A/N! Hi there! Yes, I'm so late, and I'm sorry but life is a pain and won't leave me to do what I want! So, here is chapter 26, which was really hard for me to write. It felt as though I couldn't put the pieces in the correct order, thus I am not satisfied with the final result, but I hope that it won't be that bad! No beta reader this time either, sorry, but she has broken her glasses and thus can't help me out right now! I have to thank all those awesome people who still read this and especially 'xxitisbluexx' for all the feedback and efford he gets into so as to read the story!
Thank you all, each and every one of you, for all the support!
So, I've said enough, off we go! A/N!

Chapter 26:

"Forgive me Brother, that's all I ask, give me strength to live at last..."

THEN...

Was it Fate or Luck who helped him, the hunter couldn't know, but somewhere around ten o'clock in the night he had finally found where Sam was... Clenching his fingers into a fist, Dean took in a deep breath and knocked at the door with the number 10 on it. Sam's eyes widened and his breath got caught in his throat, but his heart was beating so fast he thought it could break. He had to speak up, had to ask why Dean was there, had to push him away... Had to... But he couldn't do any of those things, for Dean was finally there, with him... Oh, God...

"You can stop now Sammy, for you've done well." Dean said and in less than a blink of an eye, he crashed Sam on his chest and locked his arms around his shaking shoulders, knowing that he wasn't going to let yet another second be wasted... And as the wind blew, the green eyed man could feel it surrounding him. But it couldn't come between him and Sam, not this time, not anymore... For he was holding him impossibly close, his grasps taking a hold of Sam's shirt. And as the next stroke of the clock was heard, Dean knew he had made the right choice, he had taken the right decision regarding the time that had been given to him...

NOW...

Dean inhaled deeply, time and time again, taking in as much air as his lungs could hold, because that air was filled with Sam's sweet scent, which could make Dean dizzy and at the same time, it could set his insides on fire. One breath, followed by the next, and then the next, and then one more, because there wasn't enough air, no, Dean needed more of it. Because for more than four months, Dean was nothing but an empty shell of what he used to be. He was a man who was constantly drowning in an endless sea of self loathing, guilt, pain, anger and despair.

But now, after all this time, he was able to breathe again, he was able to feel again, feel his blood running, hot like fire in his veins, he could feel the wind on his face, he could feel... He could feel Sam shaking in his embrace, he could feel the younger man struggling as he was trying to break free from Dean's vice-like hold, he could feel hot, uneven breaths on his neck. Dean's eyes flew open then, as realization hit him, and the green eyed hunter backed off a little, so as to be able to look Sam in the eyes.

"Sam, hey, listen to me-" "But Dean found himself unable to continue, for the look on his brother's face was one of pure horror, guilt and utter sadness. The younger man withdrew from Dean's embrace and got back in the room, with Dean right behind him. Once the door was shut and the food was placed on the small kitchen table, along with Dean's duffle, the middle Winchester cleared his throat and spoke, voice low, gentle.

"Sam, listen to me-" "Why are you here Dean? I walked out on you, so I think that I made it quite clear, I want a different kind of life." Sam, who had moved to the other side of the room and was standing as far from Dean as possible, said, voice fragile. "Sam, I'm here because-" "Why? Did something happen with dad? Why do you have your duffle with you? Where the Hell did you find the money to pay the room? And how did you find I was here in the first place?" Sam questioned, hands shaking. "Wow, wow, wow, slow down, stop thinking and talking so fast, God, how come your brain hasn't burn up yet?" Dean questioned, as he moved towards Sam, who reflexively, stepped back.

"Sam-" "No, answer me and stop fooling around! Why are you here, why did you hug me and how did you-" "I looked all around the town for you." Dean replied, cutting Sam off before the younger man could utter another word. "What-" "I looked all around town, and after hours of driving with one good hand, I finally found where you have run off to this time." Dean continued, raising his injured hand as he spoke, making Sam bite his lip at the sight. "Why?" Sam managed to whisper, even though his mind could work out the answer. "Because I needed to see you. Because like I said, you can stop playing now, little brother." Dean answered back, taking step after step towards his younger sibling.

