It started as a headache. It wasted no time worsening to dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Both brothers did their best to ignore it. These things happen, even when the headaches become excruciating. What really messed Dean up was the fact that his little brother spit up blood more often than not. He asked if Sam wanted to do something about it, see a doctor, maybe. Stubborn like his big brother, Sam didn't really want to talk about it.
Until Sammy collapsed. At first, Dean decided it was nothing and stayed under the shower's spray. When he came out and found his baby boy practically a corpse on the floor, he couldn't stop himself from praying that Sam was still alive. As Sam lie unconscious in the hospital, basically comatose, Dean accepts that this is a major problem and has no idea what to do about it. When Sam wakes up, he's very exhausted and can't do much besides open his eyes, talk, and barely eat.
When the doctors tell Dean to take him home, he does so. The next morning, he is rewarded with Sam walking like nothing has happened and Dean can't stop himself from holding his brother close. Sam takes the pain and hugs him back. He doesn't know that inside, Dean is having a meltdown.
To calm himself, Dean will usually drink. One night, not as buzzed as he'd like, Dean looks at his brother resting on the couch. His subconscious immediately tells him that Sam is dead.
He remembers the conversation the two had shortly after Sam was diagnosed: it's terminal. Dean is going to have to let Sammy go soon. What is he supposed to do after he can no longer "take care of Sammy"? What is his job? They stopped hunting to give Sam a chance to heal, but Dean could never go back to hunting without Sam.
Dean remembers all the times he was graced with the dimples that, soon enough, he'd never see again. He remembers how much Sam loved his big brother. More importantly, he remembered when he realized he loved Sammy too much. Dean remembers planning to tell Sam about it next year -- or eventually.
Sam doesn't even have a year, anymore.
In the middle of his emotions, Sam walks in and sees it. Immediately brushing it off, Dean proposes a car ride across the country. "Let's just do things" is what he says. So off they go.
Five hours later, Sam is in pain and cannot sleep in the car. The moment they get into a room, he crashes and leaves Dean unknowingly alone with his thoughts.
The next morning, as Sam's health seems to be faring a bit better, Dean nervously expresses himself. The anti-chick-flick master tells his baby brother he loves him. And Sam...
Well, Sam couldn't be happier.
As Sam's expiration date approaches, Dean throws himself into a frenzy to do everything with Sam that they should have done years ago. Sex and even marriage are on the top of the list. Dean had even been caught looking (and maybe buying?) a ring before. He needs to make Sam happy before he dies. There shouldn't be any regrets in Sammy's beautiful mind.
When Sam realizes what his brother is doing, he finds peace. Dean is learning to let go, too. Of course he wants it.
More blood means less time, they learn.
Dean yanks Sam from his sleep one night (half scared that each time Sam lies down will be the last) and drags them both out to get married. Their suits are cheap, the "I do's" are quick, but it's all beautiful in the end.
I wish I could say that this is how it ends -- Sam and Dean loving each other forever and ever and them both living happily ever after.
On their way to spread the good news, it happens.
Sam put his head on Dean's shoulder and closed his eyes. The last thing he would ever know was how much Dean loved him.
Song: The Scientist (Music Box) by Joshua Sanders
I don't own anything.
