ULTIMATE DISCLAIMER IN PROFILE AND CHAPTER 1!

ULTIMATE WARNING IN PROFILE AND CHAPTER 1!

AU, OOC, SLASH (the fluffy kind).

Hey, guys! I'm sorry for being so late. I had an exam that just drained me. But now I'm back with the longest chapter I've ever written: 15 pages!

Missy and Sadie conspired against me. They just can't leave poor Sammy alone... Hope you don't mind it! Those two are worse than plot bunnies (or so I've heard :D).

I'm over 100 reviews! *happy dance* Thank you guys SOOO much for the wonderful feedbacks and the encouraging words. This story brought me the best reviews I've received during my FFnet career. I'm doing everything I can to do a good job with this story and you give me that boost of confidence that gets me writing. Thank you 1000 times more! You're all so awesome.

Alright, enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 16: Blooming Love

Silence settled onto the room, even drowning out the crickets, the wind and the rustle of leaves outside. It was so thick and heavy that only a butcher's knife could've cut it through. Neither Dean, nor Sam moved from their places, one shocked to the core, the other too scared to do anything, even breathe. Long, long seconds rolled past them leisurely, when a sudden shudder of Sam's body broke the tension. The dampness of the boy's clothes cooled down, chilling Sam's skin.

Dean seemed to have snapped out of his stupor at that and blinked for the first time since opening the door. He stepped back and to the side, wordlessly permitting Sam to enter. The boy remained in his place for a few moments, unsure if coming here was a good idea, but then taking a deep breath he stepped over the threshold, walking far enough so Dean could close the door. The resounding click brought a small flinch out of the boy, who was using sheer will to keep his panic at bay.

He heard Dean walk up to and stop behind him. Every cell of his skin tingled, very obvious of the other's presence and sweet, sweet warmth… Sam had to take a deep breath again to keep himself together. That unique scent of cologne was wafting through the air and around them. Sam began trembling as he breathed it in again and again and again…

"I…" Dean's deep tone cut through the forming of Sam's wild thoughts. The boy forced himself to return to reality. "I didn't think I'd see you… so soon…"

"Neither did I…" Sam whispered barely audibly, knowing his words would be heard anyway. "I just needed to think…"

"It's-it's okay, it's fine, I'm…" Dean's voice was so shaky and vulnerable that Sam just wanted to hold the man tightly and never let him go. "I'm happy you're here…"

Sam finally gathered enough courage to turn around, but he kept his head lowered, not daring to look into the eyes of his Master… Sam flinched again. What was he thinking? He was just a low-class, unimportant servant. A slave. And this… All of this must be the trick of fate. He was so terrified that if he gave himself over to this… dream… it will be ripped away from him.

"Sam ?" As those calloused fingers slid onto his cheek, he felt something crack inside him. How could this be just a dream? The scent of that cologne, the warmth of the other's body in front of him, the feel of the rough skin…

"Master…" Sam pleaded, his voice barely above an exhale. "Please…"

"Just tell me what's bothering you" Dean murmured softly. "Let me help…"

"I-I don't know… what it is that I feel…"

"Tell me what you feel…" Sam bit his lower lip uncertainly at the request. With a little reluctance, he stepped away from the man, wanting to lessen the temptation to throw himself into Dean's arms.

"I asked the others and…" Sam started awkwardly, his hands returned to the nervous wringing. "They said a few things I can relate to… But…"

"What did you ask them about?" Dean spoke, watching the boy carefully. Sam felt his face heat up, knowing what he did was pretty stupid.

"Love…" he breathed, waiting for the laughter and the mockery. However, the only thing that welcomed his answer was silence, indicating that Dean was listening, waiting for him to elaborate. "I asked them" he continued, "how did they know they loved someone and… and if it's returned…"

"And they said some stuff you recognized from yourself" Dean finished Sam's explanation. Sam nodded slowly not sure what to expect. "So?"

The question came so out of the blue that Sam couldn't grasp it quickly enough to answer.

"S-So what?"

"What's bothering you still?" Dean asked, his voice rising from frustration. "I just don't get it… Everyone sees it, even I can see it, which says something since I'm the dumbest being on the planet in this stuff. Only you can't see it."

"It's not like that…" Sam started but Dean cut him off.

"Then what the hell is it? 'Cause I've had it up to here with this" Dean exclaimed lifting a hand above his head to show the level of his exasperation.

"I'm scared, alright?" Sam blurted out and then words followed his confession, flowing out of his mouth. "I'm scared that this isn't real, that if I let it suck me in, it will crumble down to dust, that it will be taken away and I'm left alone and cold and destroyed and…"

"Shhh…" Sam didn't even notice Dean walking up to him until the man wrapped an arm around him to hold him together. The other hand wiped at Sam's cheeks and Sam realized that he began crying during his tirade. "I'm sorry…" Dean breathed. "I should've known… Everything happened so fast to you, no wonder you developed such insecurities."

"I want this so much it hurts…" Sam whimpered between hiccups.

"You just need to accept your feelings" Dean replied. "If you do, I'm gonna do everything I can to keep this together. I'm not gonna let anyone take it away from you, because you deserve it."

"I don't know if it's love…" Sam whispered.

"Then we let it grow into it" Dean slid his hand onto Sam's cheek and pulled the boy's head down so that his forehead could rest against Sam's. The boy's hands slipped onto Dean's chest, fisting the T-shirt.

"Master…"

The word trembled as it left Sam's lips.

"Dean…"

Dean's answer was a whisper, as the man leaned closer and closer inch by inch.

"Sir…"

"Dean…"

Their noses slid next to each other, nostrils touching as they flared…

"Dean…"

"Yes…"

Their lips molded into one, the air breaking out of their lungs with a huge sigh of relief. It felt as if the withdrawals of an addiction had evaporated in that moment. Sam felt his limbs relaxing, letting his body lean into the strong arms holding him up. A hand slipped in between his growing locks, fingers entwining with the chestnut-brown hairs. A soft touch on his lips begged for an invitation, which he happily gave. As their tongues tenderly caressed each other, Sam's hands wandered up around Dean's neck, pulling the man closer with that move.

