Dean may have picked Sam up at the library, but he'd bet his soul and the impala that this kid hadn't spent more than five minutes inside of it. From the moment he laid eyes on Sam that first day, he had known his little brother was lying and it was so obvious that he had to bite back a smartass comment. For starters, Sam's face still pink from the cold held a faucet nose that no matter how hard he sniffed wouldn't stop running. Sam oblivious to his brother's keen eye walked out of the library teeth still chattering like a windup monkey and using his drab green sleeve to wipe his nose. A sniffling out of breath Sam quickly jumped into the passengers seat. "Hey there tiger" Dean greeted gently touching his brother on the cheek with his fist and as predicted the child's skin was freezing. Very much more than you would expect from simply walking outside and into a heated vehicle. Dean then noticed his brothers quick breathing and guessed he had sprinted from wherever he had been. Sam having trained in the art of running since he began to toddle could run two miles without breaking a sweat and the only thing that would have him this winded is a very quick sprint. Dean surveyed the area and asked, "how was the library Sammy". After a very quick assessment he guessed his brother had sprinted from a quarter mile behind the library where he could see some other kids starting to disperse. When Dean looked at Sam, he couldn't help but notice the subtle fidget as a noncommittal Sam who felt a small pang of guilt answered "it's the library. Just books and quiet". Dean grunted, nodded, and then turned the heat on full blast in attempts to defrost the human popsicle that was his little brother.
The next day after school Dean decided to check up on Sam's acquaintances. He arrived early and parked between the library and the playground. He watched as the kids piled in and recognized some of the detention soldiers who were a bit too old and much too rough to befriend his innocent brother. Sam, although experienced in more than most was a good kid and still very naïve which worried Dean. At school, these kids were bonified juvenile delinquents only appeased by rule breaking and property destruction. These kids weren't the type of kids Sam should associate with. Shoot, Dean himself wouldn't run around with this troupe. Right on schedule, as Dean contemplated how to approach this with his brother, he saw a flash of Sam running towards the library's back door. He hated to admit it, but he was quite impressed with how quickly Sam could run.
Dean drove around to pick up his brother and as the youngster entered the car, he asked "almost finish your paper?" Sam rubbed his frozen hands in front of the vent as he replied "a few more days" which wasn't a complete lie as he was working on a project for his advanced English class the young boy rationalized. Dean looked at his brother with a frustrated scowl but Sam concentrating on his iced fingers didn't notice. "Well, let's see what you've got so far" Dean replied holding back his sarcasm. "No!" replied an almost aghast Sam quickly adding "since when do you check my homework?" Dean innocently shrugged at his brother as he said "I was just asking since it's taking up so much of your time. What eight hours so far?" "I'm fine" snapped a sullen Sam who then mumbled "worry about your own homework" as he stared out the window. Dean, although completely disappointed in the fact that his brother was actively lying to him was slightly comforted that at least he wasn't very good at it. Since he couldn't coax the truth out of him Dean would just confront him. It is hard to lie when you are caught red handed.
Bundled for the artic-like weather, Dean parked the car, walked to the back door of the library, and waited impatiently on a frigid white concrete bench that sat to the left of the entrance. The longer he waited, the colder he got, and the angrier he became. As the sun began to set, the temperature had dropped so low that he was convinced his testicles had receded so far into his body that if he coughed, he would expel them through his mouth. Feeling frozen and miserable he bitterly grumbled to himself about the temperature and cursed his brother's name for making him wait for him. When he finally saw his brother blindly running in his direction, Dean stepped aside to be out of the youngster's eyeshot. "Sam Winchester" he shouted when his unsuspecting little brother approached and like a deer in headlights Sam temporarily froze surprised to see Dean standing there.
It was so unexpected that Sam could not immediately process a proper reaction. Yes, there is always a possibility of getting caught when sneaking around but Sam thought he had been pretty suave. He honestly believed he could and would get away with this forever. Sam had planned this. He had made sure to set his watch so he would never be late and had ensured to use the back way to avoid being seen. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out where he'd gone wrong. "Dean I can explain" the young teen said once his heart had finally escaped this throat.
Dean so angry he no longer felt the cold scowled at his brother then snapped "What? That you've been lying to me for days? No thanks. Keep your explanations". Sam was a bit taken aback by Dean's harsh tone. Although Dean generally was a no-nonsense type person who didn't enjoy the chick flick moments, he was more kind and patient with Sam than most. He wasn't generally quick tempered with his little brother and would at least hear him out. Sam decided to try again "no, please listen" he said, and Dean quickly put his hand up to stop him "Look Sammy I don't want to hear it. You lied to me and by the way those kids you're hanging out with are up to no good". Sam rolled his eyes and grumbled "You don't even know them" naturally defending his friends. Dean looked infuriated as he menacingly stepped towards Sam then thundered "I know enough" which made the younger boy take a shaky step back. His voice continued to rise as he added "I see you near those kids and I will end you" which prompted some library visitors to stare at the ongoing scene out of the glass doors. "Can we please not do this here" Sam pleaded face red from embarrassment when he noticed the bystander's eyes on them. Dean couldn't verbally respond as he didn't yet feel in control of his voice. Instead of verbally acknowledging Sam's request, he pointed to the car; and Sam, feeling like a thoroughly chastised five-year-old sulked towards it.
Once in the car, Dean silently turned on the heat as Sam feeling embarrassed, guilty, and now worried about how much trouble he was in solemnly stared out the window. Unable to handle the suspense he stuttered "is. Is dad home" in a voice so small it was almost inaudible. Dean caught his brother's uneasiness and felt it was well deserved so he did nothing to assuage it, "Yeah. He's waiting on you" he said coldly. From the corner of his eye, Dean noticed Sam fidget uncomfortably in his seat and begin to bounce his knee. "Does he know" Sam then asked and when Dean looked at his little brother, he couldn't help but notice the pitiful quivering frown on his face. The older boy did not answer immediately because he wanted to make Sam sweat. Lying to John Winchester was never a good thing and it was obvious the younger teen realized it. When Dean gave his brother a second glance it broke his resolve as the youngster was close to tears. Despite him feeling better by torturing Sam, that mournful dewy-eyed look was agonizing to the older brother. "No, I don't think so" Dean finally said, and the relief Sam felt was almost palpable.
Although relieved, Sam realized he wasn't yet off the hook. "Can we just not tell him" he asked hoping his brother would spare him the what-for of the century. Dean didn't reply or even look at Sam he just sucked his teeth and clicked his tongue in utter discontent. "Dean, please…" Sam pleaded meekly, not realizing that the older boy had no intentions of ever telling their father. "I'm no snitch" Dean said curtly, annoyed mostly at himself for being such a sucker for this kid. Sam took a deep breath and smiled at Dean voicing a heartfelt "thank you". Dean promptly stopped Sam and said "don't thank me because I won't lie either. You've done enough of that for the both of us". A crestfallen Sam looked dolefully at his hands "I'm sorry I lied to you," he said contritely. Dean just silently shook his head and kept driving.
When they got to the hotel Sam quickly greeted his dad and climbed into bed.
"What's wrong with him" John asked noticing not only the sadness in Sam but also the tension between the boys. "Who knows" Dean answered also jumping into bed.