Chapter 4: Baby Brother:
Sam awakens feeling rested, warm and very comfortable. His eyes snap open "this can't be right" he thinks immediately. He sits up fast, "oh shit" he thinks "was I knocked out?" He looks around trying to get his bearings. For a moment he is confused, the last thing he remembers is checking into that ratty motel to rest for 1 or 2 hours before heading out again. It takes him a moment to register that he is in Dean's room back in the bunker. "How did I get here?" he wonders. Suddenly it comes rushing back to him, "Dean" he thinks. He flips the covers off and is about to stand up when he feels a hand on his chest. He looks up, "Dean!" he exclaims.
"Whoa, whoa easy there Tiger" Dean tells Sam "you're not fully recovered."
Sam looks at Dean, he feels confused and hesitant "how long have I've been out?" he asks.
"12hours." Dean informs him.
"What! That can't be right, oh god my stuff!" Sam splutters, trying to get up but is held in place by Dean. "Dean let go!" he shouts.
"Sam, calm down, take a deep breath and exhale" Dean instructs.
Sam calms down ready to listen, but is still a bit restless. He needs the ingredients left locked in the trunk of his car. The first cycle of the full moon should be tonight. If what Dean tells him is accurate, he fell asleep at 11pm so it must be around noon. There is still much to plan but it seems, for the first time, that luck is on his side. If Dean is here, he doesn't need to summon him, he just needs to find a way to keep him here a bit longer. "Wait what is Dean doing here?" Sam wonders looking up at his brother with eyes full of question.
Dean looks at his little brother and can almost hear the wheels turning in his head along with the questions that are probably bubbling away. He wants to handle this carefully. After hearing the detailed report from Cas and Hannah last night he knows this is his fault and his responsibility to fix. The last 12hours have been easy and surprisingly relaxing, something he hasn't felt since waking up with the Mark on his arm. He still feels the burn but not as much as he did, it feels duller now. For the first time he feels fully in control instead of the other way around.
Dean runs his hand over the back of his neck while moving to sit on the chair next to the bed. He pauses for a minute and then speaks "I know you are bursting with questions, so first of all, your car is here. I put it in the downstairs garage. Sam is about to speak, but Dean continues.
"Wait for me to finish. The answer to your next question is –yes, I know about the ingredients you've been collecting these past 2 weeks. The next answer is –No you are not performing your little ritual tonight. In fact any other night for that matter" Dean's voice takes on a tinge of anger
"What the hell have you been up to Sam?!"
Sam's eyes narrow into angry slits "what the hell have I've been doing?" Sam matches the anger in Dean's voice. "I have been trying to save your ass Dean!" Sam yells "or did you forget that you are a Demon? For months I've been researching how best to remove the Mark without killing you. Now that I'm close you want me to stop?! No Dean. Whether you want me to or not I am saving you" Sam concludes.
"Are you finished?" Dean asks calmly, as Sam looks at Dean suspiciously.
"Now here's how it's going to be Sammy. You are not getting out of bed until you are fully recovered and you've put some weight back on. You are not allowed any reading material unless approved by me first. You are not allowed to step foot in the library since you showed complete disrespect by almost destroying it. You are not allowed to wander the bunker alone under any circumstance. You will get a full 8 hours of sleep every night and a 2 hour nap in the early afternoon. Do you understand?" Dean finishes.
"Okay here it comes", Dean thinks "bitch-face number 1." He's not seen it since Sam's teen years. Sam does not disappoint.
"Not allowed?! Where do you get off telling me what to do? In case you've forgotten Dean I'm not a child anymore and we are not living in motel rooms while dad is away! I am a fully grown man capable of making my own decisions" Sam is yelling by the end kneeling on the bed face to face with Dean.
"Now if, you'll excuse me" Sam attempts to get off the bed but Dean's hand shoots out and grabs Sam's arm.
Adult? See that's where you are wrong Sammy" Dean replies his facial expression has Sam's stomach curling and makes him feel a bit nervous. "You've proven that you cannot be left alone to take care of yourself. You neglect to follow the basic standards of care and hunting, endangering not only yourself but others as well. In doing so you have given up all privileges as an adult, little boy." As Dean finishes his sentence his eyes flash black then back to green.
Sam realizes his predicament and tries to pull out of Dean's grasp. "Dean let go" he yells, pulling and twisting. Dean sighs realizing there is only one way ahead and knows that Sam will most likely fight him tooth and nail about it. However, Cas is right. Deep down he knows this is the only way. Sam has to relinquish his stubborn independence and let Dean take care of him.
