Drabble Word: Time

Birthday fic for Angelicious who requested Wee!Chester.

A/N: Ughh, I've been so insanely busy lately and Summer has barely even started for me! I won't bore you with the details but I feel horrible I missed the last challenge which I will post anyway, uber late. Blame my finals which I had the last few days of school. I tried my best to keep this short but I just couldn't. The little Winchesters are just to fun to write :D The title is from the song, "In the End" by Linkin Park.

No spoilers and enjoy!

-----------------------------

The clock slowly ticked by. Second by second. Minute by minute. Hour by hour and John still wasn't home. Not that Dean expected him to show up bursting through the door, not a scratch on him around the time he said he would be back after the hunt. But, he still couldn't suppress the disappointment or fear the bubbled in the pit of stomach. Even after the countless number of times this same situation repeated. It was a constant cycle.

Wait.

Worry.

Panic.

Relief.

This was something a normal 10 year old shouldn't be going through but who ever said Dean was a normal kid? The constant fear that John would one day not come back at all began to wear him out and he couldn't let Sam experience that too. He was still curious and innocent at five. Not like Dean was and for that he was glad. Happy that maybe Sam could be normal, aside from his gift of freaky intelligence, for a little while longer. Dean would fight tooth and nail for that.

It was 11:42 pm, when Sam wandered out to the kitchen where Dean was waiting, his pudgy fists rubbing tiredly at his sleep crusted eyes.

"Dean," He slurred. "Mm, had a bad dream."

Half mast green eyes widened, shaking off the veil of exhaustion. "C'mon Sammy, I'll get you some milk." The five year old nodded, wild brown hair covering his eyes as Dean fixed up a warm glass.

He made a satisfied noise in the back of his throat as the soothing creamy liquid warmed his belly. As Dean escorted him back to bed, he grabbed his brother's hand who offered no resistance.

Once he was tucked in, Sam let out a keening whimper. Dean immediately tensed. "What's wrong?" He scanned the room before realization dawned.

Bad dream.

"Do you wanna tell me 'bout your nightmare?" His voice was low and soothing. "It might help, you know."

Sam bit his lip. "Daddy n'ver came home from work cuz monsters ate him and then they got you." His voice hitched. "And I was all 'lone."

Dean swallowed past the lump in his throat. He barely covered up the wild panic in his voice. "That's silly Sammy, there's no such thing as monsters." God, if only he knew the truth.

"You sure?"

"Definitely." What a lie. "Plus, dad would get rid of those monsters no problem so, they won't get us." He gently ruffled the mass of curls. "I'd never leave you either, kay? I'm your big bro, after all."

Sam smiled shyly. "Mmkay." He yawned, eyelids fluttering. "I believe you Dean."

Dean forced a grin as he left and closed the bedroom door. Weary eyes watched the clock strike midnight. The haunting ring filled the entire room; soon drowned out by the roar of the Impala. He let out a sigh of relief.

Dean went to fetch a first aid kid prompted by the sound of muffled curses outside. It was only a matter of time before Sam caught on and started asking questions. The kid was too perceptive and smart to be kept in the dark much longer.

He pushed that fear aside.

For now, he could rest easy knowing his little brother was asleep dreaming of cartoons and school, while he himself dreamed of horrors and reality enough for the both of them. The middle Winchester prepared to play caretaker again.

It was only a matter of time before something went wrong.

-----------------------------

Reviews are greatly appreciated!