chapter three
Dean cleared his throat and finally spoke. "Come 'ere Rosie."
Rosie swallowed the lump in her throat and turned around to face her brother. His flannel was unbuttoned and his sleeves were rolled up to the middle of his arm. Tears began to prematurely fill the young girl's eyes as she took shaky steps to her oldest brother. As soon as she got close enough to him, Dean pulled her between his knees. Rosie continued to look down at her feet, finding it impossible to meet his disappointed eyes.
"Rosie," He began, lifting her chin for her eyes to meet his steely green ones. "Eyes up here kiddo."
Her head felt as heavy as stone as she complied. "Bubba, I'm so sorry." Rosie whispered, finding it almost impossible to hold his gaze.
"Don't apologize, Rosie," Dean stated, shaking his head. "I am beyond pissed at you right now kid. You're seventeen fucking years old and you pull something like this? This is what stupid ass little kids do, not adult fucking Winchesters."
Rosie's jaw set and for the first time since they had started talking, she became angry. "I am an adult Winchester," She mumbled not so quietly under her breath.
"What was that?" He questioned.
Rosie gained an ounce of courage and immediately decided to abuse it. "I am a fucking adult Winchester, Dean." She said more firmly. Right away, she could tell that she overstepped the little patience that Dean had left for her.
In one swift motion Rosie was over her brother's knee and felt a sharp sting on her butt. "I tried to be patient Rosie." Another swat fell, "But if you want to act like a kid, you're gonna be treated like one," Dean's hand fell heavy and fast until tears brimmed the eyes of the young girl.
"De—Dean p…please I-I'm sooorry!" She tried to plead through her tears. After around 20 swats, Dean sat her up and placed Rosie back between his knees.
"Are you ready to talk, or should we finish the ass beating before the lecture." Dean warned menacingly.
Rosie violently shook her head. "No! No, I'm ready. I'm sorry bubba," She said, trying to rub some of the sting from her butt. "That hurt Dean,"
Dean laughed to himself a little, "It's supposed to kiddo. That's kinda the whole entire point." He sat up straight and forcefully grabbed under her chin. "But the next time you swear at me, you'll be eating soap, got me? No more."
Rosie nodded her head. There was no way that she wanted to have her mouth washed out with soap. There was something about the cheap motel soap that made it taste worse than anything that she could ever imagine.
"I'm gonna need to hear a verbal answer Rosie."
"Yes," She said quietly.
"Yes what?"
"Yes sir," Rosie nodded, still feeling the rough Winchester hand under her chin.
Dean sighed and removed his hand. Releasing her from his knees, he stood to his feet and walked over to the motel kitchen. Dean opened the fridge and grabbed a cheap local beer from the shelf, removing the lid with the tip of his blade. Rosie stared at him like a prey watching their attacker get ready to fight.
"There is so much to unpack her Rosie, that truthfully, I don't even know where to start," He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I mean notonly did I find you drunk, hours after I told you not to touch our alcohol, but you also stole painkillers from our med kit! AND you tried to steal and drive MY baby. I mean," He said raising his hands, "I should belt you on fucking principal for that last one." Rosie didn't know what to say, so she just nodded her head, unable to produce any words.
"I fu— screwed up," She amended, "I know that Dean. I never should have tried to take Baby."
"First thing, watch your mouth. I swear Rosie if I even hear the word ass come out of your mouth right now, we're done talking."
"Yes sir," She said quickly, playing with her hands in her lap.
He looked over at his sister with genuine curiosity in her eyes. "Rosie, what did you think was going to happen?" She looked up at him in question.
"W-what?"
"You heard me, what did you think was going to happen? Did you think that we would never find out about the drinking? Or the painkillers? I mean eventually we would find out about the medication because it would be gone when we need it." He stopped for a minute and continued to look at her sadly, "And did you really think that we wouldn't find out about the … the damage you did to your body?" Dean's voice dropped a little lower, but not necessarily in anger, but more so in concern.
Rosie stood at a loss for words, but tried to answer before getting in trouble. "I wasn't thinking about the future, or covering it up," She said honestly, getting an eyebrow raise from her brother. "I was focused on the moment." Rosie took a deep breath and looked at her brother dead in the eyes. "Everything about this life is damaging. When you or Sam or dad leave on a hunt, I am always left behind. Do you realize how difficult that is? How hard it is to not be good enough to go with you or do what Winchester's are supposed to do! We are supposed to hunt and protect people and I'm just," Rosie paused, "extra luggage."
