Alrighty, guys. Due to the whopping two responses on the poll and several reviews asking for the next chapter, I bring you the actual chapter four. Next chapter should be the last one of this story, but I don't know how long it will take. This chapter was dragged out of me by force because I don't want to disappoint you all.
I would like to point out that I have no idea how a hospital actually works, since I have absolutely no experience being inside one. This is all just BS I made up off the top of my head. Please enjoy my trash.
Dean jerked awake as he heard the flick of a lightswitch in the room. After years of something like this as Castiel or Sam got up and tried to urge him to do the same, Dean was used to the sound as an alarm, but what he wasn't used to was the near-blinding light to his sleep-filled eyes as he opened them automatically. He let out a wordless cry of surprise, flinging an arm over his eyes and finding himself relieved to realize that it was the one not connected to any IVs or wires.
"Sorry, Dean," Chuck said with a sheepish chuckle. "How's your head doing?" Dean groaned a little in response.
"Kind of sore right now, Doc. Wasn't expecting that. What time is it?" Dean spoke, hammering out his words in rapid-fire succession. He lifted his arm away from his eyes and was pleased to see (to see! He still wasn't over that) that Chuck had lowered the lights somewhat.
"It's about six in the morning. You slept throughout the night. To put it in perspective, it was about seven last night that you had your visitors." Chuck was moving around, and Dean was in awe over the fact that not only could he hear it as clear as day, but he could also see the movement. He was pretty sure that the realization hadn't set in yet the night before.
"Holy shit," he muttered, worrying at his lower lip as he ran his free hand over his head, fingers catching on the bristly regrowth of hair.
"What is it?" Chuck asked, concern clear on his face, even to Dean, and he sucked in a sharp breath at the realization.
"I can see," Dean whispered, blinking slowly as a grin widened on his face. He watched as Chuck's brow furrowed, then his whole face relaxed. "I never thought... I mean, I just... They said that it was more than unlikely that I'd ever see again, and I just accepted that, and now..." Dean noticed his vision going blurry as a hot, wet tear spilled down his cheek. He was feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.
"Everything is so bright," he added, biting at his lip as he rubbed at his eyes, blinking away the tears so he could look around the room. "I forgot how..." Dean shook his head, still smiling. "I can't wait to see Cas." His grin only broadened at Chuck's laughter. He knew that he was being a little ridiculous about this, but he supposed it would be hard to understand without any other context.
"Speaking of your husband," Chuck started, making Dean look up expectantly, braving the light to look at the doctor, "I was told that he'd be calling the hospital so you two could talk before visiting hours had started. It should be pretty soon."
Dean smiled over at the doctor and nodded. "Thanks, Chuck. It's good to hear that."
"You know... you could give him a Skype call, surprise him..."
"No, definitely not. I want it to be a surprise. I mean, when I finally see him. I already know he's the most beautiful person I've ever met, but I don't want to see him until it's... well, until he's here. In person." Dean shook his head fervently as he spoke. "The phone is fine until he gets here. Besides... I want more time to get used to seeing before I see him for real. I don't want to be halfway through a video call and have to leave because my eyes hurt. I mean, you already said that that should go away soon. Or, start to at least."
Chuck nodded in response. "Yes, it should. No saying when, other than soon. But soon is something that I can promise." Dean grinned in response.
"So when do I get checked for glasses?"
"We need to allow your eyes to get used to the light again before we do the test. But..." Chuck hesitated. Dean raised an eyebrow expectantly, glad to be able to see the amused smile on the doctor's face. "We should be able to do the test by the end of visiting hours. Your brother said that he would come again today, so I'll let you know when he's here."
"Thanks, doc," Dean said with a nod. "You said Cas was gonna call?" He rubbed at his eyes a little, frowning as he sat up. His head ached a little, but it was still healing.
"Ah... yes, as far as I know it should be sometime within the hour. I don't thin-" Chuck was cut off by the phone by the bed starting to ring. He picked it up before Dean could, smiling at his patient before he made a soft noise of affirmation and passed the phone over. "Not too long," he warned.
"Dean? You there, baby?" There was no way Dean was going to listen to Chuck's words as he heard his husband's voice over the phone. He nodded at Chuck before he focused his attention on the phone, wishing that he could just reach through and pull Castiel back home where he belonged.
"Yeah, I'm here, Cas," Dean said, voice a little tight. "I miss you."
"God, I miss you too. I should get to leave soon. I'm so pissed that they're making me work despite the fact that I took leave. I swear to God I'm going to retire after this," Castiel complained. Dean laughed happily.
"What? No, you love your job, babe, it's okay. Besides, who knows? Maybe my hair will have grown back by the time you get home," Dean pointed out. "I know you love to pull on it." Dean was blushing as he said that, eyes darting around the room as though there were someone that could possibly hear that other than his husband. Despite the fact that he was actually pretty famous, Dean had almost no public life, and was not good with attention when he didn't know who it was coming from, which had been a lesson quickly learned.
"Dean," Cas complained, but Dean could hear the smile in his voice. "You shouldn't try turning me on while you're still in the hospital. Seriously, baby, I can't do anything from here..." Castiel sighed, and Dean was more than ready to replicate the sound. "I mean it, though. I'm going to retire, and they can't do anything to stop me."
"Wow... You sound... really serious about this, babe."
"Yeah, I... I guess I do. I mean, I was joking at first, but... I think it's gonna happen. I hate that they keep pulling me away from you, and I'm going to start doing something about it. They've had me for twenty years, I'm getting out."
"Good for you, Cas. I know that's got to be a hard decision for you."
"No, not really. Not if it means I get to see you more often," Dean's husband hummed seductively. "Enough about me, though! Sam told me that you had some kind of reaction to the medication, are you okay? How are you feeling? Can you see well? How does it feel, baby?"