When Sam's back hit the wall, Dean halted as well, knowing better than to box his brother between his own body and the wall. Stretching his hand, Dean cupped Sam's right cheek in his palm and spoke again. "I know everything Sam." Dean declared, and Sam's eyes flew open before narrowing again. "What the hell are you mumbling about, you make no sense." "I know everything Sam, all those things you didn't want me to know." "What things-" "I know about the Deal you and dad made Sam." Dean said and watched as a million emotions were painted on his brother's face at the same time.

"The shifter told me-" "Shifters lie-" "No Sam, this one wasn't lying, for it knew the truth would hurt more than any possible lie." Dean explained, tightening his hold on Sam's face, keeping it in place. "And then, after the shifter had spoken to me, I started putting the pieces together myself. But if that's not enough for you, there is also Bobby's confession of what had happened that day, between you and dad." Dean said and Sam opened his mouth, but closed it again, for there were no words he could find to answer back to his brother.

Seeing that Sam was at a loss of words once again, Dean moved even closer, letting his injured hand rest on the left side of Sam's face, while he ran his fingers through messed up brown locks. Sam swallowed hard and soundly, as he felt his eyes stinging with unshed tears. Silence then fell on the small room, and Sam was desperately trying to find a way out of this situation, but there seemed to be no such opportunity.

"It's fine Sam, I... I know you had to do this, it's alright Sammy. That's why I'm here, because like Bobby said, I couldn't let you go like that, I had to make a choice. So... I made a choice Sammy. I told dad the truth and... It wasn't easy, but it was necessary." Dean said, his gaze fixed on Sam's. Sighing wearily, Sam closed his eyes and hit his head on the thin wall. "Sam, stop-" But the younger man didn't stop, he hit his head on the wall again, this time harder than before, all while pushing Dean backwards forcibly.

Dean stepped back and Sam lashed out and away from him. For a split second he stayed completely still, standing in the middle of the room, with his back turned on Dean, who was standing frozen on the spot. The very next second however, Sam inhaled deeply and moved towards the small table. In a swift move, Sam threw everything on the floor, Dean's duffle, an old astray, as well as a vase with flowers in it, which went crushing down to the floor, shattering into pieces. Deep growls emerged from the younger man's throat, and Dean took a few steps towards him, stretching his hands out defensively, as if he wanted to calm down a wounded animal."Sam, Jesus, stop it-" "He had given me a promise, he was supposed to look out for you, not mess everything up!" Sam yelled, voice sharp, but desperate.

"Sam, listen to me, Bobby did what he thought best-" "He destroyed everything, he opened his mouth and now dad has thrown you out of the freaking house!" Sam yelled even louder, all while grabbing the chair which was next to the small table, tossing it on the nearest wall. Dean's green eyes opened wide at the sound of those words, as he understood that he had said but half of the story, which had led to Sam misunderstanding the purpose of Dean's sudden appearance.

"Sammy, no, you're wrong-" Dean tried to speak but Sam cut him off. "No... I'm not wrong, it was all for nothing, everything, there was no point in making a deal in the first place, I... I just thought..." But Sam's voice fainted as he looked down at his trembling hands, and tried to keep them steady. But what was the point? Dean had learned everything, and Sam had for one more time failed to keep him safe, had failed miserably and now all he could do, was to break down in front of him... "I thought I could protect you, I thought that I could, for once, for just this once, do something for you-" "Sam, hey, no, no Sam, come on, Sammy-" "I failed you and now dad kicked you out-" Sam started to say, only to stop as bile rose up in his throat.

The young man swallowed soundly, suppressing the sudden urge to vomit and then lashed out again, this time heading towards the mirror which was hanging on the wall. "It was all for nothing..." Sam muttered in between gritted teeth, as he clenched his fingers into a fist. "Sam, no, listen to me-" "I failed you, like I always do..." Dean heard his brother saying and felt his stomach flipping at the sound of Sam's broken voice.

He tried to speak again, but all words died in his throat, as he beheld Sam clenching his fingers into a fist. His eyes moved from Sam's hand to the nearest wall, and caught a glimpse of the mirror which was on it. Years of experience made Dean's body move with the speed of a firing bullet, for the older man knew what his brother was about to do. An agonizing gasp escaped his lips and Dean wasn't sure to whom it belonged to, for the sound echoed peculiar in his ears, but he moved nevertheless.

