Warnings: Mentions of death/killing, very mild violence.

Chapter 8

It was too soon. While he knew he had to explain things to Sam, and he had planned to come clean before the hunter figured everything out, Gabriel had thought he would have more time. Last night was something else, and this morning as they came together again he had felt something more. Gabriel wasn't someone who did romance, not even when he was with Kali had he felt as raw and vulnerable as he did with Sam. If he had a soul Gabriel would have thought they were soulmates, but he had no soul to offer. While he fed Xander who seemed to sense that something was off, as he was too calm for the normally hyper pup, Gabriel tried to salvage his own emotions.

He had no clue how he was going to survive this.

If he was honest with himself, and he had to be he lied to everyone else, Gabriel was terrified. Sam had the ability now to destroy him in a way he never thought he would be open to again. What was worse was he didn't regret it, he couldn't regret getting close to the hunter who would now probably stake him. It was a risk, one he had taken knowing full well there was a good chance he wouldn't make it out of this on the winning side. Now though, now Gabriel knew what he would be missing.

Once the food and water dish were full he didn't have any excuse to delay the coming conversation. Straightening his back, Gabriel was only slightly surprised Sam hadn't gotten a weapon while he was feeding Xander. Facing Sam now though Gabriel couldn't meet the others' eyes while he tried to gather his words. Thankfully Sam was a step ahead of him as he broke the ice.

"These clothes, they weren't just laying around, were they? There's no way anything you own would fit me."

Shaking his head, Gabriel decided he really wished Sam was a bit less observant.

"No, they weren't laying around. Same as I never really bought Xander's things. Anything I want… okay well pretty much anything I want, I can bring into existence."

Looking at the gaping man before him, Gabriel fought down the urge to read the mans mind. Deciding perhaps shock would be the only thing he could work with, Gabriel raised his hand and snapped his fingers. In an instant both he and Sam were dressed in casual clothing, although Gabriel guessed the fabric was a bit better than Sam was accustomed to. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Gabriel spoke before he lost his nerve.

"It's real, in case you're wondering… everything I, lets' say 'snap' into existence are as real as you are. I can create anything from clothing to people, although souls are something I can't create so the people are kind of like life-like dolls. There isn't much out there more powerful than me, Sammy… like I can count on one hand kind of not much."

"How powerful exactly?"

Gabriel couldn't look at Sam, instead he sighed and held himself a bit tighter before answering. This wasn't Sammy he was talking to, it was the hunter inside of him trying to analyze the situation.

"Of the ones actually on the playing field right now? I'm probably the supernatural equivalent of every nuclear weapon on Earth combined into this form. There really isn't much I can't do."

Glancing up, Gabriel tried to decipher how Sam was taking the newest bit of information. Sam was looking at him, which he should probably put into the positive column. The look on his face wasn't hostile, Sam looked curious, hesitant and there was a sliver of fear, but he didn't seem ready to kill Gabriel just yet.

"You're what we're hunting here, aren't you?"

Nodding his head, Gabriel tried to think of something, anything to help his case.

"I don't know what to do here Sam, I know you're a hunter and I probably lost any trust you put in me… but I don't know how to prove to you that I'm not a threat. I mean, technically I could probably wipe out a good chuck of humanity before someone with enough mojo comes to stop me… but I've been here, on Earth, since Christ and I have yet to do so."

Deciding to risk it, Gabriel reached out with his grace and while he wasn't about to invade Sam's mind right then, he could lower the ability to read emotions. Once he did, Gabriel wished he hadn't. Sam was a mess, he had so many things running through his system right now; sadness, anger, curiosity, betrayal, but affection was still there and a lingering feeling of lust. Even if he didn't want to, even though Sam knew Loki was something instead of someone, he still wanted him, still wanted to be with him.

"I haven't lied to you since we made our deal, Sam. While I may not have told the whole truth, I never lied, not once. Even before then the only thing I lied about was my job, something you were lying about at the time as well. Would you feel more comfortable if your brother was here? Or we could go there, if you wanted just… I haven't lied to you Sam, and I don't intend to."

