I've been a bit busy with day outings and stuff, so I haven't been writing - but actually I don't have any new requests so I guess it's okay. Though I would like some stories to write! Feel free to carry on requesting, please! So I was going to write a suggestion made by a guest, but I wasn't comfortable with that level of implied Wincest, so sorry about that; also, as a guest, I didn't know who had given me the review, and I always like to credit people by their names, because they deserve it. So I'm back to write a story requested by Lilybolt again, as she's the only one who's asked for anything - also did I mention she's an amazing person who reviews all my stories and encourages me? :D
Season: Hm, let's set it Season Six, after 6x12, so Sam has his soul back and they're at Bobby's
Characters/Themes: Sam, Dean, Bobby; family, friendship, birthday, surprise
Request: from 'Lilybolt' - "It's Dean's birthday and Bobby and Sam surprise him with something to celebrate. You can pick during what time-frame this occurs, and also what they do to celebrate"
The plans were all ready and set. Everything was in order.
Sam poured over the papers on Bobby's kitchen table the night before anyway, just to make sure it was all going to go smoothly. Or, rather, however smoothly something could go with the Winchesters.
He didn't get to bed until gone 3am, which wasn't great, because he really didn't want to be snappy in the morning.
Because it was a very special day that day. It was Dean's birthday. And at the moment, both Sam and Bobby had decided that the hunter needed something really special for this year's unusual celebrations.
They didn't usually celebrate birthdays, to be honest. It wasn't a general thing that mattered, really. They were hunters, so they could be dead the next day from as little as a stupid miscalculation or mistake. So it seemed ridiculous to actually keep track and make a fuss about age. Especially seeing as Dean and Sam had actually died a few times now.
Yeah, a few... there was that time with Jake, and the Trickster, and the Hellhounds, and Anna, and the hunters - yeah, the theme was, one or both of them died of completely unnatural causes.
So now Sam was back from the dead (again), and been re-souled (which of course Dean was worrying about), he had decided that his brother needed a real, calm, break for his birthday.
To work the younger Winchester had gone. He had got caught in his plans by Bobby one night, and the elder hunter had immediately agreed in the idea without asking, so Bobby was on his side too.
The main problem would be getting Dean to enjoy the celebrations.
Because that, of course, was very hard. Bobby considered if it might be better if Sam wasn't in Dean's activities, so he didn't have to worry about his little brother. But Sam had immediately pointed out that this would not happen, and also it would make Dean worry more about how or what Sam was doing.
Plus on the (Winchester luck /sigh) off chance that Sam did get hurt away from his brother, Dean would continue to beat himself up over that for ages. Also would blame anyone within a few hundred miles for not informing him of Sam's unknown activities, and then would blame them for what happened too. And would go all mother-hen on Sam.
So no, that wasn't the best idea. Sam would have to be with his brother for Dean to enjoy himself fully. And Dean would have to be at somewhere where he would enjoy himself.
And that, in conclusion, was why Sam was quietly getting into bed opposite his brother at 3 in the morning, hoping against hope that Dean would like and enjoy the birthday surprises in store for him on the following day.
Sam waited until he heard Dean's breathing even out into recognisable sleep patterns, which clearly hadn't happened yet. He had obviously been waiting up for his little brother. And although that made Sam exasperated, it also made him feel, as usual, loved and cared for and valued.
Grinning to himself about his own private chick flick moment, Sam burrowed under the covers and settled down for a quick sleep before the big day.
Drowsily, Sam heard his name being called. However, it wasn't in urgency or panic - the two main tones he knew he had to reply to, and usually find a terrified big brother by his side, or he'd end up in hospital or someplace safe without a doubt.
So full of sleep still, Sam ignored the calling for a minute. He could just rest for a moment more...
"Sam, it's past, like, almost 10am and you're still asleep, which, you know, would be annoying, but as you didn't go to bed till 3, sasquatch - yeah I saw that, dude - then I think I might let you off, though it is most boring here talking to myself," Dean continued in a bored voice, "because inherently I am too awesome for that, so -dude!"
