Learning And Re-Learning

Summary: 2nd in Fallen Kingdom series. Spin-off from Redeeming Grant story 53.
Warning(s): Spanking; heavy D/s; elements of age-play; some sexual content – could be considered pseudo-incest; spoilers up to and including Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom; AU; potentially triggering material – minor self-inflicted wounds

###

Eli swallowed a sigh and straightened his shoulders as he headed to Lockwood's room. Things were already stressful enough without the older man suddenly taking an interest in what was going on in the mansion. It was bad enough he'd found Maisie sneaking around where she shouldn't be. Luckily, she was easily locked into her room. Lockwood wouldn't be as easy to dissuade if the older man had suddenly decided to pay attention. Eli didn't have time for this. Buyers were already arriving; not to mention he'd discovered that Owen Grady, Claire Dearing and their crew had somehow survived. He'd have to find some way to get them taken care of, or they could tell the wrong people. If they'd just got left behind on the island, it would have been so much easier. Pausing at the door to Lockwood's room for a second, Eli took a deep breath and then opened the door, stepping through and closing it firmly behind him. "You needed to see me, sir?"

Lockwood sat up straighter in his bed and held eye contact with Eli. "I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to be completely honest with me," he said, a heavy note of disappointment in his voice that he didn't even try to hide. "What are you doing with the dinosaurs here? Are you carrying out my directions? Or working to your own agenda?"

Eli blinked at the tone as much as the question. "Are the two mutually exclusive?" he asked, a hint of amusement entering his tone. "You left me in charge of saving the dinosaurs from being destroyed on the island. I did so..." He didn't directly answer the question. Considering if he'd followed the plan Lockwood had agreed to completely, the dinosaurs would be on an island that would contain them easily and keep people out.

"I don't expect you to dance around the question, Eli," Lockwood said. "You have the dinosaurs imprisoned here and plan to auction them off to the highest bidder. Am I mistaken?"

The humor quickly disappeared from Eli's face as he had to face the fact that Lockwood had somehow found out the truth about what was occurring. "They will only be here for as long as necessary for the buyers to move them to their new locations." He shrugged. "They're as safe as it is possible for them to be."

Lockwood frowned. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that it's not their current location that concerns me as much as what you intend to do. This wasn't the plan we agreed on. Why did you change it?" he asked directly. What he did next would entirely depend on how Eli responded.

"It's nothing you didn't already start!" Eli immediately felt defensive and went on the offensive as a result. "These creatures wouldn't even be alive right now if you hadn't manipulated genetics or funded the manipulation of them! Some people have seen a use for them; something to benefit people beyond a 'wow, would you look at that' factor..." He swallowed and pushed down the nagging voice that occasionally popped into his head reminding him that it would only benefit people if the dinosaurs were handled by scrupulous individuals who had a lot of oversight to prevent the abuse of the newfound knowledge and misuse of the dinosaurs already bred. And the ones bidding today? Didn't really fall into the category of scrupulous.

"These people you are referring to," Lockwood said, "do they plan to protect a species that is, for all intents and purposes, endangered? Or are they more likely to use them as weapons?"

Eli didn't answer the question, looking away from Lockwood and clenching his teeth and hands. He could lie, say that the animals would be protected. But he knew any protection given to the dinosaurs would be solely to protect the buyers' investment. Once they buyers figured out a way to breed their own versions of the creature they bought, they wouldn't be as hard pressed to protect the dinosaur. And they were buying them as weapons. What other reason would shady governments, crime families and underworld characters have for buying a carnivorous giant lizard? "...So worried about the morality of what was done, now?" he couldn't help but ask in an accusing tone; because it was easier to try and focus blame on his mentor than to admit how wrong he was. It wasn't like he could stop proceedings now. Too many other people were involved and if he attempted to stop, then the buyers would pay one of those other people to step in and get them what they wanted anyway; and he'd be a dead man.

"We could argue the moral rights and wrongs of the original actions all day and night," Lockwood replied. "It won't change that the dinosaurs are here now. And they didn't ask to be created. If they can't protect themselves, it's up to us to do that. I could insist on calling the police on you, but you've been working for me for long enough now that I believe our relationship runs deeper than that. I don't truly believe this is what you wanted."

Eli glanced up at Lockwood's mentioning of the police, a small hint of fear in his eyes that changed to reluctant apology as Lockwood affirmed a belief in him that he didn't think he really deserved. "I... I didn't think about the end result for the dinosaurs, or for anyone, beyond shoring up our accounts. Money has been scarce and if we wanted to continue the research, we needed funds and... when I finally stopped to think about the animals themselves and how they'd be used... stopped to think about what could happen if the wrong people bought them... it was already too late to stop. Everything is in motion and I have no doubt someone, if not more than one someones, would step in and eliminate me... eliminate you... if we got in the way of their plans...." He ran a hand across his face. "I'm sorry. I don't want to think about what is happening to them; what could happen because of this. I can't stop it and all that will happen is..." He swallowed again. All that would happen was he'd feel extremely guilty, but guilt wouldn't change anything. It was too late.

"Is there anyone else here who might be on our side? Or at least the side of the dinosaurs?" Lockwood asked. He could accept that he himself couldn't do much. He might still be fairly mobile, but he was an older man who needed a breathing tube. Eli was right. Eliminating him would be easy.

Eli almost said no, but then paused and gave Lockwood a reluctant nod. "Claire Dearing and Owen Grady are here. We have them locked up downstairs; they...snuck on board the transport with the dinosaurs and discovered what I had been up to..." He sounded more ashamed when he mentioned that they'd snuck aboard the transport from the island than he did at the fact they'd been locked up. He couldn't look Lockwood in the eye and only hoped the older man didn't come to the right conclusion about what had been done to the other two. What he'd already done was bad enough. While he hadn't ordered them killed, he'd deliberately left everything in the hands of Ken Wheatley and then proceeded to not ask questions or pay attention to what the other man did. He may as well have ordered them abandoned on the island himself.

"They 'snuck onboard'? They weren't going to be brought back with the dinosaurs?" Once again, the weight of Lockwood's disappointment was clear. He came to a very quick decision. "Come here, Eli."

Lockwood's disappointment cut deeper than Eli had thought it would, considering what he'd been doing behind the older man's back. Then again, he'd been feeling pretty guilty about everything he'd done and just ignoring his guilt and ignoring all implications and consequences of his actions. He'd told himself it was too late to stop, so he had to make sure he succeeded. The truth was, he didn't want to face what he'd done. And now Lockwood knew. Eli quickly moved to the older man's side before he even stopped to think about it. He blinked when he realized where he was now standing- that he'd so quickly obeyed his mentor- but he didn't step away. He stayed where he'd moved. It would be obvious that he hadn't meant to move if he moved away too soon. It would be obvious that obeying was ingrained, and he'd thought himself beyond that. Hoped that Lockwood had thought him beyond that. Swallowing, he whispered, "I don't know what the plan was exactly for them... I left it entirely up to Ken Wheatley... Told him to make sure they didn't come to the mansion once they'd helped do their part. Drop them off at the port and lose them somehow. And not tell me how he'd done it..." Because deep down, he'd known Ken's first choice wouldn't be to leave them alive as possible loose ends and he didn't want to be tied in any way to the choice to murder them. Even if he was tied because he'd hired Ken and told him to keep them from coming back to the mansion. He winced.

"But you had an idea of what he would do." Lockwood didn't plan to dance around the issue. He had no doubts that Eli knew full well what the other man would do...and had chosen to turn a blind eye to it. "You're going to answer for your actions right now and then we will see how we can salvage this," he stated.

Eli shook his head in slight confusion. "I'm going to answer... You said you weren't calling the police!" He didn't bother arguing Lockwood's point about knowing what would be done and choosing to ignore it and pretend he didn't know. He also didn't argue about the fact he'd be answering for those actions. For the first time since this mess had begun, he was feeling like he had a chance to be free from the hole he'd dug himself into; mostly because now someone else knew the truth. Someone he'd trusted for the largest part of his life. He knew Lockwood wanted to do the right thing, even if some of his life choices had been questionable. If Lockwood truly did want to call the police? Eli tensed up as the choice was upon him....

"I'm not going to call the police, son." The name slipped out without conscious thought; but the feelings were real and there. "I'm going to punish you myself for what you've done - how you've let me down - without alerting the authorities."

And just like that, the choice was made. Eli relaxed, the impulse to smother the older man and continue on as planned evaporating and disappearing, only a faint lingering of shame that he'd thought of the idea, let alone considered it, hanging over his head. If he was so far gone that he'd consider killing his mentor in order to get away with his actions... what was wrong with him? Maybe he needed to have the police called. Swallowing, Eli gave Lockwood an apologetic look, even if the older man wouldn't have known the danger, however brief, he'd been in. "How do you plan to do that? Remove me from the board? Fire me?"

"Neither of those." Lockwood adjusted his position slightly, holding eye contact with the younger man. "I'm going to take you over my knee and I am going to spank you." The words were simply uttered, with no hint of a joke. He never broke eye contact once.

Eli blinked. "You're not joking..." he finally said, when he could see no sign of Lockwood trying to fool him. He looked at how Lockwood was positioned. If the older man took him 'over his knee' as he suggested he planned to do, Eli's torso would be supported on the bed while his legs dangled over the side. "That won't be terribly comfortable for you..." he managed to say, in what he thought was a calm manner. His voice was higher pitched than normal, giving away the fact that Lockwood's words had made him nervous.

Lockwood reached out and placed his hand on Eli's arm. "It might not be the most comfortable position for me, but it's the most personal one. One used for family."

Eli swallowed hard at that. "You still view me as family? After everything?" he asked quietly.

"Of course, I do, son," Lockwood answered, without hesitation. "You might have made some mistakes, but that doesn't mean I would throw you away."

"I made a lot of hellish mistakes, old man..." Eli said, with a hint of disbelief that Lockwood wasn't showing more anger at him. Then again, he could handle anger. The disappointment was what hurt worse. His mentor had chosen the correct emotion to get through to him.

"I'm aware of that," Lockwood answered, squeezing his arm. "But they don't define you. They're not impossible to fix. The spanking will take care of the barrier between us and then we will figure out where to go from there."

Eli nodded before giving Lockwood a sheepish look. "Wh... what do I need to do? I've never... and you've never... and I think I know, but..." He winced at how inarticulate he suddenly found himself.

"Just cooperate. Don't fight me. That's all you have to do." Lockwood's voice was gentle as he let his hand slide down to grasp Eli's wrist, so he could pull the younger man forward and across his knees.

"Okay..." Eli took a deep breath and forced himself to relax...let himself be tugged over Lockwood's lap.

Lockwood adjusted Eli's position slightly, then took a firm grip on the younger man before baring him and bringing his hand down in the first firm smack.

Eli cringed as he was bared, not having expected that to happen, but he didn't fight. When the first smack landed, he hissed slightly but kept himself still.

Settling quickly into a rhythm, Lockwood went down to Eli's thighs with the swats before starting over from the top. Partway through the second circuit, he began to speak. "You might have made some big mistakes, but those don't make you a bad person. I still believe in you, Eli."

"What if I can't make things right? People could die...." Eli found himself saying, before slumping at his own realization. "What did I do?!"

"You made a mistake." Lockwood kept his tone gentle, even as he began a third circuit of swats, going a bit harder and faster. "In over your head and I suspect it got harder to back out the longer things went on."

"I don't even know how to begin backing out!" Eli admitted with a choked voice, beginning to cry. He remained slumped over Lockwood's knee, completely accepting whatever his mentor decided to do. "I need help, sir... Please help me figure out what to do?" He began to cry harder.

"Of course, son," Lockwood replied. "I wouldn't abandon you to handle this alone. I'll help you," he promised.

With that promise, Eli submitted completely, going completely limp and crying hard enough his body shook, even though no sound escaped. "I'm sorry... I wish I'd never... I'm sorry, sir..." he said, in a tiny, broken voice.

Bringing the spanking to a stop, Lockwood replaced Eli's clothing and then carefully moved the younger man into his arms on the bed. "I know you're sorry. I forgive you," he said softly.

Eli quickly regained control over his crying, though he notably didn't try and move out of Lockwood's embrace. "What should I do, sir?" he whispered.

Lockwood tightened his arms around Eli. "I think we need to call in a separate group," he said. "Even if we could free Owen and Claire without any kind of backlash, four of us can't do much."

"Six..." Eli gave Lockwood a shamed look. "Claire had her two assistants with her. I'll... make a call."

Lockwood nodded and gently squeezed the younger man's shoulder. "Thank you, son."

***

To say he'd been surprised by the sudden influx of soldiers and specialized animal handlers would have been an understatement. To learn that Eli had been the one to call them was an even bigger surprise; although watching the man stand next to Lockwood as all the dinosaurs who hadn't been sold were rounded up and taken to more secure settings made it a little less of a surprise. Eli was reacting to Lockwood like Owen tended to react toward Ian.

At any rate, all the animals that hadn't been sold prior to the auction being disrupted had been quickly taken to be relocated to a more secure site. The IndoRaptor's remains were taken just as quickly. Owen wasn't naive enough to believe they'd just be disposed of, but he hoped that since it was the national guard doing clean-up the chances of it disappearing into some shadowy organization weren't as high. Yeah. Right.

Eli had given a list of attendees, as well as a list of who had bought what and those in command seemed positive that they would be able to intercept the buyers and their trophies with little problem. And if, for some reason, someone snuck through the cracks, they knew who to watch. Of course, that only took care of the dinosaurs that were at the compound. It did nothing to stop the flying or swimming dinosaurs that most likely escaped the self-destructing island. That was going to be a fun public service announcement.

Taking a deep breath, Owen walked over with Claire, standing in front of Lockwood, Eli and Maisie. "No offense. But I'm through. Don't call me to help with anymore of your creations...."

Claire's eyes widened, and she cleared her throat. "I... I'd still like to work with you. These animals need someone who understands them to help make sure their enclosures are humane and as close to what they need to thrive as possible. I can do that...."

Owen just shook his head and gave the woman a tiny smile. He'd known they weren't going to get back together. But at least this time, they'd be parting on better terms. "Can I get a ride back to the airport you picked me up at? I left my car there...."

Claire nodded at Owen. "Of course. Just... Can I still work with you? To help the animals?" She looked at Lockwood beseechingly.

Lockwood had stood fairly close to Eli throughout the whole proceedings; not quite touching, but close enough to it that all it would take would be a minute shifting on one of their parts. He nodded to Claire. "The initial plans may have been derailed, but I still hope to eventually put them back on track."

Claire relaxed at that news. "Thank you. Are... are they taking the animals to the island you'd originally planned, then?"

Lockwood nodded. "I'll make sure to keep you updated for as long as you want to be," he said.

"Thank you..." Claire smiled.

Owen sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "...Uh...if they manage to capture Blue..." He paused. He may not plan to be involved in anything dinosaur related anymore, but he still cared about the raptor and wanted to know that she was okay.

"I'll make sure you know everything we do about her," Lockwood promised Owen.

Owen nodded and gave the older man a grateful look. "I... if no one else needs me, I need to head home. My father was at work when I left, so..." He scratched his ear, a worried look on his face. Ian always told him he could never do anything bad enough for Ian to just give up on him. He figured running off without word would count as really bad.

"Do you need to call him?" Lockwood thought it was likely Owen had just taken off without a word, which meant Ian was likely completely frantic by now.

Owen swallowed. "I probably should. My phone was destroyed on the island and I haven't really had a chance to pause since...."

Lockwood took out his own phone and handed it to Owen.

"Thanks..." Owen gave Lockwood a crooked, if nervous smile and then dialed his father's number by memory. It was late, and he hated that he might wake his father up and scare him, but he also knew Ian wouldn't really get much rest till he knew Owen was okay either, so better to call. He fidgeted slightly while the phone rang.

Claire, deciding to give Owen privacy, moved over to talk with Maisie.

The phone was answered almost immediately, and Ian's voice was saying, "Owen?" That one word...his son's name...was filled with an almost desperate fear. He sounded completely wide awake, as if he hadn't slept at all.

"Yessir... it's Owen..." Owen kept his voice soft and deferential, trying to make certain that Ian could hear in his voice that he was okay and not in danger or hurt.

Ian took a deep breath, dropping his own voice to a softer level, as if he was talking to a wild animal he was worried might bolt. "Where are you, son? Are you safe? Do you need me to come get you and bring you home?"

"I'm safe... we're safe..." He glanced toward where Claire was talking with Maisie before looking at Eli, then into Lockwood's eyes. "I'm at Mr. Lockwood's mansion. They called in the national guard..." He couldn't help snorting at that. It still surprised him that Eli had done an about face and called in reinforcements to try and correct what he'd done wrong but looking at how Lockwood was standing next to the younger man, he was beginning to understand it. Lockwood was Eli's Ian. "I think I can get home faster if I catch a plane to the airport near home. My car is there anyway. It'd take you at least a day of driving if you came to pick me up...." He kept his voice as calm and reassuring as he could possibly make it. Hearing the fear and pain in his father's voice? Was making him want to grovel and beg for forgiveness.

"I love you, son. I want you to come home." Ian didn't tell Owen how terrified he'd been for his son's safety. He didn't say that he hadn't been able to sleep...that he'd been driving round everywhere. Calling the hospital. Not even able to concentrate on work, though he'd had to continue going in. "I was so worried about you...." This time, his voice was quite obviously haunted.

"I'm sorry..." Owen couldn't keep the tiny, apologetic, almost childish tone out of his voice as he apologized. Darting a look toward Lockwood and Eli, he swallowed hard, deciding it didn't matter if they saw him being 'submissive' to his father over the phone. He somehow doubted Lockwood would care and after what Eli had done, the other man wouldn't have anything to say about it. "I shouldn't have just taken off... I left a note, but... you didn't get it?" His voice was hesitant. He knew a note wasn't enough. The right thing to do would have been to talk with his father face to face and let him know what he planned. Just because he knew Ian would have been able to stop him if he wanted wasn't an excuse to just sneak off.

"Son, you were going to an island that was about to have a volcano erupt," Ian said. "I tried calling you. When you didn't answer, and I realized the eruption had happened...." He paused, emotion making it difficult for him to continue. "I thought I'd lost you," he whispered.

"I'm sorry..." Owen repeated again, blinking back tears of remorse and trying to act adult in front of the other two men (and glad Claire wasn't paying attention to him). "I couldn't call...my phone got destroyed in the escape..." he said faintly. It wasn't a good excuse. "I'm okay... honest... Mr. Lockwood could tell you as much. He's staring at me right now..." He tried for levity.

"I need to see you myself, son," Ian said. "In a minute, you're going to give the phone to Lockwood and I'm going to talk to him about the best way of getting you back home. But first, we're going to talk about what's going to happen when you come home."

"Yessir..." Owen's voice fell to nearly a whisper; it was obvious to anyone who knew the signs that he'd fallen into a more submissive mindset. He was completely focused on listening to Ian and obeying him.

"When you get home, you're going to strip naked and then stand in the corner in our bedroom," Ian said, his voice serious...nearly stern.

"Yessir..." Owen's voice was soft, contrite and clearly ashamed.

"What are you going to do?" Ian prompted.

Owen's eyes widened at Ian's question and he darted a nervous glance toward Lockwood. "Da... Lockwood and Eli are still here..." he whispered frantically into the phone.

"You sneaked out of the house when I wasn't there, only leaving a note, and putting yourself into a seriously dangerous position," Ian answered. "So, little boy...my naughty little boy...what are you going to do when you get home?"

Owen closed his eyes, slumping. "...When I get home, I'm going to strip naked and then stand in the corner in our bedroom..." he said softly, so that his voice didn't carry too far, but clearly enough that Lockwood and Eli could hear.

Eli's eyes widened, and he quickly made himself scarce, going over to join Claire and Maisie.

Owen blushed darkly, his eyes darting toward Lockwood to see the older man's reaction.

