Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 6

Sam woke a little before sunset to find Dean's arms still around him as he slept, Dean breathing deeply as he held Sam's cold body close. The blankets had worked to keep his mate from getting too cold thankfully. Sam smiled as he studied Dean's sleeping features; he looked younger and far more peaceful in sleep. Dean's eyes fluttered open and he smiled at Sam. "Hey."

"Hey." Sam answered, stroking his face and Dean leant into his touch. "How do you feel?"

"Good. You?" Dean asked, worried and Sam smiled.

"I feel great." Sam admitted, he felt different, more settled now. He had claimed his mate. Sam cuddled in and Dean chuckled, letting Sam settle in to listen to his heart.

"You like that huh?" He asked and Sam nodded.

"I can make sure you're okay just by listening." He admitted and then sighed as Dean's hand moved to run through his hair. Being touched by his mate felt so good, he knew Dean didn't feel it, he was human but he intended to change that as soon as Dean was ready.

"Thinking about changing me?" Dean asked and Sam looked at him. "Sammy…."

"My mate." Sam growled and kissed him hard. Dean gasped in shock at the hard, demanding kiss but it was Sam. Dean wrapped his arms around Sam, rubbing his back in an effort to get him to calm down. "Can't lose you." Sam hissed and Dean closed his eyes.

"Sam please, I don't want to ever leave you. You know that." Dean whispered and Sam stared at him. "I just, I can't…" Dean tried and Sam nuzzled him.

"I'm not gonna just suddenly change you Dean. Never want you to go through what I did." Sam assured him. "When we do it I'm going to do everything I can to make it as painless as possible." He promised and Dean nodded.

"I know, I trust you Sammy. You'd never hurt me." Dean smiled and Sam nodded. He would never hurt his mate, no matter what.

"It will hurt some Dean, feeling your body die…" Sam shivered at the memory and Dean hugged him tighter.

"They're dead Sam; they can never hurt you again." Dean whispered and Sam nodded a hand gently stroking Dean's warm skin, watching as goosebumps spread across the skin and Dean squirmed. Sam grinned and Dean swatted him gently before sitting up. "Need the bathroom." He apologised but after sleeping all day he really did need to use the facilities. Sam rolled off him and watched him go and Dean fought down a blush. Sure they'd always been hyper aware of each other but it was more intense now and it didn't help that Dean knew Sam could pick up the slightest change to his heart rate.

Dean smiled as he watched Sam letting Rumsfeld chase him around the yard. The poor dog didn't stand a chance of catching him but he was determined to try. "How're you doing?" Bobby asked as he joined him and Dean shrugged.

"Sometimes it's like nothing's changed at all and then Sam does or says something…"

"I know, but he's still our Sam where it counts and he….well he loves you." Bobby grumbled and Dean smiled.

"Yeah. He…he wants to change me Bobby."

"Figured as much. It'd be instinct to keep his mate with him."

"And….."

"And if that's what you boys want then it's your choice. Just don't even think about sinking teeth into me." The hunter answered and Dean relaxed.

"You'd probably be all tough and sour." He teased and Bobby took a playful swipe at him.

"Get out of here." He growled and Dean laughed but took off to join Rumsfeld in chasing Sam, it was good training for all of them. Sam had to be able to function in full sunlight before they could hit the road again.

Sam sat away from the grill as Bobby worked on dinner; the smell was pretty bad as far as he was concerned although from the look on Dean's face it must smell pretty good to him. Sam lifted his mug and took a mouthful of blood, it wasn't all that tasty, nowhere near what he knew fresh blood from a vein would be but it was better than nothing. At least they weren't making him drink animal blood yet. He knew they both wanted him to eventually, it would be easier to get supplies of after all but the thought of it made him feel ill. Dean sat down beside him and Sam looked at him, seeing the way Dean avoided looking into his mug. Sam smiled at him and Dean grinned before reaching out and wiping beside Sam's mouth. "Messy eater." Dean teased and Sam relaxed at the way Dean accepted the fact he'd had blood on his face.

"You seen yourself after a burger and pie?" he shot back and Dean laughed. Sam leant his head on Dean's shoulder, feeling content and safe.

TBC…