AN: previous disclaims still apply, I don't own supernatural nor do I make money from these fanfics (no duhr) I still own my carton of smokes and my .64oz jug of trusty dr pepper ;)
"Are you alright Sam, you got really quite?" Learen asks gently as he places his right hand on Sams shoulder.
"Oh, yeah I'm fine. What was your question?" Sam asks absentmindedly
"Crap, seems like I've forgotten it. Guess it wasn't important." Learen responds seeing as questions about Dean and Sam as they were younger seemed to put Sam in a daze.
"So I do remember one thing when I was hurt and laying on the bed. You seemed to wonder how I got the scars on my back." Learen sees Sam mouth open a little but presses on.
"Well after Leif and the inconclusive findings of Roanoke, our expedition was recalled and those of my order called me to the stand. They wanted to know Leif and I found, and I retold all that we saw and presumed. I also related what later happened with Leif; they were not pleased at the mention of a daemon at all. I was eventually flogged for making false claims and exiled to America to live out the remainder of my life. Around the Salem Witch Trials someone, I never found out whom, began spreading rumors of my powers and how I had healed a newborn of TB. Those poor men and women that were killed still haunt my dreams. Eventually I was released because of my accuser confessing that he felt wronged that I was making more money then he was. The church and court had the man stand before me and ask how I was to handle his punishment; I told him that he was to flog me until he didn't think I wronged him. I lost count of how many times he raised his hand to me; I was later told that he had striped me 57 times. Later that year he killed himself over the guilt of the events he put into motion; I left Salem and begun traveling the roads and expanding my knowledge. I felt that if this was how humanity has evolved, I was not going to have a part in it. So I removed myself from civilization and only came out to hear news of the wars and find books and tobacco. You've got to remember Sam, I've lived in a time so much different then what you're accustomed to. I've marveled over how quickly society can change but only when it's endangered of getting taken over." Learen pauses for a breath and begins to talk again as he washes Sams' toned and tanned back.
"I don't think whatever happened in your past is going to make Dean think anything wrong about who you are now. I've seen how close he is to you; remember when he walked in the bedroom?" Learen chuckles at the memory and sees Sam smile. "I think he was coming up to see if you were comfortable sleeping, and probably more to see if I wasn't molesting his younger brother." Learen laughs aloud again and covers his mouth.
"Learen, what's so funny?" Sam turns around and leans against one side of the tub.
"Dean's face and that he…" Learen lowers his voice, "Fainted." Learen bursts out laughing again and holds his side.
"That was funny, but don't ever let him hear you saying that!" Sam chuckles at first but then starts to laugh hard.
"I just want you to know I accept you Sam, and I do not want to be with you because while you may remind me of Leif and the serving gentleman, you are handsome and smart. And gods you're tall, before we turn to prunes I have something I want to show you." Learen closes his eyes before he turns around and shows Sam the full extent of all the floggings he has received.
"God damn." Sam whispers as he tentatively reaches out a hand to almost touch one of the many scars.
"Well and this…" Learen whispers and begins to concentrate hard.
The bathtub water that has grown tepid begins to warm back to its previously steaming temperature. As the water steams up; Learen forces the water to turn forest green…azure…purple…the colors begin to change rapidly then settle back to the murky dirtiness of used bath water. Learen turns around and stares at Sam with his azure eyes and limp shoulder length brownish red hair and smiles like a child.
"Magick isn't innately evil, remember that Sam as your own powers begin to get stronger. Dean will understand it one day soon." Learen whispers the last as if it is an after thought. Standing up Learen uncaringly steps out of the bath water and scoops up a towel to dry off. Picking up the second towel, Learen holds it out for Sam as he steps out of the tub.
"Learen…thank you." Sam states simply as he dries off his body.
Learen nods and drops the towel on the floor as he walks out of the bathroom to put on his dirty clothes. Scoffing at not having clean clothes he snickers as Sam walks out with his towel around his waist.
"Oh so modest." Learen jokes and then smiles. "I wonder if there will be karaoke tonight."
