THE RAINBOW FLAG.
CHAPTER 2.
"Dean, get out! I gotta take a shower too! We're gonna be late!" An exasperated Sam screamed, banging at the bathroom door.
"Yeah, yeah..." Dean mumbled as he opened the door.
Wearing nothing but a towel around his waist and another one wrapped around his head, he walked out of the bathroom in a cloud of steam that was scented with his aftershave.
"Dammit Sam, no need to be so loud! There's nothing wrong with enjoying a hot shower! And that massage panel kicks ass!"
Sam rolled his eyes.
"Jesus! I'm telling you, you're worse than a woman, man!"
"Whatever! I'm only taking care of the amazing body I've been gifted with!"
"What a load of crap!" Sam whispered as he entered the bathroom.
"What are you saying, dude?" Dean teased.
Sam reappeared, wearing a fake grin.
"I said I would like a nap," he said.
"Oh, yeah, me too!" Dean laughed.
Five minutes later, Sam was out of the bathroom.
Dean whistled.
"Wow, that was fast!"
"Of course, that was fast! You spent so much time in the shower you must have emptied the hot water tank, you dumbass! The water was frozen!" Sam yelled.
"Well, cold shower is good for you: improves circulation, keeps skin and hair healthy, oh, it even increases testosterone, which you definitely need, Sammy!"
Sam looked daggers at his brother.
"Dean?"
"Hmm?"
"Drop dead!"
"Why, you'd be bored without me!" Dean grinned.
Fifteen minutes later, the Winchester brothers were on the motel parking lot.
Standing in front of the Impala, Sam held out his hand to Dean.
"What are you waiting for, panhandler?" Dean asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Keys!"
Dean gave him a weird look.
"Not even in your dreams!" He sneered. "You're the lady in our couple, so be a good spouse and get in the passenger seat!"
"Oh yeah, and why would I be the lady?" Sam asked, folding his arms and looking defiantly at Dean.
"Well, you're the one into poetry and stuff and, oh, what's your favourite movie again?" Dean paused, pretending to think about it. "Oh, yeah... You've got mail! Perfect movie for a gay computer freak!"
Sam shook his head in amused disbelief.
"And since when can't men enjoy poetry and romantic comedies?" He asked as they both entered the car.
"Come on, you've got girlish tastes Sammy, admit it!"
"Hmm, sure, and remind me who was watching Desperate Housewives while I was out getting us some food the other day?"
"I wasn't watching it! I was... flicking through the channels!"
"Like hell you were! Anyway, no offense, dude, but if I were a girl, I'd never go out with a guy who'd need to wear high-heels to kiss me!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" Sam shrugged, suppressing a laugh.
"Fuck you, Sam!" Dean snorted as he started the car.
"Oh, no, believe me, there's no way I take my role so seriously!"
"And you know what?" Dean asked, ignoring Sam's comment, "if I were a chick, I'd never go out with a fucking giraffe like you!"
"That's lame!" Sam said, bursting into laughter.
The brothers exchanged a knowing look. They just love bickering each other... They always have. That helps a lot to keep sane in the crazy life they lead.
A few moments later, they had reached their destination.
"Let's go, Princess!" Dean told Sam as they got out of the car.
The community centre flew a huge rainbow flag for the day.
"Nice colours," Dean stated.
"Pride flag, or rainbow flag. Designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 and used as a symbol of the LGBT movement."
Dean gave Sam a very suspicious look and Sam's eyes widened.
"What?" He asked.
"Dunno, you just seem pretty well-informed on the subject."
"Just because I am more educated and more intelligent than you doesn't mean I'm gay, Dean!" Sam said in a barely audible voice, looking around him to be sure no one had heard him.
"Shut up!" Dean grumbled. "Gee, it's crowded in here!" He added, as they entered the community centre
He instinctively curled his hand around Sam's wrist and tugged him through the crowd. His fingers then slid down and he grabbed Sam's hand firmly.
