Parents.. with different treatment

Shattered heart

Title: Shattered Trust

The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the Brock household, casting warm rays across the living room. Xander was in his happy place, playing with his favorite wooden train set, lost in a world of imagination. He carefully maneuvered the train around the tracks, making whooshing sounds as he envisioned grand adventures.

In another room, Colby was attempting to juggle household chores and keep an eye on baby Victoria, who was fussing in her crib. He was already on edge from the day's demands and the noise of the house, feeling the pressure build as the hour approached dinner time.

Just as Xander was lining up his trains for a spectacular display, Xavier entered the room, his mischievous grin wide. "Hey, Xander! Can I play with your train?" he asked, reaching for the engine.

Xander, excited to share his toys, smiled and nodded. "Sure! But be gentle, okay? They're my favorite!"

But Xavier, unable to contain his energy, yanked the train from Xander's hands and began running around the room with it. "Look at me!" he shouted, giggling as he took off.

Xander's smile faded, and he felt a knot of frustration and sadness forming in his stomach. "Xavier! Give it back! I was playing with that!" he cried out, chasing after his brother.

Colby, hearing the commotion, walked into the room, his patience already frayed. "What's going on?" he asked, annoyance creeping into his tone.

"Xavier took my train!" Xander protested, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Stop whining, Xander! It's just a toy!" Colby snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You need to learn to share."

"I was sharing! I just wanted to play with it first!" Xander replied, his voice rising in desperation.

Before he could say another word, Xavier swung around, waving the train above his head. In an impulsive moment, Colby stepped forward, caught up in the chaos of the moment. In his attempt to intervene, he smacked Xander on the back of the head, a sharp gesture that startled both boys.

"Why can't you just let him have fun?" Colby shouted, his voice echoing in the room. "You always make everything about you!"

Xander felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. He recoiled, his eyes wide with shock and pain. "Dad, I was just—"

But before he could finish, Colby, caught in the whirlwind of his own frustrations, slapped Xander hard across the cheek. The stinging pain radiated through him, but the hurtful words struck deeper. "You need to stop being such a baby and grow up! It's just a train!"

Xander's heart shattered. The tears welled up in his eyes, and he instinctively put his hands to his face, feeling the warmth of his father's hand against his skin. He couldn't comprehend why his dad had reacted that way. "I didn't do anything wrong..." he whispered, feeling utterly lost.

Xavier, sensing the tension, dropped the train and backed away, confusion written all over his face. "I just wanted to play, too..." he said softly, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Colby's anger began to fade, replaced by a dawning realization of the damage he had caused. He looked at Xander, who stood frozen, tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight of his son, hurt and confused, struck Colby with a heavy sense of regret.

"Oh God, Xander, I— I didn't mean to..." he stammered, rushing forward. "I'm so sorry! I lost my temper. Please forgive me!"

But Xander stepped back, shaking his head. "You hurt me, Dad," he said, his voice small and trembling. "I just wanted to play."

Valerie, who had been in the kitchen, rushed into the room, sensing something was wrong. "What happened?" she asked, alarmed at the sight of Xander's tear-streaked face and Colby's panicked expression.

"Xander..." Colby started, but the words failed him.

"I'm fine," Xander said quickly, trying to compose himself. "Just... leave me alone." He turned away, feeling more shattered than ever.

Valerie knelt down to Xander's level, her heart breaking for him. "Oh, sweetheart, come here," she said, opening her arms to him.

Xander hesitated but then walked into her embrace, the warmth of her love wrapping around him like a shield. "It's okay, baby," Valerie murmured, brushing his hair back. "You're safe. You didn't do anything wrong."

Colby stood back, feeling a mix of shame and anger at himself for losing control. He wanted to reach out to Xander, to tell him how much he loved him, but the fear of further rejection held him back.

"Xander, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have acted that way," Colby said softly, his voice filled with remorse. "You didn't deserve that. I let my frustration get the best of me, and I'm sorry for hurting you."

Xander stayed quiet in Valerie's arms, his heart still aching from the incident. He wanted to believe his father, to feel safe again, but the sting of Colby's words and actions lingered in his mind.

After a moment, Xander looked up at his father, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "You... you really didn't mean it?"

Colby nodded, tears brimming in his own eyes. "I promise, I didn't. I love you so much, and I never want to hurt you. I'm sorry for what I said and what I did. Can you forgive me?"

Xander searched his father's face for sincerity, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on him. "I... I don't know," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Valerie squeezed Xander gently, giving him the space to process his feelings. "It's okay to take your time, sweetheart. You don't have to rush to forgive anyone, even your dad. Your feelings matter," she said softly.

Colby felt a deep sense of loss as he watched Xander struggle with his emotions. He knew he had shattered a piece of trust, and it would take time to rebuild that bond. "I'll work hard to show you that I can be better. I'll make sure to listen to you and be more patient. You mean the world to me," he said, his voice choked with emotion.

After a few moments of silence, Xander nodded slowly, the ache in his heart beginning to ease. "I'll try... but it's going to take time," he said softly.

"I understand," Colby replied, feeling a glimmer of hope. "I'll be here for you, no matter what. I promise."

As they sat together, the warmth of family began to mend the cracks that had formed in that chaotic moment. It wouldn't be easy, but together they would learn to communicate better and find the love that connected them all, even amidst the storms of life.