Scared Sightless, 7/9, [PG13] Dean & Sam
Title: Scared Sightless
Disclaimer: If I owned I probably wouldn’t have so much time on my hands…
Warnings/spoilers: To be safe I’ll say the first three seasons but major spoilers for season 3 specifically 3x15, Time is on My Side.
A/N: Huge thanks to sendintheklowns and gidgetgal9 for both being being awesome betas. They have been so helpful and inspiring and I just can't thank them enough! These girls are amazing!
Word Count: 3,255
Summary: Dean’s timing is everything, one second later and things can go much differently. Time is on my Side (3x15) tag. Limp&Hurt!Sam
Master Post
~*~*~
Sam instinctively goes into hunter mode at the familiar sound, and he reaches for the gun he typically carries at his back but remembers it isn’t there. Frantically he works his mind for a way to gain the upper hand but there’s so many factors working against him right now. He knows that Dean is more than capable of handling such a situation but he can’t stand doing nothing while there’s a gun pointed at his brother.
His head begins to pound but he pushes the pain aside, focusing on helping Dean for a change. Suddenly a flash of light forces him to take heed as the pain spikes to a new level. He digs his fists into his eyes trying desperately to relieve the pain so that he can return his attention to Dean.
Slowly the pain starts to recede and he lowers his fists as the painful light starts to clear from his eyes. The light finally vanishes leaving the darkness seeping in once more, but to Sam’s surprise the darkness isn’t quite as dark as it was before.
Though things are still fairly dark and blurry, he is able to make out the shapes of the three people below him, two holding what he knows to be guns. He doesn’t have to see clearly to know that Dean is the one closest to him, standing between Sam and the woman intending to kill him.
“Dean!” The adrenaline kicks in and his body is suddenly flying down the stairs that he still can’t quite make out but he manages anyway. Before he can even comprehend what he is doing, he throws himself at Dean just as the unmistakable sound of a gunshot rings in his ears.
Seconds later he can hear yelling but he can’t tell where it is coming from or make out what is actually being said. He feels himself being pushed onto his back before hands cup at his face, slapping gently at his cheeks.
The words start to become clearer and louder as the ringing in his ears fades and his eyes blink open to a shadowy figure leaning over him. Dean’s voice breaks through the fog and he can hear the worry laced with fear but all he cares about is that Dean is talking, that Dean’s okay.
As his mind start to clear he becomes aware of the stabbing pain still radiating through his skull as well as a new pain in his shoulder. He tries to reach for his shoulder but a strong grip holds him down, making it difficult to move.
“Sammy,” Dean slowly lets go of Sam’s good arm, his hands gently working to access the wound on Sam’s left shoulder. “What the hell were you thinking?”
His words sound harsh but there’s no malice in them, only confusion and fear masked by anger. Sam whimpers beneath him as his eyes stare at Dean’s face and for a second Dean almost believes Sam is actually looking at him. Then it dawns on him that Sam had tackled him, had known where Dean was and been able to knock him out of harm’s way. A stupid move like that requires sight.
“You can see can’t you?” Dean’s hands move from Sam’s shoulder up to his brother’s face.
“No,” Sam shakes his head, trying to push Dean’s hands away as the pain in his head battles with his shoulder injury. “Only shadows.”
“That’s still good, Sammy!” Dean smiles but it quickly falls when Sam’s face creases in pain. “We’ll get you fixed up, man. It’s only a graze, but don’t go doing something stupid like that again. You hear me?”
“Hear ya,” Sam smiles despite the pain but it quickly turns into a grimace as his shoulder takes precedence, the pain made worse by Dean’s sudden pressure.
There are still muffled voice coming from the yard and Sam knows who they belong to but for some reason he can’t seem to focus on anything but the pain now. Dean’s hands continue to hold pressure to Sam’s wound all the while keeping his eyes trained on Bela, who Bobby has managed to subdue.
“This is the second time, Bela.” Dean growls through gritted teeth. “You’re really becoming number one on my most hated person list.”
“You should have killed me when you had the chance then.” She smiles at him as she tries in vain to free herself from Bobby’s hold.
