Eleven
Dean gripped the Impala's steering wheel hard. They were about two hours from their destination and had just barely crossed over into the Louisiana state lines. The air was heavy and full of humidity, a swampy smell lingered all around, and the clouds above in the sky looked what one could only call beautiful.
Sam couldn't focus on any of that.
"How many days has it been?" he'd asked, moments after Eileen had broken the news to him that she might not get a period this time around.
"Almost two," Eileen replied. "That can be normal though, for some women. Some women aren't on time every time it happens."
She was rambling. Trying her best to keep him from freaking out, and he wasn't…on the outside. On the inside Sam was in turmoil. Shocked at the prospect what was potentially to come and struggling to make his brain stay on one track.
What kind of life was he potentially about to have?
"I'll wait til tomorrow and then I'll take the test," Eileen took Sam's hands in hers, pleading silently with her eyes for him to remain calm.
"I promise everything will be okay."
He'd heard those words before. From his dad. From Dean. From Ruby. Most of the time those six words were simply used to placate. To try and calm somebody down before they flew off the handle, even though nine times out of ten they were justified in flying off the handle.
Sam barely heard Dean calling his name. He blinked and turned his head towards his brother.
"Damn," Dean commented. "I knew we were arguing, but I didn't think I'd get a silent treatment."
"We're not arguing." Sam replied.
Dean gave him a look as he made a left turn and continued down another Louisiana back road.
"I don't want to be in an argument with you anymore," Sam clarified. "So, we're not arguing. We're just…agreeing to disagree."
"That's what soccer moms say to try and resolve something with their bratty kids or their snotty friends." Dean said.
"Yeah well we don't like to talk about our feelings in this family," Sam inched in a bit of sarcasm, hoping to get Dean to shut up. "So, let's just drop it. Okay?"
It worked like a charm. Dean didn't say another word about the matter and Sam was free to freak out as he pleased. Dean didn't really have room to speak. He had basically started the initial argument they'd had, and it seemed as though there was still more on Sam's mind than he was telling.
Dean had secrets too. Let Sam keep his, for all he cared.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
When the brothers arrived at their destinations, they were greeted by two old friends. The black-haired man and the strawberry blonde in the front yard put down their beanbags from their corn-hole game and approached the brothers, pulling them both in for hugs.
"Dean," LeSalle Parker smirked. "Sam. How ya been?"
"Not bad Salle," Dean smiled. "Just heard there was a case down here. Thought we'd stop by if you don't mind."
"We don't mind at all," LeSalle turned to face the other man, Drew Tanner, who approached with a crooked smile and his beer in his hand.
"Do we?"
"Not at all," Drew shook his head. "I can take some of the bags. You'll be in the same rooms as last time."
Drew walked off with the bags and the brothers followed LeSalle up the driveway.
"Lila's off on a hunt with an old friend," LeSalle explained as they walked through the front door into the ancient white house. "Loretta is visiting family. It's just us guys tonight."
Sam nodded and took off for his room, quickly shutting the door behind him. Drew had a confused look on his face. LeSalle just stared and cocked his head.
"You'll have to forgive him," Dean rolled his eyes. "He's on his man period."
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Still nothing? Sam texted.
He was on the phone with Eileen, waiting in the Impala for Dean and Drew to come back from inside the convenience store. Monster stakeouts required caffeine and snacks, at least according to both Dean and Drew. LeSalle survived on extraordinarily little sleep to begin with and Sam, well, he was too nervous to consume anything.
Still nothing. I'm gonna buy the test, Sam. I'll tell you the result when I find out. I wish you were here.
Sam sighed, his fingers hovering over the keys for a moment before he replied.
Okay, just let me know one way or the other. I wish I were there too. I love you.
He hesitated on the last three words. Though it was implied every time they interacted, he had yet to say it. His fears were put to rest the moment she answered.
I love you too, Sam Winchester.
"Wow," LeSalle commented, but didn't look away from staring into the gas station window. "That is some furious typin' going on over there."
"You wouldn't happen to know anything on how to calm potential pregnancy scare anxiety would you?"
LeSalle looked over at Sam, slightly confused at his statement, but also shocked at the bluntness of it as well. Sam watched the way his eyes followed Drew as Dean and he laughed about something and carried the bags of snacks to the car.
"Can't say with the romantic company that I keep that I know anything about that," LeSalle replied. "But I do know that whoever or whatever is out there has a plan and if that plan is meant ta come ta fruition, it'll be."
Sam moved over as Drew climbed in, ignoring the glance Dean sent into the backseat.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
The vampire nest was one of the bigger ones the Winchester brothers had ever seen. They had spent a total of three hours running around an entire houseboat complex, jumping from boat to boat and lobbing heads off of hungry vampires.