"HEY!" Dean barked at his sister, "You're not 'extra luggage,'" Dean said darkly, "If you ever say that to me again, you'll be sorry little girl…"
Rosie shook her head as tears began to brim her eyes again. "But it's true bubba. Or at least that's how it feels. That's why I do this," She motioned towards her stomach and chest. "Because it makes me feel like I have control over something." Rosie looked up at her brother and with full honesty she said, "Everyone in this family lies to me. About where they are going or what they are doing. Even you and Sammy do, because I know that you are trying to protect me; but this," She pulled her pocket knife out of her pocket, "This has never lied to me. I know that everytime it will hurt and it will make me bleed. This is the only thing that has ever been completely honest with me."
A pregnant pause filled the room, as two of the Winchester siblings stood across from each other in a dual of emotions. Dean's anger was beginning to reach the brim, but he also realized that in some sick way, she wasn't wrong. There were times in the life that they had to lie to their sister, but it wasn't because they wanted to, it was just what needed to be done to keep her safe.
Dean forcefully put his beer down on the counter and looked over at his sister. "Sit." He ordered, pointing to one of the kitchen chairs. As Rosie took a seat on the uncomfortable wooden kitchen chair, she saw Dean's hand extend down to her level. "Give it to me," Came the words that she knew that he would say. Nonetheless, it didn't make them any easier to hear.
"No," She whispered, looking down at the knife in her hands.
"I'm sorry, maybe you heard that as a suggestion, so let me rephrase that," He began again, his voice growling almost too much like John Winchester's. "Give me the fucking knife Rosie." When she didn't respond immediately, Dean gave her one final warning. "I swear Rosie, if I have to take it from you, you will not like what happens."
Rosie looked up at him with puppy dog eyes that matched Sam's. "Please, bubba. This is all I have sometimes. This is the only thing that helps me Dean,"
Dean's hand went back to his side and anger filled his body, "What do you mean that is all you have?! Do you not see me right in front of you right now? I mean," He motioned towards his body, "I'm right here kid, you got me full attention right now."
Rosie took a deep breath and flipped open the knife, giving it one last look. There was a series of blood lining the blade and she couldn't help but feel numb at the memory. Closing the blade she handed it upwards to her brother, who had a look of shock in his eyes.
"What the fuck Rosie," He whispered, talking the knife from her hand and opening it up to see the blood once more. "Kid," He started to say but was cut off.
"Can we just leave it for now? I'm in enough hot water as it is without adding this into the mix." She tried to lighten the mood, but was met with the stone cold face of Dean.
"We don't joke about this Rosie," He said with intimidation. "This isn't something that I'm taking lightly." Rosie nodded and wiped her nose with her sleeve. He sighed and closed the blade, putting it into his pocket. "Let me be clear about two things," He began holding up a finger, "One. This is mine. I know that dad gave this to you, but until further notice it doesn't exist. And, if you try to take it back from me, there will be serious consequences. Understand?" Rosie looked at him sadly before nodding her head in agreement.
"Yes Dean," She said quietly.
Dean held up another finger, "Two. When we have a chat tonight, when your ass meets my belt, I want you to understand that I am not punishing you for hurting yourself. If anything it is for not coming to us when you are hurting. You know that we are always here but yet you chose to do this instead." Dean kneeled to meet her eye level. "You hurt my feelings here kid." She looked up at him in surprise.
"How…? I hurt your feelings?" Rosie asked in
"Yeah, Rosie you did. You chose this stupid piece of steel over me." She looked at him in horror. "You decided to have a 'conversation' with a knife, over me." He looked at her uncharacteristically sad. "Kiddo, I'm your brother. It's my job to protect you and I failed."
