Living Like This

Fourteen

When Cas slowly returned to consciousness, he was in a hospital room, and he was alone. He barely remembered what had happened. He looked down at his right arm to see it bandaged up to the elbow. Cas was confused, he didn't know what was going on, he was alone. A nurse walked in, and when she saw he was awake she brought the cavalry. Cas answered what questions he could before he asked for a phone. They gave one to him. Once they left he punched in Aaron's number. It rang seven times before Aaron picked up.

"Aaron it's me."

"Castiel."

"Where are you?" Cas croaked.

"I'm at home. I'm sorry for what I did, but I'm still mad, so it's really best if we don't talk for a while. I'll see you when you get out of the hospital." Aaron hung up without giving Cas a chance to respond. Cas stared at the phone. How was he supposed to get through this without Aaron? He didn't have anyone else. But... Cas quickly punched in another number, surprised to find he knew it by heart.

"Hello?" Cas heart jumped when he heard Dean's voice.

"Dean," he said quietly.

"Cas? Is that you?" Dean asked.

"Yes. I'm in the hospital and I really don't want to be alone. Could you- do you think- will you come over?" Cas asked timidly.

"The hospital? What happened? Did Aaron do something?" Dean asked, sounding worried.

"Can you just come be with me? Please?" Cas begged.

"Of course. I'll be there as soon as I can," Dean said. Cas gave him the name of the hospital and they hung up.

***

It seemed like hours before Dean arrived. As soon as he did he rushed to Cas' bed and took his hand. Cas winced.

"That son of a bitch!" Dean exclaimed after taking a good look at Cas.

"Are you okay Dean?" Cas asked. The blood was gone from Dean's face, but you could still see signs of the beating.

"You're in a hospital and you're asking me if I'm alright?" Dean pulled a chair up next to Cas' bed and sat down, still holding Cas' hand.

"I'll be okay," Cas said. Dean shook his head, looking down at Cas' arm.

"What did he do to your arm?" Dean asked.

"I don't know. I passed out before he finished and I haven't seen it since I woke up," Cas said. Dean looked back at their hands and started to pull away, but Cas tightened his grip. Dean looked up at him.

"Cas?" Dean questioned.

"Just stay. Please? I don't want to be alone," Cas said. "Stay with me?"

"I am never going to leave you again," Dean said. Cas smiled and closed his eyes, taking comfort in Dean's hand in his as he slowly slipped off to sleep again.