Dean lay there in the lumpy, cold motel bed. His head was spinning, throat burning and every muscle in his body aching.
"I don't see why I'm always the one to get sick" croaked Dean.
"Because you're a man whore, that's why. If you hadn't snogged that girl in the bar you wouldn't be in this state" said Sam as he stifled a laugh.
Dean turned away from his brother, not bothering to argue. Why did that girl have to be so cute, and why did he let himself get into such a state that he couldn't even tell that she had tonsillitis?! Darn purple nurples...
Sam watched his brother pout for a moment before he went to get some throat sweets for him from the first aid kit in the car. On his return he lay three packets of variously flavoured Soothers on the bedside table and tapped Dean on the shoulder.
Dean turned around and looked at the sweets "Aw man, no blackcurrant?" he said with disappointment.
"No Dean, you ate all of the blackcurrant ones, remember?"
"...Not really" replied Dean. Sam stifled a laugh again as Dean stuck out his bottom lip in annoyance.
At that moment Dean erupted in a coughing fit, one hand clutching his throat while the other was pressed against his chest.
"Damn Dean, don't cough up a lung... Are you okay though?" Despite his love for teasing his older brother, Sam couldn't help but be concerned about him.
"Just peachy, Sammy" Dean croaked, breathing a little heavier than earlier.
"Seriously Dean, if this is effecting you're chest, maybe you should go to the Doc"
"I'm not going to no Doc, I'm perfectly"– cough – "fine".
"Yeah, 'cause you sound sooo fine(!)"
Sam remembered all the problems Dean had as a kid with his asthma, he was so glad when he finally grew out of it. But know he worried that it would come back... could it come back. If Dean had an asthma attack now where would he get a pump in time? Dean hasn't been to an asthma clinic in about 5 years, and even longer since he had a asthma pump.
It took Sam a moment to realise his brother was calling him, "Sam, Sam... Sammy?" he called.
"Wh-wha?" stammered Sam.
"Anything wrong Sam? You were away with the fairies then."
"No, no, just thinking" Sam tried to make his voice seem as indifferent as possible, but Dean wasn't convinced.
"You've got no need to worry, it's only a slight sore throat, I'll be fine by tomorrow".
For a moment neither of them spoke, so Dean gave up and turned over, pulling the thin sheets over his head. But the silence was broken by the sound of Sam's mobile ringing. "Saved by the bell..." said Sam.
"Or phone" came Dean's voice from under the covers.
Sam sighed, Always ever so pedantic he thought. Sam answered the phone, hearing the sound of Bobby's familiar voice on the other end "Sam? I've caught wind of a daemon not far from where you're staying at the moment. You boys up for a little hunting?"
Sam looked over at his brother who was now leaning on one arm trying to hear what was going on. "What kind of daemon is it? Dean's feeling a little under the weather at the moment, so I might need to go alone".
Bobby sighed "Well it's a lower level daemon so it shouldn't be too much trouble, but I'd rather you didn't go alone".
Sam got the rest of the information off Bobby and hung up the phone.
"So... where are we going then?" grinned Dean, though it looked more like a grimace as he winced at the same time because it hurt to talk.
"You're not going anywhere, I'm going to kick some daemon butt" smiled Sam.
"You are not going on your own, if you are going then so am I!"
"Dean, don't be stupid, you're sick, you can't come!"
The argument carried on for what seemed like forever, until Sam finally gave in. Dean was always more stubborn than him.
As they walked to the Impala Dean wore a satisfied smile on his face, but that quickly wore off as the novelty of winning the argument wore off. The colour was almost completely drained from Dean's face now, and his forehead was already beginning to glisten with sweat. Great, thought Sam, this is going to be fun...