A/N: This was written for @spnaubingo. Also, I don’t own the gif I used. I wanna thank @fictionalabyss for the story idea <3 And also if you need to watch a cute video here. It’s what this fic is based on.
“You can handle monkeys, giraffes, and elephants, but the moment a panda cub clings to your back, you freak out?” Sam’s laugh echoed around the panda habitat.
“One shut up and two, don’t you have a presentation to run off to?” Dean grumbled as he threw the broom over the glass wall. He would’ve opened the door but four of the panda cubs were pressed up against the door and were watching him.
“That’s not until…” Sam pulled his cell phone out of a pocket on his cargo shorts and hit the power button. The clock said that it was a little after 10:30 a.m. and Sam swore to himself before he took off running. No goodbye, or I’ll talk to you later, he was gone and Dean was by himself.
“Okay guys, I’m coming in.” He was lucky that they were distracted the broom instead of him when he pulled back the door and entered. As he was attempting to lock the habitat door, one of the cubs stood between his legs. Dean chuckled when he heard the door latch, and he walked backwards, so that he wouldn’t trip over the little guy. That was the last thing Dean needed. “Guys, no the broom is not a toy.” He pulled the broom handle away with no problem, but one of the cubs was chewing on the broom head. “No, that’s not a snack.”
Once he had the broom put back together, he got to work.
Cleaning up the habitats was probably one of Dean’s favorite things. He loved working with the animals even if he never admitted to it out loud. He sighed out loud as he pulled one of them out of the basket he was putting the fallen leaves into. Another one was hovering behind him and knocked over the basket of leaves and crawled inside. Dean sighed as he picked up the panda cub, and put him over in the grassy area of the exhibit.
He had to fight them off repeatedly until two of them became interested in the metal dust pan. Dean was grateful for the distraction as he unlocked the habitat door, and started sweeping the stray leaves that were still on the concrete out of the exhibit. “Almost done.” Dean wiped the sweat away from his forehead and placed the broom off to side on the outside.
“I need that back now guys.” He tried to grasp at the handle of the dustpan, and the cubs wouldn’t let it go. “Son of a bitch, come on guys. Please?”
Sam was finished with his animal presentation, and decided to check in on Dean. He was planning on helping out his older brother, but he stopped short when he saw that Dean was wrestling with them. He quietly chuckled and pulled up the camera on his phone and took a picture. Later that evening, it would appear on the zoo’s Instagram account and instead of yelling and screaming for someone to take it down, Dean liked it with a huge grin on his face.
Summary: Dean thinks that he’s got the best job as the zookeeper. His favorite thing to do is play with the animals, especially the cheetahs.
Written for @spnaubingo, square filled Zookeeper!Dean
Written for @spnfluffbingo, square filled child AU
Pairing: gen!fic
Word Count: 506
Rating: General
Warnings: None
A/N: This is based on real life events that I witnessed and it was just the cutest thing and I had to write about it. That is all. Also, thanks to @nobodys-baby-now for assuring me that this is, in fact, adorable and not dumb like I was worried. Also, also, sorry to my forevers who are getting tagged a bunch today... hopefully you’re enjoying the drabbles, though!
The Bestest Job -
Being the zookeeper was the bestest job and Dean loved it! He got to play with all the animals and got to be in charge of something important. Dean was strolling through his zoo, a wide smile on his face. He walked around, stopping to check in on the various animals, his wide brimmed cap protecting his eyes from the sun. Dean said hello to a few of the zoo’s guests who were eating at a nearby table and then a thought struck him that made the zookeeper take off running.
“I have to let the cheetahs out! I have to let the cheetahs out!” Dean shouted as he ran through the zoo. He held his keys up high above his head as he moved, dashing and dodging his way through excited crowds of people. Everyone wanted to see the cheetahs and they were relying on Dean to make it happen for them. Dean’s zoo had the finest cheetah’s in the world. They were the fastest and prettiest animals Dean had ever seen and they were, by far, his favorite. There were three cheetahs at the zoo that day and Dean couldn’t wait to play with them.
