Pairing: Finn/Stefan (M/m) hand
Warning for mentions of child abuse, kidnapping
*Hank plot line by Jazmine F. with thanks!
Mikaelson Estate
Mystic Falls, Virginia
September 1855
Porch
Finn took the note from Stefan and tucked it behind his back.
"Sit down, Stefan. Why do you not tell me what Miss Haley has to say about your behavior?" Finn started. Stefan had been hoping that the adults would be too busy to deal with his latest misbehavior. The estate had been buzzing with activity for the last few days. Something was going on, but Stefan did not understand what. Everyone, aside from the children, had been very busy of late.
Stefan shuffled nervously and then sat down on the porch swing. He bit his lip and looked helplessly at Finn with teary eyes.
Finn wanted nothing more than to comfort the boy, but he knew that would need wait.
"Young man, do I have to bare your bottom and spank it out of you?" Finn asked pointedly.
Stefan bounced up and quickly blurted, "Lexi was mad at Rose so weputamouseinherlunch!"
Finn coughed, "You what? Put a mouse in her...lunch?"
Stefan shifted from foot to foot and replied, "Yes, it was a jest!"
"It does not sound too amusing to me," Finn retorted. "Nor to the creature itself. Did this disrupt the class?"
Stefan bit his lip and wailed, "Yes! But Miss Hayley paddled us hard at recess!"
Finn pulled Stefan between his knees so the boy would look him in the eye.
"What tis the rule, Stefan?" Finn asked slowly.
Stefan looked down and said, "If I get paddled at school, I get another spanking at home."
"And do you know why that is?" Finn asked, genuinely curious if the child understood.
"Because at school I represent...the family. If I am bad then people think I am poorly brought up," Stefan admitted softly. "But no one thinks that, right, Finn?"
"Nay, I imagine not. But also Miss Hayley has many children to teach and while you are causing havoc, you are not able to learn. Did you think Rose enjoyed this jest?" Finn prompted.
"Rose was angry and almost fainted. She told Lexi she was embarrassed," Stefan shared. "Miss Hayley was angry, too. Everyone had to go outside."
Finn put his hands on Stefan's shoulders.
"So do you think you deserve another punishment or shall we say that you were already dealt with?" Finn asked.
"I guess I ought to get another lickin'. Lexi said she is never gonna sit once her ma is done with her," Stefan sniffed.
Finn smiled and pulled Stefan on to his lap for a brief cuddle.
"I bet she will be fine," Finn coaxed. "But I agree that another spanking would probably be in order. Then, we will put the matter to rest."
Stefan cried, "Oh, do you have to spank me?"
Finn breathed out, "I will offer you a deal. You can spend the evening in your room. I am sure Miss Hayley and Rose would like letters of apology. I will help you write them out."
Stefan thought, "I suppose I shall take the spanking. I already told them I was awful sorry."
"You did? I am then awfully proud of you. Look, Stefan, children make mistakes. The next time you have a choice to make about doing a prank or refraining, you can say no," Finn advised. He stood and carried Stefan into the house and into his and Sage's quarters. The others looked at each other with knowing glances. For once, Jeremy had nothing to say. Elena was holding her breath as she helped Jeremy set out his homework papers. She had finished all her assignments at school.
Finn took Stefan into the well-appointed room. Sage had been decorating it. She was in town at the saloon today.
"I have hardy ever been in this room. Tis big," Stefan noted, looking around.
Finn put Stefan on his feet.
"Trousers and drawers down," Finn said gently.
Stefan bit his lip again, but slipped off his jacket and suspenders. Finn pulled out a chair from Sage's dressing table. Stefan was slowly undoing his pants. Finn pulled the boy to him and bared his bottom, sparing the boy the ordeal of doing it himself. He leaned Stefan over both knees.
"Now, I want you to think of how you should have handled this situation," Finn said, patting the chubby behind in front of him. The paddle had left no marks and Finn suspected Hayley had not been too firm with the children earlier.
Slap!
Finn's large hand came down with a snap. Stefan's eyes shot open and he opened his mouth to let us a howl, but then he received the second whack.
Slap!
Finn's left arm locked down on the small boy to hold him in place.
Slap!
"Owwwwwwwwww! I w-will w-write the l-letters!" Stefan protested.
Slap!
"I c-changed my m-mind!" Stefan blurted out in a panic.
Slap!
