John Winchester has been called many things in his life- some of which are true. After learning about what happened in this world, the threats that walk the streets, he couldn't just do nothing. Yes, his intentions are as selfish as they are righteous. If his wife wasn't cruelly ripped from him, and his boys weren't put into danger, he would have never seek this life for him and his kids. Faith could have thrown this into their life even if Mary was alive, regardless he didn't want this.
He wanted to kill the son of a bitch who took the love of his life, and flipped his world upside down. There's too many threats in this world for him not to train his sons, to show them how to protect themselves against all things that go bump in the night. The Winchesters haven't had the best streak of luck every since that horrible night, and John would be damned if he let another monster take away someone else he held dear. He's not the best dad, and he had his faults, but he damn sure is trying.
When he got back into town that night, Dean filled him in on Sam's need to say goodbye. He was strict with his kids, he didn't let them have normal childhoods but he couldn't. There were rules each of them had to follow, no trading contact info, simple things to keep a barrier of distance between them and the other kids. It's was meant to protect them, it's harder to say goodbye if a bond gets deeper. It's a lonely life, but he hoped having each other was enough. However, living life without making any forms of friends was highly unlikely. He accepted it though, they were bound to make friends in the time they were there. Sam might have given him more trouble then Dean, but Sam was still his kid.
Sam and him butt-heads more than he ever did with Dean, but that didn't mean John cared about the younger boy any less than the other. The boy questioned everything John did without hesitation, stood up whenever he thought John wasn't doing whats best or being too hasty. His responses were anything but good parenting, he has a temper, something all the boys in the family seemed to inherent. Screaming and slammed doors usually followed an argument.
John was out when Sam got back home, he knew that much. He stopped by a few 'friends' to clear up some loose ends. By the time he got back to the motel the youngest son was moping. It wasn't as in your face as most kids are but it was enough for John to pick up on it. Regardless what you'd think, John paid enough attention to his boys to notice these things.
It was also enough for John to notice the worry that held at Sam, just as much as the sadness. Whoever this kid was, they were important enough to Sam for him to miss, and worry about them. The question was, what was it the youngest Winchester was concerned about?
"Dean." John called, nodding towards the other room. Dean stood, glancing to Sam who stayed in bed, following his father into the joined room. John figured he'd get more answers from Dean, then he would Sam.
"Yes sir?" Dean asked, closing the door behind him. John sighed, turning to his son and crossed his arms. John mused over his words, eyes watching his older son grow a little more restless as the moments passed. Silence used wear down the nerves, makes people more likely to spill the truth in his experience.
"Whose the kid?" John finally asked, watching Dean's face flicker with surprise. Even if for only a second. He knew the imagine he's kids had on him, but he couldn't risk being the good guy. "Kid's gotta be special for Sam, and you, to be broken up over."
"I'm not-"
"Dean I know you." John cut him off, shaking his head. Everything was much more subtle when it came to Dean, but the eyes gave the kid away. "No bullshit, whats the deal?"
"He's just a kid from Sam's school, his home life is pretty shitty, like bad." Dean explained, and John had enough mind to catch the flicker of anger in those green eyes.
"Name, and how bad." John followed up, eyes narrowing. The boys knew what shitty parenting was, if it was enough to get Dean angry, it was bad.
"Danny. he's parents are assholes. Scientist." Dean inhaled, before meeting John's eyes. The eldest Winchester could see the anger and pain as clear as day in those green eyes. "We were helping taking care of what his parents did to him. Shit dad, it was bad." John nodded, it wasn't hard to connect the pieces. And he knew exactly which Danny his son was talking about. Hunters can be shitty, he knew that first hand.
But that was a type of Hunter, and parent, he was trying everything to not become.
"Okay, pack your bags. I have to make a few last stops." John nodded, heading towards the door. "Be ready to go when I get back." He knew what he had to do.
It didn't take long to clean up those loose ends. It never did, leaving was always either planned, or sudden. This time was planned, the Winchesters weren't on the run. Not like John ever let them stay in the database long enough to be known.