"Dean…" Sam whimpered when they slowly separated their lips, not willing to part with the other completely.

"Yes…" Dean answered, overjoyed by the fact that Sam called him by his name willingly.

"Don't make me lose you…"

Dean felt a teardrop glide down his cheek when he heard his own words in that broken tone. He tightened his hold around Sam almost to breaking point, not wanting to risk the same thing.

"Stay…" he whispered, and finally Sam looked up and into his eyes.

"But the others…"

"It's alright" Dean reassured him quickly. "Just until sunrise. You can sneak back then… I can't let you go now…"

After a few silent moments, Sam gathered his legs under himself more firmly and straightened up. With a nod he walked to Dean's bed and sat onto the edge. Dean followed his lead on the other side. As soon as Sam lay down onto his side, arms embraced him and pulled him impossibly close to the body next to him, back to chest. It was like on that afternoon in the servants' quarter… As if Sam was created just to fit into that embrace… With a sigh he gripped the forearms tightly and pushed his head into the pillow under him, giving space for Dean's head. He didn't have to wait long: that wonderfully gentle weight on his skull and shoulder settled into place like it always belonged there. Dean's sigh brushed at Sam's cheek, the scent of menthol filling Sam's nose.

"Wish I could stay here till I die…" Sam breathed. The press of lips on his jaw was the only answer, but Sam knew it meant that Dean felt the same way. They remained in a serene silence for a couple minutes, before one question stood out in Sam's mind, shoving his other thoughts into the background.

"Why…?"

His small voice stiffened Dean's body behind him, before the man pulled away far enough so he could turn Sam onto his back. The boy looked into concerned but confused green eyes with his wide, frightened hazel ones.

"Why what?" Dean asked softly, trying to keep the boy calm.

"Why me?" Sam asked, his voice stronger. "Why would you choose me? Why would you love me…?"

"You're really gonna make me do this, aren't ya?" Dean murmured with a huff of breath, his smile gentle and knowing. Sam caressed the man's cheek with his fingertips, trembling from the feel of stubble on the skin.

"I just wanna believe you" Sam replied, looking deeply into Dean's eyes, wanting an answer.

"Alright then" Dean nodded, determination slipping into his features. He turned Sam towards him, so the boy was on his side then lay down next to him, his head next to Sam's, looking into each other's eyes to witness every emotion passing through them.

"First of all" Dean started, nervous about another big, girly speech. He wasn't used to this. "You are beautiful." Sam blushed at the praise and nuzzled the pillow with a shy smile, hoping to hide it from Dean. However, the man cupped his cheek tenderly and redirected the boy's gaze back to him. "When I first saw you in the car, sleeping, I couldn't believe my eyes. How could I get so lucky to find you, to have you in my house, to have you close to me? Even Ramon said that you're one of a kind" Sam's eyes widened at that in surprise and slight disbelief. He could never imagine something like that from Ramon.

"Then came your introduction" Dean continued. "I remember I almost choked on my food, when you stepped in." Dean laughed a bit embarrassed and Sam couldn't help but join. "You were tall, slim, like a supermodel on the catwalk…" Dean caressed the boy's burning cheek lovingly. "Then I heard your voice…" Dean trailed off, his gaze softening and looking far into the past.

"On that afternoon" Dean went on as he returned from his memories, "when I saw you playing on the piano… The grace in your movements… The passion in your body burning in huge flames… I just knew I wanted to be with you, to know the buttons that trigger that reaction from you… That passion to sweep me up and take me with you…"

Sam smiled at Dean's words. For a guy, who's clearly uncomfortable with sharing and caring, the man talked an awful lot. That showed Sam how much Dean cared about him, how much he trusted him…

"When I finally had a moment with you" Dean continued, looking deep into Sam's eyes now, "I caught a glimpse of the most expressive, most beautiful shade of green eyes I've ever seen." One of Dean's fingers caressed the skin under Sam's eye, mesmerized by the boy's gaze, greener than usual in the semi-darkness, where only the moon provided with some light. "My heart soared every time I had a chance to look into them, and felt betrayed all the time when you wouldn't look at me, craving for the sight of them to greet me every day…

"Second of all" Sam laughed. He felt like crying from joy, touched by Dean's words, and the man just explained one reason why he loved Sam. Dean must have realized that, because he chuckled, blushing as his speech registered in his brain. "Second of all" Dean tried again, "you complement me. You're innocent, making me feel strong and able to protect you, to take care of you. When I heard your voice the first time…" Sam got anxious. Dean hadn't finished that thought before. "It was so soft and timid, I just wanted to gather you in my arms and hold you through the first trials, to protect you from the pain and misery of your loss, to soothe your fears… When you were sick or hurting, I felt responsible; you pleading for help stabbed me in the heart, but also gave me strength to pull you through…

"However" Dean emphasized that word when Sam seemed to shrink in on himself, ashamed by how weak he'd been on the first few days, "when your confidence returned, your own strength shined through the innocence and blew me away… It gave me a chance to take a break, to let the control into someone else's hands… Especially when I needed it…" His words were cut off when, out of the blue, Sam leaned forward and kissed Dean firmly and lovingly. As he pulled away, Sam wordlessly promised to help Dean in those times, to take the control in a heartbeat when Dean felt overwhelmed. His eyes spoke for himself, stealing Dean's breath away. They glinted in that huge amount of strength and determination the man was just talking about. Dean gave Sam a grateful kiss back, trusting the boy to keep his promise.

"And finally" Dean started in a slightly trembling voice, "you have a wonderful personality. You're sweet, kind, polite, intelligent… charming… A little pig-headed and temperamental" he added with a smile. Sam lowered his head self-consciously, but a hand lifted it back up. "Hey" Dean whispered, his face close. "I can live with that…"

"So" Dean spoke, finishing his speech, "you asked why I would love you. My answer is…" he pulled Sam into his arms until the boy was flush against his side, his head resting on Dean's chest. The man directed Sam's gaze to his own, noticing the anticipation in them. Without hesitation, he gave his answer:

"You're perfect."

