Chapter 3

The breakfast was a little tense affair. Dean wasn't saying anything just focusing on his coffee like it was about to vanish from the earth and this would be the last time he would have it. John was busy what with discreetly staring at Dean and trying to drink his coffee without spilling it on himself at the same time. And Sam was thinking about what would happen after breakfast. Dean would surely leave and there was a clear possibility that they would never see or hear from him again. It made Sam really sad for some reason.

He didn't want Dean to leave. He knew Dean wasn't his real brother but he could be. So what if they weren't related by blood but family doesn't end in blood and neither does it start from there. His uncle Bobby always says that. His dad and uncle Bobby are like brothers even though they aren't related. They fight , tease and though they would die before admitting it but they care about each other. Sam can see that in their eyes even with the way they fight because they fight a lot but it is only out of brotherly love for eachother. So why couldn't he have that with Dean. How awesome would that be. He wouldn't be alone always. They could hangout , tease and even playfully banter and could possibly do everything that brothers do. Sam would become the best little brother out there. Just thinking about it made him excited and that too in a good sorta way. With the way Dean had managed everything last night made him realise that he wanted this. And once Dean left there would be just him and his dad again with long stretched silences between them. He didn't want that.

"I guess its time for goodbye now." Dean said setting his empty coffee mug on the table and looking at John and Sam. He was shocked when instead of relief as he had expected to find on both of their faces for finally getting rid of him when all he found was their faces drawn in unhappy frowns. He thought that when they wanted him to spend the night they were just thanking him for his help and behaving like what anyone would have to repay him though they didn't need to by not kicking his sorry ass out. But what now. Every time he even mentions leaving they look at him that its the last thing he should do. But damnit why. What was up with these Winchesters ?. He didn't ask them that , he just stood up and made his way towards the couch to gather his jacket and slid his boots on. He could feel their eyes drilling holes in his skull. He huffed and just continued getting dressed. The last thing he wanted was to get close to anyone.

"Where would you go ?" John asked carefully keeping his voice neutral because he had seen Dean becoming uncomfortable with feelings. He didn't know what had happened with the kid to make him so cold. He got glimpses of the real Dean inside this shell of him he had created only if it was for a few seconds whenever Dean talked with Sam. His son with his warm hazel eyes and adorable dimples complete with a perfect mop of chestnut hair and his childish innocence had that effect on people. And Dean proved to be no exception.

"Dunno. Wherever the road will take me." Dean replied and then cringed inwardly wondering why didn't he just lie about someplace instead of making it sound like he was some homeless vagabond.

"Why don't you join us then ?" John asked , again keeping his tone neutral like it was not a big deal. But in truth it was a major deal for everyone of them. John was a hunter who even himself could admit that he could be a bit overbearing , overprotective and paranoid so for him to just ask a young boy who he didn't know to join them just like that was a pretty fucking deal.

Sam just wanted to go to his dad and maybe give him a hug or two. And then shake him just to confirm that the man in front of him was really his dad because his dad just don't go asking strangers to join them. Hell he doesn't even talk to other hunters if they weren't his uncle Bobby , Pastor Jim , uncle Caleb or aunt Ellen. It seemed that Dean really was someone that they both want to get to know. Also it seemed like he and his dad had finally found something or rather someone regarding which they can see eye to eye because they both wanted same thing that is for Dean to stay. Seeing Dean looking like a fish out of water what with his mouth opening and closing with no sound coming out. Sam decided to throw his opinion on the matter too.

"Dad is right. We also go wherever the road takes us or more like wherever dad finds a case or when somebody calls us. You can come with us. Its just me and my dad now. But it would be awesome if you would join us. You can hunt with dad. I am not allowed to hunt till I am sixteen but its okay I can help with the research or when we hunt ghosts. I am about to turn fourteen so it wouldn't be too long. So my point is you should definitely join us." To enforce his point Sam even nodded his head vigorously. He would have kept going on if it weren't for his dad's hand falling on his shoulder. It was then he realised two things , first was that he was babbling and his cheeks flushed a little and second was that his dad's hand was really heavy or Sam was a scrawny kid but whatever.

"Take a breath, Sam. You're gonna faint otherwise. Dean ?" John said clasping his hand around his son's shoulder while looking at Dean.

"You people insane or something ? You have just met me and you want me to join you. Why ? What if I am some psychopath who would likely kill you both in your sleep ?" Dean asked incredulously.

"Are you a psychopath ?" John asked raising one eyebrow in question.

"Well no. But that's not the point and you know it." Dean replied angrily.

"Yeah. Ofcourse you are not because it would have been stupid for you to patch up my dad just to kill him a few hours later." Sam said with a snort then quickly shut his mouth when no one in the room found it funny besides him. Well it was funny he just got a tough audience is all.

"I can't stay with you." Dean replied firmly. He don't get close to people. It was his rule which he had always followed and he would not just stop following it now.

"Why ?" Sam whined at the same time John said , "Give me one good reason."

"I don't know you." Dean said.

"You atleast know we aren't some psychopaths either. And like us you are a hunter too. Thats something." John said and Sam looked at Dean hopefully and once again pulling out his puppy dog eyes which Dean resolutely tried to avoid.

