Chapter Text
John was behind the wheel of the Impala. Mary sat beside him with his boys in the back. Occasionally it felt as if they were normal again, before it all crashed and burned, before this life of running and hunting. But every time John would glance up at the reflection of the very much grown men that occupied the backseat where his baby boys should be, he was reminded of all that had happened. But even though it hurt, he found himself able to smile when he glanced at his boys and then at his wife. It may not be how they wanted, and it may be way too many years later, but finally, they were a family.
John sighed again and tries to focus on the road, blinking a few times to clear his vision. Despite being the grown men they were, both his boys were asleep in the backseat. Which was common for Sam no matter where he was sitting, but being used to being the driver, Dean was normally one to be awake at least most of the drive. His tiredness was a sign that they should probably pull up.
When John saw the vacancy sign off the side of the highway, he straightened up in his seat and turned in. The slight jostling woke the sleeping Sammy, but surprisingly Dean stayed asleep, not rousing at all until the car came to a full stop. John left the car running as he dashed inside to get them a room. Unfortunately, the only vacancies available were some rooms with only two singles or a room with two queens. Needing accommodation for four, John was forced to go for the two queens.
He trotted himself back out to the car and sighed as he slumped into the driver's seat, lightly chucking the key into Mary's lap.
Mary attempted to catch them, but she too was tired and didn't exactly have the bed reflexes right now. She picked them up and was a bit confused for a moment before John sighed again and spoke quietly.
"They only had two queens" he replied to the unasked questions before pulling out of the original park to drive over to their room.
Mary sighed as well "well, just for one night" she whispered back, glancing towards the boys.
Sam, who was half awake groaned a little.
"He always kicks me" he complained.
"Please don't start" John pleaded, shaking his head.
"He does" Sam spat childishly.
Mary groaned softly "well, how about we just..." She paused to collect her thoughts, talking with her hands mostly to John "pair off with one of the boys" she said.
John pulled the car into park and a huff, slumping back. "If it stops them from fighting" he agreed "wanna buck with me Sammy?" He asked, looking back at his youngest.
Sam shrugged with a faint nod "sure" he mumbled, still pretty asleep.
John nodded, glancing at Mary "you got Dean then" he said, before turning the car off the stepping out.
Dean stirred and finally woke, looking around with squinted eyes and a sleepy pout.
Mary smiled at him "stopping for the night" she said "we only got two beds, you're sharing with me" she explained.
Dean sniffled a little and nodded "...'k" he mumbled, sitting up sluggishly and opening the door.
"Welcome back to the land of the living" John teased as he shut the boot, handing Dean his duffle, his own and Mary's slung over his shoulder.
"Thanks" Dean slurred, running a hand through his hair and face.
Sam stood at the door waiting, following Mary in as she unlocked it and pushed it open. Dean pushed in behind his brother and immediately dumped his bag in the bed closest to the door before opening it up. He dug out some clothes before heading into the bathroom.
"You having a shower?" Sam asked.
His brother paused at the bathroom door "God no" Dean shook his head "just changing" he said before stepping in and shutting the door behind him.
"Hope your putting clean underwear on" Sam muttered with scowl.
__________
Sam and Mary ended up having a quick shower each while John and Dean just changed into clean clothes.
Dean was already on his stomach with his arm stuffed under his pillow by the time Mary came to the bed. She smiled fondly at her son before she flicked off the lights and got under the covers.
"Good night" she said quietly.
"Night" John mumbled, laying in his back in the opposite bed, Sam facing away and curled up beside him.
"Night Mum" Sam whispered.
Mary glanced at Dean. "He must be worn out" she noted, watching his relaxed shoulders rise and fall with every breath.
John opened one eye and looked over. He huffed, settling back in again. "Must be" he agreed, crossing his arms and relaxing his head against the pillow "hope he doesn't kick you" he added.
Sam groaned a little "he does" he repeated sleepily, not raising his face from his pillow.
