#aricka and dean

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

The graduation of Aricka Winchester

(TFW 3.0-> Aricka, Adam, Castiel, Dean, Sam; and all the kids)

This was it. The culmination of everything that 18 year old Aricka Winchester (known to the public as Aricka Campbell) had been working for since she was in kindergarten.

She was graduating from high school. She would be attending online classes for the one and only Juilliard School- on a full ride scholarship-! She still couldn’t believe it. Aricka had always wanted to be an actress someday- ever since Dean showed her clips of Grease as a kid- but now that it was within her grasp she couldn’t believe it wasn’t just a dream.

And that wasn’t all the craziness. Not only was she graduating today, but she was also the valedictorian, graduating with academic honors and a final GPA of 3.98- all those sleepless nights cramming with Sam or the long car rides where Adam quizzed her with flash cards had finally paid off.

But they weren’t the only ones who had pushed her to this point.

Ever since Dean discovered that his little sister had big ambitions of becoming a fancy Broadway superstar, he’d researched every theater in the local Lebanon area, drove her to countless auditions, held her after every heartbreaking experience and celebrated with every role she played. He helped her memorize lines, took her headshot countless times, and made sure she regularly updated her acting resume.

And every person in the bunker had helped or cheered her on in some capacity. Castiel was her third biggest supporter; always asking her about her favorite shows; learning all the technical names for the theater, reminding her to “break a leg,” before every show.

Finally, she would pay her family back tenfold for their belief and support in her.

