A/N:

Thank you to mckydstarlight, Owllover555 and Christine for the great reviews!

Sam took a few steps forward even as Dean cringed back, finally able to adopt his normal calm demeanor now that Dean wasn't in immediate danger. He put a hand on his chest. "My name's Sam. That's my brother Dean, and our friend Jacob. We came to the forest because the wolves are acting strange, and Dean got bit when four wolves attacked us." He gave the new sprite a beseeching stare. "We just want to help."

Scar glanced to the side at Cerul, his fellow noble. Cerul smiled faintly and nodded once, indicating that Sam was sincere and the giants had good intentions. It was useful having an empath for a best friend. Scar allowed himself a grim smile. "Wolves acting strange, huh?" he repeated.

"They're full of that corrupted life energy that was clinging to Dean," Bowman explained. "They're being brought back to life." At that news, the sprites present all bristled and looked absolutely disgusted at the notion. It was just plain wrong.

Jacob spoke up again, still a little bit awed by the scene before him. An entire village of tiny sprites, and here there was a handful of them right next to him. The one demanding explanations even had a bitty little sword at his hip. "We're here looking for the thing that's bringing them back so we can stop it before it does any more damage."

With Dean silent, Sam picked up the explanation. He figured his brother needed the time to recover from what he'd almost done. "Bowman's helping us track it down... a creature called a lich that can bring the dead back to life. Once we find it, Dean and Jacob can take it out. We came prepared for the fight." He smiled grimly. "We didn't know that would happen when Dean got bit, though."

"Even the Spirits can't see the future," Cerul said kindly, to reassure Sam and Dean that it wasn't their fault. Considering Sam, the sprite-sized man, had managed to calm the giant, all seemed well. Even so, Cerul couldn't ignore something else Sam said. Both he and Scar looked at young Bowman. "And you're helping them, you say? Is that why word came from your aunt that you didn't return home after patrols?" Cerul raised an eyebrow and it was clear that trying to talk around the truth wouldn't work.

Bowman felt his cheeks heating up. Right after getting Dean healed, he didn't particularly want to talk about how the very same giant had so easily trapped him the day before. Jacob and Dean had both saved his life. Bowman found it hard not to trust them at least a little for that. "Things were a little bit, uh, touch and go yesterday but we worked it out and now I'm helping them track the lich thing."

"We couldn't have gotten this far without him," Sam said, his cheeks flushed when he remembered waking up the day before to Bowman trapped. "In fact, he saved my life from a wolf when we got attacked. I wouldn't be here without him."

"Saved him from a wolf?" Scar repeated, an impressed grin forming on his face.

Bowman nodded. "I didn't fight it. Just distracted it from getting Sam," he admitted.

Scar chuckled and shook his head. "If the village didn't need someone here that can fight the wolves, I'd want to come along and see some of this fancy flying."

Dean arched his eyebrows, finally turning his attention from the thoughts that had been plaguing him. He was impressed with what he was hearing. He spoke up, putting a hand down behind Sam for balance. His injured arm was tucked against his chest, the wound healthy and healing. "So, you keep the village safe from the wolves?" Dean asked, trying to imagine what it would be like to take on a Godzilla-sized wolf, even without the undead problem they were having.

Scar met the giant gaze without flinching, but it was pride instead of Bowman's stubbornness that made it possible. Even Jacob seemed intrigued by Scar's claim. "I'll just say that the name Wolfblind isn't an old heirloom. I earned every name I have."

"He's a knight," Rischa piped up from where Bowman still cradled her in his arms. "Lord Scar keeps us safe. Lord Cerul helps us plan things!" She pointed to the other noble.

Dean glanced around at his surroundings, spotting the homes that were grown from the trees and the other sprites that were peering out at the giants in their midst. His eyes widened at the realization of how many innocents had been around when the poison took hold. He did his best to focus on the words of the sprites nearby. "You, ah... have a nice haven here. It's good to know someone keeps it safe like that." He gave a small laugh. "No one's even heard of sprites in town yet here you are, minding your own business."

Cerul smiled faintly. He would be lying if he said he wasn't glad more of these giants didn't know about the sprites. They were already quite intimidating to behold, especially after the helpful demonstration of how outmatched a sprite was against them. Even Scar would probably have trouble. "Yes, well, I'm sure young Leafwing already told you, we never heard of giants being real either," he admitted. "I'm glad it seems we can call you allies."

