Chapter Twelve

A year had never seemed so long than it had to the brothers Winchester as they hunted the evil supernatural creatures in their search for the demon that had ruined their family.  Their passion for each other however did not dim and in fact increased with every moment. But it began to get frustrating as every hint at the demon ended up a dead end and usually with dead people.  Ash’s help had been invaluable in their search, but it was always just a little too late and the stress and frustration was starting to get to them.

That was why it was a relief and a nice surprise when they got a call from Sarah Blake in upstate New York, though they ended up sort of regretting it when they were asked to come up and help her with some creature that had been killing kids in a nearby lake. For Dean though, it slowly turned into a bit of uncertainty for, when they got to Sarah's house, her welcome for Sam was especially warm...and Sam didn't stop it or seem to mind at all.

Standing to the side on the front porch, Dean just silently watched the two kiss rather heatedly in greeting. When they parted with Sam's soft 'wow' and big grin that had once been only for Dean, Dean straightened up and slapped on his 'charming' grin, though his eyes were masked and cold. "Well, do I get a greetin' like that too?" he asked, but his smile didn't reach his lips and his gaze never traveled towards Sam.

Laughing softly, Sarah went to him, hugged him, and pressed her lips to his cheek. "Thanks for coming, Dean. I really appreciate it," she whispered against his cheek before leaning back.

"Yea well, ya know...can't keep the ole love birds apart. Now, shall we get inside so we can talk about these 'happenins'? S'kinda cold out," Dean replied stiffly and with a forced smile, though it was obvious he was trying to play it cool by shrugging and waving a hand in dismissal before sidling past her and into the house.

Glancing at Sam in confusion, Sarah received a tight shrug in reply before they followed the rather aloof older brother into the house. They went into the living room where Dean took the arm chair and left the sofa to Sam and Sarah. Sarah sat down and observed as Sam sat as well albeit warily while his eyes were trained on his brother in confusion. She cleared her throat, breaking the tension as Dean's avoidance of Sam's gaze became almost unbearable. "Well, like I said, thanks for coming up. I know you guys are busy...I've been kinda keeping track of you through those strange murders and stuff. You guys really are doing a great job," she started and smiled at them, more so at Dean as he just stared stonily at the wall.

"Yea well, comes with the territory. Mind gettin' to the point?" Dean asked bluntly as he let his head loll to the side in a casual glance at her followed by a cold smile.

"Dean..." Sam hissed out reprovingly before smiling apologetically to Sarah, who had a hurt and somewhat stunned look on her face. "Don't mind him...hormones and all," he murmured with a weak grin.

"Shut your fuckin' mouth, Sammy boy, or I'll shut it for you," Dean retorted coldly as he sat up and glared at his brother. Sam all but bristled as he straightened as well and Sarah looked between them in confusion.

"Um, do you guys need a moment?" Sarah asked softly as she held her hands up defensively between them.

"Nah, ya know what? I'll make it easy for you. I'll go and get myself a room and you two can just do what all love birds do in peace. Call me if you feel like talkin' about what's really goin' on," Dean replied sarcastically as he got up and left the room.

"Dean! Wait, Dean!" Sam called as he stood up and strode a bit after his brother before turning to Sarah. "I'm so, so sorry, Sarah...we'll be right back, promise," he said before turning and running after his brother with her quiet 'ok' following him out. He caught up with Dean just as the older man was unlocking the car with shaking fingers and grabbed Dean by the jacket and slammed him against the car, glaring into the cold stare that was focused onto him. "What the hell was that about?!" he demanded with a snarl.

Shrugging as best he could in the hold that Sam had on him, Dean sneered. "Just thought I'd give you two some time to 'catch up'. It *is*, after all, the reason you got us comin' up here, right? So you could have some pussy since I'm not good enough?" he responded derisively. He never saw the fist coming at that and suddenly found himself flat on his back, jaw flaring in pain and Sam looming over him in rage.

“I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with you, but you have no right to talk about yourself *or* Sarah like that!” Sam shouted as Dean gripped his jaw and glowered coldly up at him. “We *didn’t* come up here so I could get *pussy* as you put it! We came up here to help a good friend!”

