alien

“If you’re gonna kick my ass don’t take too long, I still have a test I gotta study for,” his voice is resigned but Dean can see the slight wobble in his lips.

“Hey you deserve that ass kickin kiddo, I ran all over town worried outta my mind lookin for you,” Sam glances at his brother, no sign of any real anger on his face and let’s out a long breath. Dean leans against the slide letting Sam crawl out into the afternoon sun.

They walk back to their little sun bleached motel and Dean makes em some ham sandwiches for lunch.

It’s awkward but when is it not nowadays? So Sam turns on the tv for some noise and they eat.

Night comes quick and let’s them settle into their routine: dinner, teeth, salt lines and bed. the click of the light switch sends the room into darkness though the outside lamppost and a bent blind silhouettes deans shoulder.

Coulda gone worse Sam thinks. Maybe it’s just something they won’t talk about which is okay with him but a thought slips into his head: what if dad finds out. Dean might be okay with it but if dads not then there’s nothing he could do to stop his dad from… well doing whatever he thinks Sam deserves. His heart takes off along with a dozen other thoughts and worries.

And then Dean’s in his bed shuffling under the covers and pulling Sam into his arms.

“I can hear your thoughts from across the room.” Dean doesn’t know what else to say so he pulls Sam tighter to his chest.

“Dean—“