Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Supernatural. Kripke & Co. have that extreme pleasure.

Bad Dreams

By: Vanessa Sgroi

"Dean?" Four-year-old Sammy Winchester's voice quavered. He reached out, poking his older brother's bare shoulder where his oversized t-shirt had slipped down.

Voice thick with sleep, eight-year-old Dean mumbled, "What is it, squirt?"

"I'm s-s-scared."

Hearing that, Dean immediately rolled over and squinted into the semi-darkness, alert. "Scared? Why?"

"B-Bad d-d-dreams." Sammy snuffled, rubbing his small fingers against tear-streaked cheeks.

Dean lifted his threadbare blankets. "C'mere."

The four-year-old climbed in the bed, immediately snuggling into the warm cocoon.

"Scooch closer." Wrapping his arms around Sam's trembling body, Dean murmured, "Better?"

A final sniff and a heartfelt sigh were his answer.

Fin