A. N. For today's prompt (well, somewhere is still Monday, including Lebanon, Kansas): First scene that pops in your mind when you hear/think about Supernatural. While pretty much anything can make me think of Supernatural, I'll always giggle at how Demon Dean can be as evil as he wants to Sam, but the minute he disparages Baby, that's going Too Far. And, well, I've always wanted Demon Dean to last longer, so...enjoy if you're warped like me.

Paying Dues

Sam knows he's been stupid, and reckless, and - well, he's not going to have time to tell himself off. Not with Dean looming over him, eyes black as tar. Which he can because, by now, Sam instinctively curls in the tiniest ball he can when his brother strides in slamming the door. Sam's trying to shield what little he can, and convey he doesn't want to fight at the same time. He's lost that right long ago.

Back when Dean decided not to kill him, after all, because Sammy would just be demonized in a flash and be a pain in his ass as usual, and offered to let him tag along instead. As a toy. Chew, sex, or whatever Dean was in the mood for. And Sam had been so starved for his brother that he'd nodded along.

"Are you trying to make me break a few more limbs, Sammy? That what you want?" It's a dark growl. Dean grabs his wrist - of the arm that wasn't in a sling back when they'd set off (that one didn't get to heal right) and just. Squeezes. Until Sam's pretty sure his bones are grinding against each other.

He holds the whine in as best he can and shakes his head. Frankly, using the old nickname in that tone is the worst. He can handle pain. That's nothing new.

"Then what? Do you want a pretty collar? Should I keep you chained up? Because I didn't think I had to explain it, Sammy. Toys stay put when you drop them."

Should he play oblivious, or would that just piss Dean off more? "I didn't think - "

"Weren't you supposed to be the smart one? Or did I finally fuck that out of you?" Dean lets go, and his eyes switch to green, too. Even if Sam knows it's not a clue that can't fail, he can't help the smile that answers the sneer his brother gives him. Maybe things are getting better, he's far from out of hot water.

"Maybe," he mumbles, with just the right amount of self-loathing to keep Dean happy. The truth is - he is ashamed, of a lot he's done and most he's ever failed to do, but giving in to that? It was too easy. Plunging into things he'd craved since he'd understood what craving was. "Why are you angry?" he breathes, in the end. Sure, he didn't stay put, per Dean's words. But he's back in their room, isn't he? Before Dean arrived, even. If his brother had to wait for him, this would be more than warranted.

"I forgot something in the car," is all Dean says.

Oh. So he's already seen. Sam kinda hoped he'd be able to distract him next time they left. "I've just - cleaned - a little." No pronouns. It wouldn't be the first time he'd mess up, using 'her' for it, and well. That's the point, is it? Besides, it really was almost nothing. Actually dump some trash. Make sure there were no new and improved bacteria festering in the corners. The human version of his brother would still want his hide for how he'd let the car go. At least, he didn't have time to even try his 'how to get sulphur smell out of leather' trick, and Dean 2.0 still doesn't know how to bring back a deleted history. Now, if he was caught doing that, he'd really learn what a knight of hell can do, probably. And maybe he'd deserve it.

"He's not coming back." This time there isn't even anger in Dean. Just - a finality that Sam doesn't have the strength to argue against. And every day more, he loses the will to fight for it. Say he can actually manage to save his brother. To finish the ritual, and have Dean - the original, the inimitable - back. He's going to lose him anyway.

It's not like Dean hasn't decided they are better apart,once or twice. And his disgust when Sam cavorted with Ruby...well, either he also wipes his brother's memories (though he doubts that recipe will pop out on google) or a newly human Dean would insist Sam actually change hemisphere. For both their sakes. So, he nods. "I know. It's not that."

"Not, huh?" A snort says what his brother thinks of that. "Then what?"

"She's" - uh oh. Here they are again. Sam ducks his head, apologetic. "It's never disappointed you. It shouldn't be punished."

"It's just a fucking car," the demon says between gritted teeth.

"It was more." Just by existing, Sam had ruined his brother's life. And as jealous of her as he's sometimes been, the Impala, just by existing, has helped. She's been the cornerstone. Home and permanence and, if not all, a lot of what they weren't allowed to really have. Because Sam being born woke Azazel's interest and so on. And, as eager he is for all the wrong things he gets from his demon brother, he's still - almost relieved, because even Dean's anger helps. Sam has a debt that he can't ever hope to even put a chink into, much less repay. Whatever Dean feels like dishing, he's earned. Many times over.

But the Impala? The Impala has a credit - and if Dean forgot that, Sam hasn't. He can't do much. He doesn't really treat her well. But sometimes, he does what he can.

"I know. I was pathetic."

"No." It's a long time since he's dared to argue anything, but this time, it slips out before he even realizes he's spoken aloud. "I - I don't want him back, necessarily. Not going to fight for it. But you weren't pathetic. You were my hero."

"Yeah, the little leech's. Hurrah." Dean's tone is completely flat, and - really, Sam has no argument against this. He flinches a little, because - he's still more easily wounded by his brother's disgust than a knife, demon or no.

"Anyway, maybe. If you want. To avoid me sneaking around to clean. You could let me? Oversee, even. " On one side, he might have just rendered useless his research on sulphur. On another. Dean looking him over to make sure the Impala is treated well. He could be sick with nostalgia.

"Maaaybe." Dean gets that look in his eyes as if he's concocting a plan, and he turns around, pacing across the room. Sam's stomach clenches. The results aren't always fun for him.

Or maybe they will be. Did Dean just mumble "humbler" to himself?