Lockwood looked somewhat surprised by the words, but he didn't comment on them. It was obvious that Owen's father had prompted Owen to say them and Lockwood figured the other man had a reason to do that.

"Good boy," Ian said. "I love you. So very much so. And I'm glad you're safe and coming home to me. To your alpha."

"I love you too, da... I'll get home fast as I'm able..." Owen's tone had taken on a completely submissive tone.

"My good boy." The possessive note in Ian's tone was clear. "Put Lockwood on the phone now, son."

"Yes, daddy..." Owen glanced up at Lockwood and obediently held the phone out to him. "Daddy wants to talk to you..." he said, his tone and choice of words making it clear he was feeling young and vulnerable.

Lockwood took the phone from Owen with a nod and put it to his ear. "Lockwood here." He listened for a moment and then said, "It won't be a problem. I've got a private plane they can make use of." He paused and then said, "Most of them have been rounded up by the authorities and there are plans in place to secure them on an island where they'll be safe." He paused and then said, "Yes, Owen said as much." He listened a few moments more and then held the phone back out to Owen.

Swallowing hard, Owen took the phone back and held it up to his ear. "Daddy?" he asked softly, hesitantly, trying to remain in control of himself - his father wasn't here to catch him if he fell - but finding it difficult because he really needed to be with his father at this moment. Everything was finally catching up to him and he just needed to be with Ian and let go.

"Lockwood has a private plane and he's going to arrange for you to be flown to the airport where you left your car," Ian said, his voice soft and reassuring. "You'll be with me soon, son. I love you so much."

Owen relaxed at the words. "I love you too, daddy... I am sorry..." he added in, not remembering if he'd told his father that in all his explanations.

"I know you are, son," Ian replied gently. "We'll deal with what happened. You'll be forgiven. Grounded, but still forgiven. And loved."

Owen slumped further. "...Grounded..." he said, in a tiny voice. He hadn't been grounded by his father yet. He wasn't certain what it would entail, but he doubted he'd like it any more now than he did when he was a teenager and being grounded. Plus, Ian had to work, which meant he'd be alone whenever Ian wasn't home. "...Yeah..." He sighed. "...I deserve that..." he admitted reluctantly and didn't argue. "I'll see you soon, daddy...."

"I love you, son," Ian reiterated. "And I'm very glad that you're safe and coming home to me. Make sure you eat something when you get here," he added, unable to help worrying about and parenting his son.

Owen smiled at that. "I will, daddy. Promise I'll eat something healthy, too... not one of my snacks..." he teased impishly.

"I'm glad to hear that," Ian replied. "And when I get home, the very first thing I'm going to do is pull you into my arms and hug you...tightly...for as long as it takes to fully realize you're home and safe."

"I'm looking forward to it..." Owen admitted quietly.

"I love you," Ian repeated. "You're still mine. I'm still your alpha. And I will see you soon," he promised. With one last final goodbye, he reluctantly disconnected the call.

Taking a slow breath, Owen held the phone out to Lockwood. "Thank you, sir..." he said softly, not able to meet the older man in the eyes. He'd given away a lot of himself in front of Lockwood... and didn't want to hear anything negative about his relationship with his father, so was reluctant to face Lockwood in case he had something negative to say.

Lockwood took the phone back. "I know your father is desperate to have you back as quickly as possible. If you want to let Claire know that you'll be flying there, I'll just let Eli and Maisie know what's happening and then we can leave."

Owen glanced up quickly at that and swallowed. "Thank you, sir..." He gave a tiny smile to the older man. "...I'll tell her now..." Waiting a few seconds longer for Lockwood's nod of acknowledgement, he quickly headed to Claire's side and explained to her that he was going home right away, and that Lockwood was arranging to fly him there, so she didn't have to drive him after all. "Remember... if you hear anything on Blue..." he said at the end of it all, sounding anxious.

"I'll call you immediately and let you know... Go home, Owen. Take a shower. Eat something. I'll be fine and so will the dinosaurs..." Claire said, with a smile.

Owen smiled back, impulsively giving her a hug. "Take care of yourself too... All work and no play and all that..." he said, kissing her on the cheek before heading back to where he assumed he'd be meeting either Lockwood or Lockwood's driver.

Lockwood stepped over to his granddaughter and the man he was already well on his way to considering his son. "I'm going to be taking Owen back to the airport on my own private jet. If you need to get in touch with me about anything, I'll have my phone with me." This comment was addressed more to Eli, but he was still including Maisie in it.

Eli nodded. "Yessir. Maisie and I will be alright until you return, won't we, Maisie?" He glanced down at the girl, relaxing when she smiled up at him and nodded.

Lockwood nodded, smiling at Maisie and giving her a hug and then lightly resting his hand on Eli's shoulder. "When I come back, we'll draft a statement that should answer any questions and hopefully alleviate at least some of the worries about what happened today."

"I can begin working on it and have a draft ready for your approval when you return..." Eli offered quickly.

"Thank you." Lockwood squeezed his shoulder and then walked to meet Owen.

Now that his adrenaline had worn off, Owen was beginning to notice all the aches and pains from running through jungles, fighting with dinosaurs and in general stressing his body out. He did his best to hide it, though. He wanted to go home, not be dragged over for a doctor to look at. He smiled at Lockwood. "Which way, sir?"

"It's not far." Lockwood called his pilot to meet them at the airstrip and began to head in that direction. It wasn't long until they reached his private jet and buckled in, ready for takeoff.

"Thank you again, sir... for flying me. I appreciate it..." Owen said softly, before settling back for the flight. It would be at least three hours before they reached the airstrip where his car was parked. Another thirty to drive up to the house. He looked at his watch. Today was his father's 'light' day. He had an early morning class, but then didn't have any more classes until the following day. Which meant Ian would be heading home as soon as that early morning class was over. Depending on how good time he made, Owen would likely have thirty minutes at most alone before his father got home.

Lockwood nodded. "Your father's greatly worried about you. Even if you are in trouble, it's obvious how much he cares about you just from a single conversation on the phone."

Owen nodded. "He cares about me a lot. It was extremely naughty of me to just leave like I did..." Owen said quietly. He didn't care that he used a more juvenile way of describing his actions; he'd already made it pretty clear (as far as he could tell) that when it came to how he responded to Ian, he was a bit more childish.

"It sounds like he's got you in hand, though, and what happened is going to be dealt with," Lockwood commented.

"Yessir...." Owen smiled crookedly, falling quiet. He didn't really know Lockwood well, so wasn't sure if the man was just talking to be polite or genuinely wanted to know. Either way, he figured he wouldn't give away information unless asked directly (and that only if it was something he was sure Ian wouldn't mind him sharing).

Lockwood also fell quiet, content to sit and think while they flew to the airstrip.

Every so often, Owen would squirm slightly or lightly scratch at his chest, trying to not do it too often as he didn't want to draw notice to himself. It became more difficult to refrain the closer they got to the airstrip. By the time they'd landed, it was exactly three hours later, and Owen's entire front torso was itching badly, with hints of stinging. Sighing to himself, he thought it would be just his luck to catch a tropical poison ivy or some such.

As the jet landed, Lockwood turned to Owen. "I'll keep you updated if we find any sign of Blue, but if you need anything else, don't hesitate to call," he said.

"Thank you, sir...I really appreciate it!" Owen held out his hand to shake Lockwood's hand. "I think my daddy would like to meet you someday..." he added impulsively, before blushing at having called Ian 'daddy' in front of another man.

Lockwood smiled at that, shaking Owen's hand. "I'd like to meet your daddy too," he answered, his tone completely accepting... as if calling an adult man's father daddy was totally normal.

Owen smiled bashfully. "Thanks again for the lift..." He motioned toward the plane before grabbing his few belongings and debarking. He quickly went to his car and started it up, waving one last time toward the plane- in case Lockwood was watching from the plane's window- and then began his trek back home.

***

Ian had barely been able to hide his impatience during the class, considering just how much he wanted to return home and take his son in his arms. As soon as he could get out, he was in his car and driving home, relaxing as he parked outside and saw Owen's car there.

Almost immediately, Ian parked and got out of the car, heading into the house and straight to his and his son's bedroom.

When Owen had got to the house, he'd parked in his usual spot. He almost headed into the bedroom immediately- that's what his father had told him to do, after all- but then he remembered a comment that Ian had made when they first became a family. When Ian was telling him how things would be now that he was Owen's alpha. He'd said he'd never use a switch on him unless he'd put himself in danger so bad that he might take himself away from his father. Well... he'd done exactly that. In the worst possible way. If he didn't deserve a switching now, he'd never deserve one.

As much as the idea of having a switch used on his bare butt scared him... the guilt at what he had done to his father was worse. Swallowing hard, he went to the edge of the woods and found a sturdy branch; one that was thick enough to hurt when it landed, but thin enough and flexible enough to not do damage. Cutting it off the tree, he stripped it of all bark, knobby ends and twigs, then swished it through the air hesitantly. Yeah. It would hurt. But it wouldn't harm him as far as he could see and after what he'd done, he'd deserve it.

Sighing, he headed into the house, carrying the switch with him. He lay the switch on the bed in a prominent position, then quickly stripped, putting his clothes in the hamper. He'd left his shoes sitting on the mud-shelf beside the door. He glanced down and noticed all the red, raised blotches on his skin. Not poison ivy, then; but definitely a rash of some sort. He winced and forced himself not to scratch, standing in the corner across from the door. When Ian entered, he'd see the switch on the bed and just beyond that, Owen; completely bare and waiting as ordered.

Walking into the bedroom, Ian was filled with a rush of relief and an almost overwhelming sense of love to see his son stood there, in the corner, safe and waiting for him. While he did see the switch on the bed, he did the first thing he'd told Owen he would. He walked over to his son and pulled Owen tightly into his arms. One hand scruffed his son; the other settled possessively on his son's bottom, giving it a couple of firm pats.

Owen held still long enough for his father to scruff and pat him, then slumped into his father, all the stress of the last couple of days draining from him. He was safe. His alpha had him and would take care of him. And while he might be in very big trouble, he was also still loved a great deal. He whimpered softly but didn't say anything. He hadn't been asked a question or given permission to talk yet. His father was completely in charge.

Ian held his son tightly to himself, kissing Owen's head and tightening his embrace. "I love you, son," he whispered. Giving Owen's bottom a light smack, he then said, "I'm going to take you through to the bathroom and bathe you. Get that grime off so I can see your injuries."

Owen whimpered again, answering even though it wasn't a question. "I love you too, daddy...."  He didn't bother saying he wasn't injured. With all the crawling around and running and fighting he'd done, he could very well be injured and just not know it. It would be up to Ian to determine.

Ian squeezed Owen's neck, keeping his hands on his son as he guided Owen through to the bathroom, alternating between lightly squeezing and gently smacking his son's bottom.

Owen whimpered and whined softly but didn't try and squirm away... leaning into his father as much as he could and still walk. There was so much to say- most of it begging forgiveness- but Ian hadn't said he could talk yet. Hadn't started asking questions. So, he stayed quiet and just followed Ian's directions.

Ian kept up with the possessive squeezes and swats even as they reached the bathroom and he began running the bath. "I want you to tell me what happened, little boy," he directed, giving another swat for emphasis.

Owen's stomach dropped at the words. He was already feeling out of control, Ian's possessiveness immediately putting him into an obedient and submissive mindset. But being called little boy... its effect on him was to drain any ounce of fight out of him that might have remained. "Yes, daddy..." he whispered, not shifting away from the swats, instead sniffling quietly. He immediately began telling Ian what had occurred, step-by-step, from the moment Claire had contacted him until he'd borrowed the phone from Lockwood. He left nothing out, no matter how much he knew it might make his father more upset (and result in more stern responses).

Ian listened, his hand resting on his son's bottom and his other still scruffing Owen's neck. "You left into a dangerous situation you knew I would veto." He gave his son's bottom a firm smack. "You only left a note and you deliberately left while I was at work, so you wouldn't have to hear me say anything against it." He landed two more firm smacks and then rubbed.

Owen closed his eyes tightly, unable to argue against the words and feeling thoroughly ashamed of himself. "Yessir..." he whimpered, sniffling softly. He didn't even shift when Ian smacked him. He felt very guilty and was determined not to fight his alpha, no matter what the other man decided to do.

Ian gently squeezed Owen's neck; completely possessively, even if he was very careful not to hurt. He then helped his son into the bath and began to wash him.

Owen sniffled and whimpered and held very still while Ian washed him. He would have blushed at how quickly the bath turned a murky gray color- Ian hadn't even got past his shoulders yet- but he was too busy feeling himself reacting to Ian's possessiveness and wanting to obey whatever his father told him to do.

As the water changed colour, Ian began to let it out and refill the bath. He washed quite a lot of the grime off Owen's body, checking for any obvious wounds as he did so, and then moved his son with words and gentle touches to get him on his hands and knees in the bath, hand resting on his son's bottom. "Leaving the way you did, without a word, isn't okay, little boy. When I came back and there was only a note...and I couldn't reach you...I was terrified." He began to swat his son's bottom.

Owen let out a tiny cry as Ian began to spank his wet bottom. He knew Ian wasn't smacking any harder than he normally would have, but the wetness caused it to sound extremely loud to his ears... and the water made it sting just that slight bit more. Added to the fact that his father was in complete control over his body and he felt so small and helpless, when Ian spoke, Owen couldn't stop himself from beginning to cry. "I'm sorry, daddy... I'm sorry...." he choked out between cries, even as he held himself as still as possible for Ian to continue to spank.

"I love you. Whether you're my good boy or my naughty boy...and what you did this time was very naughty indeed, little boy." Ian continued to smack firmly, his other hand scruffing his son's neck.

"...Was very, very naughty...." Owen agreed, shivering as he felt his stomach drop at Ian's words. "...Was a naughty, spoiled li... little boy..." He couldn't argue against Ian's assessment of him being a little boy either. He'd behaved very childishly when he'd snuck out instead of talking to his father about his plans like a grown-up.

"You could have taken yourself away from me and that is not acceptable. Will never be acceptable. You belong to me. I'm your daddy. Your alpha." Ian began to focus some swats to Owen's sit spots and thighs.

"...Yours.... all yours... c..can't take m'self away... sorry, daddy!" Owen whimpered again, only the possessive grip Ian had on his neck enabling him to hold still and take the spanking without squirming away. It stung so much! But Ian hadn't told him he could move, and he had to obey his alpha. He needed to obey him.

Ian landed a few more smacks and then stopped. Since Owen was clean, he helped his son out of the bath and began to dry him off, touching and stroking his son possessively every few moments.

Owen shivered as his father dried him. This had been the most thorough bath he remembered ever being given. His father had taken a washcloth to places that hadn't been washed by anyone other than himself since he was a toddler. He wondered if maybe he was in slight shock, because he couldn't bring himself to do anything other than move where Ian directed; be it to hold up his arm so his alpha could dry under it, or standing on one foot so Ian could dry off the soles of his feet. His father was holding onto him so possessively, so firmly, as if afraid Owen would disappear if he let go of his grip for even a second. Knowing it was his fault that his father was that worried- scared- of losing him made Owen feel even more guilty and small.  "...Sorry, alpha..." he whispered, in a tone that indicated how guilty he felt.

"I love you. So much. The thought I might have lost you nearly killed me." Ian pressed a kiss to his son's forehead and, once Owen was completely dry, he retrieved some of the bottles from the medicine cabinet. "We're going back into the bedroom, my naughty little boy," he said, taking a tight, possessive grip around Owen's waist to lead him there.

Owen whimpered again at the words. Each time Ian called him his 'naughty little boy', he felt himself falling further and further into a mindset where... well, he didn't know how he could want to be more submissive than he already was, but it was different somehow. He felt more vulnerable and needy and young, each time Ian called him that. Almost as if he was a little boy. A very naughty little boy. "...Yes, daddy..." His whisper was soft and conciliatory, without a hint of defiance.

Reaching the bedroom, Ian sat down on the bed. "Okay, my naughty little boy, you're going to go across my knees, so I can treat every scratch and bite on your back. And then you're going to turn over, so I can do the same to your front." He gave Owen's bottom a firm pat.

Owen shivered again and just nodded quickly to show he'd obey. He shifted so he was next to his father's knee and then, with Ian's help and direction, lay over his alpha's lap.

Ian didn't waste any time in medicating and treating everything on Owen's back side, periodically giving his son's bottom a firm smack and then rubbing. "If you hadn't left, you wouldn't have got anything like these injuries, my naughty little boy." He squeezed and then swatted his son's thighs.

"N.. no, sir..." Owen's voice was very small... tiny.... He'd thought on the plane ride home that he'd explain how important Blue was and why he'd had to go; but he'd explained to Ian as soon as Ian had got hold of him and while he knew his father understood how important Blue was, he also knew that his father would choose him over the raptor any day. He'd been very lucky not to be injured worse. He couldn't find anything to say to defend himself; not that he would. He still hadn't been given permission to speak, beyond answering his father with simple yes and no. Owen curled his toes as Ian swatted, smacked and rubbed his bottom and thighs, whimpering again softly. Ian was being very thorough in his search for injuries, too. It was humbling. Extremely humbling. And made him feel like such a child. "...Your nau... naugh... " He swallowed hard and blinked back tears.

"My naughty little boy," Ian finished, emphasizing each word with a smack. He continued to smack his son's bottom as he said, "And because you are mine, taking yourself from me was not acceptable." He began to rub Owen's bottom, squeezing and caressing.

Owen shivered again, the tears he'd been blinking back sliding down his face unobstructed.  "...'m yours. Your naughty little boy who d'sbeyed and did s'mething bad..." he said, his voice sad. He held still all through the smacking and then through the squeezing and caressing. His bottom belonged to his alpha. He couldn't try and move away.

Ian rubbed Owen's bottom as he said, "Now, little boy, you're going to stand up and lay back across my lap, on your back this time, so I can treat that heat rash and any other injuries on the other side."

"Yes, daddy..." Owen whimpered, standing up on shaky legs (grateful that Ian was still grasping onto him possessively, as it helped steady him) and turned so that he could sit on Ian's lap, then carefully lay back so that his front was completely exposed and vulnerable to his alpha's ministrations.

Ian began to treat the injuries on his son's front, being just as thorough with his examination. With his other hand, he raised Owen's legs enough to expose his bottom, so he could continue smacking, pausing every so often to rub.

Owen found himself feeling even more young and helpless laying over his father's knee, face up. His eyes continually sought out Ian's eyes, as if seeking reassurance. He blushed at how thorough his alpha was at checking him, but he didn't try and squirm away. Just as his bottom belonged to his alpha, so did the other parts of him. When Ian raised his legs up to expose his bottom, Owen did his best to hold them in place.

Ian smacked, rubbed and squeezed, every so often reaching over to stroke Owen's cheek or squeeze his neck. "Mine. My little boy," he whispered to his son. "I love you and I have you. Even when you're naughty. You're still mine."

"Yours... all yours..." Owen agreed in a whisper. He noted that Ian didn't say naughty little boy this time. "...Not naughty anymore?" He winced at how childish his question was.

Ian stroked his son's face. "You're being punished, little boy. Becoming my good boy again." He rubbed Owen's bottom and thighs, then gave a few more smacks before he resumed rubbing.

Owen turned his face into Ian's hand, unable to help himself.  "...Still your little boy..." he whispered, nuzzling into his alpha's hand. By this time, Ian had finished examining his front and putting medication where needed. Slowly- hesitantly, in case Ian didn't want him to move and told him to stop- Owen drew his legs further up, so that he was completely open and vulnerable; not only his backside, but his chest, stomach and private area as well. He held onto the backs of his knees to aid himself in keeping his legs up.

"Always still my little boy," Ian promised, still stroking Owen's face. His other hand began to stroke and rub over Owen's chest and stomach, careful to avoid the injuries. He rubbed along his son's legs, going from Owen's feet to his bottom and swatting, rubbing, then repeating the pattern.

