Disclaimers and warnings: See chapter 1.
Chapter 52 Meddling
When they were settled back at the dining table Bobby turned to Dean.
"So what are the tablets for?"
Dean looked conflicted then rolled them across the table.
"Just anti-nausea."
Bobby gave the bottle a quick look and tossed it back. "You feel sick often?"
Sam gave Dean a look that said 'don't lie'.
"All the time, pretty much. I just take em when it's bad."
"Well don't go hiding things and making yourself uncomfortable while I'm here. You have both already told me to make myself at home but remember, this is your home. I don't want you to feel that you can't do what you need to when you need to do it even throwing up. "
Dean nodded slowly to show he understood and Sam was amazed at how his big, gruff, manly brother was reduced to looking like a young school boy under Bobby's stern gaze.
"Now that's settled, what is the treatment regime like?"
Sam and Dean looked at each other.
"You know me boy, I don't believe in elephants in the room. I want to understand what you are both going through." Bobby stated softly.
Dean explained to Bobby about the cancer and the drugs they were using to treat him. Sam explained the names of the drugs and the chemotherapy process and Dean explained the radiotherapy.
Bobby listened carefully taking in how much Sam knew about the treatment and Dean's state of mind as he went through the treatment. This signaled to Bobby that Dean was letting him in and getting support from Sam while he was sick. It had been his biggest concern when he had got the call from them.
"When is your next treatment?"
"Tomorrow at three."
"Do you mind if I come?"
"It's just radiotherapy, pretty boring."
Bobby shrugged. "I don't care. How about we go out for dinner tomorrow night, my treat?"
"That sounds good, Bobby."
Dean nodded in agreement.
"When is your next Chemo?"
"Next Friday."Sam supplied quickly.
"It's okay Bobby you don't have to be here for it."
"I will pop in as often as I can. I just wanted to get your schedule in my head so I know when to call in. I'm just going out to the car for a second, I have something for you."
Dean grabbed the coffee cups and put them in the dishwasher. Sam came up behind him and rubbed his back
"You okay Dean?"
"Yeah. I'm just not used to talking about it yet."
"I know. If it means anything you are handling it really well."
"Thanks Sammy. It means a lot."
Dean smiled at Sam softly as Bobby walked back in the front door. He handed Sam a large box.
"Housewarming present for you both."
"Bobby you didn't have to do that." They both said at the same time making them all laugh.
"Don't worry boys it's just something small I wanted to do."
Sam put the box on the breakfast bar and opened the lid to find a microwave oven inside. He pulled it out and placed it on the bench between the fridge and the stovetop. It was black and silver, toning in well with the fake marble benches.
"Thanks Bobby." Dean clapped Bobby on the shoulder and had a smaller box thrust in his hand.
"No way Bobby, the oven was way too much."
"It's just a little something for each of you."
Bobby handed Sam a small brown paper parcel. Dean opened his box to find a CD player/alarm clock shaped like batman's face complete with ears.
Dean laughed. "Thanks Bobby this is great."
Dean pulled Bobby into a short hug as Sam opened his parcel. It contained three first edition American classic books. Sam was impressed, he knew they were hard to get.
"Thanks Bobby, these are great."
Sam looked at Dean's clock while Dean looked at his books.
"Thanks Bobby these should keep him busy, for all of five minutes." Dean joked.
"I don't know, I think Bobby picked it in one when he bought you 'The bat clock'." Sam laughed.
Bobby clapped them both on the shoulder and they moved into the living room. They chatted about what Bobby had been up to since they had last seen him and anyone they still knew. Sam suggested a movie and Bobby picked 'Starwars IV A new hope' pleasing Dean. They insisted Bobby take the recliner and Sam and Dean took the sofa. Dean surprised Sam by sitting so close their arms brushed. Dean handed Sam and Bobby a beer each while he struck to lemonade.
Dean did pretty well considering how tired he was and even threw popcorn at Bobby and stuffed some down Sam's shirt when a mini food fight broke out after Dean told Luke to 'use the force' one to many times. Three quarters of the way through however he was leaning between the sofa and Sam's side blinking tiredly. Sam noticed Dean having trouble staying awake so got up and pulled him to his feet.
"Sorry Bobby. Looks like it's time for sleep."
"That's okay, Dean. Have a good night. I will see you in the morning."
