Damien stretched a little as he leaned back against the head of his bed and glanced at the book sitting open on his lap. The wolf has been studying some techniques relating to his weapon choice, his eyes glancing over at the chain sitting on his nightstand as he nodded. Grabbing the book, he slid a marker onto the page and shut it, moving the book to his night stand. “I think that’s good for now. Should probably get some rest.” He sighed a bit and looked around, realizing the room was oddly quiet as his head moved to look out the window, the night sky illuminating his room. ‘It’s quiet, though.’ Damien noticed a lack of activity in his room as his eyes focused on the window, shutting his eyes as he took a deep breath. ‘Are you even in the room?’ He questioned in silence to himself before he shook his head and moved to slip off the bed, standing up and walking over to the window. The moon was full, and looked rather beautiful from his window, the wolf unlatching it and gently pushing it open to take a glance outside, seeing some umbra energy coming from the nearby roof.
Damien nodded as he sat on the window sill before he managed to spin himself around and carefully planted his paws on the slanted roof, carefully standing himself up as he stood and started to walk up towards the energy source, leaving his window alone for the time being as he looked around, feeling the cool wind blow through his fur as he did. As he got closer to the top, Damien could see the source of energy was Ciaran, the shadow fox had his hood up as he held his knees to his chest, he hadn’t noticed Damien yet and just stared at the moon that graced the sky. He let out a soft sigh, which was a sign to Damien that something was bothering him as he made his way over. “Not like you to sit up here by yourself. Usually it’s you coming to find someone else.” Damien remarked, mostly to catch the boy's attention, but he was also signifying that he knew something wasn’t sitting with the fox. Ciaran didn’t move when he heard the voice, but his tail swished aside as he listened. “Hi Dami…” he didn’t say much, the wolf coming and sitting beside him as he looked out at the sky with his companion. “Didn’t think I’d be found up here.” He admitted as he adjusted so his hood moved out of the way, letting Damien see his face more clearly, the boy had a bit of a contemplative look.
“Heh, I noticed that my room was quiet. It’s hard not to notice when a little menace isn’t present.” Damien smirked faintly as he said that, but let it drop as he leaned back and kept himself propped up with his paws. “But seriously, I sensed you, but was worried and wanted to come check on you. Is something bothering you?” He asked him, a hint of concern left Damien’s mouth as he spoke, the fox aware that it wasn’t exactly hidden. Ciaran sighed again and just buried his chin and nose against his knees as he let his eyes wander downward, looking down at the city below. Damien noticed his shift in position and scooted closer as he leaned forward, giving himself a better look at Ciaran’s face, noticing a stray tear rolling down his face. The wolf sighed and gently ran his thumb over it to wipe it away, the fox caught by surprise but he didn’t move away. “It’s nothing… honest. You can just go back inside.” Ciaran lied, but he clearly wanted to convince himself that’s all it was, but Damien wasn’t falling for it.
“Ciaran…” he gently, but with a hint of sternness, expressed his concern in a single word, the tone hitting Ciaran almost immediately as he turned his face away and shifted a little. Damien reached over and rested a paw on his shoulder, rubbing it softly as he tried to assure Ciaran it was fine. “It’s…” Ciaran was going to say it again, but he hesitated and froze in the moment as he realized what he was doing, his hold around his knees tightened as he thought about it. “It’s not worth worrying about. Just… something small that didn’t really affect anything.” He was still lying to himself, but Damien could tell what was going on and shook his head. Leaning back, he stared at the moon again, and had a thought cross his mind. “Your dad?” He asked softly, his voice was almost inaudible as he asked that, but Ciaran heard it loud and clear as he sniffled silently in response, showing Damien he was at least getting somewhere.
Before he could say anything else, Ciaran adjusted himself again so that he could look at Damien, even slightly as he was having a hard time looking at him head on in that moment. “Yeah… that’s what started it anyways.” He sighed as he spoke, Damien leaning up and pulling up one of his knees to lean against it, giving the fox his undivided attention. “I was… training with Tay, and I don’t really know why it happened, but he said something that upset me.” Ciaran continued to speak, Damien didn’t like where that was going though, but he kept himself quiet to let Ciaran tell his story.
