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addercharmer · 4 years ago

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Shōta hadn't known what to expect when he had agreed to go shopping with Izumi and Hizashi.

But by the end of the day he was tired and frustrated with himself.

It had been a month since he had realized that he had feelings for Izumi and they had not gone away, it was not something he liked.

"Thank you." Izumi whispered to him and Hizashi once they had gotten back to her home and had put Keigo in his room for a nap.

Shōta jerked a little when he felt Izumi sway into his personal space and rest her forehead on his chest, he caught her hand reaching towards Hizashi who quickly snapped it up and moved closer to Izumi from behind.

"I...thank you." Izumi says again and she steps closer so she is pressed along Shōta's front, Hizashi follows her and presses along her back.

Shōta is surprised as his own arms wrap around Izumi's waist, Hizashi's follow but his hands land on Shōtas hips.

"Your welcome doll face." Hizashi says quietly, theres a soft look on his face as he meets Shōta's eyes.

'Oh fuck!" Is all Shōta can think when his heart gives an extra hard thump.

The three of them stay like that for long enough for Shōta to wrestle his thoughts back into neutral territory.

Hizashi is the first one to step away from the hug, his smile is a little sad as he speaks. "I gotta go home, mom wants me back before dinner."

Izumi follows Hizashi and turns to offer him a proper hug with a whispered. "See you on Monday." She lets him go then, and Shōta nods his head.

"I'm gonna go too, I haven't started the essay that's due on Monday." Shōta says as well, it's a lie but he really need to go have a crisis at Nemuri right now.

"See you Monday too then Shō." Izumi hugs him again.

When both he and Hizashi are outside of the house and they hear the lock click into place they catch each other's eye, nothing is said as they both walk down the block before they split ways with quickly exchanged. "Bye"

Once he knows he's out of sight Shōta starts a quick jog to Nemuri's house, once he gets there he's frantically knocking on the door.

"She's up in her room." Nemuri's dad says once he looks at Shōta.

Kicking off his shoes Shōta sprints to Nemuri's room and throws the door open before diving into her bed and under her blankets.

"Shō?"Nemuri's voice is full of worry and exasperation.

"Shit shit shit shit shit!" Shōta swears, he's having a crisis and just needs Nemuri to understand without him talking about it.

"You scare the kid?" She asks, he can tell she's laughing at him.

"Nooooooo." He drags out the vowel in a long whine.

"Can't help if you don't tell me." Nemuri points out, it makes Shōta hate her a little bit for not being a mind reader.

"Think I like Zashi too." He grits out, every syllable is hurting him a little to press out.

It's quiet for a few moments and Shōta braces himself.

Nemuri bursts out in cackles, there is a thump that Shōta hopes is Nemuri falling on the floor as he listens to her laugh at his problems.

"I hate you." He growls at her still under the blankets and hiding.

"Okay." Nemuri gets out followed by heavy breathing.

"Is this your bi crisis, or is this that you like two people, or is this something else?" She finally asks when she calms down.

"I had the gay crisis in seventh grade, and my straight crisis in ninth. So I figured out I was bi then." Shōta snarks.

He then takes a deep breath and let's go of his self control to get all his thoughts out. "It's the two of them. Izumi is oblivious as fuck, and Hizashi is totally my opposite in every way. I know it's not like a stupid thing but seeing them both with the kid. 'Keigo' by the way, it was just so, and they are just so, and after we got back to Izumi's house she just leaned on me, and grabbed Hizashi's hand, and the she was hugging me, and I was hugging her, then Hizashi was hugging too, but his hands were on my hips. I never realized how tall he is, like a full head taller than me, and like two feet taller than Izumi. And he's cute, and she's pretty and I just...UGH."

Nemuri is laughing at him again, he shoves his face in her pillow and screams.

"Pretty sure Hizashi is oblivious too. Want me to say something?" Nemuri asks after catching her breath again.

"Fuck you." Shōta spits venomously.

#rewound #female midoriya izuku #time travel #aizawa shouta #yamada hizashi #dad nedzu #shirakumo oboro #takami keigo #kayama nemuri #chapter18 #bnha

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darecruit · 4 years ago

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Sneak Peek #1. First Look into Chapter 18!

