Parents.. with different treatment

The fear in silence

It had been weeks since the day Colby lost his temper, but the memory still lingered in Xander's mind like a shadow he couldn't shake. The house had returned to its usual routine, with Xavier playing loudly, baby Victoria cooing in Valerie's arms, and Colby doing his best to keep up with everything. But for Xander, things weren't the same.

He hadn't asked for a cuddle in a long time. He used to love curling up next to his dad on the couch, sinking into the warmth of Colby's arms. That used to be his safe place—the place where all the noise and chaos in his mind quieted down. But now, whenever he thought about asking for a hug, a cold wave of fear would wash over him, and he'd stop himself.

What if Daddy got mad again? What if he did something wrong and got hit? The thought made his heart race, and he'd pull away, keeping his distance even though all he wanted was the comfort of being close to his dad.

One evening, after a particularly rough day, Xander sat on the floor by the toy shelf, his knees pulled up to his chest. He watched as Colby sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone, his face calm now, no sign of the anger from before. Xander wanted to go over—wanted to climb up next to him, bury his face in his dad's shirt, and feel the familiar security of being held. But something held him back. His body stayed frozen in place, his heart torn between wanting to feel safe and the fear of getting too close.

From across the room, Colby noticed Xander sitting there, his small frame hunched over in a way that made him seem even smaller. Colby had been trying to give Xander space, but the sight of his son looking so alone broke something inside him. He set his phone down, his chest tightening as he watched Xander, feeling the growing distance that seemed impossible to close.

"Hey, buddy," Colby called softly, trying not to startle him. "Wanna come sit with me for a bit?"

Xander's heart leapt at the invitation, but at the same time, his stomach twisted with fear. He hesitated, his eyes flickering between his dad and the floor. He wanted to say yes—more than anything, he wanted to feel that closeness again—but the memory of that day kept flashing in his mind. The sting of that hit, the sharpness of his dad's voice... what if it happened again?

Colby saw the hesitation in Xander's eyes, and it hit him like a punch to the gut. His son didn't trust him anymore, and that realization was like a weight he couldn't shake. "It's okay, Xander," he said gently, his voice full of softness. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I just... I miss you, that's all."

Xander looked up at his dad, hearing the sadness in his voice. He wanted to go to him—his whole body ached for the comfort of a hug—but his feet stayed planted on the floor. His mind was racing, torn between his desire for affection and the lingering fear of being hurt again.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Xander slowly stood up. His legs felt shaky as he took small, hesitant steps toward the couch. Colby watched him closely, not wanting to push, but hoping his son would come closer. Xander stopped a few feet away, his eyes wide and uncertain.

Colby opened his arms slightly, offering the invitation without saying a word. "It's okay," he whispered. "You're safe here."

Xander hesitated for just a moment longer, then, with a deep breath, he climbed up onto the couch. He didn't move too close at first, sitting stiffly beside his dad, his small body still tense. Colby waited, giving him time, knowing this wasn't just about a cuddle—this was about rebuilding trust.

After a few minutes of sitting quietly, Xander shifted closer, inching toward Colby until he was finally resting against him. Colby felt his heart swell with relief as he wrapped his arm around his son, careful not to hold him too tightly, just enough to let Xander know he was there. He could feel Xander's little body still trembling slightly, but the boy didn't pull away.

"I love you, Xander," Colby whispered, his voice full of emotion. "I'm so sorry for what happened. You never have to be afraid of me."

Xander didn't say anything, but slowly, his breathing started to calm. He let himself relax, just a little, leaning into his dad's side. The warmth of the cuddle felt good, safe, even though the fear still lingered at the edges of his mind. It wasn't completely gone, but for the first time in what felt like forever, Xander let himself believe—just a little—that maybe it was okay to trust again.

As they sat there in silence, Colby pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Xander's head, holding him with the kind of tenderness he wished he could have shown that day. He knew there was still a long way to go, but for now, he was grateful for this small moment, hoping that, one day, Xander would no longer be afraid to ask for the love and comfort he so deserved.