“After training, we cleaned up and did the usual routine, basic stuff. But he had said something about my powers, and mentioned dad.” Ciaran’s voice trailed off as he said that last part, but Damien only raised an eye as that probably was the key to what was going on. “What about your dad?” He asked him, wanting to urge Ciaran to be honest about what happened, but it was apparent to the wolf that Ciaran didn’t want to own up to it, at least at first. Ciaran stared down again and just watched the rustling of the leaves on nearby trees. Ciaran remained quiet for a moment before feeling an arm around him, and was surprised when he looked over and saw Damien had scooted closer. “Be honest with me Ciaran.” Damien continued to show a sense of comfort, but he was still stern enough that it made Ciaran realize he couldn’t get far like this.
“It was stupid… and I know getting mad was the wrong idea…” he muttered silently as he let another tear roll down his face as he sighed and buried his face in his knees again, upset as he reflected on what happened earlier, Damien gently rubbing his back as he noticed that he had started to grow more upset as he spoke. Damien looked down at him and watched him eventually raise his head again. “He… I was just in a bad mood I guess, he mentioned being curious about how dad would feel seeing my power growing… and I snapped at him.” He admitted finally, Damiens ear flicked when he heard that last part, but didn’t say anything as he just tightened the arm around him and rubbed his arm softly. Ciaran couldn’t look at Damien as he looked down at the tiles of the ceiling now, moving a hand to trace his fingers along one of the tiles. “I just got upset and asked ‘what do you know? At least you can ask your parent’… and then I left the room.”
Ciaran quieted down after he said that part, and hugged his legs tighter as he sniffled again, this time a bit more audibly as he felt Damien shift a bit and pull the fox closer to him, wrapping his other arm around carefully as he held him close. “I see…” Damien sighed a little and rocked the fox a bit, letting the two of them sit in contemplative silence for a moment as he thought of what to say next. “It’s understandable to have a bad day, no one can fault you for that. But you shouldn’t take it out on others, especially since it sounded like he was praising you more than anything.” Damien understood how his friend felt, and wanted to assure Ciaran he wasn’t entirely wrong just for being upset, but Ciaran felt his ears fold back and he looked away when he heard the latter part of the wolf’s comment. “You understand that though, don’t you?” He asked as he loosened his grip, letting himself pull away so he could look more clearly at the fox.
“I know I was wrong… I already feel bad enough about it, Tay didn’t deserve that…” Ciaran softly muttered as he wiped his eyes with one of his sleeves and glanced over at Damien. “I couldn’t even bring myself to face him and anyone else after that. That’s… why I was here all day.” He admitted finally as he relaxed against himself, not sure what else to say as he expected Damien to say anything to ease the silence. Damien sighed a little when he heard that, and just pulled him closer as he rubbed the fox’s back. “I see.” Was all Damien said as he looked down at the fox before he looked around and thought about it. “Well, it helps to know you already know it wasn’t good.” Damien told him as he adjusted so Ciaran was able to lean into him more comfortably.
“It’s late, so it’s no use worrying about it for the time being, he’s probably long since returned to his and Aiden’s room for the night.” Damien looked down at him as Ciaran softly nodded, his eyes staring off somberly at the sky again, before he heard Damien continue to speak. “Let’s go back inside, we can talk better in private. Just know, you don’t have to beat yourself up over it.” He told the boy as he started to stand up, Ciaran not moving immediately as he heard that before he nodded, and moved himself so he could stand up, staying close to Damien when he did. The tone made Ciaran a bit nervous, but he at least felt a bit better with Damien around. “Thanks…” Damien muttered softly as he was grateful that Damien came to hear him out, even if he was having a rough time expressing it in that moment. Damien smiled softly when he heard that as he gave a gentle nod and guided the shadow fox back into his bedroom, slipping in carefully as to not lose his footing.
Damien landed carefully on his floor, taking Ciaran’s arm carefully and helping him as well, the wolf locking the window as they made it inside. He watched Ciaran sit on the bed, his eyes wandering to the window again as he did. The wolf saw and sighed as he went and sat beside him. “Do you think… he’s proud of me?” Ciaran asked as he kept his gaze focused on the window, Damien looking at the boy as his ear twitched, leaning back a little as he heard that. “Even when I… make an idiot of myself like that?” Ciaran thought about Alexandre, his mind wandering as he tried to cheer himself up. “Well, what do you think? I mean, he’s your dad, I’m sure he’s proud of what you’ve become.” Damien shrugged a bit as he explained his view point, but he wasn’t sure how to address the other part of what he said. “Ask yourself, what do you think?”
