My Brother's Keeper 4/4
The remaining weeks flew by all too quickly.
Once Dean had realised what was going on - that Sam had not gone mad but was taking care of him - he was able to relax and enjoy it.
Sam ordered for him everywhere they stopped to eat. Dean didn't even miss the extra onions Sam was no longer ordering.
They hunted as complete equals, fully trusting each other to cover all the bases. Sam had found a second laptop and - after a week of nearly non-stop porn surfing - Dean rediscovered how much he genuinely enjoyed playing with the computer and coaxing patterns out of seemingly random and unrelated events. That never ceased to awe Sam, and their research went much faster.
Their "solve rate" soared.
Dean wore what Sam chose for him, always silently but ridiculously grateful that Sam stuck to what Dean was comfortable in. It got to where if Dean came out of the shower and saw a suit laying on the bed, he knew instantly that they were interviewing.
Sam had begun to encourage Dean in using his atrophying mechanical skills again, and Dean had shocked Sam with the sheer brilliance of some of his ideas. Sam put his knowledge of bureaucratic law to use, and by May "Dean Singer" had seven patents pending.
Because of those, Sam drew up a will for Dean as well. All proceeds from the patents would go to Singer Salvage upon Dean's death.
Dean wholeheartedly approved - now Sam would be take care of after the deal came due.
Just one more way Sam eased Dean's mind.
When it came to Dean's love life, Sam mostly left that alone. The one time he did step in was when he'd happened to notice the hilt of a knife poking out of her boot. Turns out she had been an assassin hired by a hunter who believed the ramblings of the late Gordon Walker.
Sam and Dean took care of her. Bobby was called, and he sent Rufus after the hunter.
As the time dwindled, Dean began to have horrible nightmares. Sam discovered that holding him eased the bad dreams.
The final night before the deal was due, neither slept much. But Dean's few dreams were untroubled. He was safe, for this night, with his big brother curled protectively around him.
It no longer felt weird or strange to think of Sam as his big brother.
Or to just relax and be taken care of.
Matter of fact, it felt... great. Like he was cherished.
Every need met.
Every want satisfied.
Dean felt loved. Completely, purely, loved.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
No matter where Dean was, the hellhounds would find him. So, he chose to face them where it had begun a year before.
Going alone wasn't an option that had even crossed his mind. Walking to the crossroads with Sam by his side was the most natural thing in the world.
"I hear them," he whispered, and Sam squeezed his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Sam said. "I wish.... I wish I could have found a way."
Dean smiled at him. "The only regret I have is leaving you alone. I don't regret that you're here."
"Oh, how touching." The demon appeared, smirking. "I'm actually surprised, Dean. I had thought I'd have to send my pups to fetch you."
Dean shook his head. "I honour my word."
"As do I." She held out her hand. "Come, and I'll make it peaceful - for your brother's sake."
Sam blinked. "That was... unexpectedly kind."
She smiled. "Then I'll be kinder, still. One last goodbye." She stepped back.
Without a word, Dean turned and hugged Sam - and was hugged in return. As they pulled away, Sam touched his forehead to Dean's. "I love you, little brother," he whispered. "Don't forget that. Ever."
"I won't," Dean whispered back. "Remember I love you?"
"Forever," Sam said, stepping back with tears swimming in his eyes. He gave a single nod.
Dean returned the nod and then turned back to the demon. "I'm ready."
She stepped up with an unexpectedly gentle smile, and took his hand.
Then she froze. "What did you do?" she gasped, her smile fleeing. "What the hell did you do?"
Dean frowned. "Nothing," he said, completely confused. "I kept to the terms of the deal!"
"I - I can't take your soul!" she gasped, waving in Sam's direction. "And I can't kill him! You did keep to the terms and I can't touch him!" She released his hand and staggered back a step. "But - But if you kept to the deal, why can't I take you?"
Sam realised the reason why, and stepped forward. "Because the soul that made the deal has been altered." He smiled at Dean. "I didn't know this was going to happen, but I'm glad it did!"
"Altered?" Dean gasped. "Altered how?"
Sam was grinning now. "The deal was made to save your little brother."
Dean frowned. "I don't have a little brother, Sammy, remember? I am the little brother!"
"What?" the demon yelped.
"Exactly!" Sam laughed.
"No, no - Dean Winchester is four years older than Sam Winchester--" the demon spluttered.
"He was," Sam agreed. "Until I was trapped for five years in a time loop!" The former lie was now completely believed by both - and thus, had become iron-clad truth. "I am now one year older than Dean! There is no longer a little brother for Dean to have saved with the deal!" He spread his hands. "Your deal is null and void!"
The demon stared from one to the other, then - to their surprise - she laughed. "I have been bested - fair and square - by the Hardy Boys!" She laughed, wiping tears from her eyes and rubbing the bridge of her nose as she shook her head. "Oh, hell," she breathed, shaking her head again.
"Are you all right?" Dean heard himself ask.
She chuckled again, raising her head. "Nobody has ever asked me that. Not for centuries. Yes, I am all right. A bit in shock, but I am all right." She took a deep breath. "You're free, boys. Both of you." Her eyes clicked red. "But watch your backs. And here - a gift."
And Dean flinched, yelping, as a hellhound bit into his forearm.
"Allow it," the demon said. "It will show the others that you fairly bested a crossroads demon. It's a rare privilege."
The hellhound's tongue rasped over the wound, leaving two crescent-shaped scars cut into Dean's arm.
Then the Winchesters were alone at the crossroads.
Dean looked wide-eyed at Sam.
Sam tilted his head toward the Impala. "Let's get the hell out of here."
"Bobby's?" Dean asked, already moving toward the car. He no longer even hesitated to obey.
"Bobby's," Sam confirmed.
"He's in for a hell of a shock!" Dean laughed.
Sam's rose to join it. His quick clasp of the back of Dean's neck transmitted the silent message that he would still care for his little brother.
Dean's warm smile answered that it was all right.
The rumbling purr of the Impala reverberated through the empty crossroads long after the dust of departure had settled.
END