He was not sure why Finn's hand smarted more than the teacher's paddle, but it did.
Slap!
"Ahhhhhh," Stefan yelped, letting out a loud sob. "Owwwwwwww."
Slap!
"I shall b-be g-goood!" Stefan vowed, kicking out his feet.
Slap!
Finn paused, "You are a good boy, but just a bit naughty."
Slap!
"Ohhhhhh," Stefan cried, squirming as much as he could.
Slap!
"Just one more," Finn said, thought he was unsure if Stefan heard him over his tears.
Slap!
"There, all done. Now, we shall clean you up and you can have your snack," Finn said, lifting Stefan to his feet. "See? All over. Now more fretting about it. You hear?"
Stefan danced from foot to foot again, holding his red behind. It was a short spanking, but Finn had swatted him firmly. He would never misbehave again, Stefan promised himself. But at least he felt better.
Finn let him try to shake out the sting and then gathered him up for another hug. Finn had to get dressed to go to town later to take care of some business with his brothers. He was glad Stefan had chosen the spanking because he would not have been home to help him write. Finn was not looking forward to his errand with his brothers, but he was glad they included him. With Freya at home, he somehow felt like everything was coming together. Yet the threat of danger still loomed large.
Damon leaned against the door listening to the spanking inside. Elena gave him a wry look.
"It tis my brother again," Damon explained. "Elena, I swear he cannot go a week without a thrashing."
"I bet you were just as full of mischief at his age," Elena smiled, wondering what Damon looked like.
"Perhaps, but I made it a point not to get caught," Damon shared. "Would you like to take a walk? I promise I shall not lead you into danger this time."
Elena's face lit up in a smile as she took his offered arm.
"I would love that, if only to keep you from eavesdropping," Elena quipped.
"Yes, I think Stefan will be fine. I suppose I need not look after him as I am apt to do," Damon said. "And if Freya sees us home, she will be looking to make me practice more of that fire magic."
"Ugh," Elena scoffed. "Tis a good thing you did not burn this mansion to the ground."
Damon grinned, "Mayhaps I will practice lifting you in the air?"
Elena broke away into a run. "Thy must catch me first, Mr. Salvatore!"
Damon ran after the dark hair girl, but she was not as easy to catch as he thought.
Tillerman Home
Pace Street
Parlor
After School
Hank felt the absence of her father keenly as she stepped into her home. Papa's boots were gone, as were his top coat and walking stick.
The slender girl let out a long sigh and turned to see Mrs. Smith watching her silently. Chills went up her spine.
"Ah, Mrs. Smith, is Lucy here? She was to help mend my stockings," Hank said as she put down her school bag and lunch pail.
"You are old enough to do that for yourself. A near 16 year old, not able to sew a stitch! I never heard of such a thing," Mrs. Smith grumbled. "I dismissed Lucy and John. Now, come here and I will show you a few things. Make haste, Henrietta, you have wasted enough time," Mrs. Smith said sharply.
Hank glanced down the hallway toward the kitchen, wishing Lucy and John were at least near by. She realized she had never been alone with Mrs. Smith before. Where had Papa found this woman? Why had he saddled her with a nurse at her age? Something did not make sense. Hank had not even been able to speak privately with Papa, Mrs. Smith was always lingering near.
Hank approached, dragging her feet.
"If John is not here, then I shall need to feed Apple," Hank said slowly.
"Your horse will be fine. It tis your dank future I fear for. What man would marry a girl with your definitive lack of skills? Hmm," Mrs. Smith said with a cruel smile.
Hank grumbled, "Then, what tis your excuse for being unwed?"
Mrs. Smith moved faster than Hank imagined she was capable of. She slapped Hank's face hard, causing her to bit her lip in shock.
Hank's hand jumped to her face, it felt hot and then almost numb. No one had ever struck her like that. Ever.
Hank cried, "How dare you? I shall tell-"
Mrs. Smith gripped her arm tightly, growling, "You will say nothing. Your precious 'Papa' is not here to save you. Now, sit and learn something from one of your betters. You may have need of womanly skills before you think, you little fool!"
Hank felt the older woman drag her to the settee.
As if nothing had happened Mrs. Smith proceeded to take out her needle and thread from her sewing basket. Silent tears rolled down Hank's frightened face. With shaking hands, she fumbled with the needle and tried to replicate the stitches.
