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It had been a couple weeks since the whole Sonny situation and Sam refused to leave Dean’s side for even a moment, following him wherever he went, the only exception being the bathroom.
Dean was always very tapped into Sam’s emotions, reading his little brother being one of his greatest talents; so when Sam was acting off, he noticed immediately.
He thought it was a little annoying, but he understood it.
From Sam’s perspective, Dean just left and didn’t come back. He didn’t know whether his brother was dead or alive.
He could’ve been kidnapped or killed and their father’s indifference and lack of concern certainly didn’t make him feel any better about it.
What if he never saw Dean again? What if he lost the most important person in his life?
If Dean disappeared during a simple food run, he could disappear doing anything if Sam wasn’t around to watch him.
So Sam followed him to the kitchen when he went to make their meals, he insisted that he sleep in Dean’s bed to 'keep him company', and if Dean went anywhere outside of the motel room, Sam demanded that he go with him.
Today however, Dean managed to sneak away while Sam was still sleeping. He wasn’t doing anything in particular, just enjoying being alone for the first time in weeks.
Sure, he felt bad; but Sam could handle being without him just for a little while.
But as much as he assured himself that his little brother would be fine, he couldn’t help the feeling of guilt that rested in the pit of his stomach.
After about 30 minutes, Dean decided to head back.
When he opened the motel door, he saw his little brother curled up on the couch, in tears.
Suddenly, he was on autopilot, big brother instincts taking over as he rushed to the kids side.
“D-De?” The little boy sniffled and looked up at him with big watery eyes.
Upon confirming with his own eyes that it was indeed ''De'', he flung his arms around the older boy, burying his face in his brothers chest.
“Woah- easy there, Sammy.. I’m here.” Dean returned the embrace and rubbed the younger’s back, trying to soothe the trembling boy.
“De- I-I didn’t know w-where you were…” Sam shook, “I woke up an..and you were just g-g-gone..” sobs wracked his small body as he tried helplessly to get his emotions under control.
“Shh.. I’m right here, Sammy. Not goin' anywhere.”
He placed a kiss to his brothers head and tightened the embrace.
If Dean knew that his absence would take this much of a toll on the kid, he would’ve broken out of that boys home and ran to his brother.
He almost felt responsible.
Sure, their dad was the one who left him there; but Dean was the one who had gotten caught in the first place. He should’ve been more careful.
But at the same time, he knew their father played as big of a role as he did.
A good father wouldn’t leave their children behind, no matter the circumstances.
A good father would race to their kid and take them home, wherever that may be.
A good father wouldn’t separate a big brother from his little brother, especially when the big brother’s life revolved around protecting the little brother.
A good father would take the little brother’s feelings into consideration before pulling a stunt like that.
And a good father would absolutely care that his own petty ''lesson'' was causing the little brother so much pain.
Dean had to pull himself out of his thoughts before his anger showed, knowing anger would just upset his brother even more.
He took a moment to gather himself before speaking.
“Sammy, I know I was gone for awhile.. but I’m back, aren’t I?” He pulled away and gave the boy a smile despite how sad those tear filled eyes were making him.
Sam sniffled and gave a weak nod.
“Exactly! Look at me, Sammy.”
He gently grabbed the little face and guided it in his direction.
“It doesn’t matter how long we’re apart; minutes, hours, months… hell, even years!”
Sam’s eyes seemed to water more simply at the idea of going a whole year apart, but Dean just wiped the tears away and continued.
“I will always come back, no matter what. Do you know why?” He asked with a grin.
“W-Why?” Sam sniffed.
Dean’s expression softened to something more sincere.
“Because there is no where on earth that I would rather be than with my pain in the ass little brother!”
He ruffled the kids hair and gave a light jab to the ribs, making him giggle lightly.
“I’m not a pain in the ass.. you’re a jerk.” The younger responded, returning the gesture with a punch to the shoulder.
Dean laughed, happy and relieved to see the kid smile.
“Careful, bitch; don’t forget I know all your weak spots.”
Sam gave a startled yelp when fingers started pinching at his ribs, smacking the hands away and wrapping his arms around himself for protection.
“In fact, I feel like you could use a good laugh, don’t you think, Sammy?” The older Winchester lightly wiggled his fingers against the younger’s sides, making him squirm.
“Dean, nohoho!” He broke into giggles almost immediately, falling back against the couch in an attempt to evade the ticklish touch; this only allowed for Dean to straddle his brother’s hips, effectively keeping him in place.
“What’s the matter, Sammy? Ticklish?” The older teased with a wolfish grin, skittering across the small ribs, electing a squeak followed by boyish laughter.
“Eek! Nohoho, don’t do thahahat!”
Sam grabbed Dean’s wrists and half heartedly tried to push them away, unsurprisingly having no success.
“But why not, Sammy? Aren’t you having fun? I know I am!” He quickened the pace and applied a little more pressure, effectively driving the younger Winchester up the wall.
Sam bucked and squealed, the teasing making the tickling even worse.
“DEHEHE, STOHOHOP!”
Dean had to laugh with his little brother, finding the sweet sound to be incredibly infectious.
“What?! But Sammy, I haven’t been able to tickle you for two whole months! I’ve got so much tickling to make up for! We wouldn’t want me getting rusty now, would we?”
He rose a brow and gave a sly smile.
“YOU’RE SO MEHEHEHEAN!”
“If this is mean, what I’m about to do is downright evil.”
Before Sam could even say anything, Dean pushed the kid’s shirt up to his ribs, taking a deep breath and blowing a big raspberry on the vulnerable stomach.
“EEK- NOT THAHAHAT! DEHEHEEEE!!”
Sam screeched and squealed, kicking and squirming in his big brother’s hold as his worst spot was ruthlessly tormented.
The elder ignored Sam’s empty pleas, knowing damn well the kid was having a blast.
Knowing how much Sam loved it made it all the more enjoyable for Dean himself; nothing made him happier than seeing his baby brother laugh and smile like the child he truly was.
He continued to blow raspberries on the kid’s belly, taking breaks in between to nuzzle the soft skin, getting him to giggle and snort adorably.
When Sam’s laughter went silent, Dean let the kid go, rolling back to his respective side of the couch and watching him try to calm himself down.
“It’s a good thing my awesome tickling skills didn’t go anywhere, don’t you agree, Sammy?”
Sam just pouted, making the older boy laugh and ruffle his hair.
Once Sam had calmed down, he crawled over to his big brother and curled up, forcing himself into the older’s lap.
“I love you, De…I missed you..”
Dean held his brother close and carded his hand through the brown locks.
“I love you too, Sammy. I’m not going anywhere.”