Dean hears the sound of a steady heartbeat beeping on a hospital monitor. He opens his eyes and takes in the room around him. Sterile white walls and a small TV mounted on the plaster across from his bed. The lights are all off and the only illumination comes from the window, which is facing a small parking lot. A crescent moon shines down through the glass and reflects off of cold gray-colored tiles.
Dean's survey of the room comes to a halt when his eyes land on a slumped form resting in an uncomfortable-looking chair. He knows it's Sam from his brother's shaggy hair and broad shoulders. He appears to be sleeping soundly, maybe even snoring a little bit.
Not wanting to wake his brother up, Dean rolls over on his side slightly and tries to get back to sleep. He realizes it's probably in the middle of the night, after all. And besides, he still feels pretty tired.
But... why?
He remembers the car crash and the power-line colliding with his Impala. He remembers feeling a jolt of electricity and then passing out. But why does he feel so... weak? Exhausted? Surely he wasn't injured that severely in the accident... right?
Dean's thoughts are interrupted when he feels a whoosh of air and hears the distinct flapping of angel wings. He opens his eyes a fraction to see Castiel standing a few feet away from him.
"Dean!" Cas whisper-shouts. "I didn't know you were awake yet."
"I just woke up," Dean whispers back. "Wait, how long was I out for?"
"A full day," Cas replies, stepping closer and laying a hand on Dean's arm. "Sam and I were very worried about you."
"Yeah, well, I'm fine," Dean says gruffly, shrugging the angel's hand away from him. "You can leave now, by the way. I appreciate your concern but it's late and you know I don't like it when you watch me sleep."
"Listen, Dean. I think there's some stuff we should talk about," Cas says, giving him a meaningful look. "I know things haven't been easy lately, but..."
"But what?" Dean asks, eyeing the angel carefully.
"Well, I just think... y'know... things were better when we were a team," Cas says hesitantly. "You, me and Sam... saving people and stuff. It just... it was nice, I guess."
"It also caused a lot of suffering," Dean says with a frown. "Which is why I quit it all."
"I know, I know. And I know there isn't any upcoming apocalypse to be worried about, but that doesn't mean you have to go into early retirement."
"Early retirement?" Dean repeats, scoffing. "I thought you wanted me to be happy, Cas. I thought that's what you and Sam both wanted for me."
"I do," Cas replies. "We both do. But, Dean... are you really happy?"
"Sure I am," Dean says, though his tone betrays his words. "I don't have to worry about people getting hurt because of me anymore."
Cas gives Dean a sad smile and pats him on the shoulder. "Sam really misses you. You two should talk."
"In the morning. Like I said, I'm tired."
"Okay. I'll be around if you need me. Would you like me to heal your injuries before I leave?" Cas asks.
"How bad are they?"
"Uh, not too bad from what I can tell. A broken nose and some cuts from glass shards. I can do a more thorough search, though, if you'd like," Cas offers.
"Um, no thanks," Dean says, giving the angel a look. "I'll be fine. My injuries will serve as a reminder for the stupid reason I got into that accident in the first place."
"Oh yeah. What exactly happened?"
Dean has a hard time meeting Castiel's thoughtful gaze. He suddenly feels very embarrassed about what happened the previous night.
"It's kind of a long story. Well, not long, exactly, but, uh... let's just say it's something I'm not proud of."
"Hmm," Cas says.
"Anyways," Dean continues quickly. "You can go fly off to do your angel things now. I'll just be here."
Castiel nods, "You have my number if you need anything. And if I don't have my phone on me, you can always call the old-fashioned way," Cas adds, giving the ghost of a smile.
Dean manages a small smile of his own and watches as Castiel disappears to go do whatever it is he does when he isn't with Dean or Sam.