A/N: This chapter is a little soppy and sickly sweet in places but I can't help myself. Sorry
Not Beta Read!
Chapter 11
The door crashed open under the weight of the bodies stumbling frantically over the threshold. Neither man really caring about the noise or the potential damage, too busy battling for dominance with tongue and hand, ripping franticly at one another's clothes.
Gabriel had enough time and sense to throw the front door closed, barely, before his back hit the staircase post with an intense and arousing sense of déjà vu. He was anchored once more to the spot by the press of Sam's larger stronger body, their hips grinding almost painfully against the other.
Sam's jacket and shirt hit the polished oak floorboards with a muffled bang, his undershirt swiftly following suit to lay crumpled on the pile of green plaid fabric. He inhaled as Gabriel's blunt nails drew down the expanse of his back, over his hips, moaning as the same fingers fumbled with the opening of his jeans.
Batting the hands away lightly, Sam pushed and pulled at the padded khaki jacket, tossing it aside the second it released Gabriel's arms. He then moved swiftly to the shirt and undershirt, surprised by his own dexterity in the light of the lust clawing through him. The heavy belt landing with a louder clonk a few feet away.
"Careful with that." Gabriel chided; only to be silenced by Sam's blazing kiss.
Sliding his hands down Gabriel's back he palmed the man's ass, bracing his feet and hoisting the shorter man up with a deep grunt of effort. Gabriel's arms and legs instantly encircled the larger body, bringing their hips closer together. Both men moaned at the delicious spark of arousal created. They stood panting more than kissing, rutting more than touching.
Gabriel tore his mouth from Sam to drag his tongue up the column of neck, nipping lightly at the tightened muscles reaching his ear. Gabriel sucked roughly on the lobe before demanding harshly. "Naked. Now."
Sam growled, taking a step back from the staircase before stumbling forward, attempting to take the stairs. Despite his smaller form Gabriel still weighed enough to make the ascent fraught with danger, but lust and determination took them to the top of the stairs and down the hall, the pair colliding with walls and door frames as they went.
Gabriel's body bounced as it was thrown unceremoniously on the bed, Sam promptly grabbing the ex-archangel's feet to loosen the laces of his boots, flinging them aside with a echoed thump; one after the other. His socks, pants and underwear followed in quick succession until Gabriel lay naked stretched out on the covers.
With Gabriel laid bare in front of him, Sam struggled to get his remaining clothes off, forced to look away in order to remove his own boots. When he looked back, while dropping his jeans and boxers he found Gabriel grinning at him; amber eyes glowing with desire, eye lids heavy with want. He was sat on the edge of the bed, patiently waiting for Sam to disrobe. The moment he was naked, Gabriel reached for him, yanking him forward.
Poking out his tongue, Gabriel lapped at Sam's abs, down over the happy-trail and Sam gasped in pleasure, his head falling back when Gabriel finally engulfed his cock in a fervour of damp heat without warning, the man hollowing out his cheeks and sucking desperately. Sam's head rolled on his shoulders, his eyes drifting closed, losing himself in the sensation.
Gabriel moved his tongue expertly, his fingers gripping on to the taller man's hips for dear life, as if afraid to let go and lose him forever. Moving his head back and forward, he moaned at the strength of the musky scent, the heavy weight against his tongue, filling him with arousal.
While taking Sam deeper, Gabriel shifted his hands, moving to palm the firm orbs of the hunter's ass, squeezing and kneading as if preparing dough. Sam moaning with each motion, his hip jolting forward frantically.
Sam tangled his fingers into the man's soft fine golden brown hair, unable to prevent himself from thrusting into the warmth of the ex-angels mouth. Gabriel accepting each movement, allowing Sam to go deeper, relaxing every muscle in his jaw and throat. Sam was so engulfed by the intense sensations that he wasn't aware of Gabriel's hand's absence from his ass, or the cool glide of a damp finger between the cheeks a few minutes later. Sam was so blissed out and lost in the moment, Gabriel was already working him open with two fingers when the sensation finally registered. Freezing he pulled away enough to look down into Gabriel's heavy lidded watering eyes, the man's lips glistening in the dim moonlight, Gabriel's hand pulling free and away as he looked up questioningly. Sam swallowed against the thundering heartbeat, panting frantically.
"Sammy?" Gabriel whispered hoarsely; his throat raw from Sam's insistent thrusts.
