Spring Exchange for blackrabbit42
Recipient:blackrabbit42
Author:vexed_wench
Artist:cheshirejin
Beta:kattrip033
Title: The Sweetest Curse
Summary:A/U where Sam never went to Stanford the boys find the sweetest path to happily ever after
Characters/Pairings: Sam/Dean
Rating: R
Warnings/Spoilers: A/U
Wordcount: 5,833
“We need a night off.” Dean complained as he flopped down on his customary bed by the door.
“We've been out drinking every night for the past two weeks.” Sam complained as he threw his bag on his bed.
“Right. How lucky were we that there was a fraternity row that was haunted? It was like the Harry Potter houses with unlimited booze. I wish we could get more gigs like that. Two weeks of non-stop partying.” Dean grinned.
“When did you finish any of the Harry Potter books?” Sam asked him.
“We watched the movies together. How could you forget we spent the night watching every one you could find a couple of months ago?” Dean asked him.
“We spent the night playing that crazy ass drinking game. One shot for every time someone said muggle. Or when Draco said mudblood. He is an annoying little shit. Then we decided that He who shall not be named was worth two shots. That meant that Voldemort’s name was worth four shots.” Dean smirked.
Sam remembered that night. It was one of the random non-anniversary anniversaries that Dean liked to make up. Dean was always doing random little things that always made him either the best boyfriend ever or made Sam itch to slap him silly.
Dean had started the themed movie nights before Sam was old enough to drink. When their dad would leave them for his own hunt, Dean would put together a night of movies and snacks. It had evolved over the years so, when Sam was older, they added drinking games.
The first time Sam ever got shitfaced drunk was one of those nights. Dean had come home with a tape of the Wizard of Oz for the night’s entertainment. Dean surprised Sam with his choice of movie. He always complained when Sam made them watch it when it was on TV.
Dean had made two pitchers each of green and red colored drinks. To this day, the jerk still wouldn't tell Sam how he made them. The rules were simple. Every time the good witch or Dorothy's group did something stupid or sang you drank red. The wicked witch and flying monkeys found you drinking the green drinks. They combined what was left of both pitchers and chugged the result, while the Wizard was on the screen. Sam had spent the night curled up to Dean, listening to him plot how they could find flying monkeys.
“Are you even listening to me?” Dean asked him.
“Yeah Dean, you want to go out drinking.” Sam sighed. The last thing he wanted was a night out at one of the dive bars near the motel. They had played enough pool over the last couple of weeks that they had plenty of cash. Sam didn't want to spend the night watching people fawn all over Dean. He had watched people flirt with Dean for as long as he could remember. Sam couldn't think of a time when both men and women hadn't tried to drag Dean off for a quickie in the alley or the men's room. Dean always laughed and told Sam if he would smile more and show people his dimples, they would try to drag him off as well. Sam knew he didn't want anyone except Dean. Not that he would tell the jerk that. It would be bad enough living with him if Sam praised his boyfriend skills. If he told him that he was the best lover ever, Dean's ego would need an enjoining motel room.
“If you really don't want to go to a bar, how about we get dinner?” Dean asked him.
“I don't want to go out. Maybe we could just order pizza?” Sam asked him.
“Dude, really? We ate pizza so much lately, even I am sick of it. Come on Sammy, let's go out and get some real food.” Dean tried to convince him.
“Real food.” Sam mumbled under his breath.
“Yeah real food, I promise no diners. We'll blow a bit of our extra money at the steak joint down the road. I bet they have a great salad bar and some healthy options.” Dean sat down on the floor in front of his brother.
“No,” was all Sam snapped back at him.
“Sam, it's only six o'clock. There isn't even anything good on TV. Why can't we go out?” Dean poked Sam on his nose.
“Stop! You're so annoying.” Sam complained and rolled over on the bed.
“What is the matter with you? I thought you would love to have a night out. We're not on a job. No stalking or research of any kind. No annoying backstories just you and me having fun together.” Dean's logic had gone full circle.
“You mean a night out alone? I don't know if I can remember how to have a date night. After spending the last weeks watching you flirt with anything with a pulse made me forget we were more than brothers.” Sam told him.
“Wait, that's why you're mad at me? I stuck to our cover story and that makes me an asshole? Do you really think that we would have had an easier time jumping from frat house to frat house as boyfriends? I don't think so. We had that long talk in, Boise wasn't it, that it would be easier to get into all the houses if we were brothers?” Dean scrubbed his fingers in his hair. Sam turned and gave Dean a look that clearly said you're an idiot as he made his way to the bathroom.
“Come on Sam, you're mad because we didn't have a date night. Now, you're mad because I want to have a date night with you. How can I win?” Dean hollered after him.
“You want to go out and get a steak as big as your head. I saw the ad on TV when you did. This has nothing to do with wanting to spend time with me.” Sam yelled back.
“Maybe I wanted both. Did you stop and think about that?” Dean answered.
“Yeah, I have nothing better to do tonight then watch you stuff your face.” Sam complained as he walked back into the room.
“I’m sorry.” Dean mumbled as Sam walked by.
“Dean, I don't want to argue. Can we find something else to do?” Sam asked him.
“Sammy, you're a genius. I saw the flier for the county fair. County fairs are great; all the crap I love about the circus and not nearly the amount of clowns.” Dean smirked at him.
“Screw you Dean.” Sam cursed and threw a pillow at his brother's head.
“Maybe later, if you are a very good boy.” Dean winked as he made his way to the door.
Sam followed Dean to the car, resigned to the idea that they were going to spend the night at the fair. Sam tried his best to be happy about the evening. He wished Dean would listen to him more often. They could have been back in the motel eating Chinese take-out and watching whatever B rate horror flick was on the TV. It was always fun to watch Dean tell the hero how badly they were fucking things up and would soon die. They had been hunting long enough that there wasn't much they couldn't kill. They had more experience hunting then some of the older guys. They had more knowledge then all of the other hunters they knew, thanks to their Dad and Bobby.
