Cinderella AU Part Two
Dean's eyes searched the area rapidly, wishing, hoping, praying that he would catch a glimpse of you. For several minutes he stood outside, watching, waiting for you to return with no luck.
With a disappointed groan he pulled himself up the stairs and into the ball room, bypassing everyone who came up to him until he made it to the stairs across the room. He didn't make eye contact, his eyes firmly planted on his feet until he heard someone hiss his name.
He turned around to see his father glaring at him "Where are you going?"
"To bed" He grunted, taking another backwards step up the stairs.
"You can't leave yet, you have to find a bride" He said, his words sharp but his face still had a smile painted on it.
"I've found one" Dean said.
"Really who?" The king asked.
"She just walked out" Dean sighed.
"Why?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Was all he said before making his way back up the stairs.
-
You ran as fast as your heels would allow you, not wanting to take the time to stop and take them off. You took every shortcut you could think of, through yards, alleys, and streets.
When you had finally arrived at your house you threw the door open, slamming it behind you breathing heavily, thinking you had made it home before her. Unfortunately you were wrong.
"Where the hell have you been" Her voice echoed loudly through the small house causing your knees to shake violently, threatening to collapse from beneath you.
"At work" Your voice came out much smaller than you had intended.
"Speak up" She demanded, finally making an appearance in the room, stalking towards you slowly.
"At work" Your voice was louder but only slightly so.
She looked at you skeptically as you swallowed harshly "And what are you wearing?"
You furrowed your eyebrows and looked down, only then remembering that you were still wearing the dress. "Richard had me try on the dress, to make sure it looked right on a real person"
Her eyes raked your body up and down, your hands shaking violently as she did so.
In one second her hand was raised and the next your cheek was stinging. "That's for lying to me" She spat, raising her finger threateningly "Need I remind you I was there" She grabbed your jaw harshly, her touch leaving bruises "I saw you try and dance with him, embarrassing not only yourself but me" She threw you onto the ground, a kick connecting with your stomach "You're just lucky the prince was kind enough to excuse your stupidity and suffer through one dance"
You pushed yourself up on your hands and knees, spitting up blood. "We were laughing, having fun" you said, standing up for yourself for the first time in years, tears streaming down your cheeks.
"Honey please" She sighed "He saw right through your façade, through your messy hair" She pulled at a loose stand of it "through your cheap makeup" She kneeled down, swiping a hand softly over your cheek causing you to flinch "Through these tattered rags" She picked at the end of your dress, her voice as low as a whisper. "He saw who you truly were, and he pitied you"
You shook your head, a large lump in your throat, your lip quivering "No" You whispered.
"No?" She laughed "No? He's a prince, royalty. He could have had anyone in that room so tell me why would he pick you?"
Her words cut into you like a knife, burring themselves so deep inside you that on a small level you believed them.
"Why would he pick the ugly, stupid, poor, nobody?"
"I DON'T KNOW" You yelled suddenly standing up, surprising your mother "I don't know why he picked me. But he did, and that's all that matters. He. Picked. Me. Not you. Me" As soon as the words left your mouth you regretted them. Your mother stood up, her hands balled in fists, steam practically coming from her ears.
You brought a hand up to your mouth "Oh my god, I'm so sorry I didn't-" You began only to stop as a quick punch landed on your nose. You could feel blood running from it though you made no move to stop it "Please, I'm-" Another punch was made to your stomach, the exact same spot where the kick had been.
You weren't able to get out another word as she yanked on your hair, slamming your head harshly against the wall. Your breathing stopped as she threw you to the ground, picking you back up by your hair and dragging you towards the basement door.
She pulled open the door and threw you at the base of it, your body teetering over the edge only held in place by her foot on your shoulder. You were frozen in fear, your entire body shut down as you were paralyzed.
"You will never speak to me like that again" She spat before pushing your shoulder with her foot sending you tumbling down the hard wood stairs onto the hard floor below.
-
Sam was awoke to the sounds of knocking on his bedroom door. He groaned loudly, knowing it was much too early to get up, instead throwing one of his pillows at the door.
"Sam open up" Dean's voice sounded from the other side only causing Sam to groan louder.
"Go away Dean"
"Just open up" Dean groaned as Sam reluctantly pulled himself out of bed and to the door.
Mere seconds passed between the time when Sam opened the door and when Dean pushed his way inside. "You danced with her"
"What?" Sam groaned again.
"The girl, the girl I was dancing with at the ball you danced with her first, she said you were friends"
"Dean what is this about?"
"I need to find her" Dean's breathing was heavy, his eyes pleading "I need to find her so please tell me you know where she is."
Sam sighed, running a hand over his face "I know where she works"
-
You woke to nothing, no light around you, no sound of your mother breathing, no soft cushions beneath you, nothing.