"I…" Sam choked, his fingers flexing in the ex-angel's hair.
"If you don't want me to, that's cool." He said understandingly, his lip curving mischievously. "You know us angels can't enter without permission." He winked.
Sam exhaled a breathy laugh, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. He ducked down and kiss the older man, tasting the salty tang of his pre-cum on the shimmering thin lips. When he straightened he inhaled deeply, his whole body going rigid for a few moments before he stepped closer, using the fingers in Gabriel's hair to guide the man back to his cock, while his other hand reached around to grip the hovering uncertain wrist and guide it back to his ass.
Gabriel smiled around him, his fingers returning to rub and circle gently at Sam's entrance, humming encouragingly, causing Sam to both relax and moan. Sam closed his eyes, inhaling and exhaling through his nose rapidly, his whole body sensitive to every movement, even that of the air in the room as he felt his climax approaching.
"S-stop." He whispered brokenly; pushing at Gabriel's shoulder.
Instantly the ex-archangel pulled both mouth and hand away, looking at him with concern.
"I'm close."
"That's a good thing." Gabriel smirked.
"No." Sam shook his head, shoving Gabriel back onto the bed.
Gabriel caught his meaning and scampered back further onto the bed, Sam quickly following him, straddling his lap and leaning down to capture his mouth again; Sam's damp cock tracing pre-cum and saliva over the shorter man's stomach.
Gabriel carded his fingers through the dampening strands of Sam's hair as their kiss deepened, his other hand sweeping down to massage the younger man's ass before slowly pressing a finger inside him. Sam jolted with surprise but didn't freeze up or pull away, allowing Gabriel to continue. He took his time, easing Sam open slowly. "I've dreamt about this." He whispered roughly against Sam's lips. "So many times." He moaned; Sam reaching a hand between them to stroke at the ex-angel's forgotten cock. "It was hell lying next door, knowing you were in this bed, not wanting me."
Sam met Gabriel's despairing amber gaze, wanting to speak but having no idea what to say. He hadn't wanted this, not then. He twisted his wrist, causing Gabriel to let out a choked groan that Sam captured in his mouth. The kiss sloppy and uncoordinated.
Pulling away Gabriel smiled. "Up. On your knees." He ordered, his voice taking on a firmness he hadn't used in centuries. Sam surprised them both by doing as he was told without question, protest or complaint. Dragging the pillow beneath him. Gabriel extracted his fingers to scurry across to the nightstand, reaching into the top drawer for the silver and blue foil packet. Returning to kneel behind his hunter, he ripped at the packaging with his teeth and pulling the latex free. He began to roll it onto his erect cock, gasping at his own sensitivity, coating himself and Sam in yet more lubrication. His hands skimmed lightly over the heated toned and sweat coated flesh of the hunter's back. "Sam?"
The younger man pressed his face into the pillow, his heart racing as last minute doubts and fears crowded in on him.
"Sam, yes or no?" Gabriel asked softly, his thumbs rubbing comforting circles into the younger man's pelvic bone.
Sam was silent for a long moment, so long that Gabriel was beginning to back away. He hadn't gotten far though when Sam finally spoke up, his voice shaky but confident. "Yes."
Gabriel exhaled and moved quickly forward even as he asked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Sam repeated. "Just go slow."
Gabriel smiled, bending to press a kiss into the middle of Sam's sweaty back. "Believe me hot-stuff, I ain't rushing this." Taking a deep breath he guided himself to Sam's entrance and pushed in slowly. Withdrawing when Sam's body resisted.
He used his fingers to tempt the man's body to relax and tried again, sighing with relief when he was able to get the head and the first few inches inside. Sam groaning, his body arching back towards Gabriel while he pressed his face into the pile of pillows he'd dragged into the cradle of his arms.
The sound that came from Sam's throat was part moan, part whimper. His fingers white knuckling the pillow as he pressed his mouth to it, muffling his cry as Gabriel pressed forward. Sam hissed at the painful feeling of flesh and muscle stretching to accommodate the foreign body. His mind whirled over and around itself, unable to believe Gabriel had given himself over to this, unable to believe there was any pleasure to come, despite knowing there was. – There had to be.
It wasn't the worst pain Sam had felt, it wasn't the most discomfort either. He had vivid memories of hell, of Lucifer's torment. This pale in comparison.
