Now You Catch Me

Summary: When the dust settles, relationships have to be mended.
Warning(s): Disciplinary spanking; Spoilers for Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2; physical affection

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Dylan already regretted the argument he and Atlas had had. His son (they were still waiting for the official paperwork, but that was what the younger man was in his mind) had wanted to meet someone. The location had been too public...too likely to draw attention. And they still needed to be under the radar, at least for the time being.

But Atlas hadn't been happy about it and had made that unhappiness abundantly clear, in no uncertain terms.

Choosing to give his son a bit of time to cool off, Dylan now headed to Atlas' room and knocked, hoping that they could have a calmer conversation.

***

Daniel hadn't been happy when his father had told him he couldn't go to meet his friend at the cafe. Yeah, the cafe was in a very public place, but it was also near an area where, if he had to, he could disappear easily. So, it wasn't like he was putting himself in center stage with no exits. He might have not been so upset had his friend not been leaving the country that evening. He hadn't seen them in several years and if he didn't see them today, he might not see them again for several more years. He wanted to spend time with them. And he was positive it wasn't as dangerous as Dylan felt it was. So... he'd snuck out. He figured, Dylan either would find out when it was too late to do anything, or he wouldn't find out at all. Either way, he'd be able to spend time with his friend. They were now sat at the cafe, in a tiny corner where he could get out quickly if he needed, but hopefully wouldn't draw anyone's attention.

***

Dylan probably couldn't say he was all that surprised when he found Atlas was gone. Disappointed, but not surprised. Unwilling to ignore it and wait for his son to return (what if something happened?), Dylan left the Eye, heading to the cafe he knew Atlas had wanted to meet his friend at.

Daniel wasn't stupid. He knew Dylan's concern was valid, if a bit overboard. Because of that, he kept close watch on his surroundings, making sure he stayed out of view of cameras and cops. Because of this, he saw the moment his father walked into the cafe.

When he spotted his son, Dylan didn't walk over to Daniel immediately. He didn't drag his son out of the cafe. Instead, he positioned himself so that he was out of view of cameras and anyone who might be looking for him or his son and waited.

Daniel didn't react to Dylan's presence, not wanting to draw unwanted attention to either of them. It was about thirty more minutes when his friend finally said that he had to go back to his hotel to pick up his luggage and go to the airport, so they said their goodbyes. Daniel stayed at the table another five minutes after his friend left, waiting for his father to either indicate Daniel should come to his table, or his father to join him at his.

Dylan had kept most of his attention on Daniel, even though he'd also made sure he was watching for anyone suspicious. Now, as his son's friend had gone, he stood and walked over to Daniel's table.

Daniel tried to look casual, but close examination would tell Dylan he was nervous about his father's reaction to what he'd done. "He's heading to the airport tonight," he said, by way of explanation.

"So, you just decided to sneak out?" Dylan asked evenly. "Without even a word to me?"

"We'd already had words about it. You told me I couldn't come..." Daniel had the grace to look ashamed as he continued, "...I figured your answer wasn't going to change and if I talked to you again, any chance I had of getting out to see him would disappear."

"You shouldn't have let me think you were staying and then sneaked out," Dylan said.

"So, I should have let you know I wasn't staying and have you forbid me again?" Daniel snorted softly. The real problem was, if Dylan had decided to physically stop him, he wouldn't have fought him. Which meant he wouldn't have been at the cafe to see his friend. He didn't see how he had a choice once he'd decided to disobey and go to the cafe. He had to sneak out.

"If it was that important to you, we could have found a safer place for you to meet him," Dylan replied.

Daniel blinked at that. "You said I couldn't meet him at all..." His belligerence had faded into confusion.

"In a public place." Dylan lowered his voice as he said, "We're wanted men. The last thing I want is for you to put a target on your back."

"So, you wouldn't have minded me meeting if it wasn't in this cafe?" Daniel sounded equal parts surprised, frustrated, and embarrassed. "Why didn't you just say that?"

"You didn't exactly give me a chance," Dylan said calmly.

