Pairing: Marcel/Kaleb (M/m) hand
Marcel/Aiden (M/m) paddle
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
French Quarter, New Orleans
The Compound
Courtyard
Josh was proud to tell Marcel that he had found the baby vamps and brought them back to the safe house.
"Look, Josh, you did real good. Using the daylight rings and the witch was a nice touch. I am glad you didn't burn any of them alive on the street, but it worked. And honestly, I was lurking around the cafe to see if you needed back-up...While I was there I got a call from Aiden. He got into some trouble. Don't panic, he's okay, but,-" Marcel started carefully.
"Oh my God, what? What happened? Where is he?" Josh said looking around the Compound.
"He's taking a shower. He was in a fight with Kaleb...It's a long story...," Marcel filled in Josh. He told him about Kaleb's past and how he was on the run from his coven and mother. He would help with the moonlight rings, but Marcel would pledge to protect him.
"But he used Davina! How can you trust him?" Josh blurted out.
"Josh, man, he's a kid. I can't let a kid get hurt around here. And Davina would never forgive me if I let something happen to him. You know that, Josh!" Marcel countered. He looked around at the fairy lights in the trees of the courtyard and the water in the fountain. This place always calmed him down.
"Yeah, but lying and using someone. He shouldn't be able to get away with that," Josh exclaimed bitterly.
"Josh, man, I didn't say I wasn't gonna punish them," Marcel shot back.
"Punish 'them.' Oh Marcel, you aren't going to be too hard on Aiden, are you? You know he's very sensitive. He's a good kid!" Josh pleaded emphatically.
"Listen, you didn't hear the whole story. He attacked Kaleb and the two knuckleheads ran away from the school. They both got suspended for three days. I had to convince my judge friend to um, give me custody of Kaleb first of all...and then convince the principal that the boys would be properly disciplined at home. I think that is fair. They can't be pulling shit like this," Marcel reasoned.
"So you are Kaleb's guardian now? Um, did you even ask Rebekah about this? You better get her a box of wine, bro, because this is heavy. Davina will be thrilled. Can I go talk to Aiden?" Josh asked.
"Go talk to Aiden. Tell him I'll be up soon and he should wait for me up there. I'm going to go talk to Kaleb. And Josh, Bex and D. don't know anything yet. They are dealing with some heavy witch shit from last century. I'm actually kind of surprised they haven't called yet. Anyway, let me break the news and you go deal with the baby vamps," Marcel suggested.
"Yeah, about that. I'm not really sure what to do with them. I took their daylight rings as punishment. But wow, some of the attitudes might need adjusted a little," Josh said sheepishly as he leaned against a table casually.
"Honestly, Josh. They still don't know you very well. I think you need to develop your relationship with them a little more and spend some time getting to know them before you start throwing your weight around. Sit them down and go over the rules and expectations. Let them know what the consequences are for breaking them. Be clear, but you know, not an asshole about things. Like you said before, they are adults and this isn't going to be easy. Running a crew is about trust. Will they trust that your decisions won't get them killed? Be a leader, Josh," Marcel grinned as he started to walk up the stairs to the second floor.
Josh called, "What are you going to do to Aiden, Marcel? Please don't, you know..." Josh couldn't bring himself to say "hurt him." He knew Marcel would never truly harm him, but he was not sure that Marcel understand how sensitive Aiden was. He was not like the other Crescents, tough and violent.
Marcel paused, "Josh, I am going to treat him just like my own kid, okay? Maybe a little more, since he's a wolf, but he will be fine. You gotta trust me, man."
Josh exhaled the breath he had been holding in, "I do, Marcel. I do."
"I mean, I could ground him for three days or more, but than your butt would not be running in and out of here, you want that?" Marcel prompted.
Josh finally smiled a little, "No, sir."
"Okay, then," Marcel said. "Let me do my thing. Go talk to him and then go deal with the vamps."
Aiden's Room
Josh slowly followed and knocked on Aiden's door.
"Come in," Aiden said expecting Marcel. He exhaled and ran into Josh's arms when he saw Josh.
"Aiden, you okay? Let me see your face," Josh insisted gently.
Aiden teared up and let Josh look, "I'm okay, Josh. I heal remember. He's the one who got fucked up a little. Dammit, I lost my temper and jumped him. These bullies at school have been getting on my nerves...When I heard he had been playing Davina, I snapped."
Josh hugged Aiden tightly, "You are so good, Aid. But Marcel is going to deal with all that, k.? I just hate for you to get in trouble over all this."
Aiden swallowed, "Is he taking me back to school?"
"No, they suspended you for three days, but Marcel is going to um, probably bust your ass a little," Josh said uncomfortably.
