Prompt for Willingtolive about Damon and raven abilities (From S1, Ep.1)
Pairing: Mason Lockwood/Tyler (M/m) hand
Mystic Falls High School
Monday, April 2, 2012
Lunch
Earlier
Caroline came back to the lunch time. Tyler was now talking to guys from the football team about his plans for a Friday night party in the woods. She saw Matt now tearing apart the little milk carton and felt sad for him.
"Matt? Come over here and meet the new girls," Caroline called, her voice bordering shrill.
"I'm okay, Caroline," Matt grumbled into his empty tray. He could eat more but the free lunches were designed for children, not a boy of his size.
"Matthew Donovan," Elena scolded. "Don't be antisocial!"
Matt smiled and got up. He'd do it for Elena although he was feeling antisocial right now.
"Thank you," Elena said as he came over and took a seat on the picnic table bench beside her. "This is Rebekah Mikaelson, Klaus' sister. And of course, you remember April."
"Hi Rebekah," Matt said, limply taking her outstretched hand. He looked at April. "Sorry about your dad. He'll be missed."
"Thanks," April replied, trying to remember Matt. Then, it hit her, this was "Matty's" brother. "Oh, Matt. I almost didn't recognize you. You're a lot taller and your voice is deep now. Where's Vicki? I haven't seen her today..."
Matt grimaced, "Um, she's in the hospital. Getting some help. So you are staying with Ric and Jenna now?"
"Yeah, they've been great. I didn't realize I'd have Ric for class though. That's kinda weird," April smiled.
"I'm not sure what I have next," Rebekah realized, pulling out her schedule. "Oh, it says English."
"Really? With Mrs. Tanner?" Matt asked, grabbing the paper. "Yup, you're with me. We have to read Macbeth. I have no clue what is happening."
"Speaking of, there's my brother Kol," Rebekah grunted. "He's a big fan. I'm sure he can give you the ins and outs of Shakespeare. He used to have the completed works."
Kol approached, unable to take his eyes off of Caroline.
"My dear, what a rare beauty you are," Kol purred, grabbing Caroline's hand to kiss it.
Caroline giggled and pulled back her hand. Tyler had punched other boys for less.
"Bekah, your brother is weird," Caroline laughed again.
"Kol, Matthew and I will be studying Macbeth in class. Isn't that one of your favorite tragedies? Perhaps you can tutor us?" Rebekah mentioned, trying to take a small bite of the rubbery pizza in front of her. She gagged and went to gulp some blood from her thermos.
Kol grinned and threw Rebekah a paper napkin, quoting,""The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! Where gott'st those that goose look?'"
"What?" April asked in confusion.
"Ignore him, April. He's an idiot. Come on, Matt, walk me to class," Rebekah said, getting up and dragging Matt by the arm.
"Do you even know where you are going?" Matt gaped.
"No idea, but if I don't get away from my daft brother, I'm going to pummel him," Rebekah said.
Matt nodded, "I, um, like the green streak in your hair. It looks really cool."
Rebekah self-consciously patted her otherwise blood hair, saying, "Ah, thanks. I try."
"You're really pretty. I know what your brother tried to do to Elena a while back, but I'm sure you weren't a part of that," Matt sympathized.
"No, I was...was not around then," Rebekah stated, surprised Matt knew of the situation. "But Nik has changed. He is focused on family now."
"That's good. Because Elena's a good person. She's been through enough," Matt replied. "Now, can we turn around? Our class is the complete other direction?"
"Oh," Rebekah smiled, taking Matt's arm. "Lead the way, sir."
Matt blushed and muttered, "You're kinda weird. Is that the way they talk in Europe or wherever you were?"
"Do you even know where Europe is?" Rebekah teased.
Matt flushed brighter, "Not really, but I'd like to go there. I bet my old truck wouldn't make it, though."
Rebekah almost doubled over in laughter, and then felt badly.
"Well, Mr. Donovan, I shall take you to Europe someday and buy you a new truck! What say you?" Rebekah smiled.
"I say that I'm in," Matt said. "It's right over here."