"Maybe it would be best, I mean I can't really be trusted right now, not with you… I doubt Dean would be comfortable here though. I've never heard of anything like you before, Loki… is that even your name?"

"It's the name I made for myself, but not the one that was given to me by my father. It's what I've gone by for over a millennia…"

"But it's not your true name?"

There was accusation there, probably some hurt as well that he would give Sam a 'fake' name. The truth of it was though, he was Loki. Gabriel didn't just possess the vessel of the god, he was the god. The tales told about him, the power he held was his own.

"I'm not really explaining this well, I am Loki, it's not like there was another one before me. I am the God of Mischief and Fire, I'm the one who became blood-brother to Odin, and while not everything told is true, enough is that you should probably assume it's correct."

Seeing he was starting to lose Sam, probably with a whole new list of questions, Gabriel sighed. They needed to get this all out in the open, but he doubted Sam would be very receptive to the answers he could give. While it had been a different time, some of the things he had done as Loki would be damning.

"How about we go to your brother, he's as much a part of this as you are. Did you want to drive, or did you want me to teleport us there?"

"You can do that?"

Oh yeah, it was going to be a lengthy conversation. If Sam wanted a rundown of what he could do he was never going to get anything done. Snapping his fingers, Gabriel deepened the bowl of food for Xander and changed his water bowl to one with a sensor and large water jug to refill itself. Glancing around the apartment Gabriel added a few more pads with a snap along with some new toys and the television on a random news channel for sound.

"Okay so Xander should be good for about a day or so before I need to come refill his food dish, teleport or drive Sammy?"

"The teleport thing doesn't hurt, right? Like I won't be missing a limb or something if it's too far?"

He should have expected the question, it was a logical human question. Still, Gabriel couldn't help the sting of hurt that Sam would think he would harm him. Hiding the pain behind a smirk Gabriel lifted his hand and snapped. The two arrived in front of the motel Gabriel knew Sam was staying at, the Impala parked in its spot. Glancing over at Sam who was looking around the place with wide eyes, Gabriel allowed himself to take in the hunter. He may never see Sam this close again, at least not while visible.

"Still have all your limbs Samsquatch?"

The tone was biting in a way he hadn't meant it to be. Gabriel had been trying to go for a joking tone, one like he would normally use but things were cutting a bit deeper than he was expecting. Mentally Gabriel tried his hardest to lock away whatever emotions he could. If he wanted to survive this mostly intact he would need to control his emotions better. The problem was; archangels were emotion. They were brought to life by a father who simply wanted to feel something again, thus they felt things much deeper than anything else.

It was why the fall of his brother still felt as crippling now as when it first happened.

"Loki…"

Gabriel didn't give the hunter a chance to continue, he was sure by the end of the day he would have plenty of things to be sorry for, this wasn't something to fuss over.

"It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better Sam, let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

Waving his hand in front of him, Gabriel watched as Sam walked to the door and while his back was turned Sam was obviously on edge waiting for a strike. Tampering down a bit more of himself, Gabriel wondered if he would have to bury his grace. He could do this with just his magic, right? He didn't need to be an archangel here, he just needed to be a pagan… but would he be able to sensor himself? Walking past Sam who was holding the door open for him Gabriel decided it was worth the risk.

Seeing the older brother sit up now on the bed, his face weary, Gabriel glanced around the room. They had warding and if they weren't the vessels it would probably be enough, basic demon warding and salt for anything else. For the vessels of Heaven though? Before he moved too far in the room Gabriel slapped his hand against the doorway, remembering at the last minute to keep the wards in Old Norse instead of Echochian. The room glowed a soft blue-tinged light while the symbols covered the walls, floor, and ceiling.

Giving the room a once -over again Gabriel nodded his head, it would do for now. His grace being what made the runes in the first place was the only thing not kicking Gabriel out of the room. Shrugging his shoulders at the alarmed look the oldest was giving him, Gabriel ignored the gun now in Dean's hand.

"Don't worry Dean-o I come in peace, just upgrading your warding… nothing is going to interrupt this talk, and nobody can hear it now either."

