The Roosevelt Asylum – Part 3
Another chapter!
Please review and let me know your thoughts. It would be a big help to me to get your input.
Warning: There is teasing and jokes pertaining to homosexuality directly taken from one of the early episodes (Bugs). If you think this will offend you, please spare me and yourself the trouble and don't read.
Welcome new readers! I hope you enjoy!
After Sam finally emerged from the large modern glass building of the Creekview Medical Center in downtown Rockford, he swiftly informed Dean all he learned about the tormented South Wing from a physiatrist who happened to be the son of the late Sanford Ellicott. Sam briefed Dean about the 1964 riot where the criminally insane and psychotics of the South Wing attacked staff and each other. Many deaths occurred and some bodies were never recovered, including Chief of Staff, Ellicott. The cops never found his body and Sam grimly suggested that the patients could have stashed the body somewhere within the Asylum. With all the violent deaths and unrecovered bodies, it was a sure sign of a house chocked full angry spirits.
"Good times." Dean expressed only half jokingly in a misplaced optimistic tone. "Let's check out the hospital tonight." Dean suggested an edge of enthusiasm laced in his voice feeling his body fill with an eagerness to get this Hunt started.
Dean leaned his backside against the trunk of the Impala casually slipping his hands into the pockets of his dark grey trucker jacket.
Sam nodded in agreement feeling his repressed angry slacken in his chest from opening up to the insistent physiatrist who Sam shared his personal troubles with in exchange for information concerning the Asylum. Plus, it seemed being away from the weighted heaviness of the torment place gave his mind some clarity and space to calm his pent-up irritation. Dean noticed his agitations alleviating as well, although not entirely absent, there was a significant ease brought about by leaving the eerie place. Although unspoken, both of them felt it and acknowledged it inwardly as a pleasant and needed relief cautioning themselves with the awareness for when they returned the Asylum tonight.
Sam's mindful eyes cast over the back window of the Impala noticing the absence of a wayward teenager in the backseat making Sam's stiff brows furrow in concern.
"Where's Ellie?" Sam inquired as his eyes began to dart around in search for the young girl before landing back on his brother for answers.
Dean pulled his right hand out of his jacket pocket and gestured an idle finger towards the small playground across the parking lot next to the Children's Creekview Psychiatry building.
"You let her go over there alone?" Sam asked in surprise a hint of disapproval lining his tone, not at all comfortable with her being that far from the Impala. Regardless of it being in their sightline, he didn't hold a vote of confidence in the girl to not wonder off as Sam was coming to find out the young girl had a tendency to get distracted, or worse deliberately and impulsively take off on them again.
"Relax, I could see her the entire time." Dean reassured dismissively in a casual tone trying to not get his brother worked up into a frenzy over nothing. He was keeping a very close eye on her and she was never out of his sight for more than a minute as his edgy and distrustful self wouldn't allow her even five minutes outside his scope.
"Besides, she needs to run off some of that piss and vinegar." Dean added in a deep tone directly referring to her mouth as of late giving Sam a direct reason for allowing her the freedom to run around as it seemed the young active girl desperately needed it.
Sam pressed his lips together letting out a small sigh as he tried to ease the tension that was creeping back into his muscles. Despite the incessant worries that pestered him, Sam understood, just as well as Dean, the need to allow her some freedoms and opportunities to just be a kid. She was only thirteen after all. Sam glanced over at Dean, a slight eased look upon his sharp features, before they both paced across the parking lot towards the sleek and recently constructed playground, that set well in accordance with the modern glass structures of the surrounding buildings of the Creekview Medical Center. The vivid blue and canary yellow plastic structures of the new playground were vibrant, hardly showing any ware, fading, or even scuffing from the bustle of little sneakers and boots. The black plastic border around the playground that contained the woodchips seemed fresh and undisturbed except for a few divots under the two vacant swings.
Sam and Dean stopped at the edge of the plastic boarder instantly spotting Ellie who appeared to be the only one making use of the playground equipment. There were two young kids playing in one corner of the playground making little mounds of woodchips piles only seeming to be three or four years of age at most. A young woman, assumingly, the mother, sat on nearby bench watching them.
Ellie's heart raced in her chest as she ascended the narrow vibrant blue metal pole feeling her arm muscles strain with tension as she griped one hand above the of the other, climbing her way to the top quickly and skillfully. Once Ellie made it to the top, she swung her legs onto the platform and raced along to the short bridge towards the monkey bars, the tails of Sam's large blue plaid button up swished behind her. Without slowing down her feet, the young athletic teen reached out and grabbed the first bar allowing her slim body to swing off the platform. Ellie let her body dangled for a brief moment as she adjusted and shifted her hands to a comfortable length apart before pulling her body upwards feeling her small arm muscles strain and bulge under her skin. Ellie pulled the weight of her slim frame up until her chin lifted over the bar before dropping her weight down in a controlled manner and moving onto the next bar to do the same. Despite Ellie's delicate small build, and not appearing very muscular or stocky, she was undoubtably a strong and athletic little girl with impressive stamina and endurance. Her uncle ensured she was as strong, capable, and physically prepared as much as a young thirteen-year-old girl could be and it showed.
Sam's stiff brow line furrowed deeply in baffled confusion. An unexpected ping of disappointment hit him as he watched her use the playground equipment like a military training course.
"You sent her over there to play, right?" Sam asked Dean wanting confirmation she was doing this on her own accord and Dean had not instructed her to do any PT drills.
"Yeah." Dean confirmed lightly in an unbothered tone, completely missing the slight discontentment in his brother's voice.
"She's doing chin ups." Sam stated in a flat blunt tone of dissatisfaction, his dark brows stilled into a frown as he watched the thirteen-year-old pull her small body up to the blue metal bar.
"So?" Dean questioned not understanding what got his brother bothered about the girl doing a healthy workout. If anything, he would expect him to be glad she was taking the initiative to keep in shape. Dean, actually, found himself enjoying seeing her physical capabilities as it gave him comfort in a way to know she was physically prepared. Not to mention there was an unexpected and small element of pride he felt in watching her skillfully navigate the equipment reminding him of his younger self again.