Finally he felt Gabriel's pelvis flush with his ass and exhaled the breath he'd been holding. Lifting his head, Sam gulped in a fresh lungful of air, his whole body shaking as it adjusted.
"Okay?" Gabriel panted against his shoulder blade.
Sam nodded, the sweat peppering his forehead causing his hair to cling to his face.
"Just breathe."
Gabriel fought the urge to just move, to just plough into Sam like a jack-hammer, he'd waited so long for this, but he wasn't going to rush, he wasn't going to ruin everything they'd build. Sam needed time and he'd happily give it. "Sam?"
"I'm…o…kay." He panted. "I'm…ready."
Gabriel took a deep breath, tightening his fingers on Sam's hips as he slowly withdrew, his heart skipping at the broken moan Sam let out. He was barely out before he was thrusting back in, setting a slow steady rhythm.
He'd delivered a good dozen thrust when Sam's hand reached around, pressing against Gabriel's hip. "Stop."
Gabriel instantly halted, withdrawing as if burnt. "What's wrong?" he asked panicked.
Sam shook his head as he rolled onto his back, his face flushed red, glistening with sweat, his lip plump where he'd bitten it. "I can't….do it…like this." He gulped a lungful of air once more. "Like…that." He corrected, looking into Gabriel's concerned eyes. Sam rearranged himself, lifting his legs, silently reassuring Gabriel. Inviting him back.
Gabriel swallowed thickly, smiling down at the tall hunter as he moved into the space between Sam's spread thighs, forcing the too long legs back against Sam's chest. The hunter instantly gripped the back of his legs and presented himself, Gabriel inhaling sharply at the sight. He surged forward to capture Sam's mouth, kissing him deep and dirtily while slipping easily back into the man's welcoming body, practically bending Sam double as he returned to his rhythm.
With his arms braced either side of Sam's impressive chest, Gabriel once again began his steady thrusts, rocking in and out. Sam moving to meet his thrusts as much as their awkward position would allow.
Sam's breath left his body as it grew hotter, the pain and discomfort he'd felt fading as pleasure engulfed him, luring him deeper into lust, arousal and need. He hadn't expected it to feel like that, so good. His head dropped back against the bed, a yell ripped from his throat as Gabriel drove into him and hit something he hadn't even know could give the overwhelming amount of gratification that was coursing through him in that second. White lights bloomed in his vision for a moment and his whole body shook from the aftershock. "Again." He pleaded breathlessly. "A…again."
He felt Gabriel chuckle through their connection just before he hit that magic spot again.
"Christ!" Sam yelled, his whole body jolting.
"If…y-you're going to…blaspheme, Sammy, at least use my name."
Sam met Gabriel's laughing eyes and yanked him down into another messy kiss. "Harder." He whispered, drawing back.
Gabriel frowned. "You sure?"
Sam nodded frantically. "Harder. Faster." He ordered, releasing his legs to plant his feet against the mattress as leverage to meet Gabriel's pace.
Gabriel smirked. "I don't know Kiddo, I'm not sure you're ready for the big time just yet."
Sam growled, pulling the ex-angel back into a kiss, distracting him enough to easily flip their positions. Sam kneeling, straddling the smaller man's hips, grinning triumphantly down at him as he used his own strength to increase the pace, faster and faster. Gabriel's fingers biting into the curve of Sam's thighs.
"Fuck Sam." Gabriel panted, his eyes fixed on the younger man. "Feels so good. Don't…stop."
Sam shook his head, moaning whilst he moved, shifting just enough that that magic feeling shot through his body once more.
The room was filled with the sound of both men's moans. Whispered curses, the slap of sweat soaked skin, the cry of the mattress and the whine of the bedframe.
"Oh…I'm…so…close." Sam panted rocking faster, shocked at the pleasure rippling through his body. Gabriel thrusting up to meet him. "I…can't believe…I'm gonna…come doing….this." Sam said in breathless wonder.
Gabriel chuckling, taking the hunter's mouth, his hands seeking out Sam's, tangling their fingers. He gave a deep thrust, straining the muscles in his thighs and back to push off the bed. His hand moving to Sam's cock, pumping it quickly, the strokes rough and eager, frantic to get Sam off.
