Disclaimer: Supernatural is not mine!

Set: Pre-series

Main Characters: Sam and Dean

Ships: Dean and an OC are dating, but it's not a real ship.

Ages: Sam is fourteen, Dean is eighteen.

Chapter Five: Summer Swim

"'Cause you are, you are

The reason I'm still hanging on"

Screams howled over the waves of the lake, their pitch reaching highs that Dean had only ever heard during hunts. A little piece of him lurched at the sound, ready to jump off of the boat and save the person crying out, but he managed to stop himself by slinging an arm around Kelsey.

The young woman laid her head on his bare chest, giggling loudly at the sounds.

"Dean! Can I go next?" an excited gasp echoed through Dean's ears. Sammy.

Opening his eyes to study his little brother, Dean narrowed his eyes suspiciously. While he knew Sam would hold on with the strength of a werewolf, he was still hesitant. The boat, and thus the tube behind, were being controlled by Kelsey's brother, Conrad, who had as much common-sense as a toddler. That being very, very low.

The boat jerked to the side, and a clamorous splash in the water sent Dean's gaze away from Sam and to the tube. Nobody was on it now. The former riders' heads bobbed in the distance, and Conrad let out a laughing fit when he saw.

Sam turned his puppy dog eyes to Kelsey. The young woman, unprepared for the look, broke within seconds. "Connie! Let Sam have a turn!"

"Yes!" The young Winchester cheered, pumping his arms in the air and flashing the widest smile at Dean.

Conrad sized up Dean's little brother, his pale blond flopping in the wind as they turned the boat around to pick up the others. "Think you can hold on?" He challenged, in which Dean threw up an arm -the one not wrapped around Kelsey- in defeat. Winchesters didn't back down from a challenge, and it seemed Sam was about to live up to their family name.

"'Course I can!"

A new voice filtered into Dean's head, "Then get yourself in the water! You can ride with Heather. She's going again." Dean saw his brother smile brightly at the chance to ride, but the grin paled in comparison at Nikki's next words. "Also, I think she totally has a crush on her."

The young man didn't exactly appreciate Nikki toying with his little brother, Dean wasn't about to say something to embarrass Sam. Besides, maybe Heather did have a thing for the kid. The age difference wasn't that big. She was like… sixteen... fifteen, something like that. "Do you guys have life jackets?" He broke into the conversation as Sam headed to the back of the boat.

"Don't be a mother-hen, Dean-o. Kid don't need a life jacket." Conrad interrupted, shaking his head. "Not even the girls used one."

"Hah! What's that supposed to mean?" Nikki snapped playfully, getting from her seat and smacking Conrad over the head.

Sam hadn't seemed to appreciate Dean's suggestion either, screwing up his face and shaking his head. "Dean, I'll be fine!" He called out to soothe the older brother before diving into the water and swimming toward the float.

"He will be… don't worry," Kelsey spoke in his ear. Warm and comforting. "Conrad may act like a dick, but he's got some skill."

Forced to push away his worries, Dean played along teasingly, "He's not the only Holland with skill. Is it a twin thing?"

Kelsey answered by leaning forward and pushing her lips against Dean's.

She's right. Sam'll be okay.

So far, Dean and the others had been right.

Maybe it was a Winchester's pride, sheer strength, or complete luck, but Sam had yet to fall off the tube. And it wasn't like Conrad was going easy. They were hitting every wake, wave, and sharp turn possible, but Dean's little brother just wouldn't let go of the float.

Heather had given up after a couple more turns, getting onto the boat with a balanced combination of envy and awe toward Sam's natural talent. The moment the young woman was on the pontoon, Dean saw her immediately look back to Sam and let out a loud cheer. Maybe she does like him. Or if she hadn't before, this could've been the turning point.

Sam, clearly hearing, gave two thumbs up before clamping his hands back to the handles on the tube. Despite how far away Dean was, the tired determination in his little brother's eyes was impossible to miss.

The kid wasn't just trying to impress Heather. He's trying to prove himself… to me.

The eldest Winchester cupped his hands around his mouth, "Go Sammy!" Hopefully, that would be enough to convey his pride toward Sam. He wanted Sam to know that he could stop if he was getting worn and still have Dean's admiration.

Personally, Dean hadn't ridden the tube, too comfortable wrapped up in Kelsey's warmth, but the look on Heather's face was proof that it was an exhausting activity. Her face was pulled into a warm smile, but she blinked slowly and rubbed at her clearly sore arms. Flopping along on the tube was obviously not easy nor safe.

