Pairing: Finn/Aaron (M/m) hand, paint stick

Outside the Lockwood Mansion

Evening

Nessie brushed her hair back with one shaky hand as Aaron clasped her other hand in his. It was warm and comforting. He gave her hand a squeeze.

"Come on, it will be fine. You don't even have to drink," Aaron encouraged. He had bribed the Grill bartender with $200 cash and a gold watch and got two bottles to pay their way into the party. They weren't exactly sure where the mansion was, but they ended up following a crowd of kids and found it.

"Yeah, I'm not drinking. My dad probably has a spare breathalyzer thing at home. Whoa, it looks like the whole town is here!" Nessie said as they walked up to the huge driveway. Cars were haphazardly parked all over the yard and long drive.

Aaron nodded, "This is like a Whitmore party. Let's go. I need to at least catch a buzz before I head home to the vampire house."

Nessie waved at a girl from one of her classes. No one was at the door, they walked right in.

Front Parlor

"Matt, who the hell is that big dude in plaid?" Tyler hissed. Tyler could barely see through the crowd of kids swarming in the elegant mansion.

"No idea, but he's carrying a keg so let him in!" Matt said drunkenly.

"Put it out back!" Tyler yelled, hurrying to the kid. Mason had assured Tyler that his parents were probably alright, but if his mom saw this party, she would die from shock. The Lockwoods didn't care if Tyler partied in the woods, but he had never had a house party like this before.

Tyler heard a voice from behind him. "Ty, come here!" He turned and looked towards the entrance way.

Vicki was leaning against the door in a tight red dress with Annabelle by her side.

"Invite us in!" Vicki called. Vicki had never been here since she was turned and neither vampire could cross the threshold without being invited in.
Tyler looked Vicki up and down and then finally said, "Come in, ladies."

Vicki planted a kiss on his check and ran her hand along his arm.

"Thanks," Annabelle said. "This house was just being built the last time I saw it."

Tyler glared at a kid who bumped him, as he replied, "Wow, that's weird. Um, come in, you are invited. I'm going to try to get everyone out back. I don't even know half of these people."

Vicki ran off and Annabelle struggled to keep up with her. Matt was adjusting the stereo in the front parlor.

"Matty!" Vicki squealed, picking up her brother and spinning him.

Matt laughed, "Oh my God, Vic, put me down!"

Annabelle grabbed Vicki's arm. "Vicki, stop! People are going to notice."

Vicki dropped Matt, who staggered, and grabbed a bottle from a nearby teen. She started to chug it and the crowd roared, egging her on. Several teens came up and asked where she had been and when she got out of rehab. One boy joked that it clearly hadn't worked. Vicki laughed and took his beer and downed it.

"How did you guys get out?" Matt said, when he recovered his breath.

Annabelle chewed on her lip. "Um, Vicki drugged the tea...and well, snapped Nadia's neck. I don't know where Katherine was. Matt, this isn't good."

"Snapped her neck? Jeez," Matt croaked.

"She'll be fine," Annabelle said, but she felt terribly guilty. She had tried to call Jeremy to see if he was coming, but he hadn't picked up.

Matt shook his blond head to clear it. He had already had several drinks and wasn't thinking clearly.

"But you are much older, right? You can handle her?" Matt asked, his voice rising to be heard over the thumping music blasting.

"Yeah, I am stronger, but she's pretty determined to have a good time. Is Jeremy here yet?" Annabelle said, looking around.

"I don't see him," Matt said. Tyler was yelling at everyone to go out back. He was going to start a bonfire. A boy from the football team tried to grab one of the antique chairs to use as tinder.

"Whoa, that chair is like a hundred years old, Mac. There's already a wood pile outside. Why don't you go help Ty?" Matt said, grabbing the chair and setting it down.

Matt turned and looked for Vicki, but she had disappeared.

"Annabelle, can you watch her?" Matt pleaded. "I need to help Ty."

Another large boy carrying a guy out over his shoulder as she laughed and hollered. The crowd did seem to be heading out the back. Tyler was pretty commanding and loud. She wished she had his gumption, even at her age, Vicki seemed to plow over her...Another girl bumped into Annabelle as she gathered up liquor bottles to take outside. There was so much alcohol everywhere.

Matt was speaking to her. "Annabelle? Hey, are you okay? Vicki took off.."

Annabelle's mouth was hanging open. She had never seen anything like this before. The noise was assaulting her senses. She needed some air...

