Disclaimer: Of course I don't own The Incredibles, its characters, or the franchise.
Story: Winston had become part of the family. He was sweet, suave, and just a bit dorky. He had, ever since taking in her family, spoiled them all and shown them his love and appreciation. Violet just wished he would love her a little differently.
Set after Incredibles 2, post-canon and a little into the future.
Spoilers: Probably
Warnings: Age disparity, maybe future situations if this is continued.
Pairings: One-sided Violet Parr/Winston Deavor
Daddy Long Legs, Won't You Care For Me?
At 19, Violet Parr was still a Super and had grown her own fanbase and popularity over the years. She was still pretty slender, which came with all the 'exercise' she had to go through in fending off villains, but she'd grown taller than she had been when she had first started out (5'3" at 14 years old had become 6'0" by the time she was 18 and had stopped growing). She'd grown into her slender build, puberty granting her just a bit more curves, but aside from that she hadn't changed much.
Her family, however, had changed a lot more than she had.
Her mother had become more on the forefront of Supers, while her dad enjoyed letting his wife take front and center as he spent more time being a family man and also joining her in the field. They fought villains more as a family though, and Dash had grown up to be more mature with his own fanbase that he purposely loved riling up and swooning. Jack Jack had also grown just a bit older and had learned to use his powers enough to live normally and control them from getting out of control.
They had also added on —one very rich, very charismatic Winston Deavor had practically inserted himself into her family as much as he'd adopted the whole of them into his own.
Winston had become part of the family and honestly, it had become so natural to have him around these last five years.
He spoiled them all too, which fondly exasperated their mother, amazed and happily bewildered their dad, had Dash and Jack Jack excited every time, and…made Violet completely and utterly flustered.
Even when he was just coming around.
Oh, she'd known it for a long time —it was hard not to when he was sweet, suave, and just a bit dorky. He had, from the moment he met them, shown them his love and appreciation.
Violet just wished he would love her a little differently.
It wasn't like she was unaware of the age difference. 18 years apart wasn't something to sneeze at, but she certainly hadn't noticed it as she spent time with him. He was 37, but it was just so easy to be around him and talk to him; she hardly even noticed she was talking to anyone but a friend.
He had, quickly enough, become Uncle Winston and she had despaired about it because she didn't see him as "Uncle Winston". Dash and Jack Jack may have quickly caught on and happily accepted Winston's role into their family, and their parents hadn't minded and accepted it as well…
Violet just couldn't and was pretty sure that it had disappointed Winston and made him feel that she hadn't accepted or was uncomfortable with him around. Which was far from the truth after all.
Though she wouldn't be confessing to him any time soon.
"Vi! Look what I got you!" The man himself interrupted her thoughts, smiling charmingly as usual. "Since you're on break from college and visiting, I thought I'd make sure you have a good supply of things before you go back."
Her lips quirked up and she inwardly sighed. The things Winston did…
"Thanks, Winn," she replied and watched his expression falter. He was always an open book.
"You know, Vi…Violet…It's okay to call me Uncle," he hesitantly said. "I'd hope you would consider me family, just like your brothers. Not that you have to!" he rushed to say as well and she looked into blue-gray eyes fondly.
"It's alright, Uncle Winston," she forced herself to say, smiling sadly. "And thank you again."
He beamed happily and it was worth it to force herself to call him that, even though she had never thought of him as an uncle or wanted to call him that.
It was why she'd made him 'Winn' to make up for not being 'Uncle Winston'. She still liked him and wanted to be close to him…just not as family.
God, she was really stupid.
Her first love and boyfriend had been Tony Rydinger, who she dated up until the middle of Sophomore year of high school. And then she overheard something that had broken her heart, had made her not want to date anyone for a while.
Since he'd forgotten she was Invisigirl, overhearing him talking about being in love with the superhero side of her and feeling guilty over Violet herself had been a blow. A huge result in that had culminated in her coming home and crying her eyes out, glad that she was all alone with her parents out fighting supervillains, Dash doing afterschool stuff and Jack Jack still being looked after by Edna.
