Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or any of the songs used in my fic
A/N: HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed this story.
//////////////////////////////
Masquerade
Chapter 2
Erase and Rewind
//////////////////////////
"Guess I should leave this behind
Guess I should erase and rewind
But somehow I can't seem to stay away"
-Ashley Tisdale, "Erase and Rewind"
////////////////////////////
December 22, 5 years ago
//////////////////////////
Dean was so glad he was getting paid to do this. He needed a job and found one just in time. But this? Dean had found a job as an elf, standing beside the mall Santa. But when "Santa" got sick a couple of days ago, Dean had to take over. Sure he didn't mind the suit or the padding for his stomach. Hell, the beard didn't even bother him. The kids were the reason he hated it. Sure, some were well behaved and it made his job easier. But the ones that threw a fit, he wished he could punch them just to make them shut up.
'Only two more and then I can go' Dean thought to himself as he felt the kid on his lap jump off. The next kid came up to him and Dean nodded his head and gave the occasional "ho, ho, ho", but other than that, he wasn't paying attention. After Dean had told the boy "I'll see what I can do", he felt the boy get off of his lap. It's not that Dean hated this kid, he just didn't care about what he wanted. The only kid he cared about was...
"Sammy" he whispered. Standing in front of him was nine year old Sam. Dean couldn't believe it, how? Dean only had to look up to see their dad standing there, giving one of his rare smiles. John pushed Sam ahead and Sam shyly approached Santa Dean. Patting his leg, Dean lifted Sam up and set him on his lap.
"What can I get you for Christmas, Sam?" Dean asked in a deeper voice. Sam's eyes widened, head turned to his dad with a huge smile and whispered, "Dad, he knows my name".John could only laugh, as did Dean.
"Of Course, I do Sam, I know all the names of everyone on my nice list". Sam's grin couldn't get any bigger.
"I'm on the nice list? Really?" Dean just nodded. He knew he wanted to savor this moment because he knew his dad was planning on telling Sam the "truth" about Santa next Christmas.
"Well, I want a train set, some cool action figures, and a book. It doesn't matter which book, I like to read all kinds so you can surprise me Santa". Dean raised an eyebrow.
"Is that it? You sure you don't want anything else?" Dean knew that his dad had already got what Sam wanted and a couple more things the kid hadn't mentioned. But he wasn't expecting what came out of Sam's mouth next.
"Actually, Santa, there is. My big brother, Dean, isn't here, but I was wondering if I could ask you to give something to him".
Dean quickly shut up. Sometimes, Sam acted way beyond his nine years.
"Wh-What is it Sam?"
"Um..I was wondering if you could give him a free pass to Disney World or something like that". Dean chuckled. He gave an answer he knew Santa had to ask, but he also wanted to know himself.
"Why is that Sam?" Dean figured it was so Sam could go too, the kid had seen commercials for it on TV and had bugged their dad to go.
"Well, my brother is always watching out for me and sometimes, even my daddy," Sam pointed to John, who gave a quick wave to both of his sons, unaware of the conversation that was going on, "He always worries about me. I just want him to have some fun, a day where he doesn't have to worry about anyone but himself. I'd like to go too, to have fun with him, but it would only make him worry about me, maybe getting lost or something. So can you do that Santa?"
Dean felt something wet hit the inside of his fake beard. Sam was worried about him now? That Dean didn't have that much fun? Sure it was true that he was always watching out for his little brother, but he wouldn't want to go anywhere without him.
Giving a short nod, he let out a simple "I'll try". Sam grinned and said, "Thanks Santa". Sam jumped off of Dean's lap and walked toward his dad. John looked from Sam to Dean. Seeing the look in Dean's eyes, he could tell Sam must have said something that related Dean and Christmas gifts. He knew he would probably find out later.
////////////////////////////////////////////
Two months ago
//////////////////////////////////////////
While John was on another hunt, Sam and Dean were stuck at the nearest retail store. They were in the checkout line putting their items on the belt, which was mostly food, but Dean had been waiting for months to get the new Metallica album and Sam picked out a book. Sam couldn't help but smile at his brother's grin as he held the cassette in his hand. Sam loved seeing his brother happy.
As the lady at the register started ringing the items up, Dean could automatically tell they would go over budget. Thinking quickly, he told Sam he left a twenty dollar bill in the car. Giving the keys to his younger brother, Dean watched Sam leave and quickly told the lady to take the Metallica tape off. As he finished paying, Sam walked back in and told Dean there was no money in his car.
"Oh, yeah" was Dean's reply, "Sorry Sammy, I forgot I had it stored in my wallet the whole time. But that was good exercise right?" He grinned. The boys picked up the bags and walked to the car putting them in the back seat. As Dean was driving them home, Sam reached behind him.
"Sam, what are you doing?" Dean asked,
"Well, you're probably dying to hear your new Metallica. I was just going to get it for you".
"Don't Sam". Sam quickly stopped and stared at his brother.
"I mean, I'd rather listen to it later. It's such a short drive home, I don't want to stop it in the middle of a song". Sam nodded, though not losing the feeling that something was wrong.
When they unloaded the groceries at home, Sam took out his book and found the receipt. He glanced down it and saw no Metallica. At first he thought he should tell Dean, letting him know the cashier forgot to ring up his tape. But then Sam looked at the total price and noticed it was really close to the amount of money Dean had carried at the time.
Looking up at Dean, who was putting away the milk, Sam spoke up.
"Dean, you didn't have to". The older brother closed the refrigerator door and stared at his younger brother.
"It's okay Sam, there's always a next time".
"Yeah, but Dean, you've been waiting for this album for months. This was just some book I didn't know existed until today. You do the math".
"Sam, it's fine. Besides, this just makes me more excited to get it".
"'More excited'? Is that even-"
"Don't you start that grammatical stuff on me Sam. I don't know if it's right and I honestly don't care".
"Jerk".
"Bitch".
Both boys grinned, but Sam's mind ran with guilt. His older brother was always doing stuff for him and Sam never had a chance to pay him back. He hoped one day, he could.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Present Day (A/N: Present day in the teenchester world)
"So, make any friends today Sammy?"Dean asked.
"Yeah, I did. I noticed you did too" the younger one said, almost saying the last bit with poison. Sam had learned from Chris that the boys Dean had hung out with were the biggest bullies in the school. Sam was worried Dean might get mixed in.
"Yeah, they're totally cool. They even like the same type of music I like. Those people are rare to come across these days".
Sam snorted.
"Look, Dean, about your new friends. I heard they weren't the best crowd to get mixed in with".
"Aw, come on Sammy, everyone is gonna say stuff like that. You haven't even met them yet-"
"And I don't want to," Sam interrupted his brother. Wanting to get past this subject, Dean reached for the phone.
"Pizza tonight?"
"Sure," came the small response.
John was out on a hunt, so the boys usually ordered pizza when he was away. As Dean ordered, Sam couldn't help but feel a little afraid for Dean. Sam knew he would have to keep an eye on his older brother this time.
////////////////////////////////////////
Review please!
