Play Pretend
By Ms. Kinnikufan
Disclaimer: Pixar owns them.
The man touching Buddy is not really Mr. Incredible. He is a damn good imitator-tinted hair and eye, bodybuilding and voice training.
A very expensive lie that has been purchased for the night.
All the touches and affection that the man is giving Buddy are bought and paid for.
But Buddy can feel and hear them and that's good enough.
Buddy's always had to play pretend games: with his's parent's love (it wasn't there), with his grandfather's death (it was liver cirrhosis from his lifelong alcoholism), and his childish hopes (Incrediboy).
Why should things change now that's he an adult?