IMPORTANT NOTE: This was originally posted in my other account (guiltypleasuresffnet), but for personal reasons, I decided it would be best to move it here to my main account. I'm sorry for any confusion or inconvenience this might cause!

The story consists of 3 chapters already written. I am re-editing them, though, so I will post chapter 3 within the next few days.

Please review if you found yourself enjoying this!

CHAPTER 1

Sam plastered his best serving smile as the small bell at the coffee shop door rang. The loud hissing of the coffee maker behind him caused his head to throb, but the boss was around, and taking a break right now wouldn't be in his best interest. If he were honest with himself, taking a break from anything ever wouldn't be in his best interest.

Keeping his focus on closing the foam cups lined up in front of him he asked in his well-practiced friendly tone, "Good afternoon, what can I get you?"

"Yourself, tonight, no excuses," a female voice answered.

Sam's smile widened and found its way to his eyes as he looked up at the blonde.

"Jess, I'm working," he pointedly informed the young woman who was grinning back at him.

"Which reminds me, a latte to go, please!"

Sam turned his back to his girlfriend and prepared the coffee himself. He preferred taking orders, but he was a good barista too and liked to make Jess' coffee himself whenever she came here. Closing the foam cup, he handed it to her with a wink.

"On the house."

"Thanks," Jess replied, tugging a blonde lock of hair behind her ear. "For real, Sam. Tonight. You've been going nonstop for weeks now. It's college, studying, work, and maybe a tiny bit of sleep in between. You need to kick back a bit before you burn yourself out. Just one night. Let's have some fun!"

Sam considered the offer, knowing Jess wasn't wrong. Tomorrow was his day off from work too. The timing wasn't the worst. He could stay out late and catch up on rest and studying tomorrow.

"Text me the details, and I'll do my best. Let's talk later, alright?"

At his girlfriend's nod, he quickly focused his attention on the next customer that had just entered. Five hours to go.

It was a couple of hours later when he finally got a chance to take a short break. Tallest cup of coffee their place served in hand, Sam exited the small coffee shop from the back door. It led to a narrow alley that was seldom used aside from the shop's personnel for breaks or taking out the trash.

Drawing a long sip from his cup, he closed his eyes as the coffee made its bitter way down his throat. The taste alone made him feel a little more energized, and he knew the caffeine would soon kick in.

His phone rang, and he fished it out of his pocket, glancing at the caller ID. A hint of a smile formed as he answered.

"Hey, jerk!"

"Hey, bitch," came the expected response.

"What's up? Everything okay over there?" Sam asked, not managing to entirely mask his worry.

Phone calls still formed a knot in his stomach. He remembered all the hours he and Dean had spent staring at their phones, waiting for the call that would confirm their father was still alive after his latest hunt.

"Yeah. Just finished with a poltergeist in Bakersfield, California. The damn thing…"

"Dean…"

"Right. No supernatural talk," Dean replied, annoyance creeping into his tone. "Anyway, we're good. How about you?"

"Fine. Work, college, endless studying. The usual."

"A dream come true," Dean commented drily.

Sam swallowed his bitterness at that. College had been the dream, yes. But his dream was more along the lines of having an actual support system and not struggling for everything to the point of panic attacks.

"Yeah…" was all he managed to say.

None of this was Dean's fault after all. On the contrary, his brother was trying hard as hell to help him out whenever possible. With a little money every now and then, with an ear to listen to Sam's troubles and worries - whenever he decided to stop bottling up and actually share them - and with just keeping an eye on Sam. Sam knew that if shit hit the fan, he had someone to turn to. And he knew there was someone out there who cared.

"You sure you're good, Sammy?"

Despite Dean's effort to play it cool, Sam could read his brother's concern clearly. He also found himself marveling at how well his brother knew him, managing to read even his silence.

"Yeah, Dean. It's just been a week," Sam answered.

"Any plans for the weekend?" Dean asked next.

"Yeah, actually. Jess and I are going to a party tonight. Kick back a little."

"Just not too much, right Sammy?" came Dean's answer, a bit more biting this time.

Sam flushed, remembering what had happened not two months ago when his brother paid him an unexpected visit after a hunt in San Jose.

"No, not too much."

"You might have left the life, little brother, but those things are still out there. And you're as much of a target as anyone else. You can't let your guard down, especially not while alone," Dean reminded him strongly.

Sam rolled his eyes at that. "Yeah, like you never let your guard down," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Never when alone and never when out on a limb. I was stupid enough to do this once, Sammy. I learned my lesson. It's one thing to drink a beer or two, it's a whole different story to get wasted off your ass while with stupid, immature college kids…"

"Yeah, because Stanford is filled with stupid and immature kids," Sam shot right back, taking offense at Dean's unfair generalization. Sure, Stanford, like any other prestigious university, had a lot of those. But it also had its kind—the struggling to survive and working-their-asses-off kind.

"Yeah, Sammy, it is. Like it or not, not everyone over there is like you. Most of those pansies have a daddy paying their way in and out of every shitty situation. But let me tell you something, even with all their money, they can't buy their way out of getting their asses killed by monsters. So, drop the attitude and stop pretending you don't know what I'm saying."

Sam closed his eyes tiredly. Dean was right, on some levels. And Sam was done.

"Yeah, okay. I'll be careful, promise. Hey, listen, thanks for checking in, but it's really busy right now."

With a resigned sigh, Dean answered, "Fine, Sammy. I'll let you get back to work. You know to call…"

Sam hung up before his older brother had the chance to finish his words. It didn't matter. He did know to call him if he needed him.