When Darius entered the young man's room he realized Liam had yet to tidy up the mess he had made the previous day. He spotted Liam laying in his bed, under the covers, with his back turned to the door. Darius could immediately tell that he was not sleeping. Walking around the bed to the side were Liam was facing he sat himself down and rested a gentle hand on the kid's shoulder.
Liam's eyes remained closed but he did not attempt to pretend he was sleeping.
"Look, Liam, I know you've been angry and tired and struggling with a lot more than you should at your age. But none of these excuses your risking your safety and the team's safety by ignoring orders. Not when you were warned about it multiple times. And it doesn't excuse you throwing tantrums and breaking your room, or being disrespectful to those who care about you. Am I wrong?"
Liam's eyes, fluttered open. Wet with tears by now they stayed glued to the floor, but Liam slowly shook his head.
Sighing Darius placed a gentle finger under the kid's chin and pushed it lightly until Liam had no choice but to look at him, "I am so very grateful to have you here, safe and sound, Liam. Don't doubt that for a second. I have come to deeply care for you. And that's why I can't let these events slide. I want you to eat the food that will be brought to you in a few minutes and then get some much-needed sleep. We'll talk about everything tomorrow morning and we'll hopefully be able to leave everything behind us."
Liam nodded lightly and swallowed hard before quietly saying, "I am really sorry, Dar. I'll do whatever you want me to do. Anything to make this right."
The man smiled and ran a hand through the freshly washed wet brown locks of Liam's hair. "I know you will."
"And I am sorry for saying all these things to you before… I didn't mean them. I just exploded on you…." Liam trailed off as his voice broke and hard dobs started shaking his frame.
"Oh, Liam… Hush now! I know you didn't mean them! Come on, calm down now," Darius ran a soothing hand over the heaving back and tried hard to keep his own feelings and reactions at bay. "I promise you, Liam, we'll sort everything out. It's ok, lad."
Liam woke up the next morning with a throbbing head and smarting eyes. Memories of the previous day started flooding in as he became more and more alert. He slowly got up in a sitting position and he glanced at his bedside table. He spotted a small disc with a plate filled with toast bacon and eggs as well as a mug of coffee.
Grabbing the mug first he took in a long sip, grateful that the coffee was still a bit warm. He eyed the food thoughtfully. He decided to eat the toast and then walked to his dresser and opened the first drawer getting out a small vial filled with painkillers. Popping two into his mouth he washed them down with a large gulp of coffee.
He bit his lip trying to decide what he should do next. Should he go seek Darius or wait for him in his room. The thought of sneaking out and attempting to spot Jillian crossed his mind as well but he quickly decided that would not be a smart move to make.
He felt his stomach churn with nervousness and hated this feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty over what would follow. It made him feel young and he hadn't felt that way since even before being accepted to the university as a gifted student at fifteen.
He then proceeded to go to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. Changing his night clothes with a pair of black sweatpants and a dark green t-shirt, he stared at his reflection in the mirror for a second and before he could change his mind he mumbled to himself, "Grow a pair, Liam." Taking a deep breath he walked to his door and opened it reluctantly before stepping out to the corridor.
He walked slowly towards the tree-house and remained still outside the sliding doors for a minute or so. Feeling stupid over how nervous he was he drew in a shaky breath and pressed the button causing the doors to slide open and allow him entrance to Darius' cozy living space.
The man was sitting on the sofa with a laptop on his lap and appeared lost in his thoughts. When he turned his face to see who had entered, Liam noticed his eyes seemed tired and red with dark circles underneath. It was that very moment that the reality of how much a toll last day's fiasco had taken on the man.
"Liam!' Darius beckoned a bit surprised. He had expected he'd have to seek the kid out on his own at some point but not that he'd come to him on his own accord.
"Hey…" The kid said quietly and stood in the middle of the room awkwardly.
Darius smiled at him and closed the laptop placing it on the coffee table as he patted the spot next to him, indicating Liam should join him. When Liam sat and awkwardly laced his hands together looking everywhere but at Darius, the man asked: "Did you eat any breakfast?"
"Yeah, thanks for sending me some up here," Liam answered his voice quieter than usual and lacking his usual enthusiasm and confidence.
Darius regarded him carefully before saying, "Liam we both know you're in trouble, but there is no need to be so riled up. I'm not here to bite your head off."
Liam's stance relaxed a bit but he still looked uncomfortable.
