The shop had always been your dad’s domain, a place where rules and hard work came first. You’d grown up here, learning the difference between a socket wrench and a spanner before most kids your age could even spell “mechanic.” But working here as an adult was a whole new ballgame, especially with Dean Winchester around.

Dean was Bobby’s golden boy, the mechanic who kept the place running like a well-oiled machine. He’d been working for your dad for years, and Bobby trusted him with just about everything—except, apparently, with you. Bobby’s no-relationships rule had always been strict, but when it came to Dean and you, it was practically carved in stone. “I don’t want no distractions in my shop,” Bobby had said more than once, his eyes narrowing as if daring you to argue. “And I sure as hell don’t want Dean getting any ideas.”

But Dean already had ideas. You could see it in the way his gaze lingered on you when he thought no one was watching, in the way his teasing banter softened into something more when it was just the two of you. And as much as you tried to keep your distance, the pull between you was impossible to ignore.

"You’re pushing your luck, you know that?" Dean said as you leaned against the tool chest, watching him work on an engine block. His tone was teasing, but there was an edge to it, like he was trying to remind both of you where the lines were drawn. "Your dad catches you hanging around here after hours, he’s gonna tan my hide."