“Time to quit pouting and have a little fun, Sammy.” Dean grinned and poked him in his side. “Where to first, food or rides?”
Sam refused to answer and just gave him another look that said, “I am clearly here against my will.”
“Fine, be a bitch, but it won't ruin our night out.” Dean whispered as he guided Sam to the games booth. Six well placed shots to knock over milk bottles later, Dean placed a pink and silver princess tiara on Sammy's head. He tried his best not to blush when Dean when Dean loudly declared him his pretty princess and kissed his forehead.
Sam realized that the only one he was punishing by sulking was him. He decided to make the best of their night out. Lucky for Dean, his hand to eye ordination was every bit as good as Dean's was. It wasn't long before Sam won a plastic sword and handed it over to him. “A sword for my prince.” He told him before running off towards the food booths. He didn't even try to hide his smile when Dean walked up behind him with the plastic sword tucked into his waistband.
Dean bought an order of fried Oreo's, loudly explaining they were to share with his boyfriend. The girls manning the booth all giggled and swore they were the cutest couple ever. It seemed as though most of the girls that waited on them had the same thought. Sam blushed brighter with each declaration of love Dean spoke.
They spent the next few hours sampling everything deep-fried or on a stick they could find, and riding every ride that had a short wait. Dean laughed when Sam held onto his sparkly tiara on the roller coaster so it wouldn't fly away. Sam swore it was to make sure it didn't poke someone in the eye. He knew Dean wasn't buying his excuse. He had saved tons of seemingly random things over the years, that one more thing wouldn't make a difference.
He had hidden mementos in the bottom of his backpack and eventually ran out of room. Their Dad had given Dean the Impala when he turned sixteen, when he bought a used pick-up truck for himself. Once the car officially became theirs, they found spaces to hide away things they didn't want to part with. Sam had kept something small from every important date he had been on with Dean in a box on the back seat. No matter how many times Dean threatened to open or chuck the box out, Sam knew neither thing would happen.
“Sammy, look over there.” Dean said pointing behind Sam. Sam turned his head and saw the banner for the pie eating contest.
“After all the crap we just ate, how can you even think about pie?” Sam asked him.
“Come on Sammy, we split everything so that was like half of the crap. I am sure I can manage a little pie. How could we have missed the banner before now?” Dean wondered.
“I'm sorry Dean.” Sam apologized when they saw Dean had missed the sign up by fifteen minutes. “If you want we can find a supermarket and buy a cart full of pies. It wouldn't be the public spectacle they have here, but I can feed you pie in bed.” Sam suggested.
“You know me Sammy, I am not about to pass up pie. I will admit the thought of you feeding me pie in bed is a good one. It won't be like the last time when my hands were bandaged and you fed me pity pie.” Dean smirked.
“If you had listened to me, I wouldn't have had to.” Sam laughed at the memory of Dean pouting until Sam finally gave in and fed him damn near an entire pie after hand feeding him a deluxe bacon cheeseburger and fries. “That night had a fun ending.” Sam reminded him.
“Yeah it will be more fun this time, seeing as I will have full use of my fingers.” Dean promised and followed it with a quick kiss. Sam was always glad to have his brother’s attention but he wasn’t sure if making out at the fair would be such a smart idea.
“I'll buy you a funnel cake. You love funnel cake. Yummy fried dough as big as your head, covered in powdered sugar.” Sam grabbed Dean's hand and started to drag him away from the pie eating contestants. The last thing he wanted was Dean starting a fight with the group on stage. He had witnessed his brother do crazier things for pie.
They were halfway between the fortune teller's booth and the funnel cake stand when Dean suddenly jerked away from him and sprinted to the side of the funnel cake booth. Sam saw his brother lift a little girl up off the ground before she could run into the booth. Sam was thankful for Dean's quick reflexes. Sam hated to think about what could have happened if she had knocked into one of the large fryers. Sam wasn't the only one with that thought as he watched what must have been half the fortune teller’s tent rush over to grab the girl. The girl’s mother spent just as much time scolding her as she did kissing every inch of her little head. Sam tried to work his way through the group of people that had been forming around them. There was an old woman, who must’ve been the girl’s great-grandma at the very least, standing in front of Dean. She barely stood above his waist. She couldn't be more than four foot two. She jerked Dean down with an ease that made Sam think she must have practiced that move on her own children often enough.
“You carry a heavy burden. Not one of your making or choosing. I bless you to be free of others obligations and obsessions. Your life will be filled with love and passion.” She told him and kissed his forehead.
Sam had heard enough curses over his lifetime to know that the old lady was legit. They were so screwed. He knew that curses hidden under the guise of a blessing were almost impossible to break. The only chance you to break it was to convince the person that the blessing was more of a hindrance than a help. Sam could recall hearing about four times that had worked in their social circle. No one knew how they had managed it, but Sam was willing to bet Dean wouldn’t be that lucky. Sam wished he he just went along with Dean's idea of dinner and a drink. Sam was pulled from his musing when the woman that ran the funnel cake stand handed him a large paper bag filled with cakes. He thanked her and swore that Dean would love them. Sam somehow managed to get Dean back to the car with minimal fuss from his brother or the grateful family.
“That was different.” Dean commented as he pulled on the street that lead back to the motel.
“What a random curse for being helpful? In this family, really not so different than any other day.” Sam snapped. He wanted nothing more than to be back at the motel. Actually, what he wanted was to never have left the motel at all that night.
“What’s in the bag? You have been holding onto it like an old lady’s purse on bingo night.” Dean joked.
“Oh, it’s for you. The kid’s mother bagged up a bunch of cakes. Enjoy.” Sam told him and tossed the bag at him.
