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The brothers had just wrapped up a tough hunt and returned to their crappy motel room, both eager to crash.
Well…
One of them was ready to crash.
The eldest Winchester let out an exhausted groan as he threw himself at the creaky motel bed.
The younger on the other hand, didn't seem to share his brother's readiness to rest; he sat down on his own bed and opened his laptop to look for more cases.
Dean looked at his brother and groaned.
“Cmon Sam, we just finished a case. Don't you think we'd benefit from a break?”
He pleaded, hoping to God that his little brother would just agree so they could both get some well earned rest.
Sam may be great at being productive and getting things done, but he just never knew when it was time to take a break and relax.
Sam looked up from his laptop and glared at his brother.
“Dean, we don't have time for a break. There are monsters out there right now, killing people and destroying lives!”
“Sam, the cases aren't going anywhere. You can look in the morning but right now you need to relax.”
He watched as Sam rolled his eyes and turned back to the screen.
This called for drastic measures.
Dean got up and snatched his brothers laptop, closing it before setting it on the nightstand.
“Dean, what the- oOF”
Sam went to protest before his older brother pinned him to the bed and perched himself just below his hips.
The younger Winchester squirmed and groaned in annoyance.
“Dean! Get off, dammit!”
“Not a chance Sammy, you need to lighten up. And as your big brother, I know just what to do!”
Before Sam could complain any further, Dean released his hands and dug his fingers into the younger's sides.
Sam made use of his now freed hands, grabbing his brothers wrist with one and trying to muffle his laughter with the other.
“Cmon Sammy, laugh for your big brother!”
In an attempt to crack his brother, Dean moved his hands upwards and kneaded at the sensitive ribs, causing Sam to shriek and toss his head back while bright laughter fell from his lips.
“There you go! Now, doesn't that feel better?” Dean said with a grin, spidering his fingers all over his brother's ribs, earning an embarrassing squeal.
“DEAN, NOHOHO!”
“Dean, yes!”
Dean felt his heart melt at the sound of his little brothers laughter. It had been too long since Sam had laughed like this and God, did Dean miss it.
Memories swarmed his head as he recounted all the times he'd ambushed his little brother, tickling him until he was nothing more than a blushing, giggling, mess.
Little Sammy could never find it in himself to mind either; he loved being tickled by his big brother, especially when they were cooped up in motel rooms with nothing else to do.
Dean's heart swelled with big brother adoration as he pictured that much tinier Sam.
He was pulled from his reminiscing when a cute snort escaped the younger’s mouth.
Dean paused and looked at his brother incredulously.
Sam's face was bright red and he was clearly embarrassed about the noise he just made.
Dean on the other hand, looked like he had just won the lottery. He looked to where his hands had wandered and he couldn't help but let out a laugh of his own.
“I see your tummy is still as sensitive as ever, Sammy... I wonder if it still likes raspberries?”
Sam's heart sunk at the word.
Raspberries always left him in stitches as a kid, yet he would always beg Dean for them whenever he was bored.
If Dean remembered this, the teasing would be unbearable.
He could only pray that Dean had forgotten, but from the sound of it, it didn't seem like he did.
Sam's face paled before flushing bright red as his shirt was slowly rolled up, revealing the sensitive skin underneath.
“Wait wait wait, Dean nohoho!” He squirmed helplessly. Dean had a firm grip on his sides to hold him in place and even though his fingers weren't doing anything, Sam swore he could still feel the tingly sensations against his skin.
When Sam looked at the older's expression, he saw a playful glint in his brother's eye that he hadn't seen in a long time; a glint that made him nervous and giddy.
“No? Why not, Sammy? Too ticklish? You know, you used to beg me to tickle your cute little tummy almost every day” Dean teased, poking Sam's stomach for emphasis.
Sam felt his face burning up more at the memories he'd hoped Dean had forgotten; he should've known better than to think Dean would forget something so crucial to teasing his little brother.
“I-I did not!” Sam tried to scowl at his big brother, but thanks to the smile that was glued to his face, it looked more like a pout.
“Did too! Didn't matter what I was doing either; if you wanted tickles, you wouldn't quit bothering me until I gave in. Not that I ever refused, anyway... and oh how you loved raspberries~”
While Dean teasingly, but fondly, reminisced, Sam's giggles grew louder and he groaned in embarrassment.
“Shut uhuhup, thahat never happened!” He buried his face in his hands as if it would make his brother disappear.
“Who're you trying to convince, Sammy? Me or you?”
The older Winchester kneaded the skin on Sam's sides where his thumbs were placed, earning another snort from the younger.
Deciding he shouldn't make his brother wait any longer, the elder dove down and planted a messy raspberry over the younger's bellybutton, sending his little brother into hysterics.
“DEHEHEHEAN NOHOHO!” Sam convulsed, thrown into loud gleeful laughter, the ticklish vibrations turning his brain to mush.
Instead of pushing his brother away, Sam grabbed onto his hands, which were still holding Sam in place; unintentionally proving to Dean how much fun he was truly having.
Dean blew raspberry after raspberry on his brother's sensitive tummy, relishing in the squeaks and squeals that filled the room.
When he started nibbling the soft skin, Sam screamed in ticklish agony, tears of mirth rolling down his cheeks.
When the younger's laughter went silent, Dean pulled away and let his brother breathe.
He watched as Sam curled into a ball and tried to catch his breath, youth displayed across his flushed face. He tried to glare at the elder, but the silly smile paired with residual giggles wasn't menacing in the slightest.
Dean laughed and ruffled Sam's hair and watched him calm himself down.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, the younger finally spoke-
"Thanks, Dean." He started, having gathered himself enough.
”I really needed that…”
Dean smiled and gave his brother a firm pat on the back.
"No problem, little brother."