Gabriel stumbled into the kitchen, unsurprised to find Dean moping over a freshly cooked burger. Heading over to the counter, Gabe fetched a glass of water, then turned. "How's our guest settling in?"

"Bitching up a storm."

Gabriel smirked, "And where's Cas?"

"His room." Dean said around his food.

"Have you two made up yet?" Gabriel asked between sips.

Dean shrugged, sharing down at his burger as if debating if he even wants to eat it. He apparently decides against taking another bite, dropping it back onto the plate and shoving it away. – A sure sign that something was wrong.

"Come on man, you know he didn't do it to hurt you. He was trying to pro…"

"I know." Dean snapped, folding his arms on the surface, and leaning forward. "I know, okay." He added, sorrowfully.

Gabriel padded over to the table and lowered himself down opposite Dean. He sat sipping at his drink for a few silent seconds while Dean chewed. It wasn't until Dean shoved himself up, that Gabriel spoke, "He can't go back, you know that, right?"

Dean turned, looking down at him for a moment, before retaking his seat.

"If he goes back, they're going to kill him."

Exhaling, Dean nodded. "I know."

"So, what are you going to do about it?"

"What?"

"You heard me, Dean-o."

Dean swallowed thickly, "What am I meant to do? He doesn't listen to me anyway." He shrugged.

Gabriel set his glass down and sighed, leaning forward until he was mere inches for Dean's face. "Perhaps that's because you haven't been saying anything he wants, or needs, to hear?"

Dean met his gaze, jaw clenched tightly. "I – Like what?"

"You're not dumb, Dean, so quit pretending." Gabriel grumbled, rolling his eyes.

Shaking his head, Dean scoffed, getting to his feet, and marching to the refrigerator. He yanked it open, only to slap it closed again with a frustrated grunt. "We need beer."

He headed for the door, but Gabriel stopped him. "You can't. The second any of us leave this place, we're going to ping their radar. Cas spent the last five months keeping you safe, don't you dare get yourself fucking captured now." Gabe snapped, glaring at him.

Dean froze on the threshold, shoulders slumping with resignation. Turning slowly, hands in his pockets, Dean fell back against the entrance wall, staring down at his feet. "That's exactly why I can't tell him." He muttered, "I can't put that on him. He'd stay for me."

Gabriel frowned, watching Dean closely, then shook his head and exhaled a long, exasperated breath, "Fuck's sake, you two are a nightmare. You make Cathy and Heathcliff look well-adjusted and communicative." Dean shot him a hard glare, that Gabriel met with an eyeroll. "He wouldn't be staying for you, genius, he'd stay for you." At Dean confused look, Gabe clarified, "He loves you, asshole."

Dean stared, features blank. "Angels can't – they don't…."

With another put upon sigh, Gabriel looked down at his hands. "Of course, angels love, its literally what we were built to do."

"Right, yeah. Of course." Dean replied quietly, pushing away from the wall.

"But Cas, he's different." Gabriel hurried to say, before Dean fled. "He's not like other angels. You know that, right? You see it."

Dean looked at him, nodding only slightly.

"Cas is… - Look, there's stuff in Castiel's past, stuff he doesn't even know about."

"Like?" Dean demanded, turning fully, and moving back to the table.

"That's for him to tell you."

"How's he meant to tell me, when he doesn't know?"

"Because I'm going to tell him. Confession, right?" Meeting Dean's gaze meaningfully.

"Right."

"But trust me when I say, what he feels is as real as your feelings for him."

Dean slowly lowered himself back down into the abandoned seat, his eyes locking on the half-eaten burger, his fingers tapping against the tabletop.

"Look, Dean-o, I know how fucking terrifying all this love and relationship shit is, trust me. You think it was a walk in the park for me?" Dean meets his gaze, "I went from having bland angel love to deep agonizing human love, and it scared the hell out of me. But fuck man," A smile crept across his face, "it's awesome. Terrifying, but fucking awesome." With that, Gabriel got to his feet. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and ravish your brother. – Again." He winked, laughing at the disgusted look on Dean's face.

"Fuck off Gabriel!" Dean yelled, gaging.

