Old Habits Are Hard To Break

Summary: Phillipe has to become used to being in a family and not doing as he’s always done.
Warning(s): Disciplinary spanking of an adult. AU

###

Things had settled down after Etienne Navarre and Isabeau d ‘Anjou had faced the evil Bishop of Aquila and broken the curse separating them. They had quickly married and then, to Phillipe's surprise, had adopted the young thief. Things were going good for Phillipe. Better than they ever had. He wanted for nothing.

Etienne had rejoined the guard as their captain after things had settled between him and Isabeau. Life had gone back to something like normal, though Etienne and Isabeau had made the decision to adopt Phillipe. Having a son so quickly hadn't been planned, but Etienne didn't regret it.

His duties finished for the day, Etienne returned home via the market, purchasing food for their dinner. He also bought some cakes as a treat for Phillipe and returned to his wife and son in a good mood.

Phillipe returned from the errand Isabeau had sent him on, a few moments behind Etienne. "Good eve, sir! Welcome home!" He grinned, walking into the foyer of the keep. "M ‘lady!" he hollered. "I have returned with the package you bade me fetch!"

Etienne followed his son into the foyer as Isabeau came out of her own room, smiling warmly at Etienne and then embracing Phillipe. "Just in time for dinner," she said softly.

With a smile, Etienne took out his own packages. "I stopped by the market on my way home." He headed to the kitchen, passing the food to be cooked to the servants.

Phillipe hugged back, then stepped to the side so they could talk. He followed quietly behind, feeling comfortable enough not to talk constantly.

Etienne leaned in and kissed Isabeau, before moving so that he could include Phillip in the conversation as well. "I hope your day has gone well too."

Isabeau nodded. "Phillipe's been helping me with the repairs today." She smiled at their son. "We could invite guests for dinner soon."

"It was a very busy and productive day!" Phillipe nodded happily.

"Well, there's time to relax this evening," Etienne said. "We have time to eat together and talk before retiring for the night."

"That sounds good. I am very hungry!" Phillipe admitted.

"Of course. You've worked hard." Isabeau smiled.

"I picked up some cakes, too, as a treat," Etienne said.

"Cakes?" Phillipe perked up, his smile growing. "Can I eat one now?"

"I'm sure that will be fine," Isabeau said, before Etienne could speak.

Etienne grunted softly, but smiled when he said, "You're going to spoil our son."

"He deserves a reward for the hard work he did today," Isabeau replied.

"I worked very hard!" Phillipe gave Etienne a hopeful smile, hoping he would be convinced.

"You may have one cake before dinner." Etienne gave in. He went to retrieve one of the cakes to give to Phillipe.

"Thank you!" Phillipe bounced with excitement, giving first Isabeau, then Etienne a hug when the older man returned.

Etienne wrapped his arms around Phillipe in a tight hug before he gave their son one of the cakes.

"Thank you, Sir..." Phillipe paused, looking at the cake as if it were a highly valued treasure. It was just a tiny cake, but the fact Etienne had thought of him to buy it meant the world. Swallowing hard and taking a quick swipe at his eyes, he grinned. "It looks delicious!" He took a bite and chewed slowly, sighing in happiness.

"There are more for you, but you will be able to have them later, after we have eaten." Etienne smiled; his face softened as he saw Phillip's obvious happiness.

Phillipe nodded his acceptance of Etienne's conditions, his mouth full of cake.

Isabeau smiled at Phillipe. "If the cakes make you this happy, we will have to make sure to have them here more often."

Phillipe blushed, quickly swallowing. "They are very good, m ‘lady. It... it is more what they mean that makes them special, though."

Isabeau's smile was soft as she said, "You don't need to be so formal with us, Phillipe."

"M ‘lady?" Phillipe asked, with some confusion.

"We adopted you, Phillipe," Etienne said. "We're your parents now. You don't need to call us 'Sir' or 'M ‘lady' unless that's the form of address you'd prefer."

"Should I call you mother and father? I must admit, I never had anyone to call that before, so I do not know..." Phillipe said hesitantly.

Isabeau smiled and reached out to wrap her arms around Phillipe. "You have people to call that now," she murmured. "We are your family. Your parents."

"You are my parents now. I am not an orphan...." Phillipe returned the embrace.

"You are our son." Etienne reached out and gently squeezed Phillipe's shoulder.

"Is it... could I...?" Phillipe faltered in his request.