“Yeah well the person you insist on shooting is the only reason I didn’t kill you.” His eyes drift down to Sam again as his brother battles sleep. “Doesn’t matter now though, because I get an even better show, huh?”
“What?” She seems nervous and her movements become more frantic.
Dean lifts his right hand from Sam’s shoulder for only a second and looks at the time on his watch, “Well in just a few minutes you’re going to be hell hound chow.”
“Please, Dean, I’m sorry.”
“I can’t help you even if I wanted to, you dumb bitch,” He shakes his head with a slight frown, thinking of his own demise that is coming much too quickly. “Guess this is a sneak preview of what to expect for my doomsday.”
“No!” She screams out as Bobby reluctantly lets go and she falls to her knees, her hands flying up to cover her ears. “Stop them, please. I’m sorry.”
“Dean?” Sam grabs a hold of Dean’s shirt and pulls himself up into a slight sitting position, his cloudy eyes turning toward the screaming. “What’s happening?”
“Bela here made a deal of her own,” He readjusts his hold on Sam so that he can keep pressure on the shoulder as well as hold up his weight. “And it’s coming due in just a few seconds.”
Bela kneels on the ground, mumbling to herself as midnight draws closer and then suddenly she’s screaming out in pain. Her body is thrown backward, causing Bobby to jump away in shock, and her clothes are torn from her body along with flesh and muscle.
It’s hard for Dean to watch, knowing that this is exactly how he will go in a few short days. His body will be torn to shreds, barely recognizable, and his soul will be dragged to the dark pits of hell, leaving Sam to clean up the mess.
Sam.
At that thought Dean’s eyes grow wide and he peers down at his brother who seems to be staring at the scene before them. Dean wonders for a second if Sam can even see what is actually happening but then he notices a lone tear roll down Sam’s cheek.
“Sammy,” Dean shifts Sam even closer, keeping pressure on his shoulder with one hand while his other arm wraps around Sam’s head. He tries to cover his brother’s eyes and ears, because hearing it is just as bad, but the damage is already done and he knows it.
“No, Dean,” Sam gasps out and claws at Dean’s arm, his fingernails digging painfully into Dean’s flesh. “Stop, please. Dean, no.”
For a second Dean believes Sam is pleading for him to stop and his arm loosens, worried he is hurting his brother even more. Then he realizes that Sam is pleading with someone else, or something else, pleading for them to stop hurting Dean.
“I’m right here, Sammy.” His lips are right near Sam’s ear and he knows his breath his hot on Sam’s face, hopes that it will be a calming presence. “Nothing’s got me. I’m not going anywhere man.”
The not yet goes unsaid but Dean knows it’s hanging in the air.
Finally Bela’s screams stop and the salvage yard falls silent, save for Sam’s heavy breathing. Dean continues his efforts to calm Sam down, speaking soft, encouraging words as Bobby takes care of the mangled body.
It’s not hard to understand what could possibly be going through Sam’s mind, and Bobby quickly drags Bela’s lifeless body as far away as he can. He makes a note of where he leaves it before rushing back to the boys, needing to make sure they were alright before he worried about anything else.
“Dean?” Bobby places a gentle hand on Dean’s shoulder as he rocks his younger brother slowly back and forth. Sam’s mumblings have quieted and Bobby’s fairly sure the kid’s fallen asleep, still replaying everything in his mind. “How about we move him inside? Get a better look at that shoulder?”
“He could see,” Dean whispers as he seems to pull Sam impossibly closer. “I’m pretty sure he could see it all, Bobby.”
“Alright, kid.” He wraps his arm around the back of Dean, supporting some of Sam’s weight as he helps get the two of them on to their feet. “We’ll figure it out, it’ll be okay.”
“No it won’t.”
Bobby doesn’t bother saying anything more. The truth is right there in front of them. Dean’s deal is still coming due without even a lead on how to stop it. Now Sam may possibly have his eyesight back but the timing was anything but lucky. Sight or no sight, either way, Sam has a much clearer understanding of the fate his big brother will face in just a few days.
~*~*~
Together Dean and Bobby manage to carefully get Sam into the house and upstairs onto an actual bed for a change. Once Sam’s settled, Bobby hurries into the bathroom and grabs the first-aid kit and some towels.
