Chapter Text
The shrill beeping of the alarm clock was the last thing Dean Winchester wanted to hear. He had been late getting to bed the previous evening, as he was trying to catch up on a science project that would be a huge part of his grade. He had gotten behind in his class work the past few weeks because he was trying to get all the extra shifts he could at the bookstore and at his Uncle Bobby's garage. He wanted to save some extra money with Christmas coming so he could get Sammy the laptop he had his eye on. Plus, Dean knew his father was behind on the bills. Though Dean might try to make excuses, John Winchester hadn't really been a parent and provider for his sons in quite some time. Dean worked as hard as possible to take care of his father and brother, but sometimes the pressure threatened to weigh him down. Today was one of those days.
Fumbling by the side of his bed, he found the right button to stop the alarm from screeching in his ear. The noise was not helping the pounding headache that had been plaguing the teen for the past several days. Pushing away the aches and fatigue he felt, Dean got up and went into the bathroom to get his morning shower. The harsh fluorescent lights above the sink flickered to life and he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror. Damn, he looked like crap! His normally bright green eyes looked dull and glassy, and he had dark circles ringing his eyes that almost looked like he had gone ten rounds in a fight and came out the loser. He looked pale, which caused the freckles on his face to stand out in stark contrast to the rest of his skin. He pushed those thoughts out of his head, they weren't important right now. What was important was getting himself ready for school so he could get Sammy ready. Things would be so much easier for the elder Winchester next year when Sammy would be at the high school with him. For now, he had to get as much ready for his kid brother as possible and still make it to school before the tardy bell.
After a quick shower, Dean hurried through the rest of his morning, throwing on a light gray Henley and worn jeans before hurrying down the hall, banging on his 14-year-old brother's room on the way to start breakfast.
"Rise and shine, Sammy," Dean called out as obnoxiously as possible. He waited until he heard the stirrings of his moose-like sibling before continuing to the kitchen.
Dean already was exhausted and the day was just beginning. Working as quickly as possible, he made a sandwich and threw some vegetables and chips together for his brother's lunch. He skipped making his own, the sight of the peanut butter and jelly was making his stomach curl over and gurgle in displeasure. He always could steal some of his best friend, Castiel's, lunch if he got hungry. Lunch completed, the older brother put some waffles in the toaster so they would be ready for when Sam finished.
Just a few minutes later, Dean felt a small grin tug at the corner of his mouth when he heard his brother barreling down the stairs.
"Woah there, little brother," Dean said with a soft chuckle. "Where's the stampede this morning?"
"Bite me, Jerk," Sam said with exasperated fondness.
"Naw, I think you might like it too much, Bitch," Dean parried back with equal good humor.
Sam shot his brother the ultimate of his bitch faces, and then paused and really looked at his brother. When had Dean lost so much weight? Sure, he always had been lean, but this was more than that; he was looking gaunt and sickly, two things Sam never associated with his older brother.
"You feeling okay, De?" Sam asked, slipping into the nickname he had given to his brother when they were much younger.
"Yeah, Sammy," Dean replied, quickly. "Just a little tired is all. You going to be okay getting to school?"
Sam rolled his eyes at his overprotective sibling. "Yes, Mom," he snarked, "I'll be fine. I will see you after school."
Dean half heartedly flipped his brother off for the attitude, and hurried out the door. He had just enough time to make it before the tardy bell, and he couldn't afford the detention that would await him if he was late one more time.
As Sam watched his brother scurry out the door, he sighed. Dean took on too much responsibility. He had to, in a way, if he was going to keep their little family together. Not for the first time, did Sam wish their father was more stable. John never really got over the murder of his beloved wife, and his sons served as painful reminders of what was and what never will be. But, Sam knew Dean was burning the candle at both ends and worrying so much about taking care of everyone else, he forgot to look after himself.
Sighing, Sam took out his phone. Dean would hate that his little brother was worrying about him. Dean saw worrying about Sam as a one-way street and didn't want Sam to do the same for him. Tough. His older brother had to learn he could count on the ones he loved to look out for him as much as he looked out for them. Decision made, Sam scrolled through the contacts on his phone until he found the one he wanted, Castiel Novak, Dean's best friend and almost second brother to Sam.
》Heya, Cas, can you do me a favor?
Sam wasn't sure if he would get a quick response or not since the older teen was most likely already in class. However, a few seconds later, Sam's phone tweeted a new message incoming.
《 Of course, what do you need?
》 Can you keep an eye on Dean for me? He doesn't look too well this morning and I think the stubborn idiot is making himself sick.
《 I will do my best, but you know how he hates for others to worry about him. 》 Too bad, this time we are looking after him.
《 Understood, I better go. Class is starting soon and I have to find your brother.
》 Thanks, Cas.
Dean taken care of for the moment, Sam went to finish getting ready for school. Maybe it would be a good day after all.