The Footballer's Son// Ziam AU

Chapter 1

"Dad? Mum? Are you home?" shouted Liam as he entered the Beckhams' domain. He had returned from yet another exhausting football training session and wanted to talk to his father, David Beckham about his progress. Many said he had inherited his father's talent, and his looks too. But for some unknown reason, he never thought he was as good as they all said. Nevertheless, Liam Payne Beckham tried his best to keep his old man happy by living up to his expectations.

"They're out at some party," said Liam's younger brother, Brooklyn. He came down the spiral staircase which led him to the living room. He plopped down on the couch and settled down there. He patted his elder brother to join him. "Nah, I'll take a shower first," Liam said, making his way up the staircase to his room.

In his room, he stripped out of his sweaty clothes and made his way into the bathroom to shower. Here, a new Liam unleashed. Once he was in the shower, he wasn't Liam Beckham anymore, he was Liam Payne, a worldwide known musician. He had covered many songs in this sacred ground that he now showered on and he promised there were many more to come. Yes, he inherited his mother's talent for singing too. This trait, he endeared. He often felt too pressurized when he was running around the field with the ball to his foot. But he never felt so when he was singing all to himself, or when he was singing along with his mates to their favorite songs. Maybe because when he sang, he didn't feel like he had to live up to anyone because well, nobody was expecting anything from him. He wouldn't have minded if he felt like he had to live up to his mother's name, though, perhaps because he really liked singing. If only he could tell his parents that.

"Liam you need to stop being Madonna and come out of the shower!" yelled Brooklyn. "I need to talk to you."

"Hold up, I'll be out in 2." He answered his little brother. When Liam came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, he found Brooklyn sitting on his bed, engulfed in thoughts. "What's up, li'l brother?" Liam asked, patting Brooklyn's back. The younger boy looked up and gazed at his brother.

"Do you think... I have a chance at this football thing?" he asked, as he slouched down, not making any eye contact with his brother.

"Of course you do, why wouldn't you?" the older brother asked back, patting Brooklyn's back reassuringly.

"Well, what if I'm not as good as dad?" he mutters, more to himself than to Liam.

Liam seemed to think over the question for a while. Oh, trust me, little brother, even if you aren't, the pressure of it will push there; he thought. But that's not the kind of thing you say to your younger brother who has come to you for reassurance.  "Does it matter? You're not supposed to be dad, you're supposed to be you." He answers.

"Then why do you try to be him so much?" Brooklyn asked, puzzling Liam.

Liam was careful not to let Brooklyn see the hint of anxiety in his eyes. Good question, why do I?

"Well, I don't try to be him. I try following his style at times since it is pretty unique and it's clearly working for me." He replied, confidently.

"I mean clearly, you're better off being Madonna than being the next dad." Brooklyn mocked ignoring Liam's confident response that Liam thought was very effective. "Shut up." Liam nudged his brother playfully. "I mean have you looked at yourself, you suck, dude." He continued. "Still better than you. At least I am on the call-up for the big team!" Liam answered back. At this, Brooklyn smacked Liam across his head and the two older began to wrestle one another, with the 20 years old Liam having the advantage of being bigger than the 17 years old Brooklyn. Liam pinned Brooklyn down to the bed, his back resting on the younger boy's stomach while his elbows pressed upon his little brother's chest. Brooklyn let out a whimper, probably hurting under his muscular older brother's body. Liam moved a little, not wanting to hurt his little brother and at this, Brooklyn took the opportunity to launch himself at Liam. It was the younger one who was pinning the older one down now.

"Ha! got you!" said Brooklyn with a devilish grin.

Just then, the three little Beckhams emerged into the room, all in jolly mood. "Guys," Romeo Beckham said, "Mum and Dad are home."

Brooklyn sighed and got up, realizing he had homework to do. He shooed the three younger Beckham's out of the room, following behind them. Liam stood up to put on some clothes. Once he was done, he went down to greet his parents.

"Mother, father." he nodded at each of them as he addressed them. His mother, Victoria Beckham, a petite woman in her late 30's grinned at him before wrapping his arms around him for a hug. Despite being out of the spotlight as a member of the Spice Girls for more than seventeen years, the woman still had the glamour. She still looked exactly as she did when the world knew her as the "Posh Spice", with her skin barely wrinkling she could easily pass off as a twenty-something-year-old.

Posh Spice let go of him only to be followed by a bear hug from his father, David Beckham. Now, some may think it is an exaggeration but the man literally looked like an older version of Liam. He was maybe a few inches taller, and the years of experience were clearly evident on his face. But both had the same sharp jawline, the goofy smile, and the same crinkling around their eyes when they smiled.

"Going in with the big boys, aren't ya?" the father stated, rather than asking him. He let go of his son with a final pat on his back and looked at him, a prideful smile lighting up his face as he looked at Liam. Liam looked down and muttered and obediently "Yes, sir." His father chuckled, why Liam always addressed him as 'sir' he didn't know. "Come along then, let's go out for dinner tonight."

Liam loved his parents to bits but he just couldn't meet the eyes of his father lately. Ever since he started questioning whether he was good enough for the team or not, he felt more and more insecure. At times, he considered not going for it. He didn't know how to tell his father that. Not that his father would've been mad, just that he couldn't bear the image of his old man's face if he told him that he didn't feel as excited about the game anymore as he did when he was a child.

How can he, with the whole world judging him?

He wanted to tell his dad that he couldn't be him. He can't be David Beckham 2.0. But if he said it, his father would be crushed, and Liam couldn't do that.

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So uh, there's chapter 1. I love the Beckhams so much tbfh. But Manchester United is definitely not one of my favorites haha I'm a Chelsea fan. Wbu guys?

Vote, comment and recommend to your friends please :) love you lots!