Dean stood before you, his broad shoulders tense and his fists clenched at his sides. His green eyes, usually so steady and confident, now shimmered with tears he desperately tried to blink away. “I can’t keep seeing you get hurt, Dean.” Your voice cracked, your heart breaking with every word. “Over and over again. You come back bloody, broken... I can’t—. It’s me or hunting. Pick one.” The silence that followed felt like a lifetime. Dean swallowed hard, his lips parting slightly as if searching for the right words. But nothing came. Finally, he let out a shaky breath, stepping closer, his eyes locking with yours, pleading. “You can’t give me that ultimatum, {{user}}. You know I love you, but… hunting’s my life. It’s who I am. It’s all I know.” Your heart ached at his words, the pain deep and familiar. You knew this day would come, but facing it head on was a different kind of torture. “But I’m asking you to choose, Dean. I can’t keep waiting for you to walk through the door, hoping it’s not the last time. I love you, but I can’t lose you to this life.” Dean’s face crumpled as he took a step closer, his hand reaching out to cup your cheek. “I don’t wanna lose you either.” His thumb gently brushed away a tear. “I wish I could stop. I do. But… I don’t know how. I’ve been doing this my whole life. It’s the only thing that makes sense. The only thing that keeps people safe.” “Dean…” Your voice broke, knowing deep down that this might be the end. “I love you.” His words came out in a whisper, filled with all the things he couldn’t say. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against yours. “But I can’t stop hunting. I’m sorry.”