Chapter Text
Chan ran his hands over his face. He hoped that when he removed them, his reality would be different. That this would all just be a bad dream.
No such luck though.
Dropping his hands, he beheld the living area of the vacation home they were renting during their stay in Australia. And sure enough, every corner visible from his spot in the plush chair, was occupied with one of his members.
His seven dongsaengs stood in varying states of guilt and embarrassment. Some sniffling already, some still agitated, but all with heads hung low with shame.
Good, Chan thought to himself. Let them feel the full weight of their idiocy. Because soon they'd be feeling his full weight for it. God, he felt like such a Dad when he thought like that.
Chan hadn't been this upset at "his kids" since...well, maybe ever. Thinking back he couldn't remember a time when they had all messed up this badly, and all at the same time.
He still couldn't quite believe what he'd walked in on half an hour ago...
- - - - -
"Yeah Mom, I'm just heading back to the house with dessert now," Chan chuckled softly as his Mom barely gave him time to finish speaking before reconfirming plans for tomorrow.
She was beyond excited to have her oldest baby and all his babies (as she called them) in Sydney.
"Right, yeah, we've got the radio interview right after the photo shoot tomorrow morning, but we'll come for early dinner at the house. What time works best for you and Appa?"
She confirmed a time and they said their goodbyes. Chan was nearly bouncing with happiness. They were on day two of a two week vacation. A much needed break for all the members.
However, he was most excited to finally get to show them Australia. They'd done shows here before, but had never had the time to stop and enjoy his and Felix's beautiful home country.
They had just a couple of small promotional gigs tomorrow, but otherwise had left their schedules wide open. They needed this time together to rest and relax and just reconnect as brothers.
Chan was already thinking ahead to beach trips and restaurant choices as he pulled back up to the large property they were staying at. With enough rooms for each member to have their own space, the home was truly palacial.
He'd made a solo run for TimTam milkshakes since he had a license here, but also because he was the only one sober enough after several rounds of some drinking game that Han and Felix had roped everyone into playing.
Grabbing the large to-go carrier of shakes, he leaned against the car as he shut the door. The sky was so clear and the stars were truly putting on a show. You just didn't get this in Korea. He had come to love his new home and everything it had given him, but nothing could ever replace this.
His heart was so full as he made the short walk to the front door. Absolutely nothing could make this evening any better.
But, apparently it could get worse.
Chan opened the door to a ruckus unlike he'd ever heard before. There were raised voices, loud thudding and yelled curses assaulting his ears as soon as he stepped in the house.
Dropping the bags and his belongings at the door in rapid time, Chan ran from the foyer to the living room as quickly as his socked-feet allowed.
There he found chaos, literal chaos, as he beheld his members entangled in what could only be described as a group wrestling match. Everywhere he looked someone was holding someone else by the hair, or with an appendage twisted awkwardly, or landing a blow.
Chan's brain completely zeroed out. Frozen in flabbergasted horror as he watched his brothers tear into each other.
Finally regaining his wits, Chan charged into the fray. He began trying to pry people apart and earned an accidental elbow to the mouth for his troubles.
"Ya! Everyone knock it the fuck off! NOW!!!," Chan belowed as he held a hand to his now busted lip.
Startled at the booming command, the room quieted, and everyone took a step back from each other. All of them panting, and roughed up.
As Chan looked between them all, he realized some were bleeding, others had bruises forming already and most all had their hair sticking up in every direction.
"What the hell is going on here!?," Chan looked around at the destroyed room. "I haven't been gone 20 minutes and I come back to this JACKASSERY!?"
Everyone finally took in their surroundings and realized the damage they had done, seven pairs of nervous eyes looked back to Chan.
"Oh yeah, you better look nervous, cause this is about as far as any of you have ever pushed me before."
"Channie-hyung, we didn't mean-," Han began shakily.
"Do. Not. Speak," Chan pointed an angry finger at Jisung. "From this moment on, you do not speak unless you are spoken to. Any of you."
He looked at each member as they nodded their understanding.
"Before anything else," he sighed, "Is everyone ok? Anyone seriously hurt?"
Watching as each young man took stock of themselves and each shook their heads in turn, Chan nodded.
"Good, then before we move on, I want each of you to go to your respective rooms and clean yourselves up. You are not to speak to one another. You go tend to any wounds and then get your butts right back down here."
As they all scrambled to do as they were told, Chan walked back to the entry to grab the bag of shakes and deposit them in the freezer for keeping. He'd need the pick-me-up by the end of the evening, he was sure of it. He also made sure to grab water bottles for each member, as he was sure the alcohol had somehow contributed to this fiasco.
He made his way back to the living area and righted the tables that had been flipped over.
Plopping himself down in the nearest chair, Chan waited as his members slowly began to make their ways back into the room. All of them had a bandage over a cut or held an ice pack on a blossoming bruise. Add to that the nervous and guilty expressions on each face and they all looked truly terrible.
When they were all assembled again, Chan stood. He'd discovered over the years that, though he wasn't the tallest of people, his Kids responded to discipline best when they felt small. So, like now, he generally had them seated while he stood to lecture them.