Sam yelled loud enough Gabriel was sure the window's rattled, every visible muscle tensing as he shot his load all over Gabriel's red flushed chest, coating it in a layer of thick white, Sam's nails biting into the flesh of Gabriel's knuckles
"Fuck!" Gabriel yelled, the younger man closing up tight around him, milking the orgasm out of the ex-archangel. He continued to thrust weakly through his climax, till he was nothing but a trembling pool of sweat and cum. He was almost flattened as Sam collapsed onto him, but he didn't much care. He felt too damn good.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Sam blinked awake. It was still dark, the only light in the room coming from the moonlight though the window behind him. His back was blanketed in a comforting warmth. Moaning softly Sam twisted his upper body to look at the older man, wincing at the pain shooting up his spine, he inhaled sharply, his heart skipping a beat.
Taking a couple of breaths, Sam lay staring at the darkened far wall. He still couldn't believe he'd let Gabriel fuck him. He'd never thought he'd give himself over to that. Of course he'd never thought for even a second he'd end up in a relationship with another man, especially Gabriel. Though he probably shouldn't be surprised, if he were honest. His life had taken so many twists and turns over the years, he wasn't anywhere near where he'd expected to be at twenty-nine.
Or maybe he was. He'd always wanted a proper home, a family, a warm body to curl up with at the end of a long day. Kids and a job that left him feeling fulfilled and valued. So it wasn't Jessica lying there warmly beside him. It wasn't their child sleeping a room away, and he wasn't protecting society from dangerous criminals, but in reflection he was exactly where he'd always wanted to be. It wasn't the 'normal life' he'd fought to build, but he'd long given up on that idea, it was as normal as he'd ever see.
Sam sighed, turning his head to watch Gabriel sleeping beside him. In the wake of everything that had happened to him the last couple of days…weeks. Hell years. His eyes scanned the shadowed face, it was close enough to make out the man's features. His thin nose and lips, the fall of his fine hair, the layer of stubble scattered over his jaw and upper lip.
Wincing once again, Sam gritted his teeth and slipped out of the bed, careful not to disturb Gabriel. Hunting around in the dark, Sam found his underwear, inhaling sharply as he stepped into them. Quietly Sam padded out of the room and down to the kitchen, pausing to fish his phone out of his jacket pocket, tossing the whole pile of discarded fabric onto the armchair.
The more he moved, the less discomfort he was feeling in his lower back and ass, which he was very grateful for. He didn't bother to flick on the light, his eyes already adjusted to the darkness. He fetched a glass and turned on the tap, gulping down two whole glasses in a matter of moments. Breathless from the hurried drink, Sam set the glass in the sink and lent back against the counter, his gaze turned towards the back door. While he felt as if he'd gotten everything he'd always hoped for, he feared it was going to come at a price. When he'd been at Stanford, he'd never allowed himself to think of never seen his brother again, it was easier. He'd lied to himself and said that when he was settled, when he had his degree, he'd call Dean. He'd make good with his father. It had silenced the guilty conscience, but he'd always known it was a lie. That when he'd walked away, he'd intended never to look back. It was one of the reasons he'd never talked about Dean to Jessica. And she'd never asked, she'd never tried to make him make an effort to reconnect. She'd swallowed every bullshit lie he'd fed her and never questioned any of it. He'd been grateful then, cutting ties had been all too easy because he'd never really wanted that life. He'd never wanted that family. – No matter how much he'd loved them, he hadn't needed them.
Now though, now he couldn't imagine never seeing or speaking to Dean. – No, that wasn't true. He could, because he'd already lived it, and Gabriel was right, it had been the worst year of his life. No, two years. He'd gone through that loss twice, and it had almost killed him. It had sent him spiralling out of control. Sent him into one bad relationship and another…unexpected one.
He sighed as the memory of how fractured his relationship with his brother became when he'd been with Ruby. The lies and secrets, the mistrust. The simmering anger and hatred that had almost ended the world. He didn't want to go through that again, but neither was he willing to just give up what little pieces of a life he'd found. He'd learnt his lesson, he wasn't going to keep Gabriel a secret, he wasn't going to lie to his brother and he wasn't going to just turn his back on the life. Dean had pulled him back into this world, kicking and screaming, it wasn't fair of him to now decide to push him away because he didn't like the guy he was living with. Because he was jealous of what he'd built in his absence to survive.