“Dude, what is your problem? Funnel Cakes are awesome. They are better when they aren’t crumbs of crunchy chewy sugar in the bag.” Dean huffed opening the bag and carefully taking one out. After a he inhaled it he stood and brushed the stray sugar from his shirt. “You want a drink?” He asked Sam as he stepped out the door. Sam shook his head no. He watched Dean go out the door and turn toward the drink machine.
Sam grabbed the remote and found an old horror movie that he hoped would distract Dean when he came back to the room. Sam burrowed under the blankets on the bed by the bathroom and pretended to be asleep when Dean did walked through the door. He must have pretended longer that he expected to, the next thing he knew it was morning.
“Rise and shine Sammy, there is a lumberjack special calling my name.” Dean grinned and patted his belly. Sam tried his best not to grin at the sight.
“You are seriously not going to eat that much grease after last night?” Sam asked him from under the blanket.
“Bacon, sausage, ham and pancakes.” Dean sang and practically drooled. Sam peeked out from beneath a corner of the ugly blanket and watched as Dean shimmied his hips to his breakfast song.
“Dude, what are you five?” Sam laughed despite himself.
“If I admit I am, will it make you move your ass any quicker?” Dean asked him.
“Go have your morning love fest with the hot and salty grease on a plate.” Sam snapped.
“Seriously, how can you be this pissy? We just woke up. I haven’t been awake that long. It can’t all be because of me.” Dean sounded like he was quickly losing his patience.
“Dean just go. Find your breakfast and leave me alone.” Sam pulled the blanket tighter around his head.
“No, something crawled up your ass and I want to know what it is.” Dean demanded as he sat next to Sam on the bed.
“Dean, just let it go and find food.” Sam pleaded.
“No, you know what, this isn’t just a skirting chick flick moment. It is sailing into full blow girly times. You sound like a pissy chick, ‘If you don’t know what you did I am not telling you.’ I have news for you, I have no clue what I did. I thought we had a great time last night. We ate junk food and played games. We won a crap ton of things and you were happy about donating the toys to needy kids or sick kids or something. Hell, we even rode the damn Ferris wheel at sundown because I, like an idiot, thought it would be a romantic thing you would like.” Dean pulled the blanket off of Sam.
“This is not girly time. This is me not wanting to go to breakfast.” Sam tried to bluff his way out of the argument. He knew Dean was right and he was being difficult. That being said, difficult wasn’t being girly.
“So you would rather stay here and have a little fun?” Dean asked as he lay down beside Sam.
“Really I’m not in the mood.” Sam sighed.
“Wait, please tell me this isn't about what the old woman said last night?” Dean asked him.
“You mean the old woman in the fortune teller’s tent that did you the favor by blessing you?” Sam asked in return.
“She was a sweet old lady. I grabbed her grand kid before she could run into the funnel cake booth. Last thing anyone wanted was for the kid to run into a fryer. I just grabbed her before anyone else could.” Dean told him.
“She blessed you with a crazy curse and you aren’t even fazed by it.” Sam was still upset.
“We don't know if she even had any power. So, you are holed up here sulking for something that might be complete crap.” Dean ran his fingers through his hair.
“What if she does, then what? She blessed you to forget about your obligations and duties. That you would spend your life filled with passion and love.” Sam recited the old woman’s curse.
“I don’t get why you are so mad?” Dean said as he pushed Sam’s bangs off of his face. Sam tried to push Dean's hands away. The last thing he wanted was for Dean to see what he was feeling. He knew he could never hide his feelings from his brother. It wasn't long before Dean was looking into his eyes. He knew Dean would be able to see the guilt he still carried around for all the things his brother had to do for him.
“You think you’re an obligation? That the only reason you and I are together is out of some twisted sense of duty?” Dean sounded shocked.
“Can you blame me? How often did Dad remind you I was when we were little, that I was your job? Hell, last time we met up, he still treated me like I was a snot nose kid you had to watch over. Not a grown man capable of hunting with his brother. He was always busy pawning me off on you. How many dates did you cancel because you had to stay home with me? It wasn't just the dates; there were all kinds of things you missed out on. If you didn’t have to be my champion and protector, you could have had a normal life.” Sam let his anger at the situation come pouring out.
“Wow, I hardly know where to start after that little outburst. Seriously, I could start with the champion and protector crack, but I am willing to let it slide seeing as I won you the tiara last night. I did like it when you won me the plastic sword. As far as normal goes, I wouldn’t know normal if it bit me in the ass. That doesn't mean I wanted any other life but the one I have. Have you ever known a hunter that was what society would consider normal? I sure as the fuck haven’t. You didn't cost me anything more than I cost you. If we are being honest, I cost you more.” Dean told him.
“What did you cost me?” Sam asked bewildered?
“You really are a dumbass. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? Maybe spending all that time with the frat boys made you regret your choice.” Dean said.
“What are you talking about? What did I lie about?” Sam was confused.
“I never said you lied. You just chose to hide something important from me. Damn, I guess you did lie. Last I heard, lies of omission were still lies.” Dean sat up on the bed with his back to the wall.
“Okay, what didn’t I tell you about? I tell you everything. You knew about the first time I kissed a girl. The first time I stole a candy bar. Hell, the first time I did anything. So tell me Dean, what wouldn’t I have told you?” Sam sat up and leaned against his brother.
“How about the fact that you got into the college of your choice and blew it off? Why would you do that Sammy? The only reason I can think of is because of me. So, yeah, I think we both had to give stuff up. The only difference is, I chose to do what I could for you because I love you. You don't see me rolled up like a burrito in the bed hiding from breakfast.” Dean told him and poked him in the ribs.
“You think I skipped school just because of you?” Sam whispered. He was shocked Dean even knew about it. He had done all he could to make sure Dean and their dad never found out he had even applied to college. It wasn’t easy to hide things from either one of them, Dean especially. He had never been able to keep things from his brother, no matter how big or small it was.
