Chapter 3- You Have to be Very Careful What You Wish For
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, Just love 'em. Wish ta hell I worked for Kripke
Dean was lost in his own world talking to each of the sock puppets on his hands, making his fingers open and close inside the socks as each puppet answered him back.
"Hey, buddy," Sam asked grinning, "who's your friends?"
Dean thrust one of the puppets out toward Sam and made a voice that sounded like Yoda, "My name's Stinky and I smell like feet!" and then Dean made the other sock covered hand come up to yell at the first, "Yeah, well my name's Dean and I'm a giant and I'm gonna eat you!" "Aarrrrggggggh" and the puppets began to wrestle.
Sam shook his head and laughed at the impromptu puppet show his brother was putting on for him. "Arrrrgghhh gobble gobble" said Dean's sock as it devoured Stinky. Dean finished up with a theatrical gulping swallow then looked up to Sam and grinned a radiant smile.
Sam applauded and stood up from the bed. "Wow, that was some show Dean."
"These are my favorites!" Said Dean as he rubbed the extra thick pair of socks in a caress across his cheek.
I'm gonna hafta get insulin if M'brother gets any cuter, smiled Sam as he squatted down to pick up the clothes Dean had 'sorted through' to find his favorites socks. "Here let me put your socks on," Sam said. "Gimme yer foot."
Dean handed the socks to Sam and there was no mistaking the mischievous glint in his eye when he stuck his leg out nearly putting his foot in Sam's face. Sam jerked back almost loosing his balance and Dean giggled.
"Think you're funny, huh?" Sam said with a fake scowl on his face.
Dean's eyes sparkled and he nodded his head vigorously.
Sam gave him a cool appraising look and nodded back. The first sock went on smoothly but as Sam was slipping the second one on... his fingers brushed the underside of Dean's foot and the tickle made his foot smack into Sam's face. "OW!" yelped Sam clutching his nose and landing on his ass.
Dean's giggle stopped the minute his foot made contact and worriedly he scooted over to hold Sam's face in his hands. His eyes were large with fear and already begining to brim with tears, "Sammy, Sammy, Sammy m'sorry! Be ok? Be ok?" He asked as he searched his brother's face for injury.
Sam sat still holding his throbbing nose and let Dean cup his face in his large gentle hands. Judging from Dean's fright and worry he was in a lot more pain than his own nose was and that hurt like a mother*&%#!
"Id's dokay Dnean" Sam soothed behind his hand as he reached out and stroked Dean's hair and patted his shoulder. "Ibme fbine." Sam got up from the floor shakily and with Dean trailing behind went into the bathroom to check for bleeding.
Thankfully the face in the mirror didn't lie his nose was red and sore but not broken or bleeding. He turned to see Dean hovering. "See no blood, I'm ok." Then "Oomph!" Dean grabbed him into a hug and gave him an impossibly hard squeeze.
"I'm a bad giant!" Dean whispered into his chest.
With his arms pinned at his sides Sam could only use words to sooth his distraught sib. "S'okay Dean, it was an accident I know you didn't mean it." Bobby told me to keep you safe until he got here but, dude, any more little "accidents" like that and I'll be in trouble myself!" As a hunter Dean was an army of one but as a man-child he had a whole new kind of destructive power go'in on.
When Dean began to loosen his grip Sam slowly peeled himself away. "Hey, buddy" Sam said as he tilted Deans downcast chin up to meet his eyes. "I'm still hungry how 'bout you?" And that brought out a little smile and a big nod. "Ok, let's find a clean shirt that's not so wrinkled and then let's go."
They found one in the pile of clothes and a much warier Sam instructed Dean to put his arms up to slip the slept in shirt off and pull the cleaner one on. Thank God the weather is mild and I don't have take my chances with layers, thought Sam as they exited the motel room.
As soon as Dean saw the car his eyes lit up and he ran straight for it. "Hey! No running in the parking lot!" Sam yelled at his brother's back.
Dean nearly yanked the passenger's door off its hinges using a two handed pull to open her. He slid inside and pulled the door shut with a loud thunk. Sam slid in beside him shaking his head as Dean started to bounce in place on the seat.
