wary inquisition
pairing: Robert Small/Reader
the reader's pronouns are he/him; otherwise, race is ambiguous and no physical descriptors are used.
summary: “My closet door needs oiling,” Amanda says, raising an eyebrow at you. “It’s super creaky.” You say something quietly to Robert before heading to Amanda’s room to investigate the “creaky door”. You won’t find anything wrong, of course—Amanda just needed to get you out of the room. And now, she has Robert right where she wants him. “So,” she drawls, shoving her hands in her pockets and staring at Robert. “You’re dating my dad, huh?”
Your relationship with Robert, from Amanda's perspective.
word count: 3k | ao3 version
warnings: spoilers to Robert's route of the game!
Amanda is fine with her father dating people. Really, she is. It’s just… sometimes, you aren’t the best at picking them. That leaves her with the responsibility of vetting them out—eliminating the questionable characters, driving them away before you can get too close to them.
Honestly, Amanda just doesn’t want you to get hurt. She knows you have a bit of a bleeding heart, and she’s seen it hurt you before. She doesn’t want that to happen again.
And does she secretly enjoy scaring off her father’s romantic prospects? Maybe. Maybe she does. Is that really such a crime?! She doesn’t think so.
This scare tactic has saved the two of you from unnecessary grief before. And the strong, resilient ones—the ones who really love you—will stay. They’ll have awkward conversations with Amanda, trying to get her to speak about her interests. And Amanda will try her best to be cordial, even though she knows she’s coming off a bit stiff and uncaring. And you’ll just shoot her an unimpressed look when your partner isn’t looking, and Amanda will shrug, and the world will keep turning.
For a while there, you had been too busy to date—and Amanda was more than fine with that. You’ve been a great father to her, and she never felt as if she needed another parent. Your new partner would often try to act like a paternal figure to her, and she always hated it. Being free from that pretense was nice.
It was only inevitable, though, that you started dating someone new. It’s been a few years since Jared (Amanda shudders at the memory) and you’ve been going out throughout the week. Amanda knows you’re trying not to bother her with it, but she’s only getting more curious as the weeks go on.
Late one night, she decides she’s had enough. She needs to know who this mystery man is. She settles on the couch and waits for you to return home. At approximately 9:17 p.m., the front door creaks open and Amanda makes her move.
“And where the hell have you been, young man?” she says to you, as you walk in the door, wagging her finger chidingly. “Curfew was two hours ago!”
“Hey, ‘Manda,” you say with a fond smile. You don’t seem bothered by the impression she just did of you. She took some creative liberties. “How was your night?” you ask.
“Good,” she responds noncommittally, watching the presence behind you shift. Yes, she noticed the guy behind you right away. He’s doing a good job of keeping himself hidden, lurking awkwardly on the front porch. Eventually, you’re the one to tug him into the house—revealing him to Amanda.
Amanda isn’t sure who she’s expecting, but it sure as hell isn’t Robert Small—the rugged, withdrawn guy who lives a few doors down from them. She’s only seen him in passing a few times, so she hasn’t had a chance to get a read on him yet. Maybe this is her chance, though.
“Dad,” she says, her voice calm. You look over at her. “I think my bed fell apart. Can you go check it out?” She probably doesn’t sound very convincing.
“Your bed’s fine,” you sigh, evidently catching on to her scheming. Unfortunately for you, Amanda is persistent.
“My closet door needs oiling,” she continues, raising an eyebrow at you. “It’s super creaky.”
You sigh theatrically, clearly sensing that resistance is futile. You say something quietly to Robert before heading to Amanda’s room to investigate the “creaky door”. You won’t find anything, of course—Amanda just needed to get you out of the room. And now, she has this guy right where she wants him.
“So,” she drawls, shoving her hands in her pockets and staring at Robert. “You’re dating my dad, huh?”
Robert’s clearly trying to put on a cool and uncaring front, but she can sense that he’s nervous. This only makes Amanda want to poke and prod at him more.
He studies her for a moment, before sighing. “Yes,” he says with a terse nod.
