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To tell the truth, Spy knew that somehow this would all go wrong. Scout was a man, true, but his dealing with women were... scarce, to say the least. The times that he did interact with them, they were usually just some tramps, ones who would go to bed with anyone. Needless to say, Scout does not know how to have a relationship.
Nevertheless, Spy helped him. Why? He himself has yet to have an answer to that question. Perhaps it was the inevitable death that awaited them, or maybe the pity he felt for the boy? Well, not that It really matters, what's done is done.
He was actually pleasantly surprised about Scout's make-shift prom and his ability to compliment Miss Pauling. All that effort unfortunately went down the drain when the bread monster attacked. It was honestly the most absurd thing he ever fought.
It was all for nothing in the end too, as Miss Pauling absolutely did not appreciate Scout wasting her day off.
So now the whole team was stuck with a sad and moping Scout. The boy was like a zombie, dragging his legs. It was honestly pathetic but one can't blame a boy who goes through rejection the first time in his life. Especially one who does his best to appear perfect, despite his insecurities.
Spy felt bad- his son did the best he could, It wasn't his fault that Miss Pauling did not like him back. It seems Scout doesn't know that though and insists on blaming himself for every little thing that went wrong.
To be honest, the whole team was absolutely done dealing with a sad Scout. It was kind of unsettling to see a boy who was usually talked enough for everyone in the room; now a husk of himself, barely speaking up. It was Spy who decided to finally talk to him.
It was another quiet evening and the chill of the smoking room was making his lips crack. Taking one last drag of his cigarette, he finished his whisky and left the room quietly. From the looks of it, the team was still in the rec room. Good, that means no one will disturb him.
While he didn't feel embarrassed comforting Scout at all (who would feel that way about helping their son?), he did not want to have to explain to the team the whole story. It was bad enough that Sniper knew, if Spy had to tell the story again, he might actually burst into sobs in front of the team- and how pathetic would that be?
He did not like reminiscing about It but sometimes the memories ensnare him like vines, making him unable to escape them. They're like a shadow, always there and overlooking quietly. When he feels the thorns his head, he locks himself in his room and wallows in his regrets.
Would things have gone different if he had stayed? Would Jeremy had been a good student, perhaps even get straight A's? Spy would have taught him how to ride a bike and how to pick up girls, so that he would never had problems like Miss Pauling- right! He was going to Scout's room to talk to him about that. He was going off track.
Walking towards the boy's room, he knocked quietly. "Go away" a tiny voice said from the inside. He knocked again, not willing to give up when he already came this far. This time there was no response, so the Frenchman took this as permission to enter.
When he opened the door he actually stumbled back from the shock. It was a complete mess, cans of Bonk and clothes strewn around everywhere. There was so much stuff that he could barely see the floor. Looking toward the bed in hopes of catching his boy, he noticed a bump in the sheets.
Jeremy seems to have turned into a lump of depression, hiding himself away. Looking at his room, he hoped that the boy hadn't disintegrated into radioactive dust from all the Bonk he drank. "Scout, could you come out?" He tried to coax him out calmly first. However, the bump on the bed did not even stir.
"Scout, come out so we can talk." He said once again, trying his best to keep a kind tone. This time there seemed to be a reaction. "Go 'way Spy, you're the last person I wanna see." Scout replied quietly, shifting around in his bed.
"Now, why is that? I would think that anyone would be lucky to see me." The Frenchman said, trying to be funny. Cheering Scout up was already proving to be quite difficult but his sire was just as stubborn as him. The bump on the bed only groaned.
"Come on, why are you like this? You did your best, I was actually surprised when you called her ravishing!" That seemed to do It, Scout shot up from his bed; Startling Spy. It seems the position was unfortunate as the men bumped their heads together. Groaning in pain, they grabbed their foreheads.
Scout recovered quickly and started yelling. "Are ya kiddin' me? I completely fucked It up, Miss Pauling won't even talk to me for fuck's sake!" The boy looked frustrated to tears, seems he waited quite a while to have an outburst like that.
Spy took on a fatherly tone. "Scout, I'm 100% sure that you did your absolute best. You even put aside your pride to ask me for help. Out of all people! You cannot blame yourself for a decision that you could not influence. Yes, Miss Pauling rejected you but that was her choice. You are just as good as you think you are, you just have to find the right person to see It." He ended the speech with a crooked smirk.
