Chapter Text
As the council had promised, they had a caretaker hired for the king within the week. She was a portly woman with graying hair and the kind of attitude that came from doing nothing but raising other people’s children for the majority of one's life. Her name was Imelda and she insisted on speaking to Dean in a patronizing tone, using only the simplest of terms to communicate with him. He may have the body of a boy but he still had the mind and memories of a man and he refused to be treated like some half witted child. She had run from the castle after the boy threatened to have her beheaded if she asked him if he “needed to use the pot pot” one more time.
The next maid tried to force him through hours of studies a day, which he refused. He knew his basic arithmetic and didn’t need to relearn it simply because he looked as if he knew nothing once more. Dean had caused her to quit after he refused to stop throwing his lesson books at her head. She had called him a tyrant as he fled. The name hadn’t hurt him before the curse, he had taken it in stride each time a citizen had screamed it at him, but now the term caused feelings of shame and insecurity to stab at him. These feelings only served to enrage him further.
By maids three through five Dean had made a sport out of seeing how quickly he could get his caretakers to quit. From petty pranks, to temper tantrums, to threats of treason charges, absolutely nothing was off of the table. His best time was 18 hours, although it wasn’t all by his hand that the woman fled from the grounds. A group of assassins had made it all the way to his tower undetected before his guards found them. He and the maid had hidden in his inner rooms and she had left as soon as the guards had said it was safe to come out.
Maid number six was nothing like his previous caretakers and he couldn’t help but stare a bit as she entered the council chambers where Dean waited with Charlie by his side. She was thin, blonde, and much younger than all of the women the council had selected before. She had an air of authority about her that Dean quickly found irritating. He was the authority here, not her.
“This is Mary of Winchester, my lord. She has a background in protection and we feel like this may be a better fit for everyone’s needs.” Called Crowley from his spot to Dean’s left.
“Very well. I’m ready to retire now.” The boy king feigned a yawn but his heart beat rapidly within his chest.
Dean all but skipped his way through the halls, this would be the shortest lived maid yet. Not even two hours with the boy. He had propped a jug on the top of the door to Mary’s quarters, when she opened it to put her things away the jug would fall on her head. She would leave with a bruised head and ego and maybe the council would finally give up on the thought that he even needed a watcher. He wasn’t a child in need of a nursemaid.
The trio made their way to the king's center chambers and Mary paid attention as the boy grew more and more anxious. She set her things down and looked around the larger sitting area. The king had his own office, library, sitting room, bathroom and bedroom to himself in this tower. There was even a small room tucked away for her that Dean pointed out.
“Why don’t you go put your things away and then we can play.” Dean said sweetly to Mary, giving her his best smile.
“Actually, Charlie, if you don’t mind taking my bags into my room I would really appreciate it. I wanted to speak with Dean for a few minutes.”
“No! I mean, Mary, wouldn’t you feel better if you put all of your things away yourself? Charlie might not do it properly.” Dean tried to cover his apprehension.
“It doesn’t take a genius to hang the dresses and fold everything else, my lord. I’m sure Charlie can handle it. Go on dear.” Mary made a shooing motion to Charlie who once again began to drag the bags towards the other room.
“Stop! I want Mary to do it!” Dean shouted, panicking now.
“That’s enough!” Mary raised her voice to be heard over Dean’s growing tantrum.
“Either tell me what’s really going on, Dean, or Charlie is going to go put my things away for me. And I think there is a good reason you don’t want her going into my room.” Mary’s voice was calm but serious and Dean shivered a little bit as she spoke.
“There’s a jug propped up on the door, it will fall on whoever opens the door first.” Dean moaned, upset that he had been caught and also feeling a bit guilty over his prank at this point.
Mary walked over to the smaller bedroom, standing as far back as she could, and used her foot to nudge the door open. The weight of the jug propelled the door open as it came crashing down. The trio stared in silence as ceramic shattered, leaving shards spread throughout the bedroom and the common room.
“Thank you, Charlie. That will be all for now. I think the king and I will be fine on our own until dinner.” The dismal was clear as day and Charlie fled after a hurried curtsy.
Dean could feel his anxiety mounting as Mary crossed the room to sit on the couch next to where he was standing. Today was definitely not going how he had planned.
