Two hours and a good third of the book read, Sam put the paperback down, thinking about the storyline. He liked book Kahl Drogo better than the one in the show. Plus they were all older in the show , it took away some adventure. He looked around his bright room. Usually while reading, he'd use the lamp on the nightstand, but with Dean sleeping there, the light would have been intense and on him. Speaking of Dean…
His eyes landed on said nightstand. Something felt wrong. He leaned over, seeing the handkerchief shift ever so slightly. No, not shifting. Shaking?
"Dean?" he questioned softly. He saw the back of Dean's small head poking out of his makeshift blanket.
"You alright?" he reached out a hand and gently nudged his smaller brother. He felt shaking. No, he was shivering! Before Dean could do anything, he was scooped up into Sam's massive fingers. What little Sam could feel of him under the small cloth was cold! He slowly woke up as Sam covered him with his other hand for warmth. Dean squirmed sluggishly as he woke up.
"Sammy?" he moaned, slowly blinking his eyes, squinting in the light.
"Dude you're freezing! Why didn't you tell me?!" Sam shifted in his bed to a better position, one that allowed him to comfortably hold his hands close to his face. Dean frowned.
"I dunno. I…dreamed that I was cold. Like Antarctica or sumthin." Dean shifted and Sam could feel his every movement.
"You're so WARM Sammy." He commented, still groggy. He rolled over onto his stomach and snuggled into his brother's palm, nuzzling the fleshy base of a finger and within moments, fell back asleep.
Dean was so going to get teased for this. And yet, Sam nearly awwed at the sight of his brother snoozing on his hand, still wrapped in his handkerchief blanket.
Now what? He couldn't put Dean back on the table, he'd get cold again. And he couldn't stay in this position all night. Sam pursed his lips in thought. He was a light sleeper. Hunting training made sure of that. And he slept on his back. Thinking it over for a moment he got up and turned off the light and tuned on his bedside lamp. Slowly and carefully he got into bed using one hand, the other cupping his sleeping brother. He pulled the blanket up a little past his waist and gently slid Dean off of his palm onto his chest. Dean moved, getting comfortable, but didn't wake up, accepting the body heat that Sam emanated. Sam cupped his hand over his brother, careful for to smother or crush him.
Things to get: a heating pad for Dean. He thought.
He felt the small man on his chest. He was surprised at how deeply his brother slept. The past few years had Dean on not much more than four hours of sleep a night! And now he changed clothes for bed, wore a robe, and slept long and deep! He let out a content sigh at how things had changed since they found the base.
Sam closed his eyes and fell asleep, dreaming of dragons and tiny people.
From under his brother's palm, Dean's eyes were half-open. Trying to understand where he was. Sam moved him…somewhere. He knew that much. He laid still and observed. Whatever he was on was moving, up and down at a slow steady rate.
Bu-bump. What..?
Bu-bump. Bu-bump. Bu-bump. A heartbeat. Sam's heartbeat! He was on Sam! Why?! He tried to rouse himself to get up but just couldn't. The chest beneath him was so nice and warm. And something above him was giving off heat as well.
The bat-cave was pretty cold now that he was tiny. The marble floors and stone walls didn't allow a small person warmth. It wouldn't hurt just to sleep for a while and then…and then… that big heartbeat was soooo soothing.
Moments later Dean was fast asleep. Dreaming happy, warm dreams.
Sam awoke hours later slowly blinking his eyes and with a long stretch of his big body, arms up and legs out, the whole nine yards. (almost.) He relaxed, before getting up he noticed something white on his chest. He blinked at it for a few moments before remembering with a start that it was his brother! Slowly he picked up his head, trying to keep his chest level as he looked at his tiny brother wrapped up in the hankie.
"Dean. You up yet?" Sam didn't know that Dean woken up half an hour before and was in a nice half-doze stupor with the heat all around him. When Sam removed his hand the cave of warmth disappeared. He slowly curled his legs into a loose fetal position. When Sam called to him, he felt it through the chest underneath though the voice was gentle. Something large bumped the side of his body, moving him a little. Even a small, gentle poke from Sam was still a pretty big poke to Dean.
"Rise and shine Thumbelina." Sam teased, scooping up a shifting Dean and sitting up. Dean struggled out of his blanket to finally look up at the face that was far bigger than he was.
"Mornin." He yawned. Reaching his arms upwards in a stretch.
"I'm gonna take a shower. Want to come with me to the bathroom or stay here?" Dean thought for a moment.
"I'll stay here, mister morning breath. Make good use of that toothpaste." He said waving a hand in front of his face. Sam had to stop himself from pressing his tiny brother against his cheek in a hug. His morning fuzzy brain told him that Dean was so damn cute, with his tiny messed up hair and stubble and Sam couldn't do anything about it. Dean would be pissed beyond all reason if the word "cute" ever left his mouth. Instead he bent his thumb and rubbed at the bed-head hair.
"Dude!" Dean pushed the finger. He couldn't actually move it but Sam moved it away.
