thejabberwock:

This exchange perfectly captures the dysfunctional relationship Dean has with his father, and by extension, the dysfunctional side of the brothers’ relationship as well. Sam’s first thought is I wish Dad was here to take care of us, essentially–a perfectly normal thought for a son to have. Whereas Dean’s first thought is to take care of John. Being his father’s backup is the same feeling of responsibility he’s carried since young childhood, while Sam doesn’t feel the weight of that responsibility in the same way at all. Taking care of John both physically and emotionally–and being his backup for taking care of Sam as well–is just par for the course. {1.21}