Sliding his good hand on Sam's chest, Dean tugged the younger hunter close to him, all while using his right leg to make his brother trip and thus, lose his balance. It was a trick John had taught them both long ago, and the green eyed man had never been more grateful about his training than he was at that moment. Dean held Sam and slowly lowered them both on the floor, making sure to be as careful as possible. In his embrace, Sam was shaking and gasping for air, all while trying to break free from Dean's hold.

Even though Dean couldn't bare to watch his brother's breakdown, he made sure that Sam had his eyes on him. Pressing his body on Sam's trembling one, Dean spoke, choosing his words carefully. "Sam, listen to me now, I need you, to listen to me." Dean said, letting his voice drop an octave, if not more. For all he knew, that tone made Sam unable to turn away from him. "Dad didn't kick me out, the money I payed the room with, came from him, not Bobby. I told dad the truth Sam and I will be returning to Sioux Falls on Saturday night. But until then, I needed to sort things out with you." Dean declared, moving his face into Sam's personal space.

"Sammy, the Deal wasn't useless, okay? And I'm not mad at you, for making such a choice Sam." The older man reassured, and could only watch the young man, who was trying, but was failing to process what his brother had just told him. "You didn't fail me Sammy, you didn't let me down..." Dean muttered in a low voice, as the fingers of his right hand moved the hair from Sam's frowned forehead.

Seeing that Sam's eyes were blurred and unfocused, Dean exhaled wearily, but kept his voice soft as he spoke. "Things between me and dad are fine Sam, do you understand that?" Swallowing hard, the younger man nodded his head and pulled himself on his feet, trying not to fall back down as he did so. Dean followed suit and when they were both back on their feet, Sam spoke, voice bitter. "So... what you're saying, is that dad knows you're here, alone, with me." Dean let his good hand rest in between Sam's tensed shoulder blades and then lifted his eyes to catch a glimpse of him on the window of the small room.

Dean saw his brother lowering his head in what could easily be anger, but was nothing of that sort. "Sam, the deal helped. Dad got the time he needed and the fact that I'm here right now, proves this point-" "Dad will never be okay with what we had. He will never forgive me." Sam cut off, trying to move away from his brother's touch. "Sam, no, he told me that I-" "But that's not the point." Sam continued and Dean heard himself saying words he thought he never would. "You're right, dad isn't the point right now. He's not the reason why, you want to break everything in here." The green eyed man stated, moving even closer to his brother.

"The point is, that Bobby should have never-" "The point is, that for yet another time, you're blaming yourself, you think that you've failed me, that everything that has happened, is your fault." Dean said, knowing that Sam was blaming himself. "The point Dean, is that I made this so called 'deal' and told all those lies to you, for your own good. And yet, all I managed to do, was to cause you pain." Sam continued, voice breaking as he spoke. "The point is, that for yet another time, you're too blinded by your love for me, that you refuse to see that all this mess, is my fault. You refuse to put the blame on me, just like you were refusing to accept the fact that my stupidity almost got you killed on that hunt with the werewolves." Sam muttered.

"Sam, no, we've talked about this and neither what happened then, nor what happened this time was your fault-" "No? Why not Dean?" "Did you know that dad would be coming back when he did?" Dean questioned, not waiting for Sam to reply. "No, you didn't know it. You didn't know, and you saw him standing right in front of you, by the doorstep. So, you did what you thought best. You did the only thing that was there to be done." Dean stated, but Sam wouldn't have that.

"Oh, please Dean, aren't you tired of making excuses for every bullshit that I do? Aren't you tired of getting hurt because of me?" Sam asked, voice high, and shaky. "Sam, no, things are not like that-" Oh, come on Dean, for just this once, speak up for yourself. Blame me, call me names, punch me, and then leave." Sam said, pressing his palm on his face. "What?" Was all Dean managed to reply, his voice sounding thin and quivering. Sam swallowed hard and turned around, facing his brother, who seemed lost. "You want me to leave?" Dean muttered as he felt his chest heaving.