"That's not playing, Dean. She's doing PT." Sam pointed out an element of frustration in his tone as she was not using the playground for the enjoyment it was intended for. In Sam's mind there should be a separation between drills and playing. Kids should have a chance to be kids regardless of the dangerous career path their parents have chosen. Sam knew all too well the importance of it as it kept you sane and brought an element of contentment to help you push through the hardness of the rough life.
"What you want me to do? Go over there, raise hell, and order her to 'play'?" Dean challenged sarcastically a hint of irritation of his own creeping into his words as he turned his head to look at his brother with his brows furrowing slightly. This was what she had chosen to do on her own free will and Dean saw nothing inherently wrong with it.
"No, I mean, I just never seen her do anything for fun, ya know, just be a kid." Sam explained calmly, an edge of regret and empathy lining his downcast tone as he continued to watch the teenager work her young body in preparation for the physical demands of Hunting.
There was a startling ping that hit Dean's heart suddenly at Sam's observation making him now mindfully aware that he, also, has never seen the thirteen-year-old really do anything for the mere pleasure of it, like a healthy well-adjusted teenager should, without some motive behind it pertaining to Hunting. Dean noted with regret that he didn't even know her simple likes, dislikes, or hobbies outside of Hunting and he wondered if the poor kid even had any time to pursue personal things that brought her joy. Despite knowing she enjoyed physical training; it was important that she did something gratifying solely for herself.
"Yeah, well, she's thirteen, probably outgrown playing on a playground." Dean reasoned nodding his head one as he attempted to reassure himself that it was simply the playground itself and not just because the kid didn't know how to play. Surely, she had hobbies and had explored something pertaining to her liking, but there was a small element of doubt that left the man unsettled and discontented nevertheless as surviving, eating, sleeping, and training were practically the girl's whole life. There was simply no time to think of much else, but enduring and staying alive and that weighed on his heart gravely.
Seeing the two tall sturdy frames of the men standing at the edge of the playground border watching the young teenager, Kelly Gram, the mother of the two young children on the playground, licked her lips hesitantly as she gathered up her courage and got off the bench seat and started their way. The thirty-two-year-old mother pushed her hands into the front pockets of low-rise light washed blue jeans pressing her arms tightly against the sides of her torso partly because of the gust of cold damp air that rushed under her unbuttoned jean jacket, but also due to a slight shyness that came over her as she approached the two imposing statures of the handsome men.
"Hi, excuse me." Kelly greeted warmly, a hint of bashfulness in her tone, gaining both Sam and Dean's attention who turned their heads to look at the woman who smiled at them in a friendly approachable manner.
Sam gave her a tight smile back a bit taken off guard at the woman's sudden approach towards them wondering warily what her motives were.
"Hi sweetheart." Dean greeted back flashing a charming smile at her. His hazel eyes lingered on the attractive woman's light blue eyes and cute button nose sending a slight flush of pink across her fair cheeks. Her heart shaped face framed with straight choppy blonde hair with deep brown highlights that just brushed the tops of her shoulders.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but is that your daughter?" The young mother inquired her light blue eyes casting over to Sam specifically as she gestured towards Ellie who was half-way through her monkey bar chin up exercise.
Sam masked a brisk nervousness that set within him as he wondered what her interest was in Ellie. Years of learned caution made Sam concluded that either Ellie did something concerning or suspicious to attract unwanted attention or the woman was simply making light conversation to get to know him which, much to his dismay, happened more often than he cared for. He was not interested in forming relationships after losing Jess as his loyal heart was too heavy to even consider looking at another woman.
"Uh, yes ma'am." Sam confirmed watching Ellie pull her small body up to the bar before turning and giving the woman a polite smile, which looked handsome on his sharp masculine features making the woman smile back and brush a section of her choppy blonde locks behind her ear.
"She looks just like you." The kind woman noted lightly seeming utterly convinced she had to be his daughter.
Sam couldn't help, but let out small airy scoff through his nose feeling his lip twitch to the side of his mouth into brief side smirk as he dipped his head down momentarily attempting to hid his amusement. It amazed him at just how often people cared to comment on how much he and Ellie appeared related. It was odd for the twenty-two-year-old not only because it simply wasn't true, but that people believed he was a father of a thirteen-year-old. He made a mental note not to express his age to anyone who presumed he was her father as that would raise some unwanted eyebrows. Yet, it was, essentially, very useful to them as a cover and it was true, they did possess some of the same features, although, he was not blessed with freckles, like Dean was when he was younger, the similar facial features and the dark brown hair, he could not deny resembled him in an odd and compelling way.
Sam lifted up his head giving the woman a wide warm smile that lit up his handsome features a bit, a slight hint of amusement still shinning behind his thoughtful green eyes.
"Yeah, I get that a lot." Sam admitted honestly.
"She's an impressive little athlete, but, um…" Kelly hesitated pulling her pink tinted lips inward slightly not wanting to come off as meddlesome or overstepping a boundary. Sam's ears perked up and his back straightened as his full attention was on the young mother feeling a slight nervousness creep back in him at the woman's hesitancy. Sam face fall into a frown of concern waiting eagerly for her reveal what she had to say about Ellie. Did she do something odd that gained her attention?
Along with Sam, Dean's eyes were fixed on the young woman intently, his brows dripping deep with interest, a hint of suspicion and defensiveness behind expression.
"I just wanted to let you know she's been, um, climbing on top of the equipment, even over the top bar of the swings. As a mom, she nearly gave me a heart attack a couple times. I don't mean to be a bother, but with it being a little wet from the rain…I just don't want to see her slip and fall…" The kind woman informed feeling a bit nervous that perhaps the man would become defensive at her and tell her to mind her own business, as she recalled some parents these days tended to do, but the good natured and caring woman just had to try as she feared Ellie could get seriously hurt if she continued to use the equipment so dangerously.
"Oh." Sam expressed a bit taken back by the information. "Uh, thank you, ma'am, for letting me know. Yeah, that's dangerous, she knows better than that." Sam affirmed in a reassuring manner, his voice beginning to carry an edge of firm disapproval as he too thought climbing on top of wet playground equipment was a careless and stupid thing to do. In fact, he saw it as downright reckless, irrational, and unnecessary. Despite the girl's agility skills, it was needless and irresponsible and he was convinced Ellie knew better than to take unnecessary risks.