"I want to know what happened," he looked from member to member. "Jisung, since you wanted to talk so much earlier, help me understand."
Han gulped, and shrank back a little, but ultimately started talking. He explained how the drinking game had gotten out of hand and a particularly competitive round had led to a scuffle that turned into an all-out brawl.
To his credit, Jisung had been remarkably more diplomatic in his retelling than he would have been in his younger days, Chan thought. He did his best not to name any names, and place blame equally across all the members for their actions. A younger Jisung would have thrown his brothers under the proverbial bus if he thought it would save himself. He was never malicious, he just hated being punished.
Chan nodded when Jisung finished his story.
"And at no point any of you thought to try to break this up? Put an end to it? Instead you all decided to join in?"
He turned his head to glance between Minho and Changbin.
"As the eldest, neither of you tried to stop this!?"
"I'm sorry hyung," Minho looked pitifully at Chan through an eye that was starting to swell and was already bruised darkly. "We weren't thinking properly, and it all got out of hand so quickly."
"I'll say!," Chan shouted. "You certainly weren't thinking. Because if you were, you'd realize that besides the fact that you've all just layed hands on your brothers, I'll now have to cancel both of our engagements tomorrow! I can't take you lot out looking like this! The media would have an absolute frenzy with this story and we'd NEVER come back from it."
Every head in the room was bowed now. Many were wiping sniffles away already.
"I have never been so disappointed with all of you. Never," Chan shook his head. "We're a family and this is not how family treats each other. Outside influence or not, I expect so much better from all of you."
Chan looked each member over again before he spoke.
"Does anyone have anything to say? I don't want your apologies right now, those will be given to your brothers in a bit. But anyone want to add anything else?"
Knowing there was nothing they could add that would save them from condemnation, and not allowed to apologize, everyone just shook their heads.
"Right then," Chan glanced quickly away from the kids and around the surrounding space. "I'm going to make some calls and figure out how to get us out of everything tomorrow, meanwhile I want each of you with your nose in a corner. I want to be able to see you from this chair. Now, GO."
Had he not been so mad, Chan would have laughed at the way they nearly tripped over themselves in their haste to get away from him and find a corner.
Once he was satisfied that everyone found a place and would stay put, Chan stepped into another room to make his calls.
He ended up having to make up an excuse that they had all caught a bug while traveling and would be quarantined at the house for a few days. It was believable enough and would allow them a few days of laying low and letting injuries fade. He made plans with his contacts to reschedule the interviews for the following weekend.
Relieved to have resolved that situation fairly unscathed, Chan took a deep breath and headed back to the living room.
- - - - -
Chan shook his head after replaying the events of the evening. He needed to clear his head before he got any angrier. He was supposed to be calming down so he could deal with the boys.
A spanking was definitely in order, but didn't seem like quite enough punishment to fit their crimes.
Chan considered using his belt. Only a few of the members had ever needed that kind of correction, and Chan tried to save that for the worst misbehavior.
While this situation was one of the worst case senarios as far as disobedience goes, using his belt still didn't feel right. Many of his dongsaengs were too sensitive for such an implement. They responded better to the mental side of a punishment, without excess force.
Still, they all needed a reminder that this behavior would not be tolerated so that it was never repeated.
Chan surveyed the seven occupied corners, bewildered again about how they even got in this situation. He knew inebriation was the largest factor, but still, fighting each other? Really?
Then all at once the answer came to him and he decided on their punishment.
Without any further hesitation, Chan got up and walked into the kitchen.
Lee Know, standing in the closest corner to the kitchen, tensed up at the sound of a cutlery drawer being rifled through. Unfortunately, he knew that sound well, and knew what was coming.
Re-entering the living room, Chan called everyone out of their corners and instructed them to find a seat.
Hyunjin, Jisung and Felix were already sniffling, Chan noted. He knew his most tender-hearted members would likely be holding hands to comfort each other, were he allowing them to interact.
He cleared his throat and hardened his heart to their distress as he crossed his arms over his chest. Subliminally guarding his heart further.
All eyes in the room followed his movements, specifically the wooden rice paddle clutched in his hand.
Confirming Minho's suspicions, the second-oldest member closed his eyes with a sigh. Use to doling out 1 or 2 quick smacks to the younger members if they needed redirection in the kitchen, it had been quite a while since he'd felt the sharp sting of the rice paddle himself. He wasn't looking forward to it.
Satisfied that the heavy silence had stretched far enough, Chan began his speech.
"I've been looking forward to this trip with you all since before it was even officially planned," Chan spoke softly and from his heart. "I have dreamed for years of being able to bring you all here and show you my home. I don't think I can fully put into words how disappointed I am that this trip has gotten off to this kind of start."
Every member shrank further into their seats. Chan's hurt was evident to them all, and it wounded them all more than any punishment ever could. They hated to disappoint this man.