Jacob grinned at that. The small gathering of tiny sprites was still close, actually trusting him and Dean to be near them. "Of course, man. We came to help."

Bowman let Rischa down on her feet, as the girl had begun to fidget. "Don't worry about a thing, sirs. I've been keeping these guys in check," he quipped with a smirk.

Sam smiled brightly. "It's great to see people my size that don't have to live near humans. My family always said it was safer because we didn't have to worry about wild animals attacking. They stay away from humans for the most part, aside from rodents and bugs." He took a few steps closer to the sprites, unable to hide his curiosity.

With Sam talking about himself, the new sprites finally took more notice of him. Jacob wondered if they'd thought he was another sprite or something at first. It was interesting to see the little guy standing near some people his size. With that village in sight and a number of tiny folk on the ground, Jacob felt like he and Dean were the odd ones out. He watched with fascination as the little girl, the tiniest one there, inched towards Sam with his curiosity mirrored on her face. Bowman followed because his hand was gripped in hers.

"So... you live near giants all the time?! Isn't it kinda scary?" she asked sheepishly. She glanced up at the giants in their midst, hoping they wouldn't be offended by her question.

Sam dropped to a squat so they could look each other in the eyes. "Yeah, it's kinda scary," he said with a wink. "Most humans don't even know people my size exist, nevermind that we live near them, so we always have to be quiet." He looked up at Dean and Jacob with a smile before going on. "But I'd trust these two with my life. Jacob helped me track down Dean after years of being separated from him, and Dean... he's my brother. There's no one more dependable to be around. Even if they are obnoxiously big."

Dean gave Sam's shoulder a light nudge. "Hey, watch it, shorty. It's not our fault you have a height deficiency."

Sam knocked the finger away with a laugh.

Rischa's expression became confused for a moment. But it didn't seem like Sam was lying about Dean being his brother. She didn't get it but she didn't question it either, letting out a small giggle of her own at their antics. "I'm glad your brother is getting better," she said sincerely. Bowman gave her wing a nudge with his own, and Rischa gave a start. "Oh, um, I'm Rischa Songbird. Bowman is my cousin but he lives with me and my mama and daddy."

Cerul smiled faintly at the girl's belated introduction. "Speaking of whom, perhaps I'll let them know where you are on my way back," he suggested quietly to Bowman. "Lord Scar and I need to consider how to prepare for this threat in case it sneaks by you." Bowman nodded in agreement, accepting the task before they left and wondering how dead he'd be when his aunt found out where Rischa was now, smiling up at Sam and a pair of giants.

"Is he?" Sam's eyes flicked to Bowman at Rischa's words, who was talking with the others. "He's a good guy. I was surprised to meet him yesterday. I've never seen anyone with wings, after all! And thanks. Without your help, my brother would be in a lot of trouble right now. I'm glad you were willing to give him a chance and heal him."

Rischa tapped her own arm, indicating the same exact spot where Dean's bite was. "I couldn't just let him keep hurting like that. He was hurting in his heart too, before he remembered you," she explained softly. Then she inched towards the bigger two strangers curiously. "It's good that you came here to get that icky magic out. You should be all better in no time. The Spirit's magic is much better for you!"

Jacob smiled at that, glancing to Dean's arm. It really did seem to be a bit better already. "It sure looks like it," he agreed.

Dean held the arm it so he could see it for himself. "I have to say, you guys are pretty awesome. I've never seen healing like that." Not to mention it already looked like it had been healing for a day. The bleeding had stopped completely and the bite marks were beginning to close.

Dean reached out, gently ruffling the little sprite's hair the same way he did Sam's. "We owe you, kid."

Bowman's heart might have stopped and he might have forgotten to breathe at the sight of that enormous hand so close to her, if not for the sound of the girl's giggle. As it was, he made his way to her side quickly enough. "Rischa, why don't you wash off your hands in the stream," he suggested. Rischa chirped an affirmative and went to do just that.

Then Bowman addressed the others. "You're welcome to the stream, I mean it's meant for cleaning. And Dean, your arm could probably use it." Bowman took his own advice, hopping into the water to clean himself off.