It was time to graduate. And she was ready.

~~~~~~~~~~

She wasn’t ready. Aricka felt her heart catch in her chest, her mouth dry like cotton, and her hands beginning to sweat. She couldn’t remember her speech- she couldn’t remember her speech-!

Whooshing. Wind- no, wings. The familiar flap of a trenchcoat. The scent of ocean and menthol cough drops.

Castiel.

“Cas…” she breathed; and the angel placed both hands on her shoulders firmly.

“You must breathe,” he says. “You have everything it takes to accomplish today. The hard part is over, yes? Today is about celebrating the hard work of the last four- no- eighteen years of your life.”

“Cas I’m not ready- I’m not ready for high school to end- I just got used to it -!” He pulls her into a hug - and she goes willingly, sinking into the angel’s grasp with a shaky sigh and a trembling body. “Cas I’m scared.”

“Good. To be scared means you’re human, and last I checked you were definitely human.” He laughs; the sound rumbling in his chest, soothing Aricka further.

“I’m being a baby, aren’t I.”

“No. You’re being a normal teenager who feels things,” he says. “It’s healthy to have emotions. To cry.”

“… You’ll be watching me right? Make sure I won’t fall?”

“If I even see you begin to slip I’ll “mojo” you back to standing,” he says, and she could hear the air quotes he wanted to make. It made her giggle.

“Thanks Cassie. I love you.”

Lips brush against her temple, right under her golden cap. “And I, you, sunflower.”

—————————

After several nauseatingly long moments, “Pomp and Circumstance,” began to play, and the gradating class of 2020 was ready to graduate.

Aricka turned to her right; takes seven steps; meets up with Samandriel- ah, yes. The angel- her soulmate-!- had went through the last four years of high school with her- under the name Alfie Johnson- and he was the salutatorian. She definitely wouldn’t have made it through the last four years without Manny at her side- he was her rock and her constant.

Dimly; she’s aware of Dean whistling and Sam quietly but also loud enough for her to hear proclaim, “Go Aricka!”

She grips Manny’s hand, he tucks it in his elbow; and he escorts her down the aisle to their row of chairs. The pair stand in front of their chairs and wait for the rest of their fellow graduates to file in after them.

—————-

“The 2020 class valedictorian is Aricka Campbell, under the guardianship of her older brothers Dean and Samuel Campbell.” The principal had to pause as an entire section of the bleachers erupted in cheers: whistles and stomping. “Aricka is a determined individual who remains committed to both her academics and extracurricular activities.As president of the theater and choral clubs, she introduced various musicals and advocated for the first ever glee club our school has seen. Throughout her high school years, Aricka has shone brightly in the spotlight onstage and on the field in marching band, as part of our color guard. She’s currently a member of the Battle of the Books club and has participated in drama, choir, band, FFA, newspaper, Spanish club, battle of the books, Solo and Ensemble and SADD since freshman year. She’s also been involved with the Sunshine club and tutors underclassmen in her free time.

Demonstrating her continued involvement in the community, Aricka participates in the local theater program over the summer, mentioning young children in the ways of the stage. . She has also participated in the Lebanon County Fair as part of their swine show and their creative music program. Upon graduation, she plans to spend time with her family on the road and at home, fully enjoying her summer before attending online classes at Juilliard School with a full scholarship. Ladies and gentlemen, your class of 2020 valedictorian, Miss Aricka Campbell.”

With sweaty palms and shaking breath; Aricka stood and made her way to the podium. She heard- very echoey but still heard- the cheers and applause of her family members as she organized the paper and calmed her nerves and breathing down. She looks up. Scans the bleachers. Finds a tan coat and green army jacket. Tense shoulders relax.

And then she speaks.

———————

“Good afternoon. Loving families, fellow graduates, and supporting staff, thank you all for being here today. My name is Aricka Campbell, and I am your 2020 valedictorian.

We did it. 9,467,280 minutes later, we have arrived at the moment our parents or guardians have longed for yet dreaded- graduation. I can safely say, this was nothing like Grease or Grease 2. Dean- you let me down dude. You crushed my soul.” She laughs and can almost hear Sammy tease Dean and Dean rolling his eyes.

“I always knew today would come. My brothers have been preparing me for this day since I started kindergarten. When I was little, we moved around a lot because of the job my brothers had. But then we found Kansas, and we found home. To quote Dorothy Gale from my favorite book, The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.”” She turns the page and continues,

