When Dean had first invited Carmen to the bunker for Thanksgiving, she had been nervous about meeting his parents. In her world, she and Mary were friends. From her experience with Itinere and Dean, she knew that it wasn't guaranteed that Mary would be the same here. Honestly, she was more nervous about meeting Mary than she was about meeting John.
Dinner was awkward at first (Dean had filled Carmen in on the drama with Ruby and Sam--she'd been curious exactly what a demon would look like, but she couldn't tell Ruby was anything except a woman), but things had gotten easier and dinner had become enjoyable. However, she hadn't been prepared to stay the night (she kind of figured that Dean would stay at her place that night after he'd taken her home). Getting snowed in had changed her plans.
She'd slept in one of Dean's tee shirts. She's short and Dean is tall and had they been around anyone other than his parents, she probably would have just worn that around the bunker. However, his parents are there, which means in the morning she puts Dean's robe on over the tee shirt she'd worn, ties it around the waist, and heads toward the laundry room to wash the outfit she'd worn for Thanksgiving (black leggings, knee high boots and a nice sweater). That's where she runs into Mary.
"I promise I don't normally run around in a bathrobe," she starts. "I didn't bring an overnight bag. I was kind of hoping to wash this stuff. Dean says it looks like we're going to be snowed in for at least another day and night."
Likewise, Mary was not sure what to expect of Carmen because of the little Dean filled her in on. However, nervous was the furthest thing she felt about meeting Carmen. What was more accurate for Mary was her looking forward to meet someone her son had decided to have over for Thanksgiving.
A plus would be the lack of drama around Carmen, as well. Dinner went as good as it could have. Sure there was interest in Sam and Ruby being so close to each other at the table, but the night didn't come to a close without some light on Carmen and vice versa.
Laundry is only a weekly thing Mary keeps up with, but the general assumption today is that they will be in for another day and that has her uneasy. Laundry is something useful to keep her mind off of it. Running into Carmen there presents an opportunity for a little one on one.
Her lips tug into an understanding smile. "Dean is right. It looks like another day at least," she assures her without bringing up the bathrobe. Maybe she could be considered old fashioned, but it doesn't bother her at all. "If I can suggest the simplest solution: we toss our things in together and I lend you a shirt and a pair of slacks... You look just about the same size as me."
Carmen and Dean are still new in Itinere and it's complicated. They're taking things slow and Carmen is still getting used to this world. He's told Mary about some of the complications (he thought it only fair considering Carmen knows Mary in her world). Dean hadn't wanted Carmen to spend the holidays alone even if they are still a new, undefined thing.
It will be nice, getting to know this version of Mary. Maybe Carmen will feel like she can get her feet under her here.
The bathrobe is preferable to running around in just a tee shirt. Carmen smiles a little at Mary's offer. "That would be great. Thank you. Do things like this happen often? Getting snowed in, I mean."
Mary understands slow, but a signal or feeling she has tells her that Dean and Carmen might just work out. Of course nothing was certain when she has been getting to know Dean for a short while as well. She's heard everything she has the right to hear about Carmen and it's appreciated. Carmen spending the holiday dinner with them was just the fresh air they needed from tense events.
It will make the two of them. Carmen shouldn't be more than a year younger than her either.
There is not a soul in the bunker who would not agree with that. Mary tilts her head, but does not have to think too far back. "You're welcome. It's the first time I've been around to see it happen, but you will have to ask Dean if it happens often." While they're talking, she'll get the detergent. Mary does not yet trust tide pod to have the same clean.
Carmen hopes so. She'd loved her life with Dean and it had been snatched away back in her world. This feels like a second chance even if there are ways that Dean in this world isn't like Dean in her world.
She nods. "I grew up in Wisconsin so snow reminds me a little of home. Though, we're rarely snowed in there."
Mary can't begin to imagine Carmen's situation. Two Dean. It's almost as crazy as learning angels are real and she lives with one in a bunker. In time she might come to realize Carmen and her have something in common there too. Their men aren't entirely the same (only for different reasons). Carmen offering a little bit of her history allows Mary to smile warmly. "It doesn't happen often in Kansas either. At least in my experience being snowed in only lasts a few days."
Two Deans that are very different and yet so much the same. Her Dean had grown up with a mother and a father. Sure, he'd gotten into trouble when he was young, but he hadn't had the commitment issues that this Dean has. The smile relaxes Carmen a little. Mary is different from the woman she knew in Lawrence, Kansas, but like Dean, she's also very much the same.
"I don't mind. It's nice. Having this much family around. I grew up with three older brothers so I've kind of always lived in a frat house," she joke. "I would have been more prepared if I'd known though. The weather forecasts here are a little scarce." As in non-existent.
