Polaris
There's no after for Dean.
He has only one job, one purpose. The day he finally can't save Sam, it will be the last thing he ever does.
He's seen too much of this world, knows too much, and he's tired in ways that can't be put into words. He can't do it alone, and isn't even strong enough to try.
Dad did well. He raised a great hunter, a strong man. He raised Sam.
Sammy's the one who can live in this world alone, who has before.
Words are just words, and Dean will bring Sam back every time.
AN: Drabble drawn from some unused notes I found during a semi-annual flip through old notebooks and papers.