As if right on queue to prove Sam wrong, out of the corner of his vision, Sam spotted Ellie on the top bar of the tall swing set teetering her denim covered bottom on the narrow bar making him snap his full attention towards her. The lean frame of her back was towards them as she rocked and swayed carelessly appearing like she was sitting on a bench rather than dangling from a daring height off the ground. Sam and Dean were so focused on the conversation, they didn't even see when the reckless teen made her way up there. All three of the grounded adults stared up at the daring girl with their mouths gaped and their brows frowning in concern awestruck at how the hell she got up there so fast without their knowledge.
The rush of adrenaline Ellie's workout gave her elevated her mood as her body strained and worked up a good sweat enjoying the feeling of the challenge it brought to her active spirt. The endorphins that flooded her brain eased the anger she was carrying from the Asylum significantly. Being out in the fresh air seemed to lift the pressing weight of rage she was feeling while she was in the confining walls of that disturbed Asylum. There was something about that spooky place that seemed to heightened her anger and prayed upon her insecure nerves amplifying and irritating them making her wonder if the disrupted atmosphere caused her to lash out or if it was simply a wanted excuse for being so damn mouthy.
Despite her anger dissipating, the horrid and familiar weight of worry and fear came back to the forefront of her emotions that were still ever prominent in her troubled mind. Ellie gazed off into the distance allowing her mind to wonder away from the noisy sounds of the Rockford city. A pressing ache constricted around her heart at continual absence of her uncle feeling the burdening, ever present, fear for his life. What if she lost him? What then? She would have nothing; no one, in this dark and scary world. Ellie swallowed hard against her raw throat as tears glistened under her tired brown eyes.
If that wasn't enough for the distressed girl, along with her fears and worries, there was an undeniable guilt that sat in her chest like a heavy rock at the blatant disrespect she has been giving the two Hunters as of late, especially Dean. Ellie knew her glares, unsavory and immature gestures, and backtalk were all unacceptable and undeserving. Her fears and troubles were not an excuse to act immature and uncivil. They were, after all, watching over her and trying to keep her safe and protected. Despite, them attempting to pry information out of her, she knew deep down it came from a place of concern and they did not deserve her disregard and it made Ellie's heart grow heavy with remorse. Ellie hung her head low as she began to concentrate on her lap and idly pick at the dirt from underneath her nails. Negative and self-damaging thoughts entered her chaotic young mind as she began to think about how terrible a kid she was and how she didn't deserve these men's protection or company for that matter. Ellie inwardly scoffed mockingly at herself; she was a pain in the ass, not worthy of the sacrifices and danger these men were taking on because of her. Ellie couldn't help, but still believe she would be better off on her own where she wasn't a burden or nuisance to these good men.
But she ultimately knew with a gave sadness that going off on her own was unobtainable, not to mention suicidal, as she painfully came to the realization that the steadfast Hunters would never allow it. Ellie felt herself wince ever so slightly as she prominently recalled every blistering spank Dean laid into her reckless backside and the strong commanding words he used condemning her running off on them like it was the ultimate sin. Ellie pressed her lips into a tight determined line as she willed herself to try and do better. No matter how much she wished to protect her heart from the pain of rejection and loss that was sure to come, she couldn't shake the care she was coming to have for the two Hunters. Even though she knew deception was inevitable and there would come a time where they would eventually leave her, she still wanted to make her burdening self easier on them and perhaps allow herself to open up to some affection and tenderness that she desperately craved, if they would care to give it, of course. With all the pain she was holding inside her young heart, despite forming a hard shell around herself, the young little girl longed some simply warmth.
Feeling the need for another adrenaline rush and a childish desire for a different perspective, Ellie, without warning or a care, leaned her body back flinging her arms off the safety of the narrow bar while she simultaneously gripped and squeezed the backs of her knees tautly around the damp beam. She hung upside down allowing her slim body to dangly limply and daringly above the woodchip covered ground.
That's all it took for Sam and Dean's heart to shoot up into their throats practically gagging them as a gush of potent anxiety flooded into their veins making their muscles tense fiercely at her careless stunt. Kelly Gram let out a frightened gasp, scared to death she was going to witness the girl fall and crack her skull open.
"Alright." Dean drawled awkwardly in a forced casual manner, a firm indicating that she was done with 'PT', 'playing' or whatever the hell she was doing. When he told her to 'go knock yourself out' he didn't mean that literally. What was she trying to do? Break her damn neck?
Ellie's wondering mind was aloof and distant until she spotted Dean's large frame marching towards her in brisk strides bringing her back to reality as she assumed this was her cue that it was time to leave. The man settled his boots below her small hanging frame, a little off to the side, as he looked up at her. Her ballcap still, surprisingly, secure around her cranium while her long brown braids hung off to the sides of her ballcap and Sam's blue flannel draping under her armpits.
Ellie couldn't help, but wish for praise or perhaps any sign that he was impressed with her agility, but why she thought she would receive it from the grumpy man was beyond her. Despite, her upside down perspective of the man it, unfortunately, didn't hinder her ability to see the displeased frown on the Hunter's face.
"What are you, a freaking bat? Get down." Dean commanded harshly not at all appreciating her making his blood pressure spike to newfound levels.
Ellie stifled an eye roll at Dean's dramatic reaction to a little gymnastics. She wasn't a careless uncoordinated two-year-old. She knew what she was doing. She guessed he just wasn't fully aware of what she was capable of yet, but Ellie was confident in her abilities to navigate the equipment and was convinced there was nothing to fret over as she'd taken the proper measures and precautious not to fall. She was good at it and thrived on the adrenaline rush it often gave her forcing shots of feel-good endorphins into her neglected body. Ellie was aware accidents and mistakes happened from time to time, but that didn't mean you stopped attempting to try an improve. If she fell, then she fell and that would be her fault for overestimating and being careless.
