Chapter 12: Get Back
Gabriel was in the safe room in Heaven where he had left his little brothers many centuries ago. He could see everything; all the things his brothers had been trough in there. He saw the days during the war...
Balthazar paced around the place, unsure of what to do as he heard the terrifying sounds of the war. What if the war came to them, to the place they thought they were safe?
Castiel walked to him, worried. "You think Gabriel is alright?" he asked in a low voice for Inias not hear him.
"I don't know," Balthazar said. He tried to be hopeful, for Castiel and Inias sake, but deep inside he thought Gabriel was already dead. What other reason would there be for not coming back for them?
Of course, the answer wasn't very comforting and it only increased Castiel worry and sadness.
"Don't worry, Cassie." Balthazar hugged his young brother to comfort him, and Castiel held himself tight to him. "I'll protect you and Inias, from anything. Always." Balthazar whispered to him in a promise.
They looked at young Inias, sat down against a wall, sad, scared and shaking as he prayed in sobs for Gabriel, again. They went to him as sat close to him, one on each side with wings brushing softly, and they joined him, praying as well... for the twentieth time that day.
Gabriel blinked, his eyes starting to get teary, and the vision stopped. The room was empty again. He took a deep breath, but soon another vision of the past appeared...
Balthazar carried Castiel, unconscious, covered in blood and with broken featherless wings, after the excruciating torture. He kneeled and laid Castiel's body, barely alive on the ground, but always holding him tight against him. "Cassie..." Balthazar called for his brother in an unreal hope of Castiel suddenly waking up. New tears, still warm, fell on Castiel's bloodied chest as Balthazar placed a trembling hand on his brother trying desperately to get a sign that Castiel was still alive.
Balthazar felt something, a tiny warm of Castiel's grace, but it was so little he thought perhaps he was imagining it. Regardless if it was real or not, Balthazar did the only thing he could do. It was risky, very risky, but he didn't have much left to lose. He prayed to God again; Balthazar had prayed for God to stop the torturing, to set Castiel free... but nothing happened, only when it was almost too late. Yet, Balthazar prayed one last time, to make his plan work.
He pressed his arm inside Castiel's chest, slowly careful and painfully, for Balthazar because Castiel didn't move. When he reached Castiel's fragile grace, Balthazar started transferring his own grace to him, very slowly, because Castiel could reject it and explode if Balthazar forced his grace inside him. Even though he was very gentle, the transference was very painful; sometimes Balthazar lost control a bit and the place around them started shaking with so much energy that was being released.
The transference lasted for days, Balthazar continuously pressing his grace for Castiel to use to repair himself, although he was very tired and sore almost collapsing on Castiel's cold body. There were times Balthazar didn't know whether he was healing Castiel or killing himself, but he never let go of his little brother.
Gabriel woke up from the vision again, with a tear rolling down his cheek.
Castiel and Inias spotted Gabriel right where Castiel thought he'd be; in the safe room. Gabriel didn't saw them coming.
"You should not be watching this," Castiel said, knowing Gabriel had been watching what happened in that room. Although Castiel didn't see the images in his mind, he felt uncomfortable for being there.
Gabriel looked at them. "Castiel. Inias." He was surprised to see them.
Inias had a big grin on his face; he was very happy to see Gabriel again. Inias would hug his brother if he could, but he couldn't let go of Castiel's wrist.
"I needed to know what I did, or caused," Gabriel explained them. "So I could find I way to redeem myself. But I guess Balthazar's right; there's nothing I can do to make up for all that I did."
Castiel studied his older brother's expression; he looked a bit sad, which was strange because Castiel always remembered his brother looking cheerful. "There may be one thing you can do," Castiel told him.
"What?"
"You can return the house and keep helping us," Castiel asked.
"I don't think I'd be welcomed in the house, Cas." After all, he never was, he just didn't know why.
"Balthazar blames you and holds a strong resentment towards you... but we don't." Inias nodded, agreeing with what Castiel was saying. "I've talked to Balthazar and there won't be a problem if you return." Castiel distorted a little from the real conversation he had with Balthazar, but it was for a good reason.
"I doubt Balthazar said that," Gabriel said, noticing the little lie.
"I'll make sure he won't bother you," Castiel promised.
Gabriel was thoughtful for a moment. For a second Castiel and Inias thought he would agree, but he didn't. "It is still too little."
"Gabriel, you were hunting the Leviathans. The ones I let out of Purgatory, the ones I'm supposed to put back there again... but I can't." Castiel was too weak to fight, and it was dangerous for him just to leave the house. "But you can and you were doing it. And that's more than you should do."
