Fondue
A Father’s Loss

"Which is exactly why communicating with each other is so important," Coulson said. "And the main reason behind having most of the rules in place."

"Funny, really. Until Dad, I never knew anyone with rules or consequences like this family... But Dad said his family before followed the same rules, so I guess it wasn't that odd," Kate said.

Ikaris' smile was a little sad as he said, "It's normal for family to have those kinds of rules. It helps keep family safe and thriving."

"Were our brother and sister like Dane and I? As in always forgetting and getting in trouble?" Kate asked curiously. "Sometimes it feels like I'm always messing up..." She sighed.

Druig and Yelena had been listening to the stories and conversation quietly, but when Kate began to ask Ikaris questions, Druig had to force himself to remain still. He was positive he was about to either hear the worst about himself or have Ikarus act like he no longer mattered, since he was sure that he didn't matter to Ikarus.

Ikaris' smile was a little sad as he wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders, drawing them in close, before saying quietly, "They didn't always get into trouble, just like you don't always get into trouble. But sometimes, they acted without thinking...."

***

Druig was avoiding Ikaris. Well... He was avoiding Ajak, Thena, Gilgamesh... Pretty much anyone who considered themselves older and wiser than him. But specifically, he was avoiding Ikaris. He'd just 'influenced' a general, who was planning to take his troops to attack a tiny settlement three days march away, to not go. It would give the people in that settlement time to flee or prepare, if the general decided to try again later. Ikaris always objected to him using his powers without talking it through with the family first.

Ikaris had left the area they'd settled in, ostensibly to go for a walk...but really, to look for Druig. He was reasonably certain that Druig had been responsible for the sudden change in the general's plans to attack the settlement.

It wasn't that Ikaris disagreed with stopping the attack on the settlement. What concerned him the most was that Druig was using his ability constantly...when it might not even be necessary. And that, they needed to talk about.

Druig had found a tiny, secluded eddy in the river and was fairly certain he wouldn't be found. It was the only reason he'd decided bathing and a short swim would be a wonderful idea. Stripping and hanging his clothing on a nearby branch, he waded into the water and tried to relax.

Ikaris had tried to find Druig just by walking from their home. When there was no sign of his son, he flew up into the air, scanning the surroundings...until he spotted Druig in the river, in an area where it would have been impossible for Ikaris to see his son if he'd been walking.

Ikaris immediately soared in for a landing next to the part of the river where Druig was floating.

Druig wasn't paying close attention to his surroundings... Not much could hurt him, after all, so he was fully relaxing. He didn't notice Ikaris' arrival.

Landing on the riverbank, Ikaris softly called, "Druig." He wouldn't hesitate to wade into the water after his son, if necessary, but he thought he'd give Druig a chance to get out of his own accord.

Sighing internally, Druig stopped floating on his back and began treading water. "Ikaris? What is happening? Am I needed?" he asked, hoping nothing was going on. He needed the break.

"Nothing's happening right now, but we need to talk," Ikaris said seriously.

"What about? It couldn't wait for me to return to the house?" Druig asked uneasily.

"Did you use your abilities today?" Ikaris asked directly.

Druig froze in place, only beginning to tread water again when he immediately began to sink. He could lie, but Ikaris wouldn't have asked the question if he didn't already know the answer; he wouldn't even think to ask if he hadn't already got proof it had happened. "So what if I did?" he said defiantly, even as he glanced to see how far away his clothes were and if he could quickly swim there. He felt too exposed to be having a conversation he knew Ikaris would get upset from.

"Do you need me to remind you about the conversation we had about using your powers without discussing it with me first?" Ikaris asked. "We agreed that we wouldn't influence people to that extent unless absolutely necessary."

"You weren't around to ask and if I didn't act immediately, it would have been too late. And hundreds would have died!' Druig protested.

"What about Ajak?" Ikaris asked directly. "I know that she was there."

Druig frowned, a petulant look on his face. He didn't answer.

"Son, we've talked about this multiple times before," Ikaris said. "I don't believe there's any point in dragging things out." He prepared to wade into the water after Druig, if his son didn't come out of his own accorf.

"You and Ajak talked! I've never agreed!" Druig declared irritably and swam a bit further away, unable to just give in, even if he knew it would be better in the long run.

"Druig. We are supposed to use our powers responsibly. Even if you didn't verbally agree, you also didn't argue." Which was more or less the same thing, in Ikaris' eyes. He waded into the water after his son.

