Long Live BRUCAS: Yeah, Sam, people do care! And now Dean's back to prove that to you!

Sandycub: I've missed you! I'm sorry I broke your heart.

EmilyAnnMcGarrett-Winchester: Welcome to the show! Your review made me so happy! I was excited to hear that you read this whole story in one day lol. Hope you continue to enjoy. (I also enjoy the conversation the boys have about "that time of the month". Has to be one of my favorite things I've ever written.)

Back to the show!


A/N NO TRIGGER WARNING however I'm still continuing with this storyline. Nothing triggering is going to be said or done in this story, but chapters might be more emotional and heavy than usual. Which could either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what you like about this story.


"Sam? You going to school today?"

Bobby stood in the doorway to the boys' bedroom. They technically should have left ten minutes ago if he was going to make it to his first period, but Sam was still in his pajamas in bed.

"No."

"What's wrong?"

Sam had to think about something. "My... stomach hurts."

Bobby didn't buy that for one second. "Stomach hurts, huh?"

Sam pretended like he was in pain. He may have just done a show, but this boy was not an actor.

Bobby sighed. "Alright, I'll go call your school," he said, letting Sam win this one.

Sam couldn't help but smile a bit. He knew Bobby didn't believe him but was super relieved that he was going along with it. "Thanks."

Bobby nodded and left the room to go back downstairs. He marched down the steps to find Dean turning the whole den upside down.

"What the hell are you doing?" Bobby asked, amused by the sight.

"Have you seen my nametag?" Dean asked, slightly panicked.

"What's it look like?"

Dean was confused. "Um, a button that says 'Dean'?"

"Boy, I know that!" Bobby said, smacking Dean in the arm. "Where'd ya last see it?"

"I thought I left it with my work shirts," Dean answered, running his hand along his forehead as if that would give him the answer.

"I betcha it's in the dryer," Bobby said, making his way toward the basement door. Dean followed him. The two went down to the basement and under the stairs to the washing machine. Bobby opened the dryer and started ruffling through the clothes. Sure enough, the button was in there.

Bobby handed the button to Dean. "Thanks," Dean mumbled, feeling slightly embarrassed. He could have done that.

Bobby watched as Dean fastened the button to his shirt and smiled. The things he does for these boys.

"How's Sammy?" Dean asked, desperate to change the subject and ask.

Bobby groaned. "I gotta go call the school and tell him he's out for today."

Dean immediately grew concerned. "What? Why? Is he okay?"

"It's a stomach bug Dean," Bobby answered nonchalantly, going along with Sam's lie. He turned around and started going back up the steps. Dean knew he was lying to him and scrambled to keep up with him.

"Should I call in to work?" Dean asked, continuing to worry. "Dani can handle the shop by herself and she'd understand-"

"Dean." Bobby interrupted. He opened his mouth to say something else but was stopped by the sound of bare feet coming down the stairs from the second story. They turned to look and found Sam still in his pajamas standing in the middle of the staircase.

"Hey," Dean said. Sam gave a small wave, his arms and shoulders attempting to curl into themselves.

"Are you going to work?" Sam asked.

"I am, but I don't have to," Dean assured, "if you'd rather have me here."

Sam shrugged. "No, you should go. Get a break from The Sam Show."

That one hurt Dean. It didn't help that he wasn't quite sure if Sam was trying to make a joke or if he truly felt that way. "Sammy," he whispered.

To stop everything from getting heavy this early in the morning, Bobby fished Dean's keys off the hook by the door and handed them to Dean. "You're gonna be late if ya don't get going."

Dean took the keys from Bobby. He truly didn't know what to do. He felt guilty leaving for work, but he didn't want Sam to resent him for staying. "I'll be home after lunch," he announced, still looking Sam's way.

"Sounds good," Bobby added. "We'll be here."

When he felt like the moment was right, Dean left the house and drove off to work.

Bobby turned toward the teenager on the steps. "Ya hungry?"

Sam shook his head even though his stomach was quietly gurgling.

"Ya wanna talk?"

Sam scoffed. "What is there to talk about?"

Bobby shrugged. "Anything. Nothing. Whatever comes to mind."

Sam rocked back and forth on his heels. He knew he should say something about how icky he was feeling, but he didn't know where to start. And if he didn't try to start, there was no guarantee he wasn't going to start bawling like a baby. And he did not want that, even if it would make him feel better.

"I'm gonna take a shower," he said instead, turning around and running back up the stairs.


"Have a good day!" Dani chirped, handing the customer she just rang up their bag of items. She turned around and found Dean sitting on the ground staring at his phone.

"You may as well go home," she half-joked. "I can take it from here."

"Hm?" Dean said, looking up from his trance.

"What's going on with you?"

Dean sighed. "It's Sam. He's kinda going through something."

"I get it," Dani said. She walked over to Dean and sat on the floor next to him. "When my little sister is going through something, I just want to fix it for her."

Dean scoffed. "Yeah, no fucking kidding."

Dani reached out and grabbed Dean's hand. "Trust me. Sam will be fine."

"I hope you're right."

The bell above the door rang, signaling that another customer entered the auto shop.

"Seriously," Dani said as she stood up to go back to the counter, "just go home, Dean."

Dean was basically already halfway out that door.


After his shower, Sam felt like he was hit by a train of emotions. He snuck back into the bedroom, which he trashed in a fit of sudden rage, followed by him breaking down again in a crying mess. Now he was hiding under his blankets sobbing into his pillow. He wondered if Bobby was planning on coming to check on him soon, and prayed to God that he didn't. He was embarrassed, and that made him angry again, which made him sad again, and the vicious cycle just continued.

Sam didn't even understand what was wrong, to begin with. Sure, things have not been going well lately, but he was fine! Nothing significant happened in the last couple of weeks that would have started this. And sure, Sam was more sensitive about things, but we're talking about crying about literally nothing. And that scared Sam.

Sam's thoughts were interrupted by the bedroom door opening. He took a sharp breath to force himself to stop crying, at least long enough for the person to hopefully think he was asleep and leave. The person continued to tiptoe around the mess in the room. Sam couldn't hold the tears much longer and a sob escaped from him. Sam felt the person climb into his bed and curl up behind him.

"I'm right here," the person whispered. Sam breathed out in relief. Dean.

"I don't know what's wrong," Sam continued to sob.

"That's okay," Dean assured. "I'm here as long as you want me, okay Sammy?"

Sam nodded. He took another deep breath in an attempt to calm himself and failed. Dean started playing with Sam's damp hair and hummed soft rock songs he knew calmed Sam down enough to sleep.

That was how Bobby found them when he went to get them for lunch an hour later.


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