Serendipity on a back road called no name

Chapter 2 - Humanity Revealed

Humanity: "The state or quality of being human."

Reveal: "To make visible, expose to view."

The kiss had been warm and tender, full of promise.

Sam had cuddled in close to Dean after it, running his tongue over his lips, savouring the lingering taste of Dean.

"He's adorable" Dean was thinking, his heart tugging, as he watched Sam.

Dean reached over to finger the pink covered fabric attached to the cord around Sam's neck. "It's a Tibetan dream amulet, for assistance in providing clairvoyance and vision" Sam volunteered.

"Has it given you any exceptional insight about us?" Dean asked. "Oh yeah, I just can't share it with you" Sam chuckled. "I have ways to extract the information I need from you Sammy" Dean said in a pretend deep voice. "You won't know where, you won't know when, but I'll get it." "You take your best shot" Sam replied, playing along, as he yawned deeply.

"Close your eyes Sammy, it's been a hard day, you need to get some rest" Dean murmured, as he stroked Sam's hair. Sam's eyes finally started to drift closed, under Dean's touch.

Dean found it comforting to hold this life in his arms, to feel Sam's heart beating through his shirt. Their time together, so brief, might have appeared to be moving fast to an outsider, but sometimes life requires quickness, direct action, taking that chance, living real. It was all new to Dean and a bit unsettling, but there was something about Sam, that had taken over his heart, and he was ready to follow it and Sam, wherever it took them.

Sam was the first to wake up the following morning, confusion his first thought, as he felt a hand laying protectively on his chest, and warm air against the side of his face. "Dean" he smiled, before the realization of his loss of sight intruded. He struggled internally with that horrible sensation of not being able to see and took a few deep breaths to calm down. He wasn't alone, he'd get through it, with Dean's help.

He so didn't want to move, but he really had to take a leak - badly. He slowly moved to get out of bed. Dean, feeling the loss of warmth against him, woke up quickly. "You okay Sam?" he asked in a sleep rough voice. "Sorry man, I didn't mean to wake you, I just need to use the can" Sam said, as he gingerly felt his way down the side of the bed and took slow steps to the bathroom, under the careful watch of Dean.

Dean was up and out of bed when Sam came out of the bathroom. He was in the process of unpacking his duffle and had hauled Sam's up onto the bed, waiting for him. "Sam, I've put your duffle on the bed, do you need any help sorting through anything?" Dean asked, as Sam made his way over, putting his hand on Dean's shoulder, smiling at him. "Oh my God, you've got a slash dimple!" Dean exclaimed delightedly, the words spoken out loud, before he could stop himself. "Want to kiss it?" Sam encouraged. Dean reached up and kissed it and circled it with his tongue and kissed it again, Sam swaying slightly under Dean's lips. "Again?" Sam asked, to which Dean gladly complied, wetting his lips and moving forward.

"It was going to be a good day" they were both thinking to themselves, as the day began to unfold.

Sam was rooting around in his duffle, feeling for his tooth brush and a fresh change of clothes and trying to find the small bottle of his favourite shower gel, a mixture of patchouli and orange - he loved the scent. He'd had such a little bit left from last time, that he'd have to squeeze it really hard or lick the bottom of the bottle to get the remainder out. He finally found it. He sat on the edge of the bed and waited for Dean.

Dean was in the shower, trying to make it quick, so he didn't use up all the hot water before Sam had a chance. He was toweling off, when he yelled out and asked Sam what he wanted to do today.

"Breakfast first, I'm starving, then whatever you want to do" came the response. "Good man" Dean said, coming into the room, wrapping the towel around his waist.

"I left the water running for you Sammy, I think the temperature is just right. It's a high step in though, so let me guide you okay, just for the getting in part" Dean said, taking Sam's hand and leading him into the bathroom. It wasn't as awkward as it could have been. Sam placed his things on the lowered toilet seat, with the exception of the shower gel. Dean turned his back as Sam undressed. When Sam was ready, Dean helped him into the tub. "You good?" he asked. "I'm fine, thanks Dean" Sam answered. "I'll just be in the other room if you need anything Sam" Dean was saying as he turned to leave. He caught a quick glance of Sam through the bathroom mirror, before Sam had completely pulled the shower curtain closed. There was a wicked looking scar running across Sam's upper left shoulder, whatever had happened to Sam, it would have been significant Dean was thinking as he moved out of the room.