“To my fellow graduates, the next few weeks are going to feel surreal. I’ve already felt it. But I have some advice I hope will help. You all helped me fit in when I was new here; five years ago when I was a scared and nervous eighth grader. Now it’s my turn to return and repay you all.” She looks at the chairs of graduating students before her and sees several of her friends smiling back- none prouder than Samandriel of course.

“I like to think of life as a Broadway musical. Act one is over. We might have a long or a short intermission, depending on what the future holds for each of us. For me, I have a shorter intermission than some, because I will be attending college in the fall. But for some, intermission is going to be longer. You might be taking a gap year. Or you might be joining the work force, looking for a job leading to a career. Whatever your second act looks like, from your resident theater geek; break a leg. Or in layman’s terms, good luck.” She winks, does jazz hands, and several people laugh.

“To our families, you’ve been the supporting cast our entire lives, cheering us on and pushing us ever since we began kindergarten. I want to give my personal family a shoutout- but I have a lot of family here so I’m going with four people in particular.” She takes a breath, already getting emotional.

“Cas. Thank you for all the late night snack chats, the ones Sam and Dean didn’t know about until now- oops. Thanks for lending a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and arms that give some of the best and warmest hugs ever.” She looks up just as the angel blows a kiss her direction, and she pretends to catch it right there in front of everyone. “I love you too-!” She clears her throat before moving on,

“Adam. We’ve been the “A-team,” since we met, and I’ll never forget the time you let me draw the muscle systems on you for a biology class. You always found a way to make learning fun and I’ll always be grateful for you.” Instead of looking for a reaction she pushes forward, saying,

“Sammy. You saw my academic potential and pushed me harder than I ever thought I could be pushed. You stayed up late with me countless nights and helped me memorize conjugations, formulas and procedures that I never would’ve learned without you. I love you more than words can express.”

Then came the one she knew would be hardest because of how easy it was to write.

“Dean. How can I thank you enough -? You raised me from the time I was a little kid- you’ve loved and supported me through thick and thin, and when you found out my biggest dream was to act you lifted me up to reach the stars. And now I’ve grabbed them. It’s truly all because you saw me better than anyone else. I love you De.” Here she looks up, eyes wet with tears and breath hard to find, “To infinity and beyond.”

Wiping her eyes: she smiles and says,

“And finally, to the staff. I’ll never forget the support and love I’ve felt from all of you. Especially the drama, choir, band and library staff. You’ve all been so supportive and wonderful and I’ll carry the memories of your teachings fondly.” One more final breath and she finishes,

“In closing, I’d like to leave you with the words of Walt Disney, “"Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do". "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them". "First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare".” She looks up at the audience. Stares each graduate in the eye.

“Always dare to be different. Dare to have faith. And dare to dream. Thank you.”

——————-

“When I call your name, graduates please come collect your diploma and pause for a picture. Families refrain from applause until all names have been called.”

Aricka already knew her family would ignore that- you try telling angels what to do. She knew how hard it was from personal experience.

“Olivia Anderson… Howard Bradenton…. Aricka Campbell….” As soon as her first name left the principal’s mouth, she heard that same section of bleachers explode in cheers, appease, whistling and stomping of feet.

“GO ARICKA!”

“SHE’S OUR SISTER!”

“WE LOVE YOU ARICKA!”

She blushes and apologizes to the principal, but a proud smile was on her face the remainder of the ceremony.

Aricka Winchester was loved. And she had the proof to show it.

Oh; and right before Samandriel went to get his diploma, he grabbed her; dipped her: and kissed her in front of the entire class of 2020, the staff, and every person in the gymnasium.

Yeah. She was definitely, completely, and totally, loved.

———————————

Aricka stood in the receiving line, Samandriel having “poofed” their diplomas to their shared room at the bunker, butterflies in her stomach as she waited to see who the first person of her family to emerge from the school would be.

