TW: Spanking involved. If you don't like, skip the prologue. This will probably be the only time it's mentioned unless it's being talked about by the characters. Please don't let the prologue keep you from reading.

Varian whimpered as he laid stomach first across his father's lap. It wasn't fair. He was the adopted sibling and, obviously, Fredric didn't love him the same way as Rapunzel. He would never lay a finger on Rapunzel and would much rather cut off an arm than make his daughter cry.

He, on the other hand, didn't seem to care a lick for Varian. Whenever something went wrong. It was Varian. If Varian and Rapunzel got in trouble, Rapunzel got a scolding while Varian had a sore behind. It just wasn't fair.

Varian missed Ariana. Ever since she got sick, she hadn't been around. Frankly, that's when Fredric started hitting him. Ariana had been basically stuck in bed for a year now. He didn't want to tell her about his problems, she had enough of her own.

He couldn't bring himself to tell Rapunzel either. She never knew about them, otherwise she would have demanded to be treated likewise. If anything, Varian was certain that these "private talks" were actually secret for once.

Smack!

Varian held his breath as the first swatt was smacked on his bear bottom. A continuous rain of them started coming down. Tears started to sting in Varian's eyes against his will.

Suddenly, Fredric shifted him, making Varian move forward more. His legs were now higher and his head was now facing to the ground. He had to use his hands to hold himself up to keep from falling.

The spanking continued on his lower legs. He choked down his sobs, trying to make as little noise as possible. But that was harder to do with each smack.

Fredric took turns, swatting each cheek and leg until it was complete red. He suddenly stopped, which confused Varian. So far, these sessions usually proved to be a little more thorough.

"So far, these sessions haven't been working lately," Fredric said.

Oh, you don't say? I could have told you that day one! In fact, I did! No! You had to keep wasting both our time, your energy, and I had to suffer! Well, done! Your IQ rate is now below 1. Varian answered sarcastically in his own mind.

Fredric stood up and made Varian to lay across the bed. Confused, Varian didn't move. He noticed Fredric taking off his belt.

Oh, sh-

Varian didn't have time to finish that thought before the first strike landed. He gasped, clenching the sheets to his bed. The tears quickly broke free and smothered his face in his bed. Biting his tongue, he was trying to hold back his screams. Eventually, he couldn't hold it back.

"Ah! Agh!"

"Is this getting through to you better?" Fredric stormed.

Varian gasped and panted, swallowing his sobs.

"Well?"

Varian glared at the man, his eyes lighting up with fire. "I hate you! I hate you to hell and back!" He screamed with rage in pain.

"So be it then."

Suddenly the belt came lashing at him quickly. But it wasn't aimed at his behind, but his whole body. It was no longer a folded strap but a metal buckle hitting him. He could even see his own blood staining his clothes as he screamed.

If no one knew about the private sessions, they did now. Varian was screaming bloody murder (not that it was far from the truth at all) and there was no possible way that it went unheard.

When Fredric was done, he merely left the room, locking the door. He left the sobbing, screaming child on the floor curled up in a ball, shaking violently.

After a few minutes, he barely even noticed that Rapunzel was by his side, hushing him, trying to figure out what was going on. She was finally able to get Varian to calm down and get his clothes back on right.

Then she helped him to the balcony to get fresh air. He threw up on the way. This did not help Rapunzel any. She was ready scared to death and was forbidden to grab the nurse.

Once she got him settled, she sat down with him. "What happened?"

"I-"

"Don't lie," Rapunzel pleaded.

"Fredic was displeased by something so I got a "private session"," Varian muttered.

"A what?"

"A thrashing. Fredric gave me a thrashing."

"But... he hasn't done this before... has he?"

Varian hugged himself tighter.

"Varian! how long has this been going on?"

"A year now..." he whimpered.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She cried.

"Because he usually just swings me over his knees and hand spanks me... maybe use a stick and the belt once. Today I lost it on him in the middle of a session and he just started whipping me with the metal buckle."

"I have to talk to him about-"

"That won't work, Raps," Varian whispered.

Rapunzel looked at him sadly as he started coughing up blood. He mut have torn his throat open sore form the screaming. "Then you need to leave," she said at last.

Varian looked at his sister. "What?"

"I'm getting you out of here so you can be happy again."