Scott, age 18
"Welcome home. Scott. A word please." Scott frowned as he walked over to his father.
"Everything ok?"
"You tell me," Chris said, crossing his arms.
"It was our first day back at school. We kept our heads down. I don't…"
"That's not what Kelly told me."
"Dad…"
"I want your side."
"It was nothing. Please-"
"Fighting? With Duncan Matthews?"
"It wasn't a fight-"
"A shove can be counted as fighting!"
"If it was a real fight, why did Kelly call you instead of kicking me out?!" Chris narrowed his eyes and Scott wisely took a step back.
"Because he's trying and he knows how far back your animosity has gone."
"Bullshit. It's because nothing-"
"What did I say I'd do if you fought with Matthews?"
"Nothing."
"I distinctly recall a specific threat, Scott Christopher."
"I don't remember."
"I promised I'd strap you. Does that ring a bell?" Scott's eyes went wide when he realized the strap was in Chris' hand, rolled up.
"Dad!"
"Xavier told me where we could go and not be overheard. Let's go."
"Dad, please-"
"Let's go Scott Christopher." Chris put his hand on the back of Scott's neck and tried to lead him to the elevator, but Scott wasn't budging.
"This isn't fair. I didn't do anything!" Chris saw the X-Men standing around, trying not to pay attention to the two. Chris leaned in and put his mouth close to Scott's ear.
"Then we will talk elsewhere. But right now, you are completely disobeying me, and I will not stand for it. You have until I get to three to head to the lift, or I will pop you right here. One."
"Dad,"
"Two." Scott tensed.
"We don't have to leave. We can just go into your room-"
"Three." Chris grabbed Scott's arm with the hand that was holding the strap and swatted his son's backside hard enough to force Scott to his tiptoes.
"Ah!" Scott cried, feeling his eyes prick with tears.
"Now let's go." Chris forced Scott to the lift, pleased that he wasn't fighting him. They entered the lift to leave the bunkers and Scott sniffed.
"That hurt," he said quietly.
"Good. That was my intention."
"They saw-"
"And I gave you plenty of chances so that it wouldn't happen, Scott. You didn't take me up on them." The lift took them to the gazebo and Chris gently pushed Scott towards the pool house. He turned the lights on and closed the door, motioning to the chair in front of him. Scott obediently sat and looked at the ground.
"I didn't do it," he told him, barely above a whisper.
"Then tell me what happened. And look at me while you do so." Scott took a breath and looked up, meeting Chris' eyes.
"When we got to school, Duncan said something about him and Jean getting back together and using her powers for exam answers. Jean didn't like that, and she grabbed the closest person to her- me. Duncan didn't like that, so at lunch, he had his football buddies surround me and grab me. I knew better than to fight back, Dad, I swear. He… he took my glasses. And then Rogue and Kitty came over and helped me scare him off and get me back my glasses. I promise, I didn't lay a hand on him. I wasn't going to be the one to get my team kicked out of school…"
"Ok."
"Ok? That's it? Dad! You popped me in front of-"
"That was for your disobedience, Scott. Do you want a full spanking for that, or will the swat suffice?"
"But… My team-"
"I gave you until the count of three, son. You refused to listen and I had to follow through. I'm sorry you were embarrassed. I did warn you in October that I would be willing to spank you in front of them if necessary, and today, you made it necessary." Scott's cheek burned in embarrassment and frustration.
"Please don't do it again."
"I'll do what I need to, Scott Christopher. I'm the father here. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Alright. Now go show them you're alive and let's get ready for the meeting tonight." Scott made a face. "What?"
"Duncan will be there."
"And you won't lay a hand on him, right?"
"Yes sir. I mean, no sir. I-" Scott groaned. "I won't touch him." Chris nodded.
"I'll make sure your brothers know that applies to them as well. But you know as well as I do that I can't control Hepzibah, especially when it comes to her kitlings," Chris winked. Scott grinned.
"I'll make sure someone else points him out."
"There's my boy. Now head on in and let everyone talk about how I'm such a horrible parent."