Looking askance at Learen, Sam shudders at the thought of having to stand up and sing in front of so many people. His shudders stop as he looks at Learen still fully nude and smiles to himself after so much time blaming himself for his choices in life. And for the deaths of Jessica and Daryl, he loved them both but for very very different reasons. Daryl was the first guy, hell the first person to talk to Sam when he made his way into Stanford. They quickly became best friends then on one warm, muggy night and with the help of jack and coke. They became something more, fuck buddies? On the other hand, maybe just really close guy friends that enjoyed each other's company in the intimate sense.
"Daryl liked to sing, well not in bars or clubs, but every so often I'd hear him getting down to something on his cd player when he was in the shower. God knows I can't sing, but Daryl…sometimes I'd lay in bed and just listen to him sing and before I knew it I'd be lulled to sleep. I remember the last song he sang, I know the title was Deliver Me, but I can't recall the singer." Sam rambles on as he dresses himself.
"Sarah Brightman, that's who sings it." Learen adds quietly.
"There we go, yeah that was the last song I heard him sing. I noticed he was out of smokes so I got up and went out to grab a few packs for him and by the time I got back to the apartment. Well it was quiet and Daryl wasn't in the bathroom so I laid the packs on the nightstand and laid on top of the bed thinking he went out to get some himself. When I opened my eyes he was on the ceiling with his stomach sliced open and it almost looked like he was trying to warn me of something before he burst into flames." Sam tries to continue but chokes up.
"Hey, hey…it's alright you don't have to relieve those moments. You don't have to share something that personal with me. It really wasn't your fault, maybe if you had waited instead of leaving you would have been killed as well. I'm sorry." Learen grabs Sam in a tight hug and feels Sam's chest contract harshly as he let's loose the flood of tears he can't share with his brother.
After Sam's eyes have dried up and the wracking sobs subside does Learen release Sam. "Come on, let's go get drunk!" He says in his best Scottish accent. Sam chuckles as he dries his eyes and face and jumps up off the bed. "Yes, lets!"
"Oh and Sam, you look good with long hair." Learen smiles as he opens the bedroom door and walks out and down to the bar. Sam a close minute behind him sees Learen by Dean, the pair laughing brings Sam to smile.
"Come on princess, Learen has a surprise for you." Dean yells over the clicking of beer necks of the few customers in the roadhouse.
"A surprise for me ummm okay." Sam responds cautiously as he sees a few of the patrons leave the bar. "Guess it's a slow night."
Walking up to the jukebox, Learen first pulls out a smoke and lights it, after taking a drawl he sticks in a buck and selects his two tracks.
As the jukebox starts out Learen smiles at Sam, takes another drawl, and begins to sing…
*1 i hurt myself today
to see if i still feel
i focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but i remember everything.
Ellen looks sharply at Learen as do both Sam and Dean, Ash in the back of the bar looks at Learen then down to the ground. Jo simply stares down at the bar.
what have i become?
my sweetest friend
everyone i know
goes away in the end
you could have it all
my empire of dirt
i will let you down
i will make you hurt
Sam reaches back for the chair he didn't know was right there and sits down hard as he continues staring at the man singing so emotionally with Johnny cash. Dean stands stock still as he looks down at the ground and closes his eyes, Ellen who has been staring at him has also lowered her eyes then brings them up and around to look at Jo. Jo continues to stare at the bar and only Ellen sees the tears falling from her eyes. Ash picks up his bottle of bear and starts chugging.
i wear my crown of shit
on my liar's chair
full of broken thoughts
i cannot repair
beneath the stain of time
the feeling disappears
you are someone else
i am still right here
what have i become?
my sweetest friend
everyone i know
goes away in the end
you could have it all
my empire of dirt
i will let you down
i will make you hurt
if i could start again
a million miles away
i would keep myself
i would find a way
Learen lets the last line fade deep and strong, even without the aid of a microphone. Dean turns and looks at his brother, his eyes shining with unshed tears then walks to the bar and falls onto the bar stool. Jo swipes a hand at her eyes, pulls out four shot glasses, and fills them with what looks like whiskey. Ellen pulls the lid off a beer and takes a swig. Sam continues looking at Learen who smiles sadly at Sam and grabbing another smoke lights it and waits for the next song.
"This is for someone I've met and hope it helps him heal." Learen says as he coughs harshly to tune his voice.
As the first strings of the song, flow through the old speakers Sam opens his mouth and closes it as he closes his eyes and sits down on the chair suddenly underneath him.