"Thats not enough. Look I need to get out." Dean replied making his way towards the door to finally get far away from these crazy Winchesters who wanted to take some stranger in especially after meeting him just last night. John had met him day before yesterday but it was only for an hour so that didn't count. 'Besides if they get to know me they wouldn't be so eager then.' He thought ruefully. He wouldn't do that to them.

"But why not ?" Sam said blocking Dean's path. And when Dean didn't reply. He decided to take the bull by the horns and just ask the main question.

"Of what are you really afraid of Dean ? Why can't you stay ? I know something bad had happened to you but its okay if you don't want to tell us now. We don't even know your full name. But its okay too. And it would be okay if you never tell us. But please stay. It bothers me that my dad is out there hunting alone but if you agree to come you can watch his back and he could watch yours. And it wouldn't be bad to have someone atleast somewhat closer to my age who isn't an old grizzly hunter." Sam added the last part almost shyly gazing at Dean through his bangs. For a moment he thought Dean would punch him because he was clenching his fists with so much force that even his knuckles looked white. Maybe he had said too much.

John felt ridiculously happy that Sam worries about him. He knew that his son cares about him but with all the fights and arguments they had been having it was kinda nice to hear that his son loves him enough to worry about him. Though making his son worry was never his intention. He waited for Dean's reaction and took just a step forward while he was sure that Dean wouldn't hurt Sam, it never hurts to take precaution.

Dean looked hard at Sam for a long moment almost as if he was searching something in him and Sam just hoped that whatever it was Dean would find it and change his mind. After what felt like eternity , Dean let out a long breath and said almost too quietly , "Okay Sammy."

Sam's head shot up to look at Dean the same time John's did. While Sam was sure it wasn't the time to joke and Dean wouldn't but he wanted to make sure. "You will stay ?" Sam asked.

"Yes I will." Dean said feeling stupidly warm inside seeing the huge grin spread across the kid's face and knowing that he was the reason behind it. He just hoped he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life. He just broke his biggest rule , 'Never get close to anyone.' because of these stupid Winchesters. He feels a connection with them but its stupid because he didn't even know them. But he wasn't getting close to them was he ?. No, he wasn't. He would just hunt with John and try to mind his own business. Its what he was doing earlier and its what he would do. It would not be different now , right.

Sam launched himself to Dean hugging him tightly around his waist. His head just barely reached Dean's chest. He was shorter than his age. He found Dean stiffening due to the unexpected hug but Sam didn't let go. And after a moment Dean relaxed and hugged him too not as tight as he had but still it was a start. They would be best brothers in the whole world. Sam just knew it. People might call him stupid to consider a stranger as his older brother when they had just met but those people don't know anything. There was a feeling inside him that told him that he wasn't wrong. And Sam trusted that and hoped that it was true.

John was unusually happy too. He didn't bother with the 'why' behind it. He was just happy and thats that. He clapped Dean on the shoulder looking at him with a small grin. While he wanted to know about Dean but like Sam said Dean could tell them that at his own pace when he trusted them enough to share his life story with them. And he uncharacteristically found himself to be alright even if Dean decides in the future to never tell them anything. He considered himself to be a good judge of character and even though they had just met Dean. John had a feeling that Dean was a great kid who just had a rough life. And now who can understand that better than him.

"I have some rules though." Dean said once he had released Sam or more like the kid had released him. The kid likes to hug and Dean found he didn't mind it that much but just a heads up would be nice instead of just Sam launching himself at him. But in the end he didn't care because he couldn't remember the last time he was hugged. Once both of them nodded , he said,

"I will not be a freeloader. Meaning I will pay you for my food, rent and petrol. I cannot guarantee how long I will stay and when I decide to leave you guys would just have to be okay. I don't know when it will be. But I know it will be one day maybe sooner than later. Maybe if you guys get fed up of me first." Dean said adding the last part with a self-deprecating smile.

"We will be sharing same room in whatever motel we stay because its safer that way. Which means that even without you I would have taken only one room and would have paid the same price for the room. As for petrol , its not like my car will need more petrol just because we have a new member. So I would have to pay the same price for it as I would have without you. That leaves us with food. I will not accept money because you are already paying me by agreeing to watch my back." John said folding his arms across his chest. His posture conveying that he wouldn't budge on this.

"You will be watching my back in return too. Its not like I am doing you a favor by doing that. Those are my rules which you need to agree." Dean said crossing his own arms and imitating John's posture.

Sam watched the stubborn set of both of their shoulders and when it became apparent that neither would back off. He decided to intervene.

"How about you pay not in cash but by training me to be a hunter. My dad is training me but it wouldn't hurt to get some extra training."

Dean seemed to think it through for a moment. He could teach the kid. His family had some knowledge that the other hunters out there didn't have. He was pretty sure even John didn't knew somethings he did. And it would be good to teach Sam those. Extra knowledge never hurts especially in this line of business. And he wanted Sam to be safe which would be possible if he go out there completely prepared.

"Fine. " Dean sighed finally. And John bit back his grin. Finally they were getting somewhere.

Sam sighed in relief. He worried over what Dean had said about leaving anytime but he would just make sure that Dean wouldn't. He also noticed that Dean thinks pretty low of himself. Whatever it was , it was due to his past. Sam considered himself a pretty laidback kid who doesn't believe in violence unless it is against some monster but he wanted to find and make the bastard suffer for whatever he had done to Dean. But for now he was just happy that finally something new and exciting was happening in his boring , monotonous life.

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