Written by: KariGorsuch

From my spot on the loveseat, I watched Dean lead Eve to his bed, with a gentleness I didn't think he was capable of. It was like watching a grizzly bear try not to crush a butterfly. Eve had been through hell today- hell, she'd been going through it for years- and seeing her finally get some true rest was a relief.

I let out a quiet breath and glanced over at Sam, who was absent mindedly rubbing his thumb over my knee. He caught my eye and gave me a small, tired smile, like he was trying to silently say, at least she's okay for now.

Dean hovered by the bed, tucking the blankets around Eve like he was tucking away a secret. In the very short time that we'd known each other, I'd never seen him this calm. Protective, sure, but this? This was different. He lingered for a moment longer before turning to us, his expression unreadable but his jaw tight.

"She's out," he said, his voice low.

I nodded, drawing my knees up to my chest, immediately mourning the loss of the warmth of Sam's hand. "She needs it," I replied just as quietly. "I haven't seen her this wrecked... since it happened."

The weight of my own words hung in the air, and I felt Sam's gaze linger on me. His hand hovered near my leg for a moment, as though he wanted to offer comfort again but wasn't sure it was the right move.

Dean, on the other hand, was pacing now. His boots barely made a sound against the carpet, but every step seemed to echo with frustration. "This Nick guy..." He started, his voice a low growl, "How the hell did he even find her again? What kind of person keeps coming back to terrorize someone like this?"

"A fucking creep, and one who doesn't know how to let go," I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. I unfolded my legs and leaned forward to ease the ache forming in my hip. "Nick never thought that Eve would leave him- he was so controlling."

Dean stopped mid-step, his eyes locking onto mine. "Yeah, well, he's about to learn he can't touch her."

Sam shifted beside me, his tone calm but firm. "We need to focus. First things first- we need to take care of the werewolf problem. Tomorrow's going to come quickly, and we need to be ready to kill this thing. Then we can figure out what we are going to do about Nick."

I heaved a silent sigh of relief- Sam and Dean were incredibly focused on Nick- and not the fact that my ex was also here. "Everything lines up to Bert being the werewolf. The timing- the reports of missing people from around that hotel."

Dean's jaw clenched. "Fine. But we don't split up tomorrow. If this thing shows- we stick together. Nick being nearby changes everything"

"No arguments here- although Eve might disagree." I said quickly, glancing at Sam.

"Agreed," Sam added. "We've already got enough on our plate without risking anyone going off alone."

Dean nodded sharply, finally uncrossing his arms. His gaze drifted back to the bed where Eve lay, her breathing steady and deep. For a moment, his hard exterior softened, and I could see the protectiveness, and what looked like guilt warring in his expression.

Pushing up from the loveseat, I grabbed the clothes I slept in. Ducking into the bathroom, I washed my face quickly, making sure that there was no sign of the emotional trauma showing on my face from the fact that Jared was also headed this way. Dressing quickly, I stepped back out into the room.

Dean was seated at the edge of his bed, carefully perched on the edge of his bed, his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor like he was trying to piece together a puzzle only he could see. Sam remained on the loveseat, his hands folded in front of him, but his eyes immediately found mine. There was concern there, but also a steadiness I desperately needed.

"You okay?" Sam asked softly, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

I nodded quickly, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Yeah. Just needed to freshen up."

Dean glanced up, his sharp green eyes assessing me in a way that made it clear he wasn't buying my attempt at nonchalance. But for once, he didn't push. Instead, he shifted his focus back to Eve, her figure barely moving under the layers of blankets he'd tucked around her.

"We'll get through tomorrow," Dean said suddenly, his voice low but resolute. "We'll take care of the werewolf, and after that... we'll deal with everything else."

Sam leaned back slightly, his gaze flicking between Dean and me. "If Nick shows up tomorrow, we'll need to keep Eve out of harm's way- both from the wolf and from Nick- and that goes for you too, Bri."

I froze for a moment, the weight of his words settling over me like a blanket too heavy to shake off. I forced a smile, though it felt brittle.

"I can handle myself, Sam. I can handle Jared." I knew it was a lie, hell, Eve knew it was a lie- but thankfully she was asleep so she couldn't call me out on it.

Dean snorted softly, his lips twitching in a faint smirk. "Maybe. But we're not taking chances- not with this." His gaze turned sharp again, locking onto mine. "If Nick so much as breathes in your direction, we'll take care of him. Jared too. You don't need to fight this alone."

The fierceness in his voice caught me off guard, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I nodded, folding my arms over my chest. "Thanks," I said, my voice quieter than I intended.

Sam stood then, stretching slightly as he glanced at the clock. "We should get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

Dean grunted in agreement, but his eyes lingered on Eve for a moment longer before he stood and moved to the loveseat. "You take the bed," he said gruffly, gesturing for me to sit. "I'm good here."

I glared at him, but there was no heat in the gaze. "How about the smallest one takes the couch? You comfort Eve- even if you guys fight."

Dean's brows knitted together at my suggestion, his stubbornness flaring for a second. "I'm not letting you take the couch," he replied firmly, crossing his arms. "I'm fine sleeping there."