Aiden nodded, "Josh, it's okay. I'd rather get it from Marcel than at school. I would like to get it over with before Hayley gets home from school, though."
Josh cleared his throat, "You are taking this better than me. Okay, I love you. You will be okay. Call me when you can...I love you." Aiden laughed and kissed Josh lightly.
"Get out of here. You are making me nervous. I love you, too...Sorry, I forgot to ask about your vampires. All okay?" Aiden added.
"Yeah, it went well. I'm going to head over there now and try to bond with them. Um, I think they hate me, but yeah, I'm going," Josh said anxiously.
Aiden laughed again and hugged Josh goodbye.
Kaleb's Room
Kaleb did not know whether to unpack his meager belongings or not. He hadn't been able to take that much with him from home as he had to flee so quickly. He had a small picture album, his grimoire, a case of his magical supplies, random clothes and toiletries, and his school stuff. He had left all the food he scrounged up at the flat he had been squatting in. He figured Marcel would at least feed him if he threw him in his dungeon.
Marcel tapped on the door frame and came in, "You settling in, okay?"
Kaleb nodded, "Aye, thanks for handling the school. I am sorry for all this. I should have been honest. I am loathe to tell Davina when she returns. She will most likely turn me into an oily spot on this rich carpet here."
Marcel smiled, "I think she will understand what it is like to be on the run from your family and coven, Kaleb. But yeah, you could have told us a couple of weeks ago. Why didn't you?"
Kaleb flushed, "I was ashamed. I had made up this backstory of myself having a strict, but wealthy mum who was overprotective and loving. I guess I wanted it to be true. No one wants others to feel sorry for them or pity them. Worse, I feared Davina hating me for killing those witches, it was an accident, but I couldn't let them sacrifice those innocents. My mum was out of her bloody head long before she snapped. And no one did a damn thing."
"Well, I called my judge connection. I now have official guardianship of you, he won't put the paperwork into the state, but the school won't know that. I want you to stay here. I'll find a witch to cloak you and we will look after you," Marcel promised.
Kaleb choked, "I am so ashamed. You are being so kind. I don't deserve it. I feel like shite, utter shite."
Marcel's lips grew firm, "No more talk like that. You are just a boy. You had to survive. You made some mistakes and you will be punished." Now that it was time, Marcel was leaning towards letting the boy off with a stern talking-to. Then, Kaleb started to weep.
"I am worse than a dog. I betrayed my coven, my family, and my only friend, Davina. Who can forgive that? You should throw my arse into your dungeon," Kaleb said overwhelmed.
Marcel stepped over to the bed where Kaleb was hanging his head in his hands. He sat down and promptly pulled a surprised Kaleb over his lap.
"Hey!" Kaleb yelped. "What are ya doing?" Crack!
"I warned you. Now button your lip and take your medicine. You have this coming," Marcel informed him. He swatted the seat of Kaleb's jeans heat. Marcel was using a fraction of his vampire strength, but Kaleb shrieked loudly. Whack!
"I've never been smacked before. Oh God," Kaleb moaned. Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Kaleb grabbed fist fills of the comforter, but felt restrained by Marcel's strong left arm. Pop! Pop!
"You need to let it go, Kaleb. You made a mistake. I am punishing you now. Forgive yourself," Marcel said. Whack! Whack! It didn't seem so to Kaleb, but Marcel had lightening the swats considerably. He could tell the boy was in intense emotional distress and did not want to physically hurt him.
"Ah, pleaseee, don't..." Kaleb.
Crack! Marcel held the boy over his lap as he slowly whacked his sit spots.
"It smarts something awfulllll," Kaleb groaned. "I am sorry."
Crack! Kaleb finally began to cry softly. Marcel stopped swatting and rested his hand on Kaleb's stinging seat.
"It's okay, buddy. Just let it out," Marcel cooed. Kaleb wept more, but very quietly. Marcel pulled him up. Kaleb couldn't even look at him.
"Kaleb, look at me," Marcel demanded. "Please, Kaleb." Kaleb hid his face in his hands.
"I can't," Kaleb cried. "Just leave me alone. I'm not worth your time."
"Bud, you are two seconds from going back over my knee," Marcel warned.
Kaleb lowered his hands and looked at Marcel finally.
"Tell me why I just did that," Marcel said delicately.
"Ah, I was an arse, I fucked up...," Kaleb said tearfully.
"No, man. I did it to show you that I care about you. I believe that you are a good person in a bad situation. And I also spanked you so, and this sounds odd, but so you can feel better. Like move on and forgive yourself. I know you are worried about Davina's reaction. I won't share what happened here, that is private, but as far as I am concerned you have been punished," Marcel intoned. "D. has been in a bad situation herself. You don't always get out of those alone. We aren't alone in this world."
