"Alright class, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and for our project this afternoon we are going to be making Valentine’s Day cards."

A loud cheer erupted from all the thirty-two kindergarteners in Sam’s class. Susie, a bright and cheery girl with bouncy curls shot her hand up.

"Who are we making them for Mrs. Johnson?" She asked.

"Whoever you would like! You can make a card for one of your friends, your mom, dad, brother, sister - it doesn’t matter."

From the back of the classroom, Sam’s face broke into a grin. He knew exactly who he was making his card for.

He raised his hand and waited patiently for his teacher to call on him.

"Can we start right now?" Sam asked excitedly, once he was called on.

Mrs. Johnson chuckled. “As soon as I get the crayons and paper out, yes.”

Sam sat back in his chair mentally thinking of what colors to use for the card. Dean’s favorite colors were blue, green, red and sometimes he liked orange. Sam would use all of them. Dean was going to love the card, especially if Sam found a way to use all of his favorite colors.

Mrs. Johnson went around the classroom passing out a few sheets of white card stock paper to every kid and a box of twelve crayons for them to color with. Once Sam received his, he ripped open the crayons and pulled out the four colors he needed, setting them alongside the sheets of paper. He stared at the sheet of paper for a few moments, planning out how he wanted the card to look. With a determined smile, he picked up the red crayon and started drawing.

His teacher came by a few minutes later, leaning over his shoulder to look at his card.

"Who is this for, Sam?" She asked.

"My brother Dean!" Sam replied, turning to look at her with a goofy, big smile.

"Is he your older brother?"

"Yeah! He’s four years older than me, he just turned ten last month and he’s awesome!"

"That’s wonderful! I’m sure he’ll love your card," Mrs. Johnson replied with a smile.

"I know he will! I’m using all of his favorite colors," Sam stated grinning up at Mrs. Johnson.

"Good. Keep working, alright?"

Sam nodded, picking up the blue crayon. He’d finished the outside of the card, all he had to do now was write the message on the inside. With careful steady fingers he started writing. He read over the message a few times to make sure it sounded right. Sam signed his name at the bottom and smiled; Dean would like this, he was sure of it.

By the time Sam was finished with his creation, there were only five minutes left of class and all the other students were beginning to pack up their backpacks. Sam carefully placed Dean’s card inside one of his pee-chee folders, and placing the folder into his backpack with the utmost care. If Dean’s card was ruined, he would be heartbroken.

Dean picked him up at the back entrance of the elementary school, backpack slung over his shoulders, a gigantic smile on his face.

"Hey Sammy, how was your day?"

Sam grinned up at his brother, excitement thrumming in his veins. “Great! I have a surprise for you!”

"Really? What is it?" Dean asked.

"Something. You’ll find out tomorrow," Sam replied sheepishly.

"Awww Sammy, am I your Valentine?" Dean teased, bumping into Sam’s shoulder.

Sam blushed. “No!”

"It’s okay if I am. It’s cute," Dean said, laughing. 

"Shut up, Dean!" Sam said, scowling at Dean.

Dean kept laughing, but when he noticed Sam’s frown, he threw his arm around Sam’s shoulder, laughter gone and said, “Come on Sam, let’s go home.”

                                                        ~~~

The next morning when Sam woke up, Dean was already awake and making something for breakfast if the sounds of banging pots were any indication. Sam slid out of bed and walked over to where he left his backpack by the door. He could give Dean his card now. Wiping his eyes sleepily, he dug through his bag until he found his pee-chee and pulled out Dean’s card, still in pristine condition. Sam padded over Dean at the stove and tapped him on the shoulder. Dean set down the spatula he had in his hands and turned towards Sam.

"Happy Valentine’s Day, Dean," Sam said, handing Dean the card with a big grin. 

Dean took the card from him, a gentle smile sliding onto his face. He read the cover and then opens the flap. His smile turned into a full-toothed grin that shone brighter than the sun.

"Thanks Sammy, I love it."

"I knew you would," Sam said. He took a few steps forward and flung his arms around Dean’s waist, hugging him tightly.

Dean ruffled Sam’s shaggy hair with his hand. “Let’s have breakfast okay? Then we can watch a movie or something and eat a ton of candy, how does that sound?”

Sam stared up at him, eyes shining with happiness. “Perfect.”

oh boy. i made more.