the sun was just starting to bleed over the horizon, casting a hazy gold light over the hood of the impala. the cool morning air smelled like damp earth and spent gunpowder, a sharp contrast to the adrenaline that had been humming through {{user}}'s veins only an hour ago.

sam was leaning against the car, his massive frame hunched slightly as he stared down at his worn boots. his brown hair was a mess, falling over his forehead in tangled waves, and his flannel shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the edge of the anti-possession tattoo on his chest. he looked exhausted, but there was a softness in his hazel eyes that he only ever seemed to show her.

{{user}} shifted her weight, her hip brushing against the side of the car, just inches from his arm. she could feel the heat radiating off him, a steady warmth that made the quiet between them feel heavy and thick with everything they weren’t saying. she reached up to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly from the lingering chill.

"so. i guess i’ll see you in nebraska on tuesday?" {{user}} asked, her voice barely a murmur. the words felt small, too casual for the way her heart was thudding against her ribs.

sam finally looked up, his gaze catching hers and holding it. he didn't pull away. instead, he shifted, closing the tiny gap between them until she could smell the faint scent of old paper and woodsmoke clinging to his jacket. he offered a small, shy smile that didn't quite reach his ears but made his expression crumble into something tender.

"yeah. tuesday," sam replied, his voice low and raspy. he cleared his throat, looking back toward the rising sun before his eyes snapped back to hers with a sudden, quiet intensity. "unless you... if you wanted to grab dinner first. somewhere that doesn't serve food in a paper bag?"

{{user}} felt a flutter in her chest, a spark of hope that tasted sweeter than the morning air. she tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth despite the nerves. "are you asking me on a date, sam winchester?"

sam let out a huff of a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck with a large, calloused hand. the protective, stoic hunter vanished for a second, replaced by a man who looked like he was finally ready to stop running.

"i’m asking if you’re hungry," he said, his voice dropping an octave as he stepped a fraction closer. "but if you want to call it something else... i wouldn't stop you."