Dean is 26

Sam is 22

Adam is 16

Adam was sat in his room at his desk doing the research work Dean had set him. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. Why did Dean always have to give him so much? Honestly couldn't he do it himself? This must be child labour. He was about to fall asleep when Sam stormed through the door.

"What the hell is this?" Sam yelled holding up a piece of paper making Adam flinch.

"I don't know," he stuttered. Sam passed Adam the piece of paper and let him read it over. He stood in front of his little brother with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

Shit. It was a letter from his teacher saying that he hadn't handed in any homework in the last three weeks. He knew how Sam felt about school and grades but it just pissed him off. Adam looked up at Sam.

"You want to tell me what's going on?" Sam asked while he raised an eyebrow.

Adam threw the paper down on his bed and turned back to face his work.

"Nope"

Sam was shocked. He grabbed the back of Adam's chair and swung him back round to face him. He sank down to Adam's level, put his hands either side of Adam's chair and looked in his face.

"Excuse me? You want to try that again?" It wasn't really a question and Adam knew it, he was just fed up of Sam always being on his case about school work.

"I said no Sam. I don't. Nothing is going on," he said, his frustration evident. Sam stepped back and folded his arms again; he was mad now, really mad.

"It wasn't a question Adam. Tell me why you aren't handing in any of your assignments," he demanded.

"I just didn't want to do them. I had better things to do I guess," Adam stated shrugging his shoulders.

Sam was shocked. What could his little brother possibly have to do that was better than his schoolwork?

"Such as what?"

Adam thought for a moment. He didn't really have an answer, he just didn't want to talk.

"Just things. Going out with friends. You know; stuff. Just leave it Sam"

"You don't talk to me like that Adam," Sam yelled, now officially pissed.

Adam stood up and closed the space between them.

"Or what Sam? You're gonna swing at me?" he challenged.

Sam laughed. His little was tall but he still had a good couple inches on him.

"Adam stop! I emailed your teacher and got her to send me all the assignments you haven't done," Adam rolled his eyes, "So you're going to sit down and finish all of them. No friends, no phone, no fun and no hunting until they are all done"

"You can't do that! You have no right!" Adam yelled at him.

"Yes I can Adam. I'm your older brother and that's all the right I need"

"You lost those rights when you left us Sam," Adam exploded, "You left. I don't have to listen to anything you say now"

Sam was stunned. He stepped forward towards and the two boys stared each other down.

"Say one more word and I swear to god Adam," Sam growled in a low, deep voice.

"What the hell is going on in here!" Dean yelled as he walked into the room.

The boys stayed as they were; glaring at each other.

"I asked a question and I expect an answer," he barked.

"Just having a little chat with our deal little brother here Dean," Sam said through gritted teeth; not moving.

"It didn't sound like a little chat," he stated," Step back Sam"

Sam shifted his feet but didn't step back.

"Now Sam!"

Sam did what he was told and stepped back, sighing with disbelief.

"Something you wanna say Sammy?"

Sam looked at Dean and cleared his throat.

"No sir"

Dean nodded.

"Good. Now I want the two of you to sit down and tell me what is going on"

The boys sat down and Dean stood in front with his arms crossed.

"Right. Sam start"

Sam sat up straighter and began to tell Dean what had happened.

"I was in the kitchen tidying up and I was moving Adam's bag when a letter fell out. I saw that it said 'To Adam's guardian' on it so I opened it to find a letter from his teacher saying that he hadn't handed in a single piece of homework in three weeks," Dean turned to Adam and raised one eyebrow but he just looked away and played with his hands.

Sam continued.

"So I came into his room to ask him about it. I gave him the letter to read and a chance to tell me what was going on. He proceeded to just give me attitude and told me he just didn't want to do them, that he better things to do and to leave him alone"

"Is that true Adam?" Dean asked.

"Yes sir," he answered looking down.

"Then what happened?"

"I told him he couldn't talk to me like that, he stood up and asked me what I was going to do about it and asked if I was going to take a swing at him. I then told him that I had emailed his teacher and asked for all his missing assignments. I told him that he had to sit down and finish them and that he would have no friends, phone or hunting until they were done. He yelled at and said that I had no right to do that. I told him that I was his older brother and that that was all the right I needed"

Dean nodded and looked at Adam again. Sam stopped and looked at Dean but he gestured for him to carry on.

"Adam then yelled at me about how when I left, I lost all those rights and he said that he didn't have to listen to anything I said," Sam took a breath,"I then told him to stop being disrespectful and that's when he stepped forward and challenged me. You walked in after that"

Adam sat up and turned to Sam in disbelief.

"That's bullshit! You stepped forward and threatened me!"

"No I didn't!" Sam retorted. Dean walked over to the bed and grabbed Adam.

