Off Limits:
Five year old Tidus was running throughout the house. His mother was in the kitchen preparing some lunch. Jecht, his father was at a Blitzball game, and would not be back for a couple of hours. This was how it was most days. The little boy strived for his attention, but most days when he was home, he would sit and get drunk in his chair while reading the sports page in the newspaper, or going off with his team buddies. Jecht would feel slightly bad late in the night, and usually visit the boy when he was fast asleep. A strict man, Jecht did not mess around with discipline. In his eyes, a well maintained child was just what he wanted…and all he got usually was a cry baby.
"Tidus…lunch will be ready in a minute…go get washed up please." Yelled his mother while she was getting a plate down from the cupboard. She was humming to herself. When she did not hear him, she called again. "Tidus…, do you hear me?" The boy was not in the same part of the house.
Tidus was far from where his mother called him. He knew very well he was not allowed to be in his father's study, which was more a trophy room, and he haphazardly walked in. Inside the semi tidy room was a large sofa that had seen better days, a book shelf full of Blitz Ball magazines, and other literature, and then over in the corner, stood several upon several gold awards. Some were larger than others, but what they all had that was similar was Jecht's name strewn across them. Tidus beamed. He was very proud of the man.
He tip toed over to one that caught his eye. It was the winning trophy against the Ronso Fangs. Jecht was always commenting on how those filthy beasts were cheaters, until the day they won victorious in a 26-8 game. The trophy was one of the larger ones in the room. Jecht was very gratified. Tidus remembers one day after he had won, they were in the study looking at it.
"You see this my boy? This is proudest moment in my life…well except for when you were born, you pain in my ass." He chuckled as he held Tidus on his lap while they sat on the couch. "I am only going to say this to you once little man…you stay out of my study when I am not home, I can't bear to have anything happen to this trophy." He let the boy down, and gave him a stern stare. "You hear me Tidus? Anything happens to any of these, and I'll make sure you don't sit down for a week!"
Tidus shook off the memory and scoffed. He was nothing but careful, and didn't want to anger his father, but something about being slightly naughty made him smile. It was in his nature, and as a five year old boy, why not? Creeping closer to the awarded shiny accolade, he went to grab it when suddenly he heard his mother behind him.
"Tidus!" She hurried over to him and firmly smacked him on the backside. She then grabbed his arm and led him out of the room, and closed the door. Turning back to him, and bending down on one knee, she gave him an infuriated glare. "Your father told you to stay out of his room! Now I want you to go and play somewhere else, and stay away! Your lunch is almost ready, go wash up, and I expect you in five minutes!" She stood up, and shaking her head mumbled something and walked back into the kitchen.
Tidus stood slightly peeved, and rubbed his bottom. She had not hit him hard, but it was definitely something that left a reminder of what he was not allowed to do. He walked to the bathroom, and washed up in the basin. A little boy of five knew that just running hands under water was enough. He turned off the faucet and shook the excess water from his hands. Leaving the room he walked to where the table that held his lunch was and sat down. His mother walked over and raised her eyebrow at him.
"Did you wash your hands like I asked?" She crossed her arms over her chest and waited. Tidus looked up while he picked up his bread and gave her a nod. Seeing this, she then walked to the sink and started washing some plates. The boy ate in a hurried manner. While his mother was occupied, he thought he would take a stab at checking out the prized trophy again.
"Momma…I am done, can I go play?" He said with a full mouth. Laurina half smiled and let him leave the table. Tidus jumped down from his seat and ran out of the room. Laurina turned her back to him and continued to wash. Tidus ran to his father's study, and this time, he would be free for a little while longer.
Walking towards the prized possession, he grinned and reached out for it. Being slightly more heavy that he had thought, when he grabbed it, he lost the grip and it slammed to the ground. The top portion on the statue broke off. It lay on the floor, and Tidus's eyes became wide with horrific worry.
"Oh no…Daddy's golden statue!" He knew he would be spanked, and well spanked too. He ran over to the ruined mass, and got down on his knees. The small piece was picked up, and he took the larger portion and put it exactly where it was before. Panicking, he knew of some adhesive his mother would use to fix little things around the house. He smiled, and ran towards the kitchen, but then stopped short…what would he tell his mother? He took a short cut to his bedroom, and grabbed a random toy. He slammed it to the ground, and a small piece broke off.
Running into the kitchen, his mother was nowhere to be found. She was most likely in the garden. Walking out the door, into the yard, he found her. She had her hands in the dirt and was pruning some weeds.
"Mommy? Mommy…where is that stuff you used to fix my Chocobo toy?" He stood by the doorway. Laurina turned around and faced the small boy.
"What happened baby?" She gave him a somewhat look of hesitation.
"A piece broke off again…and I need to fix it." He kicked a shoe in the dirt and looked down. He did not want to seem nervous at all, that always gave him away. Breathing in hard, he waited for an answer.
"Well…I think its all gone sweetheart. Remember? The tube was practically empty. I am sorry…I didn't buy anymore. Try using some tape for now, or leave it on the table." She turned back around and went to her digging. Tidus was in deep trouble, he went to go back inside when he heard his mother call out again. "Oh sweetie…your Daddy is going to be home in a little while. He may seem tired and cranky…best go play in your room okay?"
