Responding And Responses

Summary: 3rd in Fallen Kingdom series. Spin-off from Redeeming Grant story 53.
Warning(s): Spanking; heavy D/s; use of an implement/harsher spanking; 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

###

Claire frowned as her car made another odd sound. "Come on...come on... At least wait till I get to a larger town before dying on me..." she muttered unhappily. This trip had been planned with high expectations. When Eli had contacted her and asked her her opinion on who they should enlist to help them try and capture the Mesosaurus that was now terrorizing the ocean, she'd immediately thought of three people.

The first, Ian Malcolm, she'd dismissed as a pipe dream. He'd been against the breeding of dinosaurs ever since his experience twenty-five years before. On top of that, she knew that Owen had a relationship with him and after what had happened to Owen the last time he'd agreed to help (damn Wheatley), she didn't even want to attempt to broach asking him for help.

The second, Ellie Sattler, had shifted her focus soon after returning from the island and was a veterinarian in an emergency animal hospital near a zoo. She sympathized with Claire's belief that the creatures needed to be captured and taken to a safe location, but wasn't willing to put her own patients at risk. Especially when she had been out of the field of study for so long, she doubted she could be much help.

Which left her third and last option. Alan Grant. A man who she'd left numerous messages for, but who hadn't returned her call. Which kinda stung. After all, she had actually known him before she got involved with InGen. She'd dated his son Billy. And yeah, maybe she and Billy had broken up, but it hadn't been an acrimonious split. They'd just grown apart because their jobs were on separate coasts (and eventually separate continents). Why wouldn't he answer her calls? It was why she'd decided to rent a car and drive out to where she knew he spent every summer; the dig where he took his students to get experience looking for and examining fossils. It was in a remote part of Montana, though; and she was still at least half a day's drive away and now the car was acting up and if she broke down....

And then the car broke down. "Aaaaaaargh!" Claire growled and let her head thump on the steering wheel. Now what? She glanced at her map. (The GPS on her phone had conked out as soon as she left range of the cell-tower. She really should have bought one that used a satellite instead.) "Wait...oh please, please, please be home and say you'll help..." she muttered, before frowning and looking around. "...Oh please, please, please someone drive by so I can get to a town and make a phone call...." She amended her pleas.

The road luckily wasn't a deserted one and it wasn't more than a few minutes before a middle-aged woman drove by and then stopped, seeing the car stalled with another woman inside. The driver parked and got out, heading towards Claire's car and tapping lightly on the window. "You okay?"

Claire quickly rolled down the window. "Oh thank goodness... the rental car just died and my cell phone doesn't work out here and if I could just get a ride into town, or if you have a phone that works, if I could just borrow it to call my friend to pick me up... he lives maybe half an hour... or maybe more, I'm not sure... from here... I'd really appreciate it!" Claire found herself babbling.

"Of course." The woman didn't waste any time in handing her phone over to Claire.

"Thank you so much!" Claire quickly dialed Owen's number. She remembered his cabin being in Montana. She wasn't certain how far away it was from her current location; but surely it couldn't be that far away?  When the call connected, she asked hesitantly, "Owen?"

"Oh crap... what do I need to come fix now?" Owen muttered in resignation. He and Claire had parted on better terms this time and he knew if she truly needed his help, he'd be there for her. And since she didn't tend to call him unless she really needed his help, he had a feeling he'd be neck deep in dino-poop before long.

Claire blinked. "My car broke down and I need a lift to Dr. Alan Grant's dig site! It's very important I talk with him...." She began to babble again, telling Owen about the Mesosaurus and how they needed to find a way to capture it and move it to the island and that Dr. Grant might be their best shot at doing so, since Dr. Malcolm didn't want to have anything to do with dinosaurs anymore and Dr. Sattler was a vet and.... She didn't know exactly what she told him, to be honest, but by the end of her spiel, he'd agreed to come pick her up at the tiny town that was nearest to where she'd broken down. Apparently, he was four hours away from her and Dr. Grant was another five hours beyond that, so she considered herself very lucky that he was willing to drop everything to come rescue her. "Thanks, Owen..." she whispered, before ending the call and handing the phone back to the woman who'd stopped to help her.  "You wouldn't be able to drop me off in the next town, would you?" she asked hopefully.

The woman didn't really understand half of what Claire had babbled to her friend on the phone, but she was quick to nod her agreement. "Of course. Do you have someone you can call to pick up your car?" she asked.

Claire bit her lip and looked at the car. "It's a rental. I guess I'll need to call the rental company and let them know what happened. They'll probably want to arrange for it to be towed..." She grabbed her purse and the small overnight bag she'd packed. "I hadn't planned to spend more than a night where I was going, so luckily I packed light...." Probably too light, if the way the woman was dressed was any indication. She'd brought clothes for southern California, not the mountains in Montana. Sighing softly to herself, she hoisted her bags onto her shoulders and locked the car. "I really appreciate your help..." she said to the woman.

The woman nodded. "No problem." She walked to her own car and got in, waiting for Claire to get in the passenger seat.

Claire quickly got in and buckled up. "Dr. Grant really is out in the middle of the wilderness..." she said hesitantly... uncertain if she should initiate a conversation or not but feeling awkward staying quiet.

The woman nodded. "It's home," she commented, driving in the direction of town.

Claire glanced at the woman, hoping she hadn't offended her. "Do you know Dr. Grant?" she asked, with a hesitant smile.

"Yes, though I see more of his son," the woman commented. "It doesn't sound like he's aware you're coming to visit him."

"You know Billy?" Claire perked up. "I used to date Billy... when we broke up, we were still friendly... I tried to call Dr. Grant several times, but he never answered my calls and it's very important I talk to him, but I don't know why he didn't answer..." Claire bit her lip. Why wouldn't he answer? She'd thought he liked her. She'd left plenty of messages....

"He's been doing a lot of work. At least that's my understanding," the woman said. "Maybe he hasn't had time to call you back yet."

Claire bit her lip harder, suddenly worried. If Dr. Grant was so busy with work that he couldn't answer even one of her messages, the chances of her getting his help were not good. And she really needed to get his help. Otherwise, someone in some government office was going to decide that torpedoing the Mesosaurus was the only option and while her being loose wasn't ideal... she was a living creature who hadn't asked to be set loose. Killing her for the mistakes of the men who bred her was unfair. It really was! By this time, they had reached the tiny town and were pulling into a service station. "Thank you..." Claire smiled at the woman again. "I appreciate the lift. I'll call the rental company from here and they can arrange for their car to be towed. And Owen said he'd pick me up, so...."

"If you'd like, I can stay with you until your friend comes and picks you up," the woman offered, as she parked the car.

"Oh... you don't need to do that!" Claire said quickly. "You've already done so much. I really appreciate it. But I should be safe enough here and Owen is nothing if not reliable. I'll be okay."

"If you're sure, but here," the woman passed Claire a business card, "my number. In case your friend runs into any problems and isn't able to pick you up."

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate this..." Claire took the card gratefully. Owen was reliable; but after the way her luck was running, she couldn't count out the possibility that he'd get stuck somewhere and unable to come get her. Gathering her few belongings, she got out her own business card and handed it to the woman. "If there is ever anything I can do to repay your kindness, please let me know..." She smiled brightly before getting out of the car. Giving the woman a tiny wave, she straightened her shoulders and went into the service station to see about calling the rental company and letting them know about the car.

***

Owen had been in the middle of building a storage shed out in the back yard when Claire had called. Ian was at work, or he most likely would have asked permission to go 'rescue' his ex-girlfriend. Since Ian was at work and since Owen was fairly certain Ian wouldn't say no to him providing help to Claire, he'd immediately agreed to help her on his own. He put the tools away, went into the house to take a quick shower and grab an overnight bag, left a quick note for Ian that he left on the end table by the front door and took off. He didn't notice that the note blew off the table and under the couch when he opened the door to leave. And having left a paper note, he didn't think about the importance of actually calling his alpha and letting him know what was going on or asking permission. He also didn't notice that his phone battery was very low. He had a charger for it, in his bag. That wouldn't do him any good, thirty minutes later when he was already on the road, driving and the phone died.

***

Ian came home after work, tired and worn down and looking forward to spending the rest of the day with his boy. He wasn't too concerned when he got home and realised Owen's car wasn't there, figuring his cub had gone to the shops or something.

His worry grew as the time passed and Owen didn't come home. And worry became full panic when he tried calling, only to get a notification that the phone was switched off.

***

Owen was arriving to the tiny town Claire was stranded in about the time Ian would be getting home. Since he didn't realize that his note had blown off the table and under the couch, he assumed Ian knew what he was doing and didn't bother calling to let the older man know he'd arrived safely. He figured he'd call Ian when he got Claire to her destination. He quickly found the only service station in the area and pulled into the parking area. He grinned as Claire immediately came out to meet him. "We need to stick around while you get your rental sorted?" he asked curiously.

"Nope!" Claire's lips smacked out the 'p' sound. "I called the company and they've arranged for towing and will send one of their representatives to pick the car up. If you would be so kind as to take me to Dr. Grant as soon as possible, though, I'd appreciate it!" Claire smiled.

Owen's grin widened. "Your wish is my command..." he teased, waiting for her to put her bags in the back seat and buckle up before pulling out to continue on their journey.

***

Alan Grant had been finishing off some work when he had another call come through. He didn't really have a whole lot of time between projects, but he'd yet to respond to Claire's calls. Figuring it was her trying to reach him again, he answered this time. "Alan Grant here."

"It's Marjorie," came a familiar voice on the other end. "Do you know a Claire Dearing?"

"Yeah." Alan frowned. Marjorie ran in vastly different circles; they only knew each other because she'd come to welcome him and Billy after they'd moved in, on one of the few days she hadn't been travelling out of town for work. "Did something happen? Is she in trouble?"

"She was coming to see you," Marjorie answered. "In a rental car that broke down. I gave her a lift to the nearest service station. She's called a friend to come and pick her up." After a pause, she added, "If you'd answered her calls, she probably would have called you."

Alan winced at the light scolding. "Yeah," was all he said. "I'll be here. Anything else you need?"

"No. Just stay safe. If I even understood half of what she was talking about, things are looking shaky for her."

"Thanks for the heads up." After a quick goodbye, Alan hung up the phone. He looked at his projects, spread out across his desk in the office, and shook his head. "What have you got yourself into, Claire?" he muttered, before leaving the room to let Billy know about their visitor.

Billy glanced up as Alan - his father - entered the room. "Hey, dad. What's up?" he asked. They'd been at the dig a lot later today. One of the students had found something that had seemed like a possible new site. In truth, the student had taken one of the bones from the known dig and planted it at the new site in hopes that it would gain her extra credit in the class. Instead, she'd got sent home from the project and the choice to withdraw from the program voluntarily or be expelled. He understood the need to prove yourself and make questionable decisions in trying to do so (he'd taken those dino eggs, after all), but he'd never been tempted to falsify research. He was pretty certain if he had, Alan would have blistered his backside. He'd certainly done so when he'd taken the eggs, after all.

He blinked as he realized Alan hadn't answered him yet. "Dad?"

Alan walked over to Billy and sat down next to him, gently squeezing his shoulder. "Marjorie called to tell me Claire's on her way here. She's been trying to get in touch with me. I figured I'd have a bit more time before she tried tracking me down." He wasn't upset about the fact; more worried, especially as she could have been stranded for a long time before anyone came. What had happened to her phone?

Billy frowned. "Yeah. I coulda told you she wouldn't wait long if she felt it was important. Stubborn, that one. One of the reasons we broke up..." He chuckled. "How'd Marjorie find out about her coming, though?"

"Her rental broke down," Alan answered. "Of all the people who could have come across her, it happened to be Marjorie." He frowned and shook his head. "She either didn't have her cell or it wasn't working...."

"Knowing where Marjorie lives? I'm guessing she couldn't get reception..." Billy snorted. "She was probably in such a hurry to drive up here, she didn't bother to check what cell phone reception was like in the area; she would have realized a satellite phone would be more useful. If she didn't have a landline available anyway...."  Billy paused. "...I guess now is when I should inform you that some guy named Lockwood called while you were in the shower. Said he was sending something to you by special courier but he needed to explain it. Here's his number."

"Thanks." Alan took the number from his son and got up to call back, though he stayed close enough to Billy that his son could hear what he was saying. After a few moments, he spoke. "It's Alan Grant here. Yeah." He paused and then frowned. "Do you have the records? Can you e-mail them to me?" He waited a beat and then asked, "She knew about it? Are you sure it's just a precaution?" He listened a bit longer and then said, "I'll make sure I'm here to get it. Thanks." He then disconnected the call.

Billy's eyes had widened in curiosity the more Alan had talked. As soon as his father had hung up the phone, he said, "Okay. What did Claire know about? What are we preventing? What are we waiting for?"

"Apparently, Claire and a man named Owen were exposed to a potential virus. They were on the island when the volcano erupted," Alan replied. "They both need to have an innoculation and Lockwood is sending Claire's here. But Owen's is going to his father. Ian Malcolm."

"Ian Malcolm allowed his son to have anything to do with that island?" Billy blinked. "He hated everything to do with that place...."

