More Cas whump here. And thanks again to my guest reviewers and anyone I may not have thanked yet! This one is set Season 12

26. Broken Ribs

"Don't let him get away!"

Castiel heard Dean shout from across the parking lot and took off toward the vampire that was making a quick escape toward his car. The other vampires were keeping the Winchesters busy so their leader could escape, but Castiel was right on his heels.

"Stop!" he shouted, and spun his knife so he was carrying it by the blade and threw it hard toward the vampire. Unfortunately, he ducked into the car at just that moment and started the engine.

Castiel raced forward, but didn't see the second vehicle coming around the corner until the headlights blinded him. He turned, too late to move, and threw his arms up against the light and the inevitable impact.

The car struck him hard, flinging him over the hood and then sped away as he was tossed aside from the momentum, collapsing in a heap as the two cars screeched out of the parking lot.

"Cas!"

Castiel tried to force himself to his feet to see if any vampires were left, but agony tore through him and his arms gave out, forcing him back onto the asphalt.

Two pairs of running feet came into his periphery and soon Sam and Dean were crouched beside him.

"Cas, are you hurt?" Dean asked, a hand on his shoulder.

Castiel grunted. He hurt, yes, but was it serious? He didn't know. He just knew that it wasn't anywhere near the agony that he had experienced when Ramiel had stabbed him with Michael's lance. "I—I think I'm okay," he said as he forced himself upright again. Sam and Dean offered steadying hands and he managed to sit, though he could now tell that his right side really did hurt. It had taken the brunt of the impact. "The vampires?"

"They got away for now, but Sam got the license plates. We'll be able to track them down."

"You sure you're okay?" Sam asked, concern obvious in his eyes.

Castiel fought the urge to roll his. "Yes, just help me up, please?"

They both stood and pulled him with them, but the sudden upright position brought agony to his side and he doubled over, unable to help crying out.

"Cas?" the brothers asked at once, their hands the only thing keeping him upright.

He dragged in a deep breath to steady himself but that just made the pain flare up even more. He gasped, unable to draw a breath and choked. Coughing was painful and it took everything he had to stop himself. For a second, panic set in. All he could think of was choking on the poisonous corruption Michael's lance had nearly killed him with. It was only then he realized the palm he had brought up to his mouth was covered in specks of blood, and there was a metallic taste in his mouth.

"Shit," Dean breathed. "Cas, is it your ribs?"

Castiel still couldn't talk, but he nodded, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

"I think he's got a punctured lung," Sam said grimly. "Dean, we need to get him back to the motel."

"I'll heal," Castiel protested. "Just…I just need some time…"

"Yeah, and rest," Dean said firmly. "Because you've taken a few hits lately, and you're not back up to power. It might take you longer than normal to heal, and a punctured lung isn't anything to sneeze at."

Castiel wanted to argue, put on a brave face, but Dean was right. He probably wouldn't even be fully healed by tomorrow.

"Come on," Dean told him, keeping a hand on his elbow as he and Sam supported Castiel on the way back to the Impala.

Castiel grunted in pain as he slid carefully into the backseat. The drive back to the motel was agony, even though Dean was careful not to hit any unnecessary bumps. Getting out of the car wasn't fun either, but he had a soft bed to look forward to once they got inside.

All he wanted to do was lay down and sleep this off, but Dean shook his head as he postured to get into the bed.

"Lying down's not gonna help you, it will just make you feel like you're suffocating if you're coughing up blood," Dean told him and nodded to Sam. "Bring the other pillows over here."

Sam took the pillows from one bed and started to arrange them against the headboard of the other. Dean helped Cas with his coat and then finally helped him sit on the bed propped up straight by all the pillows. Castiel's chest still hitched, but he didn't hurt as badly as he had in any other position. As long as he didn't slump too much he was fine.

"I'll grab some ace wraps from the car," Sam said. "We'll have to bind your side up so the ribs don't shift."

Castiel nodded and Dean set to work unbuttoning his shirt and opening it to see the damage. He cursed as Castiel's side was revealed, and the angel looked down and saw dark bruises spreading all down his side. There was a lot of swelling too, and a misshapen spot that was obviously from the breaking point. He swallowed hard and looked away, sudden nausea overcoming him.

Dean reached out and prodded his side. Castiel flinched and inhaled sharply, which didn't help him at all. He fought back the urge to cough again, knowing that would only cause more damage.

"You hurt anywhere else?" Dean asked him.

Castiel took stock of his body. "Well, I think my hip and shoulder are a little bruised as well, but that's all. Nothing else broken."

"You can still breathe okay?"

"Shallowly," Castiel admitted.

"But it doesn't feel like you're drowning?" Dean asked, staring him in the eye.

Castiel shook his head honestly. "No."

Dean nodded, looking slightly relieved. "Okay, well, I guess you just need to stay still and rest up until you start healing. No doing anything crazy and try not to cough."

Sam brought bandages and Castiel allowed him and Dean to wrap them around his chest. The pressure helped the pain a little, but every breath still hurt.

There was also the fact that Sam and Dean were waiting around here, taking care of him while they should be out hunting vampires.

"You can go finish the job," he told them. "I'm just going to be resting here." He didn't want to be alone, afraid that he would start to panic if he started coughing again, but he also knew the Winchesters had a duty and he had no right to ask them to stay for him.

Sam and Dean shared a look, and there was pain in their eyes before they turned back to him. "No, Cas, we'll stay with you," Sam told him.

Castiel furrowed his brow. "But those vampires will be gone by morning, they know you're after them…"

"And what if you need something?" Dean asked him folding his arms over his chest. "Look, you…you almost died a couple weeks ago, Cas. We're still a little shaken up about that, and I know you are too. So we're not gonna leave you alone like that. We'll send an anonymous tip to the British douchebags. They'll take care of those vamps."

Castiel looked between his friends—his brothers—gratefully, and relaxed slightly against the pillows. "Thank you."

"No problem, Cas," Dean said. "Now you just rest up, how about a little TV to pass the time?"

Castiel felt at ease despite the pain he was in and while the TV provided a comforting background noise, it was the chatter of Sam and Dean as they talked about the shows that finally relaxed him enough to fall asleep and allow his grace to begin healing his body. He began to think that, maybe…maybe he did truly belong there after all.