Chapter Text
“Cam – let me go get him, please,” John said, glancing nervously at the clock again. It was a quarter after eight and there was still no sign of Rodney.
“No,” Cameron shook his head. “He knows the rules.”
“But -,” John protested, knowing if Rodney was late they were both in for it from their Dominant. Cameron gave him a steely look and he clamped his lips shut. They’d already argued a couple of times when Rodney hadn't shown.
“Enough, you aren’t going,” Cameron informed him. “Anyway damage is done, it's after eight anyway."
“Maybe – I dunno – he had a Eureka moment,” John suggested, trying for another angle. “Or something life threatening is happening-.”
“Both scenarios in which we would have been informed of by now,” Cameron said sternly, patience wore thin. He wasn’t used to having his rules disregarded or argued over, especially not with John. “I’m not discussing this with you any longer. Down position and no more talking until I allow.”
John took a last lingering look at the clock, 20:18 and sighed, going to his spot on the floor, getting to his knees and bowing over, face a mere millimetre from the ground, wrists crossed behind his back. He tried to mentally keep track of the time but it was no use and by the time the door slid open and Rodney stepped inside, he knew Cameron was going to be more than pissed about it.
“I’m sorry,” Rodney said straight off the bat, sounding breathless. “I – I lost track of time, honestly.”
“Uh huh,” Cameron said unimpressed. “Is the city breaking down? Are we doomed to sink to the bottom of the ocean? Is a giant storm about to hit and destroy us? Are the Wraith heading our way?”
“No,” Rodney replied slowly, unsure where Cameron was going with his questions.
“Was there unexpected gate activity? An ancient virus outbreak recently discovered in an old lab deep in the heart of the city? Are the whales back causing headaches? A Genii coup going down that waylaid you?”
Rodney stared at him nervously as it dawned on him how angry Cameron really was. Swallowing he looked away, catching the sight of John on his knees and bowed low before he shifted from one foot to the other, “No Sir.”
“So – what possible excuse could you have to arrive home nearly an hour later than curfew?” Cameron asked him.
John gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. An hour – never mind Cameron, he was pissed himself that Rodney would do this to them, again. It wasn’t the first time he’d missed curfew, but an hour?
“I told you, I lost track of time,” Rodney shrugged awkwardly before his own reasoning kicked in. He was still getting used to being matched with them both as well as conforming to the rules, something he’d never been very good at. “Plus – well I did warn you that this wouldn’t work for me -.”
John gasped at the petulance and attitude, knowing full well it would do nothing to help Cameron’s mood.
“You warned, me?” Cameron repeated slowly as if he didn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Yes, I – I did,” Rodney replied sounding suddenly not so petulant anymore but more – nervous. As if it was beginning to sink in how pissed Cameron was and his own attitude wasn’t helping the matter.
“John, up,” Cameron said suddenly. John sat back quickly, eyes right ahead and not daring to look anywhere else.
“What time is curfew?” Cameron asked him.
John remained quiet, not daring to open his mouth. Cameron hadn’t given him express permission to speak and he had a feeling he was being tested.
“Why do I impose a curfew?” Cameron continued.
John still didn’t stir, pressing his lips together.
“Have anything to say on Rodney being late? How it’s unfair to have to suffer the same punishment he will?”
John glowered at the unfairness of it but dared not let it show, tightening his lines a fraction. He had a lot to say but he didn’t say any of it, though deep down he was beginning to seethe.
“What’s wrong with him?” Rodney asked flippantly.
“Nothing,” Cameron barked in reply, eyes narrowing. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t known Rodney would be a challenge, on the contrary, it was something he loved about the man. But why did he have to make it so hard for himself? “He’s obeying me – something you seem keen on not doing.”
“Obeying? What-” Rodney began to ask.
“Yes Rodney, before you arrived home, John here was getting rather anxious that you weren’t back for curfew. He wanted to come fetch you, but I wouldn’t allow him too. He argued so now he’s not allowed to talk. Now I know he wanted to come find you because if you’re late, he gets punished. The later you are, the tougher the consequences, so I’m guessing right now, he’s neither looking forward to the prospect or in a very good mood with you either. You can be a little moody with him too if you like because he’s bought you both some punishment trying to argue with me rather than accept he wasn’t coming looking for you. I didn’t stop him coming to find you not because I want him to receive punishment, but because you’re a grown man and perfectly capable of following the rules without him running around after you,” Cameron told him. “Now – did you eat supper at the lab?”