Without much hesitation, and perhaps motivated by a little smugness to prove to Dean she was capable, flung her momentum forward and back a bit allowing her legs to fling off the bar as she thrust her body weight back into a half summersault. Ellie grunted as her boots thudded onto the wood chips feeling the impact tremor shoot up her shins sharply, her body crouched into a low squat as she threw her hands to the sides to steady herself.
Dean immediately jerked his head to the side feeling his jaw muscles clench in irritation as his heart shot up into his throat for a second time at the unexcepted daring flip. That is not what he meant when he said 'get down' and he was positive she knew it making his palm itch slightly. Dean was sure that was almost eight feet high and she was damn lucky she didn't twist or break her ankle making Dean concluded the girl was just exceedingly careless about her safety or simply was too overconfident for her own good.
The man scoffed sharply in his throat shaking in head completely unappreciative of the girl giving him a heart attack twice as he directed his attention back to the teenager. Although, she had done some vigorous, and some would ordain, dangerous, workouts from the public's perspective, that did not mean it was all well and good to be needlessly foolish and reckless without a thought to personal safety. Sure, there were situations in hunting where climbing and agility were required, but playing 'stunt devil' on a wet playground did not count as necessary in Dean's mind and Ellie being thirteen years old should be aware of this. Not to mention they were in a public place where she brought unnecessary attention towards herself. Was she simply trying to show off? He certainly hoped not. They didn't need people looking in their direction as they were on a Hunt in this town and snooping people like, Mrs. Gram, always starts out harmless, but could very well lead to bigger issues down the line for them. If inquiries are made from nosy people, it could expose them in ways that could hinder or flat-out ruin a Hunt thus putting lives at risk which was flat-out unacceptable.
Ellie, who seemed completely unbothered at her dangerous stunts, seeing it as nothing more than normal training abilities, brushed the damp dirty woodchips from her hands as she stood up. She carelessly brushing her dirty palms on the outer thighs of her light washed blue jeans transferring the grit from her palms to the denim the fabric. Dean placed a weighted palm on her slim shoulder steering her around until she was facing the direction he desired and began to march her toward where Sam and Mrs. Gram were standing.
"You're giving me grey hairs, kid." Dean grumbled tiredly in light of her careless gymnastic stunts making Ellie bite her bottom lip contritely feeling her chest deflate in tired guilt. She just can't seem to do anything right.
Ellie's brown eyes glanced up under ballcap, her mouth parted feeling a jittery nervousness creep onto her nerves as Dean lead her towards Sam and some young woman who she was completely unaware of till now. Ellie swallowed before pulling her full bottom lip behind her teeth feeling her eyes cast down in a reserved and retreating manner, not at all accustomed to interacting with strangers in a casual setting, not directly anyway, and she wondered just what the woman was talking to Sam about.
"I'm sorry she scared you, ma'am, Ellie's into her gymnastics and can get a little carried away sometimes. But she knows better than to climb on top of a wet swing set." Sam scolded in a rather stern manner of disapproval doing a marvelous impression on his father, as he shot Ellie a hard look of reproach that all, but told Ellie his disapproval in her actions was no act he was putting on in front of the lady. His firm voice coming from a very real place of unforeseen parental anxiety that he felt thrust upon him, thinking Ellie should know better than to preform dangerous stunts like carelessly backflipping off an eight-foot bar; nevertheless, do it on a public playground where prying eyes were watching her.
Sam nudged his head to the side slightly gesturing towards the young mother clearly indicating for Ellie to say something to her. Ellie blinked a little dumbfoundedly not quite grasping onto what Sam exactly wanted her to say to the lady, but after a fleeting moment she seemed to rapidly put things together that her excessive acrobatics and 'dangerous' stunts she had performed caused the young mother sitting on the bench close by to worry enough to snitch on her.
Oops.
"Uh, sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to scare you." Ellie apologized in a bashful, but polite manner, looking up at the woman's face just long enough to apologize properly, before lowering her gaze to the ground as an uncomfortable awkwardness came over her at the simple fact that the woman was watching her so closely without her knowledge. Ellie was kicking herself for not taking notice, but it seemed she was too caught up in her activities and troubled thoughts to take heed to her surrounds. Ellie was not used to strangers taking an interest in her as she was taught all her life to fly under the radar and keep a low profile as to not arouse suspicion on the reality of what they do. Ellie was aware hunting was a different life entirely and many survival aspects of it would not be seen in a positive light to the general public, including the harsh physical training of children.
"No, it's okay, really, I'm just glad you're not hurt is all." Kelly expressed quickly in kind reassurance not wanting to get the young girl into any serious trouble with her parents, but still felt adamantly she did the right thing by speaking up. She did not want to witness a little girl's head getting busted just because she was too passive to speak up.
Ellie pressed her lips together tightly feeling a frustration get to her as it seemed all she was good at anymore was making trouble. Without even trying, she managed to get Sam and Dean's dander up and cause unwanted attention. How does that even happen? Was it all because of bad luck or was she just that bad at being good? Confusion and frustration lead to unhealthy thoughts creeping back into her vulnerable mind again making her feel unworthy of their company or care again. A painful desire of wanting to run off and relieve them of their burden pushed to the front of her mind yet again, but a brisk recollection of disappointment hit her knowing the honorable men saw her as a promise to keep to her uncle and would not let her, no matter how much relief it would bring them.
Ellie recalled Dean's firm words after the dreadful spanking he gave her for running off and about them caring about her life. While Ellie thought there was an element of sincere truth in his statement, she ultimately, knew there would be a time where that honest care would inevitably disappear. When things got heavy and immediate dangerous and sacrifice was on the line, their care would falter and be directed solely towards their own family, like it always does for Hunters, and she would be left on her own again. Lasting true safety and care were unobtainable with these good men and while, she didn't rightly blame them or hold any malice towards the reality, it still nearly broke her scared and lonely little heart.
"I hope you continue with your gymnastics; you seem quite good." Kelly complimented genuinely looking down at Ellie with a smile trying to bring a positive element back into the conversation and brush off the tension that seemed to set in between the small family.
Ellie nodded timidly offering the woman a brief tight smile under her ballcap.
Kelly, being the ever tactful and kind woman that she was, turned her attention back up at Sam and Dean.
