#lilyspaintedred [ 002 ]

[wantdead]

" hey— " he opened his arms in an attempt to reach out to her and pull her closer. " what's this about? " you're not okay was a widely broad accusation that needed to be narrowed down, so that he'd know what to explain to her better.

Lily shook her head, teeth catching her bottom lip in order to keep from crying harder. "You're n-not okay, Dad," she insisted, knowing in her heart that she was right, no matter how hard he and Sam tried to keep her guarded from the truth.

[wantdead]

dean stared with a slight shock that he tried to conceal. she was just a kid. her only concern should be her own life. “there ain’t nothin’ to worry about, kid. that’s my job, not yours.”

He asked his question in a way that almost suggested Lily's main concern was homesickness, when they both knew that wasn't the entire truth. Bleary eyes finally lifted to meet his, lip still trembling as she confessed her true motivations for wanting to return home, "I'm— I'm worried for you, Dad."

[wantdead]

" well, mission accomplished— you're home. " he spoke firmly. " so, are you good now? " he asked, for he wasn't quite convinced. he didn't expect her to be, but he also didn't know how else he ought to expect her to behave, either.

Lower lip trembled as the young girl tried to keep it together. She knew what she did was wrong — dangerous, even. No girl her age should be hitchhiking, especially across state lines, and the guilt she now possessed over it ran deep enough to bring her to tears. "I just..." she began, the crack in her voice evident with the tears that stained her cheeks, "... I just wanted to come home."

[wantdead]

as much as her promise brought some relief, dean remained unconvinced, for he had already eliminated that option as a solution. " well, i already asked jody, and she doesn't think it's a good idea to send you back — said that's not what you need. " he remained transparent with her, in an effort to seek a more collaborative solution.

She still couldn't look him in the eyes. Still too washed over with guilt over her recent actions to be able make eye contact with her father; she feared the disappointment she'd see if she dared to look. "... I won't run again," she finally offered, voice quiet and meek as her throat still fought off tears, "... if you send me back to Jody."