Chapter eight
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"Stop it, Dean!"
"Come on, Sammy. Since we've been here, you've done nothing but curl up in that basket and snooze. The vet's given you the all clear. Let's go explore."
Sam whined his annoyance and snuggled down more comfortably on the blanket.
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Dean gave his sibling's nose another playful swipe.
"You're not gonna stop, are you?" Sam muttered through closed eyes.
"Nope! It's time you got your hairy butt up and out. You need exercise, Sammy, otherwise you're gonna end up fat and flabby! As your big brother, it's my job to look out for your health!"
Sam rolled his eyes, not wanting to admit his brother was right.
He'd been loathe to leave the shelter of Jody's house, going outside only when nature called.
This was the first time in his life he'd felt truly secure.
He'd come to love Jody, they both had, but while Dean missed the freedom of the open road and the thrill of discovery, Sam was quite happy to roam around the confines of the house and yard.
They had food, warmth and a human who cared about them. What more could they want?
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Dean continued to bait his brother, determined to get Sam up. It made no difference if he came willingly or not.
"Dean. Stop it," Sam growled, his nose throbbing. "Or I'm gonna bite your ass!"
"You gotta catch me first," Dean grinned, baring white teeth. "Sasquatches like you are slow as molasses."
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'One more should do it,' Dean judged, getting in another paw to the nose, satisfied when one very pissed-off little brother lifted off from the basket and chased him out the open door.
"Yahtzee," Dean crowed, his paws flying across the yard and into the field beyond.
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Though Dean was grateful to Jody for all she'd done, he dealt badly with being anyone's pet. He was his own master, happiest when on the road with Sam by his side.
He understood his little brother's preference to stay at Jody's.
They'd had a difficult live since they were pups, two orphans whom no-one cared about, pushed away by the majority of humans, always on the look-out for scraps.
It had been easier when they'd grown, more able to defend themselves and hunt for food.
Then Sam with his big soulful eyes, floppy ears and long shaggy coat had got begging at diner back-doors down to a fine art; very few waitresses sending him away without a titbit.
So, yeah, he got it. But Dean felt he was in prison, a luxurious one to be sure, but still a prison.
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He stopped to look back.
Sam had fallen behind panting, his tongue lolling out.
"Out of form, little brother?"
"You've made your point. No need to gloat," Sam wheezed.
"Who's gloating? Dogs need exercise. I'm only looking out for you."
"I know, Dean," Sam snuffled. "And you're right. But I hate it when you are! I'm gonna so enjoy kicking your ass!"
So saying, he threw himself onto a surprised Dean, flooring him.
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Dean was smaller, but faster and stronger.
Nevertheless, Sam managed to hold him down with his heavier bulk and get in a few swipes to his brother's head before Dean threw him off.
"Why you sneaky...! Catching me unawares. You are so gonna pay for that, Lassie!" Dean threatened, wrestling his gangly sibling to the ground, stopping only when both were completely exhausted.
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"Not bad for your first day, eh Sammy"
"I can take you anytime, Dean," Sam huffed, trotting amicably side by side with his brother back towards the house.
"In your dreams, bro! You might be bigger but you're too soft. Then I know all your tickly spots."
"That's cheating, Dean!"
"Everything's fair in love and war, dude, and speaking of love, there's a serious lack of bitches around, present company excluded!" Dean smirked, nudging his eye-rolling brother. "I seriously need some me time with a four-legged cutie."
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They were still exchanging barbs when they entered the yard only to see a shiny black car parked in the driveway.
"Huh, Jody's got visitors."
"Wonder who they are?" Sam mused, sniffing at the tyres.
"Only one way to find out."
Dean stalked through the back-door into the kitchen.
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TBC