“Keep pressure on his shoulder while I go heat some water.” Bobby tosses Dean a towel and watches as he stares at it, his right hand still holding tight to Sam’s arm.
After a few seconds Dean finally nods but doesn’t say anything as he slowly removes his hand, replacing it with the dark towel. Bobby doesn’t miss how unsteady Dean’s hands are and how awful he looks; clothes and hands covered in his brother’s blood. Sadly Bobby knows firsthand that this is far from the first time either boy has been in a situation like this.
“I’ll be right back, Dean.” He waits for Dean to nod, hoping to get more of a response but not expecting one, before he leaves the brothers alone and heads for the kitchen.
Dean watches Bobby leave, thankful to have someone else to share his burden with for once. He’s taken care of Sammy since he was a kid but sometimes it’s too much, even if he’ll never admit to it. There’s so much running through his own mind at the moment that he just can’t think straight but that’s okay this time because Bobby’s here to help.
He lets his eyes drift back to Sam once he hears the clinking of pots in the kitchen and watches the even rise and fall of his brother’s chest. Part of him is begging for Sam to open his eyes, to show Dean he wasn’t imagining it, that Sam can really see, but for the first time since this all began, another part of him is screaming for Sam to remain blind. For days he’s wanted nothing more than for Sam to look at him and actually see, but after what happened, what Sam possibly witnessed, he just wants Sam to remain in the dark, for a little while longer.
His hands tighten on Sam’s arm and a soft moan escapes Sam’s lips, instantly putting Dean on alert. He adjusts his hold, keeping one hand on Sam’s shoulder while the other cups the side of Sam’s cheek, attempting to keep his little brother calm.
“Dean?” Sam turns his head to the side as he whispers, his eyes slowly blinking open.
“It’s me, Sammy,” Dean moves his hand up to brush Sam’s hair out of his face. “I’m right here.”
“But they got you,” His eyes finally focus on Dean and his good arm flies up to grab Dean’s wrist. “They took you, I saw them.”
“No, Sammy, not me.” Dean breaks out of Sam’s weak grasp and grabs a hold of Sam’s hand instead, slowly bringing to his own chest, right above his heart. “I’m okay, Sammy.”
“I saw them, Dean,” Tears slip down his cheeks as he clings onto Dean’s shirt as tight as he possibly can.
“You saw Bela.”
“You’re okay?”
“Yes,” Dean covers Sam’s hand with his own, holding it close to his heart. “I promise.”
After a few seconds of silence Sam nods and turns his head to the side, his eyes slowly starting to blink close again. Dean’s torn between keeping him awake and letting him sleep, but luckily Sam makes the decision for him.
“I can’t see.” He holds his eyes closed tightly and turns his head back toward Dean before opening them again.
“You’re getting there, Sammy.” Dean watches him closely. “Shadows are better than nothing.”
“No,” Sam shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut against the pain. “Can’t see anything anymore. I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I lost the charm.” His eyes start to well with tears again, and Dean wants so badly to stop them, to make everything better but he can’t. Not now.
“Sammy it’s alright,” Dean unconsciously presses harder on Sam’s shoulder causing his brother to whimper slightly. “Everything’s going to be okay, I promise. Bobby’s going to help me and we’re going fix this.”
As if on cue Bobby enters the room but remains in the doorway, not wanting to intrude on the brothers. He knows Dean doesn’t believe a word coming out of his own mouth but he also knows how much Dean wants Sam to believe them even if he doesn’t.
Dean had finally decided to tell Sam the truth, but watching the two of them now, Bobby wonders if Dean is second guessing himself again. He waits until Sam speaks up before he moves quietly into the room, placing the bowl and pitcher of water onto the night stand.
“There’s not enough time,” Sam whispers sadly. “I lost it and I’m blind and you’re… you’re going… to hell.”
Suddenly Sam’s breathing starts to pick up and he starts gasping for breath, his good hand leaving Dean’s shirt to reach for his own chest. Dean’s eyes grow large and he tries desperately to calm Sam down without letting go of the wound.