Dean made it to the cheetahs’ enclosure in record time and jammed his key into the lock, flinging the door open wide. As soon as the door was open, the cheetahs ran out. Dean laughed as he gave chase to the cats who were purring and growling at the zoo’s delighted patrons. One of the cheetahs even stopped to let someone pet her before she moved on.
Now that the cheetahs were free, Dean chased them around the zoo, high five-ing the people that he passed. It was the most fun thing to do on a warm day like today. Dean was having the time of his life and he could tell that the cheetahs were enjoying themselves too.
“Dean,” someone called and the zookeeper looked over his shoulder, “it’s time to go, sweetie! Sammy needs his nap.”
Dean took off running again, this time toward his mom and dad. The paper hat he had been wearing flew off as he launched himself into his dad’s arms. His mom leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before checking on baby Sammy in his stroller. “Say goodbye to your friends.”
Dean waved back at Benny, Gabriel, and Jo, who were all just getting back to their feet after prancing around on their hands and knees while pretending to be the cheetahs. “Bye guys! See you at school tomorrow,” he hollered at his friends.
“Bye Dean,” Benny and Jo called back while Gabriel yelled “Next time, I get to be the zookeeper!”
Dean’s parents walked him and Sam away as Gabriel, Benny, and Jo started arguing about who got to be the next zookeeper and which animals they would have the others be.
The last thing he heard as the door closed behind him was an exasperated Jo asking “How do you even pretend to be a platypus?”
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Pairing : Dean, Singlemom!reader x daughter!Lucy(oc)
Word count : 1,994
Written for : @spnaubingo
Square filled : Zookeeper!Dean
Warnings : Fluff, child surgery (mentioned, no details) Animal birth (mentioned, no details)
SPN AU & Trope Bingo Masterlist.
“Mama! Panda!!” You laughed as your five year old daughter dragged you along the pathways, ignoring all the other habitats.
“Relax, it isn't going anywhere.”
“I need to see it mama! I need to!” The local zoo had recently acquired your daughter's favorite animal. You had been promising to visit since she found out. Today was the day. “There!!” she yelled, pointing at the habitat that boasted a sign for the panda. She let go of your hand and ran.
“Lucy!” you called out, hurrying after her.
“Mama.. where is it?”
“It must be in there..” You looked around, but she was right, you couldn’t find it.
“Escuse me, Mister?” You turned to see your daughter tugging on the pant leg of a man posting up a sign. “Where's the panda? I really need to see it today.”
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.” he gave her a sympathetic look. “The habitat is closed today.”
“But I have to see it today! I just have to!”
“It'll be open again in a few days… Kori is having a baby.”
You knelt down next to your daughter. “I'm sorry, baby. We'll have to come back when you come out of the hospital. And did you hear that? A baby panda! Maybe you'll see it when we come!”
“But what if I die.” She looked at you with wide, scared eyes.
That caught his attention, and he knelt down to be at her level. “Why do you think you're going to die in the next few days?”
She pointed to her heart, and he looked up at you. “Heart surgery.” you clarified. “She's been on the transplant list most of her life. We go in day after tomorrow.”
“Oh..” he nodded, and glanced into the habitat.
“She's scared.” you said softly as her arms clung around your neck and she cried. “Pandas are her favorite. She wanted to see one before she goes in.”
He nodded again, thinking. “So you're going in to see the doctor soon?” he asked your daughter, who nodded. “Kori is getting a check up from her doctor right now.” She turned to look at him, her interest peaked. “Yeah, she should be having the baby any day now, so shes getting a check up. Would you like to see? I was heading there next.”
“YES!” your daughter let go of you, and turned throwing herself into the man for a hug.
