"You have to have at least one fine art credit to graduate . Do you want to take that this year or wait?

"Might as well get it over with." Dean sighed, "What are my options?"

"They have art appreciation, art, orchestra/band, or music appreciation."

"So basically I get to look at art, make art, make music, or listen to music?" Dean flipped through the course list, "Are you sure there aren't anymore options?"

"Nope, that's it." Sonny said, "You've got to pick one."

"Which is easiest?"

"Well, not band, the others are probably equally easy though." Sonny determined. Upon seeing Dean stare apathetically at the paper, he continued, "Art might do you some good, at least you wouldn't have trouble with falling asleep."

"Art it is, then." Dean decided, "What's next?"

"Two more electives."

"Can't you just choose?" Dean asked, "It's not like we're going to be here forever. It doesn't even matter that much."

"Dean-" Sonny hesitated upon turning to look at him.

"I know, I know." Dean briskly ran both hands through his hair, coming to rest near his ears. "I just- crap- I can't- Um-"

"You don't have to do this just yet Dean-o." Sonny said, "I'm not going to push you into something you're not ready for."

"I know," Dean said, "But Sammy-"

"Will be just fine." Sonny assured him, "He's a smart kid, he can handle himself. And even if not, you'll be here as soon as he gets home."

"I know." Dean nodded, "I know he is."

Sonny watched Dean for a moment, as he hesitantly returned to flipping through the course list.

"What's this?" Dean asked.

Sonny turned his attention to the paper, squinting, before pulling down his reading glasses from his forehead.

"Looks like... JROTC. It's a military thing, decent program." Sonny explained, "I've had a couple boys run through it, and they were all changed for the better."

"Dad used to be a marine." Dean said, reading further into the description of the course.

"Sounds like it would suit you well then." Sonny said, "I think this unit is army JROTC though; there aren't many marine units. Sound like something you'd like to try?"

Dean hesitated, but then nodded.

"Alright that just leaves one left." Sonny scanned the list. "Why don't you tackle personal finance and health? Those are a semester each, so you could get them both this year."

"Sounds good to me. We done now?"

"You've just got to decide when you want to start." Sonny said.

Dean slumped in his chair.

"We could give it a bit, do the work here while you adjust. We could take it slow, stick you in 1 class the first day, 2 the first week, and so on, just keep adding classes 'til you're going full time." Sonny said, "Or you could just start. Whatever you're ready for Dean."

"I want to just do it."

"You sure?"

Dean nodded.

"Alright, I'll make the call."

"What did Sammy pick?" Dean asked.

"Let's see... looks like in 5th grade you only get to pick two electives. He told me earlier he wanted spanish and orchestra."

"Orchestra?" Dean raised an eyebrow.

"It's what the kid wanted, so it's what the kid will get." Sonny shrugged.

This man and me might one day get along, if he keeps this up. Dean thought.

"Hm. You might just stand a chance of surviving the Winchester regime."

"Well, I wasn't planning on dying, if that's the alternative."

Sonny was once again reminded just how strange his boys are.

What? Was he previously plotting my murder, and now he's decided to keep me alive? A joke, I hope.

"Keep hoping." Sammy sauntered in, momentarily catching Sonny's eye.

Almost like the little booger can read minds.

Sam just looked up and smiled at him, before scurrying out of the room to the yard.

"Okay... Lunch?"

"It's 10:00am, Sonny."

"Second breakfast?"

"You really like cooking, don't you?"

Sam poked his head back through the door.

"Not as much as he hates awkward conversations."

Sonny rolled his eyes, and Sam grinned.

"Alright, let's go, let's go, let's go!" Sonny said, "Everyone's got their backpack, schedule, and a lunch?"

"Yessir." Sammy scurried out the door about as fast as his legs could carry him.

Dean rushed forward and snagged Sammy by the collar.

"Dean stop it!"

"Sammy, where's your lunch?"

"It's..." Sam hesitated, and opened his new backpack.

Sonny then proceeded to dangle a sandwich in front of Sam's face.

"In Sonny's hand." Sam had the grace to give a sheepish smile before grabbing the plastic baggie and shoving it into his back pack. He then continued to rush out the door.

"The kid would forget his head if it weren't attached to him." Sonny chuckled, "Awfully excitable little fellow, isn't he?"

"You don't know the half of it." Dean smirked, then his face sombered. "Thank you for this. He hasn't been this happy in a long time."

"I'm glad to have you boys with me." Sonny smiled, "Have a good day at school."

Dean nodded, then took off towards the bus stop with the rest of the boys. It was quarter mile away, and he'd started off a little later than the other boys, so he jogged off in pursuit, quickly overtaking Sammy.

"Got to get faster, Sammy." Dean called out behind him, smirking.

Sam squinched his nose up.

"You need to get slower." He said.

"There's your bus." Dean said, "Be good. I looked at a map, your school's about a half a mile away from mine. You need me, I can be there in less than 3 minutes."

"And I can be to your school in 4." Sammy said.

"Alright. Go."

A/N: Tada! I actually do write on occasion. This was written in three sentence long pieces over the course of several weeks. Anyway, Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year! (I might get another chapter out near the New Year). Maybe. Hopefully.