Thank you guys for the reviews! There are only a few chapters left to this story, so hopefully you guys still like it.
Also, just want to let you guys know I just opened a shop on Etsy. shop/CoastersandpostersCo?ref=search_shop_redirect
That's the link if you guys want to check it out. I'm making coasters and canvas posters of Supernatural and Harry Potter so far, but it can be of anything if anyone is interested!
Anyway, back to the story! Hope you like it!
"He won't come downstairs. He won't come see him," Sam whispered. "I can't force him to come down here, Bobby. He won't move."
Dean didn't want to see him. He didn't want to admit how much that hurt to hear, but he would rather go back to psy-ops than hear his older brother didn't even want to come downstairs to see if he was ok. He was not ok, not anymore anyway. He hurt more now than he ever had before.
"Then we better find a way to get him to move. Alec's not gonna sleep forever, and we already know he wants to talk to Dean. His options are to either get his ass down here by himself, or we will force him down here," Bobby growled. "I know this is not what he was plannin' on, but his brother is still alive. He needs to be there for him."
"Don't you think I told him that?!" Sam asked, his voice rising, but then quickly falling again. "Bobby, I've been trying to convince him for three hours to come down here. He won't do it."
"Then you better get your ass on that sofa and stick to Alec like glue," Bobby hissed. He could hear Bobby's footsteps as he walked away, but then he stopped and said, "This is not Alec's fault, you hear me? He doesn't deserve this from either of you. He didn't ask for this, either time, so you need to be there for him. And that ain't a suggestion."
He could hear Sam's sharp breath, knowing he was about to argue, but then his brother let it out and said, "Yeah, alright…"
"Sam," Bobby said with a sigh. "I didn't mean you were doin' anything wrong…This is gonna be rough for him. He's missed 10 months, he has no idea what he's been through, and now, with Dean not even coming down to see him? I know him well enough to know he won't take it well. So, he needs one of his brothers around. That's all I'm saying."
"I know, Bobby," Sam said softly. "I know I should've come down here sooner, but I know Dean's the one he wants to talk to. I just wanted to give him one thing. I can't spoil him anymore, or give him hugs just because I want to, or hold him while he sleeps, or play with him because he's bored, or listen to his made-up stories that always made me smile…I know I can't do that anymore, and it sucks, but I'm going to try to ignore it and try to do one thing for him. And now I can't even give him the one thing he wants."
"Just sit with him," Bobby said, his voice further away now, and his footsteps sounded like he was going upstairs. "I'll try to talk some sense into Dean…"
"Yeah, good luck with that," Sam muttered. He knew Sam would be walking over to him soon, so he tried to turn over on the sofa. But the movement caused his pain to spike to a whole new level, and he groaned in pain. Sam's hands suddenly pressed against his shoulder and chest to keep him down, but he whimpered at the touch. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Sam said, quickly removing his hands. "Alec, what can I do? Do you want some painkillers?"
"I-I'm alright," Alec breathed. "Just forgot I shouldn't move…"
"Ok, let me get you some water or maybe some milk…which one sounds better?" Sam asked.
He didn't think his stomach could actually handle anything right now, so he shook his head no. "Sam…I'm alright. I don't want anything."
"Alec, you're probably dehydrated…I just want to make sure we get ahead of this before it gets too far," Sam said, reaching out to run his hand through his hair. He pulled his hand back though and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry…I should've…I don't know, I'm just…I'm sorry."
"It's ok," Alec reassured. "I don't know what all happened…but I guess this is a big adjustment…"
Sam gave him a sad smile and said, "Alec, you shouldn't be comforting me. You're hurt and you don't know what's going on…"
"It's fine," Alec muttered.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Sam asked, his voice gentle. "I could try to fill you in on what you missed…"
"Why won't he come down here?" Alec asked, getting right to the point. "Did I do something that I can't remember? Is it something to do with the whole kid thing?"
"Is it ok if I sit down?" Sam asked instead of answering him.
"Yeah…" Alec replied.
Sam gently lifted his shoulders and moved to sit down, easing him back down so his shoulders were across his lap. A pillow was placed under his head, and then Sam rested his hand on his chest. "This ok?" Sam hesitantly asked. He nodded since he knew his pain would be obvious in his voice, and he didn't want Sam to feel bad. "Alec, you didn't do anything wrong," Sam whispered after a few minutes. "We…um, we didn't think you would ever get changed back. We didn't even really look for a way to change you back."
"Really?" Alec asked, feeling hurt that his brothers didn't even try to get him back. "Why?" He probably didn't want to know the answer, but he couldn't stop the question from popping out.
