Silent Jayhawk
Title: Silent Jayhawk
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Dean, Sam, John, OMC, OFC, mentions of John/Kate
Prompt: Scars
Warnings: None
Summary: Written for the tags challenge at hoodie_time. Dean was born deaf and after an almost deadly incident with a shtriga, John realizes that a deaf person has no place in hunting and leaves him behind in the hospital. After several months, Dean finds a new home and a new life - but he knows why his dad got rid of him. Years later, Sam runs into his long lost older brother in a completely unexpected way. Double Prompt Fill.
It was quite possibly the worst thing John Winchester figured he'd ever done, but he'd had to do it. It hurt like hell and he could hear Mary's voice screaming at him in righteous rage in his mind. He could only hope that some day, some day Dean could forgive him for what he'd done. That the boy could some how understand. When he crossed the state line into Missouri, Sam sleeping placidly in the backseat, hugging his older brother's jacket in his arms, he almost takes the next exit to turn around. But he doesn't and the miles click by, faster and faster, away from the small town where his eldest had nearly gotten killed, then taken the blame for not being vigilant and his punishment for falling asleep and being the one the shtriga found instead of his baby brother has been abandonment.
John had heard it from other hunters, in whispers and drunken comments and every time he'd stood up for his tough as nails son. It wasn't Dean's fault. It wasn't anyone's fault really - but perhaps this incident had proved those assholes right. Deaf people couldn't be hunters. It was so weird to just say that out right about his boy. He'd never thought of Dean as being different, not even when he and Mary found out that their boy couldn't hear. Mary had taken it a little better than him and then gone to the library to check out a book on sign language. Things were great for a few years, Dean having the brightest smile in the world and a vocabulary of words in his hands that outstripped those of hearing and speaking four year olds. Then came Sam. Sam, born all healthy and hearing, with no defects at all. Dean had always been an excellent older brother, had patiently relinquished most of his attention to Sam, so much so that it sent up red flags to Mary and made it a point to spend one hour a day, usually during Sam's morning nap, to just focus on Dean. It'd been harder for him.
John knew he'd come home from work, exhausted and somehow, it was just easier to pick up an infant than the rough and tumble child who was always so damn happy he was home. Shaking his head to clear the memories, he strengthened his resolve and pushed the Impala's accelerator up to seventy, racing two Winchesters away from the third, who by this time tomorrow, would be on his way to a new home.
*
The foster care home was for 'special cases' and Dean figured that using the word 'special' was a polite way of saying 'imperfect'. Dean shared a room with three other boys, one was blind (Josh), one couldn't walk (Aaron) and there was another who could hear, but couldn't speak (Derrick). Dean kept waiting for the Impala to come back and for Dad to work it out so he could come home, or even for Pastor Jim, Uncle Bobby or Uncle Caleb. It took Dean two months to realize that no one was coming to get him. It'd not been his fault that Sammy had gotten up out of bed and gone into the other room to watch the television. Dean had trusted his little brother was asleep and after checking everything, had gone to bed himself and woken up in the hospital. He wasn't angry at Sam, but sometimes... sometimes he was so jealous of Sammy it hurt. Sammy, who dad still rained affection on, doted on and loved unconditionally. Sam who could hear and talk. Who could communicate with dad without using his hands, who was unquestionably the favorite.
Dean missed his family terribly, but he always put on a brave front when people started visiting the house. He didn't know why people would specifically chose kids with problems, as Josh was fond of saying. It was a young couple from Maryland, however, that made Dean think otherwise. The first time he'd seen the couple, the Coulters, he'd been a little wary. However, when Mrs. Coulter saw him and rather than saying hello, she signed it - and added a 'how are you today' to it. He would have thought that maybe, just maybe the woman might be just learning, but after what had to be the longest conversation he'd ever had with another deaf person, he didn't mind their visits so much. He didn't think they were monsters, they couldn't be. Pastor Jim had told him that demons never possessed people with 'problems' as it became a little to obvious if a blind person started seeing or something similar.
A week before his tenth birthday, Dean agreed to leave with the couple and 'try things out.' He was relieved that they didn't fly to Maryland. He wasn't sure if he ever wanted to get on a plane or not. He did, however, ask the lady who ran the foster house to let him know if his dad came by looking for him. It was a vain hope, he knew... but he'd still liked to think that maybe, just maybe, dad would give him a second chance.