At first you freaked out, jumping to your feet only to cry out in pain as you did so. Last night's events came back to you. You cautiously felt for the light switch, cringing as bright light flooded the dark room.
With great effort you limped over to a broken mirror in the room, only the bottom half of it still intact. With shaking hands you lifted the end of your dress slightly, immediately dark bruises began to show themselves.
You breathed in deeply, hissing at the pain after even such a simple action, before pulling your dress the rest of the way up. Your entire torso was purple and black. You hastily dropped the dress, you really needed to inspect your face.
You began to crouch down, slowly as not to further irritate anything only to stop as you heard a loud squeak, the sound shoes make when they're wet.
Cautiously you looked down, moving your shoe just enough to see what was under it. A dark red liquid splatter was under it, you swallowed heavily, your shaking fingers slowly inched their way over your face, stopping as they came into contact with a moist spot on the side of your head.
You pulled them up to in front of your face. They came back red. Your breathing got heavier as you struggled to contain your emotions.
Immediately your head began to feel heavy, the world slowly began to spin as you fell to the ground, your eyes still locked on your fingers.
You fell so that you laid flat on the ground, your breathing short and shallow. Spots began to cloud your vision as the blood loss starting to get to you.
Faintly you could hear the door open and loud footsteps enter, your mothers shrill voice speaking though you couldn't make out her words.
Dean followed closely behind Sam, silently urging him to walk faster. Though he knew you wouldn't be at work now, after all it was roughly 3 in the morning, he couldn't help but feel he had to be there now.
Sam walked briskly, still a little upset that Dean had woken him up so early. Though he walked with a small smile on his face, not that he would ever admit it to his brother, he was happy Dean had found someone.
They finally rounded the corner on which the tailor's shop was located. Dean's head was in clouds as he replayed the night in his head. Overanalyzing every one of his actions as he tried to figure out what he had done wrong, why you had ran.
Meanwhile, Sam had stopped in front of the tailor's, watching as his brother walked right past him without noticing he had stopped, an amused smile on Sam's face.
Dean had managed to get all the way down the street before noticing that Sam was gone. He spun around with furrowed brows "She works...here?"
"Just give it a second" Sam mumbled under his breath, waiting for him to make the connection.
"She wasn't...was she?" Dean said mostly to himself as Sam watched him, the amused smile still on his face.
"She was the tailor girl wasn't she?" Dean asked, a soft smile on his face.
"Yes she is" Sam said, unable to keep a small smile from his face. "Now can we go home she won't be here for hours"
Dean's jaw clenched as he thought "You go ahead" He grunted, planting himself down so that he leaned against the door.
"What are you doing?" Sam groaned rubbing a hand over his face.
Dean shrugged and crossed his arms "It's not like I'm going to get much sleep anyway"
"So what are you going to do? Sit out here and wait?"
"Yes"
Sam rolled his eyes, but nevertheless sat down next to his brother, waiting for morning to come.
-
Sam woke for the second time that day to the sound of jingling keys. He opened his eyes but quickly shut them as sunlight hit his dilated pupils. He raised his hand to block the sunlight to see Richard, the tailor, standing in front of him, a shocked expression on Richard's face.
"Uh hi" Sam chuckled, hitting his brother in the chest to wake him up.
"Hello" Richard said with furrowed eyebrows.
"We were-uh-" Dean began to stutter, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"we were looking for your assistant" Sam cut in.
"She's-she's not in yet" Richard sputtered out, still in shock over the fact that he had found the two royal princes on his doorstep. "But you're more than welcome to come inside and wait until she gets here"
The brothers shared a look before turning back to Richard speaking at the same time "Yes please"
-
Richard had been quick to offer the brothers tea, assuring them that you were due to arrive at any moment, before excusing himself to his workshop.
Sam and Dean thanked Richard for his generosity and patiently waited for your arrival, though one's person could only stay patient for so long.
Sam had lost his patience, and hope, hours ago. Dean, on the other hand, refused to accept it. Every time the bell above the door had rang he was on his feet, and this time was no excuse.
A middle aged woman stumbled into the shop. She looked scared though she hid it well. Her posture was upright and her speech was controlled and calm though Dean could see right through it.
"Have you seen Richard" She asked, her voice almost mechanical as she struggled to control her emotions.
"He's in the back." Sam said pointing behind him "We can get him if you'd-" Though he didn't finish as the woman cut him off by walking back towards the workshop, ignoring the two. Leaving a small trail of cinnamon scent behind her.
The brothers shared a confused look as they heard the door slam shut behind her, not used to being ignored. With a shared look they were on their feet, walking towards the workshop door and pressing their ears to it.
A simple "I think she's in trouble" was all they heard just in time for Richard to open the door, his eyes widening slightly as he saw them.
"I'm sorry I have some business to attend to" He spoke quickly and with urgency, slipping around them.
"Is this about her?" Sam's words stopped Richard in his tracks "Is she the one in trouble?