"Daddy says I can drive the car when I get older!" And then he frowned. He looked down at his hands and over to Sam who was backing out from the parking spot and said, "Sammy, lemme drive."
"What? NO...uh no..not now."
"But I'm growed UP!!!!" Dean said emphatically. (Now to this day Sam swears that his brother actually whined but Dean categorically holds that it was a trick of the vocal cords, him being only four at the time and all.)
"NO Dean. I don't think that would be a good idea right now. Sam glanced over and saw Dean crossing his arms over his chest. "Sides I've already got the seat pulled back for m'long legs and you wouldn't be able to reach the pedals." He added to mollify him.
Dean pouted, "Hmmmmmph" in a small boy fume.
But all that was forgotten as they drove past a farm and Dean spotted the livestock in the pasture. "Sammy! Lookit....cows!" he turned saying, "Moooooooooo!" to the glass of the passengers door until they past by.
"Pretty cool Huh?" Said Sam grinning.
"I like cows." Agreed Dean.
For the rest of the ride Dean's head swiveled from one sight to another as he enthusiastically narrated every thing he spotted.
"Mailman!"
Sam grinned.
"Yellow kitty!"
Sam chuckled.
"Llama!"
Sam frowned, where in the hell did he even pick up that word from as heslowed down and read the sign by the fenced enclosure 'Petting Zoo'. Dean couldn't read but he saw all the animals and wanted Sam to pull over. NOW.
"PULLEEEZE SAMMY!!!?? Please please!!!??" Dean said bouncing in the seat more.
Sam looked at the huge begging hazel green eyes and knew he was out matched. "Ok, dude, ok –how 'bout after we eat we swing back here, sound like fun?"
"Yeah, Sammy that rocks!" Dean beamed back.
That rocks? Was my big brother born cool or what, thought Sam and slapped Dean's knee in appreciation.
B4B4B4They stepped into the crowded diner and a buxom, big hair styled waitress with most of the mornings rush stained on her apron greeted them.
Sam couldn't help but notice that her eyes fell on Dean with a look of hungry appreciation but his brother was too busy looking at all the colored pictures of food that hung above the counter.
"Two?" she drawled and licked her lips as she gazed at Dean.
"UH, yeah" Sam said a little too loudly. She broke her gaze and curtly replied, "Right this way." As they followed behind her hip swaying strut Sam was amused that it was totally lost on her intended because Dean was still fixated on the food displays but it gathered a few catcalls and whistles from the regulars. One they passed was heard to say, "Cool your jets Laverna the two of 'em together would be half your age!"
Laverna seated them at the first cleared table and deliberately brushed Dean's hand when she passed him the menu. He looked up and smiled at her and she cooed at him, "My aren't you the handsome one!" And he blushed and brought the menu up real close to his face. "I like a man who's shy...at first" She purred seductively and Dean could feel his ears burn.
Ordinarily when they dined out Sam would be sitting back enjoying the show of his big brother casting out killer smiles like a fishing line and reeling in any unsuspecting females within range. But Dean now was feeling embarrassed by all the attention this stranger was showing him and that made Sam feel...what was that?....protective.
"UH...Ma'me?" (he purposely used the word ma'me to her)
Laverna curled her lip at him.
"Could we have a moment to look at our menus?" And he gave her a smile that did not go all the up to his eyes.
She turned to look back at the shy one and said, "Don't you go no where Sugar," to the back of Dean's menu before she cast a backward glance at Sam as she left.
Dean lowered his menu and looked at her leave then turned to Sam, "She's pretty...and scary."
"Yeah dude she's pretty scary." Smirked Sam. "So you want a cheeseburger N'Fries?"
"uh uh, want Chicken Fingers...N'fries!"
Sam raised his eyebrows; his brother never ate white meat by choice as far as he could remember. Huh, maybe his taste buds were that of a four year old too now.