/*\/*\/*\

Gabriel strolled along the corridor, his steps a little laboured under the weight of his body. As awful as it sounds, he'll be glad when it's over, if only to be rid of the constant aching. He'd always been one for looking on the bright side.

He passed through the war room on his way back to his room. He caught flickering out of the corner of his eye, and stopped. Looking into the library, he saw the back of a blonde head. Beyond her, a movie plays on the projector. Frowning, intrigued, Gabriel steps up into the library, his return to bed forgotten. "Watcha watchin?" He asked, causing Claire to jump and look up at him, eyes red.

"Claire, what's wrong?" He demanded. At the same moment, a deep voice drew his gaze back to the screen.

Closer, Gabriel realised what she was watching and stared as the priest, Father Thompson, plunged a needle into the demon's neck, then demanded, 'How did it feel?'

Claire moved to turn of the projector, but Gabriel hurried to stop her, pulling up a chair. "I need to see it." He told her flatly.

They sat there for the next twenty minutes, watching the events of nearly seven decades ago, play out. When it was finished, and the demon was cured, they let the reel keep running.

"Doesn't seem so bad." Gabe muttered, attempting to reassure her.

"Except that's not the trail, is it. It's just one part." Her voice cracked and she finally flipped the switch on the machine. "The trails are worse." She said quietly, slouching in the chair, her elbow resting on the table, her head in her palm.

Gabriel knew he couldn't reassure her the way he wanted. The way she wanted. "I – Claire," He twisted in the seat until he was facing her and reached for her free hand, "Look at me." He ordered, waiting for her to turn.

It took her a few seconds, reluctant to meet him gaze, but finally those blood shot, mournful eyes locked onto Gabriel's.

"I need you to know, that having you in my life, its…" He took a deep breath and looked down briefly, trying to slot his words and feelings together. It would have been so much easier were he still an angel. He could have just shown Claire what she meant to him. How she'd changed his life. – Of course, if he were still an angel, he wouldn't feel anything.

Looking up, Gabe smiled sadly and squeezed Claire's hand between both of his. "Thank you." He said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I didn't know what it was like to feel love, until you."

Claire frowned, "What about Sam?"

Gabriel smiled, huffing out a dry laugh. "I spent a thousand years watching humanity live their lives, and then I spent another thousand trying to understand it, but I never did. Until you." He said, voice breaking a little. "Not Sam, you. You took me into your heart, kiddo, and allowed me to become your father." Eyes welling, Claire looked away. "The love you showed me, the trust, from the very beginning, without it I would not have survived humanity."

"Pops." Claire sniffed, turning back to look at him, tears filling her eyes slowly.

"I just want you to know, I love you, Claire. So much, and I want you to have the best life, you understand? And that means, no hunting."

"But…"

"Please." He begged, "I know I said you could hunt if you wanted, that it was your life, but – but kiddo, this," He waved a hand at the bunker, "this isn't a life. This is surviving one life threating disaster after another. This is waiting for the other shoe to drop and never allowing yourself to have an ounce of happiness because you're too scared to lose it. – Claire," He said firmly, "I do not want you ending up like Sam and Dean."

Claire's eyes widened, "What? Sam's happy?"

Gabriel sighed, "Those boys, they're never truly happy, because they can't allow themselves to me." He said sadly. "They're never going to walk away from this life, god knows I wish they would, but you can. Sam was right about not wanting this for you."

Claire released a wet breath, her body shaking as she tried to hold in a sob. "You want me to leave them? To abandon the only family, I have." She shook her head, "I can't do that. I won't."

Inhaling deeply, Gabriel reached out and brushed the tears from her cheek, before cradling it. "I'm not asking you to stop being a part of this family, I'm begging you to not let it destroy you the way it destroyed them."

Gabe sighed, his shoulders slumped and his reached down to grip her hand again, "Go to college, make friends and have lovers. Live."

Claire stared into his pleaded amber eyes and inhaled a shaky breath. "You're asking me to walk away and let people suffer. Sure, we're getting rid of demons but there's still going to be stuff out there." She snapped.

He couldn't argue with that. He couldn't pretend that his sacrifice was going to erase everything bad in the world, no matter how much he wished it would. "I want you to be happy."

