Dean was just starting to get the hang of the evening shift, the other mechanics were warming up to him and he was feeling pretty good about spending the next few months working there. He had just finished changing out a transmission of a 2003 Toyota Corolla and was cleaning up to go get Sam when his co-worked tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey, isn't that your kid-brother?" Dan pointed out the garage door into the darkness of the winter evening.
Dean peered out into the rain "No way- he's at some geek fe-" Dean's words ran dry as he recognized the silhouette standing in front of the shop. Without a moment's hesitation he hurried out into the cold, wrench still in hand as his focus was set unwavering.
Sam stood in the rain, shirtless, his white skin like a beacon in the streetlight, his eyes seemed to be glassed over as he watched Dean come up to him. His lips moved but no words came out, still Dean could recognize the word "Dean."
"Hey bro." Dean quickly pocketed the wrench and reached his hand out, feeling as though the tension was so delicate Sam was about to break. "Whatcha doing out here?"
Sam didn't answer, but he placed a shaky hand into Dean's. Another word mouthed "home" He looked up into Dean's eyes and Dean's gut clenched at the sight of desperate almond eyes. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.
"Ya," Dean swallowed, the rain soaking through him. "Yeah, we can go home buddy." He gave what he hoped was an encouraging smile. "Just give me a sec to tell the boss." Dean meant to pull away but Sam's grip tightened on his hand. He instead decided to guide Sam with him as he informed Mike, who graciously held his questions, telling Dean to "do whatever you need to kid"
It wasn't until Sam was sitting in the black truck, engine roaring and heater blasting, that Dean was able to fully assess the situation. Sam sat, knees pulled up to his chest, staring out the window, one arm wrapped tightly around himself, the other however reached for Dean, his hand still tightly grasped in Dean's so tight the knuckles were white, Dean didn't dare pull away though. Driving a stick with one hand wasn't easy, but Dean had done it before. Whatever had happened, it was bad, beyond bad. It had been years since Sam had so much as cried in front of Dean and now Sam sat next to him, tremors running along his entire frame.
They arrived at the apartment and Dean was relieved to see the Impala sitting in the driveway. Sam however didn't move after he turned off the engine, still facing the window staring out into the night.
"Hey but, how about we go inside?" Dean asked gently, stroking Sam's hand with his thumb. "Looks like Dad's home, maybe he can help huh?"
Sam shook his head, water droplets flying from his hair.
"Ok." Dean tried to infuse his words with comfort "forget dad, just me and you then. Wanna give me a chance?"
Again Sam shook his head violently, breath speeding up.
"Woah hey there." Dean put another hand on top of Sam's. "It's ok, you don't have to tell me anything."
"Promise?" It was the first word Sam had said all evening and it came out as a horse whisper.
"What?"
"Do you promise I don't have to tell you? No matter what?" Sam turned his head away from the window, looking directly at Dean, his eyes desperate.
"Not until you're ready buddy. I promise." and Dean meant it. It didn't matter what had happened no matter how bad it was, If he could give Sam this small reassurance he would do it.
Sam nodded, and he seemed to relax a second. "Ok." He breathed
Dean let go of Sam's hand long enough to run around to the other side of the truck and let Sam out. They walked together towards the door and Dean could tell the tension returned double with each step Sam took towards the apartment.
The door opened before they got halfway across the driveway. "You got him? Good, we're leaving." Their Dad spoke, hardly giving them a second glance.
"Dad? Dean hurried inside, almost dragging Sam with him. "What the hell? What do you mean we're leaving? Holy shit is that blood?" Sam flinched away from their Dad, hiding behind Dean like a toddler.
"I shouldn't have to repeat myself to you Dean, something came up and we need to get out of town now." John didn't stop one second, didn't even glance at Sam. He was busy throwing weapons in a bag which he then threw over his shoulder with a huff.
"Dad, what the hell is going on?" Sam's hand tightened like vice grips on Dean's and Dean turned to see his brother, eyes wide and pale as a ghost.
"You and your brother have 10 minutes to pack your stuff and get on the road, you boys can head to Bobby's."
Dean gave up on getting answers out of their father, instead leading Sam to their bedroom. Sam pulled away grabbing a bag and starting to throw his few possessions in it, his actions were devoid of any emotion which scared Dean. Normally Sam would be raising hell about having to leave town.
"Sam" Dean reached out to put a hand on Sam's shoulder, but his fingers barely brushed before Sam flinched away violently, knocking himself against the dresser with a 'thunk' which must have hurt like hell. Sam now faced Dean with wide eyes, breath coming in fast choked bursts. "Woah hey there." Dean held up his hands in pacification "Sorry bro, shouldn't have touched you."