Fourth Hour
Chemistry
Tyler's eyes narrowed. Kol Mikaelson. The dude who was flirting with his girl at lunch...Kol was chatting in the hallway with a girl and she was pointing into the classroom.
"Kick his ass," Franklin, a guy on Tyler's wrestling team suggested.
"Shh," Tyler hissed. "Just let it go."
Normally, Tyler would have already twisted the asshole's arm and made his cry, but he knew who Kol was. He was an Original vampire. Fuck. What the hell was he doing at MFHS? And how was Tyler going to get rid of him.
"But man, he was talking to your girlfriend!" Franklin said stupidly.
"I know that," Tyler replied in a hushed voice. "Shut up, dude."
Franklin rolled his eyes and turned to talk to one of the other guys as Tyler watched in horror at Kol entered the class. The elderly teacher, Mr. Hobbs gave him a toothy grin and chatted him up.
"Ah, excuse me, class," Mr. Hobbs began. "We have a new student from Europe today. Kol will be joining the class and need a lab partner. Hannah, Kristen, could you accommodate him?"
The girls smiled and gestured the handsome vampire over. He gave them a charming smile and set down his books.
"Today, we shall we be doing an experiment with methanol. This is a highly flammable material and you will have to wear the goggles on your table. Please take out your lab books and turn to page 33," Mr. Hobbs instructed.
As the teacher droned on, Tyler's gaze followed Kol. Every girl in the room seemed to be drooling over him. Tyler rolled his eyes and elbowed his other lab partner, Chucky.
"Are you paying attention? If we fail this lab, I'm going to have a D," Tyler complained.
Franklin laughed, "No worries, man. This is my third time taking the class. I've got this."
Tyler wondered if he had made a mistake picking two of the dumbest guys for his partners. Besides football and wrestling, Tyler had also lettered in baseball. He didn't have time for this school shit.
"Now, take the pipette and add a small portion of the liquid into the salt bowl. I will demonstrate the correct procedure. Mr. Mikaelson, would you assist me? My eyes are not what they used to be," Mr. Hobbs joked. Tyler groaned, this guy was half in the grave.
"Problem, Mr. Lockwood. I would hate to have to report to your coaches that you failed another lab," Mr. Hobbs said, after directing Kol what to do. Kol put on the safety goggles and carefully poured the methanol onto the flame dish. An array of rainbow flames shot up, causing the student to gasp in pleasure.
"That's beautiful," a girl up front said. "He's really good at this. Kol, can you be our partner?"
Tyler grunted away and shoved Franklin's hand away.
"I got this," Tyler said, as Mr. Hobbs approached. Chunky asked the aged teacher if he could go to the bathroom.
"Ah, yes," Mr. Hobbes said, approaching Tyler's workspace. "Your partner doesn't seem to know what he is doing..."
Tyler ignored the pipette and dumped a larger portion of the methanol into the salts.
Mr. Hobbs exclaimed, "No! That's too-!"
Tyler's werewolf reflexes allowed him to move back quickly, but Mr. Hobbs wasn't as fast. The flames engulfed the desk and the elderly teacher's sleeves caught on fire.
"Arggghhhh," the old man said as he fell.
"Oh my God, he's dead," Franklin commented.
Kol ran over and threw a fire blanket on the gentleman as the rest of the class screamed in panic.
"Someone call for help," Kol said firmly. "Is everyone else alright?"
A few students ran out to get a nearby teacher as Kol helped Mr. Hobbs. The school nurse was alerted and brought a wheelchair to help the man out. He was dazed and his hands burned.
Principal Weber came rushing in and heard the story from the students.
"We're lucky you were here, Kol. And on your first day, too. Kids, have a seat, we'll get someone to cover. Keep on with the lesson. Kol, nice job," Principal Weber complimented. "Lockwood, you come with me? What the hell were you thinking? Your father isn't going to be too damned happy about this one!"
Tyler yanked up his backpack grumbling, "It wasn't my fault!"
Kol surveyed the room.
"Would anyone like to see that again? But maybe with a bit less methanol?" Kol asked.
The class cheered as Kol did the experiment again with the help of all of the girls in the class.
