Dean was so mad that he didn't even notice the snow or the biting cold at first. He moved fast, his long strides taking him across the parking lot and into the woods in seconds.

Why did Sam always have to make out like they had the worst childhood in the world? Dean had done his best, and it hadn't exactly been easy. Their Dad was always so focused on hunting, he sometimes seemed to forget that Dean and Sam were only kids. Dean had always tried to be the hunter in training he knew John wanted, while at the same time trying to make sure Sam at least got to be as 'normal' as possible. Yeah, sometimes they'd ended up stuck in a motel room for days when John got delayed on a hunt, but that wasn't his fault. These things happened and Sam should be able to understand that, now he had experience with hunting. But Dean had always made sure Sam was never even aware when John was overdue and he'd tried to keep him occupied, making sure he got to play games and do all the stuff kids normally did. Had he really done such a bad job? He knew as Sam got older he was unhappy with the lifestyle they lead, that he'd wanted out of hunting, but when he was a kid he'd seemed happy enough. Now he found himself second guessing every decision and he shook his head in frustration.

"Dammit, Sam!" he muttered under his breath. It was at that moment that he finally took notice of his surroundings and realised that a) he had no idea where he was going and b) he'd left his coat in the room.

"Perfect. This day just keeps getting better." he said out loud.

Sighing he realised that it would do no good to end up lost or with hypothermia, and he turned round to head back to the motel room. He didn't really feel like dealing with Sam right now but getting into trouble wouldn't help matters. Maybe he'd just take a long, hot shower and try and calm down. Which would have the added bonus of course of using up all the hot water before Sam got there.

Grinning evilly at his plan, Dean didn't notice the log buried under the snow until it was too late. Moments later he found himself on his back in the cold, wet snow, having rolled for several seconds down a bank he hadn't noticed on the way out.

He lay there briefly, the air knocked out of him for a second. It was the mirrors. It had to be the mirrors. It was the only explanation for the sheer volume of bad luck they seemed to accumulate. The next time someone had a Bloody Mary to vanquish? They were on their own.

Feeling the snow starting to seep through his shirt, Dean sighed and sat up. He hissed as he moved his right leg and felt his knee protest the movement. Looking down he saw a dark patch on his jeans that looked like blood, and when he rolled the material up he found a jagged gash that must have come from some unseen rock.

He hung his head briefly for a second, wondering what else could possibly go wrong between here and the motel room. Deciding to face his fate head on, he got up and started walking again. His knee throbbed but didn't feel too badly damaged. Maybe he was getting a break after all.

A few minutes later the motel came back into view. Dean noticed it was getting dark already and he was glad he'd not let his temper get the better of him and had actually made the sensible decision to turn back.

Sam had been pacing the room trying to decide if he should go after Dean, when suddenly the door opened. Startled he whirled round and saw his brother stomp into the room, shaking snow from his hair as he did so.

Sam sagged a little as he let out a relieved breath. He could see Dean's clothes were wet and as he looked down he saw a stain that appeared to be blood on Dean's right leg.

Dean bent down to unlace his boots and kicked them off. He had yet to say anything and his whole demeanour still screamed that he was pissed at Sam. Sam swallowed, knowing things had gotten out of hand before. Deciding to make the first move, he stepped a little nearer to Dean.

"Hey – you ok?" he said quietly.

Dean looked up and glared at him.

"Oh yeah, I'm terrific Sam. Now I'm pissed and cold and wet. I'm just having the perfect day."

Ok, this wasn't gonna be easy. Still wanting to know if Dean was really alright, Sam plowed on.

"What happened to your knee?" he said, indicating the stain.

Dean looked down and let out a frustrated sigh.

"I fell over a log. Rolled down a bank and must have hit a stone or something. It's just a gash." he said.

Sam felt his lips twitch and desperately tried to keep a straight face. Unfortunately Dean chose that particular moment to look back up at him. He raised his eyebrows.

"Something funny?" he said, almost daring Sam to grin.

"No, uh, nothing funny. Just, you know. Glad it's not serious." said Sam, still trying to control the grin that was threatening to break out.

"You sure? Cos you look like you want to laugh. You know, at me – your brother, who you sent out into the snow with your pissy mood." said Dean, his voice dangerously calm.

The twitch was now a full blown grin. "No, you're right. It's not funny – and totally my fault. And I'm sure you were.." Sam tailed off, fighting the urge to actually laugh now.

"You're sure I was what?"

"I'm sure you were totally graceful. And coordinated. When you were going head over heels down the bank" said Sam.

Dean glared at him, which only made things worse. Sam was trying so hard to get the image of his brother cartwheeling through the snow out of his head, but it wasn't working. And the glaring was just making it worse.

Dean literally couldn't believe it as he watched Sam dissolve into laughter. Maybe it wasn't too late to have him adopted.

"You're such an ass." he said, pushing past Sam and stomping into the bathroom. He slammed the door behind him with enough force to rattle the walls.

Sam sat down on the bed, wiping the tears off his face. Ok, so that had not been the best way to get back into Dean's good books but he hadn't been able to help it. Maybe it was hysteria at the relief of Dean coming back in one piece for once. Well, almost one piece.

Vowing to make it up to his brother by at least taking care of his knee when he got out of the shower, Sam grabbed the first aid kit out of their bag. As he did so, a sudden thought occurred to him. Dean was in the bathroom, in the shower, and he was pissed at Sam.

Sam sighed. He was so having a cold shower tonight..

Author's note: Hope you're all enjoying it! I know some people were worried it was going to be along the lines of 'hurt Dean in the snow' and Sam rescuing him, like a few others that have been done, but that wasn't my intention.. This is hopefully going to be more about Dean & Sam working out some issues.. And maybe having a little fun, later on! Anyway.. I'll shut up now...