"No. Stop. Dean I'm sorry," Adam begged.

Dean tuned him out and flipped him over on the bed. He delivered four sharp swats and then turned him back round. Adam moved back on the bed against the wall.

"I asked Sam what happened not you and don't you ever use that language in front of me or Sam again. Understand?"

"Yes sir," Adam answered.

"Right. What is it about Sam's story that you don't agree with?"

"Sam stepped forward towards me and threatened me"

Dean turned to look Sam and cocked his head.

"Sam? Did you threaten Adam?" Dean asked but Sam didn't answer straight away.

"Yes I did but I didn't"

Dean rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Well what did you say then?"

"Say one more word and I swear to god," Sam admitted, "But I don't know why that's a bad thing Dean. You always say stuff like that to us"

Dean looked at his brothers. It was true, he did often threaten the boys as it was a quick and easy way to get them to obey and behave.

"Truthfully. I don't think that what Sam said was a problem. He is right. I do say stuff like that to you a lot," Dean admitted.

Adam couldn't believe it. Of course Dean would take Sam's side.

"I knew you would take his side!" Adam yelled, "You always do"

Dean uncrossed his arms and glared at his youngest brother.

"I have had enough of your attitude. Either you can it or we can have a different type of discussion," he threatened.

"Sorry sir"

"I want to get something straight with both of you"

Sam looked at Dean as if he had said something crazy.

"Yes both of you Sam"

Sam glared at him but Dean just raised an eyebrow.

"I want both of you to pay attention and listen carefully," he ordered,"Yes I am in charge and I have authority over both of you. When I am not here, Sam is in charge.

"But I want to make one thing crystal clear. Sam has as much authority over you as I do Adam. What he says goes. If I tell you to do something: you do it. If Sam tells you to do something: you do it. Understand me?"

"Yes sir. I'm sorry"

"It's okay. Now Sam and I are going to go have a chat and I'll come back in a couple minutes"

Sam's head shot up and looked at Dean pleadingly bu stood up and walked out the door, making sure to be out of Dean's reach. Dean followed and shut the door to Adam's room. Sam had stopped outside and Dean pointed down the hallway in the direction of Sam's room.

Sam stopped outside his door and looked back to Dean. Dean nodded and gestured for him to go in. Sam immediately sat down on the bed and looked up at Dean.

"Look Dean, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to threaten him"

Dean laughed and leaned against Sam's chair.

"Sam. You're not in trouble"

"I'm not?"

"No. We need to talk about what you're going to do about Adam"

"I'm not sure. I think doing the assignments and grounding him for two weeks?"

Dean laughed again. His brother was such a nerd.

"What?"

"That isn't going to work Sam. You're too easy on him and that is why he takes advantage of you. Ever since you left for Stanford you've felt guilty and let him get away with murder. You need to set real boundaries for him"

"What are you suggesting I do?"

Dean thought for a moment. He knew Sam wouldn't like his suggestion.

"You remember when you were around 15 and you decided that you no longer wanted to hunt? Dad was on a hunt and you just mouthed off to me, you wouldn't do a thing I asked and you kept storming off to your room?"

"Yeah. Where's this going?"

Dean sighed.

"You remember what I did?"

Sam had a moment of realisation.

"Yeah. You kicked my ass"

Dean nodded while Sam sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"All right," Sam stood up and walked to the door.

Dean gave him a sympathetic smile and patted him on the back.

"Give me a minute to talk to him?" Dean asked.

Sam nodded took a deep breath. Dean left the room and walked to Adam's room. He opened the door to find Adam sitting on his bed with his head in his hands and his leg bouncing up and down.

Dean cleared his throat and stood in front of Adam's bed.

"Look at me," he ordered and Adam raised his head.

"What is your problem right now Adam? Why aren't you listening to Sam?"

Adam stayed silent for a minuted. He thought about when Sam left.

"He left Dean. We needed him and he left"

It was clear to Dean that he was mad and honestly he didn't blame him.

"He can't just come back and start barking orders at me"

Dean rubbed his head and thought about what to say.

"I understand that you are annoyed Adam. No matter what, Sam is still you're brother and like I said before: he has authority over you just as much as I do"

Adam groaned.

"That is so unfair though. How come everyone has authority over me? I hate being the youngest," Adam whined.

Dean laughed. Sam used to say the same thing.

"Try being the oldest with all the responsibility"

Adam laughed for a second but then looked up at Dean with a guilty look.

"Is he mad?" Sam asked.

"A little. I think he's more upset. I've talked to him and I think you two need to have a little discussion," Dean answered.

Adam groaned. He knew exactly what kind of discussion Dean meant.

"Do we have to?" Adam pleaded, "I'll do the assignments. I promise"

Dean shakes his head and scoffs in disbelief.