“Why else would you have stayed? You always said you wanted a normal life. You said you would quit hunting first chance you got. Seems to me that was a good chance. Instead, you burnt the welcome packet and packed your shit like it was any other day. What am I supposed to think?” Dean sighed
“Dean, you’re right I did get into school. I could’ve went and most likely become a lawyer. Not to brag, but I would’ve made a damned good lawyer. I wanted to help other hunters to be able to get out of jams the normal law doesn’t understand. I think it would have been a good thing. I would like to think we could have worked something out so you would have gone with me. We could hunt on the weekends and school breaks together. For once, we could have had a home base that was ours. Maybe we could maybe be a real couple. We could have officially been boyfriends out and proud of it.” Sam blushed.
“Boyfriends, you mean we wouldn’t be brothers? That would be weird.” Dean told him.
“Dude, we’d still be brothers. We just would quit introducing each other as brothers to other people.” Sam laughed.
“Why?” Dean asked bewildered.
“Because in the real world, people may fantasize about fictional incestuous couples, but that doesn’t mean they want them living next door.” Sam told him.
“That’s just dumb.” Dean argued.
“People can be closed minded as we know.” Sam agreed, “Remember when I turned sixteen and we spent every spare dollar we had going to see the Boondocks Saints? I should say we spent every spare dollar at the concession stand on junk food. We always found a way to get in to the theater.”
“I remember we both thought both brothers were hot. Oh, the weapons locker, I had almost as many wet dreams about their shopping trip as I did about them. They would have been awesome hunting partners.” Dean rambled.
Sam nodded his head in agreement. They had been having the same conversation ever since they first saw the movie.
“That’s my point, remember how many girls would whisper and giggle about how the brothers were closer than they let on? Then someone would point out that they had brothers or sisters and the group would go ewwww and then get quiet. That is what would happen if we ever tell people we are brothers and then have any form of public affection. We would have gone form the two hot guys in apartment number whatever to the freaky brother fuckers we need to get rid of.” Sam slumped down so he could put his head in Dean's lap.
“Is that your subtle way of telling me you want more PDA in our lives?” Dean asked as he ran his finger through Sam’s hair.
“Yeah, because everyone needs to see us make out more.” Sam laughed.
“Hey, don’t knock it. I know for a fact, the girl that sold us our wristbands for the rides thought we were adorable. The chick that ran the fried Oreo booth gave us extra because we are so darned cute. The guy that ran the Ferris wheel gave me a nod and a thumbs up after checking you out. So, I do think that more people would like to see us making out.” Dean grinned.
“I think you want to make out more often and in more public places.” Sam.
“I bet you have the same list you made when you were a teenager.” Dean laughed at the thought.
“Jerk, you love my lists.” Sam pouted.
“Some of them were fun.” Dean agreed. “Like the time you made a list of the top best and worst diners for us to try. Or the time you found that book with the top one hundred candy bars. When you turned twenty one and made a list of the most exotic drinks we had to try. That list did lead us to explore your top twenty five fantasies.”
Dean groaned when he heard his stomach protest to skipping breakfast. “You made us late. Now we missed breakfast.” he complained.
“Dean, the last time I checked, diners served breakfast all day.” Sam reminded him.
“This one had a breakfast buffet until eleven and it is now five minutes past eleven.” Dean admitted.
“I thought you were singing the praises of the lumberjack special not too long ago. You were literally singing and dancing.” Sam laughed.
“You know you can try to avoid the question, but I still want an answer. Why did you hide the scholarship from me?” Dean asked him.
“You wouldn't understand.” Sam sighed.
“When have I not understood whatever crazy idea you got in that big brain of yours?” Dean asked him.
“What if you find a better life because of what happened?” Sam whispered.
“You think I could find a better life without you? You really are a dumbass. Good thing for you, I think you're a hot dumbass.” Dean laughed and manhandled Sam around until he was lying beneath him.
“Do you really think you can get rid of me that easy? We have survived curses, hexes, and jealous stalkers. Not to mention the threat of Dad. If the thought of him killing me hasn’t scared me off, what are the chances this will?” Dean asked him and kissed Sam before he could even think of a smart ass answer.
It wasn’t long until Dean's phone started to ring. “This is Dean.” He said and nodded to the door. Sam watched as he slipped outside and wondered what was going on. He briefly wondered if someone from last night tracked them down and wanted to do a story on Dean's heroic feat.
Sam was lost in a daydream of cashing in a huge reward check when Dean finally back into the room.
“I think the curse just kicked in.” Dean smiled and jumped on on Sam.
“Really?” Sam asked him.
“Last month I entered a contest I found while I was helping you research information about one of the local hauntings. I never thought I would win. That we would win, but we did.” Dean rambled.
“Okay, I am lost. What did you win?” Sam asked him.
“Let me just show you.” Dean said and jumped off the bed and came back a moment later with Sam’s laptop. He quickly brought up his emailed and turned the laptop around so Sam could see the screen.
“So this is your entry to the contest.” Sam mumbled as he read what Dean wrote. “This isn't completely true. You are every bit as smart as I am. Hell, in a lot of ways you’re the smarter one.”
“When did you get a Pinterest account? Seriously Princess Samantha is your name? Wow, even when you are not trying to be an ass, you’re still an ass. I don’t know if I should be afraid or impressed that you have three hundred pins about bacon. Oh man, I love your eye candy board. I will admit the work board could be useful. All jokes aside, you really did put a lot of work into this.” Sam said as he closed his laptop.
“I thought it would be fun to think about what would happen when we won.” Dean told him.
“We did win, so now what?” Sam asked him.
“I say we go meet Ma and find out everything we can about our new shop. We need to make a pact that when Dad finds the thing that killed Mom, we will help kill that son of a bitch.” Dean said staring into Sam’s eyes.
“Yeah, Dean, of course, we will do that. We wouldn't let Dad face it alone. How about we grab some lunch and find our new destiny?” Sam asked.
“This is the best curse ever.” Dean said and kissed him. Sam kissed him back and thought their new destiny could wait an hour, hopefully, two, while they made up for their lost date night.
