Chapter Text
Parker sees him from some distance already. He is standing near the drive leading to the highway. He is standing there with a backpack and holds his hand out, thumb up, like it is the 80s. He is only missing a sign made out of an old box with a destination written on it. Parker sighs. Ah, damn it, he decides, before he pulls the truck over. It is starting to get dark and Parker feels the need to help out the guy, he looks young and is standing at a random highway with no hotel or B&B anywhere nearby.
,,Where do you want to go, dude?” Parker asks, when the guy opens the door to the driver’s cabin.
,,Mexio-City” The guy says and tugs at the strap of his backpack, looking at Parker with a questioning look.
Parker raises his eyebrows. ,,I can take you till Houston, but I have to break up my route over three days.” Parker offers.
The guy nods and then he climbs into the cabin, he almost falls down at his first attempt, but manages to catch himself at the last second and pulls himself up.
,,You should not hitchhike. It is dangerous.” Parker says as he pulls the truck back onto the street.
,,Statistical speaking it is almost impossible for two serial killers to meet.” The guy says.
Parker furrows his brows and glances over to him.
,,Sorry, I was trying to be funny.” The guy mumbles nervously and scratches his head.
,,Ah” Parker just makes. That is the reason why he never stops for hitchhikers, it is always awkward. If the guy continues to be so weird, Parker will make up an excuse to kick him out again. But so far the other one seems undangerous and okay. He has long blonde hair, not too tall but strong arms, he looks worn out. Parker only has the possibility to look at him for a short moment though.
Parker finally pulls onto the highway and speeds up the truck.
,,I am Dean” The guy says and shyly glances over to Parker.
,,Parker” Parker says in return and holds one hand out, steering with the other. ,,So, Dean. Mexico, huh?” Parker asks.
Dean looks down and glances at his hands. ,,Yes, I am running away from home.” He says and shyly smiles at Parker.
,,Of course you are.” Parker mumbles; they all always do or at least try to. It usually never works out. Then a thought crosses Parker’s mind. ,,Wait, how old are you? I am not getting into trouble for trying to take minors across borders.” Parker says and slows down again, ready to take the next exit and drop that Dean off at the next police station or something. ,,19. How old are you?” Dean asks.
,,22” Parker says and glances at Dean. He does look like he is 19 but he could be lying. You cannot tell if someone is 17 or 18 or 19 just by looks. Parker looks at the street again. He has just left a few dozen kilometers ago, there are still hundreths of kilometers ahead of him before there is a border; he can figure out if Dean is really 18 until then.
,,That is young.” Dean mumbles.
,,It is a holiday job, before I start university in autumn.” Parker explains.
,,Oh, that is cool.” Dean says. ,,Listen uhm …. I can not really pay you. I don’t have a lot of money with me.” Dean then says awkwardly.
,,That is fine. I am going in the direction you want to go anyways. If you pay for your own food and drinks we are fine.” Parker says. His radio makes a snarling sound, but Parker reaches out and turns it off. It is late evening, anyone who could have something important to tell him would call and not try the radio broadcasting.
,,Thanks” Dean mumbles. Then it is silent for some time, Parker drives and looks out of the window to search for a reststop to spend the night at. Dean silently looks out of the window too, his head resting against the glass.
,,So, what are you going to do in Mexico?” Parker asks eventually when he gets bored and there is still no fitting reststop in sight.
,,My granny lives there. I want to live with her.” Dean admits and he looks over to Parker.
,,Ah, I see.” Parker says. Usually hitchhikers do not run away to another family member but whatever.
Dean bites his lip and nods. ,,So … what are you transporting?” He asks and turns his head slightly, not that he can see into the back of the truck from there.
,,Oh, just a few tons of cocaine hidden inside stolen laptops. If we get searched, just pretend the laptops are clean.” Parker says and changes lanes.
Dean stares at Parker and nervously looks around the cabin.
,,I was trying to be funny too.” Parker adds after half a minute of Dean not saying anything.
Dean lets out a shaky breath and nods unsure.
,,I am transporting wooden panels.” Parker says in an attempt to underline he was really just joking before.
,,Good” Dean says and giggles, still nervous. Dean licks his lips and shifts his weight in the seat. ,,Cool” He then says.
,,Not really” Parker says and laughs. He does not care what he is transporting, it does not change the act of driving or the job or anything.
It is completely dark when Parker pulls onto a reststop. He parks the truck at the end of the parking lot and turns off the engine. ,,You want something to eat?” He asks Dean.
,,Sure” Dean mumbles.
Parker nods and they both climb out of the drivers cabine and in silence, walk the little distance to the reststop’s restaurant. The parking lot is full of trucks but the restaurant is mostly empty, given the time. Parker knows he is quite late and he is ten minutes over the legal driving time for today but this was the first rest stop with enough space.
,,Oh, sorry guys. We are about to close.” The woman behind the counter says as Parker and Dean enter the place.
,,Ah, damn. I have been on the road all day and I was really hoping for something to eat besides chips.” Parker says and puts on a smile. He has driven trucks for a few summers by now and he has gotten used to it and the life during this time. He knows how to talk to other people in the business or how to convince the people at reststops to make a little expectation for him. It usually works better with women than with men, since Parker can use his charm then.
The woman smiles back and softly rolls her eyes. ,,Okay, okay. Who am I to keep two boys from dinner? You cannot eat here, I really have to close in ten minutes, but I can make you two some sandwiches to eat in the truck.” She says.
“Thanks” Parker says and smiles.
