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The Men of Letters bunker was quiet and peaceful this morning. It was also… May 2nd. Oh, joy… Sam’s favorite day of the year: the day where everyone approaches you and pats you on the back just for living. It was Sam’s birthday.
When the man opened his eyes to the ceiling, he instantly closed them again, not wanting to deal with the day or interact with anyone. He wanted to hide in his bed and wait for this god forsaken day to end, but his plans were almost immediately interrupted by none other than his older brother, who swung open his bedroom door with a boisterous “Rise and shine, Sammy!”
Oh, great… Mystery Spot… more unfortunate memories.
Sam groaned. His older brother was always overly enthusiastic about this day… it seemed that even though it was supposed to be Sam’s special day, it only made him feel empty and sad… but to Dean, it was like Christmas and he couldn’t wipe the joyous grin off his face. Sam didn’t understand why Dean liked his birthday so much, especially because of all the awful things that happened on the same day. Their mother’s deal, Dean’s deal, Dean going to hell… Dean had more reason to be upset than Sam did.
Sam buried his face into the pillow. “Dean, please…”
Dean’s response was of course not to leave his brother alone, but to stroll over and tear the sheets off of him, causing the younger to recoil and groan.
“No can do, little brother. You’re getting outta this bed whether you like it or not. Let’s go!” Dean grinned, the same joyous grin he has every year, and turned on the bedside lamp to add a little more light to the room. Sam looked at Dean with that trademark puppy dog expression, pleading his brother to go away and let him wallow in his misery.
“I’m tired, Dean… I don’t feel like celebrating. Just leave me alone, okay?”
The elder’s shoulders dropped a bit, his expression softening slightly. He knew that Sam often had a hard time with his birthday, but Dean would always do everything in his power to lift him up and give him a good day, even if he had to push him a bit. He sat down on the edge of Sam’s bed.
“Come on, man… it’s your birthday. Show a little enthusiasm.” He said with a smile, ruffling his brother’s hair.
Sam shook his head, deflating even more into the mattress, feeling that hollow feeling filling him even more.
“I… I just…” he paused, trying to find something not pathetic to say, but realizing he just doesn’t have anything. “I can’t…”
“Yes you can. Come on.” Dean got up again and clapped his brother on the back with a smirk. “I’ve got a kick-ass surprise for you. I think it’ll cheer you up.”
Sam sighed sadly. He seriously doubted it, but it would be unfair not to at least give Dean a chance. After all… he was just trying to give his baby brother the special day he ‘deserved.’ Ironically, something about that made him feel a little worse.
“O-Okay… I’m coming…” He mumbled, wiping a hand over his face and sluggishly sitting up, adjusting himself so his long legs were hanging off the edge of his bed, feeling the floor under his feet.
Dean’s expression lit up again and he grabbed the taller’s arm, pulling him up and practically dragging him out of his room.
Sam made a noise of protest at first, but then he just resigned and trudged along, his feet footling behind him.
As Dean guided him down the bunker’s labyrinthine hallways, Sam couldn’t deny that he wasn’t at least a little curious… he may not like his birthday very much, but now that he was already out of bed, the surprise was definitely intriguing. Although, part of him speculated that this might be a prank… it wouldn’t be the first.
Finally, the brother’s approached the kitchen and Dean made them stop outside the entryway.
“Alright, you know the drill. Close your eyes.”
Sam’s brows furrowed. “Dude, seriously?”
Dean just gave him a smug grin. “Seriously. Come on, I’ll even hold your hands so you don’t fall down the steps. Also, if you even think about opening your eyes before I tell you to, I’m gonna hit you.”
The taller rolled said eyes before closing them as his brother demanded, holding his hands out for Dean to take, not too keen on falling down the steps.
Dean carefully guided his younger brother down the steps and into the big kitchen, letting go of his hands once they reached the tile floors and grabbing his shoulders to position him in front of the surprise. Once Sam was in the right spot, Dean let go and stood beside him, watching the man’s face.
“Okay, open them.”
When Sam opened his eyes, he was greeted with the kitchen table, which had a colorful cloth covering it. In the center was a vanilla cake with blue frosting, topped with rainbow sprinkles and candles. It was clear from the appearance that it was a homemade cake.
The kitchen was also covered in brightly colored decor; streamers, confetti, balloons, the whole nine yards.
“Surprise!” Dean cheered, making jazz hands.
Sam was taken aback, frozen in place with wide eyes and mouth agape. He tried to blink back tears, his heart swelling at the act of brotherly love. How on earth did Dean find time to make a cake?! Well… probably while Sam was sulking in his room, but Dean still had to have gotten up at the ass crack of dawn to put it all together. The fact that his big brother went out of his way to make a cake for him, as well as decorate… it made Sam very emotional.
“D-Dean… what is all this?…” He asked, his voice cracking the slightest bit.
Dean’s smile softened at the reaction, his eyes full of care and love for his little brother.
“It’s a birthday cake, genius. You really thought you were having a birthday without getting a proper Dean Winchester style celebration?” He grinned and playfully bumped Sam in the shoulder.
Before the younger can speak again, Dean jumped. “Oh! I almost forgot!”
Sam watched with disbelief as Dean walked over to the counter and picked up a plate of blueberry muffins, setting it down on the table, right beside the cake.
