"So, there are three different groups in this joint. Lucifer's, Michael's, and Castiel's." Gabriel explained, eyes moving about constantly, keeping watch. "We, my friend, are a part of Castiel's group. Technically, we are the renegade group. The reason we exist is because we are sick of Mike and Luci's crap."
Gabriel spoke of the two group leaders as though he really knew them; although, that could just be how Gabriel spoke of people. "Michael and Lucifer have been in this prison a long time – longer than most others. The only exception is myself." He smirked, as though having been locked away for so long was an honor.
Dean had to satisfy his curiosity, so he asked, "How long has Sam been here?"
Gabriel's face went solemn at the mention of Sam. "Not long," he answered quietly. "but he's caught a lot of attention."
"What did he do to get in here?" Dean glanced over at the boy, who was chatting with another inmate, but kept looking over at them.
"According to the guards' story – he set his girlfriend and their house on fire. According to him – he was framed and forced to watch his girlfriend die right in front of him."
Dean winced. No wonder the kid looked so out of place and behaved so much differently than the others; he wasn't even a murderer. He studied Gabriel's face. He looked so sympathetic for Sam – he really cared for him. Dean hadn't even known that it was possible to be in a functioning relationship while in a prison.
"What sort of attention has he got?" Dean asked, remembering Gabriel's statement from before.
Gabriel hesitated before answering. This looked as though it would delve into tricky territory. "It was Lucifer. He set his sights on Sam the moment he arrived. The poor kid was a mess, and he didn't know or trust anyone, of course."
He looked around nervously, as though looking for Lucifer (which Dean now realized, he probably was). "I was on Lucifer's side at the time. I didn't want to be, but I was – I was sort of with – "
"You were in a relationship with Lucifer." Dean stated for him. Gabriel nodded, then shrugged.
"Kind of – you couldn't really call it a relationship. More of a sexual release." Gabriel shifted around, uncomfortably. "Lucifer isn't the gentlest person. He cornered Sam, terrified him with sweet words and unnecessary touches. I was sickened to think that I had been just like Sam, the recipient of Lucifer's advances. I just wanted to protect him."
Dean nodded, seeing where this was going. "You broke it off with Lucifer to be with Sam, then you ran to this other guy, Castiel."
Gabriel gave a small smile. "Cas was completely understanding, and stood ready to back us at any moment. Could have used him earlier, actually. Lucifer got a little pushy with Sam, and when Sam stood his ground, they both got hauled off."
"I see, and then that's where I came in." Dean concluded, interests perked at having all of the story. Well, Dean was certain it wasn't entirely complete, but he had what he needed to know.
"Yep, now you're all caught up." Gabriel agreed, clapping Dean on the shoulder and leading him back to the table where Sam waited. "So, all you need to do is keep your head down and make it clear whose side you're on."
"Where is this Castiel?" Dean asked.
Gabriel pointed to the corner of the room, where a small group of people stood. "Tall guy, black hair." The guy was shorter and leaner than Dean, but he looked strong. He couldn't tell much more from his distance. He was standing with a blond man who wore an expression similar to the one Gabriel always wore, and a woman with black hair who was very obviously flirting with Castiel.
"Good to know." Dean replied, sitting down at the table with Sam and the man he was talking to. Gabriel followed suit, sitting right next to Sam, and Dean saw his hand slide over so it rested on Sam's thigh. The boy seemed to visibly relax.
"Hello, gentlemen." The unknown man greeted with a rather smug smile. Dean instantly didn't like him. "Gabriel," he nodded, then settled his gaze on Dean. "I don't believe we've met." He held his hand out. "Crowley."
Creepy man with knowing, intelligent eyes that will only give one name – definitely creepy. Dean was almost certain that the man probably knew who he was. He decided to test his theory – his gut was rarely wrong.
Without taking Crowley's hand, Dean answered, "Dean Winchester, but I have a feeling you knew that." Crowley only smiled, the tilted his head at Dean in agreement. He then clapped his hands and stood from the table, gaze resting on Sam. "Well, Moose, it was delightful talking with you, as usual."
He left, and Sam didn't look the least bit happy. "He makes me uncomfortable." The kid admitted, eyes wide and honest.
Gabriel chuckled and Dean asked, "What side is he on?"
Gabriel raise an eyebrow. "Crowley? God only knows. I think he's on our side, but you can never tell with him. Don't worry about it, Crowley is a crooked, egotistical asshole, but he's not much for lying. He just might not tell you the whole truth."
Dean nodded in understanding. He studied Sam, who was still looking around anxiously, but not at all as strung up as he had been as before, when he was sitting alone. The kid looked like a broken vase that had been put back together with duct tape. He was holding on, but he was extremely stressed out. This open environment has him as wired at a guitar.
A whistle blew, and all of the inmates stood and scrambled about to leave. Suppertime was over. It was time to prepare for bed. With so many prisoners, everyone had to get ready early, so everyone would be ready for bed when it was time for lights out.
Dean, Gabriel, and Sam all stood as well, and made for the door they had come from. They had made it about halfway to the bathrooms when a guard stopped them. "I don't think so, Milton. You're on the other side of this block. Go around the way you're supposed to."
Gabriel glared at the guard. His cell was in the same block as Sam and Dean's, but he was on the other side of it, and was supposed to get there through the other doors, not through the bathroom. This must be a common issue if the guard knew exactly where to stop them at.
At one final demand from the guard, Gabriel turned to Sam, gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. Dean looked away to give them some privacy, unlike the guard, who just stared like he had seen this same scene play out a dozen times.
"Hey, what's your problem?" Dean barked out, angered at the guard's inconsiderate behavior. "Can't you see these guys need a moment? The least you could do is look away!"
"Dean, it's not a big deal." Gabriel said gently. The guard looked annoyed, but didn't say anything to Dean. He just moved forward to push Gabriel along. The blond walked away, but turned mid step to wink at Dean and blow a kiss to Sam.
Dean turned to Sam, but didn't say a word at the look on his face. He was smiling shyly, a blush spread across his face. He wasn't sure if it was from Gabriel or the fact that Dean stepped in and scolded the guard.
After the two cleaned up, made it back to their cell, and had settled into their beds, Dean heard Sam say quietly from his bunk, "Thank you, Dean."
Dean didn't reply.