Some would call him a paranoid cynic. Hell, he freely admitted he was. After what happened to Mary, after everything that happened since he became a hunter, he felt justified in his paranoia.
He learned from Fletcher, H, Bill, Jim, and Daniel that there were things, not normal things, and definitely not nice things, in this world. One of those things took Mary. He was damn sure not gonna let whatever it was take his boys, too. Even if she looks like that Granny from Looney Toons.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah, Dean?"
"Why you starin' at that lady?"
What was he supposed to tell his boy? That he suspected the little old lady sitting at a table wasn't just some kind, warm, grandmother watching her grandkids play?
How well could a five-year-old understand the concept of monsters? He still asked him about why he killed that shape-shifter. Not that he explained that that was what the thing was.
Maybe I should, he thought as he watched the gray-haired woman in his rear view mirror. Maybe now is a good time to start teaching Dean there are things out there that go bump in the night.
The side of him that was Dean's father rebelled at the idea. He was supposed to foster and nurture his son's innocence for chrissakes! However, the other side of him, the hunter, told him that the sooner he started teaching him, the better. I have to make sure he's strong enough to look after Sammy. I have to prepare him for anything that could happen while I'm away on a hunt.
"Dean, there are bad things in this world." He picked each word carefully, choosing what he felt a five-year-old could understand. "Bad people. Monsters."
"Like on Scooby-Doo?"
Despite his apprehension and concern, he couldn't help but smile. Everything was either Scooby-Doo or Batman with Dean.
"These monsters aren't like those monsters, kiddo."
"They're not?" A frown feathered Dean's brow. "Why not?"
"Those monsters are make believe," he explained as he started the car and backed out of the stall. "They can't hurt you."
Not like real monsters can hurt you. He checked the rearview mirror and saw the old lady climbing into a tan sedan. Don't think so, Granny, he thought as he tore ass out of the parking lot. Nobody is hurting my boys. Not while I'm around.
Because he's more than a husband and father looking for revenge. He was also a hunter who swore to kill every ghoul, ghost, demon or whatever he came across. And I will kill you if you come near them, he vowed as he hit the interstate.
A/N: Hello, all! Hope this finds you well!