…. And to nobody’s surprise; the first person was Dean. Her Dean. Neither of his AU counterparts, but the brother who had stepped up and taken care of her since she was four. The oldest Winchester immediately wrapped his baby sister in the biggest hug imaginable, one hand cradling her head against his shoulder like she was little again. No words were needed, but Dean still spoke. “I am so proud of you kid. The proudest. You worked so hard and now you’re here.”

Aricka soaked up every word, knowing Dean rarely got this emotional nor said this type of thing often; so she absorbed it like the sponge she was. “I meant it. I love you D.”

“Love you, short-stuff.” She giggled and he moved down the line. She was then swept off her feet by one very strong and tall and emotional Moose-brother of hers.

“SAMMY-!” She shrieks, laughing as he sets her down.

“She did it-!! You did it-!” She was nearly blinded by the megawatt smile Sam had on his face. “I’m proud of you squirt. I knew you could do it.”

“You were right Sammy. You were right.” She throws her arms around his middle and squeezes tightly, feeling his hand on the back of her head, the other around her shoulders. “I love you.”

Next was Adam; and he didn’t say a word as he tugged her in for a signature Adam hug. The two siblings simply held on to each other like cling wrap, Aricka’s face pressed into Adam’s shirt and his into the shoulder of her gown, eyes closed and hearts basically beating in sync as they stood there hugging. Aricka’s arms were under his, her chin resting on her own hand. Adam had one arm around her neck, the other firmly around her waist, this was a firm hug, a solid reminder that she still had him, and vice versa. “I love you,” was felt; not said in this moment.

Adam let go, and she was instantly pulled into four arms- Donna and Jody. Her honorary and true moms. She clung to them tightly and closed her eyes again, burrowing into their holds. “Oh baby…” Jody says.

“Great job pumpkin.” Donna kisses her forehead.

“Mom… mama.. I did it!”

“You sure did, and we’re so proud of you.”

“So proud.”

The next four in line were her brothers- from two different universes. First were the older two- versions of her brothers in a universe where they were heirs to a prestigious hunting corporation. In this universe they went by the aliases of Clay Forester and Alec Priestly.

“C’mere you-!” Alec- or Dean- said, reaching and grabbing her in for an almost rib-crushing hug, making her giggle. “You did that-! That speech was awesome.” She smiled- some things wouldn’t change, even in different universes.

“You should be proud of yourself,” Clay says- aka Sam. “I know I am.” The words made her smile. Just like her Sam, he scooped her off her feet, and she kicked them up in the air, sandals flopping lazily as she giggles.

“Clayyyy-!!!” He smacks a kiss onto her cheek and sets her down; the pair of them grinning wildly.

Then came two pairs of arms- one around her waist, the other around her neck. Her two little brothers- two versions of Sam and Dean from another universe Chuck destroyed. She wrapped her arms around each of them, tears flowing earnestly again, her little brothers almost overwhelming her with how much love she was feeling. “SIS!” 10 year old Sammy says. “You did it-!”

“You were so cool-!” 14 year old Dean added. She beams and hugs them again,

“Thanks guys. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

——————————-

“Alright! Winchester family! Line up for a family photo!” Uncle Bobby yells. They’d got their hug- Bobby roughly dragging her in for a moment and kissing the top of her forehead, the grizzly bear of a man whispering, “Congrats rugrat,” in her ear. He winked when she grabbed her little brothers’ hands and led them over to her five older brothers- Clay, Alec, Sammy, Dean and Adam. Her little brother Dean- nicknamed Jason- linked their arms together and little brother Sammy- aka Thomas/Tommy- jumped on her back, making her grunt but laugh as she wrapped her arms under his legs.

“Okay you guys-! Look at the camera-! 3-2-1 SMILE-!” Jody yells; and on cue all the Winchesters- this universe and the others- exclaim,

“CHEESE-!” Showing off exaggerated grins.

Then Aricka and Manny posed, once normal and one where Samandriel dipped her and kissed her, her holding her grad cap in her left hand tightly.

Aricka Winchester was ready to take on the world.

She’d saved it enough times, how hard would college be-?

————-

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

His little sister

(Aricka and Dean Winchester)

(The first time Dean interacted with his baby sister after John left.)

She was quiet. Too quiet. Dean wasn’t sure what to do with her.

Her. Aricka. The new little sibling his dad had just dropped into his lap; told him to look after, and left promptly after dumping a suitcase of her things along with a car seat in the backseat of the Impala.