Dean winced as he looked his arm over. "Good point." He made sure to shift over a little, carefully away from Sam and the others, and downstream from where Bowman was washing himself, before immersing his arm. The cool, crisp water felt good on the injury, washing away the blood and built up grime that had caked onto it. He took the time after the injury was clean to do his hands and face as well, imagining that he must be a mess after everything that had happened so far that day.

Sam strolled over to the stream as Dean washed himself in the clear water nearby, grinning at the sight of Bowman ruffling his wings in the water. He didn't jump into the stream himself since he didn't trust his ability to swim after years in the motel, but he did wash his hands and face off, keeling by the water's edge.

"Hey, Bowman, you missed a spot," Jacob teased before reaching over to ruffle the sprite's wet hair. Bowman stumbled away from his hand, swatting at it with a tiny arm. Jacob chuckled, but shut his eyes when Bowman used his wings to flick water towards him.

Rischa giggled where she lay on her stomach by the water, trailing her fingertips in the gently flowing current. Her laughter became a yawn. After such a major Prayer, she was worn out.

They were interrupted by another splashing sound as Dean sent his own wave over at Bowman, getting the sprite back for splashing him along with Jacob. Sam had to laugh as he jumped back from the edge of the water. "Hey, watch it!"

Dean snickered, flicking a few drops at Sam. "Oh, you wanted to join the fun? We'll make sure not to leave you out."

Rischa giggled quietly as Bowman stumbled. The look of surprise on his face, followed by his trademark flat look had been funny. But he couldn't expect to splash people and not see any retaliation. Her cousin flicked his wings and made his way towards the bank, probably looking to escape more huge waves.

"Trying to knock me over or something?" Bowman accused. He made it to the bank just as Jacob joined in, flicking the surface of the water to send some flying at him. Bowman sputtered a little and flared his wings wide, rustling the leafy appendages to get them dry by letting the dappled sunlight warm them. "Ahh, come on!"

Dean laughed at that, sending another splash Bowman's way on the bank. "What, afraid of a little water?" he prodded at the sprite.

Sam backed away from the edge, dropping his satchel out of the 'splash zone' before he headed back to the edge of the stream. With his best kick, he sent the water flying up at Dean, managing to get at least a few drops on him.

Rischa sat up to lean on her hands and watch the antics with Jacob. The calm giant had his head resting on his arm and a faint smirk on his face.

Soon Bowman had his focus back on Dean. The wave might have knocked him over if he weren't the height he was. A sprite could get their wings swept up in the current of they weren't careful. Even so, he couldn't just not retaliate. He dipped his wings in the water, angling them so that when he flicked them towards Dean they scooped up some water, too.

Dean smirked at Bowman and Sam's combined comebacks. Between the two of them they hadn't managed to do more than wet his sleeve, but he was enjoying the game all the same. It didn't even occur to him that the water current of the small stream might be dangerous at their size, considering he could touch the bottom without any problem.

Instead of flicking them back, Dean scooped up a handful of water and poured it over their heads with a grin. "This'll make you hotheads feel better."

Bowman put his arms and wings over his head to divert a lot of the water, but most of it still poured right on him. A swear was at his lips but he caught himself just in time with Rischa sitting near. He glanced over and saw that Jacob was smirking, barely holding in his laughter. Bowman rolled his eyes but made his way to the bank before the blasted humans got any more bright ideas. At least he was clean now.

"Having fun, giant?" Bowman groused, rustling his wings to dry them and making a point to flick water at both of the humans' smug grins.

"Oh, look, it's my friends!" Rischa interrupted, getting to her feet and waving. Bowman turned with wide eyes and sure enough, three sprite children were headed towards the stream, their awed expressions fixed on the giants resting near the village. One was older than Rischa, one was definitely one of the girls her age, and the third... The third was six at the very oldest, a nestling with wings that shivered with curiosity.

The three approached cautiously, and Jacob watched them with awe. He remained where he lay so he wouldn't startle them. They were so tiny. Bowman and these other sprites made Sam seem quite bulky by comparison. The little one had his mouth open with fascination as he shuffled towards the opposite side of the stream.