They are sitting in the driver's cabin, Dean with his legs crossed under him, facing each other, while eating the sandwiches. Parker has the APU running to keep the inside warm; this is his last tour of the summer. Even though it is still summer, it gets cold in the night by now. ,,So, you started in L.A.?” Dean asks and chews on his sandwich. He has high cheekbones and nice hair if you ask Parker.
,,Yeah, my dads company is in L.A.. I drive from there to Houston and back. I usually do this twice a month during the holiday. This is my second this month.” Parker explains.
,,A long way” Dean says.
,,Yes, it is usually a one week job, if I take breaks and all. But it is okay. My dad pays me 20 dollar an hour. It is a good job for the holidays.” Parker says.
Dean wipes over his mouth. ,,Sounds lonely. All day just on the road.”
,,Ah” Parker shrugs his shoulders. He does not mind being out on the road by himself for a week. It is nice to rewind, calm down and be alone with your thoughts. ,,It is okay. You can listen to a lot of podcasts or audiobooks.” He says, which is really what he usually does while driving. Sometimes he calls his friends and talks to them for a while or he just thinks sometimes.
Dean laughs and eats another corner of his sandwich. ,,Still, it feels like a job where you would easily fall asleep.” Dean says and laughs, then he adds: ,,You take a lot of hitchhikers with you?”
Parker thinks for a moment, but then he shakes his head. ,,No. Not that often. I only stop when I feel someone is not a creep. You basically spent the whole day together and then the night too. There is no way to avoid each other, you can only do that when the person seems nice.” He says. Parker has maybe taken in two or three other hitchhikers over the last few summers. Those have never wanted to travel as far as Dean though, so this is new for Parker too.
Dean blushes and smiles. ,,So I guess I was lucky you picked me up.” He says.
,,I don’t know.” Parker says and laughs.
,,Any tips for how to find someone who will take me to Mexico-City from Houston?” Dean asks. ,,Mmh, It is a long way still. Maybe find someone who drives to Mexico in general first, then you can see from there.” Parker shrugs his shoulders. He has never hitchhiked before.
Dean licks his lips and nods. ,,Okay, thanks.” He just says; he seemed to have expected something else from Parker.
,,Why are you even trying to get there?” Parker asks and raises an eyebrow.
Dean looks away and starts to chew on his bottom lip. ,,I don’t want to live with my … family anymore.” He says.
,,So you run away to Mexico?” Parker asks sceptically. There are obviously easier and safer ways to not live with your family anymore than this.
,,My only other family is in Mexico, my step-grandma. I don’t have anyone else in Colorado or anywhere else. When we first moved to Colorado my other grandma lived with us, but she passed away.” Dean says.
,,Why don’t you just move into your own place?” Parker asks.
Dean looks back up at Parker. ,,I don’t want to be too close to my family.” He says. “Most places would still be close.”
,,Oh” Parker makes and realises that Dean’s family issues seem to run deeper than he had expected and he was being rude. ,,Sorry, I should not have asked.” He quickly says and finishes the last of his sandwich.
,,It is fine” Dean says and shrugs his shoulders.
Parker throws his used napkin into a trash bag he has inside the cabin and checks his watch. ,,Well, as much as I like talking to you, I have to get us back on the road early tomorrow, so I should go to bed.” Parker says.
,,Oh, yes, sure.” Dean says and quickly eats the last bite of his sandwich.
,,I will just brush my teeth real quick.” Parker says. He grabs his bag with his toothbrush in and all and then expectingly looks at Dean.
,,What?” Dean asks surprised.
,,If you want to get ready too, you should do it now.” Parker explains.
,,Why?” Dean asks and draws his eyebrows together.
,,We use the reststops restroom for truckers; it is outside and when we come back I lock the truck so no one gets inside.” Parker says.
,,Oh” Dean makes. ,,Sorry. I never did that before.” He then mumbles and blushes.
,,I can tell” Parker says and laughs, it is more than obvious, but Parker does not mind. Dean is nice and maybe it is not the worst thing in the world to have someone come along with you.
The bed in the cabin is small and it really would not work for two strangers, unless they like getting closer, which they both don’t want to. So Parker sleeps in the bed, of course he does since he is the driver, and Dean tries to get comfortable on the front seat, wrapped in an old sheet, since Parker only has one blanket and Dean did not bring one himself.
Parker wakes up in the middle of the night, needing to pee; he should not have drunken the whole bottle of cola right before bed. He groans and grabs his phone. 2.30 am. He still can sleep for another 2 hours before he needs to get back on the road. If he does not go up to pee now, he will not find proper sleep for the rest of the night. Parker sighs and sits up in bed and rubs a hand over his face to wake up a little. That is probably one of the things that sucks about truck life; having to go out and walk through the cold night to get to the restroom. Parker sighs and grabs his shoes, he pulls them over and then searches for the keys. Even though Dean seemed nice, no way in hell is he leaving him alone with the keys in here. Parker rubs over his eyes again, he yawns, before he reaches out to push at Dean’s shoulder. ,,Dean” He whispers. Dean is curled up on the front seat, his head resting against his shoulder and cover pulled all the way up to his chin. ,,Dean” Parker whispers again and shakes Dean’s shoulder harder that time.
Suddenly Dean jumps up and pulls away from Parker: ,,Please don’t force me to have sex with you! You can have my money, but please no sex!” He stammers out and pulls the covers around him tighter.
Chapter Text
Parker rubs his face again, he is way too tired and in need to pee to deal with whatever is going on with Dean at the moment. ,,What?” He mumbles tiredly.
,,I looked it up, I read about how many hitchhikers get forced to have sex! Please don’t do it!” Dean says quietly, he reaches out to search for his backpack on the floor and then holds out some bills to Parker. ,,Here, please don’t rape me. I have …” Dean swallows and looks away. ,,I have never.” He admits quietly.