Sam shook his head as if throwing off a bad thought and Dean could tell he was focused on calming down. "Sorry Dean." Sam whispered, slipping down the wall until he sat on the ground, knees pulled up, arms wrapped around and head bowed. "I'm so sorry."
It took Dean a moment to realize that Sam was crying. The realization caused a spike of panic and he slowly sat down, a few feet away from Sam, fighting the urge to hold his brother like he would when Sam was young. "Sorry for what little bro?"
"S'my fault" Sam mumbled into his knees.
"What's your fault Sammy?" Dean forced his voice to remain calm.
"Gotta move now, you gotta leave your job and you loved your job I know you did." Sam's hands clenched tighter on his arms, his fingers causing indents into his skin. J
"It was just a job Sam." Dean shrugged, and he meant it, however great the job was it wasn't even close in comparison to how much he cared about Sam.
Sam didn't seem to be listening. "I ruined everything." He choked out a sob. "Dad hates me, won't even look at me."
Dean had noticed that however occupied their Dad was he didn't even address Sam, didn't even glance at his brother's uncharacteristic composure. "Why would he hate you buddy?" Dean hated to pry, but he wanted to keep Sam talking.
Sam however just shook his head, nails biting into his arm as he seemed to shut down, sobs dying out.
"Sam?"
"It's fine." Sam breathed "Sorry I'm fine." he stood up and started packing again.
Sam was clearly anything but 'fine' whatever was going on was as far from 'fine' as Dean had ever seen it.
"Dean are you ready?" Their Dad yelled from the otheroom which caused Dean to jump back into action, throwing things at random into the duffle.
"Ready dad, be out in a sec." He quickly replied, eyes not leaving Sam.
They packed up in a matter of minutes meeting their Dad outside, the dark and rain hiding the trio. As soon as they were back in line of sight Sam became even more withdrawn, once again hiding behind Dean with his head downcast. Their Dad didn't even look at Sam as he threw the Impala.
Their Dad walked over to Dean, and Dean felt Sam tense. "Dean, you take the Impala to Bobby's" He held out the keys and Dean stared dumbfounded, he Dad had never let him drive the Impala before much less unsupervised.
"Why?" He asked, taking the keys "I can drive the truck."
"Because I want to make sure you boys get there in one peace and I trust the Impala way more than I trust that rust dump." Their dad turned, heading to the truck.
"Aren't you meeting us there?" Dean asked, dread forming in his stomach at the answer.
"No." Their Dad forced the keys into Dean's hand.
"Dad-" Dean started to prostest
"I CAN'T" Their Dad yelled, spinning towards them and Dean saw the fury that lay in his gaze. The fury Dean had only ever seen when their mom's killer was involved. The fury reserved for the worst of the worst monsters. The fury that resonated hatred and rage and now it was pointed directly at him.
No
Not at him
Their dad was looking at Sam with those eyes, and Sam was staring back with eyes of pure terror and something else Dean couldn't quite name. Without Hesitation Dean placed himself between that gaze and his brother, and without another word their Dad turned and got into the truck, pulling out of the lot with screeching tires and a thundering engine.
Sam stood, rain water dripping off his hair and soaking him again. He stood frozen, the only movement the tremors that shook violently through his frame.
"God Sam." Dean breathed. "Let's get out of this weather huh?"
When Sam didn't move Dean took a moment to grab a blanket from their bag, draping it around Sam gently, careful of not spooking his brother like before. "It's ok, let's get you in the car and warmed up."
Sam followed Dean's lead, slipping into the passenger's side of the Impala and pulling the blanket around himself.
The drive to Bobby's was about 16 hours, but Dean was determined to not stop until he was sure his brother felt safe, and hopefully the safety that Bobby's place promised when they were children still remained.
Sam fell asleep, which Dean was grateful for. He was unsuccessful in getting his brother to talk after the encounter with their Dad and he wasn't sure how to help, didn't have the slightest clue what could be wrong. What Sam could have possibly done to make their father look at him in that way. Whatever it was, Dean swore he would never look at Sam with eyes like those.
"Whatever is going on." Dean spoke to the sleeping child "I swear Sam I'm going to find a way to fix it."
AN:
Thank you everyone for reading and for all your encouraging words! It means so much to know you are all here supporting me. Things have been tough but your encouragment and support helps me stay afloat a little better :) You are all incredible and I wish I could give you more but all I can say is I'll work hard on getting the next part up as quickly as I can.