Author's Notes: Three part short story taking place before Sam gets his soul back, through the fallout of Dean's decision, and awhile after. This part: Sam doesn't want his soul back and Dean knows it, but that doesn't mean he's gonna go along with it.
Summary: Season 6 spoilers. Even if Sam doesn't want it, Dean knows what's best for his little brother and he'll see him through the fallout.
Before the Fall
"Anything turn up?" Dean asked casually and handed Sam a beer.
"Not much." Sam responded with as much confusion as he could muster up these days. Dean grit his teeth. Sam was barely even annoyed. It was getting worse. Dean watched him carefully as he downed the beer. He was even more sure now. He had to do this.
"You should've let me go after the husband. He knows more than he's letting on."
Dean didn't argue with Sam, just nodded his head.
"Maybe."
It was strange for Dean to not try and explain to Sam why something would be wrong, to just acquiesce like that.
Sam shook his head, lightheaded for a moment.
"We could at least, um…" What was he going to say? Sam noticed the tips of his fingers felt numb and he stared at them curiously.
"You alright there, Sammy?"
"Yeah…just…" Sam looked up. His brother hadn't moved, wasn't tense, there was a calculated expression on his face and he watched Sam carefully. He wouldn't…Sam looked at his empty beer bottle and he thought he may have felt something like betrayal. "Y-You drugged me?"
Some brief flash of remorse flicked across Dean's features. He stood up, abandoning his own beer and walked closer to Sam.
"I had to." He wasn't trying to validate what he'd done, just telling Sam a fact.
"How could…why?"
Dean didn't say anything and Sam felt everything getting farther away. He tried to make it to the bed, but his legs gave under him. Before he could hit the floor, Dean caught him, holding him up.
"Dean…" Sam's vision blacked out and he slumped fully into his brother's grasp.
"I'm sorry, Sam."
And Sam knew he meant it