"Dean, I... I never wanted things to go the way they did Dean." "This isn't what 'I've asked you Sam!" Dean hissed in anger, and Sam flinched at the sharp tone. "Wait, please, just hear me out, Dean, please." Sam whispered and the older man exhaled loudly, nodding his head. "Dean, I'm... I'm sorry that you had to go through all that, and I never wanted you to learn what had happened." "But now I know what has happened Sam and I came here for you, and instead of-" "Instead of doing what Dean? Huh?" Sam snapped, raising his voice. "You've done more than you had to, you have spoken up to dad, you've taken off to find me and sort things out between us. Well, things are sorted out, at least from my part." "Where is this monologue going Sam?" Dean questioned, anger building up in his voice.

Pressing his hand on his face even more, Sam sighed and let even more tears ran down his face. He knew there was no point in holding them back anymore. "Dean... You may have learned the truth, but this doesn't change the fact that I'm leaving. So, whatever it is that you hoped we would do, other than have a nice, chick-flick like talk, well, it's not going to happen." Sam uttered voice weak, broken. Dean stayed silent for a few moments, but then lifted his eyes to meat wet, hazel ones. "Do you want me to go away?" Dean whispered again, taking a step towards his brother, invading his personal space. Sam's breath hitched then, as his mind recalled that same phrase, which his brother had uttered, only a few hours ago.

"Dean..." "Answer me!" Dean yelled then, pushing Sam on the wall, while using his good hand to pin both of Sam's hands above his head. Their faces were so close to one another, that Sam could breathe in, Dean's own breath. Sam tried but failed to move away, his body too drained to fight back. "Why?" Dean questioned, an ocean of sadness in his green eyes. "Why are you doing this to me?" Dean muttered, his voice cracking. Sam's eyes widened even more then, and he breathed out a shaky breath. There was no room for more lies at that moment, that he knew for sure. So, screw it all, he was going to speak his mind.

Several minutes passed in silence however, with the sound of Sam's uneven breaths being the only indication that he was still alive. Swallowing, the young man looked at his feet, whilst Dean took yet another step closer, and now their chests were touching. "Answer me Sam, I have the right to know. Do you want me to leave you?" Dean said, and the tone made his brother blink owlishly. That was it. He had to speak, to make his brother leave, because what could come out of this meeting? Gathering up his courage, Sam opened his mouth and..."No... God, no, no, no, no... Dean, no... You don't understand, I don't want to hurt you..." The young hunter mumbled over and over again, his breath quickening. His own words surprised Sam, who could only stare at his brother, eyes wide open, pleading.

"You have to go away Dean, please, don't do this to yourself..." Sam immediately rasped, as he tried to get his mind under control. "Why, Sam? Why do I have to leave? How can you even ask this of me now, after all this time, after all those lies? We finally got a chance to-" "Dean, we have nothing, all we have, is three days and then-" "Three days are more than enough. Let us spend those days together, do things together, enjoy this, while we can." Dean muttered, pressing his body on Sam's. "Dean-" "Three days is all I'm asking of you." Dean whispered, lips only inches from Sam's trembling ones.

"No, Dean... Please don't ask this of me... Don't ask me to hurt you like that..." "Hurt me? Sam, are you listening to yourself? Why spending three days with you would end up with me getting hurt?" Dean questioned, eyes narrowing. Sam sighed bitterly then and licked his lips so as to be able to speak. "Because, were we to come together again now, after all those months..." Sam replied, turning his face away, burying it in the crook of Dean's neck. "Then you wouldn't be able to let me go. You would get close to me again, and you would be unable of moving on, you would be unable of letting me go... I can't put you through something like that. I just, can't." Sam confessed, voice low, cracked.

Dean's body went rigid then, as his eyes flew open at the sound of Sam's words. "Sam, I-" "But it's not just about you Dean... In fact, I'm the coward one. Because I wouldn't be able to close the door and leave you here." The younger man uttered, breathing in his brother's scent. Dean smiled sadly then, running the fingers of his good hand through Sam's brown locks, tugging them upwards, obliging him to meet his eyes. "You're right. I won't be able to let you go, not now, not ever Sam." Dean said, honesty filling his voice, as the anger was melting away. "But you will leave me regardless of that." At the sound of those words, Sam's heart reached his throat and tears ran down his eyes anew. "No! Dean, no, no, I don't-" Sam's voice echoed loud in the small room, but the older man was fast on stepping in.