Dean's nerves kicked up, revving inside his stomach as the boat began to speed up again. "Just watch, Kels, I'll get 'im this time," Conrad smirked, glancing back at Sam once more to check that he was holding on before launching the boat ahead.

"Try to flip the thing!" Nikki challenged before Kelsey or Dean could speak.

"No! Uh, Con, don't…" came Heather's interjection. It seemed like she was torn between wanting to agree to stay cool in the older kid's eyes and keeping Sam safe. Choose the right one, kiddo. "Just… hit some of the big turns. Those make it really hard to hold on."

Unsure which girl Conrad listened to, Dean gave the one next to him a concerned look. The older Winchester had a bad feeling about this time around, and he didn't even know why.

Kelsey, catching onto Dean's silent warning, flicked some hair out her face. "Dean, he's fine. He's got a monster grip." Her comfort did little to ease the older man's concern, but he nodded nonetheless. I know that, but he's tired. He deserves a break. Sam had been on the float for less time than Heather had, but he'd still endured quite a few water beatings and definitely had used more energy.

The boat let out a rumbling sound as they flew across the water, Sam's tube skidding after wildly. For the first bit, Sam had managed to stay in the wake of their own boat, where the water sprayed him in the face, but the bumps weren't so bad, although Conrad soon caught on to what he was doing and decided to switch things up.

"Hold on!" Conrad warned the passengers, jerking the steering wheel sideways so he could sling-shot Sam into the rougher water.

Dean's stomach lurched, and he removed his arm from Kelsey's shoulders. He wasn't scared of falling off, but he was a bit worried his anxiety for Sam would make his hold stronger, which could end up hurting Kelsey by holding her too tight. Luckily, the teenager beside him didn't seem to take any offense from it.

Sammy's tube was soon launched out of the foamy wake despite his apparent efforts to stay in. He let out a loud cheer as the float hit a wave, and he was launched a foot or two into the air. Dean's jaw clenched as he imagined what it felt like to hit the tube as hard as his little brother had.

Just let go if it's too much. The older brother pleaded silently, not convinced that leap into the air had been as fun as Sam had pretended it to be.

The boat didn't stop there though, not like it usually did -usually, because that would be where Heather would fall off- it just kept going. Jerking side to side to create its own rapids. "Conrad, be careful!" Dean warned lowly. Conrad smirked, seeming to dismiss Dean's words as a simple joke as he jerked the boat into another turn.

Once again, Sam was flung out of the wake and into the waves, but still, he held on.

Dean's worries began to dwindle at his brother's hold, but they spiked again when he realized Conrad was going to go right through the roaring waves he'd created. His breath caught in his throat, forcing his words to stay where they were, on the tip of his tongue.

The boat went over the waves without much difficulty, but it was impossible to notice how the pontoon rocked slightly at how wild the water was. There was no way Sam… or the tube would make it over as effortlessly.

They didn't.

Sam's tube was flung into the air, feet off of the water, before crashing down with such an impact that it caused Dean to flinch. Then there was fear in Sam's eyes. He was slipping, and another wave was fast-approaching. "Conrad, slow down!" the older brother screamed, but it was too late.

The tube was sky-rocketed upward, getting higher than it had the entire boating trip. Sammy's eyes were clenched shut for the most of it, but they flung open with surprise just as the boat smashed back into the water.

His slender body thumped against the tube harshly, his hands finally slipping out of the handles. Dean could see it wasn't on purpose. His little brother had gone limp and was now careening off of the tube. His frame smacked against the water with an agony-inducing crash, and the kid disappeared into the waves.

"Sammy!"

Sam knew he should've let go sooner, but he… he just wanted to prove to Dean that he could handle a stupid tubing ride.

He had seen that doubtful expression when he had asked Dean for a turn. His older brother didn't trust him. Didn't think he was strong enough. Sam realized how right his brother was when he was launched into another wave. His tube had gone flying upward, and he closed his eyes to prepare himself, but when he never hit the water, he opened them.

And realized that he'd never hit the water because he was still falling. Before Sam could react, his body smacked against the rubber of the tube, pain shot through his body, and his fingers subconsciously slipped out of the handles.

The kid barely had time to think of what was happening as he was sent soaring into the water. His body, which he couldn't move, was now sinking into the waves.

