The Thames rippled, city lights dancing on its surface. One… two… three seconds passed, and Skyler still hadn't surfaced. Dean's breath caught, a chill sinking into his bones. Something was wrong. Without a second thought, he tore off his helmet, tossing it aside, and dove into the cold, murky water.
Below, Skyler thrashed, her foot tangled in a discarded net, her movements slowing as her energy faded fast. Dean swam toward her, heart pounding. The net's ropes bit into her ankle, stubborn and tight. Panic clawed at him as he tugged, fingers slipping, water clouding his vision. His lungs burned, but he yanked harder, finally freeing her. She was limp, nearly unconscious, her body heavy in his arms as he kicked to the surface.
The couple with the video equipment rushed to the riverbank, helping Dean pull Skyler onto the grass. He scrambled out, dripping, and knelt beside her. Skyler coughed, water spilling from her lips. The woman checked her pulse and nodded. "She's breathing." Skyler's eyes fluttered open, and Dean pulled her into a hug, tighter than any she'd felt in six years, his soaked jacket pressing against her. The couple's camera kept filming. "You're okay… you're fine," he whispered, voice low, raw with relief and gratitude for her survival. He looked at her, then hugged her again. "Please don't scare me like that again."
Skyler returned the embrace, exhausted but warm, a feeling she hadn't known in years. No more wall she glimpsed the Dean from Santa Monica, the one who cared. "Dean, don't worry, I won't," she said, her voice faint but steady.
They stood, dripping wet, the couple stammering apologies. Skyler waved them off. "It's fine." Dean didn't care, his eyes scanning her for any sign of injury. The couple's engagement assumptions lingered, and they weren't beating the married allegations now.
Skyler leaned on Dean's arm, standing shakily. "We're gonna take a walk to dry off. Nice meeting you guys," she said, managing a smile. They started along the riverbank, their footsteps squelching. After a short silence, they both spoke at once.
"This walk was a bad idea."
"Col…d," Skyler said, shivering, her teeth chattering. She glanced at Dean, who shrugged, pretending the chill didn't bite. She laughed, then pointed at his soaked jacket. "Give me that."
"Okay," he said, draping it over her shoulders. It was heavy, waterlogged, and she raised a brow, wondering why he'd kept it on. They ducked into a nearby café, grabbing coffees to warm up.
Skyler sipped hers, eyes glinting. "Dean, how about that thirty minutes of truth?"
He smiled, leaning back. "Don't try to weasel out of this."
"Let's save it for our session," she said, not pushing. She didn't know this new Dean well—his walls could return if she pressed too hard. For now, his happiness was enough, a stark contrast to the guarded man in therapy.
He turned to her, a spark in his eyes. "My turn to ask questions."
"Go ahead," she said, grinning.
"Okay, confident," he teased. She was walking fast ahead, generating heat, her coffee cup raised like a toast. "First, do I know the lucky guy?" He nodded at her ring.
Skyler's smile faltered. He saw it and paused, but curiosity won out. "Complicated how?" he asked, voice softer.
"Tough one," she said, her voice light but guarded. "Yes, but it's… not what you think." She sipped her coffee, deflecting.
Dean nodded, respecting the boundary. "Favorite coffee order, then?"
They fell into easy chatter movies, weather, London's quirks steering clear of their pasts. Her phone buzzed, the screen glowing: 10:53 p.m. Late. She swiped Dean's phone from his hand, typing something with a grin. He lunged, laughing, chasing it back. After a playful struggle, he reclaimed it, but she was already stepping away. "Bye, Dean. It was good hanging out," she said, reluctant but smiling.
Dean rode back to the villa, a spark flickering in his chest. He shut it down she was married, or close enough. The villa's cold marble greeted him, and Rina was waiting, smirking. "What, another suicide attempt?"
He was still in a good mood. "Fuck you," he shot back, a grin tugging at his lips.
She smiled, unfazed. "Mom's going with you to your appointment."
The spark died instantly. He collapsed onto his bed, the villa's chill seeping in. His phone buzzed a message from Skyler: Don't lose my number, stupid. A faint smile tugged at his lips.