Three days prior

It all happened so gradually. Even, I hadn't noticed it at first. Okay. I know that I'm confusing you now, let me backtrack a little bit.

*Imagine tape or CD rewinding noise right here*

So, when we reached the bunker, you know after Sam was half dead because he stupidly jumped between me and a Were and almost gave me a heart attack by passing out and then a mini-stroke due to his manifestation and representation of horrifying nightmare, Sammy was alright and at home.

I was alright too. Thank you for asking.

Now the change came the next morning. And it was a subtle change, and guess who noticed it!

Jack! That mighty mouse, the follower of all things Sam, caught the first glimpse of Sammy's regression. Thus, starts the whole debacle of Team Free Will three and a half!

The morning after the hunting began as usual with grumbling and aching me waiting patiently for his coffee to just brew the hell already. Though Cass healed me and Sam the night before but the aftereffects…well, it affects a lot more than before. Hey, I'm not 20 anymore and still kicking aaaa, I mean butt, so give me a break! (Jack's right here slurping his sugar, yeah it's more sugar than coffee. What can I say, the kid wants what the kid wants. And Sam's still not here, so syrupy coffee for breakfast it is.)

Sam came to the kitchen and was almost like bouncing on his feet. Oh good, he must have had a nightmare free night for once! My coffee was finally ready, I turned towards the machine and poured myself and Sam two cups of heaven. As I sat on the chair where Sam was vibrating with Jack and Jack's brows were furrowed in confusion, looking at Sam like he was trying to solve the problem of humanity.

Which hey he might be! He might be two but the life he leads is almost like he's 30 years old! And half of the time I can't understand him. Sometimes he's like a kid, learning about new things around him, the next thing I know he's sucking the soul/grace thingy from Michael to save us! So yeah, understanding him is Sam's department. Mr all serious and deep all time! Now if you want to have real fun, I am your man and the kid knows it too. How do you think he got away with syrupy coffee? Huh?

But now it's not the time to discuss my awesomeness. Stop distracting me!

Now is the time to think about why the furrowed brows are directed at Sam. I looked at Sam and sipped my coffee but I couldn't notice any difference right away. Okay, so he was smiling a little brighter than other days. A lot brighter actually. So what!

"Had a good night Sammy?" I smiled into my cup, thinking about what kind of dreams he might have instead of nightmares.

"Yeah! Books, lots of books!" Sam's eyes were sparkling! Enthusiasm was dripping from every word!

Figures, I thought. Having good times with books- I shuddered at the thought.

At that same time, Jack spoke, "Dean, something's wrong." Now he was looking really concerned.

"What?" I straightened at his tone of voice.

"It's Sam. Something's not right with…"

But Sammy bit him to it, "Hey can I have your syrupy coffee? Please." Jack looked at me so Sam mimicked his motion and now four puppy dog eyes were looking at me, only the expressions were different. One was begging and the other one was just simply confused which I guessed perfectly matched with how I felt.

As I was processing all of this, Sam asked, "Can I De?" Dimples were digging deeper than usual, smiling brightly like a freaking Sun and knees were bouncing with tapping fingers on the table in anticipation. But those were not important. It's the name 'De' that perked my Sammy-antenna right up!

It was the name he used to call me when he was 5 or 6 years old...or he does when he's severely hurt. Or on drugs. But how could that be? Was it the hit on his head yesterday? No, that can be. Cass healed us. And Sam was perfectly fine when he went to bed. Then what happened?

But Sam was on a knight's journey for breakfast, "Can I De?" Now he was full-on whining, "and Lucky Charms! Pleasssse De. I'll be good I promise."

"Dean?" Jack was bordering on panic now.

"Yeah, not good," Sam's bottom lip turned downwards at that, "so not good," I said with a shaking head and a sinking heart.

"Why? Don't you have Lucky Charms? I'll share with all of you, I promise. I will even give you the prize Dean. But I want lucky charms!" With that, he stomped his feet under the table. Okay! Did he just stomp his feet? What the hell was happening here? I was starting to freak out. Was he under a witch's spell? Was one of the Weres was into witchcraft? My mind was running faster than my Baby and that's saying something!

But, before anything understandable could come out of my mouth, Jack spoke up, "Sorry we don't have that," and at Sam's pouting (And Sam is POUTING!) Jack quickly covered up with sliding his own brand of coffee, "here, have some of this. It's really awesome."

Yeah, Jack is a Winchester alright because Sam's whole face lit up just like that, damage control is in his blood or something.

As my mind was in a whirlpool, Jack said again, "And we also have Krunch Cookie Krunch! They're delicious!"

"Really?" Sam was ecstatic about food. Sugary food on top of that. He was speaking in shrilled high pitched voice, like a… crap! Like a child.

"But you don't like them so much because it's not healthy for your teeth" and then he proceeded to show all 24 of his pearls with all its glory.

Sam just giggled at the show of the teeth and scoffed at the same time, "Me? I love anything sweet! It's De who doesn't let me."

I tuned out the rest of the conversation. Because yeah Sam used to love food and sweets as a kid. I don't know what happened with that and he became a health-nut and I don't know what's happening now?"

Sam's booming laughter paused the rolling of my thoughts. And something tightened in my chest because I haven't heard that laugh for over a decade. While it was a good sound, it was not a good situation. Absolutely not good...

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Note: I am so grateful to all of you who reached out to me and let me know that you're enjoying it. It takes time for me as I have mentioned before. But, I truly appreciate that you are with me and still want more. Thank you so much for that. I hope you enjoy this chapter too. Let me know how are you liking or disliking it if you can. Stay Safe. Be well:)