"What is it, son?" Etienne moved closer, wrapping his arms around Phillipe from the other side, so that he and Isabeau could cocoon Phillipe between them.

"Could I call you Mama and Papa?" Phillipe glanced up. "Or would that be too juvenile?"

"You may call us that," Isabeau said gently.

"If that's what feels right to you," Etienne added.

"Mother and Father feels very formal as well and... well... I'm not really a formal person..." Phillipe shrugged.

Isabeau smiled and hugged him a bit tighter. "Shall we show your Papa the rest of the work we've done here?" she asked their son.

"Yes!" Phillipe said, with excitement. "We have worked very hard today, Papa!"

"Then show me, son." Etienne smiled fondly at Phillipe, reaching out to take Isabeau's hand while he wrapped his other arm around his son's shoulders.

Phillipe spent the next hour while the servants finished preparing their dinner doing just that.

****

It was a few months later and they'd all settled into their routines: Etienne at his job, Isabeau running the estate and Phillipe helping Isabeau in various ways.

Etienne had managed to leave the guard early and, in a fairly good mood, he went to the market, looking for gifts he could purchase for his wife and son.

***

Phillipe had finished the errand Isabeau had given him and was just browsing through the market. He hadn't been tasked to buy anything, but he hadn't been to the market in a while and was enjoying looking.

He didn't plan to do what he did. He didn't need to do what he did; Etienne and Isabeau made certain he wanted for nothing. Still... he found himself reaching out and pocketing a small trinket. He didn't even know what he'd pocketed, it was done so fast. Afterwards, he shifted to another spot and kept looking, trying to not look guilty. He would have returned the trinket to where he'd got it, but the shopkeeper had turned at that moment and would have seen.

Spotting his son, Etienne went up to Phillipe and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you looking for anything in particular?" he asked.

Phillipe had been so intent on looking innocent and watching the shop keeper, he hadn't noticed his father's approach. As a result, he visibly startled. "No!" he blurted, before repeating it in a calmer tone. "No, sir... I was just looking." He smiled weakly, knowing he had to look very guilty about something, but unable to help himself. He still watched the shop keeper, hoping for a moment to return the trinket without being seen; although with Navarre there, at least one person would see.

Etienne saw the look on his son's face and squeezed his shoulder. "What did you do, son?" His voice was low, only carrying to Phillipe's ears.

At that moment, the shop keeper turned to answer the question of another shopper and Phillipe was able to quickly drop the trinket into a nearby basket of wares. He backed up slightly. "I was just getting ready to head home, Papa... will you be home soon? I will let Mama know...."  He didn't answer the question. It was obvious what had occurred at this point.

Etienne had noticed Phillipe's actions and he gripped his son's shoulder a little tighter. "We'll head home together, son." His voice was firm, nearly stern, not allowing for any argument.

"Yes, sir...." Phillipe smiled, though his voice was subdued.

Etienne wrapped his arm around Phillipe's shoulders and began to lead his son home.

Once they were far enough away from the shop keep not to draw attention, Phillipe asked quietly, "Are you angry, Papa?"

"I'm disappointed, son," Etienne replied. "You have no need to steal. What did you want that we couldn't have given you?"

Phillipe winced and swallowed hard. "Nothing Papa, I want for nothing. I didn't do it because of need or even desire. I don't know why I did it." 

Etienne sighed at the response. In a way, he wasn't surprised by the response. Still. "You grew up stealing, but you know that you don't need to do that now. You have everything you could possibly want." He gently squeezed Phillipe's shoulder. "When we get home, you'll have a bit of time to reflect on the actions you took before I deal with this."

Phillipe slumped. Having his father disappointed in him felt horrible. "I'm sorry, Papa...."

"I'm sure you are," Etienne replied, holding back another sigh. Squeezing Phillipe against his side, he said seriously, "I'll deal with this. I'll punish you. But then you'll be forgiven and won't need to feel guilty anymore."

"Okay, Papa." Phillipe's voice was subdued. He wasn't certain being punished would help him feel better.

Etienne was silent, though still kept in contact with his son, as they headed back to the manor. Once inside, he took the package from Phillipe Isabeau had asked him to collect and then walked his son towards the wall, turning him to face it. "I'm going to talk to your mama. I want you to stand here and think about why you took something you didn't need or even want."

