It was two weeks later, when Sam was walking riot in the pouring rain, that suddenly, he wasn't; instead he stood on a warm sun drenched beach in a hidden cove.

"Gabe?" Sam called out.

"Yeah kiddo?" Sam turned to see Gabriel stood behind him, head down and not meeting his gaze. Riot immediately began excitedly pulling towards the angel, Sam let him loose and the pup was soon jumping up Gabriel, begging for attention. Gabriel crouched down and was bombarded by fur and slobber.

"I guess he missed you,"

"Yeah," Gabriel sighed and looked up at Sam who hadn't moved any closer. "Sam, I didn't mean to…"

"Doesn't matter," Sam interrupted, "Where are we this time?"

The pair chatted idly as they sat on the sand, watching as Riot raced in and out of the waves. Sam was certain the pup felt more like he was Sam and Gabriel's, than Sam and Dean's. Gabriel was now lying flat out on his back, one arm bend supporting his head, whereas Sam was leaning forwards, arms looped around his bent knees. The sun was hitting the horizon and Sam shivered as a chill spread through him.

"Cold kiddo?" a blanket appeared around his shoulders and Sam pulled it closer.

"Yeah, thanks,"

"I can take you back if you want,"

"No, I'm good here. Nothing going on back home anyway,"

"Right," a silence fell between them as they watched Riot charge a flock of seagulls before coming back to join his masters with a look of troublesome glee before taking off to explore some more. "Hey Sam?"

"Yeah?" Turning back to Gabriel the warmth of a conjured fire hit him.

"Marshmallow?" Gabriel asked, moving closer to Sam and handed him a roasting stick. Sam took it and their hands brushed for a moment before both pulled away.

"Got to have you sugar fix eh?"

"Can't a guy appreciate the little things?" The angle's grin was infectious and Sam nudged him in the side with his elbow as he leant over to roast his first marshmallow.

When the pup caught a whiff of the food he soon rejoined them and ended up lying over Gabriel's outstretched legs.

"Sammy, your puppy is getting to be a heavy little lump,"

"Just get him to move then," Gabriel prodded Riot in his flank, which caused the pup to crawl further up Gabriel's chest and attempt to steal his current sugary treat.

"Sam! He's doing it again," Gabriel whined and Sam merely laughed at the angel's indignant expression.

"You're encouraging him," Gabriel glared at him

"Do not," The moment he took his eyes of Riot the pup took his opportunity and grabbed the marshmallow; stick and all.

"You so do," Sam said his voice laced with fondness rather than annoyance. "Up you get pup," Sam said, lifting the dog from Gabriel's chest to his own. "Aw, maybe Gabe doesn't love you as much as you love him, eh pup?"

"I like him better when he's not dribbling on me, or using me as a climbing frame," Sam rolled his eyes with a smile,

"Aw, it's not his fault. Uncle Gabe doesn't mean it pup," Sam said, snuggling the pup who nuzzled back.

"Uncle? Archangel, Norse God, Trickster…and now a puppy's uncle. Now that's degrading,"

"Well stories say a certain Norse God gave birth to an eight legged horse. I don't think being a puppy's metaphorical uncle is the worst of your problems,"

"Stories will tell of a certain hunter who sprung antlers for insulting an archangel," Sam raised his eyebrows and gave Gabriel his best bitch-face before turning back to fussing the pup. Soon enough the pup was fast asleep and Gabriel was now leaning into Sam's side too.

"Gabe?"

"Yeah Sam?" Gabriel shifted and Sam felt him move away slightly.

"Thanks,"

"For what kiddo?"

"For giving me this little bit of escapism I guess, I appreciate it,"

"No problem kid,"

"I kept thinking you weren't going to come back," Sam confessed, almost tripping over his words as they came spilling out before he realised how Gabriel might interpret them. He felt the colour rise in his cheeks.

"I'm always going to come back Sam, you're far too amusing for me to ignore for long; besides, err… I was me who screwed up; I just didn't really have the courage to apologise. Didn't think you'd want to hear it actually. But I am; I am sorry Sam. I didn't mean it how it came out,"

"I know," Sam pulled Gabriel back to him and the angel relaxed into his side. Sam felt sure this feeling was all he wanted in the world.

"Just got word you brother wants you home; you feel like making a move or pissing him off?"

"Hmm, pissing him off, but I won't,"

"Fair enough," Gab rolled his eyes but Sam wasn't watching him; more focussed on picking up Riot so he didn't wake up.

Where are you going to take us next time?"

"Haven't decided yet, any suggestions? We could go somewhere busier than the middle of nowhere.

"Not too busy if we're bringing Riot," He said fussing the pup's ear.

"Okay, quiet adventures for Mutley, gotcha. I'll see you around Sammy-boy," and with a snap of his fingers Sam and the pup were back at the motel room. Dean didn't look particularly impressed. It was still pouring with rain outside and Sam suddenly felt very down in the dumps as he placed Riot down at the foot of the bed. The pup immediately relocated to lie across the pillows.