Just some cuddly shmoop.

When he got sick, Dean always tried to hide it until the last minute. He stifled his coughs, hid the sniffles, and tried to ignore it for as long as he could. Unfortunately for him, Sam always knew when he was sick. He always called Dean out on it, but Dean just shrugged it off. Sam, knowing that his brother won't admit he's sick until he's practically collapsing, lets him carry on. He knows it'll all hit him soon, and he knows he'll be there to take care of him when it happens.

Like when Dean was seventeen and their dad went on a hunt that was supposed to be a little longer than normal. A few days after John had left, Dean started turning down food and sleeping more, confirming Sam's suspicions that Dean was getting sick. Sam didn't say anything though, choosing to let Dean think he was fooling Sam. By the end of the third day of being sick, Dean was pushing through like nothing was wrong, and Sam left one of his hoodies on the back of the couch. The hoodie itself had been Dean's, but he had given it to Sam because John was hesitant to buy a thick coat for Sam while he was still growing; it was a layer for him to use in cold weather. Within minutes of the hoodie being left behind, it was picked up and wrapped around a fever chilled body. Sam chuckled to himself as Dean surrendered to the sickness plaguing his body. Dean had then curled up on the couch, and – grudgingly – let Sam take care of him. He grumbled and fought, but, when he though Sam wasn't paying attention, he leaned into touches and snuggled into Sam's side.

Now, even though nearly ten years have passed, Dean still does the same thing. Sam welcomed the duty of watching over his brother as a reprieve from thinking about Jess. So when Dean quietly sniffled and coughed into the crook of his arm, Sam jumped at the distraction. Dean didn't get sick often, Sam could only remember a few times, but when he did catch something, it always ended up knocking him out for at least a week. This sickness knocked him down after the second day. Sam woke up to Dean having burrowed into one of Sam's oversized hoodies and curled up on his bed. Sam reached over and felt Dean's forehead, knowing he must be feeling terrible by the fact that he didn't even protest. Sam made soup, tomato rice, and helped Dean to sit up and eat it. Dean, who was exhausted already, leaned into Sam, seeking comfort. Sam carded his fingers through his older brother's short, sweat soaked hair before he stood up and quickly grabbed some aspirin for the headache he knew Dean had. Sam smiled as Dean cuddled up to him, knowing that the older man would deny everything later. Sam let Dean tuck himself into the bigger man's side; Dean was always cuddly when he was sick.

Sam liked to think that Dean was partially aware of what he was doing. He liked to think that Dean was seeking comfort from Sam like Sam had always done when they were kids. Dean never actively sought out comfort or reassurance, but he always provided it when Sam needed him to. When Sam had nightmares, both when he was little and now, Dean was there; Dean was always there. Sam remembered all the times Dean was there for him, all the times he kept Sam safe, all the times he tried to give Sam a home, and he tried to put his thanks into his touches. He was pretty sure Dean understood, because he was always just the tiniest bit cuddly right after the sickness passed.

Sam was startled out of his thoughts and reflections by Dean's mumblings. Sam looked over at him and grinned as he caught something about killer squirrels and stolen pie. He gently rubbed Dean's back. Dean, not waking up, snuggled closer and pressed his face into Sam's chest. Sam sighed, running his long fingers over his brother's fevered forehead, happily noticing that it was better than earlier. He wondered how long Dean would let himself be taken care of this time. His record was a week. Sam decided to see how long he could drag it out.

When he woke up in the morning with Dean's head on his chest and Dean's arms around his waist, he didn't complain or wake the older man up. He just snuggled into the bed, holding his brother close. Dean never once complained when Sam clung to him as a child, so Sam decided that it's the least he could do to let Dean do the same.

Yeah, when Dean was sick, he got cuddly, but Sam didn't mind it all too much.

Fin

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