I'm already 7, 920 words into this next chapter. That's 14 pages—3 of which are dedicated to The Spanking, as Rachel will come to call it. (Note: Of the 1,737 words total from start to finish, only 350 of them are actual "on-screen" action. The rest is Rachel and Shelby's thoughts).

Quinn's also gonna get hers this chapter (the guilt and worry that Shelby will find out is getting too much for her). Poor Frannie's going to have to figure out how to be Quinn's parent and not her sister. It's a steep learning curve and Frannie faces it head on.

But for now, enjoy the opening scene of Chapter 18, which picks up right where Shelby had swatted Rach and sent her to the house. Mother and daughter are both adrift and feeling anxious, but Jack and Sarah are there with plenty of hugs and LOTS of wisdom.

Chapter 18: Repercussions, Part Two

Rachel’s heart was beating hard and tears were streaming down her face as she hurried up the front steps and away from her decidedly upset mother. Her ears (and her rear) were still burning from Shelby’s reprimand. She very cautiously approached the front door and her waiting aunt, worried that Sarah would add her own swats the moment she got close enough. She felt her face flush a brilliant crimson as her traitorous brain replayed the last few moments, knowing Sarah and Jack had witnessed everything.

Rachel had let out a low whimper when she saw her mother reappear on the porch, then hurry toward them in the car. Jack had opened his door first, jumping out and holding his hands out. Rachel saw that he had tried to say something to her mom, but Shelby ignored him as she continued towards Rachel’s side. Rachel flung her own door open but remained inside the car, unable to move.

Shelby was at her side in an instant, her hand reaching in to grab her and pull her out. Rachel yelped in surprise and was then pulled into strong arms and held fiercely. She could feel her mother’s anxiety and upset with her, but also an overwhelming abundance of love.

“Don’t you ever pull a stunt like this again, young lady. You scared me to death!” Shelby scolded even as she nestled her cheek against Rachel’s head. Rachel swore her mother smelled her then, as if she was trying to inhale her very essence.

“I’m sorry, Mom, I—I didn’t mean to,” Rachel answered back, clinging to her mother and soaking up all of the love she was willing to give.

Without warning, Shelby pulled back, holding Rachel by the shoulders and forcing eye contact. “I’m serious, Rachel. You cannot run off like that again, not ever. I don’t care what the reason—mad, upset, bored—” At this, she paused and Rachel felt herself being turned to the side. Her mother spoke firmly and deliberately, “—You do—NOT—Run—Away.” Her palm cracked down hard four times to emphasize her point. Rachel wailed.

She was spun to face her once more, tears clouding her mother’s features, but she could make out enough to know that Shelby was staring deep down into her soul. It was enough to send a shiver down her spine and make her squirm uncomfortably. Well, that and the fact that her butt throbbed where her mom had spanked her—a foreboding sign for what was to come, she was sure. She was wearing denim mid-length shorts and she still felt the full force of those swats; she thought they should have provided more cushion than that…unless that was their cushion.

Shelby then pointed to the house, ordering her to go inside. “I need to talk to Uncle Jack and then I’ll be inside and you and I are going to have a very long talk, young lady,” she added.

Rachel could see the flash of anger in her mother’s eyes and she felt a wave of guilt crash over her; it was her fault Shelby was angry at Jack. What if, because of her, their relationship was ruined? Rachel seemed to leave destruction in her wake no matter how hard she tried otherwise. “Please don’t be mad at Uncle Jack,” she begged. “It—It’s my fault. I didn’t want to come home. I’m sorry—”

Shelby shook her head. “I’m not mad at Uncle Jack, honey, I just need to talk to him. Go inside now,” she said, pointing once more to the house. Rachel remained where she was, so her mother nudged her to get her moving. When she still stood, staring back, Shelby became firm, “Do as you are told, Rachel Barbra. Please don’t add defiance to your list of offenses.”

And that was how Rachel found herself in her current predicament, crying, blushing, and standing just out of reach of Sarah’s grasp. “Rachel, get in the house NOW!” came her mother’s frustrated yell. Rachel jumped and hesitated all of a millisecond before deciding Sarah was the safer of her two options right now.