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Annabelle said, searching the crowd for Vicki. Annabelle had promised her 45 minutes and then they would have to get back home. She didn't think the valerian, hops, and hawthorn extracts that Vicki had dosed the tea with would be strong enough to keep her mother and the others sleeping for long. Pearl would rue teaching Vicki about herbs and Annabelle feared she would also. She went to search for the headstrong baby vamp.

Mikaelson Mansion

Sage patted Finn on the hand.

"Hon, did you try to call Aaron's friend?" Sage inquired.

"No, I do not know the number or even her name," Finn admitted, pacing in the kitchen area.

"Let's go look in Wes' room. Maybe it's written down somewhere?" Sage suggested.

"The children are sleeping?" Finn asked.

"No, Rebekah is reading to them now. They can tell something is going on tonight," Sage said. "Even the dogs are on edge, but maybe not as much as you right now. Darling, you must settle down. I'm sure Aaron is just being a rebellious teen."

"It tis only the first few hours of me being his guardian and I lost him!" Finn exclaimed, as they walked to Wes' old room.

"It's big," Sage commented, opening the door.

"Aye," Finn agreed, picking up a notebook left on the bureau.

"Anything?" Sage said, looking through some mail and school papers.

"Numbers," Finn grunted. "What do you make of this?"

Sage took the notebook. "Looks like formulas or something."

Finn saw the plastic bags from the hardware store.

"I should have just taken him to get that paint," Finn said. "I think you only have a limited time to make returns."

"Actually, I don't know if you can even exchange paint. I'm sure we can use the black for something at the new house, though," Sage commented, picking up the bag.

"A flyswatter? Paint sticks and a ping-pong paddle? Did Niklaus order more things for the children?"

Finn shrugged, "Probably, but I think that I can put some of those to good use when we do find young Master Whitmore."

Sage nodded, "I agree. I think they even refer to that stirring stick as a paint paddle, very apt. It should come in handy, I think. Aaron shouldn't have disobeyed you. I'll go see if Dorian is in any condition to speak. He might know the young lady's name. We can call the parents and I'll go pick up Aaron."

Finn put down the bag. "Aye, I'm going to check on the children. Rebekah is probably sleeping herself as they try to peek into the attic."

Attic

Dorian groaned again as Lucy tried to pry the compulsion from his mind. He was covered in sweat and the pain in his head was acute.

"I don't think it's working," Dorian moaned, accepting the drink of water from Kol.

"Oh, I think it will, but it is a slow process," Kol stated. "But I think you need a break. Why do you not go rest in my bedroom? Stefan should be down there."

"Yeah, I will. Thanks, man," Dorian said, struggling to get out of the chair.

Bonnie helped him. "Sorry, Mr. Williams, but it doesn't work if you aren't awake. Let me help you."

Bonnie guided the librarian down the attic stairs.

Damon whistled, "Lucy, you sure you are ready for tonight?"

Lucy, wiped a bead of sweat from her own brow, saying, "Not really. I already spelled the black kyanite, but we won't really know if it works until the moon rises. I just hope I can remember the incantation. It's a long one: Phasmatos Inta Grum Vin Callus Amalon Callagius Accodum. Cosom Naben Dox Callagius Amalon Gaeda Callagius. Ceremum Descendium Vinum. Phasmatos Inta Grum Callus. Cosom Naben Dox."

Kol flipped through the grimoire.

"Oh, my mother's spells always worked, whether you wanted them to or not," Kol mused, thinking on the night they were turned, almost a thousand years before.

Damon got up and sat on a dusty trunk.

"So when you link with me, you will be able to see everything in my mind?" Damon pressed, looking down at the dusty floorboards.

Lucy cleared her throat.

"Yes, technically, but I won't be going through your mind. I will be busy trying to watch the moon reach it's apex and draw the blood," Lucy reported. "Matere et lunare tua virtus. Do you have that down?"

Damon nodded, "Yeah, I got it. I thought I would feel more of a pull at the full moon, but I feel...nothing."

Kol looked up. "Really, that is odd, but maybe you are just distracted. Why do we not all take a break?"

Damon sighed and got up. "That's the best thing I heard all day."

Lockwood Mansion

Outside

"Fuck, if Mason comes back now, my ass is grass," Tyler said, sitting on a log by the fire. He looked up at the rising moon, feeling its' pull.

Vicki was behind him dancing.

"Dance with me, Tyler!" Vicki said. Annabelle had forced her to replace her beer with blood she poured from a blood bag in the kitchen. Mixed with the alcohol and fresh air, she was feeling great.