Ciaran thought about that and let his eyes wander to the floor as he heard Damien say such, a sigh escaping his mouth as he did. “He’s probably disappointed I can’t even control my emotions. What type of creature am I that I can’t even do that much.” He muttered as he leaned against the wall and slumped down, his mind lost to the darker part of how he felt. Damien watched him, and shook his head. “Ciaran, it’s natural to get emotional. You’re young, I think people would be more surprised if you didn’t feel a certain way.” Damien told him, the fox realizing how stupid he sounded, at least in his own head, as he pulled his hood over his eyes and let a few tears fall. Damien cleared his throat to get his attention, and watched as Ciaran peeked out, seeing him motioning the fox closer. Ciaran was unsure, and hesitated as he slowly stood and made his way over.
Once in range, Damien gently lifted the smaller fox up and sat him on his lap, moving his hood out of his face as he looked Ciaran in the eyes. “You’re just worried this’ll be held against you, aren’t you?” Damien asked, sounding like he knew the answer, but Ciaran still hesitated as he looked aside, the guilt of earlier was definitely there though. “I know they won’t. Something I’ve learned from Mike, from Marz, and Jason even, is that no matter what, your family won’t be upset at you for feeling or acting a certain way. The important part… you own up to it and know that.” He told Ciaran, the older wolf taking a stern, but gentle tone as he explained that to him. Ciaran didn’t have a response as he just nodded, turning his head away to look away, but Damien stopped him and kept that firm look on the fox, making Ciaran sigh as he nodded gently. “Y-you’re right…” he softly managed to mutter out, despite the struggle. Damien nodded hearing that as he sat Ciaran beside him carefully and looked at him.
“Would it help if I handled the guilt?” Damien asked him, leaving the interpretation in Ciaran’s paws as the fox tensed up slightly, knowing what Damien was implying, but he knew Damien only had the best intention in mind for his friend. Ciaran opened his mouth to say something, but couldn’t get it out as he just shut his mouth and undid his hood, Damien faintly smiling seeing Ciaran taking the more mature approach. Damien stood as he went over to Ciaran’s side of the room, the fox getting uneasy realizing what he was doing as the wolf opened a drawer and pulled out a brush, the fox wincing as he set his cloak to the side and stood there in a simple gray shirt and some black pants that almost blended in with his fur, Damien looking back and cracking a slight smile at how cute it looked on him, but he wouldn’t vocalize that knowing Ciaran was always dealing with enough, embarrassment notwithstanding. Damien walked back over and sat down on the bed, Ciaran standing up and watching him nervously as his eyes focused on the ground once again, rubbing his arm nervously as he waited.
Damien motioned him closer and Ciaran went to stand in front of him, Damien gently rubbing the boy's head, trying to comfort him as best he could as he got him closer. Ciaran smiled weakly at that as it seemed to help as Damien moved his paws to the boys pants and started to carefully drag them down, Ciaran shuffling a bit and blushing as a pair of white briefs show off as they fall to the ground, the boys backside rather round and chubby underneath the briefs, something Damien found rather adorable. “It’ll be over before you know it, Ciaran.” Damien explained gently as he moved the boy to step out of his pants and started to help him across his lap, raising his round butt up as it bounced a little. Ciaran just went quiet and nodded as he let Damien take the lead, knowing he was doing this with his best interest. Damien rubbed the boys back as he rested his paw across his bottom and looked at Ciaran. “Just try and relax, alright?” He asked the boy as the fox just glanced away and nodded, one paw gripping the sheets nervously.
There was silence between the two as Damien finished rubbing his back. Ciaran tensed up a little when he felt the wolf's paw leave his bottom, before a loud smack echoed off the walls as Ciaran yelped in surprise and let out a while, his brief clad bottom jiggling under the firm slap as Damien raised his paw and did it again. Ciaran kicked lightly at the feeling and whined in embarrassment as his big butt felt the sting when Damien landed a third smack, before he started moving his paw carefully across the boy's backside. Ciaran’s tail twitched and swayed a little each time his cheeks were struck, each time a bounce and jiggle could be seen. Damien smiled faintly seeing the boy's reactions as he moved his free arm around his waist a little and secured him in place as he kept up the slow and steady pace of smacks. Damien was still rather firm about what he had been told, but he was happy to see Ciaran taking it so well. After a firm smack to the center of the boy's bottom, he rested his paw against it and felt it smush into his paw some, the boy's grip on the sheet having tightened as his other one hugged the wolf’s leg. “You okay, Ciaran?” Concern filled his voice as he made sure Ciaran wasn’t having too hard of a time.
