Title: Dancing on a String
Rating: AO (18+)
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairings: Gabriel/Sam
Preliminary Tags: BDSM, Alcohol, Angst, Lots of sex

Summary: An incredible night of pleasure opens Sam's eyes to a new world he never knew existed. However he quickly learns that the person he wants to discover this with has little interest to show him…

Gabriel Novak hasn't been a proper Dom in years, and he has no intention of changing that. But Sam Winchester doesn't play fair with his long, floppy hair and big eyes and those damn pouty lips... An untrained Sub shouldn't be that perfect.

Chapter Two:

The Tightrope

Over a week later, Sam sat alone in his living room with a glass of Scotch in hand while reruns played on his TV. It was his night off but he really wished it weren't because throughout the week he had been plagued with boughts of anger and hurt. Now he was forced to sit and let his mind process without the distraction of papers or files or clients. Of course he knew he could do work on his off time but three glasses in and he wasn't sure he could trust whatever he read or put notes on, and he was too good of a lawyer to risk his clients because he was being grouchy. All over a stupid man.

Gabriel Novak's rejection had felt like a personal offense. They had slept together twice, and Sam felt like a heartsick teenager which only furthered his anger when he remembered Gabriel telling him that Sam was still a child in his eyes. His hand tightened on the glass and he downed the remaining Scotch, humming in a disgruntled slouch. After having felt such ecstasy during those nights together, only to be tossed away shortly after, Sam felt used and in reality that's exactly what had happened. He needed to put the man out of his head.

But there had been something about those nights together that Sam simply couldn't deny. Beyond the bondage and the roleplay and despite Gabriel's behavior after their first time, Sam inherently trusted the man. It was so unquestioning and absolute and should have raised mental red flags and had him running, but his curiosity was getting the best of him. He trusted Gabriel so completely and it had led to something incredible, if not limited.

The front door to his apartment opened and Dean stepped into the space with greasy hands that tossed his keys onto the lopsided table. "What's up Sammy." He called like he always did, and it was enough sense of security that Sam clung to it as he had all week, "Still moping over that chick?"

"No moping in my bar." He heard Gabriel's voice in his head, making him frown.

"Fuck her." Sam said bitterly, going to take another drink only to remember his glass was empty.

Dean stood at the end of the couch with a raised brow looking condescending, then shook his head, "You know what I did once?" He sat on the arm of the couch and leaned back, "This one chick I slept with threw me out once. Really bruised my ego. So a few nights later, I slept with her again, and I made sure that I was the one to kick her out." He grinned and Sam rolled his eyes.

"And did that fix your ego?" He asked in a droll tone.

His brother shrugged, "At least she felt a little shitty for it."

Sam's brows shot up. He absently wondered what Gabriel would think if Sam were to be the one to reject him. He wondered if he could share some of that sting - and even if it were childish, Gabriel had called Sam a child first right? He caught Dean studying his face and frowned, "What?"

"Nothing man, you've got that whole brooding and pensive look about you." He said with a gesture of his hand.

There was a momentary pause in the room, filled only by the muted drone of the television before Sam smirked, "I was just thinking I might give that a try. I don't want to be the vindictive type but…" He frowned hard, "Say, remember that girl Lisa? How'd she get you back after you two broke up?"

Dean laughed out loud and looked mildly shocked, "She sent me text messages with naked pictures of her. Besides, she was a woman, I don't think you can send some chick naked pictures without looking like a total douche."

Sam scoffed to hide his thoughts. He wondered how Gabriel would like having provocative photos sent to him after knowing how much he loved Sam's body. "How would you get a chick back then?" He asked, trying not to sound bitter.

Dean shrugged, "A little sweet talking, some hero play. Offer to fix her car or something."

To this Sam gave a grunt, because it sounded like a very Dean thing to do. "Might be worth trying." He said, setting his glass aside on the table before he stood up and grumbled as he grabbed his glass up again and walked to go pour himself another. Once done, he ignored the look that his elder was fixing him with as he ambled towards his room. He wondered if he remembered how to work his camera from his old photography class…

#

It was nine fifty-two when Crowley came into Gabriel's bar with sagging shoulders and an aggravated aura. The bar owner picked up on these things immediately and motioned for the man to sit at the end so they could speak in private, already mixing up a drink. There was a reason people came to Gabriel's bar after all, a reason people loved him and the atmosphere, and it was these reasons that he was still in business. The fact that Crowley just happened to be a good friend helped the situation somewhat.

He set the drink down, a strong mix for the portly man who took it up and slammed it down in one go, "Gabriel." He greeted lightly, trying to hide the tight knot of tension in his voice.

"Tough day at the office?" He asked, knowing it likely had nothing to do with work. He settled to lean against the counter as he took in all of the nuances of Crowley's frame, how even his usual sarcasm and snark seemed to be lacking. He had yet to comment on the decor or Gabriel's attire. Things must have been bad.

"No, the office is wonderfully terrible as always." He said with a wave of his hand. "I really don't feel like talking about it. What about you and the boy-who-would-be-moose?"

