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The suburb streets were still and the chill of winter seeped into Sam’s bones as he walked along the road. He shivered, pulling his thin brown hoodie tighter around his skinny frame. Part of him wished he’d grabbed a thicker jacket before he’d ran away, but this jacket felt like home.
Sam Winchester didn’t have a home anymore, not since the car crash and not since the foster system separated him and Dean. Soon Sam was shipped from house to house farther and farther away from Dean. He’d scared off the Gallhagers, the Blakes didn’t want him, and the Daemons… those were the ones he’d run from. Now he was somewhere in Indiana, squatting in an abandoned home by day and wandering the streets at night.
His sneakers were damp and squeaked as he walked trying to avoid carelessly shoveled sidewalks. It hadn't snowed in a few days, but the temperature hadn't dropped enough to melt what had fallen. As Sam passed by the rows of homes he’d glance into the windows. He’d scowl at a family eating dinner, smiling and passing plates around. It always made Sam’s stomach growl. Stolen bags of chips and beef jerky from a nearby gas station only staved off so much hunger. Sometimes he’d stand transfixed at a family nestled together on a couch as the light from the screen illuminated their features, wordless yet together.
Tonight, Sam decided to stop in front of a house in the richer side of the neighborhood. “Milton” was printed in neat curly script across the side of the mailbox. There was a large bay window at the front of the house which allowed for a view into a small sitting area. Sam liked to watch the fat tabby cat that lounged on the sill. Sometimes one of the residents (usually the redheaded girl) would scoop the cat up into their arms and dance it around the sitting room until it squirmed free. Tonight a menorah sat in the place of the cat, shamash and first candle alight and flickering softly through the glass.
The candle light’s easy glow was soothing but it also left Sam longing for warmth as another shiver racked his body. Once more he wished for a thicker jacket, if Dean were here… but he wasn’t. Sam didn't know where Dean was, last he heard Dean was staying in a group home run by a man named Sonny. Sam had lost contact once he’d been moved to the Daemon household, even if he knew where Dean was they probably wouldn’t have let him contact his brother. This would be his 2nd Christmas without Dean.
A muffled shout snapped Sam out of his reverie. The front door flew open and a figure exited, “Why can’t I have a single winter break without this fucking bullshit,” Sam heard the figure mutter to himself as he scampered down the poarch. The shouting continued behind him and Sam thought he heard something glass shatter.
Sam belatedly realized that the stranger was heading his way. The stranger stopped at the end of the driveway. He had a short stature and was probably in his late teens with golden brown hair.
“What are you looking at, kid?” the teen asked, a stick shaped object bobbed from the corner of his mouth as he spoke.
“Are you smoking?” Sam blurted, unsure how to respond.
The teen burst out laughing, before facing Sam with a grin on his face, “No, it’s a lollipop,” he held up the candy for Sam to see, “want one?” he asked pulling a lollipop from the pocket of his winter coat
“Um I…” Sam started
“Don’t take candy from strangers, I get it,” the teen said, “Hi I’m Gabriel and my family fucking sucks, there now we’re not strangers”
Sam hesitantly reached out and took the lollipop from Gabriel, “Sam,” he nodded.
Gabriel grinned as Sam popped the candy into his mouth. There was a sound like glass shattering from inside the house again. Gabriel scoffed and turned to walk down the sidewalk, “Come on,” he motioned for Sam to follow him, “I need someone to bitch to.”
Sam reluctantly tailed behind the older boy. They were silent for a few moments before Gabriel spoke up, “My siblings always come home for Haunakah every year and it’s always the same,” He paused, “Michael and Luke are always at each other's throats— that was them you heard bickering back there by the way— my mom cant bear to get in between them and my father is always in his fucking office trying to come up with his next big flop”
“Sounds, uh, rough,” Sam said, unsure what precisely to do
Gabriel chuckled, “Fuck yeah it’s rough, my family is a mess this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Gabriel stopped turning to Sam, “Do you have any family?”
Sam froze, “Yeah— yeah I have a brother, his name’s Dean,”
“Just a brother?”
