A/N: OMG so apparently there are people besides myself reading this! I had no idea, and now I'm kind of nervous because I want to make you happy and myself happy and ahhh pressure, but I'm just going to follow the characters and right now I know exactly where they are going. Hope you enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer: I think we've covered who is and who isn't mine.

I Don't Want to Want You

Gabriel walked up the sidewalk toward the dark red door of Dean's place. He guessed, technically, it was Dean and Jake's place since Jake had moved in about three months ago, but he didn't really like to think about that because it made his heart clinch in a way that he pretended didn't happen. Sure he loved Dean, but hell he loved Sam too and that sure as hell wasn't anything but platonic. And Dean, well he was Dean, and okay he was pretty much perfection in male form, but whatever he didn't want to think about it right now.

He smiled a little at having an argument with his self, pausing outside the door for a moment to wonder exactly when he had become Dean and not just Dean Winchester, his annoying little brother's really pretty friend. When he stopped being the kid that he avoided on Friday nights when he and Cas would watch old reruns of Clint Eastwood movies, the kid who ate all the chocolate ice-cream at his house and made his mother smile and happily agree to give him another piece of pecan pie even though she gave him the stink eye if he so much as hinted at wanting another piece. The kid who convinced Cas to put shaving cream on his hand while he was passed out one day, who excelled at baseball and was actually a hell of a lot smarter than anyone would know by his less than stellar grades.

He supposed it could have been the time when Dean and Cas were ten and he had found them out back in that stupid treehouse his dad had built and Dean's usually sparkling green eyes were full of tears and he wore a swollen lip and looked like the entire world was going to end. Maybe it was when he had spotted the kid take a beating for Sammy and Cas willingly, when he played the guitar and instead of making it sound good he made it sound like rain in the middle of a hot summer day or being cozy and bundled up next to a fire in the dead of winter; like the music itself was alive. Or maybe it was after he beat up that bully when Dean and Cas were Freshmen and Dean had snuck into his room and left him a whole bag of Oreos with a post-it note on top that simply said, Thanks, –D.

Shaking himself from those thoughts, because he was pretty sure someone was going to come out of the bushes with a hidden camera at any moment and he was going to have to somehow banish them to hell for catching him being so utterly pathetic, he walked up toward the door laughing when he saw a tiny bear on the top step. Cassie probably dropped it earlier and either she was dead asleep or Dean was, because that was the only way neither would notice Mr. Cotton Candy, or CeeCee for short, was missing. He reached down and brushed it off before grabbing his key and reaching for the knob, which was suddenly gone as he was faced with all 6'2 of Jake Adams, decked full out in his hospital scrubs. When Gabriel wasn't being biased he admitted to himself that the man was attractive as all hell, nowhere close to as attractive as Dean, of course, but hell that was like asking a kitten to be a lion.

His voice sounded more shocked than angry when he said, "Gabriel, hey, what are you doing here at 4:30 in the morning?"

Gabriel had been expecting a more upset response, this meant that Dean must have at least told him he was coming, though he knew neither were expecting him at this exact moment, he wasn't supposed to be there until Tuesday, after all. Too bad Jake didn't seem as pissy as usual, that would have been fun to fuck with.

He smirked as he responded, it wasn't like he had promised Dean he was going to be nice, or anything. Fuck it maybe he had, but really it's not like Dean expected him to keep that promise. He knew him, after all, "Ehh, you know, the usual. Here to steal your man and raid your candy."

He considered it a personal victory when he saw Jake's jaw tense a little bit. He knew he was being a dick, and poor lil Jake-y didn't deserve it, but whatever he was Dean's best friend these days and it was his job to look after Dean by making sure his boyfriend, probably fiancé soon and damn husband one day, knew how to take a joke. If he was going to spend the rest of his life with Dean then he needed to get used to his crazy ass.

"Gabriel, please, it's 4 in the morning and I'm not in the mood for this right now. Tell Dean I had to go to the ER because there was an emergency."