"You both must be very proud parents." She expressed kindly giving them another warm well-mannered smile.
Ellie's head immediately snapped up, her brown eyes wide and her mouth parted in brief shock as the realization of what the woman was implying slowly sank in. Then, an uncontrollable snort of utter amusement sounded through her nose making Ellie instantly placed a palm over her mouth to hide the wide tight grin that spread across her face at the lady's clear insinuation that Sam and Dean were her gay parents. Gulping down an intensifying giggle that was threatening to surge from throat, Ellie directed her wide brown eyes, sparkling with sheer delight, up at Sam and Dean poorly attempting to hide the sheer comedy of the situation as she took in their dumbstruck faces.
Sam's mouth gaped awkwardly like a fish out of water in dumbfounded shock while Dean pulled his head back and raised his eyebrows high on his forehead as a look of offended bafflement paled his features.
"Oh, we're not…" Sam's parted mouth began to dismiss in a nervous and uncomfortable manner as an awkward smile spread across his lips.
"No, that's…" Dean replayed in great earnest to correct, but then paused suddenly thinking a straight concise answer would sound more cogent. "We're brothers." Dean affirmed in a deep adamant tone pointing a finger between the two of them to which Sam nodded enthusiastically in agreement offering the lady a tight constrained smile.
"No, it's okay. Please don't feel the need to hide it." Kelly insisted in a calm sweet voice as she held up her palm in a reassuring gesture attempting to ease their minds. "I fully support you." The young woman added in honest sincerity with an encouraging nod of her head, assuming their denial was in fear of ridicule, not at all because she was mistaken. It seemed very obvious to the young mother that the two handsome men standing together were a couple watching their daughter play.
Dean stared at her blank faced, completely dumbstruck for a long beat of awkward silence before absentmindedly clicking his tongue in his mouth. Dean shifted his weight slightly pressing his lips together in tight smirk expelling an unsteady waft of air from his nose as he suppressed an embarrassed chuckle.
"Uh, alright." Dean drawled out completely giving up on trying to further the awkward conversation to convince the woman differently. It seemed their continued denying would only persuade the assured woman further of their homosexual status forwarding the painful discomfort that Dean was eager to break as soon as possible.
"I'm going to car. Coming, honey?" Dean asked in a forced casual and unbothered manner as he turned to walk behind Sam and make is way across the parking lot before impulsively pulling his hand back and popping a flattened palm down on his brother's unsuspecting backside.
The smack his brother gave him was unnecessarily firm making Sam's hips jerk forward and his back arche slightly at the impact. Sam swiftly swallowed the grunt that threatened to escape his tight lips as his green eyes widened and flashed in horrid shock feeling his whole body tense in horrendous awkward humiliation. With his jawline line sharp and stiff, Sam swiftly craned his neck over his shoulder to shoot his brother a heated 'what the fuck look', but Dean had already taken several eager steps away impishly allowing his brother to take the awkward consequences of his impulsive actions alone, like any good big brother would do. Sam jerked his head back around, a look of dumbstruck horror stilled on his paled features feeling his chest swell with chagrin before giving the attractive young woman an excessively tight constrained smile that failed to show anything, but pure awkward embarrassment.
Unable to think of damn thing to say, with his lips pressed firmly together, Sam nodded clumsily dipping his head down towards the ground before turning on a single heel and swiftly taking his leave wanting desperately to get out of the woman's presence. If she wasn't one hundred percent convinced before, with that 'affectionate' spank and addition of 'coming, honey?', she sure as hell was now. Sam extended his long strides at a hurried brisk pace wondering why the hell he had to have a brother with such an immature sense of humor. Freaking jerk.
Unable to contain her laughter anymore, when they all were a few paces away from the mother who was taking her leave towards her children, Ellie removed her hand from her mouth and burst out a opened mouth gleeful string of giggles that shot all the way down into her gut.
"She thought you both were gay." Ellie expressed the obvious in pure childish amusement finding everything utterly hysterical feeling her genuine laugh flood her deprived body with an elated liveliness.
Ellie swallowed trying to get a hold of herself and find her maturity before failing miserably and bursting into another fit of snickers as she pictured Sam's horror-stricken expression at being spanked in front of that lady. Ellie knew she was being childish and immature to laugh at their expense, but the fact remained that she was a child and found it all too amusing not to bask in the humor.
"Yeah, laugh it up, short stuff." Dean grumbled over his shoulder, still feeling the offense of being pinned as homosexual couple with his brother no less.
"You do make a lovely couple." Ellie teased further, unable to help herself as it was just too tempting to pass up some lighthearted jeering. She did not know when the next opportunity would arise when she would be able to tease the tough and proud Hunters over something like this. It would be a crying shame and a sin to waste such an opportunity as this.
Sam walked a couple paces towards Ellie before reaching his long arm out and grabbing the brim of her hat firmly between his fingers jerking it down in playful manner.
"Is that right?" Sam pressed in jest feeling a smile tug at the sides of his lips, the sting of the embarrassment becoming more bearable as he basked in seeing Ellie's youthful face lighten up. It did not matter that it was all at his expense, the kid seemed genuinely joyful and that practically made Sam beam with contentment as he, sadly, never really seen her that way and he found his kind heart yearning for more.
Ellie giggled lightly pulling away from his grip and taking a few side steps away from him. Ellie adjusted her navy ballcap on top of her hair line shooting Sam a wide gleeful smile that spread beautifully upon her young feminine features crinkling the sides of her brown eyes that glimmered with a lively and youthful sparkle. Sam couldn't help, but shoot her a genuine smile back relishing in the simple joy it brought him before she pulled the navy ball cap back down into its usual placement just above her eyebrows hiding her sparkling brown eyes from him. However, the round of her chin and her red tinted lips were just visible enough to give Sam a glimpse of the smile that was still playing on her mouth as they walked across the parking lot.
"Maybe we should use that as cover from now on?" Ellie suggested way too excitedly just dying to hear their responses, naughtily aware she was going to be pinching at their nerves soon.
"No." Both Sam and Dean expressed in unison, in the same short adamant tone of firm certainty, confidently confirming that not only was Ellie's suggestion a terrible one, but a suggestion that would never be put into practice.