"I am happy. I'm as happy as I can ever be without…" She trailed off to swipe at her eyes, "This is what I want to do. This is the life I'm choosing for myself."

Gabriel's stomach twisted, while pride flared in his chest. "You're incredible, you know that." He said, tears in his eyes. "I couldn't be prouder, and I'm certain you parents would be just as proud at the strong young woman you've become. – Just be careful, alright. I don't want you ending up on a hunter's pyre until you're at least seventy."

Claire smiled sadly, "That I can promise." He reached forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and squeezing him tight, finally giving in to the heartbreak and beginning to sob into his shoulder. "I love you too Pops."

Gabriel held her tightly and pressed a kiss to her temple.

/*\/*\/*\

The feeling of gentle fingers in his hair drew Gabriel from his fretful sleep. Slowly his eyes fluttered open to find Sam staring at him. He was dressed, which meant he'd already gotten up at some point, which honestly, wasn't a surprise considering they'd 'gone to bed' at four in the afternoon.

Clearing his throat, Gabe gave a tired smile and asked, "What time is it?"

Sam's hand settled on the bed between them, and Gabriel couldn't keep from reaching for it and knotting their fingers. "6. – AM." He clarified, "I didn't mean to wake you." Sam whispered, his bloodshot eyes searching Gabriel's face.

Gabe smiled softly, "It's fine."

They fell silent, simply laying there holding hands, and savouring each other's company, both fully aware it was their last morning together. Gabriel thumb stroked haphazardly at Sam's.

"You don't have to do this." Sam said ten minutes later, "No I mean. We can do it next week, next month. – In a decade."

Gabriel smiled regretfully and leant forward, pressing his lips to Sam's in a lingering mournful kiss. Letting go of Sam's hand, he moved closer and he threw his arm over the larger man's shoulder, pulling himself flush against Sam's chest and burying his face in the warm t-shirt.

Sam's arms closed around him and Gabe could feel his boyfriend's lips against the top of his head. They were silent again for a while longer, then Gabriel pulled back and looked up at Sam. "How about we have a big family breakfast?"

Sam exhaled, nodding. "Yeah."

/*\/*\/*\

Gabriel fell back in his seat, a satisfied moan escaping his lips, his stomach full. "That was great Dean-o."

Dean smiled proudly at him, "Thanks asshole."

Despite the friendly banter, no one at the table could escape the tension that hung over their morning like an impending storm. From the moment they'd all settled around the war table, Sam at Gabriel's side, Claire and Kevin facing them, Cas to Gabe's left, Dean to Sam's right, there had been an awkwardness that didn't go away. They pushed through it, talking causally about random stuff. Anything that came to mind that kept them as far away from the subject of the Trials, and Gabriel's inevitable death.

But now breakfast was over, and that tension was filling the long silence and pressing against the walls of normality until finally they cracked.

Licking his lips, Gabriel looked around the table at all the mournful faces. "Cheer up, guys. This will all be over soon, and you can relax in a world with no more angels and demons fucking with you."

Claire turned her head and sniffled, wiping at her eyes, causing Cas to reach over, and set a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Gabriel exhaled, looking between them, a pang of regret and jealousy suddenly taking hold. Cas was going to be here to watch over Claire, which was great, there was no one he trusted more. But it also reminded him of everything he was going to miss in the future. The lovers he'll never get to threaten, tubs of ice cream they won't get to share after a breakup. Her graduation was only a few weeks away. What if she got married, he wouldn't be here to see that, or the kids she might have? A whole life he was going to miss.

Swallowing thickly, Gabriel shoved back his chair to stand. "Cas, we need to talk." Castiel turned, looking up at him with furrowed brows. "I can't exactly head into town for confession, so you'll have to do."

"Now?" Sam gasped, scrambling to his feet. "What's the rush, we could…."

Gabriel couldn't look at him, his gaze fixed on the man's shirt. "Can you and Dean make sure our guest is all set and everything I need is ready, I'll be along when I'm done."

There was a long silence before Sam muttered, "Yeah."

