Warnings: Angst

Chapter 22

"Gabriel."

His whole being froze at the sound of that voice. Sam. How long had it been since someone called him by that name, since someone knew that name? Gabriel had left that name long ago, had thought it so buried none would be able to see it, see him again. Yet here he was, standing above the corpse of his brother, one which he had slain, and looking at the one being who could make him feel like himself, like Gabriel again. Absently Gabriel noticed the other two hunters were starring at him agape, while they had known he was angel, they hadn't known which angel, an archangel no less.

"Wait you mean Gabriel as in the angel who told Mary about Jesus? That Gabriel?"

Oh thank Father for the being that was Dean Winchester. The boy didn't beat around the bush, and was standing in an almost threatening manner, demanding an answer from the angel beside him. Castiel didn't seem to mind or take the threat for what it was, having been in Heaven most of his existence he wouldn't see it for a threat, not to him. Still, Gabriel couldn't look away from Sam's eyes as Castiel answered in a deeper voice than expected of his vessel.

"Yes, there is only one Gabriel. Unlike humans', angels do not share names, while an angel may have many titles they belong to that angel alone. Brother, why have you hidden from us? The Host would rejoice upon your return, we mourned for you… some still mourn for you."

Gabriel couldn't not react to that. Flinching back, he looked to Castiel and saw him. While he wasn't in his true form, Gabriel could see some part of Castiel leaking out of the vessel, as one unpracticed in taking a vessel tend to do. More importantly Gabriel could see his wings, a brilliant raven black. Gabriel knew Castiel's wings had caused him much torment in his life, even in Heaven those who stood out were mocked, and Castiel stood out on every level. They had mocked the blackness of his wings, saying they were tainted with the ashes of Hell, that he was doomed to Fall. Gabriel had known then he would take this fledging under his own protection and had taken it upon himself to be the big brother to Castiel as Lucifer was once to him.

It was Gabriel who taught Castiel how to fly, how to fight and how to love. Castiel had never questioned their Fathers word, had loved everything and everyone without hesitation. Soon though he had risen in rank and had caught the attention of Michael. Gabriel had been saddened to lose his little fledging to Michael, at the time he had thought about leaving more than once, had contemplated what was keeping him in Heaven. His reason was the little fledging with black wings, a being of light and love who would be turned into a warrior of blood and death. Gabriel hadn't waited around to see the transformation, instead he had cut ties and ran. Nobody would be foolish enough to refuse being a part of Michael's Garrison. While being in the garrison of any archangel was an honour, all angels sought to be noticed by the First Born.

His fledging was grown now, and standing before him waiting for his next move. Gabriel had missed his older brothers, sometimes so much his grace ached, but he hadn't allowed himself to even think of the little brother he had left behind. It would have crippled him.

"You know me Cassie, could never handle the fighting well… so I figured I would take a trip down and see it if was all it was cracked up to be."

"I did not ask why you left Gabriel, I knew the moment you were gone why you were gone. Why did you make us believe you dead brother? I have mourned your death with each passing day, why would you remain hidden from me?"

"Cassie…"

What could he say? While he should have been angry there was no real rage in Castiel's voice, only a bone deep loneliness, one Gabriel had put there. He had known Castiel would mourn him, once they declared him dead upon his grace leaving its last host. With being in Michael's garrison though Castiel would have been too busy to remain in mourning. He had been so certain Castiel would be fine without him, that Castiel would have been better off without him. Now looking at Castiel, looking at the way his wings, still a stunning black, dropped in a sadness he had put there Gabriel realized his mistake.

"I'm sorry. I figured once you were put to work in Michael's training you wouldn't have time to mourn, you would be too busy. I never meant to hurt you Castiel, while I knew it would happen I assumed you would move on… I'm sorry."

"Why would I be in Michael's garrison?"

Now it was Gabriel's turn to be confused as he looked at his younger brother. Slowly he moved closer, taking a step and vanishing his blade, he wouldn't need it, not with Castiel.

"Michael said he was issuing an invitation to join his garrison the day I left, were you not…"

"He did, I refused."

Eyes widening, Gabriel had all but forgot those around them except for Sam. Sucking in an unneeded breath, Gabriel was only a few feet from Castiel now.

"Nobody has ever refused an invitation to join Michael, it is an honour."

"I have never desired to be in his garrison Gabriel, not then and not now. I will always be in my rightful garrison, yours."

"Cas-"

"It was not Michael who found me beaten by my own family for something out of control. It was not Michael who protected me, who taught me, it was not Michael who saw beyond the angel with black-ash wings, it was not Michael who flew with me, whom groomed me, it was not Michael who loved me. Michael wanted me once I was useful, you wanted me as I was broken."

