Chapter three: A moment before the blowup

In which our boys have a moment and then tempers explode.

A/N-This chapter is dedicated to Maknatuna, my only review and a dear friend. Thanks Sweetie. Reviews would be lovely. If only one word. If it sucks, please let me know that too. For those who are reading, please enjoy.

Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing but a few words and an obsession for Destiel and Sabriel.

As the angel listened to the fading echo of the vile creature, he suddenly felt weak. His limbs trembling. He put his hand, palm down on the wall to steady himself and closed his eyes, unable to pinpoint exactly what was wrong. Castiel sensed thirst, exhaustion, distant pain. Why? Dean's voice was quiet, pained.

"Cas? You alright?"

Castiel pushed from the wall and looked over at Dean.

"I am fine. Perhaps, if you haven't grown too attached to this room, we could depart."

Dean began to laugh. It was cut off as the hunter groaned in pain.

"Dean? Are your injuries painful?"

"I'm...good. Can we just get the hell out of here?"

"Yes, Dean."

Castiel offered Dean a hand and the hunter reluctantly took it, grumbling as he began to stand. His legs were shaking and he slid back down.

"Dean?"

"What?"

"You are hurt. Tell me where."

"I already told you-."

"Where? I will not ask again."

Dean sighed, "Fine, damn ghost did a number on me when he threw my ass into the wall. Just gimme a few minutes."

Castiel looked at the hunter intently and crouched down in front of him. He slid his hands, palms down up the human's legs.

Dean jumped and yelled.

"What in the hell-."

"Quiet. I am attempting to heal you. Stay still."

Castiel knew he was hurt when the hunter obeyed his request. Castiel pressed lightly as he moved from calf to knee, thigh to hip. The hitched breath from his charge caught his attention.

"Dean? Am I hurting you?"

"N-no...No. I...just...you done yet?"

"Not quite. Close your eyes."

He watched as Dean's eyes widened and then snapped closed. He went back to work. His fingers pressing either side of the human's groin area. Castiel thought he heard a moan from the hunter as he had turned his head away from the angel. The sound had sent a chill through his vessel's body. He dismissed it as he moved his hands higher, up the hunter's sides and to the small of his back. He leaned in and spoke quietly.

"Dean, please lean forward."

He smiled as Dean did as the angel bid without complaint. He felt breath at his neck, a gasp as he slowly moved his hands up the hunter's spine, fingers spread out and pushing grace into Dean's body. He pulled back, looked into the hunter's face and stilled as the hunter's eyes opened. Leaning Dean's head back against the wall, Castiel brought his hands up, circling his neck. His fingers were warm where he had touched Dean.

A slight sound escaped the hunter's mouth and Castiel's attention was diverted. Dean licked his lips, tilted his head back and stilled.

Castiel swallowed. Was something happening between them? He whispered Dean's name and the hunter's eyes locked on Castiel's. The angel unable to look away. Fingers moving up Dean's throat of their own accord, over Dean's jaw line, his cheeks. Smoothing the frown on his forehead. Castiel began to speak, but a slight shake of the human's head ended the thought. He looked intently into green eyes. Locked onto them and felt fingers slide up the nape of his neck. The angel moved closer into the warmth.

"Dean..."

"Shhh. Don't know what is...just...let me..."

The words trailed off as Dean closed the gap between them and brushed his lips over Castiel's.

The sound of stomping feet and familiar bitching was coming from the other side of the door made Dean push Castiel away. The angel glanced at him with hurt as the hunter grabbed his weapons and looked briefly back at the angel before walking towards the door.

Sam came barreling through the door, Gabriel right behind him. Now that he was warm again, he was no longer angry. Just worried. One look at his brother, healthy and unhurt, turned it back into anger. Sam was pissed. Gabriel rolled his eyes.

"Dammit, Dean! What the hell? I could have frozen out there. Are you even aware it's snowing? Of course, you are! Why the hell would you care! You weren't out there! Hell no! You were safe and warm in here whereas, I", Sam poked Dean in the chest, "could have died! Died! You hear me! Just because you were too impatient to wait out the storm! Had to gank the damn ghost-!"

"You almost done, Sammy?"

"Done? Done?" He was going to kill his brother! He wondered if Gabriel would help. Gabriel raised his hands.

"Sorry, hot stuff, Cassie might not approve."

Sam just glared. Dean grinned and waved his guardian over.