Owen lay quietly, meekly, over his father's lap, accepting the affection and the correction without so much as a wiggle, although sometimes it was obvious he was having to work really hard at holding still. His stomach fluttered when Ian rubbed his chest and stomach. The swats hurt, but then his alpha would rub out the sting. "...Still be'n punished?" he asked, with a tiny hint of confusion; not sure he was supposed to want was occurring. Punishments were supposed to be things you disliked and tried to avoid, weren't they?

"I'm making sure you know who you belong to, little boy. That you know who your alpha is." Ian continued to swat and rub his son's bottom and thighs, also stroking and squeezing his neck. Caressing over Owen's chest and stomach. "You're mine. I'm going to make sure you never forget that and risk taking yourself from me again."

Owen whined and shivered at those words. "...Yours, alpha... all'f me 's yours. B'long to you. "

"Good boy." Ian began to steadily smack and rub his son's bottom and thighs, holding eye contact with Owen. "And every day for the next week, I'm going to take you over my knee for a mini spanking. So you keep remembering."

Owen sniffled, but nodded his head to show he heard and was listening closely. "...Yessir... please h'lp me 'member?"

"I will, son," Ian promised, still swatting and rubbing. "So you don't forget whose you are."

"...Never wanna forget..." Owen said in a breathless tone, childlike in his belief of what Ian was promising. It was so difficult to hold still- his bottom was very tender by now- but he hadn't been given permission to move and he was sure that included squirming.

"Good." Ian pulled his son in a bit closer. "I'm going to turn you back over, son, and spank you a bit more before I take you to the kitchen to feed you. You can move if you need to. I'll keep hold of you."

"...Okay, daddy..." Owen's voice was tinier, if that were possible and he looked a little nervous; his bottom was already so sensitive, bordering on sore, but he didn't argue. He trusted Ian not to let him fall and he knew after what he'd done, he deserved it.

Ian carefully turned Owen over, wrapping his arm tightly around Owen's waist and drawing his son in tight against his stomach. "I've got you, little boy," he promised. "I won't ever let you go." He began to swat his son's bottom, pausing to rub after every third or fourth smack.

Owen whimpered softly at the words, letting out a tiny sob when Ian began to rub. It didn't take long at all for him to begin squirming helplessly over his alpha's knee, the fact he'd been given permission helping him to feel at ease about letting himself react naturally. "...Lil boy... your lil boy..." he muttered, no sense of disgruntlement or offense in his tone. He liked being Ian's 'little boy'.

"Yes. You are my little boy," Ian agreed, firmly smacking down to Owen's thighs and pausing periodically to rub. "And when you forget that, I'll remind you."

"...Th..thank you, daddy... thank you for 'minding me..." Owen gasped, then whined and whimpered some more, even as he began to squirm more helplessly. His bottom was so sore and tender now that the rubbing just intensified the sting instead of relieving it.

Ian tightened his hold on his son, holding Owen secure enough that he wouldn't fall, and began to swat a fraction harder and faster, focusing more swats to Owen's sit spots and thighs. "I love you, little boy. You're mine. And I'm not going to let you go. Ever."

Owen started sobbing at the words, fully believing them. "Yours, daddy... yours fo'ever... n'ver le' go... a'wsys yours!" he cried, still squirming helplessly. "...Hurts, daddy... Hurts bad..." He continued to sob, before finally giving up squirming and just going limp and accepting the punishment. He deserved it, after all.

Ian stopped spanking and then turned Owen over so he could cuddle his son tightly in his arms on his lap. "I've got you," he whispered, kissing Owen's head. Scruffing the back of his neck. Rubbing his back. "No matter what happens...you're home. With me, little boy," he promised.

Owen choked on his sobs as he tried to calm down enough to answer his father, but finally gave up and just pressed as close as he could to the older man, clinging to him desperately.

Ian began to rock his son, as if Owen was a small child, stroking his hair and down over his back, kissing the top of his head repeatedly. "I love you," he kept reiterating.

"Love you, da..daddy..." Owen whimpered in a tiny voice, still clinging to his father desperately. "...You're home... you're my home... I'm your little b...boy..." he added, in a little more steady voice, his sobbing finally calming to regular tears. He was still clinging, though. And he knew it was true. He was Ian's little boy. One look from the older man and he just felt so much younger and smaller and helpless and needing to obey... and it was ten times more intense when he'd just been thoroughly punished.

Ian tightened his hold on his son, gently squeezing the nape of his neck. "You are. My little boy," he whispered. "You're safe. I won't ever let you go. I can't lose you. I can't go through that again, son. I can't explain to you how much the thought I'd lost you hurt."

"Sorry I was so thoughtless..." Owen apologized. "..Didn't think of how you'd feel. I musta known was wrong or woulda asked ya...." He sniffled and snuggled, slanting his head so that his neck was easier to hold onto, either the nape or the more vulnerable jugular area.

Ian gently gripped his son in the more vulnerable spot of his neck. "Now you just need to remember that for next time," he commented. "I'm not going to use a switch on you this time, son. I don't believe it's necessary for you to learn your lesson."

Owen's eyes widened at that, but all he did was sniffle and stare into Ian's eyes, waiting for the other man to explain. He took a quivering breath and pressed his neck closer into Ian's hand. Finally, he asked, "...I learned my lesson w'out it?"

Ian gently squeezed his neck, careful not to hurt him. "Do you think you need the switch to remind you not to put yourself in danger or leave without more than a note? Or do you now understand why those actions were naughty?"

"I understand why they were naughty..." Owen admitted, in a tiny voice, before adding in a more shamed tone, "...Understood before I did it. I'm sorry I was such a naughty brat..." He glanced down, but since he kept his neck open and vulnerable, he just ended up closing his eyes.

Ian let his fingers run gently over his son's neck. "You're not naughty anymore, son. You're my good little boy," he promised.

Owen smiled crookedly, opening his eyes again and looking up at Ian. "Feel so young when you call me that... like a baby..." He huffed faintly, but he was still smiling. He obviously liked it.

"Well, little boy, I'm your alpha." Ian kissed his forehead. "I'm in control...in charge...of you. And it's not a responsibility I will ever give up," he promised.

Owen snuggled close. "...Love you, daddy..." he whispered softly.

"I love you. So very much." Ian ran his fingers gently over Owen's hips. "We'll go down and eat in a few minutes. You can sit on my lap while we do."

"Yessir..." Owen just continued to snuggle. Until Ian ordered him to get up and move, he wasn't going anywhere.

Ian held him tight for a few moments, just letting himself feel that his son was safe back in his arms, and then helped Owen to stand, standing up as well. "I was so happy and relieved when I got home and knew you were here," he whispered, wrapping his arm around Owen's waist so he could lead his son to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry I worried you so much... that I didn't even think of how worried you'd be till it was too late..." Owen apologized again. He leaned on his father heavily; mostly because he didn't want to be separated from him at all and wanted to feel like Ian had a tight grip on him- could control him completely- while they walked.

Ian kissed his cheek. "You're my son. My little boy," he whispered. "Of course, I'm going to worry about you." In the kitchen, he began to prepare food, keeping Owen close enough to touch.

Owen followed Ian every step he took, helping if given a direct order, but otherwise staying just enough out of the way Ian could work, but close enough Ian could reach out and do whatever he wanted if the mood overtook him.

Ian kept touching and stroking his son, needing to feel that he had Owen there with him. When the food was done, he put it on the table and then grasped his son's shoulder, guiding Owen onto his lap.

Owen sat on his father's lap with no complaints at all. He could sense the older man needed the constant contact, but more so... he needed the constant contact. He felt too emotionally vulnerable to pull away.

Ian wrapped his arm around Owen's waist, drawing his son in tight to himself. "I love you," he reiterated, kissing the back of Owen's head. "I've got you. You're safe."

Owen slumped down, almost wrapping in on himself in an effort to be smaller and fit completely in Ian's arms. "Love you..." he whispered, snuggling still closer.

Ian tightened his arms around Owen, squeezing the nape of his neck. It seemed almost natural to begin feeding his son.

Owen didn't even question being fed like a toddler. He just opened his mouth and ate whatever Ian spooned in. He did make sure to chew slowly so that Ian was also able to feed himself.

Ian kept his arms tightly around his son, feeding both himself and Owen, stroking over his son's hips, chest and stomach. "Good boy," he whispered softly.

Owen relaxed at the words of praise, giving his father a tiny smile. "Your good boy?" he asked hopefully.

"My good boy," Ian confirmed. "My good little boy." He continued to feed Owen, stroking and touching his son in between.

Owen swallowed at that, feeling himself tear up, but he didn't say anything else. What could he say? 'I like when you make me feel like a three-year-old that can't do anything for myself and has to be taken care of by you?' It might be the truth, but it wasn't something a grown man would normally feel, let alone admit to. And Ian had figured it out anyway.

So, he kept quiet and snuggled and ate what he was given, although he did make a face when Ian put a bite of spinach into his mouth. Ian had been after him to eat more green vegetables since they'd met. Owen had always resisted. Even after admitting he hadn't even tried to eat them since he was a very young kid, he'd dug in his heels and refused. Ian hadn't pushed.

Owen gave Ian a grumpy look as he forced himself to chew and swallow the spinach. The grumpiness slowly disappeared as he realized it wasn't as 'nasty' as he remembered. Still. Biting his lip, he eyed the spinach still on his plate and looked at Ian...wondering if the man would feed all of it to him as a final point that Owen was meant to completely obey. Just because he could now admit to himself that it wasn't nasty didn't mean he suddenly liked it.

Ian squeezed his son's waist, fingers stroking gently and possessively over Owen's hips. "You're going to finish everything that's on your plate, little boy." He scruffed his son's neck and gently patted Owen's thighs.

Owen let out a tiny, silent sigh, his shoulders slumping. "Yes, daddy..." he whispered, before obediently opening his mouth for more of the hated (although admittedly not as bad as he'd thought) vegetable.

Ian continued to feed his son, kissing Owen's head and continually murmuring soft, "Good boy," and, "My good little boy," in his ear.

By the time he'd finished his plate, Owen was ready and willing to eat anything Ian fed to him if it gained him those four words. He knew no one else in the world would understand how they made him feel inside, would understand his craving and need to be treated like a, like a young child by his father... his alpha. No one else needed to understand, though, as long as Ian understood and accepted him anyway.

Owen glanced at his now empty plate. "I'm your good little boy...?" he whispered. "Even though I was so awful to you?"

"You made a mistake, son." Ian kissed the back of his head. Squeezed the nape of his neck. "A mistake you've been punished for. And now we work on healing. On making sure you never forget again. So yes. You are my good little boy."

Owen turned so he could put his head on Ian's shoulder. "What now, Sir?" His question was quiet and very submissive.

"I can't imagine you've slept much," Ian said. "I'm going to clean up and then take you upstairs, so we can nap." He knew he hadn't slept right without his son, after all.

"Okay, Daddy... you're right. I didn't sleep at all. Surprised I'm still awake, to be honest..." Owen admitted reluctantly. He knew it would just upset his father. But he wouldn't lie.

Ian squeezed Owen's waist and then helped his son to stand so he could clean up. "You're going to sleep curled up with me, son. Where I can hold onto you and keep you close to me. So, I can be reassured I have you home." Finishing clearing up, he took his son's hand, leading Owen back to their bedroom.

"Yes, daddy..." Owen followed obediently behind his father. He felt young and small and helpless.

In the bedroom, Ian settled on the bed and drew Owen down into his arms, wrapping them tightly around his son, effectively trapping him, gently patting his son's bottom. "I've got you. My little boy," he whispered.

Owen sighed softly, letting his head fall onto his father's chest and snuggling. "You've got me and I'm never getting away..." Owen left unsaid that he'd never try to get away.

"Never ever," Ian replied, his other hand scruffing his son's neck while he gently rubbed Owen's bottom.

Owen closed his eyes, immediately relaxing. "...Glad I'm yours..." he mumbled, right before falling asleep.

Ian held his son close and tight, letting himself just feel that Owen was with him, where he could reassure himself his boy was safe, and quickly followed his son into sleep.

***

Owen woke up once during the night. He'd dreamed Blue had been too late and the Indo-raptor was about to gut him. His eyes flew open and he gasped in a tiny breath of air, jerking awake. His father was still holding him possessively, hand on his bottom. Owen wasn't ashamed to admit to himself that it immediately calmed him. He'd admit it to other people if they asked. Waking up in his father's arms, under his control, made him feel safe.

Still, it had been a terrifying dream and his heart was racing.

Ian wasn't so deeply asleep that he didn't wake when he felt his son jerk. He automatically tightened his arms around Owen, scruffing his neck and squeezing his bottom. "I've got you, my little boy," he whispered in his son's ear.

Owen shivered, burrowing closer to his father. "Was just a bad dream. Safe with you..." he whispered.

"You always will be," Ian promised, tightening his arms around his son. "You're home. You're safe. I won't let you go...."

"Thank you for keeping me safe, daddy...," Owen whispered, his eyes blinking as he fought sleep.

"Go to sleep, my little boy," Ian whispered, kissing Owen's head. "I won't let go of you. I'll keep on holding you close and tight."

Owen obediently closed his eyes and soon fell asleep again, his father's possessive and protective grip easing him back down to sleep.

Ian continued to hold onto Owen, just as close and tight as he'd promised his son, even as he slipped into sleep as well.

***

By morning, Owen was just as tired as when he'd gone to bed and cranky because of it. If it hadn't been for Ian holding him tightly all night, he wouldn't have got any sleep at all, because his mind had taken every memory of the ill-fated trip to save Blue and twisted it into the worst possible thing happening in his dreams. In addition to his dream of Indo-raptor getting him, he'd dreamed that T-Rex had woken up while they were getting her blood and eaten Claire in front of him; he'd also dreamed once that the Rex had rolled over on him and crushed him and he suffocated on his own blood (he was fairly certain he'd scared Ian with that dream, as the older man had woken him up with orders to, 'Breathe, Owen!'). The worst dream was the one where they hadn't got Blue in time and she was stood on the shore crying as the boat pulled away from her. He had that one right before they would have woken for morning and to his embarrassment, tears were streaming down his face. He hid his face against Ian's chest and hoped his alpha wouldn't notice him crying like a baby.

Ian was very observant when it came to anything involving his son and he noticed very quickly that his boy was crying. He stroked Owen's hair and squeezed the nape of his neck, his other hand possessively cupping his son's bottom. "I love you," he whispered.

Owen sniffled and tried to regain control over his emotions. As real as the dream had seemed, it wasn't what had happened. Blue had been saved (and was running around the continental United States free as you please, which was a problem of a different sort, but still) and there was no reason for Owen to be crying as if he'd lost a family member. "...Love you too, daddy..." he finally whispered, when he felt like he could make his voice work. He snuggled as close as he could physically get, wriggling until every part of him was pressed against his alpha. Then he whimpered softly. "...Can't get close 'nuff," was his somewhat cranky complaint.

Ian held his son tighter, his hand running gently over Owen's back, down his spine and over his bottom and legs. He noticed that Owen was cranky, and his voice was gentle as he said, "I think today's reminder should happen now." He gently patted his son's bottom for emphasis.

Owen squirmed slightly at Ian's words, whining softly "...Nooo, daddy! Please?" He blushed at his own reaction, embarrassed at how childish he was acting, but it was too difficult to act his age. He didn't want a spanking, though. He just wanted to be held as tight as humanly possible and forget the dreams he'd had.

"I need to make sure you don't forget, my little boy." Ian scruffed the back of his son's neck and gently squeezed Owen's thighs. "You are not in control here."

Owen closed his eyes tight and hid his face against Ian's chest, twisting his hands into his father's shirt tightly. "...Sorry, alpha," he whispered, in a mixture of contrite and cranky. He was trying to be good and submit, but he was all kinds of out of sorts, so it was harder than it should have been.

Ian let his fingers stroke possessively over Owen's hips, carefully sitting up and moving his son to lay Owen across his lap. Once his son was in position, he began to stroke and rub...holding his boy's waist in a tight, firm grip that would make it nearly impossible to squirm away.

Owen whimpered as he was moved, but as soon as he realized he couldn't squirm away - could barely even squirm - he found himself immediately relaxing, his breathing becoming calm. The crankiness that threatened to have him saying things he didn't really mean eased enough that he could at least recognize that he was feeling cranky, so he wouldn't take it out on his father.

"I've got you. My little boy. I love you," Ian whispered, stroking down over his son's back, swatting his bottom, then continuing to stroke down his legs to his feet.

Owen let out a tiny yip at the swat but relaxed further still at the attention. "...Keep me forever?" he asked, in a hopeful voice.

"Forever," Ian promised, continuing the same attention; stroking down from Owen's neck to his feet, smacking when he reached his boy's bottom. "I'm never going to let you go. You're mine. My little boy. My good little boy."

"...Your good little boy..." Owen repeated softly, slumping as the tension and crankiness drained from him. "...Yours...."

"Mine," Ian agreed, swatting his son's bottom and then rubbing. "And I'm going to make sure you never forget that." He squeezed Owen's thighs.

Owen whimpered again, sniffling softly. "...Don't ever let me forget, alpha... please don't lemme forget..." he said, in a slightly begging tone.

"I won't, son. My little boy. My good little boy," Ian soothed, stroking his son's lower back. Rubbing his hips. Scruffing Owen. He swatted and then stroked, soothing the warmth from the smacks.

Owen quivered from the attention and was soon wriggling; not to squirm away from the swats, but almost following after them. He whimpered softly. "...Alpha..." he whispered, in a confused voice.

"I've got you, little boy," Ian whispered reassuringly. "Don't worry about how you react. Just tell me what you're feeling," he encouraged gently.

"I...I..." Owen swallowed hard and whimpered before saying, in a confused and disgruntled tone, "...I want you to smack my bottom. What's wrong with me?!"

"There's nothing wrong with you, little boy," Ian replied softly, squeezing Owen's bottom. "I'm your alpha. Your daddy. You want me to be in charge of you. To take control. To dominate you...."

"...To feel it physically..." Owen said softly, continuing in the same vein. He sighed softly and slumped.

"It's nothing to feel ashamed of or worry about," Ian promised.

"I hope not, cuz..." Owen shifted slightly and said, in a tiny, hesitant voice, "Cuz I kinda wanna feel your control the rest of the day...." He bit his lip. "...Was feeling really cranky and irritable and just... Just being over your knee the last few minutes, I already feel more relaxed...."

Ian stroked his son's lower back. "I could tell you weren't feeling too good, little boy. It's not a problem to want to feel my control. This won't be your only trip over my knee, my little boy. But it won't be for punishment. It'll be about us."

Owen slumped at those words. "Thank you, sir..." he whispered, in obvious relief.

"I love you." Ian scruffed the back of his neck and squeezed his thighs. "And I am in control. Of everything to do with you."

"Yessir..."Owen whined. "You control... I love you, Daddy... alpha...."

"My little one...my cub." Ian scruffed Owen's neck and continued to smack his son's bottom, pausing after each swat to rub his son's bottom and squeeze his thighs.

Owen blinked at the term of endearment, then let out a happy chuffing noise. "...Your cub?" he asked hesitantly, not sure he'd heard right, but liking what he thought he'd heard.

"My cub," Ian confirmed. "I'm your alpha. You're my cub." He stroked Owen's neck.

Owen slanted his head, exposing his neck further. "I like that..." he admitted, almost bashfully.

Ian smiled, gently squeezing Owen's neck, his thumb stroking over his son's pulse point. "My cub," he said again, his voice possessive. He gently patted Owen's bottom.

Owen whined softly, pressing his bottom toward his alpha's hand at the same time he pressed his neck into Ian's other hand.

Ian gripped Owen's neck a fraction tighter; careful not to hurt, but also demonstrating his control and possessiveness. He stroked over his son's backside, swatted a few times, and then stroked again.

Owen squirmed slightly, not wanting to pull out of his alpha's hands even a little. "Love you, Daddy..." he whispered.

