CHAPTER 25
They were finally home. People are right when they say that 'There's no place like home.' It had been only two hours since he left for the clinic with Adam but to Dean it had felt like forever. He had lost all his patience with the kid. He could understand that the kid was sick. But he would not let Adam be disrespectful and mouthing off anymore either. Adam had been acting like a spoiled brat since morning and it was enough. Dean shook his head tiredly and parked his baby. Before he even had a chance to turn in his seat , Adam was already out of the car making his way inside. Dean sighed for the upteenth time since morning and followed Adam inside.
Sam was in the office sorting through some accounts when he heard the familiar rumble of the impala. He made his way out to the living room where he saw a pissed Adam making his way inside followed by an equally pissed Dean if the expressions on their faces were anything to go by. 'Freaking great. They hadn't been alone together for more than two hours and they already managed to get into a fight.'
"Hey Adam. How are you feeling , kiddo ?" Sam asked a little cautiously. But little did he know that even this simple question of his can start an argument between his older and younger brother.
Adam was furious at Dean for making him go to that stupid doctor and then forcing him to take an injection. He was sad because he was missing his mom but he knew that he wouldn't ever meet her because she was dead. He was frustrated because his stupid nose wouldn't stop running. It was gross , really. He was feeling a lot of emotions at once. What he wanted most at the moment was to just go in his room and burrow himself deep under the covers. He ignored Sam's question and without a backward glance , he made his way towards his room. But before he could take more than three steps he was grabbed by his arm.
"I beleive Sam asked you a question." Dean asked Adam through gritted teeth. He was done with Adam's attitude. The kid was ignoring him and now Sam. And why , just because they took him to the doctor so he wouldn't suffer anymore. The way Adam behaved with the doctor at the clinic. If Dean wasn't in a public place , he would have taken the kid over his knee right then and there. Doesn't matter that Adam was sick. It was no excuse for behaving like that.
"Dean. What happened ?" Sam asked his brother. But he got no reply. As Dean and Adam were both busy shooting daggers at eachother.
"I just went to a clinic and met a doctor , Sam. Not a fucking magician who would wave his magic wand and I would be fine just like that. Now, may I go to my room ?" Adam snapped at Sam though he never broke eye contact with Dean.
"I don't think so, young man. I understand that you're sick but that gives you no right to snap at everyone. You're behaving like a complete brat since morning. The way you behaved with the doctor at the clinic wasn't right at all , he was just helping you and so are we. I suggest that you drop this attitude of yours now. Am I making myself clear ?" Dean said angrily while having a firm grip on Adam's arm.
Sam was watching the exchange worriedly. He could see that Dean was losing his temper, the longer Adam remained silent. Adam was sick and that was the only reason stopping Dean from tanning the kid's behind. Because the way , Dean's eyes were narrowed, his lips drawn in a thin angry line and his jaw was clenched, it only means trouble for the person responsible.
"Sir. Yes sir." Adam said sarcastically with a defiant look on his face. He just wanted to go to his room and be left alone. But ofcourse Dean won't let him have even that. Dean really confuses him. One moment he likes Dean and in the other he hated the man. Adam was right to call Dean 'Hitler'.
"Like I said , you need to drop your attitude. But don't worry I will help you with that. Take a chair from the dining table and slid it to that corner." Dean said in a calm yet firm tone pointing towards a corner in the living room. He had tried to be patient but Adam needs to be punished. And he was glad that because of the shot , Adam's fever had come down a bit. He hadn't checked the kid's temperature yet but Adam's face wasn't looking as flushed as it was in the morning. So that was a good sign.
"Why ?" Adam asked making no move to obey Dean. He noticed Sam shaking his head at him behind Dean's back. But he ignored Sam and looked at Dean.
"Because I said so. You can either do it on your own , boy. Because if I have to do it , you will deeply regret it." Dean said clenching his fists. He had never seen a kid so stubborn as Adam in his life. In his time, he wouldn't even dare question his dad. He was being far patient with Adam than John would ever be. He didn't want Adam to be his little soldier but he did want the kid to show some respect.
Adam sighed but finally did as he was told. His inner voice was telling him it wouldn't be wise to push Dean anymore than he already had. It was kinda creepy when his inner voice sounded just like Sam. But whatever. When he slid a chair to the corner that Dean had indicated , he looked at Dean while crossing his arms.
