Work Text:
The movie was scary, but seven-year-old Sam loved watching movies with his big brother. He pretended to be tough until a particularly frightening moment caused him to rush suddenly to eleven-year-old Dean, who sat beside him on the edge of the motel room bed. Without thinking, Sam crawled into Dean’s lap.
“Too scary, Sammy?” Dean wrapped his arms around Sam and Sam huddled against Dean’s chest.
“No,” Sam replied, his voice small.
“Wanna watch something else?”
“No,” Sam said insistently, “I can watch it.”
“Okay, Sammy,” Dean replied, “don’t worry. It’s just a movie, and anyways you know I’ll always keep you safe. Kay?”
Sam nodded, feeling better. Dean pulled him closer. Sam burrowed his face into Dean’s neck, both because he didn’t actually want to watch the movie and because he wanted to be as close to Dean as he could. That was what Sam always wanted.
With his eyes still on the television, Dean began to run his fingers through Sam’s hair. Sam felt deeply soothed by the sensation. Dean used the hand that wasn’t combing through Sam’s hair to stroke Sam’s back.
Even though Sam wasn’t watching, the sound of the movie still scared him. He must have made a noise or movement that revealed his fear because Dean kissed his hair. Sam felt warm inside. He pressed his body against Dean’s.
“Let’s watch something else, Sammy,” Dean said, “I don’t want you to have nightmares.”
“No,” Sam insisted, “I want to be brave like you.”
Dean chuckled fondly and ruffled Sam’s hair.
“Okay, Sammy.”
As they cuddled, Sam tried to ignore the movie. He decided it would still count as brave even if he didn’t pay attention. To distract himself from the movie he thought of Dean. He focused on each point of contact between them. He focused on Dean’s warmth through his T-shirt, on the sensations of Dean rubbing his back and running his fingers through his hair. He focused on Dean’s scent, which he knew so well. The scent of safety and of home.
Soon Sam felt himself grow sleepy. He snuggled closer in, which he hadn’t realized was possible. Dean hugged him tightly and kissed his hair again and a few moments later Sam drifted off. He would have to wait until the next time they caught a horror movie on TV to prove he was brave.
When Sam awoke, the movie had ended, and he and Dean were stretched out on the bed beside each other with their heads on the pillows. The young brothers lay on their sides, bodies lined up with Dean’s front pressed to Sam’s back. Dean’s arm was around Sam’s torso, and Dean was fast asleep, appearing sweet and unguarded amidst his slumber. The bedcovers were pulled over their huddled bodies, and Sam enjoyed imagining Dean tucking them in together. Sam hugged Dean’s arm to his chest like a teddy bear, let out a drowsy yawn and allowed himself to fall back asleep. He didn’t have any nightmares.