***

While Lockwood was on the phone with Alan Grant, Eli had been tasked with contacting Ian Malcolm to let him know that Owen needed the inoculation. It hadn't taken long at all for Ian to inform him that Owen had taken off somewhere, or for him to hear the fearful worry for his son in the older man's voice, but before he could offer some empty reassurances (how would he know if Owen would be okay if they didn't have any idea where he'd gone to?), he overheard Lockwood mention something about Claire's car breaking down and a friend picking her up to take her the rest of the way to Grant's summer home. "Hold on a second, Dr. Malcolm..." he said into the phone, with a hint of urgency.

Looking toward Lockwood, Eli asked, "Where does Dr. Grant live, father?"

Lockwood paused, pulling the phone away from his ear so he could quickly answer his son's question. He didn't press on Eli about why he was asking, figuring his son would let him know the details once they were both finished on their respective calls.

"I thought so..." Eli mumbled. "Dr. Malcolm? I don't want to get your hopes up... in case I'm wrong... but Claire Dearing was on her way to see an old friend of yours: Dr. Alan Grant? He's about nine hours drive away from you. She was driving and apparently, her car broke down about four hours drive away from you. Is it possible she called Owen to pick her up and take her the remaining five hours to Dr. Grant?  He told my dad that she had a friend picking her up and bringing her the rest of the way...."

Ian took a deep breath, trying not to let his panic show through any more than it had been already. "If she called him, he would have driven out to pick her up." And he'd been at work, so Owen might not necessarily have thought to tell him directly.

It took only a few moments to confer with his father, Lockwood to confer with Grant and then to convey the information back to Ian. "Dr. Malcolm? We were planning to have our courier plane stop at the airport closest to you to drop off the vaccine for Owen. Dr. Grant has assured us that when Claire arrives, if Owen is the friend that arrives with her, he'll call us and instead of dropping off the vaccine, we'll just have the courier pick you up and bring you to your son. If it isn't Owen, we will of course do everything possible to help you locate him." Eli tried to sound reassuring.

"Thank you," Ian answered. "I'll keep trying to call Owen from my landline, so my cell is clear if it is him." His worry and fear were thick in his voice. He couldn't lose his son....

"Of course, sir. If what Dr. Grant says follows... They should reach his place by 10:00. I'll have the courier head your way and wait at the airport. As soon as we know one way or the other, it will be ready to go and you can be there by midnight," Eli promised.

"Thank you," Ian said again. While he was still obviously worried and scared for his son, he was calming down now that they had a plan.

Eli hung up the phone and looked at his own father. "Can we get the courier ready and to Dr. Malcolm's airport within the next two hours? Apparently, Owen took off without word and the man is worried senseless...."

Lockwood nodded. "I'll get that arranged now," he commented, picking up the phone to do just that.

Eli impulsively hugged his father. "I love you, Dad."

Lockwood wrapped his arms around Eli to hug him tightly in return. "I love you, son. Very much so. And while I don't expect it would happen...I would be just as worried and scared as Dr. Malcolm if you were to leave without a word."

"I'm not quite as impulsive as Owen, so I doubt that ever happens." Eli smiled crookedly.  "Still. I'll keep that in mind."

Lockwood nodded. "But you are extremely important to me. And I don't want to ever risk losing you."

"You won't, sir." Eli hugged his father again before pulling back so the courier company could be called.

***

Eli's words were accurate. Owen pulled into the drive of Alan and Billy's house at 10:00 sharp. Owen took lead, grabbing his bag and striding up to the door, briskly knocking. Claire trailed behind.

Alan didn't waste any time in opening the front door, looking over the two youngsters who had arrived on his doorstep. "Claire." He then looked at Owen. "Are you Owen?" He got that out of the way immediately. Ian was waiting for word on his son. Alan didn't have to imagine too hard how he would feel if Billy were to suddenly take off without word. He stepped back to allow them to enter the house.

Owen blinked owlishly as he stepped through the door, looking over his shoulder questioningly at Claire. She just shrugged, looking as confused as he felt. "Uh... Yessir..." he finally answered. "How'd you know?" This was said with a hint of worry.

Billy slipped out to call Eli as soon as Owen's identity was confirmed. Dr. Malcolm should be at the airport with the courier. Instead of getting the vaccine, he could just hop aboard and be on his way.

Alan closed the door and motioned for the two of them to follow him into the main room, even as he answered Owen. "I had a call from Lockwood. His son was on the phone to your father."

Owen blinked again. "Why'd Eli need to call my dad?" He sounded as confused as he felt.

Claire got a sketchy look in her eyes as she realized why Eli might call Ian. She'd been told of the needed vaccines but ignored the request that she come get it immediately, figuring she could get it when she returned. She hadn't thought to mention it to Owen, but he'd need one too. It made sense that when they couldn't contact him, they'd call his father.

Alan looked at Claire, even as he responded to Owen. "When you and Claire were on the island, you were exposed to a virus that you'll need to be vaccinated against. Lockwood and Eli are sending it here by courier."

Owen blinked, suddenly nervous. "It has to be a vaccine? I can't just take it in pill or liquid form?"

Claire frowned at the sudden nerves. This was the first time she'd seen him actively nervous about anything. "There wasn't any need to send it by courier..." she said, in a bid to distract her ex-boyfriend. "...I planned to get mine as soon as I'd finished speaking with you and returned...."

Owen turned irritable eyes on Claire. "You knew and didn't think to give me a heads up?"

"I didn't think it was that big a deal!" Claire defended herself.

"I'm afraid so," Alan answered. "You at least have until the courier arrives to get used to the idea. In the meantime, might I suggest you call your father?" he added. "He's worried about you."

Owen blinked owlishly at Alan again. "Why's he worried? I left a note," he said, as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at it. "...Oh crap. It's dead..." He winced. If Ian had been trying to call, he wouldn't have got through. No wonder he was worried.

"You can borrow my phone to call him," Alan offered.

"Thank you, sir..." Owen took Alan up on his offer. Unfortunately, by this point, Ian was in the air, flying toward his son. The call went straight to voicemail. Owen looked very nervous about that development, not knowing Ian was coming to get him. "He's not answering..." he said, worry in his voice after he'd left a brief message for Ian saying that he and Claire had arrived at Dr. Grant's safely.

"He has my number," Alan commented. "He'll call back. In the meantime, do you have a way of charging your phone? And since I'm sure neither of you have eaten, I'll cook something," he added.

Owen nodded. "Yeah. Got the charger in my bag..." He rummaged in said bag until he pulled the item out and plugged it into the nearest outlet. "And food would be great, thanks.'

Claire nodded. "Maybe while we eat, I can ask you what I came to talk to you about..." She smiled.

"Sounds good to me." Alan didn't comment that they had some things to talk about. He just headed into the kitchen, quickly asking Billy to prepare drinks for the four of them.

Billy quickly did as requested. He could tell when his father was upset about something and he didn't want to add to the list of what was upsetting him.

Claire still didn't realize the thin ice she was on and immediately began trying to convince Alan to come help Lockwood and Eli in their attempts to capture the last remaining dinosaurs before they were killed.

While Alan did listen and pay attention to what Claire was saying, he wasn't too happy with what had happened that day, so his responses weren't quite as open as they might have been.

Owen could tell Alan wasn't happy. What he couldn't tell was the reason for it. It was clear that Claire was either oblivious to the older man's current attitude or was ignoring it, though. They'd finished eating over an hour before and she'd been talking and explaining everything she'd been up to for the last ten years of her life. Everything. One look at Alan and Billy's face and Owen knew she should have been more careful in how she told them, if not what she told them. Alan looked like Ian did when Owen had first made his confessions. Oh well. It was her butt on the line. He'd been after her for years to pay more attention to people's reactions.

Billy looked from Claire to Owen incredulously. "You've nearly died because of these people twice and you're still helping them?!"

"The first time was a genuine mistake made because of greed and hubris; and the ones who made the mistake are dead. This last time... Lockwood wasn't involved. He was as much a victim as Claire and I. Luckily, his son actually loves him, and he could use that love and subsequent guilt to pull Eli back into line. By himself, I wouldn't trust Eli as far as I could throw him, but with Lockwood in charge, the only real worry I have is that gigantic fish, the flying fossils and Blue." Owen smiled faintly. "They didn't ask to be bred. They didn't ask for any of this. I just want to give them a chance to live before there isn't time for chances anymore...."

He glanced at his watch. "It's midnight. I don't know about you all, but maybe we can pick this conversation up in the morning?" He looked toward Alan, for agreement, and also to be told if he had a room Owen could crash in. Otherwise, he'd go out to his car.

Billy glanced at his father. He knew part of the reason Alan had allowed Claire to ramble on so long was so that Ian would have time to get to the house. It was important the two get that vaccine as soon as possible.

Alan nodded. "There's plenty of space here so you both can stay the night." There was a knock on the door and he rose to his feet, heading to the front door to open it. A quiet murmur of voices and then Alan was walking back into the room, Ian with the vaccine behind him.

Owen's and Claire's eyes both widened at seeing Owen's father.

"Da!" Owen quickly moved forward to hug the older man. "I just tried to call you!" he exclaimed, a bit surprised Ian was there.

Ian put the vaccine down and wrapped his arms tightly around his son. It was obvious how the tension went out of him just at being able to hold onto Owen, even though he didn't do anything to push his boy into a more submissive mindset. "I was trying to get hold of you," he whispered in Owen's ear, his voice still a bit ragged.

Owen heard the raggedness in his father's tone and could tell by the tight grip Ian had on him how worried the older man had been. He held on more tightly himself, to assure the Alpha that he was well and not hurt in any way. "My phone battery was dead, and I didn't realize. I'm sorry..." he whispered back, contrition and apology clear in his tone. He truly hadn't meant to worry the older man. "I left you a note… so you wouldn't worry..." he added hesitantly. For Ian to be this rattled, he couldn't have got the note. Otherwise, he would have known what was going on and would have probably been waiting for Owen to arrive at Alan Grant's house, instead of coming in two hours later. He couldn't imagine Ian wouldn't have found an earlier plane to catch if he knew where to go.

Ian shook his head, tightening his hold on his son. "I didn't get any note, son. I looked." His voice was tight with the remembered fear and worry. If they'd been alone, he wouldn't have hesitated in pulling Owen to him emotionally.

Owen pulled away for a few seconds to look into Ian's face, his own surprised and with a slightly stricken look. "You didn't find it? I left it on the table by the front door, so you would see it first thing when you got home...!" His voice trailed off as he realized the note must have blown off the table when he opened the door to leave. "...I'm sorry, Da... I didn't... I thought..." He swallowed, pulling his father in close again and holding onto him tightly. After he'd just 'disappeared' from the man's life two times before, only to almost end up dino-chow... he could only imagine what his father was thinking to come home and find the house empty and Owen apparently ‘running off without word’ again. "...I should have made sure the note was secure. Should have called you and left a message on your phone. Should have just asked; I know you wouldn't have disagreed with me helping Claire...." he whispered, as he thought of a slew of other options that might have prevented Ian going through the hell he'd apparently gone through with worrying about him.

Ian nodded, tightening his arms around Owen; not enough to hurt, but enough to make it clear he wasn't planning on letting go any time soon. Not if he could help it. "I thought I'd lost you again," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Alan cleared his throat; not wanting to interrupt, but figuring Ian had a similar way to him of dealing with wayward kids. "I got a shed out back, if you want to make use of it." That way, Ian and Owen would have privacy...and he and Claire would also have privacy.

Billy cleared his throat. "I'm gonna go into town. I'll crash at Chris's place..." he said to Alan, waiting just long enough for Alan to nod before grabbing his car keys and leaving.

Claire had been looking at Alan oddly for his comment about a shed, but when Billy quickly exited and left after the words, she looked completely confused. "Why would they need a shed? And why is Billy suddenly acting like he doesn't want to be here anymore?" Her questions were rapid and nervous.

Owen chuckled slightly at Claire's response, but it wasn't a happy sound and he didn't say anything. It was entirely up to Ian if they'd make use of the shed or not. After he'd worried his father so spectacularly, he wouldn't be able to blame the man if he took Owen to task right here, right now, in front of everyone. He knew he wouldn't- Ian wasn't one to deliberately humiliate him- but he wouldn't have been able to blame him if he had.

Ian still held his son tightly to himself, even as he nodded to Alan. He didn't even pretend not to understand what the other man was referring to. "Yeah. I think we'll make use of it." He began to lead Owen outside the house, leaving Alan to explain however he saw fit to Claire.

"What... why are they going to the shed? Why did Billy just leave? What's going on?" Claire demanded answers, but it was obvious she was rattled, confused and nervous.

Alan turned immediately to face Claire. "They're going to the shed so that Ian can talk to his son while I talk to you." He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, guiding her over to the couch to sit down and taking the seat next to her. "Has anyone said anything about the amount of dangerous stunts you've been pulling lately?"

Claire let Alan lead her to the couch without argument, still confused about why they'd need to go to the shed to talk. She blinked at Alan's question. "Dangerous stunts?"

"Considering everything that's happened, that you've told me about, do you think you've been handling things in the right way?" Alan asked. "A lot of people have been put in danger, including yourself, because you haven't thought things through."

Claire frowned. "I'm trying to clean up the mess that was left because of something someone else did. The Mesosaurus being loose in the ocean isn't my fault!" she protested, ignoring all the other things she'd deliberately ignored or pushed through when the park opened that helped to lead to the situation they were in now. If she faced up to all the things she'd handled wrong, she'd never be able to leave her bedroom and she needed to fix things. Not be swamped by depressed guilt.

