Safety

Summary: Sequel to Following The Clues. Nate learns his place.
Warning(s): Disciplinary spanking and spanking for cathartic purposes; Spoilers for Uncharted; encouraged immature behaviour; some descriptions of injuries being treated; AU

###

The two of them had managed to stay hidden while the ship they'd sneaked on had reached a secluded island. Sully had then carefully guided his son and his cat out of the tiny compartment, quickly heading towards shelter.

The crew who had made it possible for the three of them to sneak on board hadn't stayed on the island for long. Sully wasn't surprised to hear the roar of the engine as the ship sailed away.

It helped that they'd been left alone on the island. It gave them a chance to regroup and figure out what to do next.

Sully turned to his son. "Judging by what's around here, I think we can set up a fishing rod. No need to dip into our supplies. Not yet at least."

Nate watched as the ship disappeared, then looked around. "Are we the only ones on the island?" he asked faintly. "How will we get off?" He only half listened to Sully's words about fishing.

"We'll figure it out once it's time for us to implement our plans," Sully answered. "Right now, it's more important that we eat." He began gathering what he needed to make a fishing rod.

"Y....yeah. Okay." Nate's voice was skeptical, but he didn't argue. He watched Sully closely, then copied his movements, gathering materials to make a fishing rod.

Sully smiled at Nate and proceeded to show him how to make the fishing rod.

Soon, both men had a rod and Nate was looking at Sully expectantly. "Now what?" he asked.

"Now we find bait." Sully grinned at his son. "If we do a bit of digging, we can find worms in the soil. They'll do."

Nate snorted, grinning at Sully. "Awesome..." He watched to see where Sully was looking for bait and then looked for a similar spot to look himself.

Sully quickly began to dig where the soil was damp. It didn't take long for him to find some worms and he quickly gathered them together for bait.

Sighing, Nate found his own worms, though he was a little less enthusiastic about it than Sully. As soon as he had enough, he looked at the older man. "What now?"

"Now, we fish." Sully led the way towards the water, the cat following close on his heels. "Good job on the rod, son." He smiled proudly at Nate.

Nate flushed at the praise, grinning almost bashfully. "I've never fished before..." he admitted.

"There's a first time for everything." When they reached the water's edge, Sully began to show his son how to set up the rod.

Nate was a quick study and soon, they were both fishing.

Despite the far from ideal situation they'd found themselves in, Sully was clearly enjoying spending this time with his son. The cat caught a few fish as well, crunching them up before settling in to watch Sully and Nate catch their own dinner.

Later, after they'd caught enough fish for dinner and breakfast and had cleaned and cooked them, Nate sat across the fire from his father. "This is nice... Can't help wondering how we're getting off, but it's nice."

"We have time to think and make up a plan to get Sam back, and also to bond and spend more time together without anything getting in the way," Sully commented. "We could do with some peace for a while." He began to eat his portion of fish.

Nate nodded. "You don't happen to know how to make a shelter or bed, do you?"

"I do, in fact." Sully chuckled softly. "This isn't my first time being stranded on a deserted island."

Nate blinked at that. "You get stranded often?" he asked, with a hint of amusement. "Shouldn't we build the shelter before it is too dark? In case it rains or something?"

"More often than I'd like," Sully replied wryly, before nodding. "If you're finished eating, we'll build the shelter now." He dropped his stick into the fire before standing.

"Yeah, I'm done..." Nate set his own stick to the side and stood. "Teach me the ways of island survival, old man..." he teased.

Sully snorted softly and wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders, drawing him into a quick, tight hug, before proceeding to show him how to go about building a shelter.

By the time they were done, the sun had gone down completely, and the moon shone on the sand. It wasn't pitch dark, but it was dark enough walking around would be dangerous, given the lack of a flashlight. Nate yawned. It had been a long day... A long several days, truthfully, since they'd needed to remain hidden. He looked at the 'bed' of palm fronds they'd put together with a bit of trepidation. "I really hope I don't get sand fleas..." he muttered.

"I haven't had any yet." Sully settled down on the makeshift bed and held his arms out to Nate. "Let's settle down to sleep, son. We'll figure out our next steps in the morning."

Nate moved into position, shifting until he was cuddled against Sully, the older man's warmth soothing him into sleep.

Sully wrapped his arms around his son and closed his own eyes. With the cat cuddled between them for warmth, it didn't take long for Sully to follow his boy into sleep.

***

They were there for three days before Nate started feeling antsy. The first three days had been filled with Sully showing him how to survive when they started with nothing. They had also been filled with quiet talks and cuddling. But... Nate was used to being able to go places and do things and interact with others. He wasn't used to being stuck... No matter how much he loved the company he was stuck with. Plus... With Sully with him every second of the day, it made it more difficult for him to make decisions for himself, as the older man was watching closely and kept vetoing anything remotely dangerous. Even fun things that Nate was sure weren't as dangerous as his father-figure believed.

Sighing silently, he looked around their tiny camp. "I'm gonna wash my clothes," he finally said, stripping naked and carrying them to the water, so he could scrub them with sand and rinse them in salt water. Hopefully when they dried, they wouldn't be too itchy.

"If you see any ships or boats approaching, come straight back." Sully fed the cat a piece of fish.

"Yeah. Okay..." Nate said, heading for the beach. It took less time than he expected to scrub all his clothes and soon, they were draped on nearby rocks to dry in the sun. Nate hadn't seen any ships. Out of the corner of his eye, he had seen a glint of something in the wooded area. Confident in his belief that he and Sully were the only ones on the island, he thought nothing about going to investigate, even though he was completely naked. He didn't think about potential danger from the island itself.

He should have thought about it.

Sully stayed back at the camp, assuming his son would be safe enough. He could always wash his own clothes later on. Actually, he probably ought to do that soon. He might have good survival skills, but he hadn't been expecting to be stranded on an island. His own clothes were beginning to smell.

The glint ended up being an old trap. Who had set it and when it had been set was indeterminable. Luckily, Nate was quick on his feet and managed to throw himself out of the way of the worst part of it. Otherwise, he would have ended in a pit of spikes. Still... he wasn't quick enough to avoid all of it. He yelped in pain as something sliced across the middle of his back, then yelped again as he twisted his ankle while trying to dodge the rest of the trap. "Crap..." he whimpered softly, trying to decide if he should yell for Sully to help, or attempt to crawl back to their camp on his own.

It was the cat who alerted Sully to the fact that something was wrong. His furry companion stopped contentedly eating the fish and purring and froze in place, staring in the direction Nate had gone with the intense concentration only a cat could show.

"He in trouble?" Sully quickly got to his feet and headed in the direction his son had gone, the cat sticking close to his heels.

Nate still hadn't decided if he was calling for his dad or crawling when he heard movement in the brush, coming his direction. "Be careful!" he yelled. "There are old traps in the jungle!" He didn't want his father to accidently set one off and possibly get hurt worse.

Sully picked his way carefully along, heading in the direction he could hear his son's voice coming from, making sure he avoided any traps. "Are you stuck anywhere?" he called back.

"Not stuck... But I twisted my ankle avoiding a spike pit..." Nate admitted reluctantly. He didn't mention being cut by whatever had caught his back. He hadn't been able to figure out what it had been, and he couldn't see to know if it had actually hurt him.

"Stay where you are. I'm coming." It didn't take long for Sully to reach his son and he quickly scanned the area for any more traps, carefully skirting around the spike pit as he made his way to Nate's side.

"Hey..." Nate said, letting out a relieved breath when Sully made it safely. "How'd you know to look for me?"

Sully snorted softly and indicated the cat, who was sniffing the ground. "I had help." He crouched down next to his son. "Is it just your ankle?"

"Something hit my back, but I can't see, so I dunno if it actually hurt me or not..." Nate shrugged, not overly concerned. If it didn't hurt bad, he figured he wasn't wounded enough to worry about it.

Since his son was naked anyway, Sully moved Nate carefully so that he could check his back. "You got scraped by something. The wound isn't deep, but I need to clean it and cover it, so no dirt gets in."

"Oh. Okay..." Nate still wasn't concerned. "Help me up and I'll hop back to camp...."

"No need for you to put strain on your ankle," Sully replied. "I'll grab your clothes and then carry you back to camp. They at the beach still?"

"Yeah. Left them drying on a boulder..." Nate sighed.

Sully quickly and carefully went to retrieve his son's clothes, then returned moments later and carefully lifted Nate into his arms.

"Were they dry? I could get dressed before you carry me back..." Nate flushed. Being naked didn't bother him but being carried while he was naked seemed different somehow.

"I'd only have to remove the clothes again to check for any more injuries," Sully replied. "Easier to leave them off for now."

