Author's Note: This is the first Supernatural story I've written that I've had the guts to post. I've been writing stories for years and trolling about without the courage to post some of my own work. So, here goes! This is a little rough around the edges as it is un-betta'd.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters in this work of fiction, but I sure do like to make them suffer.
ALONE
Dean technically should not have been allowed into the room, night having fallen and visiting hours long since past, but the pretty little blond orderly has given in. It could have been the lost and desperate look in his eyes but Dean decides it is based solely on his charms. She closes the door behind him with a soft and respectful click and then it's just Dean and what little is left of Sam, in the silence. The healers were all a bust, 50 return calls of 'I can't help you' later and they find themselves at this end. Sam doesn't register that Dean is beside him until the flimsily made bed dips under Dean's weight and Sam's blood shot and red rimmed eyes open.
"Dean." His voice is horse and Dean instinctively looks around the room for some water. There is none and Dean watches his brother's parched lips try to say what they both know they don't want to hear. Dean puts a hand to his brother's forearm and Sam gives up, tears pooling at the corners of his eyes. They close and the moisture releases and rolls. For a long moment they sit this way and Dean thinks perhaps Sam has fallen asleep. He removes his hand and Sam's eyes shoot open. They aren't focused on Dean, though. They stare at something over Dean's shoulder and he guesses that Satan has invaded the moment. Dean shifts so that he breaks Sam's sight on the hallucination Sam's eyes meet his again.
"I'm going to tell you something right now and I need you to focus. Can you do that for me?" Sam offers a weak nod, eyes droopy, but he does not break his gaze with Dean.
"I love you Sammy," A spark of something enters Sam's eyes and Dean knows he's all there for the moment. "You were the best brother I could have ever asked for and you've saved me on so many levels, it's not even funny. We had some awful times, you and I, but there is no one else in this world I would rather have done this with than you. You were a good hunter. Dad would be proud." Sam's cracked lips attempt a smile but it falls short and Dean shifts his position on the bed. He's moving Sam and making room for himself on the bed. When he's finished Sam's head rests on his chest. Dean's arms envelope his brother and he can feel the battle Sam is now fighting just to breathe. Dean is suddenly happy he listened to his gut and arrived at the hospital when he did.
"Just think," He whispers into Sam's ear, "Soon you're going to be with Mom and Jessica and Dad. You find them up there, find Ash and don't stop until you're all together again, okay?" The question isn't answered. "I'll be there with you soon."
Dean doesn't feel it when he goes, the clock bolted to the wall does not stop its ticking and its only when Sam starts to cool in Deans arms does he begin to cry and suddenly Dean realizes he is forever and irrevocably, alone.