[#211 - Apology] - Sons of the Fathers

[obabscribbler.livejournal.com]

Challenge: [#211 - Apology]
Title: Sons of the Fathers
Word Count: 598
Notes: Because the world needs more fic of Max Goof and PJ. It has to be hard, knowing you never see your dad because your best friend's father went evil.

 

-

“Quit spazzing, man.”

 

Max took a breath and let it out through his nose. It didn’t help, but let him formulate a non-snappish response. “I can’t help it, Peej. I want everything to be perfect.”

 

PJ’s look was understanding. Shame hissed out of Max like air from a balloon. PJ didn’t have a snappish bone in his body. He’d been stressing too, but wasn’t bordering a meltdown like Max – impressive when you considered PJ’s dad had gone over to the dark side and left his son with the ensuing disgrace. It took guts to face each day when people judged you by your parent’s mistakes, but Max had never heard PJ complain.

 

Then again, it wasn’t much easier facing each day being judged by your parent’s achievements. Unlike PJ, however, Max complained. A lot. And struggled. A lot. When your dad worked with the Keyblade Master you had to do a lot to measure up.

 

Not for the first time, Max was grateful for his best friend.

 

“Is my tie crooked?”

 

“Perfect. Same as the last time you asked.” PJ raised his eyebrows. “Thirty seconds ago.”

 

Max flushed. “Sorry.”

 

“No problem.” PJ’s features scrunched into a mask of concern. “Do these epaulettes make me look fat?”

 

“Dude, you did not just ask me that.”

 

“What? What?”

 

“Roxanne can ask me that kind of question. You? Not so much.”

 

PJ considered. “Point taken. When’s she gonna get here, anyhow?”

 

Max adjusted his tie one last time. “She went straight to the parade grounds with the archery division. We’ll hook up after the ceremony. I can’t wait to introduce her to my dad.”

 

True, some might consider it weird, introducing your girlfriend to your father two years after you started going out, but it had been that long since Max’s dad came home. He’d promised to, but somehow saving other worlds always got in the way of being in this one.

 

But not today. Max had a solemn oath his father wouldn’t miss this.

 

“Unbelievable.” PJ shook his head. “Graduation, man. We survived!”

 

“Yeah.” With honours. Max couldn’t wait for the Valedictorian’s Address, when he’d stand before all those people – students, teachers, parents, dignitaries – and they’d see he was more than just Son of Goofy. Moreover, he couldn’t wait to see the pride on his father’s face. That was why he’d joined the Royal Military Academy, after all. “We did it.”

 

The grounds were already filling when they took their seats on stage. Max had a perfect view of the reserved seats. Two had embossed crowns for the king and queen. True, his majesty hadn’t attended the last few ceremonies, but this year would be different.

 

Even when the queen’s entourage arrived and she took her place alone, Max was confident.

 

Even when the headmaster’s speech began, and the front row still had gaps, he didn’t waver.

 

It was harder when it was his turn. Roxanne smiled encouragingly. PJ gave a thumbs-up. Max only had eyes for one of the four empty seats.

 

“I’m sure he had good reasons,” Roxanne said afterwards, lacing her fingers with his.

 

“Yeah, man,” PJ added. “He wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

 

For the world? Max almost laughed at the wording.

 

“The Captain sends his apologies,” Queen Minnie said sadly. “But circumstances were out of his control.”

 

PJ couldn’t meet Max’s gaze, obviously guilty his father’s actions had kept Max’s from seeing this important event. “Sorry, man.”

 

“Not your fault, Peej.” Max’s eyes stung, but he wasn’t a kid anymore. He hadn’t been for a while. “Some things just aren’t meant to be.”

 

Comments

[iki-teru.livejournal.com]

Oh, Scribbler. You should not be allowed to break my heart so thoroughly with this piece, and yet you do.

Where to begin... The toning and pacing of this piece was just lovely, how you took us from the nervous pre-graduation to that moment after. And poor Max! This makes me wonder how PJ's handling everything though, and man am I craving more KH fics about these guys.

[obabscribbler.livejournal.com]

Your feedback always makes me blush like a furnace. THERE IS NOW NO SNOW AROUND MY HOUSE BECAUSE OF YOU! IT ALL MELTED FROM MY BLUSHING! And yes, Max, Roxanne and PJ need to be in Kingdom Hearts liek whoa.