“Yes, Papa..." Phillipe obediently faced the wall, listening as his father walked away to find his mother. He stood there for a few moments, fidgeting slightly, trying to do as his father had directed; but it didn't take long before he was looking up toward the ceiling, beginning a different conversation. "Hello, God. It's me... Mouse. I know I haven't spoken to you lately... I hope that is alright. I'm not alone any longer; I have a Mama and a Papa, though you probably already know that, since you are the one who brought me to them... or them to me...." He paused as he thought about which it might have been, him being brought to Etienne and Isabeau, or them being brought to him.

Etienne had gone to find Isabeau, giving her the package and then explaining what Phillipe had done.

Once Isabeau had put the package away, they headed back to where Etienne had put Phillipe in the corner.

Phillipe sighed. "I guess it does not matter over much who you brought to who. That we are together, and a family is a blessing I certainly did not expect nor deserve, and I am very grateful." He paused again, before continuing hesitantly, "See, I am very grateful and so it pains me to admit how badly I messed up, though I am certain you saw as it was happening and know already."

Isabeau stopped Etienne before he would have reached their son's side, placing a hand on his arm. Softly, she murmured, "This might give us more of an insight into what he was thinking today."

Nodding, Etienne stayed with his wife.

"See... Etienne and Isabeau... Mama and Papa... they have given me everything I could ever want or need. So, there was no good reason for doing what I did today. Before they took me in, perhaps I could claim it was for survival... I could sell the trinket or trade it for food. But that is not necessary now. Papa told me I should think on why I did what I did. But I honestly do not know. If you know why, I would greatly appreciate your help in figuring it out, because I have already disappointed him today with the theft. I do not wish to add disobedience to my transgression." Phillipe sighed and paused again.

From where he stood with Isabeau, Etienne was listening intently to his son's speech. His focus was entirely on Phillipe; looking to gain a deeper insight into what was going on inside his son's head.

"I guess I just... he brought me home. Even after I messed up... so maybe they will not send me away if I mess up badly? I thought maybe they might. I know I am a challenge at the best of times." Phillipe swallowed. "If they keep me, maybe they can help me find out why I did what I did not want to do? Help me not do it again...."

Etienne winced visibly at the words from his son and couldn't help taking a step closer, towards Phillipe. He hadn't even thought of sending his son away and it affected him to know that Phillipe had worried about it.

Phillipe bit his lip as he realized what he'd just admitted to. "I do not mean to seem ungrateful, because I am ever so grateful that I have a home now... parents. I am so very grateful, and I hope my fear of losing them does not seem ungrateful or show lack of faith. It... it has just been so very long that I was wanted, it feels like a beautiful dream and I will wake up and it will not be real. And... maybe that is why I took the trinket. To prove if it was real or a dream? Could that be why? It seems a foolish way to test, but taking the trinket without thought or reason is just as foolish, truly, so... can You not send me an answer?"

"Perhaps He only needs to send you an answer through us, your parents." Isabeau moved forward and wrapped her arms around Phillipe in a tight hug. "If you did not need or want the trinket, then taking it as a test seems the most likely explanation," she murmured.

"Oh!" Phillipe blinked in surprise at having been caught carrying on a conversation with God, but as his parents did not seem surprised or upset at the fact, he didn't try and pretend he'd been doing otherwise. "Mayhap He will send answers through both of you. One should learn all they can from one's parents. I fear some lessons may be harder than others...." Phillipe twisted around and wrapped his arms around his mother.

Etienne moved round to Phillipe's other side, embracing him as well. "You do not ever have to fear being sent away from us," he murmured. "No matter what happens, you will always belong with us."

"I nearly broke the law you are sworn to uphold. If I had not returned the trinket, I would have..." Phillipe said sadly.

"You did return it," Etienne said. "And we will deal with the actions you took in taking it. Then it will be over."

"And I will be forgiven? And you will help me learn not to steal?" Phillipe whispered.

"You will be forgiven. And I will teach you to do better and not steal," Etienne promised.

"We both will." Isabeau kissed Phillipe's cheek.

"Thank you, Mama... Papa... I truly am sorry," Phillipe whispered.

Etienne hugged him a bit tighter. "You will be punished for the actions you took, but forgiven and still loved," he said gently.

"I love both of you, so much. I never wanted to disappoint you..." Phillipe sounded forlorn. He snuggled closer.

Both Etienne and Isabeau hugged him tighter.

"We love you too," Isabeau said, kissing the side of his head.

"We love you very much," Etienne said.

