Brothers Winchester Book Two:Cry-Part One
And you'd cry a little
Die just a little
And baby I would feel
Just a little less pain
I gave now I'm wanting
Something in return
So cry just a little for me
Faith Hill
The Brothers Winchester:Book Two-Cry
Once upon a time in a small town in Texas, there lived three brothers like no other...
Born to John Winchester, former Marine and quite handsome himself, the Winchester boys were famous around West Texas in more ways than one. Each brother was a stunning sight on their own, but as a pack they were incomprehensible.
Dean, the oldest, was by far the one that had caused the most trouble growing up. Born with the face of an angel and a body made for sin, Dean had grown from being an adorable child to a stunning teen jock to someone who could actually stop traffic if he was walking on the side of the road. Hair that was an impossible shade of blond and eyes that could never seem to decide what color they should be, Dean's smile had broken many a girl within the general vicinity of his father's farm. In high school he had excelled in football and baseball the way fish excelled in swimming, he had never decided on one thing or another. He had been a jock but was never a team player. He was a cowboy but the twinkle in his eye told you he was no hick. He was a talker but the way his jeans hung told you he could back it up with more than enough action. There wasn't a girl that hadn't lost their virtuous ways to him or at least wanted to. Two years at community college had told him two things. He excelled at public speaking and that college girls gave it up easier.
The middle child, Sam, seemed to almost be the opposite of Dean to those who didn't know them better. Where Dean was light haired his was dark, where Dean's eyes changed colors Sam's was squarely green and where Dean was a good solid lick wide, Sam had grown to 6'4” and didn't look like he was planning on stopping anytime soon. He was more serious where Dean always seemed to have a laugh on his lips and he was prone to being quiet where Dean would holler. The two of them had made an unbeatable team when it had come to the local female population. Dean being more than adventurous enough to walk up to anyone and Sam more than charming and soft spoken enough to get her to stay through the night. They had a connection Sam and Dean, one that let people know there was no getting between the Winchester brothers, .
Chace Winchester was everything the two of them were in one package. His hair was light like Dean's while his frame favored Sam's in it's leanness, his eyes were bright like Dean's but settled on one color like Sam's; a blue that could chill ice at fifty yards. He was smart as a whip for a time seemed to be the only Winchester who chaffed at the small town life they shared in the middle of Nowhere, Chace was a senior and where Sam and Dean had dabbled in sports, Chace excelled. He had been shooting for a baseball scholarship out of this dump and it was all his mind seemed to focus on.
Right up until his father had been killed one summer night last year.
Now.
Dean looked out across the field in silence.
He had always loved this part of the afternoon, when the hot Texas sun had given all it had and was making it's way down slowly, calling it a day. The way the entire world was suddenly made up of reds and oranges When Dean was younger he would just stand there and watch the sky burn as if on fire and marvel at the beauty that could be found in the middle of West Texas. He had wished he could paint or draw or do something to capture the moment in permanence somehow. But Dean knew his skills laid in a more...physical arena so had always settled in just being a silent witness to the event.
Now all it reminded him of was his father.
The red was like blood, the kind that covered the sheet the paramedics had placed over his father's corpse. The red that stained Dean's hands and never came off...the memory of Dean's legs giving out under him as they pulled back the sheet and his entire life had changed...the feel of Sam's arms as his mind simply stopped working...
“Almost done?”
Dean almost yelped as he spun around at the voice. Sam stood there, his smile almost unnoticeable on his face unless you knew where to look. Dean knew where to look “Jesus H Christ Sammy...” Dean said taking a deep breath “Wear a fucking bell will you?”
Sam tried not to enjoy his brother's discomfort too much as he said “I called to you three times...you were somewhere else.”
And as quickly as Dean's anger had come it vanished. His face fell as he looked away “Yeah just thinkin.” he said kicking the dirt with his boot. This used to be a field, a field with crops growing in it up to you waist. It used to be filled with life and energy...and now it was dead. Dead and dried up.
Dean felt Sam's hands on his shoulders “Bad day?”
For half a second, maybe less Dean leaned into the touch. Relishing the comfort and feel of Sam's strength and compassion. It was tempting to stay in that oasis, to forget the world outside and to just curl up and rest. Tempting in a way that words could not properly convey unless you were Dean Winchester.