But the appetite hadn't changed and when Laverna delivered the third order of chicken fingers she drawled provocatively, "I like a man with auh appetite for....things." as she placed the plate down in front of Dean. Dean smiled weakly up at her then innocently licked off a tiny dollop of catsup smeared on the corner of his mouth. She bit her lip at him and bounced away.
Sam pretended to wipe his own mouth to keep his smirk from blowing up into laughter.
And after they finished asked, "Hey Dean, do you think you could fit in dessert?"
"Yeah!"
"I suppose you want pie?"
"Dunno.."
"Dunno? Well, look up at the dessert pictures and pick out what you want ok?" Dean craned his neck around to the front counter just as Laverna walked by with someone's order of chocolate pie piled high with whipped cream.
"I want me summa that!" he grinned.
Laverna stopped, turned around, cocked her hip and said, "Shhug, meet me back here at 11 when I get off and you can have as much of this as you like!"
Sam cleared his throat loudly and muffled his laugh with the napkin again.
When the dessert arrived he had to help his brother with all the extra, EXTRA whipped cream Laverna put on the pie especially for him; then they paid their bill and left. And yeah he tipped her.
B4B4B4As soon as they approached the Petting Zoo Dean became excited. When the car came to a full stop he was out the door in a flash.
Sam took off after him, "Dean! No Running! Wait...for...M" And Sam grabbed the back of Dean's shirt and pulled him up short.
"Awwwwwwe" huffed Dean.
Sam pressed his lips in a flat line and cocked his head down at his older brother, raising his eyebrows in the patented 'I mean it Dean, I'm not joking.' look that passed as Sammy's stern face.
"Ok" Dean pouted. "Kin we go now?" Patience was something Dean never had at any age.
"Ok, but no running...and don't make any sudden moves around the animals, you'll scare them." Said Sam.
Their first stop was the Llamas and exotic goats pen. Sam got Dean a handful of feed and showed him how to hold his hand real flat and still so the mound of food was all their lips and teeth would nibble on. Dean stood and held his hand still and looked back at Sam with wide-eyed amazement giggling when the Llama's soft lips tickled his hand.
Next it was time to feed the goats and Dean laughed when one of the baby ones head butted the back of Sam's legs in its impatience to get its share of the offered treats.
The pens and small out buildings held farm animals and exotics alike and Dean wanted to see and touch all of them. The facility was part shelter and refuge for unwanted pets so all the animals had had human contact and were tame and safe to be around. Dogs and cats of every breed roamed freely along the posted pathways between the penned residents; and Dean wanted to pet every dog and pick up every cat. Sam watched how his brother was gentle with every living thing. Just like he is with the children we sometimes rescue on our hunts. He listened to the soft comforting voice Dean used as he stroked behind a dogs ear, "Yer a good boy huh?" or patted a cat that rubbed against his leg, "Kitty likes me! Good kitty. I like you too." For all the lethal danger his big brother could deal out to the evil that roamed around them he had an equal capacity for caring that he showed to those weaker, to those he would protect. And Sam found his throat tightening a little as his pride in his brother swelled his heart. Some things never change.
They made their way slowly through the maze of paths and pens. Dean nearly bankrupting their cash flow because he had to feed nearly every critter he met. When they came across the bunny hutches Dean stopped in his tracks. There was something hypnotic to him about the way the fuzzy little things twitched their noses and he slowly walked up to the nearest cage. In it was a huge gray eared flop. To Sam it looked more like Eeyore than a rabbit but the look on Dean's face said he was in love.
"Big bunny!" he said as he approached the cage. The bunny hopped over to press its nose against the wire and Dean pressed his hand flat against it giggling as he felt the delightful tickle of bunny nose on his palm. "He tickles! I'm gonna call him Bugs!"
Sam noted that the sign said 'female' flop ear and reasoned it was his brother's karma to attract females of any species.
Two carrot sticks and a big leaf of lettuce later and Dean was persuaded to part from his new love with the offer to check out the gift store for anything he wanted within reason. It was while they were there that Dean spotted the gift he wanted. A Bugs Bunny cartoon head Balloon. While Sam patiently tied it around his brother's wrist Dean's eyes fell on a picture that disturbed him. It was a photo of a huge bulldozer poised to knock down one of the bunny hutches they'd just came from.
