AN: OCD has won this one... Also Cas's hospital room # stands for John 20:26-31


Castiel's recovery is a slow one. He's still very weak, but the doctors are pleased with his progress. Dean's just happy that he's starting to get back to his usual self. Which gets more and more apparent as every day goes by.

Their sitting playing cards, Dean sitting at the foot of the bed while Cas is propped up; the day nurse comes in to check on things and can see the nature of the deck they are playing with. They don't care that she can see even though she tisks in disapproval.

"Mom's going to stop by for a visit later," He tells Cas.

"That will be nice." He replies absently picking up cards for his hand.

The nurse is still loudly making a fuss about what they are doing causing Castiel to glare at her as she leaves, his fingers twitching idly.

"I would kill her for a cigarette," He tells Dean.

Dean chuckles, "You'd kill her even without the promise of a cigarette."

"Probably," Cas grumbles, throwing his hand down on the table.

"You don't want to play anymore?" Dean asks with concern.

"They just remind me of the things I can't do right now," Cas looks him up and down poignantly. "And we are missing the Queen of Hearts."

"Oh, ya," Dean remembers where he placed it, leaning forward and pressing his lips to Cas's as he slips his hand under the pillow. He pulls back from the soft kiss, brandishing the card. "You mean this card?"

"Why was she under my pillow?" He glares at it, taking the card from Dean and studying it.

"I thought it'd help," He offers lamely.

"She's still mocking me."

"Good to know the pain meds are still working," Dean laughs, taking the card and putting it back in the pack.

"I hate this place," Castiel sighs looking dejectedly out the window.

"I know, but you'll be out soon," He rubs Cas's arm soothingly.

Cas just nods wincing slightly as he moves to sit up a little more, Dean getting pushed off for trying to help.

"You need anything?"

"More pain medication would be preferable," He blinks at him, "And a cigarette."

Dean just shakes his head, as Gabe walks in.

"Baby bro!" He shouts boisterously, a large bag in his hands, "And man nurse." He winks jeeringly at Dean, before returning his attention to Cas. "How much do you love me?" Gabe smirks.

"Today?" Cas deadpans.

"Good to see you're getting back to your old self." He places the bag on the table, "I got a surprise for you, fool."

"I do not want or need any more candy, Gabriel." He sighs.

"Psh, like there's any left," Gabe reaches into the bag and pulls out a pack of cigarettes, tossing them at Cas.

"It's not like he can't smoke them in here." Dean tells the short man.

"No shit," He shoots at Dean, "But he can at least smell them and hold 'em."

"Thank you Gabe," Cas almost smiles, packing them before ripping the pack open. "It's strangely comforting." He puts one in between his lips resting his head back upon the pillow, the nurse choosing that exact moment to come back in.

"What's the commotion in here?" She asks sternly, her hands on her hips before she sees Gabe. "You again," her eyes narrow at him. "Your brother still needs his rest, if you keep being loud you can leave."

"Calm down, Nurse Ratchet!" Gabriel rolls his eyes at her making himself comfy in the chair.

She makes her way towards Cas, surprised that he has a cigarette. "These things will kill you," she warns snatching the product from his lips and crushing it.

The look on his face full on murderous smite, "You are a bitch."

Dean chokes back his laughter at the shocked look on the nurse's face, she opens a drawer pulling something out before lifting up the sleeve of Castiel's hospital gown. The nurse roughly removes the square patch on his arm, Cas flinching in discomfort, before she replaces it with a fresh one.

"These do not work!" Cas calls after her as she storms from the room.

"She's a real ball of sunshine," Gabe jest pointing at the door with his thumb.

"She is vile," Cas states, staring up at the ceiling with a new cigarette between his lips as he waits for the patch to start kicking in.