“No Sir,” Rodney said in a subdued tone.
“Sit – I’ll heat up what I had ready for you coming home an hour ago,” Cameron told him.
“Aren’t you going to-,” Rodney began.
“Sit, now,” Cameron said sharply. “Because believe me later you’ll be wanting to stand when you can.”
Rodney sat down at the table, coming into John’s line of sight. Rodney glanced over to him and John stared back glumly. Cameron busied himself in their small kitchen and a couple of minutes presented him with a plate of food and glass of water.
“Eat and take your time,” Cameron told him firmly. “Don’t rush because you think this will all be over sooner rather than later. It won’t be.”
Cameron sat at the table with him and Rodney began eating in silence under the heavy gaze of his thoughtful Dominant. Cameron looked over to John and summoned him over with a click of his fingers. John crawled to his side and paused until Cameron reached out and pulled him close, having him rest his face against his thigh as he stroked his hair and face gently.
“What am I going to do with you two huh?” Cameron asked with a sigh.
Rodney kept eating, not daring to give any reply and John nuzzled against his thigh in his own silence.
“You’ll finish that and spend a half hour nose to the wall to let your food settle,” Cameron explained to Rodney. “John you can join him, it’ll give your knees a rest. I’ll clear up, give me time to think and calm down.”
John pressed his face against Cam’s thigh again with a sigh; he understood it was difficult for Cameron, having to juggle two submissives was no easy task and his own behaviour hadn’t helped although he still thought it unfair he had to be punished because of Rodney’s lateness. Cameron didn’t punish often, at least he hadn’t used to, but Rodney has tested his patience on a few occasions which was understandable. They were all trying to balance out this match with Rodney joining them. John wouldn’t have it any other way, he loved Rodney as much as he loved Cameron, but he didn’t love his inability to follow a few simple rules Cameron set down. He knew it drove Cameron nuts, but Cam would never punish when he was angry and he put their wellbeing first. Cam continued to smooth his fingers through his hair with gentle, easy circles that lulled John into a sense of security. If only he could spend the rest of the evening like this, instead of bending over the bed taking a strapping because of Rodney’s blatant infraction of the rules and boundaries.
Rodney finished his food in silence, setting down his fork and glancing at Cameron who had a thoughtful look on his face. Pushing back his chair he made to stand as Cameron reached over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. Pausing Rodney looked at him, then down at John before he twisted his mouth in a grimace.
“Do we both have to be punished?” Rodney asked soberly. “Can’t I – can’t you give me double or something?”
“Okay one,” Cameron said with a small shake of his head as he leaned over to him, hand moving to clutch at the back his neck gently. “I’m not a sadist baby, I’d never punish you more than you could handle – so double the payload? Never gonna happen. Ever. And two; there’s a reason I made the rule about you both earning a punishment, I explained that to both of you from the start remember? We are all in this together, we’re all one unit. You are both my submissives and I will treat you both equally – as such you’ll receive the same punishments and I’ll teach you both the same disciplines of submission that I expect to be on show around me.”
Rodney looked like he wanted to argue but he pressed his lips tightly together and gave a small nod of his head.
“I know,” Cameron gave a small nod of understanding. “It’s so unfair, right? I know you both think that. Try seeing it from my point of view – this is me trying to get you both to think about how your actions affect one another as well as yourselves and all of us as a unit.”
Rodney kept his eyes down and John gave a small sigh of acknowledgment.
“Go put yourselves to the wall,” Cameron ordered solemnly. Rodney stood and John carefully got to his feet, legs stiff from kneeling so long. Rodney didn’t meet his eyes as he passed by and Cameron stood, putting a hand on John’s arm to get him to pause, looking him over keenly. “You okay?”
