Title: Solved
Summary: Dean's back from Hell, and not about to question his run of luck in that department. Sam, on the other hand, seems determined to solve the mystery and blame something for his brother's miraculous return. S4 spoilers. One-shot.
Rating: K
A/N: I'm a spoiler slut. That being said…
Warning: Slight season 4 spoilers if you haven't seen The Clip. Going a bit AU if sides for 4.01 are believed to be real.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters. Please don't sue me.
Solved
"Does it really matter?" Dean asked. "I mean, I'm back. Do we need to care about why?"
"You've at least got to have a theory," Sam said, following his brother as the older man paced around the room, tearing apart their bags looking for clean clothes that would fit. He'd only been back for a week, had no clothes other than the shirt on his back, and Sam was starting to get on his nerves with the constant hovering and questions. How'd he get back? Why'd he been let out? Why had it taken four months?
More importantly, why did Sammy care so much? Why was he trying so desperately to pin the blame on something? What was the old saying? Never look a gift horse in the mouth?
"Dude, we'll get settled back in, and then we can worry about it, ok?"
"What if it was a demon?" Sam asked.
Dean shrugged. "Why would they spring me out? Thought they wanted me in."
"They're demons," the younger man pointed out. "They flip-flop more than Kerry did."
"Fine," Dean relented. "We'll look into it after I shower. I just don't think it's that important."
Sam shook his head. "After you shower? You promise?"
"After I shower," Dean reiterated, finally finding a clean shirt that looked like it would fit. He pulled it out of the duffle, yanking the dirty shirt up over his head.
"What's that?" Sam asked, pointing at something on his brother's shoulder.
Dean glanced down at the handprint that had been burnt into his skin somehow. He shrugged. "No idea. Whatever pulled me out must've left it." He turned to walk away, heading toward the bathroom.
"Wait," Sam said, reaching out and grabbing his brother's shoulder to stop him. "Why didn't you…" he trailed off, his eyes locked on his hand and Dean turned back and saw what he was staring at.
Sammy pulled his hand away, averting his eyes as Dean watched him. "I was right," the older man said softly. "It wasn't a demon." He looked back at his shoulder, at the mark his brother had burnt onto his skin as he had reached into the flames and pulled him out. "It was you."
Well, there it is. How'd you like it? I'd really like to hear from people!