The room was lit up by Sam's wide smile, it was so bright. Dean pulled him into a soft kiss, sighing when Sam wrapped one of his arms around his neck, the other sliding around Dean's torso. After they pulled away, Sam nestled himself into Dean's side to get more comfortable. His head was pillowed by Dean's shoulder, and the duvet was draped over both of them. He fell asleep surrounded by warmth and with a smile on his face.

A beautiful melody of a bird floated into the room through the slightly ajar window of the bedroom the next morning. Reaching the bed, it swam into the ears of one of its occupants, pulling him from a deep slumber into wakefulness.

Sam breathed in deeply as he shifted slowly in his place. He'd never slept this good in his entire life. His only wish was just to sink back into it, so he could finally sleep all of his exhaustion off. However, as he moved, something tightened slightly around his waist. Frowning in confusion, he tried to open his eyes, when suddenly, he froze. This wasn't his bed… It was much warmer and softer…

Finally looking up through a bleary gaze, he realized that he wasn't in his room. He wasn't in the servant's quarter, either… At that recognition, everything that happened the previous night slammed back into his mind. He was in De- the Mas- De-… Sam sighed in exasperation. His brain was hurting just from that inward argument. 'Let's try that again' he thought.

He was in Dean's bedroom… With a shock that passed through him like electricity, he realized: he was in Dean's bed! He was… 'Oh, dear Lord…' he swallowed as the weight of a hold around his waist registered in his mind. He was in Dean's bed with Dean!

They were lying in the position they started with: Sam curled up on his side, Dean wrapped around him protectively from behind, holding him tightly, but his head was now against Sam's back. Sam considered carefully looking back at the man and trying to escape, but as he began shifting, stretching his legs out, Dean moved closer and nuzzled Sam's spine and shoulder-blade. One leg even wrapped lazily around both of Sam's. The boy felt a strange kind of warmth spread through his gut at the protectiveness, a smile pulling at his lips despite the situation.

Slowly lifting his head up, he looked around the room. The furniture was bathing in a beautiful shade of orange and on the horizon a small slice of the rising sun was visible. Sam let his head fall back with a sigh and a pout. He should get back to his bed downstairs before anyone notices his absence. 'But it's so warm here' he whined to his common sense, but he knew it was right. He was deep in thought, trying to figure out how to get out of bed without waking Dean, when the man in question shifted again against him. What Sam felt at that moment left him breathless, wide-eyed and blushing.

'Great' he thought in embarrassed irritation. 'Can't you control your urges just this once?' He cursed Dean in his head – not seriously, of course – okay, maybe a little – as he felt something hard poke him in his lower back… Something unmistakably hard… He was willing his blush away, when Dean suddenly inhaled deeply, just like Sam a few minutes ago, indicating that the man was waking up.

With an idea completely out of the blue, Sam closed his eyes and relaxed his body, pretending to be asleep, wanting to spare Dean the embarrassment. However, he had a really hard time keeping the pretense up, when Dean kissed the back of his neck that tenderly. He let himself sigh dreamily and shift closer, and felt Dean's smile against his skin. The man rose up to an elbow, so he could look at him. The warmth of the gaze was like the rays of the summer sun, raining down on Sam, helping him relax even more.

"Oh, crap" Dean breathed, leaning his forehead against Sam's shoulder. Sam bit back a snicker as he realized what happened: Dean's mind registered his condition. With another kiss, this time on Sam's cheek, Dean slid out of the bed slowly. Sam immediately missed the warmth behind him, trembling from the slightly cooler air against his back and through the shirt. Dean, though, tucked the blanket back around Sam, before walking away. The faint steps led to the other end of the room and Sam knew Dean was heading towards the bathroom, probably to take care of his… problem…

Sam decided to wait for him, but he slowly sank back to sleep, the warmth pulling him in and the running water in the background lulling him back into darkness, no matter how willing he was.

Dean stepped out of the bathroom cautiously. He spent the last twenty minutes or so under a cold stream of water and in a very, very good mood. He felt happy, happier than ever before and the only reason of that was sleeping in his bed like a baby.

As soon as he reached the side of the bed and sat down gingerly, he felt ashamed. Sam looked so peaceful, so young and innocent in the light of dawn that his morning condition seemed like a sexual harassment, despite Sam sleeping it through – luckily. The boy was still lying on his side, legs stretched out, hands next to each other in front of the serene face. Dean watched the fluttering eyelashes and listened to the soft and steady rush of air as Sam breathed. He was so stunning in this serene picture that it left Dean amazed. He had seen his fair share of beauty before, most of them women, but none of them could possibly equal the sight in front of him in that very moment.

Dean carefully reached out and caressed the slightly flushed cheek with the back of one finger. The skin was a little warm as if Sam had blushed at some point and it was just vanishing. He smiled at that. What could Sam have seen in his dreams that would've caused him to blush? He didn't try to guess. Who knew what was going on behind that innocent, boyish look?

His hand wandered up to the chestnut-brown tresses, slowly combing through them. They were getting longer each day, curling slightly on the way. Dean was a bit curious what Sam would look like with longer hair and bangs. He hoped to find that out someday.

As he continued stroking through the tresses, Sam began moving then slowly opened his eyes. As that striking hazel-green gaze fell onto Dean next to him, the sleepy expression melted into the usual deer-in-the-headlights look that Dean started to hate and adore at the same time.

"Morning, Sam" Dean whispered with a smile.

"M-Morning, Master…" Sam answered barely audibly, before jumping a little. "I-I mean D-Dean…"

"Shh, it's okay" Dean cut him off, caressing the tresses again soothingly. "But you can call me Dean when it's just the two of us. Or the other servants, if you want."

