"I believe it really is him, Dean," Cas spoke solemnly.
"He can't-"
"Listen, I've gone through all of your tests. Cas says he can feel my grace, and that it feels like me. I don't know what else you want."
"An explanation that makes sense!" Dean snarled. "How are you not dead?"
"So, what, Cassie is the only special one? I can't come back too?"
"Dean." Cas laid a hand on Dean's arm to quell his protest. He turned to Gabriel. "Perhaps you could explain what you know, and why are you back now, after so long?"
"I don't know," Gabriel sighed and his shoulders slumped. "After I died...I was everywhere and nowhere at all. Just, being in the simplest sense. For the longest time, I just existed. Without thought or shape, or really anything at all. After a very, very long time though, I started to have awareness again. And from there, well it gets personal."
Dean stared at him, waiting for him to continue. He didn't.
"That's not an explanation Gabriel! I don't care if it's personal, that doesn't tell me anything."
"Listen, if it was just me I would tell you, but it's not all mine to tell," Gabriel said hotly.
"I swear, if this has something to do with Sam…"
"It does have something to do with Sam," Gabriel said challengingly. "And just because he's your brother, still does not make it mine to tell!"
"Dean?" Came a voice from upstairs.
Everyone fell silent.
"Dean?"
"Yeah, Sammy? I'm downstairs. In the kitchen."
Footsteps descended the stairs, and Sam walked into the kitchen. He assessed the scene, and then clenched his eyes shut for several moments. When he opened them, his face was impassive, and he focused only on Dean, ignoring everything else as he walked past where the angels stood to take the seat across from his brother.
He set his shoulders.
"Dean. Am I awake?"
"Uh, yes?" Dean laughed nervously. "What-"
"Are you sure?" Sam asked insistently.
"Yes. Now what-"
"Why was I asleep?"
"You passed out, I don't know I came in to check on you because I heard you-" Dean cringed away from the word 'crying,' "Well, you were hyperventilating and then you just blacked out."
"Is that it?"
Dean's forehead creased, Sam was really starting to freak him out. "You, uh, you asked if you were alone. But I don't-"
Sam nodded, apparently satisfied. "Where are we?"
"What? We're in the kitchen?"
"But where?"
"Have you lost your memory or something? What's going on with you?"
"I'm just. Checking," Sam growled.
"Okay," Dean held his hands up. "Okay, we're at the bunker."
Sam nodded again. "Is there anybody else in the room with us?"
Dean laughed nervously again, "Uh, yes? Sam-"
"Yes…?" Sam prompted, waving his hand in a 'carry on' motion.
"Uh. Yeah, there's Cas and Gabriel."
Sam let out a breath.
"What is he wearing?"
"What?"
"What is Gabriel wearing?" Sam asked sharply.
Dean was looking at his brother like he was insane. Maybe he was. They were certainly both wondering enough.
"Um. A blue shirt? Some jeans? A-"
"Hello Gabriel," Sam cut him off.
Gabriel cleared his throat again, nervously.
"Hey kiddo."
Sam turned the full force of his gaze on him.
"Why are you alive?"