Once Dean had figured out how to install said car seat, he watched her climb in, and then he buckled her in, only because he felt like she allowed it, and then he took off, not sure where he was headed, but he knew with a four year old tagging along now; more pit stops would be needed.

Aricka was small; he realized. Standing up, she only reached his hip, but she was- petite? He guessed- and looked a lot smaller. More fragile. Like a strong breeze would knock her down. He gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter, knuckles turning white with the realization that she was only four when exposed to the same life he’d grown up in-

Just like he was. Only four when a demon killed her mom. Only four when she herself almost died. If their dad hadn’t got there when he did- Dean shuddered with the implication.

She was cute; he’d admit. He’d always had a soft spot for kids- he raised Sammy after all- and he could admit that the kid in the backseat of his car was cute. Chin length brown ringlets framing a rounded, pale baby-fat face, freckles dotting her cheeks and nose like stars, and the brightest blue eyes he’d ever seen. She clung to a light brown teddy bear she had yet to reveal a name for, and her lower lip seemed to continually quiver with unshed emotion.

Dean wasn’t sure what little kids liked to listen to music wise, but he had an inkling it wasn’t the loud rock music that he enjoyed. He was, however, greatly impressed that the girl- Aricka, Dean, her name is Aricka- was bobbing her head in time with, “Cherry Pie,” by Warrant, but he still resolved to try and find some kid friendly music she might enjoy. She had had a hard enough time lately; the least he could do was give her music she could potentially sing along to.

His dad didn’t even tell Dean if she was allergic to anything- didn’t even tell Dean if she had a routine she was used to. Dean would once again have to make it up as he went along.

They drove until Dean figured Aricka might be starting to get hungry, and he pulled into a Dairy Queen drive through. “Hey; shortstop,” he said; and winces as the kiddo flinched. Blue eyes met his, and Dean held her gaze steady. “You hungry? Want some food?”

She nods, points to the picture of chicken strips and fries with the garlic bread. “Sounds good, anything else? A drink? Ice cream?” Those blue eyes widen and she points to a blue slushy looking drink. Dean wasn’t sure that was a good combination, but if the kid ate it why was he complaining?

She squished the slushy between her legs, and clutched her box of food in her tiny hands, humming softly as she ate- the first noise Dean had heard her make all day.

Dean watched as she put a chicken strip on a piece of bread, folded the bread over it, and took a bite- wow. Kid was a genius, figuring out how to make a sandwich like that.

She met his gaze in the mirror, and Dean expected the smile on her face to fade, but it seemed to only grow-?- as she watched him.

Then it hit him- he’d never told the squirt his name. He clears his throat. “So- kid. My name’s Dean. Dean Winchester. I’m your big brother. Your name’s Aricka, right?” She nods. “That’s a pretty name. I’ve never met an Aricka yet. Must be special, huh.” The girl nods.

Dean was struck again- she wasn’t talking. Almost like she could, but couldn’t at the same time.

Just like him. He swallowed something painful, dread filling his stomach that this kid was already so similar to him. Mom dead, dad bent on revenge now not just for his mother, but for her mother. “Hey,” he said, and she looks at him. “I know- I know you went through a lot today. And yesterday and all week before now. But- right now? I’m promising you. I’m never letting another bad thing happen to you, as long as I can stop it. You’re safe with me, kiddo. I’m a good guy. I fight the bad guys.”

Her lip quivers again, but she nods, pink lips stained blue from the slushy, and her eyes droop with sleep as she reaches with grease covered fingers for her teddy that’d fallen to the floor.

“Hey kiddo. You can get your teddy back when we get to that motel, see? It’s not far,” Dean says. The girl looks and nods, leaning back against her seat. She yawns, and rubs her eyes with the back of her hand.

And- yepppp. Dean was a goner. The girl in the backseat had officially stolen his heart with a single gesture. And he wasn’t even upset about it.

They pull into the first parking spot at the motel, and Dean unstraps Aricka from her seat, and to his surprise, once her bear was secured in her grip, she latched onto him, wrapping tiny arms around his neck and even scrawnier legs around his waist, and held on for dear life. He froze momentarily, forgetting what it felt like holding a kid, having never been tall like this to properly hold a kid, but now that he was here, he wrapped an arm back around her, supporting her back carefully as he grabbed her suitcase, pink with a Disney princess on it- he didn’t remember which one it was, but she had brown hair like Aricka, along with his bag from the trunk , and somehow managed to carry all those items inside, which garnered a smile from the receptionist. “Long day of travel?” She asks.

