˗ˏˋ bela´ˎ˗

running faster than you ever thought you were able to wasn’t your idea of fun after a busy day at school.

there you were, running in the direction of your home while loud footsteps and growls came from behind you. you were sure whatever it was had started gaining on you, trying to make your feet carry you faster.

monsters were in movies, tv shows, books you read. they weren’t real, they didn’t hide under your bed or in a closet. they weren’t real.

which is what you’d thought for most of your life. until right this second. you had no idea what was chasing you, why it was chasing you.

trying not to stumble over your own feet, you kept running, taking bigger steps, trying to move faster. you never had been much of a runner, but right now you’d probably win fastest in your entire school.

bag clutched in your palm, you turned down a corner, away from the streets. perhaps not the smartest idea, more places to hide though, were the thoughts going through your mind.

a large dumpster beside an apartment building, somewhere you could stay quiet, at least try to catch your breath if this thing didn’t tear you apart first.

you reached the dumpster before the monster could turn the same corner. sitting down, back against the hard wall, knees pulled to your chest as you took many deep breaths, trying to slow your racing heart and panting lungs.

there were still footsteps, slower as it tried to track you. heavy breathing, quieter growling like a wolf stalking its prey. its shadow rearing its head as the nearby lamp post shone above you.

never did you think this would be the way you’d go out. the way your life would end. from some creature, monster that shouldn’t exist. sure that you were stuck in some terrible nightmare. at least, you wished that was the case.

it got closer, to the point you could see its feet, then its face. almost human like. eyes an orangey yellow colour, teeth sharper than a persons, claws so sharp it would definitely cause damage.

nothing to defend yourself with, you reached into your bag for the closest thing you had to a weapon.

pepper spray.

you carried it around at all times in case you needed it. especially walking alone at night, going home from school with no one to accompany you.

although, you were sure it wouldn’t do much to protect you from whatever this monster was.

you took a sharp breath, holding out the spray just as it looked at you, growling louder, as though it was ready to pounce. and then…

someone shouting. getting the creatures attention. it turned away from you, moving out of your sight line. leaving you to yourself for now.

there were a few sounds of struggle, the sound of whatever it was getting thrown to the floor, then more growling, turning into dog like whimpers. finally ending in a brief stabbing sound, followed by a loud thud.

pepper spray firm in your hand as you started to hear footsteps again. was it the monster? or whatever just killed it? what if they hurt you too?

first, you saw boots, eyes following up jean covered legs to a brown flannel. then him. brown floppy hair, worried green eyes. but, he was still just a strange guy that had appeared.

he saw your pepper spray, “i’m not gonna hurt you, promise,” he raised his hands. “was just following the werewolf, had no idea you were here.”

“werewolf…” you mumbled, trailing off, hand finally lowering the spray.

“c’mon,” he reached out his hand, taking a step closer.

not the reaction he expected, it resulted in you raising your pepper spray again. he backed up immediately, hands still visible, no weapons, just a worried expression as he glanced back to where the werewolf lay.

“hey, listen, uh,” he tried to figure a way to gain your trust and fast. “i’m dean, i just wanna help you get home, alright?”

you stayed silent, but lowered the spray, pulling your knees closer to your chest as you struggled to look dean in the eye.

“what’s your name?” he asked gently, now crouching to your level.

still, you didn’t talk, didn’t make eye contact, pretended you didn’t see the blood stains on his jeans from killing that werewolf.

right. werewolf.

“i get it,” he kept his eyes on you. “i’m a stranger, and you were…”

“going home,” a mumble, but it was progress.

he nodded, “and all i wanna do is get you back there safely,” he offered a small smile once you finally looked up. “i know the werewolf was scary, but i took care of it, you’re not gonna get hurt.”

you took a deep breath, hoping he was genuine. that he wouldn’t turn on you, hurt you on your way back. so, with a quiet voice you introduced yourself. told him your name to which he seemed appreciative.

“how far away is your house?” dean asked next, trying more to gain your trust, keeping his voice low and soft.

another hesitation, but you moved slightly, not so tight against the wall. deciding whether or not you can trust dean for now. it would only be tonight, not like you’d ever see him again.

“two blocks over.”

dean nodded, slowly standing at the right angle to block you from seeing the werewolf laying on the ground.

he reached his hand out again, offering to help you up off of the floor. to which, you ever so slowly accepted. placing your palm in his, feeling the roughness of his skin, most likely from battling it out with the monster.

tugging you up gently, you tried to peep around dean, only for him to move to your eye line. he cleared his throat, glancing back towards it.