"But this shit will end here, am I clear?," Chan waited for everyone's nod of confirmation before continuing. "If we need to go back to a zero-alcohol policy again we will, but I will not have my members fighting and carrying on with anyone, let alone each other. And causing us to cancel public engagements!? Surely I don't have to remind you all of the countless STAYs we'll be letting down. Our fans, who have supported us and given us the chance to live out our dreams! They deserve better!"
Chan felt himself getting worked up again, so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to the count of five. Reopening his eyes, and seeing the sad faces of all his members, he knew he'd made his point.
"Right, well, I'll leave it at that," Chan cleared his throat.
Even after years together, it never got easier to actually start the physical punishments. He spent more time in his silly older brother role, and preferred it that way. So when it came time to be disciplinarian he still felt awkward.
"Now, you know you've all earned this punishment. So let's get it over with and move on to enjoying this trip."
Chan stepped over and pulled the low coffee table away from the couches and out into the center of the room.
"You're each getting 15 with the rice paddle," Chan saw the moment those words hit and every guilty face paled. "You'll each step up, drop your pants and plant your hands on the table-"
"In front of everyone!?," Han couldn't hold in his exclamation.
Having already been warned not to speak, Chan stepped over, pulling Jisung up by the arm and landing a sharp crack of the paddle on his backside, before plopping him back down.
"You get in trouble together, you get punished together," Chan scolded as Jisung flushed red and held his ass. "This way you can also make your apologies to each other. As I was saying, you'll place hands on the table and take your licks. Afterwards, you can make your apologies to everyone. Understood?"
Seven forlorn nods were his response.
"Good. We're going in reverse age order," Chan looked to Jeongin and nodded at the table. "Maknae, you're up."
Innie gulped, and hesitated for only a split second, before standing. Wiping his hands on his pants, he moved to stand in front of Chan. He kept his head lowered, raising only his fox-like eyes to his leader, as he dipped a bow and then reached for his jeans.
Stepping over to the table, he dropped his pants and placed both hands on the smooth wooden surface.
In this position, each member would be bent further than 90°, with their face towards the other members and their bottoms towards Chan. The leader knew this was embarrassing for them, but felt they needed the humbling.
Jeongin was no stranger to punishment. As the youngest, he'd gotten himself in trouble fairly frequently over the years, but Chan always appreciated his ability to stay in place and take his smacks. Still, he placed a hand on his lower back to steady them both.
"15, Jeongin, you don't need to count."
Chan didn't make him wait. He brought the rice paddle down with a crisp snap against the maknae's boxers. Other than a small flinch, the boy stayed in place. As he did for most of the remainder of the spanking.
At the 11th strike, Chan noticed the first sniffle. Well, from Innie, that is. Several of the other's had begun crying as soon as their maknae was bent over for punishment. While glad to see their sense of brotherly love return, he realized it would make the rest of this punishment session more interesting.
Chan wrapped up the last couple of strikes on Jeongin's thighs. The rice paddle left a mean sting, but it was so lightweight that it wouldn't leave any lasting damage. He wanted them to regret their actions tonight, not suffer the rest of their vacation.
Once done, Chan pocketed the paddle and pulled Innie up into a hug. Tucking the sniffling boy against his shoulder, Chan spoke softly into his ear.
"Well done, mate. All finished."
After petting his hair for a moment more, Chan stepped back and held Innie's face in his hands.
"Saranghae, I.N.-ah."
"Channie-hyung, saranghae. And I'm so sorry for my behavior, it won't happen again."
Chan smiled softly and nodded his acceptance, then nodded his head towards the other members.
Jeongin turned and made his apologies to his older brothers. He was sincere and well-spoken as always. And as Chan had suspected, giving the apology caused more tears than the spanking had.
Stepping up to pat him on the back, Chan turned to call Seungmin up for his turn. But as Jeongin moved to retake his seat, Chan stopped him with a hand on his elbow. Looking back, Innie's eyebrows scrunched together to see Chan holding the rice paddle out for him to take.
On instinct alone, Innie stepped away from the outstretched implement, before looking to Chan.
"H-hyung?," I.N. questioned as he looked back down at the paddle.
"Take it," Chan held it out towards him again. "You guys wanted to hit each other so badly, well, here you go."
Letting Jeongin and Seungmin exchange horrified glances where they stood side-by-side, Chan turned to the other members.
"You come up here, take your licks, and then you're delivering the next person's punishment," Chan looked each man in the eye as he continued. "You will deliver all 15 strokes that they earned. You will deliver them with appropriate strength. If you soften your swing, the strike doesn't count and you will start over at number 1, earning your brother extra punishment."
The Kids were shook. Varying faces of shock, sadness and anger met their leader's. Felix and Han were sobbing. Hyunjin looked like he might be physically sick. Changbin sat with his head bowed as his knees bounced with agitation. Chan's gaze fell lastly on Minho, who was glaring at him.
"You have something to say, Lee Minho?"
Minho flinched at the use of his full name, he knew Chan was trying to remind him of his place in this situation.
"No, hyungnim."
Chan knew that wasn't the case, but appreciated the fact that Minho wouldn't fight him on this decision.
