UWMA stories

Joined Hands (Dean/Pharm)

Dean is cold.

That's what everyone's always said about him, mostly behind his back but occasionally (by Win) to his face. He doesn't mind it when it's Win, because his idiot friend will crowd close and sling an arm around his neck and suggest ways to warm up with an eyebrow waggle, but everyone else–

Dean's not interested in their opinion. He was never particularly interested in anyone's opinion, except the person he was looking for.

But now he's found him, and the trouble is that Pharm doesn't just make him warm, Pharm doesn't just make him melt.

Pharm makes him burn.

And when Pharm pushes him away in his narrow little kitchen and Dean's staring down at his shocked face whilst his bones themselves feel like they're on fire with how much he wants to touch –

That's when he realises this is going to be a problem.

~

"Grandmother," he asks. "I need some advice."

There are only four people in the world who know about...his past life? Those doesn't seem like quite the right words, but will have to suffice. Obviously he can't talk to Pharm about this particular issue, and Sorn and Sin would try to be helpful but wouldn't be able to resist the urge to tease him. That leaves his grandmother. Who, really, would have been the best choice anyway.

"Yes Dean." She gives his cheek a little pat. She does that often, as though to remind herself that he's really here. Dean understands – it's why he can't stop himself from touching Pharm. "Tell me and I will help."

"It's about Korn," he adds, and lets her process a moment. They haven't talked about...everything, since the first time they met. His grandmother nods her consent for him to continue and now it's Dean's turn to pause. What is the best way to move forward? "Is there...I need a way to talk to him."

"To talk to him? Why? He did not live a happy life."

Dean knows that. The fact that the only bits of his life Korn carried with him into the next were memories of Intouch are sufficient to tell Dean all he needs to know about the rest of it.

"There are things relevant to Pharm and I that are being affected by him." He hedges. His grandmother gives him a piercing look, but just nods. Feelings wellsup in Dean's chest, so quick and forceful he has to take a breath to hold them back from spilling over – gratitude, and love, the sort he hadn't thought he'd feel again since his other grandmother died.

His grandmother pats his cheek again. It feels like a blessing.

"I will make arrangements," she says.

~

"What are you going to the temple for?" Win demands. Dean doesn't look up from his plate.

"A cleansing." It's not really, but that's probably the safest answer.

"A cleansing? What the hell. Is that like an exorcism? Are you going for an exorcism? Are they going to do an exorcism on your dick?"

Dean turns to look at him. Win grins cheerfully and shoves his tongue in his cheek.

"Well it's not like you're using it! Don't you think I'd know if my best friend was finally getting some –"

"Win."

" – even with his super hottie little boyfriend –"

"Win."

"Yes Dean?"

"Go flirt with Team and leave me alone."

"Awwwww..." Win flops over onto him dramatically. "You're glaring, that means you're blushing, okay, okay, I'll stop, anyway, I need your advice, how many bags of chips do I need to buy a guy to win his heart, and is there, like, a different exchange rate for kisses, because I –"