Chapter Nine

The days and weeks seemed to just fly by for the two brothers as the pregnancy progressed. They'd had to change a few things in their current lifestyles and the biggest ones had been long term accommodations and no hunting. A call to an old friend of their father's had them set up in a small beachside condo for the couple of months that they'd need it. It was luckily only about a five minute drive from the pier, which Dean had stressed that was where he needed to be when the time came. It was an agreeable looking condo that was two stories high with pale blue sides and a dark blue trim. There were windows in all the rooms which let in lots of sunshine and the furniture was older, but very well kept and stylish, not clashing with each other or looking like they came from a dump. A garden was in the back yard and there were plenty of plants around the house that would need trimming and weeding throughout their stay. They were to clean and take care of everything while they were there, which was a novel thing for them. Playing house had never been one of their games. Finding the way out of the haunted house with a poltergeist after them had been more like it.

Their relationship continued to deepen as the pregnancy developed. Sam found that he seriously couldn't keep his hands off of Dean and, while Dean indulged him most of the time, they both learned that limits had to be set. They both knew in the back of their minds that this fantasy time was not going to last for very long so they held onto whatever time they had with two hands and bared teeth. They took walks on the beach, especially as Dean grew larger, and went shopping together. One shopping trip had had them at a maternity store, but Dean had shut that idea down quickly. It was at that moment that both had had to realize that they were not going to be keeping their child. That night, Sam had held Dean to him tightly, just rubbing the trembling shoulders as his brother fought the insistent tears that were tumbling down his face. They had not ever wanted to admit to that part of what their life was going to be.  And unfortunately, neither could promise that they'd be there later on to raise their child in peace.

In that time as well, they visited with Naida daily, spending many hours with her by the pier. She was also growing rounder and more radiant and it made them both happy to see her so joyful. Sam found that he and Dean both shared a fascination for their pregnant loved ones and had even been treated to the sight of Naida and Dean making love one horny, hot afternoon. That night had also proven to be very stimulating for them since Dean had practically pounced on Sam and had ridden him for the better part of an hour, coming a couple of times before relaxing a bit. It was this horniness that had forced Sam to look into better lube for them and he'd bought several large jars of the good stuff. Since that time, they'd gone through three jars and were halfway through the fourth. It never ceased to amaze Sam at how much his brother could get into their sex.

But throughout all of this, Sam still worried on his brother's health. It wasn't unusual to see Dean walking around with a bottle of salt water in one hand and his other hand on his distended stomach that was hidden under some large t-shirts they'd bought for him. Dean's sudden penchant for any type of seafood was also kind of hard to adjust to, but the biggest changes were in Dean's form. As he got larger, the flap of skin that had tipped Sam off to what was going on expanded as well, but also thinner until there was just a crack in the skin that stretched over the growing child. There wasn't a sign of kicks per say, but more like bulges here and there when the tail pushed against Dean's stomach in reflex. Dean claimed that the child was a boy, but how he knew, Sam wasn't sure. But they decided on a name anyways: Johmar.

As the end drew closer in sight, though once more Sam wasn't sure on how Dean knew it was close even though it had only been one and a half months, Dean began pacing a lot, rubbing his stomach as he crooned softly. At night he would just lie in Sam's arms and would hum constantly, even in sleep. Sam adjusted to it as usual, but he began to grow troubled as it progressed into Dean not sleeping very much. He would sometimes wake up to find that Dean was by the large window seat, staring out at the ocean as he rubbed his belly absently. It would never take much to coax his brother back to bed with him, but still it vexed him. When Naida gave birth, Dean knew it as well and was up the entire night, unable to rest until he saw his mate the next morning carrying the twin sons that she had born him, Sadea and Dem.

When Dean's time came though, it wasn't a big announcement or a dramatic affair. It was quiet and subtle, just like Dean. One night about a week and a half after Naida had given birth, Sam woke to once more find his arms empty and Dean by the window. But something was disturbing about the sight of his brother. Dean was gazing intently out at the ocean, his body fairly thrumming with a hidden power that made the hair on the back of Sam's neck rise in wariness. But what was also bothering him was the lack of sound coming from Dean. He was silent, not even humming as he rested a hand expectantly on his belly, which seemed to ripple as if in preparation.

