Since joining his lovers, he tended to be greeted by
reassuring scenes of domesticity, Alex vacuuming, Walter
emptying the dishwasher, that kind of thing. Occasionally,
it was an erotic moment that met his eyes, his lovers
kissing, making out, sometimes making love. Mulder
treasured the scenes of vacuuming as much as he did the
erotic scenes, maybe more, but none of it shocked him.
It was an unusual experience, therefore, to open the
kitchen door after a long day at work and find himself
frozen solid by the view. Of course, it was an unusual
view.
Alex Krycek was seated on the center cushion of the large
window seat that made up part of their breakfast nook. This
wasn't unusual, Alex frequently curled up there to read,
lazing in the sun like a house cat.
No, what was unusual was for Alex to have Walter
meaningfully sprawled face-down across his lap. Mulder
watched as Alex landed another blistering slap to the
already bright red bottom. Walter yelped and threw a hand
back, only to have it pinned in place by the unshakeable
grip of Alex's prosthetic.
Mulder noticed that while Walter's suit coat was draped
over a chair back, he was still wearing his work clothes.
True, the pants were bunched around his ankles and the
white dress shirt had been shoved to his shoulderblades to
bare his bottom for Alex's punishment, but he hadn't even
taken off his tie.
Wondering at what had happened and apparently happened
fast, Mulder shook himself out of the daze and as quietly
as possible, moved to sit where he could watch and hear but
be out of the way. This was between Walter and Alex, if
they needed Mulder's help, they'd ask, until then, he could
help best by not interfering.
Alex laid down four more hard spanks before he stopped.
Long practice at going up against larger men let him easily
and expertly lift Walter up an onto a chair across from
them. Walter gave an aborted cry as he was now firmly
seated on what Mulder knew had to be a painful rear.
"Alright, Walter, let's review." Alex's voice was smooth as
silk, almost gentle, but it was velvet over a steel pipe.
"When one of your lovers asks how your day was, what do we
not say?"
Skinner sniffled, face flushed and tear-streaked, his eyes
locked on the floor in front of him. Mulder thought that he
looked about eight, with the trembling lower lip and wet
lashes, and he couldn't help but grin at the thought of
Walter Skinner as a well spanked child, facing a stern but
loving parent ready to spank again at a moment's notice.
"That you don't fucking care." Mulder, all gentle visions
of his lover ripped away, felt his jaw drop. Shit, no
wonder Alex was taking a hard line.
"And when one of your lovers then asks sincerely what's
wrong, what do we not say?"
"Nothing a bullet won't cure." Mulder's mouth, which had
only just closed, flew open again.
"So far, so good. Now, when one of your lovers tries to
approach you, to help, what do we not do?"
"Throw something at them. Have a tantrum." Mulder noticed
for the first time that the mail was scattered all over the
floor.
"And when one of your lovers suggests you take the day off
tomorrow to rest, what do you not say?"
"Fuck you." Mulder continued to be surprised by Walter's
responses, even if he was no longer surprised by the fact
that Alex had worn the daylights out of him.
"And what are you going to do tomorrow?"
"Take the day off. Rest." Walter had been working ungodly
hours for the past two weeks, and the strain was obviously
beginning to show.
Alex nodded, still the essence of calm, loving control.
"Very good. Back across my lap, please, we still have a few
more curses and threats to deal with."
Skinner swallowed hard, but obeyed. Alex spanked just as
hard as he had earlier, a dozen loud cracks of his palm
against Walter's poor ass. When he stopped again, he
carefully rolled Walter to sit up in his lap. He let
Walter's thighs bear the weight, and held his shaking,
tear-streaked lover close.
"One last question, Walter. Why did I spank you so hard for
all of that?"
"Because you love me." It was said tiredly, but with
conviction, and Alex smiled tenderly into wet brown eyes.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, Alex, I'm s-sorry."
"Shh, hush, hush, babe, it's okay now."
Walter cried it all out while Alex cuddled him, comforting
him like he would a child. Gradually, Walter's tears
stopped and he simply rested in Alex's embrace.
"I love you, Walter Sergei, and I will not let you forget
it, is that completely understood, my love?"
"Yes, Alex. I love you, too." There was relief in the tone,
along with the trace of submission, and Mulder saw that his
lover had found a measure of peace.
"Good. Now, go on upstairs, wash your face and change your
clothes. But no shower and no rubbing. I think this is one
spanking you need to feel every minute of, okay, angel?"
It wasn't an endearment they used often for Walter, but it
seemed to be the right choice for now, judging by the soft,
almost shy smile on Walter's face.
"Okay." Alex tenderly cupped Walter's face, smiling and
leaning in to place a reassuring kiss on the now relaxed
features.
Walter stood, eased up his clothing, simply holding the
pants in place. He caught sight of Mulder, and accepted a
brief, if warm, hug and a quick kiss, then headed upstairs.
Alex waited until Walter was out of sight, then sagged,
rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Are you okay?" Mulder asked as he settled Alex into his
arms.
"Yeah. I never thought I'd see the day when Walter Skinner
would have a toddler meltdown, right there while I watched,
but it was just too much stress. I'm going to call Kim
later, find out what the trigger was."
They had discovered that, out of care for her boss, Kim
would exchange information for chocolate. She never told
anything she shouldn't, never mentioned names or details,
but she would let them know if he'd a rough time.
"So, what do you need from me?"
"He'll need lots of extra affection, some quiet time
basically, but not alone, I think that's part of the
problem. He's been working so hard and so many hours, he's
feeling a little lost and alone."
"I can do extra affection. Wanna see?"
Mulder gave Alex the best hug he could. Alex soaked it up
like a sponge. Mulder had learned long ago that while Alex
enjoyed sex a great deal, what he really loved, what really
got him was being cuddled, especially hugs. The first time
Mulder had taken Alex into his lap and just held him close,
the younger man had cried. Now, after years of such loving,
he only gave a grateful sigh, and snuggled close.
"When Walt comes back down..."
"I know, the focus is on him for a couple of days. But
after that, young man, it's your turn. Clear?"
Mulder felt the lips against his neck as they curved into a
smile, the slight clenching of the real hand as it closed
on his shirt.
"Clear." Mulder hugged tighter for a moment, then heard
Walter coming back downstairs. A kiss, a pat on the rear
and a promise of cuddling to come, and Alex was again ready
to open his arms to Walter.
THE END.
Domestic Bliss
by Raven
Mulder was used to coming home to strange things. When he'd
lived alone, it tended to be men with guns or aliens with
guns or men looking for aliens with guns. Once, it had been
furniture. He'd changed the locks after that one.
