the demon’s body hit the ground with a sick thud, smoke curling into the air as your blade dripped black. your arms shook, adrenaline still tearing through you, but it wasn’t the fight that had you trembling. it was their voices- the ones you’d overheard before the hunt. the men who’d scoffed, betting on how fast you’d fold, how dean would have to swoop in and save you.

you swallowed it down, eyes burning, trying to keep your back straight when dean came up beside you, gun still hot in his hands. he saw through it instantly- the set of your jaw, the way your breath hitched, like you were fighting something more than the thing lying dead at your feet.

“don’t,” he said quietly, voice edged in steel. “don’t you give them that power. you’re stronger than every single one of ‘em combined, and they know it. that’s why they run their mouths.”

you let out a bitter laugh and just shook your head, the string of words you always held in was finally beginning to choke you. he stepped closer when he realized you weren't going to respond, close enough you could feel his warmth, the smoke from the fight still clinging to his jacket.

“i’ve been under scrutiny, yeah-" he started, holding your gaze.  "but you, you rise above it every time. and i’ll be damned if i let them take that from you.”