James, Aaron and Juliette's son, hurts himself running. Part one

473 4 0
                                    

in this fanfic, aaron and juliette have a teenage boy named jameson that is fifteen and a younger daughter named emmaline that is ten. james is in his angsty teenage years but his father is determined to become closer with james, like Juliette is with their daughter, emmaline . 

Aaron's POV
My wife and I have trouble understanding our teenage son, James. It isn't necessarily that he is a bad kid but he is just hard to read even though I can sense people's emotions. I guess he is just good at hiding his. Right now, my wife, Juliette Ferrars says, "Hey, Aaron I'm going to go spend some time with Emme, she wants me to play some sort of game with her." I wrap my arms around my wife and squeeze her shoulders, engulfing her luxurious and familiar scent," That sounds amazing, y'all have fun. You know what I might see about going with James on a walk or something." Juliette smiles, "That sounds like a great idea, babe. I know how hard it can be for you since he carries around all that angst." I answer, shaking my head, "Nah. I'm not worried about all that." Juliette says, "I love you, Aaron." My wife's face lights up as I place my hand on the side of her face and kiss her on her lips, "I love you too, love."
-
I go up the stairs to my son's room and knock, "Hey, bud. You wanna go on a walk with your dear ole dad?"  James turns his nose at me, answering, "I don't go on walks with my dad besides you couldn't keep up. I go alone. What am I in trouble or something?" I laugh, sitting in the edge of his bed, "Hey, no, You aren't in trouble, James. And come on why can't I tag along ?" My son responds, "That's lame and besides don't you have better things to do?" I think before I speak, "Nope, just wanting to spend some time with my son. Is that such a crime? Come on, let me walk with you. I promise I'll keep up." James drags out a long and exasperated sigh, "Fine. Whatever." When we are outside, after walking for a bit, breaking the silence, I tell my son, challenging him, "I'll  race you if you want." James says, "Racing is for babies, Dad." I disagree, "Nonsense. Anybody can race." James laughs, "Yeah okay." They both start to run,

James Pov
I start to run, my father is a little ways behind me right behind me; he is actually really fast, unbelievably. Suddenly, I stumble and i fall onto my knees and land on my right ankle. Pain shoots up my legs. I mutter curse words, despite my dad being close by. I don't want him to know so i stand up despite the pain and try not to grimace.