Gabe gave a sharp nod, "Let's go bro." Stepping past Sam, Gabriel marched away, fully aware of Castiel hurriedly following him.

"Gabriel!" Cas caught up quickly, "Sam is right, there's no rush."

"I can't keep putting it off Cas. If I do, I might never do it."

Castiel snatched at his arm, turning his brother to face him. "If you don't want to finish, Gabriel, you…"

"Don't!" Gabe snapped, his fingers in his brother's face. "You don't get to tell me not to sacrifice myself when that's all you've ever done." His hand shook as he stared up at his brother. "You literally fucked off on a road trip to protect the man you love, this is no fucking different." With that, he turned and started walking again. It took a few seconds for Cas to follow.

Gabriel shoved open the door to one of the empty unused bedrooms and waved Castiel inside before closing the door and locking it. "Sit down then." He grunted, waving at the bed.

Castiel took a seat on the edge of the bed, while Gabriel moved around to side on the other edge, his back to Castiel. They sat there in silence for a little while as Gabriel tried to arrange his thoughts. "I haven't done this before." He muttered eventually. "I don't think I need to go through that whole 'forgive me father' shit, right? We both know Pops ain't forgiving me for anything."

Castiel sighed, "Gabri…"

"Right, yeah, start with the basics." He said in a breathless rush. "I fucking hate him." Gabriel announced.

"Who?" Castiel frowned at the wall.

"Father. – I hate what he's done. I hate that he created us, and them, and then just fucked off and let it all go to crap because he got bored or whatever!

"I hate him for what he made me do." Gabriel's voice cracked, "I hate myself for what he made me do." He added brokenly.

"What?"

Gabriel was silent for a while, and when he spoke again, his voice was thick with emotion. "I have so much blood on my hands because of him, Cas. I've killed innocent children just because he feared them." The memories of the Nephilim he'd helped wipe from the face of the earth. "But you know what I hate him for most of all. You."

Castiel turned, frowning, "Me?"

Gabriel didn't turn, instead staring down at his folded hands, as he leant heavily on his knees. "Yeah. I hate that he had you. I hate that he abandoned us and then had you."

"Gabriel I…"

"You're not a fucking angel Cas." Gabriel announced in a rush. "I mean, you are now, but you weren't always an angel." Turning on the bed, he finally faced his brother. "You're…." He swallowed, "You were, human."

Castiel's eyes widened.

"Kind of. – Fuck," Gabriel scrubbed at his face and twisted further around, folding his legs on the bed. Castiel quickly mirrored his position and stared confused and intrigued.

Gabriel took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Okay." He exhaled, and opened them again. "Once upon a time, Dad got kind of frustrated with being a God and wanted to take a break. He wanted to pop down here and live it up amongst his creations. It wasn't long after Michael and Lucifer had their blow out and the whole Nephilim situation. All-in-all home life was pretty shit, and good old dad just couldn't handle it. I guess he thought earth would be more peaceful.

"So, he grabbed himself a vessel and took a little vacation. Sometimes I wonder if perhaps he was trying to understand what had caused the problems with Micky, Luci, and the others.

"Anyway, while he was down here, living it up, he met someone. A young girl, and things went down the way things tend to do when you have a naive girl and a narcissistic egomaniac, and nine months later, boom – you."

Castiel's eyes widen, "What?"

Gabriel gave him an awkward smile and shrugged. "When dad found out he'd left a bun in the oven, he was all for – you know," Gabriel sliced a finger across his throat. "Nephilim bad, remember, but then he saw an opportunity to escape heaven for good, so I was sent to watch over you, play bodyguard and nursemaid until you were old enough for him to…." Gabriel exhaled an angry sigh. "Steal your body." He said bluntly.

"Are you saying…."

"Your Jesus." Gabriel said with a grin that didn't reach his eyes.

Castiel leant back, shaking his head. "That's impossible, I – I don't…."

Gabriel sadly tapped at his head, "I'm sorry, Cas. I – I tried to stop him, but he just wouldn't listen."

"D-does heaven know…"

"No. – I mean, they know about Jesus, obviously, but – they don't even know what Pops looked like Cas, let alone you."