“Someone you just loved sharin’ your tonsils with just now, if you’ll remember,” Dean pointed out icily before he stood up slowly and pushed past his stunned brother to the car that he had been trying to get in.

The sound of the car door opening and closing broke into Sam’s bewilderment though and he turned around quickly in reaction. “Dean, what the hell-Dean stop!” he cried as Dean started to drive off. He ran and caught up with the car, but then had to stop as Dean stepped on the gas and peeled out of the driveway. Dumbfounded and hurt by his brother’s reactions and comments, Sam watched his brother drive away and shivered. He hadn’t felt so alone since Jessica had died...

Turning as he heard the front door close, he found Sarah staring at him in concern, her arms wrapped around her waist as she leaned against one of the columns of the porch. “Sam? What’s wrong with Dean? I’ve never seen him act so...hostile to anything but evil things,” she asked quietly as she watched Sam intently.

Running his hand through his hair, Sam sighed heavily as he blinked back some tears that had appeared. “I’m...I’m not sure, Sarah. He’s been kinda on edge for a while since we got your call and I...I think I know what it is, but I think it’s somethin’ else,” he tried to explain, but then could only smile weakly at her before holding his head. “I’m sorry, Sarah...with Dad’s death and some other things...”

“Oh Sam...I’m so sorry. Your dad died?” Sarah whispered sympathetically before going to him and wrapping her arms around him comfortingly.

Nuzzling into her neck as he tried to hold back the exhausted tears that were threatening, Sam held onto her as he wept. He was so tired from the fighting and the lack of results and from worrying about Dean. A part of him was also worried about their son, but he couldn’t tell Sarah that. Plus, he liked holding her. She was warmth and strength that he needed at the moment and he could hold onto her for just a bit longer...just a bit...

His head tilted back after a bit, brushing his lips over her neck before reconnecting with her own lips in a soft kiss. Their holds on each other tightened as they pressed together and swiftly, the kiss turned into more as past withheld passion flared up between them. Neither of them really knew how they ended up in the house again, but they swiftly found themselves on the living room couch, kissing hungrily as they stripped each other frantically. Sam pulled out a condom from his jeans pocket which he usually kept them in case of a quickie with Dean and put it on as Sarah kissed his neck and shoulders before they became one with a thrust. A huff of pleasure left Sam as he moved within Sarah and he felt so complete and happy that he wondered if this was where he belonged and not with Dean. They had been losing that completeness every time they’d made love even *with* all the passion that they could generate between them. As they climaxed, he suddenly knew *why* Dean was acting the way he was.

Dean felt lonely.

Swallowing down his tears of regret, Sam held onto Sarah like he had before they’d given in to each other. She sensed his sorrow and stroked her fingers through his hair soothingly as they just lay together on the sofa, spent, yet no longer so complete. After a bit, he sat back and wiped his hand over his face while gazing down at her. His hand came to rest on her cheek as she watched him worriedly. “I’ll explain everythin’ later, I promise. I have to go find Dean,” he whispered firmly and she nodded in understanding before leaning up for a soft kiss.

“Come back here and you guys can stay over. Dad’s out of town for some art auction in Pittsburgh, so you guys can stay as long as you want. I’ll make some dinner, ok?” she whispered against his mouth and he hugged her tightly to him in silent gratitude.

She released him and he stood up quickly before grinning as he got his clothes back on. “Can I um...borrow your car?” he asked sheepishly and she laughed at him before getting up and grabbing her car keys, which she tossed at him. Catching them mid air before finishing with his shirt, he went to her and kissed her deeply again. “I’ll be back soon,” he promised before snagging another kiss and heading for the garage. 

Sarah watched him leave and wondered just what was going on and where did she fit in with all of it.

