Returned
Title: Returned
Genre: Gen (wincest if you squint)
Words: 533
Warnings: None
Sumarry: His Sammy is returned.
Sequel to Out of His Hands
Giddiness and dread are at war with one another deep in Dean’s stomach. It’s nearly time to collect his Beautiful Mind brother from one of the closest things he’s had to a stable home in a long while. Dean has always wanted to be Sam’s home, the safe place in which his baby brother could always return too. But Dean knows now that was the hope of a young fool who thought he was strong and stable enough for the both of them.
Sometimes people break, and the only solution is a sterile place with doctors, nurses and a concrete schedule. He’d seen it happen before to others in the business, but never thought it would take hold of his Sammy, the person who had made it through so much.
He’s been away from Sam for a month, two weeks and two days.
Dean hasn’t once visited his brother since the last night he saw him curled up on a plain white bed.
He told himself this was for the best, knows he might have whisked Sam away from the hospital prematurely for his own selfish need. That wouldn’t have done either of them any good.
Dean wants to see Sammy with every fiber of his being, but he’s afraid what condition he’ll find him in. Sam has done his time, recovered, as they put it. But how much? What would he see?
Dean shakes his head and grips the steering wheel of the Impala tighter. He’ll finally see Sammy, isn’t that solace enough? He can’t be negative, can’t be nervous. This is Sam, a bit run-down but otherwise significantly better than when he’d wound up there.
Time passes quickly. One moment he’s blasting Asia to drown out his thoughts, the next he’s standing inside the hospital, being directed outside to where Sam is. How had almost a month and a half passed so quickly, yet inexplicably so slowly?
He approaches the glass doors that lead to the grounds cautiously. Before he has even turned the handle he’s spotted Sam’s profile, where he sits at a bench underneath a tree. The sun is peeking through the limbs and creating patterns on Sam’s face.
Dean forgets how to breathe.
A plethora of emotion wells up and Dean thinks he’ll have to postpone going outside so he can collect himself.
But that’s not an option.
He twists the handle, and makes his way over to Sam who seems to be deep in thought. A few other patients are outside, enjoying activities and fresh air. The wind is blowing softly, making Sam’s hair flutter. When Dean is less than six feet away, Sammy turns his head.
The smile that breaks across his face is full and genuine, broader and brighter than Dean’s seen it in years. It’s infectious. Dean instantly mimics the smile, incapable of doing otherwise. Relief and happiness settle in him the closer he gets.
Sam is standing now and the distance is closed. Dean hugs Sammy with everything he’s got. It’s the second most intimate embrace they’ve shared, both times in the aftermath of Lucifer and his cage; both times in reunited triumph. The devil can’t have this boy’s soul or his mind.