Their first night as humans added another nuance to their new life. As a dog, Dean had been used to curling himself around the pup but now he felt awkward and uncertain as how to interact physically with this new Sam.
Any hesitation on Dean's part was soon resolved as Sam had no problem in burrowing into Dean's chest much as he'd done before.
The older boy found himself curling an arm around him. If Sam didn't notice any difference, why should he?
:
John had informed them they'd have to stay a while before going back, as he had to wait for another member of their community to come and take his place here to keep watch.
:
As sleep claimed him Dean gave one last thought to those he'd left behind, especially Bobby. The old dog had become part of their little family, depending on Sam and Dean for company and protection from hostile, aggressive mutts.
He wondered if the rift was still open in their old world. If so, Dean hoped that Bobby might have come after them, seen the rift and guessed that Sam had nosed around and in his naivety gone into it.
On the other hand, Bobby was no impulsive puppy. He might have been wary of getting too close, which in Dean's mind was the intelligent thing to do. Still, he had to admit to himself that he was more than a little curious to see what kind of a human the grumpy old dog would become in this reality.
:
He awoke the next morning to the aroma of food being cooked.
Dean stumbled out of the tent to see John stirring something in a frying pan over the fire. Sam was still snoozing. In that, he hadn't changed much. As a puppy, he'd been a big sleeper.
'Kid's growing,' Bibby had grunted. 'He needs lots of food and rest if he's gonna hit his full size. He's gonna end up bigger than you,' he'd barked amused.
'No way!' Dean had replied. 'That ball of fluff will never be bigger than me.'
Bobby had raised a hairy eyebrow. 'The truth is hard to take, huh Dean? The kid will be the one protecting you one day!'
:
'Good morning,' John said. 'You boys sleep well?'
Dean nodded. 'The ground feels harder than it used to when I had my thick coat covering me but yeah, I managed to sleep some. Sammy's still snoring.'
John grabbed a tin plate and heaped some scrambled eggs and a few slices of bacon on it.
'Eat up,' he grinned. 'I'm guessing you're hungry.'
Dean took a seat next to the older man. 'I've been thinking,' he said. 'Instead of waiting until your replacement comes. Sam and I can hang around. You can go back home.'
'Now why would you want to do that?'
'We left a friend back in our world. I want to wait a while. See if he comes through. I'd like to be the one to greet him if he does.'
John sighed. 'You do understand that there's no guarantee the rift's still open, don't you?'
'I know, but in any case, staying on our own for a spell longer will give me and Sam a chance to get better used to our new bodies before having to meet more people.'
'The members of our community won't bite, you know,' John chuckled. 'Once they might have, but those days are gone.'
'Yeah, but still.'
'Well, if you prefer, I have no problem,' John shrugged. 'Mary will be glad to see me back early and I'll tell my replacement to wait a day or two before coming to get you.'
:
John showed Dean all he'd need to remain on his own for a couple of days, then gathered up his stuff. 'If you're sure, I'm just as well setting off now. Be careful, Dean and if you find anyone wandering around looking confused, just treat them as I've done with you. Give them some food and clothes. I'll send Gordon back with more supplies.'
'Sammy and I will be fine,' Dean assured him.
'Okay, then. See you in a couple of days.'
Dean's eyes followed the older human as he disappeared into the thick forest.
:
When Sam finally showed his face, Dean was still seated by the fire.
'You sleep well, Sammy?' he asked.
'Uh-huh,' the ex-puppy replied. 'Like a log. I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat? Where's John ?' he asked looking around.
'I sent him home,' Dean replied, heaping food on a plate for Sam. 'I wanted to stay here another few days to see if Bobby comes through.'
'That would be great, ' Sam said enthusiastically. 'Then we'd be together again.'
The rest of the day passed with the two enjoying their companionship, Sam doing most of the talking, asking questions right, left and center. The kid seemed happy enough with his new body and Dean hefted a sigh of relief. He was hopeful and curious about this new life now, his confusion dissipating as the hours passed.
:
When the night began to fall, a rustling was heard in the trees, causing Dean and Sam to exchange preoccupied glances. Those preoccupations turned to smiles as a naked, old guy stumbled out of the thick foliage.
'Who the hell are you?' a crusty, hoarse, voice bitched. 'And where the hell am I?'
'Bobby?!' Sam and Dean yelled in unison.
'How the hell do you know my name?' the man asked.
'Because we're Sam and Dean!'
The end