"Hey, Cas? C'mere."

"Dean. No. I have to go-."

Dean's eyes narrowed. He focused on the angel's eyes. Castiel sighed and walked over to where the brothers stood.

"Hey, Cas. Look at Sammy. Tell me what you see."

Castiel was unsure what Dean was asking, so he stepped in front of Dean and focused on Sam.

"You are upset with your brother."

"Yeah, no shit. What else is new?"

Castiel ignored his charge.

"Samuel?"

Flicking his eyes over Castiel's shoulder, he glanced at Dean. His brother was frowning. His eyes moving from Cas to Sam and then back to the angel again. What was up with Dean? Oh. Ohhhh. His brother didn't want Castiel to realize he'd gone off half-cocked. Wait. Why? Dean's never given a shit what anyone thought. So why Castiel? Yeah, the angel had been cross lately, but if Dean would stop acting like a bitch, then there wouldn't be a problem.

"Samuel? Is there something you would like to say to your brother or myself?"

Sam looked down slightly. The angel was focused intensely on him. His eyes. How did Dean do it? He felt dirty, like Castiel could see inside of him. Judge him.

"Samuel? Is there something wrong?"

He shook his head, couldn't even answer him. He was so different than the archangel. Gabriel was...Gabriel. He didn't intimidate Sam in the least. He never took himself seriously and refused for Sam to do the same. There was just something about him; maybe the sheer power he had. God, it was confusing. He'd never wanted another guy except for...didn't matter. Unlike Dean, Sam could keep it in his pants and so far he had. But, earlier, outside; he'd wanted to feel him, touch and taste him-.

There were suddenly fingers snapping in his face. Dean. Glaring. At him.

"Hey, you mind?"

"What.."

"Samuel. I asked you if something was wrong."

"Oh." He could almost feel Castiel's impatience. And those damn eyes. It was a bit unnerving. He found himself leaning towards Gabriel.

The archangel laughed.

"Hey, bro? You're freaking out my boy, here."

Castiel looked at his brother. Then back at Sam.

"My apologies."

Sam smiled at the angel and received a slight smile back in return. Dean coughed. Loudly, pulling Castiel towards him, glaring at both the angel and his brother.

"You two done?"

Castiel turned to Dean puzzled.

"I wasn't aware we had been in the process of doing...something."

Sam and Gabriel laughed as Dean face palmed.

"Not what I meant. Alright, we done here? I have so had it with this place. Hey, there's a bar down by the motel. Anyone wanna celebrate?"

"Dean, I don't think Gab-."

Sam stopped midsentence as fingers slid down his back and beneath the waistband of his jeans.

"Nonsense Sammy, get a coupla of drinks to relax you and maybe a little dirty-dancing, handsome?"

"That is enough, Gabriel."

The archangel gave Castiel his smug grin.

"Gabriel? You are upsetting Samuel and angering my charge."

Gabriel rolled his eyes.

"Cassie, I love you but you really need to get that stick out of your ass, maybe Deano could be its replacement."

"Gabriel! That is quite enough!"

"Oh, fine. Father, you are boring! You'd think hanging with Deano would have loosened you up", the archangel grinned; thrilled at the response he was seeing-Sam was disgusted, Dean was staring in shock and Cassie was blushing, "in more ways than one. What do you think Deano? Up for the challenge?"

"What the hell is your problem? I'm straight! Y'know as in, never in a million years would I do something like-."

"Thank you Dean. Your opinion on the matter is duly noted."

Dean smiled, unaware of the angel's pain at the hunter's statement.

Gabriel leaned over to Sam and spoke.

"Your brother has not the slightest idea what Cassie's words mean, does he?"

"Nope. And something tells me that he's not the only one oblivious. God. They're both like a train wreck just waiting to happen. Dean's so wrapped up in his macho crap and Castiel...holy Dad! Not again!"

"What?"

"Look at them. Eyefucking! Don't tell me you never noticed! Might as well do the dirty. Lock 'em in a damn room til they figure it out!"

Sam hissed at the archangel. "Shut. Up. Unless your brother has girl parts, not happening."

"You are going to eat those words, Sammy, my boy."

"You're full of it, Gabe."

"Care to wager?"

"You really think something's going on with them?"

"Yep. Now, let's see. You think I'm full of it. If I win you are going to be the one full of...me."

"You can't be serious."

