TITLE: Time Stand Still
FANDOM: Supernatural
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Dean and Sam Winchester, that honor belongs to Eric Kripke and The CW.
SUMMARY: AHBL part 2 follow-up; I've been re-watching this episode a lot and thinking about the deal. Basically this fic is my way of coping.
AN: cross-posted at my LJ under my username: ariafree
Without a glance in his brother's direction, Dean pulled the Impala over to the side of the road. Sam watched him, his brow furrowed in concern as Dean turned off the car and got out.
Sam quickly followed him. Dean's behavior lately was scaring him. For the past few days, ever since Dean had revealed to Sam about the deal he'd made he'd become increasingly withdrawn. As if that weren't worry enough, Dean didn't even bother to crank up the volume on the classic rock he loved.
The two of them stood leaning against the front of the Impala, neither of them uttering a word for several minutes.
"You've been listening to Dust In The Wind a lot lately. You want to tell me why?" Sam asked softly. Dean let out a low chuckle.
"Sam…"
"No, Dean. Don't give me that crap. What's going on?"
"I don't know, Sam. I've just been thinking about Mom and Dad lately," Dean said, sighing heavily.
"And the deal?"
"Yeah, that too."
"Dean…"
"Dammit, Sam, don't do this."
"Why the hell not!?"
"You and I both know I should be dead right now. This deal is just setting things straight."
Sam stepped away from the car and stood in front of Dean. His older brother looked like shit and tired as hell. Sam could argue with him for as long as he wanted and it wouldn't get him anywhere. So instead of launching into another prepared argument of how he couldn't survive without Dean he pulled his brother closer.
"Sam, what the hell!?" Dean grumbled in annoyance, glaring at him. Sam, ignoring Dean, grabbed his brother's hand and placed it over his heart.
"You feel that, Dean? The only reason I'm alive right now is because of you. Do you honestly believe I'm just gonna sit around waiting for you to die? Hell, no. I told you it's my turn to protect you. And I don't care how often I need to repeat myself 'til you actually hear me. And I also don't care what it takes to get you out of this deal. That's my job now. To worry about you for a change. You've done it my whole life. So the way I figure, it's my turn to take over, dude. Whether you like it or not."
Dean smirked, finally dropping his hand away from Sam's chest. "Is this the part where I fall into your arms and cry into your shoulder in gratitude?"
"If you want to. Jerk."
"Bitch. Let's get out of here, huh?"
Sam nodded, climbing into the passenger seat. "So, now what?" he asked, turning toward Dean.
"Well, I'm in the mood for a few beers…some girls. What do you say, Sammy?" Dean asked, smirking again.
"Sure, why not?" Sam agreed, thrilled to see the change in Dean's attitude.
"That's my boy," Dean said with a smile as he cranked up the volume on Grandfunk Railroad's Shinin' On and stepped on the gas.
THE END
