Sam Winchester never really knew where he wanted his life to go, all he knew was he didn't want to keep living like he was. Graduation had been around the corner, and his criminal justice teacher kept urging him to apply for something in law, praising his ability to understand the laws and speak about it in debt. The debate teacher wasn't helping.

That's where his idea for law school came about, and everyone at the high school wanted to push for him to go to college. The idea was interesting, he couldn't say he didn't want to. He wanted a normal life after all, and getting away from his family could do that. No matter how horrible that sounds, no matter how much he loved them. He still sent the application out, he never really expected to get in.

But he did, and that's how that fight got started. Things were said, on his end and on his dad's. It didn't change anything, he was still leaving and as he did, he saw Dean's betrayed stare. It hurt more than he'd like to admit. Stanford was waiting for him, and with that a new kind of freedom. He had to do this.

Stanford was different, orientation was busy. There were so many other students, and many of them were so friendly. That's how Sam met Jessica, he was taken aback by her bubbly personality, she didn't hesitate to introduce herself. It was nice though, he had someone who could stick through all the orientation talks and tours and such.

By the end of the first week, Sam made three friends. His roommate Brady, Jessica, and a classmate Rebecca. The young Winchester had expected the classwork and keeping up with college life would be the hardest part for him, but surprisingly it wasn't nearly as difficult as he imagined. The socializing was the hardest part for him, he had years of conditioning to undo.

Sam had to remember his phone was up to give away, he had gotten a new phone just for school... He couldn't get rid of the number his family knew, he kept that phone stocked away and charged, just in case anything big ever happened. Other then that, experiences growing up help make it a little easier to dance around the topic of his family and keep certain things hidden.

"Hey man, I'm meeting up with some friends later at the club." Brady called out from his bed, a textbook splayed open on his lap. Sam turned in his chair, taking a break on a paper for his English course. "You planning to take a break, and socialize?" Brady joked, grinning at Sam. The younger laughed, shaking his head.

"I can't, I've got another class soon and a few things to finish up." Sam sighed, glancing over to his laptop. "Maybe next time man?"

"Yea, yea." Brady nodded, closing his book with a snap. His friend reclined in his bed, resting against the wall. "So, you and Jessica? She seems interested."

"Dude, I've only known her a week." Sam laughed, shaking his head at Brady's eyebrow wiggle. "She's nice, but don't expect anything."

"Aw come on Sam, college is to live a little." Brady responded. "This week you've mostly been holed up in here. Some of the other kids are ALREADY going to parties."

"Well good for them." Sam shrugged. "I need to set up life before I can let loose." Sam was never one for much partying, but that didn't mean that sometimes he didn't want to go to one. He just need a bit of time, everything was moving so fast.

"Okay, okay, that's fair man." Brady nodded, taking a look at his watch. "I'm just tryna make sure your college experience isn't total shit."

"I know Brady, and I appreciate it." Sam smiled, earning one from Brady.

"Good, cause I don't do this for just any nerd." Brady joked, standing up and stretching his back. "I've got to head to a lab, but next time you're coming."

"I will, I will." Sam smiled, nodding as his friend left. He glanced over at his clock, 5:27, he should probably head out anyway. He had a class at six, and he was still trying to remember the layout of his classes. He'd rather be early than late, late was never a good option in his life.

Sociology has to Sam's favorite class so far, given he's only attended a weeks worth-it's still his favorite. It was also only the second time he's had this class. The teacher was always questioning, she'd never make a student feel dumb even if the class laughed at a comment. Today's class question had been "To what extent is an individual shaped by society?", and with the class being just the right size, the conversation was pretty interesting.

Even though it was his last class, Sam was ready to head straight back to his dorm room. He had applications for jobs he still needed to send out, and it was still only the first week so he still found himself feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed with everything going on. Better to start knocking stuff off his list, rather than waiting. Not like Sam was really one to procrastinate.

"Uh, Sam, right?" A voice called out behind Sam the moment he exited the class. He turned to be met with a girl with short red hair and bright green eyes. He hesitated and offered her a friendly smile. She stood a lot shorter than him, dressed in a bright yellow jumper, and ripped black shorts. Her shoes were oddly blue, not quite matching her anything else in her outfit. What caught Sam's attention the most were the baby heads she wore as earring, it was interesting.

"Yea, that's me." He offered slightly awkwardly. The student smiled, adjusting her side earring rattled with a soft ting noise every time they moved, possibly meaning they had a bell inside.

"I'm Tina, this might seemed weird but you just seemed cool, and I wanted to see if you wanted to be friends?" She asked, smiling brightly. Sam was taken aback, people didn't normally ask to be friends-it usually just happened. "If you want obviously, we don't have to be like friends friends, we can just be classmate friends." She shrugged, never really losing her smile.

"Uh, yea, that sounds good." Sam stumbled back, he ran a hand through his hair before gathering his words. Tina's kind look stayed on her face, never slipping and seeping into her eyes. "I mean, yea, I'll like to be friends." She seemed nice overall, and like he could spend time with her. That brightened her up a little more.

"Awesome, well- Shoot." She paused, eyes trained on the bulky white watch on her wrist. "I've gotta get to my next evening class, but here's my number. Text me, we should meet up, maybe a study session." Before Sam could respond, he was handed a slip of paper and Tina was rushing off. Sam paused for a second, taking in the odd exchange. Everyone has different ways they make friends, with a chuckle and a smile Sam placed the paper in his pocket and turned off towards his dorm.

College was stressful as it was liberating. Sam didn't regret coming here, he figured once he landed himself fully on his feet and he grew comfortable, it could be a good step. He wasn't sure what to expect, and everyday was always a surprise. But considering how he grew up, he was used to new things coming into his life. Nonetheless, he couldn't help his mind filling and racing with all the things he had to get done.

He was so lost in thought-his step moving more on autopilot rather than actual effort, he barely stopped himself from being rammed in the face by a bathroom door swinging open. "Woah-"

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry about that, I wasn't paying attention-" A voice called, stopping abruptly when the door closed. Sam froze, staring at familiar blue eyes.

"Danny?"

AN: Hey look another update! I'm just really excited to hit certain parts in Danny and Sam's relationship and finally get closer to the slow burn coming to an end.

I know the reunion is happening "fast" but it's really just the time skip. It would be a little over a year since Sam and Danny last saw each other, with both of them never expecting to see the other ever again.

Thank you to everyone who left a review, I read all of them and it always makes me smile when I get an email about one.

I did have someone ask me if Danny was going to become a "new" type of hunter, and honestly it's more the idea that Danny's going to come to learn the phrase "Not all monsters can be saved" in a hard way. Also most of that would have happened in the time from Danny's call with Bobby up until this scene.

I won't really touch much on their time apart, unless in a flashback or heart to heart moment, simply cause this story is mainly meant to focus on Sam and Danny and the growth between them. Also a remainder, in case some don't know, but this is a slash fic between the two, I only bring that up cause we're getting closer to the revelation, although it's still a few chapters away.

I don't often right romance, or slow burns for that (I consider 13+ chapters slowburn), but I really wanted to write this so please me kind when the time comes.

ANYWAYS I hope you guys liked the chapter, and let me know what you thought down below, Stay Safe!