"Turn the chair towards the wall and plant your butt on it. Hold your ears and think about what you did wrong this whole morning to be punished. The only thing you should be seeing there is that wall in front of you. And remember that I will be watching you. So keep holding your ears and looking ahead. You so much as even think about breaking your position and I am gonna tan your hide. And then you will have to sit there with a sore bottom. But you will sit and think about your behaviour." Dean said in a commanding voice.
Adam flushed when Dean mentioned not so subtly about tanning his behind in front of Sam. But it wasn't like Sam wasn't there the last time he got a spanking. Even the thought of that time was enough to make him obey Dean. He sat on the chair facing the wall and hoped that Dean wouldn't really make him hold his ears. It was embarrassing enough that he was getting a corner time like a little kid for his attitude , he didn't want to hold his ears too.
"You really want a spanking , boy ?" Dean asked angrily when Adam only followed half of his orders. When Adam didn't reply. He crossed to the kid and planted his hands on either side of his chair, demanding his attention.
"N-no sir." Adam replied in a small voice. Dean can be really scary when he is angry.
"Then hold your ears." Dean said. And when Adam did it , he nodded in satisfaction.
"They better stay that way. Don't you move unless I say so. And give me your phone, you aren't getting it until tomorrow." Dean said extending his hand.
Adam wanted to argue about the phone but one look at Dean was enough to make him shut his mouth. He reached into his pocket and quietly took out his phone and handed it to Dean. Then he resumed his embarassing position. Getting a corner time was embarrassing enough but holding the ears was just making it much more worse. He could feel himself blushing furiously.
Dean looked at Adam for a moment and then he made his way towards the kitchen to make something for the kid. After watching Adam for a moment or two , Sam followed his brother to the kitchen.
Sam took out a beer from the fridge and handed it to Dean. It was a little early for that but Dean looked like he could really use it.
"You wanna talk about what happened ?" Sam asked cautiously. He knew Dean was in a bad mood.
Dean took the beer from Sam. He took a long swig of his beer. He didn't want to talk about it. But Sam was looking at him with his puppy dog expression. And when was he ever able to resist that. So he sighed and told Sam everything.
"The kid is sick. And I tried to be patient with him. But he needs to be punished." Dean said glancing at Adam. He was glad that the kid hadn't broken his position. It had been seven minutes since he had put Adam in the corner. He would call the kid after thirteen more minutes. It would give him some time to calm down and it would provide Adam sometime to think about his mistakes.
"As much as I hate to see Adam like this. But you did the right thing , Dean. Adam needs to learn to control his attitude. Anyways , what did the doctor say ?" Sam said. Adam was afraid of needless but that was no way to talk to the doctor like that. He was surprised that his brother had been patient with Adam till now. Otherwise knowing Dean , it could be entirely possible that Adam could have have gotten his butt beaten right in the clinic.
"He was a young doctor. He looked even younger than you. He didn't looked much experienced. So I had my doubts at first. But the kid was really patient with Adam. And the shot that he had given has brought Adam's fever down a bit. He said it is just a viral infection nothing serious. He had prescribed some medicines. Adam would be fine in three days if he takes them on time. Which he will." Dean said while moving around the kitchen to make some soup for Adam.
"That's good. Um, Mr. Hendrick called. And to say that he wasn't happy would be the understatement of the year. " Sam said cringing. Mr. Hendrick was their least favourite customer. He was about seventy years old. That man was the most impatient man that Sam has ever seen. He is never ready to wait even a single more day for his car in case there's an emergency. He is never satisfied with any of their services. Dean would repair his car and the next week, the man would bring his car again complaining that Dean hadn't done his job well. His brother and Mr. Hendrick would get into an epic argument everytime the man is here. And still when it comes to repairing his beloved 1969 Chevy Camaro Convertible, Mr. Hendrick didn't trust anyone except his brother.
"I will handle him. Where's DJ ?" Dean asked sighing and chopping the vegetables. Mr. Hendrick was the last man , he wanted to deal with today. He had planned to repair Mr. Hendrick's car after breakfast but then Adam got sick and he had to go the clinic and he forgot all about it.
"In his room. He wanted to draw a picture for Adam to make him feel better." Sam said smiling at his son's innocence. Dean smiled a little too.
