Anything But Rhythmic

Whatever You Do, Don't Let It Happen Again

Note: Hey, babes <3

Welcome to another chapter. Thought I'd keep helping you get to know the characters of this story. I also have a question for you all:

Do you prefer short chapters like what they have been, or would you rather I write some longer stuff more like this one?

Whatever You Do, Don't Let It Happen Again

The fog picked itself up slowly, unfolding its spine in increments. Its features were soft like the fibers of a throw blanket, and as it opened up, it grew thinner and softer. It brushed like wind through the hair of the trees, reminding them that this was morning and that they should wake now.

Delphia tore her eyes from the foggy sky and distant horizon to look back at the playground. She could hear Cadence laughing. Darby was chasing after her, looking determined and excited. They did a little dance, each of them faking the other out as they stood on opposite sides of a swingset.

"It must be so wonderful," she said, "having a built-in best friend."

"They're just like siblings," Sam agreed. "Like Dean and I were at that age, but without the responsibility."

"I can't imagine."

"I know," Sam told her softly. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and save you."

"Nobody could," Delphia whispered, still watching her little girl run and play. "I didn't even know I needed saving." She felt Sam's hand on her shoulder, and she reached up to hold it there, turning her face into the touch.

"I love you," Sam reminded her.

"I love you," Delphia murmured like an echo. "So much."

"So much."

"Mama, look!" Cadence squealed and swung herself up and between two monkey bars. She wasn't a thin little girl, but she fit well enough to get onto the top of the monkey bars.

"Cade, get down," Sam told her.

Cadence's expression was pinched, and she pouted a bit, looking at Sam like she expected his mind to change.

"Mija," Del said, backing him up.

Cade looked unhappy, but she scooted to the edge of the monkey bars on her bottom and hopped down. Darby had been right behind her, though, and he was next to swing himself up.

"Hey, if I can't, you can't," Cade told him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You can't tell me what to do," Darby replied with confidence. He stood up, balancing his small feet on one bar and stepped to the next. He wobbled a little.

"Darby!" Sam scolded. "Down."

"Darby, now," Del added. Not only was she worried, watching her nephew stand up there so precariously, but Dean would be pissed if Darby got hurt on their watch. "Sam," she murmured when Darby didn't listen.

Sam handed her the paper cup of coffee he'd had in one of his hands and touched her shoulder tenderly before moving toward the kids.

"Darby, get down!" Cadence demanded and stomped her foot.

"Shut up," Darby told his cousin.

"Everybody take a deep breath," Sam requested. "Darby, come on." He reached his hands up to help the six-year-old down.

But Darby crossed his arms. "No," he said resolutely.

"Darby, I mean it, get down."

"Darby!"