"Did you sleep well?" Darius asked again hoping that warming up to some conversation would help things move along.
"Yeah, great," Liam answered immediately.
"Liam…"
Sighing Liam's shoulders slouched a bit and he drew one of his sock-covered feet close to his chest while his other one tapped nervously on the carpet, "I had a lot of nightmares, woke up all the time."
Darius nodded. His expression was calm as he commented, "That is completely understandable and expected considering what you've experienced these last couple of days. I was thinking that you'd might want to consider seeing a therapist to help you cope with everything."
Liam grimaced at the thought and dared to shake his head, "No, Darius, I… I don't want or need a shrink. I can deal with it on my own."
Darius leaned forward towards the young man resting his hands on his knees as he answered, "I don't doubt you can, but that doesn't mean you have to."
When the young man shook his head again, Darius decided to let it go for now. "How are you feeling about yesterday?" The man asked, hoping he was not too confronting and Liam wouldn't shut him out.
"Shitty…" Liam answered. As soon as he uttered the word he stole a glance at Darius' displeased countenance and hastily added, "Sorry!"
Darius smiled lightly and nodded appreciating how the kid immediately apologized.
When he did not otherwise reprimand him Liam cleared his throat. "I know you're probably mad at me and you have every right. I was stupid and risked Harris' and everyone else's safety and I have really regretted that."
Darius face serious and solemn by now nodded again. "Why, though, Liam? I was listening to everything. You defied orders not once but twice. And honestly, I can understand the first one. It was a good judgment call making sure to take as much crystal as possible. And even though I got angry at that moment I was willing to let it go considering you had those few seconds to spare after all. But then running off on your own, when Harriss ordered you to wait for them. That I can't understand."
Liam racked his brain to find the words that could explain himself to Darius. "I… I just let my anger and frustration take over. I felt like I could prove myself capable. Prove that I can protect myself and accomplish a mission…"
Darius looked at him intently, "I sense that is not all...:" He simply commented.
Liam's cheeks flushed a bright shade of pink as he lowered his eyes and cracked his fingers, feeling obviously uncomfortable.
"Liam…"
There was that warning tone again. "I also wanted to make you worry. To get back at you."
Darius nodded. He had thought so as well.
When he didn't say anything Liam anxiously continued, "But I am really sorry. I was an ass to you and I get that now. I am still mad I couldn't get to share everything with Jillian but I know it was not just your call to make. And I feel so awful now for acting the way I did towards you…"
"Thank you for saying that, Liam, but the issue here is not so much the disrespect or what you put me through, but what you put you through. The fact that you risked your life!" The last phrase was spoken with such intensity that Liam flinched and lowered his eyes again.
"You are still young and acting emotionally is still your first go-to response. I get that. But you need to learn to control your emotions, you need to think before you act. You can't ever risk your safety over anger or sadness or spite. Taking care of yourself and keeping out of unnecessary danger is top priority! This is completely unacceptable. Am I clear, Liam?"
"Yes," Liam all but whispered.
"And wasn't I very clear on that even before you boarded that plane?" When Liam did not answer he snapped, "Liam answer me!"
Jumping slightly at the man's tone Liam immediately answered: "Sorry, yes you were."
"And lastly wasn't I very clear over the fact that there would be consequences, if you disregarded me on this and disobeyed Harris' orders?" Darius asked in a stern tone.
"You were clear," Liam answered quietly again hating the fact that right now he felt all of five years old.
Darius nodded satisfied. "Liam, today's consequences are not negotiable, if you want to continue working with me. I can't have you thinking you can act as carelessly as yesterday ever again and I won't reinforce such behavior by letting this slide without consequences. You'll be punished for your actions and then we'll put this behind us. You'll learn from your mistakes and we'll continue with a clean slate."
Liam flushing for the millionth time only nodded a bit numb. A voice inside of him tried to persuade him to tell Darius to fuck off, that he was an adult and he wouldn't be treated like a child. Then again, he had acted like a child. And there was something about Darius, an aura of authority, a feeling of easiness and comfort when he was around the man, a sense of deep respect for him. Bringing back to his mind Harris words he knew where this was going even before Darius opened his mouth again.
"The first part of your punishment will be a spanking," Darius said decisively and waited for Liam's reaction. Other than his eyes shutting and the kid biting his lips nothing came out of him.
"You are also grounded for a week. During that time I also expect to lick your room clean. You will have access to your phone only during working hours but you'll hand it over to me, along with your laptop, when you return to your room for the remainder of your grounding."