“Dean,” Mary began, leaning forward so that she knew he was listening. “Why did you put that jug on the door?”
“I thought it would hurt a little bit and you would be so mad that you would leave. Then maybe the council would drop this watcher business. I don’t need a watcher. I have Charlie.” Dean crossed his arms over his chest. He refused to feel badly about what he had done.
“Charlie is wonderful, Dean. But she is not equipped to be a member of your guard or to help raise you.” Mary’s voice was tender, she could see how much the girl meant to him. But she was barely grown herself.
“I don’t need anyone to raise me! I’m a grown man! Just because that witch made me look like a child doesn’t mean I am one!” Dean was yelling now. He didn’t get why no one understood that he was still Dean! He was just a bit smaller now.
“No, Dean, you’re not a grown man anymore. A grown man does not throw temper tantrums in the middle of council meetings because he doesn’t get his way. He doesn’t scare away the people that are hired to look after him. And an adult would have realized that the prank you attempted to play would have seriously injured, or killed, whoever entered that room.”
“I didn’t want to really hurt anyone.” Dean felt small now. He knew his emotions were a bit dysregulated at the moment, but he was a bit ashamed to admit that he most definitely threw temper tantrums when things didn’t go his way even before the curse.
“I was hoping we’d have a chance to settle in before having this conversation but it doesn’t look like we can avoid it now.” Mary started, “I have been hired to keep you safe and to guide you through childhood until you either age to adulthood again or we find a way to remove the witch’s curse. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Dean said through gritted teeth, if he didn’t argue maybe they would get through this conversation and he could go find Charlie faster.
“I have few rules but I take them very seriously. First you will treat yourself and others with respect. That means pranks like this will not be tolerated. It means that you will think about how you speak to others. And it means that you will not do things that will put yourself in harm's way. Do you have any questions?” The blonde asked, waiting for Dean to shake his head in response, before moving on.
“Secondly, you will do as you are asked and when you are asked. This rule is pretty straightforward.” Mary continued without checking in this time.
“Lastly, we do not lie to each other. If I ask you a question I expect an honest answer. Hiding things or telling half truths is unacceptable. I may not always be able to tell you things, Dean, but if you ask me a direct question I will always give you a direct and honest answer. Do you have any questions?”
Dean shook his head once more, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
“If you break any of my rules, I have a variety of consequences I might give you. You may be put to bed early, given lines to write, have to stand in the corner, or you may find yourself over my knee for a spanking.”
“If you lay a hand on me I will have you hanged faster than you can beg for mercy.” Dean did his best attempt at a growl as he spoke, but his voice was light and airy and he was infuriated by it.
Dean did his best to dart out of the way as Mary stood but she was much faster than he expected. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him to her. He found himself face down over her lap before he could even really process what was going on.
“Let me go! The council will have you ruined!” Dean squeaked, blood rushing to his face.
“Enough!” Mary’s voice was firm as she brought her hand crisply down across the boy's waiting bottom. Dean shrieked in response but otherwise stayed quiet.
“I’ve already spoken to the council about my methods, though youre welcome to ask them, and they have approved them.” She said as she brought her hand down a few more times. Dean felt tears stinging at his eyes already as he squirmed.
“You’ve been very disrespectful today, Dean. Attempting to hurt me and get rid of me before we’ve even met, raising your voice to me, and threatening me. I won’t put up with it, do you understand?” The elder woman spanked as she lectured.
“Yes, I’m sorry!” Dean cried, tears running down his face. “Please, no more! I’m sorry!”
Mary paused for a moment, rubbing the boys back until he had calmed down a bit. Once he had settled down she reached to deans pants and drew them to his knees, leaving his little red behind bare. She wanted to be sure she hadn’t hurt him but she also had to set her expectations for him.
“What are you doing!” Dean screeched, voice hoarse already from crying.
“Naughty little boys are spanked on their bare bottoms, Dean Daniel.” Mary said matter of factly and brought her hand down six more times bringing forth a fresh wave of tears from Dean.
As soon as she was done Mary pulled the boy up and into an embrace. She rubbed the boys back soothingly as he calmed down. He curled into her and leaned his head against the blonde woman’s chest.
“All is forgiven now, Dean. We will always start with a fresh clean slate after you’ve been punished.”
Dean nodded, feeling oddly lighter now than he had in weeks. He was also pretty tired.
