form of Tag with the newcomers and two of the Tazmily kids, Richie and Alle. Yet again, Flint saw a bright smile gracing his son's face as he continued to have his fun, and instinctively he smiled at the sight.
"(You look melancholic.)" Boney told him, even though he knew the man couldn't understand him the way the others possessing PSI could. With a low rumbling sound, the dog looked up at Flint, who only sighed at the sight of Lucas and Ness chasing each other, laughing.
Although Flint didn't know what he said, he could feel that it was the dog's form of a side comment, and he chuckled, pausing in his work to observe the teenagers. Currently, Alle and Poo had stopped playing to have a small braiding session on the side, while Jeff, Richie, Ness and Lucas were still playing, Jeff tripping over a rock and landing on Lucas, who yelped at the contact. At the sight, Ness broke out into guffaws, while Richie giggled hysterically, both freckled blonds giving the two others dirty looks at their amusement.
"(Hey… are you okay?)" Boney nudged Flint's leg in worry, whimpering.
The man tipped his hat, kneeling down to ruffle the fur atop Boney's head affectionately. "Worried about me, Boney?"
"(Of course!)"
"Hah… that's precious." Flint observed the group once more, watching as Richie's buns came undone and a thick mess of hair tumbled down, the brunette throwing a slight tantrum as the boys – minus Poo – all tried to calm her down, Alle and Poo just sighing as the white haired girl continued to deftly braid the prince's hair with nimble fingers. "Boney."
"(Yes?)"
"… I've been a bad father, haven't I?" Seeing the sheep all return to the repaired pen, Flint leaned on the fence a little, watching as Ness clumsily tried to tie Richie's buns back. When it didn't work, Lucas shook his head and chuckled before taking his place, having done it so many times before. At the dog's confused look – at least, it looked like Boney was confused to him - , the man laughed harshly. "Spending all this time looking for the son I lost… when I should have paid attention to the son I still had."
"(Well, you're not wrong…)" Boney barked, sitting. "(But you think that Claus is still alive, right? You probably shouldn't lose hope.)"
"Claus… I just have this feeling that he isn't dead, you know?" Flint gave a weary sigh as he continued to lean against the fence, arms crossed and hat tilted in such a way that his face was shadowed. "Call it a father's intuition, if you will, but… I just… I couldn't give up. For Claus… for Lucas… and for Hinawa."
Boney gave him a sad look as the man continued, "I'm glad that Lucas has found friends in Kumatora and Duster, and in these kids. Really, I am." His forest green eyes stared, unseeing, at nowhere in particular. "They're doing a better job of making Lucas a better person than I ever could." He bit his lip. "I… missed out on my own son growing up, Boney. I missed out on both sons growing up. I'm a terrible father."
"(…)" Boney could only whimper, rubbing his head against Flint's leg in some form of reassurance.
Flint watched as the four finally ceased in their game, Lucas and Ness moving towards the cliff to sit and chat while Jeff and Richie headed into town, presumably to visit Nichol during work hours. At the sight of his son and the strange violet eyed boy conversing so peacefully at the peak, the man felt his grip on his own arms tighten as he crossed his arms a little more. "Lucas… he's not a boy anymore, is he, Boney? He's grown up to become a thoughtful and caring young man…" Beat. "… I'm… I'm glad. Kumatora and Duster have helped him become a happier person."
"(That's great and all, but maybe you should get involved in Lucas's life more.)" Boney suggested, staring up at Flint, panting. "(Perhaps… get to know Ness while you're at it? Lucas seems to like him a lot!)"
Flint didn't understand anything, but he ruffled Boney's head fur affectionately. "I can't understand you Boney, you know this. Thank you for listening to me, though."
"(Anytime!)"
"… Still…" Flint narrowed his eyes as Ness made funny faces at Lucas. Lucas, whose back was turned to Flint, had his whole body shaking, which meant he was either coughing or laughing really hard. "I'm not so estranged from my own son that I don't notice things like what I'm seeing right now."
"(Good luck! Lucas will deny everything you see!)" Boney barked humorously, but Flint didn't seem to pick up on his tone of barking, instead heading towards the house and telling the dog, "Tell them that lunch will be ready in an hour, Boney." Pause. "Wait, what am I saying, you're a dog. Still, Lucas seems to understand you, so tell him anyway."
"(Will do!)" Boney barked in affirmation.
Ness wasn't particularly sure, but he was at least fifty percent certain that Lucas's father was staring at him from across the table.
At the moment, it was him, Lucas, Jeff and Flint at the table, Poo currently at Alle's house since the latter's parents had invited him over for lunch – and the prince had been taught never to refuse a lunch invitation from those older than him. Quite frankly, it was unnerving him.