"What good would arguing have done?! Ajax has final say and she always goes along with what you say! And you think my using my powers at any time you didn't tell me to is misusing them..." Druig couldn't hide his frustration, or the hurt underneath the frustration.

"That isn't true, Druig," Ikaris said. "I expect you to talk to me before you just use your abilities, because sometimes they're not necessary. And sometimes, they can hurt people."

"You don't trust me to know when to use them..." Druig responded. The protest wasn't as obstinate, though, and it was a lot more hurt. He truly thought Ikaris believed him incapable of knowing when to use his own abilities, and knowing his father didn't trust his judgement bothered him more than anything else. Wasn't he old enough and wise enough to be able to know? Why would Ikaris insist on deciding when it was best to use his abilities unless Ikaris thought him too young and foolish?

"It isn't about not trusting you or your judgement, son." Ikaris' voice was gentle, not accusing or angry. "Part of it's about making decisions together, as a family. But it's also about it not being only your responsibility. If something goes wrong, it won't be your fault." Druig might be full grown, but even if he'd never been a child, he was still Ikaris' son. And it was still instinct to try to protect his son from the consequences of his own actions. Just like he would with Sprite.

Druig's face fell at that. As much as he wanted to continue arguing, he believed what Ikaris' reasons were. It still felt like Ikaris was treating him like an inexperienced child, but he could tell that Ikaris wasn't lying and that took the wind out of his sails. Swallowing hard and shrugging, he wiped furtively at his face and reluctantly began to swim toward his father. "I don't want a spanking..." he whispered unhappily.

"I know. But this isn't the first time we've had to deal with this. You know what the rules are and what the consequences are of breaking those rules." Ikaris reached out and drew Druig close to him, then began to swim back to the riverbank, keeping Druig close to him.

Druig just clung to his father and let Ikaris pull him to shore. He'd not fight or run, but it was beyond him to actively move himself to where Ikaris could punish him. Ikaris wasn't wrong; he had been in trouble for this very thing numerous times before. Because of this, he knew the punishment would not be a light or easy one. And he was wet. It would probably make everything more.

Ikaris kept in close physical contact with his son, even as he guided Druig out of the water. Once they were on the bank, he sat and guided Druig into position over his lap, securing him with an arm wrapped around his waist.

Druig shivered. He wasn't cold, but the position and his complete lack of clothing made him feel completely vulnerable and at his father's mercy. He wasn't one to submit easily, so when he was put into a position of submission, it always affected him strongly. He only hoped he could keep from complete humiliation and avoid breaking down like an actual child.

Ikaris rubbed Druig's back for a few moments, then began to swat his son's backside firmly. He knew the smacks would be more keenly felt, due to Druig's backside being wet, so he did temper the swats. But he couldn't go too easy on his son, given that this was far from the first time they'd had to deal with this, so he didn't hold back a lot.

Despite Druig's wish that he could accept his punishment in an adult way, he knew from the very first swat that he wouldn't be able to. He yelped loudly as Ikaris began to spank and by the third swat, he was already squirming in a bid to ease the burning sting.  By the fifth, he began begging. "Please, not so hard! I won't do it again...."

"Druig, son, this isn't the first time we've had to deal with this," Ikaris said, seriously but not unkindly. "I'd prefer not having to punish you. I love you. But I don't want you to do something that you'll regret. I know how easy it is to rely on your ability...to use it when another way might work. But it's not always necessary and sometimes, it can cause more problems than it solves." He was still swatting as he spoke, working overy every inch of Druig's bottom from the crest down to mid-thigh before starting over from the top. At the same time, he kept a tight grip on Druig, so that his son couldn't squirm away.

Druig's squirming was becoming more frantic the longer Ikaris spanked. He was listening, though. He knew his father was right; it was very easy to just immediately use his power to manipulate situations the way he thought they should go. Too easy. Normally, he didn't allow himself to think of that, though. If the end was to save numerous lives, then surely the means were justified? It wasn't like those he controlled knew they were being controlled. They couldn't be upset at a loss of autonony and choice if they didn't realize he had taken it from them, so what was the problem? "Using my powers isn't hurting anyone!" He began to cry. "I'm helping save them!"

"You're taking away their free will. You're turning them into slaves." Ikaris' voice was edging towards stern as he continued to swat, going a bit harder and faster. His other arm was tight around his son's waist, making sure Druig couldn't squirm away from him.