Gabriel leaned in licked his ear and whispered, "oh, I am. And you know that fantasy of yours, the one no one knows about? Oh, baby, I know. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be screaming my name. I'll take care of all those little kinks no one knows about."

Shit. An image came to him. He closed his eyes, legs shaky from what he was seeing and oh, God. Feeling. Gabriel's hand. Between his legs; rubbing and pressing. Moving further back. Fingers sliding inside. He failed to swallow a moan. Jesus, he wanted it. This. Him."

"I...y-yes."

After Sam learned how to breathe again, he whispered.

"You're not going to win, Gabriel."

"I always win. This time will be no different."

"You're forgetting something. Look at them. Dean's...Dean and Castiel, well, you get the point."

"Hmmm, my little tightass, you might be on to something there. There is a little current of anger rolling off of them both. They're usually a lot closer than this. Maybe a little intervention? Something to shake one of 'em up. I think Deano. He needs to deal. Get close again."

"Like how...Close? What do you mean, close? All they do is fight. Castiel shows, Dean bitches and the angel gets pissed, yells and vanishes. I don't know what the hell is going on, all I know is Dean's starting to piss me off", Sam looked at the archangel and narrowed his eyes, "wait, what do you know that I don't?"

"I think you're bro has a thing for Cassie and he's freaking out. You said yourself, he's out of control, spiraling. Fighting, sex...defensive."

"Dean? You think he wants Castiel and he's losing it because it's not his norm?"

"Not sure, but after I saw them...earlier; anyway, there's something up with them. Deano's not the only one acting weird. And I know, my little bro, he's stoic, serious, and calm. Rarely does he get his feathers in a twist, especially with humanity. He isn't emotional and your bro isn't exactly into sharing and caring. What? You look like you got something to say, Sammy."

"I think you're wrong about something. Dean's dealing with something; I just have to get him to talk. I doubt has anything to do with Castiel. Why go off on him? Shit, he called him on the way to the diner and when he got their Dean was...involved. Yelled at Castiel. Why would he do that? No. Don't think it has to do with the angel."

"My dear boy, it's a good thing you are such a looker, because, frankly, I'm starting to doubt your smarts. I think a plan is forming-."

"Oh, God. Help us."

"Hey! You two in or what?"

"Deano, we're so in. Cassie?"

"I do not think so, Gabriel."

"C'mon, Cas. I need some downtime after killing that damn thing."

"What did you say? You are speaking of the being I sent to its fate?"

"Well, yeah. Course. I mean you helped, but...either way, it's dead now."

"I see. And I suppose your scream for assistance was imagined...and the creature choking you to death was immaterial?"

"And here we go."

"Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Look, you want credit for it? Fine. But, just so you know, I had it contained-."

"Of all the...you had nothing contained! Nothing! You did no research or history! The witnesses told you nothing of value and while your brother tried to find answers, you participated in fornication with a virtual stranger! Samuel did not want to go and instead of waiting out the storm, you stated this particular hunt was...a piece of pie and if not for Gabriel, Samuel would have died! Do you even realize without mine and Gabriel's intervention, you both would have died!"

"Don't you think you're being a little dramatic? And it's cake, not pie."

Castiel growled, pushing him into the wall, hissing into his ear.

"Do not push me! Dramatic? I am tired of your condescending, asinine, ungrateful attitude! Towards me, towards your brother, but most especially towards yourself! You are sinking and you refuse to see what is important! I did not brave that vile pit just to watch you throw it all away by your immature behavior! And I will not stand for it! Am I getting through to you? Do not force my hand, Righteous one!"

"Do it."

Castiel leaned back until Dean locked onto his eyes and saw the desperation, the need for something. He felt Dean's fingers clenched into his trenchcoat.

"Cas. Don't even know what I'm doing anymore."

"Let me help you, Dean. Please."

"No." Castiel closed his eyes and whispered softly.

"Earlier when I healed you and we were...close, that was the Righteous One. The bright soul that led me to you and if not for that light, neither of us would have ascended from that Pit. Your soul called to me, has guided me, as I believed I guided you. You are losing yourself and I know not how to help you."

Dean closed his eyes and turned his head. He couldn't stand the look in the angel's eyes.

"Dean. Do not turn away. Look at me. At least give me that."

Dean turned back and Castiel smiled sadly.

"Thank you. I wish you would let me in. I wish you would trust me. Goodnight Dean."

