Snowy Soldiers

~ 1988 ~

Sam clumsily struggles to pack a firm snowball through his mismatched mittens. Dean taunts him and receives retribution in the form of a chunk of snow hitting him square in the chest. He collapses dramatically, flopping down into the thick, cold blanket of white covering the vacant lot behind the rundown motel.

"Man down!" Dean shouts, imitating the army movies he's seen on TV. "Medic!" He waves an arm weakly in the air before dropping it down by his side.

Little Sam rushes over. "Hang on, soldier!" he yells to his big brother.

Dean grins and grabs Sam, pulling him down into the snow and tickling him. Sam shrieks and giggles, rolling around wildly. He pulls off his mittens and strikes a counterattack of his own, tickling his big brother until they're a writhing, laughing mess of tangled limbs and snow-dusted coats.

"Boys, time to come in," John calls. Sam and Dean struggle to their feet. Sam manages to stand up, only to lose balance and fall over. Dean helps him back up. They go into the room together. "I have to go for a little while," John says. "But Susannah from room twelve offered to look after you. Listen to what she tells you to do, alright?"

The boys nod. "See you, Daddy," Sam says. John nods and waves, holding the door open for gray-haired Susannah.

"Merry Christmas, John," she tells him with a warm smile.

"Right. Thanks. You too," John says distractedly before waving back to his boys again and walking out.


('88 - Dean is nine. Sam is five.) Reviews are much loved and appreciated. Thanks!

~a