CHAPTER 8

They were all soaking wet when they entered the motel room. Dean threw his wet jacket at the table near the door and made his way to the bed. He sat down and removed his shoes and Sam did the same. Collin and Ryan were just standing at a corner with their arms wrapped around their shoulders. Sam looked at the kids , both of them were just standing and not moving even an inch. 'God knows what happened with these kids to make them so frightened all the time.' Sam thought.

"Why don't you both dry off yourselves ? Otherwise you both gonna catch a cold." Sam said looking at the kids and handing them each a towel so that they can dry off themselves.

Dean made his way out of the bathroom. He was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a tshirt. "The bathroom is all yours." He said looking at the kids.

Collin and Ryan made their way towards the bathroom with towels and their bag of clothes in hand. Once the door was closed Ryan looked at his brother and said in a low voice , "We gonna live with them ?"

"For sometime , yeah." Collin replied. He didn't know much at the moment. He had no job , no place. So yeah they had to live with the Winchesters.

"They are nice , right ?" Ryan asked worriedly.

Collin looked at Ryan and realised how scared the kid looked. He didn't know much about Sam and Dean himself. So he was as scared as Ryan but he needed to assure his brother so he said , "Hey , whatever happens. I am right here."

Ryan smiled at his brother. He was still scared but he wasn't alone. Collin was here and as always his brother would protect him.

Both the kids quickly changed and made their way out. They didn't want to test the Winchester's patience. Their fathers hated if they spent too long in the bathroom. They were allowed only ten minutes for shower and only three minutes if they want to use the washroom. And if they took more time than that then they used to get five strikes with belt for each extra minute they took.

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Once the kids were in the bathroom , Dean said looking at Sam , "I don't know how we will manage, man."

"These kids look always scared as if they are waiting for us to hit them or yell at them. They need orders for everything. Like they think that they cannot even sit until we order them to." Sam said shaking his head and frowning.

"If I could get my hands on the bastards responsible for this.." Dean said clenching his fists.

"Dean, I feel the same. But you need to calm down. These kids need all our patience and love. We need to prove to them that we really care about them, you know. And seeing you this angry , they would get even more scared."

"Yeah, you are right Sam." Dean knew that too. They are gonna have their hands full with these two kids. And maybe if they are able to earn Collin and Ryan's trust , the kids would tell them about their past. And then Dean would deal personally with the bastard responsible for the kids being always scared of every adult around them.

The bathroom door opened and Collin made his way out with Ryan behind him clutching his tshirt in a death grip.

"It looks like the rain is not going to stop for a few hours atleast." Sam said looking out of the window.

"Yeah. Hey , why don't we watch a movie. Its not like there's much to do anyway." Dean said smiling and looking at the kids.

Both the kids nodded but their faces were completely blank. Dean didn't get the smile out of the kids which he was hoping for when he made this suggestion. But like Sam had said , 'the kids need patience.'

Sam was watching the movie sitting with Dean on Dean's bed while the kids were sitting on his. The kids were watching the movie but Dean and Sam were watching them. Everytime something funny happens in the movie, Ryan and Collin would laugh a little but quickly covered it up glancing worriedly at Sam and Dean.

This infuriated Dean further. The kids couldn't even laugh freely. The kids had to glance at them to make sure their laughing wouldn't get them in any trouble. That was just unbelievable and in a way spoke volumes about their past. Well that would change , Dean thought firmly. He looked at the other bed towards the kids and said,

"Kids, you know these superhero movies , Sam used to love them when he was little. I remember when he was about six or seven he wore a cape for a whole week claiming himself to be a superhero. He thought that wearing a cape would mean that he would fly too. And he tested that theory which resulted with him having a broken arm. Man , that was funny. He used to call himself 'Sam the great' too."

"Dean..." Sam was blushing. Dean didn't need to share his embarassing childhood stories with the kids. But when he heard a laugh broke out from Collin and Ryan , he couldn't help but smile. He looked at his brother who was watching the kids with satisfaction in his eyes and realised that this was all a plan to put the kids at ease. Sam thought that this little embarrassing moment was worth it.

Dean laughed with the kids and though they were all laughing at his expense , Sam couldn't help but laugh too. He remembered the time when he thought himself as a superhero. 'God he really was some dumb kid.'

After that everytime something funny happens in the movie , Collin and Ryan would laugh freely and Sam and Dean would join them too. It was as if now the kids knew that laughing would not get them into any trouble. They could laugh without fearing about any punishment. It was something Collin and Ryan should both know already. But Dean and Sam decided to take baby steps with the kids and that was their first progress.

By the time the movie ended , Ryan was asleep. Collin covered his brother with the blanket and glanced at Dean and Sam.

"You sleepy too , kiddo ?" Dean asked softly to Collin so as not to disturb the sleeping Ryan.

Collin shook his head and said , "No sir." Then he took a deep breath and said , "Sir , if you both have anything for me to do. I can wash your clothes and shoes. I know how to iron them too. Or if you want me to clean the weapons. I can be useful since you are letting me and Ryan stay and have food. I don't have money but I can pay you by working for you."

"I have one thing for you to do." Dean said after a moment.

"Yes, sir ?" Collin asked.

"Try to be a kid." Dean replied.

Collin wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion and looked at Dean and Sam and this time it was Sam who spoke , "Dean is right , kiddo. You don't have to do any of those things , you know. We are helping you and Ryan not because we want something out of you but because we care about you. So, you don't have to feel like you owe us something. Just be a kid."

"And you don't have to worry about things like money. Leave it to us , we will manage. And before you ask again why we are doing this. The answer is simple , you two are little kids and there should be someone out there to take care of you both. And we both would be honoured if you both try to trust us with that." Dean said smiling softly at Collin. But Collin didn't say a word. He was just staring at them. After a few moments Sam said ,

"We don't know what happened in your past , Collin. We would like to know but its your choice whether to tell us or not. But I promise you no matter what happens we would never hurt you and Ryan intentionally."

Sam and Dean were looking at Collin apprehensively waiting for his response. Collin couldn't believe that something like that could happen to him and his brother. He wanted to believe Dean and Sam so badly but he had been betrayed by his own family. So how could he trust two strangers who he hadn't met until yesterday. He could try to trust them. Maybe Dean and Sam genuinely cared about him and Ryan. Just maybe they might be different from all the others. Before he knew what was happening , tears started streaming down his face. The emotions he was hiding inside for so long just so that he could present a brave front for his brother broke all at once. And after a moment he found himself engulfed in the arms of both Sam and Dean. Dean was rubbing his back while Sam was telling him to let all out that he was hiding for so long. After a few minutes he felt his eyes drooping and Dean laying him gently besides his brother while Sam was covering him with a blanket.

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