"I love you. My cub." Ian smiled and stroked down Owen's back, over his bottom, down his legs. "My good little cub."

"...Your little cub..." Owen agreed happily, relaxing into his alpha.

Ian stroked down over Owen's sides and his hips, squeezing his bottom and neck. "I'm so happy you came back to me and that I can hold onto you," he murmured.

"I'm happy you let me come home..." Owen whispered.

"I always would," Ian promised. "I love you. I need you here in my life."

"I need you too, alpha daddy..." Owen whispered.

"I can't imagine not having you in my life." Ian kept his hands on his son as he spoke. "It's why I was so terrified for your safety. Why I couldn't sleep or even focus without you here. I need you so much."

"I'm sorry I made things so hard for you..." Owen was apologetic. By this point, all his crankiness was gone. He just wanted to be held by his father.

"I love you." Ian stroked down his son's neck. "You're mine. My cub. My little boy. And no matter what happens, I won't let you go." He leaned down to wrap his arms tightly around Owen, kissing his son's head.

Owen completely went Iax as Ian's grip tightened and he couldn't move. He was where he wanted and needed to be; completely under his alpha's control. "Sorry I was a cranky little boy..." he whispered.

"You were a tired little cub. Suffering from bad dreams all night." Ian tightened his embrace, scruffing the back of his son's neck. "It wasn't entirely your fault."

“I kept you awake and you weren’t cranky with me...” Owen pointed out, in a small, guilty voice.

"I'm your alpha." Ian squeezed his thighs; rubbed his bottom. "It's my job to look after you. Not get cranky with you."

"...Like my job is to obey you..." Owen said quietly. "I'm sorry I got cranky and argued...."

"You didn't stay cranky," Ian replied soothingly. "Don't worry about how you react, my little cub. I can handle you."

Owen smiled at that, snuggling closer. "You can...you do..." he said happily.

"And I always will," Ian promised. "Looking after you, taking care of you, makes me happy. I want my cub to feel just as happy."

"I do... I am happy..." Owen smiled up at Ian. "What now, sir?"

"Breakfast," Ian answered, stroking his cheek. "Then, afterwards, I'll check the heat rash and your other injuries."

"Okay, sir. Do you want me to do anything?" Owen asked.

"I thought we could have omelets, so you can help with some of the ingredients." Ian helped Owen to stand and then stood himself, taking his son's hand to lead Owen to the kitchen.

Owen grinned as he was led, surprised at how much he liked it. More evidence of Ian being in charge. "Which vegetables do you want cut?" he asked, as he got out a cutting board and knife.

Ian gently squeezed the nape of Owen's neck as he said, "We could have tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms." He began to mix the eggs.

"Okay, Daddy..." Owen agreed, carefully beginning to cut the items.

It didn't take long for the food to be prepared and then Ian guided his son to the table, so he could sit Owen on his lap and feed his son again.

"How will you eat while your food is still warm if you're feeding me?" Owen asked, with a hint if worry.

"I'll be fine." Ian scruffed Owen's neck. "We managed last night, after all."

Owen ducked his head bashfully. "Yessir..."

Ian kissed his head. "I've got you, son," he whispered. "You don't have to worry about anything." He began to feed Owen.

Owen cooperated completely. "This is really good, sir..." He smiled crookedly.

Ian kissed the back of his son's head. "I'm glad. My little cub," he murmured.

Once Owen had been fed everything, he shifted so he was leaning back against his father, but out of the way so Ian could finish eating. He was feeling extremely young. Helpless. Even the thought of moving out of his alpha's grip caused him to become anxious. There was no way he would do it on his own and if Ian put him somewhere for some reason? Ordered him to stay in place while he went elsewhere? Owen wasn't sure he'd be capable of obeying.

Ian finished his own breakfast, arm wrapped tightly around his son's waist, and then kissed the back of Owen's head. "Time to check you over, little cub," he murmured, helping Owen to stand before he also stood, arm possessively wrapped around Owen's waist.

"Yessir," Owen mumbled, leaning heavily against his alpha.

Ian led his son back to the bedroom and began to carefully check Owen over, touching his neck and cheek periodically as he did so.

Owen lay still as Ian examined all his wounds, squirming only a little, even though it was very personal. He winced faintly as the rash stung still. It wasn't as painful as the day before, though, so that was encouraging.

Ian was as careful as he was thorough, treating the rash and the rest of his son's injuries, helping Owen to turn over when he needed to treat the back. He let his hand rest possessively on his son's bottom as he did so.

Owen closed his eyes, relaxing as he was handled. "Thank you for helping me, alpha..." he whispered.

"I always will, my little cub," Ian murmured, gently squeezing Owen's bottom. "I won't ever let you suffer."

Owen sighed softly. "Love you, sir... need you so much..." Too much, if the way he was feeling so needy and clingy was any sign.

"I need you, my little boy. I need you safe where I can hold onto you. Where I can put my hands on you. Where I can take care of you...." Ian finished treating his son and gently squeezed Owen's neck, stroking his hips.

"I think I need that too..." Owen admitted hesitantly.

Ian gently patted his son's bottom. "I'm going to put the cream back into the bathroom, my little cub. I want you to stay here for a few moments."

"Like this...on the bed?" Owen was slightly confused, between being in a completely submissive mindset and the fact he was over Ian's knee.

"Yes, son." Ian gave Owen's bottom a gentle smack, to emphasize his order, and then helped his son up so he could stand, helping his son to lay back down on the bed once more.

Owen obeyed easily enough, getting up then lying on the bed while Ian moved away. The problem was, Ian was little more than a foot away from him when he began to feel anxious. He didn't want Ian to leave him. Not even for a second. He quickly sat up on the bed, watching his alpha walk away.

Ian slipped out of the room and to the bathroom, putting the cream away before returning to his son.

Owen had meant to obey. He really had. But the minute Ian disappeared from view, he panicked and quickly followed his father out of the room.

Ian noticed quickly that his son had followed him, and he stepped over to Owen, scruffing his neck. "Why did you follow me, my little cub?" he asked.

"I...I..." Owen blushed as he realized he had no good reason for disobedience. "I got scared..." he admitted, in a rapid, tiny voice, obviously ashamed.

Ian drew his son into a close, tight hug, hand still at the nape of Owen's neck, his other hand resting possessively on his boy's bottom. "Did you think I might not come back?" he asked gently.

"No..." Owen said softly. "I dunno... I just... Panicked..." he admitted and looked at the ground, unable to face his father.

Ian hugged his son a bit tighter. "It's very important that you follow my instructions, my little boy."

"I didn't want you to leave..." Owen whined. It was hard enough admitting he'd got scared for no reason. How would he explain he didn't think he could obey if Ian left his sight completely?

"It was only for a minute, my cub." Ian led his son back into the bedroom. "I think we'd better have another lesson in obedience, my little cub."

Owen whined. There was no other word for it...but he didn't argue. He'd disobeyed, plain and simple. He wouldn't pretend otherwise.

Ian scruffed his son's neck for a few moments and then walked over to the switch he'd left on the floor, picking it up. "Stand in the corner."

Owen closed his eyes and whimpered but didn't protest. He went to the indicated corner and faced it, his body quivering.

"Good boy." Ian let his son stand there for two minutes and then he walked over to Owen, scruffing the back of his boy's neck and then stroking down his spine to his backside.

Owen shivered, letting out a tiny sniffle. "I didn't like you leaving..." he whispered. "Dunno why it bothered me so much. I knew you'd come back...."

Ian let his hand rest on Owen's bottom, cupping it possessively. "What did you think and feel when I left?"

"I was anxious before you even left, just knowing you were leaving me behind. Even though I know you weren't far away..." Owen's voice caught. "...And as soon as I couldn't even see you... the anxiety just exploded and... I had to find you. Even though I knew it was naughty...."

Ian squeezed Owen's bottom. "You left me to go and find Blue. Is it likely to be related to that?" he asked.

"I don't know, daddy... I never panicked like this before..." Owen admitted, with an apologetic look of worry.

Ian held the switch gently against his son's backside, his other hand scruffing Owen's neck. "This was the first time you left me since I adopted you. Since I became your alpha and your daddy."

"Yessir." Owen's voice quivered. "Didn't stop to think of it while gone. Only now..." He swallowed hard.

"We were separated. It might not have been for long, but I could have lost you. You could have been lost to me," Ian said softly, letting the switch roll lightly over his son's bottom.

Owen whimpered again, tensing as he felt the switch, then relaxing as his father didn't strike him with it. "So... now I'm afraid to leave you for anything or any reason?" he asked in confusion.

Ian continued to roll the switch carefully over his son's bottom. "At least maybe until you're no longer affected by what happened to you, my little cub."

Owen shivered, his father's words making sense. At the same time, the switch was very distracting, the way he kept waiting for it to fall with a firmer stroke rather than just rolling it the way his alpha was doing. "So... if I disobey an order because I'm scared...?"

"You'll still be in trouble, my little cub," Ian answered. "But less than if you disobey just for the sake of defiance. Or without a good reason."

Owen bit his lip. "That’s fair," he admitted in a mumble. "Sorry I was a baby..." He sighed.

"I love you." Ian squeezed his son's neck just that bit firmer, even as he continued to roll the switch over Owen's bottom. "Needing your alpha daddy doesn't make you a baby, my little cub.

Owen squirmed, the words and his alpha's possessive actions working to make him feel helpless and small. He'd already been feeling childish. Now he felt guilty. "...When...?" he asked nervously, just wanting to get whatever punishment he had coming for being so disobedient, again, out of the way.

"This isn't about punishment, son," Ian said. "It's about teaching...training." He began to lightly and gently tap with the switch.

Owen closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe slowly. He wasn't being switched, even if his alpha was tapping him with the switch. It didn't hurt at all. In fact, it was actually helping a little, enabling him to focus on the light taps instead of his mind going a thousand different directions. It was enabling him to listen to Ian's words. "...Okay..." he breathed out slowly and opened his eyes again, staring into the corner. "Thank you... for teaching me..." he whispered, almost shyly. He felt himself calming; even though he couldn't see Ian and Ian wasn't actually touching him, at least not with his own hands, he could hear his father and feel that he was still there every time the switch tapped against his bottom.

Ian still kept up the gentle taps, very careful to hold back on using any force. He took a step closer to Owen, letting his other hand slide round to the front of his boy's neck, gently stroking over Owen's pulse. "You're mine," he whispered into his son's ear. "My cub. My little boy."

Owen almost let himself slump backwards into his alpha but managed to stop at the last moment. Even so, he shifted his head back so his throat was open and vulnerable to Ian. "Yours..." he whimpered quietly.

"For always," Ian whispered, gently squeezing his neck. "Every part of you is mine, little boy." He continued to emphasize his words with light, gentle taps from the switch.

Owen relaxed at those words. "...All of me is yours..." he agreed, swallowing against Ian's hand. "...Belong to you...." The taps from the switch, along with the possessive grip of his throat, left Owen hanging onto his emotions by a thread. He felt so vulnerable and needy...and while he wasn't scared at the moment, he was nervous about when Ian would have to leave the room again. He had no doubt he'd be left to stand in the corner and wait and he didn't know if he'd be able to do it.

Ian continued to hold onto his son and gently tap the switch against Owen's bottom and thighs. "I'm your alpha." He whispered the words in his boy's ear. "And later on, this afternoon, I'll be taking you over my knee again for another little reminder of just who you belong to. Who you're meant to obey."

Owen quivered and then squirmed, unable to help himself.  "Yessir..." he tried to say, though it was slightly slurred, as he felt himself falling down into a mindset where he wouldn't be able to do anything but obey... and might not even be able to do that if it meant moving much.

Ian moved his hand to Owen's hips, squeezing and stroking possessively. "Who do you belong to, little cub? Little boy?"

"Belong to you, sir...my alpha..." Owen whimpered, slumping back against Ian despite his efforts to hold still. "...Belong to you, daddy...."

Ian wrapped his arm around Owen's waist, fingers stroking his boy's stomach and hips while he placed the switch on the floor and began to gently smack Owen's bottom with his hand. "That's exactly right, my little boy."

Owen let out a tiny yip at the swat, shivering as his emotions became too much and he started sniffling. "Yours....'m yours..." he repeated, wriggling his bottom, then leaning more heavily on the arm Ian had wrapped around his waist.

"Mine," Ian confirmed, stroking Owen's hips and swatting his bottom again, down to Owen's thighs before he began to rub.

Owen just melted; the only thing keeping him off the floor was Ian's arm around him. He whimpered softly. "Your cub...." He sounded very young, his emotions having plummeted.

Ian turned Owen round, holding him as he had done when his son had come home; one hand sruffing his son and the other smacking and rubbing his son's bottom. "My little cub. My little boy," he whispered, kissing Owen's ear.

"Yours..." Owen repeated again, almost in a daze as he leaned against Ian and reached up to wrap his own arms around his alpha; as much to keep from falling as to show affection. He was beginning to sound a bit drunk. "...R lil cub...il boy..."

Ian held his son tightly and then carefully lifted Owen up over his shoulder, holding him in place with his arm around his boy's thighs and his other hand on Owen's bottom.

As soon as Ian was holding all his weight, Owen just let himself go completely limp. He trusted Ian to take care of him and he felt too needy to fight himself any more. "...Yours..." he repeated again, the word slow and precise, as if he was afraid he'd slur if he wasn't overly careful speaking.

"Mine." Ian held Owen close with his grip around his boy's legs, beginning to firmly pat Owen's bottom.

Owen's whimper was more relieved sigh than distressed whine. It was obvious- to Ian at least, since Owen wasn't capable of figuring it out on his own- that Ian was doing and giving Owen exactly what was needed. All anxiety had fled by this point. His entire focus was on Ian's hands and how they were controlling him so completely... and how that made him feel safe and secure. And how it made him feel needy.

Ian continued to firmly pat his son's bottom, but now he started to intersperse a harder swat after every third or fourth pat. "I've got you," he whispered.

Owen was completely limp and pliant over Ian's shoulder, only twitching slightly when the older man's hand swatted harder, but not attempting to get away. He was where he wanted to be, under Ian's full control. His bottom stung from the attention, but it didn't hurt.  "...Love you, sir... love you..." he mumbled.

"I love you, little boy. So very much." Ian paused to start rubbing Owen's bottom for a few moments and then began to swat again, going a bit harder and firmer. "All of you is mine, my little cub," he said.

"All of me..." Owen rapidly agreed. He knew instinctively that the words meant something deeper for him, but all he could focus on at that moment was Ian's possessiveness and the sting on his bottom.

"Your bottom belongs to me," Ian continued, emphasizing each word with a smack. "So do your thighs." A couple of swats there to emphasize. "Your neck, back, hips...." He continued naming body parts, stroking and caressing each.

Owen whimpered at the words and possessive actions, feeling himself drop rapidly. "...All of me yours..." he agreed in a whisper, finding it difficult to talk by this point. It was easiest just to whimper, whine and moan. He didn't even attempt to squirm, just accepting what Ian did as Ian's right.

"That's right, little boy. My good little boy." Ian squeezed his son's thighs and resumed swatting his backside, going from the crest down to Owen's thighs before he began to rub and stroke and squeeze.

Owen just lay still and accepted the attention, whimpering softly the entire time, but not protesting or even crying. Just accepting and feeling comforted by the fact that he was so completely under Ian's control.

"I've got you," Ian whispered to his son. "My little boy. My little cub. I love you so much. I need you so much." He rubbed and swatted, holding Owen tight and secure in place.

"...Love you...need you..." Owen responded, his voice giving away how tiny, helpless and needy he felt.

Ian began to pay the same attention to Owen's sit spots, swatting and rubbing. "You won't go anywhere unless I put you down and allow it," he whispered. "I'm not going to let you go."

Owen wanted to agree to that. To say he'd be good and obey. Words were beyond him by this point and all he could do was whimper and whine and accept the smacks. His whole backside was stinging non-stop by this point... sore... and tears began to slide down his face, though he wasn't crying hard.

Ian continued to rub his son's bottom, whispering softly, "I loved you even before, you know. Before I adopted you. Before you left the first time. I wanted to be your father...your daddy...even back then."

At those words, Owen choked on a tiny sob and then began crying, vocally. He still wasn't able to form the words he needed to say... he was too emotional to sound coherent... but his feelings of love, acceptance and need were clear in one shakily uttered word. "...Daddy...."

"Now that I have you...now that I am your daddy, your alpha, I'm not going to let you get taken from me again," Ian promised. "I'm going to hold onto you. Forever."

Owen continued to cry softly, whimpering as his father continued to talk and handle him. "..F...f...forever..." he whispered, before his crying became vocal and he started to sob quietly.

Moving over to the bed, Ian sat down and gently deposited Owen on his lap, hugging his son tightly. "I've loved you for a long time, my little cub," he whispered, kissing Owen's head. "And I've never stopped. Or had it lessen even a little bit."

"E..ev...even 'fore I kn..knew y..you did?" Owen asked, in a shaky voice, as he tried to stop crying enough to talk to his father. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around Ian, but when the older man didn't admonish him to hold still, he gripped tightly. "E..even wh..when I j...just th..thought you w..were my men...mentor?"

"Even then." Ian kissed his ear; tightened his embrace around Owen, gently scruffing his neck. "I loved you before you had any idea of it. From the first time I thought about...and said about...turning you over my knee."

Owen snuggled close. "Kinda wished you'd gone ahead and turned me red then... mebbe I'da not stayed way from you fer so long when I need you so much. 'Cept then I wouldn't a met Blue and the others and it's hard to think of not having her in my life. So can't regret things completely... just..." He sniffled, not sure he was making sense.

Ian wrapped his other arm around Owen's waist, stroking over his son's hips. "I know, little boy. And believe me, I have no issue in turning you over my knee when it's warranted now."

Owen nodded and snuggled close. "Yeah...I know..." he said, in a tiny but accepting voice, reaching back and rubbing his stingy bottom for a second before wrapping his arm around Ian again.

Ian tightened his embrace, kissing his boy's cheek and letting his hand rest possessively on Owen's bottom. "Even when you're my naughty little cub, it won't change anything," he whispered in his son's ear.

Owen huffed slightly, continuing to snuggle close. "I'm always your naughty little cub. Can't seem to behave, no matter how hard I try..." he said, in a resigned voice.

"That's not true, little boy," Ian said gently. "You've been following most of my directions, even when you don't necessarily know I'm not going to push you beyond what you can handle. We've had a few setbacks, but those aren't the end of the world."

"You really think I've been more gooder than I've been naughty?" Owen wrinkled his nose at his own grammar and word choice, but figured his father would know what he meant. If his word choice gave away how young he was currently feeling, well so what? It was only his father- his caregiver and protector- that would know how childishly young he was feeling. Not a bad thing, really.

"Definitely," Ian replied reassuringly. "I think you're learning how to listen to me. And it doesn't matter if there are setbacks. We'll deal with those and you'll be my good little cub again."

Owen smiled. "Okay, daddy..." he said. "Love you so much...." He snuggled close again.

"I love you, my little cub." Ian kissed his son's head. "I'm so happy you're in my life," he whispered.

"I'm happy you're in mine..." Owen whispered and snuggled closer again. All the anxiety and fear he'd felt the moment Ian stepped out of the room had disappeared by this point and while his backside was sore, he was happy and calm.

Ian stroked down his son's neck and back, gently patting his bottom. "We're going to try again, little cub. Me leaving you alone. But it won't be for long. And I'll come straight back," he promised, stroking Owen's cheek.

Owen tensed up slightly at the words but swallowed hard and took a slow breath. "Okay, daddy..." he whispered, in a tiny voice. "...I'll try really hard not to move..." he promised.

Ian kissed his cheek. "If you're a good boy and stay where you are, we can watch a movie together after lunch," he said softly.

Owen bit his lip and nodded. He'd really like to watch a movie with his father, his alpha, but he was already beginning to feel anxious again at the idea of Ian leaving for even a moment. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He hadn't had this problem before, when Ian first reentered his life.

