July 31st, 2006

// Sam //

He had two days. Only two. Then their summer vacation was over. He should've been excited, school was usually his getaway. Only, with Dean being in seventh grade now, Sam was alone. Yes, he had Gabriel, but he's a year older, meaning he was on the other side of the building. Although third through sixth grade ate lunch together, that would be the only time he would see Gabe. The only time he would see his best, closest friend. Besides the two brothers being at the Winchester boys' home every free moment they had, of course. Only, with school starting back up, the Novaks would only be there once or twice during the weekdays.

At the moment that Sam's emotions turned from annoyed to sorrowful, Dean walked in.

"Sammy? Why're you, y'know, pouting? You love getting ready to go back to school." Dean looked concerned, but Sam couldn't glance up at him.

"You won't be with me at the elementary anymore, you'll be with Cas at the middle school. It means at least four years until I'm even close to being in the same building as you," Sam shivered, he didn't want this to be true.

"I know, Sammy. Just remember, if you have any trouble, you ask Gabe. If he can't help, you get ahold of me and I'll personally check into the school and fix the problem myself. Understood?"

"I- yeah. I'm just not happy that you won't be able to eat lunch with me. I think I'm going to miss that."

"Hey! No chick flick moments, come on! I'll miss you, but jeez, Sammy."

"Uggh, you love them, but fine then. What about you? Are you actually looking forward to seventh grade?"

Dean huffed, and Sam knew he shouldn't have asked. "No, but I'll have Cas. Hopefully, he'll keep me from fighting everyone that looks at me. No promises, though. You know how some of the people at the school are."

"Right. I almost forgot," Sam grinned, "but Dean, we've been in Aspen for almost three years, and we only talk to Gabe and Cas. It's kinda like we're asking to be looked at."

"Sammy, you're eight. Eight. Leave it to me, you shouldn't worry about things like that. I'm twelve, I'm the mature brother, after all."

"Oh, no. Seriously? Dean, just last week you threw a piece of broccoli at me while screaming "Look out for the little green trees!" Honestly."

"Sam, it's not like you haven't done somethin' like that before."

"Alright, alright, moving on."

This caused Dean to look at Sam, mumble "m'kay", then walk over to his bed without another word. Sam was uneasy when this happened, but soon Dean rolled over, covered himself with his blanket, and drifted off. Soon, Sam could hear the even breathing from his brother across the room. He knew it was rare that Dean took a nap, he would always insist that he never needed one. Except, Sam also knew that Dean probably didn't go to sleep until one that morning. He might've just had a touch of insomnia, but sleep would've gotten to him before midnight if that were the case.

Five minutes later, it hit him. Dean had most likely been listening to music and overthinking everything. Dean receiving an iPod shuffle didn't help with that, either. Sam knew when he did something like that, that it was a major sign of stress, but Dean never showed it. Meaning Sam was going to have to ask him once he woke up. Sam hated doing that, but Dean wouldn't yell at him, he never would. He would become cold and defensive, and that was worse on more levels than one.

An hour and a half later, after Dean had awakened from his nap, Sam went back into their room.

"Dean," he steeled himself, this could get bad. "were you up late last night? You never take naps, unless you're up until one."

"Sam, I- yes. I was. I was thinking about some stuff and listening to music."

Just as he thought. Dean hadn't sounded very defensive, so he was okay to ask a little more. "Again? Dean, why do you do that so much? It's basically twice a week, it worries me!"

It was time for Dean to get defensive. Great. "Sammy, I was just up late! Promise. I was..." He couldn't finish that sentence, because he couldn't convince himself, either.

Dang it. Sam hated this, too. He didn't want Dean to cry, he never did. Only, he didn't cry, he just went silent again.

Sam found that he needed to break the silence. "Hey, sorry. Just please, stop doing that, Dean. I hate it. Please." Sam was begging at this point, he knew his brother would be convinced.

"Alright, I will. No promises, but I'll try. Now, let's go get a snack."

"Good. Thanks, Deany." He stopped as he said that, he hadn't called his brother 'Deany' in a year. It apparently didn't bother Dean, because he then ran to the door of their room and down the stairs.

Not even five seconds later, Sam followed his brother, silently wishing Dean won't drift away from him. Hoping, ever so wholeheartedly, that it wouldn't be "Hello, middle school! Goodbye, Sammy!".

A/N-
So, I feel terrible today. It hasn't effected publishing or working on anything, however, so I see that as a plus. (And I should be fine by tomorrow, so that's another plus!)

<3