Breathe
AN: I've been wanting to write an ELAC follow-up for quite awhile. I just love Melissa Etheridge's song 'Breathe' and felt it fit this story. :)
Tears silently slid down his face as Sam watched Dean beat the trunk of the Impala over and over. With every stroke of the crowbar, Sam felt Dean's pain radiating outward. Several minutes later Dean stopped, dropping the crowbar to the ground, leaning over the beaten Impala. A lump formed in Sam's throat as he watched Dean's body shake, giving into tears. Within seconds Sam was by his brother's side.
"Sam, leave me alone. You shouldn't have to see me like this."
"It's a little late for that, Dean," Sam said, rubbing Dean's back in comforting, slow circles.
"Yeah, but I'm the older brother. I'm supposed to be protecting you, not the other way around," Dean insisted. Sam smiled tightly, struggling to swallow the lump that had risen to his throat.
"Dean, I'm your brother and I'm going to be here for you, whether you believe me or not. And like I said before I, I miss him too."
Dean felt his throat clench and his eyes well up again. "Can we…can we have that hug now?"
Sam gave him a watery smile, pulling Dean to him. "It'll be okay, Dean. I promise. I'm not going anywhere."
I'm all right
I'm all right
It only hurts when I breathe
Dean let out a gut-wrenching sob, burying his face in Sam's shoulder as he rode out his tears. Sam continued to rub Dean's back in a slow, soothing motion.
"I miss him so much, Sammy."
"I know you do. I know."
Dean held onto him for dear life, afraid that if he let go, Sam would leave him to. A few minutes later, he reluctantly pulled away from his younger brother, patting Sam's shoulder as he wiped furiously at his eyes, trying to erase any evidence that he'd been crying.
"So, Sammy, what do you say we try to fix this broken home of ours, huh?" he asked, motioning to the Impala. Sam stared at him in disbelief.
"You want me to help you fix the Impala?"
Dean shrugged. "Sure, why not? Oh, and one more thing."
"Yeah? What's that?"
"You tell anyone I cried on your shoulder I'm so kicking your ass," Dean threatened playfully, a ghost of the familiar smirk briefly lighting up his face. Sam smiled back, feeling his chest constrict painfully. Dean had a long way to go yet, but hopefully they could find their way back together and Sam might see the light return to his brother's eyes.
Longing for home again
But home
Is a feeling I buried in you…
THE END