Kaleb nodded and looked down and sobbed. Marcel putt his arms around the slender teen and held him close to him. Kaleb cried into Marcel shirt for a minute or two.
"Better?" Marcel smiled knowingly as he pulled away from the boy.
Kaleb wiped at his face in surprise, "Yeah, actually, I do. I know I ought to be embarrassed at getting my bum smacked and crying like a baby...but I feel better."
'Kaleb, I was born in the 1800s. I got my butt smacked and have cried more time than years you have been alive by double or triple, okay. Now, I want you to unpack, take a shower, and relax. There's a family type room across the hallway with a tv and computer that you are free to use. We have a couple of those game systems and some other junk in there that Davina had to have. We'll have dinner later. Probably take out. I'm going to go talk to Aiden now. You okay?" Marcel prodded.
Kaleb sniffed and smiled sincerely, "Yeah, I am good. Not sure I want to sit right now, but having a shower sounds lovely."
Marcel grinned, "You know, with that accent of yours. You should just like another guy I know..." Marcel wondered if Davina was talking to Kol right now. How odd that both had the same speech patterns. He said goodbye and went to deal with Aiden.
Safe House
"Guys, I know it sucks that you are again grounded to the house doing the day, but I think you can see why you lost your privileges," Josh said. Queen and Anjou had ambushed him with complaints as soon as he walked in the door of the small flat. It was cramped and disgusting.
Josh had an idea, "You know, I heard of this great loft at 1917 Patterson. It has an amazing view of the city. We could all live there together, like roommates." Josh sensed someone behind him. It was Kyle. Josh grabbed him and put him in a headlock.
"Step one: always be on your guard! I could easily snap your neck right now. I won't. But you guys needs to be alert."
"Fuck man, I was just trying to get a beer and a blood bag," Kyle complained rubbing his neck as Josh released him.
Simon yawned, "I think the loft sounds nice. It would like give us more room to train." Kyle was walking around in board shorts and no shirt. Josh had to admit he had a nice body, but he seemed like he was high all the time. Josh was not sure if it was possible for vampires to do drugs.
"I will look into it. In the meantime, can you guys come over here and sit around the table please? Call it a family meeting?" Josh quipped.
"You ain't my family," Queen griped.
"We are now," Anjou reasoned. "My real family thinks I'm dead. I won't take no chances of draining them. It ain't worth it. Plus, I guess I really am dead."
Josh waited until they all sat, "First of all, we are a family. Consider Marcel the patriarch, like the grandfather, and me the dad. That's how this works. Right now, we consider you kids. I know you are adults, but guys, you can't always control yourselves. I'm not judging, I was in your shoes not too long ago...But Marcel taught me control. Until then, I made some really dumb decisions."
"How did he do that?" Anjou asked interested.
"He limited my blood, he kept me on a regular schedule, I had to train regularly, and when I disobeyed him, I got punished," Josh admitted.
"And by punished, you got put in the Garden?" Kyle trembled.
"No, that is for vampires who murder other vampires. For being a dumb ass and not listening, I got ...spanked. And that is exactly what you all have to look forward to the next time you disobey me," Josh pronounced looking around the circle. "Marcel turned you to save your lives and to join the army protecting this city. If not for that, we would all lose his protection and patronage."
"You told us this, but we though it was bullshit," Queen said dryly. "But I had my ass beat many times as a human. I guess that is better than starving in the Garden. I can take it." She ran her fingers through her hair. Her fangs came out, but she quickly retracted them.
"It's not. I am going to let the Cafe incident go because I was neglectful. I apologize for that. You all have cells and my number. If something comes up, call me. I will do a better job of communicating and being available. I am going to look into that loft. I think this could work. There is the possibility that a few more vamps will be joining this little crew, or family," Josh smiled.
Simon nodded, "I am in, dude. I wasn't listening to the first part...but I like lofts."
Josh tried to keep his face passive, "Um, good, Simon. So, do you guys have anything you want to say or ask?"
Kyle blushed, "Sorry about the little rebellion. It won't happen again."
"Thanks, Kyle. I appreciate that. To answer you next question...I will give your rings back when I can trust you again. Now, let's go over some more rules...," Josh began earnestly.
The Compound
Aiden's Room
Marcel had looked for the butter paddle and couldn't find it. He thought he had something that would maybe work better. He had found an old Fli-Back paddle in a box of junk and slipped it in the kitchen drawer weeks ago. Marcel went down to the kitchen, ordered food for later, drank some blood, and found the round paddle. It must have lost the string and rubber ball decades ago.
"Aiden, are you ready?" Marcel said coming into his room.
Aiden nodded, "Yes, sir. I'm a little nervous. But I appreciate you not taking us back to school."