“C’mon, honey, let’s listen to your mom,” Sarah said, reaching her arm out towards her niece to guide her forward. She didn’t miss the way the small teen slunk past her, twisting just so to ensure her backside never faced Sarah. The woman shook her head and ushered the girl inside. She shut the door and then pulled Rachel into a tight hug.

Rachel let out a tiny gasp of surprise but soon found herself relaxing into the embrace. She squirmed when Sarah finally released her, holding her at arm’s length much the same way Shelby had moments before. Dread filled her as she wondered if Sarah would finish it off the same way too.

“You caused quite a stir, young lady,” her aunt said, though not unkindly. “You worried all of us.”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Rachel found herself repeating the same apology she had given her mom.

Sarah reached out with her right hand to cup Rachel’s flushed cheek, brushing the stray tears away with the pad of her thumb. “I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but you are so very loved, sweetheart,” she murmured.

“Even by you?” Rachel scoffed, her walls shoring up their defenses.

“What?” Sarah all but gasped. “Of course by me! Why would you think otherwise?”

“Because of…what I did to Lexi?” Rachel said uncertainly.

Sarah sighed and let go of Rachel. Rachel took that as a sign of rejection and tried to step away; Sarah grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room and down onto the sofa to sit.

“Honey, I want you to listen to me,” Sarah began, her hands sandwiching Rachel’s good one between her own, “I love you. You are my niece and my family. There is nothing you could possibly ever do that would make me stop loving you for even a second. Do you hear me?”

“But Lexi—”

“Lexi eavesdropped on a private conversation between your mom and me and then used that misheard information against you to hurt you. She is just as much to blame for what happened between the two of you as you are. She will be apologizing to you for her actions, as I’m sure your mom will tell you to do for yours. And I’ve punished Lexi for her role today; I’m hoping this is the last time she will do something like this to you or anyone else. Whatever consequences your mom decides are appropriate for your part is between the two of you…though I do hope it’s the last time you act this way as well.”

“It will be ‘cause Mom’s gonna kill me,” Rachel lamented. Or just get rid of me, she added to herself as more tears fell.

Sarah chuckled gently, pulling Rachel into her arms once more. “It’ll only feel that way for a little while, I expect,” she reassured.

“Aunt Saraaaah,” Rachel whined, feeling her face heat up. What wasit with this family and the spanking jokes? They acted like it was no big deal. It was a very, VERY big deal! Especially when it was Rachel’s ass on the line!

“I don’t think your mom’s anywhere near as upset about the situation with Lexi as she is about how you’ve been acting around Quinn and especiallyrunning off like you did. You scared her, Rach.”

Jack let out a long sigh as Shelby’s attention returned to him once Rachel was safely inside. “Took you long enough, didn’t it?” she said as she stalked towards him. He knew his sister was near to bursting with pent-up energy that now needed somewhere to go. He was more than happy to help her blow off that steam.

“Take a few deep breaths, Shelbs,” he directed, his voice calm, soothing. Shelby rolled her eyes and huffed.

“I’m calm, Jack,” she grumbled. “I am,” she added at his dubious look. “I’m just…frustrated. It’s not like I haven’t tried talking to her to get her to open up. She refuses. She just becomes defensive and argumentative. I’ve tried to be patient and understanding. I’ve tried sending her to her room and early bedtimes. Her behavior doesn’t change—it’s getting worse. And for her to just run like that. She can’t—Jacky, she ran away from me. What am I…Am I doing something wrong here? I’m trying, I want to help. I can’t help if she won’t let me in. And her behavior…I don’t know the reason behind it and I can only guess and—and—I can’t just let her get away with being mean to others, whatever else is going on. I can’t.”

“You aren’t doing anything wrong, Shelbs. It’s—I duno the reason behind her behavior with Quinn either, she wouldn’t tell me, but something is going on there. She was really upset over why I was there to get her instead of you. She—She thought it was because you were too angry and didn’t want to see her. She’s afraid she’s going to be sent away if she does something bad enough or makes you mad enough…I told her you’d never do that but she’s scared.”

Shelby felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest with a butter knife—agonizingly slow and extremely painful. She should have known better. It was no secret that Rachel was afraid of doing something to lose her last parent—how could she not, when the two who had raised her for fourteen years tossed her aside like last week’s garbage?

