Supernatural Imagines

Promises (RSJ)

Richard returns to the spn con with his four year old daughter, Harley after taking a three year long break from it after you died from child birth when your daughter was born.
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Rich bites his lip nervously as he watches Rob play with his daughter in the green room. They are sitting around waiting for their cue to go on stage to announce the first panel of the day. He doesn't even realise he's fidgeting with his late wife's wedding ring. After she died, he attached her ring on to the chain he always wears around his neck in memory of an old friend who died of cancer. It was a way to keep her close to him and remember the promise he made to her. Instead of frowning, a small smile plays on his lips as he hears the familiar sound of Harley's giggling. He looks up to see her hiding behind the drum set in the corner, an already exhausted Rob Benedict chasing her. "She's four, Bobbo and already she's got you pantin' and puffin" He speaks up. Rob turns to glare at him "Well, it's you that aged me". Rich chuckles, leaning back in his seat. Neither of them had even noticed that Harley moved until she was right beside her dad, leaning on his leg. He smiles before picking her up from under her arms and sitting her on his lap, facing him. "Hey, sweet thing" He smiles. She giggles "Hi, daddy". "Wanna come on stage with me?" He asks and she nods "Yeah!". "Good, I may need you" He sighs. "Speaking of, how are you?" Rob asks, sitting across from him.

Rich looks at his friend "I'm okay, a bit tired. But I'll be okay". Rob hums "Well, don't worry. The fans are thrilled that you're back". Rich nods "I know". Harley grabs her daddy's hands and swings their arms lightly. Rich smiles at her, going along with it. After a few minutes, they are needed on stage. "You ready, Rich?" Rob asks him and he nods, picking Harley up to sit her on his hip "As I'll ever be". They make their way to the stage, collecting their mics on the way. They can hear the band playing, waiting for them. Richard takes his iconic red microphone, then makes sure he doesn't drop his child before following Rob. He watches his friend hop up on stage and the audience cheers "Hey, guys! Everyone having a good time?".

Rich shifts his stance, looking at his daughter. She gives him a big, half toothless smile and he can't help but smile back. "Alright, folks. You've waited for it long enough. You have begged and pleaded, maybe even prayed for it. Believe me, I have been too. So, it gives me great pleasure to bring this man back on stage. I love him, you love him. Please, give a warm welcome back to Richard Speight Jr!" Rob introduces him. Rich walks on to the stage and the audience screams. They squeal when they notice Harley in his arms. It's not long before the lights shut off and little lights start to appear in the audience. Lighters and whatnot. It spells out 'Welcome back, Richard'. He smiles slightly, walking over to Rob. "That's amazing, guys" Rob comments. "Hi, everyone. It's good to be back, 'specially cause of this little lady" Rich speaks up. Harley looks around curiously at all the unfamiliar faces. "This is Harley" He continues.
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"As a single mother of three myself, I wanted to ask you how you are adjusting to life as a single father".

Rich pauses, thinking over his next words. Then he glances at Harley before turning back to the woman standing at the microphone. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to" She quickly adds. He shakes his head "No, no. I-it's okay, I'll answer it". He sighs "Well... at first it was difficult. Don't get me wrong, it still is, but I've adjusted to it a little bit. I'd say I'm doing okay so far". Harley runs up to her dad and hugs his leg, making the audience aww. He chuckles, ruffling her hair. Rich is the last panel of the day. He had one with Rob earlier, but now he has a solo panel. It's almost finished and he finds himself feeling exhausted. Which never happens. Harley decided to join him on stage in the middle of it, which honestly made him feel a lot better about this whole thing. He feels like he needs to talk to the audience, owes them an explanation. Well, everyone knows the reason for his absense. He sighs, then sits on the floor of the stage before speaking into his mic "So, um... sorry for anyone else who had questions. But I think I need to talk to you guys. Is that okay?". The audience give a small cheer and he nods "Good... so, it's been a while, huh? Look, I'll be honest. I was nervous about coming back. In fact, I almost backed out of it. Main reason is, if it was four or more years ago, my wife would be sitting right over there somewhere". He motions to the bottom left corner of the audience and gives a small smile "However, I didn't back out. And now I'm here, talking to you guys about nothing really. God, it feels like therapy. But anyway, you guys really helped me today. I wanted you to know that. Right now, I feel so supported with no judgement. Well, maybe there's a little bit of judgement. But that's okay. I guess I never considered that I would be raising this one by myself. I made a promise though, technically two. I think about my wife every second of the day and it hurts knowing that she isn't here anymore. I miss her like crazy. The way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she loved. The way she smiled, laughed, walked. Every detail of her is burned into my memories for the rest of my life. She was- still is the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. Strongest too. I think about all these little things. Her gorgeous green eyes, the freckles on her cheeks, she lit up the room just by walking into it. Man, she hated it when I made her blush. And I felt like a king whenever I made her laugh. She always got so excited over the smallest of things, woke me up more than a few times just to star gaze. And all I did was stare at her. Made me carry her when she was too tired to walk.  She had the biggest phobia of clowns. I found that out the hard way. Made the mistake of taking her to a circus-" He pauses, hearing a chuckle from the audience.

"-She had an unhealthy obsession with apple juice. Nothing made her happier, I admired it actually. Loved apple anything, really. She was absolutely crazy. But her crazy was beautiful to me. She never once sang in public, only ever did with me. She liked listening to me sing, or even just talk. She always said it was my accent she fell for. Y/n was the best thing that ever happened to me, and now she's gone. But then I remember she never really left. Every little thing about y/n, is also in Harley. She left me with this gorgeous gal". He smiles slightly, looking at his daughter before turning back to the audience. Harley wanders over to her daddy and plops herself on to his lap. He chuckles lightly, then speaks into the mic again

"... 'Don't you dare let her go when I'm gone, Richard'. That's what y/n said to me when she was layin' in that hospital bed. I remember like it was yesterday. Even when she was on death's door, she still managed to keep me in check. 'You must call her Harley and be her daddy. She wants you to dress up in a princess dress and have tea party, do it. From the first day of school to the day she gets married, you better be there. She nervous about goin' to a school dance, wants you at her dance recitals, talkin' to boys, first period, you better show up or so help me god, I will come back and haunt your sorry ass, Speight'. She threatened me until I promised her". He smiles at the memory, wrapping his arms around Harley and kissing the top of her head. She is, of course, oblivious to his actions. He sighs "You guys are hearing this from me, alright? Harley, I love you so much. I'll never leave you for as long as I'm alive. And nothing will ever hurt you as long as I'm around. I'll always be here, right by your side. You're my baby girl and I hope you never forget that. You're my world and I am praying that you never let go of my hand. There, I have witnesses. Please don't haunt me, y/n".

The audience laughs a little and he notices a few people have tears in their eyes. And that's when he realises he does too.
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Hey, sorry it's been a while. But hope you liked it

- W.S