Marisson Family (One Shot-Collection)

Like Father, Like Son

"You just can't walk out of school!" Alain cried in frustration, teeth gritting together as he tried to keep his anger at bay. He paced the front of his office, at a lost of what he should do– because this wasn't the first time this had happened. Alain paused as he reached the wall, closing his eyes for a moment, before glancing over his shoulder.

A pair of sharp blue eyes glared back at him, his fourteen year old son crossing his arms. Eli didn't even have a look of regret in his eyes, just coolly glaring at his father, clearly waiting for this conversation to be over. Another rush of frustration ran through Alain, but he kept it back with a deep breath. Once he was sure he had control over his emotions he turned to face Eli, voice much calmer than before.

"Skipping class is one thing– that you've done several times now," Alain said slowly. "But literally just walking out on your teacher? Not even to mention the things you said to her!"

"She got in my way," Eli snapped. "She had no right to stop me!"

"And you had no right to walk out of class," Alain said, tone becoming slightly strained. What else was he supposed to say? Eli was fourteen– he understood that education was important. He understood that he could and would get detentions and suspensions for his actions– but he simply didn't care.

Even the consequences at home from Mairin and himself didn't seem to faze him. Take away his electronics, ground him from friends, forbid him from training his Pokemon– he took it all without a blink of an eye. Alain took in another strained breath, studying his youngest child as he gave him a defiant sneer.

"Are we done here?" Eli snapped, and Alain felt his anger rising again.

"We will be done when I am done talking," Alain growled.

Eli's eyes slipped towards the door, then back towards Alain. Then with a shrug showing that he could care less he plucked a hairband from his wrist, pulling his long dark hair back as he slid the band into place. Alain pressed his lips together, but said nothing. It was no secret that he wasn't fond of Eli's long hair, but then again it was probably his distaste for the style that was encouraging Eli to keep it long.

"Why bother?" Eli asked. "I already know what you're going to say– the same thing you do every time."

His son's insolence towards him was nothing new either, but still a pang of frustration ran through Alain as it always did with such things, it took everything he had not to snap something back at him. Alain once again turned away, trying to calm himself. Why couldn't Eli understand what he was doing to himself? Throwing away his education, hurting his future– and of course worrying Mairin to no end.

"Eli, this can't keep going on," Alain said. "This is the seventh time this school year alone that you've skipped a class– and you're not even through your second quarter!"

Silence fell across them, Eli not replying as Alain waited for a response. There was a twitch in his fingers, and Alain smothered the desire to start pacing again. Patience was one thing he needed to maintain around Eli– even if it did tend to vanish in the presence of his son.

"There are things more important than school," Eli hissed at last, glancing away.

"And just what, exactly, is more important?" Alain crossed his arms, his back still turned.

"...You wouldn't understand," He growled.

"I would if you'd tell me!" Alain cried. "Because an explanation of your behavior for once would be very nice!"

"This is my life– not yours! Stop acting like you'd even care!" Eli snapped. "Just shut up!"

Alain froze at these words, a moment of silence passing between them. Then Alain suddenly whipped around, eyes flashing. His voice was a snarl, tone dangerously low. "Don't take that tone with me!"