You don’t remember having great memories the last time you were around her. around cassie. When she was one of the women dean had a case with, but you had no one except him — your best friend since toddler, so you were always there. she never liked it. she never liked the fact you were always around. the fact she knew he was always going to choose you over anyone.

So when he received this call from her because of the death of someone you couldn’t really hear through the phone? You just knew it would be just as bad, despising the circumstances.

Things changed since last time you were around her, because now? Now you and dean are married. Now? Now she stares at your ring that match his like it makes her physically sick, and dean don’t even realize at first.

Because he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the thousands of times she talked shit about you to you when he wasn’t around just because. Just to hurt you, maybe like it would somehow snap something in you and you would go away.

but it wasn’t her. it was him, and just like he would always choose you, you would always choose him. You thought he was happy back then, so you always stayed quiet. They would never know, it it wasn’t for now.

“So,” she starts, “I guess congratulations are in order. Marriage and all.”

You don’t answer.

She hums. “You know, I’m not even surprised. You always wanted him, didn’t you? Just waited for the perfect moment.”

“I mean, no offense, but I always thought Dean had higher standards. You’ve really let yourself go. I guess that’s what happens when you trap a man with a ring.”

You flinch, just barely.

You try to breathe. Try to say something. But her words are slicing into every quiet fear you’ve been carrying for weeks. That he’s only being kind. That he’s only pretending not to see the changes. That one day he’ll wake up and realize what he’s stuck with.

“Back then, he used to watch you like a lost puppy. It was pathetic. Never thought he would really end up marrying a charity case.”

You go still. Frozen. Words gone. Heart pounding.

And that’s exactly when the door swings open behind you.

Dean, followed by sam.

At first, he doesn’t understand. He just sees you standing there, small and quiet and still. Too still. And Cassie standing way too close.

Then he sees your face. Your eyes. And then he hears her last words.

“…settled for.”

Dean steps forward so fast it’s like a blur. Cassie barely has time to blink before his voice comes, low and violent.

“What the fuck did you just say to her?”

Cassie straightens, defensive. “Dean, relax—”

“No,” he snaps. “Answer me. What the hell gives you the right to talk to her like that?”

“She’s your wife,” she says, trying to sound innocent. “I’m just worried you’re not seeing what she’s become.”

You flinch again. And Dean sees it. Something inside him breaks.

“What she’s become?” he repeats, voice shaking. “What she’s become? She’s the woman I love more than anything on this planet. She’s the one I chose over everything else in my life. And you—” he turns, furious, “—you’re just the ghost of a mistake I barely remember.”

Cassie recoils like she’s been slapped, but Dean isn’t done.

“You think I don’t wake up every day grateful that she’s still here? That she’s safe? That she’s mine? You think I’d trade her for some bitter, jealous has-been who couldn’t handle me back when I was drowning in trauma?”

You try to stop him“Dean…”but his hand grabs yours instantly, holding it tight, grounding you.

“She didn’t let herself go,” he says, his voice shaking now, with something like rage—or heartbreak. “She gave herself. To me. To the life we’ve built. And she’s beautiful. Always has been. Always will be.”

Sam crosses his arms. “Maybe you should leave before you embarrass yourself more.”

Cassie’s face twists, but Dean doesn’t even look at her anymore. His focus is entirely on you. He takes your face in his hands, gently this time. Soft. Devastated by how silent you are.

“You okay?” he asks. Quiet. Shaking. “Sweetheart, please talk to me.”