The Things They Left Behind (Oneshot)

Another Visit

He lay motionless, his chest rising and falling rythmically. His moss green eyes struggled to stay open as he ignored the sting of the IVs in his forearms. The color had faded from his skin a bit, and his lips were dry and cracked from dehydration. The room was nearly silent - the haunting beeps from meters around him echoing periodically. He head the door open then close again. Sam? No, not Sam. Sam had left earlier. He has also been the one that had rushed Dean into the emergency room once he found his brother trying to take his life. "Hello, Dean." He recognized that sand-paperish voice. Dean felt his heart sink as Cas shuffled towards him. He mustered what little energy he had to strain his eyes to the dark-haired man. His lips barely moved as the Cas' name came out soft and scratchy. Cas sighed, dragging a chair bedside and settling himself down. "I..uh..thought you could need some company." Cas forced a small smile. He hated this. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to see Dean like this. So vulnerable and broken. Dean didn't move. "You look parched.." Cas sighed, reaching for the cup of ice chips that was left bedside. He and Dean both knew he was too weak to move, or even drink. Cas picked a chip, quickly leaning forward so he could reach Dean's dry lips. "Open." Dean poked the tip of his rough tongue through his lips, as Cas set ice upon it. Dean barely swallowed, but the ice refreshed him. It was hydrating enough. "Dean.." Cas waited patiently as Dean half-swallowed, turning his eyes back to him. "Why did you..why did you do this?" Cas could feel his voice twinge with anger, fear, deep sadness and confusion. Dean parted his lips softly, rasping out what he could. "I'm a burden. You don't need me. You and Sam are better off without me." His speech was choppy and quieted. Different than tbe boisterous Dean Cas knew and loved. "Hey, now," Cas felt his hand slip around Dean's, his thumb tracing small circles on the top. Dean felt the warmth from Cas' hand flood his whole body- it had been the only warmth he had felt in a while. Cas continued. "Dean, you're talking of such nonsense. Not needed?" He shook his head in pure confusion, "If I thought that you weren't needed, I would have never raised your ass from Perdition." Dean attempted a half-grin at the confidence growing in Cas' tone, watching him silently. Cas went on. "Sam wouldn't be where he is-" "I ruined his damn life." Dean growled before sputtering into a coughing fit. Cas hid his cringe as Dean writhed for a few seconds before settling down. "I'll get someone-" "Wait!" Dean tried to reach his hand out, hardly lifting a finger in his meek attempt. "Cas..I need you." Castiel stopped, turning back to the dying man. He felt his tears burn in the back of his throat. He knelt down, now, at the bedside, holding one of Dean's hand in his own trembling hands. Why was he like this? "D-Dean, please.." His throat tightened, cutting off his words. Dean cast his eyes down, his eyelids sinking again. Great. Now Cas was even more upset. Why did he have to break everything he touched? Why did he have to put up with his life? There was a knock at the door, then a voice. Cas nodded, standing up and running his hand that had once been in Dean's though Dean's hair. "Dean." He smiled gently, with genuine sadness, "I have to leave. You need rest, alright?" Cas pressed his lips to Dean's forehead, tenderly. Dean tried a smile again. "I'll see you soon, alright?" Cas turned on his heel, starting towards the door. "Hey, Cas?" Dean piped up again, in his gravelly tone. "Yeah?" "I love you, okay?" Cas froze, and felt his cheeks burn pink. He looked down sheepishly. "Hey, Dean?" "What?" Dean was almost whispering, his body aching for sleep. Cas lingered between the door and the room. "I think I love you, too." He grinned for a second, forcing himself forward.