Soon, she felt Mrs. Smith's gnarled hand on her upper thigh, stroking it.
"You are too thin, Henrietta," Mrs. Smith said in an oddly hollow voice. "Men like a plumper woman, one they can...sink their hooks into."
Hank looked up in horror and Mrs. Smith laughed manically.
Hank felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, but was too afraid to act.
Mikaelson Estate
Freya's Attic
Evening
Later
"Kol, do you have something that can render someone unable to move?" Freya asked, going through her book.
"Human or supernatural?" Kol asked, digging through the box of dark objects he had shared with his eldest sister.
"Supernatural, more likely," Freya answered, looking at her dark haired little brother. Her heart squeezed at how fond she had become of all of them so quickly. Even Niklaus was warming up to her, though he was still suspicious of nearly every word out of her mouth. She wished she had known Kol when he was a witch, she would wager that with his acumen for magic, he would be able to challenge Dahlia herself in skill.
"This is a Devil's Star," Kol said, picking up a silver throwing star. "It will create a thousand cuts all over the body. That will bleed a human out quickly, but for wolves and vampires, their healing would probably quicken."
"That could come in handy, though," Freya said. "I only wish we could make more. What did you say you needed to make them?"
"A paragon diamond," Kol stated. "The last one I saw was in Arabia a century ago. Most of these other objects are useless to us unless we aim to kill off a herd of cattle! I tried to steal one, but the entire coven almost hexed me. That was one time I was glad to see our brothers come drag me home."
Kol tossed down the hexed rooster claw into the box of those they did not have a use for.
"I would have liked to see that, I think." Freya's brow creased, she thought aloud, gingerly touching the the Devil's Star, asking, "What if we could use the magic in these so-called useless objects and put them into new ones? It would of course destroy the object, but we could keep the magic."
Kol smirked, "Sister, I like the way you think. I have not yet seen it done, but with your power, it should be possible. One witch doctor I studied with in Morocco used to say that energy once created, could not be destroyed. So the magic could, at least theoretically, transfer."
"There is albeit only one way to find out," Freya said. "But mayhaps I should try this someone safer. Niklaus warned me not to burn his house to cinders. I told him the boys were learning quickly and a few mishaps are normal. Damon's power is growing faster than I had hoped. Solomon, too."
Kol barked out a laugh, playing with a magical pocket watch, "Tis only a few cinders. He is so paranoid!"
Kol and Freya were training Damon and Solomon as much as they dared. Fire magic was always uncertain and Freya was able to quell the fire, but the extinguished rubble did smoke a great deal. No one knew that burning metal could give off such an awful smell.
Freya waved him off, saying, "I could use some daggers. Do you have any on hand?"
"Nay, I gave you all of my arsenal. If I know Nik, though, he has a stash hidden. Let me find him and see," Kol said.
"He went into town with Elijah and Finn," Freya noted. "Something about a council meeting in town?"
"Ah, dammit, that means I need to grovel to Marcellus. Bloody hell," Kol cursed. "But I shall fetch you what you need."
Freya was already gathering her supplied. They still had much to do and time was growing short.
Home of William Forbes
"Did our invite for this get together get lost in the post, gentleman?" Klaus asked, as the three Original vampires strolled through the front door.
William Forbes, almost went for his pistol before he saw that he recognized the three men. He styled himself as some kind of lawman in the town, but had no official duties. Elijah had compelled his wife to invite them in and then told her to leave.
"Ah, the Mikaelson brothers," Thomas Fell said, taking a sip of whiskey. "This gathering is only for prominent businessmen. I do not think you qualify."
Finn grinned and took the glass out of the stunned man's hands. Finn downed the rest of the whiskey. As he suspected, it was good quality.
"Actually, we own the Mystic Falls saloon, along with my wife," Finn added. "But I believe you already knew that."
William Forbes, the de facto lawman, balked. "This is a private gathering."
Elijah smiled, "I do not see Giuseppe Salvatore here. Who is representing him and his interests?"
"Mr. Salvatore is not up to this council anymore," Barnette Lockwood thundered. "What do you want, Mr. Mikaelson? We do not cotton to outsiders here."
Klaus sneered, "Oh, I am afraid we are not outsiders. We have been here long before any of your kin were either."
"Niklaus," Elijah chided. "Let us be clear with these men. All we want is our rightful seat at the table. Can you acknowledge that or do you need more proof that we belong here?"