As he watches Sam struggle to get loose he sees what Castiel meant about Sam's aura/soul essence with his new demon eyes power. Dean does not need to use them since he's always known Sam's heart. He's a big kid at heart which explains the use of his big puppy dog eyes to get his way, the little bit of clinginess when sick or injured and his need of his big brother for comfort when scared, lost or hurt.
Right now it's Sammy not Sam trying to get loose by throwing a tantrum because he is tired, hungry and hurting. "Time to put a stop to this and get back to what I do best. Taking care of Sam" Dean thinks. He takes a deep breath and instantly feels calm and peace in a way he hasn't since Sam left for college. "So let's start stage one" Dean thinks. "Get Sam changed and comfortable, and explain his new role."
"Sam stop it right now' Dean's voice is stern but calm. Sam, who has been struggling and working himself up to frenzy, freezes and looks at Dean.
"Good" Dean praises, Sam face flushes a shade red when he realizes what he's done. Damn it why does he still react to Dean's voice!
"Now let's start again" as Dean speaks he reaches over to Sam and puts one arm around his shoulder and the other under his knees to lift him up in one swift motion. When Sam feels himself being lifted into the air he lets out a yelp and grabs on before he can lose his balance.
"Not again" Sam thinks.
"Dean, you don't need to pick me up I can walk just fine now" Sam says softly.
"Oh really Sam? Let's see, you've lost more than 50lbs, you've hardly slept in 4 months. Last night was the first time you allowed your body to sleep for 12 hours. I'm pretty sure that if you try standing on those sticks you call legs right now there will be a repeat performance of last night." Dean huffs out to Sam as he starts walking out of the room and down the hallway.
"Where are we going?" Sam asks.
"Dude you stink, where do you think we're going" Dean smirks causing Sam to redden. They walk into one of the larger bathrooms which has a large enough bathtub for Sam to fit his ginormous ass in. The tub is already filled, steam vapor curling up in the air. Dean walks over to the bench and sets Sam down on it. He reaches for the hem of the shirt Sam is wearing and Sam jerks in response to the touch.
"Dean what are you doing?" he questions.
"Getting you ready for a bath" is the response. "Dean I get why no shower, you're afraid I'll fall flat on my face, but dude I can handle taking a bath" Sam argues.
Dean shakes his head "you don't get it Sam, from this point on I'm in charge and you will do as I say" He quickly removes Sam's white T before he can protest but when he goes to remove his boxers that Sam really throws a fit.
"Dean! wait…don't…hey Stop!" Sam pushes against Dean's chest to no avail, blushing profusely he realizes he's sitting butt naked on the seat. He crouches over himself, crosses his arms in an attempt to cover up.
"Dude you've got nothing I ain't never seen before" Dean scoffs as he places his hands under Sam. He picks him up and sits him on his hips before walking over to the tub and lowering Sam in.
Sam is beyond pissed off and embarrassed by Dean's blasé attitude.
"Gee thanks for the help" he says sarcastically "do you mind giving me some privacy now or do you plan on staying and helping me wash up too?"
"Yes" Dean responds matter-of-factly and proceeds to pick up the cup that he had already set on the side to scoop up some water.
"Wait…what?!" Sam's splutters as water falls on his head. "Dean Stop!" he tries to grab Dean's hands or swat them away, as Dean rinses his hair again.
"Sam stop, you're splashing water all over the place" Dean tells him sternly.
"I'm splashing water?!" Sam voice incredulous "that's it! What the fuck is going on with you Dean?"
'Sam I promise that once I'm finished here I'll explain exactly what is going on here. Besides, it's not like this is the first time I've seen you naked or bathed you" says Dean.
"Yeah, last time was when I was 7!" Sam argues.
"Dude you were 10 and I still bathe you on occasion when you're hurt or injured." Dean reminds him.
"Yeah but that is different man" Sam replies with a sulk.
"Not really Sam, look just relax and sit back okay?"
Sam looks at Dean for a moment, then with a bit of hesitation, he relaxes and lets his head fall back like he's done countless dozen times in the past. Dean smiles and continues to wash and rinse Sam's hair, carefully not getting water or shampoo into Sam's eyes.
Sam is surprised that Dean knows what brand of conditioner he uses. It feels odd as Dean massages his scalp. It's very relaxing and lulls him into a sense of déjà vu and begins to stir up warm memories of a time long forgotten and taken for granted whilst growing up.
When Dean is done, he reaches for the wash cloth. As he lathers it up Sam reaches for Dean's hand and speaks softly "I can do the rest myself and if you are afraid I'll fall in, you can stay here and watch. It will be totally creepy, but you can check that I don't drown while I wash" Sam smiles, a really genuine smile that reaches his eyes.
