Could Be Worse Part IV
A/N: I feel like in this chapter Endverse!Dean might have been closer to Dean in this but let’s face it we all know what every version of Dean is emotional and family orientated and no one can convince me otherwise so for Endverse!Dean he might appear to be out of character a bit but yeah on with the chapter. I’d like to say Y/n isn’t pathetic in this I promise just put yourself in her shoes if this were to actually happen before you could react just btw.
I woke up the next day with Y/d/n curled up against me, for the first time since the Croatoan virus started I’d actually managed to voluntarily sleep through the whole night and feel well rested. Y/d/n looked so comfortable I couldn’t fight the smile on my face at the sight of her blissful slumber, she’s never experienced sleeping on an actual bed before it must be nice for her to finally know comfort.
There was a light tapping at the door which caused Y/d/n to stir slightly, cautiously I manoeuvred my way out from her side causing as little disturbance as I could before placing the pillow I’d been using to where I was laying to keep my daughter from rolling off the bed as I went to answer the door.
“Good morning. I was wondering if you wanted a tour around the camp to acquaint yourself with everything.” It was the shortest of the bearded men from yesterday, “Oh yeah, I’m Chuck by the way.” He said offering me a bright smile.
“Y/n, I’m sorry for the hassle Y/d/n put you and your friend through yesterday she’s like that to everyone but me, if we were staying long enough though I’m sure she’d probably end up loving you guys.”
“So you aren’t planning on staying?” He asked.
“Not really, I already discussed it with Dean I’ll be helping out around here in any way that’s required until we are fully recovered then we’ll be on our way.” I smiled kindly at him.
Chuck gave me a look as if he was aware of something I wasn’t as mischief and amusement glinted in his sparkling blue eyes.
“Well you may as well get to grips with this place because you aren’t leaving immediately.” I was about to take him up on his offer when.
“Mummy.” Y/d/n called out to me sleepily whilst she rubbed her tired eyes with her tiny fist.
I hurried over to her picking her up and lowering her onto the cabin’s floor before getting her a helping of our rations out of my backpack.
“You know you’re more than welcome to a sharing of our rations while you’re here, don’t you?” Chuck asked as he smiled softly at us.
“I’m trying not to-”
“You won’t be a burden you’ve already said you’re going to help out around here as much as you can before you leave which means, you’ve more than earned access to our food.” By this point Y/d/n had finished eating her food and hurried over to my side holding my hand.
“What do you think, you want to get a better look at this place?” I ask gazing down at her as she nods her head enthusiastically.
We followed Chuck around the enclosed community as he pointed out key locations such as the general inventory cabin, the first aid cabin, the washing facilities and the food cabin. He gave us various bits of information about each place he pointed out and occasionally made comments about some of the residents especially when some glared at my daughter and myself. Eventually we got to a more secluded sort of location and I stopped to take in the sight of a beautiful black car hidden under various leaves and branches. Letting out a low whistle I couldn’t resist the urge to compliment it as I got closer to it.
“She’s stunning, haven’t seen one like this since 2010 she looked exactly like this one...” I trailed off slightly thinking that it might possibly be the same car before vanquishing that idea from my mind.
Chuck lead us away from the car and toward the front gates as the scavenging team began to show up so he could show me how they sorted inventory around here. Each person in the rustic Jeeps were still armed to the teeth as members on the back kept their fire arms up as they kept a look out for any straggling Croats.
“Dean!” Y/d/n squealed as she tugged herself out of my grip and ran in front of the large vehicles before I could grab her.
“STOP!”Chuck and I screamed in panic to the driver.
There was a blur and my daughter was out of sight. My heart stopped, every part of my body went numb as I fought to stay standing. The colour drained from every fibre of my skin, the urge to throw up was irrefutable but my breathing was strangled enough as it.
Dean’s POV
I’m certain I heard Y/d/n call out my name making me glance around for her before I heard the blood curdling screams of “STOP!” I’d briefly caught a glimpse of Y/d/n running out in front of my Jeep, instinctively I leaped over the bonnet of the Jeep and hauled her out of harms way just in time. Her quiet cries grew into heavier and harder sobs over all the chaos from the past few seconds, I picked her up properly and held her tightly to my chest bouncing her gently in my arms whilst approaching the driver.
“When someone in our camp screams at you to stop, you fucking stop immediately! You don’t ask questions! You don’t ignore them! You fucking do it and then if necessary you can ask questions later!” I growled at the man glowering at him murderously. “You were nearly responsible for the death of this child!” Jake was cowered at my tone as I forced him to hear the truth of his absent minded actions.
I know the height and size of our transport is dangerous especially when there are children running around and yes, the majority of the children had been warned to stay away from them but that would never be a one hundred percent guarantee. For fucksake though when frantic voices scream orders at you, you obey because there’s usually a good reason for the panic.
“I-I’m sor-sorry but she-she and I...I didn’t-” Jake struggled to get out his apology and failed to make up an excuse for his almost dire actions.
