AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter contains scenes of physical punishment, which may be sensitive to some, so feel free to skip those parts.
Thanks to everyone who continues to support our story and to Braxton54 and Bonnie Sveen Fan for reviewing!
Brax is pacing back and forth waiting for Casey and Kyle to have come home straight after school and had taken an inconvenient early leave from work.
"Where have you been?" Brax bellows, as he stops to glare at his teen brothers.
"Wh…why…are you home?" Casey nervously stutters out.
"I suggest you be more concerned about explaining to me why I've been waiting over an hour when school had finished an hour and a half ago and it only takes thirty minutes of walking to get from the school!" Brax bellows.
Casey stares at the floor and Kyle gives his wrist another comforting squeeze and decides it was the best time to try and explain what had happened before Brax really lost his cool.
"Brax, what happened is really not how it sounds…" Kyle starts but is quickly cut off by a glare from Brax.
"Believe me I know what happened," Brax says firmly, but gets a look at his face as he sees Kyle's cut lip, for the teen had not yet faced his brother.
"What on earth happened to your face, Kyle? Were you part of this fight too?" Brax demands.
"No," Kyle replies nervously and shakes his head.
Not wanting to get Casey into more trouble but feeling as though he had no choice but to explain, Kyle continues.
"It happened when Casey accidently knocked me with his elbow during the fight, but please Brax, Casey was only…"
"I don't want to hear it. Are you alright or do you need medical attention for your lip?" Brax asks sternly.
Kyle shakes his head.
"No, I'm fine."
"Very well, if you are alright, I want you to go to your room because this discussion is not your concern," Brax orders.
Kyle looks towards Casey feeling sympathetic and sees him staring down at the ground, shaking slightly and gripping onto this school backpack tightly as if his life depended on it.
"Brax, Casey was just…"
"Kyle, what did I just say? Go to your room and do any schoolwork you have," Brax dismisses sternly then continues before Kyle could correct him.
"And before you say you haven't any, I still want you to go and do something constructive, while I deal with today's incidents with Casey!" Brax orders.
Kyle refuses to move, wanting to protect Casey like he promised and like Casey had done for him and he gently takes Casey's hand and gives it a squeeze to comfort his younger brother who is nervously still staring at the carpet with his stomach turning over in knots.
"Casey was just standing up for me; you need to know that!" Kyle quickly blurts out.
Brax glares at Kyle, his eyes fixated in a death stare as he seethes.
"Are you trying to make me angry at you too? I said I did not want to hear excuses!" Brax bellows, causing Kyle to flinch as he begins to lose his stamina.
"But it's not," Kyle whispers.
Casey remains quiet with a hope to be ignored, as his brothers' have their discussion.
"Last warning Kyle: if you do not do as you have been told I won't hesitate in punishing you for disobeying. Now go to your room!" Brax bellows and points towards the hall, losing his patience further by the minute.
Feeling defeated and like he had no more choice, Kyle gives up and pulls his hand away from Casey's, looking at the scared teen.
"I'm sorry Casey," Kyle whispers, to which Casey glances up sadly at him in understanding, despite inside wishing he wasn't being left to feel alone.
Kyle turns to walk towards his room while Brax doesn't hesitate to convert his anger toward Casey.
"I honestly don't know where to start with you Casey! First you get in trouble in school and decide to front up home hours later. I've been waiting for at least two hours, expecting you straight home. I even left an important function at work just to be here. Do you care to explain that and where you were once school ended, because I'd have thought given the amount of trouble you are in, you wouldn't want to make it worse by dawdling?" Brax bellows.
Casey shrugs.
"You had better give me more than a shrug when I'm talking to you over what you did!" Brax yells.
Kyle turns and briefly looks back towards the living room at his terrified little brother who was still in the same spot near the door where he was when they entered.
Kyle frowns and slumps his shoulders as he enters his bedroom, barely shutting the door and listening to the yelling coming from his big brother.
Heath on his way from finishing work drives up the driveway, raging after having called back Bianca once he returned from teaching his gym class to find out about Casey's behaviour and swearing and he is ready to have a few stern words with his troublesome baby brother.
He walks up the pathway and can hear Brax's loud voice as he nears the door.