*~~*

The soft sound of water lapping at the shoreline played counter point to the gentle whistle that floated into the air from the little creature that was resting against Dean’s leg. He smiled sadly at the tiny being and rested a tender hand on the fluid made head. Don’t cry, Chiri. It’s ok. I’ll be ok, he whispered, but couldn’t stop the tears that were rolling down his own cheeks. He wrapped his arm around his knees as he held the naiad that had come to him when she had sensed his sorrow and just cried. ‘Sam, do you really not want me anymore?’ he wondered again and sniffled as he wiped at his eyes futilely. He took a deep shuddering breath and looked up at the cloudy sky. “Well, I better focus on what’s killin’ those kids,” he muttered as he ran his free hand through his short hair, forcing himself to let it go and return his focus on what they were there for.

The kids? They are being paid back for the curse that was placed on Kaero, the Dryad at the lake, nearly a century in the past. Their ancestors cursed her, whether by design or on accident, and she has been steadily growing weaker as a child of nature and more into a vengeful spirit. If the curse isn’t lifted, then there will be death for those families and the entire forest, Chiri piped up as she looked up at him, eager to help him out and cheer him up.

Staring at her in shock, Dean blinked as his mouth opened and closed several times. Chiri! How did you know all this? he asked in astonishment.

She beamed up at him as she tilted her fluid-like head to the side and a tiny fish swam through her transparent features. Every naiad and dryad here knows! We’ve been trying to help her, but her rage and despair are growing and now she turns to vengeance! How did you find out? Did the wind carry our plea to you? she replied hopefully.

Frowning lightly, Dean considered that. ‘The wind...air...I am the water, Sam is the earth...we’re goin’ to be fightin’ the fire...but air would complete it. Would Sarah be that connection?’ he wondered as he turned his gaze onto the stream he was sitting next to.  Yea, I guess it did, he finally answered Chiri and grinned down at her when she trilled in delight.

I know you can help! You are the chosen! Chiri crooned and snuggled his leg adoringly, earning a smile from him.

Chiri, what do you mean by ‘chosen’? Dean asked as he shifted his position a bit to get some circulation into his legs and ass, which had gone numb from his sitting for a while.

Tilting her head again as she thought about what he’d said, Chiri tapped her blue green transparent fingers on his thigh. Mother Nature has chosen four to defeat the demon that destroyed the good relations in Heaven. The demon is not Satan or Lucifer, as humans think. It is this demon, who used evil words to encourage the uprising. Mother Nature and the Heavenly Father saw in the future the need for the four and we have been working to protect those chosen. But the demon is aware of it and has been working to stop it, knowing that at least one of them is a child of the Blessed. That is why he has been baptizing those children with special abilities with the blood of their mothers or surrogate mothers...so that the child is corrupted towards his need and unusable... she explained as she kicked her legs idly in the water.

I see, Dean whispered softly in understanding as things his father had hinted at along with all that they’d been finding out fell into place. His changing into a merman had instigated his connection with the water aspect of nature...Sam’s connection with the earth through his special gifts...but who truly were the other two that were to help them in their battle against the demon? Do you happen to know who the other two would be? he asked as he smiled down at her.

Blinking, Chiri’s eyes widened as she straightened up. You mean you know of another of them? I do know that two of the chosen are females, she stated excitedly. She suddenly squeaked and shrank down as a shadow fell over them.

Looking up, Dean frowned and looked away immediately as he saw who it was. Don’t worry, Chiri. It’s just my stupid brother, Sam, he explained to the naiad as he pet her comfortingly.

Brother? Why do you sound so cold now, Dean? Chiri asked in worry before her eyes widened in understanding. She growled menacingly and a small column of water suddenly shot up and doused Sam, earning a shout of shock from Sam and a bark of laughter from Dean.

“What the fuck?! Did you just fuckin’ drench me, you pixie?!” Sam demanded as he stood looking down at his clothes that were dripping wet.

“Back off, Sam. This is Chiri. She’s a naiad of this stream and she doesn’t like you for obvious reasons,” Dean retorted coldly, though he was smirking as he pet a chirping Chiri on the head. “Now what do you want?”

Sighing as he sat down, Sam tossed a glare at the growling naiad before folding himself into a comfortable position with his knees up and arms draped over them. “I came to get you,” he replied finally as he watched Dean soothe Chiri from the corner of his eye.

