A/N: Sorry guys, life has just been hectic but I do appreciate the guest reviewer that asked me to continue with this one, it always gives me inspiration. This story is nearing it's ending point ( I think, maybe ) and then I'll try to start working on what's going on with Nate and King and eventually a different story about Donnie.
"Are you ready to face the music at home now, kid?", King asked gently, squatting down to look Donnie in the eyes.
"I think so", Donnie answered quietly, feeling quite nervous.
"Are you sure kid?"
"It's mostly mom." Donnie confessed with a grimace.
"I thought Katherine wasn't that strict." Chris commented, coming into the room.
"She isn't. But she's the only one I haven't faced yet."
"It'll go great buddy, just remember to behave." Pride assured him.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to you reprimanding me."
"You aren't supposed to."
"Yeah, that goes for me too."
"So can Chris actually you know…punish me, or was it a one time thing?" Donnie asked finally finding the courage to do so.
"Oh little brother, I have all the right I need."
"He can." King confirmed.
"So I have 5 people to answer to when I mess up?!"
"Yes." King and Chris answered in unison.
"Guessing I'll have to live with it."
"Yeah kid, you do. Now not that I want you out of the house or anything, but your mom hasn't seen you in a week and you start school again tomorrow, so if you are ready, let's go."
"Okay, bye Chris!", Donnie said, hugging the older man.
"It's not forever little brother."
"Yeah, the door is always open even if we are at the office, remember that."
"I will, thanks."
-Bullied-The Other Side Of The Window-
"Hey kid, I've missed you", Katherine greeted warmly as he stepped through the door with king's hand on his shoulder.
"Missed you too mom.", Donnie answered shrugging of King's hand and giving his mom a hug.
"Good to see you Donnie-Boy.", James greeted him, drawing him close.
"Good to be home Dad."
"Did you miss me at all?", Nate asked jokingly, but Donnie could see the seriousness in his eyes and couldn't even imagine what kind of lecture would be behind that kind of insecurity.
"Of course, Big Brother", Donnie answered giving him a tight hug as well before turning towards King.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure, remember our agreement kid. If I have to come looking for you things won't get pretty."
"Yes sir."
"Good boy, now settle things with your family." King gave Nate a gaze that spoke volumes, but Nate chose to ignore it for the time being and took his little brother's bag and started guiding him upstairs.
"Nate." King's voice was low, but not even Donnie missed the warning in it and turned questioningly towards Nate.
"Nothing to worry about little brother" Nate whispered. Louder he continued: "Later King." Donnie didn't need Nate's faster pace to get him moving faster, he knew that last comment wouldn't sit well with King and didn't want to be around the older man when he was angry.
"Are you sure that was smart?" Donnie asked once they reached upstairs.
"Don't worry kid, just be happy that you are home, I can take care of King later."
"If you are sure…"
"I'm sure, now why don't you take a moment to breath and then head on downstairs."
"What are you going to do?"
"It's better if you don't know." Nate tried to joke. "Seriously though, you don't have anything to worry about kid, except yourself."
"Okay" Donnie agreed warily, not entirely sure, but decided to take his brother's word for it right now.
-Bullied-the other side of the window-
"So kid, we have a lot to talk about." James said seriously, eyeing his squirming boy carefully.
"I'm sorry I didn't come to you." Donnie said quietly focusing on his knees.
"None of that Donnie" James said with a hint of sternness in it stepping closer to him and bringing his chin up. "
"Sorry", Donnie whispered.
"Good boy."
"Good boy?! I…I lied to you. Right in your face" Donnie cried, losing the last bit of control he had had over his emotions and James gathered his crying son in his arms and moved them both over to the couch were he sat the boy down on his lap.
"Too old" Donnie protested weakly, not fighting though when James only hugged him closer in response.
"Never Donnie." Katherine assured him caressing the back of Donnie's head.
"Sorry", Donnie eventually murmured and tried pushing away from his Dad's hold but didn't succeed.
"I thought we'd been over this before Donovan, you do not apologize for crying." His Dad said sternly into Donnie's ear.
"Yes sir", Donnie agreed and this time when he pushed away James didn't stop him, only choosing to instead guide him to sit in between his parents.
"Donnie-Boy. I really shouldn't have to say this but lying to us is never the answer and you should know it by now. None of us have ever appreciated it and it won't start now." It wasn't often James felt the need to lecture one of the boys for more than a few minutes, in fact he usually said all he needed to in a few words and gazes.
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Why did you lie to us?" Katherine wondered calmly.
"I felt stupid. I wanted King to care and when he didn't I felt like an idiot for ever thinking he could care. And I knew that if I told you and you told King he'd be forced to care, something I never wanted." Donnie tried to explain.
"Donnie-boy, nobody could ever force King to care."
"I get it now."
"You should have come to us from the beginning or Nate if nothing else, lying to us is never the answer." Katherine said sternly.
"I know", Donnie whispered.
"Good, make sure you really do know because if you ever lie to me again you wont leave my side until I'm sure you wont do it again. Understood?!" James threatened.
"Yes sir."
"Good boy", James praised and brought Donnie's head to rest on his shoulder.
"I'm truly sorry."
"We know kid and we forgive you and love you. You do know that?" Katherine said all sternness gone.
"Yes ma'am. Love you too."
"It still leaves us with your punishment, we originally wanted you to be grounded for a week, but King told us Tony and agent Gibbs will leave pretty soon so as long as we can fully trust you. You'll only serve two days now and the rest of the days when Tony's back home in Washington.
"Okay", Donnie replied sleepily. "Thanks Dad."
"You are welcome son." James felt Donnie's head start getting heavy and caressed the back of Donnie's head with one hand until his breathing evened out, then dropping a kiss to the top of the boy's head before lifting him up in his arms and carrying him upstairs.