Written by: KariGorsuch

"On the hood?!" I shouted, my jaw hanging open as Eve flushed red at the details. I glanced at the Impala, then laughed slightly. "God, I hope he cleans that thing."

We shared a laugh as I popped open the trunk on the Mustang. We really didn't have much stored there, so we pulled everything out and started building a fake floor for the trunk.

Eve shot me a teasing grin as we pulled the last bit of gear from the trunk. "Oh, he definitely does. It's literally his fucking baby."

I rolled my eyes, grinning as I grabbed a small sheet of plywood and started measuring for the fake floor. Cutting it out and fully installing the floor didn't take very long, and before long we were organizing the extra equipment Bobby had given us.

Eve stretched, cracking her back as she slid the last bit of gear into place. "There. Looks pretty good, huh?" She stepped back, admiring our work with a satisfied grin.

I nodded, brushing off my hands. "Not bad at all. This should work. Nice and discreet, like we never even pulled this off the lot."

Dean walked over then, with a duffle bag in his hand. He tossed it into the trunk, then leaned against the fender next to Eve. "Looks good."

Before Eve or I could respond, our attention was drawn to the front of the driveway, where an old square body GMC was pulling in the drive.

Dean stiffened beside us as the truck screeched to a halt, and the door swung open to reveal its driver.

John Winchester stepped out of the old GMC with a stuff grunt, his boots hitting the gravel driveway with a loud crunch. His eyes immediately scanned the yard, landing on me and Eve like we were fresh meat on the chopping block. The guy was all sharp angles- his jaw clenched tight, his expression hard as stone. He didn't waste a second before locking eyes with Dean, his posture rigid, like he was ready for a fight.

Dean's shoulders tensed at the sight of his father, his jaw twitching. "What are you doing here, Dad?"

Eve and I exchanged acknowledged looks before finding John's hard, judgemental eyes.

John didn't respond right away, just stared at his son with that same cold look, his eyes narrowing. Then he finally shifted his gaze to Eve, then to me, his lips curling slightly in something close to a sneer. "I didn't know Bobby was running a daycare."

Eve scoffed, crossing her arms. I rolled my eyes, closing the trunk and leaning against it. "Wow. Original," I muttered.

John's eyes flicked toward me, unimpressed. "You got something to say, kid?"

I raised a brow, tilting my head slightly. "Yeah, actually. Who shit in your fucking corn flakes this morning?"

Dean let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face. "Bri, don't-"

John took a step forward, eyes narrowing dangerously. "You got a smart mouth on you, girl. Maybe you oughta learn when to keep it shut."

Eve laughed, "That's rich, coming from the man who left his kids alone in a hotel room to go hunt shit."

John's jaw clenched as his glare burned into me, every muscle in his body tight with suppressed anger. His voice was low, dangerously so. "You don't know who you're talking to, girl. I'm not one to take shit from anyone, especially not some smart-mouthed kid who thinks she can play with the big boys."

"You really wanna talk about 'knowing who I'm talking to,'" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Last time I checked, you're just some washed-up military man who thinks his way is the only way. Newsflash, it ain't."

"We're not you," Eve interrupted, stepping up to my side as the door slammed shut on the porch. "We don't run into shit half-assed."

John's eyes flickered over to Eve, giving her a dismissive once-over. "You don't know anything about me. You're nothing but another stray in a world full of people who think they've got it figured out. You think you're tough? Prove it."

Eve's lips curled into a smile that was anything but friendly. "You're not worth proving anything to. But, just so you know, we don't run into shit half-assed. We don't let ego's dictate who lives or dies."

I smiled at Eve's words, but I couldn't let it distract me. John's eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned back to me, his gaze hardening. "You- you're just as bad. You think your mouth is going to keep you alive?"

I held my ground, meeting his eyes with the same level of defiance. "I'm not the one looking for a fight, John," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the tension that threatened to snap. "You're the one with the chip on your shoulder, not me."

Before John could reply, a familiar voice cut through the air, calm yet firm. "That's enough, Dad."

I glanced over my shoulder to see Sam walking towards us, his face set in grim determination. His body shifted subtly as he stepped between me and his father. His posture was all authority, but there was an underlying tension in his shoulders that he couldn't fully mask.

John's eyes flicked to Sam, then to me, then back again. The flicker of realization crossed his face almost immediately. His lips curled into a sneer, and he took a step back, his gaze narrowing as if he were seeing everything through a new lens. "Oh, I see. This is how it is, huh? You've got the little brunette bitch keeping your bed warm," he sneered, turning to Dean with an almost mocking grin. "Which means you've got the little blonde sidekick in yours.

"Sidekick?!" Eve hissed, a dangerous glint in her eye as she stepped forward. "You really want to make this about us? I can promise you- you'll regret it."