"I am gonna talk to Gilbert's, Mikaelson's and Salvatores for the car parts that you asked." Sam said taking the empty beer bottle from Dean and throwing it in the dustbin.
"You do that and tell Stefan to not sent Damon for delivery if he knows what's best for him. I am gonna deal with Adam while this soup is cooking." Dean said washing his hands and making his way to the living room.
"Your wish is my command , boss." Sam said saluting Dean. And then he yelped rubbing his bottom when his brother smacked his butt none too gently.
"Stop being a smartass. If you don't want to end over my knee , Sam." Dean said to Sam in a stern tone. He wasn't in a joking mood now. He had a moody preteen and an old stubborn Mr. Hendrick to deal with.
"Yes sir." Sam said quietly and practically ran to the office while making sure his bottom was away from Dean's reach. 'Guess it wasn't the right time to joke'. Thought Sam while rubbing his stinging backside. He forgot how hard Dean's hand could be.
Adam didn't know how long he had been sitting in the corner holding his ears and facing the wall. He had a lot of time to think about his behaviour. Now he knows that he had been behaving like a brat. It wasn't anybody's fault that he was sick. He had snapped at Dean again and again. He had snapped at Sam too. He had behaved really rudely with the doctor when in truth now he was feeling much better after the shot. He didn't feel as cold as he was feeling when he woke up this morning.
"You can come out of the corner, Adam." Dean said taking a seat on the couch.
Adam sighed in relief when Dean finally called him. His hands were beginning to ache from holding his ears for what felt like an eternity. He made his way towards Dean and sat on the coffee table in front of the couch when Dean motioned for him to sit.
"Why did I punish you, Adam ?" Dean asked his tone still hard but not as much as it was before.
"Sir, I was behaving rudely with you since morning. Then I snapped at the doctor when all he was trying to do was to help me and do his job. I later snapped at Sam too. You all were trying to help me. It was nobody's fault that I got sick. I am really sorry." Adam replied quietly.
"Thats about right. I understand that you're not feeling well but that wasn't the way to behave either. You are allowed to have bad days and grumpy moods and when you're having those , you can politely ask to be left alone. But you're not allowed to swear and snap at everyone around you. I am ignoring you saying 'fucking' word to the doctor earlier and then again to Sam just this once. But the next time I find you cussing , I will wash your mouth with soap. Am I clear ?" Dean asked tilting Adam's chin up to look in his eyes.
"Yes sir." Adam replied. He didn't want to even think about the taste of soap in his mouth. He would need to control his mouth. He wasn't angry at Dean anymore. He was feeling guilty. Everyone was trying to make him feel better and in return he was yelling at them. He deserved to be punished. He couldn't help but ask one question that was bothering him ever since he left the clinic. It was the major reason why he was angry at the doctor in the first place.
"Good boy. I am making some soup for you. You can go and rest in your room. I will bring it to you." Dean said smiling and ruffling Adam's hair.
"Sir ?" Adam said hesistently.
"What is it, kiddo ?" Dean asked gently. All the traces of hardness gone from his voice.
"I am sorry for embarrassing you. You and Sam are really strong and I want to be just like you. But I was behaving like a baby at the clinic. I tried to not be afraid of injections but I failed. I know I am such a disappointment. I am a failure , a wuss." Adam said tearfuly. That was the thing that was bothering him the most. He wanted Dean and Sam to be proud of him. But now they won't be proud of him ever. He wanted to be strong like his brothers. But now he had made fun of himself infront of Dean by being afraid of a little needle.
Dean looked at Adam for a moment. He felt his temper rising at how low the kid was thinking of himself. But he needs to be gentle with Adam. Adam was sharing his feelings with him, he didn't want to lose his temper and shut down the kid.
"Come here, kiddo." Dean said patting at the space besides him on the couch. When Adam was seated besides him. He turned towards Adam.
"You didn't embarass me. I was mad and a little disappointed at your behaviour. But it wasn't because you were being afraid of getting a shot. It was because of the way , you were behaving with Dr. Maverick. Its nothing wrong to be afraid. Whats important is that despite being afraid of injections, you faced your fear and got one. And for that I am proud of ya. Everyone is afraid of something in their lives. Some people are afraid of dogs , some are afraid of dark , some are afraid of heights and the list keeps going on. But what matters the most is facing that fear of yours when the time comes. And thats exactly what you did today. You faced your fear like a brave boy. I didn't have to hold you down or restrain you take the injection. You took it on your own. And I am proud of you." Dean said smiling. Adam gave him a nervous smile but Dean could tell he wasn't convinced. So he continued.