But just as suddenly he pulled away, taking a half step to look at Sam “Don't.”
It was only one word but it contained every single argument they had have since that night dad died. Every scream, every tear, every burned bridge. All of it encapsulated in that one word.
Don't.
Sam open his mouth to say something, his eyes wide with hurt as if to plead to his brother to stop being so stupid and let him comfort him. But Sam was a bright boy and he knew the textbook definition of insanity was performing the same task over and over again expecting different results. He was crazy about Dean...but not that crazy. The older boy had made it quite clear that their relationship was changed, aborted before it ever had a chance to thrive. And he had no intention of ever revisiting it. Ever.
Instead Sam's face grew cold and he said “You're needed back at the farm.”
Dean looked at him with tired eyes, the expression crying out “What now?”
Sam answered the unasked question with one word “Chace.”
Dean sighed and muttered a dark “Fuck” under his breath. Without a word they began their trek back to the house as the sun set for another day. The sky stained with the blood of those that had gone before.
Then.
Sam had never seen Dean like this before.
His skin was white and clammy as his eyes looked on the verge of falling out as the doctor explained what had happened to their father to them. Sam was hearing every third word while watching Dean slowly close down in his mind. Something about a car accident, a semi...the end result was John had been killed and they were alone now. Sam placed a hand on Dean's shoulder and could feel him trembling beneath his touch.
“Thank you doctor.” Sam said when the doctor paused in his speech. The man looked at the both of them, nodded and walked off. They were alone in the small waiting room and Sam pulled Dean close to him “It's gonna be ok Dean.”
For a moment Dean leaned into his younger brother, drawing strength from him as his own legs felt like they were going to collapse out from under him. In a gravely voice he said “No Sam, it isn't.”
The door opened and Sam was startled at the speed Dean pulled himself free of his grip. Sam saw him wipe tears off his face as the looked at the sheriff “Sir?”
The older ma paused for a second before talking, giving Sam the impression he felt bad about interrupting them “I know this isn't the best of times...but there are some things you boys are going to have to deal with before too long.”
“Like?” Dean asked.
“Well there's gonna be an investigation about the crash...and between you and me...you dad had a few before he took the wheel.” he sounded apologetic but the tone was lost on Dean.
“You're saying this was dad's fault?” he roared, Sam barely catching his brother's arms as he lunged at the startled cop. He gets t-boned by a fucking semi and it was HIS fault!?” Dean struggled against Sam's grip but just barely.
The sheriff cleared his throat and said “Like I said there will be an investigation about the crash. And there is your brother to think about.”
“Chace?” Sam asked confused.
The older man nodded “He's a minor. And though you boys are both of legal age, there's a good case that could be made you all aren't equipped to be raising him.” again the words looked they were paining the man, but they had to be said.
“He's our blood.” Dean said savagely and Sam did not let go of his arms.
The sheriff looked at him with compassionate eyes as he said “A lot of times that don't make a difference.” he paused and then added “But we will burn those bridges when we come to them. I am just telling you now...you boys are gonna have a lot to deal with before this is over.”
He walked out, leaving Dean standing there, just aching for a fight. As soon as the door closed he pulled away from Sam “Get off of me!” he said through clenched teeth.
“Dean” Sam said softly, not knowing what to say.
“They ain't taking Chace from us.” he said turning back and fixing a glare at Sam “Not ever gonna happen.”
Sam nodded slowly and wondered for the thousandth time tonight...what else could possibly happen?
Now.
Chace sat in the kitchen wiping the blood from his lip with a paper towel.
It was gonna be swollen three times it size by dinner. Won't that make eating more fun? He looked over at the constable who was talking on his cell phone waiting for his brothers to arrive. He wondered if he had the time to hit the guy from behind and take off?
“Chace what the fuck!” he heard Dean scream as the front door slammed shut.
Guess that plan was ruined.
Dean stopped at the doorway between the kitchen and dining room with eyes that looked like they were actually on fire. “What now?” he asked, his fists clenched by his sides.
The uniformed officer hung his phone up and walked towards Dean “Mr. Winchester, we...”
Dean held up a hand to the cop and then pointing to Chace, never taking his eyes off of his youngest brother “Not you. Him. What now?”