"I have a girl now, Vic," Tyler said, turning around and putting down his beer. Vicki did look good. "Where'd you get that dress?"

"Katherine's closet," Vicki laughed, pulling him up from the log and grinding on him. "And having a girlfriend never stopped you before..."

Tyler flushed, his pulse racing. He remembered the things they did, her body pressing against his...Tyler shut his eyes and let Vicki pull him into the music. Someone was doing a keg stand and others were smoking and dancing. Matt had cleared everyone out of the house, mostly.

"Ty! Caroline's here," Matt gasped, pointing at a blurry figure.

"Shit," Tyler said, trying to pull away from Vicki, but the vampire held him tightly.

"Seriously?" Caroline shrieked. "What the fuck, Tyler?"
Matt eyed Annabelle and she yanked Vicki off of Tyler the best that she could, but Caroline had seen everything.

"Ah, I thought you w-were at your d-dad's?" Tyler stammered, as Caroline approached.

"He got the flu and cancelled," Caroline snarled. "Hi Vicki, I thought you were dead. Oh, yeah, you are. Well, you can have Ty, I don't go out with cheaters."

Tyler grabbed Caroline's arm. "I was just dancing, Care. Come on, don't be like that."

Vicki laughed, "I am dead, but at least I'm not an uptight bitch like you!"

Annabelle and Matt gasped.

"Vic," Matt hissed recovering his wits, but Caroline elbowed Tyler and came closer.

"At least I'm not the town slut!" Caroline ragged.

"The cops are here! Run!" Someone yelled, causing mass panic among the teens. The stereo got knocked over and the music came to an abrupt halt.

Nessie grabbed Aaron and tried to run, but was stopped dead in her tracks by her angry father.

"Not so fast, Vanessa Lorelai Singerman," George Singerman yelled. He grabbed his daughter and Aaron. "You two are coming with me!"

Nessie noticed that unlike the other officers, her dad was in his street clothes.

"The Mikealsons called looking for you. Luckily, I was able to track you phone and heard about his party on the radio," George seethed, dragging the two teens to his waiting car.

Caroline cursed under her breath and looked at Tyler angrily.

"You brought the cops?" Tyler accused, seeing Sheriff Forbes shouting at kids to stop. "That's fucking low."

"No! She doesn't even know I'm back," Caroline defended. "How dare you?"
Caroline raised her hand to slap Tyler's face, but Vicki vamped to him.

"Don't," Vicki demanded, but as she touched Caroline, her face turned dark. She caught the scent of blood and heard the girl's heart beat. Vicki's hunger peaked and she sunk her fangs into Caroline's slender white neck, as the teen screamed.

"Caroline!" Sheriff Forbes yelled from yards away, pulling out her revolver. She had a weapon with wooden bullets.

"No," Matt said, throwing himself in front of Vicki.
Annabelle and Tyler both tried to pull Vicki off of Caroline.

"Get off her," Tyler begged, but Vicki was thrashing and feeding wildly.

"Matthew, move. I won't kill her," Sheriff Forbes screamed. She shot Vicki in the thigh, the distraction allowing Annabelle to grip Vicki around the neck and pin her down. Tyler slammed into Vicki and Caroline at the same instant, hearing a sickening snap as Caroline hit the ground.

But by then, Caroline was a pale and bloody heap on the ground. Tyler screamed, "Nooooo!" and reached down to pick her up. She looked dead already.

Liz Forbes rushed over and clutched her only daughter.

"She was supposed to be at her dad's...Caroline? Honey, wake up," Liz pleaded.

Another deputy cuffed Vicki as Annabelle trailed behind.

Mikaelson Mansion

Deputy Singerman growled at Nessie to stay in the car as he frog matched Aaron to the front door.

Finn and Sage were waiting.

George introduced himself and thanked Sage for calling him.

"I think he's had some to drink, but he's unharmed. However, the Sheriff's daughter was attacked, I just heard the call on the radio. I need to get my girl home and see if they need me," George said tiredly.

"Attacked?" Sage gulped. "By whom?"

"Vicki Donavan," George informed them. Bonnie had been hanging out in the living room and came out.

"Who's hurt?" Bonnie asked.

"Caroline Forbes, by a vampire," George repeated.

"Oh my God," Bonnie wailed. "I have to get to her. Where is she?"

"I would assume the hospital by now. It happened at the Lockwood mansion, there was a big party out there," George stated, glancing back to make sure that Nessie had stayed put in the vehicle.

