He knows it's time when the sounds dry up, when Dean sags against the chains, and he stops, standing there for a moment, breathing hard. Listening to Dean breathe. For the first time since they started, everything is quiet.

When he moves again the peace is something he tries to preserve, moving back to the bed and laying down the baton, reaching for the gauze and disinfectant. Because his work here isn't done.

"Dean," he murmurs when he's standing in front of him again, lifting a hand to nudge Dean's head upward. Enough to see his swollen eyes. "I need you to stay where you are for a few minutes. Can you do that?"