Perceptivity was not one of Dean's strong suits. Not so much when it came to his brother, but more so when it came to his boyfriend. He tried to catch up on anything wrong with Cas, especially during the banished angel's first few months living in the bunker, but since then if Cas acted weird he generally assumed it was an angel thing. It spared him the embarrassment of asking, and getting broken sarcasm back from someone who didn't fully understand it but was more than willing to use it.

So when Dean didn't notice Castiel's developing appetite and frequent vomiting and nausea spells, but Sam did, it wasn't a huge surprise. Sam hadn't asked about it yet, however. He assumed that Castiel was adapting to a more human life since he started eating. Maybe his body couldn't cope with the regular intake of food yet. But it did concern the younger hunter. If Cas was really sick with some heavenly virus, they would have no way of dealing with it since he was locked out from upstairs.

But the angel seemed happy enough. There was very visible change in him after he "went domestic", as Dean affectionately named it. He was definitely more cheerful than he had been, although he did mention that he missed his wings. But that was a given. The Enochian sigil on his back looked painful, and would never fully heal unless he was allowed back into heaven. Cas had laughed slightly bitterly when he had mentioned this, but it was plain that he was happier as an outcast than a soldier.

Sam lifted his eyes from the computer perched on his lap. Dean and Cas were on the couch opposite him, Cas' legs resting on Dean's lap. Both of them were fixated on the television – something that Dean had installed himself after moving into the Men of Letters bunker, after discovering that their living room had no more than a coffee table, a few couches and a fireplace. The older hunter had taken it on himself to show the angel every aspect of pop culture he loved, and right now they were in the middle of watching Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Dean looked completely blissed out. Although he hadn't outwardly showed it, he had been overjoyed when Castiel was banished, though he admitted he felt guilty and considered it his fault. Heaven had disapproved of how close Cas and Dean were, and when they could no longer hide their relationship, the bosses upstairs realised that Castiel no longer served under Heaven's banner. So they kicked him out.

Now he was earthbound, and living in the bunker. Which suited the three of them just fine.

The end credits of the episode began to roll, and Dean stretched. 'So, what do you think so far?' he said to the angel.

'It's good. I like Data a lot,' replied Cas.

'Thought you would.' Dean pushed Cas' legs off and stood. 'How's research, Sammy?'

'It would be a lot easier if you two helped out,' muttered Sam, only a little bit pissed off.

'You don't need us. Nothing's come up after that werewolf case a few weeks ago. You could just dump the laptop and watch TV with us instead of being a dork,' Dean laughed, as did Cas after a few seconds. The angel still wasn't quite sure about social norms, and took his cues from Dean.

'Says the guy watching every episode of Star Trek consecutively,' Sam shot back.

'Ain't nothing wrong with that,' Dean pulled his boyfriend to his feet. 'Wanna go get some lunch?'

Castiel visibly blanched. "No thanks.'

Sam watched him carefully. Sometimes he was eager to eat, consuming almost as much junk food as Dean or letting Sam cook him a healthy meal. The next minute he would disappear into a bathroom, and refuse food for the next few hours. Sam tried not to worry too much. He was no expert on angels, but he did think that maybe it went deeper than an angel thing. Maybe Cas had an eating disorder. Maybe-

Sam shook his head a little, as if trying to clear his mind. He was being paranoid and he knew it, but he couldn't help the nagging thought at the back of his mind that there was something really wrong with Castiel, and that Dean just wasn't seeing it.

'You sure?' Dean looked long and hard at the angel, who seemed to fold in on himself a little. 'You've gotta eat regularly, Cas, it's all part of being human-'

'I'm not a human,' Cas interrupted, giving Dean a pointed look. 'I just have my wings bound.'

Dean shrugged. 'Sorry, but you still have to eat. We can go and get some burgers or something, unless Sam wants to make a salad.' The word salad came out sounding like a curse.

