A Brother Like No Other

Rated T for one 'bad' word.

Disclaimer: Of course I own Supernatural! That's why I'm sat here on my bed, eating popcorn and writing fanfiction! :)

Hope your 2018's going great so far! This is set in season 13. Please enjoy! :D

Sam sighed, fingers fiddling with the tie around his neck. He and Dean were working another case, and the two had found another crappy gas station toilet to change into their FBI suits.

For some reason, the younger Winchester had been having difficulty with pretty much everything. He felt like he was constantly watching over his brother – making sure he didn't do anything stupid while worrying over their mom or Cas or Jack. It was kinda weird, to be honest. He always thought he'd be the one who needed looking after, not the other way around.

"Sam, you almost done?" Dean's voice wafted into the stall he was currently changing in, and he looked up, fingers stilling for one moment.

"Uh, almost. Hold on a sec," he said, looking down again and desperately trying to tie his tie. It was stupid, this was. The amount of ties he had tied before, yet suddenly his brain couldn't seem to remember how to do it, and his hands were too busy shaking to be able to- his hands were shaking?

"Damn," he cursed under his breath, and he heard Dean walk over to his stall and knock once.

"You alright in there, Sammy?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just- oh for God's sake!"

"Woah there. No need to bring Chuck into this," the older Winchester said, and Sam could hear the confused frown in his voice. "Come on, open up."

Sighing, he let the two ends of the tie drop in his hands and unlocked the door, watching as it swung open and revealed the worried face of his older brother.

Dean stepped forward and looked around the stall before locking his gaze onto Sam. "What's going on?" he asked.

"It's stupid."

"Nothing's stupid when it concerns you, Sammy," Dean said. "Not counting your hair length."

"Shut up, Dean," Sam said, a breathy chuckle escaping his lips before he looked down, half-embarrassed, half close to tears. "I can't tie my tie."

In all honesty, he had expected his brother to start laughing and tell him to stop being stupid, or even roll his eyes and walk away, telling him to hurry up. But no. Instead, he said "okay," and moved forward, picking up the two ends of the tie and expertly fixing it up. The two said nothing the whole time, and it was only after Dean had tightened the tie and straightened his brother's black blazer that they spoke.

"All done," he said, a smile gracing his face as he looked into Sam's eyes. There was a deep understanding in his own, something the younger Winchester could clearly see. Those green orbs told him all he needed to know – Dean knew there was something wrong, but he wouldn't ask; not unless his brother wanted to. "You alright, Sammy?" he asked calmly, and Sam nodded. There was so much love and protection in his voice, that he suddenly felt stupid for thinking he would ever laugh at him for something like that.

"I'm okay," he said, taking a deep breath and reaching up to fix his hair.

"Good," Dean said, patting his brother's shoulder before turning around. "Now, let's go hunting."

Well, Sam thought as he followed after him, a new-found hope in his heart, I sure do have a brother like no other.

He was one lucky man to have Dean Winchester by his side.