Chapter Text
“Here,” Dean gruffly tossed his brother a notebook that was definitely not his. Sam grunted something noncommittal, stuffing it into his bag.
Footsteps by the door.
Dean pointedly didn’t look up as his father stepped into the room.
Dad cleared his throat.
“So, boys.”
The habit to obey was too deeply ingrained. Dean straightened up as Sammy acknowledged their father.
“You ignored a direct order back there.” Dad leaned back, hands in his pockets. Dean hated how effective it was.
On him as much as Sammy, apparently. Sam’s ‘yes, sir’ was so instant and earnest, taking responsibility without trying to make excuses or argue. Just like Dad had taught ‘em. And since Sammy was taking the non-confrontational path for once…
“Yeah, but we saved your ass,” Dean added bluntly over his brother’s statement. Sam looked at him as if he’d lost his mind, and, over their father’s shoulder, Dean saw even Mildred’s eyes widening in astonishment. He only caught a glimpse of her, though, because his sense of self-preservation instantly rerouted his gaze to his dad, who was just looking at him, straight on. His throat felt awfully dry all of a sudden, the statement hanging in the air.
The whole room held its breath.
“You’re right.”
Every single person aside from John Winchester took a double take, though Dean tried not to show it. “I am?” he held firm. Dad had to know. Dean was done with his bullshit. It wasn’t working, and it damn near would have gotten their father killed tonight.
To his astonishment, his father inclined his head, ever so slightly. “It scares the hell out of me,” he said, looking back up at Dean. “You boys are all I’ve got. But I guess we are stronger as a family. So… we go after this damn thing. Together.”
A heartbeat to process those words, and then, the next “yes sir” slipped out naturally. Back in tune with Sammy, everything, everyone back where it belonged. A giddy relief crashed through Dean’s system. So strong, he didn’t even register the look on Mildred’s face as she hoisted her bag onto her shoulder and stepped back outside.