Different Faces: What if?

The Father

DNA doesn't make Family, Love does. Thomas had once said he wished Stripe was his father and not Bandit. In this What if? We see those outcomes of what if Stripe had taken the role of being Thomas's father. Will Stripe succeed in that role or fail with the pressure of hiding a heartbreaking secret?

The Father

"Stripe! Stripe! Wake up mate please!" Bandit shouted while banging on his brothers apartment door. Stripe woke up in a daze and went to his front door to see what was going on. "Bandit?" Stripe said with a yawn. Bandit was in tears with his eyes red from crying. "What's wrong mate?" Stripe asked, now fully alert. Bandit was holding his new horn son in his arms. "Listen Stripe, Emily she... she died during childbirth," Bandit said with fresh tears coming down his face. "W-what?" Stripe said, confused.

"I need you to watch Thomas for the night, while I deal with some things," Bandit said, handing Thomas to Stripe. "Bandit, I don't know anything about baby's," Stripe holding his newly born nephew. "I bought some formula for you, I just need him here for the night," Bandit said, putting down the bags. "B-but..." Stripe said, still confused. "Please mate, it's important," Bandit said getting ready to leave. "O-okay," Stripe still holding Thomas I'm his arms. Bandit kissed then top of his son's head and whispered to him. "Daddy will be back," Bandit said and then left with out saying anything. Stripe was left heartbroken for his sister in law's passing he looked down at Thomas who was cuddling him. "It'll be okay mate, I promise," Stripe said with a tear running down his muzzle.

(Nine years later...)

"Dad!" Thomas said, coming into Stripe's room. Stripe yawned and looked at his son. "There's the birthday boy," Stripe said tiredly. Thomas giggled and got on Stripe's bed. "How old are you again mate? Sixteen or twenty?" Stripe jokes with a smile. "Daddy I'm nine today," Thomas said, getting on top of his dad. "Oh yeah! That's right, my little boy is nine today!" Stripe said before ticking his son. Thomas squealed with laughter while trying to protect himself from being ticked. "Happy birthday mate," Stripe said with a smile while cuddling his son. "Thanks dad," Thomas said, cuddling his dad back. "Let's get you Brekkie mate,"Stripe said sitting up. "Alright!" Thomas said getting off from his dad's bed.

Now in the kitchen Stripe was making French toast and bacon, Thomas's favorite breakfast his dad always made him ever since he could remember with a glass of chocolate milk. "Here we go, birthday boy!" Stripe said, sitting down his son's breakfast. "Thanks dad!" Thomas said wagging tail while started to eat. "After we're done eating, I will call your Nana and Grandad, they will want to tell you happy birthday mate," Stripe said while he also started eating. "Okay daddy," Thomas said while happily eating.

Stripe smiled and continued eating his breakfast. After Breakfast Thomas put his dishes in the sink and went to wash up in the bathroom. Stripe then went and video called his parents, "hi Stripy," Chris said to her son. "Hi mum," Stripe said with a smile. "Where's the birthday boy?" Chris asked with a smile. "Getting cleaned up," Stripe said while laying on the couch. "Hey mate," Bob said with a smile.

"Hey dad," Stripe said. "We'll be a little bit late but don't worry son we'll be there," Bob said to his youngest. "Sounds good dad, I'm not worried," Stripe said with a chuckle. "Stripe, have you told him yet?" Bob asked his son in a serious tone. "Bob," Chris said looking at her husband. "N-no and I'm not going to," Stripe said nervously. "Mate," Bob said. "No dad, Bandit made his choice for not coming back, and Thomas is my son now and he doesn't need that deadbeat in his life," Stripe said defensively. "Okay, okay, let's not fight, this is Thomas's day," Chris said calmly. "You're right I'm sorry dear," Bob said to his wife. "I'm sorry too mate," Bob said looking at son.

"It's okay dad, I'm just very protective of him," Stripe said. "As you should son, he's your son and always will be," Bob said with a soft smile. "I'm done dad!" Thomas said coming into the living room. "There's my sweetie pie!" Chris said happily. "Hi Nana! Hi Granddad!" Thomas said, coming up to his dad's tablet. "Hey mate! Happy birthday!" Bob said happily. Stripe then puts Thomas on his lap. "Are you coming to my party this afternoon?" Thomas asked, looking at his grandparents. "Of course sweetheart!" Chris said, adjusting her glasses. "We will mate but we will be running late," Bob added. "As long as you're there I'll be happy," Thomas said "and Uncle Rad and aunt Frisky will be there," Stripe spoke up while bouncing his son on his lap. Thomas giggled before Stripe hugged him. "Oh Stripy, please give my grandson a big birthday kiss for me," Chris said with a smile. "Sure thing mum," Stripe said about to grab Thomas. "No!" Thomas said, trying to get away from his dad.