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

16

Things became sensitive right after the argument at Liam's house. That night, Jaimie was silent all the way home but was crying in the backseat. Once they got home, the teenager ran up the stairs, slamming the door behind him.

Zayn wanted to reach out to him, but he understood that the young boy had to go through a journey of his own emotions. Let the information he had heard from Tom's mouth rest within him. Zayn knew that it would take some time for him to get accustomed to the idea or the problematic image of his father - and it did.

Saturday Jaimie was deadly quiet, not responding to anything either he or Harry said. He spent most of the day in his bedroom, drawing, listening to music or talking to Alex sharing what happened. On Sunday the same thing happened. Again, not a word.

Zayn wanted to reach out, but he feared any interaction would trigger Jaimie and make matters worse. So, both he and Harry gave him his space. Allowed the teenager to feel whatever emotions he wanted to feel.

On Monday Jaimie went to school and didn't reply to any of Zayn's messages or answered his call. He was quiet all day, just to come back slamming the front door.

"Hey!" Zayn shouted from the living room. "Don't slam doors."

Jaimie stood by the stairs with a heavy heart and a frown. The artist came out, looking at him and understanding that the situation was ever so delicate.

"Poppy is leaving." The father knew this was going to happen. Jaimie looked at him with hurt in his eyes. "She's leaving, dad. Alex is heartbroken. Poppy...she can't leave. She's...she's important to me."

"She's Tom's daughter. What he decides, is his decision."

"Why did he have to take her? Just leave! He should leave, not take my sister with him!"

"And where would she stay?"

"With us!" Zayn took a pause, trying to figure out the words. While Jaimie proceeded like a madman with an idea. "We have an extra room. She'd be here! We can take care of her - you'd have two children in the house-"

"Pirate, listen to me-"

"Then, she wouldn't have to leave. Alex would be okay. We would all be friends."

"And Tom?"

"He'd come to visit! Talk to her on the phone. I don't know...but she didn't have to leave!"

"That wouldn't be fair for Tom and you can do that too just as easily."

"I don't give a fuck about Tom!" Jaimie snapped back, his voice echoing around the house. "I want my friend."

"You're not a child!" Zayn argued back. "Poppy is leaving with Tom. Tom is divorcing your father. That's it."

"It's all his fault anyway..."

"What is?"

"If he hadn't opened his mouth, Poppy would be here."

Zayn took a deep breath.

"You can't wish for someone to stay in an unhappy situation just so you can be comfortable."

Jaimie looked at his father with glossy eyes. "Who's fucking side are you on?"

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, you seemed pretty fucking relieved that my father's marriage ended."

"Do I look relieved to you-?"

"Almost bet there's a champagne bottle here somewhere-" The young boy muttered.

"Hey!" Zayn snapped back with a serious look on his face. "You're hurt. I get it, but don't you talk to me like that! I gain nothing from your father's separation - I didn't even want to go to the bloody dinner thing."