Chapter Text
Peter takes a deep breath and clicks connect. He sits back and waits. The screen timer runs for a minute before the request is answered and Sam Winchester’s voice comes over the computer speakers.
“Boss.” Sam says softly.
Not a question, a statement. Almost as if he has been waiting for Peter to call. Dean’s words from months ago echo in his brain and Peter wonders for the thousandth time what he meant about his brother being powerful.
A few seconds later the dark video feed brightens as Sam flips on the bedside lamp. He is bare chested and leaning against the headboard of some cheap hotel bed frame. He runs a hand through his hair to settle it back and out of his face. It only half works.
“I’m sorry it’s so late.” Peter apologizes. “I’ve got something that can’t wait.” He squints at the screen. “Is Dean around?”
He knows they always share a room. Two queens.
Sam’s raises an eyebrow at Peter and waits.
It takes a full minute for Peter to spot the Dean sized lump hidden under the ugly floral bedspread. The same ugly floral bedspread that covers Sam’s lap. Same bedspread. Same bed.
Peter sits back in shock. In all the years the Organization has studied, speculated about, and attempted to follow the Winchesters the idea that they might be lovers never once came up. Not once.
Peter contemplates this development for a moment. With all that he’s learned about the Winchester’s way of life over the last six months it makes an odd kind of sense. He shouldn’t be surprised. It actually explains a lot. He simply can’t believe he missed it.
He looks up at Sam who gives him a knowing smirk.
Sam reaches to his left and lays a hand on the bundle of covers.
“Dean.” Sam says and waits a beat. “Dean!”
“Sam?” The lump shifts and rolls over to reveal Dean’s sleepy face. “What’s the matter?”
Dean reaches out and pulls himself across Sam’s lap and up into his embrace. He tucks his tousled head into the crook of his brother’s neck. Sam wraps his arms around Dean, leans back, closes his eyes, and sighs.
Peter stares, eyes wide. He can’t help it. This sudden and unexpected display of affection between the two is somehow more startling then the idea of a sexual relationship. He is witnessing a very private moment.
Unlike his brother, who Peter believes to be genuinely good natured, Sam always seems to be in a perpetual state of angst, anger, or annoyance. Kev calls it Sam’s ‘Triple AAA’ attitude.
Peter looks at Sam now and sees none of those things. He looks content, peaceful. It's a revelation and Peter can’t stop staring.
“You restless Baby?” Dean asks in a voice low and husky with sleep. “I can fix that.”
Sam catches Peter’s eye and grins.
Peter blushes.
“Not restless.” Sam tells Dean. He tightens his arms around his brother and waits until Dean looks up at him. “We’ve got company.” Sam nods toward the computer which is resting on the nightstand.
Dean blinks at Sam and then turns toward the video chat. He groans and rubs a hand over his face before shoving himself off his amused brother and into a seated position. Dean tugs at the bedspread and pulls it up nearly to his chin.
It is a ridiculous display of modesty that makes Peter choke on his coffee.
“Hey Boss.” Dean says.
Peter coughs, wipes his mouth, and nods.
Dean smiles, then frowns, and then throws a look at his brother. “I thought you said the Boss knew about us?”
“He does now.”
“Jesus Sam!” Dean scolds. “You can’t just spring this on the old man like that. You’ll give him a Heart Attack!”
“It’ll take more then your bare chests in the same bed to do that.” Peter deadpans.
Sam snorts and Dean elbows him.
“I’m actually impressed you’ve managed to keep this a secret.” Especially from him. Peter still can’t quite believe he missed it. He shrugs. “It seems obvious in retrospect.”
Sam turns to Dean and raises an eyebrow.
“Hey!” Dean looks offended. “Don’t blame me.” He crosses his arms in a huff. “It’s not my fault you can’t keep those big paws to yourself.”
Sam rolls his eyes and looks at the ceiling. “Are you done?” He asks his brother.
“Maybe.” Dean nods and sits back. “Bitch.”
“Jerk.” Sam grins and bumps Dean’s shoulder with his.
Peter shakes his head.
“What’s up Boss?” Dean finally wants to know.
For the first time in his adult life, Peter doesn’t know where to begin. He sighs heavily. The truth is always a start.
He takes a deep breath. “I fucked up.” He tells them.
The Winchesters frown.
Peter let’s his air out in a rush. “It’s Kev...he’s been taken.”
“What?” Dean leans toward the camera. The bedspread falls away unheeded. “How? When?”
“He was following up on a lead with two other agents.”
Dean scowls obviously unhappy with this piece of information.
“We didn’t think it was a big deal.” Peter confesses. “We...I...thought we knew enough to handle this case on our own.”
Dean sits back and rubs his face. Dean barely knows Kev, and has never met the other agents involved, yet Peter can see worry in his face. It gives him a new appreciation for the strength of Dean’s loyalty once given.