The house in Maryland was comfortable and pleasant looking. Even with a thin layer of snow on the ground, Dean still thought the brick home with black shutters looked almost perfect. Both Mr and Mrs Coulter were deaf, but only Mrs. Coulter had been born deaf. Dean had been doing his best not to act all 'weird' as the other kids had called it, with monsters and stuff. The wrought iron fence around the house was reassuring and there were also a few crucifixes inside. So it was mostly demon proof, he figured. Besides, if the thing that killed mom was going to come and get him, wouldn't he have done so by now? He'd been practically helpless for three months. Plenty of time to strike. No attack came, no attack ever came - and there was something akin to starting over for him.
The heavy wooden bedstead with the large throw over it was more grandmotherly than little boy, but Dean figured it wasn't bad. This house was actually pretty incredible, wired for deaf people, from the phones to the smoke detectors, to some weird little appliances in the kitchen that Mrs. Coulter - Elisa, she insisted - had explained were designed specifically help her cook. He'd already unpacked his few belongings, an extra pair of jeans, two shirts and some socks and underwear. It wasn't the first time he wished Dad had left his duffel bag of clothes behind, along with him. Well, before too long Sam would grow to fit them.
A wave of sorrow swept over Dean and he curled up on the bed and for the first time, cried about his situation. Dad hadn't left him for disobeying. He'd not disobeyed. Dad had left him because he was deaf and deaf people were nothing more than a liability to a hunter. It didn't matter he was a crack shot or that he could stitch up wounds with such precision it'd make a surgeon jealous, he couldn't hunt because he couldn't hear. And if he couldn't hunt, Dad didn't need him, because as the incident with the shtriga had proven, he couldn't even take care of Sam. He didn't know how long he cried but when he felt a pair of thin arms pull him into a hug and hand stroking the side of his face, he sniffled and tried to regain his composure. He looked up, rather ashamed of himself, into Elisa's blue eyes that were, to his great shock, also wet with tears.
“What's the matter?” She signed at him when he finally felt ready to be released from the hug. “Are you not happy here?”
He shook his head and signed back at her. “I think my dad abandoned me because I'm deaf and he didn't think I could take care of my little brother.”
Elisa frowned. “I cannot imagine him leaving you because of that.”
“It's true.” Dean signed with as much emphasis as he could manage.
“You were sick.” She replied. “Very sick.”
“Doesn't change that I wasn't watching him.” Dean's shoulders slumped and he looked down at his hands. “I just wish dad loved me like he loves Sam.”
Elisa's heart could have broken right then. She pulled him back into a hug, feeling the young boy's body start to shudder with sobs again as she rocked him slowly, wishing she could take the pain away from Dean. Having never met John Winchester, she didn't know if what Dean was saying was true or not, but either way... no child should ever have to even think such a thing. She rested her head against his, letting the boy have his well deserved tears.
**
The hunt for the demon that killed Mary ended when Sam was almost ten. He wasn't sure of all the details, as he'd been sequestered at Pastor Jim's at the time. He and dad would have to work on getting back to normal living. That had been a few months ago, and now as Sam set the table to dinner in Kate Milligan's house - he still wasn't ready to call her mom, even if she technically was the only one he'd ever known - he couldn't wait for dad to get home. Dad had said the trip would just take him two days - and he'd return with Dean. Dad knew he'd still be in that foster home a few towns away - dad had said it'd be highly unlikely he'd be anywhere else. After setting Adam's plastic utensils down in front of the booster seat, he heard the rumble of the Impala and he instantly brightened. Dad was back - Dad was back with Dean. Sam had been studying sign language with a ferocity for the past few months so he and Dean could get caught up like no time passed. He couldn't quite remember why dad had left him where he did. Something about not being able to take care of Dean or some other sort of thing. Sam frowned when he heard just one door shut. He went to the kitchen window and looked out, Dad was alone, his head down.
It came out before dinner was even on the table. Another family had taken Dean in - he'd been adopted and that was all the social worker had been able to tell them. On that sunny June evening, Sam decided that some day, he was going to find his brother. He just never thought he would find him the way he did.