"Shh, no, hush, hush Sammy, shh..." Dean almost pleaded, letting go of his brother's wrists to cup both sides of his wet face in his hands, while laying a kiss on Sam's frowned forehead. "You'll leave me Sam, because going to Stanford is your dream. You've defined everyone and everything to fight your way to this college. And that's what I want you to do. I want you to go out there and save the world, protect the weak, defend the innocent, condemn the guilty..." "No, Dean I-" "You will follow your heart Sam, I know you will, and I am so damn proud of you, little brother..." Dean continued, eyes shining with adoration as he spoke.

"Dean, please-" "You're going to be a lawyer Sam, and you're going to get me out of prison one day." Dean said, chuckling slightly as he spoke. "But this day is yet to come, little brother. But for all I know, we have lost five months. For better or for worse, those days have come to pass and they won't be coming back." "Dean-" "Listen to me Sam, please..." Dean pleaded as he brushed Sam's tears away with his thumbs. "So, we've lost all this time Sam, and it can't come back, not ever. But we still have three days. So, the only thing I want, is for you to give me these three days... And then, I'll get you to the bus station." Dean whispered, lips ghosting over Sam's dry ones.

The mere possibility of a kiss was enough to send shivers down Sam's spine. "Why can't you see it Dean? This is why I want you to leave..." Sam breathed, hooking his hands on Dean's shirt. "I can't do this to you, not after everything... I can't be with you for three days and then take off, leave you here like that!" He continued, desperate to pass his point across. "I can understand that Sam, but-" "But what Dean? What? You shouldn't even be able to be near me after all the lies I've served you! You should want to punch me until I fall flat on the freaking floor, not caress me!" Sam snapped, making Dean huff in annoyance.

"Would you stop asking me to beat the crap out of you?" Dean rasped, losing his patience. "You have to understand Sam, that even though I don't like what has happened, I have nothing to blame you for, little brother." Dean continued, laying a hand on Sam's lower back. "You made a hard choice Sammy-" "I made a wrong choice Dean." Sam corrected his brother, but Dean ignored him. "What else was there to be done but this, Sammy? Given the circumstances you did what you thought best." Dean said, as he tried to reason with his brother once more, while moving his hands on Sam's shaking shoulders.

"No... Don't say this Dean, say anything else, but this. Get angry, get furious, yell at me, come on, do something!" Sam said, voice raising yet again, as what little self-control he had managed to gather was slipping away from him. "Sam, I would have done the same if the situation was reversed. I would have done anything to save you from the pain-" But Sam wouldn't let his brother continue. Raising his voice, the younger man cut Dean off and pushed him backwards, getting away from him yet again.

"Save you from the pain, yeah, that was my ultimate goal, but as you can probably tell..." Sam snapped, underlining the word 'probably', as he spoke, "All I did, was to break you, so many times, using harmful words, and cheap, pathetic lies." Sam breathed, in a weak voice. "Sammy-" "And for that Dean, I'll never forgive myself." The younger man continued, turning around to face his brother, his eyes big, sad and tear filled. "I would have done the same thing Sam, you know it." Dean declared, repeating his words, feeling his heart breaking at the sight of his brother's trembling figure standing in front of him. "What? You would have done what, Dean? Would you lie to me like I lied to you? Would you betray me like that?" Sam said, trying to yell, but failing, as a sob emerged from his lips.

"Sammy-" "No Dean, just no! You wouldn't have done the same, because you're a good man, a great son and a brother I don't deserve... So you have to do something, you can't just erase all those horrible lies I've told you just because you learned I was forced to do so!" Sam yelled then, clenching his fingers into fists for yet another time. "Sam, I won't lie, what you did messed me up, and it hurt like hell, but now I know why you did the things you did, why you said the lies you said." Dean replied, growling as he spoke. But as his green eyes scanned Sam, they could see how his brother had reached his limits. All those months, all the lies and the heartbreak had taken their toll, and for all Dean knew, Sam was experiencing Hell right then, for he was thinking everything he had done, had been for nothing.

"Fine, you won't get mad about what I've done to you willingly? Then I'll make you angry right the fuck now! That way, you'll leave me alone, you'll get away from me, away from all the pain I cause you!" Sam said and Dean could tell his brother had lost whatever self-control he had. Swallowing, Dean braced himself for what he knew was coming and vowed to stay strong and not break. Sam had done everything to protect him and he had gone through so much for his sake. So, Dean wasn't going to give up on his brother, not now, not after spending all those months away from him. He would stay there, and he would take whatever Sam had to offer. He would make things between them good again, before letting Sam take the road to California.

