An Immovable Object, An Unstoppable Force

Summary: Ice has to go out of town for work, and Maverick spins a little out of control without his anchor. Ice can fix that.
Warnings: Modern Era, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Long-Term Relationship(s), Domestic Discipline, Spanking, Paddling, Punishment, Corporal Punishment, Severe punishment, Texting, losing one's temper, Poor emotional regulation, Catharsis, Better living through bdsm practices, Dom/sub24/7 d/s practice, Crying, Men Crying, Extreme emotional reaction, Self-Destruction, Self-Esteem Issues, Supportive partner, Protectiveness, Protective partner, acts of service, corner time, Gentle loving never flinching dominance, It's a good thing™, Aftercare, Cuddling & Snuggling, Sleepy Cuddles
Pairing: Ice/Mav
Authors: Carly and Cat
Notes: Obedience is a real app you can download right now. We've been messing with it all week. Right now, badgirlcarly has -7 points and has earned eight punishments. Pray for her.

###

Maverick frowned at the phone. He fought the impulse to throw it, and then, not a minute later, was glad for it, because Ice couldn't hear him whine through a text.

Maverick's cheeks burned.

Maverick flushed hotter. A little notification popped up on his cell phone screen, a small heart.

A sick twist of dread wrenched in Maverick's gut. Ice had started using an app to track the rules of their relationship, as well as Maverick's behavior, successes, and earned punishments, about three months ago. Maverick clicked on the notification, which pulled up the app. All his other potential punishments showed zero owed, but there was the number one next to Mouth Soaping. Maverick hated getting his mouth washed out, and he hated that he was getting a punishment when Ice wasn't even here, even though he realized Ice had given him a second chance and he'd spit it back in Ice's face.

He looked at the words Mouth Soaping. Below that was a description of the punishment: Dominant will wash submissive's mouth out with soap.

His face burned. With a sour burst of resentment, Maverick clicked on the punishment, and he changed the description to, Dominant can suck on soap himself, asshole.

He knew Ice would see it at some point. He was half scared of that moment and half defiantly wishing for it to happen.

Ice didn't see the change to the punishment on the app until he was in the car. Before he put the car into gear, he opened up Obedience ... and saw Mav's change to the description of the punishment.

It was a clear cry for attention, if anything was. And Ice wished he could just turn the car round and drive home. He didn't want to go to these meetings. Didn't want to leave Mav alone, when he knew his lover sometimes got lost inside his head and needed to be pulled back. Ice could only realistically do that in person, but maybe he could calm Mav down over the phone with a bit of thinking time.

Ignoring the fact that the delay would make him late for the meetings—Mav came first—Ice updated the Punishments tab in the app. Then, he dialled Mav's number.

Maverick saw the little heart notification and his stomach dropped, but before he could look at it, Ice's picture filled the screen, and "Ice Cream" by BLACKPINK started playing. Maverick swallowed thickly and answered the call.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey," Ice responded. "I know this is difficult for you. It's hard on me, too. But your attitude is getting out of hand. I think you need a bit of time to cool off. I can't be at home with you while you stand in the corner, but I can stay on the phone with you."

Maverick felt tears prick his eyes, and he swallowed thickly, wanting more than anything to go back to a minute ago when he'd had the clarity of anger instead of the weakness of this loneliness and vulnerability. He was sorry. He was sorry, and he knew he was acting out because he missed Ice and he felt alone, and he hated standing in the corner or any other punishment where he had to be isolated, away from Ice especially.

"Okay," he said, trying to keep the tremble out of his voice. "I'm going to do it in the bedroom so I can put the phone on the dresser and still hear you." He walked slowly down the hall. "How long do I have to do it for? Do I have to put my hands on my head?"

"Ten minutes," Ice replied gently. "You don't have to put your hands on your head, but try not to fidget. I know it's hard, but I also know you can be good for me. That you can be very good for me. I love you, Mav."

Maverick entered the bedroom. He put his phone on speaker and set it on the corner of the dresser, and then he positioned himself in the corner, facing the joint of the wall, nose almost touching.

"I'm in the corner," he said. "I love you, too. Ice, I'm sorry I was bad this morning. I want to be good for you. I don't want you to ever be disappointed in me…"

A hot tear rolled down his cheek, and he sniffled and shut up.

"I'm not disappointed in you, Mav," Ice said. "I understand how you feel. Do you think this doesn't affect me too? I don't want to leave you alone. It doesn't feel right when we're apart. And I'd come home in a moment … but the meetings would still need to happen, and all we'd be doing is spending even more time apart when I'd have to attend them again."

