When Dean came to the hospital the next day, he was greeted with a panicked state from the nurses as several of them ran to and fro, seemingly searching for someone or something. It was when he ran into Ellen, the nurse's eyes wide and her breathing irregular.

"Please tell me you helped sneak Castiel out of his room." Ellen said with worry, running her hand through her hair quickly, her hair in disarray as she looked around. Dean furrowed his eyebrows, confusion littering his gaze.

"What are you talking about Ellen?" Dean asked, but they were distracted by a nurse running over, her eyes filled with worry.

"Ellen! We found his IV rack in the stairwell!" The nurse said, her panic just as prominent as Ellen's. Dean didn't need to hear anymore before he took off, heading back towards the stairs with long strides.

He flung the door opened and flew down the stairs, reaching the second floor in moments and frowning as he only saw an open door. He growled, racking his brain where Castiel might have gone, until he got an idea and continued running down the stairs, reaching the first floor before leaving the hospital in a hurry.

He took one look to the right, then the left, before racing towards the park just across the street, where cloves of trees and flowers laid. He remember Castiel always talking about this park and how beautiful it was when he went there before he got sick. If the teen was anywhere, this would probably be it.

He raced through the streets, keeping his eyes open for the messy black hair of the boy or a flash of his white hospital gown. He came upon a pond, ducks quacking as they fluttered their wings and splashed through the water, Castiel sitting on the other side watching them with sad eyes and a quivering body.

Dean sighed in relief and walked over, shrugging off his jacket and draping it around the boy's shoulders. "You shouldn't run off like that Cas. What if you had gotten hurt?" Dean asked, sitting beside Castiel and pulling the chilled boy against his side.

Castiel leaned his head against Dean's chest, clutching the jacket around him tightly. "I'm sorry, Dean. I just wanted to get out of the hospital for a while." Castiel mumbled, barely above a whisper as he looked up at the green-eyed man. Dean sighed, meeting his gaze.

"I know that Cas, but next time, wait for me and I'll sneak you out." Dean offered, giving the boy a small smile of reassurance. Castiel smiled in response, his eyes shining as he leaned his head back on Dean's shoulder, curling into the Winchester.

They sat there for several minutes, just watching the ducks and the water, before Dean finally sighed and released his hold on the teen, looking down at him. "Cas, we have to get back before Ellen has a heart attack." Dean said, almost regretful that he would have to leave this beautiful place.

Castiel nodded, looking at the water guiltily. "I know." He whispered, not saying anything else as he shakily pulled himself to his feet. Dean stood beside him, watching the boy warily as he tried to walk, only to catch him when Castiel's legs collapsed out from under him.

"I got you" Dean said softly, holding the boy up as he looked down at the teen. Castiel bit his lip, frustration covering his face as Dean supported him, letting his head drop after a moment.

"I can't even walk by myself. I'm so useless." Castiel whispered, tears springing into his eyes as he tried to stand by himself. When he couldn't he hid his face in Dean's chest, sniffles coming through.

Dean frowned and lifted Castiel's head, forcing him to meet the Winchester's gaze. "Cas, you are not useless. It is not your fault that you are sick." Dean said, searching Castiel's eyes as he spoke. The shorter teen stared up at him, a conflicting look in his eyes.

"Dean..." Castiel trailed off, as if he wasn't sure on how to put his words. There was a moment of silence as Dean let Castiel find his words before speaking again. "C-can I....ki-kiss you?"

Dean's eyes widened as he realized what the teen had said, his face turning the brightest shade of red that had ever appeared. "Uh, why do you want to....kiss me?" Dean asked, stammering over his words as he watched Castiel, who had a guilty look on his face.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Castiel said quickly, his head down. Dean had a feeling that the boy would have runned if he could have. The Winchester sighed, grabbing the back of Castiel's head and threading his fingers through the quickly disappearing hair.

"Cas, I want you to." Dean said, looking down at Castiel with a nervous expression. When he saw the hope in  Castiel's eyes as he slowly leaned up, Dean felt his heart flutter and found himself meeting the teen halfway, their lips meeting just ever so briefly.

Even though it was so short, Dean found himself falling like he had never fallen before. His mouth felt like it was on fire as they parted, leaving him with desire to really explore Castiel's mouth. Instead of doing just that, he smiled, pulling Castiel into a hug before looking over at the hospital rising above the trees.

"Let's get back, okay?" Dean said, trying not to think about the way his heart was racing and his palms were sweating as he helped support Castiel and walked. Their way back was filled with silence, neither of them finding the need to talk. When they reached the front doors of the hospital, Ellen waiting for them with a worried look in her eyes.

"Where have you been?" The nurse growled, her concern clear on her face as she moved over to Castiel, checking him over for injuries. The black-haired teen sighed, leaning into Dean.

"Sorry for sneaking off Ellen. I just wanted to go outside for a while." Castiel mumbled, glancing over at Dean. The Winchester gave him a shy smile, turning his attention back to Ellen as she finished looking the teen over and took a step back, sighing.

"As long as you're not hurt." The nurse said with a resigned sigh, looking towards Dean. "Could you take him back to his room please?" She asked, slumping her shoulders in relief as Dean nodded.

Dean nodded and led Castiel into the elevator and up to the floor that Castiel stayed in. As they headed back to the room, there were a couple of lecturing nurse, some were whispering, some were glaring, but both the teens ignored them as Dean opened the door, helping Castiel back into his bed.

"You should rest. You've had quite the adventure today." Dean urged, pulling the cover over Castiel's shivering form. Castiel nodded, his eyes beginning to droop shut.

"Thank you, Dean." Castiel mumbled before letting his eyes fall closed. His breath evened out and grew soft, slipping from his slightly parted lips as he slept. Dean watched Castiel for a moment, a smile crossing his face as he leaned down and kissed those delicate lips gently before leaving.

Halfway to the car, he realized he forgot his jacket with Castiel, but he could always get it tomorrow.