A few hours later found Dean beyond exhausted. He managed to make a little shelter for them using the two wide tree trunks and a bunch of fallen palm tree leaves. Thankfully he still had his pocket knife on him so he used it to make strips out of tree bark and tie them into ropes which he then used to tie up the huge leaves. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now.

Luckily he had been bored that night a few months ago and watched some stupid YouTube videos, one amongst which was about cracking open a coconut. And sure, he could chop through it with the knife, but why waste all that energy when he could just strategically position the coconut, lift a big ass rock and let gravity do his work for him. Cas just loved the coconut water.

Along with his pocket knife, he had a few paper clips, a gun with witch killing bullets that was useless after it got wet, his zippo lighter and a broken phone. He used the coconut husk and his lighter to build a fire, then refocused on Cas again.

The angel was dozing off, looking a little pale, but the bandage seemed to be holding. There was nothing he could do about that right now and it ate him up a little.

"How you doing buddy?" Dean asked as he approached and saw Cas move a little to glance at him. The angel didn't answer, just looked away. He was probably still embarrassed about the whole thing, even if there was nothing to be embarrassed about. Maybe he just needed a little time.

"Those coconuts are good, but they are so annoying to eat and a little too dry. I am gonna go take a look around, see if there are any berries or maybe mushrooms we could cook up, how does that sound? I also gotta see if there is fresh water somewhere." Cas's eyes snapped back at him, a little wide and definitely filled with anxiety.

"I won't go far, I swear. I'll just be in the earshot, okay?"

Cas reluctantly nodded, still looking a little scared, but obviously putting on a brave face. Dean made sure not to wander too far away, and eventually found a little spring, the fresh water coming out of a hole in a rock. He gulped as much as he could before running back to pick up the coconut shells and use them as cups to bring Cas some fresh water too.

He helped Cas drink, holding the shells and watching the angel's Adams' apple bob as he swallowed every drop. "Good? Want me to fetch some more?"

"Not right now, thank you. Did you manage to find any food?" Cas asked, clearly trying not to sound hopeful. Shit, he must be hungry.

"No, sorry. But I'll look around, I was just thrilled I found water and wanted to bring you some asap." Cas blushed, but still gave Dean a small smile, quickly ducking his head. Dean figured this whole thing was really hard on him, not being able to move much and needing to eat and to breathe. He must have been feeling vulnerable.

"There are… I saw a few worms over there. They are a good source of protein, fats, and micronutrients like iron and zinc." Cas offered and Dean blinked at him a few times, trying to process what Cas was implying. Yes, he had heard about eating the bugs and stuff, he had seen those nature shows on Discovery, but to actually consider picking up a worm and taking a bite out of it? UGH!

"No way in hell am I eating worms and bugs!" Dean balked, pulling a disgusted face and Cas raised a brow at him.

"Why not?"

"Because they're freaking bugs! They live in the freaking dirt! And they taste awful!"

"I thought they would taste like chicken," Cas informed him calmly and Dean let out a deep sigh, rubbing his face down with his hand.

"That's just something people say to persuade themselves when they have to eat something that sucks ass. It doesn't really taste like chicken, it most likely tastes like slime or something. Maybe acid too, I dunno. Point is, we're not eating those. I'll find us some fruit or some mushrooms, berries or some shit. Maybe I can catch a rabbit?"

"Okay." Cas's voice was barely a whisper and Dean thought that maybe he had hurt his feelings. Or was it that Cas didn't want to be left alone? Was he really that scared? He was human before, this wasn't really a new experience for him, so why would…

Dean mentally face-palmed himself, feeling like an idiot. Of course. Last time he was human, Dean practically abandoned him and a reaper pulled him into her game and freaking killed him, no wonder he was afraid. Dean should tell him, he should assure him he won't leave him behind this time, he won't desert him again, but he couldn't get the words past his throat. He was never good at this, never good at talking and if there was even a slight chance that he was wrong with his assumption, he couldn't just go on and remind Cas of what was probably one of the worst periods of his life.

"Look. I'm gonna look around some more, there's gotta be something else edible around here, but I promise I'll stay close. You need me, just shout and I'll run back, alright? And… And if I don't find anything… We'll, um… We'll give those worms a go, okay?"

It was a good compromise and even if Cas didn't perk up like Dean half-expected him to, the angel still looked up and gave him a small smile, nodding to show he was amenable. He did perk up, however, when, about half an hour later, Dean came back with a stalk of greenish bananas. Nobody's eating any freaking worms on his watch.