Finally Bobby steps in and moves Dean’s hand away, taking up the pressure on Sam’s shoulder as Dean’s hands quickly move to Sam’s head. He cups Sam’s cheeks and whispers quietly, coaching Sam back to breathing normally. Eventually Sam’s hand loosens and he clasps Dean’s wrist once more, before his head turns to the side and his eyes drift close.
“You going to tell him about the charm?” Bobby watches Dean closely and the younger man deflates but keeps his hands on Sam’s face.
“Just clean out his wound.” He slowly pulls his hands away from Sam’s face and lets them rest in his lap for a few seconds, starring at the blood that has dried on them, before he stands and leaves the room.
“It’s going to be a long couple of days, Sam.” Bobby smiles sadly as he starts to patch up Sam’s shoulder.
~*~*~
Bobby opens the front door slowly and quietly walks out onto the porch, finding Dean exactly where he suspected. The younger hunter sits on the top step facing out into the yard, but Bobby knows his eyes are fixed on something in particular.
“Dean?” Bobby keeps his voice soft as he takes a seat beside him. “You okay?”
He realizes that is probably the worst question he could ask, but he honestly doesn’t know what else to say at this point. As much as he doesn’t want to give up on saving Dean he knows realistically that there is no safe way out of the deal, but he just can’t bring himself to admit it yet.
“How’s Sam?” Dean avoids the question as usual and turns the concern back onto his brother.
“He’s fine, just a flesh wound.”
“You patched him up?”
“Yeah, he’s resting now.” Bobby waits a few seconds before adding. “I gave him a few heavy duty pain meds. He might not exactly need something that strong for the pain, but it’ll keep him out for awhile.”
“Thanks, Bobby.” Dean turns his head for the first time, his face conveying just how dog tired he is, but his eyes shine with appreciation.
“Hey,” He slaps Dean gently on the knee, keeping the younger man’s attention on him. “Don’t thank me for doing my job.”
“What?”
“You told me once that I was like a father to you, right?” He watches the embarrassment creep across Dean’s cheeks and he tries to hide his smile as Dean agrees. “Well it goes both ways here and that means I get to take care of you two, and protect you as much as possible.”
“But you don’t have to.” Dean turns his head forward again, eyes falling to his folded hands.
“No I don’t,” Bobby agrees and he sees Dean tense for a second before he continues. “But I want to; it gives me something to do. Plus, someone’s got to watch out for you two knuckleheads.”
They fall silent, listening to the breeze blowing past them as the first signs of sunrise begin to appear. Dean leans forward and grabs his head into his hands, rubbing roughly at his temples. He doesn’t know what to say to that but he can’t deny the swell of his heart at hearing those words.
His mind reels as he stares at the blood staining the dirt below him, both Bela’s and Sam’s. There was hope for just a little while that Sam was going to be alright, that Dean wouldn’t be leaving Sam behind without his vision, but that hope is gone now. There’s no way Dean can make everything seem alright now, there’s no way he can help Sam restore his vision.
He believes in Sam more than he’ll ever believe in himself but he’s already feared how Sam will hold up emotionally after he’s gone. Now, on top of that, he has to worry about how Sam is physically going to take care of himself.
“You’ll help him then?” Dean asks out of the blue, his thoughts taking control. “You’ll take care of Sam?”
“Dean…”
“Please, Bobby,” He turns to the elder hunter, his eyes shining slightly. “I know he’s tough and old enough to take care of himself, but he’ll need someone. He’ll need you. He needs someone to depend on, someone to protect him from those evil sons of bitches as well as from himself. Please, help him. I don’t want to leave if he’s going to be alone.”
“He won’t be alone, Dean,” Bobby clears his throat, swallowing down his own emotions. “I can promise you that.”
“Thank you,” Dean smiles sadly, turning away quickly as a few tears manage to make their way down his cheeks.
Bobby turns away as well, wanting to give Dean a bit of privacy as he deals with the fear and grief that is no doubt consuming him. As he goes to stand up from the porch, a loud crash echoes from inside the house, bringing both hunters on alert.
Dean jumps up, wiping quickly at his cheeks before storming into the house, searching out the cause. He makes his way into the library and stops, frozen in his tracks as he stares at the scene before him.
“Sammy,” He whispers before lunging forward to catch his brother in his arms.
