"You're joking, right?" Dean looked at Sam incredulously, unable to believe the words that had just come out of his brother's mouth.
Sam shrugged, slightly embarrassed. "Dean, it's not like I'm suggesting that we go on a cruise or something. I just want to go to the beach for the day."
"Beaches are for pansies." Dean responded, shaking his head. "I don't believe it, Sam."
Sam rolled his eyes, now just frustrated. "Dean! Come on, don't be a jerk."
"Then don't be a b*tch, Sam! Don't be a girl."
Sam blinked a few times, confused, but managed to come back. "We're going. You have no say. We deserve a vacation."
Dean groaned almost unceasingly the whole way to the ocean; but because he continued to drive toward it, Sam knew he was at least partially teasing. So Sam knew that Dean wasn't really too opposed to the idea. He just had to keep up the tough-guy facade. Sam didn't mind that, even though Dean wouldn't stop saying how girly this whole trip was.
When they finally got there, it was nicely empty. There were only a few families on the whole stretch of sand.
Sam got out of the car and walked around to Dean's side. He was shocked to realize that Dean was wearing jeans and his black t-shirt.
"Dean!"
"What?!" Dean protested, then followed Sam's gaze down to his outfit. "What? I don't have a bathing suit. What did you expect me to wear?"
Sam rolled his eyes. "Shorts, maybe?"
"Uh, hmm, no. I don't do shorts, remember?"
"Fine. Fine. But I'm making you swim."
"No."
"Yes, Dean."
"No Sam."
Sam looked at his brother, saw his determined expression, and sighed resignedly. He was honestly surprised that he'd gotten Dean to the beach in the first place.
He'd always wanted to go to the ocean, but they'd never really gotten the chance to enjoy it; even when they were in an area near it. Dad had always been too hurried to let them do anything fun.
"Fine. Let's go to the pier."
Dean knew Sam had always been interested in visiting the ocean. That was the only reason he agreed to it. It was important to Sam; and Sam was important to him. Sure, he complained, but it wasn't real. And he knew that Sam knew that.
They walked side-by-side down the pier, silently enjoying each other's company.
Dean could tell Sam was completely at ease , for once. Even though he couldn't exactly do the same, it was enough to see that his brother was able to let go of his worries, if just for a little while.
He looked over the dark blue-green water, the small waves, and sighed in contentment. If Sam was happy, he was happy. He didn't need to have a vacation, but if Sam did, then that was fine with him. And maybe, he could admit—just to himself—, maybe he liked it just a little bit too. It was relaxing.
It was a bit of a struggle for him not to mention the hunt they had just completed, but he did it, knowing that Sam didn't want to talk about it.
It was implied that this day was supposed to be normal.
Dean didn't see the point in it, but he was beginning to understand why Sam needed it.
"Wanna sit?" Sam asked a few minutes later, as they reached the end of the concrete pier. There were no railings, so the sat next to each other, legs dangling off the side.
A pod of dolphins leaped around in the water a ways away, and Dean smiled at Sam's delighted expression. The kid had probably never seen dolphins in real life.
That made him even more glad he'd decided to agree to this trip.
They didn't have to talk, they just sat, watching the dolphins break the surface, splashing around.
He wondered what it would be like to have such a simple life. With no worries, no cares.
He looked down as the small waves broke against the concrete wall, splashing up but not reaching their feet.
Sam sighed happily, and when Dean glanced over at him, he smiled. "Thanks for coming with me, Dean."
Dean grinned and nudged his brother's shoulder with his own. "Well I wasn't gonna let your first experience of the ocean be by yourself. What kind of big brother would I be then?"
Sam smiled again, and leaned in a little closer, so they were almost touching. "You'd still be the best."