“Nod twice if you can hear me, sweetheart.”

Dean’s voice was low, almost a whisper, but firm. He crouched down, his hands working quickly but gently at the ropes around your waist. His fingers were rough, calloused, but his touch was careful—measured—like he was afraid of hurting you more than you already were. He looked up into your face, sweat beading on his brow, panic just barely hidden behind those sharp green eyes.

You blinked once.

Then again.

Dean exhaled softly, his shoulders sinking in relief.

“Atta boy,” he murmured, voice breaking ever so slightly as he untied the last knot. You slumped forward, weak and barely holding on, and Dean caught you easily, pulling you up into his arms like you weighed nothing at all. “I got you. I got you.”

Your body trembled in his grip, your skin too cold, breath shallow. Dean’s jaw clenched at how light you felt—how fragile.

Sam stood just behind him, one arm outstretched, angel blade raised and steady. His eyes flicked between you and the two angels standing tensely against the stone wall, restrained by a quickly drawn banishing sigil. Sam’s grip didn’t waver.

“Don’t even breathe wrong,” Sam warned the angels, voice sharp. Protective. Dangerous.

Then, softer, his gaze dropped to you. “We’re gonna get you somewhere safe, you hear? Just hold on. You’re okay now.”

Dean’s hand gently cradled the back of your head as he guided you against his shoulder, standing slowly with you in his arms. You were clinging weakly to his jacket, your strength nearly gone.

His lips dropped closer to your ear, warm breath brushing your skin.

“Hold on tight…” he murmured, his voice lower now. Not just comforting—but personal. Protective in a way that wasn’t just about being a hunter. It was about you.

Sam stepped over, his face full of concern, his hand brushing your shoulder briefly to ground you.

“You’ll be okay,” he said, steady and soft. “We got you.”

The old warehouse creaked under their footsteps as they made their way toward the exit, light breaking through the cracks in the wall. You couldn’t speak. Could barely lift your head. But their voices, their presence, wrapped around you like armor.

And in the safety of their arms, for the first time in hours… you believed them.