Chapter Text
2004
Sam hadn't talked to Dean since the month he left. He slept with his phone at his side every night, secretly hoping he'd get a call, a text, something from his brother. He was worried sick. He couldn't stand being away from Dean this long. The first night without Dean sleeping in the same room in him was rough.
Sam had been laying in bed for hours . He hadn't gotten a blink of sleep . Jesus, what time is it?
4:00 AM
Damn it.
He sighed . He grabbed his phone and contemplated calling Dean, just to hear his voice . He shook his head and put the device back down on the nightstand .
Suddenly, a short guitar instrumental of "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin signaled that Dean had texted him . He grabbed his phone faster than Dean grabbed his gun from under his pillow.
Dean: Hey Sammy. I know you probably don't want to talk to me, but I just wanted to check in.
Sam let out a breath in relief .
Me: I'm fine, Dean. You can call me or text me whenever you want. I could never hate the only person who ever gave a damn about me.
Sam frowned . He knew the text was a little harsh. Shrugging, he pressed Send anyway . The reply came a few minutes later .
Dean: Well, that's a good thing. I'm off by myself right now. I need some time to breathe.
Dean: And why the hell are you awake at 4 AM? You have classes tomorrow probably. Get to sleep, College Boy.
Dean was off by himself? Since when?
Me: If I'm honest, its hard to sleep without you. I'm used to hearing you snoring 5 feet away.
He laughed when Dean replied.
Dean: Hey, man, screw you. I do not snore! Only old people snore.
Me: Guess you must be older than I thought, huh?
Dean: Shut up, Sam.
Sam laughed at first. It was like Dean was right next to him . He could hear the annoyance in Dean's voice through the text . The laughter faded when the tears fell.
Me: I miss you, De.
Dean's reply came a few minutes after it was read . Sam knew Dean was trying to figure out what to say. He could see Dean sitting on a skeezy motel bed or driving in the Impala under the dark sky full of bright stars, staring at his phone, his fingers twitching, gears grinding in his head as he tried to find the words.
Dean: I miss you too, Sammy. Go get some sleep. Go get the future I know you deserve. Bail me out of jail when I screw up. Love you, kiddo.
The message brought more tears to his eyes . They came down like an overflowing sink now. He had to put his phone down to wipe his eyes before picking it back up to shakily type out a reply .
Me: I love you too. Night.
Dean: Night.
Sam yawned and set his phone on the nightstand. He got sleep that night, even if it was only for 3 hours .
After that night, he and Dean texted every night. Getting even the smallest of texts from Dean like Kick ass at your exam today! or Dude, I had this WICKED huge burger today. It was so good. made his day. Sometimes, Dean called him. When he did, they'd spend hours talking on the phone about idiotic things.
"Shut up, Dean," Sam laughed .
"Hey, man, I'm just saying. They have some pretty hot girls in college. If you swing that way, the guys aren't bad looking either," Dean told him . "You could get laid every night, and no one would care."
"I'll pass. I don't need any sexually transmitted diseases," Sam said.
".. This is a true statement."
"Who's that, Sammy?" Brady asked, taking Sam's phone .
"It's Sam, Brady, not Sammy," Sam punched Brady's shoulder. "And it's my brother, Dean."
"Then who's the dude you're always texting at night?" Brady asked.
"Unless he's texting anyone else, it's me," Dean said.
"You text your brother every single night for hours on end? Don't you have... I don't know, friends? A life?"
"Piss off, Brady!" Sam snatched his phone back from his friend. He was undeniably pissed off.
"Its okay, Sammy . Chill. You know how people are about us . Remember that dick head that Dad knew who asked if we were screwing while Dad was asleep?" Dean soothed . "Freak, right?"
"Yeah," Sam huffed a laugh. "Both you and Dad punched him out."
"Damn right. Asshole deserved it."
"Leave Sam alone, Brady," Jessica chastised. "You know how Sam is about his brother. You're lucky he didn't kick your ass."
"Thanks, Jess," Sam smiled at her. She shrugged and smiled back.
" Oooh , who's Jess?"
Sam blushed . "Shut up, jerk!"
"Bitch."
After that call, Sam hasn't heard from him. He never called because he figured Dean was busy or something. Whatever.
2005
Sam's eyes shot open when there was rusting downstairs. Hunter instincts kicking in, he snuck downstairs stealthily, pistol in hand. The outline of a familiar man came into his vision. He took the man down immediately. The two of them rolled for a few minutes until Sam finally had him pinned.
"Dad?" Sam questioned.
"Nice to see you, Sam. Now can you let me up?" John said.
"Jesus Christ," Sam got up and helped John to his feet. "The hell are you doing here?"
"There's something up with Dean. I wanted to know if you knew anything," John answered.
"And you couldn't have called me?"
"I didn't know your number. Winchesters aren't very well known for being subtle."
"Are you sure Dean didn't just go out for a few days with a girl? He's 26, Dad. He's bound to do these things."
"Sam, he hasn't been home in a month. He hasn't called me or anything."
"Not liking a taste of your own medicine, are you, Dad?" Sam said pointedly.
John sighed. "Now isn't the time for bad blood, Sam."
"Oh really?" Sam took a breath to say something else.
"Sam?" Jess's tired voice said.
Sam froze and turned to her. "Hey Jess. Go back to bed okay? I'll be up soon."
"Who is this?" Jess asked, gesturing to John.
"This your girlfriend?" John asked.
Sam sighed and rolled his eyes. "Jess, babe, this is my deadbeat dad, John Winchester. Dad, this is Jessica Moore, my girlfriend."
John decided to ignore his comment.
"Sammy, be nice. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Winchester," Jess put her hand out. John shook it.
"You too, Jessica."
"Why are you here, Dad, because I'm sure its not to meet my girlfriend and drop in and say hi," Sam shot out.
"Cut the attitude, Samuel. If you're not gonna do it for me, you'll do it for Dean. He's been missing for a few weeks, and I need your help to find him," John explained.
"Missing? Dean?" Jess asked. "Should I call the police?"
"Nah, don't worry about it. I'm sure its nothing," Sam said, glaring at his father.
John laughed humorlessly. "Okay," he said slowly. "Dean's out on a hunting trip, and he hasn't been home in a few days."
It slowly hit him.
"Jess, could you excuse us for a second?"