[Co-written by GorgingGeorge]

[ship: n/a]

[CW: Slurs mentioned]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a typical day in Lego city. Well for the most part, since the chief of police, Percival Wheeler, was rushing to get ready. What for? His father's arrival.

Unlike most people, who appreciate seeing their fathers, Wheeler was dreading it. And he had reason to. His father was the most bland and serious person from the city, possible from the whole country, so anything that Wheeler found amusing was immediately slandered by his father.

"I mean it's only for a few days and he's gone." The chief spoke to himself as he put on a pair of pants. He always kept a pair in his office in case his father stopped by and he forgot. "Uh, Chief, what exactly is your dad doing here? Also, I thought you two were on good terms after the stunt show." Lieutenant Duke Detain asked, remembering that they seemed to get a good level of understanding between each other.

"Dude that was one day, he was only doing that because he was in front of people and cameras. Also, he's here for some business convention, or was it a conference, whatever, he's stopping by the station so I gotta get serious for reals!" The chief exclaimed.

A limousine parked itself in front of the police station and out stepped a balding man in his late seventies. He took a sigh as he entered into the station. Maximilian Wheeler could never understand what drew his son to take up skateboarding on a full-time basis, he had hoped that being police chief gave him some level of seriousness, but he was still acting like his teenage self.

"Here we are again, and it seems the station had not changed a bit since I was last here. They could have at least fired that lazy waste of space, Grizzled." Maximilian grumbled as he stepped foot inside. "Now, where is my son?"

Wheeler immediately stepped out, wearing long pants in place of his usual pink and cyan shorts. He even changed out of his sneakers to a pair of dress shoes just to make himself seem more mature than normal. "Here po-uh. I mean, I'm here, father." The silver haired police chief replied. "Is there any reason why you wanted to stop by and see me?"

"As you may or may not know, the Stern and Frowny Face corporation are having a meeting with some potential partners in order to maximize profits and-"

Wheeler was about to doze off in the middle of the conversation as his father spoke on about business and money, only to be shaken awake. "Are you paying attention?"

"Ah! Uh, I mean yes. Go on."

"I was saying I need a bodyguard."

"A bodyguard? Why?" Wheeler asked, genuinely confused. Of course, the city had its criminals who worked for the corrupt, not to mention that one incident at the stunt show where Alex stole Maximillian's briefcase, but it wasn't like the city had high crime rates.

"Well, there has been some... Shady individuals who I've seen steal valuables." The chief's father said, and by shady individuals, he means women with pants who were trying on jewelry. "I see, I'll have to draw more attention to updating surveillance at the next meeting." He lied, usually Captain Bennett dealt with that stuff. "Anyway, since you desire a bodyguard I could let Du- I mean, Lieutenant Detain go with you, that is if you don't mind having a person of color guard you."

Maximillian was a... Backwards thinker to put it lightly, he thought things were better when people like him were in charge. He was Homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, basically if they were a minority he disliked them. Though it seemed like for today he'll have to push his feelings aside for the few days he's here. "I don't mind at all..." He stated as he watched Duke shoulder roll towards him.

"Alright, sir, I'm here to guard you." He stated.

"Must you do that?" Maximilian grumbled.

"Sorry, I just like shoulder rolling around. It's faster to get around like this too." Duke mumbled.

Maximilian simply rolled his eyes as he walked alongside Duke back into the limo. "How did you get hired? My son never mentioned where everyone came from, that Sam Grizzled is the only one I recognize from when I last visited your station."

"Oh, actually the chief adopted me when I was kicked out of my own house. I always loved the Cubby the Cop TV show and that's what inspired me to become a cop. After I was taken in, he allowed me to attend policing school, and I got to learn from what I saw on the show and in the school." Duke would have info dumped further about Cubby and its lore if Maximilian didn't shush him.

"I didn't hire you to talk about some childish cartoon, you're here to protect me." He stated. "Oh, yes, sir." Duke stated now understanding the dread Wheeler was feeling about his dad.

"Though, I am not one to care about slumber party gossip, but this is the first time I heard that my son actually did something to have a family. Of course, I would have preferred him to marry a woman first, but this is fine, at least I have a grandson." He said as he looked at Duke more, analyzing and judging everything about him.

"I can't believe he adopted a child, and a poor one at that if he was evicted." He thought. "And this is my grandson? Well, he might prove himself if he does this job right." He continued to think during the limo ride to the conference.

A large building was in sight, Duke assumed this must be where the conference was going to take place. He had to use all his willpower to not shoulder roll out of his seat as usual, although it felt unnatural for him to just walk and hold a door open for the rich old man. "Wow... Big place."

"Yes, it must be as the entire board will be here. Now I expect you to be on your guard at all times. Will you be able to handle that?"

"Yes sir, I once was the mayor's guard so I should be able to handle this job just fine." Duke proclaimed as he escorted Maximilian inside. Everything seemed to be going well so far, there were no sign of any criminals.

However, all that changed when a soda can went off as a suitcase full of money was revealed. "Gah! I knew we'd be under attack!" Maximilian snapped.

