Rekindled [Aaron/???]

Aaron would look up at Phoebe and give a little smile. He leaned over and grabbed the pillows so she could come and get off her feet. He would then rest his arm on the back of the couch and watch her until she sat. He would take a drink and talk while he was watching "Godzilla vs Mecha Godzilla".

"You took it well. You always do. And you can think I'm a jerk but you needed- maybe even still need- a kick in the ass. That's something even you can't deny."

He took another drink, and looked almost like a cat, licking his paws.

Aaron shrugged.

"I have given up. I've given up on coddling you too. You aren't kids anymore, and you have seen more in your youth than myself. You are so used to having Allen's approach, and moms approach- to talk and explain, and feel it away. The problem is those things don't help sometimes. Sometimes you need someone to put a fist in your mouth and tell you to deal with it."

He took another drink and looked at her after the last bit.

"You can be so thick headed sometimes. Stop saying you don't know what to do or how to stop. That's just confusing yourself. You know how, you've already started. You just don't understand it yet. YES!"

He shouted, Mecha Godzille giving Godzilla a good blowback. He was throwing down hard and the beast was taking it like a champ. Sometimes, it was good to root for the bad guy. Their dog, Arturus, padded into the room, sniffing and licking his hand before curling up on the floor, tail wagging.

His hand would be on her shoulder, holding her rooted to the couch. 

"Did I say you could go?"

He took another drink, leaning back but keeping his hand firmly there. He said what he said on purpose. He knew how she would react. He would continue to watch as Godzilla got back to his feet. After a few moments he spoke calmly.

"You don't get it. I gave up when I came back from the military, Phoebe. I had been around for a few weeks prior to that, watching you guys. And you don't need me to be this rock for you now. I am, and always will be, there for you guys."

He turned to look at her.

"But you are rocks of your own now, and to each other. People gravitate to you, and look to you guys for laughter and enjoyment and strength. Courage. When I say I had given up- I meant I had given up trying to take Dads place. I thought that would be obvious but, I guess, from the outside it wouldn't be. So when it comes to things like this I'm going to be harder on you than Allen will, because I was sure you could take it. You've just shown me the most important thing you could."

He removed his hand.

"You proved that I was right."

He gave her a crooked smile, his eyes twinkling. It was his way of try to encourage her without babying her. He hadn't given up on her in the sense that he thought she was hopeless. He had given up trying to pretend she isn't as strong as she was. Those days...were over.

He would blink.

"Oh...you seemed like you were getting ready to bounce. Sorry- go get yourself some of the good stuff- vicoden, upstairs. There are bandages too."

He would hear what she said, but just let out a low "Hmm..." in response.

Arturus would turn to look at her, something like a smile on his face as he panted before laying back down.

Aaron would come back into the living room, holding his beer and a soda for Phoebe. There were Pizza rolls on the table and he had netflix up- it was clear she was staying and he wasn't about to force her to watch old, corny movies with him. He had SUITS queued and would smile.

"I called to school tomorrow and told them you won't be in. I'll be taking you to the doctor to have the ribs checked."

He wasn't leaving room for argument.