Chapter 10
Dean takes them to the nearest motel. Twenty minutes from the campus. He really doesn't know why he suggested to go somewhere else. Somewhere private. He just wanted to spend some time with Sam. And what is he going to do now? Watch crappy motel's crappy TV? He hadn't thought this far ahead when he said it. Maybe he should have suggested a bar.
He books a room with two queens. He always does that normally. When they enter the room, Sam looks around the room. Like he is taking all the nitty gritty details in. The wallpapers are torn from many places. The bed spread has been bleached so many times it seems that it has lost most of it colour. There is a teeny TV in the room.
"I have never stayed in a motel room.." Sam says, still looking around the room like a kid who has come to Disney World for the first time.
"Yeah well, you haven't missed anything. I wouldn't call this a experience that everyone should have.." Dean says, while salting the doors and windows. He then flops on of the beds, with an appreciative groan.."God, I have sat for so longer today, my back feels like a bench.."
Sam also situates himself on the other bed. Not lying, just propping himself on the head board.
"So, how long have you been on the road Dean..?" Sam asks, and Dean closes his eyes. He hopes Sam doesn't ask why they started hunting, because this is one thing he doesn't want to talk about, can't talk about without ripping all the wounds open.
"Since I was four..Not constantly... Dad used to drop me at Bobby's or Pastor Jim for some weeks, few times, it was for even a month.." Dean says, keeping his eyes closed. Doesn't want to see the expression on Sam's face. Sympathy or whatever Sam must be feeling right now. He doesn't think of himself as someone who needs sympathy because he didn't have a stable place to live. He just doesn't want. When Sam doesn't say anything, Dean opens his eyes to peer at him.. Sam is lying now, staring at the ceiling, with faraway expressions and eyes like he is remembering something. Dean just studys him, he isn't looking like the kid he is. He is looking like someone who has suffered a lot, endured a lot. And its not physical scars he is talking about. His eyes are a picture of deep thoughts, and looking older than he actually is. He wonders why he is like that, then he remembers Jo, blaming him for his father's death is pretty messed up, and it can effect anyone. Dean decides to let it go for now, but he wants to ask something else, that he's been itching to ask since his friends left.
"So.. You seemed quite subdued back there, with your friends..don't you like them or they good for nothing.." Dean tries for humour at the end.. Not wanting it to sound like the serious question it is. Dean is looking at Sam, while Sam contemplates what to say. After a while, Sam just shrugs and says.."They are good people.."
"And...?" Dean says, encouraging.
"Just don't feel very comfortable with them..I guess.?" Sam says skeptically.
"I don't know man why. It is just is." Sam sighs finally. Seeming at a loss of words.
"But you seemed okay with me..you were? Right?" Dean asks.
"Yeah. I am not saying there is something wrong with them.. Just its. .. Its just me. And you..you are...You." Sam finishes eloquently and blushes.
"So you are saying I am special huh? Its not only you man, I seem to have that effect on people..don't think too much on that." Dean says in a manner of joke and winks at Sam, trying to hide how he felt warm at Sam's admission that Sam is comfortable with him. Dean is not gonna admit it goes both ways. Not now, anyway.
"Shutup. You are so full of yourself. You know that, right?" Sam asks, grinning now. The tension that seemed to be growing in the room, completely dissipated now.
"Don't I have a reason to.?" Dean asks with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
"Yeah..I guess you have." Sam mumbles and turns his head away from Dean, hiding a smile. And Dean. Well, Dean just smiles wide.
"So, you do anything around here except for keeping your nose in the books." Dean asks, changing the subject.
"Yeah.. I work at a store." Sam says.
"Well, I was asking what do you do for fun.. I guess this is fun for you." Dean says, chuckling.
"How do you get time in all your study?" Dean asks, thinking how Sam juggles between work and college. And if he actually needs money,
"Well, the place where I work gives me leeway, the timing is flexible. So, I have arranged my working hours according to my time table. There are some days I don't work as well. And I work most on weekends." Sam provides.
"Ohh.. So when is your shift starting tomorrow?" Dean asks, feeling something close to disappointment.
"Oh yeah, about that... I was thinking, why don't we hang out tomorrow at my dorm? My room mate isn't usually around on weekends... Oh man..shit.." Sam slaps himself on the forehead, remembering something.
"What?" Dean asks.
"My room mate, Brad, he usually goes at his place for weekends. Its 2 or 3 hours drive. I should have asked him if he was leaving today, you could have just stayed there.." Sam says, regretfully.
"Oh... No problem man,and wait.. I don't think it is allowed Sam.." Dean says.
"Oh well, I don't think you care about what's allowed and what's not? Do you? Not even Brad would have known" Sam says with a wink. Looking like a college boy that he is, and Dean wishes that he always is this care free.
"Okay yeah... So you were saying something about tomorrow. You said you work long hours on weekends, and thanks, I am not interested in staying alone in your dorm room." Dean says sarcastically.
Sam throws a pillow at his face.
"You dumb, when did I say you will be alone. I said WE. As in you and me..or do you want to hang out with Anna? I am sure you will have a great time.." Sam finishes off with an exaggerated raise of his eyebrows and a boyish grin.
"Huh no thanks.. But how can you hang out with me when you have work.." Dean is still confused.
Sam looks at him like he isn't getting the obvious.
"I am taking off from work tomorrow..how else. You are as dumb as you look.." Sam says..
"Hey, I don't look dumb.." Sam just rolls his eyes.
"You don't have to do this for me, I can come visit you at your work if that's okay." Dean says, seriously now.
