Third Cohort - Boys

Barracks for the boys of the Third Cohort. Girls aren't allowed overnight.

Gabriel sat on his bunk reading a comic book.

Sam peeked out from under his cot, where he had been hiding.

"Sammy!" Gabriel grinned, hopping down onto the floor to join him.

Sam stayed quiet and looked at his finger nails.

"Sammy, you okay?" Gabriel asked, concerned.

Sam glanced at him and shrugged slightly.

"What's up?" Gabriel asked quietly.

Sam mumbled something out and tears pricked at his eyes.

"Hey, Sammy, it's okay. You can tell me. What's up?"

"You were embarrassed by me..." Sam mumbled a little louder and refused to meet Gabriel's eyes.

Gabriel shook his head vehemently. "Naw, Sammy. Never."

"You didn't want Dean to see us.." he added.

"Don't mean I'm embarrassed, Sammy," Gabriel countered, but he looked less certain, like he knew he was on shaky ground.

Sam glanced at him, tears in his eyes.

"I got scared," Gabriel admitted quietly.

"Why?" Sam asked quietly. "Dean wouldn't have cared."

"I grew up with a lot of older brothers. Not all of them would have reacted kindly. It was instinct," Gabriel shrugged.

Sam wiped his eyes and looked at Gabriel before holding out his hand.

Gabriel held out his, a little confused.

Sam grabbed it and pulled him under the cot.

Gabriel yelped, banging his head.

Sam gasped and blushed, instantly letting go of Gabriel's hand and froze.

"Hey, hey," Gabriel chuckled, sliding under the cot with him, a hand on his head. "Just a bruise. I'm not so easily beat up, Sammy."

Sam had tears in his eyes. He hadn't meant to hurt him.