Supernatural short stories

GWH the truth

It's been a couple of days since Dean first started helping Sam with his homework. He had no idea how Dean knew all about analytical geometry, but he wasn't going to question it. Maybe Dean did just understand the shapes of it all. That's how he always tried to explain his obsession with cars. When Sam got stuck on a problem, he would ask Dean for help. Dean would take less than a minute until he completely understood. And Dean could explain it all to Sam, way more clearly than Professor Haden ever could. Slowly, he was starting to do better in class. The one problem he had was with Professor Novak, how did he know Dean could do this math?

Sam decided he had to ask. He reserved one of Professor Novak's office hours for that night. When his slot comes, he knocks on the door.

"Come in."

Sam opened the door and smiled.

"Hello Sam, I was surprised to see your name on the server. Is everything alright?" Cas motioned for Sam to sit in the chair on the other side of his desk.

Sam sat down, "Yeah actually, things are getting better. I got my analytical geometry grade up, but it wasn't Professor Haden who helped me. It was Dean."

"Well I'm glad to hear that, but I'm not exactly sure what you're here for."

"Well I told Dean what you said, but he was acting weird."

Cas felt his heart beat faster, "what do you mean?"

"Well I asked him what you were apologizing for, and he said you thought he was a homeless person, and you told him to get out of the building. But I know you would never treat a homeless person like that and then I asked him how you knew he could help me with math and he just shrugged. I don't know he didn't want to talk about it."

Cas didn't know what to make of that. He squinted his eyes, "that's not what happened."

Sam sat up in his seat, "so what really happened professor?"

"Well you know I have a challenge problem that I put on the whiteboard."

"Yeah, whoever solves it first gets extra points on the final."

"I assume now he was waiting for you on the bench right across from the board. I was going to Professor Haden's office when I saw him writing on the board. He was wearing his mechanic clothes, so I assumed he was graffitiing. I told him to stop, he told me to fuck off and he left the building. When I looked at the board, Dean had solved it. Proof and everything."

"He solved it?!" Sam gasped.

Cas nodded.

"How did he- I mean, helping me with a problem or two is one thing, but solving the extra credit problem, in what a couple minutes. That's insane. I never knew, I feel so bad, I mean I laughed at Dean when he tried to help but he's- he's a genius."

"Yes, your brother's mind is quite unique. I was curious, and I felt bad for judging him so harshly. So I went to Singer's auto the next day. He wasn't there but an old man-"

"Bobby."

"Yes I assume, he was there and he told me that Dean was in the junkyard. I went and tried to talk to Dean. We talked and he told me he never went to college and, I still can't believe I said this, but I told Dean I wanted him to do more math and that if he didn't, he would be wasting his head."

Sam bit his lip, "yeah that's not good. Dean has a... let's just say complicated past with that phrase."

"I tried apologizing but he would have none of it. So I left. I never meant for it to come out that way. I like your brother," Cas sat up a little, "I mean, I want to get to know him more. At least explore his mind and see the way he can process these complex problems." Cas willed himself to calm down, Sam didn't seem to suspect anything. Suspect what? Cas asked himself. He didn't have time to answer because Sam started talking.

"I believe you Professor, and I agree. I mean Dean's never really been into academics. When we in high school," Sam sighed, "I mean I told you how our dad sucked."

Cas nodded, allowing Sam to continue.

"But I've never told you that Dean actually took custody of me. He got a job and was working throughout high school. Dean wanted to drop out so he could get a full-time job sooner, but our social worker, Ellen, said the courts would be more in our favor if Dean graduated. So he stayed. He went to school then right to work, so he never had time for homework."

"Wow, Sam. That's a lot to handle."

"Yes, and I love my brother and everything he did for me, but I just never. I don't know, I never thought he was smart enough or cared enough to go to college, but," Sam shook his head.

"Now that you know he could've gone to college, you're afraid you robbed him of the opportunity."

Sam just nodded. It was silent for a moment while Cas tried to figure out what to say.

"Sam, your brother loves you and would give up anything for you. But he also loves cars, he loves being a mechanic, I don't think you robbed him of anything."

Sam nodded and gave a small smile, "yeah, thanks professor."

"Unfortunately, I do have other appointments tonight."

"Yes, of course," Sam stood up and opened the door.

"Sam, if you ever need anything, or just want to talk, you can always come here."

"Yeah, thanks. Good night Professor."

Cas nodded and Sam left. Dean had gone out to a bar so Sam had taken the car. He drove back to their apartment. As Sam pulled into the driveway, he knew something was wrong. Dean was sitting out on the porch, smoking. He parked the car and got out.

"What the hell Dean, you were two months sober."

"Come on Sam, cigs don't count," Dean forced a smile on his face. Sam was standing in front of him, arms crossed.

"Yeah, they do Dean."

"Whatever, who cares?" the smile dropped from his face as he took another puff.

"I care, Dean, and I know you do too." Confusion was quickly added to Sam's anger when he noticed dry blood under Dean's nose and on his knuckles.

"Dean, what happened? Did you get in another fight?"

Dean shook his head, "I don't want to talk about it."

Sam's anger disappeared when he saw his brother's hands were still shaking. He stuck out his hand, "fine but hand the rest over."

Dean glared at Sam for a moment the dropped his gaze and handed the rest of the box over to Sam. He hated when he acted like this. How Sam had to take care of him.

Sam pocketed the cigarette box and sat down next to Dean. Something had happened to him to make him act this way, but he knew his brother wouldn't talk about it. Sam needed to get Dean to think about something else, at least until he finished smoking, then they would have to talk about it.

"You know I talked to Professor Novak tonight."

"Yeah?"

"He told me what really happened."

Dean just nodded and took another puff.

"He's a really great guy. He didn't mean the wasting your life comment, he just knows you're wicked smart and wanted to know why'd you never went to college. I need to ask Dean, did you want to go to college, to get a degree, maybe be an engineer or something."

Dean looked at Sam curiously, "what makes you ask that?"

"Well now that I know you were smart enough to go to college, I don't know. Did you pass on your chance to go to college because of me?" Sam looked up at Dean with a pained look in his eyes.

Dean smiled at his little brother, "no Sammy, I never wanted to go to college and I don't regret taking care of you."

Sam sighed with relief, "yeah still, thanks for giving up so much for me."

Dean nodded and blew out a smoke ring.

"Let me repay the favor, Dean. Tell me what's wrong, and don't say nothing because your hands are shaking even as you smoke."

Dean looked down at his shaking hands and closed his eyes.

"I was leaving the bar...