CHAPTER 11

Collin had heated the food. He was now sitting with his brother at the table near the kitchen. He had served Ryan but hadn't taken anything for himself. He wasn't sure how much he was allowed to eat. Sam had said that they can eat but he didn't said how much. But this doesn't mean Ryan have to stay hungry too. So he had made sure that Ryan eat properly. He had taken the share of only one person. It wasn't like his first time that he would have to stay hungry. Besides they had managed to make Dean angry so they were on a thin ice already.

"Cole, why are you not eating ? Is the food not enough for everyone ?" Ryan asked worriedly.

"Hey, there's plenty. But I am not hungry. But you need to eat , comeon." Collin said pushing Ryan's plate towards him to encourage him to eat.

"Nope. You eat too." Ryan said stubbornly and crossing his arms.

"Come on , Rye. My stomach feels funny. Otherwise I would eat too. Now you gotta eat so eat." Collin said now using his 'big brother' voice to which Ryan always complies.

Ryan looked at Collin for a moment but then he began eating because he knew when Collin uses that voice he cannot do anything. And maybe his brother really had a stomach ache. At that moment , Dean and Sam entered the motel room. Dean noticed Ryan and Collin became tensed at seeing him. He tried to make his face look as calm as possible and made his way towards the kids with Sam right behind him.

Sam and Dean took a seat besides the kids at the table. Collin and Ryan were sitting between Dean and Sam with Dean besides Ryan and Sam besides Collin.

Ryan wasn't at all comfortable with sitting besides Dean. He had made Dean angry earlier so he was really afraid to even look at him. But Collin squeezed his hand gently and he calmed down a little with the knowledge that his brother was right there with him.

Dean noticed that while Ryan's plate was full, Collin's plate was empty.

"You don't like chinese, Collin ?" Dean asked Collin.

Collin jumped a little at Dean's voice but he managed to calm himself down when Sam squeezed his shoulder gently like the same way he used to do with Ryan whenever Ryan was nervous.

"No sir. Its not like that I like chinese, sir." Collin replied looking at Dean.

"Then why aren't you eating ?" Dean asked motioning to the empty plate in front of Collin.

Collin didn't reply and Dean looked at Sam who just shrugged his shoulders.

"You feeling alright , kiddo ?" Sam asked Collin with concern.

"Yes, Sam." Collin replied. And Dean was a little bit shocked that while Collin calls him 'sir', he was calling his brother by his name. Well atleast they were opening to one of them. He thought.

"Okay, then please help yourself to some food." Dean said to Collin while pushing some food containers towards him.

"You eat like a pig."

"You are useless. While I go bust my ass, you munch all day."

"You don't know how much you should take ? With the work you do all day , you deserve nothing, boy."

Collin's mind raced to all those taunts his father used to throw at him and that how each of them ended with him getting a sore back with his father's belt because he didn't know how much he deserved to eat. So he wasn't sure how much food he should take that would not show him being ungrateful to the Winchesters.

But while Sam's face was showing concern , Dean was looking at him with a serious expression. Sam noticed how the expression on Collin's face changed from being panicked to defeated. He didn't know the reason behind it but he decided to help the kid by serving the food himself. As Sam was about to serve , he felt Dean nudging his foot under the table. He looked at his brother and Dean shook his head. Sam frowned but be stopped.

If they want the kids to start gaining some confidence around them , they have to start with baby steps. Sam was in mama bear mode. So he might not understand but Dean kinda know why Collin was panicking. The kid wasn't sure how much he was allowed to eat. Or if he was even allowed to eat after he had already given food to Ryan. Dean would show him. If Sam would serve his food then everytime Collin would depend on either him or Sam. Collin should know that he can eat whatever he wants and how much he wants.

"Go ahead , kid." Dean said and while he tried to make his voice as soft as Sam , he knew he had failed when Sam glared at him. He ignored his brother and focused on Collin instead.

Collin's hands were shaking a little while he was putting food on his plate. They were having fried rice and sesame chicken for lunch. He stopped after putting one serving of rice on his plate.

Ryan was looking between Dean and his brother nervously, his own food forgotten. Dean always makes him a little scared. His brother had said that his stomach feels funny and now Dean would force him to eat.

"You are a growing boy. You need more. Come on. Put more rice and some chicken too. " Dean said again in a commanding voice.

Collin looked at Dean to make sure if the man was joking but Dean's face was completely serious. So he did just that. Maybe Dean wasn't that bad atleast he wasn't punishing them by making them starve so thats good. He thought.

Ryan was getting really angry at Dean all of his earlier fear completely forgotten. His brother wasn't eating much because his stomach wasn't fine and now Dean was forcing him to eat. Ryan decided that he don't like Dean. He only likes Sam.

Everyone finally began eating. Ryan kept looking at his brother worriedly for any sign of discomfort but he was a bit surprised seeing his brother enjoying the food , well the food was really tasty. But maybe that was just to please Dean and in reality his brother might be suffering. He thought.

"Ryan , you want some more rice ?" Dean asked Ryan and this time he managed to make his voice sound gentle and hoping that the kid would talk to him.

"I know where they are. I would take them myself, Sir." Ryan said snapping at Dean.

Alright Dean promised Sam to be patient but he would not allow any disrespect especially when they were the ones helping the kids.

Collin looked at his brother in shock for the second time that day. While Sam looked at his worriedly. Dean had promised to be patient but he would not allow that. Thought Sam.

"Excuse me ?" Dean asked and while he was feeling really angry inside. He still managed to ask that question patiently.

Ryan didn't reply. And when Dean saw Collin about to speak for his brother. He raised his hand to stop Collin. The kids need to speak for themselves.

"I don't know anything about you kids. But I would not tolerate disrespect. If anything is bothering you , you both are free to talk to me and Sam anytime. Okay ?" Dean said directing his question at Ryan.

"Yes Sir." Collin replied and nudged Ryan's shoulder to reply. But Ryan didn't say anything. God ! Has the witch who had kidnapped his brother changed him or something ? Thought Collin while looking fearfully at Dean and helplessly at Sam. Hoping that while he couldn't manage his brother at the moment , Sam might be able to manage his.

Ryan didn't say a single word. And Dean's anger raised a few notches. But before he could say anything. Sam nudged his foot and when he looked at Sam. Sam mouthed 'Patience' at him. Dean managed to calm himself after repeating 'patience' in his head and taking a couple of deep breaths. But he didn't say anything. And the rest of the lunch went without any incident.

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