"Yessir..." Nate said. Somehow, being naked in his father's arms made him feel like a helpless child. A baby. It was confusing.

Sully carried Nate back to the camp, carefully avoiding any more traps. Once there, he began to check his son for any other injuries apart from those he'd already noticed.

Nate didn't mean to be difficult, but his ankle was the only part of him that hurt; and Sully was being very thorough. It embarrassed him and so he was soon attempting to squirm out of range. "It's just my ankle, really. The rest of me is fine, apart from the scratch..." he complained.

Sully raised his eyebrows. "You've got a cut in your back. If it's not dealt with, dirt could get in and cause an infection. Any injuries, no matter how small, can get infected if not treated properly. So, I'm going to make sure there aren't any more."

"I didn't get hit anywhere else, and it doesn't hurt anywhere else!" Nate squirmed more. Having Sully check his arms and legs was fine, but since he'd been naked when he had to dodge the traps, he was afraid his father's examination would be a lot more personal. He flushed.

"You also told me that the cut on your back didn't really hurt. I'm not taking chances with your safety, son. And if you continue resisting, you won't like my reaction," Sully warned.

"Yeah... But I also felt when I got hit there and let you know I had been! I didn't feel myself get hit anywhere else!" Nate protested, still squirming slightly.

Sully didn't waste more time arguing with his son. Pulling Nate against him, he delivered a fairly light swat to his boy's naked backside.

"Ow! Daaaaad...." Nate whined. "...For serious! Nothing else hit me, so I'm sure there aren't any other cuts!" He tried to squirm his bottom out of spanking range. If he hadn't been positive his father would be checking embarrassing locations on his body, he would have given in.

It took only a few movements for Sully to drape his son across his lap. He wrapped an arm around Mate's waist, tugging him in close and tight, then began to deliver a series of stinging swats to his son's bottom.

Nate let out a surprised yelp and then whimpered as his father began to spank him. He couldn't say he was surprised; he'd been warned, after all. It stung uncomfortably and part of him wanted to capitulate immediately. Part of him obstinately wanted his own way and felt the need to push. He wasn't certain which part of him he would listen to, though ... Balancing on an edge as his knowledge warred with his emotions to see which part of him would win the battle.

"I'm not going to fight with you on your health, Nate." Sully's voice was as stern and serious as it had ever been as he continued to swat. The smacks weren't overly hard, but he knew they would sting, and it wasn't long before his son's bottom began to turn pink.

"I'm not really trying to fight... But I didn't get hit anywhere else and it doesn't hurt anywhere else and having you look that close and... and... It's embarrassing!" He squirmed and whined, falling into the emotions winning out.

Sully didn't bother trying to reason with words anymore. He'd already done that, and Nate had persisted in arguing with him. Instead, he began to smack harder and faster, still keeping a tight grip on his boy so that Nate couldn't squirm away and risk further injury.

Nate whimpered and whined and squirmed, trying, and failing to move his bottom out of the line of fire. The longer Sully smacked, the hotter his bottom got, the more it stung and ached. And the more it hurt, the more controlled he felt. The safer he felt. The more he belonged. He still squirmed, but his protests were becoming more childlike.

Sully continued to swat firmly, until his son's bottom was a darker pink, bordering on red in places. Then, he rested his hand on Nate's backside and began to rub gently. "I expect you to be my good boy. Not my naughty boy," he said, his voice serious, even though the affection and care for his son were clear.

Nate began to cry at that. "Don't wanna be looked at, Daddy..." he cried unhappily; still squirming, but not quite as vehemently. "...Don't wanna be naughty..." he admitted, obviously torn between wanting to be obedient and good and not having Sully examine him.

"I know, son," Sully replied. "But if I don't examine you and there is a cut or a scrape neither of us are aware of, letting it go untreated could make you very sick. There are no hospitals or doctors here to help if you get an infection."

Nate quivered as he tried to regain control of his falling emotions. It wasn't working, though; he felt extremely young and helpless by this point. Crying forlornly, he choked out, "Okay, daddy. I'm sorry... I be good...." He shivered, still crying hard. His bottom ached so bad! He went limp so Sully could examine him.

"Good boy," Sully murmured softly, even as he resumed carefully examining his son. He gently stroked and rubbed Nate's back and bottom at the same time, offering comfort.

Nate whimpered and sniffled softly as the exam became more personal, but he didn't fight. He was through fighting his daddy. His bottom was so very sore, but Sully's gentle attention helped calm him down.

Once he was satisfied that his son wasn't hurt anywhere else, Sully carefully began to clean and then bandage the cut on Nate's back. He continued to touch and stroke to comfort and keep his boy calm.

Nate remained loose, pliant, moving wherever and whenever his father directed, fully submissive and no fight in him at all. Every so often, he would whimper softly or sniffle, but the defiance was gone. He was Sully's little boy again. "Am I naughty, daddy?" he whispered, in a tiny voice.

"Not anymore, son. You're my good little boy again." Sully's voice was gentle and reassuring. He finished cleaning and bandaging the scrape on Nate's back, then moved his son into his arms, cuddling him tightly.

"Sorry I was naughty..." Nate snuggled close. "Wanna be a good boy for you... Dunno why I fought." He sniffled again.

"You're not naughty now. You're being very good for me." Sully hugged Nate a bit tighter, rubbing his hands gently over his son's back and bottom.

Nate sniffled, snuggling as close as possible. "Bottom is really sore, Daddy..." he whispered contritely. "It needed to be, though... So, I could listen..." he admitted, blushing.

"It was the only way you would listen to me," Sully agreed. "But needing to spank you for being naughty doesn't change anything between us. Or how I feel about you." He brushed a kiss against Nate's head.

"Hold me tight and don leggo, daddy?" Nate asked softly. "My bottom stinging doesn't hurt as much when you got hold me...."

"I won't let you go," Sully promised. "I got you, son. My good boy." He continued the gentle, loving, almost possessive affection.

Nate took a deep breath, exhaling with a relieved sigh before snuggling as close as humanly possible. "Feel safest when you have me..." he admitted. His father's complete examination of him was no longer embarrassing; instead, he felt closer to the older man. Cared about. He also felt so much younger than his actual age. "You'll take care of me..." he whispered. He didn't just mean in a protective way; he was ready to put his entire being into Sully's control.

"I'll always take care of you," Sully promised. "You're mine and I won't let you go. I love you."

"I love you too, daddy. So much. I'm sorry I was so naughty. I dunno why I can't control myself better...." Nate cuddled, trying not to let his emotions get the best of him again.

"It doesn't matter how you react, son. It won't change anything. And right now, we're here alone on the island. Well, apart from our four-legged family member," Sully added. "You don't need to worry about keeping control of yourself."

"Am I grounded, daddy?" Nate asked quietly. "For fighting you when I almost got hurt?"

"You are grounded," Sully confirmed. "You won't be leaving my side. You won't be doing anything until I okay it first."

"Okay. Cuz I was naughty and need help being good?" Nate bit his lip.

"Exactly," Sully replied. "You just need a bit of help staying my good boy."

Nate smiled a sad, crooked smile and nuzzled Sully's shoulder. "Sorry I can't be good without help, daddy..." he whispered, feeling like a failure.

"You don't need to be sorry, son." Sully gently kissed the side of Nate's head. "It's not a bad thing that you need help."

Nate snuggled closer. "Dunno why I can't be good without help, though," he whispered. "I'm not a little boy... Keep acting like it, though. 

"There's nothing wrong with that," Sully said. "You're my little boy."

"I love you, daddy. And I like being your little boy... Even if I'm old enough I shouldn't, I do...." Nate sighed.

"I love you, son. My good little boy." Sully gently stroked down his hair and back. "There's nothing wrong with you for liking being my little boy."

"Even if it was... I'd still like it," Nate said sheepishly. "Hopefully, if I have to be grown up, I can be...."

"Son. Only the two of us are on the island right now," Sully said...though a meow from the cat had him quickly amending, "Sorry, the three of us. You don't have anyone else you need to act grown up for. I guarantee that neither of us mind."

Nate smiled bashfully at that, snuggling close. "I love you, Daddy...."

Gently kissing the side of Nate's head, Sully murmured, "I love you too. And even if the surrounding circumstances might not have been ideal, I'm really happy to have this time with just us."

"What are we going to do now, Daddy?" Nate was pretty certain he wouldn't be allowed to explore.

"Well, I think you had the right idea in washing clothes," Sully replied. "I figured we can go down to the beach and I can get my own clothes washed." He was gently rubbing his son's hair and back as he spoke.

Nate smiled. "I wasn't sure if washing in salt water would work, or if it would make my clothes itchy, but...."