"Safety googles, ladies," Kol reminded them. Kol thought he might like high school after all.
Mikaelson Mansion
Elijah woke up before the children did and went to call Sheriff Forbes. He wanted to make their adoption official. Sadly, official channels would take months if not years, Sheriff Forbes explained.
"Indy and Julian are here now. How can we expedite this. I can't risk having them go back into foster care and not being taken care of properly," Elijah said. "And there is more, Sheriff...Julian is showing signs of being a witch. He can commune with animals. We can't risk having him go out in the community, he needs training."
The Sheriff said she would call a judge friend and explain the situation.
"But it might cost you, Elijah. This particular judge is aware of our situation in Mystic Falls, but his silence is expensive," Liz Forbes said. "I have a new deputy to train, but I'll get someone on it. Let me get back to you, but you want want to have some cash on hand."
"Not a problem," Elijah said nonchalantly, but inside, he was worried. He went to find Wes. They needed that cash from the Augustines, sooner rather than later.
Enzo chuckled as he came into the living room. Damon was on the couch watching a soap opera with his feet on the coffee table.
"Heard you are on babysitting duty," Stefan grinned, pushing Damon's feet off the table.
"I thought you were learning the ABCS and addition today?" Damon retorted.
Enzo sat down, "Aye, Elijah is picking up where you left off. He said I'm a quick study and I'll be learning Shakespeare next!"
"That's great," Damon said without enthusiasm. "So I see you've decided to let Wes draw breath a bit longer. I have to say I'm surprised. I didn't take you for a forgive and forget type of guy."
Enzo snickered, "Oh, I never forget, Damon. Never. I am just watching and waiting, you can be soon of that. Shit, stop goading me. You are going to get me in trouble."
Damon raised his head and looked at Enzo.
"Enzo, we're just talking here. Why are you getting your panties in a bunch?" Damon inquired, getting up to get a bourbon.
"I, ah, the conditions of me staying here were I had to let Elijah compel me. If I get any murderous impulses, I have to report myself to him," Enzo admitted.
Damon burst out laughing, "Are you fucking serious? You let him compel you! Why not just offer yourself to the Augustines for torture again? It might be better than what Elijah will do to you."
Enzo frowned, "Oh, I know very well what he will do to me!"
"You've had your liver cut out a million times. What could be worse?" Damon asked, knocking back a finger of amber liquid. "What a drink?"
Enzo shook his head, "No mate, no booze for me. I have to be a good lad...If not, I'll get a hiding with that blasted brush. I managed to escape it thus far and I'd like to keep it that way."
"You're afraid of a little smacked bottom?" Damon taunted, pouring himself more alcohol. "Now, that is rich."
Klaus strolled in.
"Damon, what did we say about you drinking?" Klaus chastised.
Damon paled and cleared his throat.
"He was just mocking me for feeling Elijah's magic hair brush," Enzo added, getting up to leave the father and son alone.
"Oh, he was, was he?" Klaus asked, raising his eyebrow. "And that is my brush spelled by my former witch. Now, I came in here to share that we may get some answers to your Traveler issues, but it is going to take some doing. Have either of you heard of the Armory?"
"No," Damon said. "I don't think so...but apparently I'm an alcoholic so maybe my brain was fried."
Klaus' eyes narrowed, "Watch your tone, Son. Enzo, what about you? Ever hear anything about it? It's some kind of secret fortress filled with magical items."
"No, I don't think so," Enzo said. "Um, I have to get back to my studies or..."
Damon smirked, "Or Elijah will tan your ugly hide. We know, go."
Klaus stepped over to Damon.
"Need you abuse him so? Was Enzo not once your dearest friend?" Klaus prodded.
"Yeah, we were like brothers once," Damon confirmed. "But he is still pissed that I left him for dead in the 50s. Guess I can't really blame him."
Klaus took the glass from Damon and drank it himself.
"I think you still feel guilty," Klaus offered. "Have you tried to apologize?"
"I did!" Damon protested. "But I guess I suck at apologies. I mean, what's the point? They are just words."
