Do you ever think about the first time Buck called Bobby, Pops? Do you think Bobby flinched? Or was he already repressing so hard that on the outside it appeared as though nothing happened?
Do you think that was the first break in emotion that Hen and Chimney ever truly saw from the Stoic Viking?
Do you think about them calling Bobby out on being too easy on the kid and knowing?
Do you think Buck noticed? (Buck was so shocked when he was fired. Was Bobby the first person he truly trusted to stay? To let him stay? He acted out, he pushed his boundaries, all so he could feel more secure, but then he fucks it up and he loses it all at once).
Do you think that moment was the actual first time Bobby reminded him of his dad? Of Phillip? Before Bobby was a "Dad™". It was safe to pretend. Buck's not sure what actual good dads are supposed to be like, but surely... It's something like that. Bobby kept the bit along, so it's okay. But then he gets fired, gets reprimanded and in that moment all Buck could think of was Phillip and suddenly all Buck wanted to do was separate Bobby from ever being like his dad.