"I know. You're right. I just get so crazy without you."

"I'll be home as soon as the meetings are finished," Ice promised. "You just have to hold on for me until then. I know you can do it."

"I will." He paused. "Are you still gonna wash my mouth out?"

Ice considered that for a few moments. "If you don't swear at me for the rest of the day, I'll let you off that punishment," he said finally.

Maverick felt warm inside, like Ice was there hugging him. "Thank you. I'm gonna be good until you get home. You won't have to punish me at all."

"I'm glad to hear it," Ice said. "Even if I get back later than I'd like, there's no reason why we can't do something fun. And you can do me," he added.

Maverick grinned. "Looking forward to it, baby." He tried not to fidget. He stopped himself from turning to look at the time, but he couldn't stop from asking, "Has it been ten minutes yet?"

"Not quite," Ice answered. "You've got one minute left."

Maverick made it through the last minute without a fuss. When Ice released him from the corner, he picked up the phone, turned off speaker, and held it against his cheek. "I love you. I miss you. I'm going to be good for you."

And he was. For a few hours.

*

After he'd managed to calm Mav down, Ice had driven the rest of the way to the building where the meetings were being held. He'd hoped that the meetings would be over quickly and that he could get home to his lover soon.

But they weren't. They dragged on. And every time Ice thought that he'd finally be able to make his escape, another problem would come up. Nothing was easy to deal with. And eventually, even Ice's cool exterior was threatening to crack.

By the time he got back in his car, he was exhausted and in a sour mood. He turned his phone back on, planning to tell Maverick he was about to head back, but as soon as the screen came to life, notifications began popping up. Voicemails, texts. Maverick, Maverick, Maverick. And then the Obedience app. Over and over and over again.

Shit.

A break of more than two hours, then:

Forty-five minutes.

Twenty minutes.

There were three voicemails, all from Maverick, the first one detailing his fuck up at work, the second begging Ice to call him back, the third a teary apology.

Ice sighed. He looked at the Obedience app updates. First, Maverick had checked off his corner time. Then he'd indicated eating a proper lunch and taking a break. Then he'd logged losing his temper, which triggered a request for Ice to assign a punishment. He hadn't, so Maverick had assigned himself a verbal warning, then a hand spanking, then two, then a paddling, then a bedtime spanking, then a week of them. Then he had deleted all of the owed punishments, and not long after, completely deleted every punishment option from the app, so the Punishments screen was blank.

He was tired. Drained. And there was still the long drive back home to look forward to. Right now, all Ice wanted was to be home with Mav. And from the calls, messages, messing with the app...that was all Mav wanted as well.

But even though Ice just wanted to go home and be with Mav, that wasn't what his lover needed right now. Mav needed to be pulled back. He needed Ice to be the solid, immovable force that he couldn't push against. And Ice loved Mav enough to give him what he needed. Even when it wasn't pleasant. Because it was Mav and he was Ice's entire world.

Ice wasted no time in dialling Mav's number, hoping that he would be answered. If he could talk to Mav, he could keep his lover calm. At least until Ice could get home to him.

Maverick had been crying a while, and when he heard "Ice Cream" play and saw Ice's picture fill up his phone screen, his gut cramped with guilt. He wiped his face hastily and took a deep breath so maybe Ice wouldn't know how upset he'd let himself get.

"Hi," Maverick said. "Ice, I … I'm sorry. I told you I'd be good for you today, but I blew it. I'm sorry."

"It's all right, Mav." Ice's voice was very gentle. "I know you tried your hardest. I know you had every intention of being good for me. I've still got to drive home to you, but I'm out of the meetings now. I want you to try and eat something for me, Mav. Can you do that? Wash your face and have something to eat. I'm right here, Mav. I love you. We'll get through this. We'll get through everything, as long as we're together."

Maverick sniffed. He felt some of the weight leave him. Just hearing Ice's voice made him feel so much better. So much safer. "I love you, too, Ice. I'll do whatever you say, okay? I'm gonna—as soon as you hang up, I'll eat and I'll wash my face, I promise. Is it going to take a very long time for you to get home?"

"It'll be about three hours, but I'll drive as fast as it's possible to safely do so," Ice promised. "I'm not going to stop, Mav. I'll come straight home to you. And once I'm there, I can take care of you properly."

Maverick felt warmth spread through him at the thought of Ice walking in the door and putting his arms around him, but he knew what those last words meant, and a stone of dread formed in his belly. He was in for a punishment. A serious one. And it scared him, of course it did, but he also knew that he needed it. Desperately.