Castiel scrambled off the bed, his mind reeling. "So, I was –" He shook his head, "But I remember the nativity. I remember the crucifixion."

"False and manipulated memories care of Suryal."

"Suryal?" Castiel frowned.

"She was an archangel, Naomi's predecessor. She was the only other angel who knew the truth about you." Gabriel sighed, "And it cost her, her life."

"What happened?" Castiel asked cautiously.

"After you were settled into heaven and dad vanished for good, all hell broke loose. Michael went insane and started interrogating everyone trying to find daddy dearest. He knew Suryal had information." Gabriel swallowed thickly, dropping his chin to his chest. "She tore out her grace and fell to escape him. – She died human."

"I'm sorry, brother."

Gabriel exhaled a shaky breath. "It only made Michael even more determined, that's when he found the 'big plan'." He rolled his eyes, "He and the others were convinced that Pops had left it for them. I knew it was bullshit and skipped town. – I – I didn't think it was going to…." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"I settled on earth, made some knew friends," He smirked sadly, "By the time I realised how insane Michael had gone, the 'plan' was already in full swing. I foolishly figured Pops would step in before it got too out of hand.

"Then I heard about Azazel making deals, lots of deals, and I started paying more attention, that's when I found about the Michael and Lucifer winner takes all blow out and the two humans' destined to be their vessels. It wasn't until our boys turned up to kill me in New Hampshire that I knew they were the ones."

Castiel stood at the end of the bed watching him. "You left me up there."

Gabriel closed his eyes, inhaling. "If I'd taken you, Michael would have gotten suspicious. You were just a garrison angel, you didn't have any reason to be involved. – But then you had to go and volunteer to save Dean Winchester from hell."

Castiel straightened defensively. "It was my duty."

Scoffing, Gabe shook his head, "You never change baby brother. Two thousand years and you're still trying to save souls. Now it's my turn." He sighed, shuffling off the bed and standing in front of Castiel. "No more, okay." He ordered. "You stop. You stay here on earth with Dean and this dysfunctional family and you live a fuck normal life."

"I – "

"No buts Cas," He smiled. "You've done enough for humanity, its time you get to be happy for once." He stepped forward, yanking Castiel into a firm hug. "You're the only brother I genuinely love Cassie."

Cas hugged his brother back. "You too Gabriel."

Drawing back, Gabriel beamed at him. "Okay, so…." He stood thinking for a second, "that's really all I need to confess. – Well, one more thing." He chuckled, "Let's go." He paused while opening the door. "Oh, Cas."

"Yes."

"Stop being an idiot okay and have an honest conversation with Dean-o. About your feelings, and his feelings, and all the feelings that have been bubbling away." Castiel's cheeks reddened. "Awww, your adorable baby bro." he reached out pinching Castiel's cheek, before ducking away when Cas swiped at his hand.

Gabriel was still laughing when he reached room 7B, though it died the second he saw Sam and Dean stood together looking pensive.

"What's happened?"

"Nothing, just Crowley being his usual dick self." Dean answered tightly.

The redness of Sam's eyes told Gabriel it was a lie, but he'd swallow it happily. "Okay, well I'm done with the confessional, right Father Castiel." He smirked, winking over his shoulder at the angel.

"You said you were almost done."

"Ah, right." Gabriel nodded, straightening his spine, he turned to Dean. "Dean Winchester, you're a complete and utter dick."

"Wow, fuck you very much." Dean glared.

Gabriel held up his hand, "Shut up, I ain't done. You have almost as many father issues as me, and frankly you could seriously do with a therapist. You tend to be controlling and you two have an incredibly unhealthy level of co-dependency that the therapist could help you with, and you need to get that thick head of yours out of your ass before you lose the one person who for some unbelievable reason actually fucking adores you." Dean's glare hardened, "That all said, you also have an epic sense of humour, cook like a god, and have amazing dress sense, and honestly the best taste in cars. It has been an honour to know you." With that, Gabriel held out his hand, "And I'm sorry for killing you a hundred and fifty times."

Dean stared at the hand for a long moment before taking it. "You aren't that bad yourself, asshole. - And I'm sorry for what I said about Sam and you." He muttered, "I was wrong, and jealous."