Daniel blinked at that and thought back over their argument earlier that day and realized... he hadn't given his father a chance to offer a less public venue. He'd argued, yelled and retreated to his room, slamming the door. He flushed darkly. "I... I've been a right bastard to you today..." he finally admitted, in a soft, regretful voice.

"You could say that." Dylan reached across the table and took his son's hand, squeezing it gently. "I don't think it helps that we're having to jump through so many hoops to make the adoption official."

Daniel squeezed back gently. "I'd still rather jump through hoops than not be official..." he admitted. "I... I'm sorry, dad. For how I treated you."

"I forgive you." Dylan squeezed a bit tighter as he added, "We'll deal with it back home, but I forgive you. And I still love you."

Daniel nodded. "Let's go, then. I need to make things right."

Dylan stood, still keeping hold of his son's hand so that he could lead Daniel out of the cafe while still keeping in physical contact with him.

Daniel followed Dylan out. Even knowing his father was being careful, he kept an eye out to make sure they weren't on camera or drawing undue attention.

Still keeping hold of his son, Dylan didn't relax until they were safely out of the public eye. Then, he wrapped his arm around Daniel's shoulders and drew his son in tight against his side.

Daniel leaned into his father, not attempting to pull away. They were safer now, though they wouldn't be home free until they were actually home. Luckily, it didn't take long to get to Dylan's car and they were shortly back to the safety of their house. They pulled into the garage and his father turned off the car, but Daniel waited until his father came around to his side before getting out.

Dylan moved over to Daniel's side and opened the door, holding his hand out to his son once more.

Taking Dylan's hand, Daniel got out of the car. Taking a slow breath, he impulsively threw his arms around the older man in a tight hug. "I was awful to you. Deserve to be blistered for what I did... have my mouth washed out for what I said to you. How can you forgive me so easily?"

Hugging his son back just as tightly, Dylan murmured, "Because I love you. Because you're my kid. You're still getting a spanking, but I would always forgive you."

"I love you too, dad. So much. I know I didn't act like it, but I do..." Daniel said softly, hugging even more tightly, before moving just enough that Dylan could lead him to his room.

Dylan kept his arms around Daniel, leading his son to his room. Once they were safely inside, with the door closed behind them, he led Daniel over towards the bed.

Daniel went quietly, a huge difference from earlier in the day. Once they were at the bed, he gave his father a sad look before undoing his pants and shoving them and his underwear down to his knees. "I love you, dad..." he whispered, not saying anything else. By this point, he was feeling very guilty.

"I love you, son. No matter what, that won't change." Dylan guided Daniel across his lap, wrapping an arm around his son's waist to hold him snug and secure. He took a few moments to rub Daniel's back before moving his hand a little lower, delivering the first firm smack to the crest of his son's backside.

"Even when I behave horribly to you, you still love me and treat me good..." Daniel let out a tiny huff of air at the first swat and shifted. "I'm so sorry, daddy. Feel horrible now...."

"You don't need to feel bad, son." Dylan continued the firm smacks, covering every inch of Daniel's bottom, down to his thighs, before starting over from the top. "We're dealing with it. You're forgiven and will be punished for it. Then it'll be over."

"Will it help me be better? Help me remember next time? Should respect you. Know better... let my anger and frustration control me..." Daniel admitted, with a tiny whimper. His eyes were watering by this time, but it was more from guilt than pain. He hoped his father didn't go easy on him. He needed to feel like he'd paid for his attitude. He didn't ask, though. It was up to his father.

"I believe you'll learn from this." Dylan's voice was calm and gentle. He began a third circuit of smacks, going a bit harder and faster. With his other hand, he began to gently rub his son's back, offering comfort along with the punishment. "But even if it happens again, it won't change anything. It'll earn you a trip over my knee, but it won't change anything between us."

"You'll still want me..." Daniel said, with a tiny sob, before beginning to cry vocally. He couldn't stop himself from squirming; his bottom was hot and stinging by this point, but he still felt guilty.

"Always," Dylan promised, tightening his hold on his son. "I will always want you. I will always love you. No matter what happens." He began to swat harder and faster, beginning to focus more smacks to his son's sit spots and thighs.