“Why don’t I put you down for a nap and we’ll talk more once you’re awake?” Mary asked softly, brushing the boy's hair away from his forehead.
Dean didn’t respond, already asleep.
--- ---
Dean woke up a little confused. He didn’t remember going to bed but here he was nicely tucked under the safety of his duvet. Rubbing his eyes he heard laughter from the other side of his door. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he realized it was Charlie laughing. Why was she laughing without him?
He stepped into the living room, scowl firmly in place, to see Charlie and Mary setting the little table in the corner for dinner as they chatted.
“Good evening, m’lord!” Charlie greeted him warmly, red hair flying as she flirted around the table.
“Hey yourself.” Dean grumbled, her bright attitude irritating him even more than usual.
“You can go back to your room and try that again, please.” Mary’s voice was firm and clear as she spoke.
“What!” Dean raged, the scowl on his face getting worse.
“Rule number one is we treat ourselves and others with respect. Charlie greeted you nicely and you, for no reason that I can decipher, were rude. Return to your room and you may come out when you can interact respectfully with others.” Mary moved towards Dean in an attempt to herd him back into his bedroom.
“Really, ma’am, it’s no big deal.” Charlie tried to interrupt but was cut off by Dean’s response.
“I’ll talk to my maid, and anyone else, how I like.” Dean was furious now and yelling at Mary. “You don’t get to come in here and pretend like you’re in charge! I am the king! I am in charge!”
“You may be the king, Dean, but your behavior is unacceptable. I am asking you to return to your bedroom until you are ready to be respectful. I will not ask you again.”
“I will do no such thing!” Dean screamed in response.
Mary moved forward to grab the boy and he dropped to the floor like his bones had turned to liquid. He was sobbing and yelling that he was the king and what he said goes. Dodging kicking feet and fists intent on harming anyone that came near him the watcher hoisted the boy from the floor and deposited him onto his bed.
“You’re welcome to come out when you’re done with this tantrum you’re having.” Was all the blonde woman said as she exited the room, shutting the door behind her.
Charlie hadn’t moved from where she had been when Dean had exploded but seeing Mary retreat from the king's bedroom seemed to spur her into action. She nervously finished laying out dinner and then waited quietly, unsure of what to do next.
“It’s okay, Charlie. He’s just in a mood. He’ll be fine after he has a good cry and faces the consequences of his behavior.” Mary assured the girl. “Come check on us in a little while, go enjoy yourself for a bit.”
“Yes ma’am, thank you ma’am.” Charlie curtsied and fled the room once more.
Mary sat in a chair between the fireplace and the large window that faced the rear grounds. She found herself losing interest in her book and watching the castle bustle around in the setting sun below their tower.
“I picked this tower because you can see the stables from here. It’s my favorite part of the grounds. I haven’t been down since the curse though.” Dean said hesitantly from his spot in the doorway to his room.
“We can go tomorrow if you like, although we’ll probably have to have the stable master find you a horse more suited to your current riding level. I heard you liked them wild and fast as a grown man.” Responded the woman tenderly, speaking as if she had known the king before his transition.
“Really? Even after I was disrespectful?” Dean asked hopefully.
“Really. We’ll stop by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have Charlie let them know to expect us.” Mary assured him.
“I need to apologize to Charlie.” He murmured, face bright red.
“Yes, you do, and we need to talk about that impressive tantrum you threw my little tyrant. But first, let’s eat dinner. I’m sure you must be hungry.”
Right on cue, Dean's stomach rumbled loudly and he grinned sheepishly and he headed to the table where Mary joined him.
Dinner was pleasant between the two of them. Mary asked questions about his first childhood, what he liked to do in his free time both as a boy and an adult, was he close with his parents before, what was his favorite topic in school, was there anything he wanted to learn that he hadn’t gotten to before now. She really just seemed interested in getting to know him, and slowly Dean let down his walls. She may be strict but she really was pretty nice otherwise. He guesses this watcher thing wouldn’t be so bad after all.
After dinner he helped Mary tidy things up so that it would be easier for Charlie to take their dishes back to the kitchen. Something he felt a bit guilty about never doing before. Once things were neat and they had washed their hands and faces Mary pulled Dean over by the couch again.