As soon as everyone wiped the Vita Rush out of their eyes, the cash had vanished, but Duke had a good idea on who stole it.

"Alright, I know who did it. I mean, you wouldn't know since you don't live here, but the weapon of choice, Vita Rush, is used by Snake Rattler, luckily, I know where he is so-"

"And you're going to leave your grandfather alone? What if that lunatic criminal comes back?" He spoke. "Grandfather...? Uh... Sir, I don't see it like that. But if you need me to protect you, I'll forward the information to the station." Duke stated before doing so.

"That's a good boy, doing your job professionally." Maximillian stated. It felt weird, having a man who could in age pass for his own grandpa, praising him. But he was going to ignore it until whoever picked up the case was here with the money.

The person sent to arrest Snake and reclaim the money was Wheeler, since there was a sudden incident at the station. Anyway, since his pops was in his tower, the chief used his board and skated towards Snake's base, relived as he finally gets to do this today.

"You lawmen are always getting on my case." The outlaw growled as he was taken to his cell.

"Well maybe you should have thought twice before stealing from under Dudetain's nose!" Wheeler exclaimed, he was just relieved he could finally be out of his long pants and into his more comfortable clothes. "Guess I should check up on how Duke's holding up with my pops, I mean I know he could handle it but it's best to make sure everything's alright."

The meeting had just ended as soon as Wheeler arrived, he was surprised to see his father not with the other businessmen, so he skated on in. That is until he heard something. "Lieutenant, I must commend you for such professional work as my guard. You managed to keep me safe and retrieved the stolen money before that gr... Hooligan could get away."

"I uh, I was only doing my job, sir."

"You look out for me, like how a son is supposed to watch over his father."

Wheeler paused. First all he brought the money back and actually did the arrest, Duke was just there to make sure he didn't get robbed again, and second why is he talking to Duke like that. "Bro, I need to chillax, I can't get jealous of Dudetain getting the attention that I never got as a child." He thought, quick changing in a nearby closet.

However, when he exited, his father said something else. "You know Detain... Duke, you are my grandson after all I should call you by your first name. Anyway Duke, I wished Percival could be more like you.  More serious and less silly.  He's a grown man he needs to start acting like one."

Hearing that crushed him, for multiple reasons, one for Maximillian accepting this none blood related person as his grandson, but mainly that he didn't like him. "I mean, I knew he didn't like what I was like, but... Hearing it..." Wheeler sighed, not trying to let his jealousy out.

He approached pants on and face straight. "Father, I came here to check on you and De-"

"You can call him Duke; he is your son. I mean I don't call you Wheeler, do I? No, that would be confusing for everyone involved." Maximillian stated.

"... Right... So-"

"Why haven't you told me that you have a son, by the way, if I knew I would actually get a grandchild I would have brought something."

"I... I didn't think you'd-"

"He's wonderful! Such dedication to his job, and he made sure to stay with me."

Duke awkwardly rubbed the back of his head; he wasn't expecting this level of praise from Maximilian. "I mean, Wheelie was the one who-"

"But if you didn't come along, that thief would have gotten away with more than just the money. Why, that man might have even killed me!" The old man interrupted. "I must treat you to a nice dinner at the best eatery in the city, as a little thank you for your work."

"I uh... I guess that would be nice, can Wh-"

But before Duke could ask if Wheeler could join them, the police chief was already leaving. Frustrated, Wheeler practically tore out of his long pants. "Why does he get to consider Duke his grandson when he never even thought of me as his son?!" He angrily thought.

He knew he couldn't be upset at Duke for Maximilian's praise, but Wheeler for his entire childhood was looked down upon by his father. Especially since his mother left, Maximilian seemed to blame Wheeler entirely for the divorce.

"Damn, so he only wants me to pass on some shitty bloodline of his?"

He sighed. He wasn't going to let this get to him. "Fine, if he's going to be like that, I'll just get drunk and have fun by myself! After work, the city still needs protecting." He thought as he skated back to the office.

Though it was eating at him. He knew it was all his father's fault, but it still hurt. "What if he just lies to Duke and makes himself seem like a good person?" He thought as he entered the station. But he shook off that thought since why would he? Duke wouldn't believe it.

"Alright Cap, I just had the worst evening of my life, is there anything else I need to do or can go home to relieve myself?" The Chief asked. "Well, unfortunately, I need you to do a undercover case since you're the most experienced with that. We got an anonymous tip that Fendrich is doing a deal at Fancyson, the best restaurant in the city. You can get one drink, so you don't look suspicious." Bennett said. "Oh... Well, I'll just do that then." Wheeler stated as he went to prepare for this undercover mission.

"Uh, is something the matter?" Bennett asked as he followed the chief, sensing his tone. "Well, my pops is taking Duke there for his work bodyguarding him. Tsk, never took me anywhere nice, he always said I'd just embarrass him." He grumbled, still kinda upset and a little bitter. "Chief, if there's too much emotional tension maybe-"

"No, it's fine, I'll just get this job done and go home." Wheeler spoke as he finalized his disguise.

