CHAPTER 14

Dean didn't sleep much last night. His mind was wandering to the kids and the life they had before meeting him and Sam. He knew the bastards who abused the kids were dead but he still would like to know the names of them. He wanted to make sure that they really were dead. Collin said they went to kill a pack of werewolves and didn't return. It could be possible that they weren't dead but instead decided to abandon the kids and thats why they didn't return. He rubbed his face tiredly. They needed to leave this motel today. He and Sam weren't able to find any case which means they have no particular destination in mind. But it was fine , they would leave this place and at night they would check into another motel. He was itching to be on the road.

Dean looked at his watch , it was 7 in the morning. He had already showered. He figured he could go out and bring some food. And as he was leaving a note for Sam that he would be at the diner nearby picking some breakfast , he noticed Collin looking at him.

Collin had just woken up and the first thing he did was to check on his brother. Ryan was lost in a deep sleep. It was expected as the kid didn't get much last night. He wanted Ryan to get a little more sleep. But Dean said that they had to leave early. He looked at Sam who was also sleeping. So he relaxed a little and decided to wake Ryan after Sam has woken up. He noticed Dean was already up and scribbling something on a sticky note.

"Good morning , kiddo." Dean said softly to Collin so as not to disturb the sleeping Ryan and Sam.

"Morning, sir." Collin replied softly too.

Dean beckoned Collin over. Collin made his way cautiously towards Dean. He really hoped it wasn't something about Ryan's nightmare. Maybe Dean had realised that he and Sam cannot take care of two troubled kids. God , please don't let it be the goodbye. Collin thought desperately.

"I am going to pick some breakfast. You wanna join me ?" Dean asked. He noticed the expression on Collin's face changing from being panicked to relaxed and then once again being panicked.

Collin looked at his brother. He figured that since Ryan is sleeping , he could go with Dean. But he doesn't want to leave Ryan alone. He knew Sam would not do anything to hurt his brother but still he was worried. But it wasn't like he had some work to do here while Ryan was asleep. Sam and Dean had thanked him when he had folded their clothes and cleaned their shoes but they also said that he didn't need to do any of that and if they needed his help then they would ask.

"Don't worry about Ryan. The kid needs his sleep so let him sleep. And since both our little brothers are sleeping so why don't we go make a quick food run ?"

Dean asked gently giving a small smile to Collin. The kid was worried about leaving his brother. He could understand that. But Collin needs to trust Sam and him enough to take care of Ryan. Collin cannot take Ryan with him everytime he goes out and as much as he likes to but Collin cannot always stay with Ryan either. Dean would take Collin with him to pick some breakfast even though he could see that the kid doesn't like it. It was just another step to build the kids' confidence.

When Collin didn't reply and was just standing staring at his brother , Dean asked again. His tone was calm but this time there was a little firmness to it.

"Collin , he would be fine. Come on, lets go."

Dean said and instead of asking this time , he ordered. Sam is always good at doing the talking but he isn't suited for this task. So as much as he didn't like to he had to order. And besides he was doing this for the kids own good.

Collin looked at Dean and when he figured there was no way out of it. He nodded and said quietly , "Yes sir."

"Okay , let me leave this note with Sam telling him that you and me are picking some breakfast so he wouldn't be worried." Dean said and Collin nodded. This way even if Ryan woke up before he comes back , Ryan would atleast know where he was.

Dean was about to leave the note at the nightstand but at the last moment he changed his mind. The motel had offered sticky notes. So why stuck them at the nightstand when there is a much better place. With a mischievous glint in his eyes , he stuck the note at Sam's forehead as carefully as he could so as not to wake him up.

Collin noticed Dean sticking the note at Sam's forehead and he couldn't control the small laugh that broke out of him.

"Comeon." Dean said smirking and guiding Collin outta the motel room.

Since the diner was just across the motel Dean decided to walk instead of riding in his baby. Besides it would give him some more time to talk to Collin. He noticed that instead of walking with him Collin was walking a few steps behind with his head tilted downwards. He sighed and stopped to wait for the kid.

Collin was walking a few steps behind Dean. His father didn't like it at all when he walked in step with him. He knew Dean wasn't like his father but he couldn't risk it. He didn't understand the reason behind it and he loves his back too much to question his dad. Because he knew that if he ever question any order of his father his back would be beaten black and blue. He was also looking at the ground because he was nervous. It was the first time that he was out alone with Dean while Ryan was alone back there with Sam.

He didn't realised when Dean had stopped and he bumped into Dean's back. He was about to fall on his butt if it wasn't for Dean's strong hands taking hold of his arms breaking his fall.