"Fighting at school and breaking a kid's nose! I can't believe you Casey! School is not a place where you go to throw around your fists! You know how I feel about the importance of education!"
Casey avoids Brax's gaze and rubs his hands nervously on the strap of his school bag, continuing to try and defer his feelings of fear.
Brax scowls.
"Stop playing with your school bag!" he orders.
Casey relying too much on his school bag as a security doesn't move.
"That's it: put your bag down! Now Casey!" Brax yells and slams his hand on the table, causing Casey to startle, but nervously dropping his bag on the ground.
"I am already not impressed with you, do not tempt my patience when I tell you to do something!" Brax bellows.
Casey stares down at the carpet as his cheeks turn red again and he squeezes his eyes shut to prevent any tears welling.
Brax is about to continue when the front door bursts open and Heath storms in.
"Well, look who it is? My rotten little baby brother! What the hell is the big idea speaking to my girl like you did, huh?" Heath bellows and grabs Casey by the neck and pulls him into a headlock.
"Stop it!" Casey protests in a gasp.
"Swearing at her and giving her your rude attitude and raising your voice to her. You've done it this time baby bro. I told you if you caused trouble for Bianca at school again, I'd let you have it!" Heath states and roughly wrestles Casey further.
"Heath, that's enough," Brax orders, but the angered brother continues to nuzzle Casey in his arm.
"Get off me, you jerk!" Casey gasps out and tries to fight in Heath's hold.
"What did you say to me? You obviously want to fight and play rough, especially considering that's the reason you got in trouble, so I'll give you a fight!" Heath yells and raises his fist ready to punch Casey.
"Heath, I said enough! Don't you dare use your fist on him, or I will use my fist on you!" Brax bellows, halting his enraged brother.
Heath huffs and glares at Brax.
"I mean it, Heath: let Casey go, now!"
Heath releases his hold on Casey and shoves him roughly away, causing the terrified teen to stumble, stabilising himself against the back of the couch.
"He needs to be taught a lesson!" Heath argues.
"And I will be dealing with it, but threatening to fight him, Heath; he's a kid!" Brax says firmly.
"He swore at Bianca and acted like a right brat with her. I won't tolerate that!" Heath argues and grabs Casey's arm and holds it behind his back.
"Ow," Casey quietly whines.
"Do you hear that, baby bro?" Heath warns.
"Casey will not be getting away with anything and I said, I will deal with it and that includes his behaviour towards Bianca, so I suggest you go home and do what it is you do after a day of work and let me handle this," Brax states.
Heath huffs.
"Fine. But if you ever speak to Bianca again the way you did today, Casey, I am going to really make you regret it," Heath threatens, releasing his grip on Casey's arm then giving him a rough whack on the head.
"Ow!" Casey yelps and instantly rubs his head.
He can't stop the tears from forming in his eyes again, as the disappointment from both his brothers begins to sink heavily on his shoulders.
Brax scowls as he watches Heath leave and slam the front door behind him.
Kyle shifts on his bed and his stomach twists upon hearing the loud slamming of the door, feeling sorry for his little brother having dealt with Heath on top of an already furious Brax.
Brax takes this moment to observe Casey's external facial injuries and concludes it is nothing more than a few nasty bruises from his deliberate fight, before continuing with his discussion.
"Now, back to our discussion. I wasn't going to address your attitude and behaviour towards Bianca until later but seeing as Heath brought it up, we might as well discuss it now," Brax states, quickly beginning to raise his voice again.
Casey stops rubbing his head where Heath whacked him and rests one hand on the top of the couch to give him something else to focus his attention on during his scolding.
"Casey, you know very well I do not tolerate foul language, and speaking to Bianca in such a way is not only disrespectful because she is an adult, or namely your school Principal but more importantly she is Heath's girlfriend and predominately a part of this family and if you said what she speculated to me that you said, I am absolutely appalled by the words that had come out of your mouth and it makes me wonder if I need to wash your mouth out with soap instead of the usual mouthful of Mayonnaise?" Brax yells.
Casey scratches a spot on the couch, and he can't help but let the tears start to fall down his cheeks.
"However, I feel it is not going to make a difference this time doing either, but I'm warning you if I ever hear about you using words like that again I will not hesitate and on that and next time Bianca comes over you will sincerely apologise for your behaviour towards her, do I make myself clear?" Brax yells, "Stop fiddling with the couch and answer me. I am not talking for my own health here!"
