for Dean; backdated

[blessed_by_god]

Sharon hadn't left New Atlantis much lately and wasn't planning to. She wasn't ready to talk to John again yet and didn't want to chance running into him. Maybe it was cowardly, but she'd allow herself for a few days at least

Comments

[weary_head]

He'd been frustrated, stopping at several huts before spotting Sharon and her daughter outside of their own, but now that he saw them Dean's heart leapt right back into his throat. What would he even call Hera now? Was she like a stepsister? Was Sharon supposed to be his mom? They were the same age, for christ's sake.

Swallowing down his own growing hysteria, Dean made himself keep continue forward, but he couldn't keep the wariness from his eyes.

[blessed_by_god]

Sharon glanced up at the sound of someone else nearby, and froze when she saw who it was. She couldn't imagine what Dean wanted when she hadn't even spoken to John beyond telling him about the pregnancy.

"Hi," she said, her expression just as wary as his.

[weary_head]

"Hey," Dean returned, shoving his hands into his pockets, only to pull them right back out again. This close, he couldn't even look her in the eyes.

"I was thinking," he said, "maybe I could watch Hera for a while."

[blessed_by_god]

"What?" Sharon let out faintly, baffled by the request. Dean looked like asking her was the last thing he wanted, he hadn't even looked at Hera, or her.

There was only one conclusion her mind could draw.

"...Did John send you? I feel fine, I'm fine. You don't have to, Dean."

[weary_head]

"He didn't send me," said Dean, hoping that none of the sharpness that had just stabbed through his middle had made it into his voice. He raised his eyes to Hera's. "I just figured...we could hang for a while."

[blessed_by_god]

Hera, upon finally noticing Dean, gave a small scrunch-handed wave.

"Oh..." It still didn't sound to Sharon like he actually wanted to, and she wasn't sure why. She didn't ask, though, already uncomfortable enough figuring he knew about the pregnancy. That he was probably as freaked out as John about it. "Okay."

"Hera, do you want to go play with Dean?" she asked moving her daughter off her chest so she was sitting him. Hera let out a small, sleepy whine at being moved, but eventually woke up enough to sit on Sharon's lap without draping herself all over her.

"I'm hungry," Hera told Dean, rubbing the sleep from one eye.

"She'll probably need a snack. I could get her something, if you want," she offered.

[weary_head]

"Probably safer that way," said Dean, coming closer to crouch in front of Hera. He wondered if the baby would look like her. If it would have freckles like his own.

He cleared his throat, finding he could manage a smile. "I'm pretty good at Spaghettio's, but I don't think we got those in stock."

[blessed_by_god]

"I've heard of spaghetti," Sharon answered, lifting Hera and holding her out to Dean. She latched on, arms around his neck, and Sharon stood with a small stretch of her legs. "Not with O's."

She disappeared into the hut, glad for the shade and barrier between her and Dean both. There was a small cold box, and she took her time getting together some fruit for Hera. She could feel the anxiety build, letting someone else take Hera. Not that she didn't trust Dean, she just didn't want to be alone.

[weary_head]

Hera hung from his neck, and Dean wondered if she was just sleepy from her nap, or if she looking for comfort. He was answered in the next moment when Hera snuffled against him and said, "Mama sad."

"Oh," said Dean, swallowing around the sudden lump in his throat. At the moment, he didn't feel he had a better grasp on the situation than Hera did, but it had to be even more confusing for a toddler. He wondered if the words 'baby sister' or 'baby brother' had been uttered yet.

"Even mamas get sad sometimes," Dean told her, pulling back to touch her nose. "Just like you and me, but it's okay. 'Cause I bet you know how to make her smile, don'tcha?" Hera nodded, too solemn, and Dean tickled at her ribs.

[blessed_by_god]

Hera giggled madly, squirming to get away.

Sharon watched from the doorway a moment before coming out. It would probably be good for Hera to spend some time with other people. She wondered what Dean thought of having a half-brother or sister, if this was how he was trying to prepare himself for it. And God, she hadn't thought of that, the baby having any older siblings other than Hera. She really hadn't thought of it as belonging to anyone else but herself, not even John. That thought was still working itself uneasily around her brain.

"Here," she finally said, holding out the small bag of fruit, some crackers. "How long did you want to take her for? So I know whether or not to get her some dinner."