Castiel brightened at the word "burgers". 'That sounds fine.' He smiled reassuringly at Dean, and the hunter laughed and put an arm around his shoulders. Sam smiled, but he could still see that Cas looked slightly off still, and it bothered him.

'Are you coming?' Cas turned to Sam to ask as the couple began to head out the door.

'I don't wanna third wheel with you two. I'll stay here.' Sam replied.

Dean muttered the word "nerd" under his breath and Sam could almost see the gears in Castiel's head turning as he tried to figure out the third wheel metaphor.

'Why would you be a wheel-' Cas stopped suddenly, cutting himself off. His shoulders stiffened.

"Cas?' Dean shot the angel a worried look. 'You okay?'

'Check your phone, Sam.' Castiel said in a monotone

'My phone? What-' At that moment, Sam's phone vibrated in his breast pocket, making him jump. He cautiously swiped the unlock screen and accessed his messages.

-From: ?

Open the door and take your damn angel wards off. You want me to stand in the rain all day, sasquatch?-

'Sam?' Dean asked cautiously.

Sam got to his feet quickly. 'It's Gabriel,' he said, heading towards the bunker door. 'He's outside,'

Dean nodded, still a bit perplexed. 'Right. Okay.' He turned to Cas, who was still stiff-shouldered under his arm. 'How did you-'

'Angel radio,' said Cas quietly. 'I could hear him swearing about the wards.'

Sam moved quickly to the door, trying not to seem too eager. He scratched a fingernail through the angel ward Castiel had painted on the inside of their door in case Heaven decided to pay a visit.

He heard a muffled "finally" after he broke the ward, and swung the door open.

'Took your time, Sammy.' Gabriel grinned at him, the rain plastering his hair to his forehead. 'You gonna let me in or what?'

Sam moved aside so Gabriel could get out of the rain, hiding a smile. He liked the archangel more than he wanted to admit, and looked forward to his spontaneous visits. Sometimes he showed up with news of a case, news for Castiel about current events upstairs or sometimes just to relax. Sam enjoyed them whatever the reason behind them. It was nice to have another person in the bunker, so he wasn't a permanent third wheel.

Besides, Gabriel was funny. And hot. And liked to slip into Sam's room sometimes if he stayed a night…

'Shut the door, you're letting the cold air in!' Dean's voice startled Sam from his reverie and he slammed shut the bunker door, reapplying the ward with a permanent marker he had taken to keeping on his person in case a sigil needed fixing, since the bunker was covered in them.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow at him as they made their way into the living room. 'You seem a bit out of it today. Stayed up late doing your homework last night?'

'Shut your face,' Sam retorted, falling into the easy banter that he was accustomed to with the angel.

'Never,' Gabriel entered the warm little room with a flourish. 'Cas, brother, good to see you're still defying heaven by fucking a human.' He stopped short, eyes scanning Castiel's body, then flicking up to meet his gaze. Cas shook his head imperceptibly, and Gabriel twitched his head in what could be interpreted as a nod. All of this happened in the space of two seconds, and both hunters missed the interaction completely.

Gabriel continued as smoothly as possible, though his eyes never left his brother's. 'Good to see you're helping Cas with his little rebellion, Dean.'

'You don't have to ask me twice,' laughed Dean, squeezing Castiel's shoulders.

Sam groaned, as he always did when Dean got a little too descriptive about his sex life. Dean told him to lighten up.

Castiel looked anywhere but Gabriel, avoiding his gaze like it would burn him. He shifted uneasily under Dean's arm, feeling the beginnings of nausea in his stomach.

'What's the occasion, Gabe?' asked Dean, impervious to the angel's discomfort.

'Nothing too important,' said Gabriel. 'Just the usual Heavenly updates. Plus there's been a rumour going around that a huge vampire coven has set up shop up near Maine, since you three haven't noticed it yet.'

'I noticed!' Sam said defensively.

'Sure you did,' Gabriel. 'It might be worth checking it out, unless they're those weird new vegan vampires.'

'Vegan vampires? You're joking, right?' Dean snorted.