Gabriel's eyes widened with surprise, "I..."

"Turns out," Dean gave his brother the side eye, "The lug loves you, can't imagine why." He added with a smirk, "So if you want to, you know, not do this we can..."

Shaking his head, Gabriel withdrew hand and shoved them both in his pocket. "Just - " He swallowed thickly, "Just take care of him, okay, and Claire."

"Count on it." Dean promised.

Straightening his spin, Gabriel turned watery eye on Sam, "You coming in there with me?" With his jaw clenched tightly, Sam nodded. "Okay, then." Gabriel shot a last look at his brother, then reached for the door.

/*\/*\/*\

The hinges gave a slight groan as Gabriel pushed it open and stepped inside, almost as if the room didn't want him there anymore than he wanted to be there. The shelves used to conceal the dungeon were wide open allowing a clear view of Crowley, shackled to a chair under a solitary light. It was all very film noir, Gabriel thought.

"You really think you can cure me?" Crowley yelled, struggling against his chains.

Gabriel looked back at Sam questioningly as he closed the door. The hunter shrugged, "He asked, didn't see the point of lying."

With a nod and a weak smile, Gabriel took a step forward, only for Sam's hand to grab at his sleeve, halting him. "What did Dean say?"

Looking up at his boyfriend, Gabe shook his head, "It doesn't matter now."

"Confession, Gabe." Sam said firmly, "What?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes and exhaled a long, tired sigh, shoulders slumping. "He said, it was ages ago Sam and you heard… He said that you'd never love me like you loved Jessica, and that I was a convenience." He muttered wearily, "But you just heard him, he was wrong. I know that now."

"Now? You mean you believed it before."

Gabriel shrugged, "Don't know if you notice sasquatch, but I'm kind of insecure, especially as a human, so yeah I believed it. Why wouldn't I?"

Sam's eyes widened, "Why wouldn't you? I – Jesus Gabe." Sam ran his fingers through his hair. "If all I'd wanted was a goddamn convenience lay, then I wouldn't have left."

Gabriel frowned. "What?"

"I left because I – wasn't ready to admit how I was feeling about you, and I certainly wouldn't have come back."

Gabriel swallowed thickly, heart racing. He felt like an idiot, because of course it wasn't just someone for Sam to get his rocks off with. He wasn't Dean, Sam didn't do that. Sam was caring and loving. He wouldn't string Gabriel, or anyone, along.

"Is that why you're doing this?" Sam demanded quietly, "Because you think…"

Gabriel shook his head, causing a tear to roll down his cheek. "No." He replied determinedly. "I'm doing this because I'm the only one that can."

Sam groaned, "That's not true. We can start again."

Tilting his head, Gabriel stared up at him. "Who? Who'll do it then? You, no fucking way. Dean?" He shook his head, "Cas? Like fuck am I letting him be sacrificed again, and there's no fucking way in hell I'm letting Claire do it. I've started this Sam, I'm finishing it." With that, he turned, shaking off Sam's hand.

Without preamble, he marched over to the table with the syringes. Gritting his teeth, Gabe pushed the needle into his flesh and drew out the blood. With the syringe full, Gabriel turned, his eyes flickering over to where Sam stood, stiffly watching him, pleading in his eye tear filled eyes. It hurt to see, and teased at Gabriel's resolve. He wanted to stay, he wanted to live the rest of his human life with Sam and the family he'd found. But at what cost? How many lives in the future would be stolen and destroyed by heaven and hell? How long until one of his siblings decides to reboot their father's grand plan and try to free Michael and Lucifer from the cage? If that happened, Sam and Dean would once again be dragged into the fight, and Gabriel just couldn't allow that to happen. Everyone would be happier and safer with angels and demons locked away.

Tearing his gaze from Sam, Gabriel stepped up to Crowley, grabbing his hair in one hand and yanking his head to the side. With the flesh of the demon's neck bared, Gabriel plunged the needle deep and pressed down on the plunger.

The first dose administered, he stepped back and exhaled. His relief was short lived as the burning started and his veins began to hum and glow. The light above them flickered, and he stumbled back a few steps. Sam was there in an instant, catching him and leading him away, tossing the used syringe on the table as they passed.

