mb64 prompted for some teen!chesters: John is away on a hunt and money is getting low and Dean hustles pool for the first time. Dean is 18 and Sam is 13.
Another day another dollar
Sam comes out of the school and instantly spots the Impala and his brother because of the group of girls hovering around him like bees to honey. Sam makes his way through them to the passenger door and smirks when he opens the door and before he gets in he turns towards the bees and yells "Boo!" causing them all to finally take notice of him and scatter like roaches when the light is turned on. Dean chuckles at his brother and reaches out to ruffle Sam's too long hair.
"How was school, Sammy?"
"Same old, same old"
Dean scowls at this and wonders if his little brother is having "bully" problems again. He had thought that those times were behind his little brother after Sam's reaction to the bully at Truman High six months ago. Boy, Dirk never knew what hit him and secretly Dean was afraid that maybe Sam just didn't need him anymore. Truman High…yeah, that's when Dean decided that he was through with school and dropped out but we won't get into his reasons for that (another story). He got his GED through Sam and his dad's insistence. John always said that Winchesters were not quitters and Dean had to finish what he started one way or another.
The rest of the ride "home" was made in companionable silence. They hit the front door to the small apartment that John had rented for them and Sam dropped his messenger bag by the door and proceeded to plop down on the "sofa" (Sam's word—Dean just calls it a couch) having no homework for once. Eyeballing his brother who had went straight to the kitchen and started making all kinds of racket only to come back with nothing and grumbling about it, Sam asks…
"Is there a problem, Dean?"
To which Dean rolls his eyes and answers a quick "No" heading for their bedroom. Dean knew that they were strapped for cash and that buying Sam's school supplies last week had put them in the "red zone" financially. They were running low on food and dad had not checked back in yet—he was only going to be gone a couple of days he said and that was a week and a half ago.
Dean had tried to get a job but no one was hiring in this little Podunk town and Dean was bound and determined that Sam not know about their "money problems". Kid had enough to worry about (i.e. dad) without adding this to the mix, usually dad would be running a credit card scam right now but he hadn't showed Dean how to do it yet. Dean had watched his dad play poker and hustle pool or play darts for money before but he had never let Dean try his hand at it always saying that it was dangerous to do even for an adult. You always needed "backup" because some guys were sore losers and wouldn't hesitate to take it out on your ass if so inclined so Dean was hesitant to try it. Could he convince Sammy that it was for fun and take him along or that it was a training exercise to sharpen their "skill set"? Mind made up he took the last $20 from their stash and made his way back to the "couch" and Sam.
"Sammy, grab your coat. We're going out"
Wordlessly, Sam retrieves his coat and they leave the apartment. Once ensconced in the Impala again, Sam turns inquisitive eyes on his big brother and asks
"Where are we going, Dean?"
"To a pool hall…I thought I might start to teach you how to play…how does that sound, Sammy?"
"Really Dean?"
"Yeah, it's a good skill to have"
Sam beams and Dean hopes the lie in his voice doesn't come through to his little brother. He's feeling nervous as it is and glad that this town actually has a pool hall in it. They are different than bars; anyone can get into a pool hall, so he should have no problem getting Sam in.
$Supernatural$
They arrive at Sharp's Pool Hall and park as near the door as Dean can get in case of a need to get away quickly. Sam bounces out of the car eager to get in and Dean steps out with trepidation. Making their way in, Dean takes note of every person in the joint looking for hidden dangers, steering his little brother to a table in the back. Dean shows Sam how to pick the right cue for him and how to set up a tight rack. Dean breaks and shows Sam how to call solids or stripes, he'll teach him 9 ball later. Next, he shows him how to call his pockets and explains to him what "English" means (hitting the ball in just the right place to get it to go where you want). Dean is well aware that they have drawn some attention—someone no doubt thinking that they have pigeon written all over them and hopes that that someone will ask to start up a game with him.
Sam is picking it up surprising quick just like he does everything and Dean silently wonders if it is because he's such an awesome teacher. They are racking up the balls again for another game when the person that has been spying on them finally makes his move speaking directly to Dean.
"Hey kid, fancy a game? You sure look like you know what you are doing"
"I dunno. What's in it for me?"
Sam's shocked expression causes Dean to roll his eyes at him and wordlessly assure him that everything is alright. Sam stands down at this and leans against the wall watching the scene play out in front of him.
"Twenty dollars, what do you say?"
"Uh…twenty dollars, that's a lot of money, mister"
"Oh come on kid and bragging rights to your little brother. Should be priceless right?"
"Mister, you're on"
With a wink at Sam, Dean breaks and the game is on. Twenty becomes forty and forty becomes eighty and the guy is calling it quits. The last game ends with a handshake and Sam is in awe of his brother.
"Good game, kid. You're really good. You should think about doing this professionally."
"Uh…thanks"
Is Dean's red faced reply because Dean Winchester does not blush; he collects his winnings and his little brother to head for the car, as Sam says
"Dean, you were amazing back there!"
"Ah…it was nothing Sammy"
"Do you think I could do that?"
"When you're older Sammy…sure…now, who wants some pie?"
Driving in search of pie, Dean looks over to Sam who is still smiling like a loon and to himself, Dean hopes that they never get into this situation again. Sam should never have to worry about money as long as Dean is around.
The end
I hope you like it.