"No, at least not yet" Sam replied timidly, lowering his eyes. "I'm sorry if-"

"Eleven."

Dean's sudden interruption stole the words from Sam's mouth and the boy looked up at his Mas- Dean startled.

"Wh-What?"

"That must be the eleventh time you apologized" Dean said matter-of-factly with a shrug. "Or maybe more. I'm just guessing."

"I'm s-"

"Twelve."

Sam couldn't help a soft laugh escape him at that.

"Fine, I can take a hint" he muttered with something in his voice that resembled a pout. Dean guided Sam's once again lowered head upwards then leaned down and pressed a soft kiss onto the thin lips. Sam hesitantly answered, still not knowing how far he can go. Dean pulled back after a few seconds with a tender smile on his face. Sam blushed a spectacular shade of red, but returned it with his own shy one.

"Mornin', Sam" Dean repeated in a whisper.

"Morning, Dean" Sam replied almost instinctively, which was strange since this was the first time he said it this readily.

"That's better" Dean murmured before sighing. "It's sunrise."

"Yeah" Sam answered, pushing himself up against the headboard. "I should go, before the others wake up."

"Yeah, you should" Dean agreed, but neither of them moved. After a couple minutes of silence, Sam scooted forward, hoping Dean would understand what he wanted. It seemed he did: the man's arms opened up and the boy was pulled into a tight embrace and a tender, slightly desperate kiss. Sam wrapped his arms around Dean's neck, melting into the hard chest. They pulled away shortly, Sam laying his head onto Dean's shoulder. Dean rocked the both of them, stroking Sam's back lazily. Both of them inhaled the other's scent like they never had enough of it… Like they would never meet again anytime soon…

As the slice of the sun grew a little, Sam pulled away, caressing Dean's stubbled cheek lovingly. They looked into each others' eyes longingly, before Sam looked away reluctantly and got out of the bed. He walked to the door of the back hallway silently, every cell of his skin screaming in protest against leaving. As he turned around for one last glance of farewell, he startled at the sight of Dean right behind him. The man pulled him in again, holding him tightly, pressing a kiss onto Sam's lips.

"Will you come back?" he asked. Sam kissed him back firmly before answering:

"Yes."

"Tonight?"

"Yes…" Sam breathed out as their lips molded into one once more, leaving him breathless when they separated. Sam combed through Dean's short, blonde tresses, gripping it for a second. Their foreheads were still leant against each other, not ready to cut that link off, and they breathed the other in.

Finally Sam pulled back with a smile and opened the door. With one last kiss, he left the room and walked downstairs, feeling Dean's gaze on his back, until he disappeared. The door above shut with barely any sound.

Sam crept out onto the hallway, listening to any sign of the others awake. Reaching the bedroom door, he found it still open, when he marched out of there last night. Carefully sneaking back in, he noticed everyone sleeping soundly. With as much stealth as a cat on a hunt, he lay back into his own bed, which was colder than before, and let himself doze off into a light sleep.

The morning went on in the usual way. Ramon woke everybody up, and Sam proceeded with his early duties before breakfast. It seemed like no one noticed anything about Sam's activities at night. He breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to be caught off guard. He was so excited, though, that he just wanted to blurt it out to the world, but until he was certain about this, he couldn't share any of it to anyone.

As he walked back towards the kitchen with the tablecloth from the Dining Room to put it into the laundry basket, he heard a sliver of a conversation in front of him. He couldn't help but stop to listen in.

"So, what do you think? Will you help me?" It was the Mistress. Who could she be talking to?

"No, miss. I'm sorry" Alex. Well, that answered the question. But what could they be talking about?

"Why? Don't you want them to be happy?"

"No, miss, you misunderstand me" Alex replied politely. "I'm not going to help, because I don't think it's necessary."

"What do you mean?" Dean's mother asked. Sam surprised himself that he could think Dean's name without any inner argument. "Do you know something I don't?"

"I'm just suspicious. But it's enough for me to know that they don't need any help. They can do it on their own."

"I sure hope so." Mary sighed. "Alright, I won't do anything. But thanks anyway."

"I'm sorry I couldn't help, miss."

Sam waited for the Mistress to leave before he returned to his way to the bathroom. Who could they have been talking about? Could that have anything to do with him? And Dean? He hoped not. He didn't need any additional, if not intentional, pressure on his mind concerning this subject.

The day passed slowly from then on. Too slowly, if you asked Sam. He was bouncing with energy and excitement and nervousness, waiting for the night to arrive. He ran into Dean once or twice during the day, but the man just smiled at him, only his jade-green eyes showing the excitement that Sam felt.

At last, darkness landed smoothly onto the mansion, sending the servants to their sleep. Sam didn't have to wait long for everyone to fall asleep. Without any sound, he got out of bed and snuck to the door. Opening it cautiously, not wanting a creak to awaken the servants, he slid through the gap and closed the door soundlessly. In a matter of seconds, he was at the bedroom door on the upstairs back hallway, contemplating knocking.

Before he could reach a decision, the door opened up and Sam was pulled into a strong embrace and breathtaking kiss. They enjoyed the long-awaited contact – 'It was one day' he thought vaguely, 'can I be anymore desperate?' – for several minutes, barely letting up enough to gasp in some needed air.

"I missed you" Dean whispered into Sam's ear after the heat of the greeting ebbed away. They were lying in bed, holding each other tightly.

"I missed you, too" Sam replied, pressing a kiss to Dean's chest where his head was resting then blushing at his own boldness. He looked up at Dean's chuckle and the man pressed a kiss onto each of his flaming cheek.

"You're adorable when you blush" Dean murmured with a loving smile. The answering huff from Sam didn't help his attempts of holding back his laugh.

"And you're sweet when you give big, girly speeches to me" Sam replied back, his voice still a little hesitant.

"You want me to write a poem?" Dean teased back. "'O Samuel, how do I love thee?'"