Flint had prepared some baked yams and omelets for them – the lack of steak made Ness a little gloomy if he were to be frank, but he tried his best to be on his best behavior - , and currently Lucas was happily digging into the meal. Jeff was quietly enjoying the yams while Ness tried his best to enjoy the sweet taste of the omelets, repeating 'Pretend Tracy made it, pretend Tracy made it,' in his brain as he ate it. It certainly helped.
However, the whole time, he felt Flint's gaze burning into his cap. It made him sweat profusely.
The moment Jeff finished, he excused himself from the table, arranging his plate while telling them that he would be at Nichol and Richie's house before heading on out, some of his Bottle Rockets bulging out of his pockets. The moment Jeff left however, Ness became even more certain that Flint was staring him down. Lucas seemed oblivious to this as he continued to enjoy his omelet, quietly humming to himself.
"So… Lucas."
Ness unintentionally dropped his fork in his nervousness. He wasn't quite sure as to why he was nervous, but Flint was rather intimidating.
Lucas looked up. "Yes, Dad?"
"These kids have been staying with us for a while now, but you've never properly introduced me to all of them." Flint was direct-to-the-point, a trait that Ness recognized in his own mother, but unlike his mother, he sounded more authoritative, something that made him want to straighten himself out.
The blond blinked. "I… haven't? It must've slipped my mind, sorry Dad…"
"It's alright, son." For a moment, Flint had taken on an affectionate tone, casting a fatherly glance in Lucas's direction. However, that immediately disappeared, being replaced by him focusing on the capped boy from Onett, who was ready to sweat bullets. "Since the other two aren't here… perhaps you could introduce me to him?"
"Oh, this is Ness, dad. Ness, this is my dad, you already know him." Lucas smiled gently, something that seemed to soothe Ness's nerves as he straightened up a little. "I already told you about how I found him, Jeff and Poo in the forest with broken bones, right?"
At Flint's nod, Lucas continued. "Um… he can also use PSI like me, and he's been really nice to me the whole time he's been here."
"I could see that," Flint commented. To Lucas, it sounded like a reaffirmation of his statement. To Ness, it sounded something along the lines of a death threat. "You have any siblings at home, Ness?"
Ness, startled, backed up in his chair, almost falling over as he yelped, trying to steady himself. Flint raised an eyebrow at this as Lucas immediately reached over, grabbing his hand to steady the boy, preventing him from falling. As he pulled Ness back into stability, Lucas chided, "You should be more careful, Ness. You almost flipped the table."
"Sorry…" Ness mumbled, cheeks flushing slightly as he tried to meet Flint's eyes, though that was difficult with his hat on. Why didn't he take it off? "Yes, sir, I have a little sister. Though I guess you could count her best friend as a little brother of sorts, as well."
"How come?"
"His parents… are kinda… neglectful." That seemed to strike a chord in Flint, judging from the minute change of expression. Bad move, you savior of the world, you. "He hangs a lot with my little sister and looks up to me. His older brother's missing." Missing and probably invading other planets? Or timelines?
Lucas gave Ness a smile. "That's really nice of your family, Ness."
"It's the least I could do for Picky," Ness admitted. "He's practically the only sane man in his own house, even without his father and brother there anymore. Well, unless you count the new stepdad he's getting."
"Stepdad?"
"His mom's remarrying."
"Remarrying?" Both father and son stared at Ness in disbelief, as though the idea of remarrying someone was either taboo or absolutely unheard of.
Ness did not like the look on their faces. "Erm, yeaaahhh…?"
"Well, that's… certainly a strange idea." Lucas fidgeted in his seat, rubbing his arm as he pushed away his plate. "And it looks like I finished lunch. I'll wash the dishes while you and Ness get to know each other better, alright?"
"Wait, Luke-"But the blond had already gone with the dirty plates and silverware.
That left Flint and Ness at the table, separated only by the lace tablecloth and the vase of sunflowers serving as a centerpiece.
"…" Ness perspired, trying not to show that he was nervous. With a swallow and a nervous chuckle, Ness opened conversation. "So… nice weather today, huh?"
"What are your intentions toward my son, young man?"
"W-wha?"
Flint leaned forward on the table, forest green eyes serious. "You're sweating. Don't be nervous; I only want to know the honest truth."
"I-I don't-"
"Are you interested in Lucas?" WELL. Well then.
Ness had heard this conversation before; Paula's father had asked him the exact same question… though instead of 'son' and 'Lucas' it had been 'adorable darling daughter' and 'my precious sweetheart Paula'. The Polestars were rather colorful in comparison to the cool and collected Flint. Still, he didn't seem to get why Flint was asking him of all people this of all questions. "E-erm… well…"
"Don't be scared." Flint leaned back again, making Ness breathe a sigh of relief. At the boy's nervousness, Flint couldn't help but chuckle, remembering his own uneasiness when he had first met Hinawa. "I simply want to catch up with my son and the new friends he's been making. In addition, you are living under my roof, so I have a right to know who is staying. I… take it you've already been informed of what I do whenever I'm not around?"