Sam swallowed hard, he let his eyes fall to his sneakers before nodding.
“Huh…” Was all Gabriel said in response before he turned and continued down the sidewalk, “I can’t wait until next year, I can finally get out of that fuckin’ madhouse,” Gabriel chuckled humorously, “my mom’s still convinced I’ll come back for every holiday.”
‘At least you’ve got somewhere’ Sam mentally scoffed. Gabriel paused and turned back, his brows furrowed. Sam realized he must have said that aloud.
Gabriel seemed to mull Sam over for a moment, “Ooookay, well you seem to have some sort of serious baggage so spill,” he said crossing his arms expectantly.
“I’ve got nothing,” Sam said, crossing his arms in response and trying to seem sure of himself.
“What you’ve got is a coat far too thin for the winter, dirt on your cheek, and that little snide remark you said back there, that all seems like baggage to me,” Gabriel wouldn’t budge, “so what is it? Abusive family? Or are you a runaway of sorts?”
Sam huffed, Gabriel had hit the nail right on the head, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re nosy?” he shot back
“All day, everyday,” Gabriel grinned, “now tell me what your deal is before I drag you back to my place and make up some sob story to tell to my mom about how you ran away from your abusive family in search of your childhood dog who also ran away. Trust me, you don’t want to see that woman go full dote-mode on you,” Gabriel feigned a shiver, “the sheer amounts of soup she made last winter…” he paused looking at Sam.
Sam sighed, “You’re a dick.”
Gabriel gasped dramatically, “Me? Impossible!” Sam couldn’t help but grin, he missed this kind of banter. It reminded him of Dean. The pair fell back into an easy silence, Gabriel staring expectantly at Sam waiting for the boy to say something.
Sam steeled himself, taking a deep breath before speaking again, “I did run away,” he said, “please don't turn me in… “ Sam added, his posture curling in on himself, his shoulders hunched like he was waiting for a recoil.
“Hey,” Gabriel’s voice was soft as he placed a tentative hand on Sam’s shoulder, “I won't tell anyone… as long as you seem to be doing ok. Like if you look sick then you’re gonna be introduced to the many, many soups of my mother, you got it?”
Sam untensed, looking up at Gabriel. There was a mix of security and mirth in the older boy’s eyes so Sam just nodded in response.
“Fantastic!” Gabriel said, clapping Sam on the shoulder, “it’s getting late, my parents are probably getting worried— not about me of course, I do my little disappearing act all the time,” Gabriel turned back down the street and began back to his house. He paused, turning back to Sam, “See you round kid,” he grinned, giving Sam a mock salute.
Sam waved wordlessly in response and he watched the strange teen meander back into the night. Sam had spent the rest of the night huddled under a painter’s tarp that had been left behind in the house he was squatting in.
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Somehow the night had grown colder as Sam plodded down the street. Some of the snow had melted during the day but it all refroze into ice when night fell. He watched his step as he navigated around the frozen patches on the sidewalk. Tonight Sam wanted to go back to the Milton household. After talking with Gabriel the previous night, the isolation that Sam had grown used to had become suffocating.
When Sam arrived at the driveway, he felt a pang of disappointment. There were no lights on in the house save for the three candles glowing in the window. Sam was about to turn tail and revert to his usual aimless wandering when he noticed a paper bag by the mailbox. There was a piece of paper with “Sam” scribbled on it in a messy script. Sam cautiously opened the bag, he reached inside and pulled out a winter coat. The coat was a dark navy blue, it was definitely a hand me down based on the several scribbled out names on the tag with the only legible one being ‘Cas’. Along with the coat there were a few packs of disposable hand warmers, a thermos supposedly filled with soup, a can that shot fake brightly colored worms at Sam when he opened it, and a hand written note from Gabriel.
‘Thought you’d need a better coat, so I stole one from my younger brother. Dont worry he wont notice, he likes his overcoat too much anyways. Stay warm, dude!
-Gabriel’
Sam pulled on his new jacket, relishing the warmth that came with it and he stuffed the note into his pocket. Next, he greedily unscrewed the cap of the thermos, taking a sip of the soup. The warm liquid burned as it went down his throat but he didn’t care, it was the best thing he’d eaten in a long time.
