Hey all! I know it's been forever since I've written anything. I'm embarrassed to be posting this at all (it's so, so bad), but I love the thought, and I hope your imaginations can see beyond the struggles of my pen and you can enjoy this little fic.
And happy birthday Dean Winchester!
3 3 3
It was something Dean made an occasional habit of, what with Stalker-Becky and all the other trouble those stupid books had caused him and Sam. Every so often, Dean would check in on the Supernatural fandom to make sure Becky was still keeping a low profile, and Chuck hadn't published any more mortifying secrets about them.
He didn't do it on purpose, hand to God. He didn't even remember it was his birthday that morning, what with the darkness loose, and Sam's close scrape in the cage. It had been a while since he'd checked the fan sites and it just so happened that January 24th was the day he decided to do it again. So over eggs and coffee, Dean flipped open the laptop and pulled up one of the sites.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAN WINCHESTER! read the words across the top of the screen. Huh? Was it- Oh. Guess it was. He'd have to keep an extra suspicious eye on Sam later, make sure he didn't try any funny stuff. Not that either of them had been especially into celebrating their birthdays… ever.
Dean continued to scroll down. At first all he saw were normal posts – fanfiction, speculation about the newest books, fan art – but as Dean looked closer, he realized most of the posts had a theme. Him! Well, his birthday.
"Happy birthday to Dean Winchester, hero who saved the world, loved his brother, and inspires us all."
"Thanks for always being the perfect big brother. Happy birthday, Dean Winchester!"
"I'm so proud of him! Always! Dean you are more precious than you know! Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday, Deanie-Boo! Love you forever. 3 3 xoxo."
"I'm not your 'Deanie-Boo'," Dean grumbled, scowling at the incredibly accurate drawing of him accompanying the post and making note to check into the artist. But despite his suspicion, Dean soon had tears in his eyes, reading all the posts from people who seemed to know his worst secrets ("Even as Deanmon he just wanted to save the world. Never forget you're my hero, Dean. Happy birthday!") and yet still seemed to think he was worth something.
"Hey, Dean… Dean? You okay?" Sam concerned voice from the doorway startled Dean out of his reading. He slammed the computer shut, and spun around to the counter, pouring more coffee into his already full mug, furtively dashing a hand against his eyes. "Yeah, Sam. Fine. Eat some breakfast."
Sam paused, considering, before mercifully not asking. "Oh," he said instead. "You already made breakfast. I was hoping we could go to that diner you love in town. With the blueberry pancakes? Since it's your birthday and all."
Dean turned and grinned, patting his stomach dramatically. "There's always room for pancakes, Sammy-boy. Don't you know anything? Lead the way!"
With a little more spring in his step than usual, Dean followed Sam from the kitchen, listening to him chatter. He'd have to leave the laptop open to those sites for Sam to find on his birthday. If fans could say such nice things about Dean, he couldn't imagine what they'd say about his incredible little brother.
He nudged Sam from behind. "Hurry up, Sammy. Birthday Boy needs some pancakes!"