ratherastory: (Always With The Scissors)
ratherastory ([personal profile] ratherastory) wrote2010-09-21 11:12 pm

A Little Help

More comment-fic before I go to bed! Are y'all sick of me yet? ;)

Title: A Little Help
Prompt/Summary: From the twisted [livejournal.com profile] mad_server herself, at her comment-fic meme Again, but with Colds: The boys are staying at Bobby's. Sam and Bobby are working on a case, but Dean's all sick and feverish and sneezy and benched. He keeps padding in in his jammies and "helping" by falling asleep on the couch or on that snazzy downstairs-bed from S5. Original prompt and my reply can be found here.
Characters: Dean, Sam, Bobby
Rating: G
Wordcount: 926
Disclaimer: Still not mine. When I've been in fandom for a year, do I get one of 'em as a present?
Warnings: None. Well, if you don't like colds, this isn't the place for you. ;)
Neurotic Author's Note: Did I mention the comment-fic meme was eating my brain? Because it IS.

:::ETA:::

The lovely and talented Tremaine has made ART for this! Check it out!


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“Baybe id's a s-succ.. hxxnGHSH!” Dean barely has time to catch the sneeze in a tissue. The book he's holding tilts, starts to slide off his lap in slow-motion, and he still can't catch it with his free hand.

Sam scoops it up before it hits the floor, laying it back on the coffee table. “It's not a succubus. It's not an incubus, either, before you suggest that.”

HEKTSCHH!”

Dean doesn't look like he's about to suggest anything, face buried in the tissue, huddled with a blanket over his shoulders on Bobby's sofa, bare feet tucked under him, surrounded by used tissues. Sam is seriously considering a salt 'n' burn of the used tissues, given just how vicious it's turned out to be. He figures the cold germs might come back from the dead to try to re-infect the living just out of spite. (“Ha-ha. Very fuddy, Sab.”) This latest cold is definitely the messiest, wettest, snottiest one in recent memory, even by Dean's standards, and has kept him out of commission and in a pair of Bobby's blue flannel pajamas for over a day already. The pajamas are both a little too big in the waist and too short in the arms and legs, and it's only because Dean is perfectly willing to sneeze in Sam's food that Sam has stopped mocking him for it.

Bobby comes back from the kitchen, a whiskey tumbler in either hand, and hands one to Dean. “Hot toddy. It'll cure what ails ya.”

“Or finish you off,” Sam supplies helpfully. “Either way, you'll be out of your misery.”

“F-fuddy,” Dean sniffles, hitches, and with a slightly panicked look manages to put the tumbler down before he sneezes again and scalds himself with Bobby's remedy. “KKNGSHXXT!”

Sam winces. “Damn, that one sounded like it hurt.”

“It did,” Dean blows his nose gingerly, then takes a careful sip of the hot toddy. “Hadd be thad boogk, please?” he gestures vaguely at the pile of books.

“Why don't you take a nap instead?”

It's a mistake, but it's too late to take it back now. He gets a withering look, in spite of the red-rimmed eyes. Dean's hair is sticking to him with sweat, he's still shivering under his blanket, and yet he manages to look as if the mere suggestion of a nap is pure, unadulterated madness that only the feeble-minded could conceive of. He sneezes wetly, then reaches for the book himself and hauls it into his lap before plucking another tissue from the rapidly-dwindling box on the coffee table.

“Boy, you spray on my priceless volumes, and I will take it out of your hide.”

“Relagx, Bobby. I god id,” Dean coughs, spits something nasty-sounding into his tissue. “Ugh,” he comments softly, and tosses it into the already-overflowing waste basket at his feet, plucks out another tissue immediately. “Hih... hehGNTSCHT!”

“Don't stifle.”

“Bide be.”

“Fine then. Kill what few remaining brain cells you've got, see if I care,” Sam grabs the waste basket and empties it in the large green garbage bag in Bobby's kitchen, brings it back and sets it down in front of Dean. “NyQuil?”

“Doh. Stuff puts be to sleep.”

Sam fills the little plastic cup anyway, and hands it to him. “Got the daytime stuff. Here.”

Dean glares, swallows the viscous substance and makes a face. “Tasdes ligke ass.” He coughs, lets Sam take the little plastic cup away, submits to having the blanket rearranged, and jerks away when Sam tries to check on the fever. “Dabbit, Sab, I —HSHSZCHH! Quid thad,” he concludes lamely, his eyes apologizing for the snot on Sam's hand even if the rest of him won't.

Sam just grabs a tissue and the bottle of hand sanitizer from the table, rolls his eyes, and doesn't say a word before pulling out another book and resuming his research. For a while there's nothing but companionable silence, punctuated by the sound of Dean's coughing and the occasional sneezes, some better-stifled than others. Sam can hear the pages of the book turning ever more slowly, looks up to see Dean's head jerk up from where he's desperately trying to keep himself awake. He glances at Bobby, who nods back, then carefully slides onto the sofa next to Dean, and tugs the book away from him. Dean sniffles wetly, but doesn't object, and when Sam wraps a hand over his forehead he kind of lists to the side, comes to land against Sam's chest with a sigh.

“Fugker,” he murmurs into Sam's shirt. “Totally gave be the dighttibe stuff, did't you?”

Dean's half-asleep, so Sam risks planting a quick kiss to the top of his head. “You need the nap more than we need the help with the research. Come on,” he tries to nudge him back onto the sofa, but Dean just wriggles until he's settled even more comfortably against Sam's chest.

