Code Of Reflection

Summary: Next in the Code Of… series. Chris screws up. Marcus needs to deal with his brother, but doesn’t find it easy
Warning(s): Spanking; spoilers for the movie Triple 9; AU; references to violence

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“I’m too angry to deal with you right now, Chris. Go and stand in the corner.”

Those were the first words Marcus had spoken to him since they’d reached Markus’ apartment and Chris felt his stomach drop. He ran a hand through his hair. “Marcus, I….”

“No.” Marcus cut him off firmly. “I don’t want to hear any excuses or backtalk. I need time to calm down. You need to reflect on what happened today.”

Chris closed his mouth and turned to walk towards the corner, his shoulders slumping. He stared at the join in the wall and resisted he urge to pick at the peeling wallpaper.

Corner time was really boring. Chris didn’t think he needed much time to reflect. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know what he’d done wrong. Chasing after a suspect without waiting for backup from his partner was stupid. Dangerous in the extreme; even more so when he’d realised his gun had had the safety clicked on when he’d gone to use it. Really, he was lucky that Marcus had come along when he had.

Giving a slow sigh, Chris strained his ears, listening to make sure Marcus hadn’t left him. This might be embarrassing and make him feel childish, but he knew he’d feel a whole lot worse if he was left alone with his own thoughts.

There was the sound of rustling and then Marcus spoke up. “I know you wouldn’t accept the actions you took today from Gabe. You’d be upset and worried, even angry with him.”

Chris took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping even more. He wanted to deny it. Wanted to turn round and argue with Marcus. Claim that he wouldn’t make Gabe stand in the corner…but that would be a lie. Marcus might not have actually witnessed the way Chris dealt with his brother, but it wasn’t as if it was a secret between the three of them.

It was hard not to let his mind wander. He stared at the corner, at the peeling wallpaper, and thought about how he would feel if Gabe had taken the same actions as him today.

It didn’t take much. If Gabe had taken off after a suspect, alone and with a gun that had the safety on…Chris would have been scared. Actually, no, he would have been terrified. So scared that…well, he would have put his brother in the corner, because he would have needed the time to calm himself down.

Chris stopped trying to listen to what Marcus was doing. He resisted the urge to pick at the wallpaper. Pushed aside the desire to sigh and roll his eyes.

And without the outside distractions, his mind was free to work. His shoulders slumped and his head dropped against the wall. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. That’s what I was waiting for.” Chris felt Marcus’ hand on his shoulder as the other man continued speaking. “You really scared me today, Chris.”

He winced, but stayed facing the corner. He heard the hoarse note in Marcus’ voice and took a deep, shaky breath. “You’re right. I wouldn’t accept the same actions I took from Gabe.”

“Good. You going to tell me what the hell was going through your mind?”

“Nothing.” Chris answered the question honestly, tensing slightly when Marcus tightened his grip in response. “I didn’t think of anything, except that there was a suspect I knew we needed to bring in. And I was arrogant enough to believe I could do it without help.” He paused. “Forgive me?”

“Yeah. But you’re still getting spanked.”

“I figured that.” Chris took a deep breath. “I am sorry, brother. I’ll make better choices next time. And not just because I don’t want to get spanked again,” he added, a slightly wry note creeping into his voice. “I know how my actions today affected you. I’ll try not to do that again.”

“Yeah?” Marcus brought Chris out of the corner, leading him over to the couch. “Don’t try. Do.” He sat down and pulled Chris to stand in front of him. He unbuckled Chris’ belt and pulled it free, setting it on the couch beside him before unbuttoning and unzipping his pants, pulling them down along with his boxers.

Chris allowed himself to be guided over Marcus’ lap. He took a deep breath and clasped his hands in front of him.

Marcus began to swat, hard and fast, covering every inch of Chris’ backside down to mid-thigh. He didn’t speak, just worked his way over Chris’ bottom.

By the time Marcus had reached his thighs for the third time, Chris was shifting and biting back groans. He gripped his hands tighter, his nails digging into his own skin, to stop himself from throwing his hands back over his backside.

The smacks fell harder and faster, more focused to Chris’ sit spots and thighs. His eyes blurred with tears and he gasped out, “I’m sorry. I won’t…do it again.”

“I really hope you won’t, but I intend to make sure of that.”

Chris couldn’t help the whimper when he felt his own doubled-over belt resting against his backside. The cool leather felt good against his heated skin, but only for a few moments before the belt was raised and slapped down across the centre of his ass.

Chris let out a strangled yelp and threw a hand back. “Marcus, please,” he choked out. “I’m sorry.”

“I know you are, brother.” As he spoke, Marcus moved Chris’ hand out of the way. Held it against his back. Delivered a second and third stripe of fire from the belt. “I know this hurts, but I’d rather give you a sore ass than have to mourn your death.” On every other word, he delivered a burning strike from the belt.

It was the words as much as the pain from the belt that broke Chris. He slumped limp over Marcus’ lap, sobbing out broken apologies.

It took a while for him to realise the strapping was over and that Marcus was now rubbing his back. Sniffling, he swiped at the tears still streaming down his cheeks and took several deep breaths. “I won’t do it again,” he promised.

“I believe you.” Marcus helped Chris to stand and then wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug. “It isn’t just Gabe and your wife and kid who can’t afford to lose you, Chris.”

“I know.” Chris wrapped his arms around Marcus in a hug that was just as tight and fierce. “I’m lucky to have a brother who loves me that much.”

“And don’t you ever forget it,” Marcus said seriously.

The End