Chapter Text
“What has gotten into you?”
Sterling had Ramer’s downward pointing ear in a tight grip. The sheepboy winced as he was dragged out of the courtyard.
He wiped snow off the right side of his face from when he’d been pushed to the floor. His voluminous, curly white hair took most of it but still, some caked to his cheek. His stomach panged and so did his right arm from the beating he’d just taken. Ramer said nothing, but stared at Sterling with the biggest eyes he could manage. Surely Sterling would forgive the boy if he saw his wide blue eyes and their horizontal pupils.
“This is not how good little lambs behave, Ramer.” The elf chastised as he marched the boy inside the massive cabin-like house.
Santa’s workshop. All lit up and looking like a gingerbread mansion.
“Im not a lamb,” Ramer whined. “I'm a ram. I'm fully grown!”
“Quiet, deary. You are in very big trouble right now.” Sterling tugged harder on Ramer’s ear.
“I don't care! He deserved it- they all did!”
“I thought I said quiet, Ramer.”
The two entered the kitchen of the east wing. This area was reserved for taking care of the reindeer, and woodland animals of all shapes and sizes resided in this section. A squirrel-person and an elf were at the kitchen island, rolling out a big piece of dough- likely for dinner later. They both looked up when Sterling and Ramer entered the room.
“Greetings,” Sterling said, and they gave a nod. The squirrel-person, probably an apprentice, took notice of Ramer getting pinched by the ear and barely held back a giggle. The elf lightly flicked their forehead and they went back to the dough.
Sterling brought Ramer over to where the stoves were. He opened a drawer next to it, and began rummaging in it with his free hand. He frowned when he couldn't find what he was looking for and let go of Ramer’s ear to search with both hands.
This was great. Now he just had to-
“Run off and this will be much worse for you.”
Ramer’s ear twinged on cue. He stayed put.
Sterling closed the drawer after a few more moments.
“Ramer, baby,” said Sterling, “where’s your spoon?”
“Why would I know?” responded Ramer, to which Sterling grabbed hold of his ear again and walked out of the kitchen.
Sterling sighed. “Please fix your tone with me. I don't want to have to tell Santa about your behavior, but I will if you keep up this horrid attitude, little lamb. Now,” he smacked Ramer on his bottom, “where’s the spoon?”
“I… I dunno sir. Truly, I promise.” Ramer said, scratching his fingers along one of his short, curled horns.
Sterling stared at him, at his nails running over the ridges of his horn, then nodded. He let go of Ramer’s ear and scooped the sheepboy into his arms.
“You’re a very talented boy, lovey,” Sterling said as he started walking. “You shouldn't use that to do evil things. That will get you on the naughty list.” Ramer scrunched his face when Sterling poked his nose. “Do you wanna be a naughty little lamb? Or do you wanna be nice for me?”
Ramer scowled. “Nice. I'm always nice.”
Sterling sighed. “Not today you weren't. You drew a not so nice picture of Rudolph. Didn't you, baby?”
“It- I-”
The two got back out to the courtyard, a breeze ruffled Ramer’s curls.
“Go bring me the picture.”
“What?” Ramer’s eyes widened.
“The picture,” Sterling set Ramer down. “Bring it here.”
Ramer took his time walking to the pole where his picture was. The reindeer- Santa’s reindeer- were still standing around in the area. He didn't want to interact with them.
Standing on his tiptoes, Ramer tore the paper off the pole. He thought of ripping it up, but he worried for his bottom too much to do so.
“Here you go...” Ramer said when he got back to Sterling. He held out the picture, and sterling took it. The man looked over it, and a frown set on his face. He turned the paper to Ramer.
“Look. Do you see what’s wrong with this?” Sterling shook the paper.
Ramer shrugged and held back a grin at his work.
He’d captured Rudolph perfectly, drew him with his big eyes wide and tears running down his face. He had a circle in place of his nose, like a clown, and it took up most of his face, which was colored red to match the ugly nose. Ramer’d made him so skinny he looked like an underfed horse, which fit the theme considering he was on all fours in a stable.
“The lighting’s a bit off around his leash?” Ramer suggested.