John and Mary both gave a quiet chuckle before the air drifted into silence and the room went to sleep
___________
Sam can't seem to sleep. Which was odd considering how tired he was earlier. Maybe it was the shower; he heard a Dean like voice in his head consider.
Sam groaned and rolled over, opening his eyes and being met with the still figure of his sleeping father. Still laying on his back, one arm resting across his torso and the other dangling off the bed.
Dad had always slept like that. He was always ready to spring up and grab the closest weapon, which would usually be a gun from the nightstand or from under his pillow.
Sam body shivered from the idea that crossed his mind. He hated it but he couldn't shake it, and he knew he couldn't get to sleep.
Finally he sighed, slowly shuffling closer until he was up against his father's shoulder. He huffed as he settled onto the bottom of John's pillow and pressed his face into his shoulder. Objectively he didn't smell very nice, but he smelt like Dad. He smelt like home.
Like whiskey, leather, gunpowder and blood. A smell that would always be home.
John stirred a little, startling his youngest, who was torn between playing 'dead' and sitting up as fast as his tired body could manage.
He did neither and instead looked up with bright and wide puddy dog eyes as John's tired gaze tell on him.
"Heya Sammy" he grumbled "you ok?" He asked, pulling his arm up to wrap around his son, holding him in place.
Sam stiffened for a moment but quickly relaxed and nodded, leaning into his father's touch and closing his eyes.
John nodded back as he saw Sam start to drift to sleep. He sighed with a smile before settling his head back against his pillow and shutting his eyes
___________
Dean's face scrunched up and he flinched. He winced a little and curled further against his pillow. He flinched again, gritting his teeth and his muscles tensing. His body instinctively curved further away from the bed's other occupate.
Finally his eyes snapped open and he gasped a little. He propped himself up on his elbows and stared down at the cheap sheets below him.
He was covered in sweat- maybe it was a good thing he didn't shower earlier. He was panting and he could feel nausea rising up his throat. He swallowed continuously to try dull the feeling.
"Dean?" Mary whispered. Her eyes half open as she rolled over and sat up. Her brow furrowed "Dean, what's wrong?" She asked, reaching out for him.
Dean stiffened and pulled away, quickly swinging himself up right to sit on the edge of the bed, only making his nausea worse.
"I'm ok" he rasped, leaning his head down towards his knees.
"No" Mary shook her head "no, your not ok. Tell be what's wrong" she pleaded.
"It was just a nightmare" Dean deflected. "I'm fine. I'm sorry I woke you".
"Don't be sorry" Mary said "I want to help you" she shuffled closer, coming to sit behind Dean, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Mum, I'm ok" Dean repeated "it wasn't real, I know that".
"Dean-".
"Just leave me alone" he snapped, getting up and stumbling his way to the bathroom, running a hand over his face.
Mary watched the door shut and began to wait.
She wanted to wait up for when he came out, yet her body wanted to shut down and get some sleep. She fought and she fought, finding herself in a half asleep daze by the time she realised that Dean was crawling back into bed.
He looked over at her.
"Night Mum" he whispered.
Mary forced herself to wake, sitting up a little more. "You sure you're ok?" She asked.
"Just a little shaken" Dean replied "I'll be fine".
Mary pouted, seeing how her son's freckled cheeks were lightly flushed.
She reached up and cupped his face before her hand found his forehead.
Dean whined, and again when he say Mary's brows' furrow further.
"Honey, you're warm" she fretted.
"I'm ok. It'll pass" Dean whined, swatting her hand away and turning over, pulling the blanket over himself.
"Good night" he grumbled.
Mary rolled her eyes, sighing heavily "if it's not gone tomorrow morning than I'm taking your temperature" she decided.
Dean just hummed, probably not even listening.
Mary sighed again. "Good night sweetheart" she whispered, watching his shoulders settle back into the gentle rise and fall of before.