Remember this: you are not lazy, you are sick. You are not useless; you are in recovery. You are not unproductive; you are trying your best to live your life while dealing with your health all the time. See the effort it takes to be you. And appreciate the things you do for yourself, be proud of you because you are still going.
âSome people live in cages with bars built from their own fears and doubts. Some people live in cages with bars built from other peopleâs fears and doubts; their parents, their friends, their brothers and sisters, their families. Some people live in cages with bars built from the choices others made for them, the circumstances other people imposed upon them. And some people break free.â
Summary: I told myself it didnât matter. That Dean flirting with someone else wasnât a big dealânot this time. But the truth? It broke something, I wasnât sure if I was ready to walk away⊠or if heâd even notice if I did. But something was going to giveâeither my heart, or the silence between us.
I was becoming tired of it. Watching Dean flirt with the busty diner waitress was making me sick. Seeing the way she completely folded over the table, the minute Dean mentioned her name made me want to jump over the table and straight for the door. But I knew that was kinda dramatic (but at this point, what did it matter?).
Sam watched me across the table as he sipped on his black coffee. Sam was always observant, maybe a little too much at times. But the way Sam looked at me right now, as if he was trying not to look my way, made the tears I tried so desperately to hide much harder.
Daisy was her name. Ugh, what an eye roll, I swear if she told the story to Dean again about how people called her Daisy because she had a touch as light as a feather, and her mother said she reminded her of a sunny day I'd barf. But who was I kidding? Maybe I was easedropping a little too much, but how could I help it when her agonizing laugh lingered longer with every word.
The two were standing too close to each other for my liking, at least. Dean's arm rested against the counter as he oogled at the apple pie (and probably the open buttons of "Daisys" blouse). I'm surprised my vision was crystal clear at the moment. Seeing as a few days ago, I could barely see a sign across the street.
I pushed my plate away. The eggs I had once enjoyed had now gone coldâlike everything else in this heartbreaking diner. Dean was still standing at the counter, grin wide from ear to ear, a smile I thought was only reserved for me. Letting Daisyâs syrupy voice fill his ears, she twirled a piece of her hair and leaned a little too close.
I suddenly couldnât take it anymore, everything became too much.
"Iâm gonna get some air," I muttered, my voice barely audible as I stood from the booth. I smoothed my hands over the navy shirt I had chosen to wear only because Dean said it was his favorite color on me, but who was I kidding? Was that another gimic, too?
Sam looked up from his coffee, brows knitting with concern. "Y/Nâ"
But I didn't bother to hear the rest. I was already gone.
The door swung closed behind me with the sound of a loving chime I mightâve once found charming. But now all that's left is just another reminder of what I wasnâtâa girl worth staying at the table for.
I leaned against the Impala. It was cool beneath my palms, steady, reliable. Everything Dean wasn't.
For a moment, I just stood there, breathing in the morning summer air like it could wash the ache away. But it stayed, only growing worse as it poked right under my ribs. Leaving a constant reminder of everything that I tried to hide.
I heard footsteps but I couldn't turn around. I almost expected it to be Dean, but it wasn't.
"You okay?" Sam asked, coming to stand beside me. He didn't crowd me. Just stood in front of me, blocking whatever sunlight was facing my way. Sam always stood taller than most, but hell, I could remember a time when we were both the same height. I'd never think there'd come a time when Sam Winchester would be comforting me, but now it seems that anything was possible.
"No," I said finally. "But I will be."
Sam nodded tenderly like he already knew. The sun grew brighter behind him, projecting a summer glow to his appearance. I longed to feel the heat of the sunshine in some way to sorta wake me up from this mess, but right now, everything felt cold.
"You donât have to keep pretending youâre fine Y/N. Youâre allowed to not be okay with the way he looks at other girls. How he treats them when your around."
I let the silence stretch between us. Samâs words werenât cruel. They were honest. Thatâs what made them sting.
"I thought he was different," I said. "With me at least."
Samâs voice was soft. "Maybe he is. But heâs still Dean. And Dean... he doesnât always know how to deal with what scares him."
"And I scare him?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. It was pathetic really.
"Yes, of couse you do Y/N," Sam placed a hand across his face in a testing matter, taking a deep breath out. "Because you matter."
