As Sam and Gabriel hauled the last of Sam's boxes to the younger Winchester's truck Dean stood at the foot of the stairs watching the pair.
As they worked Dean couldn't keep his eyes off of Sam. Everything Cas had told him it was like Dean was seeing it all. The way Sam avoided looking at him, touching him, only spoke in short clipped sentences. Like doing any of that hurt too much.
And Gabriel...Well nothing seemed to have changed there. Gabriel still messed with Cas but it looked as if it was all forced. Like to be happy in messing with his little brother wasn't what it used to be.
Several times as Sam passed Dean the elder brother wanted to reach out and stop him. Wanted to make Sam look at him. Look him in the eyes and make him talk. He wanted Sam to touch him. Wanted to feel his brother's hand on his arm, on his shoulder, hell in his own hand if he could.
Where that thought came from he'd never know, but it was true none the less.
He never noticed that Sam didn't touch him anymore unless Dean touched him first until after his conversation with Cas.
Once Cas told him everything he'd overheard and what the angel noticed in the several months since Dean sat there and thought over everything that had or hadn't happened since they moved into this house nearly a year ago now.
Sam was handing Gabriel the last box as he came down the stairs and Dean managed to work up enough nerve to snag the sleeve of Sam's shirt, "Sammy, why?"
A surprised gaze landed on Dean's hand and moved to his face. "Why what Dean?"
"Why are you leaving?" The 'again' went unsaid but it wasn't unheard. By either of them.
"I'm just four blocks away Dean. You're more than welcome to come by when you're not busy." Sam shrugged and with that motion Dean's fingers lost purchase on the blue shirt sleeve.
"Sam-"
"Stop Dean, look, you and Cas need your privacy. Besides I'd rather not hear it anymore." Sam took a step back and sighed, "Love you, Dean." And with that- before Dean could reach out and take hold of Sam's wrist- the younger brother left the house, leaving his brother staring after him with a deep frown marring his features.
"Love you too Sammy..."