"Yes," Casey mumbles and moves his hand back to his side and licks some of his tears that manage to reach his mouth and takes in the salty taste.
"Now back on the topic of your fighting in class. Bianca said you were very lucky not to be expelled! Expelled, Casey! Do you have any idea what stress that would have caused? The next school is two hours away and not to mention it making a permanent mark on your record! She explained that not only did you fight in class but were inches away hitting another student outside her office! What in the world were you thinking? I am incredibly disappointed in your behaviour!" Brax bellows.
Casey stares down and continues to lightly cry.
"Now I understand you have a note for me to read and sign; where is it?" Brax demands.
Casey wanders towards his school bag on the floor and as he leans down to pick up his bag, he gives his eyes a wipe with the sleeve of his arm and gives a sniff.
Casey pulls out the letter and briefly glances towards Brax.
"Hand it over here, now!" Brax orders sternly and holds out his hand.
Casey slowly shuffles towards his brother and shakily holds out the letter towards him.
Brax snatches the note from Casey's hand and the young teen retreats backwards a few steps.
Brax angrily opens the envelope and pulls out the letter inside and begins to read aloud.
"Dear Mr. Darryl Braxton, I regret to inform you that your brother, Casey Braxton, of year ten has been caught fighting with a fellow student during a Physical Education class, leading in said student being left with injuries to his face, including a broken nose.
Violence is in no way permitted at Summer Bay High School and so it is my duty to have to suspend Casey. I have decided to only suspend Casey for the next two days, with the hope he will learn from his actions and not have a repeat of his violent and unruly behaviour.
Attached is the note that is to be signed by you as Casey's guardian and given back to me first thing when Casey is allowed to return to school Monday. Any questions, please don't hesitate to call."
Brax reads the final line to himself: Kind regards, Miss. Bianca Scott, Principal of Summer Bay High, then angrily tosses the letter down on the table.
"Well, have you anything to say for yourself before I decide on how I'm going to deal with you?"
Casey shrugs.
"I won't do it again," Casey mumbles and blinks away some stray tears.
"Damn right you won't do it again and I am going to make sure of it!" Brax bellows, "Firstly you will be grounded for two weeks – home and school only, unless I tell you otherwise. You will not be allowed any technology or TV, and I will be giving you a list of chores to do for the entirety of your grounding, and you will also write me a full two page essay on the wrongfulness of fighting and the importance of education and what you should have done and I am deciding to be lenient and give you until the end of the weekend to have the essay completed and handed back to me. So, forget about this being some cruisy long weekend because instead it is going to be a time for proper reflection of your actions! Is that understood?" Brax yells.
"Yes, Brax," Casey mumbles and stares down at the carpet, assuming his lecture and scolding was over, until Brax continues.
"Now I think considering the severity of your behaviour with the fighting, being suspended, the swearing, having a rude attitude and the outright disrespect you displayed today, you have left me no other choice but to give you a firm reminder that these behaviours will not be tolerated. Despite it being close to seven months since I last had to resort to using this form of punishment, I feel what you did certainly warrants it, so come here and rest over the couch," Brax orders firmly and roughly slaps his hand on the couch arm.
Casey looks up with wide eyes and is too scared to move, knowing what his brother was about to do.
"Now, Casey!" Brax orders in a yell and points towards the couch.
Tears start to fall freely out of Casey's eyes again while he still remains unmoving.
"Please, I promise I won't ever do it again," Casey begs.
"I'm glad to hear it, but this punishment is still happening, so get over here, right now, Casey, before I lose my patience with your disobedience!" Brax bellows and this time angrily folds his arms across his chest.
Casey starts to cry harder and hesitantly shuffles his feet towards his big brother.
Once Casey is close enough, Brax steps forward and hastily grabs Casey by the wrist and pulls him forward to where he then quickly turns him around and pushes him to lean down over the arm of the couch.
"You are to do as you are told and not after being told repeatedly," Brax reprimands sternly.
"I'm sorry," Casey sobs as he hides his head into both of his arms as he rests on the couch cushion.
Brax places a firm hand on Casey's lower back to hold the teen and to act as a form of comfort before laying down the first hard whack to Casey's backside.