Sam bolted out of bed and, after one terrified look at Dean, ran downstairs, almost hitting his brother in passing. Dean blinked after him. "Well that was weird," he commented, decided that unless Sam acted any crazier, it wasn't too concerning.
Meanwhile, the younger Winchester was looking frantically for the owner of the house. He finally found Bobby just coming in from the junk yard, and stopped breathlessly in front of the elder hunter, who raised an eyebrow at the kid.
"I... overslept... have you-" Sam begun, but didn't even have to finish his sentence.
Bobby nodded with a smirk. "Knew you would. Figured you needed the sleep." He jerked his head towards where he had just come from. "Yeah, everything's ready, don't worry, boy. It's gonna be good."
Smiling slightly, Sam replied, "yeah, you'd think..." he sighed and glanced up the stairs as the two heard creaking of floorboards as Dean got ready for the day. Sam sighed.
"I think I freaked him out, which isn't a good start," he admitted. Bobby rolled his eyes.
"As long as you didn't manage to hurt yourself, Sam, I doubt he really noticed," the elder hunter pointed out.
Sam laughed a little and nodded. "Yeah, that's about it!"
They listened to the hunter moving around upstairs, humming to himself, for a minute, and then Bobby eyed Sam, realising the boy was still wearing his attire from last night, as he had been so tired he had just crashed in his day clothes.
"Better go get dressed, boy; I'll start things up," Bobby told him, and Sam glanced down at himself, realising that he was looking quite messy, having just jumped out of bed and left.
"Oh, right, yeah." He wondered slowly up the stairs as Bobby left in the opposite direction to the kitchen. Sam eyed the closed bathroom door, and decided that Dean was probably present in there, which left the room free.
Shutting the door of their room, Sam quickly changed into smart clothes for the day, and combed his hair quickly so the look was complete. Nodding to himself in the small mirror that was in their room, he turned to go out, and Dean stood in the doorway, narrowing his eyes at his brother.
Quickly trying to look as innocent as possible, Sam gave Dean a bright smile. "Morning!" He said cheerily.
Dean blinked at him and resumed his accusing expression. Clearly Sam was confusing him this morning. First, not waking up, then jumping out of bed and the room, then dressing smartly and being bright. Dean wasn't sure whether to be concerned, throw holy water at him or be annoyed or pleased.
Sam carefully walked towards the door to leave, ducking swiftly under his brother's outstretched arm, and looking innocently back at Dean's completely bemused expression.
"Um, Sam? Mind tellin' me what's goin' on around here? And with you?"
Sam winced. This was what he was trying to avoid. But if he didn't answer the questions satisfactorily, then Dean would be on his case, and work out something was wrong or out of place. Also he might worry about the wall and basically everything else that could be bad with Sam. Which was a long and rather depressing list.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Sam replied as if it hardly mattered, "we're going out today. Just thought I'd look, you know, half presentable."
Rolling his eyes, Dean sighed. That was not an adequate answer. They didn't usually 'go out' anyway, and definitely not in smart atire. He decided to play along anyway. "Hunting?" he guessed.
Shaking his head, Sam tried to edge away, but Dean was still half-glaring at him.
Dean sighed. "Then what?" he asked somewhat impatiently. He didn't like to be left out of things that were happening. Especially things that were happening with his little brother that he didn't know about.
Realising a cause lost, Sam slumped his shoulders and tried not to look as defeated as he felt. He'd never been able to keep things from his big brother. Dean just needed to know, and that was the rule. One that Sam never had and never wanted to question.
Feeling Dean's questioning and slightly concerned gaze on him, Sam sighed and explained, "it's your birthday. I was going to do something special for you. And Bobby's in, too. Because... just because, you deserve it right now."
Trying not to look as surprised or touched as he was, Dean nodded thoughtfully. "Well, go ahead. It's not like I can stop you now anyway," he replied, smiling at his little brother's smile that could light up the world.
"Okay then! I'm still not telling you were we're going," Sam informed Dean importantly. "Just follow me."
Dean rolled his eyes, but couldn't help the little smirk he got from making Sammy happy. That was also his job. And going along with Sam's plans for a Dean Winchester birthday idea was not one to be messed with.