"I'm not talking about the actions of other people," Alan said. "I'm talking about your own. In the last two hours, you've confessed a lot to me. A lot that you could have handled so much better than you did."

"I... I only did what I did to... to... " Claire faltered, not entirely certain which parts of her 'confession' Alan was taking exception to.  "...Do you not think we should try and rescue the creatures that are left? They're living beings. They didn't choose to be... those responsible for their birth are dead and I'm the next... or at least the second... in line to be responsible for them...." She was thoroughly confused by this point.

"We're not talking about the dinosaurs right now, Claire," Alan said. "This is about you and the actions you have taken."

***

Owen followed Ian without protest of any sort, making sure that he only stepped away enough to be able to walk, staying as firmly in Ian's grip as he was able. It wouldn't surprise him if, as soon as they were out of sight of the others, Ian threw him over his shoulder and carried him so as not to have his grip loosened at all. He wasn't going to suggest it, of course, but it wouldn't be the first time Ian had carried him if the older man took it into his head that Owen shouldn't be out of his grip even a little.

Ian's reluctance to embarrass his son lasted exactly as long as it took them to move out of sight of Alan and Claire; and then he grasped Owen, hoisting his boy up over his shoulder, one hand clasping Owen's bottom, giving it a few firm pats.

Owen barely grunted as he found himself hanging over his father's shoulder. He didn't fight or squirm either, immediately stiffening up enough so that it was easier to carry him, but otherwise relaxed enough that his father could do whatever he felt necessary. He let out a tiny whimper at the firm pats but managed not to whine. He knew he had a lot worse coming than pats. He'd obviously terrified his father again, even if he hadn't meant to.

Ian kept his boy in position as he walked to the shed, alternating between firmly patting and lightly swatting Owen's backside. Once they were inside, with the door closed, he set Owen down and began to strip him.

"...I'm sorry, da..." was all Owen said, as he held still and let himself be stripped bare. He only moved when necessary for Ian to remove something from him. Once he was completely naked and vulnerable, he let his gaze fall to the floor and stood tall and straight, so Ian could examine him and reassure himself that Owen wasn't injured in any way. It was humbling, being examined, but he knew his alpha would need to do it if he was going to calm down the rest of the way.

Ian began to examine and probe every part of his boy's body, touching and stroking Owen's cheek or scruffing his neck every so often. "I love you. My little cub," he whispered, pulling his boy close so that he could say it in his ear. "I thought I might have lost you again. I was terrified."

"I didn't mean to scare you, Alpha daddy..." Owen whispered, submitting to the thorough examination without even a twitch. As humbling as it was having his Alpha check him over this way, it gave him a sense of peace and belonging that he only got when his Dom was asserting full control and claiming every part of him by look or touch.

"I know, little boy, but you did." Ian stroked his cheek. "And you're going to get a spanking for those actions. But I'll still love you. I'll still forgive you."

Owen swallowed hard. "Yes, sir..." he whispered, slanting his head so his cheek pressed more firmly into Ian's hand. He didn't want a spanking and it was a bit upsetting that, despite leaving a note, he'd messed up so badly that he'd scared his father so completely, but he didn't argue. His alpha made all decisions regarding him and his body and what he would or wouldn't receive. If Ian felt he deserved a spanking, then he'd get a spanking. It was that simple. It felt wrong to argue, even if he hadn't meant to be naughty.

Ian drew Owen into a tight hug, kissing his cheek. "This is going to be difficult, my little boy," he whispered. "But you need to be more careful when you want to do something and I'm not there to talk to. I'm going to use a switch."

Owen's eyes immediately teared up and he closed them tight to avoid crying. "...Yessir..." he forced out, his voice quivering slightly and betraying how nervous the idea of the switch made him. "...I should have done everything different...I didn't mean to be naughty..." he finally said in a tiny voice, needing Ian to understand that, even if he deserved to be punished.

Ian tightened his embrace, hating how the sentence had clearly affected his boy, and kissed his head. "I love you. I forgive you. I won't let you go," he promised, kissing Owen's head.

Owen swallowed and shifted so he was leaning more on his alpha. "I know, da..." he whispered, choosing to react as Ian's child rather than his submissive. It was his father that he'd scared, after all, not his Dom; and even if the two were the exact same man and the two roles overlapped a lot in their relationship, at this moment, he was just a sorry boy who didn't want his daddy to be upset or worried anymore.

Ian kissed Owen's neck and held him a fraction tighter. "I can't lose you," he whispered. "I can't lose my little boy. And you need to help me keep you safe." This punishment was going to be hard on him to carry out, but he had to make sure this stuck in his son's mind. That Owen would think before taking off without making sure Ian knew where to find him. He retrieved his pack and then led his boy over to the bench, taking a seat and drawing Owen across his lap, holding him tight and secure with an arm wrapped around his waist.

Owen couldn't look his father in the eye at those words. He'd failed spectacularly when he'd decided to just leave a note. It wasn't like he didn't know better, either. He'd left notes the other two times and both times, his father had ended up frantic with worry. Why he couldn't remember and think of that was beyond him. "I'm sorry, da..." he whispered, obediently going over Ian's knee without a fight.

Ian gently rubbed Owen's lower back. "I know, son. But I need you to stop acting like this. I need you to stay safe." He brought out one of the things he'd picked up - a bottle of baby oil. It would allow him to make the punishment memorable without needing to be too severe, particularly given his decision to use the switch. Squeezing the nape of Owen's neck, he began to rub some of the oil into his boy's backside.

Biting his lip, Owen squirmed at the slickness of the oil being rubbed into his skin, glancing over his shoulder at his father uncertainly. "...Sir?" he asked hesitantly, a little nervously, because he'd been expecting to have his bottom made sore; not get what amounted to a massage. Ian was making certain the oil was completely absorbed and Owen's bottom was very sensitive after only a few moments of the attention.

Ian scruffed his boy. "This needs to be memorable, but not enough to cause any lasting damage." He kept his one hand at Owen's neck, while his other lifted and landed with a crisp smack; not anything like full force, but enough to be sure it was felt.

Owen let out a tiny huffing whine. The oil and rubbing had made him sensitive enough that what would normally have been just a firm smack felt like a full-force slap on his bottom. "...Yessir..." he managed to answer, his voice high-pitched and tight as he tried to keep from immediately breaking down and crying. It wasn't easy. He'd hurt his father. Upset his Alpha, his Dom. He'd been horribly naughty and the guilt from that had his emotions so tightly strung that he knew it wouldn't take more than a few more smacks and he'd begin bawling. And he knew he deserved more than just a few more smacks.

"I can't lose you, little boy. My naughty little boy." Ian settled into a pattern of the firm smacks, going down to Owen's thighs before he started over from the top again. His other hand firmly gripped Owen's neck, very possessively. "I was terrified for your safety when I came home and couldn't find my cub."

Owen let out a tiny sob at the words. Only the very firm grip Ian had on his neck, the possessiveness of it, enabled him to keep from squirming off his Alpha's lap. "I... I did it all wrong!" he admitted, crying through the words. "...Didn't want to scare you but did anyway!"

"You should have called me, my naughty little cub." Ian began a third circuit of swats, going a fraction harder and faster. When he reached Owen's thighs, he began to rub the skin he'd just swatted, his grip on his boy's neck firm and secure.

"I... I should have, alpha daddy... I should have called..." Owen agreed quickly, still crying. "...Shoulda made sure my phone was working..." he added in, shame clear in his tone that he hadn't done either of those things. His bottom was so sensitive now, the oil having allowed the spanking to be felt so much earlier and more intense than usual. The rubbing was just making it even more sensitive.

Ian rubbed a bit longer and then leaned over to retrieve the switch. He'd snapped it in half, so he would be able to use it without having to get Owen to stand. "You should have done both of those things, little boy. I've never left you without making sure you know exactly where I'll be and that you can easily get hold of me. Even when I'm at work." He brought the switch down, in a fairly light stroke.

Owen let out a strangled, tiny yelp, his body stiffening immediately. It wasn't a hard stroke as switchings could potentially be, but his bottom was already so sensitive that it didn't feel light. As much as it hurt, the only thing Owen could do was try and garble out an agreement with what his father had said; and feel even guiltier, because he knew the words were completely true. "...You always make sure... I shoulda made sure... I'm sorry, Alpha... sorry, daddy... so sorry...." He'd already been sobbing, the guilt too much to contain. He continued to do so, but it was like a string was cut and his body relaxed enough that Ian could punish him without risk of harming him, almost as if he wanted to be punished harshly. He didn't. Not really. But he felt so guilty....

Ian brought the switch down a second and third time, still at the same force, his other hand still gripping Owen's neck. "You frightened, and you hurt me, little boy. It made me remember the pain of coming close to losing you the last times. I couldn't know that you hadn't gone after one of the escaped dinosaurs."

Owen had already apologized. He'd explained what had happened, where he'd gone wrong. There wasn't anything more he could say or do except take his punishment without fight; and that's what he was doing, although it was becoming more and more difficult not to squirm or throw his hands back to cover his bottom. It went beyond sensitive; by the time the third stripe was given, his bottom was beginning to ache. But he'd done the same thing too many times to be let off easy. He deserved what he was getting, no matter how much it hurt. It wasn't even the pain that hurt the most- it was knowing what he'd done to his father. He sobbed a little harder, his body beginning to shake with the effort of holding still while crying so hard.

Ian used the switch six times in total and then stopped, dropping the implement and leaning over to wrap his arms tightly around Owen's body. "I love you. I love you so much," he whispered, kissing his son's head, shoulder and neck repeatedly. His voice was still hoarse, but moreso because punishing Owen like this had been hard. Harder than he'd ever anticipated. He never wanted to do that again.

"I'm sorry, Alpha daddy... so sorry... Love you... din wanna hurt you... din wanna scare you... so sorry..." Owen continued to sob, not moving at all; not only because he hadn't been given permission, but because his bottom was so sore, he was afraid to move. It might make it hurt worse and then he'd never stop crying like a baby.

Ian took a deep breath, his own emotions close to the surface, and hugged his boy tighter to himself. "You're home," he whispered, reiterating that he himself was Owen's home. He kept one arm tightly around his boy, even as he picked up the aloe gel he'd had the foresight to bring with him. He began to rub it into Owen's bottom and thighs.

Owen whimpered as Ian began to apply the gel. At first, the gentle rubbing wasn't soothing at all and his sobs became a tiny bit harder, even as they became quieter because he knew Ian was trying to take care of him and help him and he didn't want to upset his Alpha further.

"Good boy," Ian soothed, continuing to gently rub the gel in. "I know it doesn't feel like it, but this will help you feel better. I promise."

"...Yessir..." Owen whimpered again, slowly relaxing as his alpha's words began to happen like he'd said. His bottom still hurt more than it ever had, but the aloe gel being rubbed in so gently was soothing him enough that his sobs turned into regular crying and his body became pliant and less tense.

"I love you." Ian continued to rub the gel in, kissing Owen's head and his neck. "I've got you, my little cub. And when we go into the house and to bed, you're going to sleep wrapped up tight in my arms. Not able to get up without my permission."

"...Never wanna leave you again, da... eve'y time do, I mess up..." Owen admitted in a tear-hoarsened voice, finally able to stop crying but feeling weak and tired from the punishment and his reaction to it.

"I'm not going to let you leave me again, little cub," Ian whispered in his ear. "I'm not going to let you go."

"...Love you, alpha daddy... don' wanna be let go ever, ever, ever...." Owen shivered, slumping a little more. Ian was still rubbing in gel. While his bottom still hurt, it didn't hurt nearly as bad as it had been hurting. He didn't know if that was the gel and the rubbing, or if he was just too tired for the pain to sink in. It had been a very long day, after all. A very long day. With a lot of guilty emotion that... huh. He wasn't feeling so guilty anymore; although he did still feel a little guilty, just not as much. He slumped further still, his body becoming limp and pliant, accepting of Ian's attention and whatever Ian decided to do.

Ian kissed his neck and shoulder, then leaned over to pick up the vaccine. "I need you to hold still for me, my little cub," he murmured, hand gently gripping his boy's neck. "I love you and I know you can be brave for me." He didn't give any more warning than that before he tightened his hold on Owen and then gave him the injection.

Owen's eyes widened as he felt the needle go in, but he obediently held very still. And then he was unnaturally still... tense... as he remembered being shot with the tranquilizer and being unable to move. His breathing became labored, almost hesitant and it was obvious he was very scared.

"I know, little boy," Ian soothed, fingers still gripping Owen's neck securely. "But I'm your alpha daddy. I'm not going to leave you helpless, unable to move. I'm going to be right here. Holding onto you. Loving you."

Owen continued to hold unnaturally still, still afraid, although he did whine softly at his alpha's words. Was it safe to move? Was the needle still in him? Would it knock him out and leave him vulnerable like that tranquilizer had, when the lava was inches away from burning him alive? He whimpered pathetically again, tears beginning to stream down his face.

Ian continued talking softly and soothingly to his boy, until he could safely take the needle out. He then leaned over to wrap his arms tight and secure around his son once more. "Good boy," he whispered, kissing Owen's neck and shoulder. "My good boy."

"....O... over?" Owen's voice was pathetically childish, and it was obvious he was crying and close to sobbing again. "...Is over, daddy?" Even though it was obvious he was on the verge of completely losing control over himself, his emotions and his reactions, it was also just as obvious that he completely trusted Ian to take care of him.