“Ramer.” Sterling folded the paper and tucked it in his pocket. “Now is not the time to joke around with me, young man.”
“Im not joking! The lighting truly was out of place.”
Sterling ran a hand down his face. “Little lamb, do you know how what you did could have hurt Rudolph? Or his friends as well?”
Ramer tried not to scoff. They’d hurt him as well. He was one person and they were, well... More. His body wasn't aching for nothing. Getting reindeer training boots to the stomach hurts. And, sure it was because Ramer had provoked them first, but they didn't need to all jump him- he was one sheep!
He admired their bond though, the way they stood up for each other. Just a little.
“I don't give a shit.” Ramer’s ears flicked, and he closed his eyes to turn away, pouting.
His ear was tugged, and Ramer stumbled forward a few steps. Smack, smack, smack! Hits rained down on Ramer’s behind.
“What did I tell you about profanity? Ramer. You are being such a bad boy today.” Sterling hiked Ramer away from the courtyard, hitting the squirming boy’s backside as they walked. “What is going on, sweetling?”
The weather here called for layers upon layers of clothes if you weren't used to it. Coming from the Thicket, Ramer wasn't acquainted with the chill and had thick clothes on. They dimmed the blows Sterling was giving, but then Ramer almost tripped over his pants when Sterling pulled them down.
“Sir!” Ramer tried to keep his voice from rising in pitch. They were still in sight of the reindeer and Ramer’s near white skin flushed. “Stop, stop, stop! They can see!”
“The entire nation can see for all I care. When you put that picture of Rudolph up you didn't care who saw that, hm? Did you, baby?”
Sterling’s hand connected with Ramers bottom. Now in only his briefs, the swat stung and Ramer squeaked, moving his body as far away from Sterling as the hold on his ear allowed.
By the time they got to their destination, Ramer’s bottom was pink. If he didn't have his underwear on it would've stood out against the snow-covered area and the light color of his clothes and skin.
Sterling let go of his ear and picked the sheepboy up. The sunlight dimmed instantly as they entered, and Ramer realized they were in the stables. Normally, some horses poked their heads out as they passed, but every horse, deer, and other animal was out at the moment. Sterling walked to the back of the building, where a stool was. He set Ramer down.
“Grab the railing,” said Sterling. He waited for Ramer to obey then moved to the wall.
Ramer shot up. “No, sir, no no no. Listen, I-”
“Get back into position now.” Sterling swung something in his hands. It wooshed through the air heavily. “Since you decided to hide your spoon, I guess we’ll have to use this instead.”
Ramar stared warily at the paddle. It was overly thick. His name was painted on the dark wood in baby blue, and half of it was covered in raised hearts. It looked pretty and cutesy, unlike what it’d be used for.
“I didn't hide the spoon… it went missing” Ramer mumbled weakly.
“Oh, did it now? You should know I've known you long enough to figure when you're lying. Hands on the rails.”
“Uh, can I just get the spoon? I… I’ll go get it,” Ramer offered, a weak attempt to save his ass.
“Too late for that.” Sterling sighed. “I won't ask again.”
Ramer put his hands on the railing. His injured arm hurt at the position, but he didn't say anything.
“Count, please.”
The sound of the paddle tearing through the air hit his ears before the hit landed. Thwack!
It took him by surprise and Ramer let out a noise. He could feel the heat rise in his ass from just that one hit. The bumps of the paddle had surely left red hearts on his cheeks. He shut his eyes.
“One.”
“Ramer?”
“Yes?”
Thwack! The sheepboy flinched, his ears flattened and his short tail wiggled in pain.
“Tell me what you did wrong.”
Ramer squeaked out his reply. “Two. I… made a drawing of Rudolph. And it was mean.”
“That’s right.” Sterling brought the paddle down, and it landed with a loud crack. Ramer shifted his weight from foot to foot and he tightened his hold on the rails.
“Three.”
“You holding up okay?” asked Sterling. He shook his head when Ramer nodded. “Well, we can't have that can we? You need to be sorry about what you did. Bare bottom.”
Tears fell from Ramer’s eyes. He hesitated before pulling his underwear to his knees.
“What you did was very disrespectful.” Sterling pushed up the back of Ramer’s top. “And you know we don't tolerate bullying here.”