“Blueberry muffins! You’re favorite.” The older brother crossed his arms proudly.
Sam was utterly speechless as he stood there in shock, his mouth agape. His expression trembled and his eyes filled with tears which then started to roll down his cheeks, causing him to bury his face in his hands.
Dean put in all this work just for him? Sam just couldn’t grasp it… his older brother spent all this time decorating, making and frosting a cake, and making Sam’s favorite dessert? What on earth did Sam do to deserve all of this?
When the elder saw his brother start to cry, he quickly marched over to him and enveloped him in a big bear hug, resting his hand on the back of Sam’s head, tangling his fingers in the soft, brown hair.
“Aw, don’t cry, kiddo…” he smiled, rocking them slightly to ease his brother.
Sam sniffled and held onto his big brother, crying into his shoulder. He felt incredibly loved, but at what cost? He didn’t deserve this… he didn’t deserve his big brother’s love.
“Dean…” he choked out. “why do you always seem so… happy on my birthday? I mean, even with all the junk that’s happened, you still treat it like the most magical day of the year. I just… I don’t get it.” Sam’s voice was shaky and quiet, full of genuine confusion and pain, which just broke Dean’s heart.
Dean pulled away and cupped Sam’s face, using his thumbs to wipe away the tears from his brother’s eyes.
“Sam, listen to me.” He started. “Do you know what keeps me moving? Why I get out of bed everyday with not as nearly enough complaining?” He laughed softly, trying to get his brother to smile.
“H-Hunting… saving the world…” the younger answered matter-of-factly, prompting Dean to roll his eyes.
Dean shook his head. “Nope.”
Sam was about to open his mouth to speak again, but his brother cut him off.
“It’s you, bud… you’re the most important person in my life. You’re not just my little brother… you’re my best friend. I’d go off the deep end without you, man.” Dean said with the most loving expression, looking into his brother’s tear-filled eyes, his own full of affection.
“You know… when mom and dad told me that I was gonna be a big brother, I was flipping out, like, in a good way. I was over the freaking moon. Not to brag or anything, but I picked out your first pair of pajamas AND your stuffed bear.”
Sam chuckled softly. “Wow… what an honor.”
“Shut up! I’m trying to have a heartwarming moment here!” Dean laughed back, punching his brother lightly in the shoulder.
“Look, the bottom line is… your birthday is so important to me because it’s the day that you came into my life. None of the awful shit that happened can ruin this date, and I may get you some kick-ass presents each year, but none of them will ever be as awesome as the gift I got the day you were born.”
Sam’s eyes filled with fresh tears, his heart melting from his big brother’s loving words. He practically threw himself back into Dean’s arms, clinging to him and burying his face in his shoulder. Dean returned the hug immediately, rubbing the younger’s back and closing his eyes in contentment.
“I love you, kiddo… don’t forget it.” He spoke softly, kissing the top of his brother’s head.
The brothers stayed like that for awhile until Sam’s tears slowed down, a comfortable silence surrounding them. At last, Sam finally pulled away, sniffling and wiping away the last of the tears from his eyes.
“Thank you, Dean… this is the best birthday I’ve ever had.” He smiled graciously.
“Really? Well, the day just started, Sammy! There’s plenty of surprises left to come!” Dean gave his signature grin and ruffled the younger’s hair, causing him to laugh. The elder pulled out his phone.
“Before we get this show on the road, let me call-”
“Hello.” A gravelly voice suddenly appeared behind the older Winchester, coming from none other than Castiel.
Dean let out a startled yell, nearly dropping his phone. He whipped around to face the angel, greeted by his usual stoic expression.
“Damn it, Cas! You couldn’t have given a heads up?!” He shouted, but there was no malice in his voice.
Castiel shrugged. “I arrived on schedule, did I not?”
Sam let out an amused laugh, shaking his head with faux exasperation, causing Dean to turn around and glare playfully. “Shut up, Sammy.”
As Sam raised his hands in mock surrender, the dark haired angel approached him with a smile. “Happy birthday, Sam. Congratulations on… being born. This is quite the milestone.”
The younger Winchester furrowed his brows at the strange congratulations, but burst into a fit of laughter. Oh, Cas… he was trying his best. Sam grinned with amusement in his eyes.
“Thanks, Cas… I appreciate you coming.”
Dean then clapped his hands, strolling over to the cake and picking up a box of matches. “Alright, let’s light these candles and have some cake!”
“Allow me…” Castiel moved to stand beside him, using his grace to set fire to the candles. Dean rolled his eyes and set the matches down, crossing his arms and mumbling “show off…” which evoked more laughter from Sam
Once they sung happy birthday and Sam blew out his candles, the trio sat down to eat the cake, Dean of course cutting the first slice and giving it to his brother.
As Sam filled up on the sweet dessert, he also felt his heart filling, but instead of cake, it was with love and contentment. It wasn’t some huge, extravagant party, but it was more than Sam could ask for. He had his big brother, his angelic friend, an obnoxiously decorated kitchen, and even homemade cake and muffins, which were actually WAY better than he expected.
For the first time in forever, Sam didn’t see his birthday as a tragic holiday, but as what it was meant to be: a celebration of his life. His eyes were opened by his big brother’s love, and although his birthday is also the anniversary of some less fortunate events, nothing could take it away from him… not anymore.
Especially not if Dean had anything to do with it.