Daniel let out another sob, reaching his arms around his father's leg and holding tight so that he wouldn't throw his hands back. He was wriggling uncontrollably by this point, the burning sting turning to a throbbing ache. He'd feel the punishment for at least a few hours after it was done. "Th... thank you, daddy... love you so much... wanna be your boy forever... wanna be good for you!"

"You are." Dylan spoke gently, as he continued the smacks, though a bit lighter now, more for the effect than causing true pain. "You're my good boy," he promised.

At those words, Daniel slumped. His bottom hurt, but he felt better than he had at the beginning. His father had forgiven him and thought he was good, in spite of everything he'd said and done. He still wanted him. He lay limp and submissive over Dylan's lap, shifting only enough that his father could continue swatting; though they were more like pats by this point. As much as it hurt, it was comforting having his father in control of him in this way. Comforting to know he hadn't pulled himself out of Dylan's reach.

When Daniel slumped, Dylan changed the light pats to gentle rubbing, soothing the heated flesh he could feel. "I love you," he said again. "And you're mine. Like I said from the very first. I want to keep you."

Daniel quivered at the gentle rubbing. It was soothing, but still dominating enough to be a comfort. "Forever..." he responded, in a relieved voice.

"I know making it official has been taken longer than either of us would like," Dylan continued, his voice low and soothing, even as he continued to rub his son's reddened backside. "But even so, you're still my son. Now and always. No matter how long it takes to become official."

"Official is good for everyone else to know, but knowing it inside is better..." Daniel admitted softly.

"I agree." Dylan moved his son, so that he could cuddle Daniel on his lap instead of over it, though he continued the gentle, soothing rubbing.

"If it wasn't for the fact, I hated disappointing you and don't want to hurt you, I could be tempted to be bad just so I can be cuddled after you put me in my place..." Atlas sniffled.

"You don't need to be naughty to be cuddled," Dylan replied, wrapping his arms a bit tighter around his son and stroking his other hand through Daniel's hair.

"I... I know..." Daniel said sheepishly. "...Also, kinda like being put in my place. Feels safe. 'Cuz, I know no matter what I do or what happens, you got my back and will help me however I need...."

"I always will," Dylan promised. Still rubbing over Daniel's back and down over his bottom, he added, "And you don't need to be naughty to get that, either. If it's something that you need. Something that will help you."

"I dunno if I'd be brave enough to ask for it, though..." Daniel admitted. "Kinda embarrassed that I... that it... I dunno."

"Maybe it's something that we do every few days or so," Dylan suggested after a moment of thought. "That way, you don't have to ask for it. And it becomes a regular thing, so you don't have to be naughty to get it."

"That wouldn't bother you?" Daniel looked at Dylan from under lowered lashes... almost bashfully. It was clear that he liked the idea, though.

"Not even a little," Dylan promised, kissing the side of his son's head. "It wouldn't be a problem to me."

"I think I need that, then..." Daniel admitted hesitantly. "To help remind me not to push. To not just disobey because I'm feeling frustrated. To... to feel you have control when I can't...."

"Then we'll do that." Dylan continued the gentle affection, even as he still held his son tight.

"Thanks, dad..." Daniel whispered, before snuggling closer.

"I love you," Dylan reiterated.

Daniel continued to cuddle, content to give Dylan control over him and the situation.

****

The adoption had finally gone through, but that didn't mean that they were able to go out in public easily. The new agent was still on their tail, still trying to capture them. They'd had to stay at the eye for a lot longer than Daniel had thought they would. It had been several months since he'd snuck out to see his friend, and in those months, he'd only been able to go out to places that were under the radar with less chance of surveillance. And even then, he was very limited. It was difficult. Very difficult, if he were honest with himself. He was becoming antsy and wanted to go out. He wanted to go on a date, maybe see a movie, go to a club. He wanted a life outside of the Eye.

When he got the call from an old girlfriend who was in town asking him to go to a newly opened club she'd heard about, he really wanted to go. He went looking for Dylan to let him know of the invitation and that he was going.

