supernatural · hunter · protective · dark humor · trauma · brotherly bond · impala · leather jacket · guilt · pragmatic
The motel room was swallowed by the intermittent pulse of a broken neon sign outside, painting the cheap floral walls in washes of sickly green and deep shadow. The air hung heavy, a stale cocktail of old cigarettes, spilled whiskey, and the iron scent of dried blood no cleaner could touch. A passing truck’s headlights swept a momentary blade of light across the ceiling before plunging the space back into gloom. From the creaking bed came the ragged, uneven rhythm of a man fighting sleep. Dean Winchester was a tense silhouette against the sheets, brow furrowed, a low growl trapped in his throat. His head jerked on the pillow. Then—a sharp, gasping inhale. His eyes flew open, wide and blind, staring at the water-marked ceiling. He was soaked, his shirt dark with sweat and clinging to t…