Author:vexed_wench
Artist:cheshirejin
Beta:kattrip033
Title: The Sweetest Curse
Summary:A/U where Sam never went to Stanford the boys find the sweetest path to happily ever after
Characters/Pairings: Sam/Dean
Rating: R
Warnings/Spoilers: A/U
Wordcount: 5,833
“We need a night off.” Dean complained as he flopped down on his customary bed by the door.
“We've been out drinking every night for the past two weeks.” Sam complained as he threw his bag on his bed.
“Right. How lucky were we that there was a fraternity row that was haunted? It was like the Harry Potter houses with unlimited booze. I wish we could get more gigs like that. Two weeks of non-stop partying.” Dean grinned.
“When did you finish any of the Harry Potter books?” Sam asked him.
“We watched the movies together. How could you forget we spent the night watching every one you could find a couple of months ago?” Dean asked him.
“We spent the night playing that crazy ass drinking game. One shot for every time someone said muggle. Or when Draco said mudblood. He is an annoying little shit. Then we decided that He who shall not be named was worth two shots. That meant that Voldemort’s name was worth four shots.” Dean smirked.
Sam remembered that night. It was one of the random non-anniversary anniversaries that Dean liked to make up. Dean was always doing random little things that always made him either the best boyfriend ever or made Sam itch to slap him silly.
Dean had started the themed movie nights before Sam was old enough to drink. When their dad would leave them for his own hunt, Dean would put together a night of movies and snacks. It had evolved over the years so, when Sam was older, they added drinking games.
The first time Sam ever got shitfaced drunk was one of those nights. Dean had come home with a tape of the Wizard of Oz for the night’s entertainment. Dean surprised Sam with his choice of movie. He always complained when Sam made them watch it when it was on TV.
Dean had made two pitchers each of green and red colored drinks. To this day, the jerk still wouldn't tell Sam how he made them. The rules were simple. Every time the good witch or Dorothy's group did something stupid or sang you drank red. The wicked witch and flying monkeys found you drinking the green drinks. They combined what was left of both pitchers and chugged the result, while the Wizard was on the screen. Sam had spent the night curled up to Dean, listening to him plot how they could find flying monkeys.
“Are you even listening to me?” Dean asked him.
“Yeah Dean, you want to go out drinking.” Sam sighed. The last thing he wanted was a night out at one of the dive bars near the motel. They had played enough pool over the last couple of weeks that they had plenty of cash. Sam didn't want to spend the night watching people fawn all over Dean. He had watched people flirt with Dean for as long as he could remember. Sam couldn't think of a time when both men and women hadn't tried to drag Dean off for a quickie in the alley or the men's room. Dean always laughed and told Sam if he would smile more and show people his dimples, they would try to drag him off as well. Sam knew he didn't want anyone except Dean. Not that he would tell the jerk that. It would be bad enough living with him if Sam praised his boyfriend skills. If he told him that he was the best lover ever, Dean's ego would need an enjoining motel room.
“If you really don't want to go to a bar, how about we get dinner?” Dean asked him.
“I don't want to go out. Maybe we could just order pizza?” Sam asked him.
“Dude, really? We ate pizza so much lately, even I am sick of it. Come on Sammy, let's go out and get some real food.” Dean tried to convince him.
“Real food.” Sam mumbled under his breath.
“Yeah real food, I promise no diners. We'll blow a bit of our extra money at the steak joint down the road. I bet they have a great salad bar and some healthy options.” Dean sat down on the floor in front of his brother.
“No,” was all Sam snapped back at him.
“Sam, it's only six o'clock. There isn't even anything good on TV. Why can't we go out?” Dean poked Sam on his nose.
“Stop! You're so annoying.” Sam complained and rolled over on the bed.
“What is the matter with you? I thought you would love to have a night out. We're not on a job. No stalking or research of any kind. No annoying backstories just you and me having fun together.” Dean's logic had gone full circle.
“You mean a night out alone? I don't know if I can remember how to have a date night. After spending the last weeks watching you flirt with anything with a pulse made me forget we were more than brothers.” Sam told him.
“Wait, that's why you're mad at me? I stuck to our cover story and that makes me an asshole? Do you really think that we would have had an easier time jumping from frat house to frat house as boyfriends? I don't think so. We had that long talk in, Boise wasn't it, that it would be easier to get into all the houses if we were brothers?” Dean scrubbed his fingers in his hair. Sam turned and gave Dean a look that clearly said you're an idiot as he made his way to the bathroom.
“Come on Sam, you're mad because we didn't have a date night. Now, you're mad because I want to have a date night with you. How can I win?” Dean hollered after him.
“You want to go out and get a steak as big as your head. I saw the ad on TV when you did. This has nothing to do with wanting to spend time with me.” Sam yelled back.
“Maybe I wanted both. Did you stop and think about that?” Dean answered.
“Yeah, I have nothing better to do tonight then watch you stuff your face.” Sam complained as he walked back into the room.
“I’m sorry.” Dean mumbled as Sam walked by.
“Dean, I don't want to argue. Can we find something else to do?” Sam asked him.
“Sammy, you're a genius. I saw the flier for the county fair. County fairs are great; all the crap I love about the circus and not nearly the amount of clowns.” Dean smirked at him.
“Screw you Dean.” Sam cursed and threw a pillow at his brother's head.
“Maybe later, if you are a very good boy.” Dean winked as he made his way to the door.
Sam followed Dean to the car, resigned to the idea that they were going to spend the night at the fair. Sam tried his best to be happy about the evening. He wished Dean would listen to him more often. They could have been back in the motel eating Chinese take-out and watching whatever B rate horror flick was on the TV. It was always fun to watch Dean tell the hero how badly they were fucking things up and would soon die. They had been hunting long enough that there wasn't much they couldn't kill. They had more experience hunting then some of the older guys. They had more knowledge then all of the other hunters they knew, thanks to their Dad and Bobby.