Sensing that he was being observed, Dean looked over and smiled slightly at his brother in the light of the full moon. He reached a steady hand out to his brother and Sam noted that they were slightly webbed and clawed like they had been when Dean had been a merman. Sliding out of bed, he went to his brother's side and wrapped an arm around Dean's waist, gazing at him anxiously as Dean just leaned into him. "Dean? You ok?" he murmured softly as he rubbed Dean's lower back, which had been bothering the older brother lately.

"Come with me to the beach, Sammy, my Sammy..." Dean whispered as he tilted his head up and brushed his lips along Sam's neck. He had taken to saying that when he wanted something special from his brother and it never failed to provoke tenderness, possessiveness, and a wisp of tears in Sam's eyes as he did as asked.

He reached for a robe, but Dean shook his head. "We won't need it, Sammy..." he stated with gleaming eyes as he laced his long fingers with Sam's and led the way out of the condo to the beach. They strolled along silently, feet touched by the water as they wound their arms around the other's waist, keeping a firm contact between each other. They arrived at the pier just as the moon rose to its peak and Dean turned to Sam when he stopped. He reached up and caressed Sam's face tenderly, smiling a sweet smile that made Sam's heart ache with love. "Sammy...my Sammy...make love to me..." he whispered gently as he gazed into Sam's eyes.

Unable to even make a token resistance, Sam brushed his lips over Dean's and laid them out at the edge of the water, in some way keeping them from drowning as he made sweet love to his brother with Dean spooned in front of him, holding his rippling stomach as they thrust together in sync. His body moved as one with Dean's, twined so intimately that if anyone had chanced upon them, they wouldn't have known where one stopped and the other started. When they climaxed, it was with soft cries filled with joyous rapture, not the usual near animalistic need that would push them onwards in their ecstasy. They rested in the water that had slowly surrounded them and Dean convulsed as he clung to Sam's arms, resting his head on his brother's shoulder as he moved his hands down to clutch and support his belly.

Sam held onto Dean, keeping them connected as if he somehow knew that it was what Dean needed just as Dean had known that making love had made the process easier. He watched as Dean pressed a clawed hand into the slit that was now pulsing open and, with a cry of pain followed by a deep groan as he pushed, guided the babe within him out into the world. The faint wail of the baby rose up into the air, filling Sam with elation as he saw the part fish, part human babe struggle in the water and his father's arms.

Panting heavily as he worked out the afterbirth, Dean clutched his child to him, letting the ocean water clean off their baby as the magic that had changed him finished his transformation back into full human, healing the slit until it was a mere scar on his once more toned belly and changing his hands back to the slender hands that Sam knew very well. He relaxed back into Sam as he trembled and smiled as a gentle and awe-filled kiss was brushed across his lips before he looked down to see Sam cupping the bluish black hair on the tiny head as it rooted around Dean’s chest, searching for food. The tiny tail was covered in green and indigo scales, much like Dean’s had been, and the tiny eyes, when they looked up at them, were orbs of sapphire while the tiny fingers on the perfect hands curled and clutched at Dean’s chest and the barest hint of gills could be seen on the tiny wrinkled neck. Sam’s face was broken by the incredulous smile that was shining in the pale moonlight and Dean couldn’t help smiling tiredly as he held the two most precious to him close.

Shifting just a bit so he was leaning more into Sam, Dean guided the baby to his nipple and grunted as he latched on and used what was left of the magical essence within Dean so he could feed before Naida came to them. Sam watched in shock and wonder as Dean hummed softly while caressing his fingers through the drying hair on their baby’s head before counting the tiny fingers as any parent would. He nuzzled close to Dean and just observed their child feeding, knowing that it was the only time that Dean would ever be able to do that if they didn’t succeed. But he stopped that thought, not letting the demon intrude on this truly special time as their family just relaxed in the tide. He removed himself from inside Dean and chuckled as Dean placed a hand on his cheek to guide him in for a heady kiss of delight. Both brothers were overjoyed and so content and it was so new to them. Neither had ever thought that they’d get to share this.

