A/N:
Thank you to appletopine, mckydstarlight and Christine for all the great reviews!
Jacob chuckled appreciatively at the story. It brought out more of the amusing banter between the brothers. "Hey, those don't sound terrible," he teased. He caught himself wondering at the fact that they'd lived like that for their whole childhood. It was so different from his own growing up.
Bowman listened idly to their small talk and tried to figure out the meanings of their unfamiliar words from context. He thought maybe he got some of it, but it didn't help everything around him become less frightening.
Sam grinned. "Dean was just jealous my present was so amazing." He batted away the finger that was still hovering nearby. "That's the year I gave him his amulet," he finished, gesturing up at the amulet that was hanging around Dean's neck, above his head even with the hunter sitting.
Jacob glanced at the familiar amulet. He'd seen it before in passing and never once thought of its significance. "Sweet, you gave him that? That's pretty awesome." And Dean had kept it all this time. It reminded Jacob of his own necklace, a simple length of braided twine. Dean's amulet probably meant just as much to him, especially after he'd thought Sam lost for good.
Bowman looked up, curious despite himself. He wondered briefly how Sam would have given the item to Dean, but then again he obviously had to have ways around. If he'd been trained to like Dean so well... The shiny thing would be a good gift for him.
Sam, unaware of Bowman's confusion, grinned up at both humans. "Just as awesome as my knife he made me. I had to keep up somehow." He frowned. "Though I'm not sure exactly how I'm supposed to keep up anymore. It's a lot harder to figure out gifts when you're too small to pick most of them up."
Jacob smiled, sympathetic to the plight Sam referred to. He was a hardy little guy, and had proven himself on the hunts that Jacob had tagged along for, but his strength only went so far. "Yeah, and I know Dean was just holding his breath for a return Barbie doll, too," he quipped.
Sam smirked. "How'd you guess?" he asked jokingly. "I mean, I gotta make up for like twelve years of no barbie dolls. I was even planning on getting him the matching car to go with her!"
Truthfully, Sam had a few ideas of his own for what he could do for Dean. He had no intention of letting either human hear about it. Until it was finished, he was worried they'd make fun of him for dreaming of being able to make a bracelet. It sounded so silly, but it would take Sam a lot of work collecting the supplies and twining it together, all without Dean noticing.
Jacob grinned across the table at Dean, hoping he was enjoying the jokes too, even if they were at his expense. "At least he's got the Impala to hold him over til you can find that," he said with a wink. Not that Jacob would ever make fun of the Impala itself. That car was well cared for and it was obvious Dean loved the machine.
After a dry chuckle, Dean decided that Bowman had had enough time to stew in the vase. He pushed aside the remains of their meal, focusing down on the small, forlorn sprite in his glass enclosure. "So. Small fry. Up for round two?"
The second round of questioning went as well as the first. Bowman refused to answer any of Dean's questions and Dean determinedly barreled on. Sam relocated and sat to the side with Jacob, watching the proceedings with the small green-winged man with interest. Eventually, when Dean and Bowman started to go in snarky circles around each other, he tried to step in.
His easygoing manner, a distinct counterpoint to Dean's intensity, had no more effect the second time around. His natural empathy and sympathy for Bowman just rolled off the leafy wings. They couldn't even get Bowman to admit what he was to them. His ability to resist even Sam was incredible.
For himself, Bowman still couldn't figure out what Sam was either. He didn't act like he was the same as the others, yet they treated him like he was a close friend. The human Dean even called him and 'his people' different. Had he been captured and trained to act that way?
These humans were confusing and that fact didn't put him at ease at all.
Dean sat up, deciding to call it a night for the questioning. It had turned into a waste of energy. "Maybe you should try some regular research," he suggested to Sam, nodding at the laptop. "We might find something on what Bowman is on there," he finished, thinking how much he hated that defeated look on Sam's face. Bowman remained in his huddled position, resolutely not looking at any of them to show how stubbornly he refused to cooperate.
Sam glanced up, mulling it over. "Yeah, you're right," he admitted. At least the laptop didn't talk back.
While Dean set it up, he glanced at Jacob. "One of us should check the local news, see if there's been any other attacks that we missed or maybe weren't published. When we get back to the forest, we should have a planned destination."
Sam drank a bit of his coke before hopping onto the laptop. He started up searches on different types of fairies to start while the humans discussed their own plans. His size made it impossible to help with that side of research.
Jacob nodded to Dean's instructions, finally taking his eyes off of their mystery would-be fairy. The little guy was just starting to look really sad trapped like that, his shoulders showing the slump of helplessness in his bearing. Jacob wished they could let him out, but those wings would probably make them regret the decision.
