Summary: When it comes to the Impala, there's no joking.
Author Notes: Humor; Offended Dean; A collab with @princessmisery666, she came up with the idea. :)
Word Count: 1,178
Characters: Dean Winchester, Reader, Sam Winchester
Word of the Day: (June 4, 2026) - Alloy
Graphics: Made by me.
Word of the Day Master Lists: June // May
It's another dingy motel, next to a worn-down gas station slash auto shop, in another back-end-of-nowhere town. Dean has been driving for hours, and though it's still early evening, you've all grown road weary and agree it's time for a break.
Sam offers to get the rooms, so you and Dean take the opportunity to stretch your limbs while waiting outside. Peering through the large front window, you can tell it will be a while before Sam returns with the keys. The clerk is chatting him up, and his relaxed stance shows he's enjoying the conversation.
The faded blue bench out front has seen better days, but it is a more welcome option than getting back into the car. At least the weather is nice. Dean chose to lean against the trunk, staring at the abandoned barn in an otherwise open field across the street.
Tilting your head back against the wall, you're about to close your eyes when you catch movement to your right. Sitting upright, you watch the portly man, whom you assume to be the shop's mechanic, make his way over to Baby. As he wipes his dirty hands on an already grease-filled cloth, your eyes dart to Dean as you silently recite, "Don't touch the car. Don't touch the car."
With an admiring gaze and a slight lisp, the man offers, “She’s beautiful.”
Dean turns, puffing his chest as he straightens, “Damn right she is.”
The mechanic—'Gary' according to the name tag stitched to his shirt—slowly circles the Impala, nodding and humming approval while, thankfully, keeping his hands to himself.
Gary mentions his appreciation for the classics, and you sigh as Dean gets looped into the fanboying, discussing craftsmanship, performance, and the dedication and devotion it takes to keep them running. It's easy to see the moment Dean decides he likes the guy.
“Original wheels too."
Dean nods, "Yep," grinning widely as if he’d made them himself.
“That’s rare. Most people modernize them.”
“Not this one.” He lovingly pats the Impala's roof.
Sighing, you look over your shoulder. Sam is now leaning on the counter, face turned enough that you see his smile. Not interested in being involved in either conversation, you decide you're going to take an extended walk around the hotel, when Gary pipes up.
“Well, sure, but you could make a few improvements.”
Oh, shit.
You know exactly how this is going to turn out. A quick glance at Dean finds him open-mouthed, wide-eyed, and momentarily speechless. Deciding this will be much more entertaining than a walk, you take a couple of steps closer to the front of the car.
Dean blinks, finally muttering, “Improvements?”
Gary gestures toward the tires, “Yeah, you could swap those for some nice alloys.”
Dean stares, body stiff. The mechanic smiles, looking to you when you mumble, “Oh no.”
Gary's smile fades seeing you shake your head. “What?”
“Did you say alloy?”
“Yeah,” he stretches the syllable out with uncertainty, looking between you and Dean. "What's wrong with that?
“You want me,” Dean slowly utters, “to replace her rims?”
“Well ...”
“Factory rims.”
“Sure. Why not?” Gary laughs, but with nervous hesitation.
Dean looks personally wounded. “On purpose?”
“Dean,” you caution.
“No." He shakes his head and wags a finger at you. "No. I wanna make sure I understand.”
Gary shrugs as he looks to you and daringly pushes on. “You know, better performance, less weight.”
“You think she needs to lose weight?!” Dean shrieks, horrified.
Okay, now it's getting funny, and you have to bite your lip to hide your grin.
“What? It’s just a car. All I'm saying is, you'd get better handling, and if you made some additional modifications …” Gary lifts a hand as if to run it along the hood, and you quickly clear your throat to get his attention and vehemently shake your head. Finally realizing that he may have stepped into a minefield, he weakly finishes, "You could turn her into a show car."
“Just a car!” Dean gestures wildly toward Baby. “She’s perfect!”