Casey cries out loudly and instantly cries harder while shuffling his feet on the ground. He was still wearing his PE uniform shorts which were thin and designed for adequate aeration during exercise, so they offered little protection against the hard whack that came from his brother.
Brax lands another two hard and fast whacks to which Casey yelps and chokes out loudly again and wriggles under Brax's hold as he feels the pain intensify, having forgotten how much a spanking from his big brother actually hurt.
After the fourth and final smack, Brax grabs Casey by the arm and immediately pulls him back up to stand and face him.
The young teen is sobbing and licking at the constant tears falling over his mouth. His free hand not in Brax's grip instantly moves to rub his stinging backside but it is not long lasting as Brax grips his remaining free arm and pulls it away from behind him.
Brax glares down at Casey.
"Look at me!" Brax orders and Casey briefly flicks his eyes up to look at his furious and very disappointed big brother.
"Don't you ever, ever do a repeat of today's behaviour again or get yourself suspended or worse: expelled. Do I make myself clear?" Brax yells as he gives Casey a slight shake.
"Yes," Casey sobs, itching to get his hands free to wipe his eyes and rub his backside again.
"I suggest you think good and hard about your behaviour, Casey, when you are spending some alone time in your room," Brax informs, while Casey hangs his head and sniffs.
"You are to remain in your room for the rest of the evening, only coming out if you need the bathroom or to get a drink. You will eat dinner tonight in there by yourself and you are in no way to encourage Kyle to stay in the bedroom with you. It is a punishment time for you to reflect on your choices. Now, go to your room!" Brax yells and releases his hold on Casey's arms.
The teen makes no hesitation to make a dash to his bedroom. As much as Casey hated having privileges taken, or being grounded, being isolated and made to be on his own was the second worst punishment he hated ever being subjected to, with spanking being the first.
In the bedroom, Kyle is anxiously sitting on his bed, having been eagerly waiting for the yelling from his big brother and painful cries of his younger brother to stop.
He had tried focusing on reading his book but found that difficult with Brax's yelling so then had tried watching something on his laptop but as soon as he'd heard Casey crying out as he was being punished, he wanted to drown it out with his headphones, but concluded he owed it to Casey to support him, even if he couldn't be there, he could at least listen, especially when the guilt was eating away at him that it was his fault Casey was in serious trouble.
Kyle startles when Casey bursts into the room in full sobs; one hand up towards his eyes and the other carefully rubbing his sore backside.
Kyle moves his laptop aside and instantly gets up and approaches his younger brother.
"I heard that was rough. I'm really sorry you got in big trouble and got spanked," Kyle says quietly in a comforting tone as his heart hurts with pain from his guilt and sympathy for his brother.
"I didn't think that would happen. He was so mad and…and said disappointed him. Kyle, I've made such a mess of things, and everyone is so mad at me," Casey says and continues to sob, covering both his eyes with his hands.
Kyle pulls Casey into a hug.
"Come here, Muscles; you still have me, I'm not mad" Kyle comforts, feeling gutless and ashamed of himself for: not standing up for himself and making Casey take the fall and not remaining by Casey's side when his little brother needed him for support when dealing with Brax.
A few tears begin to well in Kyle's eyes as he takes in how hurt Casey is as the teen sobs heavily against his shoulder, too upset to return the hug.
"I'm sorry I broke my promise to you and didn't stay with you, but when Brax threatened to punish me…"
"S'okay, I get it. I wish I didn't have to deal with him when he gets angry. I wonder if being disowned would have been easier? It really hurt," Casey mumbles and slips one hand away from his face to rub his bottom again; the stinging subsiding but only a little.
"Things will blow over. Brax doesn't stay mad forever," Kyle whispers.
Casey loved Kyle's comfort as much as he craved Brax's and was thankful that Kyle was always there for comfort or to be a punching bag if Casey ever got yelled at or in trouble from Heath or Brax, even as a kid and Casey loved his brother for it.
"Thanks for being there for me," Casey sobs.
Kyle squeezes Casey tighter, only feeling worse.
"Casey, you don't have to say that. I feel bad about all this and it's all my fault. I really appreciated that you stuck up for me. You're amazing Casey," Kyle comforts.
They begin to hear footsteps approaching and Kyle gently encourages Casey away.