"It's over," Ian promised. "No more needles. My good boy. My brave little boy. I've got you, my cub. I love you. You're safe. With me in my arms."

Owen immediately went limp, his body shaking. "...Hate needles, daddy!" he declared, in a tiny, choked sob, trying to regain control over his fear. It was easier with Ian holding so tightly to him. Ian holding him did make him feel safe.

"I know, little boy." Ian kissed his neck and his shoulder repeatedly, still holding tightly onto Owen. "But I'm here. I've got you. Daddy's here," he soothed. "Your alpha's here."

Slowly, Owen's shaking subsided and the tears stopped. "...I really needed the shot, daddy?" he asked in a tiny voice, needing to hear Ian tell him that it had been needed; that it hadn't just been part of the punishment.

"I wouldn't have given you the shot if you didn't need it, son," Ian promised. "I know you're scared of needles. And if you ever need a shot in the future, you won't have to suffer through it with anyone else. You'll always be safe in my hands."

"...Okay, daddy..." Owen whispered, a slightly sheepish tone in his voice as he realized he should have known that already without having Ian need to explain it to him. "...If I need more shots, you'll give them to me?" He focused on that last part of Ian's comments, feeling himself relax further and begin to feel safer and more loved at the realization that Ian would take care of him in whatever way he needed.

"I will. Always," Ian promised. "You won't ever have to suffer without your alpha daddy here to catch you when you fall." He shifted Owen, so he could cuddle his boy on his lap.

Owen burrowed against Ian, hiding his face against his father's chest and just holding onto him tightly. He only whimpered slightly when his sore bottom rubbed against Ian's pants and he gripped onto his alpha even more tightly, afraid that the whimper might cause the other man to move him and he wanted to be held like this. It was calming him down, being able to put his ear against the older man's chest and listen to Ian's heartbeat and breathing. Soothing. "...Need you so much..." he admitted, in a small voice.

"I need you, little boy. Need you so very much. I need my cub in my life...." Ian tightened his embrace, one hand gently rubbing over Owen's bottom while his other hand scruffed his boy.

Owen whimpered softly as Ian began to rub his sore bottom, but quickly relaxed in his Dom's arms with a quiet sniffle as the rubbing went from uncomfortable to comforting within a few moments. He shifted just enough that Ian could rub more easily, nuzzling against his father. "...Tired, alpha daddy..." he whispered against Ian's chest.

Ian kissed the back of his head and his neck. "I'm going to get you dressed, little cub, and then I'm going to carry you back into the house. Take you to the bedroom. And we'll cuddle up together on the bed."

"...Okay, daddy-sir..." Owen sniffled, hugged Ian a bit more tightly, then yawned.

Ian helped Owen to stand and then began to dress him, touching and stroking his face and neck every so often.

Owen was calm enough by this time that he was able to at least help his father dress him by moving when needed. He also managed to get through dressing without whimpering or whining, although he couldn't stop the wince.

As soon as Owen was dressed, Ian lifted him into his arms, cuddling him close and kissing his head. "I love you," he whispered.

"Love you too, daddy-sir...so much..." Owen almost slurred the words, putting his head on Ian's shoulder and promptly falling asleep. The punishment, guilt, high emotion, fear of the vaccine... Everything had just wiped him out. He was pale, there were faint trembles still going through him- though not as strong as when he'd been panicking- and obvious tear stains on his face. He looked completely at peace in Ian's arms, his trust in his father obvious.

Ian's embrace was tight and secure as he carried Owen inside, taking him upstairs and to their assigned room, where he quickly settled both of them on the bed, his boy sprawled on top of him.

****

Claire watched Owen disappear with his father before turning to face Alan. "Why do I get the feeling I won't like this conversation...?" she said nervously, twisting her shirt in her fingers.

"I have very specific ways of dealing with my family members when they do something they shouldn't. And there's a lot in that list you gave me." Alan trusted Claire to read between the lines.

Claire blinked. "You think of me as family?" she squeaked, focused entirely on that one part of his statement and not registering the part where she'd done stuff he'd deal with.

Alan nodded. "Exactly the same way I felt about Billy before I made it official and adopted him." Of course, that had also involved turning the younger man over his knee and blistering his backside for stealing those dino eggs... an action he figured Claire would benefit just as much from.

Claire swallowed and smiled as if Alan had just told her he'd bought her Isla Nublar for a birthday present. "That's just..." Her smile faltered as her brain finally remembered the rest of what Alan had said before she got so excited about being family. "I upset you... You think I handled things wrong..." She looked crestfallen at having disappointed him.

"I think you did a lot that was unnecessary and dangerous." Alan squeezed her shoulder. "I have an unconventional way of dealing with my kids when they've done something they shouldn't. I'm going to spank you."

Claire opened her mouth, then blinked and shut it again wordlessly. "That explains so much..." she muttered, then shook her head. "...Not the point, Claire..." She swallowed hard. "You think I took unnecessary, dangerous chances and now you believe I should be spanked because of my bad choices?" she finally asked, in a hesitant voice.

"I feel like you're my daughter, even if it's not been made official," Alan stated. "And my daughter deserves to be spanked for the dangerous stunts she pulled."

Claire blinked, then wiped her eyes quickly. "You're not wrong..." she whispered. She knew a lot of her choices and decisions had led to dangerous or even deadly behavior. No one had called her on it, though, so she'd felt free to continue on in that way. "You would have stopped me..." she added, fairly certain she was correct in that belief.

"And I'm going to stop you in the future," Alan said. "I'm going to stick with you from now on. You, me, Billy."

Claire sniffled and wiped her eyes again. "Part of me thinks I should be offended you've gone paternal on me and are treating me like a little girl when I'm a grown woman." She sniffled again. "The other part of me has been waiting too long for someone to call me on my bullshit and hold me accountable..." She let out a tiny laugh. "I know you're right, though. And I... I like that you've decided I'm your daughter. I like it a lot...." She carefully stood up and shifted so she was by Alan's knee. "When you finish spanking me, am I forgiven? Daddy...?" she whispered.

"Always," Alan promised, reaching up to stroke her cheek. He then gently grasped her wrist, so he could draw her across his knee, securing her with his arm wrapped around her waist before he bared her.

Claire cooperated fully, though she couldn't help but whimper as she was bared, her skin turning a shade of red to rival her hair. "Does it matter that I didn't know I wasn't s’posed to do stuff like that, when I was doing it? Or at least I didn't know I could get into trouble for it?" she asked, in a tiny voice.

"That doesn't make a difference, especially as you know you weren't supposed to do stuff like that." Alan rubbed her back a moment before he brought his hand down in the first firm swat that he then repeated.

Claire's quick intake of breath and tiny whimper were the only signs she gave that she felt the first swat. Of course, that changed with the second swat. She couldn't help herself and began squirming. It really hurt!

Alan settled quickly into a pattern of swats, going down to her thighs before starting over from the top again. Midway through the second circuit, he began to speak. "You've accepted that you're my daughter now. Means you won't be getting away with these dangerous stunts again in the future. If anything else happens, you'll wind up straight back here."

"Yes, daddy... No more stunts... If I... If I need to do something and don't know if it's allowed, I'll even... Even ask you first!" Claire said, in a high-pitched voice, before whimpering and whining, helplessly squirming as her bottom was warmed.

"Good. I'm very glad to hear that." Alan began a third circuit of swats, going a fraction harder and faster, tightening his hold on her.

"Ow! Da... daddy! Please! Hurts... I'll be good! I will! Will be good girl!" Claire was horrified to find herself begging for the spanking to end. So much for being a grown woman. But then she was also crying. Hard. Sobbing. What was wrong with her? She squirmed frantically, suddenly afraid of how out of control and out of her element she was.

Alan simply tightened his hold on her, drawing her in closer and tighter against his stomach. "You're mine now. I won't let you risk yourself. Risk taking yourself away from me."

"I won't! I won't, daddy! I'll he good! I'll be... I'll be go… good..." Claire finally realized she wasn't getting away and the spanking wasn't ending until her father decided she'd learned her lesson. Tired of struggling, she finally accepted that it was out of her hands and just slumped, crying loudly enough Alan could hear, but not so loud she couldn't hear him.

Bringing the spanking to a stop, Alan wasted no time in drawing his daughter up and into his arms, wrapping them around her tightly and kissing her head. "It's over. You're forgiven," he said gently.

Claire remained tense and nervous in Alan's arms... until he'd said she was forgiven. As soon as she heard those words... knew that there was nothing between her and her father any longer... she just slumped boneless in his arms, crying softly and snuggling as close as she was able.

Alan hugged her tightly to himself, speaking softly and soothingly to her. "It's all right. It's over now," he said gently.

Claire finally calmed enough that she wasn't crying, was only sniffling slightly, but she continued to cling to Alan with her head on his shoulder. "I hafta be careful now..." she said, in a tiny voice. "...Don't wanna be in trouble with you..." she admitted. She snuggled some more. "Will you help us? If you help us, mebbe I can keep out of trouble easier...." She glanced up at Alan, an impish look in her eye that gave away the fact she knew she was being manipulative, but also gave away the fact that she really wanted him to help; if only so she could spend more time with him now that she was his.

"I already made that decision," Alan promised. "I'm going to help you." He stroked her hair. "You're not going to get very far trying to convince Ian, though. His son might have more luck in that department."

Claire nodded, snuggling closer yet, the gentle petting making her drowsiness harder to fight. "You and Dr. Malcolm knew each other from before, didn't you? Do you think you might sway him? I'm afraid he's more likely to convince Owen not to help, than the other way around. Unless we find Blue."

"He never wanted to be involved with dinosaurs again," Alan replied. "Blue might be a different matter entirely, if he's aware of how important she is to Owen. But we all had a lot of bad experiences originally and I know he never agreed with bringing them back again."

"Did you?" Claire asked, in a hesitant voice. She may not have been directly involved in the decision to bring them back, but she'd got completely involved when it came to the park itself. She'd viewed it as a step-up career wise. It wasn't until the Indominus Rex had gotten loose and created havoc- and she'd seen the animals up close and suffering from the Indominus' attacks- that she'd seen them as more than assets to be manipulated and maneuvered. It was why she was trying to help them now. If Alan had been against them being bred as well, what must he think of her completely selfish short-sightedness? Well, she knew a little about how he felt about it; at least where it came to her taking chances because of it. She shifted slightly, her bottom twinging. But the spanking hadn't been about her previous views of the dinosaurs or her participating in helping egotistical scientists and rich men play God.

"I'd had firsthand experience with just how dangerous they were, but I didn't speak out against it like Ian did," Alan said. "If someone had asked for my opinion, I would have stated what I thought. But I agree with you that, now the dinosaurs are here, they deserve a chance to live in peace and safety."

Claire relaxed at those words. Her father might not have agreed with what was done, but at least he wasn't against her helping to try and make things right. "Maybe Dr. Malcolm thinks the same way..." She sighed, slumping sleepily against Alan. "...I think his biggest concern is Owen. Every time Owen helps us, he almost gets eaten..." She sighed again.  "...So do I, for that matter. Maybe if both of you are helping, that won't happen...."

Alan gently rubbed her arm. "I know you're sleepy, but you need to have your shot before bed," he whispered to her. "You can stay in my room afterwards."

Claire winced at the reminder of the shot but nodded. "Okay, daddy... what do I need to do?"

"Just hold still for me." Alan picked up the needle and carefully gave her the shot.

Claire closed her eyes tight and held completely still, waiting until Alan told her to move. He was good at giving shots- she wondered where he'd learned- at least she assumed he was. She couldn't feel the needle going in and with her eyes closed, she wasn't certain if the shot had even been given yet.

Alan carefully withdrew the needle. "There. All done. Good girl," he said, stroking her hair.

Claire relaxed as soon as Alan said he was finished, opening her eyes and giving him a tiny smile. "...Thank you, daddy..." she whispered, letting her head fall onto his shoulder. "...I can stay with you tonight?" she asked hesitantly, to confirm.

Alan kissed her head. "Of course. And I think we'd better move to bed now," he added, knowing she must be tired.

"Yessir..." Claire smiled, snuggling closer for a moment before carefully standing and fixing her clothes. Since he had said she would stay with him, she waited for him to direct her to the room.

Alan stood as well, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and guiding her up the stairs to his own room.

***

When Owen woke the next morning, he was completely naked and wrapped around Ian like an octopus. It was surprising; not the fact he was naked or that he was wrapped around the older man, but the fact he didn't remember coming back to the house, let alone going upstairs to the bedroom, stripping down and crawling in to cuddle with his alpha daddy. He shifted, unable to stop the tiny whimper that escaped when his very sore bottom reminded him that he'd been very naughty.

Ian stirred when he felt his boy moving, gently stroking down Owen's back and bottom. "I've got you, little cub," he whispered.

Owen whimpered again as Ian rubbed his bottom, shivering slightly at the sting, but settling once he realized it was helping ease the pain somewhat. He nuzzled his father's chest. "...When'd we get to bed?" he asked, voice still heavy with sleep and with a hint of confusion.

"It was a while after midnight, little cub," Ian whispered, kissing his head. "If you drape across my lap, I can rub in some more of that gel. It'll help the soreness."