“Time to quit pouting and have a little fun, Sammy.” Dean grinned and poked him in his side. “Where to first, food or rides?”
Sam refused to answer and just gave him another look that said, “I am clearly here against my will.”
“Fine, be a bitch, but it won't ruin our night out.” Dean whispered as he guided Sam to the games booth. Six well placed shots to knock over milk bottles later, Dean placed a pink and silver princess tiara on Sammy's head. He tried his best not to blush when Dean when Dean loudly declared him his pretty princess and kissed his forehead.
Sam realized that the only one he was punishing by sulking was him. He decided to make the best of their night out. Lucky for Dean, his hand to eye ordination was every bit as good as Dean's was. It wasn't long before Sam won a plastic sword and handed it over to him. “A sword for my prince.” He told him before running off towards the food booths. He didn't even try to hide his smile when Dean walked up behind him with the plastic sword tucked into his waistband.
Dean bought an order of fried Oreo's, loudly explaining they were to share with his boyfriend. The girls manning the booth all giggled and swore they were the cutest couple ever. It seemed as though most of the girls that waited on them had the same thought. Sam blushed brighter with each declaration of love Dean spoke.
They spent the next few hours sampling everything deep-fried or on a stick they could find, and riding every ride that had a short wait. Dean laughed when Sam held onto his sparkly tiara on the roller coaster so it wouldn't fly away. Sam swore it was to make sure it didn't poke someone in the eye. He knew Dean wasn't buying his excuse. He had saved tons of seemingly random things over the years, that one more thing wouldn't make a difference.
He had hidden mementos in the bottom of his backpack and eventually ran out of room. Their Dad had given Dean the Impala when he turned sixteen, when he bought a used pick-up truck for himself. Once the car officially became theirs, they found spaces to hide away things they didn't want to part with. Sam had kept something small from every important date he had been on with Dean in a box on the back seat. No matter how many times Dean threatened to open or chuck the box out, Sam knew neither thing would happen.
“Sammy, look over there.” Dean said pointing behind Sam. Sam turned his head and saw the banner for the pie eating contest.
“After all the crap we just ate, how can you even think about pie?” Sam asked him.
“Come on Sammy, we split everything so that was like half of the crap. I am sure I can manage a little pie. How could we have missed the banner before now?” Dean wondered.
“I'm sorry Dean.” Sam apologized when they saw Dean had missed the sign up by fifteen minutes. “If you want we can find a supermarket and buy a cart full of pies. It wouldn't be the public spectacle they have here, but I can feed you pie in bed.” Sam suggested.
“You know me Sammy, I am not about to pass up pie. I will admit the thought of you feeding me pie in bed is a good one. It won't be like the last time when my hands were bandaged and you fed me pity pie.” Dean smirked.
“If you had listened to me, I wouldn't have had to.” Sam laughed at the memory of Dean pouting until Sam finally gave in and fed him damn near an entire pie after hand feeding him a deluxe bacon cheeseburger and fries. “That night had a fun ending.” Sam reminded him.
“Yeah it will be more fun this time, seeing as I will have full use of my fingers.” Dean promised and followed it with a quick kiss. Sam was always glad to have his brother’s attention but he wasn’t sure if making out at the fair would be such a smart idea.
“I'll buy you a funnel cake. You love funnel cake. Yummy fried dough as big as your head, covered in powdered sugar.” Sam grabbed Dean's hand and started to drag him away from the pie eating contestants. The last thing he wanted was Dean starting a fight with the group on stage. He had witnessed his brother do crazier things for pie.
They were halfway between the fortune teller's booth and the funnel cake stand when Dean suddenly jerked away from him and sprinted to the side of the funnel cake booth. Sam saw his brother lift a little girl up off the ground before she could run into the booth. Sam was thankful for Dean's quick reflexes. Sam hated to think about what could have happened if she had knocked into one of the large fryers. Sam wasn't the only one with that thought as he watched what must have been half the fortune teller’s tent rush over to grab the girl. The girl’s mother spent just as much time scolding her as she did kissing every inch of her little head. Sam tried to work his way through the group of people that had been forming around them. There was an old woman, who must’ve been the girl’s great-grandma at the very least, standing in front of Dean. She barely stood above his waist. She couldn't be more than four foot two. She jerked Dean down with an ease that made Sam think she must have practiced that move on her own children often enough.
“You carry a heavy burden. Not one of your making or choosing. I bless you to be free of others obligations and obsessions. Your life will be filled with love and passion.” She told him and kissed his forehead.
Sam had heard enough curses over his lifetime to know that the old lady was legit. They were so screwed. He knew that curses hidden under the guise of a blessing were almost impossible to break. The only chance you to break it was to convince the person that the blessing was more of a hindrance than a help. Sam could recall hearing about four times that had worked in their social circle. No one knew how they had managed it, but Sam was willing to bet Dean wouldn’t be that lucky. Sam wished he he just went along with Dean's idea of dinner and a drink. Sam was pulled from his musing when the woman that ran the funnel cake stand handed him a large paper bag filled with cakes. He thanked her and swore that Dean would love them. Sam somehow managed to get Dean back to the car with minimal fuss from his brother or the grateful family.
“That was different.” Dean commented as he pulled on the street that lead back to the motel.
“What a random curse for being helpful? In this family, really not so different than any other day.” Sam snapped. He wanted nothing more than to be back at the motel. Actually, what he wanted was to never have left the motel at all that night.
“What’s in the bag? You have been holding onto it like an old lady’s purse on bingo night.” Dean joked.
“Oh, it’s for you. The kid’s mother bagged up a bunch of cakes. Enjoy.” Sam told him and tossed the bag at him.
“Dude, what is your problem? Funnel Cakes are awesome. They are better when they aren’t crumbs of crunchy chewy sugar in the bag.” Dean huffed opening the bag and carefully taking one out. After a he inhaled it he stood and brushed the stray sugar from his shirt. “You want a drink?” He asked Sam as he stepped out the door. Sam shook his head no. He watched Dean go out the door and turn toward the drink machine.
