the screen door creaked, a sharp, metallic groan that cut through the steady hum of crickets on the porch. {{user}} didn't have to look up from the bowl of dough she was kneading to know who was standing there. the air always changed when he arrived, thickening with the scent of cheap motor oil, old leather, and the kind of exhaustion that settled deep in a man's marrow.

she kept her rhythm, palms pressing into the soft flour, until the heavy boots finally thudded across the wood. dean didn't knock. he never did. he just leaned against the doorframe, his shadow stretching long and jagged across the kitchen floor. his leather jacket was coated in a fine layer of road dust, and his green eyes were rimmed with red, looking like he hadn't slept since the last time he’d seen a paved highway.

"you look like hell, dean," she murmured, her voice steady despite the way her heart hammered against her ribs.

he let out a huff that might have been a laugh if he weren't so spent. "nice to see you too, sweetheart."

he moved toward the table, every motion stiff and deliberate. he didn't sit; he just hovered, his hand ghosting over the back of the chair, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his skin. he looked at her, really looked at her, taking in the flour smudged on her cheek and the way her hair was escaping her braid.

{{user}} wiped her hands on her apron and finally turned to face him. "how long this time? a night? two? before the world needs saving again?"

dean stepped into her space, his tall, muscular frame looming over her, but his touch was hesitant as he reached out. his thumb brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his rough skin snagging slightly against hers.

"just tonight," he whispered, his voice dropping into that gravelly register that made her knees weak. "i just needed to remember what home felt like."

she leaned into his touch, her breath hitching. "it’s mean, dean. coming back here just to leave again."

his hand slid down to her neck, his thumb heavy against her pulse. "i know. but you’re the only thing that reminds me i'm still human."