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

15

PART II

The dinner situation was odd, to say the least.

Liam sat at the head of the table, with Zayn across from him. Tom and Harry occupied the middle seats. The conversation was mostly carried by the two of them, who were doing their best to kill the awkwardness in the room.

Harry inquired about Tom's projects and what he was working on, and the architect responded by giving an entire explanation of what he did - no mention of Prague, though. Tom asked Harry about his projects and the photographer answered politely. It was as if it was just the two of them in the room.

Meanwhile, Liam kept nursing his wine, turning the glass slowly, shooting looks at Zayn who listened to Harry speak. Their eyes would meet on occasion, but Zayn wouldn't linger - he'd look away and pretend like the man wasn't eyeing from across the table.

How could someone remain untouched and look better with time? With the beard, the hair, and the clothes, Zayn looked amazing. Liam tried his best to look good, take care of himself, and cut back on drinking and excesses. He looked good for his age. He knew he could command a room with a pose. However, he couldn't command this room. He couldn't get Zayn's attention. He wanted it, though. Badly. 

On the other side of the table, Zayn tried to control his anxiety but not drinking too much and speaking even less. He was too nervous; his knee under the table trembled before he consciously brought it to a stop. 

Just for it to start again.

"Well, I have to say this is lovely," Harry responded in kindness. The food at the table was half eaten - beautiful salmon with roasted potatoes, some greens and a salad, paired with a soft and fruity white wine Tom discovered in the pantry. The photographer drank a little of his wine and hummed. "And this wine!"

"French," Tom answered with pride. "Very good with desserts, but...I figured who cares? It's so good."

"It is," Harry responded by drinking a bit more. "I thought you didn't drink at all, Tom."

"Oh, I usually don't." The architect responded, placing his glass down. "The occasion called for it. I feel this...is an important moment for you all ...mending broken bridges, right?"

Zayn cleared his throat, moving in his seat. He looked at Liam, who stared back at him with those brown eyes of his, 

"Yes," Harry added. "I want to thank Liam for allowing us to have this moment."

"I wanted us to be able to sit down and have an adult conversation," Liam explained, gazing at Zayn.  "For Jaimie. There's no point in us being mad or arguing at one another when it's hurting our son. Our marriage might be over, but we can still be civil about it."

There was a pause in the air when none of them moved. Harry looked at Zayn, seeing his husband take a deep breath in, squinting his eyes just a bit.

This was a sign that Zayn had something to say, but was choosing what words to come out of - it to come out, at all. Knowing him well, the photographer figured his husband didn't want to argue, no matter how much he thought this dinner was a mess. However, when things need to come out...

Nothing stops it. 

"Hm," Zayn answered, grabbing his glass and taking a sip. "Sure."

Liam squinted a bit, cocking his head to the side. 

"Problem?"

"Hm? No. Not at all."

"You seem to think otherwise or you wouldn't have hummed."