Over the next week, Nick and Sam became almost inseparable. Sam almost started to forget that he had only been at this school for just over one week. Any time they weren't in a lesson, the two of them could always be spotted near each other. Dean was beginning to think they must be starting to run out of things to talk about, yet every time he looked over at the two of them, they were wrapped up in another riveting, enthusiastic conversation about something or other. One lunch time, Dean caught Sam handing the X-Files box set over to Nick.

"So that's where it went" Dean laughed quietly to himself before turning back to his own conversations. Across the room, Sam and Nick sat with the box set on the table between them.

"I'll watch every single episode" Nick promised, picking it up and stuffing the box set into his bag. But not before admiring all the artwork on each side of the case. Sam suddenly frowned as he thought about something he hadn't really had time to think about until this moment.

"You know," Sam started awkwardly, looking down at his feet "I haven't seen any of your other friends around. You don't have to leave them for me"

"Well, the truth is you're kind of the first friend I've really had in this place" Nick admitted.

"That makes two of us then" Sam joked, lightening the mood between them. Nick laughed a little before falling quiet and anxiously looking down at his feet.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked with concern.

"Um, I was wondering if maybe- and you can say no if you want- but would you like to come over for dinner tonight? It won't be much but my Aunt Marie is an amazing cook and I-"

"I'd love to" Sam cut off Nick's rambling and the two of them smiled brightly at each other.

"I'll wait for you after school and we can walk back together" Nick suggested and Sam nodded in agreement.

"I'll have to ask Dean but I'm sure he'll be fine with it"

The two of them dipped back into their usual flow of conversation, though they both seemed to be filled with a little more energy than usual. Lunch came to an end far too quickly and Sam had to run to catch his brother before he went to class.

"Hey, Dean!" Sam called out and his brother turned around at the sound of his name "Do you have a minute?"

"Yeah, what is it?" Dean asked, stopping and letting Sam catch up to him.

"I was wondering if I could stay at Nick's tonight? He lives with his Aunt and she seems really nice!"

"Sure thing" Dean smiled and Sam beamed, thanked Dean, then went off in the direction of his next lesson. His excitement caused him to completely miss the look of fear flashing in Dean's eyes at the thought of having to try and explain to their father where Sam had gone and why he wasn't with him.

The rest of the day seemed to drag on much longer than it usually did and Sam was extremely grateful to hear the final bell of the day sound throughout the building. Quickly he gathered up all his stuff, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and rushed towards the doors. There he found Nick waiting for him a few steps away from the door so he didn't get in the way of the general crowd of kids cramming themselves out the doors, desperate to get home. The two of them gave each other nervous yet unwaveringly happy smiles as Sam reached Nick. And with that brief and silent exchange, Nick began leading the way.

Sam loved Nick's home before they had even walked inside. Who he assumed was Nick's Aunt Marie was stood in the open doorway waving cheerfully at them. Sam smiled politely once they reached her as Nick introduced him.

"So you're the infamous Sam? Nick's been talking almost non-stop about you all week" Marie teased her nephew gently, causing both Nick and Sam to blush. She laughed softly to herself before ushering them both inside. Almost instantly, Sam was struck with how homely the place felt. It was pretty crammed full of belongings but oddly enough that didn't make it overwhelming. In fact, it just added more to its charm. As Sam looked around, his eyes caught sight of an intricately designed book sat on the side.

"What's that?" Sam asked, pointing towards it.

"Nothing" Marie said, quickly picking it up and throwing it into a draw. Sam turned to Nick who shrugged.

"It's a book of Grimm tales, I think" Nick told him quietly and Sam nodded, guessing he shouldn't try to push the matter any further. Suddenly a delicious smell hit his nose and Sam realised Marie was in the middle of cooking something.

"That smells so good" Sam commented, leaning over to see what was being cooked.

"Oh, it's just a little home cooked meal my sister, Nick's mother, taught me. Nothing special" Marie admitted.

"Anything home cooked is special in my books" Sam said slightly wistfully. Marie glanced over to look at him but said nothing despite seeing the longing look on his face. Something told her that this kid didn't have the type of family that made home cooked dinners, along with probably a lot of other things she considered family necessities. But that only made her more determined to make him feel included in this family, even if was only for one evening. She smiled softly to herself as she watched the two of them sit down and Nick instantly launch into conversation, Sam replying to him just as enthusiastically. She knew Nick had been having trouble finding friends and settling into this new school, despite being there for over a year by now. So it was nice to see him interacting so positively with someone other than herself and the few friends he had kept up with from his previous school.

The two continued their conversation as Marie prepared dinner. Soon enough everything was ready and she presented the two boys with steaming bowls of stew. Nick smiled broadly- his mother's stew was one of his favourites- and Sam's eyes lit up as he ate his first mouthful.

"This is delicious!" Sam gushed and Marie smiled kindly at him. The meal continued with general small talk about Sam's family and Nick and Marie's life in the trailer. Soon everyone's plates were cleared and Nick quickly volunteered to wash up.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'll do it tonight" Marie smiled softly and Nick shrugged obligingly. Another hour flew past and Marie suddenly realised how dark it was getting outside.

"It's getting late, you should probably be thinking about getting home" Marie said to Sam with a smile.

"I'm not sure how, though" Sam said in explanation to his fallen expression "My dad definitely won't come out just to get me and I doubt he'd let Dean borrow his car"

"Would you like to stay here tonight then?" Marie asked understandingly and Sam looked up at her, first from surprise and then gratitude.

"That would be great" Sam nodded shyly and Marie went about setting him up a bed for the night while Sam texted Dean to tell him where he was. Once Sam got a reply from Dean giving him the all clear, he thanked Marie profusely for the blow up mattress and Sam and Nick settled into bed. They continued whispering in hushed tones long after all the lights had been switched off but eventually they both drifted into silence. Marie smiled down affectionately at the two of them before settling down and falling asleep herself.