"It's not as good as fresh water and the salt can make your clothes feel a bit stiff," Sully answered. "But it works as a solution."

Nate nodded. "That's good, then?"

"It is," Sully agreed. "You did good, son."

"Taking a bath won't be as easy..." Nate grimaced. "Even if it isn't itchy, it will sting my cut...."

"You don't have to get in the water," Sully commented. "When we're at the beach, I can help you to wash without needing to actually be submerged."

Nate relaxed slightly. "Thank you, daddy."

"Since you've washed your clothes already, we might as well get mine washed too," Sully commented. "I can take you back to the beach and help you wash there. And we can both be on the lookout for any traps."

Nate nodded. "Okay, Daddy. The beach seemed normal when I was there. It was the jungle area where the traps surprised me..." he said, in a small voice.

"Still, we'll stay on our guard. Keep a watch out for anything that could be dangerous or harmful." Sully stood, lifting his son into his arms once more.

Nate snuggled close, slipping a bit more emotionally as Sully carried him. He never felt safer than when he was completely vulnerable and reliant on the older man.

Sully held his son close and tight as he carried his boy back to the beach, carefully setting Nate down safely, though within touching distance, while he washed his own clothes and put them to dry. Then, he began to wash Nate, carefully and thoroughly.

Nate made a happy little humming noise as he was cleaned. He was past caring that not only was he naked, but he was being touched and taken care of in such an intimate way. He felt warm inside. Loved. Cared about. "...Be your good little boy forever, Daddy..." he whispered submissively.

"You are my good little boy," Sully murmured. He washed Nate carefully, kissing his son's forehead. "I love you." It clearly felt good to him to take care of his boy. There was nothing sexual in it; he just wanted to and needed to take care of Nate.

"Love you too!" Nate declared, wrapping his arms around Sully and hugging tightly to him, the skin-on-skin contact helping him feel even closer and more secure. Impulsively, he gave his father a big kiss on the cheek.

Sully hugged his son tightly and kissed his forehead and then his cheek. The contact between them made him feel better; it felt good to hold Nate like this, with no barriers between them. He figured they should do this even after returning home, given that the skin on skin contact had a clearly positive effect on both of them.

Relaxed, feeling safe, and a bit tired from his run in with the traps, Nate put his head on Sully's shoulder and rested; not falling asleep, but in a dozy, compliantly childish state.

Since there wasn't much they could do right now, Sully just held his son close and tight, stroking his hair and gently kissing his head, letting him fall into the more dozy state.

"Could stay like this the rest of the day and night..." Nate admitted.

"When my clothes are dry, why don't we head back to the camp?" Sully asked softly. "It's safe enough there to stay like this, without us needing to worry about keeping an eye out for ships."

"Really? Okay..." Nate smiled happily.

"No reason not to do what makes you happy, so long as it's safe." They stayed like that for a bit longer, until Sully could be sure his clothes were dry. Then, he gathered them up and stood, once more taking his son into his arms.

Since Sully had him, Nate carefully held all the clothes, as his were on a nearby rock, having dried as well. "Come, kitty..." he called to the cat, as they went back to their camp.

The cat followed more or less in their footsteps, apparently having decided that where Sully stepped was the safest path.

Once they were back at the camp, Sully carefully placed the clothes out of the way and then settled on their makeshift 'bed' with his son, cuddling Nate close and tight.

Nate was content to go wherever Sully placed him, staying where the older man put him and just continuing to snuggle, feeling closer and more a part of his father-figure's life the longer he was held.

Pulling his son close and tight, Sully began to rub gently over Nate's back, over his hips and bottom. Every so often, he'd brush a kiss against Nate's head or his cheek.

Nate quivered in place at the protective, possessive affection, slipping further into younger emotions where he needed Sully to take care of him.

"Good boy," Sully murmured encouragingly. "You're being so very good for me."

"I am? I wanna be good. Don wanna be naughty..." Nate whispered.

"You are good." Sully gently squeezed his son's hip as he added, "Even temporary naughtiness doesn't change that."

"Cuz you spanked the naughtiness out of me, daddy!" Nate said, in a fervent, childish tone.

"I did," Sully agreed. "And it made you my good little boy again."

Nate responded by squirming as close as possible to the older man. He felt young and reliant on Sully. He would probably be able to 'grow up' quickly if it was necessary, if they were in danger, but when it was just them and they were safe? He had no reason not to give in to his impulse to be childishly immature and 'needy'. As Sully was encouraging that behavior and mindset, seemingly liking to take care of him and treat him like a child, there was no problem.

Sully continued to stroke and caress down Nate's back, hips and over his bottom. Every so often, he'd press a kiss to his son's cheek or shoulder, periodically squeezing. Nate's bottom was still a bit warm from the earlier spanking and Sully rubbed it gently.

Nate made tiny sounds of acknowledgement whenever his bottom was rubbed or squeezed. It reignited the sting every time, though not in a painful or even unpleasant way. Nate wasn't aroused by the actions... But he felt warm and 'gooey' inside, every time Sully became more personal with his affection. The older man's possessive actions made Nate feel even more that he belonged to Sully and wasn't alone any longer. That he'd never be alone again. He nuzzled against Sully's chest. "Your little boy..." he declared firmly, pushing his bottom into Sully's hand during one of the moments Sully was rubbing.

"My little boy," Sully confirmed, gently squeezing his son's bottom. There were no barriers of clothing between them and that felt good...right. Holding his son close and tight, the skin on skin contact, felt necessary. It felt good to have this closeness with his boy.

Nate murmured happily at Sully's agreement, just pressing every part of himself that he could against Sully. The longer Sully held him close, the closer he felt to his father-figure emotionally. "Do ya think Sam will be mad? That I'm your little boy?" he asked hesitantly, squeezing his arms around Sully in a needy hug.

"I don't believe so." Sully paused. "He'll likely be mad at me, though. Because I brought you into this and he never wanted you involved." He wasn't too worried about it. Without Nate, there'd be no chance of finding and rescuing Sam. Without his son, Sully wouldn't even know that Sam was still alive.

"Like I gave you a choice. Besides... If you hadn't come looking for me to help, Braddock probably would have and then I'd be dead...." Nate shivered slightly at the thought that one of those who had tried to kill him would have been the first to make contact.

"True. Maybe if I put it like that to him, he'll be less pissed," Sully said wryly, still gently stroking and rubbing over his son's back and bottom.

"Besides... He knows how stubborn and persistent I can be. I used to frustrate him all the time, before he dumped me and never came back..." Nate's voice was small and the age-old hurt came through in his tone, despite his efforts to seem nonchalant.

"Nate. He didn't dump you, son." Sully wrapped his arms tighter around his boy. "He wanted to build a better life for you. I know for a fact he planned to come back for you...would have, if it weren't for Braddock's machinations. You were almost all he talked about. How else do you think I knew exactly who I was looking for when I came to find you?"

Nate bit his lip and held tighter. "He talked about me a lot?" He wanted to believe Sully was right about Sam. "He didn't just want to leave me behind forever? It had to make life easier without me...."

"That was never his intention, son," Sully replied. "He never intended to just leave you behind. He talked all the time about when we got to the ship, he'd be able to make a better life for you. He kept telling me how smart you are...that he wanted to get enough to make sure you could study and go on to do much bigger things."

Nate swallowed hard and blinked back sudden tears. "Do you think he'd be disappointed in me? I quit school as soon as I legally could. Started bar tending. Before he left, he used to talk about how I could be anything I wanted if I studied hard...."

"No, son. I don't think he'd be disappointed in you." Sully gently squeezed Nate's hips. "But he was right. You're smart enough that you could be and do anything you wanted. And when we get Sam back, I think we need to look at your future."

Nate sighed softly and nuzzled Sully's chest again, wiggling his bottom slightly as his hips were squeezed. "My future is with you..." he declared confidently. "Even if I go back to school and learn stuff that will help us all, I'm not leaving you...."

"Oh, believe me. You won't be leaving me," Sully said firmly. "And the ideal will be you going to school somewhere with an easy commute, or even studying at home, where I can keep you close." He gently squeezed Nate's bottom in response to the wiggling.

"Online schooling would make it easy to go places with you and still keep up..." Nate leaned back to give Sully a grin, even as he pressed back into the older man's hands and wiggled a bit more.

"You're definitely smart enough for that." Sully kissed Nate's forehead, even as he continued to squeeze and gently rub his boy's bottom.

"Thanks, daddy..." Nate said softly, still grinning at his father before hugging tightly and putting his head on his shoulder. "Means a lot that you believe in me." He let out a tiny, pleased sound as his bottom began to become more sensitive from the attention.

"I've seen you in action. There'd have to be something very wrong with me not to believe in you." Sully brushed his lips over Nate's hair, giving his bottom a gentle pat.