Gabriel sighed, well that wasn't nearly as fun as he had hoped for.

He mock saluted and said, "Of course, Dr. Adams. Anything else?"

Jake just sighed, "Yeah, stop being such a dick. You live here now, we are going to have to see each other a lot and I'd rather not give Dean a headache every day because I cannot stand having you anywhere near me."

"You realize asking me to be nice to you is like asking a cat to suddenly love water. It's just not going to happen."

Jake sighed rubbing a hand over his face, "Why, Gabe? Because I am so fucking bad for Dean, is that it? You think he can do so much better? I know I'm not famous and I can't give him all the material things that someone with more money could, but I love him and I love Cassie more then you can possibly imagine. Maybe I don't deserve him, but I'm trying here, okay? I'm damn sure trying."

And fuck because that isn't what he meant. He was just being his usual self. He was a dick, that's all he meant. And as much as he hated to admit it, Jake was good for Dean. He was a doctor for fucks sake. He took care of them, treated Dean like he was some precious and rare jewel that deserved to be treasured every moment of the day, and most of the time when they fought it was Jake that crawled back after a pathetically short amount of time apologizing, even when it wasn't his fault because he couldn't stand Dean being mad at him.

He threw his hands up in defeat and took a step back.

"That's not what I mean, Jake. I'm just…me and sometimes that means I'm going to be a dick, you'll learn to love that part of me too, no worries everyone does. And, as much as I hate to say it, you are good to him and you love him, okay? Nobody on this whole damn earth really deserves Dean. It's Dean, but you are about as close as I know to someone who does. I'm an ass, I know I am, but that doesn't mean I want you out of Dean's life, it just means I'm testing you to make sure you deserve to be in it. So far, I don't hate you. I'd consider it a success if I were you."

And then Jake surprised the fuck out of him and actually laughed. Gabriel thought it was most likely sleep deprivation or some shit because he knew that Jake had never laughed at him before, and he was damn funny.

"You know what, Gabriel, I actually think I might like you."

And what the fuck was this? He didn't get a chance to ask because Jake just kept on smiling and then passed him, walked to his car, and drove away. He stood there for a moment longer thinking that he might be able to tolerate Jake from now on before stepping inside and closing the door lightly.

He crept down the hallway and up the stairs to Cassie's room. He knew she would be sleeping and the door would be cracked with the nightlight on because, like her dad when he was younger even though he'd deny it, she was scared of the dark. Or more accurately what was in the dark that you couldn't see. He creaked open the door a little further and walked inside. Her bed draped with the covers he bought her, she was tucked in clinging to a stuffed cat that Dean had gotten her for birthday, and she was wearing her favorite pajamas. For the briefest of moments he allowed his mind to pretend he was coming home from a long day of work to his family. That they were his Cassie and his Dean. That they would wake up soon and he would make them breakfast and they would sit around the table and rush around as Dean got Cassie ready for school and he got ready for work and they'd kiss at the doorway and he'd drive her to school because it was closer to his office than Dean's record shop and they'd spend Friday nights eating at Cas' house and Sunday's with Sam and they would be happy, the way he dreamt they would be when they were kids and the world seemed like it belonged to him. Like the way he thought it could go when he was a teenager and Dean and him made so much sense he never really thought of another possible future.

The future he lived in now so far from anything he had thought it could be. He never thought that Dean and Cas would stop being best friends. Never thought he'd see the day where Cas got married and had kids and Dean wasn't standing by him on the alter and in the waiting room as his children were delivered. Never thought he'd see the day that Dean sacrificed his career for his child and Cas wasn't there to pick up the pieces when he was left to raise a baby on his own. Or the day that Dean's dad finally got arrested and Cas wasn't standing on the steps waiting when he got home and almost did something really, really fucking stupid.