And Winston had waltzed in, expecting everyone to be home, and instead just her crying over ice cream and listening to sad love songs. He'd immediately come to her side, got himself his own ice cream and didn't push her to tell him what was wrong —just talked about his day and went on as normal, while wiping tears off of her face with his handkerchief. And when she finally told him what had happened, he'd gently told her that both sides of her were her and that she didn't need some boy to be whole and happy with herself.
That was probably the first time she saw Winston as just Winston and when she first started to fall for him.
After breaking up with Tony and uneasily thinking of her new infatuation, she decided she didn't need to date and to just focus on school and being a superhero. By the time she next dated, she was in the middle of her Senior year and had briefly came to like and befriended a boy named Xander Carson.
At first, it was fine and he was cute and smart and everything a boyfriend should be. But no spark, no real romance came of things, especially when Winston came around and it was harder for her to not acknowledge her growing feelings for the older man.
It was inevitable that she and Xander didn't work out, though they stayed friends and occasionally worked together on fighting villains. She had even gotten him an in at Winston's business, in his new superhero division.
And it was after that that she realized that she was done, and there was no one else for her but Winston Deavor.
One graduation and entrance to college later, and she was focused on her classes again and refusing to date anyone, even if she had some people asking her out.
Winston was still a fixture in her life and here she was, on winter break and wishing she had stayed on campus after all. Especially with him always being around and being such a wonderful man.
"Winston, pass the milk please," she asked quietly, wanting to have a quick breakfast and retreat to her room.
He smiled kindly. "Of course, Violet. Is cereal all you're having? I could make some pancakes? Or scrambled eggs? Maybe some toast?"
God, really? Why was he so sweet?
Violet shook her head. "I'm alright. Don't you have work today?"
He waved it off. "Not really. If it's important, they have my phone. Usually I'm in my office, but they don't really need me as much right now. Plus! You're on break. I hardly see you anymore, since you started at Urbem State, so I want to be around while you're here. How's that going so far anyway? You like the place?"
Her heart was beating too fast, the notion he was there because she was made her happy and sad both at once. She was happy for that, but sad as she acknowledged there wasn't any real special reason (feelings) in regards to it.
If anything, it was because she was family to him.
"It's good," she answered softly. "I'm doing well in my classes and the campus is pretty large. There's a lot to do, though I haven't signed up for any clubs or anything."
He started grinning. "Oh, don't I know it! When I was studying over at my alma mater, I certainly couldn't wait to join everything. I was overenthusiastic about things, but I was determined to enjoy college life back then. Looked into any sororities?"
She made a face. "I was thinking about it, but I doubt I'd fit in any of them."
Winston scoffed, looking disbelieving. "What? Of course you would! You're Invisigirl! One of the most popular girls in the world right now, if not the most popular. Even if they wouldn't know you are Invisigirl, anyone could just tell you're special just looking at you —spend a few minutes with you and it'd be a no brainer!"
A pang in her heart made her pause, while she gave him a sad smile.
"You're always too kind, Winn," she told him.
He gave a gentle look that made her want to reach out. "I'm just telling the truth, Vi."
Sometimes, she wished she'd met him when she'd been a little older.
"Hey, Vi," her mother greeted her at her room's door. She looked up from her laptop, stopping her typing to focus on her mom. "Dinner's about to be ready."
"Okay, I'll head down in a bit," she said distractedly, going back to her thesis.
Helen hesitated before coming into the room and closing the door behind her. That caught Violet's attention and she straightened up on her bed.
"Vi, I'm sorry everyone hasn't been able to really be around while you're on break," her mother apologized and came to sit by her on the bed. "It hasn't been the best break for you, I know, but I hear that at least Winston's around?"
Violet gave a fond smile, if a little bittersweet. "He's been good company. It's a little less lonely when he drops by."
