A/N: Seasons Greetings to you all. Hope you're having a wonderful holiday whatever you're celebrating. This hasn't been betaed, apologies. Hopefully there aren't too many mistakes.
Chapter 17
It wasn't the sun that pulled Sam from his deep restful slumber on Christmas morning. It was the damp heat and pressure on his dick. His back arched off the bed and he groaned, eyelids fluttering open as he looked down at the large moving lump beneath the covers. He threw back the blankets to witness the incredible sight of Gabriel's lips stretched and glistening, his face flushed and glowing. Sam let out a deep throaty moan at the sight and thrust up into the heat. Instantly Gabriel's eyes met his and he smiled wide as he could with so much solid muscle between his lips.
Sam felt the ex-archangel relax his jaw a little more and in an instant Sam's fingers were curling into the man's thin hair as he began to thrust in earnest, fucking into Gabriel's throat.
Just when Sam thought he was going to come, the mouth was gone. Gabriel shifting back on his knees to crawl over Sam. His amber eyes intensely locked with Sam's as he positioned himself over the taller man.
Gabriel's fingers curled around Sam's overly sensitive dick, guiding it to him as he lowered himself down, tortuously slow. Sam gasped, his fingers biting into Gabriel's hips.
"You were...ready for this?" Sam panted with a wicked blissful smile.
"Merry Christmas, Kiddo." Gabriel replied huskily as he bottomed out.
Sam reached up, curling his hand around Gabriel's neck and pulled him down into a deep dirty kiss, tasting himself on the man's tongue.
Gabriel draw back and began to move, slow and steady, drawing out every electing sensation. His palms sprayed open against Sam's abdomen, giving himself leverage. Sam watched him enticed, holding possessively to the smaller man like he couldn't bare to let him go lifting his hips to meet each downward movement Gabriel delivered. Savouring the tight heat, wanting more, yet not.
Sam slid his palms up Gabriel's flanks in a gentle sweep, his fingers sliding over the man's ribs, around his back. Sam lifted himself to sit up on the bed, Gabriel still moving in his lap. His hands curling over the backs of the ex-angel's shoulders, drawing him into another kiss. This time slow and explorative, yet still filled with head and passion. Breaking apart only to refill their lungs.
Despite how close Sam had been when Gabriel had called a halt to his 'wake up call' Sam was holding on, fighting the orgasm as long as he could. He wanted this perfect moment to last.
The room was silent but for their quickly heady breaths and the erotic echo of flesh hitting flesh. Sam slid his hand from Gabriel's right shoulder and slipped it between them, his mouth pressed to the man's shoulder, biting and sucking a dark bruise of ownership. He listened as Gabriel gasped and moaning on the same exhale and sank his teeth deeper, stroking a little faster.
Gabriel's arms wrapped tightly around Sam's neck, his fingers tangling in the long strands of golden brown damp locks. The slow, long grind quickening as they saw the finish ling in sight.
"Ahhh...Sam." Gabriel panted as his body grew more and more ridged, his internal muscles clenching around Sam's cock. "Shit. I love you." he cried as he spilled between them, ecstasy consuming him.
Sam tightened his grip on the man, stroking him through his orgasm while holding him close, his own climax rocketing through him. He wasn't so far gone that he didn't hear Gabriel's confession, nor was he fool enough to think it wasn't the truth. But as he opened his mouth to return the sentiment, he found the words dissolving on his tongue. Fearful of them. So instead he mumbled something illegible and crushed his mouth to Gabriel's, hoping to communicate what he wasn't able - or ready to say.
Sam collapsed back against the mattress, Gabriel pulled down on top of him. The pair of them slowly regaining their equilibrium. Sam's fingers played idly across the other man's back. Hissing as Gabriel lifted himself free, only to settle back against him with a blissful sigh.
They lay in silence, pressed skin to skin Sam stared up at the ceiling as his mind spiralled. Wondering why he couldn't bring himself to say what he knew was true. Why it filled him with fear?
He tilled his head to look at Gabriel, finding the man staring blankly into his chest, his head resting over Sam's heart. Something about the look the man's face made Sam's heart clench painfully in his chest. So painfully he inhaled sharply.
At the sound Gabriel looked up at him. "You okay there, Sammy?"
Forcing back the lump, Sam smiled warmly. "Yeah. - Merry Christmas." he whispered, leaning forward and pressing a chaste kiss to the man's lips.
Gabriel smiled up at him, but there was a shadow Sam couldn't ignore in their amber depths. He tightened his arm around Gabriel, wishing he could say what the man obviously needed to hear.
"Do you..." Sam cleared his throat. "You think Claire's up yet?" he asked, desperate for a distraction.
Gabriel shrugged, closing his eyes and settling against the damp flesh of Sam's chest. "I haven't heard her and I've been awake over an hour."
"So we can enjoy some more of this quiet alone time?" he asked seductively.