Aaron's Pov
My son randomly stopped running and now he is standing and looking very guilty of something but I can't figure out what. His emotions are all over the place, again, so I can never read him. I ask him, "You good? Why'd you stop? Did something happen?" James replies, hesitantly, "Nothing is wrong. I just you know, wanted to catch my breath." I scan his body for any sign of injury to make sure there isn't something he isn't telling me for some reason. I notice his jeans are cut and very dirty. I say, questionably, "James, is there something you aren't telling me?" I see my son's Adams apple bob in his throat, then he swallows, "Nope. Nothing is wrong, Dad." I take a step closer to James, saying," Your jeans are very dirty and you have holes in them. James says again, I can tell he's lying straight through his teeth, "I told you, Dad. Nothing is wrong. I'm fine." I sigh, "Fine. Let's get bad to running then." James takes a step or two then I see his face split into what looks like an wince. I say, a slight warning in my voice now, "You obviously are hurt so tell me what happened." My son's face reveals nothing, but his emotions give away, finally everything I need, he starts to say,"I—" I say, firmly but not too firm, "Jameson. Did you forget I can sense your emotions? I know when you are lying to me." James replies, "Am I in trouble? you hardly ever say my full name."I sigh in response, "You aren't in trouble unless you don't tell me the truth." James rubs his neck,'"Okay, whatever. The truth is, yes, I lied to you, I fell earlier. But you are so overdramatic. I can take care of myself. I'm fifteen years old- I don't need yo-" I kneel to his height, he's a few inches shorter than me, and I say, cutting him off,"James, I'm not overdramatic. I maybe seem like I am to you but I promise I'm not. I just hate it when you lie to me. And yes, I know you are fifteen years old, son, but that proves my point you should be able to tell me what going on, alright? Also, watch the sass, alright? I get it, you're a teen and all but it isn't an excuse." James says,"Okay, Dad." I say, "So, tell me what hurts." I can tell my son doesn't feel like sharing but obviously I've given him no choice, "When I fell, I fell on my ankle and it hurts when I walk on it and my knees and my legs are burning up I can't tell if they are bleeding or not." I respond,"Thank you for telling me, James. And you probably won't like this but I'm going to carry you back home okay?" James starts to object, retorting, "Absolutely not- that's embarrassing! Dad, I'm not a little baby!" I sigh and say, "James, what is this about, man? You know you can be cared for without being a baby right?" My son stays quiet. I ask, "James?" James responds, "I mean- I don't know, Dad. I don't like being vulnerable- it makes me embarrassed and uncomfortable." I sigh, "James, I understand, trust me, I'm not the most comfortable when it comes to this kind of stuff if I was in your situation either. But I am your father and sometimes we have to be a little... er.. vulnerable... I know you are growing up but I hope you will know you'll always be my little baby no matter how old you are." James acts grossed out by this, sputtering out, "Dad! That's gross." He pauses and says, "But no I'm not your little baby anyways. That's Emme." My heart shatters a little for my oldest son,"Oh, James, I never knew you felt that way. I'm going to be honest with you, It's harder for me and your mom to show you the same affection and love because you push us away a lot. You put up this front that you don't care about us when I know you do. I'm proud of you showing your independence but sometimes you have to let yourself be a little taken care of, okay?" James responds and says ever so quietly, "Okay."
I instruct my son, "Okay, I'm going to carry you now okay? Hold onto my neck, James."
James's Pov
I really don't want my father to hold me but I also really don't want to walk on my legs because it was already painful. My father kneels and I hesitate momentarily before wrapping my arms around my fathers neck. It's a little nerve racking from going to standing on the ground to being held up but I keep my composure. I say, surprisingly, biting my lip, gripping my father's neck for dear life," Please don't drop me, Daddy. My father replies, holding me underneath my legs with his arms, "I got you, baby. I won't drop you." As much as I'd deny it to anyone else, my heart beats a little at my father's sweet yet short statement. He called me baby. Baby.
-
Aaron's Pov
I can feel a swarm of mixed feelings that are traveling through my son's mind at the moment. Happiness. Denial. Astonishment. Sadness. I keep replaying what James had just called me he had said "Please don't drop me, daddy." He hadn't said that in years. It was so bittersweet. I love my son so much.
-
We enter the house and I shut the door with my foot and then whisper to James, "Hang on tight to my neck, I'm carrying you up the stairs now." I see James nod. He asks, "Dad?" I answer softly, "Yes, Jamesy?" My son ignores the nickname and says, "Can- can I lay on your chest?" I smile,"Of course, my sweet James." He shifts his face and positions it into the crook of my neck. I head towards my room. James tilts his head up and frowns, "Dad, why are we going in your room?" I explain to him, sitting him on my bed, "Well, all my supplies to check your injuries are in there so it's easier."
-
James's pov
