🎶: Hiding My Heart by Adele

_________________

THEN, 11 years ago...

He continued to look through the countless books stacked in front of him, courtesy his brother.

Dean walked over, placing three more books to increase the height of the book tower. Sam rubbed his forehead, "Dean you know you can help reading through the lore rather than picking out books and just putting them here."

Dean chuckled a bit, scanning the spines of all the books on the middle shelf for anything, "Sammy, you know that's not my strong point. 'You read, fighting is where I succeed'."

He grinned proudly, "I should write poems now!" Sam grumbled and went back to reading about Kitsunes.

A couple hours later, the Winchesters walked over to a bar in town close to their motel, for a chat about the case and to observe the locals, maybe even ask some questions.

Dean got phone numbers from three girls, a smirk plastered on his lips, while Sam sat at the bar, at the far end while minding his own business.

"Sam you alright?" Dean asked and sat beside his brother. The young Winchester shrugged his shoulders, He usually resorts to lying and saying that he's fine but he didn't find that idea as appealing right now.

"I-I'm really not Dean," Sam looked at his brother sadly, "I'm not okay. It's still affecting me, Dad's death and this whole yellow eyed demon crap. I can't-I don't want to end up being the real evil that we fight all the time."

Dean grew concerned and asked the bartender for two shots. "Hey, you're not evil okay?" Dean tried to reassure but Sam squinted at him.

"How do you-"

"How do I know?" He shifted in his seat, "I know because when I look in your eyes I don't see an evil thought or flicker okay? Sammy you aren't going to end up being one of those messed up telepathic freaks alright?"

Dean picked up a shot after sliding one to Sam and drank it, "Not on my watch."

"Oh that's great! I'm so glad you had fun," A woman, with a voice so pure spoke from the booth behind them to a young couple. She chuckled at a comment, Sam didn't quite catch what had been said.

He glanced back then raised his eyebrows in surprise. He turned around and bit his lip, debating about whether he should capture this woman's attention or not.

"[y/n]?" Sam called out, "[y/n] [y/l/n]?"

The woman looked at him, her eyes glowing with a spark of recognisation. She excused herself from the others around her and walked over to the bar, towards Sam and Dean.

"Winchester, is it really you?!" She questioned and he nodded with a wide smile. She hugged him tightly and Dean looked at them with curiosity.

Sam cleared his throat and looked to Dean, "Um [y/n], this is Dean my brother." She shook his hand and smiled.

"Nice to meet you Dean."

"Wow I would never believe that Sam has the privilege to know you," Dean commented and scanned her body. Sam looled at his brother with annoyance.

"Well, Sammy here isn't that bad too," She said and chuckled, "I'm... I was privileged to have met him, and now once again."

They shared a long glance at each other but she then said, "Before I leave you two with yourselves, what are you doing in this town?"

"W-Well... we just-"

"Road trip, bonding brother time. Sam here feels a little embarrassed about that, especially with the ladies," Dean eyed Sam, mentally rolling his eyes at his brothers anxiety.

"Oh come on Sam, road trips are fun!" She said then smiled, "Well you guys enjoy the rest of it. I should really be going. You know, this whole organizing galas deal is super hectic and-"

"Wait you're organizing the annual town gala?!" Sam questioned and she nodded proudly. "Why don't you stop by? I'll let you guys in," She winked at him and he smiled nervously.

She said a final bye before walking off and dialing one of her colleague's numbers.

"My brother scored BINGO on the chart and he didn't bother telling me?!" Dean raised a brow and judged Sammy. The younger brother shrugged his shoulders.

"So tell me everything about this hot chick, if you're not having her I will-"

"DEAN," Sam said with a stiff jaw then sighed, "I met her at Stanford. She was one of my very close friends and we just bonded."

Dean smiled smugly, "Did you guys..."

"What?"

"You know... do your thing?"

"N-No..."

Dean looked at him with suspicion and Sam clenched his fists. "Just once after those semester parties, not a big deal!" He confessed and Dean had an expression that was as if he had won a contest.

"Anyways that's not the point Dean! She's organising the gala and according to the Kitsune's pattern, a few of our potential victims will be at the event," Sam explained, "We should go to the gala. It can help us catch the Kitsune."

"Yeah, and not because she's going to probably look all hot and sexy, dressed up?" Dean teased and Sam pushed his shoulder.

*****

They got to know each other like friends who never lost touch, but at the same time like two people who just met for the first time in this small town.

Sam and [y/n] went for dinner a day before the gala, then went to one of those video game arcades. Sure it's nerdy but [y/n] is one of those cool and nerdy gals.

Sam wished he had never lost contact with her, she brought a brightness to his heart... something he needed separately while dealing with all the melancholy around him. He's in a dark patch and it was a miracle he saw [y/n].

The Impala drove into the parking lot and parked in the closest spot to the train station. Sam stepped out then helped get [y/n]'s luggage from the car trunk.

The Winchesters were helping her by dropping her off. She had to visit a friend two towns over, who needed some guidance.

The guys waited with her till the train pulled into the station. Dean patted his brother on the shoulder and started walking to Impala, after giving you a farewell hug.

"I don't know what to say..."

"I do," [y/n] states, "Thanks Sam for everything you did to me. You helped me without knowing, the advice and motivation while we were at Stanford... It's helped me reached where I am right now. And besides that, you're just a really cool person and friend."

Sam smiles softly and she hugs him cozily. "Thank you for everything. I hope we stay in touch this time," She whispers then pulls from the hug.

She hands him a folded note, "Keep this with you okay? It may keep us together no matter where we are."

He nodded his head and put it into his pocket. She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on Sam's cheek, making him smile nervously.

[y/n] walked into the train, waving him goodbye before sitting down and riding off to the next town.

*****

NOW, 7:34 PM...

Sam had decided to declutter his room, disposing old and tatered clothes and getting rid artifacts and items he doesn't really need.

He was almost done, successfully filling up a box with things to donate. He walked over and bent down to look under his bed, finding a small box sitting quietly.

He reached for it and pulled it out, the dust made him sneeze. As Sam sniffed, he dusted the box clean and examined it.

It was a shoebox, in perfect condition and it seemed to be untouched. Sam felt a wave of familiarity, he thought he had a close association with this box before.

He shook the box, it was filled with small items. He opened the lid slowly and looked inside curiously, the variety of...

"No way," He mumbled, looking through everything to realise that this was his old box for collecting things to remember hunts with, tokens of memorabilia.

He smiled at the sight of it all, they immediately triggered the memory that they are responsible for keeping alive. There were pictures too, and bills from motels and diners.

Sam got up with excitement, looking forward to showing it all yo his brother. He made his way to the library, "Dean look what I found after years-"

THUD! THUD!

The Winchesters looked at the Bunker's door with confusion. Sam looked to his brother, who shrugged. The young Winchester took his gun out and walked up the stairs and to the door.

He opened the door cautiously then peeked to see who it-

"Oh my-"

"Hey Sammy, I swung by town and thought I'd say hello! You still have my note right?"