"Maybe a little while." Gabriel grinned into his chest.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Sam stood with his back to the counter mashing the potatoes while Gabriel checked the turkey. Claire was curled up on the couch with Riot and her new phone. An occasional laugh floating in from the living room.
"I think we should have taken Annabella up on her invite." Gabriel grumbled.
Sam smiled down at him. "And miss all this?" he snorted, putting the bowl of mash on the counter and heading over to the table, shaking out the off-white table cloth.
Gabriel straightened, wiping his hands on the 'Kiss The Cook' apron Sam had brought him as a novelty gift. "Actually it's the memory of last year that is my main reason for staying home."
Sam glanced over with regretful puppy eyes. "You spent Christmas with Annabella?"
"Yeah." Gabriel smiled. "Rita practically forced us out of the house. Insisted we couldn't spend Christmas alone."
Sam turned sharply from his lover, snapping the table cloth violently over the battered surface. His heart clenching at the mention of the woman. He could still remember their conversation. The previous night at the Christmas party.
A deep chuckle came from behind him and Sam turned to find Gabriel grinning gleefully at him. "Well, Well. Is that jealousy I see?"
Sam's heart tightened. It was. - And fear.
"I think I like it." Gabriel said huskily, his hands gliding over Sam's hips.
"You didn't like it too much last year." Sam pointed out, acknowledging for the first time he'd been jealous of Rita since the beginning.
Gabriel's smile faded. "It wasn't the jealousy that pissed me off, it was your stubborn refusal to acknowledge you wanted me as much as I wanted you." he clarified in a low voice. "It was you going off to fuck some stranger rather than Me." his throat tightened dangerously and he dropped his hands and stepping back.
Sam reached for him instantly, pulling him back in and meeting his sad gaze. "I'm sorry for that." he sighed. "I really am. I just wasn't ready I was confused and lost." he shook his head. "It was a large leap to take."
Gabriel stared at him. "Only because you kept fighting it. Once you gave in... It's all been easier, hasn't it? - No doubts? No worries? - No regrets?" his tone screamed for reassurance, Sam could hear it loud and clear.
"I know, you're right. The last couple of months have been great, if not completely smooth sailing." he smiled sadly, thoughts of his brother's rejection crowding his mind. "But hindsight is twenty/twenty. At the time all I could think about was how this wasn't me. How it couldn't be real." he cupped Gabriel's face softly. "I'm sorry." he whispered, leaning in to press their lips together.
They were interrupted by a few loud knocks on the front door.
"I'll get it!" Claire called.
Sam looked softly at Gabriel. "We good?"
Gabriel nodded. "Yeah."
"Sam! It's for you!" Claire called from the door.
Sam stepped out from the kitchen and froze at the sight of his brother stood awkwardly into the doorway. Claire looking between them. Sam took a breath and approached cautiously. "Dean, you came?"
Dean shrugged nonchalantly, his lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes scanning the house. "Where's...Gabriel?" he asked, forcing the name out through clenched teeth.
"Kitchen. - Come in." Sam replied nervously.
Dean stepped over the threshold and Sam noted the bag hanging from his fingers. Claire closed the door.
"I'm glad you're here Dean." she smiled up at him brightly.
"Thanks, kid. Happy Christmas." he said handing the bag to her. Claire grinned taking it and rushed over to the couch, pulling out the tissue paper to find a leather bound journal. "Every hunter needs a journal." he grinned.
Claire's face lit up, her eyes flickering between the book and Dean, before he knew what was happening she was on her feet, her arms wrapped tight around Dean's middle.
Sam inhaled at the sight, his chest clenching once again. The awkward discomfort on his brother's face sent a warmth through him, settling in his stomach. This was what he'd always wanted. What he'd pictured when he'd started thinking about his future with Jessica.
"Dinner's ready." Gabriel announced, startling them all.
Sam turned sharply to look at the smaller man, a wave of guilt rippling thought him. He shouldn't be thinking about Jess today, about the plans he'd made with her. The life he'd wanted with her. He had a new future now, so utterly different to anything he could have imagined. Never in his wildest dreams could he have thought this was it for him. He would have laughed if someone had told him ten years ago that this was where he'd end up. That he'd be happy and in love again. - With Gabriel.
"Gabriel." Dean greeted, pulling Sam out of his thoughts.
"Dean." the Ex-archangel nodded cordially, turning back to the kitchen.
Sam followed after him quickly, catching his arm. "You okay with this?"
Gabriel looked past him to where Claire and Dean were making their way in. "I wouldn't have invited him if I wasn't." he smiled weakly.
Sam's lip quirked, knowing Gabriel was lying. He leant down and brushed a kiss to his lips. "Thank you."
"Whatever." Gabriel dismissed with a grin, pulling him in for another brief kiss.
The sound of a breath catching behind them had Sam turning his head to see Dean staring at them. His face pink and almost angry. Sam stared his brother down, he wasn't going to apologize or stop kissing his boyfriend. - God, that sounded weird but felt nice. - Dean was just going to have to deal with it. Though he hadn't exactly accepted Becky. - Not that he'd really been in love with Becky, and maybe that was the difference. He hoped that was the difference.