**
Freshmen Orientation required attending a sporting event - and Sam had already told his dad that the wouldn't go to see a football game without him. Attending a gymnastics meet wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but when he and his friend Brady learned that six of the girls from their class were attending, they couldn't pass that opportunity up. The fact that they learned it was men's gymnastics was a deterrent, until Sam learned that one of the four teams competing was Gallaudet University, the college for the deaf in DC. As they settled into their seats in the arena, in front of a couple who were discussing something in rapid sign language, the only part of which Sam picked up was 'I think I know why he likes this school' he had to remind himself it was rude to stare.
“You know, I think the deaf kids might have a significant advantage over everyone.” Brady leaned back in his seat.
“What makes you say that?” Sam said, watching as the teams marched in to the arena.
“They cant' hear all this noise... that has to be distracting.”
“I think all gymnasts learn to tune that out.” Sam shrugged. “I've only watched this sport on television.”
“Same here. My little sister is a total gymnastic nut, she's no Shannon Miller, but hey... she's only nine, so who knows...”
“Your high school have one of these teams?” Sam scanned over the teams as they started into the first rotation. Apparently the women were going to compete as well during this trip, as all the apparatuses were set up.
“Yeah... I used to see 'em practicing in the gym a few times. Some big shot transfer student who was a starter on the football team made the mistake of challenging the team captain to a pull-up contest. Guy totally got his ass kicked. I didn't think it was humanly possible to do sixty of those in a minute.”
Sam let out a low whistle. “Shit.”
“No kidding.” Brady chuckled. “Your high school have a team?”
“Not for the guys... unless you counted cheer-leading.”
“That kind of counts.” He snorted in response.
“You speak sign, don't you?”
“Yeah.” Sam replied as the competition began.
*
Sam hadn't expected to be called in for student ambassador duties as a first semester freshman. When he got to the Administration Building, however, it was explained to him that the usual person used as a translator for the hearing impaired was buried in sorority rush duties and every other back-up person had tickets to the football game they didn't want to relinquish. So that's how he found himself face to face with the couple he'd sat behind last night at the gymnastics competition and their son, who was interested in attending Stanford Medical School. He didn't recognize the guy, other than the fact he'd totally kicked everyone's ass on both the floor and rings last night, but apparently, this guy knew exactly who he was.
“Sammy?” The guy signed. “Sammy is that you?”
The two parents exchanged glances and made a few motions Sam didn't quite catch.
“I'm sorry, I don't think I know you...” Sam was feeling very confused.
“You don't remember me?” The guy's look of shock was giving way to one of sorrow. “Or did Dad do something really awful and tell you I was dead?”
Something in Sam's mind clicked. He knew the guy's first name was Dean. He tried to think back, back to being five and of that motel room. No way... no fucking way... “Dean?” He signed to the man, in the motion he'd always used for his brother, the letter D, paired with 'brother.'
The man nodded and suddenly grabbed him in a tight hug.
Dean couldn't believe that after over ten years, he was able to hug his brother again, the brother he'd not even gotten to say good-bye to all those years ago. He'd long ago figured that the life he'd lived since that awful night in Minnesota had been one he couldn't have had without it happening. Pastor Jim had once told him all things happen for a reason, even if we can't see it at the time. So now here he was, a few thousand miles from home, getting to hug his little brother.
Sam had a million questions and no idea how to start ask them. The hug ended sooner than he would like, but as he watched, Dean explained to the couple - his parents - Sam realized with some shock what exactly was going on. The woman apparently was the friendlier of the two and she also gave him a hug, then lifted his chin and told him in sign that he needed a haircut.
**
Dean couldn't believe it. Sam. Sam was at Stanford University. Dad had found the thing that killed Mom almost seven years ago. Dad had quit hunting... and gotten himself a new start. Dean wasn't sure if he should be happy or downright pissed. He was happy for Sam, of course. But at the same time, he couldn't stop from thinking of where he'd been seven years ago. Despite Elisa and Michael adopting him, he'd still missed Dad and Sam. He'd been difficult, he knew that. They'd put him in gymnastics to help channel all that anger and energy into something. Elisa didn't want him playing football - which Dean would never want to do anyway. Gymnastics was hard and required a lot of skill and Dean had loved that. He'd racked up a lot of injuries but still he kept going. It'd been Elisa who'd given him his new name sign. The letter D coupled with 'tough' - because if there was one word she could use to describe him, that was it.