Johmar finished the one side and Dean turned to his other side so that the babe was nestled between them as he latched onto the other nipple, feasting just as hungrily there. Dean winced at the suction and glared at Sam as the younger brother chuckled again. “You just try and deal with this kid latching on like that,” he growled, but it was full of affection and tenderness.

“I’m sure you’ll show me at another time,” Sam teased as he caressed his hand through Dean’s wet hair while pressing closer to his family, protecting them both.

“Not for a while, Sammy, my Sammy. Give me time to heal,” Dean murmured as he watched their child before looking up at his brother. At Sam’s nod of understanding, he smiled so adoringly that Sam couldn’t help but kiss him.

A quiet splash and trilling giggle stopped them and they both looked over to see Naida nearby. You two are insatiable...but I heard our newest son’s wail all the way in Atlantis Cove. He is healthy? she asked as she crawled onto the shore with them.

“Very, Naida,” Dean replied proudly, though now his exhaustion was coming through and she caressed his face in understanding. He looked back down to where his son was dozing and saw his nipples shrink back down to normal and felt the loss. Swallowing hard against the sudden tears that welled up, he looked over at Naida. “Please...you’ll take care of him?” he whispered hoarsely and cleared his throat as he tried not to cry. Sam’s face was gentle with his sorrow as well as the time came for their parting and he rubbed his hand along Dean’s side.

My word I give to you, Dean my mate and Sam my brother. I will await you with our children for your triumphant return to us. I will let nothing happen to them and they will *know* who you are no matter what, Naida declared firmly as she pressed closer to them in comfort.

Nodding sharply as he struggled to talk around the lump in his throat, Dean shifted the sleeping babe up in his arms and kissed the downy head, closing his eyes on the tears that rolled free. “My Johmar...you are my hope and light. Swim free and know no darkness,” he whispered huskily before looking up at Sam.

Taking his son in his arms, Sam gazed at the tiny features and counted all of the fingers and caressed a light hand down the curling tail. “My boy...my beautiful boy. Always remember what I say. I love you and so does your father, Dean. Always look to the north for our return,” he murmured before kissing the pale forehead and soft dark head. He then handed their son to Naida, who took him lovingly into her arms before looking up at them. She nodded once to them before leaning in and kissing them in good bye. She then carefully shifted back into the water and dove under, disappearing from their sights and taking their beloved son, the result of their love and bond, down into the depths.

Dean didn’t say anything as he turned into Sam and buried his face in his brother’s strong chest. Sam let his own tears fall as he looked up at the sky after wrapping his arms around Dean’s trembling frame in comfort. Both felt like their hearts had been torn out of them, but they knew that what they had done had been for the best. But even the soundest reasoning didn’t heal the aching need in their hearts and never would until they were reunited with Johmar.

They stayed in the water for a few minutes to grieve and compose themselves before Sam helped Dean to stand and let his brother lean on him as they made their way leisurely back to the condo. Once there, Sam directed Dean into the shower and washed both of their exhausted bodies off, focusing a bit more on Dean since his body was covered in blood on his lower half.  Once finished, Sam toweled them both off, carefully guiding his nearly unconscious brother to their bed and tucking them in the cold sheets, holding his shivering brother until their natural body heat warmed the sheets. Dean fell asleep after a bit, tucked under Sam’s chin as usual, but his face was pinched with sorrow still. Sam knew that it would take them both a while to acclimate themselves to the loss, but he had a feeling that the same loss would spur them in their hunts. For, once the demon was destroyed, they would return to Johmar and Naida and nothing would ever darken their lives again.

Vowing once more that he wouldn’t stop until he was with Johmar along with Dean again, Sam fell asleep, his arms tight around his brother.

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