a/n: thanks again for the reviews, follows, and favorites! Here's the next chapter, enjoy!
The kid sat on the bottom step of the front porch with his knees pulled close to his chest. He looked sad like someone took away his favorite toy or kicked his puppy. Dean stood by the front door unsure what to do. He had never really ever been alone with a stranger before, well not since…that place. Plus he didn't know anything about this kid. For all he knew, he and his father were big on killing skinwalkers. You really think Bobby would let someone in his house like that jackass? Giving himself a shake, he made his way down the stairs and sat directly in front of the kid.
Sam looked up at him, brushing his messy hair out of his face. His eyes were wet with tears making Dean's heart squeeze painfully. He didn't know why but, he didn't like seeing the kid upset. It made him feel weird inside like it was somehow his fault. Something deep down told him it was his responsibly to keep this kid happy. Dean's tail thumped nervously on the ground. What was he suppose to do? Dean was just a dog in his eyes. How could he cheer this kid up as a dog? An idea suddenly clicked and Dean took off in the direction of the garage returning a few seconds later with a bright yellow tennis ball in his mouth. He dropped the ball at the kids' feet and took a step back, his tail wagging furiously. Kids liked to play fetch with dogs right? Surely this will cheer Sam up.
"You wanna play boy?" Sam asked picking up the ball and looking over at Dean.
Dean barked happily. He felt a jolt of excitement run through him. This was kinda thrilling. Yeah it was lame and overly typical for a dog but seeing the smile break out on the kid's face was worth it. Besides, Dean never had anyone to play with before. This might actually be fun. Sam stood up and brought his arm back ready to let the ball fly.
"Go get it boy!" Sam cried sending the ball soaring in the air. Dean chased after it. Pushing up off his powerful hind legs, he jumped up and caught the ball in midair. Sam let out an excited whoop punching his fist in the air. "That was awesome!" he said taking the ball back from Dean. "Do it again!"
For the next hour Sam and Dean played their version of fetch. Sam would throw the ball as far and high as he could while Dean jumped to catch the ball before it hit the ground. Dean had never felt so alive before in his life. Running and jumping around without a care in the world, it almost made him forget about his awful dream. Sam seemed to like the game too and weirdly enough that made Dean feel even better. After one particularly exuberant jump where Dean attempted to do a flip sending his ass crashing down to the ground, Sam started laughing so hard he snorted. Dean came trotting over as Sam rolled around on the ground still laughing, tears of joy forming in his eyes. Sam reached out and began scratching Dean behind the ears. Dean hummed happily, licking at Sam's face.
"You have to be the coolest dog ever." Sam said with a smile. Dean barked in agreement. You got that right short stop. I'm the best damn dog in the world. "C'mon, let's explore the junk yard." Sam said jumping to his feet and running into the maze of rusted cars, Dean right on his heels.
Sam and Dean spent the rest of the day running through the junk yard playing everything from hide and seek to soldiers fighting in a war against an army of zombies. The only time they stopped was when Bobby called them in for lunch which they guzzled down, eager to get back outside. John sat quietly at the table watching his boy with amazement. Bobby just chuckled.
By the time the sun had begun to set they found themselves sitting on the hood of some broken down truck, completely worn out. Sam had his head reclined back looking at the sky his hand scratching at Dean's head absentmindedly.
"You have no idea how easy you have it Dean." Sam said making Dean lift his head up to look at the boy. "You don't have to worry about school or hunting or anything like that. You can just spend your days doing whatever you wanted."
Dean huffed. Kid you have no idea how wrong you are, he thought softly.
"You don't have to be ordered around all the time like a little kid. 'Clean the guns Sam. Look up lore on Wendigos Sam. Do this, do that.'" Sam said putting on his best imitation of his father. "God it's so annoying. But it's all he cares about, hunting. He doesn't even notice how miserable I am. He keeps talking about how I need to protect myself from the supernatural but he won't talk to me about it, like I don't already know what hunting's like. I hate it Dean. I wish I could stay here with you."
You mean you wish you could stay with the dog Dean thought as something broke inside of him. Sam didn't want to stay with Dean, he wanted the dog Dean was pretending to be. Sam didn't know anything about him. He had spent the whole day playing and hanging out, falling into the illusion that he had made a friend for the first time in his life only to realize it was all a lie. Sam was friends with a dog, not the boy hiding behind the fur.
God, how stupid are you, he thought. What did you expect to happen? Kids like dogs, you look like a dog of course he is going to like dog you. He shouldn't have tried so hard to make Sam feel better. He should have ignored the strange connection he felt with the kid and went about his day like it was any other. If only he had done that then he wouldn't be where he was now, even more alone than before. Dean let out an involuntary whine that caught Sam's attention.
"What's wrong boy?" Sam asked directing Dean's head to rest on his lap. Dean didn't try to fight it. Might as well enjoy the comfort while it lasted, right? "You want me to stay too?" God yes Dean thought feeling his body shake as Sam ran his hand through his fur. "Maybe we can both run away. I could get a job when I'm older, go to college, become a lawyer. How does that sound?"