Sam grabbed the remote and found an old horror movie that he hoped would distract Dean when he came back to the room. Sam burrowed under the blankets on the bed by the bathroom and pretended to be asleep when Dean did walked through the door. He must have pretended longer that he expected to, the next thing he knew it was morning.
“Rise and shine Sammy, there is a lumberjack special calling my name.” Dean grinned and patted his belly. Sam tried his best not to grin at the sight.
“You are seriously not going to eat that much grease after last night?” Sam asked him from under the blanket.
“Bacon, sausage, ham and pancakes.” Dean sang and practically drooled. Sam peeked out from beneath a corner of the ugly blanket and watched as Dean shimmied his hips to his breakfast song.
“Dude, what are you five?” Sam laughed despite himself.
“If I admit I am, will it make you move your ass any quicker?” Dean asked him.
“Go have your morning love fest with the hot and salty grease on a plate.” Sam snapped.
“Seriously, how can you be this pissy? We just woke up. I haven’t been awake that long. It can’t all be because of me.” Dean sounded like he was quickly losing his patience.
“Dean just go. Find your breakfast and leave me alone.” Sam pulled the blanket tighter around his head.
“No, something crawled up your ass and I want to know what it is.” Dean demanded as he sat next to Sam on the bed.
“Dean, just let it go and find food.” Sam pleaded.
“No, you know what, this isn’t just a skirting chick flick moment. It is sailing into full blow girly times. You sound like a pissy chick, ‘If you don’t know what you did I am not telling you.’ I have news for you, I have no clue what I did. I thought we had a great time last night. We ate junk food and played games. We won a crap ton of things and you were happy about donating the toys to needy kids or sick kids or something. Hell, we even rode the damn Ferris wheel at sundown because I, like an idiot, thought it would be a romantic thing you would like.” Dean pulled the blanket off of Sam.
“This is not girly time. This is me not wanting to go to breakfast.” Sam tried to bluff his way out of the argument. He knew Dean was right and he was being difficult. That being said, difficult wasn’t being girly.
“So you would rather stay here and have a little fun?” Dean asked as he lay down beside Sam.
“Really I’m not in the mood.” Sam sighed.
“Wait, please tell me this isn't about what the old woman said last night?” Dean asked him.
“You mean the old woman in the fortune teller’s tent that did you the favor by blessing you?” Sam asked in return.
“She was a sweet old lady. I grabbed her grand kid before she could run into the funnel cake booth. Last thing anyone wanted was for the kid to run into a fryer. I just grabbed her before anyone else could.” Dean told him.
“She blessed you with a crazy curse and you aren’t even fazed by it.” Sam was still upset.
“We don't know if she even had any power. So, you are holed up here sulking for something that might be complete crap.” Dean ran his fingers through his hair.
“What if she does, then what? She blessed you to forget about your obligations and duties. That you would spend your life filled with passion and love.” Sam recited the old woman’s curse.
“I don’t get why you are so mad?” Dean said as he pushed Sam’s bangs off of his face. Sam tried to push Dean's hands away. The last thing he wanted was for Dean to see what he was feeling. He knew he could never hide his feelings from his brother. It wasn't long before Dean was looking into his eyes. He knew Dean would be able to see the guilt he still carried around for all the things his brother had to do for him.
“You think you’re an obligation? That the only reason you and I are together is out of some twisted sense of duty?” Dean sounded shocked.
“Can you blame me? How often did Dad remind you I was when we were little, that I was your job? Hell, last time we met up, he still treated me like I was a snot nose kid you had to watch over. Not a grown man capable of hunting with his brother. He was always busy pawning me off on you. How many dates did you cancel because you had to stay home with me? It wasn't just the dates; there were all kinds of things you missed out on. If you didn’t have to be my champion and protector, you could have had a normal life.” Sam let his anger at the situation come pouring out.
“Wow, I hardly know where to start after that little outburst. Seriously, I could start with the champion and protector crack, but I am willing to let it slide seeing as I won you the tiara last night. I did like it when you won me the plastic sword. As far as normal goes, I wouldn’t know normal if it bit me in the ass. That doesn't mean I wanted any other life but the one I have. Have you ever known a hunter that was what society would consider normal? I sure as the fuck haven’t. You didn't cost me anything more than I cost you. If we are being honest, I cost you more.” Dean told him.
“What did you cost me?” Sam asked bewildered?
“You really are a dumbass. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? Maybe spending all that time with the frat boys made you regret your choice.” Dean said.
“What are you talking about? What did I lie about?” Sam was confused.
“I never said you lied. You just chose to hide something important from me. Damn, I guess you did lie. Last I heard, lies of omission were still lies.” Dean sat up on the bed with his back to the wall.
“Okay, what didn’t I tell you about? I tell you everything. You knew about the first time I kissed a girl. The first time I stole a candy bar. Hell, the first time I did anything. So tell me Dean, what wouldn’t I have told you?” Sam sat up and leaned against his brother.
“How about the fact that you got into the college of your choice and blew it off? Why would you do that Sammy? The only reason I can think of is because of me. So, yeah, I think we both had to give stuff up. The only difference is, I chose to do what I could for you because I love you. You don't see me rolled up like a burrito in the bed hiding from breakfast.” Dean told him and poked him in the ribs.
“You think I skipped school just because of you?” Sam whispered. He was shocked Dean even knew about it. He had done all he could to make sure Dean and their dad never found out he had even applied to college. It wasn’t easy to hide things from either one of them, Dean especially. He had never been able to keep things from his brother, no matter how big or small it was.
