Work Text:
“I still think if I could upload a super program onto your laptop it’d be way faster to find cases.”
Sam smiles at Charlie’s words, absentmindedly typing away on his laptop. He’s quite fond of her, but he’s grown familiar with this way of researching. It helps him focus on each and every detail.
Although there is some improvements Charlie could do on his laptop. For one, making it run faster. It tends to get kind of sluggish with all the research and news articles he downloads.
He sips on his coffee, only half noticing how the other hunter has gone quiet. Still, he figures she’ll start talking in a second.
“Sam,”
Ah, there’s her voice.. When Dean and him were younger his brother would talk so, so much. He used to be annoyed, but now he misses it terribly. Charlie talking his ear off always brings him some comfort and he knows his brother is fond of her too.
“Sam.” Charlie’s voice becomes more urgent and with a frown he sets down his cup and turns to her.
The red head is crouched next to Dean, one hand gently braced on his shoulder as she slowly waves her hand in front of his face. His sibling doesn’t react other than his eyelids fluttering. His brother seems checked out again, A very usual occurrence. The brief disorientation usually only lasts a few seconds, sometimes fifteen at the most.
He’s gotten used to it by now, just assuming it’s a form of coping with bad memories that pop up.
“It’s okay. He does this.”
“He’s having a seizure, Sam.” Charlie’s voice becomes strained, turning to him with wide eyes.
“What? No, he’s not.” Sam shakes his head, forehead creasing in confusion. “He’s not convulsing.”
“How often do these happen?” Charlie presses, turning back to Dean who seems to have snapped back to reality like he always does. His brother doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest by the other hunter being so close, only tilting his head away a little when she moves closer to look him over.
“Usually one maybe two a day-“ Sam starts then shakes his head, getting up from the chair and walking over. “But, it’s not a seizure.”
“It’s an absence seizure. They should only last up to twenty seconds, usually way less.” Charlie explains, switching her intent focus to the younger Winchester. “You need to get him into a doctor. He’ll need anti seizure medication not to mention if he’s having these then he might have some sort of brain injury.”
“Brain injury?” Sam chokes out, panic squeezing his lungs. His breath catches, trying to run the information through his addled mind. “Charlie, what are you talking about? You’re scaring me here.”
Charlie’s gaze turns sympathetic and she glances at Dean who’s watching them with a troubled expression. Slowly, she squeezes his hand, lets go then sets her hands over Sam’s knuckles. Her voice is soft as she continues, as if trying not to spook him further.
“I’m not trying to scare you, but Dean really does need a doctor. Especially if he’s been having these every day.”
Sam swallows, the newly formed lump in his throat not going away. He glances over at Dean, trying to blink back the tears in the corner of his eyes.
Seizures. His sibling has been having seizures and he didn’t do anything to help.
If his brother does have some sort of brain injury, how did he get it? How long has he been suffering with this?
Charlie pulls him into a small hug, trying to reassure him despite that being the last thing Sam feels.
Dean meets his eyes, silent understanding there and it breaks Sam’s heart in two.