Sam was enjoying the feel of the warm water running over him, combined with the shower gel, it was really soothing. He stayed in until the water ran cold and then felt his way down to turn off the shower tab. He carefully got out of the tub and reached for the towel, finding it exactly where Dean said it would be. After drying off, he changed into the fresh set of clothes and began to brush his teeth.

Upon exiting the bathroom, he could hear Dean inhaling deeply. "What's that smell Sam, it's great" he asked, coming over to Sam. "It's a shower gel that has patchouli and orange in it, but I'm out now, just used the last of it, so enjoy it while you can" Sam said, as he sensed Dean standing very close to him. Dean reached over and thumbed away the tiny dot of toothpaste, still clinging to the bottom of Sam's lip.

Sam was waiting by the open door for Dean, who was looking for his shades. "Found em" he yelled to Sam as he made his way over to him, taking his hand (he knew it should have been his elbow), but he really liked holding Sam's hand.

They took it slow, Dean helping Sam.

"Want some music?" Dean asked. "Sing to me baby" Sam said laughing. So Dean did, off-key and loud, but with heart. Sam had just found out another thing about Dean.

When they got to the diner, and grabbed a booth, the pity stares started, Dean noticed. The server, when addressing Sam was talking very loudly to him, as if by virtue of his not being able to see, it also meant he couldn't hear as well. Sam was good natured about it, Dean not so much so. "You want coffee first Sam?" he asked. "Okay" Sam agreed. "Can you bring us the coffee and we'll order in a few minutes" Dean said dismissing the server.

"It's okay Dean, don't worry about it. People can be really weird around someone with a disability" Sam was telling Dean. "Maybe so Sam, but it's not going to happen when you're with me" he said clearly and firmly, as he reached out a hand and stroked Sam's dimple.

"So, what are you going to have for breakfast Sammy?" Dean asked, as he read off the list. A short time later, two plates containing the remnants of breakfasts were sitting in front of them, both guys feeling full. Dean paid the bill and they left. Sam asked for the windows to be rolled down in the car, before they took off. He needed the air he said after eating such a big breakfast and then driving, motion sickness was no stranger to Sam. They'd been driving for a short time when Sam begged Dean to pull over quickly. Dean pulled to the curb in a hurry, Sam managed to get his seat belt unbuckled, the car door open and he practically fell out of the car on his hands and knees, throwing up on the pavement.

The breakfast came back for a second visit. Dean ran around the car and was now gently holding Sam's forehead. Dean had just found out another thing about Sam. "You okay guy?" Dean asked a few minutes later, as Sam continued to dry heave. "I will be, just give me a few minutes okay?" Sam asked, as Dean reached into the car beside Sam and got the water bottle. He poured some over his hands and wiped down Sam's face, then gave Sam the remainder of the bottle to drink.

"Do you mind if we just head back to the room Dean. I'm really sorry about this, but I'm feeling really sick" Sam groaned, as Dean helped him rise. "You bet Sammy, I'll get you back so you can rest" Dean said as he helped Sam into the car once again.

Once they were back, he helped to get Sam settled on the bed and put a cold cloth over his forehead. Dean then laid down beside him, on his side, rubbing Sam's stomach, trying to ease some of the discomfort. It unfortunately only made things worse and Sam started to heave again, luckily they were dry heaves. Sam rolled himself into a fetal position and explained to Dean that it would pass in time. Dean took the hint and moved to the far side of the bed, laying there thinking.

He was a bit concerned over their money situation. He had enough to last Sam and him for awhile, but he'd feel comfortable with a bit more of a buffer to it. They hadn't talked about money, but Dean wanted to take care of their day-to-day costs. He decided the best way to earn some extra income was to hit the local twenty-four hour bar. There was always a game going and he planned to get in on it. He also wanted to pick up something for Sam first. He wouldn't be gone long, if past history repeated itself, the losers wouldn't know what had happened after Dean was finished with them.