Gabriel knew a brush-off when he heard one, and he recognized his friend's need to leave the topic alone for at least a few drinks. However Sam was not a topic he wanted to discuss, "I cut him loose, no I don't plan to see him again, and no, I don't want to talk about that either." He said firmly, his lips set in a firm line.

"So, translation: You got scared." Crowley said, not taking a step back from the sore area.

This made the bar owner frown heavily, "I said I don't want to talk about it."

"Damn it Gabriel. You need to stop blaming yourself." His voice was firm and his eyes narrowed, "That was seven years ago, you made a mistake, you learn from it. And even so, you only scared him, you didn't actually hurt him. You let that bitch get into your head, Kali wanted you to get out of the game. She wanted to make you suffer."

Gabriel rolled his eyes, "Did you ever think that wasn't the whole issue?" He asked, keeping his voice to a low hiss.

"Of course it's not but you wouldn't tell me the rest." Crowley pressed on then held out his hand, "Give me some peanuts."

Gabriel turned and grabbed one of the bowls of peanuts from behind the bar and set it down with a distinct clack, "That's because it didn't need discussing. I was getting old, getting tired of training, and after the shit with Kali I just didn't want to deal with it anymore." There was a long pause as Crowley ate several peanuts without taking his eyes off of Gabriel who just sneered and continued on. "Look alright? The fact that Kali got me so pissed that I almost took it out on someone else - I couldn't live with myself. I needed to walk away."

"So then what did you do to Moose?" The man asked with a smug little grin.

There had been several times in Gabriel's life that he had wanted to punch his friend. They had known each other since their early days of college, learned, studied, experimented, explored together. Of course there had been times of animosity. However when Gabriel slammed his fist down on the counter next to Crowley the man jumped and had the presence of mind to look nervous. "I love you Crowley, but if you don't step off this subject I will personally throw you out on your ass."

When he glanced up there were several eyes watching him. His outburst hadn't been missed apparently and he quickly had to force himself into composure, straightening his back and trying to relax.

He had to step away from Crowley for a moment, taking up his usual smile as he went to go make a round around the bar, making sure his patrons were happy. He got asked by several people if he was alright and assured them all was good, and after a few minutes that was true, the comfort of the atmosphere and his patrons enough to quell the momentary anger that had taken his heart. When he finally returned to his friend, the man had worked his way through all of the peanuts and finished his drink, giving Gabriel an expectant look.

The bar owner made the man another drink and set it down, "Look. Sam and I had some fun. But he's a young...vibrant kid with a bright future alright? And I'm a thirty-eight year old washed up Dom who's biggest achievement in life is owning this bar. So if I had to use some force to keep him from making a huge mistake-"

"For fucks sake Gabriel, you're not a mistake. And this bar is something to be proud of, you're someone who's loved and adored and the only one who doesn't love you is you. So even if you don't want moose, fine, but we've been through hell and back and I don't think so highly of anyone else." The man frowned heavily, enough to make even Gabriel cow a little, "You need to find someone."

"You don't usually do pep talks, Crowley." Gabriel said sternly.

"Yes well you're not normally the one who needs them." He took a drink, "But don't worry, tonight's drinks are a lovely payment for my therapeutic services."

That was more what he was used to, and it brought a small smile to his lips, "Will it pay for your silence as well?"

"Another bowl of peanuts might." Crowley replied easily and was rewarded with just that.

"So things going ok with Kevin?" Gabriel asked just as his phone chirped in his pocket. He reached down and took it out, curious since nobody ever texted him during work. He frowned when he saw the message was from Sam, and the picture notification attached to it made a knot of nervousness settle in his gut.

That nervousness quickly unwound into a shot of violent heat straight to his groin when he dared to open the picture.

Sam, gorgeous Sam, was sprawled out over a bed, completely naked. The lighting was low enough that his body was cast in soft shadows that outlined the beautiful features about him, and his eyes were closed while one hand appeared to be stroking himself while the other hand was pressing three fingers into his greedy hole.

Gabriel let out a wheeze when he read the message beneath the picture, [I can't reach the best places on my own…]

The immediate questions that came to mind all fell away to one possessive thought that snarled like a wolf as he typed out, [Who took that pict-

Crowley must have taken note of Gabriel's situation because his phone was snatched away before he could finish the message. That possession flared stronger when his friend's brows rose when he saw the picture of Sam. That was his body, that was his-

Crowley was no longer looking at the phone, but instead had his gaze on Gabriel with a smirk. "He would look incredible with a collar on."

And he would. The mental image of Sam with a proper collar, held on a leash, trusting him...

The phone chimed again and was handed over without having the message checked.

Gabriel opened the next picture message and had to brace himself on the counter for support. Sam was on his knees, chest pressed to the bed, his body presenting to the camera while still fingering himself and Gabriel's mouth went hot and dry. "Holy fuck…"

"He's certainly a handsome boy." Crowley said, his voice barely penetrating Gabriel's scrambled thoughts.