/*\/*\/*\

Dean watched as Sam and Gabriel vanished into the room, the door closing behind them. This was it. The end of the road. Once the final trial was complete there would be no more demons, no more angels. He'd finally be able to let go of the fear that they'd somehow find a way to bring back Michael and Lucifer, that the destiny they'd fought so hard against, would take them in the end. He only wished there were another way. "Man, I need... He trailed off when he remembered they were out of beer. With a huff, he turned on his heels, "I'm going to the garage." He announced , walking off. When he didn't hear the familiar tread of Castiel's leather shoes, he paused, looking over his shoulder. "You coming?"

Cas looked at him with surprise, then nodded, "If you don't mind the company."

Dean sigh, "I never mind your company Cas. " He said honestly.

He waited for the angel to reach his side, then set off. They walked the winding corridors in silence, a comfortable silence. He'd never had that with anyone but Sam, he'd always left the need to fill them, even if he never actually said anything. Silence allowed for thoughts, thoughts that became fantasies and daydreams of a life he wasn't allowed to want, because it was selfish to want anything for himself.

His shoulder bumped into Cas' as they turned a corner, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He looked at the angel out of the corner of his eye, but Cas seemed unaware of just what that slight brief touch did to Dean's insides.

They reached the garage, and Dean pulled open the door, waving his hand for Cas to precede him. Cas frowned but stepped into the large space. Dean slipped past him, giving into the desire to touch but placing his hands-on Cas' should, moving him aside.

"What do you intend to do in here, Dean?" Cas asked casually , his eyes flickering around at all the cars that had been abandoned by the Men of Letters. "You can't leave." He suddenly announced, as the prospect that Dean was going to fetch beer occurred to him.

Dean looked over at him, "I know, Cas." He rolled his eyes, but his smile softened the reaction. "But if I can't drink, I need something else to take my mind off what's happening today. So ..." He tugged off his plaid shirt and tossed it on the work bench. "I'm going to work on my baby." He headed over to the Impala, opening the driver's side door and popping the latch that released the hood.

"Is there something wrong with her?" Cas asked curiously, moving up to vehicle and peering into the engine.

"No." Dean shook his head, "but that doesn't mean she can't do with a check-up. "

"Oh, I see."

Dean looked at him, smiling, "No you don't." He chucked, bumping Cas' shoulder purposefully this time.

Cas flushed, smiling back, "No, I don't."

Dean stared at him for a minute, taking in the stubble that decorated his strong square jaw, and the way his hair slightly hung over his forehead. His fingers tingled with the desire to brush it aside. Clearing his throat, Dean said, "Why don't I show you."

"Show me? "

"Yeah."

Dean smiled softly. He brushed past Cas, and headed over to the work bench. He grabbed a wrench and turned back to find Cas leaning forward, examining the inner workings of Baby's engine. Dean didn't move, frozen to the spot, watching the angel. Enjoying the view openly. There was the usual feelings of shame and guilt, his father's voice in the back of his mind, scolding, berating, telling him that it's just a phase he'll get over with the certainty of a man who is terrified he's raised a queer son.

Only this time, Dean grits his teeth and fights back. Something he should have done decades ago. He tells the father in his head what he'd never had the courage to say to his face. It's not a phase. It never was. That what happened in the back seat of the Impala with Lee wasn't a drunk moment of confusion. That he'd wanted to kiss him. That he'd liked kissing him. That he was into guys just as much as he liked girls.

And as it turns out, he kind of likes celestial beings too.

Dean's focus darkens as he drinks in Cas, especially the way the shirt tightens around his bicep, which is far more toned that Dean had previously realised.

At the way, the hem rides up at the back when Cas reaches into the engine, running his fingers over her innards. Dean doesn't care, his attention is being taken up, but the pal strip of flesh revealed to him, and the stretch of black fabric over the man's ass.

"Dean?" Cas said, startling him out of his ogling. Dean shook his whole body and cleared his throat, "Yeah."

"Are you alright Dean."

Dean delivered a reassuring smile and strolled up to Castiel's side, his hand brushing the man's shoulder, "Peachy, Cas. My mind just drifted away from me for a moment there."