“Yeah, my-,” Dean almost said his sister until he realized that might’ve sounded sketchy. “My daughter and I need a room for the night.” He hands her one of his multiple fake identifications, this one happening to be “Brian Downey.” “Name’s Brian. This is Ella.” Thankfully Aricka seemed to be the shy around strangers type, because she didn’t call Dean out on the lie.

“Alright. I’ve got you in room 207, second floor, seventh room. Here’s your key, and enjoy your stay!” Dean thanks her quietly and makes his way to the room, where he set Aricka down, and began setting up the room, warding it like he’d done since he was a few years older than the girl sleeping on the bed.

Once he was done, he began waking up the kid on the bed so she could get ready to sleep- he knew he could’ve just let her sleep but she’d wore those clothes who knew how long and he wanted her to feel comfortable.

The girl roused as he rubbed her shoulder; those blue eyes pop open slowly, and she smiled, a little sunbeam after a storm, and she sat up, holding her arms out to Dean. He didn’t hesitate to scoop her up and hold her for a moment; letting her wake up for a moment. “We’ll discuss house rules tomorrow, kid,” he says, “but one thing that isn’t negotiable is shower-time before sleep. Deal?”

She nods and burrows her head in his shoulder, and she didn’t even know about Sammy yet but that was such a Sammy gesture Dean almost got whiplash from the memory.

The pair make quick work of the new bedtime routine, and Dean even manages to wrangle her hair into a pair of neat braids for overnight. The resulting smile was worth the struggle, Dean decides.

He lifts her into the bed and she snuggles down, her bear still tightly clutched against her. He runs a hand across her cheek, watches how she leaned against his touch, before tucking her in and whispering a little, “Good night,” before turning off the bedside lamp.

And so was day one of a beautiful sibling bond.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

StrangerNatural: return to the bunker

(The Hawkins Seven, the Party, team free will; Aricka Munson-Winchester x Billy Hargrove. Aricka Hopper x Steve)

(After they killed Vecna, everyone involved with the UpsideDown fight move to Kansas. Aricka comes home.)

(Aricka’s bedroom courtesy of Pinterest. If you want rooms for the teens and kids of Hawkins let me know-!)

All the cars that had left Hawkins pull into the garage of the bunker. Aricka pulls her baby- her ‘69 Dodge Charger- into it’s spot, right next to Dean’s car. She sits for a moment, anxiously gripping the steering wheel.

She was home. But was it still home-?

“Aricka?” Chrissy. “You okay, sweetie?” Always perceptive, that Chrissy Cunningham.

“Yeah,” she said. “Just a little anxious to be home.”

“Well, I don’t think anyone here blames you- for us it’s only been six months but for you it’s been six whole years. You have every right to be nervous.” Jeff, Lucas and Erica Sinclair had already exited the car, walking over to their friends. Aricka nods, and Robin squeezes her shoulder.

“Those brothers of yours seem to be the type to let you readjust at your own pace. Just take a moment to breathe.” Aricka smiles at her friends- two girls she’d considered sisters since she met them.

“Thanks guys.” She unlocks her door and climbs out. “Let’s do this.”

*time jump*

“Well- here’s the door shortstop.” Dean turns to her, and Aricka felt her eyes well up with tears. “I know I said it already but- welcome home.”

Aricka smiles and swipes at her face before walking up and gripping the door handle, twisting and pushing it open to reveal-

Home. Just like she’d left it.

The comforting smell of coffee, books, and something she never could quite identify washes over her, and Aricka walks over to the edge of the railing. Closes her eyes. Takes one long, deep breath in. Then opens her eyes.

She was home.

After a permissive glance, she walked over to the railing, climbed on, and slid down, duffle clutched tightly in her hands as she let out a victorious WHOOP-! And laughed, the others following behind her.

Billy walks over to her, takes her bag from her. “You okay?” He asks, those blue eyes searching for any sign that she was struggling. Aricka smiles back at him, stands on her tiptoes to kiss him.

“Honestly?” He nods. “I’ve got my family all together. For the first time in six years. I’ve never been happier.” She’d dreamed of the off chance of her two worlds colliding one day.

She’d never expected it to happen like this. But she was so happy it did.

