A Better Way To Love

(Natasha's RC Universe Characters Used under the following agreement: 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/)
 


My gratitude to Natasha for helping  me with Gordon and Landon.



A Better Way to Love
Pairing: Jonah/Samuel
Implement: hand
Type: Slash
Series: Reality Check

"Samuel, get your butt back in our room. Now." Jonah ordered Samuel.

He had woken to the sun shining in his eyes after staying up late talking with
Gordon and rolled over to discover an empty bed where his brat should be. A
quick search found his brat outside playing in the snow like a kid. Jonah gave
his order in a quiet, menacing voice that brought all the brats to a standstill.

"But, Jonah," Samuel said, sounding baffled.

"But, nothing. You know you tell me when you're going out. And what're you
doing out here anyway? It's cold and you're soaking wet from the snow," Jonah
grabbed Samuel, intending to take him back to their rooms. Jonah was shocked
when Samuel pulled away.

"Gordon said I could," Samuel protested.

Jonah saw Gordon watching him from the front door. What the hell was Gordon
thinking? Jonah thought to himself. Well, he's thinking that he has all the
money in the world to pay for a doctor if Samuel gets sick. He had no idea that
Samuel needed to be protected. And who the hell was he to tell Samuel he could
do anything? That's my job.

"Get upstairs. Now," Jonah said through clenched teeth.

"It's not fair," Samuel said, but went as ordered.
Jonah stalked after the hurrying brat and closed the door firmly once they were
inside their rooms.

"Get those clothes off, dry yourself, and get across the bed. Samuel, how many
times do I need to whip your butt before you learn to think about your safety?"
Jonah asked harshly.

"Jonah, Gordon said I could go out."

Jonah saw the tears in Samuel's eyes, but he wouldn't be swayed. He was going
to get it through Samuel's head to think before he jumped feet first into a
potentially dangerous situation. "Samuel, now!" He couldn't believe that Samuel
was arguing with him. He then stalked to the door when he heard knocking. He
opened it to find Gordon standing there. "What?" He asked baldly.

Gordon stood in the door, immaculate and unruffled in corduroys and a Shetland
sweater. "I thought perhaps you'd join me for a cup of tea and a sweet. I know
you missed breakfast. Breakfast is generally a required meal, but your absence
was excused this morning. You were most understandably exhausted after your long
journey. Landon already raided the cupboard for your young partner, but I was
able to save several of those pumpkin muffins for which I've developed a rather
dangerous affinity. You must try them. Armand's baking is I believe referred to
`as something to die for.' A most peculiar American expression."

Jonah stared. Why was he having this inane conversation with this man? The words
were inane, but the eyes were steel, and refusing tea suddenly seemed a poor
choice. "I'll be there soon. I have a something to do first," he would not be
swayed from his duty.

"I require your presence immediately. I can't abide cold tea." Gordon said.
"Samuel, if you're hungry again, go down to the kitchen. In winter there is
always cocoa, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are some gingersnaps fresh
from the oven. I was sure I smelled molasses and cloves earlier. Armand's
cookies are even better than his muffins, and Landon would happily eat several
dozen. Off you go." Gordon gave Samuel a gentle push toward the door.

Jonah saw Samuel looking between the two of them, unsure of what to do.

"No, Samuel, stay here. I'll be right back."

"Don't. You don't want him to witness this. It'll only confuse him," Gordon
said softly so that Samuel couldn't hear.

"Samuel, go on down. But once you're done, you get back up here. I don't want
to have to hunt you down again."


"Listen, I don't know what you are doing," Jonah whirled around to Gordon as
soon as they entered Gordon's office. "But, Samuel has to learn to think before
he acts."

"We can either have a polite conversation like two civilized human beings, or
you may continue to yell, and I will enforce consequences. I will not be ranted
at in my own home," Gordon said, his voice hardly above a whisper but the tone
freezing in intensity.

"You have no right to interfere between Jonah and me. He's my partner--"

"Kneel," Gordon commanded, placing a firm hand on Jonah's shoulder.

"What?"

"You have chosen the less civilized option. You may not rant at me. You may
despise me. You may dream of me being murdered in the most gruesome fashion in
my sleep, but you will obey me. I've topped for a long time, and I know how to
do this. Kneel, boy, and silence."

"I, I," Jonah couldn't believe he was stuttering to this mad man. He had to be
insane to want Jonah to kneel to him.

"Kneel," Gordon repeated in that same implacably calm tone, a tone that Jonah
was astonished to find himself obeying.