“We need to talk about that tantrum, Dean. Do you want to tell me what happened?” Mary asked, catching Dean off guard. He had expected a lecture and a spanking sure, but asking why he had been upset? What did that matter?
He shrugged in response and Mary shook her head.
“I expect verbal answers when I ask you a question, Dean. You don’t have to tell me, if you’re not ready to talk about it yet, but I can’t help if you don’t tell me what is bothering you.” Mary said kindly.
“I don’t know.” Dean whined, it seemed so much easier than saying he didn’t want to talk about it.
Mary’s face darkened and he shrank into the couch.
“Dean, I will always know when you are lying. Call it a super power, but I can always tell when people are fibbing. I’m going to give you a pass this one time because you’re learning how to communicate your feelings but this is your only pass. I think what you meant to say is ‘I’m not ready to talk about it yet.’” The blonde woman’s tone was firm as she spoke, but not cruel or teasing.
“I’m not ready to talk about it yet.” Dean whispered back, trying to stop his tears from falling. He was just messing left and right today.
“Alright, sweet boy, let’s get this over with.” Mary pulled Dean off the couch and in front of her and began pulling his pants down for the second time that day.
“Please, not bare.” Dean whined.
“Little boys that throw tantrums get their bare bottoms spanked.” Mary recited and she pulled him across her knee.
She kept the spanking brief, all physical evidence of his earlier spanking had faded but she knew it was still in the forefront of his mind. It didn’t take more than a few spanks for the boy to be crying and spewing apologies. Once his bottom was pink she pulled him into an embrace once again and rocked him back and forth as his tears dried.
“I’m really sorry.” Dean hiccuped as he relaxed into her. No one had rocked him since his mother had died. The thought threatened to bring fresh tears to his eyes so he pushed it away and snuggled closer to his watcher.
“You need to apologize to Charlie and then all will be forgiven, my tyrant king.” Mary said kindly. Dean searched for any trace of teasing in the nickname but found none. It was nice to hear with no malice behind the nickname for once.
They cuddled until the redheaded maid returned to turn the bedrooms down and clear away their dinner things. She accepted the boy king's apologies with no issue. After Charlie left Mary insisted that Dean retire for the evening.
“You don’t have to sleep, but you need to be in bed.” She decreed as she tucked him in.
“Good night, Dean.” The older woman said kindly.
“Good night, Mary.” The boy replied, much too tired to complain about being sent to bed.
--- ---
Dean was greeted, as usual, by Charlie bustling through the room and opening the curtains to reveal the kingdom outside. It took a minute for Dean to realize that the maid had not brought his breakfast in with her as she usually did. It took another minute for the boy to realize that Charlie was actually talking to him and not just at him.
“I’m sorry, what?” Dean asked, shaking his head as if to clear the sleep that was still clinging to his brain.
“Miss Mary requested that you join her in the main room for breakfast, my lord. I told her that you liked your breakfast in your chambers but she insisted. So here I am passing along the message.” Once the girl was sure Dean had understood the message she raced from the room in her usual way.
Dean dragged his feet a little bit as he dressed for the day. His anxiety grew as he stretched out each minute before joining Mary at their breakfast table. He was unsure of what to expect from the woman. Yesterday had been a whirlwind and he still hadn’t really had time to process everything. After finally gathering the courage to look into the mirror, examining his behind for any traces of either spanking from the previous day and finding none, the boy finished dressing and trudged to the main chamber as expected of him.
“Good morning, Dean!” Mary smiled brightly at him, “I think that we should start each morning by having breakfast together. We can go over your schedule for the day and just have a nice start to the morning.”
“Schedule?” Dean asked, climbing into his seat at the table.
“Yes. I think it would be best if we filled your days with a regular schedule. Structure and routine is important in any person’s life.”
“Do I get any say in this schedule?” Dean asked sassily, irritated that this woman could come into his life and start pushing him around.
“There will be areas that you have say and choice in, other areas unfortunately not. Now, before you get yourself into trouble, why don’t you listen to the rest of what I have to say and we can discuss it.” Mary’s voice, in response to Dean’s, had lost any humor.
“Sorry.” Dean replied, face heating up a little bit at her rebuff.