"I'll make you angry right the fuck now!" Sam yelled again, all while clenching his fingers into a fist. in less than a blink of an eye, the younger man punched Dean's chest hard, hissing at the burn his knuckles were feeling. Dean however, stayed still and locked his jaw in place, so as to stop the moan of discomfort from escaping his lips, as Sam punched him again, this time with his other hand. Dean, refused to utter a word, or take a single step backwards, as Sam kept punching him, again and again and again, all while sobbing and muttering almost incoherent words in between. But Dean could understand them all, could hear every broken plea, every single apology, each and every cry for punishment, which was nothing more but a desperate cry for forgiveness and redemption.

Dean let Sam hit his chest time and time again, until his hands were too shaky to even be able to obey to Sam's wishes. He let him yell that Dean should get pissed and do something to him until his voice was hoarse, he let him apologize and plead for forgiveness more times than he could count, until Sam's sobs got in the way and his words got trapped in his throat, along with his uneven breaths. Only then did the older man let his hands hover over the sides of Sam's pained face, all while his lips moved. "I've nothing to forgive Sammy, nothing baby..." Dean whispered, his own voice cracking as he spoke. "And I won't leave you again..."

"You've been braver than I will ever be Sam, you fought for me, you stood up for me, and for that, I could never be mad at you. And for the record, I should be the one apologizing for not seeing what was going on, I should apologize for leaving you there, in that parking lot, when you asked me to stay with you..." The green eyed man continued, taking one more step closer to Sam, who was shaking violently. "I'm right here, right here, with you Sammy... I love you, baby boy." The hunter whispered, leaning his forehead on Sam's sweaty one as he spoke. At the sound of those words, Sam shuddered even harder, and Dean thought he was convulsing.

"Sam? Sammy, just take it easy-" But a muttered whimper cut the older man off and made his eyes fly open. Sam found the chance then and moved a few steps backwards, and away from his brother yet again. "You mean it?" Dean heard Sam asking, insecurity pouring out of him. "Yeah, I mean it Sammy, I mean it baby..." Dean replied and then silence fell in the room. Sam's mind was blank, but as those words echoed in his ears, his heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard and tried to think of what to do next, but his mind had shut down a while ago, and there was only one thing his body wished for. And it was exactly what it did. "I'm falling..." Sam managed to utter, right as his legs went numb and as a sob emerged from deep within his throat, mixing with the words he had just spoken.

Sam felt his knees giving out on him, and hot tears running down his cheeks anew, right as the last syllable escaped his lips. But before Sam could blink, happened what he had hoped for. The younger man found himself manhandled and pulled to a lean, muscular chest, by strong hands, which prevented him from hitting the floor. He felt the all too familiar beat under his right ear and shivered as hot breaths met the top of his head, while callused, yet tender hands towered over his shoulders. "No Sammy, no baby boy, you're not falling. Because I'll always be the one to shield you, the one to catch you before you fall." Dean muttered and Sam's teary eyes flew open, for this wasn't the first time he had heard those words coming out of Dean's lips.

No, it wasn't the first time. Dean had declared that he would always be there for Sam, whether he liked it or not, because that was who Dean was, who he ever wanted to be. Those same words had echoed in Sam's head as he beheld his father standing at the door of Bobby's guestroom, those very words had given Sam the strength to make up his mind and make a Deal with his father. Because Dean could never learn that they had been caught lying in bed together. No, Sam would protect his brother, for just this one time... But as he felt Dean's hands holding him upright, Sam's eyes blurred even more. He had failed, and it didn't matter that Dean thought otherwise...

"I'm sorry... Dean, D'n, I'm sorry..." Sam muttered in between ragged, pained breaths, as his hands were shaking. "Sam, it's alright little brother, it's alright-" "I... I don't want you to go Dean... I want you to stay, I need you to stay..." Sam whispered as Dean moved them both towards the small bed and lay them down on the scratchy mattress. "Dean, I-" "Shh... No, no Sammy, it's alright, let it all go. I'm right here Sammy. I've got you now, I've got you..." Dean said, letting Sam curl his body into a ball before leaning as close to him as possible. Dean gathered the shaking man in his embrace and allowed him to bury his face in the crook of his neck, feeling the hot inhales and exhales as Sam was trying to fight the sobs back.