He followed Sam down the stairs and waited for Sam to call to Bobby that they were leaving, and Bobby to call back to inform him if either murdered each other. Sam and Dean shared a grin at their foster father's usual grumpy concern, and Sam led Dean out and to the Impala.
"Oh, wow, baby," Dean murmured when he saw the car. He rubbed his hand appreciatively over the shiny, new, paintwork, and realised, glancing at his brother just behind him, who was smiling again. "It is special stuff?" he asked.
Sam nodded. "Yep. Bobby told me how to do it. Kind of acidic, but only got a little bit on me. I'm good. It's good. And we need to get going," Sam told Dean briefly, walking towards the driver's door. "Oh, and -" he held up the keys "- I'm driving 'cause I know where I'm going."
Wrinkling his nose at the idea, but not vocally protesting, Dean slightly reluctantly went around to the passenger side of the car, and slid in the seat, glancing at his brother expectantly. "Well?"
"Now you wait," Sam replied, his smile making his eyes light up like a little kid again. Dean smiled at seeing his little brother happy, and decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. His baby, his kid. It didn't really get better than this.
Sam started the engine; Dean sighed in relief and allowed himself to slump back, eyes closed. He hoped it wasn't going to be a long trip, although spending time with the Impala and Sam was all that he needed.
The Impala rumbled to a halt, automatically waking Dean.
He sat up, yawning, and glanced at Sam, asking where they were. Sam didn't answer; instead he pulled two tickets from his pocket and jerked his head outside of the car to Dean.
Slightly grumpy about not being told where they were, Dean reluctantly took a look outside. And stared, amazed.
"No way..." Sam smiled at hearing the complete disbelief tone his brother's voice. Good. He wanted to make sure that Dean really did enjoy this day. And seeing AC/DC in the flesh, just across the VIP parking lot outside the venue, must help a bit.
Still in amazement, Dean automatically got out of the car and tore his eyes away from his favorite band in reality. "Wow, Sam, you've really outdone yourself here," he commented in awe to his brother, glancing briefly around. "This is fantastic!"
Sam smirked. "And it doesn't stop here," he told his brother, who slowly looked around, looking exactly like a 5 year old who has just been offered an ice cream.
The little brother held up the two tickets he had pulled out - they were entrances for a live, outside, AC/DC concert. Dean looked at them, then back at Sam, in amazement, like that was what he had been waiting for. But hunters don't have off days.
So while they were taking a break from the job, Sam could think of no better thing to do for Dean's birthday.
He was feeling slightly nervous about his brother's wavering stare though. Dropping the tickets from eye height a little so Dean could see him, Sam asked anxiously, "do you like it? Do you want to go in?"
Admittedly, Sam was never sure what his brother wanted. So though he had been going on about a concert by AC/DC going on soon close by them, Sam didn't know whether actually taking them to said concert, completely ditching the job for a day, was the best idea.
Turned out, it wasn't. No, it was better than that.
"Dude, this is amazing. The best birthday ever," Dean told Sam sincerely. "Seriously, this? It's... fantastic. Great day off." He winked at Sam, guessing what was going through his brother's mind.
Sam's face broke out in his easy laughing smile that could make the sun come out from the clouds. "You're welcome, Dean. Happy birthday," he replied softly.
Dean nodded in reply, his smile reaching his eyes for once. "Alright, enough of the lady-ness, can we please go rock out now?" he asked seemingly impatiently, striding towards Sam and taking a ticket from his hand, examining it.
"Alright. Let's do it," Sam agreed, turning around and leading Dean to the front gate of the arena. They gave their tickets in and entered what was going to bed the best activity, birthday or not, that anyone had ever done for Dean.
And who had organised it all? His pain-in-the-ass little brother. Whose smile was the brightest and only thing Dean ever wanted to see, the way he was seeing it now.
As long as one of them was happy, the other could share in their peacefulness. And now, both Winchesters were indeed peaceful.
Also, Sam knew that Bobby was, with pleasure, watching the phones to give other jobs to hunters and steer rumors and demons away from the Winchesters. He had their back as well.
Yes, their family was little... and broken. But it was family, and on days like this, when they could do something enjoyable without fear of death or injury, it was the best gift they could have. Ever.