Fireproof (Louis Tomlinson AU)

~1~

2 weeks earlier

"Dad! Pass me the ball!" Landon yelled from about 20 feet away. I grinned and lightly kicked the football that sat in front of me towards him. He received the ball perfectly with the inside of his foot, just as I had taught him a week ago.

"Brilliant job, Little L!" I exclaimed. "Now pass it back to me."

His face noticeably dropped at my command. At this point, he was having trouble getting his passes to go in the right direction. I knew he was getting frustrated, but practice would only make him better.

Landon hesitantly turned around and took a few steps away from the ball. Then, after frowning deeply, he ran towards the ball and kicked it. Only it went quite a ways to my right.

I ran after the ball and stopped it before it could interfere with any other families or find its way into the street. I dribbled it back towards my son, who was now sitting on the ground with an angry look plastered on his face.

"What's wrong, Landon?" I asked as I jogged over to him. I sat down next to him and pulled his little body into my lap.

"I can't do it, Dad! I can't kick the ball straight! I try, and try, and try, and I just can't do it! I don't know what I'm doing wrong!" Landon sighed, exasperated and deterred. He looked at me, his bright blue eyes sad and discouraged.

"Hey, Buddy, don't get down on yourself! No one gets it right away! You just have to practice and practice and practice until you get it right. And trust me, sometimes that takes a long time. But don't worry, you're my son, Landon Troy Tomlinson! You can do anything you put your mind to!" I encouraged him.

"Does that mean I can become a dinosaur, or drive a train, or be a bird, or-"

"Not exactly," I chuckled, ruffling his hair up just a bit. "Cmon why don't you try passing the ball to me again."

Landon reluctantly got up and out of my lap. I stood up after him and jogged to where I was standing before.

Landon made sure the ball was going to stay still, then backed up a few paces. He furrowed his eyebrows, took a deep breath, and then ran at the ball. He cocked his leg back and kicked the ball with all his might. And it came sailed right towards me.

I automatically received he ball and then ran towards my son. He was grinning from ear to ear, as was I. When I reached him, I scooped him up into my arms and threw his tiny body into the air, then caught him. After several times, I flipped him upside down and held his ankles tightly while he dangled in the air near my waist.

His giggles were loud and clear, music to my ears. They were contagious, and I couldn't help the laughs that shook my body as well. He was so happy, and I felt proud knowing that he was my son. I taught him that. I gave him that talent. I gave him that joy. He is my son.

"That was absolutely brilliant, Little L!" I yelled as I set him down on the ground.

"Thanks, Daddy!" He grinned and hugged my legs tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too, Landon."

Shoutout to the lovely Fireproof_Louis who I am writing this story for. Love you, Babe <3