Nate huffed softly at the pat and at the words. "I'm not as confident about me as you are..." he admitted.

"I believe in you completely, son. I love you." Sully gently patted Nate's opposite buttock.

"I hope I live up to your belief in me..." Nate whispered, arching his back slightly so his bottom could be squeezed, rubbed and smacked more easily. "Feels good, daddy... Knowing I belong to you... That you can handle me and all I have to do is submit and I'll be safe...."

"You'll always be safe with me," Sully promised. "And I'll always take care of you. You'll always be safe with me." He continued to gently rub, squeeze, and lightly smack his boy's bottom. "You're mine."

Nate continued to cuddle as his bottom became warmer and more sensitive the longer Sully handled him. He knew that he'd feel it for a long time, even after the older man had stopped and was no longer touching him. He hoped it didn't stop yet, though. Even if it was making his emotions teeter to where he might start crying. "Love you..." he said, in a shaky voice.

"I love you so much." Sully kissed the side of Nate's head, even as he continued to gently rub, stroke and smack. He could tell that his son was getting sensitive, and it made him feel good...happy...that Nate was submitting and letting him take care of him.

"Dunno how I was ever happy 'fore you came for me..." Nate sniffled, hugging more tightly, and quivering as he held himself still for the attention.

"You make me really happy, son," Sully murmured. "You're my kid now. My boy. That means you're not leaving me."

"Never, ever, ever leaving you..." Nate promised fervently.

"Good," Sully said, just as fervently. "Because I can't lose you."

"If I ever do anything to take me away... You'll come get me?" Nate asked, almost nervously. He thought Sully would, but what if the other man thought Nate chose to take himself away? Would he just let him go?

"I would always come get you," Sully promised. "And if taking yourself away from me was a result of you doing something dangerous? Well, I know how to handle my naughty little boy." He gently patted Nate's bottom.

Nate clutched at Sully more tightly, even as he squirmed in place at the gentle pats. Nuzzling Sully's shoulder, he whispered, "I'd deserve to be spanked long and hard if I did something to take me away... Even if I cried like a baby and couldn't hold still and begged not ta be, I'd know I'd deserve it...."

"You'd definitely deserve to be," Sully agreed. "It wouldn't change how much I love you, though. Even if sitting became very uncomfortable." He continued to gently pat his boy's bottom.

"Cuz you love me even when I'm bad naughty..." Nate said confidently. "Even when I frustrate you or make you angry, you still love me....". He snuggled and stuck his bottom out for more 'correction'.

"No matter what happens. I will always love you. I will never stop." Sully kissed his son's head, even as he continued to gently pat and rub and squeeze. "It doesn't matter what you do. You can't change it."

"...Makes me feel safe. Knowing you'll always love and want me... Even if I do something so stupid, you might be furious about it..." Nate admitted.

"Because you're mine," Sully murmured. "And whether you're my good little boy, or my naughty little boy, it won't change anything. And even when you choose not to be my little boy, you'll still be my son," he added, acknowledging that Nate might not always want to be in the same mindset he was currently.

"Always your boy... Even if I'm big and not little..." Nate agreed. He was choosing to be young at this time because it felt good not being in control of anything and just 'being'. But he knew sometimes, in his interactions with his father, that he might need to retain control over his emotions and some decisions.

"Forever," Sully promised. "No matter what happens. And if I ever do get furious with you, it would only ever be because of how much I love you and need you in my life, son."

"I know..." Nate nuzzled against Sully's chest again. "I also know I can be very frustrating and upset the people who love me... Make them really angry... Because I do stupid stuff..." he admitted, in a small voice. "Even if I make you furious, if you still want me and take me back, I can handle it.... Well... At least when I'm feeling more big, I can." He gave Sully a sheepish smile.

"Well. I've already seen some of the stupid stuff you've pulled. I can guarantee that nothing will make me stop loving you, or wanting you, or make me not want to take you back." Patting Nate's backside a bit more firmly, Sully added, "Of course, I didn't step in before because we hadn't realized officially that you're my boy. I won't have any hesitation if something happens again."

Nate whimpered softly as the sting reignited before impulsively begging, "Spank me again, daddy? Please? Make up for all the stuff I got away with before I was yours?"

"You sure, son?" Sully asked softly. It was clear that he'd do anything for his boy...as long as he was certain it was what Nate wanted or needed...even both.

"Yessir..." Nate squirmed slightly. "D... Did a lotta stuff you'd get after me for, before ya got me... I could a taken myself away before I even had a chance to be yours... Need... Need to feel you control...." he admitted, almost reluctantly. He was very sensitive and knew it wouldn't take much for the sensitivity to become a burning ache. It was the heat in his stomach that made him reluctant, though.

The heat of anticipation and need was heavy in his stomach. It was the closest to aroused he'd ever been while being decidedly unaroused. Needing so strongly when there was no possible way for that need to end in release, knowing that the need would just keep growing and not abate and that he'd be stuck having to calm down after because there was no way to calm down quickly, was confusing and a little worrisome. How did one satisfy non-sexual physical cravings or needs?

Sully nodded and threaded the fingers of one hand through Nate's hair, brushing a kiss against his son's forehead. It took only a few movements to position them, him sitting up with his son draped over his lap. Once Nate was positioned exactly right, Sully rubbed his bottom for a few moments and then lifted his hand, bringing it down in a firm, though not too hard smack.

Nate grunted softly, the smack immediately reigniting the sting from his earlier punishment. "...Thank you, daddy..." he whispered, putting his hands behind his back to keep them out of the way.

With his other hand, Sully took hold of Nate's hands, squeezing them gently, as he settled into a pattern of swats, all at the same force, from the crest of his son's bottom down to mid-thigh. "I love you, son."

"L... Love you too, sir! So much!" Nate gasped out, just the few firm smacks Sully had given already warming his backside. The heat in his belly rose to match the rising heat of his bottom.

Squeezing Nate's hands gently, Sully continued to smack, starting a second circuit of the swats, though still at the same force.

Despite the feeling that he needed Sully to spank him, Nate couldn't help but begin squirming helplessly. His bottom was so hot and sensitive and sore... but the heat in his middle was growing too, making him feel even needier. It was a ravenous animal inside him, demanding it be fed.

As he began a third circuit of swats, Sully let his hand fall a fraction harder and faster. At the same time, he began to speak. "You won't be allowed to get away with that dangerous behavior anymore, son. You're mine."

"Yours..." Nate choked out. His squirming intensified, but not to get away from his father's hand. His squirming continually moved... pushed... his sore, aching bottom closer to Sully's hand, as if begging for more punishment. "Yours... Not 'llowed to take m'self away..." he gurgled softly, as he began to cry.

"I will never let you get taken away from me. No matter what happens." This wasn't a punishment, not really. Nate had asked for the spanking...and from his body language, it was obvious he was asking for it to continue. So, Sully carried on, turning his son's bottom to a deeper, darker red.

"N...no matter what I do.. yours... Won't leggo..." Nate's crying got stronger. His belly was an inferno of need, but... The spanking was helping. The tears seemed to be helping a little too. Nate continued to push his bottom toward his father's hand, asking for more reinforcement of who he belonged to.

"My good boy," Sully said. "My good little boy." He continued to smack, turning his boy's bottom a deeper, rosier red. At the same time, he was keeping a careful eye on Nate's reactions; making sure he was still giving his son what Nate needed.

It hurt. There was no other way to describe it. Nate's crying was sobbing by this point, and he was gripping Sully's hand desperately. He was still pushing his bottom toward his father's spanking hand, but the heat in his belly was lessening as the burn of his bottom and the ache of crying so hard increased, so the begging action was less desperate.

Still paying attention to his son's reactions, Sully lessened the force of the smacks, so they were really more like firm pats. Nate still seemed like he needed this, but not to the point he had done. Sully could only hope that he was giving his son what he needed.

Eventually, the burning ache of his bottom and the ache from sobbing overcame the heat in his belly and the need to be corrected eased. He clutched his father's hand and slumped tiredly, no longer seeking the smacks, even if he wasn't avoiding them. The endorphins combined with the pain and tears, and his body quivered before his body finally completely relaxed in a boneless heap over Sully's lap.

When his son slumped, Sully stopped spanking and carefully moved his boy onto his lap and into his arms once more. He reached for one of the water bottles from their packs and put a small amount onto a piece of cloth. Then, he began to carefully wash Nate's face, even as he cuddled his son tightly.

Nate snuggled close, calming quickly despite how sore he was. He gave his father a bleary eyed but grateful smile. "Thank you, daddy. My belly wouldn't let me relax without help..." he admitted uncertainly; not sure his explanation made sense, but not knowing how else to word it.

