/So this one's fairly fluffy as well hahaha I'm so sorry I couldn't hold out on the angst. It was too much xD Enjoy!/
Dean leaned over the counter to give Castiel one last kiss before the other man left to go do some random sight-seeing. Castiel said it was refreshing to walk around the city, but Dean knew he was hunting for some sort of inspiration on the streets of San Francisco. Gabriel smirked at Dean's sappy smile as Castiel walked out the door.
"Dean Winchester, you look like a man in love."
Dean rolled his eyes. "It's only been three weeks."
"You'd be surprised." Gabriel muttered darkly, before disappearing into the back. Dean frowned. He had gotten to know Castiel very well, but last night was the first time they'd had sex. Dean was pretty sure it wouldn't be the last time, but it wasn't love, not yet anyway, right? Dean sighed, tapping his fingers against his gleaming countertop.
"Was that how it was with Michael?" Dean probed, tentatively, as Gabriel cleaned the coffee machine. The other man froze.
"Yes." Gabriel sighed. "I suppose Castiel told you most of it anyway."
"The basics." Dean agreed.
"I met Michael at high school. My family moved there in his second year and I was in his class. I fell in love with him the moment I started talking to him. He seemed real quiet and condescending, like one of those pretentious douches who think they're better than everyone else." A ghost of a smile lifted his lips. "I asked if I could sit with him for lunch, and we started talking. I realized he was one of those insane guys once you got to know him. He was funny, weird, witty, smart but deep. He kept me grounded. It was almost natural when I fell in love with him."
Dean lifted an eyebrow. "If he was so great, then what happened?"
"His father committed suicide, and he needed to fend for his little brother. He told me he didn't have time for me. We had this huge fight, and there were a couple punches." Gabriel's eyes turned cold. "I told him I never wanted to see him again. Before I left for college, he tried to reach out but I wouldn't see him. I told him he was responsible for it. I haven't spoken to him or heard from him since. Then a year ago, Castiel told me he moved in with a guy."
Dean patted Gabriel's arm. "That doesn't mean you can't try again, Gabe."
Gabriel lifted his eyes to Dean's. "That's the thing. I think I may have found someone…"
"Really?" Dean's face split into a smile. "That's great news, Gabe."
"I haven't felt that way about anyone since Michael." Gabriel said, thoughtfully.
"Give it a chance," Dean advised.
"Man, aren't you the relationship guru now!" Gabriel exclaimed, laughing. "I do believe young Cas has made an honest man out of you!"
Dean elbowed him.
"Hey, Dean, hey Gabe." Sam stretched, and rested his elbows on Dean's gleaming counter. Dean scowled and smacked him.
"I just cleaned that Sammy!"
Gabriel snickered and they shared a look. Sam felt the heat creep up his neck, which only got worse when Gabriel winked at him.
Dean rolled his eyes. "Sammy stop eye-fucking Gabriel."
"You can't blame him, Dean." Gabriel chuckled. "If I were him I'd fuck me too."
Dean took no notice, Sam was thankful to note. He assumed it was just Gabriel's usual flirting. Grabbing his coffee and walking back to his car, he fired off a text to Gabriel.
'Apartment 7?'
The response was quick. 'I'll be there.'
Grinning, Sam shoved his phone into his pocket, and drove home. He spent the rest of the day lounging in front of the television, watching the Christmas specials, which only served to remind him of the fact that it was December 10th and he hadn't bought any presents. Groaning, he pulled out paper and a pen and attempted to make a list.
Dean: bottle of whiskey
It didn't take much to make Dean happy.
Castiel: Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath
Castiel had mentioned never reading it before in one of their literary discussions, though he had adored Of Mice and Men.
Gabriel:
Sam hesitated. What could he possibly buy Gabriel? They had agreed on a no relationship rule, hadn't they? Did that include not buying each other gifts? Sam put down the list and got himself a beer, trying to think of something that Gabriel would like. He liked anything sweet, Sam knew, but that didn't merit getting him sweets for Christmas. Sam picked up the thin piece of paper again, biting his lip, before scribbling.
Gabriel: Chocolate body cream
Sam smirked. 'Kinky, Sam, didn't know you had it in you.' He thought to himself with a smug grin. Folding up the list, Sam chucked it in his closet drawer. He'd go Christmas shopping tomorrow. Right now, Gabriel was due at his place in fifteen minutes. Just as Sam finished up his beer, his doorbell rang.
"You better be ready to get naked within the next five minutes," Sam joked as he opened the door.
Sam's face turned white. He definitely had not been expecting Balthazar to be standing outside his door, wearing an apologetic smile and clutching a bottle of Sam's favourite white wine.
Gabriel couldn't wait to see Sam. The last few weeks with him had been amazing. He reminisced as the drove with a smile
The early morning sunlight played across Sam's features like a loving caress. Gabriel let himself watch Sam sleep, half believing that it was a dream. Sam was so beautiful, and Gabriel couldn't stop himself from reaching out to press his fingertips to Sam's cheek, tracing the jawline lightly. Sam's eyes fluttered open, and he gazed at Gabriel with a sleepy smile. "I thought you'd be gone." Sam mumbled, wriggling to rest his head against Gabriel's.
"It's Dean's Saturday."
"But still."