“you don’t need to see that,” he gave a half smile. “the less you see the better.”

unsure on if he was protecting you, or just wanted to clear you away as soon as possible, you gave a faint nod as you let go of his hand.

he placed his hand between your shoulder blades, softly pushing you in the opposite direction to get you back home, those two blocks over just as you’d said.

it was quiet at first. silence as you walked side by side, a slight gap between you so you weren’t too close to this guy you’d never met before. that ultimately came out of nowhere.

the alleyway was forgotten, for now. the only thing on your mind was the concept of monsters. what others were out there, the fact that they exist when you thought it was all books and movies, fairytales that weren’t meant to be real.

in the lit up streets, you were back in the safety of cars on the road, people passing you on the street. closer to where you could see your familiar neighbourhood and the surrounding houses.

it was strange to you, that people had carried on like normal all while you were fighting for your life to stop from getting attacked by a creature that shouldn’t exist.

that’s when you finally spoke again, “monsters are real?” there’s disbelief in your voice. “i wish it was my imagination.”

dean glanced to you, thought before answering, “it’s not your imagination,” he shoved his hands in his pockets. “that werewolf was very real, we’ve been tracking it for a couple weeks.”

“we?” you asked simply.

“me and my dad,” he explained. “we’re hunters. stop the monsters before they can hurt too many people.”

just like before, you didn’t look at him. something else for you to take in. monsters. hunters. he seemed so young to be dealing with all of this. you’re busy in school, and out in the world are creatures trying to kill people.

“there’s others?” you turned to him. “monsters, i mean.”

he was hesitant to tell you. wanted to keep you as unafraid as he could while you didn’t know much. it wasn’t often he explained his line of work in detail to innocent people.

“there is,” he settled on. “but you don’t gotta worry about any of it, okay? just tonight. that’s it. you’ll be home and safe.”

a deep breath as you looked away, hoping he was right. that you’d never see any monsters again. that you’d never see him again. because if you did… you were sure it’d mean trouble.

finally, your house came into view. the lights on downstairs, porch light glowing. your parents probably wondering why you’d taken so long to get home from school.

you stopped in your tracks, dean doing the same. he stood in front of you, glancing around as if to make sure nothing had followed you. he’d sorted out the werewolf either way. knew it couldn’t get to you.

“might wanna stay over here,” you fiddled with your hands as you found his eyes. “don’t think my parents would like a boy bringing me home.”

dean chuckled, “not just any boy,” he raised his eyebrows. “the one that saved your life.”

you had to laugh quietly at that. he wasn’t wrong. he saved you back there. stopped the monster from getting to you. got you back here safe and sound.

“thank you for getting there in time,” you finally smiled at him. genuinely.

“no need to thank me, sweetheart,” he smiled back, nodded towards your house. “i’d say i hope this isn’t the last time i see you, but i’ll probably only be around if there’s more monsters.”

you agreed, “hopefully i won’t see you anytime soon, dean,” the both of you laughed quietly. “get back to… wherever you’re going safe.”

“always do.”

you gave one last thankful smile, crossing the quiet street to get over to your house. dean watched from where you’d left him, saw your mum open the door, pulling you in for a hug now you were finally home. she looked worried, glad you were back safe.

then the door closed, usually the moment for dean to leave. but, his feet stayed still on the pavement. he saw the light switch on upstairs, you appearing at the window before pulling across your curtains.

he wanted this to be the only time he saw you. didn’t want you to be in any danger again. but there was something in your quietness, the way you’d been with him tonight, that made him think that maybe monsters wouldn’t be the only reason he’d come back to you.

hunts always ended in different ways.

sometimes going back to the motel or bunker to shower and relax, going to the closest diner to eat, share some pie. other times you’d go out for drinks, spend a little time at the local bar.

every time, it would be you, dean and sam. just the three of you. often just you and dean at times when you wanted to be alone together.

it wasn’t often that you’d work a case with other hunters. maybe some old friends that sam or dean knew, people they’d worked with before, some that john knew before he passed.

while working the case, you’d stick with dean, pair off with him, do research and questioning with him. you weren’t all that fond of being around people you didn’t know, especially other guys. dean always understood that, made sure you were comfortable the whole time.

the hunt was fine, you didn’t mind that much. it didn’t even bother you when you had some lengthy discussions with one of the other hunters.

when it did start bothering you? one of the guys suggesting going out for drinks. knowing a bar that hunters often went to was close by. of course you’d all said yes, even though you knew it might not be your favourite way to settle down after a hunt.

it started off with everyone getting drinks, sat together to talk over the hunt, some teasing here and there for different techniques. until slowly a few would break off, have smaller talks.

first, was a few of the other hunters, then sam got up, going to talk to the guy he’d worked with on research for part of today. you thought you’d get some time with dean finally, until one of the guys called him over from across the bar.

“will you be alright for a couple minutes, sweetheart?” dean looked to you, saw you glancing over to the hunter. “or you can come over too.”

a shake of your head, “you go ahead,” you smile. “i’ll stay here. just me and my cocktail will be just fine.”

dean chuckled softly as he stood, leaning to kiss your cheek before heading to the bar. he’d been sipping on a beer, taking it with him as you saw him sitting down, already getting to chatting.

the lead hunter of the group went over shortly, starting a longer conversation. you were okay on your own, thinking you’d have some peace for a while. until one of the girls you’d worked with earlier in the day plopped onto the seat opposite you.