“Do you love him?” she asks immediately.
“We just started dating,” Robert huffs. True enough, it’s only been a few months (if even).
“And?” Amanda persists, studying his reaction.
Robert glances down the hall, making sure you aren’t nearby. “I do, yes,” he admits. It almost looks painful for him to get the words out, but he does utter them.
“Good,” Amanda nods. “That’s the right answer.” It’s not a particularly difficult question, but a few of your past partners have failed it before—taking their time to answer, avoiding the question altogether. This guy seems committed, at the very least.
“Your father loves you very much,” Robert says, apropos of nothing. And he must not know how this works—Amanda was clearly leading the conversation. She stares at him warily.
“I know,” Amanda then responds, suppressing the urge to scoff. Obviously she knows that you love her. You tell her nearly every day.
“He would choose you over me in a heartbeat,” Robert continues. Is he trying to reassure her?
“Damn right,” Amanda huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “So you should watch yourself.” The threat comes out before she can stop it. Damn it.
Robert just raises a brow. When you return moments later, you valiantly ignore the clear tension settling across the space.
“Your daughter is…” Robert trails off, glancing back at your front door. He’s on the sidewalk leading up to your house, on his way back to his own home a few doors down. “Intimidating,” he admits. She was looking at him rather intensely a few moments ago, her scrutiny evident. She didn’t seem particularly impressed by what she found, either.
“The great Robert Small is intimidated by my daughter?” you say with amusement.
He huffs. “She threatened me,” Robert continues after a second.
“Explicitly?” you hum, not seeming very surprised by the statement. And the fact that you’re asking for clarification suggests that this has happened before.
“No,” he says with a shake of his head.
“You’re lucky, then,” you say with a slight smile. “Usually she just goes straight for castration or dismemberment.”
“Oh,” Robert says faintly. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts. “Great.” So now he’ll have to tiptoe around your daughter, making sure not to offend or upset her.
“Yeah,” you say somewhat awkwardly, “but don’t worry about Amanda. She’s just looking out for me.”
That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one she’s been glaring at. But you’re still right. “She’s a good kid,” Robert says begrudgingly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“She really is,” you agree. “She’s saved me from some heartache over the years, that’s for sure.”
“Is she always this… involved?” Robert asks after a moment, not sure if he wants to know the answer.
“Sort of,” you reply, confirming his suspicions. “I mean, if I really want to be with someone, Amanda has to like them.” The confidence in your voice answers his question.
“That seems…” Robert breaks off, unsure of how to navigate the conversation. He looks around the cul-de-sac, avoiding your gaze.
“Impossible?” you finish for him. “Maybe. But I’m not settling for less. She’s… too important to me. And she knows that.”
Robert nods, trying to ignore the burning feeling at the back of his throat. He wonders what Val’s up to now. He sighs and abandons that train of thought, knowing it to be pointless. You kiss him on the cheek before parting ways, leaving him with several different things to think about.
“Rob and I are going out for dinner,” you announce, shrugging your jacket on. It’s been a few weeks since Amanda first spoke with Robert. She’s been a bit too busy to think about him, what with her high school classes and university application essays. The reminder of his existence isn’t exactly pleasant and she sighs, scrunching her nose in mild distaste. You ignore the gesture. “I left you some money for takeout, okay?”
“Rob?” she repeats, seeming skeptical. You just sigh and pat her on the shoulder reassuringly.
“Yes, Rob,” you confirm. “I’ll be back by 10.”
“You better be,” Amanda remarks. “I need someone to watch shitty reality TV with me.”
“Can’t wait,” you respond with a smile. You give her a quick side-hug before leaving, and Amanda stares at the front door for a bit after. She wonders, idly, if she’s being too protective of you. You’re an adult and you can make your own decisions. She shouldn’t be breathing down your neck when it comes to dating. It’s just… difficult.