The floor was hard under his knees, and Jonah founded himself instantly shifting
to try to find a more comfortable position. He'd never knelt to anyone. Well, he
had in church, but that had been a sham.

"Thank you," Gordon said softly. Gordon's hand rested softly on Jonah's
shoulder, a surprisingly reassuring gesture. "Breathe and listen to me. Contrary
to what you may currently believe, this is not about humiliation or domination.
This is the most efficient way I have found to focus a man's attention, top or
brat. We haven't the luxury of long extended debates. Your brat is confused,
isolated, and frightened. We must send Samuel the same message. Jonah, you were
going to take your belt to Samuel for playing in the snow. We believe strongly
in consequences for poor choices; however, playing in the snow, after I gave him
my blessing to do so, is not a poor choice. Consequences are used to help our
brats learn from mistakes. What mistake did Samuel make?" Gordon asked.

"He," Jonah said, starting to rise.

"No, I didn't give you permission to rise. Stay on your knees. He was playing. I
suspect Samuel has had little interaction with other young men nor the
opportunity to just enjoy himself. Safety and secrecy had to come first. This is
our world. Let him enjoy it. Don't strangle him, or crush him under your heel.
You need to learn to live without fear and to love without fear. You both must
learn from everyone here. Some of the brats are wilder than either you or I
prefer, but you must let Samuel see that side, even perhaps dip his toes into
some of the less well planned brat pranks. Today, Landon will take care of
Samuel. Landon understands this from both sides. He will teach your boy how to
play and stretch his wings, and he will teach you how to understand and read
your brat and other brats." Gordon must have seen Jonah's perplexed look.
"Landon's a switch; it gives him a unique insight. You will stay with me and do
exactly what I tell you. At the end of the day, we will all talk," Gordon said
decisively.

"This is ridiculous," Jonah snapped. "I should be taking care of Samuel, not
shirking my responsibility to him."

"You make it sound like a duty, not a joy," Gordon stated.

"It is a duty, my duty, to protect him, and to teach him. It is my
responsibility to teach him that I will always punish him when he puts himself
in danger," Jonah said.

"You have done an excellent job protecting Samuel, but now is an opportunity for
you to learn to love and cherish the gift that he has given you," Gordon said.
"You have had no example to follow. You do now. I repeat, you will stay right
with me today. I want you to observe the interactions of the other tops and
brats in residence."


When they entered the kitchen, Jonah saw that Samuel had distanced himself from
the group of loud young men. Jonah knew Samuel wanted the promised punishment
done and over with; Jonah typically didn't make Samuel wait but delivered any
punishment promptly. Jonah also made note of the older man standing close to
Samuel.

"Samuel, I think today is a good day for you to explore the resort. Landon will
keep you company," Gordon said, clearly communicating silently to Landon who
dropped an arm around Samuel and pulled him close.

"But," Samuel said, looking from Gordon to Jonah.

"Gordon's being bossy," Landon said easily and kissed Samuel's head. "You're not
in trouble for this morning. It was Gordon's idea to let you become the
Abominable Snow Boy. He and Jonah can duke it out about being cold and wet, but
I'll let you in on a little secret." Landon grinned and spun Samuel around so
the young brat was facing him. "No one argues with Gordon on his home turf. I
can't even win an argument with him. He calls me cheeky and sends me out to
shovel the walks. It's disgraceful." Landon smirked and winked at Samuel.

"Behave, boy," Gordon said and batted Landon across the back of the head.

Samuel looked at the three men, baffled and more than slightly apprehensive.

"Jonah, take Samuel aside and explain that you were mistaken, that he is in no
trouble for playing outside this morning," Gordon commanded softly.

"Samuel, it's ok; we're good," Jonah said as he led his boy away from the group
of people. "I was just worried when I woke up and you weren't there next to me.
I am going to stay with Gordon; you be good for Landon, you hear me?"

"Yes, Jonah, I hear you. So, you're not going to whip me?" Samuel asked.

Jonah knew that Samuel was confused. He had never gone back on a promised
punishment. Damn, Gordon, he thought, but turned to reassure Samuel. "No,
Samuel, I think you'll remember to tell me next time you leave our room."

"Wow, this place really is different, isn't it!" Jonah saw the happiness glowing
in Samuel's eyes.

"You are sending him mixed signals," Jonah accused Gordon, as he watched Samuel
and Landon go off to explore.

"No, I am attempting to teach you about the precious gift Samuel has given you,"
Gordon said. "You've been so busy protecting your brat you didn't realize the
power he gave you; you forgot to love him. Follow me, and please stay within
touching distance."