"I think Brax is coming," Kyle whispers, staring sympathetically at Casey.
Casey groans and wipes his eyes just as they hear a knock on the bedroom door, with it being opened seconds later, with Brax walking in.
The eldest had a scowl on his face.
"Has Casey told you about his punishment? He is to stay in his room alone, so he has time to think on his atrocious behaviour and he has an essay to write for me in which you are in no way to help him, Kyle; do you understand and don't think I won't know?" Brax states sternly.
Kyle gives a slight nod.
"Now I want you to get anything you need from your room and leave Casey be. He is not to be disturbed for the rest of the evening," he instructs Kyle.
Kyle gives Casey a sympathetic weak smile before grabbing his laptop, a book, and his pyjamas and slipping out of the room.
"I will be back with your dinner once it's cooked. I suggest you start thinking about changing your behaviour and what you intend to write for that essay," Brax informs Casey and leaves the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Kyle watches Brax intensely as he'd been speaking to Casey and then when he exits the room. Before Brax has a chance to storm down the hall, Kyle mumbles.
"Can I have a shower before dinner?"
Brax gives a hard nod.
"You have less than an hour," Brax says, dismissing Kyle then storming back into the kitchen to organise dinner.
Whilst in the shower, Kyle keeps his mind to Casey and feeling sorry for his little brother and deep inside feeling determined to make it up to him.
Kyle finishes in the shower and after drying and getting into his pyjamas and Hufflepuff oodie, he makes his way casually towards the kitchen where Brax is busily cooking the potatoes for the mash to have with the beef and gravy pie.
Kyle slowly approaches ready to talk to his big brother when Brax abruptly turns, and in a huff begins getting the cutlery and plates out for dinner and roughly places them on the table.
"Uh Brax, did you want any help with that?" Kyle asks quietly.
Brax glances up at Kyle with a hard frown.
"No Kyle, I have everything under control," Brax replies sternly and continues to set the table.
Kyle swallows nervously and concludes it was not the best time to try talking to Brax.
"I guess I might read until dinner then," Kyle timidly suggests.
Brax huffs and focuses back on cooking as Kyle exits the room to sit on the couch with his book.
After about twenty minutes Brax comes out of the kitchen.
"I'm about to dish up so put your book away," he tells Kyle.
Kyle instantly does so and takes his seat at the table.
Brax places down his and Kyle's pie and mash on the table and Kyle watches as Brax makes his way towards the bedroom with a plate of food for Casey and a glass of milk.
Casey glances up as the bedroom door opens and Brax walks in with a plate of food.
Casey instantly stares back down to avoid Brax's stern gaze.
"I have your dinner," Brax announces and places the plate and glass of milk on the boy's shared desk.
"I'm not hungry," Casey mumbles, refusing to look up as he continues to sulk.
"I don't care how mad you are or if you choose to act like a sulking little kid because you got in trouble, but I won't have you going without a meal. So, get up Casey and sit and eat your dinner," Brax orders.
Casey awkwardly picks at his socks and remains sitting on his bed, not because he wanted to deliberately ignore his brother, he just felt so miserable and just wanted to wallow in his misery.
Brax huffs and grabs Casey by the arm and pulls him up from the bed and pushes him to sit down at the desk.
"Sit and eat your dinner. I will be back later for your plate and cup," Brax orders and leaves the room, closing the door again.
Casey stares over at the door once Brax leaves then stares at his food.
Indeed, he was hungry not having his afternoon snack. Casey's stomach rumbles and he takes a small bite of his pie.
He couldn't stop thinking about how disappointed and angry his big brother was and tears begin to well in his eyes again, which he roughly wipes away and continues to eat his dinner at a slower than normal pace.
Kyle watches Brax walk back into the dining room and sit down at the table in silence.
"Don't tell me you're not eating either," he snaps at Kyle as he sits down in his seat, seeing Kyle had barely touched his dinner.
Kyle, feeling nervous from Brax's still angry state, shifts in his seat.
"I…uh…was waiting for you," Kyle stutters out quietly and picks up his fork to scrape some of his potato.
Brax huffs.
"Well eat it while it's hot," Brax says and begins to eat his dinner, taking large bites in a bid to represent his frustration.
