Disclaimer- Supernatural and all its characters belong to the CW and Kripke. Dairy Queen isn't mine either.
Previously on Supernatural- John and Dean both watched as Sammy brought his hands out and held up a snake for them to see. Before John could say anything, the snake whipped around and bit Sammy's hand.
Sammy screamed and threw the snake on the ground. Holding his left hand he ran to his family grabbing a hold of his big brother with his good hand. "Fluffy bit me and it hurts!" Sammy cried as he held his hand up for his brother to fix.
"Dean, use the bottled water to wash the bite out and keep his arm down by his side." John ordered. "I've gotta get that snake!" Reaching behind him John pulled out his hunting knife as his eyes searched the ground for the snake. He spied it slithering towards the woods and quickly aimed and threw his knife. The knife flew through the air before hitting the target separating the snake's head from its body. Dashing over John examined the snake trying to determine if it was poisonous or not. It looked to be about 15 inches long and had red, yellow, and black stripes. "Oh crap" thought John. "There were two different snakes that had that particular coloring. One was poisonous and the other wasn't. He vaguely recalled learning a rhyme about the difference as a boy growing up. How did that rhyme go again? Red and black or was it yellow and black?" John quickly gave up trying to remember deciding instead to get Sammy and the dead snake to the ranger station as quickly as possible.
Running over to the fishing gear he snatched the net. "Dean, take Sammy and get in the car." John shouted as he scooped the snake into the net. He dashed into the cabin, plucked the car keys off the table, and raced to the impala. Climbing in he immediately started the car and threw it in reverse. As he backed out of the drive, he glanced back into the frightened eyes of his two boys. "Don't worry guys. The ranger will get Sammy's hand all fixed up. Nothing to it" John soothed as he sped to the ranger station. Once there he parked the impala as close to the station's door as he could before getting the boys out. Picking up Sammy in one hand and the net containing the snake in the other John dashed into the building with Dean hot on his heels. Inside the small building he spotted the same ranger who had talked to the boys earlier in the day. "Ranger Orr, I need some help!" he called. "Sammy's been bitten by a snake!"
Ranger Orr was just about to go home for the day when he saw the Winchester family burst through the doors. As he was heading their way, he heard the father call out that the youngest had been bitten. Picking up the pace he quickly made his way to their side and led them to the first aid room in the back. "Why don't you sit in that chair and put Sammy in your lap so I can get a look at the bite?" he instructed as he started getting supplies off various shelves. "Do you know what kind of snake it was, Mr. Winchester?"
"No, I don't. But I killed it and brought it with us." John replied while he rubbed Sammy's back to calm him. "It's in the net by the door."
Changing directions, Ranger Orr walked over to the net and examined the snake. It had a pattern of red, black, and yellow stripes on its body. The red and black stripes touching told the ranger that it was a Scarlet King Snake, a completely harmless snake. "It's alright, Mr. Winchester. It's just a king snake and its venom isn't poisonous. I'll have Sammy here fixed up in no time." Ranger Orr explained smiling. "Why don't you use that sink and wash the bite with some soap and warm water while I get a few things out."
John took Sammy over to the sink and carefully washed the bite out before returning to the chair. Feeling Sam tense up as the ranger approached with the first aid supplies John started rubbing his son's back again and whispering "its okay, Sammy."
Ranger Orr sat down in a chair next to the father and son and extended his hand. "Hey, Sammy. Can I see your hand for a minute so I can make it better?" The ranger asked. Seeing the child shake his head and shrink back Ranger Orr retracted his hand and said, "No? Okay, how about if your daddy fixes it then?"
Sammy leaned back against his daddy and shook his head at the ranger once again. "I want Dean. He always takes care of my boo boos and makes them better." he whispered. "Can Dean fix it, please daddy?"
John was no match for the puppy eyes of his youngest son. He caved the second Sam turned "the look" on him. "Alright, Sammy. Dean can take care of it." John declared motioning for Dean.
"What do I do?" Dean asked the ranger as he took his little brother's hand.
"You just need to put this cream and a band-aid on it." the ranger instructed handing Dean the supplies. "You treat it the same as if he had a cut or a scrape."
Taking the supplies Dean gently rubbed the antibiotic cream on the bite and then placed a small band-aid on top. Leaning down he kissed the bandage before saying, "There you go, runt. All better."
"Thanks, Dean. You're the best!" Sammy shouted as he climbed off his father's lap.
Smirking Dean ruffled his little brother's hair as he turned to the ranger. "Ranger Orr, how did you know that the snake was harmless?"
Ranger Orr led Dean over to the snake and pointed out the color pattern. "This snake looks a lot like another snake, a coral snake that is venomous. There's an old rhyme to help people remember the difference. It goes- Red next to black is safe for Jack, red next to yellow will kill any fellow." Turning to Sammy the ranger added, "Next time you see a snake outside, leave it alone. Okay, champ?"
"Yes, sir" Sammy answered. "I don't like Fluffy anymore. He was mean."
"Fluffy?" Ranger Orr questioned.
"Don't ask" John told him. "C'mon guys. Let's go back to our cabin so Ranger Orr can have some peace and quiet."
"Wait a minute, Mr. Winchester." Ranger Orr said. "I have something the boys might like." Stepping over to a small desk the ranger pulled what looked like coloring books out. "Boys, these are official wildlife books for the park. There are lots of different activities to do. If you complete five of them before you go home, you'll earn a junior ranger badge."
"Cool!" Dean and Sammy hollered as they took the books. "Thanks, Ranger Orr!"
"Anytime, boys" the ranger responded. "Just do me a favor and stay clear of snakes from now on."
John thanked the ranger again before piling the boys in the car. Deciding they all deserved a treat after their long day, he drove into town. Stopping at the local Dairy Queen the family enjoyed burgers, fries, and shakes for supper. John let the boys play in the ball pit while he drank his coffee and read the paper. An hour later he called his boys in, took them to the restroom, and drove back to the cabin.
Pulling up to the cabin John turned to look at his boys who were playing "Rock, Paper, Scissors" in the back. "Dean, you and Sammy go take your baths. When you're finished, you can pick a book for me to read before bed." John ordered. He walked down to the lake and picked up all their fishing gear they had left before going in the cabin. Sitting on the couch he let the sounds of his sons playing in the tub wash over him. He had come close to losing Sammy twice today. Too close. He never wanted to have another day like today. John's hands started to shake as the events from the day replayed in his mind. He didn't know what he'd do if something happened to one of his boys.
A very wet Sammy came barreling around the corner of the living room in nothing but a towel. Hearing Dean catching up Sammy squealed and launched himself at John. "Daddy!" he hollered. "Help! Dean's gonna get me!"
John was abruptly brought back from his memories when a wet body plowed into him. Looking down into the smiling face of his baby John couldn't help but smile. "Dean's after you, huh? Don't worry. I won't let him get you."
About that time Dean came around the corner and skidded to a stop. "Sorry, dad. I tried to get him dried off and into his pajamas but he ran off before I could."
John glanced down at Sammy and winked. "Get him, Sammy!" he yelled as he jumped off the couch. Dean turned and ran as John and Sammy both raced towards him. And with that move the pillow fight wars were on.
After John and Sammy's pillow fight victory, John sat on the bed between his two boys and read Sam's latest book "Aaron's Hair" to them. Snuggling against their father's sides the boys were asleep before the story was half finished. John set the book on the dresser next to the bed deciding to stay where he was for a while. Minutes later all three Winchesters were sound asleep.
AN- Aaron's Hair is another one of Robert Munsch's stories.