"'"Words are the only things that last forever; they are more durable than the eternal hills,'" Klaus quoted.
"William Hazlitt. So what? I can't take back what I did," Damon said glumly.
"Nay, but you can try be a bit kinder to Enzo. He is to be living here, after all. He's family now," Klaus said.
"That's rich coming from you and knowing how you treat your family," Damon said.
Klaus recoiled as if he was slapped.
"Thank you for telling me how you really feel. I was only attempting to help," Klaus replied stiffly, walking away.
"Klaus, stop!" Damon tried, but Klaus ignored him. "Dad! Come on, I didn't mean that..."
Klaus paused, his back to Damon, a small smile on his lips.
"Very well, Son. But aren't you looking after the children? You ought to take them out for a walk. It will do you all some good," Klaus said before he vamped away.
Mikaelson Property
Woods
Damon made sure the kids had on these jackets, even though he didn't feel like it was that chilly. But after mouthing off to Klaus, he thought he had better toe the line a little better.
"Damon, did you ever have any pets?" Julian asked.
Damon looked down at the small African American boy in surprise. He had no experience with children.
"Ah, sure. I had a lot of horses when I was a kid. A dog, a bunch of cats, and a turkey I really loved," Damon replied. He didn't want to tell them how he had been forced to slaughter his own turkey. It was still painful.
"Why are you sad?" Indy asked, looking up.
Damon paused and looked into her blue eyes.
"I'm not sad. What makes you think that? Look, there's some ravens!" Damon pointed out, kneeling down.
Julian concentrated and one of the black birds flew near them.
"Are you doing that, Julian?" Damon asked.
"Nah, I can't talk to birds...Only animals I can see," Julian said lightly.
Damon smirked and a light fog rolled into the forest.
The twins gasped and looked at Damon in awe.
"Are you doing that?" Indy asked, her eyes wide.
Damon nodded and closed his eyes.
"Crows have the largest brain of any bird. They are really smart. They can even make tools," Damon shared in a faraway voice. "I haven't done this in a century."
The twins didn't know what a century was, but they were amazed when a crow flew out of the now thickening fog.
"Damon! You did it," Julian said, hoping up and clapping.
"I have to be careful because I don't want an eagle to get him or a hawk," Damon smiled. "Come here, buddy."
The crow grounded and walked to the children.
"Julian, see if you can speak to him now," Damon coaxed.
Julian tentatively stepped forward.
"Hi birdy," Julian said aloud. Then, he leaned over and was silent. Julian laughed and clapped again.
Indy stepped forward and the crow flew off in a rush of air and feathers.
"What did he say, Jules?" Indy demanded, tugging on her brother's sleeve.
"He said he'll bring us a gift!" Julian exclaimed. "Tomorrow!"
Damon laughed, "You did it. You can talk to birds now."
Indy looked back, "But so can you! How come I can't?"
"I don't know, Indy," Damon said. "Let's see if we can find this lake. They need to build you a swing set or something."
"We want a pet," Julian complained. "But we got a spankins' for bringing in them wabbits."
"Rabbits," Indy correctly solemnly. "But 'Uncle' is gonna become our daddy!"
"Really?" Damon questioned, still surprised that Elijah had spanked the children for the rabbit incident. He had been holed up in Klaus' secret passage and missed most of that fiasco. "Elijah is adopting you two? Then, I suppose we would be cousins!"
"We never had no cousins," Julian added. "And Daddy doesn't spank hard."
Indy shoved him, hissing, "Hush up now, you big dummy. If you say that, we'll get it worse!"
"Hey, no name calling," Damon chided. "But I bet if you are good for your dad, you can get a pet. I miss having a horse..."
"Can you make the fog come again?" Indy pressed, now pulling on Damon's arm.
"Sure, I guess, but it will make the lake harder to find," Damon warned. He closed his eyes and let waves of fog roll in. When had he stopped doing this? Why?
The children shrieked with joy and ran up ahead. Cousin Damon was pretty fun to play with.
Mystic Falls High School
Tyler waited in the principal's office nervously. His dad was going to kill him.
"There goes the party," Tyler grumbled.