“nice work today,” she began, then motioning over to dean at the bar. “you two make a good team.”

“thanks,” a short but friendly reply. “big group you got going on.”

you looked around, feeling like half the bar was taken up just with them. it was different to you, dean and sam. with the addition of castiel being around sometimes. you functioned better in a small group.

“it works,” she shrugged. “we all have our place, what we do best, you know?”

you brought your drink up to your lips again, taking a bigger gulp as another joined you, this time sitting beside you. you sucked in a long breath, eyeing dean still talking. thinking you should’ve opted to go back to your motel room.

it wasn’t long before the conversations got flowing, starting off with you talking a little, and it got less and less as the night went on. maybe feeling a little drained, battery run out, too many people when usually you’d be curled up in dean’s arms by now.

instinctively, you reached for your necklace. something you often did without thinking, any time you were uncomfortable in a situation. moved the pendant back and forth, fiddled with it in your palm, it helped you to calm down.

the necklace being a gift from dean helped a lot. he got it a while back, something he thought you might like. a little heart on a silver chain, one you almost never took off now.

you would’ve stayed distracted, calming down, if your phone hadn’t buzzed in your pocket.

unsure of who would be texting you, since you could see sam across the room, dean was at the bar…

you pulled your phone from your pocket, switching on the front screen to see a notification from none other than dean. your brows furrowed, clicking his name to check the text.

dean: do you wanna leave?

oblivious, you didn’t know why he was asking. you glanced to him, saw he was talking again. under the bar, his phone was resting on his thigh, his hand over it as if waiting to feel the vibration of a notification.

you replied back,

no we can stay longer if you want

watching as he placed his beer down, turned his attention to his phone screen for a minute. you looked away again, sipping on your drink once more while zoning in and out of the conversation at your table.

dean: you’re sure?

you cleared your throat, smiling at sam as he walked past to head to the bathroom, one of the girls asking you a quick question. something about what bullets you’d used on the hunt today, to which you gave a fast answer.

then you quickly replied to dean again,

yea, why wouldn’t i be

turning off your phone this time, you expected him to carry on, probably get another drink, engage further into these lore conversations that seemed to be going on.

when, again, another vibration from your pocket.

dean: you’re fiddling with your necklace

you lifted your gaze to him again, he gave a quick look, small wave. then you sent an immediate reply with a slight frown.

how on earth could you have noticed that from over there

not that you saw, but a small smile grew on dean’s face as he read your reply. you’d been together for long enough that he knew your tells, knew what you did when you were uncomfortable. knew when he needed to get you out of there even if you didn’t say it yourself.

dean: you’re the only thing i notice sweetheart

before you had time to reply, you felt a hand on your shoulder, causing you to look up. right there, dean stood behind your chair, squeezing your shoulders gently as he leaned forwards.

“i don’t mean to interrupt, ladies,” he gave a nod towards them. “it’s getting a little late, think we should head out.”

nobody minding at all, dean took your hand, helping you to get up and out of your chair, seeing sam waiting at the door once you were standing.

leading the way, dean’s hand on your back as you waked towards the impala, he unlocked it, sam getting in first. leaving time for you and dean to stand back for a moment.

“how you feeling?” dean asked, gentle palm cupping your cheek as if to check you over. “anything you need?”

a head shake, “i’m fine, dean, really.”

he grumbled slightly, “you’re stubborn, you know that?” your brow furrowed. “you’re overwhelmed, you’re still fiddling.”

that’s when your hand stopped, realising you had reached for your necklace again without even knowing it. not until dean pointed it out. you closed your eyes, sighing.

“it’s okay if you are, baby, this was a little out of your comfort zone, huh?” he stepped closer, taking your hand in his instead. “we can go back to the motel, or drop sammy off and get pie. just the two of us, like it usually is.”

you thought for a minute, looking to the ground first, to where you could see sam in the car, then back to dean. seeing his eyes shining in the light, how he just wanted to make sure you were okay before going anywhere.

how he always knew how you were feeling was beyond you. he seemed to notice it before you did yourself these days.

“maybe pie,” you mumbled.

“yea?” dean’s lips ever so gently curved into a smile. “we can get pie.”

you nodded, smiling softly as you let yourself fall against him. his arms wrapping around you in an instant. he felt as your fingers gripped onto his shirt, letting you release just a touch of the tension you were feeling.

“it’s okay, sweetheart, i’ve got you,” he kissed the top of your hair, rocking you back and forth to add to the comfort he knew you needed.

“love you, de,” you mumbled into his chest, blushing softly. something you still always did.

dean moved back just an inch, holding your chin between thumb and index finger to press a chaste kiss to your lips.

“love you too, sweetheart,” he moved back after, opening up the passenger side door for you. “now let’s go get some pie, hm?”

a slow nod, you climbed into the car, smiling back at sam, where he often was since dean wanted you to be up front. dean got in right after, starting up the impala to leave the busy bar, ready to end the night on a calm and quiet note with pie.