Just an excuse for some cuteness before things start getting worse for my poor Deanie-pie ;) I hope you enjoy the fluff...I was clearly in a good mood when I wrote this chapter! Also thanks for the reviews SwimmerGirl0726 and Maianna, they mean a lot and I hope you enjoy this next installment!
Chapter 3
At 11 O'clock the next day Sam woke up and groaned. Well that was some messed up dream. Dean giggling and playing with bubbles, what was I thinking? Oh no way… Sam had just opened his eyes, and there before him was Dean curled up in a tiny ball with one of his tiny fists resting on Sam's chest. Fine, definitely not a bad dream. Dean snuffled softly as Sam brushed a finger across Dean's wounds before grabbing the first aid kit and rubbing some antiseptic cream on them before Dean woke up. It would sting like mad if he was awake and dealing with a stroppy, crying Dean was the last thing Sam wanted to do first thing in the morning. Carefully removing Dean's limp arm from his chest, where Dean had moved it again, Sam slid out of bed and made his way to the bath. He was halfway through shampooing his floppy hair when he heard a quiet knock at the door and Dean crying.
"S'mmy." Dean knocked again and began to sob harder. With a sigh Sam clambered out of the bath, wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door, careful not to knock a crying Dean flying.
"Hey, what's up Dean? Do you need the bathroom?" Dean did not answer, instead choosing to fling his arms around his brother. Sam picked Dean up and held him close, rubbing his back in circles until the boy was reduced to sniffles and hiccups.
"Sammy l-left meeee." Dean wailed miserably and tears began to spill even faster than before.
"Come on Dean, I was just having a shower. I'm right here, I won't leave you."
"Did before." Those two words tore through Sam like a hurricane and he felt his legs wobble slightly so decided to perch them both on the edge of the bath. This was not the first time Dean had mentioned Sam leaving him behind in the last few hours and Sam knew this was a bad sign; normally Dean never revealed his insecurities, preferring to hide them behind a mask of jokes and drink. This really is a mess.
"Dean, I am sorry that I left before but I won't do it again. It's my turn to look after you, and I am damned if I mess it up. Are you hungry?" Luckily for Sam, Dean nodded hopefully, he clearly had not lost his appetite, especially considering that he had thrown up the entire contents of his stomach the previous night.
"How about pancakes?"
"Yes!"
"Right, pancakes it is. You are going to have to wear another T-shirt though, we can say that you were sick on your other clothes, at least that is a half-truth." Dean nodded in acknowledgement and pulled on his favourite AC/DC top, which now swamped him and covered his legs like a nightie. Sam smirked again before taking Dean's hand reflexively and taking him down to breakfast. He knew Dean was an adult and could take perfectly good care of himself, well, could keep himself alive anyway, but the idea of not keeping a close hold on a child seemed wrong.
Sammy, what in God's name do you think you are doing? Let go of my hand!
Dean struggled to extricate himself from Sam's grip but failed miserably and gave up when Sam instructed him to play along with it so that they looked like a normal family. Well that really is a joke, us a normal family, that takes the biscuit! Dean did not bother voicing his argument and clung obediently to Sam as they walked into the breakfast room. Everything seemed so surreal from this level, the tables seemed to loom over Dean and the presence of every adult felt like a threat. Sam could feel that Dean's hand was clammy and could feel his brother shaking softly. Well this is just plain weird, Dean's brain seems to have de-aged as well, or at least the less stubborn part of it anyway.
"S'okay Dean. Don't worry." Sam led Dean over to the continental breakfast table and grabbed a couple of packs of cereal, Special K for himself and Lucky Charms for Dean. It somehow seemed appropriate.
Dean did not pick up on the irony of the role-reversal and glared at Sam, who simply shrugged, opened the cereal, poured it into the bowls and added milk. Lucky Charms, just 'cos my body is small doesn't mean I need to eat little-people food.
Dean glared at his bowl for a while before eventually scooping up a spoonful and guiding it to his lips. However, his hand seemed to have a mind of its own and he missed his mouth completely, leading to a dollop of gunge landing on his shirt. Life gets better and better! Sam grabbed a napkin from the neighbouring table and wiped Dean clean, then returned to his own bowl. He knew that Dean would flip if he tried to feed him.
Sam tried to ignore the weird looks he was getting from the other Motel guests, a couple of builders, one very miserable-looking businessman who seemed to think the Motel was beneath him and a couple who were making out behind a broadsheet newspaper, which was upside down. They probably thought that Dean was his son and that Sam was neglecting or worse abusing him, the bruising and cuts certainly did not look good and the over-sized top Dean was wearing was not doing Sam any favours. Next thing, shopping.
