Title: Dirty Tactics
Author: [livejournal.com profile] starrylizard
Fandom: Supernatural
Rating: Gen, PG for some minor language, humour
Characters: John and Dean
Word count: ~1460
Beta: Thanks Shannon [livejournal.com profile] heylittleriver for the quick beta. :)
Prompt: [livejournal.com profile] rinkle - Something going terribly wrong resulting in a lot of laughter for Dean and John (when Sam's away at Stanford) There isn't anything going wrong here, but there is laughter and I added some mud. :)
Summary: An obstacle course, a bet and two guys playing dirty.


Now with a gorgeous cover by [livejournal.com profile] newkidfan! (click to see large version) Tell her how amazing it is over here. :)


The bolt cutters made swift work of the fence and two figures slipped through it, keeping to the shadow at the edges of the spotlights and moving as one. They moved swiftly across the abandoned army base toward the assault course and the monkey bars. This part of the course was mostly cloaked in darkness and they pulled out flashlights, carefully looking over the wooden contraption and the mud below.

“Uggh!” Dean curled his lip and raised an eyebrow. “Why couldn’t he have died in the barracks?”

John’s huffed laughter was a low sound, deep in his throat. “Don’t be such a pansy, Dean.”

They got to work with shovels and hands, dredging through the mud until they found what they were looking for. Both stood, cold and muddy and wet, shuddering beside the small pile of bones as the salt and fire consumed them.

“Takes me back to my training days.”

“Is that right… back in the good old days, huh.”

“Dean.” There was a warning tone in John’s voice, but it was tempered by humour.

“I bet I could do it faster,” Dean mumbled.

“Oh, yeah. What do you bet?”

“Seriously? Okay, first shower when we get back.”

“You’re on.”

Leaving the bones to burn, John pointed with his flashlight, highlighting parts of the half-lit course as he spoke.

“Start at the monkey bars, across the catwalk, under the barbed wire and over the gates. It’s too dark for the balance, so we’ll finish with the wall. First one over the wall gets first shower, loser has to buy breakfast in the morning.”

Dean nodded, his eyes gleaming cat-like in the firelight as he burned the suggested course into his mind. A couple of the spotlights were still working, their dirty bulbs giving just enough light that they should be able to do this without too much risk of breaking their necks.

John’s smile was predatory while Dean’s was a confident smirk, father and son each attempting to psych the other out as they made their way to their designated start point.

“On three. One, two,” Both John and Dean were off and heading up the ramps to the monkey bars well before the count of three. “Cheater,” John called.

“Damn straight. You can talk, old man,” Dean threw back.

John swung out onto the monkey bars, feeling the pleasant burn of shoulders and biceps as he quickly found his rhythm. Swinging with his whole body, he used the momentum to carry him to the next rung with the least effort. Grab, release, grab, release. He swung off the end and hit the off-ramp at a run, adrenaline pumping. Behind him, Dean’s boots hit the matching ramp to his left just a few steps behind.

They raced for the catwalk, elbows, hips and shoulders bumping and pushing. John had always taught Dean to play dirty and the two of them were well matched – John’s experience versus Dean’s younger body. Just before the catwalk, John got in a good jab, sending Dean stumbling just enough to give John the lead as he paced himself up the ramp, footsteps careful now even as he hurried up the narrow wooden walkway.

John carefully kept his eyes on the catwalk about a metre ahead of him, arms out comfortably for balance and kept a constant pace so as not to trip on the cross boards. If he looked straight down, he’d open himself up to vertigo. In the corner of his vision, he could see Dean doing the same thing a few metres to his left. The boy was good and John smiled. He should be good after the way John had trained him.

“That was dirty, Dad. Just you watch it.”

John ignored Dean’s taunts as he hit the down ramp and concentrated on not tripping as he took it at a run, letting his momentum carry him to the bottom. He hit the ground running and felt the impact jar through his whole body. The first few steps were painful, before he managed to find his stride. Suddenly Dean was right beside him again, this time not jostling with his old man, but sprinting on ahead. John growled and pushed himself to keep up, grabbing the back of Dean’s sweatshirt and yanking backwards.

