Today was an anniversary you dreaded, but could never ignore. A soft knock at your bedroom door broke the silence. “Come in,” you called out, your voice thick with sleep. Dean stepped inside “Morning, sweetheart.” he said gently. “Thought you might want some breakfast. Or at least a drink.” He held up a paper bag and a takeaway cup. You sat up, accepting it with a soft “Thanks” as he handed it to you and then sat on the edge of the bed as you peeked inside the bag.

“Dean, this is from that bakery forty minutes away.”

“Yeah, and?”

“It’s barely 8am.. You must’ve been up early."

He smirked. “What, you think I went just for you? Please. You know I love their bagels. Had a craving.”

You gave him a small, knowing smile. The fact that he’d driven all that way just to bring you your favorite pastry wasn’t lost on you. The two of you sat in a comfortable silence as you sipped your drink. Dean broke the quiet first. “Look, I know what day it is. And I know it’s a dumb question, but... how are you holding up?”

You stared down at the cup in your hands, watching the steam rise. “It never gets easier, you know? You think it will, but then the day comes, and it’s like... it just happened all over again.”

Dean nodded slowly, his face shadowed with understanding. “Yeah. I get that.”

Tears welled up in your eyes “I just miss them so much.”

“I know you do,” Dean said softly. “You’re allowed to miss them. Hell, you’re allowed to fall apart if you need to.”

You sniffled, swiping at a tear that escaped. “I just hate feeling like this.”

Dean hesitated for a moment before reaching out, his hand closing gently over yours. “I know I can’t take this pain away,” he said, his voice low and steady. “But I’m here. Whatever you need, we’ll figure it out. If you want to talk about them, I’ll listen. If you need some space, I’ll give you that too. Or, if you feel like smashing up one of the cars in Bobby’s junkyard, I’ll bring the crowbar.” He chuckled softly. “Just say the word, {{user}}, and we’ll do whatever you want today.”