Warnings and disclaimers: see chapter 1

Chapter 25 Calling all shoppers.

Once his stiches were out and he was cleared medically for light duty, Dean drove them to Wal-Mart as promised. Dean pushed the cart while Sam limped along beside him on his crutches filling it. Sam ruled the food side of things and Dean stepped up to get jeans and T shirts for the both of them as they threaded through menswear, since they had only bought a couple each when they last shopped. In the underwear department Dean threw in socks claiming since they were here they may as well make it worthwhile. Sam agreed with that and drifted to the boxers.

Dean followed and picked out shorts for himself in his normal black. He noticed Sam checking out different styles and colors and frowned.
"What's goin on, Sammy?"
"I just want to get something different, you know, as well as the normal stuff."
"Something different?"
"Yeah well, I have a reason to wear nicer stuff than our normal hard wearing stuff."
"Hard wearing, comfortable stuff. And what's the reason?"
"You, Dean."
Dean blushed a little even though the area was as deserted as the north pole at that moment.
"So you're making a special effort for me? I don't care what you wear Sammy, plus I've seen you in your shorts for years."
Sam blushed a little at that. "Well its different now and there isn't too many ways to surprise you when we get more into you know…so I thought this might be one."

Dean scratched his head in thought. "Okay, that's sound reasoning, I guess."
Sam moved off down the aisle and Dean's eyes went to the display. He mentally shrugged and followed Sam's example checking out what was available in his size. Briefs? To normal and tight on the goods. Bikini briefs? Hell no. Even for Sam. Jockstraps? Dean repressed a shudder. Thongs? Boxer briefs? Back into safer territory. Black? No, to normal. Dean took a deep breath and picked up a white pair. Where was the salt and lighter fluid when you needed it?

Dean placed them in the cart and found Sam scanning button down shirts a few isles down.
"Hey, Sammy. Need a new shirt?"
"Nope. This is for you."
"Me? I don't need a shirt."
"I know, I just wanted to."
"Is this how things are going to be now? Picking… out clothes for each other like chicks?"
"No, but since there are no 'chicks' in this relationship, I thought we could pick out one for each other just for something different. Besides Mr. Truman is paying."
At least that was the name on their current credit cards.

Dean nodded. "Okay, well I'll see if I can find a gaudy, flowery shirt for you."
He grinned as he moved off down the aisle to the more casual shirts flicking his eyes back to Sam's wide eyes and mouth. Dean actually picked up a couple of the bright shirts feigning interest in the sizes and held up several flowery shirts in the biggest size they had as Sam limped off shaking his head. Dean waited till he was far enough away before scanning the racks for something more Sam's style. He found a very dark blue shirt with an almost velvety appearance, even though the tag said cotton. Dean stuffed it under a dark green swath of material that Dean knew was the shirt from Sam.

Dean caught up with Sam as he was looking at DVD's in the center aisle.
"Hey, we should get some."
"What for?" Sam asked.
"To watch while we are at Bobby's, Einstein."
"I thought we were going to be getting to know each other better." Sam blushed as he spoke.
Dean looked around to be sure they were still alone before he spoke in a soft voice.
"We can't suck face all the time, Sammy. Besides… if we are not telling Bobby about us yet we want to make our stay look legitimate. I mean how many times do we just down tools and do nothing especially… when there are monsters up the wazoo."
"He wouldn't suspect anything if we told him about your injuries and we were there to recover. Some movies would prove we are there to relax. Good thinking. What looks good?" Sam agreed.
"Action or drama. You get any of that romantic… comedy shit you're on your own."

Sam picked out some movies staying within Dean's guidelines while Dean went to get snacks to eat while watching. Just to make the cover better he insisted to Sam as he strode off. When Dean returned Sam had picked six movies and placed them in the cart waiting for Dean. They went to the checkout where the checkout operator blatantly flirted with Dean and Sam gave her a death stare, much to Dean's amusement.

They were soon back on the road and headed for Bobby's. Sam gave the older hunter a call when they were a half hour out.
"Hey Sam. I'm not home yet. Stan's gone and sprung his knee chasin' the thing, so it's left up to me. Just open up the south wing first."
"No problem." Sam knew it was Bobby's code for the normal traps are armed- be careful. "Anything you want us to do?"
"Just the wood. There is a chainsaw ready by the pile. Like I said I was pulled away before I had the chance."
"We'll get to it. Oh and Bobby? Dean said to watch out for the mines up there."
"What does he think I'm five or something? I can read you know. See you ijits later."

Sam hung up with a laugh telling Dean what Bobby had thought of his advice. They rolled up to Bobby's place and quickly unset the alarms and shut down the traps they needed to. Dean made Sam sit on the couch while he bought in the shopping but Sam insisted on helping put it away. Dean put their bags in their bedroom and went downstairs to find Sam lying on the couch. Dean unwrapped and checked Sam's ankle before going out to get wood despite Sam's protests. Dean used the chainsaw to cut enough up for about five days, just in case. He cut some smaller logs into kindling with an axe, taking it easy and not overdoing it. It took three trips to fill the grate beside the fire then build one in the hearth.

TBC