"No, Dean you —"
"Rosie, shut up I'm not done." He interrupted. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you needed me to be, that I wasn't paying close enough attention. I promise that is changing. In fact, you're gonna wish that I wasn't paying attention," He smiled, "Because you're done with this," He motioned towards her stomach, "This is over. You don't need this stupid piece of steel anymore. You have me, kiddo and that is not a lie." Rosie was now freely crying as Dean was crouched down in front of her chair. Without warning, she launched herself into his arms. Tears began to soak through his flannel, and the young girl's arms wrapped tightly around her older brother. "I know Rosie. It's okay," He spoke softly, rubbing circles on her back. A couple minutes went by, before her breathing settled down and she was able to exhale normally. "Hey," He began, pulling her away from his chest. "Did Sam patch you up?" He asked, pulling the collar of her shirt down a tad to get a look at the possible stitching.
"Yes, Dean." She whispered, looking down at her cut. Rosie knew that the talking portion of their conversation was coming to an end and pretty soon the only thing that will be talking was Dean's hand to her ass.
"Good," He said, standing up and extending his hand down to his sister. "Alright Rose," Dean continued helping Rosie to her feet. The soft loving side of Dean left as soon as it had arrived and he cupped the side of his sister's face. "I love you Rosie, but you still fucked up. It's my job to fix that and hold you accountable." Dean's voice was serious as Rosie cringed.
"Yes sir," She responded respectfully, not wanting to add any to her already possibly brutal punishment.
"Alright Rosie," He began, "Come on." Dean led him and his sister to the bed, where he took a seat on the edge of the mattress. "Listen Rosie. You're seventeen now and you know that this shit doesn't fly in this house," He said seriously. "You've known that since you were first spanked as a little kid." Rosie once more cringed at the word, as it made her feel like a little kid again. "Hey," Dean said, pulling her out of her thoughts, "Are you listening to me Rosie?"
"Yes sir," She responded sadly.
"You've got three big things to pay for her kid. You've got the drinking and stealing of our alcohol. Which, as you know, is already worthy of the belt."
"Dean ple—"
"No, Rosie. Now is the time to listen. Not talk." Dean warned. "Next, you stole medication Rose, and not just any medication but something that is incredibly difficult to get a hold of. Something that really only dad can get a hold of. Which," He paused, staring at her seriously, "is another thing we need to talk about." Dean took a deep breath and managed to continue. "We have to tell dad, Rosie. No, don't start," Dean said when he saw her wanting to interrupt. "This is one reason that I'm pissed, kid. I don't want to tell dad. Hell, if he never had to know about this, I would never complain. But, this is something that we have to tell him because his fake name is on the bottle!"
Rosie nodded her head, once more wiping her nose on her shirt sleeve. "Yes Dean," She responded sadly, "But Dean, what if he kills me? I mean this is big…"
Dean's lips curled upwards. "He's not going to kill you Rose. Listen, I will always protect you and that includes dad." Rosie nodded her head, finding her socks particularly interesting as she was unable to find the courage to meet his eyes.
"Lastly Rosie, you tried to steal my fucking car. That, above all, may be the worst." He growled at his sister. "And not only did you try to steal it, but you also tried to do so while drinking. Kid! I mean if you had put her into drive and I couldn't make it out on time, not only Baby, but you would have also been seriously hurt, more so than you already are now."
Rosie sighed, "Yes Dean," Came her quiet reply.
"Hey," He began, finding a way to meet her eyes, "This isn't going to be easy, kid. You fucked up and this is too big of a mistake for just one ass beating. So here's the deal, you acted like a child and this is me treating you like one. It's Tuesday and dad won't be able to make it back till Sunday, so every night this week you're getting a spanking before you go to bed."
"Dea—"
"No, Rose. You earned this, plain and simple."
"But Dean, I'm seventeen, you can't just span— punish me like that anymore." Her voice became somewhat full of complaints. "You have no right anymore."
"Yes, yes I do have every right and if you keep arguing, I'll add in the hairbrush evernight. Is that what you want?"
Rosie quickly and violently shook her head. "No sir." She responded sadly, then her face turned green. "But what about dad?"
"What about him?" Dean asked.
"Isn't he gonna…? You know,"
"Yeah, he probably will, but don't you think you deserve it kid?" Rosie took a deep breath and her head fell in defeat.
"Yes Dean," Her voice was quiet.
Dean slapped his knees and motioned for his sister to come over to him. "Well come on kid, let's do this." Rosie's face once more turned green. She had been so focused on lessening her future punishments that she had forgotten all about the one that was to come tonight.
"De …" She said, raising her hands in defeat.