He almost fell over, but laughed and pat her back before she let go and he stood again. “This way.” She took his hand, and then yours as well, as he lead you along the paths. “I'm Dean, by the way. I'm a zookeeper here, I've been in charge of the panda since we found out she was pregnant. We weren't expecting a two for one deal.” he chuckled.
“I'm Y/N. This is Lucy.”
“Nice to meet you, Lucy.” he gave her a smile. She looked up him with a huge grin and he turned down a small walkway and motioned towards a door. “Just in here.”
He held the door open for the both of you, and you walked into the small room. “It's like a doctors office!” Lucy moved around the room.
“That's right!” he smiled as he shut the door. “It's the veterinary building. This is where the animals come when they need to see a doctor. This is like our own little animal hospital.”
“Wow!” she breathed out, thrilled about getting a backstage look most people didn't get to see. “But where's the panda!?” she looked around.
“This way.” he motioned further into the building, down a wide hallway. “Kori is down here.”
You followed him and stepped into a large area with a few smaller cells. The panda was in one with the veterinarian. Lucy let out a gasp when she saw it. “That's not good! No! She needs more space! That's too small!” she looked up at Dean, angry.
He nodded. “You're right. She does need more space. But she'll only be here for a little bit. We're building a little den in the habitat for the baby. That’s why its closed today, and-”
He was cut off by the vet coming out. “It’s coming.”
“What!?” Dean's eyes went wide as he stepped closer to the bars. “You said we had a few more days..”
“It happens when it happens, and it's happening.”
“Shit..” Dean muttered.
“Ooooh! He said a bad word!” Lucy gasped at him.
“Oh shi-” her eyes went wide. “-oot.” He finished. “Sorry.”
“Can I see?” she tugged on his shirt. “I wanna see the baby. I can help!”
He glanced at you with questioning eyes. “It's her day to get what she wants, I'm not allowed to say no today.” That was the deal made, the most memories possible today since she was scared of dying. “It's entirely up to you guys if she's allowed.”
“I understand if its no..” She pouted up at Dean and the vet.
Dean glanced to the vet, who sighed. “I don't see why not. It could be a long time, still.” he pointed out. “It could be very boring.”
“I have books.” She pointed to the small backpack on her back before sitting on the ground near enough to the panda, but far enough not to be in anyone's way.
“She's used to getting her way, huh?” Dean chuckled as he moved some chairs over for you and him to sit.
You nodded. “It's just the two of us, and with the bad heart.. sometimes it's hard to say no. I want her to have as many good memories as we could get in. We had no idea when we'd get the call, or if she'd hold on that long.”
“Dad not around?” You shook your head. “Who could walk away from that?”
“Didn't want kids.” you shrugged. “Disappeared completely after I called and mentioned the heart. Too much for him, I guess.”
“You did good.” you turned to him and he smiled. “She gave me shit about the small space.” he chuckled. “She's obviously very kind and caring.”
“Yeah.. she's perfect.” You smiled.
Dean had brought you both something to eat after a few hours. Nothing much, just some sub sandwiches, juice and chips from the zoo restaurant. Lucy was refusing to leave until she saw a baby panda.
Lucy was asking the vet a million and one questions while she ate. Not just about the pandas, but about all the zoo animals, and their babies. He was very polite and patient as he answered her. Most adults don't seem to enjoy 101 questions, but maybe it was Lucy's genuine curiosity and manners that had the vet more than happy to answer when he wasn't busy.
“Mommy! Maybe I wanna be a vet when I get big!” she beamed at you.
“I thought you wanted to be a heart surgeon?” you chucked.
She nodded. “Maybe I can be an animal heart surgeon!” she smiled. “Maybe I can work here at the zoo and make sure all the animal hearts are healthy!”
“We'd love to have you here.” Dean smiled.
“Just don't steal my job from me.” the vet teased, making Lucy laugh.
An hour or two after eating, Lucy was quietly reading a book when you heard a noise you had never heard before. “What was that?”
