Are You Crazy Enough To Do It Challenge - #401 (can't use the word can't)

If You Dare Challenge - #16 (Settling in for a long siege)

Fanfiction Writing Month: October [1070]

Disclaimer: The SPN writers own Supernatural.

Sonny told them to go play, but he knew they wouldn't listen. He frequently checked on them, but they merely stayed in the corner of the kitchen, muttering to each other. As he listened closer, he heard words he didn't recognize. Was that… Latin? These Winchesters truly were remarkable children.

When finally nine o'clock came, he announced it was time to go to bed. "Toothbrushes and pajamas are on your beds, boys," he told them. "The second bathroom on the right is all yours until nine fifteen, so I'd hop in the shower now. If there's anything else you need, you can just come get me, okay?"

Dean, as usual, answered with a quiet "Yes, sir." Sam nodded, grasping Dean's hand.

He had had so many boys in this house; he knew exactly what they were going to do.

Dean led Sam up the stairs. He collected their items from the bed and ushered his brother into the bathroom. "Remember what I said, Sammy," Dean reminded him. "We're not staying for long. Here." He handed him a toothbrush. "Is there toothpaste up there?"

Sam nodded.

"Need help reaching it?"

He nodded again.

Dean reached for it, unscrewing the cap and handing it to him. As Sam brushed his teeth, Dean tried to get into the shower, but he soon found that it was difficult for him to take off his pants without a lot of pain. "Sammy?" he called out, his voice strained.

His little brother wiped his mouth, hopping down for the stool. "Yeah, Dean?"

"Can you…"

Sam nodded. He helped Dean remove his clothing with as little pain as possible. Dean didn't want to take a shower for two reasons: one, he knew the soap would burn against his wounds; and two, he had to remove his arm and leg braces to do so, and both limbs were shaky and weak. His father would be ashamed of him. But he did want to wash the dirt away before he and Sam left. Besides, he didn't want to draw attention to himself. So he stepped into the shower, wincing as the hot spray hit his back and leg.

Sam helped him dry off; he hated having his little brother take care of him, but he didn't have much choice. Dean had an incredibly high pain tolerance for a twelve-year-old, but even he was unable to function normally after what he'd been through. "Now, get in the shower, Sammy," Dean told him playfully. "You stink."

Sam and Dean were out of the bathroom in eight minutes flat; they didn't want to anger Sonny. They sat in the top half of their bunk bed (it was more secluded than the bottom), Sam speaking in rapid sign. They were planning to leave Sonny's place that night at two in the morning—if they left too early after everyone had gone to sleep, they would most certainly get caught. Dean had learned (through experience) that two or three was the best time to sneak out.

TWO, Dean signed. THEN WINDOW GO.

BATHROOM WINDOW GO? Sam asked.

YES.

QUIET GO?

YES QUIET, SAMMY. Dean's sign for his brother was intimate; he doubted anyone knew what it meant. It was a combination of I LOVE YOU and PROTECT; in his right hand, his first finger, thumb, and pinkie were extended, and his left hand was in a fist. When signing it, he crossed his arms over his chest.

TOOTHBRUSH TAKE?

Dean frowned. He didn't even know Sam knew the sign for toothbrush. TOOTHBRUSH NO OURS. NO TAKE.

PAJAMAS TAKE?

YES. PAJAMAS MUST TAKE.

OKAY.

WHEN GO BATHROOM YOU, OPEN WINDOW AND WAIT.

WHY?

NEED THING TO PROTECT US.

WHAT?

KNIFE. SALT. ANOTHER KNIFE.

STEAL YOU?

YES. When Sam's hands fell, Dean added, SORRY.

NICE SONNY. For Sonny's sign, he used addressed him with as MISTER and added an S after it.

NO SAMMY. HOW KNOW NICE SONNY? Unlike Sam, Dean referred to Sonny as MONSTER and S.

Sam shrugged. SONNY GIVE CLOTHES US. SONNY TAKE… He frowned, hesitating, and then fingerspelled H-A-N-D-C-U-F-F-S.

SAMMY—

NO NO. SONNY GIVE FOOD US. Sam looked, helpless, at Dean. SONNY GIVE FOOD ME.

KNOW US MONSTERS GIVE FOOD. REMEMBER? PLACE I-L MONSTER GIVE FOOD US.

Sam flinched violently. He went white, shaking and sweating as though he was going to be sick. He curled his arms around his knees.

Dean apologized quickly, signing SORRY over and over until Sam looked up at him again.

OKAY ME, Sam signed slowly, but Dean could see how pale he was now.

COME. HUG.

Sam shuffled across the bed into his brother's arms. Dean rubbed Sam's back until he seemed okay again. OKAY YOU? he asked after releasing him and sitting in front of him.

OKAY. NO LIKE TALK—NO LIKE REMEMBER…

ME TOO. SORRY SCARE YOU. WANT SAFE YOU.

Sam gave his brother a sad smile. UNDERSTAND.

FORGIVE ME YOU?

YES. FORGIVE YOU.

THANK YOU.

Sam smiled again, happier this time. SLOW YOU, he signed. NEED PRACTICE YOU.

Dean stuck out his tongue at his brother. BREAK ARMS YOU THEN TELL NEED PRACTICE.

Sam laughed out loud, but cut himself off abruptly at the sound of Sonny's voice. "Time for bed, boys," he announced. "Jaime, come on. Put the cards away."

"But—"

"No buts, Jaime. Put them away or give them to me."

The dark-haired boy reluctantly stuffed the cards back into their box and pushed it onto his nightstand. Sonny went through the center of the room, giving several orders to boy after boy. Finally, he reached Sam and Dean and sighed. "Sam, you want to get in your own bed?"

Sam curled both fists into Dean's shirt and shook his head. Neither boys had spent a night willingly away from one another; they had only been apart when Sam's foster mother had forced Sam to stay away from Dean and a few times when either boy had been taken by monsters. "He's staying with me," Dean growled.

Sonny knew that separating them was trouble; Dr. Gilmore had warned him against it. "Okay," he said, "but your bed's still there if you want it, Sam."

Sonny knew they were planning to run. When he entered the boys' room again, their breathing was not deep and even like the rest, although it was close. So, he made himself a extra large cup of coffee, opened up a book, and settled in for a long siege.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'll post the next chapter soon. We'll see what happens with Sonny and the boys.