"Alec…you were so happy. You smiled and laughed all the time, and even though you remembered a little bit from Manticore, it was just two years of it. So…when Dean suggested that we just raise you…I didn't think it was such a bad idea. You were happy and you made everyone else happy-"
"So, I was two?" Alec cut in.
"Yeah," Sam said. "Dean was dreading when you were going to turn five because he didn't want you to go to school."
"How'd I turn back?" Alec asked. "If you guys weren't looking…then how come I'm not two anymore?"
"I don't know," Sam admitted. "You and Dean were taking a walk and it started to storm. Dean said you fell into the stream, and when we found you…you weren't a little kid anymore."
"Were you guys hunting anything?" Alec asked, trying to think of anything that could've done this.
"We quit hunting," Sam muttered.
"What? Why?" Alec asked. Why would they give up hunting?
"Alec, you were two. We didn't want anything coming back to hurt you," Sam said. His brother smiled though and teased, "And you were kind of a clingy kid. It took a while for you to be ok with being away from Dean."
"And that's why he won't come down here?" Alec asked slowly.
"We…um…we told you that Dean was your Dad and I was Uncle Sammy…He got used to being your Dad…as weird as that might be for you…" Sam said.
He was quiet for a long time. He could tell Sam was holding his breath, waiting for his reaction. But he didn't know what to say or how to react. They had been taking care of him as a little kid, they'd acted like they were his Dad and Uncle, and they hadn't wanted him to be changed back. "I…I don't understand…" he finally whispered.
"I'm not explaining it right," Sam said. "I…Dean would know how to explain this better…I just-"
"Sam, I need some time alone," Alec muttered, keeping his eyes away from his brother.
"Um, yeah…ok," Sam said, gently lifting his shoulders again and setting him back on the sofa. "I'll, um, I'll go upstairs and see if Dean will come down. If…um, if you need anything-"
"I'll let you know," Alec said.
Sam nodded and quickly left the room. He felt a little bad for telling his brother to go away, but they hadn't wanted him to come back. It hurt that they didn't even try to get him back, and now Dean didn't even want to see him.
He clenched his jaw and pushed away the pain, forcing himself to get up. He started shaking with the amount of pain that accompanied his movement, but he ignored it and finally made it to his feet. He locked his legs, so he wouldn't fall back down, and grabbed one of the blankets that had pooled at the end of the sofa, since he was still freezing. But maybe walking around would help warm him up.
He wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and slowly made his way to the kitchen. His eyes widened and he stumbled to a stop when he was there. At the table was a highchair for a little kid to eat at, on the fridge were pictures that a little kid had drawn, there were toys on the floor, and everything was child-proof. The fridge had a child lock on it, as well as the cabinets and drawers. The knives were put away and the oven's controls had something over it so they couldn't accidently be turned on.
They'd gone all out for him. They may not have tried to get him back to normal, but they'd given him just about everything else. He walked over to the counter so he could have something to lean against, but he stopped again when he saw a pile of pictures sitting there.
He quickly snagged the pictures and sat down in one of the kitchen chairs. He tried to ignore the highchair and the sippy cup sitting next to him, and instead focused on the pictures in his hands.
Tears filled his eyes as he looked through them. Sam and Dean had huge smiles in every picture they were in. Every single one. He'd never seen them look so happy…Even Bobby was smiling, which was almost weird to see.
He dropped the pictures to the table and ran his hands through his hair. Why did he have to change back? Why couldn't he just stay a kid and make Sam and Dean happy? Why did he always have to ruin everything? Everyone was happier when he was a kid. Who cares that he couldn't remember anything from when he was a kid, the pictures were enough to tell him that he really was happy, that Sam and Dean were happy, and that they had been telling him the truth.
He needed to get out of here. He shrugged out of the blanket and slowly headed back to the main room. He didn't see his boots anywhere, but Dean's would fit him, so he grabbed those and put them on. He grabbed Dean's coat, since that was missing too, and headed out the door.
Somehow he managed to make it to one of Bobby's cars, and his luck held because it was one that actually worked. He hotwired the car and made his way to town. He just had to get out of the house for a while, away from his brothers and their mourning for something he couldn't even remember. He wasn't even planning on stopping anywhere, he just wanted to drive for a while. But he ended up at a bar, and slowly staggered his way to the door. Maybe a couple of drinks would help warm him up and clear his head.
He wasn't expecting the bar tender to recognize him, or actually, sort of recognize him. "Dean?" The burly man with short, military style hair, and stubble said.
