bloodnbadthings | An Unexpected Visit

They'd been at it over a month now with still no sign of Dad. There had been hope once when an old acquaintance of John and Dean's called for help on another case and informed them that he found Sam's phone number by calling John's. Suddenly the phone that had given them nothing but disconnect redirects was now clicking over to voicemail in their father's voice informing people to call Sam if they needed help.

Sam had... not liked that development. Dean could understand why. Sam didn't have anything against helping people, but to have proof that their father was still out there and knew Sam was hunting... presumably knew Sam was looking for him... but, he was still staying out of communication? Dean could understand why that was upsetting. All he could do was keep trying to track the man down and hope when they did, Sam could get his answers.

They were in the middle of nowhere Illinois, Dean still recovering from his first and last airplane flight, when their hunt met with an unexpected snag. Dean walked into their motel room after sitting with Sam through his dinner to find their room occupied. A blond vampire was stretched out on Dean's bed, lounging. Inwardly, Dean started cussing colorfully while he pushed Sam as casually behind him as he could.

"Hello, Eric."

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The comfortable silence was a nice change. Dean let himself relax a little and settle back as he drove. It was good to be back on the road and putting some distance between them and that town.

He glanced over when Sam started talking. Figured they'd get around to it sooner or later. He wasn't sure how to approach the conversation. All he wanted was to not fight again.

"I don't know why, but it seemed like you were riding me about it. I didn't like hearing you say crap like I shouldn't ditch you with no ride or whatever. I mean... is that really how you see me?"

He shrugged awkwardly when Dean finally spoke up, looking over at Dean finally. "I didn't mean to ride you about it, Dean... I just- thought you looked like you wanted to go have fun and it wasn't like we had any work last night. It's not like I haven't grown up with you, dude, I know how you are." He liked women, he liked hooking up... and as long as it didn't sidetrack their search for Dad, Sam couldn't bring himself to care that deeply... not when he knew Dean wasn't out draining those girls or anything.

"Not really... I mean, there were a few times when we were kids, you'd ditch me places for girls, but I know you wouldn't actually leave me with no way back." Not for long anyway. "I wasn't trying to pick a fight, Dean."

The answer stung a little, but it was expected. As much as he wanted to be angry about that shot about them as kids and insist he had been a kid himself and shouldn't have been solely responsible for another kid... he was responsible for Sam. And was the only one who'd really taken that responsibility completely seriously. He shouldn't have dumped Sam off places, even once in a while.

He nodded a little. "Sorry I barked at you."

It wasn't like he didn't know... Dean shouldn't have had to practically raise him when Dad wasn't there. Even when Dad was there, it still felt like Dean raised him. He relaxed a little at that apology, nodding. "Sorry if I said the wrong thing... I didn't mean it like that, honest."

He reached over to let his hand curl over the other's shoulder lightly. Felt kind of weird to be touching him right now, after last night's dreams and those lingering feelings, but... it was nice to not be arguing, to have Dean relaxed again. "I'm... glad you're here, Dean, and I'm glad you've got my back. Feels like you're the only one who does..."

Dad didn't seem to care enough to even give him a call. "But that's not exactly new."

It didn't really ease his sense of failure much at all, but at least they weren't fighting. It was easy to put on a smile for Sam when he remembered how much crap his brother was going through. He didn't need to worry about Dean, too. He'd just have to try harder to make things easier on Sam.

"As long as I'm alive, or whatever I am now, I'll do whatever I can to help you. That won't change."

He didn't know if they'd really resolved anything at all, but he did give a nod, squeezing Dean's shoulder once more before letting his hand drop away. "You know I got your back too, right? No matter what."

"I know, Sam. Thanks." Maybe everything wasn't 'okay' again, but it was better. At least he wouldn't be wound up in a tense knot the whole way to Ohio. Actually, the trip would likely take longer than the night, so that was something to think about.

"Sometime before sunup, we should pull over somewhere and get me zipped up in the back." He hooked a thumb back toward the trunk. Not the world's greatest way to travel, but necessary sometimes. His 'vampire business' had already eaten up enough time. They should make some of it up.

"Oh, right..." He looked over his shoulder absently. Zipping Dean up wasn't exactly the greatest alternative, but... yeah, necessary. He gave a nod.

"I should try and get some more sleep, if I'll be driving some of the way in, I guess." Hopefully his dreams stayed in the realm of innocent... and not pornographic or horrifying... which was actually the least appealing of all the options. It was actually kind of embarrassing to wake up screaming from a nightmare with Dean right there...

But on the plus side, sleep might ease up on any remaining tension anyway. He leaned back in his seat a little, tipping his head against the door.

"Sure. Sleep well." He turned the radio on to keep himself occupied, but left it low. He could still hear it and it hopefully wouldn't bother Sam. The gas tank was full and they had plenty of hours of night ahead, so he figured he could make some pretty good time while Sam slept.

It took him awhile to actually doze off, really, but eventually he did. He was slumped in his seat, forehead press against the side of the car. They had quite a few hours ahead of them and Sam wanted to try to make the most of them before he had to take over driving.

Dean kept driving through as long as he could. Had to stop fro fuel once, but otherwise made steady progress. By the time he pulled off the road into a secluded spot fro the driver switch, they were maybe three hours outside their destination.

He reached over to shake Sam's shoulder lightly and get him moving. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty."

Around the back of the car, Dean opened the trunk and waited for Sam to join him. "If you're gonna do any daytime legwork, grab what you need now. I don't think opening the trunk while I'm in the body bag will hurt me, but people might wonder why it's in there. And don't get pulled over."

Sam cleared his throat, stumbled out of the car and squinted at Dean blearily. "Dude, m'not stupid, I know." He muffled a yawn and reached to grab anything out he thought he might need, just as a precaution because he really didn't want to open the trunk if he had a body in there.

He nodded for Dean to get in and get situated so he could zip the other up. "Alright, see you tonight, Dean."

He managed to say the wrong thing again. Such a surprise. He suppressed a sigh at the response and climbed into the trunk without a reply. Maybe tomorrow would be a better night.

"See ya," he answered and settled in for another long, uncomfortable day.

Once the other was in, he shut the other in and got into the car, driving. They weren't that far from where they needed to be and when they got there, his first stop was to grab a quick bite for breakfast.

And then it was time to get a room so he could shower and change his clothes.

An Unexpected Visit

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