Here, here! To the brothers having actual conversations being a trend for season 8. Since there's a whole year of backstory to get through, maybe it will work out that way.

I like the idea that Sam may be reluctant to tell Dean about a deal he had to make with someone unsavvory, and that is his secret he's holding back. Maybe with the alphavamp (who could presumably get a psychic connection message through to Benny in Purgatory on how to escape).