Hey everyone! So in honor of Father's Day I thought I would post this little AU to my Family series where Sam and Dean get a chance to be a Dad.
"Ok, let's split up," Dean said. "Alec, top floor. Sam, main floor. Yell if you find something."
Sam and Alec both nodded before they all parted ways. Dean went down to the basement and slowly searched the area. He was pretty sure this was a snipe hunt, but they hadn't had anything to do in weeks. They were all bored out of their minds and even if it was a snipe hunt, at least they were out of the motel.
He and Sam had been bickering nonstop and Alec would off and on drive them insane with his constant talking. They needed something to do or else they were going to kill each other.
It didn't take him long to search the basement, and just like he thought in the beginning, he didn't find anything. He slowly walked back up the stairs and found Sam in the kitchen. Sam looked up when he walked in, but shook his head no.
"Has Alec come down yet?" Dean asked.
"No, not yet," Sam said. "You think maybe he found something?"
"Only one way to find out," Dean muttered, heading for the stairs. Sam followed behind him, but he figured Alec was just messing around.
But he didn't see Alec in the first two rooms and he and Sam shared a look. He moved on to the next room; he was starting to get a funny feeling that something might actually be wrong. Alec wasn't in that room either…
Dean almost ran to the last room, but he stopped short when he saw a little boy, who was maybe three years old, lying on the ground with a gash to the back of his head. The boy was lying in a pile of clothes that looked way too big for him.
Sam ran into his back, not seeing that he had stopped, but he was still too shocked to say anything. The little boy's head was shaved and there was a barcode on the back of his neck.
"What-" Sam started.
"Do you think…" He couldn't even say it. It couldn't be possible that this little boy was actually Alec. He took a slow step inside; even if the little boy wasn't Alec, he still needed to get him out of here.
"Dean, this can't seriously be Alec…can it?" Sam asked.
"He's got a barcode, Sam…those are Alec's clothes…" Dean said.
"What happened to him?" Sam asked.
"Sam, I don't know, ok? But we gotta get him outta here. Whatever did this could come back," Dean said. "And I'm not letting anything happen to him."
"Alright, yeah, we need to get outta here," Sam said.
Dean walked further into the room and crouched down next to the little boy. He couldn't quite bring himself to think that this really was Alec just yet. He carefully turned the boy over, but his eyes widened when the boy sudden scrambled back and hid in the corner. Alec's pants, shoes, and jacket were still on the ground and he was just wearing the t-shirt that was way too big for him. He definitely had confirmation now that this was Alec. He had bright green eyes and freckles over his nose.
"Alec, hey, it's ok," Dean said softly. Alec was shaking he was so scared, but Dean put his hands up to try to show that he wasn't going to hurt him. "Alec, do you know who I am?" Dean asked. Alec shook his head no and hid again. "My name's Dean and that's Sam…" Dean pointed over to Sam who was staying back a little since Alec was already scared. "This place is not a good place, but me and Sammy can take you somewhere safe. You cool goin' with us?"
Alec didn't answer so Dean stood up and slowly walked over to him and kneeled down again. "C'mon kiddo, let's go," Dean urged. He reached out to Alec, but he flinched back in fear. "Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you, ok? I'm just gonna pick you up just in case we gotta move fast." Alec still looked unsure, but he didn't flinch when Dean reached for him again.
Dean picked Alec up; he was so little, he hardly felt like anything in his arms. Alec was still shaking, but he did wrap his arms around his neck so that was a good sign.
"Sam, grab his clothes," Dean said, holding Alec close.
Sam scooped up his clothes and they both ran down the stairs and out of the house. Dean walked straight to the backseat and started putting Alec in the car, but Alec refused to let go. "Alright kiddo, we can sit up front…" Dean got the keys out of his pocket and tossed them to Sam. "I guess you're driving…"
Sam started the car and Dean sat down with Alec sitting in his lap. Alec had a death grip on his shirt and he was hiding his face in his jacket. Dean hated to think about what had made Alec this scared, but he knew it had something to do with Manticore.
"Dean…this is insane," Sam said. "How is this Alec? He's what…three years old or something?" Dean could hear him freaking out, but he was freaking out too.
"Sam, I know," Dean whispered. "But let's save the freaking out for later, ok?" Dean rubbed Alec's back and glanced over at Sam. "Right now, let's just take this one step at a time. First step, get back to the motel and patch Alec up."
