Danny had knew what was coming, but to hear the words actual meant it was happening. He hesitated only briefly. Frank excused the hesitation and waited for Danny to comply. Across the desk, Jamie silently tried to corral his tears but at the declaration of his brother losing his pants, the tears started again in earnest.
He would be next.
"Can I loose the jacket, too?" Danny asked feeling increasingly uncomfortable confined by the material. Frank nodded in approval as Danny shucked the jacket and tossed it lightly on the forgotten desk chair. His hand shook like the first time he fired his service weapon as they went to the button of his slacks.
They easily fell revealing Danny's navy boxer briefs. As Danny returned to position, he noted the burn had decreased only slightly but it soon would be reignited. Returning to his protective fortress of his folded arms, he waited for his father to lay into him his remaining swats.
Though they were thin dress pants, they had offered an extra layer. Without them, the splat of the wood to his behind caused him to hiss in pain. His fist clench tighter during the few seconds his dad allowed for the pain to equalize. When the next swat landed, he couldn't help but groan. His dad had a talent in swinging the paddle and making his children see the errors of their ways.
Jamie couldn't watch as he was forced to endure listening to the paddle land. Danny had been more brave than he and had been able to stay silent during the first five licks, but as the paddle landed for the third time, he cried out. A mixture of relief and dread swirled within him. Relief that even Danny cried during a spanking. Dread that if Danny was crying, he had no chance.
A fourth swat came low. Too low in Danny's mind but exactly where Frank intended it to land. It caught more thigh than buttock. Danny couldn't help the scream of pain that slipped through his lips. He banged his closed fist against the desk. Frank shook his head.
His son could never keep his temper in check. He contemplated another one just for the outburst, but he also recognized Danny's feeble attempts to remain silent. He'd let it slide.
Tears ran down his cheeks freely now giving up on being stoic. He bounced his knees trying to alleviate some of the pain. Biting on the fist he shoved in his mouth, Danny tried to collect himself.
He knew what was next. But that didn't lessen the shock to hear it come from his father. "Lower your shorts, son."
Jamie looked up in shock. He shouldn't be surprised. All Frank Reagan's spankings ended on the bare if they didn't start that way. But Jamie couldn't imagine the pain that paddle brought with zero layers of protection.
Danny pleaded from his position. "Please dad." He tried weakly.
Frank didn't respond allowing his son time to obey under his own will. But when there was no movement from his son's part outside of the dancing of his buns, Frank spoke eerily calm. "I will lower them for you, but you will not like the consequences." He warned.
Danny shook his head and finally gathered himself enough to push up from the desk. The two brothers made eye contact for a quick second before Jamie looked to his feet again. Danny groaned as his fingers went into the band of his underwear and pulled them southward.
Frank encouraged his eldest with a pat on the shoulder before directing him back into position. Lining up the paddle, the angry red circles of impact glowed from the top of Danny's rump to his thighs. He'd be feeling the effects of his actions long into next week.
The sound of wood on bare skin caused Jamie to jump in his seat. Then came the cries of Danny. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" He sobbed openly.
Frank lined up again and this time it hit lower. Instantly the redness appeared brighter than its surrounding colors. Danny's back arched high as he tried to push up from the desk. Frank's hand forced him back down.
"One more, son." He thought to himself willing Danny to stay in position.
Quickly and effectively, the paddle landed low at the top of the thighs. Danny screeched uncharacteristically. Jamie's eye shot up making sure his father had not shot Danny as the noises reverberated off the walls.
Defeated and well punished, Danny sobbed into his arms. "I'm sorry, dad." He repeated over and over though it came in between choked sobs.
Frank allowed Danny a moment of wallowing before he lowered himself once again to Danny's ear. With his hand resting on Danny neck, he gave a gentle squeeze drawing the attention of his oldest. "I'm proud of you son." He spoke softly.
Danny shook his head. "Nothing to be proud of." He spoke through shuddered breaths.
"False." Frank stated pulling Danny vertical. Physical touches such as hugs and kisses were not common practices in the Reagan household. Except for at the end of correction and discipline.
Frank collected Danny into his arms and rocked him slightly. Danny's grip on the back of his dad's suit coat could withhold during a hurricane. Frank whispered soothing words as he held the back of Danny's head close to his shoulder.
Jamie watched his father and brother. Though he yearned for the comforting touch of his father, he didn't want to endure what it would take to receive it.
"Right yourself and go have a seat." Frank said as he felt Danny regain composure.
Groaning, Danny looked up from beneath his thick eyelashes. "Can I stand?"
The sight of his eldest, red eyed, snotty nose, helplessly rubbing his rump would be a comedy of errors, but he'd earned his punishment. "No sir. You can obey or I can add a swat or two." He lightly threatened.
Danny's eyes bulged and gingerly reached down to pull up his pants. The movement caused him to grimace and he couldn't help whimper as the material pulled over his battered backside. Frank gathered Danny once again in his arms once his son had been properly clothed.
"I'm sorry, Dad." Danny said into his father's shoulder.
Frank gave him a firm pat on the shoulder and kissed the top of his head. He stood a foot taller than both his boys, who unfortunately inherited their mother's height. But it allowed him easy access to the crown of their heads. "Go have a seat please."
Danny headed for the dreaded chair and was reminded of Jamie, who had tears sliding down his face and looked petrified. Wishing he could protect his brother from the pain he was about to endure, Danny did the next best thing. Pulling him to his feet, he collected Jamie in his arms.
"It'll be ok." He whispered.
Jamie whimpered into his big brother's shoulder right where he'd fit for many years. Frank watched the two embrace with the burn of tears in his own eyes. He didn't know how he was going to paddle his precious Jamie. But eye for an eye.
"Jameson, your turn."