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“So what happened to your brother?” Gabriel asked. Sam was overjoyed that the older boy was actually home that night, he’d paced back and forth in front of Gabriel’s house until he’d come outside. The two fell back into their routine of wandering.
Sam sighed, “I don’t know, I haven't talked to him for months.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know where he is,” Sam admitted, “they split us up two years ago and it just got chaotic from there,” Sam could tell Gabe was pitying him, it was hard not to, his whole life was a sob story mixed with a train wreck.
“You could try and look him up,” Gabriel suggested, “we have sweet computer set up courtesy of my brother Cas’ friend, Charlie”
Sam considered it for a moment before shaking his head, “I think it would be better if I don't," he didn't know how it would feel seeing Dean again. What if his brother had already moved on and forgot about him?
“Your choice, the offer still stands though if you change your mind,” Gabriel responded.
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Sam had run out of soup by Sunday afternoon. He cursed himself for not thinking to ration it out more as he walked along the road towards the local Gas n’ Sip. Some of the snow had melted leaving large slush puddles wherever the melted snow decided to flow into which Sam carefully navigated around. He was grateful for his new coat, he almost felt bad that he was going to line its pockets with stolen food…almost.
The bell above the door chimed as Sam slipped inside the building. A rush of hot air hit his face, a sharp contrast to the chilly Indiana weather. Sam made sure his hood was still on as he ducked into the snack aisle. He recognized the cashier from his previous trips/food heists so he could only pray they didn't recognize him. Sam acted quick, shoving small chip bags into his pockets. He made his way over to the refrigerator section next, grabbing two bottles of water.
“Hey!” Sam spins around, the cashier is staring right at him. Sam doesn’t waste a second, he drops the water bottles and sprints out the door. Sam runs, bags crinkling with each step, until he’s sure the cashier hasn't followed him. He pauses, catching his breath on the sidewalk as cars zip along the road.
A large truck sputtered by just a bit too close to the curb sending a wave of cold water careening into. Sam startles with a yelp as he’s drenched head to toe. His jacket and jeans clings uncomfortably to his skin as Sam stands there paralyzed by shock. He felt like he was going to cry.
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Night had fallen by the time Sam managed to trudge back to his place, his legs felt numb. He rummaged through his store of supplies and fumbled with a pack of hot hands. He tried stuffing a few into the pockets of his jeans but it only provided so much warmth.
Sam felt dizzy as he lumbered towards Gabriel’s house. The cold night air whipped around him and chilled him to the bone. He was slowing down with each step, the water on his jeans had refrozen but he couldn't feel the stiff material against his legs
Sam felt like he was going to die.
The four candles flicking through the Milton’s window felt like a beacon. Sam’s shivering ceased. Sam struggled up the front porch steps. His knuckles rapped against the wood, it sounded muffled to Sam. The door opened and light flooded Sam’s vision.
“Sam?” he heard a voice say, but it felt far away.
Sam felt his body teeter, then he felt nothing.
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A faint beeping sound filled Sam’s ears as he slowly came to. His whole body ached and his eyelids felt limp as he tried to pry them open. The room around him slowly became clearer. Sterile white walls and tile floors. He was tucked into light blue sheets, the fabric providing some semblance of warmth. A residual shiver coarse through Sam’s body.
‘How did I get here?’ Sam wondered. He hand shook as he touched his face, there was an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth. Sam inhaled deeply, letting the air fill his sore lungs. He breathed in and out until he slipped back into sleep again.
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The next time Sam woke up, he heard light chatter. He peeled his eyes open, letting out a pained groan as the bright lights pierced his eyes. It took him a few moments to recognize Gabriel, he was sitting to the left of his bed next to the red headed girl he’d seen through the window playing with the cat.
Gabriel rose to his feet when he noticed Sam, “Welcome back to the world of the living, kid!” he grinned, walking over to the side of his hospital bed, “Anna, can you go get a nurse?” he turned to the girl who quickly jumped out of her chair and scampered out the door.
