More Lit. From Me - Them Father/Son Feels Tho

Uuuum...remember when I said I would write a happier scene next time? Scratch that. I didn't  XD 

Well, at least I'm mixing it up this time with Gene/Joey father-son feels rather than Abe/Eli homo feels, lol 

As a warning before you read, this scene contains:

• Curse words/foul language 

• Much angst, many tears. I like my feels  XD 

• Is in need of much more editing. I may edit misspellings here and there after I post it 

• It's kind of hard to understand why Joey's upset in the first place unless I post a second part to this...which I may as well do...I dunno.... ;3;

Anywhooo, on with the show, I guess~ 

This was Gene's only thought as he dragged his son out of the school building, a firm grip on the boy's slim wrist, trying his best to keep the anger that was bubbling inside him under control. They'd been in a conference with the principal for hours, so long that when they left, the sun had set, and it was already dark out. 

Joey was a defiant teenager, there was no doubt about that. He's committed more rebellious acts in his thirteen years than Gene's ever had at forty-three. But to get in a fight with three other boys, right in the middle of class? This was the last straw. 

When they approached the van he finally let go of Joey's wrist. 

"Get in the car. Now." 

Without a word he did what he was told, shutting the door behind him. Gene slammed his own door and clenched the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white, not putting on his seatbelt or even starting up the car. They sat there in the parking lot while Gene contemplated his words, ready to let out all of his pent up frustrations. 

"You disobeyed me. You completely disobeyed me. I told you several times – I told you didn't I? I just want you to try, just to try in school and do your best and don't misbehave and then everything will be fine...but you had to go and get in a fight! When all I ever expected from you was to be good! After I told you again and again and I just..." with each word he grew more and more irritated, his voice became louder and louder. 

"...and I just feel like I'm giving it my all and I'm working my ass off and bending over backwards for you, but that doesn't mean anything, does it?! Because you're always going to break the rules and do whatever you want and it kills me because I see what a good kid you are and how much potential you have and I just – I just – "

Yelling now, he slammed his fist on the steering wheel and turned to his son. 

"God, why can't you see that – "

He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Joey's face. He'd been silent through the whole ordeal, his head turned toward the window, face expressionless. But for the first time his eyes were glassy, welling up with tears he was desperately trying to fight back. 

Gene's eyes went wide, surprised that a kid that was capable of stealing from stores and running away from home was also capable of tears. The anger quickly dissolved away, replaced with concern. 

Gently, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Joey...hey, what's the matter?" 

Refusing to look at him, he shook his head emotionlessly, as if to say, "no, don't touch me, no, I don't need your help", all the while trying to blink the unshed tears away.

"Is it what I said? Joey, I'm sorry –" but his only replies were more shakes of the head that said "no, you're wrong, that's not it". Gene moved his hand from his shoulder to rub his back soothingly. 

"C'mon, I...I hate to see you like that. Tell me what's wrong."

At that, Joey's bottom lip quivered, and he couldn't fight the tears anymore. He buried his face in his hands and let out choked hiccups and sniffles, not wanting his dad to see him cry. He curled up and sobbed and sobbed, looking so much smaller to Gene than he ever had before. 

"Joey..."  He felt his heart ache from seeing his son in this state. This was not about the fight. This was not about the lecture he'd just received, or the many times he acted out in school. This was about something else, something Gene knew nothing about. Wanting to console him, he attempted to pull him closer.

"Nnh...!" Joey could only make little noises to protest, shaking his head once again as he continued to whimper and snivel. "N-nh..!" 

But Gene persisted and wrapped his arms around him, guiding his head to rest on the crook of his neck. He felt hot tears seep through his shirt, the boy's body heaving with every gasp and shuddering breath, with every strangled sob another piece of Gene's heart broke. He'd forgotten how much it hurt have his own child cry in front of him...he hadn't had the experience since Sammy was still alive, when he'd hold him in is arms until he let it all out. It had been so long since he felt that kind of pain...a pain only a parent could understand.

  To his surprise, a pair of hands clutched the back of his shirt, accepting the hug. Wanting to be hugged, though he would never admit it. It was then Gene realized Joey was not just the troubled teen everyone made him out to be. He was only a kid. And now was not the time for discipline, not the time for questions...those things could come later. Now he just needed to know his dad was there to comfort him, to hold him when he needed it. 

   "It's okay...I'm here..." Gene muttered softly, rubbing his back and promising himself that he wouldn't be the first to pull away. He'd stay there for as long as it would take, just like he did for Sammy, holding him until his cries would die down and he felt okay again.

"...I'm here...I'm here..."