Ian kissed his forehead. "I'll come back, my little cub. I'm not going far." He carefully moved his son onto the bed, withdrawing slowly, his hand lingering on Owen.

Owen sat perched on the bed uncertainly. If he had to watch Ian leave, it'd be even more difficult, but his father had put him in the position he was currently sat, so he didn't feel like he was allowed to shift, to turn over and lay on his stomach so he couldn't see Ian leave, or to move so he was sitting on the side of the bed facing away from the door. And maybe his father was right to have him watch... maybe in the long run, watching him leave and then being able to see when he returned would be better. He didn't know. What he did know was the anxiety was climbing...rising fast. He wasn't sure he'd be able to obey and that upset him almost as much as Ian stepping out of the room.

Ian slipped out of the room, knowing he had to do it fast. This was about training his son. He needed to do this, no matter how hard it was for both of them.

Owen watched his father- his alpha- leave the room and even though he knew Ian would return as quickly as possible, it still caused his stomach to sink. He whined low down in his throat and squirmed in place, already wanting to jump up and run after his father. This was ridiculous. If he was having anxiety and separation issues so badly after returning from the misadventure that was his attempt to rescue Blue... maybe he needed to talk more. Tell his father everything, no matter how scary or worrying or upsetting. Even if it earned him a punishment spanking every day for the next year, if it helped him not be afraid every time Ian left.... He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood and dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands in an attempt to keep himself in place.

Ian stood just outside the room, but it was hard to do that even for the two minutes he'd decided on. As soon as the time was up, he wasted no time in walking back into the room, over to Owen and wrapping his arms tightly around his boy.

"Friggin heck..." Owen said, in a voice that was equal parts panicked and thoroughly relieved. He nearly burrowed into his father, he was clinging so tightly to the older man; and he was shaking uncontrollably.

Ian quickly sat on the bed, so he could pull Owen onto his lap, cuddling his boy tightly to himself and kissing his head. "I've got you, my good little cub," he whispered in Owen's ear. "I'm not going to let you go."

Owen just continued to shake uncontrollably, pressing as close as possible to his father as possible. "What's wrong with me?" he asked, in a tiny voice, feeling very pathetic.

Ian gently took his son's hands, noticing the marks left on his skin. "You're strongly affected by what's happened, little boy. I'm going to take you into the bathroom and clean those cuts you've given yourself, my little cub."

Owen sniffled and nodded meekly. "Okay, sir," he said, licking his lower lip and wincing when he tasted blood.

Ian stroked the side of Owen's face, thumb stroking over his cheek, and then helped his son up, keeping Owen close as he guided his boy into the bathroom, so he could wash and then start treating his son's self-inflicted wounds.

Owen wasn't certain, but he suspected hurting himself wasn't something his father would allow. So, even though he hadn't done it intentionally, he gave Ian a guilt filled glance. "I'm sorry, daddy..." he whispered.

Ian scruffed the back of his son's neck. "Hurting yourself is not acceptable, my little cub," he said. "I know you were panicked and affected by me leaving you, but you knew I was going to come back to you."

"I know... I knew... I don't understand what my problem is. Why... Why it affected me so much... I'm stupid!" Owen blinked back tears and wiped at his eyes with the hand his father didn't have hold of.

"You're not stupid, little boy," Ian murmured, drawing his son into a tight embrace. "We're going to work on this," he promised.

Owen slumped against Ian, drawing comfort from him. He felt stupid, even if Ian had disagreed with his words. He felt stupid and extremely young, vulnerable, helpless. They weren't feelings he was familiar with outside of when he was over his Alpha's knee. He didn't like feeling that way when he wasn't being handled by his Dominant. It was scary to feel that way when Ian wasn't deliberately taking him to that mindset. And yeah, maybe he could claim it was the training his father was currently giving him that set him into the mindset now....

But he knew it wasn't that. It was the being left alone that had done it and seriously? If that was going to happen anytime Ian left his side and he was alone? How was he going to function? He'd need to get a job and have Ian drop him off and pick him up so that he never was alone at any point. And make certain he never had to go to the bathroom when he wasn't at home because...yeah. Maybe it wasn't that bad yet, but he hadn't been afraid to be left the day before either, so.... And this was assuming he was able to leave Ian's side as- long- as other people were around. If he couldn't handle being away from his father at all....

"I'm gonna have to go back to school and take no one's classes but yours..." He sniffled melodramatically.

"I don't think it's going to be as bad as that," Ian said gently. "After I first adopted you, you were able to handle being separated from me. I think the main problem we're facing is the cause of our separation this time. It's something that we're going to need to work on, but I think you'll be able to start calming down and accepting that we won't be parted."

"What if that's not the only problem?" Owen swallowed. "What if I'm just broken and we never figure out how or why?"

"You aren't broken, my little cub," Ian whispered. "You're just affected - I assume by what happened to you. You nearly died on that island, son. I almost lost you."

Owen swallowed hard and nodded. "It wasn't supposed to happen that way. Even going to where the dinosaurs were running... I wasn't worried about being attacked by them. Not really." He paused to gather his thoughts. "I should have been safe from anything that would kill me. Until I wasn't. It... it... when I think of how I was laying there, unable to protect myself. I could have been eaten without a fight. I almost got burned alive by lava; if I hadn't been licked awake by a friendly, I would have been. Even after being woke up, I almost didn't get away...." He shivered. "...Can't trust anyone. No one but you...." he admitted, before swiping at his eyes in irritation at himself. He was safe. There was no reason to be crying again.

Ian wrapped his arms tightly around Owen, almost as if he was trying to protect his son from the pain of that past. "You're safe here with me, my little boy," he whispered in Owen's ear. "Nothing's going to come for you. I'm going to keep holding on. Keep you safe. Take care of you. Work with you for as long as it takes to get past this."

Owen burrowed against Ian, shivering again. "I'm safe now. Shouldn't still be afraid..." he said, in a shamed tone.

"Of course, it's going to be difficult to be apart from me when you were betrayed like that." Ian stroked the back of his son's neck; kissed his ear. "You shouldn't expect to recover quickly and easily, my little cub."

Owen sniffled, pressing as close as humanly possible to his father, just leaning on Ian, letting the older man take all his weight. "...'m a big baby..." he muttered, embarrassed, but not willing or able to stop seeking comfort.

"You're my little boy," Ian whispered to him. "It's okay to need comfort. It's okay to need to stay close."

Owen took a slow breath. "...Your little boy is a big baby..." This time, his voice was slightly amused, since to his way of thinking, there was very little difference in being Ian's little boy or being Ian's big baby.

"My little boy went through a traumatic experience and almost died." Ian kissed the top of his head. "I need to hold onto you as much as you need to hold onto me."

Owen relaxed at those words. "You do?" he asked softly, letting his head rest against Ian's chest.

Ian stroked the back of Owen's head and scruffed him. "I can't ever fully explain how scared I was to realize where you were. Holding onto you helps to reassure me I didn't lose you. That you're safe where I can touch you."

"...Now I just gotta learn not to do stuff that might take me 'way from you..." Owen mumbled quietly, his voice weary. Now that the adrenaline from fear and the energy from crying were spent... he was tired.

Ian stroked his hand down Owen's back. "It's not quite lunch time, so let's sit and cuddle on the bed until it is, my little cub," he suggested, not quite saying that Owen could nap if he needed to...but the idea was there.

"Okay, daddy...." Owen whispered. He was feeling entirely too wiped out from his anxiety attack and the subsequent melt-down to even attempt to act his age. He was perfectly content to be Ian's little boy... his little cub... and just obey him and cuddle and if he fell asleep? Well, Ian would protect him. If he was certain of anything, he was certain of that. He shifted enough that Ian could move onto the bed, then let his alpha position him wherever he wanted.

Ian settled them both on the bed and then gently moved Owen onto his lap, settling his son so Owen was nestled against him securely, one hand scruffing his boy's neck and the other cupping Owen's bottom possessively.

Owen sighed softly, squirming just enough to test his father's grip, then sighed again happily. His head was on Ian's shoulder and he closed his eyes. Within moments, he was sleeping soundly.

Ian only moved just enough to stay comfortable, still holding his son and watching Owen's face while his boy slept.

Owen didn't know how long he slept for; though it couldn't have been more than an hour, as he knew Ian wanted him to eat lunch and would want him to be able to sleep at night. What he did know was that on waking, he was still snuggled close to his father with his head on Ian's shoulder. Ian still had him scruffed and was still possessively cupping his bottom.

Realizing his little boy was awake, Ian ran his fingers over Owen's neck and then gently squeezed his bottom. "I'm still here, little cub," he whispered reassuringly.

Owen stretched, careful not to dislodge Ian's hands. "I'm still yours?" His voice was still sleepy, as he was slowly waking. He arched his back so his neck and bottom both pressed more firmly into his Alpha's grip.

"Still mine. Still my little boy," Ian confirmed, taking a firmer grip on Owen's neck; giving his backside a firm pat.

"Good..." Owen grinned and wiggled his bottom.

Ian kissed his ear, squeezing his thighs and then giving another couple of firm pats before he rubbed gently. "I love you."

"I love you too, Alpha Daddy..." Owen snuggled some more. He was content to let Ian take complete control until the older man had to return to work. When he did that, Owen would have to be more responsible for himself.

Ian adjusted his son enough to begin stroking and rubbing over his son's body, still keeping Owen tight against him. "After lunch, we'll sit down to watch the movie," he said softly. "I'll put you over my knee so I can keep giving you attention throughout."

"Yessir..." Owen sounded thoroughly content with the order. "What are we eating?" he asked, fully expecting that he'd be told what to eat.

Ian gently tickled the nape of his boy's neck; down his back and over his hips. "We'll be having sandwiches and salad."

"Sounds good..." Owen squirmed, letting out a tiny giggle at the tickling.

Ian smiled, pulling Owen closer to himself and continuing to tickle his son, over his ribs now.

Owen's giggles became stronger, turning into laughter as he began to squirm more spastically in response to Ian tickling him. "Daaaaddy!" he squealed, then blushed at his own response.

Ian simply pulled his son in closer and tighter, continuing to tickle his son, adjusting Owen enough to make it easier to continue and get to more skin. "You're mine, little cub."

"Yessir..." Owen gasped, his squirming becoming feeble as he realized he wasn't getting away. "Yours.... com... completely..." He was laughing so hard by this point, he was crying.

Ian kissed Owen's cheeks, stroking his hair and squeezing the nape of his neck. "You don't get to go anywhere or do anything without my say-so," he whispered. "As your alpha daddy, I am the one in control of and in charge of you."

"Yessir... Obey you... Be your good boy..." Owen's struggles were little more than energetic twitches and he gasped for air.

Ian stopped tickling, instead wrapping Owen into a tight embrace that would be difficult to get out of. "You are my good boy," he whispered, kissing his son's cheek.

"Am I? I wanna be..." Owen didn't even try to escape Ian"s clutches. He was happy where he was.

"Of course you are, son." Ian stroked his cheek. "You're doing exactly what you should be. And more importantly, you're letting me hold onto you. Take care of my little cub...."

"Letting you hold me is easy..." Owen pointed out.

Ian kissed his forehead and stroked over his hips. "While that's true, there are other things I've told you to do that I know are less easy."

Owen nodded, glancing down. "They aren't as hard when I take a deep breath and remind myself I can trust you. I do..." He glanced up with a tiny, crooked smile. "...I trust you with all of me."

Ian gently squeezed Owen's neck, thumb gently stroking his cheek. "I know you do. And I won't ever let you down," he promised. "I'll keep taking care of my little boy."

Owen nodded seriously. "I know you will. You took care of me even when I was your big boy..." he acknowledged.

"I tried to even before you became mine," Ian said. "When I knew that I wanted you but didn't want to risk scaring you away."

Owen put his head on his alpha's shoulder. "And I know that, even if we were surrounded by people and I had to be grown up... You'd still take care of me as much as you could."

Ian nodded. "No matter how grown up you need to act, I'll always be there to catch you. To support you. And while I'll avoid taking you entirely in hand in front of other people...if I need to, I won't hesitate," he promised.

Owen nodded. "If I need you to, I wouldn't expect otherwise..." he said softly.

Ian stroked his cheek. "No matter where we are, you will always be safe with me. I will always take care of you and love you," he promised.

Owen smiled, snuggling close again. "No matter where we are or how grown up I am, I'll always need you..." he admitted. "...Love you, Da...."

"I love you, my little cub. So very much." Ian tightened his embrace around his son, one hand stroking down Owen's back and over his bottom.

Owen didn't say anything more. He was content to just stay in his father's arms and not move until Ian made him. His father was in charge of large of everything, after all. He'd know when it was time to stop snuggling and do other things.

Ian cuddled his son tightly a few more moments and then said softly, "We'll have lunch now. Watch the movie afterwards." He kissed Owen's ear and then helped his little boy to stand.

Owen stood and carefully moved so Ian could stand and then lead him to their kitchen. He didn't bother asking if he should get dressed first. It was just them at the house and Ian tended to keep him as vulnerable as possible when there was no one else around to 'threaten' him. Owen was perfectly happy with that since he trusted Ian not to hurt him and to protect him if needed. It wasn't even that he couldn't protect himself; it was that relying on Ian was something he needed. He gave his alpha a tentative smile.

Ian smiled at his son and wrapped his arm around Owen's waist to guide him to the kitchen. He kept Owen close as he began to prepare them sandwiches.

Owen stayed as close to his alpha as was safe to while Ian prepared the food. He even helped when directed to do so. "So, when I was just your student and you were mentoring me, and I decided to go into the navy..." Owen paused. "...Did you have even a suspicion that I... that I'd be drawn to you like this? Need to have you be so completely in control of me and obey you?" He bit his lip. "...Cuz I didn't have a clue. I mean, I joined the navy and it was really difficult sometimes, because I don't really consider myself a follower and having to obey anyone else was hard.... even if it's necessary and I did it, it was hard...."

"I don't know if I'd say I had an idea of what our relationship would become," Ian answered. "I knew I cared for you back then. While you weren't the only one of my students I kept in touch with, you were the only one I wanted to take care of."

Owen chuffed at that, an amused gleam in his eye. "What? I was giving off lost-little-boy vibes then? And here I thought I was being very adult and responsible, talking things through with you before I made my life choices instead of rushing headlong into them..." He snorted. "...Course, I seem to have lost that ability after joining... and then discharging. Which makes no sense when I think about it...."

"Does it worry you?" Ian asked him directly, giving his son his full attention. While Owen seemed fairly settled and happy with how things were right now, Ian wanted to make sure he stayed that way.

"Does what worry me? The fact that I seem to have lost my ability to be an adult and think things through and talk with you about them instead of just rushing headlong into it? Or the fact that... that I seem to want to give up being adult entirely and let you control my life?" Owen bit his lip and gave Ian a serious look. "Yes, to the first... at least a little, anyway. You're s'posed to get more responsible as you grow up, not less...." Owen looked down and blushed. "I don't know about the second. Part of me thinks if I was normal, it would bother me. But... it doesn't. I think I'm more worried about the fact that it doesn't bother me that I want that, than I am worried about wanting it.... if that makes sense."

Reaching out, Ian gently scruffed his son's neck. "It's not a bad thing that you need me to control you, son. You know what it was like with Blue and the rest of the raptors. You might not be a wild animal, but I'm still your alpha. You recognize that. We've been drawn to each other."

Owen nodded. "Yessir... I think I could tell even when I didn't even know what it was that made me come to you... you're my alpha and I need you to handle me..." He smiled crookedly.

Ian kissed his forehead. "And I need to handle you, my little cub," he murmured. "You shouldn't ever worry about the way you need me. Or about letting me know that you need me."

"I'll try not to, Alpha Daddy..." Owen said quietly, giving his father an impish look. "Course... since I seem to need you all the time, it's gonna make it real interesting when you go back to work...."

Ian let his fingers stroke over Owen's neck. "We'll build up to that. On a subconscious level, as long as you see that I come back to you, I think we can work on reassuring you of that for longer periods of time."

Owen nodded trustingly. "I believe you can help me get past whatever is causing me problems...." he stated emphatically.

"I'll help you with anything all the time, my little cub." Ian took the plates over to the table and then guided Owen over to sit on his lap.

By this point, Owen was so used to sitting on his father's lap and being hand fed that he settled quickly, leaning into his father so his back was pressed firmly to Ian's chest, leaving his own chest and belly open for Ian to either hold onto him tightly or rub or both as his Dom saw fit. If he would have been able to eat in such a position, he would have laid even further back so his lower torso and thighs were also easily within reach.

Ian wrapped his arm tightly around Owen's waist, fingers lightly stroking and rubbing his boy's chest and stomach as he began to feed his son.

Owen opened his mouth when prompted, carefully chewing and swallowing, but his attention was only half on the food. The rest of his attention was on the affection his alpha was giving him, even while he took care of feeding him. He made tiny little sounds of contentment, almost like purring.

Ian continued to stroke and rub over Owen's chest and down his stomach, holding his boy close and tight against him and kissing the back of his head. "I've got you, my little boy," he whispered.

Owen let out another tiny happy purring sound. "...I know, daddy..." he whispered, before opening his mouth for another bite. He felt young and helpless and needy. He also felt protected, taken care of and loved. He was where he belonged.

Ian continued to feed his son, whispering, "This is exactly where you belong. With me. In my arms. No matter what."

"...Belong wherever you want me.... where ever you put me..." Owen agreed, stretching just a slight bit so that Ian could touch more of him.

Ian stroked over Owen's chest and stomach. "You'll always be my little boy; my little cub. When you're good and when you're naughty."

"I know..." Owen said with a tiny whimper, letting his head fall back onto his alpha's shoulder so that his neck was exposed too. "...I'd rather be your good little boy than your naughty little boy, though..." he admitted, with a blush.

Ian stroked over his pulse point and gently squeezed his neck. "I know, little boy. But I'm not going to regret you," he promised. "I'm not ever going to change my mind. And nothing could be so naughty that I wouldn't forgive you for it."

"...No matter what? You'll always forgive me and let me come home?" Owen asked hesitantly.

"No matter what," Ian promised, stroking over Owen's hips. "I would always forgive you. I will always want you to come home. Being apart from you would hurt worse than anything else could."

Owen shivered as the more sensitive skin was stroked. "I love you, sir..." he whispered, relaxing further into his Dom, forgetting for the moment about food as he just focused on Ian's words and how comforting the touch was.

"I love you. My little cub." Ian kissed his head; stroked down over Owen's neck and his chest and stomach, returning to his hips and squeezing them possessively.

Owen sighed happily. "Yours, alpha daddy...."

"Mine," Ian whispered, scruffing the back of his neck. "For always. Being your alpha...being your daddy...makes me very happy."

Owen settled. He didn't know if lunch was over or not, but he was completely in Ian's hands. He wasn't worried.

Ian held his son a bit longer and then he finished feeding his son, before helping Owen to stand. "Go and wait for me while I finish cleaning up," he directed.

"Where should I wait?" Owen asked quietly, smiling. "In the corner?" he asked bashfully.

Ian nodded, kissing his boy's forehead. "I'll draw you out when I'm done cleaning up," he said, stroking Owen's neck.

Owen slanted his head into Ian's hand, then moved into the corner, putting his nose into it. He could hear his father moving around behind him and it comforted him.

Ian cleared up the things from lunch and then walked over to his son, standing close enough to Owen to press against his back and letting his hand rest against Owen's throat.

Owen shivered. "Can I lean back, daddy?" He quivered in place, wanting more than anything to press back into his alpha.

"Yes, little boy." Ian wrapped his other arm around Owen's waist, so he could encourage his son to lean back.

Letting out a happy sigh, Owen immediately shifted his weight back into his father until he was wedged against the older man from shoulder to mid-thigh. He slanted his head, so Ian could grip his throat more easily.

