Phastos did love his Eternal family, of course he did. They'd gone through a lot together, and each one of them had qualities he admired. Sersi was stable and grounded, even as a leader she was humble, Kingo's levels of confidence where something anyone should aspire to and Makkari was such a quick thinker, smart, knowledgeable and usually in a good mood. Most important of all, they were all (in verying degrees, but still) good people, with good hearts.
Even when they did something questionable, you understood that they were trying to make the world a better place and even when you didn't condone their actions, you could understand where they were coming from. Phastos himself had been often tempted to do some questionable things, so he got it. Got them.
Understanding and loving them didn't mean he thought they were good role models. Because boy did they do things that he didn't want Jack to learn. And you know, having them while the domo was being repaired meant that sometimes, Ben and he could go out, have some time to just themselves after the world had nearly ended. The issue was, that they had to choose a babysitter, and it wasn't easy.
Obviously, his first choice was Sersi. She had been a teacher, so she knew how to deal with kids, and current kids at that. She knew how technology worked, she knew that kids were supposed to do their homework, she made sense - and as a leader, she wasn't a bad role model. Sersi was his absolute favourite, but she had a life, and eventually left for England, so she wasn't that much help.
Same with Sprite, although they weren't going to miss her as much. She was confusing to Jack (as was perfectly normal) because she looked like just a kid that was a bit older but sounded older the any of his teachers. Sprite's world view was also kind of... cynical, and dark to say the least. And maybe Phastos wasn't looking forward to his child sassing him, not just yet.
They couldn't leave him alone with Thena, but still in the few times that she was with Jack and Ben... One time, Phastos came from running some errands and found that his son had learned five ways to make a man collapse when you weren't armed yourself. When he looked at his husband accusingly, Ben just said:
"Hey, it's never too early for some self-defence. We live in some dangerous times, he should know how to defend himself. And who better to teach him than a goddess of war?"
Ok, technically, yes. But still, violence was wrong and Thena made it seem glamorous and empowering. That was not cool, at all. (Also you know, the fact that she could attack them at any given point. But they had that under good control, and Jack knew that she was just sick, not to blame) (Unfortunately, mental illness was also part of life, and something to be learned about)
Kingo... was a lot to handle. He was confident and fun, and knew how to keep everyone entertained, that was true. He hadn't done anything too terrible apart from lying about being his own grandpa and bringing a human to the end of the world (but that had been Karum's choice too, hadn't it?).
Yeah, he was fun and he was nice to spend time with, but he was also filling Jack's head with nonsense about the performing arts! Hollywood and Bollywood! Had even promised Jack roles in his movies without prior consultation. Kingo meant well, but he was a lot to handle and sometimes Phastos just didn't have the patience.
None of these were who Jack asked for though, none of them were his favourites. For some reason, and this was very very concerning, his favourites were Druig and Makkari (yes, the both of them together, because since that reunion on the beach they had been inseparable).
And you know, Makkari, Phastos could understand. She was teaching Jack sign language! She knew so many cool facts! She had a lot of fun trinkets! And in general, she was a happy person, always willing to talk about adventures, and just do stuff. She was really energetic, and always made time for you. Everyone liked Makkari, and it was perfectly normal and understandable, that was not the issue.
The issue was her significant other, partner, whatever you wanted to call him. Druig was not... he couldn't be a good role model, right? He'd always been the darkest one of them, he broke rules, he overthought and he had mind controlled people for centuries. Sure, it was true that the moment they came for him it was quite easy to convince him to put his life on the line to save everyone, including Ben and Jack, and sure, he'd been kind of right about there being something wrong with the mission, but still. Why?
"Ben, do you have any idea of why our son likes... his uncle Druig so much?"
"He's an interesting guy."
Phastos felt somehow offended.
"Not you too!"
"What? He has the capacity to think critically, which honestly isn't that common, he has a lot of perspective and some interesting points of view. I had some very nice chats with him about ethics and the limits of morality."
"Yeah, I don't think that's why Jack likes him. Because of his deep insight into human ethics."
"No, I guess is just all the snacks and the word games and such."
"But he's evil! I mean, not evil evil, but..."
"I don't think being with him is such a problem. And you said it yourself, that he's nicer when he's with Makkari, right? And they are always together. Isn't it good for Jack to see that if likes women too, he can have a nice, loving partner?"
Again, technically. And perhaps it was actually good for Jack to see that you could make mistakes and still find someone to care for you, that you could have something different physically and speak in a different way and still be able to get love, like they had. And maybe Druig was very vocal about his love which was a way to deter from toxic masculinity?
Maybe.
"He could mind control you or Jack." that was a worry too.
"And yet, he never has. Stop worrying, honey, they're good kids."
A death glare to his husband. He saw them as these youths, and had no idea of just what they were capable of.
"They are so definitely not kids. But I get it. You're saying that I should give them a chance."
At least while the domo was being repaired.
One time, he came back from some errands and Druig and Makkari had taught his son how to win at poker.
Maybe this was a motivation to repair the damn thing faster.
(Nonsense. He actually quite missed them when they left, and part of him wished they could have stayed longer. They were all his family, and with their flaws and virtues, lights and shadows, he loved them all.
And maybe teared up a little at a drawing of Jack's with all his new aunts and uncles)