"This isn't just about the assignments Adam. This is about your attitude towards Sam and about you not following orders. Did nothing I say go in?"

Adam doesn't say anything but crosses his arms and sits back defiantly. Dean taps him on the knee to get his attention.

"Do we need to have a discussion too?"

Adam shakes his head violently. He definitely didn't need a discussion with Dean.

"No sir"

"Good," Dean walks to the door and calls for Sam.

Sam comes down the hall and stops outside the door. Dean pats him on the shoulder and laughs.

"His ass is all yours brother"

"Not funny Dean," Adam whines as Dean walks down the hall laughing.

Sam walks in and looks at Adam.

"We need to talk Adam"

Adam doesn't speak. This isn't going to be easy Sam thought.

"Okay. I understand that you are upset that I left. But I am here now and I'm sorry," Sam starts, "But like Dean said I do have authority over you and when I tell you to do something I expect you to do it"

"Mhmm"

Sam was losing his patience with Adam

"Alright. You know what I am done trying to reason with you. Dean was right. I'm going to need to handle this another way"

The look of defiance on Adam's face was wiped off and anxious one replaced it. Sam stood up and started to unbuckle his belt.

"No. Sam I'm sorry," Adam begged.

"Stand up Adam"

"I'll be good. Please. Just ground me"

"I've let you get away with too much. Now stand up," Sam ordered while folding over his belt.

Adam stood up slowly and walked towards Sam. Sam took his arm and made Adam lie down on the bed.

"You know the drill. I'm going to give you your age"

"Whatever," Adam mumbled and Sam chose to ignore him.

"You comfortable? Ready?"

"Oh yes really comfortable," he replied sarcastically.

Sam had completely lost his patience now. He lifted the belt up and brought it down, hard.

Adam didn't make a noise. Sam could tell that he wasn't going to make it easy and so he purposefully made the next one harder. He could hear his brother breathe out but only slightly. Sam brought down the next four quickly after each other.

Adam didn't make a noise. This was pissing off Sam even more; if he just gave in then he wouldn't make it so hard on himself. He landed another six; just as hard as the ones before.

Again, Adam made no sound.

"Adam. You're making it harder on yourself. Give it up"

He gave no response and kept his head buried in his arms. Sam shook his head and carried on. He landed four more and then waited for a response. Sam scoffed when he didn't hear anything.

"Adam. These are the last four"

Sam raised the belt and brought it down for the last four. He looped it through the loops and patted Adam's shoulder. Adam just shrugged it off and moved to stand up.

"Adam. Come here," Sam said, opening his arms for a hug.

"Fuck you Sam," Adam spat back.

Sam was shocked. He never would have talked to Dean like Adam did. Without thinking, Sam grabbed Adam's arm and pulled him to stand up. He sat down on the bed and pulled his brother over his lap. Adam struggled but he just swung his leg over his flailing ones; trapping them.

"What the hell are you doing Sam?"

"I am sick of you being disrespectful towards me and if that means I have to kick your ass until you stop then I will," he answered while pulling down Adam's jeans and shorts.

"Sam. Stop. I'm sorry"

Sam ignored his pleas and started spanking. Adam threw his hand back and Sam pinned it to his back.

After a couple minutes, Sam could hear his little brother sniffing and crying. He pulled him up to sit on his lap and Adam hugged Sam tight.

"I'm sorry Sam. I'm sorry"

Sam hugged his little brother back and smiled.

"I know. Now we good?"

He could feel Adam nod. He lifted him off his chest and smiled at him. Adam stands up and wipes the tears out of his eyes. He pulls his shorts up and kicks of his jeans. He climbs into bed, making sure to lie on his stomach, and Sam tucks him in.

"I don't want to do that again Adam. But I was being serious before: I will kick your ass until you stop being disrespectful if it is necessary"

"Yes sir"

Sam smiled. That's a start he thought. He kissed him on the forehead and opened the door.

"Night Sam"

"Night buddy"

Sam shut the door behind him and sighed. He walks down the hall to find Dean sat at the table drinking a beer.

"You alright?" he asked Sam, offering him a beer.

"Yeah," he replied, while accepting the beer.

"Thought for a second that you may need my help"

Sam gave Dean a small smile.

"Our little brother decided to swear at me after I'd kicked his ass," Sam told him.

Dean's eyes went dark and he pushed back his chair.

"I warned that boy," he growled.

Sam knew what Dean wanted to do and usually would let him but he had handled it and knew that Adam probably wouldn't be able to handle anymore tonight.

"It's fine Dean. I handled it"

Dean raised an eyebrow.

"Handled how?"

"The same way you would've handled me. I kicked his ass again"

"Good"

The two boys sat in silence as they finished their beers and Sam prayed that Adam would, at least, wait a while before making him do that again.

The End