parenthood | niam au [ON HOLD]

vacation (pt. four)

liam feels like shit the following day. flynn is still acting a bit off, and liam isn't sure of how to reach him. that frustration makes him quiet, drawn into himself. teddy is affectionate and cuddly as always, but flynn keeps himself tucked against niall's side.

"daddy, are we still going to universal today?" teddy asks from where he's curled up like a kitten in liam's lap.

"yeah, we are, bear. we're gonna get some lunch first and then head out. sound good?"

teddy nods. flynn, from where he's sitting on the floor next to niall's feet, is staring at liam. liam makes a silly face at him, and a tiny giggle escapes the smaller boy before he breaks eye contact with his daddy again. liam frowns, and niall just gives him a shrug.

- - -

"flynn," liam calls in a gentle voice, and flynn looks up. he'd been coloring at the table while niall cooks macaroni for lunch. "can you come here for a second?"

flynn hesitates, but sets his crayons down and makes his way to liam, stepping over teddy, who is sprawled out, asleep, on the carpet. "yes, daddy?"

"hey, baby," liam says gently, tilting his son's face up so flynn will look him in the eye. he's trying to be even softer than normal. "sweetheart, daddy is so sorry if he hurt your feelings yesterday. i overreacted a bit because i was frightened, and i'm so sorry. i love you so much, kiddo, i just gotta make sure you're safe." he strokes flynn's hair. "i understand if you need time, or if you don't feel comfortable around me right now. i just want to make sure you know that i love you, and how much."

flynn lets out a loud whimper and wiggles his way into liam's lap, burying his face in his daddy's neck. "daddy," he whines, a sob following the sound, and liam just coos and cradles him closer.

"oh, baby, you're all right. daddy's got you, love, everything is okay," he murmurs gently, feeling flynn shaking in his hold. the poor boy must've been holding in how stressed and scared he was, and all those emotions are presenting themselves as a panic attack. "take deep breaths for me, kiddo, you're okay," he says gently, rubbing flynn's back. 

"b-blanket," flynn manages to gasp out through gasps. teddy, who'd been woken up by his brother's crying, runs off to grab it. still rubbing flynn's back, liam glances over his shoulder to see zinnia staring over at them, thumb in her mouth. she's entertained by her stuffed bear that she's holding to her chest.

"here, flynnie," teddy says, handing his brother his favorite rapunzel blanket. flynn lets out a shaky breath and takes the blanket, nuzzling his cheek against it, and then sticking his thumb in his mouth and rubbing it over his nose.

"you okay now, baby?" liam asks gently.

flynn nods, exhausted from the panic attack. "stay?" he begs when liam starts to get up to check on zinnia.

"i'll be right back, bub, i'm just gonna grab your sister," liam responds, and flynn nods, not taking his eyes off liam for a second. niall calls from the kitchen that the macaroni is done, and teddy runs off to eat. liam buckles zinnia into her high chair so niall can feed her, and then makes his way back over to flynn. "do you wanna try and have some mac 'n cheese, ducky?"

flynn shakes his head. "cuddle. please."

so liam just holds him, rocks him back and forth until his arms get tired. eventually flynn falls asleep, pale and still trembling a little. 

"teddy told me he had a panic attack. is he okay?" niall whispers from the doorway.

"i think so. tuckered him out, though," liam frowns. flynn shifts at their voices.

"papa?" he asks in a sleepy voice, rubbing his eyes.

"shhh, baby, go back to sleep," niall coos. "we're gonna leave for universal soon, okay? do you still want to go?"

flynn hesitates, and then shakes his head. "wanna stay here with daddy."

niall pulls back, looks at liam, surprised. "really, baby, you're sure?"

flynn nods, rubs his eyes. "daddy, you'll stay with me?"

"of course i will, sweetheart." liam kisses the top of his head. some tears are shed by teddy upon hearing the news, but he kisses his brother and his daddy goodbye and heads out with niall when it's time to go. "you didn't feel much like being around lots of people today, huh, ducky?"

flynn shakes his head. "can we order room service?"

liam pauses, thinking, and then shrugs. "sure, ducky. what do you want?" flynn makes grabby hands for the menu, and decides on an ice cream sundae. normally, liam would argue this, but the kid has had a rough day, and he deserves an ice cream sundae.

- - -

hours later, after watching nearly the entire selection of disney movies the hotel has to offer, the hotel door flies open, and in come zinnia, niall, and teddy.

"flynn! i brought you a present!" teddy shouts. "papa, oh, papa, can i please give it to him?" he pleads, bouncing up and down. flynn winces at his brother's shouting, clearly not liking the volume at which he's speaking.

"hey, cub, flynn isn't feeling all that well. can you use your inside voice, please?" liam asks gently. 

teddy nods. "sorry, flynnie," he apologizes, and pulls out a blue lightsaber to give his brother to make him feel better. "you can fight all the bad guys and all the bad thoughts and feelings with it now!"

flynn's eyes well up with tears, and he throws his arms around his baby brother. "love you so much, teddy," he sniffles. it seems like affection is just making him come undone all over the place today, but it's definitely not a bad thing.

teddy just giggles and hugs him back. "love you, too, silly." zinnia toddles over to them and hugs their legs, the highest she can reach, and flynn bends over to kiss the top of her head.

"love you, too, zinnia, and daddy and papa and uncle h and uncle z and jellybean and lydia!" flynn rambles, so full of love that he barely knows what to do with himself. 

"can we watch moana?" teddy asks, holding zinnia in his lap since he knows he's not allowed to pick her up. niall shrugs at liam, having no problem with this, and they all collapse into a little pile on the couch and watch moana together, all of their crises finally averted.