Dean comes back from a hunt to find a familiar stranger in his room. Set pre-series, extraordinarily vague non-spoilers for later series.

What if Sam spent the year in a mental hospital instead of hitting a dog and falling in love with Amelia? Set in the beginning of Season 8, right after Dean gets out of Purgatory. Trigger warning for Suicide attempt.

He should have just gotten killed in a hunt. Fuel for their psychotic mission for revenge. The way a Winchester dies. As a last favor to Dean, he would die in the hunt. Starts the night Sam gets his acceptance letter.

Dean didn't think twice before calling Sam for help... of course he didn't... he didn't doubt his brother now, did he? Tag to 9.13 The Purge

So how is Dean going to get rid of the Mark of Cain?

Dean is 12 and Sam is 8 the first time Dean is more seriously injured on a hunt. This is about how the family handles hurt that each of them feel. Hurt/Injured Dean, Caring/Scared Sammy, Good/Serious John

Missing scene for 8X09 "Citizen Fang." Nothing really screams trust quite like leaving your brother handcuffed unconscious and bleeding to a radiator.

( A short story of Brothers Lost ) A familiar face comes to visit Sam when he's lying on Death's door, only he's looking a little… shorter than normal.