He was alive! Really alive! Sam had been skeptical at first, but now that he was here and his brother was strangling him with his own grip, Sam couldn't help but allow that huge wave of relief rush over him. Life hadn't been the same without Dean around. Food didn't taste as good. Jokes weren't all that funny. And nothing but the hunt interested him, for the most part. But as he pried himself away from Dean, Sam couldn't seem to keep the big smile from spreading over his face. It was officially the first time that he had allowed for an expression of joy to cross over his features. It felt awkward and maybe the smile even looked a little out of place in combination with the dark shadows under his eyes and the scruff that had built it's way onto his face from his lack of concern over his appearance, but it was a real smile. And that should have counted for something.
He looked his brother over. It didn't look like he had been tortured or anything in hell, but maybe when he got here all of the scars and injuries had fled his body. It wasn't unthinkable. "That goes both ways," he admitted. "I'm glad you're back." His smile faded a little. "Just don't go away again, all right? I mean it."