Rookie swap au oneshot, ft. Sam
⚠️⚠️//Absent fathers/Mentions of Neglect
Why don't you celebrate Fathers Day?
Those words hit him like a semi truck speeding by, unable to stop seeing the deer on the road. Jackson turned back to the little girl, who stared up at him with curious eyes. He felt a cold sweat, but acted calm and collected.
He was told by Sally that Lightning had gone and left earlier that morning to visit the graveyard. Their daughter Sam overheard the conversation and asked to come with him to go check up on Lightning.
Their walk was mostly quiet, with the occasional small talk here and there. Then, she brought up the date today, with Jackson accidently mentioning how he doesn't celebrate Fathers Day. He knew she didn't mean to, she was only a child, but her question made Jackson swallow a gulp.
"What do you mean?" He asked appearing nonchalantly, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. Sam shrugged, letting out a small hum.
"Well, on Fathers Day, everyone's doing something special for their dad. Like like- Uncle Ramone and Auntie Flo have special Fathers Day stuff. Uncle Guido and Uncle Luigi like to send gifts and letters to their papas. Granpappy and Grandmommy are coming to have dinner with us later. And then, I made something for Papa. And Papa is visiting Granddad right now!" She smiled, holding onto her basket full of treats. Jackson nodded, yet kept silent, preferring to listen to her rambles instead. Though, Sam turned back to him, tilting her head.
"What about you? Do you have something special to give your dad?"
"Uh." He didn't. He had no reason to after all. The old man practically disowned him once he dropped out of college to pursue racing, and hasn't bothered to contact him since. Even then, the gifts Jackson had given to him were most likely just sitting in cardboard boxes in one of their many mansions somewhere, collecting dust and spiderwebs.
Though, he did have something in his pocket he's been itching to give to someone, he just didn't have the time to. But, why would he give it to him though? After all, he's already someone else's dad. And, would he even return the sentiment..?
"Jackson? Sam?" They both looked up and saw Lightning, who sat right by a gravestone. The plaque read the name 'Jesse Paul Hudson'.
'Oh. We're here now.'
"Papa!" Sam ran over to her dad, throwing her arms around him as he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Happy Fathers Day!"
"Hey kiddo!" Lightning laughed, glad to see his daughter make it here. Sam pulled away and set the basket down. She fished out a bouquet of flowers and set it down Doc's grave.
"Happy Fathers Day too, Granddad!"
Of course, Doc couldn't answer, but Lightning knows his ghost is smiling down upon the little girl. At least, he believes so.
"I made this for you too, Papa!" Sam grinned, handing him an envelope. Lightning opened it up, finding a messy drawing of the piston cup, but instead of the usual text, it read '#1 Dad ever!!!' instead.
Lightning let out an audible 'aww' and pulled his daughter into a hug. "I love it. Thank you, Sam."
A small smile appeared on Jackson's lips, though conflicting emotions clashed in his head as he watched the two. Lightning and Sam let go of the hug, as the former turned back to Jackson, who lingered just a bit away.
"So, uh, Jackson. Were you looking for me to train with? I'm sorry. I have other plans for today."
Jackson waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, it's fine, Champ. I just don't have anything else to do. " he bit his lip, glancing away. He wasn't sure if he was welcomed here. "I uh, I could go if you want. Yanno, leave you guys to do your stuff..."
Lightning shook his head, "It's fine. Take a seat. We could talk about stuff you could work on if you'd like." He gestured to the spot next to him, patting the delicate patch of grass.
So Jackson decided to stay with them. It was strange. He believed Lightning just invited him to stay because he felt bad for the guy, but Jackson enjoyed this company. Really, he wished he had these kinds of lax conversations with his old man growing up.
At first, they talked about strategies and plans for the next race, improvements Jackson could make, but then it evolved into Lightning's relationship with Doc. How he missed him, and hope he's doing him proud.
"He was like a dad to me. He was there when mine couldn't be..." Lightning sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Jackson hummed, finding himself nodding along. "...yeah. I get what you mean."
Lightning turned to him, taking notice of that solemn look upon Jackson's face. It was a look Lightning was oh so familiar with. The look of yearning for approval, wanting to please someone but never felt good enough.
His attention was promptly stolen by Sam, who tugged on the sleeve of his jacket. "Papa, what do you mean your dad wasn't there for you?" She asked.
"Well sweetie, there are times where the dad who brought you into this world can't look after you as best they could... And sometimes, you look towards someone else to well, basically be your dad in his place."
Lightning noticed that sudden look of concern from his daughter. "But! I'd never leave you the way my dad left me." He glanced towards Jackson, adding, "I promised myself I'd never make that mistake. I won't let either of you down..." He pulled Sam into a hug, the little girl practically clinging onto him. Jackson felt stunned.
Those words... 'Either of them'... Was he talking about Sam and Doc? Or was he talking about...
Jackson was pulled from his thoughts when he saw the two of them standing up. "Alright. I think it's time we headed back." He picked up his daughter, who giggled as she was placed upon his shoulders. "Jackson, could you get the basket?"
Jackson nodded, stretching his legs as he stood up and picked up their things. The three walked back towards town, down the dusty trail.
"Hey Jackson."
"Mhm..?"
Lightning gave him a soft smile, uttering the words Jackson never thought he'd ever hear. "I'm proud of you, kid."
Jackson felt a pang in his heart. He felt shaken, wanting to cry. But he didn't, and instead, rolled his eyes, fishing out a small blue envelope from his pocket. He handed it over to Lightning, not meeting his eyes.
"Happy Fathers Day, McQueen..." He said, his cheeks coated in a faint red from embarresment.
Lightning's eyes lit up in surprise, but surprise turned to happiness, and honestly, a sense of pride.
In many ways, McQueen hopes he continues to make Doc proud. Whether it be through racing, through taking care of his family, and now, he hopes he does him well looking after the rookie the same way Doc did for him.
