Chapter Thirteen: New Morning
Bobby smiled as he watched Sam and Dean playing soccer from his seat on the porch steps.
The brothers, once nearly torn apart, were closer than ever before.
The grizzled hunter sighed as he heard Sam laughing out loud- something he thought he wouldn't hear for a long, long time- and took a sip of his coffee.
The younger Winchester looked up at him; his face flushed from the exercise and waved, "C'mon Bobby! Play with us!"
The grizzled hunter smiled but shook his head, "Nah, I'm too old for that sort of thing. Besides, you look to be doing well on yer own, beating Dean as far as I can tell."
Dean looked over at him and made a face but then chuckled, turning his attention back to his brother: "Let's see what you've got, Sammy!"
The older hunter watched the boys play, marveling at the change in both siblings.
Although Sam was still uncertain sometimes of Dean and looked to Bobby for assurance at those moments, his trust in his older brother had seemed to skyrocket from that day when they had been attacked. The teen still had nightmares- something that may remain with him for a long time- but always sought out Dean for comfort instead of shying away from him as he used to do.
Dean himself was more positive, more confident in himself and Sam. His guilt over the dybbuk possession appeared to have been assuaged by his actions to protect his brother from the hunters. He didn't now fear what Sam thought of him because the fourteen-year old made it clear that he had eyes only for his brother. Dean was Sam's hero once again. As it should be.
And Bobby… well, he was just happy that the boys were happy. He was glad that, for the most part, the brothers were able to put the past year behind them and move forward. He only wished it hadn't come at such a price.
"Hey Bobby? Can we go out for breakfast?" Sam asked, running towards him, panting and smiling.
"Sure, Son," the grizzled hunter said and stood, setting his coffee cup on the porch railing, "Let me guess, you want pancakes?"
Sam nodded eagerly and his brother chuckled, ruffling the fourteen-year old's unruly hair.
As Bobby and the Winchesters drove into town, the ruby sphere of the sun rose high into the sky, heralding the beginning of a new day.
Author's Note:
Chapter title comes from a Bob Dylan song of the same name.
Thanks to reannablue, mandancie, Souldarkalone, Jkf340, SamDeanLover28, and BruisedBloodyBroken for reviewing.
The end. Thanks to all of my readers (silent and otherwise). Please take a moment to write down any final thoughts on this story.