It was the second week of eight in basic training. Everyone has adjusted the slightest to the schedule and early wake-up calls.

Dean, Gabe, and Cas decided on getting up even earlier than everyone else, when it was still dark out to go on an early run to get started for the day and even shower before everyone else woke up to take over all the available showers.

Dean was running faster than the others. He was a football jock in high school, used to a lot of running. He turned and looked back at Gabe not far behind, but Cas not even running, but instead walking.

He slowed down to run next to Gabe, "Hey, you go ahead. I'm gonna talk to Cas."

Dean walked the opposite direction towards Cas who was now sitting in the dirt, sucking in his inhaler and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He put on in his mouth and Dean snatched it from him as he sat down, propping his arms on his knees.

"Cas, you need to stop your smoking," Dean stated.

Cas rolled his eyes, "Why?"

"Don't do this to me, Cas. Not today."

"Do what," Cas retorted.

"Be stubborn. I need you to stop smoking," Dean pleaded.

"But why," Cas asked again, genuinely interested in the answer.

Dean spoke softly, "Because I need you. And I care about you. Smoking isn't helping your health. Please stop...for me."

Dean rested his hand on Cas'. Cas stared down at it and unknowingly intertwined his fingers with Dean. Dean didn't pull away like he had rudely a week ago, but instead stared at Cas worriedly waiting for an answer.

Cas looked up at him and nodded a little, "Okay I will, for you. But that means you have to help me because stopping an addiction is extremely difficult."

Dean nodded anxiously, "Of course! Anything to help!"

He threw his arms around Cas and Cas gingerly hugged back. He soaked up the brief moment until it was interrupted by Gabe shouting, "Hey! Stop your hugging and get your asses up! I refuse to run alone!"

Dean chuckled and stood up, pulling Cas up with him. They were abnormally close the way they stood up and they froze for a moment. Cas was focused on those green eyes. He could've looked for hours, then Dean ran in a dead sprint towards Gabe. He laughed looking behind him, "Come on, Cas! But take it easy! Don't want you hurting yourself!"

Cas smiled to himself and began jogging the trail, but his jog quickly turned into a slow walk.

He was heaving for a breath, although no matter how much he tried it never felt like he was getting enough air into his lungs.

He ended up lingering back, away from the two men. He caught Sergeant Lucifer waking up. After having a little chat, he was now assigned to different posts for watch duty. It was a job to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and doing what they were supposed to do because sergeants can have difficult time doing it on their own. But mostly because he wanted to give Cas some sort of work for the remaining eight weeks that wouldn't be drills.

Dean caught up with him during their platoon's breakfast. "Hey, are you okay? Why didn't you go on the morning run?"

Cas was silent, searching for his answer. All he said was, "I'm fine, Dean. Don't worry about me."

He walked away from Dean and whispered something in the sergeant's ear. Then, he walked out. He managed to avoid Dean for the rest of the day.

Dean caught him at dinner by cornering him on the outside wall of the mess hall. Cas was startled with fear in his eyes as Dean pinned his arms against the wall. Dean immediately apologized, "I am so sorry. I'm not aggressive like this. I don't want to hurt you, I just want to talk... I understand if you don't want to tell me certain things, but don't just ignore me. I need you. I told you that this morning and I meant it. I can't lose you....especially not here. You're the whole reason I haven't gone insane in here yet. I care about you and I want you to tell me things, but I get it if you don't want to. Just please for the love of god, don't shut me out."

Cas whispered, "I need you too..."

Dean let go of Cas and pulled him into a hug instead. He could feel the tears forming, "You're all I have here."

Cas cried. He cried into the arms of his love. He cried for reasons he couldn't tell Dean because Dean would never understand. And for just a moment, he felt loved. He choked through the sobs. Blood pulling from his body as he coughed into his fist. He pulled away from Dean and told him, "Sergeant Lucifer probably needs me."

He turned around to walk away, but Dean grabbed his hand and pulled him back, "Can't you have dinner with Gabe and I? Come on, I hardly even saw you today..."

Cas smiled at the puppy dog begging in his eyes. He couldn't say no. They ate dinner together, laughing like old friends. Dean made as much contact with him as much he could. He touched his arm when something was funny or his thigh when something was a bit more serious like a flirting woman at a bar. He just wanted to have some sort of physical contact to let Cas know he cared, but maybe a little bit more than a friend usually would.