Kyle remains quiet and picks at his food, eating it slowly.
The tension in the room remains dead silent between the brothers with nothing but the sounds of cutlery on plates, until Brax finishes his dinner and takes his plate to the sink then makes his way back to the boy's room to grab Casey's dishes.
Upon returning to the kitchen, Brax sees that Kyle hasn't finished his dinner, leaving a small piece of his pie and a blob of his mash potato.
"Have you finished?" Brax asks.
"Yes, I've had enough," Kyle replies.
Brax takes his dishes to the sink and quickly washes up.
Kyle takes a deep breath and decides it's now or never to talk to his brother, so before Brax has a chance to leave the room Kyle calls out to him.
"Brax? Can I please talk to you for a second?" Kyle asks quietly.
Brax glances over at Kyle and softens upon seeing Kyle's desperate plea.
"Sure Ky, what's the matter?" Brax questions and sits back down at the table.
"It's just this thing that happened with Casey…"
"Honestly Kyle, I've heard enough about this. I don't want you trying to defend Casey's actions," Brax dismisses.
"Brax, please just listen and let me have a chance to explain. Please, it's real important," Kyle pleads.
"Fine; go ahead," Brax sighs.
"It's just…He didn't mean it. He only started the fight because he was standing up for me against some bullies in the class. Please try and understand. I know what Casey did wasn't right, but he was only trying to protect me," Kyle explains.
Brax frowns.
"Well, it still isn't the right way about it and does not change my opinion on the matter, but Kyle, being bullied; have you told a teacher or Bianca about this?" Brax asks.
Kyle shakes his head.
"And how long has this been going on, for Casey to think he needs to fight in order to protect you tells me this was not a once off?" Brax implies.
"It's only happened a few times before," Kyle lies and turns his gaze away from Brax, not wanting his big brother to worry or get involved for it would only make the bullying worse.
Brax sighs, not fully believing Kyle's response.
"Well, maybe I should have a word to Bianca about this."
"Please Brax, don't. Casey got in trouble because he got involved and I don't want my big brother getting involved too," Kyle pleads.
"Okay, if that's what you want, but Kyle if it continues to happen, I want to know about it and I want you to tell a teacher or Bianca, understand?"
Kyle nods.
There is silence for a few moments then Kyle speaks again.
"Are you still really mad at Casey for what he did now for trying to help me? He now thinks that you don't listen and was worried you'd disown him," Kyle admits.
"What; did he say that?" Brax accuses as he deals with the shock of his brother thinking that.
"He didn't mean it in a bad way," Kyle defends, wondering if telling Brax what Casey had said was such a good idea now.
"Have you finished saying what you needed to say?" Brax asks abruptly, beginning to feel a little hurt.
"Yeah, thanks for letting me explain," Kyle says quietly.
Brax gets up from the table and goes to put a load of washing on before returning and taking a seat on the couch where he flicks on the TV to watch the sports channel.
Kyle remains quiet and decides to grab his book that he'd taken from his bedroom earlier and sits down in the armchair in the living room and reads, while Brax watches TV.
As it neared nine-thirty Brax turns to Kyle.
"Finish up with your last page; it's time for bed," Brax instructs.
Kyle nods and finishes his last page then puts his book down and stands up to leave.
"Tell Casey to get organised too."
Kyle agrees and leaves towards the bedroom.
Upon entering, Kyle sees Casey lying down on his bed staring at the ceiling, his dirty school clothes thrown over the floor as per usual, after having gotten into his pyjamas some time ago.
Casey glances over at Kyle.
"Brax told me to tell you to get organised for bed," Kyle says.
"I'll go in a minute," he replies, not moving.
"I just don't want you getting on his bad side again, Casey," Kyle replies quietly.
"Is he still mad?" Casey asks.
"Not as much as he was," Kyle reassures, picking up Casey's dirty clothes and putting them into the basket.
Kyle then leaves to the bathroom to clean his teeth.
Moments later Brax appears in the bedroom and Casey instantly sits up.
"I was going to get organised in a minute," he stutters quickly.
"I'm not here to check on that; I want to have a talk with you," Brax states in a soft tone and sits down on Casey's bed.
Casey furrows his brow and moves his legs to sit in a cross-legged position.
"What about?" Casey asks, with his head hanging down.