"Well, they suspended you for three days. You know my dad gives his younger kids a couple of good swats every morning of their suspension."
"Whoa. Did you ever get suspended?" Aiden asked with wide eyes.
Marcel laughed, "I never went to school. My Uncle Elijah was my tutor. Why don't you grab that chair?"
Aiden grabbed the straight back chair and put in the middle of the floor. He started to bend over the back.
"Oh no, not like that, young man," Marcel smiled sadly.
Aiden looked up fearfully, "Um, how?"
Marcel walked up and shut the door firmly behind him. He walked over and sat down in the chair. Aiden looked nervously at the door.
"Hey, I know you had a bad experience getting paddled at school. I hope you don't mind Josh telling me, but he was really upset. Aiden, I'm going to punish you for what happened today and then we can get on with our night, okay? It's going to sting, but I don't want you to feel scared," Marcel said gently.
"I don't mind you knowing about that. To the other guys, they could take it, but I ...I just didn't know what to expect. You know, I never really got it like that before and honestly, it was awful," Aiden admitted.
"I know you are typically well-behaved but I can go into school and review the paperwork. We can maybe put a letter in your file saying that can't paddle you for medical reasons or something. But I promise you, I will punish you again worse here at home, got it?' Marcel vowed.
Aiden exhaled, "Yes, sir. I was still scared that they were going to try to give me swats for running away today or fighting."
"Aiden, I will promise you that won't happen. Now, I can tell you are nervous. Let's get this punishment over with. I know we talked and you talked to Josh about everything. Over my lap," Marcel instructed.
Aiden awkwardly draped himself over Marcel's lap. He was just tall enough to have his hands and feet touching the floor.
"I found this old paddle in a box. I know it doesn't look like much, it was a kid's toy, but it's going to sting. It's okay to cry and kick, but don't try to cover your behind or get off my lap. If you do, I will take that to mean you need spanked again tonight or tomorrow," Marcel shared.
"No, sir, I won't do that," Aiden promised. Marcel rubbed Aiden's light sleep pants with the paddle. He held Aiden's elastic waistband firmly to tighten the material over his rump before cracking down the paddle.
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Marcel laid down fiver searing swats in the same spot to start out with. He knew Aiden would heal fast, but also that his emotions were hovering close to the surface. Aiden began to cry and wiggle immediately.
Marcel tightened his grip and began to paddle on the center of each cheek. Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Aiden's feet were tapping on the foot and he was now wailing, but refusing to beg for the paddling to slow or stop. He knew he should not have attacked Kaleb. Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Marcel lowered the paddle and targeted the sit spots for the next six hearty whacks. Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Aiden broke and could not help but yell out, "I'm sorry! Please no more."
Marcel resumed paddling now in a random pattern for the last ten cracks. Aiden was feeling the burn tremendously and wriggling. The paddle seemed to drive his behind forward with each hard smack.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Aiden howled and kicked more violently, but Marcel was done with the spanking. He stood Aiden up and held his hands to stop him from rubbing. Aiden tried to pulled his hands away, but Marcel threatened, "Stop and look at me or I'm going to pull down your pants and paddle your bare butt. Now, listen."
Aiden cleared his throat and concentrated on Marcel.
"Tell me what you did wrong today," Marcel demanded.
"I lost my temper and hit Kaleb. Then, I panicked and made him run away from school with me," Aiden whimpered.
"That was wrong and you got paddled for it. But you did the wrong thing in calling me. I am going to leave it there. I know your bottom is stinging now, but it will fade fast. The next time I have to spank you, those pants will come down. Got it?" Marcel warned.
"Yes, sir. It hurts. Can I rub?' Aiden said shifting feet and dancing around.
Marcel smiled, "You may. Hug?'
Aiden hugged Marcel, while keeping one hand on his rear. "We aren't getting that paddle again tomorrow are we." Aiden pulled away to get Marcel's reaction.
"Not unless you misbehave or act up. I will expect both of you both to get all your homework done and be on your best behavior. Tommy is grabbing all your work," Marcel explained.
"Thanks. I am hoping that is the last time I ever get in trouble. Thanks for picking us up," Aiden said.
"Of course. Come on, let's get Kaleb. You guys can come pick up the food with me. That is, if you can sit," Marcel joked. "Tomorrow and until the end of your suspension, you are on house arrest."
Aiden rubbed and said, "You are right. It's healing fast, but I am surprised how much punch that little paddle packs."
"Yup. I should also mention we have a salve with wolfsbane that can slow healing. That and a bare butt makes for a well-behaved young wolf," Marcel explained.
"Oh no, don't share that with Mary!" Aiden retorted.
Marcel responded, "Or y'all could just behave?"
Aiden grinned, "Nah, what fun would that be?'