Looking back to the two youngest members, Chan grabbed Jeongin's hand and placed the paddle in it.
"Seungmin," Chan nodded expectantly at the table.
The taciturn younger man stood ramrod straight. Fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Chan could see a million different thoughts swimming in his eyes, but ultimately resignation won out and the singer moved over to the table.
With a final look to Jeongin and Chan, Seungmin shoved his pants down and assumed the position.
I.N. turned pleading eyes to Chan.
"Channie-hyung, please don't make me do this."
"You were all hitting each other earlier, why is this any different?"
"We just weren't thinking earlier, and we won't do it again," Jeongin extended the paddle to Chan. "Please, hyung."
"No. I'm making you do this now so you'll all understand how hard it is to have to punish you guys. I've never raised a hand to any of you in anger, yet I'm responsible for discipline any time it's needed. And it wrecks me, every time. I hate having to be anything but gentle with each of you. So now that it seems you've all forgotten how important each of the other members is to you and this family, it's time you had to shoulder that burden. Your brother's welfare is quite literally in your hands tonight."
Chan stepped back, and nodded again towards the table.
"Don't leave Seungmin hanging, Innie."
With watery eyes I.N. stepped up behind his prone hyung and cleared his throat.
"15 Minnie, don't count."
Despite his aversion, I.N. did a proper job paddling Seungmin. Having never done it before, he just tried to copy what he had received from Chan. He applied the swats quickly, spread across the whole of the boxer-clad bottom in front of him, ending with 2 sharp pops against the thighs. He then immediately dropped the paddle onto the table like it was made of hot iron.
Never one to give much of a reaction during a spanking, Chan wasn't surprised to see Seungmin stand stiffly and right his clothing, before turning to be the one to comfort I.N. with a hug. He couldn't hear the whispered words, but their body language was enough to let him know Seungmin was absolving I.N. of any quilt.
As the maknae finally went back to his seat on the couch, Seungmin looked to Chan. Chan opened his arms to offer a hug, but Seungmin only bowed politely.
"I'm sorry for my actions, hyung," Without much of a pause Seungmin turned immediately to apologize to the members.
Chan was a little surprised to not be given his customary aftercare cuddle, but he supposed this new punishment was a lot to process for his members, so he would give them some grace. He'd just have to follow up with Minnie later to make sure they were good.
Unsurprisingly, with his usual dry wit, Minnie had most of the group smiling a little by the end of his apology. What was surprising though, was before Chan could even call up Felix, Seungmin had gone over and taken his Sunshine's hand and pulled him to standing by the table.
Felix was easily the most emotional member of the group. He felt every emotion in a big way and had the most tender heart as well. Punishments didn't happen too often for Felix, but they always broke his heart when he did earn one.
Knowing this, Seungmin pulled the slightly older member into an embrace.
"I'm sorry Lixie, I don't want to do this," He shot a look at Chan. "Let's just get it done quickly, ok?"
Felix had been crying pretty much since the fight broke up. He'd never meant to get involved and already felt immense guilt for his part, specially knowing personally how important this trip was. He was just as excited as Chan to share their favorite spots with everyone.
Disappointed in himself and not wanting a spanking, specially from Seungmin, Felix nodded his response and tried to stifle his tears. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve and dipped over to Chan, burying his face in his leader's chest and wrapping his arms around his waist.
"I'm sorry Channie-hyung," He mumbled against the broad chest.
Chan cradled the blond head gently and scratched his nails along Felix's scalp.
"I know, mate, but I expect better from you than what I walked in on tonight." After a short cuddle Chan continued, "Go see Seungmin."
Felix stiffened, but turned back to the table. Quickly dropping his sweats, he bent with his hands to the table and burried his face in the crook of his arm.
Seungmin measured the weight of the paddle in his hand and stepped behind his target.
"Hold on for 15, Lixie, you can do this."
Wrapping an arm around Felix's waist, Seungmin went fast and counted the swats aloud. It didn't keep Felix from sobbing any less, but it removed his need to worry about how many licks he had left.
Felix was a notorious squirmer, usually unable to handle even the lightest spanking stoically. He tried his best not to make this any harder on Seungmin, but he couldn't help the way his hips moved of their own accord to try to avoid the stinging swats.
"15," Seungmin declared with a noticable quaver to his voice. He pulled Felix's sweats back into place and pulled him into another hug. "All done, Lix, I'm so sorry."
Felix cried as he nodded to Seungmin and heard the paddle drop onto the table. He fumbled back over to Chan and sobbed again into his shirt.
"I've got you, Lix. I got you."
"I-I'm so s-sorry, Channie-hyung! I won't e-ever do it again. I didn't mean to disrespect you or your time used to plan this t-trip for us."
"Hey, Lixie, come on, take a deep breath, mate."
He held the boy as he took several calming breaths.
"Apology accepted, yeah? But I need you to pull yourself together for this next part. Jisung deserves your full attention, don't worry about me."
"Hyung, I can't spank Han-ah, I just can't!"