Chapter Eight
Disclaimer: If I owned I probably wouldn’t have so much time on my hands…
Warnings/spoilers: To be safe I’ll say the first three seasons but major spoilers for season 3 specifically 3x15, Time is on My Side.
A/N: Huge thanks to sendintheklowns and gidgetgal9 for both being being awesome betas. They have been so helpful and inspiring and I just can't thank them enough! These girls are amazing!
Word Count: 3,255
Summary: Dean’s timing is everything, one second later and things can go much differently. Time is on my Side (3x15) tag. Limp&Hurt!Sam
Master Post
~*~*~
Sam instinctively goes into hunter mode at the familiar sound, and he reaches for the gun he typically carries at his back but remembers it isn’t there. Frantically he works his mind for a way to gain the upper hand but there’s so many factors working against him right now. He knows that Dean is more than capable of handling such a situation but he can’t stand doing nothing while there’s a gun pointed at his brother.
His head begins to pound but he pushes the pain aside, focusing on helping Dean for a change. Suddenly a flash of light forces him to take heed as the pain spikes to a new level. He digs his fists into his eyes trying desperately to relieve the pain so that he can return his attention to Dean.
Slowly the pain starts to recede and he lowers his fists as the painful light starts to clear from his eyes. The light finally vanishes leaving the darkness seeping in once more, but to Sam’s surprise the darkness isn’t quite as dark as it was before.
Though things are still fairly dark and blurry, he is able to make out the shapes of the three people below him, two holding what he knows to be guns. He doesn’t have to see clearly to know that Dean is the one closest to him, standing between Sam and the woman intending to kill him.
“Dean!” The adrenaline kicks in and his body is suddenly flying down the stairs that he still can’t quite make out but he manages anyway. Before he can even comprehend what he is doing, he throws himself at Dean just as the unmistakable sound of a gunshot rings in his ears.
Seconds later he can hear yelling but he can’t tell where it is coming from or make out what is actually being said. He feels himself being pushed onto his back before hands cup at his face, slapping gently at his cheeks.
The words start to become clearer and louder as the ringing in his ears fades and his eyes blink open to a shadowy figure leaning over him. Dean’s voice breaks through the fog and he can hear the worry laced with fear but all he cares about is that Dean is talking, that Dean’s okay.
As his mind start to clear he becomes aware of the stabbing pain still radiating through his skull as well as a new pain in his shoulder. He tries to reach for his shoulder but a strong grip holds him down, making it difficult to move.
“Sammy,” Dean slowly lets go of Sam’s good arm, his hands gently working to access the wound on Sam’s left shoulder. “What the hell were you thinking?”
His words sound harsh but there’s no malice in them, only confusion and fear masked by anger. Sam whimpers beneath him as his eyes stare at Dean’s face and for a second Dean almost believes Sam is actually looking at him. Then it dawns on him that Sam had tackled him, had known where Dean was and been able to knock him out of harm’s way. A stupid move like that requires sight.
“You can see can’t you?” Dean’s hands move from Sam’s shoulder up to his brother’s face.
“No,” Sam shakes his head, trying to push Dean’s hands away as the pain in his head battles with his shoulder injury. “Only shadows.”
“That’s still good, Sammy!” Dean smiles but it quickly falls when Sam’s face creases in pain. “We’ll get you fixed up, man. It’s only a graze, but don’t go doing something stupid like that again. You hear me?”
“Hear ya,” Sam smiles despite the pain but it quickly turns into a grimace as his shoulder takes precedence, the pain made worse by Dean’s sudden pressure.
There are still muffled voice coming from the yard and Sam knows who they belong to but for some reason he can’t seem to focus on anything but the pain now. Dean’s hands continue to hold pressure to Sam’s wound all the while keeping his eyes trained on Bela, who Bobby has managed to subdue.
“This is the second time, Bela.” Dean growls through gritted teeth. “You’re really becoming number one on my most hated person list.”
“You should have killed me when you had the chance then.” She smiles at him as she tries in vain to free herself from Bobby’s hold.
“Yeah well the person you insist on shooting is the only reason I didn’t kill you.” His eyes drift down to Sam again as his brother battles sleep. “Doesn’t matter now though, because I get an even better show, huh?”