Before Jacob went to sit on one of the beds to check the news, he noticed Bowman watching Sam operating the laptop. The little guy seemed both confused and fascinated. Jacob smirked at the curiosity that wanted to come out of the stubborn little guy's mouth. "What're you gonna do, Dean?" he asked, beginning the channel surf for his own research.
"Suit up, run down to the station for a bit. See what some good ole' fashioned charm and fake badges can get me." He sent Jacob his winning smile. "Since we all know exactly how good babyface over here does in interviews."
Jacob rolled his eyes. "Hey, I got time to grow into my good looks, dude. Gimme a break!" So he'd botched one interview by simply looking too young. It wasn't his fault.
Dean smirked. "Right. And the stuttering and losing your line of thought didn't help at all." He shook his head jokingly. "Maybe that reporter was a little too hot for you."
Jacob shrugged and grinned sheepishly. That reporter was very pretty, even if Jacob wasn't actually interested in her. And he hadn't exactly had a ton of time to prepare himself for the actual interview either. He supposed he could see why Dean found it so damn hilarious.
"Me an' Sam will get you used to hunting in no time, don't you worry," Dean smirked, patting Jacob on the back. "Maybe next time he can hang with you for the interview. Give you a good punch when you get distracted." He strolled over to the door, going out to the Impala to grab his suit and fake ID's. Jacob rolled his eyes one more time, though it was lost on the more experienced hunter as he prepared to head out.
The massive door was opened again, and Bowman couldn't help but perk up. A golden beam of sunlight dashed across the floor briefly before the door was closed again. It didn't reach the table at all. He sighed tersely, wondering if he'd ever get consistent sunlight again in this captivity. He let his wings rest on his lap and absently massaged the sore joints. He normally took such good care of them, but now he physically couldn't. That hurt more than the sore bones.
Jacob couldn't help but notice the motion under the vase. Just seeing the door open had made Bowman restless. If given the chance it was obvious he'd dart outside... and what then? He'd be way too far from his forest and surrounded by humans. The little guy would get himself caught again for sure, and it was doubtful he'd be able to get away again. At least they wouldn't hurt him like other humans might. He'd listened to stories from Sam on more than one occasion about what had happened to others in his motel, a huge reason he'd been so determined to escape from the moment he was captured.
Jacob watched as Bowman preened his leafy wings before looking back to the task at hand. Local news had nothing yet but he had to keep an eye out.
While Dean left and came back with his suit, Sam remained on the laptop, doggedly researching what he could about the various types of fae that appeared in lore. Bowman didn't look like a stereotypical fairy with his leafy wings and darker skin, as opposed to the almost glowing pale of most fairy artwork, so maybe he was just a different variation… Sam loaded up a new search. By the time Dean wandered out of the bathroom all done up, he'd found a few different websites he wanted to go over.
Dean brushed a gentle finger over Sam's poofy hair, messing it up. "Watch out for yourself, pint-size," he said lightly, knowing Sam would be perfectly safe with Jacob around. They both trusted the teen after all he'd done, and everyone would be careful with Sam not up to full strength until his arm healed. "I'll be back in a flash."
Grabbing the suit jacket, Dean darted from the room. The roar of the Impala started up right outside before fading into the distance.
Jacob watched the news with most of his attention. There wasn't much yet about the attacks aside from an interview with some of the state troopers and the park workers that had found the victims. His eyes drifted over to Bowman for a second. He wondered what his friend Bobby, whose family owned that land, would do if he knew such a fantastical creature lived in those woods.
Bowman, left alone again, thank the Spirit, let his mind wander back to his home once more. He'd ruffled Rischa's hair that morning before she left to learn from Lord Cerul about her gifts. He was so proud of her. Bowman had helped raise the girl, and she was even making good progress learning to fly. She was one of the wisest sprites Bowman knew and she looked up to him. Bowman once again hid his face in his hands.
What if he never saw her again?
On the laptop, Sam glanced between Bowman and the webpage he'd found. Earthy little guys called 'trolls' were described on the page, but aside from their darker skin colors, they looked nothing like Bowman. Big, knobby noses and tall pointy ears... He'd have to keep searching. He glanced over at Jacob. "Did you find any news channels?" he called over curiously.
Jacob shrugged. "One of the local stations is going over safety guidelines and stuff. There was a report on the attack from this morning but nothing new. They're interviewing my buddy's dad about it right now, actually." Mr. Loran was hours away and had to phone in, but the locals seemed keen for his input on the weirdness on his land. "They're gonna close off the campground for a bit at least, so that might help a little."