I rolled my eyes, gesturing at the loveseat that barely fit Sam the night before. "Dean, that thing is tiny. You'll be miserable in five minutes, and you know it. Eve's already asleep- she won't even notice if you stay by her side. Hell, it may help keep the nightmares away."

Dean hesitated, glancing between me and the bed. His gaze lingered on Eve, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the turmoil we'd just been through. For all his bravado, it was clear he wanted to be close to her, to make sure she was okay.

"She'd notice," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Exactly," I shot back, pulling the spare blanket Sam had used last night back onto the loveseat. "That's why it'll help her if you're there if and when she wakes up. You represent safety to her, whether you realize it or not."

After a long pause, Dean threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine," he grumbled, but his movements softened as he sat on the bed next to Eve and took his boots off. Adjusting the blankets over Eve, he settled back against the headboard, looking like he was going to stay up overnight to ensure she was okay.

Sam settled into the bed Eve and I had shared the night before, continuing to watch Dean with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "Looks like the tough guy act has its limits." He teased lightly, though his tone held no malice.

Dean shot him a warning glance, but didn't bother to retort. Instead, he shifted slightly, draping an arm over the pillow she was using. His other hand hung loosely at his side, ready to spring into action if it was needed.

I settled down onto the loveseat, pulling the blanket as close around me as I could. Sam, ever the practical one, already looked half asleep even though he literally just laid down. A comfortable silence fell over the room, only broken by the sound of our breathing. With Dean pulling watch, I fell into an uneasy sleep.

Sometime later, I woke up, freezing. The blanket that had seemed like enough earlier now felt woefully inadequate against the chill that had settled in the room. I shivered, trying to pull it tighter around myself, but it didn't help much.

I glanced around, my eyes adjusting to the faint light from the bedside lamp. Dean had fallen asleep, sitting against the headboard, his head tilted slightly to the side. He looked uncomfortable, but steadfast, his protective instincts clearly keeping him in place.

Sam, however, was awake. He shifted slightly on the bed, his head turning toward me. His sharp eyes took in my shivering form, and without a word he sat up and scooted over. "Come here," he whispered, his voice warm and inviting. "You're freezing."

I hesitated, glancing toward Dean and Eve. "I.."

"They have no room to talk," Sam assured me softly. "They're out cold, and you're freezing over there."

Reluctantly, I got up, dragging the blanket with me as I crossed the room. As I got closer, I saw exactly what Sam had meant. Eve had thrown her arm over Dean, and was using his midsection as a pillow. Sam pulled back the covers and patted the mattress beside him.

"You'll be warmer here," he said with a faint smile, his tone so matter-of-fact that it eased my hesitation. I climbed in beside him, grateful for the warmth of the blankets and his presence. Sam adjusted the covers over me before settling back, keeping a careful distance at first. After a moment, I shifted a tiny bit before closing my eyes and fighting with myself.

The warmth he radiated was intoxicating, a stark contrast to the chill I had woken up to. I pulled the blankets up to my chin, trying to ignore how comforting it was to be this close to him

"Better?" he asked, his voice low and soft, just above a whisper.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. "Yeah, thanks," I managed, my tone barely audible.

"Good," he replied simply, gazing at me. There was no pressure in his presence, no expectation. Just quiet reassurance.

It scared me how natural this felt, like that this was where I was meant to be- that this is how a relationship should be. I shifted slightly, accidentally bumping our legs together.

Sam's eyes widened as our legs brushed, and he immediately sat up straighter. "She, Bri- you're ice cold," he said, his voice a mix of concern and surprise. Without hesitation, he shifted, moving to lay on his back while tugging me toward him. "Why didn't you say anything?"

I froze as our chests collided, his arms wrapping warmly around my back. "I..." I trailed off, unsure of how to express the turmoil.

Sam's arms tightened around me gently, as if understanding the storm of emotions I was battling inside. His warmth seeped into my skin, melting some of the tension, but not all of it.

"Lets just get some sleep," he murmured, his voice softening as he settled back against the pillows. "We'll figure everything out when the time comes."

I nodded, following his lead as he got comfortable. I shifted closer, nestling into the warmth he provided.
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I blinked slowly, taking in the quiet morning. The sun had just started to peek through the window, casting soft rays across the room. The warmth of Sam's arms around me was still comforting, and I could feel his steady breathing against my back. Despite the chaos and confusion of the previous night, in this moment, I felt a rare sense of peace.

As I shifted slightly, I noticed Eve, just a few feet away, lay blinking sleepily as she lay tangled up with Dean. The two of them looked... natural, as if they had always been meant to be there, offering each other the protection they both needed.

The sound of Sam's soft exhale reminded me of where I was, and I reluctantly pulled my focus back to him. He hadn't moved, still holding me in a way that felt both comforting and intimate. I didn't want to disturb him, but I also didn't want to overstay my welcome in his arms.

I hesitated, unsure whether to pull away or just enjoy the moment of calm while I could.