“What?” She seems nervous and her movements become more frantic.
Dean lifts his right hand from Sam’s shoulder for only a second and looks at the time on his watch, “Well in just a few minutes you’re going to be hell hound chow.”
“Please, Dean, I’m sorry.”
“I can’t help you even if I wanted to, you dumb bitch,” He shakes his head with a slight frown, thinking of his own demise that is coming much too quickly. “Guess this is a sneak preview of what to expect for my doomsday.”
“No!” She screams out as Bobby reluctantly lets go and she falls to her knees, her hands flying up to cover her ears. “Stop them, please. I’m sorry.”
“Dean?” Sam grabs a hold of Dean’s shirt and pulls himself up into a slight sitting position, his cloudy eyes turning toward the screaming. “What’s happening?”
“Bela here made a deal of her own,” He readjusts his hold on Sam so that he can keep pressure on the shoulder as well as hold up his weight. “And it’s coming due in just a few seconds.”
Bela kneels on the ground, mumbling to herself as midnight draws closer and then suddenly she’s screaming out in pain. Her body is thrown backward, causing Bobby to jump away in shock, and her clothes are torn from her body along with flesh and muscle.
It’s hard for Dean to watch, knowing that this is exactly how he will go in a few short days. His body will be torn to shreds, barely recognizable, and his soul will be dragged to the dark pits of hell, leaving Sam to clean up the mess.
Sam.
At that thought Dean’s eyes grow wide and he peers down at his brother who seems to be staring at the scene before them. Dean wonders for a second if Sam can even see what is actually happening but then he notices a lone tear roll down Sam’s cheek.
“Sammy,” Dean shifts Sam even closer, keeping pressure on his shoulder with one hand while his other arm wraps around Sam’s head. He tries to cover his brother’s eyes and ears, because hearing it is just as bad, but the damage is already done and he knows it.
“No, Dean,” Sam gasps out and claws at Dean’s arm, his fingernails digging painfully into Dean’s flesh. “Stop, please. Dean, no.”
For a second Dean believes Sam is pleading for him to stop and his arm loosens, worried he is hurting his brother even more. Then he realizes that Sam is pleading with someone else, or something else, pleading for them to stop hurting Dean.
“I’m right here, Sammy.” His lips are right near Sam’s ear and he knows his breath his hot on Sam’s face, hopes that it will be a calming presence. “Nothing’s got me. I’m not going anywhere man.”
The not yet goes unsaid but Dean knows it’s hanging in the air.
Finally Bela’s screams stop and the salvage yard falls silent, save for Sam’s heavy breathing. Dean continues his efforts to calm Sam down, speaking soft, encouraging words as Bobby takes care of the mangled body.
It’s not hard to understand what could possibly be going through Sam’s mind, and Bobby quickly drags Bela’s lifeless body as far away as he can. He makes a note of where he leaves it before rushing back to the boys, needing to make sure they were alright before he worried about anything else.
“Dean?” Bobby places a gentle hand on Dean’s shoulder as he rocks his younger brother slowly back and forth. Sam’s mumblings have quieted and Bobby’s fairly sure the kid’s fallen asleep, still replaying everything in his mind. “How about we move him inside? Get a better look at that shoulder?”
“He could see,” Dean whispers as he seems to pull Sam impossibly closer. “I’m pretty sure he could see it all, Bobby.”
“Alright, kid.” He wraps his arm around the back of Dean, supporting some of Sam’s weight as he helps get the two of them on to their feet. “We’ll figure it out, it’ll be okay.”
“No it won’t.”
Bobby doesn’t bother saying anything more. The truth is right there in front of them. Dean’s deal is still coming due without even a lead on how to stop it. Now Sam may possibly have his eyesight back but the timing was anything but lucky. Sight or no sight, either way, Sam has a much clearer understanding of the fate his big brother will face in just a few days.
~*~*~
Together Dean and Bobby manage to carefully get Sam into the house and upstairs onto an actual bed for a change. Once Sam’s settled, Bobby hurries into the bathroom and grabs the first-aid kit and some towels.