His body had felt like it'd been thrown against a wall and his head was screaming at him in pain and fear. Swim! Swim! God, please! But his silent pleas were futile. The air had been knocked out of him, and water sloshed down his throat whenever he tried to gasp for oxygen. With no life jacket nor control over his body, he slipped further and further into the water. With a burst of energy, he started forcing coughs from his mouth, desperate to let the others at least know where he was.

Sam was drowning. And he needed Dean.

Should've… listened… to Dean.

When Sam didn't come back for air, everyone was beginning to feel Dean's panic. But none of them could've experienced it as raw and powerful as the older brother was himself.

"Oh my god! Conrad, turn off the boat! Does anyone know where he went?" Somebody screamed, but Dean couldn't even connect a name to the voice in his fear. The boat shut off, its motor finally stopping, but who knew how far they were from where Sam had fallen?

Come on, Sammy. Show me where you are! Pleasedon'tdiepleasedon'tdiepleasedon'tdie.

The water grew still, and the bubbles caused by the engine steadied. One of the girls let out a shriek of fear, and Conrad's breath was quickening in horror.

A pocket of air bubbles floated to the surface a couple feet away. Sammy! Dean's eyes drilled onto the bubbles, sizing up the distance in a split second before deciding that turning the boat around would take too long. Racing toward the back of the pontoon, Dean dove into the water without a second thought.

"Dean, wait!" Kelsey shrieked, but her voice was drowned out as Dean was submerged underwater.

The image of Sam drowning repeated over and over in Dean's head like a broken film. Sammy could be dead. Dean kept his eyes open despite how much the water burned the unprotected orbs. Where are you? Where are you?

Dean's ears popped painfully, and the lack of oxygen tore at his throat, forcing him back to the surface. Someone called out in a panic, but the moment the young man recaught his breath, he dove right back under. There was no way he was going to let his brother die. Not here, not like this.

Not because of Dean.

Please, Sam, please. Please! Where are you?

There was no sign of him. And then something other than water flooded Dean's gaze. More bubbles. He threw himself toward the movement, pleading to God that he wasn't diving towards a shark and instead his brother.

His prayers, not that he'd admit that's what they were, were answered when he saw the thrashing body of Sam. The kid didn't appear to see him, and if he did, he didn't show any signs of it. He just sort of buckled as the fight was wrung out of him, going limp in the water.

No! Sammy, no!

The moment Dean reached the youngest Winchester, he grabbed onto his arm, fighting tears when he realized his brother couldn't even feel his grip and kicked the water to swim upward. Sammy's limp body was dragged after, impossibly slippery.

But he made it.

Dean's head was thrust out of the water, and he gasped for air before heaving his brother out of the lake. Once he caught his breath, he glanced around for the boat. "Guys!" he called out desperately.

Maybe he had Sam's body, but that didn't mean the kid was out of the woods. Or anywhere close to it, for that matter. There could water in his lungs, he could have a concussion, broken bones, could already be dead. Don't think that! Dean scowled himself, but the effort was feeble at best. He couldn't push away the worries.

OoOooOoOo

Sam didn't remember much of anything. What happened never hit him at once, but it trickled into his mind, piece by piece. With each memory, the ache that came with it returned to him. It made him wish he could forget the entire thing. Made him wish they'd never the motel. Made him wish they could've gone with John on that hunt.

The trip out to the lake with Dean's friends. The sunburned shoulders and face.

His attempt to impress everyone on the boat, Dean especially. The sore limbs, the raw hands, the guaranteed bruises.

The last time he and the tube were launched into the air. The fear.

The impact. Hitting his head and body on the tube, snapping his wrist in the handle.

Falling into the water. More fear, sucking in water, not being able to breathe.

Sam's eyes flashed open, and he lurched forward in a coughing fit. Dean, who had been leaning over the kid, swiftly dodged out of the way as to not get hit. People started talking in rushed voices, but he could barely hear anything while he threw up water.

When there was nothing left to spit out, Sam collapsed backward. The sun beat down on his face, but he didn't have the energy to cover his face to block it out.

"Dean?" Sam sputtered when he was able to think halfway properly. Where's Dean?

His brother leaned beside him, running a hand through his wet, matted hair. "'M right here, kiddo, you're okay. I got you. I'm right here." His voice was soft, comforting, and weak. He'd been scared, and it echoed in his tone like a drum.

