Just a Little Hug

By No1butjoe

Spoilers for the episode 11x17 "Red Meat".

Summary: Because I needed a brotherly hug to happen.

Everything will be okay.

Sam repeats the mantra over and over again in his head like a broken record even as his grip on consciousness fades. He barely hears Dean's remark about taking long enough, but doesn't have the strength to respond back that he'd been shot and was running on fumes the whole car ride to the Urgent Care. His legs collapse from underneath of him as he falls to the floor, gasping in pain and clutching his still bleeding side. Through blurry vision, he sees his brother get up and hurry over to him, can feel the familiar hands hold him up, support him, even as he yells for somebody to help them. The arms that have helped him and saved him over and over again encircle his worn and battered body in a semi-hug that brings a ghost of a smile to his face.

"Stay with me, Sammy."

He wants to respond that he's not going anywhere, but the words just don't seem to want to come so he just lies there in Dean's arms, his strength waning as nurses suddenly appear from all directions to take control of the chaotic situation. In a matter of seconds, he's on a gurney and being rushed away, unconsciousness finally winning as he slips into a peaceful darkness.

Hours later, the darkness fades to reveal the whiteness of the urgent care's ceiling and a sleeping Dean sitting next to the gurney Sam's still lying on. Sam moves slightly, jarring his stitches and, effectively, waking Dean.

"Hey. How you feeling?"

Sam glares at him, willing his stare to be enough to tell him that that was a dumb question. Dean raises his hands up in a surrendering gesture.

"Just asking. They say you can get out of here once you finish getting two quarts of O negative." The tone in his voice betrays the fact that the older man is unsure that's a good idea.

It's then that Sam notices the IV in his arm dripping blood steadily into his vein. He tries sitting up to get a better look, but becomes dizzy and falls back against the gurney. Dean is immediately on his feet and next to him, patting his shoulder gently.

"Easy, Tiger. Don't overdo it all at once."

Sam shakes his head and is about to retort, but stops, noticing the look on Dean's face. It's a mixture of concern, worry, and relief, making him wonder what all happened after Corbin tried to kill him and he blacked out. He keeps his questions to himself for the time being and closes his eyes. After a few minutes, he opens them again to see Dean still standing there, watching him as if expecting him to disappear at any moment. Before Sam can even open his mouth to jokingly tell him to take a picture, he finds himself enveloped in a hug. Despite the pain that stabs him in the stomach, Sam manages not to wince or groan from it. He has a feeling Dean needs this as much as he does.

Just as quickly as Dean instigated the hug, it ends and Sam is once again forced to lie back. He doesn't get the chance to say anything though as Dean turns and walks out the door. He's a little surprised by his brother's actions but, given the events of the past twenty-four hours, he can't blame him. Still, even as he closes his eyes to rest and relax, a small, content smile appears on his face.