"You can and you will," Chan said sternly. "This is your punishment for participating in a brawl with your group mates. Just like Innie and Minnie didn't want to do this either, but maybe next time you'll all think about this before laying hands on each other again. Drunk or not."
Turning Felix back towards the table, Chan delivered a not-so-gentle smack to his backside to get him moving. Felix yelped and rubbed the sore spot as he made tearful apologies to each of the seated members.
When he wrapped that up, Chan called Jisung to the floor, and Felix bent to pick up the paddle.
Han was the most frequent offender when it came to spankable offenses. While usually not for anything major, Chan felt like they barely went a week without him or Minho popping Jisung at least once. The kid just never listened to reason and often required a more physical display of correction.
That being said, Jisung was not hard to discipline, as evidenced by his immediately jumping up to lower his pants and get into position for Felix. But despite his obedience, Han was also heavily effected by the turmoil of formal discipline. Like his punisher, Han had been crying for a while, and Chan knew this would likely be the toughest pairing to get through.
Felix ran his small hand up and down the expanse of Han's bent back, before looking back at Chan pleadingly.
Chan only nodded at Jisung, "Dont make him wait Lix-ah."
Despairing his lack of choice, Felix cleared his throat and set to his task.
"Jisungie...I don't...," Sighing Felix just stopped himself. "15 with the paddle, do you want me to count for you?"
"No, Lix, please just get it over with."
Han barely got his sentence out of his mouth before Felix was peppering rapid-fire licks around his bottom.
Chan had never seen a punishment delivered so quickly, but at least Felix seemed to be using the proper amount of force. Jisung was bouncing from foot to foot and hollering with every blow. The guy was loud normally, but during a punishment he didn't even try to disguise his discomfort.
By the time it was done, both Sunshine Twins were once again weeping messes. They both stood and held each other for long minutes afterwards. Han still partially undressed and Felix still with a death-grip on the paddle.
When they both turned puppy-dog eyes on Chan, he nearly crumpled under his self-hatred. What a stupid idea this punishment had been, he berated himself, but he knew truly this would impart a lasting lesson on all his dongsaengs. Stray Kids would be better for it in the long run.
Still, his heart hurt for his little brothers, and he stepped up quickly to embrace them both. He kissed the top of each head as he hugged them.
"Saranghae, fellas."
"Channie-hyung, saranghae," They said in unison.
Pulling themselves together, Han righted his clothes with a whimper, and Felix sat gingerly back down on the couch.
Having taken the paddle from Felix, Chan handed it to Han.
"How does something this light pack such a sting!?," Han marveled while absentmindedly rubbing his backside.
Chan noticed Hyunjin blanch further at the discussion. The dancer didn't receive much discipline anymore these days. As a younger man his flair for the dramatics and silly feud with Han had gotten him tossed over Chan's knee plenty. Though Chan never had to use any kind of implement on him.
Add his first paddling and that it would be coming from someone other than Chan to the fact that he'd then have to turn around and spank Binnie, and Hyunjin was sick to his stomach.
When Chan called his name, Hyunjin wanted to bolt for the door. It was written so plainly on his face that Chan called him out on it.
"Move anywhere but over to this table and I'll warm you up over my knee before handing you off to Jisung. Don't disrespect what your brothers have already been through that way."
Hyunjin nearly ran to stand in front of the table. He looked back at Han, who gave him a watery smile and finger hearts, before lowering his jeans and bending over.
"Hyunjin-ah...15," Was all that Han could get out. He saw the slight nod under the mop of long dark hair and began.
The first strike caught Hyunjin lower on his backside and he lept up covering himself with his hands.
"Hwang Hyunjin, get back in position," Chan scolded. "Don't make this harder on yourself or Jisung. Move again and the stroke won't count."
Full lips quivering, Hyunjin ducked guiltily back into position.
"Sorry, hyung. Sorry Han-ah."
Feeling acutely how wrong it felt to inflict pain on Hyunjin, Han reached forward and rubbed the spot he'd just reddened.
He proceeded with the rest of the punishment this way. He'd lay down a harsh strike and then immediately rub the spot for a moment. Chan thought about stopping it, but decided this was Jisung's punishment and as long as a lesson was learned then he could deliver it however he wanted.
This method caused the spanking to last much longer than the others had, but it seemed to ground Hyunjin enough to keep him in place for the duration. Chan was exceptionally proud of Jisung for reading what his brother needed so well. Maybe they would all get through this punishment ok.
When the spanking finally ended, Hyunjin fixed his clothes and turned to wrap Han in a warm hug. They cried their mutual hurt out together.
Chan accepted Hyunjin from Han as the younger sat the paddle down and moved to the couch to wrap himself in Felix.
"Saranghae, Jinnie-ya," Chan ran his hand down the long expanse of the taller man's back.
"Channie-hyung, saranghae."
Hyunjin typically required lots of cuddling after a spanking, he needed the closeness to regulate himself. Chan didn't want to deprive him of that need, but they couldn't stall the progress of this punishment.