"For a vampire attack? I don't think so. I have to get to her," Bonnie said, going back for her purse. A few seconds later, Bonnie came out, saying, "Tell Lucy, I'll be back."
Bonnie ran to her car and got in.

Stefan ran out after her. "Wait, Bonnie, I'm coming, too."

"Get in," Bonnie said. Stefan waved at the others and no sooner than he had gotten into the passenger seat, Bonnie started to pull out.

"Hope she doesn't break any speed limits," George mused. "Technically, I am off-duty tonight. I just hope Caroline is okay."

"Yes, Bonnie is a witch and might be able to help," Sage shared.

George's eyes widened, but then he nodded. The sheriff had already given him the rundown of the supernaturals in town.

"Well, thank you for bringing Aaron back home," Finn said, extending his hand. "We'll see that this won't happen again."
"Wait," Aaron said, "Officer Singerman, Nessie didn't want to go to the party. I tricked her into it. She didn't even drink! Please, don't be mad at her, it was my fault."

"Son, I appreciate your concern for my daughter, but you can see how dangerous it was for you two to be there. I'm not angry, but she will face consequences," George said firmly. "Night, folks."

"Goodnight," Sage said, putting an arm around Aaron.

Aaron waved to Nessie in the car, but she turned away.

"And I'm not your son," Aaron whispered. "I'm nobody's son!"

He broke away from Sage's hold and ran into the house.

"Go to your room," Finn thundered.

"Give him a minute," Sage said. "And you need to calm down, too."

"But he could have been the one attacked!" Finn argued.

Sage nodded, "Yes, but he's okay. Now, I'll go talk to him and have him shower in Wes' room. You go speak to Lucy and the others."

Lockwood Mansion

A female deputy gave Vicki an injection of concentrated vervain and she fell into an unconscious state.

Matt demanded, "What did you do to her?"
"She's just asleep," the young woman replied. "I've dealt with vampires before."
"Don't hurt her," Matt begged. "Miss Pearl is looking after her at the Salvatore Boarding House. Please!"

"We may need her blood for...Caroline," the deputy intoned.

"You can use my blood," Annabelle said gravely. "Matt, stay here with the officer. I'll go back and see if they need me."

"No, the sheriff ordered me to keep you here," the deputy said, pulling out her weapon.

Annabelle put a hand on Matt and waited by the car. Soon after, Bonnie and Stefan pulled up. Bonnie parked haphazardly and they got out of the car.

"Where is she?" Bonnie yelled. "Where is Caroline?"

Matt just pointed towards the back yard and Stefan and Bonnie ran.

***
"Caroline!" Sheriff Forbes repeated. "Is her neck broken?"

Her other deputies had chased off any lingering kids in the house.

Tyler looked up to see Stefan and Bonnie. Tyler had heard the snap. Had he killed his girlfriend trying to save her?

"Stefan, give her your blood!" Tyler begged.

Sheriff Forbes moaned, "Oh God, no!"

Bonnie leaned down and moved Liz Forbes away gently.

Stefan opened the vein in his wrist and pressed it against Caroline's mouth. He listened for her heart beat.

"Is she dead?" Liz questioned, as Bonnie held her back.

Stefan didn't answer. He couldn't hear anything. He continued to press his wrist against her mouth.

"Only a drop can help heal her," Stefan said.

"Give her more," Tyler demanded. Stefan thought he heard a heartbeat, but he couldn't be sure.

"Shhh," Stefan said. He bit into his wrist again, lifting Caroline so she could drink. Blood dripped over her chin unto her white blouse.

"Let's get her into the house," Stefan said, lifting her. He wasn't sure if he had been in time.

Mikaelson Mansion

Aaron's Room

Sage brought Aaron a water bottle.

"Here, honey, drink this," Sage said to the boy slumped on his bed. He still had his muddy shoes on. She removed them and made him sit up.

"He's going to kill me, isn't he?" Aaron whined.

Sage couldn't help but smile. "No, but you are going to be punished. What were you thinking running off like that?"

"I didn't think anyone would care," Aaron admitted.

"Oh Aaron, that's not true. We were really worried when we couldn't find you. Dorian gave us Nessie's name and we found the number for her father," Sage said. "He thought she was here. You know those cell phones can be tracked."
"Shit," Aaron muttered. "Now, she'll hate me, too, like everyone else."

"No one hates you, Aaron. I know this was a rough day with Wes leaving," Sage said, giving him the water bottle to drink. "Now, drink."
Aaron gulped the water bottle and emptied it.

"I only had a couple of beers. I'm not drunk," Aaron said, defensively.