"Let's eat." Sam said, cutting though the awkward tension that was building.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Gabriel didn't know if he'd ever had such an uncomfortable dinner in his long, long life. Dean thankfully hadn't started any arguments, hadn't shot any snide comments his way. He'd basically spent the whole meal determinedly ignoring his existence, and once upon a time he would have been grateful for that, but this was his house, his dinner. He'd been the bigger man and held out the olive branch. He was not to be ignored.
But neither did he want another fight. He didn't want to slam that door that was slowly opening to allow the brothers to speak. So instead he pressed his lips together and ignored Dean right back. He stayed in the kitchen, cleaning while listening to Sam and Dean watch the game on TV, arguing and shouting, and laughing. It felt good to hear Sam laugh again. Really laugh, the way he only did with the big brother.
He was putting the dishes away when Sam strolled through on his way to the fridge for more beer.
"You almost done?" Sam asked.
"Almost." he replied reluctantly.
"Good, you're missing the game." Sam closed the fridge with a click and turned to leave.
"I'll pass." Gabriel dismissed.
Sam stopped, walking back to him. "What?"
Gabriel didn't look up. "I said I'll pass. I'll just stay in here, read. Maybe finish the reports the Sherriff's been on my case for."
Sam didn't move, Gabriel could feel his bitch face without seeing it.
"Look, I know things are tense with..."
Gabriel scoffed despite himself. "Tense? He's spent the last two and a half hours ignoring me."
Sam sighed. "I know. - But since when do you allow anyone to ignore you?" he smirked.
Gabriel looked up at him. "Since the last time I tried to make him accept this..." he waved between them. "You didn't see or hear from him for weeks. I'm keeping the peace today, which means staying out of his way."
Sam stared down at him, green eyes intense and filled with something Gabriel couldn't quite name. It was times like this he wished he still had his magic.
Suddenly Sam was kissing him, properly this time, tongue exploring all those secret places that made Gabriel's toes curl and his knees go week. The fingers of Sam's free hand dragging though his hair, tugging gently. Gabriel lifted his arms to encircle Sam's neck, arching into him.
"Sammy, where's that beer!" Dean called from the other room, as if sensing their private moment.
Sam pulled back, smiling apologetically down at Gabriel as he knotted their fingers and began to drag him out of the kitchen.
"I'm not finished." Gabriel argued.
"Yeah, you are." Sam stated firmly.
Gabriel took a breath as he stepped over the invisible boundary between the kitchen and lounge. Dean's gaze meeting his, that flash of irritation in their depths.
"Here's your damn beer." Sam snapped lightly, handing over a bottle while refusing to let go of Gabriel's hand.
Dean took the beer with a nod, his gaze snapping back to the game. Sam sighed, moving to retake his seat, dragging Gabriel with him, his grip tightening when Gabriel tried to pull away.
Sam lowered himself down next to Dean, forcing Gabriel to take the space next to him. Gabriel looked down to watch Claire writing in her new journal. The tension in the room was suffocating and Gabriel hated it. Even Riot was restless. He tried to get up and leave but Sam clamped his hand down on his thigh, squeezing. Gabriel waited for him to remove it but he didn't and he could feel Dean shooting them disgruntled looks.
Gabriel found himself missing the good old days where he could click his fingers and disappear. Where Dean wouldn't be holding him tongue. Of course in the good old days he didn't have Sam and Claire.
Sighing Gabriel released back into the couch cushions and stared at the screen, not really paying attention to the game. His gaze drifting after a few moment, flickering to the bookshelf. Narrowing his eyes at the books, trying to move one with the power of his mind. He could have done that once, now he could only stare laughingly at him.
A sudden cheer went up next to him, making both him, Claire and Riot jump. He turned to stare at his lover to find him staring at Dean with a frown.
"What's wrong with you?" Sam demanded.
"Nothing." Dean grunted.
Sam exhaled wearily, staring at his brother intensely. Dean lifted his beer to his lips, not meeting his brother's tired gaze.
Suddenly Sam was on his feet, dragging Dean up by his forearm and towards the kitchen. Dean complaining about missing the game. Gabriel took the opportunity to snag a book off the shelf, retaking his seat but not opening it. He listened to the harsh low voices in the other room and closed his eyes with a sigh.
"Is Dean leaving again?" Claire whispered, looking up from her journal.
Gabriel shrugged. "I don't know. - What are ya doin'?" he asked trying to distract them both.
"Writing up the salt and burn from last month."
Gabriel smiled at her with an approving nod, finally opening the book in his lap. It was almost half an hour before the boys came back. Dean looking wrung out and pissed, but he didn't leave like Gabriel and Claire expected. He claimed the armchair while Sam retook his seat next to Gabriel. Gabriel sent Sam a questioning look that he replied to with a reassuring smile.
The rest of the evening passed in a tense silence but they survived their first Christmas as a family.