Dean had finally managed to finish his cereal and was smiling in triumph. Although he would never admit it the Lucky Charms tasted amazing, his taste buds clearly favoured artificial flavouring rather than real food.
"You ready for pancakes?"
"Yes!" Dean beamed despite himself and had to bite back the urge to skip to the pancake maker. Sam allowed him to pour the mixture in, guiding his hand like Dean used to do for him, and they waited until there were three pancakes for each of them.
Sam drizzled his with one small pot of maple syrup and watched amused as Dean smothered his with five pots as well as chocolate sauce and sugar. Wonderful, now I am going to have to contend with a hyperactive four year old.
Dean dug into his pancakes with renewed enthusiasm, although most of the sauce didn't make it to his mouth, drizzling down his bare arms and smearing around his lips. Sam groaned when the business man wandered past muttering something about E-numbers and proper healthy diets. There was no pleasing some adults, at least Dean was happy.
"Is that nice then? Just don't make yourself sick." Sam raised a sceptical eyebrow in Dean's direction but the child decided to ignore him. Sammy is being a right bore! This is amazing. Once they had both finished Sam picked up a rather sick looking Dean and carried him back to the motel room where he attacked the child with soap and a flannel.
"Dean, stay still. Stop wriggling! This is ridiculous, stop acting like a four year old for one minute."
"But…"
"No buts. Right we are going shopping."
"But Sammy, I hate shopping!"
"What did I just say about no buts?!" Dean scowled. Sam knows how much I hate shopping. He doesn't have to treat me like a kid. I'm so gonna kick his ass in a minute.
"Don't make me ground you!" You wouldn't dare!
"S-sorry Sammy." Where did that come from? God brain, I do not apologise! Oh great now my eyes are watering again. This is ridiculous!
"Look, I'm sorry alright but we need to get you some new clothes and maybe I can get you something to play with." Sam tried desperately to appeal to the childish part of Dean's mind and it thankfully seemed to work because Dean smiled, full on dimples and all. His cheeks, which were less chiselled than before, flushed with excitement and before he knew it Sam was being dragged to the Impala.
"All right buddy. Calm down." Dean made the mistake of walking to the wrong side of the car, attempting to climb into the driver's side before realising his mistake, climbing out and walking around to the passenger side with his head hanging low. Sam sighed internally and helped to do up Dean's seatbelt before his own.
"How about some music?" Sam attempted to lighten the mood with a Metallica cassette but Dean still looked pensive even with 'The Day That Never Comes,' 'The Unforgiven III' and 'My Apocalypse' blasting from the car stereo.
"We will fix this Dean. It has only been one night and one morning, we will sort it out soon I promise." Dean smiled sadly and Sam.
"Ok." God I want things to go back to normal. This sucks ass.
When they pulled into the parking lot and Sam had unclipped Dean's seatbelt they made their way into the store, ignoring the weird looks they received once again. One particularly matronly, plump woman made her way over and placed a hand threateningly on Sam's shoulder.
"Why is your child covered in cuts and bruises?" Sam was startled by her nerve and bluntness but answered out of habit.
"He fell off a slide at a play area. Not that it is any of your business." The lady scowled before turning her attention to Dean.
"Hey there little man." Dean flinched even though the woman had taken on a much friendlier tone, if only she realised how accurate her pet name was. "Is that what really happened? You can talk to me, you are safe."
Dean clung to Sam's T-shirt partly to strengthen their act and partly for comfort. Well this woman is an A-grade asshole.
"Fuck off!" Dean blinked as he realised what he had just said…four year olds are not supposed to swear. Sam also realised the situation and immediately took on the tone that John had used on them.
"DEAN! Have I bought you up to use filthy language like that?"
"No. Sorry." Dean quickly tried to make amends for his mishap and blushed at the filthy looks other customers were shooting at him and Sammy. This is awkward…
"You, clearly are not taking good care of your child if he is using language like THAT. Anyway, is that what really happened to you? Is that how you got hurt sweetie?"
"Yes. I fell and Daddy took me to the doctors. I got a sticker and everything for being a brave boy!" Dean gave one of his most charming smiles and looked up at Sam who ruffled his hair.
"Oh, well why is he not wearing proper clothes then?" This woman just doesn't give up.
"Someone ate too many pancakes with maple syrup and chocolate sauce this morning. His tummy clearly didn't agree with it. My poor lad spent half of the car journey throwing up on himself and this was the only clean item in the boot."
"Hmmm." The woman finally seemed convinced, turned and walked away without another word.
"What a bitch!"
"Sammy?"
"Yes Dean."
"F-feel sick." The conversation about throwing up and pancakes had caused Dean's tummy to churn and Sam only just managed to get Dean to public loos and sink before the child was throwing up miserably. Sam sat Dean on the counter and grabbed some toilet roll, mopping the sweat off Dean's face and the vomit from his mouth.
