Good Enough

T h i r t y E i g h t

Routine.

Structure.

It was an evolving idea Liam would say he truly never had but became numb too quite quickly.

He feels a nulling headache tinge behind his eyes, groaning softly Liam removes himself from his covers. He sees his phone alert of him of the "Good Morning Baby," Text from Zayn, he responds per usual wishing him a good morning until the two are reunited at school.

Figuring a shower would help this recent pain, Liam shuffles to the bathroom groggily glancing in the mirror with a pitiful glare towards his reflection.

Dull puppy brown eyes stare back at him, he can't force a mustered smile on his thin lips, and though he normally stayed pale this time of year - he looked quite ghastly.

"Oh piss off!" Louis scoffs slamming the phone in his hand to the table, his back is turned toward the entryway his smaller figure drowning in the cardigan he'd stolen from his husband's side of the closest.

Liam truly hadn't noticed but this was one of the first times Harry had left and Louis stayed. It was a learning curve Liam noted for his Papa to continue life with nothing to do all day but wait for Liam to speak to him or his husband.

"Who was that?" Liam asks softly entering the room, he truly didn't care but know Louis would typically beat around the push of a problem until he was asked about it.

However, this time Louis jumps turning to meet the boy with a plastered smile, "No one important,"

"Connor?" Liam guesses aloud, Louis shaking his head with a narrowed stare, "Not funny, and no. It wasn't him." The two share a silent content smile with each other, Liam gesturing towards his own sweatshirt, "This is Zayn's,"

"Adorable," Louis mumbles snapping his look towards the kitchen when Rose emerges, "Breakfast is ready,"

"T-thank you," the Papa chirps heading into the room without another look towards his son.

Liam furrows his brow meeting Rose's stunned eyes at the nice words from the man that sometimes still detested her.

He chews the inside of his cheek backing away from the room with a wave, "I'm going to school, bye."

Common in his routine, Zayn is waiting in the circle of the School Hallway that morning, his eyes are glued to his phone as a few of his friends speak to him about their night Zayn could care less about.

Liam sighs wanting to fully rid himself of the overwhelming feeling of glum he'd awoken with but manages to at least push it aside as he smiles genuinely towards his boyfriend of five months.

"Hey," Zayn greets concern deepening in his hazel eyes, his look narrowed when Liam chews his bottom lip shaking his head, "I'm fine,"

"You don't look fine,"

"I'm good," 

Knowing he'd get nowhere with the stubborn boy, Zayn nods pressing his lips to Liam's forehead, "C'mon we'll be late to English."

"You've always been selfish like that. How could you?!"

Wincing at the tone of voice, Liam straightens his posture placing his bag by the front door continuing into the living area.

Louis had remained unchanged, yet he looks more disheveled than his appearance this morning.

Again, the phone is tossed from his grip with a blinding indication he was furious with the person on the other line. "W-who was that?" Liam asks again, eyes wide as he steps back taking the full wrath of Louis when the man turns glaring his way, "None of your business, you're the child, not the parent."

Liam knows this is the best time to nod and remain silent.

Break the routine.

Tightening his jaw, Liam rolls his eyes, "Are you giving yourself the title of the parent now?"

Louis' hand flicks as if he was going to slap Liam, he stops himself inhaling deeply, a sign that the fury had left him, "Go to your room,"

It was as if Liam wanted a rise out of the man, he feels like he'd copped out by releasing his anger, "Who was on the phone?" He asks again, Louis flinches at the question dripping in accusation. 

"Go to your room," Repeating his command, Louis swallows past the burning lump in his throat stepping towards the boy testingly, "Now."

Huffing, Liam slams down in his computer chair glaring at his phone screen that didn't ring.

It hadn't rung in two weeks, it was the last time he'd spoken to his father.

Used to the pair would go months, once a whole year, but he thought they were trying now.

How was this trying?

Scrolling through his contacts he pouts at the fact that Zayn had work today and wouldn't be available to call and talk shit about his Papa with him.

He could call one of his brothers, but they wouldn't sympathize with him the way he wanted them to. He didn't want to hurt him, just hate him for a little bit.

Knowing there was one person that would hate on him, but knew Liam's soft side, he chews his bottom lip clicking on the contact. His thumb hovers over call, with a glance toward his window seeing an unfamiliar car pulling up towards the house he clicks off Niall's contact placing his phone on the desk leaving his room.

Leaning against the stairwell, he holds his breath listening to Louis shush whoever was at the door, "M-my son's home, he-he can't know."

Louis was drunk, his words slurred together towards this mystery person. Liam felt his heart sink, he thought Louis had grown past ever cheating on Harry again. 

When the pair makes their way to the bottom of the stairs, Liam ducks back into his room listening for the reason of their visit praying he was wrong in his thoughts and it wasn't an affair.

"You couldn't tell anyone," Louis remarks their voices growing closer as they led to the bedroom, Liam sniffling as tears prick his eyes. 

Bringing his phone to view, Liam rolls his eyes pressing call.

"Hello?"

"Hey,"

"Hey." Liam chews his bottom lip shaking his head, "I-I, I had no-no one else to call,"

"I'm glad you called me," Niall admits, "Do-do you need me to come over?"

"No, I-I uh," Letting the tears roll down his cheeks he sniffles, "Tell me about your day,"

>All the love, Emma :)