Phillipe held on tightly for a few moments more before reluctantly stepping back. "I do not suppose the fact I returned the trinket before leaving the shop will grant me some leniency...."

"I saw that you were attempting to return it before I was there," Etienne said. "If you had not been, the punishment would be worse." He held out a hand to his son. "Come, let us deal with this now so we can move past it."

Biting his lip and nodding with a hint of guilty relief, Phillipe placed his hand into Etienne's and prepared to follow where led.

Etienne led his son to the main room, where he sat and guided Phillip across his lap.

Isabeau settled next to Phillip's head, reaching out to grasp his hands in a gentle, comforting hold.

Phillipe grasped his mother's hands. The fact she was a part of this cemented the fact she and his father were a united front. It helped put him at ease.

"We love you. Very much so." Isabeau leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

Etienne rubbed Phillip's back for a few moments and then proceeded to bare him.

Phillipe blushed at being bare but didn't fight it. His only admittance to his embarrassment was the quietly whimpered, "Papa..." as Etienne lowered his clothing.

"We are your parents, Phillipe," Etienne said. "There is no reason to hide from us or be anything less than vulnerable." He rubbed Phillipe's back a few more moments and then lifted his hand, bringing it down in a firm smack that he then repeated.

"Yes, Papa!" Phillipe clenched his eyes and hands as the first smack landed, whimpering softly.

Isabeau squeezed his hands gently as Etienne settled into a pattern of swats, working his way down to mid-thigh and then starting over from the top again. He didn't put much force behind the smacks, ensuring they were stinging rather than truly hard.

Phillipe didn't need the smacks to be hard for them to have an impact. By the time Etienne started over, his grip on Isabeau was tight, he was squirming uncontrollably, and tears were streaming from his eyes. "I'm sorry, Papa! Mama! I didn't mean to do bad."

"It wasn't bad, Phillipe," Isabeau murmured, thumbs stroking over his hands. "It was naughty, but not bad."

Etienne paused after the second circuit, rubbing low down on Phillipe's back, taking a tighter hold on his son. "There's no need to test us, Phillipe. No matter what happens, we will never send you away, or give up on you, or stop loving you."

"Didn't mean to test you... I trust and love you. Dunno why I did it. Didn't know I feared being sent away till I was in the corner and not afraid of it anymore..." Phillipe admitted.

"You've been alone for a long time," Isabeau murmured, leaning down to kiss his cheek. "You haven't been our son for very long, in comparison to how long you have been alone for."

"You aren't upset I was scared?" Phillipe asked, in a small, tear choked voice.

"Of course not," Isabeau replied.

"Being scared is normal," Etienne said. "We can help you learn not to be scared."

"I would like not to be scared. I would like to be brave... like my Papa and Mama..." Phillipe sniffled, then started to cry vocally, no longer able to keep from reacting to the spanking. He slumped over his father's lap, no longer squirming, just accepting the swats.

Etienne stopped spanking and replaced Phillipe's clothing, then moved their son so that both he and Isabeau could cuddle him. "Being brave isn't about not being scared," he murmured.

"You have been very brave since we have known you." Isabeau stroked Phillipe's hair.

"Do you truly believe so?" Phillipe asked in surprise, as he snuggled close to both parents. "I do not feel brave."

Etienne rubbed his hand down Phillipe's hair and back, murmuring, "You saved my life when I was a wolf. Even if you do not feel brave, you are."

"I had to save you, Papa... I didn't know why exactly at the time, but I had to!" Phillipe declared.

"And you were hurt in doing so," Etienne said. "And you did it anyway."

"And you helped us," Isabeau added. "Even when you didn't have to." She kissed Phillipe's cheek. "You are already brave. You do not need to learn how to be."

"I just need to learn to be aware of what I am doing so I do not fall into old habits?" Phillipe asked quietly.

"Exactly." Isabeau hugged him a bit tighter.

"And we'll help you stop feeling scared that we might send you away, or give up on you," Etienne said.

"Okay..." Phillipe whispered, holding on to them tightly, obviously more at ease.

"We love you," Isabeau murmured, cuddling their son tightly along with Etienne. "And we'll take care of you. You will never be alone again," she promised.

"That makes me very happy. To be with you and never be alone again." Phillipe smiled.

Etienne brushed a kiss over his forehead. "We belong together, son. We are a family and will never be parted again."

"Forever..." Phillipe smiled and snuggled against his parents, contented and safe.

The End