“We have this weekend to do as we please, but we’ll settle into our routine on Monday. Monday through Thursday you will have classes with Master Singer in the mornings. We’ll start with breakfast, you’ll have an hour and a half to yourself before I have to take you down to the library. You’ll be with Master Singer for about 4 hours, with a break for lunch, each day. I know you’ve been through your studies before, which is why we decided to only do half sessions instead of full sessions. Any questions so far?”
“Who is Master Singer?” Dean asked, he didn’t think he had ever met the man.
“He’s been the head librarian here for about 20 years, Dean.” Mary replied. “Are you sure you’ve never met him?”
“I don’t think so. But I never really spent time in the library. What about after studies?” Dean asked in an attempt to move away from that line of questioning. His mother had loved the library, she had passed her love of reading on to him, but returning to the library had been too painful for him. Even now, he grew anxious at the thought of studying there.
“After your studies, we’ll return to the tower for a quick nap and a snack if you’re hungry.” Mary started.
“I don’t need to nap!” Dean interjected, protesting being treated like a child.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t raise your voice, Dean.” Mary said sharply, waiting for him to apologize before moving on. “Two days a week you’ll have lessons in archery and two days a week you’ll have riding lessons in the afternoons. I still have to speak with the stable master and the guard captain to see who would be suitable for lessons or which days yet.”
“On Fridays, instead of studying with Master Singer, we will attend Council meetings so that you can be kept up to date on your kingdom and provide insight where needed.” The blonde continued.
Dean grimaced, but remained silent. He would have been fine letting the council run things in his stead for a few years but after throwing that epic fit he didn’t feel like that was an option anymore.
“And the weekends will be ours to fill as we please. Eventually I would like to venture outside of the castle, but I think we’ll spend some time settling in with each other before we do any traveling. Things may change as we figure out what works best for us, but this is what the plan is right now. Do you have any requests or questions?”
Mary listened to his questions and answered them the best she could while they finished breakfast. All in all, things didn’t sound so bad after all.
After breakfast they made their way down to the stables to speak with the stable master. She was a no nonsense woman named Jody Mills. She was kind to Dean, and even kinder to the horses she introduced them to. There ended up being a few horses that met what Mary and Dean were looking for already at the stables. For Dean they found a quarter horse mare named Ruby and he was introduced to Mary’s horse Lilith. Lilith was a striking palomino who merely glanced at Dean when he tried to greet her before trotting away.
Next the pair made their way back into the castle to find the guard captain who directed them back out to the training grounds to meet with Ellen Harvelle about archery lessons. Dean found the older woman a bit intimidating but was soothed when he saw she had a daughter around his age, named Jo, that she lovingly shooed away from the line of archers currently training.
Lastly, they stopped by the library so that Dean could meet Master Singer before they started their lessons together on Monday. The boy's apprehension grew the closer they got to the library, until he thought he may pass out from anxiety. He had avoided that side of the castle completely for the last 21 years and he wasn’t ready to break that streak. Dean began dragging his feet, falling just behind Mary as they walked.
“Are you alright, Dean? Would you like me to carry you?” Mary asked, concern coloring her voice.
“I’m really tired. I’d like to go back to my chambers now.” Dean spoke, trying to sound confident but even he heard the tremor in his voice.
“We’ll go right upstairs after we stop in. I’ll keep our meeting brief, I promise.” Mary crouched down so that she could be eye level with Dean as she spoke.
“I would really like to go back upstairs.” Dean spoke again. He knew he sounded hysterical but he just couldn’t help it.
“And we will, right after we say hello to Master Singer. Are you sure you’re just tired?” Mary reached a hand out to caress the boy’s face.
That’s when Dean realized he was crying and her touch pushed him over the edge. He fell to the floor and curled himself into a ball where he proceeded to sob loudly. He just wanted to go back to his room. Why wouldn’t Mary just let him go back upstairs?
“It’s okay, Dean. You take your time. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.” Mary’s voice was soft and tender and it made Dean cry harder.
He wasn’t sure how long he lay in the middle of the corridor sobbing into the floor, but eventually he calmed down enough to stop crying. At some point Mary had started rubbing his back soothingly and as he settled down he leaned into her touch a little bit. His tears died off and left him exhausted and suffering from the occasional hiccup.
“I don’t know about you, Dean, but I could really go for a cuddle right now.” Mary said softly.