“Keep pressure on his shoulder while I go heat some water.” Bobby tosses Dean a towel and watches as he stares at it, his right hand still holding tight to Sam’s arm.
After a few seconds Dean finally nods but doesn’t say anything as he slowly removes his hand, replacing it with the dark towel. Bobby doesn’t miss how unsteady Dean’s hands are and how awful he looks; clothes and hands covered in his brother’s blood. Sadly Bobby knows firsthand that this is far from the first time either boy has been in a situation like this.
“I’ll be right back, Dean.” He waits for Dean to nod, hoping to get more of a response but not expecting one, before he leaves the brothers alone and heads for the kitchen.
Dean watches Bobby leave, thankful to have someone else to share his burden with for once. He’s taken care of Sammy since he was a kid but sometimes it’s too much, even if he’ll never admit to it. There’s so much running through his own mind at the moment that he just can’t think straight but that’s okay this time because Bobby’s here to help.
He lets his eyes drift back to Sam once he hears the clinking of pots in the kitchen and watches the even rise and fall of his brother’s chest. Part of him is begging for Sam to open his eyes, to show Dean he wasn’t imagining it, that Sam can really see, but for the first time since this all began, another part of him is screaming for Sam to remain blind. For days he’s wanted nothing more than for Sam to look at him and actually see, but after what happened, what Sam possibly witnessed, he just wants Sam to remain in the dark, for a little while longer.
His hands tighten on Sam’s arm and a soft moan escapes Sam’s lips, instantly putting Dean on alert. He adjusts his hold, keeping one hand on Sam’s shoulder while the other cups the side of Sam’s cheek, attempting to keep his little brother calm.
“Dean?” Sam turns his head to the side as he whispers, his eyes slowly blinking open.
“It’s me, Sammy,” Dean moves his hand up to brush Sam’s hair out of his face. “I’m right here.”
“But they got you,” His eyes finally focus on Dean and his good arm flies up to grab Dean’s wrist. “They took you, I saw them.”
“No, Sammy, not me.” Dean breaks out of Sam’s weak grasp and grabs a hold of Sam’s hand instead, slowly bringing to his own chest, right above his heart. “I’m okay, Sammy.”
“I saw them, Dean,” Tears slip down his cheeks as he clings onto Dean’s shirt as tight as he possibly can.
“You saw Bela.”
“You’re okay?”
“Yes,” Dean covers Sam’s hand with his own, holding it close to his heart. “I promise.”
After a few seconds of silence Sam nods and turns his head to the side, his eyes slowly starting to blink close again. Dean’s torn between keeping him awake and letting him sleep, but luckily Sam makes the decision for him.
“I can’t see.” He holds his eyes closed tightly and turns his head back toward Dean before opening them again.
“You’re getting there, Sammy.” Dean watches him closely. “Shadows are better than nothing.”
“No,” Sam shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut against the pain. “Can’t see anything anymore. I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I lost the charm.” His eyes start to well with tears again, and Dean wants so badly to stop them, to make everything better but he can’t. Not now.
“Sammy it’s alright,” Dean unconsciously presses harder on Sam’s shoulder causing his brother to whimper slightly. “Everything’s going to be okay, I promise. Bobby’s going to help me and we’re going fix this.”
As if on cue Bobby enters the room but remains in the doorway, not wanting to intrude on the brothers. He knows Dean doesn’t believe a word coming out of his own mouth but he also knows how much Dean wants Sam to believe them even if he doesn’t.
Dean had finally decided to tell Sam the truth, but watching the two of them now, Bobby wonders if Dean is second guessing himself again. He waits until Sam speaks up before he moves quietly into the room, placing the bowl and pitcher of water onto the night stand.
“There’s not enough time,” Sam whispers sadly. “I lost it and I’m blind and you’re… you’re going… to hell.”
Suddenly Sam’s breathing starts to pick up and he starts gasping for breath, his good hand leaving Dean’s shirt to reach for his own chest. Dean’s eyes grow large and he tries desperately to calm Sam down without letting go of the wound.
