Chapter 8: Finding Balance

A/N: This was my first dabbling in the world of FF. It's funny to see it now and find those hesitating moments of what I deemed too crass to see in my own writing. With that, since writing it, I have more than once received feedback requesting a scene with Sam, so 7 years later, I shall concede and give this story a little more life. Enjoy!

As hard as things were before admitting my feelings for Dean, they became that much more difficult to navigate moving forward.

Dean didn't care what his brother saw. I, on the other hand, preferred to keep things more private. Dean took that as a challenge to see what I'd be willing to do, tricking me more than once.

However, hunts ran more smoothly. I was allowed to break off with one of them, rather than all of us being forced to go everywhere together.

Dean stuck to the punishments as agreed to. And, to my surprise, one of the times I was asked to make myself scarce, I found that Dean was the one walking funny.

The best part about it was how close the brothers were after. Dean was much more playful, and Sam was more than willing to play along.

Anyway, there was news of a monster nearby, but Dean was dealing with something with Cas.

"You two will be fine without me."

"But–"

"No, Stella. I'm not letting Sam go alone, and you're the only one available right now."

I pouted at him, but he just laughed and kissed my protruding lips.

"I'll be fine with Cas. You two go. And behave. I'll see you in a week."

"A WEEK?! WHY SO LONG?!"

Dean chuckled.

"Cas isn't exactly sure what he's looking for, so we need to do some scouting."

"Ugh."

"We've gotta get going. I'll be back as soon as I can, though. Promise."

He encased me in his arms, squeezing me tightly before kissing the top of my head.

"Fine. Be safe."

"You, too, honey buns."

I rolled my eyes, walking away to check on Sam.

"Hey, Sam. I hear we're teamed up for a bit. What can I do to assist?"

"Stella! I was just coming to get you. I think it's a Wraith. All signs point to that. Brush up on your knowledge and then pack a bag. We'll head out in a few hours."

I did just that, Sam quizzing me on the drive there. When we had almost arrived, Sam got a call. I could tell Dean was at the other end, but I couldn't make out what was being said. Based on Sam's responses, I could deduce it wasn't good.

When Sam ended the call, I waited for an update, but when only silence remained and my phone had no notifications, I chimed in.

"Everything good?"

"Yeah. Just some unexpected guests."

"Oh?"

"We're almost there. Keep an eye out for this building."

Sam tossed the tablet at me, effectively ending the conversation, but not my worry.

I was able to focus enough to find our location, but when Sam got another text and frowned at his phone, I couldn't take it anymore. As soon as we got out of the car, I cornered him.

"Tell me what's going on, Sam. I have as much of a right to know as you."

"If that were the case, Dean would have texted both of us. Come on. Let's get this taken care of so we can get back."

"Can't we just call someone else to take care of this? I'm sure it's not that bad."

Sam tossed me a silver knife.

"We're already here. Let's just get the job done."

"But, Sam, I–"

"Stop. Part of this life is doing things you don't always want to do. Trust me. It'll be better being distracted for a bit."

I pouted slightly, kicking up some dirt. I knew he was right. But I also knew that he was stubborn enough to constantly break the rules. One thing I knew without a doubt was that the quicker this was finished, the quicker we could get back on the road so that I could convince Sam that we needed to help Dean.

So, while Sam dug around for some other provisions, I took off to where I knew the Wraith would be.

I'll give you one guess as to what happened.

Did you guess that I would choose the path with the weakened floor that collapsed beneath me, effectively knocking me out while Sam took care of everything?

Well. You'd be absolutely correct.

Was that the longest car ride home I've ever been on?

Probably.

The hardest part was not knowing whether I would have to wait for Dean to come back now or if Sam would just take care of the punishment on his own and call it good.

When we pulled up to the bunker, I didn't move, not wanting to make the wrong decision.

"Go wait on the couch. I'll be in shortly."

I shuddered at the coldness in his voice. I was sure this wasn't about to be pleasant.

After what felt like forever, Sam finally came in. He had a bag of ice, a rag, alcohol, some bandaids, and a flashlight. When I had been thoroughly inspected and cleared, the reprimanding began.