I rubbed my hand in a soothing circular motion in attempt to ease her cries as I made a note to discuss an appropriate punishment for Jake with Chuck. I began to quietly hum to Y/d/n once I was out of earshot of my surrounding followers, at the same time I was keeping an eye out for Y/n because if Y/d/n was here there was no possible way that Y/n would be far away. I caught glimpse of Chuck crouching on the ground next to someone, I jogged over to him trying to keep Y/d/n steady as I did so. As we got closer it became clear that the person on the ground was Y/n.
“What happened?” I demanded more harshly than required considering it was Chuck.
“Well when her daughter broke free from her grip and ran to greet you then everything happened before she could make a move to stop it, she ended up collapsing.” Chuck calmly explained even though he was clearly concerned about her.
“Get Cas, See if he’s able to pull some things together to make her feel better. Sweetheart I’m gonna need you to walk beside me so I can carry your mom back to your cabin, okay?” She nodded eagerly obeying as I gently wiped away a few of her stray tears before turning to pick up Y/n.
Y/d/n stayed as close to my side as she could whilst we walked the familiar route to her temporary home. Cas and Chuck were at the door by the time we’d arrived, upon seeing us Chuck hurried to get the door open as we headed inside to attend to Y/n. Carefully I placed her onto her bed as Cas rearranged her pillow boarder to make her comfortable.
“Chuck explained the situation on our way over here, she’s probably just in a state of shock but we’ll still have to keep an eye on her.” Cas deduced moving her body into the recovery position to allow easier air flow and prevent choking just in case.
Taking in the pale sight of her unconscious mother Y/d/n began to tear up her young innocent mind probably jumping to the worst case conclusion. I picked her up and held her humming to her, it seems to be the only thing that stops her from crying. Y/d/n hugs me as tightly as she can her cries persist so I hum louder for her, something I feel comfortable with doing now that only Cas and Chuck are present they knew me before this, they know how I used to be. Cas manoeuvred various parts of her body scanning for any injuries before turning to us with a conclusion of his analysis.
“Well good news other than a growing bump on the side of her head from the impact and a developing bruise on her arm she seems fine, her heart rate is a bit off but it is returning to normal. She’ll be dizzy and disorientated to start with but she’ll be back to normal after plenty of rest.”
“I’ll keep an eye on them for the remainder of today. Chuck you and your team check in the latest inventory and Cas you’re going to need to put off your ‘spiritual sessions’ and keep an eye on everything like I’d normally do if anyone gives you any crap tell them to take it up with me.” I ordered as the pair of them left.
“Is mummy okay?” Y/d/n asked tears still evident in her big green eyes as she chocked back a sob.
“Don’t worry Sweetheart she’s going to alright. You should be more careful though and stay close to her at all times, even if it is me you’re coming to see. You scared her earlier when you pulled away from her.” I explained putting on my calmest friendliest tone I could as I stroked her hair gently, I hadn’t been like this in many years. “I want you to promise me two things though,” I said gently placing her on the bed next to Y/n as I crouched before her, she nodded and wiped away a few of her remaining tears, “first I want you to say sorry to your mom when she wakes up and second, now this one is very important, I want you to keep an eye on her make sure she’s okay from time to time, can you do that for me?” I asked gently before turning to gaze at Y/n.
“I promise Dean.” She responded holding out her tiny pinkie finger for me to take in mine, I couldn’t help but smile at her normalcy not many children around the camp knew about pinkie promises or other globally childish behaviours before Croatoan, I’m glad Y/n has taught her some for the first time in quite some time I felt a sense of hope for the future as daft as it sounds.
All of this over a pinkie promise, I must be going soft.
“Thank you for helping my mummy!” Y/d/n said snapping me out of my haze and hugging me as tightly as she could.
After gently rubbing her back I stood up and went to get a chair to watch over them that was until, three dull thuds caught my attention. Turning around I saw her wide green eyes looking up at me as if begging me to join them on the bed. There was something about her that I couldn’t say no to so I silently joined them on the bed only to have her crawl onto my lap and fall asleep in my arms.
I wonder what Sammy would think if he saw me now, he’d probably be glad that I was able to have moments like this during the Apocalypse. He’d probably give me his ‘I told you so face’ before smiling. Son of a bitch Sam! Why’d all this have to happen, why’d you have to say yes to Lucifer? Maybe we could’ve avoided all of this.
Y/n’s body twitches slightly as she lays on the bed. Overcome with a strong undeniable urge to hold her in some way, I reached out with my free hand and gently held her smaller one whilst caressing the back of her hand with my thumb. I don’t understand it! These two are strangers and yet... they feel like... family. There was an undeniable, indescribable pull to them since our first encounter but, I can’t get close to them. Can’t give Lucifer anyone else to take from me.
Y/n’s POV
I stirred slightly my entire body fighting against me, every movement felt like a challenge. Opening my eyes felt like the hardest fight I’d ever had to fight.
“Dean?” I mumble grasping the mans attention.
“How’re you-”
“Y/d/n... where is she... is she-” Dean shushed me quietly as he turned to fully face me so I could see my sleeping unharmed daughter in his arm.
“She’s perfectly fine don’t worry. get some rest and I’ll get you two some water.” Dean placed her next to me and then grabbed a pillow to act as a wall to keep Y/d/n on the bed securely.
“Thank you Dean.” I sighed before succumbing to the urge to rest.