Mrs. Clarke eyed him and snapped, "You're lucky Mr. Hobbs is okay. They had to take him to the hospital. I think a party is the least of your worries, young man."
Tyler scowled and checked his watch. Maybe his mom would show up. He wasn't sure what the hell she did all day, but when he was in trouble Mayor Lockwood always showed up in a state of fury.
"Hey, I'm here for Tyler Lock-," a tall man with curly hair said.
Tyler jerked his head up in shock.
"Uncle Mason? Hey man, what are you doing here?" Tyler questioned, getting up and almost tripping over his backpack.
Uncle Mason took a few steps and roughly embraced his nephew.
"Damn, kid," Mason breathed. "The last time I saw you you were a little pipsqueak. Look at those guns!"
Tyler grinned and showed his uncle his muscles and then sobered quickly.
"Um, where's Dad? I thought you guys weren't talking," Tyler said slowly.
"He's at work. Your mom sent me to get you. Can I take him home?" Mason asked the secretary.
"Not yet," Mrs. Clarke said. "Principal Weber wanted to speak to you and there's some forms to sign."
"Ugh, I remember this office. Hopefully, I don't come out with a sore ass again," Mason joked.
Mrs. Clarke chuckled, getting up to lead him to the principal's office. She continued, "Oh, they don't do that anyone. However, I think some of these kids could use the application of the board of education if you know what I mean."
She glared at Tyler and he sat back down with his face hot.
Mason looked back at his only nephew and winked.
"Sit tight, buddy, while you sit can," Mason said.
Tyler paled and leaned back. What did that mean?
Lockwood Mansion
Mason had Tyler follow him in his car as he drove home in his 1982 Ford Bronco XLT. Tyler remembered hearing his mother say that Mason had blown his inheritance on "cheap sluts and beer" when he was 25. He had assumed that is why his father disowned him years ago.
Tyler parked in his usual spot and Mason parked beside him.
"Get your shit out of your car and give me the keys, pal," Mason said. "Your mom said you are grounded until further notice."
"Fuck, that sucks!" Tyler roared. "I'm not giving them my keys!"
Mason's eyes blazed with anger.
"Hey, watch it," Mason boomed. He shoved Tyler against his Bronco and growled, "You're in enough trouble. Don't add to it. Give me the damn keys."
Tyler sneered and handed his keys to his angry uncle.
"Here. What are you going to do? Rough me up. Guess you are just like Dad," Tyler scoffed, stomping off to the house.
Mason sighed and exhaled heavily.
"Kid, hey...Tyler, come on," Mason said, jogging to catch up. He followed Tyler in the doorway. "Look, I think we both need to calm down. You are suspended for three days. Why don't you go change and I'll make us some lunch."
Tyler shifted his backpack.
"The maid does that," Tyler said. "Where is she?"
"Look, your parents have to go on a trip. I don't know what's going on. Some council business," Mason explained. "I told the maid to take the day off."
"That was dumb," Tyler said. "But is this because I got in trouble at school?"
Mason shook his head, saying, "No bud, this was a planned trip. They called me like three days ago. They didn't tell you?"
"Nope," Tyler said dejectedly. "Not a goddamned word. Typical, though."
Mason looked down at Tyler and put a hand on his shoulder, which Tyler shrugged off.
"I'm sorry," Mason said calmly. "I assumed they would have said something."
"Well, they probably meant to...," Mason said lamely.
"Look, Uncle Mason, my parents can barely stand me. If I didn't do sports, Dad wouldn't even talk to me. Can I go to my room now? I already had lunch," Tyler said, walking away.
"Yeah, I'll be up in a little while. I need a drink," Mason stated, heading for his brother's study. Mason didn't know what was going on, but he didn't like it one bit.
Tyler checked his phone and found out that the whole school was buzzing about chemistry class. Caroline texted that Kol was being hailed as the hero and that Mr. Hobbs wasn't going to be back for a while, if ever.
"Fuck. Sub and I'm going to miss it," Tyler fumed. He kicked off his clothes on the floor that reeked of smoke and took a shower.