"I can't believe you'd do something so stupid after so long with us. What were you thinking?"

"I, I just wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible to get back here so we can help Dean."

Sam sighed, tossing his hands up.

"Of course, you did. Did you stop to finish that thought with the realization that doing the work together could go that much faster?"

I dropped my head, fiddling with my hands.

"No. I didn't really make it that far."

Sam squatted in front of me, taking my chin in his fingers and tipping my head up.

"Stella look at me. What you did was stupid. I don't care if you wanted it to help. You know damn well it was for selfish reasons. That's how people get hurt. That stubborn-headed bullcrap won't fly with me. And since I'm the one you were with, Dean agreed that I could handle your punishment."

I quickly stood, nearly knocking Sam down in the process.

"What?! But… you don't…I can't… wh–"

"I can, and I will. Just because Dean isn't here doesn't mean you'll get away with stuff. I won't let you mope around causing trouble. And don't try to tell me you wouldn't. You're far too similar to me for that."

I blurted out a quick laugh, feeling my cheeks burn. I really couldn't argue.

"Fine. Can we just get it over with, then?"

Sam quickly pulled me in for a hug, sighing gently.

"I really wish you would have just listened, Stella. I never wanted to have to be the one to do this."

My eyes quickly filled with tears.

"Neither did I, but I know it's what's needed... for both of us."

Same separated us, looking at me sternly before guiding me with him back to the couch. He sat, keeping hold of my arm.

"Lay over me."

I chuckled to myself, imagining Dean being vulnerable for this.

"I'm not sure this a laughing matter, so was there something else you'd like to share with the class?"

I sucked in my air, biting my lips together and shaking my head furiously as I settled across his lap.

The second I laid down, Sam started in. There was no warning. No warmup. No holding back.

I gasped, unprepared for the downpour. My mind recalled every time Sam had warmed up my ass previously to this. I had always assumed he went hard and fast because he knew Dean was going to deliver the full punishment. But now I knew that was just the way Sam doled out a spanking. It was certainly effective as he kept up his speed.

After several minutes of this, I was unable to control my wiggling, but without a word, Sam simply adjusted my legs to be pinned. He continued his onslaught until I finally cried out.

"I'm sorry, Sammy! Please!"

He paused briefly.

"For what?"

When I didn't answer within a few seconds, he started up again, full force.

I growled through clenched teeth. I knew that I deserved everything he was giving me, but I really hated that he had to be the one doing it. I did my best to accept it all, but it really just fucking hurt. Every time I tried to relax into it, he somehow increased the pain.

I struggled against him, wanting it to stop. Instead, I tried apologizing again.

"I'm sorry for taking off without you and not communicating my plan or properly checking my surroundings!"

The words sounded great in my head, though what came out was much more broken up by my cries and Sam's heavy-handed blows to my ass.

"And?"

Sam paused to let me think, gently rubbing my back.

"And I'm sorry for not trusting you to tell me after the job was done."

Sam sighed loudly.

"No. That's not… it's not my place to tell you this. Dean would have told you if he wanted you to know. The other transgression was leaving without your phone."

"I did?! Well, shit."

Sam chuckled, then sighed gently.

"Almost done. Though I make no guarantees about Dean not taking the belt to you later. You will be completely forgiven on my end. Got it?"

"Yeah," I mumbled.

"Good."

A beat later, Sam's massive hand was back to paint the story of my mistakes across my reddening flesh. I tried my best to just take it, but the differences in the ways the brothers punished me were just enough to make each spanking more effective than the last.

Even without the belt, I knew I'd be feeling it. I was honestly surprised that Dean wasn't walking more funny after a session with Sam.

As I lay limply over the couch, creating a growing puddle of tears, Sam slowly decreased his speed and force until the spanking completely ceased.

He drew gentle circles on my back until I calmed down. I felt myself being sucked away from exhaustion, and the last thing I recalled was being gently carried to my bed, tucked in, with a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Sweet dreams, Stella."

I groaned softly before letting darkness consume me.