Sam tried to shake the water off from Dean's latest attempt, glad he'd left his bag behind. He was soaked. Managing to at least wipe his eyes dry, he looked over at the newcomers in surprise. Even next to Sam the smallest one was bitty, wide eyes staring up at the two giants by the stream.

"Ah, look out!" Bowman blurted, as the littlest sprite lost track of his surroundings and slipped right over the bank. His little wings were caught in the current and he yelped before it started to drag him along.

A cry of alarm was on Sam's lips when a huge arm plunged down instantly, Dean quickly getting his fingers underneath the bitty sprite and lifting him out of the deceptively peaceful stream. Sam's heart started to calm down as the hand lowered close to him and Bowman so they could make sure the kid was alright. Dean understood better than anyone his limitations helping someone so small, and his wide green eyes above showed how worried he was for the kid.

The boy rolled to the curve between Dean's fingers and palm, facing up with surprise. He sputtered and coughed a little before swiping some of the water from his eyes to look up at the giant faces above. The one that saved him and the other one leaned near, concern in their giant eyes.

"Vel, are you okay?" Rischa brought him out of his stupor and he tore his gaze away from the faces above. He wriggled a little to sit upright. Tenner and Nanya made fluttering hops across the stream but Vel couldn't resist looking back at the palm beneath him. He pressed a tiny hand into it, an awed grin coming over his face.

"The giant saved me!" he announced, getting relieved smiles from his friends and a sigh from Bowman. Above, Jacob grinned, endeared by the innocent awe on the teeny face.

Sam jumped into the hand next to the sprite. "That's right, he did," he said with a warm smile. "We don't want you getting washed away from us!" He put a hand on the kid's back to help keep him upright. "That's my brother Dean up there! He wouldn't let any of us get washed away."

Vel smiled at Sam, his little wings rustling a bit. "Your brother is pretty tall," he pointed out helpfully. He squirmed a little, trying to get to his feet on the unfamiliar surface. Dean's fingers alone were twice the boy's size!

"He sure is," Bowman answered, a mild panic restrained behind his voice. These kids' parents were going to kill him for this. No question about it. He held out a hand to help Vel hop down.

Jacob had pushed himself up a little to check on the absolutely tiny sprite in Dean's hand. But he was drawn abruptly to the other two kids when he noticed they were inching his way and staring up at his face with awe. Jacob froze and let himself mirror their fascination. "Uh. Hi, there," he greeted, looking sheepish when his voice startled them a little and breezed through the little girl's hair.

"Hi! How'd you get so big?!" the boy asked curiously, glancing over to include Dean in his question.

Dean grinned. "We both ate our wheaties growing up. Makes you big and strong!"

Sam rolled his eyes, hopping down next to Vel. Dean took his hand back and shifted position so he was lying down, that way he could talk to the others without looming completely over them.

"They're supposed to be that big," Sam explained. "Humans don't really get smaller than a foot tall, and even that's just how big a baby is." He gave a fleeting grin. "I'd be the same size too if I hadn't been shrunk as a kid."

Bowman glanced around at all the children present, wondering what he should do. Dean and Jacob had proven they were trustworthy... but they were still giants. The kids probably wouldn't listen if he tried to send them home but their parents would never hear such an excuse.

Rischa stepped forward to introduce everyone briefly. Vel, Nanya, and Tenner smiled politely at the three strangers, still openly fascinated.

Jacob saw Bowman's quiet expression of panic and almost snickered. He settled slowly, leaning on his folded arms so he didn't feel quite so huge to them. It almost worked. "Nice to meet ya," he greeted. He got smiles in return.

Dean rested his head on his health arm, grinning at the smaller sprites. "Yeah, it's nice to see not all sprites are little smartasses like Bowman." He ruffled Vel's hair. "I'm Dean, that's Jacob. You can't miss him. At the rate he's growing he'll be taller than me in no time. And that's my little brother Sam."

Bowman spared Dean a flat look and a roll of his eyes. He was amazed that Vel hardly even had to duck when the human mussed up his hair. It was still strange to think such a large hand could be gentle enough near a child.

Tenner wandered closer to Sam. "So you'd be giant too?!" He seemed like he was starstruck. "You look strong enough to be a knight already anyway!"

Sam smiled shyly. "You think I could be a knight?" he asked.

Tenner nodded at Sam. "Probably! Even if you don't have wings I bet you'd be a good knight."