"Okay, alpha daddy..." Owen whispered, shifting so that Ian could sit up. He then lay over his Alpha’s lap as directed. He glanced over his shoulder briefly, trying to see if his bottom looked as sore as it felt, but quickly faced forward when he noticed Ian watching him, blushing at having been caught looking at his own backside.

Ian gently scruffed Owen's neck, even as he began to carefully rub the aloe gel into his boy's backside once more. "Don't be embarrassed, little cub," he said, stroking and caressing over Owen's back.

"...Caught me lookin'... "Owen mumbled, abashed. "...Suddenly felt weird...being curious bout if I was red or not..." he admitted sheepishly.

Ian stroked his lower back, continuing to rub the gel into his bottom. "You were red last night. Pink now."

Owen was quiet for a few moments, only letting out occasional soft whines when a particularly sensitive or sore spot was rubbed. He finally said, in a contrite tone, "...I hope I never do anything to deserve anything but your hand ever again..." He paused, then continued, "...I don't think it really hurt that much worse; but it seemed horribly worse... dunno why.... Would rather be spanked harder 'n longer with your hand...." He swallowed but finished, blushing again. "...But I don't wanna do anything to deserve being spanked like that ever again......"

"I hope you never do as well, little cub," Ian said seriously. "I don't like to cause you pain, even when it's necessary. But I'll always take care of you afterwards. I'll never leave you alone. I won't ever let you go."

"...Thank you, da..." Owen whispered. "...For takin' care of me...pulling me back to you when I'm actin like a lil' fool..." He swallowed hard. "Even if I do mess up bad 'nuff you need ta spank me hard again? I think I feel safer bein' with you and knowin' yer gonna spank me than I ever will being without you...."

Ian leaned down to wrap his arms tightly around his boy. "Good. Because I can't live without you in my life," he whispered. "It's why I've been so scared and worried each time you've disappeared. Losing you...losing my cub...would be absolutely devastating."

"I'll try to remember... notes not good. Don't work. Call you when I wanna go somewhere. Get permission. Even if I think you won't mind... but especially if I know you will..." Owen mumbled, shifting enough to snuggle against his father. "I'm sorry I was so thoughtless, sir... didn't get switched half as long as I 'spected to when I've done this same thing so many times. You're good to me...."

Ian kissed his head, neck and shoulder, tightening his embrace. "I wouldn't willingly hurt you, my little cub. But I'm afraid the grounding is going to be extended. And when I'm not in the house, you'll have a list of tasks to do and I'll call in to check on you every so often."

Owen sighed softly, leaning into his father's affection. "...That's fair. Can't help think I asked for worse... so... chores and...?" He glanced over his shoulder at Ian, wondering if he'd lost privileges for electronics and any phone privileges except to talk to his father.

"It'll be mostly chores. I might well ask you to do something for me when I check in," Ian replied. "You'll be able to earn rewards for good behaviour."

Owen smiled crookedly at that. "...Just like a little kid earning an allowance..." he chuffed in amusement. Truly, it didn't bother him; he knew that when it was just him and his father, he tended to act very childlike and submissive. Most of the time. His and Ian's relationship really defied labels.

"You are my little boy," Ian whispered, kissing his neck. "My little cub."

Owen moved his head so his neck was more open to Ian's affection, blushing faintly at how needy he was being, but not caring enough to stop. He liked when Ian kissed, caressed and held him tight. It felt good. Safe. "...Yeah..." he said softly. "...I'm your little boy... for always..." he agreed.

"I'm never going to let you go. Never going to let anything take you away from me." Ian kissed his neck again, then gently scruffed him.

Owen let out a tiny, satisfied humming noise; somewhere between a whimpering whine and a moan.  "...Yours... all of me b'long to you..." he said quietly, letting himself loosen up so Ian could move him however he wanted.

Ian carefully rolled Owen onto his back, so they could be eye to eye, raising his boy's legs so the weight was off his sore bottom. "Every part of you belongs to me."

Owen smiled trustingly up at Ian, pulling his legs up so his knees were close to his shoulders and held them in place. "I belong to you. My reactions, my feelings, my thoughts...." He swallowed. "...Can't keep them from you. Can't hide them...."

"And you shouldn't. Not ever." Ian stroked Owen's cheeks and then down over his throat. "I'm your daddy alpha. I take care of you."

Owen pressed his face against Ian's hand before tilting his head to expose his throat. "...Love you, Alpha Daddy..." he whispered.

Ian ran his fingers over his boy's throat, gently squeezing, careful not to harm while being possessive. "I love you. You're safe. I've got you." He gently rubbed Owen's bottom.

Owen kept his eyes open wide and on Ian's face so his Alpha could see how affected he was. The rubbing was comforting and felt so good, he was doing the human equivalent of purring. "Yours, Alpha..." he whispered.

"Mine. My good little cub," Ian whispered, still stroking and rubbing Owen's body, keeping his eyes on his boy.

"Always yours...your little cub..." Owen agreed softly, smiling at Ian.

Ian ran his fingers down Owen's throat and over his chest. "I love you." He pulled a pillow over, so he could tuck it under his boy's head, so it wasn't uncomfortable for Owen to tip his head back.

"Love you too, da... So much it scares me sometimes..." Owen admitted.

"Why do you think that is?" Ian asked gently, stroking his cheek.

"I've lost a lot of people...friends...family. I don't know if I'd survive losing you." Owen swallowed.

"You won't lose me if I can do anything about it," Ian promised. "I'll stay alive and safe for you, my little cub."

"Thank you, Da... And I'll do the same for you," Owen promised. "With you in charge, I should have no problem with it..." His smile was impish.

Ian leaned over to kiss his forehead. "I'll make sure you keep thinking about your own safety, little boy."

"Yessir..." Owen slanted his head, letting it relax on the pillow and opening his throat to Ian. His legs fell open further the more he relaxed, leaving his chest, belly and groin vulnerable.

Ian continued to stroke and caress his boy's body, using lighter, more softer touches when he touched Owen's backside. He didn't shy away from Owen's more intimate areas either, repeating, "Mine," every so often.The more possessive Ian was, the more he touched and rubbed, the more intimate the touch, the more Owen relaxed and submitted. He was completely limp over Ian's lap, arms and legs splayed open so every part of him was vulnerable. Every time Ian stroked or squeezed a part of his body and declared, 'mine', Owen responded, "Yours."

"My good little boy," Ian whispered, touching and squeezing and stroking. "My good little cub." He leaned over to press soft kisses along his boy's skin, covering a similar path to the one his hands had taken.

Owen let out tiny whimpers, quivering at the feather-light kisses. He felt closer to Ian, more like he fully belonged, with each one.

Ian held his boy securely and tightly, one hand gently squeezing and stroking his neck even as he continued to press the soft kisses against his boy's skin.

"Yours... Belong to you, Alpha... Your good cub..." Owen whimpered softly.

Ian gave his neck a reassuring squeeze and then carefully moved Owen onto the bed, no longer across his lap, so he could touch and squeeze and caress and kiss more thoroughly.

Owen let out a soft moan but stayed exactly as Ian placed him, arms and legs akimbo with his legs raised enough to have his bottom exposed along with his front. He belonged to his Alpha and he wouldn't block any part of himself. Ian could do whatever he wanted, and Owen would accept it. He had to admit the kisses made him feel valuable and cherished, though. He whispered as much.

Ian gently stroked down Owen's front, murmuring softly, "Good. Because that's exactly what you are."

Owen gave Ian an almost bashful smile. He didn't know what the plan was for the day. If they would immediately head home, or stay for Ian to catch up with Alan, or what would happen. He didn't really care. His alpha was in charge. He'd get up when told, get dressed when told, eat when told. It was out if his hands.

Ian kissed and caressed a bit more, then helped his boy to stand. "We'll dress and then go down to join Alan and Claire...have breakfast," he decided.

"Yessir..." Owen immediately agreed. He waited for Ian to indicate if he should dress himself or let him dress him.

Ian began to dress his boy, kissing his cheek and stroking his neck periodically. Once he was dressed as well, he said, "I won't sit you on my lap and feed you in front of the others, unless you'd prefer them to see our relationship."

Owen bit his lip indecisively. He didn't want Ian to think he was ashamed of what they had. At the same time, he wasn't sure Claire would understand. It had been difficult enough that Lockwood and Eli knew; he didn't really care if they understood. He cared about Claire. "I don't know what's best, sir.... Please decide for me?" he whispered.

Ian wrapped his arms tightly around Owen. "You react to me differently to how you react to everyone else. If we can, perhaps it's better to keep that part of our relationship between us." He kissed his boy's ear. "Unless, of course, you need to push in front of anyone and then I will step in," he promised.

Owen relaxed at Ian's decision. It made sense. "Yessir... I hope I don't push in front of others... Would be dis'pectful... Don't wanna be dis'pectful..." he mumbled softly.

"I know. And I'm sure you won't be." Ian kissed his cheek and scruffed his neck, then got dressed himself before leading Owen out of the room, hand resting lightly on his boy's shoulder.

When Owen and Ian got to the kitchen, Billy looked up from the stove where he was making breakfast for everyone. He'd got back thirty minutes earlier and, not seeing anyone up yet, assumed that they'd had a late night and decided to get food ready for when they finally roused. "Morning, Dr. Malcolm. I didn't really get a chance to talk to you last night. It's good to see you again...." He smiled. He'd had a few classes with Owen's father before he'd taken his internship with Alan. Ian had been one of the first to congratulate them when Alan had decided to make him a legal part of his family.

Owen glanced between the two men curiously. Billy was several years older than him and had already graduated and taken a position working with Dr. Grant by the time Owen had taken his classes from Malcolm, but he knew enough about his father's old friend to know Billy had been through similar experiences to his own with dinosaurs. As soon as Billy turned his grin on him, he knew they'd be fast friends. "So, where's Uncle Alan, cousin?" He grinned at Billy impishly, glancing out of the corner of his eye to see what Ian's reaction to his question would be.

Billy barked out a laugh. "Dad should be down soon. I suspect I'm about to get a baby sister, so if he's awake, he's most likely taking care of last minute details...." He snorted. He wasn't sure how he felt about his ex-lover turning into his sister, but they weren't together any longer and had no intention of ever being together that way again, so he supposed it wouldn't be too weird.

Ian smiled in amusement at that. "It'll probably be good for all of you," he commented; aware of the potential problems, but also that Claire needed someone to rein her in as much as Owen had. It was a good thing that it was Alan. After all, they had very similar ways of dealing with their kids.

"How have the digs been going?" Ian asked Billy.

Billy huffed as he began to stir the eggs in the pan. "I swear, I must be getting old. The kids that are on the dig this summer... If I was ever that bad at following orders, then I owe dad a big apology. They're so busy taking selfies of them with the bones they find, it's a wonder any of it ever gets catalogued!" he griped, but then reconsidered. "...Well...there are two students who actually are taking it very seriously. I'm thinking of taking one of them on as an intern and am going to suggest dad take on the other...." He gave Ian a chagrined look. "It's difficult, though. We deal in the past and with what InGen has done, the past is now the present and future... Part of me is afraid every time we find a new set of bones that we may have found something that InGen will want to use to make something sinister...." He frowned.

Owen frowned at that, knowing that Billy wasn't too far off with his worries. InGen had done exactly that. Still. "I'm not sure how much InGen will be able to do; at least for the next few years, anyway. After their latest fiasco, the governments of the world are watching them too closely for them to get up to much. At least that's the theory. Where there's a will there's a way and all..." He sighed.

"They haven't learned from the mistakes of the past and I doubt they'll have learned from the mistakes made this time." Ian shook his head. "I might have wanted to distance myself from all of it, but considering I have a son who keeps getting neck deep into dinosaur trouble, perhaps it's time I changed my stance." The look he directed towards Owen was fond and affectionate.

"Glad to hear that. Means I have to do less talking to convince you," Alan commented, walking into the kitchen with Claire.

Owen grinned sheepishly at his father. "I only get neck deep because Claire keeps dragging me back!" he protested, pointing at his ex-girlfriend and giving her a mock-glare, his eyes twinkling.

"Hey now! You know darn well you wouldn't have given me the time of day if it hadn't been Blue involved!" Claire protested in defense of herself, but she was also grinning.

"Blue?" Billy glanced between the two, younger people before looking toward Ian and Alan for an answer.

"Blue is Owen's raptor. Or was. He's her alpha." Ian didn't say the words with any judgement or question in his tone. After all, he was Owen's alpha. Both of them had made peace with that and he knew it fulfilled both of their needs.

Billy blinked at that. "You trained a raptor?"

Owen scratched his ear and blushed. "Trained might be too strong a word... I raised her and her siblings from the egg. They imprinted on me. I somehow convinced them to listen to me and taught them some things that made it easier to care for them...."

"Blue saved our lives from the Indominus... and then again from the Indo-Raptor!" Claire interjected loyally.

"She's running loose now, though, isn't she?" Alan glanced towards his daughter and nephew for confirmation.

Ian nodded. "The biggest concern for me isn't Blue herself, but who might be willing to use her to further their own ends. I agree that the safest place for her will be on the island Lockwood and Eli have put together."

"I'm worried someone will kill her before giving her a chance..." Owen said, his voice soft and full of the worry he'd just admitted to.

Claire bit her lip. "We'll find her first and get her to a safe place..." she asserted, even though there was no way she could promise such a thing. "It's one of the things we need your help with, daddy..." She turned to look at Alan.