“No, you don’t, son.”

Dean huffed in exasperation, spinning about and bringing his arms down in an attempt to break John’s hold, and then they were wrestling on the ground, both laughing as each tried to pin the other down.

“You know, Dad, this won’t gain you anything. We still gotta do the rest of the course unless you want to admit defeat.”

“Oh, yeah?” John finally had Dean pinned beneath him, his heavier bulk giving him the advantage, as Dean gave up and lay still waiting for John’s next move. “It’ll gain me something.”

With that John was up and running, sliding to his belly to scramble through the mud and under the barbed wire in a well-practiced army crawl, before Dean was even off the ground. The boy was cussing fluently enough to put some of John’s old Marine Corp buddies to shame and John laughed low, before barking out a “Manners, Dean.”

“Yes, Sir Colonel Cheat-a-lot, Sir!” came the sarcastic reply, followed by several more curses as Dean snagged his shirt on some wire.

John made it out of the barbed wire, and scrambled to his feet, feeling the wet mud caking to his skin and clothes. “Come on, Dean. You gonna let your old man beatcha?”

“Jerk.”

“Pansy-waist bitch!”

“Hey!”

“Truth hurts, Dean.”

“That’s it. You’re going down.”

John was already at the first of the gates and he vaulted over, feeling the extra weight of the muddy clothes in the burn of his thighs as he leapt. He had to keep moving. Dean was faster than his old man, speed his main advantage, and John wasn’t under any illusion that he’d gained enough time with his little stunt to win. He could already taste metallic fatigue at the back of his throat, but there were only two more gates and a wall and John was anything but a quitter.

From behind him, John heard Dean hit the first gate, a loose board making a loud crack in the still night. As John vaulted the second gate, Dean was catching up, and they hit the third gate only moments apart.

“Give up, Dad. The hot water is mine!”

John kept running, rather than waste his breath on a quippy comeback. Then they were both at the wall, John still just in the lead. The wall, outside of the reach of the spotlights, was completely in the dark and John scrambled up, finding handholds by touch alone. He felt the hand clamp down on his ankle and clung tighter with his fingers, securing his position, before he kicked out. There was a grunt from Dean as he hit his mark. A few moments later and the hand was back, this time higher up his leg as Dean gained on him. Dean was pulling his way up, using John as a useful hand hold, the little bastard, and this time John couldn’t shake him off.

“Not bad, Dean.”

“I learnt from the best.”

“Damn straight.”

John struggled a little higher, pulling against Dean’s bulk, until one hand made the top of the wall and he was sure he had a good strong hold. Then he waited for Dean to catch up. A quick strike out with his elbow and he hit Dean’s shoulder. As Dean scrambled to resecure his hold, John pulled himself over the top and dropped down the other side, landing in a crouch. He let out a whoop of triumph!

A few moments later Dean dropped to the ground beside him.

“Oh, I am going to enjoy that hot water tonight.”

Dean mumbled something.

“What was that, Dean?”

“Nothing, Sir.”

John loosed a warm chuckle and knuckled Dean’s hair. “Da-aad!”

“Come on, let’s get the gear.”

Dean padded after John as they headed back for the gear. The burnt bones were just ash now, their duffle bag marking the otherwise indistinctive spot where they’d previously been. John slung the duffle over his shoulder, well aware he was going to be in a world of aching muscles come morning.

“Hey Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Last one to the car’s a rotten egg.” Dean dashed off, as John chuckled following at a more sedate pace.

“What’s wrong, Dad? Too tired?”

John just laughed harder, making Dean pout in a way that was all show, no real hard feelings. They walked the rest of the way shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving congenially all the way back to the car.

Yep, he was sure going to enjoy that shower.
Tags:

From: [identity profile] alias_chick.livejournal.com


LOVED this! The camraderie, the competition, and of course the underhandedness of both of them!! This is how I totally imagine Dean and John's relationship, so thanks so much for the AWESOME read! (If you don't mind this will be going straight into my memories!)