Ian wrapped his arms tightly around Owen's waist and kissed the side of his head, taking a firmer grip on his little boy's neck. His other hand stroked over Owen's chest and stomach, rubbing his hips.

Owen shivered slightly. "What do you want me to do now, sir?" His voice was soft and almost needy.

Squeezing his hips, Ian said softly, "We're going to watch a movie together. I'm going to put you over my lap so I can give you attention throughout." He let his hand rest on his son's bottom.

"Okay, alpha daddy..." Owen whispered. He couldn't help but shift so his bottom pressed against his Dom's hand more firmly.

Ian gently squeezed and then patted his son's bottom, then began to lead him into the bedroom, setting up the movie and then sitting on the bed, encouraging Owen across his lap.

Owen crawled until he was positioned over his Dom's lap, his bottom in prime position, then lowered himself down. "What now, sir?" he asked quietly, fidgeting a little.

"Now...I'm in charge and in control, little boy. You only need to stay in position." Ian began to stroke down Owen's back, patting his bottom as his hand passed over it, stroking down to his legs before he repeated the motion.

Owen let out a tiny groan of contentment before folding his arms under his head and doing his best to focus on the movie.

Ian continued the motions, his other hand settled at the nape of Owen's neck. After a few moments of stroking and patting, he began to deliver a light smack each time his hand passed over Owen's bottom.

Owen was able to focus on the movie...until the smacks began; with the very first one, his attention was riveted on Ian's hands and what they were doing. He couldn't keep himself from wiggling and squirming until his bottom stuck up to where Ian could smack every part of it.

Ian firmed his grip on Owen's neck, his other hand continuing the long strokes down his cub's back; the gentle smacks that he landed in various spots on Owen's bottom.

Owen whimpered and whined softly but didn't attempt to move out of the way. He did shift his hands back to cover his bottom, but it was done hesitantly. More as if he was looking to be 'held in place' than actively trying to stop Ian.

Ian gently grasped Owen's hands, holding them tightly and out of the way as he continued to stroke and smack, gently squeezing his boy's thighs.

Owen continued to whimper and whine softly, but visibly relaxed when Ian captured his hands. His legs fell open to make more of him vulnerable and able to be handled. Owen was facing the television, still watching, though he probably wouldn't be able to recall the plot at all.

Ian still stroked and smacked, making the swats just a bit firmer and beginning to focus more to Owen's thighs, stroking and lightly smacking his inner thighs and squeezing his hands.

Owen slowly went boneless, his focus on nothing but the feel of his alpha surrounding and controlling him. Even his whines, whimpers and moans were soft enough that, if Ian weren't listening, he couldn't hear them. Owen hadn't dropped fully, but he was still in a place emotionally that, if Ian had told him to walk barefoot over broken glass, he would have.

Ian stroked and rubbed over Owen's bottom and then delivered a full circuit of the smacks before he resumed rubbing and stroking, each touch possessive.

Owen wriggled helplessly as Ian swatted, but didn't try to get away. "... Yours..." he whimpered.

"Mine," Ian confirmed. "I have you, little boy. I won't let you go."

"...You got me..." Owen mumbled softly. By this time, he wasn't even twitching. Wherever Ian touched, rubbed, swatted, or squeezed, Owen was completely still and accepting. His body wasn't his... it was his alpha's. If it weren't for the tiny whimpers, whines and moans, it would have seemed he'd fallen asleep.

Ian squeezed Owen's hands, continuing to touch, stroke, squeeze and swat. "My good little boy," he whispered, his voice full of praise and affection. "My good little cub."

Owen sniffled at the words. "...Feels good..." he whispered. He meant it felt good to hear that Ian thought he was good... but it could just as easily mean what Ian was doing to him. He was falling further and further down the more the endorphins kicked in.

"I love you." Ian kept his voice soft and reassuring; his hands gentle as he handled his son. "You're safe here. With me. Safe to let go. To fall."

Owen whimpered again, a tiny sob escaping. "...Love you, sir...so much..." His voice was almost inaudible. But he obeyed. He let go of what little control he had over himself, just slumping completely over Ian's lap, and felt. It was obvious that he was no longer holding back; his breathing quickened, tears began to stream down his face and other physical signs made themselves known to Ian, even though Owen was incapable of noticing. He was completely dropped down and unable to help himself in any way.

Ian stroked and rubbed, speaking in soft, soothing tones to comfort and reassure his boy. He didn't stop touching Owen; didn't stop speaking to him. "My good little boy. My good little cub."

Soon, even the whimpers, whines and moans had quieted and all that could be heard was Ian soothing Owen and Owen's quickened breathing. Owen's skin was flushed and warm and every so often, he would twitch involuntarily.

Ian left it for a few moments and then let his hands still on his son's body, calling softly to Owen. "My little cub...."

Owen didn't answer his father, he barely moved; but it was obvious he'd heard Ian, because he tilted his head slightly in his father's direction to hear him better and his breathing began to even out and slow.

"Come back to me, Owen," Ian called to his son, keeping his hands on his boy but not moving them.

Owen whimpered softly in response to Ian's words and shifted slightly, but still didn't move much or talk. He turned his head a bit more, though, as he tried to focus his eyes on his father.

Ian let his hand rest gently on Owen's cheek. "That's right," he encouraged. "Your daddy's here, my little boy."

"...Daddy...?" Owen said, with a tiny whine and shifted some more, in his father's direction, seeking for comfort because he still felt a bit out of control and it was scary.

Ian leaned down and wrapped his arms tightly around Owen. "I'm here. You're safe," he whispered in his son's ear.

Owen shivered. "You got me?" he asked, in a tiny voice.

"Always," Ian promised, hugging his son tightly.

Owen continued to slowly come to but didn't attempt to move away from Ian. He belonged to the older man. He wasn't going anywhere Ian didn't put him.

Ian continued to hold onto Owen, kissing his ear and stroking his hair. "I'm here, my little cub," he whispered.

"...Alpha Daddy, hold me tighter?" Owen found himself talking in a begging, very childish tone and blushed. It didn't stop him from giving Ian an enormously wide-eyed, hopeful smile, looking almost as young as his voice had sounded. Girls he had tried to convince of things with it had called it adorable, even as they'd turned him down because he'd been too obviously trying to convince them. The smile was still adorable but had an element of helpless innocence to it that was never in it the other times he'd used it. He was 'awake' enough to be aware of Ian but was still much further under than he normally was. If Ian wasn't taking care of him, he could get himself into some big trouble.

In response, Ian tightened his arms around his son, pressing closer against Owen until he was so tangled with his boy, it would be difficult to pull them apart instantly. "I won't let go, my little boy," he promised.

Owen visibly calmed. He hadn't even realized he was nervous. "Your little boy..." he said, in the same childish tone. It was obvious he was struggling to regain control over himself. "...You keep me safe..." he finally said, slumping and giving up. He'd be okay... eventually. Ian would take care of him until he was and probably after too.

"And I always will," Ian whispered, kissing his ear. "Don't force yourself, little boy. Let it come naturally." He rested his hand between Owen's shoulder blades.

Owen just snuggled, focusing on Ian's voice and the protective way he held him. "Wanna see you, Daddy..." Owen sighed, but didn't attempt to roll over.

Ian carefully rolled Owen over, so they were face to face. "I love you, son." He stroked his boy's cheek.

Owen looked up at Ian with a gaze full of trust and adoration. Turning so his cheek pressed into his father's hand, he whispered, "I love you, Alpha Daddy..." He let his limbs lie loosely so more of him could press against his Dom... Or be touched and rubbed, if Ian decided. His eyes were less glazed and more focused, although he was still not completely back to himself.

Ian stroked Owen's cheek, gently rubbing over his chest and stomach, stroking his hips. "I won't let you go, my little boy," he promised.

"Thank you, Daddy..." Owen whispered, letting his head fall back slightly to expose his neck. His voice was less slurred and he was beginning to be more alert, even though he stayed where Ian put him.

Ian let his hand rest gently on Owen's neck, lightly squeezing it, his other hand gently stroking his son's chest, stomach, hips and thighs.

Owen didn't drop this time, but he did shiver slightly and tear up. "I wanna be your good boy..." He sniffled.

"You are my good boy," Ian promised, stroking his cheek. "My good little boy. My good little cub."

"I'm your good little boy?" Owen asked, hopeful.

"My very good little boy," Ian promised, kissing his forehead.

Owen impulsively twisted and wrapped his arms around Ian, kissing him under his chin then nuzzling against his chest.

Ian wrapped Owen tightly in his arms, kissing his son's head. "I love you," he whispered, gently scruffing him.

"... Yours... All of me yours..." Owen said contentedly.

"Every part of you. And I won't ever let you go." Ian pulled his boy tighter, fingers stroking over Owen's neck.

"Never wanna be let go..." Owen admitted.

Ian wrapped his other arm around Owen's waist, drawing his son tighter against him, one hand stroking over his neck and back. "Good. Because it won't ever happen. No matter where we are or what happens."

"What do you want me to do for you?" Owen asked quietly.

Ian kissed his head. "You're going to have a bath, my little cub."

Owen stiffened at that and wiggled uncomfortably. “I don’t wanna bath, daddy....” The truth was, he was afraid the water would sting because his skin was so sensitive.

"Why, son?" Ian asked, his voice gentle, his hand lightly squeezing Owen's neck.

Owen knew he should just tell Ian, but he felt like it was a stupid thing and didn’t want to admit to it. “I just don’t...” he grumbled.

"I know there's a reason you don't want to," Ian said calmly.

“Nope...just don’t want to...” Owen said, in the tone of a toddler who didn’t want to cooperate even though they knew they needed to.

Ian gave his backside a firm pat. "I don't expect you to argue with me, little boy."

“Then don’t argue, daddy...” Owen said and grinned cheekily.

Ian gave his backside a slightly firmer pat. "You don't grumble with me, my little cub."

Owen pouted and looked down at his hands. “Sorry, daddy...” he mumbled contritely.

Ian stroked Owen's cheek and then his chin, to encourage his son to look at him. "Why don't you want a bath?"

“...Back ‘n bottom ‘r sensitive... ‘fraid it’ll sting...” he admitted reluctantly but kept his eyes up and on Ian’s face when answering, so his father could see it was the truth.

"It isn't going to sting, little cub," Ian said gently. "The water will help make you feel better. Like having a bath after a workout."

“Promise?” Owen gave him a skeptical look. Ian could tell he wasn’t completely back to his normal mindset, the way he was fretting about it. Normally, Owen would want to be in the water. He wouldn’t question it feeling good at all.

"Why don't I get in with you, little boy?" Ian suggested.

Owen blinked, then blushed and gave his alpha a bashful look. “You’d do that?” he asked quietly, obviously liking the idea of not having to be separated for even a short time.

"Of course, cub. I would do anything for you." Ian stroked his son's cheek.

“Okay, daddy...I’ll take a bath. Sorry I was naughty and argued...” Owen snuggled close in apology.

Ian kissed his head. "It's all right, little boy. But I'd rather you tell me when something's bothering you than give me attitude and try to claim it's nothing."

Owen sniffled, blinking back sudden tears. “I know... shouldn’t give you attitude... s’posed to listen ‘n obey... ‘m sorry...” He wiped at his eyes, feeling like a failure.

"You're forgiven, my little cub," Ian said gently, stroking Owen's cheeks. Scruffing his neck. "Giving me attitude isn't the end of the world. Even if it does earn you a few swats." He patted Owen's bottom for emphasis.

Owen gave Ian a crooked, teary, smile. "...You always forgive me...no matter how bad I am..." he said, with a hint of curiosity, wondering if there was anything he could ever do that was unforgivable. Of course, being forgiven didn't mean free from consequences....

"You aren't bad, little boy. Even if you're very naughty at times, it doesn't make you bad." Ian gently gripped Owen's neck; stroked his cheek with his thumb. "And I would always forgive you. For anything. Because I need you. I love you. And I can't live my life without you in it."

Owen quivered at those words before impulsively throwing his arms around Ian's shoulders and holding tight, his nose pressed against the older man's neck. "Love you, Alpha Daddy...can't live 'out you either..." he whispered.

Ian hugged Owen tightly, one hand scruffing his neck while his other possessively cupped his boy's bottom. "I love you. I'm never going to let you go," he whispered, kissing his head. "My little boy. My good little boy."

Owen relaxed and snuggled as he could feel Ian's possessive hold. He was safe. Ian had him and wouldn't let go. "...So... bath, daddy?" he asked, a bit hesitantly. He was reluctant to leave his father to take a shower, but if that's what Ian required, it's what he'd do.

"Yes, little boy." Ian helped Owen to stand and then lifted his son,  so he could drape Owen over his shoulder, carrying him to the bathroom.

Owen blinked as he was suddenly looking at the floor, his head pressed against his father's back. He couldn't help but let out a surprised and amused laugh. "I won't run, daddy... I promise..."

Ian rested his hand possessively on Owen's bottom as he carried his son. "You're mine, little boy," he said softly.

"...All of me..." Owen agreed, letting himself relax enough not to fight, but remain stiff enough it would be easier to carry him.

Ian rubbed and patted gently and then, when they were in the bathroom, he put Owen down so that he could run the bath and strip his own clothes off, as he'd promised Owen he'd get in the bath with his boy.

Owen stood still, obediently waiting for Ian to tell him what to do (or just maneuver him himself).

As soon as the bath was full and at a comfortable temperature, Ian helped Owen to get in and then got in himself, picking up the cloth to start washing his boy.

Owen let out a tiny sigh as he was helped into the water. His alpha had been right; it did feel good on his very sensitive skin. He leaned forward as Ian got in behind him, then stayed leaned forward so his daddy could wash his back. If Ian needed to shift him to reach other parts, he'd let him know.

Ian carefully washed his boy's back and then began to move Owen around, so he could wash the rest of his boy, touching and stroking affectionately as he did.

Owen let out tiny sounds of contentment as he was bathed, wiggling slightly as his bottom was washed, the skin still sensitive enough that he couldn't help himself. When Ian began to wash his chest, he let himself lay back against his father- back to chest- and went limp so Ian could maneuver him.

Ian moved Owen, kissing his head as he washed him, his other arm holding Owen tight and snug against him. "I've got you. My good little boy," he whispered. "My good little cub."

Owen continued to lay still, happy little hums escaping as his father cleaned him. He squirmed as Ian continued to wash his more vulnerable areas. His body began to react much like it had the other times he'd become over stimulated. Blushing darkly, he closed his eyes and muttered at himself... "No! You aren't allowed to do that unless Alpha says so....". To his surprise, his body listened, the evidence of arousal immediately disappearing. He blinked in surprise at that and slanted his head to look back at Ian, his throat open and vulnerable to his father.

Ian gently squeezed his neck. "Good boy," he murmured, kissing Owen's head. "My very good little boy."

Owen smiled crookedly, relaxing at knowing he'd made his Dom happy.

Ian finished washing his son and then got them both out of the bath, not wasting any time in drying Owen off.

Owen shivered. "...All of me is yours..." he whispered under his breath. He held still so Ian could dry him. He didn't know if he'd be dressed or not, but he didn't care. All he cared about was being held onto.

"Every part of you," Ian whispered, kissing Owen's head. He finished drying off his son and then himself and then took Owen's hand to lead him into the bedroom.

Owen followed quietly, no fight or argument. He leaned toward Ian, ready to do whatever Ian ordered.

In the bedroom, Ian gave his backside a gentle pat and said softly, "Go and stand in the corner while I get dressed. I'll come and get you out."

Owen jumped slightly at the pat, but immediately did as ordered, standing in the corner, nose against the wall. He didn't turn around at all because he wanted to make Ian happy and be called a good little boy or good little cub again. He blushed when he realized he wanted to be called that...wanted to be treated that way.

Ian dressed and then he walked over to Owen, one hand settling at the nape of his boy's neck and scruffing him, while his other arm wrapped possessively around Owen's waist. "My good little cub," he murmured, kissing Owen's ear.

Owen immediately relaxed against Ian and let out a happy little whine in response to the praise. "Love you, alpha daddy...wanna be your good little cub..." he admitted, blushing dark.

"You are, little boy." Ian kissed his ear. "I love you. So very much." He rubbed gently over Owen's hips.

Owen sighed softly, his body loose limbed and pliant. Willing and able to do whatever Ian directed.

Ian kissed the back of Owen's head and then led his boy over to the bed, taking a seat and gently drawing Owen onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around him. "I've got you," he whispered.

Owen just snuggled into Ian, peaceful and content. "...Forever..." he whispered.

Ian threaded his fingers through Owen's hair and kissed his cheek. "I love you. My good little boy," he whispered.

Owen smiled at the term of endearment and affection, putting his head on Ian's shoulder. Eventually, he slept.

****

Eli watched the news, a horror struck look on his face as he watched Mesosaurus swimming underneath the surfers. "She got out..." he whispered. "How'd she get out?"

The Pteranodons, it had been easy to predict flying to the mainland. They hadn't been contained since their aviary had been knocked full of holes three years before. It had been a miracle they hadn't flown off much earlier. But the Mesosaurus had been contained. The only way she would have got loose was...

"...What did I do?" Guilt was heavy in his voice.

Lockwood had been fairly busy putting arrangements in place so that he could speak to Eli about his idea and put everything into play if the younger man agreed. He walked into the main room in time to see the news report...and hear Eli's comment. He walked swiftly over to the younger man, clasping his shoulder. "What did you do, son?"

"I don't understand...it shouldn't have gotten loose. They were s'posed to go in, get the bone, get out and close the gate..." Eli staggered back to sit on a chair. "Why didn't the gate close?"

Lockwood moved a bit closer to him. "What happened?" he pressed.

Eli gave Lockwood a look that was nervous guilt combined with worry. "We wanted DNA from the Indominus. I sent an expedition to get one of its bones. The bones were at the bottom of Mesosaurus’s tank. They should have got in, sent the bone up, then got out. They said they'd closed the gate...."

"But it was left open?" Lockwood already knew the answer, of course. But he needed to hear Eli say the words.

"It must have been...there's no other way she could have got out. I should have asked for visual proof..." Eli leaned forward, putting his head in his hands.

Lockwood gently rested his hand on Eli's shoulder. "Then we will have to try and work on tracking her. Get her to the island with the rest of the dinosaurs." He paused and then said, "You never told me you were doing that."

"No, sir, I didn't." Eli swallowed hard. "I should have...but I was hiding a lot from you then...."

"I think we should continue this discussion in the office," Lockwood said, squeezing his shoulder.

Eli nodded in resignation and obvious relief. "Yessir..." He stood and waited for Lockwood to begin heading that way before following.

Lockwood walked next to Eli, heading to the office and opening the door before stepping inside, holding the door open for the younger man.

Eli walked in, dejected, ashamed and full of worry.

Closing the door, Lockwood turned fully to face Eli. "This is a problem, son, but she wasn't the only dinosaur to escape," he said. "Like the others, we'll work on getting her back where she's safe and people are safe from her."

"How? She's as big as a freight ship!" Eli groaned.

"It won't be easy," Lockwood allowed. "But at least her size means that we're unlikely to miss her." He paused, then said, "I was coming to find you because I just got off the phone with my lawyers."

Eli blinked. "Your lawyers? Is everything okay?" he asked in worry.

Lockwood nodded. "Hearing and seeing Owen interact with his father, it made me think about how I feel about you," he said. "I'd like to adopt you, Eli. To make you my son."

Eli swallowed hard, giving Lockwood a hesitant smile. "After everything I did, you still want me around? And in your family?"

"I do," Lockwood replied. "And it's all ready to go. If it's what you want as well."

"I do want that..." Eli admitted quietly. "More than anything."

Lockwood smiled. "I'm glad." He gently squeezed Eli's shoulder. "The paperwork should have been emailed. All that's needed now is to print and sign it."

Eli nodded. "Do you need me to get it for you?" he asked solicitously.