Tyler slipped on basketball shorts and a Timberwolves t-shirt and went down to find Uncle Mason.
Mason had the rug flipped back and was digging in a secret compartment on the floor that was sealed with a combination lock.
"Oh, you found Dad's safe?" Tyler mused.
Mason looked up, asking, "You know the combination?"
"Nope. I'd say try my birthday but he probably doesn't know it," Tyler complained.
"February 10, 1993," Mason grunted, trying it. "No luck."
"What are you looking for anyway?" Tyler asked.
"Just some family heirlooms," Mason said easily. "Our dad left us some shit and your dad probably has it. Just old photos and stuff like that. Now, you ready to talk?"
Tyler stepped over the folded back silk rug and looked around.
"I'm never allowed in here. You spill soda on this stupid rug one time and get banned for life," Tyler grumbled.
Mason laughed, "Yeah, I was never allowed in here either. But at least you will inherit this little pile of bricks someday."
"Little? I feel like I live in a museum," Tyler admitted. "With the maid."
Mason shut the safe and replaced the rug.
"Come on, sit. We need to talk," Mason said. "I'm worried about you."
Tyler sat on the brown leather sofa and stared at the bottle of Johnnie Walkie Scotch on the coffee table.
"I'm worried about you," Tyler joked. "And Dad will kill you if he sees you find the good stuff. That was like $500 a bottle."
"He can afford it," Mason responded. "Me, on the other hand...Not so much. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Look, I fucked up," Tyler said, throwing up his hands. "That explosion was my fault. I wasn't paying attention and this new asshole was trying to impress the whole class...I didn't mean to burn Mr. Hobbs, I'll send him flowers or something, okay?"
"Yeah, that's a good start," Mason acknowledged. "Mr. Hobbs was old back when I had him. Can't believe they still let him teach. He must be like 90! But that's not what I meant either."
Tyler shrugged, "So what? You're gone for years...sending a lousy card on my birthday, hardly calling and now you want to play dad. I have a dad, Uncle Mason, and he fucking hates me."
Mason sat and squeezed Tyler's knee.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here. I screwed up, too. Big time. I blew every cent I had, fought with your old man, and missed out on a lot. But I'm back now," Mason promised. "I'm not leaving again, kid. I don't know what is going on with you and your parents, but I'm concerned."
"Don't be," Tyler said. "It is what it is..."
"No, this isn't how it should be. When I was in Florida, I got into some trouble," Mason said. "I killed a guy. A friend, actually, and Tyler...I don't know how to say this..."
"We're werewolves," Tyler finished. "Uncle Mason, a lot of shit has gone down here, too. I know about the curse."
Mason was astounded, "How do you know?"
"Um, one of my best friends is a witch," Tyler ticked off. "The Originals vampire, Klaus, tried to kidnap my other friend because she is a double. Her ex, Stefan and his brother, Damon, are vampires..."
"Oh shit," Mason said, leaning back. "It's worse than I thought. I thought your parents were just paranoid. Does your dad know?"
"I tried to tell him once I found out. He slapped me across the face and told me to shut the hell up," Tyler reported.
Mason leaned over and hugged Tyler tightly to him again.
"Sorry, man, he shouldn't have done that," Mason said, his voice full of emotion. "You can be a little shit, but that's out of line."
"Yeah, well, the other side is him ignoring me," Tyler noted. "He has to know."
"Yeah, I think if he owns up to our supernatural side, then your father has to see that the activities of the council aren't so pure," Mason reported. "They hunt vamps when we are no damn better."
Tyler pushed away his uncle.
"Fuck that. We're a lot better than vamps. If he were here, you'd know that I was a goddamn hybrid for a while. I got cured, but if all those blood suckers burn, I would roast hotdogs in the fire!" Tyler attested.
"Tyler, calm down," Mason said. "You're way out of line here!"
Tyler stood, "Don't come in my house and start telling me what to think. You know what, Uncle Mason, take the booze and get the fuck out. Like you said, this is my house. You're just gonna leave after you find what you came for! I mean it, fuck off."
