itsonlyzac:
Zac shook his head, a little annoyed that Dakota was giving Elliot such lenience. There were times Zac wished his husband would simply agree without needing all the facts, especially now Elliot was a teen, but Dakota was the fair one of the pair. He gave Elliot the moment to state his case, even if it was a weak one.
‘I take offense’ his silent scoff replied, moving to cross his arms over his chest as if pouting like a child. Dramatic or what? His arms fell away as his attention splintered between the three children and his husband. He never had enough arms for them all. One to feel Charlie, one to clean up Ophelia’s drawl, one to drag Dakota to him, one to hold Elliot together. Four arms, that’s what he needed.
“Exactly my point. Luke and his game will be there any other day. If you had asked to see him later I might have agreed to that, but you’re so ready to drop plans with your family for a game and that’s not okay. You gave us your word, you stick to it.” Zac’s word meant a lot, and he expected that to follow with his son. If people said one thing and acted another way trust would never survive, and he hoped Elliot would be a trustful person. At least most of the time, he knew the boy was a teenager… teenagers lied, they hid things, but Zac didn’t want Elliot to think he’d get a free pass whenever that happened either.
Elliot’s eyes shifted into a small glare in the direction of Zac, a less sinister look towards Dakota. Well, Zac knew who was emery number one today.
“Pa… It’s not like that!” He whined, swaying on the spot and sighing dramatically. “I see you all the time. We live in the same house!”
“I work most of the day, your father has his dancing, the girls have us running around, when we drive you to school you’re grumpy, we sit at the table and you barely tell us about your day. You see your friends, they come over or we drive you to theirs. You may be home when we are, but you close your door and stay in there even when we invite you to watch a movie or play some games with all of us. You may live in the same house Elliot, but regarding spending time with all your family? That I’m yet to see.”
Zac reached for Ophelia, taking the smallest child in his arm. He bounced the baby on his hip. He worried that perhaps the newest addition had made Elliot step back from them all, thinking he had less of a position in this family now that Ophelia was here. It hurt his heart to think Elliot wasn’t the little boy in his arms any more.
Elliot’s mouth opened and closed several times as he glanced between his parents. “It’s not fair,” he declared before turning on his heels, heading towards the front of the house where the stairs were to his bedroom. Except he didn’t go up to the stairs, he looked back at his sisters and parents. “Well? Are you coming?”
Dakota tilted his head at Zac to reference the way his arms were now crossed as if to say. ‘I rest my case’. He turned back to Elliot, focusing on what he had to say. He could definitely see why Zac had said no and he actually agreed with his husband.
Dakota nodded along with what Zac was saying but bit his lip when Zac neared the end of what he was saying. He walked close to Zac, a hand snapping out to catch Charlie before she felt to the floor, his heart pounding momentarily as she was able to right herself. His reflexes have become almost superhero like after having three kids, it was like his body sensed the danger before his mind could even comprehend it.
Once Charlie was smiling dopily back at him he relaxed, watching Charlie take Ophelia’s hand and dance in a circle. “Bare careful darling.” He asked her before continuing on with what he wanted to speak with Zac about semi-privately. “Could we possibly let him go over there later if he plays with the girls? Or maybe invite his friend Luke out once we’ve had a bit of time with him?” Dakota whispered to Zac wondering if this was a good compromise. “I’ll trust your call on this one babe.” He patted Zac’s stomach affectionately, slipping his hand under the edge of it to rest his hand on Zac’s bare side.
He didn’t want Elliot to be glaring at them all day when it was supposed to be a nice family day for them all. It made him a little sad that Elliot was getting to the age where hanging out with your parents was lame. He wasn’t a little boy anymore. He looked to Zac, relieved that he was able to perfectly explain how he felt. He gave Zac’s side a squeeze. “I agree with your father, honey.”
He let go of Zac and stepped towards Elliot, sighing when he turned his back on them. He was waiting for the sound of a door to slam once Elliot got to the stairs, assuming he was going to have a bit of a row. He was surprised however when Elliot didn’t do as he thought and instead spoke to them. Dakota’s frown turned into a slow smile and he nodded. “Yeah, we’ll be right there Elliot.” Dakota told him, happy that things seemed to be sorted for now. He took Charlies hand who jumped up and down in excitement.
“Ellie! Can we go on the four wheeler!” She asked excitedly, tugging her hand out of Dakotas so she could run ahead to her brother. The girls were so attached to Elliot and he could tell that they were happy to have him along for a day of bonding. He watched her go with a smile, turning to Ophelia in Zac’s arms. “You’ll let papa love on you today right?” He cooed, tapping her nose and smiling when she giggled.
“You’re too easy on him...” Zac sighed. He felt bad being the guy who said no, the one who laid the rules but he knew without them how easy it was for a child to run free. Now it wasn’t like Zac would never let Luke come over, if Elliot had asked for him to come over later Zac would have taken it as a viable middle ground. The fact is that Elliot simply wanted to abandon his promise and hang with his friends, by going against his word he shouldn’t receive a reward for being forced to stick with his family. At least that’s how Zac saw it. Elliot could invite Luke over next time, in advance, without trying to get out of family time.
He grunted, glad even if Dakota was the good cop he would stick to Zac’s choice. Also, the hand on his belly reminded him how hungry he was. Which certainly didn’t help the mood Elliot was putting him in. “You can have Luke over during the week or you can go to his, but not today. It’s as simple as that. It’s not up for discussion any more.” Was it too early to wish his other children didn’t talk back once they became teenagers? He glanced at Charlie, leading her sister in a dance. Yeah, fat chance of that ever happening. She had more personality than any of them. Ophelia on the other hand... oh she’d be his little angel forever.
Two parents against one teenager was not how Elliot saw this going. Even as Dakota seemed to look sorry about his decision Elliot wasn’t feeling very pleased. This was going to be the day from hell, his sisters would bug him and his parents would nag him. All he wanted to do was play games, maybe talk about the girls from school. He wanted to fume, wanted to yell, wanted to throw things. Zac’s temper certainly was inherited in his son. He’d just make this picnic hell for everyone, Elliot had decided when he walked off. Until he reached the doorway and spotted a photo of them from a while back. When was the last time they’d had a group photo? The fact he questioned it made him stop and look back. God damn it, maybe, just maybe, his parents had a point. He wouldn’t say that so openly though. Can’t admit he’s wrong.
When Charlie came running up to him he looked down his nose, for a moment feeling strange just how much taller he was than her. When did that happen? Charlie could be annoying, but all siblings were right? “Yeah just remember your helmet this time. Dad is already in a mood. I can’t believe he won’t let me go to my friends,” he complained, waiting for her to step before walking her out of the front door and heading towards the garage where the four wheelers were.”
“Nope she’s mine,” Zac said once he’d gotten Ophelia settle. He walked a little faster so that Dakota couldn’t get to them. “This one is mine!” He joked, his playful tone making Ophelia laugh in his arms. “Get the food, we’ll meet you at the car... if you’re quick enough.” He bounced his daughter, looking at his husband over his shoulder.
