For oblivious80s and ScarletWitch17

John Winchester is not an easy man to live with. He was not an easy man, but he meant well. He told his boys to pack a bag of clothes and weapons, and he sent them off to California.

Apparently it was their first test to see if they could make it on their own as hunters.

Dean, being a good son, and Sam, being eager to get his feet wet in the hunting world, boarded a bus for 10 hours with nothing more than a bag of clothes and a few hand guns.

It was 6 in the morning at the bus stop in Phoenix. It was already their second bus change of the morning, and Sammy was exhausted. Dean stood with his coat collar turned up against the wind. He had one suitcase strapped to his shoulder, the other on the ground at his feet, and finally, he hoisted Sammy up onto his back.

Sammy fell asleep very quickly against his brother's back, and Dean let out a bit of a sigh at the heavy load he was bearing. They were huddled underneath a bus stop, watching the sun beginning to shine.

There was a pretty girl of about 17 standing by, and Dean flashed her a charming grin. She blushed under his gaze and smiled at the sleeping boy on his back. The bus soon pulled up and Dean gave her the 'call me' sign with a wink. She smiled back shyly and glanced at her feet.

"Sammy, bus," Dean said, shifting his brother's weight. Sam's eyes fluttered open I bit.

"Mmm, I'm sleeping," he replied, nuzzling back into the leather jacket for warmth. Dean rolled his eyes, picked up the suitcase, and clambored onto the bus.

Dean shifted his little brother off his back and into the window seat, using a spare hoodie as a pillow for Sam. Dean in turn kicked up his feet and sat back in his chair, reading his dad's journal.

Soon after, Dean felt just a bit carsick, something he never had a problem with when he got to drive the Impala, but he ended up shutting his eyes for a little while.

He didn't sleep, he just thought about his dad's words to him before they left. It was a test to see if they could handle being hunters. Dean had been on many hunts before, but never with Sammy and unsupervised. When Sam was there, so was dad.

It was going to be different having to watch Sam alone, more of a challenge for him. And Sammy was young and eager to try out hunting. No doubt he'd probably get himself into some trouble.
But it was all part of the test.

***

Soon, it was nearing 9 in the morning, and Sam sat up, removing his head from Dean's arm.
"We there yet?" He muttered, rubbing his eyes from the sunlight.

"Not too much longer now, Sammy,"

Sam pressed his face to the window and looked out at the passing cars. Riding next to them was a small red car with two boys and a woman driving, and a dog's head was poking out the back window.

A young boy in the back seat glanced up and made eye contact with Sam, who's face lit up at the sight of the dog.

It was hard to see the passengers through the tinted window, but he looked just a little older than the Winchester boy. He had his arm around the dog. They both smiled and waved at each other before the car changed lanes and Dean nudged his brother.

"Sammy, don't freak out the other drivers," Dean said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not, I was looking at the dog," Sam protested.

"Whatever, kid. Go back to sleep."

Sam rolled his eyes and put his head against the bus window again, watching the car with the dog two lanes over.

Sam had apparently drifted off again because none of the scenery looked the same. There was a sign that looked like a postcard reading: "Welcome to Santa Carla!"

Not long after that, Dean bumped Sam's shoulder.
"We're here, grab your bag."

Sam followed the sign with his eyes, excitement growing again with the thought of his first official hunt.

They passed the sign, and Sam looked back, trying to see the beach, when suddenly...

"Did you see that sign, Dean? Did you see it? Why'd it say Murder Capital of the world?"

"Keep your head down, Sammy,"

***

The bus stopped at The Boardwalk where the boys got off. Dean carried the heavier of the two bags on his back, and Sam took the rolling suitcase. Dean paid the bus driver, winked at a pretty girl in the front seat, and helped Sam off the bus.

"Can we look around?" Sam asked, looking up at the Boardwalk with eyes of wonder. Hunter or not, he was still a kid, and he definitely wanted to check out that rollercoaster.

Dean remembered back to his first hunt. No way in Hell would John have let him go off and play at an amusement park. For a minute, he considered saying no and taking them both to the hotel for the night....

Buuuut.... when else would Dean get a chance to check out a fun place like this on a hunt?

"Sure thing, Sammy," Dean smiled. If he was deprived of a fun childhood, why should Sam be?

"Yes!" Sam cheered, running down the Boardwalk. Dean thought about it for a second, then decided he would let himself act childish, just for one night.

"Hey Sammy! Last one to the rollercoaster is a dirty rotten vampire!" Dean yelled, tearing through the crowds after his brother.

"You're on!" Sam shouted, already half way there.

***

They rode the rollercoaster until Dean thought he was going to get sick, splurged on Pepsi and Skittles, and even looked at a couple of shops. Forgetting dinner, they ate a meal of funnel cake and cotton candy, and Dean forgot how much fun young people actually get to have when they're not hunters.

As it started getting later, the people looked less and less trustworthy. Dean didn't want to scare Sam, but he didn't like the looks of folks around Santa Carla.

Well, maybe except for that girl.

A young lady passed him by in a stunning dress and Dean's jaw fell open. He flashed her a quick smile and a wink. She smiled back shyly and ducked her head as she passed.

"Come here often?" Dean called after her. Sam rolled his eyes and hit his brother on the arm.

"Sammy, go pick me up two Pepsis and whatever you want," Dean said quickly, sliding him a 10.

"Two Pepsis?" Sam said, an eyebrow raising suspiciously.

"One for me, one for the future Mrs. Dean Winchester," Dean smirked.

Sam punched his brother again, for real this time. Dean grabbed him in a headlock and messed up his hair.

"C'mon Sammy, it's gettin' late,"

The two set off down the Boardwalk as the sun dipped below the horizon. Night was upon them, and they hadn't even researched a case. Dad would kill them.... but Dad's not here now.

Dean smirked at that thought.

"Ooh Dean, comics! Can I get one?" Sam pulled toward a small comic book shop.

"Not tonight, it's late,"

"Deeeeannn," Sam complained.

"Tomorrow," he promised.

"Yeah, you always say that..."

"You never read comics anyway, just look at the pictures," Dean said.

Sam cast a glance at the shop, "You would've stopped if there was a pretty girl in there."

"Very true, Sammy, you're learning,"

Sam stuck out his tongue. So did Dean.

"Like I said, maybe tomorrow."

Sam huffed. "Fine, is it far to the hotel?"

"Shouldn't be,"

"Then can you carry me?"

Dean sighed a long sigh, then leaned over so his brother could get on his back, and the two left the Boardwalk for the night, before anything weird could happen.

Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! ;) asdfghjkl baby Winchesters give me life. What did you think? Feedback and comments are always loved.
Party on dudes! \m/