"It's okay, son. As long as it's within my power to safely do so, I'll help you in any way," Sully promised, carefully wiping the tears from Nate's face. At the same time, he cuddled and stroked and gently soothed.

"It... I only ever felt that keyed up before when I needed to... Do stuff..." Nate blushed. Talking about sex was one thing. Comparing needing to be spanked to needing to get laid was a whole other kettle of fish that he didn't understand the feelings at all. All he knew was that Sully spanking him had been the only thing to ease the heat in his tummy. Although maybe the spanking just provided the means to cry hard enough for catharsis? Was it the spanking or the crying that had provided release? If it was the crying, would something else help him if his stomach ever got tied up in knots again? Nate went quiet as he snuggled and pondered what had just happened and what it could mean.

"So, it might not always require a spanking?" Sully asked softly. "You're much more relaxed now that you've been able to cry so hard. Perhaps what you needed was a release of a different kind. A release of the emotions that have been building up inside you."

Nate sniffled and cuddled close. "Maybe that's it? I don't feel anxious or... So needy... But that feeling in my belly didn't go away till I couldn't stop crying..." he admitted. It was like releasing all this pent-up emotion and energy and... Almost... Almost like an orgasm..." He blushed dark. "Cept not, cuz I wasn't aroused or horny or anything...."

Sully nodded. "So, we need to look at a way for you to release that doesn't involve sex. And as much as I don't mind giving you what you need, I'd rather not turn to spanking you each time."

Nate nuzzled some more. "Thank you for helping me..." he whispered.

"I would always help you, son," Sully promised. "I love you. You are my priority."

Nate gave Sully a teary, but relaxed and contented, smile. "Tired..." he admitted quietly.

"Sleep, son." Sully gently stroked down Nate's hair and back. "I've got you."

Nate slept.

*****

It was several days later and while they'd managed to catch food and had found fresh water... Nate was really beginning to feel like they needed to find a way off the island. They needed to go home.

Sully hadn't been idle, even though they'd been living off the land, more or less. He'd finally found what he was looking for: an old radio that he could tinker with and fix, so that he could call through to one of his contacts.

Nate sat next to Sully, watching him work. The soreness of his bottom had finally ebbed, but it was still tender. He had no inclination to wander off and potentially get into trouble. Besides... It was interesting watching Sully work.

It took a little while. The radio was rusty and many of the connections were fried. But Sully was nothing if not persistent and finally, he gave a triumphant smile as the radio crackled to life in his hands.

"You did it!" Nate exclaimed, in exuberant surprise. He was grinning broadly.

Sully grinned at his son in return. "Now we just need to get through to George." He hit the frequency his friend normally used.

George responded nearly immediately. "Sully! You ignorant bastard! Where the hell are you? I was 'bout to call in the old hang to search!" the other man groused.

Nate laughed.

Chuckling softly, Sully responded, "We ended up running from a trap. Currently stranded on an island at these coordinates." He gave the coordinates to his friend. "I haven't spotted any search parties on the horizon, but that doesn't mean there isn't anyone out there looking for us."

"Well, I'll be there soon as I can. Will have to stop and refuel before coming to the island to make sure we can get back off again," George commented.

"We've been here a few days already," Sully replied. "I'm sure we can stand to wait a little longer." He smiled at his son.

"Give me twelve hours. Should be able to get there by then, as long as you don't have anyone watching you," George replied.

"Thanks, George," Sully replied. "If anything changes, I'll use this same frequency to let you know."

"I'll be listening," George promised.

Nate waited until they were through talking before looking at his father. "Is there anything we need to do before he arrives? Clean up so we leave the island like we found it? Clear an area for a plane to land? Assuming he doesn't have a seaplane.... Anything else?"

"We need to do both of those things," Sully agreed. "Leave no sign of our presence here. It might come in handy if we need to use it as a base again."

Nate nodded. "We only have a few more hours of daylight and then, if we give him twelve hours, he'll be here, so I'll start cleaning up the area now."

"If you clean up here, I'll head down to the beach and make sure we didn't leave anything behind there," Sully commented. "As well as make sure I can't see any ships on the horizon."

"Sounds good. We still have some fish from this morning left. After I clean, I can cook it. Feed Cat. What have you..." Nate smiled, waiting for confirmation that his idea was acceptable.

Sully nodded. "Good enough for me," he agreed. "If anything happens, I expect you to call for me. No matter what it is."

"Yessir..." Nate agreed quickly, giving his father a smile.

Giving his son a quick, tight hug, Sully headed to the beach to make sure there were no traces of them left.

Nate had fed the cat and got his and Sully's food ready, then cleaned up whatever wasn't needed for the night.

It didn't take long for Sully to return to his son and the cat. "Everything is clear at the beach," he reported softly.

"All that's left here is the fire. Since we want that for tonight," Nate responded, before handing Sully his food.

Sully nodded. "We can take care of that before we leave." He took the food from his son and began to eat.

Nate ate his own food quietly, absently stroking the cat every so often. Once he'd finished and cleaned his own mess up, he stared into the fire. "Do you think we'll get Sam back?" he finally whispered.

"We'll get him back," Sully promised. "No matter what happens. We won't stop until we do."

Nate nodded, then smiled crookedly, shifting closer to his father. There wasn't much to do once the sun went down. Once Sully was through eating, he'd curl up next to the older man and most likely fall asleep.

Sully finished eating his food and dropped the stick into the fire. Then, he wrapped his arms around Nate and cuddled his son in close, kissing the top of his head.

"G'night, daddy." Nate snuggled close and closed his eyes.

"Good night, son." Sully held Nate close and tight, slipping into a light doze as well.

****

The next morning, as soon as the sun was up, Nate carefully put the fire out and cleaned up evidence that there had even been one. It was just in time, too, as George landed the seaplane not more than thirty minutes after it had been cleared.

Checking to make sure that nothing was out of place, Sully picked up the cat and wrapped his arm around Nate, quickly guiding both members of his family to the plane.

"Where to, Hoss?" George asked with a grin, as soon as the trio was on the plane and the hatch was closed. He began preparations for take off.

"We need to go to these coordinates." Glancing at his son, Sully added, "The initial setup was a trap. But hopefully, they won't be expecting us to go back. That's the best place I can think of to get information about where we can find Sam."

George nodded. "You don't want to go home first? Regroup and plan? Get supplies? I can watch the cat for you. She'll probably be safer if you aren't having to run with her."

"Probably a good idea," Sully agreed. "We know what to expect this time, going in. So, we can prepare better."

George nodded. "So, I take you home. You get your gear. Bring me the cat's stuff so she is comfy at my place. I then drop you off at these coordinates.'

"Yeah," Sully agreed. "Thanks, George. My hope is that we'll be coming back with Sam. But if not, we'll get a lead on his location."

"Yeah. Hope it goes the way you want," George said gruffly

Nate stayed quiet through most of the exchange. Even if he was inclined to want to go straight to the coordinates, he wasn't inclined to argue with his father. He was still feeling tender from being handled and it helped remind him who was in charge.

Sully just nodded. He might not have exactly the same relationship with Sam as he did with Nate, but he still cared about the other man. He reached out and squeezed his son's hand, trying to give silent reassurance.

It was a quiet trip. Several hours. But finally, George was landing the plane and Nate and Sully were free to go back to their apartment and prepare.

Once the plane was landed, Sully led his son into the apartment and immediately went to grab the first aid kit to add to their supplies. "I know we were lucky this time not to sustain serious injuries, but I think we need to make sure we have enough to hand in case something else happens."

"Makes sense. Never know when I'll have to jump off a third story floor into a chandelier..." Nate teased, reminding his father of when they first started working together. He was quickly gathering his items and stuffing them in a pack.

"Hopefully never again," Sully replied, with feeling. He quickly packed the rest of his stuff.

Nate chuckled. "If I did that now, you wouldn't be nearly as calm as you were that day...." He'd finished gathering his items and quickly began gathering what George would need to take care of the cat.

"If you did that now, it would earn you a trip over my knee," Sully responded. He moved over to help his son gather what was needed for the cat.

"Yeah. I'd deserve it..." Nate said cheerfully, if sheepishly.

"So long as we're on the same page." Sully wrapped his arm around Nate's waist, hugging him close. "We'll find him, son," he added. "No matter what it takes."

"I know... It's still hard..." Nate sighed, then snuggled close.

Sully kissed the side of his head. "I know. But we're in this together," he said. "And with both of us on the case, we'll succeed," he promised.

Nate leaned into Sully a few more moments before pulling back. "Let's go meet George." He smiled.

"You got everything you need?" Sully asked.