Dad had tried to go and get him back from that foster home, expecting him to still be there, patiently and diligently waiting for him. What bullshit.
Dean settled back into his room, setting the medals he got in Stanford to his collection. Dad, Michael Dad, kept asking him if he wanted to try and get on the Paralympic Team again, after missing the team to Atlanta by less than half a point. It was too late to get on the team for Sydney - but Athens... It was something to think about, even if medical school was already beckoning. Guys did have one advantage over girls in the sport of gymnastics... they could last in the competitive arena all through their twenties. He sighed and ran his fingers over the silver medal he'd picked up at Nationals last June. He knew what Dad would say about all this. That it was a waste. He should be doing something important. As if raking in excellent grades and setting his sights on becoming a pediatric surgeon wasn't good enough. He sat down on his bed, that old granny throw had long ago been replaced by a brilliantly purple and black blanket bearing the logo of the Baltimore Ravens.
All of those medals, all those grades, all that had been under the encouragement of his parents. Elisa who'd told him anything was possible and Michael who told him to never give up. He never told them, but after he'd adjusted and started to learn to live again, Dean used to have nightmares that Dad would show up and take him away from all this, put him back under his thumb. Dad had abandoned Dean to be free of the responsibility of parenting a child who'd been obedient, dutiful and deaf... and unknowingly given Dean unbounded freedom to flourish. He stood up and went to wash his hands for dinner.
Maybe Athens was a bit of a stretch... besides, who needed an Olympic medal? A World Championship medal would be just as good... and he still had plenty of time for both the team and the individual competitions. As for Stanford? That school was going to the top of his list and not just because Sammy was there. It'd be hard, being clear across the country from mom and dad, but as dad said, there was no shame in wanting to stretch your wings. Those guys in the competition had sure been shocked when the deaf kids came all the way to California to clean the floors with them. He'd once been asked how he always seemed to find his mark with precision that would make any gymnast jealous.
Dean had replied that he'd always had excellent aim.
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Dean, Sam, John, OMC, OFC, mentions of John/Kate
Prompt: Scars
Warnings: None
Summary: Written for the tags challenge at hoodie_time. Dean was born deaf and after an almost deadly incident with a shtriga, John realizes that a deaf person has no place in hunting and leaves him behind in the hospital. After several months, Dean finds a new home and a new life - but he knows why his dad got rid of him. Years later, Sam runs into his long lost older brother in a completely unexpected way. Double Prompt Fill.
It was quite possibly the worst thing John Winchester figured he'd ever done, but he'd had to do it. It hurt like hell and he could hear Mary's voice screaming at him in righteous rage in his mind. He could only hope that some day, some day Dean could forgive him for what he'd done. That the boy could some how understand. When he crossed the state line into Missouri, Sam sleeping placidly in the backseat, hugging his older brother's jacket in his arms, he almost takes the next exit to turn around. But he doesn't and the miles click by, faster and faster, away from the small town where his eldest had nearly gotten killed, then taken the blame for not being vigilant and his punishment for falling asleep and being the one the shtriga found instead of his baby brother has been abandonment.
John had heard it from other hunters, in whispers and drunken comments and every time he'd stood up for his tough as nails son. It wasn't Dean's fault. It wasn't anyone's fault really - but perhaps this incident had proved those assholes right. Deaf people couldn't be hunters. It was so weird to just say that out right about his boy. He'd never thought of Dean as being different, not even when he and Mary found out that their boy couldn't hear. Mary had taken it a little better than him and then gone to the library to check out a book on sign language. Things were great for a few years, Dean having the brightest smile in the world and a vocabulary of words in his hands that outstripped those of hearing and speaking four year olds. Then came Sam. Sam, born all healthy and hearing, with no defects at all. Dean had always been an excellent older brother, had patiently relinquished most of his attention to Sam, so much so that it sent up red flags to Mary and made it a point to spend one hour a day, usually during Sam's morning nap, to just focus on Dean. It'd been harder for him.