"I feel I may have been a bit hard on you this afternoon, however, not regarding your punishment; that was very fitting for your behaviour. It has come to my attention that I did not give you a chance to explain and for that I apologise, for letting my anger get the better of me. Although it's no excuse, I was just incredibly shocked and disappointed that you could behave in such a way when I know you are better than someone who relies on fighting to solve issues. You've got a good heart and are a very easy-going kid, not a rude, violent one," Brax explains softly, "Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of you for standing up for Kyle, but I only wish you'd done it in a better way like telling a teacher."
Casey briefly looks up, still feeling upset and not expecting Brax to apologise.
"Now considering the circumstances I have decided to revoke your grounding, but you will still have some of the other punishments, such as: no TV, or any technology privileges and you will still have a list of extra chores, and this is to be in place until Monday. You will also still write me that essay," Brax informs, remaining in his soft tone.
Casey flicks his eyes up again but leaves his head down.
"You really mean that I'm not grounded with these restrictions for two weeks anymore?" he whispers.
Brax shakes head.
"That's what I said. Now I have a couple more things I want to discuss with you. It's come to my attention that you feel as though I don't listen to you, and I suppose my actions this afternoon has contributed to that?" Brax says.
"Did Kyle tell you that?" Casey whispers as he briefly gazes up at his big brother.
"That doesn't matter, what matters is that you understand that I will always listen to you, maybe not at the exact time of an incident and that's my downfall, so I'm sorry for making you feel like that Case, but don't ever forget you can talk to me about anything," Brax assures.
Casey nods in response and picks at some fluff on his pyjama pants.
"Was there anything else?" Casey mumbles.
"Yes, just one more. I'm under the impression that you had concerns that I would disown you because of this incident?" Brax questions.
Casey shifts on the bed, not expecting Brax to come out with that.
"Kyle told you that too?" he mumbles, not looking up.
"So, that is true?" Brax asks softly, staring down at Casey.
"I was scared; I didn't know what to think, and you're always going on about school importance. I just thought…I don't know," Casey admits in a whisper.
Brax sighs and taking Casey's chin in his hand, raises Casey's head so he could look the teen in the eye.
"I understand you may have feared my reaction and had every right to, but Casey, listen to me: I promise you, no matter what you do; you could do the worst thing in the world, and you'll still be stuck with me. Although I can't promise you wouldn't get seriously punished, but I don't want you to ever think that. Do you understand?" Brax says.
"Sorry," Casey whispers.
"It's alright, though I honestly don't know where you come up with these wild ideas, Champ," Brax says softly and gives a smile.
Casey shrugs in response.
"Come here," Brax instructs and pulls Casey into a hug, in which Casey reciprocates.
"I hate it when you're mad at me," Casey mumbles into Brax's shoulder.
"I don't like it either, kiddo," Brax responds and runs his hand through Casey's hair, ruffling it up.
After a moment of hugging, Brax pulls Casey away.
"Now you better get ready for bed and go and do your teeth," Brax says and gently pats Casey's knee.
Casey nods and gets up from the bed as Brax stands up.
Kyle, who is waiting outside the bedroom having overheard Brax and Casey talking and not wanting to disturb them finally enters, while Casey passes his brother and exits the bedroom.
"Is everything okay with you and Casey now?" Kyle asks as he hops into his bed.
"Yeah, we sorted a few things out," Brax replies with a smile, "Hey, are you alright after today?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Kyle replies.
Casey comes back minutes later.
"Did you brush your teeth properly?" Brax asks.
"Yes. I don't need to brush them a million times like Kyle," Casey answers.
"Hey: I don't do that. I just like to make sure I look after my teeth," Kyle defends, remaining in a casual tone.
"Never mind, you both have a big day tomorrow, so get some sleep," Brax instructs.
"Night, Brax," Kyle says.
"Night," Casey adds.
Brax smiles and leaves the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
Kyle gets comfortable in his sheets when Casey turns to him.
"Ky, guess what? Brax revoked my grounding," Casey says.
"That's great Casey. Sorry I told Brax about some of the things you said."
"It's okay, I know you meant well."
Kyle smiles back at Casey, "Goodnight, Muscles."
"Night, Einstein," Casey replies with a laugh, before relaxing back in his bed.