"Sam, I just need to go out and pick up a few things, I won't be gone long, will you be okay?" Dean asked. "I'll be fine Dean, don't worry. Just, don't be gone too long okay?" Sam asked, gathering his lower lip between his teeth. Dean came around the side of the bed, to Sam, and bent down in front of him, gathering his hands in his own. "I won't Sam" Dean promised, as he pulled Sam's hands to his lips and kissed them.

Sam had no way of telling the time, no sense of when it turned from light to dark, but he felt it had been too long for Dean to be away. He jumped as he heard the first sounds of fumbling against the door, accompanied by what sounded like groans. He cautiously made his way closer to the sound, listening intently. "Good God, that sounds like Dean" Sam thought as he found the doorknob and flung the door open. Dean collapsed into him, knocking them both to the floor. It took Sam a few seconds to re-collect himself.

"Dean...Dean...talk to me...are you okay?" Sam asked in concern. Dean did not immediately respond. Sam put his hands gently on Dean, not sure what to expect. He felt the sticky substance first, on Dean's face and shirt. "What in the hell happened Dean?" Sam asked worriedly. "I got jumped...two guys...weren't happy I'd beat them at pool...fuck Sam, does it ever hurt" Dean exclaimed breathing heavily.

"My lip got split and I took a few pretty good chest and gut punches, but I'll live" Dean said, rolling over completely onto his back, grabbing Sam's hands and placing a small bottle in them. "At least this didn't break" he murmured. Sam knew immediately what it was. He leaned down and ran his lips very lightly over Dean's, tasting the blood. He tongued Dean's mouth, doing his best to clean the blood away. Dean started to protest, Sam silenced him. It was intimate and tender and hot as hell. After he was done, he helped Dean to his feet, hanging tightly onto him. Dean got to the chair, as Sam made his way to the bathroom for wet cloths and towels, which he placed on the table, upon returning to Dean.

Sam positioned himself in the other chair directly in front of Dean, beginning to gently wipe Dean's face and then his hands. He carefully ran his hands down and along Dean's rib cage, following it down to his shirt ends. He slowly tugged on both sides, helping Dean to lift his arms, so Sam could get the shirt off. The swelling was evident beneath Sam's fingertips, along with congealing blood, which he slowly wiped clean. No words were exchanged.

For every area of Dean's body that Sam cleaned, he covered it with a band-aid kiss, feather light, directly on the wound.

After he was done, he took Dean's face between his hands. "Now, do you want to tell me why you were playing pool" he questioned. Dean tried to shift his head away, Sam held firm. "I was just concerned about money Sammy, I wanted to make sure I had enough to take care of us" Dean answered truthfully. "Dean, you should have said something. I've got money, don't worry about it, we'll be fine" Sam told him. "I want to take care of you Sam okay, I need to do this for you" Dean continued. "Didn't you just say to me yesterday, that we were in this together" Sam countered. "Well to my way of thinking, that means money-wise too, so let's be clear about it. I need you man, in so many ways, I don't want you risking yourself and taking a beating on my account okay. We'll get through it, but we're together okay" Sam told Dean, still holding his face. "Okay Sam, we're together on this" Dean agreed smiling, then wincing, as his lip seeped slightly.

"Want me to read you a story?" Dean asked Sam later, as they were sitting together side-by-side against the headboard of the bed. "Sure" Sam agreed.

Dean was holding the book with one hand, his other was being held by Sam, who was gently caressing the tender inside flesh of Dean's wrist.

Sam heard the hitch in Dean's breathing. "He likes this" Sam was thinking as he continued to rub the area. Dean read the same sentence twice. Sam continued to play innocent. Dean closed the book. "You got me" he told Sam. "I know" Sam acknowledged.

Dean leaned his head onto Sam's shoulder, closing his eyes, enjoying Sam's touch.

The room was quiet. Moments slipped by, hearts connecting, with each new interaction.

Things were moving in the direction they both wanted. Dean could feel Sam trembling, he finally spoke.

"Dean, I...uh...I think you should know, that I've never been with a man before...or a woman" Sam admitted nervously.

Dean reached up slightly and kissed Sam's neck and then whispered in his ear. "First times are meant to be special Sammy, I won't let you down darl'in."

To be continued.