Chapter Text
The sun was blinding when she stepped out of school, the hot concrete beneath her feet as she trudged down the mountain of steps before her. Steph liked walking, just not when the sun was so eager to claim victims of heatstroke. She sighed, adjusting her cap, it had been a relatively average day, apart from the carton of milk that someone had thrown over another student then a brawl had followed, but that was just high-school.
Steph had snuck away from the fight, she didn't need to come home a mess and risk being pulled out of another school just because there was a hint of danger. It wasn't that she enjoyed this place but it was better than nothing at least, a chance of being a normal 16 year old. Anyway she was nearly done soon, being the youngest in the year meant that her birthday came after graduation. she probably wouldn't do much for it but it was nice to be able to celebrate something without being surrounded by people she barely knew.
She was just about to start making the decently long walk home before a hand shot out in front of her, forcing her to stop walking unless she wanted to collide into some random teenage boys sweaty hand.
"Can I help you?", Steph wasn't exactly happy about being stopped.
"You can actually, you can tell me what such a pretty lady like you is doing walking all by herself? I could give you a ride. You live near that mechanic shop right? I could drop you off there and then you wouldn't have to worry about that dad of yours getting mad, c'mon I'm a fast driver you'll be there in no time!", he was awfully chipper and it was a complete contrast to how she felt.
But it was hot outside and she could do with a ride home....her dad always said to make the best out of every situation, you never knew which one was gonna be your last.
Steph tried to turn her mood around to be less annoyed, "Y'know thinking about it, a ride would be nice....."
The boy looked ecstatic, he had obviously expected a full rejection, no one really knew how she would react to anything since no one really spoke to her. Steph really needed to work on that.
--
The car was gorgeous, for someone who had grown up around cars their whole life, Steph was in awe at this car. it was clearly loved. "You want music?", he looked over at her getting settled in the passenger seat, already turning on the aircon.
"Yeah sure I could do with some music.", she smiled back at him as she turned on the latest song that had been playing, some old rock she remembered growing up with.
the car ride ended up going smoothly, the music playing softly in the background while conversation flowed easier than they had both expected, interests colliding and moulding together as they shared their lives.
They ended up talking for what felt like hours and seconds at the same time, the car parked in front of the garage.
However the conversation got cut short when the boy saw Steph's dad walking out of the garage, still in his work clothes covered in grease and holding tools.
"That's your dad right?", he asked shakily which made her laugh.
"Yeah, why do you look so scared? He's a teddy bear really..."
"A teddy bear who could probably snap me in half if he wanted to, I can leave it's really no big d-"
Steph was already getting out the car and dragging him with her, "C'mon it'll be fine, he's really nice I promise."
By that point they had caught up to him, Steph beginning to explain who he was and what had happened, then stopped giving him a chance to introduce himself.
"Hello Mr Steph's dad sir, I'm uhm. My name is Jack and it's very nice to meet you, sir.", simultaneously praying that this man was merciful.
It didn't look good.
Until he erupted in laughter, "Kid you look so scared, I don't bite. I'm Dean, nice to meet you too.", he turned to Steph, "Someone's here to see you, he's inside probably moving around everything."
"No way, Uncle Sammy's here?!", She looked like a child on Christmas before running inside.
Dean watched her go inside before turning to Jack, all signs of laughter gone. He really was scary no matter what Steph claimed.
"What do you want with my daughter?"
He leaned in closer, even more intimidating," As much as Steph says I'm soft, she hasn't seen anything of the person I once was. To make it worse for you, my brother is also here for the next week so I'd be very careful if I were you.", He stood up straight again, a smile back on his face, "Now, you will not say anything about this if you value your life. Do I make myself clear?".
Jack nodded so hard, he began to give himself a headache.
"Good. Do you want to come in for dinner? After all you did drive Steph home in this heat, my brother is a great cook by the way."
"Uh yeah. Yes I'd like dinner if that's okay with you. Sir."
"Okay, okay enough with the sir, c'mon if we wait any longer Sam will eat it all."