Work Text:
Author notes:
I leave some of Dean’s future open-ended, so people with different wishes for the finale can be met :)
- You decide whether Dean continues hunting, or retires from the life.
- You decide: whether Dean lives to old age, or whether Dean lives for some years after his nephew’s birth then goes out swinging. (But there’s no mention of death in this fic, it’s only present time and happy).
*******
STORY BEGINS:
After Jack brought everyone back, Sam and Eileen married. Sam didn’t hesitate to propose. After losing her once, Sam knew he couldn’t give her up again. Dean felt a deep happiness, seeing his brother experience what he deserved in life. Eileen fully supported the family business of saving people hunting things, and Sam truly loved his mission as a hunter. However, Sam’s lasting wish was that if he ever had a child, he would be a present father and slow down from the life or become a man of letters.
Dean understood and wanted this for his brother. In his own words, Dean wanted Sam to “get out of the life”, have a family, and “live 'til he’s old, bald, and chugging viagra”. So Dean was deeply content to see his brother living a peaceful life.
A year later, Eileen and Sam were expecting a child. Sam made sure he lived close to his brother; he didn’t picture life any other way. He also wanted Dean to be able to see his family as often as he wanted. And Dean became the best uncle, the best there could be.
***
Every month, the brothers would go fishing.
Dean lets Sam drive more often. After all, Sam wants to take Baby for a spin. But Sam always lets his big brother drive on the way back, because although Sam is a father and a husband, he’s still a younger brother.
As the brothers fish at the lake, the two sit peacefully in their chairs while listening to classic rock. Dean is holding the fishing line and humming to "Simple Man", while Sam takes out a book to read.
“You’ll always be a nerd, Sammy,” Dean jokes.
Sam chuckles back. Life at home with a one-year-old can be busy for Sam, wonderfully busy, yet it’s always nice to unwind. And a perfect way to do so by his brother’s side.
The brothers begin to talk about simple things, like sports, the day outside, how "hair rock" is making a comeback, their Dad, chuckling jokes, and whatever they feel like sharing.
Dean then asks Sam how everything is.
“I have nothing to complain.” Sam looks happy. “I mean, my son refuses to eat his vegetables, if we’re keeping score.”
”Yeah, smart kid.” Dean quips, thinking about all the tasteless salads he‘s happily avoided in life. “Dad could never make you eat yours either. Funny how that works. Gotta get him some pie.“
Sam chuckles, “yeah, he does love pie.”
Sam then asks about Dean's cases, as Sam is forever interested in the lore.
Dean knows that in the future of aging, he will have to eventually retire from the physicality of hunting, and maybe dedicate his time to training hunters. The spirit of hunting has always been in Dean’s bones, and he doesn’t know if it’ll fade. Yet he gives himself less hunts to prioritize time for his family. Family always comes first, he makes damn sure of it. Occasionally, Dean wonders if he should settle down from the life altogether. One time he had a random thought of reopening “Singers Salvage” mechanic shop in Bobby’s honor, but he doesn’t know just yet. Dean doesn’t know what will happen in a year, or five, or ten. In this moment, he’s just sitting with his brother and enjoying the day.
“Those vamps didn’t know what hit ’em,” Dean remarks, finishing a story about a recent case.
“Damn right”, Sam replies in acknowledgement.
The brothers continue to sit at the lake. Sometimes they don’t need to talk at all. They have always been good in silence, simply enjoying each others company and not feeling awkward to force a conversation.
Sam looks at Dean and smiles, feeling the depth of love and admiration he has for his brother.
This is how Sam wanted things to be: a family, some normalcy, and his brother by his side. Regardless of wherever they would end up, Sam always knew he and his brother would remain close. One of Sam's personal regrets in his youth was reducing contact with his brother when he went to college, and although he was young and naive at the time, Sam knew shortly after that how much family meant to him and how much his brother was a part of him. That family came first and would never be forgotten through the busy-ness of life. Sam would always see Dean as his hero, and most of all his big brother.
They would always be brothers; they didn’t need to work together to have that bond. And they were. Dean smiles, thinking this too.
Sam places his arm on Dean’s shoulder. Dean does the same. Their bond is deep and strong, and brotherly affection through the years has grown.
The brothers sit like this for a stretch of time, chatting about the day and chuckling about something before heading back home.
****
Sam is holding his child in his arms, sleeping. Dean puts a blanket over his brother. Another time, Dean is holding his nephew on the porch and Sam smiles.
Dean doesn't have kids of his own in this moment, but his nephew is his joy, and he makes damn sure to be there for him. As the kid grows, Dean teaches him how to throw a baseball. Sometimes Dean carries him on his shoulders. He’s the fun uncle, after all. The fun spirit never leaves Dean.
During football season, the brothers visit each other’s homes and sit by the tv with some good ol’ road food. The brothers also work together on home projects, and although it’s not the thrill of chasing ghosts, the Winchesters have always found enjoyment in handiwork and building things. Sometimes Sam asks Dean to come over and help him bbq for dinner. Dean welcomes the family over as well, and when he starts a relationship with someone from the hunting field, Sam finds her lovely and a good fit for Dean. And the brothers continue to spend family-holidays together, and continue to live close-by.
Dean watches his brother become the best father there is, whether it’s watching Sam teach his son the alphabet, watching Sam give his child affection and encouraging words, and watching him laugh. Dean is happy to witness what he always wanted for Sam.
****
Sam and Dean are out on the yard, throwing the ball around with Sam’s six-year-old son. Eileen and others watch with a smile. (Author’s note: If you want Dean to have a romantic interest, “others” can include that.)
Later that day, he and his brother spend some alone time on the porch, drinking a beer.
Dean looks to Sam. “I’m proud of you, Sam.”
Sam gives a surprised look
“You are the greatest father that kid could have,” Dean continues.
Sam smiles softly. Hearing those words from his brother is the best compliment one could hear.
To lighten the moment and remove himself from compliments, as Sam was never good at that, Sam acknowledges the mutual help in his son's life. “My wife is the best mother out there, so that helps." Dean nods in agreement.
Then Sam looks deeply to his brother and replies, "And you Dean are also the greatest family my son could have.”
Dean gives a proud smile.
A few moments later, Dean makes his way home. “Well, I’ll let you get back inside.” Then he pats his shoulder. “I love you, brother.”
Sam replies the same.
As typical to lighten the chick flick moments, Dean throws in a “Bitch” with a chuckle.
“Jerk”, Sam replies with a smile.
***
The End. You can imagine your own future from here (as stated in the "you decide" section). Thanks for reading. SPN Family forever