*2 Deliver me, out of my sadness
Deliver me, from all of the madness
Deliver me, courage to guide me
Deliver me, strength from inside me
All of my life I've been in hiding
Wishing there was someone just like you
Now that you're here, now that I've found you
I know that you're the one to pull me through
Deliver me, loving and caring
Deliver me, giving and sharing
Deliver me, the cross that I'm bearing
All of my life I was in hiding
Wishing there was someone just like you
Now that you're here, now that I've found you
I know that you're the one to pull me through
Deliver me
Deliver me
Oh deliver me
All of my life I was in hiding
Wishing there was someone just like you
Now that you're here, now that I've found you
I know that you're the one to pull me through
Deliver me
Oh deliver me
Won't you deliver me
Singing with both clarity and depth, Learen picks up his pack of smokes and lighter and moves to sit down with Sam. "I hope I didn't piss you off." Learen says a bit chagrined. Sam looks up and shakes his head, out of the blue Dean is right beside Sam.
"Get away from him, just stand up and leave. I said fuck off!" Dean yells as he pulls back his fist and socks Learen right between the eyes. Learen doesn't move or try to block the attack and simply takes it.
"Dean what the fuck!" Sam yells as he stands up and blocks Learen from his older brother. "He didn't do anything wrong, all he did was sing and ask if he had pissed me off." Dean just looks at his brother and shakes his head.
"No Sammy, he just didn't sing! He sang the last song you heard Daryl sing, he's not fit to sing anything." Dean tries to get by Sam but fails.
"Wait the fuck up! How do you know that Dean? I've never told anyone about that until I told Learen tonight." Sam begins to get pissed off at his brother.
"I…oh fuck it." Dean sighs and walks away from both his brother and Learen. Stopping dead in his tracks he mutters. "I heard that you bastard." And continues to walk on.
"What is his fucking problem?" Sam asks himself as Learen shakily stands up and rights the chair before he sits in it.
"He heard me say that he's insecure about his feelings over reading your mind when we were in the bedroom talking." Learen shakes his head slowly to dislodge the ringing in his ears.
"What?" Sam stupidly responds
"He heard us talking to each other with his mind…what's so difficult to understand about that? He has repressed his feelings towards you so much that instead of talking to you he hears your thoughts. It's a messed up way to have those abilities but there it is." Learen says unhelpfully.
"I need to talk to him, will you be alright Learen?" Sam asks hurriedly as he turns and speeds off towards his brother.
"Yeah I'll be fine, I suppose." Learen says to no one in particular.
Standing up, Learen walks towards the bar and sees Ellen listening to the CB intently.
"Is there a problem Ellen?" Learen asks softly
"Yeah possibly the problems that have sharp teeth and love darkness. This is the sixth murder this week; the cops don't have a clue how the attackers are draining their blood or why. I was going to ask you three to look into it, but if Dean is that screwed up then maybe I don't want him hunting right now." Ellen walks over to the CB and turns it off.
"Maybe that is the best thing to help him; his head may not be attached right now. But, maybe a hunt will fix him right up." Learen adds a touch too hopeful.
"Maybe, look here's the folder I made up for them. See what you and Sam can make out of it." Ellen tosses the manila folder on the bar top; Learen scoops it up and heads off into the direction Sam and Dean ran off.
As Learen goes to knock on the bedroom door, he hears two heated voices. So doing what any normal person will do he listens.
"God damnit Dean, you can tell me stuff! Oh I know what your going to say, 'yo princess I'm this big macho man who never shares his feelings' well you know what fuck you. Don't you think I have a mountain of shit riding on my back?! I'm the one that mom was killed over not you, I was happy in college away from dad! I loved Daryl; he was my life and then he was killed over me. Even dad, I was just starting to understand him and look what happened…."
"Yeah Sammy look what happened, he was killed because of me! Don't you think I have a pile of shit on my back also? It weighs be down always! And now I find you shacking up with that bastard?"
"That bastard as you call him, listened to me and was understanding. He doesn't fucking degrade me like you do, I try to talk to you about what happened and you didn't want to hear it. Now all of a sudden you can read my mind and you think what's good for me?"