Ellie snorted shortly with pure amusement mischievously loving every minute of it of the rare opportunity to have the power to embarrass and tease the tough Hunting men.
Unable to suppress her childish urges, Ellie licked her lips before pressing them into tight line of fleeting hesitancy, a wayward twinkle gleaming in her brown eyes as she hurried her pace until she was in front of both Sam and Dean.
"Well come on, dads, I'm starving." Ellie dared to mock once again over her shoulder at the men, an impish smirk of pure delight playing on her lips enjoying the rare realm of power she held over them at the moment. A mischievous thought came into her mind that this could be something she could put in her arsenal and exploit against them down the line thinking awfully like any naughty little prankster would. Ellie smirked widened into a toothy grin thinking of all the prank points she would rack up.
However, what Ellie failed to take into account was Sam and Dean's freedom to tease back if they wished, their adult status holding no ground against the art of immaturity.
Ellie unknowingly pushed her luck one too many times on the gay kick and, little did she know, she was in far more danger of reaping the consequences of her teasing than she was aware of.
Sam and Dean, who were now walking in stride with one another, turned to glance at each other, an unspoken, but telling mischievous glint of retaliation shined across both of their face as they silently plotted against the teenager.
"Hey Ellie." Dean expressed lightly in a casual manner gaining the young girl's attention as she turned around to look at them her feet still retreating backwards across the parking lot.
There was just a slight unsettling edge to Dean's relaxed voice that made Ellie's face fall into a suspicious frown as she squinted her brown eyes feeling an instinctual wariness come over her.
"Come here." Dean ordered in an unbothered tone gesturing a hooked finger towards himself in a beckoning motion. Although it was said in a calm and easygoing manner, like he simply wanted to tell her something, there was just something in the air between them that just felt off and made the teenager feel rightfully uneasy and mistrustful.
Listening to her astute instincts, Ellie slowly shook her head back and forth, a look of distrust upon her young face as continued backpedaling away keeping a comfortable distance between them.
Dean cocked his head to the side and raised a playful eyebrow almost if to say 'why not? I'm a nice guy'. But a small twinkle that played behind his hazel eyes that all but said 'you're a smart girl'.
It wasn't until the two Hunters, in unison, quickened their pace taking noticeably longer strides towards her closing the distance between them rapidly, did Ellie abruptly turn on her heels. A high-pitched adolescent squeak of alarm escaped her lips as she began to book it to the Impala unsure of what the brothers had planned, but whatever it was, she astutely concluded it was to exact revenge on her in some way. Although, there was a daring part of her that was curious to find out, she didn't quite know what she was in store for and was unsure what the men were capable of in terms of teasing. Ellie wasn't about to take her chances and put her fate in the seemingly vengeful men. She mindlessly thought if she could just get to the Impala and plant herself in the backseat then that would possibly spare her somehow. Very flawed and desperate logic on her part.
Ellie may have gotten a few feet before she found her legs being swept from under her. Two strong stiff arms wrapped around her slim toned legs as Dean hoisted her off the pentagon shaped bricks of the parking lot and flung her over his right shoulder. Ellie let out another squeak of fright as air surge from her lungs in pure surprise, not at all expecting to be carried, let alone carried like a sack of potatoes. Ellie's stomach caved into his stiff muscular shoulder making Ellie press her palms onto his broad back to lift up and steady herself, her two brown braid swishing and swinging as the man's broad shoulders swayed with his weighted steps. Dean trudged towards the Impala at a casual and relaxed pace, like he didn't have a thirteen-year-old little girl flung over his shoulder.
"Dean!" Ellie complained feeling a blush of heat spread across her lightly freckled cheeks as she looked to the right then to the left for any witnesses. Luckily for Ellie, no one was in the immediate vicinity to gawk. Although she felt the heat of embarrassment at being carried over Dean's shoulder, there was an odd part of her that secretly relished in it and couldn't help, but let a shy smile of enjoyment slip across her red tinted lips. No one has picked her up in ages and, while she thought herself was far too old for something so silly and childish, it was an unexpected pleasure that gave her a rush of simple elation. It was fun and playful and it made her feel like kid again, something she always fought hard against, but this time, for some reason, it was different and instead of fighting against the feeling, Ellie embraced it for the moment letting herself relish in the forgotten delight of just being a kid.
Sam was only a few steps behind looking completely unbothered as if that's what he expected to occur. However, the side of his lip twitched up into a satisfied smirk when he caught a glimpse of Ellie's pleased little smile sneak across her lips.
Once they reached the Impala in only a few short steps, Dean shifted his muscular arm upwards from under the backs of her thighs to her narrow waist. Dean spun her slim body off his shoulder effortlessly, down and across his body, like she weighed nothing more than a bag of feathers, until she was bent over and tucked securely under his arm like luggage, the tips of her boots just barely touching the pentagon bricks. Dean pressed her bent petite frame into the side of the rigid muscles of his flexed torso tautly and securely putting an uncomfortable strain on Ellie's body as she teetered unsteady in the man's firm grip feeling very much like a duffle bag.
"What should we do with her, Sam?" Dean urged his brother for possibilities as he dripped his down to look at the girl securely tucked underneath his flexed arm who was wiggling slightly in discomfort as his stiff forearm was pressing firmly into her caving stomach. Ellie pressed her palm onto the man's flexed thigh lifting her torso slightly in attempt to awkwardly steady herself and push the tips of her boots further against the bricks
Let me go?
"I don't know, maybe we should put her in the trunk, get some peace and quiet." Sam proposed in a nonchalant manner as he shrugged his shoulders like he was suggesting where to eat rather than stuffing a teenage girl into a truck. "Or we could always just make her brussels sprouts for dinner?" Sam added calculatedly fully aware of the girl's specific dislike for the bitter vegetable recalling the girl's words, something along the lines of 'grass vomit balls'. A mischievous twinkle shinning behind his green eyes was the only indication of his teasing as he expressed it in an such an indifferent and casual way that made Ellie panickily question if he was being serious or not.