,,I … I just need to pee.” Parker says helplesly.
Dean glances up at him and nervously licks his lips. He does not seem to be convinced.
,,I just woke you up because I will take the keys and the door will be unlocked for a minute until I am back.” Parker explains.
,,Oh” Dean mumbles. He shifts uncomfortably and then he nods. ,,Sure, sorry.” He just says and pulls his legs out of the way so that Parker can climb out of the truck.
Ten minutes later Parker is laying in his bed again. He stares at the wall that separates the cabine from the pendant, before he speaks up: ,,Dean?” He is not sure if the other is still awake but Parker needs to talk to him.
,,Yes?” Dean answers from the front seat.
,,Have you hitchhiked before and got abused?” Parker asks. He does not want to be so insensitive and be so straightforward with his questions, but he wants to know the truth. Dean’s reaction was weird and if Dean had gotten sexually abused while hitchhiking before Parker would pull back onto the street and drive to the next police station right now.
It is silent for a moment, before Dean answers: ,,No, I have never been abused sexually.”
,,If it happened, you should report it to the police.” Parker says.
,,I am fine” Dean replies. ,,And I would really like to sleep now.” He then says and sounds slightly annoyed.
,,Okay, sorry.” Parker mumbles. Yeah, maybe he should not have been direct like that. He is a stranger to Dean after all too.
Dean is still sleeping when Parker pulls the truck back on the road a few hours later. It is still dark outside at nearly 5 am but it is the best way to get some kilometers on the clock without much traffic. Dean is cuddled up in the sheet and deep asleep on the other seat so Parker decided to not wake him up and just start driving.
Parker looks over to Dean every now and then. He wonders what that freak out about sexual abuse last night was. Was Dean abused or raped?
Is that why he is running away from home?
Or did he really just read too many reddit posts?
The thing is when you are on the road the whole day, you have got plenty of time to think, especially when your hitchhiker is asleep and sometimes your thoughts are not always just positive.
Parker has done this trip as well as a few shorter ones many times by now and sometimes he had taken hitchhikers with him. They were usually guys, once a girl and they usually all had a reason to run away. No one hitchhikes nowadays if you have another possibility to travel. Parker remembers one of the first guys he took with him, who had told him he was running away because his dad is a junkie. Parker wonders what Dean’s reasons are.
It is close to 8.20 am when Dean starts to wake up. He shifts around on the seat for a few minutes, before he opens his eyes. He suddenly sits up straight and nervously looks around. ,,Where are we?” He asks.
,,Back on the road? Going to Houston? Do you remember?” Parker asks and laughs.
Dean looks around and then he reaches out for the knop to unlock the doors. He presses it and suspiciously glances over to Parker.
Parker looks back at Dean. Okay?
,,I am just making sure you are not kidnapping me.” Dean says quietly.
,,Okay” Parker says, because he really does not know what to say. Is there even anything to say to that?
,,You think I am weird, right?” Dean asks.
,,Well, uhm … I have met people who did … more normal things.” Parker admits. Dean is not the weirdest person Parker has ever met, but he does do some weird things.
Dean looks away and nods. ,,Yes, uhm … I can get off at the next rest stop.” He suggests and tugs at a string of his backpack.
,,No, it is fine, don't worry.” Parker says; Dean is not THAT weird. Maybe he is just naturally suspicious. Better save than sorry, right?
Parker looks in the sidemirrors, before he sets the signal to change lanes. ,,Breakfast?” He asks as they roll onto a reststop.
,,Sure” Dean says.
They are sitting in a booth in a corner of the reststop restaurant and eating breakfast. Dean pulls a bun apart and stuff the small pieces into his mouth. ,,So, what are you doing after the summer?” He asks eventually.
,,I want to start university.” Parker says and bites into his sandwich. Since he has driven that route before he knows which restaurants and restrooms are okay and which are better avoided.
,,What are you going to study?” Dean asks and drinks some coffee.
,,Social science and journalism.” Parker says and smiles.
,,Oh, cool. What politics are you into?” Dean wants to know and tries to smile. That is probably the most Dean has talked to Parker since he took him in yesterday.
,,I am pretty liberal and or left.” Parker answers. He does not want to start a debate right now, but maybe asked.
,,Really? Me too!” Dean says and smiles slightly. “You never know… right?”
,,Oh, nice.” Parker says and nods. At least they share a mindset then. ,,So, what will you do when you are in Mexio?” Parker asks afterwards. Dean asked something about Parker’s life so now it is the turn for Parker to ask about Dean’s.
,,Learning spanish?” Dean asks and giggles.
,,You don’t speak spanish?” Parker askes and raises an eyebrow in surprise.
,,No, I have never been outside of the US and no one in my family knows spanish.” Dean says.
,,Mmh, so I guess that should be your priority then. If you want to live in Mexico I mean.” Parker just says. He does think running away to a country you do not know the native language of is dumb, but it is Dean’s decision.
Dean looks away and shrugs his shoulders. ,,I will try.” He says. ,,Here” He says and pulls out a notebook from his backpack with a donkey on it. ,,I used some Youtube videos to teach myself some phrases.” Dean says, he opens a page and reads out something. It does not really sound accurate and Dean has to giggle afterwards. ,,What was that supposed to say?” Parker asks.
,,Hello my name is Dean and I am from the US.” Dean explains.
,,Did not sound like that.” Parker says and grins.
Dean grins back and rolls his eyes. ,,Here, you say it.” He says and turns the notebook around. ,,I can only read neat handwriting.” Parker says to tease and winks.