Dean whined again because he knew the truth. Sure, Sam might actually get away and become a lawyer one day but Dean would never get that chance. He was a monster. Monsters didn't get to go to school or get jobs; they were hunted, killed by hunters like Sam's dad. Dean didn't have a future like Sam. He could feel himself slipping into the dark hole he lived in before Bobby came along. It was pulling him down faster than he could try and talk himself up again. Fear and self-loathing coursed through his veins like poison. He was nothing but a useless mutt.
"Sam, get in here!" John's voice called out across the junk yard from the house.
"There he goes again barking orders." Sam said with a roll of his eyes make no move to get up.
"Sam!" John called again.
"I'm comin'!" Sam yelled back. He sat up and slid off the hood of the car grumbling curses at his father. Dean made no indication of following, staying curled up on the hood. John had called for Sam to come in not Dean. Humans slept inside and Dean wasn't human. He was a goddamn dog. Sam looked back at him with a frown on his face. "C'mon boy." He said slapping his leg. If Dean was in his right mind acting like the devil may care teenager he had become he would flat out refuse to follow an order like that but his insecurities created by his abuse had taken over turning him into the submissive little boy Bobby had saved nearly six years ago. With ears lying flat on his head he followed Sam into the house.
"Head on up stairs kiddo." John said the second his son walked through the front door. "Its bed time." he and Bobby were sitting at the kitchen table pouring over some old lore books, empty beer bottles adding to the clutter of paper. Dean stood submissively behind Sam, waiting to be told what to do next.
Way to show off that brilliant self esteem there Dean-o his inner voice snapped at him sounding not unlike a trainer. Just keep on acting like that poor pitiful pup you are. Keep on taking steps backwards. You just go right ahead and forget about all those talks you had with Bobby about how important you are. Keep on thinking how useless you are you little bitch. Keep on turning into what the trainers wanted you to become you stupid mutt.
"But Dad it's only like eight thirty!" Sam whined.
"Yeah and you have school tomorrow, so get going."
"School? What do you mean school?"
"Well we're going to be here for awhile right? So Bobby pulled some strings and registered you at the local middle school today while you were out playing with the dog." John said feeling rather proud of himself. A smile broke out across the kid's face.
"Thanks Dad thanks Bobby." Sam said.
"No problem kiddo, now get goin'." John smiled back. Dean thought the smiled looked strange on John's face, like he wasn't use to do it. But there was something familiar about it, like he had seen it before.
Yeah where have you seen it before? In those stupid fantasies you make up? Because that's real reliable his inner voice said with a sarcastic sneer. Dean ducked his head as Sam gave him a little pat before heading up stairs. John and Sam would be staying in his room while they were staying over which meant that Dean would have to be crashing on the couch. Tucking his tail between his legs Dean made his way to the living room and hopped up on the couch, missing Bobby's worried stare. He curled up into a ball and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't hear Bobby excuse himself or his soft footsteps approach. He did however feel the gentle hand resting on his back.
"You ok there kiddo?" Bobby asked concern lacing his every word. "Do we need to talk about it?" he asked again when Dean didn't acknowledge him. "C'mon Dean, you're scarin' me, what happened?"
Dean opened an eye to stare at Bobby. Apparently whatever shown in his eye made the color drain from his face and call out to John.
"I'll be back in a couple minutes John, gotta take Dean out for a walk." He called over his shoulder.
"I'll be here." John replied not looking up from his book.
"C'mon kiddo, we gotta talk." Bobby said grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch and heading outside, Dean not far behind. The whole way to the garage a sense of dread grew in Dean's gut. Bobby was mad at him that could be the only explanation. He was finally going to beat him; the dark cloud was rearing its ugly head. Once they were in the safety of the garage Bobby gave Dean a look that could only mean one thing. Dean shifted standing in front of Bobby stark naked and shivering. Bobby wrapped him in the blanket before holding him close.
Dean couldn't hold back anymore. Sobs racked his body as Bobby rubbed his back whispering comforting words into his ear. God he was acting like such a baby. He was fifteen years old damn it, not some bitchy little two year old. Why was he getting so worked up over some stupid conversation? It's not like he had known Sam for so long and he just now became a skinwalker putting their friendship in jeopardy. He just met Sam today and he would be gone in a month. Why was this bothering him so much?
"Dean talk to me son, what's goin' on in that head of yours?" Bobby asked still holding him close.
"I'm sorry." Dean said trying to control his voice. "I can't."
"You can't what son?"
"I don't know." he admitted only making him cry harder. How could he tell Bobby? Sorry I'm acting like a kid, I'm just upset that I can't have friends because I'm a fucking monster. Oh yeah, that's a good one tough guy, he scorned himself. He couldn't tell him just like he couldn't tell him about the hell he lived through. He just couldn't so Bobby held him and waited for Dean's sobs to settle. Bobby held onto him like he could disappear at any second and Dean let him.