Dean couldn't help but to laugh at Castiel's enthusiasm. "I'm okay, don't worry. Apparently they had to put me on a respirator, but I was out like a light the entire time. I freaked out a bit when I woke up and it was still there, but..." He chuckled, shrugging and knowing that Cas would understand. "And I'm feeling fine. Well, my head's a little achy and everything seems ridiculously bright, but I guess that comes with getting your vision fixed. Chuck said I'm probably gonna need glasses, he's gonna check today."
"Mmmm. I think you'll be pretty sexy in glasses, baby." Dean blushed brightly at Castiel's words, smiling as he wished Cas were there to hold. "If you need them, what kind of frames are you going to get?"
"Well, I figured you'd be home by the time we pick out frames. I thought maybe you could help," Dean murmured in suggestion, hoping his voice wouldn't be muffled by the phone.
"I'd like that, Dean. Really. So, have you looked at any pictures yet?" Dean could hear it - Cas was wearing what Sam called his 'waggling eyebrows' face.
"No, and you know it! I'm waiting to see your face in real life," he said, a pout on his face. "I've seen just about everyone else, though. I can't believe Charlie cut her hair."
"Really? She said she was going to but she hasn't sent me any pictures yet. How does it look?"
"It looks good. She's a real cute kid," Dean said with a small laugh. "God I miss you. I want to see your face, angel."
"I know. I want to see your face too, love."
"Yeah, but you actually can, babe. You don't have to wait to see my face for the first time in person," Dean teased.
"No, but I don't want to see your face until I see your expression at the sight of mine. It makes it more special," Castiel hummed with a chuckle. "Besides. I want you to know that I totally get your pain, baby."
"God, you're such a dweeb," Dean teased, pleased. "I love you so much."
"If I'm a dweeb, what does that make you?" Dean could hear Castiel's raised eyebrow. "And I love you too. So much."
"I dunno, but about on the same level," he laughed. "Any idea on the timeline for getting home?" Dean's eyes were starting to get tired, so he closed them for a long moment.
"Eh... not more than two days. Soon, I promise. And if they try to keep me longer than that then I'll tell them that I have a family emergency. There's no way they're keeping me from seeing you for that long."
"Okay. Two days. I can manage that." Dean knew he could. Besides, he had Sam and Charlie and Gabe to keep him company. Speaking of... "You know, your brother snuck coffee and my favorite muffins into my hospital room yesterday. He's the best brother-in-law ever."
"You just like him because he gives you free food," Cas teased dryly.
"That is... not untrue," Dean confirmed after a moment. "Also, why didn't you tell me your brother was hot? If I wasn't married to you, I probably would have flirted with him once upon a time."
"Dean, I didn't need to know that! ...Well, okay, maybe that is weirdly good to know. I've been widely told that I'm more attractive than Gabriel, so I think you'll be certain you made the right choice."
"Oh my God, Cas, I love you so much." He was laughing, barely able to get the words out as he snickered. "I already know I made the right choice. Seriously, did you think I would actually get with your brother? No matter how hot he is, you're the only guy for me, angel."
"Mmm, I better be," Cas teased. "You know how I get when I'm jealous."
"Yeah, yeah. Mr. Big Bad-" Dean was cut off by a knock on the door, when Gabriel sauntered in with more coffee and muffins. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear," Dean joked lightly, grinning at Gabriel.
"He just walked in, didn't he?"
"Yep."
"You and I always have the worst luck with phone sex."
"Cas, I'm not going to- Not in a hospital!" Dean had cut himself off when he remembered Gabriel had just walked in, opening his eyes a crack and keeping them focused on the shopkeeper.
"I know, I know. Especially because mr. spoilsport walked in. Did he bring you more food?"
"Hey, Gabe, did you bring me more food?" In response, Gabriel held up a paper bag clearly sagging with something heavy inside. "Mmm. What's in it, donuts?"
"Dean, you have a problem. Seriously, how are you so trim despite eating so much sugar?"
"I, uh... luck, I guess. I dunno, babe." He could hear muffled shouting on the other end of the line, then a sigh from Castiel.
"I'm sorry, things are starting to get out of hand over here. I have to go, baby," Castiel said with a huff of irritation. "I'll be back in two days, I promise."
"It's okay, babe, I understand. Be safe, okay? I love you." Dean smiled sadly. It had been a short conversation, but a nice one.
"I love you too. Punch Gabe for me, okay? Tell him it's cause he's stupid. He'll know what I mean."
Dean laughed happily. "Yeah, okay." He sighed as the phone's dial tone sounded, and put it back on the receiver. "Hey, Gabriel. What's up?"
"Nothin' much," Gabe hummed, putting the bag in Dean's lap and one of the cups on the nightstand. "Figured I'd bring you some breakfast. How you doin', kiddo?"
"I'm doin' good. Oh, and Cas wanted me to tell you something," Dean said, a sly grin pulling at his lips.
"Really? What is it?" Dean leaned over and sucker punched the man in the arm, relaying the message.
"He said you'd understand what he meant. I really appreciate the food, though. It's great," Dean hummed, taking a bite out of the blueberry cake donut.
"Of course it is, I made it," Gabe said, as though affronted. Dean snorted in amusement at that.
"Yeah, yeah," he agreed, shaking his head as he took another bite. "You should get to work, I know you like an early start."
"Yeah, thanks, Dean-o," Gabriel said with a grin, reaching over to ruffle Dean's non-existent hair, rubbing his scalp instead. "I'll see you later. Enjoy your donuts." Dean smiled, waving, and sighed, wishing for his husband to be home. Still, at least this time it was Washington, not Afghanistan.