"I can do that. Would you prefer to sign before or after we take care of what you've told me?" Lockwood asked directly. While he didn't want to punish his new son, Eli's sense of guilt was obvious.

Eli looked up sharply at that, not even trying to pretend he didn't understand what Lockwood was talking about. Swallowing, he straightened slightly and looked his soon to be father in the eyes. "Before, please... I'd... I'd rather not have anything negative shadowing such a big and hopefully joyous moment...." He smiled faintly and let his gaze drop.

"Very well, son." Lockwood gripped his shoulder a fraction more, needing to touch Eli, and then said softly, "Stand up, please."

Eli nodded, immediately standing up. "Where do you want me, sir....?"

Lockwood sat down on the chair and reached out to grasp his son's wrist. "I am going to put you across my lap, son." He put action to words, drawing Eli forward across his knees.

Eli was very careful not to struggle, laying over Lockwood's lap and holding himself still.

Resting one hand on Eli's back, Lockwood rubbed gently as he proceeded to divest the younger man of his pants and underwear. Taking a firmer hold on Eli, he lifted his hand and brought it down in a firm smack that he then repeated.

Eli let out a tiny grunt and reached down to grasp Lockwood's leg. "I'm sorry, sir."

"I know, son. And I forgive you. I love you. And I want you," Lockwood said sincerely, settling into a pattern of swats down to Eli's thighs before starting over from the top.

Eli felt himself relaxing at the words, laying limp over Lockwood's lap. While he did squirm slightly, he believed he deserved every swat and he didn't want to make things difficult for his future father, so he kept as still as possible. Instead, he allowed himself to cry, vocally, once it became too much to keep inside. He hid nothing from Lockwood.

Lockwood completed three circuits of swats and then paused, resting his hand on his son's backside and rubbing gently. "I know you feel guilty for what happened in the past, but you're being punished for that. You don't need to feel like that any longer. This is a clean slate, son."

Eli slumped, crying hard but softly. "I made so many mistakes, sir...so many...."

"It doesn't matter, son." Lockwood continued to rub Eli's bottom. "It doesn't matter how many mistakes there have been. You're still a good person. I still love you. I still want you."

"I'm thankful you think so," Eli said softly.

"I always will," Lockwood promised. "You're going to be my son. And nothing will ever change that."

Eli slumped at the words. He hadn't been fighting before, but he completely gave up, accepting whatever Lockwood decided to do. "Okay..."

Lockwood continued to rub a few moments more and then he replaced Eli's clothing, moving the younger man into his arms on his lap.

"Do you really think we'll catch her again? Put her safe in the center of the island?" Eli asked hesitantly.

"I think we have to try." Lockwood pulled his son in a bit closer and tighter, stroking over his hair and back. "Even if we have to do it with help."

"Who can we get to help? Not too many people are familiar with living history..." Eli huffed faintly.

"We'd have to clear it with his father, probably, but Owen. And maybe Claire," Lockwood said.

"Permission? I'm surprised Owen listens to anyone, let alone get permission..." Eli sounded surprised. "Didn't Hammond work with some paleontologists at one time, years ago?"

"I think he has a very different relationship with Ian," Lockwood commented, remembering how Owen had interacted with his father. "Hammond did have some contacts I can get in touch with," he said.

"That'd be good. Maybe we should send Claire to talk to them, though. I'm not sure if my reputation will cause issues..." Eli sighed.

"I'm sure it will be better once our relationship is known," Lockwood said. "And if you're ready, we can take care of signing the paperwork. Make it official now, son."

"I'm ready... Father." Eli smiled at Lockwood, a peaceful, grateful look in his eyes.

"I'm glad." Lockwood let go of Eli so they could both stand and then he walked over to print out the paperwork. It wasn't long before he was holding it out to Eli to read before they both signed.

Eli gave it a cursory reading- the businessman in him wouldn't allow for less- but he trusted Lockwood, so it was a very brief, cursory read through. He quickly signed the papers. "It's legal now... Does Maisie know?" He glanced at his now father.

Lockwood signed the paperwork and nodded. "I didn't want it to come as a shock, but I don't think she was very surprised, given what happened when we had the dinosaurs here."

Eli sighed. "Yeah...I really messed things up. I'm just glad you were able to undo my mess...."

"You made mistakes, but you aren't the only one," Lockwood said. "And I was referring to how I feel about you. I didn't try to hide it and Maisie clearly guessed."

"She's a smart girl." Eli nodded. "Do you want for me to call Claire in?"

"That might be best," Lockwood answered.

Eli immediately contacted Claire. Fifteen minutes later, he ended the call and looked toward his father. “She’s eager to help figure out how to capture ‘her’. She also thinks she might be able to enlist the help of Dr. Alan Grant. I told her to go ahead and seek him out... I hope that’s okay?”

Lockwood nodded. "The more of us who are putting our heads together, the better chances we have of capturing her and getting her to safety," he said.

Eli nodded with a smile. “She said she’d call once she had everyone’s agreement or refusal. Until then...I think I’d like to spend time with my father and niece.”

"I would like that too, son. Very much so," Lockwood said, drawing Eli into a hug. "And we should do something to celebrate," he added.

“What do you want to do?” Eli asked curiously.

Lockwood smiled. "We haven't had many chances to go out as a family. Perhaps it's time we did. Have a meal out together."

“That sounds good. Let’s call Maisie down. She can help choose a place.” Eli smiled.

Squeezing Eli's shoulder, Lockwood led his son out of the office, so they could call Maisie and talk to her about the dinner plans.

****

Owen had woken in a really good mood. He’d refrained from testing Ian, he was feeling so good... waiting for permission before getting out of bed and taking care of hygiene and such. When Ian had indicated that they would make omelets for breakfast, he’d immediately asked to help. Now he stood, a pile of vegetables on the cutting board, waiting to be sliced and diced. “Are there any particular things you don’t want?” he asked quietly, poised to begin chopping.

"I'm fine with anything, my little cub," Ian replied with a warm, affectionate smile.

“Great!” Owen beamed and began chopping vegetables.

Ian laid the table and then began preparing the eggs, staying quite close to his cub and every so often reaching out to stroke Owen's arm, or squeeze his shoulder.

Owen smiled at his father. He was in a really good mood and wanted to impress his father. He didn’t intend or set out to upset the other man. It just happened. One minute, he was chopping vegetables like normal and the next, he was showing off his knife skills. He was very skilled with the knife, but there was no good reason to be using it the way he was...and it was very dangerous.

As soon as Owen began to show off with the knife, Ian grasped his boy's arm to stop him. "No, little boy," he said firmly, his voice stern.

Owen frowned, but stopped what he was doing... long enough for Ian to let go of him and begin working on the eggs again, at any rate. Five minutes later, he was back to showing off his knife skills again.

This time, when Ian grasped his boy's arm, he didn't let go with a stern warning. He took the knife from his boy's hand and grabbed a wooden spoon from the utensils pot, bending Owen forward slightly and whapping the spoon against his son's backside, though he was careful not to use too much force.

Owen’s quick intake of breath was the only sign given that the smack was felt. Owen held very still, bent slightly forward so his bottom was vulnerable, not attempting to pull free from his father’s grip at all.

Ian gripped Owen's arm; not tight enough to hurt, but tight enough to be secure. He brought spoon down a second and third time, each at the same force as the first. "Showing off with a knife is naughty, little cub. It's very dangerous."

Owen’s eyes watered, but he stubbornly refused to agree with his alpha, even if he didn’t fight him. This was so unfair! He knew how to use knives. He just wanted his daddy to see! “I know how to use knives!” he protested in a tiny voice, his need to submit to his alpha warring with his need to assure Ian he wouldn’t have hurt himself (although deep down, he knew Ian was right. Even if he was an expert with the knife, he wasn’t completely in his adult emotional state and he needed to be fully in control to make sure nothing happened.)

"I know you do normally, little boy. My little cub." Ian brought the spoon down twice more. "But right here and now, you're my little boy. And playing with knives is dangerous."

Owen let out a tiny, distressed huff before giving in and just letting himself lean on Ian's arm, arching his back slightly so his sit spots were exposed in an act of acceptance that he'd done something wrong. "I'm sorry, Alpha Daddy... Didn't mean to be naughty. Just wanted to show you what I could do..." He sniffled as tears began to fall down his cheeks.

Ian stroked Owen's arm and over his stomach, landing a further three strikes before he stopped, drawing his boy into a tight embrace, scruffing his neck. "I know, my little cub. But doing that when you're my little boy is naughty."

"Because I'm not thinking completely like myself? I'm more vulnerable and more possible to mess up?" Owen began to cry a little harder at the last three strokes of the spoon, gripping onto his father and staying in position.

"More likely to do something that could get you hurt." Ian hugged Owen tightly to himself, kissing his ear. "I love you," he whispered.

Owen cried softly, burrowing against Ian and snuggling, seeking reassurance that his alpha wasn't upset with him. "So sorry I was naughty..." He sniffled.

Ian tightened his arms around Owen, stroking his hand down his boy's back and over his bottom. "I forgive you. I love you. You're still my little boy," he whispered.

Owen relaxed at the words of forgiveness and the comfort. "I can cut the vegetables normal..." he whispered, not sure he'd be allowed to use a knife anymore after showing off.

"Good boy." Ian hugged him a bit tighter, gently squeezing his bottom.

"...Am I allowed to?" Owen asked hesitantly, to confirm. He relaxed into Ian further as his bottom was squeezed, the attention helping it feel better. "...Spoon really stung, daddy..." he whispered.

"Yes, little boy." Ian kissed his ear, even as he asked, "Too much to bear?" He kept his hand on Owen's bottom, rubbing and squeezing gently.

Owen thought about it seriously, then nuzzled against Ian. "No, sir... Got my attention... And I shoulda known better, so deserved it for being dangerous..." He sighed softly as he admitted it.

Ian kissed his cheek, scruffing his neck and squeezing his bottom. "I love you. I won't let you do anything that will risk your safety."

Owen nodded. "I know, daddy...you love me too much to let me be dangerous..." Owen continued to nuzzle and snuggle, the comfort of being rubbed and squeezed calming him.

Ian stroked his hips. "After we've eaten breakfast, you'll go over my knee and I'll rub your bottom and back and legs," he murmured in Owen's ear.

"Okay, Daddy..." Owen nuzzled a few seconds more, then kissed Ian on the cheek, loosening his grip enough that Ian could let go of him and they could cook again.

It wasn't long before the omelets were ready and then Ian was guiding his boy to the table, sitting and drawing Owen onto his lap. He kissed his son's head and began to feed him. "I love you. So very much. My little boy. My little cub." He spoke softly and soothingly in Owen's ear, stroking his boy's hips and chest and stomach.

Owen obediently ate everything fed to him, making little sounds of happiness as Ian pet him. "...Yours..." he whispered in contentment, shifting slightly so Ian could continue feeding him and reach more of his body.

"Mine," Ian whispered, kissing the back of his head and continuing to stroke over his body, as much of it as he could reach. He kept gently squeezing and stroking Owen's neck, too, the show of dominance clear.

Owen almost quivered at the show of dominance. He slanted his head so his throat was open and vulnerable to his alpha. "All of me belongs to my alpha... Gotta be good... Not do dangerous stuff... Not be naughty or disobey..." he mumbled, closing his eyes and focusing on Ian's hands. He didn't know if he was finished eating it not. Ian would tell him to eat more if he wasn't.

"No, little cub," Ian murmured, kissing the back of his head. "You can't be naughty. Can't do anything that will risk taking you away from me." He stroked over Owen's throat and then gently encouraged his boy to finish the rest of what was on his plate.

Owen didn't take long to finish eating, patiently waiting until Ian had finished, not moving.

When he'd finished eating, Ian helped Owen to stand and gave him a light swat. "Wait for me in the corner while I clean up," he directed.

"Yes, alpha daddy..." Owen said softly, quickly heading to the corner and facing it.

Ian cleaned up quickly and then walked over to Owen, wrapping his arm around his boy's waist and drawing Owen back firmly against his stomach.

Owen sighed happily, letting himself sink back against his alpha so his entire back, bottom and upper thighs were firmly pressed against Ian and the front of his body was exposed and vulnerable to Ian's hands.

Ian dropped a kiss to his boy's shoulder, holding Owen snug and close against him as he stroked over his chest, stomach and hips. He kept whispering, "My little boy. My little cub," in Owen's ear.

Owen slanted his head just enough so he could expose more of his neck, but also so he could look back at his Dominant with a goofy grin. "...Love you soooo much..." he said softly.

Ian gently gripped Owen's neck, pressing a kiss to his head. "I love you. My little boy," he whispered. "My little cub. I won't ever let you go."

"Good...feel safe with you...don't have to be brave and know everything or be on top of everything all the time with you..." Owen whispered.

Ian tightened his arms around Owen, tight enough that his boy was effectively trapped. "You are safe in my arms, my little cub," he whispered. "You're safe with me. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Ever? Even if I'm the one that caused me to be in danger?" Owen asked, rubbing back against his alpha like a cat.

"It doesn't matter," Ian whispered, kissing his ear. "Whether it's something else or your own actions. I need you, my little cub. I need you in my life. I need to hold onto you and love you."

Owen closed his eyes and whimpered, the words and the kiss making him feel warm. "Hold me, alpha?" he whispered.

"Always, little boy." Ian pulled Owen tighter against him, one hand settled at his boy's throat; the other stroking his chest, hips and stomach.

Owen whimpered softly, quivering at the caressing touch. He held as still as possible, not wanting to move and risk stopping the affection.

Ian kissed his shoulder, squeezing his hips. "I'm going to take you into the bedroom, so I can put you over my knee and give you attention," he whispered. "I'm going to carry you there. Over my shoulder."

"Okay, Daddy..." Owen said, in a tiny voice, holding as still as possible.

Ian lifted his boy over his shoulder and carried Owen to the bedroom, one hand resting possessively on his bottom.

Owen let himself relax over Ian's shoulder, only holding himself stiff enough to help Ian with carrying him. "...Like you holding me like this, alpha daddy... Like you being possessy...."

Ian smiled at that, gently squeezing his boy's thighs. "I'll keep on holding you like this, little boy. Carry you over my shoulder, so you can't get away."

"Don't ever, never ever, wanna get away..." Owen admitted.

"Good." Reaching the bedroom, Ian sat down on the bed and gently deposited Owen across his lap, adjusting his boy's position slightly and scruffing his neck.

Owen stretched like a happy kitten, squirming to encourage Ian to 'take charge'. "...Yours, sir... All of me..." he whispered, still faintly squirming. "...Wish was way to mark me yours..." he mumbled.

"Mine, little boy. My little cub." Ian began to stroke and pet his boy with one hand, going down his back to his feet, rubbing and stroking. His other hand started to gently pat Owen's bottom. Each time his hand connected, he repeated the words: "You're mine."

"...Yours..." Owen responded softly, each time Ian proclaimed him his. His voice became softer with each response, more needy sounding, more submissive. He wasn't falling exactly, but each time he agreed with Ian's words, his tummy got a funny feeling and he visibly quivered.

Ian continued to stroke and rub, but now he started to pat a bit more firmly, his hand lingering for a second or two as he continued saying the words. "My cub. My little boy."

"...Yours... your cub... Your little boy..." Owen sniffled, beginning to squirm helplessly as his bottom became more sensitive. The squirming began to cause his body to respond in the usual way.

"I am never going to let you go." Ian's voice was soft, but the words were possessive. Full of the promise of ownership. "No matter what happens." He wrapped his arm tightly around Owen's waist, drawing his boy in close against his stomach, and let the pats become mild swats, rubbing every time his palm connected with Owen's bottom.

Owen whimpered as he squirmed a bit more. The sensitivity of his bottom was easing slightly because Ian was using more mild swats. It wasn't helping his other issue, though. "...Alpha..." He whimpered and forced himself to stay still.

Ian scruffed Owen's neck, even as his other hand continued to lightly smack his boy's bottom. "Your reactions belong to me, little boy. No hiding," he directed.

"All of me... Everything yours..." Owen whimpered and stopped fighting himself, squirming helplessly, his body's reaction obvious. It was out of his control. Ian would either tell him he wasn't allowed or would order him to continue. But until he was given an actual order, all he could do was squirm, so Ian knew everything he was feeling or going through.

"You can let go, little boy," Ian directed, still scruffing his boy's neck; still gently smacking his bottom, alternating between squeezing and rubbing each time his hand landed.

At Ian's permission, Owen immediately stiffened, short, intense spasms racking his body. He moaned softly, then just collapsed, limp, with a whimpering whine.

Ian leaned over and kissed the back of Owen's head. "Good boy," he whispered, hand cupping his boy's bottom possessively. "We'll go to the bathroom. Get you cleaned up. Then come back in here and cuddle."

"Yessir," Owen mumbled softly, but waited for Ian to move him before moving on his own.

Ian helped his boy to stand and then stood up as well, wrapping his arm possessively around Owen's waist to guide him into the bathroom. Once in there, he picked up a washcloth and began to clean off his boy.

Owen blushed darkly but held still as he was cleaned up. "...Responses belong to you..." His voice was quiet and relaxed... Almost relieved.  "...No hiding allowed...."

"Exactly, little boy." Ian stroked his cheek. "You don't have the right to hide those from me. You don't need to be ashamed." He pressed a kiss to Owen's forehead as he finished cleaning up his boy and then stripped out of his own clothes.

Owen gave a bashful smile at the affection and continued to hold still, waiting in place patiently for Ian to finish and lead him where wanted.

Ian took hold of his boy's hand, wrapping his other arm around Owen's waist and guiding him back into the bedroom.

"Love you and need you so much, alpha daddy..." Owen whispered, as he followed obediently.

"I love you, my little cub." Ian squeezed his hand. "I need you in my life. More than I could ever tell you." He lay back on the bed, pulling and gently guiding Owen to encourage his son to sprawl across him.

Owen sighed happily as he crawled up and lay down on top of his Alpha, his head on Ian's shoulder, his torso pressed tightly against his Dom from shoulder to hip, his legs splayed open so he could twine his legs around the older man's legs. There wasn't a part of his body that wasn't somehow touching his master.

Ian let one hand settle at Owen's neck, scruffing him, while his other hand cupped his boy's bottom possessively, squeezing it. "I've got you. My little cub," he whispered into Owen's hair.

Owen nuzzled against Ian's shoulder, giving tiny kisses...the opportunity to take advantage of there being no barriers at all, even clothing, too much to resist. ..."Yours, alpha... your boy... forever..." he whispered, a tiny, happy sigh escaping as Ian rubbed and squeezed his sensitive bottom. He was spent, tired, so not too worried about reactions. At the same time, his reactions belonged to Ian. He was in the perfect position for Ian to notice them and direct him. "You're warm..." he mumbled sleepily, rubbing against his Dom without thought, soaking up Ian's body heat and relishing the feeling of closeness the complete skin on skin contact gave.

"Mine. My good little cub. My good boy." Ian murmured the words into Owen's hair, kissing his head. His boy was tangled up with him; they wouldn't be separated very easily. He kissed Owen's ears, whispering, "I love you. You're mine," into each, his hand still gently rubbing and squeezing Owen's bottom; his other stroking and squeezing his boy's neck.

"...Yours forever..." Owen parroted softly, completely lost in the sensation of belonging to his Dom and being held tight and close by him. He snuggled and nuzzled a bit more, falling into a peaceful sleep.

Ian didn't let go of his boy, keeping his hands in place on Owen's body. He pulled Owen closer to him, murmured, "I love you," and then slipped into his own sleep, still holding his boy tight and possessively.

***

The next morning, Owen woke slowly, shifting so slowly his body rubbed against his alpha, his body responding immediately to the warm touch of skin and the tight, possessive hold Ian had on him. His eyes blinked open and he nuzzled against his Dom, feeling closer to the older man than he ever had. "...Yours..." he mumbled softly, squirming a little more. He stilled immediately when his brain caught up to what his body was doing. His reactions might belong to his Alpha, but he still felt like he needed permission to let himself go; especially given how tangled up he was with the older man.