“Why else would you have stayed? You always said you wanted a normal life. You said you would quit hunting first chance you got. Seems to me that was a good chance. Instead, you burnt the welcome packet and packed your shit like it was any other day. What am I supposed to think?” Dean sighed
“Dean, you’re right I did get into school. I could’ve went and most likely become a lawyer. Not to brag, but I would’ve made a damned good lawyer. I wanted to help other hunters to be able to get out of jams the normal law doesn’t understand. I think it would have been a good thing. I would like to think we could have worked something out so you would have gone with me. We could hunt on the weekends and school breaks together. For once, we could have had a home base that was ours. Maybe we could maybe be a real couple. We could have officially been boyfriends out and proud of it.” Sam blushed.
“Boyfriends, you mean we wouldn’t be brothers? That would be weird.” Dean told him.
“Dude, we’d still be brothers. We just would quit introducing each other as brothers to other people.” Sam laughed.
“Why?” Dean asked bewildered.
“Because in the real world, people may fantasize about fictional incestuous couples, but that doesn’t mean they want them living next door.” Sam told him.
“That’s just dumb.” Dean argued.
“People can be closed minded as we know.” Sam agreed, “Remember when I turned sixteen and we spent every spare dollar we had going to see the Boondocks Saints? I should say we spent every spare dollar at the concession stand on junk food. We always found a way to get in to the theater.”
“I remember we both thought both brothers were hot. Oh, the weapons locker, I had almost as many wet dreams about their shopping trip as I did about them. They would have been awesome hunting partners.” Dean rambled.
Sam nodded his head in agreement. They had been having the same conversation ever since they first saw the movie.
“That’s my point, remember how many girls would whisper and giggle about how the brothers were closer than they let on? Then someone would point out that they had brothers or sisters and the group would go ewwww and then get quiet. That is what would happen if we ever tell people we are brothers and then have any form of public affection. We would have gone form the two hot guys in apartment number whatever to the freaky brother fuckers we need to get rid of.” Sam slumped down so he could put his head in Dean's lap.
“Is that your subtle way of telling me you want more PDA in our lives?” Dean asked as he ran his finger through Sam’s hair.
“Yeah, because everyone needs to see us make out more.” Sam laughed.
“Hey, don’t knock it. I know for a fact, the girl that sold us our wristbands for the rides thought we were adorable. The chick that ran the fried Oreo booth gave us extra because we are so darned cute. The guy that ran the Ferris wheel gave me a nod and a thumbs up after checking you out. So, I do think that more people would like to see us making out.” Dean grinned.
“I think you want to make out more often and in more public places.” Sam.
“I bet you have the same list you made when you were a teenager.” Dean laughed at the thought.
“Jerk, you love my lists.” Sam pouted.
“Some of them were fun.” Dean agreed. “Like the time you made a list of the top best and worst diners for us to try. Or the time you found that book with the top one hundred candy bars. When you turned twenty one and made a list of the most exotic drinks we had to try. That list did lead us to explore your top twenty five fantasies.”
Dean groaned when he heard his stomach protest to skipping breakfast. “You made us late. Now we missed breakfast.” he complained.
“Dean, the last time I checked, diners served breakfast all day.” Sam reminded him.
“This one had a breakfast buffet until eleven and it is now five minutes past eleven.” Dean admitted.
“I thought you were singing the praises of the lumberjack special not too long ago. You were literally singing and dancing.” Sam laughed.
“You know you can try to avoid the question, but I still want an answer. Why did you hide the scholarship from me?” Dean asked him.
“You wouldn't understand.” Sam sighed.
“When have I not understood whatever crazy idea you got in that big brain of yours?” Dean asked him.
“What if you find a better life because of what happened?” Sam whispered.
“You think I could find a better life without you? You really are a dumbass. Good thing for you, I think you're a hot dumbass.” Dean laughed and manhandled Sam around until he was lying beneath him.
“Do you really think you can get rid of me that easy? We have survived curses, hexes, and jealous stalkers. Not to mention the threat of Dad. If the thought of him killing me hasn’t scared me off, what are the chances this will?” Dean asked him and kissed Sam before he could even think of a smart ass answer.
It wasn’t long until Dean's phone started to ring. “This is Dean.” He said and nodded to the door. Sam watched as he slipped outside and wondered what was going on. He briefly wondered if someone from last night tracked them down and wanted to do a story on Dean's heroic feat.
Sam was lost in a daydream of cashing in a huge reward check when Dean finally back into the room.
“I think the curse just kicked in.” Dean smiled and jumped on on Sam.
“Really?” Sam asked him.
“Last month I entered a contest I found while I was helping you research information about one of the local hauntings. I never thought I would win. That we would win, but we did.” Dean rambled.
“Okay, I am lost. What did you win?” Sam asked him.
“Let me just show you.” Dean said and jumped off the bed and came back a moment later with Sam’s laptop. He quickly brought up his emailed and turned the laptop around so Sam could see the screen.
“So this is your entry to the contest.” Sam mumbled as he read what Dean wrote. “This isn't completely true. You are every bit as smart as I am. Hell, in a lot of ways you’re the smarter one.”
“When did you get a Pinterest account? Seriously Princess Samantha is your name? Wow, even when you are not trying to be an ass, you’re still an ass. I don’t know if I should be afraid or impressed that you have three hundred pins about bacon. Oh man, I love your eye candy board. I will admit the work board could be useful. All jokes aside, you really did put a lot of work into this.” Sam said as he closed his laptop.
“I thought it would be fun to think about what would happen when we won.” Dean told him.
“We did win, so now what?” Sam asked him.
“I say we go meet Ma and find out everything we can about our new shop. We need to make a pact that when Dad finds the thing that killed Mom, we will help kill that son of a bitch.” Dean said staring into Sam’s eyes.
“Yeah, Dean, of course, we will do that. We wouldn't let Dad face it alone. How about we grab some lunch and find our new destiny?” Sam asked.
“This is the best curse ever.” Dean said and kissed him. Sam kissed him back and thought their new destiny could wait an hour, hopefully, two, while they made up for their lost date night.