Hello! This is just a fic I wrote quickly. The plot bunny dropped into my head after rewatching some episodes of the show and demanded I write it, so here you go!

Enjoy :)

The Impala sped down the deserted highway, hot steel and burning rubber flashing down the cracked asphalt as Dean let her loose with his need for speed and carefree attitude.

The brothers had just finished their last gig the night before and were cruising US Route 50 in search of their next case. While their destination wasn't clear, Sam knew that Dean was cherishing the open road. Their encounter with the Mystery Spot and the trickster had only concluded two weeks ago, and even though Dean hadn't lived through the days as Sam did, the knowledge that they had been trapped in a loop of ever-ending deaths for him had set him on edge, even if he tried to hide it.

So, Sam let him cruise, basking in the freedom as well. The memory of watching Dean die everyday was still too fresh in his mind along with the pain of thinking he was alone for those six months when that fateful Tuesday had ended and time had kept going, leaving Dean behind.

Sam couldn't help but shudder and pull his arms closer to him. It was something he was trying to forget, but little reminders popped up everywhere, sending a part of him back to watching his brother die in front of him day after day.

"You okay Sammy?" Dean asked, shooting him a glance as he shouted over the music blaring from the Impala's speakers.

"I'm fine," he replied, speaking loud enough to be heard but not giving anything away.

Dean nodded and turned his attention back to the road, tapping his thumbs on the steering wheel in time with the music.

Sam allowed himself to relax to the familiar thrum of classic rock and his brother's presence, melting into the seat as he stared out the window aimlessly. He found himself in a sort of trance, the tension leaving his body as the sun warmed his skin and Dean's tapping soothed his mind.

He wasn't sure how long he stayed like that, but his eyes must have shut because the next thing he knew he was back. Back in the place he never thought he would have to see again.

The motel walls mocked him; the puke-yellow curtains, the musty smell of damp cigarettes, and the godawful alarm clock, staring him down, blaring Heat of the Moment. Sam felt his heart start to hammer wildly in his chest, his breath catching in his throat as his body started to shake.

This had to be a dream. They were out, the loop had been broken. Dean was fine, right?

Sam squeezed his eyes shut, rocking back and forth on the hard motel bed as he willed himself to wake up from the nightmare. I need to wake up!

His eyes snapped open. He jerked upright, trying to get his bearings, but his heart was thunderous in his ears, his chest on fire as his breaths came out in sharp wheezes. Then, a sound filled his mind, driving the wedge of panic deeper inside him. The song. It was still playing, worming its way into his head until it consumed everything inside him. The lament that paved his way to days filled with watching Dean die. It was all he could hear, ringing in his ears even as Sam clamped his hands over them, desperately trying to block out the noise.

This couldn't be happening. He couldn't be back! They had stopped it. Dean was okay! But then how could this be happening to him? What he thought was a dream was a reality because he was awake and the song wouldn't stop.

Sam curled further into himself, squeezing his head harder as he grit his teeth. He was vaguely aware of a sharp metallic taste filling his mouth, but he didn't care. All he cared about was making the music stop, letting the hell be over and getting his brother back.

He hardly felt it as someone grabbed the front of his coat and pulled him from where he was sitting onto the hard ground. The hands continued to travel over his arms, gently squeezing, but Sam jerked away. He wouldn't let the trickster win.

His heart continued to hammer in his chest and his breathing was too fast. Sam knew if he didn't calm down soon he would pass out. He could already feel the world getting fuzzy on the edges, blurring as his body tried to get oxygen but it was too much.

Just as it reached its peak and Sam was about to surrender to the darkness that called, a noise penetrated the thick fog of panic he was wrapped in. The noise was soft, gentle, and familiar.

Memories of laying in cheap motel beds, the scratchy feel of the sheets on his legs, and Dean filled his mind.

Like a key inserted into a lock, something clicked into place and Sam felt his breathing begin to slow and the rush of blood in his ears died down so the sounds of the world began to break through again.

As his body calmed, Sam felt the warm rays of the sun and the cool midday breeze as it ruffled through his sweat-soaked hair. He was sitting on the ground, small rocks and the grit of sand crunching under his boots as he shuffled his stiff legs out from the hunched position he had taken. Then, he felt it. Rough hands gently rubbing his arms in a soothing motion. As he focused, he realized that the hands were connected to a warm presence behind him. Someone, no, Dean, was pressed up behind him, his arms around Sam and his head gently resting on top of his. They were rocking gently and the noise Sam had heard was Dean humming. It wasn't any particular melody, just a soothing hum that Dean had mastered over the years. Any time Sam was sick, hurt, or scared growing up, Dean would hold him just like this and hum. It had never failed to relax Sam and it clearly still worked as Sam felt the last bit of tension leave his body as his arms, still clenched to his ears, dropped to his side.