"I've got you Sammy..." Dean muttered again, as he felt Sam's erratic heartbeat under his left palm. "I'm so, so sorry..." Sam replied yet again and then Dean's eyes blurred, but his mind cleared up, finally understanding what Sam needed to hear so as to let himself go. "I forgive you. I forgive you Sam..." Dean whispered as he buried his nose in Sam's brown hair. Strange thing, the power the words hold, isn't it? Dean had nothing to forgive, that he was sure of. And he had made that clear, but Sam hadn't been convinced. Thus, Dean let the words escape his lips, knowing that they were capable of making Sam feel better. Because maybe, just maybe, if Dean uttered those words, if he said them aloud, then Sam would be able to someday, forgive himself as well.

"I forgive you Sammy..." Dean whispered in Sam's hair yet again. And that was all it took, those words were the ones which pushed the younger man over the edge. His body tensed and his hazel eyes flew open before closing tightly as his hands grabbed fistfuls of Dean's shirt. He took in a sharp breath and let his tears fall, let the sobs overtake him for yet another time. Dean bit his lip hard at the feeling of hot tears on his neck and at the feeling of a stiff body been wracked by the violent sobs, while he held it in his embrace. But he kept all words for himself, because he knew that Sam wouldn't be able to hear them.

God, Sam had never been more ashamed of himself ever before, he was breaking down for yet another time and this time, Dean was there with him... He was witnessing his breakdown and a part of Sam wanted to disappear. Another part of him however, wanted, needed Dean there, needed to hear the muffled whisperers of encouragement Dean was mumbling. And when Sam tried to speak up, Dean stepped in, urging Sam to let it all out, to cry, because in times like that one, tears could offer inner peace and tranquility.

With those whispers, every bit of shame poured out of Sam, becoming one with his tears, leaving him vulnerable, shaking, but lighter as well. This was Dean, and Dean would never be ashamed of him, because no matter what would happen, Dean would always... "I love you..." The green eyed hunter uttered and Sam lost himself in between short, shallow breaths and got dizzy, the only thing keeping him grounded were Dean's hands on the back of his shirt. He didn't know where he was, or if it was day or night, he had forgotten everything and everyone, save Dean, who was there, a solid body which was shielding his own trembling one.

"Sorry, I'm sorry, sorry,so sorry..." Countless times Sam begged for forgiveness, countless times Dean granted it to him. Countless times Sam muffled his sobs in the crook of Dean's neck, and even more times did Dean's hands tightened around Sam's shaking shoulders, caressing them as if they were made of glass. Countless times, because the hours seemed to crawl, because the sun seemed unwilling to rise and shine up above Men, who so desperately needed the light in their hearts... And so, the long hours of the night went on and on, with Dean holding Sam as close to him as possible, all while whispering all kinds of soft, chick-flick nonsense he could come up with.

Because Sam needed him right then, needed him more than he had ever before. He was crying hard, his entire frame shaking as if it could break and that was something Dean would never make fun of. No, he would never do that, because Sam had been dead inside for all this time. He had stood up and fought for what he held dear. But the battle was vicious and had scarred him deeply. So, Dean let his brother cry, because tears were not a sign of weakness. No, they were the sign of life. They meant that a baby was healthy and well, and in this case, they meant that Sam was letting all go and was starting to feel again, after all this time.

He was starting to feel, he was letting himself feel that he wasn't alone anymore. He was trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Dean was there, with him, and that he knew everything... God, he was trying, trying so hard to gather himself up, but he couldn't, for he was all over the place, broken in tiny bits and pieces, which were now picked up by Dean's tender hands, one, by one, and then one more, until he was starting to feel whole again. When the first rays of sunlight lit up the sky, tearing the night sky apart, putting it on fire, that was when Sam's sobs eased a little, and he moved a few inches away, so as to meet Dean's emerald gaze.