There was a silence again, a longer one, and Castiel was starting to feel tired. The trip was wearing him out, even with Inias' help and support.
"Sam has been worried about you," Castiel told him. By the way Gabriel closed his eyes and sight, Castiel realised he already knew that. "I know you've become affectionate of him." Castiel had sensed how Gabriel's relationship with Sam had grown when he slept with Sam that night. "Why don't you return to him?" Castiel suggested.
Inias noticed Castiel getting weak and he brought his other hand to Castiel's arm to support him better. "Castiel, we should go," he murmured in advice to his brother.
Castiel nodded in agreement. "Please, think about it," he said to Gabriel, taking deep breaths.
"It was good to see you again." Inias told to his older brother with a little smile before flying with Castiel back to Bobby's house that had become the Winchesters' house.
They returned to the living room where Dean, Sam and Balthazar were waiting for them to come back. Dean had been pacing around impatiently during the half hour Castiel was gone.
They appeared near the couch. "Sit," Inias ordered to Castiel.
Castiel complied and sat on the couch. Only then Inias let go of his brother, breaking the protection spell. For a moment Castiel felt a bit dizzy and weak, and he gasped as he gripped the sweatshirt on his over his belly.
"Cas, what's wrong?" Dean asked in worry and quickly passed by Inias and sat next to Castiel.
Sam and Balthazar also came closer.
"I'm fine." Castiel told them.
"The trip was a bit exhausting, I believe." Inias explained; he also felt a bit tired.
Balthazar sat on the couch's arm, on the other side of Castiel, and put a hand around his brother's shoulders to check his state. Castiel seemed to be getting better.
"So, did you find Gabriel?" Balthazar asked.
"Yes," Castiel answered.
"And?" Sam asked, curious and hopeful.
"I don't know. We talked to him, but he didn't say if was coming back or not," Castiel explained.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see," Dean concluded.
Balthazar was relieved and glad Gabriel hadn't returned and he hoped he'd never return. "You should get some rest, Cassie."
Castiel nodded and got up with Dean's help; he didn't need it, but Dean still grabbed his arm just in case.
"Then I guess I should go," Inias said.
"Thank you for your help, Inias," Castiel told him, grateful.
"Anytime you need it..." Inias nodded.
"Yeah, go back to your dear Samandriel," Balthazar commented with a suggestive smirk that made Inias visibly uncomfortable. He chuckled a little, but then he put on a serious face. "Just so you know, you're always welcomed here."
"Thank you," he said before leaving.
"Now Cassie, it's time for your beauty sleep," Balthazar joked and he lifted Castiel by the side, holding his back and legs.
As a reflex Castiel held himself to Balthazar, putting an arm around his shoulder. "I thought sleeping was meant for resting and not to make people beautiful," he said, frowning in confusion.
Balthazar chuckled. "Oh, I missed you." Balthazar squeezed Castiel a little as he kissed his cheek while Dean watched with an amused smile. Balthazar took him to the bedroom and laid him on the bed where Castiel rested for a while.
It was late and dark, and Sam was going to bed when he heard a soft sound in his room. "Hi, Sammy."
Sam turned around. "Gabriel," he said astonished and glad. "You're back." He didn't hide the happiness in his voice nor kept himself from smiling.
"You know I can't stay long away from you." Gabriel walked closer to Sam, placed a hand on his chest and forcefully pushed Sam against a near wall.
Sam was confused and wanted to ask what was going on, but he didn't have time to ask because Gabriel gripped his sweatshirt, pulled him down a little and locked his lips on his. Sam was surprised at first; in the first instant he tried to get away but Gabriel didn't let him and then Sam let himself go into Gabriel's kiss. Unconsciously, Sam grabbed the sides of Gabriel's jacket and pulled him closer. Gabriel smiled under the kiss before pressing his tongue on Sam's soft lips and when Sam let him in, Gabriel brought his arms around Sam's neck.
Gabriel ran his fingers trough Sam's soft hair and grabbed a hand full of them as they kissed, wet and deeply, to taste each other. Sam evolved the archangel in his arms, gripping him tight and lifting him up a little. Suddenly Gabriel jumped to Sam's lap and somehow Sam managed to catch his legs that soon wrapped around the hunter's waist. Their mouths detached for a moment because of the unexpected change and they stared into each other's eyes, gasping hot breath. It didn't last long, only a couple of seconds, but it seemed magical.
Sam changed their positions and now it was Gabriel who was leaning against the wall and Sam pressing on him, kissing him again passionately.