"Cas-"

Castiel moved then, although instead of the hug he was half-expecting Castiel knelt. On the ground with three humans watching, Castiel knelt before him. He was no longer a fledging, and Gabriel was no longer able to demand him to do as such, but still the angel before him was showing Gabriel exactly who he viewed as commander. Stepping forward, Gabriel did something he hadn't done since he left home. He revealed his wings.

They were once beautiful things to behind, but some of their shine had dulled with the rituals he had used in his time as pagan. Instead of the two expected by humans Gabriel instead had six. They were large enough that if he stretched his primary wings would reach over thirty feet in length. Golden they had once been described, but it was impossible to fully explain how they were every shade of gold and yet not gold at all. His wings were a thing of beauty and pride, physical and yet invisible to most. Castiel would see them though, even if the humans couldn't… and it was Castiel whom Gabriel enclosed in them, brushing their wings together.

"I am still your fledging Gabriel, if you will still have me."

"It will be a long time, if I ever, return to the Host… you would be cut from the Source, relying on only my grace to sustain your own. I can't imagine Michael not pitching a fit and cutting you off if you do this… I just royally stepped on his toes."

"Michael does not own me."

Gabriel smiled at that. Every angel belonged to Michael in much the same way they all belonged to Father. The only ones who had ever argued with him was Lucifer and himself, and look where that got them? Lucifer was trapped in a cage forever, and Gabriel was now in hiding on Earth. But, here was Castiel, little Castiel who wouldn't last a moment under Michael's sword defying him without hesitation. Maybe it was because he was moved by Castiel's words, maybe it was because he was so lonely for the company of someone who understood, or maybe it was something more, perhaps he simply missed his little brother, but regardless of the reason Gabriel nodded.

Slipping the blade once again into his hand, Gabriel sliced his palm, vanishing the blade once he started to bleed. With his good hand, Gabriel dipped a finger into the wound, carefully he wrote on Castiel's forehead. Once he was done Gabriel closed his eyes and spoke in Echochian to his little brother, binding the two of them together. Castiel was careful when he added his own voice, leaning forward and licking at the wound on Gabriel's palm. The second the blood hit his tongue their graces burned and for the briefest moments merged. It wasn't like what Gabriel had experienced with Sam, no it was so very different. While Castiel would now be able to find him, Gabriel was his superior, his provider and his protector.

Gabriel would be second only to Father to Castiel.

As the light faded Gabriel gasped as the overwhelming flow of love Castiel held for him, how Castiel had mourned for the only brother whom had seen him. Gabriel had never seen the wings at Castiel's back as anything more than a testament of his hidden power. Black did not mean tainted, and how could a being such as Castiel ever become tainted? Placing his healed palm on the back of Castiel's head, Gabriel pulled the angel forward to hold him. Hunching over the younger angel, Gabriel wrapped his wings around his fledging and allowed his own love to flow between them.

"I have missed you brother."

It must have been over ten minutes of simply holding Castiel before anyone said anything. The moment Sam whispered his name again, Gabriel knew he was in trouble. Sam had seen everything, had heard everything, and now there was no hiding. Leaning his head back, Gabriel looked over to Sam, not knowing what to expect of his mate. When he locked eyes with the tall human there was nothing more than the love Gabriel had always felt from him. There was no judgement, no scorn, although a slight bit of wonder which had always been there. Squeezing Castiel once more, Gabriel removed himself from Castiel's hold although he was careful to keep their wings touching.

"So ah, surprise?"

It was horrible he knew, but Sam didn't seem to care. Now that the danger was out of the way, Sam seemed to have no problem marching right up to Gabriel and grabbing his cheeks before smashing their lips together. Absently Gabriel noticed Castiel moving behind him, waiting to see if Gabriel needed his help, but he couldn't be bothered answering his unasked question. Dean must have grabbed the attention of the young angel as Gabriel soon found the gaze no longer at his back although their wings were still brushing together. He still had so much he had to explain to Sam, of why Sam was targeted, of what kind of dangers they were now facing, of completing the bond, so many things he had to talk about with his human.

When Sam pulled back Gabriel meant to start explaining, but he was once again silenced, only this time by a soft whisper.

"I love you."

Yeah, they were far from out of the woods. Gabriel was certain Michael was going to be majorly pissed and while he could hide from his brother alone Gabriel knew it would be next to impossible to hide the five of them forever. While it would hold a slight danger, Gabriel also knew he was going to complete the bond with Sam sooner rather than latter. Now that Sam knew what he was Gabriel wanted nothing more than to bond with him at every level. They needed to figure out where they were going from there, Castiel needed to be taught how to become human enough not to stand out too poorly but all that could wait.

Pulling Sam back down to his lips, Gabriel pressed as close as he could to the tall hunter, his tall hunter. Oh, he knew it the moment he met the hunter, he was so screwed for this man. While he should have worried, Gabriel couldn't help but be thankful that he had the stupid idea of checking the vessels and what they were made of. It was the best decision he ever made.

"I love you too."

END…?

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