"Sammy, whatzat?" Dean asked in a worried voice pointing at the photo.
Sam glanced up and read the sign underneath.
"This place is in financial trouble what with keeping all these pets and if they don't make their donation goal it could get torn down to make room for a strip mall."
As Dean frowned around the words and the idea of his new 'friends' being in danger he asked, "Kin we make a nonation so's Bugs can be safe N'hava home?"
Sam's throat clenched again as he looked into his brothers wide concerned eyes. How does he do that, that thing with his look that makes my gut clench so? Sam finished tying the knot on Dean's wrist and stood up as the cashier asked him, "Will there be anything else sir?"
He looked into Dean's pleading eyes and up to the playful grin of "Bugs" floating above his head and said, "Um yeah, let me add a donation to the cause too," and Sam selected one of the cards he knew was sure to work and passed it over to the grateful clerk.
B4B4B4They made it back to the motel room and got settled when Sam's phone rang; it was from Bobby.
"Hi Bobby, any luck?"
"Well, it took a little persuasion. You boys have a bad rep when it comes to the Wiccan community, but I managed to convince Belinda that it was Satanists that you'd killed not witches proper."
"What's the difference?" asked Sam who had been taught by Dean that all witches were bad.
"Boy! You call yerself a researcher?" Snapped Bobby "That's supernatural 101 right there is what." Then the older man sighed, he sometimes forgot that even with the vast knowledge those boys had for men so young in the hunting community, they still didn't know everything. "A witch is born with certain abilities that they develop over the years. And they can be drawn to work in either black or white Majik. If they choose black they go for the power and that usually ends up with them turning Satanist and summoning demons. After that they're no better than the dark forces they worship. But the vast majority practice white Majik. They work with earth energy and herbs, do healings and offer cleansing rituals and blessings that mark the major events through life: birth, marriage and death that sort of thing. Lot of'em go into the healing arts, Nurses, Holistic medicine and midwifery. Belinda is a Dr. of psychology specializing in hypnotic regression therapy."
"Huh, I never knew..."Sam's voice trailed off.
"Yeah, well now ya do. So you be respectful 'round her when we git there ya hear me?"
"Yessir. And... uh... Bobby.... Thanks." Sam sighed. It felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders coz he trusted Bobby'd find the best-qualified person to help his brother.
"Awe, don't git maudlin on me boy, you know that's was family does, they look out for each other."
And Sam thought he heard Bobby's voice hitch for just a moment.
"So, put Dean on, lemme talk to the little guy will ya?"
Little guy? "Sure, sure Bobby he's right here, hey Dean it's Uncle Bobby wanna say Hi?"
Bobby heard a distant scuffle and few words like "Don't squeeze it so tight or it will pop," and "You can play with Bugs in a minute ok?" And then Dean was on the line.
"Hi Uncle Bobby I miss you,"
The gruff old hunter was speechless for a moment having forgotten how sweet Dean had been as a child but those words brought it all back. And after a few minutes of throat clearing he said softly, "I miss you too Tiger, " using the old affectionate name he'd given Dean as a child. "So how'd you spend the day with your bother, son?"
"I got to eat choclit pie, an feed Llamas, an pat kitties and dogs, and there was a scary lady but she kinda liked me, an I kicked Sammy but he's alright, an we made a nonation so's Bugs can have his home an....I dunno..stuff!"
"Well, it sounds like you had a pretty busy day fer yerself." Bobby chuckled. And I'll bet Sam had a pretty damn busy day too! The older hunter smiled. "You be good and do what Sam says ya hear me?"
"I will Uncle Bobby, I love you!"
Gulp! Bobby wiped something outta his eyes then hoarsely said "I love you too Tiger, now put Sammy back on the phone wouldja?"
"Kay, bye" and Dean handed the phone back to Sam.
"Hey Bobby"
"You sure ya wanna to turn him back?" Bobby kidded the younger hunter.