"What's step two?" Sam asked.
"We'll figure out step two after we finish step one," Dean said.
They drove in silence the rest of the way to the motel. Alec was shaking less by the time they stopped, but he didn't come out of his hiding place. Dean got him in the motel room and sat down on one of the beds. Sam walked in a few seconds later with their first aid kit and a bag of ice.
"Should I call-"
"Sam, step one first, and then we'll figure out step two," Dean cut off. Sam nodded and opened their first aid kit. Dean turned his attention to Alec and asked, "Is it ok if I take care of your head?" Alec stiffened and shook his head no. His grip on his shirt tightened and he tried to get even closer to him. "Ok, ok, what if I keep holding you and Sammy takes care of your head?" Dean asked. Alec took a deep breath and barely nodded his ok.
Sam poured some peroxide on a cloth and slowly walked forward. "Alec, this is gonna sting a bit," Dean warned. Sam gently pressed the cloth to the gash in Alec's head; Alec tensed, but that was the only sign he showed that he was in pain.
Sam cleaned out the cut, and then said, "Looks like he doesn't need stitches, so we can just ice it."
Dean nodded and reached out for the ice. "Ok, this is going to be cold, but it'll help," Dean whispered. He put the ice on the back of Alec's head, but kept ahold of him. "Everything's ok…we're gonna keep you safe."
He knew Sam was itching to come up with step two, but for now he just wanted to make sure Alec thought he was safe. He scooted back on the bed and leaned against the headboard. "Do you want to get a little more comfortable?" Dean asked Alec. He didn't reply, so Dean took that as a yes. He shifted Alec around until he could hold him a little easier while still keeping the ice against the back of his head.
"Do you want a blanket?" Dean asked softly. Alec just looked back at him, so he shrugged at Sam who walked over to the closet and grabbed the blanket that was in there. Dean wrapped it around Alec and said, "You can go to sleep if you want to."
"No," Alec whispered, looking scared again.
"I won't let anything get you, ok kiddo? I'm gonna be here the whole time," Dean reassured.
"Promise?" Alec asked.
"I promise," Dean said with a small smile. Alec looked at him for a few more seconds before his eyes slowly closed.
"Ok, step two," Sam said, as soon as Alec's breathing slowed in sleep.
"Step two, we need to make a list of things to do, and then we follow that list," Dean said. Sam grabbed a notebook and a pen and looked at him expectantly. "First, we need to get him some clothes that fit. He can't go around wearin' an oversized t-shirt everywhere we go, it's probably not that comfortable and it looks a little suspicious."
"Ok, first thing…clothes," Sam muttered as he wrote.
"Then he's gonna need food and we gotta make sure he still gets his pills, but we might have to give him a smaller dose than usual since he's so little now," Dean said.
"Food and pills…ok, what about actually fixing this?" Sam asked. "We gotta figure out what did this and turn him back. He can't stay like this forever."
"We should call Bobby and see if he's ever heard of this," Dean said. "But Sam, I've never heard of this before…I don't know if there is a way to fix it…"
"Dean-"
"We'll call Bobby, but our main focus right now is taking care of him," Dean said.
Sam took a deep breath, but nodded, "Yeah, you're right."
"He's so scared, Sam" Dean whispered. "I think he thought I was gonna hurt him…"
"Dean, he already trusts you. If he thought you were gonna hurt him, he wouldn't be asleep right now," Sam pointed out.
"I just wanna keep him safe," Dean said.
Sam nodded, but then he smiled a little and said, "First thing we do, we get him some clothes."
Dean woke up with Alec still sleeping in his arms. He had a moment of panic before he remembered what had happened. Alec was so little; Dean picked up one of his tiny hands and smiled a little seeing his tiny fingers. If he ever had a chance at having kids, he kind of hoped they would look just like Alec. But he was never going to have kids; the closest he would get would be taking care of Alec before they got him changed back.
Alec turned slightly in his arms and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes widened in panic though when he saw where he was.
"Shh Alec, it's ok," Dean reassured. "You're still safe. Do you remember me?"
Alec relaxed after a moment and nodded, "Dean."
"That's right," Dean said with a smile. "That's my name. Does your head hurt?"
