𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋, d. winchester ₁

𝔁𝔁𝓿𝓲𝓲𝓲. dean winchester being shocked

EVAN, DEAN, AND SAM trudged silently toward the car, their faces etched with weariness and devoid of any discernible emotion. The weight of their recent experiences hung heavily in the air around them. Evan observed with a distant gaze as Dean reached for the backseat door, his movements slow and deliberate. With a muted thud, he tossed his bag into the vehicle, the sound echoing in the stillness. Sam, following suit, mirrored his brother's actions, his own bag joining Dean's in the backseat.

Evan hesitated for a moment before adding her own bag to the pile. She turned to face Sam and Dean, noting the tension in their shoulders and the shadows under their eyes. Sam, his voice low and tinged with resignation, addressed Dean. "Look, we're not gonna save everybody," he said, the words hanging heavily between them.

Dean's response was barely more than a whisper, his nod solemn and weighted. "I know," he murmured, his usual bravado conspicuously absent. The moment of somber reflection was suddenly interrupted by a voice calling out to them.

"Guys!" The sound of Andrea's voice cut through the air as she approached the trio, her son Lucas walking close by her side. Their unexpected appearance seemed to momentarily lift the heavy atmosphere.

Dean's demeanor shifted slightly as he called back, "Hey." The three hunters began moving towards Andrea and Lucas, meeting them halfway. The change in their body language was subtle but noticeable, as if they were putting on a brave face for the mother and son.

Andrea's voice was tinged with a mix of gratitude and hesitation as she spoke. "We're glad we caught you. We, um..." She glanced down at the cling-wrapped plate cradled in Lucas's arms, a small smile tugging at her lips. "We made you lunch for the road. Lucas insisted on making the sandwiches himself." The gesture, though simple, spoke volumes about their appreciation.

Lucas, his eyes bright with anticipation, looked up at his mother. "Can I give it to them now?" he asked, his voice clear and eager. The sound of the young boy speaking brought a soft, genuine smile to Evan's face. She couldn't help but feel a wave of relief and happiness wash over her, knowing that Lucas had found his voice again after the traumatic events they'd all endured.

Andrea's response was warm and encouraging. "Of course," she said, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on Lucas's head. The tender moment between mother and son was a poignant reminder of what they had fought so hard to protect.

Dean, his earlier melancholy momentarily set aside, stepped forward with a hint of his usual charm. "Come on, Lucas, let's load this in the car," he said, carefully taking the plate from the boy's hands. As Dean led Lucas towards the Impala, Evan couldn't help but notice the way the hunter's demeanor softened around the child.

While Dean and Lucas busied themselves with the car, Sam took the opportunity to check in with Andrea. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his tone gentle and concerned. Evan and Sam both watched the interaction between Dean and Lucas, a bittersweet reminder of the lives they'd managed to save.

Andrea's response came with a soft sigh, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "It's just gonna take a long time to sort through everything, you know?" The weight of recent events was evident in her voice, a testament to the challenging road of healing that lay ahead.

Evan felt a pang of empathy, prompting her to speak up. She inhaled deeply, her words careful and sincere. "Andrea, we're sorry," she said, a frown creasing her brow. "We truly tried our best to get everyone out safely." The admission carried with it the unspoken burden of those they couldn't save.

Andrea's gaze met Evan's, a look of profound gratitude softening her features. "You saved my son," she said, a small but genuine smile gracing her lips. "I can't ask for more than that." She paused, exhaling slowly through her nose as she gathered her thoughts. "Dad loved me. He loved Lucas. No matter what he did, I just have to... hold onto that." The complexity of her emotions was palpable, a mix of grief, love, and the struggle to reconcile the past with the present.

Evan and Sam exchanged a glance before nodding softly, acknowledging the strength in Andrea's words. Without further comment, they began making their way over to where Dean and Lucas stood by the Impala. As they approached, Evan overheard Dean's parting words to the young boy.

"You take care of your mom, okay?" Dean's voice carried a hint of gruffness, but the underlying warmth was unmistakable. Lucas nodded solemnly, and Dean straightened up, his hand resting briefly on the boy's shoulder. The moment was interrupted as Andrea stepped forward, placing her hands on the open car door and leaning in.

What happened next caught everyone by surprise. Evan and Sam watched, slightly wide-eyed, as Andrea leaned in and placed a kiss on Dean's lips. The gesture was quick but meaningful, leaving Dean visibly stunned as Andrea pulled back. "Thank you," she said simply, a smile playing on her lips. Evan found herself biting back a chuckle at the sight of Dean's shocked and confused expression, a rare moment of vulnerability from the usually cocky hunter.

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken emotions. Dean, still processing what had just happened, cleared his throat and scratched his head awkwardly. Finally finding his voice, he turned to Evan and Sam, his tone gruff in an attempt to cover his surprise. "Move your asses," he barked, already making his way around the car to the driver's side. "We're gonna run out of daylight before we hit the road."

Evan, sensing it was time to wrap up their goodbyes, turned to Andrea and Lucas. "See you two around," she said with a nod to Andrea before focusing on Lucas. Her voice softened as she addressed the boy. "Bye, sweetie. You be good to your mom, yeah?" Lucas's responding nod brought a smile to her face as she turned and slid into the backseat of the Impala.

As Dean pulled out of the lot, Evan couldn't resist waving at the mother and son through the window. Once they were out of sight, she couldn't hold back her amusement any longer. "Never once did I think I'd see Dean Winchester shocked that a woman kissed him," she chuckled, her words eliciting an eye roll from Dean.

Dean's response was quick, a mix of defensiveness and attempted nonchalance. "What? She just lost her dad and almost lost her son," he pointed out, his eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead. "I didn't think kissing me would be the first thing on her mind." He shrugged, trying to downplay the moment. "And besides, you just met me, what, a few weeks ago?"

Evan conceded the point with a shrug of her own. "Touché," she replied, settling back into her seat as the Impala carried them away from yet another town saved, and another case closed.