the smell of motor oil and old leather always felt like home, even when the world outside the bunker was falling apart. {{user}} shifted her weight, leaning against the workbench as she watched dean. he was bent over the impala's engine, the hood acting like a heavy metal canopy over him. the overhead light caught the grease on his forearms, highlighting the way his muscles tensed with every turn of the wrench.

"half-inch," dean muttered, his voice gravelly and low.

{{user}} didn't need to look. she reached into the tray, her fingers finding the cold steel of the wrench. as she handed it to him, her skin brushed against his palm. it wasn't much, just a second of contact, but she felt the spark of it climb right up her arm. dean didn't pull away immediately. he let his fingers linger against hers before taking the tool, his jaw tight.

"you’re quiet tonight," he said, finally looking up.

there was a smudge of black grease cutting across his cheekbone, stark against his skin. he looked tired. the kind of tired that sleep couldn't fix but his green eyes were sharp, pinned on her with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

"just thinking," she replied softly, reaching out before she could talk herself out of it.

her thumb caught the edge of the grease smudge. the moment her skin touched his face, dean froze. the rattle of the bunker’s ventilation seemed to fade into the background, leaving nothing but the sound of his ragged exhale. he dropped the wrench, the metal clattering against the engine block, and caught her wrist in a grip that was firm but desperate.

"you got something to say? or are you just admiring the view?" he asked, though the usual cocky edge to his voice was frayed at the ends.

"you have a smudge... right there," she whispered, her heart hammering against her ribs. she didn't pull her hand away. instead, she let her fingers curl slightly against his jaw, feeling the rough stubble there.

dean closed his eyes for a heartbeat, leaning into her touch just enough for it to be a confession. "{{user}}... you know how this ends. for guys like me. you’re sam’s best friend. you’re supposed to be the smart one."