"Sam I've already told you, I'm giving you a bath, so just stop fussing and relax dude."
"Why?" Sam looks confused.
"Because I want to and because you need it" Dean tells him.
"What are you talking about? Dean I'm fine."
"Sammy, please just let me finish."
Sam looks at Dean biting his lower lip and finally huffs and sits back again. "Fine, but on one condition, I do the lower half. Okay?" Sam is glaring slightly and Dean smiles and concedes this time since he knows that Sam is unaware of the up-coming long haul.
He also does not want to upset Sam, he's really thin, weak and in fragile health. He needs to get the kid dry, warmly dressed and fed before they have their chat.
He extends his hand to Sam who finally allows him to carefully scrub his neck, down his shoulders and right arm. Sam inhales, ready for the possible twitch of pain due to the previous night's dislocated shoulder, thanks to a hunter. When he feels no pain he looks up at Dean.
Dean can already guess that Sam is aware that his shoulder doesn't hurt anymore. He continues to wash Sam's arms.
"I healed it" he explains. He does Sam chest and abdomen then stops as promised.
"You what?" Sam finally asks.
"I healed it"
"I thought Demons didn't have the ability to heal?"
"Apparently they do, they just don't like to expend energy on that when it's so much easier to torture and destroy life" Dean explains.
He makes Sam turn around and starts scrubbing down his back and stops before going down further. He rinses Sam off before rinsing the wash cloth and giving it to Sam. Sam makes quick work of washing his legs and private parts.
Dean switches the dirty sudsy water to clean clear water again which impresses Sam. He puts his hands either side of the tub holding on to the sides and takes a deep breath as he leans lowering himself all the way underwater. When he pulls up his hair is completely slicked back and water droplets run down his face.
A big white terry towel is hung in front of him and he sees Dean holding it up for him and extending his other hand to Sam.
Out of habit Sam grabs Dean's hand and pulls himself up. Dean automatically wraps the towel around Sam's shoulders and holds onto him as Sam steps out of the tub. They walk the few steps to the seat. Sam plops down, the large bath towel hangs down to his calves he is grateful for the warmth it gives.
He looks up as he feels another towel being wrapped around his head.
Dean dries Sam's hair gently and Sam is actually enjoying this moment, giving in and sighing, Dean Chuckles lightly.
Sam scrunches his face and tells Dean that it's better to use a blow dryer for his hair to dry properly. He pauses looking down and back up to Dean "but I lost it some time ago in my room" he explains rather mournfully.
"You mean this one?" Dean says as he holds out a dark red hand held dryer.
"Where did you find it?" Sam exclaims.
"I was in your room last night and let me tell you it was not easy" Dean chuckles.
Sam looks ashamed "I know."
"It looks like World War Three happened in there and you lost." Dean quips, "but" he looks over at the clock in the wall, "with Cas' help we were able to get it cleaned up and remodeled. By now I'm pretty sure Hannah has finished the last touches" Dean tells Sam.
"Whoa wait what do you mean remolded?" Sam asks.
"Sam the room looked like a wreck and besides doing a quick fix it I thought we would add some color to your dismal grey wall." Dean smiles, "the angels might have gotten bit carried away, but it's really nice and comfortable."
"Oh god Dean what did they do?"
"Wait till you see it but for now, you need to get dressed and eat something" Dean tells Sam.
Dean hands Sam his clothes, some grey sweats, navy blue shirt and his red hoodie. With Dean's help Sam finishes getting dressed.
"Let's head over to the Den and get something inside you" Dean states.
"What Den?" Sam actually quirks a smile "last thing I remember I was doing some Mojo in there and it didn't exactly go as planned. I had to do a containment field to hold whatever I let loose in there and promise to get back to it later" Sam finished.
"Yeah I found it or should I say it found me" Dean deadpanned to Sam's amused face.
"Next time you want a live eating, walking plant, rent a movie to watch. Took me and Cas to kill it." Sam let out a laugh
"It's not funny Sammy, you are in a lot of trouble for almost destroying the bunker" Dean intones "but the den, library and kitchen are back to normal." Dean finishes.
He comes up behind Sam and throws him over his shoulder in a fire man's lift.
"DEAN!" but Sam is not mad this time he is laughing and Dean grins as he teleports form the bathroom to the den.
"Wow never going to get tired of seeing you do that" says Sam.
Dean sits him down in the comfortable arm chair. There is a steaming bowl of broth and a French bread loaf next to it on the table. For the first time in a while Sam's stomach growls loudly and his mouth waters at the simple sight.
"Thought you should start off with something easy on your stomach" Dean tells Sam.