AN: Constructive criticism is appreciated. All mistakes are my own. I have no clue if Johnsonville, Wisconsin is a real place.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to the creators of Supernatural.

Birthday Blues

(Sam's POV) Dean's birthday. It was one day where everything should have been about his older brother. Cake, presents, a nice dinner, the works. However, throughout the years, the day had been pushed aside in light of greater things. Hunting had always been the priority of Dean's life, besides Sam, and that included his birthday.

When Sam was younger, about six through ten, he had usually at least tried to acknowledge the passing of his older brother's birthday. Even if it was just a quick hug or a dumb little handwritten note, Sam remembered. As Sam got older, though, Dean's birthday faded into the background for him as well. Years spent of arguing with his dad and planning his escape had taken precedence over wishing Dean a happy birthday. And then came college. Sam left, severed the ties from his family and went to find his normal. Although the brothers had some contact in the first two years of his absence, there was never a call made to say hello to his brother on his birthday, or even to ensure he was still alive.

But now, the brothers had reunited and were on the road again. Dean's birthday was a day away and Sam was determined to make up for the last twelve skipped birthdays.

"Hey, Dean," Sam spoke for the first time in the last three hours. "Let's stop here for today." He nodded at the exit sign that stated the next town was three miles away.

Dean gave him an odd look. "Why? Our next hunt is a hundred miles away, but we can still make it by tonight."

Sam shrugged, "Just tired I guess."

Dean's expression quickly changed to one of concern. "You alright? You aren't sick, right?"

Of course, Dean's first thought was of his younger brother. Already Dean had put on the left turn signal to get off at the Johnsonville exit. Sam sighed. The fact that his birthday was tomorrow probably hadn't even crossed Dean's mind. If it was Sam's birthday, however, Dean would have already had something planned for weeks. Getting Dean to think about himself first was a bigger task than trying to bottle wind in a jar.

"I'm fine, Dean," Sam barely resisted an eye roll. "I'm just tired of being on the road."

Dean continued looking at Sam with a critical eye. The Impala was rolling down the road that would lead into town, so even if Dean had decided Sam was fine, it was a little too late to turn back now. "Alright," he replied.

They continued driving when they hit Main Street, looking for a place to call it a night at. Johnsonville, Wisconsin was a fairly small town. A few shops lined Main Street, mostly small boutiques and family-owned establishments. These coupled with the wreaths hanging from lamp posts and the light snow that was falling really gave the town a 1950s kind of feel.

On the outskirts of town, they finally found a place to stay. The WayFarers Inn was by no means spectacular, but it was also nicer than a lot of places they had stayed in before.

Dean pulled the car in front of the main office and cut the engine. He left the keys in the ignition, opened his door, and stepped out into the cold. He tossed the words "I'm gonna check us in" over his shoulder. The driver's door shut with a heavy click.

Sam sank into the seat as thoughts turned over in his mind. What could he do for Dean? He knew for certain his older brother wouldn't appreciate anything "chick-flicky", but there surely had to be something Dean would enjoy.

Before his thoughts could go much further, the door was opened again and bitter cold air rushed into the car. Dean settled down heavily and quickly pulled the door shut behind him, blowing hot air on his fingers. "Damn, it's freaking freezing out there."

Raising an eyebrow, Sam looked at Dean. "It's January in Wisconsin."

Dean stopped blowing on his fingers and reached out to turn the car on again. He rolled the car down in front of room seven, the one farthest from the office as usual. He then turned over to Sam to glare at him. "I know what month it is and which state we're in. I was just saying that it doesn't have to be so offensively cold after Christmas." With that, Dean once again got out of the car and walked around back to grab the duffels out of the trunk. Sam smirked at his older brother's answer and followed him out into the winter night.

As soon as Sam stepped out of the car and shut the door, something heavy hit him in the chest. The weight of the object caused him to stumble back, slipping on the icy ground. Sam's arms flung wildly, trying to regain his balance. Desperately, he reached out to grab onto the roof of the Impala. He clung there for several seconds, waiting for his equilibrium to return, then turned to identify what had hit him.

Laying innocently on the ground next to him was his duffel bag. This quickly registered in his mind, and he turned to his older brother. He was completely ready to yell at Dean, all thoughts of birthdays temporarily pushed from his mind. However, when he saw Dean, he couldn't help but smile.

Dean was folded nearly in half over the trunk. Loud laughter ripped from his body, causing his breaths to be taken in huge gasps. His face was red and tears ran down his cheeks. He seemed to collect himself for a moment and looked at Sam. However, seeing Sam still clinging to the Impala set him off again.

Sam stood just watching his older brother. It was rare to catch Dean in a completely unguarded moment. Dean had become an adult at age four, the constant guardian of his younger brother. Since Dean always felt the need to protect Sam, it was difficult to find the real Dean Winchester behind the façade. It was moments like these Sam treasured, the times when he got a glimpse of what Dean could have been like if he had gotten the chance to be a normal person.

A few minutes later, Dean finally managed to pull himself together. He wiped the tears from his face, straightened himself out, and closed the trunk. Then, he walked over to Sam and clapped a hand on his shoulder that threatened to send him skidding again. It forced him to retighten his grip on the Impala. Dean opened his mouth as though to say something, but instead stooped to pick up Sam's duffel. He then turned towards the motel, the slight shaking of his shoulders the only evidence that Dean was still laughing.

Sam took a few seconds to assure himself that he was steady, then he released his grip on the Impala. Carefully, with small steps, Sam followed Dean into the motel. The last thing he wanted was to end up face first in the snow and give Dean something else to mock him with.

A blast of warm air engulfed Sam as he walked into the room. He shivered as he felt the heat reenter his body.

"Hey!" Dean shouted from his bed. "Close the door! You're letting all the heat out!"

Quickly, Sam stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Even if the WayFarers Inn didn't look like much, it obviously had a fantastic heater. Probably a wise decision for a motel that stayed open in Wisconsin during January.

Dean already had the TV turned on, flipped to some football game Sam didn't know about. It was amazing how quickly the brothers settled into their routine. Check into some small motel, farthest room from the office, Dean on the bed next to the door, TV buzzing in the background, easy banter that never touched on anything too painful. Everything functioned like a well-oiled machine, never skipping a beat.

Usually, this was the time were Sam would settle himself on the end of his bed, or at a table if there was one, and research a hunt. However, this time Sam had other things on his mind. "Do you want me to go get supper?"

Dean looked up. "We just got here. And I thought you were tired of being in the car?" Neither brother moved for several moments, Dean trying to figure out Sam and Sam praying Dean would just let him go. Finally, Dean sighed and tossed the keys at his brother. Sam caught them with a relieved smile. "Don't bring me home any of your rabbit food," he warned.

Sam simply nodded and was back outside before Dean could say anything else.

AN: So this is the first chapter of my new story. I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know if you think it's worth continuing! Also, if you have any idea for what Sam should do for Dean or what he should get him let me know please!