"Yeah. Prolly got extra..." Nate shouldered his bag and Sully's, so Sully could carry Cat.

Sully led the way out of their apartment, making sure the door was locked behind them.

****

They'd left Cat with George. George had taken them to the coordinates. They'd then spent two weeks following up leads that went nowhere. Nate was so frustrated and discouraged. The worse of it was, they knew where one of the people who knew where Sam was, was staying. They knew, but Sully refused to confront them because he was afraid something would happen to Nate.

Nate had been on his own and taking care of himself for longer than Sully had cared about what happened to him. He was certain that even if he didn't confront the man, he could sneak into his dwelling and locate information on where Sam might be. He didn't ask Sully, though. He knew the older man would say it was too dangerous. If he got the information and showed Sully after the fact, though? Sully would have to see he was babying Nate too much and Nate was more capable than he was being given credit for.

He snuck away while Sully was chasing down another lead. He'd snuck into the compound. And he'd found the info they needed. He'd got caught as he was heading toward the fence; luckily without the information on him (they didn't know why he was there, or if he'd found anything). Now? He was in a basement cell, racking his brains, trying to figure out a way out of the mess he'd got himself into.

***

Sully had returned from chasing down the lead...and it had actually given him a way in to potentially find Sam. So, he was in a good mood and was looking forward to sharing the information he'd found with his son. Returning to their base, he wasn't immediately worried when he couldn't see Nate. After all, they were running low on supplies and his kid had mentioned wanting to pick up some things.

Worry was rapidly turning to fear, though, when Sully realized Nate had left the radio behind. That wasn't like his son at all...and while there were no signs of a struggle, that didn't mean Nate couldn't have been taken.

Sully quickly gathered a few of his own supplies and headed back out, hoping he'd find some sign of where his kid was. Or, if Nate hadn't left of his own accord, wherever he'd been taken.

***

Nate's captors were smart, putting him below ground so that he couldn't escape through windows. Nate was smarter, though. He knew there was ventilation to the cellar. He also knew this was a very old mansion; and very old mansions tended to have secret tunnels. Unless his captors knew about potential tunnels and put guards on them, if he could find such a tunnel, he could escape.

It was slow going. He had to constantly listen for his captors...making certain to be within sight of the entrance whenever they came to check on him. But...eventually, he found his tunnel. It even came with the 'secret tunnel' switch that would let him reclose it and hide his exit. Before making use of it, he'd need to leave several red herrings that would distract them from immediately seeing where the door opened and closed.

He quickly set about making sure to leave signs all over the cellar floor, so that his footprints and door marks at the actual exit point would be obscured.

He'd already been missing six hours. If he didn't leave soon, he feared Sully would come after him and get caught himself.

***

It didn't take Sully all that long to realize that Nate had, more than likely, gone to the compound, looking for information about Sam's wherabouts. That his son hadn't returned meant it was more than likely he'd been captured...which was exactly what Sully had been afraid of happening when Nate had first brought up getting information from the man.

Reaching the compound itself was fairly easy, but Sully needed to be careful if he was going to find Nate. The last thing they needed was for both of them to get captured. Then they'd have no chance of finding Sam...and there was a very good chance they'd both end up seriously hurt, or worse.

The fence was the more obvious way in, but the chances were good that was how Nate had been caught. It would be being watched. Sully needed to find another way in.

***

Looking at the floor, Nate was satisfied that it looked like he'd been pacing and moving stuff all over it. It should hide his actual escape route for a few extra minutes, while they tried to figure things out. His guards had been coming to look in on him about every thirty minutes. He waited until a minute after they'd left from checking in him and quickly went to the tunnel, opening the door, going in, and closing it again. He then moved as quickly as possible toward the end of the tunnel, hoping it actually was an escape and not a dead end.

***

There was a manhole cover not far from where the fence surrounded the compound, positioned in such a way so as not to be immediately noticeable to anyone unless they were outside the fence. Keeping a careful eye on the compound itself, Sully slowly raised the cover and began to climb down. He moved the cover back into position, but left it at an angle, so he could easily push it free again.

****

Nate was a bit surprised how quickly they discovered he was gone, given the schedule they'd been on for watching him. About five minutes after he'd gone into the tunnel, having to move slowly because he didn't have a flashlight and it was nearly pitch dark, he heard a klaxon begin pealing through the grounds. He knew it had to be exceptionally loud, considering he could hear it so clearly underground. He figured they were trying to panic him; cause him to do something that would give his position away.

***

Sully was pretty sure that the klaxon sounding meant that his son had managed to free himself. It was good, in many ways...but at the same time, it meant Sully needed to be even more careful as he picked his way through the tunnel, keeping to the shadows and listening intently with every step he took.

Nate moved as quickly as he dared. He wasn't worried about making noise; if the klaxons were that loud for him to hear, no one would hear him moving. His eyes were adjusting to the dark, so he felt more confident in his movement. Still... He was careful. And he was listening, just in case he was being pursued. Loud klaxons or not, he was pretty sure he'd hear anyone else moving in the tunnel. It would give him enough time to prepare to fight, at least.

Sully could hear someone else moving in the tunnel and his body grew tense. It could be his son...but it could just as easily be one of those who'd captured him. And if it was one of those who'd held Nate, Sully needed to make sure he didn't risk getting captured as well.

Nate slowed. He wasn't certain if he heard someone ahead of him or not. No one was behind him, and the klaxon was still blaring, so he was pretty sure he wasn't being followed from behind. Had his captors found the exit point of the tunnel? Were they blocking his exit? Swallowing hard, he slowly continued forward. He had to get away. It would have been preferable to not have to fight, but he'd fight if he had to. Hopefully, if it was his captors, they would have only sent one person and he wasn't outnumbered.

Sully was certain that he could hear someone, and he retreated further back into the shadows, keeping a careful watch. He allowed himself to relax when the person came into view, and he saw it was his son.

Nate appeared to be alone and there wasn't any sign of people following him. But just in case, Sully still kept to the shadows, even as he softly called his kid's name.

Even listening and watching closely, Nate was still startled at hearing his father call out his name. He managed not to make any undignified or loud noises, but he couldn't stop himself from jumping a foot into the air. "Daddy?!" he called out, very softly and hesitantly.

Sully carefully moved into view, still keeping a watch out in case anyone else was in the tunnel with them. "Are you hurt anywhere?" That was the most important thing right now. Establish whether Nate was hurt and needed medical attention before they got out.

"No cuts or anything needing immediate attention," Nate answered quickly, as he moved closer to Sully so he could be heard in a whisper. He might be confident no one outside the tunnel could hear anything, but no need to take chances.

"Good." Sully quickly looked him over, making sure there were no obvious injuries, and then took his son's arm, beginning to lead him back to the tunnel's entrance.

"Where does this let out? Is it past the property boundaries?" Nate whispered, following willingly.

"It is," Sully confirmed. "There was a manhole cover outside the fence. It was hidden in the grass, and I moved it so that it looked like the tunnel entrance was covered, though it's at an angle so I can easily remove it." He was moving quickly even so, not wanting to risk them getting trapped.

"Great. I wasn't sure where this led. Glad it's outside the property line. Hopefully, they'll be too busy searching inside the property to notice something happening outside..." Nate kept up with Sully.

Sully just nodded. He kept a hold of his son, even as they reached the exit of the tunnel, only letting go of Nate long enough to move the manhole cover away. Then, once they were out, he put the cover back. His son's captors might still guess how Nate had escaped, but at least this way, there was still the possibility they'd remain ignorant of them using the tunnel.

Nate kept low and as hidden as it was possible to be, waiting for Sully to lead him to whatever vehicle he'd come in.

As soon as the cover was in place, Sully took hold of Nate's arm and began to lead his son towards the vehicle, which had been moved well out of the way. He needed to keep hold of Nate. It helped to settle at least some of the worry and fear that had hit him when he realized his son was gone.

Nate kept quiet as Sully led him to the car. He was listening in case they were seen. Somehow, they made it without being noticed. He quickly jumped into the car, then ducked down low so he couldn't be seen. He didn't know if his captors would recognize Sully or not, but if they didn't know who his father was, he didn't want to clue them in by letting them see him by the older man.

Sully kept a careful watch as he put the car into gear and began driving away from the compound. As they left the building, the adrenaline began to wear off...and Sully couldn't help but think of all the things that could have gone wrong.

Nate stayed curled up on the floor of the car, waiting for Sully to give him the all clear that they were safe.

"We're away from the compound," Sully said, once he was certain that no one was following them.

Nate let out a loud sigh, releasing the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Carefully, he climbed up into the seat and put on his seatbelt. "I found out some information..." he said, with a hint of excitement. "Did you find out what you were looking for? If we put the info together, we might be able to figure it out!"

