Summary: The irony of how everyone assumes your young friend is your son/the reluctant parent figure trope. (Ok so, I didn't know Tintin went to America before he met Haddock, since when I wrote this I was going on the episode order of the 90s animated series on YouTube before I was able to read the comics. Pardon the inaccuracy to canon, but I hope it's a fun read nonetheless!)

"Captain, your boy is at it again."

"What's it now?" Haddock looked up from examining the navigation charts. The winds outside were getting stronger, and the last thing they needed now was drifting off course when the storm from yesterday had already set them back a few days from their initial deadline.

"Your kid just took down one of the most notorious mafia gangs in the States!" One of the crew members exclaimed, pointing to the small box TV in the corner.

"Chicago is in a state of jubilation as the tyranny of Al Capone and his gang on the streets is finally over," the news announcer stated, "all thanks to famous Belgian reporter Tintin!"

Sure enough, the young reporter with his familiar ginger quiff and white terrier by his side appeared on the screen.

Haddock chuckled softly, "Yep, that's him alright."

The crew member whistled, "Man, he just never stops, does he?"

"Bet he was a handful when he was younger, ay Cap?" His first mate asked, handing him a mug of coffee. "A wee tot keeping ya on yer toes."

"Mmm, don't know. He rarely mentions his folks, but I can imagine him being a reckless little bugger." He smiled and added absentmindedly before taking a sip, "Probably gave his parents gray hairs before he could even walk."

"Wait, he's not your son?" One of the younger sailors asked.

Haddock sputtered, nearly choking on his drink. "What?!"

"Dummy, of course he's not his actual kid."

"Now, hold on, what's that supposed to mean?"

His first mate noticed his scrutinizing glare and coughed. "Er, I mean, you never mentioned you were married or anything."

The others nodded as one of them added, "We just thought that he was sort of your ward? Since you two are practically joined at the hip when you're not sailing with us."

"Yeah, we didn't exactly peg you for the 'fatherly' type, but it tends to show whenever you're with the kid."

Heat settled onto Haddock's face as he scoffed and turned away. "I don't know what you knuckleheads are talking about."

His first mate clapped a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Cap, I think it's sweet you think of him as your own."

"I don't-He's not my-oh, get back to work you lot of gabbing gulls!" With a dramatic swig of his coffee, Haddock stomped back to the table and roughly set the mug down before picking up one of the maps, grumbling to himself as if the paper had personally offended him.

"What's his problem?" The younger sailor tilted their head in bafflement.

"Guess it was just a misunderstanding," the first mate shrugged before returning to their stations.

Unbeknownst to them, while Haddock pored over the charts, his thoughts were focused on the tv as he listened attentively. At least when he returned home after this trip, he could look forward to hearing about the boy's latest antics in person.