By all logical accounts he should forget both of those stupid futures he had plans for. The one that included him and Dean and Cassie now being a family and the one where Cas and Dean were friends again, but he couldn't. Well, he could try and forget about the first one, because as much as may secretly want that life in the deepest darkest parts of his mind that he barely even allows himself to see, he knows that Dean is happy, that Dean is loved and hell he'd be the biggest dick alive to take that away from him. But Dean and Cas, well that's a different story. They were meant to be friends, best friends, they needed each other. He heard it in every story that Cas told his friends and his kids about his best friend growing up. Heard it in the way Cas' voice would lift a little when he mentioned something that Dean used to do. Knew it because Dean had that trench coat in the back of his closet and that picture in his living room. Knew it because of a million other things that told him they still loved each other and he would make sure they remembered it too.

Placing a small kiss on the top of Cassie's head he made his way down the hall to his designated bedroom before he noticed a light in the coming from downstairs that he missed on his way up. Making his way down the stairs and into the living room he saw that the TV was on some channel that played classic rock. Smiling to himself he went to turn it off and realized that Dean had fallen asleep on the couch in his clothes from yesterday and even his shoes. Gabriel shook his head before taking his own shoes and coat off and lifting Dean's head lightly before taking the place of the pillow he had been sleeping on. Dean stirred slightly shifting until his head was looking up at Gabriel. His short hair was slightly flattened against one side of his face and his eyes were blinking and sleepy, his lips slightly wet from having just been licked and if Gabriel had thought about it he would have admitted that he had never seen anything more beautiful and that included the seven wonders of the world.

"Gabriel?" Dean inquired in his sleep laden voice and damn did it sound good, not that he was letting himself think those kinds of things.

"You guessed it kiddo."

Dean yawned, "Is this a dream?"

He couldn't help the smirk then, "Do you often dream about me, Deano? Is there a lot of candy coated sex involved?"

Dean shifted slightly where he was laying and rubbed a hand over his face, glaring

in the dark, "Definitely not a dream, pretty sure my subconscious wouldn't make you be such a dick, but what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here until tomorrow afternoon, right?"

He put his hand in Dean's hair and carded his fingers through it the way he remembered Dean had liked when they were together, what seemed like a lifetime ago. And since Dean was turned on his back now he placed his free hand on Dean's chest protectively. It was a testament to their friendship and trust that Dean only mewled a little and closed his eyes again. Gabriel tried not to think that this was the most at home he'd felt in years.

"I know, but I got so bored and this one company folded easier than I thought. It means I have to make a trip to Greece sooner than I'd like, but whatever it makes me richer so I don't care so much."

Dean huffed out a laugh, "Because the one thing you really need more of is money, right Gabe?"

"Exactly, Deano, exactly. Can never have too much money."

"Wait, I thought you loved Greece, why are you complaining about it, now?"

Gabriel sighed, "I never had somewhere I'd rather be until now."

"I can't see where you'd rather be than fucking Greece man, it's perfect."

Gabriel stopped himself just short of telling Dean that this moment right here with Cassie upstairs, this would be perfect if it was his life. He wanted to say that this is what he wanted. Dean and Cassie. For them to be a family. For Papa Gabriel to be less of a name and more of a job title. That all the beautiful places in the world could never add up to being here with them, but he didn't because that wasn't fair to Dean and he wasn't supposed to be thinking it himself. He had moved on, he had to. He would. He should.

Instead he sighed and said, "I don't know, Dean, it just doesn't hold the same appeal."

Dean opened his eyes again then and said, "Did something happen with Cole that you didn't tell me about?"

Gabriel laughed, "I guess, not really, nothing really started with Cole to stop. He said he'd probably visit and help me move in if I needed. We were just friends, Dean. No need to look so sad for me."

Dean tilted his head to the side and said, "Friends who fucked."

"You say that with such judgment, Dean, but isn't that what we were once."

Dean mumbled then, "I thought maybe it was a little bit more than that." And his voice broke something inside Gabriel who leaned down and kissed his forehead forcing him to look at him again.

"It was, Dean. I'm sorry, I guess I'm tired. You know it's almost 5 am."

