A/N: Chapter 4! Dean and Cas will meet soon. And this chapter has the official Sam introduction.

WARNING: This chapter contains mentions of abuse, drug use, and alcoholism.

Sweat rolled down Dean's back as he crouched down, and then lifted himself back up again, the barbell resting on his shoulders feeling like lead weight after so many reps. Thank god this was the last one. He finished and then Sam, his brother filling in as his spotter since Dean had given his official spotter the day off, took the weights from him and set them on the floor.

Dean grabbed a towel that hung from a rung of one of the exercise machines in front of him and mopped sweat from his face, reaching around to get his back too, not really in the mood for having the waistband of his shorts get soaked.

Next was the treadmill, even though his legs burned slightly from all the workouts. But it was his legs and endurance he needed to work on most before a concert, otherwise he'd drop halfway through.

"So how's lawyering going?" Dean asked, grabbing his water bottle to take a swig.

Sam, who cut a much more imposing figure than Dean since he stood four inches taller than Dean's six foot one, and also was muscular seeing as he enjoyed being his workout partner, grabbed his own water bottle, heading over to the treadmills.

"It's going."

"Mm, promising."

"You know I can't discuss my cases," Sam said. "I'd be breaking attorney-client privilege. And having a couple days off to spend time with you doesn't make my license temporarily disappear."

They each got on the machines, and started at a jog. It was a pace they could keep for awhile while still talking.

"Right, right. Sorry. So uh… I told Crowley you got a girl, so if he asks, just—"

"You did what?"

Dean pressed some buttons, picking up the pace, wishing they were actually on a track so he could run ahead of Sam, pretend he hadn't said anything.

"You know he's interested."

Sam made a sound of disgust, and then also picked up the pace, seemingly starting some little competition with Dean.

"Trying to keep him away," Dean reasoned.

"Dean, there hasn't been anyone since, you know, her."

"How you doin' with that by the way?"

Sam slowed his treadmill down, and then let it stop. Dean kept going, but he watched his brother lean over, hands on the bars, hair falling in front of his face as he leaned forward.

"Can we not?"

"You're clean, right?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Still drinking."

Dean laughed at Sam's crestfallen look, not sure there was any proper way for him to react. He hadn't wanted the discussion to turn on him. But at least Sammy was doing good. The last girl had abused him, and gotten him into some nasty stuff. Dean hadn't known how a girl over a foot shorter than him could do such things, but now he knew not to underestimate anyone. And anyone could get hurt, it seemed. Didn't matter how strong you were. Dean had met her a few times, and he'd always wanted to punch her in the face. Couldn't have that in the press though, so he'd held back, even after she'd gotten his brother hooked.

Luckily the two of them had managed to keep everything quiet so Sam wouldn't get disbarred. Still, he knew his brother constantly felt like he'd crossed a line, and should give up on his firm. But Dean didn't want him to. His brother helped domestic abuse victims. Hopefully Sam saw the value in that.

"You know there's rehab, right?" Sam asked.

Dean laughed again. "I don't need rehab. I'm fine."

"Alright, well, if you end up drunk and in bed with a stranger this weekend, don't say I didn't tell you there was help."

"I don't need help. I like gettin' a little something."

Sam started up his treadmill again, and Dean wanted to be panting so he didn't have to talk as much, so he set the pace higher.

"What's your type anyway?" Sam asked. "Can't figure it out."

"Don't know." Dean gasped in air, and then went on, "Any girl really."

"And guys?"

"Tall, dark hair, bright eyes, maybe."

Sam smiled. "You've thought about this."

"Or tried it. After… After Lisa… I didn't want to hide myself anymore."

"Good. Just be careful."

"I'm always careful."

"Uh huh."

Not wanting to discuss this further, still self-conscious about his sexuality even after a couple years, he grabbed his phone and started playing his latest album. He sang along when he had the breath, and Sam, despite not having any skill, sang with him. God, it was good to hang out with his brother. Calmed down his excited energy for the upcoming weekend, but it was still in the back of his head. Dean couldn't wait to get back on stage again, and despite what Crowley said he was hoping he'd find someone afterwards. He was going to have a good time.