Sam brightened at that. Every bit helped, especially keeping innocents away from the danger until it was all figured out. "Hopefully they get everybody out before another attack. That might even make it easier to find whatever's the cause. After all, if there aren't any other humans around to go after, it might be drawn right to us when we go out next." He glanced over at Bowman, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. He really did want to help the guy out, but so far Bowman was against letting anyone in.
"We should be so lucky," Jacob mused. He was wondering himself what made the wolves so vicious. Most of those hikers weren't weak people. They likely had guns or weapons with themselves for protection, so why did the wolves get the better of them so handily?
They'd have to see one for themselves. It was definitely more than just rabies.
They're going back to the woods? Bowman thought with wonder. He couldn't help but hope he'd go with them, but feared they might leave him in the giant room, trapped as their prisoner, while they went back. He imagined sprites sent to search for him since he was missing, getting caught just like Bowman did. He shivered at the thought. Hopefully they'd be smarter than he had been.
Sam stepped on a few more keys, bringing up images of classic fairies. "Hey, Bowman," he called. "This is what we meant when we said you look like a fairy, see?" He gestured up at the screen.
Bowman looked up, but he frowned at the images there. "Those look nothing like fairy lights," he replied incredulously. "They look more like-" he stopped himself abruptly before saying it. But the dragonfly-like wings reminded him vaguely of an air sprite.
Jacob tilted his head. Obviously Bowman had been about to say something. Getting nothing from the news at the moment, Jacob returned to the table and rested his head on his arms like Dean had done. They both spent so much time around Sam, it was an instinctive habit some days. A way to get closer to his level so they didn't loom overhead. "Like what, Bowman? We really aren't going to do anything with the information if you just tell us what you are."
Sam sat on the edge of the computer while they talked, his injured arm cradled in his lap. He'd have to put ice on it again soon. "I'm sure we could convince Dean to let you out of the vase if you cooperate with us a little," he pointed out. "Dean always listens to our suggestions."
Having both of them looking at him so intently unnerved Bowman. He could hardly keep them both in his sight but they could easily look him over. He wanted to find a place to curl up and hide. "You're not gonna let me out," he retorted skeptically.
Jacob frowned. "You think we're gonna keep you under there forever?"
"Yeah! Probably," Bowman spat. "Until you find a different cage, I guess."
"Bowman, that's not true," Sam said softly. "Once this entire situation is cleared up, whether you help us or not, you'll be set free. We just need to keep you around until we're certain it's not you, and if you aren't helping us, it's harder to just let you out. I give you my word you'll be free to go once the woods are safe from these crazed wolves."
Bowman rolled his eyes again. He got to his feet and flexed his wings open, pointedly letting them bump into the glass as he did so. "How can I be certain that you're not responsible for something? You're the ones who were trespassing. Wolves have always hunted in those woods." He sighed irritably and crossed his arms. He was fed up with that blasted vase.
"If you take the prison off me I'll tell you what I am. But I don't see why I should have to say anything while I'm trapped."
Jacob blinked, thrown off by the sudden deal. Bowman looked beyond annoyed in there, and he really had looked cramped when his wings couldn't even spread all the way. Jacob glanced over at Sam to see if he wanted to take the deal.
Sam met Bowman's gaze steadily. "We'll let you out if you promise not to fly," he responded to the offer. "It's a good compromise. Jacob won't grab you at all if you stay here with me. But if you fly off, my brother will be a lot harder to convince." Sam had read on more than one page that promises and deals were binding to fairy creatures like Bowman. It seemed like a good bet, trying to get him to give them a solid reason to let him out.
Bowman frowned. He was a terrible liar. If he tried to say he wouldn't fly off, they'd know. He tried a different tactic, sitting down with a frustrated huff. "You'll never believe that," he pointed out. "I could promise anything and you'd just keep me trapped anyway. First you'll make me tell you what I am, then you'll wanna know everything else about me and you'll keep saying I'll get a little blasted air in return but it'll never happen."
Jacob couldn't tell if Bowman was being sarcastic or sincerely frustrated. It might be both judging by the defeated slump in those tiny shoulders... had Bowman looked like that when he offered his hopeful deal?
Sam walked over to the vase. "I want to trust you," he said. "And I want to show I can be trusted. But I can't just let you out. If you promise to stay on the table with me, you don't even have to tell me what you are." He smiled winningly. "I promise."
Bowman looked skeptically at Sam. He seemed sincere. It almost made Bowman feel bad that he wasn't feeling very sincere himself. But, he reasoned, they probably kept Sam around for that reason. He was easy to get along with, and he could disarm all but the most stubborn non-giant folk.