Alan nodded his agreement and then smiled at Ian. "What do you say, brother? She's important to your son. Kind of makes her a dinosaur granddaughter, wouldn't you say?"

"I might not agree with any of the companies' actions, but you're right," Ian said. "It's not fair on the dinosaurs who didn't ask to be created to just be abandoned. But I want to make sure this is safe for everyone involved."

"Yeah..." Billy nodded, remembering his own experience with dinos. "If it's a choice between the dinos and people... Between them and you..." He glanced at Claire, suspecting she was the one who would argue most. While it was clear Owen loved Blue... It was just as clear that he understood it might not be possible to save her.

Alan nodded. "That's the choice we all have to be prepared to make if we're going to try doing this."

"But... I don't think..." Claire started.

Owen interrupted, "No, Claire. As much as it'd tear me up if Blue got taken down, the only way we're doing this is if we all agree. People, including us, come first. If you can't agree... Then I'm out...."  Owen's face was firm and immovable. Only someone touching him would be able to tell he was trembling faintly. Only someone looking at him closely and into his eyes would be able to tell how much it was costing him to take that stance. Blue was pack...his girl. He hadn't been exaggerating to say losing her would tear him up.

Ian took a step closer to Owen; enough to move into his son's personal space, for their bodies to brush against each other. He didn't speak. He just stayed close enough for them to touch, able to tell how difficult this was for him. As soon as they were alone, he'd reassure his boy through touch.

Alan noticed the movement and thought he had a good idea of what was going on here. He might not have seen what happened between the two of them last night, but it had been obvious, at least to him, that Owen and Ian's relationship had more to it than simply father and son. "We'll do what we can to save them all, but prioritising people's safety is the only way any of us are going to be able to help."

Letting out a defeated sigh, Claire reluctantly nodded. "Okay... It's not like I was planning to put them first at the risk of innocent people...."

"No. Just put yourself at risk, right?" Billy snorted softly as he brought out two platters; one with eggs and bacon, one with pancakes. He set them on the dining table where glasses of juice and plates and cutlery already sat. "Chow's on..." he said needlessly.

Claire had the decency to blush. She couldn't say Billy was entirely wrong.

Owen relaxed as he felt Ian against him. Billy and Claire hadn't seemed to notice his near melt-down, although Alan had a knowing look in his eye. Owen shot his father a grateful smile for the physical show of emotional support. He waited for Ian to move to the table before following, intending to sit next to the older man. It was a small table, so it would be very cozy. He relaxed further at that. No one would think it odd if they sat close enough that they were pressed together, since the table was small.

"That won't be happening," Alan said firmly, taking a seat between Claire and Billy, even as he addressed his daughter. "You're mine now and I won't let you put yourself at risk any more than I would let Billy."

Sitting down next to Owen, Ian gently squeezed his son's thigh under the table.

Claire's eyes widened at that and she blushed again, faintly, glancing at Billy and Owen for their response to Alan's declaration.

Owen was too busy giving his eggs a ravenous look, so he didn't have anything to say; not that he would. It was obvious he let Ian boss him around now, so he wouldn't find it odd Alan bossing her around.

Billy was grinning ear to ear, like he was amused and agreed with their father.

Ian didn't react much, just pressed closer to his son and ate his own breakfast, periodically squeezing Owen's thigh under the table; to make sure his boy knew his daddy alpha was there.

The group was quiet as they ate, but as soon as he was finished eating, Billy cleared his throat. "So, we'll help. I'll call Eli and let him know. We can set up a time for later this week to either meet up, or Skype and make a plan. Going to need to make sure we have something in place for our students if we need to take off suddenly, anyway...."

"Yes. Right now, everything is hypothetical anyway. We have to locate the creatures before we can capture and relocate them...." Claire agreed.

"So... we don't need to stay?" Owen asked hesitantly. He didn't want to seem ungrateful to Alan or Billy, but he needed to go home. Be with his alpha.

Alan nodded, not missing that Owen and Ian needed to be alone together; even if he didn't know all of the details. "Yeah. We can keep in touch in the meantime. If any of us think of anything." He rested his hand on Claire's shoulder. "You'll stay here. If you need anything, we can swing by town later. Pick it up."

Claire blinked, but nodded. "Yeah. That's a good idea..." she agreed quickly. She wanted to spend time with her family...adjust to having a living father again.

Billy began to gather all the dishes to clean up. "I'll clean up here, if you need to take care of any last minute items. I can drive you back to the airport in thirty minutes if you want to go home this morning...." he offered, not wanting them to feel pushed out, but sensing they wanted to go home as soon as possible.

Ian nodded. "There are things we need to take care of at home, so going home this morning would be better." He trusted Owen to speak up if his son needed to stay for a bit longer.

"Need to get things ready for when we finally locate Mossy and Blue..." Owen agreed quietly.

Alan moved to give his son a hand clearing the table and then took Claire to one side so they could make a list of what she needed.

It didn't take long for cleanup or for Owen and Ian to grab their belongings. The whole group decided to drive to the airport together; Billy, Claire and Alan would be going shopping as soon as they'd dropped Ian and Owen off. "We'll call you with a time for all of us to meet on Skype. Soon as I talk to Eli." Billy smiled.

Ian nodded. "If you need us for anything else, you know how to reach us." He stayed close to Owen, so his son could feel his presence, throughout the drive. Then, as soon as they reached the airport, he lightly stroked his boy's arm and then got out of the vehicle.

Owen gave a brief wave but didn't even wait for the car to pull away before he climbed the stairs into the tiny plane. He noted Ian exchanging business cards with Alan and then his father was following him. Ten minutes later, they were up in the air, but it was a further five minutes before the pilot called over the intercom and told them it was safe to move around.

Owen glanced at Ian for the barest of seconds and then he was standing, toeing off his shoes, then pushing his jeans and underwear down and off, pulling his shirt off and leaving everything in a pile near their seats. He then crawled over Ian's lap, bottom up and in perfect position for attention. "Yours, alpha daddy... Yours... Need you..." he whispered, his voice stressed. His bottom was still sore from being punished and he knew there were still faintly pink lines from the switch, though they'd be gone by the end of the day. "...Mark me... show me I belong...?" This time, he sounded stressed, needy and begging.

Ian didn't hesitate, one hand scruffing his boy's neck and his other beginning to rub and lightly squeeze Owen's bottom. "You belong to me, little cub," he whispered, stroking and kneading and rubbing; giving a firm pat every so often. "Your alpha daddy is right here. I've got you. You're home."

Owen immediately relaxed as Ian asserted his control and possession, a tiny whimper escaping before he let himself go limp over Ian, tiny moans and quivers escaping; a gift to the man taking care of him so carefully.

"You're home, little boy," Ian promised, stroking and rubbing Owen's bottom and down his thighs. His other hand remained firmly scruffing Owen's neck, squeezing and stroking.

"...Home... Always home with you..." Owen mumbled, lifting his bottom up a little more so his sit spots were also vulnerable to Ian's whim.

Ian began to firmly pat his boy's sit spots, gently squeezing his thighs. "I've got you, my cub. You're mine. And you won't ever get taken from me." His voice was low, but very possessive.

"...Yours, yours, all yours..." Owen agreed fervently, wiggling slightly and letting his legs open slightly so more of him was exposed and vulnerable.

Ian began to gently stroke Owen's inner thighs, delivering a few firm pats before he turned back to his boy's bottom, alternating between them as he rubbed, stroked, patted and caressed. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Owen's neck and shoulders.

Owen shivered, arching up into the kiss and whimpering. "...Yours..." he whined.

"Mine," Ian whispered. "For always. Every single part of you." He began to intersperse slightly harder pats, almost light swats, as he pressed light, gentle kisses to his boy's skin.

Owen let out tiny moans and whimpers. The stress had eased from his body, he was loose and pliant, moving only enough to make himself more vulnerable to Ian. "...Always yours..." he moaned softly.

Ian touched, stroked, kissed and caressed his boy's body, every time he touched or stroked saying softly, "Mine. You belong to me."

Owen eventually settled, just letting out tiny happy chirps at the affection. "...Love you, alpha daddy..." he whispered.

"I love you, little boy. My little cub. So very much." Ian gently swatted his backside, careful to only rub and stroke over the marks left by the switch.

"...Sorry I was so naughty yesterday..." Owen found himself repeating. He'd seen the marks in the mirror when getting dressed and they had reminded him that he'd been a little shit toward his Dom. He'd been feeling guilty about it all morning and felt like he needed Ian to take complete control for things to be right.

"You've been forgiven, little cub," Ian whispered in his ear. "I love you. I still love you. And I still want you. You're still mine." He pressed light, gentle kisses along Owen's back. "No matter what."

"...You were..." Owen sniffled as he tried to think of the right word. "...You were merciful... deserved more 'n six stripes... Deserved to hurt for hurting you..." Owen whispered, voice filled with self-loathing.

"I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt my little cub." Ian kissed his shoulder; gently stroked his hand over the marks left by the switch. "I was scared for your safety, little boy. I'm not hurting anymore. I promise."

Owen swallowed. "...You're 'kay now?" he asked in a tiny voice. "Don't wanna hurt you, alpha daddy... Don't wanna, but I did 'n I feel so guilty ‘bout it...."

"You don't need to feel guilty, little cub." Ian kissed his ear and the back of his neck. "I'm not hurting. I'm happy that I've got you with me. That you're here and safe in my arms." He gently patted Owen's bottom. "That you're safe across my lap."

As serious as the conversation was, as guilty as Owen felt for having hurt his father, he couldn't help the tiny giggle that escaped when his father kissed his ear. Ian's words and gentle pat following helped ease his guilt somewhat. "You're happy now?" he asked, for confirmation.

"I'm very happy now," Ian promised, kissing his other ear. "I love you. I've got the most important person in my life safe in my arms...letting me give him attention and love. Even though you were naughty, you're not now. You're my good boy."

Owen giggled again as his other ear was kissed, blushing as he made the sound. "Tickles, daddy-sir..." He smiled crookedly at his alpha. "...Wanna keep being good for you..." he added, in a lower, more serious tone.

"I'm certain you will." Ian kissed the back of his neck, gently rubbing over his bottom. "And I'm very proud of you for what you said today, little cub. I know how difficult it was. I know how much Blue means to you."

Owen swallowed hard and bit his lip. "She means lots ‘n lots to me... can't ‘spect anyone to be in danger to save her. Don't wan’ that. I...  mighta put m’self in danger ‘ore, but... don't wanna hurt you… that’d hurt you, so...." He shifted slightly. "… yours now... Don't hafa right to take chances that'd take me from you. Not less you give me permission...."

"I'll help you, little boy." Ian ran his fingers over Owen's inner thighs, gently squeezing. "You are mine. And I can't lose you. But we'll work on getting to Blue and bringing her safely to the island. In the meantime, she's resourceful enough to survive. You trained her...and you've done a good job of coming back home."

"…had a really strong reason to succeed..." Owen said softly, his voice fond. "Can I turn over, sir? So I can see you?"

"Yes, son." Ian helped him to turn over, leaning over to kiss his forehead as soon as Owen was face up. "I love you. My good little boy."

"I love you, alpha daddy..." Owen smiled serenely, looking into his Dom's eyes.

Ian gently stroked his neck, beginning to press kisses over his chest and stomach. "I have you, little boy. You're home."

Owen sighed happily. "You're my home, alpha daddy...."

"For always," Ian promised, adjusting Owen's position enough so that he could stroke and rub, kissing Owen's head, neck, chest and stomach.

Owen slumped, his head falling back enough to leave his throat completely vulnerable, his limbs splayed wide so his entire body was open for Ian to control, touch... whatever he chose. "I'm home..." he whispered.

Ian ran his fingers over Owen's throat and down his neck, then gently kissed along the same path, touching and stroking intimately and possessively.

"...My throat's yours..." Owen whispered, as Ian's fingers then lips caressed over his neck.

"Good boy," Ian whispered back, caressing and then kissing his boy's shoulders.

"Mmm... My shoulders belong to you...my alpha daddy..." Owen's whisper was a little wobbly.

Ian smiled, stroking and kissing along his chest. "Exactly right, little cub."

Owen smiled crookedly, his eyes twinkling at his Dom. "My chest belongs to you, alpha daddy..."

Ian continued in the same vein down to Owen's hips, adjusting himself and his boy so neither needed to be contorted into unnatural shapes.

"...My hips belong to you, sir..." Owen wiggled his hips slightly, smiling innocently up at Ian.

Smiling, Ian stroked and kissed along his stomach, murmuring variations of, "My good boy," and, "My good cub," every so often.

Owen took a quickly inhaled breath and barely managed not to giggle. "My tummy belongs to you, sir..." He swallowed, his stomach quivering faintly.

Ian shifted him slightly, stroking and kissing down his thighs.

Owen whimpered, his legs widening. "...Thighs are yours..." His voice caught in his throat and he had to swallow hard.

Ian's thumb stroked the side of Owen's cheek and he kissed his boy's forehead. "I've got you, little cub," he whispered.

Owen gave Ian a completely trusting smile, pressing up into Ian's hand and the kiss. "I know you do, Daddy-Sir...."

At that moment, the captain's voice came over the intercom. "We will be landing in thirty minutes. Please prepare yourselves by putting away electronic equipment...."

Ian kissed his boy's cheeks and then helped Owen to stand, so he could dress his son. "We'll continue at home, little cub," he promised.