You snort, quickly putting a hand over your mouth to hold back the laugh that wants to follow.
“I’m just saying alloys have advantages.” The smile that tugs at his lips hints that Gary knows that he's riling Dean up, and he's getting a kick out of it now.
“Her rims are awesome!" Dean looks like he's ready to throw fists as he huffs, "And …and they have the advantage of character!”
You lose the battle and laugh out loud.
“Actually, Dean,” unable to stop yourself, you tease, “Dude has a point. Chrome alloys might look nice.”
His head whips around so fast, you're afraid he might have given himself whiplash. “SERIOUSLY?”
“I’m just saying.”
“NO!”
“Maybe lower the suspension a little.”
“Stop. Talking.”
Voice deadly calm, he wears the same demeanor as when he's plotting something's demise. You hesitate for a second, thinking that you pushed him a bit too far. After all, you'd stopped early because you had all reached your limit of exhaustion and polite, confined coexistence.
Then Gary, who looks delighted that you agree with him, tosses another log on the fire. “Exactly. Maybe some racing stripes.”
Screw it. This is the most fun you've had in weeks. “Or …” holding out your hands like you're framing Baby for a photo shoot, "a Velvet Purple Pearl Mica paint job.”
Dean clutches his chest and croaks out, "You people are sick."
You're about ready to toss out another one, but see Dean's chest heaving. He looks like he's about to hyperventilate or have a stroke. You've definitely gone too far now, but Gary hasn't caught up yet.
“We’re just…what do you kids call it…" he looks to you questioningly, then snaps his fingers, "brainstorming.”
“You’re committing crimes! People have been killed for less,” Dean spits.
Lightly touching Gary's forearm, you grab his attention and shake your head with a conspiratorial smile. He gives another glance to Dean and then turns back to you with a knowing wink. "Well, I'll let you folks get back to your evening.
You walk over to Dean as Gary walks back into his garage. "Hey."
He jerks away when you reach for him. "Leave me alone."
"Dean, come on," you plead. "We were just joking."
"Yeah, well, it wasn't funny."
Turning his back on you, he runs a hand over the Impala's roof, murmuring reassurances that she's perfect, and no one is going to change anything about her.
Putting on your best pout, you whine his name, "Deeeeeeean," but he ignores you.
Sam steps out of the lobby a moment later, two keys dangling from his fingers, "Hey, is it okay if you two share a room tonight?" His grin is hopeful, but quickly fades as he assesses the situation. Dean is bent over the hood, arms spread wide, cheek resting on the now-cooled metal. You stand a couple of feet away, hands on your hips, and a sad frown on your lips.
Been in the trenches watching One Piece and creating Oc's with my wife, more info under the cut
Vertebra (they/them) is a doctor for the Creature pirates, part of the Worst Generation (captain is RayRay that belongs to @garnetdawn !) They ate Dog-Dog No Mi model Cerberous* and come from an island of dog minks.
Alloy (she/they) is Strawhats ship engineer, working with weapons and small inventions. She is good friends with Usopp and Franky as they are an inventor trio. She has a friendly turned romantic relationship with Law during the alliance. She is also a childhood friend of RayRay and Eustass Kid!
*I made this OC before I learned that there is already this devil fruit in canon. Im still upset it was given to a SWORD but I dont care now I like my OC too much to change it.
"kill them with kindness" no. strike them with softness. pummel them with plushness. crush smack exhaust eliminate annihilate
Alloy and Vee make a great team on the battlefield! Vee is faster than she looks, but can still be outmaneuvered... unless its ally Alloy manages to catch the opponent in her silver thread, leaving them wiiiide open for a plush rush that'll sap the strength right out of them!
this was an under the table comm from archermouse, who is still the best at drawing action poses like these! getting beat up by a giant plushie won't hurt you too bad, but every strike you take will exhaust you more and more, till it's just so much easier to give up and take a nice, long rest...
#the amazing digital circus
#deltarune
#heated rivalry
#photography