"I'm glad," Helen said, though she looked at her in concern. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Remembering Winston's sweet presence, charming grins, caring gestures, there was a lot Violet could've said and admitted to.
Just not what she was willing.
"I'm good, Mom," she said instead and pointed to her laptop. "Finishing up some work. I'll head down after, promise."
Helen nodded hesitantly and leaned in to kiss her daughter's forehead, leaving her afterwards.
Violet almost wanted to call her back, so she could cry in her arms about being in love with someone she couldn't be in love with and who would never love her back.
"You're heading back already?" Winston asked in dismay. "But you still have half of your break left!"
'I can't stay,' Violet said inwardly, but didn't let slip out of her mouth. 'I can't be around you.'
"I have some work I need to finish back on campus," she excused herself. "It's due soon and I think there's an application I applied for just before break that I should be getting a reply from soon."
"An application? What for? And I've got plenty of resources for you to use, if you need them to finish your work," Winston insisted. "It'll be Christmas soon! You'll miss out on it and that's a time for family."
"I'll think about it," she said to placate him and maybe she could just endure it a little longer, cling to his presence for as much as she could at this time.
"Good," he said, looking relieved. "Now, since Helen and Bob said they're going to be out late and Dash is sleeping over a friend's, plus Jack Jack having once again being strongarmed into staying with Ms. Mode, it'll be just you and I tonight again. I was thinking we'd go out to eat!"
That surprised her and put butterflies in her stomach and her nerves to light up.
"Go out to eat? Just us?" she asked shocked.
He blinked at her, looking unconcerned. "Yes, that's right. Something wrong?"
"Where would we even go?" she asked in bewilderment. Aside from them looking like the age gapped duo they were, where could the two of them go to eat with their two different lifestyles?
And just like that, he was back to his cheerful self. "Oh, I ran into this very adorable out of the way restaurant by where I work —it's very homely and cozy! I think you'd like it and I heard they've got a delightful homemade apple pie."
Her lips twitched up and she resigned herself to being by his side and adoring him from a safe distance.
"Alright, sounds good to me. When are we going?"
"Let's go now!"
It was, as he said, just as he described —homely and cozy, and oddly a bit of an intimate atmosphere. There were, along with families, a lot more couples around and eating together than she had anticipated.
Winston looked a bit out of place with his blue business suit and tie. He looked even more out of place next to her, with her in her casual jeans, purple top, and a matching purple headband.
"We look odd together, don't you think?" she said and he shrugged. "Really? I don't think so. I think we're fine," he said dismissively, leading the way to a booth and accepting the menu from their waiter.
"I might look at the bread bowls," she looked at her own menu curiously. "They look good."
"I was thinking of the chicken pot pie. It doesn't have peas! I don't like peas," Winston noted pleased.
She snickered at him and he goodnaturedly smirked.
"I don't like peas either," she admitted. "I —"
Sounds of sirens and loud crashes and destruction outside the restaurant reached them, and she paused in place as she frowned. She glanced at him and he looked at her reassuringly.
"I'm good," he said to her with a smile. "Go do your thing, Vi."
Then he looked utterly fanboyish and adorably dorky as he gave her a thumbs up and practically was jittery in his seat. She laughed and ruffled his slicked back hair fondly.
"Be back in a flash, Winn."
And she rushed to find an exit so she could haul off and get in on the action, knowing one of her favorite fans was back there waiting on her and cheering her on.
An hour later, she anxiously went back to the restaurant, wondering if Winston was still there after all that time. To her surprise and sad fondness, there he was —patiently waiting at their booth and looking just as cheerful as always. When he looked up and saw her, his face broke out into a huge grin and he waved.
Slipping back into her seat, she gave him a wondrous look. "You're still here?"
Winston blinked. "Why wouldn't I be? I know you were, uh, taking care of things, so of course I would be waiting here until you finished up."
"Who knows how long I'd be," she pointed out.
