The white walls of the hospital room felt unfamiliar—too clean, too quiet for someone like you. A hunter’s life rarely paused like this. Your side ached where the wendigo had gotten in one lucky swipe, and the pain meds dulled the sting but didn’t kill it.

Dean had been with you every second since Sam got you to the hospital. But hunger finally forced him to step out, grumbling about hospital food and muttering a promise to be back in five minutes, tops.

Not two minutes after he left, a young male nurse with a friendly smile stepped into the room holding a clipboard.

“Well, hey there, sleeping beauty,” he said, checking your chart with a practiced ease. “Didn’t mean to wake you, but I figured if anyone could handle a wake-up call, it’s a badass like you. Word is you were torn up by… what? A mountain lion?”

You gave a half-smile. “Something like that.”

He chuckled. “Well, if I ever get mauled, I hope I come out of it looking half as good as you do.”

You blinked, a little surprised, but brushed it off. “Yeah, well… it didn’t get the good side.”

He grinned, clearly taking your answer as encouragement, stepping a bit closer. “You got plans after this hospital vacation? Maybe dinner with someone who’s not wearing blood-stained jeans?”

Before you could figure out whether to laugh or shut it down, the door swung open with a quiet creak. Dean stepped in, holding a cup of coffee and a sad-looking sandwich in a plastic container. He caught the nurse mid-grin, caught your tired smile, and that was all it took.

His jaw tightened. His eyes flicked from the nurse to you and back again. He set the food down with a controlled thud.

“Everything good in here?” Dean asked, voice low but edged in warning.

The nurse straightened, missing the tone. “Yeah, we were just chatting. Keeping her spirits up.”

Dean took a step forward. “Chatting, huh?” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “That before or after you hit on my girl?”

You opened your mouth, but Dean raised a hand slightly—calm but possessive, claiming space that had always been his even without the title.

The nurse blinked. “I—sorry, I didn’t know she—”

Dean cut him off. “Now you do.”