Dean sighed and closed his eyes again for a brief moment before something seemed to click for him, "Hey, is Jake upstairs asleep because you know if he happens to come down here and sees us like this it is going to royally fuck up my week. I really will be sleeping on the couch for a while."

"He's not here he had to go. Some emergency at the ER, I ran into him outside."

Dean grimaced and covered his eyes with his arm before saying, "Oh, God. Was there a fight? Were you a dick because…"

"Relax, Dean, I was a perfect gentlemen."

When Dean lowered his hand and gave him a hard stare he relented, "Okay so maybe I wasn't a perfect gentlemen, but I was okay and Jake even said he likes me now."

"What? Dude, did you find that opium pipe again?"

"I'm offended you would even suggest that."

Another glare.

"Alright I'm not offended, but really, he likes me now. Or he kind of likes me, I can't remember it's too early or late and I was on a plane all night."

"The plane ride is like an hour."

"Dear lord, how does Jake deal with this shit. Shut the fuck up, close those pretty little eyes of yours and go to sleep."

"Seriously, you are being an ass now, I'm in a pretty vulnerable spot Gabriel, and I could fuck shit up from where I'm laying."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wanna bet."

"I thought you were tired, go to sleep."

"You were the one who said you were tired."

"You were asleep until ten minutes ago."

"And now I'm awake."

"Do you live to argue with me?"

"It's my greatest goal in life."

"Then you must lead a sad life."

"Pshh, do you know who you are talking to."

"Yeah the jackass who is refusing to let anyone get any sleep."

"I thought you weren't tired."

"I will smother you with this pillow."

"Go ahead, but then you definitely won't get to sleep for a while."

"Why do I put up with this shit?"

"Because you love me."

"You wish."

"I know."

"Dean."

"Gabriel."

Gabriel goes to move because as much as he is enjoying this little flirting fight he is fucking tired and wants to get some sleep tonight, this morning, whatever, he just wants sleep. Dean's hand on his stills him.

Dean leans up a little and kicks off his boots as he does so, "Stop being such a bitch and just stay here, you're comfortable and I really am tired."

Gabriel relents and sits in a slouching position on the couch, "Dean, you know there are two perfectly comfortable beds upstairs we could sleep in, we're a little old to be falling asleep in our clothes on the couch, don't you think?"

And the only reason he even says it is because he wants to go to sleep with Dean on the couch, wants to fall asleep leaning back with Deans head on his lap and his hands in Dean's hair. Wants it more than he should, wants it more than he even lets himself think about.

Dean sighs, "Stop thinking and just lie down and go to sleep. The beds will be there tomorrow night."

And he doesn't say it but Gabriel hears the silent, we won't be, in that statement. It is something they'll pretend never happened tomorrow. They'll wake up and when the sunlight streams through the windows at them they'll shift away from each other and go back to being friends, and not two guys who cling to each other in the shadows of darkness that echo throughout the living room. He should say no, should get up and walk away leaving Dean on this couch by himself, should do it for himself, for his sanity, for his heart. But he won't, he can't. Not when Dean is laying there and asking him to stay. For all his bravado and strength he could never say no to Dean. Not really.

"Okay fine, but if you squish me with your humongous head there will be hell to pay."

"Are you trying to start another argument, you know we have to get up in like two hours, right? Cassie will screech like a fucking banshee when she sees you here."

"Go to sleep, Deano."

"Shut up, Gabe."

And at that he lays back fully, head thrown across the back of the couch, feet resting on the coffee table in front of him, his right hand carding through Dean's hair thoughtlessly and his left hand draped over Dean's chest. He inwardly curses himself for thinking that this is the most comfortable he has been in a long time, hell in years, probably. Because this is only for the next couple hours. Still he can't help but groan a bit when Dean's head digs a little deeper into its position on his legs and he drifts off to sleep thinking that coming in early was both the best and worst idea he had in a very long time.

Eeeek so I hope you all liked it. I changed things up a bit with Gabriels point of view. Dean is returning next chapter to deal with waking up in Gabe's arms, so to speak. Well what are you waiting for? REVIEW.