Dean uncurled himself from where he lay on the stone floor and let Mary pull him into an embrace. She easily wrapped her arms around him so that she could cradle him and gently rock the boy back and forth. It had been an awfully long time since anyone had held him like Mary was. That thought alone brought tears to his eyes again.
“Oh sweet, Dean. I wish you would tell me what is hurting you so much.” Mary spoke, still maintaining her hushed volume.
Dean took a deep breath and brushed away the tears that threatened to continue falling before he attempted to speak again.
“My mom loved the library. We would come down here every day until she got sick. Once she got sick I didn’t want to leave her side. After she died I never came back.” Dean whispered.
Dean was surprised when Mary hugged him more tightly to her instead of rebuffing him for being a coward.
“If you’re not ready to go to the library yet, that is okay Dean. I can arrange with Master Singer to have your lessons elsewhere. You just let me know what you want to do and that’s what we will do.” Mary let the boy know, unwilling to intentionally cause the boy more turmoil.
“I think I’m ready now. But can we go back upstairs right after? And if I change my mind?” Dean asked, chewing on his bottom lip as he spoke.
“You say the word and we’ll turn right back around. Right back upstairs after this. I think it’s probably time for a nap after a good cry like that.” Mary agreed.
“Mary?” Dean asked.
“Yes, Dean?”
“Am I in trouble for throwing a temper tantrum?” Dean asked in a rush, not really wanting and answer but also not wanting to worry about it until they could get back to their rooms.
“No, Dean. That wasn’t a temper tantrum. You weren’t throwing a fit to get your way. You were grieving the only way your body knows how right now. No consequences needed.” Mary assured him.
“Oh, good.” Dean sighed, sagging against the older woman.
“Alright, sweet boy. Let’s get this over with, huh?” Mary stood and shifted him on to her hip in one swift motion.
Dean wasn’t sure how she managed to go from cross legged to standing without having to put him down but he wasn’t complaining. He rested his cheek on her shoulder and let himself be carried the rest of the way to the library.
In the library they had to wait several minutes for one of the librarians to fetch Master Singer for them. Dean took the time to soak in the library from the safety of Mary’s arms. The room they stood in was a circle, there were matching staircases across from each other that wrapped around the walls up to the second level, which looked down on the first. Every wall was lined with bookshelves that were taller than two men on eachothers shoulders. There were several clusters of sitting chairs and desks littered through the first floor and an archway that led further into the library on the opposite side of the room. The upper floor showed several doorways but Dean wasn’t sure where they led to.
“Dean!” A gruff voice boomed from the arch way that led back into the main room of the library.
The man that ambled towards them with a bit of a limp, who Dean assumed was Master Singer, looked vaguely familiar. He had a scruffy beard and was dressed much more casually than Dean had expected for the head librarian. He was graying throughout his hair and beard and had small brown eyes.
“Master Singer?” Mary inquired of the man.
“None of that master business, name is Bobby.” The man huffed at Mary, sticking out a calloused hand to greet her.
“I’m Mary, the king’s watcher. And this is King Dean.” Mary introduced the pair of them as Dean shyly watched on.
“I know who Dean is. Although, I didn’t expect him to look the same as when he used to come here about 20 years ago!” The man barked in response.
“Bobby?” Dean asked and then flashes of memories he had repressed hit him. Playing hide n seek with a much younger looking Bobby in between the shelves of books while his mother laughed at them. Memories of learning to read with his mother and with Bobby. He remembered Bobby coming up to his mothers rooms when she had fallen ill. He brought her a new book every day, and he would read to her when she was too weak to read to herself.
“I’ve missed you, boy. It broke my heart when you stopped coming after your mother passed.” Emotion filled Bobby’s voice, making it break, and caused Dean to fight back tears again.
“I’m sorry.” Dean whispered to the older man.
“Water under the bridge, boy, water under the bridge.” He managed to smile weakly at Dean, “I hear I’m going to be your tutor. I look forward to it.”
The trio made a bit of small talk before Mary made polite excuses for needing to retreat to their rooms. Bobby let them go and told Dean how glad he was to see him again. On the walk to their tower Mary continued to carry Dean and the boy fell asleep in her arms soon after leaving the library. Mary adjusted Dean on her hip and started on the stairs through the castle. She was definitely in need of a nap as well.