"Um, no…his brother… Alec," he replied, slowly easing onto the closest barstool.
"You look like you've had better days," the man pointed out, filling a glass and putting it in front of him. He scowled when he saw it was water. "If you can show me some ID, I'll get you somethin' stronger."
"Would you believe me if I said I lost it?" Alec asked. In all honesty, he'd forgotten to even grab his wallet. He had no idea where it was, and that went for his phone too. His brothers were going to freak when they found out he left. But that was assuming they would go downstairs to check on him again. Sam might, but apparently Dean wouldn't.
The man chuckled and shook his head no. "Go ahead and drink up. I'll find you somethin' to eat."
"What? No, no…I'm not hungry," Alec said.
The guy's eyebrows shot up in disbelief, "Kid, you look like a strong wind could knock ya over, and I'm strongly considering that I'm seein' a ghost."
"I'm not a ghost," Alec grumbled.
"Great, then this food's gonna taste fantastic." The man went to what he assumed was the kitchen, but came back a minute later. "So, you're Alec," he said, leaning against the bar. "I've seen pictures, but you're a lot smaller in the pictures."
"It's complicated," Alec muttered, taking a drink of water so he wouldn't have to give a real answer.
"Well, my name's Jake," he said, holding out his hand. He shook it, but quickly pulled his hand back when he shivered. Jake frowned in concern and turned away from him to pour something in a cup. "How do you feel about coffee?" Jake asked.
"Don't care as long as it's hot," Alec answered, gratefully reaching out for the mug and soaking in the heat. They were both quiet for a minute as he sipped the hot coffee, but then he couldn't take it any longer. "So…you know Dean?"
Jake nodded, "Yeah, I know Dean, Sam, and Bobby. I've known Bobby for years, but didn't know he had kids until last year, and a grandkid too." Jake looked him over as if guessing that something wasn't right with that story, but he didn't mention it…yet. "So…I'm guessin' you're the youngest…"
"Yeah…" He hesitated since he didn't even know if his brothers had made up a story for him or not. He was guessing they didn't, so he wasn't sure what to say. "My brothers' ever mention me?" He finally asked, trying to go for casual, but he knew he sounded pathetic.
"No…I just recognized you since you and Dean look alike…actually thought you were Dean for a minute," Jake said. He ducked his head and focused on the steam coming from his mug. "I thought maybe you were a ghost," Jake admitted. "I'm guessin' they thought you were dead…maybe that's why Dean named his kid after you…I mean, it makes sense…" He nodded, but still refused to meet the man's eyes. "Did you already make it out to Singer's?"
He took a deep breath, and then let it out, "Yeah…wasn't what I was expecting…"
Jake gave him a sad, knowing smile before he patted the bar top. "I bet your food's ready. I'll be right back." He was just about to tell him that he wasn't hungry, but Jake was already gone. Great, now he was going to have to pretend that it tasted fine and that he wasn't about two seconds away from throwing up. "Ok," Jake said, coming back with a steaming bowl in his hands. "How does some chicken noodle soup sound?"
He breathed out in relief, "Actually sounds manageable…"
"You didn't think I was gonna cook you up a burger, did ya?" Jake asked with a small smile. He shrugged back and moved his mug out of the way so Jake could put the bowl in front of him. "With the way you look…I was debating calling for an ambulance."
"I don't look that bad," Alec muttered.
Jake chuckled, "I'd steer clear of any mirrors if I was you…Don't wanna bruise your ego."
He cracked a smile, feeling a weight lift that he hadn't even known was there. "Good to know."
"Just eat what you can, ok?" Jake said, his voice soft and gentle. He nodded and sipped a small spoonful of broth. "I know what it's like, to come back and feel like everyone's moved on without you. It's hard." He refused to look up again, and instead took another slow sip of soup. "Did you even know Dean had a kid?"
"No," Alec whispered. It was the truth, he didn't know that he'd been a kid and Dean had taken care of him.
"How long's it been?" Jake asked.
He shrugged again and muttered, "Feels like forever."
"Y'know, it gets better," Jake said. "Just takes some time."
"If you say so…" Alec replied.
"How's the soup?" Jake asked, easily changing the topic for him.
"Pretty good," Alec said honestly. "Feels like I haven't eaten in forever…"
"Looks like it too," Jake teased.
"Does this routine usually get some laughs?" Alec asked.
Jake laughed, and he rolled his eyes. "Better not quit my day job, huh?"
"You got that right," Alec said. He frowned though and asked, "What time is it, anyway?"
"Almost 2 in the afternoon," Jake said.