Sam laughed and scratched his head as he watched Dean playing sock puppets with Bugs the balloon. "He is pretty amazing like this. I mean I've never seen him so happy and carefree and...and...open! But Man! What a handful!"
"Ahhhh, you were both like that once, " Bobby reminisced, "Life just sorta changes ya."
"Yeah, I guess it does," said Sam as he watched his brother play. "So when do you expect to arrive?
"'Round about noon or there abouts. It'll probably be best to git right to it what with the time limit and everything." Bobby almost sounded wistful.
"Sure, sure I... uh... guess that would be best." Now I sound wistful!?
"So, see you then...and Sam try to git some sleep? We're gonna need you on your toes tomorrow."
Sam smiled and said, "I will Bobby and Thanks again from me and the 'Little Guy'"
"Just git some rest ya idjit."
After hanging up Sam turned back to his bother and found Dean had fallen asleep mid action of his play. One hand was covered in his sock puppet and held on to the string of the balloon that Sam had tied to the headboard of his bed.
Sam stood a moment taking it in. Do ya suppose Dean felt this way whenever he caught sight o' me out like a light in the middle of a game like that...he just looks so...fragile ...vulnerable right now. Hmmmm he musta. Sam moved over to untie Dean's wrist from the balloon. I never knew how you did it; I just trusted that you'd be there to see me safely through the night. Even then you were a giant....of sorts...to me.
Sam tied Bugs to the headboard of Dean's bed and watched as it floated above his sleeping brother like some protecting angel. You're do'in a better job than Castiel right now, mused Sam darkly as he looked at the balloon.
When he went to slip the sock off Dean's hand his brother stirred.
"Hey, buddy" Sam said as he sat down on the bed beside Dean
His brother blinked his eyes and propped himself up on one elbow looking around the room, "Where's Uncle Bobby?" he asked.
"He'll be here tomorrow Dean and he's going to bring a friend, a woman named Belinda, she's a good witch who's gonna to help us." Answered Sam.
"Ohhhhh." Dean said frowning, "Is she gonna fly here in a big bubble?"
It took Sam a moment to process that reference; the he got it- the Wizard of OZ-Glenda the good witch.
"No, nonononono, I think she'll drive." Laughed Sam.
"B'why not a bubble?" Dean asked his eyes all-wide.
"Coz it's in the shop", Sam countered.
"Ohhhhhh" Dean said a little wistfully.
"Anyway, I think it's time for someone to brush their teeth and get ready for bed," Sam said nodding at his brother. "Bobby said you had to be good and do what I say, right?" Sam hated to draw on the Bobby card but he needed Dean to be well rested for tomorrow. There was no tell'in what he'd be put through to get this made right.
"Awwwwwwe" Dean looked around for a moment and then asked, "What day is it?"
"Uh, Saturday," said Sam as he left the bed to sort through Dean's clothes and pick out an out fit for the morning.
"I gotta take m'bath too huh?"
Sam stopped mid action. BATH? And shook his head to get rid of the image. At the petting zoo he'd accompanied Dean into the men's room for a shared pit stop and his brother'd done ok - but the tub???? Was Dean ok to solo on that? Probably not, he figured.
"Uh...yeah, " Said Sam rubbing the back of his neck, "But it'll hafta be quick, ok?"
The beginning of a pout started to form on Dean's face,"Ohhhhhh, do I still get bubbles?"
Again with the big waif eyes! Sam thought, Ok, helping my big brother take a bath with out bubbles-faster; but I'd have a clear view...to the bottom of the tub. Helping Dean take a bath covered in bubbles...no brainer. YES, you do!" Smiled Sam as Dean beamed back at him.
"Why don't you strip down to your briefs and I'll get the bath ready, ok?"
Sam grabbed their bottle of shampoo for the bubbles and poured several capfuls into the running water as he drew the bath. The temp felt fine so he called out, "Dean! And then Sam paused. I've yelled Dean look out it's a Vampire and Dean, behind you, it's a Werewolf but I never in all the weird shit we've experienced, ever thought I'd say these words, "Dean, com'on your bubble bath is ready!"
Dean appeared in the door way dressed only in briefs and holding on to the balloon.