Jacob had become a little sheepish himself when Dean called out his height, knowing it was probably true. Dean was done growing, but Jacob wasn't. He smirked as the little girl Nanya huddled with Rischa to talk quietly, their tiny voices too quiet to make out.

"A knight? That sounds pretty cool, Sam. Better sign up," Jacob quipped, then looked at Bowman. "Are you one of those too?"

Bowman snorted. "No, I can't use weapons. I'm a patrolsprite. My dad's a knight, though."

Sam grinned. "I can use my knife pretty well. Me and my dad used to take on rats at our motel. The knife made it a lot easier than the jagged razor he'd use."

"Good to know you got some use out of that," Dean said, remembering how the knife had felt in his hands all those years ago when he'd finished making it. The blade was solid and stout, so even with it downsized it made a reliable weapon. Sam had even used it on Jacob back when they first encountered one another, with the enormous teen grabbing Sam right off the ground.

It was good to know Sam was ready to defend himself, even in a hopeless fight.

"Rats? Those are like squirrels, right?" Vel asked, looking to Bowman and getting a nod. Rats didn't wander the forest much at all, but squirrels could be just as vicious and persistent. Luckily they were rarely hungry enough to want to eat a sprite; they just harassed them on occasion. "If you could fight one of those by yourself I bet even Lord Scar would let you be a knight! My dad is a knight too, he's the leu.. leh... he's the second in command," Vel said proudly.

Sam grinned. "My dad helped," he confessed. "We might have been able to take the rats on by ourselves, but it's safer to have someone to watch your back."

Nanya, apparently emboldened by their friendly demeanors, marched over to Jacob. He leaned his head back slightly to keep her in sight. "Rischa said you guys are all gonna fight wolves?"

Jacob smiled faintly. "There are some bad ones around. We're gonna get rid of 'em once Dean is all better."

"That's right. As soon as my arm gets better we'll be back out there taking care of the... bad ones." Dean grabbed onto Jacob's phrase for the wolves, figuring that 'zombie' or 'undead' would either scare them or confuse them. He stretched out his arm, checking the bite mark. It was certainly looking much better. The thought of that black spiderwebbing crawling up his arm made him shudder.

"Hmm," Nanya hummed, impressed. But she also seemed concerned. "Well... be careful. You may be giant but wolves are still mean. Scar says so."

Jacob smiled faintly. "I promise we'll be careful."

Vel was still momentarily enraptured by Sam's story. "Wow. You were both ready for them! I don't think I could help my dad be a knight... I can't even fly yet."

Bowman was watching the whole scene a little bit dazed. At this point, he'd be in trouble regardless of whether he managed to send the kids home or not. So, rather than bring gloom on their bright curiosity, he stood watch, hyper aware of every shift the giants made in case a kid wasn't paying attention.

While Bowman silently fretted, Tenner had picked up a leaf. He was halfway through folding it into a boat. He was hoping the others might join in once he was done, and that maybe they'd even get the giants to play!

With his jacket weighing him down after his Dean-caused soaking, Sam shrugged it off, revealing his own toned arms in a thin grey tee. He tossed it over next to his satchel and brushed a hand through his long, fluffy hair. At least that was starting to dry.

He smiled at Vel. "I'm sure you'll be able to help him sooner than you think," Sam reassured the smallest sprite. "You just need a little time to grow a little. I'm sure you'll be outflying Bowman in no time!"

Vel looked absolutely stunned at Sam's reassurance. Outflying Bowman Leafwing?! Even though he was a young patrolsprite no one could best him. Vel's little wings fluttered excitedly.

Dean smiled at Sam's reassurances to Vel, and then tilted his head a bit, curiously watching Tenner work meticulously on his leaf. "Whatcha got there?" he asked.

Tenner looked up, a surprised look on his face. His hands were frozen mid-fold. Dean, and now the other giant, Jacob, had curious eyes on him. "I'm making a boat," he answered, turning back to his work. He rushed to finish it since he'd been found out. He held it up so they could see. "There! We should have a boat race, you can try too if you want..."

Dean squinted curiously at the tiny boat in the kid's hands, leaning down a bit to see better. "Boat races?" he repeated curiously. He held out a hand, gently touching the boat just to see the size difference. "A leaf like that might be a little small for me..."