Alec looked uncertain, but then shook his head no. "Dean…"
"Yeah kiddo?"
"What does 'Alec' mean?"
"Alec is you. That's your name," Dean said.
"But I'm X5-494," Alec said.
"Well, which one do you like better?"
"Alec," he said, looking away from him.
"Ok, I'm going to keep calling you Alec," Dean said. "What d'you say to a bathroom break, huh?"
Alec looked confused so Dean picked him up as he stood and walked over to the bathroom. He hesitated at the door though and asked, "Do you need help or can you go by yourself?" Jeez, he had no idea how to do this. Alec still looked confused; he walked inside and helped Alec out.
He held Alec up high once they were done, making him giggle before he settled him on his hip.
"Once Sammy wakes up, we're gonna get you some clothes and some food. How does that sound?" Dean asked.
Alec snuggled against his neck and asked, "Then what?"
"Then…I guess we come back here," Dean said.
"Can I stay with you?" Alec asked quietly.
"Yeah kiddo, you can stay with me forever," Dean replied.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Wha's goin' on?" Sam slurred sleepily.
"Me and Alec were just waiting on you to wake up," Dean said, turning to face Sam.
Sam's eyes widened when he saw Alec, but he quickly covered it up, "Hey buddy, how's your head?"
"Good," Alec said shyly. He ducked his head and hid against his neck again.
"You remember Sammy, don't you?" Dean asked Alec. He nodded, but he didn't come out of his hiding spot. "Sammy's my brother. He's gonna keep you safe too."
"Ok," Alec said.
"Dean, you want me to go shopping and bring the clothes back?" Sam asked.
"No, we don't know what size he wears," Dean said. "We haven't needed kids' clothes in years…Plus, this way he can pick out what he likes and we can get food after."
"Ok," Sam said.
Dean nodded and carried Alec to the car. Alec latched onto his shirt though when he tried to put him in the backseat. "Alec, c'mon kiddo, it's not safe for you to sit up front."
"But…" Alec said, his lip trembling.
"I'm going to be right up there," Dean said, pointing to the steering wheel. "You can sit right in the middle and you'll still be able to see me."
"Ok," Alec said. He let him buckle him in and watched him to make sure he was going where he said he was.
Alec relaxed a little when he sat in the driver's seat and Sam got in the passenger's seat. Dean drove to the closest store, and then picked Alec up again once he parked.
"Follow my lead," Dean said to Sam. He walked up to the clerk and said, "Hi, um, my son had an accident and got blood on his clothes. We didn't pack a change of clothes, is it ok if we pick something out and just pay for it after he changes?"
"Of course," the woman said with a sympathetic smile at Alec.
"Thank you," Dean said sincerely.
"Good, now there won't be any questions," Sam said as they walked away.
"It's easier to lie when you've got the world's cutest kid with you," Dean said.
"Yeah, she didn't even ask about his shoes," Sam pointed out.
"Let's find out what size he is, and then we can stock up," Dean said. Sam nodded his agreement and they headed for the boy's section. "Grab some underwear and I'll grab a pair of pants and a shirt." Sam walked away and they headed for where the pants were folded and some t-shirts were hanging up. Dean grabbed a pair of jeans, and then turned to the shirts. "See anything you like?" Dean asked.
Alec shook his head no, so he moved to another section.
"What about this one?" Dean asked, holding up a t-shirt with a dinosaur on it. "This one's pretty cool."
"Yeah," Alec said.
"Ok, let's see if Sammy found ya some undies, and then we just gotta find a changing room," Dean said.
"Hey," Sam said, meeting them halfway. "I grabbed a couple packs, but I found just one pair too, so we can make sure they're the right size."
"Wait, does he need pullups or something? I don't know if this is right…" Dean muttered.
"Does he know how to go to the bathroom by himself?" Sam asked.
"No…I don't think so…he didn't this morning anyway," Dean answered.
"I'll grab some and we can use them if we need them," Sam said.
"Alright, let's find a changing room," Dean said. Sam looked around and pointed when he saw one. Dean walked over and quickly got Alec dressed. "What d'you think?" Dean asked him.
"I like it," Alec said with a smile.
"You wanna show Uncle Sammy?" Dean asked.
"Yeah!" Alec said, running out of the changing room. "Sammy! Sammy!"
Alec sprinted towards Sam, who picked him up in surprise. "Hey buddy."