"Finish your job and then you can go cuddle with Han and Lix. Once we're all done here we can pick up where we left off if you still need it, yeah?"
Hyunjin brightened a little at the promise of being able to cuddle the twins, but darkened again when Changbin was called up. Hyunjin made his apologies to the group as Binnie walked up.
Changbin stepped up to Hyunjin and rubbed his hands up and down his arms, squeezing the muscles there, before handing him the paddle.
"Do me proud, huh?," He said with a smirk.
Hyunjin hung his head, upset that even in this situation Binnie was able to make him smile. He was about to paddle him, but Changbin was taking care of him. He decided right there that he would get through this for Changbin, and then be sure to dote on him when it was all over.
"You ready, Binnie-hyung?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
The paddling went fairly quickly. Changbin hardly reacting to the swats, outside of curling his hands into fists against the table.
The last stroke had him popping out of his position and eagerly rubbing his ass.
"Ya! Have you been going to the gym without me?"
Although Hyunjin appreciated his ability to lighten the tension, he rolled his tear-filled eyes and pulled Binnie into a hug.
"I'm sorry, hyung."
"Mwo? Enough of that," Changbin shewed him away. "Go let Han-ah and Felix-ah make it better."
Hyunjin turned and retreated into the waiting arms of the two red-eyed members on the couch. Accepting all their affection and comfort.
Changbin bowed deeply as he apologized to the group, his eyes watering for the first time as he expressed his feelings of being an inadequate hyung to them tonight.
Chan stepped up and slung an arm around his neck from behind.
"You never have been or ever could be inadequate, Bin-ah. One mistake, no matter how stupid," He cut his eyes at everyone gathered, "could ever change your tremendous value to this family."
"Saranghae, Channie-hyung."
"Changbin-ah, saranghae."
Chan kissed the side of Changbin's head and handed him the paddle. They both turned to Minho.
It was no secret that Minho was the "mother" of the group, and therefore feared by everyone. He was quick to smack a backside or flick a forehead any day, but an angry Minho gave even Chan pause.
Minho had been quiet the entire ordeal, watching each of his dongsaengs take and give punishment. He knew they had all fucked up, and earned a punishment, but he was none too happy with Chan's creativity on this one. Deep down he knew it was a good call and that fighting would NEVER be an issue amongst them again. Still, he didn't like to see all the younger members so torn up.
Minho stared back at Chan with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked like a pouty child, Chan thought, but he'd never say that out loud.
Thankfully, without Chan needing to ask, Minho rose and walked around the table. Shedding his pants and bending over without a word, though his face flushed bright red to have so humbled himself in front of the younger members.
Changbin looked to Chan, and the leader just nodded. The unspoken agreement not to add to the second in command's embarrassment passing between them. Best to just get it over with.
Chan stepped back to his place by the chair and Changbin stood behind Minho.
"15, Lee Know-hyung."
Minho's grunt was the only acknowledgment.
Minho made it most of the way through the count of 15 without any outward reactions, but Chan saw the way his shoulders drooped slightly around strike 12 and knew the anger had left him.
Minho was harder on himself mentally than Chan would ever be. So when all was said and done, Minho put his clothing back in place and turned to Chan with red-rimmed eyes and nose.
Chan cuffed the back of his neck and pulled him into a hug. He scratched his fingers through the younger man's hair for a moment before Minho ended the cuddle.
"I'm sorry hyungnim. I'll be a better leader in your absence from now on. I hope I didn't ruin your trust in me," He dipped into a deep bow.
"Oh Minho-ya, you could never. I trust you with my life, and you fellas are my life. You're alright, mate."
Minho nodded thankfully, "Saranghae, Chan-hyung."
"Minho, saranghae."
Minho turned to where Changbin had rejoined the others. He dipped a quick bow to each of them and promised to do better.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief to be over the unpleasantries and looked to Chan for official dismissal.
Minho moved to hand Chan the paddle back before taking his seat, but Chan only shook his head. He turned to address the whole group.
"I'm very proud of all of you for stepping up to this task I set before you tonight. You made a mistake and you atoned for it. I hope you'll all remember this night going forward and remember to cherish and protect your brothers."
A chorus of "yes, hyung" wrang out around the room.
"However, I can't help but feel a bit responsible for this ordeal. If I'd been a better leader, and seen how the drinking was getting out of hand, maybe this never would have happened."
Chan stepped over to the table and undid his jeans, he looked a Minho, "Don't think you're getting out of here without your turn being finished."
With that he dropped his jeans and placed his palms on the table.
Aside from a sharp intake of everyone's breath the room was absolutely silent, until Minho spoke.
"What the fuck, hyung!? I'm not paddling you for this!"
Without even breaking position Chan replied.
"Watch yourself Lee Know, and yes you are. This was a family problem and as head of this family I am also to be held accountable."
"Hyung," Minho nearly pleaded, "that's not right and you know it! Let us own this, you don't have to take responsibility for our mess up. You don't deserve a spanking."
