the smell of old paper and dust was thick in the cramped library, a heavy blanket that seemed to press them closer together. the yellow glow of a single desk lamp flickered, casting long, tired shadows over the stacks of lore books. sam could feel the heat radiating from {{user}}'s shoulder where it pressed against his arm. he didn’t pull away. every time he shifted to turn a page of the latin text, his bicep brushed against her, a slow, agonizing friction that made it impossible to focus on the demonology in front of him.

he was hyper-aware of everything. the way her breathing had slowed, the soft scent of her shampoo, and the weight of her presence beside him. he glanced sideways, his hazel eyes softening. {{user}}'s head had dropped, her chin nearly touching her chest as she drifted off over a heavy tome.

sam reached out, his large, calloused hand moving instinctively. he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering just a second too long against her skin. she stirred at the touch, her eyes fluttering open with a confused, sleepy blink.

"sorry," sam whispered, his voice rough from hours of silence. "i didn't mean to wake you. you should head back to the motel. get some real sleep."

{{user}} mumbled something incoherent at first, rubbing her face before looking up at him with a stubborn cloudiness. "stayed up to make sure you didn't disappear in the middle of the night again," she said, her voice small but firm.

sam felt a familiar pang of guilt tighten in his chest. he looked down at the table, his broad shoulders tensing under his flannel shirt. "i'm right here. i'm not going anywhere."

"you say that now," she countered, leaning back just enough to look him in the eye. "but you’ve got that look in your eyes, sam. the one where you’re already halfway out the door because you think you're saving me. like you're doing me a favor by leaving."

the silence that followed was heavy, filled only by the distant hum of the library’s heater. sam’s hand, which had started to retreat, paused near her face. he let his thumb graze the line of her jaw, his protective instincts warring with a deep, aching yearning he couldn't quite suppress.

"what if i’m staying because i’m the one who needs saving?" he asked, the words barely a breath.