"No I don't know what's good for you, fuck Sam I'm your older brother I'm the one that is supposed to protect you. But now your protecting me, from your sexuality all the way down to your powers. I shouldn't be pissed off because you can do things, but I'm jealous man! You have the one thing I don't, hell you have brains and charm and you have your gifts. No matter how or why you have them but you do!" Dean yells as the door comes flying open, Learen pressed so close to the door he actually falls over. The scene would be comical if not for the seriousness of the conversation.
"God damnit!" Dean yells and breaks down in sobs.
"I…Ellen…vampires." Learen stumbles out over the awkwardness of seeing Dean break down.
Dean your brother loves you and just wants you to be open with him, you'll never know how much he loves you and I am truly jealous over that love. Learen says in his mind for Dean to hear.
"Thanks…I'm sorry Sammy." Dean stands up and walks to the open window essentially turning his back on the conversation.
"What did you say about Ellen and vampires?" Sam asks as he looks from Dean to Learen.
"Here's a folder on all the attacks that have happened this week. It seems the victims were drained of their blood and the local authorities have no leads. Can't make head nor tales of it, and so it's not a great stretch to see vampires. Ellen and I think it will help us all out, we've been idle to long, and I think it's stressing us out." Learen absentmindedly prattles on.
"About fucking time I say. Where's the nest?" Dean turns away from the window and moves next to his brother.
"It might not be so much as a nest as just a few vamps, maybe a seedy motel? If it's a nest they are getting sloppy; most of the past victims never were found. Dean can you find them?" Learen asks cautiously.
"Like with my mind? I don't even know how to hear you two when I want to." Dean looks at the ground chagrined.
"If it's anything like mine maybe you just need to think really hard on what you want to hear." Sam adds helpfully.
"Alright give me a moment." Dean closes his eyes and looks deep in thought.
"Nothing, not even you two; look Learen just do you hocus pocus and find them." Dean doesn't ask so much as tells Learen.
"Well I would but I'm fresh out of vamp teeth." Learen frowns and then shrugs. "Let's just go hunting and see where it takes us, I have my sword and I'm certain we have a few knives. Come on." Learen smiles at Sam and turns on the two brothers to head to the Impala.
"Ellen we're out you have the cell number just ring us if something happens." Dean shouts over his shoulder as the trio walk out of the roadhouse and onto the hunt.
In the Impala Sam and Learen trade seats, "So why are you my wingman and not Sammy?" Dean asks quite rudely.
"I know things Dean, plus I have the long sword and magick. You have a bowie knife and your charm." Learen says then sticks his head out the window to smell the air.
"Keep on driving Dean, go faster if you can." Learen pops his head back in and hears Dean chuckle.
"I've heard that line before."
"Oh I'm sure Sam will hear it before too long also." Learen chuckles as Sam just sputters in the back seat.
"STOP!" Learen shouts after fifteen minutes of driving.
"They close?" Dean asks
"If you see a human off with its head; there is nothing out there that is not a vampire." Learen adds as he opens the car door and steps out into the chill black night.
"And no talking unless you get cornered, understood?" Both Sam and Dean nod and the trio walk off into the woods. Paying careful attention to their feet, the trio know they are the bait and hopefully the little blood on Learen's upper lip will draw them in.
Holding up his hand; Sam motions for the group to stand back to back. Learen shakes his head as he holds up two fingers and points at the brothers.
Dean you two back to back, my blood is drawing them. Tell Sam softly. Learen sends to Dean as Dean nods Learen turns his back on the brothers and slowly draws his sword out. As he runs two fingers over the sharpened steel, Learen mutters softly and the blade takes on a dull blue glow.
That ought to get their attention. Learen thinks casually to himself.
Both Dean and Sam's heads snap to the left as a twig snaps and they find themselves staring at a woman holding her neck with blood on her hand.
"Help me please, those psychos bit my neck, and they won't leave me alone." The woman piteously pleads.
Dean sighs and shakes his head, "Sorry gal, you ain't human." The woman's eyes turn blood red and she howls at the brothers then charges them.
Sam quickly steps away from his brother as he raises his bowie knife to take the decapitating blow. At the last second the female vampire twists and lunges at Sam, Dean quickly repositions his knife and goes after the bitch.
