Bringing Home Danny (25 page)

“
Fine, I'll take the GED test, but I don't need classes.”
 

“
It is not an option." Mitch was determined to take the edge off Danny's defiance.
 

"You need to be in school. I will not permit you to take the test unprepared.”

“
Fine, I'll take the classes, but I am not going to some stupid counselor.”
 

“
That's fine. I spoke to the counselor and I can assure you he is not stupid.”
 

“
Very funny. I'm still not going. I'm not crazy!” Danny was adamant about his position, and was becoming frustrated that he was not being heard.
 

Mitch pinched the bridge of his nose.
“No one thinks you're crazy. However, it is obvious you have some things that are troubling you. It won't hurt to talk to a professional about it.”
 

“
I'm not troubled, and I don't have emotional problems. I just don't sleep well,” Danny persisted.
 

“
Danny, please stop arguing. We already made the decision for you,” Antonio said, hoping to quell his rising temper.
 

Danny refused to acknowledge Antonio's plea for quiet acceptance.
“Well, unmake it!" he yelled. "Because I am not going to a shrink!”
 

“
We've made our decision. You don't have a choice,” Antonio repeated resolutely.
 

“
Bullshit!”
 

Danny stared defiantly at them.
 

Antonio took a calming breath and let Mitch take control of the rest of the conversation. Taking no pity on his snotty little attitude, Mitch swiftly stood up, hauled Danny up from his chair, and swatted his backside hard.

“
You swear at either of us again and I will wash your mouth out with soap.” Still holding him firmly by the arm, Mitch gave him a stern shake. “Is that clear?”
 

Danny quickly reached back to rub the sting from his bottom, and to protect it from further assault. He wanted to curse out his frustration, but wisely decided against it, and nodded his head instead. Realizing Mitch wasn't letting him go, he mumbled, “Yes, sir.”
 

“
Good. Now, sit down so we can finish this conversation without the benefit of a cleanser.”
 

Danny sat back down, but was not ready to give in. He bravely forged ahead with his protest while making sure to use a more respectful tone. “You can't
make
me go,” he pouted with his arms crossed.
 

“
Oh, I can, and I will. But for your sake, you'd better hope it won't be necessary.”
 

“
I don't have anything to talk about,” Danny whined.
 

“
I can help with that, because if you don't cooperate with the therapist, I can make sure you'll have plenty of things to complain about. For example, you can spend your following session discussing how difficult it is to sit there with a sore bottom.”
 

Mitch had to stifle a laugh at the murderous glare Danny shot him. If Danny was a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier he may have had cause to worry.

Antonio gave Mitch a reproachful stare before turning to Danny and explaining, “Listen, honey, we are not trying to make things difficult for you. We are only trying to do what's best. Mitch and I will pay for your classes and your counseling sessions. All we are asking is for you to give it a try.”
 

“
You're not asking, you're telling.”
 

Antonio ignored Danny's provocation. “Eight sessions, that's all. If you don't like it, you can stop after that. But the classes are nonnegotiable.”
 

Danny hated being so ungrateful. It was all just too much too soon. He needed
time to think on things. He was not used to people making decisions for him, and he liked to keep his business private. There was no way in hell he was going to share his closely guarded secrets with a therapist.
 

Antonio could see Danny softening up, and gave him a moment to gather his thoughts.

“
What do you say, sweetheart? After your class on Monday, Mitch and I can go with you to meet the counselor.”
 

“
No,” Danny sighed. “I can go by myself.”
 

*****

Mitch and Antonio left Danny in peace to brood over their last conversation. Needing to clear his head, Mitch decided to go back into the kitchen to make a sandwich before heading out to the gym. Walking in, he accidentally knocked into TJ and got an earful of his discontent. He had awoken in a particularly ornery mood that morning, and was showing no signs of improvement.

TJ was an expert at knowing how far to push a reaction without garnering any serious consequences. Unfortunately, today he wasn't able to put on the brakes, especially after watching Mitch take out a plate and pull lunchmeat from the fridge. “What's the matter? The lunch
I
made wasn't good enough for you? You have to wait 'til I'm done cleaning to come back in and dirty up more dishes?”
 

“
TJ, you've been trying to provoke me all day. Is there something on your mind you want to talk about?”
 

“
Why didn't you punish me?” TJ blurted out.
 

“
What?”
 

“
I want a spanking,” he asserted, with a fragile air of determination.
 

Mitch quirked an eyebrow. TJ kept his head up to maintain his brave front. When Mitch crossed his arms, TJ slumped into his chair. Mitch sat down then turned TJ's chair around so that he was directly facing him.

TJ jumped in before Mitch has a chance to question him. “I messed things up. You were right. You warned me and I didn't listen.”

It was not hard for Mitch to piece together what was preoccupying TJ's thoughts and at the root of his foul mood. “Things with Danny have been a bit difficult. I know you were trying to do the right thing.” Mitch was rehashing in his mind the conversation he recently had with Antonio on that exact subject.
 

“
You don't understand. I hate seeing Danny upset. I knew what you were telling me was for the best.” TJ put his head down and admitted, “But I like Danny being dependent on me.”
 

“
I see.”
 

“
I love him,” TJ confessed. “I know he is just a kid. I would never do anything...” TJ couldn't find the right words.
 

“
TJ, I think we have all grown to care about Danny. But you take priority. If it's going to be too hard for you to have him here...”
 

“
NO! No, I want him to stay. I can handle it. I mean he is only a kid. I just feel...”
 

“
Guilty?”
 