"But what if I need to research some new idea or whatever?" Liam argued for the first time feeling more and more lousy with every new word that left Darius' mouth.
"You'll come to find me and we'll research it together, no matter what time it is."
Liam huffed annoyed but did not dare to argue any further, reminding himself why he was in this position. Willing himself to prove himself an adult and face the consequences of his own stupidity.
Darius looked at the kid intently. Liam looked so young. He remembered his own self at his age and how distant and indifferent his uncle always had been, not to mention his own father. He cringed thinking the stupid things he'd done, the numerous times he stupidly risked his own life in attempts to see who and if would care. No. He wouldn't let Liam go down that path. Nodding once mostly to himself the man said, "Right then, let's move back to why you're here."
Liam's thoughts abruptly returned to his impending punishment and he felt his stomach fall to his feet.
Darius looked at the young man and spoke in an even but stern tone, "Since this is the very first time this is happening, and I guess it's something you haven't experienced in a long time, I am going to be lenient. If there ever is a next time where you unnecessarily endanger your safety, health or life, you will be spanked with a belt on your bare bottom." Letting that sink in and noting the furious blush on Liam's face, Darius continued after another second. "This time though you'll be punished just with my hand and a wooden ruler."
Just. Hand. Ruler. Liam felt the room swirl together. The surrealism of this moment was so intense he sat at his mentor's couch at a complete loss of how to react. This was not what he had expected when he found himself working for his idol. Then again, his idol turned out to be so much more than what he had expected.
Darius sensing how hard things should be for the kid proceeded to move to the desk in the other side of the room, grab the ruler from where it rested on top of some blueprints, and return to the couch. He placed the piece of wood on the sofa behind him and sat next to Liam. Before anything else, he asked the young man, "Do you trust me, Liam?"
Liam turned his warm brown eyes to the man and nodded without hesitation. "With my life. With the whole world's lives, to be accurate!"
Smiling at his attempt to lighten the atmosphere Darius nodded and drew in a deep, much-needed breath. He gently took hold of Liam's left hand and tugged him over his knees.
Liam allowed himself to be led where Darius wanted him. H felt the room swirling once again. His face flamed up yet again with embarrassment as he felt Darius arranging him over his knees. His torso rested on the sofa, at the man's left side while his legs dangled over Darius' right side. He felt the older man moving a bit more and then his legs were suddenly locked between Darius' knees, his bottom now propped up over the man's left thigh. Next thing he knew, his sweatpants and briefs were lowered, by Darius, in one swift motion.
"Darius, no!" Liam exclaimed and tried to get up but the man had him effectively pinned with his legs and his left arm circled around his waist.
"Sorry, Liam, but when it gets to this, you have no say over what is happening or how," Darius patiently informed him matter-of-factly.
When Liam did not respond he continued by asking "Why are you about to receive this spanking, Liam?"
The young man fought hard to remain calm and not give anymore attitude but as the reality of what was happening struck him, he started losing the fight fastly.
Darius noticed the tense stance of the kid's body and his balled fists. Honestly, he had expected resistance to begin a lot earlier and was thankful that the kid had managed to control himself up to this point. "Liam!" the man snapped, "When I am asking you something I expect prompt verbal answers!"
Gritting his teeth Liam managed to answer "Because you think I am a child and that this is somehow appropriate?"
Darius shook his head and raised his hand for the first time. He hadn't done this in a long time and the feelings and memories the situation brought to the surface made him sincerely hope he was doing right my by Liam. As his hand fell to the upturned bottom the loud sound of flesh meeting flesh erupted through the room.
Liam inhaled sharply more out of sock than pain at that first smack.
A second later though, Darius' hand descended two more times at the very same spot causing Liam to hiss at the building sting. He had never thought of Darius as physically strong, but now he could tell he was sorely mistaken.
"Let's try that again, shall we?" Darius asked in a sharp tone. " Why are you in this position, Liam?"
The young man gulped with difficulty. Inside his head, a battle was raging. One part of him wanted nothing more than to cooperate with Darius and prove himself as a mature and responsible adult who learned from his mistakes. But another part of him wanted to do anything in his power to not give Darius the satisfaction of winning this battle and validate this childish punishment.
When he remained silent for a few more seconds Darius raised his hand again and landed five powerful smacks to Liam's upper thighs causing the young man over his lap to yell out in pain.