Finally Bobby steps in and moves Dean’s hand away, taking up the pressure on Sam’s shoulder as Dean’s hands quickly move to Sam’s head. He cups Sam’s cheeks and whispers quietly, coaching Sam back to breathing normally. Eventually Sam’s hand loosens and he clasps Dean’s wrist once more, before his head turns to the side and his eyes drift close.
“You going to tell him about the charm?” Bobby watches Dean closely and the younger man deflates but keeps his hands on Sam’s face.
“Just clean out his wound.” He slowly pulls his hands away from Sam’s face and lets them rest in his lap for a few seconds, starring at the blood that has dried on them, before he stands and leaves the room.
“It’s going to be a long couple of days, Sam.” Bobby smiles sadly as he starts to patch up Sam’s shoulder.
~*~*~
Bobby opens the front door slowly and quietly walks out onto the porch, finding Dean exactly where he suspected. The younger hunter sits on the top step facing out into the yard, but Bobby knows his eyes are fixed on something in particular.
“Dean?” Bobby keeps his voice soft as he takes a seat beside him. “You okay?”
He realizes that is probably the worst question he could ask, but he honestly doesn’t know what else to say at this point. As much as he doesn’t want to give up on saving Dean he knows realistically that there is no safe way out of the deal, but he just can’t bring himself to admit it yet.
“How’s Sam?” Dean avoids the question as usual and turns the concern back onto his brother.
“He’s fine, just a flesh wound.”
“You patched him up?”
“Yeah, he’s resting now.” Bobby waits a few seconds before adding. “I gave him a few heavy duty pain meds. He might not exactly need something that strong for the pain, but it’ll keep him out for awhile.”
“Thanks, Bobby.” Dean turns his head for the first time, his face conveying just how dog tired he is, but his eyes shine with appreciation.
“Hey,” He slaps Dean gently on the knee, keeping the younger man’s attention on him. “Don’t thank me for doing my job.”
“What?”
“You told me once that I was like a father to you, right?” He watches the embarrassment creep across Dean’s cheeks and he tries to hide his smile as Dean agrees. “Well it goes both ways here and that means I get to take care of you two, and protect you as much as possible.”
“But you don’t have to.” Dean turns his head forward again, eyes falling to his folded hands.
“No I don’t,” Bobby agrees and he sees Dean tense for a second before he continues. “But I want to; it gives me something to do. Plus, someone’s got to watch out for you two knuckleheads.”
They fall silent, listening to the breeze blowing past them as the first signs of sunrise begin to appear. Dean leans forward and grabs his head into his hands, rubbing roughly at his temples. He doesn’t know what to say to that but he can’t deny the swell of his heart at hearing those words.
His mind reels as he stares at the blood staining the dirt below him, both Bela’s and Sam’s. There was hope for just a little while that Sam was going to be alright, that Dean wouldn’t be leaving Sam behind without his vision, but that hope is gone now. There’s no way Dean can make everything seem alright now, there’s no way he can help Sam restore his vision.
He believes in Sam more than he’ll ever believe in himself but he’s already feared how Sam will hold up emotionally after he’s gone. Now, on top of that, he has to worry about how Sam is physically going to take care of himself.
“You’ll help him then?” Dean asks out of the blue, his thoughts taking control. “You’ll take care of Sam?”
“Dean…”
“Please, Bobby,” He turns to the elder hunter, his eyes shining slightly. “I know he’s tough and old enough to take care of himself, but he’ll need someone. He’ll need you. He needs someone to depend on, someone to protect him from those evil sons of bitches as well as from himself. Please, help him. I don’t want to leave if he’s going to be alone.”
“He won’t be alone, Dean,” Bobby clears his throat, swallowing down his own emotions. “I can promise you that.”
“Thank you,” Dean smiles sadly, turning away quickly as a few tears manage to make their way down his cheeks.
Bobby turns away as well, wanting to give Dean a bit of privacy as he deals with the fear and grief that is no doubt consuming him. As he goes to stand up from the porch, a loud crash echoes from inside the house, bringing both hunters on alert.
Dean jumps up, wiping quickly at his cheeks before storming into the house, searching out the cause. He makes his way into the library and stops, frozen in his tracks as he stares at the scene before him.
“Sammy,” He whispers before lunging forward to catch his brother in his arms.
Chapter Eight