"I'm… sorry," the young man murmured. Sorry you were scared. Are you mad at me? I'm sorry about that if you are.

"Shut up," Dean replied in a cropped tone, but Sam could tell the anger wasn't directed at him. "Are you okay?" This time the older brother's voice was cut just as short, but it wasn't frustration that powered it. It was dread.

No. Sam's head wouldn't comply with his thoughts, refusing to move. He flashed his brother a desperate look to convey his answer. Not at all. I hurt… all over.

"...Is he okay?" Another voice asked, sending Sam into another spiral. There were other people on the boat. Everyone was probably watching him! Judging him for being weak! Shitshitshitshitshit! Before he could allow Dean time to answer them with a response that would only cause more pity, he heaved himself into a sitting position.

"Woah, Sammy, calm down there…" Dean whispered softly, pulling his brother into a hug and sucking in a shaky breath. Sam could tell he was struggling not to cry.

A weak smile tugged at the teenager's lips, "Did I… look cool?"

"The coolest," Heather answered. The others let out murmurs of agreement.

Sam had passed out again shortly after he first woke up, forcing an extremely worried Dean to bring him to the hospital.

Describing what had happened had been one of the less hard to explain accidents. There was no covering for monsters or bullet wounds or training. Just a tubing incident.

The doctors had given Dean that look. The look that conveyed pity and dismay with the same half-assed smile. Dean hated the look. He only got it when they were in the hospital, which was usually because one of them was hurt, and it was just such a… pathetic expression.

What followed was far worse: the wound count.

Minor concussion, oxygen deprivation, water in his lungs, broken wrist, busted nose, three sprained fingers, dislocated shoulder, and the mildest one: a sunburned face.

Nearly every doctor Dean had spoken to had brought up their concerns that Sam wouldn't survive, but two days later, Sam's health proved them all wrong by convalescing.

On the third day, Dean had been sitting down on the chair beside his sleeping brother, lost in thought. John would be back soon, he'd only left to grab them coffee, but just being in the room with an unresponsive Sam, was heart-wrenching.

It was the sharp inhale of air that brought Dean's attention to what was going on, but it was Sam's wide-eyed confusion that made him grin like a fool. "Huh…?" The kid slurred, blinking leisurely as he took in the hospital room with puzzlement.

"Hey, Sammy…"

His baby brother's face tipped into a goofy smile at Dean's voice. "De…" then his nose scrunched up. "Wha' happen?"

Dean swallowed, "You got in a little accident." Hah, little? He just didn't want to worry Sammy so soon after the young man woke up. He could panic, and that wasn't good for anyone. "How are you feelin'?"

Sam cleared his throat before answering. "Uhh…" he still seemed confused. "...not good?"

No shit. "Yeah. You had a pretty bad fall. Do you need the doctor? Are you in pain?" Dean's gaze searched for the button to call a nurse into the room. It was on the other side of Sam, but as he reached over for it, his brother weakly hit him away.

"Nooo… No doctor…" his face went bitchy. Dean couldn't help but smile as he sat back in the chair. Okay. No doctor. If he's okay with that, I'm okay with it. "'M sore. What happened?" Sam had appeared to regain enough strength to at least be able to register an explanation, so Dean gave in.

But where to start? What did Sam know? "We went boating with a couple of m' friends," Heather and Kelsey had actually visited quite often. Conrad hadn't even called, but Kelsey said he was beating himself up for the incident and even managed to convince their parents to pay the medical bills. Nikki had even come by once with flowers, but she left pretty soon. "You were riding on the tube, and… you know, wiped out."

That was as much as Dean himself could relive, as the entire memory was painful in his mind.

It appeared to be enough for Sam too, though, who nodded and reached out for Dean's hand. It was taken in an instant. "Okay. You saved me… didn't you?"

Dean shook his head dejectedly, "I let you go on the tube in the first place,"

"You dove after me, though, right? I was drownin', and you swam after me," Sam's eyes clenched shut as he tried to remember. "I saw you before I passed out. In the water." He saw me? A smile played at Dean's lips, weak but earnest and loving. "I knew you'd come. That's…" a swamp of exhaustion rested on the youngest Winchester's expression. "...why I held on for so long. It was for you."

The young rubbed the back of his brother's hand, careful to avoid the cast on his sprained fingers. "I love ya, Sammy. Get some rest, 'kay?"

Sammy nodded tiredly in agreement, "Love you too."