Realising it would be in his best interest not to further aggravate the older man, Liam hastily answered, "Ok! Ok! Because I risked my life during the operation!"
Darius nodded satisfied and raised his hand again. After landing ten hard smacks that covered the whole of Liam's bottom the man paused again to speak, "You endangered your life which is completely unacceptable. You also endangered the safety of the rest of the team as well as the success of the operation. If you had fallen in the hands of the enemy due to your blatant disregard of orders none of our efforts, none of your efforts would have mattered. Do you think this was a safe bet to take Liam?"
Liam felt hot tears rising to his eyes upon the man's words. He was right and Liam knew it perfectly well. Not able to bring himself to be smart with the man anymore he simply whispered, "No…" and hid his face in his folded arms, bracing himself to take whatever Darius decided to doll out.
Darius nodded satisfied with the change in the kid's attitude and stance. "I hate it had to come to this Liam, but I need to know you'll learn from this. I need to know I can trust you to take care of yourself. I need to know I won't lose you due to your own careless acts." With these words, he raised his hand once again and he began punishing the barely flushed bottom in front of him. Smack after smack he covered the whole of the kid's cheeks and every now and then he traveled a bit southern and paid some attention to the sensitive upper thighs as well.
Liam began to cry in earnest sooner than he'd like. Darius wasn't holding back. Every swat intensified the steadily building fire on his backside. It hurt and burned and smarted all at the same time and Liam couldn't really comprehend how it could get worse and worse with every powerful smack. His guilt shot through him intensifying his crying and he soon felt his body reacting to the smarting pain on its own accord. His legs twitched and kicked as much as they could, pinned between Darius'. His waist desperately tried to move away from the line of fire but had no such luck.
After a series of hard smacks all on the lower part of his bottom, the young man exclaimed a desperate "I'm sorry! Please!"
Darius felt his own heart churning at Liam's crying. His palm tingled and smarted a lot and that alone was a very strong indicator of how much more Liam's bottom suffered. Deciding that it was time to wrap things up he paused momentarily. He ran a soothing hand over Liam's heaving back. "We're almost done, alright? I am gonna finish up with the ruler now and then it will be over. You'll be forgiven and we'll put this behind us."
Liam kept crying in his hands feeling exhausted. His bottom hurt so much he couldn't really imagine how much worse the ruler could make it.
Darius closed his eyes for a second trying to gather his resolve. He reminded himself the moment he heard Harris yell to Liam to wait, once twice and the sound of the gunshots. He reminded himself how he felt when he thought he had lost the kid. How Liam had looked at him in the eye and promised to follow every order before getting on that plane.
With this in mind, he lifted the flat piece of sturdy wood and snapped it sharply on the top of the reddened cheeks.
The pained yell of Liam did nothing to stop him as he lifted the implement and brought it down again directly below where the first swat had landed. He kept going, covering the whole backside with sharp swats. He watched as the color of Liam's bottom turned a well-spanked red and decided he'd finish with ten last swats. He landed five of them on the kid's sit spots and the last five on his upper thighs.
As soon as the last swat landed, Darius let the ruler fall to the carpeted floor and his hand immediately started rubbing Liam's back once again. "It's over Liam. It's over, lad," he said in a soothing tone.
Liam heard his words and even though his sitting area was throbbing intensely he realized that indeed he didn't hear the sound of the swats anymore. He knew he should probably get up but he couldn't bring himself to do so. A new wave of fresh tears and sobs erupted in him and he started blubbering apologies to Darius once again.
Darius felt like the worst person on the planet at that very moment. He knew he had been hard on Liam but not as hard as he could have been considering the reason for this punishment. He realized though that all the pressure and negative feelings of the last days had finally found a way out of Liam and he kept offering soothing words to the young man. When he felt Liam's sobs slowing down he gently and carefully brought his clothes back to their place. Then he used gentle hands to help the kid up to a sitting position.
Liam hissed when his weight shifted to his punished bottom but allowed Darius to move him nonetheless.
Darius looked at the kid's tear-streaked face, his wet eyes, and his miserable expression and did not hesitate for a second before scooting closer and hugging him tightly. He felt Liam immediately dissolving in the embrace and hiding his face in the man's shoulder.
Darius cupped a hand behind Liam's neck and gently rocked him from side to side until he felt Liam's breathing returning to its normal rhythm and only the occasional sob escaping his lips. Only then did he break the embrace and looked at the kid with kind eyes.
"Are you alright?" he dared to ask.