"And miss out on welcoming back a Super? My favorite one at that!" he whispered excitedly and oh God, he was such a dork and he was so stupid sweet —
High off of the adrenaline and her recent win, she let herself happily laugh and reach across to briefly hug him, knowing she'd caught him off guard.
"Well then, let's eat and celebrate!"
He gestured to the menu. "I hope you don't mind, but I ordered for us already. You said something about a bread bowl, so I picked something I thought you'd like."
"Wait, when did you even order —Wouldn't it have been here and already cold by now, if you ordered after I left?" she asked.
He shook his head and held up his phone sheepishly. "I was keeping up with the fight outside as much as I could, so when you were finishing up, I hailed our waiter over and ordered."
"I'm surprised no one said anything about my long absence," she mused.
Winston chuckled. "You weren't the only one who disappeared from the restaurant. They probably figured you're some sort of Super fan and went to check out the fight, like some of the others that left here earlier."
She was amused about it, but glad it hadn't gotten Winston bothered there or pestered about her absence or the long wait at the table.
"And there's our food!" Winston exclaimed in delight. "Right on time," he winked at her. "Aren't I good?"
Violet giggled. Yes, he really was.
The soft look he gained then, aimed at her, made her breath hitch and her emotions switched, spiraling down into a bittersweet happiness as she inwardly wished he was seeing her the way she wished he would.
"Let's eat," she said quietly instead and knew he was confused by her sudden shift in mood.
He didn't have to know he was the reason.
Winston took her back home after, offering to stay a while. Claiming to be tired and ready to go to bed, they parted ways with an awkwardness Violet wished wasn't there but unfortunately was due to her weird mood. But she didn't want him to know and he wasn't sure what was wrong.
Alone and emotionally exhausted, Violet went straight to her room and began packing. Once she was done, she took her laptop and set up a plane ticket, deciding to head straight to her new home for the next four years.
Paris was her destination, the application she'd filed for a transfer to the university there having long been approved. She had tried to use it as an excuse to Winston earlier for a reason as to her leaving early, lying that she was waiting on it and not exactly saying what she'd applied for…
But she was damned trying to put as much distance between them as she could!
She'll have her roommate pack what little things she had left and send it over, but in the meantime, she needed to leave already and just clear her head.
Because all she could think of was Winston and being around him made her too happy than she had a right to be.
Maybe she was running away; maybe she was being a coward.
The truth was that she wasn't going to have a Winston to stick by and pick her up, make her happy and fall back on —the way she had him be by her side after Tony, after Xander.
There was no Winston to save her from heartbreak, like he had for her with those two.
Because this time he was the cause of the heartbreak.
Violet shook her head at herself and took her luggage, leaving it all behind and telling herself not to look back.
Started 4/2/21 — Completed 4/5/21
A/n: I don't know why, but I'm obsessed with this pairing? Like I don't know, I just like them together and think Winston's super adorable and dorky. Hope you guys enjoyed this one-shot and let me know you feel about it!
Quick Points:
1. Modern setting (because I originally actually didn't know the era wasn't present day all this time XD). Hence, laptops and all~ Although the movie is weird having cell phones and other higher tech being used…
2. Xander Carson is from the comics and replaced Tony Rydinger as Violet's love interest. Thought I'd insert him into canon here too.
3. I thought Violet was older and already in high school in the movies XD Seriously, so the14 canon age surprised me and caught me off guard. Anyone else thought she was older too?
4. 18 year age difference is the same used by the couple in "Sesame Salt and Pudding" manga, which is super cute and I recommend.
5. Violet/Tony's backstory is inspired by "Super Attraction" by Rosa Cotton on FFN, which was one of the first Incredibles fic I read years ago and which really stuck with me. I like these two together, but this fic kind of just really stuck out in my mind.
6. I'm tempted to write more to this and make it a three-shot, but I'm realistic enough to know this probably won't gain much attention in the first place and just something I indulged in and though I'd share XD