The Brotherthing.

Disclaimer: not mine, not mine, not mine.

He never thought it would come to this.

This rampage. This warpath. This desperate search.

This shadow of what was once Sam, now filling the passengerseat.

Every hour ruled by research.

Every waking moment made up of ancient texts, freaky websites, vague phonecalls and visits to people Dean would've gladly given up another three months to never have met.

Admittedly, when he'd kissed that damn demon to seal that damn deal, he hadn't exactly been thinking.

At least, not about anything but Sam.

Sam, who was lying on a stale matras, dead.

Sam, who he needed to not be lying on a stale matras, dead.

He hadn't thought beyond the fact that it would bring back Sam. That it would bring back his brother.

But this shell of a person wasn't his brother.

Not in the 'are-you-sure-that-this-is-100-Sam-because-he-might-be-evil-and-destroy-the-world-and-even-Will Smith-can't-save-us'-sort of way. Nothing like that. It was Sam, allright. It was 100 Sam.

But it wasn't his brother.

He still ate but he didn't seem to actually taste his food. He didn't criticize the shady fastfoodrestaurants Dean picked. He didn't voice any preferences. He didn't complain about a lack of vitamines and substance. He didn't even groan at the extra onions. He didn't seem to care. And Dean hated it.

He still took showers but didn't try to hog the bathroom. He didn't try to snag the largest towels. He didn't ask Dean to save him some hot water and he didn't yell when there wasn't any left. He didn't seem to care. And Dean hated it.

He still got in the passengerseat but he never asked to drive. He didn't complain about the music. He didn't try to update Dean's cassettetape collection. He didn't sigh at Metallica, groan at Black Sabbath or snort at Led Zeppelin. He didn't seem to care. And Dean hated it.

He still smiled at Dean's wisecracks, frowned at his obscene remarks and raised his eyebrows at his practical jokes. But he didn't return them. He didn't respond. He didn't participate. He didn't seem to care.

And Dean hated it.

Thank you very much for reading!