Superheroes 3

2

When he turned fifteen he refused to celebrate his birthday. For the past two years, he had tried everything to find his special ability but it was crystal clear to him now that he was pathetically ordinary.

In any other case scenario, he would have been okay with that, but he was surrounded by superheroes. He had heard the stories. First, his dad and his friends saved the world and then their kids took over. The things they had done! It sounded like a comic book but he knew it was true because he had looked it up. He had no idea his dad was that famous even if his identity never had been revealed.

They had all retired by now. His bonus cousins as well since they had kids of their own but they still put on their costumes if something particularity bad happened. He would have loved to be a part of that.

When Wolf's and Eden's oldest son Axton turned thirteen and was presented with x-ray vision  Arthur threw a fit.

He found the biggest bully in school and beat the crap out of him until some of the teachers dragged him away. He got suspended. Arthur couldn't care less. He has done something good.

Except his parents didn't think so. They argued as soon as they got home.
"What were you thinking, Arthur?" Niall asked.

"What? He was a fucking bully! He deserved it!" Arthur defended himself.

"Please, don't swear." Claire said.

"Violence is never the right solution, son." Niall said.

"Yeah? I've heard all of your stories, Dad. You all know karate. Are you gonna lie and say that you've never hit someone?" Arthur questioned.

"I've defended myself when it has been absolutely necessary. You just walked up to another kid and punched him, repeatedly." Niall answered.

"He deserved it!" Arthur shouted.

"No, he didn't. That's not the way to handle a bully. You'll be lucky if he doesn't press charges against you. You're grounded. Go to your room." Niall replied. He looked angry and disappointed at the same time.

Arthur stormed off. This was so unfair. His dad didn't understand. He had done a good deed. That bully wouldn't target anyone else. He would make sure of it. This is how he could be a hero. He was saving a couple of kids at school from being bullied. At least that was something.

After two weeks of suspension, he was back in school and a couple of days later he was in another fight. To be fair, he didn't start the fight this time. Apparently, that didn't matter. He got suspended again and his parents grounded him once more. That made him furious.

Niall was beyond worried about his youngest child. He called his friends and they met up at Harry's and Louis' house.
"Guys, I don't know what to do with him. Claire says that he's angry all the time and let me tell you that his thoughts are anything but positive."

Harry grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it.
"I'm sure he'll come around. I remember being a teen. It wasn't fun most of the time."

"Our kids sure made a mess with their whole secret Superhero club." Zayn chipped in and they all shook their heads in amusement.

"Guys, it's different for Arthur. Imagine how it must feel to be the only one without any special abilities, surrounded by people who all have them." Louis pointed out.

"Claire and I have told him over and over again that he's perfect just the way he is. That he doesn't need superpowers to be special. That we love him." Niall said emotionally.

"Of course! But he's a sensitive teenager. It must be really tough for him, especially when Axton just got his abilities, being the third generation and all." Liam said.

"Yeah." Niall sighed unhappily. He rubbed his hands over his face. "I feel so stupid. I never even considered that one of my kids wouldn't have an ability and how that would affect them. Claire and I have always discussed how to handle different abilities. We never talked about this!"

"You can't beat yourself up for that, Ni. Louis and I never discussed that either after Darcy had her ability. We just figured all of them would have one." Harry tried to comfort his friend.

"How do I help him?" Niall asked.

"You can just be there for him, mate. We all will. You and Claire have the unique ability to actually understand what he's going through." Louis answered.

"I try my best to keep out of my kid's head. You know, give them that privacy." Niall said.

"We know, Niall. Maybe Liam and I can take him fishing like we used to. Show him that we're all there for him." Zayn suggested.

"Yeah, Louis and I can do stuff with him as well." Harry immediately offered.

"Thanks, guys. You're the best! I don't know shat I would do without you." Niall beamed.

"You've always been there for our kids when they needed it and I hope you know how much we appreciate it." Liam said.

"Yeah, but this is different. Arthur has such low self-esteem. We should have thought about the effect it would have on him when Avolon got her ability right in front of him. He was only nine for Christ's sake! For year's that was all he talked about, what his ability would be, and when he didn't get one he was devastated." Niall said.

"You have to stop blaming yourself. That's not your fault, Niall." Harry said.

"I can't help it. I just want him to be happy and he's not!" Niall replied and a tear rolled down his cheek.

His friends looked at each other. They wished they could help him.