"I am not doing it for you. I want it. I don't remember just having a saturday off while being here. Maybe when I didn't use to work.." Sam also says this with a serious tone. And Dean's chest hurts at how Sam spends his life. Hell, he has more fun than this boy.
"So, what about your friends.. Will they be with us?.." Dean asks, wishing the answer to be No.
"Don't worry about them, they will have their own plans..you haven't even met all of them..they are not much close though. Even Hayden, Jess and Anna aren't free the whole day. They also work. And they always have plans for when they are free.
"You aren't included in their plans?" Dean asks.
"Well, they always ask me.. But I am working on weekends, and when I am not working.. Well they know by now I am not that much outgoing.." Sam says this in a small voice.
"And they don't have to know about tomorrow that I am not working..." Sam says this with a wink. Back to his previous mood. And Dean doesn't know what he should feel, happy that he is going to be spending time with Sam, or sad, that Sam keeps himself almost isolated. But Dean feels privileged that Sam is letting him in. And he is gonna cherish it.
They spend their time talking about everything except themselves, steering clear out of uncomfortable territory. Dean thinks that they have talked enough about that for a day. Sam tells Dean about Jess. How she asked him out first and they have been together since. Dean thinks that Sam is not into Jess that much. He is with her because he just doesn't wanna break her heart. Dean will ask him about that later. Dean tells him about all his weird childhood. Tells him about Bobby, how he has been a father figure for him. About Pastor Jim and some of the other trusted hunters. They talk about general things. Dean brings out a six pack of beer which they share over watching shitty TV and making fun of it. Dean gets tears in his eyes by laughing so hard at one point. Sam has a great sense of humour. You wouldn't know looking at his serious face. Dean doesn't remember the last time he was this happy and content. Not thinking about anything. Not thinking about a hunt or when he will leave. He just stays in the moment. He never thought he will see a Sam who is like this. He never even knew this Sam existed. But that's the point of wanting to get to know. He is pleasantly surprised. He knows he doesn't really know everything about Sam. But he decides to hang on. He will maybe know the whole Sam one day.
"Hey, Can I ask you something?" Dean asks, while they are making their way to the Impala. Sam has to go back to the dorms, and Dean didn't want him to get a cab. So he insisted on dropping him off.
"Yeah ask away, its not like you have been asking for my permission for the last ten thousand questions you have asked." Sam says sarcastically.
"Shut up..I was just being nice.." Dean grumbles.
"Do you have a phone?" Dean finally asks.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I have a phone.." Sam says, like Dean is being ridiculous.
"I haven't seen you using it like I see people typing away on their phones.." Dean says, matter of factly.
"Oh...". Sam deflates.
"Yeah ohh.." Dean mimics.
"I don't use it very often. Just don't need it. Its not like someone who isn't here contacts me or anything. So I just don't bother with it.." Sam says in a small voice. Sam doesn't mention his family, but the message is loud and clear what Sam is talking about. And he thinks about his own dad. He doesn't remember when they talked last time, let alone meet. He shakes his head to clear this train of thought. He so doesn't want to think about it and spoil the good day he has had. Sam is staring out of the window, and Dean starts the car.
Dean parks the car off campus. Not near it. They walk together to the dorm area. He didn't need to escort Sam to his room. Of course he didn't. But he just wanted to make this day a little bit longer. The corridor is quiet. Dean thinks that everybody is out, considering its Friday night. But its getting late. He wonders how late the students can stay out. He sighs internally, at his lack of knowledge on this kind of stuffs. He files it away in the category of asking Sam later.
Sam's room is empty as well. And Sam turns toward him, smiling so bright Dean feels that he can light up the whole room just by his smile.
"Dude!" Sam says enthusiastically, still that Goddamn smile lightening his face. Dean raises his eyebrows in question.
"Brad is gone !" Sam says, like he is about to jump with excitement.
"So?" Dean asks, still not sure what Sam is so excited about.
"You can stay here man!" Sam says.
"What? No ! I am not sleeping on some other dude's bed.." Dean says, shaking his head.
"Come on Dean ! You sleep in a motel Dean, on a daily basis. God knows how many people and what kind of people stay there, and you are objecting on sleeping here." Sam says, trying to placate him. But Dean is taking none of it. He is still shaking his head, refusing to whatever Sam is saying.
"Okay, you can sleep on my bed.. If it doesn't hurt your fragile feelings.." Sam sounds annoyed.
"What? Just because I know you doesn't mean I would wanna sleep on your bed.." Dean grumbles. But it seems like Sam is not letting it go easily and says.."It won't be the first time though.." Sam says, smirking. And it takes a few moments for Dean to remember what Sam is talking about. He groans. "That didn't count !" And Sam is now flat out laughing at him. Dean glares at him.
"Please Dean, just stay. Just bring your stuff in. Please.." Sam says, with puppy dog eyes and Dean wants to disagree, he really wants. But Sam is looking at him like its so important for him that Dean stays, and he just sighs. Hanging his head. And he hears Sam whoop. Dean looks up at Sam, who is grinning ear to ear, and tries his best to glare at him. But he can't muster that up in the face of Sam's child like happiness and sighs again. He needs to learn how to resist Sam. Its not the first time that Sam got his way. Back at the Road house, Dean agreed to stay there just because of Sam's Goddamn expressions. And Sam got his way again, even though both have been for Dean actually, if you look at it technically. But the point is not about it. The point is, Dean is so easy when it comes to Sam, and it hasn't been long in their 'friendship?' Dean actually thinks that with a question mark in his head. But whatever. Sam is not getting his way next time.