Jim split his attention—though it was more so an attempt at switching it back and forth quickly— between his first proper meal since becoming a human, and making Strickler know he was unwelcome without his mom catching on. Luckily his multitasking was improved thanks to the years of combat. He sliced into his steak, the smell hitting him like an aphrodisiac.
I mustn't look like in enjoying it. Strickler doesn't deserve that satisfaction. But… eating it will keep up the appearance for mom.
Satisfied with his logic he took a bite, chewing slowly before swallowing. Rocks had nothing on human food. He glanced across the table at Strickler and put a smile on his face.
"I'm sorry I had to step out. I would have happily taken over in the kitchen. I don't think you got to properly appreciate my cooking last time. You tried to stab me, remember?"
Walter let out a startlingly believable sounding laugh, quipping, "I happen to recall the exchange going both ways. You are correct though. I shall have to try your cooking sometime."
Barbara smiled, putting her hand on Walter's and chiming in, "Jim's always been excellent in the kitchen. I think he learned as a way of surviving meals around here."
Walter chose that moment to take a bite of food and Jim begrudgingly awarded him points for knowing how to avoid that conversation. Everyone knew his mom's cooking was horrible, but no one had the heart to agree with her when she admitted it herself. It was kind of an unspoken rule in the house. One he had to wonder if Strickler had learned about the hard way.
Walter glanced across the table at Jim, the sharp glare he met startling him some. Had something happened with Claire while he was walking her home? After all he was sure he had done everything in his power to— His gaze landed on Jim's plate. The meat already devoured but the vegetables neglected.
Of course he noticed. I suppose this is easily remedied. I'll just explain that—
Jim interrupted his thought, "So Strickler. How long did it take for you to get the guts to start dating my mom?"
On the other hand perhaps apologies could wait. Surely the years without any proper parenting had done Jim a disservice.
"As a matter of fact," Walter began, "It wasn't a lack of bravery but rather the knowledge that no amount of good in the world could possibly make me worthy of a woman so lovely that kept my mind preoccupied. I could never apologize enough for all the things I've done and yet…" His tone softened as he glanced at Barbara, "Somehow… She found it in her heart to forgive me. Truly in all my years I have never met anyone with such a capacity for love."
Jim felt a pang of guilt. As much as he was mad at Strickler, he couldn't deny that the man really did love his mom. She looked happier than he had seen in a long time. He couldn't possibly take that away from her. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing.
"Hey… Walter. Wanna help me in the kitchen for a second?"
He saw the surprise register on the man's face as much as he heard it in his voice. They had never really been on a first name basis. It felt unfamiliar on his tongue.
Walter stood up, a genuine smile on his face. It took years off of him. The atmosphere of the house had shifted, the air of aggression finally starting to let up.
"Of course Jim. Barbara dear, you don't mind do you?"
Barbara smiled, fixing her hair as she answered, "Of course not. It's good to see you two are finally starting to get along."
Jim and Walter both froze, guilt painting their features as she looked between them both and laughed.
"You two didn't honestly think I wasn't going to pick up on the tension did you? I'm a mother. It's practically in the job description." She stood and pressed a kiss to Walter's cheek, hugging Jim tightly, "You two had a bit of a rough history, I know. But I happen to recall hearing about what a great history teacher someone had before all this troll hunting business went down. And I know for a fact that Walt here was saying how nice it would be to have a family dinner with you Jim."
He blinked in shock, speaking without thinking, "You… want us to be a family?"
Walter nodded a little, resting a hand on Jim's shoulder, "I know I'm not exactly the ideal father figure but—"
Jim cut him off, "You're fine. I just… I'm gonna need some time to get used to… well… not hating you."
A family huh… I mean… it's not an unpleasant sounding idea. I'm just not sure about this whole having a dad thing.
Barbara smiled, collection the empty plates. The mood was still awkward, but at least the tension was all but gone. Her statement about the atmosphere in the room had been kind of a gamble. She wasn't used to reading Jim after how long he was away and Walter's ability to put on a friendly face was second to none. She silently congratulated herself for getting things right and not making the situation worse instead.
A real family… When was the last time that sounded like a possibility? Let alone a good one. With James... things had been simpler. No trolls or magic or messy history to navigate. But even then she messed it up. So why did this feel so right? Was it even fair for her to be selfish like this? To ask Jim to forgive Walter? To ask Walter to take on the baggage James had left her with?
"Barbara…?"
She blinked a few times, the stack of messy plates gone from the table and the vibrant green of Walter's eyes coming into focus.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must just be tired from all this excitement recently. Why don't we all sit down and watch a movie together?"
"I have a lot of movies I need to catch up on," Jim commented, going over to the TV and getting it set up. "Do you care what we watch?"
Barbara smiled, trying to dismiss her worries as she answered, "Whatever you want is fine. I'll get snacks."
Walter put a hand on her back, walking into the kitchen with her and pulling her into a hug gently, pressing his lips to her forehead gently. The tension started to melt out of her shoulders before her doubts slipped back into her mind.
How long until he leaves too?
He frowned, cupping her face gently, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks. He was worried. How far they had come from the early days where she couldn't tell if he was being genuine or not. He wasn't even trying to hide it this time.
"Barbara… talk to me love. What's weighing so heavily on your mind?"
Oh not much. Just thinking of all the reasons this isn't going to work out. Wondering how long till you'll leave.
"I'm fine. Just tired. It was a long day at work and—"
Walter cut her off, "It's okay. You don't have to tell me if you're not ready yet. It's just hard to see you like this…"
Will I ever be ready though? Or are you just going to be another James all over again? I don't want to lose you too Walter...