I don't want my father to know that I'm actually very scared of this whole situation and I don't want him to check my injuries. I hate this vulnerable feeling but I try pushing it aside. I fidget with my shirt sleeve, my father comes back in the supplies and placed them on the bed beside me and says, "What's wrong, James? You're fidgeting too much. Come on, talk to me. Remember I just want to help you." I lie and say, "It's nothing.." My father, Aaron Warner, says, "James, please don't lie to me. You know I can see right through you sometimes. What's going on?" I scratch my head, saying again," Nothing." Aaron suggests,"Fine. If you don't want to tell me then I guess I'll go ahead and start." I yelp, "Wait! Not yet." My father is determined, he says, "I don't want to dismiss your feelings, son, you need to talk about how you feel, okay?" I nod repeatedly, "Okay. I'll tell you. I don't know- i just don't like the vulnerableness of my situation. And- I know this sounds childish and not manly at all but I'm...." I pause then say, "I'm a little scared." My father looks at me with a face of sympathy, "Oh, James. What ever are you scared of?" I answer honestly, growing more uncomfortable by the second," I guess like if it would hurt or what you'll have to do... and I'm a little bit insecure about myself so maybe that's why.." Aaron says, "Oh, James. I hope you know if you ever need to talk to have a shoulder to cry on I'm always here for you." I scrunch my nose at my dad, "Crying is for babies." My father scoots on the bed closer to me, stating, "James, let me tell you something. I don't cry much but crying is normal and it isn't a bad thing. And if you want to talk about insecurities.. here let me show you. I watch my father as he turns to the side a bit and slowly pulls his shirt over his head. Against my fathers back lies many different scars. My heart shattered for my dad at this moment I let him speak, he takes a deep breath and says,"James you see these scars on my back? This has always been one of my insecurities. When I first met your mom and she saw this I thought she would be repulsed by me. But she wasn't. Not at all." I ask, curious, "Dad?" He answers me, "Yes?" I question, "Who did this to you?" My father swallows, "My own father. He was a terribly abusive man to me. Sometimes I even find myself comparing myself to him." I am shocked at my dad's words, "Dad, I promise you are nothing like that....." I travel looking for a word that isn't a slur. Aaron laughs at me, "I know what you mean." My dad shifts on the bed adjusting his shirt back down and says," Okay. Now I would love to keep talking to you but I really need to tend to your injuries. You think you're ready?" I swallow bile in my throat but shake my head, "Dad, you're going to be upset with me but I hide something else from you. My right palm has a cut too when I fell. I'm sorry for not telling you." Aaron sighs, "James, thank you for telling me but I thought we talked about this. You need to be honest with me, alright? We will talk about an consequence later." I nod, apologizing, "Sorry, dad." He nods, telling me," But  I'm not worried about a consequence, right now, I just want you to let me tend to your care okay? Just relax, okay?" I take a deep breath and say, "Okay, dad." Aaron instructs me, "Okay, first, usually, I'd roll up your pants but the wounds are very bloody and it would be harder to access that way. Plus I will probably have to bandage some. " I am alarmed and worriedly ask my father, "Does that mean I need to take off my jeans?" Aaron chuckles, "Yes, I'm afraid so, sweetest." He immediately noticed my concern and says, reassuring me," But hey, hey, I promise I'll be as gentle as I can be. I'm going to start in an second okay? Remember to breathe. I love you, James." I sniff, I say, nervously, and quietly, "Okay. Okay. I'll try to breathe. And- I love you too. Just please be gentle." Aaron replies, stroking my hair softly, "I promise, love." My father says, positioning me behind his pillow in bed, "Here, try to relax while I do it okay? "Okay dad thank you," I say. I breathe in as my father asks to start. I simply nod. He removes my pants. I tell him as he prepares the rag and antiseptic and gauze and other things he will need, "I hate that I fell in those. They were my favorite pants." He apologizes, starting to clean my wounds, it doesn't hurt much right now so I start to say," Dad?" Aaron answers. I continue,"I'm sorry I've always been a little closed off. You see, I'm sometimes jealous of the attention and care Emme gets from you and mom. She's the baby of the house. And I'm the older one. Sometimes I want to be babied then I feel ashamed or embarrassed because I'm fifteen. Like for instance when- when you called me baby earlier I loved that. It was so sweet. The little nicknames..." Aaron grins at me, "I knew you loved them." I smile," Sometimes." My dad says "thank you for being honest." I say you're welcome then Aaron warner starts to clean at my wounds. He warns me, "Okay, this may sting, and I'm sorry." He applies the cream to the wounds. I bite my lip to not cry out. My dad sense my pain and whispers," I'm sorry. Bear with me, sweetheart. You're doing great." I look away, ashamed of my outburst, from my father as one tear falls down my face. My father pauses nothingness and wiped the tear off my cheek, "Daddy's got you, just a little longer, my sweet James. Don't be afraid to cry a little."  I just shake my head nod trying to not start bawling because of my shaken emotions. Aaron turns more serious and compassionate, "Shh, shh. It's okay, James. Don't hold it in. Just let it go." I can't help it. Tears tumble down my face, i engulf my father in an warm embrace and I start to ramble, "I'm sorry, dad. I've been a horrible son. You should be mad. I've acted like I don't care about your and mom or your words or affection but I promise I do.. I just don't know how to comprehend it sometimes or show it." Aaron, my father, hushes me,"It's alright, Jameson. It's okay. I'm not mad. Your mom isn't mad. I promise you, James. And you aren't horrible. You are amazing and I'm so glad I'm your father. I love you." I eventually stop crying, and my father reassures me until he knows I'm okay. I let him continue with his work on my leg. He explains, "I'm going to wrap your legs with some compression bandages to bring down the swelling okay? It shouldn't hurt but it may feel a little tight. Just relax and let me take care of you. You deserve some care, okay?" As he wraps them he says, "Wait till mom hears this she's going to be so proud of you." I smile as he finished my bandages. And then he helps me slide a pair of shorts on. He says okay now I need to help your sprained ankle. He applies a cold compress. I say ," ahh it's cold dad." My dad apologized and wraps a bandage around it. My ankle tingles at his touch. He instructs okay so I'll have to change it every so often.  Probably tonight or tomorrow. He said here I'll take you to your room since you don't need to be walking on it, if that's okay?" I shake my head, "Yeah. That's okay. I want mom to see." Aaron scoops me up in his arms gently and carries me to my room.

There will be a part two.

Aaron Warner Short FanficsWhere stories live. Discover now