Dean was shocked that no other hunters had come here yet. The whole complex was infested. Dead, emaciated, and drained bodies were scattered everywhere. Bones filled the water and Dean tried not to think of how many people could finally have closure if they dragged them all up. The houseboat was dingy and dark, the walls were covered in rust, and the floor looked as though somebody would need ten tetanus shots if they touched it.
Sam came from the right, the two practically smashing into one another as they both chased the same vampire. Dean gave him a look as Sam shook off the impact and sprinted ahead. The younger Winchester grabbed the vampire, pulling it back by the shirt collar and attempting to remove its head.
The vampire spun around, pinning Sam to the wall.
"Don't you hunters know better by now," the vampire hissed. "The Creator wants this, and I'm sure he wrote for his two best bitch boys to try and take us down."
Sam struggled, trying his best to avoid the fangs rapidly coming closer and closer to his throat. He closed his eyes, preparing for the worst.
It never came. The vampire's head rolled away from his body, followed by Dean wiping his blade on his jeans and extending his hand for Sam to grab hold.
"Get your head out of your ass," Dean grunted. "There's more than just him!"
Sam stared hard at the back of Dean's head, considering his words, and slowly following once again. Dean's and the vampire's words echoed through his head as he ran.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Dean and Sam had the pleasure of witnessing Drew and LeSalle remove the final vampires' heads in one clean blow. LeSalle untwisted his hand, his eyes going from their unusual shade of purple back to their normal blue almost instantly. Drew nodded at him and the four men started their long, blood descent off the boat to home.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
After cleaning up their mess at the boatyard, and showering, Dean, LeSalle, Sam, and Drew found themselves out front. The night was steamy. Fireflies flitted around in the tree line. The two ancient cars, an Impala, and a sleek blue Fastback, rested calmly in the driveway. Drew and Sam stood in the yard, Drew teaching him how to play corn-hole.
"Can't believe ya brother's never played corn-hole."
"We haven't really had the occasion," Dean replied to LeSalle as the pair sat on the porch, sipping beers, and staring out into the yard.
"You know, busy saving the world half of the time and all."
"Believe me," LeSalle chuckled. "I thank you for that."
The black-haired man lifted his arm up to rest on the low porch railing. Dean caught a glimpse of a silver band around his finger that hadn't been there the last time they'd all met up.
"Can I ask you something?" Dean cleared his throat, trying his best not to choke.
"Shoot." LeSalle looked over at him.
"How'd you know you were…you know." Dean swallowed hard.
"A warlock?" LeSalle suggested. "Well that was probably right around when I accidentally set something on fire with my mind and a flick of the wrist."
"Not that," Dean shook his head, glancing over at where Sam stood across the yard, making sure he couldn't hear. "A gay man."
"Oh that," LeSalle waved him off and blew air out of his lips. "I feel like I kind of always knew that. Just never really acted on it til I was older."
"But how'd you…figure it out?" Dean asked, trying to press the matter without openly admitting anything.
"Shit Dean," LeSalle chuckled. "I kissed a guy. I slept with a guy. I figured out that I liked it. I went from there."
"You make it sound so easy." Dean's voice trailed off. He refused to look LeSalle in the eyes. The warlock cocked his head, leaning forward so he could see Dean's face better.
"It's not," LeSalle shook his head. "It's a fight every day, even when it looks easy. I learned long ago though, that if I was gonna make it in life I had ta fight for the things I love."
Dean witnessed a glance Drew's way. The strawberry brown haired man was caught in the middle of a laugh again and Dean saw the corners of LeSalle's mouth tugging upward. Dean could practically see a fire lighting itself in the man's heart.
It was absolutely beautiful.
"I love that man more than anyone in this world," LeSalle explained. "I know what I want out of life. I hope, for ya sake Dean, ya figure it out too."
LeSalle stood from his chair and strode out onto the lawn, making his way over to Drew and wrapping an arm around his middle. The two shared a short kiss and smiled as they looked into one another's eyes.
Dean peeled the label on his beer bottle and tried not to think of Castiel.
Read and Review!
Another update! I had a day off and I wanted to spoil my readers. I'm hoping for a decent turn for tomorrow (I have to work, and a hurricane is going to hit us) and that's another reason I'm uploading this chapter now (in case we lose power). I included more OCs of mine in this chapter. I figured it was appropriate since they are LGBT and Dean is needing a bit of help in that department. If you want more background on these OCs, read my fic (I'll be revamping it soon) "In Blackest Night".
See you in the next chapter and if you're in the path of the hurricane like me, please be safe. I'll see y'all on the other side.