Scout looked bewildered, wide eyes locked on Spy's face. Spy thought that he must not have been expecting this speech from him of all people. After a few moments of silence, the boy finally spoke up.
"Are you sure you ain't drunk or somethin' man?" Aaand there goes the mood. Spy facepalms, of course this would be his son's reaction to a heartfelt speech. Well, he cannot blame him too much; he was rarely kind to the boy. He had to keep him at arm's length, just to be safe. If Scout found out who he was, he would be in even more danger than he already is.
"Well, to be honest with you, I was kinda scared to come out of my room." Scout looked awkward, averting his gaze. "You see, I kinda felt as If I... had wasted your time. Like I disappointed you." He finally admitted, his shoulders drooping.
Oh. Oh
This is what everything was about. It was truly out of character for Scout to be acting this way about a girl; and now Spy knew why. He wasn't moping about Miss Pauling, he felt about about disappointing the older man. This realization melted Spy's heart.
His stupid, stupid boy. He could never be an embarrassment to his father. Every waking day all Spy could think of is how proud he is of Jeremy. That he turned out this way, a kind and talented boy; despite his dad's shortcomings. In Spy's eyes, Scout was perfect and he could never disappoint his father.
Spy felt prickling at his eyes, he choked back the tears. Looking over at Scout with pride, the boy was still fidgeting in place. Wanting to placate his worries, he opened his mouth to cradle him with his comforting words. "You've never disappointed me Jeremy."
He wanted to say so much more. He wanted to shout from the rooftops about who he was. He wanted to hold his son's hand and hug him. To be able to comfort him, as he is now, without any qualms about It. He wanted to go back to Boston with him, to see his beloved. To sit with them on the same couch ones again and cuddle as they would when they were younger and when things were simpler and-
Spy was getting lost in his memories again when Scout brought him back to reality. The boy had thrown his arms around him, tightly squeezing. Spy was flabbergasted, he had long since he held his son. The last time was around 20 years ago, right before he left.
It was night and Jeremy was already asleep. Piérre had creeped into the nursery as quietly as he could as to not to wake the boy. Walking up to the tiny bed and sitting down next to It, he looked at his son. He was an angel, Piérre decided, and he helped make him. A perfect boy, one who would achieve great things.
Tears stained the Frenchman's face, he knew what he had to do. Looking at his child's face made him doubt whether he had the strength to do It. Jeremy shifted in his sleep and grabbed onto his father's hand. That broke Piérre, he held onto his son as tightly as he could.
He knew that when morning came, he would be long gone. For now, he pretended that everything was okay, that he was a normal father comforting his baby.
He held his son now as tightly as he did back then, not willing to let go. They stayed like that for a few minutes, both of the men quiet. It was only when Scout let go to look at him that Spy reluctantly parted. The boy looked a lot better, his worries placated.
"Thanks man, you really helped me out. With everything I mean, not only this. You might be an asshole sometimes but you're actually a decent guy!" Scout gave him a toothy smile, complete with his buck teeth. Spy cleared his throat, holding back a grin. After all, he had a reputation to uphold and a secret keep.
After a few awkward moments, Spy got up on his feet. Nodding his head as a goodbye, he turned around ready to leave- Jeremy grabbed his wrist before he could. He looked like he wanted to ask something very important.
"How do you know my name man?" He finally spewed out.
Oh, well that was a problem. Spy was enjoying the moment so much that he made a mistake. Of course the only person who could make him forget himself would be his son. He scrambled to make an excuse.
"Ah well, I sneaked into the Medic's office to look at the files once. Blackmail material, you understand don't you?" Spy hoped that would be enough to placate his son's never-ending curiosity. Thankfully, he looked satisfied and let go of his father's wrist.
Spy left hurriedly, not wanting to get himself into even deeper trouble. He noticed the sun had already set, they must have talked for quite a while. He let put a sigh at his reflection in the window, he looked so tired.
Walking into his smoking room, he realized something. Spy did not fear death for himself, he knew it was inevitable. He had already lived his life. Jeremy, on the other hand...
He was so young, too young. He had his whole life ahead of him and yet, It was all going to be taken away; and it would've been his father's fault. For not being there to raise him, to keep him out of trouble and teach him about those mundane things in life.
Spy hadn't helped Jeremy because he was scared of death or felt pity for him. For once in his life he just wanted to feel normal, like he didn't do anything wrong, to be a father to Jeremy.
He had wanted to spend his last moments by his son's side.