Sam woke up suddenly, taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes and he took a moment until he realized where he was; he was in the Impala, on the driver's seat. He remembered he had gone to the supermarket and on his way home he had stopped on an isolated place... but he didn't remember falling asleep. He had just stopped to watching the green nature and to clear his mind. It had been two days since Castiel had gone to talk to Gabriel and Sam was hoping and waiting for his return, but not the way he dreamed off.
Sam shivered, ashamed of the dream he had. Especially because it had affected him; his heart was still beating fast.
"Sweet dreams?" Gabriel suddenly appeared in the passenger's seat, smiling.
Sam shuddered in surprised and looked at the archangel widely. Did Gabriel know about his dream?
"Don't worry, Sammy. I don't mind that you have wet dreams about me." Gabriel's smile was a mix of amusement and pleased.
Sam didn't say anything, he didn't know what to say; it was useless trying to deny it if Gabriel had seen his dream. Sam closed his eyes for a moment when he realized it. It had truly been a strange dream; Sam didn't have that kind of dreams, this had been the only one.
Sam looked suspicious at Gabriel. "How did you know what I dreamed of?"
"I was just passing by and watched it."
"Do you watch all my dreams?"
Gabriel thought Sam was upset, but he sounded more curious than upset. "A few," he answered not a bit guilty for entering the hunter's privacy.
"And just by chance, you had to see this one," Sam said sarcastically. "It wasn't my dream. You made me dream that dream!" For someone who had made him live the same day a hundred times and sent him a created TV universe, putting a dream in someone's mind was very easy.
"Okay, okay, I admit. I put my finger on it, but I didn't create it. We created it." Sam looked confused. "It was a beta test. I just wanted to see how you'd react to a certain enticement. And I liked the way it turned out." Gabriel smiled a little at the end.
"Just stop messing with me, Gabriel," Sam said, tired of Gabriel's games just for his entertainment. He looked away at the window on his side.
"I just wanted to tell you something." Gabriel sounded serious.
"What?" Sam looked back at him.
Gabriel suddenly appeared sat on Sam's lap. "That I'm head over heels in love with you."
Sam looked a bit surprised, and wondered if Gabriel was being sincere or not. The thoughtful moment was interrupted when Gabriel kissed him, slow, gentle and lovingly. There was no way Gabriel was lying.
After a while Sam returned home. Dean was on the couch with the angels.
"Hey," Sam greeted.
"Hey," Dean replied. "What took you so long? Don't tell me now you're like those girls who spend hours shopping."
"No." Sam smiled a little at the comment. "I... I've met Gabriel." Sam was unsure of how they would react.
Dean got up from the couch just like Balthazar who didn't look pleased with the news.
"So, can he get in?" Sam asked. Castiel had already told Gabriel he could come back, but Sam wanted to be sure instead of Gabriel suddenly showing up in the house.
Dean didn't know what to answer and he looked at Balthazar. Balthazar wanted to say no, he didn't want to see Gabriel again, but Castiel got up and looked at him with pleading eyes. Balthazar didn't like it, but he had promised to Castiel he would try to work with Gabriel. So he nodded to Castiel, who smiled with his decision. "Yes," Castiel told Sam.
Right after that, Gabriel appeared in the house, close to Sam, and he looked at everyone in the house. Castiel had a little smile on his face and he seemed glad, Dean had an expression of indifference which was bad, Gabriel thought, but Balthazar, if looks could kill...
Gabriel walked to them casually. "Hey, your house, your rules. If I cross the line, you can kick me out," he said to Balthazar.
Balthazar stood staring at him for a while, still with a cold expression. "I'll be watching every move you make. One little mistake and you'll go and you'll never come back," he said in a threatening way, but also agreeing with the conditions.
"Agreed," Gabriel said, not feeling threatened.
"I'm glad you're back, Gabriel," Castiel told him, smiling. He was glad for seeing Gabriel was better since the last time he talked to him.
Gabriel smiled back at him. "But as not everyone is, I'm going to let you all get used to the idea of me being around." Gabriel stepped away, intentioned to leave.
He got to the spot where he appeared in the house, next to Sam. "By the way," he turned around. "Sammy and I are dating. But don't worry Dean, I know; if I mess things up, you'll deep-fry my wings." He disappeared taking Sam with him.
"Wha-"Dean muttered in surprise and confusion. "Come back here, you son of a bitch!" He shouted, taking a step forward. "Gabriel!"
Balthazar was equally surprised, but Castiel smiled. Gabriel had been clever in dropping a bomb like that and leaving, letting Dean explode and possibly when he return, Dean would be a bit calmer.