Snatching his cell off the counter, Sam hit his speed dial, frustration boiling in his gut. As it rang in his ear he strolled to the backdoor, staring out at the night sky. The moon low on the horizon. He hadn't bothered to check the time. The call continued to ring out and Sam sighed wearily. He probably should have expected Dean not to answer, though whether that was because he was avoiding him or he was out letting off steam, Sam couldn't be sure. Finally the voice mail picked up, Dean's voice direct and to the point. The beep pierced the silence and he exhaled sadly. "Dean. – I…I'm sorry, man. I shouldn't have brought up Lisa." He took a breath. "But it doesn't change anything Dean. I'm not giving Gabriel and Claire up and I don't want to stop hunting, not now we finally have a chance to close…."
BEEP
Sam sighed. He considered for a moment calling back but he'd said all he really needed to say, the rest was ultimately down to Dean. He just hoped his brother could get over whatever was freaking him out.
He startled slightly as a set of warm hands curled around his ribs, sweeping to his hips, the gentle brush of breath on the skin between his shoulder blades. Sam instantly relaxed into the touch. Exhaling wearily, his heart leapt at the press of Gabriel's forehead to the center of his spine. They remained like that in the dark kitchen for a while, neither saying anything, just soaking in the peace. The comfortable silence was broken eventually by Gabriel's low whisper.
"Come back to bed."
Sam took a breath, sparing a final look at the moon before allowing Gabriel to lead him back to their bed.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Gabriel tightened his arm over the large mass of muscle, flesh and bone, more commonly known as Sam Winchester. His face pressed into the curve of the man's spine, their legs tangled around one another. It really had been surprising when the hunter had called him asking to be picked up at the bus station. Every voice in Gabriel's head had said he was never going to see Sam again. That the hunter had gotten whatever curious need that had brought him back, out of his system and had decided he wasn't into it.
He'd even planned a night out to get over the man…again, because despite what the hunter had promised, Gabriel just couldn't allow himself to believe Sam actually wanted him. Wanted this. So when he'd heard Sam's request his heart had almost stopped.
Sam's reaction to seeing him? That was another shock, Gabriel hadn't been prepared for. He'd never been kissed like that before, so gently, so innocently, like it mattered. A kiss that so clearly said 'I'm home'. Had it been any wonder he'd gotten carried away when they'd made it back to the house? That Sam had let him, left Gabriel all at sea and anchored in the same instant.
Craning his neck, Gabriel squinted at the clock. 8 am. He exhaled softly, thankful he didn't have to work, especially considering the aching in his body. He hadn't worked his muscles so hard…ever, and Kali knew a trick or two. Though when he was an angel it hadn't really been an issue. He hadn't felt discomfort or pain. – Or pleasure, in such a pure sense. Such a human sense.
That life seemed like it belonged to someone else now. Like it was just a story someone had told him. It was hard to even remember how it had felt some days. Closing his eyes once more, Gabriel rolled away from the heat of Sam's overgrown body to his back. He just lay there, listening to the steady in/out of the hunter's breathing. He was almost able to fall back to sleep when the bed shifted beside him. Turning his head against the pillow he met Sam's heavy lidded hazel gaze. "Hey." He greeted quietly.
"Hey." Sam smiled sleepily back at him.
"If you're expecting breakfast in bed, you're in for a disappointing morning." Gabriel huffed.
Sam pouted ridiculously. "But I need to regain my strength. – And considering you're the reason I'm wrecked, I think it's only fair you feed me."
"Oh, you do, do you?" Gabriel drew back disbelievingly.
Sam nodded, a bright playful smile on his face.
"And what would his highness like for breakfast, exactly?"
Sam pulled a thoughtful face, running his hand absently over the swell of Gabriel's hip. "Well…right now, I could really go for another helping of sausage." His hand slipping seductively beneath the covers to grope at the ex-archangel.
A laugh burst its way out of Gabriel's chest. "Really?" he shook his head amused. "A little meat between your buns and now that's all you can think about? Whatever happened to the sasquatch that couldn't fathom such an unhealthy diet?"
Sam moved closer, his hand stroking languidly over Gabriel's already erect dick, causing the older man to moan wantonly. "You shouldn't put yourself down, it wasn't that small." He chuckled wickedly. He pulled Gabriel into a deep erotic kiss.
