52 Things

Chapter 4

Dean's POV

A/N: An abundance of apologies for anyone who is actually reading this. I know it's been a hell of a long time since I last updated this story, but I've been having a few problems with my health and have only recently got back on track with my writing. I promise that I'll do my utmost to update now as regularly as I possibly can. Thanks ^^

This internet was so damn slow. Getting on a plane to England would've been faster. Heck, walking to England would've been faster than this. Dean tapped his fingers impatiently against the desk as he waited for the screen of his computer to quit buffering. He got one Skype a day with his brother, and he wasn't going to miss that for anything, least of all this stupid computer. A while ago, the mention a time difference between Kansas and London wouldn't have worried him at all. Now, it was one of the few things that mattered to him. He couldn't help but think about how something could go from meaning nothing to everything with the slightest change.

The screen was too bright, and it strained Dean's eyes just to look at it, but he stared at the monitor as if it had the meaning of life engraved on it. It was only four o clock, but he was tired enough to sleep for a week straight. His drooping eyelids struggled to stay open as a weary yawn escaped his lips. He gritted his teeth, as the browser tried to establish the connection for the millionth time.

He might've been exhausted, but that wouldn't stop him from smashing in that computer if it didn't get its shit together five seconds ago.

Dean rarely got to talk to Sammy these days. His fancy new school split their semesters into quarters, with hardcore tests at the end of each. Not the kind of easy test that you could half-study and still hope to come out with a pass. These were hardcore; exams that you worked your ass off to ace because there weren't any other options. You flunked those tests, you lost your place at school. During the past week, the only communication he'd had with Sam was through text messages. That wasn't exactly satisfactory.

Sam had been studying like crazy lately, but he'd promised that they'd video call today. His exams were over, so for the first time in what felt like eons, he had time. Not that he was bitter over it or anything, but it wasn't easy when the person that mattered the most to you was suddenly living on the other side of the ocean.

The laws of the universe seemed to have finally taken pity on him, as the call slowly connected. He breathed a loud sigh of relief and let the stiffness of his bones relax. He wouldn't be killing anything today. Probably.

When Sam eventually accepted the call, he came up on the screen. His dorm room was dark, and he could clearly see nightfall from the window behind his brother. His hair was a mess and he looked as if caffeine and sheer willpower were all that held him together. "Jesus, Sammy. You look like shit."

Sam yawned and propped his chin up with his hand. "Hello to you too."

"I'm serious", Dean told him, "You look like you haven't slept in a week."

"Try three", he laughed, running his hand through the tousled disarray of his hair, "That's what continuous assessment does to you, I guess. But, they're over now, so it's whatever."

Dean shook his head and laughed. "Sometimes you're so predictable. Worry yourself to death about something, then the minute it's over, you act like nothing happened."

Sam rolled his eyes, but smiled. The smile he frequented whenever he knew that Dean was impossibly right about something, but didn't want to admit it. "I think this is the part where I change the subject", he joked, "How's Kansas? Did you commit any homicides today?"

Dean dropped his gaze to the keyboard and grinned crookedly. "Not exactly."

Reclining back lazily in his chair, Sam let out an exasperated sigh as he passed a hand over his face. "What did you do?"