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thank you! :D
And mind? No way! I'd be honoured to make you mems! :D

From: [identity profile] erinrua.livejournal.com


Oh, this is simply brilliant! What a delightful character sketch for the both of them. I have never imagined John as eternally angsty and grim, nor Dean as perennially "woe" without Sam. The infamous Winchester angst is never far away, but this? Is awesome, is how I'm certain it was many a time, because John raised two damn fine boys and he could only have done it by being a good man, himself. I loved this, the echo of Sam and Dean's horseplay finding its base in their da. The camaraderie, the playful insults, the fierce competition because they *are* both strong, driven men - just gorgeous. LOL, and I love John still having that Marine gung-ho attitude despite his age. Just a delightful, fun little piece that lets us see a lighter side to the Winchesters' lives. In between the dark, there had to be those rare and wonderful moments of light. Thanks for sharing! Saving to mems. :-)
Cheers ~

Erin

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Oh wow! Thank you so much for the lovely comment! And exactly, that sort of horseplay and attitude to life you learn from your role models and these boys only really had John for most of their lives, so it must have gone on. Awesome, I made your mems! :D

From: [identity profile] trishabooms.livejournal.com


What a treat to read a story that shows John and Dean's relationship in a better light!
Thank you for sharing.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thank you for your comment. :D
Rinkle said she didn't care how I wrote it, but I had to find a happy moment during the Stanford years, because it can't all have been woe. I'm glad it worked for you. :D
embroiderama: (Dean & John)

From: [personal profile] embroiderama


I *adore* this! The time while John and Dean hunted on their own tends to be imagined in a sad, lonely way, but it's great to think of them having moments like this, too. You write their race through the obstacle course so vividly that I felt like I was there watching them. :)

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thanks so much! It's especially nice to know the race reads well. :D

From: [identity profile] kellifer-fic.livejournal.com


Awww... hehehee... there aren't enough stories about John and Dean's *good* relationship because I believe it must've existed... :)

This was mucho fun.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Yep, indeed that was Rinkle's point when she gave me the prompt. There had to be some non-angst somewhere. Thanks for your comment and I'm so glad you enjoyed reading. :D

From: [identity profile] saberivojo.livejournal.com


I love the competition, the fun, the sneakiness. John and Dean fighting dirty to the finish. What great fun. I like to think this happened at least once in a while. Thanks.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Exactly, it can't all have been angst! Thanks for your comments. :D
lark_ascends: Blue and purple dragonfly, green background (SPN - Dean)

From: [personal profile] lark_ascends


*glees*

*loves*

Muddy, muddy men competing...Mmmm.

*adds to mems*

Thank you, sweetie!

From: [identity profile] iamstealthyone.livejournal.com


Cute fic! I like the playful feel here. As others mentioned, it’s nice to see John and Dean in a lighter moment.

Favorite lines:

“On three. One, two,” Both John and Dean were off and heading up the ramps to the monkey bars well before the count of three. “Cheater,” John called.

“Damn straight. You can talk, old man,” Dean threw back.


*g* I like how they both played dirty throughout their little battle.

“Manners, Dean.”

“Yes, Sir Colonel Cheat-a-lot, Sir!”


*snickers*

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you found it amusing! :D

From: [identity profile] iamthedirtgirl.livejournal.com


I really loved this. totally agree with everyone. This is how I think John and Dean's relationship was like. Heck I even think it was like this with Sam for a while. You can't have three men with such a tendency to lie, cheat and steal (for the good of makind) and who practical joke the hell out of each other if you don't have a solid basis for comfortble fun. Great job. You made me smile, especially big cause I'm feelin grouchy and this helped big time.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thanks so much! And I'm especially pleased to be able to lift your mood! :D

From: [identity profile] halona.livejournal.com


You know, I actually read this a few days ago, but I'm terrible about leaving feedback. So, hi. This was great. I love those rare moments when John can be a dad and not a commander.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Hee! Thanks so much for commenting now! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :D

From: [identity profile] stars91.livejournal.com


This is a great look at John and Dean's relationship! I think its very realistic in that I don't think John was this hardass that *never* wanted to have any fun with his kids. I think this was totally something he would have done! There was a lesson to be learned there after all and one thing John was good at was taking any opportunity and turning it into a learning experience for his kids.

