AN: This is a different twist to a familiar challenge, because I must admit I love John...so I had to add a spin.
Characters: Sam, Dean, John
Setting: Pre-series
Spoilers: Nightmare
Genre: weechester, hurt/comfort, angst, drama, family
Challenge: Challenge 7: Based off of the episode, "Nightmare." What if Sam and Dean had Max's childhood?
Warning: Child abuse, though not graphic
Thanks to Morgan for the beta!
"Remember…remember never to forget."—Chris Larabee's father-in-law, Magnificent Seven
Prelude:
There were some things Dean would always remember. The sound of his mother's voice as she sung him to sleep. The smell of smoke the night they lost everything and the promise John made him the last time he saw his father
"Dean, be strong, take care of your brother and I'll find you. No matter what happens I will come for you. Remember that. Don't forget."
Sometimes that promise seemed more distant than others. Sometimes it seemed like a fools hope. Sometimes it was the only hope he had.
But no matter what, he never forgot.
"Dean?"
He never forgot. Even when remembering was hard to do.
"Dean?"
Because if he forgot, than who would remember for Sam?
"M'here Sam…" he hated how his words slurred. The face of his eleven year old brother hovered over him.
"Dean," the kid sighed, gently sliding his arm under his brother's. Dean felt every jolt as Sam carefully helped him up and over to the bed. The younger pulled a key out from under the mattress, unlocking the bedside jour. He pulled out their make-shift first aid kit, and began checking over the older with nimble fingers and sad eyes. "Oh Dean."
"Either you've said that a few times or my brain's on repeat," Dean replied, a weak attempt at jovial. Sam just shook his head and continued his examination.
Dean couldn't honestly say if he knew what normal was, but there were a few things he was pretty darn sure of. You shouldn't have to lock up your stuff in a jour to keep it from being taken from your own room. Bedroom doors shouldn't have deadbolts on them, and kid's Sammy's ages shouldn't know major first aid procedures.
And looks of worry don't belong on a eleven-year-old's face.