My Brother's Keeper 2/?
Three days later, after a vicious poltergeist case in Corbin, Kentucky, the brothers found themselves spending three nights at a hotel with a breakfast buffet - compliments of one very grateful homeowner.
The morning they checked in, they went down together and Sam made mental notes of what Dean got on his three trips to the buffet bar.
The second morning, Sam got there first and filled a plate for Dean, waiting for his reaction when he walked in.
The reaction upon seeing piping hot black coffee and a plate full of his favourites - down to french toast swimming in syrup and topped with strawberries, which was a combination that Dean had never remembered telling Sam he enjoyed - was a stunned stop in place, hand clutching the back of the booth as if it were the only thing keeping him upright, and a shocked widening of jade eyes.
When the eyes rose to meet Sam's, Sam smiled and gestured with his fork. "Your breakfast's gettin' cold."
"Sammy," Dean hissed as he sat down. "You can't keep doin' this!"
"What? Feeding you?"
"Ordering for me!" he gasped. "It....It...."
Sam bumped his foot against Dean's leg. "It's fine. You can make another trip to the buffet once this is done. Besides." He shrugged. "I like ordering for you, Dean. Makes me feel good."
"You're weird, Francis," Dean said. But he unwrapped his fork and began to eat.
It didn't escape Sam's notice that he started with the french toast.
It also didn't escape Sam's notice that Dean made just one more trip to the buffet instead of yesterday's two.
The third morning, the reaction to seeing a plate piled high with goodies was a sleepy smile and a "Thanks, Sammy" before he tucked in without a word.
Dean had not slept well the night before.
Sam - who never slept well anyway - decided to try depriving him of sleep just a little more.
See how compliant it made him.
See if this new conditioning would take quicker and let Dean enjoy his last few weeks on earth instead of fighting Sam on it.
Their final morning in the hotel, Sam laid an outfit out for Dean before he headed into the shower. Nothing unusual, but he'd left his brother no outer shirt, just the t-shirt.
He'd also kept him up an hour later than planned. Though that hadn't been his fault, the heater had jammed and Dean was up fixing it. He'd showered the night before, so only Sam had to shower that morning.
He came out, towel-drying his hair, to find Dean tying his laces. "Hey," Dean said, smiling up at him. "Figured I'd get a jump on packing while you got dressed."
"Good idea," Sam said. "In fact...." he snapped his fingers. "Why don't you go ahead and load up the Impala while I go get us breakfast?" He reached for his clothing.
Dean nodded. "That was the plan, then check out after breakfast."
"Yup." Sam couldn't help the smile that crossed his face as he headed back into the bathroom to dress.
Dean was only wearing the t-shirt and jeans he'd laid out. No outer shirt.
As Sam left the room to get their breakfast, he said, "How about I grab us something to go instead? I'm itchin' to get going again."
"Sounds good. I'll meet you at the office?"
"See you there." Sam bent and came up with a white-blue plaid shirt and casually handed it to Dean as he left the room.
Dean was behind the wheel when Sam leaned in. "Scoot over. I'm drivin' first leg."
"What?" Dean squawked. "You're--"
"Unless you wanna eat a syrup-covered mess one-handed and crash us...."
Dean grumbled, but scooted over.
As they drove down the road, Metallica coming from the speakers, Sam ate his bacon and egg sandwich one-handed and grinned over at his brother savouring his french toast with strawberries.
Dean was thriving under Sam's subtle control.
Maybe this would work out after all.
On to part 3!