Dylan had just finished meeting with some of the other members of the Eye, talking about the situation with the new agent after him and his group and if there was any way of making her back off.

Unfortunately, while a few ideas had been suggested, putting any of them into motion would take a while. And in the meantime, going anywhere still wasn't going to be feasible.

Daniel waited until the others his father was meeting with left the room before going up to talk to the older man. "I just received a call from an old girlfriend. She wants to meet me at the new club that opened last month. She said if I can make it, I should meet her there at 8pm. If I don't show up by then, she'll assume I couldn't come. I want to go, so I'll need to leave around 7:30 to get there in time."

Dylan sighed, looking into his son's eyes. "I'm sorry, son, but you can't go," he replied. "At least, not tonight. We have a few ideas of how to turn the new agent away from us, but all of those will take time to put into motion."

"She's only in town for tonight and I don't have a way to contact her to meet her some other time or place..." Daniel protested.

Reaching out to wrap his arm around Daniel's shoulders, Dylan said gently, "If you give me her name, I can see if we can find a way of getting a message to her."

"Or, I could just go..." Daniel said quietly; not quite as belligerent as he had been the time he'd snuck out, but more uncertain. He didn't want to fight with his father, or sneak out again.

Dylan didn't answer with words. Instead, he used his grip on Daniel to guide his son towards his room.

"I just want a normal life..." Daniel said tiredly, but let himself be led.

"I know," Dylan replied gently. "We're working on it, son. I promise." Reaching his room, he opened the door and led his son inside.

Daniel followed Dylan into the room. "I'm really not going to be allowed to go tonight, am I?" he asked, with a sigh. He continued to let Dylan lead him.

"I'm afraid not, son." Dylan led Daniel over to the bed and sat down, gently guiding his son across his lap. "But as long as you can give me the information about her, we can see about you making contact with her another way. Another time."

"Yessir..." Daniel didn't fight or argue. He went over Dylan's knees obediently, relaxing as he was put into position. His father taking charge and making it clear he had to obey had helped settle some of the anxiety that had been building up.

Dylan placed his hands, one on Daniel's back and the other on his bottom, and began to gently rub, pushing his son's shirt up and out of the way and his pants down and out of the way, allowing him to rub bare skin.

Daniel quivered in place, reaching down and wrapping his arms around Dylan's leg. "I've gotta obey you. It's just hard sometimes..." he admitted softly.

"I know, son." Dylan continued to gently rub, squeezing every so often. "I know it's hard at times. I'll do my best to make sure you'll be able to meet friends, though," he promised.

"I know you will. I'm trying to be patient. Trying to do what I know I need to..." Daniel whispered. "Just... I needed help. Need help sometimes."

"I will always help you, son," Dylan promised. "No matter what. I love you."

"I know, dad... I... I'm glad I came to you before running off again. I knew you could help me..." Daniel admitted.

Dylan continued to gently rub his son's back and down over his bottom, squeezing every so often. "I'm glad you came to me, too," he said honestly. "That was the right thing to do and I'm proud of you."

"You're proud of me? Really?" Daniel looked over his shoulder and gave a hesitant smile.

"Really," Dylan promised. "Even though you wanted to, you didn't sneak out. You didn't argue with me. You came to me so that I could help you."

"I learned from last time..." Daniel looked forward again.

"I know. I love you." Dylan stroked his fingers through his son's hair, his other hand still gently rubbing over Daniel's back and bottom.

"I love you too, dad. Very much." Daniel relaxed further.

"I have you, son," Dylan murmured. "You're with me. I've got you."

"Always..." Daniel whispered, slumping the rest of the way in complete submission to his father's control.

"And we're finally official," Dylan commented. "I'm sure that helps."

Daniel thought about it. "It does..." he said quietly.

"We already knew it, but now everyone else does too." Dylan pushed Daniel's shirt up a bit further, his pants a bit lower, so that he could rub more bare skin.

"Everyone knows I'm your boy now..." Daniel said proudly, losing more of the anxiety at the show of dominance. At being vulnerable and under Dylan's control. As vulnerable and exposed as he felt, it made him feel safer too.