"Shut up" Sam laughed, hitting Dean's chest playfully. He lifted his head up and gave a kiss onto Dean's full lips. "I…" he started as he pulled away, gazing into those loving green eyes. "I…" 'love you, come on, just say it, you know it's true' "I missed you."

Dean seemed to have deflated, although Sam couldn't decide if it was from disappointment or maybe relief.

"Me, too" he answered, pulling the boy down onto his chest, stroking his shoulders. The rest of the night went in silence, the two just enjoying each others' company, until they fell asleep.

When Sam returned to the servants' bedroom the next morning, he was shocked to find the door open.

The next week passed in the same manner. Sam would do his duties during the day then after the others fell asleep at night, he would sneak upstairs to be with Dean and the following morning he would slip back into his own bed like nothing happened. Every time an open bedroom door was waiting for him.

He enjoyed this little secrecy, it made him anticipate their meetings even more and turned the kisses and touches much sweeter and more pleasant. However, he knew this couldn't go on for long. Someday they would have to come out to everyone, but Sam was still afraid that if they do he would lose Dean. He loved him more and more, he was now certain of that, but he still couldn't say it out loud. Still, how he wanted to shout it out to the world…

Most of the time they just lay together, enjoying the other's warmth, sharing small kisses, but sometimes they would chat idly about something, getting to know each other that way. Sam found out that Dean was a ladies' man back in his younger years, but after a while he got bored of that lifestyle, wishing for an honest, long-term relationship. However, he buried himself into the work of the Winchesters' company instead. It turned out that he was the head of a company that was specialized in carpentry. Even Dean himself made a couple of wooden furniture for a client.

Dean's other hobby was working on cars, repairing them and tuning up older models. He had inherited a smaller auto shop from his father and the Chevrolet Impala Sam'd had the honor of sitting – and sleeping – in. It turned out John himself had tuned the old car up after saving it from a salvage yard and Dean himself was keeping it top shape. In Dean's words: 'She's gliding on the road like a queen and purring like a gentle cat on a sunny afternoon.' Sam teased him that if Dean writes a poem to the car, Sam will leave him. Dean just shook his head as if Sam could never understand such beauty, but his hold tightened for a moment.

In exchange Sam told Dean about his interest. He loved books, especially the ones with mystery and romance, sometimes both. Dean mocked him that Sam was a girl, but the boy gently reminded him that he was part girl. Dean blushed and kissed him apologetically, breathing the words 'You're special. And that's why I love you.' onto Sam's lips, which made the boy fall for him even harder. Their conversation ended with Dean promising Sam to show him the auto shop someday and make him realize that there was some beauty in old car models. Sam doubted that but went with it.

One night their words led to family. Dean decided to tell Sam about the sugar-incident Mary had mentioned at that ominous breakfast. Sam laughed into Dean's shoulder, trying to muffle the hearty chortles. Even Dean joined him, although he was laughing because Sam was. Sam then told Dean about one of his own happy childhood memories, which in return reminded Dean of another one. They each shared stories, one after the other, laughing until tears rolled down their cheeks, although they were attentive not to rouse anyone with their voices.

Finally, they began calming down as they ran out of little stories. Gasping for air, Sam was leaning against the headboard, head resting on Dean's shoulder, while Dean was sitting next to him, head on Sam's, a nostalgic smile on his face.

"I've never laughed this much since Dad's…" Dean spoke softly. Sam lifted his head up to look at him and noticed the grief etched into the jade-green eyes. "He always played with me when I was smaller and always cheered me up when I was sad." Dean continued, his gaze lost in the memories. "Every weekend we went somewhere, the three of us, even if it was just the nearest park and he never sat down just to watch me, he always came to join me…"

"What happened?" Sam asked, laying his hand onto Dean's and grasping it, caressing the back with his thumb.

"He was always working" Dean answered, lowering his eyes onto their joined hands. "Long hours, sometimes he was gone in the morning and only came home the next day. Then came the stroke…" Dean's voice trembled fleetingly at the last word. A short pause cut into the confession as Dean got himself together. "He died in his sleep…"

"It's okay" Sam whispered, wrapping his free arm around Dean's shoulders. He leant his forehead against Dean's temple and began slowly rocking him. "It's okay… I know how hard it is to lose a parent…" They stayed silent for a few minutes before Dean pulled away and turned to Sam.

"Can I ask you something?" Sam nodded, relieved that the man was alright for now. "How did you become a… slave?" The boy cringed at the word, but Dean gripped his hand tightly. "I just want to know what your life was like before you were captured" Dean added quickly, his tone full of apology.

"My family was living in South Dakota" Sam started quietly. "We lived in Sioux Falls in a mansion like this. My life was perfect… Then everything changed…" Sam swallowed at the old pain flaring up inside him. "My Mom died when I was four. Dad was devastated; she was the love of his life. He never looked at another woman again…" Sam inhaled deeply against the tears trying to break out.

"After that Dad was away less and less, he wanted to be with me as much as he could, since I was his only son and his only family. We were slowly getting over her… death…" This time it was Dean's turn to wrap an arm around the other's shoulders. Despite Sam's words, he knew the boy wasn't and had never been over his mother's death. "Everything went back to normal. But then one day, when I was ten, Dad burst through the door, yanked me up and threw me into the car. Back then I didn't know why he did it, I asked him so many times, but he never told me.

"For the first two years we moved from one town to the other, never staying in one place for too long. I think he wanted to throw the authorities off our tails. At least that's the most logical explanation now. However, I…" Sam blushed slightly, but it was overpowered by the misery in his eyes. "I found out I was a hermaphrodite. I was so freaked" Sam laughed softly. "I was crying my eyes out because I thought I was dying but then Dad told me I was 'special'." The last word was accompanied by air quotes and a sarcastic tone.

"You are special" Dean objected immediately, but Sam just looked at him in disbelief. "You are" Dean emphasized. "Especially to me." Sam blushed again but at least the disbelief was replaced by gratitude and a shy smile. "So what happened next?"