"S'not like I have a comb." He sulked, rubbing his fingers through his short hair in an attempt to comb it. After three seconds of watching Sam moved his thumb back to mess it up. Dean fell on his back in surprise. Sam chuckled and moved his hand to the mattress. Dean stepped off and took a step back as Sam swung his legs away from his brother and off the bed. He stretched again, this time putting his back into it. Several satisfying pops and clicks brought a sleepy grin to his face. He looked down at the bed, barely seeing his brother on the expanse of the bed.
Dean looked up-up-up as his brother the giant practically touched the heavens. The shorter Winchester had the hankie over him like a cloak. His hand held two sides of the fabric at his chest. He saw Sam scan the bed before his eyes locked in on him. He picked up his phone from the night stand and propped it up on the pillow on its side.
"See if you can use it." Sam prompted. It was a touch phone, so Dean might have been able to use it. Surprising both of them, the screen lit up when he swiped his palm across it.
"Have fun." He called, already out the door.
One quick shower (and thorough teeth brushing and mouthwash later) had Sam back in the room with a towel around his waist. He walked in to get his clothes and go back into the bathroom to change. But stopped when he saw Dean try to flag him down from the bed.
Sam laid his hand on the bed and Dean all but sprinted on.
"Bathroom. Now. PLEASE." Sam nodded and stuck his clothes under his arm. When they got to the bathroom, Sam placed his hand on the counter of the sink. Dean scrambled off and fumbled with his zipper. Out of courtesy Sam left the room and dressed in the hallway. When he re-entered the bathroom he found his brother at the edge of the counter leaning over to look at the drain. Sam offered him his hand.
"You done?" Dean just looked at the hand and shifted. He mumbled something unintelligible.
"What?" Sam bent down and leaned in close to hear him. Once again Dean mumbled. Louder this time, but still unintelligible.
"Dude, I can't understand you when-"
"I gotta take a dump!" as soon as the words were said Dean's face grew red and he turned away from Sam.
"Oh." He looked at the drain, which had big holes and was slick and slippery. No, that wasn't happening. What was small enough for Dean to use?
An idea hit him, if it had been a cartoon, Sam was sure there would have been a light bulb over his head.
"Be back in a minute." He said as he walked out of the bathroom. The main room was close, and he remembered he had left a water bottle on the table. Removing the small plastic cap he brought it back to the bathroom. He placed the cap on the counter with a flourish. It reached Dean's knees in height and was almost as big as he was.
"voila! Instant porta-potty. Size extra-large for the extra-small." Dean just stared at it.
"Dean, we've gone in the woods and in bathrooms that looked like they haven't been cleaned since the seventies. This isn't so bad." Dean looked up.
"I know! Its- thanks." He stuttered.
"No problem." Sam tore a corner off a square of toilet paper and passed it to Dean, gently pressing it into his hands. It was almost the same size as he was.
"I'll come back in a few minutes." He said once again stepping outside to give his brother some privacy. The younger hunter walked back to his room and put on fresh socks and shoes. Getting Dean a heating pad would be a good idea. Sam thought to how easily Dean agreed to be carried around. The idea that he was cold when not around Sam made sense. Last night he had gone searching in the web to look up lifestyles of small mammals. They had faster heart rates to keep themselves warm, Humans were just not made to be tiny! They also had faster metabolisms, and were capable of amazing feats of strength and agility! Nature has a way of making sure the small things live. He pondered these thoughts for a few minutes while waiting outside of the bathroom.
He tapped on the door with a knuckle.
"Dean? You done?" only realizing after he asked that even if Dean responded, he wouldn't have been able to hear him from this distance. Oh so slowly he opened the door to find Dean on the counter, done with his business. The bottle cap was covered with shredded toilet paper. Sam pretended that he didn't notice the little face light up when he walked in. Dean walked on to his palm, and he moved him to the sink, this time offering him a fingernail of scraped, dry soap. Dean accepted it, washed his hands, and then his face. Wiping it off on the cuff of Sam's long sleeved tee when he was done. Sam opened his mouth to say something about it, but then thought better and walked out.
It was a complete accident if Dean got jostled and fell down in his hand as he turned a corner. Entering the kitchen, Sam moved his hand to his ear. Dean's bare feet ticked a little as he climbed on. The little hunter was once again draped over the outside of his ear. His torso on the outer shell, little feet resting in a nook his ear provided.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Sam asked, a little curious as to what his brother might say.
"How 'bout some scrambled eggs?" Dean suggested. Sam nodded gently.
"Sounds good. I'll join you." he pulled a carton of eggs from the fridge, and some butter. He put the butter on a heating pan and popped two pieces of bread into a toaster. A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth when he heard Dean lightly humming. It wasn't a rock song to his surprise. He couldn't place the tune but still didn't comment on it. He could feel Dean tap out a beat with his feet, they were so light. Sam didn't think Dean was aware he was doing it. He brought a plate with hot scrambled eggs to the table and was surprised to encounter a slice of pie on the table.