"I should be getting back…" Alec muttered, looking to the door.
"Did you even tell them you were leaving?" Jake asked.
"Nope," Alec said. "And my phone must be with my wallet…"
"You want me to call them? I'd feel better if I knew they were watchin' for ya," Jake said. He thought about it, but then shook his head no. "C'mon kid, just give me a number. They don't have to come get ya. I'm just going to give them a head's up that you're on your way. I don't want you getting in a wreck and they don't even know where to look…"
"I'll be alright," Alec said. "Thanks for the soup."
"Don't mention it," Jake said. He pushed himself up, but immediately swayed as the room tipped. "Whoa Alec, hold up," Jake said, but his voice was muffled. "Alec!" His legs collapsed and his arms didn't move in time to catch himself. The side of his head smacked against the floor, and then he was out.
"Alec…"
He tried to turn his face away from whoever was tapping his cheek, but then another hand gently gripped his jaw and turned his face back to them.
"Alec, c'mon kid, come on back…"
"Wh-what happened?" Alec asked, feeling lost and confused.
He started to sit up, but whoever was with him pushed against his chest and kept him down. He finally got his eyes open a crack, and it clicked that Jake was the one with him. He'd collapsed when he'd tried to get up.
"Just stay still," Jake said. "You hit your head pretty hard…"
"I'm alright…" Alec whispered.
He tried to get up again, but Jake refused to let him move. "Alec, don't move, ok? Someone's on the way who knows Bobby and should know his phone number. I want to give them a head's up that I'm taking you to the hospital."
"No…no hospital…" Alec muttered.
Jake's hand went to his forehead, "Alec, you're shivering, but you have a fever. I'm guessing you're supposed to be in bed, am I right?"
"S-sofa," Alec corrected, his teeth chattering. "It's w-warmer…"
"What happened?" Jake asked.
"G-got caught out in the r-rain," Alec said.
"Don't move," Jake said, suddenly getting up and walking away. He came back with a jacket, which he carefully laid over his chest. "And yes, you're going to the hospital. I'm guessing on top of the fever and the chills, you're dehydrated."
"My…um…yeah, alright," Alec mumbled. He was about to say his brothers would freak out if they found out he was in the hospital, but now he wasn't so sure. Dean didn't want to see him, so why would they care if he was in the hospital. And as long as he was in the hospital, at least he would be alone. He wouldn't have to worry about disappointing his brothers or making things weird.
Jake frowned, but he didn't get to say anything because the door to the bar opened and a woman in a sheriff's uniform walked in. "Dean?" She asked, when her eyes landed on him.
He rolled his eyes as Jake answered for him, "No, this is Alec, Sam and Dean's little brother. Can you call Singer and tell him I'm taking Alec to the hospital?" The woman didn't reply, and actually didn't move a muscle. "Jody? You ok?" Jake asked.
"You said Alec?" Jody breathed out.
"Yeah," Jake said. Jake looked to him, and then back to Jody. "It's complicated…He just got back, and things are weird, but he needs to go to the hospital. I don't know Singer's number, otherwise I would've already called him and just taken Alec to the hospital. I heard around town you went to the park with them sometimes, so I assumed you knew their number…"
"Yeah…yeah, I do," Jody said. She walked around the bar to the phone, and he heard the buttons beep when she pressed each one. He tried to ignore the fact that the phone just kept ringing. Maybe they couldn't hear it since they were all upstairs…
"C'mon, let's get you up," Jake said. "We can start for the car, and Jody can leave a message if she needs to." He nodded, and let Jake do most of the work to get him back on his feet. He felt lightheaded and the room tipped, but he managed to hang onto consciousness. Jake kept him up and maneuvered his arms into the sleeves of the extra coat. He was embarrassed that this guy was dressing him, but his arms weren't cooperating. "Hang in there, kid. I don't think you want me to call an ambulance, do you?'
"No…"
"Ok, good," Jake said. "We'll just take it slow. Lean against me, and I'll get you there."
He nodded again, and barely managed to shuffle his feet to the door. He could hear Jody leaving a message for Bobby, and then she was suddenly at his other side, helping him walk.
It seemed to take forever to get to the door, but they did make it, but he froze once they were outside. The Impala was parked next to the car he stole, and Sam immediately got out as soon as they appeared.
His eyes filled with tears, which he knew was pathetic, but his brother had noticed he was gone and had come looking for him. A tear slipped free and streaked down his cheek when the passenger door opened and Dean got out, slowly standing up and immediately looking for him.
"Alec," Dean breathed out.
More soon...