"Come on! Looks like there is a buffet right there, let's see if we can get something to eat, I'm hungry!" He spoke loudly so that Sam could hear him in the hubbub. "And remember, keep an eye out!"
But Sam couldn't hear, nor could he see or think, all he could do was feel. Feel the warmth of Dean's hand in his. And actually appreciate this warmth. Why did he feel a wave of shivers shaking his whole body? What was wrong with him?
"Sam, you ok? You look damn pale..." Dean gave Sam a worried look.
"I'm fine," Sam managed to articulate. "It's just... crowds of people... feel uncomfortable..."
He offered Dean a half smile and Dean's features relaxed.
"Alright, you'll feel more comfortable once you have tasted their champagne!" He grinned.
As they were painfully making their way to the buffet, they went pass two hot girls who were making out in the middle of the crowd.
"Wow, did you see that, Sam? Man, this place is heaven!" Dean exclaimed, all excited, pointing not so discreetly at the girls.
"Shut up, Dean!" Sam whispered in his ear in an annoyed tone. "Remember, you're supposed to be gay, so stop drooling on chicks if you don't want us to get noticed!"
"But didn't you tell me the 'B' in LGBT stood for 'bisexual'? Then, let's say I'm bisexual and let me get those girls numbers!"
"Do I have to remind you people here think you're in a relationship with me?" Sam asked, angrily.
Probably more angrily than he should have. Was that a hint of jealousy? No, it surely didn't make sense... This was Dean. His brother!
"Well, never heard of swapping?" Dean smirked.
Sam gave him his blackest look.
"Ah come on, babe! You know you're the only one for me!" Dean smiled, pinching his brother's ass.
Dean meant this as a joke, but he realised bitterly how true this actually was. They are so close, they understand each other so well, that no one, not even the sexiest girl on earth, can beat that. Unconsciously, his grip on Sam's hand tightened, making Sam nearly forget what he was angry at and hope with all his heart that his brother wouldn't notice the prominent pink flush on his cheeks.
As they finally reached the buffet, Dean released Sam's hand and practically bumped into a fifty-something lady so that he could help himself to a cake. The woman called him names as she walked away, but he didn't even pay attention. Sam looked at him with eyes full of affection. That was Dean. Bad-mannered, loudmouth, gross but yet, adorable. A rough diamond. Sam smiled to himself.
"Dude, that chocolate éclair is killer!" Dean said happily, chewing with his mouth open.
Sam wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"What were you saying about diabetes yesterday?" He smirked.
"Don't be such a killjoy, Sammy!" Dean protested as he shoved what was left of the cake –a quite huge piece- into his mouth.
"Well, you'll probably hate me if I remind you we're here for a job, then?"
"I know, but I'm fucking starving, man!"
Sam rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Alright, you make your sugar rate explode, and I go and talk to people, see if I can get any useful information," he sighed.
"Sounds like a good deal to me!" Dean said, grinning. Meeting Sam's infuriated look, he added "Go ahead, I'll come and join you in a few minutes..."
Sam started walking away when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He froze and turned around.
"Sammy, be careful..." Dean whispered in his ear, and for a reason he couldn't clearly understand, Sam felt as if he were melting inside.
Their eyes locked for a few seconds, and Sam could hardly breathe.
"I will," he finally let out, smiling, before he disappeared into the crowd.
Dean had nearly tried every single cake of the buffet when he shoved a last cupcake into his mouth and scanned the room quickly. No Sam. His throat tightened. He felt like a complete dumbass. He should have stuck with Sam. He is supposed to protect him. He must protect him. What if something bad had happened to his little brother while he was stuffing himself silly? He remembered painfully that far-off day he had promised their father to look after Sam while he was hunting, and that Sam got nearly killed by a shtriga because he had deliberately left him alone to take the air. He had never forgiven himself for that mistake, and he would certainly not allow himself a second mistake...
Thanks for reading and thanks for the reviews, they mean a lot! :)
And sorry for all the mistakes, but keep in mind that English ain't my mother tongue! :)
Published on January.25 2011