Yeah, right. Ramer had to roll his eyes. If anyone managed the bullying done onto him by the reindeer he’d never been in this predicament in the first place. His drawing compared to what they did could hardly be called bullying.
“Yes, sir.”
Thwack!
“Four.” His jaw clenched.
Thwack!
“…Five.” His breathing shook.
Thwack!
“Six!” His voice broke.
Thwack!
“Seven!” He wriggled, fists tightening and loosening.
Thwack!
“E-eight!” He was feeling awfully sorry now.
Thwack!
“Nine!” He sobbed.
When the next blow hit, Ramer’s knees went weak and he choked on his breath. He stomped his feet and wailed.
Sterling tapped the paddle to his bum. It was red and rosy now. He cranked his arm back and hit Ramer again. “Did you forget something? The faster you count the faster we can finish.”
“Agh- sorry. Ten,” Ramer gasped between his cries.
Sterling hung the paddle back on the wall and sat on the stool. “Straighten up. Face me, lovey.”
Ramer let go of the railing and turned to Sterling. Tears trekked down his face and his ears were droopy as he rubbed his rear. Some of his pain was from his arm though, which had been strained a bit too much.
“Poor thing,” Sterling cooed, putting a hand on the boy’s waist to draw him in. He rested his other palm on Ramer’s sore behind and gently rubbed the ache from it. Ramer whined at the touch.
“Hurts?” asked Sterling.
Ramer nodded.
“I bet it does.” Sterling tutted. “However, it was needed. You know better than to make fun of others. Especially your seniors. I'm disappointed in you, little lamb.”
Ramer continued crying, and Sterling moved him to sit in his lap. “There, there, honey. You did great taking that spanking. And you learned your lesson right? What a good boy, Ramer. Tell me what you learned.”
Admitting he was wrong, talking at all really, was the last thing Ramer wanted to do. The paddling hadn't been worth it, but Ramer would draw that stupid drawing again and again if he had the chance. He didn't care- he hated Rudolph. He hated how he got all the attention and love. And because what? He died in another fucking realm? He helped Santa get through a foggy night and gets to be the deer line leader? And everyone dotes on him while Ramer just stays in the shadows, the useless sheep boy who’d never be at the level of the deers because he was too-
Sterling pinched his bottom and Ramer squealed. “I believe I asked you something. What’d you learn?”
-unfit. Weak. Worthless. No one noticed when he was the butt of the joke, the one getting made fun of. It was only a problem when he did it. Why did the reindeers get to strike him down and make him feel like dirt, but of course, when Ramer pokes fun at Rudolph, he gets kicked to the ground, and later spanked? He bet no one even realized the reindeer had physically attacked him after they saw the picture up on the post, but that was to be expected at this point.
“I learned,” his voice trembled and he paused. Ramer put his head in his hands. “You don't- you don't care. About me.”
The silence that followed was loud. Sterling gasped, then held the boy’s face. “Ramer! Of course, I do.” Sterling kissed Ramer’s cheeks. “I punished you because I love you, alright. It's so you learn and can be a better person.”
It wasn't because of the punishment. Ramser was silent for a few moments, then his cries increased.
“You don't get it. You don't understand… I- all the time- everyday they bully me! Sir, you- They're horrible!. And everyone’s oblivious to it. Just blind… they're not perfect. They are not. They're not, they're not, they're not!” He sniffled. “I have no one. I have to- I have to fend for myself, sir..! Everyone paints me like I'm the evil one. But- but it's them… and they just…”
Sterling let Ramer blabber on, the boy’s tears soaking into his shirt. He couldn't understand him through his sobs, but he was sure the boy was only complaining and being emotional. Still, he didn't interject, just rubbed Ramer’s back and listened as he whined.
“It’s okay,” Sterling whispered into Ramer’s hair and he kissed the sheepboy’s head when he stopped talking. “It’s okay, baby.”
But it wasn't okay. There was still hatred and hurt deep in Ramer’s heart. He wanted to tell Sterling about everything, everything, the reindeer had done to or said to him but… he didn't want to be that vulnerable.
He wished to be noticed, not seen. Never that.