Just then, the door opened again, and I turned my head before I could stop myself.
There he was in all his glory, before I knew it my eyes were placed right on his before I could turn away
Dean glanced between Sam and I, frown already forming on his face. Fixing the collar of his jacket Dean starts coming our way. "Whatâs going on?"
I straightened my back, throwing my hair behind my shoulder. Everything was fine, I was just being dramatic. At least that's what I had to tell myself in order from losing it all. My hands were clenched as I slowly placed them down by my sides. "Nothing. I'm just clearing my head."
Deanâs sighs taking a step closer as he tears his eyes away from Sam and fully onto me now. "Y/N-"
"No," I cut him off. "Donât do that. Donât say my name like"
Sam gives me a silent nod before slowly slipping inside, making that stupid chime go off once again. It was just the two of us now.
Dean shoves his hands in his jacket pockets, squinting at the sun made it's way closer. Turning around, he waits until Sam is fully inside the diner to speak. "What the hell is going on with you?"
"Me! You mean besides watching you flirt your way through every woman with a name tag?" I snapped, well I wasnt expecting that to come out. "Or maybe youâre wondering why Iâm not just sitting quietly and pretending it doesnât feel like being gutted every time you look at someone else like theyâre the only person in the room."
Dean eyes widen, he looked stunned. Like Iâd just hauled off and punched him right in the gut. He was quiet for a moment, a moment too long because after awhile I began to walk away. But before I could make a move Dean lighty grabbed my wrist pulling me right next time him. Right smack in front of him so that his attention wasn't on anything except me.
"Sunshine I wasnâtâ"
"Yes, you were-." My voice cracked for a second, and it felt like couldnt breathe. How was I supposed to tell the boy I've known since I was a teenager I was in love with him "-you were. And maybe thatâs fine. Maybe thatâs who you are. But I canât keep waiting for you to notice that this is something more. I don't want to be a backup Dean".
He took a step toward me, but I didnât move. His eyes widen in a way he didnt realize and for a moment I almost wanted to step close, but I never did. "Y/N..I never meant to hurt you," he said quietly.
"But you did," I whispered my eyes teared and I knew I had to look away. "Over and over. And maybe that's the worst partâhow easy it is for you to pretend like it doesn't matter."
The wind blew through the parking lot, and Dean still didnât say a thing. I waited for a response watching for any emotion in those big green eyes I had once loved, but nothing changed.
So I turned. I started walking.
For the first time in 10 years I walked away, and this time Dean didn't follow
---
I didnât get that far. Just down the street, besides I knew that Sam would panic the minute Dean told him I walked away.
For a moment I didn't realize how far I walked. I had pasted the places I was excited to vist as we drove into the town, but now that all seemed like a far fetched idea. The distance between the two of us was good. I needed a moment to reflect on my thought.
I found myself at a cozy Cafe, a totally difrent vibe from the so called "diner" I had ate at moments ago. There was no agonizing bell, or overly flirty waitress at the counter. The Cafe was tiny and charming everything I so desperately seeked in a moment like this.
After ordering myself a latte, I stepped outside finding comfort in the outdoor seating. The hot drink kept me warm as the sun slowly started to set.
I didnât expect to hear the familiar growl of bootsteps on rocky pavement.
But neverless there they were.
âY/Nââ His voice was rough, not as confident as he normally was. Like if he wasnât sure if he deserved to say my name or not right now.
I didnât turn around, just kept my back faced to his body as I sipped on my comfort drink. Sighing I rubbed my eyes (trying to hide myself from the fact that I could cry at any given moment). âYou should be inside. Your pieâs probably getting cold.â
He didnât laugh. Didnât try to put on a smile.
âI didnât mean to make you feel like you were... â he said.
âYeah, well, you didnât try very hard to make me feel like I was anything at all.â I finally turned to face him. His eyesâgreen, full of a thousand apologies he didnât know how to sayâmet mine. I didnt know what to think as I looked at those eyes, and the memories they held.
âI flirt,â he said an octive higher. Dean opens his arms in a wide stance like he was confessing a sin to the sky. âI joke, and you know why I do it because I push people away because itâs easier than getting hurt.â
"And what about me?" I asked, leaving my coffee on the wooden table I begin to stand up. "What do I get to be in that equation? The girl who keeps forgiving you while you hand pieces of yourself to strangers?"