Jack could see the self-loathing written all over his sister’s face. “Hey,” he ducked his head to gain eye contact. “I didn’t tell you that to make you feel bad. You have nothing to feel bad over anyway. Rachel doesn’t think those things because of you. It’s because of those assholes who—” Jack stopped himself; he felt the anger at those men surging through his veins and knew if he continued on that thread he would be too angry himself to be of any help to Shelby. He took a deep breath and began again. “This is all new to her. We all have to remember, you’ve only had her for a little over a month and her entire world has been turned upside down. She’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

The look on Shelby’s face didn’t improve, so Jack kept going. “I just wanted you to be aware. I’m not sure she will bring it up with you herself. Maybe that’s part of the reason she doesn’t want to open up to you, for fear of rejection and—and being sent away.”

Shelby’s stomach clenched. Was she not doing enough for her child to make her feel safe? And loved? She wanted to run inside and scoop Rachel up in her arms and forget about any and all punishment. Something must have shown on her face, because Jack jumped right in over those thoughts.

“That doesn’t mean she gets a free pass on her behavior!” he said. “You have to be consistent with her, keep your promises to her—whether they’re positive or negative, you have to keep them. That’s how you earn her trust. Show up and do what you say you will. All kids want safety and structure, Rachel even more so because she’s never had a parent be there for her through everything.”

“But if she ran because she’s scared, how can I…I can’t spankher. Shouldn’t I let this slide instead? Talk to her but no punishment?”

“No!” Jack exclaimed, running a hand through his hair. “That’s the worst thing you could do for her. You’ve promised her a spanking—Hell, she expectsit, Shel. She knows what she did was wrong and she knows she’s going to be punished for it. Besides, there is something happening with Quinn. She was plenty defensive and just plain angry whenever I tried to crack that shell. But whatever is happening there, you are absolutely right—you can’t let her act that way or be mean to others just because what? She doesn’t like them? That won’t fly. You know it and deep down, she knows it too.”

Shelby sighed, letting her brother’s words sink in. He hadn’t said anything she didn’t already know, even if she didn’t want to admit it to herself in this moment. She had had every intention of following through with Rachel’s spanking when the girl got home, after a much-needed shower and talk, but it was easier to resign herself to it when she just thought it had to do with unresolved jealousy and maybe even a healthy dose of her child testing her boundaries. Being reminded that Rachel was still so new to this life and her part in this family, that her fears were immense and dug deep…Shelby didn’t want to have to be the hard-ass here. But, even with those fears, it didn’t mean Rachel got a pass on poor behavior. Shelby could address both—and she would.

Sarah didn’t miss the way Rachel tensed at the mention of Quinn. She knew Shelby had been chalking Rachel’s behavior toward the other teen up to jealousy, but Sarah wasn’t so sure. Her gut told her something bigger was going on, but without more information, she couldn’t even begin to guess the problem. She understood why Shelby was so frustrated with the matter. It was going to take time to learn Rachel’s tells and what made her tick, and with Rachel so unwilling to open up about any of it, it was like fumbling around in the dark.

“You know, Rach, no matter how upset or angry your mom is with your actions, it’s never directed at you. Do you understand that? You can hate someone’s behavior and love them very, very much. And your mom loves you more than words can say, sweetheart,” Sarah reassured the girl. She wasn’t sure how helpful it was in this moment, but Rachel needed to hear it regardless.

Rachel sighed and wiggled out of her aunt’s arms. She needed space. At this point, she was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. She just wanted to get all of this over with. She wanted a bath and to curl up in her bed and take a nap, and to forget this day ever happened. “I—I’m gonna go to my room, Aunt Sarah,” she said. She was up and heading for the stairs before her aunt could respond. Unfortunately, her mom and Uncle Jack chose that exactmoment to come inside. Shelby automatically reached a hand out and stopped her.

“Mom, please…I just—I just wanna go to my room,” her voice cracked and she briefly met hazel eyes—enough to see them soften. Her mother nodded and let her go.

“I’ll be up shortly. Start getting out of those clothes—you need a bath,” Shelby called after her child’s retreating back. She offered a small, warm smile at the surprised glance Rachel threw over her shoulder.