John gave his legs a small stretch and nodded his head without a word, appreciating Cameron’s concern. Cam gave him a nod of approval and John joined Rodney at the far wall, pressing his nose to it, hands interlinking behind his head as he spread his legs a little. They both listened as Cameron cleared up in the small kitchenette adjacent to the living area. Their new apartment was much more spacious than John and Cam’s first small abode and Rodney’s pokey little closet of a room in the science tower of the city. The new place had a separate bedroom and walk-in closet, bathroom and a corner balcony large enough for a small table and chairs, located only a floor below Carson and Evan. The living area was large enough for a couch, small coffee table and a dining set nearby to the kitchen. Cameron had expressed disappointment at not finding a place with a room large enough to transform into a playroom, but seeing as most of the Dominant’s in Atlantis had to live without them, Elizabeth had been prudent enough to have two floors of apartments transformed into playrooms that could be used by everyone. They were appointment only and strictly monitored, but were well used and everyone seemed happy with the arrangements.
John strained to listen, his senses honed in knowing where his Dominant was around the apartment even if he couldn’t see him. There was a tell-tale noise of rustling paper and he figured Cameron was sitting directly behind them reading – no matter how many times Rodney had told them both he could upload hundreds of books to a data pad for them, he and Cam still opted for old fashioned books on occasion. He was still trundling through War and Peace himself – though he often found something else to distract himself from it. John had lost track of time when Cameron spoke loud enough for them both to hear.
“Bedroom boys,” Cameron ordered clearly. “You can get ready for bed – I’ll be through soon enough. Oh and you can talk to one another but if I hear any arguments –.”
He left it at that and neither sub needed him to finish the sentence. They moved into the bedroom, John beginning to undress as Rodney went into the bathroom and closed the door. John wondered if he wanted the privacy or was simply avoiding him. Undressed he ensured he’d tidied everything away and sighed, tapping on the door eventually before opening it – Rodney was finishing brushing his teeth and washed his mouth out before turning off the tap, standing up to look at him glumly.
“I’m sorry,” He said quietly, putting his toothbrush back and drying his mouth on the corner of the towel before trying to slip past him. John knew how difficult it was for Rodney – being matched with someone was an entirely new experience for him, never mind being in a three-way match which brought with it other rules and things to balance out, including punishments.
“It’s okay,” John shrugged. There was no point in holding a grudge. “What’s done is done right?”
“It will be,” Rodney sighed. John put an arm around him and pulled him close and Rodney relaxed for a moment against him. “Think I’ll ever stop fucking things up?”
John squeezed him tighter, nuzzling against his neck, against the leather collar there that Cameron had proudly placed on him, “Not fucking things up. Just – resisting a little too hard. Bought myself quite a few strappings at the beginning before I got used to the rules, believe me, it’s a learning curve.”
“I really did lose track of time,” Rodney told him as he pulled back.
“I’m not arguing the reason darlin’,” Cameron interrupted them but there was a softness to his tone. “Only that the rules are there for a reason and you only have a couple to really live by that I’m not going to allow blatant breaking of them.”
“I wasn’t – I was just apologising,” Rodney stammered hurriedly. “We weren’t complaining or-.”
Cameron held up a hand and shook his head calmly, “S’ok, not accusing you, either of you, of anything. John finish up in there – Rodney hurry up and undress.”
John joined them in the bedroom again as Rodney was tidying away his clothes and they both paused, looking at Cameron for further command.
“Well this isn’t how I was wanting to spend the evening believe me,” Cameron told them. “It’s been a long day and I was in the mood for some TLC. I don’t like punishing you any more than you like taking it – but rules are rules and you know how I feel about them being broken.”
Rodney dipped his head down – already feeling shitty without the added lecture. He couldn’t stand hearing the disappointment as well as the fact Cameron was needing something much different and having to put those needs on hold because of him.
“I can accept a couple of minutes late because of a transporter malfunction,” Cameron went on. “Or any number of plausible excuses that can be backed up by someone else. But losing track of time simply isn’t good enough, especially because the curfew ‘doesn’t work for you’.”