Cas didn't look convinced, but like hell was Dean going to tell him the truth. "Okay, so, this thing, it's a valve cover, inside are all the parts that are on the head." When he looked up, Cas was watching intensely, brows furrowed in concentration. Dean smiled and kept going.

/*\/*\/*\

"Are you okay?" Sam asked frantically while lowering Gabriel to the couch. Gabe had insisted on going to the den, rather than being taken back to their room.

"I'm fine Sam," Gabe replied breathlessly. "It ain't my first rodeo" he slouched back against the cushions with a relieved sigh, and then held out his hand. Sam frowned, "Phone." Gabe demand .

"What?"

Wiggling his fingers, Gabriel huffed out, "I don't have forever."

Rooting into his pocket, Sam retrieved his cell and handed it over. He stood there, watching Gabriel's thumbs move swiftly over the screen. Almost a minute later, the ex-archangel tossed the cell on the coffee table and shuffled over, creating a gap between his body and the arm of the couch. He patted the worn cushions while looking up expectantly.

With a slow breath, Sam took the seat. He sat stiffly, unable to relax with the knowledge that this was his last few hours with Gabriel. The man in question seemed to sense his anxiety, "Hey, stop thinking." Gabriel reached for Sam's wrist, using it to lift his arm and pull it around him, then Gabriel snuggled up close, resting his head into the valley of Sam's shoulder.

"What are we doing?" Sam asked quietly, the fingers of his right hand playing gently at his boyfriends' hair.

"We're going to sit here and binge movies."

"What about...? " he asked, voice tinged with hope.

"I set the alarm." Gabriel replied matter-of-factly.

The sound of hurrying footsteps drew Sam's focus to the door, a second before riot came bounding in. He rushed over to Sam, slotting his head on to the man's lap. Sam ruffled at his ears for a few seconds, until Claire and Kevin strolled in.

"About time." Gabe gouched, "Come in." he waved at the space by his feet, while using one foot to tap the cushion.

Claire hurried over, that same hopeful look in her eyes, Gabriel either didn't see it or flat out ignored it. Which left it to Sam to burst the bubble. "It seems were wasting time till the next injection by having family movie time." He gave Claire a sad understanding looking, making it clear he felt the same disappointment.

With a resigned sigh, Claire dropped down into the space by Gabe's feet, while Kevin made himself comfortable on the armchair.

"Where's dean and Cas?" Sam asked casually while Gabriel fussed with the control.

Claire shrugged, "They didn't come back to the library."

Sam frowned and started to reach for his phone, only for Gabriel to press him back into the couch. "Leave them, that have shit to short out." With that he pressed play and the room was filled with the welcoming music of a Marvel production.

/*\/*\/*\

The hour flew by, and before he knew it, the alarm on Sam's phone was cutting though Tony Stark's delicious voice and shattering the peace. Gabriel paused the movie as he sat up, Sam stretching past him to switch off the phone.

"I'll be back." Gabriel announced with false cheer and a terrible terminator voice. He stepped past Sam, who was getting to his feet. "You can..."

"I'm coming with you." Sam informed, halting any argument. He waved Gabe on.

Rolling his eyes, Gabriel marched out the room and set off back to the dungeon, Sam's steady footfalls behind him. They reached the room in silence. Crowley glared at them the moment the door open,

"How are you feeling?" Sam asked curiously, always the student.

Gabriel marched over to the table and went about filling the syringe.

"Feeling? Oh, I'm just fucking peachy moose. Having the time of my life, always up for a little Domination fun." He shot Sam a wink and blew a kiss.

Gabriel tried not to grin when he stabbed the needle into the demon's neck. "All part of the game." He seethed into Crowley's ear. He hurriedly stepped back, bracing himself on the table as his veins began to burn.

Gritting his teeth, he breathed though it. It lasted a few seconds longer this time, and hurt that little bit more. When it was over, he exhaled and straightened. "See you in an hour." He said, heading for Sam.

"Looking forward to it." Crowley called as they left the room, pulling the door closed behind them.

"Gabe...?"

"Come on, we've got a film to get back to."