âNo,â he said quickly. Dean sighs running a hand through his hair as he tilts his head to the sky once again. His eyes meet mine for a moment again before he begins to speak in a only a whisper him and I could hear.. âYouâre not just anyone Y/N. You never were.â
I stared at him, waitingâfor onceâfor more than just words. For something real.
Dean stepped closer, slow, deliberate. âYou know what, you scare the hell out of me,â he admitted, pointing a finger in my way. âBecause when Iâm with you, I feel like Iâm not just surviving anymore. I feel like... maybe I could have something good. Something real. And Iâve never let myself have that. Not once.â
He paused, breathing hard like the words were heavier than he meant them to be. âBut I canât do this halfway anymore. I wonât.â
My eyes squint, head tilting in confusion as my heart hammered against my ribs, but Dean was still here and he didn't stop.
âI love you.â The words dropped like thunder between us. âIâve loved you longer than Iâve had the guts to say it. And Iâve messed it up, I know that. But I swear to God, Y/N, youâre the only thing that feels right. The only thing I want.â
I froze.
Not because I didnât feel the sameâbut because Iâd waited so long to hear those words, I wasnât sure they were real.
âYou... you love me?â I asked, almost breathless. The air was cold and my brain was foggier then before. Dean Winchester loves me? Dean Winchester loves me!
Dean gives a small, lopsided smileâuncertain, but hopeful. Tilting his head down towards mine he faces his eyes against mine. âYeah. I do. Itâs always been you.â
I just stared at him, all the anger and heartbreak dissolving under the weight of his confession. My voice caught in my throat. I wasnât ready for thatânot the way he said it. Not with that soft, wrecked look in his eyes that made it impossible to doubt him.
âIâDean, I donât even know what to say,â I whispered.
He chuckled nervously, a cheesy grin forming on his lips. "Kinda hoping you'd say something like... you love me back. Or maybe just kiss me before, you know I pass out from panic".
A slow smile tugged at my lips as I stepped into his space, fingers reaching up to brush the side of his jaw.
âYouâre such an idiot,â I said, voice cracking with emotion. âBut yeah... I love you too. You absolute mess of a man.â
He exhaled like Iâd just brought him back to life. Leaning his head against mine he stared into my eyes. Never in my life did I think I'd be standing with Dean Winchester eye to eye. But there I was.
Slipping my hands around his neck, I kissed Deanâfinallyâ and for once in my life it finally sememed like everything was going my way.
The kiss wasnât rushed. It wasnât desperate or messy or built on everything weâd been running from. It was slow, deliberateâlike he needed to memorize the feel of me, like he didnât want to mess it up now that I was finally his.
When we pulled apart, his forehead rested against mine, breath warm between us.
âGod,â he murmured, âyou have no idea how long Iâve wanted to do that.â
I smiled, fingers still curled into the lapel of his jacket. âWell, for the record, youâre a pretty good kisser for someone whoâs been too busy ignoring his feelings.â
He chuckled, the sound low and genuine, and for a second it was music to my ears. âYou bring it out of me, sweetheart.â
He tugged me into a hug, arms wrapping around me like he finally realized how easily I couldâve slipped through his fingersâand how he had no intention of letting me go again.
We slowly made our way back at the motel, Sam was sat at the the kitchen table with a grin that said it all. Dean and I walked, coffee and pastries in our hand. We joined Sam at the table eating and drinking in silence, we didnât talk much. We didnât need to.
Later on that night Dean tossed me one of his flannelsâsoft, warm, and cologne that smelled just like him. Sam was asleep on bed next falling asleep mere hours ago. Dean lowers the TV before making his way over to me, and just like that, I was wrapped in him, in the warmth he only ever showed when he let his walls down.
We curled up on the bed together, his arm around my waist, fingers tracing lazy circles on my hip. The TV was on, but neither of us was listening. Pressing a kiss to my temple he begins to whisper, âYou know, this... this could be our new normal.â
Staring up at him I glint âAre you suggesting snuggling in cheap motels after every hunt??â I teased.
Grinning against my skin, he presses a kiss to my ear. âExactly that.â
For once, there were no secrets. No half-truths. Just me and Dean. And the soft, steady rhythm of something that felt a hell of a lot like forever.