"... Fine." Bowman glanced once at Jacob before continuing. "If he ... If he won't grab me again I will stay on the table. I... promise." The words came hesitantly; Bowman didn't want to make a promise that he didn't intend to keep, but it just might get him out from under that vase.
"Jacob?" Sam prompted, knowing he could talk all he wanted, but the promise not to grab Bowman had to come from him. "You'll only grab him if he flies, right?"
Jacob sat up again, smiling sheepishly when that rattled the table. "Yeah. I promise. No flying, no grabbing, Bowman. You have my word."
"Oh, what a treasure," Bowman quipped as he got back to his feet. He bounced on the balls of his feet, ready to have more space around him. He stared straight up as Jacob's hand rested atop the glass. As it was lifted cautiously away and set aside, Bowman took a deep breath and flexed his wings to their full extent before folding them again.
Sam grinned sheepishly. "I'm sure it feels good to have some air finally. I hate being cooped up like that for too long." He gestured at a water bottle left over from lunch. "Did you want a drink?"
Bowman almost made a comment in the flavor of Then why did you coop me up but his curious attention was drawn to the clear container. Jacob was already reaching for the thing, and Bowman simply watched as he twisted the top off like some kind of magic and poured some water into it.
Jacob almost had to smile at the perplexed, curious look on Bowman's small face. He set the bottle cap down nearby for him to take if he wanted it, and the little guy leaned away from his hand for a second. "There, you drink that if you need it," he said quietly. Seeing such small people move around would probably always fascinate him; Jacob's eyes were drawn to Bowman's wings as he inched up to the cap.
They really looked like they were meant to blend in with the trees. They even had the veiny patterns that leaves had, and they were a vibrant green. They twitched and shifted with Bowman's breathing and steps. Bowman took a drink and more than a little relief flashed across his face. Jacob couldn't blame him after being scrutinized under Dean's burning glare.
Sam sat down about six inches from Bowman. "I'm sorry my brother trapped you," he said. "Dean has a hard time thinking clearly if something happens to me, so it was probably my fault this all happened. I'm glad you didn't get hurt by accident."
Bowman set the bulky container of water aside. He couldn't exactly deny that Sam grabbing his wrist had been a step in the terrifying direction his day had gone. Bowman still wished he had run away when he had the chance, spider nest or not. "They're not sorry," he said in a hushed voice that Jacob couldn't hear, though the human shifted and tried to listen in casually.
"I didn't mean for you to get dropped either. I um. Panicked."
Sam's grin turned rueful. "It's not your fault," he said. "If I was getting grabbed like that I'd try and get away just like you." He grimaced, holding his wrist tenderly. The pain was starting to flare up again. "Dean's probably never going to forgive himself for dropping me, honestly. He still tries to blame himself for the way we were separated most of our lives. Without Jacob, we'd still be separated."
Sam's eyes lit up, thinking of the way Bowman had effected his temporary escape. "Though I never thought of trying to bite anyone," he admitted. "I was trying to get to my knife the entire time. It never occurred to me to try something like that."
Bowman frowned, confused by the story at first. But then again, most of what they said was confusing. He shrugged faintly. "I don't have any weapons. That was all I could think to do." And it hadn't gotten him very far. Bowman's wings flexed to ease some of the tension out of them. He was uneasy but at least he'd have a chance to make a bid for freedom soon. He just needed a good moment for it.
"Hey, you got Dean to let go of you without any weapons," Sam pointed out, amused. "It didn't work out the way you planned, but that's impressive. He isn't one to let go so easily." His thoughts turned inwards, thinking to himself before going on. "So, do you... fly in the forest a lot?" he asked, his own awe coming out for a moment. "I can't even imagine what it feels like."
Bowman had to smirk confidently at that. "Yes, I fly a lot," he replied. He stood again and stretched his arms over his head casually. "It's my favorite thing to do. Especially when the sun shines, I just can't get enough of it." He said this with obvious pride, and loudly enough for Jacob to hear. He didn't even shy away when the human leaned closer to look when his wings stretched open again.
"And you know what else? I fly fast."
"Shit!" Jacob blurted, when Bowman became a green blur off the table. He lunged with a hand but it closed on air; he hadn't expected it at all. He stood up, careful not to bump the table, and watched the little guy flutter near the ceiling, looking around the room for a way to escape.
A/N
This is the chapter we had to cut out an entire argument between between Dean and Bowman because it became... a circle. Upon a circle upon a circle.
Next: June 4th, 2017 at 9pm est
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