She spends the rest of the night listening to music and studying, before taking a quick break to order Chinese food and eat a late dinner. Amanda almost starts to forget about your date, until the familiar sound of the garage door brings her back to reality. She can’t help but look up at the door, watching as you enter the room and shake off the stray bits of rain that settled on your jacket. A glance at the clock tells her that it’s only 8:59 p.m.
“Hey, Dad,” Amanda says casually.
“Hey, hon,” you respond, hanging your jacket up and taking off your shoes. To her confusion, you don’t immediately head down the hall—instead lingering in the entry way as if waiting for something. It’s then that Amanda realizes you didn’t come back alone. Robert—Rob, Amanda notes with distaste—is with you.
You know she doesn’t want him here. And you seem moments away from ending the night, but Amanda hears the words slip out before she can stop herself.
“He can stay,” Amanda blurts out, before you can say goodbye. Truthfully, she feels a little guilty about how she interrogated him when they first met. She didn’t even introduce herself. Kind of embarrassing.
“Really?” you blink in complete surprise. Robert looks just as shocked as you are, sending you a disbelieving look when he thinks she isn’t looking.
“Yeah,” Amanda nods, “if he knows how to watch 90 Day Fiance correctly.”
“And how does one watch it correctly?” Robert frowns.
“You’ll see,” Amanda settles for saying.
You just shoot Amanda a grateful smile, before settling in on the couch. Robert sits next to you, a bit too close for Amanda’s comfort. But she also notices that he’s not actually touching you, even if he looks particularly annoyed by the prospect. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
Two episodes later, Amanda comes to the conclusion that Robert’s television-watching skills are… passable. And, yes, she calls them skills—it takes skill to know when to mock the show and when to be quiet. Robert is silent the entire time, though. It’s a bit unnerving.
As the production credits roll down the screen after the third episode, you take the remote. “You should get to bed, ‘Manda,” you say with a sigh, turning to look at Amanda.
“Come on, it’s a Friday,” Amanda nearly whines. “Just one more!” Yes, it’s nearly midnight. And yes, they’re only halfway through the season. But they can’t just stop watching here—not when Jeanine’s about to meet Brett’s family!
She sends you a pleading look. You aren’t swayed. (You’ve been slowly developing immunity to her puppy-dog eyes and Amanda hates it.) You’re moments away from pressing the power off button on the TV.
“It’s the weekend,” Robert reminds you, nudging your shoulder gently. “Let her watch one more.”
Amanda gets a weird taste in her mouth at the thought of Robert advocating for her. What kind of mind games is he playing? Before she can contemplate the thought much longer, you’re sighing and reluctantly playing the next episode.
Amanda’s both satisfied and annoyed. When Robert’s attention falls to the screen once more, she settles for glaring at him.
Time passes. Robert does not leave. And Amanda doesn’t know how to feel about it.
On the one hand, he makes you happy. For some reason. Amanda doesn’t understand it, but she can begrudgingly recognize how much lighter and relaxed you’ve been since you first started dating Robert.
On the other hand, she can’t quite figure him out. He’s a bit of a strange character: he doesn’t talk much; he’s gruff and blunt; he’s not trying to make too good of an impression. He’s not fake—he’s almost too authentic. And it’s… weird. Amanda is used to having to pick apart the men you choose, until their true selves are revealed. But despite his rough appearance, Robert wears his heart on his sleeve. He doesn’t hesitate to argue with you about the silliest of things: movies, video games, a book you both read in high school. Normally, that would be cause for concern—but these arguments are never serious. They’re lighthearted, almost joking.
Amanda doesn’t really get it, but maybe she doesn’t have to. After all, she’s not the one dating Robert. She doesn’t need to know what you see in him—she just needs to know that he’s a trustworthy and loyal guy. And, unfortunately, he has aptly proven that across the months you two have been dating.
Besides, if one thing is absurdly clear, Robert is completely whipped for you. It’s almost embarrassing for him, Amanda thinks. His attraction to you is painfully obvious at virtually all times: from the quiet, private moments to the slightly louder, public ones. Amanda isn’t trying to watch—it’s just impossible not to notice how he looks at you. He gravitates towards you in a crowded room, places a hand on the small of your back when you need reassurance of his presence.
