The car was actually silent. Ruby's damn car, but Dean wasn't going to waste time to dump the orange monstrosity and find something else. Not with hell possibly literally exploding behind them. So far, it was pretty silent. Some nice lightening in the sky that in no way looked natural, but that was it.

Sam was quiet, too. He'd been pretty vocal when Dean had dragged him out, switching between "I'm sorry" to "I have to stay". For all his resisting, however, his fingers had stayed firmly wrapped up in Dean's shirt.

Dean wasn't saying anything: god knew he hadn't let go of Sam, either.

But now Sam was silent, eyes dry, staring straight ahead. No stricken look on his face, just...silent. Like any other day.

Good. If Sam wanted to keep it that way, Dean was more than okay with it. Dean cleared his throat to catch Sam's attention. "Should probably head to Bobby's tomorrow; you okay to drive a little more for the night?"

"That's fine," Sam said. He even moved his gaze over to Dean with an earnest look and an eager nod. "I'm okay to keep going for awhile. How are we on gas?"

"We're good," Dean said, even managing a small grin. Way to fake it up, but hey, Dean wasn't complaining. Less wounds ripped open tonight, the better. "I figure we'll stop in another hour or so. That work?"

"That's good," Sam agreed, turning back to gaze ahead. Better than good.

Dean turned back to the road as well, taking in a deep breath. It was awesome, really. "Good," he said cheerfully.

Sam burst into tears. Even as he buried his face in his hands Dean was guiding the car to the side of the road. The thing shuddered when the engine stopped, but Dean didn't care. Sam's cries were gut-wrenching, and the way he was curling himself up against the opposite door wasn't helping the twisted feeling inside of Dean either. "Sammy," Dean said helplessly.

"I'm sorry," Sam choked out. "Dean I'm sorry I'm sorry I should have...should have listened should have...oh god I'm sorry..."

No one came down the road, no headlights that Dean could see, but Dean could've cared less if someone was. He slid across towards Sam and reached out, catching his brother's shoulder and tugging him across the space to Dean. Sam continued to choke and sob even while Dean pulled him close and held him tight.

"Dean-"

"Shhh," Dean whispered, resting his chin on the top of Sam's head. Sam gasped for air and shuddered. "I got you."

"I'm-"

"I know. I know, Sammy. We're okay."

Even with Sam crying against him, even in Ruby's craptastic car, even with no silence or fake okay-ness between them anymore...Dean was surprisingly okay. He felt better than he had in a long time. Just...calm. Hopeful.

And damn if he wasn't going to get Sam there to that point, too.

For now, he kept his arms wrapped around his brother and held on to the both of them.

END