[b]MIKA[/b]

She didn't want to come across as a mother to him, he was a grown man after all, but she never wanted to hear him say such words to her. It was heartbreaking that he basically implied he wasn't good enough to survive and come back like Dean was. He was such an amazing person to Mika, that she never wanted him to feel he was inadequate in comparison. If she had known just how much Dean and somehow made Duke feel like this and for so long, she would have said something to Dean years ago because she wouldn't have been able to help herself. Mika let him think about her words before he also agreed to let her check him over. Sighing with relief, she let him take his shirt off, throwing it to the side. His scars never phased her, she had her own after all and he was one of few people who had also seen hers, as she was always uncomfortable with people seeing them. It was one reason she had them tattooed over when she was saying Ethan for a while years ago. It was her way of being able to pretend they didn't exist even though they showed through the art of her back. 

“At this rate you'll have more battle scars than I do and that's an impressive feat” she smiled as she stood up and went to the mini cupboard that always held his first aid kit. Walking back to him, she knew his bed was the best place for him to be. “just lay back on there, may as well as get sort of comfortable if it's even possible.” she told him, helping him get comfortable and then perching on the edge, placing the kit down in front of her before unzipping it. 

When he was ready, she grabbed some gauze and cotton wool to tend to his weeping stitches, making sure to be as gentle as she possibly could. “As for your other remark? I feel ya on that one. I feel like all I've done is try to keep it together for everyone else. I've gone from spending my days locked in my room drinking my waking hours away to grieve Dean, to having to keep everyone together whilst trying to accept Esme and Dean's closeness. I feel like I've not really had a moment to just enjoy having him back you know? Feels like I'm losing him all over again and I'm just expected to accept his ex being looked after by him.” She sighed as she focused on his wound. She then half scoffed, shaking her head, realising it probably wasn't fair dumping all this on Duke. 

“Sorry, shouldn't be bringing you into this…” she apologized, drying up the surrounding area and redoing the pulled stitches before she covered it for him to keep it clean. With a sigh, she looked up at him and gave him a small smile. “You're all good. Want me to bring you in anything? Another drink? More blankets?” She asked. 

[b]NATALIA[/b]

Seeing Cason wince at her words confirmed her suspicions that it wasn't an easy thing to hear. She didn't like hearing those words out of her own mouth, but what was the point in lying to herself? The physical scars and trauma was one thing to endure, but it was the mental ones that she really struggled with. Just as she thought she was making progress with the original altrauma, now she had a whole load of new trauma dumped on top of it. What she wasn't letting on was that that torture brought up new memories she thought she forgot and now part of her head was trying to filter through what was past and what was present trauma in her head. 

All she wanted was to go to sleep and try and not dream about what she endured again. Yet it seemed just her actions of trying to lay down wasn't acceptable enough for Cason, as he pulled her back upright and told her she was to go shower. She did trust him, and she probably did look a state, but she just couldn't care. The very idea of water rushing over her face terrified her, and judging by Cason’s change of idea, it seemed her face showed how much she didn't want it. The suggestion they shared a bath instead so she wasn't alone did make her smile lightly as it felt like such a ‘cason’ way of suggesting such a thing. She thought about what he was saying, promising to never leave her side and as he held her, placed a gentle kiss on her and promised he'd be there the whole time she eventually nodded. 

“Okay…okay I'll take a bath” she finally agreed, caving to his pleas and negotiating. She hated being such a grump around him as it was becoming clear to her that she was worrying him to an extent and she didn't want to do that. “Guess that bath better get filled up then” she said to him with a small smile. 

[b]SAM[/b]

Sam had to admit, he didn't know where they were going to sleep either. The place was a full house right now and the thought of possibly going into a house still filled with tension wasn't the most inviting thing to think about. The moment she closed her eyes as she sighed, he had to wonder what was that uncomfortable thought that she was now thinking, before he suddenly got his answer. Of all things he could have imagined her saying, saying she’d go in the basement was not one of those things. Especially when she had such an adverse reaction to the door that led to the basement when they arrived. 

“i'm surprised to hear you say that but I'm proud of you for even thinking it. I wouldn't leave you alone down there. If you go there, then so do I.” He told her honestly. “So how about we go back inside and find out where everyone else is crashing and we'll go from there?” He suggested, knowing that the only one he could think of confidently was Mika's choice of sleeping place. Though, with how protective she was being over Duke, it also wouldn't surprise him if she changed up her plans. 

He stood up from the step and held out his hand to her to help her up. “I do wanna check that injury of yours though. Get that tidied up and recovered.” he added. Now that they were even discussing sleeping arrangements, it was all he could honestly think about other than recovering her stitches to keep them clean. He never acknowledged just how tired he actually was until now.