Sam ruffled Vel's hair the same as Dean, glancing towards the two giants. He grinned at the intent, curious expressions on both of their faces. For being around so many people Sam's size or smaller, they were doing really good so far.

Rischa and Nanya had grabbed leaves of their own and were working on making boats, as well. Tenner grinned, goaded on by the curiosity directed his way. "We can find you bigger leaves!" he replied enthusiastically. Then he set to searching the foliage for something big enough for the giants to be able to manipulate with their huge hands.

Dean watched at Tenner picked through the foliage. Spotting a likely candidate ahead, Dean reached overhead, plucking up a two inch leaf that might be big enough for him to use. "Like this?" he asked the sprite.

Tenner looked up in surprise at the leaf Dean had picked out. It was almost as long as Vel! "Wow, that's a big one! Your boat will be huge!" he complimented. He picked up another leaf of his own and sat in front of the giant, trying to show him the steps.

Vel brushed his hands through his hair, absently attempting to fix it. He frowned faintly at the boat in Tenner's hand before looking up at Sam. "I don't know how to make them," he said almost apologetically.

Rischa was there a few seconds later. "Don't worry, Vel. I can show you how. You too, if you want, Sam!"

"We'll learn together," Sam said with a smile for Vel. He found a leaf nearby and sat next to the youngest kid, crossing his legs. He followed the directions carefully, folding with a single-minded determination.

Rischa smiled encouragingly at Sam, seeing that he was doing a good job. She reached over to help Vel with a fold before speaking quietly. "Seems like you take good care of your brother, Sam. I'm glad."

"I try to," Sam replied, keeping his head down. "I've only been back with him for a month so far, so I don't know how much of a difference I'm making. He keeps everything bottled up. Always has, since we were children."

Rischa smiled wryly as she gently nudged Vel's hands to keep him on the right track. Golden eyes found Sam's hazel ones, and Rischa leveled him with a gaze that seemed wise beyond her years. "Bottling things up doesn't work on everyone. You're making a difference, Sam. A huge difference. I promise."

Vel glanced up once Rischa helped him finish off his little boat. He cradled it in his hands, the first one he ever made. "Rischa can read hearts," he explained in a low voice, giving a reassuring nod. The girl knew what she was talking about.

Sam stared in amazement at that. "Really? So... you can see what's in his heart?" He couldn't help but wonder. Dean would always be a bit of an unknown to Sam. He just didn't understand what Dean had gone through the years they'd been apart and the rest... Dean was always hesitant to share his experiences, especially if he thought it might hurt Sam.

With the other sprites occupied, Bowman noticed Jacob trying to watch Tenner's instructions. He wasn't keeping up very well, with the unfavorable angle. Bowman rolled his eyes and walked over. "You're gonna just break it if you keep that up. Let me show you," he chided with a smirk before walking Jacob through the process.

Dean got to work on his own boat, mirroring Bowman's movements with quick, restrained motion. After a month with Sam, he was getting better at keeping his movement to a minimum, and that definitely helped him in this goal along with years of working on cars. He was completely focused on that leaf while he worked, missing that quick glance Sam sent his way after everything Rischa had said.

While Vel got up to eagerly show off his first ever leaf boat to Tenner and Bowman and the humans, Rischa stayed near Sam. She nodded to his question, almost shy about it now. After all, she was still learning about how to interpret some of the subtleties of emotion. "Right now he's happy you're alive. Relieved... he's glad he can keep you safe. Before, when... you know. He seemed so different."

Sam was quiet as he remembered what had happened just a short while ago. Dean grabbing him and Bowman, treating them both as nothing better than toys. His arm pinched between finger as big as he was. Even Jacob couldn't have helped him there. One wrong move by either human would have injured or killed Sam and Bowman.

Because they were too fragile.

Sam sighed, trying to keep his mind off that. "I hope he can forgive himself for it," he admitted to her quietly. "If something happened to me back there... I don't know if Dean would survive it."

Rischa tilted her head a little to catch Sam's eye. He'd gotten thoughtful about many things, and though she couldn't read his mind she knew it weighed heavily on him. "Just keep taking care of him and trusting in him. You'll both be okay. I have to take care of Bowman sometimes, too!" she reassured him.