"Yes Momma." The boy ran back into the house…he was doomed. Walking back to the study, he decided that he would just place the piece gently back to where it was. The broken part, if it had not been damaged almost looked normal again. He set it back with care and stood back admiring it. His father usually never touched his trophies, so he knew he would not have to worry. Smiling, he ran out of the room, and to his bedroom, closing the door.
Another hour, Tidus heard the door slam, and his father shouting. Getting slightly upset, he opened the door and listened. It was a different kind of shouting, more pleasant than angry. He tip toed and walked to the entrance of the kitchen.
"Laurina! We did it. We beat those bastard Guado Glories. Glories…pfffft my ass, they SUCK! But anyway, look, I won again." He held up a treasured masterpiece. This trophy was larger than the one Tidus had broke. His eyes got large and worried. Laurina smiled and embraced him in a hug. He held her tightly and planted a large smooch on her lips. Looking around, he noticed it was just them. "Hey, where is the kid?" He looked around, and then saw Tidus standing in the doorway. "Hey Tidus, did you hear what your old man did. Come over here you little tyke!"
The boy slowly walked over, and Jecht grabbed him up. He held Tidus in one hand, and the magnificent award in the other. His father was so proud and happy.
"Wow Daddy…that's really neat!" He looked at the man, and Jecht looked back with a smile. He set his son down, and putting the trophy on the table, he walked to the refrigerator and opened the door.
"Man…I am starved. Laurina…are you making something?" He stroked his goatee and grabbed a bottle of gin. Laurina stared at him with a slight annoyance.
"Yes Jecht, I am making something. Don't drink too much, I don't feel like dealing with your inebriated ass later! Come here Tidus, help me with dinner." She turned to the stove and lit the flames under a large pan. Tidus stood next to her and awaited instructions. He seemed to forget what happened earlier.
Adding different ingredients, she got started. Jecht sipped from his glass and set the bottle on the table. Admiring his prize, he then picked it up.
"Hey babe, I am going to go put this in my study…I will be right back." Jecht picked up the large gold award, and walked towards his private quarters. Once in the room, he walked over to the corner table and looked around, figuring out if anything was out of place. Things seemed in the right order, however…things would be very grim in a moment. He made some room, and when his hand hit the Ronso piece, a large chunk fell off the table and hit the ground. Jecht squinted his eyes and looked down. Gritting his teeth, he knew exactly what had happened.
"That little runt!" He said to himself, and picking up the piece, he walked out of the room and back into the kitchen. Standing in the hallway, he cleared his throat. Laurina looked over at him with a smile, but it quickly faded into a frown when she saw the look on his face. Tidus turned as well, but held on to his mother's leg. He knew it…his father had found out.
"Jecht…what is the matter?"
Fully ignoring her, he walked over to where the boy stood and knelt down to his son's height.
"Tidus…do you want to explain to me what this is?" He held out the broken gold piece. Laurina looked down and held a hand to her mouth.
"Oh my, Tidus!" Looking over at him she grabbed his arm, and turned him to her. "I told you to stay out of Daddy's study! You naughty boy!" She was about to raise a hand to spank him, when Jecht grabbed the little boy swiftly and yanked him towards the doorway.
"You went in my study? After I told you countless times not to go in there? After your mother specifically told you to stay out, you went back in? And then touched the trophy? Didn't I tell you I would blister your little backside if you ever did that?" The glare from his father's face made Tidus start to tear up. Jecht did not wait for a response. "Come along with me you little runt…I'll show you exactly what happens when rules are broken."
Jecht took his hand and roughly led the boy down the hall into the study. There he sat down on the couch, brought the child between his knees and gave him a slight little lecture on the importance of obeying. This of course would go in one ear and out the other. To a boy of five, mischievousness was in his blood. Once that was over, he lifted Tidus up over his knee and bared his backside.
Tidus was not able to respond quickly enough, as his father's large palm came down on his small upturned bottom. The boy cried out, and held on to his father's fine muscled thigh. Jecht unleashed several hard spanks, and did not relent. He did not feel any sorrow as of right now. The boy had been warned, and now this was his penance.
"I am so very upset with you Tidus!" Said Jecht as he continued to warm the boy's behind. Tidus was full on sobbing now, and begging to be taken down. His father landed a few more smacks, and then adjusted the boy's pants. Tidus rubbed at the seat of his pants with one hand, and wiped the tears that were streaming down his face with the other. Jecht pulled out a handkerchief and pulled the boy close to him, wiping his tears.
Once the boy was slightly more calm, but still crying, Jecht got up and walked to the trophy. He shook his head, and then turned his attention to Tidus. Shaking a finger at him.
"If you ever do that again, I will take a strap to you. Do you want that Tidus?" The boy crying again, shook his head furiously.
"No! No Daddy…" He bite back his lip and wiped his nose on his sleeve. Jecht now had a slight look of empathy.
"Alright then…go to your room, and you are to stay there until I say so." He walked to the boy, and gave him a soft pat on the rear, and the boy sensing his freedom, ran out of the room as quickly as possible. Jecht just watched and then, with a deep sigh, sat back down on the couch, and stared out into the room. His son was going to be trouble later in life.