"Bastard plays dirty." He said, unable to take his eyes off of the image.

"Maybe he needed to." Crowley said, "It certainly seemed to garner your attentions."

His phone chimed and he audibly cursed as he checked this message. No image, but the words just stirred his desires, [I want to be filled…]

And Gabriel wanted to fill him. He remembered how eagerly Sam had taken his fingers, how he had taken the plug, and oh the sounds he'd made! He swallowed as his desire for yet another night stirred him. But he had to know, [Who's taking those pictures?]

He looked up at Crowley as he waited for a response, "What? Don't give me that look."

Indeed the look he was receiving was smug and victorious, "Gabriel… You like him. He's a beautiful boy and if that picture is anything to go by, he's got a lot of potential. If nothing else, keep him around to warm your dick now and then. He's obviously, as the kids these days say, 'into you.'"

Someone like Sam didn't belong to someone like Gabriel. Sam belonged on a magazine cover or on display with a younger Dom who could keep up with him. More to the point, Sam wanted something more, something deeper. Gabriel wasn't capable of that anymore and doubted he ever was.

There was a long pause between the two and Gabriel finally dredged up the courage to ask, "How do you do it? I mean, Kevin's young...still in college. How do you keep up with him? How do you keep him from seeing you as an old man."

"Oi… I'm not old." Crowley said firmly, "And yes, Kevin's younger. Of course, on those rare nights when I can't quite keep up with his enthusiasm I try to wear him out well before we reach the main course. It keeps him well satisfied and keeps my own endurance up." The man had started using a lot of hand gestures, a sign that often meant there was something more he was leaving out, however most of Gabriel's blood was in his pants at that moment and rendered him unable to ask.

"And the...the age difference?"

"Well I use that to my favor. I'm older, wiser, and have far more experience than any of those college aged louts that prance about with their crappy poetry or shoddy music. I have value in my age, and Kevin won't contest that. In fact, I think he quite prefers it, and Moose might as well."

"I'm not after-"

"I know, I know…" The man waved his hand, "Just for once, Gabriel, do something nice for yourself. Let the Moose know you want a Sub, not a relationship. Draw up a contract if you want, hell I'll write it."

Gabriel's phone chimed and he swallowed as he looked at the image attached. Sam on that bed again, curled on his side with one knee up, exposed again with his hair splayed over the comforter. His hand was once again stroking himself, and there was a very visible amount of precome smeared across the tip, beaded at the slit, and Sam's eyes were on the camera, resolute and soulful. [You told me to find someone new. I thought you'd be happy.] Was the reply.

That swell of possessive anger rose up again. His jaw cinched tight and he couldn't ignore or deny it. Sam was his. He had been the one to claim that body, to open him and make him sing. But what right did he have to command the other at all after their previous encounter? He had so harshly made sure to break them apart before anything could be established. [I was just curious.] He replied.

"Perhaps if you want to enchant the boy back to your bed, you should...relieve some tension first. You look ready to burst a blood vessel." His friend supplied, once more in that knowing tone Gabriel hated so much.

"Too late anyway. Kid picked up a new Dom." He said, setting the phone aside because he wanted nothing to do with it at that moment.

Crowley rose a brow, "So he's sending you naughty photos? That screams of someone who isn't happy in their current situation."

"You think he's with someone bad?" Now there was worry mixed with his possessive anger. He remembered Nick, and that worry turned to abject horror as his mind already started processing the 'what ifs.' Had he pushed Sam towards that?

The man rolled his eyes and reached out, touching the phone, "May I?" He asked with raised brows. Gabriel frowned but didn't fight as Crowley picked up the phone and pulled up the photos, making Gabriel squirm. This caused his friend to glance up, "You've got it bad love. But…" He chuckled, "I don't think your boy has found anyone. These photos were taken from the same position at the same height with almost no variation."

"Meaning?"

"Tripod, darling. And not the fun kind."

Gabriel frowned, "But someone had to press the button. Besides, that's a phone, not a camera."

"You're behind the times. Most tripods have access for phones now. And nobody needs to push a button on an automatic timer."

In an instant he snatched back the phone and quickly started sliding through the pictures. Slowly the tension released from his muscles as he saw Crowley's points. "But...why?"

"I think he was trying to bait you." Crowley offered with a shrug, "Well, rather I think he did bait you."

"So it was a trick?"

This made the other man laugh softly, "Remind you of anyone?"

Gabriel was silent for a moment, still staring at one of the pictures. The most recent one in fact, and felt himself smiling. He recognized affection spread across his chest, "Yeah...yeah it does."

His phone remained silent for almost half an hour. When no responding message came through, Gabriel found himself frowning. Even Crowley offered him a helpless shrug as he fixed his jacket, getting ready to leave.

[Sam? You didn't find a new Dom, did you?] He typed out carefully, [How would you like to come over tomorrow, Gorgeous?]

It was almost closing time before a message came back through. Gabriel had given up on a response by that point, and was surprised when his phone chimed as he was stacking the chairs.

[Promise to make it fun.]