I'm still not really sure where to go with this story... I do have some ideas but still... if there's anything you want to see, want more or less of, let me know as my muse is off on vacation somewhere. xx

Dean dizzily came back to a half-conscious state around the same time Sam got out of the shower. He knew that he was pissed at Sam for something, but couldn't remember what it was. His throat hurt and his body hurt and everything seemed too bright for his liking.

He let his mouth hang half-open as breathing through his nose was just impossible. So not only was he hurt from the hunt, he also had a massive cold and a fever. Great. And if that wasn't enough he also had Sam running around doting on him like he was a freaking baby! Dean closed his eyes to try to shut out some of the brightness. He couldn't even remember the last time he felt like this. Usually you're either hurt or sick. Not both at the same time. So usually you can tough it out and pretend that it's not really happening but this time he just could not do it. His body hurt too much.

Sam looked over at the almost dozed off Dean. He really wanted to get some food in him and some more pills. He also wanted him to promise to not try to get up or do something stupid again but what ever he said there was no way Dean would listen. If only Dad was here.
Sam stopped what he was doing for a second and reflected on what he had just wished for. Wanting his dad for a hunt or for information was one thing, but thinking about him like a father was something that always felt a bit odd. Still, if anyone could keep Dean in bed when he was hurt or sick it was Dad.

A small shudder made its way down his spine as he thought of the time Dean had collapsed on the job running a high fever that neither Sam or Dad had noticed, risking all their lives. Dad had made Sam leave the motel room when they got back and he had wandered the streets filled with worry for about an hour before he couldn't stand it anymore. When he'd gotten back to the motel Dean had been in bed with a bloodied lip and a look of defeat and obedience in his eyes, Dad by his side holding a thermometer in his mouth with one hand and the other hand pressed against Deans chest.

Sam had tried to bug Dean to tell him what had happened after that but Dean never did talk about it. Ever since then though, hunting with Dad had been a little bit different, Dean seemed to follow orders better, not be as snarky and talked to his dad with more respect in his voice.
Sam didn't remember their dad ever really being that rough with them, maybe their childhood hadn't been all puppies and sunshine, but he never punished them for anything they didn't deserve.
He shook his head gently, washing away the memories of a time that seemed so far away. What he needed to do now was get them some food and get some rest. He knew how important sleep was and he hadn't had a full night in a long time now so after eating he fully intended on getting some shuteye.

In Deans fuzzy head the same memory was playing around. He couldn't quite focus on it as it all seemed to blur in to one mess. The effort to stand upright. The heat. Being dragged out of the forest by his brother. The motel room. Dad's hand crashing down on his face. Being pushed in to the wall and then held up against it by his shirt. The blame and the shouting. What if Sammy would've gotten hurt. The guilt. The hand holding him firmly down on the bed when all he wanted to do was go see Sam to make sure he was ok. The panic of being restricted. The heat of the fever. Dad's rough hands somehow managing to clean him up in a calming, soothing way. The worry. Dad forcing pills down his throat.
And then Sam bursting through the door. Relief. Finally slipping in to a broken sleep.

Sam watched his brother struggle to stay awake and quietly sat down on the floor next to him, putting his hand on Deans arm, feeling him relax and drift off. He leaned his head against the bed, hand still touching his brother and closed his eyes, knowing that this would probably mess with his back but couldn't resist the opportunity for just an hours sleep before getting food.

When Dean later woke up it was dark outside and Sam had been awake for couple of hours doing some research and had a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He raised his eyes from his book and saw his brother scrambling up in to a sitting position.

"Oh good, you're awake. You've been asleep for hours, man!"
"Really?" Dean cleared his throat and carefully stretched out his arms over his head. Something in the back of his head was throbbing with a dull pain.
"You hungry?"
Dean nodded a little, not really that hungry at all but knew that it would be no point arguing about not eating with Sam.
"I'm gonna go check with uhm... Mia i think her name was... yea... I'm gonna go check if she's got some food for us."

Dean's reply was interrupted by a loud bang outside of their door and a muffled scream.