Dean tapped his fingers on the steering wheel of the old truck He was waiting for Sam, which was abnormal because Sam's school ended before his and Sam was normally in the truck before him.
"Hurry up bro." He growled as the school doors opened and a few dozen kids rushed out, none of which were the squany 12 year old (who looked closer to 10) that Dean was waiting for. Dean sighed and leaned back, forcing his fingers to relax their grip on the wheel.
After what seemed like forever to the impatient teenager Sam came out of the double doors, head bowed low, bangs clouding his expression. Dean laid his palm on the horn, giving it a few 'honk's despite the fact he parked in the same spot every day. Dean's honking did nothing to speed up Sam who drudged on.
"Took you freaking long enough." Dean whined as Sam opened up the passenger door and slipped in, putting his bag between his legs.
"Sorry, the teacher wanted to talk to me after class." Sam mumbled, choosing to stare intently out the window.
"Man you are such a teacher's pet." Dean teased "Have you ever thought about making friends your own age?"
This warranted a shrug from the pre-teen and Dean decided not to push it, choosing instead to start up the truck engine that was loud enough to cut all conversations to a short close.
Or at least that's what Dean attempted to do.
Where the monster roar should be there was but a sad whine and 'click' "Fucking Damn It" Dean growled, trying again to rev the engine to life. "Not today, come on baby, just get us home and I'll look you over I promise" after a few more failed attempts Dean leaned back and let out a sigh. "Sorry Sammy, looks like we're stuck here for a bit." Dean tried not to snap as he clambered out of the driver's side, grabbing the small
'emergency' tool kit from the bed.
Dean had spent about 25 minutes bent over the hood of the truck, elbows lined with the engine grease and his frustration only growing as it looked like this was something more than a 'quick fix'
"Something I can help you boys with?" A late 2000s car pulled in next to them and a 40-50 year old man stepped out. Dean gave him a questioning look and he let out a jolly laugh "Sorry, I should introduce myself, you must be Sam's brother. I'm his math teacher Mr Simmons." The men held out his hand but upon inspecting Dean's greasy ones he let out another laugh "I guess I'll save my handshake for a better time. Old girl not working for you huh?"
Dean pushed away his previous suspicions, relaxing at the man's friendly aura "Yeah, looks that way, I think i'll need to run and get some parts, but we got it handled, sorry for hogging up your parking lot."
"I got a friend who works at the shop, how bout I give him a call for you?" Seeing Dean's obvious discomfort he quickly addends his statement "Guy owes me a favor, I'm sure I can get him to do it free-of-charge, then maybe you can just head out there in the morning and get the parts you need."
Dean was naturally hesitant to take favors, especially from strangers, but the guy was a teacher and the auto-parts shop was a good couple miles away, Sam didn't deserve to be stuck out here all night and the chill was already seeping in. He gave a sigh and nodded. "It would be much appreciated Mr Simmons if you could help us out like that."
"Not at all, Sam is such a help in my classroom it wouldn't feel right to let you boys stay stranded out here." He gestured to the sky "Sides, it might snow tonight, how bout I call my buddy then give you two a lift back home?"
Dean nodded and gave in, screw the paranoia it was nice to just let someone take a bit of the burden off sometimes. "If it ain't to much trouble Sir, gotta get Sammy home so he can get his homework done." Dean started packing up his tools, wiping his hands off on the already stained rag.
"Gotta keep them grades up huh?" the man chuckled, and it made Dean feel warm inside, like how he felt when he was around Bobby, like he could relax and all his troubles would be taken care of. "Come on Sam, how bout we get you both some dinner and then home?"
Sam slipped out of the truck, bag over his shoulder. He was still in his mopey mood, keeping his head hung low and his shoulders high.
"Oh, you don't need to do that Sir we can eat when we get home." Dean protested.
Mr Simmons waved him off, walking over to his car and opening the back door. "Couldn't imagine it any other way, we'll just grab something to go from the diner." Dean allowed himself to be swayed, they hadn't eaten anything but instant noodles and toast for the last week and a burger sounded like the closest thing to heaven he would ever find.
"I sure do appreciate it." Dean grinned, getting in the back. "You didn't say you had such an awesome teacher Sammy." grabbed Sam's bag from him, placing it between them.
Sam didn't respond, just sat and looked back out the window.
True to his word Mr Simmons took them to the diner and ordered some food to-go. Dean got his burger and Sam said he wasn't hungry but Dean ordered a salad for him anyways, saying he would be hungry later. After grabbing the to-go boxes Mr Simmons drove them, following Dean's directions back to the small rental they were occupying, their father, for once, getting something semi-permanent.
"This the place?" Mr Simmons asked, pulling along the side of the street and placing the car in park. "Sure looks small for two growing boys."
"Aw it's just a temporary one, my pops is hunting for something more permanent" Dean lied smoothly, stepping out of the car. "Sides ain't so bad, kinda cozy is all." compared to one room hotels it felt like a freaking palace.
"If you say so" Mr Simmons chuckled. "It sure was good meeting you Dean, Sam talks a lot about his big brother." he winked at Sam who was leaving the car without a word. "See you at school Monday Sam, you boys have a lovely evening and good luck on that car."
He waved and drove off, leaving the boys to slip inside the home, as soon as they stepped in Dean turned on his brother. "What the hell was that Sam? Could you have been more rude? We were sure lucky he came along and he even bought us freaking dinner."
Sam shrugged and tried to walk past Dean who side-stepped, blocking him in.
"I don't care what angsty teenage faze you've decided to adopt today, but in front of someone else you have to drop the attitude. Dad would have whooped your ass if he was here."
"Who cares man." Sam shrugged, avoiding Dean's eyes. "S'not like Dad would even care."
"Ya? want me to call him right now?" Dean returted, flipping out his cell phone for emphasis
"Do or don't, I don't give a damn either way." Sam pushed past Dean, throwing his bag on the ground.
Dean slowly flipped the phone close with a small 'click' confusion clouding his features.
"Shower" Sam grumbled before exiting the room.
AN: Theres Chapter 2, I know it was a bit short but let me know your thoughts! Thank you so much for reading.