Dean grinned. “It's time.” Lucy shoved her book back in her bag as quick as she could. Dean got off his chair and move closer. “Come here.” he held a hand out for Lucy who rushed over to him.
Taking out your phone, you snapped a picture of her and Dean watching the panda give birth. You never wanted to forget the man who made your daughter's dream come true right before the scariest moment of her little life. You smiled down at the picture. Your daughter looked so full of life, so happy. The panda she was watching was in view right at the bars. Then you glanced to Dean, the picture showed his profile, then glanced up and looked at Dean smiling with your daughter as he talked to her, pointing out where the baby would come out.
“Mama!” she gasped, as the little baby came out. “It has no black! All white! It's so little..” she leaned forward a bit.
Dean turned to you, and you smiled tearing up. “Thank you.”
“Mama?” You practically jumped out of your chair in the hospital room at the sound of her voice. “Did I..” her voice was rough.
“Shh..” You smiled and nodded. “You did it, baby. You have a brand new heart. How are you feeling? Sore?” she nodded. “I'll go tell the nurse you woke up, okay? I'll be right back.”
After getting a once over by the nurse, and then the doctor, your daughter fell asleep again while a few things were explained to you. You had gotten a run down of everything already, but were glad to go over it again. The nurse had also handed you some printed instructions to help you remember in the early days, as well as let you shadow her whenever she was with your daughter. You wanted to be prepared in case anything went wrong.
You fell asleep that night watching your daughter sleep. Afraid to close your eyes.
You barely registered the knock on the door. “Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?” The deep, rough voice had your eyes fluttering open. “I brought you something.” You took in a deep breath and stretched before seeing Dean handing your daughter a stuffed panda. He turned to you with a smile. “Morning.”
“Morning.” You mumbled with a groan.
“You don't mind, do you?” he motioned to the stuffed animal and you shook your head. “Good. Everyone at the zoo's been wondering how she's doing, so I came to visit.”
“I got a whole new heart!” she told him excitedly. “See!” she shifted the hospital gown to show him the bandage covering the incision.
“Awesome!” he smiled. “Oh, I thought you'd like to see this.” he pulled out a picture.
You leaned over to look at it. It was the panda and her baby back in the habitat, but on a small deck.
“We finished the den, and they were moved back last night.” He smiled. “We named the baby panda.” She looked up at him. “Lucy.”
Her eyes went wide. “You named it after me!?”
He nodded. “You were the first person to see her. We thought it was the best name for her.”
“Thank you!!”
Lucy was sleeping again, it was just you and Dean sipping coffee he had gone to get. “I can't believe you named the panda after her. You just made her life, again.” you looked at him. “I can never thank you enough.”
“Come to dinner with me.” Your eyebrows went up. “Both of you, when shes able.” he smiled.
“You don't even know us.. not really..”
“I'd like to.” he reached over and took your hand in his. “And your daughter.. she's amazing.” He looked over at her again. “I never wanted kids of my own, honestly… but her.. She's so full of life, and curiosity.” He smiled. “I know the new heart isn't a guarantee. I read up on it.. she could die in the first year.” You nodded and looked down at his hand, and he gave yours a squeeze. “That's part of why we named the baby Lucy. So that memory would live on for you, if-”
“Thank you.” you teared up. “The zoo would never be rid of me.” you tried to lighten the mood. “I’d move into the habitat.” you chuckled, putting the coffee down to wipe under your eyes.
He smiled. “I wouldn't mind seeing you every day.” You blushed a bit and sniffled. “I want to help. I want to help make everyday the best day for her. If you'll let me. Starting with that dinner.”
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Tagging : Dean - @evyiione @soythedemonqueen @deanandsamsbitch @akshi8278 @haelyn @aubreystilinski
I did the @spnreversebang this year!! My pinch-hit author @noxsoulmate was super nice and wrote this adorable story for my drawing: I just watch the otters !! thank you nox :)
