Kingpin Motel (Supernatural G/T)

Chapter Eighteen

Dean stretched out on his back, the skin around his wound irritated and bloody. Starla had helped him to remove his shirt so she could attempt to care what little they could for the wound until they figured out how to remove the barb. His veins were a purple color, looking like they could burst out of his skin at any moment.

He hissed in pain as Starla again dabbed around the barb with disinfectant, her eyes narrowed and focused despite the cold hazel eyes that watched her above. God, he hoped Sam got back really soon. 

John watched the Borrower treating his son closely before speaking. "So why don't you just tear it out again?" 

Starla's shoulders tensed, and Dean closed his eyes. "It's fused to my skin." He grunted out through gritted teeth, his own hands shooting up and grasping Starla's. "Careful!"

"Sorry." The brown haired female whispered, near inaudible to Dean let alone John. Her blue eyes were fearful, and he swore teary too. 

"Starla, hey, it's okay." Slowly, Dean pushed himself up enough so he could lean on one of his arms. "It's okay kid. Just grab me my shirt, I'm fine now."

In truth, he still ached horribly, but his father's eyes above made him nervous. 

Once he had his blood stained white shirt back on, Dean hesitated to confront his dad about the way he kept looking at Starla. Like she was nothing more than one of the creatures they would hunt. It made him sick. 

Looking at the Borrower, he slowly approached her and extended one arm to her. "Come here. I'm not one for being a hugger or the emotional type so this is a one time offer." 

Even Dean's attempt to comfort her didn't help. If John decided to, he could push Dean aside and kill her so easily. Then what would happen? 

Hesitantly Starla made her way back over to Dean, her thin arms wrapping around his sides while one of his stronger ones curled around her back. 

Both of them then tensed, footsteps audible outside the motel door. John wouldn't be able to hear it, not yet at least. The two crossed their fingers, hoping for Sam to step into the room and not some random bystander or even supernatural creature. 

Sure enough, the longer haired Winchester stepped into the motel room, visibly stiffening when his own hazel eyes landed on John. 

No, he wasn't supposed to be here yet! He was supposed to wait! The first words that left his mouth were harsh and cold. "Where's Starla?" Sam immediately began to scan the room with his eyes, a small pit of worry forming in his gut. 

"What, no 'Where's Dean?'" Dean called out loud enough for Sam to hear from across the room. He smiled widely, never being happier to see him. "Where ya been Sammy?"

Sam was able to slightly relax at the sight of the two, not liking how close John was to them or how nervous Starla looked. Her wide blue eyes met his, and even from the distance he was at he could see the pleading look, the desperation they held. 

"Sorry, it took longer than planned. I was...uncovering information." Sam suddenly appeared nervous himself, his one hand lifting to rub the back of his neck. "I'm still trying to process some of what I discovered."

He was hesitant in his short walk to the bed, nor did he leave time for the two to get a warning before taking his hands and doing his best to carefully scoop them up into his palms. 

Dean cursed loudly and shot an angry glare at Sam while Starla just held still, getting situated in the hand. A small smile crept onto Sam's face, taking a mental note of the difference between a new 'Borrower' and one that has been manhandled plenty of times. 

"She seems content with you." John finally spoke up, his cold eyes finally leaving Starla and turning toward Sam. 

"She knows me." He responded easily, using his hands to protectively shield his brother and Starla from the harsh gazes they would both receive from the older male. "And there's no reason to look at her like that."

"I never understood why you questioned me so much, Sam. Why Dean followed my orders perfectly and you...well, were you." John stood straight up, folding his arms neatly over his chest with a raised brow. 

"Because I never wanted this life! ANd I ever have kids I'm going to do everything I can to make sure they're safe, and not drag them around like luggage everywhere I go." Sam narrowed his eyes, and even though it was small he could feel the bodies in his hands tense on his fingers. He couldn't start fighting with John, not already. 

Sam took a deep breath and drowned out whatever his father's response was to his statement and looked at his tiny passengers. Dean was looking at him with his usual disapproving eyes while Starla's arms managed to find their way around one of Sam's fingers. He could feel her shaking. It reminded him just how scared she actually was of his dad. 

"Hey, take it easy Starla," Sam whispered in the most soothing tone he could muster, sitting on the edge of the bed. 

Starla only sniffled in response, hating how she must've looked to them. Just a scared kid. And John must think of her like anything they hunt and kill. That thought only continued to fuel the pure terror she felt for the man.

Dean and Sam shared the same worried look, and John could see this. He wondered just what it was about the girl that had them both so concerned for her when they really needed to find out what happened to Dean instead.

So John told the boys he was heading out to look into it before leaving the motel. Sam's shoulders relaxed, Starla slowly began to quick shaking, and Dean's worry and anxiety only partially lifted. 

"Hey, uh, so what all did you find out?" Dean questioned his younger brother, who gave him a look he knew all too well. 

Sam pursed his lips, trying to think of a way he could say what he needed to without making Starla suspicious. However, nothing good came to mind except, "We need to talk."