Sam on the other hand is not worried. He’s angry and does not bother to hide it. Peter feels a rush of guilt. He understands the rules and until a few hours ago he’d followed them without deviation. The weight of Sam’s disapproval travels through the video link and punches Peter squarely in the chest.
“They’ve been out of touch for over two hours now.” Peter presses on.
He can hear the worry in his own voice and he hates it. Kev is not only his number two man, but his closest friend. Peter needs him back safe. He needs them all back safe.
“I know two hours doesn’t seem like much time, but you know how we operate. Our agents are never out of touch.” He sighs. “We think we know where they are. We just can’t get to them.”
“What do you want us to do about it?” Sam asks flatly.
“Sam!?” Dean gives his brother a look that makes Sam huff and look away.
“Like I said we can’t get to them...there’s this barrier...of some kind. I can’t explain it.” Peter looks at Sam and then Dean. “I thought maybe you two could take a look and advise us on our next move. Before we risk anyone else.”
Dean sighs. “We’ll do whatever we can Boss.”
Peter is instantly relieved. He never doubted they’d help, he’s just sorry to have to ask it. The Winchesters give so much already and to ask them to risk more is tough. Especially for his mistake.
“The jet’s on the way to you now.” He checks his watch. “It should be landing in the next hour. It’s a three hour flight from where you are.”
Dean’s eyes go wide and his body rigid.
Sam eyes flash at Peter and he turns to his brother.
“Dean...” Sam’s tone is gentle.
“No.” Dean shakes his head and starts to hyperventilate. “No way.” He pants. “We’ll drive.”
Peter looks back and forth between the brothers. He can’t quite wrap his brain around Dean’s sudden fear. It is obvious and real. He’s confused to say the least.
“It’ll be okay Dean.” Sam reassures his brother.
“I’ll lose my shit Sam.” Dean’s frightened eyes search Sam’s face.
Sam reaches out and lays a hand on Dean’s chest. His large palm easily covers the anti-possession tattoo near Dean’s heart. He says nothing, just looks at his brother and waits.
Dean stares at Sam for a long moment before he catches his breath and sighs heavily. He shakes his head and let’s it fall back against the headboard with a thump.
“It’s an Organization jet.” Peter interjects. “You can bring any weapons you want on the flight.”
“Really?” Dean cracks and eye, suspicious.
“Yes.” Peter confirms.
“Fine.” Dean huffs. “I’ll try.”
Sam smiles warmly at his brother and pats him on the chest.
Dean grumbles something under his breath and slides out of bed. He’s naked and clearly doesn’t give a shit. He stomps off into the darkness and disappears. Seconds later Peter can hear the shower start up.
“Dean doesn’t fly.” Sam turns back to the computer.
Peter nods. “I’m sorry Sam.” He truly is.
“Remember what I told you when we made this bargain?” Sam crosses his arms and sits back.
“Yes.” Peter acknowledges. He waits and when Sam doesn’t budge he sighs. “You said Dean has a tendency to blame himself for things he can’t control.” That much had always been obvious. “He can’t help himself.”
Sam waits.
“And that because of that...” Peter continues. “Dean has too many marks on his soul.”
The idea of a person’s soul as its own entity always makes Peter feel uneasy. He doesn’t like the idea of Dean’s soul covered in scars either. That idea makes him angry.
“You told me that if this partnership puts another mark on Dean’s soul...because we didn’t follow your rules or did something stupid...that you will make sure it never happens again.”
The look in the younger Winchester’s eyes when he’d said those words to Peter was enough to give him the chills.
Sam nods. “Remember that next time you think its ‘no big deal’.”
Peter understands. He knows very well that the Winchesters stay in contact with the Organization because they choose to.
In the last six months Peter and the Organization have learned more about Supernatural threats and the ways to detect and defeat them then they have in the nearly twenty years of their existence. The Winchesters have more then held up their end of the bargain.
Peter doesn’t want to abuse or lose this partnership. They need Sam and Dean. It’s why Peter agreed to Sam’s rules in the first place.
Sam has made his point.
The younger Winchester rubs his face and then changes the topic. “It’s the anticipation that gets him the most.”
Phobias are irrational. Peter never would have guessed that about Dean.
“That and leaving Baby.” Sam adds.
“I can have an agent pick up the Impala and bring her to you?” Peter offers, though he knows the answer will be no.
“No way.” Sam frowns. “Dean would kick my ass.”
Peter cues up a message and hits send. “Your travel information is on the way.”
Sam checks the clock. “I take it you’re already there.”
“Yes.” Peter acknowledges. “Call me when you’re settled on the flight and I’ll walk you through what we have so far.”
“Sounds good.” Sam says.
“Thank you Sam.” Peter truly is grateful.
Sam gives him that long look, the one that makes Peter feel like Sam is reading his mind. Peter sits still for it. Its the least he can do, but he thinks about Unicorns and Rainbows just in case.
Sam rolls his eyes, snorts and signs off.
Peter flops back in his chair.