Sam smiled. "I'll always be there for him, that's for sure," he said, glad it was an option to him now. "Even if it means I'm sitting in his pocket half the day."

Rischa giggled, a hand over her mouth in surprise. "In his pocket? I guess it makes sense. It's still so weird that there are people out there who have pockets that big! "

Sam grinned sheepishly. "It's not bad at all, really. Especially if we're around a bunch of humans. It's nice and safe, and I know Dean's watching out for me. Honestly, hiding in the pocket feels safer than Jacob's hood. It's so big you feel you might get lost in the folds sometimes!"

Rischa's gaze drifted over to Jacob, noting the hood that rested on his back the way he was lying. "I can see that happening. I would get stuck, for sure, I'm not very good at climbing." Even so, the hood looked soft; not the worst place in the world to get stuck.

Sam grinned. "Well if you ever get stuck I'll just have to get you out!" he declared jokingly. Rischa giggled at the assurance.

For his part, Dean held out his completed boat to Vel and the others and winked at the smallest sprite. "Not bad for our first shot, right?"

Vel's jaw dropped at the sight of Dean's completed leaf boat. It could fit all the other boats in it and still float probably. He held up his own tiny boat by comparison. "Wow, I bet it'll win!"

"We'll just have to see," Dean said, wondering how the game was played. It was adorable, seeing all the little sprites holding the boats. Even Sam's was finished to the side. Dean smirked at Jacob. "How's yours coming along over there?"

Jacob chuckled sheepishly, fumbling with his own leaf a lot less dexterously than Dean had. He simply wasn't used to working with things on such a fine scale; it was one thing to carry Sam or Bowman without hurting them, but folding a tiny leaf into a boat? It was escaping him.

"You kidding? He already ruined one leaf and had to start over," Bowman answered, barely containing his amused snickering. He got a poke in the side for his comment, and flicked his wings in annoyance.

"Hey, we can't all be perfect on the first try," Jacob pointed out, persevering. The younger sprites, Rischa included, all giggled at his eyeroll.

Dean snorted with laughter when he saw the failed boat to the side. "You sure you don't want a hand over there? Or maybe we should find you a bigger leaf. I bet that would help."

"Everyone's a critic," Jacob lamented mockingly, grinning when that made Nanya and Vel giggle again. These sprite kids were a good reminder of why hunting was so important, dangerous as it was. He finished off his little leaf boat with guidance from Bowman. "See, I can get things right eventually."

Sam and Rischa, finished with both their boats and their hushed conversation, wandered over to join the others. Sam held up his boat next to Dean's larger version. "Pretty good first try, right?"

Dean smirked. "Oh, you bet. Even Jacob finally pieced his together."

Jacob rolled his eyes again and grinned. "Sure, sure, laugh it up. I think I did fine." He held out his boat for the sprite kids to look it over. They were so fascinated to see not one, but two big leaf boats like that.

"Well, now that we're professional boat makers, what do we do?" Jacob asked, looking to Bowman.

The oldest sprite fanned his wings and smirked. "We race 'em. Just drop them in the stream at the signal and see whose floats faster."

"It's a lot of fun!" Tenner chimed in. "You'll play, right?" he asked, looking at each of the three outsiders in turn.

Sam took his boat back from the comparison, answering for everyone. "Of course we will!" he declared with a laugh. Both 'giants' were certainly enjoying themselves, that was for sure. "You just let us know what to do."

The young sprites looked delighted by the answer. Nanya and Tenner rushed to the bank, followed by Rischa and Vel. Rischa laid on her stomach and held her boat over the water and the others followed suit. "Who's gonna give the signal?" she asked.

"Can I do it?" Tenner asked with a hopeful grin, but Nanya shoved at him with a wing.

"You always do it," she pointed out.

Bowman chuckled faintly. "Vel, why don't you do it since it's your first race?"

The boy's wings fluttered with startled excitement and he beamed as if he'd been given the world. He looked over his shoulder at Dean and Sam and Jacob. "Okay, get ready! When I say 'go' drop your boats in the water, okay?" he explained carefully.

"You got it, champ," Dean said with a chuckle. While Sam went to hold his boat out over the water with the sprites, Dean's arm stretched out overhead, the tiny boat carefully pinched between two fingers. It might be big next to Sam and the sprites' boats, but Dean's hand made it seem small anyway.