"It was you I was looking for," Sully replied. "I got back to the base, and you were gone." This time, the worry and fear he felt crept into his voice. He didn't bother trying to hide it. Maybe if Nate knew how Sully felt, it would help him to change his behavior.

Nate blinked uncertainly, uncomfortably fidgeting. "I... I meant the lead you left to go follow..." he said softly. He didn't say anything about Sully's response otherwise. He wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want to make excuses. He felt bad... guilty...that he'd caused the obvious fear in his father. But he still felt like it wasn't unreasonable that he be able to chase down leads on his own, like an adult and useful member of their group. Even if a small part of him knew that there was a big difference between chasing down a lead on his own (which could be dangerous) and sneaking into the compound of a known enemy (definitely dangerous).

"The lead I went to follow was about us getting into the compound safely to get the information about Sam," Sully replied. "And I had a way. One that could have got us in and out, if it was necessary. As it is, if they figure out what you were there for, whatever information you found may no longer be valid." He was working really hard to keep his voice calm and level; wasn't entirely sure he was succeeding.

"They can't know what I was there for... I didn't take any of it with me and made sure to leave it exactly as I found it. When they caught me, they thought I was trying to break in, not out... I heard them talking about it..." Nate tried to reassure Sully that the information would still be valid. "I doubt it would change even if they did find out I'd discovered something, though. The place they got Sam is more difficult to get to than the top of Mount Everest and more heavily guarded than Fort Knox..." he grumbled, sounding dejected.

Sully just shook his head. "If you'd waited for me to come back, instead of running into a dangerous situation alone, we might have been able to make use of the resources there to get to Sam more easily."

Nate wrinkled his nose in confusion, not sure what resources Sully was talking about using. He had all the information, so it obviously wasn't that. "I needed to do something..." he almost whined in his frustration. "You were following a lead without me again. Feels like you do all the work, even when it can be dangerous, and I'm stuck hiding, waiting for you to get home, because you want me safe." He glanced out the car window.  "Even if it means I'm useless...." he muttered softly, because he knew Sully would latch onto it and he didn't want to argue about his feelings. Nothing Sully said would convince him that he wasn't useless if he couldn't even get information on his own, when his father did things on his own.

"Nate...you're not hiding." Sully sighed. "We're in the middle of potentially dangerous situations. And there are only two of us at the base. What do you think would happen if someone found our base...and neither of us was there to grab what we couldn't afford to lose? Yes, I want to keep you safe. I also want to make sure we're not in the same situation as we were on the island, without anything with us that we need to survive."

Nate bit his lip and looked at Sully, searching his face. "...I didn't think about that..." he admitted reluctantly before slumping. "Sorry I acted like an idiot...."

"We're going to deal with this back at the base," Sully said, his voice serious...nearly stern.

Nate winced again, knowing how it would be taken care of; and knowing that he'd likely not be acting like an adult shortly after. He never seemed able to act his age when Sully punished him, and the childishness often continued well into the night after. Only the fact that Sully accepted that reaction and didn't view it as a bad response kept him from feeling like a freakish failure... knowing he'd soon be needing to be taken care of, despite his previous attempts to prove he was a useful adult. "Do you want me to give you my information first? While it is still fresh in my memory?" he asked, in a resigned voice.

Sully nodded. "That would be helpful," he agreed. It would also give him the chance to calm down a bit more fully...although the way he was feeling, he thought he might need to take a bit more time to feel that his son was truly safe and not with people who would hurt him, if not worse.

Nate swallowed and nodded. They were almost to the base, so he waited to begin his report. It would be better to wait until they were inside. He felt the urge to apologize, but knew he'd only make things worse. Apologizing for worrying his father wasn't a bad thing; but he knew what Sully wanted was for him to regret having just gone on his own without talking to him first. Nate wasn't sorry about that, really... Just sorry about the worry. Telling Sully that would only upset his father more, though.

Sully parked outside their base, but didn't immediately get out of the vehicle, instead looking at the surrounding area to make sure no one had discovered their hideout. Once he was satisfied it was safe, he got out of the car and moved round to the other side to get Nate out as well.

Nate stayed where he was, even though he could have gotten out on his own. Maybe if he let Sully control what happened and how, his father would be able to calm down and not be so worried. The look of worry still on the older man's face bothered Nate.

Guiding his son out of the car, Sully locked it and then wrapped his arm around Nate's waist, pulling the younger man tight against him. His body was still tense with the worry and need to calm down but having his son close enough to touch helped. At least a little.

Nate could feel the tenseness and allowed himself to go loose-limbed, leaning into Sully as an act of submission... Letting the older man take comfort in feeling that he had hold of him and that Nate was safe.

Even once they were in the base, Sully didn't let go of or even loosen his hold on Nate. Once they were inside, he directed his son to tell him what he had learned.

Nate reported everything he'd read and seen, leaving nothing out. "I can write some of it down if you need?" he offered hesitantly, Sully's extreme worry finally getting to him, to the point he hoped the older man punished him soon; if only so it would cement in Sully's mind that he had Nate back in his grip and Nate was safe.

"That isn't necessary," Sully replied. He was still holding onto his son and he led Nate over to the couch. Sitting down, he began to strip his son of his clothing.

Nate whimpered softly, but he didn't argue and he left himself loose limbed so Sully could easily do what he felt necessary. "You did what you promised..." he whispered, the realization causing his guilt to spike. "I did something foolish that could have taken me away from you and you came after me."

"I told you I would," Sully agreed. "I would always come after you." He finished stripping his son and then guided Nate into position across his lap, settling his son in place before lifting his hand and bringing it down in a firm, stinging smack.

"You told me you'd come for me and you did..." Nate said, in a tight, guilt filled voice. "You said if I was the one who took myself away, you'd still come for me... And... And..." He swallowed hard. Sully had come for him. And he was spanking his naughty bottom, just as promised.

"And that I'd spank you. I'd draw you back to me. Even when it's your own actions that could result in me losing you." As he spoke, Sully settled into a pattern of the stinging smaks, working over every inch of Nate's bottom from the crest down to mid-thigh.

"And you did..." Nate whispered. "...You are..." His voice caught and he choked on a tiny sob. It caught him by surprise, how quickly he was brought to tears. It probably shouldn't have, though. He felt extremely guilty by this point. Realizing how close he'd come to removing himself from Sully's life had removed any of the self-justifications he'd had. He felt like he'd been wrong... done wrong... Now.

"Because you're mine." Sully continued to spank, until his son's bottom was a warm, rosy pink. Then, he stood Nate up and walked him over to the corner. "Stay here until I come get you," he directed firmly.

"Yessir..." Nate whimpered, furtively wiping his eyes and nose with the back of his hand as he obediently faced the corner. It didn't help much, as he was still actively crying. He felt ashamed of his actions and his bottom didn't hurt nearly enough to make up for the pain he'd heard in Sully's voice. He stood, staring at the corner, his freshly spanked bottom on display for Sully.

Although he didn't touch Nate, Sully stayed close enough that his son could feel his presence. Having this control over Nate was helping him calm down, knowing that his son was here and safe with him.

Nate slumped slightly, head falling forward, becoming more submissive. He could feel Sully nearby and it helped, even if he continued to silently cry from the guilt. Being in position where Sully could keep an eye on him just reinforced the fact that he belonged to the older man. "Was... Was really naughty..." he whispered.

"You were. Very naughty," Sully replied. "You knew exactly what I expected of you. Exactly what I told you not to do. And you could have been taken away from me. I won't let that happen."

"I knew better... Deserve to be punished..." Nate swallowed. His voice had slipped into a more childish tone, though he was trying desperately not to slip into a childish mindset. Not yet. Not until he knew he and Sully were square... Were okay.

"You do," Sully agreed. "You deserve to be over your daddy's knee, getting your bare bottom blistered." He used the words and phrasing deliberately, pushing his son further into the more childish mindset.

Nate closed his eyes tightly and whimpered, the words spearing into him, causing the guilt to flare. The words also caused him to slip closer to the edge of his control. "I'm sorry, daddy..." he whispered, voice sounding even more young as Sully's efforts to take him to a more childish mindset began to work.

"I know. And we'll deal with that naughtiness," Sully promised. "In a minute, I'm going to put you back over my knee to continue with your punishment. Then later on this evening, and for the rest of the week, you'll be getting bedtime spankings to remind you to be good, not naughty."

Nate whimpered softly, the idea of nightly spankings easing a little of the guilt. He knew he'd be thoroughly punished. It also caused him to slip just that small bit more as Sully asserted his authority over him. Sully was in charge and would decide how sore he'd be. How long he'd be sore. All of it. And Nate knew it was fair and right that Sully be in control because he'd been horribly naughty and almost got himself taken away. "Y... Yessir..." he said, in a small voice, feeling very young by that point. "Will have a sore bottom all week cuz I was so naughty...."

