Here is a little short story as a treat for the New Year! It will take place between chapter 1 &2. I hope you enjoy and as always, don't forget to comment!
A/N: There is a brief mention of bullying so if that is a trigger please be careful!
Adam poked at the bruise starting to form under his right eye as he observed himself in the motel bathroom mirror.
It all started when they moved there about 2 weeks ago. Of course, his dad had found a case and felt that it had been long enough that Adam could stay alone with his brothers for a few days. Of course, putting Dean in charge. Luckily it was not hard to stay busy as Dean was able to find a part-time job, while Sam and Adam attended school.
Since this was his first school after joining his ragtag family four months ago, he had yet to adjust to being the new kid. Of course, it didn't help that he was naturally smaller than his classmates. Thus, an easy target for so-called bullies. What they didn't know was that he could fight any and all of them off if he needed too. But since he was told repeatedly to avoid all forms of attention and seeing the result from when Dean got in trouble, that was an option he had yet to act on as he did not want to face his father's wrath.
Not that he had much of a choice now with the growing injury to his face. Since Winchesters were not only extremely observant but deathly protective, it was a lot to hope his family would just let it go. Ever since he joined them he was rarely allowed to do anything without direct supervision or permission. Both his father and brothers watched him like a hawk.
Unfortunately, Adam did not have more time as the motel door creaked open and the room was filled with the sarcastic comments and laughter of his brothers. Luckily their father wasn't due back until late tonight.
"Yo runt. You alive in there?" Dean pounded on the door.
"Yeah, just a sec!" Adam splashed his face with water and took a deep breath as the drama that was sure to unfold as he opened the door. Now would be the perfect time to have a sister whose makeup he could steal. Not that he would want to wear anything so girly, it would have at least helped.
As he opened the bathroom door he saw his brothers sitting at the "kitchen" table laughing. Dread filled him as he would be the reason such a rare moment in his family would end.
Luckily it didn't take long as Adam got closer, Sam saw him first as Dean's back was to him. The smile instantly fell from his older brothers face as happiness morphed into concern. Adam could also imagine the confusion overtaking his oldest brothers face at seeing the change in Sam's demeanor. So, when he turned around it was no surprise to see the instant anger take over.
"Addie what happened?!" Sam gently rushed over to grab his face in his oversized hands as he turned it side to side.
"This is nothing really." Adam pushed him away and turned only to be confronted by another brother.
"Really? You expect us to believe that?" Adam knew that Dean wasn't really asking. Sometimes his oldest brother could be so much like their demanding father it was infuriating. Of course, with the day he had, he was in no mood for orders.
"Believe what you want." Dean's scowl deepened as Adam saw the end of the fuse being reached. So he was not at all surprised when he was roughly grabbed around the bicep. But the Winchester stubbornness had successfully ingrained itself as he faced the glare head on.
"Want to try that again kid." Adam knew from the facial expression and tone he was one step away from an ass kicking. Not being the only one observant to the tension Sam pushed them apart.
"Alright everyone needs to calm down." Sam mediated as he looked between them. The glare having yet to leave Dean's face.
"Look, Dean, why don't you take a drive." His patient brother suggested (never ordered. Only their father could do that). His brothers did their eye-talking thing until Dean finally gave in.
"Fine." Dean growled as he grabbed his keys and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
"So are you going to tell me or make me guess." Adam sighed at his middle brother's persistence. Usually, Sam was one to give him time and space. Not taking the family norm of demanding answers.
"Seriously Sam I am fine." Adam stated again as he headed over to the table to see what diner food they were having tonight. Not missing the questioning eyebrow raise of his overbearing brother that said, 'do I look like an idiot'.
"Fine if you don't want to tell us. Then maybe Dad can ask you about it." Adam panicked as Sam pulled out his phone.
"Wait!" Adam ran over to grab his brother's arms before he could do the last thing he wanted.
"I'll tell you. Just don't tell Dad please!" Joy overfilled him when after a few seconds Sam put his phone away. After which he kneeled to get closer to eye level.
"Ads I won't tell him, but you know he will notice and want to know what happened." Adam slumped his shoulders at the fact. There was no possible way his father wouldn't notice.
"I know, but he seemed like he was in such a good mood yesterday. I don't want to ruin it." he looked down at the ground. Their father was rarely this happy after a hunt.
"You won't ruin anything." Sam clearly stated as he pulled his chin up. Adam nodded to which earned him a hair ruffle.
"So, you want to tell me." Adam sighed.
"Do I have a choice?" Sam smirked.
"Not really." Steeling himself from the disappointment that was sure to come from his brother, he explained.
"They talked bad about mom. They said I was just a drunken mistake and that no parent could ever love. That's why dad is always gone." Looking up to gauge his brother's reaction and expecting to see a calm yet disappointed disposition was not what he found at all. Instead, a look of fury was radiating off his giant of a sibling.
"They said what?" even though the question came out in a calm volume, the anger behind it was clear.
"Sam it's not a big deal. I should have ignored them."
"Ignored them? How could you have possibly ignored them after a comment like that!" Adam took a step back as he brother grew angrier. For the first time in his life, he was afraid of his usually calm family member. Upon seeing the fear in his eyes, Sam calmed back down.
"I'm sorry Addie. I didn't mean to yell. I just can't believe that someone would say that to you." Seeing the brother, he remembers return, Adam relaxed.
"It's-."
"Don't say it's okay or that you are fine." That strict look came back, and he knew there was no point in arguing.
"I know. I just don't want to talk about it." Using his secret weapon, he looked up at Sam with giant blue puppy dog eyes. Luck was on his side as his brother sighed before folding.
"Alright fine. But we are here if you need us. Don't ever forget that." Adam nodded knowing the unspoken message that lies underneath. Sam offered one more hair ruffle before climbing to his feet and pulling out his phone.
"I better tell Dean he can come back. He's probably biting at the bit." Dread once again flooded him. Convincing one brother to drop a subject was one thing but both together? That was near impossible.
"Sam."
"Don't worry. I'll tell him we dealt with it." Adam offered a grateful smile as Sam headed outside. Taking this as a chance to finally relax and bury the pain from today. What the other kids had said to him struck a deep nerve. Not that his father would see that as justification for starting a fight and bringing attention to them. Before he could worry about the matter any longer, Sam returned.
"So, Dean is on his way back with some movies. What do you say to a junk food filled movie night?" Adam's face lit up like fireworks on 4th of July. It was rare they had the money or time to waste on such nights. Not to mention that it was a great bonding experience with his brothers since he wasn't allowed to help with the family business.
"Yeah!" Sam laughed.
"Alright you set us up and when Dean gets here we'll get started."
Surprisingly Dean's arrival was uneventful. There was just the usual sarcastic banter with Sam saying he always knew he was maternal.
"Alright let's get this party started. I am ready for hot chicks and explosions!" Dean declared as he jumped over the back of the couch. Adam laughed as he carried popcorn over and sat next to him. Sam sighed with a dramatic eye roll as he brought sodas and candy over.
"Dude no one wants to watch one of your porn knockoffs."
"Whatever Sammy. The kid and I vote for entertainment, not a snooze fest. Right?" Dean playfully jabbed his side.
"I don't know a good night sleep would be nice." Adam laughed as Sam shoved him over and Dean ruffled his hair. Settling down, Dean turned it to a Godzilla rerun.
After hours of cheesy movies, sarcastic commentary, and playful roughhousing. Adam felt the exhaustion from day finally caught up to him as he leaned over on Dean's shoulder. Falling asleep with the knowledge that no matter what anyone else said, he would always belong with his family.