When his tears had stopped Dean pushed himself away from Bobby and hung his head. His nose was stuffy and his eyes felt puffy and itchy. Waves of exhaustion washed over him making him sway.
"C'mon Dean, let's go back inside ok?" Bobby asked softly. Dean nodded and quickly shifted back into his dog form, the blanket still wrapped around him. Bobby bent down and picked him up just like he use to do when Dean was still a little puppy. He carried him back to the house and gentle deposited him on the couch tucking him under the blanket. Bobby sat there petting him until Dean drifted off into sleep.
~o0**0o~
Dean woke with a start. His body was freezing and he felt the familiar burn of sliver on his skin. He glanced around at his surroundings with blurry eyes. He was in a stark white room with bright florescent lights hanging over head. There were sliver chains wrapped around his wrist and neck, shackling him to the wall he was leaning on. Across from him there was a figure, a boy around the age of eleven with moppy brown hair, chained to the wall just like him. The boy's head was bent low so that his chin was touching his chest.
"Hey." Dean called out his voice scratchy. The boy didn't move. "Hey!" he tried a little louder this time.
"Now, now mutt you know the rules, little doggies like you don't get to talk do they?" a chilling voice said coming from his right. Dean's head snapped around to find the head trainer from the training house standing in a doorway, a crooked smiled on his weasel like face. Dean's heart froze with terror.
"N-no, this isn't real. This is a dream." Dean stuttered. There was no way in hell he could be back here, no way.
"If it's a dream, then get yourself and your little friend out here mutt." The trainer said. Dean's breath caught in his throat as he looked over at the boy across from him. Oh god…
"SAM!" Dean yelled pulling on his shackles trying to reach the boy. "SAM!" the trainer laughed and slowly sauntered up to Dean, squatting down in front of him. Dean scooted back against the wall trying to get away from the horrid man before him. The trainer's cold hand reached out and grasped Dean by the chin, his finger nails digging into his skin.
"This is your fault mutt. You should have known we'd find you again, didn't expect you to be shacked up with a hunter but he was easily disposed of."
"No!" Dean said squirming in the man's grip tears stinging his eyes. Not Bobby, please god not Bobby.
"Oh yeah, him and that other hunter too, screamed like pigs the whole time. My Dogs had a real nice feast thanks to you." He chuckled. Dean felt like vomiting. They killed him. They killed Bobby all because of him. "And that sweet little hunter boy you call your friend, imagine what kinda pup he'd turn out to be. Stronger and better then you did you that's for sure." He sneered, shoving Dean's face away and landing a solid kick to his side. Dean doubled over in pain, the silver chain around his neck cutting off his supply of oxygen.
"D-don't touch h-him." Dean gagged as the trainer walked over to Sam's limp form.
"What are you going to do about huh mutt? You couldn't hurt a fly. Besides the hunter's boy will make a great addition to my pack." He said with an evil grin. The door to Dean's right opened and a large, ferocious looking Rottweiler came trotting in. "Pay attention mutt, I want to you see your friend here become a monster."
"N-no p-please d-don't hurt him!" Dean cried still straining in his bonds. "P-please h-hurt me! H-hurt me!"
"All in good time mutt, all in good time." The trainer gave the Rottweiler a nod indicating him to proceed. With a growl the dog opened its jaws and clamped down hard on Sam's shoulder.
"DEAN!" Sam's blood curling scream mingled in with Dean's as he watched the young boy wither in pain.
"Dean! Hey boy, wake up! Dean!" Sam's voice cried out dangerously close to his ear. "Wake up!" Dean jolted awake, lifting his furry head to find Sam's clear blue green eyes staring at him in concern. "Hey, hey, easy boy, easy." He cooed stroking Dean's neck. Dean looked around feverishly. He was at Bobby's, still on the couch nestled in a blanket. He wasn't at the training house, there was no dog, and Sam was safe. It had all been a dream. It was all just a dream. "That must'a been one scary nightmare boy, I'm surprised you didn't wake the whole neighborhood up." Sam said with a smile.
"Sam, s'matter?" John's groggy voice said from the stairwell.
"Nothin' Dad, Dean just had a nightmare, go back to sleep." Sam called back quietly.
"'Kay." There was a shuffle of feet and the soft thump of a door closing before things grew quite again. Sam jumped up on the couch and curled up behind Dean, throwing an arm him. Dean snuggled into Sam's warm body and whimpered, his body still shaking with fear. The dream had been too real, too vivid to just shake off. The sight of Sam's blood spilling on the floor and the evil crackle of the trainer's laughter was still fresh in his mind. He wanted to block it out, to forget but he didn't know how. But somehow Sam's presence made it better. The soft sound of his breathing was comforting to Dean, like a lullaby rocking him to sleep. As long as Sam kept breathing Dean knew he was safe, he knew both of them would be safe.
Some Dean and John time coming up soon! Tell me what you think!