Seeing the bed he assumed to be Sam's, Gabriel ignored the two hunters as he locked most of himself away. Jumping he twisted in the air to land on the bed on his back. Propping his hands behind his head, Gabriel absently listened as Sam tried to explain what he knew before interrupting.

"Cliff notes are Sammy figured out I'm not what I appear to be and since we already did the horizontal tango that you should be in on the explanation since you're the hunter I haven't slept with."

"Loki!"

At Sam's shout, Gabriel turned his head to look at the hunters. It seemed Sam was worried for him as Dean was now holding his gun with purpose in his direction. It was cute, and as much as he wished it didn't, it gave Gabriel a bit of hope.

"Sammy, he just admitted to being a monster and you're worried I might hurt him? What the fuck did you do to my brother?"

Rolling his eyes, Gabriel tried to bite back the sarcasm a bit so Sam wouldn't get the shitty end of the deal with his brother once Gabriel left.

"Nothing he didn't consent to, I'm not into rape. And I'm not a 'monster' I'm a god, I didn't lie about my name… or anything besides what I do for a living. Now how are we going to do this? You want me to go through my explanation or play twenty questions?"

"So, you're really Loki, like the Norse god?" Leave it to Dean to ask the question he was struggling to answer with Sam.

"Yes, I'm that Loki. The gods adopted me a couple millennia ago and gifted me a title and god-hood in their culture. I was… something else before then, and no I'm not going to tell you what. Most hunters calk me up to being a trickster these days, and I suppose in a way they're right, but a stake dipped in my vics blood? It would hurt like a bitch, but it wouldn't kill me… neither would the little pee-shooter you have there for that matter."

"Trickster?"

For the first time since he came into the room, Gabriel looked at Sam. The man was still standing stiffly, but he didn't seem to be holding any kind of weapon. Either he didn't think it would work, or he didn't think they would need it. Both were a sign of trust, one which made Gabriel smile at the taller man.

"There's a couple dozen of us, mostly we find humans who are 'above the law' or think they are, and bring them down a peg or two. Sometimes it ends deadly, not going to lie, but mostly it's tricks meant to teach a lesson. Some people call us Karma, like the frat boy? His hazing went beyond okay, so I gave him a hazing of his own."

"And the professor?" Looking back to Dean, Gabriel couldn't hide how tense he became at the mention of that monster.

"Mr. Morality didn't know the fucking meaning of the word. I tried to give you a hint in the right direction, brining students into his office, a lot of them didn't want to be there. A girl, still a kid, died because he decided she was pretty enough for his attention. He thought she should have been honoured he saw her as good enough forhim. No, sometimes people are too far gone for a trick to set them on the right path, sometimes we let the reapers come and bring them downstairs."

Gabriel was still seething when he heard the next question from Dean, lost in memories of the poor girl who had just wanted to get a head start in life. Her soul had been so bright and welcoming, while he hadn't been in time to save her from death he had been able to send her on her way. Like most suicides, she had remained on this plane until he had come around and showed her the professor leaping out a window. While she didn't need revenge, it was enough for her to know the man wouldn't be hurting anyone else again, she hadn't stayed after that.

"So, the people who die are all Hell-gone?"

Once he realized what Dean was asking him, Gabriel couldn't help but roll his eyes. Oh, how he missed the hunters of old, the ones who had faith in the gods. It wasn't until recently, in the past couple hundred years or so, that they started to lose their faith. Gabriel couldn't blame them, gods were losing their minds as people stopped worshiping them, as they started to lose their power their minds were quick to follow. Before though, back when people believed; gods were viewed as helpers, protectors. Now hunters were more likely to stake one than speak to one, it was sad to see such a relationship die.

"Yes, those who die from my lessons are ones who are destined for Hell… or whatever variation of Hell their religion offers anyways. The ones who aren't completely gone get taught a lesson which will hopefully help them turn themselves around."

"And if they don't? Do you stick around and watch them or come back after ten years to see how they are?"

Glancing at Sam, Gabriel shook his head while he answered.