"Everyone knows," Dylan promised. "You're my boy in every way possible."

"Glad. Want everyone to know who I b'long to..." Daniel mumbled sheepishly.

"I want that too," Dylan admitted.

By this time, the anxiety and frustration Daniel had been feeling had eased completely away. In its place was a need to obey; submit completely to whatever his new father asked of him.

"I've got you," Dylan murmured softly. "I won't let go of you. I love you so much."

"Love you too, Daddy..." Daniel whispered. His pants had gathered at his ankles by this point, so he toed off his shoes and socks, enabling them to slip the rest of the way off. He was completely naked except for the shirt that was rucked up under his arms. Completely vulnerable to his father, showing his total trust in the older man.

In response, Dylan gently pulled the shirt entirely free, leaving his son completely naked. Still, he stroked, rubbed and squeezed...murmured how much he loved Daniel and that his son was being a good boy for him.

By this point, any desire Daniel had to sneak off to see his friend was gone. All he wanted to do was obey his father and make him happy; behave in a way that let him continue to be Dylan's good boy. The minutes slowly ticked by, Daniel lying submissively over Dylan's lap, Dylan rubbing, squeezing and stroking. Eventually it was eight o'clock, then after eight, but Daniel barely noticed. His skin was flushed and sensitive from the attention.

"Are you hungry, son?" Dylan's voice was gentle, pitched to be soft and reassuring. He stroked down Daniel's spine; his tone filled with his love for his son.

Daniel blinked and had to think about the question, but he finally answered, in an almost sleepy voice, "A little...."

"I can put in an order for takeout," Dylan offered. "We won't have to leave the room."

"Good. That sounds really good, daddy..." Daniel's voice was soft. Almost childlike.

"I'm glad." Dylan gently rubbed down Daniel's back, even as he placed the order for the takeout with his other hand. He was reluctant to let go of his son, even to stop touching Daniel for a second.

Daniel continued to lay quietly over Dylan's knee until the door rang, announcing the arrival of their food. Daniel carefully, if reluctantly, stood so Dylan could retrieve the food. He didn't try and cover himself up, though. He wouldn't cover up or dress unless Dylan ordered it.

Dylan answered the door, situating himself and the door so that the delivery person wouldn't see anything of his son. He then closed the door and walked back over to his son. He wrapped his arm around Daniel's shoulders, leading him over to the small table so they could sit and eat.

Daniel stifled a yawn, surprised at how tired he was now that his father had drawn all the nervous anxiety from him. He knew he needed to eat, so fought the urge to curl up on Dylan's lap and fall asleep.

Wrapping his arms around Daniel's waist, Dylan drew his son back tight against his stomach, pressing a kiss to his head, before he began to feed his son.

Daniel was feeling too lethargic and too submissive to protest that he could feed himself. Instead, he just opened his mouth and ate what Dylan fed him.

Dylan kept his arm wrapped around Daniel's waist as he fed both himself and his son, every so often kissing Daniel's head or squeezing him gently.

They took their time, but even so, it wasn't long before they were finished eating and had cleaned up. It was getting late, but Daniel was reluctant to drag himself to bed; partly because Dylan had been in control of him for at least five hours and he was reluctant to take control back. But also, because he didn't want the physical affection to stop. His entire back side was so sensitive, the slightest touch had him quivering. He was hoping his front side could be that sensitive too; remind him who was in charge when he wasn't right next to Dylan the next day.

"Would you like to stay with me tonight?" Dylan asked softly, wrapping his arms around his son in a tight embrace.

"Yessir..." Daniel quickly responded, snuggling close and hiding his face against Dylan's neck.

Dylan stroked his fingers down Daniel's back and led his son over to the bed once more, pulling back the blankets so they could settle in.

Daniel followed his father to the bed. Once the blankets were pulled back, he let his father direct him on where to get in and how to lay.

Dylan settled down on the bed, gently pulling Daniel down with him and settling his son on him.

Daniel settled in place, snuggling close and closing his eyes. "Night, dad..." he whispered, nuzzling once more before quickly falling asleep.

The End