FLO: I Am Not My Father's Son [Zarry Stylik AU]©️

9

While sitting with Zayn, Jaimie had another panic attack and cried rivers. The artist held him as he cried, soothing him to the best of his abilities and wanting this desperation to end.

Despite being emotionally exhausted, the boy still wasn't able to sleep. He had a lot of information clouding his brain, too many scenarios playing on repeat and the pain in his body only made things more prevalent. His left eye was purple now, and he had scratches on his arms, and bruises on his side and shoulder. His knuckles were bloodied, his nails broken and his fingers a bit swollen. He had fought for his life, like a true Payne and made sure to leave his mark on his opponents. He had done well.

Now, the teenager needed energy and to heal - and a simple meal was halfway there.

The cooking of the house was mostly done by Harry, but Zayn also knew his way around the kitchen well enough to cook a decent meal. Whenever he cooked, he would devote his entire energy to the process, giving all the love he could to making even the simplest of meals. In fact, Harry loved whenever Zayn cooked and would always have a second plate.

But now, he was doing it for Jaimie.

After tossing most of Jaimie's materials in the bin, Zayn managed to sit the teenager down in the kitchen to have some food, even if the boy argued that he was fine and didn't want to eat; Zayn assured him that eating would make everything better, that he would be able to rest until morning.

Jaimie sat at the kitchen table, still sniffling and with his eyes bloodshot red. The clock marked nearly 03h00am and, despite being exhausted himself, Zayn wanted to be there for his boy.

Opening the fridge he caught some bacon, some eggs and some cheese. Breakfast of champions in the dead of dawn would work.

"Dad, you don't have to-"

"Ah! Sit down." Zayn ordered again. "Let's talk. We haven't seen each other in three years. I want to know what's going on with you, Pirate."

"Nothing-"

"If you stopped lying it would be a great way to go." Jaimie chuckled lightly, as Zayn turned on the stove, preparing the breakfast meal. "I'll make it easy for ya: How have you been?"

Unlike Liam, when it came to Zayn, Jaimie didn't know how to lie or tell half-truths. So, he just opened it like a book.

"Tired."

"Oh?"

Jaimie exhaled "Just...tired. I feel like I'm just...wandering around...lost and confused. I want to not be, but at the same time, I couldn't be arsed. I'm trying to just...keep the focus on my grades and school...I just...can't."

"Hmm..." Zayn hummed after he had listened carefully. "Is that why you're having a hard time at school?"

"Partially, yes."

"What's the other part?"

"I missed you," Jaimie responded. "I do. You're my best friend. You're my twin. These years of not speaking to you were...very hard."

Zayn paused for a moment. He turned to look at Jaimie and thought about his words carefully.

"I'm sorry," Zayn let out. "I should've reached out to you. I should've...talked to you..."

"I fucked up. You had every right to be bloody fuming at me."

"No, no, no....as a father, whether blood related or not, whenever your son fucks up, you also have to reach out. I was...selfish. I was...hurt, so I let my pride dictate where to go." Zayn explained with sincerity. " I promise you, Pirate. I thought of you every day. Every moment. I wanted to reach out to you. I promise you that."