Dean smiles slightly and pulls his notebook back over to himself again. He looks at it for a moment before he says: ,,I don’t think you come off like a rapist or kidnapper by the way.”
,,What?” Parker asks. He doesn't quite understand where this change of topic is coming from.
,,I thought you should know. I … I did not freak out last night because you gave off the vibe you were a rapist or kidnapper. It has nothing to do with you per se.” Dean explains and awkwardly bites his bottom lip. His half eaten bun lays ripped apart on the table.
,,Mmh” Parker makes and takes a sip of his own coffee. ,,It is okay. You are traveling with a stranger, of course you are suspicious.”
Dean looks away and then he mumbles: ,,Most people are strangers. I don’t really have friends.”
,,Oh” Parker mumbles. He had not expected such a serious, revealing answer.
,,Sorry, I am over-sharing. We should probably get back on the road, right?” Dean asks and he gets up before Parker can answer.
They spend most of the morning driving while listening to a podcast Parker picked out. They shortly stop for lunch but this time they don’t talk much. When Parker pulls onto the reststop for the night, Dean is looking out of the window and tracing patterns onto the glas. ,,I guess today we are on time for some real dinner.” Parker says and smiles. He gestures over to the still very well lit restaurant.
They have dinner in the restaurant instead of in the truck cabin this time, which is Burger and fries. ,,Did I say something wrong?” Parker asks halfway through the dinner. Dean still has not really said anything.
,,No, why?” Dean wants to know.
,,You have been quiet all day.” Parker points out.
Dean shrugs his shoulders. ,,I did not want to overshare again. I tend to do it but I don’t even want to.” He says and scratches his neck. His fingers are long and elegant looking. Parker does not know why he notices that, but he does.
,,We could just talk about something random.” Parker suggests.
,,Yeah.” Dean agrees. So eventually they talk about politics again, until it is time to go back to the truck for the night.
,,Actually it is not that late, we can watch a show if you want.” Parker says when they are climbing back into the cabin. It is only 9pm and Parker is not really tired yet.
,,You are hiding a TV in here somewhere?” Dean asks and laughs. He shrugs his shoes off and stretches out on the passenger seat.
,,No, but I have my laptop in my bag. We can sit on my bed and put the laptop on the centre console.” Parker explains. That is what he usually does when he is alone, but Dean seems like a clean guy and he is nice, so Parker is fine with having him sit on his bed.
,,Okay, sure.” Dean says.
They are trying to get comfortable on the bed to watch an episode of modern family and it ends up being okayish comfortable. The bed just is not made for two; it is almost too small for one already.
When they are on the third episode an hour later, Dean pulls a phone out from his backpack and looks at it. The screen is cracked and the photo on the case faded.
Parker glances over at it. He has not seen a phone in Dean’s hand the whole time they have been together. He somehow thought Dean just does not have a phone.
,,Do you think someone could locate that if I use it for one text message?” Dean asks and looks at Parker.
,,Well, I guess if it is on for a few minutes the police could probably find out you were here.” Parker says and shrugs his shoulders. He has never really considered who could potentially track his phone when he uses it.
,,Mmh” Dean makes; turning the phone around in his hands.
,,Why?” Parker asks. He reaches for his laptop and hits pause on the show.
,,I am … I am thinking of sending my sister a message, just let her know that I am fine, so she does not worry. But I don’t want anyone to find me.” Dean says.
Parker chews his bottom lip. That is totally normal and not at all weird. Absolutely not. He wonders what the reason is that Dean does not want to leave any trace behind as to where he is going. Dean is an average teenager, not some mafia boss.
,,There is a pay phone at most reststops, you could call her from one tomorrow.” Parker suggests. He has never used one but how hard can it be to figure out?
Dean still turns his phone around in his hand. ,,Maybe I will do that.” He says.
,,Are you really that scared of anyone finding out where you are going?” Parker asks quietly. ,,Not scared. I just don’t want it. I don’t want … I don’t want most people to know where I am.” Dean explains and shrugs his shoulders. He places the phone in the small space between their bodies.
,,What if something happened to you? Don’t you want people to look for you? Make sure you are fine?” Parker asks.
Dean nervously shifts away from him and closer to the door immediatly.
,,No! Sorry. I did not mean that I would do anything to you. I just meant what if you hurt yourself and need to stay at a hospital? Or if you run out of money? Or stuff like that.” Parker quickly says. He had forgotten how scared Dean is for some reason.
Dean looks at his phone again and then he says: ,,I am running away from home by hitchhiking to live with someone I have not seen or talked to in years in a country I don’t even know the language of. Do you really think my family would care if I am running out of money or in the hospital?”
Parker licks his lips and looks away too. ,,Sorry. I did not think about that.” He admits. He did not put it into perspective like Dean just did.
,,It is okay.” Dean says and looks back up. ,,I am just a random person you picked up on the streets. I would not expect you to be considerate.” He then says.
,,Treat people how you want to be treated, huh?” Parker mumbles because right now he feels like the most insensitive person ever.
,,I don’t know. Not many people in my life who I would say live like that.” Dean murmurs. Parker is not even sure if he is supposed to hear it.
,,Do you want some candy?” Parker asks randomly, because he does not really know what to say. Clearly there is something laying deeper, clearly some sort of trauma, that Dean is going through. Parker would guess it is somewhat related to abuse, but he really does not know that guy well enough to ask or talk about that. He is not even sure if he is right about the abuse or if Dean is just a little weird.
,,Candy?” Dean asks.
