Sam stood in the doorway of Dean's hospital room, looking down the long corridor filled with nurses working frantically. He could hear the machines beeping, all throughout the hall, and for the first time since the accident, Sam thanked God that Dean wasn't dead. He took a step inside and shut the heavy door, locking it in the process.

He walked towards the hospital bed. Sam examined his brother's state, feeling regret deep inside his chest. He dragged a plastic chair close to Dean's bedside and took a seat. He reached for Dean's hand and held it between his hands, holding his brother's entire life in his palms.

Sam swallowed hard, staring out the large window. He was searching for the right words to say. Tears began to form and sniffles a little before finally exhaling suddenly. He spoke softly, "I, uh," he let out a sad chuckle, "I don't know who exactly can hear me - whether it's Dean or Castiel - but there's something I need to say. It's been weeks since I've heard my brother's voice. I've been drinking to forget so I wouldn't have to blame myself, but nothing helps anymore. I became distant from everyone just like you have. Jody and Bobby have coped with telling you stories and singing you goodnight. I need to ask, is this really what you want? Do you want to be stuck inside your head for the rest of your life? You'll grow old, but time will continue to be frozen in your mind. Is that what you want? Jody and Bobby go home and cry themselves to sleep. I'm piss drunk and can't sleep. We're falling apart without you. It would be different if you were dying, I'd tell you it'd be okay to let go. Here I am, sitting in a hospital room where you have no business being in in the first place. Cas, I realize you love him and I promise you he loves you too, but can you live with yourself knowing the effect this is having on us in the real world? Do you understand how much of a mess I've been since Dean left? This is all my fault for letting you inside of him in the first place. Please leave him, let him live an actual life. Doesn't he deserve that? If you truly loved him, wouldn't you let him go?"

Sam wiped his runny nose with his hand. He looked down as he held his brother's hand. He closed his eyes and the tears fell, dripping onto his hands.

It was silent for a long moment.

He opened his mouth and hesitated before speaking. "Dean, I need you to tell me if this is what you really want. I just want you to be happy," Sam choked.

For a brief moment, it was silent once again. Until the heart monitor sang out a single, long, monotonous ring. Sam cried harder, knowing what that noise meant. It broke his entire being. He squeezed Dean's hand tighter, letting the tears roll down his face and drip onto his hands.

A nurse tried to get into the room, hearing the dreaded beep, but Sam ignored her pleas. He knew exactly what it meant; someone inside his brother had made their choice.

He stood up and took one long look at his big brother, then bent over and took one final, pained squeeze of his brother's hand.