“'m good here,” he mumbles.

Sam shoots Bobby a helpless look, only to be met by a smirk. So he shrugs, leans back against the sofa so Dean can lie against him, head pillowed on his stomach, and lets Bobby hand him a book. Dean coughs into his shirt, mumbles something unintelligible, and sighs quietly as the Nyquil finally claims him. The corners of Sam's mouth twitch, and he runs his fingers once through sweat-soaked hair before going back to his book.

[identity profile] tifaching.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
Awww. Sneezy Dean and sneaky Sam are awesome!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
I quite like the trope myself. I made them a bit schmoopier/snugglier than canon, but I DON'T CARE.

*hugs the boys*

Glad you liked it!

[identity profile] sothcweden.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
Awww. So cute.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
*g*

Just a change of pace from the usual relentless angst. Thank you. :)

[identity profile] pkwench.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
That may be the cutest thing EVER. ♥ ♥ ♥ He kissed him on his wee head! MORE ♥ !!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
LOL

I figured it was time for something less angsty. ;)

Glad you liked it!

[identity profile] de-nugis.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
I made them a bit schmoopier/snugglier than canon, but I DON'T CARE.

I DON'T CARE EITHER. Sometimes canon is like the mean parents who won't give you what you want and you are like the cool aunt you run away to.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 11:31 am (UTC)(link)
*g*

Exactly! I am totally the cool aunt among my friends' kids, so it works. :)
embroiderama: (Jensen - ski hat)

[personal profile] embroiderama 2010-09-22 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
D'awwwww, I love sleepy, snuggly Dean!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 11:32 am (UTC)(link)
So do I! \o/

Glad you liked it. :)

[identity profile] seramercury.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 11:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hee! Loved it! :D

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
Yay! Thank you!

[identity profile] mdlaw.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 11:57 am (UTC)(link)
Sneaky caretaker Sam is so sweet. m :)

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Aww, thanks! I like sneaky!Sam too. :)

[identity profile] chibikameai.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah. The power of NyQuil. Making even the manliest men sink into that snuggling position. Go Sam. You sneaky little bastard.

I'm going to take this moment to bow down to you for making my morning. *bows down so she can worship the ground you walk on*

I love it when the boys are sick. I don't know why but man. It's just full of awesome.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
*blushes madly*

Yeah, NyQuil is evil that way. Plus, any excuse to turn Dean into a snuggly bunny, right? ;)

[identity profile] greeneyes-fan.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 01:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, this is just so NICE.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
A little break from the angst-fest of the past few fics. ;)

Glad you enjoyed it!

[identity profile] phorenice.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Awwwww, they're adorable!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
*g*

Thanks!

[identity profile] sinnerforhire.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww! ♥ So much love for this.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! It's a nice break from all the previous angst. ;)

[identity profile] callistosh65.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Awww.. adorable. “Boy, you spray on my priceless volumes, and I will take it out of your hide.” And I loved this line of Bobby's especially. Heh.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Hee! Bobby's crotchety, even if he does care about his boys. :D

[identity profile] primrose-1.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL! Smart Sam! I love it!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! Sam is sneakier than Dean gives him credit for. ;)

[identity profile] borgmama1of5.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Aww, caregiver Sammy :)

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-22 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
:)

Occasionnally I do like to turn the tables on 'em. Keep everyone guessing. ;)

[identity profile] little-tristan.livejournal.com 2010-09-27 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I love gen kisses and cuddles! Go sneaky!Sam!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-09-27 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
*g*

Thanks!

[identity profile] katwoman76.livejournal.com 2010-10-03 09:54 am (UTC)(link)
This story is made of win!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-10-03 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
LOL

Thank you! :)

[identity profile] phyllis2779.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
So sweet an shmoopy -- I luv it.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much! :)

[identity profile] charis-kalos.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
This is adorable! I love sneaky Sam and sleepy Dean.

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2010-11-04 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

Sneaky!Sam is one of my favourites. :)

[identity profile] xwacky.livejournal.com 2011-01-06 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Goodness! Just found this adorable piece through the latest art rec at [livejournal.com profile] hoodie_time. Both art and story are excellent! <333

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2011-01-07 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
*g*

Thanks! Isn't the art sweet? Just lovely. :)

[identity profile] flawed-x-design.livejournal.com 2011-01-17 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
omg SO adorable :D:D
Dean being all snuggly and pathetically cute?
*dies a little*

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2011-01-17 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I have lots of love for sick, pathetic, cuddly Dean. :)

Glad you liked it!

[identity profile] marziebarz.livejournal.com 2011-04-30 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
You go, sneaky-Sammy! You trick your brother into getting better! Now excuse me while I go die of the cute overload. ^_^

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2011-05-01 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
It's pretty sappy, isn't it? But I do love me some schmoop every so often. Glad you liked it!

[identity profile] nightrider101.livejournal.com 2011-09-28 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
This is so precious. *pets Dean*

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2011-09-28 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
Hee! Thank you so much! :)

[identity profile] amber1960.livejournal.com 2011-10-02 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Gawd luv 'em! Sneaky Sam conspiring with Bobby to knock snotty Dean right out. Thanks to SD_recs I didn't miss this little gem!

[identity profile] ratherastory.livejournal.com 2011-11-15 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
*g*

I'm very pleased you liked it!