"Sam, hurry up, we're gunna be late!" Dean called.
Sam, barely six years old, reluctantly opened the bathroom door of the cheap motel they were staying in. He fidgeted in his oversized jacket. "I don't wanna go," he whined, pouting at his older brother.
"Yea, yea," Dean replied, "Quit complaining. You know you gotta start school sometime. Besides, Dad said it was my job to make sure you got there safely."
Of course John Winchester was nowhere to be seen. He was hunting a shape shifter a few towns over, leaving his sons to fend for themselves. This meant all responsibility landed on 10 year old Dean, the older of the boys.
He didn't complain though- he never did. Taking care of Sam had become second nature to him. He picked up the ratty backpacks John left for them, slung one over his shoulder, and held the other out for his brother.
Sam, the pout still stuck to his face, slowly reached out for the pack. But just before he touched the strap, he yanked his hand back and crossed his arms. "No." he said stubbornly.
Dean sighed. "Come on, Sammy, you're gunna make us late."
Sam just shook his head.
Dean tried a different appraoch."You might like school," he coaxed.
"That's impossible," he answered without hesitation.
"How do you know for sure?"
"Cause you hate it," Sam stated simply.
"Well… just cause I hate it doesn't mean you will," Dean said, puzzled by his brother's response.
"Yes it does," the younger boy answered, "If you hate something there must be a reason 'cause you're always right about what to like. So if you like something I like it, and if you hate something I'll hate it too."
Dean tried to hold back a chuckle, but he let a small smirk creep across his face. He put the bags down and sat on the bed. Sam instinctively sat next to him. The old springs squeaked under the weight of the two.
Dean sighed, thinking of what to say to convince his brother. "It's not that bad" was all he managed to come up with. Granted, it wasn't the best argument, but Sam listened. He always listened when Dean talked.
"It's not?" he asked, "But what if the kids are mean to me?"
Dean gave his brother a cocky grin and laughed."If anyone gives you trouble you send them to me. I'll take care of 'em for you."
Sam replied with a mischievous smile. "What if they're tougher than you?"
Dean cocked an eyebrow. He swung his arm around his brother's neck and trapped him in a headlock. "I dare you to find anyone tougher than me!" He teased as he dug his knuckles into Sam's head.
"Okay, okay!" Sam cried through his laughter, "Uncle!"
Dean released him with a final tousle of his hair. He stood up and lifted the backpacks again. "Now, can we go, please?"
Same stood up and took the pack from Dean. "You promise it's gunna be okay?"
Dean smiled. "I promise, Sammy."