Warnings and disclaimers: see chapter 1

Chapter 21 The concern of a stranger and bubble baths.

Sam was going to wake Dean at twelve to walk down for lunch but he was out for the count so Sam decided to let him sleep. It was past one pm when Dean finally woke and slowly got up to use the bathroom. He came out looking more alert and got ready to go out for lunch. Sam used the bathroom and tidied up before they headed out. Sam was a little surprised Dean had kept the hoodie on and had thrown a warm jacket over the top. They walked slowly to the diner with Sam at Dean's elbow the whole way. It was late for lunch and the place held just two dinners at the front counter.

Dean slid into a both at the back and Sam surprised him by sliding in next to him. He figured he had two excuses: to look after Dean while he was sick and to be close to his man now they were together. Dean had a raised eyebrow at Sam's closeness then shrugged and picked up a laminated menu. Their waitress approached and Sam wasn't surprised at the double take the waitress did when she looked at Dean. He had seen it often but was surprised at the opening line.
"Hey you okay, dude?"

Dean looked at Darlene, by her name tag, with a raised eyebrow. He was a little dizzy from the walk but nothing major. Darlene looked all of fifteen with lots of eye makeup.
"You look like you are going for a part in one of those vampire movies." She stated.
Dean shuddered softy. Having been a vampire for a day had not been something he cared to remember. Darlene saw the shudder.
"I liked the shifters better too."
"What?" Sam asked.
"The 'werewolves.' They were really shape shifters that changed into wolves…"
"Oh okay, well I'm fine." Dean interrupted not keen talk about teen flicks.
"You sure dude? You look really pale. The rest room is over there." Darlene pointed behind her. "You want coffee while you look?"
"Yeah just quarter strength decaf with plenty of milk for both of us." Sam said.

Darlene left and Sam looked at Dean closely. He did look very pale. Sam hadn't noticed before because he had been with Dean almost constantly since the accident. Compared to what he looked like with the stake sticking out of him he currently looked like he had a healthy glowing tan. Dean nudged Sam with his elbow.
"Relax Sammy. It's okay. Kind of funny really."
"No its not."
"Let's just eat and relax okay?"
"Yeah all right."
Dean went fairly light on the food to Sam's amazement ordering food that was partially healthy. Sam made sure they stayed no less than an hour then walked back at a slow pace. Sam pushed Dean down on the bed for a rest after his activity and did laundry while Dean again tossed and turned.

Sam made dinner for them in the small kitchen and woke Dean to eat and take his meds. They sat close together on the couch watching TV as they ate then Sam cleaned up and got Dean's bath ready. He added bath gel to the bath so there would be bubbles and Dean could be afforded some privacy. Even though he had been giving Dean a daily sponge bath he hadn't seen Dean completely naked yet and knew it would come up in their new relationship but they were taking it slow so he wanted to at least try to do the right thing.

Sam turned the bath off at the third full mark and lay towels and freshly cleaned sweats for Dean as well as some wash cloths. Sam dug down in the first aid kit and found a couple of water proof dressings which he placed over the stiches on Dean's chest and back and arm as well as the side of his face. Sam ensured Dean was right to get in on his own and waited anxiously outside the door until he heard the water running again. Sam waited until the water turned off before his overprotectiveness got the best of him and he slipped into the room.

Dean's upper chest was out of the water but the rest was covered in thick bubbles. Sam knelt on the floor and took up a cloth. Dean watched Sam carefully feeling a little uncomfortable at being naked just below the water but knowing they would soon see each other fully naked and would have to get used to it. To be honest this wasn't the way he wanted to start their new relationship but he would have to relax and see what Sam wanted to do.

Sam took up the cloth and cleaned the areas that were out of the water gently including washing his hair which Dean appreciated. Sam made sure Dean's wounds were out of the water before deciding to let his brother relax in the very warm water. Dean was surprised when Sam went off to let Dean soak for a while, only giving him a quick peck on the tip of his nose. Dean lay and relaxed for twenty minutes before he started to get cold and thought about getting out. Sam came into the room with a smile and picked up the cloth again giving Dean another wash.

This time at the end of the wash Sam put his damp fingers on Dean's jaw and pulled his face to him for a soft, slow kiss. Dean lifted his hand and ran the wet fingers down Sam's neck as they moved their lips over one another's. The water running down Sam's neck, Dean's soft, wet fingers and his warm lips were enough to make Sam want to jump in the bath with Dean. Sam broke off first and took a deep breath to gain control of himself. The last thing he wanted to do was push Dean to fast and hurt him worse than he was.

Sam made sure Dean was okay to get out by himself and went into the other room. He found he was quite hard and his heart was beating a mile a minute. He was so close to getting what he wanted it was driving him crazy. They hadn't even kissed with tongue yet. He breathed in some deep breaths while walking laps of the room. He could of course just jerk himself off but he hated doing that when he was in a relationship with someone. Especially a new relationship. It felt like the worst kind of cheating. Not that Dean would mind of course. Knowing Dean he would encourage it but Sam wanted to wait no matter how much the pressure built up. He waited until he heard Dean call him to go in and do his bandages before going back in not trusting himself to go in with Dean anything less than half dressed.

Sam bustled around doing the dressings trying to act like nothing was up. Dean of course knew him to well and was watching his face as he worked.
"You okay, Sammy?"
"Yeah Dean." Sam sighed.
"It's okay Sam. You've waited this long, a few more days won't hurt right?"
"How do you…know?"
"I know you Sam. I know that look on your face. You're frustrated… and want more." Dean held Sam's jaw in his hand and moved his lips onto Sam's where he kissed him softly. "Soon okay?" Dean's eyes were fixed on Sam's.
"Yeah thanks, De. I …I love you."
"I love you to, Sammy."
Those few words from Dean magically eased his tension and he calmed right down as they kissed again lightly and Sam went back to work.

Sam soon had Dean settled back in bed making sure he had all his meds and enough blankets to keep him warm. Sam turned on the TV and searched for a movie for them. Sam found a Mission Impossible movie for Dean to watch not really sure which one it was. He got ready for bed himself returning to find Dean watching him sleepily. He was surprised Dean was even awake after his first exercise for a while.

Sam was about to slip into his own bed when Dean called him over. Sam lay down on top of the covers by Dean and Dean surprised him by pulling him close with his right arm and letting it hang over Sam's shoulders. Sam turned to Dean quite shocked.
"What's up Sammy? I thought you would love a cuddle." Dean gave Sam a cheeky grin.
"Well…yeah. I just wasn't expecting it while you are sick."
"Relax Sam. I'm not going to do anything. We are just going to lie together… for a while and I'm not sick."
"Okay."
Sam scooted closer to Dean liking how tight Dean pulled him to him. It felt nice to be wanted by someone. Sam missed being this close to someone who loved him. Sam tentatively rested his head on Dean's chest and his grin showed how pleased he was when Dean turned to him slightly to make it easier for him.

As they lay together watching TV Sam gradually relaxed totally in Dean's arms. Dean's breathing evened out before the movie finished and his grip loosened on Sam until his arms fell away and he was out for the count. Sam stayed where he was till the end of the movie then gently got up and went to his own bed switching off the TV as he got in.

TBC