~~~~~~~

“… and this is my room.” She pauses. “They didn’t take out the “Girl Cave,” sign. Huh.” That made her wonder- did they even touch her bedroom in the years she was gone?

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside so the kids and teens- the ragtag bunch of friends she’d managed to gather together, to turn into a family- could enter her space. “C’mon in guys. I’ve got plenty of space for you to sit, or chill out on. And I’ve got a mini fridge with drinks and a mini pantry of snacks- just help yourself.”

Dori walks over to the mini pantry, manages to find a snack that wasn’t expired after six years. “Aricka.." Dori starts, "I mean this in the nicest way possible. Your room is crazy!"

Aricka grins, and shakes her head. “I can explain each appliance if that helps. I’ve got a television, which I help pay for, a giant light that projects the planets and stars, the mini fridge and pantry are self explanatory…. I’ve got a karaoke machine, my lava lamp…My room at Wayne’s is just a toned down version of this. Eddie can vouch for me.”

Will climbs the ladder to her loft bed, where he found a familiar looking stuffed animal. “Chewie!” He picks up Aricka’s teddy bear. “You have two of them?”

“Yeah. Cas made the other one. He didn’t want me to be lonely.”

Dustin opens up the mini fridge, taking out a can of soda, "Aricka, you're officially the coolest person ever."

Aricka absolutely BEAMED at the kid. “I think you still hold that title. Professor D. Check out my computer. It’s like the ones in Hawkins but smaller, lightweight and portable.”

El picks up a purple cow print blanket. “Soft…” she whispers.

Aricka smiles. “You want it Janie?”

The girl nods eagerly.

“Then it’s yours now.” Jane grinned and wrapped the blanket around her like a cape, humming softly.

"Okay, but your tv is so... flat." Dori says walking up to it, "Are all modern tvs like this?"

“Yeah, it’s a flatscreen. Um- I don’t know how best to explain it. Sammy’s the tech geek of the five of us.”Max was currently sitting in the hammock in the corner of Aricka’s room, observing everything with her earbuds still in.

“Aricka- this photo wall- who are all these people?” Will asks, pointing to the photos along her wall.

Aricka’s expression turns to one of nostalgia. “It’s my family- uh- the rest of my family.”

"The rest of your family?" Dori asked

“Yeah. You guys all know I consider you my family now, right? Well.. these photos- they’re memories. Of people still living. Some who are not. But- everyone on this wall means something to me. This is how I commemorate their legacy.” Then she pulls out a book, containing various Polaroids. “Now, I can add more, and tell you all stories of the family I have here?”

“That's cool." Dustin smiles, looking over the pictures.

“That’s neat that you chose to honor them like that,” Steve commented.

“Thanks Stevie- oh, that’s my mama,” Aricka says, pointing at a picture of a woman in a police uniform. “Sherif Jody Mills. Aka mama Jody. She’s got a house for “wayward daughters.” I spent a few months with her when I was 14- I needed a mom really badly then. That’s when I started calling her that. Her and momma Donna. They both consider me their kid.”

Aricka selects her first picture- one of her and Dori at the arcade from a few months back- and hangs it right beside the one of Jody.

Dori smiles, and Eddie nudges their shoulder.

“… that’s Ellen and Jo.” Aricka is somber for this memory. “They died saving me and Sammy and De. Jo was-,” her lip quivers. “She was like my sister.”

A picture of Aricka and Eddie singing together goes beside them- a brother by a sister.

Dori places their hand on Aricka's shoulder, "I'm sorry."

Aricka shakes her head. Wipes her face. “I was ten. It was a while ago. I’m okay now.”

“Who’s that?” Will asks, pouting to a scruffy looking man.

Aricka’s whole attitude changed as she grinned. “Aw, that’s Garth-! He’s one of my best friends - he’s a werewolf who defeated the tooth fairy.”

Dustin's eyes widen, ".... I don't even know how to process what you just said." he chuckles.

Aricka giggles. “Trust me, you get used to it. Especially in this line of work. Dean and Sam are probably telling Joyce and Jim and uncle Wayne all sorts of stories.”

Aricka hangs a picture of the kids by a picture of a boy wearing a red and white striped shirt with a matching hat. She smiles fondly yet still with some sadness.

“That’s Samandriel. An angel. Um.. Billy knows already but he was my first boyfriend. He died a few months before I came to Hawkins.”

"Oh man... I'm sorry that happened."

“Billy and I helped each other in a lot of ways.” She smiles at the boy, who was looking at her pictures.

“You told me about this girl-said Buckley would like her.”

