Adopted Troublemaker (for Bakara)

[ChrisWk]

Henry gave the boy some gentle pats to his back.

“You and I are more alike than I think you realise, Leo.” Henry said, giving the blonde some light ruffles to his head.

“I know better than anyone what it’s like to be in your shoes. And I know how incredibly much it means to be adopted. To actually have someone who’ll care for you, give you the attention and love you need. Because fifteen years ago, I was at an orphanage, in the same situation as you. All hope for ever being adopted was lost. But then two wonderful parents came along and decided to take me in. I didn’t understand why, at the time. I was a brat. Troublemaker beyond all belief. My grades in school were abysmal, yet they chose me. The oldest one there. And had it not been for them, I wouldn’t have been raised the way I did, I wouldn’t have done well in school, college, gotten a god job, and I wouldn’t be sitting here today. Knowing how much it means, I knew I wanted to help someone in a similar situation. And that happened to be you.” Henry explained calmly, before patting Leo’s knee/thigh twice in a comforting manner.

“Now will you give me a chance?” He smiled.

[Bakara]

Leo listened to Henry's story, looking down to the ground. He flinched when Henry ruffled his head, and even leaned a little to the right side. But after the man finished his story, the boy finally managed to look him in the eyes. He flinched again when Henry patted this knee, but this time he stayed still.

He tried to blink away a little tear. Henry's story was well too familiar.

"Ok, we can try it", the boy said, his preteen voice cracking again.

[ChrisWk]

“I’m glad to hear it, kid.” Henry smiled, before gesturing to the floor right in front of him.

“But now I want you to stand up in front of me, okay? I will treat you and raise you like my own, and that means that I will expect you to follow the rules I set for you. I made it quite clear in the car that there would be consequences if you didn’t stop cursing, and that’s what you’ll get. So stand up in front of me and out both hands on your head.” Henry instructed, a little more firm now.

[Bakara]

Leo was a little startled with this command. What kind of punishment was that? Did the man want him to do squats or something like that?
Then it hit him. Some other kid in the orphanage told him about this. This man isn't going to...?
"Wait, you don't want to spank me, right?", he asked, clearly with fear in his voice.

[ChrisWk]

Henry nodded.
“Spankings will be the main consequence of getting into trouble or stepping out of line from now on, yes. Now come on, up on your feet and hands on your head.” Henry repeated himself. Not overly stern or anything, but definitely still firm.

There was no beating around the bush this time. With that direct of a question, he had to break it to him. Whether he wanted it or not, Leo had earned his first ever spanking.

[Bakara]

"You're crazy or something? You can't do that! I'm not a little kid!", Leo tried to reason. But his voice came out much more louder than he had anticipated, being upset about the thought that Henry would spank him. That boy in the orphanage had told him that these things hurt.

[ChrisWk]

“No, I’m not crazy, and yes, I can. You will not be too old or big for a spanking for as long as you live under this roof, mister. Now please do lower your voice. You are getting one, whether you want it or not. That is the point of a punishment. Now come on, on your feet, young man. I will not tell you again.” Henry warned, this time definitely more strict and stern than before.

“The sooner we get it over with, the sooner we can move on.” He added.

[Bakara]

Leo couldn't believe it. There was no way this would happen. Nothing is worth that. His eyes darted to the door, and he tried to jump off the bed, making a run for it.

[ChrisWk]

Henry considered grabbing his arm and stopping him, but he remained seated. He didn’t like the idea of physically forcing him back and over. Definitely not for his first time.

“Leonardo Lawrence!” Henry said sternly with a somewhat raised tone of voice. Even calling him by his full name. Or rather, his new full name, as he had his surname changed to Lawrence once he was officially and legally adopted by Henry.

“Get your bottom back here, right now.” he said sternly, and was clearly not messing around this time.

[Bakara]

Leo stopped by this sudden raised tone. And using his full name really did something to the boy. Since his father died, everone else just calles him Leo. He wasn't used to it anymore.
He slowly turned around, looking at henry. "Please, don't do this.", he begged. His eyes started to swell up again.