Mason's face grew stormy and his eyes lit up yellow for a moment. Tyler tried to back away, but stumbled on the couch.
"I'm here to help. I don't want you getting involved in this shit," Mason tried.
"Too late, I'm already involved. Now, take your shitty bronco and go back to bang hookers in Florida or whatever the fuck you blew your money on!" Tyler raged.
Mason grabbed Tyler by the arm and ignored the punches landing on his chest and arms.
"Your mother gave me the choice of grounding you or doing things the old-fashioned way," Mason grunted. "I think I see what you need, buddy boy!"
Mason propped his boot on the seat of the leather couch and shoved Tyler over his thigh, pinning him with his left elbow.
Crack!
Mason brought down the flat of his palm on the seat of Tyler's silky shorts hard.
Crack!
Tyler yelped and tried to thrash away, but Mason was far too strong.
Crack!
"What the ff-fuck?" Tyler screamed, suddenly realizing why the maid was dismissed for the day. Had Mason planned this all along?
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
"You need to settle down and listen to me!" Mason grunted, slapping Tyler's bottom soundly. "Or you won't sit for a week!"
"Fuck you! You t-think I c-can't take it? Blow me," Tyler snapped, breathing heavily as he continued to struggle.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
"Guess you need this on the bare butt," Mason grunted, using one hand to pull down Tyler's shorts to right below his bottom.
Smack. Smack.
Mason slowed to lecture Tyler.
Swat! Swat!
Tyler gasped to feel the rough hand on his backside, it felt like it was on fire.
"Bud, I was fixing on doing you a favor and letting you have your party this weekend," Mason went on. "But I see you need some damn discipline and to learn some respect! If I need to whup your ass every night this week, that will happen."
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
"No! S-Stop," Tyler shrieked as Mason began to spank him harder and faster. Tyler burst out in sobs from the frustration of being pinned down.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
"U-Uncle M-Mason, please," Tyler wailed.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
"You had enough?" Mason asked, stopping to check Tyler's rear. It was uniformly pink and he saw a few handprints.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
"Yes! I'm s-sorrrry," Tyler sobbed.
Mason pulled up the back of his shorts and released Tyler. Tyler yelped as the fabric brushed against his seared and warm cheeks.
"T-That h-hurt," Tyler whined.
Mason wiped Tyler's face with the edge of his own blue plaid shirt.
"I know, man," Mason soothed. "I didn't want it to be like this..."
Tyler rubbed his backside, still crying. Mason sat on the edge of the couch and pulled Tyler gently into his lap. Tyler struggled, but Mason wouldn't let him go.
"I'm sorry I ever left you," Mason apologized. He hugged Tyler tighter until he was done crying.
"Will you forgive me?" Mason asked, wiping away more tears with his thumb.
"F-For leaving, yeah," Tyler mumbled. "For beating my ass? No way."
Mason chuckled and asked, "Now, you ready to talk?"
Tyler stood up and reached for the bottle.
"I think I earned a nip of this," Tyler said.
Mason snatched the bottle, growling, "Only if you want another licking so soon. Now, sit down 'cause there's more..."
"Of course there is," Tyler retorted. "Can I stand?"
Mason grinned, "Yeah. Go on. But this gonna be easy to hear. You were right. I am here to get something, but it's not what you think. I ain't gonna ask your dad for more money. It's for a girl, a real pretty one."
"Oh?" Tyler sniffed. "Well, that explains it."
"Yeah, I met Kathy a while back while I was bartending in this-," Mason started.
Tyler froze, "Kathy? She doesn't look like this, does she?"
Tyler went to the shelf and picked up a picture from Founder's Day the previous year. It was him, Caroline, Elena, and a few other "Founder's Kids." Tyler handed the frame to Mason.
"What the hell? Yeah, that's Kathy! How did you...?" Mason gasped.
"That's not 'Kathy.' It's Katherine Pierce and she's Elena's double. She is also a notorious vampire!" Tyler explained.
Mason drank out of the bottle of liquor and then handed it to Tyler.
"Maybe you better have a drink," Mason said hollowly.
Things had taken a turn for the worse.
Much worse.