"You alright , son ?" Dean asked holding Collin's arms and steadying him.

"Yes sir. I am sorry, sir." Collin said with his heart racing. 'You can't even walk straight.' He cursed at himself silently while waiting for Dean's reaction.

"Nah , it wasn't your fault. I was the one who stopped suddenly." Dean said taking in note the flinch the kid let out and the scared expression on his face.

Collin let out a relieved breath when he wasn't kicked or punched. And he reminded himself for the upteenth time that the Winchesters were different and nothing like his real family. But when you have spent more than a decade being used as a punching bag. It becomes hard to remember. He found Dean's arm around his shoulders guiding him gently towards the diner across. His whole body was tensed for a moment but he eventually relaxed in Dean's hold. It felt natural to walk with Dean's arm around him , he had seen fathers walking with their kids in that way. It felt nice.

He shook his head to clear his mind. Dean isn't his father. The Winchesters are infact nobody , they just saw two kids and they are helping them out.

"What was your father's name Collin ?" Dean asked casually. He didn't want the kid to know that he was planning to do a search on whether his father was alive or not.

"Timothy Nelson." Collin replied. It didn't escape Dean's notice that how the boy practically spat out the name.

Collin didn't want to think about the man. Thinking about the man brings some bad memories. And also he couldn't understand the reason of Dean asking his father's name. Maybe because of curiosity.

Dean didn't say anything more on the subject. He noticed the change in the kid's breathing and decided to drop it. Besides he had gotten the bastard's name , it was enough for him to do some research. He would also remember to tell it to Sam.

They reached the diner and Dean also noticed a little bakery down the road. He could get the kids something from there too. Maybe pick something for the road.

"What do you want to have kiddo ?" Dean asked Collin once they entered the diner.

Collin looked at the big menu card that was displayed behind the takeout counter. He was skimming through the price list. No matter what the Winchesters say he didn't want to be a burden more than he already was.

Dean shook his head and cleared his throat to get the kid's attention and said in a no nonsense tone,

"You stay out of the price section. You just pick what you want to eat. And pick Ryan's favourite food too. The kid had a tough night, he deserves it and so do you. Leave the rest on me."

Collin sighed but did as he was told. First of all , he wouldn't dare argue with Dean and secondly if by chance he did argue , he knew Dean wouldn't listen to him. He hadn't known the Winchesters for long but he is starting to know the little things about them and one of it was that once Dean had decided something it becomes impossible to change his mind.

But Collin was stubborn too. He decided to order Ryan's favourite dish and for himself , he decided to order the item that was third least costly. He wanted to order the dish with the lowest price but he knew Dean would figure that out. But Dean wouldn't figure this out. He was sure of his plan. Once he was done. He turned to Dean and told him what he had decided.

"Decide something that you really want Collin." Dean said raising his eyebrows. He wasn't a fool.

Collin looked at Dean in shock but in the end he reluctantly ordered something he wanted without looking at the price.

Dean was about to go and order but in the end , he changed his mind. He took out the money from his wallet and told Collin what he and Sam would like and said,

"You go ahead and order. I have to make an urgent call." Dean said and made his way outside of the diner. In truth he had no such call to make. He had noticed the kids becoming tensed and nervous when talking with any adult and he wanted to change that. So he decided that Collin should order, this way the kid would get a chance to speak publicly. It was just another step towards building the kid's lost confidence. But he was keeping a close eye on Collin from outside. He could see the kid's nervousness by just looking at his face. But he was glad for the kind woman behind the counter who was smiling gently at Collin. He couldn't hear what she was saying from outside but he knew that she was helping Collin. After a few minutes , Collin came out. Dean didn't understand that why he was feeling so proud on the kid for just ordering the food by himself but he was feeling proud nonetheless.

Collin came out carrying four styrofoam bags. Dean took two from him. And when Collin attempted to hand him some change , he shook his head and said,

"You keep it. You should have some money with you in case of emergencies or when you or Ryan need something."

When Collin attempted to protest , Dean cut him with a firm , "Not up for discussion."

Collin put the money back in his pocket but not without grumbling , "When the hell is something open for discussion."

"Never when it comes to ya boys safety." Dean replied smiling. Finally the kid had argued with him instead of saying 'Yes sir' like always. He hated disrespect but he don't want a robotic response of 'Yes sir' to everything he says either.

Collin looked in shock at Dean. He hadn't meant the man to hear that. But he saw that Dean was smiling and not looking angry, so he relaxed. And together they made their way back and this time Collin decided to walk in step with Dean instead of following slowly behind.

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