,,I have some, wait” Parker says and searches for the bag of candy he has in the overhead storage. ,,Here” He finally says and holds out a bag of chocolates and gummy bears. ,,Thanks" Dean says and takes a chocolate. He eats it and then smiles at Parker.
Parker smiles back and eats some gummy bears. It was a weird way to change topics, but it seemed to have worked. At least Dean is smiling now again.
,,So, I guess I will go to sleep.” Dean says after finishing his chocolate.
,,You can have the bunk tonight if you want. I will sleep in the front.” Parker offers. He feels like he has to make something to make up to Dean for being so straightforward and offering Dean a proper bed is the best he can do right now.
,,Oh no. It is fine. You are the one driving. You should sleep properly.” Dean says and climbs back into the front seat with his sheet. “Are you sure?” Parker asks. “I am really fine with switching”
Dean smiles at him and nods. “I am fine” He says. “I sleep easily. Good night”
Parker tucks his laptop away and then gets comfortable in bed. ,,Good night” Parker answers. He hears a very quiet ,Thanks’, but he isn't sure if Dean really said it or not, so he does not answer.
Chapter Text
Dean is asleep again when they leave the reststop the next morning. Parker pulls back onto the highway and just enjoys the morning quietness for some time. It is nice to have a few kilometers of empty highways in front of him and therefore time to think. The sun is rising and paints a beautiful picture, the heater is on and makes a calming, constant noise. For a moment it feels like complete peace, even with a stranger like Dean here. Parker looks over at Dean for a moment and promises himself to be less straightforward and rude today.
Dean eventually wakes up when Parker pulls onto a reststop to get gas and something to eat. ,,I guess I will call my sister.“ Dean says, half climbed out of the cabin already, while Parker is getting gas.
,,Oh, yeah, sure.” Parker says and smiles. “I will be waiting until you are done.”
///
Dean has about 100 Dollars left for the whole rest of his trip, for getting all the way to Mexico-City. Dean knows it is not much, but it is all he had when he left. So what can he do?
He collects the last of his coins and calls his old home number. Hopefully Lea is there, hopefully she will pick up. It rings a few times and Dean is about to hang up, when someone answers: ,,Withers. Lea here?“
Dean is quiet for a moment, then he says: ,,Hey“
,,Dean?“ Lea asks on the other end.
,,Yeah, hey, it is me. I don‘t have much time, I just wanted to tell you I am fine.“ Dean says. No one knew he was planning to run away from home. He feared if someone knew they would have tried to talk him out of it or even stop him.
,,Oh my God! I was so worried, where are you? I will come get you.“ Lea exclaims.
,,No“ Dean says. ,,Listen, I am fine. But I won‘t come back home, okay? I just called to let you know I was not kidnapped or murdered or stuff. I don‘t know when I will call again. But uhm … listen I won‘t come back, so you should really take that job offer you had in New York and that you wanted. You can do it now that I am not home anymore.“ Dean says and looks around himself to make sure Parker is not listening.
,,Dean, I-“,,No, just do it. Listen, I will probably not use my phone anymore, so you cannot call me. But maybe I will get a new one eventually or use someone else’s. If you want uhm … if you have moved to New York, post your new phone number on facebook. When I have a new phone I will call you then.“ Dean cuts her off. If he talks to her longer she might convince him to come back home. Dean cannot risk that; it is the best for both of them if he leaves and goes to Mexico.
,,Dean, think about what you are doing and-“,,I am running out of change, sorry. Listen, Take that job and move away. I love you, but I won‘t come back.“ Dean says and then he hangs up.
///
,,Reached her?“ Parker asks when Dean comes back from the pay phones.
,,Yeah, sure.“ Dean says and then he adds: ,,She was happy to hear I am fine, and wishes for my safe travels.“
,,Nice“ Parker says and smiles.,,Here. I got us something to eat while I paid for the gas. Come on, we have to eat on the road. I am a little behind on my schedule.“ Parker says. He is supposed to be a 100 miles further down the road by now and he does not want to lose any more time.
,,Okay“ Dean says and climbs back into the truck.
,,We are close to the border, you have your pass right?“ Parker asks an hour later. “Trucks get searched all the time”
,,Uhm, yeah, of course.“ Dean says and pulls his pass from his backpack. He holds up the red travling pass with the words “United States of America” printed on it in golden letters.
,,Good. Listen I really have to stick to my schedule so in case we get searched and if there’s anything wrong with your documents at the border or stuff, then I will have to leave you there. I cannot wait.“ Parker admits. He does like Dean and he has no problem taking him all the way to Houston but his work is more important than that.
Dean just nods ,,Sure“ He mumbles.
,,I am sorry. It is not that I don‘t like you, but I don‘t really know you either and this is my job here.“ Parker explains.
,,Yes, I know“ Dean says. ,,It is fine. I get it.“ He adds and shrugs his shoulders.
,,Okay, so uhm … we will probably reach Houston tomorrow night, if all goes well. I won‘t meet my client until the day after tomorrow. You can sleep here until I meet my client. But I go back in the afternoon the day after tomorrow. So unless you change your mind and want to go back to California or Colorado, you will have to leave then.“ Parker says.
,,I am not going back.“ Dean just mumbles and puts his pass back into his bag.
,,Okay. Then I will leave you in Houston.“ Parker says and nods.
,,Sure.“ Dean just says quietly.
,,Did you call your granny too? Let her know you are coming?“ Parker asks to change the subject.
,,I don‘t have her number.“ Dean answers.
,,Oh“ Parker makes. Everytime they talk about Dean’s plans he seems more unprepared.
,,I have an old address my mom sometimes sent letters to, I hope she still lives there.“ Dean says quietly and blushes.