Niklaus let his eyes glow yellow a moment before smiling.
"Do share, gentlemen. We have other business to attend to tonight? We you let us join you or do we need to be... clearer?" Klaus pressed.
Thomas grimaced, "We will listen to what you have to say. I suppose we do not have much of a choice."
Elijah sat down primly, "Nay, you do not. To begin..."
Old Wine Cellar
Mikaelson Property
"Sister! Marcellus! Please cover yourselves, it tis I," Kol called out. He pulled out a cigar and smoked as he waited for his sister and Marcel to emerge. Kol had followed Klaus a few times and surmised this was his "wine cellar" though not the only one hidden on the property.
"Kol! What do you want?" Rebekah fumed, her dress was askew and there was a leaf in her hair.
"I am glad you two made your amends. You are always full of wroth whilst the two of you lovers are fighting. But I have come for another purpose, the key," Kol finished, stomping out his cigar.
"The key? You jest," Marcel said, irritated. "Why the hell would we give that to you?"
"I care not for your excellent vintages, but there is something else I need," Kol said carefully, eyeing Marcel.
Rebekah hastily was buttoning her dress. "Marcel, I going home. I bade thee goodnight. Kol, go bugger yourself!"
"Love you, too, Bekah!" Kol grinned as she stomped off. "The key, Marcellus?"
"But...," Marcel said. "Papa said to give it to no one."
"Freya needs some things. I know my brother, and I assume he has what we need," Kol said.
Marcel frowned, "I cannot fight you, Kol. I learned that a long time ago, but I am not giving you the blasted key! I promised Papa that."
"Your reticence to do so is making me more curious," Kol said. "I am sorry in advance, Marcel."
Kol vamped to Marcel and quickly snapped his neck. He caught him and laid him down on the ground. He had to find out what Nik was hiding here.
Tillerman Home
Pace Street
Hank felt her swollen cheek and winced. She had supped with Mrs. Smith and calmly listened to the insane woman's ranting. How could Papa have not seen that this woman was unhinged?
After supper, Mrs. Smith had insisted on helping Hank undress and then put her to bed. She pinched Hank hard enough to leave a bruise on her upper arm and slapped her twice more. Hank planned to abscond to the Mikaelson estate as soon as night grew. She started to get up but staggered to the floor. Her eyesight was blurry in the dim room. She barely had sipped the tea the old lady had pushed on her. It tasted odd, metallic somehow.
Then, Mrs. Smith had forced her to eat her horrid fruit cake. As Hank choked down a few bites of the foul dessert, Mrs. Smith had relaxed. Was that was she had drugged?
Hank faltered to the floor and passed out.
When she awoke, the woman had her back in her bed and was examining her. Hank tried to move and found that she was barely able to move a limb.
Mrs. Smith chuckled to herself, "Aye, too thin, but that can be fixed. Yes, I have a nice one for you. He will pay handsomely...if only you keep your shrew mouth shut!"
Hank inwardly protested as the woman poked and prodded her most delicate parts. Mrs. Smith grasped Hank's throat, "Still pure...Ah, yes. I have dealt with your lip for that last time, little one. I am sure your Papa will be most saddened that you up and took off. But would be surprised at such a willful act by a wanton like yourself. I think not."
Hank passed out again and awoke feeling dazed.
"I have to get out of here," Hank said. Her bedroom was on the second floor but Hank thought quickly of how she could escape. The window! Hank tested her limbs and felt her physical strength returning, though she felt a bit groggy. Conjuring all of her will, she prayed to her late mother for more strength, she would need it.
With effort, Hank slipped out of her bed and crept to her open window. Somehow managing not to break her neck, she climbed out, clutching on to the nearby oak tree for her very life. She had been doing this nightly since she moved in to visit with Apple and take in the stars. She knew every foot fall and branch.
When Hank reached the ground, still in her white night dress and bare feet, she heard voices. Lightly stepping to the front of the house, she saw Mrs. Smith usher in two men in hats and dark clothing. Once they entered the house, she raced to Apple's stable. She threw on the heavy saddle and bade Apple to trot outside.
As Hank took off, she heard a voice yell, "There she is. Stop her." But Hank knew she was running for her life. She gripped onto Apple's mane and headed towards the Mikaelson estate, not exactly sure where she was headed.
It was dark and she had no lantern.