The boy just softly nodded, letting out a sniffle as he thought about the situation, the guilt and sting mixing together nicely as the boy just rested his head down and tightened his hold on the wolf’s leg. Damien nodded as he raised his knee slightly to elevate the fox’s chubby bottom, before he started smacking a bit lower to cover any spot he might’ve missed, Ciaran’s eyes widening in surprise as he yelped louder and whined, his paw clutching and releasing the sheet as he wiggled some, which only served to jiggle his bottom some. Damien nodded and kept his arm firmly around the boy's waist, not letting up on the smacks as he started to increase the intensity, building up to a bit firmer of a feel to let Ciaran’s lesson sink in. “Tomorrow I want you to go and find Tay, and apologize. Understand?” Damien asked as he punished the fox, taking the time to reaffirm with Ciaran what he was being spanked for. “You’re fine to be upset, and I understand how hard it is, but I don’t want you taking it out on others.” Damien’s tone softened as he scolded the fox, each word met with a stinging slap as Ciaran yelped out and whimpered a little, but nodded obediently when he heard the words. “Good.” Damien said firmly, before he stopped and gently rubbed the boy's bottom.
Ciaran was confused, thinking it was over and was worried since he knew he saw Damien grab the brush, but that confusion was short lived as he took a sharp breath in surprise as he felt a thumb slip into the waistband of his snug briefs, the wolf carefully pulling them down to bare Ciaran’s chubby butt, the black furred bottom jiggling out as it sported a light pink from Damien’s paw, the boy burying his face in the bed in embarrassment as he realized he wasn’t done. Damien nodded and delivered a sharp smack to one of Ciaran’s cheeks, letting his paw linger for a moment as it smushed down, the boy letting out a sharper yelp as it connected, his butt jiggling as it felt the sting. Damien nodded and did it again to the opposite cheek, same effect as he softly rubbed the boy's bouncy butt. A third quickly followed, but his paw didn’t linger that time and came down a second time firmly, catching Ciaran by surprise as he yelped louder and whimpered with few tears escaping. Damien was making sure that his charge couldn’t predict where it would land as another landed across his sit spots, watching his bottom jiggle and shake from his light squirming, Damien finding the boys plump butt a cute sight even when he had to be stern, the fox wiping his eyes on the sheet to dry his tears.
A few more smacks landed and Ciaran was already letting out gentle sobs, the sound tugging at Damien’s heart a bit as his look softly, looking at the boys big bottom already taking a nice light red color, but he took a deep breath to steel himself and continue the punishment as he reached over for the brush. “Ciaran, why are you being punished?” He asked as his paw tightened some around the brush’s handle and he lifted it, the fox not aware as he lifted his head a little to talk, another sob escaping as he choked back a few tears. “F-for snapping at Tay… and hiding over it.” He cried gently saying it as Damien could see the guilt had taken its course, the boy having become remorseful and open to his issue. Damien nodded as he rested the brush against the boys chubby rear, flatting his cheeks under the cool wood as Ciaran gasped and looked back with some tears rolling down his cheeks, a plea-filled look on his face as he silently begged the wolf not to, but that wasn’t detering Damien as he tapped it against his cheeks a couple times. “And what’ll you be doing tomorrow, when we have time?” He asked, watching his butt wobble lightly as he waited for the response.
“G-go and find him… and apologize…” he sniffled and wiped his face with his shirt as Damien nodded, giving a mild smack with the brush to one of his cheeks. “Yes. I think a little time alone in here will also do you some good, alright?” Damien didn’t outright say it, but he was basically grounding Ciaran, at least for the day as the fox’s ears folded back, but he didn’t protest as he sobbed at the smack, the boy nodding obediently as he accepted the terms of his punishment as he felt the hold tighten and bring him closer. “Good. I’m proud of you for taking this so well, we’re almost done, okay?” He rubbed his back gently and even knelt down some, kissing the top of Ciaran’s head as the fox looked at him sadly, but he seemed comforted seeing the caring look in Damien’s eye. Damien nodded softly before he raised the brush and brought it down firmer than before across the center of the boys bottom, making him howl softly at the feeling as he started to sob more openly at the feeling, the brush leaving a red oval across his chubby rear as it bounced back up into place, only for Damien to smack it again firmly. A steady stream of smacks filled the air as Damien continued to paddle him, making sure no two spots got the same feeling.