John knew he'd come home from work, exhausted and somehow, it was just easier to pick up an infant than the rough and tumble child who was always so damn happy he was home. Shaking his head to clear the memories, he strengthened his resolve and pushed the Impala's accelerator up to seventy, racing two Winchesters away from the third, who by this time tomorrow, would be on his way to a new home.
*
The foster care home was for 'special cases' and Dean figured that using the word 'special' was a polite way of saying 'imperfect'. Dean shared a room with three other boys, one was blind (Josh), one couldn't walk (Aaron) and there was another who could hear, but couldn't speak (Derrick). Dean kept waiting for the Impala to come back and for Dad to work it out so he could come home, or even for Pastor Jim, Uncle Bobby or Uncle Caleb. It took Dean two months to realize that no one was coming to get him. It'd not been his fault that Sammy had gotten up out of bed and gone into the other room to watch the television. Dean had trusted his little brother was asleep and after checking everything, had gone to bed himself and woken up in the hospital. He wasn't angry at Sam, but sometimes... sometimes he was so jealous of Sammy it hurt. Sammy, who dad still rained affection on, doted on and loved unconditionally. Sam who could hear and talk. Who could communicate with dad without using his hands, who was unquestionably the favorite.
Dean missed his family terribly, but he always put on a brave front when people started visiting the house. He didn't know why people would specifically chose kids with problems, as Josh was fond of saying. It was a young couple from Maryland, however, that made Dean think otherwise. The first time he'd seen the couple, the Coulters, he'd been a little wary. However, when Mrs. Coulter saw him and rather than saying hello, she signed it - and added a 'how are you today' to it. He would have thought that maybe, just maybe the woman might be just learning, but after what had to be the longest conversation he'd ever had with another deaf person, he didn't mind their visits so much. He didn't think they were monsters, they couldn't be. Pastor Jim had told him that demons never possessed people with 'problems' as it became a little to obvious if a blind person started seeing or something similar.
A week before his tenth birthday, Dean agreed to leave with the couple and 'try things out.' He was relieved that they didn't fly to Maryland. He wasn't sure if he ever wanted to get on a plane or not. He did, however, ask the lady who ran the foster house to let him know if his dad came by looking for him. It was a vain hope, he knew... but he'd still liked to think that maybe, just maybe, dad would give him a second chance.
The house in Maryland was comfortable and pleasant looking. Even with a thin layer of snow on the ground, Dean still thought the brick home with black shutters looked almost perfect. Both Mr and Mrs Coulter were deaf, but only Mrs. Coulter had been born deaf. Dean had been doing his best not to act all 'weird' as the other kids had called it, with monsters and stuff. The wrought iron fence around the house was reassuring and there were also a few crucifixes inside. So it was mostly demon proof, he figured. Besides, if the thing that killed mom was going to come and get him, wouldn't he have done so by now? He'd been practically helpless for three months. Plenty of time to strike. No attack came, no attack ever came - and there was something akin to starting over for him.
The heavy wooden bedstead with the large throw over it was more grandmotherly than little boy, but Dean figured it wasn't bad. This house was actually pretty incredible, wired for deaf people, from the phones to the smoke detectors, to some weird little appliances in the kitchen that Mrs. Coulter - Elisa, she insisted - had explained were designed specifically help her cook. He'd already unpacked his few belongings, an extra pair of jeans, two shirts and some socks and underwear. It wasn't the first time he wished Dad had left his duffel bag of clothes behind, along with him. Well, before too long Sam would grow to fit them.
A wave of sorrow swept over Dean and he curled up on the bed and for the first time, cried about his situation. Dad hadn't left him for disobeying. He'd not disobeyed. Dad had left him because he was deaf and deaf people were nothing more than a liability to a hunter. It didn't matter he was a crack shot or that he could stitch up wounds with such precision it'd make a surgeon jealous, he couldn't hunt because he couldn't hear. And if he couldn't hunt, Dad didn't need him, because as the incident with the shtriga had proven, he couldn't even take care of Sam. He didn't know how long he cried but when he felt a pair of thin arms pull him into a hug and hand stroking the side of his face, he sniffled and tried to regain his composure. He looked up, rather ashamed of himself, into Elisa's blue eyes that were, to his great shock, also wet with tears.
“What's the matter?” She signed at him when he finally felt ready to be released from the hug. “Are you not happy here?”
