Consequences

Cuddles and Soup

Chapter 21

Tuesday, 5:40 am

In the bunker

Dean's POV

I'm in the kitchen, making coffee because I couldn't go back to sleep. I keep hearing what sounds like footsteps, in the hallway, but everyone else is asleep. At least, as far as I know, they're asleep. But it sounds like someone's coming towards the kitchen. The footsteps are way too soft to be Sam's. But what would Ella be doing up at almost 6 in the morning? On a day that she doesn't have school? Home schooling starts at 8, next week. I peek into the hallway, and see Ella, slowly walking to the kitchen.

Dean: Baby, what are you doing up?

Ella: I'm tired.

Dean: Then why'd you get out of bed? Do you need something?

Ella: Yeah.

Dean: What do you need, Sweetheart?

Ella: I don't wanna tell you.

Dean: Why not?

Ella: Because you're gonna laugh at me.

Dean: I'm not gonna laugh at you, Baby. Tell me what you need.

Ella: I want you to hold me.

Dean: Then come here.

I think she might be regressed. She only ever asks to be held if she's in her little space. She walks over to me and I squat down to her level. I don't know if she's regressed or if she doesn't feel good. She looks more like she doesn't feel good.

Dean: How old are you right now, Baby?

Ella: I'm not regressed. I just want you to hold me.

Dean: Alright. I'll hold you, Sweetheart.

I pull her into a hug and eventually take her to the living room. I don't know why she wants to be held all of a sudden, and so early. She's usually dead asleep at this time. She's never up this early unless she has to be. And in that case, she's usually pissed. She doesn't look pissed right now. She just looks like she doesn't feel good. I'm hoping she didn't have a nightmare. If she did, she's not likely to tell us. She'd just get kinda clingy for a little while, then she'd go about her day like normal.

Dean: Are you alright?

Ella: Hold me.

Dean: I am holding you. I just wanna know that you're alright. You never wanna be held.

Ella: Well now I do.

Dean: Is there a reason, or do you just wanna be held? Did you have a nightmare or-

Ella: Dean. She whines.

Dean: Alright. Go back to sleep, Sweetheart. I'll be here.