Chace held the gaze as long as he could before looking back down at his boots “I cut school.” he said sulking.
“My ass.” Dean said taking another step forwards “You skip school they take you to school. What did you do now?” he said hovering over him.
“I cut school!” Chace yelled looking up at his brother's face. Seeing Dean wasn't even going to blink he added “I cut school and went down to the lake to get drunk.” he said looking down again.
“We found him with two other minors with a few 12 packs...” the constable started to explain.
“The Scotts” Dean said boring a hole into the back of Chace's head. Sighing he looked over to the cop “How serious?”
The officer pulled out his book “I have him for violation of school curfew, trespassing, underage drinking and possession of a controlled substance.”
Dean looked back at Chace and saw the younger boy look back down quickly as he mumbled “We might have been getting high...”
Sam gasped as Dean's hand lashed out striking Chace across the cheek. Chace yelped as he was thrown off the chair onto the floor. He looked up in shock as Dean screamed at him “ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID OR DO YOU WANT THEM TO TAKE YOU FROM US?” he said, his face red with anger.
Sam saw tears falling from Chace's eyes as he looked up in unabated terror at Dean's wraith. Moving fast Sam put his form between his two brothers. Looking over Dean at the cop “Why is he hurt?”
The cop stood there in shock for a few seconds before he blinked and said “He got into with the deputy on scene...”
Dean growled and made another move towards Chace but Sam moved to block him “Back off Dean.” he said but Dean just ignored him. Sam grabbed the front of Dean's shirt and pushed him as hard as he could away from Chace. Dean flew back against the far wall with a solid thud as Sam moved to pin him there. “Calm the fuck down Dean!” he screamed into his brothers face. Dean stood there for a few seconds and then nodded slightly.
Sam let him go as he looked at the police officer “How bad?” he asked.
“We can let him go into your care...but he is gonna have to stand in front of the judge next week. Some of these are pretty serious.” he explained.
Sam nodded and took the ticket “He'll be there.” he assured the man.
“If he isn't dead already.” Dean said in a low voice.
Sam ignored it and just smiled “Thanks for bringing this to us officer.”
The cop tipped his hat “My pleasure, hey...I knew your dad...I am really sorry for your loss.”
Sam forced the smile not to waver as he just said “Thanks, he was a popular guy.” and ushered the man out of the house.
Dean still stood there, looking like he was afraid to move any closer to Chace. In a voice barely above a growl he said “Get your ass upstairs and stay there.”
Without a word Chace jumped up off the floor and ran past Dean, stomping up the stairs as fast as he could. If he had paused he might have noticed the tears Dean was holding back in his eyes were deathly similar to the ones that Chace were spilling now.
Dean just sighed and slipped down the wall, sitting on the kitchen floor wondering when his life had turned to complete shit?
And how much longer did it have to go on like this.
Then.
They got home just before dawn.
Sam practically marched Dean up the stairs himself, his older brother on the verge of collapse for the past few hours. Sam laid him on his bed and watched Dean lie there like a zombie in a coma. Sam carefully pulled his brother's boots off and then moved to undress him when he saw him shivering.
Sam moved his arms around Dean's form and could make out the ragged “S-so cold Sammy...” Sam rubbed his back vigorously trying to warm him up but it was obvious he was in shock. He let Dean go and made his way to the bathroom they shared in the attic. He turned on the shower as hot as it could go and left it running. Slipping his own jeans and shirt off he went over and picked Dean up off the bed as if he weighed nothing. Dean didn't so much as whisper a protest as Sam carried him into the bathroom and then into the shower. Dean gasped as the water doused him from head to tow. His shirt, jeans and socks were drenched as Sam held him tightly, taking the clothing off piece by piece. By the time he was taking the jeans off Dean stepped out one leg at a time, leaving the two of them standing in the shower in just their boxers.
Sam held Dean close as the water warmed them both. Dean's arms wrapped around Sam's waist as he leaned into his brother. After a few minutes he said “You couldn't have just said Dean let's go take a shower?”
Sam chuckled as he ran his fingers through Dean's wet hair “Well you looked out of it.”
Dean nodded “I was...thanks.” he said sighing heavily.
