Author's Notes: Okay so I finally finished this story, (editing pending) I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long! I hope this update helps!
~ This has been edited by QueenOfHearts
Chapter Seven
"I know you and Gabe aren't together."
Of all the things he expected his brother to say the moment they were in the car, that wasn't one of them. Pausing in buckling his seatbelt, Dean turned to Sam with a raised eyebrow. If his younger brother was going to try and insert himself between what was happening with him and Gabe, he wasn't going to make it easy for him. Snapping the buckle into place, Dean started the engine, the sound of his baby soothing even though Dean knew he wasn't going to like where Sam was going with the conversation.
"Dean, come on. You can't think that I buy this for a second. If you found someone worth keeping around you would have told someone, even if not me you would have mentioned it to Mom to get her off your back. I like Gabe, I do! But you two aren't dating."
Tightening his grip on the wheel, Dean pulled out of the parking spot and made his way back to the house, his jaw clenched. "What I don't get is why you two aren't together." At Sam's softened tone, Dean turned his head for a second to look at his baby brother, who looked back, his eyes begging Dean to listen. "I don't know how good an actor he is, but I've been training for years on how to read people on the stand. This is no different. Whatever deal you two made is shot to hell, because the guy we all just heard explain how much he loves you? He wasn't lying. He was scared, Dean. The same kind of fear that nearly got the best of me while ring shopping for Jess."
"Wait," interrupted Dean, his eyes wide while he focused back to the road. "You went ring shopping? When are you going to pop the question?"
Sam ignored his question, sighing before speaking again. "Dean, you're missing the point. Gabriel is in love with you. What did he say tonight? About being in love with you for the past four years? He wasn't lying; if anything, not lying scared him shitless. You need to make a move, and soon, because I know that if I were in his place, it wouldn't be long before I figured you just weren't interested. And don't try to tell me that you're not, you practically glow every time you see him."
"I know, okay, Sammy? I know. Don't you think I spent five years getting to know a guy and not know when he's telling the truth? I know, alright?" It had shocked him how passionate Gabriel had been when explaining how they got together. He had thought he was the only one who had feelings beyond friendship, that Gabriel was merely a fantastic actor. Looking back on the past couple of days he could see the differences now. How the smaller man would hesitate just for a second before reaching out to him, how he seemed to lean into every touch, every caress like he was starved for it.
Gabriel hadn't been pretending; he had been savoring. The whiskey-eyed man had allowed himself to live in a fantasy, hopeful that at the end of their time together he would be able to pick himself back up without Dean noticing that his heart was broken. Dean could understand where Gabriel was coming from; he had been doing the same thing. "I'll talk to him tonight. The last thing I want is Mom or Dad overhearing us." Sam hummed his agreement, his gaze no longer on the older brother but looking out the window while they pulled up the driveway.
"Hey, Dean? Could you maybe not mention me buying a ring to anyone? I want to surprise Jess for Valentine's Day."
Rolling his eyes, Dean put the Impala in park. "Sure thing, bitch."
Sam laughed, his hand on the door handle before responding. "Jerk." The two made their way into the house where the others were waiting, all sitting in the living room. Taking in the sight of Gabriel relaxed around his family, Dean wondered if maybe they could do this again next year, only without the pretense of a fake relationship.
There was a bottle of beer beside Gabriel, another in the smaller man's hand, and Dean smiled at the thought of the man getting one for him. Sitting down beside the blond, Dean wrapped an arm around Gabriel and his fingers splayed on the other's waist while he took the beer bottle in his other hand, bringing it to his lips. Gabriel easily snuggled back against him; their bodies pressed together while Dean slipped a finger under the smaller man's shirt, thankful Gabriel had time to change into his nightwear so that he could touch the other's warm skin.
Feeling Gabriel shiver against him, Dean took a pull from his beer. Once the bottle was empty, the green-eyed man looked around at his family, watching how their eyes would droop every now and again. Ellen was the first to leave, Bobby, right behind her while they made their way to bed. Jessica, who had been spending most of her time speaking with Gabriel caught Dean's eyes and dragged Sam away as well. When it was just him and Gabriel left, Dean wondered if the other man would pull away. Instead, he remained at his side, snuggled against him.
"Think we should head up as well?" asked Gabriel, his voice a bit breathy as Dean had started to caress the small bit of skin he could touch from under the man's shirt.
"Yeah, going to be a long day tomorrow. I thought we could head back home around one or two, that should give us plenty of time to eat and be home before it's too late." The body which had been relaxed next to his tensed, and Dean could understand why. They had planned on staying another night, leaving Boxing Day in time to get ready for work, but Dean wanted something else.
"Come on, let's get to bed, yeah?" At the suggestion, Gabriel nodded, stretching before standing from the couch and offering Dean his hand. Together they put the empty beer bottles away and went upstairs. Both hesitated once the door shut before removing their clothing. While Gabriel typically wasn't the type to become embarrassed, he paused before shoving down his pajamas, leaving himself in only his boxers before climbing into bed. Dean did the same, gathering their dirty laundry and putting it into the hamper before sliding into his side of the bed and facing Gabriel.
The shorter man was tense, his back facing Dean which was unusual for him. Sighing, Dean shuffled forward, pressing his chest to Gabriel's back and wrapping his arms around the other man. After a few moments, Gabriel began to relax, his head rolling back and hand coming to rest on top of Dean's while they lay together. Keeping his voice hushed, Dean spoke, his eyes closed while he held Gabriel against him.
"I want to leave early so we can talk without everyone around, Gabe. We can ignore it until we get home, but I think we both need to air some stuff out once we're no longer at my parent's house." Shifting his weight, Dean placed soft kisses along the side of Gabriel's face, keeping the man calm. "I don't want you to worry; I promise it's nothing horrible… I swear to you Gabe, it's nothing bad, I promise."
A stilled silence washed over the room, Dean placing soft kisses along Gabriel's neck and ear before the shorter man spoke. "Alright, Dean, we can wait until we're home tomorrow… just, promise me you won't cut me out. I don't think I could handle that." Bracing himself on the mattress, Dean leaned over, the bed dipping so that Gabriel rolled a bit more on his back. Their lips met. Dean's heart skipped a beat at the way Gabriel was kissing him, how the smaller man brought a hand to his hair and held him in place.
There was no denying how Gabriel felt by the way he kissed. It was more than heat and passion. There was love buried under their movements, how their lips sought each other again and again. Dean merely hoped that Gabriel could feel how loved he was in return. Before their kissing could lead to more, Dean pulled away, cradling Gabriel to him while returning to his previous position on his side, holding the shorter man close. Burying his head in Gabriel's neck, Dean panted against the other's skin.
"I promise, Gabriel. The last thing I want is to have you out of my life." Gabriel turned, wrapping himself around Dean, so they were entwined together from head to foot. Secure in the knowledge that he may be able to sleep with Gabriel surrounding him in the near future, Dean let himself fall asleep. There would be more nights of breathing in the scent of the one he loved to come.
P.S. If you want to keep up to date on my writing add me to Facebook, Tumbler, Twitter or Instagram as CrowNoYami ;-) Also, if you want to see what I'm reading (I always review so you know what you're getting into) I'm on Goodreads as well, the same name as always.