It's nice that Carmen can compartmentalize them like that. Of course she
can't be the Mary Carmen knew from home but she would like to be a friend
anyway.
"Then you know what to expect. I grew up with an older brother and my
cousins were around often but Winchester men are something else." She
chuckles. "I wish we could be prepared all the time. Though, I do not
mind." She turns on the machine and head tilts for Carmen to follow her to
room 15. "Try these on." She hands her a purple flannel shirt and regular
jeans.
It's a work in progress. She's trying to let go of her life back in her own world. Carmen would like for her to be a friend as well. She knows that neither Mary or Dean will be the people she knows, but she's falling in love with this Dean and she'll be friends with this Mary if given the chance.
"I'm beginning to figure that out," Carmen smiles. "I only had Dean to judge from before," she responds. Carmen follows Mary to the room and takes the clothes Mary hands her. "Thank you," she responds and shakes the jeans out to slip them on under the tee-shirt she's wearing then slips the flannel shirt on over the shirt as well. The jeans are a little long, but otherwise the clothes fit well. "Do you like it here? Itinere, I mean."
No one expects Carmen let go of her old life completely. The memories alone
are worth holding on to, which Mary more than understands. Being friends
will always be an option for them because of how she cares for Dean.
Mary glances back at Carmen but refrains from asking why only Dean.
Whatever it is, it doesn't reflect reality in Itinere. They're both women
but Mary does not make eye contact with Carmen while she puts on her
clothes. The fit appears decent enough, Mary thinks, and Carmen looks more
like one of them which brings her to smile. Mary has to think very little
on the question. "I wouldn't trade it to be any where else." But the most
important thing to her will always be family. As for some of the other
stuff, she shrugs her head at an angle. "The town itself is... I think of
it like a move where there's things you will miss about home but then there
are the things that will make it worth it to stay."
Carmen can use all the friends she can get if she's going to make a life and a home here.
Carmen will tell her if she asks, but she'd rather not share too many of the unpleasant details from her life before Itinere. She probably should have asked if Mary minded if she changed there. Most of Carmen's modesty had fled after a few months of being a beer girl and walking around in a bikini most of the time. Carmen listens, nodding a little. "I know we're just getting to know each other here, but I trust you back home and it helps to know that you like it here," Carmen tells her honestly. She smiles at Mary's reassurances. "I was so homesick when I first moved to Kansas for work, but I did get used it and it did become a place worth staying." Because of Dean, but not just because of Dean. She thinks things might be similar here.
Mary and everybody else would agree that she can make herself at home in
the bunker.
It's not Mary's place to pry. It's no bother that Carmen changes in front
of her; Mary is used to it from her school days and the changing room. Eye
contact seems a little impolite until Carmen is dressed. No matter how many
times it comes up Mary still can only feel strange about there being other
versions of her, but she appreciates what Carmen is saying. "If you need to
get anything else off your mind anything, I am here to listen." It goes
without saying that it is difficult to adjust but when Mary smiles she
knows Carmen can get through it. She smiles a little more when Carmen tells
her about moving to Kansas because that's the attitude and knowledge that
will get her through this. "That's the kind thinking you need to hold on
to. Now that you're dressed, why don't we get breakfast."
no subject
Date: 2019-12-18 01:43 am (UTC)Dinner was awkward at first (Dean had filled Carmen in on the drama with Ruby and Sam--she'd been curious exactly what a demon would look like, but she couldn't tell Ruby was anything except a woman), but things had gotten easier and dinner had become enjoyable. However, she hadn't been prepared to stay the night (she kind of figured that Dean would stay at her place that night after he'd taken her home). Getting snowed in had changed her plans.
She'd slept in one of Dean's tee shirts. She's short and Dean is tall and had they been around anyone other than his parents, she probably would have just worn that around the bunker. However, his parents are there, which means in the morning she puts Dean's robe on over the tee shirt she'd worn, ties it around the waist, and heads toward the laundry room to wash the outfit she'd worn for Thanksgiving (black leggings, knee high boots and a nice sweater). That's where she runs into Mary.
"I promise I don't normally run around in a bathrobe," she starts. "I didn't bring an overnight bag. I was kind of hoping to wash this stuff. Dean says it looks like we're going to be snowed in for at least another day and night."
no subject
Date: 2019-12-18 04:14 am (UTC)A plus would be the lack of drama around Carmen, as well. Dinner went as good as it could have. Sure there was interest in Sam and Ruby being so close to each other at the table, but the night didn't come to a close without some light on Carmen and vice versa.