Rodney wrapped his arms around himself, head dipping lower and lower. If he could curl up in a ball he would, feeling so small and silly because of his weak excuses. Fact was he had lost track of time but there was a simple answer to solve the problem, set an alarm that would remind him to be home on time. In fact, he’d considered the idea on a couple of occasions but he’d been too proud to set it. A) because he didn’t like the rule and b) he didn’t want his team to know he had a curfew in case they mocked him for it. After all, he wasn’t a kid anymore and quite capable of getting himself home at a decent hour. Though his idea of a ‘decent hour’ and Cameron’s were vastly different.
“And so here we are,” Cameron rolled on, going to a small cupboard and opening it. It was their toy collection, all neatly lain out on the shelves and on the door hung a couple of spanking instruments. Cameron took the strap from its hook and closed the door. “You’ll both receive the strap tonight – I don’t usually decide on an amount as you know but considering the severity of behaviours I’m having to adjust my usual method. So – fifteen each tonight and straight to bed. Tomorrow morning before we leave, you’ll both receive a spanking over my knee and when you come home, before bed, another spanking. The strapping is for the infraction of the curfew rule. The morning spanking is for arguing with me over a moot point instead of accepting my decision and the evening spanking is the blatant disregard of the rules and why I set them. Rodney I purposefully didn’t let John come fetch you this evening because you’re a grown man perfectly capable of getting home on time. But considering you can easily ‘lose track of time’ when you’re in the labs, I’ll be coming to fetch you home myself no later than 19.30 hours every evening for the rest of the week, to ensure you are home by 2000. John I can trust to be home on time, but I’ll warn you all the same if you aren’t the consequences the next time will be far more severe.”
The last part was almost too much for Rodney, who was utterly despondent by now and flushed a bright red in humiliation. Not only for the infractions but because there was no way he’d avoid any of his team knowing this one rule which had him so totally on edge now. Not when Cameron came to find him every evening. It was on the tip of his tongue to promise he wouldn’t ever do it again, but he stopped himself, not daring to cut off Cameron mid-lecture.
“Now, over the bed the both of you,” Cameron barked loud and clear and John moved quickly, turning to the bed and bending over, legs apart, hands braced on the mattress as he bowed over. Rodney, miserable and feeling deeply sorry for himself took up a similar stance on the opposite of the bed, mirroring his pose. To make it even more unbearable, Cameron took up a position behind John, making him wait his turn and listen to John have to take a punishment he’d brought upon them both.
John always took punishment well, in that he didn’t move or make much noise, not at first. It didn’t make it any easier to listen to as the strap connected with flesh, Rodney mentally counting each hit and as they drew closer to double figures John’s grunts of pain. The final five drew moans and gasps and Rodney grew more and more miserable by the second. There was movement and John moved to the wall, a further ten minutes to be spent in silent reflection as was always the case after punishment. Cameron moved around the bed and Rodney tensed as he waited, Cameron smoothing a hand along his spine and over the curve of his ass to warn him what was coming. Then Cam withdrew and a moment or two later the whoosh of air and the sting of leather.
Rodney hated punishment – that was the point of course – he had dealt with more than his fair share growing up and his father had favoured the strap in his early years before introducing the cane when he became a teenager. He’d found it a difficult concept to get his head around when he’d found pain could stimulate pleasure for him when for so long he’d connected it with punishment and humiliation. Cameron was careful enough to ensure a strapping for punishment and warming his ass with his belt for pleasure were too very different things. Rodney knew the difference, even in the feel of the leather that stung his ass. The strap was a thin piece of material, that stung and bit his skin, leaving thin red welts across his ass. Cam’s belt on the other hand was much thicker and heavier, it stung but didn’t leave welts like the strap and felt more pliable, usually because Cameron wore it every day and so it was soft and warmed from use. He’d orgasmed on more than a couple of occasions after Cameron had warmed his ass with his belt, certainly strengthening the connection of pleasure connected with the pain of his Dominant’s belt.
Punishment from Cameron was so much worse than his father had given out, merely because he knew Cameron did it from a place of love and affection. It was care and attention, part of the bond that needed to be cherished and upheld – they had made vows to one another and part of those vows was the giving and accepting of punishment and discipline. Rodney wasn’t stoic or brave throughout punishment, on the contrary, he yelled, cried and barely stayed still as Cameron strapped him over and over, ignoring his cries for mercy. By the end, he was a sniffling mess with a red pained ass that throbbed with hot intensity. He endured his own ten minutes at the wall as Cameron took John in his arms, petting and soothing and putting him under the covers. Then it was his turn to be held and he clung tightly to his Dominant.