He walked out the door as soon as he changed into a blonde wig and purple pantsuit, he was going to save the wig for a cosplay, but he figured he might as well put it to use. "Alright.. Just hope that he doesn't recognize me." He thought as he entered Fancyson.

Duke was right there with Maximilian, a table right next to them was empty, Wheeler figured he would sit there. He knew he should be keeping an eye on Fendrich once he arrived, but he still felt a pang about Duke getting all of his father's love. "Pull yourself together, Wheelie. Why are you even caring about his attention? Well back then he wasn't praising Duke to kingdom come..."

The younger policeman was trying to focus on what to order, this was the first time he was at Fancyson, or any restaurant that wasn't a diner and all the contrasting scents were starting to overwhelm him. "Oh, they have mac and cheese here." He thought, but then he looked up at Maximilian, would he approve? He was an adult; he would order it anyways. "I'll get something alcoholic too... Just so I seem more grown up."

But before he could order, someone else came by. "So, you wanted to see me, Max Wheeler?" A familiar voice called.

It was Fendrich, which was great for Wheeler since he could get to focus on what his dad was saying now and arrest him if anything is suspicious.

"Ah, Racheal-"

"Call me Fendrich, you know that I despise being called my first name. Anyway... I see you brought a cop with you. Are you assuming I'm not going to trade the goods." The multi-billionaire said. "Oh no, Duke is off duty, besides, he's my grandson. Though, I wish he was my actual son." Maximillian stated.

Hearing that, Wheeler broke. "That asshole... Fine, if he doesn't care or even want me as a son, might as well go off!" He thought, ordering a bottle of wine. As the two old men discussed business, making a few inappropriate comments about minorities, Wheeler started to down the whole bottle, jeopardizing this entire mission.

"Ugh, I can't believe that let classless alcoholics in here." Maximillian sneered, watching the man he didn't recognize as his son down a whole bottle of cheapish wine. "Well- *Hic* Well this 'Classless Alcoholic' is your son, the son you never loved or gave a shit about!" Wheeler drunkenly yelled at the old man, his wig slipping. "Oh, so you decided to spy on me and your son because you're jealous. And you're shocked when I think you're childish."

"Wheelie?" Duke looked over as Wheeler stumbled over to their table.

"Jealous huh? You think that's all? You think I should just take you blaming me for Mom leaving?! For calling her the C slur whenever I said I missed her? For someone who willingly married a Taiwanese woman, you sure seem to love using that word to describe her." The police chief belted out.

Duke then glared at Maximilian, he knew Wheeler told him that his parents got a divorce which led to him not getting along with his father, but this was something new. "You have been using racial slurs against an Asian woman? You do know I am of mixed race myself." He stood up.

"Well, I was willing to look past that because-"

"What? Because I was doing things that you found advantageous of your situation?!" Duke raised his voice, going over to help up Wheeler. "Were you only saying all those things just to make Wheelie feel inferior? Did you even care about me? Or did you just want to parade me around as this perfect grandson?"

Maximilian was at a loss for words, how could he respond to that? But Fendrich then decided to open his big mouth. "More like granddaughter, although I wouldn't say perfect here."

"Oh so, she's a [t-slur]? Oh... I should have known it was too good to be true, seeing how she's [r-slur]ed too-" Before Maximilian could finish, Wheelie decked him in the face, though no one looked since he deserved it. "No one calls my son that and goes unpunished, asshole..."

"I'm writing you out of my will-"

"And I'm gonna put you in an old folks' home! If you disrespect me or my son, I would rather be dirt broke than have your dirty, racist money... Besides, I thought I was already out of your will..." Wheeler stated before looking at Fendrich, who fled the scene without the thing he was trading. "Come on Dukester, we're goin home."

After placing some cash on the table the two cops left, heading to Wheeler's apartment. Once there, wheeler started to tear up, both due to the alcohol in his system and because of what he heard. "Uh, chief, are you alright?"

"Yeah... I just... He never even wanted me as a son, I was an accident, he told me that before... Sorry I was upset because he cared about you..." Wheeler said with slurred speech.

Duke helped him into the kitchen, preparing some ginger tea to help with Wheeler's future hangover. "If he never even wanted you as a son, then I'm not his grandson either... Especially after he immediately misgendered me." The lieutenant replied, holding onto his adoptive father. "I'm sorry... I should have spoken out against what he said."

"N-no, it's fine... I don't know why I still felt this need to please my pops, God... I wish I just squirmed out of his arms and ran off after Mom." Wheeler mumbled, sipping the tea. "Sorry you had to see me go off like that in public..."

Duke patted his hair, just like how Wheeler did to him whenever he needed comforting. "Maximilian deserved it, especially after everything he said. He's out of your life now at least, there's no way he's going to asociate himself with us after that." He assured his father figure, pulling him into a hug. "It's going to take a while, but you'll recover."

"Th... Thanks... You're the best son anyone could ever have..."