Title: I'm Right Here

Fandom: Supernatural

Summary: Dean comes to Sam's side in the hospital. Set sometime in Season 12.

"Here, Sammy. Right here."

That voice. Familiar. Comforting.

"Huhmm?"

"Here, little brother."

"D'n?"

"Yeah. It's me. I tried to get here sooner, but..."

Slit eyes opened. "Hey". One word. Barely audible.

"Hey yourself, Sammy. You've been sleeping your lazy ass off, I see."

Pursed lips. Bruised. An attempted smile.

"Y'okay?"

Little brother. Always checking.

"I'm good, Sammy. Just waitin' for you to wake up. Mom's here. Jodi too."

Fingers touched. Wrapped around others.

"That's good, Sammy. Doc said you'll get full feeling back in your hands soon. It hurts real bad, I know. But that's good if you can feel my fingers and hold on."

Watery eyes on a battered face. Stray tears. Choked breath. Fingers held tighter.

"Yeah, I know, little brother. I know. This is the toughest part right now. It'll get better. I promise."

Weak voice. Strained. Pleading for comfort. "D'n. Hurts."

Pained fingers surrounded by strong hands now. Two hands. Cupping his. Tight. Secure. Family.

"Here, Sam. Right here. I know how much it hurts. I do. But I'm gonna look after you until you're better, okay? So no bitchin' about me motherin' you, got it?"

Across the room. Concerned faces watched. Anxious. Worried. Helpless.

Attention turned toward those faces. "He'll be okay, Mom. I'll make sure of it. It's what I do. You've been gone for so long, but Jodi knows. Sammy'll get better and I'll take care of him until he does. Always have." A pause. A sigh. Then...fondness. Sammy. "It's what you do when you've only ever had each other. Just me and Sam."

Hands released. The strong one reaches up. Hair stroked as the discolored face clenches in pain. "Easy, Sammy. Easy. I'm here."

Tired eyes take in the injuries. Bruised. Cut. Broken. But alive.

Alive.

Another whisper of his name. "D'n."

Another stroke of the hair. "Don't talk, Sammy. Your only job right now is to rest. That's all I want you to do. And as soon as you are well enough, we'll go home. Back to the bunker and your own bed."

"H'm?"

"Yeah. Home. Soon. But you gotta rest."

Swollen eyes opened. Focused on the face he knew. Family. Brother. Home.

"Hey. Told you I was right here, Sam. M'not goin' anywhere. Promise."

Hair strokes continued. Unsteady head gravitated into the soft touch. Family. Brother. Home.

A struggle, but words came clear.

"Dean. Home."

Brother to brother. Explanation unneeded.

"I hear ya, little brother. And I'm not leavin', okay?"

One hand searched for another. Found. Lifeline. Hold tight. Don't let go.

"Here, Sammy." Never let go. "I'm right here."

The end