At Ness's unwavering but tense stare, Flint sighed. "I supposed as much."
"Flint, sir-"
"Flint. Just call me Flint."
"Flint…" Ness still felt rather iffy about it, but if Lucas's father – Flint – had requested it himself, then... "I… uh, I guess it's not really my place to ask, but… why look for someone who's probably long dead by now?"
Flint's fist clenched. Not a good sign. "Claus is not dead. I can feel it."
"Wouldn't Lucas feel it first?" Ness pressed, despite his nervousness. "I mean, they are twins, right? Twin telepathy and all that?" As if for emphasis, Ness made a few gestures with his fingers.
The man tipped his hat, though mostly to cast a shadow on his face. "Call it a father's intuition if you will, but I know my son is still alive somewhere. I don't know where, or if he's surviving, but if it's been this many years, then he's certainly found someplace to stay and survive, and is simply gathering his strength before returning."
"That's crazy talk!" Ness could feel his nervousness slowly melting away as he conversed with his friend's father, gaining a little more momentum as he continued to speak, standing up and slamming his palms on the table. "It's been years! Years of you, looking for a son that's probably long gone by now! I don't know the whole story and I probably never will, but it doesn't matter!" Ness stared straight into Flint's eyes this time, unwavering. "All these years, searching for a son who you believe to be still alive but simply missing from here? While you were off looking for 'Claus', you ended up neglecting the one son that's still with you!"
"…" Flint couldn't rebut. He couldn't find any form of rebuttal for Ness's statements.
The Onett native gripped the table cloth. "It's been years, right?! Lucas told me as much! All you've done is tend to the sheep, look for Claus, leave Lucas at some other person's house, come back for lunch, and look for Claus again! What kind of dad are you, neglecting the child you still have?!"
"…" Flint met Ness's gaze calmly, but didn't reply. However, there was an obvious stiffness to his body that meant that Ness's words had struck him. Hard.
Ness breathed in, and sat back down. "Look, Flint, sir… I'm… I'm sorry-"
"No, you're right." Ness blinked at this. Flint took off his hat – well, no wonder he didn't take off his hat often! He's as bald as a bean! Ness marveled – and hung it on the back of his chair, sighing. "I've been a horrible father to Lucas these past few years. Leaving him in the care of others while I look for his brother… Hinawa would have had a Drago trample me for my idiocy."
The raven haired boy gave him an empathetic look. "Lucas's mom?"
"Yes." Flint took a sip from his glass of water. "Hinawa was the calm during the emotional hurricane that was me and the hyperactive tsunamis that were the boys. Even if the whole world would be against her, I'm certain… that all she would do is smile and laugh through it. It's in her nature." From his seat across him, Ness could see the wistful look in the man's eyes as he continued to reminisce. "Everyone loved her... so when she died, everyone was miserable. It was like a light had gone out in everyone's lives."
Wife of Flint.
Mother of the twins Claus and Lucas.
Daughter of Alec.
May the beautiful Hinawa rest in peace here for all time.
Flint gave Ness a stare. Unlike the ones he had previously given him, however, it looked like it was searching for something more than anything. "Hinawa did everything for the sake of the twins. It was because of that… that Lucas, and possibly Claus, is alive today. A parent will do whatever is best for their children…" Another sip from the glass. "… No matter what it takes. Do you understand, Ness?"
"That's what my mother said, too." He wasn't wrong; when Tracy had almost gotten run over by a car, their mother had somehow managed to push her out of the way while narrowly missing the car itself, only getting a sprained ankle in response. When a sobbing Ness had asked why she had done that, she had told him the exact same words Flint had told Ness with a smile on her face. "But… why are you… telling me all this, Flint, sir?"
"I thought you were an untrustworthy person at first." Flint stood up. "But you have proven me wrong." He gave the boy an almost fatherly smile. "I think… I understand why Lucas seems to have taken to you so much."
"It's great to know that you like me too, Flint sir!" Ness said cheerfully.
Flint replied coolly, "Oh, I didn't say that I liked you."
Ness's blood ran cold at his statement.
"… Just kidding." The man chuckled heartily before bidding the Onett native a farewell. "I'll be borrowing my son for a while, if that's alright with you?"
One of Ness's eyebrows rose at his statement. "Er, sure, Flint sir, but… why are you asking permission from me? He's your son."
"I assumed that the two of you had plans later, so I played it safe." Flint put his hat back on, tipping it in a friendly fashion at Ness. "I'll be off, then. Tell Lucas that I'm waiting for him by the Save Frog."
"Okay, Flint sir!"
Click! The door closed behind him.
Ness paused.
"... Wait, what did he mean by 'plans later'?" The boy fixed his cap, huffing at the stray lock of hair that fell in front of his face. "What does he think we'll be doing, going on a date?"