Gabriel gasped and moaned as Sam broke the kiss and moved his two large body down beneath the sheets, his tongue leaving a damp trail in his wake.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Sam caught the delicious scent of eggs and ham as he descended the stairs, dragging his fingers through his still damn hair. His stomach growled at the prospect of food finally. As he got closer to the kitchen the sound of music grew louder. Pausing in the doorway, Sam smirked, leaning against the frame to watch Gabriel swing his hips seductively to the music. The scene igniting his body once again, heat pooling low in his gut.
"…to tremendous applause, she took off her drawers, with a lick of her lips, she undid all her clips. Threw it all in the air and everybody stared." Gabriel sung loudly.
Sam watched enthralled as Gabriel got more carried away, his whole body swaying, his arms swinging dangerously over his head with the spatula.
"And as the last piece of clothing fell to the floor, the police were yelling out for more! On a Saturday night, in nineteen twenty four. – On a Saturday night in nineteeeen twenty four!"
Sam chuckled, applauding.
"Fuck!" Gabriel yelled, spinning to see the hunter in the doorway.
Sam smirked wickedly, stalking towards the older man. "That's what I was just thinking. Nice hip work." He said in a rough low voice, pulling Gabriel towards him by said hips. "Though I'm not really surprised, I've felt them in action."
Gabriel narrowed his gaze up at the taller man, rolling his pelvis against Sam's thigh and pulling him down into a heated kiss.
Sam lost himself in the moment, the world around him disappearing. He still couldn't quite believe he was doing this, and enjoying it. – And wanting more. It was as if a damn had been busted open. He couldn't keep his hands off the ex-angel. Couldn't stop wanting to taste him, feel him. Be taken by him. – And that was the one that was freaking him out a little bit, yet it wasn't enough to make him run. It was so surreal. He understood why his brother was freaked, but he needed someone…and it seemed that Gabriel was it.
Gabriel broke away. "Breakfast is burning." He murmured hoarsely.
"It's almost noon." Sam reminded him with a smile.
"Well you were the one who wouldn't let me out of bed until forty minutes ago. – Fine, it's lunch, okay. And it's burning."
Sam shrugged as the song on Gabriel's phone finally registered. He tightened his arms around the man, pulling him closer. "This song reminds me of the first time we met."
Gabriel glanced over at the phone with a laugh. "Yeah."
"I felt so guilty but it almost killed me not to laugh at what you did to that poor kid."
"He was hardly a poor kid, the little shit had done a lot worse. Frankly he was lucky that's all I did." Gabriel defended.
"I think it was enough, he's probably traumatized for life." Sam shook his head, but the amusement was still there in his eyes as he swayed Gabriel along with the song.
"He'll never do it again, so my mission was a success. – You know what I remember about our first meeting?" he asked lightly. "You flirting with me."
Sam narrowed his eyes. "I did not flirt with you."
Gabriel broke out of Sam's hold only long enough to switch off the stove before it caught fire and burnt the house down. "You were so flirting with me." He smirked, slipping easily back into Sam's arms. His hands curling into the waistband of the man's jeans. "All those small seductive smiles, laughing at my unfunny jokes." He shook his head. "I was this close…" he yanked them flush together. "To giving you my number, just to see what you'd do."
Sam swallowed nervously. Had he flirted? He didn't remember consciously flirting. "I was…just being friendly. I needed you to talk."
Gabriel hummed disbelievingly, nodding. "Whatever you say, kiddo."
Sam licked his lips uncertainly, his heart racing along with his mind. Maybe he'd always been drawn to Gabriel. Involuntarily.
"Sam? Are you freaking out?" Gabriel asked, suddenly serious and very wary.
"A little, yeah."
Gabriel pulled away, putting some distance between them, silently watching Sam struggle. Wishing he'd never said anything. Kicking himself, he turned back to the stove, reaching for the pan.
Sam watched him as he threw the burnt omelette into the trash and began again. He knew he was feeling uncertain. Sam had screwed him around too many times not to leave wounds, but he was struggling to understand his own feelings and just how long he'd had them, so instead of reassuring Gabriel like he should, Sam murmured something about fixing the truck and slipped out the back door. He just needed air and silence to think.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
It was almost an hour before Gabriel worked up the courage to face the inevitable. He really only had himself to blame, not so much for teasing Sam, pushing him, but for letting himself actually believe for one fucking second that it was going to last. For one reason or another Sam was eventually going to run, it's what the kid did. It was a flaw they shared.