He shook his head and signed back at her. “I think my dad abandoned me because I'm deaf and he didn't think I could take care of my little brother.”
Elisa frowned. “I cannot imagine him leaving you because of that.”
“It's true.” Dean signed with as much emphasis as he could manage.
“You were sick.” She replied. “Very sick.”
“Doesn't change that I wasn't watching him.” Dean's shoulders slumped and he looked down at his hands. “I just wish dad loved me like he loves Sam.”
Elisa's heart could have broken right then. She pulled him back into a hug, feeling the young boy's body start to shudder with sobs again as she rocked him slowly, wishing she could take the pain away from Dean. Having never met John Winchester, she didn't know if what Dean was saying was true or not, but either way... no child should ever have to even think such a thing. She rested her head against his, letting the boy have his well deserved tears.
**
The hunt for the demon that killed Mary ended when Sam was almost ten. He wasn't sure of all the details, as he'd been sequestered at Pastor Jim's at the time. He and dad would have to work on getting back to normal living. That had been a few months ago, and now as Sam set the table to dinner in Kate Milligan's house - he still wasn't ready to call her mom, even if she technically was the only one he'd ever known - he couldn't wait for dad to get home. Dad had said the trip would just take him two days - and he'd return with Dean. Dad knew he'd still be in that foster home a few towns away - dad had said it'd be highly unlikely he'd be anywhere else. After setting Adam's plastic utensils down in front of the booster seat, he heard the rumble of the Impala and he instantly brightened. Dad was back - Dad was back with Dean. Sam had been studying sign language with a ferocity for the past few months so he and Dean could get caught up like no time passed. He couldn't quite remember why dad had left him where he did. Something about not being able to take care of Dean or some other sort of thing. Sam frowned when he heard just one door shut. He went to the kitchen window and looked out, Dad was alone, his head down.
It came out before dinner was even on the table. Another family had taken Dean in - he'd been adopted and that was all the social worker had been able to tell them. On that sunny June evening, Sam decided that some day, he was going to find his brother. He just never thought he would find him the way he did.
**
Freshmen Orientation required attending a sporting event - and Sam had already told his dad that the wouldn't go to see a football game without him. Attending a gymnastics meet wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but when he and his friend Brady learned that six of the girls from their class were attending, they couldn't pass that opportunity up. The fact that they learned it was men's gymnastics was a deterrent, until Sam learned that one of the four teams competing was Gallaudet University, the college for the deaf in DC. As they settled into their seats in the arena, in front of a couple who were discussing something in rapid sign language, the only part of which Sam picked up was 'I think I know why he likes this school' he had to remind himself it was rude to stare.
“You know, I think the deaf kids might have a significant advantage over everyone.” Brady leaned back in his seat.
“What makes you say that?” Sam said, watching as the teams marched in to the arena.
“They cant' hear all this noise... that has to be distracting.”
“I think all gymnasts learn to tune that out.” Sam shrugged. “I've only watched this sport on television.”
“Same here. My little sister is a total gymnastic nut, she's no Shannon Miller, but hey... she's only nine, so who knows...”
“Your high school have one of these teams?” Sam scanned over the teams as they started into the first rotation. Apparently the women were going to compete as well during this trip, as all the apparatuses were set up.
“Yeah... I used to see 'em practicing in the gym a few times. Some big shot transfer student who was a starter on the football team made the mistake of challenging the team captain to a pull-up contest. Guy totally got his ass kicked. I didn't think it was humanly possible to do sixty of those in a minute.”
Sam let out a low whistle. “Shit.”
“No kidding.” Brady chuckled. “Your high school have a team?”
“Not for the guys... unless you counted cheer-leading.”
“That kind of counts.” He snorted in response.
“You speak sign, don't you?”
“Yeah.” Sam replied as the competition began.
*
Sam hadn't expected to be called in for student ambassador duties as a first semester freshman. When he got to the Administration Building, however, it was explained to him that the usual person used as a translator for the hearing impaired was buried in sorority rush duties and every other back-up person had tickets to the football game they didn't want to relinquish. So that's how he found himself face to face with the couple he'd sat behind last night at the gymnastics competition and their son, who was interested in attending Stanford Medical School. He didn't recognize the guy, other than the fact he'd totally kicked everyone's ass on both the floor and rings last night, but apparently, this guy knew exactly who he was.
