'Winchester.'

'Winchester.. Ah, yes, right this way..' The nurse led the three boys down the white hallway and then knocked lightly on a brown door before entering quietly.

'Sir, your sons are here to see you.' The nurse left, leaving the injured man's sons alone

'Hey boys..' a broken voice spoke

'Dad..' Tears were welling up in Dean's eyes, seeing his father so damaged

'Yeah..' The man chuckled and then winced as pain ripped across his chest

'How.. How did this happen?' Dean choked out

'Well, there was fire all around me and I didn't get out quick enough I guess..'

'That doesn't make any sense.'

'Dad, do you hurt?'

'Wow, Sam, that's like the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say.' Dean spoke under his breath bitterly.

'Shut up.' Sam walked towards his father's bed

'I can't see you like this..' Dean walked out of the room, tears now openly falling down his face.

'Mr Winchester, I'm so very sorry-' Cas started awkwardly

'Please, call me John.'

Cas nodded his head and shuffled around on his feet.

'Sammy, you're going to have to go stay with your Uncle Bobby tonight, okay?' Sam nodded whilst burying his face into his father's hospital shirt, carefully avoiding the bandaged areas.

'I'll go check on Dean..' Cas left the room, giving Sam and John some time together

'I don't want to lose you dad..'

'I know, son.' John nodded his head slowly, pain erupting in his neck as he stretched the red raw skin.

They stayed like that together for what seemed like hours, Sam truly valuing his father's silent company, putting all past conflicts aside.

There was a small tap on the door and Sam's head snapped up to see Dean and Cas standing close to each other. Dean's face was tear streaked and he looked worn.

'Sammy, Bobby's here to collect you..' Dean's voice sounded cracked and dry.

'Aren't you coming with me?' Sam gave Dean his puppy dog eyes look and crossed his arms, already knowing the answer.

'Er, no. I'm gunna stay here with dad.'

'Then so am I!' Sam stamped his foot, ready to unleash a temper tantrum in the cramped hospital room.

'No you're not, boy!' Bobby's voice sounded from the doorway.

'But-'

'No buts, get your ass out here.'

'I love you, dad.' Sam whispered before leaving with Bobby.

That sentence was enough to bring the man to tears.

'Dad, please don't cry..'

'I feel like I haven't been around enough to see you boys grow up.. I just want you to know.. I'm so proud of you and Sam..'

'Enough with the speeches, dad.' Dean tittered.

'It's true though.' John smiled as widely as he could.

'We're proud of you..'

'Son, look after Sammy for me. Please.'

'You know I will, dad. But you're not leaving me.' Dean looked at his father sternly

'You know I won't make it, Dean.'

Dean's eyes became glassy once more.

'I won't let it happen.'

'Have you seen me lately?'

'Dad, you're gunna pull through. I did! You will too!' Dean wanted to shake his dad and will the fight into him.

'I'm tired, Dean. It's all been for Mary. And she's gone, she's not coming back.. And I'm tired of her not being here with me..'

'We all miss her-'

'But I don't want to be without her anymore.'

'So, what, are you saying you did this on purpose?!' Dean's voice had begun to pick up volume.

John didn't answer and just looked down at his bed sheets, flinching slightly.

Dean began to shake his head, 'Unbelievable.. Do you realise how completely selfish that is?! On me, on Sammy! He has nobody left. He doesn't even have me because I'm too broken to be his brother. You know what, dad, I'm tired too, but I don't go and try to kill myself!'

'You've tried it before, Dean.' John said quietly, his voice filled with sadness.

A small gasp escaped from Cas' lips, making Dean turn around to face him. He'd almost forgotten his friend's presence.

'Cas..'

'Is this true? Did you try to take your own life?'

Dean reluctantly nodded his head whilst staring at the ground, pausing before giving his explanation.

'Well, it's all the same with bullying, isn't it? Pushes you over the edge. You're not the same as everyone else, you get bullied, you try and put up with it because god knows you don't know any other way to deal with it. And then you try to take your life. You try twice, you fail twice. You get back up on your feet only to be kicked back down again. And you've failed. You've failed everything. Every fucking thing..' Dean trailed off and gulped.

'Dean, I didn't know.. Have you gotten help?'

'No, of course I didn't get help. Why should I? My problems are too fucked up to ever be dealt with.'

'I should have been there..' John whispered.

'Yeah. You should have. But you weren't.. I'm getting a coffee.'

Dean trudged out of the room, followed closely behind by Castiel.

'Dean-'

'Shut it, Cas.'

Castiel closed his mouth and exhaled loudly. There was only a small queue to the run-down coffee machine but it seemed to be taking forever. He looked out of the window to see that the blue, cloudless sky had been swallowed by the night.

'Do you want one?' Dean murmured.

'Yes please.'

Dean pushed the button to start off the coffee making process but all he heard was a small click and then all of the lights on the small machine switched off.

'Oh, come on!' Dean's hand smashed down against the top of the useless appliance.

'It's okay, Dean-'

'Sure, whatever.' Dean walked away from Castiel and began to make his way back to his father's room.

'Dean, wait!' Castiel called as he hurried to catch up with his friend.

'Something's not right..' Dean stopped abruptly and then growled.

'What is it?' Castiel asked, worried.

Dean suddenly broke into a sprint, rushing towards the brown door, just catching one last glimpse of his father's charred face before it was covered in white cloth.

'Dad..' Dean breathed.