Amanda doesn’t feel like she needs to protect you anymore. Not that her own father ever needed protecting, necessarily. You’re just a bit too nice for your own good: you’ll let people trample all over your boundaries and not say a word about it. You’re the type to suffer silently, leaving Amanda to have to butt in and tell people off. She doesn’t mind doing it—she just worries about you sometimes, when she’s not there.
Recently, she’s noticed that she’s been spared from guard dog duty. Because, yes, she can admit that she’s pretty damn good at intimidating people. But Robert? Robert is a fucking expert. He’s scary-looking on a daily basis. One dark glare from the guy is all it takes for people to leave you alone. And, honestly? Amanda can respect that. She can appreciate the fact that she’s no longer the only one looking out for you.
Inexplicably, your dynamic reminds Amanda of that one meme: one person standing behind the other, while the other goes “He asked for no pickles”. That’s you and Robert. Robert will stick up for you, Robert will get the barista to make you a new drink when yours comes out wrong, Robert will chew out the waiter for hitting on you and not taking a damn hint.
Amanda can only hope that, in return, you persuade Robert to be vulnerable every once in a while. Because, from what she can tell, the guy is super closed off. He doesn’t like being honest about his feelings—or, hell, even admitting that he has them. Not that it’s any of her business, really.
All she knows is that the two of you have been dating for a year now, and Amanda can reluctantly recognize that Robert isn’t half bad. He doesn’t try too hard to be buddy-buddy with her, but he’s there if she needs him. He’ll pick her up from school sometimes, when you’re busy. It’s a bit awkward, but nothing unbearable. And in Amanda’s not so humble opinion, anyone who keeps an average of four knives on their person at all times can’t be that bad.
She’s sitting on the couch in the living room when she comes to this grand realization, and it’s enough to make her groan aloud.
“What’s up?” Amanda is surprised to find Robert peeking out from the hall, looking at her curiously. (Or, at least, as curiously as Robert Small can manage. Which, honestly, isn’t very curious.)
“Nothing,” Amanda says when she remembers to answer his question, “just bemoaning my existence.”
There’s a slight quirk to Robert’s lips now. “Sounds about right.” He nods, straightening out his jacket. He’s ditched his typical leather jacket tonight, instead opting for a sport jacket. You and Robert are going to a business gathering at some fancy restaurant. It all sounds a bit suspicious, but if there’s anything Amanda has learned about Robert, it’s that he practically oozes suspicion. The guy’s just mysterious.
The gathering you’re going to is supposed to be between several different organizations across the town. Amanda frowns at the thought—one of your ex-partners is a prominent businessman, and it’s likely that he’ll be there.
“If Jared’s there,” she starts, pausing for a moment and staring at Robert, “kick his ass.”
Robert looks up and blinks, before something of a dark smirk rises on his lips. He doesn’t ask who Jared is or immediately act affronted, instead just accepting his mission. “Yes, ma’am,” he says, giving her a mock-salute.
Amanda rolls her eyes at his salute, watching as Robert stares at your closed door. He’s waiting for you to come out. Eventually, you do emerge—wearing a suit jacket and dress shirt, slacks, and boots. Amanda blinks at you for a moment, trying to connect this well-dressed person with her dad: her awkward, comfortable clothing-wearing dad.
“Wow, Dad,” Amanda says slowly. “You look great!”
“Don’t sound so surprised, ‘Manda,” you sigh exasperatedly.
“You do look great,” Robert says sincerely with a firm nod. His voice is completely flat and there’s virtually no emotion on his face, but the gleam in his eyes suggests he thinks you look more than just great.
The two of you gather your things and Amanda pretends to be interested in her laptop screen. Just before you can leave, she gives you a hug—and then settles for an incredibly awkward fist bump with Robert. She closes and locks the front door after you, sneaking a look through the peephole to find Robert pressing a kiss to the side of your face and wrapping an arm around your shoulders.
Her dad will be just fine, she thinks.
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