Maybe it was better that it happened now, before he fell any deeper, before Claire began to feel settled. Before she got her hopes up. Better for them to just cut their losses now.
Taking a deep breath Gabriel pushed through the back door and slowly made his way to the rusty old truck. It was how he knew Sam was freaking out, there was nothing wrong with the thing, so Sam should have walked back into the house forty-five minutes ago.
His heart was racing the closer he got, his stomach so tied up in knots he felt sick. Finally he came to a halt and stared down at the denim clad legs sticking out from beneath the rusted red metal. "You know there's nothin' actually wrong with this thing, right?" he was surprise by the steadiness of his voice. "I got it fixed up months ago." There was no reply, not so much as a grunt. No scrape of tools against metal either. Gabriel could almost envision Sam just laying down there staring up at the shacey. – Maye he'd even fallen asleep.
It felt like eternity before he heard the crunch of small wheels on gravel, as Sam slowly dragged himself out, his face flushed and covered with a streak of oil. His t-shirt damp with sweat, sticking to his arms and chest. If Gabriel wasn't currently so anxious, he'd be turned on. – Hell, who was he kidding, he was turned on.
Sam straightened, wiping his hands on a rag from the barn and looked down at him. "You may have had it fixed, but you haven't had the oil changed."
Gabriel shrugged. "So that's what you've been doing?" his eyes scanning the darkened fingers.
Sam shrugged, his eyes flickering to the engine.
"Oh." Gabriel grunted, turning his body to lean against the open hood, watching Sam out of the corner of his eye as the hunter mirrored his position. They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, the pair just staring out at the field beyond.
"I know you're freaking again." Gabriel stated matter-of-factly, his arms folded over his chest. He didn't look away from the field. "And I get it. I'm sorry… - If you're going to run though, do it now. Before…I…before Claire gets back. It was hard enough on her the first time." He sighed sadly. It was only half a lie, Claire had taken Sam's departure badly, but not nearly as badly as he had.
"You're right, I am freaking out." Sam replied quietly. "Because there's every chance I've liked you a hell of a lot longer than I realized."
"I was messing with you, Sam." Gabriel said quickly. "You weren't…I mean you were but it hadn't meant anything. You were just doing what you had to do, I knew that. I know that. – I've done it myself."
Sam twisted his body, his hip resting against the grate. "If that were true…" he sighed. "I wouldn't have let you kiss me. I wouldn't have kissed you back."
Gabriel flushed at the memory of that first kiss, it seemed like an eternity ago now. "That wasn't anything either. We were….dealing with…"
"That's what I told myself at the time." Sam nodded, his gaze burning into the side of the ex-angel's face. "But then I would have just brushed it off. We would have just gone on like nothing had happened. – I wouldn't have gone out, gotten blind drunk and picked up the first girl I could find. I wouldn't have punched you." He exhaled, taking a step closer. "I wouldn't have cared if you'd died after healing me. I wouldn't have gotten so angry at you telling everyone we were together, because it was the most logical thing to say to avoid questions." He smirked, moving closer still. "I wouldn't have given a rat's ass that you went out with…Rita. – I would have been able to get laid without a black hole in the pit of my stomach."
Gabriel stared up at Sam with wide amber eyes. He swallowed thickly at the intensity he saw in the hunter's face, as well as the sincerity. His breath hitched when Sam took another step towards him, closing the final few inches.
"And it wouldn't have hurt when you made me leave."
"I…had to Sam."
"I know." Sam nodded understandingly. "But I'm back now Gabe…and I meant what I said, you're not getting rid of me so easily again." He breathed; leaning in to capture the shorter man's lips, his oil covered hands curving over Gabriel's jaw.
The ex-archangel moaned softly, melting into Sam's warm welcoming arms, his own hands tightening into the folds of the grey sweat drenched t-shirt as he surrendered. The weight he'd been suffocating under lifting, finally allowing hope in.
A/N: Well hopefully the spelling mistakes aren't as bad in this chapter, as I've just realised if I use the narrator on my computer to read the work back to me, I can find the spelling mistakes easier. So I guess my beta is Microsoft. :D
If anyone was wondering about the song Gabriel was dancing too, it's Patricia the Stripper by Chris De Burgh.
See you next month.