"You with me Sammy?" Dean asked gently, his rough voice vibrating through Sam's body.

Sam nodded, still too overwhelmed to speak. He realized that his face was wet with tears and dipped his head, embarrassed now that his senses were coming back to him. He had just had a major freakout right in front of Dean. Dean had had to hold him like he was five again. But despite this embarrassment, he couldn't help but feel disappointed as Dean stood up from where he was positioned behind Sam's back. His presence was comforting, his warmth seeping into Sam.

As if reading his thoughts, Dean suddenly ducked into view in front of Sam.

"Don't worry, little brother, I'm not going anywhere. Just wanted to get a look at you. That was quite the freakout."

Sam ducked his head further and rubbed an arm across his face to wipe the tears that still lingered there. It was then that he felt a sharp sting on his bottom lip. Wiping his hand across it, it came back smeared in blood. He must have bitten it at some point during his freakout.

"Sorry," he mumbled as his face grew warm.

"Hey," Dean said, carefully grabbing Sam's chin and pulling it so their eyes met. Sam didn't see any hint of mockery in Dean's eyes, just concern.

"Don't go apologizing. Everyone's allowed to freak out sometimes," Dean soothed, grabbing a handkerchief from his pocket and gently dabbing it at Sam's split lip. "What freaked you out anyway? One minute we're cruising and the next you sit up in the seat, grabbing your head. You scared the hell out of me. I could barely get you out of the car you were freaking out so much."

Sam looked around for the first time and saw that they were indeed on the side of the road, the Impala's passenger door still open from when Dean had dragged him out.

Sam looked back at Dean's concerned face and couldn't help the fresh set of tears that pooled in his eyes.

"I… I was back there," he whispered as the tears fell.

"Aw, Sammy…" Dean said as he wiped the tears with his thumbs. Sam didn't have to give anymore details; Dean knew exactly what he was referring to. "I promise I'm okay. That's never going to happen again, alright? We talked to the trickster."

Sam sucked in a shaky breath, wincing when it pulled at his lip, and nodded. "I know, but that song…" his breath hitched and more tears spilled out. Dean wrapped him in a strong hug, letting Sam get the last of his emotions out as he cried.

When he was done, Dean released him but continued to hold him at shoulder length, keeping the contact between them.

"What song?" Dean asked as Sam finally calmed down.

"The one that played each morning on the radio. I was having a dream and I swear it felt so real. That's all I could hear and it just freaked me out I guess."

Dean cursed and stood up quickly, facing away from Sam and rubbing a hand over his face.

"Dean…?"

Dean turned around and Sam was confused at the guilt he saw on his brother's face.

"Sam, I'm so sorry. It wasn't a dream. I know the song you're talking about. I can remember waking up to it that day, but it must have slipped my mind. God, how could I be so stupid?"

Sam stood up, wavering slightly but he waved off Dean's hand. "What are you talking about?"

Dean sighed and glanced at the Impala. "The song started playing on the radio. I should have put two and two together. Almost immediately after it started you began freaking out. I tried to calm you down in the car while it was still playing. It wasn't until I turned the car off and got you out onto the ground that you began to calm down. I should have remembered."

"Dean, it was a mistake. You couldn't have known the song would play on the radio."

"No, but I'm your big brother and I should have remembered that it would freak you out. Hell, if anyone went through what you did and didn't react that way I'd be worried."

Sam shot Dean a small smile. "Well, I'm okay now. But why don't we stick to your tapes for a while and give the radio a break."

The guilt on Dean's face melted away as he grabbed on to Sam's cue to move on from the moment. His face morphed into a mischievous grin instead.

"Oh, so now you're interested in my tape collection?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Don't get used to it. This is for a limited time only. Your music taste still sucks."

They got back in the Impala and Dean shoved a cassette into the player, cranking up the volume louder than before as ACDC began to blast through the car.

"What's that Sammy? I couldn't hear you over my awesome music choices."

Sam just laughed as the Impala roared to life and sped back down the road, spitting gravel as the tires gripped the pavement and shot down the road.

While what happened to him last month would always be a part of his life, Sam knew that with his brother by his side, everything would be okay.