Silver Stars ➣ j. kline

eight

➣ [ LOSING HOPE ] ➣

— ➣ —

ARYA SAT AGAINST that wall until Dean found her curled into herself, breathing still uneven and puffy eyes that still leaked tears.

He didn't say a word. He handed her a box of tissues and a cup of water and let her sit there and cry. At some point, he helped her up and brought her to the kitchen where he'd made her food that she tried her best to eat.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely a whisper as the older Winchester cleaned the dishes.

"Of course, kiddo. You come to me anytime, alright?" He smiled at her with such care she nearly burst into tears again.

They fell into a comfortable silence where she watched him and drank the water he had silently refilled earlier.

"I need to apologize..."

Dean glanced up at her and then continued scrubbing. "He's still in that room. Sleeping, last Sam checked."

Arya nodded and slid off the high-top chair. She didn't want to wake him, so she decided to shower off any evidence of her breakdown.

"He's not mad at you," Dean called over as she got to the entrance of the kitchen.

She paused. He should be, she almost said. "Thanks again, Dean," she replied then continued walking.

Once she had taken a shower and cleaned herself up, Arya made her way back through the maze of halls back to the room. A pit of guilt filled her stomach. In her anger, she'd shouted at the boy she loved with little care for his emotions or reasoning. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door twice. As soon as she did it, she wanted to turn around and leave.

"Come in!" Jack's voice came from inside. It was slightly groggy, but she could tell he'd already been awake by the time she got there.

"It's me," she answered, afraid that he didn't want her there.

There was a beat of silence that made Arya's throat tighten. Maybe Dean was wrong, maybe Jack was mad and now he hated her and—

The door swung open to reveal a disheveled Jack. He didn't waste a second and hugged her, tucking his head in the space between her neck and shoulder. She made a noise of surprise, but let herself be held, relaxing in his embrace.

"I'm sorry," she said, feeling the muscles in his back ease as he held her.

"It's okay," he said. "I would've acted the same in your position."