Dean by-passed his bedroom and went to the hallway cupboard and pulled out blankets, pillows and sheets. Sam took the pillows.
"It's okay Dean, I can do this."
"I just wanna help before I go to sleep."
Dean placed the blankets and sheets down one end of the couch.
"Thanks boy."
"No problems, see you in the mornin." Dean yawned as he waved.
Dean went back to his room and slipped out of his jeans. He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth and cleaned up for bed. He felt pretty damn tired and was blinking tiredly as he washed his mouth out. When he got back to his room, Sam was sitting on the end of his bed.
"I'm okay Sammy. Go back and watch the movie."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, just tired."
Sam stood and without thinking stepped into Dean's path and pulled him into a hug. Dean spine stiffened slightly at Sam's proximity without warning and because he only had boxers and a T shirt on.
Sam ran a hand down Dean's back and Dean forced himself to relax in Sam's arms and bring his own up to Sam's back and gave it a rough pat. Sam was encouraged by Dean's pat and pulled Dean to him harder. Sam could feel Dean's hard chest against his and gave Dean another squeeze before pulling back and letting his brother go. Dean looked up into Sam's face as he stepped around him and Sam saw a look of confusion on his face. Dean slid into bed and Sam stood looking at him for a moment before sighing and going out to the living room. Sam had that weird swooping sensation on his stomach when he had hugged Dean and it intensified when Dean had looked at him before he climbed into bed. By the time the movie finished he had settled but strangely missing Dean's presence. Sam made the fold out couch with the sheets and blankets struggling with tiredness and the extra couple of beers he had with Bobby. Bobby fetched his bag from his car parked in front of the apartment.
Dean watched Sam walk out of his door and pull the door shut. He sighed loudly as he settled back into his pillows. His hand automatically went to his stomach where his hand brushed against his boxers and felt his semi-hard on, hard to miss given the size. Dean purposely rolled onto his stomach to try to kill off any 'nice' feeling he had going downstairs after hugging his brother. He had no idea what the hell was going on and could only imagine it had to be because he hadn't had sex for so long he was walking around with a hair trigger. Sam was probably the same. He hissed at the feeling of his hardness against the mattress and it had the desired result. He felt sorry for his poor neglected dick and mentally promised to give it some attention as soon as he had the energy and some alone time to do so. As soon as he was settled enough he rolled over on his side and tried to concentrate on falling to sleep.
Sam stood after helping Bobby settle in.
"Before you go Sam. You've done a good job giving Dean a home he is happy with. He doesn't have too many places to go so I'm glad he has this with you."
Sam looked up shyly."Are you okay that we didn't ask to stay at your place?"
"Yes, I'm fine with that. I understand that Dean needs a very stable environment while he has his treatment. He might be tempted to hunt at my place even if he is unwell, that's just who Dean is. This is the best for Dean's health and he more than deserves the time to get himself better."
"Thanks Bobby."
"No problem. Now..." Bobby took a big breath in "I know he will give me hell for talking to you about this but how is he Sam?"
Sam knew by the look in Bobby's eye and the way he asked that he was asking for the details.
Sam sighed as well before looking down and crossing his arms.
"As well as can be expected at this point. He's tired and throwing up a bit."
"What's his frame of mind like?"
"He's very strong just like he always is but he has let me in a bit."
"Has he said much?"
"Yeah he has been pretty good with the communication."
"But he hasn't broken down yet? Still keeping the walls up?"
"Yeah, I doubt they will come down."
"They have to Sam. If he is to get through this. The drugs he is on will make it hard and he needs to be able to release when he needs to. Dare I say it but Dean Winchester is going to need to cry."
Bobby had clearly been doing his research.
"Ha! It's more likely I will cry than him. Well I already have."
"It may take some time knowing Dean but he will need you to be there when he needs you. But it's really important that he feels comfortable enough to let it out and not get a razing from you about the chick flick thing he always carry's on about."
"It's okay Bobby. We have talked about this and I am ready to be there when he needs me."
"I hope you don't think I'm a meddling old fool but I have to be there for both of you when you need me. Dean's done so much for me and I more than owe him. And I consider both of you my family."
"Thanks Bobby. I appreciate you being concerned and I promise to let you know if we need you."
"Good to have one of you convinced anyway. Have a good night." Bobby smiled.
"You too."
TBC
