Lost Then Found

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own Supernatural.

Warnings: Moderate swearing.

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Dean headed towards his bedroom rather than Sam's. The older hunter continued fully aware that his father's eyes were following him. The younger adjusted his position in his big brother's arms, his head now resting on the elder's shoulders.

Dean gently placed him in his bed and turned to walk away, just as Sammy started to murmur. Instinctively the younger's hand shot out gripping the Dean's shirt, fingers fastening around the fabric. It was amazing that in that one gesture several years seemed to shed off Sammy's face. He looked more like the nine-year-old who had come to him every time something had happened, whether it was insignificant, or something where he would almost literally need to move mountains. The older hunter smiled slightly, pulled up a chair, and casually let his finger run through his brother's hair, coaxing back into a deeper sleep. His eyes lingered over his little brother's face. What's going on with you Sammy?

"Dean…" His father's voice pulled him away from is sleeping sibling. "What the fuck happened? Did something get him?"

Dean walked out of his room straight to the kitchen before responding. "He…he ran away."

"What the fuck? Why?"

"How should I know?" Dean asked growing increasingly frustrated.

"You need to know! Where were you?"

"I was fucking sleeping. The kid can be pretty quiet when he wants to."

"Well are you going to find out?"

"Find out what?"

"Why he left?"

"No, I'm just going to let the kid work himself into a frenzy and fret for a few months because of whatever the reason he left." he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Dean turned his back on his father and walked towards his room.

"Where are you going?" John asked, almost yelling.

"Where do you think?"

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Did I shut that door? For the second time in less than twenty-four Dean pushed open a bedroom door to find its occupant not there. "Hey!" Sam was on the window ledge, one foot sticking out, eyes overbright with held back tears. Fuck, Sammy. Calmly the elder walked over to the window and gently pulled his brother down.

"Sammy…" Dean sighed, and then pinched the bridge of his nose.

"…Sorry…I just… heard you and Dad fighting…about me. I'm so sorry, it's all my fault."

"Hey," the elder said sitting down next to his brother, "what's your fault?" Silence greeted Dean followed by a small shake of a head. "C'mon Sammy, you know you can tell me anything. I promise I won't get mad."

"I…I can't."

"Yeah you can. Look I promise I won't tell anyone." What is going on Sammy? Dean sighed. "Do you want me to beat it out of you?" He berated himself inwardly when he saw he little brother's eyes start to tear up again. He awkwardly patted the top of Sam's head. "Sammy?" he gently prompted.

"Dad. You always take the blame every time I screw up. My mistakes are your mistakes… Everything thing I do wrong you get in trouble for. I…just didn't want to burden you anymore."

Great, so this was why his little brother had tried to run away. He had these unreasonable thoughts flowing through his head, telling him he was a burden…that everything was his fault. Time to start gluing the pieces together and repair the damage that Sam's mind had managed to inflict upon itself. Dean took some time to collect his thoughts before responding.

"Sammy, I don't want to hear you say that, or hell, even think that crap again. I can promise you that no matter what happens, and no matter what you do no one thinks of you as a burden." He paused, trying to maintain eye contact with his younger sibling. "Listen Sammy, you're my responsibility, and sure that can mean that sometimes I have to take the heat but I wouldn't have it any other way. The only time you really screw up is when you pull your little 'run away' stunts like this. And God, you know Dad, nothing is good enough for him, there's always room for improvement. You got all that?"

The younger nodded in response.

"Sam, you have a voice. Use it."

"But…are – are you sure everything you said is true?"

"Yeah kiddo, I'm sure," he replied, affectionately ruffling his hair. "You look like crap by the way, when did you last sleep?"

"Thanks, and like half an hour ago"

"I meant for more than a few seconds genius. C'mon get in," he said pointing towards his bed, "I really don't want to deal with a sleep deprived adolescent in the morning."

Smiling Dean sat down and watched his brother begin to doze. No matter what happened he would always be there to bring his Sammy back in more ways than one.

The End

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