He only drove around for a few minutes before he found himself rolling by a familiar brick house. The sign was a give away, but he knew these people. The Fentons. As aloof as they can be, they did have a vast array of knowledge when it came to this side of the supernatural. John wouldn't believe it, until he saw it. He sure did now.
It wasn't that far from the house when he spotted the hunched figure stumbling along the side walk. He was no stranger to spotting injuries, and this kid was littered with them. He had his kids follow rules, doesn't mean he needed to. Sometimes, rules need to be broken to save lives.
"Hey kid." John called out once the window was rolled down, rolling the impala slowly along the side walk. The teen stuttered in his walking before turning, the hoodie didn't do very well to cover the bruising that covered the kid's face. John schooled himself, pulling to a stop when the kid stopped completely and turned to the car.
"That's Dean's car." Was the first words out of the teen's mouth, which pulled a laugh from the older gentlemen. This was definitely the kid.
"Not yet, still my baby." John tapped the door, before pointing at the hoodie clad teen. "You must be Danny." Danny shuffled on his feet, glancing down the side walk before speaking up. The kid moved like a skittish animal, looking for every escape route.
"I'm guessing you're the dad." Danny responded, shoving his hands into the hoodie's pocket. "How'd you know it was me?" He asked, startling blue eyes landing on John. He'd be lying if he said he didn't understand his sons' gravitation to this kid. He was different, something was different with this one. John can see the shit the kid went through by the emotions playing in those blue orbs, but the kid's fire wasn't out. Blazing just as strong.
"Lucky guess, and they told me." John motioned towards his face, watching the kid's face melt with realization. The tensing of the shoulders was obvious, it was clear the kid was ready to run if needed. Or maybe fight. Not that there would be a reason to, the quick reaction had John wondering what this kid expected him to do. "Relax kid, I won't be calling anyone. I just want to give you insurance considering my boys and I are leaving tonight."
"What can you even give me." Danny scoffed shaking his head. John wasn't sure if the disbelief was from the offered help, or the idea that someone could help. "I dealt without them before, I can do it again." John saw the hidden sadness in those eyes, those were the eyes of someone who saw too much too early... Those were the eyes of his boys.
"You shouldn't have to." John replied, reaching into his pocket and producing a small with card. The print small and simple, in the center. "If you ever need help, call this number. Ask for Bobby." John reached out, holding the card out with two fingers. Danny hesitated, glancing around again before reaching over and taking the small card.
"This just has a number on it?" Danny looked up confused, John held back a smile. A number can open doors to a whole world, there's no need for much information. Though he wasn't going to leave the kid alone to figure it out.
"Flip it over." The teen followed, on the back written was "Bobby Singer, referred from John W." Danny looked back up, eyebrows furrowed.
"Why?" It wasn't hard to realize this kid's been hurt to the point he thinks people can't just worry. Or that people would even wan't to help the kid.
"Dean told me, they care about you." John shifted the car into drive, pressing on the brake. Danny glanced around the street, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "I don't need to know you to care."
"Thank you." Danny spoke, a soft ghost of a smile resting on his lips as he turned to the older man. John could see the forming of water against blue eyes, he offered one back.
"Stay safe kid."
AN: Okay so like, it's been a hot minute... And I give you a semi short chapter so I apologize. Life got really complicated, and I moved, and other stuff so I've just been drained.
I've tried to making this longer but I couldn't figure out fillers that make sense and don't just get annoying to lengthen the chapter. I do hope y'all like this.
It's been a bit since the last chapter, but I wanted to also say sorry for the underlining in the last chapter. It was literally just a technical glitch, when I published it wasn't underlined. It should hopefully be fixed.
Anyways I appreciate and have read EVERY review made, even the ones made while I was gone. Updates should hopefully even out, or if not it will in August when my life should HOPEFULLY settle and stop being a mess.
Okay, I hope you guys like this chapter, leave a review and let me know what you thought! Stay safe, healthy, and educated!