May 18, 2006

Senior year, high school. A time when the girls were going out and shopping for the best prom dress money could buy. The best shoes, jewelry, and hair styles to match, all to impress their dates. And the guys were all planning on the best way to end the night in a hotel room with their dates. It should be what every high school student was planning on. It's what his mother had been on his case about for the entire month. "I just don't understand why you don't want to go to prom Samuel! I'm sure you would have no problem finding a beautiful girl and having the time of your life!" She had said that so many times Sam had lost count. He loved his mother, he really did. But he was ready to explode.

Finally a week ago, she had tried again to get him to see her reason and it was dean, who was visiting for their weekly family dinner, who intervened. "Jesus mom, he doesn't want to go! Get off his back! Not everyone wants to spend a shit ton of money on stuff their only going to wear once and not think twice about the next day!" She had huffed angrily then left the two boys to themselves while she went to check on the roast. Sam was so grateful for his brother that he went and wrapped dean in a tight hug to show his appreciation. Dean had laughed, squeezed Sam, then let him go. "Don't worry little bro. I always have your back!"

It was now a week later and the prom is tonight. He could tell his mom was dying to say something more to him about it but so far she had held her tongue. Dean should be here in a bit so sam decides to lounge in his room reading a book. He hates hiding but he just can't take the looks his mom is giving him. Even his dad has started to look like he wants to bring himself into the arguments. He knew he would have to tell them soon, there is no way around it. But how did he go about telling his mom and dad that he was gay? How were they going to react? How was dean going to react? That was his biggest fear. He could handle what most people thought about him. But when it came to his brother, he wanted him to think the very best.

7:00p.m.

They were all sitting down at the dining room table. His dad had decided to cook burgers on the grill so the table was packed with tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, condiments, chips and drinks. Dean was sat by him and his mom and dad were across from them. So far talk has been small. His folks had been asking Dean about his job at his uncle bobby's auto shop/salvage yard. "So are you not planning on going to college at all? You can only make a living there for so long. What about when you have a family?" His mom was saying to Dean. This was a never ending battle for him. His parents never seemed to hear him when he said he didn't want a family. His dad came in with "When I was your age I had already had one kid. And a good steady job." Dean sighed. This is why he only made the long drive once a week. The headache he got wasn't worth more. "Yeah I know dad. But times are different now. Just because I'm 22 doesn't mean I have to go looking for someone to marry and pop out a few Winchesters. I want to live my life!"

"We know honey." Their mother said in that condescending tone that said she was just placating him. "We just want what's best for you. We don't want you wasting your life away and missing certain chances you will never get back. Take Sam and his prom..." Sam groaned. He knew it wouldn't last long. She just had to bring it up, again, that he was missing a golden opportunity. " And for all we know she could have been our future daughter in law! I just don't think he understands what missing something like that entails!"

"I understand perfectly mom. You haven't let me forget it! I'm not going to prom. It's too late anyway. So you just need to suck it up!" He really hadn't meant to get snippy with his mom, he just didn't know how much more of this he could take.

"Don't you talk to your mother like that! She is just worried about you! We both are! We never see you with anyone. You've never been out with anyone. I mean, what's going on with you?"

Sam looked at his mom, then his dad, then back to his plate. " There just hasn't been anyone I'm interested in"

"Oh now that's ridiculous. There are so many pretty girls around. You just need to be brave and try to talk to them!"

"Mom, Sam said he doesn't want to date. You can't make him.." Thank you Dean!

"He is just being shy. You know how he is. "

Sam had had enough. "No mom, you just don't know how it is."

"Oh what do you mean? Your my son. Of course I know you."

"I'm gay mom"

The silence in the room was so pregnant they could hear a dog barking blocks away. Ok, so he could have probably found a different way to break it to them. But come on, everyone had a breaking point.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" His dad said, and for the first time for as long as Sam could remember, he looked pissed.

Sam looked at his dad, then at his mom "I'm gay. So it would be hard for me to go to the prom since i'm not really into girls." He kept his gaze on his mother. He was scared to look at his father. He refused to look at Dean.