At the silent nod and downcast eyes, Darius sighed, "I am very proud of you, Liam."
These words were enough to get the wet brown eyes to look at the man disbelievingly.
"I am. It takes a very strong man to accept the consequences of his actions and see the errors of his way. And I am honored you trusted me with your correction."
"I am really sorry, Dar."
Darius smiled affectionately at the kid and nodded, "I know and you are forgiven. No need to further apologize, alright?"
Liam only nodded. He felt exhausted.
Darius shot to his feet and went to the small fridge kept in the tree house. He grabbed a bottle of water and quickly came back to Liam offering it to him.
Liam thankfully accepted it only now realizing just how thirsty he felt. When he gulped down almost all of its content, Darius took the bottle back and placed it on the coffee table. Then, without hesitation, he propped up a couple of throw pillows at the end of the sofa and motioned for Liam to lie down.
"I… I need to get to work…" Liam said awkwardly even though he wanted nothing more than to lay down.
Darius simply shook his head, "Not before getting some much-needed rest. Lay down. Now."
Liam nodded and carefully laid himself down on his stomach resting his head on the soft pillows and stretching his legs behind him. He felt a light fleece blanket cover him and his eyes fluttered closed as he almost immediately drifted off to a deep dreamless slumber.
Darius placed the two mugs of steaming coffee quietly on the coffee table as he sat at the edge of the sofa where Liam was laying still sleeping. The light snoring that was heard made Darius smile. With a gentle hand on the kid's shoulder, he lightly shook him. "Liam?"
The young man started stirring and after a few seconds opened his eyes. He looked around him and then glanced at Darius. He groaned lightly at the realization of why he was sleeping in the man's couch hit him. "I need to get to work," he mumbled as he rubbed his palm down his face.
"We both do, but not just yet. I need to talk to you about something." Darius said his voice uneasy.
Liam slowly turned to his back and gingerly sat up trying to ignore his still aching ass. "What's going on?" he asked a bit worriedly.
Darius cleared his throat as he leaned forward to grab one of the two cups and offer it to Liam. The young man took it and ignoring the hot temperature sipped in a large gulp of the strong beverage.
"I need to apologize about Jillian. At first, when I brought her here, it was just another way to ensure your cooperation and motivation. It was nothing more than a selfish act back then, you were right."
Liam regarded the man silently, trying to take it all in.
"But then I got to know you better. Both you and her. And I saw in her something more. So much more. I am sure all the things you also saw and fell in love with her. I also realized just how selfless and genuine your own devotion to our cause is and it made me feel awful. I might've brought her here to secure you, but she means a lot to what we're trying to achieve Liam."
Silence again from the young man.
"I need you to understand… I was thinking of you through the prism of how I was at your age. Selfish and greedy. I couldn't even fathom how could a young man at your age put the planet's fate above his own. But I know now what a wonderful and selfless person you are. And I know how much Jillian means to you. I apologize Liam and I really hope I can find a way to make this up to you. I put you in a spot with her, but I really only wish the best for you, I need you to believe me on this…" the man trailed off unsure of how to continue or even if you should.
Liam regarded him with an unreadable expression but then nodded. "Thank you for apologizing. And for telling me all this. I forgive you."
Darius nodded solemnly before opening his mouth one last time, "I promise to never lie to you again Liam."
Liam nodded, "I'd greatly appreciate that. And one more thing."
"Name it." Darius immediately said looking at the kid through his dark eyes.
"Tell all this you just told me to Jillian. She might believe me then." Liam said seriously.
"It's the least I can do," the man answered smiling.
"Right. We'd better start working on that crystal then," Liam said a bit awkwardly.
Darius stood and nodded, "You know, Harris was right yesterday. With the exception of your mistake in disobeying him, you did great yesterday. We owe this second chance to you."
Liam smiled widely at that as the two of them walked towards the elevator.
A/N: The end! So, any thoughts? Did you like it? Did you not? Am I the only one who fantasized over this episode or are there more people out there? Would you like to see more one-shots between Darius and Liam? Or other people of the series? I'd love to hear your requests or proposals and maybe write them out in future one-shots! I really hope at least some of you enjoyed this as much as I did!
To my readers of the other story (Of suits and heroes), I promise I am working on it diligently! I got some ideas on how to proceed with the plotline and I've been working on my characters a bit as it felt like they needed some more depth and color. Anyways that update will come as well, as soon as I am pleased with the outcome!
