If the creator of this prompt list doesn't want me using it without officially signing up, I will take it down immediately.

084. He

"Jade."

"Dad."

The two of them sat in silence, staring evenly at each other over the kitchen table. Jade was sitting back in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest, determined not to speak until he did.

Her father sighed and worked his jaw before sitting forward and resting his chin on his folded hands. "I may have said some things over the years that I probably shouldn't have." When Jade raised an eyebrow at the probably, the corner of his lip quirked up in a smile she had obviously inherited from him. "Fine, things I know I shouldn't have said. Anyway," he sat back and ran a hand through his graying hair, "I wanted to apologize."

Jade's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly schooled her expression back to its usual indifference. "Well thanks," she bit dryly. "That really makes everything better. I'm really glad we had this talk, Dad."

"Sit," he growled when she made to push her chair back from the table. She scowled and flopped back in her chair, green eyes glaring holes in him. "Now, are you going to listen to what I have to say or not?"

For a moment, Jade was tempted to say no, but she thought better of it and nodded stiffly.

"Good," her father replied, giving her a pointed look. "Now, I owe you an apology, Jade. I shouldn't have said all those things over the years. Obviously, you know what you're doing." He waved his hand at her. "Your grades have been outstanding the past three years."

She stifled her surprise. Never in six years had her father ever mentioned her grades, not since starting middle school. That was when she'd decided to become a writer, and when her relationship with her father had begun to deteriorate.

Her father seemed to read her mind and smiled. "Yes, I've payed attention to your grades. Just like I've payed attention to how you act around Cat Valentine too."

Jade's muscles tensed, and her eyes narrowed. One bad word, and she was going to be over this table.

"I'm glad my daughter fell in love with someone who brings out the best in her," her father said lightly, sitting back in his seat and smiling at her venomous expression. "And I hope you don't think too badly of your father."

For a moment, Jade just blinked at him, his smile becoming increasingly wider as he saw his words sink in.

"Y-you really mean that?" Jade asked hesitantly, eyeing him warily.

He nodded. "Am I forgiven?"

Jade sat there for a full two minutes before standing and disappearing out of the room. Nothing had been thrown – not even insults – so her father marked the conversation down as a success and reclined in his seat with a satisfied grin.

The first three lines are a reference to Wok Star, which is one of my favorite episodes.

Headcanon: The reason Jade and her father don't get along is because their personalities are so similar. Both were too stubborn to compromise on Jade's career decision.