Jonah's simmering anger slowly melted away as he followed Gordon. He watched as
Gordon calmly informed young Gary that "hey, dude" was not an appropriate
greeting, and then gave a small smile at the devious punishment that Gordon
handed down. Gary was to address everyone, tops and brats, as sir and to bid
them a "good day."

"This is not merely punishment for the boy," Gordon said, when Jonah told him of
his admiration. "It's also training, life skills training. How will he get a
decent job when he uses such slang?"

Jonah reflected on this; that this forced politeness was not only a punishment
for Gary using inappropriate language, but practice of a useful skill. Jonah
listened as Gordon talked to a man called Milton on the phone. Gordon's voice
becoming very firm and direct.

"Milton, you will take over my position in the very near future. You have to
learn to think every situation through to all its possible conclusions. I will
not be here to protect you from your own folly." Gordon said into the phone.

"That boy, will forever think that I can pull him out of whatever mess he gets
himself into," Gordon said to Jonah when he had placed the phone on the
receiver. "He's a powerful top, but he can certainly find himself in the most
creative disasters of his own making, far more imaginative than any brat's I
have no idea how he handles a firecracker like Sheldon."

Jonah was having difficulty imaging a top creating disasters, especially a top
so casually mentioned as Gordon's successor. Tops didn't create disasters; they
were supposed to protect their partners from harm.

"But he does a wonderful job," Landon said as he walked in the room, Samuel in
his wake.

"Yes, he does," Gordon agreed. "What a pleasant surprise, I didn't expect to see
you two until dinner."

"We just came in to let you know we're going into town. I'm trying to teach him
proper manners about informing his partner of his whereabouts. Have I set the
appropriate example?"

"You're pushing it, boy," Gordon growled. "Have you been sitting too
comfortably?"

"Never, sir. Perish the thought." Landon grinned, suddenly looking very boyish.
"It will take most of the day. This boy has nothing but jeans and flannel
shirts. They're fine for working, but I thought it would be nice to go for a
swim. Samuel needs swimming trunks and instead of loaning him a pair, I thought
it would be fun for us to go shopping and out to lunch," Landon said.

"Brat, do your shopping and then we'll have a chat."

"No, it's not!" Jonah couldn't help himself. "Samuel, you don't need to go
swimming; you were outside in the snow; now you think you're going swimming? You
will come down with pneumonia."

"Jonah, stop. Samuel will go with Landon," Gordon said. "Go, have fun. Landon,
make sure he has enough of all the necessities."

"No! Samuel, come here," Jonah said. He went to grab his partner but Gordon
moved quicker, catching Jonah's arm in a strong grip.

"You are scaring your boy," Gordon said to Jonah.

Jonah saw Samuel staring at him wide-eyed. "I don't care. You have interfered
enough. Samuel is my responsibility. I will buy his clothes."

"Landon, Samuel, please, go enjoy your outing. Samuel, Jonah will be fine. He
is just having a difficult day." Gordon urged Landon and Samuel to go.

"No, I'll stay here with Jonah," Samuel said.

Jonah turned triumphant eyes toward Gordon. Samuel knew to whom to listen, and
it wasn't Gordon. Jonah quickly sent his eyes to the floor at the look Gordon
gave him.

"The surgeon general has determined that arguments between tops are dangerous to
the bystanders' health. They pose a far greater risk than snow or cold water,"
Landon quipped. "I think this was our exit line."

"Jonah," Samuel said softly, his eyes darting between the three men.

"Do you really want Samuel to witness this? Do you deny your boy basic
necessities because of pride?" Gordon asked icily. "Tell him to go, now."

At Gordon's tone, Jonah obeyed. "Go on Samuel. Gordon's right I'm just having a
bad day. Go with Landon, have a nice lunch and get what you need, but only what
you really need."

Jonah felt a pit forming in his stomach as Gordon turned to him after the brats
had left.

"You will learn to put your brat's needs above your misplaced pride," Gordon
said.

"You let him go with that lunatic partner of yours who makes ridiculous jokes.
He shouldn't be let out of sight."

"Landon was trying desperately and unfortunately less than successfully to
distract your partner from your behavior. You have a responsibility to your boy.
Today you have utterly failed in that responsibility. A failure I will not
tolerate. Over my knee, my lad."

"I, I, I'm a top," Jonah stuttered as Gordon took his hand and led him to a
leather couch.

"You are a top that is about to understand discipline from the other side. Your
pride should never interfere with your brat's needs," Gordon said adamantly.

