We all kinda joke about Starbuck being "space dad", but you know who else joke about it??
The moment they saw the three of them getting closer and him watching over them, the everyday interaction became "Hi everyone. - Hi DAD! - Hurrgh, quit it!"
Clay and Apollo play into it of course. (They also like to confuse people into thinking they are each other, like with Clonco)
And the thing is, you know how some people doesn't work at the Space Station, they're just guests/professionals who come from time to time or for special events, or they do work there, but not close enough to the HAT crew, and when they hear those jokes, see him with two kids following him, who get introduced like "Oh them? They're Starbuck's.", and they can see that, Sol is young, but doesn't know his age exactly, they mind go "Huh. Didn't know Mr.Starbuck was a teen dad".
Wich lead to some conversations :
- I heard one of your son got into a law school! Congrats!
- ... You mean Apollo? Yeah, huh, he did, thanks, but he's not my son.
- How are you doing? How's your father?
- Hum... He died, like, a whil-
And Solomon's behavior certainly didn't help the situation. He deny the allegation, just to turn around and do or say the most dad thing ever. He's protective of them, taking their sides, listening carefully and being patient. He show off his kids like "Clay can do radiation calculs, he's not even 15 yet!" "Apollo argue his way from a C+ to an A-!". He can't come that day cuz "Clay have a competition" or "he promised Apollo to go play at the arcades with him". He take "childrens deserve the best" a bit too far sometimes...maybe...
- What are you stressing over like that?
- They need new scarfs, but I don't know what design to choose!
- Just take random one, it’ll be fine wait SOLOMON!!! Why are they so expensive ??
- They are made with top quality materials, really warm, it will last them a long time and I can buy them.
Aura : New coats, huh? Wow, good brand! Looks good.
A&C : Thanks! Mr.Starbuck go it for us!
Aura, turning to him, with a smug expression : Of course he did.
And he just stand there, looking away in guiltiness.
Lastly, I believe he is a great teacher in general (I headcanon him as being good with childrens, he's one of the tour guide who always take care of the student groups), a good guide to them, the reliable adult, and... It's not like he spoiles them yknow, but he definitely let some things slide here and there. It's a good mix between :
- Nope, no gameboy. Why? You don't remember your "experiment" at the lab last time?
- But he's really good at it!
- Sol!! omgg you can't let a kid use the flight simulator!!!
- He's all happy and he-He didn't crash the last 3 times! Come on! Let him play! He'll do it eventually, let's start early!
If he's not a dad, he's a big brother. Either way, they are family.