"Yessir..." Owen quickly responded, moving however Ian needed to finish dressing him as quickly as possible. Finally, all that were left were his shoes. It would be easier if he put those on himself, but he was reluctant to do anything without his Dom's orders, so he gave Ian a questioning look.

Ian immediately began to put his son's shoes on, touching and stroking Owen's legs as he did so.

Owen made a tiny little chirp in the back of his throat. He loved being taken care of by his alpha. He loved feeling safe, protected, loved and cherished by the other man. The only problem was, he could feel that he'd emotionally dropped, a lot. If there were any people outside he needed to be adult around, he wasn't certain he could do it. "Daddy-Sir?" He didn't really need to say the rest of it out loud for Ian to know what the problem was. It was clear in both voice tone and in the way he was physically shifting in Ian's direction; nervous and deferential, like a child hiding behind a parent.

Ian's smile was gentle as he wrapped his arm around Owen's shoulders. "Lean on me, son," he encouraged. "You don't have to talk to anyone. We'll just go straight to the car and drive home."

"Okay, Alpha-daddy..." Owen whispered, beginning to lean on Ian immediately.

"Please buckle up, gentlemen...we are beginning our descent..." came over the intercom.

Ian kissed Owen's head and then buckled his son in before he did the same to himself, reaching out to hold his boy's hand.

Owen held tightly to Ian's hand, but he was relaxed. He felt safe and loved, content.

Ian continued to hold his boy's hand, even as they landed and then he could guide Owen from the aircraft and to the car.

Owen didn't care who saw him holding his father's hand as they walked to the car. He waited patiently while Ian opened the door, helped him in and buckled him up. Once Ian was in the driver's seat and buckled up, he whispered, "Love you, sir...."

"I love you, son," Ian whispered. "I love you so very much." He rested his hand on Owen's knee, squeezing gently. As he began to drive, he said softly, "Strip and turn over on the seat."

Owen took a quick breath, then immediately obeyed. As soon as his clothes were off and folded, he lowered the seat and turned over so Ian could reach his back and bottom.

"Good cub," Ian whispered, stroking and caressing down over his son's entire back side, going from his neck down to his thighs.

Owen quivered at Ian's praise, relaxing into the seat and making tiny noises at being rubbed.

Ian continued to stroke and rub, repeating, "My good little boy," and, "My good little cub," every so often, periodically scruffing his boy and reiterating, "Mine."

Owen turned his head enough to be able to look up at his alpha, but other than answering Ian's claim with a submissive, "Yours," he didn't make any sound except an occasional sigh of happiness. By the time they'd reached their home and Ian had pulled into the garage, turned off the car and lowered the garage door so they were in solitude and complete privacy, Owen couldn't do anything without his Dom's ordering it first. He was too focused on Ian and a desire to make the older man happy.

Ian got out of the car and then walked round the other side to open the door and guide Owen out, wasting no time in moving his boy over his shoulder to carry him inside.

Owen had got used to being carried by this point and knew exactly how limp to go so that Ian could easily carry him without being dead weight or too stiff to maneuver. "Love you, sir..." he whispered.

"I love you. My good little boy. My good little cub," Ian soothed, his grip secure on Owen, gently rubbing his backside as he carried him into the house.

Owen almost preened under the words. "Am I really, Alpha-daddy?" he asked softly.

"Yes, little boy. You are," Ian promised. "Even being temporarily naughty doesn't change that. I love you. I've got you. You're mine." He continued to rub and stroke his boy's bottom as he carried Owen upstairs to their bedroom.

Owen sighed softly. "I don't like being naughty, sir. Like being good so you're happy..." he admitted hesitantly.

Ian gently stroked his back and bottom. "You're my good little boy most of the time," he whispered. "And I'm happy virtually all the time." He carefully lowered Owen onto the bed, kissing his forehead.

Owen sat on the bed, smiling almost shyly at the words and the kiss. He wasn't sure if he was meant to lie back on the bed or just sit, so he stayed exactly as Ian put him. He glanced down toward his feet. "...You said I was grounded... I sorta know what that means, but... can we talk about it a little? So I know exactly? I don't want to accidently disobey..." he said uncertainly.

Ian sat down on the bed next to Owen, reaching out and drawing his boy onto his lap. "Of course." He stroked his fingers through his boy's hair. "It'll be easy when I'm here. You'll be doing what I tell you in person. When I'm at work, though, I'll be giving you a list of jobs to do. And I'll call in periodically to make sure you're doing what I've told you. And also to give you other instructions."

Owen nodded, letting his head fall onto Ian's shoulder. "What type of things will I be doing? Like household chores?" he asked curiously. "...But nothing that might be dangerous if something went wrong?"

Ian nodded. "Exactly. I might also ask you to carry out minor research tasks." He kissed Owen's head. "I might also do things like tell you to stand in the corner while I talk to you."

Owen nodded carefully, not wanting to dislodge himself from Ian's shoulder or jar the other man, since he was close enough to kiss his head. "How would you know I'm really obeying you? And not just saying I am?" Owen asked curiously, wondering how much Ian trusted him. Since he wasn't sure he trusted himself. He didn't plan to lie; and the thought of doing so made his stomach hurt, so he didn't think he ever would, but how would Ian know that he wasn't?

"Because I trust you," Ian answered, emphasising each word with a kiss to his boy's head. "I know you wouldn't lie to me without a very good reason. You're my little boy. My little cub."

Owen relaxed at that. If Ian trusted him to be truthful, then he thought he could be. Especially since the thought of being anything other than truthful was physically painful. He snuggled closer. "I love you, Alpha-daddy..." he whispered.

Ian kissed his head. "I love you, little boy. I'm not ever going to let you go or decide I don't want you," he promised. "There might not be a word for our relationship, but you're still mine. So incredibly important so very wanted."

Owen smiled. "I don't think a label could really be applied..." Owen snorted faintly in amusement. "I don't think anyone would ever really understand..." He sighed, continuing to snuggle. "Not that they need to understand, but...."

Tightening his embrace, Ian said softly, "As long as you're happy and thriving, not much else is important. Certainly not what other people might say."

"...And you. You have to be happy too..." Owen interjected, giving Ian a wide-eyed, worried look. Ian was doing everything right by him; but he didn't want to be the only one gaining something from their relationship.

Ian smiled and stroked the side of Owen's face with his thumb. "I'm more than happy, son. I have someone to take care of who fulfils my needs as much as I fulfil his."

"I never thought... never knew... how did you know I needed you to do this? I didn't even know?" Owen wrinkled his nose and gave Ian a baffled look.

"I could see with how you reacted to me," Ian replied, kissing his forehead. "I've gone with my instincts with you. So far, they've been correct."

"You always did know me better 'n I knew myself. S'why I asked your advice about quitting school to join the Navy..." Owen admitted. "Soon as you said you thought it was a good idea, all my worries and reservations about it disappeared and I was able to do it without any nervousness...."

Ian smiled. "It's like I told you. I wanted you even back then. Felt like you were mine. But I was worried about frightening you off by coming on too strong."

"Maybe you would have…” Owen sighed. “I was so confused at times back then, I coulda been scared off if you'd tried to step in. Or I coulda been relieved and submitted immediately. I'm just glad you have me now...." Owen snuggled a bit more.

Ian kissed his head. "And I'm not going to let you go," he promised. "You're completely mine, little cub."

"Completely and for always..." Owen smiled, nuzzling against Ian's shoulder.

Ian threaded his fingers through Owen's hair. "I'm very proud of you for how you handled today," he reiterated. "You did exactly the right thing."

Owen sighed softly. "It... It felt like the right thing. Even though thinking of possibly losing Blue hurts, I'd feel worse if Claire died or any of the rest of you were hurt or died trying to rescue her or the other dinos. And I know you'd feel that way if something happened to me... so..." He sighed. "I just hope that it doesn't come to that."

Ian kissed his ear. "We'll do what we can, Owen. I promise."

"I know..." Owen said quietly, too caught in his thoughts about finding Blue to giggle at the kiss, though it did tickle a little. "...I'm just...trying to prepare myself if what we can do isn't enough..." he admitted sadly.

"Whatever happens, you won't have to go through it alone," Ian promised. "I'll be right here to lean on."

"I know you will. I trust that completely..." Owen said, with calm assurance that he knew it was the truth. He continued to cuddle and snuggle against his Alpha, content to stay sat on Ian's lap until the older man ordered him to do something else.

Ian kissed his other ear. "I'm going to take off my own clothes, little cub. I want you to stand in the corner while I do."

Owen shivered slightly- Ian kissing his ears always tickled!- and then he was carefully extricating himself and standing up. "Which corner, Alpha-daddy?" he asked. The thought of arguing never once entering his mind. He was eager to obey.

Ian stroked the side of his face before he pointed towards one of the corners. "That one, my little cub."

Owen gave Ian a huge smile, letting his face press into Ian's hand for a second before he turned and quickly went to the corner in question, facing it and not turning around or fidgeting once.

Ian removed his clothes and then walked over to Owen, wrapping his arms around his boy's body and pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "I love you."

Owen shivered, holding himself up and remaining facing the corner, only because Ian hadn't told him he could turn around. He wanted to slump backward so Ian could hold him more tightly, or turn around and hold onto his Dom tightly himself. "...Love you too, sir..." he said quietly.

Ian kissed his other shoulder and then the back of his neck before leading him to the bed and sitting down, guiding Owen down across his lap.

Owen shivered again at the kisses, following Ian's direction quickly and easily. As soon as he was across his Alpha's lap, he relaxed. "...Love you, sir..." he said softly.

"I've got you." Ian scruffed Owen's neck, even as he retrieved the aloe gel with his other hand and began to rub some gently into his boy's still-pink bottom.

"Oh..." Owen let out a tiny groan. He hadn't been expecting Ian to use the gel and he had become used to the ache in his bottom, so when the cool gel was gently rubbed in, he couldn't stop the sound of relief as it suddenly felt so much better. "...Feels good, sir..." he mumbled, as he slid forward so Ian could reach all of his backside and then slumped, almost boneless. ".... Feels… so good...."

Ian leaned forward and kissed his boy's ear. "Good," he whispered against Owen's skin, before kissing his other ear. "I love you. I want you to feel good."

Owen shivered at the kisses and wiggled slightly as he giggled, unable to stop his reactions.

"Good boy," Ian whispered, trailing soft kisses over his neck. "You're not hiding your reactions from me. You're being very good."

Owen let out a tiny, whimpering sigh as his neck was kissed. It wasn't ticklish like his ears, but it felt really good being kissed there; made him feel cherished, like a very valuable possession. "...Wanna be good for you..." he said, in a shaky voice.

"You are," Ian whispered. "I want to help you feel good, my little cub. Help take away the sting, so you don't have to feel any pain any longer."

"...It's working, daddy-sir..." Owen admitted, with another shiver. "...Feels good now...lots 'n lots better..." he said, his voice starting to sound younger the longer Ian rubbed. It was very difficult to keep in a mature mindset when his Alpha was taking such complete control over him and rubbing his bottom. Too difficult. He didn't even try, letting himself respond the way he felt. Ian would immediately be able to tell he was becoming immature in his mindset.

"Good," Ian whispered, gently squeezing one thigh. He rubbed until the aloe gel was completely absorbed and then resumed kissing the back of Owen's neck; along down his spine.

Owen whimpered softly, squirming slightly. It was hard to hold still, but he didn't want to move either; he liked Ian kissing and rubbing him and he didn't want the older man to stop because he thought it might be too much for Owen to handle. "...Feels good, sir..." he whined quietly, even as he continued to squirm.

"Does it just feel good?" Ian prompted gently, noticing his boy's reactions.

"...F... feels really good, alpha-daddy..." Owen said, blushing because he didn't know of any other way to put it. It did feel really good. And it made him feel loved and cherished and owned. It also made him feel a bit antsy and nervous and... yeah. There it was. Owen quivered and took a deep breath as the antsy, nervous, good feeling channeled itself into a physical reaction.  "...Maybe too good..." he said hesitantly, in a sheepish, embarrassed and confused voice.

"Does that upset you?" Ian asked gently, rubbing between Owen's shoulder blades.

"I dunno..." Owen admitted, squirming a bit more even as he tried to hold still. "...You 'dopted me. 'sn't it wrong?" he asked, in a childishly worried tone.

"I'm your daddy and your alpha, little cub," Ian said softly. "It doesn't matter how you react. I don't think a word's been invented yet for what we are to each other. And sometimes it's different at different times. Doesn't mean it's bad."

"...S'not bad?" Owen asked hopefully, quivering with his efforts to hold still and not have the reaction become worse.

"Not at all," Ian promised. "It's not bad and you are not bad. You're my good little boy. My good little cub."

Owen shivered again. "...'Kay... cuz... it feels really good, sir..." he said hesitantly.  "...Feels good even when my secret bits aren't tingly...." he said with a blush, inadvertently admitting that they currently were.

Ian gently rubbed over his backside and down his thighs. "My good little cub," he reiterated, before leaning forward and kissing each of Owen's ears again.

Owen let out a tiny sigh as his bottom and thighs were rubbed, still managing to hold still. It was impossible when Ian kissed his ears again, though. He immediately squirmed and faintly protested "...Tickles!" he giggled, before his squirming reignited the 'tingling' and he whimpered.

Ian kissed the back of his head and resumed gently rubbing his bottom and thighs, gently squeezing each in turn.