'It's true. Apparently they exist on a diet of shame and synthetic blood.'

Dean and Sam both laughed, and Sam made a mental note to look into the Maine coven, rather than admit to Gabriel that he hadn't noticed the signs.

At that moment, Castiel pushed Dean's arm off his shoulders and almost jogged out of the room with a muttered "excuse me". Dean made to follow, a concerned look on his face, but Gabriel stopped him. 'I'll go. I have to give him the lowdown on Heaven, anyway.' He hurried after his brother, leaving a perplexed Dean and a worried Sam in his wake.

Gabriel didn't know the layout of the Men of Letters bunker too well, but all he had to do was follow the sound of someone retching through the corridors. Castiel had run all the way to his bathroom and locked the door, leaving Gabriel standing in his room. Of course, Gabriel could just knock the door down, but he didn't particularly want to piss off Dean and Sam too much by destroying their home. So instead he simply tapped on the door. 'Cas?'

The retching continued for a few minutes, until the sound of someone running the faucet and washing their mouth out was audible through the door. It cracked open slightly, and Castiel poked his head out, red faced and sweaty. 'Is Dean with you?'

'Nope.'

'Okay. Good.' He pushed the door open wider and allowed Gabriel to enter.

The archangel crinkled his nose at the smell. 'Charming, Cas.' He scrutinized the younger angel critically, making him shuffle awkwardly.

Castiel avoided his brother's gaze, shoulders hunched sheepishly. He focused instead on a small crack in the otherwise perfect tiles of the bathroom, trying to ignore the eyes burning into him.

'So,' Gabriel said after a while. 'Should I congratulate you or what?'

Castiel frowned. 'I'd appreciate it if you didn't make jokes at my expense.'

'What else do you want me to do? Throw a fucking baby shower? Jesus, Cas.' Gabriel ran a hand through his hair. 'Have you even told Dean? I'm assuming its Dean's, right?'

'Of course it's Dean's!' snapped the angel. 'And no, I haven't told him.' He met his brother's eyes for the first time. 'Is it… noticeable?'

'Only to me. Your grace is glowing out of control, and it sucks to look at to be honest.' Gabriel softened his tone a little, knowing that Cas couldn't exactly help glowing like a beacon. 'Why haven't you told him?

Castiel shook his head. 'I don't… I just couldn't. Not right after I found out. I thought it would disrupt everything, and I don't know how Dean will react, anyway. Besides, we were going to Illinois in the morning on a hunt, I didn't want to mess up their plans or anything.'

'You went hunting? Are you serious?' Castiel recoiled at his brother's yell, shooting a worried look at the open door. Gabriel struggled to get his anger under control before speaking again. 'You realise how badly that could have gone? You can't use any angel mojo right now, Cas. What if you or Sam or Dean got hurt?'

Cas couldn't look him in the eye. 'I know. But I can't tell Dean, Gabe, I can't. I don't know what he'll do. I don't want to ruin what we have.'

'You have to tell him. You can't not, I mean, it's his problem as much as it is yours. What were you planning on doing, hiding it until you couldn't?'

Cas mumbled 'yes' under his breath. Gabriel wanted to punch a wall.

'Look. Either you tell him, or I do it for you. Because this is huge. This isn't something you can ignore. You've gotta tell him.' Gabriel's words sounded more threatening than he would have liked, but he could see by the look of resignation on his brother's face he had gotten through to him.

'Fine. I'll tell Dean. But you're staying here until I do.' Castiel glared at him accusingly.

Gabriel laughed. 'I wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon.' In a more serious tone, he added 'Tomorrow, okay? You tell him tomorrow, and we get this all over and done with.'

Castiel nodded, swallowing hard. His previous nausea had been replaced with a hard ball of anxiety, like the feeling of missing the last step on the stairs at night. Tomorrow. He'd tell Dean tomorrow, and have Gabriel at his side to help him deal with the consequences. The thought made him feel slightly better. Only slightly.