"Nah, that would make it a bit too easy to be caught by hunters if I came back. Don't get me wrong, some might stick around to make sure the lesson stuck… but honestly, I don't bother anymore. Some people get the message and stop, others continue as they were and end up downstairs when they die anyway. Sticking around every time would drive me nuts."

This time when he looked at Sam, Gabriel kept his eyes locked on the taller hunter while he tried to think about what he wanted to say. So far, things were going much better than he thought they would, not to say it wouldn't turn around.

"I'm not a nice man, Sam. While I hope that the humans learn the lesson, and I try to send them on the right path I'm not going to go out of my way to make sure they do. One lesson, one trick, that's all that any human should get in my book… one chance to change, and if they take it, great… if not I wash my hands of them and tell myself I tried. I'm not going to waste my time trying to save what can't be saved."

"Why do you try at all then? If you don't care one way or the other, isn't there something else you could be doing instead of messing with us humans?"

"I try Dean-o 'cause it's kind of in my job description. I still have fun, still have my own life. Most of the time I'm not even looking for work, but when I see a tarnished soul I can't help myself, you know? Like if you were on vacation and saw your hotel was haunted you would work the case, right?"

"That's-"

"The exact same thing," Gabriel cut Dean off as he was trying to start an argument. "Do you know statistically how many serial killers there are in the United States at any given time? Fifty, and that's not including the rapists or the abusers or just the plain dicks, 'cause they are a dime a dozen. You save the world from monsters, right? So do I."

No one could argue with him at that point, and for a moment there was silence in the room. Gabriel could see the brothers have a silent conversation through body gestures he didn't understand. After a moment Gabriel sighed, closing his eyes.

"Just because something isn't human doesn't mean they deserve to die, and just because someone is human doesn't mean they deserve to live. This isn't some movie where everything is painted in black and white, this is real life and actions have consequences. I'm not saying I haven't made mistakes, that I haven't done things that would turn your little mind to jelly… I'm just saying you need to see more than monster and human if you're going to make it far in this world."

"And if we don't? If we chase you down and gank you like the killer you are?"

Deans tone was off slightly, and looking at the older of the two hunters, Gabriel tried to pinpoint what it was. While the man was still holding his gun and his shoulders were tense there was something else there. Gabriel's words were being heard, and while he hoped they would be he wasn't expecting it. Fighting down the pang at the fact Sam wasn't going to defend him, Gabriel let go a breath and half-smiled at the man.

"I would like to see you try Bucko. I already told you, not a normal trickster here. You wanna go get a stake and run me through? Go for it, it will sting like a bitch but it wont kill me. Want to turn me into swiss cheese? Beheading? Silver doesn't do anything except make me look washed out, was always more of a gold man, myself. You want to try your chants and spells and hope something sticks? We could be here for years and you still would have no idea how to kill me, I'm out of your league kid."

Sam spoke then, and it was only because it was him… the moose of a man who he was starting to think he wanted a future with that he answered.

"If we can't kill you, not that I'm saying that we should… why are you still here? What is it that you want from us… what do you want from me? Was this all supposed to be a lesson? A trick?"

"Oh Sammy."

Sitting up, Gabriel ignored Dean who shouted, and instead stood from the bed and made his way in front of Sam. Gabriel hadn't known if Sam would ask, if he would be given the chance to explain.

"I promised never to lie to you, and I'll stand by that promise, swear it when we have the time and supplies for a ritual… but right now you have to trust my word Sammy, please."

Chancing the rejection or the retaliation of Dean, Gabriel lifted his hand and moved slowly to lightly rest his hand just by Sam's cheek. Thankfully he wasn't rejected as Sam leaned his head the missing distance so Gabriel was gently cupping his cheek. That connection brought a true smile to Gabriel's face while he spoke, his body close enough now he could feel the heat coming from the taller man.

"I originally drew the two of you here, but not to play a trick. You see I'm well informed on things, and you two keep popping up… I was curious. The plan was to drop a couple bodies a bit more… noteworthy to a hunter and wait until you came into town. I've been doing this job over a millennium, you really think I would be caught if I didn't want to be?"

Not bothering to glance at Dean who had snorted, Gabriel instead kept his eyes locked with Sam's.