"Mine." Ian kissed Owen's head, stroking the nape of his neck and squeezing his bottom. He kissed his boy's ear and whispered in it, "Forever."

Owen whimpered faintly as his bottom was squeezed, pressing his cheek against Ian's chest. "May I get up, sir?" he asked, in a shaky voice. He didn't know how his Dom couldn't have noticed his 'issue', but it was becoming more of one, to the point it was very uncomfortable.

Ian kissed his head, gently loosening his grip on his boy. "Yes, but you don't need to feel embarrassed or ashamed," he said softly. "You belong to me. So do your reactions."

"I know, sir...  everything to do with me is yours... I..." Owen carefully got up and knelt at Ian's side, not hiding the problem he was having. He slanted his head so that his throat was open and vulnerable, keeping his hands loose at his side. "...I'm not ashamed..." he whispered. "...It was just starting to... hurt... but I didn't want to do anything unless you told me to...." He bit his lip bashfully, his gaze falling.

Ian sat up and reached out, gently squeezing Owen's neck; always careful not to hurt, but to still be possessive. "If something's hurting you, my little cub, then you don't need to ask for my permission to move. I might be in control of you and everything about you, but I don't expect you to suffer."

Owen huffed faintly. This time, he was embarrassed. "It's not a hurt that's suffering exactly... Just uncomfortable..." He blushed.

"Still, you don't need to go through that discomfort, little boy." Ian squeezed his neck, thumb stroking Owen's cheek.

Owen nodded, pressing his face into his Alpha's hand. "...Yessir..." he whispered. Luckily, the act of separating briefly from Ian and letting himself be distracted with confirming what he was and wasn't allowed enabled him to calm enough that his problem went away without further action needed.

"Good boy." Ian stroked the side of his face. "How did you sleep, little cub?" he asked gently.

"I didn't think I could sleep any better than when I started sleeping in your arms... But last night was the best night of sleep I can remember...." Owen admitted bashfully.

Ian smiled. "I'm glad. I think we'll be staying like this when we're at home on our own, little cub. No barriers between us."

Owen looked up at that, smiling happily. "I like that, sir...thank you..."

Ian wrapped his arms around Owen in a tight hug. "It'll be good for both of us," he whispered, kissing his boy's ear.

Owen snuggled close, soaking up the affection.

Ian pulled Owen onto his lap, situating his boy comfortably, and stroked his hips. "I love you."

"I love you too, Alpha Daddy," Owen whispered.

Ian scruffed Owen's neck. "It's going to be up to you when you get your reminder spanking today, little boy. When you're ready for it, you're going to put yourself over my knees."

Owen blinked at that, an almost nervous look crossing his face. "Yessir..." He finally found his voice and responded to the order.

Squeezing Owen's neck, Ian's thumb stroked his boy's cheek as he said gently, "For now, we're going to have breakfast. I thought we'd do pancakes today."

"That sounds good, sir..." Owen smiled, pressing his face into Ian's hand.

Ian stroked his boy's face a few more moments and then stood up, helping Owen to stand as well, wrapping his arm around his boy's waist and guiding him to the kitchen.

Owen followed quietly. "Can I help with anything, sir?"

"Why don't you get together some fruit to go with the pancakes?" Ian suggested. "We could have a mixture." As he began to prepare the pancakes, he said, "You said you wished I'd mark you last night. Do you remember?"

Owen began gathering the fruit, carefully slicing. "I remember... " he said softly. "I just... Think maybe it'd help me feel even more like I'm yours...if there was something physical I could see that said as much...."

"When I first adopted you, we talked about you wearing a ring," Ian said quietly. "I put in an order for one, before you left. It arrived the day you came home to me...."

Owen looked up quickly at that. "You...you bought me a ring? Before I ran off like a little fool..." His voice caught.

Ian moved quickly, wrapping Owen into a tight hug and kissing his head. "We've dealt with that. You've been punished and forgiven. No more feeling guilty," he whispered in his boy's ear.

Owen wrapped his arms around Ian, pressing as close as possible. "I'll try really hard, sir. It's hard not to feel guilty, though. Knowing how much I hurt you...."

"I'm not hurting anymore, cub," Ian whispered, scruffing his neck.

Owen slanted his head, exposing his neck. "I hope I never hurt you like that ever again..." he whispered.

Ian ran his fingers gently over Owen's pulse, tightening his embrace. "I know you'll do better," he whispered.

"You'll train me so I can..." Owen's belief in his alpha was clear.

"I will," Ian confirmed.

Owen smiled crookedly, waiting for a signal from Ian that he should finish slicing the fruit. It was quickly becoming habit to not do anything without permission. He suspected that eventually, Ian would have him go back to making basic decisions on his own, but he was still learning obedience. That meant waiting for permission on everything.

Ian kissed his ear and gently squeezed his neck. "We'll carry on with breakfast. After we've finished, I'll put the ring on you."

Owen swallowed. "Okay, sir...."

Ian released his boy, so they could return to preparing breakfast.

Owen quickly finished slicing fruit up; then, with a quick question and permission from Ian, got plates and utensils out. Soon, everything was ready and on the table. Owen stood to the side and waited for Ian to direct him.

Ian led Owen to the table, sitting down and settling his boy on his lap, wrapping his arm securely around his son's waist.

Owen snuggled back against Ian's chest, turning his head just enough to kiss the older man on the cheek. "Love you, Daddy..." he whispered.

Ian smiled and kissed his forehead. "I love you too, little cub. So very much." Holding Owen tight and secure, he began to feed him.

Owen ate obediently, opening his mouth for each bite, no matter what Ian decided to feed him. He always felt young and helpless and out of control, being fed like this, but maybe that was the point?

Ian kept his boy tight and secure against him, whispering, "My good little boy," and, "My good little cub," every so often as he fed him, periodically kissing his head or squeezing his neck.

Owen sighed happily at how tight he was being held. It felt different this time. He liked all the other times being held tight- unable to move without Ian's permission- but this time, the barrier of material wasn’t in the way; he could feel the heat directly from his Dom's skin. As vulnerable as he was to Ian, the older man was making himself vulnerable too and that show of trust was freeing and enabled Owen to let go of what tiny little control he'd held for himself. He shifted slightly so every part of his back touched his Dom and every part of his front was exposed and vulnerable to whatever Ian decided to do.

Ian continued to feed his boy (and himself along with Owen), touching and stroking Owen's chest, stomach and hips; kissing his shoulder or his ear every so often.

By the time Ian had finished feeding him, Owen was limp and completely suggestable; before, he'd wanted to obey- now he couldn't do anything unless he was told. It was impossible. He hadn't fallen yet, but he was on the fringes, where the only thing he could focus on was his Dom's words, touch or commands. If Ian told him to bend over the table for a spanking, he'd just do it. He wouldn't even ask what he'd done wrong or give his Dom a hurt or confused look.

Ian kissed Owen's shoulder and then carefully helped his boy to stand, squeezing the back of his neck, before he stood up himself. "Go and stand in the corner while I clean up," he whispered, kissing Owen's ear. "And then I'll get the ring for you."

Owen smiled and quickly obeyed, standing and facing the corner without glancing away once.

Ian cleaned up and then walked over to his boy, drawing Owen out of the corner and into his arms. "Good cub," he whispered in Owen's ear, before kissing it.

Owen quivered at the praise, barely able to keep himself from throwing his arms around Ian impulsively. "Can I hug you, sir...?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course, my little cub." Ian kissed his neck.

Owen made what was a cross between a purr and a rumbling noise at the kiss, slanting his head so his throat was more exposed. He also shifted closer, wrapping his arms around his alpha in a tight hug.

Ian tightened his arms around Owen, kissing his neck again and stroking the back of his head. "I'm not letting you go. My little boy," he whispered, stroking down Owen's back and over his bottom.

Owen nuzzled against his alpha, content to go and do whatever ordered as long as he kept being held onto.

Ian held him a bit tighter, stroking his hair and back, and then led him back to the bedroom. He opened a drawer in the dresser and took out a small ring box.

“That’s it? You’ve really had it since before I ran?” Owen asked, with a hint of wonder.

"I picked it up on my way home when you came home." Ian took the ring out of the box, turning it so Owen couldsee the inscription: For my cub. Alpha Daddy.

"It's perfect." Owen swallowed hard. "Will you...?"

"Of course." Ian gestured for Owen to give him his hand and then he carefully put the ring on his boy.

Owen bit his lip, then threw his arms around Ian in a tight hug. "Thank you, sir...it'll help a lot..." he whispered, snuggling as close as possible.

Ian kissed his head. "I love you, my cub. My little boy," he whispered in Owen's ear. "I won't let you go. I promise."

"I love you too, Alpha Daddy..." Owen said quietly, just continuing to snuggle.

"Would you like to watch a movie, little cub?" Ian asked gently.

"Yes, alpha..." Owen smiled up at Ian.

Kissing Owen's cheek, Ian guided him to the bed and sat, pulling his boy onto his lap and stroking his hair and back as he set up the movie.

Owen sat content and as soon as the movie was set up and Ian was leaning back against the headboard, he snuggled close with his head on his Alpha's shoulder. He was where he belonged.

Ian wrapped his arms tightly around his boy, situating Owen on his lap and kissing his head, then his shoulder. "My little boy," he whispered.

"Always..." Owen whispered, settling down the rest of the way and watching the movie.

Ian continued holding onto his son all throughout the movie, continually stroking Owen's hair or squeezing his neck. He needed to keep his cub close.

When the movie ended, Owen snuggled closer yet. "What now, sir?" he asked quietly.

Ian let his hands rest possessively on his boy's hips. "Is there anything that you feel you'd like to do?" he asked.

"Not really..." Owen admitted. "I'm happy just being with you."

Ian stroked the back of Owen's neck as he thought about it. "We could play a game," he suggested.

Owen purred, shifting his head forward without thinking, inviting more of the possessive 'petting'. "I'd like that, sir..." he said quietly.

Ian squeezed the nape of his neck. "Very well, little cub. There are a few board games in here. We can find one to play."

Owen smiled over his shoulder at Ian. "Thanks..." His smile turned into a grin. "Do you want to pick the game?"

Ian kissed his head and nodded, running his fingers over Owen's cheek and down his throat before he moved to pick one out.

Owen bit his lip as Ian moved away, fidgeting slightly.

Ian noticed his son fidgeting and he was quick to return to Owen's side with the game.

Owen swallowed hard, giving Ian a hesitant look. "Alpha daddy?" he whispered.

"Yes, little cub?" Ian reached out to scruff him.

Owen swallowed again. "I... I still need 'minding..." he managed to force out, in a tiny voice.

"Are you ready now, my cub?" Ian asked gently.

"Yessir..." Owen looked down, ashamed that he needed to be reminded not to run off without word and do dangerous things. It should be something he didn't need to be reminded of.

"Then you know what you need to do, my little boy." Ian stroked his cheek.

Biting his lip and giving his alpha a pathetically begging look (as if he was asking Ian to take over like normal and not make him actually put himself into position), Owen swallowed hard again and sniffed, wiping at his eyes. "Please, alpha?" Please don't make me position myself for a spanking. Please don't make me be that brave....

Ian stroked Owen's cheek. "It's important you follow my orders, little cub. Even when doing so is scary." His voice was gentle, but still firm.

Owen took a slow breath and nodded. He didn't know why being asked to place himself over his Alpha's lap and asking for the spanking he knew he had coming and deserved was so unnerving. He'd faced greater threats and pain before without this much anxiety. Best to just get it over with. He found himself glad he was already naked, though. If he had to push jeans and underwear down as well, he wasn't sure what he'd do. Taking another deep breath, he quickly but carefully lay over his Alpha's lap, then squirmed into a more secure position where he didn't feel like he was going to slide off.

Ian began to stroke down Owen's entire back side, going from the back of his neck down to his feet and then up again, his hand delivering a firm swat each time it passed over Owen's bottom or thighs. "This isn't just about punishment, little boy, but about helping you remember who you belong to. Who you have to stay alive and whole for. I was hurt when you disappeared, my little cub. Both times."

Owen began to cry at Ian's last few words. "I'm sorry... Didn't mean to hurt you... Didn't want to... I'm sorry...."

"It hurt me because I can't live without you, my cub. My little boy." Ian wrapped his other arm securely around Owen's waist, his son's body warm against his own bare chest. "This is where you belong. This is your home. Me."

"You are my home. I belong to you... belong with you..." Owen sniffled and found himself immediately relaxing as his Alpha strengthened his hold on him, making him secure. He blinked as he realized he was being warmed by his Alpha's body heat with no rough material barriers between them. It made him want to press closer. At the same time, he stiffened up, afraid to squirm. He knew what tended to happen if he squirmed too much and he didn't want to upset Ian.

"Don't try to fight your reactions, little boy. My little boy. You don't have that right. To hide them from me." Ian continued to stroke down from Owen's neck to his feet; continued to deliver a firm smack each time his hand passed over his cub's bottom and thighs.

"...Yessir..." Owen said hesitantly, obviously nervous that his reactions would upset Ian. He obeyed, though, letting his body loosen up. He immediately began to squirm at the petting, letting out tiny whimpers and squirming more frantically at the smacks.

"You're mine, little cub. You belong with me and to me. I'm never going to be upset about how you react, my little boy," Ian continued. "I will be more upset - and hurt - if you try to hide from me."

"...Yessir..." Owen said, his voice a little breathless and a lot less hesitant as he continued to wiggle at the attention. He was putting his entire trust in Ian being able to hold him in place. Ian's possessive words and declaration that Owen's reactions belonged to him made it easy to let go.

It didn't take long for a very obvious reaction to occur. This time, Owen didn't even attempt to stop or hide it. He just whimpered, "Alpha?", seeking direction on how to handle it.

"Don't fight, little cub," Ian said. "I'm not going to be disgusted. I'm not going to be worried." He squeezed Owen's neck. "Don't hide from me."

Owen whimpered again, confused. He wasn't hiding anything. He wasn't fighting, either. But he'd reached a point that he needed to either actively do something or submit to Ian doing something or he'd be left uncomfortably squirming till his body calmed. Which he'd do if that's what his Alpha demanded. Was that what Ian required? He wasn't sure how to ask and let out a tiny sob, just continuing to squirm helplessly, arching his back so his bottom raised, exposing it and his sit spots.

"Let go, little cub," Ian said firmly, squeezing the nape of Owen's neck and beginning to firmly swat his boy's bottom, working down to his sit spots and thighs. "I'm right here to catch you."

"Y...yessir..." Owen gasped out, squirming increasing, his body doing naturally what his mind couldn't think to do. He pressed every part of himself possible into his Alpha, whining and whimpering.

"I've got you, cub," Ian said, squeezing his bottom possessively. "Your alpha daddy is right here, little boy."

"Y... You got me..." Owen gasped out, his wriggling and pressing closer becoming more focused, even as it became more urgent. If he had been being punished, this wouldn't be happening. He knew. But Ian had said it wasn't about punishment. It was about giving every part of himself over to his Alpha's control. And because of that, he had no control. At all. If he had, he may have been embarrassed at how he was moving against his alpha. He wasn't. The only one who could stop him now was his alpha.

"For always," Ian promised, caressing and stroking his boy's body. He swatted and rubbed Owen's bottom, scruffing the nape of his neck. "You are completely mine."

"...Yours..." Owen whined, before pressing hard against Ian, his squirming becoming little more than hard shivers and quakes. And then a low moan, several spasming jerks and Owen went limp, boneless over his Alpha's lap.

Ian rested his hand on Owen's bottom and his neck, alternating between gently rubbing and possessively squeezing. "My little cub. I won't let you go," he promised. "You're exactly where you belong."

Owen took in a ragged breath, then began to cry and laugh softly, at the same time. "I got you messy again," was all he could think to say. He didn't even sound sorry about it. "...All of me belongs to you..." he added in a whisper, focusing on the possessive touch of his Alpha.

"I'll clean us up again, little boy," Ian promised, stroking Owen's back and over his bottom. "You're completely mine. My cub."

"...Yours for always..." Owen agreed, relaxing as his Alpha seemed to try and memorize his body (at least the back half) through touch.

"I've got you," Ian whispered. "I love you. And no matter what happens...I will always do everything within my power to bring you home to me. To make sure you stay where you belong."

"Even if my being gone is my own fault?" Owen asked, in a painful tone that indicated he didn't believe he deserved that type of love.

"I can't live without you, my little cub," Ian whispered. "I love you. I can't ever lose you."

Owen let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "So, you'll always come for me. I might get a sore bottom or other types of trouble if I'm the reason you had to come after me, but you'll always come..." he whispered.

"Always, little boy," Ian promised. "No matter what. You don't ever have to worry that you'll push me too far, because I have no limits when it comes to my little cub."

"Love you, Alpha Daddy..." Owen sniffled, just lying complacently over Ian's lap. He wasn't going to do anything, even move, without his Dom's permission.

"I love you. Nothing will ever change that." Ian kept his hands on his boy's body, reluctant to move Owen when he knew his boy was with him and safe.

Owen continued to hold still; not only because it felt good and right to be over his Alpha's lap, the older man holding and touching him however he saw fit; not only because it made him feel safe and secure and able to let go... but because he knew moving meant this moment would end. And while a new moment might begin that was just as good, it wouldn't be the same. He knew they'd need to move soon- he was in desperate need of a bath- but he wasn't going to speed the process up.

Ian stroked and caressed a bit longer, letting himself feel his son close, and then said, quietly, "It's time to clean us off, little cub, and then it'll be bed time." He helped Owen to stand, touching and stroking his face or neck every so often.

Owen obediently stood when Ian directed him to. He immediately tilted his head, so Ian could take hold of his throat easily, leaning into the older man as much as possible without hindering their ability to walk. He didn't say anything, but he didn't really need to. His body language said it all clearly. He was Ian's to do with as the older man wanted; there was no fight in him at all. He was completely submitting to his alpha.

Ian kept his hand firmly in place on his boy's neck, guiding Owen into the bathroom and wasting no time in cleaning him off, continually touching or stroking. Every so often, he would repeat, "Mine," in a low, possessive tone.

Owen had remained quiet and still when Ian first began cleaning him, but with each touch and stroke, accompanied by the possessive declaration, he began to twitch and quiver, then let out tiny whimpers, until by the time Ian was finished washing him, he was shaking visibly and crying softly, whispering, "...Yours...' after each 'Mine' was said.

Ian kissed his cheeks, wiping away the tears with gentle touches of his fingertips. "I'm not going to let you go. My little boy," he whispered. He was quick in cleaning himself off, so he could take hold of Owen once more.

Owen swallowed and took a deep breath. He'd cried more in front of and for Ian than he could recall ever doing at any time during his adult life; save when he'd lost friends in combat. He wasn't certain why he kept crying now, except that he had given such complete control over himself to his alpha that he couldn't control himself. He was just grateful that Ian didn't seem to mind and in fact seemed to want all his reactions, no matter what they were. It made his father happy to take care of him and for him to not hide anything and so he didn't hide anything, no matter how embarrassing it could potentially be if anyone else saw. Ian wouldn't use his reactions against him. He trusted that.

Ian scruffed Owen, guiding his boy back into the bedroom, stroking his cheeks and kissing away his tears. As he had done the previous night, he stretched out on the bed, drawing Owen up and on top of him again.

Owen sniffled and whimpered, quickly situating himself so that his head was on Ian's chest, his legs straddling the older man, so that by the time he was settled, he was touching from head to toe and all parts of him were within reach of Ian's roaming hands.

Ian began to stroke and caress over his boy's body, kissing his hair and every so often whispering declarations of love and possessiveness.

Owen nuzzled into his alpha's chest, closing his eyes. "...Love you, da..." he whispered, before falling into a peaceful sleep.

"I love you. My good little boy," Ian whispered, closing his eyes and slipping into sleep fairly quickly himself, his arms tight around Owen.