Dean wrapped an arm around her waist, gently tugging her backward. "You want to throw insults around, fine. But you leave Eve and Bri out of this. They're not your punching bags."

"I'm just calling it how I see it, Dean." John said, a taunting smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. "They're a liability, and you know it."

"Liability-?" I started, only for Sam to cut me off.

"Dad, stop," he snapped, his tone even but full of steel. "You don't get to talk about them like that when you don't even know them."

John turned his gaze on Sam, his face darkening. "Don't you dare try and defend them Sam," he warned, his voice low. "I thought you'd have figured out that they are nothing but a distraction after Jessica."

Sam's jaw tightened, and the hurt in his eyes was evident, but he didn't back down. "Don't bring Jess into this," he said through gritted teeth. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

John's lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes flashing with cold satisfaction. "I know exactly what I'm talking about. You think they are different? You think you're going to be able to protect them? They're going to end up just like her." He turned his glare on Dean. "Just like your mother."

His eyes bore into Dean, the venom behind them unmistakeable. The silence that followed was deafening. Dean froze, his eyes locking with his fathers. I could feel the tension crackling in the air between them, and my stomach twisted. John knew exactly where to strike.

Before Dean could respond, Bobby's voice cut through the heavy silence. "Alright, that's enough. All of you."

He stepped off the porch, drawing the attention off of Dean and Eve, as she slipped her hand in his. He crossed his arms, leaning back against the porch railing. "You've said your piece John, now it's time for you to shut the hell up before I make good on my last threat."

John opened his mouth to argue, but Bobby didn't give him the chance. "I said Enough." His voice was like a hammer, and it made even John pause. "You think this is the time and place for this crap? You think tearing down your own kids is gonna make this better?" Bobby's eyes flashed as he leaned forward, his words like fire as he faced down the eldest Winchester. "You've been tearing them boys down for years, and you're damn good at it, but you ain't gonna do that here."

Dean's jaw flexed, his fist clenching, but his hand only gripped Eve's firmly.

"You don't get to talk to my boys, or their girls, like that." Bobby looked at me and Eve, his expression softening just a touch. "Get inside- all of you."

I glanced over at Eve, then back at John. Backing away from him, Eve and I slowly climbed the stairs, watching as Sam and Dean kept an eye on John until we crossed into the house before they followed us in.

Dean, his posture still tense from everything that had just happened, sat down heavily in the recliner. Without saying a word, he pulled Eve into his lap, his hands settling gently on her waist as she curled against him, letting out a soft breath.

I stood near the doorway, unsure of what to do. Sam hesitated by the window, lost in his thoughts. Taking a deep breath to settle my own emotions, I stepped up beside Sam, resting my hand on his lower back gently.

He flinched slightly at the contact, then turned to face me. I opened my arms, silently offering him a hug.

Sam hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on mine, bringing our recent arguments to the surface. His posture stayed stiff, like it was going to destroy the walls he built around himself to accept the hug. I simply let the silence stretch, giving him the space to make his choice.

With a small sigh, Sam took a step into my arms, and accepted the hug. His shoulders relaxed slightly as his arms wrapped around me, accepting the comfort I offered. I held him tightly, my head resting against his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear.

Dean cleared his throat from the recliner, a low chuckle escaping him. "I swear, I'm going to need a bucket for all the feelings in this room."

Eve rolled her eyes but smiled at him, her head resting on his shoulder. "Shut up, Dean. Let them have their moment."

Dean raised an eyebrow at her but didn't argue, settling back into the recliner with Eve in his arms. "Fine, fine."

I cracked open an eye, pulling back slightly from Sam to glance at them- only to see not a single piece of Eve touching the chair. "Hi Pot, meet Kettle."

Dean shot me a side-eye, his smirk growing wider as he adjusted Eve in his lap. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, a playful challenge in his voice, a welcome change from the tension outside.

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh, nothing," I muttered, my tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "Just that you're suddenly a lot more affectionate than you let on, Mr. 'I don't do feelings.'"

Eve rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I swear, you two never stop with the sass," she teased, looking between Dean and me.

Dean smirked, unbothered as he leaned back in the recliner, his arms still snug around Eve. "What can I say? I've got a reputation to maintain," he said with a shrug, though the way his fingers absentmindedly traced circles on Eve's hip betrayed the act.

I snorted, drawing back from Sam. "Oh yeah, big bad Dean Winchester, emotionally unavailable and too cool for cuddles- except, oh wait," I gestured to the very way Eve was molded against him, "looks like that ship has sailed."

Dean shot me an unimpressed look, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips gave him away. "Listen, smartass, just because I can keep my girl happy doesn't mean anything."

I froze, the small smile fading from my lips. "Eve's been your girl for all of like- a day."

"Longer than you've been Sam's," he retorted.

My stomach flipped, and before I could react, Sam's entire body went rigid.

"Dean," he said, a warning clear in his tone.