“I am sorry,” He said against Cameron’s neck. “Really.”
“I know sweetheart, I know,” Cam squeezed him tight. “Worst is over now.”
~
Cameron watched the door slide close and leaned back with a heavy sigh, rubbing the heel of his hand against the bridge of his nose. His palm still stung from spanking Rodney who had departed in a subdued mood much like John only fifteen minutes before him. It was times like these Cameron questioned himself and if he were doing the right thing – if he was being too tough and overzealous in his application of punishment. Both Rodney’s and John’s asses bore red marks of the strapping the night before, though he’d been thoughtful enough of putting some balm on them before they went off to their respective day jobs.
Thinking of the balm brought Carson to mind and Cameron radioed through to the doctor in thought, “Mitchell to Doctor Beckett.”
“Colonel?” Becket answered breezily.
“You began your day yet or do you have time for a coffee?”
“I was about to head off but I’ve nothing pressing to attend, nothing Keller can’t handle right now anyway,” Carson replied.
“Mind coming to my place for a little while?” Cameron asked hopefully. “A morning coffee before we start the day?”
“Heading there now,” Carson assured him.
Carson was at the door within a couple of minutes being only a floor above and when Cameron beckoned him inside, Carson took one look at him and said in a concerned tone, “Well you look like shite.”
Cameron had to smile at the quick summation and poured them both coffees, handing him a cup. Trust Carson to speak the truth, however harsh. They stepped out onto his balcony and sat down.
“So – I’m guessing there’s something on your mind,” Carson reflected as he sipped his coffee. “You seem troubled.”
“You’re a Master Dominai Carson,” Cameron said in thought. “Ever matched to two submissives at the same time?”
“Och no laddie,” Carson shook his head. “One is enough for me. I earned the title because I applied myself to the Master Dominai classes throughout medical school. I saw more than a fair share of injuries and accidents submissives were prone to and far more abuse cases than I care to know about because safety was flaunted by Dominant’s – I’m a healer, a carer and I saw in wanting to be that I could be a protector as well. Having the power to intervene is something of a comfort in many ways. Also makes me approachable to Dominant’s who are perhaps finding it – difficult – finding a balance with their subbys.”
Cameron gave a small smile as Carson spoke and caught his inquisitive brow as he looked at him patiently.
“This is in no way me regretting my decision,” Cameron quickly pointed out and Carson’s brows lifted another inch before he frowned at him.
“I wasn’t implying anything of the sort,” Carson assured him. “Anybody who knows you all can see how close you all are to each other. That doesn’t mean it’s easy and I can see things are playing on your mind, which is why I’m guessing I’ve been asked over for a morning coffee.”
“Rodney’s not conforming to the rules,” Cameron sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Well, one rule in particular. I’m not expecting it to be immediate of course, but this one rule-.”
He broke off and stared over the ocean towards the horizon, sighing before he continued, “Do you set a curfew for Evan?”
“Yes of course,” Carson replied. “I need to ensure we have some personal time at the end of our days but it isn’t easy. Obviously, there are times his off-world missions means he won’t be home until after curfew time and my job isn’t exactly run on the clock. So instead I plan ahead, look at our schedules and ensure there are at least three times a week we’re home together by 1900. He has his personal schedule with me set two weeks in advance, so he’s no excuse not to know what’s happening. Of course, conflicts happen but it’s rare we don’t have that time together.”
“It’s 2000 for us,” Cameron replied. “I’m pretty much the same, of course, planning around three schedules is difficult but most evenings we’re home by then. At least – John and I are. Rodney – well he, he’s fighting me on this one and I’m not sure what to do about it. Then there’s the fact I impose the same punishment on both of them. Do you think that’s fair? I’m afraid they’ll both begin to resent me and each other because of it.”
“If it were me, I’d punish them equally too,” Carson agreed. “Discipline may be different because their needs will be different, but punishing them both for infractions of the rules is a wise choice when you’re dealing with this kind of match. As for Rodney resisting – well we don’t expect our submissives to just roll of over and obey immediately do we?”