Jacob mimicked Dean, smiling faintly as the two comparatively huge arms hanging overhead drew the sprites' curious looks. Bowman looked up warily for only a second before settling by Rischa.

Vel looked around at everyone there to make sure they were ready. Then, "Go!" he exclaimed. The leaves all dropped into the water and immediately began to slip away with the current. Tenner, Nanya, and Vel took off running to follow the progress as the boats bobbed along.

Rischa gave a contented, tired sigh. Instead of running, she shifted over to rest her head on Bowman's lap. He chuckled at her lack of subtlety but gently brushed a hand over her wing as she made herself comfortable.

Vel's little legs went as fast as he could make them. But soon the boats and the other two sprites pulled ahead of him and he stopped, tumbling over on a tuft of grass. He looked back at Dean and grinned. "Our boats worked! On the first try! "

Sam came up slowly behind the other sprites, hands in his pockets. "Looks like you beat Tenner," he pointed out to Vel as Dean's boat pushed by the smaller boat, sending it into a spiraling eddy. Tenner's boat dropped to last place for the moment as the others bobbed peacefully along.

Dean grinned and held a finger out to the smallest sprite. "High five for the new guys!"

At the confusion caused by this, Sam couldn't hold in a laugh. "He just wants you to slap it, see?" he explained as he ran up and hit Dean's finger as hard as he could. "Humans do that when they celebrate, or congratulate each other."

Dean held the finger out again. "So, what about it? You gonna leave me hanging here?"

Vel scrambled to stand himself up, his wings haphazardly flailing for a second as he found his balance on the tuft of grass. He slapped his tiny hand on Dean's fingertip with a wide grin. "Yeah! That's kinda fun!" he decided, while Nanya and Tenner argued mildly about the boy's boat tipping over.

Jacob chuckled as his own leaf boat skirted over a stone in the stream and leaned dangerously before continuing on. "Man, I almost wiped out," he commented. He glanced over and saw that Rischa had already nodded off, snoozing on Bowman. The little guy looked a lot more peaceful than Jacob had ever seen him as he watched over the kid.

Vel held up a hand to Sam, a hopeful look in his eyes. "High five?"

Sam knelt down, holding up his own hand for the high five. He dropped his voice down to a fake whisper. "You can also say 'up high!' when you do it," he told the kid with a wink. "You can surprise Jacob with that if you want. He definitely won't be expecting it!"

Vel's eyes widened and he nodded. "Okay," he whispered conspiratorially. He then marched right over to Jacob, not noticing Bowman keeping a careful eye on him. "Up high!" he declared, holding up his hand as high as he could. His little wings stretched out for balance.

Jacob's eyebrows shot up. He chuckled quietly and reached out to tap the absolutely miniscule hand with his fingertip. Vel was so tiny. "Alright, Go us!" he answered.

By this point the boats were far down the stream and the other two children had wandered back. Nanya tilted her head. "Is that like... applause? But with help?" She clapped her own hands together for emphasis.

Sam grinned at the look on Jacob's face, thrilled that his humans were getting on so well with such small children. It was exciting to see, especially how warm Dean was whenever he talked to the extra bitty guys. Maybe this would help him convince Walt to let him introduce the two sides of his family to each other. Dean could clearly be trusted.

Sam offered a hand to Nanya. "A little. Humans do it to celebrate."

Nanya tilted her head and completed the gesture, albeit softer than it was usually intended. She giggled. "Humans sound like such odd people," she admitted.

"Tenner, high five!" Vel said happily, running over to the older boy. Jacob almost thought he'd have to catch the kid before he tripped and faceplanted, but he managed to regain his balance with a flutter of his wings.

Tenner slapped Vel's hand gamely. "Good job, bud."

Nanya wandered over to Jacob's folded arms. She reached out and touched the fabric of his sleeve curiously. Jacob smirked at the simple fascination there. The girl glanced over and eyed Sam's clothing, noticing that it seemed to match Dean's more.

A/N

Kiddos and cutes, of course! Can't go without Vel giving them a visit, right?

Next: June 25th, 2017 at 9pm est

Leave us a review to let us know what you think!