,,So you are traveling all the way to Mexico-City in the hope you will meet a woman you don’t even know still lives there?“ Parker wants to know. He does not know Dean and he should not judge but this sounds like a very dumb plan.
,,Yes“ Dean whispers and it almost seems like he is ashamed. He does not meet Parker’s eyes and shifts in his seat.
,,Risky“ Parker comments, which is the nicest thing he can say in a situation like that.
,,If she does not live there anymore, I will find another way to stay. I took my report cards from school with me, so I can find work. I mean I don‘t have a degree or a finished job training or anything, but I don‘t mind doing shitty work. It is okay.“ Dean says.
,,What were you planning to do?“ Parker wants to know. Surely that was not what Dean dreamed about when he was younger.
,,What?“ Dean makes and looks at Parker.
,,Before you ran away, I mean. You must have had a plan for what you wanted to do.“ Parker specifies.
Dean blushes and shifts uncomfortably again. ,,Deabting“ He whispers.
,,What?“ Parker is now the one to ask.
,,I wanted to be do political debats … like streaming. But uhm … things changed.“ Dean says.
,,So instead of trying this now you run away to Mexico in the hope to get work there?“ Parker asks and raises his eyebrows. Both ideas sound like a kinda stupid plan, if he is honest, but the streaming one still sounded like the saver one. Even if he is good at debating, was he really good enough for a career?
How many people can make a career out of that?
Sure, Parker likes politics too but that does not mean he would try to do this for a living. However the streaming plan still sounded better than the Mexico plan… Dean made the wrong decision.
,,Yes“ Dean whispers and moves his eyes down. ,,I know it sounds stupid. I know it is risky. But I … it is my only chance.“ He says. Parker’s fingers itch with the desire to ask more questions. To ask what is going on in Dean's life, why he is here and everything. There must be a deeper story and Parker is not sure if he can let Dean leave before making sure he is not running away from abuse.
,,You could have found work in Colorado, at least you speak the language there.“ Parker says.
,,Yeah, I don‘t know if that would have been better.“ Dean says.
,,Why? You probably would have better chances there than in Mexico.“ Parker pushes.
Dean looks out of the window and shakes his head. ,,No, not really.“ He whispers.
,,I don‘t get it.“ Parker admits.
,,Where I live, the world is only nice to you when you are a certain kind of person.“ Dean mumbles and rests his head against the window. He looks tired and exhausted; his hair is hanging into watery eyes and his cheeks look hollow. His lips are cracked from dryness and his skin is unnaturally pale. Parker feels sorry for him.
,,And you are not that kind of person?“ Parker asks.
Dean shakes his head. ,,No, I am not really that kind of person.“ He says
,,What is that supposed to mean?“ Parker wants to know. If Dean would only tell him a little more … Parker likes him and he wants to make sure Dean is alright.
,,I cannot tell you.“ Dean mumbles.
,,Okay“ Parker says, since he doubts trying to force Dean will make it better. ,,But you know, I am pretty open minded and- fuck! Watch what you are doing!“ Parker yells when someone cuts him short and he has to hit the brake so hard, they are both pushed forward. He presses his hand on the honk for a good twenty seconds. ,,Fucking bastard! What is wrong with you?!“ Parker exclaims when he can finally speed up again and drives past the idiot in a black Ford. ,,Sorry, shit like that happens all the time on the road.“ He says and slightly turns over to look at Dean.
Dean is even paler than he was before and he seems to be slightly shaking. ,,Hey, it’s okay. Stuff like that happens. But we are fine.“ Parker says in an attempt to calm Dean down again. That was just a little incident, happens all the time. People cut you off like they cannot see a 16 ton truck and you hit the brake so hard all your things get thrown around the cabin, but it has always been fine. Parker has never hit any car. ,,And besides, we are stronger. Nothing would have happened to us.“ Parker jokes and gestures around the truck in the hope this will cheer Dean up.
,,I know“ Dean just breaths and then: ,,Stop“
,,What do you mean?“ Parker ask, confused.
,,Stop! I need to get out“ Dean gasps, while his breathing itself speeds up, almost cutting him off while speaking.
,,Okay?“ Parker says. Luckily there is a reststop half a mile away and Parker pulls onto it. He has not even come to a stop when Dean opens the door and jumps out and runs a few meters away from the truck.
Parker raises his eyebrows, pulls the truck into a parking slot and climbs out of the truck himself. Yes, he honked at the guy and he had to hit the brakes hard but it certainly was not that bad as Dean made it look with his behaviour now. Whatever is going on now, Parker is confused.
Did he miss anything?
Did he say something wrong?
Why would Dean freak out like that?
,,Pretty ones are always the most work.“ The guy that is standing next to the truck parked next to Parker‘s says. He grins at Parker and raises his eyebrows.
,,Ah, fuck off“ Parker mumbles and walks away to find Dean.
Dean is sitting on the little green area that is between the rest stop and the forest next to the highway. He is crying and his hands are still shaking.
,,So, uhm … that really was not that dangerous. We would have been fine in any way, you do not need to worry.“ Parker says when he comes closer. He really does not know what else to say, since he is not even sure what made Dean freak out so much. What can he say when he does not even know why Dean freaked out like that?
Stuff like that happens?
There are always dangerous situations on the road or almost accidents, it is normal?
Dean looks up at him, with a shaking voice he says: ,,My mom was in a car accident with a truck.“
,,Oh“ Parker makes. Now it makes sense and he made such a stupid joke and said “we are stronger anyways”. God, Parker just keep being insensitive.
,,She died“ Dean adds and looks away again. His shoulders are shaking and tears are running down his face.