His mom looked at him, shock coloring her beautiful face, before it morphed into anger and, god, disgust. "What do you mean your gay? Please Sam, please tell me you just mean happy." Her voice had gone so cold that Sam was surprised he couldn't see his breath fog. He shook his head. Still not looking up. She took a sharp breath then stood fast, the scrape of the chair loud to his ears. His mom started crying, turning quickly to leave the room, only to stall at the door, "I can't accept this. It's wrong, Your wrong"

His dad was quick to cover for his wife. " It's fucking disgusting! I won't have it in my house! You either figure out a way to fix yourself or you leave now! I wont stand to have a son of mine be some peter pumping dick swallowing..." As he spoke he was slowly advancing on Sam, his fist raised. "Faggot, living under my roof!" He stopped in front of Sam and swung his hand back. Sam ducked, waiting for the blow...

But it never came. He heard the slap of flesh being caught and when he looked up he saw his dads hand in Deans closed fist. The look on Deans face was one Sam had never seen. One of almost pure hatred.

Dean had stood up so fast his chair went flying towards the wall. He was between his father and Sam before his dad had finished speaking. He had managed to remain sitting while his father had thrown his hate, fully intending on defending his brother. But when he saw his fathers fist raise he stepped in. " You come any closer to my brother, you homophobic bastard, and I will make you bleed." If push came to shove, his side will always be by Sammy.

Their mom gasped in surprise Their dad rounded on Dean, jerking his hand out of Dean's grasp. "You can't honestly tolerate this.. this... abomination! We've raised you both better than that! Like I said I wont stand to have a faggot in my house. And I won't stand for my only son, The only son I claim as of now, tolerate it either!"

It was Sam's turn to gasp in surprise. Tears worked their way down his face as he closed his eyes. He had known they would be surprised, even mad or upset. But to completely erase him from their lives? He buried his face in his hands, unaware anymore of what was going on around them.

"Then I guess we won't be in your house after tonight. If this is how you treat your own flesh and blood because of a choice he makes in his life, I don't want it and he sure as hell don't need it." Dean turned to his brother. His heart broke for the teenager. Dean walked to him, knelt down and gently pulled his hands away from his face. Like he did when he was younger and Sam had gotten hurt, Dean wiped his tears away. "Come on Sammy, Your coming with me, ok little brother?"

Sam couldn't hear him. The words faggot, only son I claim, playing harshly through his mind. Slowly, Deans voice came to him.

"Sammy?" He gently grabbed his chin and brought Sams eyes level with his. "Sammy, go to your room and pack your things. Anything you want to bring. Load up my car, I don't care. Anything else we can't right now we will come back for." He spoke the last five words to his dad, looking at him with so much hate Sam could only nod then took off up the stairs to his room.

10 minutes later he was at the front door, walking out with the last of the stuff he would carry. As he was walking out the door he heard his dad shout to Dean "This is your only chance dean! If you walk out that door, you and that faggot had better not ever pollute our doorstep again!" Deans only reply was a harsh "FUCK YOU" before slamming the door on his dad. Sam put his stuff in the truck then sat in the passenger seat next to his brother. When Dean started the car Sam realized the tears were still coming down his face.

"Dean reached across the seat to grab his brother into a quick hug "Hey Sammy, it's ok. Your going to be ok. I'm going to make sure of it!" He turned back and started the car.

"What about mom and dad dean? You shouldn't have to turn your back on them because I'm different." He didn't deserve it. It was his fault his family was now broken. "They would still love you. Your not a fag..." "Don't you dare say that word to me Sammy!" Deans sharp anger had Sam stopping short of finishing. "Don't you say anything that those bastard said to you tonight. Do you honestly think I care that your gay!" Dean reached over and took Sams hand in his own. "Your my little brother Sammy. I love you. And if the two people who brought you into this world can't except that then like I told dad, fuck them! We don't need them!"

Sam sat quietly as he let the words sink in. His brother was with him. just like he had always been. "I love you too Dean. You've always been there for me. No matter what. Thank you."

Dean smiled and released Sams hand and focused on the road, shooting Sam sideways glances. " Yeah, and I always will be. It will always be you and me Sam. Dean and Sam Winchester against the world!"

Sam laughed a weak laugh at his brother, "Why not Sam and Dean Winchester against the world?"

"Cuz I'm older and hotter!

"Jerk"

"Bitch"

As they drove to their uncle Bobbies, where Dean had told him is where he had been staying, not in the apartment he told his parents about, Sam was convinced of two things. One, he would never trust someone as much or love someone as much as he did his brother. And two, while he loved his hometown of Laurence Kansas, he knew he needed to start somewhere fresh. And while the thought scared the shit out of him, he knew he would be ok. Because he had his brother by his side.

Notes:

I have rewritten this Chapter and will be working on the others shortly. If you have read this, please feel free to reread. Some things have been added and some has been removed. I really hope you enjoy!