The three adults waited until they heard the click of Rachel’s door closing before heading into the living room together. Sarah sat on the sofa first, followed by Shelby; Jack leaned against the armrest. “Something’s definitely up with her and Quinn,” Sarah revealed. “And Rachel’s more than a little worried about how upset you are. She told me you’re going to kill her.”

Shelby sighed. It was the same thing Jack told her all over again. Why were these two seemingly able to read her child so much better than she was?

“We’ve just had loads more practice,” Jack answered when she asked it out loud. “You know Rachel best though.”

“It sure as hell doesn’t feel like it!” Shelby groaned into her hands. “I feel like I’m screwing up left and right.”

Sarah laid a gentle hand on her sister-in-law’s shoulder in sympathy and support. What mother—what parent—hadn’t felt the same at one time or another while raising children? “You’re not alone, Shelbs,” she murmured. “I know it doesn’t feel like it to you right now, but you are doing amazing with Rachel. The poor girl’s just…confused right now. She needs constant reassurance and proof that you are here and are staying. Hug her, kiss her—spank her. She is looking for that structure and the knowledge that she will be taken care of, in all the ways she needs to be. Provide that for her, even when she pushes back—especially when she pushes back. That’s normal, believe me.”

“Sarah’s right—consistency and follow-through. Show her you’re here for the long haul. I don’t know that she’s going to make this easy for you. Try to talk it out first anyway, make it clear it’s her behavior and not heryou’re upset with. Then light that little ass up and move on. You’ll both feel better.”

Shelby smiled in spite of herself—her brother had a way with words sometimes, the big-ass goofball. His levity achieved what it had meant to; Shelby was feeling lighter, more sure of herself. She knew that however it played out, she and Rachel were going to come out of it on the other side just fine.

Jack and Sarah offered several more words of encouragement, along with hugs, to Shelby before going to collect their own wayward child. Lexi came sulking out of the sunroom, following her parents in tense silence to the front door. Shelby offered her own hug to the girl and another apology on behalf of Rachel. “She’ll apologize herself next time we see you,” she added with a kiss to her niece’s head.

Lexi grumbled something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, “Yeah, well, bust her ass on behalf of me,” as she made her departure. Both Sarah and Jack stopped her in her tracks.

“Excuse me?” Sarah gasped, followed by Jack’s, “You wanna repeat that, little girl?”

Lexi spun on her heels, glaring at both parents in turn. “What?!” she whined. “I’m gonna have a black eye because of her! The least she deserves is a sore butt!”

“Alexandra Leigh—”

“Oh my God—Lexi!” Shelby couldn’t stop her exclamation. She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud—it would hardly do for her niece to think she approved of her sass. She was, however, wholly impressed with it—and glad she didn’t have to deal with it.

“I know someone who’s gonna have a sore butt!” Jack thundered, stepping into his daughter’s space. In the blink of an eye, he snatched her arm, turned her to the side, and had delivered an almighty smack to her rear end.

Shelby winced at the sound and was reminded of the time when, at nineteen, she had been on the receiving end of that same hard hand. Her niece squealed and threw a hand back for protection, then hissed, “Daddy, don’t!”

“You’re walking a very thin line, Lex,” Jack growled as he let the girl go. “Apologize to Aunt Shelby and say goodbye. We’ll talk more at home.”

Teary eyes met Shelby’s as Lexi did as she was told. Shelby reached out to hug the girl and accepted her apology. “I know you’re upset with Rachel right now. I get it, honey,” she said, her tone gentle. Then more firm, “But how I decide to approach the situation with her is none of your business or up for discussion. She’s not going to get away with cursing at you or slapping you, okay? That’s all you need to know about the matter.”

Lexi nodded and then allowed herself to be ushered out of the house by her mother. Jack hung back until they were out of earshot, then smirked at his sister. “See? I told you—consistency and follow-through.”

Shelby laughed and pushed him out of her house, watching him catch up to his wife and daughter. She waved them away and then shut the door and locked it. She slumped against the back of it, staring up the stairs as she collected her thoughts. With a deep breath, Shelby pushed herself away from the door and towards the stairs. It was time to get this whole thing over with.

#open arms #sneak peek #chapter 18 #chapter18 #part two #revised edition #Shelby #Rachel #Jack and Sarah #firstlook #sneakpeek

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