A/N: I used the Brotherhood AU and wrote a quickie. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Supernatural belongs to the CW. The Brotherhood storyline and characters belong to Ridley C. James.

.;.;.

"D-daddy?" JT calls out tentatively.

Dean Winchester pushes himself up, off his uber-soft pillow, to look at his son. "JT? What's up buddy?"

"I had a nightmare…"

Dean sighs and sneaks out of bed, careful not to jostle his wife. He saunters over to his seven year old son and easily scoops him up. Lately, JT's been acting like he's too old for this kind of thing; good to know that it's not completely true…yet. The day will come, but for now, JT still wants his daddy.

"What was it about, bud?"

"James. And Ben too. There's a fire, like the one that killed Grammy Mary, and it got them. Don't let it get them, dad."

Dean's heart shatters. He knows he should never have told JT, but the kid is smart and he had gone through Dean's journal all by himself. Dean had to tell him, but that doesn't mean he likes it.

"It's just a dream," Dean runs a soft hand up his son's back, "Just a dream. Nothing's going to get you guys, not while I'm around."

Dean knows exactly how far he'd go to ensure that the statement rings true.

"But daddy…what happens when you're gone?"

Dean is hit so hard that he can't breath.

"What if the fire gets you too?"

Dean's never considered that. Well, of couse not. He's invincible. He's the Guardian, the big brother, the snarky hunter, the indestructible dad, the best mechanic in state, and-and...Dean Winchester. He can't not be around. Yes, he can though. What does happen when he's no longer around? What would Juliet do? What would his sons do, or his brothers? The Brotherhood?

"It won't happen, bud," but Dean doesn't look his son in the eyes as he says it. "You're going to be okay."

JT doesn't say anything, just snuggles into his father's warm chest and dozes back off to sleep.

Dean curls up on the couch, with his son still buried in his chest, and thinks. What will happen after he's gone? Who will take his ring after he passes?

JT makes a small whimper. Dean runs a hand through his hair. No time for that right now, he's here and plans on staying for a long time. They will cross the next bridge when they get there.