"I told you maple syrup and chocolate sauce was not a good idea." Sam did not have the heart to scold Dean further as he began to dry heave and cry in pain.
"H-h'rts" Dean managed to gasp between heaves and sobs.
"Shhhh. It's ok. Try and breathe for me." A man who had been in a cubical washed his hands quickly before walking up to Dean and Sam.
"Do you want me to get anything for your kid? Some water?"
"Yes please. That would be great, thank you so much." The man nodded and came back moments later with a bottle of water and some Calpol.
"I thought this would help, the poor lad seems to be quite distressed." Sam nodded gratefully and pressed the bottle to Dean's lips, all the while rubbing his back.
"Do you think you can keep this down?" Dean nodded and drank the sweet, gloopy liquid that Sam had poured into the lid of the bottle.
"Do you need anything else?" The man was hovering uncertainly behind the brothers and seemed slightly uncomfortable.
"No thank you. He will be fine in a minute. He's just had a couple of rough days."
"Well I hope he gets better soon." The man left the room and Dean let out a small whimper. Ow, ow, ow. I am so gonna kill that witch. Slowly.
"You ready to go now?"
"Yes." Dean was trembling but managed to keep upright when Sam lifted him down from the counter and placed him on the floor. Sam cleaned up before opening the bathroom door and leading Dean over to the children's clothing.
"What takes your fancy?" Dean stared around the boy's section before walking over to a tiny leather jacket and handed it to Sam, who grinned.
"Very cute!" I am not cute! They spent half an hour picking up and trying on clothes before both Dean and Sam were dead bored.
"I think we are done now. This should keep you going."
"Ok Sammy." The brothers were half way to the till when Dean began to tug at Sam's sleeve and point at the toy section.
"Sure thing, what do you want?" Dean beamed and hurried over to an aisle filled with stuffed toys, there was something about the bright colours that caused his four-year-old-brain to snap into action and before he knew it Dean had picked up a pastel-blue, polar-fleece rabbit.
Why am I holding this? I am not a girl! Why do I want this…it's so cute…Dean take a hold of yourself, you do not do cute…it's fluffy…No…
Dean groaned when he found his hand holding the toy rabbit to Sam. Oh brill, now I look like a complete weirdo.
Sam smiled at the mixed expressions on his brother's face, one moment he was smiling cheerfully and the next he was frowning and muttering to himself as if he was talking himself out of something. He guessed that Dean was embarrassed for wanting the toy but before he could put it back Sam placed the rabbit in the trolley. If it was what Dean wanted he could have it, girlie or not, who was he to judge?
"Anything else?" When Dean nodded Sam helped him pick out some puzzles, a toy Impala and a couple of colouring books-complete with crayons. Dean was smiling happily, walking with one arm wrapped around Sam's leg to keep him close.
The incredibly busty blonde cashier grinned at Sam and Dean.
"Is this little cutie-pie your son?" Hell no! Nobody calls me a cutie, even if they are fit, I wonder what she is like in bed…oh yeah I am in the body of a four year old…damn!
"Yes his name is Dean."
"Why hello there Dean. This is a very cute bunny! What's his name?" The lady scanned the barcode before handing the toy to Dean, who grabbed it and hugged it despite himself.
"James." Dean blurted out the first name that came to his head, did I really just name my rabbit after the lead singer of Metallica? I am going mad!
"What a sweet name. Well I hope you have lots of fun with James." Dean nodded and rested his head against Sam's leg to signal that he was a) tired and b) wanted to go before this situation got any more embarrassing. Sam took the hint and paid swiftly before grabbing the shopping bags and leading Dean out of the shop and into the Impala.
"Right, let's go back to the Impala. I'm going to ring Bobby when we get back and le them know what has happened. Maybe he will know how to fix this. Then we can pick up our stuff and check out of the motel." Sam felt slightly better now that he had a plan of campaign and he ruffled Dean's hair reassuringly. He half expected Dean to pull away or flinch from the touch but instead Dean lent further into him for a hug.
"You're not getting all soppy on me are you?"
"No!" Dean's indignant response just confirmed the fact that Dean was indeed being soppy, but Sam just accepted it and cuddled his brother back before slipping into the car and driving them both to the motel. When Dean was settled on the ground colouring in a picture of a bus (at least he was now easily amused) Sam picked up the phone and dialed Bobby's number.
Well this should be an interesting conversation…
TBC
Please review! Can I be mean and say I wont load the next chapter until I get 8 reviews in total...BRIBERY! What can I say, I watch too many programs with deals in them (Don't worry, no kissing demons at crossroads in this deal...just the promise of a new chapter quickly :) ).