The Text of Cthulhu
K Hanna Korossy
Dean was in the gas station in what looked like a really long line, while Sam took the opportunity to get out of the car and stretch. This case had left them with minimal injuries for once, even if Dean had nearly been sacrificed to an otherworldly tentacled monster. But what bruises Sam had gotten from being tossed around by a lady possessed by said tentacled monster's mate, were not helped by the subsequent long drive in the car. And, Sam thought ruefully as he pulled one arm in front of his body with the other, with Lebanon a good 24 hours away from Providence, there were many hours of driving still to go.
His phone pinged a text, and he rotated the stiff shoulder as he pulled the device out with his other hand. A video clip from Dean, of course, and Sam's gaze wandered up to meet his brother's through the mini mart's glass as he hit Play.
Animation, was what first registered. Japanese characters: anime. A girl wearing no clothes and a monster with tentacles that were just about—
With a hiss, Sam frantically stopped and deleted the clip. He leveled a glare at the mini mart, and it was hard to tell, but he was pretty sure Dean was grinning inside.
Sam quickly typed, DUDE!
The response came seconds later. What, too soon?
Keep your weird kinks to yourself! Autocorrect tried to change "kinks" to "links," which Sam supposed worked, too.
Aw, your such an innocent, Samantha
It's "you're," moron.
What's mine?
Sam groaned and pocketed his phone.
Five seconds later, another ding. He ignored it, and the two after. By the fourth, jaw clenched, Sam checked his phone again.
Cheetos?, four times.
He wanted to say no, but, Yes.
They got hazelnut coffee
Fine, Sam said, recognizing the peace offerings for what they were.
Ding-dongs?
That pulled a reluctant smile out of him. The chocolate cakes had always been Dean's favorite, not Sam's, but that had never stopped Dean from offering him one, even when they were kids. I said, keep your weird kinks to yourself.
You're weird. Of course Dean knew correct grammar when he wanted to.
Sam started to put his phone away again, when another text landed.
Gonna die of old age here. Think the checkout guys asleep.
It was typical Dean banter, except…they'd just spent hours in the car together, Dean wasn't a big texter, and Sam recognized a distraction when he saw it. Glancing up, he found Dean was watching him again.
No, not distraction. Staying in touch. Like needing that connection after watching your drugged brother get kidnapped and being helpless to stop it.
Knock-knock, Dean texted.
Who's there, Sam absently wrote back.
Boo
Boo who?
Aw don't cry, Sammy it's just me
He barked a laugh, looked up to meet his brother's eyes. The same eyes that had played off as a joke being tied down to an altar and almost possessed by a terrifying tentacle creature, but Sam knew better.
He put his phone away and headed into the mini mart. Might as well wait in line together, too.
Maybe he'd even find some licorice for Dean.
The End