Author's Note: Warning - this fic contains SPANKING of a child. If this is a concern for you, PLEASE DON'T READ.
It would be a good idea to read Moppets and Moppets Go to School first otherwise some parts of this will be a bit difficult to follow.This fic is darker and more 'angsty' than my other Moppet Fics. So to cheer everyone up after they've read it, I intend to follow it up directly with Moppets Visit the Bureau - the Moppets fic I started ages ago but never got around to finishing. It should be a lot more fun!
MOPPETS DIBENT DO IT
"I dibent teal anyting!"
Elizabeth came out of the kitchen to see what all the commotion was coming through her front door. Her husband Peter was closely followed by two little moppets, one of whom had tears streaming down his face.
"Dadda, I dibent do it. I don't noooo how it got bear."
Peter continued on through to the middle of the living room as the boys placed their school backpacks at the bottom of the stairs before making their way over to their mommy for a welcome home hug.
"Peter, what's going on?" El cuddled both boys while at the same time being rightfully troubled to hear her littlest boy sounding so upset.
"Neal's up to his old tricks El. We stopped at the mall on the way home from school so I could sign the documents at the bank for our new account and on the way out the boys asked to have a quick look through the toy store. And guess what this little one decided would be a good idea?" Peter placed both hands on his hips and glared down at his smallest son.
"But I dibent Dadda."
"What didn't he do Peter?"
"He didn't follow one of our rules. The rules on the fridge. Rule number three. No more stealing."
"Oh Neal sweetie. Please tell me you didn't steal again."
"Noooooo Mommy, I dibent." The tear tracks down the little boy's cheeks were flowing freely.
"Then explain to me Neal, how a thirty dollar hand held electronic game made it into your school back pack?"
El was more than a little surprised with the news. "Neal! Why would you do that?"
He didn't answer his mom instead; the little boy stood looking ever so sorrowful with his head hung low.
"We were leaving the store when the security alarm went off. The store security officer looked in both the boys' backpacks and well, you know the rest El."
"Neal sweetie, I just can't understand why you would do that." El put an arm around her little boy's shoulder but he would not look up at his mom.
"I can't understand it either. I was so embarrassed and so very disappointed and now young man you are going to go to your room and you are going to receive a very sound spanking across my knee."
Peter's statement did nothing but bring a fresh round of tears down the little moppet's face.
"Off you go Neal. Up to your room now please. I'll be up in a minute."
"Yes Dadda."
Neal grudgingly took a step towards the staircase when his older brother, who had remained a silent participant throughout, finally spoke up, "Wait!"
Peter and El turned to the boy with curious looks. "What Mozzie?"
"Uh…Look, Peter….Um I'm sorry about this but ah…"
"Mozzie, I have used up all my tolerance for the afternoon. What is it?"
The young boy pushed his glasses up his nose, "Ah, look, I'm sorry but I was the one who put the game in Neal's backpack. It was easier to access than my own. I'm really sorry Peter. I should have owned up earlier and I'm certainly sorry for you Neal that I put you through all this."
Peter's face turned red and it looked like steam was ready to start pouring from his ears. "YOU WHAT?"
"I stole the game, or I mean I tried to steal the game but you know, the security alarms stopped me from taking it from the shop." The young boy rambled, fully aware that he was in a world of trouble.
Peter calmed down enough to give the kid a perplexed look. He no longer knew what to believe so he turned to his youngest, "Is this true Neal? Did Mozzie put that in your backpack?"
The little boy wiped his tears away and looked from his dad to his brother, his best friend. No way had Mozzie done it. No way Mozzie would ever firstly use him without asking and then allow him to be in trouble for as long as he was. "No Dadda, Mozzie dibent do it."
Peter groaned. This was getting out of control and his headache was growing exponentially with every passing second. He took a deep breath before continuing, Mozzie?"
"Yes sir." The kid expected the worse.
"What was the name of the game you put into Neal's backpack?"
"Ah…I…Mario Cart IV?" Maybe Peter didn't know either.
Peter glared at the young kid. Apparently he did know the name and Mario Cart wasn't it.
"Ah…I just picked any…"
"Stop lying to me young man!" Peter interrupted the feeble attempt to explain away what was obviously a fictitious story. "Why did you tell me you were the one who stole it when clearly you weren't?"
It was Mozzie's turn to hang his head low. "Cause I didn't want Neal to get into trouble."
"And how many times have we been through this young man? Every time Neal gets himself in trouble you try to take the blame. I've told you once; I've told you a hundred times, it only makes the situation worse." Peter wiped his hand across his forehead. "Neal, go to your room. Mozzie, go get the wooden spoon out of the kitchen draw and bring it to me please."
Both boys dragged their feet in opposite directions knowing their dad was no longer in any mood to argue the point. As soon as they were out of ear shot El spun and faced her husband, "Peter, is this really necessary? Mozzie was only looking out for his little brother."
Peter shook his head, "No El, every time he does it I tell him it only makes it worse but he does it again anyway. This time I'm giving him a little incentive to stay out of it the next time Neal's at fault."
El was about to respond when one sad little moppet walked back into the room carrying one dreaded looking wooden spoon. He handed it glumly to his dad and then studied the floor with his eyes. El gave Peter a stare before moving over and taking a seat on the couch. Peter looked down at his son and lifted his chin so he was able to make eye contact. "We've been over this before Mozzie, more times than I can remember. You tell me the truth every time and it will be better for you, better for me, and above all better for Neal. Do you understand me?"
"Yes sir. I do?"
"Then how come every time we have to go over this?"
"I'm not sure." The kid eyed the instrument of torture and quickly added, "I won't do it again, I promise."
"I hope not Mozzie but you are still getting punished for lying to me." Without further ado Peter took the kid by his upper arm, turned him sideways and whacked him five times across his butt with the wooden spoon.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Owwww!"
Peter released his hold and the boy reached immediately for his stinging behind, jumping out and down on the spot hoping that action alone would take away the pain. Peter reached down and picked him up, carrying him over to the couch where his mom was waiting with open arms. "Now Mozzie," Peter placed a caring hand on top of the young boy's head, "I want you to try really hard in the future not to try and take the blame for Neal's indiscretions and no more lying young man, for any reason."
"Yes sir," the boy mumbled into El's chest where he had curled up as his mom began to administer a very comforting back rub.
"Good then." Peter straightened up and sighed deeply. Round two was awaiting his punishment upstairs and this one was going to be far more unpleasant for both parties. He avoided eye contact with El as he turned on his heels and began the way too short trek up to his son's bedroom.