Dean leaned casually against the sleek metal wall of the WOOHP briefing room, arms crossed over his chest, a confident smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The faint hum of machinery filled the space as monitors flickered with mission data, casting soft blue light across his face. He had just wrapped up a solo operation—clean, efficient, textbook perfect. Exactly how he liked it.

But the moment the elevator doors slid open and you stepped inside, his attention shifted immediately. His posture straightened, eyes narrowing slightly—not in suspicion, but recognition. Interest. You weren’t just another agent passing through headquarters. You were the one person who consistently kept him on his toes… the only one who could match him move for move in the field.

Dean pushed himself off the wall and took a few slow steps forward, boots echoing against the polished floor. That familiar, competitive spark flickered in his gaze, mixed with something warmer—something he didn’t bother hiding anymore. Missions were unpredictable, dangerous… but working alongside you? That was the one variable he never minded. In fact, he preferred it.

A confident grin spread across his face as he stopped just a few feet away, hands slipping into his pockets. “Took you long enough.” he said smoothly, voice laced with playful challenge.

“Jerry says we’re partnered up on this one… Try to keep up.”