Sam burst out laughing. There's weird and then there's weird even for us!
"You're gonna get Bugs all wet." Sam smiled.
"Uh uh" Said Dean.
"Ok, how 'bout I tie it around your wrist while you're in the water?" And Sam got a nod in response. Bugs was made secure.
Then Sam grabbed a big towel and held it open between himself and Dean. "I'm gonna look over there and you take the briefs off and step into the tub..."
Splash!!!! And Sam was drenched in sudsy water. "You know just one of us is taking this bath, right?" Sam smirked as Dean looked up with mischief glinting in his hazel green eyes.
Splash!!! Sam got another dowsing. He looked down at himself and his clothes were soaked. Then looked at Dean who was holding his finger up to his lips with the cutest 'oops!' look on his face. Insulin STAT
"You're not foolin' me for a minute Dean."
"Bugs did it," said his brother.
And that was it.... Sam laughed and laughed and Dean laughed with him. It was the best gut cleansing laugh he'd had in a long ...long time. "I love ya man, even if you are a jerk" Sam said blinking back tears-from the laughter of course.
"Not a jerk, I'm a giant!"
"Yes," said Sam softly as he got down on his knees beside the tub and soaped up the face cloth, "Yes you are."
B4B4B4Dean was clean, the teeth were brushed and Sam still maintained he had a shred of dignity left. And now it was time for bed. Sam had tied Bugs back on to the headboard and Dean was tucked into bed but as Sam was sitting on the edge of his bed stetting the travel clock alarm Dean piped up, "Sammy tell me n'ther story?"
"You were supposed to be asleep five minutes ago." Sam said.
"I will afta the story" Dean bargained.
Sam looked at the hopeful face of his brother and watched as his eyebrows lifted into the pleading position. Can't say no to the big eyes. And he grunted in mock annoyance as he went over to sit on the other bed.
He spied the discarded sock puppet and got inspired. He slipped it over his hand as he sat down and made the 'yoda' voice to Dean as he narrated the story.
"'lo Dean this is your friend Stinky and I'm gonna tell you the story of Dean and Sam."
Dean giggled and clapped his hands.
"Once upon a time there were two boys. One of them was a giant and the other was just Sam."
Dean nodded his approval.
"One day...." (cough, cough) Sam stopped and rubbed his throat, talking like Yoda is hard. "Is it ok if I just talk regular for the rest of the story?" he asked.
"S'ok, I like your voice better anyways," said Dean.
"Thanks...um, ok." And as Sam took the sock off he continued, "One day Sam was walking home from school and some bigger kids started to taunt him"
"What's taunt?"
"Tease, they were being mean and then one of them punched Sam and he went down on the ground.
Dean frowned. "I woulda picked that mean kid up and throwd him way away coz Ima giant ARRRgghhhh!"
Well, you did Dean. You showed up just as one of the other kids had started kicking me and lifted him right up and tossed him like he weighed nothing. Then you just spun around like the Tasmanian devil and there were mean kids flying all over the place. Next thing I knew you were standing over me holding out your hand and say'n 'get up Sammy, their all gone. They won't be bother'n you again.' And they didn't. You saw to that.
Dean beamed up to him. "Arrrrrrrgh!"
"Arrrrrrgh' Sam answered back smiling. Then softly said, "That's when I first knew you
were a giant and bent down and kissed Dean on the forehead.
"Now scoot down and close your eyes and think good thoughts 'coz tomorrow you get to see Uncle Bobby."
"Kayyyyy" yawned Dean as his eyes began to close and moments later her was asleep.
Sam went back to his bed and watched the even rise and fall of his brother chest. What a difference the way Dean's sleeping now compared to last night when he was passed out drunk. Now, worry lines across his forehead are gone, his face isn't pinched in a grimace of pain and fear. Dean's sleeping peacefully and without care. Sam realized that even though the spell hadn't turned out exactly how he expected, the essentials were accomplished. Dean was cured of the nightmares and didn't have a care in the world and maybe that's what he'd really been wishing for anyway.
To be continued
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