"No Rosie, this isn't up for debate. Get your ass over here. Because if I have to come and get you, I'm adding five extra with the belt." A little gasp escaped from her lips, as she quickly made her way closer to Dean. "Pants down Rosie." He ordered, giving her belt loop a gentle tug.
"Dean please," She tried to reason.
"Rosie I swear if any other words come out of your mouth except for 'yes, Dean and sir,' you will not like the consequences."
"Yes sir," She responded sadly, lowering her pants down to her ankles. In one swift motion Rosie found herself over Dean's knee with a little. UMPH. Dean was careful, not wanting to hurt her stomach in any way with the open wounds and definitely did not want to mess up any stitches that Sam had placed.
Other than that, he wasted no time with preamble. Swats started to fall fast and swift and Rosie's breath was taken away from her. She didn't even bother to count, because she knew that Dean didn't care about numbers — only about making sure that she had learned her lesson. After Dean's hand made his first round, laying down swats from her lower thigh all the way up to the upper part of her butt, Rosie started to feel a furnace build in her butt. Her arms wrapped tightly around his calf and the pleads started to make themselves known.
"De, please I'm sorry, I won't. AH!" A particularly hard swat fell on her sit spot.
"Why are we here Rose," He eventually started to speak, continuing to lay down painful stings all over her behind. Dean's hand paused for a moment while Rosie built up the lung capacity to speak.
"B—because I … I stole your booze and got drunk!" She managed to stutter out.
"And why is that wrong?" He asked, his hand dropping three more swats.
"AH! Because … because," She couldn't find an answer. She knew that it was wrong to steal? Maybe that was the answer? "Because I s-stole from y…you!"
"Yes," He responded, laying down more painful stings, "But also because you're too young to be drinking and walking around wasted. Got it?" He asked laying down a fast and hard set of swats to her sit spots.
"Y-yes Dean! I p-promise I w…won't do it again! I-I'm sorry!"
"Good." He answered shortly. The second round of hits fell even harder than the first. Tears now stung the young girl's eyes and her pleas were becoming louder and more frequent.
"DeAN, OW! P…please STOP!" Rosie's voice was becoming louder as her behind was starting to become a crimson red.
"Number two," Dean's voice finally piped up. "Why are we here?"
"The PAINKILLERS!" She yelled loudly as Dean's hand didn't pause while she spoke. "I stole them AND put your lives in danger … AH! Dean, please!"
"Finish what you were saying Rosie," He said with no sympathy.
"I would if you would STOP!" Rosie exclaimed loudly and suddenly Dean's hand froze.
"Hips up," He said darkly.
"No, Dean please, please."
"First and only warning or they are coming down."
"Yes sir," She said, trying her hardest to be respectful. There was no limit to how much a little piece of material would protect her behind and there was no way she was going to be willingly belted on the bare.
"Rosie," He warned when she didn't continue to speak. She was met with another handful of swats.
"I'm s…sorry!" She tried.
"Tell me why taking the painkillers is wrong." Dean ordered, pausing the onslaught of hits to her behind.
"B…because if y-you guys got hurt, a-and there weren't any l…left then you may p-pass out and be in a lot of pain…" Her voice trailed off, "And that would be my f-fault."
"That's right, Rosie," He started landing three more swats to her thighs as she cried out. "But also, because drug addiction isn't something that I'm gonna allow my baby sister to fall into. You're better than that Rosie, and I'll be damned if I let you continue to do that. Do. You. Understand. Me?" He asked, punctuating each word with a sharp sting.
"AH! Y-YES, yes I u-understand! Dean, PLEASE s-stop!"
"Not yet, Rosie." Another set of swats fell onto her behind. This was Dean's third and final round, as well as the most painful.
"DEAN!" She sobbed, "P—please stop b-bubba!" Rosie tried to plead. Rosie tried to reach her hand back to stop the painful onslaught but was met with Dean's angry voice.
"Move your hand Rosie, now." He growled at his sister.
"Please Dean, please," Rosie begged, looking back at her brother, with big watery blue eyes. Dean sighed and pinned her hand to her back.
"Almost done, Rosie." And with that Dean landed four more swats. "What's the third reason that we are here?" He asked, rubbing circles on the sobbing girls back.