Dean clearly wasn't done. "I mean, hell, man, it's obvious. You like her- she likes you. Just accept the fact that they arent going to leave the life, and fuck her already."

Eve smacked Dean's arm hard. "Dean!" she hissed, eyes wide with disbelief. "What the hell?"

Dean blinked, looking between the three of us like he didn't see the problem. "What?" He shrugged, completely unbothered. "I'm just saying what we're all thinking."

I clenched my jaw, trying to push past the embarrassment threatening to swallow me whole. "Well, maybe you should try not saying it for once," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

Sam finally exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was summoning every ounce of patience he had left. "Dean, do you ever think before you open your damn mouth?"

Dean raised his hands in mock innocence. "I'm just looking out for you, Sammy. You clearly got some pent-up tension goin' on—"

Eve shoved him again, this time harder. "Dean. Shut. Up."

I risked a glance at Sam, who was glaring ahole in the floor. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth.

I swallowed hard, shifting on my feet. "I need a minute."

Without another word, I turned and made my way out the front door, coming face to face with John as he made his way onto the porch.

I barely had a second to register his presence before his expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he took me in. "Running off already?" John scoffed, his voice dripping with condescension. "Figures."

I let out a slow breath, willing myself to stay calm, but after everything that had just happened inside, I wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with him.

"Not running," I said evenly. "Just need some air."

John let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, I bet. Things getting a little too real in there for you?"

I stiffened, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. "You looking to pick another fight, John? 'Cause neither Bobby or Dean is here to stop me from whooping your ass."

John's smirk widened, but there was no humor in it—just cold amusement, like he was waiting for me to snap. "That so?" he drawled, taking a slow step closer. "You think you can take me, girl?"

"What the hell is going on?" Sam's voice was sharp, edged with frustration as he stepped onto the porch. His gaze darted between me and his father, immediately reading the tension.

I sighed, turning my back on John. "Nothing. Just wasting my time."

ohn let out a low scoff behind me, but I ignored him, focusing instead on the way Sam's jaw was clenched tight, his shoulders squared as if he were bracing for a fight.

"Bri," he started, his voice softer now, but I shook my head.

"Don't," I muttered, running a hand through my hair as I stepped past him. "I just need a minute."

I didn't wait for a response before making my way down the steps, the weight of John's words still pressing against my chest.

Behind me, I heard Sam let out a sharp breath, followed by the unmistakable sound of him stepping directly into his father's path.

"You just can't help yourself, can you?" Sam bit out, his voice low and filled with barely restrained anger.

John exhaled through his nose. "I'm telling the truth, Sam. Whether you like it or not."

"No," Sam shot back. "You're pushing. Just like you always do."

"That bitch is going to be the reason you end up dead, Sam."

The words hit Sam like a punch to the gut. I heard the sudden sharp intake of breath as he recoiled, his posture stiffening, his face draining of color. For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension so thick you could feel it crackling in the air.

"What did you just say?" Sam's voice was almost a growl, low and dangerous. His fists were clenched at his sides, his body trembling with the effort to hold himself together.

John didn't flinch. He stepped forward, his voice cold and unwavering. "You heard me. She's a distraction. And one of these days, you're gonna realize that, and it'll be too late. You'll be dead because you couldn't let her go."

Sam's eyes burned with anger, his whole body tense as if he were ready to explode. "You don't get to talk about her like that," he ground out, his voice barely above a whisper but full of rage. "You don't know her. You don't know anything about what we've been through."

John's gaze hardened, his jaw tightening, but he didn't back down. "I don't need to know anything about her. I know you, Sam. I've seen this story play out a hundred times. Every damn time, it's the same." He took another step closer, his voice lowering. "You get attached, you let your guard down, and they die. It's what happens in our world, and she'll be no different. She'll drag you down, and you'll be the one paying the price."

His eyes never left John's, the anger in them so palpable I almost thought he might strike. Instead, he took a slow, deliberate step forward, not backing down. "I'm not like you, Dad. I'm not just gonna throw people away because you say I should. And you don't get to make me feel like shit for wanting something more than this messed-up life."

John's lip curled into a bitter sneer. "This 'life' has already cost you everything, Sam. Everyone you care about is gone because you couldn't separate yourself from it."

No," Sam shot back, his voice rising. "It's because of you that everything's gone. I'm not you, Dad. And I won't let you destroy what I've got with her."

"John, I think it's best you find somewhere else to stay." Bobby spoke from behind us, holding his front door open with his boot.

John turned around slowly, his face darkening with each passing second. The air between him and Bobby crackled with tension, a standoff that had been waiting to happen for years.

"Is that so, Bobby?" John's voice was dangerously calm, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his eyes. "You're kicking me out?"

Bobby didn't flinch, his eyes unwavering. "You've done enough damage for one day," he said, his voice steady but filled with an unmistakable weight of authority. "We're done here."