Dean hadn't drank that much in a while. Four, five months at least. He didn't have the need to since you started hunting with the boys, but tonight he had a very obvious reason to down a bottle of whiskey. Or was it bourbon? He didn't really care after the first few shots. All he was thinking about was the fact that you, the girl he'd fallen head over heels for, on a date with some stranger. He was some deputy that helped them with a case, he asked you out, and you said yes while Dean tried not to show it bothered him. He didn't like how flirty the deputy was with you while working on the case, but he never expected he'd have to deal with you dating the guy.

He tapped his fingers against the glass bottle, trying not think about how late it was and the fact that you hadn't been home in hours. He couldn't think about you laughing and smiling because another guy. Or that guy smiling back at you, or kissing you...

Feeling sick to his stomach, Dean took another swig of alcohol. He just wished he never fell for you in the first place... Then he wouldn't be constantly worrying about you and distracting himself, or feeling utterly unlike himself when you would fluster him just with a smile. But he just...couldn't help it. You were perfect, of course he was going to fall for you. And, now he was too late because another guy was realizing just how perfect you are.

"Hey, dude you alright?" Dean was startled by Sam talking to him from behind the couch Dean was wallowing in self pity on.

"Yeah," he said, a tear in his eye and a raspy voice. "Why wouldn't I be? We just finished a big case, we all deserve to celebrate," he continued, sounding a bit more bitter than he would've liked. Before taking another swig, he grumbled "So, that's what I'm doing; celebrating."

"Right, usually you're celebratory drinking involves other people, usually a girl beside you," Dean almost flinched when Sam said that. And he must've noticed. "You sure you're alright?" Sam asked again, sitting on the coffee table in front of his brother. He knew why Dean was upset, Sam was just trying to get him to say it himself. Dean looked at his brother through his eyelashes with a scowl on his face. "You sure this doesn't have anything to do with Y/N on her date?"

Dean tensed, leaning back from having his elbows on his knees and sunk into the couch. "No of course not...It's just..she barely knows this guy, and for all she knows he's an asshole who's gonna take advantage of her and I don't want her to get hurt. She doesn't know anything about him and there's a lot of screwed up people out there is all I'm saying. Plus, she doesn't deserve some stranger anyway. She deserves someone who knows how incredible she is and won't just - what?" Dean stopped when he noticed Sam with a shocked but...happy? look on his face.

"," Sam said with a small smile. Dean felt his heart drop because he knew it was true.

"N-no.." Dean stuttered unconvincingly, mentally cursing himself for not seeming more confident.

"You so are!" Sam smiled wider, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "I knew you had a thing for her for a while, but I didn't know you were in love with her.." He shook his head almost in disbelief but a smile still very present on his face.

"Shut up," Dean groaned, taking another sip.

"No, no it's a good thing! You gotta tell her!" Sam said excitedly, earning a nerve racked expression on Dean's face. "I bet she feels the same!"

"Are you insane? There's no way I'm telling Y/N how I feel, alright? And, and if she felt the same, why would she be out with deputy douche bag?" Dean said, not wanting to get his hopes up.

"Cause she didn't know how you felt! You have to tell her when she gets back, man." Dean still looked unconvinced. "How long have you loved this girl? A few months? More?" Dean glanced at him before nodding. "Then tell her! There's no point in waiting any longer," Sam stood, patting his brothers back before going back to his room.

Despite the fear bubbling up in his chest, that's exactly was Dean did; he went to the kitchen and waited for you to come back from your date.

***

A few hours later (Dean luckily had some time to sober up) you walked through the door and into the dark bunker. A smile was etched on your face as you walked toward the kitchen to get a glass of water. The date you went on couldn't have gone better and you were glad you could actually have a successful date while living the life you do. You saw the kitchen light already on and wondered which of the boys was up tonight.

Walking into the kitchen, you saw Dean leaning against the counter, sipping a cup of coffee. "Hey," you said as you entered, causing Dean to jump a bit since he had only seen his feet while you were entering.

"Hey," he said, almost nervously. He set his mug down, rubbing his hands on his jeans like he did when his nervous palms were sweaty. You tossed your phone and keys on the counter and went to get what you came into the kitchen for. While you let water from the faucet pour into your glass, you saw Dean fidgeting out of the corner of your eye. He looked like he wanted to tell you something, or ask you something.

"You okay? You seem weird," you told him, shutting off the faucet and leaning against the sink.

"I'm uh..." he paused, honestly worrying you a bit. He never really acted like this around anyone. Not that you'd seen, anyway. "Y/N..?"

"Yeah?" you asked, taking a sip of water.

"I...I uh, I'll see you in the morning..." he said quickly, briskly walking toward the door, but you knew he wanted to ask you something.

"Dean," you called after him, stopping him at the doorway. "" Dean spun around with a confused look on his face. Does she know? Does she know how I feel? Was she waiting to me to ask her out? Well...now would be the time... Dean thought, and finally worked up the courage to ask you.

He was about to open his mouth, when you spoke again, thinking you were beating him to voicing his own thought. "My date?" You walked a closer to him, aiming for the door really. "You and Sam are so protective, I'm sure you guys want to know how it went...Honestly, it was great... I like him a lot and he's so sweet. We're going out again, and I really can't wait," you said with a huge smile on your face. And maybe if you were standing closer to Dean, you would see his smile was nothing but fake.

"I-I'm glad," Dean said, trying to seem okay with this.

"Well, I'm glad you're glad," you grinned, "just please don't be too protective? I don't wanna scare him off..."

"Of course..whatever makes you happy," Dean smiled almost sadly, until you wrapped your arms around him.

"Thanks Dean, you're the best. I know you're just watching out for me and I really appreciate it," you smiled into his chest. Your height difference made it impossible to see Dean was crying. Tears hit your hair, but you were oblivious too them.

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Hello hello how's it going? Thanks for reading! Vote, comment, and request! I still got a bunch of prompt imagines to write that I'm really excited about so be on the look out!