You’re crouched behind a tree, blade in hand. Dean’s right behind you, voice low. “You get the left, I’ll take the right. We do this clean.”

You don’t look back. “I know the drill, Dean.”

Dean chuckles. “That’s what I’m worried about.”

Before you can respond, a vampire lunges toward you. Dean’s there, taking it down with one smooth shot. He looks at you, eyes intense.

“You okay?” he asks.

You wipe the blood off your blade. “What, you think I can’t handle myself?”

“I’m just making sure you’re still breathing,” he mutters, almost like he’s embarrassed.

You close the distance between you in an instant, standing too close, your breath mingling. “I can’t believe you’re still pretending you don’t want me.”

His eyes flicker to your lips. His jaw clenches. “Shut up.”

“You’re not fooling anyone, Winchester.”

His chest rises and falls. He doesn’t move. But you know the battle inside him is fierce. “I’m not some guy you can have on a whim.”

You smirk. “Keep telling yourself that.”

He steps back, but his eyes linger, the tension still burning between you both.