“Sammy?” The guy signed. “Sammy is that you?”
The two parents exchanged glances and made a few motions Sam didn't quite catch.
“I'm sorry, I don't think I know you...” Sam was feeling very confused.
“You don't remember me?” The guy's look of shock was giving way to one of sorrow. “Or did Dad do something really awful and tell you I was dead?”
Something in Sam's mind clicked. He knew the guy's first name was Dean. He tried to think back, back to being five and of that motel room. No way... no fucking way... “Dean?” He signed to the man, in the motion he'd always used for his brother, the letter D, paired with 'brother.'
The man nodded and suddenly grabbed him in a tight hug.
Dean couldn't believe that after over ten years, he was able to hug his brother again, the brother he'd not even gotten to say good-bye to all those years ago. He'd long ago figured that the life he'd lived since that awful night in Minnesota had been one he couldn't have had without it happening. Pastor Jim had once told him all things happen for a reason, even if we can't see it at the time. So now here he was, a few thousand miles from home, getting to hug his little brother.
Sam had a million questions and no idea how to start ask them. The hug ended sooner than he would like, but as he watched, Dean explained to the couple - his parents - Sam realized with some shock what exactly was going on. The woman apparently was the friendlier of the two and she also gave him a hug, then lifted his chin and told him in sign that he needed a haircut.
**
Dean couldn't believe it. Sam. Sam was at Stanford University. Dad had found the thing that killed Mom almost seven years ago. Dad had quit hunting... and gotten himself a new start. Dean wasn't sure if he should be happy or downright pissed. He was happy for Sam, of course. But at the same time, he couldn't stop from thinking of where he'd been seven years ago. Despite Elisa and Michael adopting him, he'd still missed Dad and Sam. He'd been difficult, he knew that. They'd put him in gymnastics to help channel all that anger and energy into something. Elisa didn't want him playing football - which Dean would never want to do anyway. Gymnastics was hard and required a lot of skill and Dean had loved that. He'd racked up a lot of injuries but still he kept going. It'd been Elisa who'd given him his new name sign. The letter D coupled with 'tough' - because if there was one word she could use to describe him, that was it.
Dad had tried to go and get him back from that foster home, expecting him to still be there, patiently and diligently waiting for him. What bullshit.
Dean settled back into his room, setting the medals he got in Stanford to his collection. Dad, Michael Dad, kept asking him if he wanted to try and get on the Paralympic Team again, after missing the team to Atlanta by less than half a point. It was too late to get on the team for Sydney - but Athens... It was something to think about, even if medical school was already beckoning. Guys did have one advantage over girls in the sport of gymnastics... they could last in the competitive arena all through their twenties. He sighed and ran his fingers over the silver medal he'd picked up at Nationals last June. He knew what Dad would say about all this. That it was a waste. He should be doing something important. As if raking in excellent grades and setting his sights on becoming a pediatric surgeon wasn't good enough. He sat down on his bed, that old granny throw had long ago been replaced by a brilliantly purple and black blanket bearing the logo of the Baltimore Ravens.
All of those medals, all those grades, all that had been under the encouragement of his parents. Elisa who'd told him anything was possible and Michael who told him to never give up. He never told them, but after he'd adjusted and started to learn to live again, Dean used to have nightmares that Dad would show up and take him away from all this, put him back under his thumb. Dad had abandoned Dean to be free of the responsibility of parenting a child who'd been obedient, dutiful and deaf... and unknowingly given Dean unbounded freedom to flourish. He stood up and went to wash his hands for dinner.
Maybe Athens was a bit of a stretch... besides, who needed an Olympic medal? A World Championship medal would be just as good... and he still had plenty of time for both the team and the individual competitions. As for Stanford? That school was going to the top of his list and not just because Sammy was there. It'd be hard, being clear across the country from mom and dad, but as dad said, there was no shame in wanting to stretch your wings. Those guys in the competition had sure been shocked when the deaf kids came all the way to California to clean the floors with them. He'd once been asked how he always seemed to find his mark with precision that would make any gymnast jealous.
Dean had replied that he'd always had excellent aim.