,,Oh“ Parker makes again and he sits down next to Dean. ,,Sorry. I did not know.“ He says quietly.
,,I was at sports practice two years ago. She promised to pick me up and on the way there … a truck ran over a red light, crashed right into her car, driver's side of course. He pushed her car for another 60 feet until a building wall stopped them. She was dead before they got her out of the car, crashed by the truck.“ Dean whispers.
Parker swallows. ,,I am sorry“ He whispers again.
Dean looks at Parker again and mumbles: ,,It is my fault. I usually took the bus home from practice, but that day I begged her to pick me, because I wanted to be home on time to … to watch this stupid series finale. It was the first time it was on TV here. So she let me talk her into it and agreed to pick me up. It is all my fault. I could have watched it later or asked her to record it for me. But no. I had to watch it when it was on and then she died, just because I wanted to be home early to watch TV. I killed her. It is all my fault.“ Dean cries helplessly.
,,It is not your fault.“ Parker says softly. Dean’s cheeks are wetted by tears and his body is violently shaking. On instinct Parker moves slightly forward and hugs Dean tightly.
,,It is. If it was not for me she would have stayed home and she would not have died. I killed my own mother.“ Dean whispers against Parker’s shoulder and pulls him in closer.
,,That is not true. You were not the reason she died.” Parker says gentely. He runs a hand over Dean’s back in an attempt to calm him down.
Dean pulls away from Parker, he swallows, pushes his sleeve up and shows a horrible burn scar on his arm. ,,Some people think differently” He breathes.
Without considering his actions, Parker grabs Dean’s arm and inspects it. ,,How did that happen?” He asks.
Dean pulls his sleeve down again and shakes his head. ,,I am sorry. I should not have told you. I … I am fine. Let's just go back on the road. You are running late!” Dean says.
,,No, wait, stop. You … you” Parker stammers. He cannot just go back on the street now. Dean just revealed such a big secret to Parker, one that matters. Besides, there is that scar and Parker needs to know how Dean got it. You do not just get scares like those!
,,It is fine. Come” Dean whispers.
Parker does not want to get back on the road before he gets an answer, but it does not seem like he will get an answer any time soon, so he gets back to the truck and they just drive in silence. He will convince Dean to tell him the whole truth before Dean leaves though, Parker will make sure that Dean is alright. Parker does not know Dean well but he cares about him and he worries. He cannot allow that Dean heads to Mexico and works for a minimum wage while his possible abuser is still walking out there somehwere.
Night comes and they both settle in for bed. Parker is half asleep in his bunk when Dean suddenly says: ,,It was my step dad.”
,,Huh?” Parker whispers tireldy. What?
What stepdad?
,,The scar on my arm. It was my step dad.” Dean admits.
,,Really?” Parker asks quietly. So he was right the whole time. Dean was getting abused at home.
,,Yeah. I …” Dean cuts himself off. ,,You should go to sleep. I am sorry. You have to be back on the road soon again and I am telling you such things now.” Dean mumbles.
,,No, I … if you want to talk about it, tell me.” Parker says. “Please do.” He is filled with anger and disgust at that weird stepdad but he does not want to show it right now. He just wants to be there for Dean and listen to him now.
Dean shifts around on the front seat. ,,I … I don’t know.” He whispers.
,,Do you want to come here?” Parker asks carefully and pets his mattress.
,,I ….” Dean mumbles but then he climbs over the front seat and sits down on the edge of Parker’s bunk. ,,My dad died when I was child and eventually my mom remarried. He … he was an okay guy first.” Dean starts his story. ,,But when my mom died … he blamed me and I guess he was right. I killed my mom. But he got very mean. I … he started to hurt me. He was so mean… and I … I just had to leave, for me, for my sister, to make sure everyone is safe. My sister wants to move to New York, she got a job offer there, but she won’t take it as long as I am still living with my step dad. She wants to protect me. So I … I knew it would be best for both of us, if I just … left”
Parker sits up and places an arm around Dean’s shoulder. ,,I am sorry you felt like you had to leave.” He says. Parker feels emotional by what he has heard, it is so sad and horrible, his stomach feels heavy and his heart clinges. Parker is not sure what to do or say but maybe he does not have to.
Dean shrugs his shoulders. ,,It is better that way.” He says.
,,Why did you … why did you not go to the police? If he abused you, you could have turned him in.” Parker asks. So he was right all along, Dean has been abused and he is running away from it.
,,He is a cop” Dean mumbles. “My step dad is a cop. It would not have worked. If I had reported him, he would have found a way to make me look like a liar. I would have gotten into trouble.” Dean whispers weakly.
,,I am sorry” Parker says again because he has not quite realised what Dean has said just yet, his brain is still dealing with it. He had guessed that Dean had been abused but he would have never guessed all the other details of the story. He had not prepared to not only hear Dean say he is right but also all the rest, he had not really thought about how he would react or what he should say.
,,You think I am silly, right? For trying to run away from my family to live with someone I have never met. I … my grandma does not even know … I have not seen her in forever. I think we last saw each other when I was a toddler.” Dean whispers and tears are running down his face. ,,I don’t think you are silly. I get that you want to run away. I am just not sure if you have thought it all the way through.” Parker admits. Dean is so vulnerable in his arms, Parker does not know how he can let him leave for Mexio-City soon. Dean is not ready for that and what if something will happen to him?
