Title: For The Want of A Father
Summary: How does Alex Rider spend his Father's Day without his father? The answer may surprise you.
Rating: K
Author: Writer With Sprite
A short drabble.
Disclaimer: If I owned them Ben and Alex would be mysteriously related and they wouldn't find that out until Book 8.
Father's day.
I don't really know how to celebrate the holiday, nor do I know how to celebrate Mother's day. At least on mother's day, Jack is there and I can celebrate her.
But what am I supposed to do to celebrate Father's Day?
It is a great tradition… but I don't know how to celebrate it.
I asked Tom Harris, my mate, how he celebrated it. He said that he celebrated it by escaping from the house because his mum was throwing dishes at his father.
Not exactly my idea of a great holiday.
Managed to run into another friend from school – they're going to Australia.
So how do I celebrate father's day?
As I move through the empty streets, I run into someone. It is Ben Daniels, from MI6. I can tell him Happy Father's Day. Maybe it will make me feel better.
"Alex," he calls out to me, "How are you?"
"I'm okay," I say. I know I have kind of a glum look on my face. Then I smile, remembering my mission. "Happy Father's Day, Ben."
"Well, thanks," Ben says, surprised. He sighs. "Well, it would have been, but my wife and child…" he doesn't say anymore, and I put my hand on his shoulder.
We are quiet for a minute.
"What about you?" he asks me, as he turns to survey my face.
I obediently let my eyes drop. "My father died working for MI6. My mother died too."
A minute of silence passes. "I'm sorry, Cub."
"I know, Ben."
A miniscule pause of silence before: "We've both had losses; but we're both still alive. My wife wouldn't want me to grieve, nor would my daughter… Alex, how about we celebrate together?"
A smile flashes through my face and somehow I know we're about to start a new tradition. "Okay," I say, "but only if I can call you 'Dad.'"
"Hell, yes," Ben responds as he checks his watch. "Now come over to the apartment. We can pretend you're my long-lost kid, that we just found out, and really freak out the rest of K-Unit. What do you say?"
Now a bigger smile is on my face. "I'm game!"
This is going to be such fun.
As we walk towards his apartment, I can't help but feel more at peace. Ben puts his hand on my shoulder, once, and then I swear I hear my father's voice saying he's proud of me.
I love you, Dad, I think as I walk into Ben's flat.
FINIS
Sort of a belated Happy Father's Day fic for those of you who are dads and those of you who aren't. Enjoy! If you liked please review.
