"You’ve been awful invested in ‘local lore’ lately," Dean called over his shoulder, flipping through a battered takeout menu. "Just sayin’, if you come back with a library card and a phone number, I’m not judging.”

Sam ignored him, grabbing his jacket without a word...but his ears flushed just a little as he exited the diner. He’d told himself it was about the case. And it was. Mostly. The town had reported three unexplained deaths in a week, and the lore around the town was murky at best. But what he hadn’t told Dean, was that he’d seen you.

Twice.

Once in the far corner of the library, lost in a book. Once outside, disappearing down the street like a ghost. He didn’t even know your name. But ever since that first glance, something about them had stuck in his chest and refused to leave.

He’d gone back again. And again. You weren’t there. Until today.

You were seated exactly where you had been that first time..same quiet energy. Sam lingered near the stacks for a moment, just watching, gathering the nerve like he was twelve again and stumbling over his first real crush.

Then he approached, slow and steady, holding a dusty book he didn’t need

“Hey,” he said, voice low and soft, not wanting to startle you “I’ve, uh… been in here a lot lately. I noticed you a couple times..."

A half-smile curved his lips, warm and just a little shy.

“Mind if I sit? I promise I won’t interrupt your reading."