When Gabriel first woke up in a comfortable bed with Sam Winchesters hand on his jewels, he had the weirdest thought…

I'm in heaven…

But now as he crouched behind his one good wing, shielding himself and the young Hunter from the prying eyes of his brother he knew that this was actually Hell and there was no way Castiel was ever going to let this one go. Sammy may have been ignorant to the language of Wings but Cas was not and when his first instinct told him to protect his intended from a rival on his territory well…

The little bitch hadn't stopped smiling since he walked in and caught the Archangel mid Wing Arch, but he had at least turned his head away while Gabriel got dressed - or at least while Sam dressed him and Gabe tried his damnedest not to let his wings twitch, he was not giving Castiel any more ammo. Once he was covered up again and Sam had helped him up and along, they made there way to the room that Dean and Castiel had spent the all their time preparing for him. Gabriel couldn't believe his eyes.

The room was light and spacious enough, with twin beds and twin dressers all made from light wood. A shared beside table sat between both beds and their was a teal lamp and a digital alarm clock sitting on it. Both beds had matching teal bed sheets and Gabriel's was piled high with soft pillows and throws making it look so comfortable that the Angel wished he was curled up in it right now. On Sam's side of the bedroom their was a large light wood bookcase filled with all his favourites and on the wall in front of the beds there was a large TV hung on the wall. Gabriel stood staring around the room with his mouth hanging open and Sam couldn't keep the grin off his face as he turned to his Brother and his Best Friend.

"You guys did all of this?" Sam asked and Cas smiled.

"No, we had Crowley come in and do it, for a demon he as a real eye for design…" Cas joked and that snapped Gabriel out of his shock. He turned to stare at his little Brother then eyed Dean and Sam for a moment, unsure if he had heard correctly.

"I'm sorry, was that a joke?! Did Heavens most Stoic just make a damn joke?!" Gabriel asked in shock and Sam smiled at the Archangels reaction.

"Yeah, he does that now. Blame Dean, he has that effect on him." Sam said and Gabe laughed, turning his attention to Dean.

"Blame him? I think I should buy him a drink! That must be some 'equipment' you are working with there, big guy!" Gabriel joked, he and Dean sharing a laugh and completely missing the scowl that crossed over Sam's face. Castiel took that moment to grab Dean by the arm and pull him towards the door.

"I think we should allow these two to settle in, Dean, don't you?" Castiel said with a pointed look at the elder Hunter, and Dean caught on quickly following him out. "I will call you when dinner is ready…" Castiel added before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Sam helped Gabriel over to the bed and settled him down on top of the covers with his head propped up on the pillows. The short walk from his old room to this wonderful space had tired him out, and his Grace felt weakened after he tried to protect Sam from Castiel. Gabe could only hope that the younger Hunter hadn't noticed the look in either Angels eyes.

"So you gonna tell me what the Hell is going on, or am I not allowed to know?" Sam asked and Gabriel kept his eyes averted, pulling absentmindedly at the covers under his fingers.

"Its nothing Sam, don't worry your pretty little head about it." Gabe tried to joke it off but when he looked up at Sam his grin faltered. It was the first time he had been able to look properly at the man and it was not a great sight to behold - Sam's eyes were ringed with red and dull in colour, telling Gabe it had been a long time since he had gotten any proper sleep, and his hair had lost its usual shine because Sam hadn't had a proper shower in just as long. Hard to look after yourself when every waking moment is spent caring for the stupid Archangel that landed bloody in his lap and forced a responsibility on him that he should never have had to bare.

"…You should go shower, Sam. You look terrible." Gabe murmured finally, his wings slumping down as a hurt look flashed across the Hunters face but Sam was up and gone from the room before Gabe had a chance to put any more words together. The Archangel slumped back against the pillows, his wings dropping off the side of the bed and his eyes brimming with tears. He should have known better than to come here, he was putting pressure on this little family by being here and he was just going to mess things up for them. As soon as he was well again he would leave, quietly, and never bother them again.

They were better off without him.

While Sam was in the shower he had managed to calm down and had decided that things were just a little strained right now for the Archangel, the poor guy must have been in so much pain. The Hunter had cleared his head enough to form a whole conversation in his head, and he was determined he would make things right again no matter what it took. But when he came out of the bathroom in only his towel - he had 'forgotten' to take any in with him - the Archangel had made his way under the covers and was laying facing away from him, snoring softly. Sam deflated and sighed heavily, eyeing the lump under the covers sadly. He really wanted to talk this out with the man but he did not wish to disturb his sleep either so instead he got himself some clothes from the dresser, quickly clothed himself and crept from the room without a word.

He didn't see Gabriel's eyes watching him from the bed, or hear the small sob from the man as he closed the door behind him.

Castiel was sitting in the library when Sam walked in, hardly noticing the Angel at all as he made his way towards the back of the room in his search for a book. The Angel thought about calling out to him at first but the look in Sam's eyes made him curious as to what the Hunter was searching for, so he cloaked himself easily with his Grace and followed Sam as he wandered through the book shelves, finally stopping in front of a very familiar section.

Angel Physiology And Behaviours

Castiel watched a while longer as Sam pulled several books from the shelves, including 'The Guidebook to Wing Language', 'Angels and Human Interaction' and…'Mating Rituals'.

Now why would Sam be reading about that, Cas wondered with a smile on his face, before uncloaking himself silently behind the young man.

"Hello, Sam…"