"What? No. You can't do that." Ellie declared adamantly in horrid disbelief, an element of disgust in her tone, as she could not think of anything more cruel. He better be joking! She'd take being locked in the truck over eating the detested vegetable. What were they trying to do? Starve her?
"You gonna keep up the gay kick?" Dean challenged looking down at the back of her navy cap raising a playful eyebrow giving her an opportunity to opted out if she wanted. He was curious just how far the girl wanted to take this, but no matter how stubborn she wanted be, Dean would assure she would be destined to lose. He was an experienced veteran and mastered the art of being an unstoppable wiseass humorist. He was over ten years her senior and had twenty-six years under his belt of tormenting and tensing his younger brother. It took commitment, sacrifice and determination and he was not about to fold to a thirteen-year-old little girl who barely hit puberty. He was certain, without a doubt, he could break her easily.
"I might." Ellie dared gallantly, a bite of determination in her tone, not ready to make nice when they threatened her with eating only brussels sprouts for dinner. She wasn't going to give in that easily. What kind of girl would she be if she surrendered without a fight? Besides, she couldn't help, but secretly want to test their wills and play along to see where this was going, part of her enjoying the playful and lighthearted fun of it all. It sure as hell beat them bitching at each other.
"That's it, just spank her then." Sam professed swiftly in a way too decided tone gesturing with an idle wave of his hand dismissive manner, like that's what had to be done and a good spanking was the only way to put an assured stop to it all. Sam fully intended to embarrassed her with the prospect, mischievously, thinking that it would break her stubborn will.
"WHAT? You can't spank me for that! That's so unfair!" Ellie protested appalled suddenly feeling a very real anxiety surge through her as her heart began to pump faster in her chest. The part of her that wanted to see where this was going was rapidly disappearing at an alarming rate.
A slight rosy glow began to blossom on the apples of her cheeks feeling a brush of embarrassment, if not a little pinch of bitterness, as getting her tail busted was, indeed, an actual punishment she received and a serious one at that. Ellie was, honestly, surprised that Sam dared to mention it in jest as she did not find getting her ass spanked a remotely funny topic in her opinion. Ellie came to the swift conclusion that it was clear they were exploiting her aversions and using them against her, attempting to poke at the sore spots they recognized would get to her, in clear hope of making her bow out and break so they would be declared the victors. However, this only set in a fierce determination within her as she pressed her lips in a hard line of competitive resolve with every intention of seeing this to the bitter end. If they think she'll fold over a few empty threats, they were dead wrong. She'd show them. Just hold her beer. She wasn't going down without a fight.
"Say 'we're the best Hunters in the world', maybe I'll reconsider." Dean offered tauntingly tipping his head to the side once in an indifferent manner giving Ellie one last chance to make amends before her fate was 'decided'. Not at all raising above the childish aspects of it all. If she wanted to give then she was going to have to be prepared to take.
"What? Are you serious? No." Ellie declared stubbornly with firm determination, disgusted at the absurd idea, not at all willing to submit to the humiliation of complimenting them. There was no way in hell she wasn't going to stoop so low as to be forced into ass kissing.
Dean cast his attention up to his brother his mouth twisting into a suppressed smirk as his green eyes twinkled with mischievous amusement. Ellie was stubborn that was for sure, but what greatly amused the Hunter was the fact that this little girl thought she had a chance of 'winning' against them.
"I guess she's eating brussels sprouts for dinner and getting a spanking, huh Sammy?" Dean declared reiterating her 'fate' provokingly as if he was confirming with his brother what she had brought upon herself.
"Looks like it." Sam insisted, drawing out a tauntingly exaggerated disappointment, like there was no other choice in the matter and it couldn't be help for the naughty teen.
"Uhhh fine." Ellie grumbled lowly in her throat in a dramatic manner before dipping her head down in defeat allowing the shadow of her ballcap to hid her face. "You're the best Hunters in the world…" Ellie began giving them the idea that she was going to submit to their demands before heroically crushing it into dust.
"…who-are-gay." Ellie spued out the words swiftly from her lips, a tight smile of smug satisfaction spreading across her red tinted lips feeling herself fill with prideful gallantry at not relinquishing the teasing power struggle as easily as they suspected.
"Oooo." Dean jeered tauntingly in a tone that you would expect form a middle school kid when someone was called down to the principal's office. "You asked for it, kid." Dean declared decidedly as he swiftly shifted Ellie's weight higher against his side and adjusted his arm firmer around her narrow waist. With the young teenager bent over and firmly tucked under his strong arm, Dean began to march her along side of the Impala to the front passenger wheel. Ellie whined slightly at the uncomfortable strain that was being put on her body as Dean carried the brunt of the young girl's weight under his strong forearm that was caving into her stomach. Ellie struggled to gain traction as the tips over her boots barely scurried along the bricks.
It wasn't until Dean settling his backside on the side of the black hood of his precious car and Ellie's boots became firmly planted on the ground, did Ellie come to the horrid realization of Dean's intentions. Ellie's eyes grew wide with dreaded shock as Dean swiftly maneuvered her to bend over his leg forcing Ellie's torso over his bent left thigh, that he had raised slightly against the side of his car, as her forearms and palms came to rest on the top of the shiny black hood.
"No, wait! Wait!" Ellie fiercely objected, her tone swiftly changing into one of panicked stricken horror, as she did not expect the man's teasing to go as far as to actual put her over his knee in a freaking public parking where anyone could see her in the compromising position. Ellie, instantly, felt heat flush across her complexion and burn the tips of her ears as she pictured people's possible view of her. It was at that moment where Ellie drew the line as it was downright humiliating to the teenager's delicate pride, not having the stomach to endure such embarrassment. It's puzzling as it seemed the teenager would brave a hunted Asylum full of vengeful spirits, yet, didn't have the guts to face the humiliating prospect of someone seeing her bent over Dean's knee.
Ellie instantly pressed her palms onto the Impala's sleek hood and attempted to lift her bent frame up, but Dean simply pressed his strong arm against her in resistance keeping her in place. Realizing the cruel man wasn't going to let her up without her explicit surrender, Ellie clenched her teeth and bitterly caved.