“Oh yeah, Charlie! Robin you would LOVE Charlie. She’s a total nerd and loves a good montage moment”.

"Sounds like my kind of girl." Robin says, "I'd love to get to know her someday."

“She’s gonna probably kill me when she finds out I’m back… and I haven’t texted her yet.. but in my defense it’s been six years technically since I’ve texted- .”

“Texted? What’s that?” Robin interjects.

“Oh!” Aricka pulls her phone out. “I’ll show you. Remind me we need to get all of you Hawkins natives phones- and phone numbers- and at least one social media app.” She pulls up her messaging app. “So this is Charlie’s contact information. I’m gonna click it, and this thread is our conversation- holy wow. June 19th at 8:45 was my last text to Charlie- lemme just send her a message.”

Aricka’s fingers fly across the phone keyboard as she sends out a message to her sister/friend.

“The prodigal sisters returns-! Missed you Cici.”

"Wow. Pretty convenient way of contacting someone." Dori said.

“Yeah, technology advances pretty quickly once y2k happens. My favorite invention thus far is the air fryer… genius.”

"The WHAT?" Dustin asked.

“It a machine that fries food but doesn’t make it greasy- it’s amazing”.

“Okay, that's the first thing we're gotta try as soon as possible." Max walks over and ducks under Aricka’s arm, wrapping both of hers around her big sister’s waist. “Hey there, it’s my all time favorite red headed teenager.”

Max smiles and leans her head against Aricka. “I’m with Dustin- I’m hungry.”

“Okay, I can make us some air fryer pizza rolls and French fries, how’s that sound?”

"YEAH!" Dustin exclaimed

“Yes please.” El says, followed by various agreements:

“Sounds good.”

“Whatever you make is fine.”

“I’d like it.”

“Heck yeah.”

Dean walks in then. Notices the redhead- Max, or as Aricka called her; MadMax. “Heard you say you’re gonna make food- but aside from that how’s settling in going? We have plenty of space for all of you to have your own rooms.”

“We’re good Dean,” the cheerleader with an edge to her- Chrissy, he reminded himself- says; a smile on her face. “Aricka’s just introducing us to the rest of her family.”

~~~~~~~~~

Dean woke up to a loud scream followed by two different sets of feet thumping down the hallway. He gave the two sets of feet five minutes to reach their destination before he gave pursuit, when he heard voices coming from room 20- the room “Little Red” as he’d nicknamed Max, had claimed.

“Hey, Maxie, it’s me and Aricka- just breathe. We’re going to stay here until you feel better.” That was Billy. Aricka had explained in brief detail the story of these two- and he felt a sort of older brother connection to the kids.

“It’s okay, MadMax, we’re at the bunker. Sammy De and Cassie wouldn’t let anybody who wanted to hurt us past the door. We’re all safe. We all left Hawkins. We’re starting a new life- a new family. All of us. We won’t let anyone get hurt- we’ll keep each other safe. Just go back to sleep.” That was Aricka. Hearing his, Sam and Cas’s names being listed as protectors brought a sad sort of smile to his face.

“I’ll fight off the bad dreams kid. You sleep now.” When the room went quiet after a moment, he poked his head into the room to check on them- and this time the smile on his face wasn’t a sad one; it was a fond one.

Max was in the middle of the bed, dried tears sticking to her red cheeks as she clung to Billy even in her sleep. Aricka had her arms protectively around both siblings- defensive even in sleep. Billy also had both of the girls in his arms, but the blanket had shifted down to their knees in the shuffle to get comfortable, he assumed. So he pulled the blanket back up so they wouldn’t get cold during the night, flicked on the nightlight Aricka had insisted each “kid” and “teen” get- having experiences with her own nightmares- and then quietly left the room.

They could all talk in the morning. If he was gaining new siblings, he wanted to help them any way he could.

Not that he’d ever phrase it that way. But they would know. And that’s all that mattered.

————

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