"Yes, sir," he whispered. "I'll be here waiting."

"I love you," Ice reiterated. "I know you've been feeling out of control, but it's okay. I'll be there soon. You don't need to do anything other than wash your face and eat something."

"I will. I love you."

"I'll see you soon," Ice promised, before disconnecting the call and beginning the drive home.

*

Maverick had washed his face and eaten as Ice had told him, and then he'd changed into his pajamas and laid down in their bed. He had laid there quietly, but he was too worked up to sleep. Time bobbed along. It felt like one hour when he heard Ice drive up, and it felt like ten. Maverick ran to the front door when he heard the engine of Ice's car stop purring, and he waited for him, standing still and straight-backed a couple yards from the door. He wanted to jump into Ice's arms the second he came in, but he was going to make himself wait.

Ice was out of the car almost before the engine had stopped. He didn't hesitate or waste any time, instead immediately heading to the front door. He opened it, stepped inside and quickly moved to Mav, reaching out to draw his lover into a tight embrace.

Maverick melted into the hug. "I'm so happy you're home."

"So am I." Ice hugged Mav tightly, pressing a kiss to his lips. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too."

Maverick wished that they could stop there. That they could just hold each other and kiss each other and go to bed. But he knew that wasn't what he needed. He had to let Ice take care of him, his wildness and the emotions he couldn't tame. Ice was going to have to pull him back. Hard.

Ice gently rubbed his hands down Mav's arms, squeezing them gently, and spoke in a low, serious tone. "Let's go to the main room. We need to deal with today."

He began to lead Mav in that direction. Maverick followed. He would follow Ice anywhere. He knew this was going to be a severe punishment, and he was on the verge of tears just thinking about it, but at the same time, he was almost eager for it. Because it would help him. It would be hell to endure, but as soon as it was over, he would feel better, and he could be the good boy Ice deserved.

Ice didn't have to go and retrieve the paddle. He didn't need to use it that often, but it was kept in the main room for if it was needed. He took it off the wall as they passed, as he guided Mav towards the couch. Taking a seat, he drew Mav round in front of him and began to ease his pajama pants down.

Maverick managed to stand still for him. Once he'd taken Mav's pants down, Ice guided his lover across his lap. He rubbed Mav's back for a few moments, speaking in a low, gentle tone. "I know today was tough on you, Mav. But no matter what happens, it isn't your job to decide what punishment you deserve. You need to leave that in my hands."

Maverick stiffened a little. "I didn't even think about that, Ice. You're right. I know you're right. You take care of me, and I'm so much better because of it."

"I think you'd be harder on yourself than I could or would ever be." Ice moved his hand a bit lower, towards Mav's backside. He raised his hand and brought it down in a firm, stinging smack that he then repeated.

Maverick yelped as pain started to spread over his backside. He forced himself to hold still. This was just the warm up.

Ice settled quickly into a pattern of swats, working his way over the entirety of Mav's backside, from the crest down to mid-thigh. And then he began again from the top. His other arm was wrapped around Mav's waist, keeping the other man close and tight against his stomach.

Maverick began to breathe shallowly as his backside began to burn, as the pain started to make his skin feel raw, his flesh achy and swollen. It hurt, and he still felt wild and unsettled inside, but Ice's strong grip on him was so comforting—he felt so safe in Ice's hold, over his lap, with Ice taking charge, even when that took the form of a spanking.

"I've got you, Mav." Ice's voice was calm as he continued to swat, turning Mav's backside a warm pink under his hand. "I love you. No matter what happens, I won't give up on you. And I won't let you flounder."

After a final series of swats to Mav's sit spots and thighs, Ice paused and picked up the paddle.

Maverick shivered, then he took a deep breath, steeled himself. He swallowed thickly, tears gathering on his lashes. He took two fists full of the fabric of Ice's pants.

"Do it. Please. I'm ready."

Ice didn't say anything. He didn't scold, or voice any censure. Gently rubbing Mav's back with his other hand, he brought the paddle down firmly with his dominant hand. Then delivered a second strike opposite to the first, then two more just below the first pair.

Maverick cried out as the first sharp strike of the paddle bit him like a diamondback. The force of the paddle rocked Maverick over Ice's knee, and he hadn't absorbed it before it came down again, and again, and again. Ice wasn't using all his strength, but he was putting some muscle behind it, and when the paddle landed it was a sharp, hot burn, and a moment after, a terrible, bruise-y ache all through the flesh. It started to hurt badly soon, and each smack just hurt worse than the one before, and added onto the collective pain. It was only four or five smacks in when Maverick started to cry. He often cried during his punishments, and usually it was a soft, quiet kind of crying because of the release of guilt and emotions. This wasn't that. It was desperate, loud, wracking crying, the tears of a child burning his hand or an animal with its leg in a trap. There were so many emotions, so big, and he'd held them for so long, that this was the only way they could come out.

