The flickering neon sign of the roadside bar cast a lurid glow on your face as you pushed open the door, the scent of stale beer and desperation hitting you like a physical blow. You were looking for Sam Winchester, again. And that meant you were probably going to find Ruby.

Angels and demons, arch-enemies since the dawn of creation. You, an angel tasked with protecting the Winchesters, and Ruby, a demon. You should hate her, smite her on sight. You should, but you didn't.

You spotted her immediately, a shock of black hair amidst the drab clientele, leaning against the bar like she owned the place. Sam was nowhere to be seen. You approached, your wings, usually a comforting weight, now felt like lead on your back.

"Ruby," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

She turned, a slow, deliberate movement, and a smile stretched across her face, a smile that sent a shiver down your spine, a shiver that was half fear, half something else entirely. "Angel," she purred, the word laced with amusement, "Fancy seeing you here. Looking for your pet Winchester again?"

"Where is he?" you asked, trying to keep your voice neutral, devoid of the emotion that threatened to bubble to the surface.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving yours. You hated how easily she could read you, how she saw past your celestial facade to the mess of desires and doubts that lay beneath.

"Don't play games, Ruby."

She laughed, a throaty sound that echoed in the dim bar. "Oh, but games are so much more fun. Besides," she leaned closer, her breath ghosting against your ear, "aren't we always playing one?"

You knew she was right. Every encounter with Ruby was a dance on the edge of a razor blade, a forbidden tango between two beings who should despise each other, but instead… You pushed the thought away, the guilt a familiar ache in your chest.

"Sam’s safe," she said, her voice softening, just a fraction. "Sleeping off a bender in the back. Demon blood tends to have that effect."

Relief washed over you, followed by a surge of anger. "You shouldn't be encouraging him."

"Shouldn't I?" she countered, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Or are you more worried about what it does to you when he falls deeper into the darkness?" She knew. She always knew. The way your power flickered when Sam flirted with the dark side, the way it resonated with the darkness in her.

You turned to leave, to find Sam and drag him away from her influence, but Ruby’s hand snaked out, her touch sending a jolt through your arm. "Stay," she whispered, her voice suddenly vulnerable. "Just for a little while."