"Look," Alec said, pointing to his shirt. "It's cool."
"That is really cool. Dinosaurs are awesome," Sam said, tickling Alec's tummy.
"Why did Dean call you 'Uncle Sammy'?" Alec asked.
Dean walked over and said, "Well, because Sammy's my brother and…"
"And Dean's your Dad," Sam said when he stopped.
"My Dad?" Alec asked.
"Um, yeah, 'cause I'm takin' care of you," Dean said. "And that's what Dad's do." Alec twisted in Sam's arms and reached out for him. He took Alec and held him close; they were technically lying to Alec, but it felt good to say he was Alec's Dad.
"Since those seem to fit, I'll grab him some more and you get socks and shoes," Sam said.
Dean nodded and carried Alec over to the shoes. He grabbed a tiny pair of socks on his way, and then sat Alec down on the bench. "Ok, let me see your foot," Dean said. Alec held his foot up so Dean could get his sock on him. Dean tickled his foot though and he giggled. "You're ticklish…" Dean said, picking up his other foot and tickling him some more. Alec laughed and tried to scoot away, but Dean wouldn't let him.
"Your son's adorable," a woman suddenly said, drawing his attention.
"Um, thank you," Dean replied.
"He looks just like you," the woman said before walking away.
Dean gently bopped Alec's nose and said, "You look just like me." Alec wrinkled his nose, and then bopped him back. "Now let's pick out some shoes, and then get some food." Alec reached up to be picked up again, but Dean chuckled and shook his head no, "Not yet kiddo, you gotta try the shoes on first." Alec huffed, but giggled again when he tickled his feet. "It'll only take a second…"
Dean got up and grabbed a little pair of sneakers. He put them on Alec's feet and tied his shoes for him.
"Do they fit ok?" Dean asked. Alec nodded, but he asked to make sure, "It's not too tight or too big?"
"No," Alec said.
"Ok, then it's time for food," Dean said.
He picked Alec up and carried him back to where Sam was. Sam had a stack of clothes, and he smiled when he saw them. "Pay, and then food?" Sam asked.
Dean nodded and let Sam lead the way to the checkout. "Hold up," Dean said. "We should get him a car seat…"
"You think he's going to be a kid that long to need it?" Sam asked.
"Dude, it's not safe for him to ride around like this. Even in the backseat he could get hurt," Dean said.
"Ok, we'll pick up a car seat too…"
"Ok, pills aren't going to work…" Dean muttered as Alec choked for the third time.
"Dean, how're we going to keep the seizures off if he can't take pills? We even cut them in half and he still can't take them," Sam said.
"We'll figure something out," Dean said, pulling Alec closer to his side.
"I'm sorry," Alec whispered.
"It's ok kiddo," Dean instantly reassured. "What if we just had him drink milk every day? He's so little, maybe he doesn't need as much tryptophan…"
"We could try it, and then if he starts shaking we just have to figure something else out," Sam said.
"Alec, do you like milk?" Dean asked. Alec shrugged like he didn't know what that was. "It's really good. I think you'll like it."
"Ok."
"You think it's time to call Bobby?" Sam asked after they ordered.
"Yeah, after we eat we can call him," Dean said, picking Alec up and sitting him on his lap. The waitress had left a kid's menu for Alec and some crayons, but Alec couldn't reach the table. She had asked if they needed a booster seat, but Dean said no. If Alec couldn't reach, then he could just sit on his lap. "You wanna color?" Dean asked Alec. He just looked back at him, unsure, so Dean picked up a crayon and showed him what to do. Alec picked up another crayon and colored on a spot near where he was coloring. "Do you think he's ever seen anything like this?" Dean asked.
"I don't know," Sam admitted. "But he's seen a lot so maybe he has."
"What if he doesn't know…" Dean said. He kept coloring next to Alec, but he wasn't really sure what he wanted right now. He loved Alec as his brother, but this was completely new. Alec could have a better life this way and he could be a Dad. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they couldn't change Alec back.
"Dean, I know that look," Sam said. "We gotta change him back. We don't know how to raise a little kid…"
"I do know how to take care of a little kid. I just gotta remember from when I took care of you," Dean said.
"Dean-"
"And here we go. A stack of pancakes for everyone, two coffees, and a milk. Anything else?" The waitress asked.