"Well, I may not be a lawyer, but 14 years olds aren't allowed to drink, are they?" Sage asked, standing.

"No, I guess not," Aaron grumped.

"No, I want you to take your pajamas and go shower in Wes' room. Finn will be in to talk to you," Sage said meaningful. "Don't argue or you will just make it worse."

"Whatever," Aaron said, getting up.

"You didn't eat dinner. You want me to fix you something?" Sage asked.

"Nah, I ate with Nessie at the Grill," Aaron said, getting his night clothes. "What, um, is F-Finn gonna do?"

"Never you mind," Sage said, not wanting him to run off again. "You just do as I asked or you will have a preview from me. Now, go. And brush your teeth!"

Aaron flushed to realize he probably had beer breath. He grabbed his stuff and stomped to Wes' room. Or what was his room...

Twenty Minutes Later

"You sure you're up for this?" Sage prodded, as Finn dug threw the plastic bag. He hefted the paint stick.

"Yes, I am as calm as can be. This should do nicely," Finn said, whacking his own thigh lightly with the 21 inch wooden stick emblazoned with the hardwood store name on it.

"Just remember that he is human. He won't heal. A good warm up with your hand and a brisk licking with that stick and he should be contrite," Sage advised. "And Finn, did you hear what he said? He feels like he has no father. Whether or not, Wes comes back, this boy needs a real family."

Finn looked into Sage's blue eyes and nodded.

"Aye, he needs love and a damn good whacking for running off like that," Finn conceded. "And my love, he will also need a mother."

"He will have what he needs from both of us," Sage agreed.
Sage kissed Finn and then left. He took a deep breath as the boy came out of the bathroom, surrounded by steam, dressed in cotton pajamas.

"Feeling better?" Finn asked.

Aaron gulped as he saw Finn holding the paint stick.

"Are you going to hit me with that?" Aaron asked in a small voice.

"I'm going to spank your backside," Finn shared. "I think you might be a bit overdo for it, in truth, but you shall survive. Then, you will be forgiven and we will move on."
"Oh," Aaron said. "Wes...never punished me really. No one ever did."

"Dr. Maxfield had his way of doing things and we have ours. Aaron, I mean to look after you. That means we shall protect you, even from yourself at times. We will love you, but you will also be disciplined. Now, Sage said she talked to you already. Tell me what you did wrong," Finn demanded carefully.

Aaron swallowed and took a few steps closer to Finn. He felt strangely calm. The thought of getting Nessie in trouble with her dad tortured him. He did deserve this.

"I left when you told me to stay here. I got Nessie in trouble by going to the party," Aaron said quietly.

"Yes, and when we disobey, there are consequences," Finn said. He could see that Aaron was not going to come closer on his own. He rose from the bed and gently grabbed the boy, leading him back to the bed.

Finn held Aaron in front of him. He quickly yanked down Aaron's cotton pants and underwear as Aaron tried to pull them back up.

"Do that and you will regret it," Finn warned. "I need to see what I am doing. I do not want to injure you, just give you a little attitude adjustment."

Aaron sniffed and let go, his pants settling at his knees, which were now trembling.

"Come on, I want you over my knees," Finn said, pulling Aaron over and letting his body rest on the bed. "This is going to smart some, but I want you to stay in position."

Aaron grabbed onto the comforter. He aimed to take it and get it over with. Nessie was surely getting worse right now from the angry demeanor of her father when he picked them up.

Aaron began to cry softly, burying his face into his arms. He felt a cool breeze over his backside and shivered.

Whack!

Aaron heard the smack before he felt it. Before he could get out an "aww", he got another hearty slap on his rump. Smack! He felt a surge of panic, it hurt! Aaron burst into more hot tears. He felt them drip down his face and off of his chin. He wiped his face on the comforter, not caring that it was gross.

Smack!

Finn's large hand started whacking from side to side, as Aaron tried to push himself up.

"Down," Finn said, griping Aaron's hip with his left hand and pushing him down flat.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Aaron's bottom started tingling and feeling warm as the spanking quickened. He threw back a hand which Finn promptly pinned to his back.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

"Owww," Aaron groaned. "Okay, that's enough!"

Slap! Slap! Slap!

"Oh, kiddo, we are just getting started," Finn guffawed, now lowering the slaps to Aaron's sit spots.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Slap! Slap! Slap!

"Owwww. It burns," Aaron bellowed, now kicking his feet up, both at the same time. Aaron's pants prevented him from kicking too wildly, but he gave it his best effort.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Aaron tried to wiggle off Finn's lap, but got pulled in tighter with several harder spanks applied to the center of his bottom.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Crack!