,,I have not” Dean admits. He turns around to look at Parker. ,,I did not think anything through. I had a huge fight with my stepdad, he threw plates at me and then he left to go to work. I packed my things, all the money I had, my phone, my documents, some things from my mom, some personal things, a few clothes and stuff and I just left. I took the bus to near the highway and then I tried to hitchhike until you stopped. I have not thought it through. I mean, I had the idea in my head. I knew I wanted to run away, which is why I teached myself those phrases in spanish, but I had not actually considered going through with it. I did not plan to do it that day. I just … this day I had to leave.” Dean takes a deep breath in after he has said all that and just nods. Like he has finally done something important.
Parker strokes his hand over Dean’s shoulder. ,,Why don’t you stay in the US for a while then? Make some money before you continue? Look, we are almost in Texas now, but you can stay with me. We will be back in Californien in a few days, probably three days. You can just come to Texa with me and I will drop you off after we cross the border to Colorado or Californien again, you can stay there for now; just stay in the US, not near your home but at least in the country.”
Dean shakes his head. ,,No, I don’t want that” He says quietly and wipes his eyes.
,,Why?” Parker asks. He knows Dean will probably not be willing to go back anywhere close to his hometown, but cannot he at least stay in the states?
Parker would feel a lot better if he knew Dean would stay in the US at least, a country where he at least speaks the language, where he can always somehow get back to Colorado.
Dean looks away and then he whispers: ,,If I tell you, you have to promise that you won’t kick me out until tomorrow morning” Dean mumbles. He nervously chews on his bottom lip and looks around the place. He takes a deep breath in again and nervously drums his fingers against his thigh.
,,Okay?” Parker says. Unless Dean is about to tell him he is fleeing from the police or something like that he certainly will not kick him out.
Dean scratches his arm, licks his dry lips and then he very quietly whispers: ,,I am gay.”
It is so quiet Parker is not sure he heard correctly. ,,Sorry, what?” He asks.
,,I am gay. I like dudes. I am a fag.” Dean says, louder that time. He pulls away from Parker’s touch and wraps his arms around himself, like he is building a defence shield around himself. ,,I am sorry” He mumbles.
,,It is okay.” Parker says, which sounds lame. He should have said more, he should have said “Cool. I do not mind”. He should have just said more and make it clear that he is cool with it. Dean climbs back into the front. ,,You can kick me out tomorrow.” He mumbles.
,,No, I can take you till Houston, it is fine.” Parker says, he leans over into the front of the truck and smiles at Dean.
,,You don’t have to be nice. I am used to homophobia when people find out.” Dean whispers. He pulls his sheet around himself and curls up on the front seat.
,,So you just assume every person you meet is homophobic?” Parker asks and raises his eyebrows at Dean.
,,I am not guessing, I know it. I have my experience. Grand Junction is a big city but still ... I have been assaulted, I have been harrassed, followed, threatened, and had things thrown at me. So, don’t hold back.” Dean just says and shrugs his shoulders. He has his head turned away from Parker and is all curled up on hismelf.
Parker reaches behind himself, to the edge of his bunk where he has some clothes placed that are not dirty yet and can be reworn, and pulls his old jeans jacket out. ,,Here” he says and holds it out to Dean, showing him the front pocket with a pin on it.
,,Great, you have a Levis jacket.” Dean mumbles without even really looking at it.
,,Look at the pin, silly” Parker says with a grin and pushes the jacket further into Dean’s direction.
Dean finally turns his body in the direction of Parker so that he can have a look at the jacket ,,Bi-panic” Dean reads out from the round little pin. He looks up at Parker and sucks his bottom lip between his teeth. ,,Really?” He then asks.
,,Si” Parker says and giggles.
,,You just say that.” Dean mumbles then and gives the jacket back to Parker.
,,So you think I always carry a bi pin around with me in case I pick up queer hitchhikers who are scared I am homophobic?” Parker asks and laughs. Maybe at least this will cheer Dean up.
Dean blushes and shakes his head. ,,No, I just … thought … I did not expect it.” Dean mumbles and shrugs his shoulders.
,,Well, now you know.” Parker says and puts the jeans jacket back in its place.
,,So you are queer but you still want to … you never fear anything? I mean I know Mexico has homophobic people too and maybe an even bigger issue with it but … no one has to know there, right?” Dean asks and rests his head against the window again. His fingers rub the edge of the sheet between his fingers and glances up at Parker.
,,Well, first of all I live in L.A., basically everyone is queere there. Besides, my family is there and all the people I love and actually there is a cool queer community even in the suburbs where I live, even if it is not like … real L.A. or stuff”
Dean shrugs his shoulders. ,,I don’t know anyone who is queer too.” Dean admits and bites his lip. “I am sure there are people, of course they are … I just … I never dared to try and meet someone or like … tell anyone. Maybe it is my own fault that I always feel alone or like I am the only damn queer person in the world.” Dean shurgs his shoulders and shakes his head at the same time. This must be a big issue, something that has worried him at night before when sleep just won’t come. Parker reaches over the seat and squeezes Dean’s shoulder.
,,Well, uhm … I would have offered to show you but I guess you are not coming there again.” Parker says. He doubts he can convince Dean to go back to Colorado or Californien with him just by promising to show him some queer bars and events.
Dean shakes his head. ,,Maybe I will meet someone who is queer in Mexicso.” He then says quietly.
,,I am sure” Parker says and gives Dean an unsure smile. He wishes he could think of anything to say or do to convince Dean, to make sure he does not ruin his life like that but it is just … Parker understands Dean’s motivation and where he is coming from and he does not have any good or strong arguments…
skunkbait on Chapter 2 Sun 14 Dec 2025 02:17PM UTC
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LotsOfLove1 on Chapter 2 Sun 14 Dec 2025 07:22PM UTC
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skunkbait on Chapter 3 Mon 15 Dec 2025 02:56PM UTC
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