"No, we're good," Dean replied.
"You sure you don't want a booster seat?" The waitress asked.
"We're fine," Dean said. He pulled his and Alec's pancakes over, and then started to cut Alec's pancakes up into small bites. He poured syrup over both of the plates and asked Alec, "Do you know how to use a fork?" Alec nodded and held one of the forks in his little hand. Dean pulled the plate closer and said, "Be careful with the syrup, you don't wanna get it all over your new clothes."
"Ok," Alec said, scooping up a bite of pancake and eating it. "This is yummy. What is it?"
"They're pancakes," Dean said, taking a bite of his own.
"I like them," Alec said.
"Me too," Dean said. He rubbed Alec's head, and then pulled the cup of milk over. "Make sure you drink all of this, ok?"
"Ok," Alec said, reaching for the cup. Dean put a straw in it though before he held it for him. Alec drank out of the straw, and then turned back to his pancakes.
Dean looked up, but frowned when he saw Sam was looking at him. "What?"
"Maybe I was wrong," Sam said. "You are good at this…"
"We're just eating," Dean said defensively.
Sam shook his head, "You don't get it yet, but you will."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Dean muttered.
"Whatever you say, Dean," Sam said with a small smile.
Dean walked around the motel room, holding a sleeping Alec against him. Sam was on the phone with Bobby, but he wasn't really listening to the conversation. Sam and Bobby had been talking for hours and Dean had played with Alec until he'd gotten tired.
He forgot that little kids needed naps until Alec looked at him and rubbed his eyes sleepily. Dean had picked him up and started for the bed, but Alec didn't want to let go. So instead he kept ahold of Alec and carried him around the room until he fell asleep, his head resting against his shoulder.
"Dean," Sam whispered after a while.
"Yeah?"
"Bobby thinks we should come to his place," Sam said. "He's never seen this, but he could use some help with the research and I think he secretly thinks I'm lying."
"The old man's gonna have a heart attack when he sees him," Dean said
Sam chuckled, "I know…"
"I forgot kids needed a nap time," Dean said, making another loop.
"He sure is cute like this, isn't he?" Sam asked. He gently picked up Alec's little hand and said, "Look at how small his fingers are."
"Sam, we could do this," Dean said. "We could take care of him and raise him."
"Dean…I'm not saying no, but what about Alec, our Alec? We'll never have our little brother back," Sam said.
"But he'd have a better life," Dean said. "Think about it. He's only been through two years at Manticore. He hasn't suffered 19 years of pain. He gets to be a kid and we can take care of him."
"What if Bobby does find a way to fix this?" Sam asked. "Are we going to refuse to change Alec back?"
"No…I don't know," Dean said. He held Alec close and tried not to think about it too much. "Let's just argue about it later," Dean muttered.
"Fine," Sam said.
"Can you hold him for a minute?" Dean asked. "I gotta run to the bathroom."
Sam's eyes widened slightly and he asked, "Are you sure? I just-"
"C'mon Sam, he won't bite," Dean teased. He passed Alec over to Sam and said, "He just likes being held. He won't even know I'm gone."
Sam held Alec while he ran to the bathroom. He came back a minute later, but he smiled when he saw Sam rubbing Alec's back. He was rocking back and forth and he kissed the top of Alec's head before he turned around and saw him. "Oh, um, he started to wake up when you left…but he's asleep again…" Sam said.
"He's cute, huh?" Dean asked. "Quite the cuddle bug."
Sam passed Alec back to him and said, "Yeah, but he's always been a cuddle bug. He just won't admit it when he's older."
"You think he can ride all the way to Bobby's?" Dean asked.
"Only one way to find out," Sam said.
"Alright, I'm gonna wake him up and tell him what's goin' on, and then we can go," Dean said.
"I'll start packing."
Dean rubbed Alec's head and said, "Hey kiddo, can you wake up for me?" Alec snuggled against his neck, but didn't really wake up. "We're gonna go for a ride, so you gotta wake up and try to go potty, ok?"
"Where're we going?" Alec asked.
"We're gonna go see a friend," Dean said. "It's a long trip though so you should try to go to the bathroom. And then once we get on the road, you can go back to sleep if you want."
Alec nodded and they went to the bathroom.
Let me know if you guys want any more! Hope you liked it!