Sam and him stood there under the shower for another twenty minutes without moving talking, just leaning and comforting each other. Sam was surprised on how tired he was himself. He leaned into Dean as much as he was leaning, the water felt very nice. Sam's hands began to move down his brother's muscled back, feeling the hard bundles of stress all the way down. As he came to the top of Dean's perfect ass Sam felt his fingers slowly trace the top of the muscles in admiration.
Dean shook his hips “Sam don't.”
Sam put a hand under Dean's face and tilted it up towards his own “It's ok Dean...I'm here. We're gonna be ok.” he said as he leaned down to kiss him. And for half a second it looked like Dean was going to let him. His eyes closed as Sam's lips touched his own.
And then Dean pushed Sam back harshly, making the taller boy stumble on the slick surface. He barely caught himself as he looked at Dean in shock.
“I said no Sam!” Dean declared. “We...don't you see we can't do that any more?”
Sam looked confused for a moment “What? Why?”
Dean looked away as he said “Because we're the reason this happened!” he pulled open the shower door and grabbed a towel “Dad died because we were wrong Sam. God punished him for our mistakes!” he said jumping out of the shower in one move “We can't do that any more Sam. Ever.”
Dean stormed out of the bathroom slamming the door behind him, leaving Sam in the shower...eyes wide...wondering if they were going ot get through this.
Now.
Sam walked back into the kitchen and saw Dean sitting on the floor.
His first impulse was to reach down and comfort him, knowing how hurt he was inside. But that wasn't going to happen, instead he sighed and grabbed two beers from the fridge. He handed one to Dean as he sat in at the kitchen table “Yeah...so this is serious.” he said holding up the ticket.
Dean took a long swig of the beer before saying “You think?”
Sam shook his head “Drinking? Pot? Hitting a cop? This is exactly the thing child services looks at.”
Dean's voice became harsh “I know Sam!” He sighed and shook his head, in a lower voice he repeated “I know all this Sam. I really do.”
Sam put the ticket down and took a drink himself “Then we need to talk about the rest of it.”
“The rest?” Dean asked in confusion.
Sam nodded “The bank called...again.”
Dean rolled his eyes and took another drink “Fuck Sam don't start.”
“This is serious Dean!” Sam exclaimed “If we have any chance of keeping Chace with us we first need to prove how we can support him. And without a farm that is going to be hard to do.”
Dean stood up and brushed his jeans off “Well I don't know what you want me to do Sam!” Dean shot back “I am doing the best I fucking can!”
Sam's eyes softened as he said “I know Dean...we need help.”
Dean paused for a moment and then his eyes narrowed in suspicion “No! No way Sam. Not a fucking chance!” he said waking out of the room.
Sam followed him “Then what Dean? Cause if we lose this farm then you can kiss Chace good bye as well as our place to live. What then?”
Dean spun around and threw his arms up in frustration “I don't know Sam! I don't have any answers!”
“Well then let them help!” Sam pleaded, hating how stubborn his older brother could be.
Dean stood there, his mind working overtime to find a way out of this situation but Sam didn't stop “He is smart, knows how to run a farm...he wants to help us and if he brings Taylor that is more than enough to work a few fields...”
“I don't know those people Sam! They aren't any blood of mine.” he shot back,
“He is our cousin Dean! Ellen's brother's two sons. And they want to help us out!” Sam countered.
“We don't need handouts!” Dean roared.
“We sure in the hell do!” Sam finally screamed back “It is either let Jake and Taylor help us or go upstairs and start packing Chace's things up. Because next week a judge is going to take him away from us and we will NEVER see him again!”
Dean froze, his breathing was ragged as the impending doom of the situation slowly descended on him. In a much calmer voice Sam said “They want to help Dean...we need help.”
Dean looked at him, his eyes watering again “Dad never needed help.” he said, his voice cracking.
Sam sighed as he fought the urge to walk over and embrace him “We aren't dad Dean. And the sooner you come to terms with that...the sooner we can start fixing it.” Sam's hands clenched and unclenched as he tried to calm down “We don't have time for your ego anymore.” he said turning around and walking upstairs “I am calling Jake and telling him we'd love his help.” he paused on the steps and looked back at Dean “And if you don't like it get lost while he is here, because I don't want to hear you go three rounds with him about every little thing.” And with that he walked upstairs to make the call.
Leaving Dean in the living room alone and feeling even more defeated than he had before.