“Waste of time,” Dean retorted before leaning in towards Chiri. Chiri, go on. I have to talk to him by myself. Thank you for all you’ve done, he whispered to her. She chirped again and floated up to kiss his cheek before diving into the stream. Turning his gaze out to the stream, Dean sighed quietly. “Found out about what’s killin’ those kids. A century ago, some kids put a curse on a dryad near the lake. She’s becomin’ a vengeful spirit and will kill the entire forest as well as all the families here if it isn’t broken. Chiri told me that if we break the curse, she can go back to what she was,” he commented aimlessly, not even letting Sam get a word in. He curled into himself and scooted away from Sam, suddenly sickened as he smelled sex and Sarah all over Sam. “Just leave and go back to her. I don’t need you for this, so just go and do whatever,” he whispered as he turned his head away. He felt so cold and shaky suddenly. “I want to go back...” he mumbled out loud as he touched the water while cupping his head.

“What?” Sam’s whisper broke through his longing and Dean was forced to look over at his little brother. Sam’s face was filled with sudden understanding as well as fear and sorrow. He reached over and felt his heart break as Dean scooted farther away, seeming to shrink into himself. “Dean...”

“Go away! You reek of her and just...just go away!” Dean snarled desperately before scrambling to his feet and darting away. But he didn’t get far as Sam followed him and tackled him to the ground, pinning his struggling body to the cold brown ground. “Let go! Sam, damn you, let go!”

“No! Not until you listen to me and hear me out!” Sam growled as he used his slightly superior strength to hold the writhing body under him. They grunted as they fought until finally Dean relaxed back, panting for breath as he glared up at his brother, exhausted but still angry and desperate. Panting just as hard, Sam returned the gaze earnestly. “Dean...you and I...we’re one always. But why are you so jealous of me and Sarah when you have Naida?” Dean froze at that as he stared at Sam and the younger brother nodded slowly. “You don’t have to be jealous, Dean...I’ll always be with you. And when this is done, we’ll go to Naida and our kids...” But he stopped and swallowed hard as he looked down.

“What about Sarah? You’re connected with her too, right?” Dean asked quietly as Sam sat back on his heels, hands resting on his thighs. Sitting up onto his elbows, Dean reached slightly for Sam before stopping. “You’ve chosen then-“

“No I haven’t! Now stop the shit, Dean!” Sam shouted before he shifted in and kissed Dean hard. Dean didn’t react at first, but then a soft whimper left his throat as he pressed up and wrapped his arms around Sam, pulling him down. They kissed heatedly for a few minutes before parting a bit and Sam whispered, “We’re stayin’ at Sarah’s and you’re gonna stop this shit, Dean. You’re mine for now and I’m yours. Stop bein’ so jealous and let me love you.” Nodding silently, Dean nuzzled into Sam’s neck as he just held on, shaking and cold from their bond fraying.

They stayed like that on the cold ground, just holding on to each other as they worked to find the balance within them. In silent accord, they got up and went back to their respective cars to return to where they were staying. Once back at Sarah’s place, they discussed with her what Chiri had revealed, but Dean pleaded exhaustion and headed for bed early after eating a bit of the dinner that Sarah had made.

It wasn’t much after that that Sam joined him in bed, kissing him softly as he removed the pants that Dean had pulled on for the night. They shifted until Sam was completely on top of Dean, kissing and licking his way down Dean’s body as they moved against each other in pleasure. It didn’t take them long before Sam was thrusting deep inside of Dean with Dean wrapped around him and pushing down eagerly. When they came, it was with quiet sighs of bliss as they arched into each other before collapsing as one to the mattress.

As they collected themselves, Sam leaned up and caressed Dean’s face tenderly while smiling. Now he felt complete, just as they used to before stress, frustration, and desperation had begun to tear them apart. He kissed his smiling brother’s lips before turning them to their sides to cuddle while falling asleep. If they could keep this moment of time with them forever, nothing would ever break them apart.

With that thought, Sam held tightly to Dean as he was held just as tightly as they fell into sleep. Determination and love would see them through everything, just as it had before.

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