"We returned to Sioux Falls" Sam continued. "Dad dropped me off at an old family house on the outskirts of the town and told me to pack our stuff away while he went for provisions. We lived there ever since. Dad never let me out of the house, he even asked a friend of his to secretly home-school me. I could do nothing but read or watch TV or lie around the house doing nothing. But at least I wasn't useless." Sam smiled as he remembered the days in the old house. "I was taking care of my Dad and the house while he was taking care of me, protecting me. And even if I annoyed the living hell out of him when I bugged him for something or another, he always showed me that he loved me.

"And then this summer…" Sam's voice saddened again and Dean tightened his hold around him. "He just barged in like he was being chased and ordered me to pack up, 'cause we're leaving. But he was too late…" Sam shuddered as he relived that day, while Dean watched him with worry. "I remember being grabbed from behind… Someone shut my mouth with their hand… I tried to fight and cry for help but… Then a gun was shoved into my temple and I was so scared… They tied me up and duck-taped me then I was being pulled down the stairs and to the living room…"

Dean shifted so he could pull Sam into his arms easily. The poor boy was crying now, fat tears rolling down his cheek. Sam leaned into Dean for a few minutes gathering his thoughts together so he could finish his story.

"Dad was so terrified when he saw me" Sam went on, pulling away and wiping at his tears after he calmed down. Dean was rubbing his back gently, wishing Sam would just stop for now, but knowing this was necessary for the boy to ease his worries and mind. "He and Graven were talking about me, that hiding a Different One was against the law. I was so confused but I couldn't let my Dad suffer because of me, so I convinced him to let me go. He promised to find me…"

"That's why you were watching the guests" Dean noted, realization flashing through his mind. "You hoped he would show up and then you could meet him again." Sam just nodded.

"Anyway" he said, "the next two weeks I was in Evansville. I was so shocked to find out I was taken to be a slave. I never knew that slavery still existed and that so many people are captured. And finally, two weeks later, I was brought here."

"Thank God you were" Dean breathed. Sam looked at him in surprise. "I bless Ramon every day for finding you amongst the other servants, because if he didn't… we wouldn't be here." Sam felt touched at those words, realizing the blessing in disguise. After everything he had gone through, he was here in the arms of a man he loved and who loved him just as much. He couldn't, wouldn't wish for a better place. He caressed the man's cheek lovingly before leaning in for a kiss. When they pulled away he sighed, nestling into Dean's side, the man pulling him into a tight hug. He felt so much easier now.

"You wanna talk about it?" Dean spoke suddenly in a grim tone. Sam looked up at the man in confusion.

"About what?" He told Dean everything he wanted to know, didn't he?

"About your mother's death…"

Sam froze at the four words, eyes wide from shock and dread. Why would Dean want to know about that?

"No" Sam shook his head, pulling out of Dean's embrace so suddenly like he was burned. "It happened a long time ago… There's no reason to bother what's in the past…" Before he could stand up, Dean grabbed his arms, holding him in place.

"You're clearly not over it" Dean spoke in a firm but soft voice, which strangely just angered Sam even more. "Your reaction right now is proof of that."

"Why the hell would you want to know?!" Sam spat back, his voice rising. He tried to yank his arms out of Dean's hands, but the hold was too strong.

"I just want to help you" the man was still speaking softly. "I can't bear to see you hurting this much." Sam stopped struggling as he noticed the pained look in Dean's eyes. Sam didn't want to do this, though, he didn't want to rip the wound open again… He had abused it many occasions, he wouldn't be able to withstand another time. "Please…" And now Dean was begging…

At last Sam nodded, but when his arms were released, he scooted away from Dean, not wanting to be rejected when he was in his arms, not wanting that unique scent, the loving touch to be torn away after this. Dean looked slightly hurt, but didn't say anything to Sam's actions.

"It was a normal day" Sam started, his voice shaking despite his efforts to keep it even. "I was begging my Mom for hours to buy me candy, so she decided to go to the mall to do it. She was away for a long time, she's never been away for so long. Even Dad was worried…

"That night the bell rang" Sam's voice was now shaking harder. Dean knew he was on the verge of tears. "I heard people downstairs: my Dad and two strangers. They talked for a while, I didn't know what. Their voices were too low for me to hear. After the strangers were gone, Dad came up to my room, tears in his eyes, and he told me that Mommy's not coming home. I asked Dad when she'll be back and he said she'll never be back."

Dean's heart broke when the tears began flowing again. He couldn't imagine how a little boy could deal with such horrible news.

"Years later" Sam continued, not even bothering to dry his cheeks, "I found out what happened. When Mom was at the mall, a group of men barged in and opened fire with their guns without question. They wanted to rob the place. One of the bullets…" Sam's words were cut off by a hitch of breath, which he tried to cover with his hand. Dean watched as the boy pulled his legs up against his hitching chest, creating a cocoon around himself like that. "One h-hit Mom, right in the ch-chest… She b-bled out on the f-floor…"

"That's horrible" Dean rasped out, fighting the urge to cry with tooth and nail, so he could stay strong for Sam. He tried to stroke at the shaking shoulders, but Sam shied away from his touch. Dean didn't understand why.

"It was my f-fault!" Sam sobbed out, curling up even tighter, trying to hide from the world. His outburst was met by stony silence. Dean was frozen on his spot, shocked to the core. Why would Sam blame himself for the death of his mother?

"How can you think that?" he asked bewildered.

"If-If I ha-hadn't asked her to g-g-go, sh-she'd be a-a-alive!" Sam's voice was muffled by now as he buried his head into his knees, sobbing brokenly. Dean couldn't take it anymore: he slid next to Sam and pulled the distraught boy into his arms.

"It wasn't your fault" he shushed Sam, who clutched at Dean's T-shirt desperately, chest heaving erratically from his sobs. Dean tenderly combed his fingers through Sam's brown tresses. "You couldn't have known that the mall would be robbed that day. There is no way that you could be blamed for this. You were just a four-year-old boy who had a craving for candy, that's all. She could have gone to any other shop to get it. She could have gone for something else, too, not just because you asked her."