Learen looks down and chuckles, one newborn vampire and they have this much trouble….Learen starts to think to himself as he is slammed into a nearby tree. Air blasting out of his lungs he struggles to draw in breath. Holding tight to his sword, Learen pulls himself up and off the ground scanning for the thing that attacked him.
Staring into Learens eyes an older gentleman sneers at Learen and then attacks, Learen feigns right and spins around to the left slicing the mans arm off.
"I'm not to be messed with vampire; where is the rest of your nest." Learen provokes the vampire by quickly slicing into its chest.
"You fool; all we have are us two. Me and my mate, and look at the havoc we can do." The male says as he presses his attack, Learen ready for the counter attack slides to the right and brings his sword around in a backwards spin.
"Never underestimate someone who has someone to protect." Learen spits on the corpse of the man, his head fallen a good five feet from its body. Learen bends down and wipes his sword clean with the vampires' suit.
"Nice work dude that was some fancy foot work." Dean says with a grin, Learen just looks away as he replaces his sword in the hidden sheath in his coat.
"Well this one said there were only him and the female, it could be a lie though we won't know until we wait to see if the killings stop." Learen looks up to the starry night as he normally does when he can see stars.
"Guess we should head back to the road house and catch some z's." Dean claps a hand to Sam's shoulder as the trio walks back to the Impala.
"Dean we need to find someone that can teach you to train your gift; I can't teach you anything because my reading minds come from another source as do Sam's. Is there anyone you can think of that can help you?" Learen asks as he slides into the back seat of the Impala.
"There was the psychic in Lawrence Dean, Missouri wasn't that her name?" Sam adds helpfully.
"Leave it Sam, yeah I remember her, but we have bigger fish to fry at the moment. Maybe when we have a break we can go about to see her." Dean essentially cuts the conversation off as he cranks up the radio.
There drive to the roadhouse was silent for the most part, Sam took to looking out his passenger side window, and Learen was polishing the vampire teeth he took from the male vampire.
Dean turned the radio off and spoke up, "So after we see what mullet man has found I think we should go to Missouri."
"Why what's in Missouri?" Learen asks mischievously
"Not the state idiot; the person. All I'm saying is maybe she can help me and maybe she can't. Any problems with that?" Dean asks and after a few seconds of silence turns the radio back up.
Pulling up to the roadhouse, the trio gets out of the car and finds a few more patrons crowding the bar. As soon as Dean steps through the door all eyes find him, then Sam, then the shorter Learen.
"There they are, I said 51 hours and you all are late!" Ash yells at the trio as he places down a modified laptop.
"This puppy will tell me when so much of a whisper of signs, omens, or anything to do with that demon your tracking."
"You'll call us the second it picks up anything?" Sam asks nervously
"Si, si compadre." Ash says with a grin.
Seeing as Ash is staring at the laptop the trio move away from the bar and upstairs to the bedroom.
"He's crazy, I doubt that thing works." Dean tatters on as he moves back to the still opened window.
"If it does it'll help us out a hell of a lot more then idly driving around; and hell now we have time to go ask Missouri for some help right?" Sam responds to Dean's snappish remarks as he sits on the bed.
"Whatever we do, Ash has your cell number same with Ellen. Either one will get into touch with us; so Dean how do you feel about sharing a bed with me and Sam?" Learen grins widely at the look of horror on Dean's face.
"Hell no, I'll go sleep in the Impala." Dean determinately says as he stomps towards the door.
"Your loss Dean." Sam jibs Dean.
As Dean slams the door, open the closed Sam turns to Learen and smirks, "So it seems we have the bed together. What ever shall we do?"
AN: yeah I know yet another short chapter and I had a whole week to write it. Well update on the boys, this story will be OC out of character because they are dragging me through the mud when I try to keep them in character! Also yeah their sex was a tad rushed seeing as they haven't known each other that long, but the way I see it is that Sam hasn't had sex (that we know of) for a long time and seeing as he's more gay then bisexual I just thought it would be great to relieve that tension between the two characters.
And if you don't like it, hell tell me how to better the brothers and Learens dynamics ;)
Oh right the two songs were Hurt covered by Johnny Cash and Deliver me by sarah Brightman…check them out and as always if you have suggestions feel free to tell me ;)