Fighter: Dean Winchester (REVAMPED VERSION)

weeĸeɴd wιтн тнe wιɴcнeѕтerѕ; pαrт ғoυr

Jay's Pizza in Arcadia was Benjamin's favorite place in the world. It was a loud, neon-lit haven of childhood joy, where the smell of freshly baked pizza filled the air and arcade machines blinked with a cacophony of sound. The pizza slices were massive, almost as big as his head, and the homemade ice cream was always fresh and creamy, the perfect sugar rush.

The twelve-year-old had been practically bouncing off the walls from excitement all day. Add in the carbs and sugar, and it was no surprise that he was on an ultimate high. He was the life of the party—cracking jokes, challenging the boys to games, and even mimicking walruses with straws, much to the delight of everyone, especially Dean, who shamelessly joined in on the fun.

Nadia couldn't help but smile as she watched the boy's infectious energy. With her and Rufus on the road, they didn't often get the chance to be together as a family, and Ben thrived when they were all in the same place. Having Sam and Dean there made it even better. The Winchester brothers, despite their usual ruggedness, were enjoying themselves, the weight of past events momentarily forgotten. It was good to see them in such a carefree mood, not weighed down by the chaos that had followed them since Dean's return.

"All right," Irene yawned, stretching. "I'm gonna use the bathroom. Then we can head home."

"Quick. One more game of basketball!" Ben held up his last few tokens, waving them in front of Dean and Sam.

Dean slapped the table with a grin. "Let's do it. But I get Sasquatch on my team this time," he said, pointing at Sam, who scoffed in mock indignation.

"You'll still lose," Ben taunted with a grin. "Wanna come, Nadie?"

"Yeah, sure," Nadia began to stand, ready to join the boys when—

"Wait," Rufus's voice stopped her. He was standing just a few steps behind her, his expression unreadable. "Can we talk for a second?"

Nadia's stomach tightened, and her heart rate quickened. She didn't want to have the reconciliation talk with her father, not here, not now. But she couldn't exactly walk away either. She swallowed hard, hoping her face didn't betray her inner conflict.

"I'll be over in a minute," she said to the boys, her voice steady despite the knot in her chest. Then she sat back down on the booth, facing Rufus.

He sighed deeply, clasping his hands together as though gathering the strength to speak. "Nadia—"

"Dad, stop," she interrupted, her voice soft but firm. "Please don't apologize if we're just going to go through this again."

"But I mean it this time," Rufus said, his voice quieter, filled with something that bordered on desperation.

Nadia crossed her arms, leaning back, a trace of skepticism in her expression. "How am I supposed to believe you? I get that you never really got over mom's death, and I understand that it was even harder for you when things started happening to me. I won't pretend to know what that was like. And I wish things turned out differently... better. But you married Irene. We have Ben now."

Rufus ran a hand roughly over his face, his eyes tired. "I know. I know." His voice cracked slightly. "The last time you left, I—I passed out after our fight. I woke up, and Irene was there, ready to take care of me. Of course, I was grumpy, prideful, and didn't want to hear what she had to say. Then you know what she asked me?"

"What?" Nadia's curiosity piqued.

"'Will we ever be enough?'" Rufus's voice was tight, strained.

Nadia was silent for a moment, letting the words sink in. "And what'd you say?"

"Nothing," Rufus replied, shaking his head. "I couldn't answer. I wanted to, but I couldn't. 'Cause I don't know. I want you guys to be enough... but when it comes to your mother's death, I—" He stopped, the words hanging in the air like a thick fog. His face darkened, his gaze distant.