Jonah didn't put up a fight as Gordon took down his pants and laid him over his
knees. He couldn't remember ever being in this position; his father beat him
plenty, but it was always standing with his hands against the wall or over his
father's desk, gripping the edges in white knuckle desperation. His father would
whip harder if he moved or made noise. Jonah had learned through hard lessons
with his father's belt to never struggle during a punishment. Jonah felt a
slight tug as his shirt tails were lifted and heard Gordon gasp. He knew Gordon
had seen the scars on his back.

"Who beat you?" Gordon asked.

"My father," Jonah said. "He suspected me of being a homosexual and tried to
beat the demon out of me."

"I will not beat you, Jonah. I will never beat you; I understand the difference.
I will spank you, though. It is important that you understand the difference,"
Gordon said and brought his hand down.

Jonah jerked at the first swat before burying his head into the sofa and
freezing his body in place. This was a child's punishment; he could endure this
silently and bravely. He breathed in the smell of the rich leather and tried to
concentrate on the pattern of the blows. If this was the price for Samuel's
safety; it was a small price to pay.

No, it wasn't a beating, but the spanking sure hurt like hell, Jonah thought to
himself when the last swat had fallen. Then he felt himself stiffen when Gordon
tried to pull him onto his lap.

"I can spank you, but I can't comfort you?" Gordon asked his arms locked around
Jonah, refusing to let him pull away. "This is not an endurance contest.
Emotional distance is not the appropriate response. I can spank you again, or I
can hold you. I will hold you by the end of the day."

"Umm, no. Why would you want to? I've been punished, I don't deserve comfort,"
Jonah was at a lost as to why Gordon would now want to
comfort him.

"Do you not extend the same kindness to Samuel after you have spanked him?"

"No, it's punishment. He shouldn't be coddled, he would never learn," Jonah
tried to explain.

"Oh, Jonah," Gordon said, his voice rich, deep, and strangely comforting. "You
must show your love and forgiveness after you have punished your boy. How will
he know that he has been forgiven?"

"I don't understand," Jonah was truly confused.

"You must let your boy know that the punishment is over and that he is
forgiven," Gordon explained. "I am often described as harsh, but even my most
determined critics laud my ability to offer comfort after punishment. I have
exacting standards, but punishment is about far more than fear. Fear is easy.
Respect and love are hard. Punishment must strengthen the bond with your
partner." Gordon's hand rubbed down Jonah's back. "I'm not angry with you. You
have every reason to be confused and disoriented. All I ask is you trust us and
try to follow our lead. This is about trust. You've never trusted anyone but
yourself. It will be a difficult lesson, and I expect you will be over my knee
more than once. I am a patient man, but as Landon will tell you, I'm the most
stubborn man on earth. We will practice until you get this right, but for now
you are forgiven." Gordon brushed the hair back and kissed Jonah's forehead.
"Relax. Think. We'll talk later." Gordon manhandled Jonah against him, keeping
the younger top enveloped in his arms and pressed against his chest. "You're
very safe here, boy. Get used to this."

Jonah's mind was in a state of shock with this revelation, his long, lanky body
curling on Gordon's lap. No one had ever held him like this. His father had
never touched except to hit. Jonah loved Samuel, but he realized how rarely they
touched. Outside the home even a misplaced arm could have given them away. Jonah
blinked back tears. In his fear, he'd denied his brat love and forgiveness. He
couldn't stop the tears that were escaping down his cheeks. Embarrassed, he
swiped quickly at his eyes. Men didn't cry; his father had whipped that lesson
into him more than once.

"Don't fight it. No one's here but us. Landon's held me when I've cried as I've
held him. It is far braver to show your emotions. It's all right, lad."

He should pull away. He was younger and stronger than Gordon. Jonah didn't have
to stay tucked against the older top, listening to his mindless reassurances,
but he couldn't seem to muster the strength to move. All he could do was sniffle
and swallow tears. Coward, he berated himself.

"It's all right. You'll do fine. You've hidden everything for a long time, but
you're strong. They didn't poison your soul. Your boy loves you. Lie here and
think. You're with friends now."

Jonah took a shuddering breath and dropped his head against Gordon's chest. He
was too tired to fight the seductive warmth and gentleness: the hands stroking
his shoulders, the soft kiss on the temple, and the fingers entwined in his
hair. He'd never done this for the man he loved. Gordon was right; there was a
better way to live and to love. He could only hope that Gordon would continue to
teach him so that he could show Samuel just how much he did love him.


TBC