E/O Challenge Word:

old /ōld/ adj. – dating from the remote past; persisting from an earlier time.

Spoilers/Warnings: Vague spoilers for 9x23

Disclaimer: Not mine

My scars remind me that the past is real. ~ Papa Roach

"Show me your scars."

Sam arched an eyebrow at the odd request. "What?"

Dean didn't blink. "You heard me. Show me your scars."

Sam snorted, not sure why this was making him uncomfortable. "Dean, you've seen my scars. Stop being weird."

"I've seen your old scars," Dean clarified. "But not the new ones."

Sam swallowed, saying nothing as he remembered the past few months without his big brother.

But now Dean was back – was human and home and hovering.

"Sammy. Show me."

Sam shook his head, still not understanding Dean's persistence with this. "Why?"

Dean held his little brother's gaze, his jaw clenching as his eyes misted. "Because I want to see how many times you needed me, and I wasn't there."

END