All You Did was Save my Life

Brother to Brother

            Dean sat on a bench in the park by the motel as he watched Ben run around.

            “Hey,” Sam said, walking over to his brother.

            “Hey,” Dean said, “You find us a hunt yet?”

            “Maybe,” Sam replied, “Some bodies have been turning up mangled. Local police think it’s a rabid dog.”

            “Werewolf?” Dean guessed.

            “The lunar cycle’s right,” Sam nodded, “It’s about half a day’s drive from here.”

            “We’ll leave tonight,” Dean said, “Ben can sleep in the car on the way there.”

            “Sounds good,” Sam said, “He seems to be taking the news well, of you and Cas and the baby.”

            “Yeah,” Dean nodded, “Thankfully, huh? Not sure what I would’ve done if he had reacted badly.”

            “He’s a good kid,” Sam said and Dean nodded.

            “He’s a great kid,” Dean said proudly.

            “And you’re a great dad,” Sam said and Dean turned to look at him.

            “You’re getting all sappy on me Sammy,” Dean smirked.

            “I’m serious Dean,” Sam said, “Ben’s really lucky to have you as his dad.”

            “Where’s this coming from?” Dean asked.

            “I dunno,” Sam shrugged, “I just – I found some old photos from when we were kids. There was this one of the two of us with dad and yeah we were smiling, but something just seemed off. But then there was a picture of you and me and we both looked happy, nothing seemed off or awkward.” Dean stared at his little brother as he spoke. He hated chick flick moments, but he knew that Sam needed this.

            “I just started thinking about how different Ben’s life is even though he’s growing up the same way we did,” Sam continued, “We’re still traveling around all the time and living out of motels, but he’s not miserable about it. You’re not training him like dad did with us or ignoring him or making him switch schools all the time. Instead you make sure he’s happy and safe before we go anywhere, you make sure there’s a park nearby for him, and you decided home schooling would be best so he wouldn’t keep getting yanked out of school. Even though we’re still hunting, you always make sure Ben comes first. You did the same thing with me when we were kids…”

            “Ah Sammy,” Dean said gruffly, putting his arm over his brother’s shoulders, “Look, I’m not gonna defend dad. I used too say he did the best he could, but I really wish he would’ve paid you more attention. I saw everything dad didn’t do and I know I don’t want that for Ben. I don’t him to grow up as a hunter, I don’t want him being left on his own in motel rooms for long periods of time, and as for school, well why I make him go from school to school when I can just my genius little brother to teach him?” Sam laughed and swatted away his brother’s hand as Dean ruffled his hair.

            “Sam,” Dean said and Sam looked up, “I don’t want him growing up like us; I didn’t want you growing up like. Hell, I would stop hunting all together and stay in one place with Ben if I could, but since we’re trying to stop the freakin’ apocalypse from happening that’s not really an option right now.”

            “Sorry about all this,” Sam said quietly. Dean was about to protest, but before he could Ben came running over.

            “Uncle Sam!” he shouted excitedly, jumping onto Sam’s lap.

            “Hey kiddo, you having fun?” Sam asked, smiling at his nephew.

            “Yeah,” Ben nodded, “Daddy said we might be leaving soon, are we?”

            “We’re leaving tonight kiddo,” Sam told him, “You alright with that?”

            “Is Cas coming?” Ben questioned.

            “Yup, he’s gonna be staying with us from now on,” Dean told his son.

            “Cool,” Ben said happily, “Can we go back in now?”

            “Yeah, let’s go,” Dean said as they stood and walked back to their motel room, “And Sam? Don’t apologize for doing what you thought was right. I’m not crazy about Ruby, but when I was gone you took care of Ben and you thought she could help protect him. So thanks man.” Dean clapped Sam on the shoulder and the younger Winchester smiled.

            “Daddy! Uncle Sam! Come on!” Ben shouted from the motel doorway and the two brothers started walking again.