Dean had been unusually quiet all day. Sam suspected he knew why, but could not get his brother to talk. About anything.
Dean was not grumpy or snappish, he responded when spoken to, but always with a bare minimum of words. Sam had years of practice dealing with happy Dean, sad Dean, pissed Dean, every emotion in the spectrum. Quiet, withdrawn Dean was a puzzle, though.
The day spent entirely on the road, it was a relief when the motel finally came into view. Sam suggested Dean shower and get them settled in while he went in search of dinner. Without a word, Dean handed over the keys and, grabbing his duffel, headed for the tiny dingy bathroom. Sam watched him go, his own heart heavy over Dean's uncharacteristic behaviour.
But then a smile crept across his face, deep dimples revealing themselves.
Half an hour later, he was back with everything he had set out to find. Leaving the cardboard box in the back seat, he grabbed up the two fast food bags from the seat beside him and hurried into the room. The food was eaten in silence, and once again Sam felt a pang in his heart, missing the playful banter that so often accompanied their meals.
Once they were done and the mess cleared away, though, he made an excuse to venture back to the car. Collecting the remaining items he made his way back into the room, carefully juggling the precious cargo.
As the door closed behind Sam, Dean looked up from where he had flopped onto his bed. Sadness flickered across his face for the briefest instant when he spotted the gigantic cake in Sam's equally gigantic hands. Sam could practically hear the words Dean would never say.
I miss mom.
But then a warm, toothy grin lit his face like a small child at Christmas. "Aw Sammy, ya big girl. You remembered."
And just like that, both of them were having the best day ever.
Because sometimes, just once in a very great while, cake is better than pie.
v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v
Happy Birthday Dean! ::love::