Sam is sat in a hospital corridor, as medical teams rush by. He doesn't seem too phased by their urgency; he almost seems used to this environment. He has his back hunched over, as he stares down at the floor, oblivious to his surroundings. So engrossed in his own thoughts, Sam barely notices as Castiel dashes down the corridor towards him.

"Sam!" the angel calls out, his face full of fear.

Sam's head flicks up, and sees him drawing closer. He stands himself up, smiling a little at the angel, as he finally reaches him.

"He's fine, Cas," Sam reassures him, putting an arm on his shoulder. "Well, he is unconscious, but no external injuries."

Castiel sighs to himself – but not in relief, as you would expect, he does so in… defeat?

"He's done it again, hasn't he?" he asks Sam, already knowing the answer.

"Of course he has," Sam agrees, bowing his head in shame.

The two of them sit back down on the bench, as silence falls between them. Sam stares up the corridor, blankly, clearly drifting back into the world of his own thoughts.

But Castiel is more outwardly stressed. He can't stop fidgeting, sighing and checking his phone. It is clear how emotional Cas is getting over the situation.

"Mr Winchester?"

A voice emerging from the side room awakens them both back to the present. It's a gentle voice from one of the nurses, who has walked across to Sam's side. Both Cas and Sam stand to attention to hear what she has to say.

"Ah, and Mr Novak," she confirms, as she catches sight of Castiel. "It's good to see you again," she states, with a sympathetic smile.

Cas nods at her in appreciation, as Sam puts his hand on Castiel's arm, in support. It is clear that this is not the first time the duo have been in this situation.

"You can see him now," the nurse continues. "He is sedated, but you're welcome to sit with him, as always."

She keeps that sympathetic smile on her face, as she ushers them both towards the side room. She allows them into the room first, as she holds open the door.

Lying in the bed, motionless, is the other Winchester brother. He looks so peaceful, angelic almost, despite the countless tubes and monitors around him. It's clear he has no recognition of where he is or that his brother and husband have come to visit.

Sam takes the seat already in place by Dean's bedside, as Cas perches himself on the bed itself.

"You know where I am if you need anything," the nurse states, as she pulls the door closed, the pity evident in her eyes.

As soon as the door is shut behind her, Cas takes a tight grip on his husband's hand, and sighs, shutting his eyes tight. He bites his lip a little, as he opens his eyes, tears already beginning to form. Sam watches on, shaking his head at what his brother is putting the angel through.

"I'm not sure how many more times I can do this, Sam," Castiel admits, keeping his eyes locked on his unconscious husband.

"I know," Sam agrees.

The silence falls over them once again, neither of them really sure what to say. Cas finds himself walking around the bed, tucking Dean in a little, straightening his pillow, flipping through his hospital chart; just generally tidying up around him. Silent tears still trickling down his cheek, he folds his clothes into a bag, that the staff have left draped over the end of his bed. They know how Castiel likes to take care of Dean as much as he can when he is like this.

Sam keeps himself out of the way. He wants to be there for his brother, but he has been here so many times, the novelty is wearing off. Every time him and Cas get called back in because Dean has been found in this state, Sam finds himself hating his brother a little more. He hates Dean not only for putting himself through all this pain, but for making Sam have to watch Castiel's heart break a little more each time.

Cas is settled back on the edge of the bed once more, gripping onto Dean's hand. Still no reaction from Dean, though. Cas wipes away his own tears, as he kisses the back of Dean's hand. Still nothing. He sighs, as he pulls himself to his feet again, and reaches over to kiss his husband on the forehead.

Knowing that giving Dean a loving kiss on the forehead is always the last thing Castiel does before he leaves, Sam stands himself up too.

"Yeah, I think it's time we headed back to the bunker, and got some rest ourselves," Sam agrees.

"Not this time," Cas replies. "You stay with him. I need to take a walk."

"Cas?"

Sam is a little concerned. He knows Cas, and this isn't right.

He is supposed to kiss Dean goodbye, they get in the Impala, and Sam listens to Cas vent his worries all the way home. Then they go through Castiel's and Dean's wedding album when they get back to the bunker, to help remind Cas of the real Dean, the Dean he married.

What Cas doesn't do is leave Sam at the hospital to go off on an emotional stroll.

"I'll see you at home, Sam," Cas feebly replies, barely even looking back. He stops at the door, and asks just one thing of the hunter. "Try and bring my husband home with you. Alive."