It was hard to listen to Mav cry. It was always hard to hear him cry. If Ice didn't know how much this was needed, he wouldn't do it. He would have stopped the spanking the moment the loud, desperate crying began. But he knew Mav well. He knew what his lover needed. So he steeled himself and he continued bringing the paddle down. It no longer landed methodically, instead falling in random places all over Mav's backside.

Maverick sobbed. He writhed and kicked. The paddling was brutal. Every inch of his backside and his upper thighs screamed with pain. He wanted to yell, but the sound that came out was a wail.

It felt terrible. He felt like he wouldn't survive it. And it felt liberating, amazing, healing, because he could feel the horrible, huge, awful feeling that had been bursting out of him all day like he was an active volcano start to drain from him. It came out in the flood of tears and in the weak, pained yowl he couldn't stop. Every time the paddle landed and lit him up with pain, more and more of the awful feeling was exorcised.

Ice forced himself to continue bringing the paddle down, making sure every inch of Maverick's backside and upper thighs were covered equally. His free hand rubbed gently over his lover's back as he murmured, "I've got you, Mav. I'm here. I love you."

Maverick couldn't have told you how long Ice paddled him if his life depended on it. It felt like forever. He laid over Ice's lap, the paddle assaulting his backside, crying as hard as he ever had. The pain kept coming. It didn't matter how much Maverick squirmed and kicked and sobbed; Ice kept spanking him. And a bit at a time, that awful feeling left him. He began to calm. He stopped squirming and kicking. He quieted. Eventually, he even stopped crying, and he just lay limp over Ice's knee as the paddle kept landing. The pain was severe, aching and stinging and burning all at once, but Maverick felt better than he had all day.

Ice had been paying careful attention to Mav's reactions, so he was able to tell once his lover had completely surrendered. Once he had, Ice put the paddle to one side, and carefully helped Mav until he could cuddle his lover on his lap, stroking his hair and down his back, murmuring soft, reassuring words in Mav's ear.

Maverick relaxed in Ice's embrace. He felt every part of him relax. He wasn't safer anywhere in the world. He was too drained and his body had been through too much for him to speak just now, but he listened to the sweet things Ice was whispering to him, and smelled his familiar scent, and found peace.

Ice continued to stroke, caress, touch and whisper to Mav. He didn't push for conversation, or for Mav to do anything other than receive comfort and affection. He kissed the side of Mav's head, nuzzling against his cheek. He didn't enjoy spanking his lover, but couldn't deny that it had worked.

After Maverick seemed relaxed, his breathing even, Ice carefully redressed his lover, scooped him up in his arms, and carried him down the hall to their bedroom. He laid Maverick on the bed on his belly. Maverick relaxed into it like a liquid. He turned his head just a little, and looked up at Ice.

His voice was small and rough. "You gon' wash my mouth?"

"I don't think it's necessary." Ice settled on the bed next to Mav, reached out and caressed his cheek. Then he reached for one of the small bottles of water and opened it, encouraging Mav to drink. "Try not to talk unless you need to."

Maverick cuddled against his lover and took little sips of water.

"Love you," he whispered. "Thank you. For the punishment. I needed it. And for not giving up on me. And for loving me no matter what."

Ice wrapped his arms around Mav in a close, tight embrace. "I'd never give up on you, Mav. I need you in my life. And I love you, so much. I'll help you each and every time you need it."

Maverick buried his face in Ice's chest. "I love you."

Ice cuddled his lover tightly, kissing the top of Mav's head. Today had been hard, but ultimately, they'd got through it. Just like they would if and when it happened again.

"Sometime later, we're going to go over our rules," Ice said. "I'm going to put punishments back in the app. And I'm going to change the settings so no one can alter the punishments but me. I think I need to be in charge of that, don't you? Especially determining what punishments are appropriate?"

"Yes," Maverick agreed readily. "Things are much better when you're in charge and I don't try to punish myself."

"You're too hard on yourself."

"Mm-hmm," Maverick said drowsily. He cuddled in closer.

Ice kissed his temple. "Get some sleep."

"'kay. Don't get any ideas, now, but the harder you spank me, the better I sleep."

"Maverick."

"Sleeping now. Love you."

"Love you, too."

The End