"B-But-"

"It wasn't. Your. Fault!" Dean repeated, doing everything to get it through Sam's thick skull. All those years of self-loathing and guilt for something that wasn't even your fault… Dean couldn't imagine how Sam even survived with a sane mind. "No one blames you for what happened. Not even your Dad. I bet not even your Mom thinks you're responsible, you hear me?" Sam's sobs decreased in volume, taking in everything Dean said. He could see the logic in them, but… But what? Dean was right: he shouldn't blame himself. He didn't know… But it still hurt…

Dean peeked down at Sam's face. The boy had his eyes closed, clearly absorbing Dean's comforting. His thin lips were shaking as he gasped for air, one fisted hand in front of his mouth. He looked like a little boy now, missing his Mom, not understanding why she wouldn't come home… For a moment he thought he caught a glimpse of a younger Sam, as well, before he realized it was the face of a different boy from his own past.

"M-My last mem-mory of her is on the f-f-fun-eral" Sam muttered out between gasps. "I th-thought she was s-s-slee-ping."

"You need to remember her by something else" Dean spoke softly. "By something happy. Something that reminds you of what she was like. I know how tough that time is, believe me… But that's how you get over the grief, over her death… That's how I got over Dad's…"

"I barely r-remember her v-v-voic-ce" Sam stuttered out, his sobs strengthening again. "I don't w-want to f-forget h-her…"

"Just concentrate on what you do remember" Dean answered. They fell silent for a few minutes, Dean's hold strong and firm around Sam and Sam wishing the man would never let him go. After a long while, a yawn broke out of Sam. His sobs had died away by now. Without a word, Dean lay down onto the bed, pulling Sam with him. The boy curled into his side, head still resting on Dean's chest, the occasional tears seeping into the T-shirt. They stayed silent until sleep consumed their minds, but even the darkness couldn't separate them.

Morning came too soon after such an exhausting night. Sam winced as he felt his eyes stinging from dried tears and his nose itching. He felt a little embarrassed as he remembered last night. He just cried all over Dean! But the man was so patient and gentle with him and at the same time protective and strong. Sam had been afraid Dean would hate him… Instead he helped him understand how he was not to blame for his mother's death… If Sam hadn't already been in love with the man, he would fall head over heels for him because of that.

If only he could admit that to Dean, as well…

All of a sudden, a niggling in his mind interrupted his thoughts. Sam frowned. Why did he wake up in the first place? By the sound of it, Dean was still sleeping. The room was silent… And the air was a little tense…

A clearing of a throat next to the bed startled him. He froze in his place in fear. They were busted… Someone found them in each others' arms… With anxiety, he slowly looked up.

"Ramon?" the man in question was standing at the bedside like a marble statue, his dark gaze just as cold as one. The last time Sam had seen such anger was when Sam was chewing Dean out because of the whole smoking-fiasco.

Sam's surprised – and fearful – outburst caused Dean to startle awake. Looking up, the man's eyes widened as much as Sam's.

"R-Ramon?" Dean spoke, his voice shakier than Sam's was, which confused the boy. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to tell you that Sam was missing from his room" Ramon's voice was even colder than his gaze, if that was possible. "But I see it doesn't matter anymore." Sam slowly lifted his body off of Dean's and the two sat up cautiously, not certain about Ramon's behavior. "Breakfast will be served in a few minutes" Ramon murmured before marching out of the room. Sam and Dean jumped out of the bed and Sam walked to the door to hurry downstairs. He was already late with his morning chores.

"Wait!" Dean called out suddenly. Sam turned around and found himself in the man's tight hold, their lips joined in a firm kiss. Sam slid his hand onto Dean's cheek, cupping it lovingly. As they pulled away, he caressed the skin with his thumb, while Dean stroked slowly down his spine, making him shiver.

"I should go" Sam whispered, gazing sadly into the jade-green eyes that mirrored his feelings. Dean nodded before letting him go, but Sam caught a glimpse of fear on his face before he shut the door.

Sam quickly caught up with his morning chores and by the time he was done, Alex was calling for breakfast. He was afraid that it would be tense since he was caught in bed with his Master, but when Ramon didn't join them he breathed a little easier. Mark just grinned at him knowingly from where he sat at the table.

Not a moment after Sam stepped into the kitchen, returning the young man's grin with a timid one and a shrug, Alex arrived back from serving the Master's breakfast. The azure eyes widened slightly, before Alex leapt forward and hugged Sam.

"We were worried about you" he said letting the boy go. "We thought you tried an escape or something. Where were you?"

"I-I…" Sam stuttered, blushing furiously. Mark snickered at that, but didn't say anything. "I was with the Master…" Sam lowered his head, fearing the anger of his friend, but he was "disappointed".

"Oh" Alex replied, his voice so plain that Sam snapped his gaze up at him incredulously. The understanding expression on the young man's face was the only emotion he could find, and he was searching for anything else thoroughly.

"Wait, you knew?" he exclaimed, glancing at Mark in the background, who just shook his head slightly. "But how?" Alex just smiled mysteriously and returned to the table, serving them the breakfast. Completely taken aback and with a puppy-eyed look of confusion, Sam joined them at the table. Something flashed through his mind at Alex's and Mark's smile. Was it one of them who left the door open every morning for Sam to sneak back? That must mean that they didn't mind his choice of love interest. He felt immense relief wash over him at that realization.

That relief didn't last long, though.

After breakfast Sam was washing the dishes, alone this time since there weren't a lot of them. He was humming to himself happily, just a silly melody from his childhood. He felt ridiculously cheerful, as if a huge amount of weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He never felt so relaxed and confident towards the future.