"This is my job, Min, to take responsibility for you guys. I failed to the point we had to cancel work engagements tomorrow, it's well earmed. Plus, no one else in this room wanted to punish their brother like this, but they did it. It's your turn to pay this consequence. Now step up, Minho."
Chan turned his head when he didn't hear any movement. Minho stood shaking his head, mouth opening and closing like a fish, with a single tear running down his cheek.
"Come on, Minho. Finish this so we can all move on. 15 licks, full strength."
"Channie-hyung, please don't do this...," Hyunjin said tearfully.
"Yeah, please hyung," I.N. said as he wiped his eyes. "Making us watch you take an undeserved punishment hurts more than any paddling ever could."
Chan looked over and realized all his dongsaengs were getting emotional over seeing him like this.
"Then consider this the last part of your punishment and remember this feeling well."
He looked back to Minho, "Lets go, Lee Know."
Minho looked absolutely horrified at his predicament, but moved to stand behind Chan. Resigned to his fate, he laid a hand on Chan's back and raised the paddle.
The implement fell with barely the lightest of sounds.
"Do not dishonor me so, Lee Minho. That one didn't count. Do it properly this time."
Minho tried again, but couldn't make himself deliver an actual stroke. It felt so wrong.
"Do it again Minho."
"Hyung, please..." Minho actually whimpered.
"Do it, Min, or I can take off my belt and make everyone give me a lick."
Minho was so stunned by the threat that he actually dropped the paddle. Bending to retrieve it quickly, he looked at his six younger brothers sitting on the couches.
The fear on their faces from the threat was enough to push him into action. This was a burden he could bear and save them from.
Steeling himself with a deep breath, he brought the paddle down against Chan's bottom with a crack.
"One," Chan grunted.
"Two."
"Three."
"Four."
"Five."
Chan counted each lick aloud. Driving home the message to his members that their mistakes could effect others with each grunted number.
By the time he made it to 14 he was sniffling slightly. The teaching moment, more than the pain, bringing out his emotions.
When they finished, Chan righted his clothing and turned directly to Minho.
The younger man was holding the paddle down by his side and had his free hand covering his face as he cried.
"Hey, Min, come here," Chan pulled him into his embrace.
Minho wept into Chan's shirt. Tangling his fist into the back to pull his only hyung in closer.
Turning slightly, Chan held his free arm out to the rest of the group, inviting them into the hug.
Each member swarmed in. Most of them shedding their own tears for their leader. All eight of them holding onto each other tightly.
They spent a while moving about in the group, making sure each person was held and coddled a bit. Gradually, the tears stopped and everyone's frayed nerves began to sooth.
Eventually, Chan told them all to go get themselves put back together in their rooms and then come back down for dessert if they wanted it. Every one of his members had a sweet tooth, so he knew they'd all be back down soon.
After watching them all leave, Chan took a moment to rub his ass. Damn that little rice paddle packed at a sting. Curse Minho's Eomma for ever introducing that as a spanking implement.
He grabbed the offending item off the floor and walked back to the kitchen. Stopping at the sink to wash the utensil before laying it out to dry. He laughed evilly once at the threat implied by leaving it sitting out. Maybe he'd get a few days peace on this trip after all.
He was about to grab the shakes back out of the freezer when he heard a throat clear. He turned to find Seungmin wiping his nose a few feet away.
"Hey Minnie, what's up mate?"
Seungmin lifted swollen, red, puppy-dog eyes to Chan's.
"I...I'm sorry hyung."
"You took your punishment and apologized already, you don't need to do it again."
"N-no, I mean I'm sorry for being angry earlier. I was being prideful and acting out because you made Innie spank me and then made me hurt Felix. I didn't give you the sincere apology you deserved, and I cost myself proper aftercare."
"Oh, Seungminnie," Chan quickly pulled his second-youngest brother into his arms. "I know tonight was shocking and hard. I was prepared for some, if not all, of you to be upset with me over it. But thank you all the same for saying that. Also, you'll never "cost" yourself aftercare, it's as imperative as the punishment itself. I had just planned to come to your room later, since it seemed you didn't want it in the moment."
Chan held the boy close and rubbed large, slow circles around his back.
"Saranghae, Seungmin-ah."
"Channie-hyung, saranghae."
It felt good to finally have that last "I love you". Chan never felt like a punishment was truly finished until each party was able make that declaration.
"You understand why I had you all punish and take punishment from each other, right?"
"So we'd realize we prefer taking care of each other, instead of hurting each other? And so we'd understand the struggle you have when you have to punish us?"
"You're a smart man, Kim Seungmin," Chan laughed against his hair. "I wasn't trying to hurt you all, that's never my goal, though I know it's an unfortunate side effect some of the time. My job as "Bang Chan, Leader of Stray Kids" is to make sure this group and its members are as successful as we can be. But my most prized responsibility is to be your Channie-hyung, and make sure you're all good people. I took responsibility for all of you when you were just teenagers, and I promised your parents I'd take care of you in their stead."
"Is that why you decided to absolutely wreck us all by making us watch Minho-hyung paddle you for something you had no part in?"
