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Bobby made his way back to Dean’s room to grab his jacket Dean had managed to put the bed flat and lay with a pillow over his face. Bobby could easily hear the almost silent sobbing coming from beneath the pillow that. He knew he should just leave and let Dean be alone, but he couldn’t and wouldn’t do that so he went over and sat down beside him.

He took Dean’s good hand and held it letting him know he was there. “It’s okay if you cry. It doesn’t mean you’re weak. I know that your daddy raised you to be hard and not to break, but it really is okay to cry.” Bobby gave Dean’s hand a slight squeeze.

“You hear me?” he asked and when he saw the slight motion of the pillow, he knew Dean had heard him. “I’m not going anywhere till I know you’re okay alright.”

Dean nodded, beneath the pillow and squeezed his hand, finally letting the tears flow freely. “I’m scared.” He finally admitted, his voice muffled by the pillow.

“I know you are son, and I don’t blame you. I’d be scared and I’m older than you are and honestly, I’m scared for you too.” Bobby’s voice was raw with emotion, “I wish it was me laying here going through this and not you.”

Dean slid the pillow slightly to the side, but kept it over his face, “I’m glad it’s me and not Sammy.” Dean swallowed and wiped at his face. “I couldn’t take it if it was him laying here instead of me I don’t think I could watch him go through this and I’d never forgive dad if this was Sammy.”

Bobby continued to sit and listen. He could do this for the boy, after all Dean helped him once when he’d gotten hurt because of a werecat.

“I’ll get better right?” he heard Dean, ask almost in a whisper.

Bobby felt his heart go out to Dean. “Yes, I know you’ll get better Dean. You’ll be back to hunting with your dad and brother in no time. Just stop thinking about the what-ifs and start thinking about something else, like taking that nurse for a spin when you do out here.” Bobby answered, with a sly smile.

Dean smiled back, “She was hot wasn’t she.” suddenly trying to catch the pillow as it slid, only to realize that Bobby was pulling at it.

“Don’t.” Dean said, pulling the pillow back over his face.

“Dean, I don’t care if you’re crying, I already told you that.” Bobby said as he raised the head of Dean’s bed.

Dean still didn’t like being weak he hated the fact that he needed help. He’d need help doing some things for a while now. He sighed, “I just don’t want them to see me like this. I can’t let Sammy see me weak. I’m supposed to protect him and I can’t even do that now let alone protect myself.” Dean motioned to himself.

“That’s it.” Bobby’s voice was sharp with anger, “Dean I want you to stop worrying. I promise you I’ll look after the both of you and I won’t let anything happen to your brother. You have to work on getting well or you want be able to take care of him anymore. Your dad has put too damn much on your shoulders and it’s made you grow up way too fast. So for once just rest and worry only about yourself.”

“I can’t.” Dean said quietly, “Every time I try all I can see is Sam getting hurt because I’m not there to protect him and it’s all my fault.”

Bobby pulled Dean to him and hugged him. He knew Dean wouldn’t like it, but he also knew he needed to be reassured that he had somebody that would be the protector, even if just for a while. Dean held to Bobby like a lifeline, and let the rest the tears fall, finally realizing that Bobby would be there to help him.

TBC