"Never feel ashamed to show your feelings , Adam. You are allowed to be scared , thats what makes us humans. But like I said a strong person isn't the one who isn't afraid of anything but he is the one who despite being afraid faces his fears bravely." Adam smiled and this time his smile reached his eyes. He lunged forward and threw his arms around Dean and hugged him tightly.
Dean smiled and rubbed the kid's back gently. He would never repeat the mistakes with Adam that his father made with him. He always have difficulty in showing his feelings because his father used to say , "Suck it up , boy." He wasn't allowed to show his pain and fear as a child because it wasn't something that Winchesters feel. But now he knew that it was all wrong. Showing your fear or pain doesn't make you weak. He was proud of Sam for always sharing his feelings and not keeping them bottled up like he does because it isn't healthy. And he wanted Adam to be like Sam.
After a moment , he pushed Adam gently just enough to look in his eyes and said,
"I don't want to hear the words 'failure' , 'disappointment' , 'wuss' and 'Adam' in the same sentence ever. Okay ?" Dean asked in firm tone.
"Yes sir." Adam smiled. "Are you and Sam afraid of anything ?" He asked curiously.
"Well, you might not believe it. But that sasquatch brother of yours is afraid of clowns." Dean said smiling. Surely Sam would kill him for this. But it was worth seeing the shocked expression on Adam's face.
"Sam is afraid of clowns. He is so strong and big. How could he be afraid of them ? You aren't teasing me. Right Dean ?" Adam asked following Dean to the kitchen.
"Nope, I am telling the truth. I might be responsible for this. When we were kids , I left Sam once at 'Plucky Pennywhistle's Magic Menagerie'. A chain fast food place. Sam was little , maybe nine or ten. There, the clown was kinda creepy and after that I might or might not have showed him the movie 'It' by accident. So yeah, he is afraid of clowns. But the important thing here is despite his fear of something that all the little kids love , he is not weak. He is still strong." Dean said stirring the soup one last time before pouring it in a bowl.
"So that's why he didn't want to watch 'It' the other day. Its really hard to believe that Sam can be afraid of clowns but okay. What about you ?" Adam asked. He was always excited to learn new things about his brothers. And this was very interesting.
Dean didn't want to tell the kid about his fear. But he has to now. What after delivering a long lecture about your fear doesn't make you weak and all.
"I am afraid of flying on planes. I try to travel in my baby to avoid flights. Now how about we go to your room and eat. You need to eat and take your medicines. Comeon now." Dean said making his way towards Adam's room. He didn't want to discuss anymore about his stupid fear of flying.
Adam smiled and followed Dean. Who could have thought that his two strong big brothers can be afraid of such little things. But it doesn't matter , like Dean said showing your fears doesn't make you weak. Despite learning new things about Sam and Dean , they will continue to be the strongest people Adam ever knew in his life. And still he wanted to be just like them when he grows up.
"Here blow your nose." Dean said holding a tissue for Adam to blow. And when Adam was done he threw it in the dustbin lying in the corner of the room. Adam had finished the soup and taken his medicine without throwing any fit. And Dean was glad for that. He tucked the blanket around Adam. And as he was standing from the bed , he felt a hesitant tug on his sleeve. He turned to look at Adam watching him with a nervous expression.
"Please stay, Dean." Adam said hesistently. He hated to be alone whenever he is sick.
Dean smiled. "Scoot over, kiddo." He said and lied on the bed besides Adam.
"I am sorry Dean that I said that I hate you. But I don't. I was just angry that time." Adam said sleepily.
"Its okay. Now close your eyes and try to sleep." Dean said smiling softly. He knew Adam didn't mean that but it had still stung. But now hearing that the kid doesn't hate him is nice. Adam closed his eyes and curled towards him and Dean wrapped his arm around the kid. Before he knew he was asleep too.
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A/N : I made a reference of The Vampire Diaries in this chapter. Its AU so Damon and Stefan are not vampires just some business men dealing in car parts.
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Do check my other story "Adopted Sons". And drop a review there as well.