Title: Rough Patches
Author: Enkidu07
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me.
E/O Challenge Word: square 3 x 100 words
A/N: Dean has busted some ribs. I don't know why these keeps coming out in bunches of 3.
Jagged pain wakes him.
"Don't touch me."
"Dean?" The hands withdraw.
"What're you doing?"
"Deciding if we need a hospital."
"I get a vote?"
"Oh, you do. But, you're unconscious. Your vote counts less."
"Not unconscious now."
"Hmm. Rule still stands."
Dean risks opening one eye. The geometric print is nauseating. He closes it again, sees squares. "What'd you decide?"
"I have to touch you."
"Bring it on."
Dean doesn't whimper as ribs shift.
Sam shushes him anyway.
"Can't hunt broken, Sam."
"You'll be okay. You want the ER?"
Probably rhetorical. Dean doesn't bother to answer.
"Go back to sleep."
"Wake up."
"Huh-uh."
"Dean." Hard knuckles brush over his sternum. "Up and at 'em."
"Hate."
"I know. Open."
Sam tips his head, helps him drink. Doesn't make him move.
A square palm falls heavy on his chest, another wraps his bruised side. "Don't go back to sleep."
"Go away." Dean should push him off.
"Breathe."
"No shit."
"Breathe deeper. Lift my palm."
"No."
"Dean. You don't want pneumonia. Move some air."
"Hurts."
"I got you. Suck it in."
"-fuck."
"Good. Do it again."
"Sadist."
"Gimme five good ones."
"Two."
"Four."
"Three."
"That one doesn't count, move my hand."
"Hate."
"Again."
"Help me up."
"Why?"
"Bathroom."
"Want the jug?"
"I want up."
Sitting's hard. Standing's worse. He clutches feebly at Sam, envisions how much hitting the floor's gonna hurt.
"I've got you. Can you stand straighter?"
Dean shakes his head against Sam's chest.
Sam shuffles him to the bathroom, gives him as much privacy as possible while keeping him upright.
The bruises are spectacular. He pitches toward the mirror.
"Whoa, Knieval. Bed?"
"Wha'kinda girl do you think I am?" Dean's breathless, rests his face on the cool square of glass.
Sam's hand is warm on his back. "I'll be gentle, sweetheart."
end.