"You're the best Hunters in the world." Ellie grumbled sourly through gritted teeth and tight lips under great reluctance, almost wanting to spit after saying it, hating giving in and letting the two Hunters 'win' the power contest she made up in her head, but Dean didn't give her much choice in the matter as there was no way in hell she going to risk further embarrassment upon herself. What if he starting spanking her? The horror of that notion would be unbearable. Pretend or not, that would suck on so many levels for the thirteen-year-old and would shatter her pride and dignity to a point she was no willing to accept. And after all those threats of actually getting her tail blistered today made her downright nervous and fearful of her backside being anywhere near the Hunter's calloused palm even if he was just teasing her.
"What was that? Sam, did you hear something? I could've sworn…" Dean teased puckishly wanting the young teenager to openly repeat her submission. There was a part of Dean that wanted to shine a serious light on her gritty stubbornness and to show her where it would get her with him.
"I said you're the best Hunters in the world. Now let me up. You're embarrassing me. People are gonna think I'm getting a real lickin'." Ellie grumbled in a tone that indicated she was absolutely done joking around and true raw embarrassment had taken over, out weighing her desire to continue to fight for triumph.
"No, they're not." Dean dismissed in an unbothered manner completely disagreeing with her as he released his hold around her narrow waist allowing the teenager to get up. Wasting no time, Ellie immediately pushed her palms against the hood and straightened herself off Dean's firm thigh into a standing position taking a retreating step back.
"Not without any screaming and crying they're not." He added lightly as he flashed a contented and amused smile at her, his hazel eyes twinkling with a slight smug satisfaction as he placed his hand on his lifted thigh leaning forward slightly in casual and relaxed manner. Appearing completely unbothered and unaware at just how embarrassing that really was to a young girl of thirteen where image was important. Perhaps she would have shrugged it off if she was five years old or didn't receive spankings as actual punishments in her life.
Ellie tilted her head up slightly as she looked at him from underneath the brim of her hat. A youthful and embarrassed pout lined her lips, a slight bitterness edging her sulky expression not practically enjoying the humbling experience feeling herself squirm in discomfort showing him her bruised pride from the bold teasing.
"Oh, lighten up, kiddo, no one saw." Dean reassured her dismissively promising that her dignity was safe from any prying eyes and that there was no need to sulk as he urged her to be good sport about it and toughen up her skin.
"If you want to dish it out, you got to be prepared to take it. Winchester rule." Dean rendered giving her a pointed look challenging her pouty expression, unsympathetic to her pride which he found to be excessive at times and in need of being taken down a few notches.
Ellie chewed on her bottom lip as a contrite blush spread to the tips of her ears, his words hitting harder than she expected. She supposed she did instigate it, but, still, being pulled across his lap in public, teasing or not, was a bit drastic and uncalled for, in her humble opinion, especially since he has taken it upon himself to give her an actual licking in the past and threatened her plenty of times before.
"I kinda like you laughing and smiling for a change. Think you can do that more?" Dean urged enjoying the spark of life it seemed to give her.
Ellie found her shoulders coming up to her ears in a brief shrug. "Maybe." She guessed she had the will to seek it, but wasn't entirely sure the circumstances would allow it. It was often hard to find happiness when such evil was in the world. There was a misguided part of her that felt a brush of guilt for even being joyful when her uncle was in danger and on the run. She wondered if he even got a moment to smile or laugh these past few weeks, she doubted it greatly. Even though her spurt of carefree glee was only for a short moment, it seemed unfair and unfitting somehow.
"Can you?" Ellie countered turning the tables on the Hunter taking the attention off of her emotions.
Dean threw his arms out to his sides in a playful gesture as if to say 'you're kidding right?'. "I wrote the freaking book on comedy, kid." Dean declared smugly a gleaming smile spreading over his mouth showing the girl he was very much willing, anytime and anyplace, to spread his comedic prowess.
Ellie had to stifle an eye roll at the man's enthusiasm, opting to shake her head instead breathing out a brisk airy scoff through her nose as she felt an unexpected small smirk of contentment creep across her lips. The man sure was a novelty in the Hunting world. She guessed he could be a 'joy to be around' if he wanted to.
"Right, you're hilarious." Sam deadpanned in pure sarcasm obviously disagreeing with him, a slight bitterness of getting his ass swatted by his 26-year-old brother in front of the attractive woman who thought they were a gay couple which he was still recovering from.
"Glad we agree, little brother." Dean offered with a cheesy smile before pushing himself off the hood of his prized car.
Unable to resist his urge, the man reached out and grabbed the brim of the girl's ballcap and pulled it downwards giving it a playful shake before rounding the front of the Impala towards the driver's side door.
Ellie took a step back immediately reaching up and readjusting her ballcap twisting her lips into a mild forced pout, but she, honestly, didn't mind it. It was strange, but the teasing she was being shown was oddly affectionate in some way and Ellie couldn't help, but relish in the simple, but powerful boost it gave to her spirit. Perhaps she wasn't all together a torment to them. Maybe she gave them something of worth. And perhaps getting bent over his knee to be teased wasn't so bad. It was, after all, all in good fun and he wasn't actual going to spank her. Not that she would want it to happen again any time soon as it still was dreadfully embarrassing, but at least no one saw and it was just between them.
"Let get some chow." Dean announced eagerly over the top of the Impala's roof as he opened the driver's door and slide into his rightful seat.
Ellie turned to peer up at Sam who gave her warm tight smile, a gentleness upon his sharp and handsome features. "Don't worry, we're not going to make you eat brussels sprouts." Sam assured lightly before walking past her placing his large heavy palm down onto top of her ballcap giving her head a light affection ruffle before opening the passenger side door and getting in.
Ellie felt her lips curl up into a small pleased smile as she got into the back seat feeling an encouraging and comforting elation lift her spirits. And this time she did not attempt to analyze or contradict the contentment. The young teenager simply allowed herself to appreciate it for the moment and let it be enough.
TBC
Thought I needed to lighten things up before it went back to being angsty and dark. Hopefully it was a good addition.
Got the next chapter almost complete. Just got to find the time to edit and tie up a few odds and ends. So, stay tuned more to come soon!
Please review! I love everyone's thoughtful insight.
Thanks for reading!