Retreat (ddlb)

16

"Uh. I- W-what?" I froze, stepping back in disbelief. "I told you... you didn't listen on the swings when I told you not to jump off." He had a calm expression, letting me take it in. "But..." I stepped back again, feeling my heart beat. I didn't know what he was going to do. Fuck, why am I so nervous? "Hey, it's okay. It will be over quick and then we can go back outside to play." Normally the 'play' statement would have pissed me off, but I was too distracted by my impending punishment to comment. After a couple of seconds I let him step forward to put a hand on my shoulder and took a deep breath. 

"W-what are you... going to do?" I stared him in the eyes, waiting. I saw his expression soften, probably realizing I was a little freaked out. "Just five minutes in the corner, okay? It's nothing big, promise." I stared at him again, exhaling deeply. I looked away and took this moment to again ask myself if I wanted to do this, but then I realized that this was part of what I told myself I would try. Compared to everything else I wasn't looking forward to, this wouldn't be that bad. It's only five minutes... 

He was waiting patiently, not rushing me, which I was thankful for. I looked back at him and gave him a small nod, and he took this signal to carefully take my hand and lead me over to the corner of the room. "Go ahead and stand, facing the wall. There's a clock right there and I'll be watching it, okay?" My ears felt pink as I nodded again, feeling like a little kid. Damn. He knew what he was doing. 

I turned and faced the wall as he leaned against the counter behind me. This was reminding me of the time when I was seven and I broke a lamp after my mom told me not to play with my jump rope inside. I didn't listen and moved to the living room but I got too close to the side table next to the sofa and ended up looping the cord around the shade before pulling it onto the floor. She wasn't that mad but I felt really guilty. I started to feel nostalgic as I remembered the scribbly apology note I wrote her that night before dinner. She had laughed and hugged me, saying it was alright but to listen in the future.

For some reason this memory made me reflect more on my childhood, and by the time Ezra had asked me to turn around I was teary eyed. "Okay- Woah! Hey, I'm sorry It's okay, c'mere." His eyes had widened in surprise as he pulled me in for a hug, which I found myself gratefully excepting. He rubbed my back as I put my head into his chest. We stood like that for around a minute before he gently pulled back, resting his hands on my shoulders. 

"Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you so upset. It's over now, okay?" He looked incredibly concerned as he stared at me, waiting for a response. "No... I'm sorry. It's not you... I just... It wasn't the corner." I rubbed my nose with my sleeve, before he pulled my hand away and reached for a tissue. He tried to wipe my nose for me, but I took it and did it myself, which he let me this time. "Okay. Can you tell me what's wrong?" I thought about it for a moment, feeling slightly embarrassed for crying in front of him over this. "It's nothing. I think I'm just homesick..." He seemed to want me to say more, but after a moment he nodded and rubbed my back some more. "Can you tell me about it when you feel like it?" I looked at his face, and he looked very sincere, so I nodded.

"... Do you want another hug?" This made me blush fully, as I realized I did want one. I knew he noticed because he smiled, amused at my embarrassment. He waited until I gave a sheepish nod, holding my arms out, my sleeves falling over my hands. He didn't hesitate to engulf me in his arms, rotating us slightly. I peeked out to see our reflection in the mirror, and to my shock I really did look like a little kid. Sure, we were very close in height but the way he held me and how he stood somehow made him look genuinely parental. As for me, I'm very lean with my large clothes, and having my hands hidden in my long sleeves didn't help, as well as my pink, runny nose and wet eyelashes. 

I put my head back in his chest, not wanting to look anymore. I felt him chuckle before he put one arm up, stroking the back of my head. Like a baby. I felt even more stupid as I realized our image doesn't bother me. Shit. I like this. 

I inhaled, taking in his scent, smelling sweet Oldspice and a very subtle aftershave. I felt him move after a second, and I let out a small laugh as I felt him kiss my neck affectionately. I knew I was turning red, and as I jokingly pushed him away I could tell it was obvious by the grin on his face after he looked at me. "Let's get you cleaned up before we head back out, yeah?" I nodded, and this time I just let him do everything for me. It was a little hard but I couldn't say I didn't enjoy it a little bit. I stood still as he lead me back by the counter and wiped down my face with a damp paper towel, being very gentle. I then waited, watching him as he packed up the First Aid kit before asking if I was ready to go. I took one more glance in the mirror, seeing I looked okay, before nodding.