When Sam’s soulless, he has no praise kink. It is nice to know Dean is pleased, things are going well - but it’s never a NEED.

Dean tells Sam he’s doing so good - used to saying that when he sees Sam is trying so hard - and Sam just gives him a long, almost uncertain look, like he’s wavering on the verge of recognizing something, but is not really sure what to do with this.

And Sam just moves on,

and Dean hasn’t felt this lonely in years.

After Sam’s soul is in place,

Dean says - you’ve done so good, Sammy - hand reaching for Sam’s hair, and stops himself, automatically braces himself for the bitterness and loneliness after all those months -

and Sam shivers and swallows, catches Dean’s hand between Sam’s cheek and shoulder and smiles just a little, just a bit, and his cheek is warm against Dean’s fingers.