Note: This is a short one-shot. I was inspired to write it after seeing a piece of AMAZING fanart! I am unable to show you guys the picture, because the talented artist wasn't comfortable with it and I respect their wishes entirely! Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy the story, even though it is way shorter than my other ones. ;)
Something was coming.
I couldn't tell what it was, but I knew that it was coming.
A dark shadow travelled closer and I tried my hardest to get moving, but I couldn't.
No matter what I did, my feet remained planted to the ground, as though there was concrete locking them down.
I struggled to lift my legs, to run from the shadow, but I had no luck.
I searched for a weapon, anything I could utilize to fight off the approaching threat.
When no solution could be found, I stood there, fear flowing through my veins as I watched the dark figure move closer.
Then, out of nowhere, Dean appeared.
"Dean!" I called out in relief, pointing towards the shadow.
My brother looked at it, setting himself between me and the advancing danger. He didn't have a weapon, but he stood there, his back to me as the darkness approached.
"No Dean, run!" I yelled out, watching in horror as the man held his position.
I forced myself to move. My legs felt like they were lead weights as I forced them to cooperate.
"Run Dean! Run!" I pleaded, trying desperately to sprint towards him, but managing nothing more than a slow-motion shuffle.
The figure was practically on him, and though I still couldn't make out what it was, I knew that it was evil.
"Dean!" I cried, my brother looking back at me over his shoulder, his green eyes piercing mine as a small smile crossed his face.
"Don't worry Sammy." He said softly, before turning back to face the danger.
"No! Dean!" I couldn't get close enough, couldn't move fast enough. All I could do was watch as the darkness swallowed up my big brother.
"No!" I screamed, bolting up in bed.
I looked frantically around the room, my breathing erratic as I struggled to get a grip on reality.
The bedroom door opened, and someone rushed in. I flinched away from the hands that settled on my shoulders.
"Sam, it's just me."
I squinted up, the light streaming in from the open door allowed me to recognize the worried face staring down at me.
"Jess." I sighed in understanding.
"Yes baby, I'm right here." She cooed and sat down on the side of the bed, her small hands sliding comfortingly up and down my arms.
I shivered, a cold sweat coded my skin as I placed a shaky hand onto Jess's thigh, in an attempt to ground myself.
"Take deep breaths Sam." She whispered, resting her palms against my chest.
I obeyed, sucking in one deep, but shaky inhale after another until I was no longer panting.
"That's it sweetheart." She encouraged with a smile.
"You alright?" Jess asked, her fingers gliding along my cheeks. It wasn't until I felt her wipe moisture from my skin that I realized I must have been crying.
"Yeah, sorry. It was just a nightmare." I apologized, knowing I had probably scared the crap out of her.
"It's okay. You get those a lot?" Jess questioned, sympathy oozing from her voice.
"Every now and then." I shrugged, because she was going to find out, we had just moved in to the same apartment last week.
She nodded, taking in the new information.
"You still sure you want to live together?" I questioned, sliding her loose blonde hair from face.
"I think I can handle some nightmares babe. Besides, it's kind of nice to know you aren't entirely flawless." She replied with a lighthearted grin.
"Believe me Jess, I'm not flawless." I stated, my tone portraying more emotion than I had intended.
"You don't give yourself enough credit Sam." She admonished lightly, resting her head against mine.
I leaned my forehead back in return and closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around her back. Some days I wished that I could tell Jess about my past, about who I am, but it was safer that she didn't know. I couldn't take that innocence from her. I would never introduce her to the world that haunted my dreams.
We stayed head to head for a moment, while I attempted to push the nightmare from my mind and absorb the peace and comfort Jess was providing.
I could feel here gaze studying me, her hands travelling up my chest to rest near my collarbone. By her silence and the eyes I could feel examining my face, I knew that my girlfriend was wondering what questions she should ask, if any. At this point in our relationship, Jess knew better than to pry. She knew that too many questions, especially about my past, caused me to shut down; but after my display, I didn't think she'd be able to resist making a few inquiries. Once I heard the young woman in front of me take a deep breath, I mentally braced myself for an onslaught of questions.
"Well, if you can put up with my shoe obsession and all of my annoying friends, I suppose I can live with your nightmares." She whispered, I could hear the smirk in her voice before I opened my eyes to see it.
"Although for your sake, I wish I could get rid of them." She finished, sad eyes staring into mine.