"Sammy?" Dean uttered in a low voice, not sure that his brother was with him for real. At the sound of Dean's words, tears welled in Sam's hazel eyes, making Dean's face frown with worry. Sam however, managed to clear his throat so as to speak, his voice hoarse and raw. "You're still here..." Sam muttered and Dean's lips formed a weak smile. "Can't get rid of me that easy now, can you?" Sam swallowed hard then, feeling his throat aching. "Let me get you some water-" But Sam held Dean in place, stopping him from moving away from the bed, away from him.

"I... Thank you, Dean, thank you for everything." The younger man rasped, voice unsteady. His hazel eyes shined as he lifted them up, meeting tired, but equally shiny emerald ones, which sparkled under the sunlight which was now illuminating the room. "I did what I have always done Sammy... What I wanted to do." Dean replied, voice soft. With his palm the older hunter moved brown locks away from his brother's forehead, before leaning forwards, stopping only mere inches away from Sam's lips. "I did what I wanted, and that's what I'm going to do right now as well." He muttered, feeling Sam's body shaking. "Forgive me..." Sam whispered in such a low voice that Dean almost missed the words. "I have nothing to forgive, but if you need to hear it again, then..." Dean whispered, lips ghosting over Sam's tasting salty tears.

"I forgive you..." Dean said before covering the few millimeters which were keeping them apart, brushing his lips over Sam's gently, slowly and tenderly, licking them so as to gain access to that mouth he had come to adore. And when Sam moaned lowly, all while opening his mouth, Dean let his tongue caress every single inch, every hidden spot, for they all were his to claim. Sam tightened his hold on the front of Dean's shirt as he felt hot, puffy lips meeting his own, for he knew that feeling and he could tell that a fire had just started to burn deep inside him. Dean moaned as well, as his lips were met with the familiar taste of Sam's spit, and he pushed himself even closer to his brother as he inhaled the very same molecules of oxygen as the younger man did.

The green eyed hunter broke the kiss after a while, but kept his brother close to him, feeling him relaxing in his arms. "I've made a mess of your shirt." Sam muttered chuckling slightly. Dean smiled back at him as he made himself comfortable on the small bed. "Yeah, but, well... What can I say, other than you'll buy me a new shirt?" Sam's laughter was something Dean did not expect to hear and it caused a shiver to run down his spine. Pure and relieved it was, filled with love and gratitude. It was then that the green eyed man understood Sam had found his old self, or at least, most of it. And he couldn't be more happy at that moment, of that he was sure.

That moment, during which the sunlight illuminated the small room, casting the long, dreadful shadows away, casting all the lies, as well as all the hurt away, drying the tears which had been enough so as to flood the room... That moment, during which the truth was shining, bright, brighter than the sun itself, Dean eyed Sam, and saw the brother he loved so much. He saw the lines from his forehead began to fade, he saw the color returning to his cheeks, he saw those captivating hazel eyes shining and lost himself in them, in between the lines of green, blue and brown.

Dean lost himself in Sam's eyes for what could have been forever, and felt his own eyes blurring at the sight of his brother, who was staring at him as though the older man would disappear at any moment. "So, three days is what we have..." Sam uttered, breaking the silence. "What do you say, we make the most of them?" He continued, letting his hands caress Dean's chest. Dean's eyes flew open then, but eventually soften, as the green eyed hunter lowered himself on the bed, cupping the back of Sam's head with one hand, as well as his lower back with the other, bringing them impossibly close. "Hell yeah Sammy, Hell yeah." He replied, as his lips met Sam's...

Thus, a new day was at hand, a bright day, which was meant to bring back the happiness, the hope and the closeness, which had been stolen from within Sam's grasp that one day, almost five months ago. And this time, nothing would get in the way. Because a new day was at hand, and this meant the mistakes of the past were known and forgiven... And the calendar said the day was Thursday, the 21th of August...

A/N! So, here ends chapter 26! I hope that you've enjoyed it! So, I have to say that the next chapter will most likely be the last one. Even if it's not, there will be two more chapters at most. As I've said before, the story will have a happy ending, so keep that in mind! I don't know exactly when the next chapter will be coming out, but I'll try and make it as soon as possible! Thank you all, yet again, for everything!

I hope that I haven't let you down with this one! Tell me what you think, if you want! So, until next time,

I love you all,
Usagi!