He was still in his happy little world, when it was penetrated by a raised voice. It was heavily muffled, so Sam needed a second to return to reality and listen for the source. When he succeeded, he noticed that it was coming from above… From the Master's bedroom…

As Sam listened closely, he recognized Ramon's angry tone and Dean's defiant replies. Knowing well what the fight was about and worried for Dean, Sam left the dishes and hurried onto the first floor on the backstairs, drying his hands quickly. The voices became cleaner as he reached the back door of Dean's bedroom.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Dean shouted angrily. "I can take care of myself without you!"

"I was always by your side!" Ramon retorted loudly. "I was always helping you, comforting you, protecting you when you broke down, even after your uncle's death I was the one who consoled you besides your Mom! I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you again, so I damn well do everything to prevent it!"

"He would never hurt me!" Dean snapped back, but Sam caught the crack in his voice. Dean began doubting Sam… Ramon was making him reconsider… The anger Sam felt was overflowing his senses and mind, he could barely hold himself back to barge in and punch the man in the face. Slowly Sam turned the knob and opened the door enough to peek inside. He had a clear view of Dean's expression of rage, while Ramon was standing with his back to Sam's point of view.

"How can you be so sure?!" Ramon shouted now. "You barely even know him! He could just be playing with you then crush you into pieces! What if he just uses you to get out of here?" Sam was now breathing hard, hearing the accusations. How can someone as kind as Ramon say all of that? Sam thought he'd never gave any indication of some devious plan or that he would be the kind of person to use someone for his own selfish needs. He wasn't like that. He himself was tearing himself apart because of loving Dean, knowing it was a hopeless case and he would kill himself first before hurting that wonderful, loving man.

However, Ramon's hateful words were working. Dean's anger melted off his face, replaced by uncertainty and doubt, a broken look that Sam never wanted to see again, that made Sam curse Ramon for digging deep into Dean's heart and ripping it into pieces. That look snipped Sam's will to stay in his place: he marched into the room and threw himself in front of Dean, facing Ramon with dark, mostly brown eyes spitting lightning and fire.

"How dare you?" he hissed venomously into Ramon's face, but the man was standing his ground. "You don't even know me. You don't have any right to spout lies about me."

"Yeah, right" Ramon spat back. "How should I know they are lies? What if they're not? I'm not gonna let you destroy Dean with false hopes and empty promises!"

"I would never do that to him!"

"Why should I trust you?! Tell me one good reason to believe you!"

"Because I love him!"

The outburst was followed by a silence so full of surprise that it could've leaked out the doors and windows. Ramon's expression of shock was mirrored on Sam's face before a determined look shoved it out of the way. Nobody could move, as if the air was from concrete in the process of hardening. Long, hour-like minutes later, a small broken voice broke through the staring contest.

"What?"

The air shattered, returning to its fluid, invisible self. Sam turned around slowly, facing Dean and his wide green eyes filled to the brim with hope and glinting with tears. Sam stepped in front of the man, who right now looked years younger than Sam himself. Sam just wanted to hug him tightly and whisper his love into his ears, holding him forever. Cradling Dean's face, Sam looked deeply into that beautiful green ocean, his voice barely above a whisper:

"I love you."

The moment those words left his mouth, Dean smiled brightly and pulled the boy into a hungry kiss. Sam smiled against the full lips, moving his own to match with the other's movements. Their tongues caressed each other slowly and lovingly, mapping out and memorizing every touch and taste, sending jolts of pleasure through both of their bodies. Sam hummed at the mixed taste of menthol and Dean with a hint of coffee. His nostrils filled up with that unique cologne Dean used and some motor-oil absorbed by the clothes the man was wearing. That lingering smell reminded him of home, the old family house he lived with his Dad where the older man was fixing up cars for a living, when he didn't want to spend their money in the bank.

Now that he found that smell with Dean, everything fell into place. He was absolutely certain about being with Dean, loving Dean, having Dean's babies… That thought made him gasp from the whirlwind of emotions awakening inside him.

Finally, they separated, just keeping each other up after the breath-taking, mind-numbing kiss they just shared. Taking a minute to get some air, Dean's eyes roamed over Sam's features. The boy's eyes were closed, still in the fog of pleasure, and he was absolutely gorgeous. Dean wanted to see him like this every day, every time when they were together…

Together…

He liked the sound of that…

He breathed Sam's scent in. It was pure and untainted Sam. It was musky but gentle – almost feminine, not stinging his nose like his own sweaty smell. It was nothing like he had ever experienced in his wilder years: it was an alluring, one-of-a-kind fragrance. A special scent just for Dean's pleasure.

Suddenly he realized where he was and who was watching them. He turned his eyes towards Ramon and chuckled in amusement at the man's dumbfounded look. Sam seemed to have return from his cloud back to Earth, because when he looked up, he blushed at the sight of someone witnessing their intimate moment. At that Ramon's face morphed into acceptance and a happy smile with a hint of apology. Dean snaked his arm around Sam's waist and the boy nestled into his side, leaning onto him with a content sigh.

"Hey, Ramon" Dean spoke at last. The addressed one quirked an eyebrow in response. "Would you mind if from now on Sam would wake me up in the mornings?"

Dean's question was followed by a giddy giggle from Sam. Yeah, he could do that. And enjoy it, as well.

TBC

So, how did you like it? Is it okay? Was the SLASH enough?

Could you help me with something? I need a few ideas. I want to make Sam and Dean happy before I start in on the action (that involves lovemaking, too). If there's something you'd like to see, some little fluffy scene, where the boys can be lovey-dovey and sickeningly cute, I'll gladly accept some ideas. I'll even credit you for them.

Also there were some positive responses for Alex/Mark scenes without Sam and/or Dean. Would you be okay with me sometimes steering away from the main characters, just for little scenes? I know I asked this already and those who answered don't have to answer again. This goes for Ramon/Newbie (I only got 1 opinion on them, they don't seem to be so popular... I think I know why, though...)

So, that's enough of my rambling! Thanks for all the feedback and keep them coming! It makes me a very, very happy writer.

All of you are AWESOME!

See you at the next chapter!