"B-b-because I tried to s…steal BABY!" She cried out with regret. "Bubba, I'm so sorry!"
"I know kiddo," He said gently. "Why is that wrong, Rosie?"
"Because she is y-yours and it d-dangerous and irr-irresponsible!"
Rosie yelled out again, as Dean's hand fell once again. "Listen to me Rosie." He began. "Baby is family, but your life is more important. You could have seriously injured yourself, because you were acting like an idiot. Do you understand me, Rose? If something happened to you, I don't know what I would do…" His voice trailed off, as his eyes closed for a brief moment.
"Bubba…" Her sentence was cut short with another hard swat.
"No, Rosie, don't bubba me. You fucked up. If you ever and I mean ever put your life in danger again, this spanking is gonna feel like a walk in the park. Do you understand me?" He asked laying another short round of swats.
"Y-YES Dean!" Dean tipped her body forward and landed one final round to her sit spots. Rosie hadn't even realized that he was done, until the only sound that was heard was the gentle weeping of the young girl. Dean continued to rub circles on her back.
"Just breathe Rosie," Dean said gently but yet somehow sternly. After a few moments, Rosie got up and positioned herself on top of her brother's knee. But before she collapsed into his chest, he moved her to stand on the floor. "One more thing Rosie," Dean said ominously, reaching his hands down to his belt and beginning to unbuckle the latch.
Rosie quickly backed away from her brother, but was met with a firm hand on her shoulder. "Please, Dean," She cried, "Not the belt! I promise, I'll never do it again!"
"I know you won't Rosie." He said, pulling the belt from the loops. "This is just gonna make sure of that." Her chest began to rise and fall rapidly as she saw the menacing look plastered on Dean's face.
"Bend over the bed, Rosie." She shook her head, trying to escape from his hand.
"No, Dean … please …" Rosie tried, still struggling against his grip.
"Rosie," Dean warned, "Bend over the bed. Now." His silent but ever so deadly voice left no room for disobedience.
"Y-yes sir," She replied, slowly draping herself down onto the cheap smelling and feeling motel mattress. "Dean," She began, trying to look over her shoulder. "H-how many?" Her little voice asked.
"I don't have a number Rosie. Focus on why this is happening, not how many." And with that the felt sting of the belt fell. Rosie cried out in pain as the leather warmed the already burning hot surface of her behind. She tried to prepare herself for what she was sure was not going to be an easy belting. After Rosie had counted the first five lashes, she began to cry out in pain.
"DEAN!" She cried out. "Please STOP!"
"Hush, Rosie." He said softly, releasing the folded belt down on her butt again.
"AHh!" Rosie exclaimed, gripping the comforter as tightly as she could. Her teeth gritted against one another and her eyelids were forcefully shut together in pain. Rosie couldn't think straight anymore. A combination of guilt, pain and sadness filled her mind and her mind reached its tipping point. Rosie's body followed her mind, and soon enough she laid limp across the motel bed, tears soaking the old blanket.
"Five more Rosie," She heard Dean's voice break through her thoughts. The last five lashes fell fast and hard on her sit spots. Rosie heard the belt fall onto the ground and Dean pulled down her pants the rest of the way, taking them off completely. He pulled her long stolen, oversized shirt over to cover her now darker than crimson behind. "Rosie," His voice was soft, "We're all done, kiddo." Rosie quickly shot up and crashed herself into her brother like a wave of pent up emotion. "I know Rosie, I know…" Dean said gently wrapping his arms around her in a bear hug. His hand brushed through her hair, as the sounds of Rosie's weeping filled the motel room. Small hiccups crying echoed through the walls.
After about two minutes, Rosie pulled herself away from Dean and looked down at her hands. "I—I'm so so sorry b-bubba…" Came her tearful voice.
Dean gently put his hands under her chin once more. "It's all done Rosie. All is forgiven." He gave her a small smile, "Okay?" She nodded her head and just as quickly collapsed back into her brother. Dean continued to hold her until her breathing went from larger weeps to small, gentle hiccups.
Carefully pulling his sister away from his chest, Dean saw that her eyes had closed and sleep had overtaken the young girl. Dean grinned and carefully picked her up, draping her onto the mattress behind him and tucking her into the covers. He felt at peace for a moment, until dread overtook him.
Dad was coming, and he was coming soon.