Hi every one, long time no see.

Just a little note to say that I promise that I haven't gave up on Finding Home at all and the chapters will happen as they happen. I don't want to force them out and it to be rushed =)

Thanks for all the kind words and love. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember all reviews good and bad are appreciated and will earn you extra chocolate.

The bell buzzed loudly through the air as Mr. Buckland held the door open for the last of his students to stroll into his classroom. Mr. Buckland was a kind older man, nearing his seventies, he had one of the friendliest smiles Seth had ever seen and he would greet every one of his students as they piled into class one by one. As the last person finally strolled in to be greeted, Seth found himself craning his neck to see into the hallway. The worried teen didn't know what he was expecting to see but was filled with disappointment when he discovered it was empty. With no Dean or Roman standing there he felt out of place and so alone.

"The Great Gatsby, chapter three please." The teacher sounded even chirpier than he looked.

As people riffled through their copies of the book they were studying, Seth spotted the first blow job gesture from a girl covered in so much fake tan an Oompa Loompa would have been confused, rolling his eyes internally he looked down to the book as Mr. Buckland spoke in his usual avidly animated tone. It wasn't long until something whacked the side of Seth's face, right above the yellowing bruise Dean had made. Seth reached out and grabbed the paper ball that had landed on his desk and started to peel it open, there on the crumpled up page was an extremely accurate picture of a man on fire and above it in all capitals was a question; "YOU GOIN TO BURNING MAN THIS YEAR?"

Seth knew he shouldn't have bothered opening it as he ground his teeth down and pulled his head further into the book. There was a quite set of snickers coming from the back of the small room. Not even wanting to touch the paper, he nudged it onto the floor with the tip of his elbow. A tall guy with ginger hair sitting on the desk next to him, leant down and casually picked it up. Seth tried not to look at the guy, he really didn't need any more insults being thrown his way.

The ginger guy leaned into his desk slightly and surprised Seth by whispering, "ignore them". Still Seth didn't raise his head up, so taking the silence as an opportunity his neighbour leaned a little closer, "I'm Sami."

Seth looked at him sideways and through the curtain of his bleach blonde hair he could see the guy was actually smiling and not laughing at him like everyone else seemed to be. Mr. Buckland must have asked something because a guy with a black afro in the front stuck his hand up quick before being picked on to ramble on about an answer. When the obviously smart kid had finished Mr. Buckland smiled wildly, baring his teeth and shouting "yes". He went back to the board to write down something and Sami leaned in again. "Seriously, don't pay attention to those guys".

The guy in front of him rolled his huge shoulders in a huff of laughter before turning his head slightly, "they aren't worth the shit they stand on."

Sami leaned forward and grinned at his friend, "isn't that the truth."

The chubbier one pulled his hand out behind him slowly and after checking if Mr. Buckland was looking somewhere else, Sami jumped forward in his chair and slapped the hand and leaned back into his chair smiling. The grin soon disappeared when he realised he had been busted by the teacher, "Sami if you could just tell me what I've just said I'd be grateful? I forget in my old age."

Sami's mouth fell agape a few times, but no words came out.

Mr. Buckland, still smiling, just looked at him and said "maybe if you pay attention you'll hear for the next time I ask?"

"Sorry, sir."

"I'll forgive you," jokingly waving his book in the air and as he looked back down to the text, he winked and said "this time."

Sami leaned back into his chair and put a pen to his mouth. Seth saw the spikes on top of the guys head in front of him jump up and down as he hid a laugh.

"Oh, and you too, please, Kevin." Mr. Buckland gave a pointed look at the boy.

Kevin didn't apologise he just sat up straighter and pretended he was reading his book all along, but as soon as the teachers back was turned again they gave each other a sly smile and laugh.

The lesson carried on as normal and Seth scribbled nonsensical patterns in the margins of his paper as he waited for the bell to ring but the lesson dragged on as time seemed to tick slower by the second. He was practically itching to be out of there and to hopefully be with Dean again, but instead he was left in a room filled with people who hated him.

Story of my life.

The window rapped as random debris whacked into it from the wind outside. Seth turned his head to watch the leaves dance about for a little while when he caught someone throw something in his direction again. He didn't have time to react as it flew straight towards him again, it never hit him though. As it came close Sami's hand grabbed it mid-air and pulled it on to his own desk. Seth felt the urge to grab it from him, he didn't want to see what people were saying about him but he sure as hell didn't want others to see it either. He never grabbed it back in time though, Sami had already opened the paper up and quickly threw his elbow up onto the desk, hiding it from Seth's view as wrote something on it. Then, as quick as anything Sami wrenched his arm back and pitched it forward at its new target; Mr. Buckland.