“No – and it’s not like John hasn’t tested me before but Rodney, well he isn’t – it’s not like he’s trained -,” Cameron sighed and looked thoughtful again.
“Rodney isn’t military,” Carson pointed out knowingly. “Is that your point?”
“Does it make me a terrible person?” Cameron looked at him with a sorrowful look.
“Of course not,” Carson shook his head with a small laugh. “Cameron, have you ever been a Dominant to a subby who wasn’t military?”
“No,” Cameron answered honestly.
“And you find yourself with possibly one of the most trying subbies I’ve ever encountered, a man who is unfailingly flawed, who tries everyone’s patience at the best of times, who finds it hard to find anybody on his level of intelligence, who has no idea of social convention, who challenges anyone and everyone on any number of subjects. A man who quite frankly rubs everyone up the wrong way but is equally endearing and much loved and respected within the community we live in,” Carson chuckled along and raised his mug to Cameron. “Believe me, none of us thought this would be easy for you. But equally, nobody questions the bond you all have together or your ability to be his Dominant. Rodney is fragile, but he isn’t going to crumble to dust simply because you impose some rules and stick to your guns when you enforce them. Rodney is a different man now because he wears your collar, people see that. It’s a testament to your match how much he’s changed, how much happier he is. But he’s still Rodney and he’s still going to test you every day. When he stops being a challenge is the day you need to start worrying Cameron.”
“I just feel like I keep punishing him for the same thing and he doesn’t learn from it,” Cameron shrugged. “Or he won’t learn.”
“Rodney stubborn – who’d have thought,” Carson said, the sarcasm thick in his tone. Even Cameron had to smile at that because it was true. He’d know that from the beginning, the stubbornness of Rodney McKay was almost legendary.
“There’s something else,” Carson said wisely, seeing the cogs turning in Cameron’s mind.
“Oh, it’s just,” Cameron sank back and sighed. “It’s been a tough week in general and I had plans – plans that have had to be put on hold because of Rodney’s disobedience.”
“You have needs and you’re understandably frustrated that those aren’t being met,” Carson said in understanding. “You have to find the balance Cam – punish them but let them comfort you also.”
“I wasn’t in the right frame of mind last night,” Cameron explained. “Not after-.”
“You don’t seem in any rush to be out of here this morning,” Carson pointed out.
“Yeah well – they both received a morning spanking too and they’re due another tonight,” Cameron informed him. “Neither of them are much in the mood either. Guess it’s my own fault for being so tough on them.”
“Plenty of hours in-between,” Carson said. “Don’t you and Rodney still meet for lunch every day?”
“Well yeah but-,” Cameron began in thought.
“There’s been times I’ve need to scratch and itch when Evan’s been on base,” Carson said with a playful smile. “I don’t make it a habit but it keeps him on his toes to know I might call on him to tend to my needs now and then.”
“You’re a sly devil, Carson Beckett,” Cameron chuckled.
“Doctor’s orders,” Carson grinned in reply. “Be sure to explain that to Rodney if you do call on him for something extra over lunch.”
“Will do Doc,” Cameron agreed with a laugh.
“So – everything off your chest?” Carson asked him as he checked his watch. “Only I do have patients to see and who knows, the day shift has been in operation for an hour. Could be I have a pandemic on my hands right about now.”
“Yeah, it’s been a help, thanks, Carson,” Cameron said as they stood, taking their cups back inside. “I appreciate you listening.”
“Anytime,” Carson assured him. “We all question our abilities as Dominant’s Cameron, especially wondering if we are doing the right thing when it comes to our submissives. If we didn’t, I’d worry because there is a fine line when it comes to the power of the role.”
“Walk you to the med bay?” Cameron asked as they headed for the door.
“Thank you,” Carson nodded as they walked down the hall. “Let me know how lunch goes hmm?”
“Now Doc, you know I don’t kiss and tell,” Cameron smiled playfully.
“Liar,” Carson accused, knowing full well kiss and tell was one of Cameron’s favourite subjects when it came to his submissives.