Great job! And thanks for sharing it with us!

From: [identity profile] charis-kalos.livejournal.com


Ooh, I like this, the father-son bonding and all the cheating. I imagine Dean and Sam could have a similar experience, but not Sam and John, and that makes me a little sad.

Now, does John use up all the hot water?

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thank you! I imagine earlier on maybe Sam and John and Dean were all able to snark and have fun, but then Sam went all teenager on them.

Now, does John use up all the hot water?
Ha! He uses just enough, so that he gets to hear Dean curse when it goes suddenly cold! :P

Glad you enjoyed it! :D

From: [identity profile] catnthecradle.livejournal.com


Thank you for this, I'm so glad you re-posted it. I was thinking about it the other day and decided that next time I went to storyfinders I'd ask for this fic. You just don't see much lighthearted John & Dean, it's mostly angsty stuff. Even when he's portrayed as a good father it's in dire circumstances.

I just can't see that Dean would have had such a loving relationship with the man if he was always the Drill Sargeant, and never a friend. It's good to see them having fun together.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Thanks so much! I'm happy the story stayed with you so long! :)

Yeah, I can't imagine he could possibly be a bastard all the time and have kids with such a sense of fun. :)

Thanks again!
Lizzie

From: [identity profile] dokunokasumi.livejournal.com


Wow, *chuckles.* My fiance` is a Marine and what's funny about this story is instead of seeing Dean and John, I saw my man and a kid we plan to have (i want one of each, he wants a girl first. so maybe the daughter would take dean's place instead).

But it made me smile, because he just lost one of his men who was a very close friend of his ... hell, he was even going to be one of the groomsmen in the wedding (does it count if it's just a justice of the peace? - i'm not gonna regret a small ceremony, because i don't have much family i like ... so they'll be my new one)... *swallows hard.* But it was good to read. :D

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Aww, that's rather beautiful that you can see your husband in here. Thank you!

I'm very sorry for your loss, and I do hope your wedding is perfect for you. Small gatherings are the best ones to my mind. *smishes*

From: [identity profile] dokunokasumi.livejournal.com


Yeah and *laughs a little* He sorta looks and acts like Dean so it's amusing, hell in the picture I saw his hair cut screamed "dean!"

It will be, a year from now it will be. *smishes in return.* PS: That icon is made of awesome. Heh.

McKay and his sister.

From: [identity profile] dodger-winslow.livejournal.com


This is a hoot. Loved it. And totally believe John would cheat his ass off to win. Perfect characterization of both of them, and the relationship between them.

From: [identity profile] starrylizard.livejournal.com


Hey thanks! I had such a great time writing this one! Always nice to get a new comment. :)

From: [identity profile] mymuseandi.livejournal.com


Just found this story through [livejournal.com profile] spngenlove comm. Very very nice, and very i think the banters between Dean and John are so spot on. It's nice to see a lighter side to John than what he's pictured to be. :)

From: [identity profile] lassiterfics.livejournal.com


Aww, oh man! This is ace. I have been hankering for some good John&Dean fic and I am glad I found this one. Yay, father-son bonding! FAMILYYYYYY.

From: [identity profile] werewolfsfan.livejournal.com


Here via the link at the [livejournal.com profile] wicked_awards. Congratulations on your nomination!

So good to see John playful with Dean and the dirty tricks were hilarious.

From: [identity profile] metallidean-grl.livejournal.com


This was too awesome. I love the back and forth, the give and take between father and son. I had a smile on my face the whole time reading. I do believe John did have some good moments like this with Dean. I absolutely love their connection. This was great! Thanks.
.

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