The paper hit the teacher square in the back, forcing him to stop and look at his students over. Seth could see the seething face of the kid who had originally threw it, on the other hand Sami was leaning back comfortably in his chair smirking while he looked down to his notes in front of him as he acted like he had no ide what was happening around him. Mr. Buckland slowly bent down to pick the paper up making he sure his eyes never left the students. Once he got back up his stern expression was catering a very straight and hard smile. The class, including Seth, sat on the edge of their seats waiting to see what was going to happen next.

"Ah, Dash, it's lovely to see you autograph such an exquisite piece of art."

"It wasn't me, sir! Sami threw it" Dash was shouted back defensively as Sami made an over the top "what the hell?" gesture, but all Buckland did in return was smile as he placed the paper into the drawer of his desk at the front of the room.

Mr. Buckland stretched his back before sitting at his old dark brown leather chair and turned forward onto his desk. "It wasn't? Then who's work have I been looking at these past years? Because I know that chicken scratch writing anywhere, but I've never seen you so proud of your work you'd sign it." Dash tried to argue but was cut short by Buckland, "Mr. Wilder don't bother, you know where to go."

Dash made a low snarling sound as he stood up and headed out the class, making sure on his way to bump into Sami's back and then whisper a "you're dead Rollins".

Kevin leaned his head back and smile, "Save it Wilder."

The door shut with a slam and Mr. Buckland stood back up and cracked his hands before picking up a pen. "Right, shall we get back to the lavish world of Jay Gatsby? Xavier if you could carry on where we left off, please?"

The class settled back into rhythm as everything went back to normal and Seth went back to watching the seconds tick by not exactly sure what he was meant to say to Sami or his friend Kevin. When the bell did ring he experienced several of Wilder's friends from the back of class poking him hard with pens, leaving little ink stains on the side of his t-shirt. As he walked out one guy cupped his ass and whispered in his ear, "you like that don't you? Freak?" His friends laughed and Seth found himself finally trying to practically run away. The open and packed space of the hall didn't make him feel any better, there was loud laughter and shouting everywhere, though he knew in his mind that it wasn't aimed towards him it felt like it was. His breath caught into a lump in his throat as he turned around looking for the closest way out before making a b-line for the doors at the front of the school. Somewhere he could hear Dean shouting his name, but her daren't look back, an invisible threat was spurring him on and he needed to get outside before something awful happened.

He pushed the heavy doors open and took in huge gulps of the grey dull air that surrounded him as he tried to steady his lost nerves. A loud bang from behind him caught his attention as Dean walked outside after him. He was panting slightly as he caught up to Seth, concern washed his features. "Seth? What's up?"

Dean reached over and hugged Seth into his warm chest and before he knew it tears poured as he wept clinging on to Dean's worn shirt.

"Hey, let's get you out of the wind."

Seth nodded and moved as Dean slowly pulled him away into the shelter and onto the tables where they had sat the day before. He was pulled away out of Deans grip as he was guided to the chairs and sat down carefully before dropped his own bag on the ground and kneeled in front of him. "What's the tears for?"

Seth moved his hand up to his face and tried to wipe away his own embarrassment before determined it was impossible and instead attempted to hide his own face but surprisingly Dean's hand shot out and as he held Seth's tear stained cheek he whispered soothingly, "it's okay Seth".

His hands where warm and felt unexpectedly soft against Seth's cold dampened skin. Dean smiled and it was wild and soft at the same time. His hair danced in front of his eyes with the breeze under the red hood. Something about the way all this was happening was soothing a terrifying at the same time, he let out a sniffle. "I can't believe I started crying. That's all they needed." He waved his hand in the direction of the school before imitating them. "Oh, look the big homo is crying like a pussy."

"Yeah," Dean replied still smiling, "and look at crazy guy telling him everything's going to be alright."

Seth couldn't help but laugh through his tears, "well there goes your tough as nails reputation and any masculinity I had left."

"We make a pair." Dean laughed along but never moved his hand away from Seth's cheek, as the laughter fizzled out it still remained. Dean was doing that thing again were he was assessing the situation, his hand never once moving away as he stared deep into Seth's eyes. Seth was too scared to stare back as his own heart jack hammered against his ribs. Deans brow furrowed as his thumb started moving back and forward across Seth's skin, causing a trail of goosebumps to rise across his skin. Seth wondered if Dean even knew what he was doing to him being this close. But the other boy wasn't jumping or flinching back, and it forced Seth to consider if he even knew what he was doing himself, this close and intimate with someone. There was a look of wonder twinkling in Dean's blue eyes as he opened his mouth slightly to say something to Seth.

Before the words ever reached the world they were taken away by the loud banging of the door to the school and laughter poured out in their world shattering whatever peace had surrounded them. Dean's head spun to see who it was and his hand dropped away leaving the cold air to seep back into Seth's skin once again. Seth observed how natural it was for Dean to change his whole body within a second into a defensive state whenever people came within his eye shot. Seth wanted to hold him and pull him back down, convince him that there was no danger near, but he knew that if he got too close unexpectedly it could turn back and bite him in ass. Or punch me in the face, he thought as he stroked to bruise on his face.

