Curate, connect, and discover
the only reason why he had a child was because he became obsessed with the idea of normalcy
emotionally repressed and wouldn't know how to talk to you
conversations would be limited to "how was your day?" and "how was work?"
being emotionally present and vulnerable is uncomfortable for him
he would show up to teacher meetings just to reassure himself that he was taking taking care of you and cared about your grades/how you're doing socially
sometimes you would go on a walk together, make s'mores, or he would teach you how to fish
these little moments would keep you clinging to the idea that he really did love and care for you/convinces you that he was a good dad
his job takes up most of his time, so he would rarely be home
and when he is home, he's sleeping
when he would have to leave during the night, there would be a note and a pitiful breakfast waiting for you on the kitchen table
lots of babysitters, LOTS of them
he is obsessed with the idea of normalcy and that he would be a better father than his own, but he never puts in the work
"Don't forget to let the dogs out and feed them, I'll be back at 9" he isn't back until eleven
he keeps three meals on rotation and the rest of the days are filled with frozen food or take out
weirdly overprotective, but isn't actually there when it counts
the best he could do for a packed lunch is different kinds of lunchables
his emotional repression and social anxiety would cost you your social life, as it would be hard to make friends because you didn't grow up with a father who encouraged you to be social or teach you how to be confident
spontaneous rants about what is right and wrong/trying to instill a strong moral compass in you to compensate for his own self-doubt
he always drinks a glass of whiskey before bed
waiting for Will to show up for school performances and he's not there
you're often late to school either because of the babysitter or he doesn't get up quick enough
"Can we get ice cream?" "I'm sorry, baby. Not today, Daddy's a little tired. Maybe next time." "You're always tired..."
buys you things instead of apologizing