A small pitiful fire burned. It was nothing, really, but to the two men who had spent so long in ice and cold and pain – it was a lifeline. According to Lucifer it was Christmas.

Sam and Adam were sitting as close as possible to each other and the flames. Anything for warmth.

The torture in the Cage had left its mark. Both men were bloody and bruised and broken. Adam was even missing an ear.

Thankfully Lucifer and Michael had left them alone. Merry – fucking – Christmas.

Sam passed the time telling Adam stories of their big brother and Adam told Sam stories of their Dad being a dad.

"This is the worst Christmas ever!" Sam told Adam dejectedly.

Adam looked at him with a tiny smile. "Even worse than the Christmas you found out monsters were real?"

"Even worse than the Christmas spent out hunting that Wendigo."
The silence returned and only the flames and distant screams could be heard. As Sam watched a tear rolled down Adam's cheek – what was left of it anyway.
"Adam… I'm… -"
"Don't say it, Sam" Adam spat. Trying to hide his tears. "Don't you dare say it."
Adam rose to his feet and turned away from Sam.
Sam shivered from the sudden lack of warmth as he rubbed his arms.
"I forgive you anyway." Adam muttered

Sam stood up and stood behind Adam. He turned around and buried his face in Sam's shoulder. Sam wrapped his arms around Adam.

"Really?" Sam asked, not daring to believe.

"Yeah. I get why you dragged us down here… I mean the fate of the world and shit… and anyway, you're my brother." He looked up into his older brother's eyes. "I'll always forgive you."

Sam hugged Adam closer and buried his face in his younger brother's hair.

The fires burned and brothers held each other close, both silently promising to save the other.