"Seth!?" It turned out it was Sami and a group of his friends, including Kevin, who had come outside and destroyed their moment.

Seth watched as Sami began to run over and stood up next to the very tense Dean. With every step that Sami took Deans shoulders seemed to rise higher and higher and his feet planted firmly into the ground. It took Seth's complete will power not to stretch out his own hand over Dean's own clenched fists.

"Seth? It is you." Sami almost laughed. Kevin was slowly stepping behind him watching Dean carefully.

"Hey, Sami." Dean shot Seth a look as he acknowledged the other guy.

Sami stopped a few steps away as he made it obvious that he wasn't trying to avoid Dean, but there was no doubting that wary look on his. "Just wanted to make sure everything is okay?"

"He's fine." The words were blunt from Deans mouth.

Kevin glared as he stood next to his friend, Sami only nodded but quietly added, "you sure?"

Dean's body shot straight, Seth was sure a bulldozer would have had a hard time knocking him over. Seth realised that this was probably normal, people thinking of him as some sort of threat, so before anything could happen he slowly stood slightly closer to Sami. "Yeah, thanks for before. You didn't have to do that."

"You kidding, I don't like that kind of shit being dealt to anyone. People shouldn't encourage it, and what they say about you it just isn't fair. Right, Kevin?"

Kevin agreed quietly but never teared his eyes away from Dean.

"Thanks." Seth said, feeling a little happier that maybe not everyone hated him. He looked up at his protector, was still trying to ward off any sort of trouble with his posture alone, "this is Dean."

Sami took in a deep breath, for a second he looked like he wasn't sure what he was meant to say, eventually he plastered on a smile, "I've seen you around, I'm Sami."

Dean didn't reply, the sneer seemed to be permanently etched into his face. So Seth spoke up again, "and that's Kevin. They helped me out in Lit"

Dean eventually pulled his gaze away from the other too and looked at Seth, he wasn't sure what he was looking at but the blue eyes held something akin to a caged animal behind them. "Cool." He muttered and stood down, slightly.

A long breath came out of Sami and he grinned. "You two want to hang out with the guys? We're off for some shakes."

"No, I think we'll pass. Thanks for the offer though."

Seth faced Dean and indicated for him to say something, instead he got an eye roll before he plopped himself on top of the table. Seth pleaded with his eyes, and got an eye roll in return before he looked down at his hoody sleeve and mumbled, "yeah, thanks."

That was the most he'd seen Dean interact with someone, he was actually surprised he said it

Kevin tapped Sami on the shoulder, "come on let's go."

Sami waved a hand before putting it back in his pockets and walked off with his friend. Seth watched the two talk to each other, obviously about Dean, before he turned back to look at his friend. Dean looked pissed, he sat fingering the sleeve and tapping. His foot against the seat in front of him. "What happened in class?"

The voice was no louder than a slight rumble and Seth sat back down facing Dean, leaning his head on his propped up hands. "This guy was throwing shit at me and Sami stuck up for me."

"Who was throwing stuff."

"I don't know some guy with a stupid name. Dash, I think it was."

Dean's eyes shot up, "Dash Wilder? Fucking asshole, hate that guy."

"I can see why, he's kind of a dick."

Dean coursed his lips in contemplation, "want me to say something to him?"

"No." Seth groaned, "you're as bad as Roman."

Dean snorted, "I am not your brother."

Seth was thankful of that, because if he was his brother he'd only feel worse about having these feelings. "I don't need you to fight my battles."

"I wasn't going to fight him." He looked away and played with the fringe in front of his eyes.

Seth found that hard to believe, "then what was going to happen? Dance off?"

Dean was confused for all of two seconds before he chortled. "Definitely not, I don't dance."

"Well, you should learn to if you want to impress the ladies."

"Who said I wanted to impress the ladies?" Dean had that look on his face again, that dared you to do something, before Seth could decipher what though the topic was changed. "I got you a present, pass me my bag."

"A present?" Dean just grabbed at the air waiting for his bag. As Seth passed it over off the floor, Dean practically fell inside it as he rustled about.

He handed Seth a see through bag, inside it was some squashed bagels and a block of cheese. Deans face was flushed as he smirked. "Sorry, it's the best I could do."

"Where the hell did you get these?" Seth laughed.

Dean's face scrunched up as he hid himself slightly under his hood again. "Best not to ask. Food's food, right?"

"I guess so." Whatever sadness Seth had been feeling had vanished as he smiled at Dean. He pulled out the block of hard cheese and broke a piece off it and handed it to Dean. "Cheese, sir?"

"Don't mind if I do." Dean tapped his hunk against Seth's as if they where clinking wine glasses.