At the harder swats, Druig began to sob. It hurt so bad and he couldn't get away! He wasn't able to admit to himself the words hurt worse. "No! I'm helping them! I'm not making them slaves!"

"Stop! " He knew better. He really did. And he didn't truly want to mind control his father (if he succeeded, it would undermine every belief he had about himself and his family. A terrifying thought...), but his bottom hurt so bad, and his heart hurt worse because deep down, he knew Ikaris was right. He was making them slaves. Little better than puppets, no matter what his reasons. So he let his power slip through, making the stop a command, not just a plea. And immediately stiffened as he realized what he'd just done.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Daddy! I didn't mean it .. was wrong and bad and I won't do it anymore! I'll be good! I'm sorry!" He began to babble and sob in true fear. He didn't know what the response to trying to mind manipulate Ikaris would be, but his fear was that it would lead to him being sent away from home and family. It was bad enough he couldn't control himself when dealing with the mortals, but if he was trying to mind control his family... Maybe Ikaris has been right all along?

Ikaris had stopped when Druig made the word a command, but as soon as his son had realised, that thread of power receded. Instead of swatting again straight away, though, he let his hand rub low down on Druig's back, talking to his son in a soft voice. "This is the worrying thing about your power, Druig. That you rely on it too much...to the point of using it on your family. On me, your father. And that's a very naughty thing to do."

Druig slumped in dejected misery. If nothing else had proven his father right, the action of trying to mind control him had. All fight and argument left him and all he could do was sob and make repentant apologies. "'m sorry, Daddy... So sorry... Don't wanna be bad... Don't wanna do bad... I'm sorry...."

"I know you're sorry, son. And you aren't bad. Even if you're naughty, you aren't bad," Ikaris said. "And I forgive you. I love you, Druig. Nothing will change that," he promised. He rubbed for a few more moments, then began to swat once more.

At the words of forgiveness and love, Druig went boneless and just cried, though it was less frantic and loud, more accepting. He didn't beg for the punishment to end again. He was afraid he'd try and use his powers again, so instead remained quiet except for his tears. He deserved what he was getting and even if he couldn't sit till the following day, he was too grateful for his father's understanding to complain about it. "...Love you, daddy..." he whispered, in a tiny, heartsick voice. "Sorry was naughty...."

"I love you, son. So much. No matter what happens, I won't ever stop. And I would always forgive you. No matter how naughty you might be." Ikaris didn't really want to continue the punishment...really just wanted to stop and move onto comfort. But since this wasn't the first time Druig had done these exact actions before, Ikaris forced himself to continue, for one final circuit of smacks. Then he stopped and moved Druig into his arms, sitting on his lap instead of laying over it, and hugged him close and tight, pressing a kiss to his head.

Whimpering pathetically as his very sore bottom made contact with Ikaris' thighs, Druig turned enough to wrap his own arms around his father and then he clung, tightly.

Ikaris hugged Druig tighter, kissing the side of his head again and whispering soft words of love and forgiveness into his son's ear.

****

"Seems like he and I have more in common than I thought," Dane said wryly.

Kate snorted. "Yeah. Are all your kids stubborn?" she asked her father with a hint of humor, including herself as a stubborn one.

Ikaris' smile was sad as he said, "All of us have it, to some degree. I made a huge mistake when I came down on Arishem's side and I turned against the others." Sprite had, too, but if he hadn't, she never would have followed his lead. "I attacked Druig and that's an action I can never take back. I just wish I could bring him home and somehow make things right...."

Steve winced at the raw emotion he heard in Ikaris' voice. It made him think of his own experiences, when he and Tony had been at odds with each other. They'd healed things now, but he knew he'd never forget how much that distance between them had hurt. "Friday's scanning the camera feed. If there's any sign of him, she'll let us know," he said quietly.

Druig pulled back from the fire, a conflicted look on his face. Ikaris had sounded sincere in his regret. Was it possible his father truly wanted his family back and was regretful about following Arishem? After everything Ikaris had done, he was afraid to believe he could have his father back. He covered his fear and the pain of loss with anger.

Yelena followed silently, a concerned look on her face. "Do you believe him?" she whispered, when they were far enough away to not be heard.

"I want to, but I don't know if I can. There is a way to find out, though; and if it is a lie and he hasn't changed, it will expose him to the others as a fraud as well. We will have to be careful to avoid these cameras, but the people will not be a problem..." He explained his idea to Yelena. She quickly agreed and soon, they were heading to complete their objective.