Gabriel ran his fingers through Sam's thick hair. "I thought I might stay in today." Gabriel's heart thumped faster, terrified that Sam would push him away, that he would ask him to go. Tell him he didn't want a relationship and that they had agreed on this. Instead, Sam hummed contentedly into his neck and wrapped his arms around Gabriel, and he let out a breath he had no idea he'd been holding.
"Wake up Gabe, you need to leave for work soon." Sam shook him awake. Gabriel blinked blearily, taking in the sight of a smiling, fully dressed Sam Winchester.
Sitting up, Gabriel rubbed his eyes. "Yeah I'll get dressed, then I'll be out of your hair."
Sam chuckled. "Shut up, and come get your breakfast."
Even with the fuzz still in his brain, the alarm bells went off in Gabriel's mind. The alarm bells that signified when he was getting too close, that it was time to walk away and never look back. For a moment he said nothing, and he could tell Sam thought he'd crossed a line.
But, Gabriel made his choice then. He liked Sam, more than anyone he'd met after Michael. For some reason, the ache that had always been present in his heart was starting to fade, and he knew it was because of Sam. Michael had broken him. Gabriel had retreated into his heart, building walls around him as he went, hiding the constant pain with laughter, jokes and meaningless sex. Losing Michael had sent Gabriel into a spiral of depression, guilt and hurt. He'd often wondered what would've happened if he'd just gone back to Michael. If only he'd suppressed his wounded pride, would he be happy with Michael now? Looking at Sam, his heart lifted. A taste of something unfamiliar but wonderful filled his mouth. Gabriel took a moment to identify it, but once he did, he smiled with true ecstasy and peace. It was hope.
He stood up and kissed Sam tenderly, feeling the open wounds in his heart heal. He understood now. He had never actually healed. Now, he could feel the scars, painless, but a constant reminder of his past. Michael as his first love, would always have a place in him, but Gabriel was ready to open himself to something new. As he kissed Sam, his epiphany made his head spin and his heart sing, but he was happy. For the first time in years, Gabriel was truly at peace with himself. Pulling away, he stood on tiptoe and ruffled Sam's hair.
"I'd love breakfast, kiddo."
Sam looked relieved, but thoughtful, like he sensed the suble change in Gabriel. He took Gabriel's hand.
"Good. Cause I made a lot of pancakes."
Gabriel laughed, feeling light. "I hope there's extra whipped cream."
Sam winked. "Like I would forget."
Shaking himself out of his own thoughts, Gabriel positively ran up the stairs to Sam's apartment and hurried to his door. Composing himself, Gabriel moved to ring the doorbell, but noticed the door was slightly ajar. Pushing it open, Gabriel let himself in, and closed it behind him. "Sam?" Gabriel called, entering the living room.
"Gabriel?" Sam seemed startled. Next to him, an older man with blonde hair sat, his arms folded over his chest.
"Who the hell are you?" The other man asked in a condescending voice, eyeing Gabriel disdainfully. "Is this the guy you're fucking?"
Gabriel didn't take long to connect the dots. "Balthazar?"
Balthazar scowled at him. "Yes, I would appreciate it if you would give Sam and I some-"
Balthazar didn't get to finish his sentence. Gabriel's vision blurred with a sudden rage that curled in his stomach and rushed through his veins. Gabriel strode over to Balthazar and pulling back his arm, launched his fist into Balthazar's sculpted nose, with a satisfying crack. Gabriel hissed with pain and wrung his hand, as the last of the adrenaline left his system.
"Fuck!" Sam yelled. Balthazar clutched his face, groaning.
"What the hell?" He snapped at Gabriel, cross-eyed with pain.
Gabriel glared at him with flaring golden eyes. "That's for cheating on Sam."
Wordlessly, Sam got up and went to the kitchen. Gabriel sighed. He knew Sam'd probably kick him out. As much as Balthazar deserved that sock in the face, it was immature and it could cost Sam his job. Gabriel rubbed his face with his uninjured hand, trying to ignore the dull ache in his knuckles. His inability to think before succumbing to his rashness would blow his chances with Sam.
Sam came back with a bag of frozen peas. Gratefully, Balthazar held his hand out, "Thank you, Sam." His usually smooth accent was slightly breathless with the pain. Sam gently took Gabriel's hand and held the bag of frozen peas to Gabriel's bruised knuckles. With a cold glance at Balthazar, Sam motioned to the door.
"I think you should leave, Balthazar."
The look of hatred in Balthazar's eyes chilled even Gabriel. Sam, however, faced it head on.
"I suppose your answer is no then."
"That's right." Sam turned his attention to Gabriel, his eyes soft. "You okay?"
"Fine." Gabriel grinned. "Fantastic, actually." They ignored Balthazar but Sam sighed, relaxing visibly when he heard the door slam shut.
"Gabriel." Sam stared at him sternly. "That was stupid."
Gabriel sighed. "I know. But nobody messes with my boyfriend and gets away with it."
A slow smile spread across Sam's face. "Did you say boyfriend?"
Gabriel stared at him, a defiant look in his eyes. "Yes. I came to ask if you wanted to go out to dinner. There's this nice Spanish restaurant that just opened."
"Gabriel." Sam kissed his knuckles softly. "Dinner sounds wonderful."
"Get ready for the couple stuff, Sammy." Gabriel laughed. "Dinner, movies, cuddling, all of it!"
Sam pressed his lips to Gabriel's. "I can't wait."
Gabriel slipped his arms around Sam as the bag of peas fell to the floor. He couldn't wait either.