But before I could decide, Sam stirred, his arms tightening around me just a little bit as he pulled me closer. "Morning," he muttered groggily, his voice rough from sleep. He didn't open his eyes, but I could feel the shift in his energy as he became more awake.

"Morning," I replied softly, my voice a little more hesitant than I intended.

His lips brushed the back of my neck as he shifted, pressing a kiss there without fully realizing it. The warmth of the gesture sent a strange flutter through me, and I could feel my heart skip a beat. Sam froze, then let out a quiet chuckle. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

I moved to pull away, trying to hide the blush taking over my face. Eve, thankfully didn't say anything as she had fallen back asleep.

Sam immediately sensed the shift in my movements and loosened his grip, his hand gently resting on my shoulder as if offering reassurance. "Hey, no need to pull away," he murmured, his voice almost shy. "It was... just a slip."

I gave him a small smile, the blush falling fast and trying like hell not to let him see how much that hurt. Being told that it was a slip- a mistake- cut deeply.

Sam's eyes widened as he sensed the shift in my mood, and he immediately sat up slightly, lifting his hand from my shoulder to give me some space. His expression shifted with concern as I sat up, sliding out of the bed. "Bri-"

I held up a hand, cutting him off. "Don't. Please-" I begged, trying desperately not to let him see the tears welling in my eyes. "Just don't-"

I snatched a clean pair of jeans and a shirt from my bag and tried not to slam the bathroom door behind me. Changing quickly, I ducked out of the bathroom and headed for the door.

Sam's voice followed me, soft but pleading. "Bri, please... just talk to me."

But I couldn't. I couldn't let him see me break down, not over something as simple as a slip-up. It wasn't just about the kiss. It was everything—the way he'd seemed so casual about it, as if it meant nothing. And maybe to him, it didn't. Maybe I was overthinking it, as I always did. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just another fleeting moment to him.

I pushed the door open and stepped outside, not fully sure where I was going but needing the space. The cool morning air hit me like a slap in the face, sharp and grounding. My feet brought me out to the cars- the Impala and our Mustang, parked side-by-side like old friends.

I stood there for a moment, letting the fresh air clear the fog in my mind, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The coolness of the morning against my skin helped numb the sting of what had happened, but it didn't take away the ache in my chest. I kept telling myself it was nothing, that he didn't mean it. Everytime I tried to tell myself that- it just dug the wound deeper.

I never should have dated you.

Who would want someone like you?

You're a mistake.

A harsh sob tore itself from my throat, and I hit my knees between the cars. Leaning against the Mustangs fender, I pressed my fist against my mouth, willing it to stifle the sobs.

Sam's soft voice echoed in my mind as I knelt there, trying to catch my breath. His words, meant to reassure me, only made everything worse. Just a slip. I could hear them repeating in my mind, like a cruel mockery. I wasn't a mistake- I wasn't. But the doubts, the fears, all planted by Jared, were so loud, ringing in my head.

I took a shaky breath, trying to calm myself. The cool morning air wasn't enough to stop the storm raging inside, the turmoil I couldn't quite explain. Part of me knew Sam hadn't meant anything by it- he probably had no idea what it did to me. But that didn't make the pain any less real.

Footsteps on the pavement made me stiff, but I didn't turn around. I hadn't expected anyone to come after me- maybe Sam, but he would only cause more pain. I scrubbed my face with my sleeves, trying to get rid of the evidence that I had been crying.

"I thought I'd find you here," Eve said gently, leaning against the front bumper. I could hear the concern in her voice, tempered with the kind of understanding that only someone who had been through their own share of pain could have. "You okay?"

I shook my head, unable to find the words. The ache in my chest felt like it would swallow me whole. Eve didn't push, reaching out and putting a hand on my shoulder. I whispered, "I don't know-"

My voice cracked with the weight of my emotions as they tried to consume everything. "I can't..." I trailed off, not sure what I was even trying to say. I was so tangled up in the mess of my emotions that I couldn't separate the thoughts, the doubts, the hurt.

Eve's touch was grounding, and it made my head spin. She didn't need to say anything more, just letting me work my way through it.

I shifted uncomfortably, moving from kneeling on the hard asphalt to sitting sideways, while trying to find some balance between wanting to break down, and the deep-rooted fear of doing just that. "I'm so messed up, Eve," I whispered, my voice tight with unshed tears. "I keep thinking I'm doing better, that I'm healed, and then something... like this happens. And I feel like I'm right back where I started."

Eve signed softly, moving to sit beside me, her back leaning against the fender of the Mustang. "Bri, you're not messed up," She said, her voice steady. "You've been through your own version of hell, and you're still standing."

I wanted to believe her, but it was hard. It was hard when my heart was still tangled in knots, when the wound from Jared's words hadn't fully healed. When Sam's innocent gesture- a stupid simple kiss to the back of the neck- had made me feel small and unimportant instead of cared for, and potentially loved.

"I don't know if I can keep pretending everything is fine. I genuinely like Sam-" I admitted. "I'm so scared. I'm scared of messing things up with Sam, which would rebound and mess things up with you and Dean."