Laundry is only a weekly thing Mary keeps up with, but the general assumption today is that they will be in for another day and that has her uneasy. Laundry is something useful to keep her mind off of it. Running into Carmen there presents an opportunity for a little one on one.
Her lips tug into an understanding smile. "Dean is right. It looks like another day at least," she assures her without bringing up the bathrobe. Maybe she could be considered old fashioned, but it doesn't bother her at all. "If I can suggest the simplest solution: we toss our things in together and I lend you a shirt and a pair of slacks... You look just about the same size as me."
no subject
Date: 2019-12-20 01:44 am (UTC)It will be nice, getting to know this version of Mary. Maybe Carmen will feel like she can get her feet under her here.
The bathrobe is preferable to running around in just a tee shirt. Carmen smiles a little at Mary's offer. "That would be great. Thank you. Do things like this happen often? Getting snowed in, I mean."
no subject
Date: 2020-01-01 03:29 am (UTC)It will make the two of them. Carmen shouldn't be more than a year younger than her either.
There is not a soul in the bunker who would not agree with that. Mary tilts her head, but does not have to think too far back. "You're welcome. It's the first time I've been around to see it happen, but you will have to ask Dean if it happens often." While they're talking, she'll get the detergent. Mary does not yet trust tide pod to have the same clean.
no subject
Date: 2020-01-03 01:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-01-11 03:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-01-13 02:23 am (UTC)"I don't mind. It's nice. Having this much family around. I grew up with three older brothers so I've kind of always lived in a frat house," she joke. "I would have been more prepared if I'd known though. The weather forecasts here are a little scarce." As in non-existent.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-08 01:17 am (UTC)It's nice that Carmen can compartmentalize them like that. Of course she can't be the Mary Carmen knew from home but she would like to be a friend anyway.
"Then you know what to expect. I grew up with an older brother and my cousins were around often but Winchester men are something else." She chuckles. "I wish we could be prepared all the time. Though, I do not mind." She turns on the machine and head tilts for Carmen to follow her to room 15. "Try these on." She hands her a purple flannel shirt and regular jeans.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-08 03:43 am (UTC)"I'm beginning to figure that out," Carmen smiles. "I only had Dean to judge from before," she responds. Carmen follows Mary to the room and takes the clothes Mary hands her. "Thank you," she responds and shakes the jeans out to slip them on under the tee-shirt she's wearing then slips the flannel shirt on over the shirt as well. The jeans are a little long, but otherwise the clothes fit well. "Do you like it here? Itinere, I mean."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-09 09:47 pm (UTC)No one expects Carmen let go of her old life completely. The memories alone are worth holding on to, which Mary more than understands. Being friends will always be an option for them because of how she cares for Dean.
Mary glances back at Carmen but refrains from asking why only Dean. Whatever it is, it doesn't reflect reality in Itinere. They're both women but Mary does not make eye contact with Carmen while she puts on her clothes. The fit appears decent enough, Mary thinks, and Carmen looks more like one of them which brings her to smile. Mary has to think very little on the question. "I wouldn't trade it to be any where else." But the most important thing to her will always be family. As for some of the other stuff, she shrugs her head at an angle. "The town itself is... I think of it like a move where there's things you will miss about home but then there are the things that will make it worth it to stay."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-13 12:04 am (UTC)Carmen will tell her if she asks, but she'd rather not share too many of the unpleasant details from her life before Itinere. She probably should have asked if Mary minded if she changed there. Most of Carmen's modesty had fled after a few months of being a beer girl and walking around in a bikini most of the time. Carmen listens, nodding a little. "I know we're just getting to know each other here, but I trust you back home and it helps to know that you like it here," Carmen tells her honestly. She smiles at Mary's reassurances. "I was so homesick when I first moved to Kansas for work, but I did get used it and it did become a place worth staying." Because of Dean, but not just because of Dean. She thinks things might be similar here.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-17 03:19 am (UTC)Mary and everybody else would agree that she can make herself at home in the bunker.
It's not Mary's place to pry. It's no bother that Carmen changes in front of her; Mary is used to it from her school days and the changing room. Eye contact seems a little impolite until Carmen is dressed. No matter how many times it comes up Mary still can only feel strange about there being other versions of her, but she appreciates what Carmen is saying. "If you need to get anything else off your mind anything, I am here to listen." It goes without saying that it is difficult to adjust but when Mary smiles she knows Carmen can get through it. She smiles a little more when Carmen tells her about moving to Kansas because that's the attitude and knowledge that will get her through this. "That's the kind thinking you need to hold on to. Now that you're dressed, why don't we get breakfast."