Ciaran started to cry vocally after a few more smacks, his bouncing bottom showing a nice red under his dark fur as the brush did its work, Damien moving up and down his cheeks to ensure they fully felt the punishment. Damien even started to smack lower on his sit spots to ensure the rest of the night at the very least served as a reminder. Damien felt his heart drop hearing the boys crying as he remained firm. Using his hold on the boys waist, he raised his bottom a bit higher and sighed, landing a series of quick, sharp smacks across every inch of his bottom in a quick, rapid succession, the boys wiggling and squirming dying down as he started to bawl a bit, pulling the blankets closer as he tried to control himself. Damien’s look softened as he set the brush down, and quickly scooped Ciaran into his arms as he wrapped the boy in a loving hug, the fox crying his eyes out as he buried his face into the wolf's chest. “There, there. It’s over Ciaran.” He softly spoke as he bounced the boy tenderly in his arms as he kept pressure off his burning bottom. The boys sobbed were an incoherent mess at the moment, but Damien could make out an apology that he was trying to muster.
Damien nodded gently as he continued to rock him, after a moment more moving his paw to his bottom to rub it and help alleviate the sting. “You took that well, Ciaran. I’m proud of you.” Damien cooed gently as he spoke, hearing the bawling slowly diminish into nothing more than sobs and cries as he lifted Ciaran a bit higher so the fox could rest his head on his shoulder. From this new position, Ciaran wrapped his arms around the wolf and didn’t let go, the wolf standing as he didn’t make an effort to stop the boy. Humming quietly, Damien made his way to Ciaran’s side of the room and started to rummage through his drawers, one arm holding the boy up as he did. “You okay?” Damien checked in as he felt the tears get slower, and the sobbing wasn’t as loud as it was. The boy held on and buried his face into the wolf’s neck as all he could do was nod, too sad, sore and sniffly to speak as he did, the fox like a well punished kit. Damien smiled a bit and nodded as he grabbed a pair of black and red briefs, and a longer white shirt, walking Ciaran back to his bed.
“Able to get yourself situated, or want some help?” He asked as he moved Ciaran back a little to look at him, the boy having finally calmed enough to speak as he shook his head, his face was red and tear streaked. Damien took a handkerchief from the nightstand and gently wiped the boy's face down to get it cleaned up, chuckling gently as the boy squirmed a bit, but mostly cooperated with the wolf. “Heh, still got some growing to do. But that’s okay.” He remarked at how young he acted at times, the fox just leaning back into his shoulder again as he felt his briefs fall from his ankles and Damien started to slip the new ones on him. “It’ll sting a moment, okay?” He assured him it was okay as he lifted the briefs up over his big butt, letting out a whimper and a whine but tried to let it go as the sting faded slowly as it came. Damien nodded as he set the boy down and sat on the bed, getting him out of his training attire and slipping the shirt on over him, chuckling seeing it only go down to his knees, the boy a bit small for the shirt, but it was good for when he was going to sleep.
“D-dami…?” Ciaran wiped his eyes again before he looked up at the stern wolf, Damien blinking as he glanced at him. “C-can I… sleep here?” He motioned to the bed as he sheepishly asked, after what had happened, the boy just wanted the comfort, and Damien could tell. “Heh, tired already, huh?” He asked before he gently scooped Ciaran up, and adjusted himself so he could lie down, moving his blanket as he did. Ciaran stayed close as he felt the arm around him, looking up at him as Damien lay on his back and let Ciaran rest on his chest, the boy's bottom raised slightly to keep any pressure off it as he cuddled closer, his paws holding the wolf’s shirt. Resting the blanket over them, Damien relaxed and rubbed Ciaran’s back. The fox didn’t say anything more as he felt his eyes grow heavy, the spanking tiring him out as he sniffled and cuddled close. “Comfy, bud?” Damien asked as he glanced down, but saw the boy had already curled up and dozed off to sleep, the boy lying limp against him as a soft snore escaped the fox, Damien chuckling softly and nodding as he kept an arm around Ciaran.
His eyes wandered to the window as he looked at the moon, not tired quite yet, but he wasn’t going to leave Ciaran alone. ‘I’m sure you’re proud of him… wherever you are.’