"Settle down," Finn ordered, pausing and adjusting Aaron once more. He shook out his large hand, it was stinging also. He needed to give it a break and use the paint paddle.

"I-I c-c-can'ttttt," Aaron bellowed, feeling the stinging as a blazing inferno. Aaron couldn't form a cohesive thought, his only focus was the burn in his rump.

"Now, I am going to give you some licks with this paint stick and then we are done," Finn said. "I am going to let go of your hand. Keep it up front or you will get extras."

Aaron balled up both his hands in the comforter, gripping it tightly. He sobbed miserably, feeling now only sorry for himself.

Finn reached and grabbed the paint paddle and tapped the flat side on Aaron's pink cheeks. It was light, but he was sure it would sting mightily.

"This is to show you that we do care. Many in this house have reached out to you in kindness, you have been rude and dismissive. That shall stop. DO you hear me?" Finn prompted, now tapping Aaron's behind lightly. Pat. Pat.

"What? Yeahhhh," Aaron moaned.

Thwack! Thwack!

"OHHHHHH, I mean, yes!" Aaron corrected, as his legs kicked up again.

Thwack! Thwack!

"Noooooo," Aaron shrieked as he kicked and tried to keep his hands in front of him.

"You will be polite and respectful. And when you are told no, you will not continue to harp on it," Finn went on, unsure if the boy was hearing him.

Thwack! Thwack!

The paint stick, which Finn was flicking over Aaron's bottom slowly, was leaving red lines. A few more and they should be done here.

Thwack! Thwack!

"What will happen when you disobey from now on?" Finn inquired, again tapping the wood against Aaron's rear.

"I-I don't k-know!" Aaron wailed.

Whack!

"Try again or we shall we here all night," Finn threatened, raising the stick a little higher.

Whack!

"I g-get a spanking!" Aaron blubbered, after writhing after the last hard crack.

Whack!

"Yes, but you may also get other punishments, too. From now on, you will dine with the family, help clean up, and get to bed before 10pm on school nights. I expect you to make an effort here," Finn determined.

Whack!

"Yeah, yes! I w-will," Aaron exclaimed wildly.

Thwack! Thwack!

Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack!

"We are done here," Finn said, putting down the stick. "I truly hope we do not have to do this again, young man."

Aaron sniffled and looked back. Finn pulled up his briefs and pants over his smarting behind.

"OWWWW," Aaron moaned.

"Hush now, it tis over," Finn comforted, setting Aaron on his feet. Aaron forgot about his teary face and hopped rubbing his bottom for a moment. Finn got up and grabbed some tissues and cleaned his face as the boy uselessly tried to rub out the fierce throbbing.

"I-I'm s-sorry," Aaron heaved as Finn had him blow his nose.

Finn sat and pulled the crying teen into his arms.

"Tis all forgiven," Finn said, settling Aaron into his lap. The big man rocked him as he cried into his shoulder.

Aaron knew he should pull away, but he couldn't turn away from the comfort. He felt safe somehow.

"Are you alright?" Finn asked, rubbing Aaron's back.

"Yes, I think so," Aaron replied, reaching back to rub again.

"The stinging will fade quickly, but I hope the message does not. There is a paddle and an insect swatter in that hardware store bag," Finn shared. "I hope that will inspire you to behave yourself."

Aaron smiled, "Yeah, it will. I won't run off again...or argue."

Finn tousled the boy's blond hair.

"You will still probably forget yourself at times, but it will earn you a swat or two. I do not expect you to be perfect, but I do expect more effort to get to know the family and be a good person," Finn finished.

"I want that, too," Aaron admitted. "I mean, not the swats, but the rest."

There was a knock at the door.

"Hold on," Finn said. To Aaron, he directed to crawl into the big bed. "You can sleep in here tonight. I don't want you woken up by the spell."

Aaron let Finn tuck him in as Finn bade the person to open the door.

Sage peeked in. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it is time for the spell."

Finn leaned over and kissed Aaron on the forehead.

"Sleep well, Aaron," Finn said.

"Okay," Aaron said.

Sage came in fully and told Aaron she would stay with him until he fell asleep.

Finn turned out the lights and exchanged a parting look with Sage. He felt a tenderness for the boy and he could tell Sage did also. Finn felt a warm feeling, was this what his brothers felt for their children? He also felt afraid, this night seemed pregnant with possibility and danger. And it was not over yet.
The moon was rising quickly.