Seth really wished this could last forever. Dean went on telling jokes about cheese and bagels being served at fancy high end dinner parties and the world felt completely still. It was moments like these that Seth realised just how much his friend was worth the effort to be around. Through it all, Dean was just a normal teenager, he just wished everyone else would see it that way too.

The bell eventually rang, and Dean's head hit the table as he huffed loudly. "Do we need to go?"

"How else will we learn?" Seth said mockingly.

"Osmosis?"

"Holy crap, you do listen!"

"Only so I can impress you pretty boy."

The two laughed and got up, the walk was no where near as bad as before, he didn't notice anyone say or do anything that was aimed at him or Dean and class seemed to go by without a hitch. Dean even behaved throughout the whole lesson, shocking everyone by answering a question when asked, at that point he whispered under his breath to Seth, "do people really think I'm that stupid?"

"Have you ever answered a question before, or you know, handed work in?"

"Point taken."

After what felt like the quickest afternoon ever the bell rang and every one stood up to escape from the building confines for home. Not Dean though, he was still sat at the table while Seth put the books into his bag. Dean was looking at something on his phone, his mood had instantly changed again and whatever joy was there had been replaced with that look of misery that Seth had already seen too much. "What's up?"

Dean shook his head and put the phone away. "Nothing."

"You want a lift home?"

"Can't." Dean got up, and shrugged his bag up, "got to go and do something. Later Blondie"

As Dean walked away Seth didn't want to admit how heartbroken he was that Dean had just left him there or just how worried he was at how quick the dark mood had crept back into the other teens body. "You sure, we can wait or drop you off?"

"No, Seth." He caught himself before he snapped, "go home okay."

Dean walked off leaving Seth standing there, once again all alone and feeling scared. There was a buzz going down the halls, he tried not to listen what people were talking about as he headed towards his brothers car. He stood waiting for the Roman to show up, holding his phone as he played with the idea of texting Dean just to make sure everything was okay. He had just decided against it when he was knocked over, Oranges stood there, "Oh, shit, sorry." He pretended to help Seth up but pushed him over again, "I'm clumsy today."

"Fuck off." Seth muttered as he tried to hold himself as far away from Oranges and his growing crowd without looking intimidated.

"That's harsh. Words hurt, Rollins. Then again, so does this." He punched Seth hard in the face, knocking his head sideways before snapping him up by the t-shirt "What the fuck do you think you're playing at? Did you go whining to Buckland like a little bitch? Can't take a fucking joke!" He shook, Seth's head backwards and he spotted Dash standing behind him.

"Too busy trying to take a fucking cock, isn't he Dawson." They laughed together as the crowd developed.

Seth didn't think, he just slammed his head forward smacking it into Oranges nose (or Dawson as he now knew). "GET OFF ME!" He growled.

Dawson fell back and let go but there wasn't a long enough time to get away before Dash had a hold of his hair. "Where the fuck do you think you're going? Off to suck cock for money with your boyfriend?"

Seth didn't get it at first, Dawson laughed as he spat out blood and wiped his nose. "That's if he's not taking it up the ass."

Then it dawned on him, they where talking about Dean.

"Heard he's in the toilets right now, earning some loose change for his pops."

Red misted his vision and Seth lunged forward grabbing Dash by the head and bringing it down to his knee. Dawson tried to grab him up but he threw a right hook that dropped him back before pushing him to the ground and jumping on top of him. He managed to land a few solid punches before he was kicked hard in the side. Rolling on to his side Seth tried to protect himself from each blow. It didn't last long until the big teen looming above him suddenly disappeared and a much bigger and very angry Samoan was standing in between him and them. He growled and ran forward, that was enough for the others to realise that even the few of them were grossly outnumbered against his brother. The crowd ended up dispersing when there was no more fight to watch.

When they had disappeared Roman bent down and helped his brother up. "Seth, you alright? What happened?"

Seth stood up, his body protesting every slight movement. Roman hissed as he took in Seth's face. "Fuckers jumped me."

"I bet I know why." He mumbled as he prodded a tissue at Seth's face.

"What's that meant to mean?"

"It's just that since you started to hang out with that kid things are getting worse."

Seth pulled back from Roman, "he has a name, and it's not Dean's fault."

Roman opened the car door, "He's trouble and once you stop making goo goo eyes at him you'll realise he's just a loser."

"Well at least someone said it." Dean's voice came from behind Seth.

Seth swivelled around as Dean stood back a few steps before starting to walk away. Seth began to chase after him, but his side hurt and he had to stop. "Dean, he didn't mean it. Dean!"

"Get in the car, Seth. We need to clean you up. Again." Roman didn't even sound like he cared that his best friend was running away from him. "Seth. Car!"

Defeated and broken Seth gave in and walked over to the car and jumped in, not once talking to his brother the whole ride home.