"It'll remind you of who you belong to. Whose boy you are." Sully reached out and drew Nate from the corner. He walked over to the couch and sat down, placing his son across his lap once more.

"Belong to you, daddy..." Nate sniffled, reaching down and wrapping his arms around Sully's leg in a death grip. His bottom was still stinging from the earlier round of swats. He had no doubt he'd be sobbing and squirming shortly.

"For always." Sully began to smack, a bit more firmly and a bit harder than he had done with the earlier round of swats. That had been the warmup. This was the true punishment.

"Always forever..." A tiny sob escaped, and Nate's grip tightened as he tried to hold still. He deserved this. He couldn't fight it.

Sully wrapped his arm around Nate's waist, drawing his son in tight against his stomach, and continued to swat firmly. After about the second circuit, he stopped spanking methodically and began to deliver firm smacks all over his son's bottom and thighs.

Nate had managed to hold still through two circuits- knowing where the next swat would fall helped- but as soon as Sully began to target random areas, he lost the ability to hold still. He began to squirm uncontrollably. Only Sully's firm grip on him, and the fact his arms were wrapped tightly around his father's leg, kept him from squirming off Sully's lap. His tears became vocal.

Sully continued to smack, turning his son's bottom a deeper, darker pink that then began shading to red. Then, he paused to begin rubbing Nate's bottom; firmly and possessively. "You are mine and I will not allow you to take yourself away from me," he said.

Nate's tiny, sobbing gasps as he tried to breathe through the tears caught in his throat as Sully began to firmly rub his very sore bottom. It didn't hurt, would normally feel good, but it did cause the stinging ache from the swats to become more noticeable, due to the contrast. "Yours... B'long to you... Not 'llowed to take me away... Sorry, daddy...."

"I know you're sorry, son. But once I spank you, you won't be naughty anymore. You'll be my good boy." Sully rubbed firmly for a bit longer and then, taking a tighter grip on his boy, resumed smacking Nate's bottom.

Nate sobbed softly, both at the promise that he'd be good again and because Sully was smacking anew. It hurt by this point. Not a stinging ache, but a burning pain. As careful as Sully was being, Nate was positive he'd see handprints on his backside the next morning.

Sully continued to smack firmly for a couple more minutes, then once more paused to rub his boy's red, heated bottom. "Risking taking yourself away from me is not and will never be acceptable, little boy," he said sternly.

Nate felt himself drop emotionally at the name. "...Your little boy..." he cried brokenly, sounding slightly scared that he wasn't Sully's anymore, despite how possessive the older man was being. "... Burns, daddy..." He continued to cry. His squirms were feeble efforts by this point.

"It needs to, little boy," Sully responded. "Getting all of the naughtiness spanked out of you is the only way you can be my good little boy again." Once more, he resumed smacking his son's bottom, this time a fraction harder and faster.

Nate sobbed softly, the cries nearly as feeble as his squirming. Sully had been spanking for so long now, going over the same punished territory numerous times. "Was so, so, terribly naughty..." he choked out, forlorn guilt still coating his tone. He felt raw, he was so sore, but... It didn't feel enough to make up for what he'd done to Sully.

Once more, Sully paused to firmly rub and gently squeeze the punished skin. "You're grounded, little boy," he said. "No going anywhere unless I am with you. And you won't be leaving my sight even when we're at the base."

"N... Not ev'n a 'lil?" Nate's voice was small, young, and shaky. "E'en goin to bathroom? 'N shower?" Nate's sobs got slightly stronger at the promise he'd just lost all his freedoms until further notice. He was being watched like a toddler.

"Even then," Sully replied firmly. "Bathroom or shower, you'll be doing those right where I can see you," he promised.

"l... Like a... a..." Nate couldn't say it out loud. If he said it, he'd slip the rest of the way into the childish headspace. He was already feeling entirely needy and clingy. What he wanted was to hear in Sully's tone... In the older man's voice... That he wasn't scared anymore. As much as hearing disappointment or censure would hurt, it was infinitely better than fear. He'd find a way to make Sully proud if his father was ashamed of him. He didn't know how to remove fear, though.

"Like a little boy. Like my little boy," Sully responded. He didn't sound scared anymore; he didn't sound angry, or disappointed. Instead, there was a note of possession in his voice, along with almost a hint of satisfaction. Nate was his and his actions and voice made his possession of his son clear.

At hearing Sully's voice and realizing the fear was gone, Nate slumped over his father's lap. He wasn't struggling to get away any longer. He accepted the swats because he deserved them. "I'm your li'l boy..." He sobbed softly, falling the rest of the way into childish neediness.

"You're my little boy," Sully agreed. "You're mine." He resumed smacking his boy's bottom, returning to the pattern of swats from the crest down to mid-thigh. He was going to make sure Nate's bottom was hot and sore all through the night and well into the next day, too.

"Sorry, daddy..." Nate whimpered weakly. He'd cried and squirmed so much by this point, he couldn't cry or squirm any longer. He lay limp and accepting. He knew he'd feel the punishment well into the next day, if not longer. He dreaded the thought of putting clothes on. His bottom felt like it was tenderized.

"I know, son. I forgive you. I love you." Sully continued to swat, though there wasn't much force behind the smacks now; they were really little more than firm pats, enough to keep the sting fresh for a little while longer.

Nate shivered as the spanking continued. Even though he could tell Sully was mostly just patting by this point, it still hurt a great deal. He didn't say anything else. He was small and helpless and firmly under Sully's control.

Sully continued the firm pats for a few more moments, making sure the feelings would stick, and then he stopped. He carefully moved Nate into his arms on his lap, cuddling his son tightly.

Nate let out a silent sob as his tenderized bottom connected with Sully's thighs. He clung to his father desperately, needing to feel he was forgiven. That he was good again because the naughty had been spanked out of him.

Sully hugged Nate tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of his son's head. "I love you," he whispered, rocking his boy gently. "I forgive you. You're my good little boy again."

"Love you, daddy... S'much. Sorry was so naughty..." Nate whispered, in a wrecked voice that sounded so very young, it was obvious he'd slipped and was helpless.

"You're not naughty anymore. You're my good little boy," Sully promised. "You're completely forgiven. And you won't be out of my sight even for a moment." He let his hands rub gently over Nate's hair and back.

"You'll watch me? Kee’me close?" Nate snuggled, sniffling miserably. He hurt, but he didn't feel guilty anymore. He just needed to be held.

"Always." Sully brushed a kiss over Nate's head, tightening his arms around his son. "I love you so much," he murmured.

"Love you, daddy. So much..." Nate whimpered, tightening his grip.

Sully continued to gently stroke down Nate's hair and back, kissing the top or side of his son's head every so often. "In a little while, I'll rub some ointment into your bottom," he said softly. That had been one of the supplies he'd made sure to pack.

Nate sniffled, nuzzling Sully's chest. "Don deserve my bottom to feel better..." he said, in a small voice.

"I want to take care of you, little boy," Sully said firmly, gently threading his fingers through Nate's hair. "Besides, you'll be getting bedtime spankings as a reminder all this week."

Nate whimpered softly but didn't argue further. He peered over his shoulder to try and see his own bottom, to see if it looked as bad as it felt.

Sully had spanked his son to the point that Nate's bottom was a dark red. It wouldn't bruise, but the soreness would definitely last.

"That's so red, daddy..." Nate's voice was softly awed.

"Enough to make it stick in your mind, little boy," Sully said softly, moving one hand down to gently rub his boy's bottom.

Nate whined softly as the stinging ache reignited with the rubbing. His stomach got warm and flipped at the sensation. He belonged to Sully and felt that belonging completely. "Yes, daddy. Won't forget. Belong to you...."

"Good. I'll be keeping your bottom sore for this week, little boy, to make sure you do remember." Sully continued to gently rub Nate's bottom, feeling some satisfaction at the control he had over his boy.

Nate snuggled close, feeling good at the fact Sully would be keeping his bottom sore. "Thank you, daddy... Need to 'member. Need to feel you control..." he admitted.

"I am in complete control of you," Sully murmured. "And you won't be leaving my sight even for a moment." He kissed Nate's head.

"...Okay..." Nate smiled and snuggled close, content to let Sully control everything. He'd heard the satisfaction in his father's voice and knew Sully liked and needed to have the control over him.

Sully just held his son close and tight, content to take this time to be with his boy. Yes, they were going to need to find Sam... but for right now, keeping his boy safe and under his control was Sully's full priority.

The End