I smiled in response.
"I can handle it." I assured her confidently.
"I know you can." Jess responded, placing her hand along my jaw and bringing her lips to mine.
The kiss was sweet and soft, soothing my nerves and worries almost instantly.
"You should go study." I instructed her in a whisper as we pulled away.
"Buzz Kill." She accused.
I chuckled at the unexpected response, but the amusement faded as I was reminded of my brother and all the times he had given me the very same title.
The change of emotion must have shown on my face, because Jess' smile faded and her eyes shone concern.
"You going to be okay?"
I plastered on a convincing expression and nodded in confidence.
"I'm good."
The inquisitive look I received made it clear Jess wasn't buying it, but I kept my gaze steady, and eventually she nodded.
"I should be finished soon. You've got an early class tomorrow, so try and get some rest." My girlfriend instructed me, giving my upper arms a squeeze as she stood from the bed.
I lied back on the mattress, exhibiting my intention to do exactly that.
"I'll be in the kitchen, yell if you need anything." She stated, sending me a serious stare from the doorway.
"Yes m'am." I replied, miming a mock salute.
Jess laughed as she left the room, pulling the door partially closed, but not completely.
She was way to good for me, I thought as I rolled onto my side.
I tried to fall back to sleep, but all I could do was think about my brother.
I reached over to the bedside table and grabbed my cellphone, flipping it open and scrolling through my contacts.
I stopped at 'Dee'.
My finger hovered over the call button. It had been awhile since I'd talked to Dean. I called him quite often my first few months at school, but it became too painful. It became increasingly difficult to hang up the phone, and I was afraid that I would give up and go back to hunting, just so I could stop missing him.
So I stopped. I stopped calling in hopes that it would help me forget. Forget how much I missed Dean. How much I needed him, and more importantly, how much he needed me; because I couldn't go back to that life. I hated hunting. Hated what it did to my family. Hated what it did to my soul. So I had to stop calling, because I knew that if ever Dean asked me to return...I would go.
I also knew that there was no way I would be getting any sleep if I didn't know for certain that he was alright
I wouldn't have to use my voice, I just needed to hear his.
I pressed the green button, placing the phone to my ear and listening to the ring, only one went by before the call was answered, Dean had always been quick to pick up.
"Hello." He said, his gruff tone filling the dead air.
I couldn't stop myself from releasing a relieved breath I hadn't even known I was holding.
"Sammy?"
I froze, just now realizing I would raise Dean's suspicions if I simply hung up.
"You alright?" The concern in my brother's voice was clear as day and impossible to ignore.
"Come on man, you're freaking me out." He continued after a period of silence.
If I just hung up now, there was no doubt in my mind that Dean would jump in the Impala and drive straight here.
"I'm okay." I finally responded, voice soft and tired as I sunk into my pillow.
"I uuh...Just wanted to make sure that you were." I stuttered out after a moment.
"I'm good, little brother." I could hear the smile in Dean's answer and a lump appeared in my throat.
God I missed him.
Missed him so much that it hurt.
My chest physically ached.
"Okay." I choked out, immediately ending the call before my brother could speak another word.
I kept the closed phone in my grip, holding it against my chest as I closed my eyes; swiftly brushing away the tears that slipped out beneath my eyelids.
I felt my cell vibrate and I didn't need to check the collar ID to know who it was. I let it ring, because I had no doubt that I would fall apart if I were to answer.
A few minutes later I began to drift to sleep to the sound of Jess' clicking calculator and rustling pages, but I was pulled back to full consciousness by the single vibration against my chest.
A text.
I pried my eyes open, bringing the phone up to my face and flipping it open.
"Night Sammy."
I smiled at the simple words, thinking about how much I missed the childish form of my name that only Dean held the right to use.
With half-lidded eyes I texted my reply.
"Goodnight Dean."
I fell to sleep that night thinking about how grateful I was to have a beautiful, kind, girlfriend who was far too good for me and a brother who loved me even though I had broken his heart.
Maybe, just maybe, someday I could have a life where the people I loved the most in the world could meet and get to know each other.
A life where we could all be a family.
A life where we could be safe.
A life without the darkness that haunted my dreams.
A life where maybe, just maybe, we could all be happy.
Note: Thank you so much for reading! Please review/comment if you have a second. I would really appreciate the feedback! - Sam