“
Ashamed.”
 

“
That's part of growing up, TJ. Sometimes it is important to put our own feelings aside for the needs of others.”
 

“
I deserve to be punished.”
 

“
I don't think that's going to change anything.”
 

“
Please, Mitch. It would make me feel better.”
 

This wasn't how Mitch liked to do business. If TJ was asking to be spanked, then he probably didn't need it. Mitch didn't like to administer corporal punishment unless he felt it was necessary. He knew it was crucial that he made the right decision.

TJ peered up at him with pleading eyes. “Please,” he begged.
 

“
Okay, TJ. Let's do this upstairs.” Mitch stood up. TJ slowly followed, then fell into his arms. Mitch hoisted him up, and TJ wrapped his arms around Mitch's neck and his legs around his waist. Mitch was surprised by TJ's neediness. He scooped an arm under TJ's backside for support. Then, he put a hand to the back of his boy's head and pressing it to his shoulder. “It's going to be all right, baby,” Mitch promised, as he carried TJ upstairs.
 

Mitch wasn't sure how to proceed, but he knew it was his role to give TJ comfort by being decisive and taking charge. He brought TJ into the master bedroom and placed him on the bed.
 

“
Take off your clothes.”
 

“
All of it, Daddy?” TJ asked, in a soft voice.
 

Daddy wasn't a term he used too often. It was mostly reserved for intimate sex talk. But it came out naturally, and Mitch was once again struck by TJ's insecurity.

“
All of it,” he answered affirmably.
 

TJ stripped, and for the first time he could remember, he felt self-conscious being undressed. Mitch took a seat at the edge of the bed, then, he beckoned TJ to lie across his lap.
 

“
What did you do to earn this spanking, TJ?”
 

“
I didn't listen to you. I went against your wishes.”
 

“
What else?”
 

“
I was dishonest, and I kissed Danny.”
 

Mitch sighed. He had wondered if they were going to have to revisit the kiss. Although Antonio and he had forgiven him, he was certain TJ still felt the issue was unresolved.

“
Anything else?”
 

“
I took advantage of Danny by thinking of my needs first.” TJ almost started to cry at the full weight of that admission.
 

Mitch wouldn't let him harbor on those thoughts. TJ was young and immature, but with time, Mitch was confident he would grow into a fine young man. So he ended the interrogation, to begin the first phase of TJ's punishment. He let the first twenty hand spanks rain down on his tight muscular backside without pause. When he finally stopped, TJ was breathing heavy. Mitch knew he could spank hard when he put most of his weight into it. He also knew that TJ's heavy breathing had less to do with the spanking, and more to do with internal anguish. Mitch lifted his knee to deliver another twenty swats to TJ's sit spots. When Mitch focused on his lower thighs, TJ hitched in a deep breath. He tensed up, preventing himself from crying and letting his emotions loose.
 

Mitch feared it was going to take too long to get the required response this way.

He rubbed TJ's gorgeous round mounds as he contemplated his next move. Patting them he said, “Stand up.”
 

TJ eased off his lap. He stood up shakily watching Mitch place a pillow at the end on the bed.

“
Lay over it. Place your butt high in the air,” his Daddy instructed.
 

TJ nodded tearfully and said, “Yes, sir.”

When Mitch slipped his belt through his pant loops, TJ closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in anticipation. It began in a slow constant rhythm. Mitch wasn't hitting hard, but he was hitting steady. He was making quick work with the strap against the raw backside. Then, he stopped to study his boy's reaction. For some reason, TJ was holding off his emotions. Mitch took a break and listened for heavy breathing and quiet hitching. He swung back and whacked him three times hard against the creases between his bottom cheeks and sexy long legs.
 

“
Ooowww!” TJ finally howled.
 

Mitch saw his partner enter the room, and stopped.
 

“
What's going on?” Antonio asked.
 

Mitch was confused. They never interrupt each other during discipline sessions. Antonio was worried about the extent of the punishment, and had no idea what TJ did wrong. Mitch rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth and said, “Why don't you let TJ explain?”
 

TJ turned his head to face Antonio as he sat down next to him. “I'm sorry, Antonio. I'm so sorry,” he cried.

Antonio pulled him up into his arms. “Sorry for what, baby?”

“
I...I...” TJ closed his eyes unable to finish his sentence.
 

“
Antonio asked you a question, TJ. You need to answer him.”
 

“
I've been a bad boyfriend to you and Mitch. I was also a bad friend to Danny.”
 

Antonio waited for Mitch to fill in the blanks. He wondered if something more serious transpired. Mitch shook his head indicating there was no new information to share.

“
Well, from now on you will have to try harder,” Antonio said, hoping his words satisfied whatever TJ was seeking.
 

“
Yes, sir,” he said, trying to be brave.
 

“
We still have your punishment to finish,” Mitch reminded TJ. He sat back down on the bed deciding that the more intimate position was preferable, and patted his lap. With an aching heart, TJ repositioned himself over Mitch's knees. Mitch doubled up the belt and paused. Something didn't feel right. He needed to find a way to provide TJ the pardon he was seeking without causing too much damage.
 

Antonio took the belt from Mitch's hand, replacing it with the heavy hairbrush from off the dresser. Mitch nodded. It would still hurt without running the risk of cutting through his skin.

“
Every time I spank you, I need you to tell me what you will do differently to avoid being in this position again. Are you ready?”
 

“
Yes, sir.”
 

Smack!

“
Oww! I will listen to you and Antonio, and accept that you know best.”