"Plan was to meet you, give a couple hints and see how quick you two were… see if you were everything you were rumored to be." At this he paused, while he wasn't lying, he wasn't telling the whole truth either. Moving his other hand to grab Sam's who let them twine their fingers together. "I'm a master of illusion, it would be nothing once you figured it out for me to place a decoy in the way and let you kill him and we would both be on our merry way."

Gabriel wanted nothing more in that moment than to kiss Sam. The man was listening to him, actually listening and there wasn't a trace of hate in those hazel eyes. Oh, the hunter was pissed, that went without saying, but Sam wasn't pushing him away like he feared.

"Once I met you though, I knew I was screwed. By the time the night was over I wasn't going to run away like I should have. I couldn't not jump on the chance to see you again, even if you would be trying to kill me. Do you know how absolutely amazing you are? I was expecting to meet someone so completely different, one tarnished and blackened by the trails and manipulations you've been through… what you're still going through. Instead I find a soul so pure and wonderful and warm. It reminded me of the home I fled from, of a light I had long since forgotten."

Brining Sam's hand he had been holding to his mouth, Gabriel placed a soft kiss on it. The anger he had seen was vanished completely and was replaced with a slight embarrassment. The cheek he was holding was slightly warmer with a beautiful blush.

"I was humbled by you after our first date. Beings like me hardly know the meaning of the word, we don't do 'self-conscious' but I wondered if I would be good enough for you. By the end of our second date I figured even if I wasn't good enough I was going to take what I could while I could. Do you know how it felt to know that even when you were in the throws of passion you were trying to make sure I wasn't hurt? I've had my family, both adopted and not, harm me both physically and mentally in ways which should have left me crippled… and here you were a human treating me like I was worth something."

No longer caring about the other hunter who seemed to either have backed off completely, or didn't want to ruin this for his brother Gabriel brushed a lock of hair away from Sam's face and behind his ear.

"I don't honestly know if I was going to tell you I was what you were hunting or if I was going to wait until you figured it out. You want to know what I want with you? If this was a trick? I suppose in a way it was."

That got a reaction from both Dean and Sam. He could hear Dean curse under his breath but there was a hesitance in Sam's eyes that hadn't been there even moments before. Gently Gabriel brought his hand which had been on the side of Sam's cheek to behind Sam's head running his fingers through the hunters' hair.

"This trick though, it's on me, because I want everything from you Samuel Winchester. I want you; body mind and soul, I want to spend my nights wrapped up in you and my days simply with you. I want you to think of me even half as much as I think of you. I want your trust and your devotion. I want to protect you from the dangers I know you face, from the dangers you don't even know about… but I know better. I can't expect you to give me what I want, I know I have to earn it… and I'm willing to."

Pressing on Sam's head, Gabriel brought himself closer to the man until their chests were touching. When his lips were close enough he could taste Sam's very breath Gabriel whispered to the other man.

"What I want from you is your very self, but more than that I want you to give it to me willingly. I'm not here to make any kind of deal, I'm not a demon. I'm here to earn your very heart Sam… because I'm pretty sure you already have mine."

With that Gabriel crashed their lips together. It wasn't gentle, but it wasn't full of anger like he had been expecting from Sam either. The hunter let go of his hand to grab the back of Gabriel's head while his other hand held his hip tightly. The pressure on the bruise he hadn't healed caused Gabriel to whimper slightly which only caused Sam to press more against him. Looping his free hand around Sam, Gabriel allowed himself this moment. He may have no idea if this was going to work, if he was going to be shot in the back any minute for molesting the younger sibling or not. He had no idea if his own brothers would stand for this, or if everything would go to Hell, literally.

All Gabriel knew was; for this moment he had his hunter, right then Sam didn't care that he was something instead of someone. Holding onto Sam Gabriel allowed himself to do something he hadn't done since before the Fall… he allowed himself to hope.

P.S. If you want to keep up to date on my writing add me to Facebook, Tumbler or Twitter as CrowNoYami ;-) Also, if you want to see what I'm reading (I always review so you know what you're getting into) I'm on Goodreads as well, same name as always.