Richard clenched his jaws, debating what to say.
"The woman she spoke about a few days ago" Sam continued. "She did something to her didn't she?"
"I-uh-I" Richard stuttered, grasping at straws as to what to say.
"The bruises" This time Dean spoke up "there were bruises on her neck. Is this like that?"
Richard sighed "I don't know"
-
An older woman answered the door when Richard knocked, a light pink dress adorned her figure. It was ripping in places and dirty. Her hair stuck up in places and her make was dark and smudged. She winced at the sun and wrapped her arms tighter around herself.
"Can I help you?" Her voice came out horse and broken, no doubt suffering from a serious hangover, this confirmed by the stench of alcohol still on her breath.
"Is she here" Richard demanded, skipping all pleasantries.
"I don't know who you're talking about" She responded, her posture immediately straightening and her voice becoming slightly higher as she tried to hide the cracks in it.
"Where is your daughter?" He said, his much voice deeper in a more threatening manner.
"I don't know" She insisted "I came home and she wasn't here"
"That's a lie and you know it"
She simply shrugged "I assumed she was with you."
At this point Dean had decided to make his presence known, knowing Richard wasn't getting anywhere with her. He stepped around the corner and into the doorway, the woman's eyes immediately widening "You wouldn't mind if we just checked your house right?"
She reached up for her hair, trying to make it lay flat. A big smile appearing on her face "Of course not your majesty please come in"
Dean offered a tightlipped smile as he stepped into the house, Richard and Sam right behind him. Immediately Dean began to search the house, looking for any place you may be hiding. Sam, meanwhile, was left to deal with your mother.
Dean had found what he assumed to be your room on his search though quickly stepped out, not wanting to overstep his boundaries. Walking back towards the main room in order to tell Sam and Richard that he had found nothing only to see Sam backed into a wall, your mother hovering over him with a sick grin on her face.
He couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Sam's eyes get wide in fear as the old woman stalked towards him, making sure to pop out her chest to make her cleavage appear bigger.
"What's down here" Richards voice broke Dean from his thoughts as he turned to face Richard who was standing in front of a door he had missed before.
"Oh that" Your mother backed away from Sam, much to his relief "It's nothing, just storage."
"So you wouldn't mind if we checked it?" Dean asked, inching his way towards the door.
"There's broken glass on the floor, it's dangerous. Best if you didn't" She responded immediately, her voice almost mechanical.
"I'm wearing shoes I think I can handle it" Dean said, reaching for the nob.
She made a run for the door but Sam stopped her just in time, wrapping his hands around her middle in order to prevent her from moving. Dean threw open the door, both him and Richard gasping at the sight.
-
You willed yourself to stay awake, listening intently to the footsteps above you. You had been able to isolate four separate pairs, one of them being your mother's though at this point you no longer cared who was upstairs. You were in desperate need for help, help you were sure your mother wasn't going to supply.
You tried to drag yourself towards the stairs though only got as far as the middle of the floor. You tried to call out for help but couldn't get your voice above a whisper.
As you tried to focus you realized that the footsteps had stopped. You panicked, thinking whoever it was had left, and in those few adrenalin filled moments you had managed to drag yourself to the base of the stairs just in time for the door at the top to open.
You faintly heard gasps but didn't pay too much attention as you allowed your body to slump down on the steps, if they weren't friendly there wasn't much you could do about it now.
You heard footsteps charge down the stairs, taking a small leap over your body though you never moved, having neither the energy nor motivation to do so.
You felt a large soft hand reach under your chin, carefully moving it to the side to inspect the damage before it brought your gaze to meet his. Brilliant green eyes bore into yours and that was all you needed to know you were safe. You allowed your eyes to droop closed though he wasn't allowing that.
"No no I need you to stay awake" He all but yelled, shaking you slightly causing your eyes to snap open temporarily.
"I'm-I'm tired" You choked out, your voice sounding crack and weak.
"I know sweetheart but I need you to stay awake" He whispered this time, carefully picking you up bridal style and carrying you up the stairs.
"I just need-I need-rest" You said between heavy breaths, burring your face deeper into his chest.
"No no no" Dean muttered, shaking you again picking up his pace "Come on wake up"
However, your eyes stayed closed as he carried you, practically running through the square, ignoring the stares from passerby, and up the palace steps.
-
It was soft. That was the only thing you were sure of for the moment, that it was soft. Now what "it" was and where "it" was located, well those were different, those were unknowns. Right now you wanted to focus on the known: it was soft, it was warm, it was safe.
You could feel something heavy on your hand, but you elected to ignore it, choosing instead to focus on the first peace and quiet you had gotten since your dad died. That was until you heard a voice...his voice.
"Please wake up"
It was a soft voice, no louder than a whisper. It was a sad voice, cracking slightly with the emotion. It was a familiar voice. And yet you weren't sure whether you wanted to listen to it.
