Curate, connect, and discover
I think one of the reasons Sam and Dean's relationship is so messed up is that Dean sees himself as Sam's father in a way, but Sam only sees him as a brother. Like, Dean could not function without his brother/son, which is something very parental, while Sam is canonically able to live on. he's a pathetic lil cat, but live he does.
Dean's life has been dedicated to keeping Sam safe, no matter what, and I think because of that he struggles to see Sam as an equal. he's his son. he would die for him. has.
Sam, on the other hand, just wants to be Dean's equal. he wants to be treated as a Grown Man, who makes his own decisions. (the whole Gadreel thing was seriously messed up, but I can see it from both sides.)
just thoughts.