"Cas-."

He spoke too late. Castiel was gone.

"Dean-."

"Sam. Don't. Just leave me alone."

Dean Winchester walked out of the building, never even noticing the storm building around him. Pulling the car door open, he got in and slammed it. He'd made a mess of things. Everything from the girl to Sammy. What if Gabriel hadn't been there? And Cas? Saved his ass again. Why? He's almost...He'd gotten too close. Almost given in. What the fuck was wrong with him? He needed to get drunk and fuck into something until he couldn't feel anymore. He sure as hell couldn't deal with Sam. Gabriel would make sure his brother got home safe. He looked back towards the building and…Son of a bitch.

Sam ran out of the farmhouse directly to the impala.

"Dean, we need to-."

"You might need to, but I sure as hell don't!"

"Dean, please-."

"Goddammit Sam, no! I'm not doing this right now! I fucked up! Fucking Cas was right about that at least. I almost got you killed! Jesus, Sammy! Right now, I'm…I don't know, just…Have Gabe keep you safe. I sure as hell can't."

"Dean! No! That's not true-."

Dean looked at him and Sam's breath hitched.

"Stop it, Sam. You know it is. Not taking you down with me…."

"Dean please-."

Dean sighed when he saw Gabriel just behind his brother. Looking over at the archangel, he spoke.

"Take care of Sam. Keep him safe. You're good like that. Don't trust myself right now, so just-."

Gabriel nodded. "Sure kiddo, no problem."

Dean forced himself to smile. "Just don't be comin' on to him. He's innocent."

Sam huffed.

"Now that could be a problem. Between you and me, like to climb sexboy like a tree."

Gabriel laughed as Dean gagged.

"Uh, excuse me! I'm right here!"

"Oh, I know tall, built and hot-."

"Gabriel! He's my brother! That's just gross!"

Gabriel just smirked. "Oh, please. I think you got a thing for my little bro."

"Don't even bother, Dean. I already told him."

"Why in the hell would I-."

"Oh, please. Kiddo, I've seen enough, from both of you. You, Deano; when it comes to Cassie, you're about as straight as a slinky."

Dean's jaw dropped. He tried to speak. Nothing.

"Never thought I'd see it. A silent Dean."

The eldest hunter tried again. "What?" He squeaked. He fucking squeaked. Great. Fan-fucking-tastic!

Sam's head flew up. "Dean? Are you okay?"

"Uh-."

"You just squealed like a little girl."

"I did not! So, shut up! And what the hell, Gabriel? What're you even talking about? "

"Self-delusional. It's sad, really."

"I am not….what was that damn word…Bisexy? I. Like. Girls! Period!"

Sam grinned. "Bisexual, Dean."

"What the fuck ever! I'm not gay or Bisexual, Dammit!"

"Didn't say you were, Deano. You're Cassexual."

"Whatever the hell you're taking, Gabe, I'd lay off. You've lost it."

Sam shook his head. Gabriel was not going to let that comment pass.

"I'd be willing to bet the only thing that is going to be lost soon is Cassie's virginity. And I suggest you get a move on, otherwise, some girl might have herself a wild night with my little bro."

Dean growled. "Not happening! Cas ain't interested."

"You're sure about that, are you, Deano?"

"Damn straight!"

"If you insist."

"I do, Dammit!

"Dean…"

"Sam. No. Just I need…I have to go. Take care of him, alright."

"Where you going?"

"Fuck if I know. A bar. Get drunk and laid. Rent a room close. Don't wait up. And keep your filthy paws off Sammy. Got it?"

"Oh, I'm going to have it, alright."

"Gabriel! Shut up! Dean, please be careful. Don't drive so fast. It's bad out here. It might get worse."

"Sam. Chill out. I'm a big boy. Got this."

"If you need me or something happens-."

"Samantha! God! You're such a damn girl! Fine! I'll call. Can I go now, mom?"

"Shut. Up. Just be careful. Please."

"Yeah. Fine. See ya later. "

Sam and Gabriel watched as Dean peeled out and disappeared down the road. The archangel grinned and pinched Sam's ass as they disappeared to a far warmer location, never noticing Dean's jacket and phone; still inside the abandoned building.

And there it is. Comments would be appreciated. Boring? Not Bad? Should I continue? Story is planned out. Next up will be Dean fighting the elements and his attraction. ;)