"Guess I forgot to put it away last night." He apologized as he bought his hand to his ear. Dean was placed on the table and went not for the pie, but for his now-dry underwear and socks. Dean picked it up and gave Sam a very clear "look away" look. Sam turned his head and got up from the table. Getting a glass of orange juice from himself, and a cap full of juice for the little one.
He took longer than usual, drawing out the task, giving Dean time to change. He walked back and placed the cap in front of Dean, who got on his knees, stuck his face in, and slurped at the juice. Sam rolled his eyes at the sight. Dean was a slob, what else was new? He tore off a corner of toast and placed it at the end of the plate along with a bit of egg. Dean saw and eagerly dug in to his (relatively) small portion.
"Slow down, don't want to gain a few micro-grams, do we?" Sam teased. Dean shrugged off the comment and continued to enjoy breakfast. He stayed off the plate and occasionally watched the giant fork wearily if it came anywhere near him.
A few crumbs and a tiny bit of egg later, Dean was done with his meal. Sam was still working on his. He noticed Dean eying the leftover pie.
"You're not going for the pie?" he questioned.
"Time and place Sammy. Breakfast isn't the time for pie. Especially if said pie has been left out all night." Sam nodded, considering this.
Dean stood up and touched his toes a few times.
"Any plans for today?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm getting you a heating pad so you don't freeze again." Dean blinked up at his little brother.
"Again?" it was NOT cute the way Dean tilted his head. He had to be strong, and not give in to the cuteness. The adorableness that was his big-little brother. So tiny.
"You don't remember last night?" Sam questioned, a little surprised.
"I went to sleep on the night table and woke up on your chest. That's it!" it was a little lie. Dean remembered waking up on Sam's chest after he was moved, but that was only for a minute. He still didn't know WHY he was moved.
"Dude, I checked on you and you were freezing! You were shivering!" Sam accidentally raised his voice and Dean winced at the loud noise. He lowered it quickly.
"I put you on my chest you wouldn't catch hypothermia or die from lack of heat! Why didn't you tell me you were cold?" Dean shrugged, his head down, his cheeks and neck grew hot. It was downright HUMILATING to keep asking Sam for help! His hands clenched into fists at his side, then folded his arms tightly. Even to keep himself warm, he couldn't even do that! Dean hated the feeling of helplessness. He was done with being tiny.
"I don't remember." That much was true. He didn't remember freezing. Just waking up after Sam moved him on his chest. He slept ON TOP of Sam. Dean suppressed the snarky part of his brain that threatened to sass him. Sam saw the little face burning. He couldn't tell if it was shame or embarrassment, but an educated guess went for both.
"Little creatures have faster heart rates to keep themselves warm. You'd get a heart attack trying to keep yourself warm that way." Slowly he moves his hand across the table to his big-little brother. He nudged dean gently with a knuckle.
"I don't mind keeping you warm if it keeps you alive." He said plainly. Dean still refused to look up at the goliath's giant puppy eyes.
"And it doesn't make you weak to ask for help." Sam's large voice continued. But that's what he was. Tiny. Weak. Helpless. Unable to protect Sam or even himself himself against anything! Dean silently cured the Men Of Letters for not destroying that damned shrinking statue.
"You're still Dean. The man that makes monsters wet their beds and tell horror stories about. The guy who kills dick angels and asshat demons. My big brother and partner in crime." Sam shifted in his seat and leaned closer to the little person.
"It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside. What matters most is here, on the inside." Sam unfurled his pointer finger to tap at the little chest.
Unintentionally, Sam winded dean a little, but didn't notice. Sam withdrew his finger but Dean put out a hand and the large appendage paused its retreat. Dean looked up into the hazel eyes of sorrow and the little snarky part of his mind gained control of his mouth once more.
"Since when did I have a care-bear for a little brother?" he joked upward. Chuckling, Sam was happy to see that the little face no longer resembled a red hot.
"I got you something to pass the time." Sam pulled his finger back, placed his hand palm up on the table and twitched his fingers in a "come here" gesture.
"it won't be easy to turn the pages of a magazine at this size." Dean joked, making his way on to the offered hand. The heat radiating from the flesh beneath him felt nice, the table had been getting cold. Sam scowled slightly at the joke, bringing Dean up to his ear. Once Dean was settled he cleaned off the table.
"Whatcha get?" Dean asked, impatient and curious. He tapped his feet in a tattoo against the outer shell of the ear as Sam washed his plate.
"What starts with season six and ends in box set?" there was a dis-believing pause.
"Sammy, you didn't!"
"I did."
"Yeah!" dean yelled happily. Sam flinched at the sudden loud little voice right by his ear.
"Man, no yelling by the ear." He pleaded.
"sorry." Only because he was focused on that area, did he feel a little hand pat his head. Walking out of the kitchen, Sam could feel his little brother fidgeting in excitement.