Owen whimpered more. He tried not to squirm, but once he'd started, due to the tickling, it was impossible to stop. Squirming felt almost as good as the rubbing Ian gave him- sometimes it felt even better- and Owen wasn't in a frame of mind to deny himself something that felt good, even if part of him thought he should. "...Alpha..." he whined softly.

"It's not a bad thing, little cub," Ian whispered, stroking down his back. "You don't need to fight."

Owen squirmed even more, but the squirming wasn't helping at all and he let out another whimpering cry. "...No fig... fightin'. C... can... cand fight reaction... 'ey b'long to...to you, Alpha-daddy..." he ground out, as he took a quick breath and blinked his eyes.

"They do, little cub," Ian agreed. "Just like you. Just like every part of you belongs to me. Like we were saying on the plane, remember?" He stroked and then kissed the back of Owen's neck.

"...Yessir!" Owen quickly agreed, eager to please Ian. "...My head, 'n my shoulders, 'n my back, 'n my tummy, 'n my bottom, 'n my thighs, 'n my legs, 'n my ches..." Owen mumbled off a list of body parts so quickly, the words all blended into a cacophony of sound. He was wriggling the entire time he spoke, his voice sounding more high-pitched and breathless with each word until he had to take a deep breath of air because he'd been talking on just the one breath and it had finally run out. He moaned softly as Ian stroked and kissed his neck, moving his head enough that it was open to his Dom's actions.

"Good boy," Ian whispered, pressing another kiss to the back of Owen's neck. He gently scruffed his boy as he stroked and rubbed down his boy's back to his bottom, following the same path with soft, light kisses.

Owen quivered at the kisses, trying to hold still because he really liked being kissed so gently, but unable to stop squirming because, "...Tingles, sir! Tingles 'n I wanna be good for you, but dunno if 'can be..." he whimpered.

"The tingles aren't bad, little boy," Ian whispered, emphasising each word with another kiss. "You can let go, cub."

"Tingles no' bad?" Owen gasped out, before whimpering again, sounding a little distressed and wriggling a little more frantically.

"Not bad," Ian promised. "Stop fighting. Stop holding back. I'm right here to catch you, my little cub."

Owen whimpered again, his squirming becoming near frantic as he listened to his Dom. He gave up trying to avoid friction and began moving in a way that caused more friction, pressing against his Dom as much as possible and enabling Ian to tell exactly what was occurring and how it was occurring without him having to say anything. "....Please..." he sobbed quietly. He wanted to obey. He wanted to obey so badly... but even though he didn't want to fight or hold back, his body wasn't cooperating and he was holding back. He was being naughty and he didn't want to be and he was failing his Alpha because he was being disobedient. "...Don' wanna be naughty..." he whimpered, continuing to squirm helplessly.

Ian stroked down Owen's back and kissed his ears, then helped his boy to turn over on his lap, so they could look into each other's eyes. "I've got you," he whispered.

Owen was too frantic by this point for his ears to feel even slightly ticklish. Once he was facing up, able to look into his Alpha's eyes, he whimpered, squirming a little more, but it was obvious that wasn't helping. "...'ou go'me?" he asked in a tiny whine, his eyes wide and hopeful. It was clear that it wouldn't take much to send him over the edge; his eyes were having a difficult time focusing.

"Always," Ian promised. "I will always have you, little boy." He stroked down Owen's chest, running his fingers over his boy's throat.

Tears began to leak from the corners of Owen's eyes. "...Wanna be good for you, sir..." he whimpered. He didn't understand why he was having such a hard time obeying his Dom and letting go. He'd never had a problem with it the last few times this issue had cropped up.

Ian cupped Owen's cheek in his hand, thumb gently stroking his cheek. "I love you." He leaned over, kissing Owen's neck.

Owen quivered at the kiss, closing his eyes. "I love you too, Alpha-daddy..." he whispered, his voice catching in his throat.

Ian kissed his shoulders and down to his stomach. "You're being good, my little cub," he whispered. "Don't try to force yourself." He tugged a pillow over to tuck it under Owen's head.

Owen's stomach fluttered at the kisses and he opened his eyes to look back up at his Dom. "...I'm sorry..." he whispered. "... wanted to ‘bey... to let go like told...." He swallowed.

"How are you feeling, little cub?" Ian asked, thumb stroking over his cheek and chin.

Owen sniffled and swallowed before answering, in a shaky voice, "...Achy...it'll get better?" He hadn't meant to voice the remark as a question, but he was feeling vulnerable and childish; he was feeling like he'd failed his Dom because he hadn't followed his order immediately; and because of that, he was confused and a little uncertain. So what he'd intended as a remark to help Ian not worry about him had turned into a question seeking reassurance that he wasn't going to be stuck in his current situation for a long time.

"Of course, little cub," Ian whispered, kissing Owen's forehead; his cheeks; his chin; down his throat.

Owen swallowed again, closing his eyes as Ian kissed him, feeling himself relax. His Alpha wasn't wrong. Now that he wasn't squirming uncontrollably, he was calming down rapidly. Soon, he was laying in his Dom's arms, bright red from shame. "...Sorry I dis'beyed, sir..." he whispered, unable to look Ian in the eye.

"I told you to let go and stop fighting. I know you tried your best," Ian said gently, kissing his cheeks again. "It's not a problem, cub."

"...But it is!" Owen protested, after a pause that indicated he was trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. "...I dis'beyed my Alpha-daddy 'gain and las' time, I hurted him really bad cuz I dis'beyed and I never ever ever wanna hurt him 'gain!" Owen choked on the last word, obviously close to crying. He didn't even realize he was speaking about Ian as if Ian was a different person. It was easier to confess what he viewed as his horrible guilty actions to someone not directly connected, but since the person with him was the one most directly connected and affected, somehow, he'd decided that talking as if Ian was a different person would be easier. Tears pooled in his eyes again. "...All 'f me 'longs to him 'n my 'actions 'n I shoulda obeyed. Shoulda given..." He motioned downward, blushing and unable to say the words, leaving it to Ian's imagination what he should have done or given to him.

Ian moved Owen, so his boy was cuddled on his lap and in his arms, stroking down his hair and over his back. "You were punished for that, my little cub," he whispered, rocking Owen like his boy was a small child. "Punished and forgiven. And it was a serious punishment, so we can both move past it."

"...Really hurts, sir..." Owen sniffled. "...Knowin' I hurt you so bad...feels like it'll never be enough spankin to get the naughty outta me..." he admitted in a whisper, hesitantly wrapping his arms around Ian and holding on, putting his head on the older man's shoulder.

Ian tightened his embrace, kissing Owen's ear. "You don't just need a spanking to get the naughty out of you, little cub. You need to be forgiven. You need me to hold onto you, so I can show you that you're forgiven."

"...B'in forgiven gets the naughty out?" Owen asked innocently, even as he snuggled close and tight to Ian.

"Being spanked and forgiven and loved," Ian whispered, pressing another kiss to his boy's head.

"...Wha' if feels like wasn' spanked 'nuff?" Owen asked hesitantly. He still felt so, so guilty about what he'd done. While the switching had hurt terribly- still did if he sat the wrong way- he couldn't help feeling like he'd got off easy. Like it should have lasted long enough and been hard enough that he couldn't sit at all.

"If you need to go over my knee again for another reminder, to help with the guilt, then I'll take you in hand again, little cub," Ian said. "But as far as I'm concerned? I'm not hurting anymore. I came and brought you back home. Where you belong."

Owen sniffled as he thought about that. He didn't really want another spanking, or a reminder. His bottom was still sore. At the same time, he felt like he hadn't been punished enough. Like there was unfinished business between him and his Alpha-daddy. He didn't know what to say because he wasn't sure how to say it. He sniffled again with a whimper and tightened his grip on Ian.

Ian gently scruffed the back of his neck. "I'll put you over my knee again, little cub." As he said the words, he watched Owen's reactions carefully; to use those to tell him if he was making the right move or not.

Owen closed his eyes tightly, squeezing the tears out of them and blinking before looking up at Ian with a trust-filled gaze. He sniffled. It was obvious he was nervous and reluctant; that he didn't really want a spanking. It was also just as obvious that he hoped it would work. He didn't know what else could work.

Ian pressed a kiss to Owen's forehead, whispering a soft, "I love you," before he carefully moved Owen across his lap. "I love you. I won't ever let you go," he whispered, his hand resting on his boy's backside before he began to gently rub it.

"I love you too, Daddy- sir..." Owen choked out, sniffling, before reaching out to hold onto the pillow Ian had gotten him. He couldn't help but shiver slightly, anticipating the pain that would occur when his alpha decided to begin swatting. He was dreading it. At the same time, he was afraid that Ian wouldn't spank him more and he'd keep feeling guilty. He was a mess.

Ian rubbed a bit longer and then he began to firmly pat his boy's backside; not swatting, but patting. "I've got you. I won't let you go. I'm your home, little boy."

"You're my home!" Owen quickly repeated, needing to say it as much as he needed to hear it.  "You're my home...need ta stay wif you..." he said through sniffles, his voice beginning to sound congested as his tears came on stronger.

"You do, little cub," Ian said. "What hurt me was the thought I'd lost you. That I'd come home, and my cub was nowhere to be found. I was terrified for your safety because of how much I love you."

Owen slumped and began to sob. "I... I sorry... so sorry, daddy-sir... so sorry left 'n scared you!" He didn't know how he would ever feel right about having frightened his father like that; how he'd ever feel punished enough. Even though his bottom still ached from the switching and even though the patting had reignited the sting almost immediately, Owen hitched his bottom up so that Ian could swat easier, reach his sit spots easier, and make sure he never ever forgot again.

"But I found you," Ian whispered, caressing and then patting Owen's sit spots. "I found you and I brought you home. You've paid for being naughty, little cub. You've paid for scaring me. Now I just want to hold onto you. Never let you go. I've forgiven you already. You're not my naughty little boy anymore. You're my good little boy."

Owen continued to cry, but relaxed as he realized that Ian wasn't going to spank any harder than he already was. "...Will I ever stop feeling guilty?" he asked, in a tiny, little boy voice.

"It'll take time, but the closer I draw you to me, the easier it'll be to accept that I've forgiven you." Ian kept the patting at the same level, his other hand scruffing Owen's neck. "Feeling guilty means you're punishing yourself. It isn't your place to punish yourself, little cub. I'm the one who's in control."

"...Not allowed to punish myself?" Owen asked faintly. He knew the answer to that. He just didn't know how to stop feeling guilty. It was easier said than done.

"No, little cub. It's not your place or your right." Ian kissed the back of his neck, even as he continued to pat. "And while I fully believe you have learned your lesson...if you ever run again, I'll come after you. I won't let you be gone."

Owen choked on another sob, but it was obvious he was calming down. "...Sorry, Alpha-daddy... don't mean to try and do things I'm not 'llowed..." he said softly, his body going limp as he was no longer attempting to get Ian to spank harder. It wasn't his right to decide his punishment. It was Ian's. It was naughty for him to try and force the other man to do something just because he was having a hard time letting go of his guilt. "I can't stop feeling guilty, daddy-sir..." he whispered contritely.

"I know, little cub." Ian kissed the back of his neck again, whispering softly, "But you don't have to. You know what you did was naughty. You know why it was naughty. And you should also know that if it happens again, I won't hesitate to put you across my knee, take your trousers and underwear down, and spank your bare bottom right where I find you."

"Right where you find me?" Owen blushed when his voice came out as a squeak. He didn't doubt Ian. The thought of being bared and spanked in front of other people- some of whom might be friends or possible girlfriends- was horrifying.

"Right where I find you," Ian confirmed. "Unless it's dangerous to do so then, in which case I'll put you over my shoulder and carry you to where it is safe...and do exactly that."

"Yes, Alpha-daddy..." Owen's whisper was full of his belief that Ian would keep his word and nervous awe that it was a possibility. "I'll be your good boy...I will!"

"I know you will," Ian soothed, kissing first one ear and then the other. "But I'm not ashamed to be your Alpha-daddy whenever you need me to be. Whether it's where other people can see or not."

"I know." Owen smiled crookedly as his ears were kissed, barely avoiding squirming. "I... I think I won't mind usually... just sometimes. Like with girlfriends..." He blushed.

"It's up to you who knows it with how you push, little cub," Ian said gently.

Owen nodded. "Yessir. If I push in front of people I don't want to see... I deserve what I get...." He sighed.

Ian scruffed the back of his neck. "But it's not going to change anything, little boy. I love you."

"I love you too Daddy..." Owen whispered in the tiniest of voices.

Ian kissed his neck. "And I'll only take control in front of anyone else if it becomes absolutely necessary. If you're close to pushing, I'll warn you away."

Owen snuggled as much as possible. "Thank you, Daddy-Sir..." he whispered, in the same small voice. He knew he would start pushing at some point. He always did. He just hoped that he waited until there were no witnesses when he did so.

Ian wrapped his arms tightly around Owen. "I love you," he reiterated. "I won't let you go. I promise, little cub. I'm going to keep holding on tight to you."

Owen relaxed further at the protective possession. "Wanna stay with you forever...."

"I'm not going to let you go. Not ever," Ian promised. "My little cub." He moved Owen up and into his arms, cradling him close and tight to himself and kissing his head. They still had the grounding to get through, but they'd get through that. Together. He had his son with him and he was happy and content. So long as they were together, he felt like they could face anything.