"That was mostly so I could show you guys that I'm part of this group and not just its figurehead," Chan sighed. "I wasn't trying to "wreck" you."
"Hmm...Well, I don't necessarily like your crafty new methods," Seungmin sniffled and plucked at Chan's shirt. "But I do have a new appreciation for all you do for us."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. I appreciate you being receptive to my lesson."
Seungmin laid against Chan's shoulder silently for a moment, just soaking in his hyung's comfort.
"It was really awful having to spank Lix," He murmured eventually.
"I know, mate. I know. But I am so proud of how you handled him. You read his cues and needs so well. I'm always very impressed with how much you pick up from the other members by just observing."
"I learned that from Binnie-hyung. He always told me-"
"What did you learn from me?," Changbin asked as he walked into the kitchen with I.N. under one of his arms. Followed shortly by Minho snuggling Han.
Chan and Seungmin separated. Chan using a silent look to ensure the younger man was ok to end their cuddle. He received a small smile and a nod in return.
"His observation skills, Bin," Chan replied.
"Aww, Minnie, I'm flattered to have trained you in my ways!" Changbin bowed with a flourish and a tip of his imaginary hat.
Seungmin shook his head good naturedly and moved to sit around the table with the others.
Hyunjin strolled in a moment later with Felix thrown over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. As they walked by, Felix cocked his head and waved up at Chan with a little smirk. Hyunjin deposited him down on his feet beside an open chair at the table, before ruffling his fluffy blond hair.
Chan smiled to see his little found family back together with at least their figurative wounds mended. He still couldn't quite believe some of them sported physical wounds from their fight.
He walked over to Minho and tilted his face to study his bruising. Minho had the grace to blush and look away embarrassedly.
"You all did a very good job during your retellings and apologies of not snitching on anyone else," Chan raised an eyebrow. "So who actually gave you the shiner?"
"You'll have to beat the information out of me, hyung," Minho replied saucily.
"Nah, I'll just let Changbin-ah do it again," Chan chirped just as saucily.
Minho blushed impossibly redder.
"Well at least you won't have to deal with getting it from Innie," Seungmin added. "He wacked my thighs too!"
Now it was I.N.'s turn to blush, but before he could defend himself Han joined in.
"Whatever, at least you didn't catch it from Lix! For all his protestations he wielded that paddle like a tennis pro! I'm gonna feel this way into tomorrow."
"That's not very nice," Felix whined. "I just didn't want to have to redo any of it!"
"Thought Jinnie was gonna break the damn thing against my ass before we even got to Minho," Changbin said pouting playfully and slapping at Hyunjin's arm.
Hyunjin hid under his bangs and used his hand to lazily cover the rest of his face. The rest of the members cooed adorably at his pink cheeks.
Chan took the moment to go grab the shakes out of the freezer and hand them out. He stood beside the table and watched everyone enjoying the treat.
"Come sit, hyung," Minho pulled the chair beside himself out. "Or did I do too good a job spanking you?"
The whole table laughed, but there was an air of hesitancy behind it. No one wanted to think about Chan's self-sacrifing ways.
"Man," Chan smirked looking around the table as he sat. "I've really struck gold here. Who would have thought that just taking a few licks in front of you lot would garner such reverence. I'll have to use that more often!"
"Noooooo!," The group groaned at once.
"I will say I have a new appreciation for you guys that catch it from Minho all the time," Chan fidgeted in his seat. "The man has a wicked arm."
"And don't you forget it," Minho said smugly pointing around the table.
The group sat in comfortable silence for a while as they drank their shakes. Eventually, Felix cleared his throat.
"Umm, Channie-hyung, are we still going to visit your family tomorrow?"
"I dunno, we're supposed to be sick and quarantining," Chan said sadly. "But, I guess, if we tell them to be sure not to post anything about it we could sneak over for a little while."
"Well, how are we gonna explain...this?," Felix gestured to the bandage on his cheek and the ones on the others.
"Oh you'll tell them exactly what happened."
"But...but your Eomma will be so disappointed!" Felix wailed. "She'll never let us hear the end of it."
Chan just shrugged.
"Oh you can bet on that. You'll be lucky if she doesn't pull out her wooden spoon."
Hyunjin's eyes widened, "You're kidding, right hyung?"
"It's late guys," Chan stood up without answering. "I'm gonna turn in for the night, you should all head that way too. Love you all!"
"Right hyung?," Hyunjin called to his leader's back.
"G'night!"
"Hyung?...HYUNG!?"
- - - - -
Chan woke the next morning to find his room absolutely covered in Stray Kids.
Every open space held the still dozing form of one his younger brothers. He'd heard a few of them come in throughout the night, but didn't realize they'd all ended up here.
Gazing over the group, Chan felt his heart heal fully from the night before. His Kids had taken his punishment and gained a renewed sense of brotherhood. Despite wearing the remnants of their fight on bandaged faces, they'd all sought out the comfort of being in close proximity to sleep.
Chan laid back against his pillow and smiled. Maybe he was doing this leader thing right after all.