“How are you feeling?” Gabriel asked
“Like shit,” Sam rasped, his voice muffled by the oxygen mask, “what happened?”
“You showed up on my doorstep and passed out, you scared the crap out of me,” he explained, “we rushed you to the hospital—which is the only time I've ever seen Micheal go over the speed limit by the way— turns out you got a nasty case of hypothermia.”
Sam rubbed his eyes, “How long have I been out for?”
“Oh uh…” Gabriel paused, “...you’ve been out for two days, dude.”
Sam’s eyes widened in shock, “No shit?” he breathed
“Like I said, you scared the crap out of me,” Gabriel shrugged, “but I'm glad you’re alive and kickin’,” he grinned, ruffling Sam’s hair which earned him one of the boy’s signature bitch faces.
“Me too,” Sam’s arms still felt sore as he tried to fix his hair.
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Over the course of the week Sam began to warmup, both physically and to the Milton family. Gabriel had introduced him to his mom (his father was never around) along with his 5 brothers and sisters. Sam didn’t mind Michael, Lucifer unnerved him, it took a bit for Cas to talk to him, Hannah was polite, and Anna was fun to talk to. Overall Sam decided that he liked the Miltons.
He was still in the hospital, but the doctors had taken the oxygen mask away and started to give him actual food in comparison to just an IV. Mrs. Milton had brought him a blanket which Sam was grateful for as his chills lessened and lessened as time passed. He still slept a lot which the doctors said was normal, he was still recovering after all.
A knock on the door drew Sam from his reverie and he looked up to see Gabriel grinning at him, “Heya Sam, I got a surprise for you,” he said, stepping aside.
“Sammy?”
It was Dean. Dean was here now. A smile spread across Sam’s face as his brother entered the room.
Dean was sporting a similar grin, “Glad you’re not a Sam-sicle, bitch.”
“Jerk,” Sam responded, punching Dean in the arm. Sam broke immediately, tears streamed down his face as he wrapped his arms around his brother’s torso
“Easy, don't over exert yourself,” Dean chuckled, his hand stroking Sam’s hair as the boy sobbed into his coat.
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A week later Sam was discharged from the hospital. Anxiety creeped into his stomach, were they going to separate him and Dean again? Where would he go next? Sam felt anxious as the Miltons drove him back to their house and he felt anxious as he walked through the front door.
“Sam,” Mrs. Milton said, standing to face him.
‘Here it comes…’ Sam thought, mentally bracing himself
“...we would like to foster you and your brother for a while”
Sam almost didn't register what she’d said, “What? Really?” his mouth agape in disbelief.
The woman nodded, “Really,” she said
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The Winchesters settled in with the Miltons nicely. Sam had his own room whilst Dean shared a room with Cas. Dean bitched about it constantly, but Sam knew his brother really didn't care, a bed was a bed (plus Sam could tell his brother liked Cas quite a bit).
Every Friday, the Miltons would gather in the foyer for a game night. Whenever Gabriel picked he chose charades and then somehow managed to cheat at it, which never ceased to amaze Sam. Michael and Lucifer had long since gone back to their respective colleges (a relief to the whole family to finally be free from their bickering). Sam sat on a faded green sofa, Bob the tabby cat snuggled up on his lap, squished between Hannah and Gabriel trying not to laugh as Dean hopelessly tried to act out Jurassic Park whilst Cas guessed.
“Dean, I don’t understand—,” Castiel huffed, “I’ve guessed almost every single dinosaur I know and you’ve said I'm not right.”
The sand timer ran out and Dean let out an exasperated sigh, “Seriously Cas? How do you not know Jurassic Park?”
“You know I don't watch movies Dean…”
“Well now you have to watch it!”
Next to Sam Gabriel chuckled, “Jeeze, these two, it's always something.”
Sam nodded in agreement, “Dean takes his pop culture very seriously,” he remembered the many nights he and Dean spent curled up on motel beds, watching whatever happened to be on a channel. It was the closest thing to home back then. Sam hadn’t had a home for years. Not until now, not until the Miltons.
Somehow, Sam knew everything was going to be alright.